Machine Knitting too!

Well, I spent Monday through Thursday morning with the two grandkids that live in Donie...too much fun! Cooked Posole, Tamales, hard candy suckers; ate out two wonderful meals, one Mexican food and the other a great sandwich with dipping sauce; listened to Christmas music and embroidered quilt blocks.... Came home and started cleaning on my punchcard bulky knitting machine- hadn't used it in years-- and found Dianaknits on Youtube. She had a wonderful video on a Swirl Baby Blanket almost exactly like I used to make...but lost the pattern to...Anyway, here's pixs of the quilt blocks and Baby Blanket....

Almost 4 foot wide...with I used to call Pie Crust Edge...Dianaknits calls it Noodle Edge.

Hoping this will be the block in Jason's pillowcase....

I've recently found a Studio 328 24 stitch punchcard machine just like my first knitting machine of many years ago...on EBay in super looking condition, with the ribber and lots of attachments... so am hoping to do much more machine knitting in the future. When we lived in Las Cruces, NM I was part of a machine knitting group that included I guess around 2 dozen members at least! It was a very large part of my life for quite awhile. When we moved to Central Texas, no one around here even knew what a knitting machine was!.. There certainly was no group for moral support and encouragement.... It seems machine knitting either has come back into favor, or I've just found the Yahoo groups on the Web... Anyway, it's very fun again now that I have people to talk to about it and I'm hoping to again become prolific!

Jason's Quilt is finished!

1 down and 3 more to go! Planning on getting Cara's in the quilting machine tomorrow & hopefully getting it quilted...then if I'm very lucky, I might get it finished with its binding Saturday & Sunday...It feels really good to at least get one completed--- I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! LOL!

Jason's Quilt Top is Together!

YAY! I think it turned out better than I even thought it would! The Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Transformer icon & the Batmobile are all here and accounted for! I think I know a little guy that may enjoy this on his Batmobile bed his Pa made for him a couple years ago...
The pinkish small quilt is made out of flannel and for ME! About 3 years ago I made 27 quillow quilts for everyone in the family---except me! Finally I have my own to curl up under on the couch or in the recliner---and I'm sure loving it!--Nothing fancy....but soft, warm, cuddly, and MINE! Again I say-YAY!

Jason's Super Hero Quilt Top...

Close up of one of Batman blocks--Colored with crayon and hand embroidered in black.

Superman block closeup in quilt setting...

My own personal sized quilt--Just for Me!

Quilting Group...

Most of you realize I go to quilting group every week now, and I thought you might like to see some of these wonderful ladies at work...I won't pretend to remember all their names, much less how to spell them, but they sure inspire me and are definitely my 'heroes'- some of them are in constant pain- some can't always attend the meetings- some I've known since I was 12, but they all have a very special place in my heart and life. If you are a person that loves to quilt, I would highly recommend joining a local quilt group. You won't regret it!

Friends....

So many stages to make a quilt... marking, ironing, piecing, etc...

We all stay busy...

Some can iron, quilt and cut all within arm's reach!

Some of us work on two things at once!

Some of us really enjoy 'handwork.'

Eating lunch together is one of the highlights of what we do!

These are all a great bunch of ladies... Here's a couple projects that were brought and shown today...

Flannel Rag quilt for a grandbaby!

Christmas time is coming!!! Hand applique no less!!!

Just beautiful! Love the red!

Nice Work!!

Oh Wow---Crazy quilt that she quilted on a long arm quilting machine---The workmanship is awesome!

Close up of one of the block...sooo pretty!

Work your fingers to the bone and what do you get? A really cute quilt!

For the Blair Family Baby Boy...

Close up of a couple of the machine embroidery center squares...

LOL! I have a baby shower to go to Sunday at church for a baby boy, so it was past time to get myself in gear and clean off the old Gammill 12' quilting machine... Believe it or not, I actually remembered most everything, making only a few mistakes here and there. I really needed to try to get back into the swing of using it because I have at least 4 Christmas quilts to get done before Christmas---and I hadn't quilted anything on it for well over a year...maybe two....For a simple Log Cabin quilt with machine embroidered center blocks, it doesn't look too bad! Anyway, thought I'd share my latest project...

Two Christmas quilt tops are ready to quilt!

YAY! I've finally gotten two of the Christmas quilt projects ready for quilting! Ben & Cara's are ready to go, and I only have one more block to finish embroidering on Jason's before I can start putting it together... So, maybe I can get it going this next week...I also have a baby quilt to do for a baby shower at church next weekend, so my week is already filling up... I also bought another sweatshirt to make me another one of those jackets.. but probably won't get to work on it until week after next...I'm planning to do it in olive greens with a dark brown sweatshirt & welting... I think it will be really pretty. Anyway, here's the latest pictures on the quilt tops...

I love how the colors came together on this...

I ended up adding a side border of the same blue material that I separated the blocks with...The quilt just didn't look complete without it...

Poor Puppy!

Life IS GOOD--you know! Even with all the bumps...Yesterday, we discovered that our latest addition to the family--Canela, the wienner dog, has a lesion on her nose...uh oh, I think, when Jack, our Min Pin, had a suspicious lesion, it was an inherited rather than contagious form of Mange that could have and would have killed him had we not taken him to the Vet early...sooo, this morning Canela went to the vet.... $100 later we now think it's a fungus...poor baby, poor checkbook... But on the bright side, Canela had a rabies tag on when we got her and the vet. was able to tell us how old she was.... 1yr. 4 months old... and the rabies shot was all she had been given... very good information...
As for what I've been doing, sorry, can't talk about it...it's a secret! If I told ya, I'd have to kill ya... lol!  Actually, Santa Clause is coming to town!---so really, I can't talk about it...sure would like to talk about it...but I can't, really...dern... but I can tell you that I'm planning to work this afternoon on a Christmas present that I can talk about...Cara's quilt.... I'm trying to figure the math to set the squares on point...I think that would be cute...I'll play with it and see how it works out...If I like it, I'll take a picture and share.  Get back with ya soon!

Ben's quilt top is together...

I have finally gotten 1 of the 4 quilt tops put together that I need to have completed for Christmas! Don't expect fancy piecing on any of these, but the embroidery is kinda nice. I also have completed 2 more of the blocks for Jason's quilt and 1 more for the Texas quilt...

I ended up only using 9 blocks for the quilt...but will use the rest for pillows & pillowcase.

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's Superman!

Transformers....More than meets the eye!!!!

Bluebonnets...

That boy may be worth something yet!

OK, OK....The boy I'm talking about is our Min Pin, Jack. I heard the awefullest (is that a word even?) commotion early this morning in the back yard, rolled over and went back to sleep. Jack and his sidekick, Canela, (a miniature weenie dog) are known to get a little over zealous at times running around chasing each other for the sheer fun of it, but this time they really had a reason.... Apparently, Jack (the obviously taller of the two- and thereby the ringleader) had caught and killed a 'possum, and boy was he proud of himself! I'm guessing it was his biggest 'kill' yet.... to my knowledge, he has killed several gray grass snakes, a few young rats, a young squirrel or two and a whole flock at least of dove (the bird bath is a dog feeder, don't ya know!)...Anyway, Congrats Jack!!!

Fall is Here!!!

Finally, things are cooling off to a bearable temperature for bike riding! Yay! We rode to Valera for BBQ Turkey last night....wonderful! I also finished Cara's Sweatshirt Jacket. I sure hope she likes it! Here's the pictures...

Quilting Group Day....

YAY! I love this group.... I'll be working on Cara's sweatshirt jacket for a Christmas present today....Spent all day yesterday on it and am very pleased with how the front has turned out! I think it will suit her to a 'T'.... I'll try to take pixs this evening and post them....hopefully I'll be able to finish it today... I've got the materials to do one more...Then I need to get materials for another one after that... at least! Once the group is completed with this project, I think they're going to do a table runner that looked interesting... a bit like Cathedral Windows, so I may try that project too.... Well, gotta go get dishes in the wash and start loading the truck...

RAIN!

Yay! We got about 1 inch of rain today! I enjoyed sitting out under the patio working on my embroidery and listening to it rain most of today. The rest of the day was spent in the country with friends, eating and enjoying some time together. Fajitas...yum! Hopefully hubby got to rest enough to help him heal a bit from his stye...He's been pretty miserable and 'run down' feeling with it. maybe he'll get a good night's sleep and be rippin-n-roaring again tomorrow!

Another Busy Day

Today I get to go to Abilene...Have to get the oil changed at the dealership on the pickup and have the new bicycle checked out...I really love the bike (and the truck!) I've already put around 450 miles on 'Gracie' (as I call her) since we brought it home about 6 weeks ago. I know that's not many miles for some cyclist, but it's plenty for me to have gotten used to it. It pretty much fits like a glove... When I ride hubby's bike I always feel like it's skiddish...like it would love to get out from under me... but this new one feels like an old and trusted friend. Hubby & I rode 24.9 miles last night...up Horne Hill to Valera for supper at Big O's (yum!) then through what we call 'the Alps' north to the Winter's Hwy. and back home. I have to confess a huge weakness for riding to a destination for a diet soda, but it's even better when we can have a meal... something about going somewhere with a purpose in mind on the bikes makes it more enjoyable, I think. ;)

Today.....

Today Marvin & I will go (I hope!) to Brownwood to his eye doctor, finally! A few weeks ago he lost his glasses while on a bike ride to Valera, so he's been using cheap bifocals from the Dollar Store to get by until he could get to his appt.  The cheapie pair look fine, but I'm afraid it's strained his eyes---he has a stye coming up on one of his eyes now... Poor guy!
As usual, I'll take some embroidery to work on in the car and while waiting at the Dr.s office. Once he's finished there, we'll head to Wally World for groceries...but I'm going to check out material & sweatshirts... He's home!!! Gotta go!!!

Sunbonnet Sue!

Today was supposed to be mowing day...I did get the back yard mowed, but when I moved the mower to my shop next door to mow, I couldn't get it to start....yes, it had gas...yes, I pushed the little primer button...yes, I remembered to strap the starting wire to the handle before I pulled the rope... I don't know, but I just couldn't get it to start again...It's very old and cantankerous-- a little like me...Anywho---I decided to sew... and finally got 1 pillowcase completed!!!

Son's band chosen for Band of the Week!

Our son is a supporting band director at Big Spring...has been for 10 years...We're very proud of him and his family. This last week, his band was selected as Band of the Week by Newswest9 News. Check out this awesome video clip of the band playing! http://www.newswest9.com/Global/category.asp?c=112796
Sam is going to be the Band Director 'in charge' for this Friday night's game...Rocky Harris the  Head Director will be unable to be at the game and has trusted Sam to take charge for the night! Good luck Sam! Wish we could be there! On October 16th the band will be performing their half time show for UIL Marching Contest at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa. This is always an exciting time of year, and this year it's especially exciting since the band will be competing as a 3A school instead of a 4A school. The band has been extremely successful competing at the 4A level, so we're looking forward to great things to come. The competition won't be any easier, but they will be competing with different bands, which will be a new challenge.... one that I believe they're very ready for!....Did I mention that I LOVE BAND?  My paternal grandmother played the organ, my mother played the piano, I played the bass clarinet in high school and play piano, and now my son is more than carrying on the musical tradition...His greatgrandmother,  and grandma and Papaw would be proud....I know I am!

The Sweatshirt Jacket is finished!!!

Yay!!! I'm very pleased with how it came out! What do you think? (Don't look at the 'old lady' modeling it!lol) Anyway, thank you sweet Hubby for taking the pixs.... I think I'll have to make another one of these at least, maybe more. I really do think I know a cute curly haired young lady that could use one of these! She Loves Pink... but her school colors are orange & black....What to do...hmm...I'll have to think on that and get back to you... Maybe when I go to Abilene on Friday I'll get some inspiration....In the mean time it's back to work on quilts & pillowcases!

It's quilting day!

I just love to go to quilting group once a week... They're the best bunch of ladies to be around, for one thing, but they also encourage me to 'stretch' my abilities and give me inspiration. Last week we made the front for our current project and I posted a pix of it. During the week, I completed the back and am posting it's pix here for you... Today we should learn more about assembly, which I must confess, seems a bit of a mystery to me now....Some how we're supposed to use the bottom ribbing of the sweatshirt that we started with, for the neck binding... I'll post a pix when it's done...
My quilts for Christmas gifts are coming along fine and I've actually started cutting the strips and putting them together in a simple 9 patch alternated with a plain patch to make the pillowcases to match the quilts from... I'll try to get pictures up once I get a bit further along on the project... Showcased in the quilts will be squares of hand embroidered designs, and they are almost all completed now.

Guess I'd better go and get myself together for quilting group now...Hope everyone has a great day!

She Did It!

Me,"I'm not worried....I'm not worried!"
Rachel, "I DID IT!"

Yep, She did it! And here's the proof! How much fun can a girl have? From these pictures, it looks like a lot!
We also got to eat at Underwood's BBQ in Brownwood...Yummy stuff...now I think I'd better go ride my bike!!! LOL

Sewing!

I spent all afternoon and evening sewing! Am trying to figure out how to make pillowcases to match the quilts for the grandkids...boy, has it been a long time since I've pieced quilt blocks....anyway, it's looking good...just need zillions more done.... Oh, I did ride 19.7 miles this morning by myself...to Santa Anna - then toward San Angelo to the Shields Hwy. and back to Coleman on it.... Very good ride...no wind...not too hot... couldn't have asked for better conditions for a bike ride....Maybe Marvin & I will get to ride tomorrow -- We'll be in Brownwood to meet Rachel at the airport unless there's too much wind & clouds for her to fly... We'll see. Maybe I'll get some pictures of the plane she's flying...

Well, that was fun... Not!

The dentist trip went as expected...if I'm lucky, I'll get to keep the tooth for a few years...If not, I'll be short one more tooth....ugh! Enough gloom....I did get to work on the back of my sweatshirt jacket yesterday afternoon... still need to add one more strip of fabric and embroidery on the red strip...Can't decide what to embroider on it.... would LUV a cowboy hat, or boots... but don't happen to have either one in my selection... may have to embroider another word.... maybe 'Amaw Ben Cara Jason'---has a nice ring to it I think... hmmm...
I want to go ride this morning, but can't decide which ride to take.... If I think long enough, there won't be time before lunch to do it..
I ordered some books through the Interlibrary loan system at our local library...can't wait for them to come in... All on Stumpwork embroidery...which is 3 demensional embroidery of anything...flowers, animals, whatever...Since I love 3 demensional hand applique, I'm thinking this might be a logical next step for my embroidery too....Sounds like fun anyway.
Think I'll go ride now....

It's been a LONG TIME!

Sorry it's been so long since I've written...Since I last wrote, things have changed for me...I've quit my job...too stressful... and had the best garden Marvin & I have ever had! Also, I've canned literally hundreds of jars of everything I could get my hands on... pickles, beans, jellies, jams, relishes, blackeyed peas, even squash. I'm also working on several Christmas Craft projects now that the garden slowed down. Embroidery, quilting, etc. Day before yesterday I went to a class here in town with my quilter's group. I'll try to take pictures so you can follow what I'm doing... It's a sweatshirt made into a jacket. I didn't like the red broadcloth that I included on it very much because it was too plain...so I had to add some machine embroidery-- a yellow rose of Texas on one side and the word 'Texas' on the other. I hope to work on the back this afternoon, once I get back from the dentist- yuck. A filling fell out last week while we were at Homestead Heritage just north of Waco, Tx. They were having their Sorghum Festival--oh wow- was that ever fun! (The Festival that is--not losing the filling!LOL) They do everything there!!! Weaving, spinning, pottery, woodwork, blacksmithing...etc. I'm hoping to go there for Thanksgiving weekend...they're having a huge setup showing all kinds of handcrafts then... For me, that's Heaven! Well, (music to the Death March inserted here!) guess it's time for me to get ready for, Gulp, the CHAIR! - Dentist chair that is....whine, snivel, moan, cry, bawl outloud!!!)

It's in the 70's!

Yes! It's warmer than it's been in two weeks!!!! So Hubby & I just had to go bike riding this afternoon...Only 14 or so miles, but great none the less, since it's been too cold for me to want to get out and ride....but today was awesome!!! A bit windy (12 mph from the SSW), but we rode into it to start with and it carried us back home. The last 6 miles were terrific!
Spent yesterday wrapping and labeling the large & small batches of soap I made Friday night--then taking the veggie peeler to some of the soap from the batch before these to make soap curls. Then I sewed up some calico sachet bags and filled them with the soap curls to go with a bar of soap for little gifts to give to the ladies at church this morning--They all seemed pleased...which pleased me.

Monday...

Back to work...and a cold front came in this morning while I was at work---BBRRRR! It's in the 30's out there now.
Took some of my soaps to work- I want to refill a basket in our Ladies Room each week with a different fragrance of soap for them to take if they like...This week is Apple, Cinnamon & Nutmeg fragrance....I like it.

Hubby is cooking supper...He's a good man....Can't decide what I want to do tonight...Sew, shell pecans, weave, or make more soap....hhhmm...I'll have to think on this...Anyway, here's a picture of my latest basket...I used a D handle...never done that before...It came out pretty cool... in it & in front of it are some of the soaps I made over the weekend; a picture of the coloring pouches I spoke of earlier... and a picture of a basket I made to go with a cassarole dish I bought to give as a Christmas gift....

Busy Saturday...

Whew! We were at Cracker Barrel in Abilene around 7:00 am this morning! YUM! On to Walmart for Christmas Shopping and groceries...then to get my nails done for the Holidays & even my eyebrows waxed--OUCH!!! Then to Hobby Lobby for more shopping...a candle stand & candles to go with the decorated Yule Log bought earlier this week for the Communion Table at Church...Then to Abuelos for lunch.YUM again!..then to Hastings...then home for a nap. Now I need to make a batch of soap & take some pictures...but all I want to do is sit!!! We'll see what wins! LOL!

Christmas Parade!

Check out the frozen snowperson & elf! LOL! We came seriously close to freezing, but it was a blast to ride in our small town Christmas Parade. Some of our cycling friends were the Grinch (with his sidekick Max), Martha Mae, and of course 'Elvis'...How fun! We actually won $10.00! Maybe Marvin will take me out to eat on the cheap with it---you know---Taco Bell! LUV those Bean Burritos!
Tonight I'm planning on sewing the girl's coloring pouch and maybe work on a basket...Tomorrow morning I have to shop a bit, then I'll be back home making soap...Before long, I hope to make a tutorial video on how to do it. The ingredients are few and fairly simple, but the product is a really nice hand & body soap.

It's a New Day!

It's beautiful & COLD out there this morning....Time to go to work! Have a great day!

Coloring pouches....

Just thought I'd stop long enough to jot down what we've been up to yesterday & today. Yesterday after work, I sewed up two of the boys Safari Coloring pouch kits I bought over the weekend. I took a picture....but it's on the memory card in the truck and it's about 34 degrees out there....Think I'll wait to put the picture up until I get the girls pink one sewn up & photo made so they can be on the same blog entry...
Tonight, we went to Brownwood to get a new phone for Marvin...He lost his somewhere?!?! Anyway, I've been looking to upgrade mine too, maybe before Christmas...Anyway, the company our plan is with doesn't carry Iphones- which is what I want...but, it does carry Nokia 5800 -which appears much like the Iphone...So guess I'll spend some time researching before I go to bed tonight.....Hope everyone has a good evening....