Hand Quilting Nana

Just when you think it can't get any worse....

2010-07-16T12:07:00.000-07:00

it does.

My father passed away on June 29. He turned 87 on June 28. He was a veteran of WWII and participated in the Invasion of Normandy. He is at peace now.

My mother is in a nursing home with alzheimer's. She doesn't realize he's gone. She doesn't know me. Life can be very sad at times but it is something we all have to deal with. The loss of a loved one.

The other problems are still here. So much to deal with. But God won't give you more than you can handle. Sometimes in these difficult times you can realize how strong you really are.

I did get an email from bumblebeansbasics.com. Please check out their site. They are looking for quilts to be donated. I sent one some weeks ago and did not realize they were giving away prizes. They had a drawing this week and I won six feedsacks and four patterns. That is so nice. So if you think you can help them please check them out.

Please enjoy every day.

Thank you!

2010-06-12T17:27:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank each one of you that took the time to leave a message of encouragement to me and my family.

Maybe some time in the future I will be able to share what has gone on. My heart is broken and I will never be the same person that I was.

I will most likely not post again. I don't feel like I want to be doing anything. Even quilting.

God bless!

PRAYERS ARE NEEDED!

2010-06-04T06:48:00.000-07:00

I have not been a good blogger. I much more enjoy reading other folks blogs than I do writing on my own. But I do appreciate all the kind comments I have received.

I wish I could go into detail but at this time I absolutely cannot.

I just want to say that my family is in the midst of a crisis of unbelievable proportions. I am in shock and unable to even comprehend what is happening.

Just please pray for my family. It is the only thing I know to do.

Linda

Need more opinions!

2010-04-06T13:36:00.001-07:00

On my last post I received very nice comments and decided to go with the white border the same size as the sashing and the binding will be the scraps left. When I finish, which will be a while because I hand quilt and haven't even started it yet, I will post a picture of the completed quilt.

Now I need some opinions on this quilt. This is Evening Mist fabric by Moda. I don't know if I should put a border on this or not. It is about 44x44. I have a small amount of the light fabric and about a yard of the darker charcoal fabric. I was thinking about a tiny inner border of the lighter and then a border of the darker.

What do you all think? Should I leave it like it is or add borders?

Asking for opinions!

2010-03-22T06:50:00.000-07:00

This is the quilt top I made from the $3 scrap bag from the quilt show in Pigeon Forge. It is a large throw size. The blocks are 5 inch squares. I just had to add the white fabric.

Now what I am asking is - do you think I need another white border. I think it looks unfinished and I have enough white fabric to add a border strip. If so do you think it should be the width of the other strips or should I made the border strip wider?

I do value the opinions of all you ladies and gentlemen out there in blog land. Let me hear from you!

Linda

Thank you Linda and Piwacket!

2010-03-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

I received these lovely crocheted pot holders from Linda and Piwacket http:\\piwacketquilts.blogspot.com for my PIF. This is really a bit of nostalgia for me. My grandmother used to make these and I hadn't seen any in years. So these are really special to me because they brought back a wonderful memory.

I now have my three people to send my PIF's to from my last PIF. But I am going to be signing up folks for this PIF soon, so keep reading my blog for your chance to sign up for a new PIF.

Tomorrow I hope to post pics of my quilt top made from the bag of $3 scraps from the quilt show in Pigeon Forge. I need some advice on it.

Linda

PIF's in the mail!!

2010-03-18T13:02:00.000-07:00

I realize I'm not good at blogging very often. I am going to try to do better and get some pictures on here. In the meantime...

Trudi and Deanna your gifts are in the mail today. I was waiting on the third person who signed up to send her address. But alas life must have taken a turn and I have to assume she is unable to join in so I need a third person who wants to receive a gift and join in this PIF.

I have it ready to go so if you enjoy PIF's please consider signing up with me and sending me your snail mail addy and I will get your gift off to you. In return you agree to PIF to three people. It is lots of fun.

I do have to add that I went to a wonderful quilt show in Pigeon Forge TN last week. It was wonderful. One of the vendors was selling those five yard bundles at a bargain price but... the best thing they had was the scrap bags. $3.00 for a bag full of coordinated fabrics. I bought six of them and wish I had bought more. Some of the strips were as much as 7 to 10 inches wide and all were WOF. I have already made one top from one of the bags.

Still waiting on some warm weather here in the not so sunny south.

Oh great!!

2010-02-21T08:54:00.001-08:00

Now I see that my picture is upside down.

Maybe I just need new glasses, not a new camera.

Two blogs in one day!!

2010-02-21T08:46:00.000-08:00

This is a record for me.

I wanted to share what I've been up to lately. I seem to be enthralled with what I call paper doll quilts. I wanted some small quilts to hang in my shabby chic bedroom.

But the one thing I need to learn is how to put the pictures where I want them.

And now that I see them on here I realize the quality is pretty bad. I have a new Canon camera and I think I need to read the instructions to improve my pictures. But then that would require taking time away from quilting.

Today I am trying to love like I've never been hurt and dance like nobody's watching.

Everybody try this!

Linda

Giveaway!!

2010-02-21T08:37:00.000-08:00

jandiinstitches.blogspot.com is having a Moda giveaway. Hurry on over there and sign up.

Linda

PIF

2010-02-20T09:14:00.000-08:00

I want to thank Shelly from Praire Moon Quilts for this wonderful quilt. The handwork on here is nothing short of amazing. Every stitch is perfect. I signed up for her pay it forward and this was my reward.

So now I need three people to sign up for my PIF and I will send you a handmade gift within the next year. In turn you agree to PIF and send three handmade gifts within a year. It is fun and I hope you will sign up soon. I do have to limit it to the United States because of postage issues.

Have a wonderful day!!

What Happened to Customer Service?

2009-12-29T06:59:00.000-08:00

In this wonderful holiday season I don't mean to be complaining. BUT. When you go to all the trouble of calling a store to see if they can do something and then when you get there it's a total different story, does this mean they really don't want your business.

I broke my frame on my glasses over the weekend. I called the local Walmart vision center and explained that I didn't buy the glasses there but I needed new frames for my lenses. I was told they could do that and fix them right there. So later in the morning we head to Walmart. The cranky old man behind the counter says I have over 1000 pairs of frames here (a slight exaggeration I believe) and I can't look at all of them to see if they match your frame. If you don't know the name or number (worn off) I can't help you.

Well I had intended to walk around and look for myself to see if there were any possibilities but his negative mood just made me want to leave and that's exactly what I did. I left without buying the $100 worth of groceries from Walmart and now I intend to shop at Publix all the time. I had been shying away from Walmart for some time and now the break is complete. Maybe it was a good thing they didn't want to fix my frames. I am liberated from the big box store.

And we came home and my husband glued my frames back. So as long as I don't bend them I'm ok and besides I have two spare pair. I just really like these.

On a different note I notice that ALS is looking for quilts to be donated. Some will be auctioned off and some will be given to ALS patients. There is a page of information in the latest Quilt magazine.

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone in blogland a very Happy New Year!!

Need Help!!

2009-12-21T15:12:00.000-08:00

I am new to free motion quilting. I have a Pfaff 2040 machine. I have the right attachment and I have the settings right.

What I need help with is what kind of thread is best to use and what size needle??

I have done some free motion before and I seem to have a problem with my bobbin thread. It just bunches up underneath. The last time I tried this it didn't. I have changed thread and also my needle.

I know some of you wonderful quilters out there are really good at this and maybe you would share a few tips as to what to use and what you think my problem might be.

Any assistance is welcome.

GIVEAWAY!!!!!

2009-12-12T12:28:00.000-08:00

Please go to greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com for a wonderful giveaway!! But if you don't, then I'll have a better chance!!!

Also please read my PIF and sign up. I just need three people. Please!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

PIF

2009-12-11T14:41:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned on yesterday's blog, I am doing a PIF. I signed up for a pay it forward a few months ago and as promised I received the beautiful table runner from Trudi.

So now I am looking for three people who want to be part of this PIF. All you have to do is ask and you shall receive a nice handmade gift. In return you promise to PIF to three people within the next year. So if you're thinking how behind you already are with Christmas presents, relax, you have a whole year to live up to your promise.

So the first three people who sign up should also email me their mailing address and before you know it you will receive a surprise in the mail like I did.

One stipulation - limited to residents of the US. Mailing costs are prohibitive at this time.

Thank you and I hope to hear from you all soon. Because I already have three items that are ready to go. So if you sign up you wont have to wait. Well maybe you'll have to wait until after Christmas and the lines at the post office have slacked off. LOL

Thank you Trudi!

2009-12-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

I signed up for a PIF a few weeks ago and sort of put it in the back of my mind.

Well yesterday was not a very good day around here. Elder parent issues and so forth.

Then the mailman came and my son said you have a package from England!! What!! I don't know anyone there. Much to my surprise I opened the package and found this absolutely beautiful table runner and a Cadbury chocolate bar. Just exactly what you need to be cheered up.

Thank you Trudi from quiltingprolifically.blogspot.com. I hope I have that right.

She does beautiful work. The quilting is exquisite. The fabric is Moda and the colors are just what I would have picked out. Match my home perfectly. And by the way Moda is my absolute favorite.

Turned my day around. Thank you again Trudi.

And in the days to come I will announce my own PIF. Stay tuned.

Moda giveaway!!

2009-11-09T13:52:00.000-08:00

Please check out the giveaway on:

sweethomequiltco.com

It's beautiful Moda. My favorite.

So maybe you shouldn't enter so I'll have a better chance. LOL

The winner is....

2009-11-05T07:02:00.000-08:00

Drum roll please... or trumpets blaring...

The winner of my first giveaway that had only 10 entries. That is puzzling that only 10 people wanted a free gift!!

I digress. The winner is Mary of I Itch to Stitch.

If Mary will send her snail mail addy, the prize will be on its way soon.

Thank everyone who took the time to read my blog and leave humorous and interesting comments.

I did use the random number generator. And soon I hope to be able to post pictures and make my blog more interesting.

It is cool here in Georgia this morning. So not ready for winter. I am definitely not a cold weather person. We have been here for two years and I don't like the winter weather here. Before that we traveled around the country in a fifth wheel. Spent the winters in Florida where it was nice and toasty. Hope to do that again some day.

Time to go to my sewing room and look for things to take to our quilt guild's Chinese Auction coming up soon.

Everyone have a good day!

Last Chance to Enter!!

2009-11-03T14:30:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is the deadline for my giveaway. So come on over to my blog for Nov. 1 and leave a comment. I will draw a name on Wednesday and send a surprise gift to the winner!!

Just wondering how many of you are getting the flu shot - swine or seasonal. I got my first flu shot last year and was sick for months. Aches, sniffles, etc. Totally not the norm for me. So I won't get another flu shot. And it seemed to affect my nervous system. Made me anxious and feeling just plain weird. Wondering if anybody else out there has had this experience.

Now to quilty matters. I have to stop shopping online. Such bargains out there everywhere. Hard to resist. And I love Moda. So when I see a sale on new lines I have to order. Don't I?

Keep your family close and never leave without saying I Love You!!!

Two giveaways!!!

2009-11-02T13:17:00.000-08:00

OK. First things first. You all need to go to:

blockpartyquilting.com and check the fabric they are giving away. Beautiful!

And second you need to go to my post yesterday and leave me a comment. Don't know what I'm giving away yet but it'll be nice, I promise.

Lastly I need to tell the rest of the story regarding the ironing.

You see my husband usually does ALL the ironing here. He says I don't get all the wrinkles out. Well, who am I to argue. Right!

So while he is recovering from total knee replacement, I'm having to iron. He's laying on the bed watching and telling me I am ironing wrong.

So tell me if you agree or not.

And I guess being new to this I forgot to say - giveaway mailed only to U.S. addresses.

I leave you with this thought - isn't life wonderful!! Dance like nobody's watching and love like you've never been hurt!!!

Linda

How do you iron?

2009-11-01T12:55:00.000-08:00

I was ironing my clothes this morning and my husband is laying on the bed watching. All of a sudden he says - You're ironing backwards. Huh? How can you iron backwards.

Well he says I'm on the wrong side of the ironing board.

So I thought I would open a discussion with you folks. Which side of the ironing board do you stand on?

Now I stand on the side where my left hand would be towards the small end of the ironing board and my right hand is towards the wide end of the ironing board. And I iron with my right hand.

So I'd like you all to comment on which way you stand. And also if you're right or left handed.

I don't have a picture to put up here but I'll use the random number generator and one of you lucky commenters will win a prize as yet to be determined. It'll be a surprise!!

Don't you all love surprises!

So let me know and maybe this will encourage me to post more often as I get to know more of you.

All comments should be left by Wednesday, Nov. 4th. I will draw soon after that.

Hand quilting Nana

Check out this giveaway!

2009-09-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

Wonderful giveaway.

Go to: greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com

I know I tried to put a link but it didn't work.

More later.

Wonderful giveaway!!

2009-09-13T19:21:00.000-07:00

I just saw about a wonderful giveaway on blog.missouriquiltco.com. OK. I am new to this and I tried to copy the link but geez I couldn't get it to work. So if you cut and paste this blog address I put on here you'll find this wonderful giveaway.

Have a wonderful week and I'll try to get back here in a day or two and post something else worth reading.

I love all the quilt blogs I read and I'll try to make mine more interesting as I learn more how to do this.

Linda

2009-09-02T17:52:00.000-07:00

I've tried this blogging before and it just didn't seem to be for me.

But now I have to try it again because I have joined a PIF. More details on that later.

I love quilting and I admit I am obsessed with it.

Come back later and join me on this adventure.