Mary Mannakee Quilt

I started the Mary Mannakee quilt in January. I kitted several of the blocks intending to whip through this quilt in a year. There was a wonderful batik version of this quilt in our last quilt show. The lady who made it informed me recently that it took her 7 years of on again, off again work. This sounds reasonable to me. I finished the frond and ring block today!

Yikes, It's 2011!

Here's what has happened in three years:
1. I'm debt-free! Yes, that includes the mortgage.
2. I've lost and gained back 40 pounds.
3. I'm involved with D.A.R.
4. My MIL got very ill with a horrible disease and died.
5. My Mom bought a house she couldn't afford and needs to be in a nursing home.
6. My daughter got married and only went $20,000.00 over budget.
7. My son finished college but is STILL an unemployed slacker.
8. Frodo died.
9. I finished Lolly-Pop quilt top.
10. We are renovating our house slowly, but surely. Biggest expense: Kick-ass engineered septic system.

Will post pictures of finished quilts soon.

Sewing Machine Gets Used!

Check out the Baby quilt. Yes, it's Kaffe and was a kit on Gloriouspatchwork.com's website. Of course, all those setting triangles along the sides of this quilt had to be re-cut because someone famous, who publishes great patterns and creates gorgeous fabrics, can't get his math right.

Jenome Gem and I had a long weekend together while Bob was playing golf last month. It's amazing how much faster the machine is but I still prefer hand piecing. Kaffe's shot cotton fabrics are not nearly as much fun to sew together as they are to applique.

Lollypop Trees

Obsessing over Kim McLean's choice of fussy cut Kaffe's is evident in this block.
That center of the flower bugs me, though. It may have to be picked out. Perhaps, after another few blocks are finished. The 'trunk' is one of Kaffe's shot cottons. It appliques like a dream.

Lollypop Trees..

How cool is this quilt? Barb and I decided to order the patterns after
Barb saw it in person at the Asheville Kaffe lecture in October. We're being a bit obsessive-blowing up the individual blocks, matching the fabric exactly, going to extremes to acquire out-of-print fabric. It's been sooo much fun!

We're trying to do two blocks a month since we have a ton of other projects going at the same time. In December we'll only do one, though, because our families expect us to spend time with them.

My Kaffe stash fairly extensive. There was still some real hesitancy on my part to share with my friend, Barb, ... even though she was sharing with me!

Ha, ha. I'm such a selfish bitch!

I found some quilts... in San Francisco!

During my recent trip to San Francisco, my grandmother's younger sister, Aunt Betty, pulled out these cool quilts made by her mother, Annie Laurie Clapp Harrell (aka.Mammie). They are in perfect condition, too!! Mammie made these from kits during the 1950's and had them quilted by an unknown woman.



Red and Green Wreath Applique




Pinwheel or Love in a Tangle



Cornucopia Applique

Here's What They're Fighting For..

Last night I presented our guild with information about our logo and the possibility of a *GASP* new logo. You'd think I'd suggested we all get matching tatoos.

The presentation went better than I thought it would; the guild did vote 3-73 to at least look at some new designs.

Here's the problem with that. They will look at three new designs and a re-do of our current logo. All of the old-no-change ladies will vote for the old logo no matter how cool the new ones are. The rest of the guild will split their vote among the other designs. Sort of like grade school when the boys only fielded one candidate and the girls kept nominating their friends-guess who always won?

Here's the best part of the evening: I had on a cool new outfit. My hair cooperated as much as it ever does. I had handouts and giant posters for demonstration purposes. I was prepared and confident. I looked down at my feet when I sat down and realized I had on two different shoes.