Sunday, December 23, 2012

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Monday, November 19, 2012

Paris Round Robin

I have been so remiss in posting... lots of catching up to do.. hopefully over the Thanksgiving holiday. For now, here is the naked block of my latest Crazy Quilting Round Robin... the theme is Paris.

 
I was absolutely thrilled with the first additions... Cathy of Utah added this delightful spiderweb and the corset...!


Monday, August 27, 2012

American Quilt Society Show in Grand Rapids

Well, I have not been on my blog for a couple weeks. For two reasons: One, I have been really busy at work and we have been booked every free weekend. Two, I have gotten hooked on Listia, (a site where you "sell" items for points and then use the points to buy other things.  I have gotten some really cool stuff for crazy quilting, books, jewelry, craft items... But more on that later.

This past Wednesday Fuzzy and I traveled to Grand Rapids to take in the American Quilt Society Show. It was a great day and we have lots of pics. Probably take me half a dozen posts to cover them all. I am starting small today and posting pics of the crazy quilts in the show. A grand total of 4!


 
This is by Kerry Leslie, who is a member of CQI. It was in a special exhibition of quilts for Alzheimers's Awareness. The quilt was about 10 x 12".

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Bush Cover

I was never much for the Republican Party, but today's Parade Magazine cover had more power to sway me than anything any politican has ever said!  I mean they can't be all bad if they have a Bichon!

Grandmothers, Victorian Style

I have been spending more time looking through old pics as I have acquired some from my dad when he moved out of his home.  This one is of my Grandmother Pauline. Probably taken around the turn of the century. I assume that this is a confirmation picture as she was Lutheran. I plan to use this photo in a new Round Robin block I will be starting in August... It has a Victorian theme!  Perfect!. I am trying to decide which colors to use with it. I am thinking whites/off whites and pastel colors...

These pictures are from the other side of the family. My mom's mother, Estella.   I did not know they took photos like this in a row. (kind of like from our present day photo booth). I need to try to find a way to make the one in the hat less blurry. Boy would I love to know what colors were in that hat. Eventually I would also like to make quilt blocks using these pics....Unfortunately my grandmother died long before I was born.



Lastly, another strip, this one  of my grandmother's sister; Ruth. I have fond memories of going to her farm in Walkerton, Indiana... She had no indoor toilet even in the late 60's.. She had a beautiful wood commode in her bedroom. Wish I had a picture of it... She taught me how to crochet and I had my first taste of alcohol at an early age, with her homemade dandelion wine!




Saturday, July 14, 2012

Day at the Beach 1925

I came across this picture recently. The two babies in the front are my father and his twin brother. It looks to be taken at Lake Michigan... Interesting how the babies are dressed in summer clothers and the rest are dressed in sweaters and coats... It seemed appropriate on this hot day....Picture circa 1925.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

4th of July 2012



So what are your plans for the 4th.? We both have off work today. Fuzzy is busy washing his car. We went this morning to get All-You-Can-Eat ppancakes at Bob Evans, then to Salvation Army for a 1/2 price sale.  After a nap and hot dog dinner, we will do some things around the house and head out tonight for the fireworks! 

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Linda's Pet Round Robin Block

I really enjoyed the colors Linda chose for her block. I added the pink ribbon and tatting, then embellished the dragonfly fabric, with threads and beads. I thought it was too pretty to cover up. I finished with the feather stitch seam and flowers.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Beaded Cuties

I am still always on the look out for good garage sale deals. I found these three beaded cuties for 15c for all... I can't wait to use them in a block.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Lugnut Outing

We took in a Lansing Lugnut baseball game last night, the weather was perfect! We got good seats through AARP, and they had $1 hot dogs and pop... Now that's the way to spend the summer!

A local middle school band did a nice job with the National Anthem.



The score was 10 to 9, so there was a lot of action!


Monday, May 28, 2012

Alma Highland Festival 2012

We are fortunate to be the home for the Michigan Steam Railroading Club here in Owosso. The gem is the steam train that was the sound track for the Polar Express Movie.. The engine is under repair right now, and the club holds many fundraisers to pay for the mandated maintenance. The Government requires that the engine undergo a complete tear down every 15 years which costs around $800,000.
This year they offered a train ride to Alma, Michigan to attend the yearly Highland Festival. This was our first time attending. I have never seen so many kilts in my life!

We were pulled by a traditional locomotive using vintage rail cars.

We got to Alma in time for the parade.  I loved the Motorcyle riding fireman wearing his kilt! Sorry about picture quality, was using my cell phone!


Here is a shot of Fuzzy enjoying one of the suckers thrown into the crowd.\


We were disappointed that more highland bands were not a part of the parade.

I believe these men represented some type of soldier garb from Scotland.


The highlight was the band competition. They also held a grand concert with over 13 bands from all over the US and Canada playing together.





There were also Highland Games held. This is a contestant throwing a weighted ball and chain.


An interesting fashion choice.. Hawaiian shirt and kilt! Again sorry about the blurry cell phone shot.


We were not able to attend the Highland dance competition, but got a shot of these cuties at the award ceremony!








Saturday, May 26, 2012

Friday, May 18, 2012

Wine Round Robin Comes Home

I was thrilled to receive my block back yesterday from the Wine Round Robin. Thanks to Kathy, Carol, Meg, and Beryl for their fantastic work. Here is the before and after:


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Alice's "Fancy" Block


This is the first of the  blocks for the Pet Round Robin. This belongs to Alice and is in honor of her cat "Fancy"... I decided to embroider her name and embellish around.....  I can't believe it is almost two weeks since I last posted. I had a little client with a cold about three weeks ago and I have been suffering with a cough, sore throat since then. I am starting to feel a little better.....


Monday, May 7, 2012

Spellbinder Mystery Border 2

Still unfinished, but getting closer, I had some French theme fabric for the final border. Now my least favorite part; the quilt sandwich, quilting and binding...

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Warm Day for Photos





I used the cropped closeup and transferred it to fabric for the focus of this block. It is my next Round Robin project.




Monday, April 16, 2012

My Work on Meg's Wine Block

Meg's block presented some challenges as there were lots of long vertical lines. I decided to soften the left side by adding lace, then adding a circle of flowers to camofllauge part of the line. The bottle of wine in the flowers is made by wrapping the applique bottle around a hard surface after embroidering to embellish.    Also hand dyed the grape lace in the upper right. Beryl did the embellished cork.


Here is the block so far with only Kathy remaining to add her touches.

Spellbinder Mystery with border

With embroidered border, now I just need to decide on a wider border and finish! This has been a fun mystery.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Universal Thrills

After our cruise, we had 7 nights to spend in Orlando prior to my conference. We had the opportunity to see Universal Studios Amusement Park, I was there about 15 years ago, Fuzzy had not been to any kind of park in over 30 years.! We were fortunate, the longest we had to wait for an attraction was 30 minutes... We went on a Wednesday.









We did this!


Lots of great music entertainment!



Lots to do and see!





I didn't push the button!