After Christmas

Well, I am glad that I can now take the time to write and do some things I have had to let go for the last month and a half. I completed the quilts for the lady who lost her husband ,and I made them from his clothing. the Sat. after Christmas. That means I didn't get to spend much time with my children who came home for the holiday. I am sad about that but must say I enjoyed having them here anyway. My son and his girlfriend announced that they have signed papers on a new house. It will be complete some time in April if they don't get cold feet and back out before then. It will be their first home and it is  a big deal. I will be happy for them when it gets to the move in date. Being a Mom though I did take the opportunity to buy them some cute Christmas towels at 70% off yesterday. My girls like to say I will fill their house with garbage if they let me. I do love to buy them things I think they will like.
I have big plans for the new year, but I would like to finish the  year with some smaller projects completed so I will be finishing the birthday blocks tomorrow and trying to get them in the mail before the end of the year. I feel so bad that it came down to missing the last four because my commission was taking me so long. I am a little glad the quilt for my son's girlfriend didn't get done since they are moving and may need a change of plans for what I had started. I bought the fabrics well over a year ago and she had just gotten a new bed cover set all in rose colors and very floral. So I went off that and purchased the 20 fat quarters to make a "Turning Twenty" quilt for her. Now she is talking purple for the master bedroom. I may just make the one I have the fabrics for and give it to one of the other girls.
We also have three or four girls we have know for a long time and care a great deal for that are having baby's this year. So I will be kept busy making baby stuff for them. I love that though it is so gratifying to see how happy they are when they get the quilt you made just for their new baby.
Back to my plans for the New Year. I have so many UFO's and WIP's I need to pull them all out and make a list of them and then I will start with the ones I can finish quickest. I have three Christmas quilts I want to make that I have started.Two are just needing to be made into tops as they are all pieced. One is still just cut and ready to piece. Then I have five or six BOM's that I have started and just never made the time to complete them. I thought about doing them one month at a time, but I think it would be better to concentrate on getting them done and not doing that. I have some quilts I started for graduation gifts from high school and they are now either graduated from college or married and having their first baby. One is even on her second marriage now and has completed college as well. I kind of think I want to get that one done first of those. LOL I wonder why.
I have photos of the quilts I completed from the mans cloths and will post them as soon as I get them on the computer. I am going to go for today and hope you all have a wonderful quilty day. I look forward to the new year and hope you do to.
Tennye

A Very Merry Christmas To All

Well, I have had a wonderful day with my family and gotten some completely amazing gifts. The weather has been cool and clear and wonderful and all except one of my children came home. Sorry we missed the oldest daughter and her family, but maybe some day we will get to have them all here for Christmas too.
I do hope all of you have enjoyed your day as well.
I have a final day of quilting to finish the quilts and I will add photos of them when I get the last one done. I truly tried to get them all finished but at about 4 yesterday I finally gave up and admitted it would not happen until the day after Christmas. So I will talk to you all soon.
Have a lovely quilty Christmas.
Tennye

Decoraing done and working again.

Well, we got the house decorated and I am getting back to work on the quilts I need to do. I am almost finished with one and will start on the next one soon. I am pretty excited about it. I will take some photos of the quilt tomorrow and post them soon. In the mean time I will also post the pictures today about the trees and my little village.

My youngest daughter came home to help with the decorating of the trees and the house. Aften the middle one was baby sitting for a friend for the weekend so we had the cutest kids here to help. There are pictures of them as well with Aislynn and Brena. I have been trying to write the family letter for our Christmas cards and for some reason I find it hard to write. I am even finding this hard to write, so I will add the pictures and stop for tonight.
Have a Quilty Christmas,

Tennye

Holiday shopping and other things.

Well, I had no intention of going shopping this week for Christmas and yet I have done just that on the days I have gotten out. The weather has been bad and we had a good snow shower around lunch today. Not that it shows now, as the temp was just not cold enough for it to stick. I did enjoy it coming down though.
Now my house if full of boxes from the attic. My hubby had time this morning to get them down so we can get the Christmas decorations up tomorrow. I am excited and yet have so much to do that I feel like I need to not be doing that. I have had a bad week in general, and I really can't explain why. I have been either depressed or just fighting off something, I have had no energy and I have slept more than anything else. I hate the way I feel when I do that but I seem to remember my grandmother having times like that. She would call them her low periods and she just slept. Then it would go away and she would be back to normal for a while. I don't remember how often they hit her, just that they did. I wonder if it is the same for me.
Well, the craft show did me in, but I still have much to accomplish before Christmas and I have few plans so I will get this house decorated and hit it hard. Then I will feel better even if I don't lol
I am so excited about the things I am working on and wish I had gotten more done this week. The quilts are coming along so well and I look forward to letting her have them for her children. Although she cries every time she sees them so I am not sure how she will be able to take them and wrap them. Then after they are done I have a new plan for the new year. I will make as many things as I can for other people and for my craft show next year, but I will also plan to complete as many UFO's as I can. I will post photos and keep you posted on my progress as I go. I will complete the two classes I have started and get them on line and maybe get the book started that I want to write. I have been contacted by someone already for a quilt she wants made so I am on the way already. It is going to be a great year, it has to be the last one has been so hard. It seems to run that way in life doesn't it. You get some good with the bad and you have the courage to go on because of it.
I may find it hard to post much this month but I am not sure. If I do find it hard I will be back with a big push in Jan. I plan to enjoy my holidays as much as I can this year. I hope the best for all of you as well.
Tennye

Thanksgiving Week

I had a  bad week last week and then started this one in a similar way. I was getting frustrated, but then things turned around and the only thing that changed was my attitude. So now I have decided things will be better even if I am too tired. I finally got into the sewing room and it is a mess of major proportions. I got so over whelmed with the idea of trying to clean it out so I just did the least I could and got out my project that is in need of being completed. I had a very productive afternoon, and I even got some laundry started. Tomorrow I will hopefully get the blocks complete. Then on Mon. I will be able to start the process of sewing and quilting. I have decided to quilt as I go with this one. It will be just too big to quilt it the other way. I sure wish I could get the hang of the frame. Maybe I would be able to get the quilting done quicker.
I do have a much better grasp on the whole process now and my free motion is really getting good. It is almost like I have a long arm sometimes. That makes me feel pretty good and I am pretty excited about selling my wall hanging at the show last weekend.

By the way we had a wonderful time at my Aunt and Uncles house this weekend. I tired a shrimp soup my cousin asked me to try and it was sooo good. I will have to get her to give me the recipe for it. We did a big fish fry and we all cooked something to go with it. We had so much food it was over done. But so good.
Well, in case I miss tomorrow, let me say Have a wonderful Thanks Giving and now we are on the down hill side of Christmas.
Tennye

Tuesday

Here I am again wishing I had done more today than I did. I took my oldest daughter to the Dr. again today. Bless her heart with all of the things going on in her life it is amazing that she can still get up and face the world. She has been having trouble seeing well enough to drive the last week, so I have been taking her to the appointments she has. She is getting the diabetes under control, and now she needs to find out if she has any permanent damage to her eyes. Today we had great news, that she does not have any damage and the problems she is having ,now ,should go away soon.
I hope to get into the sewing room tomorrow and make some progress, but I have made the mistake of starting a new book. I will have to be disiplined and not read all day. I did start the laundry and clean the kitchen today, so the house is looking better.
Well, I am having some problems on the blog recently. Spell check is gone, and yet it tells me I spelled the word wrong. I usually do a good job of spelling, but then I really make a mess sometimes too. So sorry if you notice I have misspelled words.
Well, more next time.
Tennye

Back and still tired.

Well, I had a great vacation and then came back and hit the road running. We had a great craft show over the weekend. I learned so much about what the people who come want. I will see if I can make a better showing next year. I will have more just Christmas things, as that is what seemed to sell better than the gift items I thought would be the best sellers. I am planning to make up a few small gift baskets or cups and see if they will sell on the corner.
I do have a couple more pictures to share and will do that at the end. I was so lucky to meet a lovely lady on the flight home from Vegas. She is a quilter too and we really enjoyed our flight. I just love meeting new people and to meet a fellow quilter is always a treat. My poor hubby hates to be confined for long periods of time and he had to sit on that plane for two hours and Jeanne and I just talked the whole time and didn't even notice the time passing.
I have three quilts that must be complete ASAP so I will have to get back on the work horse soon. I need to take my daughter for a job interview on Mon. and she still can't see well enough to drive so I will. Then we have to go to the Dr. after that, so I will have the day off tomorrow. Glad I have a pot of stew in the fridge, I won't have to cook. I will enjoy a good book while I wait for her to do what she has to do. Then I will get busy on Tue. and as soon as I can I will try out the new class I got in the email last month. I wanted to work on it right away but had to wait until the fair was over. I also have some birthday blocks to get out asap. I am behind with Nov. and hope to get those and Dec. done and out in the mail before Thanksgiving.

Well, enough for today, have a good day tomorrow and I will be back on as soon as I can. Here are the pictures of the two completed small wall hangings I took to the show. One, the tree, sold and the other didn't.

Short Time

Just wanted to take a short minute to say Hi to all and let you know what is going on in my life. My 26 year old daughter found out this week she has diabetes. We are all somewhat shocked over it. She had had  high blood pressure and several other problems for the last year or so and it all seemed like things she was too young to be dealing with. Now they are saying many of her problems may be a result of the insulin issues and will most likely go away as she gets that under control. I am glad of that and yet somewhat concerned about her learning to deal with all of this. I guess I am hoping it will help all of us get our weight under control, I know I will be researching the diet and recipes.
Here are just a few photos of some more things I have made recently I wanted to share with you all and then I am back to work on the last few things to make before I leave on vacation.

Tennye

Not much Time

Well, I am still working on so many things, and yesterday was frustrating. I worked the same number of hours and I didn't complete anything. I got one bag almost complete, but then I had to quit. I think I just got too tired to make the good decisions. I have wanted to share some more photos so here are a few more.

Back and glad of it!!!

Well, my computer is all better now, the guy who worked on it finally had to just wipe it clean and I lost almost all of my files. I did forget to get him to save the files for my Pampered Chef business. I am glad I have them on the other computer, but I did have a show after I moved them to this one. The other computer is really not able to be used because it is so slow. I tried to use it to keep up with all of you, but that just didn't happen. I am so glad to be back though so lets just go on with this and forget the mess I have had to deal with.
I have pictures and I am working so hard on several things that I am very proud of. I will photo them when they are complete and share them with you. Until then let me share with you the pictures I have of the things I am making for the craft fair.
Wait first let me tell you what has happened in case I have not gotten to yet. My children gave their father a trip to Las Vegas for his 60th birthday and I get to go too. I am so excited because we leave in a week. Of course that is also putting me on the line with getting the craft fair stuff completed.
Where do I start with the pictures? I guess I will start with the big picture. I added my cell phone for perspective. These cute little bags are for gift cards or money gifts. They can be hung on the tree or you can gift wrap them. The coffee sleeves are thermal, and they can be used for cool or warm. The thermal part keeps your hands cool or warm as the case may be.  There is so much to show, but for today I will leave it at this.
Happy Quilting, Tennye

Computer Problems Still

I have borrowed my daughters computer again so I wanted to let you know that I still have no computer so I will be back as soon as I can. I had a friend look at it and he got it working, we thought. Then after just one day it was right back to where it was before. I am sad, that it is taking so much time, and we will get it up and running soon.
I am off to the quilting room now, and hope you all have a lovely quilting day.
Tennye

Computer Issues

Well, I have wanted to post some photos and to add a new post, but for what ever reason my computer is acting up. I am not able to log in to most websites. It has been so crazy that when I finally got the chance to borrow a computer it took me about three hours to check all of my emails and facebook and twitter. Wow I feel like I have not accomplished what I need to because of that. I will post pictures when I get my computer running again. So if I seem to not be posting that and the fair I am getting ready for may be the reason. I love some of the quilts I am making for the fair, and can't wait to share them with you all.
I love the comments I get from you, so please keep on posting.
Happy quilting
Tennye

In a Nut Shell

Well, I have to say that in a nut shell the entire line up of day time TV that I have been looking over is basically awful. I guess they started a new season because I was not bothered by the stuff I was watching up until this week. I think that some of the stations have been bought out by each other. Because that annoying thing of the same show on all day is happening on another of the stations I watch. That said, I will move on.
So I guess you can tell I have been sewing and I feel pretty good about this. I am going to complete the Birthday blocks today. I won't mail them until they are due but will have them complete. I feel so guilty because I have some that are way past due. One I thought was made and ready to mail, then she posted photos of the ones she had and I was mortified that mine would not match and would stand out like a sore thumb. Needless to say I have remade that one and she will get both. I guess either I got the instructions wrong or everyone else did. I am gonna guess it was me since all of the others matched.
Do you ever get the feeling that if you would just slow down you could get more done? I find that making mistakes takes so much time to fix that I almost would rather just cut out more fabric than try to un-sew it and fix it. It frustrates me.
Well, I promised photos the other day and I still have not gotten out the cables to up load them so maybe tomorrow.
Happy Quilting,
Tennye

Coming to terms with Change

Hi, to all, I have been MIA for a couple of weeks and didn't even realize it had been that long. Things have changed in my life yet again. I am no longer teaching at the Cotton Cupboard. I am still writing classes for the on line group I am with," Quilting Weekly.com" My name is not always on my classes because of the way things have to be set up on the back end of the site, but I am there never the less. I will be adding a couple of classes in the next few months so if you were thinking you might like to have a class for a Christmas gift be sure to let your loved ones know they can do that for you.
I am not sure why, but I have had more health issues this year than I have in several years. Not the least is these migrains that have come back. I went several years without one, and about three years ago the started coming back and were mild, and not often. Then the last few weeks I have had them slam me. Maybe they will go away again, now. I hope!!!!
I have some great new stuff made that I told you about in Sept. and I will post some pictures of them soon. I have some other things ready to be quilted, that I will work on soon, but will show you photos as they are when I get them off the camera.
We are in the middle of the birthday marathon. It starts in Sept. and goes until Christmas, but Oct. and Sept. are the busiest, with Emily, Charlie,and an aunt and four cousins, and a neice. Then we start Oct. with a bang with my FIL, Aften, mother, and my granddaughter. Nov. is Jenn, Brena, and two nephews. Then Dec. is my other granddaughter. I am trying hard to get things for all of them and working on the part of Christmas that I love most and that is stockings. I start shopping for the stockings as soon as Christmas is over. Well I guess I am trying to make up for lost time, and I will just stop for now and try not to be so long between posts this month.
Happy quilting,
Tennye

End of another Week

What a week, I started out feeling retched and it didn't get a lot better after that. I stayed home on Mon. and then I thought I could work in the sewing room. Needless to say that didn't go well so I went back to bed. I did however finally get some work done towards the end of the week. I got up with a migraine on Wed. morning and just went to work anyway. I am so glad I did, I loved the lady who came to my class. She was a real sweetheart and we had a good time. She didn't finish her project but she was very happy to be in the class, so it didn't matter. I did come home and put a pillow over my eyes and take a nap. It helped but didn't get rid of the pain. I went to the sewing room and worked the rest of the afternoon. When my Aften got home from work we had a quick supper and then left for the Cotton Cupboard to the party to celebrate the new Nolting Quilt machine that came in this week. Wow what an incredible machine, it really makes me want one. I didn't want to, since I work there, but the owner told me to, so I played with it. I am in love, and excited about completing some of the quilt tops I have ready for quilting.
I have spent the last two days working in the sewing room and I am pretty excited about the stuff I have made, for the next few months of Baby classes. I have the burp rag for the shoulder, the diaper stacker, and the bottle bag. I have the diaper bag started but not complete yet, and I am designing a changing pad to use too. When Aften came in from work today she saw the diaper stacker without the square bottom and said, "Oh, that looks like a garment bag, when you make mine will you make it look like a "____________"insert famous designers name. " I had not thought about that, but I love it so I will go for it and make one. I have other things in my head that need to be made. I just wish I could make them all, and maybe I will eventually.
Now for the other stuff I need to get done. Gonna work all weekend and talk to you all soon.
Tennye

Feeling Guilty

Oh, my I have not been here for a long time and I need to be doing something else now. I have been sick all day and I am finally feeling better so I should go sew, but I decided that I might make mistakes so I will work tomorrow.
I am planning some baby stuff for the Cotton Cupboard so I will have five months of classes ready to show. I will need to also write up the directions as well. Then I have to get the same five months of home design or fashion for the shop. I am working on the sweatshirt that will be a lovely jacket in black and white.
Needless to say I am busy, but to add to that my son-in-law is in San Antonio for a school and that means he is only about two hours from us instead of all the way across the country. He came for the holiday weekend and we had a big party for him on Fri. night and then on Sat. my son and the daughter that does not live here came home to meet him You see this was the first time for most of the family to meet him. I put my baby up for adoption when I was 16 and in 2005 she found me and I have been to see her a couple of times the first one was in Germany, but they have been stationed in Virginia now for about two years. Aften my middle daughter went up there to meet her sister last year, so she has met the whole family like I have. None of the other family members have met them though.So he was a little nervous and I was so excited I could bust. He had a good time and everyone loved him. It did keep me from the sewing room though.
Well, I will post photos when I get the baby stuff done. I am still wondering what all I will do for the home decoration stuff.
Tennye

Hate to say it!!!

Well, I am so sorry to say I did not get the bags completed for the girls to take with them on their cruise and I am so sad that I let them down. I know it was not all my fault since I have been asking for over a month for her to pick colors and fabrics. She finally did a week and a half ago and I was working on the stuff for my classes at the store. So I was not able to make them right off the bat. Now I am feeling like a faliure over it. I wish I had just not ever volunteered to do the project. I will make every effort to get them complete this week while they are gone and they can have them for a gift on their return.
well, I do hope you all have had a good day, I had a as good a day as you can with every thing going on. I had a great class on learning to free motion quilting. Every one of the ladies had a good time and were glad they came so that always makes me happy. Then I had a good visit with a friend tonight who has had a rough time of it lately. Just went through a break up and she is pretty down about it. We had a good visit and sat outside and played with the kittens in her back yard. I as always feel in love with the kittens and wanted to bring them home with me. I guess if I had my way I would be the cat lady. LOL
Have a quilting week and take care of yourselves.
Tennye

New Items I am making

I have made some new items for the craft fair I have gotten accepted to. I have a meeting next Sun. and I have to show them the things I have to sell. I have made several new things that I created. I do love some of them although the idea for them is not all mine. I created the patterns for the ones I have made. I am feeling the pressure of getting them all made, but having so much fun.
Then there it the pressure of making the five bags for my girls and their friends to use on their cruise this weekend. They leave on Wed. night and drive to Miami to get to the ship. Aften and Brena and Justin that is the others are all flying to Florida. Anyway I have told them all I will make them tourist bags to use while they are on their trip. I have them all cut out and I have one started. I am sure they will go together quickly and with any luck I can make two or three of each. So I can put them in the fair. I planned to make them anyway so it will be good.
Aften has one of those new phones and she has set it up for me through my Google account so I can see where they are on the road. The phone has satellite GPS and it will make me feel better to be able to see where they are while they are on the road. I want one of those "COOL"(haha) phones but I can't justify the cost.Oh well, it is nice that the kids have them so I can be in touch.
Well, have a good week, I am sure I will.
Tennye

Odd Week

Hello, I have been so busy this week, and still not gotten as much done as I wanted to. I have completed a new gifty idea and I will have a quilt done in a few hours. I am very close to complete, and I will then move on to the bags for the girls who are off to a cruise at the end of the month. I am so looking forward to my son-in-law coming to Texas at the end of the month too. I will be making a few trips to San Antonio to see him and I hope to bring him home for at least one weekend during the month he is in the state. I think I have a few things I need to post pictures from too so I will check it out before I complete this post. I promised them bags for being tourists. LOL Last week my daughter came in the sewing room and picked all the fabrics she thought would make the bags for all five of the girls. I will have a busy week with classes and sewing. I sure am glad my mom is out of the hospital and feeling better.
Maybe no photos today. Have a great quilting day tomorrow.

Class Updates and other things!

Well, today has been a long one and I am ready for bed but wanted to post some things that I have been wanting to for a while. My dad took my mom to the hospital last night and they put her in some time around midnight. She will be there for a few days, and if they decide to do a colonoscopy she will be there until Mon. for sure. I hate it that she is there but she might have gotten better sooner if she had just gone to the Dr. How many 24 hour viruses last 48 or 72 hours, I mean really. Sorry but it does give me a pain to think she won't take care of herself. So now she has an infection in her colon. Other wise called colonitis, which I have read on Wikipidia is very painful. She is on an antibiotic a drip and they give her phenagrin when she gets nauseous.
I had a class today BOM, and we had a good time. She made great color choices and it turned out great. I had a class a week or so ago and it was a mom and me class. I have a picture of one of my little girls. She is so cute. I also have a lovely small quilt I got from my partner and my final birthday block. so enjoy.
Tennye



This is the latest bag I have made I just love it and I want to make it in some other cool colors. We will use this as a class in Oct. or Sept.

I also added the BOM I made for the store.

Finally doing it

Well, I am finally going to do some of the things I have been promising to do. I said last week I would show my sewing room.So I will do that now, but please don't judge me for the mess I am a messy quilter, or is it creator. I am not organized in a good way but I am organized in other ways, so that is what you see. I have some other thing to show as well, I will make that a different post.
Have a quilting day!!!
Tennye

This is my Gracy Frame and the next picture is the wall you see when you walk in and turn right.


This is the clothset where I keep most of my stash.

This is the wall to the right of my sewing machine table.

Bound to Happen

Well, I had every intention of posting some pictures today,that I had promised last week. I got the camera out and the battery was too dead to load them. I will get those on tomorrow if I have time to post tomorrow. I have a picture of my student with her little project from our class last week. She had a good time and made a lovely coaster for her Daddy. I must say it was supposed to be a pot holder but I must have gotten the measurments wrong because it was too little. I will adjust that class to make a larger item as the pieces for that one were much too small for a beginner, especially a child. This was a parent and child class, and I think I prefer not to have a parent if the child is old enough. I would need it to be one on one though at that age. I keep saying things like you know what I am talking about I guess I need to explain. I had the class with a 6 1/2 year old little girl and her Grandmother and an 8 1/2 year old and her mother. I think the younger child could do the work with the exception of the cutting with the rotary cutter. She couldn't get the leverage to cut, because she was too short. She also seemed to lack the focus to do the whole project. I did not expect then to complete the project in class, however they both got to the point of some hand work. That was nice, to have something to take home and know it would be completed.
Well, I am off to do some work and complete some of those projects that need to be done. I have two almost complete, and hope to finish one at least tonight.
Tennye

Busy time of Year

Wow, I have been so busy I just completed the coolest pillow case that I didn't think to take a picture of. I took a man's t-shirts and cut them up and made a pillow case out of them. I didn't use batting but sewed them to the backing so it wouldn't be loose inside the pillow case. It was fun, I just wish I had remembered to take a picture.
I am working on three things right now a quilt from the Not you Grandmothers Log Cabin book, which by the way I am loving that method of making log cabins. They are diamonds for those of you who have not seen the book. Then I have a great book on fat quarter projects that I am making a cure bag from and I am using Halloween fabrics, so it is going to be uses as a candy bag for a trick or treat. Christmas is just not that far away and I am also making the cutest little gift card bags that look like dainty evening purses. Of course I am using Christmas fabric to make them with. I am also doing another quilt that the boss loved and I can't remember the name of that pattern. I am doing a Mommy and Me learn to quilt class tomorrow and so far we have two signed little girls signed up and their mom's of course.
The new shop ( Cotton Cupboard ) is doing very well for a new quilt shop. I am excited because we already have some who are coming in often. One sweet lady today said you will actually have a day when I don't come in, I promise. We told her we didn't need a day like that she can come in every day and we will help her with everything we can. Our customers are great, and so happy to have us open in their area.
I am working on a new class for the Quilting Weekly website that I hope to have on by Aug. if they can get it up and offered by then. I should be submitting it in a week or two, to the owners. I need to get my next Birthday friends block in the mail soon too, or it will be late for her birthday. I have until Sept. 10th to get my Summer Mini Quilt in the mail to my partner, and I must admit I have not even thought about the design for that one. I need to plan some projects using my stash control fabric sizes for the next three months so I am not behind all the time on that class. I need to get the next two months of the Block of the Month ready so I am not behind on that when the time comes. Plus I still have to write up the directions to the last two I did so when someone decides to buy they will have a take home.
Well, that is my to do list and I will post pictures as I get them done, for all of you to see. Have a very quilty week.
Tennye

Mans Clothes Two Completed

Well, I have finally completed two of the quilts made with the mans clothes, and I will show them to you today. The first one is of course the denim one which is not too fabulous. It is made from his jeans as well as his denim shirts that were thick and in good condition.


Then we have the one made from his Dockers and shorts all of the approximate same materials, in a couple of colors of yellow, white, khaki,blue, and the brown/green dark slacks. I looked long and hard for the pattern to make it . I really think it turned out wonderful and I used a nice Green backing to kind of blend the various colors. I used a Oak leaf, and acorn pattern to quilt it in since it is for a man. I should have the next top ready to quilt in a few days or maybe next week.

No Drama

Such a silly thing these titles but today was a no drama day and yet it was very exciting for me. I went out to the Cotton Cupboard (name of the new shop where I am working) and we had a group of ladies that meet on Wed. to quilt. I am not sure if they are called a guild or a Bee, but they met at the store today. They are a great bunch of ladies and I got to cut fabric for them while Jessica the owner talked to them and checked them out. It was a great day. Then we got in a new shipment of fabric so I started cutting fat quarters from it. Every day I get to go there I find new fabrics that have come in and it is so fun to see them. I turned in the block of the month that I have started designing for the store. I am excited about that too, it is not the first quilt I have designed but the first that will be sold in any form.
I got some new blocks for my birthday that I have not shown you yet and I am going to take the pictures of them along with the ones of the last two quilts I finished. I will be back with pictures in a day or two.
Quilt for fun.

Weekend Over!!

Wow, I am so glad this weekend is over, I didn't have a bad weekend I just didn't get anything done, that I wanted to. I completed the quilt I said but I need to get busy and get the next one done. I also needed to get the BOM done for the shop and I got the plan made but didn't get the blocks made. I am excited about it, but now I am behind. I feel bad about it though and I need to get it done. I think I may get up in the morning and make at least one or two done, before I go.

It is Raining

Well, I have been out of town for the weekend and then getting caught up on stuff and going out to the new store to help cut fat quarters and get some stuff for the BOM I will be making and teaching. I also got some fabric for the beginning quilting class sample, so I will be busy for the next few weeks getting stuff ready and going out to be there if anyone wants a class. I am also still working on the mans clothes quilts so that will be on going.
I am pretty excited about a new book that we got in called " Not Your Grandmother's Log Cabin" by Sara Nephew & Marci Baker. I got fabric to make one of their wall hangings for the shop and I may end up paying her for this one to bring home after she has had it hanging for a while. I do love the quilts in this book.
Not getting my class written I have been so busy at the machine I seem to not find time at the computer for much more than a quick blog post or twitter and check email. I need to take the time and get that one completed, but it means making a few blocks because I forgot to take pictures while I was making the quilt. I suppose I had better get busy that stuff won't make it self and I want to be making it more than I want to wash dishes and clothes. I have some pictures to share but will have to add them next time I don't have my camera with me today.
We are getting some much needed rain today and I hope it will cool things off a little.
Tennye

Title Angst

Well, I read other blogs and they always have such catchy titles and I find that the hardest part of this blog. I usually don't really know for sure what I will write about when I get started so I guess I need to title it after I write it. There you have it.
So today is the day I have chosen to reveal my mini quilt I have sent out to my swap partner. I do hope she has gotten it already since I did really want it to be a surprise for her. I have not gotten mine from my swap partner yet but I do look forward to it. I did get a lovely package day before yesterday with my final quilt square for my birthday blocks. Added into it was a lovely piece of purple rose fabric. I know I will use for something wonderful for myself for a change. I had thought I would use it for someone else but decided it would be for me today.The lady I got it from was in the process of moving when it was my birthday and hers was just a week later. So we all held her blocks until she got moved and in her new house. Now we all have sent hers to her. I have to get one ready for July, the June one is out already.
The latest quilt I am working on is almost done and I will take the pictures of it and post them with the denim quilt and my new squares the first part of next week. This is the second quilt in the quilt made from a mans cloths. I will be out of town this weekend visiting my Aunt and Uncle. I am sure we will have a good time.
I had a mammogram today and I do hope any one reading this will make sure you get yours done just as soon as you can if it has been a while. The new digital imaging make it so much less painful, so just go get squished. I DID! lol
Well, the weather has been scorching hot and is supposed to continue to be that way. I think I will be inside quilting while it is so hot outside.
Tennye

Woo Hoo!!!

It is finally completed, the denim quilt I have been working on for way too long is finally complete. It is made from a mans jeans who died and his wife asked me to make quilts for his children from his clothes this is the first one that is complete and the next one will be done Mon. at the latest. I will post photos soon as I have not taken them yet.
I get so excited about the quilts I want to make and the things I am planning to make for the quilt store that will be opening in July that I will be teaching at. I am also planning to have a quilt class completed for the black and white quilt to put on line by the end of the month. It will not just be the black and white but it will be a quilt as you go class, so if you have any desire for that kind of class I will give you the web address to go to and take it.
May you all have a wonderful Fathers Day with your spouse and/or your Father.
Tennye

Okay

Lets face it the last few posts I have done were just babble and I am sorry for that I have been sort of sick this week but not really, if that makes any sense at all. I have felt rotten and I have not had any inspiration even though I have completed a couple of thing. I want to post my mini quilt so bad and I sent off a Birthday block this week and I forgot to take a picture of it to post. I am so sorry for that. I usually make two of each so I will have a quilt of the birthday blocks that I have made when the year is over. So when I get mine made tomorrow or next week I will post that picture. I had wanted to post some really great information but I can't remember what it was and that frustrates me to no end. so have a great weekend and I will too. Gotta go to my youngest daughters for her hubby's birthday party tomorrow in another town, so it will be a late night tomorrow.
Tennye

Things I Read

Hello to all, I have been reading some things today in order to stay up to date on the things that I need to know so I can be a good teacher. I found a file I had saved on color and one on thread. I think that as I go on to study I will have some thing to report. I know that just makes everyone happy. LOL
I did find some great ideas for the gifts class I am working. I have a real problem with hanging on to my mp3 player in the gym and I am making a pattern for a holder that I won't hate to use at the gym and can still do all the thing I need to do. I also have some great ideas for other things I know everyone can use, coasters, tissue holders for purse or car. Little gifties to make for the people we love during the holiday's. I know I am glad to be coming up with some really good gifts for my family and friends. I will share my ideas when they are made.
Tennye

Amazing Things

Well, I was looking at a gallery for a quilt site that I belong to the other day and there was a album of quilts from the students and in that album I found some quilts that were called My first quilt and, guess what, they were the same pattern I teach when I teach a beginner. The same pattern I have at the beginning of this blog when I was teaching quilt making. I was surprised by that, not that I have the patent on that pattern heaven knows it is a common one and has been around for a long time maybe even centuries. I was just surprised that I am not the only one who uses it to teach beginning quilting. I guess great minds think alike. LOL
I am so excited about the Yellow Rose I want to post pictures, but I have to wait until I have mailed it so that it will be a surprise for the one who is getting it, in case she has done like I did and checked out the blogs of those who are in the exchange. Well, I need to go to the post office and I really wanted to send a birthday block when I go so I need to get back to work.
Tennye

Class Requested

Well, I have been asked to turn my black and white quilt into a class. It seems that several people are asking for more information on the quilt as you go method that I have used on this quilt and on many others too. I love so many of the parts of the quilting process and yet the reality that it takes so long to complete a quilt for me. I keep wondering if I am slow because I lose focus or because there is something wrong with me. I love to hear about those of you who can start and finish a quilt in a week. Even when I give it my best I don't seem to be able to complete one in a month. What is it that I am doing wrong? I think it is more of a focus issue than that I am really doing something wrong.
Well, on another issue I have the wall hanging almost complete it has to be quilted and then it will go in the mail. I am sorry it will be so close to the due date that means the lovely lady waiting for it will have to wait longer but such is life. I am also working on the plan for the next birthday block to be put in the mail before the 20th. Looking at blocks and deciding tonight which block I will make. I am using this exchange as a way of challenging myself so it will need to be something I don't think I can do. I will post photos as soon as the things are in the mail.
God Bless your day.
Tennye

Yellow Rose of Texas

I am working on a small quilt exchange and I am excited by the idea as well as the quilt I am making. I have titled it Yellow Rose of Texas and I am supposed to keep it quiet as to who it is going to. This is a surprise for the recipient. I won't post any photos of it until I think it has gotten to where it is going. It has a long way to go so that may be some time at the end of the month or the beginning of July. I talked to my daughter today in the email and I may be going to see her this month or at the end of summer. I am not sure which yet. My parents are planning a trip and they want me to go with them so I am going to talk to them about it tonight when we go to dinner together. My cousin's daughter is getting married tomorrow night so my girls are going to the rehersel and the the dinner tonight. Then we will all go to the wedding tomorrow night. I don't look forward to it for the simple reason that I need to dress up and I don't really have anything to dress up in. I bought a suit that I thought I might wear to my daughters wedding reception in Dec. and didn't so I guess I could pull that out and wear it. It has never been worn.
I went to serger club this week and made a pillowcase on the serger. It was fun and the pillow case is too cute. I will take a picture of it and post it soon. My daughter Aften wants it to take on her cruise in Aug. It is a travel related fabric so will make a nice travel case to make sure she doesn't leave her pillow anywhere. Well, back to the sewing room to work on the quilt in question. hahaha
If you believe you can achieve it you can
Tennye

Black and White is finally complete!!!

Yea!!! I am so excited I have finally completed the quilt and now I am sad that I was not able to connect with the girl it was made for. She needed to spend the last few days with her family and we didn't get the chance to meet. I will post the photos for you to see.

Needless to say I will be mailing it to her as soon as she gets there and gets an address for me to mail to. I will most likely want to send her a care package anyway so I look forward to it.
Well, I have started the writing portion of the next two classes that I plan to offer on line at the quilting weekly. I won't know if they are accepted until I offer them and I have to complete them first, so no specifics for any of that except I am working on them.
I have some great designs coming up I will be sharing if I can.
Tennye

Happy Tuesday

Well, it is the day after the Memorial Day holiday here in the States and I have been kind of having a hard time getting back to work. I had to run errands this morning and got home just as my hubby was coming in to go from his business to his job. I had to rush in and get him some lunch and dinner so he could rush out the door as he was running late. Then I made myself some lunch and headed off to the sewing room. Not a very productive time and then I had to take a nap. LOL like any of us ever really has to take a nap. I was freezing though and since it is over 80 degrees out side I am sure I couldn't have been cold. Any way I couldn't find my quilting mojo so I took my book with me to the bedroom and read for a while and then did some relaxation techniques and now I am here writing and then back to the quilting room with out without my mojo.
My youngest daughter and one of her friends came in on Fri. night for the weekend. They all had plans to meet several others on the river for a floating excursion Sat. and maybe even Sun. They got up and both of her sisters with her and her friend plus a car full of others went off to the river. As is turned out the river was not moving very fast and there was a mix up in directions and other stuff. One of the cars full left and came home without floating, the others all did finally meet up and float. Although the float was not a good one. It rained a good part of the day and that wasn't the plan. Needless to say we had wall to wall air mattress's in out living room that night. They put a fire in the fire pit in the back yard and sat around it and pretended they were camping,then came in and slept in the house. We had nine for breakfast Sun. morning. The rain was supposed to continue so one couple left after breakfast for home. The others all went to the movies and then dispersed to their homes as well. I remembered what fun it was when all the girls were home and still in school and we had a house full of kids all the time.
Well, the black and white quilt is still not done, I just can't seem to make myself finish it and I don't know why. I must get it done if it is to leave for Africa in a week or less. So with any luck I will get my mojo back and it will be done. Off I go now to try. Hope you who were celebrating the holiday had a nice one. It is the unofficial beginning of summer here so off we go!!

Interesting browsing

Well, I always start my time in the blog by browsing thru the ones I follow. Today though I decided to go through mine and see what comments have been left that maybe I had missed. From there I went to look at those blogs as I don't know some of you who comment on my blog posts. I was delighted to find pictures from Germany on Aunt Spicy's blog and cute craft and quilts on others. As I have said in the past my oldest daughter lived in Germany while her hubby was stationed there in the US Army. So I had the opportunity to visit them while they were there. I am in love with the country as a whole and the people are so friendly. I will be happy to go back for a visit some day even though my daughter is not there any longer.
Well, I am in hopes of completing that black and white quilt today. I should have finished it last week but I got side tracked with some other stuff and never even saw the sewing room for two days. So I am off to work and thinking about how to teach my granddaughter how to sew through my blog. If you have any suggestions please comment or email me.Tennye

Saturday Quilt Show

Well , I am going to add some other photos today that are from a BOM that I started and never finished. I have found so many of them in the last few weeks that I am getting kind of excited about getting them made. I have committed to completing projects that are already started. I chose to work on the ones that are closest to completion first. I have the ones that are tops and ready to quilt and then we have the ones that are a few blocks from completion. Then I also am still trying to come up with ideas for things I can sell and create an income to replace my income from the job I am no longer working at. So I have a couple of bags that so many of my girls friends have fallen in love with and want me to make for sale. So enjoy the pictures and I am going to a town close by to see the quilt show they have today.
Sorry that some of them are sideways, I am still trying to figure out how to make that not happen.
Tennye

Such Is Life

Oh, my what things that take me away from what I need to do. I have had some rough stuff the last two weeks. MY sweet husband had a Heat Stroke last week and ended up needing me to pick him up from work and take him to the Dr. Needless to say that took most of my day and I got nothing done. I am happy to say he is actually doing what the Dr. told him to do which is out of character for him. I had to fight being angry with him because this is about the third time he has had one of these in less than three years. I guess he is just a man as a friend of mine has told me, and I should forgive him. So I have.
Then before the week was over my daughter had a bout of high blood pressure and then a sudden drop. She went to the Dr. about it and he became very concerned that she might have a tumor on her adrenal gland. You see she is only 26 and it is not only unusual for someone her age to have high blood pressure it is also unusual for that same person to be on medication to control the high blood pressure and it not work. She has all the symptoms of the the tumor. She had to collect urine for 24 hours and then turn it in for a test. All seemed to be okay and then Monday she was sent home from work with high blood pressure, which after she got home took a very sudden and hard fall. So we spent the remainder of the day off the have a sonogram and chest x-ray as well as a visit to the Dr.s office. We still are waiting for the results of the tests to find out what is wrong.
With all of this in my mind and on my heart I find working hard to do and sleeping also eluded me for several days. I have still spent the time I needed to working but for what ever reason I have not accomplished what I should have in that same amount of time. Hey, I got new birthday blocks though so I am going to post them today. Have a good day of quilting even if the times are tough.

Coffee Sleves

Well, I have told you all I am still attempting to make an income so I am showing you some of the coffee sleeves that I have been making and giving away. I also am selling them so I am showing them for that purpose as well. I have also applied to a lovely Coffee company to add their banner to my site. I hope that any of you who might be as avid a coffee drinker as I am will check them out as soon as I am allowed to put their banner up. I think you will like my quilted sleeves too.
Tennye

Finished Quilt

Well, I have been promising to post a photo of the last quilt I completed. It is a scrap quilt that I used many very small scraps in. I hope you like it and if you have any questions let me know.