Even More Blocks

This is the last of the 17" blocks I have been making for the Infinity quilt. They are all quilted and ready to put together once the 35" center block is embroidered and quilted. I started on it yesterday but with 24 motifs to embroider, I think it will take me a few days. Plus the fact that I had to work today and work tomorrow will probably slow me down some.


I have them all trimmed down to the right size and ready to assemble. I just need to get that center block embroidered. I know get off the computer and get busy! lol

Have you taken a few minutes to leave a comment to get your entry in the giveaway?

Hope you are having a great day!

Rhonda

Pig Tale & Quilts

Pig Tale & Quilts is doing a giveaway in honor of her daughter's 30th birthday. Slide on over there and get signed up.


Rhonda

Need email adddresses!

I forgot to put in the rules for the giveaway, that you need to leave your email address. If you have not received an email from me, I do not have any way of contacting you. If I can not contact you now, I won't be able to contact you when the winner is drawn.

Please email me a way to contact you or post a comment with the information included.

Thanks for playing!

Rhonda

More Embroidered Blocks

I had a little time this morning to upload the photos of the 3 blocks I got quilted yesterday.

I didn't do a very good job taking that last photo. lol
Don't forget about the Birthday Giveaway. That post will stay at the top until the deadline. Notice the April 20th date on it.

Hope you have a great day!

Rhonda

Embroidered Block update!

I managed to get one more block embroidered tonight. Plus I did get three more quilted. I will post photos of the quilted blocks tomorrow.

Hope you had a great day!

Rhonda

Joanne! Joanne! Joanne!

I do believe the title is appropriate for this post. lol
Yesterday, I got to spend a great day with my friend Joanne, another friend, Penny and my Mom. We did a little sewing but not much. lol We did make a trip to Sharynn's in North Vernon but I didn't buy a thing. I know, and No I wasn't sick! lol
Anyway, I seen that Joanne had posted to her blog this morning. Of course, she was telling about our day together. But why did she have to go and say, "You all should check out Rhonda's blog she has more talent in her little finger than I'll ever have in a bazillion years. Rhonda hope you've got some decent pics up on your blog so everyone can see how talented you really are!!"
Now that she went and did that, I guess I should post some photos. I guess I should have said, this is the reason she posted that comment.
I have been working on an embroidered quilt. Here is the link to a picture of the quilt.
http://www.infinityquilt.com.au/gal_CCQ.htm
The quilting is done as you go, so I am able to now show you 5 quilted blocks. I have 9 of the 12-17" blocks embroidered but only 5 quilted. There is a 34" medallion block in the middle which I haven't gotten finished yet.
Alright, so here we go! I have tried and tried to get the space out of between these photos but for some reason it just isn't happening. They looked good when I was writing the post but as soon as I published it, whammy!
















































































Ok, that is all the photos for now. The best way to view these are to click on them so you can actually see the quilting design in them. I will post more blocks as I finish them.

Now that I have all that posted. Be sure to check back tomorrow for the details on a giveaway I will be doing. Hope to see you then!

Hope you had a great weekend! And don't forget to go over to Joanne's blog and check out what great things she is doing!

Rhonda

Another great giveaway!

Quilting on a Budget is not only a great blog to read but is also having another giveaway. Make sure you read through her posts to get some really great information on saving money while quilting.

http://quiltingonabudget.blogspot.com/

Hope you are having a great day!

Rhonda

Quilts finished

I spent the last week working on 2 new projects. I have both completed and thought I would share the finished quilts with you.

This is Funny Farm.


This is my Sisterhood of Quilters wallhanging:


Hope you are having a great day!

Rhonda

Fabric Giveaway!

Thought you might like to hear about a fabric giveaway. Just head over to Wondermommy

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Rhonda

Quilting on a Budget

If you have never checked out the Quilting on a Budget blog, you really should. Awesome blog with lots of great information! Right now there is a great giveaway that you might want to get entered in.

Rhonda

Starting something new!

I keep telling myself I need to finish up some of my UFO's that are lying around. They aren't really just lying around, they are safely hidden from view in a draw stack in the sewing room. I need to do this but yet, I started a new project yesterday. I was in Sharynn's last week and she was putting together a kit called Funny Farm. It was so cute I just had to get one. Here is a link to the website that has the pattern.

www.clothworkstextiles.com

The kit uses the Funny Farm collection of fabric. There is a special little guy that I know that will be receiving the finished quilt. I won't mention any names here because I want it to be a surprise for him and I think his Mom might just check out my blog from time to time.

What little boy or girl wouldn't love this quilt?

Hope you are having a great day!

Rhonda

New Site

As I was reading blogs yesterday, I found this. Thought maybe some of you might be interested! I know I was.

This April they will launch www.YouCanQuiltThis.com! They can’t wait to share with you the projects, tutorials, and patterns brought together by a team of experts and lead designers in the industry. Check it out for a chance to win a Janome sewing machine!

You will also notice something new on the right side of my blog. A great new tool I have added! Just enter your email address to have my posts sent directly to you. No checking back to see what has been posted. I wish all blogs would have this. It would be so much easier to keep updated on the blogs I read. Hope you get signed up!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Rhonda

What I have been working on!

I started a new job 3 weeks ago that has kept me pretty busy lately. I like the new job so far especially the fact that I am off every weekend and all the holidays. Add to that the fact that I am now working a day shift job, what more could I ask for!

Between work, housework, etc. I have been working on a couple of things. The main one being a challenge quilt. A challenge for a retreat in September that I am not going to be able to go to. I will miss all my dear friends at the retreat this year. Maybe next year things will be better. Who knows!

The challenge for September was called Dots and Dashes. We are to make a quilt that is constructed of at least 50% of dotted and striped fabric. I still have the borders to add but will need to go to my LQS for something appropriate. Don't stare at it too long or you might go blind! lol It is rather bright! I like it and it will make a great Christmas gift in December.



Do you still have your eyesight? lol

You still have time to get over to Joanne's blog and leave her a comment on her stimulus package! Go now before it is too late!

Rhonda

Joanne's Stimulus Package

Check this out!

http://splittingstitches.blogspot.com/

Joanne is offering a Quilters Stimulus deal over on her blog. If you have some tops that need quilted you may want to go there and check it out.

Rhonda

Superior Threads Blog

I don't know how many of you use Superior threads but you should really check out their blog!

Lots of great information there!

WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The winner has been drawn by Mr. Random for the giveaway.

The Winner is:

Terry Monnett!

Congratulations Terry!!! I will put that prize in the mail this week. Thanks to all that left comments!

Rhonda

Giveaway!!!

Not only am I doing a giveaway this month, but there is one other you should check out!

Over at Quilting on a Budget, she (with the support of Ott-lite) is giving away a floor model Ott-lite. Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing to win! Just follow the link to get there!

Another great site to check out is Craft Gossip! One of the commenters on my blog has this website. Denise is doing a wonderful job over there! Thanks Denise for the link!

Have a great weekend!

Rhonda

Don't forget the giveaway!!!

Make sure you leave a comment about the giveaway to be entered. There are other ways to get extra entries so be sure to check out the previous post.

I have been lucky enough to win 2, yes 2, blog giveaways in the last week. The first was a great little mug mat from Barb over at So How Was Your Day?. Thanks so much Barb! It arrived on Saturday! Be sure and check out Barb's blog. I am sure you will find some interesting things there!

The second win I had was from Pat Sloan's blog. I haven't received the prize yet so I don't know what it is. I will be sure and let you know when it arrives and what it is. I am sure it will be a great surprise.

Last Wednesday I was off work so I joined my Mom at Sharynn's in North Vernon. Sharynn's is a fun place to go when you are fabric shopping. That isn't why we went but is what we ended up doing. lol Mom had a class on her new Janome 11000 so I went with her. When we got done we did a little fabric shopping. More like Mom did some fabric shopping. Sharynn's had just got in some Fresh Picked Follies fabrics. The panels were too cute to pass up! I got 2 panels. For those that haven't seen them before, here is a picture. So cute!!!!

Now I just need to figure out what to do with the ladies!

Hope you had a great Monday and are looking forward to Tuesday!

Rhonda

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just had to stop by and tell everyone. My wonderful DH had me a dozen red roses and a box of chocolates here this morning. The roses are beautiful!

Love you all!

Rhonda

WooHoo!!!! on the Giveaway!

I have to tell you! I love all the comments I am getting! I wish I had time to respond to each comment but haven't found an hour or two yet. As soon as I do you will hear from me. To answer one question was addressed in a comment--Yes, if you live in Canada you are eligible to win also! Thought I would repost the giveaway info so no one has to search for it.

I love hearing from so many different people! I have been checking out blogs from those that have commented and found some great blogs to add to my blog list soon.

Keep the comments coming!

In honor of the month of February, the month of Love, I thought I would do a giveaway. This is what you will win! Six great FQ's that I am sure you will find something to do with!



Here are the rules:

1. Leave a comment here on my blog. For this you will receive one entry. Leave your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner.
2. Post about my giveaway on your blog and you will receive an extra entry.
3. In your comment, tell me where you heard about my giveaway and you will receive another extra entry.
4. If you become a follower, or you are already a follower, you get another extra entry.

So, it is possible to get up to 4 entries!

If I receive more than 100 comments, I will send out two gifts!

The deadline for entering is February 28th. I will have Mr. Random draw the lucky winner on March 1st.

I keep telling myself I LOVE my job! I LOVE my job! I LOVE my job! Hopefully I will convince myself soon. You would be surprised at how some elderly people act. I should write a book! lol

Hope you are having a better day than me!

Rhonda

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Update!

In honor of the month of February, the month of Love, I thought I would do a giveaway. This is what you will win! Six great FQ's that I am sure you will find something to do with!



Here are the rules:

1. Leave a comment here on my blog. For this you will receive one entry. Leave your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner.
2. Post about my giveaway on your blog and you will receive an extra entry.
3. In your comment, tell me where you heard about my giveaway and you will receive another extra entry.
4. If you become a follower, or you are already a follower, you get another extra entry.

So, it is possible to get up to 4 entries!

If I receive more than 100 comments, I will send out two gifts!

The deadline for entering is February 28th. I will have Mr. Random draw the lucky winner on March 1st.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Rhonda

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In honor of the month of February, the month of Love, I thought I would do a giveaway. I don't know what the gifts will be yet, but you can be assured it will contain fabric!

Here are the rules:

1. Leave a comment here on my blog. For this you will receive one entry. Leave your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner.
2. Post about my giveaway on your blog and you will receive an extra entry.
3. In your comment, tell me where you heard about my giveaway and you will receive another extra entry.
4. If you become a follower, or you are already a follower, you get another extra entry.

So, it is possible to get up to 4 entries!

If I receive more than 100 comments, I will send out two gifts!

The deadline for entering is February 28th. I will have Mr. Random draw the lucky winner on March 1st.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Rhonda

I have been trying really hard to be on a fabric diet this year. I haven't done very well though. I keep putting on pounds instead of taking off. lol
Today was no exception! The weather has been bad here all day today but I had to go to town to get my hair trimmed. It was needed so badly I couldn't put it off just because of a few inches of snow. Of course, while I was in town I felt the urge to stop at Sharynn's, one of my favorite quilt shops. The main reason I went into Sharynns is because they have been saving me their empty bolt boards and I hadn't been in to pick them up lately. While I was there though, Rose had to show me some new things they had gotten in.
This panel was one of the new things they had gotten and I just had to have one. Isn't it so cute! They had the fabric line to go with it but I managed to contain myself there. Just barely though! lol


I also purchased a one pound bag of worms. It was the last one they had. I had gotten a couple of bags before at Christmas for gifts. If you don't know what worms are they are 2 1/2" x WOF strips. How many worms are in a pound? That was what I asked the first time I bought a bag. I was quite surprised that there were 50 in a pound. Well worth the $10 I paid for them.

Rose and Hope work at Sharynns and they just had to show me what they had Sharynn special order for them. I can't tell you what it was but I ordered one for my Mom's birthday gift. I think she is going to love it! Her birthday is in April so I will probably end of giving it to her as soon as it comes in.

We got quite a bit of snow last week and today we are being hit again. I AM SICK OF SNOW!!! I was looking at a friend of mines blog the other day. She had pictures of her kids playing in the snow. I had to post a comment on her blog about it. Remember when we were young and couldn't wait for a big snow. Couldn't wait to go play in it! Snow days from school! Now we cringe when the weather forecasters are telling us snow is even headed our way. I guess you can tell we have grown up! When did that happen? lol

Here is block #6. And the last one for now.

Rhonda

Thank you to everyone that has commented about my blocks. These are Satin stitch applique. I don't do needle turned. lol
Here is block #5.


I was just over at the Fat Cat patterns website and found she has a new BOM. You might want to check it out!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Rhonda

This is block #4!

Rhonda

This is block #3!

Rhonda

This is the second of six blocks that I have done from the Fat Cat Patterns website.

Rhonda

It is snowing!!!! I won't be going anywhere today. Didn't go anywhere yesterday. All due to the nasty weather here in Southern Indiana. We received about 6" snow Monday night. Tuesday we had sleet and freezing rain all day. This morning I woke up to a heavy snow that the forecasters are saying we can get 5" more of.
My DH just came in and him and his brother are heading somewhere to buy generators. I guess suffering through Hurricane Ike was enough for them.

Here is some photos of the snow so far.




I have been getting some sewing done. I started on some applique blocks from Fat Cat Patterns. Here is the first of six blocks that I have done.


Stay warm and dry today!

Rhonda

The weather outside is soon to be frightful!!! We are currently under a Winter Storm Warning here in Southern Indiana. Depending on who you listen to we are to receive anywhere between 5 and 10 inches of snow. Of course, snow wouldn't be complete without some ice also. It is currently sleeting outside. I guess we will just have to wait until late tomorrow night, when this is suppose to end, to see what we end up with.

Stay warm!!!!

Rhonda

Just dropped by to let you know about a Blog Giveaway over at Bitty Bits & Pieces. Please mention my blog when you leave your comment! Good Luck!

Rhonda

I spent a great day with my good friend Joanne and my Mom today. Oh, and I can't forget my step dad Nolan. The plan was to get together to sew but you know how plans are.

This morning we started putting together some fabrics for a quilt that my Mom wants to make for my niece. She didn't really have what we needed but we were trying. While we were looking on the internet for companion fabrics, Nolan called and asked what we would like for lunch. Of course, we couldn't decide so he made a suggestion. His suggestion worked for all of us. We all went to Christies Restaurant in Salem. Absolutely great place to eat!!!! Afterwards, of course, we had to stroll down the block to Craft Town. Craft Town has an awesome selection of quilting fabrics! So we all managed to spend some $$$ in that store. Nolan was so patient and had fun looking at all the gadgets.

I did add my purchases to the right side of my blog. Thanks for the comment Aileen on the previous post. It is not bravery but curiousity!!! lol

On our drive back, Nolan or Mom (can't remember which one) had another great idea. Stopping at McDonalds for an Iced coffee. When we got back to Mom and Nolan's we enjoyed a piece of Oatmeal Cake Mom had made the night before. I need to get that recipe from her.

I think we all had a great day! It is always nice to spend the day with Mom and Nolan but today was especially nice since Joanne got to join us. We will definitely have to do this again sometime.

Great to see you again Joanne! Miss ya already GF!!!

Rhonda

I have been sitting here on the computer for the last hour reading quilting blogs. There are so many out there to read and, of course, look at all the eye candy. I am amazed at how many there are! I wish I could add all of them to my blog list but where do you stop. With work and everything else that needs to get done it would be totally impossible to keep up with all of them. The Just Us Quilters blog is a great place to start your reading. Another great place is Quilting Blogs from Around the World.
So where do you start and where do you stop?

I have been working on some satin stitch applique blocks that have been offered at Fat Cat Patterns. I am going to try and get some photos taken this weekend to post.

On the right side of my blog you will notice that I have been keeping track of all my quilty purchases for the year. I haven't started out very good so far. Hopefully I will do better. I am trying to use up a lot of the fabric I already have. At the end of the year, I will be able to tell how much I actually spent this year. I hope that I am not shocked at the end result.

Hope you have great plans for the weekend!

Rhonda

Just got back from the dreaded trip to the dentist. Only had a cleaning but it is always so nerve racking to go. You never know what they will find. I keep waiting to see if they pull any FQ's out from between my teeth. LOL
Had to make a quick stop at New Frankfort Merchantile on my way home. I had them order me some fabric and they called yesterday to let me know it had arrived.
Last night I got home and my package of quilting stencils had arrived also. Couldn't wait to rip into that package!
I have the weekend off work so I plan to get quite a bit of sewing done. Wish me luck!

Have a great day! I have to get ready to go to work!

Rhonda

Just got finished purchasing some quilting stencils from an online company. I added the purchase at the side of my blog. I did purchase some fabric on Wednesday but it was with a gift certificate I received for Christmas. Since I actually didn't pay for it I didn't think I needed to include it in my purchases so far this year. How are you doing on controlling your Quilty Spending?

Rhonda

I am totally not getting any sewing done this weekend. I did make it to Mom's yesterday but we spent the time playing with her new sewing/embroidery machine. Stopped at Max and Erma's on the way home to pick up dinner.
Today I spent the biggest part of the day gathering photos to send to the boys' new parents. They sent us photos last week via Ohio Children and Family Services. I had agreed to send them photos from when the boys were younger. The boys look really happy in the photos and that is all we have ever wanted for them. Hopefully one day we will see them again. I still wish we had been the ones to adopt them but at least we can tell they are happy and that is what matters.
Tomorrow is back to work for 2 days. My next day off will be on Wednesday. I am already looking forward to Wednesday. I am not making any plans. You know what happens when you make plans! lol

Have a great evening!

Rhonda

Have you ever had one of those days? Well, I had another one today. lol

Went in to work early for an in-service. All of us thought it wouldn't last long. We were wrong of course. 1 hour and 15 minutes. Then we had to start our shift immediately and late. If you are like me, being late makes the day go wrong all together. I was suppose to be on Memory Care Unit tonight but got switched at the start of the shift. No big deal! I got switched to the hardest hall but that didn't bother me either. I love working that hall! The bad part is that the hall has a couple of very needy people. VERY NEEDY!!!! Some days they are quiet but not tonight. lol I guess that is what makes the job interesting. You never know what is going to happen.

I have the whole weekend off so I am going to Mom's tomorrow to do a little sewing. I have been working on a machine applique project. I don't know why I felt the need to start another project but I did. I thought it would be a good project to take with me when I go to Mom's. It is too! I have 2 blocks done. Tomorrow I plan to take the other 4 blocks to work on. I won't get them satin stitched down but I will be able to get them fused to the background. The blocks are free from FatCat Patterns. I am doing the flower pot blocks. They are 16 1/2" blocks and I am doing them in blues. I plan to make a large quilt out of these. She has 6 blocks up right now and hopefully when I get these done she will have put up more.

I still hope to get some of my UFO's done this year. Just too many projects I want to do. lol

Hope you have a great weekend!

Rhonda

Gosh it sure has been a while. Almost a month now since I posted. Yikes! Where does the time go!

I haven't gotten to do much in the way of quilting. First there were the holidays to keep me busy and now it is a full time job that occupies my time.

Our family had a wonderful Christmas again this year. Christmas Eve was spent with my Mom and Dad (actually my stepdad but who is counting). My niece Aimee and her husband, Mike, and their 2 children were here from South Carolina. It had been several years since they were able to make it here for the holidays. It was so great to see them.

Christmas Day was spent with all of our kids here for the day. I fixed a big dinner and we ate, and ate, and even ate some more. lol

I received some wonderful gifts from my family. The best were the gift certificates to 3 different quilt shops. I am sure I will use them. Actually I already used one. lol I am trying to save the other 2 for things that I really, really need. Something like just a need to spend some $$$ on my addiction to fabric is something that I would consider a really, really big need. lol

I got 5 quilts done for Christmas gifts. Along with 5 purses and 4 Wonder wallets. I think I accomplished quite a bit. Hopefully I will get started earlier this year and accomplish more.

I have decided to try and not buy any fabric and quilty items this year. I know it is completely impossible to do that but I would at least like to know how much I actually spend this year. So in order to do that, I have added a section at the side of my blog to keep track of all my quilty purchases this year. Do I have to add what I buy with my gift certificates? I think not, since I am actually not paying for those items.

I have one more night to work and then I will be off one day. So Tuesday I plan to get some sewing accomplished. Wish me luck!

Hope you had a great weekend!

Rhonda

Gosh I didn't realize how long it had been since I posted!
I guess I have just been really busy or very boring!
I did get my CNA/RHHA license back last month. I have done a little job hunting but thought I would wait until after the holidays to look seriously. I put in applications at 2 different places and have heard from both. The first one I turned down the job. Did you ever feel like things weren't right about something? That was my impression of the first place. The second place called yesterday and I have an interview tomorrow afternoon. I think this place would be a good place to work and was where I wanted to hear from of the two.
I spent the day with my Mom and SIL Jan getting some sewing done. Jan and I finished a summer quilt for my Dad and his wife for Christmas. Mom needed a baby rag quilt made for a gift so Jan and I did that also. I was able to finish a batik quilt last night. Finally got that quilted and the binding on. It is now ready to be washed and wrapped for Christmas. I have 2 quilts that I need to get quilted and bound before Christmas. This Santa is running a little behind schedule!
Mary L. is the owner of a yahoo group I belong to. She asked everyone in the group their quilting goals for 2009. I made my list and will try to stick to it!

So here are my 2009 goals!

1. Complete all my UFO's. I know that sounds like a big accomplishment to some but I really don't have that many. Some need borders and quilting and some just need quilting. I think I have a total of 8 of those.
a. Design border, add border and quilt black, white & red spikey wall quilt
b. Black, white & red log cabin quilt
c. Quilt row by row quilt
d. Quilt purple spikey wall quilt
e. Quilt wall quilt made for Wierd to Wonderful challenge
f. Make quilt using Batik Happy blocks
g. Quilt blue and yellow Bag Lady quilt
h. Quilt blue and white star quilt
i. Put binding on scrap quilt
2. Finish piecing my Civil War Love Letters quilt blocks.
3. Continue to watch my quilty spending very closely. So far I haven't used my credit card since September which is a very good thing for me.
4. Keep track of all my purchases and post to my blog. Thanks Mary for the idea! If I post it as soon as I get home it should be easy enough to do.
5. Use up at least 1/2 of the 33 gallon tote of scraps that I have. That should be 2 quilts in itself. I have already made one and didn't make a dent in the tote full.

I got some photos to share with you.

This is a picture of some blocks on my design wall. I won these blocks in the Quilting In Indiana yahoo group. Aren't they great! Big Thanks to all my friends at Quilting in Indiana! This will most likely NOT be the final version. Just wanted to see what they would look like together!


These are photos of a scrappy quilt I have been working on. I used a quilt as you go method that I learned at retreat back in September. All the fabric except the black came from my scrap tote. Instead of batting I used some scrap fleece that my MIL had given me. Didn't know what else to use it for.

This is the front-----


This is the back-----


Hope you had a great day! I know I did!

Rhonda

What a day! I had my first day of clinicals today. 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. I was so nervous today before I left the house. Definitely a case of STRESS! I now know there was nothing to worry about. I guess I just can't help but worry about everything. How do you not? If you know the answer to that one, please tell me. It was actually a really nice day. I got to meet new people and enjoy their company for 8 hours. The Clinical Instructor was so very nice and helpful. Very sweet lady!

I was able to get a little sewing done over the weekend but not much. I made 2 blocks for the Block Lottery on our Quilting In Indiana yahoo group. Now I just need to get those in the mail tomorrow. I had planned to do it today but it just didn't happen. I also got the second border on a lap quilt I have been working on. One more border and it will be ready to quilt.

My DS, Micky, came from Ohio for a visit on Saturday. I had planned to go to my mother's for a while that day. I think she was pleasantly surprised when I showed up at her house with Mick. After we got back from there, we watched a movie that DD, Jill, had rented. It was called The Eye. Interesting movie but isn't one I would highly recommend. Mick and I ended up going to Madison and picking up pizza and a couple more movies. Just like The Eye, they were funny but not hilariously funny like we had expected. It was just fun to spend some time with Mick.

Well, that is it for today.

Rhonda

The last day of classroom training was today. I feel like I have learned a lot and still have a lot to learn. We took 2 tests today and I scored 100% on both. Yeah!!! Monday we start clinical so that should be fun.
I hope to spend some time with my sewing machine this weekend. My plan is to get the borders on the quilt that is on my design wall.

Thank you Jacquie for cheering me on this week! I really appreciate it!

Hope you had a great day!

Rhonda

Day 3 of 4 is done!!! One last day of classroom training for my CNA license. It seems to be getting easier. Another 100% on my test today. Tomorrow it will be 2 tests! Yikes!
Clinical training starts Monday and goes for 2 weeks. I am really looking forward to it. It is really hard to just sit and listen to lectures for hours each day.

Fall is definitely here! The cooler weather makes me want to wrap up in a quilt and settle in for the evening but too much to do. I have dinner in the oven, if you can call it that. Another quick meal out of the box. I knew it would be hard for me to go to class all day, drive an hour home and then cook a meal. So when I went to the grocery over the weekend I picked up a few meals in a box.

I haven't had time to sew all week. So the quilt I have on my design wall will probably stay there until the weekend. I just need to add 2 of the 3 borders. It is really turning out nice!

Time to go and find that quilt I do believe!
Hope you had a great day!!

Rhonda

Wow! I made it through my 2nd day of CNA class. Two more days of classroom training. We had a test today over what we learned on Monday. I got a 100% so I was quite happy. I guess the studying I did this morning helped. Yesterday evening I thought I was a lost cause. So much to learn and so little time!!!
Doing this leaves me no time for sewing. I got home at 6:30 this evening. Hurriedly fixed one of those Complete Meals by Betty Crocker (I think). Did the dinner dishes and folded the towels that were in the dryer. Started a load of wash. Answered emails.
Now it is almost time to go to bed so I can start all over tomorrow. Test again tomorrow! Will study in the morning!

Hope you had a great day!

Rhonda

It has definitely been a great day! I finished my first day of CNA class and only 3 more to go. Classroom days of course. Then the clinical weeks begin we I am really looking forward to. I should really be studying for the test I have tomorrow. I hate reading though! Maybe it would be better to do it in the morning when my mind is fresh.

We got great news in the mail today also. Jill has been accepted at Hanover College for the Fall 2009 semester. She is so excited! Of course, I am too. When she applied a couple of months ago, I thought she would be disappointed. But the application at the time was free, so why not try anyway. Hanover College is very hard to get into. It is compared to Harvard and Yale. Today the big news came.

Here is a portion of the letter:

Dear Jill,

Congratulations! On behalf of the campus community, it gives me great pleasure to offer you admission to Hanover College for the fall term of 2009.

Since our founding in 1827, our college has been a close, tight-knit community, very much like a family. With that in mind, we are very careful about who we invite to become part of the family because we are not just admitting a freshman class, we are admitting our future alumni. Based on your academic record and your contributions to both your school and community, we feel you would be a great fit here at Hanover.

In the meantime, I am very pleased to welcome you to our community and look forward to you joining us on campus as a member of the Class of 2013.


I am so proud of her I could bust! Now, the really hard part comes. Paying the tuition!

CONGRATULATIONS JILL!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope you had a great day also!!

Rhonda

It has really been quite a while since I posted. Since the last time, I have done so much I don't even know where to start.
The retreat I went to was the greatest. I have never laughed so hard in all my life. What do you expect though when you get together with good quilty friends.
We had a paint chip challenge for the retreat. From the beginning, I called my challenge project Root Canal. Root Canal went home with a good friend of mine at retreat. Shannon now has that ugly thing, well I think it is ugly. I thought I had a photo of Root Canal on my computer but as usual couldn't find it. Oh well, it wasn't exactly something I wanted to show. LOL

I start CNA (Certified Nurses Aide) training tomorrow. One week of classroom and two weeks of clinical. I am really excited about it. I have wanted to do this for a while. I actually even enrolled earlier in the year, but had to withdraw because we started the process of trying to adopt our boys. I really miss them and think about them a lot. I hope they are happy in their new home.

In our attempt to adopt our boys, we became a foster home. We had our first placement a couple of weeks ago. A little girl that was 3 years old stayed with us for 12 days. I am so glad that is over. I don't think we will be taking anymore foster children. Maybe we just had a bad experience but I don't think we will do it again. I have a lot of respect for those that do it continually.

That is it for today. I will try to get here more often to post.
Have a great Sunday afternoon!

Rhonda

The sweet smell of retreat is in the air!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol
I am going to a retreat in just 15 days. I am so excited! I still have some things to get done before the 17th even gets here. Things like finishing my challenge quilt. I did manage to get it under the quilting machine needle today. A quick meandering pattern should be enough. I also need to make something up for little gifts for the other retreaters. Haven't quite decided what yet but I need to decide soon or I will be out of time. Plus I need to decide on a quilt to start while at retreat. I figured it would be a lot easier if I just started something new to take with me to work on. But I would like to have all the fabric cut before I leave.
I could probably get a lot more done if Walmart wasn't expecting me to show up for work! LOL

Hope you had a great Labor Day weekend!

Rhonda

It has been a while since I last posted. I am going to try and catch up a little bit today. lol

I have been working quite a bit lately so that could be my excuse for not posting. If you don't buy that I have others. lol

I haven't been able to get much sewing done lately. I really need to get buys though. Retreat is just 3 weeks away and I still have my challenge quilt to quilt and bind. Knowing myself, I will probably wait until the last minute.

I received a wonderful little package from Judy in North Carolina the other day. Judy is one of my sisters friends that I met while there a few weeks ago. The pin she sent me is gorgeous and I think would work great on a purse. Now I need to find the time to make one.

I am going to a sewing day tomorrow at Bloomington. Jean, the hostess, is one of our members from our Quilting In Indiana yahoo group. The day will be spent sewing, maybe, with some of our other members at a quilt shop in Bloomington, Shiisa Quilt shop.

Anyway, here are some photos from North and South Carolina.



This is my sister Dawn, with out part of her head (new camera, lol). Actually, this is how she looks most of the time. LOL Sorry Dawn!


This is Judy and Dawn, working away on their wall quilt.


This is Sharon, I think she is the head of the hospitality committee! Wonderful cook!


This is Ann and Leanne. Two other members of the hospitality committee. Also, both great cooks.


This is the finished wall quilt we worked on while at Dawn's.



This my niece Aimee and her two children. Zach and Isabell, I think you can probably tell which is which.



This is Jill holding Isabell.

The remaining pictures are of a bridge in Charleston, South Carolina. It really amazed me and I had to take as many photos that I could while traveling 70 mph in traffic.

We have arrived home after a short trip to South Carolina and North Carolina. It was a long 11 hour trip home. I will have lots of photos to share the next few days. That is if work doesn't interfere.

We left very early Thursday morning to go to South Carolina to see my niece's new baby. And, of course, to see Zach and Aimee also. Delivered a few goodies to them also, including the wall quilt for the babies room. Isabelle is gorgeous of course!!!

Friday morning we left for North Carolina to visit my sister and her husband for a couple of days. While I was there I met quite a few of my sisters great friends. Also taught a quilting class to a few of them.

Hi Judy, Elizabeth, Andrea, Carol, Sharon, Ann, Leanne, & Dawn of course. I probably forgot a couple of you but my memory isn't very good anymore. Sorry! It was great to meet all of you!

I have already got some laundry going so I don't have to spend all day tomorrow doing that.

Hope all of you had a great weekend!

Rhonda

Now that my niece Aimee has received the wall quilt for her new baby, I can post a picture.


Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

Rhonda

I love seeing all the Tote Bag and Purse patterns available now. I have even purchased some of them but they have always intimidated me to the point that I hadn't made any of them. That changed yesterday.
A few weeks ago, an online friend, Sharman Neel, sent me two tote patterns, a charm pack and coordinating fabric. I made it yesterday afternoon. It went together very easily and only took about 4 hours to make. Thank you so much Sharman! I love it!


The pattern is available at Quilts Illustrated and called the Charm Party Tote.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Rhonda

I received an award today!!! I opened my email today to find a note from my friend Debi Wind awarding me the "Wylde Women Award".
Debi creates such wonderful art! You must check out her blog and see it!

This award was created by Tammy Vitale to send love and acknowledgment to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.

These are the rules of this award:

1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it's up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post.

2. Link back to this blogsite (http://www.TammyVitale.com/) (so I can go visit all these wonderful women.)

I wish to bestow the honor of this award to:

Mary L.

Shannon A.

Sandy C.

Judy D.

Laurie M.

Thank you ladies for your inspiration!!!

Have a great weekend!!

Rhonda

It has been a few days since I posted. Thought it was time to put something new up on the blog.

I spent Tuesday and Wednesday freezing corn for this winter. It is going to be so good!! Mom and I worked part of it yesterday. I just wish I would get some zucchini. Need to make some more cake! Have you tried the Zucchini Coffee Cake out yet? Let me know what you think.

In a few short weeks the plan is for me to teach a quilting class for my sister's friends. I designed something just for the occasion. I have the top pieced but need to do the quilting yet. They asked for a Christmas design and that is what they got. I love this fabric.


What do you think? I love to hear your opinions.

Have a great day!!!

Rhonda

What fun we had yesterday!!!! My Mom, Jill and I were able to get 29 quarts of Slaw in the freezer. It didn't take as long as what we had thought it would. This Slaw is so much better than the Creamy Coleslaw most people eat. It uses a Sweet and Sour Dressing. Here is the recipe. Let me know how you like it!

Freezer Coleslaw

1 Medium Head of Cabbage
1 Green Pepper, shredded
1 Carrot, shredded
1 tsp. Salt

Sweet and Sour Dressing:

2 c. Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 c. water
1 tsp. celery seed
1 tsp. whole mustard seed
2 c. sugar


Combine all dressing ingredients in saucepan. Boil for 1 minute. Cool completely.

Shred cabbage. Add salt to shredded cabbage. Let set for 1 hour. Squeeze excess water from cabbage. Add green pepper and carrot. Stir in Sweet and Sour Dressing. Freeze.

Have a great day!

Rhonda

I have been working on a class sample the last few days. I designed it in EQ6 but it seems that I always move things around in the design when I go to actually make it. I need to get really busy and get it done so I can make the supply list. But first I had other things to do.

I ended up making a cake this morning. This is a family favorite around here. So I thought I would share the recipe with you today. I actually used zucchini right out of our garden.

Zucchini Coffee Cake

2 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. chopped pecans
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 c. oil
1 Tbsp. vanilla (3 tsp.)
2 c. shredded zucchini

Topping:

1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. chopped pecans


Lightly grease a 9 x 13 baking dish. Combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, soda, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and pecans in a large bowl. Combine eggs, oil, vanilla and zucchini in another bowl. Add egg mixture to dry ingredients. Mix well. Pour into prepared pan.

Combine all topping ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle over batter in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Enjoy!!!! We do!

Hope you have a great day!

Rhonda