Design Wall Monday

Wow! It's been some time since I posted what was on my Design Wall. That could be because there was NOTHING on my design wall. There was not alot of action occuring in my sewing loft. Last week, I began working on my project for the Secret Santa Swap. I've actually been planning and plotting all along, but wasn't getting the right "feeling." I know you know what  I mean. I purchased a jelly roll and a bit of yardage of Kate Spain's, 12 Days of Christmas (it's Brenda's fault). I began a Christmas tree skirt. Somewhere in the haze of the pain medications following my surgery, I did have the clear thought that I'm not much of a machine quilter on a good day. What makes me think I'll do better post jaw surgery. So I changed my plan:) 

I'm making a Good to Go bag from Silver Thimble Company using the jelly roll strips (cut down the length). I do love string piecing and I've been successful with this bag in the past. Today, is SEWING DAY. The bag must be finished to bring to the post office tomorrow. The photo on my wall is of the 8 blocks that make the front and back of the bag. Back to the sewing room to finish! See other Design Wall projects on Judy L's blog Patchwork Times.

P.S. Thanks to all the kind words of encouragement about my jaw surgery. I followed doctor's orders and my two weeks of "self-imposed" sofa time is up. I'm completely off any pain medications. DH is turning the key each night on my jaw expander. I drove yesterday with success. I still don't have a complete day's energy, but breaks are scheduled. I still have some bruises on my face and neck, but it's definitely improved. 

Gone to the Dogs!

Do you remember the animated cartoon program staring "Deputy Dawg"? When I look in the mirror these days, Deputy Dan seems to be reflected back at me. A week ago, I had 3 teeth extracted AND jaw expansion surgery. As my "favorite" brother said, it's hard to imagine that Becky's mouth wasn't big enough:) I've put this surgery off for almost 30 years because I wasn't having any problems. About a year ago I began experiencing some pain from the situation. I'm spending most of my time with the elderly these days instead of my years with elementary kids. I want to be vital and lively in my 80's, so I scheduled my surgery, braces and all the other inconveniences to fix this problem. I don't want to say, I should have taken care of this, but it's too late when I get "OLD."

Wow! Did my face every swell and bruise. When I went for the check-up with my oral surgeon last week, he walked in and said, "A Bruiser." He got that right. Lots of blue, like George Rodrigues's Blue Dog (artist from my hometown of Lafayette, LA) , green, purple, black and yellow. Colors that would make a great quilt, but rather strange on a face and neck

But with prescription pain meds, I'm  as happy as Huckleberry Hound. I made the mistake of backing of the medications and doing too much. I crashed and burned this weekend. I did get some wonderful visiting time with my Silver Thimble friends, so it was worth it. I'm back on my meds, back on the couch with Dr. Rusty and trying not too talk too much (impossible). I guess when they said it would be a two week recovery period, they meant it:) C'est La Vie! I did take a photo of my face, but that photo dear friends is one that I won't post:) Just use your imagine!

Scraps Giveaway Winners

Thanks to all the kind words and comments about our string quilt project and scrap reduction project. The two winners of my scrap giveaway are Linda from Stray Stitches and Quilter Kathy from Kathy's Quilts. Thank you Jodie from Pleasant Home for organizing this fun event! It was wonderful meeting new bloggers and making new friends.  Linda and Kathy, your boxes are in the mail. Again, thanks to everyone who participated in this giveaway. It was great fun!

Christmas Quilt Show

Christmas quilts! What's not to love about a Christmas quilt! I have several holiday quilts started but only one that I've actually finished and used. This quilt is one of my all-time favorites. The red and white toile shows Santa and his sleigh flying over a village. The fabric is an older Moda line. The pattern is an early pattern from Pat Wys. It is an earlier version of her Star Gazy pattern. I used extra fabric to make matching pillowcases On Thanksgiving night, I place this quilt on our bed. It marks the beginning of the holiday season for my husband and me. One day, all our beds will have Christmas quilts. The quilts are already started. I just need to complete them. Merry Christmas, dear friends!

Head over to SewCalGal's blog to view other quilts in her Christmas Quilt Show! There are wonderful prizes from sponsors for those who make quilts and those who view all the quilts.

Merry Christmas, dear blogging friends!

Scraps Giveaway!

Jodie Nelson, creative blogger at  Pleasant Home blog is hosting a humongous quilting scrap giveaway. Jodie has been encouraging her readers to use their scraps. She has posted photos of her method of organizing her scraps, making scrap blocks, projects using scraps. My scraps are "taking over" my sewing room. I do cut scraps into strips for future scrap projects. I enjoy Bonnie Hunter's scrap quilt patterns. Having the strips already cut, is extremely helpful in piecing her scrap projects especially her mystery quilts. The fabric requirements for Roll, Roll Cotton Boll, Bonnie's newest mystery quilt have been posted here. I'm trying to resist beginning this one. I still have the last two mystery projects to complete. I was derailed by those things called borders:)

I also enjoy making string blocks. Making string blocks is pure  "pedal to the medal" with machine sewing. It's liberating. Recently, I met with my friend Debbie (no blog) to make string blocks for our guild project for Quilts of Valor. We each cut strips from our red, white, and blue scraps. We sewed, talked, eat and had a blast making these blocks. We were both having a "bad hair day" so no people photos:)

We sewed scraps on 12.5 inch muslin squares. The organizers of this project asked that we not trim the blocks. Much information about string quilts, projects, and donating them can be found on the Heartstrings website.

I am delighted to offer a giveaway of some of my favorite scraps. I got carried away going through my scrap box so I there will be two winners.

I'll pack them up in the small priority mail boxes (on my "to do list" for today). To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment on this post. In your comment, share with me the things you like to do with your scraps. I love reading what other quilters do with their fabric. The giveaway will end on Saturday at noon. I'll use the random number generator to choose the two winners. I'm having oral surgery on Friday. As soon as I can during the weekend, I'll contact the winners. Good luck to everyone. Thanks so very much for visiting my blog!

In the Company of Others

Jan Karon's new book, In the Company of Others has finally been released.This is the second book in her Father Tim series. Two years ago when my friend (in crime) Kathy and I attended a book signing and met Jan Karon, she was working on this novel.

Becky, Jan Karon and Kathy D. at book signing 12/08

 Ms. Karon spoke of her travel to Ireland which is the setting of this book. I'm reading this one slowly to savor each part. I should finish it this evening. The timing is perfect since I picked up the audio book today from our public library. I plan to listen to it on my drive to Baton Rouge tomorrow. 

Last week, the Georgia Center for the Book hosted Jan Karon as part of her book tour for In the Company of Others. Brenda e-mailed me this summer about the visit. We both put it on our calendars. The doors opened at 6:00 pm. We drove into the parking lot at 6:00. We had second row seats. As we were sitting waiting for the event to begin, two ladies across the isle were looking at  the vacant seats next to us. We recognized one of the women as Brenda Furman, Jan's sister. Brenda was the editor of The Mitford Bedside Companion.

Brenda D., Kathy D, Brenda Furman and Nancy, Brenda's friend

We assured them the seats were available and reintroduced ourselves to Brenda. Kathy and I had met Brenda at the book signing in December of 2008. It was great fun visiting with these ladies. It added to our enjoyment of the evening.

Brenda (The Quilting Cowgirl) Me, Brenda (Jan Karon's sister) Nancy (Brenda's neighbor and friend)

After her talk, there was an opportunity to meet Jan and her editor. 

This is the Front of the bookmark from the event.

This is the front and back of a bookmark from the event

Sometimes, it's really a small world. The next day I attended an annual retirement luncheon sponsored by our school system. There were probably 600 retirees at the event. Imagine my surprise, when I recognized one of the ladies at our table as one of the women sitting behind us from the Karon event the night before. It was a "Kodak" moment. It was a pleasure sharing lunch with another Karon fan.

Joan G. and me

 

Suggestions

Hi Friends! I have two quick things that I need help with today. I am leaving in the morning to drive to Baton Rouge to spend a few days with my Dad. During my trip to BR this summer, I tried to visit a quilt shop that I had previously visited only to find it closed. Anyone have a suggestion or two of a quilt shop that I can "visit" on Friday or Saturday? Thanks for any and all input!


Secondly, I have had e-mail from a wonderful blogging friend who works at the War Veterans Home in Reserve, Louisiana. I can't find your e-mail address.  Please e-mail me again. Your information on the veterans home was invaluable. I plan to visit the facility while in Louisiana this week.