Fussy Cutting Continues

With a busy schedule last week, I didn't get to spend as much time as I would have liked in my sewing room.  I guess a few more squares is better than none!!! Monday I am planning to spend most of the day pressing, cutting, cutting and more cutting my western stash.  I wish I could find some pictures of someone that has made the Cowboy Days quilt by Black Cat Creations.....or even had a picture from the one that was in the quilt shop way back when.  Keep your fingers crossed Monday will be a quilty day for me!!!

Ohhhhh and before I go, I must share my exciting news!!!  My new work schedule is going to allow me to attend my local quilt guild and if you can't tell my my post, I am absolutely so excited about this.  When I was self teaching myself to quilt, the ladies at the quilt shop and quilt guild helped me so much and I cannot wait to get back in the group and learn from them!!!    

Giggles and Fussing in my sewing room

When I was self teaching myself to quilt back in 2003 I purchased this pattern thinking it would be easy!  It was going to be my very first quilt.  Little did I know that it was going to overwhelm me so much that it would end up in a box.  I loved doing the embroidery, but when I started making the flying geese.....WOW!  Thinking back, I have to laugh.  I didn't even know the little simple looking triangles around the embroidered blocks were called flying geese.  I made myself finish the not so simple "geese" and attach them to the block, but I knew I was done for while.  Okay, I knew I wanted to make a quilt so I headed back to my favorite quilt shop and decided to talk to them.  Instead of a large project, they encouraged me to start small.  Boy am I glad I listened.  I joined a class and made my first quilt....The Yellow Brick Road.  For anyone beginning, that is a perfect project!  So yesterday, I pulled out the box and ready to finish my very first quilt that I started! Funny thing is, I giggled out loud in my sewing room.  I had forgotten how much western fabric I purchased since 2003 with always this quilt in mind.  I'm cutting 250 (4 1/2") squares!!!!  Fussy cutting is actually pretty fun, getting the perfect motif cut!  Little did I know back then I had already finished the hardest part.  I plan to make it larger than the pattern, to fit a King size bed.....MY BED!!! Yes, my bed.  Our life in the country is just what it is.  We have cows and hey my sewing room in actually in the barn!  With so much western fabric, my brain is in overload with the endless possibilities.  I'm thinking matching Shams, throw pillows, a table runner and maybe even curtains that match!!!!  So I'm giggling as I'm fussy cutting and so excited to work on the project that first caught my eye!

For an update on my last post:  My daughter is doing better, but it has been an emotional roller coaster.  My heart hurts for her and it is the worst feeling in the world, not being able to take her pain and sadness away.  It is a good day when she smiles and her sweet laugh fills our home.  She is a beautiful girl on the inside and out and I know God has something wonderful in store for her.  Please keep her and my family in your prayers.

Till next time, Kathy

Today is a new day....

I have been away from blogging and sewing for awhile now.  First we were preparing for my daughter's wedding in October.  It was a perfect beautiful wedding.  Then her life was turned upside down when he told her less than a month later he did not want to be married....that he had made a mistake.  My heart hurts for her.  If I could take her pain away, I would.  They dated over 6 years and never in our wildest dreams did we think she would be going through this.  Our family is big and we are surrounding her with all of our love.  Please keep her in your prayers!
Today is the first day in over a month that I've taken the time to enjoy your blogs and hope to get going on some Christmas projects I had planned to make.

I WON!!!!!!!!

I actually won a giveaway over at http://crazyboutquilts.blogspot.com/ I get to have quilting done for 1/2 price!!!!!  Go check out her sweet blog and it will also lead you to the price list which is already such a sweet deal!!!  I recently finished a Take Five and will send it off .......HOORAY!  Sorry no picture yet, but one will surely be on the way for a before and after.  Till next time, Kathy

Ready Set Go

Tonight was my first FNSI and at 8:30 pm tonight I was all set and ready to stitch away!  At 11:30 tonight I realized I was missing a block and had to come up with one...UGH!  Tomorrow is my daughters wedding shower and I am going to have the blocks in a cute little red tin for her to finally get to view them.  Then it's back to the machine and get that all the sashing done.

Getting ready for FNSI

For the next two days I have to attend a trauma course, so everything's on hold 'till Friday night when I get to participate in the FNSI.  This is a sneak peak at adding some trim to one of my blocks.  I'm so excited about using the bliss line for my daughter's quilt for her wedding.  Once I add the rest of the trims on Friday night, I'll post pictures!  Till next time, Kathy

FNSI and a sneak peak coming up

I am a 1st timer for FNSI (click on the FNSI button on the right or click on  http://handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com/  and come join the fun).  I am so excited since I am working on a ton of things.  All the blocks are finally finished for my daughter's quilt and if I can get that battery charged tonight, pictures will be posted tomorrow...HOORAY!  I am also working on a small banner for her candy bar, small table runners for the reception table and a ring bearer pillow!  Oh. My. Gosh.  I think I'm hyperventilating just thinking about my to do list.  Don't forget to click on the FNSI button and join!!!  It's going to be fun.  Till next time, Kathy

Exciting changes in the wind.....

With prayerful thought, I made the decision to step down from nursing management and go back to emergency nursing!  I love being a nurse and am looking forward to only working three 12 hour shifts.  This past year has been very busy in our home....from my twin boys graduating high school, my daughter graduating college and about to be married in October and also working every day with the responsibility of 24/7 call for my department I had absolutely NO time for quilting or blogging.  So if you haven't already figured out, I am so excited I can hardly stand it!!!!!!  I took some pictures of a few of the quilt blocks for my daughters quilt (one of her wedding gifts), but since my camera battery was dead I used my cell phone and the quality was awful....Maybe tomorrow I will get some pictures up.  Her colors are aqua blue and red, so I used the Bliss line and am really happy at how it's turning out.  Till next time (which is gonna be a whole lot more often now),  Kathy

Sweet and Sassy at 103

This sweet and sassy woman is my hubby's Nana and she REALLY is 103.  We had a sweet birthday party with all of the family....life is good when we all get together!  Nana kept all of our kids, taught them how to crochet, sew, cook and play cards before they started school.  She taught them when they played boardgames it wasn't nice to make them go back "home" (like Sorry or Wahoo) and if you argued about sending them home they had to put the game away!  Before the awful Rheumatoid attached her hands, she would crochet all us granddaughters (in-law granddaughter included) pot holders, made us all a nut cake for Christmas and made patterns for clothes out of newspaper.  She calls everyone in the family by a nickname and cooked Sunday dinner up until 10 years ago for at least 30 people.  It was always fried chicken, dressing, beans, rolls and home made desserts.....Funny part of that when I would tell her, "Nana we won't be here next Sunday, we're going to my mother's for dinner."  She would reply, "Dollie (that's what she calls me) your mama knows there are six other days she can cook dinner.  She knows I cook dinner on Sunday."  Yes we would stand Nana up and go to my parents from time to time for Sunday dinner but it wasn't without a little scold from her.   Nana made my mama some of the potholders and my mama still uses them.  This woman is an amazing woman and I am thankful   for the 28 years I've known her.  She has been such an inspiration to me!  I am an ER nurse and I see what age does to people.  God has been so good to her.

Tomorrow I plan working on some projects going on in the studio and hope to show some pics soon! My daughter asked me to make a ring bearer pillow for her wedding and I'm so excited to do this!  I also am covering a cork board for my sewing room...its red and white polka dots!  Stay tuned, pictures on the way soon!  Till next time, Kathy

Love me some antiques....

My last post which was way too long ago I showed you my treasures from my Granny's sewing room....well I happened to be at a little resale shop in my home town and stumbled across this old toy sewing machine.  Since I love antiques and I happen to LOVE the color red I couldn't resist!!!  My sister asked me to go shopping this weekend and I actually said no way.....I have the itch to stitch! My blogging habits are not as well as some of the great blogs I follow, but just so you know, if I'm not posting everyday, I'm peeking in at yours everyday :)

Since we're not freezing here in Texas, I plan to spend the day in my studio Saturday! Mind you, my studio has heat, but it was just walking across the yard to get there....If I haven't said this in the past, I wish I could work part time and sew full time. Oh the things I would have time to make......Till next time, Kathy

Things I adore.....

When I was a little girl, I would sit at a card table with my Granny and we would make all kinds of crafts.  She made quilts for all of us grandkids, of course all by hand.  She tried to teach me to sew and other needle crafts, but I couldn't get the hang of it...she was a lefty and I'm a righty! I spent hours at a time making dolls, beadwork, and Christmas ornaments.  I remember playing in her compartments of beads, sequins, and paints.  She passed away in 2005.  My parents still have her old farmhouse and from time to time me and my sister all get together there.  My mama has tried and tried to get me to take some of her things to my house and I finally felt like it was okay and my Granny would want me to have them.  I am displaying some of her things in my sewing room and want to share my treasures with you.  I filled these jars with old buttons, cards of needles, clothes pins, wooden spools and some beads.  The green plastic sewing box is one of many she had and I love her old pin cushion and her thimbles  The wooden case shaped like chapstick is a needle box.  The embroidery work was what she was working on when she had her stroke.  My mom wants me to finish it, but I think I will leave it just as she left it.  Also my parents wanted me to have her old singer pedal foot sewing machine that still works, but I didn't have the room to bring it home yet.  I will always cherish my memories of our good times shared and now when I am sitting in my sewing chair, a part of her is sitting there with me.  Until next time, Kathy.

There's a wedding to plan....

My daughter is now officially engaged!  She and I attended the Bridal Extravaganza in Houston and for those that attend the International Quilt Festival, I must say this was just as overwhelming!  It was so fun and amazing! There were so many cakes and did I mention tasting??? Delicious!!! We saw photographers, venue choices, invitations, honeymoon options, decorations, ..... you name it and it was there.  This is very exciting for her and although I am excited I have to admit I am .... What am I?  I'm not sad, not upset, not disappointed, .... I think I'm not ready for her to be a grown up. (She is 23 and we have been close all of those years.)

I am going to make her a memory quilt with embroidery family names.  Tonight as I was binding a quilt, I had to stop to look at my stash to see what I have and what I'm going to need.  I think my check off list of what I wanted to finish has just been changed, LOL.  Here are some blocks I've made in the past for wedding gifts.  Hope you enjoy!  Kathy

It's a Giveaway!!!!

Head on over to http://greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com/ for a chance at a sweet giveaway!!! I recently found this blog and enjoy the newsletters I receive....not to mention I am going to love shopping there!!!
Today was a sweet family day with most of my aunts, uncles, and cousins were there.
Looking ahead at this new year, I am setting some goals to finish some UFO's by starting tomorrow!  The 1st on the list simply needs binding.  Have I mentioned in the past that I strongly dislike binding....well I do.  I wonder why that is?  It seems like I would love to bind it up and have an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.  But.....I don't and my work sits there as I procrastinate.  Does anyone else have this same problem???

Here is a list of my to do list for January: (Remember I'm full time employed, a mama, a wife, a daughter and a granddaughter......see I already have excuses, hehehe!)
1.  Bind a quilt that I abandoned over a year ago.
2.  Finish my Take 5...the blocks just need to be put together and send out for quilting.
3.  Start and finish at least 10 fabric Valentine's!!! (I really want to make this 1st....but I am going to have will power and stay focused on my plan)

Till next time!  Kathy

It's all about love.....

The tree is coming down tomorrow afternoon and will start some Valentine quilty gifts for my friends!  I have a pattern from an old Fons and Porter Magazine for fabric Valentine's and really excited about making some!! I can't wait to see what everyone is working on!!!  Tomorrow is a special day for my family.  The first Saturday after Christmas, is set aside for us to get together.  My grandmother passed away in 1992 and every year we all try to meet at one of my family members home!! I am so excited to see some of my cousin's that I only get to see once or twice a year!  Sure miss my Mama Hill.  She was a kind, sweet lovely woman with a heart bigger than Texas....a sweet sweet grandmother. Hope everyone has a safe and fun New Year's Day!

A few of my favorite.....

I've been married for 25 years and every Christmas my MIL buys my husband and I a Christmas ornament from Hallmark.  She also started buying my children an ornament when they were born, so when they leave home some day, they will have enough to start a tree of their own.  I wanted to share a few ornaments that are my favorite!  I simply love the one I changed my profile picture to......a pappa bear giving the mama bear a big 'ole hug!!!  Anyway here are some pics of my favs along with some of the decorations!  I took some of the pics before I cleaned up some of the storage boxes, just over look some of the clutter....Enjoy and until next time, Kathy

And the winner is........

The winner is Leslie over at http://lesquilts.blogspot.com/
I had so much fun participating into the Fall into fall bloggers giveaway....Thanks to Debbie for putting this together!  Congratulations Leslie and hope you enjoy these bright, cheery and fun fat quarters. 

It's time for the Fall into Fall GIVEAWAY!!!!!!

It's time, it's time, it's time!!! I am so excited to participate and hold my first ever giveaway on my blog!!!  I decided to giveaway some bright and cheery fat quarters that have been sitting in my stash for about three years.  If you are just now finding this giveaway.....click the scarecrow on my right sidebar and look at over a 140 bloggers that have joined in the giveaway mania as well as several businesses.  Special thanks to Debbie for hosting this for all of us!!!  Now if you want to win these fat quarters, just leave me a comment and make sure you come back to see my blog on the 15th of October when I announce the lucky winner!!!! I will announce the winner on my blog!  Everyone, no matter where you are from is welcome to participate in my giveaway!!!  Good luck everyone and have tons of fun, ya'll!  Kathy

Check out another blog with a giveaway!!!

If you love to participate in giveaways and love Christmas you need to head on over to http://quilttimes.blogspot.com/ !!! I love Christmas time and decorating.  One day I want to have a Christmas quilt on all of my beds!  Most every room in my home will have a Christmas tree up, including one on my front porch.  My sons that are 17 don't really want a tree in their room.....guess they don't think it's "cool" but they help me put up all the decorations... Remember to check back on 10/1 for my giveaway for the Fall back into fall.......I'm so thankful for the cooler temperatures here in Texas and tomorrow I'm going to start getting my home ready for fall....love me some pumpkins!!!! I've already dusted my cute little wooden pumpkin that hangs on my front door every year.  Till next time, Kathy

Having fun making my Halloween Wallhanging and.......

I bought this cute little witch wallhanging kit last year at the Houston International Quilt Festival and so excited to get it hanging on my door on October 1st!!! Does anyone else know what else is going be out on October 1st? If you said Fall back into Fall Quilter Bloggers Giveaway, you are right! If you don't have a clue what I'm talking about....just click on the cute little scarecrow to the right and it will lead you to all the fun!! By the way, I recently posted that I was going to show you all what my giveaway will be, but after reading the instructions again I saw that I need to wait until the 1st....so just stay tuned! Till next time, Kathy

A Giveaway!!!!

I found the neatest blog where you win and give!!! Check it out at: http://www.fall-into-fall.blogspot.com/ I am trying to learn how to post the link where you click on a cute little scarecrow to get to it!!! If you don't see the scarecrow on my blog, please leave me a comment to help me out! I will be posting on Saturday of what I plan to giveaway so stay tuned in....Kathy

Quilt finishes coming soon.......

I have busy in my studio and loving every minute of it. I have had some UFO's sitting on the shelf just waiting for either binding, piecing, or sashing....and I'm just about done with a couple. Pictures coming soon! A couple of years a go I bought a Halloween wallhanging at the Houston International Quilt Festival and right off the bat, I cut the fabric wrong! How many of you guys do that??? I was so frustrated....but did what I do best: Make it work!!!! (I think it's the nurse in me, hehehe) All kidding aside, I found a piece of fabric in my stash that will work. Hope to have some pictures posted by this weekend.
Speaking of Houston....It's just around the corner and it's shop, look, be inspired, and learn.
Another thing that's going on around the house, my hubby is building me a dining room table. I took my first sneak peak yesterday and I am loving it. We have cattle, live in the country and so needless to say, my home is rustic. He designed a round table with a Texas star in the middle and I think he is amazing! My sewing studio is outside at the cattle barn and just next to my own space is his wood shop. We've been hanging out at the barn! Just touching the fabric gives me a happy feeling! Well, that's what is going on in my busy life right now.....just sewing and having fun! Till next time, Kathy

It's been screaming my name.......

This room has been screaming my name for a year....I finally finished the RN to BSN program! Where to begin, where to begin. My Janome has sat all alone for a year and all of this fabric just waiting for me! So excited, I just don't know where to begin! While I was away, I peeked in on all of my favorite quilty blogs and yes had a pity party every now and then because my head was stuck in text books! There is a peek at a BOM with cowboy boots over at Molly's Place (sewhappy10000.blogspot.com) that I am very excited about! Hugs to all! Kathy

Prayer Request

It's been awhile since I made a post because of my hectic schedule with going back to school. I had planned to not only be back blogging next week, but to be back in my front of my Janome....that I have missed so much! I am taking a few minutes to post tonight to request prayer for a beautiful young lady that my boys go to school with. She is a senior and was involved in a major motor vehicle accident. You can visit a blog her aunt has created to give us all updates at www.operationmakenzierecovery.blogspot.com
I don't know how to link the blog dedicated to her recovery into my blog, but please visit and help us pray for healing. Love to all my fellow quilting friends and I want you to know, even though I have not posted since October, I have taken a few minutes to browse and view yours every week. Hugs to all, Kathy!

Tons of Fun in October

I just got in from the International Quilt Festival in Houston....what fun! I had so much fun that I did not take the time to take but a few pictures and I want to share this amazing quilt I saw on display! I absolutely love these colorful flowers on the black and white background. It was sparkling...just dazzling! My pics just don't do it justice and my pic of who made it and about the quilt did not turn out :(
Also here is one picture of when I went to Round Top, Texas to the antique show. Boy, October has been busy for me in trying to keep up with family, work, homework and these two road trips (but oh what fun!) Hope all that got to go to Houston had as much fun as I did and can't wait till next year. With my new purchases, maybe I'll just get a picture posted of a finished project soon LOL. Night all and hope everyone is blessed :) Till next time, Kathy

Cherry fabric brings a smile

I purchased this fabric a couple of months ago along with a pattern for one large log cabin. I absolutely cannot wait to start this project and brighten up my sewing room. I also want to make a banner to hang in both windows. Tomorrow I am heading to Round Top, Texas!!! It's a famous antique show that is twice a year. If you have not ever heard of it.....just google it and plan on a road trip at least once. It's miles and miles and miles of antiques. I don't think you could cover it in a week. This is a very exciting month in Texas....in two weeks its the International Quilt Festival in Houston at the George R Brown Convenction Center. I am so ready for this show.....Just makes a girl smile :) With all the excitement, I am glad my class this time around is not as fast paced! By the way, I am half finished with the RN to BSN program. After my next five week class, I will be on break until after Christmas. HOOORAYYYY! Many plans for Christmas sewing in the making. Till next time and hope everyone is blessed! Kathy