Friendshipstarquilter

2012-01-28T12:17:00.000-08:00

I am posting on behalf of my mother. She hadn't posted for a while because she was battling cancer. It was a private battle shared only with her family and a small group of friends. On October 9,2011 she went to be with the Lord in her home surrounded by family.

Before mom passed away (during her chemo treatments) she was working on a Dresden plate quilt, she was able to finish it with the help of her friend Mary Lou. It was on her casket the day of her funeral and will remain a cherished quilt in our family.

We held a service and were able to line the walls of the reception hall with mom's quilts/afghans. I wrote who she made them for and described what life event was happening that she wanted to make it. It was such a privilege to honor her in this way.

I miss my mom everyday and looking through her blog reminds me of such fond memories with her. She accomplished so much as a mother, wife, grandma, quilter and woman of God. I know she loved sharing her projects here on the blog and I hope to pick up where she left. She taught me so much and I know my level of making hand made items is not nearly close to hers, but I'll share what I can. Sitting at the sewing machine, or just knotting thread to hand sew an item makes me feel so close to her. Like she's with me. I hope posting here will do the same, make me feel like she's with me.

A close friend posted this on her blog about my mom. http://cheesecurdsinfargo.blogspot.com/2011/10/life-death.html

Happy Tulips

2011-03-28T05:30:00.001-07:00

I hung this lovely vintage tulip quilt by my bed to welcome spring. I bought it at a flea market because of the cheerful colors and wonderful quilting. It is quilted by hand in a perfect pattern that I am sure was created by the maker and fills the surface with fans and curves.

I also noticed that the quilter had an assortment of 30's solids and complimenting prints. The stems and leaves seem to be made from scraps of depression greens. I admire her work and thank her so much.

Stompin' cookies

2010-12-05T06:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was baking day for Christmas cookies. My daughters are mixing a HUGE batch of 'stompin' cookies'.....thanks Mary Lou for the recipe. It is not made with a mixer so you build

muscles as you mix the dough. You drop spoonfuls onto the sheet and then STOMP them with a glass coated with color sugar......hence the name. Yummy

Christmas traditions

2010-11-21T12:06:00.000-08:00

This big dolly lives in Hixson's Flower store in Lakewood Ohio. We come here to purchase our glass ornaments for the tree. Most are imported and handmade and all are lovely. We brought our children here each year as they were growing up and bought each a special ornament. Now they are bringing their children here....so the tradition goes on.

Blog update

2010-10-01T12:20:00.001-07:00

I have been missing for the last few months but I am back. I had major surgery at the end of July and recovery has been slow. Feeling much better now and should be back to stitching soon.

During this time our family celebrated the adoption of two precious children. They have been with us for several years as fosters and now are officially ours. To mark this occasion I made this 'Family quilt'......for my daughter, son-in-law and the new additions. Luckily I pieced it last winter and machine quilted it over the summer. It was made to be used for years to come and not worry if it is spit, spilled or.....upon.

I took Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville pattern of Sister's Choice and enlarged it. It was fun to make.

Airing the tent

2010-07-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

Pulled out the tent that has not been used in years and years in preparation for camping this coming weekend. The girls and I are taking the kids (ages 5, 4, and almost 2) camping at a state park, leaving the menfolk at home.

They will be in an air-conditioned RV and Grammie will be in private quarters......the tent. We are looking forward to the great outdoors with swimming, walking and playing but not the 90+ temps......Grandpa thinks I am nuts....lol.....wish me luck!

Goodbye Loyal Companion

2010-07-06T03:24:00.000-07:00

Daisy has been our loyal companion since we rescued her from the pound ten years ago. She passed way last night after failing health for the past few years. We were so happy she lasted to enjoy this wonderful summer, her joy in life was laying in the cool grass or basking in a bit of sunshine. She spent her winters mostly in her bed next to the woodburner and only went out in the cold and snow when she had to, but summer was for outside.

Daisy was famous for her waggy tail and beagle nose. She would track a smell all around the yard and boy could she bay!

She only ate things that had walked the earth......no veggies for her! The only exception was Cookies.....boy did she love cookies!

She will join her best beagle friend Mrs. Peabody in the canine burial ground on our property. She will be missed......

Cactus blooms in Ohio

2010-06-16T05:52:00.000-07:00

It nevers ceases to amaze me that this cacti grows, thrives and blooms in Ohio where the winters are frigid and long......mother nature is full of surprises and I love this one!

One flower Wednesday total

2010-06-09T11:11:00.000-07:00

Three flowers this week....brings the total for the past month to 12....wow a dozen flowers!
Thanks to this group I have been moving along on this project...Thanks

Sure signs of summer

2010-06-08T08:01:00.001-07:00

Both my daughters ride motorcycles and here is the youngest one's with pink pinstripes.....too cool and a bit girly

What fun T-ball is.....little ones have no clue what they are to do. Batter hit the ball perfectly and everyone is frozen, thinking "What do they want me to do now?"......lol.......batter runs (sometimes in the wrong direction) and everyone scrambles!

Honeysuckle blooming on the trellis........I love the smell and so do the bees

My pride and joy.....1978 Serro Scotty Sportsman....great condition and fun to camp in.

Looking forward to summer fun in the sun and some relaxing.

Spring beauties

2010-05-29T05:55:00.001-07:00

Great year for peony bushes this year....huge blossoms and lush foilage. Usually about the time they bloom heavy spring rains beat them up. We have been having a summerlike spring here in Ohio so things are going great.....even the weeds lol.

Butterfly Quilt

2010-05-28T06:25:00.000-07:00

This happy quilt was made for my mom's birthday years ago. I sorta made it up as I went along.

It is more 'liberated' than any of my other quilts. Fun to make and now that mom is gone I will bring it out for spring and think about her often.

Antique Hexagons

2010-05-26T11:37:00.001-07:00

I have a collection of antique/old grandmother's flower garden blocks....I just love the old fabrics and all the different color combo's. The bottom one is one of my favorite..........she fussy cut it!

Did you notice that this group is done with a yellow center, then solid flower then floral outside.

Love the way it looks.....so happy!

The hexagons are 3/4 inch. finished and the work is all neat and handdone. The flowers come from different times I am sure.....30's, 40's and 50's. The fabric is a bit fragile on some and they are slightly different sizes since they were not made by the same person so I will not attempt to do anything with them.....except admire and LOVE them.

Wednesday .....again?

2010-05-26T05:39:00.000-07:00

Here it is Wednesday again....boy did the week go fast! Only got two done this week due to all the work in the real garden. Had fun the other night looking at all the blogs of people doing One Flower Wednesday....gotta love hexagons.

Saturday Adventure

2010-05-25T08:56:00.000-07:00

Saturday we went to Amish country here in Ohio. Visited Country Fabric in Shiloh and found these goodies. The strips are from a 'scrap bag' that Moda sells. It is marketed in a brown paper bag with a cello window so you can see the top fabric and how much.....turns out to be 25 strips 3.5 inches wide of mostly 'fig tree' quilt line....love it love it......only eleven dollars. I also found these yummy fabrics that will go with the butterscotch/muted green, blue and yellow fig tree prints that I am collecting for a quilt for ME....lol

Anne in Columbus from the Applique_Your_way yahoo list and I have been writing privately and I had told her about this quilt shop. She traveled the hour and a half with her friends from her 'quilt bee' group to check it out, so I planned to meet her. Nice to put a face to the name and share a quilt adventure ......thanks Anne.

One Flower Wednesday

2010-05-20T04:41:00.000-07:00

My 'One flower Wednesday' turned into four flower Tuesday and Wednesday night!

I worked on these hexagons during 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'American Idol' TV shows each evening. Love how happy they look along with my new plants.

Another baby afghan done!

2010-05-13T03:55:00.000-07:00

Finished this baby afghan last night for a baby boy. Love the brighter colors that baby clothes/items are these days.....'in my day' everything was all pastel. Trying to get the crochet projects done before the summer heat hits, then I will be back to all quilting.

One flower Wednesday

2010-05-12T11:29:00.000-07:00

One flower turned into three flowers. Made these with 'Quiltpatis'.....so easy. Was lucky with the placement since I didn't 'fussy cut' them....glad those little boys and pup lined up! Love these thirties fabrics for a baby quilt, so happy looking.

Hexagon....Grandmother's flower garden

2010-05-11T11:26:00.000-07:00

I have always loved hexagons. A long time ago I bought 'quilt patis' and made these flowers, then last winter I appliqued them to the blocks and found I don't have enough to make a baby quilt which was my first intention.

Just recently I saw several blogs where people are making 'one flower each wednesday' and now I want to join in the fun and complete this project.....so I will start tomorrow.

Learning to crochet "on the double"

2010-05-07T07:16:00.000-07:00

I tried Tunisian crochet and was disappointed in the end product....it curled and was ruglike. While researching this I found crochet 'on the double' tutorial and tried it. I love it.

You use a long double ended hook or denise interchangeable needles sells hooks that connect to either end of a cable and they are wonderful. It is an easy process and comes out looking more like knitting than crochet. The afghan comes out puffy but warm and drapes nicely.

The fun thing is it looks different on each side. One project I am doing is a varigated pink yarn mixed with a pale yellow and on one side it looks pink and on the other looks yellow....fun!

Birthday blanket

2010-05-04T08:08:00.001-07:00

This afghan is for an adorable little gal who is turning two later this summer and getting a 'big girl' bed and newly decorated room. I am almost done and found out that it is much bigger than I planned.....guess I was so intent on getting the colors and stripes correct that it got away from me!.....don't know what to do, might make another small one and give them both to her. She is going into a toddler bed right now but that won't last long....this afghan is better sized for a twin bed.....sigh....sometimes I just get carried away....lol

April BOM for Aunt Millie's Garden

2010-05-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

Finished the April block for Aunt Millie's Garden.....May's block is very similar with the same shape flower but many smaller ones, now to choose a color scheme and get going.

Crochet for Abby

2010-04-05T12:08:00.000-07:00

I have been making baby afghans for gifts lately and my 'baby' wants me to make her one too!
Since she is 24 years old she gets to choose her colors and of course it is tourquoise and brown.

She is very impatient and wants it NOW.....considering I just bought the yarn last Monday I believe I have done really well in one week's time.

"Hooked" on another hobby

2010-03-11T05:02:00.000-08:00

My daughter asked me to go with her to a 'sit and knit' group a few weeks ago....sure I love spending time with my girls. Took my quilting project and enjoyed talking with the knitters.

So when she wanted me to go again...thought I best start a small crochet project, maybe a scarf.

Wellllll....I bought a skein of yarn or two and found a hook and......now I am hooked!

I did crochet when my kids were born but haven't made anything for many years. I finished this

baby afghan after just one week and have enough yarn for two more....lol. (I do need several baby gifts for this summer)

Luckily this pattern is one I have made many many times so even after all this time I can make it from memory...now if I could just remember where I left my glasses.....lol

P.I.G.S........DONE

2010-03-02T06:19:00.000-08:00

During the Olympics I made this P.I.G. project. It started as rail fence blocks that Anna sent me and was chopped and stitched into this colorful quilt. It will go to a patient at the chemo clinic where I received treatment last year. It certainly shows up with the snow as a backdrop...my daughter trudged thru two feet of snow to hang it.

Olympic Accomplishments

2010-02-28T11:05:00.000-08:00

I have accomplished quite alot in the last 17 days of Olympic games. My goal was to keep busy with quilty stuff every time I sat down to watch the coverage, including the Today show in the mornings.

I managed to completely make a lap quilt from the P.I.G. I received from the Stashbuster yahoo group. I also retreived a lap quilt that I made many years ago and almost sent off to Goodwill unquilted....lol...it is finished and sent off .

I also managed to do several BOW (SBS and FWS) and my Aunt Millie's Garden BOM. I pulled out a wallhanging that was made during a Pat Sloan round robin six years ago or more, added a border, quilted and bound it so it is ready for spring.

I handquilted half of the bowtie quilt that is on my frame. I made a cover for my 1530 Bernina that I received for Christmas from hubby.

AND, last but certainly not least, I finished assembling the 1200 pieces of my charm quilt that I started during the Olympics summer games 08-08-08. It was my project for those games and I marked and cut the pieces and assembled them here and there over the past year, all by hand. It is now 64 x 81 and I need to decide if I want to add to it or handquilt it as it is....probably will add to it.

So I think I am a winner and have alot to show for time spent enjoying the Olympics and the wonderful job the host Canadians did!

Bernina cover

2010-02-26T12:39:00.000-08:00

Made this cover for my new (to me) Bernina 1530, afterall the other Bernina has a cover !

Will add yo-yo's to the center of the flowers or dig in the button jar and add buttons. Fun to make.

Finally finished

2010-02-24T11:31:00.000-08:00

Pulled this UFO out and finally quilted it. I think it is from maybe eight years ago...maybe more

and just needed to be quilted. It will go to a lady in the hospital who has osteoporosis and broke a bone, had surgery and will require long rehab. This quilt is lap size and should keep her broken leg warm and comfort her as she heals.

Processing my P.I.G.

2010-02-20T13:00:00.000-08:00

Well, I got up this morning and decided to process the P.I.G.S. (project in grocery sack)

that I received last week. I call this Pork Chop since they arrived as assorted six inch rail fence blocks and I stitched and chopped and stitched some more and came up with this quilt. I will machine quilt it and have it ready for donation and have lots more rail fence blocks to play with.

Handquilting the bowties

2010-02-17T09:17:00.000-08:00

This is where I am hanging out these snowy days. I am trying to get back in the groove of handquilting by practicing on this flea market find. Love my new frame that I found on "sewitsforsale" yahoo list, fits perfectly in this space.

Aunt Millie's Garden BOM

2010-02-16T17:12:00.000-08:00

Finished my block of the month for February. Hated all the points but I do like the way it came out. Hope March's block doesn't have too many points or circles.

Stashbuster P.I.G.

2010-02-13T11:28:00.000-08:00

My P.I.G. (project in grocery sack) arrived yesterday from Ann on Stashbuster Yahoo group.
My mission is to take these rail fence blocks and make a nice quilt to give to a deserving person or charity group. There are over 150 of them in all colors/styles/prints and will be a challenge to make them play nice together. I have come up with what I think is a clever idea to stitch and chop them into nice blocks....calling this project 'PORK CHOP'......will post pics as I work it out.

Bright sunshining quilt

2010-02-07T08:48:00.000-08:00

After a weekend of blizzard conditions and shoveling it is heart warming to see this bright sunny quilt that my friend Mary Lou made. She used an antique quilt that her grandmother made as inspiration for these spools. Her machine quilting is exquisite. She is teaching this quilt at a retreat in the fall. What a happy quilt!

Winter Wonderland

2010-02-06T07:39:00.000-08:00

The snow came down like crazy last night....guess we are lucky, only ONE foot ....lol
Good weekend for quilting and stitching.....lots of Super Bowl sales I will have to miss
but that's OK I don't really need any more fabric anyway. Tomorrow for my Superbowl
project I am going to join a group doing a quilt from ALL scraps....what fun!

Cute Dress for Grandbaby

2010-01-29T12:15:00.000-08:00

My daughter had the day off so we spent the time stitching this dress for the foster granddaughter. It is from a Portabellopixie pattern(www.sandihendersondesign.com
.....they are sorta hippy or Bohemian in style.
We used fabric that we had to try the pattern out and after fitting it on the baby we will make more dresses. She will be so cute in her new outfits!

Aunt Millie's Garden block

2010-01-28T05:14:00.000-08:00

Finished my first Aunt Millie's Garden Block (Piece O'cake design) last night. I will admit that from time to time I mumbled that this might be a pillow instead of a quilt. It definately challenged my abilities which is good I guess. I have not done much applique and what I have done was simple, casual patterns that it didn't matter if one leaf was askew. I am doing this as a block of the month with the yahoo group Applique..Cafe so onward to Febuary's block. The gals on the list have been very encouraging so I guess this will not be a pillow....maybe a small wallhanging....lol

From long ago....

2010-01-26T14:07:00.000-08:00

I was rooting thru my baskets of old quilt blocks that I have accumulated over the years at flea markets. My main goal was to save them...I appreciated the work that went into these old items.

I found over 50 of the dresden plates all stitched with the edges turned under and basted, all set to be appliqued onto a square and made into a charming quilt. I need to do this soon.

The lady who made the piece with the bow ties either had wild taste or just used the scraps that she had...lol. I am going to make a border out of solids on each side to make it a usable size and then quilt it. I figure it will be a nice practice piece for me to quilt as I try to get back into handquilting on my new frame.

I am sure one of my daughters will be excited to give this homely quilt a good home. Guess the lady that made it all those years ago will be happy with this end to her project.

Favorite Christmas gift

2010-01-03T11:58:00.001-08:00

While making the two quilts on my Bernina 932, for my daughters' Christmas gifts my hubby heard me say many times....'i wish this machine had needle down'

So he searched and searched and found this 'like new' old Bernina 1530 and got a neat table for my Christmas gift. I am a bit intimadated by it right now but I will learn.

Merry Christmas Quilts

2009-12-25T17:01:00.000-08:00

When I was diagnosed with cancer this year it brought to mind all the quilts I was going to make 'some day' for my family.......so I decided that no matter when my 'expiration date' was I needed to get moving on these projects. This summer while undergoing chemo I started making 'Sylvia's Bridal Sampler' and 'Farmer's Wife' blocks in two different color schemes for my two daughters. I wasn't sure I would be able to finish them in time for Christmas but I did!

I chose earth colors with purple and orange accents for my older daughter. The golds and greens are perfect for her livingroom.

My younger daughter saw this fabric (the border) and fell in love with it......shades of aqua, brown and chartreuse. I searched for tourquoise fabrics and was lucky to find all kinds of polka dots and swirls and just enough fabric to do the border.

Each block was made with love and the quilting is filled with hugs and kisses for my girls.

Hopefully I have years of quiltmaking left, so I have many ideas and lots of fabric and will not put it off any longer......how about you?

Doll Quilts

2009-12-23T12:46:00.000-08:00

Made doll quilts for the little girls (16 months and four years) this year. Used bright color fabrics and just winged the pattern, thought the squares were too big so decided to put them on point. Machine quilted daisy pattern on the big pink squares and meandered the other one. Hand sewed the binding....think the dolly will be impressed?

Tuba Christmas

2009-12-23T12:37:00.000-08:00

Daughter Melanie took part in 'Tuba Christmas' and played Christmas Carols with 500 other musicians.....all some form of a tuba/baritone. We were in the balcony and finding her was like looking for a needle in a haystack....but she was front and center waving....lol

Guardian Angel Chemo Quilt

2009-10-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

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My good friend Mary Lou made this 'Guardian Angel' quilt for me to take to chemo with me. She used my favorite fabric (the dark apricot swirl) and favorite color scheme....peach and green. Angels are quilted in the white spots to guard over me while I heal. This touched my heart.......love ya ML!

Birthday quilt

2009-09-13T08:05:00.000-07:00

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Here is the quilt I made for the foster grandbaby's first birthday. It is happy and sunny just like her!

Been Missing for Six Months---I'm Baaaack

2009-09-03T06:26:00.000-07:00

Last posted in February and hope someone out there is wondering where I have been.....lol

In December I was diagnosed with uterine/ceverical cancer. Just after my last post in Feb. I had major surgery.....followed by two more minor surgeries, blood transfusions, chemo treatments, etc.

Good news is....chemo is coming to an end and I am feeling much better. I even did some jelly making and canning of the past weekend and have been on the motorcycle!

I must tell you ladies.....priorities shift when an issue like this comes up. I have found QUILTING to be a blessing to my mental/spiritual well being. In the beginning I was only able to flip thru quilt books and magazines but then moved quickly to handpiecing and now I am working hard on quilt projects that I have put off in the past and a few new ones thrown in for good measure.

Here is a pic of my handpiecing project. I started this charm quilt last August during the Olympics...cutting hundred of pieces then hand pieced them during my illness. It is far from done but I am proud to say that I have 605 pieces joined...all different fabrics of course and many more hexagons in the works.

Glad to be back to quilting and now back on the blog.

Mabel's Quilt

2009-01-23T06:15:00.000-08:00

While browsing around Volunteer's of America last night my daughter found this treasure. It is a pink and white two block quilt, 30 x 50, hand quilted and appears to be handpieced. It is slightly faded and has a bit of fraying on the binding.....obviously well loved. It was marked $3.99! We turned it over and scribbled on the back in permanent black marker is "Mabel Goodworth"....'do not wash'.

It seems to have belonged to Mabel when she was in a nursing home and then donated to Volunteer's of America by family/friend/nurses....who saw little value in this worn, odd shaped quilt.

I fell in love with it immediately. It will have a place of honor from now on....I am sure Mabel would be pleased. I do not recognize the pattern....anyone know what it is called?

Christmas Sparkles

2008-12-27T07:00:00.001-08:00

Kitty is weary with all this Christmas celebration but the kids were delighted with their gifts. We had lots of books, clothes, cooking items and toys under the tree. We decided to do 'house hopping' this year so we could see all the trees and enjoy food at each home. Our princess had to be carried to the car so her heels would not get wet.....lol

A Finish

2008-09-19T08:24:00.000-07:00

Put the binding on the baby quilt last night. Used Mary Englebreit fabric that is white with red polka dots that goes with the quilt and the backing that is also a M.E. red floral. I think it came out cute and will be handy for covering the baby in the car seat and as you can see ....its comfy to snooze on also.

Is it over already?

2008-08-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

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Is summer over already? How did it go by so quickly? We did have a good summer filled with flea markets and BBQ's, motorcycle runs and trips to country quilt shops. My highlight was Neil Diamond concert that was my mother's day gift.......ahhh Sweet Caroline...still plays in my head (and my IPOD)

Quilts....well I did the Orange Crush mystery, Burger Queen-Have it your way quilt, kept up with my BOM's and started my charm quilt

Summer for the family brought many hot dogs and cupcakes, lots of laughing and helping each other. This summer was an emotional time for sending a son to the military and welcoming a two year old bundle of giggles to our family.

So we will enjoy what good weather is left, look forward to the glorious display of fall and settle in to a long winter of quilting and family fun.

Burger Queen Mystery

2008-08-12T16:38:00.000-07:00

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Finally, the group has finished the Burger Queen Mystery.....Have it your way. I finished mine weeks ago but could not post a photo until the group had finished with the clues. Being the rebel that I am, I used several variations of the Churn Dash block, several colors and added a few blocks with 'accent' backgrounds. I like the way it came out....seems cheerful to me. I have borders ready to go on then figure out the quilting.

2008-06-21T17:36:00.000-07:00

Here is the birthday boy's quilt. He is two years old and loves cars and trucks....sure is bright tho.
I quilted words in some of the squares like 'love you' hugs' blessings'
Now that this project is done I am off to work on swap blocks and putting together my Orange Crush mystery

Keeping Cool

2008-06-11T16:26:00.000-07:00

Been recovering from some minor surgery (is it ever minor when it's YOUR surgery?) so not much stitching is getting done. The excessive heat has not helped but this little guy knows how to keep cool. His second birthday is coming up this month and I must make a quilt for him. (he definitely doesn't need it for warmth but every little one needs his own quilt for comfort and hugs)
The quiltville list is planning a summer project that I must join starting in July. Going to the quilt shop this weekend to pick up my 'Be Attitudes' block of the month for June. So I plan on spending hot summer afternoons stitching...how about you?

MAKE-DO QUILT

2008-04-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

I joined a cyber-retreat on the weekend of National Quilting Day. The Pat Sloan Yahoo group decided to have a weekend of quilting, chocolate, chatting, and friendship. I wanted to make a quilt top completely from my stash. I pulled all my orphan blocks, leftover nine-patches and odds and ends. The common factor was color, they were all red, navy, gold, brown and/or green, so I pulled all my matching scraps from the bin.

I put them together in groupings and filled in with things where I could. I learned quickly that being spontaneous was not as easy as I had thought. I do like the outcome....do you?

SPRING and tulips go together

2008-04-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

Here is my spring tulip quilt top that was made many years ago during a 'round robin' swap on the Pat Sloan list. I started with the huge tulip at the top and gave instructions for it to feature tulips and be made with cottage colors similar to the 'Folk Art Wedding' by Moda that was popular at the time. The gals did a great
job and I love every single block. Life got in the way and it never got quilted. Would love to quilt it and hang it up to welcome spring.......spring is coming to Ohio, isn't it?