NEW Pictures!

Sorry if you're sick of this quilt. It's been a fun project for me as I need fast & easy right now in my life!

The sunflower quilting designs are from Fons & Porter magazine--the one that you just got in the mail. The smaller design--with fewer petals is one that Gail sent me. The side borders are a tad-bit narrower, so I had to shrink the flower down. The butterfly was an afterthought, but I love the way it looks on there.
The two-color binding was also a last-minute thought. No, it's not completely sewn down, but that is just a minor thing I can do..eventually. I tried really hard not to buy anything for this..but I did not have brown thread (for the flower centers) in my thread-stash.

My camera finally came in yesterday and it's been fun to play with a new toy. It has a few too many bells and whistles, but I figure it out eventually. My other camera never would've taken this good of closeups. Now I see that I didn't get all of my paper picked out of my quilt designs! tsk,tsk....

I fell in love with this background fabric and think it's what made me decide to finally do the sunflowers. It just all worked..and that is what I love about quilting!

AND...the fact it's farm related probably doesn't hurt either!

Easy Weekend

It's Saturday. For the first time in our lives, it's a day that's not hurry-hurry. We've always had jobs where we've had to be somewhere at the crack of dawn and now we don't. It's nice. Nice setting at my own kitchen table drinking some fresh brewed coffee and contemplating the rest of the day. So, this is how the rest of the world lives?

After coffee I remembered that the farmers market was going to be open today. DH thought he'd come along so he could run a few errands too. After three stops for him and my stop at walmart for brown thread (CindyB offered to fax me some but we haven't figured out how to make that technology work), we made it back home just in time for lunch.

Fresh cucumbers, yellow squash and horrible-tasting cantelope were at the market. I can eat my weight in cantelope...but not this one. The cottontail rabbits outside will get to nibble on it.

So, the day was spent with me behind my Bernina and DH and Troy in the shop working on a spray-rig to spray chemicals on weeds. The sunflower is almost finished and just needs binding. I'm thrilled. When my new digital camera comes in the mail (hopefully Monday) I'll take some pictures. It turned out better than I ever though it would.

Since I can't show you pictures of the finished-only-needs-binding sunflower, I'll show you a picture of another quilt I made awhile back. Cindy told me she was working on a quilt with polyester in it and thought I'd show this one. The back and the front solid squares are poly. It wasn't difficult to sew, but it sure brought back some memories of sewing with my Mom back in the early '70's. Do you remember those double-knit pants...yuck. I even offered to send Cindy a bunch of poly so she might make a few more poly quilts...she gave me a polite "no thank you". Some friend she is...

TCM is having a weekend of Betty Davis. After listening to her biography while I'm sewing, all I can hear is Karen Carnes' song in my head!

Hope everybody has a good weekend.

Sunflower Summer

Since today is the first day of Summer, this is the perfect day to show some sunflowers!

These are the first pictures of the finished top. It's pinned to the backing and as of this afternoon, I have the blue part of the quilt stippled.
These pictures aren't the best--the fabrics are very bright primary colors, but with a borrowed camera and under florescent lights I can at least show what I did with the sunflowers.
I can also say that this quilt was entirely made from fabric from stash....if I made 20 of these in all different fabrics, I'd STILL have stash....*sigh*
The ladybugs were DH's idea. I was going to do butterflys, but he thought the red bugs would add some more color. Yes...I need all the help I can get and they're good at giving it!
I'm also tempted to do a 3-D butterfly...one that the wings are free, but this is for a 4-yr old little girl. Do I dare?


This is the backing fabric...I think it is what inspired the front.

First day of summer. If this is only a preview..it's going to be a long hot, humid summer!

Cool June Saturday

Whenever it rains in June, you count your blessings. All of the wheat-ground has been worked (or scratched as DH said) so the almost 3" of rain soaked right in. You can almost hear the earth saying "ahhhhhhhh, thanks for the drink".

Woke up this morning to the worse headache I've had in months. In a previous life I had them so bad I'd see cross-eyed. This was almost to that extreme. After a breakfast of waffles, sausage and an extra boy at the kitchen table, I relaxed with several cups of coffee, a nap, and a long hot shower..... headache is finally gone.

So....it's now Bernina time! Going to try to get the sashings put on this sunflower creation I've started. Since I'm digital camera-less, I'll show a picture of the first block made. They are large blocks (about 17"--and yes that's an odd size, but it's what the fabric was already cut into), but I think it'll be a cute quilt. This is a gift going to Holcomb, Kansas to a sweet little girl. The sister claimed the first sunflower pillow I made, and she informed me that she'd like one too. So, to be different I'm making this sister a blankie.

Since I'm in a posting-picture mood. Here's a picture of the first sunflower project. This was paperpieced and something I hadn't done in awhile. Good old Bernie learned some new cuss words while I did this one. IF CindyB didn't live so far away, she'd help me with my PP. She likes to do it....I'm still practicing. I'll stick to piecing and machine applique till she and I move closer together! I actually had plans on making several of these PP sunflower blocks and making a bigger project. Wasn't going to happen. After I mailed this present, I even had to go visit the recipient and had to see it again! Remind me to ship things FAR away that I don't want to see again?!

Red Bandana sashings and a colorful background and I think the appliqued sunflower quilt will be loved. Can't wait to see it finished! Sooooo...back to Bernie.

Thursday Musings

Just another day at the office until I get about half-way home. Cell phone (don't you love these modern conveniences) rings and Short-person on the other end starts with "MOM?!....can you stop and pick up some things?" This isn't typical of him, so I'm thinking MAJOR-IMPORTANT things, right? His list starts with the essentials: milk, bread, mt. dew...and oh yeah....some triple A batteries. Now, this kid has been spending a lot of hours driving a tractor back and forth the past two weeks and I can't think of why in the world he needs triple A batteries....but his dear old mother bought some. He later informed me that the tractor radio won't pick up anything "decent".

Cell phones? I have a love-hate relationship with the major companies. Four cell phones, two phone land-lines, internet service, satellite television--all different plans. No, when you live in the boonies you cannot get every modern convenience. Do you remember the ad "reach out and touch somebody"....believe it was one of the phone companies. Now I have the "reach out and cut the line so we can have some privacy"attitude! I know I know...but it's amazing what we spend to "keep in touch" with the world. Actually cell phones have probably kept us more in-touch with our kids than we ever did with our own parents. What is the world going to be like if/when we ever have grandchildren?

So....back to my sewing machine. I'm actually dusting fabric off (remember we just finished wheat harvest and there still dust in the air!) and sewing some seams. Four large sunflower blocks machine appliqued and maybe even have the sashing on them tonight. IF somebody doesn't come in and want supper --sure smells good.

Oh..some good news. Received a phone call (about noon) from oldest Son, Travis. He and Priscila were in the Houston Airport and were buying a cup of coffee waiting to board a plane for Mazatlan, Mexico. That is the city where she is from and they are going down to visit for a few days. Wish they would've bought Me a plane ticket.... They'll have fun, can't wait to see the pictures.

NOW..back to the Bernina.

Strange Week

Have no idea what I've accomplished this week, other than the fact that I'm wearing clean clothes and the kitchen table is cleaned off. This week is half over and I couldn't tell you for sure what day it was....

Can I blame someone for something? Was reading JudyL's blog and she mentioned some new magazines. Well...out here in the boonies the Progressive Farmer IS one of the few magazines we don't have on the rack...it comes free in the mail...but we don't get the new quilty ones she mentioned. I happened to be in Wal-Mart (we are one of the few counties without a SuperCenter) and there I saw the magazine she was talking about-- Quilter's Home. I'm not usually a magazine buyer, but thought since SHE thought it was a great magazine I'd buy it too. Won't go into great details because I have yet to get to set down and read it....but I did buy! Review later....or you can read Judy's review.

Now, back to JudyL....wheatberries? Here's the link I sent her for wheat. Hard to believe that there is so much to learn about the varieties of wheat, but then how many varieties of tomatoes are there?

OK..another blame......CindyB and I have been friends for a LONG time..no, she doesn't blog, but she does occasionally read mine. I'm going to blame Cindy for the reason I don't go to my weigh in at WW this week...Oatmeal PeanutButter cake....enough said. Dessert after supper and wonderful for breakfast! And then...she had to show me a recipe for easy-rolls. The girl knows I like to eat and cook!

Well....since I'm in a blaming mood.....IF I didn't have to cook supper and deliver it to the guys driving tractors I might get some sewing done. I know if I got to stay home I'd be on one of those tractors all day and then would still have to cook lunch AND supper! (but then we wouldn't have a way to pay the diesel bill) We live in a tiny house, so my quilt room is my claim to half of the living room (no, they don't compalin because they like my cooking). I can SEE what I need to be working on, and all it's doing is collecting dust. Guess I should quit blaming everyone else and just 'get over it'! At least I have clean underwear...and we have cake to eat....I can sew later.

Complaints

I have a dear friend who is a whiner. Always complaining about something. If it's not her children, it's her husband or her job. How does she get thru life being so sad? But....I've come to the conclusion that maybe she's not just complaining and wanting sympathy, she's wanting to just be heard. Ever heard someone who talks just to hear their own voice? She's venting to see what type of reaction she's going to get from me.
Typically I'm not a complainer. My philosophy is that if you're that unhappy....change the situation. I figure if my kids are that horrible--who did they come from---who taught them to be so horrible. I've lived with the same man for almost 27 years...if I haven't trained him (and vice-versa) then it's my own fault.

So..this isn't a post about complaining, but rather a gripe against complainers. No, my children aren't always angels but I am very proud of all of them. Yes, I've paid a few deductibles, paid for stitches and a few other things that some parents haven't had to..but ya know what?...they're STILL my kids..and I'm STILL married to that guy who complains that I snore (I do NOT snore). I still have some of the same friends I've had for 20 years and am always willing to make new ones to replace the whiners in my life.

So, what's the reason for this post (there's always got to be a POINT, doesn't there?) I want to show you why I am proud. When children set out for a goal and accomplish that goal, a parent has the right to be proud. This picture was taken the day Trent graduated from Garden City Community College. It's FOUR hours from my house and the two years he was there seemed like an eternity. He's now home and working and eating like he never ate in those two years! This will be the fourth college graduation (Yes..I was the first) in our family. Travis and Priscila both graduated from UCO in Edmond and Troy's turn is next to graduate from H.S. That will be here before we know it.
The second picture is from Priscila's graduation also. We love celebrations and major milestones in our children's lives. I'm sure there will be more as the years go by. No COMPLAINTS here!

Good Times

Spent most of Saturday with a friend from MWCity whom I don't get to see very often. We left all boys at home and ventured to a quilt show in Shawnee (OK) which also had a small selection of vender booths. Connie and I were under the impression that it was to be a large showing of quilts, but we both agreed that the count wasn't there.

We both managed to pick up a few things we liked. It's hard to go to a quilt show and not buy at least something! Her and I have very different taste, but we still enjoyed spending the time together. Her PINK and my PRIMARY colors don't mix, but we still can spend time together and never have a moment of silence in the air.

We also managed to sneak in some shopping at a local mall. My work clothes need some additions and she's planning a get-away with some fellow quilters. Yes, us girls can always managed to find something on the sale-rack. She's also within walking distance to a Hancock's (lucky girl) and my Stratus doesn't go by a quilt shop without stopping.

Her guys and my guys survived the day without either one of us, and we enjoyed the time together. Connie....why don't we do this more often?!

Maybe next time it won't be 107 degrees outside.

Years Past

Was thinking this morning about how far we've come (but have we really?). Same concept, but more conveniences. Larger, faster, more expensive machines and getting the same price for a bushel of wheat. Wonder how the price of bread compares? No, I won't use this as a soap-box, but it's still amazing at where we were just 50 years ago. (NO...I wasn't here then)!

The picture from Harvest 2006, from my first post, shows how we've advanced with our machines, but what about the windtowers. Do you think Dean's Grandpa Joe would've ever dreamed there'd be windmills THAT tall?

How about another comparison:

Same two guys...both them AND the tractor have grown!

How things change..... Thank goodness my clothes-washer has advanced to get the yucky/greasy messes out that they can get into.

The other Family Gift

Since I showed the purple quilt, thought I'd show the quilt I made for the other sister in the family. Anne had a baby (has it already been that long ago?) and this was her special gift. She's Megan's older sister and lives in Texas. No, I don't get to see them as much as their grandma does...but I still wanted to make them a nice gift.












Griffin's Dad is in the military.....so, had to have an airplane theme. Never had done any type of applique like this, but was real tickled that it turned out this good. My good ole' Bernina does a pretty good job of stitching. Why in the world did I choose to quilted it in RED?....I even surprise myself sometimes. Looks like the planes are doing loop-de-loops.

Purple Creation

**I've tried three times to get this posted and keep getting booted off... GRRRRR dial-up demons! ***

Purple--- Made for a young gal named Megan graduating from high school...she's one of those people who you have known before she was born. Her Mother (Margaret) and I have been friends for years, as she even kept my two older boys when I returned to college. When Megan moved into a new home with her family, I casually asked her what color her new bedroom would be.....purple...her color... I kinda cringed because I've never done PURPLE.

This is a gift of friendship and appreciation! This is the first quilt I've made for somebody and they made me cry. When she opened the gift at her graduation party she couldn't even talk...squeals, joy and hugs.

This is why I give gifts of quilts...

No (if you were going to ask) I did not quilt it. A friend who has a new longarm did that job for me. She'll definitely be doing more quilting for me. 98x98" --yes, you were going to ask how big it is.....

Let's not forget the label. I've learned to always put a label on every quilt made and have given this job to Troy. He's good at scanning/printing/wording. Another squeal from Megan--to see your own picture on the back of a quilt...how much better can a gift get!

Purple--not a major color choice in my stash, but something I'm sure glad I made.

**Credit behind the scene: My helpers holding up the quilt in the first picture are Trent and Troy--it's Troy's beak and hat peeking out!

I was asked where I got this pattern. Here's the link: http://delawarequilts.com/BOMs/BOM3.html The only change I made was to use 4" squares instead of 3". That size squares are what I found on eBay.

Last Day of Harvest

This is the day we were looking for when we started the combine last week--the last day of wheat harvest. We've gone off and on for about two weeks. Between breakdowns and a shower of rain we'll finally get done today..IF the alternator doesn't quit in the combine.


The year we've been plagued with drought. Seems like every year it's either too much moisture or not enough...but isn't that part of farming. I remind myself that I did NOT marry a farmer....HE did....why? Guess it's worked for almost 27 years, it should work for a little while longer.

I'm also ready to get back to a half-normal life. Going to bed during the morning hours and then hearing the alarm clock wake me so I can go to a paid-job is starting to catch up with me. I've got to stop and realize that I've GOTTA have some clean underwear!

I'm also ready to get back to some projects. Sewing and quilting are my passion...well, next to spending time with some boyz I'm related to...and I have several projects that really need some attention.

Hopefully, I'll get to show some of them on here pretty soon. I've dropped my digital camera one too many times, so a new one is going to be on the credit card in the near future.

Maybe I'll be welcomed to this new world of blogging......we'll see what happens!