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.

Thank You Gifts

I was so happy to receive these hostess gifts over the holidays. Just look at that lovely fabric. I think it’s all Civil War reprints. Wonderful fat quarters to add to my collection. … And the beautiful candy dish is another favorite. It’s not hard to find sweets to fill it up.

My friends and family have blessed me abundantly. The note makes me smile and smile until my head spins.

This & That

I’m still sewing away on my Orca Bay mystery quilt. I’m about to finish up the Ohio Stars. One thing I changed from the original directions was to make the black blocks with blue centers instead of red centers. Since the finished quilt has been revealed I thought maybe a blue center would help bring out a diagonal look a little more.

My sister Polly & I talked about swaping the dark Ohio Stars with the light Ohio Stars in the final layout. Can you see the difference it makes?

We had a lot of activity at our house over the holidays. The young people had fun singing around the piano & guitar.

Laura came to teach kindergarten for our church school. She is boarding with us and graces us with lovely music often.

My sister Coleen swinging with Ashton. “Put your right foot in, put your right foot out …. and shake it all about …”

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching these two friends develop a close relationship.

Two Katie Jo(s) at our house at one time. One a Schrock and the other a Clugston.

Jason & Karla Schrock, Katie Jo, & Lia along with Audrey & Krisi Dickerson.

Neil & Shelly Clugston with Katie Jo.

Amy & Ashton check out a deer that Paul shot.

Ashton helps Grampa fix his crib into a toddler bed.