'Flowering Green' UFO top finished

This is another UFO top finished. It was started in 2006 as a block of the month at a local shop named 'Whipper Snappers'. I started with 3 basic colors . The 13 finished blocks sat in a bin waiting for me to finish for a while. The original design did not have a border but the print I chose was too much and so decided on the navy that I used to frame the blocks with to pull it together. I really like the addition.Below - A Close up of one of the borders. This quilt was designed by Mary Ann Florek and measures about 89"x 89". It will go on my bed for now after I have it machine quilted. I have named it the 'Flowering Green'

A Wild Rose Quilt

I finished the top of the 'Wild Rose Quilt', needle turned applique, still needs to be put on the short-arm quilter. ANOTHER UFO ALMOST CONQUERED! It fits very well on a single bed. I was not sure what to use for the the borders and have had lots of wonderful suggestions. A couple of Saturday's ago a group of my friends and I went to breakfast and then on to Cotton Weeds in Freeport and I finally purchased the final border that picks up the various colors I used.

We had a fun time, after breakfast and shopping we ended up checking out the lawn sales on the way home and made some great purchases...I could not fit anymore in my car. We laughed and agreed it was a wonderful day. I have been fighting a very fierce physical condition and have been home for most of the week unable to even work. I am on strong meds. and they make me very sleepy and on and on it goes. I prefer Herb's but it got a hold of me and I needed something immediate. Well enough of that.

The beginning of each year I ask the Lord for a scripture for that year. He has always been faithful in speaking to my heart. This year 2008 was, 'In Him I live and move and have my being'. Acts 17:28a. I need to always remember that He walks with me and I am hid in Him and safe no matter what is going on around me there is peace in the midst of the storm.

I have added one of my favorite bushes that I can see out my kitchen window... it is very picturesque with the greenery so bright and the cows in the pasture, watching the baby calves are fun to watch interacting with their mother and one another.

My quilt & Thoughts

'Today is the first day of the rest of my life', that is a saying that has been around for awhile and I have often quoted it realizing that our days go very fast. Today it is 62 degrees and a little overcast, but nevertheless a wonderful day to be alive. Yesterday was a nerve wracking day as I had an MRI but everything is fine. I had cancer in 1997 and decided to go the natural way and changed my diet, took a lot of herb's and PRAYED and God healed me. I never had surgery but it is always in the back of your mind especially with so many people that you know having to face the fight of their lives. I feel life is a gift from above and what I do is important each day. So onward and upward...I am doing this quickly as I am going to get one of my twin grandson's for overnight and that is always so special... Many times my grandchildren kept me going with those unconditionally hugs. What a joy, Allison, 12, Jacob and Joshua, 9 and they live just down the road. I have two grown grandsons in Tn. How special they are and what a gift to Grandma.

I finished my Bareroots wall hanging with the 'perfect binding' that I demonstrated at our quilt show. I was so anxious to hang that I have not put a sleeve on it yet. I just stuck some pins in it to attach to a hanger I had....and hung on my door in the livingroom...not sure where it will make its final home...hours of embroidery were put into this but I am very pleased with the result.

Climbing Vines

This is 'Climbing Vines' taken from Thimbleberries guide for Weekend Quilters. My friend, Bren and I decided to do a quilt together in 2006. A weekend quilt sounded good to us. We shopped for material and then proceeded to cut it out. I am a camper so took mine along and did some work on it and just kept on going. Obviously it took a little longer than planned. The needle turn applique itself took lots of hours and I have tried several ways but my preference is using freezer paper and then turning it under with a toothpick or the needle itself. This is a quick pic so I could show it to my friend and let her see 'it is finally done'. Her's is still waiting in the wings to be finished. Quilting was done by Ann Hussey. I opted not to do it myself as I wanted to hang in our quilt show and felt stressed as the time was drawing near. Another UFO done!!!
Close up.

My Rendition Sampler & thoughts

Here is another UFO finished!!
I call this My Rendition Sampler. It's Middle section layout was designed by Koleen Painchard. It was part of a workshop that I took at her studio. I added the 4 patch and 4" border and quilted on my super quilter. I think I have finally wrapped my brain around 'how to' use my quilter and really enjoyed doing this one. I have a brother sewing machine and it is very tempermental and likes certain needles, thread and absolutely no lint and it has to be threaded exactly and then you have to deal with putting each layer on and attaching it to the leaders. I float both the batting and the top. This is different than suggested but works for me. I also learned how to finish the binding a different way than I normally do and the process looked better and was easier than anything I ever tried. You can find it detailed on my friend, Sue's blog. http://northwindsquilting.blogspot.com/ . You will also find a lot of other neat things she is doing.

This quilt I call a 'utility quilt' and will be on my couch. The grandchildren will make tents, toss it around etc. It is fun to watch them gather all the afghans, quilts etc and begin to lay them out so they are completely enclosed under the various furniture they use. Aren't grand kids a JOY!

This will be my last entry until I return from attending the Quilters Heritage Celebration in Lancaster, PA. About 12 of us fellow quilters will be a part of a group of30 riding on a bus for about 10-11 hours. What fun!! Shopping! Eating! Laughing! and probably not much sleep...

Yesterday were very strong winds..today it is 26 degrees and the sun is shining and of course we are looking for signs of Spring, the flowers are peeking their heads up in some places and the greenery is starting to show ever so slightly. It always amazes me that in the Fall the leaves fall and the next leaf is there waiting it's timing to spring forth. Such a joy to watch and experience the wonders of nature as everything starts to live again after the cold, dark, lifeless winter.