Getting Started!

My daughter and I decided to do a couple of
Christmas projects together, so I've been busy
cutting and sewing the last couple of days.  As it
is hard for her to find time to work on these
projects with three very active little boys, I
thought I'd get started.

I have cut 96 of these:

It really went quite fast as I layered the fabric and
used my rotary cutter and new rotating cutting
board.

Then I started sewing them in rows to be cut a
little later.  Hopefully, she will be able to help
with these in her spare (?) time!

Last November we picked up kits for a wallhanging
and planned on doing it after Christmas.  I did get
everything cut out in January, but then it has sat
for the last five months.  Today seemed like a good
day to work on the blocks while I was busy sewing
triangles.

Got the mittens all sewn together:

Tomorrow maybe I can finish sewing the triangles
and get a start on the snowmen after I get some
yard work done.

Two Finishes!

"Bertha" and "Domino" have been back from the
quilter for awhile and have just needed the binding
to complete them.  Haven't really felt up to it
until recently.  Decided it was now time to finish
them and cross them off my list.

I really wanted to hand quilt these, but knew I
would never get them done.  Was very pleased how
Myrna (my long-arm quilter) quilted them.

Love the little flower she quilted in the center of the
block --- and the simple design on the light colored
blocks.

Wonder if I could turn this over and use it in the
fall with some pumpkins, leaves, etc.?















Was very happy with the flower quilted in the
cream colored squares on "Bertha".  Myrna knows
I love anything with hearts and flowers in the
quilting.

This was such a fun little quilt to  piece.  Sorry it
doesn't show up very well.

Was excited to find this fun floral for the backing
that matched some of the colors on the front.

Now I just have to sew name and date on the backs
and they're done!

Tomorrow I'll share what I worked on later today----
getting a start on Christmas.

Nola

Two More Weeks

Ok, so I don't get to go without my ear bandage for another
two weeks, but I do get to drop down to a large band aid
that I will trim to fit my ear.  It feels so much more
comfortable and like my ear can breathe! lol  Dr. said things
are coming along nicely.  Guess I really don't want to rush
things and end up with a scar or not have the skin graphs take.
Just hope my daughter can put up with me having to be my
nurse for two more weeks or longer.

Went on line and found a few places that still have "Ruby"
and was able to order the acqua w/white dots to use for my
sashing for "Full House".  The piece I found from Vintage
Modern just didn't work....a little too much green in the blue,
if you know what I mean, so I'm hoping this will work out.
Really didn't want more red and no green.  Just hope it won't
be too light and that it will work with the binding and backing.
Hope I haven't made a poor choice, but it is hard to find
anyone that still has "Ruby".  

Have the houses all sewn together and if all works out, my
fabric will be here Tuesday and I can finish the top by the
end of the week and then take it to be quilted.

This came in the mail today:

Think I am going to do it in Moda's Vintage Modern
and since I have a gift certificate to the fabric
store, I'm going to get sashing, backing, and
binding now while the line is available.

"Full House"

Today seemed like a good day to pull out another small
project that I started before all this ear problem came
about.  The pattern is "Full House" by Schnibbles and
I'm using "Ruby" by Moda.  I love the bright, cheery
fabrics.

I was able to complete the houses and hopefully
tomorrow I can sew the house rows  together.  I
thought I purchased sashing fabric, but it wasn't in the
plastic box....just the backing and binding fabrics.
So, I may have to wait to finish it until  I can
find something to use to connect the rows.

Hello again, my friends!

Since it has been some time since I posted, thought I'd
share a few things that I've been focusing on.

Met with my dermatologist the end of May and  had a
biopsy done on my ear.  It turned out to be Basal Cell
Carcinoma. Morph surgery was schedule for June 18.  It
was done in four stages and was a rather complicated
surgery.  Gratefully they were able to get all the cancer.
The skin graft has taken well and my ear seems to be
healing well.  I have been grateful to my son and
daughter for changing the bandage daily.  It will be 5
weeks this Thursday and I'm hoping the Dr. will say
"no more bandages." when he checks it again.  I have
been going in weekly to have him check it.

This has been hard for me for some reason and I don't
know why.  It is nothing like I went through with
breast cancer.  But, I'm getting through it and I
tell myself to be grateful I still have my ear and that the
cancer had not gone into the cartilage or I could have lost
my whole ear.

I have also been working on my personal history.
Have been sorting through files and some boxes trying
to find things on my business, "fun things".

   















I think I have found copies of all the catalogs we did.
When I compare the first one to this, one of the last,
I'm surprised we got the orders and requests for
catalogs that we did.   Even found a couple we were featured
in when we were rep'd in Japan.

As I begin to compile things, I wonder how we ever
did all we did having a young family.  Most everyone who
worked for me also had small children.  Yet, somehow we
did it and survived! 

Finally finished all the stitcheries for the "Miss
Birdie" quilt and now have the top all sewn...and it's
only been a year.  lol
















Made this simple mini banner and it was so fun think
I may do some more for gifts.










Enjoyed our local 4th of July festivities with the
family.

Kohler, Hailey and Ian at the parade with their bags
hoping to clean up on candy!

Celebrated life with the help of my adorable
grandchildren.

Well, that's probably enough for now.  Next time I'll
try and share a few upcoming projects.  And who
knows, maybe I can get back to blogging more
frequently.

Nola

Animals Living in Harmony!

Today as my family was driving up home to visit
the graves we came upon this unusual site.  How
often do you see a buffalo, zebra, donkey and two
small goats grazing together in harmony in the
same enclosed pasture?

It was really fun to see and the kids got so
excited to be up close to the animals and  to have
their pictures taken with them.

And, of course, we had to stop at the cheese factory
for an ice cream to eat on the way home.

A good time was had by all even though the day
later turned cold, windy and rainy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday to my sweet granddaughter!

This evening we gathered together to celebrate
her ninth birthday with a barbeque and of course,
her favorite: chocolate cake and ice cream.

Isn't this just the coolest bike from her father?  I love
all the fun, bright colors.  She can't help but be happy
and have fun when she's riding this with her friends.

It's a tradition!  The famous $1.00 bill in a birthday
card started by my mother many years ago.  We
have chosen to carry it on and to never change the
amount.  Funny how we all look forward to getting
that $1.00 bill. I'm the one doing it now and
hopefully when I'm no longer here, my children will
decide to carry it on in their families.

Hailey and her father just before we cut her
cake.  The awesome twosome!


















Happy Birthday, Hailey!