Retreat Day 3

Today I put together six blocks of Klaudeen Hansen's pattern, Stepping Stones. I already had the pieces cut and I have to find more of the background fabric before proceeding. I'm very pleased with  the fabrics I selected.

I'll post another photo when I finish the top.

Retreat Day 2

I see that my photo from yesterday's post has not posted. I'm doing this from my iPad and will try to redo when I get home. But I'm going to keep plugging away.  I have since gone back and added the photos.  Check it out.

In 2014 I took a class from Bonnie Hunter at Mountain Quiltfest called Jamestown Landing.  I've worked on it off an on since then. Last May I finished all the broken dishes blocks while here at Grand Oaks. 

It's time to get the string blocks done. So I pulled out the strings and sewed away most of the day.  

These are untrimmed and will measure 4 1/2" square

Grand Oaks Retreat Day 1

Arrived at Grand Oak Retreat around 2:00 yesterday afternoon.  After unloading, unpacking and setting up my sewing station I started working on sewing stack-a-posey blocks.

to surround the Fiesta Star Wall Quilt I made from one of Klaudeen Hansen's classes taught at Mountain Quiltfest in March.  I'm adding blocks around the center to make a larger quilt.

I have a ways to go yet, but it's a start.

National Quilt Museum

Last week was the AQS Quiltweek in Paducah, KY. While there, I was available to participate in a book signing for the New Quilts from an Old Favorite Flying Geese. Getting to see the 18 quilts hanging in the Museum's special exhibit was breathtaking.

Colleen, the quilter and Judy, the piecer. 

Christmas and Mystery Update!

My Jim Shore Collection

Our Christmas was very quiet and relaxing.  Our tradition is to go next door to see what Santa brought three of our granddaughters, Leah, Rachel and Marlee.  (Now 24, 20, and 11!)  And we get a delicious breakfast, too!  Thanks to our daughter, Laurie.

This year we went to church.  One service, and the sanctuary was packed with families worshiping together on the morning of our Savior's birth.  

Then our second Christmas morning tradition, to visit our daughter-in-law and three more grandchildren. (Mary Claire - 15, Grey - 11 and Cooper - 7)  Then it was back home.

January 1, 2009

This was the last time all of the grandchildren were here at one time.  We now have two college graduates, five in college, a senior...and the youngest wasn't even born yet!  (and yes, I know what grade they all are in plus their birthdays, and their names!)

En Provence Clue #5

I have stayed caught up with Bonnie Hunter's Mystery this year!  Guess being retired does have it's perks!  Today is the Mystery Link-up where you can go visit the others who are participating and see what progress they are making.  The next clue will be on Friday!  Wonder if we'll finally get to the green and gold fabrics?

Until next time....

Quiltcam and Soaring to New Heights!!

I was checking Facebook and saw where Bonnie was doing an impromptu Quiltcam this afternoon.  I was in the process of pressing and trimming my 80 step four triangle in a square blocks. I am now caught up until Friday!!  Check out all the progress Link-ups to the En Provence Mystery here.

I received some very good news on Friday.  My friend, Colleen Eskridge and I collaborated on an entry for the New Quilts from an Old Favorite Flying Geese Contest for 2017.  I pieced the top and Colleen quilted it.  We call it "Soaring to New Heights".

Photographed by Amy Graber

We won the Third Place ribbon.  The 18 quilts that were accepted for the contest will be on display at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky from March 31 thru June 20, 2017.  Then they will be in a traveling exhibit for several months.

Each year for the past 24 years, I have made Christmas ornaments for my children and grandchildren.  Since they are getting older, (we can't blame ME for getting older!!) I only made ornaments for the grands this year.

Fabric Star Ornament

betzwhite.com

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!  Hope to have more to post next week.  Until then...

En Provence and Quilting

I didn't think I had much to post today until I started looking at the most recent photos on my iPhone.  First, my progress on Bonnie Hunter's latest Mystery, En Provence...

I'm using all Bonnie's color suggestions except I'm using a coral in place of the magenta.

One of my grandson's asked me the first of the year that if he bought the material, would I make him an Alabama quilt.  I agreed as long as he didn't have a definite date he wanted it by.  He agreed and I have finished the top and back.  I'm getting it long-arm quilted so I'll show it when it's completed.  His birthday is in January so I should have it done in time.  I had some fabrics left over so I asked him if he would like me to make his dad an Alabama throw size quilt that could be from him for Christmas.  His mom (my daughter) and sister got in on the deal so I completed this quilt...

They couldn't wait until Christmas so they gifted it to him yesterday...

I think he likes it!

Emily had a school project where she had to interview me, then also make a quilt block.  When she received the due date for the quilt block, there was no time for me to help her with it so her mom, my daughter, Jennifer, stepped in.  She had to purchase a mat, rotary cutter, ruler and fat quarters.  She cut and Emily sewed.  I think it turned out pretty good...

Emily with her quilt block.

I think the quilt bug may have nibbled a little because the next thing I knew, Jennifer had decided she wanted to make a baby quilt as a gift for a friend who is expecting in February.  She texted me fabric choices on Saturday to get my opinion/approval, bought the needed fabrics and other supplies and sent this picture yesterday of the completed top!  

Way to go Jennifer!!

I've been sick with a terrible cold the past several days so I am way behind on stuff I need to do...like finish the Christmas Ornaments for the Grands!!  I'll post all about them next time...