Snow Day!

A view from the kitchen window shows a drooping snow-covered Magnolia tree. Central Oklahoma is blanketed in snow, sleet and ice. Usually we do not get much snow. So, there are limited resources and road equipment to deal with it. Drivers are not used to traveling in snow and the roads are not clear. When it snows a few inches, (and especially after sleet and ice storms) everything shuts down. Such is the scenario today!

The entire State is under a State of Emergency due to the storms, with almost everything closed. Thankfully, we have electricity, food, and a cozy warm home in which to sit out the storm. Also, both dh and I were still able to work, but from home today. This is the benefit (?) of telecommuting!    

In the meantime, a Cinnamon & Spice poinsettia brightens up the room and some modern baby quilt blocks are pinned waiting to be sewn as soon as I finish some more work on paper grading. A big pot of Cajun red beans and rice will top off the evening and maybe a fire in the fireplace. Sadly, dh company Christmas party was cancelled for tonight :(  Seriously, we had been looking forward to it for weeks! There is always such good food, music and fun games and prizes. Oh well, I'll just make the best of my time and do something quilty instead. Happy Sewing to All!

A Treasure

I just received these treasures in the mail last week. They are all the diaries of my paternal grandmother from 1936-1970.

My grandmother passed away when I was a child, but with fondness I always recall her visits with us each weekend. I remember her reading her Bible each day and writing in a diary. I  even recall seeing the red diary on the right -- although I was very young (5-8 years old).

I thought the diaries were gone (her other few possessions were damaged/lost years ago). But, they were found in storage somewhere and offered to me. I was pleased to receive them!
I have read through 1936 and learned some interesting things about her daily life in the 1930s in San Diego, California. This year her mother died. Her reports were very matter of fact about the events. She was a hard working lady but she took time out from the cleaning and mending to occasionally golf with my grandfather (who died before I was born), play cards and have friends over to the house. I never knew all of that! I always recall her stating that cards were the devil's device. HA! Some things must have changed over the years. I look forward to reading more.
What treasures do you have from your family? Maybe quilts?

A sideways view of CCC Block #14

There is block #14 Finished!! More progress is being made on #13 but it takes awhile and with cooking and keeping warm, putting up the tree, and all holiday activity - not much work will get done on it. Plus, the quilting studio - sewing "resource room" is getting a much needed major cleaning overhaul all the way down to the cobwebs in the corner. As you might imagine, this is taking awhile!

Oh - and the sideways photo? No clue!! It is not sideways in my photo album and I cannot figure out how to right it in blog. No more wasted time on this dilemma. If you know the problem, or trick to fix - do tell!
Thanks! 
P.S. This would be a great block for swapping. Any takers?

Chester County Criswell Quilt - Block Swap

I was thrilled to see that my little Chester County Criswell block #9 arrived safely to Carole last week. What a delight to see it's twin (the block for me) next to it in her photo before it's journey across the ocean.

Today the block that Carole (Wheels on the Warrandyte Bus blog) made for me arrived today YIPEE!! It was enclosed in a cute Koala card that looks so push and furry! (She has seen Koalas right in her area - way cool!)

Doesn't the block look great? And you should see the skillful tiny stitches! It will really add to the special feelings and memories I am making and already have about each block going into this quilt. Thank you Carole!!! Who wants to be next to swap a block? It is very fun!!

Quilt Study with the "Fonses"

Marianne & Mary Fons were in Oklahoma this week to give lecture and slide show on quilting. This was a little different in that it was quilt history and showcased various styles of quilt making since the 1800s. They gave these quilters their due noting the amazing "engineering" feats for quilt design, risk-taking in trying different styles, traditional style and artistic creativity.  If you get a chance to hear/see them I encourage you to do so. They were a fun and informative duo offering two different and enjoyable perspectives. Mary (daughter) a free-lance writer and actress turned quilter has a blog that you might enjoy too! It covers many things in addition to quilting. Their website "Quilty" has some great things too. You can even download a free issue to take a look. We bought the Nov/Dec issue of the magazine that is just out. I am already cutting out a quilt from it! (More on that in a future post). There is lots of good inspiration for some modern quilting designs .Below, the pictures with black background are from the slide show to give you an idea of the content. These were some of my favorites! The other two pictures above were quilts hanging behind them as they spoke. I think these were their quilts but nothing was said about them.

Solar System Teaching Quilt 1870

Modern Style of Tula Pink

Rattle Snake 1890

Happy Sewing &Quilting!

Fall Sunset Spectacular

WOW! A month has flown by since I posted. Applique work continues on Chester County Criswell  quilt block #13. It is fun to do. I am also working on #14 at the same time - whatever mood strikes me :) The weather is turning colder lately. Great inspiration for quilting and cooking! I just took this photo after being enticed outside due to pink tint to sky. This is actual color- no enhancements, no filters. Get inspired! Happy Quilting Everyone!

Oklahoma Sunset - Nov. 8, 2013 5:39pm

CCC New Year begins!

I finished Chester County Criswell block #11 this week (already completed #12 awhile ago). Now, all first year set of 12 are finished!! WOW! here they are, not in any particular order. With a little pressing they will look fine! I made two of the blocks bottom left corner (one dark red and the one showing). Any one want to swap a block? It does not have to be the same block.

I'm excited to begin the next year and BIG center block #13. I've got a good start! I think it will be fun :) (Click on it for a better view). Thanks again to my mom for the year long pattern set gift!!