Easy for Beginners

Beginners - Try this easy pattern


Quiltmaker Pattern: Super-Sized Nine Patch

Log Cabin Baby Quilt Pattern

Log Cabin Baby Quilt Pattern

Christmas

Christmas is right around the corner and we are all looking forward to our family being together. Chris promised to send me a pic of the four of them, and we are going to keep it on the table at dinner so that we can pretend that they are with us. Randy and I have gotten all the gifts that we needed for his little girl that he adopted, and we are going to my company Christmas party tonight. I finished almost all my shopping today. I have to get just a couple more things, and I will be finished. The holidays can be very stressful and I have been stressed alot lately, so it will be nice to get everything done and settle down to enjoy the holidays.

Grandmother's Flower Garden

This is a quilt that I started a while back and I only work on it now and then because it is made completely by hand. It is done in English Paper Piecing, and as I have said many times before, I love hand piecing. English Paper Piecing is addictive. Since I started printing the templates on freezer paper, it makes it much easier for me to carry the pieces in a plastic bag and work on them at anytime. If you would like these templates, just email me.

WELCOME

Welcome to my gardening/knitting/cooking/quilting/everything blog! There is nothing better than the sun on your face, the wind in your hair and the smell of fresh garden soil....

Jane Stickley

I am sure that all of you are familiar with Jane Stickley. Over the last year or so, I have really been studying her quilt, and have made a few of the blocks. I am a hand piecer, even with my arthritic thumbs. I love sewing and it really helps me relax, so in addition to Bonnie's mystery quilt, I am going to start the Dear Jane and I am planning to do all the blocks by hand. It is, at best, a brave undertaking, I know, but I think that I am ready to tackle it. I am going to take my time and go at my own pace, and hope that I can finish it in a year or so. Since I work alot, and have alot going on, my time may be more limited than I anticipate and it may take longer.

I am excited and anxious to get started. Wish me luck!

I am going to revolt!

I have decided to revolt(is that what you call it?). I am not going to put my machine and tools away simply because someone wants to eat. That is what we have a restaurant on every corner for! After all, this is Atlanta, one of the largest cities in America, and I think that eating should not be a hard thing to do. Don't all of you agree with me when I say that quilting is more important than eating??? What were they thinking??? So, who has my back???

Clue # 2

I have been working on my 9 patches, but I had to clean up the kitchen, so I had to stop. I don't have a sewing room, so I use the kitchen, and it causes chaos in my house. I am working on a plan to use a small part of the kitchen anyway. The 9 patches, hopefully, will be finished by Saturday, and I can't wait for Clue # 3!!

Happy Quilting All!

Step One of the Mystery Quilt

I finished step one today and I am very pleased with my rail fence blocks. I have started cutting step two, and I am excited to be keeping up. It is not always easy for me to find the time to quilt, but I decided that I was going to make the time.

I looked at all the photos posted on our group website, and I just loved all the color combinations that everyone used. I am a 30's fanatic, and I did use some 30's in these blocks, but only a few. Ok, on to step two!

Update on Ernie

Ernie, the Lucky Dog has been re-named "Ernie the Wonder Dog". He is thriving, growing and is the sweetest dog ever! He loves Max and Scruffy, and he is so cute!

A New Quilter!

This past weekend, my daughter-in-law, Ivey came down for the weekend and I gave her the first quilting lesson. I was extremely nervous, to say the least. When she told me a few months back that she wanted to learn to quilt, I almost died from excitement. I don't know about anyone else, but most of the time, when I tell someone that I quilt, they look at me like I said that I was an alien. Everyone seems to think that only little old ladies make quilts. Well, obviously, they have not been to the Stitch n Quilt or to Little Quilts. But, anyway, I was really excited when Ivey said that she wanted to learn. We began last weekend with rotary cutting, measuring and perfecting the 1/4 inch seam. She learns quickly and I think that she is going make a fine quilter. I will be publishing some of her quilts here.

I love fabric and yarn!!!!

Mystery Quilt

Well, I learned today that there are members doing this quilt from all over the world. It is just amazing to me that so many people, in so many places, could come together for one project. It is going to be so much fun, and I am happy to be a part of it.

My Grandmother's Quilts

I have several of my grandmother's quilts, and I am continuously amazed at the workmanship that is in these quilts. I remember the quilting frame in her dining room, hanging from the ceiling, and I remember running around and playing while she and her lady friends quilted. The sad part for me is that when she passed, so did the quilting. My Mother never quilted and so there were no quilters in my family until I started about 5 years ago. I cherish these quilts and look forward to passing them on to my children. I just wish that I had lots of stories to pass along as well

Bonnie's Mystery Quilt

I have decided to do Bonnie's mystery quilt called "Carolina Crossroads". I have never done a mystery quilt, but this one seems easy and fun! I just never seem to have time for quilting, and especially since I had to give up my sewing room. It takes so much time to get all my stuff out, and then I have to put it all back, but I am going to do it for this quilt. I will update each time I finish something!

Welcome

Welcome to my blog. I have been blogging for a while, but decided that I needed a blog just for quilting.

I love fabric!

Ernie the Lucky Dog

I must tell the story of Ernie the Lucky Dog. Last Monday, I was at work and a lady came in and said that a dog had been hit by a car and was on the side of road. I went out there to find this puppy that had not been hit by a car, but was so skinny, I could count every rib, and so weak he couldn't stand up. My heart just melted when I saw him. What to do? I had told my assistant as I went out the door the call Animal Control, because I thought that a dog was dead. I brought him back to the office and tried to tell if he was hurt. He had no visible injuries, but I knew that he was sick. Everyone who knows me, knows that before Max, I was not a dog lover, so needless to say, I had no idea what to do to help this puppy. I called a local vet to see if they would at least look at him to see if they could determine what was wrong with him, but the receptionist told me that they were booked solid with surgeries and could not help me. So, I called Falcon Village to find out if Dr. Wolchek or Dr. Evans could check him the next morning. Little did I know that I had taken the first step on a whirlwind journey that would take me and Randy from happy to tears, and back. While dogs, and animals in general, appear simple and unassuming, in fact, they are quite complex. This puppy would not eat, could not walk, and had diarrhea that was the worst I had ever seen. It went without saying that he had been neglected, probably abused, and most important, completely unloved for all of his 14 or 15 weeks of life. Where did he come from? No one knows. Where was his Mom? Anybody's guess. All this went through my mind throughout the day as I watched and waited to see what he was going to do. I left to go and bring him food, and while I was away, Animal Control came to the office. They told my assistant that if they took him, I would not be able to get him back, so, as I had instructed her, she told them not to take him. On Tuesday, I took him to the vet, and they determined that he had 4 different worms. He was at the point of death, literally. They started treating him, and he began to improve. I talked with the doctor twice and sometimes 3 times each day, and things were looking good. Randy and I were trying to decide what to name him and Randy started asking around at school to try and find him a good home. I decided to call him Ernie, after Mom's cat, and the fact that he just looked like an Ernie. Randy laughed and said that I should name him Lucky since he was pretty lucky that I had found him. So, that's how he earned the name "Ernie the Lucky Dog". We were happy and hopeful that he would make a full recovery. On Thursday of this week, I was on my way home when the Doctor called me and said that he had taken a turn for the worst, and that he was throwing up all his food and medicine and that he was again unable to stand. It was about 6:15 in the evening when she called and she was sure that he would not live through the night. She said that she felt that he had been sick for so long, that we could not save him. My heart just pounded as I listened to the choices that she gave me. She said that I could do nothing and that he would probably die before morning, or I could let her go ahead and put him down. I was so upset and unsure what I should do. I tried to call Randy and could not reach him, so I called her back and said that I could not put him down and that if he was going to die, I wanted him to do it on his own. I did not sleep at all that night, and I prayed that God would take control and if he was not to make it, he would take him in the night, so I that I would not have to put him down. I resigned myself to the fact that he would be dead when the vet called me the next morning. Randy left early on Friday morning to go by the hospital and see what had happened during the night. I had agreed with him and the doctor that if Ernie had not improved, we would put him down. When Randy arrived at the hospital, Ernie was standing in his kennel and wagged his tail when he saw Randy. He had a miraculous turnaround overnight and was looking for food. In my opinion, this was totally God's hand. Ernie has steadily improved, and this morning, Randy and I went to visit him at the hospital and he was playing, chasing a toy that I brought, and of course, practicing his lapdog tendencies. He seems to be headed for a full recovery. He is a totally different puppy than the one I took there on Tuesday morning. If all goes well, and I believe now that it will, we will bring him home from the hospital on Monday! I think that if a dog ever had the perfect name, Ernie does!

Comments

I noticed that none of my family have been making any comments on my posts. I am not sure if that is good or bad. Are they not interested? Are they not reading the posts? Do they feel that the posts are not worth talking about, or are they busy and don't have the time? I hope someone lets me know soon.

Ya Gotta Love the Fair

Well, as is tradition, we went to the Gwinnett County Fair. And, as usual, it was the same as it has been for the last 100 years. Second rate rides that I would be very apprehensive to put one of my family members on. Cotton candy, candy apples, and, of course, funnel cakes. Personally, I only go for the roasted corn. It is worth the trip, the admission fee, and all the other stuff just to be able to eat that yummy, salty, dripping with butter sensation that leaves your face and hands sooty from the burnt corn husks and left over charcoal. It is one of God's finest creations. But anyway, back to the fair. I LOVE the exhibits. The canned food, the jellies, the quilts, the knitted items, and they really do still show and award ribbons for livestock. It is amazing how many people still come and bring their prized goat, cow, horse and all the other things. Beany liked it, he was amazed at the rides and his Poppy won a Polar Bear for him. A great time was had by all!

Beany in the Tub

 

Kids

Raising kids is a tough job, but probably the most rewarding job that a woman can have. Even though we had alot of tough times, we had more good times, and I think that my children grew to be fine husbands and fathers. I am so thankful for all the blessings that my children have been for me. I feel that the time passed so quickly, that I didn't have a chance to enjoy the sweetness of being a Mom. I have discovered that I really miss those days of loud noises, messy rooms, and bickering children. Wish I could go back,,,,just for a little while.

CHINA

We have to ban all products from China. Good Grief, what does the government need to understand that this is dangerous to all American citizens, but most especially children! Wake up America, let's stand up for ourselves.

Ancestry Update!

Today is my Daddy's birthday, he would have been 76. Time really flies, doesn't it? Well, here is the latest on my ancestry. I am German.....my original ancestor, Wilheim Roth, came to the US in 1742 as a poor Lutheran. He settled in Kirksey Township, and our family began. He married Maria Durst, and changed his name to William Rhodes, which is the American translation of Roth. I have been researching, and trying to take another direction, searching for my Mother's family and also my paternal grandmother's family. Discovered that I am John F. Kennedy's 10th cousin. I was thrilled to say the least, because he is one of my heroes. Now, I just need to figure out where my paternal grandmother's family came from. My Mother's original ancestor came Shropshire, England, so I guess that makes us German/English. Will update more later.

Mission Statement

I have been working this week on my mission statement. I knew that a mission statement was an important thing, but I never realized how important until I read a book called "The Path" by Laurie Beth Jones. It is very interesting how your mind works. According to Laurie Beth, just writing a mission statement will start to turn your life around, and I believe that. I don't have mine finished at this point, but it is a truly an important aspect of your life, that I don't feel should be taken lightly. So, I am still working on mine. Just something to think about.

China

It has been a while since I posted, but I have been very busy. I am really concerned about all this business with China. It is bad enough that all the items are being recalled, and that citizens of the greatest nation in the world could be in danger. But, I am wondering, what is the deal with these American businesses???? We have so many people in this country that are unemployed and are begging for jobs, and I heard today that 90% of all toys sold in the United States are made in China. What are we thinking? Where is our patriotism? We need to be loyal to our own and stop making everyone else in this world rich.

Ancestry

I think that everyone wonders about their ancestry from time to time, and I have been thinking about mine off and on for a number of years. A couple of months ago, while looking for a book on the library website, I noticed the link to Ancestry. I clicked on it and quickly found a small clue to my family history. As I continued to look, I just became hooked! Since that time, I have been spending every available minute looking through censuses and old birth and death records. My Mom suggested that I call my aunt, whom she thought had done some research, so I did. She informed me that the family in Greenwood, had already done the research and had written a book. I was so excited I almost died. So, I started looking back through my notes for phone numbers, and I found one that I thought my put me in touch. Long story, short, I called a lady in North Carolina, told her who I was, and discovered that she was my Aunt, and that she had been the one who had done the history. I don't know who was happier, me or her. She told me that she would send me her book on a disc, and I told her I would try and fill in any blanks that she needed from my Dad's family. I am so excited that this wonderful thing has happened, and I feel that the Lord has blessed me tremendously. Lila is just the sweetest person on the phone, and she sent me the sweetest email and welcomed me to HER family. I will continue to post as things progress, and I get more information on the family. I do know now, from Lila, that as I had always been told, we are of German descent (sp?). This is so exciting!

I love Saturdays

I really love Saturdays. No deadlines, no phones ringing, no pressure. I am sitting here, drinking beer, and listening to music. I am happy to be here, and I don't feel any pressure from anywhere. This is the life.

Sunday Afternoon

I love Sunday afternoons. I am alone this afternoon as Randy is gone to play golf. I have been outside starting cuttings and weeding the garden. I came in and made some lunch and now I am fresh from the shower watching Titanic and writing in my blog. I am feeling so sad about Jessie Davis. She was such a pretty girl with a nice smile. I am trying to understand how something like this happens. Her mother and father are devastated, I am sure. I pray that they will be able to cope with pain. These kinds of things are so hard to understand, but then I guess we are not supposed to understand them. The weather is hot, but beautiful, and I am hoping that we will be able to scare up a thunderstorm this afternoon. We need the rain so much. I have new perennials that I put in this spring, and I am so afraid that the drought will get them. We are under a water restriction, so I can only water on certain days at certain times.

I have been under alot of stress lately about many things, and I have decided to do something about the ones that I can do something about. My first one is downsizing. I have so much stuff in this house that I do not need, and I think that it is time to get rid of most of it. I think that you should have only what you use and love, everything else should go. So, I am planning a big garage sale on the Saturday after the Independence holiday, and I am getting rid of so much stuff!!! Second thing, is money. I have decided that if I want to retire in 7 years, I have to start working on the making sure that I have the money that I need. I can't count on being able to sell vegetables and flowers, that needs to be extra money. So, I am starting a campaign to stop spending, pay off debt and really fattening up my savings. It will take some discipline and work, but I am determined to do it. I want to retire in 7 years, completely debt free. I know that I can do it.

TGIF!

Thank Goodness it's Friday! What a week! I am looking forward to the weekend, and getting some downtime. No plans, just chillin.

Some Celebrities

I learned today that Bruce Willis sent 36,000 cases of girl scout cookies to our troops in Iraq. I think that was a noble and wonderful thing to do. I have always liked Bruce and have heard that he is a down to earth guy. I get so tired of hearing about celebrities. I was in line at the Publix the other day and I overheard this lady telling her friend that she never kept up with celebrities because she did not have anything in common with them. That is exactly how I feel too. Recently, as I watched the Today show, I heard Meredith talking about an upcoming interview with Angelina Jolie. It seems that lately, everywhere you look are articles about Angelina Jolie and the children that she adopts. They are always from foreign countries, and while I have no problem with that, recently in Atlanta, 3 children were beaten to death or starved. So, why doesn't she try and make a home for children here in the United States?


And, on the same note, the day that she was interviewed on the Today show, no mention was made of the 3 soldiers that had been kidnapped in Iraq. The day before her interview, the body of one of them had been found floating in the Euphrates river, and nobody bothered to honor that soldier or his family. This makes me sad and angry all at the same time. I have boys, my youngest, being 29, and the thought of something like that happening to him makes me want to throw up. Sometimes, I think that we live in a very sad world. Personally, I think that this is all Bible prophecy. Though I am not a holy-roller, I am a Christian, and I believe that the end of time is near. I pray every day for the troops, and hope that we will be able to bring them home very soon.

Being a Grandparent

I think that this is the best thing since sliced bread. The kids are great, you get to spoil them, and then they go home. What a concept! I wish I had invented it. My little BeanMan is just the light of my life. He smells good, gives REALLY good sugar, and loves to play with everyone! He looks like me, has long eyelashes and a cowlick, just like me, and I'll be darned if I don't think that he is going to have curly hair like me. It just doesn't get any better than that! See for yourself!

Rambling

Tiger's wife, Elin, had the baby yesterday morning. A girl, Sam Alexis Woods. What a cute name, and they are both so good looking, that I am sure that she will be beautiful. I think that Tiger will make a great Dad.

I just love 60's music. I have XM radio, and can listen to it on my computer, and I really like the British Invasion Groups. Does that tell my age???? Probably. I am definitely a music person. I think that I love it all. I will have to say that I can't quite hang with the rap. I like the beat and the music, but don't quite understand the singing. Showing my age again???? . If my kids read this blog, they will be laughing.

The BeanMan is coming to spend a few days with us tonight. I am so excited. I am the happiest when he is around. That, I have determined, is a fact. He just brings out all the good in me, and somehow the bad goes away. I can't wait for him to get a baby sister or brother, or if you are reading this Kor-Dog, a cousin.

Things are looking good at work. I am so happy. I do love my job, and I want to do a good job. Of course, my OCD will make that happen. I have lots going on at home, and need to really jump in with both feet, and get it settled.

I am looking into having a website for my quilting. Just a friendly website for people like me, who want to quilt and are not very good at it. Hopefully, we will also have some people who are good at it, and can help us. The Dog is going to build it for me. I am also working on doing some designs of my own in EQ5. We will see.

Inaugural Blog

Well, this is my inaugural blog. I read Meredith Viera's blog everyday and I thought it would be nice to have a blog of my own. So, I started one. Not sure when I will get a pic and bio done, but I guess you just have to take one thing at time. Ok, friends and family, I expect to see some responses to my posts!