Wednesday, September 27, 2006 - UFO's

This week I've decide I need to finish up my UFO's. I figure if I work on 1 per night I should be done by the end of the week. Monday I finished up a CARS baby blanket.Then I cut out all the jeans from my dad that I was going to make blocks out of. Only 5 pairs, but a lot of work to cut open all the seams. Last night I finished the quilting and hand work on a Christmas wall hanging. I may have to take two of the sides out as I am not impressed with my quilting on the sides. They were too pulled and are off. Then I worked on rotary cutting out the blocks from the jeans. I got enough blocks cut out for my dad and maybe one for my brother. I've still got another 5 pairs I can use, but I decided to start small. Then I cut out the backing fabric and started sewing the blocks. I got 12 blocks done, so that is pretty good for only a couple hours worth of work. Friday night I figured out how to change the size of my pictures. I got my most recent projects posted. I use the June Taylor Colorfast paper. I do the colorfast process and then sew them into the borders and put the quilt together. Both quilts were meant to be done quickly. The quilt for the VP was done in under 3 weeks from the time he annouced he was leaving until we had it made and presented it to him. I love making photo quilts because they have so many great memories. Especially the one for my dad as my parents just moved, so the photo albums were packed away. I'm not on my computer much at home, so it will be a while until I get more photos posted.
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Thursday, September 28, 2006 - Photo Quilts
Posted by Luv2SewandSew
Well you did an excellent job in the time frame you had! Good luck with the rest of your projects! Michelle
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Saturday, September 23, 2006 - Beginner Block Challenge

This is the beginner block I made for Carol Doak's challenge. I love the colors as they are the scraps from my woven star table runner. I finally figured out how to get the pictures smaller so I can put them on here.
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Saturday, September 23, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Vera
Very pretty and I love those colors....
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Saturday, September 23, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by llcathey2001
the background really matches up well are you going to make the table runner out of the same block, post a picture when your done, it sure is pretty. Lynda
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Saturday, September 23, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lori
Love the colors ,you did a great job .
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Sunday, September 24, 2006 - Nice!
Posted by Luv2SewandSew
Nice job! Are you going to make this into another table runner?! I love your color choices! Michelle
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Friday, September 22, 2006 - Dad's quilt

This is the quilt I made for my dad for fathers day and his birthday. I made 72 blocks for the quilt with pictures from my brothers and I as we grew up. He loves it!
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Friday, September 22, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Vera
Oh how nice, I bet your dad loves it and is very proud. I love picture quilts. I made one a few years ago with my kids pictures on it and gave it to my daughter... You did a really good job, thanks for sharing.
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Saturday, September 23, 2006 - Love this one too!
Posted by Luv2SewandSew
I love this one too! You really do a good job of color choices! They look fantastic! I bet your Dad did absolutely love it! What brand of photo paper/fabric do you use?! Michelle
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Saturday, September 23, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by swartzrn
I LOVE it!! That looks like what I was thinking about for my MIL but not that many blocks. Did you border the pictures or applique them on the blocks! I know he adores and treasures it! GREAT JOB!!! Didn't you have fun (and relive tons of memories making it??) Julie
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Sunday, September 24, 2006 - Photo Quilts
Posted by anna
I love this quilt. I'm wanting to do a Photo memory wall hanging for my grandmother for christmas. What type of Photo/fabric "paper" do you use?
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Friday, September 22, 2006 - VP's quilt

This is the quilt I made for the VP of the university I work for. A co worker and I made the quilt for his going away party. It has pictures of everyone working there.
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Saturday, September 23, 2006 - Great Job!
Posted by Luv2SewandSew
Wow! That turned out great! I love all the bright cheery fabrics you used! I am sure they just loved it! Michelle
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Saturday, September 23, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by llcathey2001
I bet they were really surprise to get the quilt, what a great gift,,,,and it turned out awesome. Lynda
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Thursday, September 21, 2006 - Old Red Barn

Well last night went better than expected. I finished the old red barn paper piecing project. It was a pain in the rear since the pattern was so poorly written. I was going to do simple square borders, but my mom talked me into trying the half square triangles in the corner. They will look pretty cool, but just a pain in the neck. They are supposed to be paper pieced, but the pattern isn't correct and it calls for 6 inch corner squares, but the borders are 4 1/2" Needless to say I figured out how to make 4 1/2 inch corner square triangles. It will be interesting when I get the border on. I still have a little ways to go, but we'll see what happens. My mom thought I could bring it for Sew & Sews club tonight, but I don't like to take unfinished projects for show and tell. I have the woven star table runner and the Fall time wall hanging to take, so that should be good. Guess I should do some work.
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Friday, September 22, 2006 - Barn
Posted by Luv2SewandSew
Congratulations on finishing your barn! I like the idea of the triangles in the corner - reminds me of the "hole in the barn door" pattern! Can't wait to see pictures! Michelle
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Friday, September 22, 2006 - Barn
Posted by Luv2SewandSew
Congratulations on finishing your barn! I like the idea of the triangles in the corner - reminds me of the "hole in the barn door" pattern! Can't wait to see pictures! Michelle
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Wednesday, September 20, 2006 - Family Reunion wall hanging

I wasn't as tired last night, so I fixed my blocks for Carol's group. They were such a pain so I'm glad I could move on to something new. I have a new Pearl Louise designed wall hanging that I wanted to get done for this winter. It is so cute! I got the borders and corners on and it looks great. Now I just have to get something to back and bind it with. It will be so cute. It is all snowmen. Tonight is Sit & Sew and I'm back to working on the old red barn paper piecing. Should be a fun time.
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Wednesday, September 20, 2006 - Good Luck!
Posted by Luv2SewandSew
I hope you get your sewing done tonight! Post some pictures of them when you're done! Michelle
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Thursday, September 21, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by llcathey2001
Gotta post pictures it sounds so cute, can't wait to see it, Lynda
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Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - Beginner PP block

I had good intentions of sewing last night. I cleaned and rearranged my sewing studio. I gathered all my fabrics to start my beginner block for the PP challenge. I figured out the fabrics for my 1000 member block too. I liked that one better, so I started it. I only took the first piece out three times before I got it right. I finally got the whole block together, but it too forever! I had a headache and was thinking that maybe I would wait to work on my beginner, but to no avail. I started it. I cut one of the pieces off after I sewed it on! I had so much trouble and I finally got it done, only to realize I have on piece that was an inch too short about 4 steps back. I finally just gave up and went to bed. I guess I was not ment to paper piece last night, although I have a nice clean spot.
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Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lori
Don't give up I've seen your work your doing just great .Must have been because you were tired .We all have these days good luck on your next block .
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Wednesday, September 20, 2006 - Spaces
Posted by Luv2SewandSew
A clean space is a happy space isn't it?! LOL! I know what you mean! There are times we're just not meant to sew and it's best to just walk away! LOL! I hope you had better luck the next time you sat down to the computer! Michelle
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Monday, September 18, 2006 - Paper piecing

Well it was definately a long weekend with so much going on. The Vietnam War Memorial dedication was awesome! Big & Rich performed their song "The 8th of November". We walked a few laps in a very cold wind for the relay for life and then went home. It was too long of a day. We got home Sunday in time to watch the end of the Nascar race and of course Paul's driver won and mine got 3rd, so I'm loosing in our bet right now. Could be a long chase if it goes his way all the time. My boss and coworkers all loved the baby quilt I made for her. I loved it too. Think I might go buy myself some more of that fabric. I think I'll work on some paper piecing blocks tonight and then my barn at Sit & Sew on Wed. night. Thurs is Sew & Sews club which is always a lot of fun and sometimes I win good prizes. Guess I'll have to get busy if I want to get all my projects done. I'm going to sew tonight. I so miss it when I don't get to sew every day.
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Monday, September 18, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by swartzrn
Sounds like you had a great weekend. I love the song you mentioned. I read somewhere that that song is about a real soldier who was with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. My husband's last duty station was with that same brigade but in Italy. It is by far his favorite assignment. It's nice to hear that song made about other "Sky Soldiers." Let us know how your paper piecing goes. I haven't tried that yet but want to. It's looks hard but I am sure it's like everything else--just takes alot of practice!
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Wednesday, September 20, 2006 - Feedback
Posted by Luv2SewandSew
Don't you love positive feedback on something you worked so hard on?! I am sure they loved your quilt! Glad to hear your trip to the memorial went well! We go to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier here in DC and it's just awesome! Michelle
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Thursday, September 14, 2006 - Barn

I'm in the barn building mood. A year ago my cousin and uncle bought an old red barn from a neighbor and moved it across the country side (15 miles) and located it at my uncles place. It is a gorgeous old barn and very well built. They reshingled it and are going to do the siding soon. My dad helped with the move and is very enthralled with the "new" barn. I decided to do a wall hanging with a picture of the barn for his Christmas present. My mom and I went on a quilt tour to Lynette Jensen's design studio for Thimbleberries patterns and fabric and to Gathering Friends Quilt shop where Cathy & Deb design patterns in MN. We had an amazing time and had sooo much fun! In MN we saw an old red barn about every mile or so. I was so excited that I decided to see if I could find a red barn pattern. I found one in NE the same weekend when we were checking out quilt shops there. It was a paper piecing pattern so I didn't want to try it. I thought since I did so well with my paper pieced pin wheels that I could do this pattern now. I started last night at Sit & Sew. I had lots of help and still only got two rows done. The pattern is so confusing and poorly written that I just looked at the picture and pattern pieces and went from there. She didn't leave room for seam allowances either. I am determined to get it done, but oh is it annoying. I'll work on it some tonight, but I still need to pack for the weekend. We are going to my parents house Friday after work and then on to Pierre on Sat. morning early to the Vietnam War memorial dedication. My dad is one of the vets, so we are making a special effort to be there. Sat. night we are going to walk at the Relay for Life as my mom is a breast cancer survivor. My bosses baby shower is on Sunday, so we'll have to be back to go to that too. It's going to be a long weekend that goes by really fast.
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Friday, September 15, 2006 - Good Luck!
Posted by Luv2SewandSew
Sounds like you have a lot going on! Good luck with everything! Tell your Mom congratulations on her victory! Michelle
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Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - Baby quilt

I finished a baby quilt last night. It is for my boss and it is so cute! I have to figure out how to make my pictures smaller so I can put more on here. It'll have to wait for another time. Too much sewing to do right now. I finished my row by row and it looks great for a first time. I am in Carol's group, so I'm getting motivation from the group. Tonight my mom has Sit and Sew at the store, so I will go. I'm working on a paper pieced barn and it might be nice to have someone with experience help me. My mom teaches a lot of classes at the store so she has lots of knowledge and is so patient! The woven star pattern is made by a lady in MT. I can't think of her name at the moment. Thanks to all for the compliments on my recent quilts. I have a complete journal with all my quilts, so I'll have to keep putting more up and taking some down.
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Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - Hi! :-)
Posted by mbquiltqueen
Thanks for your note, Moneik! I have added you as a friend. And I enjoyed seeing your work. I made a baby quilt (a "cheater quilt") recently. I enjoy handquilting; however, I had idea how long it would take to finish a hand-quilt. I think I will look for the photo I have of it and upload it to my site. Nice to "meet" ya! ;-)
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Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - Pictures

Okay, so I put up a couple of pictures, but I did it really late last night, so I was tired and didn't want to fight with my computer. I decided to do a little. My pictures are too big and I was too tired to try and figure out how to make them smaller, so I will have to resize them some other time and put up pictures of my most recent quilts which are still on my camera. Last night I finishe the paper piecing I started on Sunday night. I had never in my life paper pieced and thought I had a book to show me how, but I didn't so I just winged it. I'm in a paper piecing group doing a row by row and I actually did a really good job with the first row. I'm impressed at least. We'll see how the rest of it comes out. Tonight I am going to try the barn and then work on the fish baby quilt for my boss. The baby shower is this weekend, so I should really get a gear on. I also have a paper pieced barn pattern I really want to try tonight. Tomorrow night is Sit and Sew at the local Sewing Center and I have plenty to keep me busy. Should be a lot of fun because it usually is. Guess I'll just have to see. More later...
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Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lori
Don't be concerned about your pics , the quilts are beautiful .You must be on Carols site, I just finished the first row a few days ago ,I to had never paper pieced till I join the site 3 months ago now I'm hooked LOL.Carols books are fantastic ,I would recommend her special edition book ,its so nice to just print the patterns off your computer in stead of scanning them . Hazel
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Monday, September 11, 2006 - Woven Star Table Runner

Woven Star Table Runner - Made in class taught by my mom. Pink on the reverse side, reversible table runner.
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Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - Tablerunner
Posted by Luv2SewandSew
WOW! I love your table runner! You really did a nice job on that! Can your Mom come to my guild and teach now?! LOL! Good job! Michelle
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Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Vera
Very pretty. I need to go to your guild.
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Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by llcathey2001
I really like the star pattern that you picked, I need to join a guild Lynda
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Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Vesuviusmama
Very nice! My guild is actually looking for someone to teach a workshop on table runners, but SD is pretty far from VA...
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Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by swartzrn
Do you think she'd come to GA and teach me???? It is GORGEOUS!! I love the pattern. Is there a book you found the pattern in? You did a wonderful job and I love the colors! GREAT work!!
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Monday, September 11, 2006 - Rail Fence - Fish quilt

Rail fence quilt made from the scraps of the quilt I made for my boyfriend. Made to sell.
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Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - Nice Job
Posted by Luv2SewandSew
That quilt is awesome! I love the whole color scheme and it's not an overwhelming fishing theme like some tend to be! Good job! Michelle
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Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Vera
I think this would be a good guy quilt with all that fish fabric in it. There is no guy that wouldn't like it. I bet your boyfriend loved his.
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Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by llcathey2001
that is awesome, I take it that your boyfriend must like the outdoors, I like the designs that you picked,,,,great job Lynda
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Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by swartzrn
I like the subtle fishing theme as well. I grew up in a town famous for it's bass fishing so I have alot of friends who LOVE to fish (and so do I.) I have thought of doing something similar for hubby using Americana type fabric and perhaps some of his old unit patches...I really like the rail road pattern with the central blocks! Great job!!!
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Friday, September 8, 2006 - MTR Quilt

Well I decided to attempt cutting and sewing last night. I got my quilt put together and put two of the final borders on. I was too tired to cut and put the other two borders on, so I quilt. I'll have my mom look at it tonight when we get together. We are having supper and going to a dessert sampler and trunk show. The lady who is doing it makes the Gutzy Geisha design patterns. They are patterns that use asian fabrics. It will be interesting to see what she has made. Tomorrow my mom is teaching a class on purses. I am going to make one and see if I like it and then I might make more. Oh that reminds me I need to get some velcro for it. That's life and why they make stores that are open 24 hours a day. I'm going to the Hill City Outdoor Quilt show on Sunday. Should be a lot of fun. Have a good weekend.
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Saturday, September 9, 2006 - Purses
Posted by Luv2SewandSew
Oooh can you share the patterns and pictures! My daughter has a "thing" for Asian stuff! I have a big bag of silk my brother-in-law brought back from China on one of his trips! It's gorgeous and she'd like me to make her something from it! Have fun! Michelle
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Thursday, September 7, 2006 - Scanned Pictures

Well after the cutting incident, my finger was too sore to sew last night, so I brought my scanner and laptop into the living room and went through all the photo albums I have from my parents house. I scanned all the family pictures I wanted. You never know when I might get the urge to make another photo quilt, although for the time being, I think I'll work on t-shirt quilts and maybe test the waters of paper piecing. Who knows I might actually like it and then I could show my work on one of the groups. I'll just have to see how much I like it first. I really want to work on the row by row. Maybe after this weekend. I'm throwing out the purse I have as soon as I get this new one made. I hate the one I have now. Who knows I might even make a Chiefs on so Paul will like it. We'll just have to see. It makes me so mad that I can't upload a photo here though, so I guess I'll just have them on a couple of my yahoo sites. I'm going to get my quilt journal caught up this week if it kills me. Happy sewing or lack thereof if you're me.
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Friday, September 8, 2006 - Pictures
Posted by Luv2SewandSew
Moneik, why can't you upload pictures here?! I want to see them! LOL! I'm glad your finger is recovering and hope it doesn't happen again! Good luck! Michelle
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Friday, September 8, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Vera
Ouch! hope your finger is better soon. I know how you feel, I sewed through my finger a few months ago, that doesn't feel good either.
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Friday, September 8, 2006 - Photos
Posted by MoneikQuilts
I have a thinclient (like a computer only on a network) at work and it won't allow me to have the long address needed to upload the pictures. I keep getting an error message. I'll try on my home computer this weekend. I put all my quilt photos in my own quilt folder, so I can find them easier.
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Wednesday, September 6, 2006 - Stupid rotary cutter

Well I call it a stupid rotary cutter, but it does work pretty well, except when you cut your finger. Last night I was working on my Mt. Rushmore t-shirt quilt. I had all the blocks cut out and sewed with their sashings. When I went to line up the first block to make it even the rotary cutter jumped and sliced my first finger open on my left hand. The blood was gushing out and the pain horrendous! I have never even come close to cutting anything before. I thought I was going to have to have stitches. Luckily it was a clean cut and I applied pressure and Paul got the bleeding stopped, so we didn't have to go in, but it still hurts. I have it wrapped today and it didn't split open in the night, so that is good. Tonight I'll get a haircut and then go back to squaring up those blocks. I was almost thinking I would be done in a couple days. We'll see about that. I would like to have the top done tomorrow night so I know if I need to buy more fabric at the quilt show. Guess we'll see, but my rotary cutter is still stupid because I'm in lots of pain and typing all day doesn't help it.

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Wednesday, September 6, 2006 - Yikes!
Posted by Vesuviusmama
I've never cut myself either, and sometimes I catch myself using it incorrectly and worrying about cutting myself... It sounds like you didn't get any blood on the quilt (see where my priorities are!) and that's good. I'd love to see a photo of it. I am working on my first ever t-shirt quilt. I can see myself doing more of these - it was fun!
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Wednesday, September 6, 2006 - Accident
Posted by Luv2SewandSew
Well I hope it heals quickly! Don't forget to put some Neosporin to make it heal faster! At least now too, you can say you literally have blood, sweat and tears into your quilt! LOL! Good luck! Michelle
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Tuesday, September 5, 2006 - Clean House

Wow we got all the cleaning done in one day! I can't believe we all worked so hard and were able to have grandpa and grandma's entire house packed up for the sale all on Sat. It sure made it nice that Paul and I could go home Sun. morning after church. We both took long naps and relaxed. I even had time to finish my Fall Time wall hanging. It is so cute. I'm glad I had time to finish it. I tried to upload some pictures from my work computer, but it didn't work, so I'll try to upload them when I get my laptop back. I forgot it at my parents house, so I'll get it when mom comes up this week for work. Friday night mom and I are going to a dessert sampler/quilt trunk show at the Quilt Corral. It should be a lot of fun and maybe I'll find some fun fabric for the purse class I am taking on Saturday. Sunday she is working at the Hill City Quilt Show in their vendor booth. I'll probably go up and take a look around. Could find some interesting fabrics there. They always have two gyms full of vendor booths and it is so much fun to look around at the quilts on main street. The quilt shop from Hettinger usually has a booth and I just love all their fabric. They are one of the best online/semi local shops and I love their selection. Guess it's time to get back to work. It'll be a fun quilting weekend.

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Tuesday, September 5, 2006 - clean house
Posted by anna
Isn't it great to finally get the house all cleaned up? Nowthat the hard stuff is over with have fun looking at all the wonderful fabrics!
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Friday, September 1, 2006 - Photo quilt for VP

We finally got to give Jerry the VP the photo quilt we made for him. He loved it. I'm so excited and so happy that we made it for him. The Pres. even came and thanked us for making it for him. It meant a whole lot to everyone who was involved and to Jerry and Chris. I miss both of them already, but they will be happy in NE. Last night I went to Fall Time class again. I got most of it done. I still have about half of the quilting left to do and sew on the binding. Wish I was going to be home this weekend to do so. Paul and I are going to help the rest of my family clean out grandpa and grandmas house to get ready for the auction sale on Oct. 8th. We'll have a good time I'm sure, but we'll be working hard. I have to work on Monday so we'll be back early Sunday hopefully. We can work Monday in exchange for a day off between now and Christmas. Sounds good to me since it will be busy as classes start on Tues. for our Univ. My how time flies. I can't believe another school year is starting. Guess I'm ready to start the weekend. I want to go home now!
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