Spring Fling Sampler

This past spring I participated in a block swap on MSN Quilting Around the World Group. I made 2 flying geese blocks for each participant, and received the rest of these blocks in the swap. I backed it with very soft minkee, and quilted away on it. Its definately not perfect, but for my hmmmmm 4th quilt on the machine, its not bad. I'm planning it as a gift for my ds's girlfriend.



Flower pot up close


close up of border feathers, my first.

Fun cat in the bird house.

Close up of bird.

Matt's Quilt

I have a guy friend, Matt. We've been friends for quite a long time. Matt is the guy who will drive across town to change the lightbulb I can't reach in my stairway. Or prune my tress, cut down dead trees, pretty much anything I need help with, Matt is always there for me. He's been wanting me to make him a quilt for a while, and I've finally finished it today. Here is first a closeup of the quilting. This is the 3rd quilt I've quilted on my new HQ-16. Then there is a picture of the entire quilt. I quilted into it, For Matt from Colene 2007, but was unable to get a good picture of it.

Its Like Magic!

Magically, I found enough time to finish putting this quilt top together today. I love how it turned out. I can hardly wait to get that handi quilter and learn how to finish this quilt.

More flowers, everywhere!

I just can't seem to stop making these little flower blocks. Here are pictures of the last 8 for my lap quilt.

Blue Eyed Grass


Milkwort


Downy Gentian


False Beech Drop


Bouncing Bet


Morning Glory (Can't believe I made one of these despite how they plague my garden)


Wild Rose


Tulip

Can You Say "A"ddicting?

Okay, I never would have thought it possible, but I'm sort of feeling addicted to these little flower blocks. Since this weekend, I've made 3 more. Loving it! Here they are.

Arrowhead


Phlox


Trillium

The "A" Word

I recently purchased a book by Eleanor Burns titled The Magic Vine Quilt. This book is based on newspaper articles published long ago. You can read all about that aspect if you purchase the book. I hadn't attempted the "Applique" as, although, I purchased the book I was quite intimidated by the process. UNTIL........ Sophie posted the July lotto block on the about dot com quilting forum. I tried the applique' flowers for Sophie's lotto, and to my surprise quite enjoyed the experience. That was 8 days ago. Today I made the first flower block from The Magic Vine Quilt book. Here it is. I had fun doing it, and it wasn't as hard as I had imagined it would be.


Its called Evening Primrose

Log Cabin

I had a couple of bins full of fabric strings I didn't use up in the string block swap. I was thinking of throwing them out because they were always telling me to do something with them, but of course, I wasn't motivated to do anything. Just as I was about to throw them out. (I had them bagged up in trash bags) I saw Ami's swap for little log cabin blocks. I thought, hmm perfect chance to try some log cabin blocks. I got cutting and realized I didn't have enough tan or brown strings to play in the swap, but decided to go ahead and use what I had and just not swap them. Here they are on the wall (82 blocks) I need to make 18 more to finish this in the Barn Raising setting.

Women over 40

I received this from an online friend, and had to share.

60 Minutes Correspondent Andy Rooney (CBS)

As I grow in age, I value women over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think.

If a woman over 40 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it's usually more interesting.

Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40.

Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we p raise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 40, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize. For all those men who say, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?", here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!

Sewing Frenzy

I've been on a bit of a sewing frenzy this weekend. It started out yesterday with these 3 pincushions.


Then I moved onto making two of these fun sewing kits.


Here is the inside. There are pockets for items such as thread, buttons, measuring tape, and two needle books, and a built in pin cushion. These were fun to make, and will make fun gifts.


This morning I made this fun and easy bedside caddy. No more searching for the remotes.


Last week I made this fun tote for a swap I'm hosting on about.com's quilting forum.


That's it for today. I've got to clean this messy house, and we have company coming for dinner tonight.

A funny that Al shared with me

A store that sells new husbands has just opened in New York City, where a
woman may go to choose a husband.

Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store
operates:

You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the value
of the product increase as the shopper ascends the flights.
The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose
to go up to the next floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the
building!

So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband.

On the first floor the sign on the door reads:
Floor 1 - These men Have Jobs.

The second floor sign reads:
Floor 2 - These men Have Jobs and Love Kids.

The third floor sign reads:
Floor 3 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, and are Extremely Good Looking.

"Wow," she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.

She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads:
Floor 4 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Good Looking and
Help With Housework.

"Oh, mercy me!" she exclaims, "I can hardly stand it!"

Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads:
Floor 5 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Gorgeous, Help
with Housework, and have a Strong Romantic Streak.

She is so tempted to stay, but she goes on to the sixth floor and the sign
reads:
Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on
this floor. This floor exists
solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping
at the Husband Store.

To avoid gender bias charges, the store's owner also opened a New Wives
store just across the street.

The first floor has wives that love sex.

The second floor has wives that love sex and have money.

The third through sixth floors have never been visited.

Tote Sweet Swap

I'm hosting a different swap on about.com's quilting forum. This swap is for Totes and sweets in a spring theme. I like to go for walks with my dog in the spring (theoretically that is) so, I made a tote bag out of 2 orphan doggie blocks I had. It has a lining and pockets inside.


robicole

How Many Quilts?

Around mid November I realized I had quite a few half made quilts, in the form of blocks. I decided to make a goal to finish them all into the form of quilt tops by the end of the year. Basically finish everything I had started this year. I was able to almost meet this goal. I still have the blocks from the book swap, I'm not even close to finishing this quilt, as I need to make knick knacks, and don't have a clue how yet. I also have a Christmas Sampler quilt that is not finished as I am waiting for 2 blocks from a swapper whose cats spilled cranberry juice on her blocks and she is having to re-make them. All in all, (by my best count) I made 29 quilt tops this year. All but 3 are either finished or at the quilter's waiting their turns. Not bad for my first year of quilting. And just in time, here is the quilt top I finished today. The last one of the year! Most of the other quilts can be seen Here. Some quilts don't have pictures yet, as they are being quilted. Now What? Only time will tell.

Holiday Eating Tips
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday
buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact,
if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where
they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine
single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than
single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year
but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories
in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an
eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one
for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole
point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make
a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy.
Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with
skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother?
It's like buying a sports car with an automatic
transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort
to control your eating. The whole point of going to a
Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots
of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now
and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have
nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which
you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a
10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet
table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size
of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have
as many as you can before becoming the center of attention.
They' re like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them
behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of
each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and
one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have
more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with
the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all
cost. I mean, have SOME standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave
the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying
attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is
just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the
intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well
preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in
one hand, martini in the other, totally worn out and
screaming,

"WOO HOO what a ride!"

Butterfly Storm

I'm guessing that Stormy was wondering if i would ever actually get this quilt top made. When I saw her on Thanksgiving I told her I was going to start it this weekend. I didn't think I would actually finish it though! Now I need to purchase the fabric for the back and have it quilted, and bind it, and its done! i think it turned out cool. all the small squares around the large butterflies are made with a variety of butterfly fabrics, there are a couple of dragon flies thrown in for variety. Hope she loves it. It will be a late wedding gift for her and David when its completed.

Geography is not my strong point!

Just for fun, I took this online "3rd grade geography test" I failed, miserably. I did okay, until I got to the north east. Bad Bad Bad, see how you do.
http://www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf

Patchy Hearts and Four Patches

This is a quilt top made from blocks I exchanged in two different block swaps. I woke up at 3:30 this morning and couldn't sleep. I put this one together and then worked on a queen size swap block quilt top for the next 10 hours or so. I'm sick of looking at both of them now. :)

by robicole

Bring on the Cheese

Just need to whine a bit. Tony has been gone A LOT! I think I saw him for 3 days in August. and I haven't seen him since. He left August 22nd and so far no Tony. Its such a drag. Whine Whine Whine. Mom would say, should I bring the cheese? YES! Bring on the cheese!

Star Fling Quilt

I finished a quilt top made from swap blocks from the group on about.com Here is a link to my webshots with the quilt.

How much do you weigh?

I was wandering around the internet and found this site. You answer about 10 questions and then it tells you how much you weigh. Ha! I thought, no way. But, I answered honestly, and ......... it was exactly what I weigh. Scary! And.... AMAZING! How do they do it? Lifestyle choices. I think I should go back and lie, and see what would change if I changed a thing or two about my lifestyle.
Check it out!
http://www.blogthings.com/howmuchdoyouweighquiz/

Another fun little quiz

You Are a Newborn Soul

You are tolerant, accepting, and willing to give anyone a chance.On the flip side, you're easy to read and easily influenced by others.You have a fresh perspective on life, and you can be very creative.Noconformist and nontraditional, you've never met anyone who's like you. Inventive and artistic, you like to be a trendsetter.You have an upbeat spirit and you like almost everything.You make friends easily and often have long standing friendships.Implusive and trusting, you fall in love a little too easily. Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Fun in Denver and a quilt too!

What great fun. When I arrived in Denver Janet had my bed made up with a quilt she received from Mom. Thanks to Janet, Lisa Kate, Rachel, Trevor, and Jordan for a fun filled week in Denver.

What kind of flower are you?

Once again Sophie has found something cool on the internet that I have to steal her idea. This one is fun to do and to see the results.

I am a Daffodil What Flower Are You?

You have a sunny disposition and are normally one of the first to show up for the party. You don't need too much attention from the host once you get there as you are more than capable of making yourself seen and heard.

Another Quilt Top Done

Here's a cute quilt called Chinese Coins, I made from scraps. Well, except for the black wasn't scraps.

by robicole
PS. Stormy, I miss the comments.

Pet Rules

This is a funny little article someone posted on one of the quilting forums I frequent. I loved it. Especially the rules to post on the door for visitors at my house. Author Unknown

PET RULES
To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.
Dear Dogs and Cats,
The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate of food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping onthe couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years --canine or feline attendance is not mandatory.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets
1. They live here - You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"niture.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

This is too funny!

I was wandering around the internet looking for free stationary for my e mail program, and I found the funniest little clip. Go to this website, and click the play/arrow button on the picture of the road with the trees on each side. Then wait a minute for it to download, and enjoy! Its so so so funny!

Red States

An online friend of mine put a map of all the states she's been in on her blog. She shared the link so others could have fun doing the same. What a great idea. Now, I know I can't compete with Tony or Al, but I think my map looks pretty impressive for someone who doesn't make a point of visiting every county in a state. LOL! Now if I could just get out of Idaho, and take a road trip with Tony I might get some more states. Or if I could use up those frequent flyer miles I still have from school that would be great also. Here's the link to the website if you want to do your own map. And so Al can have fun too there are country maps also.



create your own personalized map of the USA

Safari Quilt for Charity Purposes

I made this quilt from donated interior decorator swatch books. I used 2 different sets of swatches, and this is what it turned out like. I will do a drawing at work, and one of the clients will win it.
You can see close up pictures of some of the cool blocks on my webshots pages Here.

Tony's little vacation

Tony came home for about 12 days and here's what he did. We have been talking about increasing the deck so I could actually put the patio furniture I bought myself as a graduation present several years ago on the deck. Tony decided it was time, and did the deck, and then we decided we wanted more privacy and he put a fence on one side. Its like another room in the house, only outside.

Jar Quilt Wall Hanging

This is a wall hanging I made for the wall above my kitchen table. I've seen these jar quilts using bugs and candy, but I like the fruits and vegetables. I need to block it, as it isn't hanging correctly, makes the jars look like they are about to fall off the shelf and spill all over.

New Blog

I've started another blog. The new one is for the quilt block swaps, I'm hosting on the online forum. The swaps are called penny pincher swaps. I've put a link to the new blog on the right side of the screen. I thought this would give Stormy more to read, it has lots of sewing information.

Enid and her quilt

I had almost finished this quilt for Enid, and then put it away, and got busy with other projects. Stormy and the little cuties came over to visit tonight, and I finished the binding while we visited. Enid took it home, and seemed to really like it. She laid it on the floor and pretended to sleep right after we gave it to her. Little Aiden is getting bigger, he smiled at me tonight, and NO it wasn't gas. I thought I would hurry and do this blog entry while they were driving home, so Stormy will have something to read. :)

Stormy's Butterfly

Here is the fabric I've purchased for Stormy's quilt. This is just one of many fabrics I plan to use in the quilt. There Stormy now you have something to read.

Moms

Uncle Ken sent me this e mail today, and I thought it should be shared.

For those who are lucky enough to still be blessed
with your Mom, this is beautiful. For those who
aren't, it is even more beautiful.

The young mother set her foot on the path of life.
"Is this the long way?" she asked. And the guide said,
"Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old
before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better
than the beginning."

But the young mother was happy and she would
not believe that anything could be better than
these years. So she played with her children, she fed
them and bathed them and taught them how to tie their
shoes and ride a bike and reminded them to feed the dog
and do their homework and brush their teeth. The sun
shone on them and the young Mother cried, "Nothing will
ever be lovelier than this."

Then the nights came, and the storms, and the path
was sometimes dark, and the children shook with fear and cold,
and the mother drew them close and covered them with her arms, and the
children said, "Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and
no harm can come."

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead,
and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother
was weary. But at all times she said to the children,

"A little patience and we are there."

So the children climbed, and as they climbed, they
learned to weather the storms. And with this, she gave
them strength to face the world. Year after year,
she showed them compassion, understanding, hope, but
most of all, unconditional love. And when they reached
the top they said, "Mother, we would not have done it
without you."

The days went on, and the weeks and the months and
the years, and the mother grew old, and she became little and bent.
But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And
the mother, when she lay down at night, looked up at the stars and
said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have
learned so much and are now passing these traits on to
their children."

And when the way became rough for her, they lifted
her, and gave her their strength, just as she had
given them hers. One day they came to a hill, and
beyond the hill they could see a shining road and
golden gates flung wide. And mother said, "I have
reached the end of my journey. And now I know the
end is better than the beginning, for my children can
walk with dignity and pride, with their heads held high,
and so can their children after them."

And the children said, "You will always walk with
us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates." And they
stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after
her. And they said,
"We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A mother
like ours is more than a memory. She is a living
presence."

Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper
of the leaves as you walk down the street. She's the
smell of certain foods you remember...flowers you
pick and perfume that she wore. She's the cool hand on
your brow when you're not feeling well...she's your
breath in the air on a cold winter's day. She is the sound
of the rain that lulls you to sleep...the colors of a
rainbow. She is Christmas morning.

Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she is
crystallized in every tear drop. A mother shows
every emotion..happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love,
hate, anger,helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow..and all the
while hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in
life. She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map
you follow with every step you take. She's your first
love, your first friend, even your first enemy...
but, nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not
space, not even death!

I've got tissues if anyone needs them. Colene

Spring Wildlife Sighting

Tony and I took a drive up to Swan Valley to see if the snow was melted enough to take the trailer up for the summer. It was a beautiful day 70 - 75 degrees most of the way. We even got to see some wildlife. How much money do we get for deer, I can't remember.

Butterlies Are Free is finished!

I just finished this tonight and couldn't wait to share it. I think it turned out awesome. What do you think?

Big Eyes Little Stomach

I started this quilt on February 04, 2006. I finished it today April 08, 2006. I thought I would never finish it. Just like when I used to take way too much food, and not be able to finish it. Thus the title of this quilt will forever be.... Big Eyes Little Stomach.

One down, one more to go.

Well, I've finally gotten around to finishing another block for the butterflies are free quilt. I have one more to go, another one with the butterflies, and then the real quilting begins. Cutting what feels like millions of blocks, and sewing the actual quilt top together. This is turning into a marathon quilt, just be happy you finished it type of thing.

80 mile per hour winds ruin fence

Last night in Pocatello/Chubbuck we had a huge storm come through with upwards of 80 mile per hour winds. It was moving 95 mph, and blew through here and took my back fence, that borders yellowstone hwy. with it. You can click on the link to see more pictures of the damage.

http://community.webshots.com/user/robicole
I'm having trouble getting this link to work correctly, Looks like you will need to cut and paste it into your browser to see themn. The pictures are in the random pictures file.

My homeowner's insurance will cover it to be replaced. But its pretty frustrating. In the last 2 weeks Danielle's car broke down (on her birthday) $500 to fix, The engine in Tony's truck went out $6000, My window in my jeep broke $300, and now the $500 deductible on the homeowners insurance. I've about had enough. I have no idea how we're going to pay for this, I go to the accountant tomorrow, hopefully we'll get a good refund, and can have the engine replaced, my jeep fixed, and pay this new deductable. I know I sound whiney, but if we don't get a refund, I will have to take money out of my retirement savings, and pay 10% fines, and then to add insult to injury I will have to pay income tax on any I take out also, and an irs penalty for early withdrawal. Waaaaa!

Quilt for a Cure

Quilt for a cure is sponsored by The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I made this one from the quilt for a cure fabrics. This one is for Aunt Lee, and Grandma.
You can learn more about this if you click on the quilt for a cure link on the right hand side of this page.

Nellie's birthday quilt

Here is the quilt I made Nellie for her birthday. She really wanted a new car, but this will keep her warmer.
Colene

My baby is all grown up!

Well, I can't believe this day has come! Happy Birthday Danielle! We made it to 18 and didn't kill each other. (this is the goal of every parent right?) Whoo Hooo! LOL! I now am officially OLD. :( I have a grown child. Hope you have a great birthday. Love you Mom

Butterlies Are Free!

Except for these butterflies, which are sewn to a piece of fabric. And... those poor butterlies that are stuck with pins into some ghooolish person's bug collection. The rest of the butterflies are FREE!

I'm an ant :)

Aidin Micheal Hopwood
7 lbs 14 oz 20 In long
Born at 3:29 pm
Pocatello,ID

I just had to post this exciting news. Stormy and David's beautiful baby boy was born yesterday afternoon. I received the good news by e-mail. (remember when they used to use the phone?) LOL! Congratulations to the new parents, and new grandparents, and new uncles and ANTS.