I was just checking out the March pattern for the DB quilt along. I think I'm going to see about using my black base candies for this. Will have to see if I've got enough. I don't think I'm going to modify this pattern , but we'll see what happens when I get going on it.

Didn't end up cutting any candies this weekend. I've been working on the RR quilt top and it got away from me. You know when you get an idea and it seems like it's going to be easy? but then it keeps getting more complicated and you spend more and more time? I've got two of the sides done and the "parts" for the other two ready to assemble. Should be able to get it finished this afternoon and then I'm going to clean off the cutting table and cut candies before starting into the next project.

I sent out Cathy's candies this morning. I found the envelope on my desk... glad I found it early. I have never been late and do not want to start now.

Thank you, everyone, for the well wishes and congratulations for baby Madailein!

My first envelope arrived on Thursday, February 25th, from Sewbizgirl. Thank you, Bonnie! I'm sorry I didn't thank you sooner; that was the day that Madailein was born and everything has been a blur since. I'll open all the candies on my birthday.

Madailein and I are doing very well. She has her days and nights completely mixed up, but otherwise she is an easy baby. Every day I feel like I fall deeper in love with her!

Oh my! Absolutely beautiful family! Congratulations again, NZ and family. You look wonderful!

Your birthday candies are officially on their way. Let's see what the post office does with them now. If they get there in a week, I will be thrilled.

Here's a funny story about the candies. When I first got on the board (eons ago) and folks were talking about 2.5" candy squares, I thought there were a lot of candy themed fabrics out there that I was unaware of. I started my M&M fabric collection about that time thinking that eventually I would have enough candies to participate. Everyone gets one true, "candy" square from me in honor of my long lost innocence.

Sewbizgirl, you better not send me a baby with my squares from you!

NZ,
Madailein is adorable. Thank you for sharing your joy with us.

Oh thank you for showing us the darling child - and the hunk of a guy isn't bad either! you look so lovely - certainly not like my photos after childbirth! Congratualtions. And do not feel as you must post every day with your mail. we certainly understand.

March – Contest Time "Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You!"

I will send a “quilty” prize to someone who answers my nosy questions. Post your responses in the swap thread so everybody can get to know you too.

1. If we were walking down a street, how would I/we identify you?
2. How did you come by your screen name?
3. What was the source of your “real” name?
4. What was your first quilt? Pictures if you have one.
5. What is or was your oldest UFO?
6. What is the source of the song, “Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You?”

I’ll put the names of all that post responses to my Getting to Know You questions in a hat, jar or basket and have a grandchild pick one out. Post by Monday, March 8 at midnight. Name will be chosen on Tuesday, March 9. A quilty prize will go in the mail on Wednesday, March 10th. Keep humming that song.https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png

Cathy, what a beautiful photo! Baby Madeilein is a gorgeous girl. And she will have so much love and all those big sisters doting on her. God bless her!

I know I sent my card/candies way early, but if I don't mail when I get the notice I may forget! https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/eek.png

Congrats NZQuilter on your baby girl!

Contest answers:
1. If we were walking down a street, how would I/we identify you?
I have shining bright white hair!
2. How did you come by your screen name?
Because of my Etsy shop and sewing for sale, I called myself SewBizGirl.
3. What was the source of your “real” name?
My mother was very moved by the movie, Gone With the Wind. She named me Bonnie Ellen, after Rhett and Scarlett's daughter Bonnie Blue, and Scarlet's mother, Miss Ellen. (Cant help but roll my eyes at this.)
4. What was your first quilt? I think my first quilt was a panel of a bunny that I made for my new baby daughter. Pictures if you have one. No pictures, sorry.
5. What is or was your oldest UFO? I had a wall quilt started, spools in bright Amish colors on a black background. I was hand quilting it, but the fabric and batting were so heavy that it was really a chore to quilt! I schlepped that thing around forever, thinking one day I'd finish it. It is such a relief to have finally gotten rid of it (donated).
6. What is the source of the song, “Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You?” In The King and I movie, Mrs. Anna sang it to her new Siamese students. My mother loved that movie, so I grew up watching it.

Can't wait to read everyone's answers to 'get to know you' all better!

Getting to know me.

1. I generally look down scouring the ground for clues of past lives. Jeans and t-shirt are my normal attire. Hair pulled back in a ponytail. Because of Covid, my pony tail is really long!
2. I like goats and I set up the name in 1994.
3. Family name
4. Sampler blocks never sashed into a quilt. I am the queen of UFOs.
5. Crazy quilt started when I was about 9. I had no clue what to do. I still have it. It is smaller than 8" square. I fully intend to incorporate it into a crazy quilt. :-)
6. King and I

1. If we were walking down a street, how would I/we identify you?
Long and glorious white hair and I force contact with strangers by smiling at them https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png
2. How did you come by your screen name?
I am retired faculty from Western Michigan University, still teaching part-time because I love to teach. Thus, WMUTeach.
3. What was the source of your “real” name?
I was named after my father, Lindsay. In my generation, no one named a daughter Lindsay. Lindsay is actually a family last name given to my father as a first name.
4. What was your first quilt? Pictures if you have one.
I made a number of quilted pieces, pillows and the like. The first true quilt was for my office in 1991 and is so faded! Really should take a photo.
5. What is or was your oldest UFO?
Mine is an "IS". It is still waiting for a finish, 12 years old and counting.https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/frown.png
6. What is the source of the song, “Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You?”
The King and I. Silly memory, I made costumes for my daughter's high school production of K & I. I made "silky dresses" AKA uniforms for the king's guards. These guards were massive dudes from the football team! They so did not like wearing those skirted costumes except that the costume showed off their young man muscles.

Even though I cannot win, it was fun answering my own questions! Tee-Hee-Hee.

1. If we were walking down a street, how would I/we identify you?
I'd probably have to tell you what I'm wearing as I'm pretty non-descript in appearance.

2. How did you come by your screen name?
Been using this name for a long time. Original "Macy" is a horse I bought as a weanling, so her nickname was "MacyBaby". She grew up and I sold her years ago, and then just over a year ago I bought a Ragdoll kitten, and named her "Macy" so now I consider her my namesake.

3. What was the source of your “real” name?
I'm named after my Mom - she's named after her Mom. I'm the 5th daughter and 8th child. My mom had hepatitis when I was born and was so sick I was pulled with forceps. She thought I might be her last so gave me her name, but then she went on to have three more kids.

4. What was your first quilt? Pictures if you have one.
I decided to make a quilt when my husband was away at basic training and I was staying with my parents with my newborn son. I drew up a set up 12" sampler blocks, and made a king size quilt. Sandwiched on a frame set up in the front yard, and then spent all winter hand quilting it. That was 40 years ago and I don't have any pictures. Didn't do much quilting for years and years . . . My mom passed away five years ago, and when my sibs were cleaning things out they found an old chocolate candies box with my name on it. Inside was all the templates and layout sketches for that first quilt!

5. What is or was your oldest UFO?
It's not a quilt - when I was pregnant with my DD, I started a needlepoint of a sailing ship. I painted the sky and water on the canvas and did the ship in yarn. I got to the point to start stitching the rigging, and it's never been completed. DD was born in 1984. I did inherit some of my Mom's UFOs, and some of them could be even older. I didn't get into quilting until 6-7 years ago so no really old quilt UFOs that are just mine.

6. What is the source of the song, “Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You?”
King and I - and I might have guessed wrong but I read other responses. I knew it was from a musical that I've watched several times and also one that I learned songs from while in school choir, but we did medleys of songs form several musicals. Now I'll be singing that song the rest of the day!

1. If we were walking down a street, how would I/we identify you?
I am tether to a five yrs old girl.

2. How did you come by your screen name?
My initial. Wish I had come up with something more creative, but I was in a rush to join the boom and had to come up with something fast before I chicken out.

3. What was the source of your “real” name?
From a fortune teller. My grandpa took me to a fortune teller when I was a few days old.

4. What was your first quilt?
It was a copy of an Amish quilt I saw in the book. I did not know how to quilt then, but wanted to make it for my sister's Birthday. I figured out the proportion and made lots of mistakes cutting fabric. I think I was in the Fabric shop every other day to get tools and materials. All hand-pierce and quilted.

5. What is or was your oldest UFO?
Right after I made the first quilt (above). I drew the pattern (not knowing I can get it easily online).The center seams gave me a hard time and I eventually tucked it under my piles of the fabric and forgot all about it until last Christmas when I was going through my fabric piles. I have finished one UFO by Valentine day this year (in time for a v-day gift), now I am quilting the other one.

6. What is the source of the song, “Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You?”
From The King and I movie.

1. If we were walking down a street, how would I/we identify you?
I am probably humming off-tune
2. How did you come by your screen name?
We RV and were fulltime Rvers when I started QB, and we traveled between the grandchildren
3. What was the source of your “real” name?
Basic name my mother liked
4. What was your first quilt? Pictures if you have one.
I attempted to make a quilt back in the 70's with old sheets into a block/strip - was horrible. Then I took up Quilting in 2004 when we were traveling.
5. What is or was your oldest UFO?
During Covid I caught up on most of my UFO's and even put together two orphan block quilts.
6. What is the source of the song, “Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You?”
King and I

This was fun - and love learning about you all

1. If we were walking down a street, how would I/we identify you? I have a shaved head and would be walking a 4 month old Belgian Malinois.
2. How did you come by your screen name? I have 4 sons
3. What was the source of your “real” name? Kathy because my dad liked it and Suzanne after Suzanne Pleschette.
4. What was your first quilt? Pictures if you have one. A puppy shaped rag quilt in yellows for my coworkers new baby.
5. What is or was your oldest UFO? Good gracious... who knows. Too many.
6. What is the source of the song, “Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You?” The King and I

Macybaby - "My mom passed away five years ago, and when my sibs were cleaning things out they found an old chocolate candies box with my name on it. Inside was all the templates and layout sketches for that first quilt!"
What a wonderful story and treasure. Moms do keep odd things. I am sure my children will be muttering that when they have to clear away my stuff.

Travelinggrandma - glad you decided to try the quilting thing again. I also caught up on lots of UFOs during the past year but it seems that they are hiding here and there. Found more this fall. Happy to say I have only created one UFO. This past year. Just can't get into it again. It will hang in my closet for a while or until I get rich enough to take it to my longarm friend.

I am enjoying this too. Love seeing your stories.

Baby days
 

Oh my, she is such a beautiful baby! I wished I had a girl, but I had a boy. My pregnancy was so hard. I was so ill all the time before and afterwards anyway so I gave up on having anymore babies. I love him more than life itself so I understand that. Lol! I know she will bring your whole family much joy.

ahwu, pretty impressive that your first quilt had blocks on point! And then the whole center section was turned on point! It looks fabulous. Perfect Amish colors too.

1. If we were walking down a street, how would I/we identify you?
I have blue glasses and shoulder length brown hair that is starting to grow bright white hairs out of the top of my head. Got to love aging... I'm almost always in jeans, even though I live in Texas and it gets really hot. I'll also have my 10 year old son in tow since I homeschool him now.
2. How did you come by your screen name?
I came by my screen name because I needed one to join QB and I just really love quilts. I'm super obsessed these days. Lol!
3. What was the source of your “real” name? Amanda is a nice strong biblical name that my parents picked out and liked. My middle name Ann is also my mother's middle name.
4. What was your first quilt? Pictures if you have one. My first quilt was a baby applique quilt of a rabbit that I made for my niece in 2008. I found a group of patterns at a thrift store and made it. The patterns are from the 70s, but so cute. I made so many mistakes along the way, since I had no idea what I was doing... I made a couple more applique baby quilts with different things on them including one for my son and a bed quilt in 2009. Then I didn't make anymore until 2017. Since then it has been an addiction! I so love it! Picture is below.

5. What is or was your oldest UFO? My oldest UFO is a Moda layer cake recipe of all HSTs that I finally have all pieced and sashed. It has been on the design wall for 2 years! I have the backing, and I just bought the batting. I still have to put the 2 inch borders on and she's ready to sandwich... Picture is below of it on the design wall before they were blocks or sashed. The other one is sashed and in its current state. The borders will be black as well.

I have been working on my UFOs in the past couple of months now that I'm recovering quite well from bunion surgery 6 months ago. I'm not quite there, but WAY better than I was. I cut out these 2 carpenter star pillows last March or April before I had trouble walking at all. I am finally putting them together and the points matched up! I'm ready to quilt one before I attach it to the pillow back. The other is still being pieced, but will be to this point shortly. Picture of this one is below. :)

6. What is the source of the song, “Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You?” Thy King and I. I did watch it several times with my mom growing up. It's a good musical. :)

I agree, this was a lot of fun!

ahwu - beautiful quilt.
Loveofquilts those are beautiful, too!

Such talent in here! What a great ice breaker to get to know you all. Great to meet you all for either the first time or on a different level.

Birthday Swap
 

Not what I was expecting so I’m going to pass. Thanks to those that that sent new fabrics and made it fun and exciting. Hope each of you enjoy the new year.

Well gang, I won't be online for a few weeks. As some of you are aware my mom passed in December at my home in AZ. Today I fly back to NY to clean out her place and hopefully complete all the estate paperwork with my brother. My dear brother and SIL have been throwing out the piles of plastic containers, fake flowers and what-not that is collected over time. Fortunatly she had moved a few times so it isn't too bad.
I will have a few days to myself there to look and remember and start my packing. My son's requests have already been sent to FL with a friend with a large van. DD and family will be there to help over the weekend. I will have a day to play with my 6yo GD which I am looking forward to even though most of her requested fun in outside! (Gramma we can go to the beach and collect rocks to paint, and then we can swim....in 32 weather!!) And when I return - I can find out just who is who when I walk down your street!

Well, I was going to work on cutting candies, but got distracted because I looked at the Riley Blake BOM site and then got into the free patterns and found a nice rose wall hanging that is made from all 2.5" squares . . .

This takes 467 neutral squares, and it just so happens that I cut up a big load of them for a 9 patch swap a few years ago, and then there weren't that many participants so I didn't use most of them. Was planning on making my own to go with, but after a year of sitting in a box, I got another idea and used the swap 9 patches and ended up with lots of leftover neutral squares.

So instead of grabbing yardage and starting to cut strips, I counted 2.5" squares and had about 450 so didn't need to cut up many more to have enough.

Travelinggramma - You are a wonderful legacy for your mom. Good luck with everything in New York. I am glad you have a grandchild to play with while you're there. It is good to hear that you have siblings helping you out with this journey to sort everything out. I'm sure there are some happy memories to be revisited there and new ones to make. Sweet hugs to all of you and sincere condolences.

Macybaby-- gotta love all the projects you're motivated to get going on while you get ready for this swap. I hope I get moving on some of mine. Crafttown has a great sale on some neutrals that I've been eying ad this morning I ordered even more fabric. I need to start projects, not just collect fabric! I need to learn to function on less sleep! Happy piecing to you!

You can come and chat with us and show us what you made with last year's bday swap! Nice to meet you in this thread.

Sewbizgirl, Thank you. Like I said, I did not know any better 10 years ago. I have thought how hard it can be to put some squares and big triangles together. I still have lots of missed cut triangle shapes fabric from back then. I did not attempt anything close to set on point until 5 years later.

Would post the link to the Riley Blake BOM please? Others may be interested too!

Keep in touch as you can. A 32 degree "swim" would certainly be refreshing but with a granddaughter, bet you would at least get a toe in. I am sorry for the reason for your trip to your mom's home but as others have said, it can be a joyous time of celebration of memories of the past and making new ones with your family now.

Travelinggramma, thoughts and prayers go with you on this trip. I hope the happy memories of your mom surround you.

Macybaby, glad you found a good use for your 450 neutral squares. Be sure and show us the rose quilt top when you get it together!

Tinas3, thanks for the well wishes. As Ibex said, come and visit with us from time to time.

1. I would be the lady in shorts and a t-shirt walking down the street pushing my wheeled walker. I just had a total knee replacement. My newest quilting kitty Harley, a brown Maine coon kitten, would be in tow. Harley joins Louis and Benny, both orange tabbies. I think of Harley as Nermal with 2 Garfields (Louis and Benny).
2. Patrick is my son. After having him, I was no longer "Sheri." My identity was connected to him, thus, "Patrick's Mom." When I went to his school for conferences, I always wrote "Patrick's Mom" on my name tag. It drove him crazy, but the teachers always knew who I was.
3. My given name is Sheryl. I was born in the 60's when nicknames were all the rage. When my parents called me by my real name and middle name, I knew I was in trouble. I swore when I had a child of my own, I would call him by his given name, and not a nickname. It is a lot less confusing legally and professionally.
4. My first quilt was made with 6 inch denim squares
cut from old jeans using a cardboard template to trace around and cutting them out with scissors. That was 1978. I still have the quilt. Someday I will figure out how to post pictures...
5. Oldest UFO is a stack and wack quilt which is nearly done. Started in 1997. I hate matching all those triangle points. Maybe someday...
6. I don't believe I have ever seen the King and I. I did not know the answer to the question.

There is already a thread for the RBC in the Links section. I found the pattern while looking at the free stuff on the site.

RB BOM

March birthday candies are on their way and should arrive early next week.

Health?
 

y’all said I should keep you apprised. Really glad I got all my charms packaged.

What is it with me and doctors? Your not going to believe this, I can’t believe this. Twice in the hospital since end of December and now more, grrr.

For 4 years I’ve had pain in my right foot. They x-rayed several times through the years and each time came up inflammation. Then steroid injections, NSAIDS which left me bleeding.

Finally got a podiatrist last year. She says it’s just Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis. First I was told CAM boot -don’t move it. Then I go again after 8 weeks in the boot and she’s still saying exercise it. Finally a few weeks back I pushed the podiatrist, told her I needed an MRI and surgery for the bone Spurs. She “laughed” at me, said we were far from that. I kept pushing her for an MRI regardless. She got really huffy, she didn’t even want to give me that. Results are in and guess what? I need surgery, sounds like soon, surprise! Now they are saying terrible things about my Achilles and plantar. Bunch of big words I don’t understand so I’m attaching a photo.

Wrote to podiatrist today (she’s had the results for days- I got them from my
PCP) asking for referral to a surgeon. Hopefully one older and wiser.

Now I’m back to recovery mode, again while I’m still dealing with recovery from the last things. I’m tired, really tired of all this. After this is done we still have the “mysterious inflammation disease” of which I’ve been wrongly diagnosed. Yeah, tired, will it never end?

Happy Friday!!

1. If we were walking down a street, how would I/we identify you?
Most likely I would be wearing some Notre Dame gear - sweatshirt, tee shirt, coat, hat, etc

2. How did you come by your screen name?
I'm half Irish by birth and a huge Notre Dame fan. My husband went to ND and I was across the street at St Mary's College. My youngest is a senior at ND and my oldest graduated from SMC. Both were in the ND Marching Band - what fun times!!

3. What was the source of your “real” name?
I was named after my grandfather who passed before I was born.

4. What was your first quilt? Pictures if you have one.
Made around 2003 - a quilt for my niece's Baptism. It was pink/purple/white appliqued flowers. I had bought a used book called "How to Make a Quilt"! I followed it and it looked pretty good!! I think I got my first digital camera about three months after making the quilt cause I don't have a digital picture and I can't find my quilt scrapbook!

5. What is or was your oldest UFO?
About 2005 I started a Dresden flower quilt with 1930 fabrics. It actually looks pretty good but the center of the flowers called for yo-yos - those did not look good! So then I thought of big buttons, couldn't find the right size. My old machine wasn't the best at the satin stitch so applique was out. Maybe I should look at it again, since I know have a new machine and more skills.

6. What is the source of the song, “Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You?”
Ahh, good memories! A family friend took me into Chicago to see this play in person (around 1982?) and Yul Brenner was playing the King!!!! Truly, as a musical junky, a highlight of my life to see the actor who made this part come to life in a movie on stage!!!

And Wendy McDonald - -so frustrating!! I'm so proud of you being your own advocate!!! Good luck with the surgery!

Wendy, have they ruled out gout in your foot? Hang in there and think positive thoughts!

Irish, what a luck duck you are! You and hubby at ND and St. Mary's and then to see your kiddos in the band! My children were in high school marching band so I had 10 years of parent meetings, rehearsals, hot chocolate and running around with water bottles so no one dehydrated and fainted. Good memories.

The the cherry on the cake, Yul Brenner as the king. Good stories!