Sewing Retreat

My sister Emily found this postage stamp quilt treasure at an antique store in Ohio. She plans to repair a few spots and hand quilt it to finish it up.

Mother is the first to finish up a project. She made this reversible ragged edge lap quilt from some flannel she found at the thrift store.

 

This afternoon I was delighted to have a visit from some long time friends that I haven't seen for years. Grace Anna and I go way back to Bank Church and high school days. 

Louise and I go back to preschool days when our parents took us to the Smokey Mountains. We grew up as childhood playmates in church and school.

Timmy & Diana watch my sister Polly working on their wedding quilt.

My sister Barbara doesn't know it, but her grandbaby Brighton is learning to whistle at an early age.

After church this morning we took the long way home and crossed over the slab at the Bank Church.

My sister Sheila is showing us a wonderful quilt that she started years ago. I hope she can get it finished this week. She is such a busy hostess and taking such good care of us. Thank you so much, Sheila.

Jacket, Wedding, & Sewing Retreat

Remember a few weeks ago when Joel started sewing a jacket for Sheila? Here’s the happy model with the finished project.

This label graces the inside lining.

Today my nephew Benjamin & Melissa became husband & wife.

There was all the pink cotton candy that you could wish for with lots left over.

Our annual Heatwole Sewing Retreat has begun. Mother was the first one to start sewing.

Claire Bleu is making a cute backpack for a lucky niece.

And there is sure more to come.

Pharaoh's Tombs

I am thrilled that my quilt "Pharaoh's Tombs" has been selected as a finalist in the NQM contest Baskets -- New Quilts from an Old Favorite. The 5 top winnners are pictured in the link and are marvelous quilts.

I love the challenge of this annual contest and used EQ7 in designing my baskets. Here are some of my potential basket deisgns.

I liked this fresh modern look of the Baskets in the Courthouse design, but my family didn't think it to be a winner.

And then some other EQ7 designs that I considered are

... Basket in Baskets ...

... Pineapple Basket ...

... Rows of Baskets ...

and then ... Blue Baskets ... which went on to become "Pharaoh's Tombs."

The name "Pharaoh's Tombs" came from my sister, Emily. She thought the baskets looked more like pyramids and suggested the name for my quilt.

This, That, and the Other

“Gramma, will you please come out and play?”

Does Ashton like this marshmallow snowman?

Joel trying to surprise his sweetheart with a made from scratch jacket.

The sewing has begun.  Hopefully we’ll see the finished project.

We are glad for meat in the freezer, summer sausage & deerburger.

Evie’s first deer.

Georgi and Ashton love story time with Gina.

It’s never too early to start planting corn.

Georgi shows off her new Christmas cap to Grandpa.

“Mama,  look! When I press this button, the chocolate goes round and round!”

Laura is making herself a quilt. Stay tuned!

I was so glad for Sheila’s help. She ironed a bunch of Paul’s shirts for me.

Amy working with Creative Memories.

Little Tina and Grampa share a sweet moment.

Georgi cheers the pilots flying their planes and helicopters off the landing strip.

Design Wall, Quilts, Christmas with the Grabers

This morning my design wall holds 3 projects. First on the left is 4 rows of my Orca Bay mystery quilt waiting to be completed. Next is a new project I'm working on for a challenge with my Possum Town Quilters. And the last project in the top right corner is a Tossed Nine-Patch that I'm helping Laura to make. We keep changing around the fabric on that one and can't decide what looks the best. We had a white with a little black print in place of the green but it got lost in with the larger squares. Any ideas out there?

To see other Monday Design Walls go to Judy's blog.

Paul's mom keeps surprising me with quilts. She did the hand embroidery work on this one many years ago when she worked the night shift at the hospital.

I love the lazy daisies and the goldenrod color she added for sashing and border. I'm so afraid she is going to have it all quilted before I have time to get up there to help her.

A nice visit with Grampa Graber.

Sweet little Kirby!

Making an impression!

Chloe & Jeff

Orca Bay, Georgi's Birthday, & Concrete

My Orca Bay mystery quilt is still in the assembly stage. Bonnie has done a fantastic job in giving us step by step instructions for making this beautiful quilt.
To see more "Monday Design Walls" visit Judy.

I decided to swap around the light and dark Ohio Stars and also to replace the white stars with the black background with a blue center. Then I think it's important to make sure the blue strings are running diagonally toward the blue centered Ohio Stars. Does that make any sence?

Paul wanted to add on a lean-to to the shop to get some of the farming equipment in out of the weather. Last week they poured concrete with the "Three Muskateers" looking on.

Last evening we had in all the children and their families for a pizza supper. This little tiny Tina likes to be held.

Then we celebrated Georgi's 2nd birthday.

Flinging the wrapping to get to the present!

The boys just have to help out.

What a cute little sleeping bag stuffed inside a weiner dog for a pillow.