Saturday, January 31, 2009

Super Bowl Sunday



I am thinking about joining in Bonnie's Quiltvillechat.com group and making a quilt for superbowl Sunday this year. I missed out on last years Bargello Bowl quilt. I have a basket full of 2 inch fabric strips that I use for Log Cabin Quilts that I would like to use for this project. It should be fun and interesting. I am NOT a football fan. When I was a young person, my father "hogged" the television to watch any and all sports. Only once can I remember begging him to let me watch the movie "Gidget" instead of the Fri.Nite Fights. Haha, guess he didn't want one in his living room (nah, I was a quiet kid). I have never been a TV fan, but I always liked Sandra Dee and Bobby Darrin!! If you would like to join along, and have fabric strips lying around, visit www.quiltville.com for more information. See ya there!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Miracle on the Hudson



This drawing was sent to me in a forwarded email (I don't usually open them). All I could say was "wow". High praise to the artist!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Hexagons



After joining The Great Hexagon Quiltalong (see sidebar) last week, I decided to start a hexagon quilt. First task was to find the green Rubbermaid box that I always kept the cut hexagons in. I prefer 5 inch hexagons. Then I discovered that you could make a diamond shape with them...kind of like a "Trip around the World" quilt. I have put only a few rows on this quilt, and am using blacks and tans. It is hard for me to hand piece them, so I tried to do a few on the machine. Both ways work. Like I really need "another" project to work on?! Click on the button on the sidebar and it will take you to the new hexie blog. If you like hexie quilts, it's worth taking a look at!

Friday, January 23, 2009

A true story



There once was a baby girl born, just after the year became Spring. She had blonde hair and blue eyes and was not unpleasant to look at. But her mother didn't want her and she was taken away to another place to be cared for. She left the hospital in borrowed clothes and a worn out blanket and didn't even have a name to call her own. She was taken to an orphanage to be left alone, cold and hungry. A bottle was propped in her mouth to feed her, but soon she became to weak to eat and only had an Angel to watch over her and keep her alive. This girl was adopted at the age of two months and her life was saved, but what about the other babies who are unwanted and have nothing to call their own...no loving family, not even a warm blanket. Won't you please make or buy a blanket or an outfit of clothing and donate it to your local hospital and specify it is for a child who has been given away. Somehow, that child will feel the love and know, and that love will come back to you multiplied!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Just for a Laugh...

Cat Mats for Scarlet




I have made two cat mats to send to my friend Scarlet in CA. She has requested that her friends make some cat pads to help out her neighbor who is trying to help some feral cats who are in need of a little warmth. I am always happy to help out, but the big problem these days is the postage!! What used to cost me $5. to send now costs $9. Fixed incomes only stretch just so far (as many older Americans know!). I made these out of double strands of Lion Brand Chunky, Bernat Chunky or Encore Chunky. They turned about 18 inches square and are very soft & squishy. My cats would love them, if I gave them the opportunity to try them out!!

On a different note, please let us pray for the new President, his family and the countless Americans who are traveling to Washington DC to see the Inaugeration. Although I did not vote for Mr. Obama, I certainly pray that God will use him to make our Nation a better place. I also pray for Mr. Bush and his family, that God will make his transition to "civilian" life an easy one.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Aren't they cute?




Many thanks to my friend Ghost for the two kitty potholders and a kitty washcloth! So well made and I just love them....Ghost knows I love orange! They are too purrty to use, so will just admire them for awhile. By the way, I borrowed the photos from Ghost's Blog. She takes much better pictures than I do! Thanks again, Ghost!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Gifts from a friend



My friend Tammy P and I met for coffee at a local Christian coffee shop in Mt.Airy yesterday. It was the first time we had a chance to get together for a long time, so I was really looking forward to it. I was so surprised when she handed me the bag (with the cats on it) and the wonderful things inside. Thank you, Tammy. We were both working on projects, her a sock and myself a scarf. The lady working there wants to learn to crochet! She said she'd like for us to get a group together & teach herself and others. We'll see what works out. I seldom leave the house anymore, and it was a very nice day! God is good!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009




You Are an Argyle Sweater



You are contemplative, brainy, and serious.

You don't take much lightly - life is too important for that.



You are a very determined person. You don't let anything stand in your way.

You think out your actions and act deliberately. You don't waste time, money, or resources.

More quizzes




You Are a Hat With Flaps



You are fun loving, cheerful, and even pretty cute most of the time.

You use fashion to play. You never take style all that seriously.



You're the type most likely to wear a funny t-shirt or goofy hat.

But when it comes time to clean up, you clean up nicely.




You Are Blueberry Pancakes



You prefer flavorful, fresh foods that are well seasoned.

You shy away from anything plain or overcooked.



It's not likely someone would find a lot of cheap convenience foods in your kitchen.

Instead, someone might find a wide array of spices, herbs, and flavorings.

Monday, January 12, 2009

A look backward



I am going to be brave and show my first quilt as an adult. The year was 1976 and the ladies of the church were making a raffle quilt. I joined the group too late to make a block, although they were kind enough to give me a copy of the pattern. I actually went and tried hand quilting (and I'm positive they took it all out when I left). I remember saying "Lord, just let me out of here and I won't try hand quilting again!!". I made this quilt for my daughter, who was just entering first grade that year and it is a twin size. Somehow it survived, and I found it in the cedar chest yesterday. It is machine AND hand quilted!! I didn't try quilting again until recovering from major life-changing surgery in 1983. This time things went so much better. Georgia Bonesteel was very popular with her Lap Quilting PBS series and books. I thought that it was so much more do-able and made several. I even taught Lap Quilting (a quick course) at the church here. I can't hand quilt anymore, and am now retired as a longarm quilter as well (although I will never part with it). Any quilter out there willing to show their first quilt? I'd like to see it!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Work in progress




Actually, the round ripple afghan is finished and ready to be given away. It is made from Red Heart and Bernat yarns and I used a size "I" crochet hook. It turned out to be about 60 inches round. The "southwest" ripple is work in progress. I only take it out occasionally, and it is slow going. I think I have "frogged" and started over twice! But I am between major projects, and think I might finish it this time. I am also using an "I" crochet hook on this one and several leftovers and brands of yarns.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Sometimes things end.



After much trial and error, and hair pulling....I must conclude that my socknitting days are over. Well, at least using the fingering weight or sock weight yarns. Try as I might, over the last few days I have come to realize, I just can't work with the tiny needles and thin yarns anymore. My arthritic hands just don't cooperate and neither do my diabetic eyes. The sad thing is that I have about 3 large plastic boxes full of sock yarn. Quite an investment, huh? The last I tried to sell, I took a big loss on it, so am not sure what to do with it. Am considering my options at present. As I come ever nearer to the big six-oh birthday, I am thinking about a lot of different changes to be made, and are some projects, et al, really worth the effort and/or torment. I am very thankful for the things that I can still do, and plan to keep busy for the Lord with what I can do, and eliminate the rest!!