At Home in the Country

September 2011.  Hello all, we are finally moved into our new home in the country.  It was a very difficult move due to the extreme heat this past two months, not to mention all the fires burning around us.  It has been a lot of hard work but hopefully the hard parts are now behind us, and I can settle in and once again start on the quilting phase of my Odyssey!   So hang in there and new updates and pictures will appear soon.

ON HIATUS

Just a note to all the visitors to my blog...I am on temporary hiatus while I move to a new home in the county.  When I get settled in, I will begin the quilting phase of my 1st quilt along with lots of pictures as I progress.  See you most likely in August!

BASTING PARTY

Hello everyone!  My quilt has been assembled, basted / pinned for the next phase of my "Odyssey"!  A GREAT BIG THANK-YOU to all my friends who helped to get the work done! You're the best!  Also a BIG Thank-you to Oklahoma Quiltworks ( http://www.okquiltworks.com/ ) for allowing us to use their classroom in which to assemble it.

Four special friends and myself gathered on Thursday at Oklahoma Quiltworks to get my quilt ready for the next step (quilting).  We ironed, layed out the backing, added the batting and then the top, taped the edges, then sewed and pinned for most of the day.  But the job was finally done, and I'm really excited and ready to move on to quilting it.

Three of my helpers, Sylvia, Kaye and Laura

Ironing the backing - myself (left) and Linda (right)





Taping backing and batting in place

Getting it placed just right; Laura and Linda



Placing the top on the batting; Frm left Laura, Linda and Kaye



Basting, basting, basting! Frm left Linda, Sylvia, Laura & me!



We're done! Frm left Linda, Susan, Laura, Kaye

Folded and ready to take home! Thank-you everyone!



QUILTS FROM MY PAST - PART II

Here is another quilt from my past.  This quilt was made by my now deceased mother-in-law and given to me not too long after I married in the 70's.  It is a Flower Garden Quilt, it has a green backing.  It's 100% hand sewn.
  


This next quilt was left to me after my mother-in-law died.  It is a Sunbonnet Sue Quilt.  She made this quilt in the 80's, it is appliqued and 100% hand sewn.

Also from the 1980's is a quilt I asked my mother to make for me.  I had seen it in a magazine.  It is a Tulip Quilt.  The tulips are appliqued.  It has a matching blue back and two layers of scallops around the edge, one dark blue the other light blue.  I paid her for this quilt.  She made matching pillows for me too. (100% hand sewn).

My mom also made me my first quilt (given to me from her in the 1970's).  It is called a Spool Quilt.  100% hand sewn and used material from clothes I wore in the 70's, my sisters' clothes too.  I used it for many years and it needs some minor repairs.  I will do that "some day" :-)

Next up, my dear sister who has been my mentor through-out the making of my quilt top, worked for many years on a beautiful quilt and gave it to me as a gift.  It is called a Flower Basket Quilt.  She also made a matching pillow.

This next quilt is a doll / baby size quilt that my daughter made in school.  She got an "A" on it :-)  It is a simple block quilt that has been tacked.  I've alway loved and cherished it.

This next quilt is another quilt I inherited when my mother in law died.  I really am not sure what the name of this quilt is.

And finally, this last quilt was another one my mother made.  It is also made using material from our old clothes.  I believe it is a String Quilt.  It's very colorful.

More from the past

Again, while waiting on the next phase of my quilt project, I am posting past projects.  This next set of pictures is a crocheted blanket I made for myself.

Cross stitch - year 2000; Crochet - year 2003

Here is another picture from the past.  It is one of my cross stitches made in 2000.  It is a "Blackwork" cross stitch with an inset iris.  I made three of these.  In the first two, the iris's were purple and both were given as gifts to my sisters.  This one I made for myself and adapted the color from purple to pink.

I have also crocheted quite a few items, in this next picture is an afghan I made for my son in his favorite colors, it didn't take long to make this one.



QUILTS FROM MY PAST

Soon I will begin the next phase of my quilt.  A group of friends will be helping me to assemble my quilt at The Oklahoma Quiltworks shop on the 28th of this month.  While I wait for that day to arrive, I have looked back at old pictures and will post some pictures of my past works which include crochet and cross stitch, and quilts made by some of my family.  The picture today is a quilt made by my now deceased mother-in-law.  She originally made this quilt to enter in the State Fair of Oklahoma.  She didn't get it done in time so she put it in a quilt show and was then featured in a quilt magazine.

I have made numerous crochets and cross stitches, a lot of which have been given away.  I'll post pictures as I find them.

APRIL 2011 - INSCRIPTION IS COMPLETE

Happy April!  April has started out beautiful!  I have more tulips blooming, I love tulips.  I have finally finished the inscription on my quilt, it is a personal message to my son and daughter.  The quilt top is now ready for the next phase - the quilting phase.  I had my husband take me to our local quilt store "Oklahoma Quiltworks".  Here is the link if you wish to visit... http://www.okquiltworks.com/   A VERY nice lady helped me to pick out the backing - an off-white muslin and a 100% cotton batting which I will be using to assemble my quilt.  She also gave me very helpful information on assembling all of it before the quilting.  I will be gathering some friends who will help me assemble my quilt in the "Oklahoma Quiltworks" store.  I also showed my quilt in the store while there (it's first public viewing--other than in this blog) and received a lot of very nice compliments.  Thanks everyone!  I look forward to the next phase!

Inscription is complete

This is my quilt store

This is the backing, batting and the book my sister gave me to study over the last several years

Happy March!

Hi everyone, Spring is on its way and my spring flowers are up and blooming.  The tulips won't bloom until close to April, but the hyacinths and daffodils are blooming and very pretty.  I am still sewing on my inscription, one row left to go.  Should be done by the end of this month, then on to the next big step!

February 2011

Happy Valentines!

 

      It's been a really weird month, our weather started out extremely cold with a blizzard blowing in on the 1st which dumped 14" of snow on us!  Okies dubbed it Snowpocalypse / Snowmageddon 2011.

        However Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow and is predicting and early spring.  Farther on into February the weather turned awesome with highs near 80°. Also this month, the Egyptians finally took control of their country when Mubarak stepped down, and Libya is trying to follow in their footsteps.  The final launch of Discovery took place this month too.

            I continue to work on the inscription on my quilt.  I am on the next to last row of the inscription.  I'm getting excited about the next phase, it has been a long time coming.  I have been conferring with my sister as to how I will be quilting my quilt.  She has made several handmade quilts and my mother made dozens and dozens of handmade quilts.  My sister will be my consultant as I step into the process of quilting….my first time!

Wetting the paper pattern

Removing the paper pattern

January 2011

Happy new year!  It's been a mild January.  This month is the 25th anniversary of the Challenger disaster, and Egypt is in turmoil.  I also made a trip to Texas to visit my sister and did not work a lot on my quilt.  I am still embroidering on the quilt inscription.  I have nine rows completed.  There are 3-1/2 rows left to go.  I'm looking forward to the quilting phase.  It's been a LONG time coming!

December 2010

Merry Christmas!  I attended two parties this month.  Shopped, wrapped, mailed Christmas cards and baked up a storm.  This is such a busy month!  A lunar eclipse also occurred this month.  The pictures were awesome to behold! 

Christmas Day!  Today is the day of the birth of the Christ Child, Jesus.  He is God's gift to the world.  Jesus shed his blood, died on the cross and rose from the grave on the third day to save man from his sin"!  "Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.  The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the lord—has been born today in Bethlehem the city of David!"  Luke 2:9-11, NLT.     I had a wonderful Christmas with all of my family and their families!




  I have finished sewing on the border on my quilt!!! Now I will finish embroidering the inscription and it will be ready to quilt.  I look forward to finishing the inscription this coming year and starting phase two – the quilting.  I will be hand quilting the entire quilt!

Border is complete

A closer view

November 2010

Go Vote!  Oklahoma elected its' first female Governor, Mary Fallin.  Prince William announced his engagement to Kate Middleton.  Wedding to be next year in April—the same month my new grandchild will be arriving.  My granddaughter also gave herself her first haircut! J  She decided she wanted shorter bangs.  Happy Veteran's Day….honoring all who have served!  Thanks for your service to our country!   "IT'S A BOY!!"  Just found out my next grandchild is a boy!  Congrat's to my son and his wife!  Happy Thanksgiving!  I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with all my children and their families.

I did not work on my quilt this month.  I hope I can make time to sew on it in December, 'tween all the flurry of December events.  See you next month!

September & October 2010

September 2010

Fall! It's on its' way! Yeah.  I'm very tired of summer J  Happy Labor Day!  We went camping for Labor Day Weekend….it did not turn out well as I came down with "Shingles" on the last day!!!  That's something I never want to have again!  Tropical storm Hermine made its' way straight through Oklahoma on the 8th, what is with all these storms!  I also enjoyed taking my granddaughter and family to the State Fair.  Also this month was Super Harvest Moon on the 22^nd, 1^st time in 20 years.  We also lost Hollywood Legend Tony Curtis who passed away at 85.

I continue to sew on the third side of the quilt border.  Did not feel well enough to sew on it this month.

October 2010

Happy Halloween!  Football season has arrived.  Everyone is nuts about football here in OU land.  We went camping again this month, took both my cat and dog this time.  My cat did not do well, Tina my dog enjoyed it a lot.  This month marked the 70^th birthday of John Lennon and the 10^th anniversary of the Afghanistan War.  We also had another earthquake, this time a 5.1M quake shook us up.  I always think a car has run into our house when one hits J  I also attended two Halloween parties and took my granddaughter Trick-or-Treating for the 1^st time.

I am almost done sewing on the 3^rd side of the border on my quilt.  This is the time of the year, when it is hard for me to find time to work on it.  See you next month.

August 2010

The Dog Days of Summer have arrived.  It is in the 100°'s right now  It's predicted to be a very long hot August.  This month is the 2^nd birthday of my granddaughter and the 7 year anniversary of my quilt project.  It was also announced this month, that my second grandchild is on the way, due next April '11 ! 

My daughter traveled to Vegas to compete in the August 2010 APA National Team Championships—apparently she is a 9 ball pool shark J  However, her team the Conquistadors placed 33^rd out of 500 teams.  Not bad!

I have finished sewing on the second border!  I will begin sewing on the third border which is the second  shorter side of the quilt so it won't take as long.  I have miscalculated the length of the border sides on the right and left side, it is not coming out even.  I will have to add two more squares to the sides.  I am annoyed with myself for not doing a better job of calculating!

May, June & July 2010

May 2010

Happy Cinco De Mayo!  And Happy Memorial Day!  God bless our troops! "Freedom lives….because they died".   My giant red poppies are blooming, they are gorgeous!  I also celebrated one more birthday J    Also this month, more tornadoes moved through our area and damaged a lot of stuff including our favorite camp ground and marina L  We also lost TV host Art Linkletter this month at age 97, and actor Dennis Hopper at age 74.

I continue to sew on the final row of my quilt, which is being added at the top of the quilt.

June 2010

Summer has rolled around again and we spent a lot of time earlier this month at the lake camping and floating around on our pontoon boat.  It's been a nice early summer.  We did have a brief period of rain, we got a whopping 11" in one day on the 14^th.  I also went on a road trip to visit my sister.  We both drove up to South Dakota to visit the famous "Corn Palace" and visit the birth home of my mother.  I had a fun trip, but did not get a chance to work on my quilt, so no update for you this month.

July 2010

July opened with lots of rain from Hurricane Alex.  It started out in Mexico and made its' way straight to Oklahoma City.  It rained for 8 straight days! 

I finished sewing on the final row of my quilt.  I also finished sewing on one side of the border and have started on the second side.  I did not take an updated picture.  I'll post one in August.  See you next month!

April 2010

Tiptoe through the Tulips!  My tulips are all finally blooming.  They are so pretty right now.  Easter has come and gone and I had a wonderful Easter, hiding eggs for the first time for my 1-1/2 year old granddaughter.

I am currently working to sew on the 2^nd additional row.  I will then attach the border and finish the embroidered inscription.

Attaching and sewing final additional row

February and March 2010

February 2010

Happy Ground Hog Day!  6 more weeks of winter :-(     I took off from working on my quilt as my father-in-law passed away and we had to make a trip out of state.

I am still working on the last row of 140 squares.  I have 4 more sets of 10 squares to sew, then I will sew the 14 sets together and both rows will be complete. 

March 2010

Happy March!  March blew in like the proverbial lion.  My spring flowers are up and I'm looking forward to seeing them bloom!  The United States Census 2010 takes place this year.  We received our forms this month, and our 17^th earthquake this year (in our state) took place this month on the 5^th.  I have felt several of them, this one was a 3.1M.  On more grim news, this is the 7^th anniversary of the Iraq War.

I have finished the two additional rows for my quilt and have begun to attach them to the quilt.  After they are attached, I will sew on the border.  The new size is now 140 squares wide and 162 rows long (or 22,680 1" fabric squares).  There are 102 squares sewn together for the border around the quilt.  Those squares are 3" x 4" each and contain pictures of the progress of the quilt beginning from 2003 and forward until the border was completed.  See everyone next month!

Sewing together the final sets

Attaching the two new rows

January 2010

Happy New Year 2010! My how the years are flying by.  Seems like only yesterday that I began my quilt project!   Another tragic event has occurred in the world, a 7.0 earthquake has hit Haiti!  It's the largest quake ever recorded in that area.  How sad for the people of Haiti!

I am continuing to work on adding two more rows to the top of my quilt.  I have finished the first row which is 140 squares in length.  I have started on the second row and am currently cutting more squares.  I cut a length of folded material so that when I cut the strip it cuts four squares at a time.  I usually cut about 40-60 squares each time.  I sew them into lengths of 10, then sew the lengths together when I've sewn 14 lengths.

Cutting pieces from pattern

Cutting final side of pieces

Pieces cut

Pattern layed out

Sewing the pieces

Strips of 10

December 2009

Merry Christmas!  Our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was marred by a Christmas Eve blizzard that dumped 14.1" of snow on us.  Some of my kids were supposed to gather at my house Christmas Day, but were unable to traverse through all the snow.  We celebrated with part of our children on Christmas Eve and with the rest of our kids two days later.  We had a wonderful Christmas even though the food was left over J

I have decided to sew two more rows to the top of my quilt before I add the border.  There is not enough room between the pattern of her head to add the border so I'll begin the two additional rows immediately.  Each row contains 140 one inch squares.  See you next YEAR!

November 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!  This month is the 20^th anniversary of the "Fall of the Wall" when the Berlin wall came tumbling down and put an end to communism in East Germany.   I finished pinning on the 3^rd side of the border to the quilt.  I have to print some more pictures before I can make the 4^th side.  See you next month!

September & October 2009

September 2009

Many moons have come and gone since the start of my quilt in 2003.  I took a much needed two week break from my quilt and the rat race in general to travel to the northeast part of the United States—New Jersey, to visit one of my sisters.  I was joined on my trip by one of my others sisters who lives in another state.  Besides touring most of New Jersey and the "Jersey Shore", we also visited New York City, Philadelphia, PA, Longwood Gardens (duPont Estate) and parts of Delaware.  Longwood gardens was an amazing place to visit and I enjoyed it very much!  I also loved the "shore" and the lighthouses, enjoyed shopping in NYC and visiting the Statue of Liberty for the first time.   I had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back!

October 2009

I celebrated my 21^st year at the company I work for!  Gee! time flies when one is having fun ;-)  My granddaughter participated in the carving of her very first jack-o-lantern too, she really enjoyed playing with the seeds.  I managed to finish sewing the 3^rd border this month.  I will begin the 4^th side soon!

August 2009

Happy 1^st birthday to my granddaughter!  This month is the 6 year anniversary of my quilt project.  I've still a long way to go, but have also come a long way!  It is also the 40^th anniversary of "Woodstock" Peace!  We also lost the "Lion of the Senate", Ted Kennedy passed way at the age of 77.

I attended a family reunion this month and brought my quilt along for "show and tell".  Everyone said they were impressed with my quilt and all thought it was beautiful.  Thanks everyone! 

Showing off quilt top at family reunion

May, June and July 2009

May 2009

Happy May Day!  I turn 55 this month! WOW.  Also this month, a Filly named "Rachel Alexandra" won the Preakness—the first time since 1924.  "You go, girl!"  I also got my garden growing this month J. 

I have finished sewing the first side of the border and will start on the 2^nd side.  I have put "on hold" sewing the inscription.

June 2009

Happy summer!  My garden is growing, and the national switch to digital TV took effect this month.  We also lost the "King of Pop"—Michael Jackson who passed away at age 50. 

I have finished sewing the second side of the border and will begin sewing them on to the quilt soon.

July 2009

Happy 4^th of July!  We have experienced numerous days of 100° heat and above this month.  Fall can't come soon enough!  My tomatoes are ready to pick, they look beautiful!  Alas, a huge thunderstorm moved though on the 16^th, and the large hail storm that came with it damaged all my flowers and my garden.  It's all been completely flattened!

I have begun pinning the border around the quilt this month.  I have sewn half the border.  I will need to print some more pictures before I can finish making the other two sides.  I pinned the top and the right side border to the quilt and will start sewing the top border first.  I think it looks pretty good.  See you next month!

Border pinned on top and right