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.