Where has December and 2010 Gone?

It is hard for me to believe that it is already December 29th.  Where has this year gone?  When you are young everyone is always telling you to slow down and enjoy your time because as you age time passes faster.  I guess I never really believed it until the past 10 years.  It is amazing how fast time passes now.  It seems like only yesterday that Roger and I married and it is almost 22 years now.  This is the time of year to reflect on your goals and reset those that you did not meet.  I feel blessed to have completed many of the goals we set for this year.
--We completed Roger's Garage
--We purchased the lift for the garage
--I was able to attend a national quilt show and take classes on longarm quilting (thanks to my wonderful husband and my birthday present)
--We are on our way to being debt free in 34 more months (what a blessing that will be to complete)
--We are blessed to still be able to help our parents each month.
--Mom and I have gotten to spend a lot of time quilting this year.  How amazing it is to see her patiently piecing away on her quilts.  How special it is to be able to spend time with her doing what we love.
--I am also blessed to have a wonderful quilt bee that always makes me laugh....laughter is great for the soul!!
--We are also blessed with wonderful children and precious grand children.....who in my opinion are growing up way too fast.  That is really when you realize how fast time is passing when you blink and see your oldest grand child turn 17!
--Precious friends who we have lost this year are still precious in our memories.
--New friends who we meet on our journies through the year become a light in your life.
--Blessings of a wonderful husband who is always there for you no matter how horrible your day has been, he can always remind you how special you are.  What a truly blessed woman I am.
--Oh yeah, I am thankful for the patience to cut out all of those tiny pieces needed for the Roll Roll Cotton Boll mystery quilt Bonnie Hunter is doing.  Mom is having a great time, just wait until she see's all those quarter square triangles she is getting.   He He He!!!
I wish for each of you a wonderful, blessed new year which gives you the time you need to pursue the passions of your heart!!
Happy New Year to everyone and many more years of Happy Quilting,
Shelia

She Really Hates The Cold Weather

My female cat, sissy (her real name is Cleopatra) really hates the cold weather.  It's 28 degrees outside and here she is hugging the heater vent. 

Even though she has a fur coat she will sit on the heater vent for hours.  Then she is off to bed to sleep on her quilt.  What a girl.

I finished cutting out part 6 of the mystery.  688 quarter square triangles (mine and mom's).  I'm taking my pieces with me to Florida tomorrow.  I hope to sew some while we are visiting Roger's mom.  Getting my car project ready to roll and everything else I hope to work on.

Hope you have a great day quilting.
Shelia

I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas

Wow, it has been 47 years since it snowed here on Christmas Day. 
Here is my side yard with snow, it's kinda dark already since it is 7:20 p.m. when I got home from work.  You can see the leland trees covered in snow and my sitting bench.  Beautiful.

 Next picture is of the parking lot at work as I was leaving.

Sue, one of my bee girls, sent me an e-mail with the following story.  I thought it was cute and wanted to share. 

 Quilter's Night Before Christmas Story

by Author Unknown

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,

The only one sleeping was Quilter's dear spouse.

The Log Cabin stockings were almost completed,

"Just a few stitches left," our sweet quilter repeated,

"Then I can hang them and head off to finish

the pillows I'm making, fulfilling Mom's wish

For something 'quilty' to put on her couch",

as she pricked her poor finger, our quilter yelled, "Ouch!"

When from out in the kitchen there arose such a crashing,

she sprang from her work, and she dropped all her sashing.

Away to the doorway she flew like a plane,

wondering just what was happening and who she could blame.

When what to her wondering eyes should appear,

but Old Mrs Claus and her bag of quilt-gear....

With her elves bearing gifts, through the kitchen she came,

she directed and pointed and called them by name.

"Now Elna, now Pfaff, now Bernina and Viking,

the Andover and Blue Hill should be just to her liking.

To the sewing room - there, it's just back of the hall,

now dash away, dash away, dash away all!"

"My Dear," said The Claus (as she liked to be called),

"There really is no need to worry at all.

Your projects will all be completed this night,

I'm terribly sorry we gave you a fright.

Sit down. Have some tea. It's relaxing, you'll see.

My friends and I've come a long way to help Thee."

She thought she was dreaming, our Dear Quilter did,

In fact she quite feared that she'd near flipped her lid!

But the flash of the needles and twist of the thread

soon gave her to know she had nothing to dread.

They spoke no more words, but went straight to their sewing.

How the work went so quickly she had no way of knowing.

The stitches, how tiny! The corners, how straight!

This Claus-woman's talent was awfully great.

They finished the pillows, then started a quilt.

Before they all knew it, the whole thing was built!..

Now old Mrs. Claus, she knew quilters real well,

and she knew they'd need help on this night most of all

So she said to our quilter, "Just move over, dear,

I've brought my own needle. We'll get done, never fear.

I told dear old Santa about what quilters do.

How they plan all these projects but have other work too.

So he taught me his magic for doing things fast.

There, that pillow's done. Now this is the last."

They tidied their thread snips, and picked up the scraps

and chased our dear quilters six cats from their laps.

They left behind gingerbread (just to be nice)

and the whole house smelled sweetly of Christmas and spice.

As they scurried away with their thimbles still gleaming

dear Mrs. Claus paused, her cap ribbons streaming.

"Merry Christmas, my dear, now just have a ball!

Relax and enjoy.  Happy Quilting to all!"

Merry Christmas everyone,
Shelia

Merry Christmas Everyone

Roger and I pray that each of you will have a safe and very Merry Christmas.  We are blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family in our lives.  God bless each of you.  Blessings that the New Year will bring you much happiness and lots of quilting time.
Happy Quilting,
Shelia & Roger

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring........oh but wait.....yes it's me stirring.  And what am I doing.......cutting out 688 quarter square triangles for the Roll Roll Cotton Boll mystery quilt.  Oh my!!  Yes another mystery part has been revealed and it involves a large amount of tiny  triangles to be cut.  These triangles are being cut from 1-inch strips.  This is really going to be an intricate quilt and I can't wait to see how miss Bonnie is going to have us put these together.  Mom continues to diligently work on piecing her parts.
I Hope that you will be able to settle down for a long winter's nap tonight.  We've had weather predictions of a white Christmas tomorrow.......it hasn't snowed on Christmas Day here since I was 3 years old........who knows!!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night,
Shelia

Look What's On It's Way To My House!

Cute as a button and she is on her way to my house now. 

Yes!!  My own little Featherweight machine.  YIPPIE!!

I have gotten 200 of my 600 half-square triangles pieced for the mystery quilt.  They are cute, but very little critters.
Hope that you have a great day quilting,
Shelia

A Completed Project

Friday night when the bee girls came over, Deb brought a project to share with us.  It is for an organizer.  She told us the directions.....which of course I had to write down and draw out my pattern....she cut my pieces out while I was transcribing what she was telling us.  Sunday evening I got my organizer pieced and it looks great.
Susan made hers while Deb was giving out the directions......miss over achiever....hehehehe!  But here are the pictures of my finished project.  You insert it into a plastic coffee container...ie., Folgers or Maxwell House.

The organizer has pockets on the inside and outside.  I think it is nifty for your sewing table.  As you can see I have already started loading things into the pockets.  Thanks Deb for a great project. 
Sue also brought us a project and I hope to be able to piece one sometime this week. 
Hope you have a great week quilting,
Shelia

Only Six Days Until Christmas!

Wow times sure does fly. I can't believe that it is only six days until Christmas. Both of my ER's where I work are doing Christmas Stockings this year.   They all look very festive hanging on the nurses station's.

 

My Bee Girls came over on Friday night and we had a blast.  This is Suzanne and Susan we were the last three and sewing and laughed until after midnight.  I sure needed the stress relief.  We also watched Jeff Dunham's Christmas CD, it was hilarious! 

Remember that mom and I are doing Bonnie Hunter's Roll Roll Cotton Boll mystery quilt.  I spent most of the evening and afternoon cutting out 2-inch strips of red and neutrals to make the 1200 (no typo) half-square triangle blocks needed for mom and I.  We each need 600 blocks.  Boy it is sure a good thing that Bonnie waited until clue number 5 to have us do these 600 blocks, otherwise I think I would have said.........no way!!

So far I have over 600 cut out, hopefully today I can complete the cutting process and so some piecing later.

Here is a close up of my stocking that is hanging at the Greer ER.  One little girl walked by the nurses station the other day while I was working and said to her mother..."Boy Santa really is coming here, look at all of the stockings he has to fill". 



Update from my ER visit.  Things are better now.  No further bleeding and I have a follow up with a gastroenterologist in January.  Hope you have a safe and festive week. 

Don't forget to work some quilting into your hussle and bussle.

Happy Quilting,

Shelia

Crazy Week

This has definately been a crazy week for us.  We started out the week doing some repairs at my mom and dad's house.  Faucet's leaking in the kitchen & bath.  Roger was able to replace both faucets for them.  It is wonderful having a husband who can fix anything.
Busy work week but I didn't anticipate becoming a patient in my own ER.  But God's blessing abound and I am doing much better now.  He reminds us often what is most important.  I am truly a blessed woman.  Thanks to my ER team for taking wonderful care of me during my stay.  You are the BEST!!
Mom and I are doing the mystery with Bonnie Hunter so we are still working on part 2 and part 3 just posted.  This should turn out to be a wonderful quilt.....you know how I like pink and brown!
I can't believe that it is December already.....times sure flies as we get older.  Today we are having my cousin Teresa and her family over to watch the SEC Championship game.  This should be a wonderful afternoon.
Many blessings to all,
Shelia

Gratitude

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.  Everything we do should be a result of our gratitude for what God has done for us.  That is a powerful statement. 

Everyday we are reminded how blessed we are to live in a country with freedom.  As I sit and contemplate on the blessings in my life I am filled with gratitude for everything that God has given me.  Today and tomorrow Roger and I are compiling a list of all the things we have to be thankful for.  I encourage everyone to do the same.  When problems arise it is always easy to get down and waller in the pitty of a situation.  But when you stop and remember all of the blessings that the Lord has bestowed up you it is hard to stay defeated. 

May God continue to bless each of you during the holiday season.  May you have many, many hours of peace pursuing your Quilting passion!
Happy Quilting,
Shelia

3:00 in the Morning

I've been up since 3:00 this morning.  Awoke at 2:00 with a bad headache so I chose to get up and take some excedrin so I didn't keep Roger awake tossing and turning.
Around 4:00 I was feeling better, but wide awake.....so I've been working on my Quiltville mystery challenge.  I started going through my 2-inch strips to find the pink and green needed for part one of the mystery.

I then started sewing as instructed pink/green/pink strip sets.  Now I am cutting some of the sets into 2-inch sections.

This is going to be a fun challenge and hopefully I will be able to stay pretty close to the clues being posted.....we'll see as the weeks go by.  Mom is coming today and bringing some of her pinks & greens so we can start on her sets also.
Happy Quil

Delicious Soup Recipe

Several months ago I fixed Taco Soup for my bee girls.  Everyone has asked for the recipe and I just kept forgetting to send it out.  So here it is. 

TACO SOUP

*2 pounds ground beef

*1 large onion, chopped

*1 can pinto beans

*1 can whole kernel corn, drained

*1 can stewed tomatoes-mexican style

*1 can Rotel tomatoes (I used mild)

*1 pkg. taco seasoning mix

*1 pkg. original hidden valley ranch dressing (dry)

*2-1/2 cups water or more, to make soup broth

*optional ingredients for serving:  Sour Cream, Shreaded cheese and Taco Chips

Preparation:

Brown ground beef and onions in a large pan, drain off fat.  Add remaining ingredients and simmer for an hour or so.  When ready, serve in big soup bowls, top with a dollop of sour cream and shreaded cheese if you like.

You can  also have a skillet of hot corn bread or taco chips to eat.  I served with taco chips and everyone loved it.

Since I have decided to use my stash this year for quilting I am going to do Bonnie Hunter's new mystery quilt. 

Roll Roll Cotton Boll

You can pop over to http://www.quiltville.com/ to get the directions.  She has just put out the instructions and part 1.  It also uses my favorite color "pink".  Wonder what it will be when it grows up into a quilt?????

Roger and I are working on our goals for 2011 and reviewing the goals that we set for 2010.  I've always been a big believer in setting goals, writing them down and keeping them in front of you so you can stear your way to accomplishing them. 

Hope all of my bee girls are having a great week quilting.  Looking forward to our next meeting.  Until next time........

Happy Quilting,
Shelia

Happy Birthday To My Sweetie

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband Roger.  I am looking forward to many more special days together.  Enjoy your cherry pie!!  I am so blessed to have you in my life.

Some of the Menopause challenge quilts are on display at the http://www.quiltersofsc.org/  website.  Go on over and look at the president's challenge quilts.  Some are so funny!!  My 7 menopause dwarfs is one of the challenge quilts on the site.  I am always amazed at how everyone interprets each challenge and  menopause was a great one.

I haven't had a lot of time to quilt this week as work as been H*******!!  Hopefully next week will turn out a lot better. 

Happy Quilting,
Shelia

Back Relief

The Versa Disk is one of the best purchases I have made.  Not only does it keep your "butt" from totally going numb while you sew and quilt, it helps with back pain.  I was reminded how great this disk was at bee last week when Susan told me that her mother had hurt her back and was now using the disk all the time to help with pain.

I first learned of this from a vendor at our quilt show.  I noticed she was sitting on a blue disk and I asked her about it.  She then demonstrated how it helped her keep her posture and cushioned her buttocks when sitting for long periods of time.  I loved it.  The disk sits in your chair, since it is air filled it moved you side to side or front to back helping take pressure off of the muscles supporting your spine.  The cushion also relieves pressure off your coccyx (tail bone).   I purchased one as a gift for each of my quilt bee buddies, my mom and Susan's mom for each of us to use at our State Quilt Retreat in 2009.  We all loved how much it helped while we sewed all day.  It's a good thing!
If you attend classes or sit for long periods of time, you too may love this item.  You can purchase them at http://www.power-systems.com/ .  It is called  a Versa Disk.  It retails for less than $30 with shipping.  Well worth the investment!

Last night at our Quilt Guild meeting we had Dixie Haywood as our speaker.  She did a wonderful trunk show.  She has been quilting for more than 30 years.  Her work was beautiful.  Below are some of the quilts she brought, no way I could take pictures of all of the beautiful quilts she showed.  (I was so in awe of the beautiful quilts I kept forgetting to take pictures!)

Hope you have a great quilting day!
Shelia

Election Day

VOTE

Today is Election Day across the country.  Don't forget to go VOTE and let your voice be heard.  Roger and I are off to vote at 7 am when the polls open, then off to work.  Thankfully my night coordinator is staying over for me so I can vote.  When you work 7a-7p it is hard to be able to get to the polls and vote.
Happy Quilting,
Shelia

34 Months Until Debt Free

Roger and I are working diligently on becoming debt free.  We have 34 months left until everything is paid off including our mortgage.  We are so committed to getting this done.  As part of my commitment I am limiting myself to $20 per month to spend on quilting. 
Granted I don't need anything at this point in time.  I am sure that I have enough fabric in my stash to keep my sewing for several years.  Just a thought.........I wonder just how long I could go without buying any additional fabric?????.........scary thought to not buy any fabric.  But.....I do have a lot of fabric already purchased.  I learned just how much fabric I have in stash while making the pillowcases for Shriner's.  You really can't tell that I used any fabric from my stash and most of the fabric for the 128 pillowcases came from my stash!  So my goal now is to use what I have for projects and see how much I can depleat from my stash.
Until later....
Happy Quilting,
Shelia

Binding Trick

Here is a tip that I come up with recently.  If your machine has a knee lift you can use it to hold your binding on a roll while you sew it onto a quilt.  It keeps the binding in check and doesn't wind up all over the floor and tangled up.

Give it a try, you'll love it.
Hope you have a great day quilting,
Shelia

Halloween Quilt

I finally got my halloween quilt on my bed.  My cat was sooooo happy to have her favorite quilt to sleep on.

I used the Turning 20 pattern years ago to make this from halloween fabrics that I had collected over the years.  I used the leftover scraps to make matching pillowcases.  It is queen size and so snuggly warm for the fall weather.
Happy Quilting,
Shelia

Pillowcases for Shriner's Hospital Greenville SC--Goal Accomplished and Then Some!!

I am so thrilled to announce that we have exceeded my original goal of making 100 pillowcases for the children of Shriner's Hospital here in Greenville.  We have 128 pillowcases!! 

Thanks to my mother, my bee girls and several of my quilt guild members for helping me accomplish this goal.  The children are going to be so thrilled when they reach into their Christmas stockings and pull out their own special pillowcase.   We have cases with Mickey Mouse, GI Joe, cats, dogs, ducks, baseball, football, hockey, soccer, mice, flowers, geometric designs and so many wonderful bright colors.  It is exciting to see them all.

Hope that you are enjoying the cool fall weather and spending some time quilting.
Happy quilting,
Shelia

Weigh In Time

I weighed on the morning of my surgery and today I stepped back on the scale and to my surprise I have lost 8 1/2 pounds.  YooWhoo!!!  It seemed impossible since everything I ate seemed to be high calorie, ice cream, milk shakes etc.  Oh well, I am tickled pink.  I am sleeping so much better and feel rested. 
I return to work tomorrow and it is going to be a full week. 
I got my president's quilt trimmed, the fabric washed, cut and pressed for the binding.  Hopefully sometime today I can sew the binding onto the quilt and begin whipping it down. 
Hope you have a great week of quilting.
Shelia

Life Is Good!

I finished quilting my president's quilt yesterday right before the bee girls came over to play. 

Now I am trimming up the top so I can put the binding on today.  YooHoo another UFO out of my pile.
I donated another UFO top to our guild's philanthropy last night.  It was a block of the month that I did in 1994 that I couldn't stand looking at any longer.  I just didn't like the quilt or colors that I used back then.  They are going to have it quilted and someone will really love getting it as their habitat for humanity quilt.  So I guess I got two projects out of my UFO pile yesterday.
The bee girls came last night and we had a blast working on projects.  I'm working on completing my cathedral window quilt so it can be in next years quilt show and out of my UFO pile.  It has been my travel project since 2000.  It has been all over the mainland United States, Canada, Hawaii and Carribean.  I have purchased fabrics everywhere for this project and incorporated them into the windows.  I will be glad to see it completed and take up another travel project. 
It is a beautiful day here today, cool breezes with leaves falling off of the trees.  Fall is definately in the air. 
Happy Quilting,
Shelia

Quilting Away

Nineteen days post-op and I am feeling so much better.  It is amazing how much better you feel when you actually get some sleep and your body has rejuvenation time. 
 I am still working on quilting my President's quilt. 

I love freehand quilting.  I think it allows me more freedom in my quilting.  I hope to get this top finished before the weekend so I can put another project into the longarm.  My bee girls are coming over on Friday night to do "bee" so hopefully I will have this done by then.  I am over half finished right now if I don't decide to go back and put more quilting in.   Just pondering as I go.
I will be returning to work on Monday.  I'm ready.  These extra few days have really made a difference in how I feel.  Now back to completing our goals.  Roger and I are working to get our house and land paid off in the next 3 1/2 years.  If we stick to our plan and both work diligently we can continue to help out both sets of our parents and pay off our  place.  We are both excited.  It is amazing what you can accomplish when you set a goal and work diligently to accomplish the goal.  You know the time of 45 months will pass by no matter what you do, or you can set a goal, work extra hours and accomplish a very meaningful goal.  "You can do anything you set your mind to" has always been my saying, it is sooooooo true.
Hope you have some great goals you are working toward at this time and I pray you are able to keep dedicated to accomplishing those goals.
Happy Quilting,
Shelia

Blessed

The Lord has truly blessed me being part of such a talented group of ladies in my Bee group.  Our bee took home a total of 13 ribbons at the quilt show.  Deb Fenton won 3 First Place Ribbons and the Senior Walking Group Award, Suzanne DiCarlo won 1 Second Place Ribbon and 2 Third Place Ribbons, Susan Perham won 1 Third Place Ribbon and Best Machine Quilting Ribbon, Debbie Clarke won 2 First Place Ribbons and 1 Second Place Ribbon and I won 1 Second Place Rbbon for my miniature quilt. 

WOW!  I am so blessed to rub elbows with all of the talent in the group. 

Our quilt show was wonderful thanks to all of the hard work of our Chairman Suzanne DiCarlo and all of her committees.  GREAT JOB LADIES!!

Today I plan on getting some cleaning done in my sewing room.

Happy Quilting,

Shelia

Fall Is In The Air

Fall is definately in the air today.  Cooler temperatures.  Boy do my hot flashes like that.
Got a few fall things put out today.  Dinning room looks like it is ready for the fall weather.

The quilt show was beautiful today.  We have so many talented ladies in our guild.  They are counting the viewer's choice ballots and I can't wait to see who won ribbons tomorrow.  Don't forget if you get a chance to come check out the show in Fountain Inn.  12p-4p Sunday.  You won't be disappointed.
Today has been the best day I've had since the surgery.  I was a little tired when I returned but Susan and I had a great time selling YLI thread in the booth today.
Happy Quilting,
Shelia

Thirteen Days Post-Op

Today has started off alot better than any of the last thirteen days.  It is amazing how much different you feel when you actually get some sleep!
I go back to Dr. Greene tomorrow morning to see if he will let me return to work next week.  He was hesitant on Monday to say yes so we will see.
Mom and I have been working on pillowcases some during my time off this week, last week was a total blurr.  We have 70 pillowcases completed so far.  I think that is wonderful.  We went to Handcock Fabrics yesterday and they had a 60% off sale on a lot of novelty fabrics.  We were able to get some additional cute fabrics for the cases.  Batman, GI Joe, Horses, Wizards, Travel etc.  We should have enough fabric left to give to the sewing committee to make some draw sheets also.  What fun it would be to come out of surgery and have Batman draw sheet under your butt!!
Below is a picture of a quilt I made, scrappy bargello, using Bonnie Hunter's pattern over at http://www.quiltville.com/.  It was easy and fun to use up some of those 2 1/2 inch strips in my stash.  I am taking this to my precious uncle Don who has cancer and is fighting diligently to overcome. 

I was so glad that my friend Debbie over at http://www.stitchintherapy.blogspot.com/ reminded us to make a pillowcase to put our quilts in that we give as gifts.  Since my uncle Don is a veteran I decided to make his pillowcase patriotic. 

As you can see in the pictures the pillowcase stripped part has the words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic. 

I loved that I had the fabric in my stash.  I think he will be tickled.  Mom and I are taking the quilt to him this afternoon.  Boy will he be surprised.  And of course my friend Susan would say it is not complete without it's label.

I was president of my quilt guild Nimble Thimbles in 1995.  Boy that was a long time ago.  But yesterday I decided it was time to get my president top quilted.  My vice president at the time was my dear friend Kay Kirk.  She pieced the top that was presented to me at our Christmas social that year.  Needless to say it has been awaiting it's time in the longarm.  But wait no longer, it's day has come!

The pattern was a lattice and it is beautiful.  Hopefully I can get it completed before returning to work next week.

Better run now.  Hope that you have a wonderful day.  Don't forget if you are in South Carolina to come to the Aunt Het Quilt Show, sponsored by my quilt guild this weekend.  Oct. 2nd & 3rd.  Saturday 9a-6p and Sunday 12p-4p.  Come on Saturday and vote for your favorite quilts.  Vendors will have beautiful quilt related items. 
Happy Quilting,
Shelia

1 Week Post-Op

I survived my first week post-op.  Thanks to some abundant pain medication.  I didn't think I would have to use a lot of the pain med.  BOY WAS I WRONG!!  Dr. Greene warned me that it would be intense and he was sooooo right.  I have had great nursing care from my wonderful husband and mother. 
Last night my bee girls and mom came over to visit.  They brought ice cream, yum yum.  That's one thing that is easy to eat at this time.  It was great to see everyone again and spend a couple of hours with them.   Although I was a little "goofy" with pain meds.  Everyone is trying to quickly finish up their quilt show projects.   There were pin cushions being made for the boutique, embellishments being put on, labels and binding being sewn and pillowcases being made.  Lots of busy little bees.   Our quilt show is next weekend and set up is this Thursday.
I finished up the binding and label on my QSC Challenge last night.  Everyone loves the cartoon and I think it says it all!

 The label above.  I used chicken wire fabric as the backing and binding.  Just seemed to fit.  Below is the completed top with binding.  The entire quilt measures 9-inch x 12-inch.  I used a lot of my fabric markers to color in the cartoon.  Someone had a great insight into menopause when they created this wonderful cartoon.  Everyone of the dwarfs is part of this crazy menopause journey.  I thought it would be great to color each dwarf separately and wear one on your shirt each day to work.  Then everyone would not have to guess which dwarf they were working with that day.....hehehe.

Mom has been working on piecing the pillowcases for Shriner's while I was off.  Her serger locked up on her so yesterday on my first day out I bought another serger, she stitched tons of pillowcases last night.  Suzanne has also been working diligently on the pillowcases.  They are all turning out so wonderful.  The kids and sewing committee will be thrilled.  I need to get some more cut out today so that mom has some additional ones to work on when she comes back up.

The serger worked great last night.  Glad mom can get all those threads into the right spots. 

Enough for today.  Happy Quilting Everyone,

Shelia

QSC Challenge

I've been working on my QSC Challenge.  Menopause.  I found a wonderful cartoon which I transfered to fabric.  It tells the entire story.  Hope to get it finished tonight.

I used 2 layers of batting.  The bottom one is cotton and the top is poly.  I'm outlining the characters then tightly quilting around them.  It makes them stand up off the quilt.  I'm using Glide thread and Magnabobbins also from Glide.  It is wonderful thread and is like butter in the quilt.  I think it says it all!

I've Received An Award 



I've gotten the Sunshine Award from my friend Debbie.  Thanks Debbie for passing this along to me.  Quilting is a very positive influence in my life and I treasure the friends I have made through this passion.  Each person you meet has something unique that you can learn from them.  Concentrate on the positive atributes and you will be far ahead of the game.

I may not be posting for a couple of weeks, tomorrow at 12 I have my surgery.  I'll update when out of the mediation fog!!
Happy Quilting to all,
Shelia

Getting A Little Anxious

I am beginning to get a little anxious about my upcoming surgery on Friday.  I have this long list of things that I need to get taken care of prior to Friday morning. 
One more 12-hour shift tomorrow and then a class on Thursday.  Boy do I need some rest.  But I don't think that will come very quickly.  The doctor says that the 5-6 days after the surgery will be kind of a blurr........o.k.  does that mean sleep????or oh my god give me some pain med?  I do have a pretty high tolerance for pain since I have had so many kidney stones, but this is going to be totally different.
Keep me in your prayers. 
Hopefully I will be back to blogging in a week or so. 
Happy Quilting,
Shelia

Quilters of South Carolina Challenge

Our state Quilt Guild, Quilters of South Carolina, has a challenge each year.  This year the President's Quilt Challenge Theme is Menopause.  Boy do I know that one!!!!
I spent yesterday working on my entry.  It has to be 9" x 12".  Each year these entries tour the state as exhibits.  Last year's Give Me Your Heart challenge quilts are still touring and are booked all the way into February.  Below is my entry and mom's entry from last year.  The theme was women's heart health.
My entry represented that 1 in 3 women will experience some type of heart disease in her lifetime.  The big heart in the center represents a heart who has had to have surgical repair.  I used sead beeds and bugle beeds to represent staples.

Mom's entry below represents that a loving heart is an essential of life.

Hope you have a great day quilting.  I'm off to work.
Shelia

It's Finished

My miniature is finally finished.  I completed sewing down the binding and sewing on the label at my quilt bee Friday night. 

I think it turned out cute.  The 3-D pinwheel blocks finish at 3-inches each.  The total quilt is 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 inches.  That's normally the size of one completed block in a quilt......not an entire quilt!
Below is a close up of some of the quilting.  I thought I would go blind quilting with black thread on this black background.

See the tiny pinwheel's that I quilted in between the pieced blocks?  In the photo you can still see the chalk lines I used as a guide.  In the top photo the chalk is gone.  You can only see the tiny pinwheel's upclose.  I think it turned out nice.

And of course as my friend Susan would say, a quilt is not complete until it has a label.  I scanned a picture of the quilt and printed it onto the label.  It is my entry into our quilt show coming up October 2-3 in Fountain Inn, South Carolina.  If you are in town please join us for what is always a wonderful quilt show.
Until later,
Happy Quilting,
Shelia