Summer Hiatus is over...

Well...summer has been very fun, I must say.  Lots of things going on and so many changes in my life.  Best thing first...I have lost 43 pounds!  My weight loss has been due to a number of things...people, really...I have been working with a nutritionist...see www.marianutrition.com for information on her.  She helped me discover that I am gluten intolerant and also helped me ditch sugar.  All very important changes in my life...I am off all of my medications except for the one for arthritis.  My friend, David, is a massage therapist and he has helped me get off the medications as well...my back is so much better and now he is helping me with my knees.  I will be off the arthritis medication as well...shortly.  I can walk and sleep without pain meds...he is truly a Magic Man...then, an acupuncturist, Dona.  Dona is doing wonderful things for me as well.  She has been working on weight loss, edema, pain management, and so much more.  I am so grateful for these people!

My sister is home again and feeling much better.  She will have to have surgery again in about a year to remove an ostomy bag and reconnect her digestive system.  She is getting around better and better.  So nice to have her back from the brink.

I have really let my quilting slide.  It was too hot to work in my sewing room...and I was having much fun outside with my friends.  This summer was so much fun.  I hope the fall and winter are as well.

Happy 4th of July!

Well...busy is an understatement...and this week I get to go to a quilt retreat!  I will be busy picking things together to work on at the retreat...my Dear Jane group retreats to the College of St. Benedicts in St. Joseph every year in July...looking forward to spending time with them.

 And, of course, I have been behind in my Civil War blocks....I have all but this week's block done.  Aren't they pretty?

Behinder and behinder....

It must be summer....I seem to be a busy Diva these days!  Went to the MN Quilt show yesterday and it was wonderful!  I have pictures out on Picasa..if you want to see them, let me know, I will send you the link.  I am 3 weeks behind in the Civil War Block of the Week with one more coming out tomorrow...sigh!  I have a Dear Jane workday tomorrow so I will use that time to cut out the pieces.  More later...one quick thing...my sister is back in the hospital...please pray for her recovery!  I will have more info later.

Oh my! What a fun weekend!

And it isn't even over yet!  I am going to have to do this update in installments...too much to tell!

My friend David's birthday...which included walking tacos in the garden and a trip to Cirque Du Soleil

A trip to my favorite quilt shop, followed by a visit to my friend Dona for acupuncture

A day in the garden and some "spending quality time with a friend in a place where you can buy stuff"...I hate shopping so he tried to disguise it...I was not fooled, mind you....

Steaks on the grill and much fun quilting...but so very behind!

So....more to come on all of this fun stuff...in the meantime...I hope you all enjoy your Memorial Day. 

Catching Up - Civil War Blocks

I finished the last two week's blocks just now...and they turned out quite well!  I am going to love this quilt!

 This one is Underground Railroad

This one is New England Block.

Busy Diva!

I have been remiss in posting...and very busy!  Lots to do in the spring, I guess...not so much related to quilting, I am afraid.

My weight loss journey continues...I hit a rough patch there for a bit...was trying to get off medications and took the wrong one off first...now we have that figured out, I am off of two of the three and aiming to get rid of that last one.  Exercise and weight loss have really made a difference in how I feel.  It is amazing!  The other parts of that amazing feeling equation, which made the exercise and weight loss possible are David, Maria and Dona.  Massage, Nutritional guidance and Acupuncture have made such a difference for me!  THANK YOU!  I have been so lucky to have these people enter my life at this time...

So now today, I have to catch up on my Civil War Blocks...I have last week's block to do as well...and I am determined to make a dent in the mess in my sewing room.  I have a Pile-its License that needs to be revoked.  The piles are starting to tumble over.  I am going to lose a dog if I am not careful.

However, there will be a diversion today.  I am so excited for next Friday!  My friend David's birthday will be a big event, ending in a trip to the Cirque d' Soleil...how fun is that?  I already got my hair cut, and some new clothes...need to find some makeup and the proper hardware to go under those new clothes, if you catch my drift....so Katherine and I are headed to Mauled in America this afternoon.  Oh...and shoes...I don't have any fun shoes...I will have to post a picture of the "new" me....it should be very fun and outrageous!

Quilt blocks will happen later tonight and I will post pictures...Have a great weekend!

A beautiful, sunny day!

AND, better still...a vacation day in the middle of the week!  As luck would have it, this is the only sunny day we are expecting for the week so I took advantage!  Went to JoAnn's quilt shop, determined which of the new Carolina line I needed to have (all...no surprise) and signed up for the bus to the Minnesota Quilt show in June...then I went for a lovely bike ride.  What a great day!

As promised, here is the picture of the Missouri Star block...love the fabrics!

I am going to just love this quilt...and I cannot believe that we are 19 weeks into it already!

Happy Mother's Day!

What a beautiful day in Minneapolis!  We have picture perfect skys, lovely temperatures and just a light breeze...perfect for Mother's Day!  I have fun plans...going to make pork tenderloin for Mom, Katherine and my friend, David...some asparagus and some saurkraut will round this out to make a great meal...then Katherine, David and I are going to do some quilt / craft related fun stuff...

Katherine has returned from Europe...she has tons of great stories and I can't wait to see her pictures.

I have my fabrics picked out for this week's civil war block...have to get that one done too!  Better get to work!  I will come back with a picture of the block...

Keeping up...and other news!

I just finshed this week's Civil War block.  Union Square...I like these easy ones!    Jo Morton fabric, as always.  That print that looks like gingham is such fun!

Good news!  My sister is scheduled to come home tomorrow afternoon.  I pray that she will not be disappointed again.  She will be home for her daughter Ashley's birthday.  Diane misses her doggies and they miss her.  They keep going into her closet and sniffing her clothes.

My niece Katherine is still in Europe.  She texted me from Berlin.  She will be there another four days and then to Amsterdam and then home next Saturday.  I pick her up at the airport at 3pm. 

She is home just in time for the "Divas and Desserts" concert by the Twin Cities Women's Choir.  My sister-in-law is a member of the choir.  We just LOVE their concerts!  This one is a particular fave...desserts!  They have always had a gluten free table but I have never had a reason to check it out before.  Well...I bet there will be a lot more people checking out that table this year!  They also have a silent auction which is lots of fun.

I hope everyone had a good weekend...I have a couple of puppies that think they need to check the perimeter for fuzzy tailed rodentials...good thing we have some mature trees those squirrels can climb!

Oh HAPPY Day!

My sister called me a few minutes ago...she is scheduled to leave the hospital at the end of the month!  She has been hospitalized since January 7th.  Yahoo!!!

Happy Easter!

Boy did I fall behind in my Civil War blocks...I have three of them ready to go...pictures are here:

This first one is Fort Sumpter

This one is White House

This one is Comfort Quilt...all in Jo Morton Fabrics.  I am so excited about this Civil War quilt!


I hope everyone is having a wonderful Easter!  We have a quiet home today.  My niece Katherine is in Amsterdam right now, going to Bruges, Belgium and then to several cities in Germany.  I have to hold down the fort with Grandma for a couple of weeks.

I have a fun week ahead!  I am so excited that the weather has warmed up.  I took my new bike out for a 30 minute ride...adventured to the neighboring city via bike path.  It was fun!  I love my new bike!

Enjoy that spring weather!

Busy, fun weekend!

Boy, oh boy do I have fun plans!  I started my weekend with a massage...and as usual, came home Friday night feeling wonderful!  My friend David is absolutely MAGICAL!  I hope everyone who has aches and pains can find someone like David to help them work through those "issues"....

Let's see...today started out with cookery and hopefully will end in a quilty fashion.  Katherine made quiches for breakfast...then we freeze the rest for week day breakfasts...wonderful!  A trip to Costco and we are set for the rest of the month with meat and vegetables...lucky us!  I hope to get my Civil War blocks done...I have two weeks to do.

Tomorrow is a BIG day...my friend David is coming over and we are going to work on a quilt for him.  He is redecorating his space and needs something quilty for his bed.  His house has a decoration on the front...I noticed it was a quilt block standing on point...Puss in the Corner!  How fun is that?  I think that Puss in the Corner will have to be a second quilt somewhere down the road.

More later on Shipshe, and hopefully the Civil War blocks.  Katherine has laid out her graduation quilt so now I have to start putting that puppy together.  It will be a beautiful quilt!

Inspiration and Affirmation

My visits to Shipshewana are inspiring always.  I get to visit with people I only see once a year.  I also get to see all kinds of quilts and all kinds of quilters.  One of the people I see is Rebecca Haarer.  I mentioned her name in one of the shops and the shop keeper said that she read Rebecca's blog...well, I got all excited and when I saw Rebecca, I asked about her blog, wanting to become a follower.  There is no blog at this point, much to my dismay.  Rebecca has such a gift with words.  I want to share with you an email she sent me ( I have her permission) that will inspire me for years to come.  We only saw each other for maybe a total of 15 minutes during the time I was in Shipshewana, but she made an observation that has me glowing...what follows is an affirmation of the work I have been doing for the last three months, with my friend Maria, a nutritionist, and my friend David, a massage therapist.  Here is Rebecca's note.

Hi Deb! I am barely awake it seems as I check my email after several very fun and busy days! I got in too late last night to check email, as I had a birthday party cookout to attend after work yesterday. I promised myself when I dropped into bed early this am, that I would "sleep in" but here, I am. Not to worry though....soon, I will turn this lap top off, set it aside, and roll over, and go back to sleep!


I am still very happy inside and out, from the happiness of having you and all the other beautiful quilters here. It just feeds my Soul and Spirit to have all of your creativity and enthusiasm sprinkled around the community. There is nothing better than to have a group of quilters in the shop laughing, discussing, and being excited, in general about quilts. I LOVE it!!!


Thank you So much for sending your blog to me. I enjoyed reading quite a bit of it!!! I wanted to tell you when you first walked into the shop, how radiant you look. Your "energy" has really shifted... in some way, and I couldn't put my finger on it but having read your blog....I know in part, it is the weight loss! wow. Congratulations on your committment to a healthier life style. You are an inspiration to me. (this is something I too need to address!) I have to say, that even though you have lost weight, there is MORE to you, in terms of energy, or something! You do look and feel radiant!


Also, I am sending prayers to your sister. Thank you for sharing her journey...what a journey, and I pray for her and her family. Witnessing a family member friend go thru this is a huge task. I feel for you as well. God's grace, to you all.


I also enjoyed seeing your quilt blocks. What fun blog sharing. I don't know if I will set up a blog....I don't quilt. I don't know If I would have something consistent to share. Probably my posts would be "all over the place!" But, If I do set up a blog.....I will thank YOU for your encouragement.

Now, back to sleep. Hope everything I have written makes sense...as there is still plenty of "sleep" in my brain!


Thank you Deb!


Be well! Rebecca Haarer


Now isn't that inspirational?  I have to thank Maria, David and my niece for their support and guidance in this journey I am on to a healthier me.  Life style changes take a whole lot of support and patience!  But, I am finding these changes worthwhile...
 
More on Shipshe later when I get caught up!

Sadness....last full day at the retreat!

We are frantically sewing and I am still behind.  I have two projects with me that I have not even touched yet!  I did finish sewing my niece's graduation quilt blocks...she gets to crawl on the floor when I get home and lay it out.  Finally! 

I am having a great time with my friends...

Here we are, standing in the rain in front of a quilt shop.  Cindy took the picture and refused to have her picture taken...harumph!

We went from here to Gene Stratton-Porter's cabin...so there will be more pictures to folllow!

Adventure!!!

What a fun day!  We started out the morning with a wonderful breakfast at the 5 and 20 Restaurant...then went to Rome City and found Carolines Country Quilts...what a cute shop!  I was forced to buy some fabric and a pattern for slippers.  Then we went on to Gene Stratton-Porter's cabin.  Oh my gosh!  What a fabulous place!  I have lots of pictures but will have to take some time to label them, etc.  I will share them later...for now, here is the group, minus Cindy (who insists she is in the witness protection program)....

Cold and rainy!  We saw mute swans and heard Candian Geese...it was a lovely place.

More to come!

Oh yeah, I was forced to go to Lolly's and spend a bunch of money there.  Oh my...too bad for me!

Too excited for words!

I actually slept last night (except for the personal, private, tropical vacation I had at 3am)...I hate hot flashes!  I think tonight may be another story all together...

JoAnn tells me that she is going to be all done packing and get to bed at a decent hour.  Her clothes were packed by the time I talked to her at 5pm...it was just to get the projects pulled together.  What a challenge!

We are all set as far as I can tell.  I can't wait!  I feel like a little kid!

Oh dear! Mixed feelings!

I am packing my heart out...and I know I will forget stuff...and take too much....and wish I had brought something else.  Oh well, I am sure I will have friends there that can lend me what I forgot, right?

I am so excited to be going and yet nervous to leave...I want to be sure I cover every base and make everything OK before I go...but that can't happen.  So, jittery I will have to be.

This year is so different from previous years.  I haven't felt this good for many years and it will be different to be in this place I enjoy so much and be able to enjoy myself!  Hard to express how I am feeling.  Anyway...thanks to my friends for their part in my improved health...the Diva is on the right path now!

Is it Tuesday yet?  I believe we are leaving at 6:30AM which means I may be fired right off the bat.  JoAnn is NOT a morning person!  Oh well, by the time we get to Chicago, she will appreciate me again....since I am the driver.

Here is a preview of one quilt I will be working on:

I love basket quilts...this one will have a double handle on each basket.  The fabrics come from the Nottingham collection which is one of my favorites.

I am looking forward to finishing my niece's graduation quilt at the retreat...she reminds me on a regular basis that she graduated in 2005...AND 2010....sigh....

And I plan to work on, hopefully finish, the mystery quilt I started the end of February.  That one will be extraordinary...pinks and browns...Jo Morton fabric.

Then, just in case I get bored, or need to converse...I have several of my blocks from the Heart in Hand applique that I hope to finish.

What do you think?  Do I need to bring more?  Aren't we there for 4 and 1/2 days?  I need to clear my schedule so I can get to David's quilt...that will be wonderful!

Fun day!

Oh what a fun day I have had!  Met a friend for breakfast and then off to the quilt shop to look at fabric...We are cooking up a new quilt for him.  I am really excited about this!

I am in the midst of packing to go to Shipshewana next week...and I had to stop to make the Barbara Brackman BOW...cute block...Jo Morton fabrics, of course!

This one is called Fox and Geese...I used some new and some old fabrics...my stash is getting some exercise here!

I have a really neat setting picked out...these blocks on point with setting blocks that are half light and half dark...not log cabins, more like quarter square triangles, but more angular.  I am excited to get this one finished!

I hope everyone has fun plans for the weekend!

I am going to visit my sister in the hospital tomorrow and continue to work on packing for the trip.  Oooh!  I can't wait!

Basket!

Here is this week's Barbara Brackman block.  I used some of my favorite fabrics here...just love the look of this block!  Now I have to start pulling stuff together for my trip to Shipshe in less than two weeks!  I am so excited!  Can you tell?

Good day for quilting!

It is a bit chilly and blustery outside...so staying in and quilting is a good idea!  I have a little project to make for a friend and then my weekly Barbara Brackman block.  I just LOVE baskets so I am thrilled this week to have a basket opportunity!  I decided to applique a handle on it so I have it all ready to go, just need to finish the handle...that is a tomorrow kind of thing.

JoAnn and I are going crazy planning for our trip to Shipshewana...we are taking her car this year and I have to start setting things aside to go into the trunk.  By the time we get home, the back seat is full as well.  We have SO much fun!

My sister has had another setback.  She was supposed to be coming home but another fistula has developed and she is going back to the hospital so her doctor can take a look.  I am afraid she may be facing another surgery.  She is so brave and patient!

Happy National Quilting Day!

Well...the day is not quite over but it has been fun already!  I had breakfast with my friend Deb, and just happened to run into my other friend Deb at the same restaurant!  What a coincidence!  Had a wonderful conversation with Deb and a fabulous bacon, ham and cheese omelette...did I tell you that I LOVE my diet?

Speaking of which, I have lost another 3 pounds this week...making a total of 19 since the end of January!  Over 15 inches lost as well...all over!  This is the lightest I have been since the early 90s I think.  My friend David says I am going to leap like a gazelle!  Well...I guess I will have to try that out!

I have been busy quilt wise...while I was sitting and listening to my tax accountant work on my taxes, I basted two applique blocks...then I came home and finished the Barbara Brackman block of the week.  Here it is:

I am having a great time working on these blocks.  I get to dig into my extensive stash of Jo Morton fabrics and play with them all!

I have the layout planned...setting these on point with a setting block that looks like a split nine patch.  The border will be wonderful as well.  I am so excited!  What a great way to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War!

I am going to start preparing for my trip to Shipshewana...need to have stuff to work on while I am there.  I can't shop and eat the whole time, can I?

I hope all my friends have a great weekend and a Happy National Quilting Day! 
XXOO Diva

Such wonderful news today!

My sister gets to eat lemon torte for her birthday!  One piece...and then it is back to a liquid diet.  She is getting so much better but not quite healed.  However, her doctor is allowing her the one piece of cake.  I hope she gets to go home soon.  She is really being very patient and deserves a reward.  Thank you for all your prayers on her behalf!

And...I am caught up on the Civil War blocks...here is this week's block...all finished!

Nice, old fabrics from my stash with some brand new fabric!  I love to mix and match like this!  This quilt is going to be so beautiful!

Oh yea! Caught up!

I managed to get Lincoln's Platform done last night and have it ready to show you!

I love the Covey Bird Toile print from Jo Morton.  I think this block turned out quite well!  I have the fabrics picked out for the next block as well...hope to get that one done tomorrow. 

My niece and I did some shopping today.  We both got new shoes..she also got a new dress for a wedding.  Then I got to spend some quality time at Four Seasons Quilts.  My Dear Jane group had a work day today.

JoAnn and I are starting to go crazy planning for our trip to Shipshewana.  I can't wait!  I have an appointment with my Massage Therapist (I am a Diva, remember?) for the Friday before and the Friday after.  I need to be sure  don't put any crimps in my back now that it is so much better...don't need to be walking around bent in half.  Oooh those were such bad days!  David has worked miracles with my back!

Big day again tomorrow....making Pumpkin Pancakes for breakfast, running off to see my sister and then pulling all my tax stuff together so I can make an appointment with the tax guy.  It will be a great relief to have it all done.  Oh..then my Civil War block....that will cap it off nicely!

Happy Weekend!

Oh boy, do I need to hit the ground running this weekend!  I am walking out of my shoes and my slacks so some shopping is in order...darn!  I am also needing to get my taxes pulled together so I can go get them done.  Then, going to visit my sister...then there is the attic that needs cleaning, the Civil War blocks that need to be done...and a whole host of other things.  Phew!

So, I have finished one block...a day or so ago..and now I can show it to you:

Isn't it pretty?  Only one behind.  Until tomorrow AM, when the next block comes out.  Sigh...I will catch up one of these days!

A good day!

We went to see my sister.  She is doing so well.  She actually had clogs on her feet.  Her legs and feet have been so swollen with edema since her surgery that she could not put shoes on.  The edema is gone and she is so happy to have her favorite clogs on for walking!  Thank you for the prayers for her.

Now Katherine and I are going through stuff in the attic...need to clear that space out so we can properly insulate and hopefully avoid the issues with water pouring into the house and ruining the kitchen, living room and dining room ceilings.  This has been a very rough winter.  Sigh...and we are supposed to have more snow starting tonight.

I have two Civil War BOW blocks to make in order to catch up...I will hopefully get those done tonight.  We are making Tuna Steaks with Broiled Brussel Sprouts w/Pecans for dinner.  I am excited to try this new recipe.  Love everything we have made so far from Maria's recipe books.  Love the weight loss even more!

More Civil War blocks...catching up!

This one is Cotton Boll and I used some of my favorite Jo Morton fabrics...I just love that background with the raspberries!  It looks so old fashioned.

This one is Richmond...was a bit of a challenge but I managed to overcome!  I used Jo fabrics, I love the paisley that I have in the middle.  That will show up often.

I have two more blocks to cut out and sew in order to catch up to this week.  I have the fabrics all chosen so I should be able to get them done by the end of the weekend.  We are going to visit my sister tomorrow.  I hope she is getting her therapy in!

Busy Diva....

But GOOD busy...my sister is much better, has moved to a rehab hospital.  She is walking and very anxious to get home by her birthday.  Let's all pray hard that she gets to leave on or before March 21st!

Then, a MYSTERY quilt!  My friend Kari designs a quilt and teaches a mystery class at Four Seasons Quilts every year.  This year I finally got to go!  I have two blocks finished and love them!  I will put up some pictures shortly.

And finally...there is less of the Diva to love!  I have been working with a wonderful nutritionist, Maria Emmerich, who has been helping Katherine and me change our lifestyles.  I have lost 13 pounds since the end of January and have been eating very well!  I am actually walking out of my shoes and my jeans are clown pants.  I even had to get new jammies...life is so hard!  Let me know if you want more info on Maria, I have her website listed under my favorites.  She is so very helpful!  Has great recipes as well.

More to come...pictures, etc.

Best of news today!

My brother-in-law sent out a wonderful email today.  My sister has walked around the nurse's station twice and is doing physical therapy and even turned her phone on and called a few people!  Most amazing of all, she is having people from her place of business come to see her tomorrow.  She has not allowed anyone but family to come and see her.  She must be feeling so much better!

I am so excited for this weekend.  My good friend Kari Schell is teaching a mystery class...starting Friday night and ending Sunday night.  Of course I have chosen my favorite fabrics to use.....and I am getting boring on this...the same border fabric I am using in the Civil War quilt...but in pink and brown.  I will show pictures of progress.  My camera is being packed up tonight!

Sigh....things are finally looking up!  Thank you God!

Busy, busy, busy!

Holey moley!  I have been so busy I have not made a quilt block all week.  That is good and bad I guess!  My sister is improving, after her fourth surgery.  Poor kid!  I have been busy visiting her and we had our Heritage Club meeting this week.  That takes time as well.

I have Cotton Boll all picked out and ready to cut.  I have to sew #6 (forgot the name) and get that up as well.  Tomorrow is going to be a busy day too...visiting Diane and cooking for the next week.  We are trying to learn to be prepared!

Progress on the Civil War...oh dear, that doesn't sound right!

Well, I skipped block 6 and finished block 7...but block 6 is cut out and waiting for me to get back to the sewing machine and finish it!  Anyway...here is block 7. 

Notice the lovely ladies peeking out at you from the center? 

I love that fabric!

I finished another of my Heart and Hand applique blocks.  Making good progress on that one!  I am excited to see this quilt done.  I have a beautiful quilt planned using Crimson and Clover for the setting blocks and the borders.  It will be divine!

OK...enough messing around at the computer.  I am going to get block six finished tonight!  Have a great week and a Happy Valentines Day!

Oh MAN! Back in the hospital!

My poor sister!  She is having surgery again tomorrow.  She has developed a fistula and this is the cause of all that fluid that drains from her wound.  At least they finally figured it out...AND she will be close so we can visit her and keep her spirits up.  Four surgeries in just over a month.  This is heartbreaking!

Oooh...busy weekend!

Holy moley...hardly any quilting for this Diva!  My sister is back in the cities...not so far away and doing better.  I went to visit her a couple of times this weekend.  I also went to my Sister-In-Law's concert with the Twin Cities Women's Choir...what a wonderful concert!  Then, to make it even better she made us dinner afterwards!  What a wonderwoman she is!

Today Katherine and I did the shopping, cleaned out kitchen cupboards and did some cooking for the upcoming week.  We made individual quiches...yummy!  Now we have nice, stick to your ribs breakfasts for the next days when it is so horribly cold out!

I did have the time to pick out my fabrics for the next installment of the Barbara Brackman Civil War BOW.  My stash of Jo fabrics did not fail me!  I just need to come up with the time to put it together.  Monday night I am going back out to see my sister.  I need to help keep her spirits up so she works hard to get out of the extended care facility.

I am NOT spoiled...

Harumph I say!  I am not spoiled....a Diva needs a massage now and then!

Wonderful news...my sister is back in Minnesota, not far from her home and I have been able to visit with her!  Now she has to work hard so she can get back to being independent and can go home.  I get to see her tomorrow again and this time I am bringing my niece Katherine and my mother.  Not a lot of quilting this weekend!

I hope all my good buddies have a great weekend!

A hitch in her get-along...

Sigh.  My sister is still in Ohio.  That *&$% snowstorm has her trapped.  I cannot believe how frustrating this is...and it must be unbearable for her.  She wants to be home.  Phooey.

Next....

Ooh....Kansas Troubles...Diva Troubles should be the name of this baby!  Who'd a thunk it would be such a challenge!  I changed my fabric choices...I sewed the triangles upside down...I lost my pinwheel in the middle...I had nothing but troubles!  Oh well...it is done and I like it!

This BOW is very challenging and I like it!  I think I have my layout planned...I just love EQ7 and the fact that I can go out to the internet and grab images of the fabric I want to use and play with them.  How wonderful is that?

Anyway, I have a setting with an alternate block that looks nice and old fashioned to go along with these wonderful Civil War blocks.  I am looking forward to the next challenge!

On a very happy note, my sister is all set to leave Columbus Ohio tomorrow morning and set off for a twelve hour drive back to MN.  Her husband will drive the daylight hours and Ashley will drive in the dark.  They are taking her to a rehabilitation facility in Edina, very close to us...and she may be there for as long as a month.  I have picked out a quilt to cheer her up in her new setting.  I have talked to her every day and plan to go see her on Tuesday if she is up to visitors.  Please God, let this go off without a hitch!

Ahhh....Saturday!

Even better when it is a Saturday AND a Dear Jane Workday! I got to hang out with about 12 of my good buddies this afternoon...we all get together approximately once a month to work on our Dear Janes....or what ever else moves us. My friend JoAnn has that new space above her quilt shop that is just ideal for this purpose. What fun!

I really like what Kari was working on. We had exchanged Chimney Sweep blocks at the shop and she was putting hers together. She has a beautiful applique block in the center and borders all around...the album blocks were one of the borders. It is gorgeous!

My sister has had 3 good days strung together. Her doctor said she was on track to be heading out the door on Monday. We have our fingers crossed and are praying hard that this comes to pass...and that the trip (12 hours from Columbus Ohio to Edina Minn where she will be in recovery and rehabilitation) won't be too much for her. I talked to her several times today and she is very alert (we were balancing her checkbook and paying bills) and wants very much to come home.

Well...I get to pick out the fabrics for the next installment of the Civil War BOW from Barbara Brackman. This is going to be a "scrapbook" of my Jo Morton fabric collection. It will be FABULOUS!!! I will post a picture when I finish the block...a challenging one this time....again! Love it!

Civil War blocks...progress!

I finished two this week and am all caught up! I chickened out and appliqued the Seven Sisters block...and I nearly used up all of one of my favorite fabrics in the Texas Tears block. Sniff! I hate using up one of my favorites but I did just that in preparing for a mystery class. I fell in love with one of Jo Morton's earlier pieces...a cinnamon pink fabric with little "pepper pots" on it. The very last FQ will be a part of this mystery quilt.

Speaking of sisters...mine is still having a tough time. She was supposed to be back in MN by now but had emergency surgery (3rd time if you are counting) on Sunday. She is devastated. Her youngest is in Ohio with her now, as well as her husband. Ashley is bolstering Mom's spirits a great deal. I feel so helpless. She says she will not go through this again so in five years, I most likely will lose my sister. I hope she has a change of heart by then.

Enough sad! Here are my beautiful blocks!

Yeah weekend!

So, fun day so far....I am picking together fabric for Kari's mystery quilt weekend. I am going with Jo Morton (who else?) fabrics in pink and brown. I love her Andover line and the wide stripe that she put out with that line will be my border....and THEN...the fourth block from the Barbara Brackman Civil War BOW has come out. I still need to finish appliqueing the seven sisters block! Oh well, I can pick the fabrics out for this one. I need to stay on top of this BOW.

My sister is coming home on Monday. She will be taken to a nursing care facility for a few weeks. She is still weak, has fluid problems and needs round the clock care. They will get her back into fighting trim...and I can't wait to see her.

Happy Weekend!

It is below zero and I am not planning to go ANYWHERE this weekend. Too cold...that means I have time for QUILTING! I just had a lovely massage and am ready to sit down in my comfy chair and work on my weekly applique block. The Red and Green quilt is shaping up!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Reely! Lime IS a Neutral!

I finally finished the binding. Isn't this beautiful? Totally out of my comfort zone. I am a Civil War girl all the way....I can't wait for Diane's book to come out. It will be marvelous!
My friend Kari Schell did the quilting. She is amazing! I love what she did with the quilt.

Reely Lime is back from Kari!

This is going to be a teaser! My lime reel quilt just came back from Kari Schell...she did a wonderful job of quilting it...I am putting the binding on and have to get back to that. Oh my gosh!

My sister is still in Columbus, still in the hospital. She woke up this morning with a bit of a fever and some pain in her ribcage area...so more tests and a CAT Scan...I wish she was closer! I could have the Evil give her a glance or two...certainly much cheaper and it comes with free purrings...

Another Civil War block

Here is the second block...the history Barbara Brackman has added along with the pattern is wonderful! Check it out if you haven't already!

Better today...

She is still in intensive care but they are backing her off the respirator and she is breathing on her own. This has been so hard for her! Her husband feels that she is sad because she thought she would be going home soon...and he thinks it may be a week or more before they release her.

Thanks so much for your prayers and support. I am sure this is helping her pull through!

When she is back in MN and recovering, we will be making a quilt together as part of her get back to normal therapy. We did this last time and had a lot of fun.


Meanwhile, I am starting a new quilt based on Barbara Brackman's Civil War BOM. I will use my wonderful stash of Jo Morton fabrics...here is the first block! I am thinking of a diagonal set with sashing...will need to make a few more blocks but that isn't a big deal...I am looking forward to seeing this one finished! I think I will use one of the beautiful stripes from the Annandale line for the outer border...and maybe a smaller stripe from Providence for the sashing...

Still Scarey...

My sister had her surgery and there was a crisis today. She wanted to sit in a chair and in the process of moving her to the chair, she passed out. Her blood pressure dropped alarmingly and there were 10 people in the room immediately with a "code blue"...her husband thought she was lost. The surgeon happened to be in the hospital and opened her up, thinking that she had something bleeding that should not be...didn't find anything. So, she is in intensive care overnight for observation...

Please pray!

I am working on the Barbara Brackman Civil War blocks to distract myself.

My sister....

My big sister, Diane, is having surgery tomorrow...she is so brave. She is having 3 tumors removed from her abdomen (cancer) and this is the 4th such surgery. Please add her to your thoughts and prayers. Her surgery is at 1pm EST tomorrow.

First project of 2011

My talented friend Kari made a lovely bag for me as a Christmas gift. She used my favorite fabric (by Jo Morton) and I was inspired to make a couple of "extras" to go along with it. This bag will become my Heart and Hand applique bag. I have to get some blocks prepped and keep this ready to go. Isn't it wonderful?

Kari used a bag pattern from Terry Atkinson and I used her Cash and Carry pattern for the thread case. The needle case has a wool page in it for needles and pins.

Happy New Quilt! er...Year!

What a way to end the year! I finished a beautiful quilt and put it on my bed..just as the power went out last night around 11:30. We had to use candles and cell phones to light our way...and I missed out on how Sherlock Holmes ends...Oh well...I can catch up on that today.

Here is a picture of the quilt. The pattern is the Night at the Symphony free pattern from Moda with a few modifications...it was quilted by my talented friend Kari Schell.










Also, you can see the quilt inspector doing his job....Evil Awful Puss has made his indentation of approval on the quilt.

That Evil...always hard at work. Doesn't he make it look easy?

I am so happy that my dear friend has emerged from her surgery with flying colors...now on to my next concern...my older sister is facing cancer surgery for the 4th time. We have a prayer service for her today at her church. She is so brave! Please add Diane to your prayers...she has tumors in her abdomen and liver that will be removed.

I am working on making a list of all of my Works In Progress and will share this with my Dear Jane group in hopes of making a dent this year...I am also going to try to get a handle on the Projects In Grocery Sacks that I have sitting around as well...I have a big herd of PIGS...phooey!