Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Christmas 2008


Well here is our family photo for 2008. Note how some of us are behind the couch.

A few more things I made

Here are the Christmas or Winter clothes pins I made for our swap.
I am working on some Valentine clothes pins. When they are finished I will post a photo.


Here is an apron I made on Friday 12/26. I made it for my neighbor. I hope she liked it. I still have a good amount of fabric left. I am ging to make a tea cozy and placemat with it.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Received some packages in the mail this afternoon

I received two packages from two different swaps with my MJFG Friends.
First is my clothes pin swap. This was a cool swap. Never did it before. But I am doing it again for February.
Photobucket

Next was a swap I did for Bee items. In this swap you were to make up a package of items with bees. Thank you very much Vicky! love it!!
Photobucket

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Busy Weekend

Well I have been a little busy this weekend.
First I did all my Christmas shopping. And yes, I am finished!!
Then I decided to make a few gifts.
My first item was an apron for my Mother-In-Law. This was a kit I purchased at JoAnn Fabric. At first I didn't think that it was going to turn out any good. But, it looks ok to me.

Next, I made a stocking for a friends daughter. I first seen it on MJFG site. One of the ladies made it and said it was from a pattern. So....I Googled it and found it. It was simple to make.

Then I decided to make a shirt and bag for another friend at work. I found this fabric a year ago and finally got to making the shirt. I did a darn good job on it too. I am very happy with it. The bag is just a simple carry all. With one zipper inner pocket and a key clip. I think she will like it.


Now, I was not the only one busy this weekend. Jeff was working on his train layout. I know I have not posted many photos lately. The things he is doing do not show in photos. Well anyway, he made this control board. He will wire it all up next week. (or so he says)


So thats about it for this weekend.
Christmas is only 4 days away! Think snow. Think snow.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!

It took me about a month and a half to make my daughters costume. Here are a few photos just before she went out this evening.


Things I found in the SuperMarket

As all of us do, I went shopping last week. Here are a few items I found.


Pigs are my favorite.


My daughter loves frogs.


Who in the world thought of this?? Is this juice for fat children??

Sunday, October 12, 2008

2008 Bits and Pieces ASG annual meeting

I attended my first ASG annual meeting, election and luncheon yesterday, 10/11/2008. It was nice meeting ladies from different area. I sat with a group of ladies form Delaware. What a nice group. Very friendly.

At the meeting we had guest speaker Jerri McKee of Moonlight Designs.
Here is one of her jackets that I had made. It is a wearable art sweat shirt pattern.
Check out her web site www.moonlightdesihnquilts.com

Thursday, August 14, 2008

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Although I live in the "Garden State" this is what my garden looks like.

We have picked about a dozen tomatoes and 6 or 7 cucumbers. We are still waiting on the peppers.


We planted a few Sunflowers next to the back door. I didn't think they would grow because the plot is so small and the soil is rocky and clay-like.



But a funny thing happened the other day. I was looking up at the buds and noticed that one was missing. I later found out that the squirrels are climbing up the plants and eating my sunflowers. Well just those sneaky squirrels wait till fall rolls around and I don't throw any peanuts on my deck for them. Give the fresh roasted nuts and they think they can have anything.


Thursday, August 7, 2008

10 1/2" Pumpkin Blocks

My block with out the leaf,

My block with the leaf

Saturday, June 14, 2008

You can never have two many purses

When I want a quick and easy project to do I make purses. All of these took less then 2 hours to construct. And yes I do use them. I think they are fun and fashionable?? OK maybe not fashionable but they are fun and functional.
This purse is actually reversible. Oh and washable! Cool


This purse is made with a perfect square of fabric. Well actually two squares of fabric and batting. Very similar to making a small baby blanket.




Could you have guessed that this was made from two dish towels. I got them at the dollar store. The bamboo handles were on clearance at Wally-world. Oh, I made a small cell phone case too. We must be coordinated.



Ten different fabrics were used to make this bag. And yes it is a bag. Rather large and roomy. It even has a pocket inside made with roaster fabric.







Quilt Tops have been completed

Well its summer! And my quilts are competed! I think it was February when I first posted the finished tops. Now they are done. Yea!


I have been working on these quilt tops for some time now. I had them sent out for quilting. Terri P of "Piecin' Love" did a wonderful job. And she was quick too. If you would like more information on her here is her web site address : http://www.piecinlove.com/ I am sure she will do a fantastic job on your tops too.

Here is my "fun and funky" with some 9 patch and charms. I just finished the binding on this quilt. Both quilts were made with blocks from swaps I was in. The top photo is the back to "fun and funky". That was a great swap. I really liked making and receiving these blocks.

Here is my "cyber friends" quilt top. I used purchased binding for this quilt.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

6 months later

I am a little behind with my blog. Kind of busy here. In October my boss was let go. A little happy dance for me. She was not the easiest person to get along with. Well since she is gone I am now doing my job and almost all of her duties. Talk about stress!!Most days I don't have time for lunch. I am working longer hours. (yes, overtime pay!!!)
I went to the doctors for my 6 month post kidney removal. Well could you guess? I now have high blood pressure. I think it is just the stress of work and the aggravation of a poor salary increase. I will be checking it from now on.
Yes six month ago February 29th was our operations. My husband is doing super. He is now working again. He did not wish to return to his old job. It had long hours and a lot of driving. On call duty and some weekend hours. The money was great, but his health is more important.
His new job is only about 10 miles from home. Steady hours.
His train set up is getting better. although with him working now, he does not spend as much time in the basement as he did a month ago. He is doing some painting of buildings and laying the last of track. Well, maybe there will be more.
I went to a nice quilt show on the 28th and took a class on quilted sweat shirts. I will post a photo later. I went with my much younger sister. She is in Christmas 2007 photo. I need to mention she is much younger because she made the announcement at the class that I was her much older sister. Oh and she is also a brat!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

We had Snow 2/22/2008

Well we woke up to a little snow on Friday. The ground was covered and it was coming down pretty good at 6am. I showered and got ready for work. Now, my company almost never closes. But I called our hot line and was surprised to here a recording stating we had a 10am opening. That was a surprise. But the best surprise was when the building manager called me to say that we were closing for the whole day!!!
Happy dance time......

View from my kitchen window. 32 degrees out side.
My car was covered with snow. There was about 4 inches. Not much really. I have driven in worst.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

A few quilt tops that I had been working on




Well, I have been working on these quilt tops for some time now. The top one is made of 12 inch theme blocks and 6 inch 9 patch blocks. The next one is made up of all 6 inch blocks. All the blocks came from different block swaps. I now need to work on the backs and boarders. Then I will be sending them off to be long arm. I hope to have them totaly complete by the summer.



Sunday, January 27, 2008

Cleaning out my sewing area

(both items have been taken - sorry ladies)
I was cleaning out my sewing room and found a number of items that I no longer want or need. I will trade each group (as shown in photo) for quilt fabric and or patterns, clothes or quilt.


Cross stitch patterns






Scrap booking items/supplies
















Monday, January 14, 2008

What my basement is turning into.






Now I told you earlier about my husband building his HO train layout. As he builds he is taking over more and more of our basement. Here are a few updated photos.
This is a two levels set up. The track under the plywood will not be seen. I guess they are mostly for turning or something.
He has a lot of "cars" and engines. Two bridges and a dozen or so building. Bridges and buildings need to be built still. Right now he is still working on laying the rest of the track and putting in the switches. Below is a "round house" It is for servicing the engines. Norfolk-Southern is the line is he mimicking. He can go on and on about each engine and each building he will be building. Its like a real train. Oh well, it keeps him out of trouble most of the time.



Christmas 2007


Christmas this year, 2007, was at my younger sister Eileen's house. This is one of the few times we all get together. Every year we take turns. Barbara will have 2008 and will get 2009.
(top starting on the left: Jeff, My daughter Jennifer, brother in law John, Brian, Eileen. Bottom left: Barbara, Howie, and me.)

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Back to Quilt Top


I finished the quilt backing. Again I used 12 inch blocks. I tryed to use winter blue colors. I also had some pink ribbon fabric.
In case you are wondering, this is my kitchen floor. Dishwasher on the left and fridg on the right.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

What I did on New Years Day


These are 12 inch blocks with a 7 1/2 inch boarder