Grandma--There's a hole in your quilt!

Yesterday I finished the tree skirt for Randy & Kelsey's wedding this afternoon.  I was showing it to DIL-2 when she came for Conner and Tatum. Conner took one look at it and started laughing.  Remember he is 3 1/2---he laughed and said, "Grandma, there is a hole in your quilt!" 

A major accomplishment for me!  I actually made a label and sewed it to the skirt. 

In the mail today was an invitation to a wedding on August 21.  One that I hadn't expected to receive.  That means three wedding this fall.

I better keep sewing.

Have a great day,
Linda

Since we last meet!

Since we last talked:

DH made a quick trip with a friend to Minot, N.D.  A long story made short--the friend purchased three old John Deere tractors from a farmer there.  He bought 2 John Deere Model A's and a John Deere Model D.  He asked DH to ride along--after a great deal of self-arguing,  he decided he would go.  They left at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday morning and returned at 2:30 a.m. on Monday morning.  The load was heavy for the trailer and they blew a tire at 1:00 a.m.  It is supposed to be a 10 hour trip each way--However, when you are pulling a load and can only drive 55 for 960 miles-It makes for a long trip.  This isn't one they brought back--the ones Jay bought need LOTS of work to restore.

Monday through  Wednesday I was in class and earned 1 credit towards my license renewal.  8:00 until 3:30 with a 10 minute break at 10:00-45 minutes for lunch and a 10 minute break at 2:00.   It is another method of classroom management and working with students.  Giving ownership of problems to the students-giving guidelines to solve their own problems--A different philosophy from the Positive Reinforcement model that so many are currently using.  Like all methods--there are great ideas and some drawbacks. 

Monday evening a college friend called to say he and his wife were on vacation.  They wanted to come over on Tuesday night.  I have seen them once in 36 years.  My first thought was how am I going to clean my house, prepare a meal, and lose 100 lbs in 24 hours while I am gone from 7:30 to 4:00.  I worked at cleaning on Monday night. Decided to order pizza and made fresh strawberry shortcake--and thought oh well-about the 100 lbs-they will have to take me as they find me!  They are from Nevada and are traveling for two months with a 5th wheel camper trailer visiting friends and family.  We had a great visit. 

Then this afternoon--I had one of those, "DUH! Linda" moments.  I was working on machine quilting the tree skirt for Randy and Kelsy's wedding.   I was thinking-I wish I had another hand to lift the pressure foot and still hold onto my fabric.  Then the light bulb flashed! I received a "knee lifter" when I purchased my machine!  So I located it--figured out how to attach it--and VOILA it worked! (that is almost all the French I remember from French class!)  Tonight I will sew on the binding and it will be finished!

Linda

Delayed "Friday Night Sew In"

One Christmas Tree Skirt is finished.

 Tuesday night my small group from church met at The Potter Shed.   It is an awesome local business.  That night we each did a mosaic project.  I finished gluing on the broken glass pieces.  We were each sent home with a bag of grout and a sheet of instruction.  I don't know if I will be able to figure out how to do that part! I am not an artist by any stretch!  However, I did have a great time with six of the other gals in our group.   I gave the Red, White, and Blue Star Runner to my friend Rhonda.  She is the group leader and does an awesome job  faithfully each week.

I also finished  and gave the Happy Holiday table topper to my friend, Mary.  Mary subbed for me each time I needed to be out of my classroom this past year due to DH's doctor's appointments and his surgery.  I was comfortable knowing she was in my classroom.  I finished the binding with red-(Thank you for your suggestions!!) -I have another one cut out for myself that will have blue binding!

Tonight  was my "Delayed Friday Night Sew In".  After the grandkids left I pulled out the next Christmas Tree Skirt I am working on. I started the machine quilting.  I hope to finish the machine work  tomorrow afternoon.  
Have a great Father's Day,

Linda

Favorite Stories and Song

No "Friday Night Sew In" for me.  DIL-2 and Son Chad both had to work late at their respective jobs and again  this morning.  So Grandson -1 and Granddaughter- 2 (Peanut)  spent the night with us.  Peanut is 11 months old and not just walks-but runs- everywhere.  When 7:00 p.m. comes she is ready for bed and will sleep until 6:00 a.m.   Grandson 1 is 3 1/2.  He doesn't think bedtime should exist at Grandma's house. So he and Grandma go into our bed where we read from  "Beginner's Bible for Toddlers".  The Stories are very short with great illustrations.
We always read--David and Goliath, Daniel in The Lion's Den, and Jonah.  Several times each.  Then he "reads' them to me.  After we finish reading-just when he is on the verge of falling asleep. He will say, "Scratch my back Grandma. On my skin"   Then, "Sing Grandma."   Last night our song was "Only a Boy Named David." MANY TIMES!!!!    Even at 2:30 this morning when suddenly it was, "I want my daddy--I want my mommy!!"  So once more I rub his back and he says, "Sing,  "Boy Named David" Grandma."  Of course--I add extra sound effects- WOO-WOO-WOO-Woo- When the stone flies after the giant!

After Lunch continued:

Son Todd stopped with  Granddaughter-1, "The Princess" (2 1/2 )  when he came for tools from DH's shop.  Kasey came to the house--when she found that Tatum and Conner were here she decided to stay also.  So I have three of the four grandkids this afternoon.  I just walked in to find the two of them in Papa's chair reading.  Peanut (Tatum 11 months)-Is just having fun walking!

  Maybe tonight when all are gone home I will have a make up sewing night!
Have a great weekend and celebrate Father's Day with the important men in your life!

Linda

In My Mailbox! UPDATE! OOPS

This morning when I went to check the mail I took my camera to take a picture of the lilies I transplanted to a temporary location last summer when the highway department  decided to widen the county highway in front of our farm.  They took all of my flower bed and 12 sixty year old spruce trees.  I had been trying to establish a perennial bed.  I dug the lilies and planted them temporarily  in front of the house!  It worked!  The flower bed needs lots of help right now! That is one of my goals for the summer, along with scraping the paint of the front step and repainting it. We are trying to think of shrubs or something to put along the front of the house for privacy and sound reduction.

Now for the BEST PART of then morning!

In the mailbox I found a package from Nancy of Patchwork Penguin. Last week she had a give-a-way!  I won!!  All I can say is, "WOW!!!  It is a box FULL of awesome  coordinated fat quarters.  The colors are beautiful!  Now I need to find just the right project to make with them. I think they definitely fit into Amy's category of "Too Good To Cut."  Thank you Nancy!!!!!  I have met the greatest people through blogging!   I think I am actually starting to build a stash!!! 

UPDATE:

In the excitement of my package I forgot to add the pictures of my lilies!

Have a great day!

Linda

Change of Plans

I knew DH was planning to take a load of beef steers to the livestock market at Rock Creek, MN this morning. (About 2 hours away)   I had several things I thought I would be accomplishing while he was gone.  However, at 7:05 he came in asking, "Would you like to ride along?"   Many years ago I made the commitment that when asked me to ride somewhere with him I would!  So I quickly smiled saying,  "Sure let me grab my shoes, a book and a quilting magazine."   The reading material is for when he is sitting in the sales barn watching the steers sell and I am sitting in the truck.  I have learned that it is a great time for us to talk and he shows me the things he sees each time he goes.   It is really one of the things we have missed after I returned for my second teaching career 12 years ago.

The best part is he always stops at the Cheese Store in Alpha.  They make their own cheese.  It is shipped world wide.  He always buys fresh cheddar cheese curds--the kind that squeak when you bite them!  Plus they have awesome ice cream cones.  Where is the rule that you can't eat ice cream at 9:00 in the morning.

Today he didn't wait for the steers to sell. We got back home about 11:15.  He is off to an "Answer Plot-Knowledge Event" field day about 45 minutes south.  (For non farmers- they are sponsored by seed, fertilizer, chemical companies to check their test plots- as to what works most efficiently and economically yet with the greatest yield and production)   Plus they have free lunch and a time for the guys to talk!

Now--I will tackle some of the work I thought I would be doing at 7:00!  I did work on quilting projects yesterday after church.--I will post pictures later!

Have a great day!
Linda

What happens when you don't like it?

I saw this   Christmas Tree Skirt on the Fat Quarter Shop website.  I thought it looked festive and would make a great gift.  I ordered the complete kit and pattern.  (Happy Holidays by Atkinson Designs) On the pattern there are three sizes.  I need a quick gift for a friend.  Since I have red, white and blue fabric--and really like the table runner I made with same fabric. I decided to make the smallest version.



     I wanted to use three colors instead of four.  The red was supposed to be two colors. This is the result.  I think I will use the blue for the binding.  Maybe I should add a red or blue border to it-then the binding.  Currently it is 20" X 23".  It needs a good pressing yet.  It called for using a 60 deg. ruler.  I used my Tri Tool Ruler. It was quick and easy to make.

Any suggestions???????????  Maybe it is one of those where I need to put it away for a few days- and then look at it later.  

Could be the cool-cloudy weather????

Have a great weekend!

Linda

Love being a Grandma! And project progress

First things first I was privileged to have grandson Cole  this morning. DIL-#1 had to go into work  for a couple of hours.  She asked if I would be able to have Cole. He is 7 weeks now, smiling and starting to talk.  It was the first time away from his mom.  First time taking a bottle.  He was here for four hours and he did great! She needs to go in again next Tuesday and I will be able to have him again.

On Tuesday night I worked on the projects I had started.  I sewed the binding around this tree skirt. I have to sew in the center  binding yet, then finish the  binding with hand sewing. I am actually going to label this piece.  I have never put labels on anything before.   It is a long story--short version--I have a relative who labels EVERYTHING with her name-date-on the front of any project.  She made sure she had credit for everything.  I didn't want to be like her.  A friend convinced me that labeling a quilt is different.

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The second skirt I sewed on the outside border.  Then I finished sewing on the border of the table runner and did the quilting.  This binding I will also finish with hand sewing.  It is a gift for a friend who leads our small group on Wednesday nights.  I 'm going out now to "help" DH for a "couple of minutes".  On a farm their "couple of minutes" usually turns into at least an hour.
Take care!
Linda

Productive First Day

The first day of no school.  I had the curtains and sheers off the living and dining room windows by 7:00.  I started washing windows.  A friend told me that the outside Windex Window set works great.  I think I will look for one on Tuesday. 

I spent the next hour doing farm book work-paying bills, deposit, and sending invoices.

From 9:50 until 12:00 I spent in the dentist chair.  That was not a pleasant part of the day--but it is over!  I am a chicken and always take the nitrous oxide when offered.

I had planned on driving 20 miles to the nearest Walmart, Farm  & Fleet, Menards, Penny's and Herbergers.  ( I couldn't have made the trip without stopping at The Busy Bobbin) However, with half of my face numb from Novocaine,  I decided to work at home and completed the afternoon by mowing lawn. 

DIL#2 stopped on her way home from work.  I was just leaving to rescue DH who had run out of gas 3 miles from home with Son's truck hauling water and chemicals.  (Son had said he could make it 30 miles when it was on "E" he made 5 ). She left Grandson #1  who rode with me to the rescue.   Grandson wanted to play with Granddaughter #1--so we hoped on the 4 wheeler and took the path around the corn field to spend  45 minutes with the Princess, 6 week old grandson #2 and DIL#1.   A couple of hours later we drove him home and  we saw Granddaughter #2.
So it was a good day!  Sometime a different type of busy is relaxing!

Linda

School's Out!

Summer is here!  I hesitate to call it "vacation"--It is more like changing jobs.  I will admit it is much better now that our dairy herd has been gone for a year.  Before I would switch my school clothes for my barn clothes.  DH and I would go out  where I would help milk, feed calves, and a variety of other daily chores.  I usually always helped with evening chores during the school year and on weekends, but once summer came I helped with every milking. I often  told people the  first mistake I made when marrying a farmer was to learn to milk!

This summer I have to clean my house thoroughly!  After almost a year of the road construction in my front yard everything needs a deep clean.  Monday I plan to take down the draperies and start in the living and dining rooms.

Scheduled for this summer(so far) -in addition to the usual bridal showers, weddings, and baby showers:
*One week in June I will be taking a one credit class for school.
*One week in August I will leading VBS at church.   We are using material from Go Fish called  "Backstage with the Bible".  Each day is set up as a Concert.
*I have offered each DIL to take each set of grandkids one day per week.
* Hopefully, DH and I will take a few days for a vacation away from home.  Last year was our first vacation in our 35 years of marriage.  We went to Glacier Park.

Of course,  I plan to make  time for quilting!

Have a great weekend!
Linda

Creating unfinished projects!

#1 New unfinished project. Last week at night I needed to unwind and just plain sew!! I had purchased a set of six red, white and blue fat quarters at Thimbles Quilt Shop this winter.  I pulled them out three of them  thinking I could make a table runner either for me or as a gift.  Things went pretty well until I needed the two longer borders.  I was short 4 inches!!!! I went on line and was able to find the same fabric.  It should arrive this week!  Of course!  I did order a bit more than I really needed!  How else am I to build up my stash--and if I ordered just a little more it was free shipping!  I couldn't pass up that deal!  Think of all the  money I saved!!

#2 Last winter when DH was in the hospital I had taken  cutting supplies and fabric for my week stay at the hotel.  One of the projects I started work on was the "Poky Little Puppy" quilt I had found in the Fons & Porter Fall 2009 Baby Quilts. I "fussy cut" the puppies.  I found the tote with the fabric and decided to work on it.  I had forgotten that I had not been able to purchase one of the required colors.  (the smallest  blue squares and inner border was supposed to be green)  No problem--I would substitute!  I ran out of inner border fabric. I have the outer border and backing fabric.  Once again, I went on line and found the fabric  I need to finish the binding. And of course--again a little extra fabric I just couldn't resist.

#3  I still needed to sew.  I have four wedding coming up which need Christmas Tree skirts.  I made one from this  pattern last fall for Monica and Eric's wedding.  I pulled out the fabric to start another one.  As I was looking through the fabrics to cut the "logs" from.  I found enough logs already cut.   I sewed  up the center square and I'm ready to start sewing the logs.

 This is the last week of school!  We are finished at noon on Friday! Whoo Hoo!  My list of things that need to be cleaned or worked on this summer keeps growing.  I think I will reward myself.  With each completed job I will spend time sewing!

Have a great week!
Linda

A History Lesson-Tradition Since 1868

 This morning my blogging friend, Maria from Dongara WA Australia, asked what veteran the American Memorial day honored  .  As I thought about it- I remembered that my grandparents called it "Decoration Day".  I thought for years it was because it was when people decorated the graves.  It was several years later that I realized it was more.  So this morning,  I started looking for the real background.  This is what I  found. Is is from the

"It seems with each passing generation we lose a little more of our consciousness of this nation's history. True, if asked why we celebrate Memorial Day most could give a vague surface answer, "To honor the men and women who died while serving our nation." But understanding how this day came about helps to give a greater appreciation of the celebration.

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day came about at the end of the Civil War, in 1868. According to General Order No. 11 given by General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic on May 5, 1868:

"The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit."

The US Memorial Day site states it this way: "Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all."
There has been much debate over the years as to where the day actually had its beginnings. The "official" birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, NY—at least that's what was determined by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966. It was chosen due to the fact that in 1866 the people had designated their celebration as an annual event in which even businesses closed, and young and old alike placed flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers.
But historical evidence actually points to multiple points of origin, and there are several cities in both the North and the South who laid claim to that designation. In the three years following the Civil War groups of people in various communities would gather in cemeteries to decorate the graves with flowers in honor of their fallen loved ones.
The first official observation of Memorial Day was observed in Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868 in a ceremony that honored over 20,000 Confederate and Union soldiers. It is still celebrated at Arlington to this day.
It took several years, until 1890, for the holiday to be adopted by the Northern states, but it wasn't until after the First World War that the South began to recognize it, and only then after the holiday was changed to recognize men and women killed while fighting in any war. Several southern states continue to celebrate a separate Memorial Day for their Confederate dead.
In 1971, in order to assure a three day weekend for federal workers, a bill was signed changing Memorial Day from the 30th of May to the last Monday in May. However, in recent years there has been a move to try to change the observance back to its original date in hopes of reviving the solemn and reverent attitude in which the celebration was originally intended."