New Years Eve Day

I was all ready to go to the Wednesday Quilters even though we have snow on the streets and driveway.   And, it is still snowing.  I am showered, dressed and ready to go.  (well, hadn't made my lunch yet but that wouldn't have taken long.)  The phone rang.  No Wed. quilting today.  It makes sense but I was going to give it a try.  Now, I have a day stretching out in front of me and a few decisions to make.  What to do? What to do?  . . . 

Here is a photo of the carousel horse. Yuck. This photo doesn't make it look very good does it?  It is better in person.  Plus, I took this in the evening when the light gets weird. I need to make about 20 more blocks to go with these to make it a reasonable size.  So I will stash dive again and see what I can find.  I have been using up odd pieces of fabrics with this.  I purchased the pink stripe and the blue (both around the center block).  The pink will also be the border.  I have lots of the dark green left.  We'll see what happens when I get more blocks done.  I don't want to sew it together until all blocks are put together.  

And, hearts ... remember Valentine's Day isn't that far off!   These are fun, easy hearts to make.  Get the direction's from my friend Marge, at Delaware Quilts.  They are called Scrappy Hearts.   Marge also runs Mysteries for Relay.  You can access that yahoo group by the button in my sidebar.  So all you mystery lovers here is another choice for mystery quilt directions.  

Snow continues to fall.  Or as of right now -- blow sideways.  Guess I shouldn't have been planning a day out when I really didn't need to be out and about.  It's upstairs to the studio for another round of quilting.   (after the towels finish spinning that is!) 

Happy Quilting All.  And, may 2009 find you well.  Bonnie 

New Apron

So, yes, I do cook every once in a while.  I'm showing off my new apron.  Although you can't see the bottom part it says "Quilters love you to pieces."  It was a Christmas present from Pat.  I was pretty tired of my blue apron that I got when I lived in Atlanta area 15 years ago!  Pat did a great job with quilty presents this year.  

Now, what was dinner?  It was a chicken and penne pasta dish.  My chicken added to a box from the Macaroni Grill.  Not bad.  It needed a few more spices.  I'll add some to the leftovers.  

Quilting activities today:  I worked on some blocks that will be mailed out to a friend who is putting a quilt together.  I also continue making random bowtie blocks.  When I cut other projects I also cut blocks for the bowties.  Eventually I'll put the bowties together for a quilt.  I've also been putting some "stuff" away.  The studio had gotten pretty messy.  I'll try to snap some pics of the blocks before they fly away to their new home. 

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie

Onward and Upward

I am soooo tired of being worn out, tired, etc.  I've spent the last few days reading, playing on the computer, watching TV and movies.  I am ready to hit the studio.  Of course, I'm not sure whether the hike up the stairs will do me in but I am ready to move on. 

I'll be back to the Wonder Blocks quilt if all goes well.  Then I will probably try putting some things away.  I know the studio was degenerating into a mess when last I was working up there.  Who knows what else I will try up in the studio.  

If any thing gets worthy of a picture or a shout out I'll be back and let you know. 

Happy quilting all!  Bonnie

A Quick Hello

No, we didn't go away for the holidays, we didn't have a houseful of guests.  I got the flu Monday night.  I started feeling  human again on Wednesday night but no energy.  Today I've started eating more than saltines and jello!  No quilting done.  But, an enjoyable quiet day for Pat and I.  

Hope your holidays were everything you wish them to be. 

Happy quilting.  Bonnie

A Finish!

I have finally finished the wallhanging for our bedroom.  I'd done the pillow shams earlier.  We are really pleased with the way it looks.  Eventually I need to have the chairs reupholstered.  I've been eyeing fabrics but haven't found exactly what I want.  Then I'll need to find something for the wall across from the bed.  Hum, maybe another quilt -- but bigger.  

Sorry this isn't a bigger picture but it is really difficult to set this up the way I want to.  And, then when I have it exactly as i want it I look at a preview.  And, everything changes.  Then when I upload it, it looks different from the preview and the composing screen.  Go figure.  Hum, I wonder if there is a Blogger for Dummies book? Maybe that would help. 

I haven't been able to sew for several days now. All the Christmas cards are made and will be dropped at the post office tomorrow. What is next for me? Tomorrow I will try to work on the carousel quilt.  Then I'll need to re-evaluate what I have to work on over the next weeks.  I want to make some fabric postcards too.  Actually, that should be on the list above the carousel quilt.  Hopefully I will remember that in the morning.  

Hope every one is doing well and keeping warm!  Happy Quilting. Bonnie 

Old Ornaments

I am blessed to own several ornaments that were on my mother's Christmas tree when she was a girl.  I'm pretty sure this was on Mom's tree.  I had a santa that was on my grandfather's tree but I'm not sure which one it is!  It was a santa sitting on a log.  And, for some reason I have two of them!  Both look old although one is a fairly recent acquisition!  So, I'm not sharing a picture of that one.  

I've also acquired a few unusual ornaments from various places we've lived.  So check out this next ornament.  Have you figured out what it is?  Take a guess..... 

Santa's got a little dimension and is painted on ... (a little trumpet fanfare please,) an okra.  Yes, a dried okra.  I'm not sure why he hasn't drawn vermin or bugs, but he hasn't.  

No quilting today.  But I have just about finished making 35 Christmas cards.  Now to finish signing, addressing and mailing them.  

Tomorrow's plans:  back to the quilt studio after church, grocery store and maybe lunch out.  I did finish the wall hanging for our bedroom.  In fact, Pat got i hung today so I'll post a picture tomorrow.    In fact he hung something else I will show off tomorrow.  Have a great evening.

Happy quilting!  Bonnie

It's Here!

Oh yes, sir-ee.  The snow arrived around 9:30 this am.  Light little snowflakes coming down heavily.  It's been snowing ever since.  I'm hearing a bit of "ping" now so it might be turning to snow and sleet.  We've got about 5" so far, probably more because I went out an hour or so ago.  The birds devoured the food in the feeder so when I stopped for lunch I refilled the feeder. 

It's like Grand Central Station at the feeder.  Because of the pole you can't see all the birds gathering around the feeder.  But they are in and out like a major airport at Thanksgiving. 

And here the birds are waiting to get to the feeder.  Hum, does that make it Grand Central Station Waiting Room? 

I spent the morning in the studio working on a Project Linus quilt.  Remember that Carousel Horse panel I showed the other day?  I'm working on blocks to go with that. It isn't going as fast as I would like it to but it is going.  I don't think I will make it as large as I originally had planned or I'll be at it until March.  I'm thinking in terms of 80 to 90 blocks now.  I have about 30.  I'm going to have to find a few more fabrics to go with it.  I've already cut up and used about 5 dabs of fabric -- fat quarters or less.  Time to go make some cookies.  Nothing like baking on a cold afternoon!  

Happy Quilting All.  Stay warm and dry!  Bonnie  

Scrappy Quilt for Eye Candy

Debbie had this quilt at our Wednesday quilt group.  I fell in love with it because 1) it is scrappy and 2) it uses rectangles.  I'll pass on book title when she tells me what it is.  Enjoy! (It really isn't this yellow looking, the greens are much darker and richer.) 

Off to sew a few seams and then think about making and sending my Christmas cards. 

Happy Quilting all!  Bonnie in the Poconos where the sun is peeping out just a  bit.  

Another Snow Storm(s)

Weather word is a little rain tonight, a couple inches of snow, a little icy rain in the am.  Oh fun.  And, then Friday maybe some more snow and then Sunday some more, maybe.  

OH PLEASE

No more.  And, winter hasn't even started.  

Today, labeled, wrapped and shipped off the rag quilt.  I decided to write directly on the flannel for the label.  Not the best way to go about it.  Maybe next one I'll sign the square before it is made into the quilt.  My guess is the label will fade out after 4 or 5 washes any way.  

I started making blocks to go with the Carousel Horse today.  I was going to design the quilt using grid paper.  Except... I couldn't find my tablet. URG.  And, I didn't think about printing a sheet from the Internet until right now.   I got 6 blocks done before I had to go out.  I'll start again tomorrow and I'll see if I can print some grid paper or find my tablet.  

Happy quilting all! Bonnie

Hi, My Name is Bonnie and I am a Fabricholic . . .

That's the only reason I can figure for hitting Jo-Ann and doing some damage to my low buy decision.  Yes, I went into the big city of Scranton today and did a bit of Christmas shopping.  I returned something.  And then I went to Jo-Ann with one 50% off coupon and a list of what I thought I might "need" that was on sale at Jo-Ann.  Some was to fill low spots in the stash. Some were not at all necesary and some were go withs to a project I have in mind.  And, then there was stuff for Christmas cards, a knitting project book. and  .... you get the picture.

I had this cute carousel horse piece hanging around the studio.  "Ah ha!" says I,  "That would look cute in a Project Linus quilt."   I rummaged on the shelves and came up with the cream at the top right and the green -- which might be a bit too bright but what the hey!  I also found some little pieces of pink and blue to go with but not enough.  So, all those pieces went shopping with me.  (Hum, were they doing a mind meld on me and convincing me I had to get more fabrics??) I thought the pink stripe would be really cute with the horse. And then the blue was another go with.  Now, I plan to cut this up as soon as it all gets washed.  So, maybe this will be a top in the very near future.  I thought I might use the pink for the borders (if I use borders, and if not, the backing.) We'll see what gets done. 

I also found this really cute kitty cat fabric ... on sale, of course.  And the moose fabric is flannel.  I thought it might go in another rag quilt. Am I totally out of my mind.  I don't need any of this.  But, if I get snowed in this winter (when it officially arrives) I'll have lots to work on unless we lose electricity again! The center piece is Kona unbleached muslin from Jo-Ann.  I happened to have some other Kona -- it felt very similar.  This is just to have around.  I find I like to use the same neutral fabric in my scrap quilts.  So this will serve the purpose.  

On to dinner -- I'll be slaving away over a hot oven when I put the frozen pizza in!  

Hope to actually get a few more stitches in to the binding of the wall hanging.  I thought it would be up on the wall by Sunday, but didn't happen.  As always, there is always tomorrow! 

Happy quilting.  Bonnie

Here's a Finish!

Santa drove through our neighborhood on a fire truck.  Here he is -- freezing.  We have no street lights so the picture isn't very good... and who could see anyway!  We waited outside for a couple minutes.  Yikes did we get cold.  It was about 20º or so.  Hum, that pillow is sinking badly!  But he was a good sport.  

No quilting done today.  Long choir rehearsal after church as we tried to learn the music for next week.  This is a very low key choir... we only practice Sunday  for less than an hour.  Not too bad sound wise (unless you are music major!) Then we had a little bit of shopping to do.  Later we went to a party in the neighborhood.  Nice day but, as I said, no quilting really.  

But here are a couple of pictures of my finished rag quilt.  I had all the fabric and batting except one yard of red I purchased to add a little more color.  Pretty  cool.  This is the quilt that Pat helped with clipping.  I've already started the trimming and cutting of another rag quilt.  Don't know when I will make it but at least some of the cutting is done.  This is a present that I'll need to get out in the mail in the next day or two.  The recipient should enjoy it thoroughly! 

What a fun and fast quilt this is!  I'm sure a second, and maybe a third one is in my future.  I still have enough flannel for at least two more.  

It's Saturday Afternoon? Already?

tick tock time has gotten away from me.  . . 

Here's the cookies for the swap already to go. I thought I was really creative and organized to have the cute bags.  Made some cute tags that weren't on when I took the photo.  

But a lot of the ladies were creative and on top of things.  There were lots of cute boxes, tins and bags filled with yummy cookies.

I tried to make "4 patches" but they didn't turn out that well.  So, complaining and carrying on I tried to follow the directions for the pinwheels.  The directions weren't spectacular.  But surprisingly the cookies looked fairly decent.  (not against the red but it seemed like a good idea at the moment!)  And, there really were 5 dozen cookies in the dough. Amazing. I made some other ones also.  But used the pinwheels for the exchange. 

My Christmas cactus is blooming away.  It is a new one.  The old one is in shock from moving.  It bloomed with a few flowers in November.  Usually it has lots of flowers but two moves in 12 months gave it fits!  But this little one is giving its all. 

I haven't been up to the studio working since Tuesday.  Although I did quilty things on Wed.  I have also done some more quilting on Carolina Lily.  The Rag Quilt has been clipped -- special thanks go to DH, Pat for doing all the vertical clipping.  It is in the drier as we speak.  I'll get a picture after it dries.  

Santa will be coming through our neighborhood in a bit.  So I'll work in the studio until he arrives.  We decided we wouldn't go to the community party for the kids. But we'll snap photos of Santa and wave as he drives by.  Probably not enough snow for a sleigh but . . .  

Happy quilting all. Bonnie  

Cookie Day

Ok, I admit it.  I stayed up waaaay too late last night.  I'm going to a cookie swap today and have to have 5 dozen cookies to take.  I'm adventurous I try new things... I was making pinwheel cookies.  I thought it sounded quilty also.  So too late last night I made the dough which has to be refrigerated for 8 hours.  It was sticky.  It was nasty to roll out.  It looked cute but no way there are 5 dozen cookies in what I got.  So, now I am avoiding making a decision.  Oh well.  The blog definitely needs to be written. Right? 

I got a quilt back from my friend Ruth. She has a business with her long arm machine.  And, she did a wonderful job.  I'll get pictures up eventually.  Hey, I bought the fabric for this in April 2008.  Made the top in June,  and did the borders after I could find some matching fabric.  Amazing.  Another quilt started and finished in the same year.  Wow. 

I spent yesterday clipping the rag quilt.  I've got more to do but no motivation.  Hey, the cookies are calling me.  

This will stay short because I need to do those blankety, blank cookies.  I hope we actually have this cookie swap as it is raining (thank you, it's not snow... that's tomorrow) and icy.  Evidently the driveway has a nice glaze on it.  Oh fun.  

Happy quilting, or for me baking!  Bonnie 

Question

So, the question is who has been walking across the driveway?  When we got back from church Sunday there was this perfect set of footprints. What animal made them? I am guessing a squirrel.  Any naturalists out there who can verify this? 

The rag quilt is sewn together ready for clipping the fringe.  That will be done over a few days so as not to destroy the hands.  I should have done some yesterday but I didn't.  I did get some hand quilting done on the carolina lilies quilt.  The quilting in the blank squares looks great and I like to do it.  The quilting in the pieced blocks is a pain and looks... um... well add the word of your choice.  I have one motif in the plain block and then I need to mark the corners that are plain quarter blocks.  (and, a million pieced blocks .. ok 8 or 10) I will probably start the borders as soon as all of the plain inner blocks are done. 

Late in the day I made some Raisin Rats for Pat to take to work.  He loves raisins so I thought I would try the recipe.  Yum. I made them with golden raisins.   I have 5 dozen cookies to make for  a community cookie swap.  Haven't made up my mind what I will take.  Any suggestions?  I was thinking of doing pressed sugar cookies in the shape of trees. Except they make such small cookies. But they would look Christmas-y.

I'm off to finish quilting the wall hanging.  I hope to get it hung this weekend and then I'll add a picture here.  Ruth emailed to say she has my quilt ready that she was long arming (is that a verb?) so will have to get the binding ready for that.  And, the clipping... it should be at least started!!  

Happy quilting all!  Stay warm (or cool if you're down under!) Bonnie   

Moving Along

I was able to get all the threads tied off on my wallhanging. I also made the binding and hanging sleeve.  Then I sewed blocks into rows of the rag quilt - got 5 rows done.  Tomorrow I'll get the rest of the rows done and then sew the rows together.  We'll see what else I'll get done because I have some errands to do also. 

Here are some more photos of Christmas decorations.  I really like these guys who sit on the landing of the stairs.  

And, here are some snowmen who are guarding the stairs.  Actually they are really hiding some electrical wires.  

Have a great quilting day.  Bonnie 

Waa Hoo Christmas Came Early!

See my Christmas present?  Pat and I had said we weren't going to exchange presents this year.  A couple of weeks later he mentioned he had gotten me something.  Well it came while I was in the shower today.  He decided to give it to me so I can use it!  Wow, this is the chair of chairs.  It has about 4 different places you can customise -- the seat height, seat angle, back height, back angle and lumbar support.  We saw this at the quilt show in Hershey, Pa and I told him I would like one. (hey I had two office type chairs in my studio and both of them would sink down without any particular reason.) 

I got him a table saw. Nah, he asked for it and picked it out but it was from me! He's making stuff for me with it -- or at least I think he is! 

I got a lot done in the studio today.  I only have the borders to do on the bedroom wall hanging.  And, tying off all the threads on the areas I did today.  I hate that part of machine quilting. Some people don't worry about it but I always tie them off and bury the threads.  

Pat also gets great husband stars today for doing some more decorating in the house.  He's done all of the outside and has moved into the inside.  He has put lights and garlands around the bannisters.  Today he cleared off the Thanksgiving decorations and put out Christmas stuff on the mantel.  

I bought this lovely Santa at a vendor at the quilt show in Lancaster, PA many years ago.  I fell in love with it -- probably because of his old quilt coat.  He is proudly displayed on the mantel with several other Santas I have.  I don't think Pat pulled out all of the Santas but they are peaking out of lots of nooks and crannies of the house.    This one was the beginning of my Santas and now I must have 15 or so. Some are stuffed, some are floppy, some I've made and some have been given to me. Over the next few days I will try to add more pictures of our Christmas decorations.   

We will be putting up a small tree next weekend.  Since the kids were here for Thanksgiving they won't be here for Christmas. Supposedly we aren't going all out with our decorating.  Jen will be going to Brian's Mom's house in Ohio. Kevin will be going to Tennessee with Aimee. We were thinking of going to California for the Rose Bowl but, wow, airline prices are out of sight.  We'll keep looking but it doesn't look good at this point.  Pat and I went to Univ. of Southern California and lived in California ten years before we moved east.  California in December/January looks good compared to the Pocono Mountains.  And, since we get Rose Bowl tickets every year it's good to go to the games every once in a while.  USC just beat UCLA so SC will be the Pac 10 representative.  

And, just to give Pat equal time:  Here is his workshop out in the garage (heated garage). It is always this neat except when he is working in it.  He is very neat, unlike me!  I'm better than I was but I'm not completely cured of my messier nature!  

Happy quilting all.  Bonnie 

Lazy Morning

I've been reading emails and blog surfing for two hours or so.  Must be time to get up and move on to something else. 

My to do list in the studio includes:

 • finish sewing the mystery quilt together.  Pictures will be posted after Jan. 1, 2009. You'll just have to wait to see this great quilt. 

• finish the rag quilt up to the hand snipping part

• finish machine quilting the wall hanging for our bedroom. 

* review the to do list to make sure I stay on task -- now where did I put that list??? 

Hope you have a great day.  I'm off to get going on my day. 

Happy quilting from chilly (13º degrees this am at home) Pennsylvania, USA.  Bonnie

A Productive Day

I spent most of today in the studio machine quilting the wall hanging for our bedroom.  I must have spent 5 to 6 hours stitching and then tying off and burying the threads.  I finally got bored around 4:30 and started on sewing a mystery quilt together.  I only have one row left to add to it. Then I'll make decisions regarding borders on that.  

Tomorrow's plans include finishing the sewing part of the rag quilt. (I ordered more fabric through fabricshack.com  late Tuesday night and it arrived here today.) The flannel was in the wash with in 15 minutes of being in the house.  Yes, I know I shouldn't preshrink it but all the other fabric was and I was worried about it shrinking too much so went ahead and washed.  And, I'll try to get the last row of the mystery quilt on.  I'll probably do some more on the wallhanging too. 

Pat has been busy for the last few weekends getting the lights set out on our new house.  Doesn't it look great?  We're having snow on Sunday so I'll have to see whether we can get a picture with snow.  

A Peak into the Studio

Here's what I've been working on for the last few days.  This is all from the stash.  I did order 2 different reds to add to the mix.  I probably could have done without them but ... I've got to help the economy somewhat!  Today I sewed about 40 blocks with the X.  Then I laid them out to start to get a sense of what this rag quilt will look like.  I thought I would have enough of the dark green and black plaid to do the whole back. Of course not.  I'm not all that much short so I thought I could pop in some of the black and brown plaid. And, as I was laying it all out I thought putting some of the green/black on the top would add interest.  I've got what I have made laid out but will not angst over it until the other colors come in.   And, while I've been cutting all this if I didn't have enough left for the 8" blocks I've cut them all to a smaller size.  So, I might make another rag quilt down the line.

At Wed. sewing group I basted that wall hanging for our bedroom.  It will be quilted this afternoon.  Or at least it will be started.  The rest of Wed. I hand quilted on a Christmas lap quilt.  I'm not really fast but I keep plugging away.  I have most of the motifs done in the open squares.  I still need to mark the quarter squares in the corners.  And, I have most of the pieced blocks to outline quilt. And, not to mention the border.  I was happy to see I have the border stencil that goes with the blocks. The quilt is a Carolina Lily that I made as a mystery at a retreat many years ago.  I am sure it will continue to be worked on, especially on Wednesdays, because it is easy to grab and go and it helps keep me warm!  

Back to the studio.  I really want to get a few more quilts quilted.  I think I have 2 lap size and one table runner basted and ready to go.  We'll see whether I can get them done! 

Happy quilting from rainy, northeastern Pennsylvania.  Thank goodness it isn't cold enough to be snow! Bonnie 

Quick Notes and Then Back to the Studio

I have been trying to take a picture of the woodpecker that visits my bird feeder.  This is really a small bird feeder but the smart woodpecker has figured out he (she? -- don't know where the bird book is since the move.) can sit on the outside and still reach the seed through the cage that keeps the bigger birds out.  Man does the feeder rock and roll when the woodpecker comes for a visit. The feeder can be viewed from our great room and every time I see the woodpecker visiting I grab my camera and go to a window without the screen and try to snap the picture.  He never stays around long enough to get the picture.  Now my plan is to get him used to someone being in the room looking at him. Ha!  As if that will happen.  

I'm going to put dinner together and then go back to working on the current quilt.  It's going to be a Christmas present -- don't tell my friend who is getting this!  It will be a cozy rag quilt.  And this recipient lives where the snow falls -- quite a bit some years!  

Have a quilty Tuesday -- happy quilting.  Bonnie

Back to the Studio

Truth be told I didn't spend a whole lot of time sewing yesterday.  I did start the mystery quilt over at Mysteries for Relay.  YIKES.  It is labor intensive.  I may use it as a leaders/enders project cause it has lots of sewing and cutting in it.   Oh boy another start with a finish in the far distant future! 

It is time to prioritize what needs to be done.  I decided to make one Christmas present this year and the cutting is started for it.  So, I guess that will be the top of the list.  I have one top I need backing for -- or I need to piece bits of fabrics so I have enough backing.  It is going in our bedroom as a wall hanging so I would like to get it done.  And, I have one quilt ready to be quilted.  (basted and sitting in a roll in the studio.) I guess that is my to do list for now.  

The last thing I really need to do is figure out where all my UFO's are.  In other words, take an inventory.  I doubt I remember all the pieces I have started.  And, there is no central location in the studio where UFOs reside.  (Nor will there be one probably.) 

That pretty much identifies my week.   I keep trying to get on Joann's website but it is overwhelmed and I can't get through. Oh well.  Maybe later.  Happy quilting all. Bonnie 

Sewing Instead of Shopping

We had a sewing marathon on Black Friday.  There was some discussion about going shopping but it fell by the wayside.  The girls each had projects to do and I was the consultant.  I spent some time cutting some batting squares for a rag quilt.  I ironed some stuff for the girls and I (oh no, I really did this???) hemmed pants for Jenny.  

Here's Aimee, Kevin's girlfriend,  learning to use an older Elna sewing machine that she will be taking with her to play with.  She was working on her first quilt, a rail fence baby quilt.  She has never sewn before and it was all pretty new to her.  She learned to use a rotary cutter and ruler, everything has to be sewn in a quarter inch seam, how to iron the darn fabric and the pieces.  I'm pretty sure she'll have a finished top to take with her.  

Jenny brought a bunch of projects to work on.  She free motion quilted two quilt tops -- one had some additional straight stitching.  She fixed a top and hemmed another pair of pants.  I stitched the other pair she had gotten ready to stitch. 

We had a nice day although Jenny kept us at it as long as it took for her to finish what she needed to get done.  She's hoping for a darning foot for her sewing machine for Christmas.  (Brian, did you get that??) 

I was able to get two of the three dogs to stay still long enough for a picture.  So here are some of the dogs who came for Thanksgiving weekend! 

The kids are leaving today so I should be able to introduce myself back to at least one of my sewing machines today.  My studio is really great for two sewers but it just doesn't have room for a third one.  It was probably good down time for me cause my shoulder has been a bit sore and now it feels much better.  

Have a great Saturday all!  I'll be back to sewing in a few hours. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

The dinner has been eaten, the dishes done.  I loved the look of these cranberries before I made the sauce.  I need some fabric that looks like that!  And, I wish my hands weren't covered in pumpkin pie filling yesterday ... I would have snapped a picture of that pumpkin as it was a beautiful color too!  

We had a 16 pound turkey  -- didn't sound all that large but a little bit hung off  the roasting pan.  YUK -- the oils from the turkey were burning in the oven and every time we opened the door smoke poured out.  We had to have some windows open to keep the air clear.  But, wow, it was a very good turkey and made plenty of gravy. The carcass is now being made into stock so we can make soup some time this week.  And, these berries were great too!  

 

Jenny and Brian arrived and Jen hit the puzzle.  It took a couple of hours but we finished it off.  Weird puzzle -- we could actually put pieces in wrong and it looked right.  Finally when we were down to 6 pieces we realized we had to move some pieces so we could finish.  I've never seen that in a puzzle before.  This was only 750 pieces.  Next up is a cute black and white springer spaniel that looks like our dog, Christy.  Maybe we'll put that up tomorrow.  

Here's a monopoly game we started after dinner.  Notice the hole where someone should be playing.  And, I was.  But, I spent the first 10 turns in jail.  We didn't have the rules so our rules were we could get out of jail with doubles or after the third time we'd get out.  Every time I got out of jail I either landed on go to jail or pulled a go to jail card.  Once I finally got out of jail and made it past the go to jail space I thought I was home free and could finally pass go and collect my $200.  Well, no.  I landed on a property and had to pay rent.  And then I landed on pay luxury tax and I was bankrupt.  I never once got to pass go!  What a riot.  We were laughing so hard.  Everyone else was buying property and I was just sitting there.  An hour or two later they are still playing but two more people have gone bankrupt. (Probably happily!) 

Tomorrow is a sewing day for me.  I'm not interested in shopping.  I did cut some sashing out today.  If the girls go shopping which they are talking about doing I am going to start a new mystery quilt over at Mysteries for Relay.  Click on the button to go to the main page.  You might be able to join tomorrow and sew with us.  

It's been a great day despite the smoke from the turkey cooking.  Happy Quilting, Bonnie

Day Before T Day

Yesterday between 3 and 4 I scraped off whatever snow was left on the driveway.  Unfortunately it is a fairly long driveway and was about 2/3rds covered with snow.  I felt very virtuous for clearing it off.  I was also slipping like crazy at the end of the drive.  

Fast forward 15 hours or so.  I got up to a driveway once again covered in snow!  Probably not even an inch.  We decided it would melt off as the temps were to  be above freezing.  Thank goodness cause there was no way I could scrape it off again!

No sewing for me today.  It was baking day.  I made two pumpkin pies, an apple pie and a batch of cream de menthe brownies. Yum.  I purchased 3 aluminum pie plates -- designed for one use than toss. Yikes.  It created a problem when I poured the pumpkin pie into the pan and then tried to put it on a pan to put in the oven.  Imagine the pie plate bending in half making a perfect little spout for the pie filling to pour out.  Luckily I hadn't started moving over the floor.  Just pie filling on the counter.  Oh fun.  Eventually got it in the oven and cooked.  They smell quite good.  Although I'm not a pumpkin pie fan.  I'll be eating the apple pie myself.

I don't know if we'll get some stitching time tomorrow or not.  But, I will get a bit of knitting time.  I don't buy quilt kits because I enjoy picking my own colors.  However, I did buy a sweater kit some years ago.  So many years ago I'm not sure how long I've owned  the darn thing -- probably more than 10 years.  It was quite a surprise to me though when I ran across it while going through the box of yarn.  Easy decision. I decided to make this sweater.  I may not like it when done though.  I'll have to see.  I started on the back and I've knit about an inch and a half. 

Enjoy your stitching or your celebration.  Happy quilting. Bonnie

Another Snow Event

It snowed overnight.  It must be mixing with rain because it is quite noisy.  Usually you don't hear snow like rain.  When I got up at 6:30 the driveway was clear. Pat gets up early for work but he was up even earlier as he ran on the treadmill, cleared the driveway and was at work by 7 am. And, tonight he is dishing at a community Thanksgiving dinner.  He'll be asleep within 30 minutes of coming home! 

Today's agenda is mostly house cleaning.   All surfaces will be vacuumed/dusted. Kitchen floor will be cleaned. Bathrooms will be cleaned and that is it!  The puzzle is still being worked on -- less space is undone but still not easy to slap those pieces in.  I am using the kamikazi method -- swoop in try to get three or so pieces in and leave.  The bumblebee quilt is in rows so today or tomorrow I will sew the rows together.  Oh yes, I need to clean up the sewing room so all three of us can work up there.  I plan to continue to cut out the rag quilt.  I've been working on batting squares a bit but need to step it up if this is actually going to be done by Christmas! (and to be shipped out also!) 

Have a great day.  And, happy quilting if you can fit it in!  Bonnie

Scrappy Eye Candy

It has been a quiet few days in Institches land.  I have nothing new to show you. The picture of the quilt I wanted to show you turned out poorly.  So I am going to share some photos of scrap quilts.  Faithful Circle Quilters in Columbia, Maryland has a quilt show every two years. We usually hang 300 quilts which is pretty amazing.  In addition there are demonstrations by various guild members.  I will be sharing with you scrap quilts made by Pat Neal that she showed during a demonstration.   I don't know if these are original ideas, from a book, or ideas that took off in her brain after viewing various books.  But they are stunning scrap quilts none the less. First is this wonky log cabin.  She said she was just using up leftover fabrics.  Although most of the fabrics are bright and black and whites some appear to be rather subtle.  Hum, throw all my brights together, eh? 

This next one appears to be a 9 patch and a plain square.  Except, that isn't an even 9 patch.  Hum, we could change the expected size of a pattern to get a different look.  Lots of the fabrics seem to be the same from the log cabin.   I bet she buys lots of fabric when shopping! Notice the border is made up with at least one extra piece of fabric. And, see the little prairie point added to the border?  Pretty cute.  Now, I know I don't have that many bright scraps, do I?  Something to think about. 

And now, what I think is the most spectacular quilt of all she showed. She used a diamond shape to make string pieced blocks.  Then she added the yellow but to add that little wow touch she put large (giant size?) rickrack between the yellows and the string blocks.  I think it is stunning.  If you look at the blocks themselves there appears to be no rhyme or reason to the fabrics she chose to sew into the block.  Some are lights, some mediums and some dark.  They are scattered around.  I think Pat said she just grabs from a bag (or basket or box or ....) and puts whatever string is in her hand into the block.  What makes this a WOW quilt is the yellow that holds the whole thing together.  I am also wondering if she put a selvedge into the block with the white polka dots on black.  Hum, maybe I should be saving those darn selvedges! 

I really wished these were MY quilts but I am so happy to have pictures of them to inspire me.  Hopefully they will inspire you too.  Happy Quilting.  And, yes, I plan to get a few minutes of quilting in today.  Snow is predicted for tomorrow and the all wheel drive car will go to work with DH -- and I'll stay home to clean house for T-Day visitors.  

Bonnie 

Stripper's Mystery Is Done

As I have been blogging about almost being done for several days I am proud to announce the Stripper's Mystery is done! (And, that includes the label!) It really isn't all that big but sometimes I just put things aside cause I get bored. (How one could get bored with this bright cutie is beyond me... but I did have a full time job up until June!) This is from May 2006.  Now to find a place of honor to hang it for a while.  Probably will go in the studio for a while. It really is way too bright for the rest of the house.... although maybe in one of the guest bedrooms!  

I didn't actually do anything up in the studio yesterday -- nor have I today, yet, but I will.  I did some ripping yesterday and today I am ready to get on with some resewing and then doing the bumble bee blocks. We mailed off a blanket for Project Linus, some blocks for Heartstrings and the Stars and Stripes for the quilt guild drawing in a couple of weeks. So now, without further ado -- I'm out of here!  Happy quilting! Bonnie 

One Finish and One Close to Finish

They're DONE!  Yipee!  Wow -- I finished these in 7 and a half weeks.  This has got to be an all time record for me.  Now I have to decide if I like the feel of them on my feet.  They are not knit very tightly so I can feel the threads more than commercial socks.  And, these are really thin socks while I am used to thicker ones.   I guess I will wear them a few times before I decide to make any more. 

 I do have a whole book on socks where you knit both at the same time on 2 round needles.  That could be fun.  And, it has patterns for several different weight of yarns.  

And it would be helpful knitting both at the same time -- these pretty much started out at the same color but it didn't take long until they didn't match.  Now, honestly, not too many people are going to notice and/or comment on it.  By the time I got to the one on the right I had evidently loosened my tension so much that I have several stripes more.  The top is a bit longer too.  Oh well. Done is done! 

These will be brought out to razzle dazzle the family on Thanksgiving Day.  

What else is happening around here?  I'm about done with Stripper's Mystery -- I've even got the label on it already.  If I am efficient I make a label in advance and then stitch it in by machine when I sew on the binding.  Yep, I was efficient and got the label in.  The other day I sewed the rest of the label on.  Now, I just have 1/2 the binding to turn.  This isn't all that big either so really, no excuse.  Watch for pictures tomorrow. 

And, I did what I call a sample rag quilt.  4 patches, 8" cut size of the flannel.  I decided it is a bit boring to cut out but I'm going to do it next weekend when the family is all here.  The girls are going to do some quilting while the boys do their thing which I assume is watch football on tv.  Now I am in the process  of cutting the fringe.  I need to get the spring loaded scissors -- or borrow someones if I make a whole quilt.  The sample will be hitting the washing machine with the next load if I get it done soon. (Yep, I'm planning on bagging the sucker before it goes in.) 

My next item is putting the blocks together on the mystery quilt -- it is fabulous.  I'd like to get it going so I can get some opinions from Jen regarding borders.  It's going to be a New Year's Eve Mystery Quilt over at Fabricholic Anonymous.  Check previous posts for the yahoo groups address.  No pictures until next year -- sorry!

Ok, time is a passin'.  I'm ready to finish the strippers mystery and then on to the blocks.  Oh yes, I also have a 4 patch posie I'm in the bordering stages.  I want to move one block and then get on with it.  

ENOUGH..... happy stitching all. Bonnie

Do You Keep Up With Site Stats?

Ok, I admit it.  I like to know that people are reading (or at least showing up at my blog.) To that end I added a site counter early on. And, I check it fairly regularly. (No, not every hour...!)  What a hoot.  For the longest time the most popular hour for reading my blog was 5:00 AM. Yep, as in crack of dawn.  My guess is it was overseas readers but I don't know for sure.  Maybe it was hubby reading before work. As to most popular day -- Tuesday. Tuesday?  My little brain tried to rationalize that:  weekends are too busy.  Monday is a busy work day for those who work.  Yes, Tuesday rolls around.  Stuff is under control at work, an hour or two opens up and everyone surfs the web.  Sounds logical to me! 

So all you Tuesday surfers at 5:00 AM.  Thanks for coming by to

see what's happening!  

Here's a little eye candy.  This was made for Faithful Circle Quilters 2008 Challenge.  A huge box of Crayola Crayons were dumped into a brown paper bag. We each drew out one crayon without looking. The challenge was to create a quilt that represented that color.  I got the plum crayon and proceeded to use the word plum > plumb and how we had to plumb (go to depths of)  our imaginations. 

Hindsight is I must not have had the quilt as taut as it should have been when I basted it -- it bags a big. I was all set to hang it in the bathroom until darling hubby burst into laughter.  Plumb -- plumbing! Well, ok.  That isn't such a good word association. It will be hanging in the studio for awhile! 

I'm on to my quilting day.  Hope your day is happy and productive! Bonnie

All Time Low High Temperature

Does that make any sense at all?  Well, according to the local news today's high temperature is the lowest for this day since 1955.  (It was 30 degrees and normal is 48!) Overnight it is suppose to be in the teens tonight and over the next few nights.  Looking at the 7 day forecast there were little snowflakes showing on 6 of the 7 days!  Wait, it's too early for snow!  Of course, so far, none is suppose to accumulate more than an inch or two.  Phew, safe for a bit longer. 

A couple of days ago I showed you one of these blocks in progress.  Now I have two done to send to the guild in Maryland.  Ooooh, I hope I win these babies.  I really like them.  And they look quite complicated but they really aren't.  I figure they could be laid out similar to log cabin blocks -- a dark and a light side so there are lots of ways to build a quilt if you have enough of them. 

I was all set to baste another quilt today at the Wednesday quilt day.  Oops.  The fabric I had thought to use for the backing was about 5" to narrow.  Ok, on to Plan B.  So, I was going to turn the binding on Stripper's Mystery.  I took some polyester turquoise thread.  Now, I am not one to use much polyester on quilts, I've had problems in the past. My thoughts today were, hey, it's a wall hanging.  It's for turning the binding. How much trouble could I get into here.  Evidently a lot!  The thread I had grabbed was a very fine thread and it just didn't feel sturdy enough.  After 1 needle full of thread I put that aside.  Plan C was to work on a Christmas quilt that I have (or haven't as the case might be) been quilting on for a few years.  Oops -- didn't grab the thread for that.  Which left Plan D -- knit on the socks.  YEAH I had everything!  I am now at the toe of the second sock.  Woo Hoo!  I will probably finish this sock in the next day or two!!  Yippee.  Something started and finished in less than a year!  

My next dilema.  Do I start another knitting project or do I do more hand quilting on the Christmas quilt? I have a nice tubular head scarf I want to make -- pattern and yarn are already in the house (hey, I'm thinking of using something from the yarn stash!) But, I am having some difficulty finding the right needles.  Maybe I'll review my needles again tomorrow. 

Tomorrow's plans:  probably a load of laundry.  And finish Stripper's Mystery.  You'll get to see a picture then.  Finish the sock in the afternoon or evening.  Figure out a backing for the wall hanging for the bedroom -- it matches the pillow shams I showed a couple of days ago.  I might even try to baste that here as I won't be going to Wed. Quilters next week.  And something new for dinner, maybe ... or frozen pizza... I'll see how I feel about it.  

Have a happy and PRODUCTIVE quilty day! Bonnie

Winter Is Back!

Someone has taken the powdered sugar and sprinkled it all around my neighborhood! 

Or at least that's what it looks like to me.  We had snowfall last night -- snow that looked like tiny pellets of ice.  I was at quilt guild last night and there was only snow falling about 3 miles from my home -- not the other 15 miles to the guild.  Thank you!  I didn't expect to see any of it this morning.  But, here it is.  And, I guess the leaves really are off the trees now.  

Yesterday was very successful sewing-wise even if I don't have a whole lot to show for it.  The second pillow sham is done and on the bed! Waahoo.  Pictures will come in a few days when the new bedspread arrives.  The first block for Faithful Circle Quilters block drawing is finished.  And I machine quilted the Stripper's Mystery quilt.  

Today I will be moving on to other things, kind of!  I will make another block for FCQ. Part of it is cut, part is pulled.  I'll unearth the binding fabric for the Stripper's Mystery.  And, I need to move a quilt that is still blocks from one bed to another.  We are getting a new bed in one of the guest rooms so need to clean it off.  And, there is always that blankety, blank puzzle!

Happy Quilting All.  Bonnie 

Puzzle Time

Do you like to do puzzles?  We do especially when the house is full -- it is an option for non-tv watchers.  So, over Labor Day we had a puzzle out on the dining room table.  It was a bunch of baseballs.  Kevin said it had been his and he worked like a dog on it off and on until it was finished.  We decided that was a success so we brought out another one.  It was a nice picture of Big Ben in London.  Jenny got involved with it and worked like a dog on it.  Except it is a pain in the XXXXXX. First, it is a lot darker than it shows in the picture. It tends to glare back at you.  Then, the light needs to be just right in the room to be able to see the pieces.  Jen was up a few weeks later and worked some more on it.  Pat and I both take turns working on it.  Jen separated the pieces into type.  And then she was picking up every piece to try it in a spot.  So, I've been doing that too, off and on.  Well we are now a week and a half away from T-Day.  T-Day dinner will be at the dining room table not the kitchen table.  So the pressure is on to finish this blankety, blank puzzle!  This morning I got several (maybe 5 or so) pieces in.  The problem is you can put a piece in that looks like it is right and later it proves to be wrong. And a few taken out.  ARGH.  I'll keep  you posted.  We have bought a couple more puzzles that appear to be a bit easier.  I hope so.  It's fun to try a puzzle every once and a while but not one that refuses to be put together. I believe I hear the trash can calling this puzzle!!

It is time to go up to finish the other pillow sham.  Don't know how long I will last as I woke up at 5:30 or so bright and awake.  Maybe a nap is in order later. (after the pillow sham!) 

Happy quilting all. Bonnie

Success! A Small Finish

I am snoopy dancing!  I have finished one of the pillow shams that I have been fussing around with for a month. (Or so it seems.) Today I quilted the piece that I basted on Wednesday.  Then, having a couple more hours of sewing time left I started putting together the other sham.  In a little less than two hours I had the sham done and on a pillow. Phew, it fit. Even though I was using a sham I had taken off the pillow as a pattern I was still slightly worried that I might have measured something wrong. It is on the bed.  It isn't bad with the coral bedspread but I did order a new matalesse coverlet in khaki.  It should be here by the end of the week.  I plan on finishing the other sham tomorrow before I allow myself to do anything else!  YEAH -- the end is in sight on this project.  I still have a wall hanging to baste and then quilt that matches the shams.  Maybe that will be my project on Wednesday at the quilt group. 

Before I did the sham I put together this block for Faithful Circle Quilter's November opportunity Block of the Month.  FCQ is my guild in Columbia, Maryland.  I still am a member but obviously I don't get to the meetings often.  I like to do these to try different blocks and to use little pieces of fabric up.  I don't remember the guild ever asking for 2 blocks from one of these boms but they did on this.  The extra blocks are going to be made into quilts for veterans.  What a great way to get some nice blocks.  I need to applique the star and trim the block.  And, then I need to find some more red strips and do another block.  Not a hard block at all.  

I've had a happy quilting day.  I hope you do too!  Bonnie 

Rain and More Rain

It was raining when we woke up this morning.  It was raining when we went to fill my car with gas and buy a few groceries and it is raining now.  And, as an added bonus there is a tornado watch in our county.  So, after watching The Wizard of Oz last night I know I'll run to the basement if I hear a freight train coming my way! 

No sewing today. Got the heal flap done on my sock last night.  Today we moved furniture in our bedroom.  And, some went upstairs and some came downstairs.  When all the moving was done we went to a local craft fair in support of the local high school band.  Bought a couple of decorations for the upcoming holidays.  

Since I didn't quilt at all today I thought I would share a baby quilt I made earlier this year.  It is probably from Quilts for Babies as Easy as ABC. (I've sung the praises of this book before... published by That Patchwork Place or whatever they are called now. Author: Ursula Reikes.) 

Hopefully tomorrow I will spend the day quilting. Or at least part of the day.   

Happy Quilting.  Bonnie

Quiltless Day

Hum, that almost sounds like guiltless.  But, no, I'm not planning on doing any major quilting today.  We are off to look for a new bed. (Kevin -- you want to start Snoopy dancing?) And, after yesterday and Wednesday, I might need a brain infusion to be a better quilter! 

Yes, I had more troubles with a block yesterday.  I started another star paper pieced block. I am drawing individual blocks for the 5-pointed stars.  And, they are 4".  So, I happily draw about 10 of the stars. I figure one or two blocks a day and I'll get through the 51 I need in a reasonable amount of time. HA!  I ripped out little itty bitty stitches at LEAST 5 times.  I wasn't willing to toss the units because I would have had to start all over and I had one section correct (out of three). So, I carefully measured and cut the fabric.  I pinned and flipped.  It fit perfectly.  I pinned so I could sew.  I sewed.  I flipped.  And, then I personally flipped. YIKES -- it didn't cover the paper! URG. Again, and in one instance, again.  So, now my mantra is cut it bigger -- way bigger.   I'll keep you all posted. 

I didn't spend any time machine quilting yesterday cause ... well you know why.  Plus the 6 loads of laundry or so.  

Hope everyone has a happy quilting day.  Or for those nonquilters enjoy your day. Pat and I are off to the big city of Scranton to do some shopping. Bonnie

Basting Success

I took 3 quilts to the Wednesday group to baste today.  And, they all got basted!  Woowee!  Of course, not everything ran smoothly. 

This morning I still had to piece the backing of a lap quilt.  But I had bought more than enough fabric to make the backing.  So, I measured the quilt top, I measured the backing. I ripped the piece to the correct size.  Except, it wasn't the correct size!  It was too small.  So, I remeasured the quilt, the backing and then tried to add some more. I needed 7" or so I thought. I cut it 14"  but some how it didn't end up that big.  Then, I tried to sew the short ends together so I could add it to the bigger piece.  Well, somehow I sewed the long sides together but I realized it before I sewed all 43". Ripped that out, sewed the small sides. Ironed the thing and then sewed it onto the backing.  It fit but there isn't a lot of extra fabric hanging around.  Sheesh!  

I had the other pieces ready to baste.  One is a pillow sham. The other is a small quilt I made at a class. I think it was called Stripper's Mystery.  The class was taught by Gyleen Fitzgerald. She's a great teacher and a lot of fun.  The cool part is people ended up with very different looking quilts.  I'll post pictures when I finish it.  This quilt has been quilted once and then I ripped the stitches out because I didn't like how it looked.  This time I will stitch in the ditch and let the fabric shine.  Oh well.  

I Hit Some Sales

Traditional Veteran's Day sales were yesterday or over the weekend.  When I got my Joann's mailer I went through writing a list to jog my brain as to what I might like to look at.  Tuesday came and I was still trying to talk myself into going or staying home.  (I had a coupon for 40% off cds at Borders so it was talking to me also.)  I finally decided to go and began double checking some things.  I'm looking for some different size knitting needles, muslin was well priced, novelty fabrics, books -- these all were on sale between 30 and 40% off.  And, there was a 10% off everything coupon.  I was actually really restrained!  And, my bargains were amazing.  So, what did I get? 

two or three fall garlands, gourds and loose leaves at 80% off!  Woowee. 

two books at 50% off.  One was a seasonal banner book, the other quilting designs. 

one cd of the original Harry Potter movie's music.  I had lost my copy and I like it.

What I didn't get was any knitting needles.  Boo.  When I finish the socks I'll want something else to knit. (Of course, I could work on the hand quilting...) 

And, last but least I hit the big grocery store in Scranton that has the cereal Pat likes a lot. Not a bad day altogether.  And, for some reason I popped out of bed and sewed a block before breakfast.  So, even a little quilting activity there!  

Happy quilting all. Bonnie

Quilter's Day Out

Yesterday was Quilter's Day Out sponsored by Mountain Laurel Quilters.  It's held once a year and recently has been held at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort right on the Delaware River.  There was a glorious tree near the front.  In the distance you can see the Delaware River made famous by the painting, George Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (sorry -- got sidetracked.) The trees across the river have lost most of their leaves.  There was a wonderful porch along the front of the hotel where you could rock and view the river. It was warm enough to spend time sitting there but I only lasted a little while. 

The day includes demonstrations, some vendors, a nice lunch and a guest speaker.  The speaker yesterday was Anna Faustino.  Here she is talking about how she created this picture.  The background is woven from two identical paintings of the trees.  She kept us laughing, amazed and in awe of her body of work.  And, she kept saying you can do this. 

And, I suppose you can with her new book Simply Stunning Woven Quilts published by C&T.  And, yes, they are amazingly stunning.  Anna's background is in art, teaching, and designing.  She was born and raised in Russia.  She is definitely an art quilter so don't look for a quilt to snuggle up with on the couch. But WOW her work is fabulous! She shared many of them with us during her talk.  I'm sorry I couldn't get pictures without the head in them but these are well worth the viewing! 

Besides her woven quilts she does a lot of applique using couching. This one is completely different then the woven quilts.  She also enjoys using technology.  Some of her work utilizes photographs that she has enhanced with colored pencils. 

Are you sitting down now? 

Anna has been quilting for a little over 4 years!  I don't aspire to be an art quilter but these just amazed me!  They are gorgeous! Needless to say she is entering her quilts in shows and is winning ribbons galore.  Check out her web site to see more about Anna Faustino. (See link above.) 

So, here I am working on my fabric creations.  Not as flamboyant but well loved by my family.  I was glad to have a chance to see her work.  I might try some of the weaving ideas but I generally make quilts to cuddle up with.  But, wow on what I saw yesterday. And, I did do a little shopping at the vendors.  Bought several reds to incorporate into my election challenge.  That isn't going so well.  I am having to rethink how I am making the stars.  There must be some secret to getting the stars to come out with a quarter inch at the points cause mine sure aren't doing it.  I think I'll just paper piece them.  That would work just as well and probably take less fabric!   I should be getting back to quilting.  But, lunch calls, it is 1:30 EST. Oops... time flies when you are retired.  

Happy quilting all.  Bonnie