TWO Finishes!

I can hardly believe it myself!

I had the body of this log cabin pieced and

just needed to add the borders.

As you can see, I took the easy way out and

used my left over 2 1/2" strips.

This is a great first quilt.

Eleanor Burns "Quilt in a Day" series gives simple,

easy to follow instructions, plus lots of photos.

She even tells you which way to press your seams!

I'm not sure how long her days are......

I've never been able to complete one in a day.

But it sure sounds good, doesn't it?

Here are a few close ups of the fabric.
Pretty cute!

This next quilt has been in the making
forever.
I cut out "bricks" from left over florals and dots.
I kept adding to my stack until I felt I had enough.
Nope, didn't count em.
I'm calling this my "Summer Garden" quilt
seeings how I didn't get to actually plant any flowers this year.
It's very pastel and "summery".
It looks pretty washed out in the photos.
Much prettier in person.

I'm not adding any borders.
Will bind it with one of the floral prints.




Debbie left a comment on the last post and asked how I did my photos.
I use Photshop Elements 5 and digital scrapbook papers.
Check out the digital scrapbook sites on the web
they have free "how to" tutorials.

I don't know where my signature went.
I'm having issues with blogger.
Is it just me?

Stop back again!
Karen

Family Get-Together

It's all about the grandkids!


I bring my granddaughter a little
stitching or craft project each visit.
I'm hoping she'll catch the "bug"!

The family having fun together.

Playing bean bag toss, basketball,

and just relaxing around the fire.

It was a long weekend for me.

But I enjoyed every minute.

There's nothing like hearing the

laughter of the grandkids playing together.

The adults chatting,

catching up on each others lives.

Family......

a little word created by love.

*************

It's raining today!

I wanted to take picures of my

log cabin quilt top that

I finished!

Maybe tomorrow......

Thanks for stopping by!

A Quick Hello

Just wanted to say "HI!" and let you know I'm still kicking.

It's a slow process.

I'm not healing as quickly as the Dr would like,

so it looks like another few weeks with this wound vac.

What a drag carrying a 5 lb "purse" everywhere I go.

Not to mention injecting myself every 8 hours with antibiotics.

Oh, enough whining!

Today was the first time I've gone downstairs to my sewing room

and actually felt like doing something.

I worked on borders for a

red, white and blue log cabin top I started a few months ago.

I'm determined to use all the strips I have left from the

blocks. A scrappy piano key border.

Not very original.

Who knows......maybe I'll have a picture to share!

I miss quilting on my longarm machine.

And the hum of my Janome.

And my quilting buddies.

Won't stay away so long next time.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Stay safe.

A "BUMP" on the Road to Recovery

Turns into a real Pothole!

Sorry it's been over a month since my last post.

But in the last month I have had some major complications.

I was sick and unable to enjoy our little get away.

And have had 2 additional surgeries

plus a 8 day stay in the hospital.

I can't tell you, dear friends, how devastating this has been.

I was suppose to be back to my life (quilting! grandkids! gardening!)

by this time and now it is going to be another 6 weeks.

I will give you details someday, but today I haven't the energy.

Isn't the picture above beautiful?

Mike took it while we were up north.

Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers.

VACATION

Just wanted to let you know

I'll be away from my computer for a week.

Hubby and I are going up to the Lake

for some fishing and relaxation.

Okay, he'll be fishing

I'll be relaxing.

My first big "outing" since the operation....

wish me luck.

Hope to take tons of pictures to share with

you when I get back.

Stay safe and eat lots of strawberries

I finished my pantry door!

But let me caution you.

If you erase the liquid ink chalk (with water) to much

some of the chalkboard paint comes off with it.

I applied 5 coats of chalkboard paint on my door but will need to give it

a few more coats after I remove this poem.

It has white chalky streaks now

if you look real close.

I found the poem in one of my cookbooks, no author, dated 1977.

My Irises are blooming!

On Saturday Papa took Aiden to the Air Show.

Just the 2 of them.

Did they have a good time!

Aiden's favorite thing was taking the

bus from the parking lot to the air field.

He had never been on a SCHOOL BUS before.

Not much happening this weekend.

It's so nice today, just might go down and watch hubby fish for awhile.

Ohhhh....fresh warm air.

I'm feeling stronger!

It's been a long 3 weeks since my surgery.

But I feel better each day.

I start Cardiac rehab next Wednesday.

Hopefully, that will get me back on my feet.

I just have to thank my friend Joyce!

Joyce came and spent the first 2 weeks with me.

What a trooper!

She changed my bandages without flinching

and was at my beck and call.

She cooked Mike & I delicious meals,

especially love her homemade chicken and dumpling soup!

I couldn't have made it thru the tough days without you.

Thank you Joyce.

My first "outing" was Friday for a Doctor visit.

He asked me if I'd been out dancing yet.........

funny-funny man.

On Saturday I just had to go to our local quilt show.

I had 2 quilts entered.

Remember the quilt I made for my granddaughter

"Evening In Paris"?

To my surprise it WON 2 ribbons!





Remember my Oak Leaf & Reel?



I'm happy to say 4 of my customers won ribbons also!
I'm so excited for them.
They were a pleasure to quilt for.




That's about all for now.
My life is in the slow lane for awhile.
Hopefully I'll get back to blogging soon.



Thank YOU again for all your thoughts and prayers.
I know they have made my journey a little easier.

I'm Home!

It feels so good coming home!

To my own bed and shower.

Last night, I was able to sit in my rocker

on the front porch for a few minutes.

Appreciating the smell of

freshly mowed grass and birds feeding.

And being alive.

But, OOOO my goodness, I can't lie.

It hurts so much to move!

THANK YOU

for all your prayers, kind words and warm thoughts.

My heart overflows with gratitude.

P.S. The Drs ended up doing 5 (yep, five) bypasses.

Aunt Ruthie's Influence

Who hasn't joined the Sugar Pie Farmhouse Forum yet?

Ya better run right over and check it out!

Lots of good ideas and information about

everything!

From kids to tomatoes.

Ruth Ann posted a blog post about her chalkboards

and the special chalkboard ink markers she uses.

Well, I was wanting to do something with my pantry door.

My first thought was a red screen door.

But I'd have to keep the pantry neat and tidy all the time.

And I KNOW that wouldn't happen.

So, I taped around the area I wanted to paint.

Caution, the chalkboard paint in the can is very-very thin.

I applied 5 layers directly on the door.

Then hubby painted and cut the molding strips

to frame it out.

I had to do something this week to keep my mind off my troubles!

I think I will put my Chocolate Chip Cookie

recipe on it for now.

I can always wipe it off and start again.

I did do a practice piece and the markers

are so smooth and easy to work with.

I purchased my markers at Michaels

with my half off JoAnn's coupon.

Do these canisters look familiar?

I found this red glass cutting board at the

Lange Outlet store last winter.

Perfect with my red tops!

Here's a few of my new cookbooks.

Two of the books are from my high school girlfriend Shirley.

The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen &

Susan Branch's Girlfriends Forever

signed and autographed!

Plus my favorite The Apron Book.

Oh, and don't forget

Old Time Farmhouse Cooking and

The Lost Art of Pie Making.

Here's were my sweet little red & white apron hangs.
Strictly for looks (it doesn't fit).


Well, this will be my last post for a week or so.
Tomorrow is the BIG day.
Just waiting for the hospital to call with the time.

(Hospital called, have to be there at 5:45 a.m.)
The laundry is done and my bag is packed.
Threw in a few magazines just in case and my MP3 player.



I want to thank everyone who is praying for me and my family.
The messages of support that you sent mean so much to us.
My husband "doesn't get" this blog thing
and was truly amazed at all the emails I've received.



Here is the prayer that sweet sweet Polly from Counting Your Blessings sent:


Oh Father, hold her in your hands.
Allow your Spirit to fill her with comfort and calm.
We know that you love her and her family.
We know that your plan for her life is for good and for a future (Jer 29:11).
Allow her to rest this week and gain strength.
Give her health and joy and more of you! In your name we ask.
~Amen~


I've printed if off and read it every time fear starts to creep in my heart.
God Bless.

I Need Your Prayers......

I had a heart attack!

Hard to believe.

Last Saturday I awoke around 4 a.m.

to a feeling of pressure in the middle of my chest.

Like someone was holding a 10 lb weight on me.

Indigestion from the previous night's dinner I thought.

I got up, took some medicine, and tried to go back to sleep.

Didn't work.

By mid morning my left arm felt "weird".

No shooting pains. No sweats. No nausea.

In fact, I went into my studio and loaded a quilt!

But, by 10 or so I "just knew" something wasn't right.

Mike said enough was enough and off we went.

I told the ER Doc that I was sure it was something I ate.

And he said he was sure it wasn't.

They ran some tests and decided to admit me.

My enzyme levels were up and that wasn't good.

First thing Monday morning they performed a

diagnostic catherzation.

After which they decided I need open heart by pass surgery.

How scary does that sound?

I'm petrified!

My Uncle came and took Aunt Polly back to Michigan for a few months.

Time for me to recover.

I'm suppose to stay stress free, and rest.

Right.

I have the best customers in the world!

I called and spoke with a few and they are

so understanding about the delay.

My quilting "sista's" are just a phone call away if I need help.

My sister, Robin, will be coming to visit

and I'll get to be the "bossy"older sister AGAIN...

just like the good old days.

My 2 sons and their families are coming to spend the today.

I need some Grandma kisses!

So please, please, add me and my family to your prayer list and

Keep me in your thoughts on Thursday.

Oh my, oh my, we just finished dinner.

Leftovers.

And it was as delicious the second time around as the first.

I'm sure you've all been to visit Ruthann at

Warm Pie, Happy Home.

I made her

“Hillbilly Spaghetti Pie!”

and it was a BIG hit!

I even baked cornbread.

After all, what could be more "hillbilly"?

Ruthann has an incredible new site called

Sugar Pie Farmhouse.

Head on over and say Howdy

and join the "sisterhood"!

I've been redecorating my blog.

Notice my new navagation bar on top?

And the cute little sewing machine by my

web address in your browser bar?

All installed by Joanna at

Southern Girl Blog Designs

Hurry on over.

She's having a Spring Special!

I didn't have the heart to take weather pictures for you today.

It's the same old story.

Cold, snowy & windy.

So much for my Easter bonnet.

More like a stocking cap.

Isn't this cherry quilt just so darn cute?

So summery looking.

Lucky it's heading West.

To warmer weather.

Stay safe and warm.
Talk to ya again soon.

What is the saying about March weather....

In like a lamb

(picture taken first week in March)

Out like a lion
(taken this morning)

I just have one word for the weather Gods.....

Enough Already!

(Okay, two words).

I've been very busy working on customer quilts.

I just can't seem to catch up.

I want to thank "my ladies" for being so understanding.

Things are looking up.

I have extra help with Aunt Polly 2 days a week now.

Two whole days to quilt uninterrupted.

Here's a little Quilt Show for you.

Chris entered her Red, White & Blue.

into the Sun Prairie Quilt Show.

"My patriotic quilt "Old Glory" got an honorable mention at the show.
I know there were at least 35 quilts

in the long arm category so that was great.
Thank you for doing such a good job". Chris
Congradulations Chris!

And here is Jan's machine embroidery quilt.
Isn't it beautiful?

Detail of the center motif.

And doesn't Sue's quilt look like summer?
I love the colors.

And check out her "piping hot" circles.

Wait to you see the darling
Cherries with ric-rack top I'm quilting now.
Yes Sharon, it's yours!

Our 2 youngest grandbabies came to visit on Friday.
It was such a joy to cuddle and play with them.

My DDIL is such a sweetie to drive down for the day.

Plus she brought my favorite.......

peanut butter/chocolate cheesecake

from the Cheesecake Factory!

Our 3 oldest babies are coming Easter weekend to visit.
I will have to bribe them
to have their pictures taken.
They're at that age you know.
Can't wait to have a "Grandma" weekend.

May you have a warm and safe week ahead.