Quilters accountability Week 22

I always think of these great things to say when I am in the car, driving my kids to and from all of our activites, and by the time I sit down at night - I can't remember a durned thing....
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So for my quilty progress:
Last weeks Goal was : Goal #1: Keep sewing on Judy L's quilt project
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And I DID!! I did not make the deadline of June 6th - but I have at least gotten a top done... without borders. I notice that most of my quilts have just plain borders, and I wonder why. I think that maybe I am so excited to be done, that I just want it done. But not this time. I am going to follow Judy's instructions and put a pieced border on... I even have the strips cut to prove it!

Because I have been driving more than quilting this week I have been pondering my quilting life, my quilting process and my "to do" ( or want to do) list.

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I have decided that I need to get a plan of action down, as I am finding that I am leaving too many projects unfinished. And too many tops unquilted, which doesn't make sense.... I am a longarm quilter - what is up with that?

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One of my biggest thoughts has been - maybe I need to be a one quilt at a time quilter. How many people do this? Or do they have lots of quilts going on and manage to not forget them? And if so, how???? Hmm....

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and just to prove that things can get exciting around here.... look what I found outside my door. I had to load some things in the car. Got the load, walked outside, stepped off the step, stepped over the snake, loaded the car and then realized that I had stepped OVER a snake and did what any good girl would do.... I screamed!!! and the snake didn't move!

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Wrangler Man saved me, and it was only a hognosed snake. But I explained to the snake that no matter that he is not dangerous - he is not allowed to play near my house.....

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OH~~ And because the snake scared me I almost forgot - next weeks goals.

#1: Finish Judy L's Quilt of Valor sew Along ( http://www.patchworktimes.com/)

#2: Help my kids get their quilts cut out.

#3: Put the Carolina Christmas blocks into the top ( I only have rows sewn... bummer)

For what others are up to - go check out Baris blog - http://crossroadsquilts.wordpress.com/

Pillowcases from Emily

Emily made these pillowcases for Quilts of Valor and here is what she says:

My name is Emily L. and I have been helping my mom make quilts for Binky Patrol for a couple of years. She told me about the quilts you make for the wounded soldiers. I wanted to help out so she suggested I make some pillowcases to put the quilts in. I helped make 12 of these pillowcases and wanted to say thank you to the men and women who serve our country. I realize that they sacrfice alot so I can have freedom. I know that it is only a small thing, but if everyone did something, they would feel like we all care.

Thanks Emily!! These are awesome!

Mini Quilt Show Part 3

So are you seeing anything you like yet? I love Quilt Shows, but they are always an hour or more from me, if they are close. I do try to make it to as many as I can, but sitting at my computer is kid of nice. And NO travel time~
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This first quilt was made by the Miracles Group in Denver, and quilted by Joanne in IA. She did a wonderful job on all the quilts she quilted for Quilts of Valor. I appreciate your time Joanne!



This one was quilted by Joanne too - but it came from St Croix. Carolyn R made it, and it is a really neat pattern. I like the spinnies!







This quilt was made by Audrey of the Livermore Quilters. She has been battling cancer for over a year now, and at the end of May, she lost the battle. I sure appreciate all that she did making these Quilts of Valor.










This quilt was made by Willa of the Livermore quilters. She and Audrey worked together a lot!



-This quilt on the left was made by the Pieceable Friends Quilt guild. We started sewing on it during our QOV Sew days, and at one of them Anna Marie Finished the top and took it home and quilted it! It is a Stars and Bars pattern.






This quilt was made by Matie T of the Pueblo West quilters. Anna Marie took it home and added a border to get it up to the minimum size asked for for Quilts of Valor. Quick Reminder - 50 x 60 is the minimum. Then she quilted it! Thanks Matie.

And this Beautiful quilt was made and quilted by Linda V of Bennett. She took a feathers class and has been quilting up the most gorgeous feathers and this one is feathered!!

This quilt was Quilted by Lt Col. Donna P ( Ret.). I challenged her to "Just Quilt It" and boy howdy - did she!! She did an awesome job. Thanks Donna!!

And the very last quilt for this weekend's mini quilt show was made by Charlotte W of my quilt Guild, and quilted by me. This fabric was donated from our local quilt shop - Quilters Stash. http://www.quilterstash.com Patty has been a great supporter of Quilts of Valor. As a matter of fact, when I first started quilting with kids she gave me a bunch of Patriotic FQ's to start out with.

Have a great Sunday!

Mini Quilt Show part 2

This first quilt was pieced and quilted by Ethel in Greeley - she is in my guild and one of my binding buddies! A very prolific binding buddy I might add. And she brings me chocolate. ( I like her!!)
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These next three quilts were made by the Miracles group in Denver. Ms. Jessica teaches these ladies how to make quilts and they do an excellent job. They were quilted by Gail in Denver.







It was a sunny day outside so I thought I would see how that works to take pictures - apparently I forgot about shadows.... the quilts really aren't in prison!



















One of the ladies in my guild is in a quilting group up in Eaton. She also organizes the Honor Flight Northern Colorado. One of the ladies in her group made this quilt.







And one of her other ladies - Kay - Made this quilt. I love the strippiness of it.







And she - Cecily - made this one. I think it is kind of a coins quilt, but I like how it was off set.










This quilt was made by Francie. Again - another wonderful quilter from my guild. And Francie - you just have to love her, I don't think she ever shows up without a smile on her face. Totally makes my day!!








And this quilt was made by Sheila in OH ( http://sheilaquilts.blogspot.com) and quilted by Joanne in NH.

As well as this one. Both of these are well traveled Quilts of Valor!






So I hope you enjoyed the mini show part 2. My son and I have had fun photographing them. We took a mini lecture class about cameras and we learned something about the lighting and being able to change things in the camera. I had no idea.... so we tried to practice some of the "tips"

A Mini Quilt Show

Don't have time to make it to a quilt show today? Well I aim to please - here are some for you to ohh and ahh over!
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These first 6 quilts came from California - From Meridith, and they were quilted in New Mexico by Ron O.
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Just wonderfully bright quilts with great quilting patterns on them - such a creative collaboration!

This next quilt was made by Fern in CO. It is kind of a quilt as you go quilt - but a strippy one. She explained it to me, and honestly - I still didn't get it - but I love the quilt!

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Does that make me stuck in my ways???

These two Bear Paw ( right?) quilts were madeby Sister Sue in superior Colorado. I was told by Sister Mary that if I want to be a part of their family I will have to help with their sewing bees. I volunteered to thread the needles and bring the chocolate!

These last two quilts came from Illinois, from the Northwest Suburban Quilters Guild. They were made by Sue, Debbie, Joan, Cathy, Lori, Heidi, Jeanne and Marcia.

Hope you enjoyed this mini quilt show. All of these are Quilts of Valor and are awesome!!! Thanks Quilters!

Quilters Accountability Week 21

I am not sure how to even start this post - because I think I didn't meet even one goal and started too many more things!!!
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First off - I quilted a Quilt of Valor made by Harriet C. I used the Allegience panto on it, and I think it looks pretty good!
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I was supposed to quilt and quilt and quilt and get all sorts of stuff done... and instead I don't know what I did. I know that we had .22 practice on night last week, and then we worked outside, and played with the horses, aqnd had archery practice till late last night, and today we spent the day at my parents' house. The boys promised to do some work - and so I chauffered them up to there house and while they worked - I cut MORE fabric!!
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I think I might have cut up enough for 2 quilt tops, but when I get it all layed out we will see!
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I blame Mary ( http://www.heartstringsquiltproject.com) she suggested using our homespuns for a string quilt. Well - I started looking at my homespuns and envisioned a Lasagna quilt - so I think that is what I will make..... someday *giggle*

Goals for the last week:
1. Get Carolina Christmas into a top and add one border. I know I am doing a solid border, but I need to audition which fabric I want first - Bright Green or Hot Pink. If you have an opinion you are welcome to help me out ;-) Nope - didn't get it done AT ALL - I just sat there and made plans as to What to do - and looked at what fabrics I had, and then ate some chocolate.....
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2. Keep up with Judy's QOV quilt a long.

Nope - didn't do this either - I think I might be on step 4 now... but I am having fun, and it looks pretty....

Oh - and I did get ONE other thing done. 2 of my boys have their fair quilts designed and fabrics purchased... because of COURSE - NOTHING in my stash would work for them. Who knew they wanted more manly fabrics... but it was fun!!

So - I will try again for this week and set a goal or 2 and see how close I can get to them!
Goal #1: Keep sewing on Judy L's quilt project.

You know - that may be it - as I look at my calendar - I see that I have 2 travel days, VBS All next week, a swim meet, 2 horse lessons, and .22 practice - so I may not be near my machine as much as I would like. I need to get some transportable chocolate!!

If you want to see what others are up to go check out Bari's blog: http://crossroadsquilts.wordpress.com/

Recovering ( sort of)

First off I want to show you these three really cool quilts that came from Ray MI.
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With no name on them. But they are GOREGEOUS!!! I love the way they made the dissappearing 9 Patch blocks. Maybe you can click on the pictures and see them better!
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So Thank you to Ray MI!!!!

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Second - I have a story - a true story... just happened yesterday....
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We have a horse -he got himself injured a year and a half ago. He is a big horse and he pulled out his hip. So he has been in Physical Therapy. Bet you had no clue that horses could have PT eh? And I have been his Physical Therapist... (surprise!!)
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So yesterday it was determined that he should be ridden, that all he should do is walk under the saddle, in the sand and start re-strengthening his hip that way - rather that leading him around.
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Brave me - I had Wrangler Man help me saddle him as he is WAY tall and off I Went .... into the .... arena. We rode and he wanted to run, and go his own way and I rebeled and made him walk and go may way.
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We were getting along okay and he was pretending to shy at stupid things, and I was following along with him, and telling him that he would not fool me, when a little girl ( a sweet little girl that we give lessons to) came running out to the arena with the cutest new cowboy hat - and the danged horse shyed faster than I was prepared for. He bucked and I lost a stirrup and I said one bad word, and grabbed onto the saddle horn and reined him around and he finally decided I wasn't worth it and he stopped bucking. This poor little sweet, innocent girl looked at me and said - "you said a bad word".
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Notice that she wasn't worried that I almost became one with the dust, and then became one with the saddle horn, nor was she impressed that I held on and wasn't crying, nor did she think that I might need some help from some strong ruggedly handsome cowboy.... Nope she focused on the ONE bad word I said....
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All I could do was say - oops... Now please go get wrangler man, so that you are out of the sight of this horse and maybe he will be a gentleman and stop trying to make me fall off in public.
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Can you believe the nerve of that horse - making me look bad in front of real live people? I tell ya - I should take away his grain for a month!!!
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And today - I can feel all the muscles that were used in the making of this episode!

Remembering George Part 2 and 3

I have decided to name my Quilt of Valor designed by Judy - "Remembering George" for my Great Uncle. I have been reading some blogs that say they wish that people would post progress of their quilts rather than just the finished product. If they read my blog - they may be sad. They may realize that I may just possibly be the SLOWEST quilt putter together-er in the world!
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Anyways - I have finally finished step 2 - it is over on the right.
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And here is my picture when I thought I was done with step 3, then I turned the page - and realized I was NOT done yet!!!
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Today was our Quilt of Valor Sew Day. I assumed that since it was Memorial Day weekend maybe no one would want to come, but apparently we all needed some sewing time!. So while Ethel put the binding and label on this quilt. ( right)
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And Joan put the bindings on these two quilts - that were made from Bonnie Hunters Crayon Box pattern, - http://quiltville.com/crayonbox.shtml
(left)









And Jeri worked on these String blocks for a pattern from here:
http://www.maryquilts.com/strings/patriotic-string-star/

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I worked on Step 3 of
http://www.patchworktimes.com/2010/05/23/memorial-day-quilt-along/

And we all marveled at how the internet can bring quilters together. And how much more fun it is to quilt than to do chores - especially ones that involve tractors and shovels.... which is totally why I had children!

Remembering

This is my Great Uncle George. He was a Marine that served in WWII. He enlisted when he was 16, and was at Pearl Harbor the day it was attacked. Normally he worked in the engine rooms as he was a mechanic type man, but for some reason that morning he was up on deck. He told my Dad that he saw the planes coming in, and decided he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. So he jumped off the ship. Crazy thing to do for a guy that could not swim. However as he paddled away a kamikaze plane hit the ship in the exact place that he was previously standing. Pretty good instrincts.
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George started out in Michigan, and when he was about 13 left home for Montana. He worked on a cattle ranch and discovered that no heat was a tough way to live in the winter there. At 16 he enlisted. I don't know much about his life before I was born, as he wasn't a real talkative guy. But he could fix anything.
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He and my Great Aunt lived not to far from us, and my brother and I could ride our bikes to their house. It is a good thing they liked us as we went over often. We decided they liked us *grin*
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He had a nose that could match no other. The second my mom or I started baking I swear the mans antennae went up, and he arrived at our house when the first batch of cookies was coming out of the oven.
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Uncle George also loved dogs. He had a big airedale named Pete. My brother and I got to go along with him to work the dog in the desert. The Mojave was his favorite.
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My uncle passed away when I was 10 or 11, and I think he was relatively young. However in my mind at the time anyone over 16 was old. I guess I will have to ask my dad his true age. I have very fond memories of this man, and was so excited when they moved to near us. He was a very patient man, always quick to smile, to help, or to just listen.
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I think that this next quilt of valor will be finished in his honor with his name on the label. Who do you remember this weekend?
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Baby its Hot outside...

We seriously have the strangest weather - from sweatshirts to sweating in the course of 24 hours.... Oh well, its always good to be prepared!
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I have some great Quilts of Valor to show you. The first two come from Beryl R in UT. I know the first one is a mystery quilt from the QOVMystery yahoo group - and I know this because I wanted to make it...
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Thanks Beryl for these awesome quilts!
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The next two quilt come from Linda O in IN. Her first one is a pattern we did on this blog called stars and bars.
http://quiltygirl.com/QuiltPatterns/stars%20and%20bars.pdf
is the link to it.
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and the next one is a rail fence! Linda you did an outstanding job! Thank you very much.





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We sort of had a crazy yesterday and it reminded me that I am really kind of a homebody - so tonite I will be at home! And catching up on my quilt a long from Judy L
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I will not admit what step I am on. Officially I don't have to report until next Wednesday - right (grin)