Thursday, May 30, 2013

it's my turn! Say it with flowers blog hop and a give away!

hi everyone!  this has been a really fun hop, hope you have enjoyed it so far.   i sure have.  Thanks to  Madame Sam and our cheerleader, Carol

I love flowers.  Love the looks, love the smells, just love them.  Do I have a green thumb?  hmmmmm, no.  NO!  My mother, my sister, my Aunt, my Grandmother, yes.  Me, no.  sigh..... 

Funny story, I love roses.  my backyard has, lots of yellow rose bushes, pinks, reds, peach roses. I neglect them.  I never feed them. I hardly ever dead head them. And they grow crazy.  right now some of them are over 7 foot tall.  They do get pruned every January, because the garden guys do it for me.  I am bad.  But I just don't like working in the garden. 

I started to look around my home.  Lots of flowers in my home too! 

 
This is a red work quilt I made a few years ago.  It's from Alex Anderson.  It hangs in my guest bath.  I just love it!

This is a kaleidoscope quilt, again from several years ago.  the fabric had great big roses! 

I even have Mary Englebright playing cards! 

And my current project called My Blessings.  Not quite ready to share that yet.  Soon. 


So, there are lots of flowers in my life! 

i have been on one big adventure here.  A couple of years ago i swapped some blocks with friends.  our goal was to make a triple Irish Chain quilt.  oh be still my heart!  i made lots of blocks.  i even joined a swap for 1.5' squares. Several swaps.  i made my top and added the borders.  and then it was put away, in a safe place.  A very safe place.  So safe i can't find it!!!!!  Mercy..... 

I wanted to applique flowers and stems in the border.  i thought this would be the perfect time.  So change of plans...

my friend Vicki suggested this book she found in my quilting room!  Down to Earth  I love Barri Sue Daudet!  She use to come to Phoenix every January to the show that is held at the state fair grounds.  I really miss her! 

Now, you know Vicki and I are always finding fun things for us to do.  I think she wanted to do something from this book and just hooked me in!  LOL...  But I needed a project and I loved the book.  I bought it right?  who knows how long it's been sitting around in my quilting palace waiting to be used!  So I started....  Then I came up with "Vicki if you make this, I can post pics on same pattern, two different ways!  Well we both got them done.  I do believe this is the first project we have ever started that finished so quickly. 

Here is Vicki's Mat.  it's needle turned and made with all batik fabrics.  she used buttons for the middle of the flowers. 

 
Here is mine.  Made with mostly wool.  The two circles in the middle are cotton and fused with buttonhole.  I added the buttons to the middle of each flower.  This really worked up fast.  Thank goodness.  It was fun to do.  Now to find the perfect place for it. 

 
 
So now for the give away.  I have a Nancy Halverson Panel and some green little scissors with flowers on them, of course. 
 
To win, you must be a follower.  Please leave a comment.  I will choose on June 4th. 
 
Good luck everyone!
 
 


And since I know you haven't gotten enough about flowers, please go see what the other hoppers are up to.  You won't be disappointed!  Promise! 



A Little Bit of Lorene - you are here!















Sunday, May 26, 2013

Sewing with Friends

Hi everyone!  It's a very good day when I can sew the day away.  what makes it even more fun, is when I get to sew with friends!  We missed you Mardi!

Cyndi, Toni and I got to sew and have some show and tell. 

Cyndi and I were in a swap a couple of years ago.  She finished her top!  My top is done too, still not quilted though.  

 
Cyndi made us all the cutest pin cushion!  I love finding objects and turning them into pincushions.  Well done Cyndi!

 
Cora and Hudson turned 1 this month.  And they are in the sippy cup stage of life.  That means it gets dropped - a lot!  So I thought I would make these.  talk about easy!!  AND fast!!!  Thanks to this great tut:  make it love it

 
Toni finished her Barn quilt.  Jodi Driver quilted it.  LOVE it!! it is so beautiful.   Great job Toni! 


I was working on another project.  can't show it yet.  It's for Say it with flowers blog hop that starts next week.  I love it and it turned out really well, I think it did! 

Oh, if you haven't voted yet, please go to Quilter's Gallery  to go vote.  My quilt is Red work flower garden.  Thank you sooo much!

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Stash Report Time - On time!!!

Hi Everyone!  weeks are just flying by.  I have lots of things to report.  Yeah!  that means things are getting done.  Which is a very good thing indeed. 

Bobbins used this week: 2
Bobbins used year to date: 38
Thread spools used this week:  0
Thread spools used year to date:  2
Fabric used this week: 19 1/8 yards

Fabric used year to date: 66 1/8 yards
Fabric added this week: 2 yards

Fabric added year to date: 93 1/4 yards

Net fabric add for 2013:  30 1/8 yards

UFOs finished this week:7

UFOs finished year to date: 33

Update of fab 4:  pick new for May
Pink, brown, and green qlt

Christmas Amy Bradley
Blue and gold basket
All about me with TB

 
New projects started:  1 new project.  a wool table mat for the upcoming bloghop - say it with flowers.  finished!
 

Postcard cuties for winter:  all twelve blocks are done, top is together.  Just need to do the borders. 
Transition quilt:  started with Vicki.  quilt is quilted, binding is on, just doing the hand part now. 
Hexie project with Vicki.  3 done 
Lady bug Twister - everything cut and sewn together.  now I need to cut apart and resew.  

 
5 spider table mats 2 yrs old
 
Machine quilted sampler from a class I took - probably a year old

 
My mom's 2nd quilt.  A year old.  Love it! 


Now, to work on some more projects! 

Friday, May 24, 2013

Please vote!

Hi Everyone!  Have you ever been to  quilting gallery  ?  Every week they have a contest for quilts.  This week the theme is flowers.  I have the perfect quilt for it.  It's my Red Work Flower Garden.  we did this a couple of years ago in red work group.  I love this quilt.  I have it hanging in my guest bathroom.  Jodi Driver quilted it for me.  love, love, love it! 

so if you are so inclined, please go and vote for me.  if not, that's ok too.  but go and look at all the awesome quilts.  the only thing is, I put the picture in side ways!  oops....  The voting lasts for a week.....  Thanks!

hugs.....


Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Oh McD's how we love thee!

This past weekend Melissa, Glen and Lee wanted to go and see the new Star Trek movie.  So Bruce and I got to babysit the grands!  So where did we go?  McD's so they could play! 

we found out that Hudson LOVES French fries!




 
We were able to get Zoe and Gunner to sit long enough to eat, then off they went to play.  Then ice cream was in order.  Yum!  I think Gunner is trying to wink, lol....



We did learn one more thing.  You know the little tiny child cones they give out?  Well, it wasn't enough for Hudson.  he ate the whole thing.  And wanted more! 

Now when the movie was over and they came to collect the grands, Melissa and I went and had some special time. 

 

I had a pedicure, sigh, bliss, heaven, perfect!  Melissa had her nails done.  We did have some excitement.  I dropped my phone in the water.  shhhhhhh, please don't tell my husband, or my son, or my son in laws.  They might give me a hard time since this, maybe, isn't the first time.  Well, this is the first time at the nail shop.  I maybe, have dropped it a time or two into water, or washer, or a drink.  Maybe.  But no one is counting are they?  it's not a habit or anything, really. 

Then, off to Nando's for some yummy Mexican food.  we were celebrating Barbie's birthday.  It was nice to visit, laugh and enjoy good food all together. 

It was a good day! 

hugs....


Monday, May 20, 2013

Gunner Graduates!

Hi everyone!  Our little Gunner has graduated kindergarten.  Amazing!  Not that we were worried.  He is a very smart little guy.  It's that he is growing up.  All my grands are getting older.  So many changes are happening for them all.  Our third oldest grandson is waiting for his paper work for his mission call.  Our first grandchild to go on a mission.  We are truly blessed.

Anyway,  Gunner's school has a computer program for the kids.  It's called Success Maker. There are 3 levels to the program:  bronze, copper and gold.  The 6th grade and kindergarten class finished the program.  That meant that they had learned what they were suppose to learn for the year.  Awesome!  Well, the kids wanted more, so they had to come up with 3 more levels.  The kids came up with platinum, titanium, and diamond.  I would say that 3/4 of the class attained diamond.  unbelievable!  that meant they had exceeded a year past what they were to learn.  The principle counted to see which class had more diamonds. the 6th grade or the kindergarten classes.  I think there are 4  classes in each of those grades.  Gunner's class won with the most Diamonds.  That is one smart class!  We all are so proud of all those kiddos and their accomplishments.

They had a sweet program, the kids sang, the principle talked.  handed out certificates.  They all looked so very precious. 

Gunner and mommy

 
Our graduate! 


Hope I got all the facts straight. 

Hugs...


Sunday, May 19, 2013

Stash Report Time!

Hi Everyone!  I missed my stash report last week.  sorry about that.  so here you go!!! 


Bobbins used this week: 7
Bobbins used year to date: 36
Thread spools used this week:  0
Thread spools used year to date:  2
Fabric used this week: 0
Fabric used year to date: 47 yards
Fabric added this week: 10 3/4 yards

Fabric added year to date: 91 1/4 yards

Net fabric add for 2013:  47 1/4 yards

UFOs finished this week:0

UFOs finished year to date: 27

Update of fab 4:  pick new for May
Pink, brown, and green qlt

Christmas Amy Bradley
Blue and gold basket
All about me with TB

 
New projects started:  1 new project.  a wool table mat for the upcoming bloghop - say it with flowers.  just need to do the binding!

 

Postcard cuties for winter:  all twelve blocks are done
Transition quilt:  started with Vicki.  quilt is quilted, binding is on, just doing the hand part now. 
Hexie project with Vicki.  3 done 
Lady bug Twister - everything cut and sewn together.  now I need to cut apart and resew.  

these are the two tops I finished this week.  Both are projects with Vicki.  The socks one I also exchanged blocks with Thornberries.  Sooooo many socks!  The goal for Vicki and I is to have the sock quilted and ready to bind by the time we get together again - sometime this summer. 


This week will be good in the finished UFO pile.  I just finished binding 5 little table toppers.  just need to add some buttons.  I also have 2 quilts to bind and a wool table topper to bind.  looking good!!! 

hugs.....





Friday, May 17, 2013

Hello, Goodbye

Hi everyone!  I love going to my grandchildren activities.  I love to watch them shine!  

Monday night, Lexi had her last baton performance.  she told me that she had a secret, and I had to come.  hmmmm, what could the secret be?  




 This is the group dance.  straight back with one leg up.  her baton in the air.  yep, she caught it.  The music included some Beatles music.  Was this the secret?  no.  

A solo?  Yep!  Beatles music?  hello goodbye?  yep!  Lexi knows I love the Beatles.  we listen to it everyday I pick her up!  She did a great job!!!  Thank you Lexi!  love you sweetie!

 Bruce, Lexi and I. 
 
 Grandma Carnes surprised Lexi by coming.  

Lexi girl,  thanks for inviting us!  it was wonderful!!!!  

 


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Yipeeee!!!

I love surprises!  And my hubby loves to surprise me!  Yeah, he is a keeper!  

We have been talking about getting a new laptop.  our old tower is getting finicky and tempermental.  and frustrating!  we have been talking about replacing it.  I really wanted a laptop.  Well we were at Costco last weekend.  I said, why don't we check out the computers!  we looked, and asked questions then went on with our shopping.  

Well, my friend Vicki comes to visit.  And hubby tells me that a package is coming for me.  He knows I get like a little kid at Christmas.  I can hardly stand it.  So everyday I am watching and waiting.  While we are at lunch, a package comes.....  We come home, and i start to open it.  the outside says lithium batteries.  What flowers comes with batteries?  This is what i see:

What is it?  Then the light gets turned on!  IT'S A COMPUTER!!!!  a laptop!  Thank you sweetie!  Later, there were flowers, a beautiful card and Ferrero Rocher - Yum!  

I think some screaming was involved.  

I love my Hubby!  

hugs....
  


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Vicki from Vegas

Hi everyone!  Good friends are treasures.  Old good friends are gold.  

Background:  back in 1997, Bruce was transferred to Las Vegas. We were living in California. I had taken a quilt class while living in CA.  it was a major disaster.  A horrible experience.  i was so disappointed.  I had always wanted to quilt.  We got involved in moving, so quilted was pushed aside.  

While in Vegas,  I received a calling in our ward to organize tying quilts in the evening monthly meeting for Relief Society.  I didn't know how to quilt.  and had had a bad experience. sigh.....  panic!  The ladies at Desert Industries helped build my confidence.  and I caught the bug.  I discovered online groups of quilters.  In comes Vicki, so very helpful.  got me in touch with the guild there.  We started talking all the time.  

We were only in Vegas for 11 months.  Such a short time.  But since we moved back to AZ.  Vicki and I have continued our friendship.  for years we have met during the summer and whenever we can.  This time it was her turn to come here.  We always have such a great time.  We swap ideas and blocks all the time. 

While she was here, Cyndi had a birthday.  We had celebrated her birthday last week.  Well, Cyndi's hubby works out of town a lot.  So she wouldn't have to be alone on her birthday, we all went out to lunch.  So here is Vicki, me, Cyndi, and Monica.  We laughed a lot.  
 
It's been awhile since we have had a picture of the two of us.    


during our sewing binge, Vicki finished the fa la la pillow top.  Mine - not done.  

About a year ago, I saw this sock quilt on Pots and Pins.  We fell in love with the quilt.  We decided to trade socks.  Well, the gals in Thornberries saw what we were doing and wanted to swap too.  so socks everywhere!  

 We just need to add two borders.  

One things we really wanted to do was quilt the Transition quilt tops we did up in March in Williams.  Mine is the bottom and Vicki is the top.  They really look different from each other.  My lines are going in and her lines are going out.    

 They are both quilted, just need the binding.  Yeah!

 Now Vicki LOVES coffee.  and Starbucks.  She talked me into a frappe.  no coffee.  Strawberries and cream.  ohhhhhh my,  yummy!  cool, refreshing.  I will go back!  thanks Vicki!  

It was a great week.  I bought some fabric for future projects we are dreaming up.  But I think we were good girls.  We had a couple of stops at some quilt stores, Ikea, lunch with friends and lots of sewing time.  It was a great week!  Come again friend!  

hugs... 

Monday, May 13, 2013

Happy Mother's Day!

Hi Everyone!  Hope you all have had a wonderful day!  I sure have!  I heard from all the kiddos.  Love you all.....

Mother's Day was celebrated at my sister's home.  It was great to see everyone.  My Aunt Gloria gave me lots of old pictures.  I will share later.  

This is a picture of my Mother in law, Joyce, me and my Mom.  I am one lucky gal! My mother leaves 5 - 10 minutes away. I love living so close.  I appreciate the fact that we can get together and play.  I always have a great time with my Mom.  She has a great sense of humor.  and we always laugh.  She is a beautiful, elegant lady.  My other blessing is that my Mother in law lives with us.  She moved in a couple of years ago.  we did a remodel and she has her own apartment.  She has always shown love towards me.  I am truly blessed because Mom 1 and Mom 2 get along wonderfully.  How lucky can a girl get?

One of our daughters and sons spent the day with us.  My favorite thing is t be around my children.  the only thing better is when grandchildren are involved.  So it was a perfect day.  


Darn, I didn't get any other pictures.  Thanks to everyone for such a wonderful day.  Love you all........

hugs...


Monday, May 6, 2013

Stash Report Time

My goodness, this week flew by!  mercy!  i didn't get as much done as i had hoped.  i did buy some fabric.  But it's the silver fabric for ironing.  I am trying to write up a tut on covering a snack table.  Wish me luck!  

so here it goes!  

Bobbins used this week: 2
Bobbins used year to date: 29

Thread spools used this week:  2
Thread spools used year to date:  2
Fabric used this week: 0
Fabric used year to date: 47
Fabric added this week: 45 7/8
Fabric added year to date: 80 1/2 yards

Net fabric add for 2013:  36 1/2 yards

UFOs finished this week:1
UFOs finished year to date: 27

Update of fab 4:  pick new for May
Pink, brown, and green qlt

Christmas Amy Bradley
Blue and gold basket
All about me with TB

 
New projects started:  nothing new started this week.

 

Postcard cuties for winter:  all twelve blocks are done
Transition quilt:  started with Vicki.  top is finished!
Hexie project with Vicki.  3 done 
Lady bug Twister - everything cut and sewn together.  now I need to cut apart and resew.  





Sunday, May 5, 2013

The Lion Sleeps Tonight.....

Hi Everyone!  The other night Bruce and i got to go to our grandson's final concert for the year.  Andrew is in the 3rd grade at Superstition Springs Elementary.  they have a fantastic choir there.  so very entertaining.  They had 11 songs.  they had strings to accompany them.  And the Highland High School percussion ensemble accompany them too!  

 The two songs was a mix of classical, modern and kazoos!  how fun is that!  Andrew is on the 2nd row with the sunglasses on his head.  

Another song was Step in Time from Mary Poppins.  the kids where dancing and having a great time.  
 
  Here i am with 2 of my favorite grandsons!  Andrew and Gunner.  

The choir director is Eva Hooper.  this was her last concert.  She is retiring!  She ran a great program.  it was very evident by the love and admiration all the children had for her.  

My favorite song was the lion sleeps tonight.  She had previous students come up from the audience to sing with the children.  

All in all a great night!  I love to watch my grands shine!!  and Andrew shone!  

hugs...