Kathleen's Quilts

Weekend At Home

2012-02-25T22:41:00.001-08:00

So much to do all of the time. My husband and I have friends who have decided to marry and want to have their wedding in our home garden. So we have been very busy with spring yard work. We have removed two older walnut trees and are preparing the soil for grass plugs. We also ordered from Edmonds 4 tree roses and two climbing roses to fill out a couple of flower beds. Today I purchased 3 white azaleas for the east side of our house and a flat of purple violas, also another Tropicana Canas for the front border.

When we started the sun room renovation last spring the spa was disconnected and has sat void of water until today. So maybe tomorrow it will be warm enough to get in. We have missed using the spa, so we are really looking forward to some spa time. I like to sit in the spa with a cup of coffee on Sunday mornings. Very relaxing!

Tomorrow I will watch the Academy Awards and spend some time in my sewing room.

Oh I wanted to mention the flock of white cranes that have been hanging out in the walnut orchard that has been flood irrigated by our property. They have been perching on the top limbs of a very large pine tree in our neighbors yard and walking through the water. I have been trying to catch a picture but when I get close they fly off and circle back when I retreat. They are so beautiful.

Where does the time go.

2012-02-04T08:25:00.000-08:00

Well here I am on a Saturday A.M. Wishing I was staying home in my pajamas and sewing for the day, but not until tomorrow, which is Super Bowl Sunday. I will be on my own most of the day. No husband to keep up with and no meals to prepare, and no Georgia (she is visiting her other grandmother). It's been so long ago since I posted, i'm not sure were to start. We had a great retail Christmas at Morrison's Silkscreen and Embroidery. We sold twice the lettermans jackets as the year before. I hosted the Material Girls Christmas party at the beginning of December, and also hosted my family's Christmas dinner. In January I attended Road to California with 3 of my dear quilting friends, and even took a whole cloth design class, which was very successful for me (another project to work on). At the end of that same week I attened the ISS Show in Long Beach. This is a very large show that features equipment, supplies, garments and classes for the screen printing and embroidery industry. I took three classes and walked the show all in two days and I was very tired after that week. MSE (Morrison's Silkscreen and Embroidery)is traditionally slower paced in January, but we have been chasing ourselves to keep up with the business coming into our shop, which is just outstanding. Maybe there is a turnaround happening. Today Steve will be open from 10 to 3 pm, and I will have a shirt table at China Alley for the Chinese New Years celebration. I will be selling previous year's Moon Festival Shirts at a reduced price of $5.00 ea.

Time to get a shower and dressed for the day's activities. I do have some pictures to post, maybe later today.

I AM SO EXCITED!

2011-09-17T15:25:00.000-07:00

As you can see from the picture posted on the previous post, we have been extremely busy with our house renovation. No time for quilting, cooking, laundry or even making a bed in the morning. We have been busy taking things apart and now we are putting things together. This means that we are on the down side of the hill and should be done in time for the big event being held at our house on October 8th.

We are hosting the California-Hawaii Elks Association State President's V.I.P. cocktail party. I've been told we will have close to two hundred people coming for the party. This event is the pre-party to the dinner at the Hanford Elks Lodge that evening. The State President is Wayne Howard and he hails from Honolulu, Hawaii. Our local District State Vice President Earl Conro is making all of the arrangements for Waynes visit to our East Central District. Earl has described our home as the "Morrison Estate". So I hope all of the invitees will enjoy our little piece of paradise. Can you tell I'm starting to get a little excited about all of this.

The worst for me is that my two gardeners have not been able to work my property for over a month and will not be able to come back until the last week in September. They are an older spanish couple that come to my house every Friday to keep us tidy. The Mrs. had cateract surgery that did not go as planned, so she has been restricted from working. But they are planning to be back as needed the last week of September.

This Thursday Morrison's Silkscreen will have a booth space at the Thursday Night Market in downtown Hanford. We will be featuring our Letterman Jacket Line and giving a discount coupon. Then on Friday morning as early as I can possibly get myself going, I will be going to Pismo to join the Material Girls for a Quilting Retreat. I will come home on Sunday. Then the big push to be ready for the cocktail party.

Oh yes, tonight we will attend the Blues and Brews Festival in downtown Hanford. Then I want to slow down to a crawl.

French Doors!

2011-09-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

It's Been A Long Time!

2011-09-16T22:41:00.000-07:00

I've been so very busy. Steve and I decided to change all of the windows and doors on the south side of our house. We also did some rewiring to accommodate 8 new can lights and two new ceiling fans. This side of our house has been a sunroom from the beginning. When we built our house in 1990 we ended up installing a set of sliding glass doors with three 3' x 7' single pane windows on each side of the sliding glass doors. Also the roof has 4 skylights. This room is 12' x 35' and was designed as a passive solar application. So now we are installing French doors, all new skylights, and 4 double pane windows, two for each side of the French doors. We decided to eliminate one window panel at the end of each corner to create more wall space in each corner. The French doors were set in place today and they are gorgeous. They have a special locking mechanism. I am so pleased to have these doors. The skylights were delivered too and we hope to set on the roof by Sunday. And can hardly wait for the new window panels to arrive. Currently, we are painting and Steve just finished the crown molding. We might be finished with the scaffolding this weekend. The next thing to do is reframe the four window openings, drywall the wall spaces between the windows, texture, paint, and trim. When we are done we will have a weather tight room that will be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. I will get a picture on my blog by tomorrow of the French doors.

Saturday At Home!

2011-08-13T09:26:00.000-07:00

I am sitting on the patio this morning about 9:00 a.m., watching the humming birds drink from the two feeders we keep up with. Ther may have been as many as 15 hummers here competing for a spot to drink the nectar. They are fighters and cannot wait their turn. It is just beautiful outside this morning, slightly cool and a bit overcast. Almost muggy feeling. I am thinking of getting a large pan to collect the bounty in the garden before the heat arrives.

Steve and I had a fun time last night. We have had several gift cards from various restaurants here in Hanford, so we decided to use one them at Applebees. When we walked in the place was packed, but we managed to get a spot at the bar at the end where they make the drinks. This was very entertaining as we had beer, long island tea, and a mojito. We also had their burger sliders with fries. Steve wanted to pick up the fixings for mojitos on the way home. We bought mint, limes, and soda at the grocery store, but had go the liquor store for the Myers rum. He seems to be a rum conisour These days. I had purchased a muddler a couple of years back, when my son and I were on a mojito kick. The price sticker was still on it. I couldn't believe I paid $18.00 for this thing that smashes mint leaves. The muddler does a good job though. We found that making some simple surup is the best sweetener to use. The granulated sugar doesn't dissolve very well.

After we made the mojitos we went to his garage to watch a movie and smoke a cigar. I took a couple of puffs of his cigar, which tasted kinda spicy, but this morning my mouth tasted terrible. I couldn't wait to brush my teeth and use some mouth wash. I won't do that again. We had a nice evening.

Yard Sale!

2011-07-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

I decided to send some of the accumulation away. Yard sales are a good way to do that. I like to have the sale at my son's house cause he lives in Hanford on are fairly busy corner two blocks east of 11th avenue and two blocks south of Grangeville Avenue. So far I've taken In $45.
My husband Steve and my son Rod are installing a new sink and working to finish up the counter tops in the kitchen. We bought this little house 3 pr 4 years ago and have been slowly remodeling. We pretty much gutted the interior and started over. New exterior doors, new floors, new drywall, new bathroom (down to the studs), new kitchen (again down to the studs), all new appliances and a on-demand-water heater. I guess you could call this a pay-as-you-work project.

Steve just returned from buying more parts at Orchard for the sink installation and now we have to order the parts. Now the guys want we to take them to lunch with my yard sale money. So I guess I need to pack up the left overs and move on to lunch and then home for some sewing time.

Vintage Ruffled Sheet Quilt with sleeping Georgia

2011-06-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

Here is Georgia asleep under her 5th Birthday quilt. She says it feels so very comfy. It is a little big for her youth bed, but when she takes it home it will fit perfectly on her new twin bed with a pink head board.

Right now this quilt and four others: Gramercy Park, Posh, Flip Flop, and Halloween, are at the Kings County Fair Grounds getting judged for the fair competition. Georgia helped me deliver these quilts to the Home Arts Building and even pinned the name cards to each quilt. So come on out to the Kings County Fair to see these quilts up close and in person.

The Posh Chez Moi quilt was returned to me from my long arm quilter, Bobbie Jones of Nipomo, earlier this month and I rushed to finish the binding and label. I finished sewing on the label the same morning I was to take to the Fair Grounds and ran out of time to take a picture, but will post one as soon as I can.

Another picture of my Georgia. I made this little dress with my serger and even embroidered a little heart motif on the front. She picked the fabric and was very specific about the green being the skirt and purple in the yoke and trim.

Georgia!

2011-06-23T13:19:00.000-07:00

Here is my sweet Georgia wearing her birthday dress I made for her, the scooter that Judy and Nat gave her, and her new Skechers tennis shoes that her Great Aunt Judith gave her. She loves these three gifts the most she said.

Busy Life!

2011-06-12T20:01:00.001-07:00

Life has been very busy here at the Morrison's home and business. My hubby Steve is now the a district leader in the Elks world, that is The Benevolent Order of Elks. He accepted a District Chairmanship and we have been traveling with the District Vice President visiting all of the lodges in the East Central District. The State convention was the last week in May and the National convention is the second week in July. The Bylaws dictate that the VP and his Chairman visit each lodge between those two conventions. We have been to 9 of the lodges so far and have 6 more to visit in the next two weeks. Each lodge visited we have hordorves, cocktails and dinner. Some weeks we visit three or two lodges. I can't remember he last time I prepared a dinner meal, cause we always come home with leftovers.

So far it has been more fun than I anticipated, but I sure have lost a lot of home time going on these visits.

I have several quilt pictures to post, as well as garden pictures. Maybe there will time this next week.

Today was my Birthday and I received many good wishes. My Granddaughter, Georgia just called to sing Happy Birthday to me. She is visiting her other Grandmother, so I won't see her until late next week.

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Three Days at Home

2011-05-29T16:29:00.001-07:00

I've been cooking, gardening, and sewing. Too bad we have had so much wind this weekend, I could have been outside more. I have almost finished the binding and sleeve for the Posh quilt. Picture to come soon. I'm planning to enter several quilts in the Kings County Fair.

Peonies and Oakleaf Hydrangeas

2011-05-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

These beautiful flowers sit beneath a pecan tree at the east end of my front flower border. I have a collection of David Austin roses and another collection of Martha Stewart roses in full bloom. The Bachelor Buttons are shoulder high to me and wave in the breeze. I am so looking forward to the back yard shade garden to bloom with pink and blue Hydrangeas. I planted my vegetable garden last weekend and will show pictures of the progress soon.

There hasn't been too much quilting happening, since my father-in-law is visiting from Texas. My sewing room has a Murphy Bed, and when we have a visitor my sewing room becomes a guest room. My husbands father is 90 years old and gets around very well. Right now he is playing a round of golf.

Best of the Valley Purchases

2011-04-13T10:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, this will be another sewing project for Miss Georgia. I seem to make her a new skirt or pants or dress about this time of the year. I will try to have ready for her Birthday party on May 1st. I am going on a sewing retreat and should be able to finish along with her Vintage Sheet Ruffle Quilt. My plan is to make the dress and ruffled pants first and the ruffled skirt next.

Georgia's Flip Flop Quilt!

2011-04-12T16:25:00.000-07:00

Here I am with Miss Georgia at the "Best of the Valley"quilt show last weekend. The Flip Flop quilt I made for her 4th birthday won a Third Place ribbon in the small quilt appliqued category. She was so very proud of her quilt and the ribbon, she told everyone where to look at it. She will be five years old on May 5th - how time flies by. Seems like she was just a baby girl yesterday.

Gramercy Park Quilt

2011-04-12T16:15:00.000-07:00

The Gramercy Park quilt is completed and on my bed. Elaine Berry and I started this project at least two years ago. Elaine finished hers last year and entered it into the Best of the Valley quilt show. I finished mine just after the close for the call for entries for this years quilt show. So I will have to enter into next years show. I love the flowers and the colors of this quilt. I used a bamboo bat this time and the quilt has a very light weight feel to it. Bobbie Jones of Nipomo, CA long arm quilted for me and I just love it. Bobbi noted to me that the bamboo bat caused a lot of lint build-up in her bobbin case, so she had to clean the bobbin case often. Now I need to add a label.

DEXTER BOY!

2011-04-02T14:23:00.000-07:00

My Jack Russell Dexter had a rear end problem this last week. One of his glands was infected. I took him to the vet on Thursday morning and they kept him for the day. He had some surgery to drain the gland and his teeth cleaned. They even trimmed his nails. He came home with this cone on his head. He is doing very well. The stitches, drain tube and cone will go away on Monday AM. It is amazing how animals adapt to changes.

Dexter Boy wants to chase the ball with Jacquee (his Mom) and Maggio (our other dog who is a big red dog).

Vintage Ruffled Sheet Quilt

2011-03-28T16:59:00.000-07:00

Well I have a good start on the quilt I was so jazzed to make for my Granddaughters 5th birthday. I have been trying to collect vintage sheets since last November. I couldn't find any locally, so decided to look for them when I travelled to Texas over Christmas vacation. And didn't have too much luck. But when I mentioned my project to my sister-n-laws in Texas, they just walked into the next room at their homes and came back with a set that belong to Bobbie's Mom and Lynn had a set that belonged to my husband's mother. And my friend Barbara brought me a sheet that she found at a thrift store in Fresno. I also bought a new set of pink with little girls dancing on it with flowers that I decided to use for ruffles and the back of the quilt. And now I wish I had keep some of my mom's old sheets. Who would have know at the time I would ever have a need for them.

I got started on this Vintage Sheet Quilt quest after visiting Jodie Bissig's blog www.sew-handmade.blogspot.com. Jodie uses vintage sheets to make quilts and I followed one of her references to the blog to make this quilt. I ordered the pattern for $7.00 and began the search for sheets.

So far this I've made a mountain of ruffles and sewed them to about 1/3 of the quilt base, which is a flannel sheet cut to the size I am making.

Another Day In Paradise!

2011-02-24T08:10:00.000-08:00

I'm laying in bed thinking about what today will be. I have been awake a little bit, but just can't get going. Maybe today will be a lazy day for me, but I think not. I have too many to dues on my plate right now like: taxes, the ruffle quilt, bulb planting, new tile floor for my kitchen, work, work, work.

Georgia will spend tonight, looking forward to her company. She is so in charge when she is here. I call it Georgia Time, you know like "Georgia On My Mind". She can be so sweet and so energic. She fills my home with joy.

Well I am ready to make this day happen. Thanks for reading my blog.

Vintage Ruffled Sheet Quilt

2011-02-22T16:40:00.000-08:00

As some of you may already know my plan to make Georgia a quilt for every birthday until she turns 21. I've been collecting vintage flower patterned sheets to make a ruffled quilt for my Georgia's 5th birthday on May 5th, Cinco de Mayo. We always have so much fun at her birthday party, and yes we seem to favor the theme of the day, margaritas, chips and salsa, BBQ chicken, rice and beans, and a Pinata. Last year I hosted the party at my house with a bounce house. Georgia is already making plans for this years party. She asked me to be thinking about a bounce house and a big cake with flowers and birds on it. I guess I better get with the ruffled quilt pronto or I'll be late again.

When I was in Texas my sister-n-laws both gave me sheets that had belonged to their Mother and Mother-n-law. So these are really vintage. I have some sheets from my Mom too. So I better get busy starting this weekend.

My Life!

2011-02-20T22:39:00.000-08:00

Since my Christmas vacation to Texas I have been to Road2CA, Long Beach, and work, work, work. Work is good, my business - Morrison's Silkscreen and Embroidery has been very busy. I can see an increase in the customer traffic. So much so, we are now open on Saturdays to accommodate out-of-towne customers.

Road was so fun. I shared accommodations with three dear friends, and we all took the same 2-day David Taylor: Pictorial Applique. I made some progress with my project during the class, but have not touched it since. My hubby picked me up in Ontario and we finished the weekend in Long Beach at the annual ISS Show for screen printers and embroiderers. We stayed the night on the Queen Mary and had a lovely time. That Saturday night we had dinner at the San Pedro Elks Lodge. It was their fine dinning evening. We had the prime rib dinner with a full view of the harbor as evening set in. We watched a cruise ship take out to sea and it's fire works. Very special evening for us. On Sunday morniwe had had a very delious breakfast in the Promenade Cafe looking out over the Long Beach harbor. The weather in southern California was in the 80's and so enjoyable. We headed home to Hanford and coming down off the grapevine we hit a wall of fog. Ugh! I've been cold ever since.
Two weeks ago I lost quarter-round diamond out of my 6 ct diamond ring and my husband won $2000 at the Hanford Elks Lodge. Can't find the diamond, so we hare replacing the lost diamond and we are going to update the tile floor in the kitchen. I am not looking forward to the mess of taking up the old tile, but the new floor will be so nice.
Yesterday I traveled to Paseo Robles for my sister's grandson's, Dillon, 1st birthday. I traveled with my brother Ernie. We all have a great time. Dillon is so cute and starting to walk. I also delivered my Gramersy Park quilt top to Bobbi Jones, Dillon's other grandmother, who is a long arm quilter. I gave Bobbi full license to quilt my quilt as she felt appropriate.

Today, Steve and I purchased a gas grill and had a very yummy dinner tonight. I have been sitting in my sewing room doing this blog instead of sewing. Maybe the sewing will happen tomorrow.

Fredericksburg, Texas

2011-01-05T08:01:00.000-08:00

We are on our way Fredericksburg and I am excited about taking the day to shop and see what we can see. I have not checked for quilt stores yet, but I will after this post. Steve wants to go to the Museum of the Pacific, which is going to be a lot of planes and military stuff. My sister in law Bobbi said we must find this candle place and climb the Enchanted Rock. I'm not sure about he rock climbing, but we will look into the possibility.

We are currently just outside of Austin looking for breakfast and gas. The sun is shinning and it is 61 degrees. A beautiful day for a drive in the countryside.

Texas Vacation!

2010-12-30T09:31:00.000-08:00

Here I am in Texas with my husband, Steve and my two Jack Russell Terriers, Jacquee and Dexter. We have visited Steve's family in Ft. Worth and I managed to visit the Cabbage Rose Quilt Shop, which was very very nice. We also did some antique hunting In Azle, where I found a lovely piece of Roseville pottery. We are on our way south on 45 right now to spend the next few days with his Father and Brothers in Trinity. The temperature today is in the 70's. We were planning for much colder weather.

I made five little people quilts to give to all of my new great nieces and nephews. I just finished the bindings and will add the embroidered labels after I consult with their Grandmother as to who should get which quilt. I will take pictures for posting before they are delivered. I always have fun visiting the family in Trinity.

Another Turkey Day gone bye bye!

2010-11-25T20:49:00.000-08:00

I started the day making a pumpkin and a pecan pie. Then I roasted some yams to candy later, then I put together my dressing to stuff the turkey breast. Yes a turkey breast. I stuffed the neck and turned the breast front down and filled the cavity with dressing, covered with foil and put in the oven using the convection setting. After cleaning up the kitchen I proceeded to mix up Parker House dinner rolls from scratch. I've been studying this recipe in my Food magazine the last week or so, and just got the bug to be a baker today. I also put together the traditional green bean casserole and mashed potatoes and gravy. Finally at 5:00pm we sat down to our Tanksgiving Dinner.

There were just the four of us, me, my hubby Steve, my son Rod, and my granddaughter Georgia. Dinner was simply fabulous. Everything I prepared was delicious. And yes, we have plenty of leftovers.

Now Steve and I are watching a movie and I am finishing the binding on a baby quilt for a new little great niece in Texas.

Tomorrow night is the Christmas Parade in downtown Hanford. Rod, Georgia and I will go together and Steve will be in the parade walking with the giant Elks American flag. After the parade we Will be at the Elks Lodge for hot chocolate and hot dogs. It will be cold so we will need to dress very warm.

Getting my store windows ready for Christmas.

2010-11-21T09:21:00.000-08:00

I have spent most of Saturday getting my windows dressed for Christmas at Morrison's Silkscreen an Embroidery. First I dismantled the previous display of letterman jackets and Versacam t-shirts samples. Then I vacuumed everything (lots of dead flies) and cleaned the windows. I then covered the walls and pinboard with red and gold Christmas paper. After checking my inventory of twinkle lights I found that they all do not work, so off to find new ones. This year I purchased colored twinkle lights. I have always used the white clear. I also had to purchase a new hand stapler. Stuff just doesn't last forever. I got the lights installed and some shinny green garland looped over the windows. The next thing I did was start pinning the display to the walls. I did not finish, so will be going back today after breakfast.

This afternoon my husband, Steve needs my help laying Formica on some new counters for our rental that my son lives in. We have been renovating this rental off and on for the last two years. Everything is coming together very nicely. The kitchen is the last room to finish.

Maybe I'll get sew later today. I am trying to finish several baby quilts.

Elk's Mid-Term Convention

2010-11-09T15:18:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday I travelled with my husband, Steve to Santa Clara for the Elk's Lodge Mid-Term Convention. We met lots of new faces and visited with many of our friends. While I was in the San Jose area I shopped, visited hospitality rooms, had some very lovely meals, and enjoyed the company of friends. When Steve decided to be the Exalted Ruler two years ago I had no idea the scope of the Elk's fraternal organization. It is simply mind boggling the amount of monies they have generated for charity. And they have a great deal of fun doing these projects. I had a very enjoyable time with my Elk friends.

While I was in Santa Clara I shopped for vintage sheets to make that ruffled quilt for my Granddaughter Georgia. To my surprise there were not very many to find. So I am thinking that by February, if I am diligent enough to check all of the second hand stores I come across I will have the 8 to 10 twin size sheets to make a twin size quilt for her May 5th birthday.

Tonight is Material Girl's night a Pam's house. I've been working on some Grandma Flower Garden pieces. I am not sure what I will do with all of these little guys, but I'm making them anyway. It's a good way to use scraps from other projects. I have a fall table runner I could cut and have ready in time for Thanksgiving. Tonight should be a fun night, while I was out of town I missed the 42% off sale at Thimble Town and Barb's birthday party. So it will be fun to catch up on all the gossip and maybe there will be show and tell from the sale.

Material Girls Signature Blocks!

2010-11-03T12:07:00.000-07:00

I have finished quilting my quilt and am ready to make a label and hand sew the binding. This is the first year of the MG challenges that I have been so far ahead of our December reveal and Christmas Party. Sorry I won't be able to show a picture until after the reveal. There are 17 Material Girls in our friendship group. I hope to see everyone's quilt completed. Our challenge this year was signature blocks from everyone in the group. We picked our theme and block size. I chose Halloween blocks at 6 1/2". Barbara Sindlinger was so nice to organize a list of everyones wants. We all made 17 blocks as each of us requested. When I received my blocks I wasn't sure what to do, but after some meditation and reviewing fabrics from my stash I came up with a plan, and I am pleased with the final quilt. I think this quilt will be for wall hanging. Too bad I didn't complete this project last week so I could hang for this year's Halloween. I did get to handle all of the Halloween fabrics during October.

I wanted to make a note of a new purchase on my part, a Dyson 25 Animal vacuum. After reading Susie Kissler's blog I was sold and I have experienced the same superb cleaning of my carpets and non-carpeted floors. I was absolutely amazed at the amount of dog hair and dirt that this vacuum picked up. And my house cleaning people had just been cleaned on the previous Tuesday. Don't get me wrong, they do a great job, I just think they need a different vacuum (I think they use a upright Oreck).

Sewing Progress

2010-10-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I was able to piece together my Material Girl Signature Blocks. I also pinned my finished top to the batting and the backing. Now I am ready to quilt. I would like to have this done before next weekend so I can finish the binding. I also finished two baby quilts for two new family babies in Texas, my husband's family. We are planning a visit to see them soon.

I haven't posted over this last week because I was having problems with my password. Today I decided to try again and the password I used last worked. The real problem is me. I cannot for the life of me remember what password I used. I know that it is 9 characters long. I need to change it, but cannot, because I am required to verify the old password in order to establish a new password. What to do? I will have to e-mail Google to ask for my password. A dear friend of mine advised me to always write down on paper a password for this very reason. Barbara is so right about this.

Me and My Friends at Pacific International

2010-10-20T13:28:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was great fun at Pacific International Quilt Show in Santa Clara. I traveled to the show with Diane, Debbie, and Barbara. We will all be attending Road to California in January and are all taking David Taylor's class. We always have fun being the crazy quilters that we are.

SEWING DAY!

2010-10-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

I woke up at 7 am and began thinking about this very special day 41 years ago. Today is my son Rodney's Birthday. It is so hard to believe that 41 years has gone by so fast. I started my day very early with my water breaking, then a call to the doc, then waiting for those labor pains to start, then a quick ride to the hospital. Labor had to be induced and I endured the pains until 7:30 pm. Then the doc decided to perform a c-section and I had my boy at 7:37 pm. And he was a big little man at 21 inches and 9 pounds and the only boy in the nursery. All of the nurses had fun referring to the nursery as his harem. I know every Mother goes thur the birthing process of every child on their birthdays. It is a special experience. And later today when I take Rodney and Georgia for his Birthday lunch he will hear the story one more time, but I will probably note more of the details.

I just finished my cinnamon toast and am taking my coffee with to my sewing room. I will open all of the windows and enjoy this fall air. Today is a little cool and overcast and reminds of the climate in Cambria.

Pacific International Quilt Show was very fun. I looked at so many quilts and came home inspired to sew, sew, sew. I purchased two Robyn Pandolph 5"x5" Rue Saint Germain square packs and 2 of Moda's 5"x5" Gobble Gobble square packs, bamboo batting for my Posh king size quilt, and a purple Tutto travel bag for my sewing machine. I also purchased three patterns from Fig Tree Designs, a dress pattern for Georgia,a Jelly Girl pattern, and Dancing Dollies Samples pattern.

Do I have to add these new patterns to my "Waiting For Kathy" list? I don't have fabric for them yet, so will add to my list when that happens.

Pacific International Quilt Show

2010-10-15T22:52:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to this fabulous quilt show. This show has a different flavor, I thinks it's more Asian and Northwestern types of quilts. Last time I attended a quilter from Japan showed a quilt with thousands of very small flower garden hand pieced parts. She spent many years working on this quilt. Her dedication to complete her quilt was simply amazing. So I'm off for a fun time with some of my Material Girlfriends.

Clothespin Bat!

2010-10-15T11:46:00.001-07:00

Here is the picture of the clothespin bat. My Mom always made these around Halloween. She gave me a bat about 10 years ago and I still have it. This year my Granddaughter Georgia was old enough to help cut them out of Fun Foam and glue to black painted clothes pins. She took two home and I kept two for myself. The next project we will make for Halloween will be Jack-o-lantern cans. We will be painting some cans with orange paint and making a jack-o-lantern face by punching the can with a nail and then adding a wire handle to carry. We will then put a candle inside to light at night. Georgia was practicing her hammering of nails last night with her Grampa supervising. So she should be ready to make holes in the cans on Monday.

Georgia's Birthday Quilt #3 - May 5, 2009

2010-10-11T21:08:00.001-07:00

I am finally able to start posting pictures on my blog. Georgia is my one and only Grandchild. I started making a Birthday Quilt on her first Birthday. And yes I do have pictures of the four quilts I've made so far and I will post soon. I have been know to say that I will make a quilt for each of her birthdays until she is 21. The 21st quilt will probably have a Margarita theme, since her birthday is an Cinco de Mayo. I will post this year's birthday quilt tomorrow when I have a picture ready. Birthday Quilt #4 was named "You can never have enough Flip Flops".

Georgia was with me tonight and we made clothespin bats for Halloween. We cut out 2 bat shapes and punched out eyes using black fun foam. Then we painted our clothespins black. Next we hot glued a bat to each side of the clothespin. When you are done you can clip your bat anywhere you like, on a hat, a curtain, your hair, anywhere you want. I will take a picture to show the finished bat.

LOVING THE FALL WEATHER!

2010-10-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

It is Saturday morning and I'm getting a lazy start to the weekend. Since I was at Pismo Beach last weekend and the weekend before at my nephew's wedding,I have to catch up on life's duties like washing the accumulation of dirty clothing. Thank goodness I have a good housekeeper every three weeks. She keeps me pretty neat and tidy. I would probably let things go too long if it was up to me to be the house cleaner. I would certainly pick sewing or gardening before cleaning. I wonder if there is clothes washing person that comes to your house?

I finished my Nephew Josh's wedding quilt and will begin posting quilt pictures soon. I need to have time at my business computer to post pictures, since the posting of pictures to a blog on my iPad is very involved. I would love to prepare my newly finished king size Chez Moi quilt top for quilting today, but the washing is first since my hubby and I are off to a Elk's Lodge State President's dinner this evening. Semi-formal dress is required. So there goes most of Saturday to the Elks. Tomorrow I have plans to be home and make the day mine alone. Steve will be laying some new entry tiles at Our business, Morrison's Silkscreen and Embroidery.

I am pretty jazzed about a ruffled quilt pattern I found via Jodie Bisigg's Blog. She is involved with vintage sheet quilts, which brought my curiosity to this pattern. When I saw the quilt I was immediately drawn to make it for my Grandaughter, Georgia. I have been making her a quilt for each of her birthdays. Georgia turned four this last May 5th. Yes, I will certainly post pictures very soon. I purchased the pattern on line and have been reviewing this morning while laying in bed. The author suggests taking your time and allowing up to 4 months to complete. This will allow you to work on it a bit at a time. So now I will be off to shop for sheets at the thrift stores and looking into my own sheet collection.

Gotta go start my have-to-dos so I can play tomorrow.

Feeling Better!

2010-10-01T22:45:00.000-07:00

Being sick was not in my plans during September, but I made it to being well again. Doc said I did not have pneunomia, but acute bronchitis. He gave me a pneunomia shot and said chest xray was good and my lungs sounded clear.

I attended my nephews wedding last weekend and had a great time and this weekend I am in Pismo Beach with my girl friends for a quilting retreat. We had fish and chips for dinner and did a little sewing and we are off to bed to rest for a big sewing day tomorrow.

Pneumonia!

2010-09-16T21:27:00.001-07:00

Who would have thought I was that sick! Dr. Gavini diagnosed pneumonia and ordered a chest xray. He also prescribed cough surup, Levaquin (antibiotic), and gave me a inhaler to ease the discomfort. I go back Tuesday for confirmation of his diagnoses. When I dropped off the prescription I find out that the Levaquin costs $110.00 for 7 pills at one a day. I ask for a generic and there is none, so ask to call doc for a substitute. Doc sez that I need Levaquin to recover, so he gives me samples. Saved me some bucks.

So I need to rest and get better so I can go to my nephew's wedding next weekend and the Material Girl's Quilting Retreat the next weekend.

Sore Throat:

2010-09-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

Well here I am at the doctors office waiting for my appointment. My sore throat has evolved into a terrible cough along with other things that the flu brings. The last 4 days have not been fun. I haven't seen my Granddaughter, Georgia, and sure do miss her. Everyone has been after to me to see the doctor so this doesn't evolve into something worse.

I haven't been in my sewing room for over a week. Maybe I'll forget how to quilt? I need to be well for a family wedding next weekend in Woodlake and the Material Girls Quilting Retreat the following weakened in Pismo. I will think positive and be ready for all of the fun things coming up.

Elks vs Quilting vs Sore Throat!

2010-09-12T10:30:00.000-07:00

Here I am again, out at another Elks function in support of my husband Steve. Friday night Steve was the host of our local lodge dinner. Saturday afternoon we pulled our fifth-wheel to the Fresno Lodge for their annual Luau in the evening, and this morning Steve has a booth space at the District's annual Membership Round-up. There will be a luncheon too. I am not feeling very good, a bit of sore throat and congested head, so have been resting in the fifth-wheel with our Jack Russells, Jacquee and Dexter. I brought along my Gramma'S Flower Garden project, but have no interest in a quilt project right now, just not feeling it. So I am going to get myself dressed and make it to the lunch in a bit. The RV park next to the Fresno Lodge is very nice and I could be happy just hanging out in the RV area playing on my iPad.

iPad Why Not?

2010-08-31T19:27:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to post my profile picture and any other pictures to my blog for over a week. Today I figured out that my iPad will not allow me to do this, so I was able to post my picture from my husband's work computer. So now you all will know what I look like when you read my blog. Now that I figured this out I will be able to post pictures of my quilts.

Tuesday's Blog!

2010-08-24T16:46:00.001-07:00

This is my second blog to myself until I learn the blogging ropes.
Today is a very hot day , over 100 degrees and tomorrow will be maybe 109.
Maybe we should all sit on ice to stay cool? I am on my way to Michaels to locate some wire picture holders for the Longaberger luncheon on Saturday. I am going to decorate the my table with a bouquet of zinnias and pictures from previous luncheons. This is a fund raiser for cancer research. When I get home I will continue working on my nephews wedding quilt. His wedding is in late September, so I have plenty of time to finish. I already have the top completed. I will square up tonight and prepare the back.

The first blog!

2010-08-19T22:11:00.001-07:00

I joined the YMCA yesterday so my granddaughter Georgia and I could continue her swimming on a regular basis. We had great fun and she can swim the length of the pool. She is 4 years old. I will have some pictures soon of she and I and my quilting projects.