Children

My youngest son is working on a research report. He does not like to work.... or write... when he is told to, only when he *wants* to....

Yesterday we were working on outlines, and he was supposed to write his conclusion. I don't know if you can read this - but he decided that he would write the conclusion when he was writing the essay.

 I think he MISSED the point, so I made him go back and write some type of conclusion. It is still not acceptable, BUT

Look what he drew for me! Do any of you read Stephen Pastis' cartoons - Pearls Before Swine? My children love them... but look.... "what you know - you quilt"   I cracked up!!!

Little does he know what he will be RE-Writing today!!

and people tell me that boys are  so much easier.....

February Block Drive Update

This weekend was CRAZY!!! I loved every minute of it, but none of it included quilting *sigh*  

THE. Best. Part.?  Opening the little packages that have starting coming to the mail box! 

The blocks for our Block Drive are arriving!!

 These 6 are from Tonya P in MO!

From Vicki in IA

From Carolyn in  PA

From Nancy in WA/AZ

From Nina in VA

From Julie in CO

 From Terry A in ID

There are 10 blocks there - I just forgot to spread them out ( sorry!)

From Nettie in PA

From Cheryl in NE 

Julie in WA

I sure hope I got all of those correct! When I uploaded the pics blogger rearranged their order! Shew - and brain puzzle! I LOVE all of them - aren't they going to be just awesome when put into tops??

So - this is my design wall for today!

For other design walls head over to

http://www.patchworktimes.com

A little History

I have been reading Jennifer Chiaverini's "The Runaway Quilt" . And I love it! I have a few quilts from ancestors too, and they always bring up questions.

This quilt is one from my Mom's side of the family. Her Mom used to keep it on the bed in the back room when my Mom was at college. When my Mom got married she asked for that quilt - and that was her gift.

I don't remember seeing it in our  house growing up, but it must have been there! Somewhere!

When Wrangler Man and I finished building the house we live in now - my Mom brought the quilt to us. They built a hanging rack and it is in one of our rooms.

These are some close ups of the blocks.

E V is my great grandmother's initials.

Just so you know - that 97.... it's 1897....

I think we decided these were silks ( above)

There is a lot of ribbons sewn into the quilt.

We do know that our relatives were quite political.

My Mom also found a photo album that seems to be related to this quilt.

A lot of the initials match the names in the album.

Anyone "Remember the Maine" ?

That was a great history lesson for my boys.

There is also a ribbon along the side from the Continental Congress

I believe my Grandmother was a Page.

I love having this piece of history and the photo album.

There are times I wish there was a journal to go with it - a back story of this quilt.

My Mom and I did take it to an appraiser at one time ( maybe 16 years ago?) 

It was fun to listen to the things she knew about the quilt.

Neither of us were anything close to a quilter then. We just thought it was pretty!!

February's Quilts of Valor show

Welcome to February!!! I know - it has been here for almost a week, but I am denying it.....

This is supposed to be one of our three snowiest months - so we here at the ranch are saying - Bring! It! On!    

If you don't want snow in your are, feel free to push it to us!!

On to the Quilts!!  Check out these Lovely Quilts of Valor!!

This first one comes from Zoe Ann in Denver - she pieced it and it was quilted by Audrey T. Love the colors!!!

This one was pieced and quilted by Mel in Colorado Springs.

This is the Mystery pattern I wrote for Craftsy.

It is the first pattern here

I love the feather wreaths that she quilted in open sections

next is a Quilt from Marie J in Greeley!

It was quilted by Laura in the Springs. 

aren't those stars great!!

A flash from the past - 

This quilt  = made and quilted by Clara and Mary in Jefferson OH

It is the Not So Top Secret Quilt pattern

And my first attempt at writing quilt patterns!!!

It can also be found on my free pattern page ( tab at the top)

The Common Threads Guild in Indiana had a quilting challenge - they decided to make the Jelly Roll Race Quilts and oh boy!!! They did a great job!!

So soothing - kid of reminds me of being on a boat in the ocean...

I LOVE this one - I can not tell you exactly why - but it just jumped out at me.

Maybe it reminds me of the sunsets around here?

Thanks Ruthie to you and your group for these amazing jelly roll race quilts! I love the variety and know they will be loved!!!

You all have a great day!! and don't forget You can win a fat quarter pack of hand dyes from Vicki Welsh!!!

Home Improvement

Wrangler Man said we needed to do a little home improvement around here. I really think that is a great idea.... so I improved ;-)

This is our new Table Topper... It was in the newest issue of Modern Quilts Unlimited and I thought it would look great in Cowboy Fabrics....

And I made sure all my cowboy quilts were pretty... it is amazing how this chair catches things...

Like Ironing. *sigh*

I need a resident iron-er

 And other than a little cowboying - that was my home improvement... somehow though.... I am not sure that was exactly what Wrangler Man was referring to..... but I did my part!

And I can't really show you my design wall, because I am working on the HMQS Veterans Challenge Quilt - and its a *surprise*

For other design walls ...and inspiration... head over to - http://www.patchworktimes.com

Scrappy Trips Update

Remember way back in October when we had a Scrappy Trips Block Drive? Bonnie Hunter graciously allowed us to use her pattern - and the blocks arrived!!!

Now some of them are getting to done!!!   ( that might not be grammatically correct - but you all know what I mean - right?)

So here is an update:

A finished top - by Mary M....

A second Finished top - by Mary M - don't you just LOVE LOVE LOVE those border?

A finished quilt - top made by Kat  and quilted by Dawna  and bound by Kathy.

A finished quilt made and quilted by Me.

A finished top by me.

Keep checking back - there are more to come!!!! I am excited to have so many quilts in progress!!

For other Friday Finishes - head over to http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/  and http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/

Jan. Getting it done results

January 2013

• 1. Quilt my Purple Pineapple   ( this is a carryover from my 2012 list - but you still love me right?)    
•            ( DONE!!! See all the details here  )     

• 2. Finish my Wildlife Double Slice quilt ( its on my design wall RIGHT. SMACK. NOW!)
•             update - Top Completed
• 3. Start to Quilted my New Years Day Quilt of Valor   Top is done - not quilted Here
• 4. Start on my HMQS Challenge Quilt. It's due in April - if I start now - I have a chance right?   Started.... I have it ALL cut, and started on the sewing!

Oops - I forgot to post my February Goals - Probably cuz I haven't really thought about them yet!!

So
1. Bind the Flying Vortex /Purple Pineapple Quilt
2. Bind my Halloween quilt ( it should be finished before the season right?)
3. Quilt my New Years Day Sit and Sew Quilt of Valor

That's a big list for me for this short month - really - it is!

Hero Week

On Facebook last week, I declared it Hero Week. And then I realized that not all of you are on facebook - so I thought I would share some of those heroes here. I think you might like them!


With all the bad things going on in the new this week - I have decided that we REALLY need to have a HERO week. A week that celebrates the every day heroes that surround us, and make our lives better. 

This hero is Mr M. - Mr M. is a WWII veteran, he came home and worked hard to raise his family. After retiring, He learned about some kids who were excelling in math, but didn't have a mentor to encourage them. So he volunteered in our school to teach advanced math, and encourage our kids. Mr. M. was nominated to go on Honor Flight Northern Colorado, and truly deserved it. -

Hero Week Continues: Hero #3 - Steve B. - While serving in the Military, a bombing in the Middle East took his eyesight in 08. Rather than letting that stop him - this young warrior has climbed a 20,000+ ft mountain in the Himalayas and continues to inspire today. You can catch his story at http://highgroundmovie.com/ 

PS - he also is a drummer - amazing young man

Hero Week - Hero #5 on the left in this photo is DJ. DJ was a supply officer in Desert Storm.

She is one awesome lady - however, she does not think of herself much. She has arranged for many special veterans to be honored, and to be presented with quilts - but never thought of herself.

This last Veterans Day - we were able to surprise her with a special presentation. And her favorite hero - a WWII vet was able to be there as well.

It is quite amazing to watch others be so selfless - and expect nothing in return. I am privileged to know her and work with her!

Hero Week - Hero #4 Well he is not really #4 in my book - but today's hero is my Dad. My Dad is responsible for me learning to make quilts. No - my Dad is not a quilter - my Dad is a firefighter. He spent a lot of time at the Twin Towers in the aftermath of 9/11 . My Dad coordinated many things in New York during the aftermath, and always had compassion for his fellow firefighters, rescue workers, and the families of those affected.

Here he is presenting a Quilt of Valor to a soldier- it is a long story, but it was amazing to me to see that circle completed. Love you Dad. - oh ya - my dad is on the right.

Hero Week Continues.... these are two every day heroes to me.

They are Harriett ( L) and Ethel ( R). These two ladies have selflessly helped make quilts, bind quilts, encourage me, and be my friends for many years. When I asked for help prepping quilts for our soldiers - they were there, When I ask the stupid questions - they don't laugh ( well at least not to my face) They are always a helping hand, a listening ear, and a smiling face ( i love them!)

They take care of their families, their friends, and are two of the MOST amazing women I have had the honor of calling a friend..

Thanks for listening... Hope you enjoyed seeing some of our Veterans with their quilts too!

PS - ....  There is a block drive happening Here!!
                                        
I have Created a pattern for these blocks if you are interested - It is free through the end of February - so go download it Here ( at Craftsy)