This post will be a bit of a ramble as I try to catch up on what has been going on in my life and sharing the progress of one of my project. I intended to share a bit of an end of the year review, but God had other plans...I'll start with the most major life event...

On December 21, my beloved father in law, Wayne, went to be with the Lord Jesus. He was 87 years old and I loved him dearly. 

Here he is working on a puzzle with Russ a week after he was moved into memory care last August. His passing wasn't unexpected as he has been getting more frailer these last few months, but it was surprising. 

It all began with a fall on December 15 at our family Christmas (5 minutes after we arrived, so he missed the whole thing!) which resulted in several fractures in several of his ribs. The dr at the ER called it a "catastrophic life event" due to age and prior lung damage due to smoking years back. By the end of the day, the news kept getting worse. A neck fracture was found as well as an aneurysm. The decision was made to make him comfortable in hospice, as he did not want any extraordinary means to be taken to keep him alive and that's what would have had to take place. He said, in one of his lucid moments that night (he had mild dementia), "I have lived a good life. I am ready to go." The blessings of that week, though sad and stressful at times,  we (all the children, grandchildren, brother, etc) were all able to say what needed to be said and could love up on him until he met the Lord on the other side of the veil. I am thankful I could be there the whole week to sit with him and with my mother in law, Mathena. Wayne's funeral was December 26...

Christmas in my home was simple and low key. No complaints there! Russ got a battery. Exciting, huh?? He is converting his recumbent bike into an electric bike. Why? I don't question is choice of "toys" because I appreciate he doesn't make me justify my sewing toys. =)

My Christmas gifts were all fountain pen related. I fell into the fountain pen hobby last year and haven't stopped loving them! I received a Pilot DecimoVanishing Point pen and lots of ink. You can never have too much ink! Or pens for that matter. ;-) 

With the week-long stay at hospice with Wayne, his funeral and Christmas all bunched on top of each other, my sewing time was non-existent until New Year's Day when I finished up my 2018 Temperature quilt. 

In the last two rows, I added a temperature key. The actual temperatures are not written on them in any way but they do show what the colors were in order from coldest to hottest temperatures. That way you can look at the quilt and get an idea of what the temperature was. 

Here it is all finished!! It measures 72" x 88". I still have the first of the months marked with a piece paper pinned to the quilt. I am not sure if I want to mark those days in some way or not. I am leaning towards not, but I'm not ready to take the papers off until I am sure. 

  

I am organized to start another temperature quilt for 2019 but haven't firmed up my choice on block and layout yet. What I do know is it won't involve applique!! ;-)  I am going to use the same colors/fabric and same temperature key. You can read more about my process and find out what colors I chose on this post from April - Temperature Quilt.

 My quilting goals for 2019:

1 - Make more donation quilts for Bridgehaven. 

2 - Continue to use up my stash. 

3 - Continue with being very selective about what I add to my stash. 

4 - Learn one new technique out of my comfort zone. Last year I did curves! Not sure what I want this year's challenge to be. 

My personal goals for 2019:

1 - Love my husband more.  

2 - Memorize at least one new scripture verse a month. I have this months already mostly memorized, so I expect to exceed my goal. 

3 - Continue to stay on the Low Carb High-Fat eating plan. I haven't been on it very long, but I feel better already! 

4 - Be an encouragement with those I meet. Greg Koukl at Stand To Reason sums it up well in his mentoring letter: Give 'Em Heaven

Whew! If you stuck with me all through this post, thank you!! 

I wish you and yours a year of PEACE! 

This post will be a bit of a ramble as I try to catch up on what has been going on in my life and sharing the progress of one of my project. I intended to share a bit of an end of the year review, but God had other plans...I'll start with the most major life event...

On December 21, my beloved father in law, Wayne, went to be with the Lord Jesus. He was 87 years old and I loved him dearly. 

Here he is working on a puzzle with Russ a week after he was moved into memory care last August. His passing wasn't unexpected as he has been getting more frailer these last few months, but it was surprising. 

It all began with a fall on December 15 at our family Christmas (5 minutes after we arrived, so he missed the whole thing!) which resulted in several fractures in several of his ribs. The dr at the ER called it a "catastrophic life event" due to age and prior lung damage due to smoking years back. By the end of the day, the news kept getting worse. A neck fracture was found as well as an aneurysm. The decision was made to make him comfortable in hospice, as he did not want any extraordinary means to be taken to keep him alive and that's what would have had to take place. He said, in one of his lucid moments that night (he had mild dementia), "I have lived a good life. I am ready to go." The blessings of that week, though sad and stressful at times,  we (all the children, grandchildren, brother, etc) were all able to say what needed to be said and could love up on him until he met the Lord on the other side of the veil. I am thankful I could be there the whole week to sit with him and with my mother in law, Mathena. Wayne's funeral was December 26...

Christmas in my home was simple and low key. No complaints there! Russ got a battery. Exciting, huh?? He is converting his recumbent bike into an electric bike. Why? I don't question is choice of "toys" because I appreciate he doesn't make me justify my sewing toys. =)

My Christmas gifts were all fountain pen related. I fell into the fountain pen hobby last year and haven't stopped loving them! I received a Pilot DecimoVanishing Point pen and lots of ink. You can never have too much ink! Or pens for that matter. ;-) 

With the week-long stay at hospice with Wayne, his funeral and Christmas all bunched on top of each other, my sewing time was non-existent until New Year's Day when I finished up my 2018 Temperature quilt. 

In the last two rows, I added a temperature key. The actual temperatures are not written on them in any way but they do show what the colors were in order from coldest to hottest temperatures. That way you can look at the quilt and get an idea of what the temperature was. 

Here it is all finished!! It measures 72" x 88". I still have the first of the months marked with a piece paper pinned to the quilt. I am not sure if I want to mark those days in some way or not. I am leaning towards not, but I'm not ready to take the papers off until I am sure. 

  

I am organized to start another temperature quilt for 2019 but haven't firmed up my choice on block and layout yet. What I do know is it won't involve applique!! ;-)  I am going to use the same colors/fabric and same temperature key. You can read more about my process and find out what colors I chose on this post from April - Temperature Quilt.

 My quilting goals for 2019:

1 - Make more donation quilts for Bridgehaven. 

2 - Continue to use up my stash. 

3 - Continue with being very selective about what I add to my stash. 

4 - Learn one new technique out of my comfort zone. Last year I did curves! Not sure what I want this year's challenge to be. 

My personal goals for 2019:

1 - Love my husband more.  

2 - Memorize at least one new scripture verse a month. I have this months already mostly memorized, so I expect to exceed my goal. 

3 - Continue to stay on the Low Carb High-Fat eating plan. I haven't been on it very long, but I feel better already! 

4 - Be an encouragement with those I meet. Greg Koukl at Stand To Reason sums it up well in his mentoring letter: Give 'Em Heaven

Whew! If you stuck with me all through this post, thank you!! 

I wish you and yours a year of PEACE! 

Remember this little baby quilt? I think Norah likes it, don't you??

Remember this little baby quilt? I think Norah likes it, don't you??

And a couple more finishes to end the year....

A baby quilt for a sweet little girl due in January. I teased Selena last spring that if she wanted one of my quilts, she needed to have a baby. Little did I know she suspected she was expecting. Two weeks later, she sweetly said, "Amy, remember what you told me I had to do to get one of your quilts?" I was so excited for her and her husband. They are the SWEETEST couple.

Fabric used, Simply Sweet and Kona cotton. Pattern used, Charming Stars.

Fun scrappy back....

And my favorite part, the candy stripe binding. 

One more kayak quilt. This is for my Rusty's kayaking buddy, Vic. They have been friends for 25+ years. All 8 yards of the kayaking fabric is gone! Yeah!!

Thank you all for your kind comments and encouragement. I look foreword to seeing what creative endeavors you all bring in 2011!

God bless...

And a couple more finishes to end the year....

A baby quilt for a sweet little girl due in January. I teased Selena last spring that if she wanted one of my quilts, she needed to have a baby. Little did I know she suspected she was expecting. Two weeks later, she sweetly said, "Amy, remember what you told me I had to do to get one of your quilts?" I was so excited for her and her husband. They are the SWEETEST couple.

Fabric used, Simply Sweet and Kona cotton. Pattern used, Charming Stars.

Fun scrappy back....

And my favorite part, the candy stripe binding. 

One more kayak quilt. This is for my Rusty's kayaking buddy, Vic. They have been friends for 25+ years. All 8 yards of the kayaking fabric is gone! Yeah!!

Thank you all for your kind comments and encouragement. I look foreword to seeing what creative endeavors you all bring in 2011!

God bless...

I messed this one up a couple of times before I got it right. 

I messed this one up a couple of times before I got it right. 

Rusty's Kayak Quilt x's 2

I chose to add very narrow red boarders to it and bind it in red with a few scrappy pieces of the batik navy blue dots tossed in. 

I don't prewash my fabric and I was a wee bit concerned about the batik bleeding, but it didn't at all. Whew!!

Now that its finished being quilted, all the little mistakes don't seem to matter. It won't win any awards and it won't pass a critical quilters eyes and that's okay with me! The joy is in the process and the learning of new skills.  

I started this journey of learning to sew and quilt two years ago, with my Mom's Viking. I've since upgraded to a newer Viking a Platinum 770 and bought a Juki TL98Q.

For the last few weeks, I've been mulling over in my mind whether or not if it's okay to call myself a quilter instead of saying, "I am learning how to quilt," because aren't we all learning more and more about this craft each and every time we create a quilt?

Then I made a collage of most of the things I've made this last year and I realized...

  I am a quilter. 

My only wish? That my Mom could know how much of her has rubbed off on me....

Happy New Year, everyone!! 

I chose to add very narrow red boarders to it and bind it in red with a few scrappy pieces of the batik navy blue dots tossed in. 

I don't prewash my fabric and I was a wee bit concerned about the batik bleeding, but it didn't at all. Whew!!

Now that its finished being quilted, all the little mistakes don't seem to matter. It won't win any awards and it won't pass a critical quilters eyes and that's okay with me! The joy is in the process and the learning of new skills.  

I started this journey of learning to sew and quilt two years ago, with my Mom's Viking. I've since upgraded to a newer Viking a Platinum 770 and bought a Juki TL98Q.

For the last few weeks, I've been mulling over in my mind whether or not if it's okay to call myself a quilter instead of saying, "I am learning how to quilt," because aren't we all learning more and more about this craft each and every time we create a quilt?

Then I made a collage of most of the things I've made this last year and I realized...

  I am a quilter. 

My only wish? That my Mom could know how much of her has rubbed off on me....

Happy New Year, everyone!! 

I wonder who likes it better...Clay the little dog, or Rusty?

I'll get a better picture of the quilt tomorrow. =)

I wonder who likes it better...Clay the little dog, or Rusty?

I'll get a better picture of the quilt tomorrow. =)

* Jannette: here is the link to the block

http://www.moosequilts.com/LCQAblock4.pdf

Also, you are set as a no=reply blogger, which means I can not email you. If you need help changing the settings, I wrote a post about it not too long ago, or you can contact me and I will help you. =) 

I love how this one turned out! Now to go do block #3. =)

* Jannette: here is the link to the block

http://www.moosequilts.com/LCQAblock4.pdf

Also, you are set as a no=reply blogger, which means I can not email you. If you need help changing the settings, I wrote a post about it not too long ago, or you can contact me and I will help you. =) 

I love how this one turned out! Now to go do block #3. =)

Doesn't it look impressive all put together? 

Now to decide about borders. 

Infinity, #164 of Quiltmakers 100 Blocks ~ Designed by Vickie of Spun Sugar Quilts

Infinity, #164 of Quiltmakers 100 Blocks ~ Designed by Vickie of Spun Sugar Quilts

Doesn't it look impressive all put together? 

Now to decide about borders. 

Infinity, #164 of Quiltmakers 100 Blocks ~ Designed by Vickie of Spun Sugar Quilts

Infinity, #164 of Quiltmakers 100 Blocks ~ Designed by Vickie of Spun Sugar Quilts

I bought my copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine last week and drooled over all the great talent found inside of the pages. 

Have you gotten your copy yet?

It didn't take me long to decide which block I wanted to make first.

This one by Vickie of Spun Sugar Quilts called Infinity. I love it! 

Here is my version and the beginning of a quilt for my hubby. 

I was thrilled when I found the kayak fabric for a $1 a yard! Yes, a dollar a yard of 60" wide fabric! The ladies at the store thought I was nuts when I squealed with delight. I'm used to being looked at like I am crazy. I don't mind. =)  My husband loves kayaking thus the squeals. 

My squeals, not his. 

My husband does not squeal. 

I thought I had better make that perfectly clear. {ahem}

I'd love to have it done by Christmas. We'll see!

I bought my copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine last week and drooled over all the great talent found inside of the pages. 

Have you gotten your copy yet?

It didn't take me long to decide which block I wanted to make first.

This one by Vickie of Spun Sugar Quilts called Infinity. I love it! 

Here is my version and the beginning of a quilt for my hubby. 

I was thrilled when I found the kayak fabric for a $1 a yard! Yes, a dollar a yard of 60" wide fabric! The ladies at the store thought I was nuts when I squealed with delight. I'm used to being looked at like I am crazy. I don't mind. =)  My husband loves kayaking thus the squeals. 

My squeals, not his. 

My husband does not squeal. 

I thought I had better make that perfectly clear. {ahem}

I'd love to have it done by Christmas. We'll see!

The quilt on the wall I blogged about here and here. 

On the table is the same Charming Stars pattern by Stefanie @ Little Lady Patchwork except, I used my Go cutter value die that comes with the Go and made slightly smaller star blocks for this adorable baby quilt. It's hard to see in the picture, but I decided not to add a boarder and it still measures a very nice size of 53"x53". The fabric I used is Simply Sweet by Barbara Jones and Kona cotton solids. 

The quilt on the wall I blogged about here and here. 

On the table is the same Charming Stars pattern by Stefanie @ Little Lady Patchwork except, I used my Go cutter value die that comes with the Go and made slightly smaller star blocks for this adorable baby quilt. It's hard to see in the picture, but I decided not to add a boarder and it still measures a very nice size of 53"x53". The fabric I used is Simply Sweet by Barbara Jones and Kona cotton solids. 

Tis finished!! 

I am satisfied...

Tis finished!! 

I am satisfied...

A quilt for Baby William. =)

A quilt for Baby William. =)

Layer Cake Quilt Along

Konda @ Moose on the Porch Quilts is having a layer cake quilt along. I realized today, when the 2nd block was revealed, that I didn't share the first block I made. 

I'm sure you were all losing sleep over it...

Did you know I struggle with being overly sarcastic?

Well, I do...

{ahem}

I am using my Tula Pink Plume layer cake for the quilt along. I love that there is two weeks between each new block reveal, so there is plenty of time for procrastinators (pointing at me) to get them done. 

Block 2 is by Vickie of Spun Sugar Quilt. 

For more information, click on the Layer Cake button in my side bar. =)

Konda @ Moose on the Porch Quilts is having a layer cake quilt along. I realized today, when the 2nd block was revealed, that I didn't share the first block I made. 

I'm sure you were all losing sleep over it...

Did you know I struggle with being overly sarcastic?

Well, I do...

{ahem}

I am using my Tula Pink Plume layer cake for the quilt along. I love that there is two weeks between each new block reveal, so there is plenty of time for procrastinators (pointing at me) to get them done. 

Block 2 is by Vickie of Spun Sugar Quilt. 

For more information, click on the Layer Cake button in my side bar. =)