Mystery Quilt Top

Okay, I got the top finished last weekend and then I had to find someone tall to hold it up so I could take a picture. I really like the way it turned out - specially since I just pulled 3 fabrics I thought would go together that happened to have the correct amount of yardage to do so. So here's the top.

I still have to decide what fabric to put on the back. I'm sure I can find something in my stash - but I have a bunch of little wall hanging quilts sandwiched that I need to finish first. Really should not have started a new quilt, but it intrigued me when the directions said the top could be made in a day. Problem was I got started late, decided to preshrink the green and pink, then got involved in the Super Bowl Game.

However, it's now in line for sandwiching and finishing. Course, it's at the bottom of the list, but at least it's in line.

I'm off to work on those wall hangings this afternoon. I've gotten the oil checked in the car, the breakfast dishes done, and put out the recycle bin for pickup tomorrow morning.

Hope your Sunday is going well. Mine has sunshine outside and I'm totally relaxing inside. Till next time!

Super Bowl Sunday

Okay, I admit I watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. Didn't think a lot of them this year. They just did not have the pizazz I expect for the money they paid to run them.

Now I have to wonder where all those Denver Bronco fan friends of mine are. They are mighty quiet tonight. Did they all miss the game and just don't know they lost yet? Are they hiding under their desk, table, bed in shame for pre-bragging? While I have to admit I'm surprised that Seattle Seahawks won, I have to cheer as I am a native Seattle Woman. Yep, I was born there - don't live there anymore. And my team didn't make it into the Super Bowl, so I decided to root for my birth town. Not the best reason, but the only one I could think of.

While watching the game, I participated in a Mystery Quilt that was out on line. Parts only available today. I saved them all and I have the pieces cut to start putting together. Should be able to get the top together this next week if all goes well. Then next week I'll post a picture of the quilt top.

Okay, I'm off to grab some dinner and finish a book.

A New Year, a new quilt finish

Yes, it's a bit past the New Year's celebration, but I'm going to celebrate anyway! I've been busy working on getting quilting things done at my house. I currently have one finish to share. It's going to the Community Service Wall at my local quilt guild. The fabric kit was donated to the guild and I made it up. Even did the quilting myself. I admit the colors are not me, but they do work well.

In order to take a picture of it, I went outside and hung it on the clothes line. Yes, I should have done the yard work first, but I didn't want to miss the sunlight outside. Each square has a "flower" quilted into it. This picture really does not do it justice, but then most things look better than their picture.
I will do the pattern again some day using different colors. But since I'm trying to finish off my UFO list before starting too many new ones, this will have to wait. I currently have 9 of my small wall hangings sandwiched and ready to quilt. I also have a couple others that are sandwiched and waiting to be quilted. I'm determined to get them done. Don't think I'll get another done this month, but I'm certainly going to try.
I wish I could say the weather is keeping me inside because it's nasty outside, but we've been having the most gorgeous weather for this time of year. The calendar says winter, the weather says spring. I keep hoping for some rain as we need it desperately. Will be back when I finish a couple more. Till then, pray for rain!

Christmas Day

Today has been Christmas Day, all day long. It came without decorations, lights or presents. It came without all that fuss, without the hustle & bustle. And I think I like it this way. I had a very nice prime rib dinner with my husband and father-in-law, and 2 friends. I really thought about the reason for this whole holiday season. Yes, the Baby Jesus got gifts from the Wise Men. Perhaps they weren't the most useful to a child, but it was what they offered. In the song, "The Little Drummer Boy", the young boy has no gift, but offers to play his drum for the child, and then proceeds to do his best.

The Grinch thought that by stealing away the trees, the lights, the gifts, and the food that Christmas in Whoville wouldn't come. Yet his heart realized that when it came without all those things, that maybe, just maybe, he couldn't stop it. So maybe, just maybe, it's okay to celebrate without presents, trees, and lights. Maybe like the Grinch, I've developed a taste of I can do Christmas without all the fuss.

Don't get me wrong, I love the songs, the trees, the lights. I even enjoy getting a well thought out gift. But you know what, I didn't get a whole bunch of presents this year. I got only a couple small, well thought out gifts. That means more to me than presents just to make sure everyone on a list got one. So, maybe, just maybe, my heart, like the Grinch's, has grown over the years.

So, Merry Christmas to all and blessings upon you the whole year long.

Thanksgiving Day

Today is Thanksgiving Day. Many will watch the Macy's Parade from New York and usher in the Holiday Season. Some will still be homeless and try to find a free meal somewhere. Many will either travel or have traveled to see their loved ones. Some will travel to a spot to get away from it all.

I will spend it with family and friends. It's a time to be thankful for all we have and all we can do. My husband and I still have jobs and can still pay our bills. Our health is good - even if we could both stand to lose a few pounds (which of us couldn't?).

I have a four day weekend and plan to get some things done around the house. Little things but still it's something. I have to be ready for work on Monday so that will mean laundry and making sure I have enough in the fridge for lunches. But that's okay - makes my life seem normal.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! May your day be Blessed.

It's Official

Yep, it's official. I am no longer Worthy Matron of my Eastern Star chapter. Our new Worthy Matron was installed last night and I am thrilled with our choice. She is an awesome sister and will do a fantastic job. She has the privilege of presiding over our chapter for our 125th anniversary party.

Now I just have to get through the month of November with all the installations of new officers and I can kick back and relax. While I did take on a new job for my District, as Deputy Grand Matron, I can actually miss a meeting here and there. I will be able to take some quilt classes because I won't be planning a meeting. I might even get some of my UFOs finished. I still have my list going and will be whittling it away.

Today I am home and am doing the mundane things like laundry and putting out the recyclables and the trash. I'm not planning on any "big" things today. Just going to stay home and enjoy the quiet.

Am off to get a bit to eat and then start on those mundane things. Take care and enjoy your day.

November is....

November is a month of craziness for me. I belong to Eastern Star and November is installation month. Suffice to say all my weekends have something in them. Then on top of that, I've agreed to be my district's 2014 Deputy Grand Matron. Yep, that makes me one busy lady. But since I enjoy it all, it's a fun hectic month.

In addition to all of my Eastern Star functions, I'm also doing the Quiltmaker 100 Blocks blog tour. Yep, there is to be released on November 19, Volume 8 of the Quiltmaker 100 Blocks. I have the first seven and I will have the 8th either as soon as I win it or as soon as I buy it. The blocks are amazing and the colors are fun. Any quilter knows you can change colors and make it look totally different.

I should be working on my quilting this month, but time just seems to get away from me. I guess I will work on it in December instead. One of my Yahoo groups has a "sewing time challenge" going. The object is to stitch or work on something crafty for a minimum of 15 minutes per day. Not much to it, right? Well, yes, there is. Some of us just don't get there. I was hoping to do at least 15 minutes this past week and didn't make it. Maybe I'll have better luck this week?

Well, I'm off to get ready for work. I need to work to support my quilting habit but working gets in the way of my quilting. Kind of a quandary there. Oh, well.