Dear Jane Update

Things are going well with Jane! I have completed Row A and several blocks on Row B. This quilt is challenging, to say the least, but it is addictive! I finish a block and I immediately want to do another. It is fun, infuriating, intoxicating and soothing, all at the same time. Here are a few photos of my progress.

On to more blocks!

Let's Go!

I have not posted on this blog since 2016, but, I have decided to start it up again. I have really been doing a lot of quilting and spinning, and I even learned to weave, needle felt and greatly improved my hand piecing skills. I learned that needle felting is not something that I enjoy and weaving is fun, but not a passion for me the way quilting, knitting and spinning are. I guess you have to try something to know if it is for you. I have made several quilts in the last few months and have really improved my quilting skills. I participated in a QAL on line that was strictly hand piecing, and I learned so much from that QAL! The saying "Practice Makes Perfect" is very true. Of course, the internet has made learning a new skill so much easier with YouTube, Google and lots of other ways to find what you need. Many years ago, I attempted a Dear Jane quilt. I fell in love with Jane Stickley's beautiful quilt and like many others, I wanted to make one. That is easier said than done, believe me. Jane was nothing short of a pure genius, and her quilt proves that. I made about 6 or 8 blocks before I realized that I was in way over my head, and gave up. I still have my blocks and I look at them lovingly quite often. Recently, I started doing a little research on DJ and after much reading and contemplating, I have decided to try again. So, I am going to record my progress on this blog as I begin my journey to completing a blue and white version of Dear Jane. I have the book by Brenda Papadakis, the computer software, which is at least 10 years old, and many new and helpful tools to make this project a bit easier. I have not started yet, but I am in the process of gathering the fabric, sorting the blocks and making sure that I have all the tools I need. I have decided to do it EPP. EPP was not available when I attempted this quilt the first time, but is now from an online store called Paper Pieces. There are also numerous videos on YouTube from Paper Pieces that help you sort the pieces for the blocks, learn how to EPP, if you don't already know how to do it, and basically learn all about DJ. I have ordered the templates for Row A and I am waiting for them to arrive. I hope to have all my fabrics and tools ready by the time my templates get here. So, I would love it if you would take this wonderful journey with me and follow along as I make the blue and white version of Dear Jane. til next time~~~

Time

Time flies, doesn't it? It has been almost a year since I posted and I just can't believe it. I hope to revive this blog and do more posting about my family, my hobbies, and just life in general so stay tuned!

2016

Today is January 1, 2016 and I have decided to make some necessary changes. 2015 was a very interesting year, and I am hoping that 2016 will be a happy, fun-filled and joyous year for my family! I want to re-design the blog, add some things and take away some things. I have really been testing recipes, knitting a lot and learning about knitting. I am trying to get my house ready to sell so that we can downsize and move to a smaller place. We had many things happen in 2015, some expected, some unexpected. Life has a way of doing that, doesn't it? When you least expect it....BOOM! Here is hoping that 2016 will be our best year ever!

Family

Sadly, we begin 2015 with the passing of Randy's uncle, Carl. He was a wonderful, loving father, grandfather and great grandfather, who lived to be 89 years old. He was well respected in his community and he will be missed. On a lighter note, we spent last Saturday with little Miss Ansley and it was a wonderful, fun day. She showed me all her toys and we played with most of them. We had such a good time, and since Monday was her Daddy's birthday, we all went out to dinner.

This is Poppy, Ansley and me at the restaurant. She was ready to go home. She was full and tired, as we were. It was a great tired though. The kind you really like. We also found out last week that we are having a new baby this summer. Colin is going to have a little brother in June and we are all so excited! This is Colin - making the announcement on Facebook!

Hope to be back tomorrow with a cooking post!

Beginning 2015

Wow! Life has a way of just taking over, doesn't it? Sometimes, I feel that I am on a ride at an amusement park that will not stop, or even slow down. 2014 has not been a good year for me, but I am sure that 2015 is going to be a great year! We had many changes and happenings this year, and it boggles my mind when I look back at all of it. I am going to start fresh in 2015, and really make some changes. Health, attitude, and most of all faith and family. These will be my focus for 2015. I hope to blog on a regular basis because I would like to share my progress, even though I know that no one actually reads my blog! I read it! Happy New Year! Let's make it our best!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful Dads! I am making my sweetie's favorite, Cinnamon Rolls! We have new family member, his name is Elvis(which I am hoping to change, but he has had it since birth). He is an adorable 9 year old Shih Tzu that we adopted from rescue. He is just so sweet and so loving. He will be such a good addition to our family. Randy says he will be my "Therapy Dog". I believe that could be true! I am still working on the Secret Garden Project, but it is slow, because I am taking out almost as much as I am putting in. I can't get some of the colors as I want them, and I can't get some of the stitches to look as smooth as I would like. This project is very special to me and it is definitely testing my abilities as an embroiderer. I am working on another project for my children for Christmas, but can't reveal that here. I have been cooking and baking a lot, and that is therapy for me also. I really love doing it and the food is so delicious! Anna will be here in another week. She is staying with us for a week while Brian is at camp. I am going to try and teach her to knit while she is here. I want to teach her all the sewing and needlework skills that I know. I did not have the Mother and Grandmother's who knitted and sewed, so I want to make sure that Anna and Addie have the opportunity to learn while they are young. Til tomorrow~~~