More quilts for Stefani's and Mindy's babies!!

How is it that so much time seems to pass between my blogs?  Oh well, time is here for another.  Stefani is having her baby today (or tomorrow). She's being induced later this afternoon or early evening.  Here's a photo of her from last week:

Mindy doesn't think she'll EVER get this big - but then, she still has a couple months to go.

I have these quilts to get to Stefani after her baby is born - since they didn't want to know the sex of the baby - and I did- they can't be delivered until she gives birth to this little GIRL!

I just love this little owl quilt - with Momma and her 3 babies.  The backing is flannel so it'll be nice and soft.  I did an overall meander quilting.  I liked it so much, I've made a second for Mindy.  I'll hopefully do some specific quilting as I'm taking some Craftsy classes to learn more.  I'll use the same flannel on the back of that one.

Here's another 30's quilt made from a charm pack - I wish I had been more selective of the light colored charms but hopefully, it'll be used so much it'll fall apart someday.

See what I mean?  Some of the charms are really faint!!

And then, there are these - extra bibs and burp cloths for this little girl!

I also have a little Dolly scrappy quilt, made with scraps from an earlier quilt I made for Stefani - I'm not sure it was for her niece or a friend's baby - but I think it'll go to Kenzi - for her babies - that's Stefani's niece.  I'll deliver all of these at the same time - probably tomorrow?

Now, I'm on to more Mindy quilts.  Here's a charm-pack quilt - trimmed in purple -

It's like Stefani's orange one.  No Minkie on the back of this one - just some lavender solid.

And here's the 30's "windowpane" quilt I backed with red Minkie - I'm happy with how it turned out and hope Mindy will like it, too!

Here's the latest of our photos of Mindy - she is progressing....:)

She says her tummy is "rolling" now and that people who come into the restaurant simply ask - "when are you due?" instead of "are you pregnant".  She's tired - probably working too hard - but this is one of the prettiest smiles I've seen on her face for some time now.  (back room at the restaurant shown here).

Long post but now I'll have memories of all these quilts.  Getting ready to finish up a few more and will save them for another day.  I'm really ready to enjoy these baby girls.  Can't wait to hold them!!

A Quilt for Pulse

Today I finally finished my Quilt for Pulse - The Orlando Modern Quilt Guild is collecting quilts for the victim's families, the injured, and the community.  I'm not sure just why quilting is so "good for my soul" but it is!  I feel much better today!!

It has been such a depressing, upsetting, concerning time of late - so much AWFULness happening in this world.  I think I'll just keep stitching away and maybe someone else can use some comfort!!?

I love you dear family and friends -

Now, I'll go sew the label on so I can get this off in the mail tomorrow!

Orange Owls and Foxes!

Finished the first of many quilts for Stefani's baby!  I've had the top finished for a few weeks but hesitated to bat and quilt it because of the Minkee on the back.  Minkee is so soft but it's polyester instead of cotton and stretches one way and is kinda tough to feed through the machine for free-motion quilting.  Anyway, I put it aside for awhile - procrastination!  I checked out a few u-tube videos with tips for sewing with Minkee and decided to jump in and finish it.  I used that spray basting stuff I put aside to give to Jamie as I had decided I didn't like it but the videos all referred to using it.  Worked like a charm - now I don't have them in my Jamie box anymore. - sorry Sis!

I spray basted the layers and pinned like crazy and used a stretch 90/14 needle and although I did have to work harder to get the quilt to move around in my machine, it worked well - no shifting of the Minkee and no puckers!  I'm proud of it.  and I doubt it will the the last time I use it to back a baby quilt.

I used all the left-over triangles to make the flying geese triangles in the border - that was fun!!

I have been told that I can now share the news that Mindy and Kyle are pregnant!  She is at about 14 weeks or so, I have the first photos in my possession, and she saw the midwife she's hired to help her through everything the other day and was able to listen to the heart beat again.  Her doctor is rather new to Libby but has a great reputation for working with "older" pregnant Moms and Mindy and Kyle like him.  We've been a little anxious through her first trimester but are feeling more confident now.  I can't really express just how JOYful I feel, I really want to uproot myself and my sewing machine and stuff to be in Libby with her.  I have to remind myself I'm just the Grandma here .....

Remake of Stefani's brothers comforter

Recently Zachary (Stefani's brother) found a comforter among items his father had saved for years - his Ninja Turtle quilt!  It was well worn, the backing shredded and the batting bunched up - instead of just tossing it, he asked Stefani if she'd see if I could "fix" it!  Stefani did all the seam ripping to separate the pieces, we bought new backing fabric and batting and here's the result!  Now Zachary will have the quilt from his youth (he says he got it as a gift when he was 2!) for many more years to come.  They lost their father about 5 years ago so that makes this special too!  I'm honored to have been able to "fix" it for him!  I hope this quilt will help keep him warm....and bring him comfort, too!!

Baby Quilts and more

Good grief!  How does time fly by so???  I've been sewing almost every day - it is my therapy, you know.  So much of life has passed by since I've written a blog.  Instead of "should-ing" myself, I'm simply going to move on.

We have babies coming!  And these babies will NEVER be able to say they had to want for a quilt! or a wall hanging or bibs or burp cloths or anything else I can think of!

Here's a little wall hanging for Stefani's baby - due the end of September:

The baby's room is decorated in animals - especially owls - but Stefani liked this wall hanging kit and it's completed!  So sweet!  I hope she and Jon will enjoy having it and I love the blessings!!

Then, today, this top is finished - on to adding vines and leaves to the borders and then quilting it.  It's really sweet and I was able to practice my applique skills (buttonhole stitch) with this one.

I saw this one on Pinterest - had to order the pattern!  And, I got to pull out all of my 30's plus the new ones gifted to me by Aurora.....so much fun.  I actually have 2 other 30's fabric tops finished.  I'll be quilting for days!!

Then, here's the last to share today!  This one is called Bloom, designed by Lori Holt of Bee In My Bonnet.  The fabric is her line, too.  Each of these 20 squares are hand appliqued onto the fabric - oh, how I love that handwork!!  This one, too, is ready for quilting and then I think it will hang on the quilt holder in the family room!

So, that's all for today.  Marcie, note to self, you must keep up this blogging instead of just reading everyone elses (is that a word?) posts!  Otherwise, you'll forget just when you worked on these!!  You go girl!!!!

Allietare is a finished top! and I need a little girl!

Here's Allietare as a finished top.  This one was the most fun I've had with a "mystery quilt" designed by Bonnie Hunter!  Still probably 2,000 pieces but mostly half-square triangles (HST's) so I could have another chance to master them.  I still have a way to go but they're getting better!

And today I finished this baby quilt - I'm calling it "Lucky Petals".  I appliqued the petals onto the white squares and then I quilted this one using my walking foot and lots and lots of stitching.  The little flowers in the white areas remind me of 4-leaf clovers, thus the name.  Now, I simply need to find a little girl who might need a quilt!!

I surely enjoy this "hobby" "passion" of mine!  I know it gets expensive to keep buying fabric and then simply piling up the quilts when finished.  I try to find homes for them and I think this one will actually be going to the local Cancer Center.  It fills my heart knowing they might be used and loved for a long time.

Think I might have to get a job!  I wonder if anyone would be interested in hiring a 68 year old without a lot of skills - except, of course, for her "passion"?

On to scrappy tops now!  I'll work on emptying some tubs and that will make me feel "thrifty"!!!

Kami's Quilt

Kami is Stefani's niece - she's 10.  Her Mom, Sabrina, helped us with Nan while Stefani was on her honeymoon!  Anyway, Sabrina asked me to make a quilt using some of Kami's baby clothes and I, of course, said YES!  I cut and cut and cut - for over 3 days, to get LOTS of pieces and then Sabrina and I started putting squares together.  It was such fun!!!  Anyway, here's a photo of the quilt - finished finally on the 24th - just ahead of the deadline!

Sometimes, these special "challenging" things just help to make the day!  This is one of those.  I'm finishing lounging pants for Josh, Ren Brown, Zach and Carin (talk about challenging, I promise to NEVER attempt lounging pants again).  The best part of the day consisted of Ren Brown and I redoing their lounge pants.  AND, she did most of the sewing!!!  YEAH!!!!  Also Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt is in full swing although part 5 was published today and I'm still on part 4.  I think I'm really going to like this one!  Black/white/ gray, golds and reds.  No photos until the final reveal, but I'm hoping I'll have mine to share sometime shortly after that!

I'm planning on a very fruitful, happy and pleasing 2016 - probably not too financial, but you can't have everything!!!  My hope for all my family and friends (although most don't see the blog) will  be for them to have a wonderful 2016 and know that I love them all!!!!

For my FAV

Well, as fate will have it, My FAV (Favorite Aunt Vallie) fell and broke her hip (the same

as the left hip Mom broke) a little over a week ago.  She lives in Red Bluff, CA, and was visiting with Jamie while at a craft show in Red Bluff.  I'm so very thankful Jamie was there as Aunt Vallie had been living alone most of the time! 

Anyway, she is now in rehab and we're praying for a quick recovery.  Here are a few photos of the quilt I'll be sending her way.  I'm hopeful as she continues through this recovery, this quilt will bring her comfort and warmth and that she'll know just how loved she is!!!

You will always be my FAV Aunt Vallie!  Always in my thoughts and prayers as  you work hard to get better!!!

Moving on

Okay, so it's been a LONG time since I've blogged anything, I know.  Most any readers know my Mom passed away on July 19th - my brother's birthday.  He has decided he has no problem sharing with Mom!!!  Anyway, busy times since then, and the real truth is I probably haven't been in the mood to SHARE anything since then.

Life goes on, however ( or I think someone said that once??).  I took my Brother 1500S in to get cleaned and serviced on Wednesday.  Received a call soon after that there was a problem with my machine and he didn't know if he could fix it or not without parts ($$$).  I received a call yesterday morning, machine was ready pick up and for the same $$ I had been quoted!  I am thankful!!

I brought it home and quilted this top and I must say, I'll have to get my machine cleaned and serviced - without the problems - more often as the quilting on this top is PERFECT!  No skipped stitches and the length of the stitches is almost even.  I love this Jacob's Ladder pattern - will follow it up with another one soon.

My goal is to keep myself busy (including some housework once in awhile!). 

Happy 4th of July everyone

I know, it's been awhile since I added anything here - I've been busy.  Don and Mindy went to Michigan for Dale's memorial service and then on to Libby - in time for Don to do LOTS of dish washing!  Jamie came to stay with me and Mom while Don was away and I enjoyed her visit!  We aren't sure just how we might make it without Stefani's help - she returned from her honeymoon just in time to be SOOOOO helpful!  Thanks Stef!

Mom is now in Hospice care at home - which means lots and lots of visits by nurses, social workers, a chaplain, etc.  We enjoyed meeting ALL of them and although this is another new "normal" for us, I think our connection with these people will make "normal" easier for us.

Mom has actually been doing well - alert, even sometimes funny!  I'm trying to enjoy all the GOOD times even more than normal.

On the quilting side of my life, here's the latest!  Right timely, don't you think?  Thanks to Missouri Quilt Company for the instructional video!  I love it!  and will surely do another with red/white pinwheels.

I received a "convo" on Etsy the other day from a lady who wanted me to make a special lap quilt for her Dad.  He turns 90 on August 1.  My Dad would have been 90 on August 2!  I think this is one of those times when special things come to you for some reason.  I knew from the first convo I was going to make this quilt for her Dad!  I even ordered fabric yesterday!!!!  Didn't get the confirmation I was going to make it until today.  Needless to say, I'm looking forward to making this one!  Photos to be posted when it's done.

More later - I have to pin a SPECIAL quilt for one of my favorite people today.  Photos when it's done.

Two new eyes!

I'm happy to report my cataract surgeries are now complete and I can see again.  What a difference it makes when things are CLEAR again.  It's amazing how much we adapt to changes in our bodies and don't even seem to notice the difference.  I'll get a prescription for distance glasses in a couple weeks, but for now, I'm amazed at how clear everything is to look at and my present glasses (I use when I'm driving) seem to work fine.  We'll see how different the prescription is.

That's it for today!!! (hahaha)

Stefani's getting married!!!

Well, we have a week from today.  Stefani will be a married lady - and off to Aruba for almost  TWO WEEKS.  She is really getting excited and so are we, for her.  For us????  Stefani's sister, Sabrina, works at a care facility and has done the same kind of work for a long time.  She's going to come help with Mom for a few days while Stefani "lays on the beach".  We haven't finalized the exact times she will be here, but I want to make sure Don has some time to get away without worrying if Mom and I have fallen and are on the floor!!!

Stef saw this quilt in one of my quilt magazines and LOVED IT!  Of course, I ordered it right away to make up for a wedding gift.  That was in March.  The kit was supposed to be ready after April 1 and it finally arrived mid-May.  Anyway, it's finished and she got to take it home today.  I think she's pleased!

She hadn't really seen the fabric - just loved the colors and the design.  When it arrived and I read the BELIEVE poem, I knew this was for her!  It says, "SOMEDAY everything will make perfect sense.  So for now, LAUGH at the confusion, SMILE through the tears, and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a REASON!"  Sounds like good "marriage" and "life" advice to me.

I don't think we'll be able to get Mom in and out of the car so she can attend the wedding, but either Don will stay with Mom and Carin and I will go, or Carin will stay with Mom and Don and I will go.  However it turns out, it will be a celebration day.

I'm thinking it's getting closer and closer to the time we need to raise up Mom's bed and just change and feed her there.  Then she has a better day, and I get to change my mind!  One day at a time - that's the motto!  And I get to say "I love you" every day..  I'm thankful.

On a positive note, Jamie is coming to spend some time with us!!!  She's planning on coming on June 16th (I think) and Don will be leaving for Kalamazoo on the 17th.  His brother, Dale, passed away a few months ago and while they had a service in Florida, his memorial service and burial in Kalamazoo was held off until June 18th.  Mindy is going to be able to go, too!!  She and Don will get together in Denver on the 17th and fly together the rest of the way to Detroit.  From there, they will rent a car and drive to Kalamazoo.  He is going to return with Mindy to Libby, MT., for a few days after the service.  It'll be grand for him to see his sisters and Kit and for Mindy to share this time with him.  I'll miss not being there, but glad the two of them will be able to spend some good time with the Redeker family in Kalamazoo.

I'm hoping life will get back to normal sometime in July!!!????

Mother's Day Sale

Shame on me!!!!  I even had the camera out and ready!  Stefani and Mom helped me put on a Happy Mother's Day sale in the front yard this morning.  What a beautiful day to be outside!  Mom wasn't out there long, but we had a great time.  Don put up a clothesline between trees in the front yard and we had a couple tables decked out with lots of zipper pouches, microwaveable bowls, potholders and kitchen towels.  We hung quilts on the clothesline.  WELL, we only had 3-4 people stop by but they all stopped to ask about quilts.

 We sold 4 and one lady brought back a quilt top in 2 pieces (king size when it's done) that was sewn and quilted by her husband but never put together.  Somehow, I'm going to join the 2 pieces together (I know there must be a way!) and do the binding for her.  She asked me for a price, I gave her one (just to sew the 2 pieces together and do the binding).  She said that wasn't enough especially since I'd be hand binding it - so I told her to pay me whatever she thought was fair!  She DOUBLED it!  YEAH!!!  And that means I'll be going to the quilt shop on Tuesday (they're closed on Monday)!  Oh, happy day!  In case you don't already know - hand sewing the binding is one of my favorite parts of the entire quilting process!  Yeah me!!

NO ONE even looked at the Mother's Day goodies we had but overall we had a successful day and are now looking forward to doing it again next Saturday morning.  Stefani's bridal shower is next Saturday but not until 2PM so we're going to have a sale in the morning.  Then, we'll get to go to the shower.

Premier of the GO Cutter

Happy Birthday to me!  I can today officially write about my birthday gift from my family....my new Accuquilt GO Cutter!  It's really cool - have completed my first scrappy quilt made from 2 1/2" squares cut with the cutter - much faster and more accurate than using my rotary cutter!  I posted photos of it yesterday.  Today, I'm making pinwheel squares with half-square triangles made with the cutter!  Here's my cutter, me winding the die through the cutter, and the end result!

I'll reveal the pinwheel quilt soon!

Thank you dear family for thinking of me!!!!

Beautiful mountain morning...

There are benefits to living most places in this world probably, but here are a couple of photos taken from our gate and from my living room that surely share just why I love it here in Nevada.  If you get the entire photos, you'll see across the field the Starbuck's roasting plant - not allowed to put any smells into the air :(  I thought it would be a GREAT idea when they built it to have a kiosk out in their front drive selling coffees or or even a syringe hookup to save time!!

 We actually had RAIN yesterday - everyone was so excited!  It didn't last very long but we did get wet!!  Much needed!

Here are a few photos of the newest Jacob's Ladder quilt since it's now completed.  I really like it!  The last one has a back side view of Beau (he wouldn't cooperate with me) but you can see his new haircut!  SO cute!!

I've been working the last few days on some excel work for Mindy.  I've enjoyed it as a change of pace, but my quilting has taken back-seat for a few days.  I have another quilt I'm quilting now.  Looking forward to sharing photos once it's complete.

I'm planning to have a Mother's Day craft sale in our yard this weekend (but Saturday looks iffy).  I'm making signs and organizing all the finished stuff I have - in case we can do it on Saturday.  If not, I suppose we can do it on Friday/Saturday next week, still in time for Mother's Day.

I really need to "share" some of my finished projects with others and I'm hoping this will be the way!  More later....