A Talented Friend

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Barb

Just for the record, I have many talented friends.  You’ve seen their talents here on this blog.  Many of them are quilting geniuses.  I am blessed to be able to rub shoulders with them.  Today I have decided to spotlight one of them.
 

This is my dear friend, Sally.  Sally is a mega fabulous quilter.  Best of Show Winner.  Times two.  I like to tease her about that.  But I also like to ask her opinion about all things related to quilting.  As long as I’m prepared for perfection being a requirement for whatever I’m asking her about.  Sometimes I throw up my hands and roll my eyes at her response.  And then I call her Best of Show Winner again.  Times two. 

You see, Sally was the Best of Show Winner at the Trinity Valley Quilters’ Guild’s Annual Quilt Show in 2009.  I was the Show Chair that year and it was so fun to be good buddies with the Best of Show Winner!  Then she entered the quilt in another show and won again.  Best of Show.  Times two.  I like to tease her about that, can you tell?  Sally is cringing as she reads this blog today.

This is Sally with her winning quilt, “Bunnies Running Amok.”

Aren’t the bunnies just the cutest little things?  Sally started this quilt at our JSS Retreat in April of 2009, so we were all in on it from the beginning.  What fun it was to watch this quilt grow and become a masterpiece!  It is quite the show-stopper.  A fabulous quilt.  Did I mention that it won Best of Show?  Times two.

Since then Sally designed a beautiful quilt with little aprons appliquéd on it.  She drew each apron herself.  Then after much pushing and shoving encouraging from me and several others, she made a pattern of this fabulous quilt.  You saw it on an earlier blog when I showed you all the quilts the JSS gals made using the same fabric, as a challenge for our Bee last year.

 

This is Sally’s apron quilt.  She calls it “Join Me for Tea.”  There are cute little embroidered sayings on it that Sally made up.  She’s very talented, that Sally girl.

That’s hand embroidered there folks.  It is perfect.  I don’t know how she does it so exquisitely. 

And here are the six aprons, up close and personal.  Because you need to see them all up close and personal.

Look at the cute buttons on this one up close.  They all have cute buttons on them.  Teensy, tiny buttons.

Sally has individual patterns of each apron for if you’d like to make just one.  Only I don’t know how in the world you’d be able to pick just one.

Or there’s a big pattern with the entire quilt.  All the aprons.  All the embroidered designs.  Sally made the original quilt using embroidery from Crabapple Hill Designs.  So when she did her own pattern, she drew new embroidered designs to be included in the pattern.  They are as cute, if not cuter than the ones in the quilt, in my humble opinion.

There are great instructions with cute little headings…..

….. and a fabulous layout diagram.

This is just one of the wonderful embroidered designs that Sally drew to include in the pattern.

The individual patterns as well as the full quilt pattern are all available at Quilter’s Dream, the shop where I work.  However, for today, to celebrate a milestone on this blog, I’m giving away one of Sally’s complete quilt patterns!  It’s our first blog give-away!

Have you been paying attention to the counter on the blog stats?  If you have, you know that we just crossed the 10,000 mark.  And this blog is only 3 months and 12 days old.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think that you’d like it enough for me to get 10,000 hits in that short time.  Never did I think that I’d post 74 times in that short length of time.  Who knew that I could come up with that many things to talk about?  Apparently some of you did, when you encouraged me to start this crazy thing.  And you created a blogging monster. 

TO ENTER

Simply answer the following question in the comments section of this post:

What is your favorite memory of your mother or your grandmother’s aprons? 

What comes to mind when you think of aprons?  Do you have a favorite story about an apron?  Maybe it’s your own apron that has a story.  Just tell us about it in the comments and you’ll be entered in the drawing for Sally’s cute pattern.  And if you can’t think of an apron story, make one up!  Or just write “I’m a quilter who needs Sally’s pattern” or “I’m not a quilter, but I need Sally’s pattern” in the comments.  In other words, leave a comment and you’ll be entered!

Please only comment one time.  The winner will be chosen using the random number generator at random.org on Friday and notified via email that they won.  I’ll post the winner here as soon as they have responded to my email.

Thank you, Faithful Blog Followers, for your support.  I couldn’t have hit 10,000 without each and every one of you.  And if I can somehow figure out a way for this site to make money, we will have more give-aways in the future!

In the meantime, I’m hanging around Sally.  I’m hoping some of her fabulous talent rubs off on me.

Hugs,
Barb

Posted in quilts | Tagged , , , , | 34 Comments

Oshkosh Remembered

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Barb

One last photo collection to close the book on this year’s Oshkosh Adventure.  I think this is more for me than it is for all of you!  But alas, you get to come along for the ride.  It’s a blogger’s right to post all their own memories for future reading.  And I’m storing up the quilting things to post the rest of this week!  Stay tuned, you Quilters out there.

 

This pic is for Dear Hubby’s Mom, who loves to see pics of her handsome son on the blog.  We were sitting at the Air Show, waiting for the Chicago concert to begin when I snapped this one.

I took this pic also while waiting for the concert to begin.  Ford sponsored the concert and this was their way of introducing everyone at Oshkosh to the new 2011 Explorer.  A fancy way of dropping in, don’t you think?

During the concert, I glanced over and saw this guy and did a double take!  Doesn’t he look just like Tom Cruise?  I almost got up the nerve to walk over and ask him if he’d been told that before, but decided to just snap his picture instead.  So I could share it with all of you.  I’m always thinking about the blog these days.

Although things were drying up somewhat throughout the week, Sploshkosh continued on.   How would you like to be camping in that tent?

Or driving down this lane?  There is going to be some major ground leveling needed to get ready for Oshkosh 2011.

Dear Hubby and I went to the Fly-In Theater one evening to see the movie entitled, “Brace for Impact.”  It’s the story of the flight that landed on the Hudson River.  The screen is a giant-sized inflatable one.

And the movie was introduced by none other than the two pilots of that flight!  They were there in person.  If you look really close just below the screen to where the spotlights are shining, you can see them standing on the stage.

 

It was a happy day for me when I looked out the window of the motorhome and saw these guys on the roof of this building putting a tower on top.  It’s the wi-fi station!  And we were very close and had a good signal when they finished.  I wanted to cook them dinner or take them ice cream or something.  But I settled for logging on and checking email.

Boo did his best to be in the way as much as possible.  Like every normal cat does.  That’s it, Boo.  Just lay right in the middle of the stuff Mom’s trying to photograph – no problem!  The blog can wait!  He’s too cute for me to get mad at him.

He got tangled up in this plastic bag and nearly strangled himself trying to see what was in it.  But he had to wait for me to snap a picture before I could help him get untangled.  For the blog, of course.

Most of the time he just spent napping.  After all, it’s what he does best.

For those of you who think that all I did was nap and watch airplanes flying around, I did work on this appliqué project a little.  I’ll have more pictures of this one as it progresses.  It’s for a Rose of Sharon Block of the Month that we’ll be doing at Quilter’s Dream beginning in January.  Come by the shop and check it out!

 

This is the campsite of our dear friends, Jerry and Sherry from Mississippi.  We met them at Oshkosh 2009 and they saved us a spot this year.  We had dinner with them at their picnic table a couple of nights.  And we are already looking forward to camping with them again next year!

Jerry and Dear Hubby sat at the table in Jerry’s motorhome over coffee talking and talking and talking and talking on the day we were heading home.  I thought we were going to have to stay another night, they talked so long!  And I know that those of you who know my Dear Hubby are finding this very hard to believe.  He has lots to talk about when airplanes and motorhomes are the subject matter.

But we finally were on our way.  And here are a few pics I snapped on the way home.  When I wasn’t taking pictures of Quilt Barns.

The Mississippi river as we crossed from Wisconsin into Iowa.

A beautiful sunset.

The Kansas City skyline.

And remember how I’ve told you that every time I get up from my seat, Boo takes it over?

Well, I finally gave up and just sat on him.  But it doesn’t look like he minds too much now, does it?

Although he did give me this look for some reason later on.  What a cat.

And on our last night before we got home we stayed at this campsite.  In Gainesville, Texas.  See the building in the background?  It’s the Outlet Mall!  What a great find!  I’m voting for going back to this one some time in the future for major shopping.  Grills, picnic tables, water and electric provided.  And all the shopping a body could want.  We’ll definitely be going back here.

While we were gone on our trip, my dear friend, Sally, came by and checked on Miss Kitty for us at the house.  After we got home, Sally called me to ask if she could borrow a pattern of mine.  I was leaving the house so I told her I’d put it in a sack by the front door for her to pick up while I was gone.  Just before I pulled out of the driveway, I looked by the front door and saw this:

Sort of looks like Miss Kitty is just waiting for her friend, Sally, to show up to pick up her sack, doesn’t it?  With that “where have you been, Sally?” look on her face.  I think she misses Sally.

And until next year, that’s the end of my Oshkosh photos and blog reports.  I know, I know…… finally!  Time to get back to quilting.

Hugs,
Barb

Posted in airplanes, Boo, just stuff, Miss Kitty | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Quilt Barns

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Barb

I made a cool discovery while in Wisconsin last week.  Quilts on Barns!  I actually had heard about them before we went on our trip.  So I desperately wanted to see some to photograph.  But it wasn’t until we were on our way home that I discovered that with a slight detour off the main road, we might be able to see some in person.  And Dear Hubby was agreeable to the detour.
 

But first….. what’s a good barn without some cows?  We saw loads and loads of cows or maybe I should say cattle?  Dairy cattle to be exact.  It is the Dairy State after all.  Cheese.  Milk.  Cows.  They all go together.  Along with barns.  But we were looking for quilts on barns!  And for quite awhile, cows and their plain barns were all we saw.

And then we came upon this cute little town.  There were big rolling hills in the southwest corner of Wisconsin.  And this town had its share of hills too.  Isn’t the little house at the end of the street cute?  High on a hill.  They have a pretty good view of downtown Main Street, don’t they?

So we stopped for fuel and I asked about the Quilt Barns.  But nobody seemed to know what we were talking about.  However, I spotted a business as we drove through town and thought they might be able to direct us.  And I also found one lady shopping at the fuel stop who overheard me asking the employees and she jumped right in and told me where we could find two of them.  She also said there was a brochure about the Quilt Barns.  And she agreed that I should run by the business in town and ask them…..

Don’t you suppose these people will know where the barns are?  But when I got to the door, I spotted a note that read, “Closed July 26 – 31.”  Do you suppose the owner is married to an airplane lover and they were at Oshkosh?  Whatever the case, there would be no brochure for me!  And it sure would have been nice to have had a peek at the quilt shop.  Maybe next time.

There was also a great courthouse in the little town.

With a nice fountain too.

But we had barns to find!

This was the first one we saw.  I had to be quick with the camera as we sped by on the highway. 

This cute pinwheel followed soon after.

This one was next.  I nearly missed it and had to take the shot through the screen.  But it’s a cool quilt block and I’m glad we got a picture.

Then it was on to Iowa, where I was told there were more Quilts on Barns to find!

This one was actually on the side of a gas station where we stopped to refuel in Iowa. 

And this one was cool too!  I was happy we got a few pics.  So that the off road detour wouldn’t be unproductive.   Dear Hubby’s kindness might not have held out much longer.  He is the Captain of our Big Rig after all.  And we were homeward bound!  But then we heard what the temperature was in Texas and we almost turned right around and went back to Wisconsin.  Sure was nice to enjoy cooler days and even cooler nights for awhile.

If you’d like to read more about the county where I photographed barn quilts in Southwestern Wisconsin, you can visit their website, The Barn Quilts of Lafayette County.  I think their mission statement is great!  If you click on “Map and More Information,” you’ll get more details about the project in their county.  Wish I’d have had that one before we set out that day.  I found out there that this whole thing was started by a woman in Ohio who wanted to honor her mother, an avid quilter.  According to them, Quilts on Barns are in 22 states!

If you want to read more (I was obviously quite intrigued and couldn’t stop googling), OhioBarns.com is also a good site with easy navigation to pictures of many barns in eight states.  Ohio and Kentucky have pages of their own.  Great pictures!

So here’s your new mission, quilting gals.  On your next cross country trip, google “quilts on barns” before you go.  Find those barn quilts, take a picture and report back.  Do you think you can find some in England or Amsterdam, Lani?  Maybe they could do them on windmills in Holland?  Perhaps we need to spread this blanket of quilts across the world.  One barn at a time…..

Happy quilting and hunting for quilt barns,
Barb

Posted in quilts | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Planes of Oshkosh

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Barb

Planes, planes everywhere.  OK, I hear you.  It is called AirVenture after all.  And for airplane lovers far and wide (of which my Dear Hubby is one), it is the place to be in July.  Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  And cool temps for people who live in much warmer locations.  I’m all about the cooler temperature.
 

There are planes in the air…….

…..and planes on the ground.  Lots of planes on the ground.  As far as the eye can see.  And farther. 

Like all these Classic/Vintage/Antique planes on the flight line.  Row after row after row after row after row after row of them.  Sorry.  I got stuck on rows there for a minute.

How about this one?  Apparently you can drive it to the airport and right out onto the runway.  Unfold those wings and take off!  A car that becomes a plane that becomes a car that becomes a plane that becomes a car that becomes a plane.  Stuck again.  But you get the picture.  Saves you on a car rental when you get to your destination maybe?

And then there’s this one…..

I believe it’s supposed to make you feel like you’re in a car while you’re really in the air.

It has four headlights……

…. and a panel that is somewhat car-like.

……nice seats……..

….and even a trunk where you can put all your stuff!  I’m thinking it would hold a lot of fabric for your wife who is a quilter, don’t you think?

Planes, planes everywhere…..

All  sizes and shapes.

 As far as the eye can see.  And farther.  But I think I already said that.

Did you know that Rolls-Royce had something to do with airplanes?  I sure didn’t.  Dear Hubby tells me they make the engine on this one.  The things you learn!

Dear Hubby checks them all out.  This one actually had a rattlesnake coiled up on the back seat!  It was fake, but he said it sure looked real and he definitely did a double take.  I suppose it would keep anyone from trying to climb into the airplane while they were looking.

The little one on floats would be a good one to have if you moved to Alaska.  Dear Hubby dreams of living in Alaska, where everyone owns a plane and you park it at a dock on the lake in your back yard instead of a boat.  Very cool for flying enthusiasts.

This is the main entrance to the EAA AirVenture.  You are greeted by propellers at the gate!

And when it gets to be time for the afternoon Air Show to begin, people gather in the shade of the airplane wings to watch.

They start with the paratroopers.  That is one BIG American flag!

And the National Anthem is sung.  And it is timed just right so that it ends just as the flag touches down.  And all the people stand and watch. 

Let the Air Show begin!  I might also say that there is a show every afternoon.  And even if you are not on the flight line watching.  Say you are at your motor home taking a nap?  You still know that the Air Show has begun by the sound in the sky.  Everyone walks around looking up.  It can be quite dangerous.  Dear Hubby nearly mowed me down one day when I stopped to look up and he looked up but kept on walking.  Dangerous I tell you!

The planes are all painted in bright, beautiful colors.  Like this red and black one.

Isn’t he pretty?  Or is it a she?  Hmmm….. I bet they are all shes, like boats.

How about this bright red and yellow one?  Notice none of these planes is just flying in a straight line with their wings level.  I have no desire to ever fly in one of these kinds of planes.  I like my wings level when I’m flying.  Not vertical.

Even helicopters get in on the sideways action!  This one did all kinds of loop-de-loops and maneuvers.  Not one I would like to ride in either.

This one is a favorite of mine.  I just love the blue and yellow color against the bright blue sky.  Pretty!  Even if the wings are vertical.  Or maybe especially because the wings are vertical.  Pretty from the ground anyway.

Speaking of not level.  Here’s a little montage of pictures where the wings are pretty level.  Just upside down.

Isn’t he/she cute upside down?  I loved this picture. 

 

Even the helicopter got in on the act.

And I guarantee you this is one thing you’ll never see on my Bucket List.  Fly in helicopter upside down.  Nope.  Won’t ever be on a Bucket List of mine.

And these four planes are my absolute favorite at the AirVenture Air Show every year.

They are so photogenic.  And so close together.

Can you imagine flying along and looking out your window to see planes that close on both sides of you?  Scary.  Not on my Bucket List either.  But they sure are pretty from the ground.

Very cool.  And too close together.  I hold my breath while watching them. 

And then they do this:

Very, very, very photogenic.  And scary.  But I love watching them every time.  Even if I have to hold my breath.

Wishing you Blue Skies,
Barb

Posted in airplanes, just stuff | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

A Tisket, A Tasket

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Barb

I made an Oshkosh basket.  Well, it’s not really an Oshkosh basket.  But I was in Oshkosh when I made it.  Does that count?  What a fun time I had!
 

Isn’t it cute?  And not hard at all.  This is my completed basket.  And it only took about 3 1/2 hours in a class to complete the whole thing.

But I’ve gotten ahead of myself.  You need to see all the steps involved, now don’t you?

This is Ginger, Basket Teacher Extraordinaire!  She and her hubby, Marvin (The Wood Guy), were such fun as we learned the fine craft of basket making.

When I arrived for class this spidery thing awaited me. 

And these are Ginger’s hands – showing us how to do the first round!

Here’s my progress – after completing the first rounds.

The next step was to bend the spokes up over your finger or thumb to train them to go up on the sides.

Ginger showing us how to weave the reeds around for each row.  Clothespins are a big help when you need more hands.

Here’s my personal basket after the first seven rounds of weaving.  It’s taking shape!

Next two rows of color!

Ginger then showed us how to add the beads.

This is mine after the beads are added, as well as two more rows of color.  I need color in my life.

The gals in class.  They were heads down working.

The rest of the class.  They were all intent on their baskets!

Marvin helped with our rim pieces.

Ginger told us we would all whine with this next step.  We had to fold every other spoke piece up and over and trim the ones in between to be flush with the top. We didn’t whine at all!  And she even offered to serve cheese if we did.   Then it was time to add the rim pieces.

Adding the rim pieces and the rope along the top.

The completed basket.  One last trim off that wrapping piece and it was all done!  I love my basket.  Ginger said she sprayed hers with Minwax to give it a golden glow.  I’m going to do that too.  Just as soon as I find the time.

Marvin and Ginger.  What a fun time we had!

And as soon as they get home and email me, I’m ordering a kit to do another one!  It was just loads of fun.  And here’s another plus for me.  I was almost all finished with the whole process, when I realized that I’d done the whole thing without my reading glasses.  Advantageous when eyes are tired from the close work involved in stitchin’/quiltin’.

And now I’m all ready for the old folks home when I get “of age.”  Basket making here I come!

Weaving away…. but only in my mind,
Barb

Posted in just stuff | Tagged | 6 Comments