Ready to get started. Lots of ideas, just need to act on them.

MizMelly, that's the way! I almost want to change mine to kitties too. That's okay, I can work on your row when I get it. And if you see a pattern you want someone to do, either shoot a book title to us or tell us where to find that pattern. I have gobs of kitty patterns, been collecting for years! I'm glad you think we are a good group Rainyday, we really are! Where's our buslady? and Tam...Moo?

I'm here. Been a busy weekend, DGS came to see me. His dad hung some more shelves in the new house; and braced the shelves he built me in the sewing room. LOL I'm ready, like the rules! Lets get this party started!!

Alright! Looking forward to getting started. I must tell you I had to delete my bookmarks or subscriptions as they are called. I got a virus message and it was when I clicked on the link it sent me. I deleted them, but that computer crashed. I don't know why, so pm me if you need to reach me. I will also check the links everyday to our group.

Hey there CharlotteMarie! I figure that everyone is going to have different kitty patterns and such. I'm not too concerned about different patterns, cause I'm going to mix it up for my 5 blocks too! I spent several frusterating hours looking for a knitting pattern that I know I purchased, which has disappeared into the black hole. In the course of that search, I found about 5 different books of kitty designs, and I haven't even cracked the bins of quilt patterns yet! I have a feeling that it's going to be damned hard to just settle on 5!
And I'm about to breathe a big sigh of relief, the commission quilt I've been hung up on is now going to my machine quilter tonight, and when I get it back, it's just a quick binding and it's out of my hair. Which means I have time to start working on this swap and the other swap I've committed to!! Yeah!! Fun times a'comin!

It's funny how we work. First, we see the opportunity for a swap and are elated, can't wait to join. Then you start planning and gathering and having fun with it. Then you start to panic, what made me think I could do this? Where did I think I was going to find the time, what if they don't like it? Then you finish it and you experience the anticipation of their reaction, at this time you feel so excited and nervous at the same time. Then your partner sees it, likes it, and this wave of relief comes over you. Then you go surfing for another project, if you haven't already!! LOL

I'm just a "watcher" but just wanted to say I kept getting the virus message when I looked at your group's email notice. I'm watching all of the groups but it's always been #3 so maybe it will be clear now. I hope so I wanna watch.:o

So....how are y'all coming along. Has everyone checked in?? If not, please PM me ASAP. Thanks!! :D

Yes, Qbee everyone is checked in on onboard. We have one person that said she would settle on her theme by next week and then we are getting started. We've set up some guidelines and are almost ready to go!

I just cannot pick a theme - inspire me ladies....

How bout a Texas theme? Just a thought!

Buslady mentioned a Texas theme. That would be a lot of fun, living in Texas and all. I used to live in Texas and there's a lot you could do for that theme. Makes me kind of want to do one too! Sunbonnet Sue is fun, snowmen are fun, flowers are fun, I think I could want to do 10 more rows, but I know I can't. Try the dream thing, put a paper & pen beside your bed and just before you fall off to sleep, just say give me a theme, over and over, like counting sheep. I find that lots of answers come to me in my dreams. Worth a try, huh?

Geez, hope I didn't scare everybody off>

NOT ME!! I check the thread daily, but don't post if I am the last post. LOL Haven't had time to do much but think on my row at this point. We just moved (after 30 years), what a ????? don't even have a word that describes it. It's like trying to fit a gallon of water in a quart jar. LOL And, my sister is coming from Oregon in 2 weeks. Haven't seen her for over 2 years. So, every minute is spent getting ready for that. I will have my row ready to ship by the first of December. If nothing else, I will make that my project for the retreat. If you have not heard of our retreat, it is in Michigan, on the lake, November 16-18. Anyone interested, just PM me. I post this every chance I get! I am the one that started the retreat last year, and we had a ball, so it is an annual thing now. Add that to my list. LOL

I love the idea of a Texas theme!! I did a texas themed quilt for a customer a few years ago. It was fun!! So many fun things come to mind --- "Home with the Armadillo", Lone Star Beer, the Alamo, Kinky Freedman, The Lone Star state...

There you go. Lots of topics in Texas theme. I will have to have my snowman in a Texas Block. That sounds good. Buslady I hate moving, I sure can understand that, I just feel like I'm all alone in this thread sometimes. LOL Can a snowman do the cotton-eyed Joe?

Going on a retreat sounds fun. To bad it's too far away for me. I've also been moving and down sizing from a house into an apartment, I now remember why I hate moving. This move is only 25 miles down the road all of my others have been 500+ miles. I'm looking forward to having this move in my rear view mirror. A Tx theme would be fun, unless she's already been there done that. I'm actually looking forward to the active stage of our row robin, the more I think about options in planning my row, the more indecisive I become. I'm still planning on a cherry theme, I found some Mary Englebreit prints with some cherries in it I'm considering using, that would broaden the color choices for complimentary fabrics. I'm thinking that might make mine easier for you to work on.

We move 4 times in the first 8 years we were married, one time we just got a new trailer, so we just took everything out of the old one, set it on the lawn, they came and towed away the old and set the new one in, and we moved everything back in. The next time, we just moved the trailer, so "battening down the hatches" was all that was required, then we moved the trailer a second time and then moved into our house. So, this was totally new to me. I always said I was a good packer. I found out just how good when we started emptying out that house. I had stuff packed in there soooooo good. LOL
I agree that this thread will likely get more lively once we get into the projects, at least I hope that is the case! I like the interaction.
Oh, I wish I could send a bus around to collect all my QB friends and bring them to the retreat!

That sounds like a nice retreat on a lake and all. It is just too far away for me. I'm supposed to be downsizing, had several garage sales this year, but I don't want to do it. Know I have too, but I've lost so many things in my life and then needed them or missed them later on. It makes me balk, but it's coming. We spend all our lives accumulating and then we have to spend the last part getting rid of things. Makes no sense to me.

I'm going to broaden my them to include Texas in there. I may forget about the snowman. Texas would be more colorful. Don't hold me to that. The only thing set in stone for me is the blue fabric I bought for this project.

Me too I would love it....I have never been to one so keep us posted.

A Texas snowman theme could be fun. When I loved in Tx we had the kiddos make Tx snowmen art projects: styrofoam balls covered in glue, then rolled around in sand/dirt with details made from rocks, sticks and pieces of bandanas. They were actually very cute.

Wow - you have got me thinking now - I am working on my row tomorrow - I'll post a picture when I get it done.

Great Tam...Moo. That will light a fire under me! I'm waiting on that picture. In the meantime I'm going to get busy hunting Texas things. I have a lot saved under that idea also. I love the Texas flag. It is so beautiful to me.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]369815[/ATTACH]Here are my blocks for my row...anxious to see everyone else's.

Very nice Tam Moo! that is gorgeous. Will you want more colors added? Would you like us to stick to a certain palet? I love it, and wonder if you have a place in mind for the finished product to wind up. Are you thinking of any sashing? Wow, you got my juices running!! My sister is visiting in 8 days, I've spent every spare moment getting the house in order. That means UNPACKING and hanging and placing!! LOL I'm down to hanging pictures and putting out trinkets! It is amazing how my new home is becoming a "Home"! Then spent a couple of hours last night cutting up my step moms clothes. 5 boxes sorted by fabric, now to get nice flat pieces to cut. I want to have the fabric ready when she gets here so we can sew. We are making 7 lap quilts from the clothing for family. THEN I can concentrate on my row for my quilt. I am banking ideas!! I don't have any of her clothes or anything, but I do have her drivers license and her casino badge. I'm thinking of putting pockets with clear plastic that I can put the items in. I want to go home right now and get started on it. Dang Gum It, why do I have to work? I'd much rather be home sewing.

I hear ya Buslady! Why am I at work today??? My dad is end stage and will go at any time, but I just couldn't sit home thinking about it. Now that I'm at work, I'd rather be home and playing with fabric. I need a creative outlet right now, so working on blocks for my quilt is definitely going to be a priority the next few days. I can't fly back to Florida since I don't have the money, and Mom has no intention of having a service right away. See, my dad has been suffering from dementia for over 10 years now, and lost all quality of life 4 years ago, so it's going to be a blessing when he passes. Mom has been taking care of him at home (home hospice care) for these many years, so it's going to be a huge burden off her shoulders also. I just hope she adjusts to living alone and not having to plan her entire day around dad care. I'm too distracted to do much here at the office, good thing it's quiet today.

So sorry to hear about you and your mothers sadness. It is so hard when demential is the culprit. When is the person really gone? Like you said, not to wish him gone or anythiong, but it will actually be a blessing for him and everyone that has had to watch the process. All my best wishes out to you dear mother. She will need your support more than anything when this drama is over for her. Maybe mom can come stay with you for a while during the adjustment period. Keeping your family in my prayers.

Thanks for your kind words. the blue looks a lot like denim. I think anything that reminds you of being in the country...these are some of my favorite things that I see daily in the Texas fields all aroung me. I have not decided on color of dashing. I love blues and animals and and am just a country girl.

Your blocks are beautiful! I hope you write a nice long letter with instructions as to what you want for the other rows. I have embroidery machine so at least that is one avenue to go down. Ideas are just popping in my head now!

MizMelly, so sorry about your Dad. That is a hard thing for sure. Your Mom will probably feel lost for a while. Does she live near you? You will be in my prayers.

Dad passed this morning. I live (unfortunately) on the other end of the country from my parents -- they are in Florida and I'm in Arizona. My older sister and brother are there with her now. It's been a very long slow decline, and it's finally over for her and us. I'm taking leave the rest of the week, I will be channeling my energies into working on quilts, since I won't be travelling to Florida anytime soon. Mom wants to wait to have a service when we can all be there with her.

MizMelly, I was sorry to read about your Dads passing. I fully understand that with some illnesses when they finally pass it is a blessing for the family, but you still grieve for the loss of what you once had. You and your family will be in my prayers. Hopefully your mom will be able to adjust to a new normal and find peace and happiness.

MizMelly so sorry about your Dad. I know it may not be much comfort, but he is out of his suffering now so try to take some comfort in that. If there is anything we can do, please let us know.

Prayers out to you and your family!! Remember the good times!

Just stopped by to say hello, hope everyone is doing okay.

Still here! Anyone making any more progress than me. LOL

I got the blue background fabric for my quilt. That's about it, plan to start my snowman tomorrow.

I've washed and pressed my fabrics, well all except one. It seems to be MIA, once I find it I can get started cutting and sewing.

I've been finding stuff as I go through and organize the new house. Found the safe full of my moms stuff and had a good time going through her pictures. Have a picture Of what I want to do in my head, just cannot even think about putting sissors to anything til my sisters visit is over. She comes in Wed night and will go back on Monday. I can't wait!!! To see her, and to know that I got so much done getting ready for her visit!

Enjoy your visit with your sister, buslady. As far as progress, I cannot understand why I can pick out fabric at the store, I feel it and it looks okay and then I get home and it's a silky fabric! I have done this 3 or 4 times now and it just gets my goat! It is pretty, but it is not what I thought I was buying!! Darn!