Not Much Quilty Going on Here

Sadly this has been a pretty non-productive weekend...oh I guess week...since I haven't posted since last week. I just haven't gotten a whole lot of sewing done...I've cleaned, I've washed clothes, I've walked dogs, I've spent time with Andy, I took my mom shopping, I had lunch and went shopping with a friend...but not a lot of quilty stuff. I guess when I write it down I did stay busy this past week...this week I will sew more.

Here's my big purchase for the week...new Nike's...I felt kind of pathetic going to the gym to workout with the pitiful shoes I had...I almost had a whole in the sole of my right shoe...so Saturday a brand new Sport's Authority opened near us and off we went. We each got new shoes...YIPPEE! Now we'll really be looking good! Maybe that will help :-)

 

My plan is to get the Holly Jolly Braid quilt together this week and to get my Hometown Christmas sections done. I'll keep you posted. Off to put binding on a quilt and watch the Steelers with my man. Have a great evening.

Productive Weekend!

I am very pleased with everything I got done this weekend...I cleaned, I did laundry and I sewed...well, you know sewing was my favorite part, but the other things needed to be done. With Andy gone, my time was mine (oh I did have to share it with Howie and Zack)...the boys and I walked a lot, I haven't been to the gym for a while since I was in Chicago, so I needed to walk. The boys were thrilled.
I finished the top using the "Fall Back in Time" charms...3 packs of charms, a little setting, and borders and it was done. No cutting all those squares...it really was fun and quick...done in time for fall...YIPPEE!

 

Then I pieced the back...I got the panel that went with the group because I just couldn't pass up that cute owl and that pumpkin...very fun!

 

I started this braid top before I closed the shop, ran out of time so tonight I picked it up and started working on it again. I love this "Holly Jolly" fabric and this braid pattern is so fun. Sharon has done this pattern twice now, I think and she sent it to me...I thought it just needed to be done in this very fun fabric. Thanks Sharon!

 

There's been lots of talk in Blogland lately about wonderful meals...well here's what I had tonight...Roasted Turkey, Cornbread Stuffing and Cinnamon Apples...you too can have this very same meal...Lean Cuisine...how pathetic is that? When Andy's not here I am just terrible...I don't cook a thing. Pathetic! He'll be home Tuesday so I'll do better!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Nite, Nite!

I get the BEST Mail

I think I am one of the luckiest girls around...I get the BEST mail...in my stack of mail from while I was gone was this wonderful Quilt Pink bag and this cute little North Star Wool Mill sheep from Sharon I just love going to the mailbox! I've been doing the Happy Dance...maybe that's why my neighbors look at me a little strangely :-)

 

Then today in the mailbox was this wonderful package from Cheryl
I knew she was sending me a pattern, but when I went to the box there was a key in there which meant I had a package...what a surprise...look at those blocks that spell out FALL...aren't they just great...and there's a box of chocolate pumpkins from Starbucks...oh YUMMY! And is that bag not just the cutest! Dancing! Dancing!

 

I said it yesterday and I will say it again today...Quilters are the BEST!

I've been sewing my "Back in Time" Charm squares...hopefully I'll have the top done tomorrow. Andy is out of town until Tuesday so I have lots of time to sew...YIPPEE! This should be his last trip for a while...and I don't have anything planned right now, so when he gets home that should be it for travel for a while. But then who knows...Hampton may call :-) and say he wants me to come and you know I'll be out of here in a second.

Have a wonderful weekend.

I'm home- Part 2

I'm back with the other pictures of the rest of the goodies I got at the Quilt Merchant. I fell in love with these new Judie Rothermel fabrics...Civil War Classics and Civil War Dressing Gowns...I got a fat quarter bundle of each and then I needed some more of some of the fabrics. There is also a wonderful piece of brown from a group by Windham called New Nation...it had some great pieces.

 

Here's a picture of Grandmother's Pride...the quilt that they designed for the Quilt Sampler...it is packaged so nicely and they even made a label...I love it! Check out the website- www.the quiltmerchant.com

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These are 2 kits for patterns designed by Open Gate...T-Time and Square Change...Square Change is on their website under kits and it is done with Judie Rothermel's Spirit of the Season II fabric...it looks so old.

 

This last one is called Lodde's Mill designed by Quilt With Judy...this is a new designer for me and it is great...very antique!

 

Can you tell I had a great time? Hampton, Josh, Katie and an awesome quilt shop...it couldn't be any better.
Thanks for letting me share my great trip. Off to bed...nite, nite!

I'm Home

Home again...it's always great to get home, but I sure do miss my little man. I've always had a great time visiting with the kids and spending time with Hampton, but this time was beyond belief. Since the kids were busy packing I got him to myself a lot. I loved every second of it. We went for great long walks in the city and saw wonderful, wonderful things. He is such a joy. Happy 99% of the time and just laughs so loud that you can't help but laugh.

Here are some pictures of the Quilt Merchant in Winfield, IL...what a fantastic shop...if you are in the area, or even if you have to drive a while to get there it is SO worth the trip. I can't even begin to tell you what a great shop this is. If you love reproduction fabrics, this is the shop for you. I ended up not being there as long as I would have liked, but the kids graciously took me there and waited for me. I think Josh was afraid that I'd take the wrong train. But you know even with limited time, I had a great time. Docia (the owner) and her daughter-in-law, Beth were just delightful...I felt like I had known them for years. Aren't quilters just the BEST?!

 

 

 

This last picture, because this is all Blogger would take from me this evening, is a kit I bought...I'll post the other kits and fabrics that I bought in the next post. This quilt was hanging behind the register area. Beth said they had just gotten it back from the quilter and I went nuts. It's a Bonnie Blue Quilts pattern called Vicksburg. I sheepishly asked if they had a kit and Beht said they had made some up and that I sure could have one...I did the dance. It is made with Judie Rothermel's new line Civil War Classics and it is just spectacular. I can't wait to get this one going.

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I'll post the others later this evening...hmmmmmmm, 2 posts from me in one day :-)

Hi from Chicago

Good Morning from Chicago...I am having so much fun. Good Morning to my little man...this was Thursday morning, my first morning with him. He got up around 6 and we played until the sun came up. This is in his bedroom.

 
Having a little breakfast making the wonderful funny face that Mamie taught him...I'm not sure the kids will let me come back.

 

It was a very exciting morning Sunday...the Chicago Marathon was being run. The day started out wonderfully with 35,000 people running 26 miles through the city. Streets blocked off all over, but sadly the day ended tragically,it was very hot 87 degrees and as you've probably heard a man died. Here's my Hunka man during the marathon...eating! We go so much of the kids stuff packed that we had to eat breakfast on TV trays.

 
Here's my last picture for today since Blogger won't let me do anymore...Hampton in his Steeler shirt ready to for the game. Andy and Josh went to a local Sports Bar to watch the game...Katie, Hampton and I met them when the game was over.
 

Well today I'm off to the Quilt Merchant quilt shop in Winfield. I told you that I was going to take the train, but Hampton has a doctor's appt out that way so the kids are going to take me out there and then I'll come back on the train this afternoon. I promise I'll take lots of pictures.

I am so excited to be connected again. I have my laptop but Josh and Katie have a wireless router and couldn't find the magic number to put in my computer so I could use there network. So now that I'm at the hotel until tomorrow I can be in touch. So, I'm off for the day and I'll try to check in this afternoon when I get back before we go for our dinner in the Signature Room on the 90 something floor (I think that's it...I'll let you know for sure later) of the John Hancock building.
Have a wonderful day!

Scaredy Cat Is Done!

I had made up my mind that no matter what I would finish this before I left for Chicago in the morning...DONE!

 

Well, really not done, but the top is pieced and that's done for me...off to be quilted.

I leave the house at 6:30 in the morning for my 8:30 plane...get to Chicago at 10:30 (love that extra hour). Josh will be picking me up at the airport. Katie said she has her list ready for each day I'm there...I will be getting lots of time with "my little man". Andy will come up on Saturday, we'll stay with the kids Saturday night and spend the day with them Sunday. We have to be at the Fairmont by 6 for a cocktail party. Monday I'll be heading out to the Quilt Merchant (featured in the latest Quilt Sampler)on the train. Here I am, 55 years old and I've never done a train all by myself...well here I go. The owner of the shop assures me that it is very easy...she told me where to get on in downtown Chicago and I get off at Winfield...no changes so I should be OK...she's going to meet me at the train station and take me to the shop. I told her that that was above and beyond customer service. I can't wait! I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to share. I have to get back in time for a dinner at the top of the John Hancock building...I'm really excited...the view will be wonderful.
Andy will leave for home on Tuesday and I'll go back to the kids to help some more and then I head home Wednesday afternoon.
I'm taking my laptop with me so I'll be keeping up with everyone! Have a great week!