Too Many Projects!

I finished two quilt tops, oops, make that three quilt tops (ufo's) over the weekend and cut out the next oldest of the stashed walmart pattern-of-the-months. I don't know why I am so "driven" to get so much done, I don't have a time limit............. It has been raining like crazy the last couple of days, so am stuck in the house. When it rains, I can't go over to my "studio" to work on the machine! Today, I signed up for two more quilt alongs and a knit along. What am I thinking!!! Well, at least I am accomplishing something, ...........I think?! Check out the new quilt along at www.crazymomquilts.blogspot.com

Birthday Fat Quarters

In a Yahoo quilting group I am a member of, we send other members fat quarters of fabric for their birthday. Here is mine for 2008 and aren't they beautiful? I have found that I enjoy working with fat quarters of fabric and remnants more than yardage! I especially love the cat fabric! I have been working on a walmart quilt-of-the-month pattern from a couple of years ago while I am waiting for the next clue for the Orange Crush mystery quilt (quiltville.com). A lot of quilters that I have talked to over the country in the past have never heard of the walmart quilt-of-the-month patterns. I guess we were just lucky in this part of NC. I started collecting them in 2002, and ended this Feb. when the fabric department got rid of their fabrics. This was a STUPID move on walmart's part, but don't get me started on that! Thanks to everyone in the CatsnQuilts group!! I had a wonderful birthday last month!

Aran Bears

I like to make Aran sweaters for bears that I buy at the Goodwill. I give them to adults who need a little tlc. The ones I have given away so far seem to be appreciated. They are resting on the (quiltville.com) Carolina Crossroads quilt, which has now been quilted, btw. For some reason, the bear with the blue sweater looks like he is missing an eye......not the case, it's just hidden by fur! My daughter's camera-shy kitty was in the photo, but decided not to participate!

Yes, I do spin!

It's been awhile since I've done any spinning, but it's like riding a bike....it comes back quickly. And of course, I'm spinning purple dyed wool. I can knit and spin wool, but it is hard for me to wear it! I like to spin outdoors on the porch, because the veg-matter always makes a mess indoors (sticks, burrs). The yard kitties were very curious about my spinning, they are still young and haven't seen me spin until yesterday. Maybe you could call me the "barefoot" spinner. My wheel is an Ashford Traveller. I used to have five wheels, but have narrowed it down to just this one, plus a few spindles. I think I do too many hobbies!

Yesterday was a bummer!

Ever have a day that starts off questionable and keeps getting worse? That was yesterday for me. I was supposed to go to our local quilt guild meeting, which meets in an old historic house, remodeled by the Foothills Arts Council in Elkin. When I got there, they had moved the meeting upstairs. Being retired on disability with multiple health problems, those stairs looked like the stairs in the Hatteras Lighthouse to me. Unclimbable! So after making an explanation to the leader (who happened to be coming around the corner, downstairs), I just left. Well, guess I won't be going back to another meeting there! Some of the members (this is a 1pm meeting) are elderly, and possibly couldn't climb the stairs either. I don't think I was alone with this problem. Aren't there laws covering access to public areas for everyone?? I'm not usually this negative, just hurt and annoyed. I'll be in better spirits when the clue #2 of Bonnie's Orange Crush pattern comes out (hehe). Think I will knit on my sock today.

Civil War Quilt Blocks

This is a photo of my Civil War Diary/Love Letter blocks that I have made so far. I fell very far behind while I was working on other necessary projects and UFO's. Please excuse my "junk" in the background. I just don't have a good available flat surface to photograph on. I am probably the only person that I've seen that is making these blocks out of solid colors. I try to use the colors from the book. I just like to be different, I guess, but I really do like the way these are turning out!

Goodies from Miss Marple KAL

My wonderful boxful of goodies from Feralmama arrived today. It came all the way from Canada and everything is so wonderful! I am more than pleased with what she sent. I wasn't expecting so much! If you are reading this.....thanks again, Feralmama. You've made my day! (How did you know that I am a socknitter??) I feel like I have made a new friend!

Today's Work

I decided to show you a couple of photos of a baby quilt I am working on for charity. I don't usually let people in my "studio", but this is different. I bought my quilting machine from Gammill in 1994. The new models these days are much different. My machine is a converted old Singer and is completely hand guided, not computerized like these now adays. I retired from quilting for the public about 5 years ago, but still do charity quilts as I feel like it. I thank God for the ability to still be making these little quilts for someone in need!

Spring Quilt

Just quilted yesterday! Put this one together Saturday afternoon. A real quickie quilt for charity. I really like the way this turned out, though. By the way, this is the first photo I've taken with the birthday camera! I'm not the world's best photographer, that's for sure. The quilt is about 60"x 60"

A Special Present

My friend, Tammy gave me a copy of this book for my birthday, and it is very special to me. You see, my Mother used to have "pet" spiders. She's never kill a spider, either indoors or outdoors. She was probably the only one ever with that philosophy, and I never knew why, other than she said "they eat the bugs". Except for the nasty, agressive spiders, I don't like to kill a spider either. One time a nice, friendly spider was living in the corner over my bathroom sink. It would come down a ways to say "Hi" and "Thanks for leaving me alone". One day a bad spider came & killed my friendly spider. (That one is history!!) To this day I still can't git rid of my friendly spiders web. Just call me wierd. I borrowed the photo above from Amazon.com, where you can read this wonderful story if you want to buy a copy of the book. I loved it!! Thanks Tammy!!