QUILT PANINI

Knitting Update!

2011-12-09T13:01:00.000-08:00

I know....it has been awhile. I have an update on the sweater that I posted last....IT IS FINISHED. I just recently blocked it and have photos of that (pin down flat in the correct shaping, spritz with water and then let dry completely).

And now a photo of me wearing the sweater......it is really warm and soft! YEAH!!

A quick peek of what I am working on now.......entreloc-it means painful and confusing and brain puzzle and knitfrogfknitfrogknitfrogknit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Don't EVEN ask!

Quilt basting frame

2010-12-12T15:59:00.001-08:00

This was a surprise and revealed to me just days before my husband's saga in hospital. There are four posts with 10 foot boards. I will staple strips of fabric onto the boards and pin the quilt's three layers to the strips. The boards will be clamped to set the dimension and then I will be walking around the quilt pinning as I go. I will then move the corners in to target the interior. I'm hoping to watch how this is done over Christmas break in Geneva before trying this myself. I currently have two completed quilt tops ready to be quilted.

BTW I have not finished my pink sweater yet-I have put some Christmas gifts first on my to-do list!!

Knitting to avoid panic

2010-11-26T13:12:00.000-08:00

I am grateful on this Thanksgiving Friday to report that my husband is recovering from emergency intestinal surgery! For almost two weeks, I spent most of the days and evenings as a hospital visitor and resident knitter. I brought with me a project that was intended to be my "car passenger" project as we were to travel to Georgia. We waited for the stomachache to go away before leaving.........but took a side trip to the ER. Nevertheless.......look how my sweater is coming along! It will have long sleeves and a turtleneck.

BTW, I knitted both sleeves at the same time which obviously took longer and could have been a problem had I gotten the two skeins I was working with tangled BUT....the the sleeves are identical!!!

The pattern is from a gorgeous book that I bought with a 40% coupon at JoAnn's called "Knitting Nature" by Norah Gaughan. The yarn is 25% wool and 75% acrylic: Encore and although it looks like cinnamon it is really a deep mauve pink.

I guess the sweater will remind me of this trying time.......but I'd like to think that I made pink lemonade out of the ordeal!

Bill is so grateful for all the prayers and concern for his welfare. He is humbled and grateful to God for healing.

Finally finished!

2010-10-24T15:59:00.000-07:00

You may remember this sweater from October 2009. That's right people-2009! Well, I finally finished and have worn this soft lacy beauty! The buttons really make the sweater...I bought them at my favorite knitting store: "Have Ewe any Wool" here in Amherst, NY.

The challenge was counting the pattern stitches. I found that if I took the time to place markers, I could then easily correct a mistake within a group of maybe 10 repeating stitches. It was easier to spot the mistake with markers separating the REPEAT.

It feels good to finish before starting another sweater.

Knitting break

2010-09-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

Okay-have to admit that in the middle of all that quilting, I just had to treat myself with some knitting.This lovely beret was a "pattern and skein" gift from my friend/sister Carol who also bought a skein of a zinnia color for herself. The intention was for us to start this complicated pattern together(with many changes and the need to count to the point of NO TALKING or TV please). Well I had the perfect opportunity as Carol had some minor surgery and needed to stay off her feet for a day. I "babysat" for her hubby the day after surgery and we started together. Three hours later after knitting and ripping out(called frogging) we finally seemed to be getting the hang of the drop stitches and counting. I had to quick go back to the yarn store and get us each another skein in order to finish. The instructions have you block on a dinner plate. It's made out of super-wash wool so I can laundar and plate all winter!

Christmas in August

2010-09-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

Just finished a Christmas Quilt for a special friend's wedding present. It is a "stack and whack" design where the border fabric is stacked in layers EXACTLY on top of the next layer with images EXACTLY under the same. Eight layers are then cut into diamond shapes and when arranged make a beautiful Poinsettia. For a better look at the quilt, take a look at the new blog Header on top of this blog. Each different poinsettia is made from the border fabric and nothing else!!

Thank you Lisa for helping do the math and stopping me from messing up those diamond shapes.

The machine quilting is not my favorite especially the back which got a little puckered....but no one noticed but me.....so it will be my signature and proof that I made it myself. By the way.....when I cut this quilt out, I actually cut enough pieces for two quilts....maybe next summer.............

Tomatoes

2010-08-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

Well, it's August and Vanessa and I are celebrating canning season. This time, Vanessa has shared her recipe for Tomato Juice which tasted like V8 cold and like wonderfully flavorful tomato soup when hot. We went to the Clarence Farmer's Market and bought a bushel of ripe tomatoes and spent the day cutting, simmering, milling out the seeds and skins and then canning. We had two huge canners going and used the dish washer to prepare the jars. We yielded 21 quarts!

It's been a while

2010-03-31T17:27:00.000-07:00

`I recently visited my home away from home in Geneva. Yes, yes, yes...it was a quilt event and Lisa presented a target project, made a crock pot lunch and invited several ladies (and their sewing machines) to her living room. Her sister Nancy and I shared a card table with a quilt covering to cushion the racing machines. I had the blessed opportunity to use Lisa's featherweight again and that sweet thing just sings and sings!!

I had great success sewing but I realized in all the hub bub that I cut 3.25 inch strips instead of 3.75 inch strip. Luckily, I had another sewing project with me.

Thought I'd show you some of the other work of the day-that's Nancy's block in the right corner. (For some reason, I can't move the photos to where I want them on this post????)

FYI-I have been so blessed by the Lord in the last few months-My mom is well and living in an Assisted Living Facility which she has described to her friends as....." if you can't be at home, it's the best place to be." She has been participating in many activities and enjoying live music. On April 15, she will be honored for her china painting with a little show for the residents. She can be very proud of her accomplishments. I will post some of her work at a later date.

Happy Easter and a Blessed Passover!

The Best Christmas Present!!

2010-01-02T14:14:00.000-08:00

I wanted you all to see the beautiful Christmas present that my husband Bill made for me in his "Basement Getaway" /or workshop. (I equate his get away with the AYYYHHHHH that I feel when I sit down at my Bernina to sew). I had heard the buzz and smelled varnish for some time after Thanksgiving and I knew something important and secret was going on down there. Knew enough not to open that door or look in the window. I knew enough not to ask what that sheepish yet excited look was on Bill's face..............................and it was worth it! I love you Honey!!!!

Tree's down :(

2010-01-02T11:07:00.001-08:00

I'm back from Geneva, a short reprieve......... so appreciated and cherished!!! I was fortunate enough to spend hours of quality time with Lisa's daughter Chrissy as well as with Nancy. You will be so excited to see the "show and tell"time I enjoyed. I had all of you in mind when I took the photos so here goes:

This is Nancy's Spider web Quilt-notice the firefly quilting.

To the left is Nancy's "Thirty's fabric quilt-hand quilted

WOW!!

Lisa's "Dress form" quilt-also hand quilted. I an blown away at how much these ladies have accomplished since my last visit. I have so much to be inspired by. There are two pieced but not yet quilted tops on my "To -Do " list and two quilts cut and ready to sew. I have started a knitted scarf but have not finished my cardigan sweater yet.........But the tree is down and I'm back to work on

Monday.............My regular schedule will need some creativity .........so stay tuned!!

Wonderful Christmas

2009-12-28T11:33:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas with our grand kids-yes the boys I made quilts for. As predicted, the boys looked at the quilts and pushed them aside to open their toys. I didn't mind at all.................we had already baked , sledded and played with tinker toys and Lego's. The boys made certain that the quilts were packed in the suitcase rather than send them through the mail. They call me GRANDMA!!!!!!!!!!!And WE have snow................about an inch but you would have thought it was a winter wonderland the we way they carried on.

I will be traveling to see my quilting mentors tomorrow AM. Hoping for good travel weather. There's a good chance we will be going to our favorite quilt shop Patchwork Plus. Hoping to limit my purchases.....................they would be on the same "Christmas bill" I am dreading.

Bento box sucess!

2009-12-06T15:45:00.000-08:00

I decided to use the black as the binding to frame the Bento boxes!

It took two full days of relentless quilting but I did finish and I am happy with the results. I am certain that both grand kids will say a quiet "thank you" then push the quilts aside reaching for toys BUT..........................someday when they are snuggled in their Quilt, they will think of me or remember what I hope will be a great Christmas memory!Can you see the leaf quilting pattern on each quarter of the Bento box-it looks neat on the back as well.

Please don't look at the back!!

2009-11-29T15:41:00.001-08:00

Well, I finished piecing the top but please don't look at the back. You know, I have a quarter inch foot and I measure with a host of quilting rulers........I can't believe what a variance there was each time I cut and sewed pieces together. My mentor Lisa would be shocked and dismayed BUT......................if you don't tell, I may just be able to pull it off because the affect is a success.................may be an optical illusion but ...it works.Thanks Lisa and Nancy for the color advice!! Sorry about the camera wire in the corner. Today I had a proud moment in my motherhood career. My daughter Vanessa had a "premier event experience" participating in the annual "second storie indie market 2009".

She has a site on Etsy and has had much

success selling on the internet.......................Today she sold at a craft fair for the first time and we enjoyed watching people purchase her loom woven scarves after viewing, touching and trying on her beautiful creations. Check out her work at http://www.etsy.com/shop/pidgepidge

Bento Box

2009-11-22T16:28:00.000-08:00

Well, I finished the blue quilt-no photo yet cause I have yet to gently wash it-love the way that first wash yields all the puckers!!

I have begun piecing the Red-lover grandson's Christmas present. I am referring to the Bento Box Quilt I am working through the vague directions I have gleaned from several articles and blog posts. Basically it is like a log cabin quilt in that you create a design with fabric strips that are frames around a center square. The trick is that you then slice those 16 inch blocks into quarters and sew THEM together to yield Bento Boxes.

Here is a sneak peak-you can see that I have just folded the three top squares in order to demonstrate the transformation. I need to really press the framed blocks and cut them to square them up for size before I quarter them. That will take time, several trips to the basement where the Rowenta iron lives and precision slicing.

I'm certain that the project would have been easier if I had ordered a pattern........... because my thoughts of random cutting and paring of color failed. I realized that each four block arrangement needs to have the strips arranged with opposite colors when next to the section you will sew them to ..............after the quartering. Not sure if you get it but check out the photo to see that each seam has opposite fabrics.

Light at the end...........

2009-11-08T12:31:00.000-08:00

Well, I thought I was well on my way last post................but there is a lot of quilting to do in order to cover an entire quilt top. I finally finished the machine quilting and have made the binding.

Next, I will sew the binding on and I have put in a couple of straight pins to show where the stitches will be and then rolled the folded strip over to show how the finished edge will look. I usually use a "walking foot" to sew the many layers together so that the binding doesn't slip. The walking foot is an

attachment that has "feed dogs" like the ones under the needle plate on the sewing machine. With feed dogs on the bottom and on the top of the fabric, all layers of fabric will move under the needle at the same speed and without sheering away from each other.

SNEAK PEAK AT THE FABRIC FOR THE OTHER GRANDSON'S QUILT!!!

Machine Quilting

2009-10-31T16:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I held my breath and just BEGAN. I try not to look until I have finished a section because it always feel like the stitching looks stark and intrusive on the quilt. As the stitching theme begins to cover the surface of the quilt top, there is s softening and a new character born in the quilt.

The feed dogs are down under the surface of the sewing needle guard so there is no advance of fabric when the pedal is depressed and the needle begins to sew. You hold the fabric and move it under the rapidly punching needle developing a speed, rhythm,and swing from the shoulders. I am a doodler with pen and paper so I just pretend I am doodling with the needle and fabric. There is a special machine quilting foot with a spring loaded mechanism and a clear plastic ring to allow better visual attention to your pattern.

I chose a blue thread in an effort to make the quilting further color and unify the blocks.

You see my trusty Bernina-consistent, quiet, able to sew at top speed without missing a stitch or tangling the bobbin. Can you see the pattern-like a hot air balloon concentrically repeated several times before beginning in another direction.

I have taken a break and will continue tomorrow. Machine quilting can be very tiring and monotonous and there is always a tendency to RUSH which may produce a sloppy pattern result. I don't want to slip up-this is for my grandson!!

quilt back

2009-10-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

I worked on the quilt back today and I am happy with the results. I wanted to make it more interesting and use up some extra blocks. I will bind it in the deepest blue.

I also washed and pressed red fabric for my next quilt. I have a blue loving grandson and

a red loving grandson. They will both be here for Christmas and hopefully they will experience their first real snow............................not just a dusting........... cause they had that in Georgia last winter. BUT a good old fashioned Buffalo SNOW. They will both be snuggled in their quilts and hopefully they will treasure them............................do 7 and 8 year old boys care about quilts???? Hope so :)

Sewing again

2009-10-24T16:27:00.001-07:00

This was the scene out my kitchen window today. The leaves are falling, the last of the apples are tasty treats for deer. No, I don't live in the country-these are citified deer apparently having dinner at 5PM with cars whizzing by and people walking about?!?!?!?!

I am reminded that this is October and I have two quilts to make before Christmas. I have moved my precious Bernina into the living room and

am ready to roll. Today I began creating a "stripe" to incorporate onto the quilt back. Tomorrow, I should be able to assemble the quilt sandwich (panini if you are Italian) and begin machine quilting. I am auditioning some stitch designs in my head and am looking for one that will flow. I like to choose a round design for a geometric block ( it's a tip my quilt mentor Lisa shared with me). I am thinking of a bubble design but have never actually tried it before...........or maybe a hot air balloon ..........not a flower.........maybe concentric circles......TOMORROW!!

October surprise memory

2009-10-18T14:20:00.000-07:00

Things are settling down and my mom is settling in. We have a bunch of MD appointments coming up with the focus on stabilizing my mom and checking that there are no medical conditions that are left to continue without medical attention. We have been blessed with caring and comprehensive Geriatric specialists and are steadfastly seeking help with good results. Thank you for your prayers! God is good and everything that He does is good!

Thought I would enlighten some and remind the locals of the October surprise some three years ago. There was a lot of snow but the real disaster was that the leaves had not fallen from the trees yet. The heavy wet snow snapped huge branches and sent them crashing to the roof, ground and in our case, through the built in pool. There was much damage in the city and burbs. We were without electricity and/heat for 10 days. WBEN radio via battery power was our life line.

We had three houses hooked up to the generator on the RV. I set my cell phone alarm for 1.5 hours and each tome the alarm went off, we started up the RV and ran the generator for 15 minutes. Each day, the neighbors left gas cans at our door as we kept the basements dry and the meat in the freezers frozen.

We learned a lot about what neighbors can do to help and encourage each other. We learned how to do without and to be grateful for fireplace heat, electricity and light. I actually wore a forehead flashlight most evenings ( you guessed it), I knitted. There was no TV but we did get an extension cord to run the coffee pot once per day. Our next door neighbors treated us one night to a deep fried turkey dinner-delicious!!!!!

Hot cider, hot chocolate,sweaters, wool socks and down comforters.........it's quilt season..........holidays are coming.....................snow flakes and Christmas...........I'm ready!!

Thank You Knitting

2009-10-05T18:12:00.000-07:00

I apologize to all my panini blog fans for the absence from my post. We have been going through quite a bit of change at our house. My mom has been living with us for the last two weeks. It has been unsettling at times due to her confusion, rebellion, denial and frustration with all of us who believe that she needs help. The good news is that tomorrow we will have a bed delivered and she will have her own room where all her accumulated stuff will be housed. She'll have her own TV to watch the Nanny and all the Gossip shows and her own telephone with privacy. Also, we got the go ahead from Independent Health to make the appt. with the neurologist. I also put out a letter to all my friends and family explaining what has happened and asking for prayer and advice. I am happy to say that I had an almost immediate response of love and support which was and is an enormous comfort and encouragement to me. My sister got her letter and showed up at the house to take my mom out for the day freeing up my husband to attend to some outdoor chores etc. WHEW!!!

I also must tell you that my knitting has been a delight because of the process and because of the result. The yarn is luscious and the design is really beautiful. The pattern is lace-like and if the yarn were thinner (like a DK weight)-it would look like lace. While my world is whorring by and all is upside down, I can sit in the midst of "madness" and find peace and creativity........Ahhhhhh

RV "camping"

2009-09-29T15:45:00.000-07:00

This is an admission of fake camping.......I realize that often I tell people that I am going camping-well...... you decide if this kind of "roughing" it should be classified as camping:

This sofa opens up to be a bed. The sofa

is part of a "slide" or a movable floor that is electrically pushed out from the main rectangle shapeof the RV. You push a button once you are parked at a site to broaden the living area inside.

Below right is the kitchen area. At the far right is

the refrigerator/freezer (yes we do pack ice-

cream!)

You can see the fridge on the left, closet doors back left, bathroom door and the spot where we place the TV.... ;) .....above another storage space.

So I guess you can stop thinking of me as an Adventurous naturalist...........I must say that I have paid my dues-tent camping in the rain and mud...............now I enjoy luxury in a campground........or a Walmart parking lot in a pinch (but only for a stop-over on a long trip).

Well, another season has passed-there will be antifreeze in the pipes soon and we'll hope that all the snow stays outside and there are no leaks. Springtime will come soon.......I hope!

SUNSET

2009-09-28T16:33:00.001-07:00

The weekend was bitter sweet for so many reasons. We were able to get away because my daughter Rachel covered for us. You see, the night before we left my mom had a crisis evening with confusion and fear. A friend called us to alert us that my mom was in need of help. Upon arrival at her condo, we found evidence that she needed to be at home with us. There will be doctor appointments etc. in the near future. We are all pitching in to make sure that she is safe and happy. Please pray to our Creator who has a plan for my mom and loves her more than we do. I am praying that she will know we love her and will accept help, look past any embarrassment and just enjoy the next phase of her life.

Bill and I enjoyed walking through the trails and watching the lake especially when the wind picked up.

I thought I would show you an applique quilt that I have been working on while RV camping over the years.

YES, I LOVE CHICKENS!!

The pattern came with pictures like a paint by number diagram. I had a photo of what the chicken should look like. I then tried to match the many layers of colors with my stash of colorful fabric. The center wing of the middle chicken is actually fabric with the the head of a zebra turned on it's side. Some day.......... over the rainbow, I will finish all the chickens and the vines and flowers that will complete that quilt top .

I began my copper cardigan (from my last post) and although I had to unknit or "frog" about 4 inches, I did make a good headway in the back piece. I will share more of that in future posts.

Last chance for RV knitting

2009-09-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

Before our world looks like this.......................................

.............We will be spending one last RV weekend enjoying the lake and the autumn chill around a campfire.

Not to worry you craft stalkers-Look what arrived in the mail today-yummy copper yarn: Swish super wash merino wool!! I'm thinking of making a cardigan and am considering a pattern that looks like fun. This sweater will be washable...... or so it says on the label.

After this weekend of knitting on the lake, we will have to winterize the RV (so the pipes don't freeze and then the season of fun camping will be over:(

I will take my camera with me and hope to share the lovely sights and knitting progress next post.

Ready for fall

2009-09-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

Well, the house was 65 degrees all weekend. I had to close the windows yesterday because starting out at 65 indoors, and dipping down to the 40's outside at night.............Yeah-trying not to go to turning on the heat just yet. BUT I DID FINISH THE COWL....so my neck will be warm.

Yesterday, I realized that the leaf pattern was morphed and decided to "unknit" back to the spot where I was confident that I was following the pattern exactly. Basically, I had to RIP out the "skirt" at the bottom. I also realized that each line of the printed pattern had the number of stitches in the REPEAT so.................I methodically placed little markers between those repeats. It took time to get it set up But .....was a great saving of time ("UNKNIT"

time) in the long run. I knew that the stitches between the markers had to be the same number. If there was a mistake, I only had to RIP out a few stitches to get back to a marker.

I blocked the finished cowl and let it dry in the sun. How does it look??? I love the way this fiber feels on my neck -great way to dress up a plain sweater or long sleeve Tee.

I am so blessed to have the resources, interest and ability to create.I am grateful that God has led me to friends who have taught me how to craft so many things. I love the quiet time while I am working and so many times, God meets me there... right there, in the process of creating.

He as our Creator has shared the process with me and made me realize how amazing He is, in His genious-creating you and me for a purpose, bothering to put spots on a ladybug, changing the seasons and then of course creating heaven-a place He has prepared for us.

Read John 14:2-6 for such wonderful HOPE.

Knitting everywhere

2009-09-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Thought I would let you into a behind the scenes knitting project. No, I am not knitting in a closet but I always carry a little project with me -everywhere- just in case I need to wait in a waiting room or get a minute at lunch and of course if someone else is driving.

I had an itch for knitting after making two baby sweaters but didn't have enough yarn in my stash for a sweater. So, I looked on Knitty for a cowl pattern and then hunted through the stash for my favorite color and a soft enough fiber for my naked neck. I came up with the "Poinsettia" pattern and "Kathmandu" yarn from the Queensland Collection DK weight. It is 85% Merino Wool, 10% Silk and 5% Cashmere.

I am working on a circular needle but may have to block it when I am done because it looks a little thick in the middle. Looks so snug on the model and although I'm just guessing that my neck IS bigger than hers-it may be looser than I had intended. I promise to model it when I am done.

In another post, I'd like to tell you about the transformation I had in the last couple of years: that is evolving from my former American or convention knitting to the European or continental knitting method. The American holds the yarn on the right and the Continental holds the yarn on the left.

Ta Daaaaa!!!

2009-09-14T16:08:00.000-07:00

The quilt top is completed! I am pleased with the results although each time I look at it I wonder if there are areas where some color is too concentrated.

I WILL be quilting with a bright blue thread so some of the white areas will be toned down and the green areas will move to a shade closer to blue. I am considering a "pebble" pattern which I have recently seen demonstrated. It's simple and not entirely feminine like my usual preference- flowery quilt patterns.

My next task is to decide what to back the quilt with. I have three quilt blocks left and some of the original 10 inch (solid color) squares. I am considering incorporating these into the back rather than using a solid color. I also will design a quilt label with some important facts documented including the occasion, signature, year and place created..................you never know-it may be an antique someday and I would want my great grandson or daughter to own a proven piece of history.

chain piecing CHOO CHOO!

2009-09-13T13:33:00.000-07:00

I'm busy working on the blue quilt and I wanted to share a tip that I learned at my last "quilt spa" in Geneva. For years I have Chain pieced sections of the quilt by running the sewing machine at a steady purr and feeding the face to face fabric pieces under the pressure foot. The pieces are then connected to one another with a twisted thread. You end up with the joined squares or triangles forming a type of connected-flag like the ones seen outside newly opened car dealerships etc.

You then cut the thread to separate each joined section, open the seams and press with an iron. The beauty of this method is that you can sew continuously without having to stop and reposition each section under the pressure foot.

There has always been the irritating problem of hanging thread from each block. I guess you

would expect that I had cut those threads

off...but I never did...and it is true that when the quilt is sandwiched and quilted, the threads are enveloped by the other fabric or batting layers.

But it is messy and the threads sometimes work themselves out.

Lisa showed me that if you start and end your seams by feeding a scrap piece of fabric (I call them thread eaters) under the pressure foot,..........then when you cut those scraps off the chained piece AND the unwanted thread tail is now embedded into the thread-eater.

I have to admit that I tried this method because of WHO suggested that it was the way to

go..............seemed like an added step without any apparent benefit...UNTIL I pressed the pieces and saw that the seams were free of the fuzzy tangle on the back. I really think that I saved thread and also prevented the loose thread from ending up on the floor and the innards of my machine.

The blocks you saw in the last post were arranged on my queen-sized bed into what I hope will prove to be a random arrangement pleasing to the eye. I concentrated on differing the block formation, colors and light and dark balance. I sometimes find that if I squint my eyes I can see the dark and light pattern better and then go about swapping one block for another until there is a balance of color and light and dark in the arrangement.

There were 9 rows of 7 blocks across. I sewed the 7 blocks to each other and pinned a paper square to the strip with the number in the order 1-9 so.......... I would be able to assemble the stripped rows together in the order that I had laid them out. WHEW!!

I will be sewing those 9 strips together this evening and should be able to show you the finished top tomorrow. I hope you are enjoying the process...........I know that it may seem complicated but it really isn't. I would love to hear what you think about this quilt and/or entertain questions about the process. Please leave a message-love to hear from you!

TGIF

2009-09-11T18:42:00.000-07:00

I had a good but hectic/ challenging week..............................I have my typical Friday night exhaustion after a week's work(and it was a short week oh NO!)

Finally got to hug and encourage an almost brand new batch of "cookies". They all graciously accepted me as their new therapist and we got to work assigning standers and instructing classroom staff on how best to support the kids in their equipment.

This evening,,,,so as not to disappoint my imaginary Peeps I pushed myself to reveal my completed blocks. They are arranged in stacks of various configurations of differing width stripped fabric. The same colors are used AND the blocks all have a square piece in the upper right hand corner

I realized that I'd best arrange the blocks for the quilt top (7 blocks by 9 blocks) in the daylight. I will try to be aware of color, diversity of block design and the play of light and dark. I am hoping to I create a splash of blue much like a winter sky with snow and clouds in contrast. (The grayish color in the photo is really a turquoise blue with " blue on blue" textured fabric-bad lighting).

There will not be a border on this quilt. Iwill bind it with the darkest blue. I look forward to listening to my downloaded "This American Life" tomorrow as............. I take my time playing with these puzzle pieces until THEY please me. Then they'll be raced through the machine to get the top pieced.

Scheduling

2009-09-09T17:10:00.000-07:00

I spent the day scheduling students for individual therapy. THEN.................. attended an impromptu but vital meeting which redefined our roles and changed the scheduling strategy to include classroom assignments, student's that I have never treated before and the need to think on habilitation. In other words, had to do the whole thing over again. Three o'clock came fast!!

Much to do in setting up classroom programs with equipment and such. Seating is very important in the classroom and the lunch room. So many teachers and teacher assistants need to have the PT needs defined for their "new" students. Tomorrow, I hope to spend more time in the classroom.

Soon, this room will be full of kids having fun and getting stronger. Can't wait to get my hands on the little Darlings.

PS: I did finish rendering all those 63 blocks to their pristine 8.5 inches. I probably won't have the pleasure of arranging them and sewing them together til Friday or Saturday......Tomorrow night I will be attending a Bible study at my church (Amherst Alliance Church)..........I may not post :(

Parked

2009-09-08T17:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I started working at #84 after 3 weeks off.........a terrible shock to my system. I kept up the pace as far as my work energy until 3 but then started to fizzle. Soon after I got home....with nap on my mind......a surprise visit from my mom and 96 year old Godmother. After a nice chat, a pot of coffee and a "pick your own trip" to the tomato garden, the ladies were off to dinner at a restaurant. Bill came in from volunteering at the Erie County Home and Infirmary and Rachel arrived from work. That spells-D_I_N_N_E_R...........No nap for me today!!!!

Well, dinner is successfully over and I am sitting in my favorite easy chair with my feet up.

It's 8 O'clock already :( .......................If I can pry myself from this comfy cushioned chair, I might

find myself trimming the blue "Tonga" squares in my crafty room. I'll let you know how much I accomplish ....................before I succumb to exhaustion..............5:30AM is fast approaching. NOT FAR!!

Off to work I go!

2009-09-07T17:11:00.000-07:00

High Ho! High Ho! It's off to work I gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. I haven't mentioned work or really thought about it this whole 3 week vacation.

Had a wonderful time and accomplished some soft goals:

RV camped, got to spend time canning with Vanessa, saw Rachel begin grad school, enjoyed Geneva spa, cut out 3 quilts, made 63 quilt blocks for my newest, learned how to download pod casts from "This American Life onto my new MP3 player, started my own blog, finished two baby girl sweaters, started a knitted cowl for me, harvested veggies from the garden and roasted tomatoes and garlic to freeze. And best of all got to spend time with my husband, refreshed,

relaxed and not stressing over work stuff. (I can never seem to leave work AT work.)

Tomorrow, I will face the stack of files waiting to be inputted into the NY state website, listen and attend to the telephone messages on my answering machine. orchestrate equipment transfers and help schedule Physical Therapy sessions in an A through F cycle in preparation for the return of the little cuties at Buffalo Public School #84.

I am pediatric Physical Therapist ( since 1976) working out of the department of Related Services in the Buffalo District. I assess the need for Physical Therapy intervention in a child referred by their teacher or the Committee on Special Education. I make recommendations and establish initial annual goals for the students who need PT.

I also work directly with a precious bunch of students at #84. I try to to allow them access to the school environment and enable participation in school activity. I love the kids and the challenge of encouraging them to want to achieve functional goals like sitting, creeping, kneeling, walking. I especially love working with parents and family as a team support to the child.

I work along side of the best-I know the expertise of the PT's and OT's best and we are a close family unit. The teachers are wonderful and most of the staff have known each other for some time.

So, yes, I will miss summer and the freedom of the past three weeks BUT I have a wonderful job full of hard work, laughter and love. At the end of the day, I can tell a few funny stories and know that I have hugged and hopefully helped some of God's own children. I pray that He will use me to bless and heal.

Challenge Quilts

2009-09-06T17:44:00.001-07:00

A Challenge quilt can be a "round robin" when there are several quilters involved .........but in the case of the next two quilts, Lisa and I exchanged quilts between us. We started with a square or block of our choice with whatever color theme we wanted to have developed into our quilt. We would eventually own the quilt we started with that block.

The squares were then exchanged and we both began adding to each other's block putting the next perimeter blocks on.

I should explain that there are no rules and there are 100 miles between each of our homes and sewing machines. After each perimeter was added, we got together again....that is I went to Geneva for "spa" and we revealed what we had done on the quilt.

We exchanged four times, ending by putting the border on the other's quilt. The first quilt on this blog now belongs to me and the one with Lisa's trees belongs to Lisa. She actually has hers all quilted. I have yet to make the "quilt sandwich" with batting and backing....then quilt stitching through all three layers. Stay tuned. I will finish it!!!

Veggie tales and tails

2009-09-05T14:11:00.001-07:00

"When what to my wondering eyes should appear'..................but a happy purple Eggplant man!!!!! I really don't know how long he was watching the rabbits eat the string beans and swiss chard BUT he never told a soul about it.

On the right, he's sitting in a berry bowl that my aspiring potter (daughter) Rachel made me. Notice the holes in the sides for air circulation.

And introducing the kitties at our house!!

this is :

Galleta (means cookie in Spanish).........................and.......Sir Author Peabody....................................

As you can see, they both find Eggplant man rather obscure, lifeless and well.....boring.

tomatoes -garden yield

2009-09-04T17:57:00.000-07:00

My husband Bill built this wonderful country cupboard to match our red kitchen. I just love it (and sunflowers-can you tell). He helped me arrange the tomatoes for this photo-I think he likes the idea that his cupboard might be "internet-Famous"

If you happen to have surplus tomatoes from your garden..............consider roasting them in the oven with fresh garlic and olive oil.

The aroma will bring you to a place somewhere in Sicily and thoughts of winter will be more appealing. I scoop up the roasted tomato with the juice and garlic into freeze ready pints. I have been using the "Ball" brand with the screw on tops and the plastic containers have held up well -the frozen tomatoes can be freed from the container with just a warm water rinse to the outside of the pint. I use the tomato-garlic olive oil mixture to "jump start" my pasta sauce or as a soup starter.

I have so many more tomatoes-I may cold pack the rest and pressure can them. It depends on how the day evolves.........................I kept thinking-"could be quilting" all day............although I did sneak in a few rows of knitting. Have to show you what I am knitting tomorrow!

More on Geneva

2009-09-03T16:43:00.000-07:00

Now, I want to show you some lively shots of Lisa and David's flower garden. They have huge windows in their house and these beautiful gardens are visible while you are sitting with your coffee or dining.

I left out some interesting photos from my Quilting that I wanted to share with you.

This quilt will be a Christmas presentfor a little boy who loves blue. I cut 63 -10 inch blocks from 7 different fabrics, some batiks and some regular prints plus white. Then I chose three different squares stacked on top of each other. I was given 6 different cutting diagrams from which to chose to then cut(with a rolling blade) that stack of 10 inch squares. I was then to take the top fabric on the outside strip stack and put it on the bottom of the stack, the middle strip- pull the bottom to the top and the right hand square to stay put. So you see that each 90 degree section was to be a different color combination. Then I sewed them together to yield a slightly bigger than 8 and a half inch block. Next I needed to square off the blocks to be exactly the right uniform size. Lisa JUST happened to have the correct ruler in her stash and has graciously loaned it to me. The next 40% coupon I get-it's off to JoAnn's.

I have yet to finish sizing up the squares but will take a photo of them before I begin to sew them together into the quilt top. Stay tuned-we will live this quilt together!!

May I say that being inclined to report to my "Peeps"-(that's you) makes me pay closer attention to details. I'm enjoying this!!

Two heads are better than one

2009-09-03T12:37:00.001-07:00

"even if one is a Cabbage Head"................that was a quote from my 8th grade teacher and she was right!!!! Back from my quilt retreat in Geneva,NY. Thank you to Lisa and David for always making me feel so welcome and loved. Thanks to Chrissy for sharing your room.....warmed it up for ya!!

So any way if weren't for the two heads, mine and Lisa's I would have made some major booboos while cutting fabric for 3 quilts. Math: I can feel the rusty wheels turning as I try to figure out blocks vs. yards(remember to figure in the quarter inch seams) and whether I am cutting across 42 inches or the length of yardage.WHEW!! ....and the calculator doesn't help cause it's not just adding or multiplying. Somehow, I always change from the original directions ......just enough to have to calculate differently.

Lisa was busy working on a quilt for Chrissy and worked across the table from me on her Bernina. The Bali Pops that she is using are gorgeous and her daughter will see the quilt this weekend as she will be visiting her parents and a brand new niece, Ada Louise.

I sewed on a Featherweight machine for the first time while Lisa used her Bernina. That little machine (ancient as far as years and technology) just purred as I began to sew blocks together.

What wonderful and relaxing days!! The Geneva ladies (Lisa, her sister Nancy and friend Anne Marie) and I went to 3 different Mennonite stores.....complete with horse and buggy............. looking for fabric finds instead of our usual trip to Patchwork Plus. It was a tough decision (not going to the most fabulous quilt store ever) but I was so blessed to find amazing fabrics at great prices. I found coveted fabric to add to a collection of retired designer Christmas yardage for 2 of the quilts I am making. We had lunch out then went back to sew quilts and cut fabric.

Wednesday, I attended the Lake to Lake Quilt Guild monthly meeting and had a lovely time meeting other quilters, and ooing and aweing at their "Show and Tell"//// sharing tea and goodies.

David cooked his famous Salmon cakes for dinner while Lisa and I worked(played) on quilts. Summer evenings on the lake, the sound of two sewing machines singing and happy stomachs....what more can I say!!!!!!!!!!! Loved every minute.

about the Title Photo

2009-08-31T06:58:00.000-07:00

The title photo is a quilt that I made using charm squares (which are, in this case 5" cut squares) which are all from a collection of MODA fabrics called "Portobello Market". It was the first time I ever used a collection before and to have them all cut already was a treat for me!

At first, I thought this was a bit like cheating but then thought that it would catapult me into a project and sometimes I need a little kick in the pants to get me started. The other thing that motivates me is "quilt accountability". This happens when you make a purchase with two quilting friends and they are standing at the register looking at the sum you are paying- knowing full well that you have a ROOM full of fabric at home. The other thing is knowing that those two friends are your primary quilt cheer leaders and they will be waiting with baited breath for the "big reveal".

Lisa introduced me to quilting years ago and oozes praise when she sees anything I have made. Nancy, her sister and Lisa usually have a stack of quilt treasures to show and tell whenever I make a trip to Geneva where they both live. I will be joining the ladies tomorrow (for the next two days) for what I call my quilt spa. I have my "own room" at Lisa's and there will be lunch in Skaneateles and then a trip to my very favorite shop in Marcellus, NY-Patchwork Plus. (that's where I usually get mixed up in that quilt accountability thing. ) We usually do a little knitting and maybe sewing but I usually take the cutting with me cause I hate the math and Lisa is really good at that stuff. It also helps when someone with experience checks and double checks before that blade slices and dices that $$$$$$$fabric.

I love the whole process-working with the colors (trying to find a way to put purple in there somewhere). cutting the pieces, working that puzzle to get the blocks made, laying the blocks out to see how the colors balance, then sewing them up to "piece" the top. Now the challenge, to make the QUILT SANDWICH with the pieced top, batting and the backing fabric....I pin them together with curved safety pins- then try to visualize what pattern I will use to machine quilt them together. Notice the stitched design on the Title photo.

I'd be glad to explain about machine quilting on another post if you are interested. I'm always hoping to wet the whistle of those who may actually be interested in quilting along side of me.

I may not post until the 9/3 due to my "spa days" but I'll be sure to tell you all about it when I return. God bless you and if you have time, let me know what you think of this blogging adventure I am on.

2009-08-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

First, I would like to thank my daughter Vanessa for encouraging me to blog and for assisting me in navigating this post. We did this all on a break from our first canning adventure: 9 pints of tomatoes done with the hot water bath and 7 quarts of cold packed in pressure cooker.

This was a great experience because we read and reread the canner directions while consulting a library book and completed both batches to the glorious music of click,click,cluck as the canning lids sucked in the dimples with the correct pressure. High fives all around.

Thought I'd make a brief statement concerning the title of this blog................I feel so much of my creative efforts are sandwiched into my daily routine //// since sandwich was already used by blogspot-vanessa suggested a fancy italian sandwich-panini. I also love food and may even blog about recipes along with the rest.

I will try to "panini" this blog into my daily life but.......life may get in the way. Love hear from you.......comments are welcome!!!!