Visiting in Maryland

Hi All!  I didn't drop from view, really.  I'm down in Maryland visiting Jenny who is recovering nicely from a bit of surgery.  I'm the official dog walker, bend over person and general do what Jen can't quite yet.  I've done a little quilting (very little) and enjoyed reading a bit.  She's gotten more done than I have quilting-wise.  Of course, I did cut out some of her blocks for her.  

Jen's had a couple of friends visiting her and I've enjoyed seeing people I haven't seen for a couple of years.  All very enjoyable. 

Tomorrow's plan is to put the binding on the little quilt I did on the long arm.  And, may be do at least one of the Bunny Hill blocks.   I also downloaded a nice block of the month pattern from Sundrop Designs. These are nice blocks with an added twist of a cat silhouette to applique on the block.  Any of the blocks would make a great quilt all by itself.

Happy Quilting All!  

Worn Out

It's been a fun day but I am totally worn out!  My floors are really hard (they are beautiful cherry wood but ... not much "give" to them.)  I wore an older pair of tennis shoes -- support must be gone!  And, I wanted to quilt all day! 

I got my first little quilt done on my new Nolting 18, now named Ruthie after my beloved grandmother.  The first thing I did after I got the quilt, backing and batting loaded was change the thread color on Ruthie.  It shouldn't have given me grief cause it was the same thread top and bottom.  But, no, tension was messed up.  I played. I got it ok. And I got one pass done quilting. Then I rolled the quilt forward and the tension went hay wire again.  

Sounded like a good time to take a rest and do some laundry.  And, fix dinner.  I decided I would fuss with the bottom tension.  Tried again and voila! It worked.  Not 100% perfect but not so bad.  I think my first purchase is going to be a tension checker... called a Towa, I believe. 

Pictures of the quilt will come later after I get the binding on which is ready to go.  I'm driving back to Maryland for another visit with Jen.  We are having a mini sewing retreat and going to my Maryland guild's end of year party.  I mostly plan to do hand stuff but may make some more blocks for the million block quilt.  I'll keep you posted.  Raggs is staying home with Pat.  We'll see how he does.  

Happy Quilting All. 

It's Here!

Ok, I lied, so sue me! I'm having lunch and want to share the fun! 

Here's the photo history of the new toy!  Rails and poles in what always seemed like a big room! 

Mike and Steve, of Memory Lane Quilting work on getting the table set up.  Oh my, that room is getting smaller by the minute! 

And here comes the machine head.... Mikey, Mike's grandson is helping. Yes, he was a big help at the beginning . . . he just couldn't do much when the tools were brought out.  I was impressed how well behaved he was. Lucky Mikey, school got out last Friday. 

 

Now for the "staged" picture... thanks for taking the picture Mikey! 

I wasn't really quilting at that point but I had already done some. Mike's supervising.  Hey, Mike smile! 

Below is my practice work.  I have about 60" to practice on.  Gee, I hate "wasting" the fabric but I guess I should think of it as practice not wasting! Luckily this was only $1 a yard so it didn't hurt much. Hey, that stipple is ready to go on a quilt.  The feather isn't definitely NOT ready for prime time!  

My next big step is to name my machine. I will be happy to accept suggestions on the comments.  I'm leaning toward Ruthie named after my grandma who used to sew doll clothes for me.  

Time to pop a load into the washer and then finish up the practice and move on to a "real" quilt.  I need a finish this month.  Remember, I've been buying fabric like it is penny candy!  (hum, I should be able to remove that 120" of fabric from the collection.  It is now going to be used to cover the machine when I am done with it for the day. It's as finished as it is going to get!) 

Happy Quilting All!  

It's Coming

My new Nolting 18" long arm is coming this morning!!

 

I won't be posting much until I have finished quilting one quilt today.  

And, if it is going smoothly, two quilts today! 

Lots of pictures will be coming next post.

 

Off to dress, walk the dog and be ready for the arrival!  

Happy Quilting All! 

My Stashbusting Downfall!

 Saturday morning the gals left the guys to go to Capital Quilts. (They were just going to Home Depot to order new kitchen cabinets and counter tops for Jen and Brian.)  Capital Quilts is a lovely shop and while there, Jenny and I decided to assist the economy.  Jenny bought a backing and another fabric for her square in a square king size quilt.  She is really plugging away on it.  I bought some fabric to use on the Bunny Hill Designs block of the month.  I wasn't going to do it right away but I keep seeing all these cute finished blocks on people's blog and... well, I'm tired of my scrap quilts right now.  So, I got new fabric for the bom.  I also bought one of those cute rubber (?) or plastic (?) thimbles.  And the best news is Capital Quilts is only about 15 minutes away from Jen's house.  Or 30 minutes in awful traffic!   

I also want to let you know of a give away over at Silver Thimble Talk.  Pat is giving away a lovely selection of prizes including a layer cake, a jelly roll, thread, patterns and a surprise she isn't revealing yet.  Stop by and comment on her May 21st blog.  Tell her you saw it at Institches with Bonnie. (of course, I will be winning something wonderful so don't get your hopes up too high -- just kidding! But I do hope I win!)  She also has a recipe for Salsa that sounds great. 

This morning it took me a couple of hours to get the first Bunny Hill BOM (which is actually block 2) ready to hand applique.  Yikes.  I thought I was very clever on the basket handle but I may try a different method on the next one!  As soon as it is stitched I'll share it with you.  I'm heading back to Maryland on Friday and hope to have several baskets ready to hand stitch and at least one binding on a quilt hot off the soon to be delivered Nolting!  

It's down to less than 2 days.  But who's counting... 36 hours or so ...  I was working like crazy to get another quilt ready so I might be able to do it before I leave Friday.  I'll keep you posted.  Now, back to 

Road Trip by Santa Dog

Don't tell Bonnie I've grabbed the computer to post MY road trip.  Hey, did she post all about our trip yet? Nooooo, so why shouldn't I have my squeak? 

I was ready to leave early but not the rest of them. 

 I helped put the luggage in. 

Raggs just looked cute.  

     

We got to sleep on the way down. 

And, we had a chow and watering break.

  

Once we got down to Jen and Brian's it wasn't quite as much fun.  In fact, it got down right boring for a while.  Raggs and I got put in solitary confinement. Harumph! We didn't do anything and they slapped us in the crate. So we slept, after Raggs drooled all over me. Oh please, give that dog a bib! 

Even though we had been good, we got slapped in that crate again the next day. Really, get over the chewed papers already! 

It was a bit dicey that afternoon when lots of folks came over.  But it was nice to see Cassie, the wild woman, again. Butt sniff right back at you, doll. 

Sunday morning was great.  We all went on a walk at Sligo Creek.  That Kona sure knows how to walk that leash. Raggs and I tried the bottom of the slide. 

 

Show off Kona went down the slide.  

We had to keep on our toes so all those bicyclists didn't hit us. 

Those dogs with their tongues hanging out.  Honestly, you guys are a mess. Can't you just keep a smile on your faces and keep going? 

Sligo Creek Park is really a nice place to hang out.  Take some pictures, sniff the ground... 

Hey, wait for me... just cause I was getting my picture taken you didn't have to leave with out me!! Wait, hold up guys. 

Raggs volunteered to carry me for a while until he realized he couldn't pant and carry me at the same time.  Guess what he decided?   Ok, help!  Someone come get me.  Don't leave me.  

Aren't the flowers pretty?  Wait, you think it is poison ivy?  No, Bonnie isn't that crazy to put me in the middle of poison ivy.  Oh quit your kidding around, you nearly gave me a heart attack! 

Those crazy dogs were so wiped out after the little walk.  

We left to come home to PA after lunch.  They wouldn't even get me ice cream at Brusters.  So why did Raggs get some then?  Huh, huh?  

I'm pretty worn out from the trip. And, hey, it ain't that easy typing with mushy hands either.  

Maybe this will motivate Bonnie to tell more.  But, I know she is getting ready for the long arm to show up on Thursday.  

I don't know anything about this quilting thing but hope you have a squeaky fun day.

Santa Dog! 

Graduation Day!

It was a glorious day for graduation! The sun was out. But we didn't see it during the indoor ceremony.  Here's graduation in pictures with a little commentary!

Jenny on her way out of the townhouse.  The School of Music was lucky to have the 9:00 am time.  No parking conflicts.

 

Here's part of the stage before the event begins.  

  

Here she comes ... a little fuzzy but she's the second one in this line. 

Some wonderful musical entertainment came before the speech and the awarding of the degrees. After some wise words those who had earned the Doctor of Musical Arts were called.  As each student was announced they came forward to have their hoods put on.    

While that was being done a statement by their faculty advisor was read regarding the graduate's accomplishments during their doctoral studies.

Here's the graduate, Dr. Jenny!  Notice that big white envelope?  That's her diploma in her hand.  The neat thing is doctoral students actually receive their diplomas rather than a note about how to pick up their diplomas.

 

Here's Dr Jenny and Mr. Dr. Jenny!  Brian was super supportive all the way through her three years in the doctoral program. (And, just a little side note, she and Brian were married at the end of her first year.  So, the first year she worked full time, planned a wedding, took classes and played recitals for the doctoral program!  YIKES!) 

And here are her cheerleaders! 

Dad, Pat; Mom, Bonnie; godmother, Barb; Dr. Jenny; husband, Brian; mother-in-law, Tonya. We are all so very proud of Dr. J.  

Needless to say no quilting has been happening this weekend.  Stay tuned for further pictures of graduation day and the rest of the weekend. 

Happy Quilting! 

G - Day Is Here

ROAD TRIP

"I'd be happy to drive on this road trip! Ah, why not, you can move the pedals, and you can be my eyes . . .  be brave let me drive!"

Hi All!  We leave in one hour for Jenny's graduation ceremony.  Lucky her! She gets to wear a red velvet gown.  And, she will be officially hooded with her pink hood.  All very snazzy.  I hope the air conditioning is pumping away!  And, no Santa Dog, you are not allowed to go.  You'll be keeping Raggs company.  

I'll post more tonight or tomorrow.  But needless to say Pat and I are popping our buttons proud of all of Jenny's hard work.  Would it be gauche to hoot and holler when her name is announced?  

Happy Quilting All! 

Not Much Quilty Going On

I have actually done a little quilting the last couple of days but not all that much.  I continue to work on the million pieces quilt. I may have to raise that to a billion pieces due to inflation... As of this morning when I cleaned the cutting table a bit I had 30 9 1/2" blocks made.  I'm not sure if I will make it to the 60 or so I think I want.  Time will tell. 

Raggs and I took the car to be serviced on Tuesday.  We left the car and walked across the street to a big field where he immediately did his thing.  But, he got to run around a bit off leash and we did a little training on "come".  Sometimes he comes, sometimes he doesn't.  And, sometimes he sits carefully and watches me.  Ok, I think I am confusing him on stay and come.  Will retrain trainer and see if we can fix that.  Here he is with Santa Dog who is rarin' to go on a road trip!  We'll see if Raggs is rarin' to go later this week. 

This morning before I went to quilting I decided I want to make Bunny Hill Design's block of the month.  So, I did a bit of the prep work.  I looked over the cream fabric and I should be able to find a backing fabric from my collection.  And, now I have to decide if I want to buy a layer cake (oooh wouldn't the blocks look nice with a coordinated line of fabric?) or use what I have.  Easy (layer cake) or hard (pick fabric from all over the studio)?  Cost money or free?  Help the economy or help the studio?  Only time will tell.  I'll keep you posted. If I order tonight or even tomorrow I should have a layer cake by early next week.  Hum.

Time to get on to fixing dinner.  Happy quilting all! 

Quick Post Before Off to Bed

If you're tired of seeing the Ragg man, sorry but this just struck me, as well, wrong funny. He's watching me take the picture this afternoon but he's getting sleepy.  And, then, he's out. I am not sure why he has taken to sleeping on the stairs.  When I got home from quilt group he moved to the stairs to sleep. An hour later he moved to his great room bed. (not to be confused with his bedroom bed.) 

 

For those of you who like to see quilts, here's one that was shown tonight at guild.  Marie made this darling quilt from her hand dies and a cute bear fabric from Wal Mart.  What a great way to use string blocks.  I'm going to have to ask her about the size of the blocks.

 

More Pineapple Thoughts

It struck me yesterday as I walked by the room with the pineapple quilt displayed on the bed -- 

what would it look like if I turned the border around?  Hum, the 9 patch would hang on the out side of the quilt rather than closer to the inside.  What do you think? 

 

Do you ever do mending any more?  Honestly, I really do very little.  Maybe a seam here or there but, not much.  And, I don't have a mending "pile" or basket of mending.  So, what has changed?  Well, Raggs has changed that.  His Santa Dog was ripped.  He was losing stuffing from a wound to his back, his nose had an unsightly piercing,  his hat was coming off.  What's a new mother suppose to do?  Yea, you got it on one,  I mended his Santa Dog.  Here's S. Dog after a lengthy surgery.  He might be a little high on pain meds still but he's ready to get back in the game.  

 

Lots of things out of the house today so not as much quilting got done.  I probably won't get a  whole lot done over the next few days either.  Pat and I are going down to Maryland this weekend for a little ceremony and a big party!  More later on the weekend event. 

Happy Quilting All!  

Shopping Trip

I went to my local quilt store for their buy 2 yards get a 3rd yard free.  Woowee!  I was buying backing fabrics -- and found 3 nice pieces.  So here's my shopping results. (I'm not going to be thrilled when the month ends and I have a net gain in fabrics... but watch out June!) 

Wonky 9 patch -- the binding will be the same as the border. I forgot to check what this is called but it reminds me of Quilters Suede that was out in the 90's. 

String X -- Pat suggested trying this dark blue piece after I had tried it in purple.  I like it!  It will also be used as a border. I believe it was an older Moda Triangles. (I think I might actually already have some or I've used it before...) 

And, finally, Simply Squares. This was a mystery quilt that I tested for Marge.  She now sells the pattern on her relay site to benefit cancer research.  I'm not putting a border on this one.  I thought this would be a bright backing for this dark, medium and light blue quilt.  

Now, I need my Nolting 18" to arrive and for me to get proficient at it.  I'm sure I can do a nice stipple but I'm going to want to do some thing more involved with some of these.  I've got a small border to put on the streak of lightning I have been working on and then find a backing in the stash.  It'll be my first attempt on the new machine.  I've also found a panel of green with houses and streets and such on it.  I think I'll make a backing out of pieced blocks and then quilt it around the streets and buildings.  

The rain has started up again.  I think we had two days with no rain but now it is raining pretty hard.  Time to read email, surf a bit and then start in on my recent book.  Happy Quilting All.   

Pineapple Quilt

I promised pictures of the Pineapple Quilt -- 

First what I thought I was going to do. I'll probably machine applique these angels on some other piece -- they are cute. 

Here's the whole piece with the 2 sample pieced borders.  I made a mistake on the first one as I really like the 9 patch look of the second one.  But, this was enough to get an idea.  I will have to put a spacer border in to make either of these borders fit.  I'll figure that out later. 

Here's a close-up of the tiny border. Those strips are 1/2" finished. (Am I out of my mind -- this would take forever! 

And finally, the border strip bigger and with the 9 patch look.  I had to really think about how Judy Martin did this in the book.  This one is my favorite.  

 I only have a bit of the white left.  I'll probably have to add another white from the stash to get all the white squares done. And, I'm wondering if I will have enough of these older red christmas prints.  I would love to use them all up!  This might become a stashbusting quilt after all!

It is now time to actually DO some sewing.  I am planning to go to my local quilt store to buy some backing fabric.  She's got a buy 2 yards get 3rd yard free sale going on.  I've got a couple of quilts waiting for backing.  I tend to buy much smaller pieces so don't usually have backing hanging around.  Sometimes I piece it but not all the time.  Hopefully in June I'll start getting more things finished! (long arm is arriving at the end of this month! YEA!) 

Happy Quilting All! 

A New Winner

Since I didn't hear from Lorraine I have named the next person on the list as the winner of the book Strata Various. So, Nancy at Patchwork Penguin congratulations!  Send me your snail mail and I will send your book out.  (I am thinking of this as de-cluttering... the book has been sitting on a table in the great room for a couple of weeks now!)  

Raggs had his first visit to our vet today.  He was calm and cool.  He got a little tense when the vet was actually in the room but overall, he was great.  Only one shot and lots of medicine -- heartworm, ring worm, ear cleaner... etc. We'll get him at 100% soon.  

He still weighs less than 27 pounds.  And, we're not all that sure that he really is an English Springer Spaniel -- he might be one of the cocker breeds -- American or English.  But, we do know he is a super dog.  Very cuddly and is learning his commands well.  

Yesterday I pulled out a pineapple quilt that I made the main blocks years ago.  (Hum, probably around 15 years ago.)  I pull this piece out every couple of years and get a little more done on it.  Last time I prepared angels to applique on the outside border.  Yesterday I laid out the pineapple part, the white borders and the green angels I had cut.  Looking at it I realized the angels are way out of proportion for the size of the logs (1/2" finished!) While at my regular Wednesday group I reviewed the book Pieced Borders The Complete Resource by Judy Martin and Marsha McCloskey. I came up with an alternate border from the book. Today I made up two different sized borders.   Tomorrow I will post the two sample pieces I did with the center to see what you all think.  (too dark tonight to take a decent picture.)  I did the pineapple piecing using Christmas fabrics that were already many years old when I pieced it.  Then it took me a couple of years to find a green fabric that would match what I already had going. I really have no excuse.  The top should at least be finished this year. And, heavens knows,  I'll be happy to finish the top. (And, eventually quilted.) 

Happy Quilting All 

I Did It!

Last fall I bought Lazy Girl Design's  Wonder Wallet from a booth at a quilt show.  So a few weeks later I tried to make one.  I don't know what I did but it was a disaster -- there was a hole in one side seam and flap hung over the side of the bottom part.  It was pathetic.  So, like all smart quilters I grabbed the flop, the extra fabric and the pattern and stowed it all away.  

hum, hum, whistle, whistle.  (that's time going by for those who can't figure it out... like everyone!)  Enter Suz of The Thread and I blog. She's making millions of them.  Well, how about lots of them?  She has some on her blog already made and some with fabrics all picked out. (you'll have to scroll down a few posts to see them.)  It was just the little jiggle my mind needed.  I've got that pattern.  I might be able to actually do it.  

Yesterday was the day.  I didn't have borders that looked good on string x, I couldn't find a backing for the wonky 9 patch.  So, I cut a new wallet.  Used different fabrics from the ones I had tried first.  And very carefully followed the directions.  YAA HOO!  It worked.  So now I may make a few more.  Just for fun.  (maybe that ought to read to use up stash!)  I'd like to say the colors aren't right on the photo but, they are pretty close.  I'm beginning to think it might be a bit too pink on the bottom part but... it's fine.  Really it is.  

I may have to get out the fabric Jenny gave me that was left over from the purse she made me.  I could make a wallet to match it.  And, I'm going to make a second one just to hold punch cards, gift certificates and shopper's cards.  Currently those are rubberbanded together in a pocket.  This would look ever so much prettier!  

I'm continuing to make blocks for the million pieces quilt.  And, putting together some other scrap quilts I've got going.  I guess I need to take out the streak of lightning that is going to be a donation quilt and a practice quilt for the long arm when it arrives at the end of this month. 

Off to the studio -- Happy Quilting All...   

Still Looking For ...

I am still looking for Lorraine from Bluesy Beach, Australia.  Lorraine please email me at brsinstitches@gmail.com.  I'm holding off naming a new winner of the Stratavarious book until Wednesday.  

And congratulations to Jane Emerson who has won the hand dyed fat quarters.  I've sent Jane an email asking about her favorite colors.  I don't have every color in the world but I can try to send her fat quarters she might actually use.  

I've been trying to border a String X quilt from quiltville.com without any luck at all.  I thought I had a perfectly good batik to border it with but it looks terrible.  I had a nice purple floral -- too busy.  Today I am going to audition the solid purples I used with the string parts to see if that will work.  I'll report back later about that. 

I've been doing a little bit on the million pieces quilt.  So I guess that is what I will focus on today.  And, I think I will work on putting the bricks together on a bricks and stepping stone also from quiltville.com. 

Time to get going on the quilting part of life.  

Happy quilting all!  

 

Happy Mother's Day

I had a nice Mother's Day weekend. Kevin and I had a great time Friday afternoon with the dogs and catching up. Pat worked with Kevin all day Saturday fixing up his new workshop above the garage.  They were putting plywood type stuff around the walls.  They didn't finish until about 6 pm last evening and they both were worn out.  The dogs hung out around the garage until I got home and then came inside with me. Dinner was terrific.  This morning the guys cooked a puff pancake for breakfast.  (Darn, now why didn't I take a photo of that?) And, they did all the dishes too.  I was groggy from Raggs waking up at 4:00 am!  I'm just beginning to wake up now.  

Talk about a bunch of great presents for Mother's Day!  Woot! Woot!  Aimee thanks for getting Kevin to the quilt store! And, Kevin thanks for getting the fat quarters and the rotary blade for me!   I love the fat quarters!  I have a plan for two of them.  I'll let you know how it turns out!  They are being preshrunk as I type!  

Here's a view showing the individual fabrics.  Nice mix of colors.  And, no, I don't have any of them.  

Brian and Jenny got me the dvd and workbook Pajama Quilter Reloaded.  The workbook has some great pattern ideas in it.  I am looking forward to viewing the DVD.  This should be a big help with my long arm that is coming at the end of May.  Remember how pitiful my finishes were for April?  Well, that's because I am saving everything to quilt on my soon to arrive Nolting 18" commercial.  

I've heard only great things about Pajama Quilter Reloaded. It shows how to do free motion quilting an gives lots of ideas for patterns to follow.  Now, how do I load that quilt on the machine?  I saw a site today that sells videos for the beginning long armer.  I need to check Nolting's site to see what instructional videos they have before I buy any.  

The fabric is ready to be ironed -- and I am motivated so will sign off and head for the studio.

Happy Mother's Day.  And, for those of you who are quilting -- enjoy your quilting time!  

 

No Quilting But

Kevin and Cassie came to visit for Mother's Day weekend.    Raggs and Cassie did very well together.  And, if we are lucky, Cassie will teach Raggs all about going out side!  

We took the dogs to the local state park, Promise Land.  Cassie loves to swim so Kevin was lobbing balls into the water and Cass was happy to swim out and get it.  Kevin tried to wade in but he said it was way too cold.  So then he brought her on land to fetch.  Raggs watched a lot. He did well chasing the ball if I threw it but he couldn't keep up with Cassie. And even off leash he stayed fairly close and came when called.  Good boy, Raggs. 

Tomorrow I run errands in the "big" city.  Then home to quilt, hopefully.  

Happy Quilting All!   and Raggs.... 

Drum Roll Please . . . .

Thanks to all who commented on my blog and entered the Strata Various book give away.  And here is the generated number.  There were 22 people who responded.  And, lucky number 7 was the winner.  And you ask, who was number 7?  

Lorraine from Blueys Beach Australia wins the Strata Various book.  Lorraine does not have a blog and didn't leave an email address. So Lorraine, if I don't here from you by Monday, May 11th I will give the book to the next person on the list.   

And, the second place prize of a couple of hand dyed fat quarters goes to Jane at QuiltSmiles. 

Lorraine and Jane send me your addresses and I will get prizes in the mail shortly.  (Remember I have to get this crazy sweet dog a crate before I can go out during the day!)  I'll try to remember to post a picture of the hand dyed fabric that will be sent.  

I spent quite a bit of today actually sewing in the studio.  I was able to get all the borders on the wonky 9 patch.  Wow!  I like it. (This is duller than it is in person...)   After I finished the borders I started refolding and putting away the fabrics from that quilt.  As I was doing that I auditioned borders for the strip X quilt cause I wanted to use batiks.  The sun was almost down so I will need to verify tomorrow that I like what I picked.  Hum, maybe I can get those borders on tomorrow.  

I started making more blocks for the Million Pieces quilt.  I have 25 blocks but I think I want 35 so will do more of them while I work on other blocks.  I've also been sewing some 4 patch blocks together. (hum, that sounds like I am making the 4 patch blocks.  No, I've already made them so I am making 16 patches from them.) I've found a pattern I like and will slowly work toward getting it done.  (This doesn't count as a new quilt as I had the 4 patches made and sitting around.)  So parts of quilts are being done.  What isn't being done is the dog blocks. Remember them? They are all different sizes -- I would have to think about those! (Some day, just seems too much like work right now.)  

Remember the Lint Bowl Challenge?  Today I refilled my bobbin using Connecting Thread's Essential cotton thread.  I cleaned out the bobbin area and under the throat plate before I put the refilled bobbin in.  I'll take pictures of the dust/lint after I finish this bobbin.  We'll see how it looks.  And, then I'll try it with a different thread... don't know which one but I'll let you know. (Assuming I know what the thread is!) I spent some time trying to decide how I would determine equality of sewing time.  Duh, with a newly filled bobbin.  Sounds like that will work.  

Now, it is off to bed.  Raggs rambled into bed without me.  Springers are known as Velcro dogs.  They stick with their owners.  Since I am home all day, Raggs sticks to me so I am surprised he went to his bed without me.  Maybe he was hinting that it is time for me to go to bed! 

Sleep tight all and Happy Quilting!  

Behind the Closed Door . . .

Going into the door 

Behind the door. . . 

"I was framed!  I didn't do it!  Aren't I a cute dog?  Remember Mom, I'm a cute dog!"

Hum, is that ANOTHER Longaberger basket lost to another dog?  ARGH.  

That crate can't come fast enough.  And, no, I don't think this is a 2 year-old.  I'm bettting he is under 2 by a good 6 months.  No more freedom for me until the weekend when the crate arrives.  

I hope everyone is having luck getting their comment on the blog site.  I'm going to be taking care of that tomorrow.  Won't get it mailed until either the crate arrives or the weekend.  

Happy Quilting All! 

Give Away! -- Last Day

Have you commented to be eligible to receive the book Strata Various?  Are you having a hard time commenting?  If you are, feel free to email me (brsinstitches@gmail.com) to be signed up for the book.   Evidently books don't motivate sign ups the way fabric does.  But, could I really give away any of my fabric?  Maybe, maybe not.  

This cheery fellow was at the deli we went to in Lancaster when we met gals from Fabricholics Annonymous in April.  And, since I don't I have too much in the way of quilt pictures to share -- he's being shared.  I smile when I look at him.  

Yesterday I finished the streak of lightning quilt.  And, two sides of the border are on the wonky 9 patch.  Raggs and I went outside at least 4 times yesterday for walk abouts.  (Have you ever known a boy dog who doesn't hit every tree, bush, pile of dirt? -- me either but Raggs isn't very good at that part of going outside.) 

I've noticed some of the people who have commented on the giveaway page don't have emails available on their profiles.  I'll post the winner here tomorrow some time.  If I can't find your email I'll hope for you to email me.  Big thanks to Chris for posting the info on her blog.  

 Happy Quilting All! 

  Today's Plans

• Finish the binding on the streak of lightning quilt. (I'm sewing it down by machine -- yes both sides!) 

• Start putting the borders on the wonky 9 patch.  Note to self -- verify there is enough fabric left to use the chosen fabric.  

• Walk Raggs a million times (ok, only 3 or 4 times... but it seems a million.... and he seldom does his business when I do walk him....) 

• Plan a Mexican meal for dinner tonight   Ole! It's Cinco de Mayo.  Yee haw! (no I haven't been hitting the Margaritas. 

Don't forget to register for the Strata Various book give away.  Wednesday is coming up soon.  And, if you post it on your blog please let me know.  Although I have been checking out blogs that are available from your comments. 

Happy Quilting All!   

PS So how cool is that?  I clicked on someone's signature line by mistake and voila, it opened a web site where you can make your own signature.  And it was EASY!  I just used one of the 10 fonts shown. And, of course, red is my favorite color so why not?  Some day I am planning on redoing my blog back ground.... but I'm still being lazy on that.  Eventually it will happen.   B.

Give Away!

I had planned (mentally) a give away around my 10,000 visitor.  But, I think Raggs came up plus a mention on Kim's Big Quilting Adventure which garnered a huge number of hits so I am way over 10,000 hits, actually well on my way to 11,000.  So, today, I begin my give away.  

The prize is this copy of StrataVarious by Barbara Persing and Mary Hoover.  It has some wonderful quilts in it.  My DD ended up with the copy I gave her at Christmas and one from her brother.  I'll borrow hers if I want to do any of the quilts. But, heck, I have a hundred quilts from my own books still to be made! I haven't decided if there will be a second prize or not.  I'll be snooping through the studio to see if there is anything.  Maybe a fat quarter or two of my hand dyed fabrics.  

Here's the plan.  Leave a comment on my blog.   If you do not have a blog that lists a way to email you, make sure you leave your email with your comment.  Let me know what your current project is -- you don't have to write a book.  You'll get an additional entry if you post a link with information about the give away on your blog.  The cut off will be based on the time stamp on the comment -- 11:59 pm on Wednesday, 5/6/09.  

Raggs Update

Saturday we decided to give Raggs some alone time.  We left him in our bedroom which is about the only room we can close up on the ground floor.  We were gone, maybe an hour.  He was soooo lonely.  By the time we were back he had tried to grab my pillow off the bed and in doing so he had pushed around some things on my night stand.  And, of course, I had forgotten about the glass of water on the night stand which was all over the floor, a little rug, a library book, some papers, etc., etc.  It wasn't all that horrible -- he didn't chew on anything. And no accident.  Yea!  Water mops up pretty fast.  The book was a paper back.... 

So today, we were going to church and Raggs was going to be by himself for about 5 hours.  We moved most of the stuff he could get to off my night stand.  We moved the big basket off the floor.  We moved the stuff off the phone table.  You get the picture.  Five hours later we come back.  Raggs had moved his water dish from the hardwood floor on to the carpet without spilling a drop -- don't ask me how as it was a heavy bowl!  But he decided to try for my pillow again but without much luck.  He did pull tufts of fur off a rug I had on the floor.  Oh well.  But there was no other damage.  And, he must have exhausted himself as he's been asleep for the last hour.   Until yesterday Raggs didn't jump up on his hind legs at all -- or at least not that we had ever seen.  Rescue thinks he had been hit by a car before he was found.  He had surgery on his leg and hadn't been using it much. He is now using it more especially when we take him for his walks.  So, the jumping up on the hind legs was a big surprise!  I've got your number Mr. Ragg Man! 

Time to hit the studio and sew!  I have to sew the rows together on the wonky 9 patch and then decide about borders.  

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie 

April Stashbusting Report NOT!

April's Report -- um, er -- all I can say is quit show in Lancaster and the Wonky 9 Patch quilt... 

Fabric used by finished quilts:   4.5 yards

Fabric purchased:        8 yards 

Net fabric USED from stash:     (3.5). yards 

Year to date fabric used: 21.4 yards

Year to date fabric purchased: 28.83 yards

Year to date  ADDED to stash    7.43 yards

Wait until May.  I have one quilt ready to bind right now.  And, my Nolting 18 is arriving sometime near the end of the month.  Woowee!  I've been getting tops ready to quilt on it.  Now to get a couple of backings ready.  I want to show a goodly bit of stashbusting soon.  (I'm not really holding my breath -- knowing my fabric collection I might have to buy some backings!) 

I'm ready to get my shoes on and go finish a few more wonky 9 patch blocks.  I'm hoping to have that top together by the end of the weekend.  And, I'll still have to make the "to border, or not to border" decision.  

Happy Quilting All!    Bonnie