More Snow!!!

More snow this morning - we have a new record snowfall for the month of February.
I have snow blowing duty for the next couple weeks. John had eye surgery on Thursday and cannot do any lifting or strenuous activity for a couple weeks.
He gave me a refresher course on starting the snow blower and off I went. I tried very hard not to blast the bird feeder in the little tree out front. These little birds eat a lot!!!

The driveway and front walk were done in a jiff.........even tho it was wet snow. That's what we get this time of year. Sunday is supposed to be almost 40 and rain.........typical!!

Johns' eye is doing well.......at the check up this afternoon, he could read the big E on the eye chart on the wall - the tech didn't have to remove the chart and bring it towards him!!!!

My batik vest is done. It is straight from a pattern - no originality at all!!!

It will be in the quilt show March 15 and 16.

This is what I have been hand piecing this winter. I love the teal and lime green......

It's ready for basting, whenever I am!!!

This fabric is for my next project............Alexander picked it out for sleep pants.

I have made him flannel sleep pants before and he liked this very soft pattern - the flannel is soft, not the design!!!!

Block Exchange Update

Ruth - Japanese fabrics and black..........what a nice selection of fabrics!!! Dorothy - southwest colors.......

Daisy - black and blue......but not bruised!!!

Mine - music fabrics. Jan found a fabric with a cello!!!! thanks, Jan

Georgia has supplied all the 30's fabrics for these blocks. She has ideas of applique blocks separating these......

Jan has us cutting fabrics so they look like they are not cut..........magic!!!

Roxie wants the blue/yellow or purple/green combination in batiks........I'm not the only one who will be doing hers again...in batik........oh well. Louise wants orphan blocks and she got 3 this evening!!

Carol has us doing this block..........again..........

Lisa asked us to use raspberry and lime.......this block makes a pattern.....

or this pattern when put together........

Beth asked us to use bright pastels .......something about baby quilts......

Cindy is making a wall hanging for the Habitat office........the lights are on in these homes.......

Not pictured are blocks for Bonnie and Terry. I promise to get one for Bonnie done soon........and Terry is waiting on a college choice from her son, John.

Retreat at Debs'

This weekend was an annual "Rereat" at Debs' home in Grand Rapids. Deb used to live in Lansing and moved away to Cadillac, then Grand Rapids. She has graciously hosted her Lansing friends every year for a weekend of quilting, shopping, eating, and the bestest friendship in the world.

The weekend begins on Friday for some, but I came with a carload on Saturday morning. John and I had Lansing Symphony Tickets on Friday night - a Night at the Movies - great music!!!
We arrived about 9:30 am and found everyone still in their pj's - or just getting out of the shower. Gotcha Ruth!!! Daisy was not dressed either..........

Some were cleaning up after breakfast, but those I came with got right to quilting - Louise and Terry in particular!!!!!!!!!!

Cindy showed us something she had been working on...........sooo springy!!!!!

Some had visited a quilt shop on Friday and showed their purchases.

That meant more shopping for the late arrivals!!!! Others went to a couple other quilt stores. We helped support the economy in Grand Rapids.

Carol had a finished top to share.......great pattern and many of us wanted those directions.

Phyllis was still here from California and had her own show and tell!!!

It was so nice that she was able to join the group. She was back here for the closing of her home in Lansing. We miss her but realize she has a new life in California and we are happy for her. We know she will make visits to Michigan so we will get to see her.

Dinner always includes wine. Cindy wanted this blue bottle for a garden arrangement, so she had to finish it up!!!!!!!

Everyone pitches in for prep and clean up at all meals......

Laurie, Deb and Ruth are working after dinner.

As Phyllis left this morning, those of us left gathered at the window to wave good bye.........we will see you.........and safe driving...........

This is such a nice, relaxing weekend. I always enjoy spending time with my quilter friends.

Thanks to Deb for hosting all of us.........we love you.

A Very Busy Weekend

Last weekend was a busy one here. Ashley and the grands came.
Andrew is quite the toddler now - and talks quite a bit. Alexander and Allison like to play with their Pokemon cards - and figures.

My sister brought her son, Tom, to Michigan as he is returning to Kalamazoo College. He has been in China for a few months.

Allison loves her big cousins.

Tom showed Alexander some game on his computer.

My friend, Cindy, had a birthday open house......she loves to play "Martha Stewart"

Can you tell Cindy is a quilter friend????????

Also at the party were Ruth, Cindy (of course), Phyllis (now from California) and me - and many others.

This visit is right between a couple birthdays - Allison was 7 on January 30 and Alexander will be 10 on February 25.

They had to frost and decorate cupcakes.

Of course there had to be candles........

for both kids. Andrew had one too, but he moved too fast for my camera!!!

Sunday there was a baby shower for Katie. Great-Grandma and Marcia came from Florida, and Aunt Tina came from Pennsylvania.

We made a trip to the fabric store where Allison and Alexander each picked out a flannel and I sewed them together for a "double flannel blankie." Allison picked the butterflies and Alexander picked bright pink dots for the other side.

Katie also got the quilt and dolly quilt that I made for her.

She got TONS of cute little girl clothes - wonder if this baby will be a "puker?"

More Block Exchange

This is an "Aunt Gracie" block for Georgia - she supplied us with all the fabrics. Way toooo easy. Roxie must be using these with the blocks we made for her last year - they were the same but with 2 more adds.
OOPPSSSS!!!! I have been informed that these blocks should be batik fabric!!! Guess they will become orphans and given to Louise who used them for charity quilts.....
That's what happens when you miss the first meeting of Block Exchange where everyone talks about their block and exactly what they want from you.

Daisy wants the Snail Trail in blues and browns.

Carol requested more of the shadow leafy star that we did last year.

Logan and My Other "Babes"

How could I forget the best picture of Logan?????????? The birthday boy, Christopher.

Beautiful Mara.

Emily eating her goldfish - love those pigtails!!!!

I remember when she had NO hair.

Aaron is our little baldie now!!!

This is Vivian - smiling for the camera.......and all decked out for the walk home.

Christopher is 1

I have a Baby Storytime at my library.
Today we celebrated Christopher being one year old. He was not in the best of moods today, but we got a few smiles - and birthday snack for all. Thank you Christine. Chaos at the table!!!!!!!!!

Logan - note his shirt - King of Hearts - he's a cutie.

Mara liked the multi colored goldfish crackers.

I think Emily and Aaron liked the goldfish, too. Note the full mouth.

Vivian went for the cupcakes - top first!!!!!!!!!!!

We have the rocking boat out for after our stories and songs. We do "Row, Row Row Your Boat" many times.

Birthday boy, Christopher playing with a ball.

Logan and Mara in the rocking boat - don't forget the food.....

We have a nice magnet board - and many shapes to put on it.

I am amazed at the sharing these little ones are capable of. They pass the spider when we sing and the star wand, too.

I enjoy Thursday mornings at the library - and I know these kids do too.