Just in time! Hehehe

Hi Christy,

I am just in time right????? This CHRISTmas was sooooo busy. Made so many of the gifts for fam. Sorry I am so late, but I know you are going to have so much fun with all your beautiful blocks.

For some reason the pink isn't showing up on the picture, but this is a piece by Amy Butler. If this is not what matches your quilt I do have another piece that I could send a picture of and make it up for you if you like better. It is always so hard to pick someone else's fabric............ at least for me.

This block was really fun to do and I think I would like a quilt out of this pattern. Cute cute! You did a good job in picking a block!!!!

Blessings to everyone on a Happy New Year!!! May the Lord bless you all!!!!!!

Blessings, Linda

Christy's Block

Going into the mail tomorrow!

Swanky Jack

Swanky by Chez Moi … hope you like it, Christy; and my apologies for getting this to you so late in the month!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  May the new year be one filled with many blessings for each of you.

In His love,

Iva

Some Heather Bailey Jumping to Christy

Here's my contribution to your quilt, Christy. Hope it is what you had in mind.
This will go out in the mail tomorrow I promise! I won't burry this block, as I'm trying to organize my sewing room this week. Enjoy the rest of the year. Here's hoping 2010 is a better year that 2009!
Happy New Year everyone!!

Amy Butler Yummy-ness for Christy

Sorry I'm so late in the month with this. I'll get it out in the mail Saturday. MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone.

A Swirly Spinnig Pinwheel

*sigh* So here is your block from me Christy! My sewing machine was still mad at me today, but it did atleast behave long enough for me to finish the block! Not quite as wonderful as I was hoping it would turn out, but hopefully not too bad! (Seriously, if it is too bad you can help me redo it, there is more fabric). I do love the fabrics/patterns I got. Do you remember the blue fabric? You did actually pick it out afterall. ;)

I think Melissa was the one commenting on what the shapes look like (Butterflies vs Flowers), but they are beautiful pinwheels to me. Thus, here is my *first block on my own!* pinwheel just for you!! :)

My block for Christy

Here are the squares I made... one for me, one for Christy.
And there was material left over, so I am senting it with the square.
Hope you love it. My first Amy Butler fabric!
Becky

Another Block for Christy

Hi Everyone,

Here is my block for Christy. I used Amy Butler's Midwest Modern Martini. I really liked how it came out. I also love how Melissa, Jenny and Gayly's blocks came out, this should be a really cool quilt. Hope you like it Christy!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Got your fabric Gayly- looking forward to your block!

Take care,

Marie

Christy's block

Hi ladies,

This was a fun block and went together quickly. I think this is going to be a smashing quilt Christy!! Hope you like my contribution.

Christy's block

I finished Christy's block this afternoon. It was really fun to put together. I hope you like the print, I made my daughter, Lenna, a stuffed elephant out of this fabric and these were the leftovers.

I will drop it in the mail tomorrow, along with the envelopes of fabric for the January block.

Merry Christmas (we are loving having snow today!)

Blessings,

Gayly

ps. there is another giveaway over on our family blog:)

Charming Jack

Christy, here is your block. You're right, these are flowers! Ha ha! I just insisted to her that they are butterflies. The soft, soft fabric is made by Prints Charming. And I will return all the unused to you. Of course, I will probably not mail, but bring it to you at Christmas. (She is my sister, if you don't know.) I didn't follow your instructions, but it came out just the same. I did half square triangles. That way I didn't have to work with bias so much.

This was fun -- thanks for picking it. I'm going to make mine tomorrow.

Love you, Melissa

A give away for our daughter's birthday!

Head over to our blog, quilt-n-mama.blogspot.com, and sign up for Abigayl's birthday give away! The girls in our house like to have a giveaway for our birthdays, we get to pick something to giveaway and do it on the blog:) So head over and sign up:)

Gayly

ps- I love the new quilt block we are starting on Christy! I have had this pattern marked forever as one I would love to do! I can't wait to see all the blocks for you!
I also want each of you know that when you get a Christmas card, there will be a fat quarter inside, don't gag when you see it, just hang on to it... this will be used in your January block, though I won't post more about it until Jan.:)

Christy's Quilt

Inspiration Fabric !!!!

*************************************

The Pattern

Jack in the Box

The pattern I have chosen is Jack in the Box.

At the very top are some fabrics that I love. I would like the quilt to be made of 1960-1970's reproduction fabric (Amy Butler, Valori Wells, Heather Bailey, Tina Givens, etc. ) I love pink and orange. The browns, yellow, green, and turquise also very cute. I like bold patterns and bright colors (nothing cartoon like). Have fun! can't wait to see what you come up with.

Instructions:

You will need 2 colors of fabric: one light ( preferably a white on white print) and one dark (something like the fabrics shown above.)

Cut 8 squares from the dark fabric measuring 3 7/8 and

Cut 8 squares from the light fabric measuring 3 7/8

Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the light squares. Place the light and dark squares right sides together. Sew 1/4 inch on both sides of the drawn line. Press both halves of each block open. Cut apart on the drawn line. You now have 16 half square triangles, measuring 3 1/2 each.

Use pictures at the top as a reference for the layout. Happy Quilting!!!

At Last Carmen's Block

Here's your block  Carmen. Sorry it took so long. My son and his soccer team won Western Mass regional tournament then went on to win the Central Mass tournament, and  went to the state finals and  lost.  It was the first time in the History of the school that a soccer team won a championship.  It was exciting, and  nerve wracking all rolled into one.  Needless to say, everything was put on hold.  Today he palyed in the Alumni game and his last offical soccer game as a high school student. This evening I finally had a chance to finish your block :0)  I should get it in the mail within the next few days.  Hope this is what you had in mind.  Judging from what everyone else has made, it looks like your going to have a beautiful quilt!

Hope all you ladies had a wonderful Thanksgiving !

100th Post Giveaway

Hi Ladies! I'm having a 100th post big giveaway on my Lilac Lane website. Make sure you come visit me. I just became a designer for the Moda Bake Shop. I can't believe they picked me and am still in shock. My first tutorial just went up.

Love, Melissa

Carmen, here is another one!!!!!

Hi Carmen, I loved your choice for your block! Everyone has done such a beautiful job and your quilt is going to be so beautiful!!!!!! How fun for you. Here is my block made just for you. I really enjoyed making it for you and can't wait to see the finished product.
Remember when I contacted you and asked if you wanted anything embroidered on your block? Well last week I was at a quilt store in Wichita and found this beautiful fabric!!! I will send you some pieces and you can use if you need. Blessings to you and thank you for the fun design to work with. It was harder than I thought.

Hugs, Linda

Ladies you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!! I am so excited for my

family to come to our farm!!!!!

Another Block for Carmen

Here is my block for Carmen. It was fun going through my stash trying to find the right fabrics. Hope you like it. Hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!
Marie

Carmen's block

I made two blocks Carmen...trying to get it right for you. I think I made it harder than it needed to be!! I hope the brown print is not too dark for what you are looking for. I will mail these out to you on Friday along with some left over fabrics if you can use them.

My Shabby Chic Contribution

Here is my Shabby Chic contribution! Christy & I did ours together so we shared a few of the same fabrics. I'm so in love with several of the fabrics, I'm going to have to come up with another project so I can use them! :) I really hope you like it Carmen & I can't wait to see your completed quilt! (Sorry some of mine aren't the straightest.)

Another Chic Block

Hope you enjoy. It was fun picking out the fabrics and figuring out the layout.

Found another site...

Fabric Worm

From the website:
"Fabricworm.com Sells the Best Selection of Modern, Designer and Japanese Import Fabric on the Web

Welcome to FabricWorm. I have always been envious of fabric and craft store owners because they get to look at beautiful prints all day. I couldn't be happier now that I have an online shop of my own. I'm surrounded by beautiful artwork and am constantly inspired.

I hope that you will enjoy looking at fabrics on my site as much as I do!

Happy Shopping!"

Carmen's block by Becky

I have to tell you, this one was hard for me. Jefferson City does not carry much in the way of pastels or shabby chic or roses this time of year. My manager friend at JoAnn's actually came over and asked me if I was alright as I was standing there staring. Literally. Hope that you like it and the colors work for you. They are not true on the photo...its more of a light sky blue than an aqua-ish blue. (I have to re-find some confidence!!!)

Love ya!

Becky

Fabulous fabric sales!

Head on over to TRUE UP to see what I'm excited about!

Carmen's Shabby Chic Block by GaylyI hope you like it! I had a little Honey Bun a friend had given me and I thought the prints would be perfect for our quilt! I hope so! I'll get it in the mail tomorrow hopefully:)

Blessings,

Gayly

My Shabby Chic for Carmen

Here's my Shabby Chic block for Carmen. I hope it's ok. It's not perfect in meeting in the centers, but that's what makes it "shabby" right? haha I can't wait to see your finished quilt. I will mail this out to you this week.

Two for You and Two for Me UPDATE!

Excuse me for writing on top of this post, but I'm looking for a new sewing machine and I know you gals have an opinion. Can you e-mail me what you like and don't like about your machines? Even if it's old, tell me about it. A lot of times the brand trends in the same way. Thank you so much! Bless you, Melissa

Hello again, Carmen! Here is a much better picture of your two blocks. Can you use both?

Then, here are my two blocks, Becky's and yours. I'm going to have a beautiful quilt! I made mine a bit brighter than yours.

Love, Melissa

Carmen’s Chic

Okay, Carmen, you were right: this was a really easy one!  Somehow I feel I’m shortchanging you.

So to compensate, I may just go make you another one this evening – the same but different (much less symmetrical… I didn’t realize until cropping this picture how symmetrical the block turned out…ack!).  That way you can choose which one you prefer to use in your quilt.

Anyhoo… it  they will be in the mail tomorrow!

Shabby Chicalicious

Hi Carmen! Here is your block. But I had so much fun making it and it took so little time (I feel a little cheated :) that I think I will make you another before sending it to you! I love shabby chic too. I bet you're in love with Tanya Whelan and 3 Sisters (Aviary, Paris Street Market, etc), among others. Have fun with this quilt; it's going to be pretty. Oh, Jenny, do you recognize any of these fabrics? I used some of the ones I won from you!

Melissa

November's Block

Hi everybody!
Sorry I'm a little late - but this block promises to be an easy one! Promise! :)

I am a *huge* fan of the shabby chic, cabbage roses, beach-y "worn out" stuff. My bedroom has had rose motif since I was able to have a say. LOL! My mom and I rearranged my room when I was 6 and it was beautiful! (wish I had a pic) I got married at 17 and the first thing I bought for our home together was a new bedding set (comforter, sheets, bedskirt) and guess what was covering every square inch? Roses! Sixteen years later we are still blanketed by roses.

Here is a sample of my favorite fabric patterns:



(Click on image to enlarge)

And here is a pillow I made based on what I'd like the blocks to be. Just strips that equal out into a 12" square. I am going to use a vintage white cotton sheet to go in between each block and for backing.



I am excited to get started on this! Thanks to everyone in advance!! :D

-Carmen

Here's my block:)

I am so sorry I have been so slow this time around! I promise I'll be quicker in the future! I had great plans of sewing the month of Oct... This is the only thing I have done in the last 3 weeks and I finally got it done:) Becky, I hope you like it... I struggled with red and teal and not living near a quilt shop with much selection and not taking the time to look online brought me to this.... I hope you like it. It is Alexander Henry's "Thousand Meows" fabric and I fell in love when I stumbled across it last week while traveling!

It will be in the mail Monday, I missed the 1 hour window that our post office is open on Saturdays!

Blessings! Gayly

I am having a special giveaway!!!!!! Come over please.

Hi everyone! I am having a giveaway over at Prairie Flower Farm. You are welcome to come over and sign up for it. I just had my 102nd post and I am celebrating! I can't believe all the special people that have already come over. I so want my quilting friends to come also. Thank you!

Can't wait to see what we are doing next! Carmen we are excited!!!!!

Blessings, Linda

Fav Quilting Sites

Hi everyone! I thought while we were waiting for the next block, I would post some of my favorite quilting sites. You can add yours too!

www.quilt.com A great quilting resource of lots and lots of blocks. They don't keep it up anymore, but it's full of blocks.

www.quilterscache.com Pretty much the same with annoying (to me) music.

www.jinnybeyer.com She has patterns that I have made. I would call them more advanced and without instructions! But if you find one you love like I have, you will make it work.

That's all for now. Feel free to add yours.

Melissa

Last day to enter a giveaway at my blog.....

Head on over and check out the stack of goodies.

I am having a giveaway over on my blog...

I didn't want any of you to miss out if you haven't already signed up yet. It is for a this purse made by yours truely...I would love to get to award one of you all! It ends tonight...

http://becky-mccoy.blogspot.com/2009_10_19_archive.html

Love ya!

Becky

a Button for Us

Hi guys. I designed a button you can put on your personal blogs! Hopefully it will work okay.

On blogger, click customize, then add gadget, then add picture. In the http link, put http://adozenquilters.blogspot.com/ Then, in the picture link, copy and paste this:


https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fnsZsAxaHwqU2OtLyv6Bc8hd-0wxNOhphsHTMMLa0vsBJXI49oerjVsRXBYaGMDi8pGd3AmllFiTpiYU_ExGr-mruMDcWNEbhrYhWiOOJwlGDs3lWOsfJAz0xmTmOpF6w_oeed-kdBA/s220/PaleStar.jpg



I didn't have problems with this, but if you do, please let me know.



Here's the picture:

There's probably an easier way, but this is what I came up with!

Have a good weekend. Special thoughts go out to my sis Christy who is suffering from H1N1.

Melissa

Too early?

photo courtesy of homemade by jill

I don't want to jump the gun here...I am November's quilt (Yay me!) I just need some feedback as to when you guys would like my wishes/requests/choices.

Thanks to all!

Becky's Block

Becky- Here is another block for you. I used the same pattern we had for our $5 quilt program this last month. It is called spinning scraps. I am doing the quilt in oriental fabrics. I also wanted to let everyone know that I have some Texas batik fabric strips from a scrap bag that I would give to anyone who would like it. Just let me know -Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Love, Marie

Becky, Your House Block Is Done!

The wind was blowing when I shot this picture. Kansas Wind!!! When I went to the quilt shop I could not find a lot of fabric in aqua. The clerk showed me some pieces that she thought would work. I think it turned out real pretty with the fabric combinations. I asked you what you might want in a quilt block and you said "a house block." As I put your quilt block together, I want you to know that I prayed that the Lord would "Bless Your Home." I so enjoyed doing this for you Becky!!! You are such a sweetie! I will send your quilt block off. I am going to add the pattern I used and the remainder pieces of fabric. Maybe you can use the pieces in your quilt.

Blessings, Linda

Giveaway

Hello Ladies...

I just wanted to let you all know that I have officially entered blogland and am having a giveaway in honor of my little space on the internet. Please stop by and enter if you feel so inclined! Thanks.

http://cutsewironrepeat.blogspot.com/

Jenny

My block is done...Yay!

Turned out pretty cute! It will go out in the mail tomorrow Becky! ;)

Another one for Becky...and my first!

Alrighty, here it is...my first block ever!! And it is for you Becky, so I hope you like it. Christy found this great pattern for an "Un-named Star" and we both totally love it. I'm so glad my first block got to be something rather original. Christy guided me through the directions and layout, but I did the cutting and sewing. (Although, I did also need some help figuring out her ruler! lol) I can tell already this is going to be a very addicting hobby! I'm already planning a side quilt that will be "Peanuts/Snoopy" themed and dreaming what my blocks/quilt from all of you will look like!

Look What Christy Made!

Chirsty doesn't have a blog, so please just humor me. Christy made the Birdie purse from Amy Butler's pattern. That black and white fabric says stuff like, "If the house is clean, the sewing machine must be in the shop." and "I told him it would be unwise to make me choose between him and my fabrics . . . I will miss him though." and "Dating? I'd rather be sewing." So cute!

All About Christy

My full name is Christy Marie Acheson.

I am 30 years old.

I was born in Hays KS and raised in Bogue KS.

I have known my husband since high school. Our friends tried to set us up while we were in high school, however I thought he was kinda a nerd. After high school we started hanging out and writing lots of letters back and forth as he had left for the Army. Once he came home from basic training, we started dating. And the rest is history -Now he is my big nerd!

We have 2 children. Marjorie Loree (Maggie) is 5 and Blaine Glenn is 8.

No one is out of the house yet and it may never happen. They must have talked about going to college at school because my 8 year old came home in tears. He said he doesn't want to go to college unless I can go with him.

5 of us make up this family - Richard, Christy, Blaine, Maggie, and George (our beagle)

No grandchildren

I do most of the cooking, however my husband is great on the grill. He makes wonderful hamburgers and steaks.

We live in a town of just under 50,000.

If I could live anywhere it would be New Zealand because of all the beautiful surroundings. My husband has lots of relatives there who keep begging us to visit. So hopefully when the kids are a bit older we can all go (for a visit anyway).

I spend tons of money on dying my hair. I was one of those unfortunate girls who started getting gray hair at around age 18.

My favorite past time is reading and sewing. I also enjoy spending time with my family.

My all time favorite color is green. I am a jadite collector. I also like 60's reproduction fabric in the pinks, yellows, oranges, etc.

I don't do a lot of crafting. I make clothes for my daughter and her american girl doll.

I generally get up at 0700 and attempt to wake up the kids on my way to the shower. After I shower they get a second wake up call ( usually with a bit more pizazz, maybe some singing) We eat breakfast and try to get out the door by 0815. Once they are dropped off at school, I head to work at the hospital where I am a speech pathologist. I generally work until 1700, sometimes later depending on hospital census. Once I get home, we eat and are usually off to dance or church or something. We do homework, guitar practice, baths, and read. Once all this is achieved we get to bed and start all over again the next day.

My favorite season is the fall. I love the beautiful colors and enjoy feeling the sun when the temp is still in the 50's and 60's.

If I could have something made for me it would be a bigger bathroom. One with one of those spa tubs.

The best Christmas gift I ever recieved was a pink bike when I was in the 4th grade.

My funny story: My husband and I are trying to be green and so we have a "recycling" box in the kitchen where I sort the paper, plastic, and cans. One day on the way home from church Blaine asked Maggie if she was a disciple of God. Maggie said no. He said "Maggie you really should be a disciple, its a good thing." She said "Blaine you know that mom is the only one who does the "discipling" at our house. No one else uses that green bin."

Marie's Story

What is your full name (maiden also)? Marie Lynn Pabst Skolout



What is your age? (answer only if you want to) 30



Where were you born and raised? Colby, KS



When did you meet your husband? We were in the same class in school, complete opposites- He was the class clown and I was quiet. We were both in Ag classes together and were more friends than anything- but he always made me laugh. We started dating our Senior year and just celebrated our 10th anniversary this last June.



How many children do you have? Two- Samantha who is 4 and Tucker will be 2 in November.



How many out of the house? 0

How many in the house? 2 And of course we have our dogs- our kids before kids- Daisy, Kyler, Chewy and Samantha just got a new dachshund for her birthday. (Miko)



How many grandchildren, if you have any? 0



Do you do the cooking or does your husband? I do the cooking- Brad likes to deep fry- We always joke that if we ever opened a restaurant we would call it "Fried stuff with cheese" Ha, Ha



Do you live in the city or in the country (farm)? Farm- we live about 20 minutes from town on Brad's grandparents farm.



If you could live anywhere other then where you live where would it be? I don't think I could live anywhere else. I love the flat wide open spaces and being able to see for miles.



Do you dye your hair? You don't have to answer this. I have always liked to get highlights.



What is your favorite past time? Playing with the kids, riding horses, sewing, photography, working outside, shopping



What is your favorite color or color combinations? PURPLE (go WILDCATS!) I also like just a rainbow of colors- I love all the 30's reproduction material.



What kind of crafting do you like to do? sewing, scrap booking (although I am WAY behind on this)



What is a day like for you? Samantha goes to preschool on MWF mornings, she also has dance on Tuesday afternoon. We have our own manufacturing business- so sometimes I have to run errands for Brad and I am always working on paperwork. I also work part time for Farm & Ranch Realty and will work on auction days and I also work from home keeping their website updated. It seems that I am always cleaning and trying to keep up with the kids. They keep me busy pretty much all day. And with fall harvest approaching I will be driving truck alot.



What is your favorite season? Why? I really enjoy all the seasons, but my favorite time of year is wheat harvest. I have always been a farm girl and really enjoy working in the fields.



If you could have something made for you what would it be? A new saddle



What was the best Christmas gift you have ever received? This last year Brad gave me a mother's necklace with each of the kids birthstones- It was really special.



Do you have some story that would make us all laugh? Well with two little kids at our house there is never a dull moment. I thought Tucker was sleeping in his room and went to wake him up because we had to go to town, well he wasn't asleep he had taken the bag balm jar (like Vaseline) and smeared it all over his hair, face, ears and then he stuck all of his little cars and tools into the jar all over his room - It was quite a mess and his hair was greasy for days.

Samantha is really into acting out movies- some days she will only answer to Pocahontas or Mulan. If you have seen Pocahontas there is a talking tree called Grandmother Willow and Samantha will go out in the yard and sit under and trees and talk to Grandmother Willow. It is pretty cute - She has a great imagination!

A Block For Becky

 (strange lighting – the center isn’t really brighter than the borders) 

Becky, I’ll have this in the mail to you soon.

A piece of fun...ideas?

Found this piece of fabric at JoAnns. HAD to have it! Should I do something with it, or frame it and put it on the wall. Here it is on the design wall, but it would look absolutely gorgeous above my chaise. As a whole, it is wonderful. Or should i chop it off and make it off set. I don't normally do abstract-ish stuff and am sort of afraid that if I chop it up and sew it back together I might not like it as much. You should see it in person. Even prettier than on the design wall. I asked for opinions on my blog too. The colors are perfect for our month we are in! Maybe I won't put it in the living room. Maybe once my quilt is made, I will want it above my bed...hmm

Welcome to my world

What is your full name (maiden also)? Jennifer Lynn.....

What is your age? (answer only if you want to) 36

Where were you born and raised? Fort Wayne, IN

When did you meet your husband? Blind date in 2000. My sisters best friend knew him from her church.

How many children do you have? 2...girl age 4, boy age 21 months...and I have been really moved to hear all your struggles and joys with conceiving, birthing and raising children, these stories have an amazing ability to connect women, don't they?...we had a hard time getting pregnant and both children were born 6 weeks early...my uterus ruptured with my son (ending our chance for #3) ...and I still cry thinking of what a close call we had with my son.

How many out of the house? 0

How many in the house? 2

How many grandchildren, if you have any? 0

Do you do the cooking or does your husband? I try to do the cooking. My husband does the grilling.

Do you live in the city or in the country (farm)? city

If you could live anywhere other then where you live where would it be? I would not change where I live because my entire family lives within 15 miles of me, and that is more important to me than location.

Do you dye your hair? You don't have to answer this. I do not. I started going gray at 18. I dyed it until I was 23. I am very salt and pepper. and I am so at ease with this decision! I remember as a kid my mom coloring her hair every 2 weeks!!

What is your favorite past time? quilting, walking, reading, going to garage sale, flea markets, auctions etc....oh, and collecting fabric! :)

What is your favorite color or color combinations? really depends on my mood. I tend to stay away from yellow though.

What kind of crafting do you like to do? quilting, decoupage, kids crafts of all kinds.

What is a day like for you? Wake around 6. Breast feed my son...such a sleepy, calm way to start the day...breakfast, dressing...and these are about my only constants... my daughter goes to pre-k MWF from 845 to 1115. We go to the library a few times a week in the morning. My sister and niece spend a lot of time with us, in the back yard etc...I work Tues and Friday mornings at an insurance office...I clean the office on the weekends...we always have dinner with my sisters, their families and my dad on Sunday evenings at his house...

If you could have something made for you what would it be? hope chest

What is your favorite season? Why? Spring. I love the thaw, the warmth and the flowers and the smells of spring.

What was the best Christmas gift you have ever received? Barbie house when I was about 7. It reaffirmed for me that there indeed was a Santa Claus because I knew for sure my parents could not afford this awesome gift! What sacrifices my parents made for their girls!!

Do you have some story that would make us all laugh? I nearly did not fill this questionnaire out simply because I couldn't answer this question...but then I thought of a short quilt story...my mother sewed our clothes as children...and in turn, there was an enormous box of scraps ... well, years later we decided to have my Grandma make a quilt for us with the scraps.. we cut squares, she sewed...she sewed for about 1 hour and said she wasn't interested in the project...so, I took it over. mind you, I had hever sewn in my life...(im probably 15) so some time later, i show my grandma the finished product (let me tell you, it is truly terrible!) and she says to me, "humpf...it would have been better if you used a sewing machine" (she was a very honest woman!) well, i HAD used a sewing machine. anyway, now that i type it, it's not really that funny, but I look back at that story and laugh. I loved spending time with my Grandma...maybe that is the only reason I like this story!!

Me Next

What is your full name (maiden also)? Patricia Ruth Hogan kept my own name when i got married.

 What is your age? (answer only if you want to) 54 , but sometimes I still think I'm twenty-five.


Where were you born and raised? Palmer, MA


When did you meet your husband? He was a friend of my younger brother. I knew him in high school never paid much attention to him. Moved back home a few years after college we started hanging out as friends then one thing led to another.

 How many children do you have? 1, a son 18. I would have like more children but J was the only child I carried to ful term. I was in my thirties when I had him , considered adoption but never followed  through... I have the privledge  of helping to shape young lives every day through my work . Guess that was God's plan for me.
How many out of the house? None

How many in the house? The boy


How many grandchildren, if you have any? Nada

Do you do the cooking or does your husband? Me, my husband's idea of cooking is dialing the phone for the local take out joint.
Do you live in the city or in the country (farm)? Small town
If you could live anywhere other then where you live where would it be? I like New England, probably Vermont, or maybe Virginia or Ireland. Yes I know VA  and Ireland are not part of New England : )

 Do you dye your hair? Of Course. I went ngray in my twenties the year my Mother in Law passed from cancer. It was the drabest color gray.. been thinking about going natural but DH likes me blonde so I'll give it a litte  while longer.

What is your favorite past time? Quilting, reading ,spending time with my family.


What is your favorite color or color combinations? I like color, greens, reds, yellow... all colors.

What kind of crafting do you like to do? Quilting is my fav. but have tried all kinds stained glass, wood carving and others. Would like to learn how to knit can't crochet tried just can't do it.

What is a day like for you? During the school year I get up at 5:00 am take the dogs out. Get ready for work,
 Why? Get my son up  call him again ...tried not to fight with him. Drop him off at school, arrive at my school for 7:15. Work until 2:00 or 3:00 depending on the day... extra help and all. Come home take the dogs out. Have a cup of tea. If son has a soccer game go  to that. Call my Mom to see how her day went. DH arrives home around 3:30, spend some time with him, cook supper.  Sew ... take the dogs out ..Call my sister and touch base with her. Sew some more, spend some time on the computer. Or sometimes there's a class  I'm taking and that's stuck in there somewhere.

 What's your favorite season and why? I Like all the seasons ..I love snow glistening on the trees, I love the smell of early spring,and  the sounds of summer makes me happy. Love the fall in New England .. the color of the trees takes my breath away.

If you could have something made for you what would it be? A nice dinner!

What was the best Christmas gift you have ever received? The best Christmas gift I ever received was in 1993. My Father had just passed away from ALS on December 9th, and I had beenin a car accident and broke my neck. My son( who is named after my Dad) was only almost three, and he gave me a lilte gold heart bracelet. he told me how he rode his bike down to the store pickout the present and wrapped it up. When I opened the gift he said "Oh how pretty! What is it?" The look on his precious face is something that I will never forget. He makes my heart sing!

 

Do you have a story that would make us all laugh? Humm... I've thought about this and at first I didn't think I had one but here it goes... Years ago when the remake of the movie "The Fly" came out, a friend told me it was the best movie she ever saw. So one night DH and I decided to rent a movie ...I insisted on that  movie against DH's objections. It has to be the worst movie I have ever seen! It grossed me out so much that I couldn't watch it and tried to shut it off. DH told me, "You rented it you watch it." So I did . After it was over, I went to bed and he stayed up. I'm Laying in bed and I hear a scratching noise ..I thought it was may dog scratching.. I told him to stop it and rolled over. He kept scratching and it was really annoying me so I sat up in bed and started to yell at him. Just as I opened my mouth ... an arm came up out of nowhere  and landed on my lap! I let out the loudest scream ... and jumped out of bed and started to run out of the room tripping over my  DH hysterically laughing and rolling on the floor. I wanted smack him but it was kinda funny. :^D

Melissa's Book

Please, everyone, join me in a moment of silence. My sewing machine is being repaired, but the woman at my quilting store isn't sure if it will make it. I'm already missing her.

What is your full name (maiden also)? Melissa Ann Robinson Stramel

What is your age? 32

Where were you born and raised? Born in Joplin, Missouri but raised all my life in Bogue, Kansas, population 100 until our family of 8 moved out!

When did you meet your husband? We were set up on a blind date by my mother (who used to babysit him) and my aunt (Marie’s mom). They asked me, during Thanksgiving break (I was in college) if I would go to a wedding dance with Marie’s sister. When I went to her house, my aunt said, “The bad news is there’s no dance, the good news is we set you up on a blind date!” I turned around to leave when he got there. We hit it off so well and he was so cute (still is.) I had said at one time that I would never marry a lawyer, ex-frat boy or republican, but I married all three. I don’t want to start a political thing AT ALL but I’m quite the republican myself these days. Isn’t it funny how you change? We were engaged after five months and married less than a year after we met. This December will be 9 years of marriage.

How many children do you have? 3, a son and two daughters. I had such problems with all of them. With Nathan, I was hospitalized at 26 weeks because of preterm labor. They asked me if I was having contractions, and I said no, I just get these horrible pains every few minutes! It seems funny now. I was in the hospital from October 1 until Thanksgiving. It was Wichita, five hours from our home and I was so lonely. I got to go home to bedrest and then we made frequent trips to Hays (one and ½ hours away) until Nathan was born on December 29. A c-section, no less.
Anna’s pregnancy was uneventful until she was born a full month early and flown to Denver because she couldn’t breathe right. Todd got to fly with her, but they made me stay behind and be driven there the next day. A four hour drive! It was a stressful week at the Ronald McDonald house, bless their hearts. She came home on oxygen but is good now.
Emilie’s pregnancy was about like Nathan’s, but my doctor was not concerned about the contractions (started at 16 weeks.) Went to the c-section a couple weeks before she was due and my uterus completely ruptured during the procedure. The doctor said it ripped to shreds. Unfortunately, our hospital is very small and they have no emergency surgeries. God was watching over me and Emilie. People told me later they were praying and didn’t even know anything was wrong. We both nearly died.
All three of my children are healthy and Todd says we are definitely done. I’ve always had a heart for four, but am grateful for those God has given me.

How many out of the house? none How many in the house? All!
How many grandchildren, if you have any? none

Do you do the cooking or does your husband? Oh it’s all me. My husband lived on ramen and mac and cheese before we met. The other day I thought maybe he just wasn’t trying and came home to a house full of smoke. He was trying to brown some ham!

Do you live in the city or in the country (farm)? A little farm outside of town.

If you could live anywhere other than where you live where would it be? Back in my little hometown of Bogue.

Do you dye your hair? Nope, but I used to be blond until I had kids and when I go gray, I’m going back.

What is your favorite past time? Reading, tennis, spending time with friends, sewing, sewing, sewing. Traveling when my husband lets me. Would LOVE to learn to design fabric.

What is your favorite color or color combinations? Pretty much any. I love bright colors, red, pink. Duller colors bore me after a short time, but I always like other people’s finished quilts out of these.

What kind of crafting do you like to do? Um sewing, quilting, painting, decorating (my husband and I designed and built our house ourselves. We started in 2003 and I finished the basement as a Christmas gift for him last year.) Photography, crocheting, I can’t think of any I don’t like. Haven’t tried stained glass. :)

What is a day like for you? I am not a morning person but try to get up at seven so I can make my little guy breakfast before he leaves with Todd for school. Then I get ready and get the girls ready. If it’s Monday or Wednesday, we try to be at preschool by nine. We either run errands or play until eleven which is Dora time. Emilie makes sure to remind me about Dora. Then everyone’s home at noon for lunch. Nathan only goes to half day kindergarten at our local Christian school. Then it’s nap time when I sew. After that play time, or baking time which I love to do. Then supper and evening activities. That’s on days we don’t have dance or gymnastics or Kids Klubhouse at church. Try to get the kids to bed at a decent time so we can do it all again. Oh and I do try to read my Bible when I wake up but usually it gets put off to Dora time. I’m doing an awesome study called Praying the Names of Jesus. You make a quilt block with each chapter!

If you could have something made for you what would it be? A beautiful dress that fits perfectly and make me look curvy in the right places.

What is your favorite season? Why? Spring. I love flowers. I love flower gardening. I love Easter. Plus my birthday is in the spring.

What was the best Christmas gift you have ever received? My sister gave me an awesome furry blanket for Christmas last year. It was exactly what I wanted without even realizing it.

Do you have some story that would make us all laugh? Okay I can’t think of anything about myself, but my brother Wyatt just started college. He happens to attend school in the same town where my other brother Kyle and his wife live. After about a month and a half of school, he showed up at Kyle’s house with five loads of laundry. He did a couple and then left one in the washer and one in the dryer. He told Kyle he needed to fold them and put the other ones in the dryer and fold those as well. He’d be back the next day to pick them up! He actually didn’t come back for several days but they were all folded and ready to go. I bet he’ll be back in a week or two with a few more loads too.

This is toooooo precious!

Ladies ya know I really had a good idea when I did this little survey. Hehe. You are all so precious!!!! I love it. I feel like we are all becoming best friends. I hope everyone finds time to do this. I just think it is neat to see how all our liees are folding out for each of us to see. It is blessing me and making me think about how Melissa's dream to bring us all together, is just what the Lord ordered! Keep them coming!

A Little About me- Gayly

What is your full name (maiden also)? Gaylette Ann (sorry, I'm a little funnny about sharing last names)

What is your age? 36

Where were you born and raised? Rural Kansas

When did you meet your husband? At Kansas State University on an IVCF inner city mission trip- He was so annoying:)

How many children do you have? 4- 2 1/2, 4, 4 & 6

How many out of the house? none

How many in the house? all of them

How many grandchildren, if you have any? none of those here for a really long time:)

Do you do the cooking or does your husband? I do most of the cooking unless it is grilling, making chocolate chip cookies or biscuits & gravy

Do you live in the city or in the country (farm)? we live in a really small town- about 600 people

If you could live anywhere other then where you live where would it be? I love South East Asia, I have lived in the Philippines and would go back, I'd love to live in China for a year or two.

Do you dye your hair? no... but the grey is starting to show up so we'll see :)

What is your favorite past time? my kids, quilting, traveling & photography

What is your favorite color or color combinations? I love color!!! I'm making a fall quilt right now with oranges and greens that I really love... Brights are a favorite... I also love the colors in Kansas Troubles prints! Ok, I don't really have a favorite I guess:)

What kind of crafting do you like to do? quilting, quilling, I used to make some jewelry

What is a day like for you? up with the kids, homeschool in the mornings, make lunch, naps, trips to the library, play with the kids, make supper, try to spend some time outside, read lots of stories, hopefully sew a bit before bed...

If you could have something made for you what would it be? scrapbooks for my kids- I am a terrible scrapbooker!

What is your favorite season? Why? Fall, cool weather, hot tea in the misty morning, football, falling leaves, the smell of baking pumpkin...

What was the best Christmas gift you have ever received? My grandfather's blessing on my husband's & my marriage (we got married on Dec. 30th and he passed away that morning.) we had a very special Christmas with him a few days before.

Do you have some story that would make us all laugh? hmmmmm.... many.... let's see... we once moved and left all our clothes in the dresser which was in the back of an open pickup. My husband was ahead of me driving down the interstate when one of the drawers came open and all my bras & undies went flying- they were hitting my windsheild, etc. We DID NOT STOP... I made him buy me all new ones!

About me...

What is your full name (maiden also)? Carmen Patricia Studer Rigby (don't really like my middle name, but it's after my mom's best friend so that's cool)

What is your age? 33

Where were you born and raised? Washington State

When did you meet your husband? At a Christian School Conference. He was hot on the trail of my best friend (who had a boyfriend). He sat next to me to get more info about her and the conversation quickly turned to get info about me. I thought he was just chasing girls so I brushed him off pretty heavily but he kept pressing. We went on 8 dates and then he joined the Marine Corps. I thought I'd lost him forever. But, we continued corresponding through snail mail and got married in '93. I was 17.

How many children do you have? 4. 1 girl and 3 boys ages 14, 11, 8 (next month) and 5.

How many out of the house? none

How many in the house? All!

How many grandchildren, if you have any? none but if our daughter follows suit, I could be a Grandma in 5 years. EEEEEK!

Do you do the cooking or does your husband? Me me me! I love cooking and baking. My hubs can cook really well but BOY is he a MESSY cook!

Do you live in the city or in the country (farm)? Very country; the house we rent is on 6 acres and we are surrounded by fir trees.

If you could live anywhere other than where you live where would it be? Piombino, Tuscany

Do you dye your hair? Oh yeah! I've been dying my hair since I was 13. Right now it's just brown with chunks of blonde but I put ALL colors in. Pink, purple, blue...

What is your favorite past time? Knitting and Cooking

What is your favorite color or color combinations? pink and brown together & robin's egg blue, dark green and tan together

What kind of crafting do you like to do? knitting and I'm starting to sew a little more

What is a day like for you? Lately, my days are quite busy. Nobody judge here! LOL Let me preface my day by letting everyone know my husband works from home and we homeschool. SO, we get up about 10:30, wander around and try to wake up (ha!), do family chores, eat brunch, do school, more family chores, eat dinner, most evenings we entertain friends, more family chores, devotions and bedtime. Then after the kids are asleep my husband and I watch tv, read, listen to the radio, podcasts or books on mp3, or just talk...and I knit through all of it. :D

If you could have something made for you what would it be? My brother is an awesome craftsman. He loves to work with wood as his hobby. Anything he makes me is cool.

What is your favorite season? Why? Autumn!! It's the end of hot weather!!

What was the best Christmas gift you have ever received? This sounds totally selfish! BUT, it's my coach purse and wallet. My husband surprised me with both. Ah, love!

Do you have some story that would make us all laugh? Wow, mind went blank! I love to laugh, too! Ummm, well, I have a funny/mean story...I was living with my inlaws for a short time after we got married when hubs was in training for the USMC. I came home late from work and ALL the lights were off in the house which was unusual for them b/c they are major night owls and there's always a light blaring. The door was cracked which was also strange b/c they live in the city...so I slowly creaked the door open and out pops my MIL screaming and laughing--ha ha funny joke--scared the wits outta me! The funny part was when I smacked her in the face for scaring me. She laughed and admitted she deserved it. Did I mention that my #1 pet peeve is people jumping out at me? LOL!

Getting to know...Becky

What is your full name (maiden also)? Rebecca Louise (and I have always not liked my middle name)...as for last name...I didn't even get to change initials. Was M and still is.
What is your age? (answer only if you want to) turned 32 in April
Where were you born and raised? Born in Liberty, Mo. Raised mostly in Gladstone, MO
When did you meet your husband? At my third college...wanted nothing to do with him. He kept chasing til he wore me down. LOL
How many children do you have? I have two daughters, 7 and almost 9. One son of my own in heaven, and one we were hoping to adopt that went to heaven on the first.
How many out of the house? none...unless you count the hubs who travels always
How many in the house? the two girls
How many grandchildren, if you have any? none, and Lord willing that is a LOOOOONG ways off.
Do you do the cooking or does your husband? what cooking? doesn't everyone just let their kids eat cereal or popcorn or chips for every meal? lol
Do you live in the city or in the country (farm)? outside city limits but with houses on all sides of me...literally.
If you could live anywhere other then where you live where would it be? WITH my husband
Do you dye your hair? just did for only the third time in my life. First time was trying for more red, at 18, and got black purple. Second time, my brother in law did it AND picked the color and I was beyond the red-est of all reds...in college. This time, I dyed it just a shade darker than natural with pretty highlights...and grey all covered.
What is your favorite past time? QUILTING, making bags, crocheting, knitting, reading Christian fiction as fast as the library can put new books on the shelves.
What is your favorite color or color combinations? Currently, red and aqua....hmmm...bet you would have never guessed. Second-runner-up, black white and red.
What kind of crafting do you like to do? It would be faster to say which ones I don't do...my sister and I actually figured out one the other day, but I can't remember for the life of me what it was. I no longer scrapbook...got too far behind. And I stoped doing cross-stitch after doing three months of it on bedrest with the youngest. I like as close to instant gratification as possible...so quick crafts for me.
What is a day like for you? walk the dog around six, go back to bed for two hours. Wake to the girls either playing nicely together or fighting...no in between, with the dog barking to get out of the kennel. Fight with youngest to get her to get dressed, brush her teeth, put shoes on, and grab her bag...most mornings. Occasionally the oldest will join in with tears...but most mornings she is a morning person. Load up the car after finally catching the dog who realizes you are trying to put him back in the kennel to leave him. Pick up oldest's best friend. Drop off all three at school...which involves walking the youngest all the way to her class, most days, and prying her off of me. Although she hugged me and let me go today. Thank GOd for small miracles! Next, varies...I will either run to JoAnns and check in with "my" girls oftentimes buying something, but not always; or I will go home and have my quiet time. That happens after JoAnns if it is a morning I need something. And then sewing. Unless something else is happening that day. On days that I do virtual tours...I skip the JoAnns and quiet time step and catch them after taking pictures...one or the other or both. Editing pictures and putting them online takes another three hours. I can sew all day until the kids are dropped off at a quarter after four...just taking drink breaks and dog walking breaks. Today he sat on a stool by me for most of the day. And the time between four and bedtime flies by...somewhere in there we do homework...eat something for dinner...do our 20 minutes of reading per girl which results in another large fight with youngest. And baths and bed. And blogging time is snuck in almost every day. Sorry for the long answer.
What is your favorite season? Why? I love temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Love open windows. Any time of year that lets me do that is my current fav. But I love the decorating and festivities involved with the Christmas season...so that would be my next choice.
What was the best Christmas gift you have ever received? that would be a tie...my first fav christmas gift was my hubs in '99...we were married Christmas eve. The other would be my surprise Christmas present in 2000 when the oldest daughter arrived a month early, Dec 20th, so she could celebrate our first anniversary and Christmas with us...the doctor told her he wouldn't stop it if she came, at the last appt we got to go to...so she came the next morning.
Do you have some story that would make us all laugh? I probably cracked you up all the way through that...but a short one...my pomeranian, who thinks he is a cat and a guard dog all at the same time and demonstrates both often, loves to eat things. Lately, his favorite snacks are discarded panties...steals them straight from the bathroom floor while the girls are in the tub, and hides them all over the house. And brand new bras that have only been worn a little bit and fit absolutely perfect...giving a bust to the bust-less. And are not replaceable in this city...must have been the only one they had that little. I cannot find another one. And my chest is missing. If you find it under your bed, please let me know! LOL! (after all that is his favorite place to hide things...master bedroom under the bed, towards the back where you can only see it with a flashlight and need an extra long yardstick to reach it.)
Toodles!
Becky

My turn...getting to know Tonya.

What is your full name (maiden also)? Tonya May (might be some weird-o's out there, I keep part of my name to myself

What is your age? 34

Where were you born and raised? Lincolnton, NC

When did you meet your husband? 2004, he worked for a Lowe's Hardware Vendor in California and I worked for a vendor in NC, and we talked on the phone daily dealing with orders and it grew from there.

How many children do you have? 1 son, would love to have more

How many out of the house? 0

How many in the house? my baby still, of course he's only 8

How many grandchildren, if you have any? 0, I hope that's a longggg ways away

Do you do the cooking or does your husband? He probably cooks more than I.....I dislike cooking and cleaning up the mess

Do you live in the city or in the country (farm)? pure country here, on top of a mountain to be exact

If you could live anywhere other then where you live where would it be? Tahoe, CA

Do you dye your hair? no

What is your favorite past time? Sewing, quilting, reading the Twilight series

What is your favorite color or color combinations? greens and pinks

What kind of crafting do you like to do? sewing, quilting, not much of a crafter other than that

What is a day like for you? Well.........let's see. I get up at 6:30am through the week and get little E on the bus and off to school. If it's Tue or Thurs, I go back to bed. If it's Mon-Wed-Fri, as soon as E gets on the bus, I shower and get ready for school myself. Sit there through a boring class till 3. And when I get home from school I soooo want to nap, then I figure I should stay awake and see my hubby since he leaves for work at 5pm each day and comes home around 5:30am the next morning.

If you could have something made for you what would it be? A house on Lake Tahoe, CA if I can't have that, a nice quilt will do. haha

What is your favorite season? Why? Fall, I love the cooler weather, I love when the leaves fall and the smell of the leaves. I love to drive up our mountains or down them and watch the leaves scatter off the road as you drive by. I like seeing them flying up in my rear view mirror.

What was the best Christmas gift you have ever received? My sewing machine, I got it for Christmas 4 years ago.

Do you have some story that would make us all laugh? Oh my gosh, how do I pick just one. OK, I 'll keep it sewing quilt related. We often visit a quilting store in our hometown and they always have a bin of $1.00 fat quarters. When I first starting buying them, as we are checking out with about 20 of them, my husband asked the cashier "why are they called fat boys". I looked at him and said "are you serious"? I thought he was joking with the cashier. NOPE, he was serious. So, from this day on, we still call fat quarters, fat boys. (and by no means are we poking fun at anyone fat, if you see me you'll understand why)