Thanksgiving!

Thankful DD - born on Turkey Day 17 years ago. We are thankful for and each member of the family and for good friends here to celebrate with us in Oklahoma and across the US. It was such a beautiful day! For our foreign friends who experienced Thanksgiving for the first time - it is a special day to give thanks to God and to acknowledge His blessings!

PS. Was it another earthquake during Thanksgiving cooking yesterday afternoon around 3:11pm? Yes, just a little one 3.7. It rocked enough to feel - but not enough to disturb us much.

Championship Runner up & All Regional 1st team - Go Son! - Go Bison!

Rarely seen (or heard of) accolades for our first born. He usually keeps things pretty private...but his friends posting on Facebook provide a sneak preview of his recent runner-up winnings against AirForce and personal recognition in all tournament team at Intramural Flag Football games in Nebraska this weekend.

Just playing...

It is fun to watch some of the "Peak party" getting started with some play at Heather Harkness Memorial Tourney last weekend. With team work and the power hitting of the coach - they took their division. It was also nice to get to know some really nice vball moms too.













(The photo is not nicely cropped as desired but no software installation yet for home laptop. Installation is not cooperating!)

It's a PEAK Volleyball Party!

Club season begins soon. November is a short break before the Spring schedule with tourneys in Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, Indiana, Missouri, and Colorado! Yee Ha! It will be time to eat, sleep and live volleyball. Gotta finish some MAJOR writing before then :)

Another JOLT!

These tremors keep coming even after the damage is done. (See links to local news photos and reports.) I just felt a notable jolt and a moderately loud "crack" like a close thunder clap - but no thunder! Then some low vibrations for a short time. Checked the US Geological Survey Website (now bookmarked!) and yes, another quake 3.6M. All this from my interior office in the windowless basement about 45 minutes ago. Now (approx. 2pm) still more low rumbling... I am starting not to like this!

MORE tremors!!! 4.7 tonight @ 8:46pm

See the entire list - things keep shaking.

Rumbling continues...

Still feeling small after shocks and rumblings this morning - 2.9. Have had many from 2.7 to 4.0 since the strongest one at 11pm on Saturday night. Epicenter about 11 miles away. See the entire list of quakes shaking us up and the local damage!

Still Shakin' 5.7 record breaker quake in Oklahoma

MORE quakes and a bigger one last night! 5.7

Shaken Awake at 2:12am & 4:13am and...

Yes, we had a quake that woke me up out of a sound sleep more than once with many aftershocks early this morning. The initial quake was a rolling shaking rumble that lasted over 25 seconds. It was 4.7 magnitude in the epicenter about 15 miles north east of here. After shocks were in the 3.5 range - enough to wake me up several more times! News 9 has some additional info. from the geologic center. No serious damage here just shaken up!

The (volleyball) Party is over...

...for high school 2011 season. Going out as Regional Champs.(Click title for news story link)


They accomplished a lot this year: 27-6, won two 6A tournaments (Mustang & Bartlesville), suburban conference champions, regional champions, undefeated in 5A except CHA, qualified and played at State!!!

Addendum: from Oct. 13, 2011 Daily Oklahoman: Players to Watch 5A Volleyball scroll down to Shawnee - Jasmine Robinson

Lady Wolves Volleyball going to 5A State!

Robinson remains strong although recovering from sprained ankle. Go team!! (Click title for team photo and full story.)

It's all about volleyball!

In between school, church, and sleep - volleyball is ALL that has been happening around here! See the kill shot by #3 coming at you! And the block-kill, straight down by #3 at the net against tall 6'3" opponent... There was lots more where this came from. Great team action!

Remembering...

... and thinking about when I used to have some time in the evenings to quilt. Now I only have papers to read and write and grade and v-ball games to watch until falling in bed exhausted. There is never enough time! OK, the time is the same, just many competing activities for the time there is :)

Oklahoma Bison make it big in the big city!

I thought I would offer "Congratulations" to my Cousin Brenda - knitter extraordinaire near Los Angeles, California, for her lovely shawl created from bison hair yarn (right off the ranch in Oklahoma) that won first place in the county fair out there in the West! We are very proud of you for ALL the ribbons you earned this time around for your knitting creations (there were a bunch!!)
And, thanks for giving me something happy to blog about since I have done NO quilting since school prep. and classes began!

Mary Mannkee - DAR repro. quilt

My Mary Mannkee - DAR reproduction quilt pattern arrived this week! (Available from the online DAR Museum Gift Shop). I am so enamored with mid 1800's applique quilts! Wish there was more time to sew, but school started this August, putting my quilting life "on hold."

At the beginning of the school year, I often select a motto to guide me through a new year. This year is "FOCUS & FINISH." I wish this was directed at quilting ventures, but no, it is for school. I will put that "book" on the shelf this school year! (with God's help!!) Happy Quilting everyone - I will join you when I can :)

Invite to West Coast!

This beautiful quilt hangs on the wall in Coral's quilting studio. She is the master of 1/2 square triangle design! Take a look at more photos of the New England quilting weekend to see projects we worked on Coral's blog A Fine Line Studio Her photos of us and our work are much more flattering them mine (which I did not post) since I seem to have caught people with their mouth open, eyes shut etc!

Did you notice the LOVELY Sumac quilt hanging on the wall in her photos? It is her own creation inspired by colorful leaves in her yard a little over a year ago (see tiny photo next to hanging quilt) and brought to fruition during Ruth McDowell's Western Mass. "Designing from Nature" workshop in Western Mass. where Coral and I started our quilting friendship in Oct. 2009.

After reading about my New England weekend, my dear cousin on the west coast assured me that there was fabric and food to be found there too! YIPEE! I have plans to attend a conference in Anaheim, CA in October - right down the street - so to speak from her and she has lined up some great outings while I am there. Can't wait!

I began on the second to last of the 12 blocks of Simply Delicious by Piece O' Cake Designs (an 1996 pattern) before the traveling last week. Applique is always a joy!

New England Quilt Weekend

I had a great time last week away on the much cooler east coast!(although a little humid with an occasional refreshing rain shower) First I was encouraged and inspired by a great five-day Summer Institute workshop at UNC, Chapel Hill led by Mary Lynn. I met some wonderful people and learned a lot. Main take away message: I can and WILL do this!

After the workshop, just a hop north on Southwest Airlines landed me in Providence, RI late Friday night. Quilter friend Coral was my devoted hostess for a lovely weekend in her rural Massachusetts get away-quilt studio! She coordinated a quilt day with friends on Saturday. I met / renewed acquaintance with lovely, talented and inspiring quilters.

Each quilter participated making quilt blocks for a "Quilt Friends are a gift" wall hanging. Inspired by Moda Bake Shop Pattern "Each Day is a Gift."

Gina taught me how to make a cute little fabric wallet and made the best wild rice chicken salad for the delicious potluck lunch. We all enjoyed sewing away all day on various projects including the flower bag pictured here.


















Sunday afternoon included a trip to the New England Quilt Museum and a late lunch at a Greek restaurant in Lowell, MA. The current exhibition included Maine's Quilt Heritage and pieces of the AQS Study Group Star Quilts Challenge. Those small wall quilts inspired by 19th century star quilts were delightful. Pictures from this trip shown here.

Monday included more work on the wall quilt, Coral's work on a round robin project, and various other fun projects! Coral also took me on a mini shophop to Appletree Fabrics in Auburn and the Charleton Sewing Center in Charlton, MA while scalloped potatoes and ham summered in the crockpot at home. The Center is located in a decommissioned church complete with stained glass and a pipe organ! Take a stroll inside... The owner played the hymn Amazing Grace on the organ by request. Wow!

I had such a nice time all weekend! We ate lots of yummy food and made many fond memories and gained personal insights that will be preserved. Thanks Coral!!

Grapes or Raisins?

109 degrees in the shade - REALLY! It is 5pm. Too hot! But with new A/C unit set at an energy saving 80 degrees this afternoon, and sipping on a cool drink (water) it feels fine inside. It was only 99 degrees at 9:30pm last night when DS was mowing the yard. He was awarded a lemon-lime root beer snow cone for his efforts (ugh) but just what he wanted! Here is some eye candy from previously finished Simply Delicious Fruit blocks. If these grapes were real, they would be raisins by now :)

Nearing the end of July

Writing some, quilting some, burning up (broken A/C), and texting lots with DH & DD. They are at a v-ball tourney in Tucson. It is hotter here - 103-105 degrees daily - than it is in the desert in Tucson! 31 days above 100 degrees and counting.

Plentiful Pears Photo Finish

Pears are now complete. Pattern is from www.pieceocake.com older pattern "Simply Delicious" 1996. I lack apples and lemons (the two blocks that seemed the easiest) to complete the 12 block set! This is truly a pleasure to create.

Lyre Rose Wreath Finished Photo

Here it is - right from my hands - unpressed. Also, I think my batteries were low on camera so quality of pic not so great - but you can get the idea. Will redo photo and replace soon. But, for now here it is! I love it!! Click on image for close of of 3D rose buds.

What's next?

This is a brief view of one surviving gladiola. The piercing heat has been too much for most everything else. Since this flower is in the shade of the tree, it survived.

As for quilting, DD insisted that I finish Simply Delicious Pears before beginning or designing new Baltimore Blocks. Therefore, I have humored her and have been working on the pears. It has been fun but I am almost finished and looking forward to sewing on the next Baltimore wreath that is marked, based, and ready! It is enlarged and slightly modified from Elly's book. I plan to try another 3-D technique new to me to make star runched roses for this wreath.

More rose buds & coming attractions....

In real time all the buds were finished last night. In camera upload time, you will have to wait to see the finished product.

More roses blooming

Not much time to sew or write. Quick visit from DH brother and family here from out of state to enjoy the "best" rural Oklahoma has to offer on these hot July days. International Youth Finals Rodeo on Wednesday night, to T-bird lake yesterday, and yummy sausage, marinated chicken, and some home grown veggies last night in the grill. Even at 9am, I could hear those cicadas chirping their heat alert!

Rose buds began this week...

I had to make this extra post today since the last "heated" posting had no photo and I can't leave it like that! I am still diligent in writing but need more hours in a day. You KNOW my head is in it when I actually had a dream (nightmare?) last night about the concept definition I am working on and the instrument development workshop coming up! YEOW-Za! And of course there are many much more pleasant day dreams of quilts and quilting :)

My posting of applique work runs a few days (or weeks in some cases) slow due to my infrequent picture uploads. Here is a sneak peek at one rose bud in the Lyre Wreath. (Too bad my photo does not show the 3-D effect of the gathered circle rose technique. Hummm...the close up does show that I should have used a little darker applique thread on the leaves.)

In real time I have finished 8 rose buds on the wreath in the past 3 days. That is half of the total roses for this block. They are fun to make and look great! I love it! I even dug in OLD fabric from Aunt Mimi's stash for some rose pieces to get the desired color selection. I already have a circle wreath (simple) and an eagle block (elaborate) getting ready "on the drawing board" for my next Baltimore style pieces. Can't wait!

113 degrees in the shade...Really! Shawnee, America 4:19pm

This is according to online local news report. The thermometer on my porch says 116 degrees. I'll have to post a pic! Basically - yeah, it's HOT! Just took this picture of online source to substantiate the heat wave :)
Addendum: Oh, what a relief, it is down to 109 degrees. Thankfully the AC set at 82 degrees is comfy and humidity is low 19%.

Next come the roses... I can't wait!

Divine Guidance Unveiled - TaDa!

This was lots fun! A good compliment to the holiday weekend and DH family reunion in Atlanta. It kind of reminds me of fireworks! This is the "raw" block - unpressed as of yet.

I imagine you can determine which tiny star I did first and which was last. The good news is that I improved by the time all were complete. Tiny start were a little challenging / tedious. The block looks OK - but nothing like the beautiful fabric selection used by Jane. I might make another center star sometime - but probably not those tiny stars :)

Guidance & writing continue...

The latest installment for "Divine Guidance"

"Divine Guidance" block Emerges

Many of the quilt block designs and inscriptions on Baltimore Album era quilts had religious symbolism. It is a good reminder for day to day living! (Click image for close up).

I loved this block the first time I saw it on Jane's blog (esp. color choice!). It is quite daunting with those sharp points. I have studied about how to do them, but I think it will just take lots of practice. This is my best so far - much room for improvement :)

Here is the latest on the Rose Lyre Wreath...I continue to make progress on my writing each day and that means quilting time at night. .P.S. Missing DD who is on vacation out of state. It is not quite the same with just DH & DS here all the time

Summer work is going GREAT! (Close-Up Added)

My reward for working hard each day --> Quilting and Blogging!
So I get to post (AKA brag) often :) Didn't my red paper cut design turn out nice? It was so fun and carries many happy memories of places and travel times with family as I worked on it. The design idea was inspired by Leaving Baltimore: A Prairie Album Quilt and looking back over the past few months (has it been that long?!) you can see it taking shape. 14x14 size.  Click for detail.
Another red block is getting started soon...Can't wait to show it.

4pm in the shade

This is how my window boxes looked a couple weeks ago. No telling how they will fair with the windy Oklahoma oven-like days upon us.

Lyre Rose Wreath Progress...

This applique is about the most fun I can imagine right now! It is a motivational reward for the end of long days at the library and keyboard.

Jacob's Garden has a new home

Since I am having so much fun with Baltimore style applique, I cannot face going back to applique Jacob's Garden and I don't think I ever will. I really like look of the pattern. I modified the borders slightly so there would be no gaps between applique motifs on each side. (Dolly, compare plastic border overlay template with pattern). However, I would really like to see it finished! So, I "handed it over" via USPS to a good friend who in is a quilting lull. I hope she enjoys it and I look forward to seeing the finished quilt on her blog sometime :)

Baltimore Rose Wreath

I just traced off this pattern for future work...then just had a little more time so based it to background...then it really was calling me to just try a stitch or two...next thing you know I was hooked!! It is a very intricate design from Elly Sienkiewicz's Baltimore Beauties and Beyond Baltimore Album book.

I have been so inspired for months by the beautiful blocks made by Jane. Thanks Jane! Her applique is exquisite! Take a look...(Jane's Threads and Treasures Blog) I knew I would eventually give it a try. Later on I bought the book used online. I viewed a few other historical books on Baltimore quilts from the library and book swap and have been reviewing them often before bed for sweet Baltimore dreams! (no dreams really except day dreams :)

The original pattern that caught my eye on her blog was the Divine Guidance block. It is absolutely lovey! I like it so much but it seems intimidating with the sharp points plus I am not sure of the fabric for it. So, I decided that this block would be the place to start since I have plenty of green that would look the part.

The sewing was completely fun for me and addictive. I began tracing and cutting the pattern then next thing you know I was sewing it while doing a "family movie night" at home on Friday. It was hard to stop even though the movie was long over, I kept going. This represents about 3-4 hours of late night sewing (with some interruptions). It was challenging, but I am sure my skills will improve. I can't wait to work on it some more.

I will post more work in progress as I go as a chronology of my progress (until we are sick of seeing it probably :) It is such a motivational reward to know I can sew on it in the evening after the daily writing work I must do during this summer.

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Tantalizing Tomato Finish! (finally posting pic 16x16")

P.S. Yes, on close inspection a few tips/edges of the outermost leaves are not appliqued down. This is intentional - they will cross over on top of the sashing and be stitched there.

End of spring beauty & A small quilt finish

The lilies are fabulous to see every day out the window :)

Krista's baby boy quilt (1 year old now) finished - front & back. Machine sewed on bias binding for the second time on a quilt. It seemed to be a good choice for this purpose (likely lots of washing) and was a challenge to myself to improve skills. Worked on it with moral support (and a reminder how to connect binding ends together) from Mary at a sew in at Quilters Corner. Glad to be finished! They are amused by me as I say I only bring things I don't want to work on to the "sew ins." This is because I need moral support and no distractions or place to divert my attention when I run into snags or just plain don't find this aspect of quilting any fun at all. (Like bindings!) Although I am pleased with the final result and look of the narrow binding.