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

My Cup Runneth Over

I received my first ever PIF gift from Jillian at Jilly's Space. (I could not figure out how to attach her link so you can just click on...); Just look at what she made and sent me!!!!!! I LOVE It!!!!! Everything is just adorable. Just in case you can't see the items well in my pics, it's an adorable bag filled with a sweet pincushion, coasters (that I think I am going to frame for my sewing room wall), a cute cute stuffed heart, cherry fat quarter, eye catching packet of red buttons, and 2 tea bags to enjoy while I have a quite morning rocking on my porch!!!!! THANK YOU JILLIAN!!!! I just bought cherry fabric to make a quilt that is one large log cabin block. Looks pretty easy and plan to work on it Saturday. My sweet gifts are already in my sewing room.

I'm having withdrawals....

No pictures to post just yet.....My life has been so busy and I don't know where to begin. I know I made a post several months back about going back to school to earn my BSN in Nursing. After all these years of being an RN by Associate degree, I finally made the plunge to go back and earn my BSN. It has taken away most of of my "me" time!!! I really have missed having my time at my sewing machine and especially since it's in my brand new sewing room. Oh wait, my goodness I forgot to post that I actually did get to stitch a little on Sunday night. My daughter is in nursing school and I got to sew her nursing program patch on her uniform top. It was great sit in that chair (if only for a minute). Good news is: I am finishing up in 1 1/2 weeks for a week break and then I'm going to close the kitchen, put up the "Gone Quilting" signs for my family and not come back to reality for a few days. LOL! I had just started blogging when I decided to go back to school, and even though I have not been posting, I'm still looking at what all of you are doing. (with a little envy of course). Hopefully the next class session, I can spare a few minutes every other day to post a little here and there and sit at my machine at least for a little while on Saturdays. Love what you all are creating out there and keep em' coming.....it helps a girl to smile! Till next time, Kathy

Here's the pictures!!

I had server problems last night and it went down while uploading the pictures of the quilt show, so my post did not have pics. Here are a few pictures of some of the quilts that I really liked. Hope you enjoy!

Love quilt shows

I just love to go to quilt shows and see all the wonderful quilts. There is so much talent and one day I hope to be just as good. My sister and I had a wonderful time at the last quilt show we attended. I am counting the months until the International Quilt Show in Houston.....Gotta love that one!! It's already marked on my calendar! Hope you enjoy the pictures I'm going to share of some of my favorites.

2 UFO's done....but there's more!

This weekend I finished two UFO's and yet I have several more! I started this pattern called Cowboy Days by BlackCat Creations and now just need to fussy cut cowboy fabric. (I have plenty of cowboy, rodeo, cow hide print, hats, boots, ranch fabric.) This was one of the first patterns I purchased when I started teaching myself how to quilt and knew I just had to make it. I started the redwork immediately....but that was a long time ago. I probably should never have tried to do this as one of my 1st projects, but the cowgirl side of me couldn't resist. I'm so excited to have completely finished one UFO this weekend and the other will be sent for quilting in the morning. I have made a deal with myself to finish two more UFO'a these next two weeks before I buy any more fabric. (glad I don't have money on the table on this deal...I would surely lose! LOL. We have a wonderful quilt shop in my town that I love to go in during my lunch. The owner and the ladies that work there are so sweet and have taught me so much. Hope everyone has a wonderful week! Till next time, Kathy

Me and my Janome creating!!

After 5 long weeks, I am back at my Janome...stitching away! Last night I finished binding one of my UFO's and tomorrow will finish the backing of a long time project. I am so embarressed about this, but will tell my story. I started this 2 years ago for my cousin who wanted a memory quilt for her wedding gift. We hung the pieced top at her reception, but I was never happy because it's longer than wide. It's off balance!! I put some borders along the side, and now I'm afraid it really looks bad. Amanda said she didn't care, it's just what she wanted. I feel terrible I've had it this long, but I just hate giving someone something I am unhappy with.....Here are some pics of some of the blocks. Tomorrow after I finish the backing I will post more pics.
Even though I have been away, I still view all the blogs and really enjoy them. Thanks for all your inspiration you share. Till next time, Kathy