Latest View From My Kitchen Window

Tonight when I looked out towards the pond, I watched as a coyote came down the hill to the pond. He walked around for a while--watched the geese flying over him. Then turn to go back up to the woods through the corn field.

I have finished the binding on the baby quilt. So when the baby arrives--if it is a girl she has two blankets ready for her. If it is a boy--the John Deere quilt is waiting. I'm still praying for the size of the baby. DIL is sooo big. She is still going to work. She said where the computer sits on her desk is almost further than she can reach.

Two more weddings are in the planning for friends in 2010--so 2 more Christmas Tree skirts to make in addition to the 3 already in the making.

Take Care--God Bless,
Linda

Friday Night Sew-In results

My "Friday Night Sew-In" resulted in almost finishing another quilt for my "if the new grandbaby is a girl" . The first one I made is larger and is made of flannel. I thought--this baby needs a cotton quilt. I started it one night this week when I needed a mental break from thinking about school. Last night I pin basted it, did crosshatch across the middle section and loopy free motion stitching on the two borders. (Thank you Amy and Candace for the advice!) All that is left is the binding which I plan to finish tonight.

After school I made a quick trip to my nearest quilt shop (25 minutes away-along with a needed trip to Walmart, Menards, and Farm & Fleet) to purchase my first quilt stencil and some basting spray. I have never tried either yet. I used the pins last night because I knew that would work for me. One reason for the quick trip was to purchase the Tri-Rec ruler set, which I forgot when I hurried in and out of the shop! I guess Amy's BOM will have to wait a few more days!

No baby yet, DIL-1's doctor still said she could deliver at any time! Maybe it is a girl--waiting for me to finish this quilt for her! I just spoke with DIL-1--a few twinges, she is going for a walk with Kasey-hoping to move things along!

Enjoy your day!

HELP! "Crosshatch Quilting"

I am working on a quilt top--I would like to start machine quilting it--The pattern states " The featured quilt was quilted with a crosshatch design.....". I did a google search--however, no suggestions on the distance apart for the stitching--or other experience based suggestions. All help will be appreciated!
Linda

Still Waiting..

We are still waiting. No baby yet! Daughter In Law -1 was at the doctor on Friday. He told her she is 75% effaced and dilated to "4". She left Kasey here with me this morning so she could go into work to work on paperwork and reports. She thought without the telephone or others there she would be able to accomplish a great deal. Her office is 45 minutes northwest of home and her doctor/ hospital is 25 minutes south of here.

We are all hoping and praying for the baby to be smaller than Kasey. She arrived two weeks early weighing 10 lbs 3 oz. and 21 inches long. I will keep you posted.

I am trying to do some cleaning upstairs to make a sewing room. I have used the dining room table all the time and become frustrated when I would like to be sewing but need to set up machine, etc.

Have a great weekend.

Family Easter Gathering

After an awesome Celebration Service at church this morning, DS-1, DIL-1, and Kasey, DH and I went to my mother's for brunch. DS-2, DIL-2, Conner and Tatum went to church where her father is the pastor. Later this afternoon they all come to our house for an Easter Egg hunt and late dinner.

Kasey and Conner went with DS-2 to fly a kite in the field by the house.


Kasey running to find more of the 86 eggs that DIL-1 "hid" around the yard. Conner was excited with each egg he found.



DS-1, DIL-1 and Kasey--a family picture of the three of them. The new baby is due any time! I even manage to snap a picture of Conner and Tatum before we headed out to look for the eggs.










I think I will finish out the day with getting
out my sewing machine to work on an UFO.

Easter Greeting!

Michael W. Smith-Above All Things

View from my Kitchen Window

This is the panoramic view from my kitchen window as I was washing dishes tonight. The pictures would go from left to right. There are Canadian geese swimming on the pond and eating in the corn stubble. In the back field there are deer eating. On Sunday morning I watched as a Trumpeter Swan worked to break the thin layer of ice that had covered the pond during the night.

(In the foreground is the road construction that wasn't finished last fall!)

Friday Night Sew-In results

I found this pattern in the March/April Quiltmaker Magazine. Last night I sewed it together. When I had finished the inside I thought it was too busy--my white print had too much design. Once I added the inside border and the outside--It is a little better. I have the backing sewn together. It will be 48 X 48 when it is finished.

On the Quiltmaker website they have directions to make it in larger sizes. There is also a machine quilting diagram. However, I've never learned how to transfer the diagram onto my fabric. I'm hoping to make a quick trip to Rice Lake today to the Busy Bobbin for advice!

I would have loved to have spent the Friday night Sew-In with my sister near Sturgeon Bay-- Just knowing that she was quilting and everyone else was fun makes it even a better night!

Friday Night Sew-In

Tonight's the night! DH will be watching NCAA basketball--I will be relaxing at the sewing machine unwinding from the week. To join in you will find more information at Homemade By Heidi. So far 143 are signed in!

Motto & A need to vent!

Last week Sheila of My Empty Nest is Full of Cat Hair posted pictures of plaques and quotes that she has in her home. This is a magnet that I have in my classroom. It is the motto we claim in my Special Ed. Classroom. There are never two days alike. Some days are extremely frustrating. There are general ed teachers who are extremely cooperative and willingly make accommodations and modifications in the general ed setting for the students. The same teachers who volunteer and participate on curriculum teams and school committees. Then there are others who will not give any extra consideration or assistance to the students.
This past week I could have pulled out a student's IEP (Individual Education Plan) in an attempt to enforce the aids and services on the program summary (I-14). However, I knew in the long haul it would anger the teacher, make things more difficult for the student, and I still need to work with the teacher. So instead, I take the inch she was willing to give and work harder to help the student succeed.

There--I vented, now to take a deep breath and go back in the morning to teaching and advocating for my students. That is after I go on-line with Skyward and work on an IEP and finish writing a reevaluation report on a student. No quilting tonight!

March BOM

I just finished my three March blocks from 2010 BOM by Amy. I will pack away the fabric for my blocks until April and move on to the next project!
I am going to work on the Christmas Tree Skirt that I am making for Becky and Travis's wedding gift. This should make a good project while DH watches or is it sleeps through March Madness Basketball, Unless it is Big Ten Teams--Go Badgers! . I am trying to think of how to machine quilt it.