Spool

Yesterday morning I left home with two friends, headed to Chattanooga to meet up with another friend for the AQS Quilt Show. Our first stop just HAD to be Spool-home of the BadAss Quilter's Society. Maddie was in the house and we had a blast shopping and laughing. If you've never been to Spool and you are near Chattanooga, you really need to go. Of course, we had to take a picture with Maddie to earmark the  occasion. Here we are.....

Anne, Pam, me, Judy and Maddie

2015 Swap Blocks-August

Here are our August swap blocks. Anne did three with dark centers this month, Karen did an extra light block, and Pam did two extra blocks. My four are the bottom row. 

Only three more months. I guess I better hurry up and get last year's blocks sewn up!! 

I Spy....and a Bug Jar

I have been cutting up fabrics and making "quilt kits" to sew on. Cutting a quilt seems to take me forever and when I am ready to start sewing on a project, I want to dig in and sew.  I don't want to spend time cutting. Those times when I have 15 minutes and could be stitching on something, these projects will be ready. It's gratifying to knock out a few simple blocks in short order. 

So, the other day, when I was in the mood to cut-I did!! I cut...and cut...and cut. 

First I cut over 250  3 1/2" squares and have them ready to stitch for an I Spy Quilt! (I have been collecting and swapping for many years.)

Some of my squares are cut on point and I'm going to sew triangles in the corners to square them up.

I cut others into squares and I'm going to put borders around them so they are the same size as the other blocks.

I've started collecting solids to use for the corners and borders. 

My grandkids aren't getting any younger, so it's now or never, if I'm going to make an I Spy quilt!

I decided while I was in the mood to cut that it was a good time to dig into the bug fabric collection too. My grandson, Oliver, is 2 1/2 now and I'm thinking he is just the right age for a bug jar quilt. I bought this pattern about 12 years ago-just knowing some day I would have a grandson. After SIX girls, we finally had a boy and I am thrilled to finally be able to make this quilt!

I have 30 "jars" cut, and even made my lid units. I already have my backing fabric, too. This should make up pretty darn quick.

Now, when I have just a few minutes to sit and stitch, I'm ready.

I Spy A Vacation!

I've been really busy the last few weeks and haven't taken the time to blog. But some of my "really busy" was spent in total relaxation. My husband and I headed to the panhandle of Florida and spent 5 wonderful days at the beach. The weather was perfect, the water was perfect, the sand was perfect. I guess it's safe to say-the vacation was perfect!

This is the view from the porch where we ate all of our meals, rocked our evenings away and listened to the waves lapping at the shore.

This was our favorite meal. (We ate it three times!!) FRESH from the ocean, boiled and perfectly seasoned shrimp. It just doesn't get any better than this!! 

My body and soul are rejuvenated. I am ready to take on the world!

2015 Swap Blocks-June and July

I am a month behind posting pictures of swap blocks since I took a blogging vacation last month. These are June's blocks. Anne did an extra one this month-that's the reason there are 17.

And these are July's blocks. Anne did another extra block this month too and I did two extra.

We only have four more months and this year's swap will be finished. They are fun and easy blocks to make. I still need to sew last year's swap blocks together!! No surprise there!

Back To School Time

It's that time of year again-back to school. This summer has been extremely hot, with highs in the 90's for weeks on end and heat index readings of 105-115*-pure misery. We have had some pool time, but some days it was like swimming in a bath tub and not refreshing at all. 

I think all of the kids have looked forward to going back to school to see their friends. Sofia and Chloe were the first two to start school-on August 3. Sofia is in 2nd grade and Chloe was so excited to be in kindergarten this year. Their mom made them each special new dresses for the first day. 

On Saturday, August 8, we had our 6th annual back to school tea. This year my daughter, Melissa, was the hostess. We had such a good time eating finger sandwiches, scones, and fruit and sipping peach tea. 

Our family is getting bigger (and older) every year! At almost 10 months, this was Gabby's first tea and this year we have seven who are going to school! Our back to school tea is a family tradition that we all enjoy so much! 

Melissa got out the china that was her great grandmother's to set a special table-isn't it perfect for a tea party? This is the kid's table-

Yesterday Ella and Ollie headed off to preschool. Ella is in the 3K program this year, though she turns 4 in September. Ollie is starting school for the first time ever this year. At 2 1/2, he has been going to preschool to drop his sisters off his whole life and he was very excited about staying to play. Melissa made Ella's dress and Ollie's shorts and shirt, too.

The last ones to start back to school were the three oldest. This morning Katelyn, Emily and Madison headed out the door to 7th, 5th and 4th grade. It seems like just yesterday they were in preschool. 

Now it's time for field trips, soccer games, and homework. It will be Christmas before you know it!

Have a great school year! I love you all, 

Grammy

My Gorgeous Wooden Seam Ripper

Three weeks ago I went to South Carolina to see my two BFFs, Pam and Anne. There was a "vendor only" quilt show going on in Columbia and it was a great excuse for us to get together. 

I bought a few fat quarters here and there at the show. Shopping was not the point of the trip-being with my friends was.

And the point of this blog post isn't to chat about the trip or the quilt show, but to share with you the new seam ripper that Anne gave me (she gave a similar one to Pam too). It is absolutely gorgeous and is a piece of art. 

Anne has a friend in her guild named Carol Fischbach. Carol's husband, Woody, turned the wood on his lathe and made this beauty. Carol brought some to their quilt guild meeting and the ladies went crazy for them! Anne bought several seam rippers and spool holders. (After they sold them all, Woody turned around and donated ALL the money to their guild!! Wasn't that sweet?)

Pam and I are ecstatic! They are SO beautiful! I wish you could feel how smooth and polished the wood is. Mine is made of maple. It has now actually become a pleasure to have to rip a seam. I have to admit that I have used it several times already. :)

In case you've never seen one before, I'll show you how it's made. The seam ripper pulls out of its wooden holder, and then you turn it around and put the non-ripper end back into the wood.

I can wear the necklace around my neck to keep my ripper close at hand, but when I need to use it, it easily pulls off, because it is held on with a magnet.

Anne also bought me a spool holder that Woody made. It is just as pretty to look at and fun to use. 

It's wonderful for those spools of thread with the large center holes or for thread cones. It keeps them from rattling around on your spindle.

Here it is sitting on my machine. Doesn't it make my spool of thread look fancy?

I'm such a lucky girl. Thank you so much to my dear friend, Annie.