Hillbilly Handiworks

Prizes for Bingo

2012-03-02T08:10:00.000-06:00

If you weren't thinking about joining before, perhaps this will entice you. Prizes will be given for the following categories:

For Horizontal there is a charm pack. (Exact pack yet to be decided)

Vertical gets a "Miss Mimi" pattern by Erin Russeck. (This is the center for her current BOM.)

Diagonal wins the pattern "Rocky Mountain Thorn Bush" by Judy Neimeyer.

For "X" (diagonal in both directions) Sharon has donated a"California Girl" by Fig Tree Jelly Roll.

For "H" (vertical B and vertical O and horizontal middle) Sharon has donated a "Reunion" by Sweet Water Jelly Roll.

Blackout gets the grand prize. Here is a list so far (with more possibly added later): "Stash Magic" by Jaynette Huff,

Fabulous Fat Quarter Bags

a skein of Cottage Garden thread (exact color to be decided)

and a Green Fairy Quilts donated a Tend the Earth Jelly Roll.

I will also have random participant drawings.

So, are you joining us now?

Please share this post if you are so inclined. The more the merrier!

Ahhhh 16-- The Ozark Star

2012-03-01T01:00:00.002-06:00

Today's star is very appropriate. Yesterday my beloved Ozarks was ripped through by a tornado. It was not as bad as Joplin last year, but it did damage for sure. Even Silver Dollar City and Ride the Ducks were damaged.
There were deaths as the storms ripped across the area, so say a prayer for my Hillbilly friends today as we look at the Ozark Star.

The Ozark Star was originally published in the Kansas City Star on Dec. 21, 1935.

This pattern is a pretty little thing but it is NOT EASY. Your drawing must be very accurate to get it to come together correctly. The middle of mine is a bit wonky--but isn't that what Hillbillies are made of?

I know...I'm getting tired of this fabric too. I used the rest up and drew some from the stars that we've already done. I'll get them pieced and show them to you.

Next week we'll be back to Africa.

Surprise day!

2012-02-29T00:02:00.040-06:00

It was just over a year ago when Marcia and I came up with the whole May for Me thing. She was always encouraging me to take some time for myself. Life was just a bit (lots) stressful back then. Time for myself? Ya, right. Marcia had this great idea--and thus May for Me was born.

Last year during May for Me I did a quilt a long, but there is no way my blog could handle that this year. Talk about overload between Ahhhh's and Lone Stars! So on Christmas Eve I took a shower. (I do take them more often than just Christmas mind you.) And I did some thinking. What could I do, what could I do? Then I thought of it!

BLOGGER BINGO

I was so excited I ran out of the shower and sat at the computer emailing some blog buddies for help. Never mind that it was Christmas Eve and they probably didn't want to think Bingo. I am not a very patient person. Thankfully, they didn't tell me to go jump in a lake (especially since I was still soaking wet from my shower) and they decided that Blogger Bingo sounded fun too.

So, here's the deal...

You need to make a Bingo Card. It won't be hard, I promise!

Visit Sharon at Vrooman's Quilts for a step by step tutorial.

Visit Snoodles at Lily Pad Quilting to view her version of Bingo Card.

Visit Marcia at Marcia's Crafty Sewing to view her Bingo Card AND Marcia has several novelty print charm packs that she has made just for this event. Enter to win one!

I made my Bingo Card out of one of Marcia's charm packs. Since I will be one of the Bingo callers, I can't actually play. Stephen just loved looking through Marcia's fabric squares, so I decided to put Stephen's name at the top instead of "BINGO".

I know you will probably have more questions.

I will give more details another day.

What you do need to know is that you have until mid-April to get your card made.

And what you also need to know is that there will be PRIZES.

Fun Prizes.

Fabric and Pattern Prizes.

Other Prizes.

I will talk more about Prizes on Friday and give more rules next week.

I will soon add a Bingo page up top for easy access to all things Bingo.

One more day!

2012-02-28T11:13:00.000-06:00

Are you ready??!!

Leap Day

Tomorrow!!

Big surprise announcement!

Wild Wonky and Patience

2012-02-27T08:21:00.000-06:00

I have a dear friend that I met through blogland. Pat was the first person that ever bought anything from me back when I had an etsy shop. I was so excited that I sold something that I just stuffed it in a box and didn't package it pretty or anything. Pat has since become my greatest encourager. Over the last two years she has purchased several things...seen my packaging get better...and has seen my sewing get better too. But mostly Pat believed in me when I didn't much believe in myself. (Sometimes a person's past can really get in the way of self confidence. Pat seemed to sense this from the beginning.)

This is the first item that Pat purchased from me, as it is displayed in her home.

Over the last two years I've morphed completely. I ditched the original blog and now have this one--and you all know that I love every moment of it! I now find my confidence in encouraging others. I've learned to slow down and enjoy learning.

The second order from Pat--a table set. I had major machine problems with these, so the quilting is way less than perfect.

On this latest order for Pat, it has taken me FOREVER to get it finished. Well, that sort of happens with any order that I get. But Pat has so much patience with me. She never emails and asks when in the world that I am going to get them done. She just waits...patiently. I had another learning curve this time...new machine. I had to figure out the best settings for machine applique. I also thought...black background...black thread around all the applique might look nice. NOT!! So the first four items were thrown away and re-done.

Anyway, Pat, your order is now on it's way. Four pillow cushion covers size 16x16 and four sized 12 x 12. Oh I forgot to tell you all that Pat lets me be creative in anyway that I want, and she likes wonky, so I did creative wonky. These are very fun to make...once my machine and I came to an understanding of one another.

Now that another order is on the way I can catch up on reading your blog posts.

I have to balance things that way for now; and it's working for me.

Read all the posts, complete an order, read posts, complete an order...and so on.

The exciting part--I've another order! You know, this might just work out having my husband home evenings and weekends and not working two jobs. In the meantime though, I have to go to Sesame Street .org. My little one is a bit upset with me that I would not stop writing this post to go visit and sing Wheel's on the Bus with Elmo for about a hundred times in a row. He just shut himself up in his bedroom. I've some making up to do.

Here goes: The Wheel's on the bus go round and round,

round and round,

round and round....

Fabric Choices

2012-02-25T07:56:00.000-06:00

I had a really tough time deciding what to use for my first star quilt in the book. I reduced the size of the original quilt by half, but still when fussy cutting it's hard to come up with 16 exactly the same diamonds when one is working from their stash!

So here's what I am using:

I took the photo four times using different settings and it still came out yellow.

But when my helper got in the way, the colors came out better.

Go figure!

Next is cutting.

Use LOTS and LOTS of starch.

Especially if you are fussy cutting.

Ahhhh 15-- The Oklahoma Star

2012-02-23T09:19:00.000-06:00

small print is pointing to the exact middle of the diamond that we needed for the next step

You can find out more about Ahhhh's on the English Paper Piecing Button up top.

Don't forget about flikr!

Thread Wars

2012-02-22T08:18:00.001-06:00

I was finally able to get away from using my old C & C thread. Someone gifted me some Aurifil thread for Christmas. I will tell you that I know not everyone enjoys this thread...but it was a HUGE improvement over C & C. (and a word about C &C--I have used it for years. I wish it were better quality. I really do. After all, they allowed the crew of Couragious to use their factory. I do think that I will continue to use them at least for my cheap basting thread for Ahhhh's. But otherwise...talk about lint...that cannot happen anymore. I won't do that to my machine.)

This stuff--out the door.

For applique, all I have in the way of thread is what is left over from when I had an embroidery machine. And I'll tell you there is alot of that thread! But it really is only suitable for machine applique...not for hand. In fact, I've been tossing the idea in my head about selling it on ebay. Not sure yet. I know I won't get what it's worth, but I sure could use the jump start on getting other thread that is more user friendly for me.

This really is the best machine embroidery thread. Love the stuff. Hate to let it go but it is rarely used now.

So here's where I am at...a thread war going on in my brain.

I like YLI silk for hand applique. I've only used one spool but I do really like it. Those stitches are hidden as people say. It does fray easily though, and it is slippery stuff. It likes to jump right out of your needle. It does NOT work for whip stitching on EPP. EPP is here to stay for me I think. I just love it. So I cannot decide if it is worth the cost to start investing in some colors for applique.

Aurifil thread--50 weight. After trying this thread in the machine as said above, I do like it much better than C & C. Way way way better. I've also used it for whip stitching and for applique by hand.. It's ok in that category. It does like to get knotted up while working with it by hand--something the YLI didn't do. BUT, as an overall thread, it might be the way to go for me. I can use it for hand whipstitching, machine piecing, hand and machine applique. It would suit all purposes. I could start collecting colors at Red Rock Threads. That is the cheapest place I've found them at. A color or two a month is better than none at all, right? I know there are mini spools offered elsewhere but comparing the price it is certainly more cost effective to go with regular size at Red Rock.

An all around thread that will work for most of my projects.

Then there is Superior. I really really wanted to go with Superior when I started replacing C&C. They seem like a really good company. I think Masterpiece would be great for machine and hand piecing, and machine and hand applique. I've never tried it though. The downfall--it costs quite a bit more than Aurifil. It is less expensive at Red Rock than it is at even the Superior website, but like I said, I've yet to try it.

So there you have it. While I would rather buy YLI for hand applique and Masterpiece for my all around machine/hand piecing, machine applique thread--I will probably go with Aurifil 50 due to cost--I'll purchase a spool or two when I can and build up my supply.
(BUT I really want Superior--maybe I SHOULD just go with it--there goes the brain war again!)

Rapid fire comment section--what thread do you use for each of these uses?
1) Machine Piecing
2) Hand piecing or whip stitching for EPP
3) Hand applique
4) Machine applique

We'll address quilting threads another day :)

It's Award Time Again!

2012-02-21T19:30:00.000-06:00

It's time again for the Golden Quilter Awards.

SewCal does a great job organizing this event, and it is fun to see who everyone votes for.

Categories are:

Best Quilt Designer

Best Quilt Teacher/Instructor

Best Quilt book Author

Best Quilt Store (physical)

Best Quilt Store (online)

Best Longarm Quilter

Most Innovative Product (physical)

Most Innovative Product (software)

Most influential person in the world of quilting to-date, aka "Lifetime Achievement"

Best Quilt book publisher

Go HERE to read all about it.

Now I doubt that I'll ever make it into one of those categories (but who knows?).

That doesn't matter as I've great some great blog friends.

Last week I was awarded two more blog awards.

Snoodles, over at Lily Pad Quilting awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award. Since I just shared 7 things with you...I'll save 7 more until May for Me.

Then, Debi over at Peace by Piece awarded me the Leibster award. That was very sweet of you Debi!

Debi only has a few followers. Stop by and show her some love!

Marcia, Marcia!

2012-02-20T14:59:00.001-06:00

You know, I just couldn't help myself from saying that...even though I was kind enough not to say Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!

(To Marcia: Have you heard that entirely too many times in your life? I bet you have!)

You see, the whole Brady Bunch thing is very fitting for these quilts. When my acquaintance asked for me to make them she said that I could make them however I wanted, but that they had to be identical because they are for sisters and the two of them would fight over them. That's very Brady, don't you think?

Then there are the colors. The quilts were made from little girl homemade dresses--from right around the late 60's. Very Brady again.

These are two of the dresses that I cut up for the dresdens

Then there is the fact that they are now in the mail to one of the most talented long arm quilters I've ever seen.

But there is not one quilt, there are two...so there we have Marcia Marcia--no, I don't really want to make a 3rd so it can be Marcia Marcia Marcia.

I really didn't mind making these; just that time got away from me. That's not entirely my fault either. The customer originally wanted photos on the quilt and I waited for those for months. Then she changed her mind, I had to redesign, add some dresdens...but they turned out more beautiful in the end than if they would have had photos. I've decided I am no longer doing any large quilts with photos. They are always more trouble than what it's worth.

Anyway, Marcia, Marcia! Two of these are on their way to your house. I can't wait to see you perform your magic on them!

And for those of you that have no idea what I've talking about...here ya go:

Gradient Star: Week 1

2012-02-18T05:00:00.053-06:00

Edit: Sharon shared a FREE Lone Star pattern, and it is small/ easy to do. Not nearly as large as other patterns, for those of you that don't have the book this would be a great starter design! I think I am going to make one as well. The pattern calls for 3.5 strips--but Sharon suggest using 2.5 leftover strips. Perfect I have some! Here's the link:

Heritage Collection

This uses strip piecing techniques, which we won't be getting into until project 2 but you all are familiar with strip piecing and it's much faster.

For those of you that are new...we are just beginning to work our way through this book:

I chose this book as it takes us step by step through the learning process. Each project builds upon the last, so that by the time we are finished, we will have some great quilts, but even more valuable....we will no longer fear these stars!

Today as we begin project 1--The Gradient Star--please keep in mind that you need to "Make it your own!"

For instance, the gradient star is fussy cut using batik type gradient fabric. Due to the nature of the quilt, and the fussy cutting involved 3 1/2 yds is needed for the blocks. Since I am working from my stash I needed to choose a different option.

Also, Linda shared with me that she hates using templates. You don't have to! Let's see how...

Remember last week when I taught you how to cut on the 60 degree diagonal? Well, this is just as easy. You can make all the diamonds by cutting the strips the same widths as mentioned in the book for the template (which I won't state here because then the copyrighted pattern would be shared. Through out our studies I will omit sizes when I am teaching you so that people will have to purchase the book to do the project.) Anyway, cut the strips ____________ width. Then using the technique I shared last week, cut your angle on the 45 degree line. And then flip that strip over and measure every _______inches (same as width) and cut.

To help you with fabric calculations, I cut some just from one strip, selvage to selvage. I got 4 diamonds--width of fabric.

There are 32 diamonds total so I could have cut an entire quilt with just 1 1/2 yds (instead of 3 1/2 yds according to the fussy cut pattern.)

Of course, then there is me. I still couldn't see using that much fabric for a 'learning project' for me. So I cut the size in half. I took the size the block would have finished at, divided by two then added a half inch for seam allowances. Then I made a fussy cut template:

I am kind of into the fussy cut thing lately :)

Now which fabric will I choose?

I'll show you next week!

You now get to decide:

Fussy cut or not?

Full size or not?

Fabric selection.

Ahhhh 14-- Diamonds and Arrow Points

2012-02-16T07:24:00.001-06:00

Remember way back in the beginning I told you that as we went along the hexagons would get harder, then easier again?

When I discovered all of these hexagon blocks the first thing I did was see what shape they were basically divided into. Lately we've been working with an asterisk shape. And I've several more to show you with that shape--but they are much harder than we've been doing; so I am going to step away from them for a bit and start with a new basic shape.

Yes, just a simple star. But this simple star has a fancy name. It was published in the Kansas City Star in 1945 as the Diamonds and Arrow Points Block.

I didn't have time to fancy it up. I'll show you mine sometime later when I get it finished...after the Dresden Quilts are done :)

The 50

2012-02-15T08:35:00.000-06:00

The dresdens are done...as of about 3 a.m.! Here they are:

8 blue/red plaid

8 blue red polka dot

4 tan

4 red/green

4 brown/peach floral

4 yellow/navy

8 corner fan

8 small fan

2 large multi print

Lessons learned:

1) How to do EPP!! I started out using the machine and found it really hard to do non cottons so EPP was much easier. Also learned to use interfacing on non-cotton!

2) Roxanne's applique glue works better than Sewline for applique.

3) Older black fabric disintegrates really easily. I've learned this through research. I will hand wash this quilt before giving to the owner to remove applique glues, but I will tell her that it should not be washed very often. The fabrics in this quilt are 40 years old, so they should be handled carefully.

4) On a personal level--not to take on large projects! I did this as a favor, and won't be earning a profit. But, I have learned from this quilt (or quilts rather) and that I don't regret at all

5) Also on a personal level--I do so very much enjoy blogging and reading blogs. I missed you so much that I almost got depressed for a few days. Well, actually I did. But I can also say that peri-menopausal stuff helped in that dept. Seth said he would like to move out until this is over. I told him that he better just get used to it. I have to deal with 3 men all the time with only seeing a female face (my daughter) about once every two weeks, so they better just deal with this. Their fault for taking the apple, I say! Ok, there's my little bit of humor for today.

All that is left is sashing/borders. I cannot easily work on that except during sleepy toddler times so I can now start visiting each of you again! Yay! I am so excited!!!!!!

There are 883 posts in my reader...I am going to take my time and enjoy catching up.

Mostly, I am just ecstatic to say, " I'm Back!!!"

Surprise!

2012-02-14T05:00:00.014-06:00

The Leap Day Surprise

is coming....

Keep your eyes on

Sharon at Vrooman's Quilts

Marcia at Marcia's Crafty Sewing

Snoodles at LilyPad Quilting

It's Big, and it's Fabulous..

after all, Leap Day only happens once every four years!

Status

2012-02-13T15:56:00.001-06:00

Since several of you have emailed and asked here's where I'm at:

50 dresdens finished and appliqued down.

38 circular centers still to go...

Thanks for the support and understanding of my silence at your blogs. You guys are the best!

Tutorial: Tumbler blocks/ Y-seams

2012-02-11T00:02:00.086-06:00

Today is Saturday--Lone Star day! So why the tumbler blocks? Why not? Those of you not doing a Lone Star might want to make tumbler blocks someday. By the way, thank you for all your comments last week saying that you learned something even if you are not doing a Lone Star. That made my day, because really, what I like more than anything is to teach.

Using my normal very step by step high visual method lets learn tumblers and Y's. Keep in mind that triangles and Y-seams are not all the same size of angle, so your diamond shapes may look a bit different than shown, but the Y principle is the same.(The Lone Star angles WILL be different).

For those of you joining me on Barbara's book: She shows how to make Y-seams on pages 20,21. I tried her method first (because remember, I am learning too) and didn't like marking the pieces, A, B, C. It was a bit of a pain to me to keep referring to the book.."Am I folding C over A like I should?" etc. Also, I press my seams open...a tip from Jan. I tried both and I was more accurate by pressing them open. You'll see as we go. So you get the Hillbilly Tonya method today :)

Pick three different pieces of fabric and cut them into strips of the same width. I cut 2" strips. We are going to cut the corners off of one end of the strips at a 60 degree angle. You can do this one of two ways.

The little arrow is pointing to the dotted line on my mat. That line is 60 degrees, so I would just line up my ruler along it.

My favorite method though is to use the straight lines on my mat and the 60 degree line on my ruler. Line the 60 degree along the top edge of your strip and cut off the little angle edge.

Then flip that little strip piece over and line it up on a vertical cutting mat line and make cuts every 2" (or whatever the width of your strip is)

There, easy peasy tumbler blocks.

Now lets get to piecing Y-seams.

I found it easier for me to mark little itty bitty scores in the centers so that I would remember which corners were to be in the middle.

Now get out your handy dandy Jinny Beyer ruler I talked you into buying, (or get out your ruler and measure exactly 1/4" up from center) and find the edge that matches the shape of your piece. Line it up just right and then put a little dot in the center. The other dots are not necessary unless you want to use them. The center is our crucial point here.

(A word about pencils and the Perfect Piecer ruler--I tried 3 different ones, with the lead breaking in the little holes on all 3. Moved to a mechanical and did fine. I wanted it dark for photos but would have used my sewline pencil normally.)

Put a dot in the center of all three pieces.

Turn the top piece down and place over the left piece, right sides together. Then pin right through both dots matching them up exactly.

Put in your machine and lower needle down right where that pin is, removing pin before you sew.

Two very important things to remember:

ALWAYS work from the center dot out, and ALWAYS tack your middle stitches by sewing two stitches, then reversing two then sewing again, or using a tacking stitch if your machine has one.

Press your seams open

Now pick up your third little piece, place right sides together, and pin through dots. This is where the pressing open of the seams will help you.

Here is a view from the back:

Sew from the center out again.

Press your seams open

Fold your block so that you can sew the remaining side

When you sew this side, you have to be very careful to keep all those seam allowances out of the way. (experience speaking...I got to use my seam ripper on my very first Y attempt).

Sew from the middle out, press open your Y seam

And there you have it!

Practice, Practice, Practice!

You will want to perfect these before you make your Lone Star quilt.

Want to make a tumbler quilt?

You can find a coloring page RIGHT HERE to aid in your design.

Next week: We will be looking at fabric ideas for quilt number one: The Gradient Star

Ahhhh 13--The Boutonniere

2012-02-09T05:16:00.000-06:00

Artistic, Hexotic, Hop-A-Long, Hex-a-Long, Hillbilly Hectic Hexie #13

I have been missing you, my friends. I am getting very tired of dresdens. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind dresdens in general...but I am using all old, old fabric and most of them are solids. My eyes are ready for color! And my lonely self is ready to get back to blogland. A few more days. Only 5 dresdens to go. Then I have to make little circles for the center of all 50 (yes a total of 50!) of them. I hope to be finished by Monday. (Please oh please!) There are 492 blog posts just begging for me to take a peek.

Now as for this week's Ahhhh...I wish that I would have had time to make two. I am going to have to come back to this one and make it out of my kaleidoscope fabric because it is just so pretty. But since last week I didn't have time to do an African hexie, I wanted to do one of those for today.

Today's Ahhhh --The Boutonniere--is brought to you by Eveline Foland, and was published in the Kansas City Star on Sept 26, 1931.

There is lots of room for color play on this; especially using the tumbler blocks around the edge.

Have fun!

Busy

2012-02-05T07:50:00.000-06:00

I am sorry I've been slow to email, slow to visit. Amy and I spent all day working on my two big orders that HAVE to get out. We made only a dent. I will continue to be quiet until those are finished.
PS...my poor little fingers hurt to type, all that EPP basting yesterday.

Here's a little something that showed up in my inbox yesterday. I normally stay away from posting on a Sunday, but this itched to be posted on a Sunday. Most of you know that I stay away on Sundays, so I'll catch ya tomorrow.Or so.

Lone Star Learn-a-Long

2012-02-04T01:00:00.001-06:00

Week 1: Supplies

Always before diving into a project, I spend some time researching and learning. Well not always, but always before diving into a BIG project such as this one! I will tell you; I am very nervous this time around because I've never been the best at getting those pesky seams and points to line up. But after my research I am feeling better about it than I did a month ago. Today I want to share with you some tools that I have found that are important for our journey.

I know many of you are joining from Sue's Quiltalong.

As we discuss these tools, I will be sure to tell you if those are things that are a benefit to those making just a normal Lone Star, or if they are more suited to those following me in this book (there is still time to purchase and join us. I know of at least 4 of us making these quilts together):

Ok, let's get to the necessary (other than your normal quilting) tools.

Sand paper grippers I use a different brand; but no matter which brand, you really need to use these on your rulers! The difference is night and day!!!

Painters tape. 1/4" feet on your sewing machine are important, but you can extend that line using a thick little pile of painter tape strips. (more on this in a moment.)

I recently gave away several rulers that I didn't ever use; and am prone not to use anything other than my old faithful 6 x 24, but this wonderful little tool is useful when connecting y seams, mitered corners, etc. It helps you stop at exactly the right point for those perfect angles. I will share more on how to use this next week. Anyone joining us would benefit from this ruler.

If you don't know about color and the color wheel...then learn!! There are some fun websites, but if you need the basics Go Learn them HERE.

Ok, now for the not-so-necessary-but-I-highly-recommend tools.

Every single one of you should get this movie! It takes you step by step on how to make a Lone Star quilt, no book needed! She takes you through fabric choice, cutting, piecing, blocking..the entire process. Also are included some great pointers that I would have never thought of on my own. Jan illustrates how to use blue painters tape to cut perfectly straight strips every time. Also she shows a method of piecing perfect seams...no pins...that is ingenious. There is so much more this video teaches. I want to watch it over and over.

(and would have already if my toddler wasn't so time demanding){and will in time}.

I'll admit. I have been 'planning' to make LoneStars for years. And everytime I saw these mirrors, I figured that I could get by without them. After all, I have a pretty good sense of color. (I really do. I can't draw or get perfect seams but I can handle color). But then when Jan showed how these mirrors worked on the video, wow! The mirrors available by Jan Krentz are larger than other brands--they show the entire design.Those doing the book study will not need these right away.

Now you will notice that I am kind of a Jan Krentz fan. But, really, after watching that video I know that Jan knows her stuff. AND--Jan is here to answer our questions. She really is a sweetheart. We will be working through some of her books eventually on this blog, but I know some of you on Sue's learn along are working through them now. So if you have questions while working through her patterns, just ask away and I'll see if I can find out an answer for you.

--------------------------

Next week...we tackle some Y seams and look at fabric choices. Both are necessary before beginning our projects.

7 things

2012-02-02T22:27:00.002-06:00

I published my ahhhh a bit early because on Wednesday evening I got an email telling me that my blog had been featured on Best of the Web over at Craft Corners. My poor husband, who is not quite as open about life as I am, was mortified that I had my TMI post up when that feature came out so I had to hit publish real quick on the Ahhhh's. LOL, I am still giggling at him and his reaction to that post.

Anyway, go check out Craft Corners. There are several quilt blogs featured this time that are new to me, so they might just be new to you! You can find the post RIGHT HERE.

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I recently received a blog award from Kylie. I don't actually pass these awards on. Once I did, and someone else got jealous and so I just don't. But I will share 7 things about myself. That is kind of hard since I am more of an open book person AND I want to think of some incredibly interesting things. This may take me some time but here goes:

1) I used to have miniature horses. No, not ponies. Pet Peeve warning! Ponies are not miniature horses. Here is one of my favorite mini's with Seth when he was not much older than Stephen. The mini never got above 18" at his withers. When our life had to change and the kids and I had to leave the farm (before Jerry's time) I donated this little guy and my favorite mare (you can see her legs in the photo) to a home for mentally challenged women. I will have me another mini someday. Yes I will.

2) I have lived through several serious car accidents. The two worst are 1--when Amy was born. I was on the way to the hospital to be induced and didn't need to be. The wreck put me into labor. 2--Amy was 2 1/2 years old and I was driving her to preschool when someone ran a red light and slammed into us. We flipped and rolled. I was in therapy for a year. This is the root cause of my need to sleep in a recliner today. We are very blessed that, even though I was in outpatient therapy, we(Amy and I both times) 'walked away' from these accidents. I have been in a total of 5 accidents where the car was totaled. I have been in a couple more where the car wasn't totaled.

3) I do not drink anything other than lukewarm water.

4) My mother in law just bought us a Kindle Fire. It will take a while to get here due to a mistake in the order.

5) I have too much fabric.

6) I like to think in the shower. If I need to make an important decision...I take a shower. I used to take hikes but I have a tag along now. So my thinking place had to move. Wanna see my shower?

This is a real shower that we stumbled upon while on one of Stephen's Adventures this past week. He said that he would blog about it this weekend on his blog.

7) If I have shared these before, and I think I have some of them. Forgive me. I am 43. I have a toddler. My mind is not what it used to be.

Ahhhh 12-- The Espana

2012-02-01T20:35:00.000-06:00

Publishing early...I know...but I have my reasons. I'll explain Friday!

Artistic, Hexotic, Hop-A-Long, Hex-a-Long, Hillbilly Hectic Hexie #12

Credit for this weeks Ahhhh goes to Jinny Beyer. She calls it the Espana. It looks a bit daunting, but I found it easy to make.

I have no idea how I get such crooked photos.

It's the Hillbilly in me!

I only had time for one this week. Kind of made me sad because I love my African Ahhhhs too!

OFF TOPIC--TMI WARNING!!!!

2012-01-31T19:09:00.001-06:00

(wow, that font is really hard to read in all caps. It says OFF TOPIC and TMI WARNING...in case you can't read it.)

Well, I know one can't really be off topic when we aren't in the middle of a conversation; and on my blog pretty much anything goes...but this time, well I just don't usually talk about this topic.

I am so excited that I am NOT PREGNANT. Whew! I was scared. I am having the worse pregnancy symptoms. I am sore, irritable, exhausted, nauseated many times throughout the day, I get this awful mouth taste after eating, I can't stand the thought of chocolate. Trust me, that only happens to me when I am pregnant. But I am not really sick. No need for sympathy at all. Just feeling...strange...you know?

So I did some googling. Did you know that other women feel pregnant too when going into perimenopause?

Oh...and that it can last about 5 years??!!

WHAT?! Oh heaven help us all.

Ok, so that's what's going on in the life of your hillbilly friend. Shall I link this to Marcia's Minutes for Me? Naw, probably not.

Wonder if I will lose more followers after this post? I've lost some recently and not sure why. I think I need to lighten up like I used to be. Consider this your first light hearted post!

So...did you feel pregnant, are you feeling pregnant, do you want to feel pregnant, or don't even say the word? State your status ladies!

Woulda Coulda

2012-01-30T05:00:00.047-06:00

I was not able to make a Project Challenge quilt this week; and knew that from the beginning. But I got to thinking that planning an 'out of the box' project is still a good stretch of the imagination...even if the quilt never gets to come to pass. ( I know-"never say never" and 'put it in the idea hat'). I wanted to show you what I would have made if I woulda coulda done it.

The challenge this time was to use a song for our inspiration. Not just music but an actual song. I chose a song that my husband wrote concerning his children (most of you know that story). We used to keep the song up on myspace in the hopes that someday his kids would hear it, but myspace is kind of a thing of the past. We don't know how to get the recorded song from the computer to the internet now. Any ideas?

Anyway, I will let the song describe the rest of this post and the quilt that would have been. Bear with the photos. They were scanned in from a very rough sketch.

WHEN I MISS YOU THE MOST by Jerry Owens

When I wake up in the morning, wipe the sleep from my eyes
I realize that you're not with me, it still takes me by surprise
In the stillness of the hour, leaning on that bed post
These are the moments, when I miss you the most.

The bed post, bed and pillow would have been applique

When I stumble to the kitchen and pour myself a cup

I stand gazing through the window, watching as the sun comes up

I think I see you in the backyard, and my thoughts are engrossed

These are the moments, when I miss you the most

It was going to be an appliqued window, cup and tree and swing fabric, the rest embroidery

When the minutes turn to hours and the hours into days
The weeks roll into months then years but the pain won't go away
Whether wide-awake or sleeping, every second that I can boast that
These are the moments, when I miss you the most

Applique/embroidery calendar years; one year for each year the kids have been gone.

When my day is finally ended and I lay me down to sleep

I ask the Lord to richly bless you, and for all our souls to keep

I trust you to the sweet protection of the sovereign Holy Ghost

These are the moments, when I miss you the most

Appliqued verse

Chorus: Every song I sing, every prayer I pray

Every breath I breathe, brings me closer to the day,

When you come back to me and I'll hold you close

embroidered

Tag line: When each drop of blood throws through my broken heart

These are the moments, when I miss you the most

These are the moments, when I miss you the most.

It was to be a patchwork heart-each patch a different color of red, with black embroidery making them look patched together. Big black line where heart is broken.

photo borrowed from myspace.

We know nothing about this organization.

We do sadly know about parental alienation.
Please pray with us that Jerry will see his kids again someday.

Kalahari Quilts

2012-01-28T00:15:00.000-06:00

I have the COOLEST thing to share with you today. I've been sitting on this for several weeks now just trying to find the right time to share it with you.

It all started with the Quilters Books and Bindings Blog. When Miki posted about the challenge to read The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency and then make a quilt that was inspired by the book, I did what I am always prone to do. I went googling. I had this vision of in my head of a rainbow bargello quilt with a Giraffe and a tree in the foreground. You are not going to believe what I found:

Guess I am not going to make that quilt. But then I just had to stay and look around a while. Let me tell you about Kalahari Quilts. The business was founded in 2006 by Jenny and Danny Healy. Since that time, Danny has passed away, and Jenny is left alone to raise two young children. Her shop is her income. It is the only quilt shop in Botswana. Her quilts are famous..and even made it into the No. 1 Ladies movie.

Her work is absolutely wonderful. I just don't know how finds the time to do what she does.

I am sure necessity drives her.

Jenny Healy has a blog that you can find Right here.

I would take some time and browse her blog and her website gallery.

Everything is just beautiful.

So, what am I doing for my challenge quilt?

Well what do you think all those African Ahhhh's are for, anyway? LOL

You make me feel like Dancing!

2012-01-27T05:00:00.024-06:00

Stephen and I dance to this song...this version of this song... several times a week. It's an absolute hoot to watch, so get up and dance a few steps. Perfect for exercise if you are joining us for Annie's On my Weigh :

Why do you make me feel like dancing? Well, cuz I love you guys! And you are so loving and giving to me! I feel so bad that I didn't do a good job of sharing all the Christmas gifts that I received. I had an entire memory card that got wiped out before I uploaded the photos--but here are a few gifties that I can share:

Birthday gift from 'that guy who hangs around my daughter'

Win plus a bit extra from KatieQ

Stephen stocking from Patty at Granma's Charms

Day planner from my sis:

Charm pack from Wanda:

I am linking up with Marcia's Minutes for Me Party.

You can find it Right HERE.

For sure, find some minutes for YOU this weekend.

Maybe you could dance a bit?

Ahhhh 11-- The Kite Flower

2012-01-26T05:00:00.027-06:00

This week I could hardly contain my excitement to share this with you. I have completely fallen in love with kaleidoscope fabric. In fact, after making this week's ahhhh, I spent some time googling around and now am hoping to get my hands on MORE, MORE, MORE. I want more!! This is exactly what I've been talking about when it comes to patterns. One thing I want to create is hexie patterns with kits using kaleidoscope fabric...someday :)
Don't know what kaleidoscope fabric is? Well, I had this piece laying around for several years just waiting on the perfect project:

I only showed a small piece of the fabric to show you where I cut out this weeks hexie pieces from.

Here's my little kite:

And here is this weeks Hexie

(It's not crooked. I just am.)

Isn't that star in the middle so cool?

You will hopefully be seeing much more kaleidoscope fun in the future.

At the minimum, you are stuck seeing this fabric each week until I work through this half yard of fabric.

And of course, my African kite flower which I am equally in love with:

(I need to get these African ones done for a challenge!)

And finally--an easy one for you to draw up this week:

Pin It

So Long, Farewell!

2012-01-24T23:45:00.000-06:00

No, not to me silly. To Stephen! He told me that he is too big a boy now to be blogging his adventures on a quilt blog. You'll see a button on my side bar that looks like this:

Click on it (on the left side bar) and you will be whipped away to the many adventures that await you!

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I received a nice email from someone that found my FPP tute, and she wondered if I had a flickr group to share items made from my patterns and tutes. The Ahhhh group has been adjusted accordingly (to be an all inclusive Hillbilly group) and can now be found on the left side bar as well. If you have any photos of items made from my patterns, tutes, or schemes and have a moment, I'd love to have you post them there. Thank you kindly!

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Speaking of the FPP tute, here is a photo of Raelynne, the recipient of the heart quilt.

Raelynne has Leukemia. She lives alone but has two sisters that come and help on occasion.

She was very blessed by her quilt from around the world.

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My Dream.

Every year about this time I get the hankerin (some Hillbilly lingo for you) to attempt my little business again. This year the hankerin is a bit larger than other years. We have decided that it is time for my husband to quit his second job. His working for 60 plus hours a week is just too much--for him, for me, and for our little boy.

Many have asked...how in the world with 4 blogs, and homeschooling now 2 boys (yes, Stephen has begun even at this age) and running a home. So, since I've had many ask via emails, I'll give you more details on the how. (more about quilts in a moment)

Well--the extra blogs are a way of keeping my life streamlined.

Stephen's blog is my alternative to scrapbooking. Easier. Print a book at the end of the year. Done. (But I'll make it fun for those of you that like his adventures.) Even if you don't stay and follow let me know what you think of his bloggy look.

The book blog--I often read during the mid of the night when I can't sleep. If I read a book, I'll blog about it. No hurry. No demands. Just my own personal quest to get good books blogged about.

The Bible Study blog--I have help for that one!

Then there is this blog. I want to keep learning and doing and teaching. And I am really really hankerin (there's that word again) to design my own patterns (using ahhhh's and some other things up my sleeves) and I want to sell kits for those patterns. What do you think? Do you think I have a shot at it?

Well, even if not, it will be so nice having my husband home on the weekends. I'll just have to buy a little less fabric, thread, needles, batting...but so worth the trade!

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See you Thursday for Ahhhhh day!

Burning the Midnight Oil

2012-01-21T01:03:00.000-06:00

For quite sometime I've wanted to be a part of project quilting.

I love the challenges. I need the boost because I really rely to heavily on patterns.

I have always wanted to make MY OWN creations.

This time around I am very much hoping that I get to work on every challenge. But even one here and there will be fun.

The first challenge was Architectural Elements, but was pretty open other than using a photo for inspiration.

There were so many way cool buildings to choose from.

First, I loved this one and thought about weaving a quilt:

Then I decided maybe I would do a whole quilt with all different types of shoes and the people that live in them:

But then decided I wanted to go Kansas City style, and since I love to read, thought I would use the Kansas City Public Library for inspiration:

But, sadly there is only ONE week from the time the challenge is issued to have a quilt completed.

So I had to go with something much more simple:

BORING!

But that's ok, I did at least have some good ideas for the other quilts.

And this one I dressed up a bit.

I got to thinking about how often I work late at night,

so I designed this and named it,

"Burning the Midnight Oil".

I embroidered a little clock in one of the windows:

Not bad for my first challenge.

Still wish I would have had time for my other ideas though.

There's another challenge starting Sunday. I can't wait to see what it is. I may not have time this time with some orders that I need to get done, but we'll see. I may not be able to resist either. I've been wanting to do these for so long! Just click on the Project quilting photo at the top to go visit Kim's Crafty Apple and join us.

Oh--there's some great prizes each time too!

Here's what I won the last go around:

It's a pattern to make several zippered bags. With step by step zipper scare proof instructions.

Yippee!! Now that I needed!

(I will certainly find time to try these soon. I've been wanting to made zippered bags for so long!)

You can find the pattern At Studio Cherie

Ahhhh 10-- The New World Star

2012-01-19T08:18:00.000-06:00

Artistic, Hexotic, Hop-A-Long, Hex-a-Long, Hillbilly Hectic Hexie #10

Today's star pattern is adapted from a Jenny Beyer block called "The New World".

Just a simple 3 steps very carefully drawn:

Have fun!

A Hillbilly Challenge!

2012-01-18T00:48:00.000-06:00

I don't think when Marcia planned her Scrappy Quilt Challenge, she was thinking..."This is one for Tonya and her Hillbilly ways"; but then again, maybe she was! The challenge worked out well for me though, because I had just finished up a baby quilt at Christmas to send to Jerry's nephew. (I'll share it next week hopefully...my blog is a happenin' place lately and I can't seem to fit it in). and had some left over scraps from the charm pack and sashing that I wanted to use in Marcia's challenge.

Ok, so here is why this scrappy quilt pattern was so perfect for this friendly neighborblogland Hillbilly...all I had to do was add a little here, add a little there, cut some off here and then there, nothing was supposed to be even, the rows--are you ready for this-were NOT supposed to line up..catch my drift? Oh, ya, perfect for me!

I followed Marcia's original design of sticking to one color for this quilt. (with the exception of some blue charm squares that I whacked up for the centers).

I think this quilt should be called "Momma, load up the bottles we are going on a Sunny Sunday afternoon car ride". (or something similar that is not near as lengthy.).

I still have to add borders, but I needed to get this linked up and it is now 1 a.m. Borders aren't going to happen tonight. (Hey, I wonder if there are any border fairy's out there kind of like the shoe dwarfs in that one children's fairy tale?) Here is the fabric I am going to use.

It will have 1" blue and 3" (or so) yellow border:

Marcia is offering free quilting to one winner in the challenge. If I should win in that draw, then I will have Marcia quilt it and send it to Belinda for her Neonatal Intensive Care Unit quilts.

If I don't win, then I'll send it to Marilyn who will quilt it up for her Binky Patrol quilts.

Why not just quilt it myself?

I have 8 pillow cushion covers and 2 dresden plate quilts that have to get done ASAP. The 2 quilts have been in the works for over a year but the recipient is wanting them. (I really can't blame her.)

This is also why I am kind of quiet right now. I'll breathe easier when those two quilts are on their way to Marcia's and it will be her job to worry about the quilting!

Finally the mystery solution!

2012-01-17T05:00:00.000-06:00

Back in the fall I joined the Carol Doak Yahoo Group and did a super fun Twist and Turn Mystery Quilt.

Part of the fun was getting to play around with the blocks after they were completed before the solution was given. At the time I did not have a space to have a play with these blocks, but I do now. Before piecing it together, I tried a few different things.

(The photos are a bit crooked. My design wall is in a narrow hallway and I can't stand back far enough to get a straight shot.)

#1 is the actual mystery solution as designed by Carol.

In the second, I moved the inner red ring and exchanged it with the outer blue ring.

Then, I traded the pink ring for the blue ring.

Finally, I changed the red and blue blocks to point up instead of down

After it was all said and done, I couldn't decide at all.

So I went back to the original. Silly me.

Added a couple of borders...and DONE!

I am actually leaving it as a flimsy. I have no idea what to do with it. It's too wild for a charity quilt. I got to thinking that it's a real eye catcher, so I think I will hang it up high at craft shows-not to sell but to draw attention. (Ha! I've yet to even set up at a craft show for the last 10 years at least!) At any rate, I am not going to use up any batting for it right now.

Stephen's Safari

2012-01-15T15:52:00.001-06:00

So much happens when you turn into a big 2 yr old boy!!

For one, you get big birthday cakes:

You get to open presents on your new big boy bed on Christmas morning:

And, you get to go on African Safari's!

Yes, an African safari right in the middle of Missouri!

Have you ever been on a safari before?

First you go to this place and buy a cup of food.

And then all these animals come and swarm your car and try to climb in the windows to get the cup of food.

Only this little deer was too scared to climb in the window.

This llama wasn't too scared.

And neither was this guy:

But then a whole herd of zebras started running towards us!

I was a little worried about my daddy, you know.

I am a brave boy, but my daddy's window was down, and I gotta take care of my daddy!

The zebra turned out to be really nice.

Only he kept chasing us whenever we tried to drive away.

And so was the camel.

Those crazy animals tried to lick my drink right out of my hand.

No way that was going to happen!

And then, you would not believe it.

I saw the ugliest, scariest animals that I've ever seen in my life.

I took one look at them and said to my Grandma Helen,

"Are you kiddin' me?! Don't let them come over here!"

I mean, look at 'em. Wouldn't they scare you too?

POM POM's With a Giveaway!

2012-01-13T05:00:00.038-06:00

Winner chosen and giveaway is closed. Thank you!
(Rhonda G. I will be contacting you.)

Well, actually it's just a POM and not a POM POM but I couldn't resist saying POM POM. Anyway, what is a POM?

Yes it's a Pincushion of the Month Club.

Sounds fun, doesn't it?

There will be larger pincushions, itty bitty pincushions, some more difficult, some less.

You can find out all the details over at Pieces of Rana's Life.

January's cushion is the Heirloom Tomato.

Cute, and itty bitty. (2" wide).

The pattern is designed to be embellished by vintage buttons, hat pins, etc.

Aren't those CUTE???!!!

Now, let's talk about the pattern.

Available in e-format or a hard copy, the pattern is printed with easy, step by step instructions.

I actually was a little concerned as I've never sewn curved seams, but I was able to sew the Heirloom Tomato with no problems at all.

Rana also gives a great idea for pincushion filler. I love that it is weighted and not just filled with fiber fill.

And here is the best part of all...I started and finished all during one toddler nap time!

Can you imagine how I felt to be able to start and finish a project all at one time?

Wanna see?

And now a surprise for you!

Rana is giving away one Heirloom Tomato pattern to one of my readers.

All I need you to do is comment and leave your email if you are a no-reply blogger.

I will draw the winner on Sunday and announce Monday.

You will be able to choose whether you want the efile or a hard copy if you win.

Personally, I can't wait to make a few more of these itty bitty cuties.

I have a little boy that thinks he needs his own too.

I am linking this up with Marcia's Minutes for Me Party, because this was certainly some quick minutes for me and I love my itty bitty!

I wonder what February's Pincushion will be?

Ahhhh 9-- The Split Star

2012-01-12T05:00:00.014-06:00

Artistic, Hexotic, Hop-A-Long, Hex-a-Long, Hillbilly Hectic Hexie #9

Oh, how I've missed my Ahhhh's. Have you?

This week we are going to take this design from two weeks ago (or was it three?):

Keep it the same, only this time...do divide the star instead of keeping the points all one piece.

This is actually easier said than done.

When you divide those points get very very small, so they are bit hard to work with.

I tried out several of my African prints, and they didn't work so well, so I went with these fabrics this week:

Mine was a bit off in the center--those points got me!

The Stars Will Shine!

2012-01-10T22:09:00.000-06:00

So here I am hopping through blogland trying to find out what I've missed out on...and find out that I've missed out on a BIGGIE!

Sue is having a Lone Star Quiltalong.

First, let me back up. I had given you a whole list of books to choose from and then had you vote what you wanted to learn first. I won't go through them all but here are the top books:

Number one:

Two:

Tied:

So, here's what we are going to do--we of course will start with Star Struck quilts. Since Sue is doing the quilt along on the first Saturday of the month, then that is when I will do at least part of my posts. I will probably post once a week though. I will do my normal teaching style of trying to take the pattern and break it into step-by-step, low stress bites. I have not done a Lone Star, but I will be working ahead of you...remember this is a Learn Along, not a teach along :)

If you wish to make the patterns that we will be making, then you will have to purchase the book. I will not be sharing anything about the pattern on the blog. Just 'how to do the pattern'.

My first post for you will be the first Saturday in February. It will be a supply post, so for those of you that can't purchase the book until the first of the month, that is fine.

About the book: Barbara not only teaches the basic Lone star but also designs within the Lone Star. It's a wonderful book to learn from because it starts very basic and gets increasingly more challenging. I absolutely love her book and I've got her next one on order from Amazon.(Thank you gift card person--now you know how I spent it!) The book is not even out yet...so I am having to be patient. I am sure I will want to work through it with you all eventually. Here is that book:

For those of you wondering about the other books...Star Struck Quilts will take quite a bit of time to get through.(and we still have our Ahhhh's!)

But I've got great plans in store. We will be learning FOREVER!

I love the woven backgrounds book and those of you that are artists will love how she paints on fabric for many of her quilts. I really had a hard time choosing which was my favorite between this and the Lone Star so the pole helped. We may even start before we end Lone Stars...but let's get through Spring first and see what happens.

(Gotta save room for the BIGGIE May for Me surprise Event!!!!)

I've also been in contact with Jan Krentz. She's following us on our Lone Star journey and when we start working on her books she will be right here to answer questions. I will discuss her in more detail on the Feb 4th post. We will eventually work through all of her books...with her as our guide. Isn't that exciting??!!

She says maybe we could start with some of her simple books such as this one:

Well, so there you have it. I am back in quiltsy blogland in hyper over-drive. And I am excited about it!

But yes, I won't over commit. I have so many other people's BOM's that I want to do...but most likely I'll do the same as last year and save them on my computer for future use. I need to learn what I want to learn, so that means I can't do all the BOM's out there. I will probably only firmly commit to the one for Seth. At least for now. I hope I don't hurt any of your feelings about that. I need to pick at least one that has stitching though because I really miss embroidery. I've not picked up any embroidery since before Ahhhh time!

p.s. I am very very glad to be back.

Hello my friends!

2012-01-09T12:05:00.000-06:00

Let me start with saying thank you to each of you that sent emails and comments my way. I will find time later in the week to email each of you back. (over 60 emails!) And I will start visiting blogs again tomorrow. I've missed you all and it shows with currently over 700 blog posts in my reader. I will give a quick rundown of how we've been and what's going on.

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Last Monday when Jerry's dad passed away I immediately started washing laundry to prepare us all to leave for Texas. Then the last minute we decided Jerry just HAD to get down there and the long drive with Stephen would have really slowed him down, so I took him to the airport and put him on a plane. Because of Jerry's job, we never reveal to anyone when I am home alone while he is out of town. It was especially important this week as word got around the prison that Jerry was in Texas. So, I did what my husband and I thought best and I shut off the computer (except for one amazon book order I couldn't resist placing. More on that in a couple of weeks.)

In Texas, Jerry basically hit the ground running. His father ran a rescue horse operation and there is no way that Jerry's mom could handle it, so Jerry spent the week selling off trailers, equipment, etc and finding homes for all the horses. Jerry's father did not want a memorial service so he didn't even take time to grieve. It was just go go go. Well, he ended up selling enough off to pay back our plane ticket, pay the funeral home for costs, and pay for Jerry's trip home. That was a huge blessing!

Jerry came home late Friday. He drove his father's pickup and had a horse trailer full of more tack, etc that we will either keep or sell. (Did you catch that blessing number two? We now have two vehicles. I won't be without a car during the day anymore as long as the truck lasts. It's an old farm truck so we won't expect it to last forever.)

Yesterday my husband had the chance to sit down for the first time in a week. And realize it was his father's birthday. So, yesterday being the first day he could even grieve, it was sort of a hard day.

In a minute we are off to go take a load of stuff to the thrift store.

We are all doing ok. I have a horrible cold...coughed all night...but then those things happen.

Stephen was sick again 3 nights ago with one of his fevers. 101.3. And then diarrhea the next day. But it didn't last six weeks. He's eating today so no worries!

Well, the boys just got back from taking a ride in the truck. (Stephen LOVES the new truck.) They went to get me some soup for my sore throat. Gotta go, but I'll be back to visit you all soon. We get back to 'real' life tomorrow.

Well, remember when I wondered?

2012-01-02T10:30:00.000-06:00

On that last post...just a few hours ago...I wondered what the new year would bring?

Well, for us it came in with craziness. My father in law passed away this morning. He woke up my mother in law and told her he didn't feel well and thought they should head to the hospital. Then he passed away quietly in his recliner while she was getting dressed to take him.

I will not reveal over the internet our plans for travel, etc.

Just realize my blog break will be longer (except I've pre-scheduled the Bible Study blog already); and there is no way that I can catch up on all of yours AND leave comments when I do get back to blogging next week. So, I'll catch up with you later. When my crazy life calms down.

A Diary

2012-01-01T21:40:00.000-06:00

I've had so much happen already at the time of writing this that I thought I'd keep a little diary of things during my week off. Of course, at our house a week off cannot be calm and peaceful. There is always SOMETHING, isn't there?? (I'll try not to be too long-winded).

12-25-11 3:45 a.m. Christmas Eve/Christmas morning

Just got back from the emergency room with Amy. She wasn't going to be able to be with us for Christmas but her dad cancelled on her. That sent her into tears but it all worked out for good because the minute she got to my house, I dropped everything and drove her to the hospital.

She had an emergency root canal on Thursday but it just got worse.

And worse. And worse.(Don't blame the dentist, he has been worried sick about her too, checking on her every few hours). She just waited too long and the infection got out of control.

At the hospital they gave her a shot of Antibiotic; and then an iv full; and a shot of pain killer every hour.

Thank goodness for Walgreen's. Because where else could you get a prescription filled at 2 a.m. on Christmas Eve/morning? Actually three prescriptions. Amy is taking so much antibiotic the hospital gave her multiple warnings about her stomach.

As we were driving home, Amy said, "Mom, I have so much fun when I am with you. Even if it's at the hospital." Oh, daughter, I have to agree!

12-25-11 10:00 p.m.

I am exhausted. I got to bed at 4 am then Amy was back up by 5:30 in terrible pain. Her face is more swollen than last night but the antibiotics should start working tomorrow. We had a wonderful Christmas in spite of taking care of my invalid. And she is spending the night again. That makes me so happy! (Of course, I didn't give her a choice). My pillow is calling to me so loudly. I'll sleep better knowing that Amy is finally sleeping soundly as well. (the flash in the dark room didn't even stir her)

12-26-11 5:00 pm

I feel almost guilty typing this; I have 40 emails in my inbox that I need to answer but I just cannot right now. Today I spent the morning making a last minute gift for Amy to give to someone. It was nice that I got the chance to make the hot pads that I've been wanting to. I have design changes I want to make to each of them; but here are the ones I made for Amy to gift:

Small finger pads. The yellow portion is a pocket for your fingers or thumb. And they have magnets sewn in so that they can hang on the side of the microwave.

A round one and a super long one; both with hand pockets. The long one is for taking out casseroles and cookie sheets. One hand in each side and it wraps around and protects your arms.

Amy loved them! We got them gift wrapped and she left.

And I cried. I miss my daughter so much. We are very close. Plus, she is the ONLY female face that I ever see. I love you guys and I love talking to you; but sometimes it gets really hard to stay in this house day in and day out and have your entire social life be on a computer.

12-27-11 11:00 a.m.

Computers are time snatchers. As I went to sleep last night, I determined that I would ONLY answer emails this morning and do nothing else computer wise until I finished some important sewing for a friend. Without even looking at my reader blogs I have already been here for quite some time!Well, so it goes. My computer life is an important one. Now I need to go sew!

I am so proud of Stephen's first ever watercolor painting that he worked on while I answered emails:

12-28-11 11:31 p.m

I got to machine sew tonight! What a blessing that was. Of course I had to spend many precious moments winding a bunch of bobbins. Eighteen in fact. But then I finally got the baby quilt all pieced together.(I'll share photos when it is finished.) Wrestling within myself on whether to hand quilt or machine quilt it. I would love to hand quilt and make some pretty designs, but time is a huge factor. I've got so much to do! I guess I'll sleep on it and decide in the morning...

12-29-11 2:51 p.m.

Here's the mail,

It never fails,

it makes me want to wag my tail,

And when it comes I want to wail, "MAIL!!!!".

Yes, the mailman just came. I am in love. Completely smitten. I think the mailman is starting to suspect that I wait in anticipation for him. Oh how I cannot wait to share what he brought today! This blog break thing is SOOOOO hard on me. But I am getting things done. Like that baby quilt. Off to baste it...

1-1-12 9:30 p.m.

I can't believe that I have taken this long of a blog break. It has been good as I've gotten so much accomplished. Tomorrow for my last day of the blog break I think I'll catch up on all of you all and see what I've missed!

As I sit here I do think about what will 2012 bring for each of us? Who will have heartache and sorrow, who will have medical problems, who will be surprised with the blessing of a new life? Where will the natural disasters hit this year? Who will become my new friend? I meet new friends every year. Blog family...I just want you to know that I love you. Whatever 2012 brings we are here together to love one another, hug one another and I can't wait to see what the year brings!

And you know what?? I can't stand it...I am hitting that PUBLISH button...

Happy Birthday Stephen!

2011-12-23T01:00:00.005-06:00

Our family is taking a blog break from ALL of my blogs until January 3rd.

(No Ahhhh's even! *insert sad 'awe'*)

I may be very skimpy on leaving comments as well.

Everyone enjoy the holiday season,

I know I'll be holding that little boy oh, so close and wishing him to not grow up any faster!

Ahhhh 8--The 6 pointed Star

2011-12-21T22:28:00.000-06:00

Artistic, Hexotic, Hop-A-Long, Hex-a-Long, Hillbilly Hectic Hexie #8

Isn't it pretty?

oooohhhh, ahhhhh

This week is an easy one.

Make sure the point is up.(pink arrow)

We don't actually need the black lines this week but they aid in knowing where to draw the star.

The asterisk type design goes from the middle out--1/2 way through each hex slice area.

Then you play connect the dots.

VERY carefully and accurately as you do not have lines to draw on for the star.

Merry Christmas to every one!

Are you up for a challenge?

2011-12-20T09:56:00.004-06:00

2012 will be my year of challenges. I don't make New Years Resolutions. That just is a recipe for defeat in my book. But challenges I love. They give me a deadline. They give me something to focus on.

On my book review blog I am participating in 11 reading challenges (so far). I didn't even know there was such a thing. I am loving it because it is expanding my horizons to read things that I never have. From historical fiction to time travel...it should be a good year of reads.

I am also hoping to get my quilt life more into challenges. I think they inspire me to be more creative and think on my own and not just follow the patterns of others.

*Quilting Gallery already has their weekly contest themes listed for the entire year. I've gone through them and notated some that I thought would make a fun challenge for me. (Like "Wind, Earth, Fire, Water" or "Just squares".) You can find the list Here.

* Kim's Crafty Apple has her WONDERFUL project quilting. A new season of challenges starts in January. I've always wanted to do these but never have been able to because you only have one week from the moment it has been released to get this project completed. I am sure going to attempt to get a couple of them done this time around!

*Quilters, Books and Bindings has a newish blog that you friends of reading and quilting needs to visit. We will begin a read-a-long soon, and then after reading the book we will create a quilt that is inspired by the book.

*Sharon pointed out the Color Challenge at Patchwork Times. This looks like GREAT fun! Thank you Sharon!! Another for me to join in :)

Well, here on my blog, I am all about learning. My first learning challenge was for us to learn paper piecing. Only one brave soul joined me in the challenging Mabry Mill quilt; and she did a fabulous job!

Several more have joined in my journey of learning Ahhhh's. And I think all of us are having fun with that.

So what's next? Well, since I have so many new friends, it is time to have a little challenge of my own. I've visited this before but it's time for a re-visit. And this time I have figured a way to help insure commitments are kept. First lets take another look at the books that I want to personally work through starting this year (and this will probably go into the next year...and probably the next after that...)

Do any of these strike your fancy? Well go vote! Now! And then be thinking if you would like to join me on my learning journey. You will have to purchase the book yourself...same as if you were in a class. I will teach the how's step by step here on the blog... also the same as if you were in a class. Only this will be FAR less expensive than a quilt class.(Free other than your purchase of the book and your own choice of materials.)

Remember my nice giveaway last week? Well, I will make up some very nice giveaway's for each book that we work through. To qualify you will have to purchase the book, work through it with me and post about it on your blog (or email me with photos if you do not have a blog.) Next year is going to be a fun, challenging year in my Hillbilly World.

Random

2011-12-19T05:00:00.002-06:00

Does it mean I am scatterbrained because I like my random posts?

Random Quiltsy

Marcia has already finished the long arm work on the heart quilt. She does a beautiful job and a young woman will have a very nice surprise just in time for the holidays.

Random Life

Stephen has gradually been eating more. I am sorry my posts have been a bit 'Stephen heavy' but that boy was really worrying me. Maybe it was all for not. I hope so! He does have at least 2 adventures that he needs to share before the end of the year so that he can get them in his 2012 Stephen's Adventure Blog Book. We had a nice dinner this weekend. Wanna see our ham? Smell-o-blogision hasn't been invented yet. Sorry.

Random Thoughts about Blogging

Welcome to all the new followers. Thank you for sticking around for a visit. I do enjoy getting to know one another--and the best way to do that is comment and chat. I do mix people up at times but I try not to. And sometimes I get behind in reading and end up having to skip a day or two but I hate that because I miss very important posts--such as a newer blog friend lost her son suddenly just a bit ago and I didn't even see it! So in order not to do that I've been purging some blogs. There is nothing wrong with purging blogs. Don't be overwhelmed by blogs because you just had a blog hop and followed all the cool blogs you saw! We all do that. And we all have to purge eventually.

Random Wish

Beauty in the Beast is coming to the Theater in 3D.

I think my 21yr old daughter and I need to go see it. Just us.

Random Hillbilly

Image Source

Ok, rapid fire comment section. You know how this works. One or two word answers. First thing off the top of your head.

1) If money and time were no object, who would you surprise with the best gift ever?
2) If you could transport through blogland to anywhere, where would you visit first?
3) Approx how many blogs do you read a day?
4)Your random wish--in two words!
5) Is it a Hissie Fit or a Conniption Fit? (Or you don't know)

the Winner is...

2011-12-17T07:41:00.000-06:00

Deb said...

Wow! And kudos to you for putting family first -

She has been emailed!

Happy!

2011-12-15T22:28:00.000-06:00

I just had to share with you all...Stephen was happy today. Back to his normal self all day long. That's been awhile. We were worried that he had turned into a different boy. But today he was back. He was sweet all day, and he laughed and he didn't throw fits. And he got down and played. Wow it was good having him back.

He still isn't into eating though. Maybe tomorrow...

But he was happy!

Just in time for his birthday party this Saturday :)

Ahhhh 7--Spiderweb

2011-12-15T09:12:00.000-06:00

I am pretty sure most of you have seen the spiderweb. Not much explanation needed here. Next week we will get a little more starry eyed again. I miss stars! We will still be using this same basic beginning though:

I have quit drawing out my patterns when I make mine.

Instead I just place dots where I want to cut; that way the only line I am following is the original graph paper line. You never have to do anything the way that I show you. I just like to share what I've learned in case you'd like to try it. Here is what the spiderweb would look like if I was cutting it out:

I drew it out for you though.

Notice the two outer portions are twice the size of the two inner portions.

You can either piece that center as tiny triangles as I've done in these two:

( I cannot help but make bright ones!)

(for my African Quilt)

Or you can leave the middle as a small hexagon as I have done here:

I only had a fat quarter of this African women fabric and it wasn't large enough for me to get the outer rows all the same direction, so I had to flip them back and forth. And since I had to on those, I decided to flip the pineapples back and forth too. Dancing pineapples!

Both of the African blocks don't really match and they look like they wouldn't belong on the same quilt. I may be making a quilt and some runners or something...or I may be surprised and they will look fine. At any rate, I'll keep making them and see what I can come up with later in the Spring.

Don't forget to upload to the Ahhhh Flikr Group.

(I've posted a discussion there for those that are actually making hexies along with me...and would appreciate if you popped over there and answered it real quickly. Thanks!)

I have been trying to work on making my photos look better.

I forgot to upload them to piknik and add my name to them. Next week...always next week.

I've discovered pinterest and am hoping that I can drum up some interest by pinning some there.

I need to go 'fix' that 96 piece one, huh? That would be a good one to pin.

Month of Blessings...week 2

2011-12-13T16:21:00.001-06:00

Giveaway Here

This is a photo heavy post; and a bit long...but I PROMISE...if you hear me out you won't be sorry. There's a bit of a funny surprise along the way. I almost didn't include it because I am so embarrassed. But life happens and kids happen and well, we all need a laugh!

I have removed the page for THE GREAT HOLIDAY ORNAMENT EXCHANGE until next fall. But, with over 30 participants it has been a great year and so much fun. I loved getting the kids involved this time around. Here's a look at what I got last week and the first of this week. I hope I remembered them all! I am just going to go in the order that google uploaded them. So it may be a bit random. That's ok....cuz the funny is tucked in somewhere (or maybe even 2 funnies)

We didn't have a tree topper so I was so happy to receive this beautiful star from Jill.

Doesn't it look great up there? She also sent some tp rolls! I jumped up and down. I did!

(She is working on getting a blog going but not yet.)

A shiny card for Stephen. And a do not open until Christmas to me.

Wanda is very kind but ornery making me wait like that.

I'll forgive her though because she sent me some denim legs to upcycle for dog blankets.

She made the beautiful ornament below too.

Look at all that stitching!

The ornament below is from Linda.

It is so cute. She's got another photo around here somewhere...

(how do these get all out of order when we upload them?)

The cutie below is from my cousin Aimee who lives in Norway.

When we were driving through Springfield a bit back, I picked up this free ornament for Stephen to make.

I wonder if that was a good idea.

It was all foam sticker and very cute and fun for him.

Oh, there's Linda's other photo...right in the middle of my Stephen section.

Go figure! This is a cute mug rug that I decided needed top priority.

It's hanging on the wall beside the door to my Creation Station.

Oh...look more Stephen art work!

Remember the other night when he was feeling better and was running the hall like crazy?

He got quiet. So I went to check on him and he was making the picture above.

Then he found another sticker. A big one.

It made a nice picture too I guess...what do you think?

Michelle made the card below. Isn't cute?

Sorry Michelle to put you below Stephen's art work.

I am sure you've endured similar horrids thanks to Harrington.

A sweetheart of a blog friend completely surprised me with the gift below.

I'll leave her anonymous as she prefers that. Thank you my dear friend!

I've not used it yet. My amazon list is very long. I look on it daily to decide just which book to get!

Remember I told you about a blog angel that is helping us with our Christmas?

Well, there are many angels floating around blog land and they just keep dropping things our way.

Another Angel provided for us to make a Christmas ham and the fixin's to go with it.

Do you know that we haven't had ham in four years? It is pricey stuff!

The other night (Sunday) our mouths were just watering looking at it.

And we couldn't help ourselves. We cut off a slice and fried it up.

Oh my goodness it was so good and bad and good!

We only ate one slice so there will be plenty left for our dinner this weekend.

Can you just picture us sitting there looking at it trying to decide whether to eat it or not?

That little devil on our shoulders won. LOL

I am going to do a cherry glaze (for the rest of the ham) I think. I just can't decide...what's your favorite ham glaze?

More Stephen artwork below.

He's still off his food. Eating very little but eating none the less.

He's sleeping much more than normal.

The night of Stephen's awful day of torture, we came home to a box on the porch.

Inside was this fabric. See the teddy bears? There is quite a bit there and he LOVES it!

This is all from Pam. No blog but she follows on email.

She also included Santa Claus straws that Stephen has drug all over and used. Plus it got him to drink water that night when I couldn't get him to eat or drink anything. And she included a marble puzzle for Seth. I enjoy listening to him get aggravated at trying to solve it.

Well, I best stop there. I am out of funnies.

I got some more goodies today but don't have photo's yet.

See you Thursday for the next round of Ahhhh's!

The Hearts are finished!

2011-12-12T05:00:00.000-06:00

Go HERE for the Blog Hop Giveaway

Thank you all so much for your kind words, prayers, and concerns for our little guy. As I type this it is Sunday p.m almost midnight. He's running around the house like crazy acting as if he's been pumped full of caffeine. It is way past his bedtime but no amount of rocking or reading is calming him down so I give up. I guess he feels good and is going to enjoy it until he crashes.

Last night he did not get better. It was toss and turn and moan and groan and cry all night long. Normally he sleeps through the night. Today he was just lazy and cuddly and had stomach problems. This evening he got better and is making up for lost time I guess. It's nice hearing him laugh!

I wanted to share with you that Friday I finally got the Heart Charity quilt pieced together. I could not get a full photo because it's large and my design wall is in a hallway. I couldn't stand back far enough! I always try to make my quilts oversized. I want the recipient to be able to cuddle and snuggle without any toes sticking out.

I think it turned out beautifully and I like just the simple sashing/no border.

( I know I have a ton of new followers so I best explain. This quilt was made by a whole bunch of us when I did a foundation paper piecing Learn A Long here on the blog. The blocks are from women all over the world.)

The quilt is now on it's way to Marcia's.

She donated the sashing, batting, backing and is going to do the longarm work.

After that it will be on it's way to Southern Mo to a lady that has Leukemia.

I'll tell her story more when Marcia gets the quilt finished and I post it.

Stephen's Adventure that he wished he never had.

2011-12-11T03:21:00.003-06:00

The Blog Hop Giveaway is Right Here

My dear friends,

Some of you I emailed yesterday about Stephen. It is easier to explain one time to all this way. For those of you that are new...thank you for following and I will be around someday to visit. I have a sick little boy and I may not get to blog hop this time around. I am writing this at 3 a.m. and I just got my boy settled in his own bed...but who knows for how long.

Here is what is happening for those of you that do know our little Stephen. He has been sick for over a month. Fevers off and on the whole time. Sometimes it is stomach flu symptoms (for our International friends...vomiting, diarrhea and all the stuff that goes with it) and sometimes he has head cold symptoms. Last week they said he had croup. This week just another stomach virus. I got concerned because no one else in the family has had any stomach flu symptoms. None at all. Stephen and I share drinks all of the time. If he had a stomach virus all three times...I should have gotten it at least once. So should have others here at home. With all of the sickness he has lost a bit of weight.

Yesterday Stephen awoke and was vomiting yet again. And had a fever. I am not one of those worry mom's that take my children to the doc for everything, but I am starting to worry here. So, I took him to a special Children's Clinic. I wish I would have just stayed home! The doctor said that he may have a bit of Infant Anorexia. What??!! He wants me to feed Stephen butter on everything he eats to gain his weight back. (Not happening.) That is all the doc was concerned about...the weight loss...not what was causing the weight loss. He said he wants Stephen to go to a special 'failure to thrive' clinic where we can see a nutritionist. The most STUPID part of this was that Stephen was running a fever...and it was climbing while we were there. Enough so that the nurse noticed and said something. They gave him two medicines for it. Yep, I am sure that is Anorexia. Sudden onset about a month ago. Accompanied by fevers.

The next STUPID part of the trip was that they wanted to draw blood and were unsuccessful. So they just squeezed his hand and milked it out of him. Here they are holding him down for that torture.

THE HOSPITAL MADE ME REMOVE THIS PHOTO FOR NOT GETTING THEIR CONSENT. I guess I can understand that. But they did say that I could leave the lower one.

Everyone wave to the hospital staff. They are very nice at the patient advocate office.

I zoomed in on his hand; it's blurry but you can see them just squeezing it out.

They did this for 3 viles of blood.

By the time they were finished his hand was covered in blood as was the nurses and the floor.

Bless his little heart, his hand is very bruised.

They also hurt his little man part by putting a catheter in.

Every time he wets his diaper he wakes up crying.

Thus the reason I'm awake at 3 a.m.

One more look at my poor tortured baby.

Ducky was there to help him feel a bit better.

We left with no answers. They found nothing wrong in his blood or urine tests.

But this mommy knows there has to be some reason he's been sick for over a month!

And most of you are a witness to that because I've been telling you here on the blog.

I am just going to let him get over this one this time. But if there is a next time in the next week or so, I am going back to that doc that was 70 miles away.

Stephen did drink some water before bed and ate a couple of pretzels. He's woken once with a nightmare(I wonder why) and twice when he urinated.

This is one adventure he'd rather just forget I am sure!

For you new people...Stephen has a page up top where all his adventures are recorded.

He is very popular and generally gets more comments than I do.

I should just let him take over my blog.

Good night all. Going back to bed now.

Blog Hop Giveaway

2011-12-09T05:00:00.041-06:00

Today I am joining in on the Blog Hop party!

If you are visiting me from the party, please consider coming back and visiting again sometime. We have a lot of fun around here learning together.

Some of my most popular events are the weekly release of the Ahhhh's. I just finished up a large Foundation Paper piecing undertaking--teaching as I went. And coming in January I will be adding more to the learning list. Oh, and I also have a couple of guest bloggers from time to time. One is almost two years old and has become quite and adventure teller. He's very popular.

Ok, now that I've made you at least learn a little about me I'll show you what you are really here for.

The goods.

I thought a holiday package would be fun for you. So how about this:
(If you don't like holiday--there's more--just keep scrolling!)

Almost 4 yds of Christmas

And

3 yds of Spring Butterflies

And

over 2 yds of Stars and Stripes

And

2+ yds of fall leaves

And

A sideways flower basket pattern that can be un-sidewaysed very easily.

It uses Hexagon flowers.

And to finish off the deal

A dresden Ruler

Used one time.

I discovered English Paper Piecing.

My sewing machine feels abandoned.

WAIT--HOLD UP!

I opted out of doing the Sew Mama Sew giveaway, it would be too many emails and such for me to deal with in one week. My family comes first. So...how about I just include all that I was going to put in that giveaway too?

I didn't take individual photos, but it's a huge pile of all different kinds of fabric:

I also included these rulers. I inherited them without the books and I've not used them in 10 years.

I guess I never will. So you have a go of it!

So there you go. More than 20 yds of fabric probably.

Some rulers.

A pattern.

Happy winning!

Comments will be left open until December 17th.

Drawing will the the 18th.

Only one comment per person please.

I have to have a way to contact you.

International welcome.

No, you don't have to become a follower...but why would you not want to?

Ahhhh 6--Old Fashioned Wheel

2011-12-08T05:00:00.003-06:00

Before we begin today, I want to share that I've moved some pages around on my blog.

I am trying to get ready for the big giveaway coming up tomorrow.
(I was going to do the Sew Mama Sew too but changed my mind. I thought that would just be too confusing! So it will be all combined into one huge giveaway.)

All Paper Piecing resources have been combined on one page.

And, yes, those of you that have been asking...I am almost ready to begin taking orders for Dog Blankies and On the Go Placemat sets. I can't until January, but then I am really crossing my fingers, toes, noses (oh, well I would if I had two), and eyelashes that things work out for me to do this!
My denim machine is still broken. Again.
I've been reading reviews online. Sure wish I'd gotten a Janome heavy duty instead.

I will be quiet on my blog for the next week. With the big blog hops going on, people will be busy.
So I am going to link this post up with Marcia's Minutes for ME.
After all--I love making my Ahhhh's. They are so Me!

How about some Ahhhh's now?!

Today's pattern is known as an "Old Fashioned Wheel Quilt" in the Kansas City Star in 1938.

It has been published under other names such as "Hexagon Beauty" and "Spider Web".

Let's see, what should I name mine?

African Wheel.

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin' to Africa.

Hmmm, I don't know. It's definitely following my 'wild' theme!

I think making this one is pretty self explanatory.

Just slice and divide the slices in half.

If anyone needs more instruction let me know and I'll draw it up.

You can find other Ahhhh's from other bloggers that are following along

Here at the Ahhhh Hexie Flikr Group.

Seth's Herbs: Winter's Warmth Tea

2011-12-06T20:18:00.002-06:00

Hello! Seth here, and I recently sent out some herbal tea pouches to some of you. Today I want to discuss the herbs that was inside the little tea pouches. That way you will know what kind of tea it is! Here are the ingredients and why they are in the tea:

Marshmallow Root--Soothes irritated mucus membranes through out your body. Aids in digestion. Helps sooth sore throats, colds and coughs.

Ginger--Is said to be a remedy for cold, flu, motion sickness, nausea, and fevers. Also helps with hangover. (Editors note--What?? Let's hope no one needs help with that!!!)

Licorice Root--Helps with Canker Sores, chronic fatigue, depression, colds, flu, coughs, sore throats. It also is supposed to help with baldness, body odor and dandruff. (Editors note: I am trying so hard not to laugh!!!)

Wild Cherry--Antioxidants

Lemon Peel--Colds, flu, and scurvy. (Editors note: I guess that is in case you plan on sealing yourself in and never going out this winter.)

Well, that is all the ingredients in my tea. There are alot aren't there? I hope it keeps you warm and healthy this winter.

For more about some of the herbs above, visit HerbWisdom.com:

Licorice Root can be found here.

More about lemon peel can be found Here

Editors Note: Seth really does research his herbs well. All herbs used in his teas are bought from a certified organic well known and reputable source.He uses good measure to ensure a clean work area. Just like any herbal remedy, Seth's tea is not guaranteed to remedy anything listed above. We hope to have some of his tea blends and some other things up for sale soon. More about Seth's herbs can be found under the Seth page up top.

Last Week's Blessings

2011-12-05T14:01:00.000-06:00

What a week of blessings that we had last week! Our trip went wonderful, even though it rained the entire time. I don't think any of us complained. We still got to see Silver Dollar City--it was absolutely beautiful! I am notorious for forgetting to take photos on vacation. Everyone besides Stephen and I had fancy phones though, so hopefully some good photos will find their way to me so that Stephen can write an adventure or two.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

I had several blessings arrive by mail last week as well. First off was this huge box from our Christmas Angel. I am not going to share her name. Not this time. And I wasn't going to share the situation, but I decided that I am not going to pull the "I am too proud" routine. Most of you know that our family, just like many others, is on a very tight budget. This year our family was adopted by one of you in blogland. Most of you know her. She sent this HUGE box.

Inside was a stocking for each of us:

AND all of the presents for the stockings.

Also a garland, Christmas ornaments and canes for the garland.

I'll try to remember to get a photo of that soon.

It will be so fun to play Santa this year.

Thank you my Christmas Angel. Many blessings to you!

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The Great Holiday Ornament Exchange has begun!

My first package arrived from Belinda.

Only she outdid herself. She sent me a bunch of paper towel rolls.

You do not know how excited I get over paper towel rolls, I am crazy!

Also she sent some denim squares for my dog blankie.

And a pretty little tea light candle holder.

(I love candles. I used to own my own store and made them daily. Very fun!)

Here was her ornament:

You cannot see how shiny and glittery it is, but it is beautiful. Seth is going to contact Belinda next week because he wants to learn how to make them.

Belinda sent Stephen his own ornament:

You can bet that he makes sure everyone know that that one is his. He hung it all by himself.

Next up was from Laura. She is new to the exchange this year, and I am happy to have met her.

Look at the cute ornament she sent. (Wonder if she knows how much I love blue??)

Then came a little package from Fiona.

Isn't he cute??

This year I am using my daughters Christmas tree. Since it is hers, I let her decorate it how she likes with her ornament and bows, but next year I am getting a tree all of my own.

It will be all handmade ornaments.

We sent out 20 ornaments from our house last week. Some were for the exchange and some others just as gifts. I can't share the photo yet as they haven't found their way around the world. But I can show you this photo of Seth wrapping them. He was a great help this year:

I am now going to watch the mailman and see if he has some little packages for me today.

Ahhhh 5--Sliced Hexagon

2011-12-01T05:00:00.037-06:00

Artistic, Hexotic, Hop-A-Long, Hex-a-long, Hillbilly, Hectic Hexies

I changed the size of the hexagons that I have been working with. I was able to make one that went all the way to the edge of the paper, and still be divided by triangles. The new size is 8 3/4" point to point, which is a bit over 7 1/2" from straight edge to straight edge.

This new size meant that I wanted to start from scratch with my ideas of what type of quilt to make. The rainbow quilt was fun, but using the plain fabrics was no fun without fussy cuts. So, I looked through my fabric, and fell in love all over again with my African and Asian fabrics. Of course these are completely opposite. I went with African first. I have some really wild ones. Be watching for some wild, crazy Hexagons coming your way!

For your Ahhhh number 5, this is probably the easiest hexagon we will do. But it is the base design that we will be using for quite a few weeks. So get really used to drawing this:

It looks like pie slices so I am just calling it the "Sliced Hexagon".

It's great for playing around with fussy cut stripes.

Here is the first of my On the Wild Side African hexagons:

It's not lined up perfectly.

If you look close, you'll notice the lines are wavy.

So when I tried to line them up, I really shouldn't have, because there is no way they would.

For example..look at the blue ones closest to the dots.

They are really wide on one end and narrow on the other.

Then if you look at the pink above the blue they are the same.

Wider at one end than the other.

Silly me, those won't line up!

Well, no matter. It is wild and I love it!

Google Reader Mal Ware

2011-11-30T23:10:00.000-06:00

A very quick post, and you will see another in just a few hours as the Ahhhh is already scheduled. But I wanted to tell you what to do if your Google Reader comes up with a Caution, Mal ware!! and shuts down. That happened to me tonight and after several tries and some googling, I found the problem.

It means that one of the blogs/sites in your reader has been hacked or has been infected. So if you can go through them one by one and find it, then you can unsubscribe from that one blog, and then you will be able to view your reader again.

It just so happens that some of you may follow the particular blog infected in my reader. Mr. and Mrs Crafty RV have 3 blogs and I cannot get into any of them. I am sure they've been hacked, so if you follow them go and unsubscribe to them. When they get it resolved I'll let you know. I can email/fb them to see what is up.

Also a Stephen update:

I took Stephen to the doctor today. It turns out the poor little guy has Croup. He is on some steroids to keep his throat from constricting. Thank you for your concern. He seems to do better sleeping in an upright position, so that is what we shall do! He's asleep in his bed now, but at the first sign of cough I'll grab him up in my arms. If it gets too bad we will go down and sit in the cold car. Yep, cold air works...strange, huh?

Some hearts, hacks and handsomeness, oh and a Helen!

2011-11-29T11:34:00.000-06:00

I have been attempting to get the charity heart quilt finished this week. I did spend some time squaring up blocks, taking away from some and adding to some others to get them all the same size. Last night I started on the sashing and hoped to get it all finished, but Stephen awoke hacking and coughing. He spent the rest of the night in the recliner with me. You know how that night time coughing goes. It was the real deep cough. It even woke up Jerry who is a heavy sleeper that usually doesn't even hear Stephen in the night.

Given the state of my poor baby, here is where the heart quilt will sit until next week probably--at least it's further along than before!:

Tomorrow we are driving a 140 mile round trip to take Stephen to one of the best pediatrician groups that I've ever used. I am sure that they will get him feeling better in no time. That way he can be up to his normal very helpful self again!

No worries..this week's Ahhhh is almost finished and will be here on Thursday.

It's way easy.

I will be unavailable from Friday until late night Sunday.

Friday, this wonderful, handsome man (and good father) hits a huge milestone.

(He turns 50!)

(look at my baby boy; he's gotten so big!)

Jerry's parents are funding a little trip to Branson for us.

It's kind of a combo birthday trip for Jerry, Seth and Stephen all in one.

Plus, my best friend ever, Helen, will be meeting us there.

I guess it's kind of a birthday trip for us too. We both have January birthdays.

It will be so good to see her again!

She is an angel. I will tell you more about her when I get home.

See ya Ahhhhll.....Thursday!

Mabry Moments!

2011-11-25T20:39:00.000-06:00

Last winter I was a frazzled female. Really frazzled. Jerry's health issues were bad back then, Seth's schooling was going terrible back then, Amy was going through some things...it was just a bunch of stuff all on my shoulders. So, my friend Marcia suggested that I start make more time for me. We put our heads together, and that is when May for Me was born.

When May rolled around, we found it was Marcia that struggled finding "me" time. While my husband is now better, my son is doing great with his schoolwork and my daughter is doing fantastic, Marcia has had a hard summer/fall. She really has a lot on her plate right now and December looks to be one of the toughest months yet for her. A couple of weeks ago she created a Linky party called, "Minutes for Me" I am so glad that she did because it forces us all to find just a little bit of time each week to do something for ourselves.

One thing that I really like is to get projects finished. I cannot stand starting new projects while others are sitting around. And right now I have more projects sitting around than I've ever had in my life! So this week, I purposely made some minutes for me...and yep, you guessed it, I finished up Mabry Mill. Finally!

For those that don't know, we started this Mabry journey several months ago when I was teaching Foundation Paper Piecing here on the blog. I posted a photo of Mabry Mill and asked if anyone would like to join me in making it. I had several that said yes, but when it got right down to it, only one was able to commit and stick to it. Linda has done a great job, because Mabry is a very hard piece to quilt and she is new to paper piecing!

Here is my finished Mabry Mill. I am going to add a few borders, including some leaves, but you won't see that for awhile because I sent this part home with my daughter Amy to have fun picking all those papers off the back. She actually enjoys it (she's kind of crazy that way).

I am linking this up with Marcia's Minutes for Me.

Thank you Marcia for encouraging me to find time for myself!

And thank you Linda for sticking with it with me!

You

2011-11-22T23:22:00.000-06:00

That is what I am thankful for.

Each and every one of you.

You have absolutely changed my life.

You have given me support.

Love.

Inspiration.

Friendship.

Yourselves.

Whoever says that internet friendships are not true friendships...

they have no idea what they are talking about.

Thank you.

From the bottom of my heart.

Seriously.

I love you guys!

Mabry--Finally!

2011-11-21T22:08:00.000-06:00

A few days ago, I texted Linda that I was going to work on Mabry, so she sat down and worked on them at the same time. We both got the exact same two blocks done before we both got interrupted by life. A few days later I did a few more blocks. Here are the rest of the "E" blocks:

(I am not near my paper right now that says which block is which, but if you are sewing them, then you will know.)

Attach them to each other, and then onto your water wheel row.

At this point you have to attach some of the other rows that you made previously.

Attach the long narrow row across the top like this:

And now attach the side row that has the rest of the fence on it.

It will look something like this:

Now to finish the row.

Sew up these three:

And then sew them all together like this:

Then sew these three:

And sew them all together:

Finally, finish up the "E" Row

After you jump and scream and holler that you are done with the E's,

you can move on the the 'F' row.

Do not attach the E's to the top yet. It will be better to attach them to the F's first.

Stephen Picks the Best Pumpkin

2011-11-19T20:39:00.002-06:00

My Daddy, my Mommy, my Bubba, my Sissy, and That Guy Who Hangs Around My Sissy all went to get pumpkins.

Of course, I had to lead the way to find the best pumpkins ever.

First I looked high and low in the hay maze.

Daddy helped me cuz he's a good pumpkin picker too.

Nope, no pumpkins here.

I decided to load up the whole family onto the choo-choo train.

See? Even That Guy Who Hangs Around my Sissy took a ride:

All aboard? Here we go!

First stop...the corn maze.

It looks like a great place to play hide and seek.

I grabbed my Sissy's hand and drug her in...

maybe in here we can lose That Guy Who Hangs Around my Sissy.

As you can see, it is a great place to play hide and seek:

Oh, I see Bubba!

Bet you can't see me and Sissy, can you?

We found the pumpkin patch just past the corn maze.

I am really good at finding just the right ones.

We found gourds too.

What do you think of these?

See how I loaded up daddy's arms?

Poor Sissy doesn't know how to find gourds like I do.

She looks a little stressed here.

Bubba found some good ones though.

I guess you can see that The Guy Who Hangs Around my Sissy found her again.

We got to ride the wagon back from the pumpkin patch.

I was starvin' from all the hard work that I did and had to grab some healthy nourishment.

I think popcorn is good energy food for pumpkin pickin'.

I gotta watch That Guy Who Hangs Around My Sissy.

Do you see him staring at my popcorn?

Before we could leave, I had to do some measuring up.

Here is me last year:

And here I am this year:

Yep. I'm bigger!

Course the best part of pumpkin pickin' is opening the pumpkins to get out the seeds.

Little boys like me like this kind of work.

I'll share with you if you would like.

Oh, one last thing.

I measured up The Guy Who Hangs Around My Sissy.

He measures up pretty good.

I guess he can keep hanging around my Sissy;

just as long as he doesn't steal my popcorn!

Ahhhh 4-- A Little Girl's Star

2011-11-18T11:12:00.000-06:00

Thank you all for your kind comments yesterday and your patience on waiting for your Ahhhh. I hope when you see today's that it will be worth the wait! Stephen did get better last evening and ate, but did not sleep well again last night. His tummy is still a bit rumbly. Tomorrow is Seth's birthday, so Lysol is my best friend and I am hoping that we can keep anyone else from catching it before then :).

Now, can I get an Ohhhh and an Ahhhh for this weeks:

Artistic, Hexotic, Hop-A-Long, Hex-a-long, Hillbilly, Hectic Hexie

Remember this is only about 6 1/2" wide.

And has 96 pieces.

(I am kind of proud of it.)

The original pattern is called "A Little Girl's Star" and was published in the Kansas City Star on Aug 15, 1950

Ready to begin?

Start with this again:

Next making sure the point is up

(or too the side since my camera flipped it again--see pink arrow),

draw a line in the middle hexagon, but do not include a triangle on each end.

Do the same to make an asterisk type symbol.

Note that it does not go to the edges.

Now play connect the dots, creating a star:

Do the same in every other hexagon area:

I found it was easiest to use my ruler and draw all the lines in a row at one time:

Then you can just flip it and your ruler around and do the other lines.

I didn't get to make a second pattern, but here is one way that you can color it in:

The easiest way to sew these is to sew all the stars first,

then add the outer diamonds to all the stars (green on the drawing),

then do the triangles last.

Can't wait to see you add it to the

Ahhhh Hexie Flikr Group!

Remember, there will be no Ahhhh next week, so you have an extra week to complete this one. We will be using a new beginning design element when we get back.

I have actually found a couple more using this one, but we will put it away for now and revisit it later. Let's just say I have enough to keep us busy for a long while :)

Please have patience...

2011-11-16T16:38:00.000-06:00

I am around, sort of...my little guy is sick AGAIN. I may not be able to get your Ahhhh post up right away in the morning...it may take one more day. We will see how fast I can work tonight when he settles to sleep.

I am sorry. Even EPP is hard to do amongst upset little tummies and the messes (UGH!) that go along with it. I am off to wash all my bedding. Quite necessary. Won't go into details. (more UGH).

Oh, on a good note...I FINALLY fixed my google reader. I will be around to visit you all soon.

More Monday Randomness

2011-11-14T01:12:00.000-06:00

Random Quiltsy

It is now 14 days into my month of sewing and I still have not turned on the machine. Tonight I have to somehow, someway...Mabry must go on!

Random Quote

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

--Dr. Seuss

Random Photo

In this photo are my dad, mom, brother and I (in the swing). My mom passed away when I was 8. My brother passed away when he was 36. My dad is living but I haven't seen him in 13 years. I am thinking about him today because of a movie I posted a review on today over on the Book review blog. I thought you would enjoy seeing this picture of me as a baby.

Random Question:

What fairy tale character are you most like?

Random Hillbilly:

(This is a 30 minute Beverly Hillbilly Thanksgiving episode. Save it for when you have some time to watch.

Beverly Hillbillies are always worth the time to watch!)

I hope you enjoyed my randomness today!

Stephen Helps with the Design wall

2011-11-12T23:09:00.001-06:00

Do you know that I have a story to tell you about getting pumpkins but mom's quilt stuff just keeps getting in the way of my story telling? She said she must tell about her design wall this weekend, but she promised me that I get to FINALLY tell about my pumpkins next weekend. Well, here it is almost midnight Saturday night, and she still hasn't told her about her design wall, so I am taking over. (It's always up to me to get things done around here, you know.)

So, I know Mommy told you last week all about how we had to wait and wait to get her board from the wood shop. And then it wasn't even the right kind of board but we taked it anyway. (Did mom tell you how fun that wood shop was? I had a great time getting my knees dirty, and watching tractors and trying to climb lumber. Moms kind of freak out when you climb too high up on lumber piles.)

Last week when Mommy told you about the board, her good friend Marcia just up and sent a HUGE piece of flannel for us to use on the board.

She sent it for free, and I pretty much think she meant it all for me.

Can you see me?

But mommy is stingy and took that flannel for herself.

We had to lay it out on the floor all nice and neat, and then lay the board on top of that.

I was really good at supervising this part.

Then daddy and I got to work using the staple gun.

Dad's not a quilter so he didn't know how to make good corners.

He tried to fold it like this, but mom forces me to watch her quilt, or she's always reading quilting blogs so I know all about how to do that stuff right. I just taked over from there.

(Mom says that she loves having all my toys in the background of these photos.

I say a boy can't expect to work on stuff for his mom and clean up his toys at the same time.)

After all the stapling was done, I had to do some testing.

First I ran a race or two all the way around the edge.

MOM--you are showing me in my big boy undies. How embarrassing!

This had better not go in the blog book!

Next I tried a car or two out on it.

Yep, seems solid.

Daddy and I hung it on the wall, and then I got right to work designing a new quilt.

Or something.

That was all my own design.

Pretty cool, huh?

Now it's up to mom to get that mystery quilt up there that she keeps whining about.

My work here is finished.

Now I can write my pumpkin blog I hope.

Ahhhh 3---The Columbia

2011-11-10T00:21:00.000-06:00

As we hop along in our journey, you will notice that these blocks get progressively harder...but then all of sudden they will get easy again. That is because we are studying basic design units before moving on. For instance, our Ahhhh's right now use this basic design:

We will use it today and again next week. Each time getting more intricate.

Today our block will have 30-31 pieces, depending on how you draw it.

And next weeks will have 96 pieces!!!

(Now you know why I said to make your hexagons as large as possible!)

You will have 2 weeks to work on next week's block,

then we will start on a whole new basic design.

And these will be easy--way easier than we have done yet!

So hang in there, and never feel like you have to make a block.

These are supposed to be fun, not overwhelming!

They will always be here to try later.

You can do jump in when we do 'easy' ones, and save the hard ones for when you build up confidence.

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Hey, so have you drawn your basic design yet?

You know, like I showed you above??

(If you are just now joining, you can find it explained in more detail in Ahhhh 1)

Next you are going to divide the outer hexagons into tumbling blocks by making a Y.

In the photo below the pink arrow indicates that the open part of the "Y" needs to be along the outer edge.

Make these all the way around your hexagon.

This block was first seen in the Ladies World Magazine, May 1893.

They called it the Coumbia.

Mine should probably be called "The Wild Kitty Angels of Columbia"

There appears to be a couple of mis-matched seams, but I have to zig zag this one down when I make it into something. I had trouble getting enough fabric edges for seam allowances, so several on the outer edge are in trouble as far as seam allowance goes. Nothing I can't fix when I applique it down. I am not real pleased with it. I don't like how the cats turned out. I think I should have use more contrasting fabrics, but it was fun to make regardless.

Since I am trying to learn to be more creative, I took the Colombia block and divided the middle hexagon in the same way that we did last week. Then I had a play with all the diamonds. This is what I came up with:

I didn't have time to whip stitch it together, so I just pinned it down to the couch cushion for the photo.

(I probably should have used my brand new design board husband just hung a few hours ago. I am so blonde!)

I am thinking I would have liked this one a bit better if I'd used some of the dark fabric in the middle, but I don't think it's too bad how it is.

Hexie Sneak Peek # 3

2011-11-09T01:17:00.001-06:00

I do completely enjoy making the fussy cut hexies, but I don't want to abandon my idea of a rainbow quilt. Plus I like expanding my creativity. So, starting with this week, I am going to attempt to make two Ahhhh's a week. One fussy cut fun one that will most likely become a hot pad, and one in a single colorway for my rainbow quilt.

So, here they are:

Why does my camera insist of flipping some photos but not others? Oh well, if you click you will see fussy cut kitty angels. They won't be standing on their head tomorrow. *Grin*

The two different sets don't even look like they belong to the same design, do they? They don't even have the same number of pieces! I guess you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see why :)

Please don't forget to upload your photos to the

Ahhhh Hexie Flikr group.

It is fun seeing them all in one place.

I guess I should upload mine too, huh?

And NO, I won't upload tomorrow's hexagons....until tomorrow.

See ya then!

In a nutshell...

2011-11-07T08:08:00.001-06:00

What a weekend we had around here! Seth was a bit on the clumsy, destructive side this weekend. First he set up some barricade for him and his friend to play with air soft guns, and Jerry had no idea that the car was part of such barricade. He went to back out and chairs, boards, and who knows what fell from who knows where and put several scratches on the car...we haven't had time to look closely at it in the day time.

That is because Seth did something even worse. He threw a nerf battle ax and busted out a window. So now he gets to go to the landlord himself and report what he did. I figure that will be the worst part of his punishment. Anyway, I am laughing on the inside about all this. Teenage boys are just clumsy. He'll learn his lesson. But today we do have to spend the morning cleaning up glass and taping plastic to the window before the thunderstorms move in this afternoon. LOL, life is crazy all the time around here!

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I am still gathering addresses for the ornament exchange.

PLEASE, if you haven't given me your address, I need it today!

Just email me at HillbillyHandiworks@gmail

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We are on day 7 of my month of sewing.

I still haven't even uncovered the sewing machine.

I am disappointed but I knew this would be how the month would go.

The heart charity quilt has a recipient now so it is IMPERATIVE that I somehow get it done. I will probably just pull a very late nighter to accomplish it.

The ornaments have to be done by the end of the month.

And the baby quilt needs finished as soon as possible.

Oh and I need to finish Mabry.

Looks like several very late nights, huh?

Ya, I am bummed that my month of sewing isn't going as I hoped....

I know that there is still a lot of month left, and i am not a pessimist.

I am just a realist.

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On a more exciting note, I should be getting my design wall finished by this evening!

Also, I am loving making these Ahhhh Hexies. This week's is designed but I need to find a minute to do some fussy cutting. Then I'll whip it up. Love that these are so quick and easy and can be done without the need of a sewing machine!

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Is anyone else having trouble with google reader??

It keeps going back to October 8th and won't show me NEW blogs at all!

I am afraid I am missing some of your posts.

Is it just me or are you having trouble too?

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Well, that's what's going on in my life...in a nutshell as they say.

What's going on in yours?

Design wall Woes

2011-11-04T05:00:00.000-05:00

My friend Marcia is having a new linky party each week. She is calling it Minutes for Me. She has always been a great encouragement to me to take some time for myself!

So, this week for my minutes for me, I decided to get myself a design wall. That was a very foolish decision. Why? Well, I'll just tell you!

I've never really had the need for a design wall. I can usually picture things in my head pretty well. And if I was doing a 'normal' quilt (like I am ever normal!), I would just use Ol Frog Eyes. But, then this Carol Doak Twisted Mystery quilt came along and I am now in need of a wall. My mystery has been on hold until I get a way to lay out my blocks. (Toddlers and quilts on the floor don't mix.)

So...I asked on the Quilt group for some ideas for a portable design wall and after hearing all the ideas I decided that I would get a 4x8 insulation board. Well, now that was easier said than done. We have 3 hardware stores in town, and I went to all three. No insulation boards in town. So, the guy at Porters told me about "Pressed something or other Board." (I can't remember the real name.) He said it is commonly used for bulletin boards and is not too heavy. Seeing as how I want a design board, and I have been patient about it long enough, I agreed.

Taking my little 'order' to the warehouse, I had no idea what I was in for. The older gentlemen who probably has worked there for a very long time had no clue what the "Pressed something or other Board" was. So after looking for literally an HOUR found a piece of green foam board somewhere. He went to cut it in half for me and the thing busted a big piece of it.

The ol' guy goes back out to the back warehouse and starts digging out all the trucks, etc. so that he can get a good look around. A half hour later he comes back in a dusty mess and says that the boards are all bad and that I just need to get a refund. We go in to get my refund (keep in mind we've been here over an hour waiting), and the two men get into an argument. The ol' guy had been looking for the wrong stuff all along.

Twenty minutes later--he's found it! He brings it up and I have him cut it in half to fit into my car. It won't fit. Not in the back or the trunk. And according to the sign, "Their insurance will not allow them to tie anything to the roof of cars." Now for those that don't know...we only have one car. So they sit my board aside until I can bring my husband up later. He seemed to think he could get it to fit even though I couldn't.

It didn't fit. By this time it was pouring down a very cold rain, the power was out, and we were at a loss what to do. It's not like we have friends/family to help. My husband just gave up and leaned it up against their building and walked away. Who needs a design wall anyway? The store was locked up for the night by this time, but I think they took pity on us, because they opened the door and took our address to just deliver the board the next day. Free.

So, here it sits. No photos as it is not pretty yet. It is in two 4x4 sheets and I think I will just use a 4x4 size. Maybe for my minutes for Me next week I can show it up and working.

Question...shall I cover with flannel, batting or fleece? I've heard all three. Shout out if you have a preference. Thank you.

Oh, and I am linking with Minutes for Me!

Ahhhh 2---The Hexagon Star

2011-11-03T00:35:00.001-05:00

Artistic, Hexotic, Hop-A-Long, Hex-a-long, Hillbilly, Hectic Hexies

I think I need to save that name as a photo or something. It will make it easier to type each week. I was worried that today's hexagon was going to be late. We had power outages yesterday and I almost did not get it posted. That would have been tragic!

Before we begin, I want to warn you that there will be a couple of weeks coming up that we won't have any Ahhhh's posted. It can be catch up time for you. I will not post Thursday, November 24th--that is Thanksgiving Day here in the States. Also, I will not post for the two weeks surrounding Christmas. I do this for you, not me, as I usually have lots of free time during the holidays. My husband works the second job on most holidays; but I expect the rest of you to be very busy so we will take a two week break at that time.

Also, I hope that you like stars. Most of the blocks will be stars, although there will be some variety along the way. Onto today's block...drumroll....

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Take your hexagon/triangle paper and divide it up exactly as you did for last weeks hexagon. (All previous weeks will always be posted up on the English paper piecing page.) Your divisions should look like this:

Look familiar? Now we are going to divide the middle hexagon.

Draw a line from corner point to corner point, shown below in red.

Repeat for the other two corners.

And that is it! Seems simple, but it completely changes the design of last week's hexagon.

Here it is colored in, but the red is a bit distracting.

Hold up a minute and I'll show you the real thing.

To cut these, if you are going to use the same coloring as mine, where your middle forms diamonds instead of triangles, you need to be careful to cut them out as one piece. They can be pieced separately, but who wants extra work? Just carefully cut them out like this:

And here is the finished piece.

The Hexagon Star

It appeared in the Kansas City Star on October 9, 1940.

I am fairly sure that the fabric wasn't quite as wild in 1940 though.

I absolutely LOVE my fabric choice this week. I would have done the little triangles black,

but I want black to be the background fabric.

Sneaky Peeky!

2011-11-02T05:00:00.003-05:00

I think I may change my mind on my Hexagon quilt. I am sure I will about a billion times before I get through this.

I just have always wanted to do fussy cutting with kaleidoscope effects and this week I actually got brave enough, and I am in love!!

Of course, I cannot show you the finish until tomorrow, but here are the parts.

Now you can spend a day trying to figure out what goes where. Have fun!

I think I am going to go re-do last week's design. I want to use the same fabrics as I did here. See you in the
Ahhhh Morning!

Oh, and here is my count for my Month of Sewing...Day one--NONE. Except for half a hexie.
29 to go....