Blessings to all.  No I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  I have, however, been very busy quilting all of the beautiful quilts I've been entrusted to quilt, attended volleyball and now basketball games, celebrated Gary's 65th birthday, done some Christmas shopping and oh did I mention quilting beautiful quilts.  I've also tried to stay focused and realize the blessings I am empowered with each day by my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  My life has ups and downs, peaks and valleys as we all have, but I am able walk through the downs/valleys with hope knowing knowing Jesus is by my side. The ups/peaks are even sweeter because of the blessings Jesus has presented to me.  As the bible says, "I have learned to be content in whatever state I am."

Here are a few pictures of a sweet quilt I quilted recently.  I used a new pattern and I was thrilled with  the results.  The pattern is by Nancy Haacke digitizedquiltingpatterns.com called Modern E2e.  Isn't the pattern so fresh and modern?

Blessings to all.

Happy Saturday everyone well actually I should say happy Saturday evening.  We've been on the go today watching the volleyball sectional of the North White girls team.  The ladies made it to the final round of the sectional but were defeated by Pioneer.  It has been a pleasure to watch these young ladies this season and that they welcomed two freshmen girls to play on their team - our granddaughter Audrey Kate and Hannah.  When you watch young ladies give their best you feel their is hope for the future.  Our young people are our future and seeing these girls come together as a team, working together, encouraging one another, whether they won or lost a game just makes my heart sing with joy.  Thank you ladies.

Here are a few more pictures of quilts that were made at the Threads of Mine quilt retreat last week in Shipshewana, Indiana.  Enjoy and enjoy the rest of your weekend.  Blessings to all.

Happy, happy Wednesday everyone.  It certainly was a crisp morning here in beautiful Monticello, Indiana.  The sunshine was a welcomed warmth, but then sunshine always makes me feel better.

We have had a fun evening with our granddaughter, Audrey Kate.  She is spending the night and Grandpa Gary is taking here to an 8:00 am orthodontist appointment.   Geez I hope the dentist is wide awake before he starts changing AK's wires.  Audrey got her first report card for her freshmen year in high school.  All A's and one B+.  She is such a joy to be with.

Below are a few more pictures of quilts made at the Shipshewana 2013 retreat.  Enjoy.

Blessings to all.

Happy, happy Tuesday from cloudy, rainy Monticello, Indiana.  Well at least we don't have snow outside today like I hear upper Michigan has been experiencing.  I only enjoy snow the week before and after Christmas then I'm ready for spring.  Oh well at least when the weather does turn cold I can stay inside and quilt.

As promised here are a few more pictures of some of the beautiful quilts that the ladies made at the Shipshewana Threads of Mine quilt retreat last week.  I appreciate the complex piecing some of the ladies accomplished since I prefer the easy piecing.  Our retreat was full of laughter, sharing, laughter, learning, laughter, fellowship and did I mention laughter.  A statement I will always remember made by one of the quilters was, "I laughed so hard tears ran down my legs."  New friendships were made and many of us signed up for next years' retreat.  The Amish town of Shipshewana, Indiana is full of wonderful shops, even if you aren't a quilter, great eateries, bakeries, antiques, shoe stores etc.  Let's just say you would have a great time.  If you visit May-October the flea market is open.

I hope you enjoy the pictures of some more beautiful quilt tops made at the retreat.

Blessings to all.

One more post for today.  Whow two in one day maybe I'm on a roll.  The picture below shows one of my quilts in the background that I put together while in Shipshewana.  I haven't decided if I will add borders to this quilt yet.  I love the colors in this quilt and it was so easy.  The material is a jelly roll using the Honey Honey line by Kate Spain for Moda.  I did purchase some extra fabric for the vertical rows.  Isn't this a happy quilt?

The picture also shows my big toe bandaged.  The trip to the doctor today really put a ringer in my quilting schedule.  Actually, I didn't get to quilt at all, but I did get a nap in.  Oh well tomorrow will be a great quilting day.

Blessings to all.

Happy Monday everyone.  I have to be more diligent in writing on my blog.  But as usual life has been moving along too fast at times as I'm sure all of you can say the same.

I had four beautiful days in Shipshewana, Indiana last week.  What a blessing spending time with 86 quilters.  Our leader Ruth Wasmuth put together this fourth retreat and each sewer/quilter/knitter who was in attendance couldn't thank Ruthie enough for all of her hard work.  We have a very easy schedule while we are at the retreat.  Actually, the only scheduled activity is show and tell on Friday and  Saturday evening.  We do our show and tell by using the great room at the Farmstead Inn where our retreat is located.  The Great Room has chairs, couches and tables around a beautiful two sided fireplace.  We place our quilts all over the room and then everyone walks around looking at the beautiful quilts.  If anyone has a question on a quilt the owner of the quilt answers any questions.  With 86 quilters showing their beautiful quilts it only takes about a half hour or so for everyone to view the beauties leaving us more time to sew.  This retreat is one I've already signed up for next year.  I feel blessed that I am able to attend this retreat.  It is such a special time.

Here are a few pictures of some of the beautiful quilts that were made at the retreat.  I'll try and post a few pictures all week.

Blessings to all.

Happy Monday everyone. Hard to believe, but another month is almost over.  But I always look forward to the first of the month since a pattern designer I belong to, Nancy Haacke at digitizedquiltingpatterns.com sends out her new patterns.  Nancy has new patterns that go out to anyone who belongs to her Masters Club.  It's like Christmas to me on the first of each month.  I'm always excited to see what new patterns I'll have to place on my clients' quilts.

I am always amazed at how life intertwines happiness and sadness.  One of my sweet quilting friends went to be with our Lord and Saviour.  Her family celebrated Dee's life and was consoled by the many wonderful stories and remembrances family and friends shared at the wake yesterday.  Dee was one of the first quilters I met when we moved to Monticello in 1998.  Besides quilting Dee also baked and decorated cakes and cookies.  She made my son David's graduation cake and decorated cookies that were just too cute to eat.  I remember I saved those cookies for months after the party.  In sharing stories with Dee's son Mike, Mike hugged me and told me he wanted to give me a quilt Dee had made and I had quilted years ago.  I was overtaken with this sweet gesture that I teared up.  This sweet gesture has made me realize once again just how blessed I am to be able to quilt for my clients.  But I really don't even like to use the word clients because these ladies really are my friends.  And though Dee is no longer here on this earth I know she is smiling down at her family and friends and maybe evening quilting while she is baking cookies.

On a joyful moment our neighbor welcomed their first granddaughter, Amy, yesterday.  We are asking for prayer for little Amy as she will be undergoing heart surgery this Thursday, October 3rd.  This will be a tedious surgery and much prayer is needed.  So if you will take a moment to keep Amy and her family in prayer I know they would greatly appreciate your prayers.

Blessings to all.

Blessings everyone.  It has warmed up nicely here in beautiful Monticello, Indiana.  I've even got my socks off today.

Below are a few pictures of a quilt I completed for Nancy J.  She will have this quilt on display in her booth at AQS DesMoines in a few weeks.  It is patriotic in theme so I quilted each block with some kind of a star pattern.  I am always amazed at what the Statler can do, great precision.  But having said that it does take a lot of time to quilt out a quilt when you are quilting individual blocks/sections.  Would you believe this quilt took 9 1/2 hours to complete? I only mention this because some people have commented that it is so easy and quick to quilt out a quilt using computerized patterns.  This quilt is 72.75" x 54.75" so it is hardly a huge quilt but the precision the Statler quilts out the quilt is amazing.  Longarm quilting whether doing freehand work or a computer is challenging but it is also rewarding, especially when you see the quilters happy face after they've viewed their quilted quilt for the first time.

Blessings to all.

Blessings everyone.  It does feel a bit like fall here today in beautiful Monticello, Indiana.  I have my jeans on, a swearshirt and socks on.  Some of you may know I don't wear socks often so this does confirm it is a bit chilly.

The picture below is a small wall hanging I made many years ago.   Like I've said before my quilts, whether they are big or small, are a secret diary to me.  The story behind this little quilted wallhanging is where it all started for me, that is to say this how I became interested in becoming a Longarm quilter.  I quilted this piece with my 1979 Singer sewing machine.  My Singer is so old that I couldn't drop the feed dogs so I placed an index card over the feed dogs and proceeded to quilt for the first time freehanded.  I was hooked.  The rest they say is history.  Now don't look close at the freehand quilting because it is not a pretty site.  I just knew I was hooked and so began my interest in looking at Longarm machines. It took me about a year to research the Longarm companies and their machines before I purchased my Gammill Classic in 2001.  It doesn't seem possible to me that over 12 years have passed since my Gammill fondly referred to as Miss Smith arrived.  But my greatest achievement are the friendships I've made through quilting.  I consider some of my quilting friends family because we really have shared our lives together these past 12 years.  And like my quilts these ladies have kept my secrets, gave me hugs and made me smile.  Thank you ladies.

Blessings to all.

Where does the time go, gracious.  I remember my dear mother telling me time goes faster when you get older.  Not that I feel old or anything, well maybe my right hip is sore tonight. But I did sit through five volleyball games tonight that my sweet granddaughter (Audrey Kate) played in.  I clapped so much that I bruised my hand.  Even though Audrey's team lost in the final match the girls have nothing to be ashamed of.  They played hard and gave it their all.  Which leads me to quilting and the ladies I quilt for work hard and give their quilts their all.  I never cease to be amazed at the joy of piecing quilts that is brought to each quilter.  Have you ever watched the look on a quilters face as they are cutting material, sewing those pieces of material together and then looking with contentment and admiration at the finished block.  Quilting really is a therapy for many quilters and as I've said before its also a secret diary.  I can look at a quilt and remember what was going on in my life during the time I was making the quilt.  So for me it is a secret diary.  How about you is your quilt a secret diary?

Below are two quilts I recently quilted for Carolyn.  Such diversity in color. I love it when a quilter isn't afraid to try different color ranges.  I should be so bold to go from one end of the color wheel to another.  How about you do you stay within a color range or do you venture out.

I would also take a moment to show thankfulness for two prayer requests that were answered.  Two people in my life had been hospitalized and both are now home recuperating.  Thank you to my Heavenly Father for healing and to all who had been in prayer.

Blessings to all.

Happy National Sewing Month!!  As if we needed just one month to declare sewing a special month. Actually, I think we need sewing declared a holiday.  Wouldn't that be great we could have the day off from work or our routine schedule and sew to our hearts content.  Sew take some time for yourself and sew.  I'll bet you'll be happier by the end of the day.

I want to take a second and apologize for not writing more on the blog the last few weeks.  I've had a family member in the hospital so my priorities have been rearranged.  We've probably all heard the saying if you have good health you have it all.  Well I for one believe you don't need much else if you and your loved ones are healthy.  God was with us each day during our ordeal and life is getting back to normal.  I want to thank all of my clients for their patience and understanding who were affected by the change of my schedule.  I am working hard to return to my normal schedule.

Blessings to all.

Another beautiful quilt pieced by Pam S.  I need a lot of practice before I can achieve the intermediate level of piecing Pam is at.  Thanks Pam great quilt.

Halloween is just around the corner. If your looking for the pattern and material for this quilt stop by Nancy J's located at 1604 S Wabash, Wabash, IN.  Nancy and her friendly and knowledgable are always happy to help you.

I absolutely love this quilt with its happy and bright colors.  It's hard to believe this quilt and the red, white and blue quilt are the same pattern.  Nancy J's can supply you with this pattern and material as well.

Am I lucky or what to have all of these beautiful quilts to quilt.  Blessings to all.

Greetings all from beautiful Monticello, Indiana, USA.  It was one of those crisps mornings that made you realize that fall isn't far away.  I enjoy spring through fall and winter isn't my most favorite time of the year, but the beauty of winter can be spectacular.

I've quilted five quilts this week and I am working on a sixth quilt now.  As I am quilting I always wonder what was going on in the quilter's life when they were piecing the top.  Were they home by themselves, at a quilt shop sew in day, or at a quilt retreat with their sweet quilting friends putting their quilt top together.  Was their joy in their life or sadness or was life peaceful.  I do say a little prayer for the quilter and their family because you just never know if a prayer is needed in someone's life.  To me a quilt is a silent, secret diary of days gone by in the quilter's life that only the quilter and the quilt know about. Maybe this is why I don't put a label on my own quilts when they are finished.  The quilt and I are the only ones that know.  And the quilt doesn't tell my secrets.  I do secretly sign my quilt, though it may be hard to find my signature on some of my quilts.  And the only reason I sign them now is to be able to identify the quilt if it were lost or stolen.  I hope the "quilt police" don't look upon me unkindly for not putting a label on my quilt.  But then I think that is the joy of quilting we get to do whatever we want with our own quilts.

Blessings to all and enjoy the day you have been given.

Thought I'd better take some pictures of these beautiful quilts since they will be going home shortly.  I was really drawn to the softness of this quilt that Sharon put together.  It is a comforting quilt to look at.  It should make her bedroom look inviting to sleep in.

Joann has another winning quilt here.  Joann is always humble about her level of experience in piecing her quilts, but I for one think she does a great job with her constructing and her color placement.  Great job, Joann!

This the backside of Joann's quilt.

A close up of Sharon's quilt.

Greetings everyone.  It's been a busy week quilting with five quilts completed and hopefully two more will be completed by Friday.  I will post more pictures, I promise.

I should be settling down for a good night's sleep, but the word thankful keeps going through my mind. I started to look up what the dictionary defines thankful as, but then I thought what am I thankful for or what makes me feel thankful.  So here goes . . . . .

1.   I am thankful that I have a Heavenly Father who watches over me.
2.   I am thankful I married Gary instead of, well lets just leave it at that.
3.   I am thankful that I live in a country where I am free to have my own opinions.
4.   I am thankful for the beauty that I see when I look out my window.
5.   I am thankful that my parents brought me up to be respectful to everyone.
6.   I am thankful for my family that is still here on this earth.
7.   I am thankful that with each new day I am given that I can try to do better at . .
8.   I am thankful for JoJo's pretzels and a vanilla Coke.
9.   I am thankful for the beautiful quilts I am allowed to quilt.
10. I am even more thankful for the friendships I've made because of quilting.

 How about you?  What does thankful mean to you?

Blessings to all.

Karen H. did a beautiful job on her snowman quilt.  Karen said she only has 90 buttons to sew on this quilt now that the quilting is completed.  The quilting was done with 95% freehand quilting and 5% computerized quilting.  I will admit it was fun to freehand quilt for a change even though my hands were sore when I was done.  Thanks Karen for allowing me to quilt this quilt.

And isn't this quilt just stunning that Joann pieced from a Block of the Month Club.  I thought she said she was giving this quilt away.  All I can say is the new owner is one lucky person.  Even though this quilt took many hours to quilt I was happy with the results.  I hope Joann will be too.

Like I've said before I really am blessed to have the opportunity to quilt these beautiful quilts.  Blessings to all.

Amish quilt with a modern twist on quilting for Nancy J's, Wabash, Indiana

Meg's quilt using Nancy Haacke's quilting pattern square in a circle.

Finally, one of my own quilts using Moda Glamping material, quilting pattern Sundance and quilting design by Nancy Haacke at digitized quilting patterns.com  I love this little quilt, wish I had one of those cute little campers.  There are some great ideas on Pinterest of Glamped trailers.  Oh well I'm just happy to have my quilt sewn, quilted and binding put on all within six weeks of purchasing  the fabric.  Which is really a first for me since I know I have some fabric in my stash which could possible be considered "vintage".

How about you? Do you have any material in your stash which could be called vintage now?

Blessings to all.

Happy, happy Thursday from sunny, hot and beautiful Monticello, Indiana, USA. We've been busy watching our grandchildren Audrey Kate and Jacob at the White County Fair this week.  The kids showed five pigs and placed with one fifth place, one fourth, one third and two first places in their weight classes.  We were happy with their showing when you consider White county has numerous large hog farm operations whose children are competing in the same classes.  Makes me wonder why there isn't a "professional category" for those groups and let us little guys have our own category.  In other words its like David and Goliath.

I have quilted three quilts this week in between fair time.  I even floated on my floaty chair in Lake Freeman yesterday.  I did feel guilty taking 45 minutes out of my quilting schedule just to relax a bit. But I did work until 10:30 last night and I did get the quilt done.  If you want to play, you'll have to pay.

I'll leave you with these encouraging words from my devotion for today by Sarah Young from her book Jesus Calling:

  "I am nearer than you think, richly present in all your moments."

Blessings to all.

Happy, happy Monday.  I guess it is Monday.  After the July 4th holiday (which was last Thursday) I've had a hard time keeping track of what day it is.  It's also nice not to be hearing firecrackers going off since I've heard them for four nights in a row.  Don't get me wrong I enjoy fireworks, but I don't need to hear them four nights in a row, that is unless I was at Disney World.

I gave myself a treat today by getting a one hour massage.  Lee Anne Akers, Certifed Massage Therapist and  owner of Essential Touch found every tight spot in my body today.  Even in spots I didn't realize were sore. I was amazed at how much easier I could walk after my massage.  Gary even noticed how much happier I was when I got home.  I told him I didn't have any pain in my body and I felt great.  If you are in the West Lafayette, Indiana area Essential Touch is located at 480 W. Navajo St., Suite B, West Lafayette, Indiana - Phone: 765-363-3323,  essentialtouch@fpnmail.com  Thanks Lee Anne I feel so much better.

I was so excited to hear from one of my quilting friends that her sister who had been on a waiting list received a new heart today.  What a blessing for this family.  I am also in prayer for the family who must be grieving at the loss of their loved one.  Please keep these families in your prayers.

Blessings to all.

Happy July 1st, 2013.  I haven't figured out where the month of June went, but I guess the saying "time stands still for no man" is true.  I always have loved the month of June.  The weather is usually pleasant here in Indiana and June is a time when the perennial flowers are starting to bloom.  June is also the time of year I have a hard time staying focused on staying inside and keeping my quilting schedule in tact. I do keep my schedule because I realize just how much all of my clients look forward to seeing their beautiful quilts quilted.  I am blessed.

Have a beautiful day everyone and take some time to enjoy the beauty that is outside your window.

Blessings to all.

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Blessings to all.

Hello from rainy and cloudy but still beautiful Monticello, Indiana, USA.  I must confess the rain and clouds did not bother me today because I spent the day sewing!  I was invited to be on Queen Gayle O's court.  Gayle won the drawing at a Rossville Quilt Shop (www.rossvillequilts.com).  By winning Gayle won a free sew in day for herself and her subjects and a gift certificate.  Rossville Quilts greeted us with smiles, crowns, beaded necklaces and yummy cookies.  I mean who cares if it is raining and cloudy outside when you can spend the day sewing with fellow quilters.  Even though I didn't know some of these ladies for very long we were soon sharing our quilting ideas and quilting tips.

One quilting tip I learned today is that I need to start carrying baby wipes with me when I am sewing.  One of the irons one of the ladies was using left a slight stain on her project.  She quickly wiped the stain with a baby wipe and voila no more stain.  Who knew baby wipes worked so well.  I'm a believer now.

I did finish a quilt top using the Glamping fabric by Moda I purchased last week at the International Quilt show at Rosemont.  The quilt pattern was a quick pattern I purchased from Nancy J's Quilt Shop, Wabash, Indiana.  The pattern is called Sundance at VillaRosaDesigns.com  I liked this pattern because you don't have to cut up material into small pieces.  To me the Glamping fabric just shouldn't be cut up otherwise you would lose the pattern on the fabric.  So the Sundance pattern  was just perfect and it went together quickly.  When I saw the fabric I immediately knew how I would quilt the quilt.   Yes, I know most quilters pick a quilt pattern and material and then decide how they want the quilt quilted.  But since I am a Longarm quilter I find the quilting (stitching) pattern first then find the material to compliment the quilting (stitching) pattern.  And would you believe I have a great quilting (stitching) pattern by Nancy Haacke at digitizedquiltingpatterns.com. The pattern has the little trailers on it just like the ones on the Glamping fabric.  I can hardly wait to quilt this little quilt.

Have a great time the rest of your weekend.  Blessings to all.

Good morning everyone from beautiful Monticello, Indiana.  The birds have been chirping in harmony this morning.  Each with their own verse but still in harmony.

Today is my 61st birthday and I have to share with you what was in my daily devotion:

Let me help you get through this day.  There are many possible paths to travel between your getting up in the morning and your lying down at night.  Stay alert to the many choices-points along the way, being continually aware of My Presence.  You will get through this day one way or another. One way is to moan and groan, stumbling along with shuffling feet.  This will get you to the end of the day eventually, but there is a better way.  You can choose to walk with Me along the path of Peace, leaning on Me as much as you need.  There will still be difficulties along the way, but you can face them confidently in My strength.  Thank Me for each problem you encounter, and watch to see how I transform trials into blessings.  I Corinthians 10:10; Luke 1:79.   This is from the devotional book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  My sweet bible study friend Kristie D. Gave me this devotional book.  I thank Kristie for blessing me with this devotional book.

So I hope you have a beautiful, sweet day knowing that whichever path your day leads you He is with you along the way,

Blessings to all.

Morning all from beautiful Monticello, Indiana, at Lake Freeman.  A soft shower of rain visited us last night, but at least the rain came late so everyone who wanted to enjoy their day on the lake didn't have to be interrupted.

I need to get caught up on what I've been quilting the last few weeks.  I attended quilt camp at Camp Tecumseh, Brookston, Indiana the last week of May and the first dew days of June.  What a restful, busy, special camp this was for me.  I had the pleasure of sewing with some beautiful ladies in my sewing room, Jan, Cindy, Carol, Judy, Virginia and Nancy.  Neil, one of the Camp Tecumseh staff, was showing Jan and Cindy some of his new apps on his IPad mini.  Now who would of thought you could get a free app for playing the piano but the piano keys when pressed have a flatulence sound.  Let's just say when Jan played Twinkle, Twinke Little Star with the app everyone in our sewing room was roaring with laughter.  I must say I've never heard Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star played  with that sound.

Cindy G. has started a new trend, at least  all of us thought it was new, by having your nail polish match some of the colors in your quilt project.  I really liked the lime green nail polish Cindy was wearing.  The color really matched the lime green in  her quilt.

Lastly, the Dresden Plate quilt, so lovingly completed by Christa P. turned out beautifully using a pattern by Nancy Haacke at digitizedquiltingpatterns.com. The pattern was an all over, but I thought it looked stunning on Christa's quilt.

On a personal, family matter I would like to ask for prayer for our niece Cheri.  Cheri is having open heart surgery today.  Cheri has always taken good care of herself and done all of the right things to stay healthy and fit.  Unfortunately, a valve has to be replaced in her heart.  Please say a prayer for her and her husband Terry and their five daughters.

Blessings to all.