Saturday, August 28, 2010

Pillowcase Assembly Line

My friend Suzanne came over today for Roger to work on her truck.  Mom also came over so we decided to cut out some pillowcases.

This is part of our work from just a few hours this afternoon.  We were able to cut out 45 pillowcases!  We pulled fabrics from my stash, some mom brought and Suzanne brought fabric also.  It was such fun putting these together.  I found fabric in my stash that I forgot I had.  Suzanne had taken a class with Kay England this week and Kay said that we all needed to hull our stashes and use it for charity quilts and charity projects.  That's exactly what we did today.  I'm sure I still have a lot of fabric stashed that will look great as pillowcases for the kids at Shriner's.  I can't wait until we see the excitement in the eyes of those kids when they pull their very own pillowcase from the Christmas Stocking.  We pulled fabric for little boys, little girls and some beautiful one's for the older kids also.  Since Shriner's Hospital serves children until they are 18 years old, we picked some fabric that the teenagers would enjoy also.  We are all blessed with such abundant stashes of fabric, and how wonderful it is to share that blessing.

Inside each folded pillowcase body is the accent and cuff piece.  They are ready to be sewn.  Suzanne took some home with her to sew, mom took some and I kept some to finish.

It is hard to believe that we were able to put this many kits together so quickly.  Thanks Mom & Suzanne for all the work and fun of putting these together.  I am blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.

Happy Quilting,
Shelia

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Pillowcases for Shriner's Hospital For Children

My ladies organization which helps support Shriner's Hospital For Children sews different items for the Greenville Unit hospital every year.  Each year we make Christmas Stockings for the children who are there at Christmas time.  We donate items to stuff the stockings with and then present them to the Children in the hospital. 
This year I have a personal challenge to donate 60 pillowcases to be put into the stockings.   I have asked some of my bee friends to help if they can.  Below is a picture of some of the pillowcases I am working on today.  I have 7 pillowcases already cut out and one already sewn together. 

This is the first completed pillowcase.

So cute with it's little race cars on it.  I think some little boy will be very happy when he pulls this out of his stocking.  Those smiles are worth it all!!

I am also donating some fabric to the sewing team.  For each 1- 1/2 yard piece of fabric we can make a draw sheet for the child's bed.  They love all of the beautiful cotton fabric and bright colors.  It dresses up their beds from the drab hospital linens.  The family takes the draw sheet with them when they leave. 

I will have to work hard to complete this challenge. Anyone interested in helping just let me know.


Happy Quilting,
Shelia

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Family Time

Rance & Olivia arrived on Wednesday August 11th.  We were thrilled to have them here.  Rance has a beautiful, sweet wife and we are proud to have her in the family. 

Olivia, Roger and Rance
We were able to do a lot of different things with them.  On Thursday afternoon we went to the new IMAX theatre in Simpsonville.  We saw Inception.  It was a wind, fast paced movie.  I think it is on of those that you can see many times and still see something new each time.  The IMAX experience is something else.  You feel like you are actually in the movie because of the huge screen!
Olivia and I did some shopping Thursday morning.  We had a great time.  Rance and Roger toured the new garage.  Rance loved what his dad had done.
On Friday morning we left for Myrtle Beach.  Olivia had never seen the beach before.  Traffic was a little hairy at times, and HOT HOT HOT!  We stayed at the Palace Resort.  Our two bedroom suite had two balconies with views of the ocean.  We were on the 23rd floor!  You know I don't like heights.  I almost puked when I stepped out onto the balcony with Roger.  Too high for me.  A storm rolled through on Friday night and cooled things down a bit. 
We arrived early enough to go down to the beach and walk prior to sunset.  It was beautiful.  Olivia was so surprised at how beautiful it was.  We stayed up late Friday night playing cards and talking.  What wonderful time together.

Rance, Shelia and Olivia
Saturday it was overcast so not too hot.  We spent the morning on the beach getting bashed by the waves.  The winds were too strong for parasailing so we opted to play on the beach.
Rance and Olivia wanted to see the Dixie Stampeed so we booked the 8pm show.  During the afternoon we spend walking the boardwalk, seeing the Bowery (where Alabama got their start) and shopping.
While eating a snack I dropped food on my shirt (the one I was wearing to the Dixie Stampeed) so I needed to find another shirt while shopping.  We stopped at the outlet mall.  I found a great sale at Old Navy and purchased several shirts.  When leaving I walked into a sports shop where we found some Florida Gator stuff and then I spotted a Denver Bronco's shirt.  (Tebow is now playing NFL for the Bronco's).

Oliva, Rance, Shelia and Roger
As you can see, everyone else also liked the shirt I found, so we decided to wear them to the Dixie Stampeed.  We didn't have any trouble finding each other at the stadium.  We had a great time and the show was wonderful.
We returned home on Sunday the 15th.  Mom and Dad came up and we all grilled out steaks.  We had a grea time together and all six of us played cards until late.  Mom and Rance kicked our butts in rummy.

Monday night we took Rance and Olivia to Kampi Tokyo, a japanese steakhouse here in Greenville.  We had great food and our chef did a wonderful job.  Olivia had never been to this type of restaurant.  They gave here real chop sticks as a souvenier. 



Tuesday was spent getting things ready for their return home.  We sure hated to see them go.  What a wonderful week.  Now we have to get back to work so we can plan another fun gathering.  Maybe next time all the kids and grandkids can be here at the same time. 

My quilt guild show is coming up soon.  I have got to get things done to enter into the show.  So much to do and so little time left.  The flyer for our show is beautiful.  We will have a special exhibit honoring our veterans.  I can't wait to see all of the beautiful patriotic quilts.
Guess I better get busy and get my entries completed.  I must have my entry forms to our registration chairman by Sept. 7th.  And I won't turn in the form if I don't have the item completed.
Happy Quilting,
Shelia

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Working on My Challenge Project for Guild

Susan is in charge of our Guild Challenge this year and our theme is Circles of Creativity.  Our challenge is to design, create and complete a quilted project from one of the two circles of fabric we were given.  The "quilt" must be turned in at the September 2010 meeting.  We can use both circles but only one is required.  The circle used for inspiration MUST be included on the back of the quilt if it is not used on the front, along with a description of how it was influential in your creation of the design of your quilt on the label.
This is the one of the circles of fabric I received and the one I am using for my challenge project. 

I'm picking out fabric from my stash today to work on the project.  The colors are beautiful.  So watch later on for how the project is coming along.   I can't show you my draft pictures at this time.......shhhhhh.   But later I will show hints.

Last night I attended the beautiful memorial service for my dear friend Antoinette.  She has a wonderful family........My friend you will be truly missed.
Happy Quilting today,
Shelia