My Experience at the Aveda 2nd Annual Women's Expo

I had a lovley time at the Aveda 2nd Annual Womens Expo in Blaine MN yesterday.  Here is my grandaughter Zuri sitting at my table displayed with the jewelry I've made.  I loved talking with everyone as the came by my table and looked at my jewelry - thank you all for your great comments and thank all who purchased some of my items.  I enjoyed the networking with others, like Stephanie and Annie.  Thank you Annie for Thinking of me when you were putting this together. 

My Saturday Quilting Adventure

Jean at Topstitchery

The Long Arm Quilting Machine "Bert"

an overall design

a garden flower block design

A garden design

 This past saturday was very exciting for me.  I took a 3hr class at TopStitchery in Roberts WI to learn how to use thier long arm quilting machine...I must say I do like the idea of getting my quilttops done quickly and with little arm pain...Since I don't intend to stop sewing because of my shoulder pain I think this might be a good way to go.  I enjoyed learning the computer and the program and can't wait to do my 1st quilt.  I did make an appointment for mid April since the remainder of this month is so busy with Dr's Appointments and my Jewlery Show and with Easter coming I feel I will be very busy.  Here are some pictures of what I did on Saturday...

All About Me & The Things I Love

I am making a scrapbook tin All About Me & The Things I love!  Here  are some of the Pictures That I have collected for it.  I will continue to add to this collection of "Things I love" so others may get to know Me. 

Finished Block 2 & 3

Block # 3 - week 3

Block # 2 week 2

Block # 1 week 1

Tonight I finished block 3 and will upload a picture of block 2 that I finished last week.  these were done 2 late for finish it up Friday week 15 so now I have them done for finish it up Friday 16 coming up.  here is my 1st Block I am doing the 12 weeks of Blocks on Amanda Jean's Blog.  These blocks go together quite easily and I find them relazing to do.

CreativeLady's Enthusiastic Thoughts: My New Header for this Blog.

CreativeLady's Enthusiastic Thoughts: My New Header for this Blog.: Hi All, hope you like my new header. I found this wonderful site that has great Free Graphics and tried to make my own using these sewing g...

My New Header for this Blog.

Hi All, hope you like my new header.  I found this wonderful site that has great Free Graphics and tried to make my own using these sewing grafics.  I have a link to her site on my side board for anyone interested in going to it...enjoy.... today is a laid back day for me as I sit here looking outside at the new snow swirling around and listening to Music Choice Soundscapes on my TV and just creating this wonderful new header in my Paint Shop Pro Elements.... Let me know what you think

Just had to check in.  I had a lovley day today.  did not get any sewing done but did go to church and then treasue hunting at my local GoodWill - found some lovley treasures there.  Then I went to my Daughter's house for a late Lunch of Soup and Grilled Cheese - mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm good!  watched a movie, then home.  need to study my chapter before going to Bible Study!  All in all a good day!  I did work on some quilts blocks yesterday and went to my Quilting group.  We concentrated on half log cabin blocks... I think I will make my next quilt top using half log cabin blocks in blues....

Happy Birth Day Little Rose Marie!



Rose Marie and her Mommy Brianna

Newly Born Rose Marie 2/24/12 8lbs/0.02 oz 20" long

Great Grandma Diane with Newborn Rose Marie

Morning all, I have not done much quilting this week because I was down at my Son's home in Iowa for a week to help him with his recovery from Surgery last Tuesday.   I arrived back home on Wed eve of this week.  Spent all day Thursday working on a Client's project then on Friday I was going to sew but got a call from my Daughter Marie, her youngest girl finally went into labor and she wanted me to be there for the birth of little Rose Marie.  Well the newes addition to our family Arrived at 3:56pm yesterday, healthy and pink, she wieghed in at 8lbs, 0.02oz and 20 inches long...such a sweet surprise.  My Daughter was so elated that now she has a grandaughter along with here 2 grandson's.  Happy Birth-Day Little Rose Marie!

Finish it up Friday week 15



Block 3 of 12 wks of blocks

 


finish it up Friday from Amanda Jean's Blog  I know that this is saturday but I just finished my # 2 block for Amanda Jeans Block of Block of the week so I had to share it.  I am a little behind on my WIP's - took a trip down to Iowa to be with my son for a few days after his surgery.  I did bring my machine with me :)

found a Free! Block of the Month Club

was on Craftsy and signed up for thier free block of the month for this year and it is free - 2 blocks a month for the year.  I am going to do this and see where it leads me.  I should have a multiple of blocks to piece for different projects... I will post my progress.  the website is www.craftsy.com. Yes I know it sounds a little amitious of me but I got to try.....:)

Friday finish it up - week 14

My 1st block for block of the week on Amanda Jean's blog

My log cabin block for quilting club tomorrow

My Daughter Beth's quilt top completed today.

 I am joining Amanda Jeans Friday finish it up - week 14.  This week I finished up my block for week one of Amamda Jeans 12 week blocks, also a log cabin block I made for quilting club tomorrow and  I finished piecing together the quilt top for my Daughter Beth.  Tomorrow I plan to pin it together to ready it for quiltiing...

The start of a Beautiful Day!

Wow! today it will be in the 40's, beautiful and sunny - I must open my doors and windows today to let some fresh air in.  I continue to work on my projects today and plan to visit with friends to take advantage of this lovley winter weather...

Almost Finished!

Here I am auditioning this quilt top on my bed.  . I am working on finishing up this quilt for my youngest daughter Beth. a black, white and red quilt - Pattern after the yellow brick road - almost ready to add the last few rows before pinning it and then completeing the quiting process - this has been a 2 yr project and I am so glad it is almost done. I can't wait to give it to her.

I just found this awesome blog that I would like to follow to create some wonderful blocks ect.  www.crazymomquilts.blogspot.com  I would like to make a block a week for 12 weeks to use up some of my stash - I will share my progress as I go - it is from her 1st quilt along in 2008 by Amanda Jean Nyberg  12 weeks of stashbuster quilt blocks

The Quilt for my next project

Some Fabrics to start with

 above are some fabrics I have chosen to start with - some are reproductions fabrics -

This Quilt is made up of forty blocks from the civil war era with detailed explanation of their historical significance. The top blocks represent the Union States, the middle represents the Border States and the bottom represents the Confederacy- with 6, 9" blocks inspired by the book "Hidden in Plain View" -

January is almost over!

Hello again, Janurary is more than half gone.  I feel like I have lost 3 weeks of productive creative time.  I began the New Year with a cold - ended up with pnuemonia and before I knew it 2 1/2 weeks had passed by before I felt up to doing any of my creative projects.  I finally went to my weekly Quilitng class this Saturday.  Friday I visited my local Quilt shop to get my creative juices flowing.  I picked up a great quilt pattern and fabric to start - called Civil War Sampler, a reproducton Quilt from Karen Witt of www.reproductiionpatterns.com.  I am looking forward to starting it. 

1st I do need to finish the quilt I am making for my daughter Beth - I wanted to have it finished by the end of this month - The quilt top is almost pieced together and then I need to layer it and then I can have fun quilting the top...something I do not want to rush on since I want her to have this quilt for a long time and I want it to be my best effort for her.  I am hoping to start working on it this coming week.

Thursday was my 1st day back in my sewing room - I spent the morning putting away fabrics that I had left over from my sewing project for Christmas.  I folded and re-organized my fabric stash - just enjoying the colors and patterns.  Getting back into the Swing of things.  I also worked on some small blocks for my quilting class to be used for the womens sale next fall using fabrics from our stash at church.  I chose some green patterned fabric to make a churn-dash block.  I would like to use a red for the borders but maybe brown would go better. 

Startng with little projects will help me get back into the swing of it and help me to focus better so I can finish my quilt for my daughter.  I am so glad I am over that pnuemonia - I can finally breath better and my cough is gone....Darn winter colds.... I have decided to slow down a bit - since the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas had been so hectic.  I will keep you all updated with pictures of my projects as I go and my UFO's as I finish them.  So by next Christmas I should have my Christmas Wall Hanging done. LOL.

Happy 2012! The New Year is Here

2011 finished in quite a hectic way, exciting but sad too. It has been a very Hectic Holiday Season for me. In Nov we had our Women's Sale and our little group of quilters at The Point collaborated on our 1st Quilt for the Sale...It was a great success and we enjoyed doing it. I will post some pictures of it. The winner of our quilt was quite delighted with it and has been attending the sale each year. I enjoyed a quite Thanksgiving Day hanging out at my daughter, Nancy's house. A simple meal, great movies and quiet conversations. 

 Alan, Aunt Nancy & Rikki enjoying Christmas Dinner

Heather & Echo painting Ornaments

My Son Earl and his Fiance Rikki Hosted our family Christmas gathering this year. The little one's were quite excited and couldn't wait to start drawng and coloring. The Gathering was very noisy, lots of fun and lots of food! Everyone brought a dish to share. Beth's Cheezy Potatoes, Nancy's Ham, Turkey and Dressing, Cookies and Treats made by Rikki and her Mom Bobbi, Green Bean Cassarole, A yummy Cheese Ball & a spicy cheese dip and desserts. Wow! Nancy brought Christmas Ornaments for the children to paint and Paul brought Gingerbread Cookies for the kids to decorate...Earl was so worried that there wouldn't be enough and was pleasantly surprized at the turnout. LOL

My newest Great Grandson - James Russell 4 days old.  My newest Great Grandson James Russell was introduced to his new extended family - at four days old he was so sweet - Johnny and Tawnie are the proud parent's.

Decorating the Gingerbread Cookies with Uncle Paul

Aunt Nancy, Zuri & Ruthie

Nathan opening up gifts

Our Family December 2011

The Quilt our Group made for the Sale 2011

This Quilt needs a home!

In Nov we had our Women's Sale and our little group of quilters at The Point collaborated on our 1st Quilt for the Sale...It was a great success and we enjoyed doing it. I will post some pictures of it. The winner of our quilt was quite delighted with it and has been attending the sale each year.

Gwen  Richardson sewing the Quilt Backing together

Our Teacher Elaine Fredrickson Arranging the fabrics

Frank Johnson Piecing the Trees

Diane Swett Piecing the Stars

Bob Richardson cutting Strips

Diane Quilting the Top

Arranging the columns before sewing

Preparing to Quilt the Trees

Early December was very sad for our family.  My son Paul's wife Jen died after a brave 4 yr battle with cancer leaving my sweet granddaughters, Ruthie & Echo without a Mom and my son without his lovely wife.  They are only 7 and 4 yrs old.  She passed peacefully with friends and family at her side and now is our Angel in Heaven.  Prayers for the family during this great time of grief would be appreciated.

Christmas Day was spent at my son, Michael's house dinner was great and the day was relaxing.  The New Year weekend was spent at home by myself.  I was nursing a cold so the evening was spent quietly - napping, taking decongestants and then watching the ball drop in Times Square at 11pm.  I celebrated with some sparkling Grape juice and crackers and cheese.  The following week was spent at home nursing this horrible cold - now turned into pneumonia.  by thursday the Dr put me on an antibiotic and an inhaler.  I should be good as new by Monday or Tuesday....LOL - well at least it was a quiet start to the New Year...

Today I plan to do a little quilting and am expecting some of my kids to come and visit.  My Grandaughter Heather wants to start a quilt for her girlscout project and my son Earl and Fiance might come to visit.  my daughter Nancy said she would come over too... great!  I am ready for company...
 
I plan to upload photos so please check back.   PHOTOS UPLOADED - ENJOY!

Bus Trip - A fun Day at the Mall of America

Today my friend's & I- (Therese & Mike, Glady's, Jean, Curtis, Verle and Judy, Ruthie & Linda S),   went to the Mall of America together.  We were able to get a bus and driver to take us "oldster's" down to the Mall as a group...Wow it was so fun and so nice to have someone else drive.   "Wes"  our bus driver did a great Job.  When we arrived we paired up or struck out on our own to wander the mall meeting back at the entrance at a certain time.  I struck out on my own - found some neat shops and bought my favorite Rose Scented hand creme from Evlely & Crabtree's - then on to the Yankee Candle store for some great tea lights and to bath & body to check out thier goodies.  Stopped by the Twin City Grille for a great Baked Sweet Potato.  Arrived back home around six - nicley tired out with all the walking watched Dancing with The Stars - made it an early night - up around midnight tho to check out my sewing with nancy programs on learnng to use my serger.  all in all a great day. 

I am looking forward to Tuesday.  I have to go into the Cities to have my monthly IV Therapy for my RA and my friend Linda R is going in with me, should prove to be a very nice day together.  She has things she needs to do while there also. - The weather is going to be cloudy and cool and I am looking forward to going to "Macy's" to look around.  I'm not sure if I will bring my Macy's card or not...LOL - I just might spend cash instead...

Let it Snow, let it snow - let it snow somewhere else!

Well yesterday was a wild and snowy day leaving about 4" of snow on the streets and covering the sidewalks - very wet and fully - and beautiful too.  Today is cleanup - the streets are covered with ice even my plowed driveway is covered with ice...  Yesterday I had a blast at our Women's Sale.  I helped cashier and it was so fun to see all the people come and go and feel their excitement for the day.  A very holiday spirit was present in the air with the coming of our 1st snowfall of the season.  Listening to the News last eve tho it seems likely that it will all be melted by Thanksgiving Day with temps in the 50's.  A nice start to the Holiday Season....  Now to locate my shovel so I can get my walkway cleared.  I would use my broom but the snow is wet and a broom wouldn't work on it....  Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Hudson Tour of Homes and Our Fall Festival

Morning All - Today is the Big FALL FESTIVAL at the 1st Baptist Church on 3rd & Vine in Hudson Wisconsin. It is also The Tour of Homes Day here. Come Over - stop by and Enjoy the Day. We have a large assortment of Baked Goodies, including Pie's, cookies, STICKY BUNS, homemade jams & other Sweet Goodies. We also have a lot of Craft Items and A QUILT that needs a Home Made By our Saturday Quilting Group. come on in and take a Chance on it.

STOP BY FOR LUNCH AND SHOP!

"Crazy Quilted Memoriies" - a great Idea

"Crazy Quilted Memoriies" - a great Idea see my blog for the Hess/Swett Family about quilting

Up Early today! My Creative Juices are flowing

This Morning I awoke early with thoughts of quilting a small runner for my kitchen shelf.  One in autumn colors with pumkins and leaves on it...I thought I might get out my Cricut and cut some of them from fabric and use my new found block pattern to make 2 background blocks which I could appllique them too.  will let you know how they turn out.  It will be another busy day for me today.  I have some hand sewing repairs to do and a button to create for a client.  then some hemming to do on a choir robe and two pair of childrens pants with a waist to take in.  I am looking forward to a fun day.  I also am going to my ABW (American Baptist Women's) group to tie some blankets today and then off to my daughters to pick up the jams I canned on Sat/Sun. 
Later this eve I will go to my Tuesday Night Bible Study, "The Story" is a great book we are studing that encompasses the Bible in linear form from Genisis thru.  We have a great discussion time and I do enjoy the groups....
All in all a busy day!  Lovin it tho

I will take pictures of my progress on my little runner.... Enjoy the day everyone.

A Night at the Theater!

This Evening was spent with my friends at Steven Be's knitting and attendng the Theater - It was a pleasant evening spent with friends - the subject content of the play had some shocking moments to say the least but it was thought provoking in it's own way.... I'm  relaxing a bit before bed by reading my e-mail and looking at facebook.  Bed time is near - tomorrow I plan work on my sewing room thruout the day and to do some scrapbooking at Sharon's house in the eve.

My day had a very slow start to it since I had been out late to the Twins game last eve with my son and his fiance'.  but hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

Early Morning Sunrise

view from my back patio!

A Brisk September Morn.

Sunrise view from my Front Porch.

Good Morn, I'm up a little early again today so I probably will sleep in a bit but yesterday was a great day.   I was up early enough to catch the sunrise.  I put on my robe and slippers and went outside to capture it - it was cool and brisk but the day turned out nice with the sunshine...

Windy Day Outside

Hi all - yes it is a bit windy outside.  I am home sewing today making a quilt for a special birthday gift...I love this quilt it is a bit different, soft, cuddly and easy enough to sew if I use my walking foot and spray adhesive...I do like the result and I do hope my Birthday Girl will love this.  Well can't reveal too much right now but will post a pic of it later next week.  I am also going to finish some of my other UFO's today too....

my home is slowly getting finished...just a little more to get put away - after I figure out where and it will shine.... I am shooting for the end of the month to be done with this movin in stuff....

watching some crafting videos on how to make paper roses - makes me want to use my Cricut to craft some of these...Next month I will be able to start on some newer projects - I want to finish up more of my UFO's 1st.... 

let me know if anyone has some great ideas - I am open to new things - take care!

New Photo

I hope Everyone likes my new photo.  I took this photo in 2006 looking over the bridge from North Hudson WI at the beautiful fall Sunset Oct 2006.  Let me know your thoughts. 

Movin' my plants inside

it feels so cold outside that I decided to move my houseplants inside today.  my christmas cactus from my patio and my plants from my porch... I thave found the ideal spots for them.  In a week I expect my christmas cactus will grace me with her numerous pink flowers like she does every fall after coming inside and my spider plant already looks like she will give me a branch of lovley litte white flowers.  The news said it will be back in the 70's by Sunday... let's hope this is too cool to soon for me.... maybe I need to winter elswhere just  like the birds....

Happy Autumn

well cooler weather is upon us - autumn is here - trees are getting ready to turn colors - the sky seems brighter and the sun further away.  The Harvest moon is on the wane? At least it was big and seemed like a harvest moon....the afternoons are more comfortable and the mornings are cool.  we had our 1st frost the night before last...a little early but so be it.  I see signs of Autum decorations going up - the Mums and Pumpkins are out for sale everywhere....Ahhh - I do love Autum....
Happy Autum Everyone

Celebration Sunday

what a beautifu Sunday Morn, I'm off to Celebration Sunday at Church.  It promises to be an exciting day today.  I had a lovley day yesterday - spent the afternoon/evening at my Daughter Beth's for a family & friends Cookout....it was fun - we played botchy ball and just enjoyed the evening weather and the company of each other...

UPDATE:
Later in the Day: Celebration Sunday was fun, I did the cake walk and won a lemon cake which I shared with family that afternoon....It was Yummy - Thank you to the Baker....Fall is here - The month I have designated as FINISH my UFO"s month (Unfinished Objects) - I have several Quilts and small projects to finish up before I start new Ones... Then I can work on items for the Ladies November "Fall Festival" Sale.

Antiques, Antiques, Antiques

good Morning.  This past week has been exciting for me.  I have been bidding on various items on my favorite auction site: hinesauctionservice.com and this week I won 2 items a lot of 2 boxes with various  crystal plates & bud vases and other assorted items and a set of faux marble top nesting tables.  all for a grand total of $6.  after getting my items home and cleaning off the dust I discovered some unusual items - A plate with a Bird on it in full relief, 2 Milk Glass candy dishes, A little Swan with roses on her & various bud vases and other items.  I was reserching them on EBay and discovered that the pricing for similar items was higher than I thought.  Turns out  I got some excellent buy - The Swan was a genuine Bone china item from Lefton China - The Bird Plate was a genuine item from Napcoware imported from Japan & the Milk Glass Candy Dishes were from Napcoware & Anchor Hocking.  I had them appraised by an online appraiser  ..The value of these Items blew me away.  It was suggested I take them to an antique Dealer to get the best price from them.  Total Value was placed at $110 - $170 - Wow - that was only 4 items.  now to take a fresh look at the rest of my items and see what value they have.... and to think I only paid $2 for the lot of 2 boxes.  I am soooooo pumped....

I do hope you enjoy the picture of my antique pedal sewing machine.  I am in the process of shining her up and plan to restore the wood emblem to the  front of the drawers.  I plan to make a mold of the emblem that came off with polymer clay and create copy's to apply to the front of the drawers....I will keep you posted with pictures & notes of my progress.

My Antique Pedal Sewing Machine Cabinet

A Vignette for my Bathroom

My Newest Find Grandma's Sewing Machine

Summer Fun

Wow it has been almost a month since my last blog.  August was a very busy and exciting month for me.  I traveled, shopped, visited and did road trips with friends and family...needless to say my regular activities such as the Y and my groups both for quilting, sewing and networking did not get the attention I usually apply to them.  Early August I decided to do a Quilt hop in explore Minnesota.  I signed up for a bus tour for the day - what an excursion.  I missed my bus at the Mall of America, (couldn't find it - LOL) and was able to pick it up in Stillwater at Charlotte's Web Quilt Shop.  Thank You Charlotte for helping me after a few frantic calls - the day was fun, the ladies on the bus were great - many shops and many ideas later I arrived back at the Mall of America where my Daughter Beth picked me up and carted me off to her house for dinner and a movie - "You know Mom she said to me if I pick you up you won't be going home right away."  True to her word we spent a pleasant eve together with her husband and three cats before she dropped me off back at Charlotte's Web around 11pm. 

Sunday was spent resting up and looking over all my Goodies from the trip.  Each shop I visited gave out a free 5" charm of the featured fabrics and a block pattern of thier own - I got so many great Ideas as I visited the shops in the Mid-Minnesota Corridor - A doll pattern for my Grand daughters, Fat Quarters for my newest projects, Books and gadgets - it was a fun trip and I am ready for the next hop already. 

I shared my new ideas and block patterns with my Tuesday Quilt Club and had decided to make some of the blocks with the featured material - since I did not pick up much of the fabric on my trip I did some side trips, with friends & family thruout the week to pick up more fabric.  I quilted a small block and made a mini quilt of it to hang on my wall as a reminder of the fun I had had.  I also started sewing some 18" doll dresses for my Grand daughter Ruthies Birthday and a small quilt pad for under my sewing machine.  So many great Ideas were gathered from the trips.  I di have fun. 

I will blog some more about my August Excursions later and put up some pictures of my work.  Till then I wish all a happy Summer.