A LEARNING SATURDAY MORNING!!

Well, here I am again--on the computer. I am glad to say that I think I have learned something very useful today. Through a quilters blog, I came across a website where you can create a Wordle. A Wordle is a group of random words grouped in a pleasing way. Find the website here

http://www.wordle.com/ .

This was really fun, but in trying to figure out the ways that this could be saved to use in my blog I learned about "screen prints". On the web site, they say you are welcome to make a screen print. What is this, I ask? Another website explains that there is a button on your computer next to the F12 button that copies whatever is on your computer screen to your clipboard. It then can be pasted into any progran and cropped or edited. I have often wondered how people doing tutorials show you pictures of their computer screen as they are working in a program. NOW I KNOW!!

I guess all you computer geeks know all this and have known for years, but maybe their are other dummies like me who would be happy to know this. FUN STUFF!! Will come in handy in many situations.

9-PATCH SWAP TUTORIAL

Two sets of 9-- 9 patches must be made each month for 8 months. The result will be 9 beautiful 9- patch quilts. Jeri's quilt inspired the Wacky Pac to swap 4 1/2 inch blocks. Smaller is so much prettier than bigger. I have heard it said that you should make "big" blocks as the amount of work is the same, and you don't need as many when they are big. I know this is true, but smaller blocks just make a more beautiful quilt.

1. First I picked two fat quarters, one light and one dark. I pressed them and placed them RST (right sides together) on my cutting mat. To make 4 1/2 finished 9 patches, the strips must be cut 2 inches wide. Math tells me that I must cut 5 strips of the dark fabric and 4 strips of the light from the long side of the fat quarters (22 inch side). This will yield 3 strips sets--one light/dark/light and two dark/light/dark.

2. Cut 4 strips from your combined fat quarters. With RST, the strips will already be in postion to put into your sewing machine.

3. Remove the light fat quarter and cut one more dark strip.

4. Chain Sew 3 light/dark strips together and press the seam allowances toward the dark. Sew the remaining strips to make the 3 strip sets (Remember to chain sew).

5. Stack the 3 strip sets on top of each other wiggling the seam allowances together making sure they are straight and in line with each other.

6. Trim the end of the strip set and turn the set to face the other direction in preparation of cutting the segments to complete your 4-patches.

7. Each cut you make are three segments to complete 1 -patch.

8. You should get nine cuts and nine 4 patches to be swapped.

9. You will take one segment off the set of 3 and lay it aside. Sew the remail 2 segments together. Feed them into your machine one after the other until all are stitched. Press and then return to your machine to stitch on the 3 segment.

10. When feeding the segments into your machine, if you feed with the seam allowance going into the machine instead of away, your seams will match magically. The seam allowance is pushed together with the other.

My chain of nine 9 patches is loooooonnnnggggg!

One set down and 2 sets ready to be chained together!!
I decided to press my choices of fatquarters in a stack with RST (right sides together) as they will be stitched. I will cut my stripes and make ready for construction. Two sets per month for 8 months (I think). I need to check that--not sure it's right--Story of my life--

Calamity Jane is having a Give-Away

Go over to Calamity Jane's Cottage and comment for a chance to win a really neat Halloween bag! http://calamityjanescottage.blogspot.com/2008/08/giveaway-for-august.html

AND THE WINNER IS~~~~~~~

On Tuesday, I announced a scrap fabric give-a-way to anyone who commented on that post. I also said that anyone who linked to my post would have their name entered twice and that I would add fabric to the pile. Well, it has been a week and time to announce the winner.

AND THE WINNER IS--------

Well, Jeanne, how about that. You lucked out. Jeanne had her name in twice as she linked to my post and it paid off for her. I have packed the box and it will be on its way as soon as I get an address to stick on it.
Thanks to all who commented. I enjoyed hearing from you all! Molly

Mom

ERNESTINE LAMBERTH MANDEVILLE

NICKNAME-TEENIE-A 5 FT 2 IN SPIT FIRE OF A WOMAN

A PROLIFIC QUILTER

BORN IN 1926 AND IS NOW 81 YEARS YOUNG

As I was cleaning out my sewing room and closet recently, I came across some reminders of how talented my mom is. She is 81 now and has dimentia. She remembers very little long term and no short term. All her life she enjoyed sewing and crafting. In the 1970's when Georgia Bonesteel brought back quilting, Mom hit it with all four feet (so to speak). She made quilt after quilt and made her first quilt with coordinating purchased fabric. I couldn't tell you how many quilted coats and vests similar to the blue one below she made. Both my little boys had vests and coats along with my neice and nephew. She made my sister and I dresses with quilted yokes and me the green dress below. The bottom of the skirt is quilted as you can see fromt he close-up photo.

My mother started with embroidery work when she was just a young girl. Her handwork is beautiful as you can see on the doily. The hand applique looks more like machine than hand work.

She also pieced a quilt at this early age with her grandmother's help.

Notice her initials at the bottom right. This was done at age 13, in the late 1930s. She lived in a very small community where her father owned the only general store, her grandparents lived just up the road, and the the train roared through town at all hours of the day and night. The food was grown in a garden beside the house, the milk came from the family owned cow, and the butter was churned and tasted nothing like anything we can now buy at any store. She tells me of a time that I can only imagine how simple and beautiful it was. She recently told me of the time when she visited an aunt and uncle and watch the first TV she had ever seen. It was a very small black and white set with a very snowy picture. She remembers having to turn it off and go to bed and was upset about that. She still loves TV. It's her very favorite thing to do.

Mom's last quilt is pictured at the top of this post. She finished piecing it and quilted half of it in 1997. I finished quilting it a few years ago. When my dad passed away in 1998, Mom never quilted again. I have often thought that this was a time when she could really have gotten into all the things she loved, quilting being one of them, but she withdrew and quit doing anything.

The pictures below are of items she made during my years as a young married woman in the 1980s.

Mom made this wall hanging for my husband and I for our 10th Wedding Anniversary in 1984

This is a game quilt that mom made for my boys. The player pieces are wooden thread spools and the cards are hand written. My favorite says: "Mom decides to drive, move ahead two spaces."

FABRIC GIVE-A-WAY

Trying, once again, to straighten and clean out my sewing area. Seems it can get so, so cluttered that I cannot get motivated to work on a project. Maybe the problem is that I try to work on two many projects at once. I should only have out one project at a time and work on it till it is finished. STAY FOCUSED! Oh Me--I don't know if I can ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After cleaningout the closet, AGAIN, I now have a box of fabrix+ to get rid of. I was thinking it would be fun to offer fabric for comments. If you comment, I will put your name in a drawing for the box of fabric+. I will give all a week to comment then I will have someone draw the name and announce the winner. Then you will be ask to send me your snail mail address and I will mail out the fabric.

Help me get rid of some fabric (whew--that leaves a bad taste in my mouth)and get some much wanted comments. THANKS

If you link to me and tell me you did in your comment, I will add your name in twice and if you win, I will put in added fabric. Just a little added bonus.

VISIT DEBI FOR ANOTHER GIVE-A-WAY TREAT!!

SO, SO BUSY (NO SEW), SO, SO TIRED--BLOGGING TO RELAX

Well girls, here is the story. My DH and I raised two boys. Did a good job. I am so happy with result. They moved away from home (down the road LOL) and both have good jobs. One is married with one son and another on the way and one is still unmarried, but happy about it. Remember we live on a ranch that has been in the family for almost 150 years. Well, the boys have decided to move back to the ranch. They are both working on house plans and are "picking out a spot" for thier homes. The youngest son had a burglary at his house and decided to go ahead and put it on the market--it sold almost immediately sooooooooooooooooooo. This week he moved back home. I missed the Compass Centre Quilting Retreat and I am not a happy camper about that. I had to help move and clean. The papers were signed on Friday--a weight lifted. Now on the the cleaning at my own home to "make room" for his "stuff". Luckily we have a large garage room to serve as a makeshift apartment. Clark keeps referring to his stay and the length of time he will be here. At first it was "6 months", then 8 months", and the most recent time mentioned was "a year". OHMYGOSH--this is really putting a cramp in my style. I will survive, but he may not. LOL (Just kidding, Clark). He is a wonderful young man and I am enjoying him---so far.


I have not been able to sleep for the last week because my body aches from all the moving it has had to do helping with the move. Advil has been my only survival. I am in need for stronger drugs. I slept until 11 o'clock this morning as no one was here to wake me up and I actually did not ache last night.

I now have TWO bulldogs to contend with. Clarks is not as easy to handle--he walks and walks where my Louise sleeps and sleeps. I know most of you are thinking that you could not live with these dogs. I have told you before that we are dog people--some are and some are not. These are the most unique dogs I have ever had anything to do with. I would not give that experience up for little, BUT, I will never have another one--too high maintenance.

My sister has gone on a trip and so I am solely responsible for my mother's care also. And, my Caden (5 year old grandson) has decided that "Nana's House" is cool and is here almost everyday unless I protest profusely. I am telling you that quitting a job because you will have most time for things you want to do is a crock of s-----well, you get the idea.

Now that I have vented, I am going to tell you about my Friendship Fruit Cake Starter that was given to me by a "Wacky Friend" a few weeks ago. A little cup of colored juice is all it was accompanied with a sheet explaining how I was to feed it by adding sugar and fruit at intervals for a period of 30 days. At the end of this time several cakes could be made and "starter" juice given to friends (three, I think). I have been faithful to the daily stirring and the adding of ingredients and am now am down to the last trimester. I feel like a pioneer woman "keeping her starter alive on the trail" (yeh--this is as close as it gets? Pitiful, I know). Each day the concoction foams up and it smells like beer (yes works in the same fashion). I really like the smell LOL.

I am thinking that I will bake the cakes and freeze them to give to friends and family who need them for one occasion or another. I probably will "let the starter die" after this time as I have no need for that many fruit cakes. I am thinking of trying a "Sour Dough Starter". I think this one works on the same concept but with the versatility of making sweet or regular breads.

http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/388/Friendship_Fruit_Starter14094.shtml

If you are interested in trying this starter method of baking check out this web site:

There are all kinds of recipes and tips and tricks available.

In closing this post I want you all to know that I am having quilting withdrawal. I certainly have a desire to quilt, but my quilting space is a mess (to say the least) as it is my storage closet that my son has taken back over since he moved back in. My oldest son thinks this is so funny that son #2 is putting a kink in Mom's quilting Style, so to speak. I will get revenge.

Texas Dept. of Agriculture Quilt Collection

In 2006 I entered the TDA Quilt Block Challenge. I sent in my $12.00 and received a packet of fabrics to be used to create a block represently Texas Legendary Ranches. I made my block and sent it in with no expectation--REALLY. My block WAS chosen. It graced the quilt in the upper left corner,a very prominent spot, and I was very proud. In October the ladies whose blocks appeared in the quilt were honored at a ceremony during the Texas State Fair in Dallas, Texas. The quilt has become one in a group of of quilts that are a traveling exhibit that represent and promote Texas. 2006 Quilt--Legendary Ranches of Texas

Blocks are collected for a new quilt with a new theme every two years. This year the theme is "Texas Wine". The fabric collection was beautiful including batik and hand dyed fabrics of green and shades of wine. I talked 3 more of my Wackie Pak sisters to submit a block also. This is my block-----

It was not chosen for the quilt. There were 60 entries and 24 blocks were chosen.

The Good News is that all 3 of Wacky Sisters blocks were chosen. They turned in some great blocks!!

This is Jerri's block--

TOLD YA!! GREAT HUH--WELL-Wait till you see------

Kathy's Block--

Such a talented group I am associated with--

Here is Rhonda's block

Be sure to click the title of this post to see all quilts from previous years. Soon this years quilt will be posted along with the group. If you want to see the unveiling of the quilt and meet all the quilters. Go to the Texas State Fair in October. See you there!

Red White and Blue Block Swap

Each member of our Wacky Group is making all other participating members a block of our own choice. This is mine. I hope they all like it as all the pieces are cut out and in plastic bags ready for construction. I love the use of tan/brown fabric with the subdued reds and blues. The pure white in the dark blue gives a little punch. The center block is the focus point and offers so many design possibilities. I toyed with putting some embroidery there, or possibly a 4 inch pieced block. The flag fabric gave it interest in a focal point and it was easy. I tend to do that sometimes--take the easy way out. Not being willing to put in the time to do the part that will make a block or quilt "extra special. The fabric works for me here, I think. You can tell me if I am right or wrong. Go ahead, I can take it. I will not be mad--I promise--but be a woman and leave your name --no anonymous posts!!

I used a Quick trick method for the 1/2 squares in this block. I figured out the measurements for 4 1/2 and 2 1/2 inch half-squares and wrote the instructions for it. I will post it soon. I love it--8 half/squares in 15 minutes or less.

Wacky Day Out!!

Rhonda's Birthday was celebrated with a trip to Waxahachie, Texas. The Quilt shop, Common Threads, was our first stop--(we were all bad--this is my purchase--for our Red White and Blue quilt blockswap.

the second stop was The Dove's Nest, a really neat Lunch Stop..Antique Shop. Two got the Soup of the Day, Texas Chowder--DELICIOUS! Visit them here. I have the cookbook and it is fantastic. The Texas Chowder is included Along with sandwiches, soups, wonderful pastas, and desserts (We shared Blackberry Bread Pudding---YUMMY!).
This smock was purchased in the antique section. I almost bought it last time we visited, but instead I purchased a pattern thinking I could make one myself. Guess What? It was still there this visit, I had not made one, so I bought it. Thought it would be cute to wear it to our upcoming quilting retreat.

The last purchase was a really neat chicken, some artificial moss and greenery, and a delicious smelling candle.


The ride home was full of laughter and fabric fondling. There was discussion of a joke about a blind man and a dog named ALOOK! You had to be there--but believe me ---it was funny!!

Later Guys!!