NEW NEW NEW quilt block swap

[klarina]

So, did anyone miss me? My brother-in-law passed on 7/7/09 which kept me busy helping my sis for a couple of days. We had vacation plans in place for California prior to all of this and left Saturday morning. Missed our connection flight and stayed in Cleveland, Ohio on Wednesday night; got home almost 24 hours late. Sis had all of her vacation (daughter got married on July 4th) pictures processed while I was gone and gave them to me late Thursday night for me to scrapbook most of Friday. Got those done for her to take to back to Washington for her daughter (a combo vacation/wedding album). turns out she will not go to Washington for several more weeks but at least that is done and ready for her. She was pretty torn up seeing pictures of her DH at a wedding and then he passed suddenly a few days later on the flight home. I can not imagine.

Shall post vacation pictures soon.

I sure did miss you guys. I did see a HUGE fabric store in San Diego (right near a Joann's); went in but did NOT buy. Had not room in the luggage! I was already in trouble with 3 bags (carry on). Continental charges $15 for a check bag! I was not paying any more than I already had! We flew back on Delta and they charge for food! Free 1/2 oz bag of peanuts and a 4 oz cup of soda; have to pay for everything else. I am shocked at how things are going to fly. Oh well, vacation was wonderful, even the bright red face I now have

Welcome back Deb. Sorry to hear about your BIL. Sending prayers for him and his family.
I'm glad that you had such a nice vacation. I live a couple of hours far from San Diego.... One of these days I'll drop by to search for that fabric store you mention... LOL.

[tndenim]

You are always missed Teddy! Surely you know that by now. I'm glad you had a good vacation. After all that has happened in your family recently, I'm sure the time away was needed - even if you had not already had it planned.

[bibliostone]

Has anyone ever used Stitch Era Universal software to create embroidery designs?

[SusieQ]

Klarina, the tea cup block you made was great! Seeing beautiful blocks like that makes me more excited all the time. I'll be glad to boost your ego for free blocks---can I get in on that deal too? LOL.

Everybody keep stitching---SusieQ

[tndenim]

Well I just finished up a block I needed to complete the quilt top from the first swap. That leaves me two blocks short. My friend said she was going to do 2 more blocks for me. But I'm still waiting - lol.. I think I'd better just go ahead and make them.

I've been using these "extra" blocks to test out blocks for the Christmas swap one. I really enjoyed this last one. It'll be so cool done in the fabrics I chose.

One more design to finsh testing. This has been so much fun. I never thought I would enjoy putting these blocks together like this. But it is sooo cool. Now - I just got to get them quilted - lol.

[artist_bre]

Hello, hows everyone doing?
We just got back from camping. Boy what a great time we had, I have always loved camping and our 8 year old is just like my other boys hes in love with camping and wanted to stay there when we came home, hehe LOL. I forgot my bag with my quilting stuff in it, so I couldn't even do any while I was gone, .
Welcome back Deb, sory to hear about your bil, but glad you had a good time.

tndenim
Thats what I started doing was making more blocks for my quilt top from last swap, I can't wait to try quilting it when I am done with the top.

I also have been making a lot of different patterns for my blocks this swap, and they take longer since I've never done most of them before, but its so much fun.
Happy quilting
Bre

[klarina]

Klarina, the tea cup block you made was great! Seeing beautiful blocks like that makes me more excited all the time. I'll be glad to boost your ego for free blocks---can I get in on that deal too? LOL.

Everybody keep stitching---SusieQ

Of course you can SusieQ.... I think this will be way cheaper than therapy... LOL...

[klarina]

Well I just finished up a block I needed to complete the quilt top from the first swap. That leaves me two blocks short. My friend said she was going to do 2 more blocks for me. But I'm still waiting - lol.. I think I'd better just go ahead and make them.

I've been using these "extra" blocks to test out blocks for the Christmas swap one. I really enjoyed this last one. It'll be so cool done in the fabrics I chose.

One more design to finsh testing. This has been so much fun. I never thought I would enjoy putting these blocks together like this. But it is sooo cool. Now - I just got to get them quilted - lol.

Will you post pictures when you are done? I would love to see how you put them together...

[klarina]

Hello, hows everyone doing?
We just got back from camping. Boy what a great time we had, I have always loved camping and our 8 year old is just like my other boys hes in love with camping and wanted to stay there when we came home, hehe LOL. I forgot my bag with my quilting stuff in it, so I couldn't even do any while I was gone, .
Happy quilting
Bre

Hello Bre, welcome back. Glad to hear you guys had fun. Sorry to hear that you forgot your quilting stuff... did you have withdrawal symptoms? LOL

[artist_bre]

Hello Bre, welcome back. Glad to hear you guys had fun. Sorry to hear that you forgot your quilting stuff... did you have withdrawal symptoms? LOL

Klarina
YES I sure did, I missed it more than I ever thought I would LOL. I wanted to take my machine or at least remember my quilt stuff I had packed so I could do a few applique blocks. But I'm back at at my sewing machine while my warsher cleans up the mess from camping hehe.
Bre

[tndenim]

Well if everything goes well - and I know how often it doesn't around here - I'm going to start putting the blocks together tomorrow. Nature chick has promised me her two blocks tomorrow. She has them done - it's just getting them here. Our schedules don't jive well these days.

I'll be sure and take a picture of it when I'm done and will post it. But it'll take a lot longer before I've finished it. I'm going to try and hand quilt it. I've got a frame and I think that it deserves something really special - since my blocks came from som special ladies.

That means I got to go into the attic and dig out my frame. I used it onece befroe ewhen I candle wicked a bedspread for my mom. I don't suppose it's rotted since then - lol. I has been up there for years though.

[teddy_rn]

Thanx Bre! Spent the day today with my sis; she has good and bad days still.

I made 17 blocks in the last couple of days, have 20 for the new swap now Was rather pleased with my silly self!!

Bre, I camp in my motor home It has a washer and dryer stack which I totally LOVE. We found a 40 foot AllegroBay several years ago at an excellent price (she is 15 years old now) and have had a blast with her. Right now she is in the shop because the air line on the brakes needs to be replaced. She is a diseal and the brakes will NOT release without the air pressure up. I can hardly wait to get her back. Plan to take my EM next trip.

[tndenim]

Yahoo! I got my blocks from Naturechick this afternoon! I get to start putting the quilt together tomorrow. I spent the embroidering gift bags for the shop. I got to sew them back up later tonight. They are the $1 bags sis got me from Everythings a Dollar store. They are not bad littel bags for the price. and they look so cute when they are embroidered. I'll take some pics tomorrow when I get them sewed back up. Because they are so small, I have to rip out both seams in order to embroider on them. I get this done - then I can officially start my Christmas blocks. I'm raring to go. I've played with a few quilt blocks now and am ready to start cutting and sewing. Provided no emergencies crop up, my sewing machine continues to hold up, and my glasses don't fall apart again. The earpiece broke off today. $%$%#%^ it is so hard to thread a needle with out them - lol. they kept sliding down my nose. I finally found the duct tape and I'm back in business. That stuff works for everything!

[bibliostone]

Greetings ladies,
I did the Central Ohio Quilt Spree today and came back with lots of different holiday fabrics, although I already had more than enough to finish my blocks. It was fun and depressing at the same time. Only ten shops are participating this year and a few of them had far less inventory than they have had in previous years. Made me wonder if they will be around next year. Last year there were twelve shops.

[artist_bre]

Thanx Bre! Spent the day today with my sis; she has good and bad days still.

I made 17 blocks in the last couple of days, have 20 for the new swap now Was rather pleased with my silly self!!

Bre, I camp in my motor home It has a washer and dryer stack which I totally LOVE. We found a 40 foot AllegroBay several years ago at an excellent price (she is 15 years old now) and have had a blast with her. Right now she is in the shop because the air line on the brakes needs to be replaced. She is a diseal and the brakes will NOT release without the air pressure up. I can hardly wait to get her back. Plan to take my EM next trip.

Deb
l I would love a washer/dryer in ours. Our motor home don't have one. We have a 35 foot Mallard that has everythin you could want except a washer dryer. Its is also older home we bought sevral years ago. Now were thinking of trading her in on a new smaller one.

We always bring tents along for the kids and we use to sleep in them too, but we've gotten to old to sleep on the at least my backs too old hehe and I use to love to do that.

What pattern are you doing this time? I only have 10 made but I have been making some harder ones ( at least harder foir me) with stars, scenes, candles, poinsettias, and the Christmas star.

Bibliostone
That so neat to have a place like that to get your holiday fabrics at. I hope you don't loose anymore shops.

Happy quilting
Bre

[tndenim]

Ladies - that's the cheaters way of camping - lol. what happened to tents?? Well I cheat a bit too - I sleep on cot in my tent. I am TOO OLD to sleep on the ground - lol!


Bre- your blocks sound cool!

[teddy_rn]

TNDenim - DH refuses to camp out! He spent 24+ years in the Air Force and got to enjoy Saudi in a tent I'm loving the motor home with my 6" thick memory foam thingy on the mattress. I too did tents for many years but not no more.

Bre - Dad bought a used 36' with slides and all the toys but no washer/dryer. He had an all-in-one put in right away and states he can't live without it.

As for the quilt blocks I am trying all different styles of designs for the blocks and embroidering most of them. DH says they are cute.

Working on a quilt for myself. Found it at Wal-Mart (quilt collectibles) in June. Had it all cut out and half sewn. Have 11 blocks to go. Also found the August blocks stuff and an autumm block set at Wal-Mart on Thursday. I have gone nuts over this whole quilting thing and LOVE it!!

[artist_bre]

Deb
That’s great a really good start on finishing your blocks. What pattern are you doing this time?

Maybe you should mention to your sister about joining our swap, it would give her something to do and be a good way to keep her mind off things while her heart heals a bit.

Tndenim
I have always camped in tents all my life; this was actually the very first time I ever camped in a camper. We only bought it to go around and see the country when he retired from Wisconsin Electric. I actually missed sleeping in the the tent and wished I could sleep in there with the kids too.

However with my dang "old" back now and all the back surgeries I’ve had and the metal rods and bolts they put in my lower spine there’s no way. I didn't want to aggravate it by sleeping on the damp ground and then not be able to move for the rest of the week, LOL.

This was my 8 year olds first time camping and I wanted him to have as much fun as my bio kids always did when they were young and we went camping. They still do camp as adults. My 27 year old son even came along with us because he’s still a big kid himself who loves camping as much as he did when he was young.

I even used the Coleman stove for cooking just about everything except marshmallows and smore’s “Yummy”, that was in the fire pit. The only thing I really used in my camper besides the bed was the refrigerator and that was great. I remember the pain it use to be; using 2 or 3 coolers to keep our food cold in the past, and having to go for ice 2 or 3 times a day LOL.

I can’t wait until we can move back up-north permanently where my youngest son lives (in M.O.) so we can go camping, fishing and all the other things we use to do a lot more often with my son. Florida is just too hot to camp most of the time except in the early spring.

We camped in M.O. where my son lives but when were able to move back up-north; we’ll be able to go to Wisconsin a lot more for visits to my family and to pick up my grandkids and bring them to M.O. for a weekend or in the summer for a couple weeks at a time. Here in F.L. where we moves to 9 years ago; I have no Family other than my mother-in-law and 1 brother-in-law and they don’t get together for holidays or anytime really like my family always did.

When we moved here we thought it would be great to live here but it’s too dang hot for me, and I miss my family, grand-kids, and the seasons. I especially miss the snow for Christmas. It just don’t seem like Christmas to me without snow on the ground.

We would already be up there if it weren’t for the way the economy is. We were suppose to move at the end of December last year but my husband couldn’t find a job there, and Cape Girardeau is rated the one of the worst places for having no jobs.
My husband is an electrician and usually can get a job anywhere but now he’s not finding anything and he also has his age against him too because he’s 62. So we may have to wait until he fully retires in another 2 ½ years. What is killing me not being able to see my new grandson grow up like I did the all the other ones from birth on.
Sorry for going so long on girls, but just talking about camping up-north got me thinking about moving back up-north and then I got all sentimental and started to ramble on LOL. I miss my grand-kids and family so much. I miss the different seasons and the thaw in the early spring when you get your first warm days, or the beautiful fall leaves and to have to wait another 2 ½ years really kills me. It wasn’t so bad before when we use to go up-north a lot; but now it’s to hard now to go every month like we use to.

Well happy quilting ladies and thanks for listening and let me ramble on.
Bre

[artist_bre]

tndenim
I am also trying all different styles of blocks this time. I'll have to check out Walmart for the quilt things you mentioned. My hubby just learned that not all the Walmarts closed down there fabric departments only the one near us, BAH!!! but the one where he works still has material, and he said they have a lot more than the one had that was near us.

I don't know why when I use word me sometimes it changes the font size like it did in the last post I made, sory about that ladies.
Bre

[artist_bre]

Ack the last post I did said tndenim but was for Deb not tndenim sory about that.
Bre