Thursday, July 9, 2015

Mary Jo tried commenting below, it didn't work...here it is in this form (Rosey)

From Mary Jo via Rosey's posting service (note from Rosey:  I keep getting a "Whoops, there is a mistake on this page" which I just delete and I can then post onto the chat board.  I don't know why it's so difficult to do this...b*gger the internet, it's great when it works, aggravating when it doesn't.  Here is MaryJo's response to her posting below.............................................................
 
Rosey, I answered the Google comment and that surely should have posted as I use Google.  Do not see it or the answer to Sara's post.  Will repeat...
I go upstairs to work in my pajamas 3 - 4 mornings a week and usually stay until 10:00 or noon.  This began when ten years ago.   I was asked to speak on story quilts to the Tucson Guild, an hour long presentation.  I only had 25 quilts and wanted 50.  It took a whole winter, but the second 25 were finished.  I've not kept count of the # of quilts made since I began in 1993 but it is somewhere between 125 - 150. About half are story quilts.   I rarely repeat a pattern; the exception being New York Beauties.  (Most quilts are a variation of a pattern or original.) This is # 7.  Sherbet was the first.  A black, white and red one became a fan pattern with a sunburst in the center. The Dahlia was my only experience with hand dying.  Not for me, too many chemicals.  It is a free form.  One is fall colors, another is giant sunflowers.  One is Cinco de Mayo with many other appliqued flowers.  Each is very different.  The next will be free form.
Most quilts are lap sized or wall quilts.  I do make two king sized quilts each year.  Six are in the que for college graduations of grandkids.  Two are working on their Masters degrees, so I am a bit behind.  One large quilt goes out to the long arm quilter.  The other is made in quarters and quilted on my machine.  Love to quilt but it is too hard on my shoulders to quilt the big ones.  Arthritis stopped the hand quilting.  Ownership makes me want to do it all from designing the pattern through the quilting.  Age makes it difficult...
MaryJo

MaryJo

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

From Mary Jo G.

We are finally below 100!  Our area set records for June with 10 consecutive days above 100.  High was 110!  My hanging pot was getting battered by the wind and sunburned.  Repotted all in the flower bed where they are doing well.  No water restrictions but I'm trying to be careful knowing drought conditions exist.  Picked the first zucchini and tomatoes.  Have a spicy red bell pepper almost ready and cucumbers are getting close.  The pink hibiscus has blooms that are 6" across with a deep red center.  

My Summer Garden is now a quilt top and ready for the longarm quilter to do her magic.   NY Beauty blocks are set on point with green corners and sashing.  5 quilts are ready to bind, have been putting that off for awhile so it is the goal for July.  And, ten quilts are going out.  Nieces, nephews and cousins will be the recipients of 8; the other 2 will go to charity.  My daughter asked me if I'd rather decide where my quilts go or leave it to her to do 'someday'.  Am gifting them in December and July of each year until there is a managable amount.  50 are awaiting homes.  It will take awhile.  

Grand daughter Brooke will be home for ten days mid August.  She is a missionary in Argentina.  GDs Laura and Molly will be here mid September.  Laura is flying from WA to TX to help her sister move to OR.  Molly will work on her Master's degree in engineering.  

The guest room have been busy.  One family was here for the weekend and another came on Monday to fly out this afternoon.  The third will arrive this weekend to paint my house.  Have picked a light sage green with cream trim and an olive door.  The roof has a green tint so my color choices are limited.  Good that I love green.

Blessings,
MaryJo

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Sunday - checking in

Seems like I have not posted here in ages.

Our July 4 has been wet, soggy, and all fireworks displays in our area were cancelled last night due to the rain.   Hopefully we will dry out and they'll be on tonight, for those who enjoy watching.

Oh, wait!!!   What is that bright stuff coming through the window?!?  Could it actually be clearing up out there?   Will it continue???      I'll have to run out and spray my rose bushes for black spot.   All the rain and humidity we've had over the past month have taken a toll on my roses.

Mary - I am so sorry to read that you lost your husband.   Hugs and prayers are sent your way.

Sara in FL - Cute shop hop quilt!!!

DH and I spent several days in Traverse City,  Michigan, a couple weeks ago.   The weather was beautiful (low humidity!) and we fell in love with the area.  I'll keep our southern winters, though I would not mind spending summers up there.    :-)

A belated happy Canada Day to our quilters in Canada.

Hugs to everyone!