Scrapbooking, another challange for this year!

Scrapbooking Project 2013 January

Wow it is already the 12th of Jan and I am just getting to checking out this email from Connie Prince.  I have been so caught up with quilting that I am ignoring other fun stuff I love to do.   I think my 1st project I had planned was to scrapbook those family photos & cards that arrive at Christmas time.  and I like these little prompts so I think I will try to fit this into my life.  at least to gather the pictures etc.. and do some digital scrapbooking.... 

Mmmmm So. # 1 this year I want to accomplish Lovely finishes for 2013 with my quilting projects. and I have started to catalog them and have joined an online group to help with it. 
Jan - my Piano Runner  - I have been taking many pictures to place on my Blog and flickr so why not a page of photos that would let me see visably just what I have to do....! 

Photos of Pillows on my Bed

The Brown Pillow in the back are from a Set - I kept

 I kept the large Silky Brown Pillow Shams and gave away the comforter, The smaller brown pillow was from a thrift store and the Pink Pillow is a pink pillowcase with a great border embroidery that I pinned over a pillow form to showcase the edge.

These are some of the pillows on my Bed

I call this one Lace, Ribbon and Rose's  It is a pillowcase from Penny's with a fancy lace edge folded
over a sofa pillow and tied with Ribbon and a silk rose added.  

This Rose Pillow was bought at Goodwill Thrift Store 

I couldn't resist this cross stitched Pillow "Home Sweet Home"

bought several years ago for $25 at Target.  A splurge I know

but I love its lacy sweetness

 

This is the Yummy lace on my Lace, Ribbon & Rose's

Pillow above - I am so glad I bought 2 sets of this pillow case. 

Pillows on my Bed!

I'd like to share a thought with you today.  I love pillows and have many on my bed.  Pillows of all sizes and shapes.  I know my children wonder what's up with mamma - Well nothing really.  My love of pillows has always been strong and in my younger years I decorated my living room with pillows on the sofa, chairs and sometimes large ones on the floors.  I loved to change the look by pining on fabric, tying with bows or sewing new pillow covers.  So pillows have always played a part in my Décor.  They really didn't show up in my bedroom much but I did have 2 sizes on my bed the large king size and the standard pillow, these were used by hubby and me and I did enjoy changing the colors with my sheets but nothing spectacular.  So how did such a varied and large amount  end up on my Bed?

It all started back in 2005 after my hubby had a stroke and had to be in a nursing home.  I found that  I was uncomfortable with the empty space on his side of the bed. (I was unaware of these feelings till much later).  I found that Stuff seemed to gravitate towards my bed to fill that empty space, laundry, books, even the occasional box of things that needed to be put away in other areas of the house.  I seemed comfortable with this chaos but didn't understand it.  I'm sure the kids thought Mom was loosing it and becoming more of a messy housekeeper.  Especially since my bedroom was now down in the Dining area of my home and very viewable from both the kitchen and living room.  (This came about when my hubby couldn't go upstairs due to his medical  problems, sometime in 2002.) This continued several years even after I let go of the house and moved to a smaller home.  All this time my husband was in the nursing home.  It wasn't until I moved to my present home in 2011 that the pillows Became the focal point of my home.  Hubby had died in 2009 and I did not seem to need the comfort of "Stuff" on my bed.
When I had moved from my home in the Twin Cities to a small house in a lovely little town in Wisconsin I decided to dress up my bed and ordered a lovely set from Macy's in rich brown tones to go with my "Pink" Bedroom. I emphasize "pink" because in my older home my walls were either off white or wallpapered.  The set came with these gorgeous large pillows with shams,  the set was too dark for my room so I gave one of the kids my comforter ect. - keeping the large pillows for my bed. I started adding more pillows to the mix, all the while still dealing with the chaos of clothing ect on my bed. 
After my move in 2011 to a cottage with lots of sunshine and light I found myself not wanting extra stuff on my bed and was comfortable with just my array of Pillows.  I still do find stuff gravitating towards that empty space to take up residence but am more able to clear that away and just have my bed be graced with just the pillows.  With knowing why I let "Stuff" gather I find it easier to clear it away and just let those Pillows Shine! 
Wow, I certainly have said a lot so now I will make my bed, clear off the excess stuff (like the curtains that have made their way from my lined closet and have not been put away and some clothing?????  :)  I will clear the clutter and take a photo of my bed as it should look.  See you later.
 

The Day after Christmas.

My Back Yard Winter 2011 -  N. Hudson WI

Here it is the day after Christmas already.  Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas Day with you family.  I enjoyed baking sugar cookies with my Grandson and his fiancé and baby James, then dinner at my daughter Nan's, playing trivia with all my kids and grandkids made it so fun.  It was nice to see most of my kids together and the conversation and laughter, movies and playfulness of the gk was so fun to watch. 
Now here it is the day after. no running around shopping for all those deals out there.  Just looking thru my emails and all the deals on line one could take advantage of.  Of course I did get some great deals on my favorite hand and body creams and hand soap from my favorite Bath and Body.  Also all the deals on fabric and notions was great too.  Made window shopping so simple :)

I love window shopping, I learned at an early age that I get most of my ideas from window shopping and it is easy on my budget because I don't really need to spend a lot of money and get great ideas that I can use at any time  of the year.  Now to get back into my studio and work on another project.


Wishes for a Blessed New Year to all my family and friends.  

My Pintrest Morning

I awoke early this am and was checking my e-mails on my tablet as I usually do before getting out of bed.  I pursued over to my Pintrest emails of new people following my boards an repining from them and came across some cleaning ideas for my home.  Intriguing  as it was, cleaning my home with green products - making febreze, windex and orange spray for cleaning.  Wow TOTALY cool and inexpensive.  So my next trip to the store will have some new ingredients on it for helping me keep my home clean and smelling fresh and keeping some $ in my pocket doing it.  Saving $ is always a bonus for me since I am now retired and on a limited budget.  I pinned some of these Ideas on my Pintrest Board, "For The Home" to share with my readers and especially with my grown kids.  Boy where was Pintrest when I was a young housewife. 

OK now I am going grab some cereal and coffee to start my day.  Maybe do a little Christmas Decorating or fixing Cookies for the Holidays. and then to quilt and finish up some blocks I have been working on.
 
My Shopping List:
Baking Soda, White Vinegar - (I already keep a gallon on hand), White Ammonia, Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Biz, Borax, Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, ect.

I also came across some nifty blogs all about cleaning;

• The Quick and the Hungry
• Fake it Frugal
• Apartment Therapy 

These are just a few so if you head over to my Pintrest board you can find more.  Enjoy!

I Had A Very Nice Saturday!

Today it was a rainy December day here in Wisconsin.  I was invited to breakfast at Perkin's for my daughter Nan's Birthday, went Christmas shopping afterwards with Nan and GD Zuri.  We had a nice time and I was able to complete my Christmas shopping, enjoyed Peppermint Latte's at Starbuck's, then returned home just in time for the 5 O'clock news.... It did seem a bit strange tho to be out and about in the rain in Mid December.  I enjoyed it tho - winter will be here full force soon enough.  I hope everyone had as nice a day.

Up early to work on my About Me Page for EBay

This Morning I thought I would work on my About Me Page for my Etsy, ArtFire & EBay Stores.  I begin by gathering all the about me's from my blogs, Stores and Facebook pages to I can make them into one cohesive About Me Page.  I do think I bit off more than I can Chew - lol  but I will try. 

My blogs:
Quilting And Sewing Arts
My Studio at Quilting and Sewing Arts
Creative Lady's Enthusiastic Thoughts

Today I plan on working on a table runner for Christmas.  It is from Legacy Patterns, called "Very Braidy Christmas it even has a pattern for a stocking.  Check out my My Studio at Quilting and Sewing Arts for Pictures

Finish Up Friday is Here.

Today I will work on a project that is simple to do for a gift I need on Sunday.  So far this week I have finished up knitting baby hats for my "3rd Monday Crafting Group" I am starting on a Christmas Runner I am making at my quilting group "the Quilters at 3rd & Vine".  I started cutting out my 2 1/2" strips then cutting them into 4" segments, then I will sew them together.  I also need to quilt my other runner.  Wow I think I have planned a busy day today.  "Lovin it" :}

Can't sleep tonight!

Here it is 2am in the morning and I can't sleep.  I got some very good news from my spine specialist.  I don't need surgery at this time since my leg and back pain have improved after having the steroid shot in my back 6 weeks ago and strength has gotten better in my R leg.  I was not looking forward to surgery so close to my Shoulder replacement surgery in late August.  I am so glad I opted for the steroid shot in my back in October.  My Shoulder continues to get stronger daily and I am back to working in my Studio - quilting and sewing and organizing. 

Yesterday morning while reading an old quilting magazine, American Patchwork & Quilting,  I found a pattern for a small wall hanging that would be ideal for spring.  It is called "Nature's Beauty" by Designer Carol Armstrong.   She also has a book out that I want to read.  I think I will see if it is available in the Library downtown.

mmmm lunch time but I wanted to blog 1st

well i am getting hungry, I can tell cause I can't think straight, but 1st I wanted to touch base.  I finally got something up for finish up Friday at Amanda jean's blog.  Yeah! i wrote about it on Monday and actually got it linked up today.  It has been my Mini Quilt.  I started blogging about the creative process for this from inception to completion at my Studio . I really had fun sharing this process with you all.  Today I plan to complet my 4 wonky log cabin blocs for the quilts going to Sandy's storm survivors.  I will post pictures of them later.  ok now I can go and eat.....

Sleep study finished

Here it is Thursday am and I am home sitting here at the computer, sleepy with my hair full of gunk and trying to decide if I am going to shower 1st and then lay down or sleep 1st & then shower....I think the 2nd option is what I will do, I am SO sleepy so I will get a small towel to lay over my pillow and crawl into my comfy bed and nap till noon or so if i want. 
Just finished up a sleep study and added another diagnosis to my long an growing list this year,  LOL, I have sleep apnea and need to get a CPAP - Oh well....I guess that will be OK - just another thing to lug around when I travel.  so I will say Nap time for now and talk to you all later. LOL - Momo

PS - I did stop at Perkins an had a good breakfast before coming home so I did not miss breakfast, Yea!
Q.-1 what would you have done in this situation?
Q -2 what are you doing today to take care of yourself?
Love to hear your thoughts. 

Monday Morning

I enjoy my mornings checking out my e-mails and newletters from my favorite blogs.  I looked out my window this morning and saw a slight dusting of snow swirling around on the blacktop.  Oh, it is November after all but it has been so nice the past few days, autumn weather was enjoyable but now it has turned colder this morning. I wonder if it will snow some more.  I should check out my weather station for news.  Over the weekend I was in my Studio and finished up a mini quilt that I will share with my readers in My Studio and also Quilting & Sewing Arts.  Here is a couple of pictures Id like to share

My Christmas Star/Autumn Pumkins Mini-Quilt:

Opps! it's already 8am

Wow, here I am blogging again on my web site: Quilting and Sewing Arts about the newsletter I recived from Details by Diane, (not me!) this morning. I just love to read my e-mail in bed in the morning.  Time is getting short and I must get ready to go downtown, St Paul, for my monthly Infusion for my RA.  so I think I better get myself ready!  I know I can do it... check out my blog above to see my most recent post.

What a rainy day outside

Did you Vote yet?  I did.  Today is a dreary, cold & rainy day but sharing it with others while waiting in line to vote made it ok.  It only took me 1/2 hr to get inside then once inside I was done in about ten min.  Glad I got to vote thanks to my friends, Gwen & Bob for picking me up.  They said they had a long wait too. 

Farewell to Christopher!!

Chris wearing the A lace Agate wrapped in sterling on Leather cording.

My Grandson Christopher is going to go to Army Boot Camp in two weeks, he has been visiting us Here in MN & Wisconsin for the past several weeks and it sure has been nice - we do miss him and his dad since they moved down to Fort Dodge Iowa several years ago.  I was thinking of some gifts I could give him that would remind him of all of us here that love him.  I am giving him a camping knife that his grandpa got from the "Marlboro" points that he had saved up.  I like that knife and I also am attaching a Minnesota Agate that his Aunt Marie polished from stones she had gathered from her  driveway in north Minnesota, I wrapped it with copper and attached it to the knife.  I also gave him another Minnesota Agate wrapped in Sterling on a leather necklace that  made to remind him of me. and then a pack of cards so he could keep himself busy in his down time.  Ha!  I really don't thing he will have much downtime tho... All my prayers will follow him as he goes forward as they have done so since his birth.  He is truly an answer to this grandmother's Prayers...long long story but I do know God is faithful.  It is proof every time I look into my children and grandchildren eyes.

The Past 2 weeks have been Traumatic for me

These past 2 weeks have been traumatic weeks for me. I have been dealing with back pain for the past 6 1/2 weeks and as you know I also had my right shoulder replaced 8 1/2 weeks ago.  I had my right shoulder replaced and am healing well from it with minimal pain. So it has been so frustrating for me to be dealing with the pain & the pain meds needed for my back, and the side effects of them. My r arm is gaining more strength as the days go by.  My pain level for my shoulder was at a #2 and the pain from the back was #9 – so frustrating….

Last Friday I had an MRI done on my back and it showed significant changes from the one done in April - A herniated disk is what has been causing the pain. How did I do it?  Who knows - I moved wrong or did the exercises wrong???? Any way I saw my spine specialist Dr Bartie, wed – for a Plan of action -

Plan of action and 2 options. 1-Surgery now! 2- a steroid injection - then in 2 week if it hasn't worked Surgery! I chose the Injection - it would give me at least 2 -4 weeks more for my shoulder/arm to gain strength - so I won't ruin the work of my shoulder surgeon. I do believe tho that ultimately I will need the back surgery to prevent further damage to my r leg nerves.

See my blog for further updates. www.dianeswett.blogspot.com  - known as “Creative Lady’s Enthusiastic Thoughts”

Gold Rush SweepStakes

I Just finished watching the new season show of Gold Rush and entered thier sweepstakes...quite an exciting show.  You get drawn into the drama and those men work hard for thier dream...

My Journey to Health - Ha Haaa

A Blown Disk! #@%## Me? What the?

As most of you know I had my right shoulder replaced 8 weeks ago.  I am healing well and am able to use my arm.  I can sew again.  I am not able to put on a necklace yet but that will come.  Yeah!  Even tho my shoulder is healing my back and right leg have been very bothersome and painful these past 6 weeks.  It started as a glitch in my right side sciatic area.  usually it resolves itself in a few days but 6 weeks is ridiculous.  I have been unable to stand on it fully and have had muscle spams big time. 

I decided to call my Spine Dr because it just hurt so.  I am taking pain meds but I don't like to do it.  Last week I had an MRI done and today the Dr's office called and wanted me to come in.  So He viewed the results and indeed something did change since my last MRI in May/June.  I have a herniated disk!  Ouch he had 2 ways to deal with it.  get a shot in my back or have surgery to repair it.  Wow - well I did not really want to have surgery yet - too soon I need to give my arm a little more time to heal.  I felt that the injection would be a better option at this time.  So we scheduled me for Friday afternoon.  Then I am to call back in 2 weeks and if it has not been helpful I will be scheduled for surgery on my back to repair the blown disk.... Ouch again -

 I am very fortunet to have OT & PT come to my home these past 5 weeks. they have been very understanding and helpful with both my shoulder and my back pain....Thankfully....  So I continue on my jouryney to health!  it had been quite a journey through the summer.

What's Up Tuesday?

Today I awoke early as usual and was looking at my e-mail and reading my collection of older quilting magazines.  I came across a very interesting scrap quilt project.  It used columns of muslin about 4-6" wide and very long strips.  To each of these strips were sewn scrap pieces of fabric startng about the middle then sewing from there to each end.  I liked the idea since I remembered I have some muslin about 4-5" wide in a roll.  MMMmmm maybe I could try this method of using, my scraps,  since I have a lot of scraps and I have been doing scrappy things lately like making pot holders and purses.  It is a cloudy and rainy day out so maybe I will start on this project.  "after my am shower of course."  so stay tuned in.  I just might have a picture or 2 to show you by day's end.... Click here to see more about the Article I read in The Quiltmaker Magazine.

Up Early - Monday Oct 15th 2012

I woke up early this am, I love this time of the morning.  I love to lie in bed and read my magazines.  I usually keep a small pile of magazines on my bed from which to choose from.  I pulled out a summer issue of Fons & Porter- Love of Quilting and as I am leafing thru thier Quilting with the Stars article caught my eye.  The "STAR" was quilt designer Lori Smith from "My Heart to Your Hands"  along with a small applique quilt to make.  Since I am working on her pattern "Set to Frame - Pattern Six at this present time I was so excited I just had to get up and copy the article and  quilt directions into my computer to keep.  Wow a free pattern and and story about the designer.  After coping the article and quilt instructions I went over to the Fons and Porter's interview of Quilt Designer Lori Smith.  What a treat.  I enjoyed all 3 episodes of her interview.

I'm back to my Sewing and Quilting

Quilting & Sewing Arts.comI enjoyed embelishing this block with beads and thread.

 I started this Block of the Month a few months before my shoulder surgery so I would have something to keep me busy till I could be back in my sewing room.



  I took a piece of 7" square muslim and started to apply my little "bit's and pieces" of scraps to the center then worked out to the edge applying strips and bits to make this hot pad doing some surface embroidery with machine stitching.

I choose a background for my back then finished with machine quilting before applying my binding...resulting in a 7" square hot pad. 





 

 

 

I started this purse 2 weeks ago by piecing the small blocks together then adding a border.  I really did not have a clear idea of what my "scrappy fabric would become at 1st.  Today I am working on the top of my new bag. 

 



 
I Started making this "Clutter Bag" the week before my surgery and finished it up just two weeks ago.



Come and check out what I have been doing at my Blog: Quilting & Sewing Arts. It has been 6 1/2 weeks since my right shoulder surgery and after my visit to the surgeon's office this past Wed. I am now able to be without my sling.  Yippeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I have begun to sew again.  It's been over 2 weeks.  My first attempts to use my sewing machine as a one armed "Creative Lady" was feeble, (since I am right handed,) and laughable.  try sewing one handed when you need to turn the flywheel -- LOL but now I can use my arm.  Today I was able to reach with my right arm.  slowly but I did it!  I have started to work on some of my older projects today and make some new projects... Let's see now.  hope you enjoy the pictures.

hexagons and surgery what a combination

today I was checking out a newsletter I recive from INkLingo - she has a tutorial for creating Hexagons and videos too. so check out my blog on Quilting and Sewing Arts Studio today. 

I am also having surgery on my Right Shoulder today at noon so all prayers for my recovery will be appreciated... I will not be able to blog for a while but will keep up with my friends and family on my nook via facebook.

The Quilter's of 3rd & Vine

Yesterday I attached the Label to the quilt that our Quilting group just finished making to be raffled off at our Women's Holiday Festival at the 1st Baptist Church in November here in Hudson, WI.   

 

Our Finished Quilt for the raffle at our Women's Holiday Festival Sale in November of 2012

 The Label here contains info on Quilt care

a warm combination of plaids  & Stars in a variety of colors

Pattern is Through the Woods designed by Michele Scott for McCall's Quick Quilts, Winter 1998/99

 

About Us: We are a group of men & women who love to quilt. We started in the winter of 2010.  Some of us have been quilting for a long time like our Teacher and Mentor Elaine and fellow quilters Frank & Pam.  Others of us are new to the craft like Gwen and Husband & helper Bob, and  longtime sewer like myself, who wanted to learn how to quilt.  We are an open group and welcome all to our group.  We meet weekly to learn about creating & sew our quilts.  No matter what role you see yourself in we would love to have you join our group if you live in Hudson WI area. 

Check out my article on labeing your quilts

Quilt labels for your finished projects

an example of a qult label

Labeling your finished projecst are so important so when I finished my latest quilt I googled quilt lables and found some very nice freebies. One is on Connecting Threads "Quilt with us" Community page under freebies.  They have a good choice of lables to choose from and give good directions.  I saved my label choice as a jpeg then copied it into photo shop elements program and added my Text boxes with the Name of the Quilt, Pieced and Quilted by, Date Finished & Quilt Size and Quilted for.  Resized each to my liking and then printed it out on a Fabric sheet that was color fast and prepared for your printer.  You could even include instructions for care.  You can prepare the fabric yourself by washing a piece of muslin then when adhering it to a piece of freezer paper.  Ths site Infarrantly Creative gives instructions on how to prepare your fabric for accepting printer inks.  The Quilters Cache  also has some history of Labels, infor about preparing fabric for printing and a choice of lables you can print out too. To find more options you can google quilt labels. For more great ideas on Quilting and Sewing visit me on Pintrest

My Birthday is Tomorrow ?

 Me Then

Me being sprayed with String

Fabulous!

Me In my Birthday Gear with my Sangria in hand...

Wow I guess Tomorrow I offically turn 70 years young...I am in total awe - Really - Me?  I don't feel a day over 55 - LOL - or maybe 39 :}  I had a wonderful fun weekend with family and friends.  Saturday morning I spent with my crafting friends having a pot luck brunch then I was all set to go to our planned yearly Family picnic down at my son Earls place.  Friday I went and shopped for my hamberger and brat - to take down to grill - got some gatorade and then fruit, cheese and crackers for my dish to share... Well!  Did I get the Surprize of my life - and I am still smiling about it on the inside.  I planned to ride down with my daughter Nan but at the last minuet she called and said that she would  be over by 1:30 & to have my door open...In walks Thomas "I'll drive you in your car - our car is full because Zuri's friend is going with us and there was no room for us all." he said.. Little did I know it was a ruse.  Nan sped off so Thomas and I put my things in the car and leisurly headed down to Earl's Place.. We get there - call Earl to meet us at the lobby door and he takes me to the party room" lets put your things in here 1st.  OK so he opens the door and I see this mob of people standing there "Family & Friends" Yelling "SURPRIZE!" - Then a storm of canned worms are being squirted on me...I could only stand there and laugh - laugh & laugh some more.  My Grandson George and Great Grandson William were jumping around me delighted in this actvity of all the canned spray worms,  they thought it was great.  Then They dress me in this birthday gear, a hat a purple lay a sign Oh MY!  I'm still laughing at this wonderful surprize.  I had no clue that they were planning this boy did I have no clue.  Guess you could say I was Clueless in Eagan, Mn that day.  well there were cards, and Cake and cupcakes and SANGRIA!  & presents and wine and liquor - wow.  I did have fun with my family and friends and was amazed that the kids put this on for me...without me even suspecting a thing....The last time I had been surprized like that was way back, and I mean way back - it was 1961 and I was going over my aunts house for some reason? can't remember why, but my then Fiance drove me over and it was a surprize Bridal Shower for me...My husband never can keep a secret - well he sure did on that day!  but never again LOL  - Then Sunday I had a pleasant day at church then over to Nan's for Tea and then over to my friend Phyllisis house to spend the day.  I was a fun weekend all around....

DIY Jelly Roll Quilt Along.

I am enjoying quilting along with Christa from her blog www.christaquilts.com  She has started this quilt-along using Jelly rolls.  I am using Moda's Honey Bun - Nostalgia jelly roll collection by Aprl Comell in 1 1/2" strips instead of the 2 1/2" strips that she is using so my quilt will be much smaller than hers, so it will be a mini version.  I have sewing my strips together, cutting them and sewing the blocks together.  I will upload some pictures a little later on today.  Check out my Quilting & Sewing Arts Studio to follow my progress.  Here are some pictures of my work

what a frustrating morning!

Wow it has been a frustrating morning and it's not even noon yet.  I have been trying to sign into one of my debit cart accts but forgot my username or password.  well after several try's and checking my email to help link up my account several times. no email has come thru...well I called the bank and now it will be 48 hrs before  I can reset anything because they have to check out why I am not reciving any emails from them. 
Then - on Sat I got gas and was double charged for my purchase so I called the gas company and they said that the 1st charge was voided and it should be showing up on my card but my card is telling me i was charged twice so my balance is low.  well we called the card co and the gas co is going to fax over info so hopefully I will be able to use my card with the $ released back to me.  after all $32 is a lot of money to be paid twice for gas.   so that might take another 48 hrs to resolve.... Oh! Boy!  

My venture into scrappy blocks

Today I made my 1st scrappy block, inspired by all of my scraps on hand - It has been fun and I did post a small tutorial on my Blog Quilting and Sewing Arts Studio.  so head on over to see it.

The Bang!

I woke up this morning with a start.  A BIG Bang rang Thur my sleepy consciousness.  a Thunder storm and a very near lightning strike...wow!  It was about 8am and my TV was on!  Now I do remember turning it off last night before bedtime???????  Oh! my poor cat.  she must have been at her food bowl when it came because it was in disarray, and she was approaching it VERY carefully.  lol - I straightened out her place mat and bowl and gave her fresh water but here it is 2 hrs later and she is still approaching her bowl with the most ginger of steps - poor kitty.

Quite a day for bloging and sewing!

Today I shared on my blog Quilting and Sewing Arts Studio about my Sewing machine Gear - no sew pin cusions and about organizing my scraps of Bits and Pieces so do check them out and let me know what you think.  I have started to organize my scraps better after reading "Sunday Morning Quilts" written by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison. They both have blogs so if you click on thier names the link will take you there.

Working on my "Minnesota Hotdish" quilt top today

 Today I continue to work on my quilt top and am very pleased at how it is coming together.  It began as an idea in color, then picking a pattern, buying the fabrics then cutting and piecing the blocks together and finally arranging them in blocks of 4. (I did this so that the one directional print I have will be going in the right direction when the top is pieced together. 

This is my directional print.  Birds.  I do like the effect it has.  Today I was at my monthly crafting gathering at my community center and 2 of the ladies were hand quilting.  I got a good tip from my friend Jean.  She draws her quilting pattern on each strip or block before piecing it together with a pencil.  Wow! what a great tip so I thought I might try that by doing it on my completed blocks of 4.  I already had been thinking about what I wanted in each center so now to decide on a pattern.  I just love to get together with other crafters and share information.  Tomorrow is my quilting group at the "Pointe" and I can't wait to show them my progress on this quilt.

A great day for quilting and bloging

Getting Ready to Strip Piece my blocks

"Minnesota Hot-Dish"

It was cooler out this morning as I sat on my screened in porch around 6am having my breakfast and coffee. I love this early am time to myself. there was a gentle breeze making my windchimes tinkle and the tall grass outside my porch sway as the birds woke up. My nieghbor hood is quiet with hardly a stir unlike my neighbors off my back patio who are already leaving for work. After breakfast I find myself in my studio working on my latest quilt, it is blue, white and tan. I have 40 - 9" blocks made so far with only 40 more blocks to go before I can piece my top together. My kitty "honey" comes in from the porch to visit me and crawls behind my sewing machines to cuddle on the floor while I strip piece these blocks together .
After finishing another 20 blocks strip piecing and ironing them I took a nap, checked out other blogs on the computer and looked at pintrest, I also checked Craftsy on the block of the month class. This month of July she was doing a dresden plate block. It looked fairly simple and I thing I might try one later today so I printed out the template and pasted it on some stiff carboard.
After Lunch I checked out this blog: Oh, Franson by Elizabeth Hartman who has a quilt "Sparkle Punch" that is featured in July/August 2012 of "Love of Quilting Magazine" by Fons & Porter. Elizabeth Hartman is a self-taught quilter from Portland, Oregon and Author of The Practical Guide to Patchwork. Modern Patchwork: 12 Quilts to Take You Beyond the Basics