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.