reflections

This is the time of year that most of us reflect on the ending year and whether by list or mental notes, make a plan for the new year.  Last year around this time I joined Susan http://www.blackberrycreek.typepad.com/ to finish some UFO's.  Susan, I must say, stayed on top of her list of 43 and finished 12 of them and made a start on a few others.  I, on the other hand, didn't do so well. I completed the Batiks quilt for our family room.  Finished piecing my fall quilt.  That's it....but wait in all fairness I did finish a few new quilts.

Next month is my one year anniversary with the Sarah http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/and the Sewing Sister.  I have had so much fun with these ladies and their dedication to a glorious quilt ministry. 

I pieced 5 flimsys (might have been 7, I know I didn't take a picture of every one) for the quilt ministry,

a few of those I quilted.  I quilted 2 flimsys for Sarah when things were running behind. 

I quilted Sarah's quilt that the Sewing Sisters made for her. 

I did not keep up with the number of quilts I made this year, I knew there had been a few, but never in my wildest dream would I have believed (I finally counted)

33!!!

I even managed to spent time with Stevie, take a few weekend trips, sod my yard,

 mow the sod (what was I thinking) clean house, laundry and cook meals, oh and I forgot a
40 hour a week job to help with my quilting addiction.  No wonder I am tired.

But you know what I enjoyed every minute and wouldn't change a thing.

Sarah usually host Whoop Whoop Fridays, but today she ask us to share our most memorable

quilt in 2011.  There have been so many this year...H2H quilts, Down Syndrome baby quilts, ministry quilts, retirement and wedding quilts, baby and toddler size quilts but my most memorable quilt in 2011 is

TA DAH...

The quilt for my friend at work, whose father passed away, made from his father's shirts.  A star for his father, log cabin for home, red center for love and mother, one star for each child, pinwheels for each grandchild and great grandchildren.  He loved the story the quilt told of his father's life.

Maybe not a masterpiece, but I loved making it for him and he loved it and very proud of it.

Shirt lapels on back and a

pocket label.

I still need to write the story down and attach to the back of the quilt.

This year I hope to do as much, I would like to learn more longarm quilting and master the new rulers I received for Christmas.

First on my list is to finish my bosses quilts that were for Christmas (one is out of town until Jan 13th, so I have until then)  instead they received a box of candy with the note

Santa is running behind,

So your present didn't arrive on time

This will have to do...

until your present arrives to you!!

I think they liked the poem better than the candy.

Looking forward to a new year and all that it brings. 

I have enjoyed and think a lot of my new blog friends and hope that those friendships will

grow over the years. I normally do not make list, because I know I won't follow them, but one thing I want to do this year is attend the Paducah quilt show and maybe take a class or two.  I will have to drive back and forth, if I go more than one day, because of Stevie, but I still want to do it.

I hope you have a

Happy New Year!!!!

This elf is tired, are you?

Taking a short break to share and link up with http:confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com

I made this notebook cover for a Dirty Santa gift exchange  with the Sewing Sisters.

This is Sophie's, my great niece, Christmas quilt.  Made with Cat in the Hat fabric.  She will start daycare in Jan and needed a naptime quilt.  i just love how it turned out.

My favorite part is the name and the black and white stripes




 Of course, Vinny, my great nephew, needed one also.  Made with the same fabric but alittle different.  I also included The Cat in the Hat book.

A look at the backs.

I hope they like them.  I have two more, just  like these, to make for a lady at work for her grandchildren.



In addition to these I have made two more t-shirt quilts.  I failed to take a picture on one of them, made with 30 shirts.

This is a Christmas present for a young man.  His father is friends with a lady at work and after seeing her son's t-shirt quilt he wanted one too.  First time I used jerseys, but they worked out fine.  His father cried when he saw it. 


I have another commission t-shirt quilt to make and two quilts for my bosses at work before Christmas.  I have the tops pieced but want to do custom quilting.  And yes, I do know Christmas is a week away.

Stevie was the Stink bug in the school Christmas play, titled A Buggy Christmas. Now you might be like me and wonder what a stink bug or any bug has to do with Christmas, well you'll have to keep wondering because I didn't understand it either.

Well,I guess I had better get back to work, oh I mean quilting.

This Santa elf is working hard

Been alittle while.  Like a lot of you I have been very busy.  I made a t-shirt quilt for a friend of a friend.  30 t-shirts to be exact, this quilt was huge.  I think it was 95x126.  It turned out a lot better than I thought it would.  You will have to take my word for it because it was so big Mister quilt-holder-upper couldn't hold it up.  I brought my camera to work so someone at work could hold it up, but everyone was too busy looking to take a picture, but it didn't matter because my camera wouldn't work.  When the lady came by to pick it up I was going to use my phone, but she was so excited I forgot to ask her for a picture.  Sooo, no picture.  Take my word for it, it was pretty.  I'll post a picture if I can talk her into bringing it back.

This is my To Do list until Christmas...

1. piece and quilt Anthony's t-shirt quilt.

Has been pieced, along with the back and

 is on the frame half quilted. 

2. Piece and quilt 2 quilts for the Bosses at work.

Everyone pitched in for material cost but I have

to make them.

Not even started.  In exchange the ladies at work

will make up the candy bags for Stevie's classroom so

that I have more quilty time..

3. Piece and quilt another t-shirt quilt for a friend of a friend's friend.

4. decorate the rest of our house.

Christmas tree is up, no other decorating inside.

Half of the outside lights are up, ran out, had to go buy more.

(trees and bushes must have really grown.)

5. close out year at work, inventory, etc.

Working on it (inbetween blogging).

I have decided this 8-5 job really interferes.

But I do like a place to sew and I do like to eat so I guess I'll

keep it.

Mister (disabled) quilt-holder-upper says he will wrap presents and

cut out letters for bosses quilts since he can't help me with physical work.

To everyone who is in the same boat,

Get- R- Done!!

So glad all of my shopping is finished.

Check this out

http://catpatches.blogspot.com/p/occupy-your-sewing-room.html

(I don't know if I did that right)  I can't occupy my sewing room for a whole day but I have to use every minute I can.

lots of "stuff" going on

I had to give in and buy a new computer.
Iwas missing my blog buddies.

Took advantage of a great sale going on. 

Taking alittle getting use to. Laptop that is.
Miss my mouse, I keep reaching for it.
May be Santa will bring me one...I'll have to remember to add that to my list.
Although, I don't think a mouse has anything to do with my ability to type,
or should I say inablity to type.
A little catching up
My great nephew turned the big 1 on Nov 2
my sister (his Grandmother) had a great idea.
She bought him a regular size man's Michigan State football jersey,(dad is a big fan)
with his name and the number 10 (year he was born) on the back.
Every year on his birthday he will have his picture made wearing the jersey.
Now this is where I come into the picture.
She needed a book, scrapbook that is to put these pictures in.
No problem, I scrapbook.  She told me this on the Thurs before the party on Saturday.
I'm in Nashville, she is in Buffalo (traveling To NC for the party) and the birthday boy is in Charlotte,NC.  Thank goodness I live close to JoAnns and there is FedX.  I made 4 pages and promised the other 14 as soon as I can get to them.
Here they are 

I don't know why it's sideways and upside down, it would be easier, at least for me, if you just turn your head sideways to see it

Well at least I got this one turned the right way.
His picture will go where the white piece of paper is.

This will be next years picture.  That's little glue tabs so they can place the picture on the white paper.  My sister knows nothing about crafty things, including quilting, so I have to be detailed when I tell her how to put the pictures on the page.

Number three, guess by now you get the picture.

Last one. Aren't you glad I didn't get all 18 finished. All were finished in one night and FedXed on Friday.

That's only a small part of what I've been working on.


Should have posted this first.....
I do have a something very important to share with everyone who donated a quilt to the Down Syndrome Assoc of Middle Tennessee.  I wanted it to be a surprise but I can't wait. (especially since I can blog about it now)

This is me delivering the quilts to Shelia, the director.  They were so, so excited.  They never dreamed someone would do this for them.  Could not believe quilters from different states helped me.
(I had been to the pumpkin patch with Stevie's class on a very windy day so overlook the hairdo)  They have written article that will be published in our quarterly magazine, explainly about how the idea came about, 100Quilts for Kids challenge, and all of the wonderful ladies who helped make a dream come true and how this will be an on going thing for me.  They are also going to send it to the National Down Syndrome Assoc for the national magazine.  I told them I had not worked out all of the details, but I had an idea of teaching people with DS to quilt and together we would make quilts for newborns or in the hospital.  They want to include it in their summer camp program.  How awesome is that?  They gave the first one to the youngest person with Down syndrome at the Buddywalk.
This has been a lot longer than I expected, more things to share, but right now I must go to bed so that
I can go to work tomorrow, very late here.  I have a very large quilt I've been working on to show you next time we get together.
Thanks for stopping by.

Fine and Dandy

Well, I guess I could let you know that every thing is fine with me and my family.

Nothing major, except maybe, Stevie is recouping from walking pneumonia. 

Thankful no hospital stay just some strong medicine and I had to give him breathing treatments at home.  

I have been busy and have several things to share, but.....

there's always a but....

I have found out I am not the only thing in my house aging

(and I'm not even talking about my husband) 

technology has left my home computer obsolete.  

I have to buy a new one, or do a lot of upgrading,

 if I want to stay connected to cyber world.

I have Stevie's IPad and my work computer to post from

but I cannot post pictures. 

Bummer!!

Looks like I will be in the "have your lost your mind" line at Best Buy

Thanksgiving night, opening at midnight if you haven't heard, passing tickets out at 10:00pm.

Tickets? What's with the tickets?

Let me get your opinion, if you only have one computer would you rather have a desktop or

a laptop? 

 I have always had a desktop so I'm trying to decide if I would rather have

a laptop this time. 

No one else in my household will be using it, so it is up to me. 

What does the IRS 1040 and quilting have in common??

Nothing really,  except both are like BIG puzzles that have to put together.

Only a quilt is a lot prettier when finished. 

Yoo Hoo!!!

Son's tax return FINISHED!!!! with 29 hours to spare.  (three businesses in a file box)

Now I get to go back to something I like and feels a lot less like work.

Working on a few quilty things right now will have something to share

later this week.

I ran across a pretty easy request from Purple Panda.

Check it out here

http://purplepandaquilts.blogspot.com/p/stockings-for-kids.html

Making Christmas stockings for foster children, so they will have something

of their own.  Don't have to fill it with anything, just make a stocking and

mail it (them) to Lyanna by Dec 1.

Every Tuesday Lyanna will post a tutorial on different stocking patterns.

You can use your own if you have a favorite.

Linky party on Dec 1 and prizes to boot.

Thanks for stopping by, I've got to get up and get something done.

Are you ready for the 100 Quilts For Kids Parade ?

Grab a beverage, Coke for me, maybe coffee for you.

Get cozy in a comfortable chair.

Here comes the parade, sorry I don't know how to add music.

All of these beautiful baby quilts are being donated to

The Down Syndrome Assoc of Middle Tennessee

in honor of my Stevie.
Here's the Grand Marshall of the parade

The first quilt in the parade was made by me.

Cute little quilt with striped sashing, cute for a girl or boy.

I made the next little quilt using fabric from the Chirp line

one for a little boy

 and another for a little girl

I have another one on the frame and will hopefully have it ready

by tomorrow.

I have two more tops made but I don't think I will have them

quited in time for the challenge but that's ok

because for me this will be an on going project. My plan is to donate at least

one quilt a month to keep the Assoc well stocked.

Now for the Junior Grand Marshalls.

All of the wonderful and talented ladies that helped make a dream come true for me.

First in line is the wonderful Ann http://bunkhousequilts.blogspot.com/
cute quilt with stars and polka dots.

Next in parade is the lovely Katie Q http://saltmarshpath.blogspot.com/

You will have to visit her and see all of the quilts she made for 100QFK,

but this one she donated to DSAMT (Down Syndrome Assoc of Middle TN)

The next 4 cuties in line is from the talented Michelle.

Michelle, I apologize I have your blog saved on my computer at work.

If you will leave it in a comment I will add it.
I want to give credit where credit is due.
Never mind Michelle I found you, http://mychellem.blogspot.com/

Michelle sent 4, yes 4 quilts

All 4 are just beautiful.  Darkness was settling in so

my pictures do not do justice.

Bringing up the rear of the parade are my new quilting friends, the Sewing Sisters.

They are usually making quilts for their church ministry but one Saturday last month

we all got together at Sarah's http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/ house and

made baby quilts to donate to

DSAMT.

I stole borrowed Sarah's picture because hers is much better

than the one I took in the dark.

Are these not bright and beautiful ?

Thank you, ladies!!!!

All of you have been wonderful to take the time, materials, and

talent to make all of these quilts to give to our

Down Syndrome families.

Quilter do have the biggest hearts.

My dream of giving every newborn with Down Syndrome in our area a

quilt, to be wrapped in love from their very beginning, has come true,

thanks to

YOU!!

That's the end of the parade, while I sweep up all of the parade confetti, you

need to go over and see all the other quilts made

for

100Quilts for Kids at  http://www.swimbikequilt.com/

I don't know about you but I think it was a

BIG SUCCESS!!!!

have you seen the muffin man, uh... lady?

This week I have been called the "muffin lady", the "bakery lady", and the "the sweet lady". 

I am always called these sweet names at work this time of the year.

Know why?

Because of these jumbo muffins.

I bake these little big darlings and sell them at work to raise money for the Down Syndrome BuddyWalk.

I started a little late this year but so far in four days

I have sold 156 muffins and brownies.

Pretty good seeing that we only have 46 employees. 

It's like having a part time job.  I work all day, drive home, cook dinner,and bake muffins and brownies until it is time for bed.

My guys at work (and 4 ladies, counting me) love us some muffins.

I bake blueberry, banana nut, pumpkin,cinnamon, and chocolate chip, plus brownies.

They we like the brownies best.  I make them kind of gooey and they love them.

The BuddyWalk is Saturday, Oct 22 in Nashville.

In past years we have always had a BIG team walking with Stevie.  One year we had over 100 walkers on the "Stevie's Buddy Club" team.

Last year we had 38 that came out to walk with us and support Stevie.

The Walk this year already has 97 teams signed up.

If you would like to read more about Stevie's story you can do so  here

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/stevie-wingo/dsamts14thannualbuddywalk?fge=ask

Now muffins and brownies are not the only thing I have been working on.

I sewed with Sarah and the Sewing Sisters on Saturday morning

http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/

and started this

As you can see I have about half of the blocks made.  I like the way it is working out.  Very easy pattern, I can see making more of these.






I have also finished my 100QFK's quilts to be donated to the Down Syndrome Assoc of Middle Tennessee.  I will have them ready to link up with
http://www.swimbikequilt.com/ later today.  I want to take outside pictures and we had rain on Thurs.  Then I will take them to the Assoc.  I have had help from some wonderful blog ladies friends to make a dream come true for me.  I have always wanted (well, for the last 7 years) and needed help making quilts for the Assoc to give to newborns when they visit in the area hospitals.  This challenge encouraged me to make baby quilts and share my story, which in turn, several ladies reach out to help and mailed quilts to me to donate to the Assoc.the Sewing Sisters also helped make quilts.  I am overwhelmed but... well more on that later, I have to get started. 
Check back later to see the quilt parade.

Not a bad week ....considering

This is WHOOP WHOOP Friday
Let's see...what have we been up to...

Last Friday I was not able to post due to the fact

I was on heavy pain pills and laid up in the bed, way off

somewhere in lala land.  Didn't know anything until Monday.
So let me first share the wedding quilt I made

for Brett and Megan.

Finished a few days after the wedding.  They both loved it and

both said they had never received a gift made just for them. Megan said it was perfect

for their house.

Since I was under the weather I didn't get as much done as I hoped.

I did sew the binding on two of my 100QFK quilts.

This one is all finished.  Still need to wash and dry it, but it has made it to the finished pile.

I quilted this one and sewed the binding on.  It is also finished and in the wash and dry pile.

Found a very cute fabric to use as backing and the orange binding really set it off.

I had to take this one off of the frame to quilt Brett and Megan's quilt, so it is loaded back on and I quilted on it last night, almost finished and ran out of bobbin, so I quit and went to bed. 

 I already have the binding ready so it won't take much to finish.

I have 3 more 100QFK tops to quilt and put the binding on and

time is running out.

I have also been working on my oldest son's tax return, you know the one that

was due April 15th and extended to October 15th. 

This time of the year I always know what the date is because my mother

calls me everyday, at least once a day

and says "You do know that today is Oct whatever and your not finished

with the tax return and I bet your sewing". 

I'll get it, always do.

Must just like the thrill of the last minute rush. 

Yeah, right, I'm just slow and find

other things to do.

Tomorrow is sewing day at the Sweat Shop with the Sewing Sister and Sarah

http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/

This is a quilt I pieced for the quilt ministry last month, Sarah added the backing and 

quilted it. I forgot to take a picture

but Sarah took one before delivering it to it's owner

Well, I think that's all for my week.

What have you been working on?

See what everyone else has done over at Sarah's linky party

http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/

WHOOP WHOOP!!!

Another wedding quilt

Wedding quilt... fabric bought, cut, pieced, quilted, binding attached, delivered.  Whew! Fastest one yet.

DH loved it and didn't understand why he couldn't have it and buy the newlywed couple a toaster.  Come to think of it, a toaster was on their gift list.

Used my easy go to Trip Around the World pattern.  The only thing I knew was their family room was brown, light brown walls and brown couch.  I tried keeping it neutral, brown, black and a little gray.  Love the colors. Made it a little larger, 75x92, thought it was a good size for a couple to snuggle on the couch.  I think it finished very nice, I might have to make one for myself, of course I always say that.
Congratulations to Brett and Megan! 

Just a quickie

I am trying to finish something I only started last night and I need tomorrow night, so this will be  QUICKIE.

This is turning into a wedding quilt for a friends
daughter.  Wedding is tomorrow.

I have been working on 100 Quilts for Kids and the wedding creeped up on me. I really thought it was next weekend.  Nothing like a rush job.

Here is a sneek peek.  Show you the rest tomorrow when it's finished.  Looks like a late night.

Here is one of the baby quilts on the frame for 100Quilts for Kids.

Here is one finished except for the binding.

I made this one last Saturday with the church ladies
at Sarah's house.

Made this one after I got home.  I still have to sew on the last border.  I found some real cute fabric for the backs.  I hope to finish all of them up this weekend.  I have fabric for 2 more.  All of these will be donated to the Down Syndrome Assoc of Middle TN.

Well I need to get back to sewing. Let you know if I make my deadline tomorrow.