Handi Stippler

I just got the Handi Stippler I ordered a couple of weeks ago. It' suppose to control the speed of your machine to whatever speed feels comfortable for you and whatever speed allows you to make better machine stippling. I have to say I love this thing, it allows you to change your speed from real slow to real high and it has many settings in between. The price was very reasonable compared to others I've seen. Now, I'm not plugging this product I'm just giving my opinion. I'll let you know when I find a gadget I think is great. I'll try anything if it'll make my life easier.

Hurricane My Way

O.K here we go again, playing the guessing game of will the hurricane come our way or not. I can't tell you all how tired I am of this. Having to deal with the possibility of getting a hurricane every summer has really gotten to me and now I'm getting angry. I am ready to relocate but hubby has his job here and we have the Galveston beach, the city of Houston, which is a great city by the way. I guess what really made me seriously think of relocating was the evacuation during hurricane Rita. That was a total nightmare! My son in CA has to deal with earthquakes and my newly transplanted son in Jersey City has to deal with cold and snow. So, what's it's easier to deal with, hurricanes, earth quakes, bitter cold or snow? You may not think snow is a big deal but it is when you've lived in Houston your whole life. We only get snow flurries every couple of years, so where is the best place to live. Hawaii is out of the question, it's too expansive to live there. I shall let you all know what happens. Which all of us luck.

Umbrella Girls

O.K this is the second time I post this the other post got lost in cyber space. I bought this quilt top from a co worker who got it as a wedding present from some ladies a long long time ago and it had been in a drawer for 18 years, since my friend isn't into quilting she asked if I was interested in it. I just fell in love with it when I saw it so I gave her $30 for it. It has the smallest applique stitches I have ever seen and the fabrics are good strong cotton and it looks to be from the 50's, very vintage. All the shoes are embroidered and the blocks are pretty big like 16 inches. It's not perfect, one of the sides is missing the border but I will replace that with no problem. I will probably pick a color that matches one of the dresses middle part. I can't wait to make this into a quilt.

More Stuff

Last night I went to bed at 2a.m and this morning I woke up at 7:30. I knew I shouldn't of taken a two hour nap yesterday afternoon but I just couldn't keep my eyes open no matter how hard I tried. I actually didn't feel sleepy today, maybe I caught up with my sleep with that nap. Anyway, today I cleared up my working area some more at least enough to where I can cut some fabric again. I went to Joann's again (Cha Ching$$$$) and bought some more jewelry supplies. I emailed my sister a picture of some earrings I made and she liked them so I'm going to make her some. I bought another book on wire jewelry making. Maybe I should have a jewelry blog as well, LOL! I tell you I'm a picker, I pick into every art media there is. That's what my mom use to say anyway. She would say, " You pick here and you pick there and you never finish anything." I have bad ADD and get distracted easily that's why I go from project to project. In the evening I went to the bookstore with the hubby and I bought two more books, one for $2, UNICORN"S BLOOD. I also got a stretchy fabric books cover that's suppose to fit any book. I hate for my books to get dirty while I'm reading them and I bought a 5 inch wooden artist model to help me out with drawings. Oh, and I bought a lap top desk, you know, the ones that have the padding on the bottom so you can put it on your lap. I'm using it for my keyboard. I quilted some this morning so I'm doing good. I didn't take my babies out for their evening walk so I feel guilty about that. Jane where are you?

Practicing My Free Motion Quilting

I have continued practicing free motion quilting and it's not as hard as I thought it would be. I just need to practice on making smooth rounder curves and circles. What do you guys think of this? I also went to our local JoAnn's which is closing by the way due to a super JoAnn's opening a little further from me. Anyway, I bought a bunch of stuff that was on sale, a beach chair, three quilting books, jewelry supplies, and some cheap fabric to practice some free motion quilting. After I got the total I was like, "How can that be, everything was on sale." You know how that goes. I still have to finish the border of a crib size baby quilt which I started 9 months ago when I was working. I'm happy to say I'm not going back to work. I just can't with my bad back and I wasn't able to do anything else. I accepted the fact that if I worked any longer I was going to be in big trouble. Good news is I'll be able to post a lot more now. My pups are happy to have me home now and they follow me around with their toys all day long. It's pretty funny. I will probably post again as the day goes on.

Agenda For Today

This morning when I looked out my patio window this is what I saw, our cat Hunter, laying next to our fake cat. I couldn't resist and took a picture. I thought that was just too cute to pass up. I will be quilting some more on my baby heart quilt hopefully I will finish that up this week. I also need to practice my free motion quilting. I know, I'm a late bloomer in that department. I'm also trying to finish the book The Witch Of Cologne,which is a very good book. It's a historical fiction and no it's not a scary witch type book at all which is what a lot of people think when they see the title. It's about a midwife who learned a lot of what she knows from a doctor. She knows how to turn a baby while it's in the womb and she knows how to use forceps, something that was rare for a woman to know during medieval times. Anyway the people think she can do all those things because she's a witch.

My Ebay Find

I am so excited about winning this Brother 1500s sewing machine on ebay a week ago. I had been wanting one for a couple of years but due to other more important financial periorities I kept putting it off. One night I was looking through ebay and saw this machine. I couldn't believe my eyes so I put in a bid right away and kept an eye on it for two days. On the last day of the bidding I sat in front of the computer all day and five minutes this the bid closed I put in my last bid of $400. I was hoping the other bidders wouldn't have time to bid again and sure enough I won the machine. It's brand new except that the only thing it didn't have was the quilting foot which I had to buy for $48. I am happy to finally be doing free motion quilting since I have always been old school and hand quilted all my quilts. I tried it and I love the freedom you have to do anything you want as far as a quilting design is concerned. I know most of you have been doing this for years but hey give me a break at least I have caught up with you guys.

THE FLOUR SACK

FLOUR SACK DRESSES

THE FLOUR SACK BY COLLEEN B. HUBERT

IN THAT LONG AGO TIME WHEN THINGS WERE SAVED,WHEN ROADS WERE GRAVELED AND BARRELS WERE STAVED, WHEN WORN-OUT CLOTHING WAS USED AS RAGS,AND THERE WERE NO PLASTIC WRAP OR BAGS, AND THE WELL AND THE PUMP WERE WAY OUT BACK, A VERSITILE ITEM, WAS THE FLOUR SACK. PILLSBURY'S BEST, MOTHER'S AND GOLD MEDAL, TOOSTAMPED THEIR NAMES PROUDLY IN PURPLE AND BLUE. THE STRING SEWN ON TOP WAS PULLED AND KEPT; THE FLOUR EMPTIED AND SPILLS WERE SWEPT.THE BAG WAS FOLDED AND STORED IN A SACK THAT DURABLE, PRACTICAL FLOUR SACK. THE SACK COULD BE FILLED WITH FEATHERS AND DOWN,FOR A PILLOW, OR T'WOULD MAKE A NICE SLEEPING GOWN. IT COULD CARRY A BOOK AND BE A SCHOOL BAG,OR BECOME A MAIL SACK SLUNG OVER A NAG.IT MADE A VERY CONVENIENT PACK,THAT ADAPTABLE, COTTON FLOUR SACK. BLEACHED AND SEWN, IT WAS DUTIFULLY WORNAS BIBS, DIAPERS, OR KERCHIEF ADORNED. IT WAS MADE INTO SKIRTS, BLOUSES AND SLIPS.AND MOM BRAIDED RUGS FROM ONE HUNDRED STRIPSSHE MADE RUFFLED CURTAINS FOR THE HOUSE OR SHACK,FROM THAT HUMBLE BUT TREASURED FLOUR SACK! AS A STRAINER FOR MILK OR APPLE JUICE, TO WAVE MEN IN, IT WAS A VERY GOOD USE, AS A SLING FOR A SPRAINED WRIST OR A BREAK, TO HELP MOTHER ROLL UP A JELLY CAKE, AS A WINDOW SHADE OR TO STUFF A CRACK,WE USED A STURDY, COMMON FLOUR SACK! AS DISH TOWELS, EMBROIDERED OR NOT, THEY COVERED UP DOUGH, HELPED PASS PANS SO HOT, TIED UP DISHES FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED, AND FOR MEN OUT IN THE FIELD TO SEED. THEY DRIED DISHES FROM PAN, NOT RACKTHAT ABSORBENT, HANDY FLOUR SACK! WE POLISHED AND CLEANED STOVE AND TABLE, SCOURED AND SCRUBBED FROM CELLAR TO GABLE, WE DUSTED THE BUREAU AND OAK BED POST, MADE COSTUMES FOR OCTOBER (A SCARY GHOST) AND A PARACHUTE FOR A CAT NAMED JACK. FROM THAT LOWLY, USEFUL OLD FLOUR SACK! SO NOW MY FRIENDS, WHEN THEY ASK YOUAS CURIOUS YOUNGSTERS OFTEN DO, "BEFORE PLASTIC WRAP, ELMERS GLUE AND PAPER TOWELS, WHAT DID YOU DO?" TELL THEM LOUDLY AND WITH PRIDE DON'T LACK, "GRANDMOTHER HAD THAT WONDERFUL FLOUR SACK!"

No Dean For Texas

Now that it looks like Dean has gone somewhere else I can relax and start putting things away after packing some stuff just in case. After being through hurrican Beulah as a kid and being part of the Houston evacuation due to Rita three years ago I panic and start packing every time there's a hurricane in the Texas Gulf Coast. I have left my pictures and important things in containers ready for me to just pick up and go. My husband left for New York on Thursday to take a class with his company and just the thought of him not being with us during a hurricane was making me very nervous. He was doing everything he could think of before he left. He bought new tires for the van, he borded up some windows and he got his stuff in order for his job. My son Chris had just come in from New York and he was the one who would be driving us out of Houston in case we left and he didn't want to go through the traffic craziness. Now Dean has gone to Mexico and feel bad for the people that will lose everything but am relieved for the people in Texas, especially after all the rain we have already gotten. We have had a flooded back yard for weeks and when my husband and I went to get Chris from the airport we couldn't get there because the streets were flooded and the traffic line trying to get to the airport was super long and not moving. We just came back home and went back later after the water receded. I haven't done any piecing nor quilting. I will instead spend my free time with my son Chris while he's home.

Baby Heart Quilt Top

I have finally finished the baby heart quilt top I started three years ago. It's actually wider than it looks. I was hoping it would be wider than a crib size but than it would have been too square. I guess it's a good size. I can't wait to start quilting it. I would appreciate any quilting design suggestions. I am hand quilting it so I can't really do a meandering design. I really had a great time appliqueing the various blocks. The border had to be pieced because it was not enough fabric and I really wanted that certain fabric for the border. I don't think you can even tell though, but having to piece a border from the same fabric really bugs the heck out of me. But it's all pieced so it really shouldn't matter. HA!

Heart Quilt Top

I have been working on this little crib size quilt for the best three weeks. The little UFO had been stashed for three years. It was started with the intention of making it for a future granddaughter and since my boys are getting older you just never know when they will all of sudden get married and start having kids. I'm going to add one more boder on the botton with some angels and then add an around border. I have enjoyed making this little quilt since I like working with small blocks. It's given me a chance to look through most of my quilt books and realizing how many I actually have.

Dick & Jane Quilt Top # 2

This is how I decided to use the left over Dick and Jane blocks that I had left from the first Dick and Jane quilt top. I wanted this to be more girly so I added flower prints. I used all the retro girly prints I had that were big enough. I'm sure I could keep going using up smaller scraps from this quilt top but I think not. I wonder how many quilt tops I could make from the same fabric scraps. Another time. I will use the Baptist Fan quilting design and bind it with red fabric. Can't help but think of crayons when I see this quilt top. This will make a 52x57 quilt.

Dick and Jane Quilt

I just finished a Dick and Jane baby quilt that I had been wanting to make for quite a while. It didn't turn out the way I wanted it to because I was suppose to fussy cut the Dick and Jane blocks on point and didn't so I had to work with them as squares. I think it's more of a boy quilt so if I have a grandson it'll be for him. I have 6 more blocks left so I'm making one more baby quilt using a pattern similar to the Turning Twenty pattern. It's different but not too much. I'm just oing to make tops and quilt them in winter or as soon as I go back to school. It'll be part of my relaxtion in the evening.

Temple Flowers Quilt Finished

I finally have a new quilt picture to post. I finished this 54x54 inch quilt last night. I can't believe it took me so long to finish. I did hand quilt it but I took too long. I'm happy I was able to use up all the left over scraps from the Turning Twenty roe fabric quilt. Now that I think about it it's kind of weird that I first made a quilt with the scraps that I had left over from a top I haven't even basted. Talk about getting distracted. LOL! I am very happy with the results. I will patiently wait for a grand daughter to give it to. School is finally over and I can't wait for tomorrow so I can dive into my stash of fabric and quilting books. The quilting Goddess in me must have guided me into Half Price books last night because once inside I looked into their box of old cross stitch books and hit the jack pot. I found about 40 quilting magazines and each one was $1.50. I bought about ten and came home a very happy quilter.

Quilt Finally Finished

Man or man! I finally have a picture of a new quilt to post. Remember the Temple Flowers quilt I started back in October? I finally got it finished last night. I wish I had a grand daughter I could give it to :( . I am so happy with how it turned out. I just need to wash it to get all the markings off it. It will go into my quilt chest and wait for it's owner. Tonight I will start looking for new projects and whatever UFO I must finish. That won't be hard to do. LOL!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

I want to wish every mother a very happy Mother's Day tomorrow. My two older boys are away from home right now. One is in CA and the other is on his way there to visit, my youngest will be here with me so I'm happy. I'm happy that they are happy and healthy and I think that's all that really matters to a mom.

Texas City Quilt Show

These pictures were taken at a quilt show my neighbor and I go to every year here in Texas at a near by city. There were about 70 quilts on display. It's always such fun to see such creativity from so many different minds. The Bible quilt below was made by my neighbor. She hand pieces and hand quilts all her quilts.

The applique on this basket quilt was stunning. Just beautiful.

My favorite quilt at the show. Reminds me of stars at night.

More Time To Quilt

I am looking forward to more quilting time when school is out which is in two more weeks. The kdis at the school are getting louder and it's getting easier for me to get after them. If they get too loud I just point and they know they need to go to the end of the lunch line. It actually works. I am still quilting away tying to get my quilt done before my son Chris gets home. He will be getting home from Arizona by Sunday or Monday. I can't wait to see him. He will then go to CA to visit the Redwood Forest, visit his older brother, drive the coast and then come on back home. He will then go do his internship in New York for three months. I asked him if he ever got tired of flying and he said no. I get tired just by hearing him talk about it. I was wondering if any of you use the gloves for quilting. You know the ones that are suppose to keep your hands from hurting. My hand and fingers are begining to get sore after quilting. Please let me know if they do help. I have been looking over some very old quilting patterns that have no intructions for rotary cutting and that really makes me not want to even attempt it. I had been wondering the same thing Jeanne asked on one of her recent blogs about how to quilt a blanket stitch applique quilt. My neighbor just does the shadow quilting around each applique design and they look quite good. I'm talking hand quilting. It just amazes me how fast Linda and Jeanne turn out quilts. I think they have hyper active hands or something. I mean it as a compliment girls.

Quilting Update

What can I say, I haven't finished the small 54 inch quilt and it drives me crazy. I certainly am no Linda nor Jeanne. LOL!I really hate to work. It takes up so much of my quilting time. I have done a lot of progress though. I am now quilting the bottom edges. I would do some machine quilting on it but this small quilt will be for my first granddaughter so hand quilting it makes it more special. I had a hard time deciding on the quilting pattern for this little quilt because it's just made up of strips so I just went with straight lines. It also makes the quilting go faster.I made another trip to another LQS and bought some more thread for applique and some books. I bought some cotton silk finish thread. The time I appliqued I used some silk embroidery thread, so I don't know which is suppose to be best. I have used the silk embroidery thread for appliqueing but I didn't think it was strong enough. It was a sale day at the store and I kind of got distracted. You know how that is. I bought the Turning Twenty Around the Corner book and have decided to use that desing for my Sunbonnet blocks. If I use that design I won't have to make many more Sunbonnet blocks. I bought a pattern for a French quilt which is pretty much just quilting whole pieces of fabric with no piecing. I have so much pretty fabric that I don't want to cut up and have just decided to make them into whole cloth quilts. While I was looking at the notions at the quilting store I realized I pretty much have all of them, some that I bought back in the 80's and early 90's that aren't around anymore and that I'm glad I have. I just love quilting gadgets. I bought the really really small almost 1 inch iron for tiny pieces of fabric. I got that at 40% off. I can't resist those Joann's coupons so I may soon have all the quilting supplies they have at the store. I'm happy to report that my youngest son finally found a job. He will be working at Wal Mart and is quite excited. We didn't want him to work till he got done with high school, so, he is quite excited about earning his own money. Hubby and I are pretty excited about that part to.

Spring Break Quilting And Gardening

I can't believe I haven't posted anything since Feb. 21st. Time is going to fast for me. The school where I work will have all of next week for spring break and I am so looking forward to it. I am progressing nicely with my quilting and I better finish during that week off. Tonight I went to the book store and bought two new quilting magazines and an audio CD with a 15% off coupon. The name of the audiobook is Home to Big Stone Gap. I'll let you know how it is. I am so hooked on audio books. I just load them into my Ipod attach it to my ears and start quilting away. I usually get them at Half Price Books because audio books can be pricey. Oh, I would like to know what kind of quilting needles you guys like to use for any of you who hand quilt. I have a bad habit of getting about four different brands, thread four needles and then not remember which one is from what brand. I do that all the time. For the first time in a long time I finally went out to my backyard to do some gardening. The weather here has been in the 60's and it's just beautiful. I pruned my roses and fed them. I have several Angel Trumpet cuttings that need to go in the ground so I am planning on where to put them. I have a yellow one and had been wanting a pink one for a long time. When I found out one of my son's friend's parents had one I told him to try and get a cutting. He was sweet enough to remember to do so right before he went to Arizona. I let my hubby do all the planting since he's the one with the green thumb. I'm good with roses and herbs, but everything else just dies on me. Which reminds me I have to go herb shopping next week. I want to make a hypertufa elephant ear bird bath this summer. I even grew some elephant ears just for that purpose. Off to some more quilting.