Almost here

 
Are you ready for the big day?? I am almost.- we are having our family Christmas on Sunday so I have been busy. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a healthy  and Happy New Year. Will have some thing so show after the holidays.

12th BOM finished

Haven't been on the computer much lately. Had a bad cold I just couldn't get rid of. Weather here has been very nice- in the 60'sº but thing are going to change. Wemay even get some snow this week-end. I am way behind with my Christmas sewing so will have to sew faster ; 0.
  Rec'd my Beam & Read light and really like it. I can see to do my embroidery so much better.

  This is the 12th block in my BOM and am anxious to lay it out but guess it will have to wait until after the holidays. Hope you are getting all your gifts finished..

I Won- I won

 I am so excited - I won the beam and read light from I Have A Notion. Just couldn't wait to tell you all.
 Beautiful morning here and I am doing laundry and grocery shopping today. Hope you all have a very happy Thanksgiving. We are going to our son and his wife's home.

New place mats

 I had some blocks I got in a swap and just didn't know if I would like them in a quilt so made place mats and a table topper . I am still quilting on the topper but will have it finished soon. I also have one that will be a wall hanging..

Finished # 11 BOM

 This is the November block of the month from HGTV. Am anxious for #12 so I can put it all together. The blocks are 22 1/2 inches so don't think I will need any sashings- probably only a border or 2. I used lots of scraps.

Small finished project

 Haven't been in the sewing room very often but did get a small project finished. This table topper was a class taught at the COF retreat. I didn't get to take the class but snagged a pattern. Colors aren't the best but it was fun to do. Will probably do one for a gift before Christmas. Our Walmart has lots of fabric so am hoping to find some Christmas prints when I go there. Their quality is better and it did go up in price but I can't afford the quilt shop prices anymore.
  Weather here hasn't been too bad- no snow yet but maybe this week-end. Would rather it came here than go to the north east. Leaves are finally down and the yard is ready for moisture.

  Hope you are all getting your Christmas sewing finished. I need to get busy. Have you voted?? I did by absentee ballot. have a good day.

First snow ; (

October 25th and we have had about 1/2 in. of snow. It is almost gone now but it is a taste of a cold winter. Haven't been on my blog much since I came home from retreat. I was soo tired that it took a couple weeks to get my get up and go back. Then we had yard work to do-raking leaves and cleaning up the garden. We finished up on Tuesday and I even got the windows washed.

 Haven't been doing much sewing but did make a few pillowcases for charity. A furniture store in town donates beds and mattresses to needy families at Christmas. Local churches, extension clubs, quilters and others donate pillows, pillowcases, sheets , quilts and blankets so they have complete beds. Now I am going to get some serious sewing done- I hope. Hope you all are having a good fall season.

Swedish or Huck weaving

I learned how to do Swedish weaving at the retreat also. I think it is addicting so I will be doing more. I either have to fray the ends or hem it. It is like embroidery- something to keep your hands busy while watching TV. Hope you all are having a good day. Nice here this am- supposed to get into the 60's and no sign of snow. We are hoping for rain this weekend.

Row Robin

  I showed you my row robin when I finished the first row. Now it has been around the country with a different quilter doing every row. I got it back at the Circle of Friends retreat and love it . It turned out so pretty. Can't wait to get it quilted for the holiday season.

Home again

Went to the COF retreat in Branson- What an amazing bunch of quilters. Enjoyed every minute and met so many nice quilters. Hope you will all be able to attend at least once. The next retreat is in Penn. and they are taking sign-ups already Just go to the HGTV quilters forum. To see pictures go here Hope it works
http://boards.hgtv.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5894011632/m/1313962367

Hibiscus

Here is my hibiscus that decided to bloom again in the fall- it is so pretty.

Been missing in action again

Sorry I haven't been blogging- Our quilt show is over and was a success. So many pretty quilts but my camera wasn't working very well so can't show you many pictures. I have been busy getting organized for my trip to Branson for the COF retreat. Am leaving on Sunday so won't get back on the computer for about 2 weeks. Haven't had time for much quilting.

  We finally got some rain so my tomatoes are doing good again. My Dh will have to share them while I am gone. The shinglers for our house are coming on Mon.- don't feel bad that I won't be here to hear all the racket.

Sept. BOM

Finished early so I could have it finished before the COF retreat.

Guild Quilt Show

Our guild quilt show is next week-end so we have all been busy getting ready- thought I would show you a picture of our ad. It glares a little but you can still read it. Hope you are all having a good Labor Day week-end. We were going to the State Fair but decided its too darn hot.

I'm Baaack

  And really haven't been any place. Finished up the things I need to take to the COF retreat and started cleaning my sewing room. Not much headway but I can see the whole tabletop ( probably not for long.) I have a UFO by the sewing machine ready to be worked on.  I did a block exchange a couple years ago and decided to make placemats. I suppose I will find a few other surprises before I get finished cleaning : )
  Weather is hot again 102º today and more of the same for tomorrow. No rain in sight. Crops in this area are pretty well done for. Ethanol plants are shutting down because of the shortage of corn.
  Hope you all are having good sewing days. Back to cleaning. BB

August BOM

Finished my block of the month- haven't had much time for sewing as my garden is still producing and I am busy canning and freezing. Everyone thinks we will have a cold snowy winter since we had a hot dry summer. Hope they are wrong.

Lots of tomatoes

Haven't been on for a while and here is why. We are having a terrible drought but we water our garden. The only thing producing are our tomatoes. The cucmbers and beans have lots of flowers but thats it. I  am canning and freezing and yesterday made some "HOT" salsa.

  Getting my 2 challenges finished and then have to do my Aug. BOM. Hope you are all keeping cool.

Birdie block quilt

CBQ showed you a peek  of this quilt after she quilted it for me. I did Little Miss Shabbys embroidery patterns. They were a free BOM patterns on her blog. All the fabrics other than the blocks and the darker blue border and binding are vintage sheets. The back is also a sheet. Should wear forever. CBQ did a really nice job quilting.

  Just had a cataract removed  so now I can see much better. Hope you are having a good sewing day.

Hibiscus Flowers

Thought I would show you  my pretty flowers- I have been watering them a lot so even tho our lawn is brown my flowers are nice.  I wish they would last longer.

And the winner is.....

Sharon from Arkansas- my DH just drew your name from a dish. Congratulations!! Send me your address and I will get it in the mail next week. BB

Finished my July HGTV BOM

I am early this month- usually don't finish until the end of the month. It must be the hot weather is keeping me home. My next project is to make some Roman shades- hope they aren't too difficult. Hope you all are keeping cool. We are so dry here- the farmers crops are hurting bad. I am watering my garden but don't want to see the water bill this month. BB

An 'Oops' Giveaway

 I am having an oops giveaway- I went to a sale and bought the' Taste of Home' cookbook for 2000. I realize its 12 years old but doesn't look like it was used and has lots of good recipes as I have one in my collection already. I will also put something quilty with it. No special rules - just leave a comment and tell me which state you are from. I also would like it if you became a follower. Will draw a winner on Saturday July14th.

  Have been doing a little sewing but it is sooo hot here. My garden is doing okay with lots of watering- can't wait for ripe tomatoes. Have been using my broccoli, potatoes, kohlrabi and had lettuce and radishes. BB

Happy 4th of July

Hope you all are having a great day.Also a big thank you to our military and their families for the sacrificies they make so we can have our freedoms.

My Beautiful Tote

                                           Front

The back with a book for notes.

 Haven't shown you this tote yet- It is a Mother's day gift from my DD. I will use it on my trip to Branson.

June BOM

Finished my June block of the month from HGTV. Now I will finish the row robin. This is the last month for that and the quilters will receive their robin in Sept. at the Circle of Friends retreat.

 It's been very hot here today. Hope its cooler where you are and you are getting the right amount of rain.

New Purse

 Been a while since I have been on my blog- we had visitors for a couple weeks and spent a long week-end at the lake with our son and family. The grandkids grow up so fast and are busy so its hard to get together. Was a great weekend.
 While my DD was here she made a purse for me. I found a free Amy Butler pattern we had to try. I want to put a pin on the front but haven't found the right one yet. This one will hold lots. It has a zippered pocket on the inside and also another big pocket..

  My balloon plant is so pretty this am I just had to show a picure. Hope to get my June BOM started this week. It is hot so will stay inside.

Another block finished (May)

Finally finished the May block and hope to get the June one done on time. I will show you all of them. It is very hot here today so good weather to be indoors and sewing.We are keeping busy- making purses today .BB

 Guess its been a while since I have posted. Finished my therapy and am doing good. Also had a computer crash-that was a pain. It is raining and chilly here today but that will make things grow.  After the hail storm the adjuster gave us 100% damage  so we have to replace our roof and all the eaves . It doesn't rain in and since almost every home in town needs to have new shingles we are waiting.

  It is great to be sewing again and am way behind so am playing catch up. This is my April block for the HGTV BOM . Happy sewing to you all. BB

Bad week-end

What a week-end we had. A very bad hail storm and before the stones melted -another hail storm. Lots of damage especially to vehicles and shingles. Also windows and over 4 in. of rain here altho north of town some had over 7 inches.. It got black as night- we are lucky that we didn't get any tornados.
 Have finally started sewing- am finishing my April block of the month. Still taking therapy 3 times a week so that takes a lot of my time.
  My DH has some of the garden in.
  I can't show any pictures because I am waiting for my grandson to finish working on my computer. He had finals last week so maybe soon.  Hope you all are having good sewing days. BB

Hello!!

I wanted a springy color for this post . Everything is so nice and green and DH has started putting my garden in. My knee won't let me do it yet but I am good at giving orders.   My knee does good and doesn't hurt but won't bend the way it should. I am still in therapy for a couple weeks and am working hard at home. Go up and down steps and walk on thr treadmill. Haven't been doing much sewing but did get the row robin done and mailed and am almost finished with my BOM. Hope you all are finding time to sew- I have been visiting blogs and drooling over some of the beautiful quilts..  Happy May Day to all. BB

another birthday gift

 My dear friend came to my house this week with a birthday gift. It is a LED light for my sewing machine and I couldn't wait to try it out. Sewed a couple blocks today and it works great. Thank you Eileen- you are so thoughtful. BB

good morning

I am finally back online- my computer crashed and I lost lots but am slowly working to get back to normal. My grandson was able to retrieve most things- so lucky to have Travis to help me- now I have to play catch up.
 Has been slow going with my new knee. I am able to walk good  but am having trouble bending it back even tho I am having therapy 3 times a week and do exersize at home. It is sooo wonderful to not have constant pain. I should have had it done 10 years ago.
  Did get to my sewing machine yesterday- am trying to get my row robin finished so I can mail it by May1. This is for the Circle of Friends Retreat in Branson in Sept.
  My DH tilled my garden last week- I think I lost the job of planting- he is enjoying gardening.. He very proudly has been bringing in asparagus and rhubarb. So long for now. BB

Happy Easter

Hope everyone has a happy day. I rec'd  the fabric I chose from the Fat quarter shop. It is beautiful and I am sure I will order more. Thanks to Debi Lohr  for drawing my name.BB

I Won- a $25. gift card from the Fat Quarter Shop

 What a variety of fabric and sewing things. So many beautiful choices. I have been looking and looking. I won this on Quilting with Debi' s blog. I am sure you can find almost anything you are looking for at this shop. Thanks Debi and the Fat quarter shop. BB

Surgery finished

 Had my knee surgery on Tues. and came home yesterday. It is a little stiff today -suppose I have been on it too much but there is so much going on.. Maybe I will sleep good tonight. I wish I hadn't put it off so long. Won't be sewing for a while.Got some ribbon yarn and would like to make some jewelry if I can find a pattern. Hope you all are having a good week-end. BB

Top of the mornin'

Happy St. Patricks Day!! Hope you all are celebrating. Yesterday was my birthday and I am still celebrating. It was a good day. My DH took me out to lunch and then bought a Choc. mint cake. (delish). My DD sent a gift and I hit the jackpot. My DH is waiting for me to sew something wrong so he can try out the lighted ripper. Also included 2 yo-yo makers (a flower and  oval) a redwork embroidery pattern and a covered book for retreart notes. I have to get some handwork ready as my knee surgery is Tuesday and I am not a person to sit and do nothing ; ) Have a good day and  - I plan on having a green beer  . BB

Spring IS Here

 It is 82º here today. My spring flowers are all up . I hope they don't get their noses frozen as it is not unusual to have a snowstorm in April. The state basketball tourneys are this week and we always have snow.
 I am trying to clean up my messes before I go for my surgery. This afternoon I cut up a bunch of denim for quilts. Also worked on my signature blocks- just have to sign and heat set them. Now I am going out and sit in the sun. Hope you are having good weather also. BB
  In case I don't get back on I wish you all a Happy St. Patricks Day

Robins Are Back

 The robins are back- does that mean spring is here?? We have this ugly pine tree in our yard that has green berries on it and when the birds come back in the spring they feast in it. I tried to get a picture of them in the tree but they flew away. It is 58º here- almost unheard of in March for SD.

  Also I finished block #3 in my BOM so will show that- I wish I had made it with Christmas fabric but maybe will get that done later. I am having a knee replaced in a couple weeks so am practising  running my machine with my left foot- don't know that is going to work.

wall hanging

I made this quite a while ago but wanted to show you a way to use your cut-offs when you fold the fabric and trim like in some flying geese blocks. I really do love quilts and have this in my sewing room

Snow.

Winter finally got here but the temp. is above freezing. Don't think I ever saw such large snowflakes- they looked like golf balls. We ended up with a little over 4 in. but it is raining . I did get some sewing done.

Time for the green!!

Getting an early start on St. Patricks day since I am Irish. : ) This is a Pieced tree pattern. Great Day here in South Dakota again. Haven't had much snow all winter. My Christmas cactus is blooming again. Hope you all are having a great day

Happy Valentines Day

Forgot to wish everyone a Happy Valentines Day. Hope you all have a great day.

Birdie Blocks

Finally finished my birdie blocks and have them partially sewn together. Still have to figure out a border or borders. Have also been sewing on the row robins for the COF retreat in Sept. but can't show them. We are making table toppers or runners for our March Quilt Guild meeting anf I pulled the fabric from my stash but haven't started cutting yet. Seems like I am always behind- maybe its because I don't stay home. : 0 -until next time. Happy Sewing

BOM

This is the 2nd block in a BOM that I am doing.

Wall hanging

When I was looking for something to hang on the wall after the Christmas things were put away I came across this picture. It is not centered but you can use your imagination. I made it in 2004 so decided it could be hanging. Have been busy working on my row robin and signature blocks. Hard to believe January is almost gone and I have not accomplished much and what i have I can't show you.

It is a dreary day here with a few snow flurries now and then- a good day to curl up on the couch with a good book.

HGTV BOM

Have you seen the BOM on HGTV quilting forum?? It is designed by CBQ and Ivy Cottage. The blocks are from Quilters Cache. I decided to do it in fall fabrics because I have quite a few in my stash. I am also doing a row robin that I can't show. We will see those in Sept.

We haven't had winter in South Dakota- today it is 57 degrees. Probably another record. So far no snow in our area. It has been so nice that we are out a lot before the first blizzard gets here. Hope you are all having good sewing days.