Sapdoggie - how about a lizard over the shoulder while sitting on the couch talking on the phone? Think I terrified that poor lizard with my holler! I know I scared my friend on the other end if the phone line. I'm not normally scard of lizards, but that one sure startled me.

Ok...bat one was pretty good!!! Hubby just said wow!!!

Oh I've got to tell y'all about the animal control guy that came to our store one day when we had a bat flying around. They lived upstairs between the antique tin ceiling and the rafters on the top floor in our pre1900s building.
Anyway, somebody called animal control and the fellow shows up in a hazmat suit looking like a storm trooper out of Star Wars. Then he's so paranoid about dying of rabies he wouldn't get anywhere close to it. By this time a couple of us with a broom and dustpan had chased it out the door. Needless to say we never called animal control to come out again! Did get them to loan us a live trap for the skunk under the coke machine though.

mom-6 Lizards on the loose- yuck- not even a fan of the gecko in the tv ads.

Now bats- can just stay in the woods and eat the mosquitoes.

All of God's creatures were created for a purpose- as long as they stay out of my way and go on about their assigned purpose, I will leave them alone.
If they come near me or the grandkids- that is a totally different story :rolleyes:

ok sugarplums! how is everyone today? madly quilting away on your table runners? for a group of over 40 it is amazing your not talking people.. a deal is a deal you are to post here regularly or at least once a week to say hey this is where I am.. so come on girls.. kick it up a notch as Emeril says and be an active group member please.

I am going to finish a little mat today and have a block to make for someone who wants to make a monkey quilt for their little one which is pretty darned cute idea.. and then this gorgeous center I have to work on in brights and black and its one of those wow statement quilts. I think it will be pretty fun. Waiting to hear from Stipple queen to find out what she would like color wise. I believe she is about fall but not sure how big etc.. so waiting, waiting waiting.. these are my best two days for sewing so I hope to hear back today. Have you started yours? picked your fabrics?? ready to ship just trying to be patient??? I know Jaba is done she is fast as lightening.. anyone else?

Working on a baby quilt. Here is what it looks like so far!!!

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Yosamitsa your baby quilt is adorable! That's gonna be one lucky mom and baby.

I have been so quiet the last few days as I have been at a conference until last night. My first time having any time to spend on the computer.

I have heard from my partner, she is also out of town.

Brat--- we are all human and when mistakes happen it shows that life happens.

Yosamitsa.....beautiful baby quilt.

Had the time yesterday to work on the one I'm making for teappot. She told me the size she needed and I began. It's done, quilted and sewed the binding on last night. I'm ready to mail brat when you tell me I can. Today need to finish the two I started for my house or maybe an angel will have to fly. Hope not...Then I have 2 queen size quilts that need the binding sewn on, I only do that when I'm sitting in the easy chair watching the boob tube.

Yosamitesa love the color combination on the baby quilt - thank you for sharing.

No time for sewing today - my daughter is participating in a 5K color splash event and asked me to come take photos at the finish line - if I understand her correctly they walk/jog/run the 5K route and have stop stations where they get splashed with colors and by the time they're finished they must resemble some sort of tie-dyed mess. Anyway the event is s fundraiser and they had over 400 participants signed up by last Friday.

Dabbler312 and I have been in touch, and I am well on the way with her table runner! I also have a couple of other fall tabletoppers/runners in the works. Hope to bind the one I am taking with me tomorrow (hostess gift) on a quick trip to Maine to see a quilting friend. If I get it done tonight as I hope, I'll post a picture.

Dabbler, my daughter also does those kind of races here in Florida. They do finish a tie-dyed mess!

Oh, good grief! :shock: There's always one in the group, isn't there? :) (and yes, I'm joking--actually I'm a bit jealous of someone who has it all together like that.) I haven't even decided on the pattern or the secondary fabrics for the one for QuilterMomma and Jaba is ready to mail! Ack, not fair! OTOH, I imagine I'm in the larger group of folks who will mail by deadline but not right until it's looming. Procrastination loves company!

My partner and I have been in contact and we both want fall for the theme. Had bought a nice runner pattern but was checking out some blocks and found a great one I would like to use instead. My dh cleared his throat and said told you so. When I bought the pattern he said bet you don't use it for this swap :-)
Terri

OK - now for my bat story. I love bats, and although I am respectful of them, I'm not afraid of them. One time I was at a 4-day retreat in an old retreat center -- huge 4 story building with high ceilings. This was supposed to be a silent retreat, and had been up until that 3rd night. The first I found out about bats in the building was a blood curdling scream. Then a second scream, then a third.... I ran into the hallway to see what was happening and all it was were these two bats flying up and down the hallway, which had 14-16' high ceiling. The poor bats were terrified and trying to find a way out and were no where near the screaming women. I told everyone to get into their rooms and stay there. I'm sure folks thought I was doing that for their protection, but I was actually trying to calm the bats down. One of the bats finally settled in a corner. I took a towel, and plucked the bat off the wall to take it outside, calmly talking to it as I walked down 4 flights of stairs.

Someone hearing the screaming had apparently called the police, three of whom crashed through the front door just as I arrived there, startled me so much I dropped the towel with the bat in it. The terrified bat then flew right into a cop and he screamed like a little kid. One of the cops had his gun drawn, and I thought he was going to shoot the poor bat. Folks gradually calmed down, but by then we had a bat both on the first and one still on the fourth floor. Thankfully one of the cops did not have a bat phobia and he and I managed to catch them. Well, he held the stepladder while I actually did the grabbing since the bats decided to light in the upper corner away from us crazy people. I'm sure those bats regaled their grandchildren and great grandchildren with tales of horror about the crazy adults. I, on the other hand, became known as the "bat lady". (Or was it the "batty lady"?)

Ok I know we are supposed to post!!! I will do it now since I have packing and that to get done! We are taking the girls to Cedar Point tomorrow!! They are so excited they barely slept last night!
But that means it will be a few days before I can start my creation for my partner, Snownannie!! We have been in contact so all is good!

I finished the tabletopper I am taking with me as a hostess gift for my quick visit to Maine...I love the fall theme and am working on a few, including one (a tablerunner) for my swap partner. For this one I had my monthly free FQ from my LQS that had a fall picture; I was able to fussy-cut four "scenes" as the focus for the tabletopper. I liked the pieced baskets to set off the "scenes."[ATTACH=CONFIG]430929[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]430930[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]430931[/ATTACH]

Love your table topper Chasezzz! It's so sweet, love the little baskets!

Just finished putting my Kaffe Gemstones together. My arms are feeling like I've been in a fight :( But, it's beautiful!

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Chasezz love that table topper. You can detour it to Texas. ;)

Tlambing that is stunning???

Thanks tlambing and Yosamitesa! Tlambing, you know I love Kaffe and it is pure joy to see so many in that top! BTW, occasionally Hancocks Paducah has Kaffe fabrics on sale...haven't seen much recently but I've gotten some real bargains on them over time.

Love seeing all the wonderful projects people are working on. I have a Bargello in the frames right now.
My partner and I both want fall table runners and I have already pick out a pattern. However I just do not have all the right fabric for it need 10 different ones:) Oh what to do. I guess I will just have to bite the bullet and go and get some on Sat. Wish I could go sooner but only have a car on the weekends. For me the closest quilt shop is one hour away oh the price we pay to live in the country. I will just have to work on my Boom 10 blocks:)

That's me! I had to skip the spider stories, lol.

I just got home from Atlanta a little while ago. I went to a really cool little LQS in Atlanta called Intown Quilters. Their selection was awesome....except for fall. I could spend a year in that store!!! I bought Christmas apron fabric, Christmas fabric for my best friend that I have to decide what to make out of it, and a jelly roll I just couldn't take my eyes off! If you're ever in the area, you must stop by!

So, I also went to Joann in Kennesaw & was disappointed that their fall selection was a bit picked over. I got some fall leaves & a couple solids, but still don't have all I need to finish my piece for this swap unless, well, we'll see.

Went to a birthday party for a dear friend last night. We were having a birthday lunch for her, but she didn't get to make it, so I stuck around for the evening fun as well. We danced & sang & partied until about 2am, then went to the Waffle House. Not my favorite place, but it's about all that's open that time of night & it was across the street. First time I'd seen most of that group of friends in a long time, so it was good fun! :)

Having a pity party night here. Lots of tears. Lots of memories. Lots of feeling old (got my drivers license in the mail). Now to work on the baby quilt that just doesn't look right. :(

That table runner is totally awesome FALL. Your gift should be received marvelously!
Tlambing can I have that one? only that one not all the other great stuff you do :) you have good young arms you can whip up more just like it! lol last time I did a super time consuming quilt top simple but lots of work... I swore I would never repeat that pattern again. You must be worn out! what are you going to frame it with? now I am all about what are doing for your border.. I am in three round robins. Every round is basically a border of some sort and I am woefully inadequate in my ability to whip one out without tons of thought.

btw: my stats are I am 51 yrs young. I had a liver transplant last year so I am currently thrilled to be here righting to you, I consider myself one lucky duck. I am on dialysis waiting for a kidney so if you happen to have a spare one toss it on over I will pay the express mail promise! I am in a long term relationship and have three grown children, two boys one girl. They give me constant grief and happiness depending on the day :) My house is blessed with two marvelous kitties. They bring me great joy. I live in the country in Cody Wy. I am fortunate I get the joy of horses, cows, alfafa fields, hay fields and I don't have to do any of the work :) its wonderful. We have deer in our front yard on a regular basis. And the little antelope can be spotted on the highway on the way into town. I love it here! there my bio phew you were dying to know weren't you? lol

PS Snownananie if you speak to your friend could you please let me know what she wants in a runner/mat size etc. I wrote both of you and no reply yet. I can't start without a clue what to make. Or she will get my choice which might not be hers! See how important contact is ladies? if I made a 48 in table runner and there only a 20" table to put it on there could be a frowning face in the end in stead of smiles. I will wait. a few more days.. then I will start sewing. Crossing fingers!

Well my first block for this table runner project is a very pretty vibrant purple and black. It's a little square, but it's a start!

I've been in contact with my partner, Dustymomma. She's like fall on one side, Halloween on the other. This should be fun to do, except for the quilting. It'll have to be universal. I've been so busy on 2 show quilts that I haven't put much thought into this swap. I have one on the longarm, the other on the design wall. But, get this....They're both the same size! Which means they'll be in the same class competing against each other! Oh well!! I know I won't have much competition on my vest that goes with the one on the longarm, so will ribbon on that one. I hope to ribbon on all 3 though. The runner will be a nice break from these. Break up the tedious nature of them both.

oh Dear Lord your a quilting competition player Cindy! I didn't know! I do hope you get all the ribbons you wish for and I am so glad your not stuck with me as your partner! I am NOT at that level at all! wish I was mind you but not there. I can make a decent block with all its points but the fancy quilting I am a stitch in the ditch person myself.I am fairly happy when I am done making something and there is some pride in doing it right that goes with it. I am in awe of those who do so much better. One class under my belt 19 yrs ago and I need more. period. I can't wait to see your runner in progress! or sneak peaks if your not showing it to your partner til its done.

Note: make sure your partner does not mind seeing parts of their runner before you post a pic. Some want the surprise of opening it in the mail and seeing it whole for the first time. THEN post pics so we can all see them. The variety should be wonderful

Belfrybat - loved your bat story - a silent retreat - that is something new and different; I have quilt club friends that organize quilt retreats at their local convent house - a silent retreat would be very meaningful.

Chasezzz - beautiful hostess gift; fall fabrics are so fun.

tlambing - love the Kaffee gemstone quilt.

I've got my pattern and fabrics ready to go - need to finish a BOM block tonight and then can get started.

Hello!- and I have been in touch with my partner and we have lots of the same likes, so I think we will just get going and create a great gift for each other! I am kinda busy this week with peaches and garden and all, but I will not have a problem completing by the deadline and probably way before.
Lots of great projects shown here!

Well just caught up on everyone's news reading 4 pages. I have to figure out my table runner / table topper pattern before Wednesday, because that is the day I head to Paducah for a fabric fix. Every time I buy fabric for a project, I never buy enough and end up going back, drives my DH crazy. He likes looking for specific fabrics with me at Hancock's but when I run out and we can't find the same one again....well you know. So off - to figure out what I want to make and try to come up with a yardage figure.

Just a quick note my friend (wife of the farmer) was put into IC Saturday night. Just waiting to see which way she is going to go - she has so many health problems and a great faith in our Lord, but I just can't imagine how her husband is going to go on without her. He is a retired Army guy, was a Master Sargent, POW, and know he will surprise me. But as he said during the Korean War he was just picking up bodies and piling them into storage until they could be moved out of the "front", but this was different. Can only imagine!

On to happier thoughts - pattern searches and graph paper here I come! Have a great day quilters!

MartiMorga...praying for the wife of the farmer.

Hi -- just checking in. Deenatoo and I are in communication and wow are we similar in our quilting styles! We both love batiks...autumn colors...etc. I've been cutting out a queen quilt all week and willl the cutting tonight...then on to Deenatoo's table runner. Already have the design picked out. Now for picking out the fabrics. yea!!! will post pics soon.

Stitch124

MartiMorga- hugs and prayers for your friend and hi wife and for you as well.

Made two sample squares today. Did the figuring on my favorite. Now to extend the figures and check the stash. No option right now for going outside the stash, so will work it out, kind of like going on a treasure hunt- I really like treasure hunts:thumbup:

yeah when jaba sorted all my fabric with me it was a treasure surprise for sure. :) I found lots of good things lol that I had bought. well of course they were good but wow when did I get that????

Belfy I am sorry I am not with you on loving the bats. Don't hate them,don't want rabies and grabbing them with a towel is never advisable. thick leather gloves but the rest oh no thank you. A quilting retreat sounds grand however. I don't think that was a silent one lol after that little burst of joy flew into your retreat.

Martimorga its a sad fact that we all have a time clock. I am sorry for your friends impending big loss. We find at times like that just how strong we are. If he has faith he will hold fine I think over time. My best wishes to him and the rest of the family/

Still waiting to hear from SNOWNANANIE about her friends wishes so I can find the perfect fabric from my own stash I received some lovely fabrics from retiredfirechief and others in my fq swap this month so I think with what I already own I am pretty well set. for either fall or Halloween, any tones she wants!! tada!! now to figure out WHAT I AM MAKING. Someone hopefully will respond. By Labor day she will get whatever I am up for making . I hate late. strong word but it makes me sick to think I might be late and this is my swap so no way no how..grin, its my job, someone has to do it!

I am waiting to go fabric shopping with a quilty friend tomorrow...you just never know I might find the perfect autumn/fall fabric for my tabletopper :)

Evening all, I have had a few crummy days and am now just catching up on all the posts. First I found out my computer hard drive died and it will be at the shop for at least 2 weeks. Why? Who knows, so I am left to my iPad and no printer. Feels like one arm is tied behind my back. Next, hubby goes to a big tractor show, is gone for about 2hours when he calls me and tells me I need to find someone to take me there, he had passed out and twisted his ankle. This is the second fainting spell within a couple of months and we don't know why as yet. Ended up at emergency getting the ankle crated. Doc was shocked that it isn't broken. Hubby is now sporting a soft cast, popping pain pills, whining a lot and calling me, the nurse-maid over and over and over again. I did have a couple of bright spots today, first a friend's sister is going to have a garage sale and is thinning out her stash. I got first pick of some of her stash this morning. I got 5 yards of hunter green channel, 60 in.wide for $20, a bag full of templates - quilting, appliqué and various others, bunches of beautiful yards of fabrics for $1 each, a large piece of insulation with the heat shield silver fabric that will be perfect for my converting an antique side board
into an ironing surface and much more. Secondly, just found out tonight that my one and only favorite step son is giving us a grandson in January. Now I can make the baby quilts I was hoping I could - so excited.

My partner and I have been communicating and discovered something funny. it sounds like her dining room and my kitchen are the same colors, a burnt or brownish red, and my dining from and her kitchen are the same, sage green. So we have very similar tastes, we both prefer fall table runners. And neither of us are long armers so I anticipate us working together beautifully!

2 out of 4 isn't bad retiredfirechief. Sorry for computer and hubby, but on the quilting end you scored! with fabric, etc. and your partner. All in all, not a bad day right?
I've been peeling apples most of the day, gees my feet hurt standing in the same place. This winter will be great though, 12 qts. stuffed full of apple pie filling, 1 gallon bag froze( ran out of quart jars) and a yummy cobbler made.

Cindy, don't fret over it. If it's all fall, it's all good. I am very happy and flexible. I just like pretty things! :)

Morning everybody! DustyMomma, it WILL be reversible! I was at our guild meeting yesterday & posed the "what can I do?" to some of my quilting friends. We came up with a few ideas that will work just great! Had a great time at guild. We learned how to do accidental landscapes. Really neet! Fun & fast to do. I also got asked to be the program director next year. Discussed it with a few people & came up with a boat load of ideas to keep everyone busy & learning & growing. Even got a couple of volunteers to teach. That's even better since we're a small guild & can't afford a lot of the bigger guests. Let's see what I come up with.

How did that cobbler turn out? I wanted some with vanilla ice cream as soon as you said it! I am going to Jaba's to pick up a bucket of my own apples to put up and have a yummy winter too! I made some great asparagus soup last night and just had my cup for breakfast of it. lol. I will eat anything for breakfast :) Well I am so glad not to hear bad news from group members and everyone is working on colors, themes and well playing with fabric. Such a rotten job that playing with fabric! Crossing fingers I hear from my partner. I know she is out there. When names were handed out Snownananie wrote and said how come her friend did not have a partner. I had two in one email and had missed the second one. So I agreed to be her partner and am excited to have one. A couple swaps now I have not had a partner. Now.. show up please!!!