Do you want to learn to do crazy quilting?

Kathy is graciously offering a free beginner's crazy quilt class.  Click here to go to her blog posting that gives you all the details.

I've registered since I have always wanted to be able to do really nice crazy quilt blocks.  The ones that I have done are passable, but I know that there is so much that I need to learn.

After looking through Kathy's blog at all the beautiful blocks she has produced I know she is just the expert that I need to help me along.

Thank you, Kathy, for offering to do this!



In peace and pieces,
 

Latest book read 2014

I've gotten another book read for 2014 (my third):


This book is about the struggles that Carol Kent and her husband (and their family and friends) went through when Jason Kent [Carol's son] was arrested for first degree murder.

This book came in from the library at a very opportune time since I have been going through quite a bit of soul searching in my private life.

Reading this book was part biography and part Bible study. . . . and brought tears to my eyes more than once. . . . and I am glad that I read it.

I also will be adding my prayers to all the others for the continued strength of Carol, her husband Gene, and their son Jason.

In peace and pieces,
 

My shadows, dark and light

I thought I would just do a quick post to show off my two shadows. . . . .

This is Mr. Bailey.  We adopted him from a rescue group in New Hampshire about a year and a half ago.  He likes me when it comes to food and his insulin shots. . . . but otherwise he is Mr. Books' dog.

Miss Casey has been with us for 5 years. . . .we adopted her shortly after "the little prince" Bogart passed away.  She is definitely my dog and will only listed to Mr. Books if I am not home!  That gets him so frustrated. . . . but it makes me laugh because I wasn't ready for another dog but he didn't like having such a quiet house --- if it wasn't for him she might not have been living with us.

I hope that you enjoyed these small pictures.

In peace and pieces,
 

Serendipity. . .

If you recall, I did a post about my word for the year. . . . focus. . . . .well, I received a box of candy shortly after deciding that would be "my" word. . . .

This was the top of the box:

So, how is that for being told??!!  LOL

I guess I chose my word well.

In peace and pieces,
 

Get It Done in 2014 --- January finishes

Okay, I made a comment on a posting over at Katydid Art back on January 8 about 4 goals that I had for January.

They were:

a. Finish sample quilt top for a one-day retreat to be held in February.

Yes!  This one is done & has been shipped to the retreat location.  Here is a picture:

This is a pattern called Rail Fence Diamond and is a Missouri Star Quilts YouTube video tutorial.  The theme of the retreat day is "For God and Country" so I did my sample in a patriotic theme.  Again, this quilt top is shown on a double bed. . . .quite a good size for a lap or couch throw.

Here's a little closer view:

b. Finish star quilt top (it needs the borders finished).

Yes!  This one is done as well!! Here are some pictures of this one. . . .

And a little bit closer view:

This was a kit that I purchased from a LQS. . . I don't have the pattern in front of me so I don't have the name of the pattern handy.

I think this is the first Christmas quilt that I have actually gotten to a flimsy stage. . . .hope it is quilted before the year is out so we can use it.

c. Get my 2013 Row Robin strips into a quilt top (sashing & borders needed).

Nope, this one didn't get done.  To be perfectly honest I haven't even looked at the rows yet.

d. Finish the crocheted tote bag that has been hanging around for years (I only need to sew the handles on it. . . .good grief!).

Nope, this one didn't get done either.  And, the kicker is that now that I plan on finishing it I can't find the silly thing!

So, I got 50% of the projects done that I had planned on getting done. . . .not too shabby because I have been moving some other projects forward that were not on "the list".

Now to think about what I want to have finished by the end of February (which is a short month to begin with!). . . . . .
In peace and pieces,
 

DaGMT 2014 -- February 1st report

Yeah!  I was able to spend a little bit more than 20 minutes sewing this evening so I was able to get this done:

This first picture shows one of the blocks that I am doing for Beth -- she wanted brights & I loved these greens.  You also can see the bunch of half square triangle units that I am making from the left over pieces of the patriotic quilt that I did for the retreat for later this month.

Another block & parts for another one. . . plus a little tiny (like 3" square) from left over parts.

This is a close-up of the tiny block.

I am using the little blocks as a "leader/ender" piece. . . but I am hoping to 20 blocks done before the retreat so that I can show the ladies at the retreat what they can do with the leftovers.

I am hopeful that I can keep up with the 20 minutes. . . . tomorrow shouldn't be a problem since we plan on staying home most of the day; well, it IS SuperBowl Sunday tomorrow!  LOL


In peace and pieces,
 

Last finish of 2013 . . . a little late

Well, I finally found my camera AND the cable for it so I was able to load some pictures.

Here is the last finish of 2013. . . .it is a pattern called Jacob's Ladder and is a very, very easy afghan to do.

This first picture is of the full afghan. . . it covers the top of my double bed.  Yes, I know, there are strings showing on the picture but they have been woven in now.

This picture is a close-up of the pattern so that you can see a little bit better how the colors are "stepped" into the row above it.  I am trying to use up my yarn so what I did with this pattern was to just run the colors until they ran out & then just added in a new color.

I had done quite a number of baby afghans in the past. . . and from looking at the colors in this afghan you can clearly see that. . . there certainly not that many darker colors.

I have a few more scrap yarn afghans that need to be finished. . . so there may be some other pictures in the future of those projects.

Okay, that was the last thing that I finished in 2013. . .actually took my last stitches on New Years' Eve so you couldn't get much "last of" than this.


In peace and pieces,