Sew Lucky Am I

It has been a frantic month but I have had some time to quilt and see my grandboys. I had to get online immediately because Vince gave me my birthday present early. Tonight when I came home he had carried my gift up to the quilting room and I had to show all of you. He designed it himself to hold my grandmother's sewing machine head that I have always cherished. He cleaned it up as it was covered with a sticky grime from being anywhere except in a house for years. We converted the treadle feet and drawers to a sewing table for me many years ago but the head has always been saved for something special. Here it is, all polished up except for the worn off painting where it has been used. The three little drawers are for quilting threads, scissors and tools, and buttons. The middle shelf holds my books and magazines and the bottom shelf accommodates my seasonal stash (can be changed to meet the seasonal needs I am working on). I just love it!

Sew Where Have I Been?

There is just no excuse for not blogging! I have been busy with work and now we are traveling, but there is just no excuse for not blogging! Actually, I have been working on some projects. I mailed my friendship bag to Australia. I have started on my Fall Mini Quilt Swap. I have been working on getting some fall wall hangings done. But most of all, I have been using my trusty book, Quilters Travel Companion that my brother and sister-in-law gave me for Christmas last year.
Vince and I have been on a well-needed vacation. We left Mitchell last Friday night and this is our seventh night on the road. The foliage we have seen is certainly the most beautiful of God's quilts. The roads through Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky were gorgeous, but when we drove into the mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland the expanse was breathtaking. The weather in Williamsburg was warm and sunny and I needed that. We also took in the drive to the Delmarva Peninsula and the sight of water gave me a thrill.
Today, however, I visited a most delightful quilt shop in Ohio. I have visited many on our trip but this shop was special. Kathryn, the owner, helped tally up my purchases and I told her that I was going to spread the word on this wonderful place. Lucky are the people who live near Springfield, Ohio (not Illinois) as Creative Fires was a real find. I have never seen and touched so many beautiful flannels. As we were driving, I had decided that I was going to put a tree or a wreath in the center of the twelve friendship blocks we made and shared for a Christmas quilt. I found the pattern for the wreath at Creative Fires. One of the very pleasant staff told me that the owners started out selling stoves, then Bernina sewing machines and one of the customers asked Kathryn why she didn't sell fabric as well, thus the name Creative Fires.
The pattern book I bought for the wreath is one of Eleanor Burns books but in the shop they have the wreath done in four different fabric types for the four seasons. I took a picture which I will download when we get home on Saturday.
The great part about finding this shop is that they are building a new web site and you can order from them online. http://www.creativefires.net/ Check it out!

Progress

I have been having some great fun finishing projects. First, I finished my summer mini quilt swap and it is packaged ready to go to Europe. Can't tell you any more than that. I named it Dew on the Daisy. I really think it is quite pretty.

I also finished the pillow and lap throw for my nephew and his bride to be on September 12th. I love Holly Taylor's Moda fabric and this year's is no exception. The lap throw is the "Cabin Fever" created for Frosted Memories. I added a border so that it is a bit bigger and I used the Qbot to quilt snowflakes on the cornerstones and inner border. I think it turned out quite well. If you click on the cornerstone I think you can see the snowflake. Loads of love anyway.

What a difference a center makes

I have not had much time to sew lately with schools starting and work hectic. I did spend a bit of time tonight working on my mini summer quilt swap. I have never done a Dresden plate block and I had picked up some gorgeous daisy prints earlier this summer. Daisies and summer go together in my book. Well, my creative juices are going and I added some old crystal beads I had in my sewing room and now I believe I am going to call it "Dew on the Daisy" as the bit of sparkle reminds me of that. Be sure you click on the picture because then you can see the sparkley thread also. I just had to take these two pictures because the center made so much difference in the block. I'll be certain to show you the finished block before I mail it away.

Another Swap

I am just loving it. I love to give gifts and it is fun to get packages in the mail. Hurry over to Quilting Gallery and join in the fun. This is the cutest little bag and just think of what you could put in it.
Wanted to include a picture of all of us from Mitchell who went to Quilts and Vines last Saturday. I know some of you read Sara's blog (she is in the picture). I am in the hat on the right in the back.

Baba in South Dakota is Praying for Stellan

God is working in our "small world". Leslie wants us to wear orange tomorrow! This dear little one and his family are friends of my daughter and her family in Minnesota. I know God is watching over him and his family. Stellan is a precious child who is in the hearts and prayers of many. I pray that all of my blogging friends begin to pray for him and spread story far and wide. God will do the rest!

By the way, go to Leslie's post and add your post! http://www.lambertslately.com/2009/07/orange-for-stellan.html#links

Just to let you know I am reading the blogs

ABC's of ME
I've seen this on Sara's and Tonya's , so I thought I'd give it a shot as well.
A - Age - 62
B - Bed size - Queen and I love to sleep
C - Chore you hate - cleaning the cat box
D - Dog's name - our English Cocker is called "Abbey"
E - Essential "start your day" item - coffee with cream
F - Favorite color - lime green and red
G - Gold or silver? well, I really like both and together
H - Height - about 5' 1"
I - Instruments you play - I played the clarinet and piano
J - Job title - Agency Director
K - Kids - son 37 (next month), daughter 34
L - Living arrangements - the most kind man in the world who happens to be my second husband
M - Mom's name - Carol
N - Nicknames - Mickey and DocSly
O - Overnight hospital stays (except when giving birth) - too many to mention
P - Pet peeve - someone who listens with their mouth going
Q - Quote from a movie - anthing said by Dermot Mulroney
R - Right or left handed? Right
S - Siblings? a brother who almost nine years younger than me
T - Time you wake up - through the week early enough, weekends - 8:00 or so
U - Underwear? always
V - Vegetable you dislike - chard
W - Workout style - I try to do something everyday and that means walking or biking at the rec
X - X-rays you've had - I light up
Y - Yesterday's best moments - baseball game in Denver with my grandson
Z - Zoo favorites - I really don't like the zoo at all!