What's on my Design Wall & Look at What I Got..........

I really thought I would have this quilt all together by now.  I am dragging my feet.  I do have all of the blocks on the design wall and I do have some of the rows sewed together.  If I would get off the computer I could probably finish up the rows today and possibly start cutting borders.  The pieced blocks are my Dear Jane blocks that I have been making on and off for about 4 years.  As you can see, I would have a lot of blocks to go to finish a traditional Dear Jane Quilt.  I decided that I would not live long enough and it was time to do something with them.  Hopefully the next time you see it, it will be finished.  If you look at an earlier posting (Nov. 29) you will see that I have redesigned this.  Sort of typical of me.  Actually I had this partially sewn together a couple of times and then changed my mind about the design.  There are 57 Dear Jane blocks on the front and I still have another 9 I can put on the back.

LOOK AT WHAT I GOT.................Isn't it lovely????  It is 1952 and sews like a charm.  The machine in the back is a 1946.  The 46 is not in as good a shape as the 52.  It is dull for some reason.  I am going to try car polish on it to see if I can get it to shine.  Although it is not shiny it sews very well.  I have had the 46 for several months. A friend called me after a friend of hers called her about the 52 featherweight.  My friend didn't want the machine and I could not resist. 

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas From A  to Z.........Warmest Wishes to You From Me
This quilt I made in 2007.  It started as a panel.  I hand embroidered the black in the borders and added seven borders to the panel.  I quilted it with gold thread so it has a little sparkle to it.  I think I should add Swarski crystals to it.  That would really make it sparkle and give it a lot of zing.

Side Bar - Quilting and Genealogy

I have added a couple of things to the side bar.  I bought a basket pattern some time ago.  I found someone on the net (blogs) who also has the same pattern.  We have decided to make it together.  A friend of mine here in Moss Bluff saw the pattern and she has sent for it.  So there is three of us so far that is going to make the quilt.  If you want to make it, check the side bar for where you can buy the pattern.  In January, those who have a blog, I will post their blog addresses and then you can check on their progress.  Our plans are to start the quilt on February 1st.

Also on the side bar I have posted surnames and states of whom and where I am researching for genealogy.  If you have any knowledge of these surnames, I would appreciate an email.  For most of these people I have nearly exhausted the information that I can find on the net.  I actually need to go to where these people lived.  That is easier said than done.

DARWIN EUGENE KANE

Darwin, passed away on Thursday December 9, 2010.

Darwin Kane
24 May 1933 - 9 Dec 2010



Darwin was my brother.  A fantastic brother.  He was the kind of brother that sisters would want.  He moved to California while I was living there and he stayed 18 years.  When he retired, his wife Marie was still working.  I would call him up and I would say " I want to go, anywhere shopping" and he would say." I'll pick you up in a liitle while."  We had a favorite little restaurant in Leucadia.  They served the most wonderful Caesar salad.  He loved it. 

Darwin had a very interesting life.  He was in the Air Force for 21 years.  He spent 7 years in Germany.  There he met and married a wonderful lady.  He was so lucky to have found her.  He has two children, both the apple of his eye, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Darwin and Marie returned to Iowa about 10 years ago.  At the time my father, approaching the age of 89 was not doing very well.   My sister, had the responsibiltiy of taking care of my parents.  Darwin really felt he needed to help her.  So they moved back to where he was born.  My sister then became his and his wife's "run around buddy." 

He will truly be missed.  He is in heaven with Jim, and thankfully for heaven they are both Republicans. 

What's on my Design Wall 6 Dec 2010 and etc................

I am not awake yet.  I am sure that my thought processes are still in limbo.  My design wall looks very much like it did last week.  I am putting all the blocks for Baby Jane - My Way together.  By next week, it should be done and I will be on something new. It will be so nice to have the Dear Jane blocks into a quilt even if it doesn't look like the traditional Dear Jane. 


Back



Front



Here is something that I worked on recently and could not show it.  We had a Christmas exchange in our bee.  Sometime during the year, we put 6 fat quarters into our lockers (we have lockers) and then on the sly, the person who has drawn your name pulls the fat quarters and if she wishes adds any fabric that she wants to it and at the end of the year we have a Christmas party and exchange.  Here is what I made for one of the bee members.  Notice the "daisy" on the front.  The bee members name is Daisy.  In the large front pocket you can put a 24 inch ruler. 

And this little quilt is what I received.  Isn't it gorgeous.  My friend, Eliska drew my name.  She is an outstanding quilter and does machine applique that looks like hand applique.  She won a first place and a judge's choice for a quilt a couple of years ago.  The quilt was absolutely beautiful.  She is really a talented lady. 



I Love Quilting



Vic put my new plate and cover on my car for me.  I bought the plate on the shop hop (I think August) and I bought the cover recently, where (?) I don't know, my brain is still in a fog. 

Vic is putting up outdoor lights.  Do you think we have enough?  I have been turning off everything in the house because I can just see my light bill now.  We have creatures that light up for our yard, but I am not sure that they are going to make it out this year.  We have to move the utility trailer to get them, so it may not happen.

Click on the pictures for a better view.

What's On My Design Wall...........Baby Jane My Way

A while back in one of my posts, I mentioned that I was going to do something with my Dear Jane blocks.  The time has come.  I sat down to EQ7 and came up with a quilt.  I will not have to make anymore blocks, that is good because I really didn't want to.  I must say that the quilt idea came from a quilt that I saw in a magazine.  It was gorgeous.  Not the traditional Dear Jane, but one made with batiks and the layout was great.  I could not copy her quilt although I would have liked to.  She had used 4 1/2 inch blocks and I am using 5 1/2 inch blocks.  I really did not want the quilt as large as hers either.  I am also going to make straight borders where she had scalloped hers.  So I started with her idea of putting it on point and from there it came out considerably different.  Only part of it is on my design board.  The board is not large enough and my larger design board is full.  I need a larger sewing room.  I have a feeling that my double garage is going to get remodeled.  I have two carports besides the garage, so I really don't have to park my car in it and since I never have it is not a big deal.  I could remove the doors and put up patio doors.  Wouldn't that look slick.  Add a window (cut through brick) and it would be a great room.

My grandson came for Thanksgiving................

We have a gloomy day here, but it is 72 degrees.  

Hope all is well on your end.

AFTER THANKSGIVING

We survived Thanksgiving.  Oh, so much food.  The weather here was super. 

Yesterday a cold front went through and believe me it was cold.  It never hit 50 degrees.  It felt much colder, but today is another day and it is warming up, the sky is bright blue and the wind is gone. 

Today, it is back to quilting.  I have decided to do something with my Dear Jane blocks.  I have put them up on my design board.  Monday, I should have a picture posted.  I have roughly 70 blocks finished and I think I may have to make another 15 to do the design that I want to make.  It is not going to be the traditional Dear Jane.  It is going to be Baby Jane My Way.  I just don't think I would live long enough to get all the blocks made.  My attention span is too short.  I would be off working on another quilt and Dear Jane would be back on the shelf. 

Marty, my grandson from Madison, WI was with us for the holiday.  He came in on Monday and left this morning.  It was so nice to have him here.  I took a couple of pictures, so will post them near to the bottom of the blog.  I had planned on taking more pictures, but it skipped my mind and it didn't happen.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Any of you do Black Friday?  I didn't.............There is no way I would fight those crowds.  Probably in my younger days I would have done it.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I am off to the Hammond's with Vic and Marty this afternoon.  We are busy cooking.  I know we are going to have enough food to feed an army.

Hope you all have a wonderful day.

What's On My Design Wall November 2010 and etc..............

These two pictures you have seen before, except they have a few more blocks on them.  I have been busy making a gift for a bee member.  That I cannot show yet......it's a secret.  Also today I am embroidering by machine a block for
our bee exchange.  It is a Christmas block.  Since I don't have it finished as yet, I took a picture of the picture to show you.  It is OESD software and very pretty.  I also have an ornament to make for the guild exchange.  That is not even started, nor do I know exactly what I am going to do. 

Next week, being Thanksgiving, I will have a lot on my plate.  My grandson from Madison, WI is coming for the holiday and a few extra days.  It will be so nice to have him here.  I am concerned about him getting bored so have put Victor in charge of entertainment.  Lake Charles doesn't have a whole lot to offer.  Of coarse there is probably more here than I realize.  If it isn't quilt related, I don't know anything about it.  I cannot see to drive at night, so I don't go anywhere unless somebody takes me.  So night life, I don't have one.  There are casinos but I really don't like to encourage that.  I have went twice I think since I have lived here.  I cannot loose money and buy quilting fabric both, so I buy quilting fabric.   At least I have something to show for my money. 

It looks like rain.  We could use a drop or two.  It is very dry.  We just have not had enough rain this year.

Hope all is well on your end.................

What's On My Design Wall and the Houston Quilt Show

The quilt on my design wall is made from a striped fabric.  It is all in the cut which is very simple and all the same.  I added the black for the inner border and the striped border is pieces of what was left over from the stripes.  When I add a black binding it will finish it nicely.  The idea for this quilt is from Dot Collins in Beaumont, TX.  She says it is her  stripe period. :-)  She has made a number of them, and they all look different depending on the stripe.




 Sharie, Joan, Linda, Angel

 


Linda and her big win

 










  

The Houston International Quilt Show was this week.  What fun...... Three friends and myself went on Wednesday and did preview night.  We stayed in a hotel within two blocks of the convention center.  Thursday, all day, except for lunch, was spent running here and there looking at all the goodies on display and of course leaving a few dollars behind.  That evening we went to the IQA doings in the ballroom (must be member).  The highlight of the evening was the door prizes, three retreats.  One in California, one in Colorado and one at La Grange, TX.  We decided to buy tickets and since you have to get yourself to the retreat we knew we could get to Texas.  So all of our tickets went into the box for Texas.  Do you have any idea how someone behaves when they win a retreat?  Let us just say, the winner (not me) was extremely excited.  But the kicker is, we all get to go.  The retreat is for 12 people, free.  She can bring all of her buddies.  We think spring when the wildflowers are blooming would be ideal. 

Now a picture of my purchases and a little explanation.........Fabric, Civil War fabric - a book, a pattern,  machine embroidery (actually 2, one was free) software,  featherweight bobbins and lubricant, a box of Auriful thread and a Judy Neimeyer pattern.  I should be busy until the next show.

Whats on my Design Wall and etc...........

I have finished another top.  Hooray.  I am making progress. 

This is JAC (Just a Cat).  She loves her box.  She has a couple of them in the sunporch.  She goes from one to the other, watching the lizards and the leaves blow and anything else that moves.

My daughter has a job.  She starts today.  She moved to Spokane about 6 weeks ago.  She could not find a job locally.  Spokane is a much larger city then the Lake Charles area and her opportunities were better. 

It is still hot in Louisiana.  Where is winter????  It is a pleasant 68 degrees at the moment but it will get to about 86 before the day is done.  It is also suppose to be very windy today.  There is a wind alert for the lake.

Hope all is well on your end.............

What's On My Design Wall and etc......

I went to retreat over the weekend.  The retreat was held at Stone Creek Lodge near Kuntze, TX.  It is a lovely place.  The food is wonderful and the staff so nice.  We of coarse can sew from dawn to dawn.  I think some do.  I  just don't have the stamina for that anymore, but I try to get in my share of hours.  I have many pictures to post, so will not chat much.  The first picture is my project and my design wall......... those after are the other retreaters.  Click on the pictures to get a better view.

What's on my Design Wall 4 Oct 2010 and etc

I decided to finish a UFO.  I started this, I think, last year.  I had three blocks to make and then put it together.  I will make the back, get it quilted and bound and then it will it will be back here again, hopefully then I can hang it. 

It is absolutely beautiful in the south, the deep south, south west Louisiana.  It is 71 degrees, the sky is a beautiful blue, there is a wonderful breeze and fall is here.  I could not be happier.  Goodbye summer.........

Victor was here this past weekend and cleaned out part of the garage.  I can park in it.  Anybody who knew Jimmy Dear knows he had many duplicates, triplicates and so on, all filling up the garage.  He loved to shop probably as much as I love to buy fabric.  I was looking at the garage and thinking what a lovely sewing room it would make.  It would be perfect for a long arm. 

Hope all is well........

What's on my Design Wall 27 Sept 2010 and etc...............

I worked on the Bali Wedding Star yesterday.  I put a block together to see how it would look.  I am hoping the next block will be better.  I have not trimmed this up so hopefully it will come out to the correct size.  I blocked it yesterday and may do it over today.  I woke up this morning with a new idea.  I also made some of the "footballs."   I am not sure how big I am going to make this quilt.  I have ideas and if they materialize I will not need so many rings.  My plan is to make a few blocks at a time and then when I think I have enough, stop.  Then the border, I think I am going to use the arc's that I made backwards (former posting).  This is going to be a loooong project. 

The blocks at the top - this is a batik project (another one).  You can't see much here but the colors are pretty.  Next week I will show more.

Look at this beauty. It is a 1951 "301."  I bought it from a friend.  My featherweight has a broken thread in the bobbin area and it is jammed.  So this came up at the right time.  I needed something to take to retreat (the 8th) and something fairly light to take with me when I sew elsewhere.  Besides, what is one more sewing machine.  I have them all designated for something, so none will sit and go to waste.  I have a friend that just bought a "401."  I am going over to see it.  I just love these old machines. 

It is 9:50 a.m. and it is 67 degrees.  Isn't that wonderful.  Fall is in the air.  I am hoping the 90 degree weather is gone. The ten day forcast is 80 degree weather for highs and 50's and 60's for lows.  It won't be long until those highs will be 70's and I can't wait.  I am so tired of hot weather. 

Hope all is well on your end.

What's on my Design Wall 20 Sept 2010

I designed a quilt in EQ7 and just had to see how it would look.  I also wanted to make an easy and faster quilt.  I have a lot of fabric sitting around and I also have a lot of irons in the fire, so thought I would make this and get rid of some fabric.  I posted it in my stash report (also have a picture of it) yesterday. 

As those who follow my blog know, I love English Paper Piecing.  I have a new project (I am getting ready to teach).  I am trying to get some samples made.  All the samples will be eventially finished into quilts.  Making hexies are fun no matter the size and it is interesting to add other shapes to them.  Check out the front and the back of "Delilah" in the right column under Sharies Trunk Show of Quilts.  In earlier posts I have another hexie and diamond project.  I have another coming up with hexies making tumbling blocks.  It is going to be a neat quilt. 

I am still waiting for cooler weather.  I just know it is coming, I hope sooner then later.

Stash Report 19 Sept 2010.........etc

I have not done a stash report since 22 August but I have been taking notes.  I have made borders and pulled fabric for three quilts (no borders or backs).  I am going to make a back (pieced) this week so will pull fabric for that.  I have oodles to do, am going to sew this afternoon.  I am trying to finish up some quilts, but cannot stand not to start new ones (EQ7 is to blame).  Isn't this fabric gorgeous.  It was in my stash.  I created a pattern for it and hopefully I will show it tomorrow on "What's on my Design Wall."  I best go make some blocks.

I just let my dog out into the back yard.  A lizard fell on my head.  He jumped onto the floor, they move very fast.  He ran under an empty box (thankfully I saw him).  I lifted the box he ran for the door, before the cat got him, I opened the door and out ran the lizard.  I love the lizards, they are amazing.  I love them outside, not in my house.  It is so fun to watch them do pushups.  They will sit and look at you and bounce around if you talk to them.  I think they actually like people. 

I signed up for the bus trip to the Houston International show.  The shop (from the Shop Hop - see earlier postings) in Lafayette is furnishing a bus (of course we pay). It will stop in Lake Charles to pick us up on its way to Houston.  It is an over-nighter.  We leave on Friday and return on Saturday.  It should be great fun.

Stash Report
In  1 1/2 yards
Out  29 1/2 yards

Year to Date
In  127 yards
Out  -97 3/4 yards
Net 29 1/4 yards

I might break even by the end of the year that is if I practice self control at Houston.   I think I will look for things that I might like to have (a new mat) rather than fabric.  Fabric I don't need................

What's on my Design Wall 5 Sept 2010...............and etc.

There is a group (8) of us making the Judy Neimeyer Bali Star Wedding Quilt.  Each of us are making our own quilt and some are making more than one.  I am much behind and am trying to play catch-up.  Most of this week I have worked on that quilt.  I don't have much to show for it though.  There is 24 pages of directions.  I have read and reread and reread.  I found it was easier to make a copy of the foundation pieces (I put them on one page) and then wrote notes on that.  There is a lot of cutting.  I had finished the arcs awhile back.  Yesterday, I discovered that I made one of the groups backwards so will have to remake 16 more of them.  The backwards arcs will go on the back of the quilt although, I am dreaming up a border and maybe I will put them in the border.  This is the pattern and this is the first block (it is not sewed together). 

Also on my design wall is a couple of houses and a set of trees. 

On the home front...............My daughter and her cat are on their way to Spokane tomorrow.  She was unable to find a job here and is hoping that she will find one there.  A high school friend is living there and has invited her to stay while she looks.  She had been hoping to leave the winters of Wisconsin behind her.  Spokane has a lot of winter.  My kitty cats are going to miss Chester. 

Hope all is well on your end.......................