Quilting Blahs

Do you ever get the blahs?  I think I have them.  I've been quilting every day this week.  I have eight AAQI quilts ready for quilting, Dogs and Dots is close to being completed and the Critter Quilt is in a continued state of "under construction".  Maybe I have to many quilts going at one time---I don't know, but I have an overwhelming feeling about my quilting.  Crazy!!!!  I feel like I'm accomplishing things, but that there is more I need to be doing.  Maybe my quilts are to predictable and I need to challenge myself.  Sometimes I rush my quilting projects and maybe I need to slow down and really plan and work toward a "look".  Something out of the box for me.  I'm going to reevaluate as I calmly hand quilt this little Redwork AAQI quilt.

Next week is the Liberated Quilters Virtual Retreat.  That will be four days of fun and maybe I'll snap out of these Quilting Blahs as I take a look at not only the project assignment for the retreat, but other ideas I have on my mind.  Just being in my sewing room with the radio on and no interruptions can chase the blahs away and put me back on track.  The weather is beautiful in Missouri---a great Midwest fall.  I will step away from the sewing machine and enjoy the outside this weekend too.  Have a happy weekend and as always Happy Quilting!

Quilts Show Photos

A couple of weeks ago, the United Methodist Church at Wentzville hosted the Festival of Sharing Quilt Show.  The quilts shown here will be auctioned off on October 15 at Sedalia, Missouri.  This is just a small sampling of the quilts that have been donated for the auction.  Here are photos of just a few.  Enjoy

All sizes of quilts are represented from small wall hangings to king size bed quilts.  Some of the quilts are made by individuals and some by various church quilting groups.  The proceeds from the quilts will be used for Mission Projects in the USA and Missouri.  Many church denominations participated in the Festival.  Besides the giving of Quilts for Auctions there are opportunities to package Foods for Panties, individuals drop off various kits packaged by churches throughout the year.  For example:  Back to School Kits, Wellness Kits,  Baby and Toddlers Kits, Dental Kits and so much more.  Everyone comes together for a great day of giving on October 15.   There are so many needs in this country and so many ways we can all give something.  I'm already thinking about my quilt donation for next year.  Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

May God give you heaven's dew and earth's richness---an abundance of grain and new wine.
Genesis 27:28

Row 2 is Complete

Critter Quilt is growing.  I've added row 2 and row 3 is in the making.  I can see a very busy quilt developing.  It is a fun quilt to put together, because I just make a block or two and then add where I think it will look the best.  I have some embroidery blocks planned and maybe some embroidery of critter names on the blocks with large patches of purple.  I'm not sure at this point and I guess that is the fun---not excactly knowing what the finished quilt will look like--planning as I go.  I'm finding, that I can run to my sewing room for 15 minutes and come up with the pieced strip of various scrap and feel like I have accomplished something without spending hours sewing---that's fun too.  When row 3 is finished I'll posts its addition.  In the mean time have a great weekend and Happy Quilting!

AAQI and World Alzheimer's Day

World Alzheimer’s Day is Today, Wednesday, September 21st
Please change your FaceBook profile picture temporarily to the photograph of a person who has/had Alzheimer’s that you wish to honor and remember on September 21st and always.
Please include this statement in your status update:
I support the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative at http://www.alzquilts.org/

If you make a $5 donation to the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative before midnight on Wednesday, post the invoice number generated by your donation to the AAQI FaceBook page at: http://www.facebook.com/AAQI.News *
We will capture the image of your loved one from your profile picture and add it to the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative 2011 Virtual Wall of Remembrance where it will remain for one year. Names will not accompany photographs.
If you are not on FaceBook, or wish to make multiple donations to honor more than one person, email one photograph of each of your loved ones and the invoice number generated by your donation ($5 for each photo) to Diane at diane456@gmail.com. Pictures may be cropped and sized to fit the wall.
As it is somewhat time consuming to snag and post your profile picture, please do not change it until you see it appear on the AAQI Update Blog, above. It may take several days to keep up! We’ll do our best.
*If you’ve never been there before, you may have to click the “LIKE” button. What’s not to like?
Let’s see if we can get this viral!

Sunday---Precious Promises

Blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.  Jeremiah 17:7

Working for a Cause and Remembering

Even though the clouds hung low over St. Louis this weekend, it didn't dampen the spirits of the hundreds of Firefighters that participated in the Firefighters Weekend 2011.  The proceeds for the many events, silent auction and T-shits sales went to benefit Backstoppers and the area Burn Center.

Statue of Ice at the Fireman's Ball---the firefighter is holding a child.  The model for this centerpiece is in an area park.

Checking Silent Auction Bids

Bill, hubby on the right, received a Surprise Thank You gift for all his hard work on the Firefighers Weekends

Lots of Fire Trucks at the Great Fire Engine Rally

Both New and Old Fire Trucks

The park was full of Firefighters, their families and the public getting an up close look at all the equipment as it was parked through out the rally area.  There were food vendors, vendors selling and a day long of demonstrations and Firefighter contests.  A good time was had by all. 

Sunday was the day of Remembrance.  The day began with a breakfast at the Engine House #1 Restaurant, the proceeds went to the Burn Camp.  Then Forest Park at Art Hill flew American Flags for all the victims of 911.

Church Services followed.  This was a weekend of mixed emotions and a time of pause.

Wishing you a wonderful week and as always, Happy Quilting!

Sunday--Precious Promises

He died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:10

Firefighter's Weekend Has Started

Two years ago, my hubby retired from the Fire Service as a Deputy Chief after 25 years service.  I don't think firefighters ever really retire, at least not my firefighter.  Service is still in his blood, I'm very proud of his dedication to the fire service and to his fellow human beings.  He is a person who  gives so much more than he takes.  For the past four years he has been a member of the organizational committee for the Annual Firefighter's Weekend that is held in Downtown St. Louis.  It is a wonderful function that celebrates the brotherhood of Firefighting with proceeds going to the Backstopper's and and area Burn Center.  Backstopper's is an organization that helps the widows and children of fallen Fire, Police and EMT's in the the area.  Each year there is a Candle Light Visual on Thursday, Firefighter's Ball on Friday and Great Fire Engine Rally on Saturday.  This year, on Sunday, there will be a church service beginning at the exact time the first tower fell in New York.  The weekend is always fun, but also tearful as men and women remember co-works, friends and family.  We will be participating in the weekend activities and I'm taking a camera this year.  I'll share some photos on Monday.  Wishing everyone a safe and happy weekend.  As always, Happy Quilting!

Labor Day

Have a Hoppin Good Holiday!

Sunday--Precious Promises

For evildoers shall be cut off, but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.  Psalms 37:9

Critter Quilt is Taking Form

Row 1 is done.  YEA!  After so many months of talking about and making blocks.  The Critter Quilt is finally on my sewing table and starting to take form.  This quilt is just going to happen.  No pattern and no idea of what I will do next.  I have a variety of blocks already made.  Some are photo images, applique, piece work, and fabric pen drawings.  All are different sizes, but with the use of the blue/purple solid fabric I'm making them a standard size for each row.  But, each row width size will be different too. The quilt will then have a border of the blue/purple solid fabric to finish it off.  Some of the blocks will separated by a scrap pieced sashing and all the rows will be divided by the pieced sashing.  I sorted my bits and pieces of fabric into a grocery bag and I just reach in and grab a piece of fabric stitch it to my sashing.  After I get the length I need a trim and square up the sashing to fit the row.  This little quilt is great fun and I love the memories of my beloved Critters as I work on their block.  Have a great weekend and Happy Quilting!