UFO UPDATE

Not a lot of sewing going on around here.  I've been a bit under the weather. 

However,  I did get a little bit done on my #3 UFO. 

I have plans for the pathways and empty spaces.  Also, I picked up a dark brown to go into the boarder in some way.  Still playing.

And, just to make you smile, 

daffodils!

Hope you have a good week and

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

UFO 3

Number 3 has been selected for the UFO challenge due at our May guild meeting.  My number 3 UFO on the list is a birthday block swap from my Talking Threads friendship group. Each of us selected a theme we wanted and at our birthday month meeting we were showered with birthday quilt blocks.

I selected "What's In My Garden" for my July birthday. The block could be any size and any style.  Aren't they all wonderful? What a talented group of women!  Next week I'll post my progress.  I have some ideas.

Hope you have a good week and

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

A FINISH -- WOOHOO!

It's finished, right through the label.  And, it's ready in time for the March meeting when it is due.  I quilted it using a simple straight-line quilting technique. There is a lot already going on with this quilt. Besides, I think the colors keeps it modern. I used the Faux Piping binding method to give it just another pop of color. 

The way the UFO challenge works is you decide on which five UFOs you would most like to complete throughout the year, listing them by number. Then, a number gets drawn every other month.  At the March meeting, they will draw which one will be due in May.  I have plenty to work on until them.

Hope you have a good week and

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

I'M QUILTING

Yes I am. This quilt is on my guild's UFO challenge list.  And, it is due at the March meeting. 

I think I can finish in time. 

Have a good week and

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

REMEMBERING

I'm going to apologize upfront in that I'm about to get personal for this post. I have taken a break from blogging because the recent past has been a bit bumpy.

I lost my brother to complications from cancer surgery on December 14, 2015.  He was 73. I found these pictures from a recipe book I had put together a few years back, maybe 10 or 12 years back actually. I know they are hard to see. The picture on the left of the page is my brother as a teenager with our cousin. And, the one on the right is him as a grandpa.

He had really gone through a lot during the past year and he went into the surgery with a very positive and hopeful attitude. He was in ICU for nearly two weeks before he passed.

Then on January 11th, my mom passed. She was 96 and had Alzheimer her last few years; although, she always knew me. And I was so grateful for that. 

The above picture was taken in the 80s.

 Mom and I maybe 2002 or so.

I went to Florida and spent some time with my daughter and her family.  It was wonderful and very uplifting for me.  I came back feeling a lot better.  Then this week my friendship group  (the Wednesday Wackos) presented me with this beautiful quilt as hugs from them and my mom.  Mom's favorite color was pink and I have been sleeping under it ever since. They are just the best peeps ever!

I feel their hugs and love.

I am back to sewing and will have things to share soon.

Hope you have a good week and

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

TAKING A BREAK

Be back soon!

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR

Just a little reminiscing over the past year. It's been a good year for the most part.  Here are a few of my favorite posts:

Fav 1 (from my Sunday Snaps)

Mon Day 9 - "ENERGY" or should I say the lack thereof...

Tues Day 10 - "INSPIRES ME"  oh how I love you Pinterest!

Wed Day 11 - "ON THE WALL"  design wall that is.

Thurs Day 12 - "POINTY"  how many of you have many different scissors, and in every room?

Fri Day 13 - "TEMPTATION"  There's this one little shelf in the fridge....

Sat Day 14 - "LOVE"  this old girl.  My husband would have said she has a face that "only a mother would love".  I love her face even when she is in need of a good grooming.

Sun Day 15 - "SPOTS"  My collection of spots and strips and sometimes I'm lucky enough to find both at the same time.

Fav 2

Have you ever lost something (like an UFO) and swore that someone, some thief, some no-good scoundrel must have come into your quilt room and stole your UFO.  Only the one you are looking for. All the others are still there. That happened to me this week. So, on Friday I cleaned out one closet. I even refolded fabric and re-stacked the shelves. Nada.

On Saturday, I got out my step stool and checked every container on my shelving unit above where I sew.  Nada.

On Sunday, I was forced to go sort the scary closet.  You got it.  On the last shelf I sorted (which was probably a good thing), I saw that the no-good scoundrel(s) had returned the UFO.  Thank goodness I wasn't forced to call in the big guns, my peeps, to help.

So here it is on the design wall, and I realize I need more blocks to make it even. 

It is from an on-line swap. But, for now, I have put it away until another time. However, I'm pretty certain I will be able to locate it when I want it next time. And, my quilt room is organized, for now.

Fav 3

I've been on a road trip with a friend visiting from New Zealand.

 We left Long Beach on Sunday, 10/27, 

and drove up the California Coast. Our first stop was Solvang, a cute small Scandinavian town. 

We spent two nights in San Luis Obispo visiting:

Moro Bay (I always like looking out at Moro Rock)

and Hearst's Castle.

Then we drove up scenic Highway 1 through Big Sur and took in 17 mile drive.  I don't know why neither of us took pictures.  Highway 1 is a very winding road and besides that there was a bicycle race on the road.  Made me a little nervous to say the least.

We stopped in Castroville, where they grow a LOT of artichokes. 

And even found an Artichoke food truck.  Yum!

Our next stop was a couple of nights in Los Gatos where I was able to meet up with two friends, one I have known since Elementary School and Brownies.  We hadn't seen each other for over 50 years.  The other friend has been a friend since we were kindergarten room mothers.  I really enjoyed visiting with both friends. Again, no pictures.

We also took in the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles.  Very nice!

Then it was off to Napa Valley and a stop at Sterling Winery.  It has a wonderful view.

We made our way over to Lincoln, California (next to Sacramento) and stayed at a friend's house for 4 nights (thank you Sue). Here we took in some sewing. 

We drove home on Highway 99 and stopped in Visalia and visited Thimble Town.  Loved it!

And, now it's home again where things are getting back to normal as you can see here.

Thanks Randy for being Mom to Trudy and Gracie.

Here's to 2015.  I'm ready for you 2016, bring it!

Quilt happy,

Marilyn              

http://marilynpond.blogspot.com/2015/02/mon-day-9-energy-or-should-i-say-lack.html

QUILTS FOR CHRISTMAS

Wow, can you believe that Christmas has come and gone and 2016 is right around the corner?  And, I'm sewing again after a couple of weeks with no time to sew.  But, here are some quilts that made it in time to be Christmas presents. 

My grandchildren in Florida's quilts.  Top left is Lauren's "Bento Box",  Top right is Madeline's "Zen is In"; bottom left is Kalani's "Churn Dash", and bottom right is Noelle's  quilt that I named "It's A Hoot" (because it has owls).

Today I'm going to bind a quilt that is a late Christmas gift.  I hope to deliver it today or tomorrow.  Wish me luck!

Hope you have a good week and

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

BUSY TIME OF YEAR

They keep telling us we are in an El Nino year.  So far, here in Southern  California, we haven't noticed much difference.  But, I was a Girl Scout and still remember our motto to be prepared.  I had a new roof put on where needed and added new gutters.   This week I got the trees trimmed big time.  What a mess.

What a difference it makes with the light.

I did get some sewing in.  I'm making some car trash bags.  Honestly, it takes longer to decide on the fabric than to make them.

 I used iron-on vinyl so they can be easily wiped clean.

I also made cloth gift bags and got the gifts in the mail by Friday.

I hear Monday will be a nightmare at the post office.

Hope you have a good week and

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

LET THE PARTIES BEGIN

December is the month for parties and gatherings. Last Friday I went to a very fun Gift Exchange that is relatively complicated to explain. But, I will do a quick rundown. 

It started with a few appetizers and visiting. Then we had lunch. The hostess provided soup and salad greens.  Everyone else brought something to add to the salad. YUM!

Once we were fed, the exchange began. We are a baker's dozen and we each brought five homemade gifts. There is a system in how they are passed out, and I won't go into that. But, just look at what I received. 

Marie made this darling wall hanging.

 

Justine made this adorable Rabbit.

 

Mary this great Patriotic banner.

 

Bonnie made a darling ironing pad.

 

Pat embroidered these adorable tea towels.

 

As she handed them out she told us "The Rooster Crows, but, it's the Hen that delivers".

Here was my contribution, a tool caddy (pattern by Terri Adkinson can be found here).  Not one, but two zippers. 

Of course there was dessert and coffee after.  We know how to do it up right!

What a great time with a group of lovely and talented ladies.  Thank you each and every one of you! 

Hope you have a good week and

Quilt happy,

Marilyn