Happy New Year!

I want to wish all my family and friends a Very Happy New Year.
Today has been extremely warm.  The high today was 77 but a cold front from our Canadian friends will be here later on tonight.  Then we should be back to our normal temperatures.
I didn't do any sewing today.  I sorted and put away fabric that a dear friend gave to me.  Visions of quilts danced through my head as I was fondling the fabric.  Anyway, my New Year's Resolution is to get this sewing room/studio cleaned up from all the Christmas sewing.  It's a disaster right now.  After I get it cleaned then I can work on my Orca Bay.  The last clue comes out tomorrow and I sure ain't ready......
I did do some sewing last night.  I made 2 pot holders.  I used my Go! to cut them out using the tumbler block.  They are good enough to use at the microwave.

Using the Go! to cut these potholders.

Today I finished taking down the Christmas decorations and putting the living room back to order.  After all the exhausting work, I made dessert for tomorrow's dinner.  We are having Corned Beef and Cabbage with potatoes and carrots.  It's suppose to bring good luck in the new year.  Being from New Jersey and I listened to what my Mom told me, I have this every year.  Texans here eat peas/beans for the good luck.  Not sure which one.  I'll stick to my corned beef and cabbage (New England Boiled Dinner).  Here's some pictures of my desserts:

Bread Pudding with NO raisins

Cherry Cheesecake

I'm going to make Rice Pudding in the morning without raisins.  I hate raisins but my brother and sisters love them.  They aren't coming for dinner - and it's their loss!  (I still wouldn't put raisins in the puddings if they did come)  I am also having Carrot Cake and there is ice cream in case the little ones would rather have that. 
That's about it from the happy home of Jean!

Today was a first for .........

Ethan.  He got his very first haircut.  No more curls or hair in his eyes.  He looks so 'grown-up'.  He didn't want his picture taken today so it was hurry up and snap a pic before he runs off.

Daddy holding him in one place

Grandpa trying to get him to look at me

I found that Bill had taken some pictures (3) when the kids started to open their presents.  Here are 2 of them.

Ethan asking grandma - 'Is that all there is?'

'Let's find some more presents to open before Tanner gets them'

I did do some sewing today.  On Christmas day, Sharla (daughter-in-law), asked me to make her some more towels for the kitchen.  The ones that she had my Mom had made for her back in the early 90s.  She brought some towels over and I cut up 3 of them to make 6 towels.  I used my Go! cutter to cut out the tumbler block.  I still need to put buttonholes on them and sew buttons on.  I still have 5 more towels to make 10 more kitchen towels.  Maybe next week I might get them done. 

Since the towel was a one-way design, when I cut it I had to put a binding on the cut part on the left side towel.

The towels on the right only had the one design.  I added a strip of fabric to the other one.

Last night I did some cutting and sewing for my Orca Bay Mystery quilt.  I needed 700 - triangles (small ones),  I cut 500 only 200 more to cut.  I have my strips ready to cut out 350 pairs of brown and white triangles for a different block.  I am starting getting confused.  Tomorrow another clue comes out.  I'm not ready!

If you have your sound on, I did change the Christmas music.  A little Dino and some country.

Peace and Quiet

It feels so good to RELAX.  After having the 2 little kids for 7 hours and the 2 bigger kids for 3 hours today it is so nice to hear - nothing.  I didn't realize that 4 kids (1 1/2, 6, 13, and 17 years old) could make so much commotion.  But they were all very good.  All were very happy with all the gifts that they received.  The ham dinner turned out okay.  Everyone seemed to enjoy it very much.  I will post some pictures when I get them.  I had my camera all ready to take pictures and then I forgot to take them. 

This picture of Tanner was taken yesterday afternoon.  He's taking his afternoon snooze.  The couch is not for people, it is for dogs only (that's what Tanner thinks).  That is his quilt that stays on the couch.

I hope all my family and friends enjoyed this day as much as I did.
Jean

Texas Sunset

The storm passed by and after the sun started to peek out I took these photos.  It was still drizzling as I took them.  I think the purple, pink, orange, and yellow are outstanding the way they just blend in.

I managed to make a sketch pad and marker holder for the little girl for Christmas.  I made one yesterday but I certainly didn't know what I was doing.  It quickly went into the trash!  So after sleeping on it over night, I figured out what I was doing wrong.  Here are a couple of photos of the finished item.

Sketch pad and marker holder closed

Sketch pad and marker holder opened

I went to the doctor today for my checkup results.  Everything came back great.  The only thing that is not so good is the arthritis of the spine.  I told the doc that I could live with that and Aleve.

My girlfriend is still in the hospital after her surgery.  Per her sweetheart, she is doing as well as can be expected.  I haven't talked to her for a week and I miss her voice or is it the constant talking :)  Hope she doesn't read this or I will be in deep trouble!
Jean

Christmas time is a comin'

Christmas is getting here just to darn fast.  I've still got some more shopping to do for the 2 oldest granddaughters.  Bill and I shopped a little bit for them but didn't get all that we wanted.  Maybe within the next couple of days.  We couldn't go yesterday or today because we had 2 little sick monsters.  Their dad had final exams both days and couldn't miss them.  The granddaughter has strep throat and the little rug rat has a double ear infection.  Considering how sick they were, they were really good.  This picture doesn't look like they are sick.

Little brother loves big sister

Needless to say, I didn't get much sewing in. After they left today, I did get some red string blocks done for my step 4 of Bonnie Hunter's (Quiltville) Orca Bay Mystery Quilt.  I need 65 blocks that are cut in half to make triangles.  I got 10 done!!!!!!!!!!!!  I didn't even start on step 3.  Maybe when the holiday season slows down I'll get caught up.

Step 4 Red string blocks cut in half for triangles.

I did decorate - if you want to call it that - the tree and mantle.  I was looking for a simple look.  I think I got that - real simple.  I did make the tree skirt this past weekend.  I used a 9 degree wedge (which I borrowed from my friend) to cut 40 wedges, sewed them together, and lightly quilted it.  It will do.

My simple tree

My simple mantle.

I couldn't put anything in front of the fireplace because that is Tanner's sleeping area.  I did the best that my non decorating skills will allow.

Looks better showing the mantle and tree together.

I wish that I had been a good girl this year but I think Santa is only going to leave me some coal in my stocking.  Do you think if I'm good for the next 11 days I might get something under this tree???  We shall see!

Excitement and a surprise!

I talked to my girlfriend early this afternoon to see how she was doing.  She informed me that she will be having surgery next Wednesday.  I asked her if I could come over and pick up some fabric that she had at her house and to see her.  I was suppose to get it last week but the sinus headache monster visited with me instead. Anyway, after I get to her house, I was informed that our other friend was meeting us.  I had known that she had made Cheryl  a wall hanging and she was going to give it to her.  The excitement started to rise in me because I knew Cheryl would just be so thrilled with her gift..  When Birdie got there she had 2 gifts instead of one.  I thought well since Cheryl is having surgery, Birdie got her a little gift to lift her spirits.    The surprise was that the other gift was for me.  Wow, now my excitement level is super high because I'm the one that got the surprise!

Cheryl with her columbine wall-hanging quilt

 This is an explanation from Birdie's blog:
Cheryl is from Colorado, so I painted columbine on her quilt.  It is acrylic ink painted on plain cotton fabric.  I heat set it, but I also told her not to wash it!  Because it is ink instead of paint, I wasn't sure if I could mix textile medium with it as I would normally do.  This was my first experience with ink.  She doesn't look like she minds, does she?!

 

 

 

Jean with her wall hanging quilt

 Here is an explanation from Birdie's blog:
A poem by Suzy Toronto entitled, "She Who Believes in Herself" is embroidered (by machine) on Jean's quilt. Jean is the quilt expert in our little flock, so I just had to do something "quilty".  Yes, that's Ms. Jean on the quilt - can you tell? I painted the flesh parts, appliqued her clothing, and added a mini quilt tacked loosely onto the main quilt.  My daughter-in-law discovered the coordinating floral fabric, and it's perfect!

Here is a close up picture of 'me'.  Birdie did me perfectly; t-shirt, bootcut jeans, and bare feet.  Oh, and the curly hair!
Can y'all tell that I'm excited?

Is it December already??

My goodness, how time flies.  It's been quite awhile since I've blogged.  Maybe the reason is that I've been busy shopping and making things for Christmas. 
Today, Bill and I put the tree up.  It's not decorated yet.  I guess when you get older it takes longer to do things.  After I get the tree decorated, I will take some pics to show you just how horrible my decorating skills are.
I got some new rulers to help me make cutting HST and QST a lot more accurate and easier.

I know they don't look like much but I just love cutting with them.  Very easy to use and I don't have to do the math on what the cut measurements should be.  I just need the finished size.  I'm headed to Joann's tomorrow to get another ruler.  I've found a pattern for a tree skirt that I must make and I need to get a wedge ruler.
The youngest granddaughter is coming over on Saturday and we are going to make soap together. She wanted to make some Christmas gifts for her family, friends, and teacher.  A 6 year old thinks that grandmothers can do anything.  I hope her bubble will never burst!
Jean

It's cold outside, it must be winter

Nothing like having to wear a sweatshirt outside.  Well actually, I had on my leather coat yesterday.  The wind was blowing 25 - 30 mph and it was 50 degrees.  The wind chill was much lower. Anyway, thanks to the cold,  it's starting to feel like it's going to be Christmas soon.  I'm getting into the Christmas spirit.  I know, it's about time.
I did some sewing today.  No quilt making.  Although I'm doing Bonnie Hunters new mystery, Orca Bay. I had some of the pieces sewn together over the weekend.  We are on Clue 2 which is 72 - 3 1/2 " square blue string blocks.  I think I have around 25 made.  For Clue 1 it's 244 - 2 1/2" hourglass squares.  I'm making mine brown & white.  I have 10 completed and another 70 ready to sew.  I guess I'm just slow but I will get them done.

Blue String Blocks and Brown and White Hourglass Blocks

 The sewing I did today was for Christmas, I made 10 candy canes.

Candy Canes

Angie Padilla's Bits and Pieces   website is where I got the pattern to make these adorable candy canes. 

My other project today was to make a toilet lid cover.  Since it's for my cowboy 1/2 bath, it's in a southwestern fabric.

Toilet lid cover

Don't I sew the most 'exciting' things?  I did get a purse sent out today for my sister in law.  She saw the one that I made for my big sister and wanted one.  I asked her what color did she want.  The answer was jewel tone.  If you know me and the colors that I like, you know that I don't have any jewel tone fabrics.  This is my interpretation of jewel tone fabric:

Another purse done and gone!

 Yes, of course it has pink/burgundy in it.  All my fabric has the red family colors in it.  Thursday it's girlfriends together time. It will be good to see them.  We always have so much fun together, talking (I don't talk, I just listen), eating, laughing, shopping, and did I mention eating?

Feels like summer

Yesterday's temp was 84 and today it's suppose to be around 82.  Not bad for Nov. 14th.  As I tell Bill, it's one day closer to Spring!  I re-potted some of my plants that were looking sick.  The reason is because of the extreme heat this summer.  My little sad looking Christmas Cactus has a couple of buds on it.
Maybe this is a sign that it will be back to it's glorious beauty.

Christmas Cactus

I made my older sister a purse that goes over the chest.  When she was visiting me and we went to the casino she wanted one to use.  I didn't have the time to make her one before we went so she 'borrowed' mine.  My favorite color is red so the purse was trimmed in red.  Her favorite color is blue so the one that I made her is trimmed in blue.  I altered the pattern a bit but overall it's looks the same.  I also made her matching eyeglass case that she can clip onto the purse.  Well, that turned out a disaster but I'm making her take it anyway!  The strap is adjustable so you can make it to go on the shoulder.  The pocket in the front shows where to put your cell phone.  Now just to get to the PO to mail it out to her.

Wavy Top Purse

Showing the cell phone pocket with flap.

 I still haven't quilted my latest quilt top.  Maybe today.  I did buy some invisible thread to quilt it.  That will make it a new experience for me.  It can't be that bad....... here's hoping!

More company and more sewing this week

Bill's brother and his wife spent the weekend with us.  I haven't seen them in awhile and it was a good visit.  We went to Olive Garden for some great food.  I even brought some food home.

I have my Hunter's Star almost done.  I just need to quilt it now.  Maybe sometime this week it will get done.  I am sew proud of myself by getting 90% of the points to match.

Top of Hunter's Star - Not quilted yet

 
 

Star points that match!  Yeah for me

Corner pinwheel with points matching.  Hip, Hip, Hooray!!

 

 

 

 

It really is a simple pattern but if you could have heard my cussin' about sewing 12 block wrong and then having to rip them out you would have thought that I was doing the most complicated blocks instead of half square triangles.  But, it's now done just waiting for the right time to quilt it.

Tomorrow I'm headed out shopping with the girls.  I don't need any fabric so I'm not sure if I will buy anything.  That's okay because after I use up some of my stash, I'm going on a shopping spree.

Catch y'all later...........
Jean

My extended weekend guests

Bill and I had a fantastic long weekend with my sister and brother-in-law. 

Back:  Jean and Bill                      Front:  Gary and Janet

My sister doesn't normally have real short hair but she had just finished up her chemo and she is in remission from that terrible cancer.

Janet and Jean

 I know that you can't tell from this picture but when we were younger, people thought that we were twins.   Janet and I went shopping at the mall and some other stores along the way while Bill and Gary went shopping at their kind of stores.  We also went to the casino and had a really great time.  We spent the night at the casino hotel.  And then........... it was time to say good bye.  It was such a short visit and I wish it could have been longer.  They headed off to Arizona to visit with their son and his family.

I did do a little sewing.  I made some slippers for the young grandson.

Ethan's slipper 

  I know they look like the ones I made for him last year, but these are bigger and since he is walking, I put grippies for the soles.  I used the rest of that flannel so I won't be making more with that fabric.  When I see him, I'll try them on him to see if they fit.  If they do, I will make him a couple more pair.   I tried to sew some on the Hunter's Star quilt but I made so many mistakes that I just turned the sewing machine off and walked away!  Tomorrow I will undo my mistakes.  They aren't that bad, I just sewed the blocks together WRONG.  Warning:  Don't sew when you can't concentrate!

That's all from my little abode..........
Jean

What happened????

The beginning of October the temps were in the 100s.  Today the high at 2 p.m. is 53.  Tell me winter is not here.  At least it will be back up to the upper 70s in a few more days.
I didn't go fabric shopping today.  I had a sinus headache (again) and I wasn't up to shopping.  So what have I been doing?...............  Making a small quilt.  The pattern is called Hunter's Star.  Since I have been trying to use what I have in my stash, I came up with this color combination.

Hunter's star from a distance to get the true look

Close up but a washed out look.  The rows are not sewn together yet

The HST (1/2 square triangles) and blocks to be sewn

I cut all of my pieces on my GO! cutter.  I'm getting a true 2 1/2" HST and true 4 1/2" blocks.  It didn't take very long to cut these out.  I think that I will not have enough fabric to do the borders.  I will most likely use plain black and the gold fabric that is in the quilt.  I have maybe only 1 or 2 points that don't line up perfectly.  Here's hoping that the rest go as easy as the start of this.
Jean

Another Christmas gift almost done............

Friday night I started to cut out Christy's quilt for Christmas.  It is a Stack and Whack pattern. The pictures show what has been done so far. What little girl doesn't like pink and purple?  She has bunk beds and this will fit nicely on it.  Like her brother's quilt, this is also all flannel.   I don't have the last border sewn on yet.  Maybe tomorrow I'll finish it.

The whole quilt

Close up of the quilt

Don't look to closely as you will find that all my points don't match up.  I don't think Christy will care.
My sister and brother in law will be visiting with Bill and I.  They fly in on Saturday and will be leaving on Wednesday.  It will be GREAT to see her!  This Thursday I will be meeting up with my friends---- it's fabric touching time.
Jean

Two quilts done - Added picture

Front of Ethan's quilt

Quilt with the back showing

I've managed to get 2 quilts completely done.  YEAH!!!  The first one is a Christmas gift for Ethan.  It is a 10 minute quilt block quilt.  These are so easy and fast to do.  There isn't any batting in this quilt because I used flannel for the front and back.  It will be plenty warm enough.
This one is the Scrappy Pineapple quilt.  I forgot to take a picture of it before I put it in the washer/dryer.  Maybe in a couple of days I will take a picture of the completed quilt.  
All done washing and drying.  Here is the finished quilt.

Scrappy Pineapple quilt showing the free motion quilting

Pineapple Blossom all done

Now I need to cut the little girl's quilt for Christmas.  Before I do that, I have to decide what I want the quilt to look like.  This one will also be flannel just like her little brothers.
No much going on around here except my chimney is getting fixed.  When we had the bad hail storm back in 2007 the cap was bent up and almost off.  That was suppose to have been fixed.  When we had rain the other day, we could hear the drip, drip, drip of water.  After we checked in the attic we found that the 'let's put the cap back in place and take the easy way out' wasn't even secured to the chimney.  There was also a really big gap and the water was just pouring in.  The only damage is a very small water mark on my bedroom ceiling.  You can't see it unless it's pointed out to you.  That will be the next thing to fix.
I finally have gotten rid of my sinus headache.  It was so nice to wake up this morning with a head that didn't hurt.  It had been hurting for almost 2 weeks straight.  I can function now so it's off to get some fabric cut out.
Jean

Quickie

Gotcha!!  Here you thought this would be an x-rated post.  Sorry to disappoint you, but, it's only a quickie note to say that I will be posting (with some pictures) tomorrow.  I'm quilting my pineapple blossom quilt and I've made a quilt for the youngest grandson for Christmas.  It took me all of 3 hours to make it.  So stay tuned for the picture show tomorrow late afternoon!
Jean

Company is coming....

My step daughter is flying in tomorrow (on a plane not a broom).  She is the one that we visit with in Arizona.  Kathi will be here for a couple of days.  It will be good to see her.  I know her Dad is looking forward to the visit.
Speaking of Bill, he went to Austin again today.  He still didn't get his test done.  He was stuck 9 times with them trying to get thte IV needle in.  Finally Bill had enough and said, STOP.  He probably will go back down in a few weeks.
Here is a picture of Tanner in his favorite nap time spot, under the fireplace.  This time he had to 'hug' his bunny while he slept.

Tanner

I didn't do any sewing today.  I woke up with a sore throat and the beginning of a cold.  How horrible for me.  I won't get any sewing done the rest of the week (I don't think).  I do have 2 rows of the Stack and Whack sewed together.  I'm getting there.

Friday Nite Football in Texas

Brewer High Cheerleaders - Sept. 30th Game

If you click here:  High School Football  , you will be taken to our local Fox news and you can view a video.  My granddaughter is a cheerleader at Brewer High (Go Bears!).  In the picture she is in the first row the middle girl.  The only one with glasses.  Brewer lost the game 30 to 27.  Football on Friday nights happens to be something else here in Texas.  If you aren't from Texas you wouldn't understand.  Since I'm not a Texan, I don't understand

Here it is the 2nd of October and we still have some hummingbirds around.

Humming Bird getting a drink

 This isn't the best picture but you can see him on the right.  His tail is sticking out a little.  They are usually here from mid March to mid August.  I guess Bill must be feeding them pretty good if they are still here.

I've been working on my Stack and Whack.  I've got 10 more little square to finish.  I think today I will just sew a quick and easy something or other to take a break from the quilt.  I have a couple of small projects that I can get completed today.

Stack and Whack coming along.

Time to get off the computer and start sewing!
Jean