Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone is enjoying today...

Pioneer Sampler

These are photos of a new quilter's Pioneer Sampler Quilt. Its an Eleanor Burns quilt that was started in a class that several of us took from a local quilter. I take it just to have a night free to piece some of my own projects and to visit with friends.  Coleen did a great job on her quilt; this is only her second one.

Her border was so busy that I just did a big meander in red, after talking her out of cross-hatching (no point in paying for something that won't show). A "CC" in the red Seminole border finished off the outside.  Each block had a different fill and the sashing had a new treatment for me. I love how it turned out (she says modestly), take a look.

A close-up of one of the blocks. Do you think the sashing looks like wishbones? I have no idea what the actual name of it is.

And a close-up of the back...I always love the back.

Thanks for looking!!

Vacation Finale

While I'm glad to be home, I had a terrific time in Oklahoma! As promised, here are some pictures and the story of my vacation.  My sister, Donna (who refused to pose properly!)

turned 60 in September of this year and threw herself a party in July...in Phoenix (her daughter lives there). I had planned on attending the party, but circumstances with Dennis' mom caused a last minute change. I had a free SW ticket, so I called and change my travel plans to fly to OK in November. I love SW; it only cost me $2 for the change! Turns out, it was way more fun hanging out for three days than having to share her at a party would have been.

This is my sister's house. It is probably the cutest house I've seen in a long time and reminds me of the cabin we stay at in WA. She's painted every room a different color and its just so open. I love it.  Outside, right off the deck, is a river; her neighbors are set farther back, so you'd never know they were there.

This is the view from inside; the plants in the window are usually out on the deck, but since its winter, they're inside now.  Its a veritable jungle in her house this time of year!!

Its such a relaxing and comfortable house filled with quilts I've made for her over the years.  She has more of my quilts than I do!!  Here are a couple (okay, so they are small and pre-longarm, but still.....) There are two others, although one of them is small like these. The other is her birthday quilt...pictures are here.

And this is Lucy. She's a Cairn Terrier and she's so cute!! She helped with my puppy withdrawal and even slept with me two of the four nights I was there. She has a routine of going to the neighbors to visit; they love her too.

Friday morning, first thing, my sis was going to make coffee--or the brown water she usually makes that passes for coffee. She asked how many scoops for a 12-pot coffeepot...two??  No, no, no...six scoops later she was panicking that her pot would clog; then she tasted the coffee. I think she may become a coffee convert!

I already told you about visiting the Beauty College for a pedicure...lovely shade of green, eh??

Then the movies on Friday night...you really do have to see Unstoppable! Its so exciting!

Saturday we went to War Eagle Mills and Eureka Springs in Arkansas. War Eagle Mills is an old mill site where they ground flour, etc. They have a really cute restaurant on the third floor, a gift shop on the second and food items to buy on the first. We ate there on our way to Eureka Springs (beans and cornbread, yum!) and then headed to Eureka Springs. Here is a photo of the town. The streets are narrow and steep and the buildings are so unique. I loved it...no quilt shop though. Weird!!  They did have one of those stores that sells pre-made quilts with quilting that is very suspect. Then I found one that sold Amish quilts; those were beautiful...and expensive.

Sunday we relaxed after our 2 mile walk on this dam. Its a mile from end-to-end, so we parked, walked across and back. Lucy came with us; but about 3/4s of the way across, her little 3" legs were tired, so we carried her the rest of the way. On the way back, instead of carrying her, we stopped frequently so she could rest those little legs and I could take photos.

Donna cooked breakfast when we got back and then that evening, we went to the small town of Wagner, where Kenny, my nephew lives with  his wife and step-kids. We traveled in style in this car; it's a 1939 (I think) Ford something. Very cute and very much fun--weird though because it has no seatbelts; apparently seatbelts were invented after that year.




Kenny and Rachel live in a really nice house; Kenny loves critters, so they have four dogs (three of which were rescues). This is Penelope...she's part Great Dane and adorable. Penelope is the largest, Molly is some sort of cow dog (Aussie/Heeler cross), then there's Snowball who is basically a white, fluffy small mop-type dog and Clyde, the Weaner dog.  Its quite the menagerie!!

I made it home Monday evening after a long day of flying, planes breaking down, etc.  I'm glad to be back, but I miss hanging out with my sister...weird, eh??

Unstoppable!

I can't post pics from OK...sorry; that will have to wait until I'm home again. Tonight we went to the movies and saw Unstoppable...and let me tell you, it was a rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. Definitely a movie worth seeing. Do not wait for the DVD; you need the full surround sound for the effects. It was amazing!!

Run, don't walk, to your nearest movie theater. You won't be sorry!

Do I Sound Funny???

I'm in Oklahoma visiting my sister, so I might be talking (typing?) with a southern drawl.

Long day to get here, but its nice to be able to spend some time with her. I don't get to see her that often and I missed her 60th birthday celebration, so this works our great. We're going to hike and go to the movies and I bet I can even talk her into a quilt shop or two.

Tomorrow I'll take pictures of all the quilts/quilted objects I've made for her over the years.  I think I've practically decorated her house!! I had forgotten about a couple of them. Plus, for her birthday, both my other sister and I made her a quilt and so did another friend.  She's got more quilts in her house than I do...what's wrong with that picture?????

Taking a Short Break

My back has been bothering me a lot lately, so I've found that if I take frequent breaks from quilting, it seems to help.  So here I am, taking a break...

I'll share a couple of cute, not-quilty pictures.  First, the cutest dog in the world, Hank.

and another...

The last one...sorry about the exposure.

I think if you look, you'll find is picture next to "cute" in the dictionary!

Help...Do you have this Fabric??

On Wednesday nights, I take a class at our local community college.  I use the term "class" loosely, as it is basically just a bunch of women getting together to sew with a "teacher." Carolyn teaches the class and for those of us who've been quilting for awhile, its just a get together. For the new quilters, she's absolutely the best person to learn from. I am often granted the privilege of quilting for her and her piecing is perfect!

I'm working on a table runner in her class now and here's the problem. I raided my stash for this project and realized that I don't have quite enough of my focus fabric.

This is what I'm looking for: (sorry for the lack of clarity--I took the photo from a website)

It's a Deb Strain design called "Bistro." If you have some you'd be willing to part with, please let me know! At this point, you could practically name your price!!