No pictures, just stuff…..

yep, if you want to see pictures, might as well not look any further.  I simply don’t have any to post.  It’s not that I haven’t done anything – I just don’t have the pictures downloaded in my computer…..

My friend loved his Native American quilt but it did cause a ruckus.  Now everyone in his family wants a quilt!  His granddaughter is getting married in November, so looks like she will be the first.  I asked my friend (his wife) what I should make and she told me “John Deere” green.  Tori loves everything “John Deere”.  Guess this will be an easy one!  Now to find some of that “John Deere” fabric…

Colonoscopy – don’t think I mentioned I was going in for my 10 year follow up.  I have to say, they aren’t pleasant but neither is a mammogram or pap smear.  Granted they take more time from start to finish, but it’s one of those tests/procedures that could sure save some major issues later.  Anyway, I had a “diminutive” and a 10mm polyps.  The doctor says they look “clean” but of course were sent to pathology.  I do have diverticulosis and was told I should avoid eating nuts, seeds and popcorn.  WHAT???? no popcorn.  Well, that really is not going to happen but I decided I might be able to live with a bowl in one hand and a cup in the other.  Why the cup? well to put the kernels in.  I’ll just eat the puffs

I will be heading to the Oregon Coast in 2 weeks for the Quilters for Comfort Sew Fest.  We have 16 ladies attending.  Some I see every year, some I haven’t seen a few years and some that are new this year.  I really looking forward to it.  Even if don’t sew a stitch, it would be well worth the trip just to spend time with these lovely ladies.

Knitting – that time of year again.  I don’t know why I don’t knit during the summer… I just don’t.  And, I’m a slow knitter.  I pick up a pattern and read about ladies finishing it in a couple sittings – takes me about a week.  Maybe I just don’t sit as long as they do, hmmmmm something to think about….

This is Labor Day weekend.  We will be taking the ATV’s out tomorrow to a local picnic/camping area to have a picnic with our ATV friends.  They are the same ones who spent 8 months in Seattle while he underwent a stem cell transplant for leukemia.  It’s been 16 months since his transplant and I know it’s frustrating for him as it’s a slow recovery, but he’s alive and doing well.  We don’t get out the way we used to, but each time is special.

I hope you all are enjoying this weekend and if you’re anything like me, looking forward to the autumn months.

Katie

Yes, I am still here!

I know it’s been quite a while since I posted to my blog.  So be prepared, get that beverage of choice and here I go -

If you follow me regularly, you know that I spent some time helping friends prepare a new-to-them house for moving into.  That got done and they are now busy making it their own.  Planting flowers and greenery.  As with the place they are leaving behind, this one will be warm and inviting.  We’ve been friends for well over 30 years and they’ve moved quite a few times during that time and it’s nice to have them so close again.  Now with that said, he’s having a birthday in a couple weeks and I felt it was time for him to have his own quilt from me. (she got hers years ago!)

I know it doesn’t show up well, but the light is actually a tan with burgundy speckles.  He’s very proud of his Native American heritage and I wanted this quilt to reflect that.

Here’s a close up of the block.  The designs are from Wind Bells Embroidery and I believe they’re called American Indian Feathers.  Each of the designs have feathers of some sort. 

This shows the quilting better. 

I have also worked on some stuff for Sew Fest which is just a little over a month away and I still have a bit more I’d really like to get done.

I didn’t plan very well when I did the square-in-a-square blocks.  I stitched out the jeep designs on a strip of fabric knowing I was going to cut them for the center.  Well, I had to cut smaller center squares than I had anticipated so had to make a ‘filler’ block to match.  These are small at 8” .

This is  supposed to be a Bonnie Hunter block.  It appeared in an older Quiltmaker magazine and is titled Twin Sisters.  It’s another one I messed up on and is small.  Right now I can’t even tell you what it is that’s wrong, but once I did them, they were NOT right….

I did finally manage to get something right   the star block actually turned out the right size!   I have more embroidery sets and ‘filler’ blocks to make before Sew Fest and that is what I’ll be concentrating on in the next couple of weeks.

And now a comment….. A fellow blogger sent me an email about how frustrated she was about not seeing comments when she posted and that she was thinking of shutting down her blog.  I hope she doesn’t…. I responded to her email that I do always read but I don’t always comment.  I know it’s (I hope) probably the same with my blog.  I know it’s hard to hold someone’s interest when I don’t blog regularly, but I do hope that when you stop by that you like what you see in pictures and what I write.  I rarely post personal pictures of my family and most of that is at their request because I really am quite proud of them and would love to show them off.  And sometimes, I don’t post simply because I don’t have anything really new to show.  I don’t normally take pictures of ‘quilts in progress’….  So if you do read (when I do actually post), would you make a comment on this one so I know how many true followers I actually have???  Even if you just write “comment” in the comment box….

Katie

Confession

Yep, I have a confession to make – not only have I not been writing on my blog, I also haven’t been reading blogs.  I know…. what’s up with that!?  I love to read other blogs.  I am always amazed at the creativity, not to mention the production.  Wow, some ladies are really little work horses and seem to just be able to produce quilt after quilt after quilt! 

Okay, so why haven’t I been reading (come on, let’s face it, you’re not really surprised when I go weeks without writing, are you???) ?  I have to admit, I simply have had no ambition or desire to sit and sew.  Every time I sit at my machine it’s because I’m really forcing myself to do it.  Therefore, production for me is way down.  I have managed to get this stuff done:

These are all for Sew Fest in Sept. Still have a few more embroidered sets to stitch out and more ‘filler’ quilt block sets to make up and thank goodness I have until Sept. to do it!

I have promised the little family princess, Tiffani, that I’d get her some dresses made for her Disney Princesses barbie dolls and because I will see her Wed., I’m thinking I better have at least one done!  Kari will be here tomorrow maybe while Kari works on her top, I will work on a doll dress.

Let’s see, is there anything else of interest going on?  Gosh, no, not really…  My friends are pretty well moved in up here.  They are finishing up getting their place in Tucson ready for selling.  She told me last night they hope to have it listed by this coming weekend.  It’s a really nice place and I hope it sells quickly for them.  I’ve so enjoyed having Kari close for the summer.  I really miss her when she goes away to college and that time is quickly approaching again.  She’ll head back to Northern Arizona University around Aug. 22 – just a little over a month away.  Don’t know what I’ll do once she graduates and settles into her ‘adult’ life….. I guess simply be proud of her and see her when I can

Well, that’s about it for now.  I do hope everyone has much more ambition and productivity than me.  Maybe I will get a bite and get that sewing infection again – wish me luck!

Katie

June 20

Now how’s that for a catchy blog title!?  I can hardly believe this year is almost half over.  If the second half is as busy as the first, it’ll seem like Christmas next week!

My friend’s house is move-in ready and they have actually began moving things.  Love it when a plan comes together!  I’ve actually spent some time in the sewing room this week – mostly doing some embroidery for Sew Fest:

These designs are from Ace Points and done in shades of grey.  I love eagles for the Patriotic theme quilts.  They are a symbol of our country and I think most men really like them.  I have also managed to sew together a few quilt blocks.  They are for the mystery exchange – again to be done at Sew Fest…..  For the ‘mystery’ this year, Cathy B. chose a few different block patterns from Quilter’s Cache and assigned different colors shade to the blocks.  At Sew Fest, the different blocks from all the ladies will be sorted and then there will be a random draw to see who gets what block/color way.  We will then assemble the quilts at Sew Fest.  The mystery will be not knowing in advance what color/ block pattern you’ll receive. 

So there you have it – just some random bits of nothingness   But wanted you to know I’m still around and still getting things done now and then.

Katie

Dust in the Sewing room

Yep, dust bunnies are reproducing in the sewing room and that’s about all that been producing lately.  I haven’t sewn a stitch in seems like ages and it’s been at least a couple weeks since I quilted anything.  I’m beginning to feel withdrawal symptoms coming on!

The hubby and I have been very busy helping our friends who are moving here from Tucson whenever we have the extra time.  He has some limitations due to health issues.  They are also raising their grandson who is in summer school and someone needs to stay there to take him / pick him up from school so time spent on the ‘new’ house is limited.  But it’s getting there and the house will be ready for their target move in date of June 28.  We’re so glad we’re able to help them, but I also will be very glad when it’s done… this ole gal isn’t what she used to be!!!

I had taken my 2 granddaughters, Kari (19) and Tiffani (4) shopping.  What a great time we had.  It was Tiffani’s first trip into SAS, a ‘different’ sort of fabric store in Tucson.  Oh to see the glittery and shiny fabrics through the eyes of a 4 year old!   We did pick out some fabric and yesterday Kari came over and we spent a day cutting out patterns in preparation for a sew day.  So I may be doing a bit more garment sewing the next couple weeks than quilt sewing…

just to add a picture.  I made this block for Cathy B. for a block swap a few years ago.  It is one of my favorite blocks ever.  I love everything about it.  And to think I’ve never made another one!  I made the block using the Lazy Angle ruler and the book “Lazy and Lovin’ It” from Lazy Girl Designs.  Maybe it’s time for me to get busy and make a quilt using this block and I think I may still have some of that fabric….  ummm, seems like I might have a plan!

Until next time,

Katie

300th post and Thank You

		Sew Fest 2013 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

What better way to have a 300th blog post than to say Thank You to our veterans and active duty troops.  And to remember those who have gone before that have provided us with our freedoms.  As far back as I can remember all the men in my family have served in the armed forces.  My country meant something to them, as it means something to me.

With this being Memorial Day I also decided to post some Patriotic theme quilt pictures.  All these quilts (and many more!) were made at Sew Fest last year by these lovely ladies:

A few of the ladies from QFC who attended Sew Fest 2013.  Sew Fest was held at Quilting on the Rim in Show Low, AZ.  A beautiful place set back in the trees in the White Mountains country of AZ.

I also want to thank the people who drop by and read my blog.  I hope you occasionally get a bit of inspiration.

I hope everyone has a nice Memorial Day and if you happen to know a veteran or active duty service person, please remember to tell them thank you.

Katie

Why?????

This is what I was asking myself this morning as I was reading some blogs.  Why do I keep a blog (I don’t post often)?  When I first started my blog it was a way of keeping a record of the quilts and miscellaneous that I created.  It was a way of connecting to others with the same interest as myself.  Now, why do I keep a blog??  I really don’t know – again, I don’t post often.  I do occasionally connect with someone with the same interest.  I doubt I post anything that is inspirational to others.  I don’t post tutorials (though I’ve actually written many for QFC).

Why do I read blogs?  That question was easy for me to answer.  I do enjoy seeing what others are doing.  Then I thought about how many often I read a blog and how often I comment.  I don’t comment very often!  So… with thinking that, I am wondering how many read my blog but don’t comment either…..  SO,  now my question is – do you feel you’re blogging for nothing if you don’t receive comments?????  Do you blog for yourself or for recognition from others?  Do you blog to keep friends and family up to date with what you’re doing?  Do you blog for financial gain?

And yes I did ask myself all those questions and my answer is- I blog for myself!  I hope that what I write, the pictures I post might be of some interest to someone.  I do hope that someone might find inspiration in a picture I’ve shown or something I’ve written.  I could care less about financial gain because I really dislike ads on blogs and therefore don’t want them on mine.  As for family & friends reading my blog – I truly don’t know if any of them do…. I keep in touch by email, phone calls, etc….

Oh, dear… should I leave a post pictureless???   No, I think not.

Cathy B. from QFC (Quilters for Comfort) sent me this Hexie medallion.  She had received it from another member who due to health issues is no longer able to quilt / sew.  What to do with this???  I decided to applique it to the white background.  Add a sawtooth border and start it out as a Round Robin among the QFC ladies.  5 other ladies will add to this and when completed it will be donated to a Veteran facility.  I am anxious to see what the other ladies add…

Katie