About Me

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I live in the Black Hills of South Dakota with my husband Bill, 3 sons, 2 dogs,, 2 horses-now 1, bottle calves and Chicks. I love to Quilt. I enjoy Horses,Gardening, Flowers, Archery, Camping, Fishing, Bottle Calves and all things with animals. I started sewing when I was 8 for 4-H, and have sewed off and on since. I discovered how fun quilting was over 7 years ago. I still sew on a Kenmore that was a graduation gift in 1981. I have a New Kenmore 385.19, and a Viking 400, a Singer Treadle, a Featherweight. and a Viking Ruby. In February 2010 I purchased an APQS Longarm , and Love everyone of them. I taught my 1st paper-piecing class, it was such a blast!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Mystery Quilt Choices

Yes, I've done it again!
I added one more thing, well actually I couldn't resist! I love a Good Fabric Mystery! Don't You?

One of the Quilting sites I am a part of www.quiltingboard.com ( A Wonderful Group and contains sooooo much info) one of the gals is hosting (to start December 30th) a Mystery Quilt. From what I understand it will run for about 4 weeks. You can choose to do any from Wallhanging size up to King. At this point I have chosen to do Wallhanging size with the option to change to bigger size as the Mystery comes known. I picked out my fabrics and yes you guessed it!!
My Horsey Fabrics. I had a hard time deciding or should I say breaking it down to just 8 more fabrics so Missy(the gal hosting) helped considerably. I am now ready to go start cutting the Fabrics but thought I would share each step on this wonderful exciting Mystery Journey. If you are interested be sure and check it out. Also, she has recently started a blog so will be adding that info. here too as I will need to get it wrote down so will be adding at a later post.
We were needing to pick out a focal fabric that would work in a 12 1/2" Block and 8 other fabics.

Gotta Run! May you have a Beautiful Week and May your New Year be Bright, Cheerful and Peaceful.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Even More of My Wisconsin Barn Blocks.....

Yes! Even more of My Wisconsin Barn Blocks,,,,
And then there were 4 more.........

Whew hew!! I am officially caught up with these I am soooooo..... excited..
Well ,that is of course unless more has been posted while I have been busy piecing these little guys.
Just in case you don't know: these are some more of the Wisconsin Quilt Blocks on Barns that Jen B from Cre8tive Quilter has posted.You may get directly to her site by clicking her gadget on this blog if you would like.
This one is #43 and is called Cake Stand from Walworth County
Block #44 No place like Home-Walworth County

Block #46 Grandpa's Delight- Green County
Block #48 Sawtooth Star-Green County


These were all quite fun to do, and will have to get them all laid out to see how they are all looking together. Will possible happen "AFTER" the holidays.
Now off to more wonderful and exciting catching ups.......lol






Monday, December 20, 2010

My Next 3 Wisc. Barn Blocks

I have finally gotten back to working on the Wisconsin Barn Quilt Blocks that Jen B from Cre8tivequiltr.blogspot.com is hosting. (You can click on the gadget to get there quickly if you'd like.) So thought I would get some of them posted. Enjoy..... They were fun to make.... Especially the Carpenters Wheel.I counted over 80 pieces in this little 6 1/2" guy. These are all 6 1/2 unfinished blocks
Block # 49 Windblown Square- Green County
Block # 47 Dove At My Door- Green County

Block #40 Carpenter's Wheel-Walworth County


Design Wall Monday...and Floor....and Couch...and LA....

Today I'm a little slow at posting.
But I ventured downstairs to see what exactly was on my wall.... and it became apparent that is is getting VERY full! In fact it has creeped to the Floor, the LA, and the Couch......

To many this is No big Deal! and I think I posted this another time "But"to me it is.... Why? you might ask, because "normally" I am a VERY together, Organized, get one thing done before even consider starting another, type of quilting person. For some reason it seems like it has blown up!!

Now mind you I'm not complaining, just wondering why it has changed. hmmmmm..... I guess I may never know...

Anyways, on to the original post.... On my Design Wall for today are all my projects in progress.

Design Wall and part of the floor(except it cut off the floor) sorry

and the couch. These two little projects are the most recent. The one on the left being a 3 bag challenge. With it we were to pick out an item from 3 bags my three items were 1) A sewing Machine 2) The crayon color of Scarlet 3) beading then for our Guild Christmas Party come up with something using all 3 items we from our bag picks. This is what mine is; for the sewing machine I have paper pieced sewing machine that will be one of the blocks. For the color, Scarlet it will be part of the quilting in the quilt the little gal is making, as well as the background in the picture. For the beading, the black that is temporarily pinned is beading on ribbon. The small picture on it to the right is a picture of it when it will be similar to when completed.

The Block on the Right is a Block of the Week that Jen from Cre8tiveQuilter.blogspot (the Wisconsin Quilt Blocks on Barn) has out and will be a 6" PP Carpenters Wheel.... but as you see from mine I got a couple of pieces out of line and have decided it will be easier to do another one that take this one apart ( I believe I counted 82 Pieces in this one)

Then there is this little guy. I have always wanted to try a bargello so; No Time like the Present Right?? LOL... I had a bunch of these 1 1/2" strips left over from my Fantastic Fan Quilt so thought I would use them up. This is as far as I have gotten it. But I will be adding on after Christmas to make a Table Topper of some sort.
This is another in Progress (Nevada Star- Paper pieced- will be queen size- bed spread sized)that seems to get left behind, I started this back in March and then one thing and another happens and so I have brought him out and hung him in vision, as he is so... calling "to be worked on".
Then there are these guys. They are 6" Wisconsin Quilt Blocks on Barns that is a block of the Week. I have about 40 something done and are working on catching them up now too. I think I have about 6 more to do then will be "Officially" caught up. These if you are interested can be found on Jen's site and you can get there by clicking on the gadget marked Wisc. Quilt Blocks on the right.
Then, I also still have my Winter Snomen Quilt blocks, in progress. I need to cut out some more snomen for the blocks, since I decided to make it a touch bigger.( I have this bad habit of having to make quilts over sized to hang down close to the floor rather than just a cover) What can I say I like to be sure and be covered and warm.......
I also have the "Caught" up (40) 3" Farmers Wife done in 30's fabric Sampler Blocks on the wall. This is from Laurie Aaron Hirds Farmers Wife Sampler that am doing as a 2 block a week do along)
Then we have the 4" (just caught up) (40) 4" Farmers Wife Sampler Blocks done in Scrappy fabrics. (This is from Laurie Aaron Hird's Book)
This guy I made 2 of and this is the one that needs to be finished up. Though I'm thinking of adding 2 more to it, to make a Table Runner or maybe I should I just add it to my Christmas Blocks( which didn't get added to the "Walls".hmmmmm.............
And Finally there are these 2. Santa #2 needs a face- trying to decide whether I want to make it a touch different then the last one, and I also need to go to town and buy a nose, but maybe a Yo yo will work. Hmmm..... Well that is why he is still here--- you could say still in design......

The second item is the picture is the quilt top that Santa is laying on. It is propped on the LA frame... and have been deciding exactly what design to put on it. It is a Project Warmth Quilt, and am thinking it is in need of some feathers all over.. (I so love feathers.....)

So between Christmas, Christmas Baking, Christmas Shopping, Boys different goings on, Hubby's Vacation time, Family issues, Christmas Parties, and a Almost year old puppy that like to eat Un-lit Christmas lights, this is what is hanging and laying about on the design wall/floor/couch/LA.

May your Christmas be full of Excitement, Peace, Love and Joy...........and "UNEATEN" Christmas Lights......................hee hee... LOL......

Judy









Saturday, December 18, 2010

8 More Farmers Wife Blocks Completed

I have been feverishly working on these little guys. I had managed to get what I consider behind (though it is only a "Do Along"), I am quite happy to say I have 2 more to go to be "officially" caught up.... Whew hew!!!!!! But one of them can be a doosy! simply because I haven't figured out how to do it with less than 2 set in seams.
4" Block # 29 Economy/Kitchen Window
4" Block #30 End of Day4" Block # 31 Evening Star
4" Block #32 Farmer's Daughter
4" Block #33 Farmers Puzzle
4" Block #34 Flock
4"Block #35 Flower Basket
4" Block #36 Flower Garden
That is all I have for this morning, Maybe by this afternoon I will be "Officially" Caught up on these little Guys.
In case I don't "SEE" you again before, Merry CHRISTmas!!








Friday, December 17, 2010

Favorite things Friday

Hard to believe 2010 is almost at an end, and yet again another Friday has arrived. I was one of those that just recently ran across the "Favorite Things Friday" but have enjoyed it so much since. Be sure and click on the Favorite Fridays Gadget on the right and hop on over and see more Favorites.
My Favorites today includes a Double one "My Family" and Archery Shooting"
We were introduced so to speak to Archery a couple of years ago and really came to enjoy it. We each have are own bows. But wanted to share a couple of pictures of "My favorite Guys" doing what they enjoy.( I am usually snapping pictures so no pictures of me or my bow)
1st and foremost we have hubby who does not like to have his picture taken (hence the closed eyes)We are at an 4-H Archery Competition


The twins with their bows............... In competition
Checking out the speed of the Arrow


Walking the 3D Shoot track
All my guys at a 3D shoot South of here
twin 1 and 2, BIL, oldest son and hubby (sorry no pictures of me but I do shoot and have my own Bow and yes my arrows are pink and purple-mainly so the "guys" don't walk off with them-hey it seems to work with gloves and caps too- giggle... giggle)

The guys again on the 3D Course checking out distance of targets(they look so serious)
Oldest Son and Hubby
Again
The twins received their archery hunting licence so will be out again this weekend hunting the perfect Deer.
Well, that's all I have for today My Favorite Family..
May your Weekend be full of excitement and include some time for you. With the upcoming holiday remember the joy part of the season.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Judy







Wednesday, December 15, 2010

3" and 4"Farmers Wife Blocks, Christmas Parties and Some Cows

What do these all have in common you might ask? Well nothing other than all was happening in the same week. Hee hee.......

Our Guild's had their Yearly Christmas Party this last week, so wanted to show some of the items I received. I will start with the Minnekahta Quilt Guild since it was the first one last Thursday night down in Hot Springs.


At the begining of 2010 it was decided for every Show and Tell you brought in, your name would be in a drawing at the Christmas party for different gifts and that time the top gift was going to be a Accu. Go Cutter. Well who can not want one of those? Anyways, it just happened and would of happened anyways I was doing the Farmers Wife Sampler Blocks, And three other quilts of the week and one of the month, plus project Warmth quilting, plus all my normally quilting that I ended up with a few show and tells.

No I didn't receive the dreamed about Accu cut go, for what ever reason that was not purchased.But I did get my name drew and here are the prizes received:

A photo frame with a very nice saying in it, a very beautiful made Daisy Pincushion(I love this- it's the Black and White item in the picture) it included a $50.00 Gift Certificate to Sue' s "Quilt Shop" in Custer. A set of 2005, 2006, 2007 Calendar patterns, and a 300 page photo album. Also, I put in this picture 3 more of the Christmas blocks that I had won a couple of months ago when my name was drawn for the friendship blocks. If you don't know what friendship blocks are: they are where you put your name in and when it is picked you get to choose a block for everybody in your group to make you a block of your choosing. I have seen it done different ways. In this instance at every meeting the people that have not won names are put in a can and one name will be drew and that is the person who you make a block from for the next month, in which this was done every month til December. Another way it is done, is everybody signs up that wants to participate and it will go for that many months each name being picked for that particular month. Quite fun to see all the different blocks and ideas.On these particular blocks I asked for 12 1/2 Unfinished Christmas Blocks. At a later time I will get all my blocks together and post a picture of my blocks I received.

Christmas Blocks.........2005-2007 Calendars Gift Certificate and Album

DaisyPincushion(Isn't it just adorable)


I also attened our Christmas Party for the Black Hills Quilt Guild and though I haven't gotten a picture it was a very fun night! It was also a pot luck, bring a gift for no more 10.00, and play a game of left ,right, center. The food was amazing and very plentiful (actually you would not believe the amount of food) their were over 140 people I believe was said. For the gifts, all that participated were to get in a circle and then the Night Before Christmas was read and everytime the word "the" was read you were to hand the gift to the left. It was quite fun and some got a little mixed up but what a neat way to exchange gifts. I was blessed with a clip on magnifyer with light, which shall come in very handy since this year my eyes have decided to catch up eith my age.(giggle..giggle)The game was also blast! You have a set of 3 dice, they had and L, and R, and a C on them also a dot. (to start with we were asked to bring 3 Fat Quarters). When you first start you roll all 3 dice, then do with your FQ whatever the dice says; if you get and l, a dot, and a R yu would get to keep 1FQ hand 1 to the left and hand 1 to the R. Then next time you only get to roll dice according to how many FQ you have left. This goes around and around until only 1 person is left with a FQ. Then that one lucky person get to keep all the Fat Quarters that made it to the center (which is all except the 1). You should try it, is quite fun to play. This particular game Cindy from Fabric City won the Fat Quarters so be sure and Congratulate her when and if you see her.
When I wasn''t Christmas partying this week, I did keep plugging away on my Farmers Wife Blocks, both the 3" 30's fabric ones and the 4" Scrappy fabric ones.


3" Bk #37 Flower Pot..............3" BK#32 Farmers Daughter

3" BK#39 Friendship..............3" BK# 40 Friendship Block
4" Bk#27 Darting Birds...........4" Bk# 28 Duck and Ducklings
4" BK# 29 Economy (I too like Kitchen Window better)
4" Bk# 39 Friendship................4" Bk# 40 Friendship Block
.........................................................................................................................................................
Then last but not least, when I wasn't doing any of the above I could be found ot helping the folks. A Week and a half ago they decided to Sell Out of the "Cow" business. Now I have had a lot of feelings on this, so will Not go into them here but will say it has been a very trying couple of Months!
Many of you don't know but my mother has had some health issues between having to restart her heart, new found diabetes, asthma, C-pap, and a recent OXY testing it has been a hectic time for her. Then Dad had his 2nd knee surgery, and ended up coming home on oxygen(though that seems to have been just a temporary need). All in all I know this decision was not an easy one for them, but considering all the health issues the right one for them.
My boys have taken it in stride, Me (we will not go there yet), Carl has decided that he needs to get a job to "Buy" the Ranch.
Anyways enough said........ the following are the last of the "Cowy pictures before the trucks came".

Bringin' them in.........................No worry's here-- food Yep! Yum Yum!!

In waiting.....................................What else to do but eat and wait.
What's Next? You tell me............................
Have a Wonderful rest of the week and may your surprises be happy ones and your dreams fulfilled! May the upcoming Holidays fill you with compassion, and excitement and remeber the "Reason for the Season"
MERRY CHRISTMAS All!
Judy