Getting a little bit done!

Over the past year I've been posting pictures of flower basket blocks that I'm doing as a bom from Sisters' Scraps in Amarillo, TX. Well here is the center all put together...finally.

 

I'll get the borders next month and hopefully it will be ready for the quilter May 15th. I did buttonhole/blanket stitch applique with mostly silk thread, by hand and it is looking very pretty.

Back to the salt mines....lol

I've received the nicest award

from Elly and from Rosa, two of the nicest people that you'd ever want to meet!

 

I really do feel a sisterhood with my fellow quilting bloggers. I find myself praying for them when they're in need and thinking about their projects and lives and sometimes even talking to them (hi Rosa :o))

So in order to officially be the recipient of this prestigious award, I need to do a few things first --
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate 10 or fewer blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.

Okay, here it goes...in no particular order.

1) Elly - we share a love of applique (she's really good!) and we're birthday twins...yeah August 18th (she's older...lol). Plus she lives in a beautiful part of the world and someday I would love to visit her.

2) Rosa - She is the funniest, kindest, most helpful person I've met blogging. I've also actually spoken to her and she has an accent or do I have an accent...lol...I'm just not sure. Rosa has a web cam so sometimes you can see her in her sewing room.

3) Penny - Penny is a fellow Okie, although she doesn't live here right now. Penny makes these awesome quilts and then quilts them on her long arm and they're beautiful! She also has two pretty dogs, Evelyn and Pearl and she works as a Child Advocate, so quilting really is a stress reliever for her.

4) Marja - Marja is amazing in that she has two little children and she manages to not only quilt, but work on several other crafty hobbies. Her work is beautiful and so are her kiddies. We both like embroidery and hand work and have several of the same projects going right now.

5) Perry - Another fellow Okie and we have other connections as well....hi Jackson! Perry makes some beautiful quilts, let me tell you and she's always witty and amusing! Someday we will meet up in OKC, when the weather cooperates.

6) Janet - I love everything, I mean everything that Janet does. She's fearless, I think. She can look at a quilt and draw it off and then make it!!! Because of Janet, I have several new books in my quilt library this month...lol

7) Kaaren - Kaaren is not only a talented quilter, she paints these tiny cute itty bitty Santa's for charity. Plus I love her pincushions and her antique pincushion collection.

8) Hanne - Hanne doesn't know me, but her blog was one of the first blogs that I bookmarked. Her work is a constant inspiration to me. Plus I think that red and white might be one of her favorite combos. Her Nearly Insane quilt is why I started over on my NI and made it red & white.

9) Sonia - Sonia does it all. She a paper artist, a stitcher and a quilter. She is extremely talented and generous as evidenced by the gifts sent to me as seen in a previous post. Thanks again Sonia.

Okay, there you have it. Please take time to visit these blogs, you won't be disappointed because they are all so talented and always provide inspiration.

p.s. I would award my friend Sharon as well, but she doesn't have a blog!

Okay so maybe I spoke too soon...

 

This is about 30 minutes after the other snow picture was taken....LOL

The spring blizzard that WASN'T...

I don't know if you can tell or not from the picture, but it finally started snowing at 9:30am, Central time. To be fair to the weathermen we did have sleet for about 20 minutes last night.

 

Can you see the tiny snowflakes??? See my new green chairs for the deck? I love them! We're going to paint the glider yellow, I think. I love it too. We'd probably be painting the glider this weekend, but it is too gross outside.

Oh I've been reminded several times to post the Coffee Cake recipe, so here it is.

Coffee Cake Recipe that dates back to 1850.
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. sugar
2 Tbs. baking powder
Sift the above ingredients together into a bowl. Cut in 1/2 c. butter (1 stick) and don't use margarine it wouldn't taste the same I'm sure.

Beat 1 egg into a 1 cup measuring cup & fill remainder of cup up with milk. Beat a little and add it to dry ingredients. Add 1 tsp. vanilla. Pour into greased 8x8 pan. Dredge generously with brown sugar & cinnamon. Dot with butter (use lots).
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Serve warm...yummy! Reheats well in the microwave too! Let me know how you like it, okay?

Here's another little Janiebright block that I finished. I also did another triangle but have yet to take a picture of it.

Stay warm,

How can it be almost a week...

Since my last post??? I haven't really felt like blogging much, although I have been checking lots of blogs. It's just been a weird week. Monday started off with a doozie of a weather system passing through for about 8 hours off and on. Wave after wave of strong thunderstorms with major wind, hail and rain. Here is a picture of one bout of hail early on in the evening. If it had been the hard kind of hail it would have done so much damage.

 

Tuesday dawned bright and clear and the day was spent with Kathy and Sharon making these cute little bags for our travel irons.

 

You can put your iron in it pretty warm because it has insulbrite inside of it. Took me all day to make 2 of these...lol I figured I'd have it whipped out in no time and could work on a quilt, but no it was much more detailed than that!

I've also been working on my new DJ quilt, Janiebright and here are pictures of a few of the blocks I've done.

 

I love making these little darlings. The bright colors make me happy, but I'm not going to forsake my other projects to do this quilt in a hurry. Kathy and I went to the Dear Jane monthly group at the local quilt shop last night and it was fun. I think there were 8 of us and we talked one more lady into starting one. It's such an addictive quilt, but I love it.

I did get a wonderful surprise in the mail from Sonia. She was the person that I sent my Secret Santa gifts to last year. I also sent her a pattern later so that her and her Mom could make a table runner. Well for a thank you to me here is what she sent

 

all the way from Australia! Sonia is very talented and I am grateful! Thank you so much for making my day...you are so sweet!

Well I think that's all for now. We're supposed to get a huge snow storm starting later today. Right now it's pouring rain. I stopped at the grocery store to get supplies yesterday...you know I wouldn't want to be snowed in without food...lol...I'm sure the snow will be gone by Sunday, but one has to take precautions, just in case!

Are you all having a great day???

I sure hope so, because I'm having my favorite kind of day. I've been puttering in my sewing room all day long. I'm not even dressed yet...lol But that's okay because it's gloomy, sort of rainy and cool outside.

Here is the quilt that Kara made and I quilted. If you look closely you can see our little Pom, Shia peeking at you.

 

It's really a pretty quilt and I just did an all-over meander on it. Remember before you judge, I'm not a quilter, I don't have a long arm and it's not my favorite thing to do. I decided this year I was going to quilt some of our quilts because at about $100 a pop(for just a panto or meander) I could go broke really fast. Plus I already paid to have my Dear Jane custom quilted and it wasn't cheap, but it was well worth it. Here is another shot so you can see the fabrics in this quilt. They are so sophisticated and lovely!

 

Remember the applique class that I took? Well I've already shared the first 2 blocks with you and so here are the last 2 blocks.

 

 

I've really loved learning some new techniques and I've already got more applique projects underway!

Last but not least I started my new "Bright Janie" quilt and I pieced one block and prepped two more for applique to take to the monthly DJ group on Thursday.

 

As I was working on these little blocks, I realized how much I had missed them. Isn't that silly, but it's true. The Nearly Insane blocks are similar to make, but so different. I did get another one of those made as well, but I'll save that picture for tomorrow.

Well I'm back in my little room to find something else to do. Oh several of you have asked for the coffee cake recipe and I'll try to get that posted tomorrow.

Coffee Cake anyone?

 

Now I'm no PioneerWoman (how does she get such good pics, oh I know, she doesn't quilt) but I occasionally do a little something in the kitchen. Last night I made a Coffee Cake for hubby. The recipe is from a friend from Boston and it dates to 1850. It's yummy and not too sweet, just perfect with a nice hot cup of coffee or a nice cold glass of milk. Yummy!

On to the quilty front, I did get a Nearly Insane block done

 

And I sewed down 2 sides of the binding on Kara's quilt, so I should finish that tonight and show some pictures tomorrow. I'm going to really celebrate National Quilter's Day tomorrow by sewing all day long. Well I'm off to make another NI block and then do our taxes.

Where did I leave off???

Oh yeah...it's Thursday, right? Somehow I lost yesterday! LOL Emily left in the afternoon to go back to Lawrence, Kara worked all day and Allie and I were just around home, I guess. I don't remember it very well. Should I be worried? Nah, don't think so because I've always been like that.

We had a great day shop-hopping on Tuesday. The girls both got some fabulous fabric that I forgot to take pictures of. I really only got fabric for backs to go with 3 quilt tops and a couple of books. But I do have a new, cute little basket that my friend Sharon got for me at the Dallas Quilt Show last week.

Isn't it cute??? And just the perfect size to hold all of my stitching stuff by my chair. Sharon is a really great friend. She doesn't have a blog yet, but I'll bet she does soon because she's not one to miss out on much.

I have finished quilting Kara's quilt and as soon as I get the binding sewn down I'll post some pictures. I'm not very good at quilting, but I'm trying to get better. I'm also "big stitch" quilting a little quilt that I made earlier this year. Hand quilting has never been my thing either...lol...I'm much to impatient to go on to the next project. I'm going to try some free-hand fans on the border, I think.

Here's a picture of the weeping cherry tree in my backyard. Last year it looked like it was sick, but this year it looks much healthier.

&;

Well I hope everyone is having a terrific day and I'll see you later! Oh and thank you to everyone leaving comments. I love hearing from you all and making new friends and I visit your blogs as well. I will try to be better about leaving comments!

My kind of Spring!

The weather here has been absolutely beautiful, so I decided to pull out a bright quilt to put on the kitchen table and add some wonderful flowers that look as if they were grown to go with this quilt, don't they?!?

 

Had a great weekend...Saturday was spent spring cleaning a bit and sewing a bit and then Emily got home in the afternoon and the evening was spent visiting with her. I also worked on my applique blocks and I'll show a picture of the last finished block later this week. Sunday my Mom and my MIL came over for a visit. I did manage to get this Nearly Insane block made before the deadline Sunday night.

 

I'm not sure why my upper right corner always looks wonky on these blocks, it's not wonky because they measure out very square. Must be the way I hold the camera or something.

Oh here is a picture of my Pie's, done so far, for my Pie and Tart quilt.

 

The tarts are smaller circles and they will be appliqued in between where four blocks meet up. I do have a few of them done but I forgot to put them up for this picture. I'm doing this quilt as a bom from a shop in Australia called Patchwork With Busyfingers.
Sue Daley is the owner and she specializes in English paper piecing. She also has a blog that you can find here SueDaleyDesigns. Her work is just outstanding and I'm very excited to do this quilt.

Yesterday Emily, Kara and I spent most of the day in my "upstairs" sewing room. Emily and Kara were both piecing quilts and I was quilting (on the machine) one of Kara's quilt tops (I'll get pics when I finish). I thought that we'd be crowded in there, but we weren't at all. I forgot to take a picture and you'all would just flip if you saw what color the walls are (dark, chocolatey gray) and I do find it hard to sew in there because of the color. I'm going to paint soon, but I'm not sure what color yet. Oh in case anyone is wondering, Allie was busy with friends...she's 15 and that should explain everything...lol

Today the girls and I are going to OKC for a little mini quiltshop hop. We'll probably hit 3 shops, a book store and maybe Target.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all and Luck O' the Irish to ya!

And the second winner is.....

MJ Poracky from Hammond, IN....you have won the Dear Jane book!!! Marja contacted me and she already has the book, so we decided to have my hubby pick another number and he picked #17. So MJ Poracky I will send you an email after I get home from work to get all of your info.

Later,
Ranette

And the winner is...

I had the hubby (before he was even awake really, lol) pick a number between 1 and 29and he picked #16 and that means that Marja is the winner of my 1st blogging anniversary! Congrats Marja!!! I will contact you by email in a little while to get all of the mail details. Marja has two of the cutest little children that you've ever seen. Her little girl Noemie has been very sick this week, but she's doing much better now.

This week has been a bit of a tough week for me. I really haven't accomplished very much in my sewing room. I did finish a block for my Postcard Cuties quilt, but I'm not thrilled with some of the stitching. I think I may have been using the wrong needle. I've got so many different kinds around here now. I love Roxanne's Applique needle and that may have been what I was embroidering with...lol Who knew that there was so much difference in needles? And I won't even get started on different quilting needles. Anyway here's a pic of my finished block and you all let me know what you think about the stitching in the word 'snow'.

 

Oh and I did start prepping the background of block #3 for this quilt yesterday afternoon, but I won't start stitching until April...I promise...lol

The weather here has just been blah...cold, drab, windy, a little snowy and well blah is the best word I could come up with. I'm hoping that this weekend will be nicer and that next week will be much nicer because it's Spring Break. My oldest daughter Emily is coming home for a few days tomorrow, Kara is going to St. Louis and Allie is going to Chicago (band trip) later in the week. I'm going to ask my Mom to come up one day and I may not work much. Maybe I'll get some spring cleaning and sewing done.

Anyway TGIF and Yeah Marja, Friday the 13th is lucky for you! Oh and thank you to everyone else that entered. I like giving away stuff and I just may do it more often!

Happy "Blogiversary" to me!!!

It's hard to believe that it's been a year since I started blogging. I first started seeing quilt blogs when I was thinking about starting a Dear Jane quilt. I was researching and looking at all of the wonderful finished Janes that are out there. So I thought and thought about what I should give for my giveaway today and here it is. The Dear Jane book and the bundle of Dear Jane fat quarters by Windham.

Here's another picture of the fat quarter bundle

 

These pictures aren't the best and the fabric is really much brighter than it looks in the picture.

Okay all you have to do is leave a comment on this post and you'll be entered in the drawing to be held on Friday March 13th. I'll draw first thing in the morning, so be sure to enter and to tell your friends about it! Oh and this is open to international bloggers/quilters as well.

Seems like I did get a lot done this weekend, but most of it was prep work for applique. Oh and finishing the quilt top shown in the previous post...lol Are all of you quilters out there like me in that we have so much to do, but so much more we want to do? I keep seeing new quilts that just call to me. Oh to be able to sew full time.... :o)

Well it's Sunday again....

and it feels like Spring is almost here, but I'll bet that Winter is not done with us quite yet. We'll see later this week because the weather guy said we'd be getting some snow. That's Oklahoma though 86 degrees one week and the next freezing temps!

Here is a picture of the quilt that I've been working on in between other projects this month. Lot's of nine patch blocks in this one. I'm giving it to hubby because he thinks it's really pretty. I'll probably quilt this one myself because I've cut back on my custom quilt budget this year.

 

I realized earlier this week that tomorrow is my "blogiversary" and since the middle of that made up word is "give", that's what I'm going to do. I'll post first thing tomorrow what I'm giving away and you can leave me a comment and I'll draw for a winner on the 13th.

Well it's back to miscellaneous projects for me. As well as finishing the above quilt top I've prepped some applique blocks and stitched on some applique. I used to really dislike applique and now I love it....what gives?!?!

Pam...these strips are for you!

These will be going out in the mail today Pamela. This isn't the greatest picture, but I think they will look wonderful and springy made into this rug http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/02/braided-rag-rug.html The only deal is that you have to make me one sometime...lol Oh for those of you not in the know, Pam is my sister and here is a picture of her with a quilt I gave her last year

Isn't she pretty!!! Oh and if anyone would like to purchase anything in these pictures today besides the quilt and my sis, you can go to, well their website isn't working but you can call Debbie at (405) 840-1466.

I also purchased some thread candy...yummy

And a new quilt pattern

 

Yard and house work is what I'll be up to today. Maybe I'll sneak in a little sewing and for sure a trip to the post office. Have a beautiful "almost" spring day!

Go check out this give away...

 

Hurry because she's going to pick a winner on Thursday, I believe. If you click on the title of this post it will take to the giveaway. I can't seem to make the picture link for some reason.

Isn't this just one of

 

the most beautiful quilts you've ever in your life seen????? It's from issue #69 in the French magazine QuiltMania. Quiltmania is one of my favorite quilting magazines. I get the English version from BooksaMillion in OKC. My friend Sharon picked it up for me this weekend and what a treat it has been. Thank you Sharon!!!

I am going to make this quilt someday out of reproduction fabrics. It's going into a long list of quilts to make, a list that's getting longer and longer almost every day. I'm off to work...I'd rather stay here and sew, but I have to pay for the sickness/habit/hobby somehow...lol

darn the weekend is almost over....

It's been a great weekend. Nothing special, just a lot of puttering around the house, a bit of stitching and some sewing and movie watching. It was cold here, although not snowing like most of the country, so hubby and I decided to just chill.

Here is the Nearly Insane BOW finished. Actually I'm a week ahead, I think.

 

Here is a picture of another finished basket block.

 

We watched several good movies. Nights in Rodanthe was pretty good. And who doesn't love to just stare at the beautiful Richard Gere...hmmm? LOL I've loved him forever and ever and will until the end of time.

Oh and W. was very entertaining. Josh Brolin did an amazing job in my opinion. There were times while watching that I forgot that it wasn't actually President Bush that I was seeing on the screen. You do have to keep in mind that it is a work of fiction and it is really slanted toward the left, but that's to be expected since Oliver Stone was the director.
And last but not least was The Lucky Ones which was my favorite. Tim Robbins and Rachel McAdams were excellent and so was Michael Pena. It was a very touching comedy/drama. I loved it.

Time to go and do dishes...