Fabric Shopping

I haven't been out all winter to do anything fun. Shopping on the internet is great. Without it, I wouldn't survive.

It was a nice 32 degree's today. NO SNOW for the first day in months! It's still piled up all around, but the sun did peek out for a few hours today inspite of the snow getting ready to return tomorrow.

I'm still a little weak from last weeks illness, but just say "shopping" to a woman and she manages to pull herself together. We only have one little strip Mall. The Joann's never has anything that the flyer advertises because it's just too small. It didn't matter today.

I remembered seeing children's cotton knit jersey at one time so that's what I set out to buy to make Chemo hats for little H. I think it's going to be perfect for the Florida weather, instead of fleece. I am using the Martha Stewart pattern.

http://www.marthastewart.com/craft-of-the-day?sDate=20090219

These are such pretty spring colors:

After one store I was exhausted, so sewing the hats will come tomorrow.

Waiting for me in the mailbox when I got home was my order of fabric for making some mini quilts for swaps I just signed up for. Doesn't look like any of these go together, does it? Well all of these fabric's will end up in 2 little quilts! It will make sense when I can post the quilts.

Really bright!

RED & BIRDS, NOTHING COULD BE BETTER

It was an awful rotten 24 hours, most of which I spent in the hospital. Thank you day for ending! I came home an hour ago to a wonderful surprise in my mailbox!

First of all red is my favorite color. Birds I just love. The neighbors aren't too happy with my many bird feeders, but they have to eat too in this bitter cold weather.

My wonderful friend Donna, http://fabricfun-everythingquilts.blogspot.com/, gifted me this wonderful little quilt, red with tiny little birds in it. The little squares are 1/2 inch small! It was easy to forget the day with a surprise like this!

CHILDREN'S STORY BLOG ADVENTURE #2

Jakes Escape

Jake had set out to find a safe place to dig a winter home for him, Hattie and the baby bunnies. It was a job he had put off and now it was late in the fall season. The first frost had passed and snow showers had become a daily happening. He had searched the banks of the river finding every possible place already had someone occupying it. It was impossible to dig near the mountain with all the tree roots so he set out towards the mainland where the humans lived.

Days came and went, the weather turning much colder. Jake was hungry now, unable to find anything not frozen to eat. He was feeling sick and weak. He had to dig a hole for them and he had to find a place to do it, now! He knew he had to stay away from pastures because the humans would plow them up early in the spring, destroying the hole and possibly trapping them inside. He came to a wire fence and worked his way through a loosened end. He could see the house and barn clearly now. Although it was dangerous to get this close to the humans it would be possible to get food from the barn and water. This would have to do for this winter. They would just have to be careful until they could return to the river bank in the spring. The ground would be soft near the barn to dig a quick shelter for his family.

Before he could do another thing he had to make it past the cows and into the barn where he might find food. He quickly ran across the field, just missing being trampled by a huge cow. Just as he was about to enter the barn he heard the voices of the humans inside. Shaking from the cold and lack of food he huddled in some hay just outside the door of the barn, waiting for all to be clear and safe for him to enter.

He fell asleep from his exhausting journey and awoke to darkened skies. The cows were already in the barn and the door was closed. Jake slowly searched around the outside looking for an opening to squeeze inside. He was in luck this night. A small hole made by another animal appeared in one corner of the building. He peered inside and slid his body through the hole.

He made his dinner out of the dry fresh hay and oats laid out for the cows and horses. It felt good to not be hungry anymore or cold from the wind and snow. His nose picked up the smell of a sweet apple, most likely dropped by the horse or the humans. He began to look for it, the sweetness drawing him closer to it. He was one step away from having this wonderful find. As he hopped forward, about to sink his teeth into it, a flap of steel wire clamped down closing him inside a walled cage.

Franticly he tried to open the door. It was no use, he was trapped. The apple no longer interested him. He had heard about traps from his neighbors. Those caught in one, never returned to their families. All his happiness of being warm and well fed sunk with the memories of his babies and Hattie. He was sure he would become dinner for the humans the next day.

It was a long night for Jake. All he could think about was his poor decision to wait too long to make a winter home. He didn’t think Hattie would be able to make it through the winter alone with no male to protect her and the babies. It was not full daylight when the door to the barn opened. The man and his children tossed about fresh hay and opened facets that filled tubs with fresh water. Soon the horses were led outside followed by the cows. The humans were busy cleaning the stables until one child’s eyes feel on the trap. She shrieked with delight in her voice when she saw Jake scrunched in a ball of fear.

The trap was carried outside of the barn. Jake kept his eyes closed, fearing what was about to come next. Soon the door of the trap was opened. He found himself being shaken out of the trap into a large cage separated into sections by wire. At the end of the cage was a wooden box with a hole in it. The cage was filled with fresh hay. The human’s had filled a bowl with oats and cabbage. There was a bottle of water attached to the wire wall. Jake just sat still wondering what would happen next. Soon the humans left. Snow swirled around the cage.

A nose poked out of the wooden box in the section next to Jake. It was another rabbit named Ben. He told Jake to get inside the box before he froze. Jake found the box to be warm with a bed of straw. Soon he fell asleep. At least he was still alive and that would give him a chance to find a way out.

As the days passed he found Ben to be a pleasant old fellow. He had been in the cage for a long time, although the humans often took him out and held him. They were well fed and warm but this new home couldn’t be enjoyed with thoughts of Hattie and the babies on Jake’s mind. Jake couldn’t wait to tell Hattie that being caught by the human’s didn’t always mean they would be on a dinner menu. He was really surprised at how kind the children had been to him.

The wind was beginning to feel warmer. Jake could see some greens beginning to emerge on the ground. He wasn’t like Ben. He had a family to find. Getting out of the cage became his daily issue. He gnawed at the wire constantly, hoping to break it enough to slide out of his jail. Spring was here. The snow had turned into heavy rains. Jake kept chewing and pulling at the wire without any results.

The human children came often and took Ben out of his cage, holding him and letting him jump about the ground and eat the new growing greens. They would open the door on Jakes cage and pet his head and back but he was not taken out and had no chance to run away. He began to think of ways to run past their hand and jump out the door. One day while chewing and pulling the wire, the rain swollen wood that held the wire broke off in one spot. This gave Jake new hope. He worked day and night, pulling and twisting the wire, hoping the humans didn’t discover the rotted wood.

Soon Jake had managed to break away a second and third piece of wood. He pushed against the wire, poking his head through the opening. He wasn’t sure if it was large enough to get his body through. He didn’t want to chance getting stuck but now the humans could clearly see the break in the cage. He couldn’t wait for morning. He had to do it and hope he could get out.

Jake pushed the wire out as far as it would go. He slid his head and front legs through and pushed and pushed and pulled. He was stuck! There he hung, half in and half out. He stopped wiggling to think. He had seen mice flatten themselves and get through holes half their size. Like the mice, Jake sucked in his belly and stretched out his legs behind him. With one small wiggle Jake sent himself falling to the ground!

He was FREE! He didn’t stop to say goodbye to Ben. He headed in the direction of the river where he hoped to find Hattie and the babies.

Soon to come:
Hattie leaves the cave

This fellow had a bad week too!

Is there a full moon? I don't know, I can't see through the snow. I've read a few blogs where bloggers had complaints about this being a terrible week. I know it's been one of the worse weeks I've had in a long time. But, I cried laughing at this fellows ebay item and then felt really bad for him.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260366596789&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1123

I've felt this way over the post office who never honors insurance claims. After insuring a quilt and it never arriving I tried to collect on the insurance. First I had no reciepts for the fabric. They don't pay for the work. If I had reciepts for the fabric I would need a photo of the quilt to show the fabric used and a "note" from the store stating I bought the fabric...a real rip off.

So to the ebay seller, "heavyjuice"....I feel for ya fellow!

NOW THAT THE AIR IS CLEARED.....

Maybe we all can continue as QUILTERS or FIBER ARTISTS and have a little more manners when we post our opinions. There is no reason to hurt someone's feelings or to make someone angry because you think you are right. I wrote what I wrote so some artists could feel how hurtful it is to be judged for not following other peoples rules or opinions.

When someone makes something, even if you don't understand it or like it, they are proud of it. I told my son's long ago, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything".

I walked into my friends kitchen last summer. She was so excited after painting it lavendar, even the ceiling. She accented it with lime green. It took my breath away. I told her I thought she had a great imagination when it came to color. She beamed with delight.

I was surprised when I returned a few months later. She had used an old world look from a wine cellar. The darker shades of grape and greens had transformed her kitchen from a shock into a very pleasant room. I didn't see her vision in the beginning but was glad I had kept it to myself.

It doesn't matter if you use tools or sew with a needle and thread or punch fibers into your cloth. If you think you are a quilter or fiber artist no one should rudely take away the good feeling you have about yourself and your work.

I'm climbing down from my soap box now.

Are you a "Fuddy-duddy" or "liberated" ??

I am bringing this subject to my blog from the HGTV quilting board. http://boards.hgtv.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5894011632/m/8041099593 (this link no longer works because HGTV deleted the thread)
If I say what I want to say over there, it will be deleted or worse, I will get a warning. This subject was started by Dyed Grey and read:

"I've been noticing a profusion of "liberated" piecing popping up on various blogs for the past year or so. I'm just not impressed with this deliberately sloppy piecing. Frankly, it looks a bit too Gee's Bend to me. There, I said it right out loud -- I think those GB quilts are just plain awful. Sure, I do admire what the GB women have done with limited resources, but I most certainly wouldn't deliberately try to copy the style. Publicity and docuementaries makes it art, I suppose, as well as postage stamps. It seems to me that "liberated" has become a synonym for sloppy and mismatched, as well as an excuse not to bother with symmetry. And what's up with this thing about letting the fabric "speak for itself" anyway? I really don't need to live thru the '70s or '80s again and don't find this trend "refreshing" in the least. It's not new and bold -- it's old and wierd just like it was then.Egads -- I'm a fuddy-duddy! I have plenty of unplanned mismatched seams and blocks ... I call them oopsies. I do like fun type of designs like the stars on Quiltville, or tipsy squares, strings, and such, but they all have underlying symmetry readily identifiable. hmmmm, maybe that's why I like them so much!Is this just one of those eye of the beholder things, or do you also think these trends are a bit on the oddball side? "

In the next 69 posts, two of which were mine, the over whelming opinion was against "artists" and for the new, well put together quilts...made by, I quote Kay lin, "Quilters who appreciate the craft and art of quilting". Here is her last post:

"I'd like to expand a little on my post, which was pretty negative. I love real quilts that are art - contemporary or traditional. Those masterpieces that are shown at the big national quilt shows are just breathtaking pieces of art. And our local guild has a wonderful quilt show each year that is full of creative, artistic, one-of-a-kind pieces. And we have all seen works of art on this board, that I couldn't begin to emulate, but love so much. The difference is, they are made by QUILTERS, who appreciate the fundamentals of quilting, and build their art on top of a structure of craftsmanship. What I had seen in the past few years are displays in public art venues by people who don't have any appreciation for craftsmanship, or any desire to take the time to learn. They think that their quilts shouldn't be held to quilters' standards, because they are really fiber artists. I certainly didn't want to disparage the people on the board and elsewhere who are making beautiful, one-of-a-kind works, but who still respect the craft of quilting. "

I believe this was in response to posts by geniebird and myself. I am afraid I will have to pick this post apart.

Quilts shown at national quilt shows are not original works of quilting art..and I mean the art of quilting. The Art of Quilting did not include a longarm, rotary cutter, a pattern from a Quilting book, EQ6 or a National show with Blue ribbons. Many of these so called "works of art" are so stiff with longarm quilting it would be almost impossible to actually cover someone with them.

" The purpose of a quilt in it's original form was for covering ones body to keep it warm".

QUILTERS....Hmmm, just who gets to wear that word?? The fundamentals of quilting never included the tools of today, and yet they were all quilters, many of which can be found in Museums and historical books. Structure of Craftmanship...now that one is a laugh. I can't see myself asking my granny if she was abiding by the rules and crafting her quilt with the structure of craftmanship.

Moving on to fiber artists. This poster doesn't have a clue on this subject and I'll add quilting in general. Just WHO arrived on the quilting scene and gave over the rule book to these NEW so called quilters?? If you handed any of them a stack of fabric cut from clothing and told them to construct a quilt, they would run for their EQ6 and longarm, hop on line and purchase fabric to support the pile of trash they were handed. They would cry and whine because they are real QUILTERS and shouldn't be expected to lower themself to the standards that QUILTS grew from.

FIBER ART IS PART OF HISTORY.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber_art

Anyone who has the nerve to do fiber art gets praise from me. It is the most interesting form of art for those of us who work with any kind of cloth. No one said you have to fall in love with it but at the very least one should try to see the vision of the artist and add the experience to something they have learned.

My main reason from starting my blog was to become part of a place where people could express themselves in many forms of art. I love art. I lived in Italy for a while where all artists were encouraged to share their art forms with everyone. The many forms of art were not judged, but enjoyed.

The easy way to quilt is to jump on my EQ6 or find a pattern in a book. It reminds me of my grandchildren who grab for a calculator instead of using their brain to subtract a few simple numbers. Maybe that's why I have never tried to learn how to use EQ6. Any time you simply copy a pattern you are expressing NOTHING. What ever happened to people making something from there own design. We wouldn't allow our children to simply copy, we expect children to use their own expression...sadly they only have us as examples. After reading 69 posts I can tell you there is not much self expression out of the ladies on the HGTV quilting site. (I won't include the crazy quilters as they do a splendid job of self expression)

The closed minded remarks by the ladies only made me laugh at how sour they are on learning anything from history. It's really sad to think that anyone would consider National Quilt shows as real quilting...quilting where people really do use a needle and thimble.

The question should not be are you a Fuddy-duddy or liberated..It should be: Is your corset laced too tight or did you burn your bra!

NOT SPRING HERE IN NORTHWESTERN, PENNSYLVANIA

I love going to everyone's blog. I love seeing the flowers in Texas starting to bloom and the gardeners spending their first days outside helping the earth come to life.

Not here in my State. It's been snowing since Tuesday, again. That darn Lake Erie snow will just not stop! Last year it snowed until the third week of April and it looks like it will again this year.

CHILDREN'S STORY BLOG

Rabbit Adventures #1
A lesson for Hattie

Hattie & Jake had spent the spring & summer living in the hollow of a tree along the rivers edge. Each day they had taken the baby bunnies for a walk, teaching them about life and showing them things of beauty around the forest.

Jake knew he should leave his family and search for a place to dig a winter home in the ground before it froze but each day was such a happy time seeing his family grow that he kept putting off the task. The hollow of the tree had made a good home but with winter coming he knew they had to go below the surface of the ground or they would freeze.

One morning Hattie became alarmed when she poked her head out of the tree and saw the first signs of a winter frost. As she stepped out on the once warm and soft leaves they crunched beneath her feet from the spray of the first frost. As soon as the sun peeked out she sent Jake on his way, reminding him that time had passed and it was now an emergency to dig a hole in a safe place.

Each time Jake found a safe place and began to dig, out would pop an angry animal barking at Jake to move on because this spot was taken. This would be a harder job then he had expected it would be.

Each morning seemed to get a little colder. Hattie huddled in the center of the tree stump with her babies, keeping them warm beneath her furry arms. Soon the winter winds began to blow and she saw swirling snow start to fall.

One morning she heard the sounds of the humans’ guns in a distance. It was hunting season. She knew this meant that winter was upon them. There was no sign of Jake’s return. A few more days passed. She heard the squirrels talking about storing acorns for their winter supply. The blue jays squawked about a storm that was approaching. Hearing this Hattie knew she couldn’t wait for Jake any longer. Her heart was heavy with worry about Jake, but now she had to find a place to protect her children.

She remembered seeing caves in the side of the mountain on one of their summer walks. Jake had warned to stay away from them because Mr. Snake and his relatives had made the cave their summer home. Hattie knew the snake families would also have gone underground for the winter and right now, the caves seemed like the only place she might find warmth enough for her babies to survive the winter storms.

It seemed much farther, maybe because she was carrying the babies and was slowed by the deep tree leaves that had blown off the trees in the night wind. By the time she reached the mountain the sun was going down. She had to hurry and find an opening or they would be caught outside with only bare bushes for protection.

She felt her way around the side of the mountain until she came to an opening. As she entered she could still feel the wind so she slowly went deeper into the rock until she finally felt some warmth and her fur was no longer being blown away from her face. She could see the roots of trees growing through the stone. She hurried and broke off some roots, feeding the children and tucking them under her body for a night of rest. She felt relieved that she was protecting them but saddened when she thought of Jake, not knowing what had happened to him or where he might be.

Hattie had just drifted off to sleep when she was awakened by a gruff sound that bounced off the walls of the cave. She knew that sound had come from another animal but wasn’t sure what kind. It was over powering so she knew it had come from an animal much larger then herself. All of a sudden the peace she had felt was gone and now she shivered against the rock in terrible fear. She wanted to grab up her babies and leave but she knew taking them out in the night was no safer. The cold wind could mean an end for them. She decided to wait until morning and sneak out of the cave.

It was a long night. Hattie was near exhaustion when a hint of light entered the cave. She quickly woke the bunnies sending fear into them so they wouldn’t make a sound. They quietly made their way back to the entrance of the cave. To Hattie’s horror the entrance was blocked with snow. It was good, providing water for them but it was also bad, trapping them inside with the owner of the gruff voice. The bunnies began to shiver. It was much too cold to stay at the cave entrance. They would have to work their way back into the cave. She warned the babies about making any noise.

Days passed. They would make trips to the snow wall for water and a place to eat the roots torn from the mountain sides and then return to the belly of the cave, hiding as best they could. Often the gruff sound of what lurked farther inside the cave would ring out against the rocks.

As the days passed Hattie’s short naps were catching up to her. She was having trouble staying awake. One night warmth came over her. She hadn’t felt that warm since the days of summer when they were all happy and playing by the river’s edge. With those happy thoughts she drifted off into a deep sleep. She woke up feeling so rested at last. She reached out to feel for her babies and was startled to feel her hand touch a bristly fur instead of the soft down of her bunnies. She fearfully opened her eyes. She couldn’t make out what she was seeing all cuddled up against her babies. It was larger then a raccoon or opossum. Oh NO! This could only mean one thing. She had moved into the den of a bear family!

There were some neighbor’s that you could ignore and be safe, some that you could be friendly with and many who you knew to avoid. Bears were something Hattie had been taught to fear. Just their size alone was trouble but everyone knew that bears were vicious. One swat of a paw would flatten a bunny.

She carefully tried to move her babies away from the belly of the bear but just as she did the eyes of the animal sprung open. She froze with fear. She knew this was the end. She hid her children behind her and waited for her fate. The big fellow sat up casting his shadow over her. He stretched and yawned and let out a growl. This was not the gruff sound that Hattie had heard in the past. It was much smaller telling her that this fellow was not alone. The fear was too much for her. She passed out, hearing and seeing nothing.

Hattie slowly began to come around. She heard the voices of her children and felt the coolness of wet leaves on her head. Was she gone and this was just a dream? She was almost afraid to open her eyes. Slowly she peeked through her eyelashes. She saw the pointy snout and beady eyes of Mrs. Bear looking at her. She smelled pine coming from the soft bed of pine needles she was laying on. She heard the happy voices of children playing.

Mama bear’s paw was bigger then Hattie’s entire body. She gently removed the wet leaves from Hattie’s head and whispered to her to wake up. Hattie jumped from the pine needle bed, grabbing her babies and backed herself up against the wall, once again shaking uncontrollably. Mother bear was shocked and then realized that Hattie was reacting to what she had been taught.

“You are free to leave”, said mother bear. “Your fear comes from what you have been told or what you have heard”, she said. There is a river that runs through the mountain. Papa has gone to fish for our breakfast. He is bringing back greens that grow in the water for your family. We will sleep for most of the winter. You are welcome to stay and be safe from the winter cold.

Soon Hattie’s fear lifted. They enjoyed their meal together. Hattie shared her worries about Jake and how they came to have no winter home. Soon the bear family was sleeping again. Hattie and the babies spent the winter safely in the cave. This would be a new teaching for her bunnies. They would not fear size alone or the difference in appearance. Hattie settled into her winter home with the bear family waiting for spring and the hope of finding Jake.

Coming soon:
Rabbit Adventures #2
Jake’s escape

Crazy Quilt Lace

I just purchased some great lace from my friend on HGTV for Crazy Quilting. If you are in need of hand dyed lace you will be very happy with hers. http://cqnickilee.blogspot.com/

Something for Little Hannah

I posted about helping to make a quilt for this little girl. I didn't have any Disney Princess fabric, Dora fabric, or even any kiddie girlie fabric to help with. I wanted to send something. I did have a pillow case made for ConKerr Cancer of the little Mermaid, so I am sending that to Hannah along with a pop up book that I think she will like.
http://insanecrazyquilting.blogspot.com/

I also made a little quilt and found a softee pink bear for her to cuddle. I made miss bear some jammies that come off easy so Hannah can take them off if she wants too.

I think my friend Lisa is still looking for some help with this quilt. So, if you can make one 6.5 block in a girlie fabric or you want to send something else to little Hannah, please go to Lisa's blog. It only takes a minute to send something. It will make you feel good and it will put a smile on the face of this little one and her Mom.

http://insanecrazyquilting.blogspot.com/

SOMETIMES IT'S GOOD AND SOMETIMES IT'S NOT

First I have to say I really enjoy my blog, I enjoy other's blogs and I've met some really nice people since I started mine.

There is always a person who intends to belong but should never join in because they just can't follow directions or complete what they started on time.

I joined my first swap in blog land back in November. I sent a nice gift along with the fabric to make my swap quilt. When asked to supply another color, I sent a yard of 2 different fabric's. I was willing to allow my swap partner's child to help with my quilt. I made 2 art quilts for my partner and wrote a story to go with them. When I packed the box to send it to her I included 3 yards of batiks, a tote bag, needle case filled with scissors and supplies, threads, art supplies for her children and a beading set for her daughters.

I was concerned when I didn't hear from her since early December, but kept hoping she was working on my quilt and would complete the swap. She didn't. I know she is alright. She sent me one email in January stating she was busy with school.

Dragonryder4 should not have joined any swaps knowing she was going to attend school, has 4 children to take care of a dog breeding business a job outside the home and her home. I have learned that she didn't complete other swaps. I feel really bad that this happened. I could not do this to anyone. At the very least, I would have had to email them that I took on too much. I would have returned their fabric's and embellishments or any quilts they sent to me.

The person running the swap was Tracy.http://scraphappyquilts.blogspot.com/ Among the fake gems you might find a real Gem..and Tracy is just that. Today she sent me a wonderful little quilt and some extra goodies.

I hung the little quilt up so I could enjoy looking at it today. I think this little quilt is the perfect size for one of my antique doll beds. I may never get my quilt wall started if I don't stop dressing up all the doll furniture!

Tracy also sent a mini kit for making an Ohio Star quilt which I just love! Along with that she sent some nice fabrics and a cute Owl card. I have some green and dark peachy red to go with the fabric she sent...now to decide what to make!

This was not Tracy's problem that my partner turned out to be a dud. She is just such a sweetie that she didn't want me to go without a quilt. Thanks so much Tracy!

NEED HELP...DORA OR DISNEY PRINCESS'S

My friend Lisa wants to make a quilt for a little girl who is having chemo. She needs help with the theme fabric..DORA OR DISNEY PRINCESS'S. She is asking for 6.5 unfinished blocks if anyone has this fabric.

Please see the photo on her blog. http://insanecrazyquilting.blogspot.com/

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH TWILL?

I just gave away Moda twill for my 100th post. I got several emails asking me, "What do you do with twill?" I purchased this twill for a special project. I wanted to gift some wall hangings to some carvers that had helped me out. Twill in browns is a very "male" kind of fabric. Not that it can't be used in totes or other things, but I new it would be something a man would like rather then a traditional cotton quilting fabric.

Tom, http://quiltingandcarving.blogspot.com/, and his caving friends helped me out with a project so I wanted to give back a little.

Mostly I thought it might help people to expand their minds when seeing fabric. These twills come in peach, red and I'm sure other wonderful colors. They are soft and easy to work with. I am about to make myself a pillow cover for my van pillow and a roll up for our barbeque forks, flipper & knife.

I had no problem with machine satin stitch or thread painting the faces & beards. From the give-away you will see I used the small stripe for the background and the larger stripe for the border.


The thread painting on the face



I forgot to take a photo of the back. I used quilters cotton fabric's for the backs and the bindings. So next time you have a project maybe you will think outside the box and pick a fabric that is not traditional.

DEPRESSION & WONDERFUL CYBER FRIENDS

I've been fighting depression all week. Nothing worse then being inside for all these winter weeks, looking out at gray skies, ice and snow piled up so high I could step over my 4 ' garden fence. It's much worse when you spend your day in a wheelchair. Until the ice melts there is no possibility of going outside.

I can't seem to get myself organized to work on the mini quilts I am doing for a swap. Yesterday I spent the day fooling around with tiny dolls trying to motivate myself. They did get new dresses and a bed quilt made with 1/2 inch blocks.



The little bed is homemade from the 1940's. I have a complete set of this furniture. The doll in the bed is only 2 1/2 inches tall and her Mom is 3 1/4 inches tall.

Today I woke up in the same blah mood. BUT...then the mailman came with an envelope marked SURPRISE!

I just about fell over when I opened it! On the HGTV quilting site, Talia, was doing a silk ribbon buy in for $50. http://thetaliaeffect.blogspot.com/ I looked at it for days and decided it just wasn't in the budget until I could figure out how to pay for my new medicines at $1200. a month. The SURPRISE was that some wonderful HGTV gal had sponsored me!

I had set aside my Crazy Quilting projects for the lack of a variety of silk ribbon sizes and colors. I just can't believe this wonderful act of kindness! I will never forget todays SURPRISE! I hope she will please tell me who she is so I can return the kindness by sending her one of my CQ boxes!

Can you believe all the wonderful colors! I can't even take a real photo for the lack of camera batteries! Snow and Ice...please go away!



This is the sickly ribbon I had left to work with. No wonder I lost interest in CQing!



There is a huge lesson to be learned by this wonderful gift. You just never know how a gift will change someone's day! I think I'll make it until May...this put a lasting smile in my heart!

DRUM ROLL...and the WINNER IS...

LINDA...http://vtpureangel.blogspot.com/

second place winner... JESSICA...http://jessicasews-imsewhappy.blogspot.com/

Ladies, please send me your addy's!

All other Ladies...I am keeping your names in the jar for my "March Floral, Buttons & Beads" drawing. So don't forget to come back first week of March to see the pretty fabric's! We'll be starting out with 15 names in the pot. To make it fair I'm putting each name in only once. Linda & Jessica, you'll have to come back and put your names in if you want a chance!

Thanks Ladies

WHEN DID YOU BEGIN TO SEW?

For me the early years of sewing started with rags. In our house nothing went to waste. Quilts were made from house dresses, apron backs, pj's. The batting was usually an old blanket that had no life anymore but hidden inside a quilt, it found a new home.

Very early on I remember a neighbor, Aunt Emma, teaching me piano, knitting and embroidery. I lived for those times when I would be asked in her house. None of these early times were caught on camera.

It wasn't until 7th grade that I really fell in love with sewing. I think that might have been the first time I worked with bought "material"..which is what they called fabric back then. Our project for the next 2 years was to make a dress for the 8th grade graduation dance.



That's me at the last machine where the teacher is standing. Her name was Miss Wehr. I loved her. I think she was an "old Maid". She seemed to understand my home situation. When I wanted to stay after school and work on my dress, she always had something she had to work on too. Looking back now, I don't think either of us had anywhere to go. That extra hour was always pleasant.


Here is the dress I finally finished after 2 years.



Two years later, thinner and with too much makeup, I was asked to a Sr. Prom by the neighborhood heart throb, Joe Macanally. I had been given a 301A singer for that 8th grade graduation. After 2 years of many hours of sewing I put together my second gown, this one full length.




Recently, I pulled out the 301A, ordered a new rubber for the bobbin winder and a tube of greese for the motor. It had sat for many years in the closet. I sent it out for cleaning and it came back broken. The bobbin case twirled around uselessly. A few months ago I decided to look up the booklet for it on line and found a fellows post about making sure you line up the bobbin case with the throat plate or the bobbin will just spin around. What an easy fix! I love this machine for piecing quilts. It's a real work horse!

ABOUT PHIL...

UP DATE: Yep, Phil says 6 more weeks of winter, But he doesn't mean here in northwestern Pa. Last year we got our last snow the 3rd week of April. At least they say we have missed the big storm. Looking at maybe 4 inches tomorrow. For this area, thats not much at all. Prayers going out for our friends in Kentucky. Rain is on the way and maybe that will help to defrost some of the ice!

I have to interrupt my blog give-away for something very important....bet you think I mean the Super Bowl? NOPE! Here in Pennsylvania we are on a count down. GroundHog Day is a big thing here. I don't live far from Phil's home, Punxsutawney, Pa. If Phil doesn't do a good job, I might hunt him down and give him a time out..forever!

For those of you who don't know about Phil, just go to his site and read all about him. If nothing else, it will give you a good laugh!

http://www.groundhog.org/

The latest snow/ice photo from today. I don't think Phil stands a chance!