driving, driving, driving

me crazy! I get to campus, check me email, check Blackboard for class notes (not up yet), and took an accounting quiz. Then I headed to my classroom to claim my seat - this is the class with 31 students and only 30 desks. I'm certainly not going to be the one that has to cart a desk in, lol. Two other students came in shortly after me and then a third one stuck his head in the door saying class had been canceled. He said he got an email. The guy sitting behind me checked his email on his cell phone. Yep, the department secretary had sent an email saying class was canceled. So two classmates and one's friend and I went out for Mexican. I'm home now, checked my stuff online, and now heading up to sew and get ready to do it all again tomorrow.

~QB29

getting home ...

took me twice as long as usual! We sat still for just shy of 1 1/2 hours on the interstate. From what I could tell, there was a jack-knifed truck or overturned car a couple of miles up in the construction zone, two tiny lanes w/out any shoulders. Needless to say we were not moving any where.

I got home and got everything in and checked my mail. I had a little present from Natalie. It's a little tract holder for my purse and looks really cute. I'll hopefully get a post this week. I'm too tired to dig out my camera. I still need to determine what I'm wearing tomorrow. Too bad the weekend has to end and life has to go back to work and school.

Have a great week!

~QB29

Baby quilt pieced!

Sunday Morning Happenings .... Jill actually sews!


Max (above) and Masiy (below) have been great. Max is squished between my thigh and the chair arm as I type.


And I finished piecing this baby quilt. I started it last night around 10 or so and had the center almost put together before calling it a night about 1:30. I finished the center and got the border cut before heading out to church. When I got back, I added the borders, mitered!



The backing will be the print that's in the border. It was an easy FQ friendly pattern that I picked up at the quilt store liquidation store I stopped by the other week. I had purchased the butterfly print some time ago. I pulled it out of my stash this week and started grabbing coordinating tone-on-tones to use. One more top done! It will go to one of the new baby girls at church.

UPDATE ~ I just found the pattern designer online. Her name is Tammy Tadd. Here is her website, her blog, and the link to the pattern, Fatty-Fatty 2x4. The only change that I made was that in the original pattern, her small 4-patches are the same 2 colors throughout. I alternated the blue and the green to bring in more colors from my focus fabric. Check out her site - she has lots of great patterns. I'm going to have to keep my eyes peeled for her stuff when I look for new patterns.

~QB29

Saturday Happenings

Guess what? I'm Ninja Approved!




I've been a busy beaver here at Jill's. Last night I finished piecing this paramedic/EMT baby quilt. It is for a baby boy at church. Both his momma and his daddy are paramedics/EMT's for a nearby fire station. I found the focus fabric when I visited Indy a couple of weeks ago. The coordinating prints are all from my stash. I did buy some blue marble today to use for the backing. I should have enough of the black to use for the binding.



I also got the yellow borders added to this YBR quilt this morning. When Jill and I went shopping, we picked up backing, binding, and batting for it. I happened to find yardage of one of the purples used in the YBR blocks at the 2nd quilt store we went to. I decided to use if for the binding. The backing I picked up at the first quilt store and is a very light cream, almost white, print. Jill helped me load it on the frame this afternoon and I was done quilting it by 7 PM, including a 30 - 45 minute nap/quiet spell on her couch. I just did a simple meander on it.



I'm going to work on piecing some baby quilts tonight. I'll post pics if I make any progress.

~QB29

fun weekend ahead of me

I am staying with Jill this weekend, and we are having our very own quilt retreat at her place. A couple of friends in the area may drop by as well. She's letting me use her Lenny & Squiggy to quilt some lap sized throws. I'm planning on piecing some baby quilts, too. We're also going to stop by the new fabric store in town. It's actually a yarn place that's expanding into the land of quilting. This weekend's suppose to be the grand opening. I'll try to post pics throughout the weekend.

Hopefully I'll be Ninja-Approved :-D.

~QB29

weekend plans

1. errands (post office, library, quilt store)
2. cleaning (floors, bathroom, laundry)
3. sewing
--->> finish paramedic top (baby size)
--->> add border to YBR (lap size)
--->> cut & piece Disappearing 9-patch (lap size)
--->> baste & quilt paramedic top
--->> swaps sewing (SBS Blue/Brown/Tan & SBS H3 Christmas)


~QB29

My Bonnie Quilt

In all it's glory, but not a great picture, here is "My Bonnie Quilt". I finished piecing it this morning. For some odd reason, I actually got up with my alarm. Usually it takes 4 alarms and an hour to wake me :-(, lol. So I used that extra time to finish adding the purple and to cut and sew the brown border. The purple has more red in it than the picture shows.



~QB29

The Verdict is In ....

It was the soap! There's still a little bit of soap suds covering the drain, but no standing water and no leaked water or suds. I'll add some more vinegar to my walmart list and run the dishwasher again tonight with just the vinegar. From what I saw online, it could take 2 or 3 vinegar runs to get rid of all the dish soap. So glad I caught it when I did. I definitely would not have wanted to deal with the mess had I run an actual load of dishes with dish detergent plus the dish soap residue.

Well, I've got to finish my Walmart list and then off to shop.

~QB29

dishwasher blues

Well, the good news is now I know WHY you don't use dish soap in a dishwasher. No, it wasn't me, it was my roommate. A few weeks ago I noticed the mat by the sink was wet, like someone had dropped a pot of water on it. I assumed my roommate had had a mishap with some water, no big deal. She mentioned to me a few days later that when she had run the dishwasher, some water had leaked out. I had noticed soap "stains" at the base of the dishwasher and realized that's where they came from. I thought, hm, is the dishwasher broken? I told her we'd just keep an eye on it next time the dishwasher ran. A last second thought caused me to ask her what soap she used ... ta da, that's the problem! She used regular dish soap. Apparently, she's not used to dishwashers. I showed her where the dishwasher soap was and let her know to use it and only it from now on.

Fast forward to today. My kitchen needed mopping and sweeping and I thought to wipe off the soap stains from the bottom front of the dishwasher. Of course, that leads me to loading the dishwasher with a couple of plates in the sink and that's when I noticed it ... standing water! Yeah, from the dish soap incident - neither of us eats at home that much. I unloaded the dishwasher, mopped out all the water, and wiped down the insides. I then googled. Apparently, using dish soap can cause this issue. So I decided to run a test run. Within a few minutes there was lots of bubbles in the bottom of the dishwasher, from the remaining dish soap in the pump. I know, an icky thought! From what I googled, I saw that adding white vinegar would help. So I've got an empty dishwasher running with a cup or so of vinegar, waiting for bubbles, water, or nothing. I'm aiming for the nothing. To be safe, I'm babysitting from the kitchen table, lol.

If all goes well, we'll say that was the issue. Then I'll be heading to walmart for a few things I need around here.

I had hoped to finish piecing the wallhanging I'm making from Saturday's workshop, but at this point that's not happening tonight. I took my 16 blocks, laid them out 4 x 4, and added a 1" purple sashing/inner border (totally inspired by Bonnie!). I need to finish sewing the top purple border and then add the bottom purple border - the bobbin ran out of thread and I ran out of time to deal with it this morning. I have a brown that I'm using for the outer border. I think it frames it nicely. I'll probably do a 3" border, maybe 4". It will be around 27" - 30" square. I need to check how much I have of the brown, because I want to use it for my binding as well. Since this is "My Bonnie Quilt", I think I'm going to hand quilt it using Baptist fans, like she does a lot. It will go up on a wall in my sewing room when finished.

So far so good - guess that means I have to mop the floor completely on my own, lol.

~QB29

Sew Many Ways Giveaway

http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/2009/08/give-away.html

Check out Sew Many Ways giveaway. It's a bunch of Thimbleberries squares!

~QB29

Bonnie Hunter Workshop - Friday

I had an awesome time this weekend. I met Jill, Linda, and Cathy at Jennifer's guild in Indy. The QGI was hosting a Bonnie Hunter weekend! She spoke at the monthly meeting (which I missed due to a clueless moment getting off the interstate) and two different workshops - one on Friday and one on Saturday. Jill and I stayed with Jennifer's mom, Carol. Jennifer followed us there so we could chat ... I think we kept her up too late, lol. It was rather late by the time we went to bed. We did get to ooh and aah over Carol's quilts - she's does great work!

Friday, Jill and I got breakfast at Denny's before heading to the workshop. We sewed away, working on our blocks. We all got at least one block made. Here are our blocks (borrowed from Jill's Webshots album - a digital camera withOUT a memory card is as good as a digital camera withOUT batteries. I remembered the batteries, but the card was (and still is) in my laptop)

Mine


Linda


Cathy


Jill



Jill and I were about the only people that did not order the boxed lunch. We ran out to eat when the boxes were delivered. We decided that we were not that hungry, but then we spied a Baskin Robbins! Jill teasingly asked if I wanted ice cream for lunch and I told her I was game :-D. She treated me since she was a day late wishing me happy birthday last week. Linda's expression was priceless when we walked in with our ice cream. I think the rest of the ladies wondered where their ice cream was. And in one of my many red moments, here I am:



I ended up getting to two whole blocks sewn. I did get lots of partials put together; they are in my bag waiting for some sewing time this week.

After the workshop, Jill and I checked out a nearby quilt store, Quilts Plus. They are in a strip mall type of place and have two or three of the spaces. They have lots of fabric, which is very beautifuly displayed. I did buy 3 yardages - 1 yard of a paramedic fabric and 1 1/2 yards of each of 2 different stripes that I can use in baby quilts. The stripes were sale/clearance - 30% off. The paramedic fabric is for a couple at church who just had a baby. Both mom and dad are paramedics. We then hit JoAnn's to buy some plastic totes that were on sale before heading back to Carol's. If I think about it tonight, I'll add pics of my purchases.

Once back at Carol's, the three of us headed over to Jennifer's for a cookout. Jennifer graciously hosted all of us for supper. Her kids are super cute and made me miss my Bubby and Bubba :-(. We had a good time. Her dh grilled for us and we had some homemade gaucamolee! After we ate Jennifer showed us her sewing room and her longarm. It's always fun to see other's sewing rooms.

I'll post about Saturday later this week!

~QB29

Weekly Quilt Goals

1. Assemble "My Bonnie Quilt" wallhanging (16 crumb/heart/star/letter blocks from a workshop with Bonnie Hunter)
2. Cut/piece top for gentleman at church (housebound due to Alzheimer's)
3. Add border for lady at church (#2's wife, housebound caring for him)
4. Piece baby boy F quilt (paramedic theme)

~QB29

Bonnie Hunter

Just under 11 hours to go :-).

~QB29

Friends

Last night I updated my facebook status to read:

It's always nice to find out that friends are quilters!

And now for the rest of the story -

Natalie, who attended my church while completing her law degree, found me on FB last night and friended me. We must have been on at the same time, because as I was checking out her page, she was checking out mine. Guess what we noticed? We both quilt! and we both blog! So here's her blog. Pop on over and get to know her.

~QB29

Dillon

Please keep praying for Dillon. He is a 3 year-old boy whose grandma I have known online for several years. He suffered a brain injury at birth and has CP. He and his mommy (and brother and grandma) are in China right now so that he can receive stem cell treatments. These treatments are from "adult" stem cells, not embryonic cells. Pray for the treatments to help him!

Wonderful news was heard today - he rolled over!

~QB29

John Carr

John Carr's funeral is Thursday morning. He is the gentleman who was struck and killed by a drunk driver during a triathlon in Louisville, KY this past Saturday. Please remember his family in your prayers. He leaves behind a wife (Sunni) and 4 kids (Kyle, Jordan, Bethany, and Seth).

His Obituary

~QB29

'Tis so sweet

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

"'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus" words by Louisa M.R. Stead, 1882

Enjoy!

~QB29

August Goals

Finish binding/labeling & gift
1. Zoo Parade - Bubba
2. Dino Quilt - Bubby
3. Tilted Animals - Ian

Hand Quilt
1. Boy Oh Boy

Cut Out/Piece
1. YBR - pansies/yellow/purples - Mrs. L @ church
2. Scrappy Blues/Greens/Tans - Bro. L @ church
3. Baby boy sports - Baby W @ church
4. Baby boy - Baby A @ church
5. Baby girl - Baby T @ church
6. Baby girl - Baby M @ church

Baste/Quilt
1. Charm Pink Girl - baby B @ church
2. Finish Cowboy Rodeo quilting

BOM/Swaps
1. P Classic Oriental Block
2. Block Lotto Log cabins
3. Happy Scrappy
4. Thangles (Teal/Raspberry)
5. SBS Blue/Brown blocks #1-5

~QB29

song on my mind today :-D

My Jesus, My Savior,
Lord, there is none like You;
All of my days,
I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love.

My comfort, my shelter,
Tower of refuge and strength;
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, Let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.


"Shout to the Lord" by Darlene Zschech, 1993

~QB29

Where Would You Go?

If you died today, where would you go? This question is very relevant today in light of a man named John Carr. He and his family attended our church a few years ago, before switching to a church closer to their home. They were very active in our church and maintained relationships with several families here. Their two older children attend our Bible college.

Yesterday (Saturday, August 1), he and my Sunday School teacher were participating in a triathlon in Louisville, KY. Without warning, during the bicycle portion of the race, Bro. Carr was struck from behind be a drunk driver. He died at the scene. No one ever expected for a death to occur during this race. It has been run nearly 30 years without serious incident. Bro. Carr had no time to react, no warning that he was about to be killed. One moment he was riding his bicycle, the next, stepping into eternity. His eternity is Heaven. Many years ago he trusted Jesus as his Saviour. He knew where he was headed.

If you have never trusted Jesus as your Saviour, now is the time to do so. None of us know how much time we have left to live. Any moment we could be killed, be it by a drunk driver, a stray bullet, a heart attack. If it had been you on that bicycle, where would you now be for eternity? Do you even know? Would you be in Heaven or would you be in Hell? You can know that you'll be in Heaven. It's your choice, your decision. Only you can make it for yourself. No one can decide for you and you decide for no one. Make it now, for your death may come just as suddenly and without warning as Bro. Carr's did.

1. Know that you are a sinner. The Bible says in Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." and in Romans 3:10 - "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
2. Know that there is a sin-debt that must be paid. Romans 6:23(a) - "For the wages of sin is death;" and Revelation 20:14-15 - " "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.""
3. Jesus paid the sin-debt for us. Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." and Romans 5:8 - "But God commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." and John 14:6 - "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
4. Anyone can trust Jesus as his/her Saviour Romans 10:9 - "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." and Romans 10:13 - "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." John 5:24 - "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

If you would like to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, simply bow your head and humbly:

1. Admit to God that you are a sinner.
2. Tell Him you believe Jesus died for you.
3. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and save your soul.
4. Then believe that He promised to save you.

Don't wait until it's too late to make this decision. You never know what waits around the corner for you. It's your choice - your decision. Make it now.

~QB29