Just checking in....

Again, I've been such a bad blogger....I've just been busy, exhausted and overwhelmed. Same as most everyone this time of year I'll bet! I am looking forward to a little down time with family soon.

Emily and her boyfriend Joe will arrive this afternoon for the week and then Kara and her boyfriend Jacob will be here off and on as well. They live in Stillwater, so we see them quite a bit. I think I've got enough groceries to feed an army, but at least we won't starve :o) Most of the presents are wrapped and the house is nice and clean. Allie goes to the doctor this afternoon for a follow-up visit on her leg/ankle and she's hoping for a release to be able to drive. If the doctor tells her it's okay she'll be getting her license this week...woohoo! Jay had new tires put on her truck so it would be all ready for her.

Dear Jane night at the Quilting Post was last Thursday and that meant that I needed to prep a block to work on. Now I hadn't even looked at my JanieBright blocks in a couple of months, so I drug that box out and made 5 blocks this week (one was already done.) I forgot how nice it is to have a couple prepped and ready to pull out to work on when I had a minute.

I'm also working on the second round border for my Antique Quilt, when I have a little snippet of time. More set in seams on these blocks....whew, by the time I finish this quilt I'll be an expert on set in seams.

I do love how this quilt is coming together though.

I also received a wonderful package in the mail from a fellow blogger, Brandie. She sent the cutest little stocking and a wonderful dark chocolate candy bar.

Brandie made the stocking from fabric samples and I LOVE it. Thank you so much Brandie for thinking of me. And thank Pugslie for the licks as well...lol

My sister Pamela also sent a box of goodies. I didn't take pictures of everything, but will you look at this cute Eiffel Tower pincushion kit and the spool with ribbons?! Pam knows exactly what I like...sisters are the BEST!!! Thank you Pam.

 

I am still going to have a giveaway, I just need to do it. Check back later in the week to see what I come up with.

I am sending Christmas wishes out to all of my blogging friends, all over the world. Have a save, warm (not too warm for you Aussies) and Merry Christmas everyone!

Ranette

Another week has gone by in a flash!

Can you believe how fast time goes by these days?!!!! When I was a kid the month of December seemed to last a lifetime. I wonder if that means I'm getting old...lol...probably it does, but oh well.

I've done very little sewing, but I have been to Kansas City! Jay and I drove up to his sister Lana's house Friday afternoon for a little visit. Emily came from Lawrence and her boyfriend joined us from St. Louis. It was fun to see everyone!
Here is a picture of the quilt that I made for Lana a few years ago. Sampler quilts are always a favorite with me and this one is made from all Batik fabric.

 

I kind of wish that I would have kept it because Lana isn't really a "quilt" type of person, but oh well I can always make another one, right ;o)

Emily and I were able to sneak away for a little quilt shop therapy. We always stop at Harpers in Overland Park. We didn't buy much there (this trip), but I just love looking at all the cute stuff they carry. Then we headed over to Quilter's Station in Lee's Summit, Missouri. I had a plan when I walked in the door of this shop and I stuck to it for the most part. I needed border fabric for my Antique Quilt and here are my purchases.

 

I've ordered online from both of these stores in the past and they both have my stamp of approval...lol

Well it's 18 degrees outside today and with the windchill it's 2degrees....brrrrr....I'd better save some time to bundle up. I'm thinking about having a giveaway soon so stay posted!

Have a Blessed day!
Ranette

Blogging.....

I really miss blogging and all of my blogging buddies! It seems like life goes by so fast these days and my time on the computer has really taken a backseat to other more pressing matters. Plus the fact that anytime I'm on the computer my wrist starts to hurt and pain shoots up to my elbow....is it called "computer wrist"...lol
I do have a brace that I wear at work, but it slows me down some.

I don't feel like I've accomplished much in the way of sewing the last couple of weeks, but I have added two more complete rows onto the Pie's and Tart's quilt. That makes 6rows totally finished...only 4 more rows to go...woohoo! I love this quilt and I really love making it as well.

 

I also FINALLY finished my LeMoyne stars for the Antique Quilt. I have to say that I'm really pleased with the way that it's turning out. I was also able to add some of my French General fabric in and it just really goes with the look I'm trying to achieve! Now on to the next round....

 

Allie is healing very well and now walking with the boot and one crutch. She's back to school and seems to be feeling much better. Thank you again for all of the prayers and encouragement from all of you.

Off to work for me...Have a great Monday!

Ranette

Don't you just love a good Schnibbles???

 

Today is my mother-in-law Dorene's birthday, so I decided to whip up this table topper sized little quilt for her to use over the holiday's. I made it with the lovely new French General line Rouenneries. You know what? I think I could work with this line of fabric from now until forever and not get bored. I just love it....the way it feels is amazing and the colors are so rich and luscious. I may have to make myself one of these little quilts too!

It has been a busy, tough week around here, but I did find some time to bake Banana Bread.

 

I use my Grandma's recipe and it's always a favorite with my husband and girls.
I've been plugging away on my Winter sampler every evening and I hope to have it done by Thanksgiving. Well at least the stitching part and then I'll try to find time to make the blocks that go around it.
I did get the house cleaned yesterday afternoon/evening and that always makes me happy. I just feel more "at peace" when things are in their places and the floor is clean...lol Our family is going through a tough season right now and I guess I feel like I have some control when I have a clean house and the laundry is done. Allie's leg continues to improve, so that's a good thing.

Have a great Friday the 13th!
Ranette

How cute is this?!?

My friend Sharon made this cute little Christmas wall hanging for me last year, but didn't have time to bind it. Since I don't mind binding quilts I brought it home and finished it up. She has an embroidery machine that she stitched these cute little snowmen Santa's on. Thank you Sharon!

 

What a great weekend I had in or around my sewing room. I started this stitchery

 

I prepped more of these.

 

And I made one of these for my mother in laws birthday. I'll show a picture of the little quilt that I made when I get it finished.

 

What a treat it was to be working with the Rouenneries fabric. I love the silky feel of it and I was just using the charm packs for the most part. Don't you just love quality, pretty fabric. We are so blessed to have the fabric choices that we have today. I can remember back a few years ago when that wasn't the case.

Off to start Monday morning....I hope it's a good for everyone!

Ranette

Whoa...two posts in a week!

I know...can you believe it?!?! It's because I finished up this Autumn Sampler stitchery last night and wanted to show everyone! I think having a blog helps me to accomplish some goals around here. Anyway by this afternoon this sampler will be a pillow.

 

The pattern is from Crabapple Hill Studio and it was so much fun to make. I found when doing the Truly Scrumptious blocks that I really love embroidery. I think I learned when I was around 8 or 9 years old by finishing up a sampler that my mom was doing and she didn't like it, but I did. Here's a closeup of the stitching....don't look too closely as there are many mistakes, I'm sure.

 

Anyway Meg is a great designer and I have many of her patterns on my to do list and I'll be starting the Winter sampler later today, I hope. It will be a small quilt instead of a pillow though.

I'm taking the day to be at home today and just chill. Allie is still home with her broken, but now repaired leg/ankle. She is doing so much better and is now in a boot/brace thing that she can take off to shower and scratch. She is still non weight bearing for several weeks though and her pain is much reduced, thank goodness! Thank you'all again for all of the well wishes and prayers for her.

Oh and since our washing machine died a sudden, but not unexpected death on Monday, I'll be taking delivery of a brand new washing machine sometime today. Yippee!

Have a great Wednesday!

Ranette

This is a terrible picture....

but all of my quilt holder helpers are either busy or not able to stand on their own two feet...hehe, sorry Allie. Also if you enlarge this picture it looks better.

 

I affectionately call this quilt Nana's Nosegays, although the real name of the pattern is Nosegay for Mother from the Home Sweet Home book by Barb Adams and Alma Allen. The fabrics are all 1930's reproductions that have been Rit tan dyed to give the quilt an aged look. It really is brighter than it photographs and also it will have a scalloped border when quilted. It was a fun quilt to make because it combines hand applique and regular machine piecing. Here's a closeup of an applique block.

 

Since I woke up before the crack of dawn this morning I had a little time to myself and I chose to make another NI block.

 

Well now it's only 5pm and I'm ready for bed...lol...I really am a little old woman at heart!

Ranette