Halloween and Aunt Millie

What do Halloween and Aunt Millie have in common? Well, nothing, actually. Those two things are what I wanted to include in this blog post.

I had mentioned in my previous post that our four DGC carved pumpkins (or in the case of the little DGC, he "helped carve") at our house the day before Halloween. This picture shows our sweeties with their creations.

Now, as to Aunt Millie, I bought the Piece of Cake applique pattern "Aunt Millie's Garden. A couple days ago I finished the first block. I did the applique with the back basting method, and I really do like that method. My friend Linda from http://lindaquilts-too.blogspot.com/ first demonstrated that method a couple years ago. I later found a tutorial on line and printed that out. I started on my second block last night. The predominant color in that block is purple. My current thought is that I will make four blocks and make a wallhanging, but that obviously is subject to change. I don't get these things done very quickly.

I'm baaaack!

I mentioned in my last post that I am taking a Quilt University class called More Machine Quilting. The first week we worked on different things, but mostly feathers, which I love! This week our lesson is on trapunto. I had never done it, and this is the first one I did. The actual flower pattern was provided for us. I found this one fairly easy. The stippling around it does get tedious. That's what is suggested to make the trapunto "pop."

The second photo is the next flower pattern that was provided for us. Now this one I really love, and I'm very happy with the way it turned out. I'm not so sure trapunto is for me, but maybe for something small it would be a good thing.

And then, kaboom, lest someone get to thinking too well of herself, is the third pattern we were given to try. We were to put another color fabric behind the bow, and I failed pretty miserably to get the fabric the right size. I'm not happy with my effort on it at all.

We get our third lesson tomorrow, and I THINK that one will be about whole cloth quilting. It should be interesting!

I also have been working on a quilt that I will show at a later time, as it is a gift, and I don't think the recipients view my blog, but just in case...

Yesterday our four DGC came over and carved the pumpkins we had gotten for them. Great fun was had by all, and today DH and I spent a lot of time drying and roasting pumpking seeds. Actually, DH gets almost all the credit, because he spent a great deal of time yesterday separating the seeds from the slime, and doing most of the work today.

Latest musings

Yesterday I needed to put away what I was working on, due to the visit of a certain little person, so I pulled out a jelly roll that I had purchased from Connecting Threads. I played around and came up with these blocks. They go together so easily, and I think I can easily make 12 blocks, and then probably find something in my stash for sashing and a border or two, and have another quilt top that will probably go to Project Linus when completed. I am so pleased with this collection. I am not an employee or in any way related to the Connecting Threads folks; just a happy customer. I also like their prices - $5.96 a yard, I think it is.



These little silly DGC are taking a bath in our bathroom and wanted me to take a picture of their "helmets." Too cute. They just have the best time playing around and making a mess!







The last picture is on one section of our back yard on a warmer day than today. Come on back warm weather! I think (hope) it is to warm up a bit starting tomorrow.

A very good Friday

This first picture is of Aubrey. I may have mentioned that I have taken her to three sessions of sewing classses for little girls that they offer here through community ed. One was for pajama pants, and the next one they screen printed some fabric and did some stamping on it, and made a bag. She is in her pj pants and holding the bag that she made. I am proud of her, she did so well.

The second bag is one I made and finished this morning. I have been wanting to make a new purse, and finally just decided to take a break from the quilting of my Thimbleberries and make it. I've had the fabric and pattern for quite a while. The pattern is Bow Tucks Tote by Penny Sturges of Quiltsillustrated.com.






The next picture is our DGC taken in front of the fire truck at the station where our son Kurt is a firefighter. He has not been at this station for too long, and today all of our family got to visit him. He showed us around, and since the area around the station is also the training facility, there was lots to see and do. The kids got to try a number of things, and it was so enjoyable.


The last picture is of Kurt showing Tanner how to hook up to the fire hydrant.

One Project a Month Challenge

It has been a while since I posted, so best get busy, I think. I saw my friend at Linda Quilts Too saying she had signed up on the One Project a Month Challenge, and I decided I better not let her get one over on me, so I signed up also. I think it will be fun. January might be a little slow for me to accomplish much because we are making a trip to CA for about 10 days, but since I can't handle my hands being idle, maybe I'll get something done. I do have a baby quilt I have to finish for my niece's baby that is due to be delivered on Feb. 2, so maybe I can get that ready for quilting between our grandson's basketball games this weekend, our granddaughter's dance recital, and pro football games on TV.

I started crocheting a ripple afghan last night. I haven't done a project like that for many, many years. I am really enjoying it, and will take that with me to CA to work on while we drive.

I also have been working on my large Thimbleberries Lakeside BOM that I did in 2008. I know that I am a glutton for punishment, but I am increasing the size of it to fit our king-sized bed. That definitely will not be finished in January.


Since I don't have any quilting pics to show now, I will show you a pic of our darling grandchildren on the first day of our big snowstorm in December. They were in our bakyard, and were so excited, but the snow was so dry, that it was hard to make a snowman.

Halloween 2008

My blog says Sunday, November 2, and I haven't investigated why, but it really is Tuesday, November 4, and election day is finally here, and I haven't yet cast my vote here for my darling grandchildren.

This cute little tyke is 4-year-old Anson. His daddy is a Portland firefighter, and it looks like Anson will be a fine firefighter also. He was a bit tired, so his eyes are kind of glazed.

Then we have Tangelina and Tannika. These two cheerleading beauties are also know as Tanner S and Tanner F. The one on the left is Tanner S, and he is our all boy granadson. Their costumes were quite a hit. They went out with three boys dressed up as Hannah Montana, so pretty darn cute.




















This little beauty is dressed as Taylor Swift. She is Aubrey and she made a haul trick or treatingwith her cousin and friends.

And last, but most definitely not least, is our lovely Tylee, dressed up as Sharpay. Now I realize that I most certainly butchered the spelling, but that is phonetic, and that's about as good as I can do.

We had 175 ghosts, goblins, etc. come to our door. I just love seeing all the little kids (and some not so little) come and get their treats. We found the ones with the best manners were the smaller kids. Of course, they all had parents standing in the background.

And now, since it is election day, I hope you have all gotten out and voted. Here we have elections by mail, and that is so very, very nice. We can sit at our kitchen table with the voters' pamphlet and study the issues, not be rushed, and best of all, not have to wait in long lines to vote. It's been that way now for several years, and we love it.