Well, I have to admit I am glad 2008 is over, I am really praying that 2009 will be just a little better than last year, I don’t think that is asking too much.
I am pushing myself to do more quilting and sewing.
I just joined an on-line block of the month.
I am taking a quilting class using curves, I’ve never done this before. I hope it is easy enough for me to use the technique again.
My quilting gang have begone the processs of planning for our retreats for spring and fall. We get going when the rates are low
I have to get fabric chosen for a class on Sat. at Patches Quilting, Mt Airy, MD. We do a class from 6pm to mid-night which includes having Pizza. I am truely looking forward to have the night out with other gal friends.
So, I will be off now to start the quest to find something I like in my stash, I should be able to come up with something.

I have some pictures of last years Christmas projects that I didn’t get around to hanging up.

I hope 2009 doesn’t slip by like 2008.  I have so many projects that I thought I could get done in at least  1 year.  I guess that wasn’t possible.  Life keeps getting in the way of my sewing time.

A bit off the subject of quilting.  This is a picture of my youngest son he caught this large fish with his dad a couple of weeks ago.  They were fishing in the Chesapeake Bay.

This is the real story of a Big one that didn't get away.

Our Christmas was nice, nice and lean, but no one seemed to mind.  We actually celebrated twice.  I have 2 older sons and they both couldn’t make on Christmas Day, so yesterday my oldest son was here with girlfriend and my 1 year old grand daughter.  Both days were fun.    We all had pleanty  to eat, not many left overs to send home with the boys.

I am looking forward to next year , 2009 it has got to be better than 2008.

I got 2  sewing  day invites.One for Fri and  one for Sat.  Which sounds fantastic except that I have a 20 year old special needs son so I have to see if  my youngest son or hubby can watch him while I go and sew with some friends.   That is always a problem when school is out.  I’m sure we’ll all work it out.

Well, I started on making the blankets.  They are very large so I had to lay the fabric on the floor and crawl around on my hands and knees it hurt so much.  I thought I had table room to make them, as things would go the table isn’t large enough.

Girly blanketsFord ,for son who loves Fords

purple and the tes cups are for very close friendsSorry for the misspelled words, Goodies for Olivia (my grand daughter)Ford fabric for my son

I went to visit a friend today.  She had a large selection of fleese she wanted to get rid of,  so I brought home a very large selection. I went with Jackie and she brought a lot home also.  We stayed for tea and cookies,  it sure was cold  outside and the hot tea helped us keep warm.

It has been fun this year making new friends and sharing quilting ideas.   We have taken long weekend retreats and have enjoyed lots of great food together.  I can’t wait for our next get together.

First I want to show all of you the great gifts  I received from John.  He was doing the Miniature Holiday  Booty Swap.

I have to admit I have something wrong with me the doctors have been swithcing the meds.  My problem,  I fall asleep duing the day for hours, and still I could curl up and go back to sleep. I’m  not getting much accomplished that way.

I downloaded a virus into the newer computer and I can’t get online.  This computer is old and the only way I could get the pictures down here was to make a cd.  Well I didn’t do that right my 13 yr old son informed me.  So he copied the pictures to the cd the right way.  Then I couldn’t figure out how to get the picture into my file.  So of course my 13 yr old had no trouble accomplishing this task either.

Beautiful quilt from John

Look at all the goodies

Thank you so much John,  and I am truly sorry for taking so long to get back to you.

Okay so again it has taken me weeks to post anything.  I went with Toni and 4 other ladies to another quilt show in PA.  We had sooo  much fun, but on Saturday we were all quite sore from all the walking.  We had a tailgate lunch and we had homemade soup, salad, cookies and the regular lunch meat and sodas and chips. We ate until we had to undo our belts.  I was glad I didn’t spend much money at all but I’ll tell you I really hurt going home with only one tiny bag.   I  just figured I have so many tops to make already it would be foolish to pack more material in my sewing room and forget about it.

I finially finish my Flip Flop postcard swap cards and got them mailed today.  I feel so bad they went out really late.  I don’t usually do things like that, when I make a commitment to do something or  make a promise to someone I am a strong believer that my word is good and people will trust what I say.  I did have a couple of medical  reasons this time but I have to stay true to who I am.  I did let the ladies in the swap know I would be late but this was way past late.  I know I will do fine the next time.

better late than never

better latter than never

Okay today I had some fun at the Petsmart,  halloween costumes for dogs.  I have a best girl friend who will truely enjoy this more than some.  Here are my adorable little puppy dogs (Skippy and Shelia).  They are in a big hurry for candy so they decided they wanted to try on their new costumes before halloween and get their pictures taken early, they did  get treats for being such good little doggies.

Sheila the Austrailian cattle pirate

Sheila the Pirate dog

Smilely Shelia the pirate dog

Skippy the shy Pirate Dog

Skipper Skippy the Pirate Dog

Skipper Skippy waiting for treat

Okay I guess they aren’t puppies any more.  But they sure can be fun especially around the holidays.  I ll  have to get them new Christmas outfits now.

I love to ge surprises in the mail.  I received my quilt from the “Miniature Booty Swap 2″ hosted by The Quilting Pirate .  The colors are my favorite, the purple flowers and blue background look just great together. The back is totally scrappy and it looks fun. Take a look for your self.  I just want to say a great big “Thank you very much” to Cindy for sending it and the little “goodies” that also came in the mail.

miniature booty swap II

Back with label and fun fabric

Goodies

closer look at goodies

I also enclosed some “goodies” with my swap quilt.  I hope the lady who gets my quilt will like it, and the little extras enclosed.

Little extras enclosed

Well, it’s kinda early for me to be up but the dogs needed to go outside so I had to open the door.  And of course now that they are up they want to be feed.  I swear it ’s like having 2 babies.

Now that I ‘m up this is a good time to post some pictures I forgot about yesterday.  The “Sand and Surf” wall hanging is a surprise for a swap I am doing.  And the the materials covering the chair are what I am using to make the quilt for my grand daughter.  I was really hoping to have the top done yesterday, but I got very involved in getting the house picked up before we start school next week.  I homeschool my youngest (13) and I wanted to have his work area cleared of messes. While doing that I was also looking for a missing bank statement, and never found it. Sew today after my son (Jacob 13) and I finish our paper route I want to sew.

And now for some pictures.

sand and surf

back of sand and surf

wish I had a design wall

So far the day has started off quite well,  I have finished piecing my miniature booty swap quilt.  I’ve put the hanger on the back now all I have to do is label and hand sew the binding.   Should be mailed out tomorrow after I finish my paper route.

While my son was cutting the grass this morning he came across a bunny nest with 3 babies in it.  One ran into the dog yard but luckily he found it and we were able to put it back with the other 2.  We put on old funky gloves and held them for awhile oh, they are so cute. (except for the fleas)   We covered the nest with a shoe box to make them feel safe while he put the lawn tractor away.  We didn’t want them to take off again, they can move pretty fast.

On Monday I was able to spend time at Patches Quilt Shop and cut out the pieces for my grand daughter’s birthday quilt.  I need to get it together by Sept to give it to the long arm quilter.  I am using the baby genius pannel with other bright colors it should turn out nice.

Baby Bunny

Taking time to smell the grass. Live free little bunny!!!!!

WoW, it has been a long time since I have been here to post.  Because it is summer and kids are home from school I have been running around just about everyday!!!  

I have been able to squeeze some sewing time in.  I also went to a quilt show in PA with Toni and a couple of other ladies.  Of course while we were admiring the beautiful quilts and taking pictures my camera battery died! There are only a few pictures to post.

I went to a wine tasting festival with Toni and our DHs went also.  It was very hot but did we ever luck out, Sadie and her boyfriend found the perfect tree with plenty of shade  (pictures to follow).

I was able to finish 2 quilt tops to send to a long arm quilter and they should be done in Sept. 

I am hoping to finish  1 more to and start a quilt for my grand daughter for her birthday in Nov.  I know sitting here is not going to help get it done.

I finished another postcard swap this one was about fairies , I enjoyed  doing them.  I have 4 boys so doing the girly stuff is fun.

Okay, are you ready for some pictures?

Wine tasting Festival

Toni at Wine tasting Why we make quiltspcs I made for fairy swap

pc swap 2008

pc swap 2008Backing for quilt sent to long arm quilter.Glen's quilt top

My quilt top sent out to long arm quilterquilt show in PAQuilt show in PA

The light house wall hanging I made for my husband has been termed  his most favorite one I’ve done.  Can you believe that?  I guess it is true, good things come in small packages!

Good things