Swoon

Bake Shop Arrival

All the Colors!

 Swoon....I thought that was a different name to give a block, but it fits it now that I have worked on my first block.  I had "one of those" sewing days....rip rip rip!.....I cut things wrong, I placed them together wrong....I love the colors and I love the pattern, I just could not get my brain and my hands to work at the same pace and at the same place.....does that make sense? ...... So, I was determined to get the first block done today, you can find the pattern with Camille at Simplify....

A rough look at my first block!

I love her work...there are only 9 blocks in the quilt so it should go fast....if brain and hand coordination is going at full speed!...I want to teach this in a class....I know I will have to take extra time now to help those working on it so, it will be a couple days of classes, I think.

Our West side Porch Being Built

  My hub has been faithful to keep working on the porch, one piece at a time....he put the stairs rails on and has some of the smaller posts covered with larger pieces of wood to somewhat match the raw lumber that came with our kit 10 years ago. To join a new porch to an existing porch is not that easy and he is up there on that ladder, balancing and hammering at the same time....He asked to to help with a piece last night.  I had to pull against the board so he could angle it in. And wouldn't you know that our two Goldens wanted to come back on the back porch with me at that moment....while I was on a step ladder, and one foot on the porch railing, pulling against the board above me....they finally realized that the space was too narrow around the step ladder to come on my side!!...ARGH!!..... I really dont know how Gary and I built this big old "Ark" (my dear friend in Denver calls it Noahs Ark)....but we did and we still are!!
  I do like the new porch and next year we will add the east side porch for a complete wrap around. Just extra news!! I  thought I would add a little of what we are up to, besides quilting. Well, my hub does not quilt but he hears about it and drums up business for me where ever he is at! Sweet guy!!
We do have a small apple tree so I hope that they are ripe when the grapes are ready in Berrien Springs Michigan....Stovers is a great place to get peaches, grapes, apples, etc.  Years ago while we were in Oregon I picked up a stainless steel juicer...made in the Netherlands...and OH, how we love juice made with it....so folks may get grape-apple juice for Christmas this year, if all goes well.
  So, I do feel like I accomplished something today; I conquered the Swoon block!....now to get better points on the rest of them!!....it is ok, if it is not pieced perfectly; the quilting hides "alot"...and hey, only God is perfect anyways!tomorrow is a day with "no mistakes in it" said by Anne with an "e"........my cord to computer finally just bit the dust!  See you in a few when I get it replaced!!....JOY!!

may you have peace and joy is my prayer for you!  Quilted Blessings!!  Karen

Intense

My son just shared this on facebook....it is funny because I don't spend time on facebook much.... but I was scouting around for a recipe and you know how you get "side tracked"?....anyways I caught my sons' post.... I will probably tweet this article....I see how these technologies are forcing us to fall in step and I thank the Lord for "family tech support!"
....but I quilt and my hub builds things....invents things........and we do other things with our hands....I am going to learn violin, he is going to blow on the trumpet.....and I must spruce up my piano keys with my sweat.....we were raised that way....using our hands.....that is cool for us....and just imagine if we could tap into the folks below that are using their hands on the internet or on devices to use their hands too in the "old ways"...what a different world we would be going into, I don't mean to cut down the generation that thrives on these devises .....:)....so.....enjoy the info...and don't get too overwhelmed....it is out of control!!....
 So, plan for my day?.....Cutting out my Swoon Quilt to teach in my shop using Bake Shop fabric from Lori Holt today and making an Apple small quilt wall hanging for my daughters' 5th grade class.....I really just YELLED that!! we are so elated that she landed a teaching job....she will be awesome!!....busy Mom and teacher now.....God Bless You Leah!!......Quilted Blessings!!  Karen
Check this out! One Second Designly

Hexies

Just dropping by to give a link to 44 hexies on sale....they look very cool and will last a very long time!  I think I am getting the "fever".....the only medicine is to order and get started!!.....Hexies
Quilted Blessings!! or Quilted Hexies?....Karen

Back to School

The time is nearing....all the Grandys are heading back to school; if not this week it will be this month.  Even College Gals are heading back.  Our Grandgal in Maryland has a FULL load this semester, including Arabic.  It is her goal to learn it and use it!  The Grandgal in SC is going into Public Health and hopes to work in preventing diseases.  We are so proud of them.  We have one Grandson and he thinks he will probably be a teacher, kids hook onto him like a magnet!!  He loves it!....our other grandgals are in Preschool, Elementary, Middle School and High School....They just keep growing and make us so proud as Grandparents (Dobbie and Papa)....so we got a few more times with them before they head back; going to Ohio next week and we were in Bloomington last week. 
I have prepared my first class that I will offer in my Little Quilt Shop....Square in a Square...it took me all day to make it up and then finish up the small pattern called Constellation from Jodi Barrows instruction book of the basis technique that she developed along with her rulers.  It works...and I think beginners will feel so good about perfect points, etc that they will be able to achieve with her teachings.More tomorrow about the class, for now....Jodi 

More Funny Summer Fun!

Grandson in the Center...just a cool guy!

Just check-out

hot summer day at the creek

Jean Pocket (her kids played in those jeans at the McDonalds behind her!)

Pockets Galore!

Yep our Chickens are Contributing!!

Laugh....I thought I would die!!

No, it is at a Nursery!

Bathing Beauties' at the Reunion...so cute

Just Funny Faces!

Right now, I must clean up my fabric "sawdust" and head out to make tacos....hungry Quilters here. WE had a great summer! Hope yours also was great!!  Quilted Blessings!  Karen

Thimblelady.....Amazing!!

I am taking you on a video journey, aren't I?.... while I work on my own projects and set up my shop....I have always wanted to hand quilt along with my longarming....I know it is unique and so personal, to quilt by hand.  I raise up my "hands" to those that hand quilt.  So, I will give this a try if you will....relax, get your hot coffee or tea....or cold :)....and enjoy this "archive" video....

you can find Alex Anderson here now!  She has so much fun!!  Please visit The Thimblelady too!! I did and I can't wait for my practice plastic thimbles to arrive!!   Quilted Blessings!!! Karen 

Spring Quilt Fesitval....Size Matters....Something to make you laugh!

Just enjoy! It is wonderful to see all our favorite designers in one spot....and having fun!! and such beautiful quilts......Quilted Blessings!!  Karen

Advancing On

Please enjoy this video today.  I totally love Jodi and her techniques...giving us a way to keep the points pointed and squares square and neat ideas for borders too.  I am setting up my quilt shop and doing a bit of longarming for my shop and getting my Quilt Lessons ready to teach; so enjoy the videos that I find....Thanks for visiting....If you ever have a question or concern please email me anytime.  Quilted Blessings....Karen
  GREAT NEWS!! Jodi is coming to Rockford Illinois....consider going to see her teach....I surely am!! Trunk and Teaching Time with Jodi