Well, I've been AWAY for a while! May has been a wild month for me. First off, May is National Older Americans' Month. As the Director of our County Senior Services Program, I was very busy planning, decorating and hosting a luncheon for all senior citizens in the county. We had close to 300 people to attend!!!
Second, the following weekend, was the County Relay for Live Event. I was the Survivor Chairman so there was lots of work to do -- registering the survivors, planning survivor reception, sorting and distributing shirts, etc. We raised over $100,000 and still counting!
Then the following week, I went into the hospital for surgery!!!! I'm now on the road to recovery -- still sore and tire easily, but I think things are going to be okay! I will be returning to work soon :(
I have done a bit of applique today == yea! I feel so much better after doing a bit of sewing. Be sure to watch my blog for upcoming pictures! I hope to get some things posted to the blog and become more active during the month of June.
May 30, 2008
April 29, 2008
Wackies at the Deer Camp
The Wacky Pac Quilters got together this past weekend at the Fryer Deer Camp. Thanks to Molly and her hubby for allowing us the opportunity to retreat their during the off season.
There were six of us 'die-hard' Wackies who went on Thursday and stayed thru Sunday. Oh my gosh -- we had SEW MUCH FUN!
Several of
us worked on our strip-block exchange that is currently in progress. There were strips EVERYWHERE! Then we had to audition several of the blocks on the design board to see how they would look. They were beautiful! There were Christmas, Western, Thimbleberries, Browns/Tans, Aunt Gracie, etc. Rhonda put them up on the design wall and as you can see from the picture, we were all oooo-ing and awww-ing over them. They look really good!
us worked on our strip-block exchange that is currently in progress. There were strips EVERYWHERE! Then we had to audition several of the blocks on the design board to see how they would look. They were beautiful! There were Christmas, Western, Thimbleberries, Browns/Tans, Aunt Gracie, etc. Rhonda put them up on the design wall and as you can see from the picture, we were all oooo-ing and awww-ing over them. They look really good!
On Saturday evening, we cooked steaks outside on the veranda. That was anothere adventure, getting the fire going! Rhonda and Kathleen cooked the steaks and they were WONDERFUL!!!! There is one thing you can always count on when the Wacky Pac gets together -- lots of quilting and good food!
April 20, 2008
What A Weekend!
This has been a really good weekend. I had my own little personal retreat. You see, my DH is out of town, so I can do whatever I want to! I feel like I have got a lot accomplished. It started Friday evening after work when I spent the evening finishing up my round on the Spring Fling Round Robin and working on my applique and watching TV. That was a very relaxing evening.
On Saturday, one of my Wacky Pac Sisters and I went to Tyler to A Nimble Thimble quilt shop to attend embroidery club. We are learning machine embroidery applique. We are working on the pattern "Tulip Time" by Smith Street Designs. It was a great class.
Today, I spent most of the day out in my studio working on the Wacky Pac String Block Swap. We are making string blocks (3 each) for each person. I have completed 12 blocks (for 4 people) -- boy that feels good. Hope to get some more completed during the week.
I have pictures, but ya know, my camera was left out in my quilting studio (which is separate from my house) and I'm not going out there in the dark to get it so I'll post pics later in the week.
This is going be a very busy work week for me (meetings, meetings, meetings!), but it will go fast and I will be spending the weekend at the Fryer Deer Camp sewing with my Wacky Pac Sisters. I can't wait!
I hope all of my blogging friends have a great week!!!
On Saturday, one of my Wacky Pac Sisters and I went to Tyler to A Nimble Thimble quilt shop to attend embroidery club. We are learning machine embroidery applique. We are working on the pattern "Tulip Time" by Smith Street Designs. It was a great class.
Today, I spent most of the day out in my studio working on the Wacky Pac String Block Swap. We are making string blocks (3 each) for each person. I have completed 12 blocks (for 4 people) -- boy that feels good. Hope to get some more completed during the week.
I have pictures, but ya know, my camera was left out in my quilting studio (which is separate from my house) and I'm not going out there in the dark to get it so I'll post pics later in the week.
This is going be a very busy work week for me (meetings, meetings, meetings!), but it will go fast and I will be spending the weekend at the Fryer Deer Camp sewing with my Wacky Pac Sisters. I can't wait!
I hope all of my blogging friends have a great week!!!
April 17, 2008
I've Gone Yo-Yo!!!
Some time back, I purchased the Clover Yo-Yo makers. I absolutely love them!!! They are so easy and all the yo-yo's are of uniform size. They are fun to make. I've been making yo-yo's at night while watching TV. I have quite a box of them so decided to make them into something. Here it is -- a flag -- in honor of the good ole U. S. of A!!!!
April 8, 2008
Happy Birthday Daddy
It's been a tough day. My co-worker lost her husband and the funeral was today. I went to the funeral and the first song they played was one that we played at my Daddy's funeral. Of course, it made me sad.
Today would have been my Daddy's 85th birthday. It is so hard to believe that he has been gone from us nearly 13 years. I miss Daddy terribly but know that he is in a better place. I miss you Daddy!
Today would have been my Daddy's 85th birthday. It is so hard to believe that he has been gone from us nearly 13 years. I miss Daddy terribly but know that he is in a better place. I miss you Daddy!
March 31, 2008
Quilting at the Elementary School
My DIL is a 3rd grade teacher at a small school in Centerville, TX. She asked me to come speak to the 3rd graders about quilting. I explained to them how a quilt was made, components of a quilt, and let them try to guess the names of different quilt blocks. I then gave the teachers cut 8-1/2 inch squares of muslin for each child to draw a picture. Each of the three homerooms, chose a theme, colored their blocks and then I sashed and quilted the quilts as a keepsake for the teachers. These quilts are on display at the elementary school.
The second cl
ass chose a mystical theme. It is the quilt sashed in blue. I have also included a close-up of a couple of blocks
. In the close-up, the block to the right was drawn by my grandson. Sorry, just had to brag!!!!
The third cl
ass chose seashells as 
their theme. It is sashed in earthtone colors. There is also a close-up of this quilt as well.
The first quilt (sa
shed in green) is for my DIL. Her class chose to do an outdoor theme. The picture to the left is a close-up of a couple of blocks.
shed in green) is for my DIL. Her class chose to do an outdoor theme. The picture to the left is a close-up of a couple of blocks.
The second cl
ass chose a mystical theme. It is the quilt sashed in blue. I have also included a close-up of a couple of blocks
. In the close-up, the block to the right was drawn by my grandson. Sorry, just had to brag!!!!The third cl
ass chose seashells as 
their theme. It is sashed in earthtone colors. There is also a close-up of this quilt as well.And the Winner Is........
And the winner is..........(drum roll).............Greenmare from Wisconsin! Congratulations. You have won a packet of fat quarters from Blank Quilting. Email me you address and I'll get your FQ pack in the mail.
Thanks to all for the anniversary wishes! I wished I could have given all of you a prize!!!
March 22, 2008
Happy Anniversary
Oh my gosh! It's my Anniversary or should I say "Happy Blogiversary" to me???? I can't believe that I started the Humble Quilter blog on March 22, 2007. It has been a year!!!!! Time sure does fly. Thru blogging, I have learned a lot from each of you. I feel like I have new cyber friends to share with. I appreciate each of you when you visit my blog. I try to get around to everyone's blog, but some weeks I do a better job than other. For some reason, my bosses think I need to work rather than blog! LOL! What's up with that????I will be giving a special gift away in honor of my anniversary to some lucky person. To all who post, I will have a drawing for a lucky winner. Good luck.
March 18, 2008
I HAVE BEEN TAGGED!
Oh my gosh -- I've been tagged by my dear friend Molly -- How exciting as I've never been tagged before! She seems to think that I am "weird and wacky". Well, it takes one to know one -- LOL! Now what do I do? Well, here goes the rules:
The Rules:
1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post The Rules on your blog.
3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 people and link to them.
5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.
Seven Weird and/or Wacky Things About Me!
1. I am a member of a very special quilting group -- Wacky Pac Quilters of Texas. There are nine of us who are as close as sisters. We have LOTS of fun together, laughing, taking road trips, retreating, sewing, cruising, and sharing our love of quilting and sharing our lives.
2. I am the youngest of three children. I have two older brothers. Both my parents had dark black hair and so did my two older brothers! Well, my hair is RED!!! I really got a lot of kidding as a child growing up. My maternal grandmother said that when I was born, she didn't like me!!! She said when my Dad called her and told her I was a girl, she said "well don't bring her over here". She said one day when I was just a young infant, I was very sick. My mother was in the drug store getting medicine and she was pacing back and forth on the sidewalk fanning me as it was so hot outside. She said a man walked past her and said "whew, I bet her mama has to cover her head to let the sun rise". Grandma said if she hadn't been holding me, she would have socked him a good one!!!! She said she loved me ever since! Now isn't that funny? She wasn't fooling me; I know she always loved me!
3. When I was a toddler -- back in the early 50's, I was riding in the backseat of a car with my mother and her friend Ruby Doan (we called her Doanie) riding down Main Street in Humble, Texas. There was no air conditioning back then so naturally the windows were down on the car. There was no law then for child restraints so I was just in the seat on my knees playing with a little plastic car, rolling it along the edge of the car window. One of the wheels of the little car fell off and into the street. I asked them to stop the car to get my wheel, but they wouldn't do it. Well, by golly, I showed them!!! I opened the door and jumped out!!!! We were traveling very slow and I wasn't injured too badly -- just a mild concussion. Maybe this is where I get my "hard headiness".
4. I once worked as the Administrative Assistant to the President and Chief Operating Officer of Shell Oil Company in Houston, Texas. I retired in 2005 as office manager of a power plant and now I am the director of senior services in Freestone County -- a job I never imagined I would have.
5. I have been married to my best friend for 37 years! We have such a great time together. We've been thru a lot together and look forward to lots more crazy times together. We love to travel, go camping, and just have a great time. Each moment is considered an adventure.
6. I have been "zip-lining" in the jungles of Roatan, Honduras. This is probably the WACKIEST thing I ever did! I was scared to death! I was with 3 of my Wacky Sisters and they were not scared at all!!!
7. I am a cancer survivor. In 2003, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. I fought with all my faith, and my might and I beat it! I'll reach my 5th year of remission in October 2008. I consider this to be one the greatest accomplishments of my life. Of course, I didn't do it alone -- My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was the one directing the actions. If you are 50 or older, GO GET A COLONOSCOPY if you have not had one -- IT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE -- It did mine!!!!!
Now -- Here are the people I am tagging:
Peach Quilting
KC Quilter
Swooze
QuiltGranny
LeannesHouse
The Rules:
1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post The Rules on your blog.
3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 people and link to them.
5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.
Seven Weird and/or Wacky Things About Me!
1. I am a member of a very special quilting group -- Wacky Pac Quilters of Texas. There are nine of us who are as close as sisters. We have LOTS of fun together, laughing, taking road trips, retreating, sewing, cruising, and sharing our love of quilting and sharing our lives.
2. I am the youngest of three children. I have two older brothers. Both my parents had dark black hair and so did my two older brothers! Well, my hair is RED!!! I really got a lot of kidding as a child growing up. My maternal grandmother said that when I was born, she didn't like me!!! She said when my Dad called her and told her I was a girl, she said "well don't bring her over here". She said one day when I was just a young infant, I was very sick. My mother was in the drug store getting medicine and she was pacing back and forth on the sidewalk fanning me as it was so hot outside. She said a man walked past her and said "whew, I bet her mama has to cover her head to let the sun rise". Grandma said if she hadn't been holding me, she would have socked him a good one!!!! She said she loved me ever since! Now isn't that funny? She wasn't fooling me; I know she always loved me!
3. When I was a toddler -- back in the early 50's, I was riding in the backseat of a car with my mother and her friend Ruby Doan (we called her Doanie) riding down Main Street in Humble, Texas. There was no air conditioning back then so naturally the windows were down on the car. There was no law then for child restraints so I was just in the seat on my knees playing with a little plastic car, rolling it along the edge of the car window. One of the wheels of the little car fell off and into the street. I asked them to stop the car to get my wheel, but they wouldn't do it. Well, by golly, I showed them!!! I opened the door and jumped out!!!! We were traveling very slow and I wasn't injured too badly -- just a mild concussion. Maybe this is where I get my "hard headiness".
4. I once worked as the Administrative Assistant to the President and Chief Operating Officer of Shell Oil Company in Houston, Texas. I retired in 2005 as office manager of a power plant and now I am the director of senior services in Freestone County -- a job I never imagined I would have.
5. I have been married to my best friend for 37 years! We have such a great time together. We've been thru a lot together and look forward to lots more crazy times together. We love to travel, go camping, and just have a great time. Each moment is considered an adventure.
6. I have been "zip-lining" in the jungles of Roatan, Honduras. This is probably the WACKIEST thing I ever did! I was scared to death! I was with 3 of my Wacky Sisters and they were not scared at all!!!
7. I am a cancer survivor. In 2003, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. I fought with all my faith, and my might and I beat it! I'll reach my 5th year of remission in October 2008. I consider this to be one the greatest accomplishments of my life. Of course, I didn't do it alone -- My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was the one directing the actions. If you are 50 or older, GO GET A COLONOSCOPY if you have not had one -- IT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE -- It did mine!!!!!
Now -- Here are the people I am tagging:
Peach Quilting
KC Quilter
Swooze
QuiltGranny
LeannesHouse
Spring Fling Round Robin
Margaret is coordinating
the Spring Fling Round Robin. We are to send an 8-inch center and we will get back a completely finished quilt -- approximately 20 inches in size.
This is my center. It doesn't look too much like a spring basket but the picture is not real good. I should get my completed project back the latter part of June. I'll be posting the rounds as I get them so be sure to "stay tuned."
Here is the website (I would put a link in but I don't know how! If you do, tell me!)
http://www.springflingroundrobin2008.blogspot.com/
the Spring Fling Round Robin. We are to send an 8-inch center and we will get back a completely finished quilt -- approximately 20 inches in size.This is my center. It doesn't look too much like a spring basket but the picture is not real good. I should get my completed project back the latter part of June. I'll be posting the rounds as I get them so be sure to "stay tuned."
Here is the website (I would put a link in but I don't know how! If you do, tell me!)
http://www.springflingroundrobin2008.blogspot.com/
Applique Thread
The verdict is in! I have tried the following threads for applique:
1. Gutterman Silk 30 wt. (the pink thread)
2. YLI Silk (the taupe thread)
3. Mettler Cotton 60 wt. (the green thread)
4. DMC cotton 50 wt. (the blue thread)
My thread of choice is the DMC cotton 50 wt. It is a very thin thread and works nicely. I like the YLI silk too, but it frays too much when using. The Gutterman Silk ($3.60 for 110 yds) was good too, but it is more difficult for me to get and it costs more than the DMC ($2.80 for approx 5oo yds). I'm sure that I'll be using all of these brands as I have several spools of each, but future applique thread purchases will be the DMC.
1. Gutterman Silk 30 wt. (the pink thread)
2. YLI Silk (the taupe thread)
3. Mettler Cotton 60 wt. (the green thread)
4. DMC cotton 50 wt. (the blue thread)
My thread of choice is the DMC cotton 50 wt. It is a very thin thread and works nicely. I like the YLI silk too, but it frays too much when using. The Gutterman Silk ($3.60 for 110 yds) was good too, but it is more difficult for me to get and it costs more than the DMC ($2.80 for approx 5oo yds). I'm sure that I'll be using all of these brands as I have several spools of each, but future applique thread purchases will be the DMC.
March 6, 2008
What Thread Do You Use?
What thread do you use for applique? I have always used silk thread for my applique -- usually Kinkame (sp) or YLI. I recently took an applique class with Robyn Pandolph and she recommends Gutterman Silk thread. She suggested when cutting off a length of thread, you should hold both ends and gently "pop" it to prevent twisting. This is something I've not done before, but seems to help. Robyn also stated she uses Thread Haven to condition the thread; this is something that I do.
I have tried the Gutterman silk and it seems to not fray as much as the Kinkame or YLI thread. It is a heavier thread, but with the right color match it looks nice.
I am curious about what thread others use for applique. Any comments??
I have tried the Gutterman silk and it seems to not fray as much as the Kinkame or YLI thread. It is a heavier thread, but with the right color match it looks nice.
I am curious about what thread others use for applique. Any comments??
March 5, 2008
Cruisin' Fun
Here is a picture of the Wacky Pac sporting our decorated sunglasses! The glasses were bright colors with all types of "cruise-related" embellishments. We received several comments the day we wore the glasses.March 4, 2008
Our Arrival at the Cruise Dock
March 3, 2008
I'm Home
I am home from the 7-night cruise with my Wacky quilting friends. Boy did we have fun!!! We ate, drank, laughed, ate, laughed, ate, drank, and on and on and on.......
I took classes from Paula Barnes, Robyn Pandolph, Linda Everhart. It was a really fun time.
I have taken lots of pictures, but have not downloaded them to my computer yet -- I had to return to work today!!!! Maybe I'll get the pictures downloaded tonight so I can post for all to see.
I took classes from Paula Barnes, Robyn Pandolph, Linda Everhart. It was a really fun time.
I have taken lots of pictures, but have not downloaded them to my computer yet -- I had to return to work today!!!! Maybe I'll get the pictures downloaded tonight so I can post for all to see.
February 12, 2008
Spring Fling Round Robin
Well, I did it! I was 'blog surfing" and came across the "Spring Fling Round Robin". I just recently completed a 12-month round robin and it was sew much fun that I decided to join in on this RR. It is a much smaller quilt and a smaller timeframe! I think it will be fun. Margaret is hosting this and I'm really excited. I wish I knew how to add a link to her site -- here it is in case you would like to join: http://springflingroundrobin2008.blogspot.com/There's a New Kid in Town
There is a new kid in town -- "K.B." the little rat terrier! K.B. was born on 11/29/07. He moved in with us on Saturday, February 2. He is just precious. I bought him for my husband for Valentine's Day. He has been wanting a little rat terrier for a long time now. I found this little guy in Conroe. He is finally used to us and the house and getting a really fiesty little personality. Our other dog -- a schnauzer named Jackson -- hates him! At first, Jackson just flew into him and we had to separate the two dogs. Now Jackson just totally ignores K.B. It is too funny!K.B. has graciously allowed my DH and I to remain in the house and allows us to sleep with him in the queen-size bed!!!! He is SO ROTTEN!
February 4, 2008
January Sewing Time
I have tallied up the time I spent sewing during January and the grand total for the month is 95.5 hours.
Not all of this sewing was on the sewing machine. I have been making yo-yo's with the new yo-yo makers and I do that while watching TV with my hubby. It's amazing how just an hour or two here and there adds up.
I don't think February numbers will be as high as January. I'm getting ready to go on a cruise, ya know! Still got lots to do for that -- making final decisions on wardrobe, packing, etc.
Not all of this sewing was on the sewing machine. I have been making yo-yo's with the new yo-yo makers and I do that while watching TV with my hubby. It's amazing how just an hour or two here and there adds up.
I don't think February numbers will be as high as January. I'm getting ready to go on a cruise, ya know! Still got lots to do for that -- making final decisions on wardrobe, packing, etc.
January 22, 2008
How Many Hours?
How many hours have you been sewing in 2008? The Wacky Pack quilters have decided to track our sewing time in 2008. We thought it would be interesting to see just how much time we spent sewing during the year.
So far, as of today, I have sewed a total of 81.5 hours. Now at first that seemed like a lot to me, but when I thought about having attended two quilting retreats, that doesn't seem like too much. I know that I may have missed a few hours here and there, but evidentally I must have talked a lot during the retreats! Ya think? Me????
You may wish to track your sewing time -- it's not too late to begin.
So far, as of today, I have sewed a total of 81.5 hours. Now at first that seemed like a lot to me, but when I thought about having attended two quilting retreats, that doesn't seem like too much. I know that I may have missed a few hours here and there, but evidentally I must have talked a lot during the retreats! Ya think? Me????
You may wish to track your sewing time -- it's not too late to begin.
January 15, 2008
Retreat Show n Tell
Check out this black and white quilt. The make liked it so much she used up all her scraps for the backing.
More Show 'n Tell quilts.
At last weekend's retreat there were so many pretty quilts that included embroidery designs. The picture below is the wild flower quilt made by Brenda. The flowers were machine embroidery. I have also included a couple of close-up pictures.
The following picture is made with blocks with silk ribbon embroidery. The quilt is just beautiful -- the picture does not do it justice. Brenda said the quilt is not completed as she has yet to decide on the type of border.
.
The following are some more pics of quilts that include machine embroidery.
More Show 'n Tell quilts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
