Ricky Tims Seminar

Ricky Tims Seminar in Grand Rapids was GREAT!!

There were about 200 people at the seminar held at the Western Michigan Conference Center in downtown Grand Rapids. I went with Carol Schon, Phyllis O'Connor and Louise Mueller. We had to get up VERY early Friday morning (5 am!) to get there and stayed at the Mellentine Motel on Friday night. There were over 20 from the Lansing area - the rest from all over Michigan.

Ricky gives directions for many of his techniques for piecing, quilting and finishing. You get a notebook with lots of pictures and tips. He demonstrates for all with the aide of computer technology - 3 big screens so all can see. You don't bring a sewing machine -just take notes for later.

Of course, he sells his wonderful hand dyed fabrics and other items. We are waiting for the new t-shirts to be available - they will say the quilters excuse - "I cain't..... I'm busy" - a phrase we all practiced at the seminar that we will be using as we try the new techniques that we learned.

Friday evening Ricky had a concert for us. He is a talented musician who has made 5 CD's - which of course you could purchase at the seminar!! He plays the piano and also shared the new native america flute that he has - with a fantastic carrying case!

I have even more ideas floating in my head now for new quilts........

Easter Morning

The Easter Bunny led Alexander and Allison on a scavenger hunt to find their baskets. They went everywhere from the Lucky Charms box to the DVD player to Mango's poop box to the Sparty that sings---- up and down the stairs.

The baskets were hidden in a closet under the stairs.

When John went out to get the paper, he discovered eggs all over the front lawn. The kids got those after breakfast when they got dressed. They didn't want the neighbors seeing them in their pj's!!

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Thomas and their parents came in the afternoon for dinner.

We had a wonderful week with the kids and look forward to having them again when their school is out.

Dying Easter Eggs

My grandchildren have been spending the week with us - it's their Spring Break.

We have played outside, walked in the woods and spotted a rabbit and turkeys.
We went to Potter Park Zoo and played at the park.
It has been good to be together. They have had fun here with us.

The weather has been very good this week - rain at night, warm days.

They came to 2 Storytimes with me - Baby story time at my library and a Family Story time in Jenison, Michigan.

Today we dyed easter eggs - only one fell on the floor!!!

Happy Easter to all!!

I Can Knit!!

While I was in Ypsilanti my friend Rosemary took me to a nice yarn store. She is a very good knitter and knows what she is doing.
I am a beginner who has made lots of scarves. She guided me in my purchase of alpaca for a spring shawl.

I'm proud of myself!!

I may be ready for something more to knit - not quite ready for socks.........

The Hexagon quilt is done!!

My hexagon quilt is finally done. It all started 2 years ago at the show in Chicago when Georgia and I saw a hexagon quilt - in beautiful reproduction colors. I took close up pictures to show how the blocks were pieced - various ways - small diamonds, large diamonds, triangles and one hexagon shaped piece. I knew I would make the quilt in my colors.

I spent last summer piecing the hexagons - great fun with fabric selection and hand piecing.
Then the rows got together.......and finally the quilting - some machine quilting around the hexagon shape and some hand quilting in the middle. The hand quilting was not easy as there are so many seams and a panel I used on the backing was difficult to sew through. The quilting is technically not good, but the visual effect of the quilt says WOW!!!!

I have entered the quilt at Sauder Village show, NQA in Columbus , and the Lansing Area Patchers show in July - just to share it with the quilting public.