I kind of thought that seeing as we are 9 days into the new year that it was time to take the Christmas quilt off of the wall 
I loved how it turned out and it decorated the house nicely – but it was after all a Christmas quilt.
When we hung the Christmas quilt up on the wall we had put up a new wall hanger as the old one had begun to sag a bit from the weight of the quilt that hung for about 9 years (?). This time we made sure to put up a center support as well. I had washed the wall hanging and had put it aside until it was time to put it back up. Well what I hadn’t realized was that even with washing and drying it did not get it’s shape back. It had hung too long on the wall on a sagging support and it had stretched permanently out of shape! When I made that quilt (mid-90′s?) I was not always using cotton batting and had used polyester batting and probably really cheap stuff at that – I do think that contributed to the problem. It will still be able to be used, but not as a hanging it can reside on the edge of the couch as a lap quilt. What a disappointment. But change is good right?
Looking over the quilts to decide what to hang in it’s place did not take long – I don’t have many the right size – I decided on this one. Some of it hangs in back of the couch as it was a little too long but it fills up the space nicely and gives the room a totally different look. I made this quilt from an internet exchange of 5 inch charms back in the 1990’s. I have fabric from all over the world in it and all colors and prints are only in it one time each making it a “charm quilt”. The link will lead you to the history of charm quilts. The bottom in back of the couch has more yellows and browns. Back then I made wider binding but I did not feel like re-doing it – it is as it is – an older quilt made before I have all of the skills I have now. My quilting is improved, my points are better now and so is my binding, color placement could have been a lot better – live and learn. This quilt continues to be one of my favorites even with the mistakes made in it. Something about scrap quilts! It took me several years of fabric exchanges to get enough variety of color to make it. I might take it back down one day and put a hanging sleeve on the bottom of the quilt to so that periodically I can hang it the opposite way to see the colors that are now hidden.
I eventually got added on to the Quilters Blog and Store Search site (located on the side bar) just some confusion – I was sent a nice note and all is well. So many nice blogs listed – many are ones that I am familiar with but plenty of new ones (to me) to look through also.
We are getting a blast of winter weather – this time with a little bit of snow – I don’t know how much we will get by tomorrow but any amount of snow or ice in Arkansas brings about a panic to a large part of the population – it is all the weather people talk about and they are so excited about it you wouldn’t believe it.
This is what it looks like here in central Arkansas – the south is getting more than 6 inches – weird that they are getting more than us – but that is weird winter weather for you. I do hope the roads do not get bad. I need to run out tomorrow to go the insurance office to take care of paper work for insurance for the new car and I also have to run to the bank to get the title for the old car to give to the insurance agent for taking that wreck off of our hands. If the weather is bad it can wait until Tuesday. I don’t drive when the roads are bad. I spent half my life on northern winter roads – but driving in the south on winter roads is a different story – it takes longer to clear the roads (less snow removal equipment) and people drive like idiots. Also we live on the top of a ridge – it is all downhill from here to the highway – 3 miles of it with parts in deep shade which end up icing over as it begins to melt. I wait until the hill is sanding normally — unless it is just a tiny bit of snow like it is now. Which still might get icy but the always sand those areas the most.
Besides snow we are also getting very cold weather for here – this week will only be in the 30’s for highs and teens for lows maybe even colder – today stayed in the 20’s almost all day. We did take the car out for a spin this morning before the snow was going to come – it runs smoothly! Looks like I will have get snow off of it tomorrow if I leave the house!
A variety of subjects today. Been a busy day working outside, then piecing a triangle while watching NCIS, and now quilting late this evening.
To begin with the mama cat is comfortable and getting fat – I have gotten the family comfortable down by the workshop which has a porch on it. (the kittens were in hiding while I was trying to take a photo of course they did not want to cooperate). The food and water are down there and I put a chair that is beginning to get worn out there and they have commandeered it! This worked out how I wanted as I did not want them by the front door constantly so that when son-in-laws are visiting the cat dander will not be out of control near the door and porch (both are allergic to cats). They seem to be comfortable down by the workshop so all is well. Mama has already presented us with a gift! you know cats – sometimes they leave you a mouse by the front door, a mole, a snake (ugh) while this pretty mama decided to leave us something different – a dead squirrel!! She is a good hunter I think – maybe she wasn’t an inside cat after all. Needless to say the many squirrels that can be annoying at times have not been seen as often since the cats arrived.
Fall colors at home – plenty of the leaves have blown off the trees the last couple days with the wind that we have had – although not as severe as a lot of you across the states had today!
All of the hydrangeas that looked dead when we came back from our trip are now looking like this one maybe they will all have flowers on them next spring.
The flowers and ferns are still blooming although I think we are possibly getting down to the 30’s one night this week – I might have to move the pots to the workshop for a night or two.
The Dear Jane triangle completed for the “Insanity Revisited” quilt – this makes number 9 or 10:
I have been working on the “Going in Circles” quilt this evening. I am up to the sashing and the patchwork and figuring out how I want to quilt this part of the quilt. I think this is what I have decided on. I was going to quilt three circles around each circle in this part of the quilt and then I realized not all circles are precisely in the center – darn I thought I had them right!! If I put three circles of quilting around each it will be more noticeable – by doing it this way it isn’t! 
Now how I’m I getting these wavy lines pretty darn good I must say so myself – with this wavy edge ruler:
Hope everyone is coming through all this wind alright today – across the northern tier of the country it is pretty bad. I was talking to my daughter in Wisconsin earlier today checking on her and the wind was howling but all was well. The other night the other daughter was in tornado warning in North Little Rock – she came through just fine too.
I do have one more block prepped and ready to go but today was taken up with other things. Blueberry picking first thing this morning. I met CJ at 7 and we headed out to my brother’s farm. We had a great day for berry picking. Neither of us had “fixed” ourselves up we assumed we would be hot and sweaty with hats and bug spray. We were pleasantly surprised when the weather stayed at a comfortable 70 (?) and very cloudy. Here are photos of the farm – caught CJ in a couple ( but not close ups – not when we aren’t fixed up 
)
part of the blueberry farm, that is CJ walking up to the shed
another part of the farm - those are rows of blueberries. I should have taken a close up of the berries but didn't think to do so - lots of ripe ones out there.
and more blueberries - I have no idea how many rows and plants he has - I will need to ask him sometime. Doesn't he have a pretty view
My brother Jeff and his daughter Lily busy at work. Lily helps out every summer and does a good job. Back of CJ.
a gallon of fresh clean blueberries - and they are all mine! (Mike doesn't eat many of them)
Instead of starting the dehydrator with blueberries today seeing as it stayed nice out I was working outside instead. The berries are washed and I will start that process tomorrow. Also the plan is to make fresh muffins and a cheesecake with blueberry topping.
Tonight I will get back to work on a Dear Jane Block – number 8 I believe it is I prepped it last night so it is ready for stitching. Last night I got to work looking through the Red and Green Applique blocks and picked out two that I will start prep work on. I have the patterns traced out on to freezer paper and will need to get those pieces cut out and then I will glue baste the design down so I will not need to bring the overlay with me on the trip – just no room for something like that. After I get these two blocks glue basted down I will look and see if I want to do another 2 blocks to bring also – sometimes they really go quickly. I still need to draw the quilting lines on the small quilt I plan to quilt on the road also. Too busy!
I had wanted to open my windows today for fresh air but CJ (lives nearby) from “From My Studio – Created by CJ” has warned me she did and now has pollen all over her house so I will heed the warning and keep my windows closed – yuk pollen –when will it go away? I am getting caught up on laundry and feeling kind of crappy today. Mike got a cold half way through the week and I do believe he has given it to me as I feel really “off” and have since yesterday afternoon.
A few more photos from Paducah on Saturday in between rain storms. We spent the afternoon in the town so we wouldn’t be in the camper in case of tornadoes – luckily it was just rain and no branches down in the campground.
The skies near Paducah on Saturday. We had rain off and on but the really bad storms missed the area.
the big white temporary "tent" like building in the storm. It kind of blends right in with the sky. I heard that there are people interested in building two hotels on either end of the convention center so maybe in a couple years something will be here to replace this.
A historical museum in the historic area of the town, we spent time here passing off one storm in the dry inside. A very interesting array of items here.
the baby quilt in progress - I did not get as much done as I had planned to - it will get done though in the next couple weeks I hope. About 3/4's finished? The top 1/4 has to be quilted still besides the little bits on the side where the hoop is. My backing fabric wasn't quite wide enough and I didn't feel like sewing another strip onto one edge what I plan to do is I am quilting to about 2 inches of the long sides and then I will trim the edges, add the binding and then if any little bits need some quilting on the end of the lines I will add it then.
A new block for the Little Brown Bird quilt. Flowers will be scattered over this block like they were on the first block for this quilt that I had made some months back. I have some uneven places here and there - how did that happen? I didn't cut carefully enough I guess - no matter the flowers will conveniently take care of the bad spots. I need to do a bit of needle turn still on this one and will get back to it next week maybe - I want to get the baby quilt finished first.
I got one Dear Jane block finished also but forgot to take a photo so I will do that tomorrow.
The bag I sent for to store my featherweight in when I am not using it is larger than I thought it was! I checked the measurements – but oh well – extra room in the bag for supplies but that will make it too heavy for my weak elbows to carry. But not a problem, quite a few years back I had gotten a collapsible wheel carrier for a different sewing bag set up that I had. It had been put away in the closet but I found it, dusted it off and it is back in use! Good thing I tend to hold onto things for awhile.
the bag on it's little wheel cart. The little stand goes up when not in use. The black straps are elastic and pull over the bag to hold onto the cart.
The bag has three outside pockets – plenty of room for cords and extension cord too. Inside the top of the bag are two zipper pockets. I have left the machine threaded right now to remind myself how to thread properly until I know for sure I won’t forget!! That happens when you do not use a machine everyday.
If it looks like it will be too loose (no strap to hold in place) I will get a couple pieces of foam and cut to fit along the sides to hold it tight in the bag. Mainly though this is a place to store it and for taking to a sewing night now and then. The insert and the stack of books for the table level are stored in the bag for now too so I won't loose track of them.
Sugar and Spice in progress. This one won't take real long to quilt it is about 43" x 49" I think. I am doing a simple cross hatch and outline around the flowers.
a close up
And what have I been doing today? Me and my John Deere have been busy cutting and mulching! I do not mind cutting grass and over the years I have been the one to do it most of the time because of the long hours Mike always worked. I get some good thinking done on my John Deere Now of course if I had a push mower I sure as heck wouldn't be doing it!!
I have the cushions out for the warm weather and have already made use out of the this area and the porch - what a nice relaxing area (until the loud traffic goes by - at least that is not continuous out here)
First of all Happy Easter to everyone. We do not have any children here to do Easter things with but I did put one edible decoration on the table and we are munching off and on – candy doesn’t last long around here so I don’t buy a lot. It briefly got up to 76 degrees then some clouds and wind came in and dropped it 71. Here are some photos of our spring.
Flowers for Easter and some candy! A three tier candy dish and since I took this photo candy has been eaten and it is now a 2 tier dish!
The small red bud tree. This tree grew from seed. We have a larger red bud tree a distance away from this one about half of that tree has died though and doesn't look as well as this small tree does. It started to grow about 4 or 5 years ago.
The small dogwood tree we didn't plant this one either - well I should correct that we did plant this one but we dug it up from the woods when it was about a foot tall. We use to have several dogwood trees in the woods that have since died. We noticed this small one growing beside them and wanted one closer to the house so we dug it up about 10 years ago when it was barely a twig and here it is now.
Awhile back Jackie from Canton Village Quiltworks had a giveaway of two of Karen Griska's book "Quilts from the Selvage Edge" I won one of them!!
Jackie let Karen know who won the books and she autographed the books and sent them out. I like how she autographed mine - coincidence of names - Karen G. to Karen G. how cute is that!
Seeing as I now have a book on how to make quilts from the Selvage Edge - I guess I better start to save my selvages. Here I have three to start with. One day I will have to start going through my fabric to cut off the edges. If anyone wants to donate to the cause if you are not going to use your edges - send them to me!! they need to be about 1 1/2 inches wide.
When I started this baby quilt yesterday I did not think I would have the machine work done already today, but miracles happen when the first day of spring is cold and rainy! Yes I was in the house just about all day. We have not gotten any snow as of yet and it really looks on the weather map that the snow will be north, west and south of us forming a kind of C shape around us with us in that open area. In the area of Arkansas that a lot of my family lives in the north area they are expecting 8 to 12 inches!!! Wow glad that is missing us here in the central part of the state.
Here is what I came up with for the patchwork – this is just something that I made up – no pattern available. I used the width of the charms and chopped it up adding the sections from my stash of the yellowish color for the applique areas. I think I had 4 or 5 charms leftover and 4 of those I had not intended to use as they didn’t quite go with the rest of stuff for some reason:
It measures something like 46 x 49 and I will add a small outer border around it - maybe in the yellowish shape that the applique pieces will be in. I think I have enough of it left - maybe a thin border of scallop edges or wavy edges? Something to think about while I do the applique. I wasn't going to sew it all together but do the applique work first but change my mind. I can roll or fold certain ways to get the work done.
Each of the pieces of creamy yellow fabric - 20 places I believe (it might look like more but some of them are actually light beige prints) will have an applique flower on it or some type of thing - like a heart maybe - something like that - these are some of the fabrics that I will use for flowers and greenery - there is more from the stash to look at but for now this is what I am starting with.
The give away winner will be announced Monday and the comments will be closed first thing on that morning when I get up. I can’t believe how many comments have come in. I have been trying to look at all the blogs and marking some to go back to look at again.
I am still waiting for my batting to arrive and trying to be patient so I am busily working on my little blocks for the “Insanity Revisited” last night and this morning I got this checkerboard block finished.
This is my preparation work. Kind of like a paint by number.
here are rows of little blocks sewed together. Then the strips are sewed together and the border in place.
The finish! 40 pieces in this 5 inch block (4 1/2 when finished in quilt). I do not know how fast this block can be made by machine. This one including the preparation work took me about 2 1/2 hours to make. Normally the blocks depending on how many pieces and level of difficulty take anywhere from about 40 minutes to 3 hours. I just noticed a couple threads sticking to the block - sorry I would have taken a better photo if I had noticed it.
Some of the scraps that are going into my March Star Crazy BOM blocks. I still need to go through my scraps to find more bits and pieces. I have some cut out and I'm sure tomorrow or the next day I will get to work.
This was yesterdays weather! The little boy has gotten out of his winter gear and into a tee-shirt - 72 degrees for a high yesterday. Today was cooler it only got up to 68 here and that was a very short while. Still all in all a very nice day although thunderstorms are going through part of the state, might miss us though.
Tomorrow I am going to be sewing at my friend Julie’s for part of the day. She is on the last blocks of row 10 for her Dear Jane. She is catching up to me rapidly!! She started to hand piece her Dear Jane like I do but then decided that she was never going to finish it if she did that so by row 5 or 6 I think it was she started to machine piece instead. We used to meet once a week but we have gotten out of the habit over the past year and now only meet about once a month. I need to look over my things and see what to bring to show her – we tend to have a little show and tell of quilting things even though it is not a big group meeting LOL -We quilters always tend to show off our things don’t we whether it is quilts, fabric or books and pattern. I will be working on another Dear Jane block or two so maybe more blocks to post tomorrow.
Yesterday seeing as I am still waiting patiently (almost) for my batting to arrive I worked up another little Dear Jane block for “Insanity Revisited”. I will get another one prepped today. After running in to the problem of two separate companies out of the batting I use and having to wait for them to send it I decided when I go to Paducah in April to make sure to stock up on several sizes of batting and bring them home and store them under the quilting frame. The packages will be out of my way and there when I need them. I love Quilters Dream 100% cotton batting – it is the only kind I use – I have experimented with numerous brands and just find I like that one the most.
The beginning of Row K (#11) this is block number 1.
Yesterday brought a visit from our daughter Melanie and her husband Ric. This was a visit that had not been planned far in advance but a delight. Melanie and I took a nice walk at the trails while her husband was visiting his mother – who luckily lives only 2 miles away from us which makes visiting easy for them – then we made supper and Ric came over to visit for awhile and eat then they went back to his mom’s house to visit there too. With Melanie’s hours at work not being very flexible we appreciate a visit when they can squeeze us in 
I don’t know how it works for most people but we have found it is easy for them to make a visit to both sides of the family easily because of how close we live to his mom.
It rained last night – we had not had much rain lately so seeing as it was not sever storms and it was at night it was welcome. My little garden plot is ready for planting.
My little plot next to the wood pile. There is a reason for this. I figured because I wanted to plant early - salad type of veggies that grow good at this time of year - but anyway because it is early I want to be able to protect from cold weather. So the plastic over the wood will be pulled over the garden instead and held down and the heat can stay in the area by the plants! Instant green house I still need to get some chicken wire to put a small fence around it too keep out the rabbits. Right now I plan on planted two kinds of lettuce, spinach, radishes, carrots, green peas and beets (not a salad veggies but I like them) all of these should be ready within one to two and half months which works out well seeing as we will be gone for a good chunk of summer. By putting plastic over it part of the time it should encourage them to grow faster (I hope). I would have liked to have tomato plants too but I don't feel I would have enough time to use them all and I hate to waste them.
a little wild area of plants. The little green that doesn't have flowers on it yet are lily's
The big tree in the center of the yard always gets these reddish buds all over it before the leaves come. They look pretty but sure do make a mess in another two weeks or so when they fall off the tree and the leaves grow. I have to blow them all off of the porch and the deck then, but they are pretty. The picture is not as clear as I hoped. In fact a lot of the photos I took this morning did not turn out and were out of focus. I'm still working on that.
I finished sewing the 10th row onto the body of the quilt and it is looking good I think! There are over 2,000 pieces in it at this point and around 250 hours of hand piecing I think – I have it written down. This second Dear Jane is actually being done faster than the first one was – I checked in my journal to see how long it had taken me on the first one at the end of 10 rows and it was about 50 hours longer — guess I am used to dealing with this bitty pieces.
Me with 10 rows of Dear Jane, "Insanity Revisited"
I think I mentioned to you all that I am a scrap quilter, well even though I have plenty of fabric for this quilt I can’t stop myself from saving my scraps. You see from the photo that some of the pieces are smaller than a quarter! I tend to save scraps and use them up for the tiny pieces as you will see from these photos.
Some of the pieces in this quilt are more the size of a dime than a quarter - but a quarter was what was handy.
a pile of scraps leftover that I couldn't use for this 1st block on row 11 - they were not needed or too small 
the scraps I did use plus a larger piece that was already cut and left over from previous blocks.
So as you can see if you save small pieces from your leftovers when you are making Dear Jane it is very likely that you can use them up, especially if you are doing a two color Dear Jane like this one is.
It was a wonderful day outside today – it got up to a big 68 degrees!!! I hadn’t planned on doing a garden this summer because we will be gone for part of it but then I thought well maybe a little bit that could be ready by the end of June? Mike tilled up a small piece of land for me down by the wood pile that is in the sun all the time. I need to rake it out a little this week and get it ready. Right now I have some seeds for carrots, beets, and sweet peas. I might get some leaf lettuce and radishes too. Maybe a tomato plant if it is really big and has blossoms on it already – not sure on that. We might be getting some rain this week, so my gardening plans might have to wait until next week if it gets muddy.
