Halloween candy & XStitch

Another month is almost history! I can't keep up.

Projects seem to be moving in slooooooooow motion here lately. The x stitch project is done, though, and this is what it will look like in its frame. I just positioned it in there for the effect. I have several designs waiting for framing and that's a good thing.



Today I finally bought the 'official' Halloween candy. We average about four trick or treaters each year so having a large bowl of candy ready for the doorbell ringers is not a necessity here. Besides, if it's bought too early, I eat it. One year, I even bought candies I didn't like thinking the temptation would be gone. Didn't work and I was stuck eating candy I didn't like.

Kari sent pictures of their Halloween adventures the past few days. You can see some of them on her blog. Each year the whole family carves pumpkins and they all dress up.

Quilt Show & Other Stuff

My sister, Connie and I took a road trip up north last Saturday to a quilt show in Harrisville. With the sun shining most of the day, the trees displayed a marvelous mix of color with their golds, reds and greens. The show was to benefit the local library and was held in seven locations around town. Five of them were churches where wonderful quilts decorated the pews in addition to other areas. One church served a delicious homemade soups and breads luncheon, while another church served cider and sweet breads. You can can a feel for the show in these two pictures that Connie took. We heard the attendance was very good at all locations.

There's a wonderful tutorial for a fast and easy charity quilt on Nancy's blog.


I've been working on a little cross stitch and cutting some squares for charity quilts. The outer borders to the wedding quilt are still waiting to be stitched to the center squares and I'm always sorting my sewing area/s. Jim says I'm spreading my things into the kitchen now. (Only in an emergency)

That sweet Kim at Kim's Cozy Quilts sent me another fun mail package today. I think she said her DH thought I should have this. Well, of course, I was thrilled when I opened it. Kim wrapped the bottle of Detroit Tigers Hot Sauce in another color of her beautiful hand dyed fabric. Perhaps if the Tigers had used this sauce during the final two weeks of the season, I'd be watching them tonight in game one of the World Series.



Thought for the day: "Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." - Mark Twain

Wednesday evening was guild night with our speaker being Cathy Kappius from northern Michigan. She brought three large suitcases full of quilts (which is always nice). You can see pictures of Cathy and the quilts she brought at our guild website. Cathy talked about color and being adventurous with our fabric choices for quilts. She believes there are no ugly fabrics, they just need to pair up with the correct fabric. The best tip I heard from Cathy was about magazine pages. She saves pages from any magazine that evokes a certain feeling in her or has unusual color combinations. These pages later inspire her when she is deciding on fabrics and colors.

While you're at our website, please take a look at the gorgeous raffle quilt for next spring. Isn't is a beauty?


I made three Western Michigan University pillowcases this week for my son, JJ and two of his friends. Pillowcases are a great way to use that special fabric you have to buy, but then don't know what to make with it. This fabric has the Bronco, WMU seal and the word Broncos on it.

Tablerunner, more cat pics & hangman game

This table runner was a mystery project made at a quilt camp at least three years ago. It took place in October. I remember the leaves were the glorious colors of autumn and fell softly to the ground carpeting the area while we stitched inside. We had our very own gourmet cook who filled our plates with the most delicious food. Each dinner had a theme, also, with the table decorated accordingly. The girls took a picture of me the last day there trying to button the jeans that I wore on the first day. There was a considerable gap between the button and the buttonhole proving that I was well-fed during my stay. The runner was finally machine quilted and bound yesterday. The colors in the picture aren't really true, but I am happy with the results. In the background you can see parts of the ironing board that I set up last night in order to press some backings. Jasper heard it and as soon as the iron and fabric were off, he was on.

Speaking of Jasper again, (and I hope you aren't tired of him) last night he was into chasing bugs. It didn't matter that he needed to climb up the curtain to have a chance at capturing his prey. Now Annie told me she is feeling deprived that Jasper gets so much time in my blog. Here is a picture of her 'helping' Jim sort some boxes of old lps he purchased at an estate sale, while Jasper circles the area.





If you aren't already spending way too much time on the computer, here's a Halloween Hangman game for those nights when you just can't get to sleep. You have those, too, I'm guessing. If apples are on your mind, you might try to catch some with this game.

New Quilt Shop, UGRR & Prizes

What is more fun than having a new quilt shop open in town? Being able to shop there! We've been without a shop in my city for awhile until this week when The Quilted Cottage opened its doors. The owners are so energetic. My friend, Jane and I stopped on our way home from sewing for the UGRR. We were both very pleased with the friendly atmosphere, lovely decor and attention to detail displayed throughout the shop. We were able to choose a free fat quarter, view a quilt show in the classroom, sign up for clubs and draw for a percentage discount. There was also a table devoted to Breast Cancer Awareness with pamphlets and pink roses. This will be a great hangout.

Speaking of the UGRR, I did make my self imposed deadline for finishing the flannel quilt. It's pictured folded and waiting to be packed. There were five of us sewing yesterday and we managed to finish quite a few quilts. I brought home two tops that were sewn and birthed (but not tied) to finish before the meeting next week. This afternoon I spread one of them on the kitchen table and "here comes Jasper!" As soon as he saw the camera, he started posing.

















Barb Johnston on the Heartstrings group posted this Christmas recipe from the book, Cookies to Share - Jane Quinn's Quilting in the Country. It's a good one that you might want to share with a friend.

Quilter's Christmas Sugar Cookies

In the dairy section of your supermarket you:
Buy a can of Pillsbury Holiday cookie dough
Slice and decorate. Bake as directed on the package.
RETURN TO QUILTING

And last, but certainly not least, two prizes from my recent blog wins arrived today. The cute embroidered tote bag and recipe file are from Bren at Pieces from Me and the lovely pail full of batik fat quarters is from Alice at The Quilted Giraffe. It was another great mail day and I thank you both for being so generous in offering these gifts.

Ode to Morning Glories

Since the weather is so summer-like lately, some of the flowers have seen a resurgence in blooming. My morning glories are almost prettier now than they were during the summer. I had to take October pictures of them to remember next year. I planted daffodil and tulip bulbs today and also moved some mums and ground cover plants.

Want to win a cute pair of pumpkin potholders? Click on over to Kathy's blog to find out the information.

I couldn't make this up. Another blog draw win for me! That makes four more prizes to watch for in the mail in the coming days. Toni (Quilting Pirate) emailed that I had won a bag of fabric scraps. I'm all smiles.

Car Keys & Another Win

It took almost a week of looking, but finally last night I found my car keys! Someone
put a large pile of folded laundry on top of them on my dresser and left it there for several days. I know I checked that area more than once, but not good enough, I guess.

Kim from A Peach in Stitches just emailed that I won the book she was offering on her blog. I have been winning things all over blogland! So besides viewing all of the wonderful projects everyone posts about, it sure pays to read and comment.

It was like the middle of summer here today instead of fall. Jim and I decided to take a ride up north with the a/c in the car cranked up to high. We were looking for color. The first two pictures were taken through the dirty window of the car going 70 miles an hour, so they could have been better. We stopped in Grayling just in time to see the train which was the inspiration for the one used in the Polar Express movie arrive in town with a load of passengers.


Fortunately, the train tracks run right behind The Icehouse Quilt Shop which happened to be open. I bought a couple of charm packs and the yo yo maker for hearts.

Tomorrow is Plan Bee with Connie, Jane and Mary at Mary's house and I always look forward to our monthly get-togethers. I'm not sure if I mentioned in an earlier post, but we chose the name Plan Bee because Plan A never works for us.

Flannel Quilt & Fun Mail

I was able to pin baste a little flannel quilt today for the UGRR. We meet next Thursday, so there's a deadline if I want to turn it in that day. I have several tops I'd like to finish before Thursday, but I don't want to get too carried away.

More fun mail for me! The stitchery magazine that Christine so kindly offered to send me arrived. I've had fun paging through it and wondering which project to do first. Halloween fat quarters are on their way to Christine. I hope they make you smile. The other package was a surprise that Kim had told me to watch for from her visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. I opened the little box to find a cute Detroit Tigers lapel pin wrapped in some lovely green fabric which is much better than tissue paper, IMHO. That was such a nice surprise. Thank you for thinking of me.

My car keys have been missing since we got back from Chicago. If anyone sees them, please let me know. Now it's time to do some blog reading.

Tagged!

Jan has tagged me and now I get to use my name for the word game that accompanies it. Thank you, Jan.

J - jumbled So many thoughts and projects mixed in my mind at one time.

E - eager I'm always ready to learn something new

A - ambidextrous I can do many tasks with both hands.

N - nocturnal I like to stay up late and sleep in.

N - nostalgic the older I get, the more sentimental I become.

E - eclectic I have wide-ranging interests from theatre and sports to Josh Groban and Nickleback.



My family suggested many other adjectives, which I promptly rejected. I read so many blogs that make me smile, so if you'd like to play along, please do.

Tote bag, Tutorial Link and Pumpkin Man

Two days home since the week-end getaway, and still nothing much accomplished but a couple loads of laundry and a little grocery shopping. Hopefully tomorrow will be a sewing day.

A suprise in the mail from Corry (Dutch Blue). She sent me one of her clever, makeover tote bags. You can never have too many tote bags. I had asked about her moo cards and she offered to send me some. The tote bag was an added bonus. She also made the cutest little card. Corry shows her tote technique here.

With permission from Jane Monk of Tasmania, I wanted to share the tutorial she has on her blog about perfect placement of applique pieces for the Dear Jane blocks. I know there are several of you working on your blocks now so I thought you might find this link helpful.


Several years ago, my cousin, Mary, made me this Mr. Pumpkin Man. I sat him on the chair in order to snap a picture for the blog when you know who decided HE wanted to sit there. Jasper is now snuggling Mr. Pumpkin Man.

Week-end in Chicago

It turned out that the ballgame wasn't going to matter in the standings like we had hoped, but ten family members headed to Chicago to watch our beloved Detroit Tigers play the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field. We didn't even win the game, but we had a wonderful time. There are always lots of Tiger fans at away games. It's fun to pass each other on the sidewalks and share a 'Go Tigers' with them. After the game we made our way to Billy Goat Tavern where we enjoyed a few drinks and the famous cheesborgers. The weather was simply beautiful - couldn't have asked for better weather. Time was limited to do other things, but four of us did take a tour around town to see what was new. Millennium Park wasn't there the last time I visited. Chicago is one of my favorite places and I look forward to the next trip.













We stopped in St. Joseph on the drive Friday so my sister could see the lighthouse there. It was a long walk out to the lighthouse where we discovered that beyond the first one was a second lighthouse. The concrete breakwater wasn't there years ago, so the watchman had to navigate the ladder-like structure over the water to get to the lighthouse. I can't imagine!

Week-end Wrap-up

It was another wonderful week-end. My sister, Connie and I went to the Log Cabin Quilters show in Portage on Saturday. Remember I told you there were going to be thirty-three vendors? This picture shows my total purchases. Now that doesn't mean there weren't temptations, but we were in a uniquely sensible mood. We didn't see anything new, but maybe that's because Quilt Market is just around the corner.

One vendor was selling whole bolts of fabric plus rolls of yardage for very little money. My fabric piece was a yard for $1.50 and I thought it would work well with my Jo Morton fabrics. Mary Ellen's Spray Press is something I've wanted to try since reading favorable reviews online about it. We saw two different scents. The one we bought was lavendar and I really like it.

I'm almost done with another little cross stitch and I have the log cabin borders sewn together for the wedding quilt. Otherwise, I'm browsing through my extensive 'collection' of quilt books and magazines looking for another project to speak to me.

There were many offers to help me find the stitchery magazine. Thank you to everyone for volunteering and to Christine for finding the right place to get one. I'll be watching my mail.

Stitchery Magazine

Is there anyone in blogland who would be able to get this magazine for me? I would gladly trade whatever magazine/s you may want or send money for the purchase. It was posted on Donna's blog a while back and you can see the picture there. Thanks for any help you can give.

Pink Strings Top

I corresponded with the Secret Santa Christmas Swap Elf, Donna, today about my likes and dislikes for the benefit of the person who has my name. Mentioned that I don't really like pinks unless they are paired with browns or are double pinks. So it's rather ironic that I sewed today in my bright pink t-shirt making pink Heartstrings blocks. Hmmmm. Originally, I had planned on using a cute pink print with tennis shoes for the border, but it just didn't look the way I had imagined it. Luckily, I found this print in my stash and it seemed just right. I may applique a few random hearts here and there. After quilting, this quilt will go to the local Habitat for Humanity's auction next spring.

Checking my email, I found that Alice from Quilted Giraffe announced that I had guessed the closet to how many buttons were in her tin and I won the pail of batik fat quarters!!! What a lucky gal I am today! I love getting fun mail so I'll be on the look out for this one.

Tomorrow I'm heading to the Kalamazoo Log Cabin Quilter's Show held in Portage, MI. I hope to keep my fabric buying under control despite the thirty three vendors. Oh, my!

It's Here

Hot off of the pres, Inklingo 3 arrived in the mail today. It is a wonderfully illustrated, excellent book AND cd with project ideas, cutting layouts, and much, much more. Linda has given her full, expert attention to every detail to ensure that this book is her best work yet. And if you're a Monkey fan (and who isn't) he is featured cover to cover in Collection 3. Inklingo prints directly onto fabric so you can skip the templates and pencils. It can be used for both hand and machine piecing. If you haven't heard of it, please check out the link.

Here are the first ten pink string blocks for the October challenge. The fabric is washed, strips and foundations are all cut so the rest should sew up quickly once I get another chance to sew. I had to do a few to see how they would look.

Autumn Quilts & Pumpkins

I love fall even though I am holding onto summer as long as possible. Give me a 65-70 degree day and I'm full of energy. May Britt asked about our favorite season and quilts that depict it. Here are a couple of fall quilts that grace my walls. The scarecrow was made by my sister, Connie for my birthday several years ago. Isn't he adorable? The pattern was in a Piecemaker calendar. The harvest angel I bought at one of my guild's mini auctions and was made by Kathy Pelkki. I love that one, too.

I was at the market the other day and took pictures of pumpkins. They have big ones, little ones, bumpy ones and white ones displayed among gourds and cornstalks and pretty colored mum plants.

Crumbs Update

My Crumb block total is now at 67 blocks with more to come. I repled to Nadine that the fabric in the drawer was finally shrinking. After looking again at my sewing area, I see that statement may have been misleading. Apparently, most of the fabric scraps are now outside of the drawer surrounding my machine. No wonder the drawer is getting empty and my area messier!

Crumb Blocks

The plan for yesterday afternoon was supposed to be tidying up my sewing area while waiting for my sister's call saying Dad had been moved to rehab. Easily sidetracked, I found a drawer that contained bits and pieces of fabrics that seemed to be saying, "Crumb blocks could be made from me." So I ended up with thirty-five 6 1/2" blocks that need a sashing fabric to take them from crumbs to a tasty dessert. The fabric colors are on the medium to darker side. No dent was made in the fabric and the area is now messier than before I began.

I stopped at the Farmer's Market the other day and had to bring home a fall bouquet. Unfortunately, Jasper has been chewing all of the bottom leaves off of the flower stems. He still misses the outside. We need to plant a container of cat grass for him and Annie. Speaking of Annie, this is where you can usually find her in the evening hours. She is a daddy's girl and follows him everywhere.

Saturday morning

Is it just me, or does time go by more quickly these days? I wake up each morning with such great intentions. Before I know it, the day is gone and then the week and the month...

I started a little cross stitched sampler for me after finishing my Dear Jane top a couple of weeks ago. The pattern is called The Red Fence Sampler designed by Nancy Sturgeon for Threads Through Time. Quick and easy is the theme for me these days. I want instant results from my efforts. The sampler still needs to be washed, pressed and framed but the stitching is finished.

My dad had back surgery on Wednesday. When the sign on the wall says "Surgery Waiting" they aren't kidding. It was a long day, but everything went well.

No decision yet on what to make for my SSCS person. I've narrowed it down to a few things, but am having a difficult time picking just one.

Pooh Blocks and niners

Welcome September - it's one of the nicest months of the year, IMHO.

I found some Winne the Pooh fabric in my novelty stash and made a pile of snowball blocks. By the time that pile was finished, the mood had left me for sewing any more blocks. Then I had a lightbulb moment and remembered a container of blocks that I had made when I was doing mindless sewing. There were enough nine patch blocks, when combined with the Pooh blocks to make a little quilt for the Underground Rail Road in Saginaw. The UGRR is a shelter for battered women and children and my guild sends child-themed quilts to them each month. I wonder if this quilt would loosely qualify as an orphan quilt? Finn? There is more Pooh fabric for a small border and then I'll see what other things I can find to keep me busy and productive. Jim is off to a flea market, so I can sew all day.
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Added borders...ready to finish.