Thanksgiving Morning

We were lucky and had the WHOLE week of Thanksgiving off from school, so it was a fun, goof off time. We spent one day checking out all the stores, just in case we missed something that might need to go on our Christmas list. We (okay I) spent another day cooking, and then there was Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

Cooking needed to be done a day ahead, because we had great plans for the morning. Chris ( my trusty horse shoer, and friend), my Dad, the boys, Wrangler Man and I headed out to the wildlife area - and Pheasant hunted. We took the dogs, and it was cold. It was like 2 degrees and the wind was blowing at out house.

Happily the wind was just a slight breeze by the time we got to our hunting spots, and it was beautiful!! But still cold!  The birds were not ready to get up either, but we flushed a few of them. Its a good thing to have dogs, that way you don't have to walk as far (grin)

After our unsuccessful hunt, we headed back to start the turkey and ham and get cleaned up, and relive our misery of missing EVERYTHING that flew by us. Again... I blame the cold. But it was a great way to start the day.

We defineatly earned our turkey, and burned a few calories. The terrain was gorgeous, and the sun was shining.






if you look to the right - you can see the one that got away. I was surprised that I got him on camera, I think I was tripping (over the weeds) at the time.

Hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving day and week. I sure enjoyed the break from reality, although... I still had to do chores......*smile*

Cleaning and organizing

Are my LEAST favorite things in life.... It's just not fun.... you should just build a bigger house!!! But since Wrangler Man said nope - this was it.... I caved.

I got all my jeans and pants cleaned out.... now I need to go on a diet....

And I dug into my magazine and book pile. And I found I have 2 of these books.... so if anyone would like one I will be glad to ship it to you. It is called Postcard Quilts, and is published by Primedia in 2005.

Its kinda cute - gives you all sorts of ideas to make fabric postcards. So if you are interested - leave me a comment and a way to get a hold of you. If there is more than one I will do a drawing. Please leave your comment by Saturday the 27th at 8pm.... then I can get it enveloped up and mail it out Monday.

Tell me something good tho - like - what is your favorite dessert.....

Meredith in Caly

Has been an extremely busy quilter again. She sent these tops to Ron O in NM to quilt - and I think these were up in the 900's of quilts that he has quilted.
http://www.superiorthreads.com/blog/2010/9/ron-olsons-quilt-970-971/

I love all of them and am so impressed! But this black and white one really caught my eye. I can't tell you specifically what it is - but that one is just cool!

Thanks Meredith and Ron for all that you do. These will certainly be appreciated!

Enjoy!

Quilters Accountability 11-17-10

I had fun this week. I did get a few things done... but it was fun!

Last weeks goals:

1. Fall Foliage Quilt - The top is done, the backing is put together, and it should not be called a Fall Foliage quilt any more because it is pretty bright - http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2010/11/winner-and-backings.html   Its the orangy one!
2. Blocks finished for friends Quilt    - Done! And we super impressed ourselves, because it is now a top, awaiting a border!!!

 
3. Quilt Veterans Rail  RWB Quilt   Done! And now it goes into the tub for the binding buddies unless I drink too many margaritas at  Thanksgiving and go crazy and bind something......
   And then just to be honery - I finished up this string quilt. The blocks are from a lot of Quilt shows, and at one sew day Sharon started to put it together, then her sone came home from Iraq, and she thought that was a good excuse to miss a sew day. Priorities right *giggle* 

 

This wonky log cabin QOV got quilted too.

 http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2010/03/quilters-accountability-week-9.html

I made it so long ago *eye roll* That when I pulled it out to quilt I wondered who had made it, as I didn't have a note pinned to it. Then I thought - well *oh my* I think I might have made that..... and lo and behold - I did!

And when it snowed, I sewed.... and finished 7 more Betty Blocks!

And now - I think it is time to end this post......

If you want to see what others are up to - head over to Bari's blog.

http://crossroadsquilts.wordpress.com/

I have no goals for next week, as I will have kids and a husband home for most of it....

So one row was unsewn and I did that and put it on - its the row on the bottom of the picture.

A lot happened at our QOV sew day!

Sunday was our Quilt of Valor Sew day in Greeley. We had a great time, ate M&Ms ( totally Joan's fault!!) Introduced the girls to some yummy carmel corn, and had 2 Veterans show up!

I had invited a Vet from the VA to come, with the intent of presenting her a QOV - but she was having a hard time deciding if it would be okay. Which - I totally understand, she has had a rough recovery!

But I love that she came, and she brought a friend. And they were girls - and they were girls who liked girly things.... so it was a great opportunity for our girl quilts to be presented!

I didn't tell them that we would be giving them QOV's - I had asked them to come and talk about their service.

But when I gave the first quilt out - look at the LOVE!!!

Wrapping themselves in all your hugs!

(Thats me in the Black shirt)

All of us, I tried to touch this up,but I have a feeling that I am not as good at this as I ought to be. There was a big glare from the cutting board - as I used the self timer. Wrangler man will fix it!

The table of quilts to bind, or that were bound. Harriet is a star binder!

Tops in progress - this is Jessicas corner!

Oh Look! - here is Jessica. Some day I will sew as quick as her.... someday.

I usually don;t show tops until they are quilted - but I just LOVE this panel with the soldier!

This is what I worked on - just needs borders now. The blocks were made by me, Joan and Barb in MI, I squared them up. Okay truthfully - I squared the ones I made up, then set them into the top. I like how it is going so far!

I am thinking a small blue border and a larger red border, or vice versa - any thoughts, hints, suggestions?

It was a fun Sunday. We got a lot done, and enjoyed ourselves. It was very cool to have to Soldiers come and see what we do! They were very sweet and so appreciative.

Enjoy!

Fun in the Sun ( and a little bit of wind)

There is an awesome outfit called Combat Veterans Cowboy Up ( dot org) that is doing wonderful work helping to Heal our veterans, one soldier at a time.

My family and I headed over to see what we could do to help out. We know that running a ranch is a lot of hard work, and a lot of grunt work, So we volunteered to be grunts. There are always fences to tighten, junk to pick up , gate latches to fix. And we are all pretty well trained to do this type of work!

This ranch is just a wonderful place - it is in a beautiful setting. They have 21 horses that they do this Equine Assisted Physchotherapy with. They are amazing horses. We were kind of teasing - cuz my numbers of horses can be right up there with Johns' ( the founder of CVCU).... and mine aren't working as hard for their keep in the winter!!

Anyways - I wanted to share some photos with you about this place - cuz its cool, and I thought you might like to see them. I know I talk about quilts ALL the time - but there is more to us (grin)

First - this guy is not a Vet. - he is my itty bitty sweet bumpkin who fell in love with the Mini Horses. These horses are just the ranch mascots - but they are hilarious. They each have their own personalities. One of them decided he was done with humans and walked right thru the fence and hid behind the round corral! It was too funny!

See the barn in the background. Just built! Whoo hoo - they will have some shelter for the winter.

They do a lot of ground work with both the horses and the therapists.  

This guy - awesome guy - has been through the program and has done marvelously. After he went through the ground therapy program, he came back to learn to ride.

( A guy after my own heart LOL) 

She looks awesome doesn't she?

The Wrangler Store, one block west of Park Meadows Mall in Highland Ranch Colorado is helping to sponsor CVCU. They have a line of clothing call Patriot Products. For every item that you buy from this store, on that list - $10 goes to CVCU.

So if you are in need of Wrangler products and live near this store - GO!!

I think you could probably call them as well

The Original Wrangler Store

9140-D East Westview Road

Lone Tree, CO 80124

303-858-8232

Just so you know - if you are one of my family members.... You know what coming your way for Christmas *grin* .

If you want to learn more about the ranch you can go to

http://www.combatveteranscowboyup.org/

Hope you enjoyed seeing the pictures.

The Winner and Backings

I am proud to say that I am up this early in the morning - Last night was a wonderful trip to Estes Park, and a late arrival home. And I was tired......

But I have already done chores, ( the outside ones) , and did a quick clean of the inside - at least as clean as it is going to get for today... and started potato soup in the crock pot . So until Wrangler Man finds me - I get to Sew!~!!

First - the Winner... Pat R - you will be recieving a $15 gift certificate from Equilter.com - it will come via email so don't delete it.... Congratulations!

Second...The Backing!

When I make Quilts I have a really bad habit of finishing the top and putting it in a pile. Then when I decide to quilt it I try to find a backing. And since I don't have what I think I want I go shopping and then, I have to make it - so the backing part can delay me for a while! This go round - I am making the backings NOW!

For the Red White and Blue one - I chose a patterned Blue. It is simple. My quilt top measured 65 x 80. It will be Longarm quilted so I made my backing bigger. I made it 71 x 87. I think that this will give me enough to bind it to when all is quilted and ready.

For the Second one - well I am waffling. This is what I have found in my stash. What do you think? To much? To crazy? Just right? When I first started this quilt it didn't have a recipient in mind... it was fabric that my boys chose at Quilt a Fair and I was going to USE it immediately instead of stashing it.

As I have been sewing it I have been thinking that it might go to a gal that I work with at the VA. She was in Vietnam and is very instrumental in helping some of these OEF/OIF vets.   And she's a bright happy gal....

And yes - that is a whole bolt of fabric...don't hate me because I.... have fabric *giggle*

Quick story - I use to be a buyer for a clothing company, and I would have to estimate that we will make 70 pairs of pants of this fabric so I need about 210 yards and Bam - It was bought. Do you know how HARD it is to  buy 1/4 yards compared to that?????   Seriously????

Quilt Presentations

 Look at the Smiles on these faces! I think it is safe to say that they liked their Quilts of Valor!!

This first one is a Stars and Bars pattern - that is up on THIS website - Whoo Hoo!

http://quiltygirl.com/QuiltPatterns/stars%20and%20bars.pdf

This young man is going to be trasitioning out of the military and still has a road to recovery.

How cool is this? Not many families get to see their Veteran ( or hero in this case) get their quilt. And even get in the picture. These kiddos were precious, and wonderfully happy to see their daddy!!

This Vet is Career military and has been in all over. For such a young guy he told us some amazing stories. His unjuries from his last tour are slowly healing, and I think seeing his family and this quilt is defineatly part of that process.

Now see why we sew?

Veterans Day Rail Fence Step 4

TA DA -

The one on the left is the scrappy RWB version.

The one on the right is the 5 color version. And my son - who did the layout!

Here is the Layout. I layed my quilt out in an 8 x 10 setting. Okay - the truth - I let my boys lay it out, they have a better eye than I for scrappy quilts. Plus they can get down on the ground better, and I can eat M&M;s while watching them.

Here is a close up of the scrappiness of the blocks.

So this step is to lay out your quilt and sew it together.

Prize for today.....

$15 Gift Certificate to Equilter.com

You can ALWAYS find something you want there right?

How to win?

Leave a comment on my blog telling me what step of the process you are on. Or what you did for Veterans day.

I will wait until Saturday morning to draw a winner - so you have till Saturday at 8am ( colorado time) to leave a comment and a way to get in touch with you.

My top measures 65 x 80 all sewn together.


Go check out:
http://northhillsquilter.blogspot.com/2010/11/thank-you-veterans.html
 she is on a roll
And go look at:
http://ladyquilter.blogspot.com/2010/11/great-sunday.html

Veterans Day Rail Quilt A long Step 3

 Now you have your 16 Strip Sets all sewn and pressed, and measuring 8 1/2 inches wide.

Now take your ruler and cut the strip sets into 8 1/2 inch blocks.

But... if for some reason your strips set are not 8 1/2 inches, like say they are 8 inches, because you did not follow the rules and eat lots of chocolate.... cut your blocks 8 inches. We want them to be square.

You should net 80 blocks total. I got 5 from each strip.


The next step will be up this afternoon.... so come back.... - so far it is easy and fun right?

Quilters Accountability 11/10/10

This last week has been a good week. Either it is that I was home ALL week, or that I ate something that Tamera ate - because I got stuff done!!! ( and Tamera gets tons of stuff done!!)


Last weeks goals:

1. Get all prepped and ready for our QOV Sew Day on the 14th. Everything is ready and in its totes and waiting by the downstairs door for the boys to load me up!!

2. Finish my Fall Foliage Quilt Okay - Not quite - but holey moley I am SOOOO Close.... I mean SOOO close.....

3. Cut gift quilt for a friend for Christmas. Done!! And it is all layed out on the floor ready to be sewn into blocks.


4. Quilt one Quilt of Valor: Success - I actually quilted 2 Quilts of Valor... and that kind of amazes me, cuz ... well I hadn't planned to and BAM - there they were - all done! ( I kind of keep track of how many I have quilted. My goal for this year was 24 - with these two that actually brings me up to 41)

Since I was sort of successfull this last week, I am a little scared to make too big of a list. I like feeling successful - rather than.... well not so much LOL


This weeks goals:


• Fall Foliage Quilt - Keep working on it, and keep my fingers crossed that I finish it.


• Sew the Blocks of Friends Gift quilt.


• Quilt Veterans Day Rail Fence Top


I think that is about it. If you want to see what others are up to go to

http://crossroadsquilts.wordpress.com/

And check up on every one...

See you back here tomorrow for the Veterans Rail Quilt a Long!!

Winners

Marilyn is the winner of the target card  Whooo Hoo

And

Judy is the winner of the Starbucks card

Enjoy ladies!!!

And Sew well!!

Veterans Day Rail Fence Step Two

The next step is to make strip sets of all of your strips. Each strip set needs to contain (2) 1 1/2 inch strips, and (3) 2 1/2 inch strips. I went ahead and layed each set out, just to make sure I had them all. In the scrappy version, I wanted to make sure I didn't get stuck with all 5 strips being the same color.

Then I layed them over my stack of *keep warm* quilts, because I could, and because it is my house and I am staking my place in it *giggle*

The next step was to sit down and sew - Sew the sets together using 1/4 inch seams. Each strip set should measure 8 1/2 inches wide. If they don't - check your seam allowances, your ironing, or eat more chocolate. Chocolate is the cure all.

Iron the sets. I ironed them to all one side.

Prize for today.... a $10 Starbucks Card

Why? Because they have Peppermint Hot Chocolate there - and the Chocolate will make you want to sew all day.... right????  Or maybe you might like it for the coffee - go figure....

How to get the gift card:

Leave a comment on the blog ( and DON"T FORGET to leave a way to contact you)

tell me how you are doing on sewing this? How far have you gotten - or have you even started yet? Or you can tell me your favorite chocolate..... cuz you know I am all about the chocolate right?

I will choose a winner Wednesday morning and email you ... so again - LEAVE A WAY to CONTACT you  (grin)

  

Quilts from Pat

There is a wonderful wonderful lady down south of me that is a quilter - and she is amazing! I wish I knew how she gets everything done....  I do hear a lot of referenced to Bull Riding from her. So I am assuming that she watches bullriding and quilts. But ..... if she is really riding the bulls and quilting - well - my hat is off to her LOL.

One of my sons wanted to be a bullrider one time. So we took him to a little ranch rodeo and he rode a sheep. In our neck of the woods they call it mutton bustin' - but in reality it was a dirt eating experience for him. And I never heard him ask to ride bulls again.... oh But Wait - I was talking about quilts....

These two Beautiful  Quilts of Valor came from Pat - and oh man - they are wonderful!!

Thank you SO much Pat for you dedication to Quilts of Valor! And I hope you enjoyed Houston!!

Veterans Rail Fence Yardage and Cutting Instructions

First off - you have to know that I get a little TOO excited when starting a new quilt and I envision all sorts of ways to cut it, and save fabrics.... but I have restrained myself and am only going to give you TWO of the ways. If you come up with more - please (please) don't send them to me - I may start it just to see, and then I will have 4 thousand 3 hundred and 72 quilts in progress... and my family may leave me!

Version one: 5 Yard Version

Choose 1 yard of 5 different fabrics. I assume they are at very minimum 42 1/2 inches wide. All cuts will be made Width of Fabric ( wof)

From Fabrics 1,2, 3, and 4
    Cut (6) 1 1/2 inch WOF Strips from each
    Cut (10) 2 1/2 inch wof Strips from each

From Fabric 5
     Cut (8) 1 1/2 inch wof strips
     Cut (8) 2 1/2 inch wof strips

This will give you a total of (32) 1 1/2 in strips and
                                              (48) 2 1/2 in strips

I chose 5 fabrics that blended well - and randomly chose which fabric was to be 1,2,3,4 and 5
*******************************************************************************************************

Version 2 Scrappy Veterans Rail

For this one I used my AccuQuilt Go cutter. I think I am getting better at using it to its potential....

First I cut (23) 8 in pieces of 43 inch wide fabrics in Reds Creams and Blues.

Then I took (7) of the 8 inch pieces and cut them on the 1 1/2 inch strip die cutter. I cut 35 strips this way - and only need 32. I stuck the other 3 in my string bins.

The other (16) pieces were cut with the 2 1/2 inch die which yielded 48 strips.

********************************************************************************

So - questions? Clear as Mud?

Prize Number One:
Leave a comment on the blog:
Tell me either you Have cut the strips, are planning to cut the strips and your proposed color scheme. And leave a way to contact you. I will draw a winner tonite at 10 pm and email you.

The Prize?
A $10 Target Gift card - mailed out Monday Morning so you can go buy some chocolate to eat while sewing ( okay - you don;t have to get chocolate - its your card.... but if it were me - that is what I would buy)