NaBloPoMo challenge!

Last week as I was reading my favorite group of blogs on BlogHer I noticed a challenge to post every day in October. Of course I had to sign up so that I could get my blogging back up to speed. The icon for you to sign up is in the right sidebar. It seems that the computer work always manages to be done last when in fact I needs it to be first. I have the bad habit of spending HOURS on the computer when I finally start working it. Just a simple blog post can take several hours because I go over it so many times before I hit the publish button. I get really discouraged with bad spelling and grammar in any post that I read and I have to do everything in my power to fix any of mine. I am not saying that there are some things that I go back and read on my blog that I don't say 'WHAT?!?!' to, but overall I am happy with every post I put on here. The other thing is, I like photos in posts. Not that every post I do has photos. That is usually because they are either 1) in the phone and I haven't transferred them yet or 2) I haven't gotten around to 'fix' them. As with most of my pictures posted here I try to put my watermark on them and of course you need to re-size and crop them. All of that takes time and when you just want to do a quick post it doesn't get done. 

For those that have not visited me I will give an overview of my blog. I started tabs so those that only wanted information on certain parts of my life would be able to go right to that part instead of scanning every post. 

'Life' is the first tab. This is the tab that opens when you click into Coyote Quilts on blogspot. This is where I post all of my everyday things such as kids, grandkids, birthdays, and general happenings in my 'life'.

'Quilting the Kaye Wood Way' classes tab has all my information on the quilting classes that I am certified to instruct from Kaye Wood. I have taken classes from Kaye since 2009 and this year I earned the 'Permanent Certified' certificate to teach each and every one of Kaye's patterns and rulers. I listed and linked all of Kaye's patterns for easy viewing with pictures of the quilts I completed and remembered to take pictures of. I would love to schedule a class with your group just contact me to discuss dates and times. 

'Quilting World' is where I try to post all of my quilting projects. Some of the posts and pictures are of quilt shows I have attended some are my projects for sale others are quilts I have made for family and friends. 

'My Spiritual Side' is all things related to my Christian beliefs as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. With the announcement that a temple was going to be built in North Phoenix, AZ and groundbreaking starting in 2011 I wanted to show the progress being made each week. Well, the weekly pictures soon went to monthly then not at all. I found it was very hard to make the time to go to the site each week and get my pictures especially after the outside was done and you couldn't see any changes other than equipment.  We moved from the Phoenix area last April and I have no pictures of the finished temple, but you can see it here. For those that always wondered what those 'Mormons' did in their temples and are in the Phoenix, AZ area now is your chance to visit one. There is an open house for general public to view this beautiful temple from October 10, 2014 through November 1, 2014. The tour is not limited to those that make an appointment. If you happen to be in the area of 51sth Ave and Pinnacle Peak and want a tour please stop. You can't believe how beautiful and peaceful this House of the Lord can be until you experience it yourself.

'Donations' is next in line. This is mostly for myself to know what and where I have donated. I would love to donate more, but as with everything else time just marches right on by. I have 2 places that I donate, the first is my time and talents to my church and the second is to hospice when I make quilts for the clients. 

'Tutorials' is up next even though there is only 1 tute there. When I did this tute I realized that there was a lot more work getting a tute together than I ever realized. I get so into my work that I forget to stop and take pictures each and every step then I end up having to make ANOTHER item....

'"Challenge"' was started to get my juices flowing to get projects done in a timely manner. I have a problem with procrastination and needed a little incentive. I at least got some stuff done that I wouldn't otherwise have accomplished that year. I need to do another one this year just to stay on track. 

'Vacations!' are up next. Yeah, this is where I try to post all of our vacations, even the little day trips we sometimes take. We have had some amazing discoveries with our little day trips. Here is one fun day that I really enjoyed. 

'Coyote Quilts on ArtFire' is a link to my ArtFire site. While I have been doing this post I have checked to make sure all my links are working correctly. When I first started writing this post the link was looking weird, but it has changed again in the last 15 minute, I didn't realize that it was going to be a complete overhaul of ArtFire (I know I received an e-mail about it a bit ago) and as with everything new I will have to get use to it. One thing that is really nice is that the pictures are HUGE now. You can see items a lot better without clicking through to the next page. The other changes are going to take time getting use to.

'Coyote Quilts on Facebook' is my link to my Facebook business page. Usually I manage to post more over there because I can just snap a pic on my phone and post. Only downfall with that is that I don't have my watermark on all of those pictures. If you are a Facebook fan click on over and 'Like' me!

In the right sidebar is multiple different icons  some with links embedded and others are just interesting information about me and my blog. So grab a cuppa' and check out my 'Life' and let me know what you think in a comment! 

To keep up to date with me fill in your email address in 'follow by email' box.

Thanks for visiting!

Until tomorrow,
Happy Quilting, Sharon 

Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" 
Certified Instructor since 2013

August Already!

Seven months of the year 2012 is gone, gone, gone! I can not believe it! It seems as though it was just yesterday that we went to Sea World in California!!!

Oh well, onward and upward.... Onward in time and upward in age.... LOL!

I updated the progress on the Temple this past week....

Last weekend we ended up getting 2 dust storms in 2 days. On Saturday we were at a church function and decided to get home a little early and it was a good idea that we did. We were just about to the car when we looked up and saw this---

 Then we drove through this to get home.

Then this is what we saw coming towards us the next day at the house.

And this is the storm marching right along.....

So, what do you think about our storms? Yeah dirty!

I'm just glad that the garage sale was over when these hit. This weekend I finished getting all the stuff cleaned up in the garage and Carl got all of the left over stuff hauled away. We actually have both of our cars in the garage tonight! Yahoo!!!! I still have totes to go through, but it is much better than it was a couple weeks ago.

Now I am off to post some stuff on Craig's list. I have posted on Freecycle already, so maybe a few more items will go down the road before next weekend! One can hope LOL!

Until next time, 

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

Today I managed to get to the temple and get pictures. I can't believe that it has been 3 months since we have visited.  Check it out here: http://coyotequilts.blogspot.com/p/my-spiritual-side.html

Today I managed to get another quilt mostly quilted. We went out to supper with friends, so I had to quit working on it. I hope to get back to it tomorrow and finish it. Then I have some binding for 3 quilts in my future.

Right now we are sitting and watching "Emergency!". Any body remember that show from the 80's? I use to watch it all the time and now I can watch it again on Netflix. We just finished watching "McMillan and Wife". Since giving up our DirecTV we have found we really like all of the old shows. So, I shall say, 'good night' for now and finish watching this great show.

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

Tired Thursday!

Evening all!

How has your week been? Mine has flown by so fast that I am wondering where it went...... Very little 'house work' has been done this week. Yesterday I planned on going to an estate sale that advertised 'LOTS of sewing supplies', but when Carl stopped in at home before I left he told me he had stopped earlier and they didn't have anything.... very disappointed! I did go have lunch with a friend and that made up for the estate sale.... Tomorrow I hope to get over to the Temple site and get some pictures. After that I want to work on the quilt that I have on the frame. It would be nice to get it done this weekend, but only time will tell.

Until next time,

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

Good Evening All!

What a beautiful day it was today. I really wanted to go out and play instead of being cooped up inside working... Today was sit at the front desk day. Most of the time it is okay, but there are moments when I don't think I can sign in another person and do everything else that needs to be done. 

It is really nice when I get a few extra things done before I head out the door in the morning, but that didn't happen today. Tomorrow I have the morning to get things done then I will go visiting my church 'sisters'. It will be nice to get to know some of the ladies in my church. I really want to get another purse done and get all my stuff on Artfire. That should take care of the rest of the day and keep me out of trouble.

Until next time, 

Happy Quilting, Sharon 

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" 

Certified Instructor since 2009

Good evening bloggers!

How has your day been? Mine has gone by way to fast. Other than church we didn't do much. Just spending time together is great.

Tomorrow is a work day and I really should get my beauty sleep. Lots of changes going on and I am sure that I shall be needing my roller blades (not that I have any, just need them) to get through the day.... LOL!

Then, tomorrow night I need to clean up the mess in my sewing room. I really trashed it while doing my photo shoot yesterday.

I have all of my pics cropped, sized and watermarked so they are ready to go on Artfire. Now I need to dig out the postal scales (yippee, I know where they are!) and get the shipping costs calculated. Then I shall sit at the computer for a couple hours getting stuff online. 

Tonight I signed up for wanelo.com (http://wanelo.com/store/coyotequilts) 

You need to go on over and check it out. It is similar to Pinterest, but all of these links are products for sale. I am hopeful that it will increase traffic to my Artfire shop. Only time will tell....

Well, it is the witching hour, so shall say good night!

Goodnight, David

Goodnight, Chet

Happy Quilting, Sharon 

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy Turkey Week!

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

Happy Birthday to ME!

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

Overall Update!

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

Hot, lazy Wednesday afternoon!

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

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!

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

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

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!

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

Good evening!!

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

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

Goofing off again tonight!

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

Can you believe it has been 15 years???

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

ALMOST APRIL!!!

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

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