Post Birthday...

Thank you one and all for the birthday wishes that I received via snail mail/email/Facebook/blog, etc.  You helped make my special day even more special!  I had a nice birthday.  No partying...no whooping it up.  Just spent time with family.  

Late in the afternoon, I received a call from the nursing home...letting me know that me Mum was on the way to the ED because she had fallen and hit her head on the bathroom sink.  She had quite a gash.  So, I spent 3 hours there with her.  She is doing okay and the staples (10 of them!) come out next week.  

On Saturday, I took my homemade angel food cake over to the nursing home and spent more time with my sisters and Mum.  (The cake was so good!)

I have been working on my 4th charity quilt for SBB Heart Builders.  The blocks are done...I just need to sew them together and then get the quilt top into the mail.

The #sewingavillage party over on Instagram is in its 3rd week...so to be on track, 24 houses have been made.  I am trying to keep ahead of the game by making a few every day or so.  The total number of houses for this village quilt is 132.  That makes for a lot of planning and cutting and sewing.  Mine will be mostly scrappy, but scrappy AND random is sometimes difficult for me to do.  I have so many scraps...and I am trying to decide what other scrappy project I can have in the works as long as I have scraps everywhere I look in my sewing room!!  Here are more of my houses...  

Week 2 houses

Week 3 houses

Remember the polka-dot quilt I showed a few posts ago?  Well, I was calling it the Dot quilt.  Funny story...Jill (recipient of the quilt) decided that, since Dot is an oft-used nickname for Dorothy, she would call her polka-dotted quilt, Dorothy.  But, then...where was Toto?  So, I made a Toto pillow cover for her!!!

Toto pillow cover

I also made a few more cloth napkins for my niece, Michelle (Jill's daughter), whose birthday was the 21st.

So, that's what is going on here...how about where you are?



"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

What I Made...

In my last post, I wrote that I had made a few things I could not yet show.  Well, those things are arriving at their destinations today, so I am finally able to show you.  Nothing that exciting, mind you...just a few things I made.


First off...linen napkins for Lindy.

Unfortunately, I only had enough of this natural linen to make 4 and she has a family of 6, so when I get more of the natural linen, I will make/send 2 more for her.  I also made her two face cloths...one red and the other green.  Sorry, no photo of them.  

Lindy is my 'almost' birthday twin.  Her birthday is the day before mine (the 15th...and, yes, her gifts were late) and she is a few years younger than I am.  We met on a rug hooking message board several years ago and started exchanging birthday wishes...which eventually turned into gifting one another.  Lindy is the one who gave me the Curio fabric to make this quilt...which, of course, needs to be finished.  This year, she sent a gift card for the Missouri Star Quilt Company!  I had fun spending it.  I bought a layer cake of Denyse Schmidt's Hadley collection, some yardage for binding, needles for Naomi Janome and a package of needles for hand sewing.  Thank you so much, Lindy! 

oh!  I must tell you...dealing with the Missouri Star Quilt Company is a very pleasant experience.  My layer cake was short two 10" squares, so I called them.  Instead of sending two 10" squares, they sent me yardage!  More than 1/2 yard!  Wasn't that nice?  This was not my first shopping experience with them and it definitely will not be my last.  Love to find suppliers that are willing to take that extra step to satisfy a customer!

Next up...more kleenex cozies.  Apparently, there are more people in the state of Maryland who have yet to receive one.  My sister, Joyce, is determined that everyone she meets receive one...so, of course, it is up to me to supply them.  ~grin~

fronts

backs

And, that is all I have done!  Well, I have been planning things, too.  That takes up way more time than it needs to most days.  But, you know, it has been so cold and gray...definitely saps any energy I may have.  Spring is not far off.   

Yes, I had a birthday.  And, the federal government honored my birthday by giving federal employees (at least some of them) the day off.  Nice!  ~grin~

One of the things I bought with birthday money received was...you guessed it...fabric!  I wasn't going to buy any fabric, but then decided that if I was going to, it would be better to spend birthday money than to take money out of my budget.  HA!  So, I ordered a fat quarter bundle of Anna Maria Horner's Folk Song!  It arrived today and I am in love!  Her fabric is so wonderful...the colors and the feel/drape of the fabrics are just something else!  When I made this quilt  back in September...

Pretty Potent by Anna Maria Horner

I fell in deep, deep love.  

So...want to see what I received?  

Folk Song by Anna Maria Horner

Oh. My. Gosh.  I love these colors...they are so vibrant!  There are only 14 fat quarters in this collection, but if I pick up a few of the coordinating solids, I will be able to make a very nice sized quilt!  Not any time soon, though.  It's going into my 'someday I'll make a quilt with this' container.  

Yeah.  So.  My birthday.  In honor of me, I am having a giveaway!  Not today, though.  Check back in a few days.  I need to decide what to give away.

In the meantime, stay warm and safe!  Have a great weekend!




"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Going on Nine!

I had a wonderful weekend with my dear granddaughter, Kaylynn.  She is such a bright spot in my life...I know you've read this before, but I gotta tell ya...she truly makes my heart sing.  

Kaylynn will be nine years old on May 4.  WOW!  Already?  I gave her a few gifts while she was here...some cloth napkins to take for using at home (she thinks it is way cool to use cloth napkins when she is here!), the skirt I made back here, a white t-shirt and the promise of another skirt (I wanted to see how this one fit before making another).  Here she is modeling it...a perfect fit!
  

 We watched the movie, 'Frozen'...

went to Rocky Rococo's for birthday pizza...

and ate these for dessert.

 

Tag, of course, was ecstatic that she was here.  Wherever he was, she was...

Resting after time spent playing.

Kaylynn does beautiful artwork...

see the brown dog?

She is hoping to receive a bitty baby for her birthday.  If she does, you know who will be busy making clothes for the doll.  ~grin~

It was a wonderful time and was gone in the blink of an eye.  Now that I am retired and things have settled down both here and there, I should be able to spend more time with her.  She lives about an hour away, but her Mom is very willing to meet me halfway for the visits.  That makes it so much easier.

I hope you had a good weekend, too! 




"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Giveaway Winner!!

Thank you for all your birthday wishes and comments...

The giveaway is now closed.

The winner is...

Rhonda!

  ~Backroad Treasures~ said...

I just found your blog love it. happy belated birthday!!!!!!

Would love to be put in for your giveaway!!!!
Enjoy your day..
Blessings
Rhonda

February 18, 2014 at 5:06 AM

Congratulations to you! 

Rhonda has been contacted by email.

 




"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Happy Heart Day!!!

found on Pinterest

Happy Heart Day to you all!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As you read earlier this week, 

I've been bitten by the 'pillow' bug.

I happened to have six 1/2 yard pieces

of Parson Gray Seven Wonders

by David Butler...

with nowhere to go.

So, I started putting some

pillow cover tops together.

Here's what I have so far...

 

  

I like some of them better than others.  My faves are the last three...the half square triangles, the split rail fence, and the simple patchwork.  The pillow covers range in size, so I'll have several pillows of the same fabrics in different sizes (16, 18 and 20 inches).  I'll quilt them and make the backing with a solid fabric.  I will probably make a few more and decide which ones I like best to finish.  

What are you all working on?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

psssssst....

My birthday is coming up

and what better way to celebrate

than to have a small giveaway?

If I can decide what to give away,

that is. 

Stay tuned.

edited to add:  I did it!  I put together a fun little package...kinda red/heart-themed...what with my birthday's proximity to Valentine's Day! 

 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Birthday Boy!

Today is Tag's 12th birthday!

He doesn't act his age, for sure.

More like a 2 year old.

Which is fine with me.

Happy Birthday, Tag E. Butt!!!

Love you beyond forever...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Happy Birthday to ME!...and a Giveaway!

Happy Birthday to me!!! I actually love my birthday.  Gotta love a day that is 'all about me'!  ~grin~  Every year, me Mum reminds me of the year - I was a young child - when I became very upset because my Dad had to work on my birthday!  Actually, I always thought that, but it seems that one year I made a particularly big fuss about it.  That makes me smile.  Because, of course, everyone should be available to help me celebrate MY day, don't you think? 

What am I doing to celebrate my special day?  Well, for one thing, my son, Paul, along with his wife, Rachel, will be stopping by.  They picked up a tv that I bought and will be delivering it.  (I am so excited about this...but more on that at a later time).  We will have some time together and then will go out to eat for lunch.

For those of you who are wondering, I will be 61 years old at 12:12 today.  And, not a minute before!  ~grin~  One year closer to retirement is the way I see it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later...

So, I had written all of the above this a.m. and, for some reason, my laptop shut down.   It's now almost 10:00 p.m. and I am just getting back to it.

I had a great day.  Paul and Rachel came...as planned.  Paul got my tv and blu-ray player set up and then we went to Outback for a birthday luncheon.  Very nice waiter and great meal!


I had one of these...

we shared one of these...

served by our waiter, Ben.

I didn't take a photo of our dinner...too hungry or something, perhaps.

Here is a great shot of Paul and Rachel...

 

and another one... 

We had a great time.
    
It has been a great day.  YAY!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On to the exciting part of this post...the Giveaway!

I made this little mat before Christmas and did nothing with it.  I thought it might make someone a nice little gift.  The fabric is Jovial by basicgrey for Moda and the mat measures about 13 1/2 inches square.  I quilted it with little loopy-loops.  

front

back

No tricks or hoops to jump through...just leave a few nice words for me.  I will use the Random Number Generator at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20 and will email the winner.  Please ensure that I have your email address...either through your profile or left in the comment.

Good luck to all of you!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Brown Boy's Birthday!

Today is Tag E. Butt's birthday!

He is 11 years old...

so hard to believe!

He has not slowed down.

Not. At. All.

Happy Birthday, Tag!

Love you to pieces!

xoxo

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

I Am Ready...

I believe I have everything needed to make this fabulous quilt.  

*pattern from Lindy 
*notes from Lindy 
*Kaleido-Ruler
*fabric - Curio...how I love this fabric collection made by basicgrey for Moda! In addition to what Lindy sent I was fortunate to purchase more at fab prices...for the blocks and backing! 

I am hesitating a bit...but I will be cutting into these fabrics before the night is over. This quilt is destined to be one of my best-loved! 

Hope your weekend is what you want/need it to be! It's a 4 day weekend for me...wish they were all that long . 

Birthdays. Past and Future...

ohoh...somebody is pouting.
Why?
Because I didn't post about

his very special birthday.

Not sure why I didn't.

We did celebrate his special day.

It was Wednesday, February 8.

Tag,

aka Brown Boy,

aka TagEButt...

is now 10 years old!

The big 1 - 0.

Ten!

A milestone.

I simply cannot believe it.

He acts like a two year old.

Heidi (a coworker) made Tag's

special treat again this year.

Yup, peanut butter cookies.

Here's a photo from 2 years ago.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Speaking of birthdays.

Mine is coming up real soon!

Thursday, February 16.

I will be 60 years old.

whoa...
that is such a high number.

I am not obsessing about it, though.

It's just a number.

A milestone, to be sure...

but still, just a number.

So, in honor of me, 

I was thinking about

having a giveaway.

Anyone game?

I'll post about it on my day.

That will give me time to put

together a wonderful package

for the lucky winner.

So, if you want to see what

I put together, be sure

to come by on my day

- Thursday - 

to wish me a happy birthday.

And, to sign up for a chance to win.

In the meantime, have a great week.
Me...I have 2 more days off with
lots of things to finish up.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."Jeremiah 29:11

Gifts...

I love gifts.

I seriously do.

It doesn't matter what for...

birthday, get well, anytime, anyplace.

I'm kinda greedy that way.  

Kinda deserving, is my thought. 

Better to receive than to give much of the time.

With me.

You think I'm kidding, don't you.

Okay, but really? 

I kinda am. 

Kidding.

But, not totally.

I like to think I reciprocate

(but I know I don't),

but I do what I can.

All that just to tell you that my birthday gift from 

Brenis arrived in the mail this week.

My birthday is in February.

5 months ago.

Better late than never!

As good an excuse as any, I suppose.

One year, me Mum told her 4 daughters 

- who all live out of town or state from her - 

that if we couldn't get her birthday gifts

into the mail on time to arrive by her birthday,

to just skip it.

So, I did.

That'll learn her.

Okay.

Mostly tongue-in-cheek.

But, not all!

Anyway.  Look what Brenis made for me!

This is so totally awesome, I cannot believe it!

24 x 24 inches.

See the hand-quilting?

This woman rocks.

Seriously.

More things in the box.  

She's my stash-builder...always sends me fabric.

That's some Joel Dewberry there, ya know.

Gotta love a friend like that!

And, I do.

And, see the iron?

I've been complaining for a year that

my $7.00 iron was a piece of junk (imagine that).

So, she bought me a new iron.

YAY!

Gotta love a friend like that, too...

one who pays attention.

 

What else was in the box...

quilt magazines, a jelly roll pattern, 

a whatchamacallit to hang around your neck

and attach scissors or measuring tape...

whatever you wish.

I think that's all.

Good grief!

It was a box filled with wonderful gifts.

Thank you, Brenis!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Okay, must go now.

Gotta feed Tag & myself and

get busy with the Friday Night Sew-in.

5 Years Old...

Today is Kaylynn's 5th birthday.

Her Mom sent some photos...

be sure to click to enlarge them.

(this first one is a bit blurry)...

She'll be coming for a visit a few weekends from now.

Hoping the other Grandkids are able to come, too...

we'll have a little party.

Happy Birthday, Kaylynn...

I love you more!

A Few Things...

First, I want to thank you all so much for your feedback.

I appreciate you so very much!

I guess I'll leave things alone.

I rather like the look of my blog right now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had to (read HAD to) go to 2 quilt shops today.

Not one, but TWO!

It was tough, but I managed.

{grin}

I picked up this fabric...

see the Eiffel Tower?

see the Statue of Liberty?

The fabric is called 'gnomesome traveler'...

it's crackin' me up!

I have a plan.

Don't you worry.

I picked up this dotted fabric for the binding of the Blush baby quilt.

It's gonna look darling!

And, this is the second day that I worked 
on my Postage Stamp quilt.

These are NOT 1" finished squares, though.

Do you think I'm nuts?

Okay, so don't answer that.

I'm cheating...these will be 2" finished squares.

(By the way, those strips in the photo are just laying there.

They're not sewn together...don't want you to think that I cannot match seams!)

There is a lot of sewing and cutting with this quilt.

But, I can already tell that it'll be worth it in the end.

AND, today I cut my first binding on the bias!  

YAY!

It's for my large whirlygig quilt.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Allegra would have been 12 years old today.

There are no words that would come close
to conveying how I feel...how much I miss her.

My Birthday Gifts...

A few of you (nosey people...{grin}) have asked what I received for my birthday.  Here you go... 

From Lindy over at The Gingerbread House.  I think I showed this before, but I'm going to show it again.  Lindy's birthday is the day before mine, though she is not as old as me.  We like to remember each other's special day.  (Lindy, my gift to you has not been mailed, yet.)  

From Janer, my BFF, who lives in my hometown, Eau Claire.  She sent me a pair of wonderful slippers (I hate wearing shoes), flavored powder to add to water (I hate plain water), 2 candy bars (must have already eaten one when I took this photo), large safety pins, and a bottle of Skin So Soft lotion (Avon).

In the photo below this one, the beautiful handmade (not by Janer) rosary,

and in the photo below that...a poster of SHEPHERD!  When we were young and wild, we hung out with a huge group of guys and gals (we were hippies, ya know).  Shepherd was an excellent local band...and we were totally in awe of them.  Janer ran across this poster (a friend from 'back in the day' had a stash of them)...thought I might want it.  I do.

                          

This next photo...gifts from my family.  "The Guardian" Season 1...this was when I first became aware of Simon Baker {swoon}.  (He is now in this season's popular show, "The Mentalist").  Jafra skin care products,  (direct sales company I was once involved with...love their products...click here for more info on their skin, color & body care products), microwave popcorn which was given so that I had a snack when watching the dvd's given...but I don't have

a microwave!  I'll have to take them to work,  I guess.  2 chickens and an angel bell (every time an angel gets his/her wings, a bell rings), a gift certificate for Stitcher's Crossing (lqs), a gift certificate for The Calico Shoppe in Eau Claire (to use when I go home to visit), tealights for some gorgeous candle holders I received for Christmas, and, a cherry blossom exfoliating bar of soap.

Love all my gifts...thank you!