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

Red & white quilt....finished!!!

 

I picked this quilt up from my quilter last weekend and have been sewing on the binding all week. It's a BIG quilt and it will be a warm quilt to snuggle under because I had Linda use a wool batting in it. Actually it will be great in warm weather as well because wool "breathes" very well. It washes up well too. Here are some close-ups of the wonderful quilting.

 

 

I think if you click on the pictures it will show up pretty well. I took these pictures while it was still dark and with a flash, so I know they aren't the greatest, but you get the idea. I'll probably use the quilt on our bed for Christmas and maybe for Valentines Day. It makes me excited to finish the NI blocks and get them together.

My friend Sharon's brother-in-law made this wonderful quilt rack for me as a thank you gift for letting him park in the store parking lot during football games. Isn't it just awesome?!?!

 

Kelly is an extremely talented woodworker and I feel very special to have been given such a nice gift.

Allie continues to improve with very limited mobility. She is catching up on homework and the home bound tutor came yesterday to help and will be back today. She still has tons of pain and I noticed that it was worse when the storm front passed through yesterday. I can always tell at least 12 hours before a storm is coming because I can barely move. I praying that this "side effect" will go away for her.

I did have time Tuesday evening, mainly because I was so angry and frustrated at things going on in our life right now but that's for another post, to get in my sewing room and complete another quilt top. I will get a picture of it on a sunny day as it will not photograph well in this dull, gray, rainy light we've been having.

To all my friends in Denver, I'm sorry Winter is there so soon. Stay warm and stay safe, but enjoy all that snow, if you can.

Have a great Friday...it's going to be a busy, busy one here in Stillwater. Hopefully I'll be back next week saying that Oklahoma State University beat the heck out of Texas.

Ranette

A couple of red & white Nearly Insane blocks...

I made it into my sewing room for a little while yesterday and this morning and the following blocks are the result of my effort.

 

 

Not difficult blocks by any means, but a good way to get back in the NI groove!

Thank you for your concern, prayers and good wishes going out for Allie. Yesterday seemed to be a better day than the one before and I'm hoping today will be even better. We've let up on the pain meds a little bit and she seems to be coping OK. Allie's Granny came to visit her yesterday and that helped to take her mind off of things a little I think.

Well not much time for the computer lately so I miss every one's fun blogs, but I'll get back to it soon. Have a beautiful Sunday!

Ranette