Happy, Happy Friday!!!  I love Fridays.  When I used to work where I had to clock in I always enjoyed clocking out on Friday.  I always seemed to have an extra burst of energy on Friday.  Even though I don't clock in anymore I still seem to have an extra burst of energy on a Friday.  How about you?

I  have a few pictures of some Tonga Treats batiks 2 1/2" x 42" strips that I am making into a quilt.  I'll post some pictures along the way and the final product when it is put together, so be sure and check back.  Aren't those strips beautiful.   They even look pretty all in a pile. I love color and these colors make me happy.

Well I did get a "big Papa" quilt done this week. Wooo weeee measuring in at 95" x 110" this was one big quilt,. I've included a few pictures of the quilting I placed on this beautiful quilt.  I hope Joann H. likes the quilting.

And finally greetings to a few of my quilting friends who are at Threads of Time Quilt Shop/Reteat Center in Danville, IL this weekend.  You know who you are.  Have a great time, wish I were there but then I need to keep on my quilting schedule.

Blessings to all.

I just had to share  this little tidbit in hopes that this may help all of you sewers out there.  I had been having problems with one of my Janome machines, this is the machine I have never really bonded with.  I had had this machine serviced and went to sew with it and lo and behold it would not stitch.  I did put a different wound bobbin in it, changed the needles, took the bobbin case out to see if there was something caught.  Still wouldn't sew (grrrr).  Came back later to try one more time, but this time I totally rethreaded the machine and lo and behold EUREKA!!! it sewed like a champ.  So ladies if you are having problems with your sewing machine don't forget to try rethreading it.  Although, I still think my Janome does not like me. 

Blessings to all.

It has been a sunny, cooler day here today, but two of my grandchildren came to spend the night while they are having spring break.  They enjoyed fishing, riding the golf cart, watching a movie, playing basketball and playing games on the Kindle Fire.  Little did I know when I got a Kindle Fire after Christmas that it would be such a great entertaining device.  Audrey Kate and Jacob know how to operate the Kindle Fire better than I do.  Which really doesn't surprise me, but actually they are my go to persons when I have a question on how to run the Kindle Fire.

Even though it is Wednesday, I do have two quilts completed and they were sent back to their owner, Nancy J.  Nancy J's quilt shop in Wabash, Indiana will be at the Cincinnati Quilt show April 13th, 14th and 15th, 2012 at the Duke Energy Convention Center and the American Quilters' Society Quilt show in Paducah, Kentucky, April 25-28, 2012 .  Nancy always has some great bargains in her booth.  Be sure and look her up if you attend either of these shows.  When Nancy is at the Paducah Show you can find her at the Rotary Building. 

Audrey Kate, age 13, Jacob age 8

Blessings to all.

Is it really Thursday already?  I've quilted six (well almost six one is still on the machine) quilts since Sunday so I guess I don't have to ask myself what I've been doing all week.  After today I hope to take off from quilting until Monday since I have company coming in this weekend. Although I would love to quilt my 1600 quilt with the purple tulips that I posted a picture of before. Sunday will be Eli (Boom-Boom's) second birthday.  I've posted a picture of him since he came to visit us yesterday.  He was ready to work since he had his yellow hard hat on.  Isn't he just the cutest?

I've also posted pictures of the quilts I've worked on this week.  Each quilt that I have on the machine is always my favorite until I get the next one loaded.  I really appreciate the care and love each quilter puts into their quilt.  I've always looked at my own quilts as a diary of my life.  I can remember what was going on in my life and where I was when I look at my quilts.  How about you is your quilt a diary for you? 

The quilt pictures are some of the quilts I've quilted this week made by Jane O., Beth W, Pam H and the quilt with the orange border is one I made for my great-great niece, Kayleigh.  I hope you enjoy the quilts. It has been a great week to quilt since I have had the doors and windows open so I can enjoy the absolutely wonderful weather our Lord gave us this week. 

Blessings to all.

HAPPY NATIONAL QUILT DAY!!!  As if we needed a reason to quilt, but today is National Quilt Day.  I hope everyone gets a chance to sit at their sewing machine or maybe go to their favorite quilt shop today.  When I think about my Grandma Snider making me a king size quilt when Gary and I got married almost 40 years ago (geez where has the time gone) my heart feels joy.  Grandma would be very surprised to see me today quilting.  I don't think I truly appreciated the care and work grandma and her sister put into my quilt, although, I did take good care of my quilt.  I'll be posting a picture soon.  I read somewhere once that when a person gives you  a gift they made with their hands they give you a piece of their heart.  I think that is a very accurate and loving statement.  So enjoy your day and I hope you get to quilt today.


I've posted a few pictures of some of my favorite things today.  The two little redhead girls are two of my granddaughters, Carly is on the left and Abigale is on the right.  Aren't they beautiful?  They spent the night with Grandma and Grandpa and after filling them up with blueberry pancakes, brown sugar sausage and scrambled eggs they are back home enjoying the abundant sunshine with their three siblings.



I also have a picture of some wonderful tea I've been enjoying today.  My sweet friend Sandy W.  presented me with the can of Hazelnut Truffle by Tea Forte' yesterday.  Aren't sweet friends wonderful to have in our lives?  Thanks again, Sandy. I shared some of the tea with Gary this morning and he even liked it and he's not a tea drinker.  I'm not sure which one I like the best.  I've also been enjoying Blackberry Sage by The Republic of Tea which my friend Sue K. got me hooked on.  The teas both have their own distinct taste and feel so good on my scratchy throat.

Now my last pictures are of two of the quilts I worked on this week and are owned by Gina K.  The blackwork of baskets quilt is really stunning although the picture doesn't do it justice. Some day I'll have the patience to do blackwork/redwork.  The navy and cream quilt is really an eye catcher and will be beautiful hanging in Gina's family room.  Thanks Gina for allowing me to quilt these quilts.

Evening all.  I really should be fast asleep, but I just had to share a verse that touched my heart today.  My friend Kristie D. and I are doing the Beth Moore study Stepping Up a journey through the Psalms of Ascent.  The part of the verse from I Peter 4:7-8  is " love each other deeply."  Wow I still get goosebumps when I ready this portion from the verse. 

Blessings to all and good night.

Well I finally snapped a picture of my grandson Jacob.  I have posted pictures of the other "dumplings" (grandchildren) but we could never get Jacob to sit down long enough.  So without further adieu here is Jacob with his Mom (my daughter Kristen).  Isn't he handsome?  Jacob will be raising and showing pigs for 4-H this summer and he can hardly wait for the fair in July.  I'll keep you posted.

Blessings to all.

Wow these are days that put a smile on your face.  Abundant sunshine and 70'ish degree weather.  Who could ask for more, well if you also throw in a trip to Rossville Quilts, 356 West Main St., Rossville, IN 46065 phone:765-379-2900 or www.rossvillequilts.com your day couldn't get much better.  Rossville Quilts went under an extensive addition the last several months and was closed from the end of February until today.  I just couldn't wait to see the new shop and I was glad I made the 25 mile trip from my house.  Marcia Crail, the owner. greeted me and handed me a fabric bag to use while I was shopping and I even got to take the bag home with me.  Yes, I know it takes so little to excite me.  Marcia was gracious to allow me to take some pictures of the shop to show you some of the items that are in the shop.  I hope you enjoy viewing the pictures and when you get a chance stop by Rossville Quilts or go to their online store at www.rossvillequilts.com

Blessings to all.

Happy Saturday Evening,

For those that this applies don't forget to set your clocks ahead tonight.  Yaa, I love daylight savings time.  I might be the only one in my area that does like DST.  I just feel like I have more energy and I really like it staying light until 9:30 pm or so.  Now my daughter Kristen does not like the change to DST because the dumplings (my grandchildren) don't want to go to bed because it is still light out.  The dumplings are excited because soon they will be getting their 4-H pigs.  I've never seen kids love pigs more than the dumplings do.  This will be Audrey Kate's I think third year (maybe fourth year) for pigs and Jacob's first year.  You have never seen a little boy more excited that he finally gets to raise and show pigs for 4-H.  He has watched his older sister over the past few years raise and show her pigs so this summer will be his first opporunity.  I'll be sure and post pictures of the piglets when they arrive.

Now on to the quilts which I've posted above.  Kristie D's quilt was picked up today and she loved it.  She wasn't sure if she could give it away after all. I'm always glad when the quilt owner loves the quilting I've placed on their quilt. Her's are pictures one and two.  The next three pictures are of Mary V's 1600 quilt.  She chose a white backing material which made the quilting show up nicely.  Now Mary and I made our 1600 quilts the same weekend and her's is quilted while mine is still sitting in my some day to quilt stack.  I've decided that I need to start putting my name on my quilting schedule so I can get my quilts quilted.  Isn't Mary's quilt stunning! 

Blessings to all.

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!  I'm always amazed how my week moves right on by, but I am working on my second custom quilt for the week so I guess I'm in pretty good shape.  And I can't use any excuses that I had activities to attend with the grandchildren.  I do have bible study on Wednesdays though.  My good friend Kristie D. and I are studying the Stepping Up a journey through the  Psalms of Ascent by Beth Moore.  If anyone is interested in a great bible study Beth Moore is filled with God's grace and does a commanding job through each study we have done.  You can find information at www.lifeway.com or phone 800-458-2772.

I've listed some pictures of the quilts I've been working on this week.  The first three pictures are Kathleen's and I believe the pattern is called Sea Life.  I quilted each block separately with a different pattern.  The colors of the quilt made me feel like I was in a tropical setting.  What a great feeling to feel like your on vacation even though you're working. 

The next four pictures are Kristie's quilt and the quilt is still on my machine.  I am having a lot of fun with this quilt as well and I think I've done four thread changes so far.  This is a great quilt with beautiful color combinations.  I just love the paper pieced blocks.  I'm not sure if they are called a mariner's compass or new york beauty.  Whatever the name is they are gorgeous.  I'll post a full view of the quilt when it is completed.   Thanks for checking out the pictures.  Blessings to all.