Coyote Quilts

2012-02-03T09:08:00.000-08:00

Good morning everyone!

What a beautiful day it is here today. Sun is shining and it is getting warmer without a lick of snow around.

As I was drying my hair just now I was thinking about this past week. On Friday the Phoenix Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival was at the fairgrounds and Estelle went with me. Of course there is way to much 'stuff' to take in, but I was on a mission to get a few things. Estelle even found a few things that she liked. Anyway, as I was thinking about that day my mind wandered to my Mom and her last Christmas with us. Mom had a handicap and was a stubborn person and would not ride in a wheelchair. She had 'bad feet' and had a difficult time walking for any length of time. We tried (the family, that is) to get her to sit in a wheelchair so that she could go with us when we went different places, but she refused. But this last Christmas my sister managed to talk her into riding around the mall to do her Christmas shopping. From what I remember my sister ended up with the 'bad feet' that day. Mom had been to the mall shopping numerous times, but confined her shopping to one or two stores. She had never been from one end of the mall to the other. You can imagine the fun she had seeing it for the first time. Of course she had to at least 'run' through each of the little stores between one end to the other, even if it was just to 'look'.... I am so glad that Mom enjoyed that day and I am forever thankful for Estelle, for her willingness to be 'wheeled' around and going places with me. Thanks, Estelle!

Happy Quilting,Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Good Evening Everyone~~~

2012-01-13T20:49:00.000-08:00

How is everybody doing so far this month? I understand that Alaska has been hit real hard with lots and lots of snow.... and now it is in the lower 48. I feel for all of you that are getting all this white stuff. I continue to be thankful for the lack of such stuff here....

I can't believe that the first month of 2012 is close to 1/2 over.... The sad part of that is, I haven't gotten as much done around here as I had planned. Isn't that the way it usually goes? Just like resolutions, gone in the first week.

We are still loving our new 'digs'.... With so much room we often get lost :D.... The only thing we don't have here is a linen closet. I'm not sure yet how I am going to solve that problem. Right now I have a rack set up with some stuff on it, but it really doesn't look the best.... I'd really like a nice cupboard or medium sized dresser, but have been unable to find one that I really like. We also keep looking for a couch and love seat or sectional couch for the 'formal' living room. Everything we pick out is way to expensive. I can't believe that Salvation Army secondhand store wanted $500.00 for a sectional couch... That's not in my budget, thank you very much! One of our favorite secondhand stores had a 'going out of business' sign the last time we were there. I guess times are tough on all types of businesses.

I have started cleaning out some stuff in my sewing room this week. Just trying to get everything organized so I can find things. Of course I made a trip to one of my favorite stores, Tuesday Morning, this past week. I have been good and not purchased any 'extra' fabrics for awhile, but I had to grab a few pieces the last time I was there. They always have some neat fabric designs and I just can't resist them... I already have an idea for a cute quilt using this fabric too! It also will be made with a Starmaker ruler by Kaye and that is a double plus in my book! I am also going to visit Kaye and do another class with her this next Wednesday... then the following week is the Phoenix Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival. I think I shall be broke at the end of the month....

WhooHoo! I just noticed that this is post #100!

Happy Quilting,Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"
Certified Instructor since 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

2012-01-03T06:30:00.000-08:00

CARL!!!

Happy Quilting,Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"

Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy New Year Everybody!

2012-01-01T10:22:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a quiet New Year's Eve! I know that this year mine was great!

Carl and I went second hand shopping and got some great deals! We even managed to stay up until the late hour of 10 pm, which is a hour or so longer than we usually last! the neighborhood was very quiet last night and that was nice. We have one person 2 doors down that like to play their music loud enough for us to hear with our windows and doors closed.

For those of you that don't know, Carl's birthday is in 2 days..... Yeah, I know he has probably told each and every one of you many, many times over the years LOL! We both took the day off so that we could do something fun. I'll drop pictures here after the fact....

It is very nice out here today. The sun is shining and there isn't any breeze to speak of. Just a beautiful winter day in Arizona. I just wish the yard didn't like this weather so much....

We finally made a trip to the Temple site yesterday. Go on over to 'My Spiritual Side' and check it out. What progress!

Until later

Happy Quilting,Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

2011-12-24T21:27:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to say,

"Happy Birthday, Mom!"

Happy Quilting,Sharon "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy December!

2011-12-01T06:41:00.001-08:00

Today is the first day of December 2011. The only one we'll have for the year LOL! Is everybody ready for next event of the year? I know I'm not, at least not completely.....

Yesterday was spent in the new house cleaning. The kitchen and bathrooms are clean as well as the pantry and bedroom closets. The floors were cleaned and steamed so now I just get to pack, tote and put away everything from one house to the other. The main part of the house has ceramic tile and the bedrooms have new laminate floors. I'm so glad that I have a large dust mop that I bought when we had the 'big' house a couple years ago. It will make cleaning the floors much easier than the vacuum. I just have to find the handle for the silly thing.....

Have a great day everyone!

Happy Quilting,

Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"

Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy Sunday!

2011-11-27T18:11:00.001-08:00

Today we were challenged at church to write in a journal for future generations. I don't keep a journal, but that is why I started this blog. When I think of those that came before me in my family my first question is usually, "What did they do for a living?" I have a lot of family stories from my mother's side of the family, but little from my father's. We were always getting together with mom's family, but my dad only had 1 sister and we didn't have 'family dinners' with her and her family. The only time we really got together with them was when there was a funeral, wedding or graduation in the family. Not many stories were told about past members of the family during those times.

Sundays use to be one of the busiest days for mom and I when I was a teen. Sundays usually meant that family was coming over for "Sunday Dinner". From my memory banks "Sunday Dinner" meant either spagetti or roast beef on the table. I can't remember what else was a 'usual' meal. It was always chaos when the families would arrive. We had between 5-20 extra people in the house for that meal almost every Sunday. Sister, brothers, spouses and of course who could forget the 'kids', which were my nephews and nieces. I was the official babysitter after everybody arrived. Not every Sunday went smooth, but nobody killed anybody and I was always very thankful when the noise level returned to normal. I don't know how my mother managed to sleep in on those days with all the work she had to do to get ready for everybody. I guess it helped a lot when 'dinner' wasn't until 2 PM and she always had part of the dinner done the day before. She had making a huge meal down to a fine art I think. I remember one Sunday morning before everybody showed up asking her to teach me how she made spaghetti sauce. She said she was to busy, so after I was married the first time I learned how to do it by using the recipe on the back of the Muller's lasagna box. I still don't know how she managed to get her spaghetti sauce to taste so good. I do know that she used Ragu sauce as her base then added 'stuff' to it.... We never had garlic bread, but plain bread and butter with the bread being sliced Italian. The 'kids' sat at the kitchen table and the 'adults' sat at the dining room table. I guess I was 'adult' enough because I don't ever remember sitting in the kitchen. I can hear my sisters saying, 'That was because you were spoiled!'. Yep, they'd be right LOL! Then they'd have to admit that they helped! Of course there was all kinds of yelling back and forth between the kitchen and the dining room before everybody was quiet from stuffing their faces. Mom was always the last to sit down, but always managed to be the first one done. She would get the meal together and then all of us 'girls' had clean up duty. I remember one time we managed to talk the 'boys' into doing clean up. That didn't happen very often. Mostly the 'boys' sat in the living room watching the current ball game yelling at the TV, head shaking and feet stomping at the 'idiot' thing that was done.... I think it is an universal thing for 'boys' to yell at the TV during sports :).... Sometimes the 'adults' would sit around and play cards. If there weren't any 'kids' around for me to watch I usually sat around the table and listened to the stories. That was one of the best times for me. The 'bestest' time for me was when everybody left and there was peace and quiet in the house again.

By the time I graduated from high school all of the 'kids' were doing other things and there were fewer "Sunday Dinners" at grandma's. I don't know how many "Sunday Dinners" the rest of my brother and sisters have with their families now, but I know I have few. With my kids scattered all over the United States it's hard to have a family get together on a regular basis. That is why I started this blog, to pass down the stories and happening that my family doesn't hear at the 'Sunday Dinner' table.....

Happy Quilting,Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"
Certified Instructor since 2009

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2011-11-24T10:17:00.001-08:00

My wish to all of you is to have a peaceful Thanksgiving this year.

The memories that your friends and family will take with them though the years will not be your clean house or perfect meal, but the conversation and the love that is shared this day. In that way the day will always be perfect even if the rolls aren't cooked, or forgotten in the oven, or that the kids spilled milk all over the table.

Take the time to enjoy each other and to make memories to share with future generations.

For those that get my posts in the e-mail you can get to my "My Spiritual Side" and "Quilting World" through the links embedded in the words.

Happy Quilting,Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"
Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy Turkey Week!

2011-11-21T19:08:00.001-08:00

Boy, I can't believe I haven't been here since the beginning of the month! I sure have been busy otherwise!

First off we have rented a new place! It is twice the size of the place we are in and I shall have a single room just for my machines and 'stuff'! Yippee! This new place also has a pantry! Not very big, but much bigger than the one we don't have now :).... 4 bedrooms, an eat in kitchen, family room and living room with a 2 car garage.... We shall be in room heaven!

The next thing I noticed was my visitor counter has gone haywire! I don't think that I have had 447587 visitors~~~~ I just had a giveaway for the 10,000 visitor... I think I just may need to correct that number. I wish I had that many visitors, but lets get real here..

I finally managed to get to the Temple site this weekend. Oh my! We have great progress so you must go on over to 'My Spiritual Side' and check it out.

I also set up at a craft fair this past Saturday. It was a nice day--a little cool, but not to much. I did a decent job of selling little things, towels and wine vests were the main sellers. I guess I need to get more of them up on Artfire and have on hand for other craft fairs. I won't be doing any more this year because of the move. I am going to have a hard enough time getting any extra gifts done as it is. As usual I am procrastinating....

Well, I am off to 'My Spiritual Side' for awhile. Thanks for visiting and come back often.

Happy Quilting,Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"
Certified Instructor since 2009

Fun the past week or so~~~~

2011-11-04T17:36:00.000-07:00

Lots has been going on since the last post.

First I have to say congratulations to Lee and Tango for winning the 10,000 posts! I'm sorry I didn't get back on sooner to let you both know! I will notify you with through your links in case you don't come visit in the next couple of days!

Next, is a picture of my view when I am driving to our Goodyear office. I try to look at the mountains each morning because they tell me what type of complaints I will be getting from my patients during the day. As you can see it is pretty clear on this trip and the symptom complaints were minimal.

Now this picture tells a different story! We went out to supper tonight and this is what we walk out into when we left the restaurant. Not a pretty site that is for sure!

Only 2 of us in the Glendale office dressed up for Halloween. It wasn't planned that we both were cowgirls either!

On Saturday we went to see the Arizona Symphony with Kenny Rogers. Carl wins neat stuff from work every once in awhile and these tickets were the BEST! I have never heard a symphony live before and they were great! It amazed me watching the conductor the way he used his whole body to let the orchestra know just want he wanted from them. So cool!

Then Kenny Rogers came on stage....... He may be up there in years, but boy can he still sing the songs. Great performer and a great show.

While I am here posting I will go on over to the 'Spiritual Side' and post the last pics of the Temple that I took 2 weeks ago. I have to confess that I have not been up there since and I'm not sure if we will make it up there this weekend or not. Both Carl & I have felt the effects of the dust storm tonight. Grit in the mouth, sinus pressure, ear pressure, sneezing and of course the usual cough. The worst part of these storms is that it kicks up the fungi that causes Valley Fever. I don't want to get that, but you can't avoid it when this wind is carrying all of this dust. We'll just have to watch each other for the next few weeks for the usual flu symptoms and get to the doc. This stuff hangs on and you have to have a long course of antibiotics to take care of it. I think this is one of the down sides of living in the 'Valley of the Sun'....

I guess I could have been in NY snowed in this past weekend.... at least here I'm not cold.... LOL!

Until next time

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"
Certified Instructor since 2009

10,000 visitors and pageviews GIVEAWAY!

2011-10-18T20:52:00.000-07:00

I see that my visitor and pageviews numbers are almost to 10,000.

I am offering a Mug Wrap and Mat to the two people that hit the 10,000 number on each of these spots.

The only thing you have to do is to leave a comment under the latest post with what you like about my blog and why you keep returning to visit. Include the number of the 'hit' in your comment with some way to contact you (either e-mail or sign in with your blog) and your color preference (fabric my choice).

The pageviews will hit first as that only has 19 more hits to reach 10,000.

The visitor number has 180 hits to reach 10,000.

Only 2 Mug Wraps and Mats will be given away. Same person not able to win both :).....

Good luck!

Happy Quilting,Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"
Certified Instructor since 2009

I have to work tomorrow!

2011-10-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

I sure have enjoyed this past week! I can't believe it is time to go back to work already! 10 days is just not long enough to get everything done I wanted to do. I have managed to get some quilting done as well as seeing some sites around the state. I even managed to do a little housework around here! I also managed to get some new items on my ArtFire site too! Now, that was an accomplishment! Taking pictures and then editing and doing all of the loading of information is very time consuming.... I really do need to get more stuff loaded on there.

The next step is to get some more of my stash listed. I have books, patterns, rulers and other sewing and quilting supplies I want to get rid of. If anybody has something besides fabric they are interested in drop me a comment and I'll let you know if it is in my 'stash sale' box.

I suppose I need to get to bed. Even though we have been up every day this past week before 7 I'm sure that tomorrow I will want to sleep in. Isn't that the way it always works?

Happy Quilting,Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"
Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy Birthday to ME!

2011-10-09T22:20:00.000-07:00

Today is the start of a new year for me!

This past year has been busy. We have gone on several vacations around our great state and had fun! Of course we went to Kanab, UT for the Western Film Festival in August and met more great actors. We started going on Sunday picnics and have been surprised with the wildlife at times and just enjoyed life a little bit slower, at least 1 day a week.

I am still working in an allergist's office and that keeps me busy 3 days a week. The remainder of the time I manage to get some sewing and quilting done as well as doing the uglies around the house once in awhile. Of course Carl does the cooking so I can stay out of the kitchen! I have more blocks on my design wall to put together for donations. These small quilts go over real well at the hospice that Carl works for. I have also managed to get several other projects done.

I have increased my inventory of sewing machines by 4 with 2 crank machines, 1 treadle and 1 mid-arm quilter. I am going to start working on cleaning up the treadle this week now that the weather has cooled down. Around here we have 100+ temperatures then we jump right to 70's in the fall. It is quite nice. I can't wait to get the treadle so that I can use it. I'm sure that it will take me awhile as it has been a lot of years since I have even played with a treadle machine. I have managed to get the mid-arm set up with this cooler weather so that I can use it. Right now I have a practice sandwich loaded so that I can get a new pressure foot adjusted. I'm not sure if I will leave this foot on, but I need to give it a fair try. I picked up a new home for Ms. Gem and collected all the extra rulers, mats and other notions I need for classes and teaching. I did this so that I can just grab and run without collecting everything for an outing. I took this 'gem' to Kanab with me just in case I needed to do a little sewing....

I have managed to get several quilt projects done and started a site on ArtFire. It takes a lot of time to load any items on the site. Taking the pictures and getting them loaded on the computer takes the most time.

I have yet to decide on what projects I want to get done for the grand-kids this year for Christmas. I have several possible items. Of course I can think of several cute things for my grand-daughters, but few for the grand-sons. I will have to get my thinking cap on soon so I will have time to get them done and in the mail. Last year I made them all pillowcases.

I took another class with Kaye Wood this past spring. Now I am certified to teach all of her rulers! I have gotten so that I use the 'Starmaker' rulers for all of the angles I need for quilting.

Of course 'I' did the Maricopa Shop Hop in September. Carl was my driver for one day and I think he enjoyed it as much as I did. I stayed within the budget, got some great ideas and picked up some nifty items that I forgot to post about..... (but will fix that in a bit)

I have been selling some of the sewing/quilting things that I don't and won't use. I just wish I could get rid of them faster.....

I also have talked with an aunt this year that I have lost contact with. I remember many visits to her house over the years and the fun I had. My other aunt was a seamstress and quilter and made a Cathedral Window quilt in the 80's. She gave it to one of my sisters and this year my sister sent it to me! .

I have also been teaching in Relief Society at church for several months. Like most of my callings at church I learn more than the people I teach. I have also started recording the building of our new Temple in Phoenix, AZ. It is so interesting watching the changes going on. We watched the Nauvoo Temple being built online many years ago and it was so interesting that I had to record this one.

I have so many things I want to accomplish in my new year. More quilts and quilty type projects are in the forecast as well as new adventures. For the quilt projects I already have signed up for a couple swaps on one of my quilt forums and of course presents for the grand-kids. Also, I need to put my sisters quilt on the frame and get that done for her as well as the tops that I have done that are waiting and the donation quilts. As far as adventures go we have Tombstone, AZ and Bisbee, AZ planned for this week and where else we may go who knows...

Happy Quilting,Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"
Certified Instructor since 2009

Good evening!

2011-10-01T18:17:00.000-07:00

Good evening one and all!

What a great weekend it has been. I also have been productive in the sewing room. I'll post about that another time! I posted new pictures of the Temple site.

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"
Certified Instructor since 2009

Overall Update!

2011-09-24T22:26:00.000-07:00

Good evening bloggers!
So glad to have you here visiting again! I just updated, "My Spiritual Side" and wanted to give you a heads up!
On another note, I will be drawing a winner on the 'Mug Wrap and Mat' giveaway tomorrow! Then I will have to get busy and make one...... so I shall see you all tomorrow!

Happy Quilting,Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Giveaway Time!

2011-09-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

We have a winner!
ruthianna

Please e-mail me your color preference, correct name spelling and of course your snail mail addy!

Thank you all who left a comment. We shall do this again!

Pigtales and Quilts is doing Follower In The Spotlight for those that are followers on their blog and this week I am the lucky follower being spotlighted.

To go along with the spotlight I am having a giveaway!

My giveaway is a personalized Mug Wrap with a Mug Mat to match. The winner will choose their color and I will embroider your name on the Mug Wrap, too.

The wrap will keep your hands cool with hot liquid and warm with cold liquid in the cup. The mat is my own design made the 'Kaye Wood Way'.

So leave a comment here then go on over to Pigtales and Quilts, check out my bio and see what else is going on over there!

Happy Quilting,Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JULIE!

2011-09-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

I bet everyone can guess what I was doing 36 years ago today! I remember the day well. I was woken up about 5 AM and at 8 AM 'we' made a phone call to my mother in law. She said, "Go. To. The. Hospital!" I sure didn't want to go and be told to go back home that I didn't know what I was talking about! It was already 11 days past my 'due' date and I just KNEW I was going to be pregnant for the rest of my life! But, I did go and a little after noon on this day in 1975 I was holding this cute faced little girl. At times it still amazes me that this beautiful person is actually my daughter!

Happy Birthday, Julie! Love you lots, Mom

Happy Quilting,Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy 3rd of September!

2011-09-03T16:05:00.000-07:00

Good evening everyone! I hope that you are all having a great weekend. Mine is very quiet and hot! I am going to get behind my sewing machine again in a few minutes, so this will be quick. I need to take a couple pictures of what I am working on, but not right now :)

I am going to be spotlighted on Pigtales and Quilts blog the week of the 18th. Along with the spotlight I am going to have another 'giveaway'. I have my thinking cap on for the giveaway and if any of you have a suggestion, please post a comment for me to consider. Of course I am again thinking of something to do with Kaye Wood. Check out Kaye Wood, INC to see what she has to offer.

Check out the new photos in the Spiritual section. Some great progress going on over there.

Happy Quilting,Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy August!

2011-08-28T21:20:00.000-07:00

Here it is almost the end of August 2011. I have been sitting here the past hour or so trying to get my photos downloaded. If it isn't one thing it is another. I am trying to keep things sorted on my SD card for the Temple pictures and also trying to sort and label the pictures that are in my computer already. What a task I have started for myself! On to the fun stuff!

Last weekend we went to Kanab, UT for the Western Legends Round-UP. We met a few new stars and got their autographs. That also reminds me that I need to find the October western Festival information that goes on down here in the valley for one of the actors we met.

Well, Carl got signatures from Ruta Lee, James Stacy, James Hampton, Paul Peterson and Cathy Garver this year. I took pictures of all of them at the booths they were in, but didn't realize until later that I had my camera on video instead of pictures. So I will need to get them downloaded and try and capture a couple stills. What a cool bunch of actors! Ruta Lee knows how to smooze! We went to 'Breakfast with the Stars' (as usual) and she was out talking with everybody and just having a grand old time! All were friendly and talkative.

Here is Carl with his outfit. Ruta told him that he looked 'comfortable' as a cowboy......

This was after breakfast. We were standing outside just 'chatting' with the stars. James Stacy, Ruta Lee and Paul Peterson

James Stacy played in, 'Something Wicked This Way Comes', Carl's favorite movie with James. James had an acting career then had a motorcycle accident. He lost his lower left arm and leg because of the accident and still went on to play in the above movie.

Then we went to a Pow-Wow at the reservation near Fredonia. What beautiful Regalia! The feather and bead work was amazing! We had to get permission or as they requested a 'blessing' to take and post pictures of the individuals. I took several, but will only post a few with the participants 'blessings'.

These two warriors had fantastic Regalia and you could tell they spent a lot of time and thought making them. This was a music and dance competition. I couldn't tell much difference with the music as it had the same beat and was mostly drums, but each dance was unique.

This outfit caught my eye right off. For 2 reasons. First because of the color and second because of the dance itself. How this man was able to keep dancing around and around and not loose track of his feet was amazing!

Here is great picture of the back. They stopped and were waiting for the next drummers to start.

Here is the same man with his niece. They were both out dancing together.

Here is another that caught my eye. When I first noticed this man he was sitting right in front of me and I could not miss it. Look at all the feathers and ribbons!

Here he is dancing.

Here is a little girl. Very simple outfit with bells and beads. Her hair was french braided and she was so cute.

All ages were out there dancing. There were 3 young men that must have either been close brothers or friends. They were dancing together and having a great time. There was every color of the rainbow from feathers to ribbons. Most everybody had bells on, some only a few but others to numerous to count. Some of the outfits were elaborate and others very simple. One little guy just had a bead breast plate, brown pants and a yellow loin cloth on. He was working so hard to keep his feet straight and doing what he wanted them to do. You could tell that his dance was a work in progress.

Of course this is what our boys liked the best at Western Legends...... The bounce house, the slide and the rock climbing wall.

At least we got some 'get up and go' to 'get up and go'.....

As usual we had a grand time up north. We just wish it could have been longer. Carl got vacation all week and I couldn't. So, we only went up for the weekend. As usual it was jam packed with things to see and places to be.

Now I'm off to update my quilting and Temple areas, so if you feel the need to see the quilts that were on display and also to see how the Temple is progressing hop on over!

Until next time,

Happy Quilting, Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Picnics!

2011-08-07T21:37:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago Carl & I started going on Sunday picnics. On our way back from Wickenburg on our first time out and about we returned the 'back' way. It is interesting to see this silver 'dome' so far away. Where I took this picture we were about 1 to 1 1/2 hours drive from this 'dome'. The 'dome' is the home of the Cardinals, our football team. The 'dome' is the stadium. You can see that silly thing for miles and miles. Check out more pictures of the stadium here.

Then this past weekend we wanted to go to Lake Pleasant, but they charge just to go in and we decided we didn't want to spend the money just for an hour or two. On our journey finding all of the entrances to the lake we ran across a pull off and that is where we ended up having our picnic. We were glad that we did. This is the second time that we have seen a wild burro on our travels. If you remember our anniversary trip to the Hoover Dam last year we came upon a burro. This young man sure did look nice. We didn't notice until I downloaded the pictures that he has a sore on his left front leg. He sure didn't walk like he had any problems.

He just walked across the road watching us to make sure we didn't want him for anything. After he disappeared into the cacti and brush I figured we wouldn't see him again. We were sitting in the back seat of the car eating when I happened to look into the rear view mirror and caught a glimpse of him again. He just did a detour around us to get where he was going. If you look real close in the center of this picture you can just about see him. He kept right on walking and we never did see him again after this. I really like to see the wild life when we are out and about. You can't imagine the number of things that you miss when you are just zipping down the road. Several vehicles sped past on their way to the lake while we were there. All I could think of was that they didn't know what they had missed. Of course not many would have cared either.

It is so nice to be able to enjoy the small things in life. Our picnics only cost us time and a little bit of gas, but we are seeing some interesting things. Sometimes we manage to see nothing but desert and other times we see one of God's creatures. Both are beautiful in their own way.

While you are here check out the new Temple pictures. Slow, but steady progress going on each week.

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy Sunday!

2011-08-07T12:02:00.000-07:00

How is everybody today? I am doing fine. Still hot, but know that it's on the way out! I have pictures to download for the Temple and a link or two to find and share. When I get them done I'll be back and post for all to see.

Until then, see ya'!

Happy Quilting, Sharon "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Hot, lazy Wednesday afternoon!

2011-07-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

Good evening everybody!

How is everybody tonight? Probably as hot as I am. I know that Arizona is suppose to be hot during the summer, but this year seems to be hotter than normal. Our spring was great, but now that monsoon season is here we are getting paid back..... Have you seen the Youtube videos on our Haboob? Yeah, it's a weird name.... It is a rolling wall of dust marching across the land. I didn't actually watch it as it happened, just on the internet afterwards. The dust stayed in the air for a long time afterwards and makes some people have a very hard time breathing. For me at work it is suppose to be a quiet time, but we are so busy none of us have a minute to get the little extra things done.

I have not had much ambition to do anything in the quilting room, but did manage to find a treadle sewing machine a couple weeks ago. After seeing all of the neat treadles on one of my quilt forums I decided I really like the Singer Redeye machines. I didn't find it first, Carl pointed it out to me. Both the machine and cabinet need some work, but that will happen when the heat index goes down.....

Here is my new baby, meet 'Miss Elizabeth'.

I should have taken picture of the cabinet open, but forgot. On the left side the door opens and it has 4 drawers, on the right the doors are hiding the treadle wheel. Everything moves smooth, so I shouldn't have any problem getting this up and running. I know I am crazy, but these machines are so neat. Yes, I am going to use them when I get them up and running. I already use my Featherweight! I have even taken my little Ms. Gem on it's first outing to a friends house to help with one of her sewing projects. Ms. Gem puts a mean zipper in!

Have a great night and I'll talk with you all later. Also, don't forget to check out the update on the Temple!

Happy Quilting, Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

July 2011

2011-07-06T08:53:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone!

How are all of you doing? I have to tell you that on one of my quilting groups I have been told that we have less than 6 months to get our Christmas projects done....... :) No, I do not have any started or even planned at this point. BUT, I must get busy.....

Today I stopped procrastinating and got my pictures of the Temple site downloaded and added on into the Temple page. I hope you enjoy watching the progress of this building as much as I am.

Another thing that I finally stopped procrastinating about was a phone call. For the past several months I have been thinking of my last living Aunt and I just bit the bullet and called her. It is amazing the memories that flood the brain when you hear a voice over the telephone line. As a kid we use to have get togethers with all of the family from time to time on holidays. There was never a formal 'reunion' each year after I was older, but just 4th of July picnics, weddings and of course funerals. Now, Aunt Lillian was my favorite Aunt. Why?, you may ask. Well, the most important reason was I was never just a kid around her. When she would ask a question she really wanted to know the answer. Of course I also had lots of fun when I stayed at her house. I loved her house on Balmore Way the best. It had great wood floors and a long hall to slide down, LOL. I'm not sure if she ever knew how much fun i has when I was there. Also, the cellar was full of neat 'stuff'. She was a Stanley dealer for many years and that is where she stored all her supplies. I also can't forget Sylvester..... Who is Sylvester you ask? Well, he was probably the meanest Siamese cat you ever laid eyes on! I have a feeling he was that way because he was picked on quite a bit...... He use to hide under the tea cart just next to the kitchen door and grab your ankles as you walked through. Boy, did he have sharp claws! I don't ever remember that cat ever sitting on anybody's lap and being petted. I know any time I tried being nice to him he either clawed or bit me. Ah, the memories!

Until next time.

Happy Quilting, Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy June!

2011-06-26T00:15:00.000-07:00

This is the last weekend of June 2011. Can you believe that the first half of the year is GONE? Where did it go?

What did I accomplish in the 55th year of my time on this earth?

One thing I have accomplished is to post more here. Is everybody tired of hearing from me yet? That's to bad, LOL!

Last week we bit the bullet and bought a new (to us) car and traded in the van. So far it gets about 24 miles per gallon around town and gets us where we need to go. The fella that sold it to us said, "Well, what do you think?" I guess he thought we should be really excited about a 2007 Saturn Ion and was a little disappointed when I said, "It's a car with 4 wheels and runs." Now, if we had been buying a Sebring convertible that would have been a different story.

Carl and I went 'bowling' tonight. We have so much fun playing Wii. I have gotten into riding my bicycle around the country side. It's a good thing on some of the ride there is fences because I can't seem to drive in a straight line most of the time. I also have fun pretending to be a duck and fly from post to post out to the ship.... Now, the balance games are something else. I can't keep my balance for anything! I always feel like I am gonna' fall over. I'll keep trying, but hold out little hope that I'll get those games right!

I posted new pics of the Temple site. So glad to see progress!

And of course I have been working on quilting 'stuff' too!

I guess that is all I have for tonight. I'll be back in a few day so don't say you haven't been forewarned!

Happy Quilting, Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Lazy Night!

2011-06-20T21:44:00.000-07:00

How is everybody doing tonight? It is a lazy Monday night here. I have been surfing the net reading all of my quilt forums and seeing what trouble I can get into next :)

I have a grand-daughter that needs to have a quail stuffed animal for school next year (the school year starts in mid August around here). I did a little search tonight, but what I found was UGLY... really, really ugly! So if anybody has any ideas where we can find either a inexpensive ready made quail or a pattern please leave me a comment. I sure would appreciate it!

Other than playing on our Wii tonight I have been a computer potato, you know instead of a couch potato in front of the TV I have been a potato in front of the computer.

You remember the pictures of my tomato plants? Well, tonight we had BLT sandwiches with our own tomatoes! Boy, did they taste good! Next year we will have to start our plant earlier so maybe they will ripen sooner. There are a few more that need to ripen just a little bit more and we just may get to have another supper of BLT's. When I was a kid I would not touch a tomato. The only way I would eat them was in spaghetti, goulash, or sloppy joes. I still won't eat them just plain with salt, pepper and mayo on them like my Mom did. So, I guess I have 'grown up' a little by eating them in a sandwich of some sort. I remember my Mom frying green tomatoes every spring. All I can say about that is, "Yuck"!

Have a great week everybody! I am off to bed so I can be 'bright eyed and bushy tailed' for work tomorrow.

Happy Quilting, Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Evening!

2011-06-14T22:10:00.000-07:00

Just sitting here surfing the net looking for good bargains on fabric. Can't find anything that really 'floats my boat' as my Mom use to say.... I really don't NEED any more fabric, but it sure is nice to browse :).

Tomorrow will be a good day to do a little 'spring' cleaning especially in my living room or front room depending on what part of the country you are from. If I get it done early enough I just may get some sewing in too! Of course the washing machine needs to get a work out while I at it too.

Until next time,

Happy Quilting, Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Update on the Temple........

2011-06-11T17:11:00.000-07:00

I just finished posting more pictures on the Temple site. Not much going on yet, but will continue to check things out every week or so.....

Yesterday I finished some embroidery and today I need to get some blocks done for a swap. Other than that not much going on. I am enjoying our Wii that we bought for our anniversary. At least it gets us up off the couch and gives us some exercise. Since summer hit and the temperatures have hit 90 and above we don't go out for walks any more. Some of the games are a hoot and remind me that I am not a kid any more......

Happy Quilting, Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Good Evening!

2011-06-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

I just added another page to my blog. I created the different pages so that those that don't want to know about my life, but want to know about quilting can go to that section. Also, in turn the people that don't want to know about quilting can go to their favorite area to check up on me.

Tonight I started 'My Spiritual Side' page. I invite all that want to follow me in this journey to hop on over and see what I am about to embark on.

Enjoy, Sharon

Happy June Everyone!

2011-06-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

Here it is the first day of June, 2011 and I am being lazy. I have not even done any laundry! Shoulder hurts, knees hurt and I just feel crappy..... Even took a nap and that didn't help much! I just might as well get things done instead of loafing all day.

I don't even have a quilt project that excites me :(

Nor, is there a book that I feel like reading :(

I know I am whining! Let me get it right~~~ "My Mommy doesn't make me go to school when I don't feel good!" "My tummy hurts, my head hurts and I don't feel good!" At least that is what I remember telling my BIL many, many years ago when he was getting me up for school. I hated mornings and never wanted to get up. The other thing I use to say was something along this line, "My, Mommy said I could wear this!" and "I don't HAVE to wear a slip!" My favorite thing to wear was plaids and stripped clothes together. As long as the colors matched what was the problem? That question can be answered by my sister :)

For now I am off to get something done even though I don't feel like it. Maybe tomorrow I will and then I can play instead of work.....

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy Memorial Day Everyone!

2011-05-28T18:52:00.000-07:00

What Memorial Day meant to me when I was a kid: The week or two before the 'day' my mother would get her flowers, potting soil and pots together and get the planters ready to take to the cemeteries. We would take fresh flowers (geraniums are the only plants I remember) to Grandma & Grandpa Clark in Venice Center, Auntie Corena and Uncle Roy in Genoa, and Bobbie Wager in Auburn. A few years we went to Cortland to visit a niece, Mary Garrett. I never asked Mom what she thought about when she visited our family, but the visits helped me know where my roots were. Most of the family 'history' or stories I have are from when my Aunts and Uncle would get together and I'd start asking questions. I have one Aunt that was very open about different 'happenings' in the family. Just everyday happenings can be interesting to the next generation. I sure hope that everybody can share a story or two with their family during their get together this weekend if you are having one.

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy May!

2011-05-07T00:44:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's May 2011 already! I know I have accomplished a lot this year, but sitting here tonight I sure can't remember all of it. I just know I have been busy! Today I finally managed to get a purse/pocketbook done for myself. I have had 2 cut out waiting for me for some time. They have been waiting so long I can't even remember when I cut the silly things out. I love these bags from Quilts Illustrated Inc but find I need to be in the right mood as it takes some time to put together. It does get easier the more I make. The second one I made some time ago, like 4 years ago and it needs to be retired. It is full of holes and very dirty even though I have washed it several times.

I am replacing it with this one.

The color may not be exact on your monitor, but it is an orange, yellow, black and brown fabric. I guess one of my favorite colors is still orange :)....... Carl helped me pick out the fabric, so it must be okay!

This past Sunday the 'kids' came over for breakfast. We had 2 'kids', their better halves and 3 grandkids here. I am usually the one behind the camera, but wanted to get some picks of me with the grandkids. Well, of course the camera was acting up. I have several settings and I can never remember which one takes the best pictures. You can't tell when you review them in the camera only when they get put on the computer. The ones that I really wanted to come out nice were the ones that were the worst! Grrrrrr...... BUT I did get a couple good shots of the gang.

The last time I tried to get a picture of this young lady she kept hiding on me. That was back in 2009 at a wedding!

Just making sure the kids are behaving!

Here is just about everybody saying 'hi' and chatting. The youngest one is behind his Dad.

What a great smile!

This young man is not a happy camper in the morning! His Mom told us he just wanted everybody to get their PJ's back on and go back to bed just before they came over. He reminds me of me when I was a kid. I sure didn't like to get up in the morning either and probably had the same expression on my face!

Two peas in a pod. Both of these recite movies and are smart alecks!

The rest of the pictures are blurry otherwise I would bore you with more. We all had great chat and made more family memories. Thanks guys for coming over and spending time with us! We love you!

Until the next time,

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

New Page!

2011-04-29T22:12:00.000-07:00

I have added a new page for your viewing pleasure. I am starting to do some tutorials commonly called 'tutes' in the quilting world. I wanted those that only want to have a 'how-to' area to visit to be able to find them easier. I will post a notification on my 'Life' page when I add these and for a place for comments and suggestions. Please let me know if these helped in any way and of course let me know if I confused you also!

Until the next time,
Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Last week of April 2011

2011-04-27T22:27:00.000-07:00

It is the last week of April. How fast the days go by! Today was the first day that I really did a lot of sewing/quilting. We have a Schlep Bag swap on MQB and I completed the one I started the beginning of the week and managed to get a second one done. I want to do a tutorial on this bag, but am waiting for permission before I post it.

My heart goes out to everybody that is in the path of the tornadoes. I can't imagine the terror of having one of these storms coming my way. For us out here the weather has been great. A little windy, but cooler than normal. We have the doors and windows open during the evening and it is quite pleasant.

I am trying to get a few tomatoes to grow. I do not have a very good green thumb, but these upside down 'pots' work great for me. We have 3 of them hanging out front with 2 different types of tomatoes planted. These pictures were taken at the same time that Wayne and Florence were here just 10 days ago and they have doubled in size. They all have lots of buds, so I am hopeful that we will get a few tomatoes.

Second 'pot' of tomatoes.

Another trip to an estate sale this AM. The ad said they had a Brother sewing machine and I hoped that there would be other sewing stuff--you know the fabric kind :) No such luck though, but I did get a few little sewing things. I am collecting things to put in my pink sewing case so I can be ready to go to any class without forgetting things. I picked up a cutting mat a month or so ago and cut that down to fit in the case. I just need to get another rotary cutter and I will have all my basic items all packed up with my Featherweight, Ms. Gem.

Have a great week everybody. As for me I am off to bed, work comes way to early!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T18:27:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to wish everybody a Happy Easter!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Good Evening everyone!

2011-04-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

I sure can't believe it is almost Easter! It is amazing that the folks in the north are getting snow still and we have had really mild weather. Yeah, we hit the 100 mark on April 1st, but it hasn't stuck around. Usually by this time we have the air conditioner cranked up, but we have had windows and doors open at night and only have had the air on a couple times in the late afternoon-early evening. For some time I have wanted to buy a Singer Featherweight sewing machine. For those that know what these little gems are you know the sewers passion for them. Here is a picture of my newest baby in it's new carry case. This little gem came without cord, bobbins, manual or attachments. It did have the bobbin case. Since I have collected all sorts of sewing 'things' for years I had all of the original attachments and manual. I had to buy a foot control, bobbins and carry case. I was going to buy a remake of the original black case until I came across this rolling craft tote . Well, Carl cleaned this new baby up a couple weeks ago, checked to make sure the electric was okay, oiled everything and found that we needed a new bulb. We picked up a new bulb at the local Ace Hardware yesterday and I sat down to play. Boy, does this baby purr! The stitches are just beautiful! Now, I have a pretty baby to take to classes with me and it doesn't weigh a ton either!.

Here is the great rolling craft tote I found in Tuesday Morning for 1/2 of what I would have spent for the black carry case!

Yahoo! Now I am in business!

This is what I was looking for when I went to that estate sale last month. Nope, that wasn't a Featherweight, but a plastic kids toy machine. That's okay someone went home with it happy anyways.

I'll see you all later! Have a Happy Easter.

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy March everyone!

2011-03-22T21:53:00.000-07:00

I know I have been lax about updating any thing here. I have been busy on a new project and trying to keep my head above water at work. Spring and the beginning of summer are our busiest times. Everybody that decided last fall that their allergies just weren't that bad have decided that they were wrong..... so they try and get relief now by making my life crazy....

Since last I was here I have taken another of Kaye's quilting classes and have found another favorite pattern. It works up so quick and easy and if you mess up a little bit it's not a problem! I will post pics another time as I am to lazy tonight :)....

I need to get to bed so that I can be at an estate sale first thing tomorrow morning. There is a 'mini sewing machine' that I JUST have to go see about. Not sure if I will buy it or not, but I at least have to go SEE it. Maybe with this 'mini' there might be some fabric too! We shall see.

Everyone have a great night and better week and I'll be back again another day!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Good evening!!

2011-02-28T19:03:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it is the last day of February 2011? Where has the first 59 days of this year gone? I'm not sure what I have accomplished in those 59 days, how about you? I know I have gone to work to make the money to help pay the bills, but what else have I done? At least I have started the year out right with the grand-kids birthday cards...... I mailed 2 today-one will be a little late (better than usual) and the second one will be early and I mean WAY early for me. I sure hope I can keep up the good work on that score. Usually I mail the cards 2 or 3 days AFTER the birthday...... What I should do is get all of the cards together at the beginning of the year then all I will have to do is address and mail. Maybe I'll get to that LOL!

We have been looking for a new place to move. I know, I hear all of you---AGAIN??? Yep! We would like a little bigger house and one that we won't have to pay a million dollars to cool during the summer. Besides, Carl would love a pool and I just might enjoy it too! Now that it is getting closer to the hot weather we decided to just stay here for the summer. It is as bad moving in the summer around here as it is moving in the winter in snow country, but for the opposite reasons. So, this weekend we started 'coolerizing' this place. It was funny at Home Depot when we asked for window plastic.... We always had window plastic at the hardware stores in NY when everybody was 'winterizing' their homes during the winter. We worked in our bedroom on Saturday, with 'coolerizing' the window and spring cleaning the whole room. It sure was nice to get that one done. Next on the list is the computer/sewing room. That shouldn't take as long because when I moved my sewing machine and table in here I did a lot of cleaning. I just need to go through some papers and I won't need to do that until after the window is done. We just hope that doing this will cut down on the cooling bills this summer. I guess, only time will tell.

The only other thing that is going on around here is our church's Stake Conference is this next weekend. We are having a special visitor speak to us. Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be presiding in our Stake Center. What a privilege it will be to hear his words to us!

Until next time, Happy Quilting,

Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Valentine's Day

2011-02-19T20:26:00.000-08:00

See what my honey sent me at work for Valentine's Day? A beautiful bouquet of different colored roses. The purple were the prettiest! It is surprising that there isn't much smell to them.... I will dry these petals when they are all done giving me pleasure and add them to all the other rose petals that I have collected over the past 22 years we have been together. I have quite a collection!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Review of 2010

2011-01-21T18:03:00.000-08:00

I have a habit of saving stubs from places we have been and things we have done. Here are a few of the things that we did last year. Carl and I don't go to the movies very often, but we did manage to go to a couple good ones last year. 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'Sorcrer's Apprentice'. Both were good movies and worth the money. For our anniversary we went to Hover Dam and went on the tour. That was fun and on an earlier post I showed everyone what we came across on our way home. We also went to 3 different Western Festivals. 2 here in the 'valley' and one in Kanab. The airline ticket was from Melvin coming out to join us for the 'Film Festival' in Kanab, UT. Also, during his visit we went to see a Diamondbacks game. Mixed in there is my wrist band from my visit to the emergency room when they decided I had 'acid reflex'. It sure didn't feel like my stomach at the time!

Now, I will be able to file these in the 'round' file so that I can get on with my 'destashing' project. I really want to clean out some of this paper stuff hanging around and this is just the beginning. I hope everyone is having a fabulous start to 2011. Now, if you can get it to slow down some, I sure would appreciate it!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Merry Christmas!!!

2010-12-25T17:51:00.000-08:00

I had a very quiet and enjoyable day today! I got a little quilt project done which I shall post about in a few days. It is a present and it has yet to be delivered and I don't want to spoil the surprise.....

Yesterday was my Mother's 88th birthday! It sure doesn't seem like it has been almost 25 years since I have seen her! Her birthday was on the 24th of December and she passed away on the 14th of February. All of her kids use to make sure that she received a birthday gift as well as a Christmas gift each year. One year when I was still home the 'older kids' pitched in and bought drop down ceilings for her living and dining room areas. 2 of my 3 brothers did various types of carpentry work so they put it up with the help of the 3rd which was a good 'gofer'.... It was up to us 'girls' to get Mom out of the house for the day. When we came home it didn't look any different, but Mom could tell there was a difference. Of course, us 'girls' looked up and could see the difference right away! I don't remember if Mom finally noticed or we ended up telling her after the 'boys' came inside. So after everybody left and Mom was happy as a clam we went into the living room to watch TV. When she went to turn the set on her knees got wet (Mom 'walked' on her knees because she had drop foot and it was painful for her to walk on them). We couldn't figure out why the floor was wet until we started looking at the 25 gallon fish tank. During their work on the ceiling someone had hit the tank with a hammer. This tank was one of the older ones that had the metal corners so the crack in the glass didn't show. Mom told me that I was never to tell the 'boys' what they had done and I never did until now :)! She didn't want them to feel bad after all the work that they had done putting up that ceiling.

I am thankful for my many blessings this year! The one that is on the top of the list is having my husband with me still, with a job, house and talents next in line. I have to thank my Heavenly Father for these blessings because without Him in my life these wouldn't be as sweet as they are.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

A typical Saturday morning.....

2010-12-11T07:10:00.000-08:00

Good Morning my fellow bloggers! As is my custom lately I am up way to early for a non working day. I have always been a night person and it is really odd that I am awake at 5, 6, 7 AM most mornings the past 6 months or so. No matter what I try I can not go back to sleep. I guess I just need to adjust my thinking, get out of bed and DO something! This morning happened to be a load of wash and visit all of my usual stops on the internet. Now DH is up and we're talking about going to some garage/estate sales. One of our favorite things to do on a Saturday! Then after that I want to get to my new 'toy' and finish my wall hanging I started last week. I ran out of bobbin thread and was to lazy to start back up after I re-loaded. I will post pictures after it is done.

I am off so that I can go see what others 'junk' will become my 'treasure'!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

New 'Toy' problems and solutions

2010-11-26T16:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Black Friday!!

Today was the first day that I have ventured out shopping on black Friday in years. BUT, I had to have stuff for my new 'Toy'!! I received the parts I needed to get it going again 2 days ago and I was still having problems..... so I went to Jo-Anns to get different needles~~~maybe that was it........ While I was up in the area I figured I might just as well go to Hobby Lobby, so I picked up the Side Winder for bobbin winding, maybe that was one of the problems...... Nope, nothing seemed to work, besides the tension the top thread kept shredding. It was like something was catching it. Sooooooo, I went hunting! This is what I found:

This is a drive shuttle spring. It sits around the outside of the bobbin. The area that is circled is suppose to have a little loop, but this one had a rough edge and kept catching the upper thread and shredding it. This is what happens to your tension when this little piece of metal is bad.

This is the top

This is underneath

This is what it looks like when you have a working drive shuttle spring.

This is the top

Yep, this is freehand. Not bad, huh?

This is the bottom

Yahoo! I am in business! Now I need to get busy and get my supplies out and get a real quilt loaded. This machine is going to be such a DREAM to quilt with!

Happy Quilting, Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Craft Fair

2010-11-20T18:00:00.000-08:00

Drats! I forgot to get a picture! I even remembered to take my camera, but never even got it out of the bag! Well, we had a great day! It was cool, not cold, not hot, just a beautiful Arizona day. I will have to remember to get pictures at the next show we do in December.

I am still waiting on parts for my new 'toy'....... It's a good thing I have my ''Challenge!" going on right now otherwise I would just about be crying 'cause I can't 'bond' with my new baby! I keep saying, just a few more day, just a few more days! Now that the craft fair is out of my hair I am going to get the Advent Calendars done then I can have the time to play with my new toy.

I have been thinking about what I want to do for my next "Challenge!". I do believe it is going to be at least in part getting papers cleaned up, pictures onto the computer and just sorting all of the 'goodies' I have kept over the years. One dear friend from church has sent me a home made birthday card for the past 10 years and I have saved every one. The sad part is nobody except me appreciates what that means to me. Once I am gone they will just be a birthday card someone sent to me and it will be tossed. I want to scan this type of stuff and put it on a thumb drive with an explanation. I also have old pictures and newspaper clippings I want to get scanned then I am going to pass the discs or thumb drives down to my grandkids. It will be my way of passing the family to them. I was lucky enough to have family around close, but now we are spread so far apart that it's hard to pass on stories.

Well, it has been a long day and I am going to hit the hay. See you all later, alligators!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

"GO" cutter give away.....

2010-11-15T19:53:00.000-08:00

I was not the lucky winner of this quilting gadget..... Oh well, I'll try again if it comes up!!

The weather has been great this past week or so. We are in the mid to high 70's during the day and going down in the 40's at night! This is why I live here!

Happy Quilting, Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

"GO" cutter give away.....

2010-11-07T16:09:00.000-08:00

I have been intrigued with the "Go" cutter. I have found a blog that is giving one away! So I just had to jump in with the other 400 plus quilters that would love to win a free "Go"!

Go on over and check it out!

http://lavenderridge.blogspot.com/

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

My new toy.....

2010-11-07T15:21:00.000-08:00

Here is my new toy.....

Now, if I could only stop breaking things and get him to stop being temperamental, or maybe it's me being temperamental....

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

My new toy.....

2010-11-06T00:22:00.000-07:00

Good evening blog surfers!!

Over the past 10 days or so I have found it hard to get on here and post about my "Challenge!" because I have been busy with my new 'buddy'. I have accomplished getting my 'buddy' level, oiled, leaders made, poles with velcro, bobbins wound, and a practice piece on. I was going to post a picture, but the only ones I have so far is my rotten tension issues. I have done everything I can think of to get my tension right and finally decided I needed some experts opinion. After posting on the Yahoo! group I went fishing through other posts..... I guess I should have tried that first. Tomorrow I will try what I read tonight and see what happens. Boy, will I be one happy camper if it works. So, for now, I think I'll put my fanny to bed so that I can be bright eyed and bushy tailed tomorrow to try it again....

Have a great night all!

Happy Quilting, Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

It's FRIDAY!!!!

2010-10-22T15:36:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon bloggers!

My day has been really great! I finished one of the items on my "Challenge!" list plus sewed up a couple shirts I had cut out for my DH. I use to make all of his clothes, but now that he has his 'manly' figure back I don't have to do so much of it. I had 2 holiday scrubs cut out. One is a Mickey and friends playing in the snow and the other one is a Halloween design. I decided I had better get at least the Halloween one done since next weekend is Halloween, but managed to get both done!

I am thinking about what I am going to do on my next "Challenge!". I would like to have 3--100 day "Challenge!"s in the year 2011. That way I could have a few days off between each "Challenge!" to decide what I wanted to accomplish next and just be able to take a break. Would anybody want to join me on one or all of these "Challenge!"s?

Reviewing the comments made during the "Fall into Fall Giveaway" I was glad to 'hear' most of my visitors like my set-up. I keep the 'plain' look because as I have read other blogs with all of the fading and fancy background stuff I find it hard to read. Because I have family on both the east and west coast I started this blog to let them know what I am up to. Now that I have figured out how to 'operate' the tabs I am going to add a couple more. I like the option that my visitors can pick what they want to read about without having to read everything.

I am getting a new quilting buddy next week. I'm not sure if it is going to be a 'him' or a 'her'. I'll let you know when 'it' arrives. 'It' is in the mail as I write and I am almost bouncing off the walls waiting for 'it'. My DH bought me a mid-arm quilt machine for my birthday!!!! I have been thinking what I need to move and re-arrange to get my new buddy set up and running. Then I have to decide what I want to work on first, then, then, then. To many 'thens' to deal with.....

Till 'then', have a great week!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

2010-10-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

Good Morning bloggers! The winner has been chosen for the 'Fall into Fall Giveaway' from our magic green bowl!

and the winner is:

Jen W!!!

Congratulations Jen W!

See you all in a day or two with more things quilty!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

The beginning of another year for me.....

2010-10-12T19:59:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday was my umf, gulp, snort birthday. My DH took me to Jerome, AZ for the day and we had a great time. I just wish that Jerome was more of a ghost town than it is. I couldn't believe how much it has grown since the last visit. It seemed as though every building was occupied and while talking with a gal in her shop she said she waited years to get a shop up there. I didn't find anything that I couldn't live without so came down off the hill without anything for myself. I was amazed that I didn't see any quilting products up there, not even in the antique stores.

After we hit bottom we found a great little 'local quilt shop' better known as LQS. Yep, we stopped----of course! I found some fabulous Laural Birch fabrics. I was going to post a pic, but the camera is in the car which is downtown Phoenix right now.... Laural Birch was a fabric designer that designed whimsical animals in bright colors. This pattern is very subdued in color for her, but the same famous design that happens to be horses. After I picked out the patterns I liked I decided what I wanted to do with them on the way home! Now, I can't wait to get them done! I will just have to wait a bit 'cause I have other things on the 'to do' list ahead of this!

Last stop up in the mountains was on the cross roads of I-17 and the road to Clarkdale. I didn't realize that there was a shop in the building with the Shell gas station that we stop at for a pit stop. I found 2 beautiful turquoise rings that I fell in love with! Every where we go I look at the jewelry, but usually with the price of silver so high I just drool, but this time I danced a little dance all the way home. I will definitely remember this little shop now!

Sunday we went to our old building for church. It felt like old home day! I had to chuckle because Carl has always had to wait for me to finish talking to go home and this past Sunday I had to wait for him! It was great to see friends and have a chat.

Well folks, I am off for tonight. Gotta' finish some stuff before DH gets home from his Spanish class.
I hope you all have a great week!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

What a find!!!!

2010-10-06T21:09:00.000-07:00

Good evening everybody!

Thank you for all the comments from all of you "Fall into Fall" Giveaway posters!! I assure you that I have read and continue to read all of them and appreciate you letting me know what you like and don't like around here at Coyote Quilts. After the giveaway is finished I will report on a summary of all comments and check out your blogs if you have one.

Today before I went to work for 1/2 day I was cruising the internet looking for a quilting machine. I do that periodically. Well, I didn't find a great bargain on a quilter, but I did happen on a listing on Craig's list for 3 'antique' sewing machines. Of course I had to go see them, even though I am not a collector, nor do I really want to be. I could tell by the pictures that one of them was a hand crank machine (they intrigue me) and when I went to check them out I found 2 hand crank machines. Yep, I sure did, I brought both of them home. The decals are not 100%, but fair and they sure need a lot of TLC. My DH was checking them out and noticed that the one with a wooden base had a drawer. He got that drawer open and I was sure surprised with the contents! The manual was in there with several feet, 2 shuttle type bobbins, needles and of course a few buttons! We couldn't tell what that machine was because there was no markings on it anywhere, but the manual says it is a "Gloria" Vibrating Shuttle Sewing Machine. The other machine is a Davis and is in rougher mechanical shape I do believe and we may not be able to restore it. One of the things I noticed was the tension wire is pretty rusty and we have not even opened them up to see what kind of goop is inside.

Here is Mr. Davis

Here is Miss "Gloria"

Aren't they just beautiful! So if the weather continues to be nasty out here (we have had bad thunderstorms with hail and tornadoes in areas) we may be staying home this weekend and doing a little 'cleaning' instead of traveling. Not a problem for me that's for sure!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Fall into Fall Giveaway!!

2010-09-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

AND the WINNER is:

Jen W!

Thank you all again for visiting my blog and participating in the 'Fall into Fall Giveaway'.
I had as much fun as all of you!
Watch for responses to the comments in later posts!

The last few days to leave a comment for the 'Fall into Fall Giveaway' are upon us. I thank all who have visited, commented and became followers. I have a few new things planned after the holiday season and would love you to come visit again. No, I am not going to spoil the surprise and whisper sweet nothings in any of your ears..... you'll just have to come on back and listen for the whisper after January 1st.....

It is the first of October!!! You know what that means, don't you? It means that we all unveil our giveaway for the "Fall into Fall Giveaway!"

To be eligible for the giveaway I will, of course need you to make a comment about my blog. Make sure it is a comment and not just a request to have your name put in the drawing pot, please. Do you like it? Do you hate it? Would it be more interesting with more about my quilting or more about my life? Then if along the way you like my blog and want to follow that's okay too! Don't forget to leave a way for me to contact you!

Because I am a "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor I want to share that with a lucky winner. I am offering ONE of Kaye's 'Starmaker' rulers with ONE of her patterns that correspond with that ruler. Total value is approximately $35.00!!

I am sending you directly to Kaye's site for the choices here:

'Starmaker 5' ruler with either the 'Jumping Jacks' OR 'Windmill' pattern.
OR
'Starmaker 6' ruler with either the 'A-Maze-Ing' OR 'Stacking My Block" pattern.

OR
'Starmaker 8' ruler with either the 'Kaleidoscope' OR 'Blazing Stars' pattern

October 5, 2010 The links are fixed and working!!!

All names will be put into a hat and I will have my husband pull the winner on October 15th. When I contact you that you are the lucky winner I will ask which ruler and pattern you would like.

Don't forget to click on the 'Scarecrow' on the left to get to the list of other bloggers (143) and businesses (8) that are participating in this 'Fall into Fall Giveaway'

You have 2 weeks to visit all of us, so take your time and enjoy all that we have to offer!

There are almost 100 comments and we have 8 more days with this giveaway. Do you think we can make 150?

How is everybody doing with the search? I am getting geared up for the 15th, how about you?

Well, today is the 15th and the day to unveil is at hand. I will announce the winner tomorrow. Thank you to all that participated.

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

"Happy Birthday" from miles away!

2010-09-28T21:53:00.000-07:00

Good Evening gang!

Not much going on around the Voorheis' house tonight. BUT I do want to say "Happy Birthday!" to a young lady in New York that had a birthday today!!! I just don't know where the years go. It sure wasn't that long ago that I was holding this kid and she wasn't any bigger than a minute!

I think she's bigger than a minute now.

Tomorrow I want to get a little closer to getting another item checked off the "Challenge!" list. Or at least get one step closer. I have one of the projects done and need to move on to another. Boy, does it make me feel good to actually get some things done ahead of time!

I may get to meet a member of one of my forums tomorrow at, of course one of my favorite places--a quilt shop! I get to meet people from all over the world because we share the love of quilting.

I am off to find my bed. I sure hope everybody has a great day tomorrow!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Another September Birthday!

2010-09-27T22:38:00.000-07:00

Good evening everybody!!! The first thing on the agenda tonight it to say, "Happy Birthday" to Ashton!!! Happy Birthday kid!! Now, you may stop having birthdays!!! If you don't have any more then I won't either!!! Love you!

Well, my "Challenge!" is off to a great start. I'll post pics when I get busy enough to take them.

I'm off to see what is going on with my forums. See you all tomorrow!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

What is going on in my life the next 90 days!

2010-09-25T08:58:00.000-07:00

Good Morning everyone!!!!

Today I started my "90 Day Challenge!". I needed some motivation to get some things done before that big day at the end of the year. As usual I have way to much stuff on my 'to do' list, but I am going to try my best to get it done this year. Maybe if I post each day what I have accomplished (or not accomplished) I will at least get some of the most important things done! So if you want to join me you can comment here and we'll see what we can get done!!!

Happy Quilting, Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Condolences

2010-09-24T20:29:00.000-07:00

I would like to extend my condolences to Kaye Wood with the passing of her husband this past week.

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

2010-09-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

Afternoon one and all!

A couple things going on that I wanted to let you know about.

On October 1st I will be hosting a 'Fall into Fall Giveaway' right here on my blog. The scarecrow to the left will be updated to go to another spot for the list of different blogs and shops that are participating in the giveaway. On the first of October we will all post what we will be giving away and any criteria that will be required to have your name put in for that particular giveaway. I'm not sure just yet what I would like everybody to do, but it will be easy. I already have a good idea what I want to 'giveaway' and that will be posted on the first also.

The second thing that I wanted to let you all know about is my '90 Day "Challenge!" that I started on My Quilting Buddies quilt forum. This will start on the 25th of September and I will be sending out 'squishies' to the top 3 who do all of the posting that is asked for.

So mark your calendars or follow my blog to join in all the fun that is going to happen the last 3 month of 2010!

Happy Quilting, Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

www.coyotequilts.com

2010-09-19T21:30:00.000-07:00

Good evening all! What a great weekend this has been. I have accomplished a couple things that have been on the 'to do' list for a long time. Some time ago a member of the church asked me to help her with a project and brought me the supplies to make her a couple 'Temple Bags'. Well, I managed to get one done right away and since then have dragged my feet. One thing or another got in the way as well as my ambition. I have also been working on the wine bottle shirts for the craft fair this November, so that helped get me motivated again. I decided I had better get the 'Temple Bag' done and out of the way BEFORE I went on to the next 'want and need to do' on the list.

"Path of Light" by Kaye Wood

About a month or less ago I read on Kaye's newsletter that they wanted several someones to test out the pattern, "Path of Light" and write a review on their blog. This pattern uses one of her special 'Starmaker' rulers. The magic of her 'Starmaker' rulers is that with 3 rulers you have every angle known to quilting and you can use them on all different patterns and you won't have to buy a hundred zillion rulers for each quilt you want to make. A picture of the pattern from Kaye's site and directions is above and when you look at it you may think, "Oh, that is sooooo complicated!" Well, folks, I am here to tell you different! As with all of Kaye's patterns it just looks complicated, but is very easy to do. I do a few things a little different than Kaye, but putting her patterns together is not one of them. Kaye only uses a dry iron, not steam because of the bias edges on her blocks. Steam stretches the blocks, so this is one place I follow 'the expert', another thing I do is to starch my blocks. Kaye uses 'sizing' instead of starch due to the 'burn' factor. As of yet, I have not had my starch burn on my fabric, but may change if that ever happens. As most know the female of the species has the prerogative to change her mind! I just did 4 blocks (used 3 in my project) and only put a single border around the blocks for a table runner. This project including digging through my stash for the fabric took me less than 4 hours and that included several short breaks to talk with DH, a few quick glances at the TV, photo taking, frogging a couple whoops, potty and drink breaks. Not bad for only glancing at the directions before I put it together, huh? Here are a few of the pics I took while I was putting this together.

As you can see I even made a couple boo-boos. You need to pay attention to the squares BEFORE you sew them together :)! Can you tell the difference in these two blocks?

Then here is my final project.

This pattern has 3 ideas with it. A pillow, quarter quilt and dresser scarf. I wasn't sure what a 'quarter quilt' was until I read Kaye's description. It is a quilt that is over the foot of the bed and would be a great decoration to spruce up your bedroom and give it a new fresh look with less expense. What great gift ideas!

I hope you all enjoyed my short 'tut' on Kaye's great new pattern, "Path of Light". To get your copy why don't you jump on over to her site and get yourself the pattern and ruler!

Now, before I go for tonight I have to add in a great picture of a couple of my grandkids and their new friend. I snitched several photos of my daughter and her family's vacation. This one happens to be one of my favorite of the collection. What do you think?

Do you think they pick good friends?

Don't forget to come on back on October 1st to see what I have on the list for the 'Fall into Fall Giveaway'!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009
www.coyotequilts.com

Just had to share this

2010-09-17T17:18:00.001-07:00

I just had to share this with everybody. One of my friends from church sends me these cute jokes and I had to share this one.

One day, while going to the store, I passed by a nursing home. On the
front lawn were six old ladies lying naked on the grass, Millie, Nelda, Elma, Lacey,
Sippy and Vera.

I thought this was a bit unusual, but continued on my way to the store. On
my return trip, I passed the same nursing home with the same six old
ladies lying naked on the lawn.

This time my curiosity got the best of me, and I went inside to talk to
the Nursing Home Administrator.

'Do you know there are six ladies lying naked on your front lawn?'

'Yeah,' she said. 'They're retired prostitutes. They're having a yard
sale.'

Happy Quilting, Sharon www.coyotequilts.com

Time with my brother-in-law, Melvin

2010-09-06T16:31:00.000-07:00

I have covered the Diamondbacks game and our trip to Tucson, so all that is left of Mel's visit is the Western Film Festival, visit with Kelly & family, visit with Wayne & part of his family. We also hit Pipe Springs National Monument Park, but didn't get any photos of the Mel and Carl there.

Lee's Ferry Stone

Brothers crossing the old bridge over Lee's Ferry area.

Cool dudes?

Colorado River close to the site of Lee's Ferry

A glimpse of the 'Stars' we traveled so far to see!

Waiting in line to have 'Breakfast with the Stars'.

Ferocious brothers?

Meeting the 'Stars' with Foster. Bridget Hanley and Lee Merriweather.

Happy brothers?

Brian holding Cyrus, Carl, Ed Faulkner, Foster and the back of Bridget Haley's head.

   Kelly, Cyrus and Foster

   Yolanda, Florence, and Jacynthia

All of the Brothers!

Mel, Wayne and Carl

As you can see we had some fun and enjoyed visiting with family.

Happy Quilting, Sharon

Photos downloaded!

2010-09-06T15:27:00.000-07:00

Finally! I have all of my recent photos downloaded onto my computer. I guess I am way to fussy when I download because I try to put them in the correct file and name them. I am going to share some of the quilts that were in the quilt show at the 2010 Kanab, UT Film Festival here. Mel, I'll get the others up in the vacation tab.

The first 2 are antique quilts they had on display:

This one has values to live by in it.

This one is hand quilted with the outline of the St. George Temple.

This is needle turn flowers.

This is the center medallion and a close up of one of the other blocks for the needle turn flower quilt.

This one was made with all different types of dots except the white.

Beautiful Texas star that I'm almost sure was made with a paper piecing pattern.

The center of this quilt is a new design. It is made with a 10 degree ruler. I picked one up with a book of patterns a few months ago, but have yet to work with it. This is giving me the inspiration to get busy with it....

Mayor House Sampler

These were just a few of the quilts that were there this year. I sure was happy to see a variety instead of all of the Stack and Whack that were there on my last visit. There were a lot more hand quilted items also. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Until next time, Happy Quilting,

Sharon

2010-09-03T21:21:00.001-07:00

I found another one!

see more Oddly Specific

Happy Quilting, Sharon

2010-09-03T21:07:00.001-07:00

I had to share this with you. I have been surfing the net and this site is a hoot! I'm hoping that the picture will load here, but am not sure.

see more Oddly Specific

Happy Quilting, Sharon

Goofing off again tonight!

2010-08-04T22:16:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I was able to start working on Carl's shirt. Of course it isn't the same easy pattern I used last time..... I would have had it done if I hadn't had to re-work the whole thing. I guess the sizes on these patterns are a little small......... I sure hope the pants work out better, at least I made practice pair out of other material to check the fit. Time will tell. I was going to work on them today, but the sewing room was way to hot and I was just lazy. I'm lucky I managed to get the wash done (grin)....

I have been selling off some of the books I have collected over the years and never use. It is a slow and at times confusing process. I need to just post them on one site instead of getting in a rush and posting them on 2 different sites. Of course each one has a different set of rules and I sure am having a hard time keeping them straight. One you can't post more than 1 item in each category every 7 days, the other I can't find my listings easily. Just as long as I don't send the wrong book to the right person, or some such thing.......

Anybody interested in any of these? If so just drop me a line and I'll get back to you.

Quilting with the ladies at church this morning. I almost didn't go, but decided I had better so that I can at least get in a little service for this month. Then, on the way home I was thinking about digging out some of the blocks I have swapped over the last few years and putting together some lap quilts for Hospice of the Valley. Awhile ago Carl asked me if I would be interested in doing these types of quilts for people that are wheelchair bound. I have several blocks that are ready to be put together, just need the ambition to do them. I can't wait for the heat to go away. I can't take any walks or sit and dream in my sewing room. I don't want the year to hurry any quicker, just the heat. And, yes sister, it is a DRY heat!

Well, I guess I had better get to bed. Tomorrow is the last day for me to work this week and I need my beauty sleep LOL!

Happy Quilting, Sharon

Being bad tonight!

2010-07-30T23:41:00.000-07:00

I have been sooooo bad this evening! After Carl came home from work we went to his favorite Chinese restaurant for supper. They have a buffet and we can pig out all we want. After we pigged out we came home and I jumped on the computer. Well, one thing led to another and I found myself surfing for quilting blogs. So, two or more hours later I found a couple that do giveaways and decided to try for this one, http://44thstreetfabric.blogspot.com/ You get extra chances if you put a link on your blog, so here I am. If you want to join in on the chance, just follow the link and the rules and you will have a chance or two to win also! The contest winner will be announced on August 2nd, so get over there quick!

Carl has to work tomorrow so I will be on my own in the morning. I haven't decided if I want to go on our weekly estate sale trip or stay home and sew. I do know that I need to finish my wash so we don't go naked next week!

Speaking of naked, it reminds me of a time when we were trying to teach our oldest grandson the alphabet and words. We play a game called 'The Alphabet Game' while driving. You start with 'A' and find a sign that has an word that begins with 'A', then say 'A is for whatever the word is'. Well, Ashton was on 'N' and when he found his 'N' he said, "N is for, Pa I don't know what that word is." Pa says, "Spell it for me." Ashton says, "N. U. D. E., what's that Pa?" He is told, nude. Next question, "What does nude mean?" Yep, you get the picture.

I am trying to get rid of some of my 'stuff'. You know the 'stuff' that you just had to have and never have had the time to do anything with. Well, I have lots of books, patterns and other goodies hanging around that I seldom look at or even use that I want to get rid of. I would rather have other quilting stuff that I just might use! Of course I went to a quilt shop sale the past 2 weekends and picked up some more fabric. Just what I needed, huh? Well, I did manage to get the material for Carl's 1800's shirt I need to make for him for the Western Film Festival the end of next month. He has shrunk so much everything is way to big on him so now he needs some new duds. I have his shirt 1/2 done and his pants cut out. I'd really like to get them done tomorrow, so that my be what I will do. I'll let you know how that goes, but for now I think I'll finish posting on http://44thstreetfabric.blogspot.com/ to get my chances to win that Moda Bake Shop gift pack.

Happy Quilting, Sharon

Good Evening Everyone!!!

2010-07-22T23:01:00.000-07:00

I decided to review my blog tonight to see what quilts I have posted and what I have rambled on about over the past year or so. While doing that I found a link to a sew-along quilt pattern that I have been looking for! Yippee! I won't be getting into the drawing, but I will be doing the quilt for sure. I like all of the blocks posted except for 2, so I should be able to deal with that. I bought my extra fabric I needed right after I saw the post, so I am ready to go with that. I also found another pattern I was looking for the other night and thought I had lost. So, now I have 2-'to do's'.......

I dug out an old 'to-do' this past week and started working on them. In 2006 I join a Banner of the Month club and got all of the patterns. It also included the buttons and fabric, which was nice. I loved the banners, but didn't love the technique, it is applique, which is hand work, which is not my favorite thing to do. Well, I only have 3 banners left to do the hand work on, but 8 to sandwich, quilt and bind. I AM going to get these finished! I did all the prep work this past week and am starting on the 'yucky' part. I will then put the patterns on the internet to sell. I would love to make these again for a present, but know I won't do it. Mine have taken me 4 years to complete, what makes me think I'll get another set done?

Here are the banners that are complete. I will be so happy when I get all of them done!

So, on with the blog review...... Last year was a series of ups and downs and I am so glad that I had Heavenly Father along for the ride. I do not know how I would have survived one day to the next without His help!! Thank you, Heavenly Father for all your support and love you show to me and my family!

I thought I had shared a picture of the 'Star Wars' quilt that went up north to a grandson. Two years ago he was learning to read and I told him that I would make him a quilt when he reached book number 150. Now, you have to understand that he was 5 at the time and his mom was trying to encourage him to read. Well, the stinker worked his tail feathers off and finished a lot sooner than I thought he would. He read me book number 150 one day in August that year. A little while later I took this picture:

I thought I had one with a happy smile, but could not find it. It must be on a disc in the drawer.....

Well, enough of the blog review, it's getting late and I do believe that the body is telling me to get to bed. Besides, I need to get my beauty sleep so that I can go shopping tomorrow at a local quilt shop (better known as LQS). They are having a Christmas in July sale and it looks really interesting!!

So, everyone have a great night and better tomorrow!

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

Good Evening Everybody!

2010-07-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

Lots going on lately. I had a lesson to teach in church this past week, grand-daughters birthday party and of course lots of quilts to sew and dream about.

I did finally finish the Princess quilt for the 'Princess'! Here it is.

I only put 3 borders on 3 sides. The top border is only the thin purple one. I also made a pillow case to go with it. The little miss was quite pleased with my efforts and that is what matters!

Yesterday I traced out a new pattern for pants for my darling husband for the western festivals that we both love to go to. I use Buckaroo Bobbins patterns and sometimes I have a dickens of a time getting them right. These patterns are suppose to be authentic patterns from the 'wild west' era. They are hand drawn and sometimes frustrating to figure out. A few years ago when we were living in our camper I made Carl a frock coat. That coat took me a month to finish and he looked really great in it. Wellllllll, now it swims on him since he lost so much weight. I guess I need to dig that pattern out as well. I know I will use a different lining this time around! I don't know what I was thinking when I used the same material for the lining as the coat itself. That coat is so heavy only a muscle builder can carry it.

I am going to work on selling off some of my 'stuff'. I have so many sewing patterns that I have collected over the years that I don't use any more. I also have a few quilting things that I won't ever use so will be offering them up also. I am on a couple quilt forums and a sew it's for sale forum. I am debating on getting a Accuquilt GO!
so that I can cut quilt kits to sell. Then I will see about saving up for my Homesteader Quilter. I have been drooling over this machine for a long time, but every time it seems I may be able to get one something happens. I'm sure I'll get there someday, but for now my little system is much better than pushing a quilt through the machine by hand.

Well I am off to bed. Work comes way to early in the morning and I couldn't get back to sleep after I woke up at 5 this morning. Of course I didn't have to work and I really wanted to sleep in!

Happy Quilting, Sharon

Happy Sunday!!!

2010-06-20T08:05:00.000-07:00

Good morning all! Beautiful morning around here. Of course it is hot, but what do you expect for June in the desert? It has put a damper on my walking, but that just means more time to get things done in the house especially in the sewing/quilting room.

Happy Father's Day!! When I was a kid my Dad wasn't around so I never got into the Father's day thing like I did with my Mom on Mother's day. My husband has had a tradition since I have known him that he has steak and eggs for breakfast. With church starting at 9 AM I was going to fix it for him after we returned home, but I guess he's hungry now because I hear banging in the kitchen. After he had his heart surgery last year and was laying around he got hooked on the show 'NCIS'. So for Father's Day I found a good deal on the first 6 years on DVD and got that for him. It arrived on Friday and of course I couldn't keep it till today...... So we have been watching 'NCIS' the past 2 days. Not much else any good on TV right now until the summer series start up.... Yes, I love 'The Closer' and 'Leverage' so am waiting for them to start again. There is a new series that starts in July that I just may view at least once.

Friday was a day off of work for me. Yippee!!! I was able to spend the day with my friend Lynne. It was great to be able to sit around and talk. For days after we have a visit I think about what we have talked about and I am always amazed at the different topics that we discuss. It is not the usual 'gossip' session and of course we always solve the worlds problems while we are at it!!! Thanks for a relaxing day, Lynne!! Of course I have to tell you how sneaky this friend is, there was a surprise in my purse when I got home!!! Thank you dear friend. I have a feeling an empty spot on my wall is going to get filled one day soon! You KNOW I WILL get even!!!

I have been in a funk with my quilting lately. I just have not had any inspiration to get out into the sewing room, but saw this quilt that caught my eye.

It is a quilt along that I am going to try to keep up with. I love stars and have gotten into scrappy. I have been trying to figure out the main colors 'cause I sure don't need to buy any fabric!!! I did spend Saturday in the sewing room, but not doing what I should have been doing. I have a quilt on the frame that needs to be quilted, but I just have not had the desire to get it done. I know that it will only take me a couple hours to get the blasted thing quilted, but unless I am in the right frame of mind it will not go well. So, instead I dug out a paper-piecing project and completed that. I am so glad that I have a fabric stash and a great variety of patterns so that when I do get an idea I can just go put it together instead of having to spend time getting the supplies. Well, DH is in getting ready for church so I guess I had better get my buns in gear and do the same.

Have a great day everyone and a special 'Thank you' to all the fathers around the world that are in our military. I truly appreciate your service and dedication!

Happy Quilting, Sharon

Can you believe it has been 15 years???

2010-05-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

As of today May 23, 2010 Carl and I have been married 15 years!! We did our first road trip in a long time. I wanted to see the new bridge they are building to bypass Hoover Dam so we spent Friday night in Kingman, AZ then took the tour at Hoover Dam. Nice weekend and a couple neat surprises.

Here is the first site of Hoover Dam.

It is an amazing site. Lots of visitors. We went on the tour and we were so lucky because it was the first one in the morning and there were only 6 in our group including the guide. Once we got inside the dam I could not tell you which way I was facing. I still don't have a clue, but it sure was neat. A couple years ago when my brother, Joe drove back from NY with my oldest sister, Loretta we stopped here. We weren't able to do the generator room due to his defibrillator, but I'm sure he would have been fascinated with all of it.

One of the places we went to while inside the Dam was a vent that faced downstream.

This was looking down at the water.

This is looking up and at the new bridge.

Here is the contraption that helped build this bridge. Our guide told us that when the wind get to 35 miles per hour they shut down construction. It is a long way down that's for sure!

This is one of the generator rooms. Only 3 generators were producing electricity. In the lower right there is another generator that produces all of the electricity that is used at the Dam. There is no public out of pocket monies used to build or take care of the Hoover Dam. The sale of the electricity pays for all of it. What surprised me was that the major reason this dam was built was not for the electricity. It was to control the flood and drought along the Colorado River.

Here is one of the designs in the floor in the generator room. It depicts the water power here. I think it would make a beautiful quilt.

This one depicts the electricity.

How about some exercise?? I have no idea how many stairs are here but these went way down, down, down!

Turn around and you can go up, up, up!

We exited the dam on the walk way over the dam and here is the picture looking straight down.

Carl remembered that there were large fish in Mead Lake and we had to check them out. We were actually able to get some pics of them. Now, you have to remember that the water is a long way down from the top so they look small in the pictures, but these have to be huge!

Then on the way home there is a road that goes down to the Colorado River that is a park. I just wanted to see what it was like down next to the River. As we are winding our way down the side of the mountain I yelled at Carl to 'stop!'. I could not believe my eyes when I saw a flash of this creature standing on the side of the road. Carl stopped and we took a few pictures. He sure wasn't upset that he was getting his picture taken.

We went on down to the river side turned around and drove right back out and he was gone! Not a sign he had even been there except his 'road apples'. Our surprises weren't over with yet. Again I yelled to Carl to 'pull over!' This was our next surprise.

They were so far away that we could not tell what they were until I uploaded them into my computer. Can you tell how many are there? We counted several times and came up with 4, but Carl kept saying that he thought there were more. I'm glad I kept taking pictures.

There really are 5 in this bunch. I have never seen wild Big Horned Sheep before. They knew that we weren't a threat as they just stood there ignoring us!

Our final joy of our weekend was being able to attend the Gila River Valley Temple Dedication. The dedication was televised into all of the Stake Buildings in Arizona and we were able to attend. This was the first Temple Dedication I have attended and I sure hope it won't be my last. What a beautiful way to celebrate our anniversary!

It is so great to be able to look forward to more road trips. Carl and I have missed being able to just take off for a day or two and be able to just spend time together. We are planning on visiting grandkids in California and 'upstate' Arizona this summer. We also want to go back to Old Tucson and Tombstone. We are hooked on the 'wild' west and love to visit these places and learn about the history. I also want to hit Prescott and Jerome. I love the shops and the craft fairs and of course the cooler weather!!

Happy Quilting, Sharon

End of another month!!

2010-04-29T22:37:00.000-07:00

Well, good evening everyone!!

Tomorrow is the end of another month in the great year of Twenty-Ten. I sure wish someone would put the brakes on!! I guess I just need to set more goals. There was a hint on one of the forums that I am on that suggested that you set a timer for 20 minutes and just work on one thing. It doesn't matter if you actually do anything physical with what ever you have picked, you just have to do it for 20 minutes. Maybe it is just going through your quilt books looking for a pattern, or sorting your fabrics---the idea is to just do it! Another idea for clean up was to use 4 yardsticks, form a square with them and clean just what is in that square. Before you know it everything will be clean! Both are great ideas that I just might give a try!

It has been quite nice around here until the past couple of days. The wind has been blowing and stirring up all kinds of dust! Can't get out and walk for exercise and barely able to go from work to the car it's so nasty out. When it gets like this it's hard to see the mountains that surround us. Just kinda' dark lumps on the horizon.

Onward to the quilting progress. It seems as though I have less and less time to get into the sewing room. Right now I have a quilt on the wall that I promised for a grand-daughter to go on her bed in her new bedroom. I hope I will be able to get the last border cut and on this weekend. Then the joy of quilting, but first I will have to get my frame level. The last quilt I did on the frame I just did a quick level job on and I need to do something more permanent. You get one area level and it throws off another area. It just takes time and patience to get it done and I have been in short supply of time since we moved in here.

I started working at the office full time this week. Just until we hire another MA (medical assistant). This training is the pits!!! I no sooner get someone trained and I have to do it over again. I guess I had better get use to it because my doc wants to have 'externs' (we knew them as 'interns') in the office. We have had 4 so far. Some are good, some are okay, so we shall continue to search to find the good ones to join our office.

Well, I am off. It is time for me to get some sleep.

Happy Quilting, Sharon

BOGUS E-MAIL FROM ME

2010-04-24T07:47:00.000-07:00

For all that didn't get my 2nd e-mail last night you need to know that I have NOT purchased a new phone!! Somebody must have pirated my e-mail address. I am now having problems with my e-mail list in hotmail.

PLEASE don't open the link included in the e-mail dated April 23rd at about 8 PM.

Here is the content:

hey,
how are you ?
Just received my iphone 3gs 32gb from this website. (web site was here, I removed), much cheaper than others and genuine . if you would like to get one,you can check it out,

Regards,
Sharon

Also, I NEVER sign my notes, 'Regards'
So, Happy Quilting,
Sharon

April almost gone!?!?

2010-04-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

Good evening all! I just can not believe that this month is almost gone! This year is flying by faster than ever. I'm not getting as much quilting done as I would like, work keeps getting in the way. I no sooner get a few regular days off and it gets changed! Of course this time of the year isn't the best time for anybody with allergies. Everybody is suffering! That's great for my pocketbook, but not for my disposition!

Last week I did manage to get most of a quilt top done for a grand-daughter. I just need to get the borders on and get it quilted. Before I get it on the frame I need to level up my frame and machine. The last one I quilted on the frame I just raised a little here, and there for a temporary fix, but I really need to get some boards and do it right.

Janice and I are trying to get stuff done for craft fairs this fall. My oldest sister gave us an idea and we sure hope it is a good one. Janice is the one that has the touch with decorating and enjoys that type of craft so she has been working on them more than I am. Here is a picture of what my sister has. What do you think?

Janice has more ideas for decorating these things than I would ever dream up. Of course I want a southwestern design. I'm sure that doesn't surprise many that really know me :)...... We will be doing some embroidery and we have wine 'jackets'. I have several mostly sewn together on my sewing table. I have several more to put together then I can sit in front of the tube while I trim and turn. Of course we'll have the hanging towels I do all the time. I really need to start working on them again while I sit and watch TV. My wrists start hurting if I work on them to many nights in a row.

I suppose I have rambled enough for tonight. I sure hope everyone is doing well and enjoying warmer weather. I know I am!!

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

www.coyotequilts.com

ALMOST APRIL!!!

2010-03-27T21:19:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure where the year is going, but is sure is getting there fast!!

Next weekend is Conference weekend so we will be staying home and enjoying the messages from our Prophet and other leaders of our church. I enjoy these weekends so much and there is always a message there just for me......

I will have to work 4 days this next week. We are having a substitute MD on Friday and my doc wants me to be the one to work it. I don't mind working that office, but it sure is going to be interesting because we will have a chemical patch test to read that day. What is a chemical patch test, you ask? Well it is where I place 29 different chemicals in 'wells' on 3 separate pieces of wide tape and place them on a person's back. The person leaves them on for 24 hours when we remove them and see if there is a reaction on the skin. My job covers so many different types of allergies that it is hard for me to keep up with things. There sure isn't a dull moment that's for sure!

Not much quilting going on right now. I don't even have anything that I want to get started on. I need to start a quilt for Miss Mira, but I just haven't a clue what I want to do. I have some printed blocks, but of course they aren't square. I'm not sure what I want to do with them, but I'm sure I'll figure something out. The only other thing I have finished is Kaye Wood's 'Kaleidoscope' pattern that I want to teach. Instead of doing the lap sized quilt I made a table runner and 4 place mats. I had enough triangles cut out to make 3 more blocks and I decided I'd do a different style of table runner for show & tell. I am slowly but surely getting items made up to be able to show what other patterns can be made with the ruler I am teaching. I have another pattern I want to work on, but I'm not sure what fabrics I want to use. I will just have to sort through what I have then go from there.

Well, I am off. I sure hope everyone has a great week!

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

www.coyotequilts.com

SNOW!!!!

2010-03-13T06:12:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it? Snow in Arizona!! Yes, I said SNOW! We were watching TV last Sunday night when the thunder and lightning started then we heard this weird noise on the roof. This is the results of that 'weird' noise!

This one is out the front door with Carl's footprint in it.

This one is of the front yard just in front of the footprint.

This is one out our back Arcadia sliding glass doors.

This one is also the back yard, but out further and showing the oranges on the ground under the orange tree. Carl was trying to protect the camera from getting wet. After the white stuff fell, it started raining. I tried getting a picture of the neighbors yards, but my flash just didn't reach that far.... Within a week our temps were back up and it turned into the usual Arizona winter weather just the way I like it.

Not much else going on around here. I have been able to get some sewing done. This past couple of weeks I have been working on an embroidery project. I'm not sure how well the first one will turn out, but if it works out okay I am going to make a few more for Christmas presents. So shhhhh, don't tell the grand-kids.....

I am on the calendar at Sally's Fabrics in Mesa to teach quilting classes once a month. I'm trying to get some more ideas going and work up the samples so that I can have several different classes going. I have one sewn together, I just need to get the label on it. Labels are such a pain and I always put them off to the last minute.

Well, husband just asked me to breakfast so I must get cleaned up. Have a great day everyone!

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

Pictures are finally downloaded and I just may have gotten caught up......

2010-02-19T20:52:00.000-08:00

I was going to post pictures of our 'places' we stayed at during the last 3 months of 2009, but I can't get the pictures to post here....... So, I am not going to waste any more of my time trying to figure it out....

Last year at this time both Carl and I were blissfully unaware what was in store for us. In 6 more days it will be 1 year to the day that things started going down hill. On the 25th of February Judy and I were in an auto accident that gave me a concussion, wrecked our handicap van and started all of our trials.... Next on the list was Carl's open heart surgery for quadruple bypass surgery in April. The problems were found before he had a heart attack and that is a blessing. Now, we thought, everything is going to go super easy and life will be good again..... WRONG!!! Judy moved into a group home, no nursing jobs for me to find, AND Carl goes back in to the hospital for a hernia operation in August. We breath a sigh of relief that the operation goes well and he will be able to go back to work, NOT!! Now he is fighting C-diff, which is a nasty bowel infection that you get while in the hospital and are given strong antibiotics. Nope, he can't go back to work because he can't get more than 5 feet away from 'Johnny' for more than a few minutes. On to the next challenge of the year, finding me a job. I sign on with Mollen Clinics to give flu and pneumovax immunizations during the 'season'. It is only a temporary job, so I must still look for permanent work. In a lot of ways me not finding a job is a blessing because when I do find one it is one that I love. A friend at church knows an Allergist that has asked her if she knows of any nurses. Yep, my friend says and I have an interview over the phone and am hired. Shocked, I start work the next day. Now, onto the next challenge... MOVING! The place we are renting is way to big for us and way to expensive. I am ready to down size..... so down size we did! Right into an extended stay place that was not much bigger than a small motel room with a 'kitchenette' that didn't even have an oven!! The best thing about staying there was the hot tub! Yep, I tried to spend time in it each and every night. Slept like a baby! I was willing to stay for longer, but Carl was ready to get settled sooner, so one day while driving around in Sun City we found a cute place at the right price. Soooooo, on to the 3rd move. We are still getting things from storage and wondering where we are going to put everything. This place has 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, living room, eat in kitchen, car port, laundry room and best of all an Arizona room that has been enclosed that houses my sewing/quilting room. As I unpack stuff I am sorting so that I can 'down size' even more. Some stuff is going into a garage sale, other stuff is going to family and yet other stuff is going to Goodwill. As I unpack boxes I see the estate sales that we go to and think to myself, "My kids going to have to dump this stuff after I am gone", so if I can't use it now why am I keeping it???

One of the things that Carl and I have done is decide that we don't need a TV in every room of the house. We have 2, one in the living room and one in my sewing room. Life is a lot simpler. We have our computers set up in one bedroom and I am slowly sorting pictures, linen, books, and assessing what is truly important to keep.

Another thing I have done is to close my online store 'Coyote Quilts and Specialties'. Not enough time to take care of and get everything else done. Instead I am doing quilt classes at Sally's Fabrics in Mesa. I have a class coming up the last Saturday of February. I was hoping to be able to take another class from Kaye Wood, but she has personal things going on this year that has prevented her from visiting her house here in Sun City.

I finally have most of my swaps taken care of that I started last year and have joined a couple more for this year. Today I was able to get into my stash and get fabric picked out and started sewing blocks again. I hope I can get them done tomorrow so I can get them in the mail before the end of the month.

The highlight of this past week was a visit from Spencer and Lillith. We went to the Wildlife World Zoo and had a blast and made some special memories with them. I have to share a couple pictures (the only ones I can get downloaded).

Wearing Grandma's hat and coat. It was a little chilly just starting out.

Great Daddy, keeping her safe and helping her see the animals.

I guess Pa is okay, too.

Almost kissing. It's a good thing there is glass between them!

It is getting late and I have bent your ear enough for tonight. I'll be back again to post more pics of our weekend at the zoo and of course quilt blocks!

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

New quilting site!

2010-02-17T20:20:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am still hanging around. Things are starting to settle down in the daily life and I will be getting back here to let everyone know just what has happened with life in general and of course with QUILTING!!! I have found a new site!!! Tonight, as I was looking reading on various sites I found one link that led me to another and another.... well, you get the picture~~~~~~~~~~I ended up here: http://moosequilts.blogspot.com/2010/02/jelly-roll-sampler-quilt-along-2010.html and am going to do the 'jelly roll' blocks that are going to be posted. I have the perfect jelly roll, but will have to find at least the rest of the top fabric. Of course this material came out 2 or 3 years ago so I may not find as much as I'd like. I made a 'Charm' purse/pocketbook from a set of charms in this fabric. I just might be able to find some at the LQS..... Only time and a visit to the store will tell the tale.

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

2009-12-13T20:18:00.000-08:00

I can not believe it has been 3 months since I updated my blog. Where to start is another question!!!

It seems as though we have been moving in one form or another since the last time I posted. I have been packing or unpacking almost every day and I can tell you that it is getting quite boring!!! We packed everything up from the 'big' house and put it in storage. We thought that we would be staying in a small condo type apartment, but as with all plans that went south..... So we decided to try an extended stay place, so off we went to 'check in'. What a trip that was last month! We ended up on the second floor and the only things we can say that was good about that was getting the extra exercise with the stairs and being able to use the hot tub every night. This place was smaller than the 24 foot trailer we lived in for awhile a couple years ago. Needless to say I didn't get to do any sewing while I was there. I did manage to get some towel tops crocheted, though.

One day while Carl & I were out riding around we saw a for rent sign on a little house in Sun City. We ended up going to look at it and ended up signing a lease. Now we are again moving boxes and unpacking!!! So this makes our move lasting for 3 months. I am so sick of boxes!!! It probably wouldn't be so bad, but I started working in an allergist office in October and don't have all day to play like I use to. It was fine when I was only working part time, but just this past week I have started full time. I don't want full time, but it is a new practice and I am the only nurse. I am training a MA, but not sure how that is going to work out. The last MA didn't last very long.....

My current projects are to get my swaps caught up and out of the way. Then I have a quilt to make. Lots of ideas floating around in the brain and now that I have a room I am going to be able to get them made into quilts. This house that we are in is very small compared to the last one, but there was a room big enough for me to have my quilter and sewing machine set up so I am happy. Titten even approves and has settled in. She hasn't ventured into the sewing room yet, but I'm sure she will one of these days.

Well, I need to get to bed. Another long day tomorrow at the office.

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

www.coyotequilts.com

2009-10-10T12:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Weekend Everyone!!

Busy, busy, busy week this past week. I started a new job with an allergist and worked at a Mollen clinic. Of course the highlight was my BIRTHDAY!! I don't usually brag about my birthday, but what the heck, I may not have many left!!! No there isn't any medical problems, but I am over 50 now and I doubt I have 50 more years to go....

One of the things that we have decided to do is to move. Yep, you read right, we are moving. For now it is going to be into a temporary place and put everything into storage. So that means the quilting is going to slow waaaaaaay down. I will be able to get tops done and sew little projects, but the quilt frame will have to go into storage. That's okay it will make it easier for me to concentrate on my new job and maybe we will be able to take a couple of road trips!!

On one of my forums I joined a Birthday Block Swap for this year and I have received 4 blocks so far. Here they are, aren't they BEAUTIFUL??

Now here are the blocks I have been swapping for the Sew Along. Every 2 weeks we have a new pattern and partner. These quilts will be prized possessions when I get them together.

I packed up some of my blocks I have ready to put into quilts and other blocks I have swapped. I have enough swapped blocks to make about 5 quilts. Maybe one day I'll be able to get them done!!!

Since we are moving we are having a garage sale. I am not keeping a lot of our big furniture so if you are in the area come on over on the 24th and you just may pick up some good deals.

Next week I will be teaching a class at Church how to sew together pillow cases, then in November I will be teaching a couple quilt classes. I can't wait for the quilt classes!! It shall be so much fun. I'll also be able to drop my favorite sewing machine off to have an over haul. She sure has been temperamental lately and I'm not sure why. I guess it is just because I work her to hard!!

Well, I am off for some more packing.

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

www.coyotequilts.com
http://myquiltingbuddies.blogspot.com/

Good Evening Everyone!!!!

2009-09-26T22:24:00.000-07:00

Oh so happy today. We are both feeling MUCH better and we seem to be getting our life back to where it was. It seems as though 2009 has been about going from one hospital stay and sickness to another. It will be nice to wake up each day and be able to go and do the things we like to do and not have to worry if we will have to head home before we get everything done. Now that we are getting back on our medical feet I have a new husband. He has done this to me before so it wasn't as much of a shock, but after seeing one face for so many years it is quite an adjustment to see another one. Here is before and after pictures so you can determine for yourself if I have a new man or not.

This one was in 2007 at the Western Festival with our oldest grandson.

This one is a couple days after his heart surgery in April of this year.

This is the newest one just a couple days ago. Notice anything different???

While I have gotten a new man I have also been getting my quilt block swaps done and doing little projects to sell on my site. I have even gotten the pictures taken and down loaded them on the site, so that is quite a feat for me. The latest project I completed today was sewing up a couple pillow cases for a class I am going to do for Relief Society. I forgot how easy they are to throw together and I need to do more of them. I know the grand-kids really like them.

The highlight of the past week was having a quilt shop want me to teach 'Quilting the Kaye Wood Way' classes for them. I would love to be able to teach quilting to others. It is an addictive craft that's for sure. I'm sure I'll know in the next couple of weeks if I will be busy teaching or not.

One of the things I have to do next week is can some peaches. I ordered peaches from a friend and they came in yesterday. I am sitting here smelling delicious peaches. I guess I need to give another case to the munchkin from my last canning session. She will only eat 'grandma's' peaches and she lets everyone know it. Her Mom opened a can from the store one day and she spit it out and said, 'That's not Grandma's peaches!!' and wouldn't eat them.

Wow, I am lucky tonight!!! I just checked to make sure the pictures were loaded where I wanted them to be and they are!!! No playing with the pictures and the words this time.

I suppose I need to get to bed. We are going to be able to go to church together tomorrow for the first time in forever and I need to get my beauty sleep.

I hope everybody has a great Sunday.

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

www.coyotequilts.com

Happy Weekend!!

2009-09-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

Not much going on here this past week. I have been working for Mollen doing flu immunizations this week. Of course I had to go and get a bug from being out in the public. Just what we need around here another sicky!!!! I sure hope everything smooths out by Thanksgiving because I sure would like to enjoy the holidays. I also need to get busy on Christmas projects. I don't have many planned, but I still would like to get them all done this year.

I'm off. Have a great week!!!

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

www.coyotequilts.com

Good Morning Everyone!!

2009-09-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is having a great day today!! I am trying to get into my quilting room and have fired up the iron. In between using the sewing machine I will be getting laundry done. Not my favorite past time!!!

Yesterday way my first day back in the grind, so to speak. It was my first day giving flu and pneumonia injections at a Mollen Immunization clinic. I can not believe the number of injections we put through one small clinic. I alone did almost 100 and I wasn't even there the full shift!!! I was pooped when I got home, had a sandwich and was in bed with the lights out by 8!! Can you believe I signed up for more of this punishment???

This past week I accomplished a lot in my sewing/quilting room. I finished 3 simple flannel blankets

and a 'Heart' Pillow

Plus, Janice and I went dumpster diving and found a couple great dumpster to get our number 10 cans to make our toilet paper holders.

The tall round things in the front are our toilet paper holders. We make them to hold either 3 or 4 rolls of toilet paper.

The other small project I started was covers for the packages of Kleenex you can carry in your bag or purse. They are super easy and I have several different color choices ready to go.

The last we accomplished this past week was to go looking at the local Farmer's Market. Some are way expensive or really reasonable and FULL!!! Just our luck.... If anybody has a favorite craft fair that we could set up at that is in our neck of the woods could you give me a shout? We are looking to fill up our calendar and need a few more places to set up.

We will be setting up at Westbrook Village's Arts & Crafts Show on November 7th. We also plan on being at Ventana Lake's show this fall too.

Other than that it has been quiet around here. Carl is doing really well and feeling better every day. Yesterday while I was out giving pain to people he cleaned my floors, washed the dishes AND remembered to put the lid down on the washer so that the load I started could wash while I was gone!!! Yippee, I think I'll keep him :)

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

www.coyotequilts.com

Goings on Past and Present

2009-08-24T09:25:00.000-07:00

It is funny how many things can go on during a short week or two. Last week on Monday it seemed like a regular start to another regular week. Boy, was I ever WRONG!!! Monday was fine, I spent it in the sewing room. I don't remember what it was I accomplished at this point, but I did accomplish something. On Tuesday it started out as any other Tuesday except my DH went off to the doctor's office to see what they could do about a pain in his belly. They found out what they needed to do and we then went off to the emergency room about 2 PM. Now the wait begins. About 8 hours later they let us know that 1) he has an umbilical hernia which needs surgery and 2) he has an 11 mm kidney stone just above the bladder with an slightly inflamed kidney. The kidney stone was a surprise, but the hernia just decided to start bothering him after he pulled a client up in bed on Monday. So off we go to a room 'upstairs' so he can go into surgery 'probably' tomorrow. On Wednesday he calls me and tells me that he will go into surgery at 2PM for umbilical repair and a stint for the kidney stone. The surgery went just fine and now he is home for awhile. This time he is on a restricted 15 pound weight limit for 6 weeks. With his work 15 pounds means he can't even deliver supplies to clients so that means he will be spending time in the office again. The girls down there are going to love having him around!!
The good news about all of this is, I am getting a new man!!! Now, all I have to do is keep up with him.

Here are the last few pictures I am going to post from our visit to NY. We really had fun taking the kids to the Alpaca Farm. Carl took some neat pictures. Here they are:

This is Maddi being brave and feeding the Alpacas that were in the barn. Boy, we sure learned alot about Alpacas that day.

Here is Ella feeding the Alpacas in the barn. This kid is fearless around animals when she gets use to seeing them!

Here are a couple year old Alpacas that the owners wanted to get use to being around people. They fenced them in the yard so that whoever came to visit could be up close and they couldn't run to the other side of the pasture. They still managed to get far enough away that the girls couldn't pet them.

This is a picture that I really like. I just wish Maddi had been in it too. This is the 3 day old cria that the owners brought out from the pasture. You can't see it, but Mama is crying on the other side of the fence wondering what we are doing with her baby. This little one was so very soft and his coat is going to make great yarn. The more it has 'crinkles' in it the better quality of yarn it makes. That's just one of the 'tidbits' we learned that day.

Now I am off to get some training done so that I can go to work giving flu injections next month. That will be fun!!

I'll post a few more wedding pictures the next time I get on. I just have to get them into my albums first!!!

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

www.coyotequilts.com

Good evening all!!

2009-08-09T21:03:00.001-07:00

I finally downloaded all of my photos from our trip to NY. We had so much fun being Grandma and Pa to Julie's kids. I'm not sure who tired whom out, but we had fun. I think the best part about being around them was their sweet spirits (yes, Julie your girls!!). We took out a couple CD's of kids songs that we played while traveling. What sweet voices the girls had. They each had a favorite and of course they were on different discs!

We went to the Lolly Pop Farm which is an ASPCA facility that has all kinds of animals. We thought there was a petting zoo, but the goats and sheep didn't want to be petted. Never fear, the horses wanted to be fed so the fearless girls made sure they had a snack or two.

Inside the building where they have the cats, dogs, goats, sheep, birds and rabbits is this mosaic horse. Of course the girls had to ham it up around it.

This was the entrance to the 'petting zoo'.

The only animals in the petting zoo were goats and sheep and they sure didn't want to make friends!

These horses didn't bite and were real friendly.

This guy was camera shy. It is a Llama inside a barn. Every time I lifted my camera it decided to step back inside. The markings on this animal were so cool. The right side of the face and left front legs were white and the left side of the face and right front legs were black. I just wish the snot would have been bolder and shown off a little bit for me......

The girls are fearless around horses and ran right up, pulled grass and fed them. We had to practically beg them to go to McDonald's with us to get them to leave.

These are 2 of my favorite pictures of my girls. We were waiting for every one to show up for the wedding rehearsal so we played on the park equipment. They didn't slow down for anyone or anything that night.

I am so thankful for the time we were able to spend with our granddaughters. I hope we were able to make some special memories together. Now, I just wish they'd talk to me on the phone!!! Can you imagine girls NOT wanting to talk on the phone??? Yeah, me either. I have a feeling that when they do get the phone bug Mom and Dad will have to have another phone line put in.........

Never fear I have more, but, alas, it is bedtime. Maybe one day I'll be able to download pictures on here without it being a major task.

www.coyotequilts.com

2009-07-28T22:19:00.000-07:00

This is for my kids..........

The Wooden Bowl

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now,
a year from now.

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson.
The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered

The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and
failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
'We must do something about father,' said the son.
'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded,
'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.
' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason,
neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things:
a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life..'

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.You nee d to be able to throw something back sometimes.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you
But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others,
your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.

People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about .I just did

www.coyotequilts.com

Whirlwind trip to NY

2009-07-26T18:24:00.000-07:00

Good evening all!! Well, I have finally found a few minutes to be able to post some of the pictures that I have downloaded already. The wedding was at Emerson Park in Auburn. I'm not sure if Julie realized it or not, but my side of the family lived and worked in and around Auburn most of their lives. My mother worked in a local shoe factory that closed long before I was born.

Here Julie is getting ready for the big day, discussing what needs to be done when, while her sister Kelly and friend Bethany look on.

Jim and Julie were married in the evening and here she is getting a picture with 'the girls'. They were so proud to be able to be in their Mom and Dad's wedding and were sooooo good.

Ella and Maddi were so proud to walk down the isle in front of Mom with their brother Tanner. They each had baskets of rose petal to 'throw' on the walkway. Afterward Maddi came up to me and said, "Gramma, I still have some left, Ella threw hers all away!" What a hoot.

Here the beautiful bride is walking down the isle with her Dad. It was just about here that Julie started crying. I didn't cry until later.

Here is Jim waiting patiently for Julie. This moment has been a long time coming, but well worth the wait.

HITCHED!!!!

Julie had a memorial of her Grandmother Wager just outside the receptions doors. I was not aware of it until about half way through the reception. Now, this is when I started to cry.

Just knowing that she wanted to have her Grandmother be a part of her wedding when she has been gone from this earth since 1986 touched my heart.

Now it's time to get 'the girls' home and to bed. It is getting late, but how do you get 2 girls that want to party to leave?? Well, they decided that they should have a photo shoot on the way to the car.

They told Pa what pictures to take and posed themselves at different places. Best exit ever thought of! The first is going down the stairs on the first leg of going home.

The next stop was at a sign in the side yard to lean against just so.

The final shot was when Gramma met up with them at the car. We were all pooped, but were in great spirits. Now we are off to our next adventure.

These are just a few pictures I was able to get with my camera. I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures that Kelly and the photographer took.

We had 4 days taking care of 'the girls' while Mom and Dad did their honeymoon in Hawaii. Just like Mom and Dad we had a vacation too. We went to an Alpaca Farm, the Lolly Pop Farm and of course swim lessons!! I'll be back to bore you with more pictures when time permits.

Jim, Julie, Tanner, Ella and Maddi------- I love you guys!!!

Almost at the end

2009-07-06T19:40:00.000-07:00

of our visit. It sure has been filled with going to and fro. Last week it was about the wedding. The wedding was in Auburn, the dress was in Groton, the girls hair was done in Groton, and the tuxes were in Cortland. That was some running that was done. The wedding was good, of course there were some things that didn't go as planned, but the marriage license is signed and they are married. The next week is about the girls. So far we have had fun at an Alpaca farm and visiting different places. The Alpaca farm was lots of fun. There were 5 of us that went to see the Alpacas. My sister and her husband had never been to an Alpaca farm so we dragged them along with us. We fed the Alpacas and Llamas and learned lots of 'stuff' about them. At first it was kinda' scary feeding them, but they eat just like a horse. You have to keep your hand flat and they just pick up what you have laying in your hand and chow down. We were even able to get up close and pet a new born cria. He was only 3 days old and didn't have a name yet. Boy, was he ever cute!!! We also were able to see the chickens, peacock, rabbits and of course the 'barn cat'! Tomorrow it is off to the Lollypop Farm to a petting zoo! As soon as I am able to down load my pictures and bore you with them........

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

www.coyotequilts.com

Today IS THE day!!!!

2009-07-02T05:53:00.000-07:00

Good morning all! Today is THE day for Julie to get married. It is wet and cold here right now. I sure hope it doesn't rain like it is predicted to..... At least it is under cover even though it is outside. Pictures will follow after the deed is done and I get back to Arizona.

Happy Quilting!
Sharon
www.coyotequilts.com

Busy Life

2009-06-24T21:21:00.000-07:00

Yippee!! I spent a grand afternoon with Lynne and she received her birthday surpise. Here is the picture.... I really like this pattern and am making one for myself, but it is going to be in browns instead of greens. I am putting different borders and blocks than in this one.

It's only 4 days until we climb aboard the plane for our trip to NY and it's only a week until Julie and Jim get married. I just hope it stops raining out there so we don't all get water logged.

I have been slowly getting things together that I needed for the trip. I bought my outfit a couple weeks ago and I got my nails done yesterday. I forgot how much I really like having fancy nails!!!

Now, I just need to find a job so I can afford to keep them. My job taking care of Judy ended on June 18th when she was moved to a group home. After Carl's visit to the hospital we decided that we needed to be able to do a few more things and go see family more than we were able to do with Judy here. I am going to go back into Hospice nursing, which I love. I know one outfit that has offered me a job without an interview, but am not sure if I want to go there. It is a new outfit and I'm not sure if I really want to be involved with the 'ground breaking' work that is needed to get a Hospice up and running. The other side of the coin is that I know most of the nurses that work there and that is why I have been offered a job. I'll make that decision when we get back from NY.

I have cleaned carpets and moved things around in the house this past week and then this week all I have done is go running around. Last Saturday Carl & I went to estate/garage sales, Sunday was church, Monday was shoe shopping, Post office run and lunch with Carl, Tuesday was nails and visit Judy, Wednesday was lunch with Lynne, Thursday is going to Janice's to help her figure out her embroidery machines and Friday is a 'need to stay home day'. I wonder how I managed to get my house mostly rearranged, kitchen table cleaned off, kitchen counter cleaned off so we can sit at the bar or table to eat and all of the other sorting and cleaning I have accomplished. We have also managed a walk most every night. Last night we even went out after dark and got an ice cream cone...together!!! It is almost like when we sold the house in Groton and we didn't have any kids at home anymore. I am looking for more fun times together, even the simple things.
Happy Quilting,
Sharon
www.coyotequilts.com

2009-06-16T22:22:00.001-07:00

Good evening everyone!! I have been trying to get on over here to post happenings, but like always things get in the way..... I also have figured out how to get my pictures where I want them to be! See, even an old lady like me can learn new tricks!!

The biggest news is that Carl goes back to work on light duty starting tomorrow. He isn't able to lift anything over 25 pounds so he will be staying in the office and going to meetings to fill out his time. I finally figured out how to download a photo of him while he was in CCU which started on my phone. This is a couple days after his surgery and was really looking pretty good. He still had lots to tubes hanging around.... This was either April 24th or 25th.

Here he is the first day of our visit from Spencer & his family on the 9th of May. He doesn't look like he had major heart surgery 2 1/2 weeks before this picture, does he?

He still gets tired, but that has been getting better. He is walking all over the place again to get his stamina up. I told him the other day that I was going to have to have major surgery just to be able to keep up with him. Neither one of us realized how slow we were getting. I just thought it was age getting the best of us. He just thought it was his weight and that is why he started on a diet. As of today he has lost about 95 pounds and wants to loose a few more. I am going to have to make up some new patterns and get busy at the sewing machine just so he can have something to cover his bare butt!!!

I have finally gotten my quilting bug back. Just before Carl's surgery I didn't have any ideas or projects going and it has taken some time for me to return to the sewing/quilting room. I finished a project for a friend's birthday and started one for myself. After I am able to give Lynne her present I'll post pics. I don't want to spoil her surprise!!! I even managed to get my sewing room picked up and blocks done for my swaps.

This is the block I made for 3 Sisters Christmas Sampler Swap:

This is for Rebecca and we have swapped several times before so I have to keep coming up with different blocks. While I was looking for fabric for this one I realized I needed to restock my Christmas fabric. What a challenge that will be..... :)

Here are the blocks for the 3 Sisters Tennessee Block swap:

These were sent to Betty H. and Janet H. Eventually I am going to have a king sized quilt made with these blocks. I needed to have several different 5 inch squares of fabric to do this quilt. My dear friends at Quilt In A Day (AKA: QIAD) came through for me. We did a swap of 'nickles' (5 inch square pieces of fabric) and I now have lots and lots of different fabrics to make this a truly scrappy quilt.

This block is a 'Send Along , Sew Along Swap' on QIAD. This one we swap one block with a partner every 2 weeks. My first block went to my pal, Beth, from the Secret Santa we did at Christmas time last year. She loves Asian prints and her favorite colors are red and yellow. I couldn't find the red or yellow fabric I had in mind, but this material really jumped out at me.

The second block I made for this swap is for Jean. She is a newer member of the 'El's Angels' and I have not swapped with her before. This is going to be a treat! I just love getting quilt blocks from around the world.

I suppose I need to get to bed. I get so involved when I am on this computer that time just seems to fly right on by. I am just glad I was able to figure out how to move my pictures and do a little search here and find some interesting features. Keep tuned as I may play some more with my format!!

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

Carl and doings

2009-05-29T22:11:00.000-07:00

Good Evening all,

Carl continues to improve each day and the docs are happy with his progress. Today we visited the hospital so he could tell all of the people that helped him while he was there, "Thanks". He wasn't able to see everyone that took care of him, but he did get to see a few. He didn't even know where he was going because the last time he went from room to room and floor to floor he was looking at the ceiling as they wheeled him around in his bed. The floors were quiet because the snow birds have flown home and there are less of them to take care of. This happens every year during the summer. They close down different floors because there isn't enough people there to take care of.

Not much quilting going on just yet. I am in the process of making a couple wallhangings, but I have not pushed myself with it yet. I have also signed up for a couple more blocks to swap in 3 Sisters. They are a bunch of neat quilters. Not a lot of personal stuff going on that site, just swaps. I was going to post the pics I have of the blocks I have already swapped, but I haven't downloaded them from my camera yet. I need some time to do that 'cause I make sure that I put them in the correct folders and label them when I download. That is the only way I am able to keep them organized.

It won't be long now before I am in NY state at my daughters wedding. The days just seem to fly right on by. I received her invite today so I know the date & time LOL....... I did manage to find an outfit to wear, but now I need to get a pair of shoes to match and I want to get my nails done before I fly back. I guess I had better get my buns in gear as I only have a month left to get this stuff done. I sure hope it isn't wet and nasty while I am back there.

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

Slowing down

2009-05-20T19:29:00.000-07:00

Good evening all, The excitement of the past month has calmed some. Carl's appointments with the doctors have gone well & they are amazed at his progress. All are surprised that he doesn't have pain in the chest area from the surgery. He notices when he is doing something he should not do because his ribs and sternum let him know. A couple nights ago I went out & was trimming a bush next to the driveway and he just raked the debris out into the driveway & it really tired him out. The next morning he felt every pull of the rake in his legs and arms. That is the most work he has done in a month!! He is able to walk longer without running out of air and is feeling much better. Yahoo!!!

I have finally returned to my sewing/quilting room the past 2 days. It has been hard to get back into my routine with Carl home. I enjoy spending time with him and find it hard to quilt. I do have an incentive though, I am in a couple swaps that I must get done and in the mail. At Quilt in a Day, I am hosting a 5 inch fabric swap (they are called 'Nickles') and packages are arriving everyday, waiting for a 'White Elephant' box to arrive, and at the beginning of next month I am going to be doing a 'Sew Along' swap and finally my next birthday block is due at the end of next month. I have that block done & I think I'll send it out early so I don't have to worry about it while I am in New York at my daughters wedding. I am also involved in 3 Sisters Cyber Quilting block swaps. I have one left to get out before the end of the month and I started working on that this morning. If nothing else the deadlines encourage me to get back into the swing of things. Can you believe that I haven't bought any fabric is the past 2 weeks??? Neither can I. I may go into withdrawl. I am trying to be very good while Carl is out of work. I am very thankful he got Aflac a few years ago because it sure has been a blessing for us twice. The first time was when he tried to cut his thumb off with a hole saw. He was out of work for 6 weeks that time.

Here is the block I am making from the 'Nickle' swap. I am going to make a king sized quilt for our bed. I thought I had enough, but most of my stash was repeats & I wanted lots of 'scraps'. So I called on my quilting buddies to help me out.

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

Bad News/Good News

2009-04-28T11:31:00.000-07:00

Morning all!!! It sure has been a busy couple weeks since I posted last time.

First, I managed to get a quilt top done and get all of my block swap obligations done. Then the world almost fell out from underneath me.

My husband, Carl, needed to go to the MD for a heart catherization on the 21st of April. We didn't expect anything big to go on with this test. We sure found out that we thought wrong!!! After he had the test done the doc told him, 'we're going to cut you open' and he told me he needs heart bypass surgery, 'in the next couple of days'. He had 4 arteries that were 90% blocked!!Talk about a surprise!!! So, off we go to Boswell Hospital to have Carl admitted for surgery. So, on Wednesday morning off he goes to surgery for the next 4 hours with me sitting reading and praying. I saw him for a couple minutes after he was settled in his room after surgery then I came home for awhile to let the staff do what needed to be done without me under foot. I returned that night after the vent was removed and he was sitting up in a chair. I don't think he remembered much about that night, but he was doing real well. Each day he was in the hospital we saw improvements and there was another heart patient that decided that Carl was his inspiration. Carl spent 4 nights in ICU and 2 nights on the regular floor. The last couple nights he had heartburn real bad and really didn't want to eat much, but he knew that he wouldn't be able to come home if he didn't. So, finally on the 27th of April we came home. I'm not sure if he slept any better in his own bed last night or not. I do know he was sound asleep when I went to bed & I woke up about midnight and he was out and about. He is taking it easy and following all of the doctors instructions. Neither one of us want him to have to go back into the hospital because he pushed to far to fast. Now we are on to the next step of the 'bump' in our road. Getting all the appointments set up & making arrangements to get him there. 2 down 1 to go.....

Thanks to all for all the prayers, well wishes and answered calls for help given to us through this time. It has been amazing to me the blessings Heavenly Father has given us through all of this. He has been giving us inspirations over the past 3 or 4 years in preparation for this 'bump' so that we could keep our heads afloat. I am so glad we were able to hear the whisperings of the Spirit and acted on them.

On to our next 'bump',
Sharon

2009-04-08T16:50:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon all!!! I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted anything. It doesn't surprise me though, 'cause I have been busy, busy, busy. I have finished 2 'Star' sampler quilts, made and mailed off 2 different blocks for my swaps, made 8 blocks for another swap, readied them for mailing, and started blocks for a quilt for our king sized bed and attended another class with Kaye Wood. She is so much fun and I can't wait for her to come back to the valley so I can take another class from her. This class certified me to teach quilting with her Starmaker 8 ruler.

I am not going to add all the housework I did NOT do...... I know my floors need attention, but they will just get dirty again... I at least found out what was wrong with my steam cleaner. I had a new switch put in when we moved in up here, but it wouldn't steam. Well, the switch that was put in wasn't high enough when the button was pushed to actually turn the foolish thing on. Now I just need enough ambition to put it to work. It will make cleaning these tile floors much easier. My darling husband has been doing the mopping for the last few months for me because it was such a chore.

We have finally settled with the insurance company about the auto accident. It was a fight to get them to understand that the van we were in was not just a conversion van, but had A LOT of extra work done on it. After we found out the magic words to tell them it went much better. Can you imagine the words 'dropped floor' with wheel chair ramp worked much better than 'handicapped van'. We would have gotten this taken care of a long time ago if we had known the 'magic' works!!

We have our tickets for Julie's wedding. We got a smoking deal on ticket into Ithaca, (which for those that don't know where that is) is about 20 miles from where we need to be. Usually we fly into Buffalo which is about 150 miles from where we need to be. I am starting to get excited about seeing the 'girls'. I received a flyer from Jo-Anns Etc today and found lots of things to do with them while Mom & Dad are out having fun. I am going to wait to pick up any of my ideas until we get there because we have to pay extra for our baggage. I sure don't want to have to pay the second bag fee just because I have lots of 'stuff' I want to do with them. I have a few other things I want to do while I am there, but I'll have to wait to see if I have time to do everything. At least it is just visiting family because we don't need to visit sights because we lived there for so long.

We had a quiet weekend this past weekend. The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 179th annual conference was aired on TV. Some great messages and warnings were given. Concerns about the state of finances and readiness for other disasters were talked about with good counsel for all to take to heart. Then yesterday Carl and I were set apart for our calling. We are 'Baptism Clothing Coordinators for the Peoria North Stake'. We will be opening the Chapel for the monthly Stake Baptisms, making sure that everyone that is getting baptised has the right outfit and then wash it afterwards.

Tomorrow is Ella's birthday!!! Happy Birthday Ella!!!! I hope you have a great day. I can't believe the number of years that have gone by since she was born....... It just seems like yesterday! Well, it seems only yesterday that Julie was born, so I guess I AM getting OLD!!!

Talk about old---Coby's birthday is TODAY!!!! He is a young, 36!!! Yes, I had to do the math for that one. I am lucky I can remember the year he was born to DO the math~~~~

Well, I am off to fix supper. Yes, you read right, me cooking----NOT, just salad for Judy & me. I think I can handle that.

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

Happy St. Pat's Day!!

2009-03-17T09:45:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone is having a great day today!!! Nothing special going on here, but the weather is beautiful!! We have had the bedroom door open every night the past few nights & it is great. Carl put on a regular screen door so we don't have the bugs coming in and then he put a cat door in so the cat isn't bugging us to go out all night. I sure have been sleeping much better since the cat can go out when she wants!!

I also want to wish Isaac a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! He's one of the cute guys in the family that lives in California. I hope you have a great day, Isaac!!

I suppose I need to get busy, Judy has company coming and we thought they'd be here later, but I just received a phone call saying they are close. Yikes!!! I am glad I don't have to entertain them after I let them in the door. I can finish with the beginning of my day.

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

Good Morning All!

2009-03-09T11:45:00.000-07:00

This morning is quiet. No running to be done, no kids around and husband at work. I am cleaning up the e-mail and getting a couple loads of wash done then I am hitting the sewing machine.
I have one quilt loaded ('Fall Trees with Ease') on the frame
and one on the design wall ('Pink A-Maze-Ing'). Both of these are going to be demo quilts for shops to hang to find out about interest in classes. I recently signed up on a 'find a teacher' site. Boy, was that a trial in patience and computer glitches. It sure is a slow process to get things up and running. I just hope that when I start teaching that it just keep going and going.

The quilt with Pooh on it is a friends quilt that I made 8 years ago. I did all of the embroidery then made the quilt and quilted it. This is the first picture I have of it. Not bad for one of my first quilts.

Since the accident I have been having headaches and my neck hurts anytime I spend a any time on the computer. I think that I will be going to the doctor to have everything checked out later. I sure didn't want to have to go, but it has been almost 2 weeks and things should have calmed down by now. I just kept thinking that the only thing they would tell me was to 'give it time'. I just hope there isn't much else going on. I don't want to stop doing things because I have a headache. It tends to slow progress down around here and I don't have time for that.

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

Beautiful Day

2009-03-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

This weekend is our Stake Conference. We have the privilege to have a General Authority speaking to us. It is interesting the message we were given last night. We discussed the 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World" For those that don't know about it, the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has proclaimed what a marriage and family should be and how to conduct ourselves in this life to be able to live in the Celestial Kingdom after our death with our families. To see the Proclamation go to:

http://lds.org/ldsorgv/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e1fa5f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=1aba862384d20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0

I often wonder what prompts different talks or discussions. With this talk last night I think, Are there a lot of marital problems in our Stake? Is the Lord trying to stop marital problems in our Stake? Or is it just to strengthen strong marriages? I do know that it was a reminder to ME what I need to do keep harmony in MY house. That is not as easy as it seems!! Each morning I ask for help from the Holy Ghost for guidance through the day. I know if not for him I would not accomplish even half as much as I do. I am very thankful to be a member of this church. It helps to guide and direct me when I need it the most and that is everyday.

Sharon

2009-02-25T13:13:00.000-08:00

I found this on one of my forums and I just had to share.

Wash Day...........

Monday Wash Day
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and Vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility Through the week ahead.

Tuesday Ironing Day
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles Of prejudice I have collected through the years So that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday Mending Day
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not Set a bad example for others.

Thursday Cleaning Day
Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday Shopping Day
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others In need of love.

Saturday Cooking Day
Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly Love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday The Lord's Day
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please Come into my heart so I may spend the day and the Rest of my life in your presence.

I have much to be thankful for today since Judy & I were in an auto accident a short time ago. I do believe if another motorist hadn't honked her horn and alerted me of the oncoming car that we would be sitting in the hospital emergency room at this moment. If I had not hit the brakes the other auto would have slammed into the part of the car right where Judy & I were sitting. As it was it hit the front tire area, bent the tire and smashed the front end. We were sooooo very lucky. We even had a police officer witness the accident. Just a second after we were hit I looked up and saw a police cruiser with the lights on and she was pulling around us to alert other oncoming traffic. I didn't even have a chance to get my cell phone out of my pocket. We are both home and doing okay. I do have a splitting headache and a goose egg, but that is minor to what could have happened. I would really like to get some quilting done, but I know that if I try at this point I will just waste fabric by cutting the wrong size strip.

Happy quilting,
Sharon

Loading quilt frame

2009-02-19T20:32:00.000-08:00

For those that wonder what I am talking about when I say, 'I am loading a quilt' here is a pictorial.

The first thing I do is to baste the backing to the leaders then I load it on the quilt frame. The leaders are fabric that attaches the quilt back or top to the bars on the quilt frame. Some frames have round bars, but this one has square bars.

In the first picture it shows the leader over the front bar and the 'cover' bar I use to hold the leader to the bar so it won't twist when I am quilting.

The second picture is the 'cover' bar on.

The third picture is starting to roll the backing onto the quilt frame.

The forth picture is the backing almost completely on the frame.

I then did the same thing to the back bar with the other leader.

The fifth picture is the backing ready to lay the batting and quilt top on so I can quilt a quilt.

It seems to take some time for some, but this one with the pictures took me only 15 minutes. That's not bad for being the 5th one I have started since getting this frame. Before I had to push my quilts through my regular sewing machine by hand. I am much better with my meander on this than I was doing it the other way. I need to get good enough to do repeat designs instead of meanders. For now though I can get a small quilt done in about 4 hours instead of a day or two.

It is so much more fun to quilt my creations now.

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

2009-02-19T19:47:00.001-08:00

Yahoo!!! I have Cyrus' quilt done. I boxed it up tonight and will get it in the mail tomorrow. Here are some photos of it. I call it 'Vroom' because the fabric line was from Avlyn and they named it 'Vroom'. You can tell why!!! I did not use a pattern for this quilt. The front is the panel that you can make into a book and the back has a 'race' track on it. I made it a little bigger than baby size, but smaller than twin. Drats... I forgot to measure it and it is already in the box. I sure hope he likes it.