I'm working on something a little different

A long time ago quilters used fabric from worn clothing to make quilts. They could be beautiful but more often than not they were made for practical reasons. Then there were the calicos in feed sacks and of course the Victorian era rolled around and we were give the joy of luxurious fabrics and embellishments but we were still limited.

It wasn't until the boom of quilting began I think around the 1976 bicentennial celebrations that brought us the fabrics we enjoy today. This article at Womenfolk.com explains this very well.

Today we have the nicest variety of material to create our artwork. I was at a retreat this weekend and here are just of few of the beautiful types being made.

Family Ancestry, Snow and Quilting

The generations are important, I suppose, if for nothing else they give us a glance of what our future might be like and then again, maybe not.

Here is my 4 generation family. This is my Grandmother Margarete Julia Ann; Mom Marlene, named after marlene Dietrich; my daughter Chelsea Elizabeth; and me Elizabeth Julia Ann named after my dad's mom and mom's mom.

We've been in the deep freeze of winter and I've managed to clean my dining room/quilting room. I really like this room for quilting the windows bring in the right amount of natural light. The wooden floor is great for scooting my chair as I quilt.

Even though we are getting ready for Quilters' Day Out and I've been pretty busy helping with the committee for the event, I have managed to finish this quilt top. It was a 3 part series of patterns in Mccall's Quilting Magazine. I also subscribe to Quiltmania magazine. It's got really different projects and sometimes the English to French conversion isn't all that smooth, it's still my favorite magazine.

One of the best Happy/Sad movies you'll ever watch

Dear Zachary is one of the best happy/sad movies you'll ever watch.

It's a documentary that is fabulous.

THE YANKS ARE COMING TO THE WORLD CUP 2010

PUT ON FULL SCREEN AND HIGH VOLUNE TO WATCH.

This will get you excited about soccer/football for the USA. It's time!!

So is everyone getting ready to cook?

Me, yes. I've already made my family's favorite at the holiday season, Turtles. It is just like the candy-you know chocolate, caramel and nuts. You ladies from my quilt group can find it in our cookbook made by Sheelah and Abby.

Then the rest of the menu includes herbed turkey and dressing; mashed potatoes and gravy; sweet potatoes; rolls; vegetable casserole; corn salad; coca cola cake-curtesy of Mary, also in our group's cookbook.

It's way too much food for 4 people, but, I guess we have to live off leftovers for a few days, so it's okay.

We will, however, feel pregnant for, hmmmm, maybe the next 3 days. Yep, way too much food...smile.

So is a quilt a quilt if it's not on the bed?o

I think art quilt artists and traditional quilters can argue this until the cows come home. To me it's a quilt if it has the 3 layers, whatever those layers may be.

I once took a class from a woman that kept her quilts in a locked safe. The teacher was Judy Cloninger and her quilt Shiraz was picked as one of the top 100 quilts ever made. I guess I couldn't blame her. The intricacy of the design and meticulous way it was put together would possibly make me want to let no one get their grubby paws on it-cause you know there are some quilters that can not restrain themselves.

This is my cat quilt that won a blue ribbon in the Kentucky State Fair and was accepted in Paducah. I like to rotate my quilts so they don't get permanent creases in them from being folded.

Part IX-2 newer quilts that are cut out and need sewingget

Did you see this fabric? It's the Wizard of Oz, of course, and I couldn't resist. I had big plans for a baby quilt, but, you know, life gets in the way and I'll get around to it. I am so blessed!

This is another project that I've cut out. My mom already did this one too. I don't have a picture of it, but, when I do I'll let you know...smile.