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.