Aprons

I am still longarming on quilts I want to hang in my "shop".... but,  I found this awesome Apron tutorial tonight Riley Blake Designs   I found it by way of Maureen Craknell Handmade ......you know how we Quilters love to see what others are doing....Anyways, I think it is a sweet Dresden Design!  I will reveal my two quilts I am finishing soon.....complete with Finial/Rope Display!!

Super Cute!!

Do you have a clothes line?  Just love the clothes pins on it!!  It is great being a Quilter!!.....Blessings!!  Karen

Checkerboard

Have some fun and watch the video on checkerboard blocks....laugh a little with me and life alot!....Quilted Blessings!!  Karen 
these two make me smile!.....alot!......

Wonderful Handguided Quilting Tips!

I am sure I was suppose to find these two ladies!!....I must share!!.....a great! video by Kathie James

 ....

And on another Web page I had on my Bloglovin' I found some beautiful quilting by a longarmer too....I contacted her and she was so sweet to offer any help setting up my business; as I do have nervous feelings about quilting someone elses' labor of "love"!,so check Kathy out at ....Stitch By Stitch   
Just search her page for her designs.  You will be blessed!

I just realized these two ladies are both Kathys"....isn't that great!!......  Quilted Blessings!!  Karen

Magnify My World!!

Swooooooon!!

Just stopping by to give a couple "HELPS" for those that do quilting with a longarm....I am working on my Swoon right now with circles and I thank A Quilting Sheep for her gorgeous picture of one completed with circles using a computer....I am my own computer, so I also thank Jennysdoodlingneedle for her wonderful quilting and circle templates from Lindas Electric Quilters.
So, enjoy the couple you tubes I have for you to watch on using magnets and snap on tools to get your quilt loaded instead of 45 mintues of pinning.  I am going to try it on next quilt loading and let you know what I think too..... Please enjoy!! Quilted Blessings!  Karen

Quilted Eye Candy!!

Had to share this block and tutorial.....it is really so pretty.....I love  the Quilts of Valor colors and really do want to do a quilt for them....Please get a cup of morning java and sit and enjoy!!.....send me a picture of your block if you get one done....I think it is one that will catch on and many will enjoy!!

Wonderful!

Lanieybug Designs   Have a wonderful day is my wish for you!!  Quilted Blessings!  Karen

Did I Swoon Too Soon?

Determination....or stubbornness?....that is what my Mom called it when I was a teen....just plain stubborn....not that she wasn't....that is a story for another day!......:):).....

Carry Me Away!!

hang on ropes....awesome

Swoon.....NOTE OSU colors....on this block :)

I did get my swoon top complete....as it is....it seemed to be a difficult top to piece....or maybe it was just me....but it is done and together and Now to figure out how to quilt it!!....I am also anxious to try some hand quilting with my new thimble by the thimble lady!....I thought I ordered plastic to start but you know how you "click" things...so  a stainless steel one arrived on Friday.  I think God wants me to get serious about hand quilting things too....so that is on my goal list for this week, along with quilting the Swoon quilt.  I saw a great way to display quilts on
Pinterest, that was shown in Pottery Barn.  SO!! I do want to do that on the main wall that folks will see when they enter the quilt shop....and have the lesson availability pinned to each quilt offered in classes.  Even if God only brings me one person a day or two a week, I just want to encourage them and help them in their Quilting Journey.  Fabric is therapy as is quilting in my life.  It gives control to a point in a world that seems to have gone madd in some ways!   sigh!!....breath in worry and exhale prayers, right?
....so come and quilt....anytime....  and maybe try your precious hand at a swoon quilt....it truly is, as a online quilting friend said, "timeless"....
I need more time not less......sorry.....bad joke.too much ripping and resewing!!
Humor me!! Have a blessed day!!
  Quilted Blessings!!  Karen

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

English.....Paper piecing

Can you see into the future?.....well, your quilted future?....recently I have seen a new and fresh interest in English Paper Piecing.  I found this helpful tutorial on it....please, get a cup of coffee or tea and sit down and enjoy.....I am starting a new project of making my friends' kids jean squares, saved while they all grew up, into a quilt.  I am entertaining doing a pineapple quilt of sorts....a mix....like a pineapple salad?....See you soon....for now, just relax! let me know how you are doing! I would love to hear from you!  Quilted Blessings!  Karen

Quilting Is My Music; Come Dance With Me

Precious!!

Always Precious!!

There is a song about Jesus being my song and He is....and music runs thick in our family....the love of it!!....and my son the producing of music.  We had our 5K walk and it was fantastic...the family gathered close to 800$ so far for them....he is now going to get blood work once a month now for the Transplant process...he has a very good prospect for a good match now.....Thanks Be to God....
The reunion was sweet....I think a time of reconnecting, of course, and some good healing.....my sister 9 years younger than I (born while in 3rd grade on a snowy December day and her birth was announced to us over the PA system by the principle that day!).....she went to continue to celebrate life in Heaven 4 years ago...we gathered in the Living Room where she "passed" at my sister 5 years younger than I home...and we celebrated her life again there....no sad tears....just happy.....she always loved butterfly's.....and so our "sisters" picture was around the butterfly on my sisters' fence that surrounds her beautiful pool

fun in the Sun!!

Sisters!

The pool was tremendously enjoyed by the kids.....we always have tons of kids and new babies to squeeze with an immediate family of 112 souls now.....48 attended this year...
My quilt Come Dance With Me Fons and Porter.....was a sweet event.....we figured everyone could sign a LP record on the quilt and write their favorite group and song......God is just so very very good.....all the time and EVERY TIME!!......

Sign Me Please!!

Now, on to quilting my Doll Monthly quilt of Baskets to send to Germany for July.....oops....yes , July is running away pretty fast!!   Quilted Blessings Everyone!!  Karen

Quilting It Out

I am a bit busy with my sons' LP Quilt for next Saturday 5K Run/walk to help him with expenses with his in the future Kidney Transplant.  Of course, we still pray for his healing; it is in Gods' hands...When I was a L&D Nurse we would let gals "labor down"....watch her but just let her body do what it naturally wanted to do; "have the baby!".....so it is with my new needle I am using now...my Quilting Needle....I need to let the Quilt just let itself Quilt It Out.....so I found this video on You Tube I thought you would enjoy watching about figuring out what design to use on that quilt top you are staring at and trying to decide what to do or have your Longarmer do for you.....Please enjoy....and yes, I am Dancing...with my LP Top....the reveal will be soon!!.....Quilted Blessings!!
Karen

  

Rain Rain HAS gone away!!

"What do you do when".....The Beatles Song....ok so, when life gives you Lemons, you make Lemonade...or I always try!!....or if your life "gets out of tune"?......Dance.....maybe in the Rain...

Sprinkle Zoo Day

So, the last week we have spent with family..Sparklers, grinding flour to bake bread, visiting the chickens, watching Corn Grow......going to Lake Michigan, Kids Museum, Zoo, SB Chocolate Factory, Fireworks, visiting Cousins, to get rained out!...and back home.....BUSY! FUN! and the Best Time Ever!! So just enjoy the pictures for today and trust me....I AM going circles around you!!...actually, cutting circles out for a signature Quilt Dance With Me....LP's for my sons benefit 5K showing support for him and his family and Kidney Transplant future.....so!! I am going to be dancing with my Suziebell Longarm soon...but for now....circles to cut and applique....
And before they got here......build a porch, sort photo pictures, get my Quilt Shop in order.....yes, busy....so now I am coloring my hair and blogging!!.....important stuff too!!....Don't laugh....but the best is Family time.....lots of giggles!
and even a car that leaked power steering fluids all over my son in laws driveway!!..and a tow to be fixed....then a flash flood and so! NO we didn't go swimming with the cousins but we played in the basement and then had Donatos' Pizza before returning to Indiana....of which we had to stop 2 times due to STORMS!!....and possible flash flooding on the way back home.....so yes, we are a bit on the worn out side!!...but it makes for a great story!!.....and you just can not make it up!!.....

South Bend Chocolate Factory

Lake Michigan Fun

Our Beloved Chickens....August Eggs

Result of Lasagna Gardening

Close to the Kangaroo

Flash Flooding in Daughters Front Yard! (from my fixed car)

Rain?....play in basement toy room!

It All started with Sparkler Fun!! Happy 4th!

Grinding Wheat!...yum!!!

Disco Girls at Kids' Museum.....FUN!!

My precious Girls!!.....some of them!!

Saying Goodbye!!.....what a wonderful time!!

Quilted Blessings....and back in a few with a Quilt To show and tell about!!......Dance Girls!!!.....and make Lemonade if necessary!!.......Karen......thanks for joining us in our fun....week!!!!

Happy 4th!!

Wow, can it be.....the wheat is getting cut off....my hub and I have a joke....he said since he was a kid on the farm that it seemed when they harvested the wheat and baled that the summer seemed almost gone....so he points in the Spring at the green, beautiful wheat fields....then it slowly turns yellow...and we drive here and there and sometimes...point at the fields....thinking...oh my, time is flying....well, it is getting harvested now and soon baled...so summer seems to be going fast but I would not agree it is almost gone!! I have not even started to can or freeze yet....want to put up things this year....but!!....yikes!!!....now when the locust start their serenade summer WILL only have 6 weeks till fall.......OK!! STOP you say....

gorgeous colors

I am going to share a sweet Aussie sight that I visit when I can....she is just lovely...and as the years have gone by she has grown into quite a business.....now she even has developed a new line of fabric for.....you guessed it....our sponsor of Stamp It Up Blog Hop....Red Rooster!!.... she is heading to the USA right now to set up at a Quilt Convention.....but she shared her new line just before taking off...so just visit her link and enjoy her work.....you will get hooked, promise!!! Helen at Hugs and Kisses
Have a safe and blessed 4th of July Celebration....we head to Winona Lake tomorrow night with our sons' family to celebrate!!.....for now, Quilted Blessings!!! Karen

The End

It has been so much fun and amazing to see all the Stamp It Up work!!...just great!!.....God Bless Pig Tales and Quilts and Madame Sam  and last but not least  Red Rooster Fabric !!   
Please go to Madame Sams' blog above and check out the winning Stamp!!  Just so much Fun!!

Please enjoy our last day of this hop but be sure to check back for more Hops to come!!.....have a safe and wonderful July 4th!! ..... I have been sorting and cleaning now for a few weeks....LONG enough! for this obsessive Quilter, so I hope to get back to quilting....my DQM doll quilt is going to be Baskets this month....Fun!! ..... my heart also goes out to the fire fighters' families in Arizonia right now with their great loss; my hub was a fire fighter near the Dallas area years ago and I know the concerns that wives and families have as their loved ones serve us in that way.....and then our soldiers and families...my hub is also a Nam Veteran.....so I give prayers this week for those that serve us every day.....Quilted Blessings!!......Enjoy the Stamps!!   Karen

                                                     July 3rd

                                               Meadowbrook

                                               More Stars In Comanche

                                               Dachsies With Moxie

                                               Notion Nanny

                                               13 Woodhouse Road

                                               HeikesQuilt'

                                               Traveling Quilter

                                               Jackie's Art Quilts

                                               What About Rheema?

                                               From This To That

                                               Sew We Quilt 

                                         

                                       

Stamp It Up!!

It has been great!!!  Please stop by the blogs below to check out the ideas and projects.....so impressive!!.....I think Pig Tales and Pigs and Sew We Quilt will totally agree!!.....that Red Rooster fabric give away is also going to be hard to decide who the top winner is!! ..... Enjoy the Hop!!  Quilted Blessings!!  Karen

                                                                        July 2nd


                                                                   Sew and Sow Farm
                                                                   Fishkopp
                                                                   Scraps Of Life
                                                                   Meadowbrook
                                                                   Katie and Kwilts
                                                                   Ems Scrap Bag
                                                                   Grammie Q's
                                                                   How Art You?
                                                                   Bumleberry Stitchn
                                                                   A Stitch In Time

                                                                     

fun!!!

Granny Squares

Granny Squares

Just had to share what was in our mailbox today from Germany....I LOVE being part of Doll Monthly Quilt doll quilt swaps...she really outdid herself!! and Thank you so much!!!....  Quilted Blessings....come back tomorrow for our Stamp It Up Blog Hop List...Karen

Back is Sweet!!

Stamp It Up....Three Days Left

So much fun....the gals have done awesome work so far.....please enjoy hopping to the blogs below and leave a comment too....it  means so much to each one!!.....  Thanks Again to.....Pigtales And Quilts  and Madame Sam   !!!!

                                                              July 1st

                                                         Sew Many Yarns

                                                         Quilt Matters

                                                         Scrapbook-Chickadoodle

                                                         Patchouli Moon Studio

                                                         The Slow Quilter

                                                          A Loose Thread

                                                          Janes Fabric and Quilts

                                                          Selina Quilts

                                                          Debby Kratovil Quilts

                                                          Dancing Thru Threads

Have a wonderful day hopping through our Bunch of Stamp It Up Hop Girlfriends.!!  Blessings!!  Karen

Let Us Not Forget.....

I pause on this for a few days.....in honor of those that gave their lives...in many battles and wars....and are still serving us....protecting us......Blessings.....Karen

JUNE 28th.....Dick and Jane Stamp.....

Hi,         
  Thanks for stopping by today and we all hope you enjoy the Stamp It Up Blog Hop .... we finish after the weekend.....so be sure to come back on Monday....you will be blessed by taking the time to visit my fellow quilters on our list for today....so creative!!! THANK YOU AGAIN.....Pig Tales and Quilts and Madame Sam  !!!

Jane had Puff and Dick had Spot!

  I debated on a few ideas for my Stamp It Up Minature Quilt....our hometown was also the home of Tell Taylor who penned "Down By The Old Millstream:....to the young folks they may have never heard that old song....but I sure did.....probably weaned on it...along with paint fumes and varnish, as my Dad owned his own painting business and also refinished furniture for folks in his Man Cave....Shop at the back of our property....he was always singing, humming...he was part of a Christian Quartet and even competed on State level and they won the top ribbon at the Ohio State Fair many many years ago.  My Dad was a friendly guy, never met a stranger and made most people comfortable in all situations.  He would strum his right ring finger with his Lodge ring on the big steering wheel of the 57 Red Ford Station Wagon, as we ran around town to check on his jobs or run to the AW Root beer stand for a "treat"....he smoked his Lucky Strike cigarettes and sang the old songs..but I didn't go that route as you can see;  I wanted to share my roots abit with this stamp.....we grew up in the 50-60's, born in 49 when stamps were very cheap....I found a 2 cent one that I liked because it blended with the other colors in the Dick and Jane photo I copied with my printer onto   photo print fabric.  I asked my hub what was it that he remembered the most as he grew up on the farm...minus raising 4H steers every year and detasslling corn by hand all summer long...or going to the public pool whenever we could.....I was raised in a big family so there were always chores to get done with Mom.....but both of us just relished our time on our bikes....riding all over town to do errands, go to the library, go to the dentist...go to 4H meeting...ride our bikes to school....it was our time away from the work that our homes poured into our lives....so, along with learning to read with Dick and Jane adventures, we both had our memories of our bikes....our anventures as Gary and Karen....we met in 9th grade, so the first time Gary walked me home from school he had his bike resting in his left arm as we strolled to my home together that wonderful month of May of '65.....so if you have taken the time to read my little romance and history of my stamp you are a trooper!! and I give you a big quilted hug!!
....please accept my photos; they are not that great....but I did enjoy making the stamp....and I love my growing up years.... I only wish most kids today had half of the joy and security that we grew up under.....pressed between the love of family and friends........God Bless!!
  I won't even go into the fact that I grew up on Cherry Street and could have done a stamp in Cherry Blossoms and called it The Cherry Street Gang......I am just sayin'.........Quilted Blessings......Karen
                         JUNE 28TH
                     Robins' Fabric Nest
                     In The Sewing Basket... Me
                     Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
                     Just Quilt It
                     Annie Oak Designs
                     Buzzing and Bumbling
                     Kris Loves Fabric
                     Cherrys Praire Primitive
                     Hanging On By A Thread
                      

Time for the second day in Stamp It Up!  So many cute ideas so far!!  Red Rooster Fabric has given bundles to be given away at the end of the Hop....so fun!!......and yes, my own little Rooster is still trying out his new found voice...I think it surprises him!  Have a fun and safe quilting day!  I know I will try.

So, there is our price to run for this Blog Hop!!  Please enjoy visiting the blogs for today, I know you won't be disappointed!  Quilted Blessings!  Karen

                                                             Ruffhaven

                                                             Englating

                                                             Charlottes Creations

                                                             Moments

                                                             Feathered Nest Studio

                                                             Moose Stash Quilting

                                                             Janes' Quilting

                                                             Hill Valley Quilter

                                                             

Stamp On It

Please enjoy the Blog Hop.....Stamp On It!!   I am excited and anxious to see all the creative stamps that these blogs will come up with!!  I hope you stop by daily for the next few days to check them out!  Today, please travel to the Blogs listed below!! There are more each day thru next week, excluding the weekend.....Mine will be up on Friday....still working on it ... : )...... I woke up early this morning to one of our two new baby roosters trying to crow....it is pretty mild yet and I thought some animal was hurt.....I thought that was a good sign, as our sponsor is Red Rooster for this hop!...Love their fabs!!.....maybe by next week the Rooster will be in full voice!! You never can sometimes always tell !!!
                                                                       

Our Cheerleader for this Hop is Pig Tales And Quilts, you HAVE to see her Stamp!.....awesome!!.... and of course our Leader of This Pack......Madame Sam   Such great gals! sew so much encouragement ..... our lives and hearts so full of threaded thoughts!.....not all people understand where we quilters come from! but these two do!! ......  threads are our "sawdust".....

So, here we go!! please enjoy the creations and drop a line to the gals!  Thanks for your visit!....you might as well start out with that first cup of java or tea.....kick your heels up......Praise God for the rain, (if you are getting it; we did and it is wonderful!)....  Quilted Blessings today!!  Karen

                                                          Marjories' Busy Corner

                                                          Life In The Scrap Patch

                                                          Pig Tales And Quilts   

                                                          Little Mushroom Cap

                                                          So Sew Green

                                                          Thimblemouse and Spouse

                                                          Just Let Me Quilt

                                                          Words And Stitches

                                                          In Stitches And Seams