Sewing Goals

I've created my list of what I would like to accomplish in 2012 regarding my sewing projects. It seems if I keep focused the projects get done quicker. Who'd a thunk it?!? Anywho, even though it's not new year's eve yet, I got a jump-start on setting some resolutions. My plan is to keep track on the sidebar of my blog the projects I've chosen to complete this year. I will update the list as the projects are completed. Kinda my checkoff list. Since I send my quilts out to be quilted, I will consider them DONE when the top is finished and they are ready to be sent to the quilter. Yes, I realize that means the binding is still left to do, but it will be more satisfying to me to record them done when the piecing work is done. This may be slightly cheating, but it's my plan so I make the rules!!

Pictures will be posted whenever - as you know, I'm not real good about providing pictures, or blogging for that matter. Let's see how long it takes to break this resolution!!

WANTED: Baby Girl

I'm looking for a baby girl that would enjoy wearing these bibs.

Aren't they simply adorable? The picture doesn't do them justice.
I found the pattern in a quilt shop in Utah last summer. Then I found the material in another Utah quilt shop. The rest is history.... came home and let the fabrics sit and grow on me for a while. Then cut and sewed until my fingers hurt. I like the results so much!

Found out my niece is having a baby, and quess what? It's a GIRL... now she will know what her present will be!

Virginia Is Calling

Ever have the urge to move? Usually I don't, because there is just too much to pack. Of course we all know the good strong boxes are at the local liquor store, but I can't afford to have my Brothers or Sisters see me coming out of those establishments!

However, I am very tempted to move. I found a wonderful home in Virginia last month. Seeing it from afar was quite breathtaking - to plagiarize my favorite movie "I don't know when I've seen a house more happily situated!"

The closer we got, the more excited I became...

Isn't it beautiful? 

The horse and buggy (I mean car) can swing right up to the front entrance. 

I think this staircase just screams "WELCOME". 

I love a house with pillars.

Wouldn't you love to ring the doorbell and have my butler see you in?

This was actually an old southern mansion - yes, there were slaves here at one time. I could be a slave in that house and live quite nicely!

The views from the inside were absolutely stunning! We couldn't take any pictures of the house inside, but it sure had a lot of character - fireplaces galore and lots of detailed wood trim.

I imagined Mr. Darcy in each and every room!!

Maybe the yard needs a little TLC. But I love the white fence. 



Well, all good things must come to an end. 

There was one drawback - the house was not on a lake.

In fact, I didn't see water anywhere (except for my drool)!

Guess I won't be making a run to the liquor store any time soon. 

Small Packages

They say "Good things come in small packages". After yesterday I'm a firm believer of that. My dear son, Travis presented me with this lovely little package after his graduation last night.

I should have been giving him a gift for all his accomplishments, but to my surprise he gave me one. And what may you ask was inside????

This gorgeous little morsel....

It was absolutely delicious!! Chocolate red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. Thought I had died and gone to heaven. Happy graduation to me!! Thank you Travis for thinking of me - you will remain in our will forever!

Virginia

Just returned from a trip to Virginia & DC with my favorite travel companion - John! He keeps me calm, safe, and headed in the right direction. Even though I tease him about his maps with dots and circles all over it, he plans a good trip and we see a lot of things. If I travel alone, I'm more apt to sit in my hotel room and hope I don't get lost or abducted.

This time we went to Harper's Ferry... it is a quaint little town with lots of history. The scenery was gorgeous with green everywhere. I'm sure the fall colors will be amazing (but that would mean another trip)! This is wine country, so there were rows and rows of grape vines.

We ate lunch at a little cafe in an old house. The cafe only had 7 tables of 4 so it was very small. The food was delicious and homemade.

John is a walking history book, so he fills me in on all the historical details of the area - I didn't like history in school, but I love my personal history tour guide! The old train station was unique and we enjoyed looking at it from many angles.

The church of course was an old ornate building with a tall steeple. Set on the highest hill, it overlooked the village below. Very picturesque.

Of course I loved all the buildings with their many colors. Reminded me of a patchwork quilt!

The laundry hanging on the back porch was fun too... or are these ghosts?!

The town was unique because two rivers came together here. It worked well for the early settlers to move their wares.

Of course the big history of this town was the abolitionist John Brown and the events that took place just prior to the civil war. He did what he thought was right and gave his life doing it. Gotta love a guy with that much determination and love for others.

These steps were well worn and warped from so much use by people long ago.

I'm glad we were able to visit such a historic place and enjoy the remains there. It was time well spent to see this area. That's it for now, but I will share some other pictures of our trip later.

Garden Party

I took some time to have fun just for me today. It turned out to be quite a lot of fun once I found the address on how to get to the location. A month ago, I bought a $5 ticket to a garden party. Wasn't sure what that was all about, but I knew it included lunch. If food is involved, and I don't have to cook it, I'm all over it! Turns out, the lady hosting the garden party is a master gardener and lives on a small lake. Her yard is filled with gardens she has created.

We (about 20 in all) arrived at the appointed hour. Most people just sat on her deck and chatted. There were 5 of us who roamed through her yard and marveled at all the plants and beautiful gardens. I was really impressed with how she added little pots, ceramic figures and water baths for interest. She also added height to her gardens using trellis's or climbing vines.

 

The lunch was served buffet style and we sat outside - most folks stayed on the deck, but the same fabulous 5 sat on the back lawn surrounded by the gardens.

I bought a new hat to wear for the party - sorry I didn't get a picture of that;) All in all, it turned out to be a lot of fun for only $5 (plus the cost of the hat)!

Another Finished BOM

I love it when a big project gets finished. This is my BOM - Block of the Month from June 2010 to May 2011. Our group met at Fish Lake Lutheran Church in Harris and had breakfast, followed by speakers, then show and tell. It was a great time and I really enjoyed it. The ladies are terrific, especially my dear friend Barb Sauer who organizes all this!

A sample of our delicious breakfasts!

Eggbake, banana bread and a beautiful orange flower.

The name of this finishing pattern is called Butterflies in the Garden.... can you see the butterflies? The 12 blocks in the center of the quilt were completed one per month, then the sashing (butterflies) and border were all added in June & July of 2011.

I love the colors and think it really does look like butterflies surrounded by the floral fabric borders.

Well, on to my next project that needs to be finished... I have several to choose from!

Hello Again

Hello it's me and I'm still alive! I know it has been forever since my last posting but that's okay. Not much has changed, just life goes on. Our house is being shared with Shawna and family while they purchase a new home. It's fun to get lots of hugs & kisses from the grandchildren each day. And Jenna walks into the house and calls out "Grandma" - that warms my heart!

I continue to sew, but at a slower pace. Here are a few things that have been completed.

Two quilts:

An Easter table topper:

A colorful table runner:

A pillow for Jessica because her closet is full of shoes (my mom did the embroidery work):

And finally, I can share this quilt now because it was a gift and I've presented it. This quilt was made for Karrine because she loves music and performs so well on the piano. She graduated from high school last week and had her open house on Saturday. John and I have enjoyed watching her grow up and become such a super young lady with many talents and a kind heart. She will be a delight at college.

Until next time - don't hold your breath!

Cupcake Creations

I found a new cookie pan with shapes of a daisy, tulip, lady bug, watering can, lamb, chick, basket with eggs, Easter egg, and butterfly. Decided it would be fun to make some for Easter. John really got into coloring the cookies. I just did one color on each cookie, but John used many colors. He found it to be very relaxing.

The colored cookies are then put on top of a cupcake frosted green (representing grass). Here are some of the final cookies & cupcakes. YUM!!

Success!

I love my work as Director on the Connexus Board and MREA Board, but there is one big downside. These are elected positions. My stomach churns when I have to "sell" myself and beg others to vote for me. I guess it goes against my beliefs of being independent.

My three year term was coming to a close so I needed to apply, be interviewed, and then campaign over the last three months. Many sleepless nights and stress filled days later, the winners were announced at our annual meeting yesterday. I was so nervous, but had to appear calm and give my two reports in front of the attending audience. When the announcement came, I just wanted to crawl in a hole and not hear the results. I mean, most people (all politicians) have the pleasure of being alone when the results are announced. This gives them time to "compose" themselves before appearing before the media, supporters, etc.

My fear is that if I lost the election I'm not sure how I would react. Would I remain calm? Would I go into denial? Would I be gracious? Maybe my emotions would take over and I would cry or something... in front of all those people!

I'm just not sure how it would all go down, and since I'm a control freak that causes a lot of stress for me.

Thankfully, the results yesterday were quite the opposite. When all was said and done, I received the most votes and a four-year term was the reward. I'm so excited! Not only do I get to continue to do the work I enjoy, but my stress level regarding elections can remain low for four years! What a blessing!!!

Final March Creation

I finished out March completing a project that has been a year in the making.... yes, that is pathetic! I'm happy to have this done and off my "to do" list. It is cute & functional, so that is a plus. Now whenever I carry a casserole or other dish somewhere I can put it in my new carrier:

Sweet & simple!

Girls Night Out

About once a month we have a movie night for girls only. Our wonderful hostess is Margo...

She chooses a theme and we bring food/snacks to munch on. Last Friday night we had a "dip" night. Food included anything we could dip. Fruit in white chocolate, layered taco dip, spinach dip, sun dried tomato dip, bruschetta, etc. It was all so  yummy!


My daughters weren't too happy with me for snapping this picture without notice.....

so I gave them a chance to pose...

The movie on the big screen was my favorite "Pride and Prejudice" (the second half of the long version),

Margo makes the best popcorn in her fancy open kettle popper. This time we were too full to have any, but I'm sure we will pop some next time!