:D aha! :D
Now we know the new "do" is just a cover story for your Bingo nights with with your DSis!

Honchey I hope life settles down for you in the New Year, am thinking of you.

QuiltE when are you going to have time to put your feet up and rest a while, your sewing room might become an alien place to you if you're not careful:D just kidding.

I planned on spending the day putting a couple of rows on my Jamestown Landing quilt and cutting my patches for my bonus blocks, but I got sidetracked:o found these wonderful embroidery designs when tidying up some files on my laptop and just had to stitch them out. My DD loves butterflies so we may have to work on another joint project next year..

They haven't been pressed yet, scanned them and e-mailed them to DD for her opinion. I'm thinking of an Irish Chain setting what do you think???

The background fabric is Fairy Frost Butterscotch and the butterflies are batiks, yay I finally cut into my stash of batiks

Oh and they are quite large, 7 inches which is a great size, will cut the block down to 9 1/2 inches

That all I have to say now:o

Mirabelle---I love butterflies and yours are so pretty!! I think the first is my favorite, but they are all great. :)

Mirabelle...those are beautiful! The batiks are perfect for the butterflies. Would you use batiks in the Irish Chain too?...just the corner squares using the colors you've used for the butterflies? The butterscotch is a perfect background.
Honchey...glad you keep tabs on us. We don't want to go too far astray.
Quilte....thanks for the thread info. I too use Arifil and really like it. It will be fun for you to get home next week and see the house ready for the holidays. Can't wait to see your GFG. Such a nice way to get your quilting in.

mirabelle, I wish we were closer than this virtual world travel with all my batiks, I could share, but your idea is so breathe taking beautiful...love all the butterflies, especially the first and last ones. JeanieG can tell you about all the different colors that I have on hand.

QuiltE, its good that you can get your two cents worth in, I miss you when you are not aboard here. Honchey, I love hearing your two cents worth again, too. Hoping you win BIG at your Bingo games.

Never heard of that thread but will be checking it out; where can one find it?? Brrr...its cold here this morning...down to 12 above according to my weather on the computer.

Mirabelle, Those butterflies are gorgeous!!! I have 2 emb machines and only do little emb's once in awhile....I wish I could be more enthusiastic about doing embroidery... Talking about De...I just decided to visit for several days not to play bingo tho...I'll be picking up some See's Chocolate (California Brittle is my favorite) that DS ordered....She loves "Croc's" and they had a great cyber sale ending yesterday...Buy one get one..free shipping! so now I'll have a pair for each location..NJ & NC...
QNS, Brrrrrrr 12 degrees??? cold, cold, cold, I hope you have warm slippers for those cold floors...see..I do read the threads:)
Oksewglad, after seeing your mini quilts I'm separating bits and pieces....someday...
Dublb....your Texas Twang is rubbin' off me...:)
I've never used Arifil...What's special about it??? Is it 100% cotton? "Fil"me in :)
Ggal, I've become too attached to all of you to let go astray.....What a wonderful group we have here!!
I have a question....How do you insert the laughing face...not the smiley into the threads...

I have always used Gutermann; I watch for JoAnns for it going on sale. It works well with my Bernina 1540 quilting sewing machine I bought in 199? at Houston's International Quilt Show. It still sits on the old typewriter stand...someday maybe I will get a real sewing machine table...when dh does not have million different ways for the budget has to go...like when pigs will fly...he is still a keeper after 46 years, plus.

Every winter morning when I hit the floor that is put on a cement slab, I wish for the floor warming floors. First thing after Taxes (Missouri taxes are due in November-December, you have to pay full amount assessed by state/county) , is another small heater for my sewing room. Tax paying on retirement kills all Christmas thoughts and wishes every year...by now, I should be getting used to it. Gotta support the prison system and those that do not work. :o Our freezers are full and propane tank filled, so we can still smile this year.

It was a good T. week, with our dd and family on the weekend, and 19 on T. Day. And to see all the chatter here, it is just wonderful. Pony Club scraps are all gone, and received well in their new home. Now to get the blocks ready to sew together...after I get that small heater for the sewing room!!

QuiltE...here is a hexagon to make a scrappy GFG although it would have to be made smaller. I'm slowly becoming addicted to scraps and crumbs. http://quiltville.blogspot.com/. It's unreal how many blocks can be made if you just close your eyes and sew without trying to control the outcome too much.
QNS...we only got down to about 25 last night but we did have a few snow flakes in the grass. You could get heating mats like they use in hog houses. Just have a couple where you spend most of your time. Little piggys like to be warm! Here is a link to investigate.
http://www.enasco.com/product/C11765N
my LQS carries Arifil along with several other brands. Dubib described it well. I got some online too at about 1/3 of the price. What do you use, Honchey and QNS?
dubib..have fun with the DGS. They grow up so fast.

But where do I find those mats used to keep little piggies warm, GG?

Since we have raised and have ducks ran across this funny riddle:
When do ducks wake up in the morning?
At the Quack of dawn.

we were writing at the same time when I edited my post and added a link. Here it is again.http://www.enasco.com/product/C11765N

Thanks, GG. Sorry we were typing at the same time...Great minds run along the same lines, they say. Postage was a killer, almost as much as the product...but dh is worth every penny. It will be a nice surprise for him, as this is what he has wished for more than once in the last few years. Since he is diabetic 2, he freezes, especially his feet. With high blood pressure, I am "hot" all the time, except this beginning of winter, the weather is freezing me. Maybe that means my bp is behaving.. Now, dh feet will be warm in his room as he cruises the internet on his computer. Thanks. Amazing what I have learned on this PC trail.:thumbup:

Ggal, online site for the Aurifil thread????

Here is a site although I don't think it's the one I ordered from. http://www.sewezdesigns.com/Aurifil_...les_Cones.html
i actually use a neutral like one of the beiges for most all of my piecing. When I searched, I saw that it's also being sold on e-bay. What are you currently using?

I can't buy Auriful where I live, I have purchased some from US when I have bought fabric and I really like piecing with it. Normally I sew with Rasant thread which is the most used thread for patchwork over here, it is a polyester core wrapped in cotton thread. I hope that makes sense

Thanks for the offer QNS I would love to come play with you too, I have a huge tub of batiks that are all washed, pressed and folded and for some reason it has been really hard for me to cut into them. I cut all my lengths and FQ's in half and shared with DD so she has the same amount as me:D. I am thinking a multi coloured Irish Chain at the moment but that might change.

Honchey I was always against machine embroidery, thought I would never be interested in "that sort of thing" but after becoming friendly with a few ladies in my group who have large embroidery machines I must say I am hooked. I guess my perception was old fashioned diolies and tablecloths but my friends opened up a whole new world of quilts for me. Wish I was closer to you gals, think we would have so much fun together...shop hops, retreats etc etc:thumbup:

I use coats & clarks egyptian cotton...I don't like the thickness of the Gutterman thread it seems very stiff to me...I am going to try the Aurifil...I really haven't had any problems with the coats & clark like so many others have mentioned...My machines don't have a problem with the C&C either....I have the Diamond, the DSE, The Sapphire & a Pfaff 4.0....I like a nice flat seam and pressing does that for me...BUT...if there's something better I don't mind trying it.... Thanks for the info....

It's always so much fun to come back and catch up with yinz. Great info on thread. Anne, I use C&C in my Sapphire and it loves it; tried Aurifil and some of my stitches "slipped". I also use ConnectingThreads thread. I've never thought about the thread in the seam allowance. I spritz and iron the crap out of my seams to smash them into submission (I know, I know--supposed to "press".)
Put my mother's house on the market yesterday--bittersweet. I grew up there and she lived there for 57 years. That's why I haven't been on QB so much lately and have all this catching up to do. Went over today and did a final vacuuming and dusting. Is that the last time I'll be in the house? Sorry, I didn't think this would depress me as much as it is.
I like the Feb date for our exchange blocks. How many am I supposed to send? I only participated in one table runner swap here on QB and I was so insecure I made 3 before I decided one of them was good enough to send. I'm nervous about sending yinz my blocks!!
Anne, are you still working on Rosie Quilt? I finally got caught up on that too. Made a Christmas throw instead of the whole quilt.

Hi Jan, was thinking about you today and figured you were up to or doing something...

We lived in a few different places growing up and it isn't easy letting go...Now when I go back to those areas I remember the things I did and how much fun we had as kids growing up...Memories are the only precious remnants of those times....You will remember very fondly all the good times...the not so good times fade away...
Hope you have a quick sale... Hang in there Jan...it does get better!!!

I will try a spool of the Aurifil... I almost bought some online...The largest spool is on sale for $30....The online site is closing.... will pick up a small spool first...I'd rather try and see if I like or better yet if my machines like it...

I have 4 blocks done (Rosie)...I really don't know why I stopped...I was on a roll there for a while...I think it was because the postings of the weekly blocks were erratic and I was not too fond of that...it confused me at times...I am not an organized person but some things need to have order....IMHP...

Honchey, if anyone can manage two different home sites like you do, there is no problems in being organized!! And JeannieG manages her travel trailer and her home...she's organized, too!! I can hardly manage my home these days; it took too many trips to the grocery store to get organized for T.Day...

It would take me too long to get ready to go on a retreat...by the time I got ready to go, I'd be too tired to go! Now to get back in my Quilt Room and organize one more time...and find what I am going to work on!! Forecast is warmer each day for over a week, thank goodness! All the way up to 69 degrees...may have to break out the swinsuit...that would be quite a picture...that would never get published.:o

QNS...are you proposing one of those calendars where mature women show it off? :D:D I'll pass!
Jan..remember we are friends and not quilt police. Perfection is not required. It's only to be a lasting reminder of this PC ride and the moments we've shared.

My sentiments exactly, it is going to a lasting memory of the friendships that have been forged

On the thread...I have tried a couple others besides Aurifil, but like this best. One of the best things is that a bobbin lasts a long time! Also little lint. There is a lot more thread on a small spool than you realize, so don't let the $9-10 price tag scare you away.

One house is enough for me to maintain! :)

I am trying to keep up with the "Rosie" quilt...finished one more block today. Need to get that posted tonight. There are 2 of the 20 I'm not making, so when I get one more done, I am on track. I agree it is a little confusing on the threads where all the blocks are on one thread. Anne, thank you for the work you went to to keep the PC blocks going smoothly!

I had a nice time with a friend today...we did more visiting than actual sewing, but it has been a *long* time since we've gotten together and we had to catch up.:thumbup:

Jan--you don't have to be worried at all about your blocks...from what I have seen on these threads and the Rosie blocks you have NOTHING to be worried about!! You need to make 13 blocks...they can be all the same (mine will be) or you can do a special block for each person. It is up to you. :)

No calendar proposal, GG and mirabelle...no way!!

Just the calendars of finished quilt and patterns, for me. thank you very much!!

Oh my ladies--from thread to footwarmers to selling one's place of memories, the air is abuzz with friendly chatter. How good it is to sit and "listen" to.
My aunt's funeral a celebration of life and a bittersweet delight sitting behind 16 of her great grandchildren and then catching up with many of my cousins and finding out that the older we get the closer we become. Was a treat to see my oldest brother as well--he's to be a Gpa in spring. I told him I was hoping for a boy so his DW can shop in toy aisles other than pink and purple (they have 2 GD's).

I was always worn out after watching mine,too, Bev. I think that's why God gives babies to young people!

Jeanie, I know how you feel about finishing Pony blocks. It's almost like something to look forward to is missing. Lots of good suggestions for an upcoming project-I'll do anything (but y seams and applique) so we can look forward to next year. Hope you get to feeling better.

I agree that babies were meant for young people...but aren't GK's great?
Jeanie...I hope you get well soon. Lots of fun stuff to do.
carrie...how is your demonstration preparation coming. Do you have pictures?
Ok...I agree that funerals seem to be the only time we see extended family. We all are so mobile anymore it's hard to get everyone together for a non-event like just visiting.
Until we have concrete plans for this next year, I'm doing the bonus blocks, finishing UFO's, class projects, and Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt. Yesterday I actually figured out how I would start using headers and Enders and have everything set up and today I QUILT. No more procrastination.

Bev I was raised by my grandparents, my Nan was 68 and my Pop was 58 (yes she was a cradle snatcher in the 1920"s) :D when my brothers and I went to live with them. We were 8, 10 and 12, I was the precocious 8 year old. I honestly don't know how they did it, we all lived at home until we married in our 20's.

Now I am off to patchwork for the morning, will chat later

Mirabelle...how lucky you were to have loving grandparents that that didn't give a second thought to raising you and your siblings.
Here's a pic of my headers and enders project plus the box of scraps sitting by my machine. It had a lid on it when I sat down to sew and didn't remember what I was supposed to do. How long does it take to form a habit?[ATTACH=CONFIG]379091[/ATTACH]

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Now that's gonna be purdy!!!
Now why did my computer let me change the color here & not on the other page?

My dh and I started dating when he was 18 and I 14 (almost 15). We married shortly after my 18th birthday. We had our babies right after we got married. Even in my 30s I can't imagine starting now or having another baby...our youngest just turned 11. All three of my sisters had their 1st children in the last 3 years, so that is enough "babies" for me to get me by until GKs. :)

Ggal--my demo is "how to use the Tucker Trimmer ruler", no new pictures to show you all. The table runner I shared a couple weeks ago (purple, green, and cream Christmas fabrics) is what I made for the shop sample using variations of HSTs to make the blocks. I will show how to make HST, HST combination blocks, and QST....then show them how to trim using the ruler. I had to print out something this morning but otherwise am all ready...thanks for asking. :)

Today I was able to get 2 Rosie blocks finished in addition to school, laundry, dishes (least favorite chore), split some firewood (w/ds) and also carried some in the house...even had supper started before dh got home. Feels good to have a productive day.

Ggal--that is quite the stash of scraps. :) Your header/ender project looks like it will be a good one. Sounds like an interesting concept.