Sneak Peek

I thought I would give you a sneak peek of the unfinished projects I'm working diligently to complete and the one new project I've been sewing. 

First is the Angel quilt I started about 5 years ago.  It is a log cabin pattern called Courthouse Steps, machine pieced and hand quilted.  Of course, it was made in a Quilt in a Day Workshop with my friend, Charlotte.  (Do you notice a trend here?? )  I have a little quilting left to complete and then it will be ready for binding. 

I'm not sure who will be the recipient of this quilt. I have considered selling it, but I'm positive I could part with it in that manner.  There are a couple of special people that have been influential in my life and this quilt would make a wonderful gift for either one of them. 

Closeup of one of the Angels

ON SECOND THOUGHT, if you truly like this quilt, I might be tempted to part with it if the price was right! :) :) :)

The second "unfinished" project is only 1 1/2 years old.  It is a Cathedral Window pattern and was created during a Quilt in a Day Workshop.  The goal of this workshop was to show the technique of  machine piecing this pattern (typically hand pieced).  Wanda, our instructor, chose to have us make a wall-hanging size in hopes that we wouldn't become frustrated and not finish the project.

Well....meet Ms. Frustrated!!   I didn't like the original centers for the window, so I put it away....for 1 1/2 years!!  Recently I had some early 1900's reproduction  material left over from another unfinished project and I chose to use this fabric for the window centers.  I'm much happpier with the result.

Once completed, this wall hanging will go to the Read To Succeed office at the Lon Nuell Family Literacy Center for Shelly and me to enjoy!!

The third sneak peak and only NEW project was a gift from my co-worker and fellow quilting friend, Shelly.  Shelly was able to attend the Paducah Quilt Show in April and was thoughtful and bought me a kit to make a table runner.  I have the runner 90% pieced.  I still need to add the borders. This project will not be able to go into the unfinished projetct pile....Shelly will make sure of it!!

Will look pretty on my kitchen table this fall!  Should be completed by then!  :)

Okay, that is it for my current projects.  Why so many projects at one time you ask?  Well they are all different based on what needs to be done and in size.  So depending on my timeframe, location, etc.  determines which project I will choose to work on!! 

Quilts, Quilts, and More Quilts

Here are a few of the quilts/quilt tops I have made over the years.  There are others and maybe I can find pictures of them someday soon.

This quilt was made for my youngest daughter, Sarah.  My friend, Charlotte, and I machine pieced this at a Quilt in a Day Workshop.  The pattern is Rail Fence.  I hand quilted it.

This is also the Rail Fence pattern and was made for my oldest daughter, Emily.  I machine pieced this on on my own and hand quilted.

I made this quilt in a Quilt in a Day Workshop with my friend, Charlotte.  The pattern is log cabin and was made for Tommy and myself.  My quilting mentor and friend, Mrs. Culbreath, quilted it for me.

I started this quilt for my niece, Delaney, before she was born.  I didn't actually finish it until she was around two years old.  I gave it to her one Christmas.  It is the Irish Chain pattern and I paid someone to machine quilt it for me.

This is a Stripey Snuggle Quilt I made for Connor, Tommy's second cousin.  I saw the pattern on HGTV Simply Quilts show and thought I could this pretty quickly!  Unfortunately nothing is ever quick with me.  I did finally get it done and delivered to its new owner.  I have since made two more quilt tops using this same stripe piecing for Connor's cousins, Meghan and Ashlyn.  I'm ashamed to admit that neither tops have been quilted yet.  They are on my list for this year though!!

This quilt is not displaying right but you get the idea.  I made this quilt for Connor's new baby sister, Olivia.  I finally mailed it last week and Olivia should have gotten it before she turned eight months old on May 28th.  See....I told you I'm not very timely but they all will eventually get completed!  :)

This wallhanging was started in October 2008 at a class for Quilt as You Go!  I just finished it this month - May 2010.  I'm on a quest to finish my many unfinished projects.  This wall hanging is waiting to be hung in a place of honor somewhere in our home!!

Okay, another Quilt in a Day project.  This pattern is the Eight Point Star.  Charlotte and I worked on this one together too.  I have not quilted it yet.  I'm seriously considering taking off the outside border.  After studying it for many years, I'm thinking there is way too much blue.  This wall hanging was made to hang over my couch in the living room and someday it may actually hang there!  :)

The Next Generation of Showers

A few weeks ago our family celebrated my second cousin, Jennifer's, upcoming wedding. Family gathered at my house for a bridal shower. It is so strange to see the next generation carrying on. This will be a first of many showers that will be held for my cousin's children, my brother's daughter and my own daughters. Emily told me that she thought I was too old to be doing the showers. I laughed and told her that it was my time to be doing them. Thanks to my co-hostesses: Mom, Lori, Judie and Heather! :)

The food....yummy!!

Guests.....

more guests....

even more guests.

One of the prizes was a pizza cutter. Jennifer was thrilled to get this one item. Ever since she had moved into her new home, she had been without a pizza cutter.

This quilt was made by Jennifer's future mother in-law. This is her first quilt. She did a great job!! It is all of Jennifer's favorite colors.

Giving Hugs - Jennifer has always been great about giving thank you hugs!!

Last Competition of 2009-2010

Today the girls competed for the last time with their 2009-2010 Elite Energy Allstars Squads. Before leaving they wanted to take some pictures. I thought I would share them with you.

Sarah & Emily

Joking around!

Their dramatic shot - walking away!

I guess this signifies the end of the season.

They will continue tumbling through April with tryouts for returning athletes the 23rd. The first part of May, tryouts for the public will take place and new teams will be created. I will miss some of the parents and athletes that won't be returning next season. For those that made school squads, I wish you well. I hope to see all my cheer friends around the 'Boro sometime!!

Go Elite!

Happy 5th Birthday Delaney!

Happy Birthday to my sweet, adorable, and loveable niece, Delaney Rae Reynolds! The sun is shining just for you! I hope you have a great day and a happy memorable birthday. Love you cutie pie!!

Silly girl!

Still being silly!

Singing Happy Birthday!

My cake - right?

Sneaking a lick! Yum!

I see a birthday girl looking at me!!

America's Best Cheelreading Competition

This weekend we traveled to Gatlinburg for our final out of town competition!! First I have to say that I enjoyed this competition. Kudos to the America's Best organization for a great experience.

Now time for me to brag! :)

Senior Squad before competing on Saturday

The Senior Squad competed first this time and rocked the house both days. I am proud of the athletes. They looked awesome upon that stage. Congratulations for taking home 1st place and winning jackets!! Job well done!

Senior Squad with National Champions
banner and wearing their jackets.

Sarah with some of her friends on the Junior Squad.

The Junior Squad competed against four other teams. What can I say, both days the girls rocked too! Sarah was in rare form and received compliments from many of the parents for her whole performance (the facials were priceless). The Juniors took home 2nd place and I couldn't be more proud of them! Again - job well done!

Sarah with Junior Squad member, Isabella.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

My children and niece always seem to amaze me with what they say and how they think!

Friday evening, Sarah was talking about her future. She stated that she didn't want to be a nurse, didn't want to be a veterinarian, didn't want to be a lawyer or bank teller. Then she said, "I don't want to do other people's taxes and I'm pretty sure I don't want to do my own". Now if you're not laughing about that statement - I guess you just had to be there! :)

Saturday morning, Emily was fixing her breakfast and chit chatting about this and that. Somehow the topic turned to husbands and Emily was commenting on the things her husband will have to be able to do, for example: fix any and everything, work on the car, take care of the yard, etc. Then she said that her friends tell her she is going to have to lighten up on her criteria list because she will never find a guy that lives up to all of them. Emily's reply, "My Mom did"! Now if that isn't high praise for her Daddy, I don't know what is....!

Later that same Saturday morning, my niece, Delaney, and I were coming back from a quick trip to Smyrna. Delaney was telling me about being on Spring Break for the next two weeks. I told her too bad that Emily and Sarah would be on Spring Break the day she went back to school. Without much hesitation, Delaney said, "I could miss a day of Pre-K". Now how's that for planning????

What can I say, I LOVE MY GIRLS!