Busy, Busy, Busy

Since I haven't posted since the garage sale, I'll start by telling you that Friday was an awesome sale date! Saturday left a lot to be desired because it rained for most of the time we were open, and Sunday was slow but not terrible. I was by myself Saturday and Lynn was by herself on Sunday because I was at the Milan Antique Festival selling quilt raffle tickets. Anyway, the next garage sale will take place at my ex-in-law's house in Berlin Hts. during the Basket Festival (the first weekend in August).

I've been pretty busy with work and getting some quilt orders done. Pictured is a memory quilt made from the clothing of a man who passed away last year. The fabric came from such clothing items as pants, jeans, sweaters, T-shirts, knit polo shirts, flannel shirts and shorts and a North Face hiking jacket. I like how the log cabin blocks went together on this quilt. I think that the pattern displays a good amount of fabric, yet isn't just one big square. The border is composed of various shirts and T-shirts that had logos that couldn't be cut down enough to fit into the log cabin block The new owner was pleased with the outcome, and that makes it all worthwhile.

Quinn was here earlier this week and as usual, picture taking was involved.

Jack and I took three of the kids that we tutor to Cleveland on Wednesday. We went to the Science Museum. That was a lot of fun and I think Jack and I had just as much fun as the kids!

Jack's daughter from Pennsylvania will be visiting this week. I'm not sure what the schedule is, but I think they will be with us Wedsnesday or Thursday through Saturday. It will be good to see them. I think the last time I saw them was in March at Aunt Ruth's birthday party. I was going to try to think of something special to do, but I doubt that'll be necessary. Sam has already asked Jack if he can learn to shoot the 22 and I'm sure Ian will want to practice shooting also. I guess that I'm learning to not plan too much, so I'm not disappointed if it doesn't happen.

Garage Sale Preparations

Our big fundraising garage sale begins tomorrow (actually, later today) and we've been working on gettting ready for it. We've had LOTS of donations and that's great. Pricing everything is a pain, but we've learned that individual pricing is the way to go. Customers like it much better when they can see the asking price and not have to guess or wait until we are close by so they can ask. Anyway, it's a pain, but well worth the time and trouble.

I had to work from noon to 7:00 and I really had to go to the grocery store or I'm sure my family was going to forbid me to enter the house. It was close to 8:30 by the time I made it home, and by the time I had the groceries put away and grabbed something to drink, it was almost 9:00. I walked outside and began to work on final pricing when Jack came out and said that we had better get the tarps ready because it was going to rain. Of course, I was not happy, but I did it anyway and he was right, it rained. After the rain stopped. Lynn and I worked for a little longer then decided that we'd just have to get up early and finish. We were a little afraid to set anything else out, for fear that it would start raining again. (It had not rained again, by the way...)

Of course, Lynn, being the smart person that she is, went to bed but I decided to check my e-mail and post to my blog!! Who needs a decent amount of sleep anyway, right?!? I'll post again in the evening and let you know how the sale is progressing.

Training Walk and Quilt Order Pictures

I had a training walk this morning and it went pretty well. Three women joined Jack and myself for the walk and we left the Norwalk trailhead at 7:45. We stopped for a restroom and stretching break in Monroeville before heading to the Sand Hill trailhead outside of Bellevue, seven miles away. After a short break, Jack and two of the women returned to Norwalk by way of a car while the other woman and I made the seven mile trek back to Norwalk. It was a beautiful day for the trip and it was nice to meet other 3-Day walkers. I'm a bit tired tonight, but not bad. I'm happy that I was able to get the 14 miles in and feel pretty good. I don't remember when I reached the 14 mile mark last year, but when I think about it, I still have to add 6 miles to that for three days come August!

Unfortunately I developed my first blisters today and I will have to get in the habit of taping my feet before anymore training walks. YUCK!! I have a short walk scheduled for tomorrow morning at the Norwalk Reservoir. We will walk the Reservoir perimeter 3 times to get 6 miles. Jack will be joining us at the marina, but will fish rather than walk. My nephew Sam is hoping to join him there. They will enjoy themselves and it's nice to have them there in case we need anything.

I told you I would include pictures of the T-shirt quilt that I finished, so here it it. The pictures aren't great because I was home alone when I finished the quilt and didn't have anyone to hold it up for me. Oh well.... There were so many T-shirts of all shapes and sizes that I decided to put this together without sashing or borders. The woman who ordered the quilt really wanted to have the front be just the T-shirts anyway. To fill some of the "empty" spaces, I used leftover fabrics from the shirt backs, sleeves, etc. I made sure that every design and logo was added to this quilt because the shirts belonged to a man who passed away 2 years ago and this was ordered by his wife for their 3 year old son. Because of the layout, there are a lot of partial seams, but they really weren't too bad. Also, I did not use interfacing on this quilt. I had to be very careful to avoid stretching the fabric while cutting and sewing, but I was surprised at how little stretching I had. Te finished size is 80" x 96".

I also finished another quilt order and delivered it. The ten hand pieced blocks in this quilt were made by the great grandmother of the woman who ordered the quilt. She originally had 20 blocks, but gave half of them to a cousin. She wanted a quilt made from the remaining 10 to give to her grandmother as a birthday gift. I was able to find some vintage fabrics (print and muslin) and some close reproductions. She wanted a large quilt, at least a double so I figured that I had no choice but to put the blocks on point and add a border. I embroidered the history of the quilt blocks and quilt and placed that in the center of the quilt.

I embroidered a feathered wreath in the alternate blocks and quilted a grid over the entire quilt top. I really like the way it turned out and so did the woman who ordered it and her elderly grandmother. I'm glad!

Back from Vacation

We're back from a wet, but wonderful vacation! Even though it rained almost every day we were away, we were still able to get a lot of walking, fishing, and basic relaxing accomplished. I've included some pictures of the house we rent for the annual event that always proves to be inspiring, fun and enjoyable. This year the men and children were invited to join us from Sunday through Thursday morning. From noon on Thursday until Sunday, it is "Sister's Weekend" also known as the "Estrogen Weekend."

The screened-in porch was a common meeting place for most of us during the week. There is a table with four chairs, a swing, and four additional chairs so plenty of people can sit and talk in the gentle breeze. (Really, we stayed there most of the time because that was where the cooler was located with the drinks!) There was a nice view of the grounds from the porch as well as the lake. Speaking of view, the deck was another wonderful place to enjoy the view. It extends the entire length of the house and can be accessed from the porch, the living room and the back end of the house. Many of us spent lots of time there as well.

I was able to get some of the quilting done that I wanted to. I got all of the T-shirts cut out and ready for sewing and I got a good start on my Rail Fence and Stars quilt. I finished the T-shirt quilt after we got home and it was delivered on Wednesday evening. I'll post pictures of those later. I started on another memory quilt today and I got most of the clothing cut apart and ready to sub-cut.

Now that we are home, I'm trying to catch up on things and I can hardly believe that it is the 4th already. We've done nothing special today and that is fine with me. Actually, I did nothing special. Jack went sailing with a friend of his and he really enjoyd it. It has been over 20 years since he's sailed, but he felt right at home. I know I'll be joining them on a trip soon!

I have a 14 mile training walk scheduled tomorrow morning, so I have to get some of the paperwork ready for that. I'll post again later tonight or tomorrow after the walk.

Babies make life so much better

Have you ever noticed how babies can make you forget about your worries and pain? Now I don't know if it's true, but I really think that Quinn was pretty excited to be coming to visit me today. I snapped this picture as she was "talking and laughing" soon after she arrived. If I was the swearing type, I'd swear that she was telling me the story about what she said to Nikki when she found out she was going to spend the morning with me! (Okay, I know that is stretching it a bit because she's only 10 weeks old, but you can let me dream can't you? )

I love this picture and think it is my new favorite picture. Did you notice the hair clips trying to control the hair? I think they are adorable, and I can't believe that Quinn leaves them alone.

We were at the funeral home earlier today, and that sure was difficult. Ben was such a nice young man and had tons of friends. I feel so bad for his parents. I just can't imagine losing a child, especially one so young. I got an e-mail from Ashley's grandmother today and she said that the recovery is going slowly, but progressing. I'll keep her in my prayers.

I think about Ben and then look at Quinn and realize how precious life really is! While Quinn was here today, she took a long nap and I was able to just sit and watch her. (I should have been sewing; but hey, they grow up so fast that I wanted to just look at her.) I'm just guessing here, but I like to think that Quinn was dreaming about how comfy her quilts are and that they help her sleep more soundly.

I'm hosting a 13 mile training walk tomorrow and hope that we have a nice morning. We're starting at 8:00, so I hope we beat the heat. Speaking of walking, I'm going to be doing quite a bit of that over the next week.

Jack and I leave Sunday morning for Burr Oak. We'll be spending time with some of my siblings and their families until Thursday afternoon, when the men and children leave and Mom and the sisters offically begin the "Sisters' Weekend." Jack and I plan to walk, fish, read, and just plain relax. I'm taking my sewing machine and a couple of projects. I want to complete a T-shirt quilt that I'm working on and maybe get a good start on my Ohio Star/Rail Fence quilt. I just started that project, but it is pretty easy. The rail fence blocks are done, (71 of them - they are so easy) and I have four of the Ohio Star blocks done. The blocks finish 6" and I have to make a total of 72 star blocks. The quilt is for me, so if I don't get much done it's not a big deal. I'll add pictures when I return.

There is very little cell phone coverage and no internet access at the house we rent in Burr Oak, so I won't be able to post or check e-mail for a week. It will feel strange, but I think I'll live. I'll post when I return.

Have a great week everyone!!

Rough Days

Hi Everyone,

The last few days have been a bit rough. My ex-husband's nephew was in a boating accident and was missing for a couple of days. Lynn was at the shore when his body was recovered and that was really difficult for her. I know she is glad she was there, but it was just tough for her. The visitation is Friday and the memorial is Saturday.

Saturday morning, I am hosting a 13 mile training walk for area participants of the Breast Cancer 3 Day. We are meeting at the Rails to Trails trailhead on N. West Street in Norwalk and walking 6.85 miles to the trailhead on Sand Hill Road outside of Monroeville. We will return to Norwalk to complete our 13 miles. I sure hope a lot of people join us for the walk. It always makes it more fun to have lots of people walking. Everyone is welcome to join us. You don't even have to walk the entire distance!

In regards to quilting; I haven't done much in the last couple of days. I had hoped to get my Safe Haven Block of the Month block done, but I haven't even started it yet. Maybe tomorrow....

Jack and I will be joining a number of my siblings in Burr Oak next week. I'll fill you in with more information about that later. It is getting late and I have to be up early tomorrow, so I'll continue with this later.

Have a great day and don't work too hard.

I'm Back!!!

After two long weeks and very little free time, I'm back to updating my blog. Yeah!!!! I guess that I have been put to shame by my friend Rachel who started her blog about a week ago and she has posted every day and has even included videos. You rock Rachel!!

Well, I don't have video but I do have a couple of new pictures of Quinn.

She sat up in the seat tonight and joined us for dinner. She likes to wave to us and then laugh. I love the hair clips, don't you? I think they make her look older than 9 weeks.

I also love her hand behind her head in the bottom picture. She does that all of the time and I laugh every time I see it.

I've been busy quilting the last couple of weeks. I finished a quilt for someone who had 10 handpieced blocks from her great grandmother. She originally had 20 blocks but one ofher cousins wanted some of them so she split them up. She wanted a queen size quilt made out of the blocks to give to her grandmother (the daughter of the quilt maker). I decided to put the blocks on point and have a plain muslin alternate block since the blocks were hand appliqued on muslin. I embroidered some information of two of the blocks and quilted a feathered wreath 6 of the blocks. I then quilted a grid through the entire quilt. I really hated to give up that quilt! I took some pictures but don't have them downloaded on the computer yet. I will add them soon.

I have to get to bed soon because it is 11:10pm and I have to be at work by 5:30 tomorrow morning. I should have sent out the guild information tonight but I guess that will happen tomorrow. I only work until noon, so I'll do that as soon as I get home.

Good Night!!