I've been quilting

These are not very good photos, but here is an example of what I've been doing. This is a star sampler quilt using batiks only. The orange background fabric was given to me by a friend in the quilt guild. Over the weekend she gave me fabric with turtles on an orange background. I won the pattern for the stars at a quilting retreat I attended in Jan. This was a very fun quilt to piece. I plan to do it again in other colors.

This quilt is flannel, but has no batting. It is a 5 yard wonder pattern, one yard each of 5 different patterns. Use 4 to cut blocks and the last for the border. This quilt was the 2nd in the quilt guilds UFO challenge for this year. Next times is already completed.

This last one is a lap quilt. A volunteer at the museum gave me the bird blocks. The stars are a variation on the old detectable mountain square. Very interesting. The stars are made using half square triangles. The volunteer's husband passed away in the local veterns home, so I plan to donate the quilt there.

Even though, I've done a lot quilting, I have a sweater almost completed, just one sleeve to complete. I'll post when completed. It needs to be done before we go to Florida early next month.

Weekend Events

Saturday the quilt guild went on a bus trip to Lancaster Co., to buy fabric. The weather was perfect, mid 70's with a slight breeze. We bought lots of fabric of course. I was good, only batting and a 1 1/2 yards of fabric for Tyler's policeman quilt. While we were at Sauder's six of us had our first round robin exchange. Each of us completed our center square and then passed them on to the next person. In two months we will meet (for lunch) to have our next exchange. Sorry for the bad photo. It is missing Janet to the left. Her grand daugther is holding mine. I get to work on the pink star this time.

On Sunday we went to the Phillis game. The tickets were our Christmas gift from the kids. Great seats, 4th row behind the dug out. This is the first game I've been to in 20 years. We used to have season tickets, but gave them up 2 years after the Phillies won their first world series. Only photo I took was of the Harry Kalas memorial so my son could see it.

I have a few minutes before I get ready for work, so over to the sewing machine and finish up a quilt. More next time.

HAPPY EASTER

A VERRRRRRY Large Easter Bunny arrived at my work yesterday. He just rolled along the paths and settled in front of the glass studio. I was told he planned to stay the weekend, building a nest filled with over sized eggs. He is over 15 feet tall. I over heard that his name was Harvey.

I hope the rain today does not dampen his spirits (or paint). Sure would like some of the chocolate that a rabbbit of his size can bring, but I would hate to clean up after him.

Happy Easter everyone.

Routine

Routine...routine...routine
Not much happens in my life..work, home, work, home....But I guess that might be good, doesn't add much to the conversation though.
However, last night after a thunderstorm a double rainbow appeared in our neighborhood.

The north end is hard to see in the photo, but

the other end is much clearer, even a double bow at this end.

Finally, the first sign of spring in my yard.

Night in the Big City

We spent last night in Philadelphia to celebrate our anniversery. The kids gave us a night at the Rittenhouse 1715, located a block from Rittenhouse Square. It's a beautiful hotel with only 23 rooms, each room being slightly different. It has a tiny elevator, but since we were on the second floor, we only used it once. Our room was a junior suite, it had a small foyer with a double closet and table and chair, the bathroom and bedroom opened off of it. We had a fireplace in the bedroom and king size bed. First hotel that I've been in that had turn down service, bath robes and was triple sheeted.

We took the long way to the city and went to the Lancaster area first. We stopped at several fabric stores, only bought some batting and background fabric. Both are allowed purchases in my use it up program for the year. Also had lunch at Shady Maple restuarant.

Our room was in the section with the blue shutters, in the back. After we checked in we walked around, did some shopping and went to the park where we sat on a bench and watched the kids play in a fountain, dry, of course. Stayed out until early evening, then had wine at the hotel. Left late this morning, but before the St. Partick's Day parade.

Wonderful weekend, Thank you- Tom & Erin.

Whales Tail

Before the tale, let me rant about Windows Vista. I would blog much more if the *******computer did not shut down to update (what I don't know) right in the middle of working. Can't stop it, can't delay it, it just happens. Anger****Anger.

I started to knit little cat toys. I got the pattern from Ravelry (yeah). Knit, Knit, Knit, turn to page 2- whoa- NO TAIL instruction, so......

Once there was a whale with no tail

He tried to swim but to no avail.

Try as we might

To fix his plight

The download instructions continued to fail.

Finally it worked, so here is the whale with his tail.

Now I am working on the third part of the last quilt.

Snow day

We did not go to work on Monday. SNOW DAY yeah, yeah, yeah. So this is what I did. I quilted two sections of this quilt. Finished it will measure 118" by 118", queen bed size, to be used without a dust ruffle. The pattern was a guild project, with the pattern given out in sections, center, stars and Jacob's ladder. I added the outer row of stars to make it the correct size.


Last night I sewed these two sections together, by machine on top and by hand on the backing.

Snow photos, icicle at work the next day from a broken drain.

This is how Mac spent his snow day. Although his beard is white it is not this long or thick. ICE, brr, brr. He had a great day. He would move to Maine or Alaska, just to play on the snow. Florida is looking good to me.

Waiting for the Snow.

The first band of snow arrived over night, but it is just a dusting. A small break is expected. We plan to visit my parents, then I hope to jump into the hot tub for a short while before the second and stronger storm arrives later today. The forecast is for 8 - 14 inches.

This is what the backyard looked like a couple of weeks ago with only about 4 inches.

To keep busy, I have plans to begin quilting a queen size medallion bedspread and of course knitting. I have a gas fireplace to keep warm and lots of vanilla scented candles for light.

No Excuses

There are no excuses for not having blogged in a month, some new but I have been busy. List to follow later in the blog. I have decided not to by new fabric or yarn, just to use up items that I have. So far I have been very good until today. This morning, I went to pick up my new travel case for the sewing machine. The pick up spot was a yarn shop. As soon as I walked in I knew that I was in trouble. But I only bought new gray sock yarn. Very close by is a fabric shop. It was on a quicker way home, so we stopped. Again only bought one yard of fabric. Dark blue with police cars and rescue signs for a new quilt for Tyler. Now the suitcase, well built, heavy duty and half price.

Now the list to use up materials I have. Twelve kitty cuddles using acrylic yarn (Why did I buy it?)

Baby quilt for a girl at work. Primary colors, no pastels for me. She claimed she loves bright colors and decorated the nursery in those colors.

Finally, several weeks ago I spent the weekend in Lancaster for a quilters retreat. Third year, and it keeps getting bigger and better. Again without buying any new fabric, the reds were all scrappy. The name of the quilt is "Miss Mabel's Mittens", don't know why but its a cute name. Just finished binding the quilt last night.

Other items finished:4 socks, top of a quilt- orange and stars, 3 cotton face clothes and quilted a 5 yard wonder quilt.

It's cold out there

If you have been out any place in North America this last week, you know how cold its been. We found this frozen fountain several miles from home. It is three crosses with spraying water. Quite lovely in summer surrounded by plantings, but quite dramatic when its frozen. It is beginning to warm up this week. so it may not last too much longer.

This is Peach, a new dog for one volunteer at the museum. He sent me this photo some time ago, but I lost it in the computer. I just popped up today, but the file for the all the Kodak prints are missing. I'll find the file some place on the computer, I hope, I pray. If not I'll get my IT person (Britknitter) to find it.

Now another photo of Tyler, sleeping in his chair. Big sister, Kaia preformed at Disney World yesterday, with her dance group. Photos soon I hope. I'm heading to Lancaster on Thursday, for a fun weekend of quilting.

Twice in one day

I'm back, forgot to include a photo of Cocoa. Cocoa lives in Blackwood with Theresa, my niece. She is about five years old. Theresa has to go to Great Britian for job training in early spring. I have volunteered to cat sit in my home. That is one way to get a new animal in the house, if only for a short time.

I'm Back

I haven't been anywhere. Just post holiday blues, mid-winter blahs, and economy worries. Mostly number 3. Family and friends loosing jobs, hours being cut and benefits lost. Probably having to dip into the small savings account to pay the heater repairman today. Hey I'm upset about the repair too. The house is only eight years old, and the heater pipes are rusting away. Builder is out of business, so we are paying for it our self.
This week I have two meeting. Both the knitting and quilting groups. I will be great to see friends, chat and see what everyone finish during the holiday break.



A new photo of Tyler, at one month. He has gained over three lbs. and grew more then 2". Getting to be a little chubby.

A pair of socks that I finished while in Florida, with yarn Britknitter gave me for Christmas.

One last photo of the beach in Florida. Almost 80 that day. Here today it is about 25. Quite a change.

Photo Essay 1

Not much text, just photos from my trip in Florida. Great weather, close to 80 on several days. I had to buy a short sleeve shirt and I wish I had taken a pair of shorts.

This is a shrub in the kids backyard. Maybe called angel trumpets.

The development has paths through the entire complex. Our favorite walk is to a small pond in the middle of a small park. These large leaf plants are along some of the streams along the path.

Growing along the path are the perfect flowers for the Christmas holiday.

The kids have several roses growing by their back door. Perfect spot. They take no care of them at all, just cut the flowers.

This is Kaia working on her present for Mom. It is a fabric picture frame to hang on the fridge.

More photos to come.

I'm leaving tommorrow...

so this my last chance to for a week to wish everyone

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

I'm going to Florida for the holiday and to visit with the family there.

Knitting for Christmas

One last gift to be completed before Christmas. It is a pair of convertible mittens for Dad. One is finished, the second needs the rest of its fingers and the cap. I found this pattern on Ravelry, looked through 6 pages before I found one in the correct gauge for the yarn I had. It has a cable twist between fingers that closes the area very well. I think that I will knit a second pair using finer yarn for Hubby next.

This mini quilt was my entry for the Quilt Guild challenge this year. We had to use the striped fabric in the quilt. The hummers were pieced using templates, while the border flowers were paper pieced using a method by Carol Doak. Really easy with no wasted fabric. It won the third place ribbon.

The log cabin variation quilt is one of two I'm working on for a friend. They have the same fabric, the only difference is the color arrangement in the borders. The second one needs to be quilted. One is going to Washington state as a wedding gift. The other is going to Bulgaria as a gift for her mother.

Finally, another baby picture of Tyler in Gummy's arms.

Baby pix

Kaia and stork announcing Tyler's arrival

Tyler in Mommy's arms

No photos

Because I forgot the camera's dock. But I'm here in sunny Fl. to visit the family. Tyler is doing very well. He seems a happy baby, eats good. Kaia is a big help and she gives lots of kisses. I am heading home tonight, back to the cold and a little snow. I finished one pair of socks, and will finish a second pair today.

It's a boy!!

Grandson Tyler arrived yesterday morning. 7lbs, 3 oz, 20''

Big sister Kaia with Tyler

Vest update

I have been working very hard on the vest. It will fit around now and I've begun to work on the first shoulder. I am planning to wear it to a knitting guild Christmas party next week. But if not by then, I wear it on vacation.

Sunday, we went to the Philadelphia Art Museum to view the Gees Bend Quilt exhibit. Great exhibit, it went on and on. Around each corner, was another group of outstanding quilts. Perhaps, I'll try a small quilt using one of their favorite blocks. Hubby kept saying, "But, they are not straight. Yours are always straight." Nice he noticed. But that is part of their charm. There was a great bright blue and red quilt, perhaps I'll use this for inspiration.

Terrible photo from an illustration of one of their favorite blocks.
The Art Museum is under construction, but is decorated for the holidays. Terrible weather, lots of rain and fog, but warm. Horrible driving conditions.

Happy Thanksgiving

What am I thankful this year? 1.I am feeling much better from the fall. I can return to the gym on Monday. 2.We had a very nice Thanksgiving dinner, just my husband, parents, sister and niece. We spent most of the time just visiting. We don't get to see Theresa very often. I always enjoy her sense of humor. 3. Talked to the kids, everyone is fine. The new baby is due in one week, but has dropped so maybe sooner. AND 4. I received my invite to join Ravelry. Hurray. Now I need to find time to enter all the stuff and show my current work.