Hi Everyone!!

No more promises to be a faithful blogger. Life just is what it is. It's a new year, and I am back.

Since my last post, eons ago, we finally took that month-long trip we promised ourselves years ago. In October, we started out by going to our daughter's just two hours north for the night, then on to Atlanta, where we both have sisters. The weather was cool, with warm sun. We really enjoyed that since, you know, the weather hadn't broken here yet!! Refresing to leave the heat behind. There was a side trip to the pumpkin patch in the mountains. What fun!! Hadn't done that since I was little.

Then on to Connecticut. Our daughter now lives inland more. Last year she had been in Mystic. It was a drive to get to the coast from her place, but we enjoyed the change of scenery from Florida. The leaves didn't have much color, actually alot were on the ground due to the hurricane they'd encountered. And my DH ended up sick, so we were homebound for too much of the time, never getting to go to Vt or Boston as planned. Thank God he rallied and we had a good drive home.

After visiting our daughter who lives two hours north of us on the way down the coast, we stayed a couple days in Walt Disney World. Try the French Quarter resort at Port Orleans. Really fun with a New Orleans theme. There's a singer/musician there, Elliot, who's a one man band, in an area between the lobby and the restaurant/bar. Really fun and personable. I think you'll like it.

For those of you who think Disney is just for kids, the first time we went there without any, it was a really good time. We were free of watching out for little ones, and carrying all the extra stuff. Try it, you'll be surprised!!

BTW, after our trip, we decided we probably wouldn't go for that long again.

December found us back in Disney for our anniversary, meeting my SIL and her hubby, two or our daughters, and the cherished grandbaby. Now, Fantasyland through her eyes is tremendous!!

And, the news is, we are going to be grandparents again!! This time it's our DD in Ct. Guess i'll be making that trip a couple more times.

On the quilting front, I've been teaching at Stitchcraft in Boca. It's a wonderful store, love the owner. If you get near there, it's worth the stop. She has wonderful fabrics.

And, I'm finishing up all those applique quilts I promised about. When I went looking for all the UFO blocks, I found that I had 12 quilts started. Seriously, that's nuts!! And Nancy, who knows the Oley shop from where these came, you may recognize them all!! My little fingers are hard at work stitching and stitching!!

Have you checked out Pinterest yet? Well, I have and I'm on there. Give it a look, it's fun!!

Glad to be back in touch with all of you!

Linda

Checking In

Hi My Blogging Friends,

Checking in here to see how all of you are, and share what's been happening in our part of the world.

Since my last post, the new quilting classes have begun. It's been over 2 years since I've taught these specific classes, and I wondered how rusty I'd be, but it was like getting back on a bike. I hope my students feel as comfortable as I do, they seem to. There are 8 gals in the class, only one seems to have sewn much. The rest are real novices, but all are eager to learn this artform we love so much.

I have finished, yes, Finished several smaller quilting projects. You know those pre-printed Christmas panels that are so adorable and speak to you, make you feel all warm inside? Well, I have more than my share of those puppies, and I have made it a goal to make 'em or pitch 'em. It feels sooo good to watch that pile of stuff I bought quite long ago get smaller. There's alot to be said about finishing what you start!!

Imagine that!!

We are planning our trip to Ct to visit our oldest there. We'll be gone for a couple of weeks, stopping in Atlanta first to visit our sisters. My DH has 2 there and I have one. It's really out of the way, but family is family. If any of you have suggestions for quilt/needlework stores between South Florida and Ct, via Atlanta--that surely covers a large area---I'd appreciate you sharing them with me!

In the meantime, I've picked up cow fabric! and a pattern for a vest and chaps, size 2 for our GD and her little friend. They will be Jesse and Woody from Toy Story 3 for Halloween. Talk about a fun effort!! Nothing is more fun than sewing for her!

Be safe, everyone, and enjoy your changing weather. We are still quite warm, but hopeful!!

Linda

Where Has the Time Gone??

For someone who promised to be more active in blog land, I've certainly failed!! With a big fat F!

I offer a sincere Mea Culpa!

In the meantime, I've spent considerable effort learning to paint. I really want to paint well, and I just don't have a natural talent for it. Every other hand craft I've tried, I get it eventually, but painting...I have to work at. I love a challenge, and this is one.

I've finished socks for our daughters for Christmas. I'm finding knitting socks to me so much fun!!

This past week, I seriously cleaned out the sewing studio. That means books, magazines and fabrics will be leaving my stash. I will never use it all, nor do I want some of it anyway, so out it goes.

I felt particulary overwhelmed when I pulled out projects, as opposed to fabrics which I bought for God knows what reason. I lined up all those projects on the floor, and had to order them in some way so I could cope with it all. Walked out of the room a few times to " think" about it. I'm pleased to say that I have them ready to work on, finish and use. I will be the master of my stash!!!

It will get a bit harder if the fabrics I've purchased don't start inspiring me.

I finally got out the door early on a Tues. morning to get to the newest guild in our area. I was so glad I made the effort, as it is a great group. None of that business part of the meeting, I do not enjoy that, and the meeting was totally about quilting.

Another upside of that day was the newest shop owner found out I had taught beginning quilting classes at a now closed local store, and she asked me to teach for her. She has added my classes to her schedule starting Sept.

Wish me luck!

In June, I had a huge birthday, Huge because the number is!! My DH surprised me with our daughter who now live in Ct. coming for a week, and all the kids were here and my one sister. They cooked, I ate and celebrated loving them a ton. I'm sure all of you agree, absolutely nothing compares to being with family.

Now I need to take the time to check in on all of you. I've been thinking about you, wondering how you are. Drop me a line and say Hi. Miss you

Linda

Woo Hoo

She is Done!!!

There were times I thought I'd never see the day I would lay this project to rest. Do you have that experience?

She took, count them...3 years to do!

Why?



Because I can get obsessive about doing handwork!! It was a labor of love for our daughter who spent a year in Hawaii. I always tell her I'm glad she's back in the states.

Then she reminds me Hawaii is a state.

Well, not when it's half a world away from me, and it costs more to get there than to Europe!! Not that I've been to Europe, but that's besides the point, and another topic!

It's a Mom-thing!!

It is all appliqued by hand, and each block is echo quilted by hand. I truly struggled with not continuing the echo quilting in the traditional style for Hawaiin quilts, but after all the applique and hand quilting through batiks, my right hand screamed at me some nights. It killed me, but I had to be practical, and finish the quilting by machine.

To that end, I chose a flower design in each of the four corners of each block, and machine quilted a free form vine and leaf design in the border.

Since she lives in Ct. it will be a while till she gets it. No way is this baby going through the mail!

So,

Guess what I'm doing now???

Cleaning the studio!!

While working on this project, it's gotten kinda messy in there...

OOO, weeee, it's a mess to wade through.

I know I posted in the last 12 months that I cleaned my sewing studio, but alas, it needs done....

Again!

Count this as another finish for 2011. I think that makes 3.

I will now have time to work on Mariann Wenn, and check up on you all more often.

Hope you had a fabulous Mother's Day.

Blessings,

Linda

Quilt Show

Every two years, the 5 guilds in our county have a quilt show. Some years there's alot of traditional work, others there has seemed to be more contemporary pieces. This year, there were a couple quilts that gave me goosebumps, they were so impressive. These pictures are a sampling of them. Are they not simply gorgeous?? I hope you can see them well, I took them on my phone. It wasn't till I reviewed my shots, that I realized they were all album quilts. Each one was appliqued and quilted by hand. Exquisite work.

Are you all familiar with the blog Scrappy Appleyard? It's a wonderful blog and she's a great gal. You can access her blog from mine. It's worth checking out. The reason I mention her, is Johna'Lee had a booth at the show, and geesh, I wish I'd gotten a picture of it because it was a wonderful booth, my favorite there. I also wish I'd gotten one of us together, since I feel as though I've made a new friend. She's a delighful gal.

Everything I bought, I bought from her, and this is a sampling of my booty.

These patterns are wonderful, she's designed them. This picture doesn't do them justice, but you can see the samples on her blog.

Have you ever scalloped the edges of your quilt? On purpose?? Just kidding!!

Well, she gave a demo on how to use this tool she sells, and boy, will this make is a cinch. The package has this large one and a smaller one, infinite possibilities!

Wishing you wonderful days,

Blessings,

Linda

A Finish in a busy month

I can't believe this month has flown by so quickly, and I've not posted that whole time. How are you all doing? I've truly missed you. When I've finished posting, I'm going to spend some time checking your blogs, catching up on the news.

We had date day today. We try to do that every few weeks. Sometime it involves going to the beach and shopping at Costco. Isn't that an interesting combination? Today, we did get the shopping done, but then he suggested we go to lunch, then he surprised me with a movie to boot. We saw HOP. I wasn't even aware of it. I know, it's pretty much a kids movie, but I love them, and this one is particularly cute. HOP is my new love! He's sooo cute!

Do you recall the twirly skirt I made for our grandaughter? Well I had enough fabric for two, so her best friend got one as well. I love this picture, since they look like two ladies out for the day, stopping to share the latest gossip. Check out the Minnie Mouse purse. What a girly girl!! This is my one finish for March. From a kit, it was easy and fun. Obviously it's hanging on the wall, though I intend for it to be a table topper. Other goings on, a quilt show, meeting one of my favorite bloggers, visiting the grandbaby, again! Working on the hawaiin quilt, and Marianne Wenn. I'll report more on all this in the next couple of days. In the meantime, have a blast, hope you're warming up, we certainly are!! Blessings, Linda

Satisfying Finish

Don't you love how the back of a quilt looks? Especially when it's all one light color? I've never backed with a muslin-like fabric before, but it came with the kit.

I could be pleased hanging it like this!

Have you guessed which quilt this is?

You may have seen enough of this one, but I had to show it one more time. I love Fall colors, I'm unusually pleased with how the quilting turned out, and the binding's on. I love how each step of quiltmaking gives a quilt another dimension, more life.
Sometimes when I've competed a quilt, I'm just glad to be done with it. Maybe it took too long, too repetitive, whatever.
But this one, I'm in love with. Can't wait for Fall to come around so it can hang in the family room.
I hope each of you had fun in your studio, and are planning a restful weekend.
Whatever you do, have a blast.
Blessings,
Linda