Author: Wild Rose Quilter

I’m a simple woman…at least that what my DH (Dear Husband) used to say about me…I was a wife, I am now a widow, mother, step-mother & step-grandmother, quilter, and have a full time job in criminal justice. I lost my DH on May 22nd, 2011. I live in a small town in Texas. I love piecing quilts, I love quilting quilts. I have a serious addiction to fabric. I’ve been quilting since 1998, and purchased my first longarm, a Gammill Premier, in 2004. I upgraded to an A-1 Elite, named Corky, in March, 2007. I am in the process of rebuilding my life after losing my spouse. All photos and content in this blog are my own, and I request that you not download, copy or otherwise use anything here without my permission. I hope you enjoy visiting my blog and would love to hear your comments. Thanks for stopping by!
family · longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilting · quilts · stash busting

Sunday Reporting

Wild Rose Quilter9 Comments

No new stash usage to report.  No new stash bought.  I was hoping to have the pillow shams finished today, but I didn’t manage to get that accomplished.  I do have the tops quilted and cut out.  Just didn’t have enough steam today to do the backs.

I’ve been playing with the block layouts for my dad’s log cabin quilt.  I am emailing him pics, as I lay them out.  So far, we both like the barn raising layout better than anything else I’ve tried, including the windmill layout I had planned on using.  It just wasn’t doing it for me.  The “windmills” kind of got lost.  I am proud to report that as I was piecing the blocks, I went ahead and cut the scraps into 2.5 inch strips or squares, for a future leaders/enders project in blues & creams. 

I’m trying to keep up with the scraps as I go from now on. I am still trying to get the sack full I already had cut into strips & squares.  I did get more bricks and squares cut from that sack this week, to use in the Oklahoma Backroads quilt.

In non-quilting related news, my son won 1st place in his age division in the Jim Hitch Memorial golf tournament, in Guymon, Ok.  He played in it Friday and Saturday.  I thought the wind was going to blow us completely away yesterday.  My face was just gritty feeling from the dirt.  Yuk.  This is his 2nd year in a row to win first in his group.  If he plays all four years of his high school term, and has the lowest cumulative score of all the boys his age that played all four years, he will win the four year trophy, also.  It’s a very nice tournament and we really enjoy it. 

 

daily life · quilting

So What is Up With This?

Wild Rose Quilter7 Comments

This morning, when I visited my blog homepage, I was logged out, so I click on the “log in” link in my sidebar.  My Norton internet security pops up with a big red X telling me that this page is blocked for my protection.  If I know the page is safe, I can click on the link “to visit the page anyway”.  So I do, so that I can fill in my log-in info.  Boom, it pops up again.  It will not let me log into my blog from the “log-in” page, no way, no how, no sir.  I can view my blog, but I can’t get logged on as the owner.  So I click on the WordPress.com homepage link, and use the sign in box on it, and voila! I’m in.  What’s the deal?? Anyone have a clue? Norton said something about phishing protection.  Have the evil forces taken over the wordpress log-in page? Or has my Norton gone overprotective psycho all of a sudden?  Sheesh…I hate complications like this.  I’m just glad I’m on for now.

In other news, my son played in one of his summer golf tournaments yesterday, and finally seems to have his mojo back.  He won 1st place with a score of one under par.  Yippee!  Today & tomorrow he plays in another…hoping he does well in it, also.

I have managed this week to squeeze in a bit of quilting in one form or another, every day.  Even if it was just cutting up more scraps into 2.5 inch strips or squares or bricks for my leaders/enders projects.  My disposition has been so much better since I’ve been able to lay my hands on pretty fabric on a regular basis this last couple of weeks.  It really is good medicine for my soul. 

Gotta head off to work.  Hope I’ll be able to stay logged in.  Have a happy Friday!

longarm quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts · sewing · stash busting

Sunday Report (actual quilt content!)

Wild Rose Quilter9 Comments

Yes! I have a good stash report this week.

I busted 2/3 yd making the binding for this quilt that has been waiting to be bound for almost two years.  I love this quilt and it will feel so good to finish it!

I pulled 6 yds out to make two king pillow shams for my cousin, to go with the quilt she commissioned last year.  I wanted to quilt them, and I’ve never done shams before, so I might have used a little for than necessary to cut the sham tops from, but better a little extra leftover than short.  I used 3 yds on top, and 3 yds of a plain cream fabric for the lining.  Then, when I get this quilted and ready to finish, I will use more of the top fabric for the backings. 

I used another yard on my light version 9P & stripe, adding the first inner border.  I should have pressed it before taking the pic, but oh well.

I busted the most on these log cabin blocks.  The quilt will be a queen…8 &2/3 yds. so far!  I think I want to use the “windmill” layout, but I will have to play with them some more before I make up my mind completely.

And I’m starting to see some significant progress in my leaders/enders project from Bonnie Hunter’s site.  I have 60 of my 100 four patches done, for the Oklahoma Backroads quilt I am making as a surprise for my Mom.

Total stash busted this week is 16 yards, if I did the math right.  I need to avoid those “thirds”.  So for the year, I’m still in the hole -17.75 yds.  But I’m getting closer to a positive number! I haven’t even been tempted to buy any new stash!

My body stash busting…not so good still.  Especially not since I made that Pineapple Crack Delight that Freda posted.  Thanks a lot, Freda!  🙂  Sunday weigh-in was 145.  Really, really got get that going back in the right direction!

Have a great week!

quilting · toads

Good Saturday

Wild Rose Quilter2 Comments

Let’s see…I did a minimal amount of housework this morning…then I started piddling around with some quilting projects.  I’ve been a project hopper today…hopping between three different projects.  I got some fabric washed and loaded for some pillow shams for my cousin, but somehow just couldn’t get in the mood to do the quilting.  Felt more like piecing.  I’ve gotten the first border added to the lighter version of my 9P & stripe quilts, and I’ve made really good progress on the log cabin blocks the last few days.  At least I will have some stash busting to report tomorrow.

Speaking of hopping…I wasted a lot of time today being distracted by these guys.  This is the little one…apparently these flower pot bottoms make perfect mini-ponds.  “Awwww…this is the life”, he says.

This is the BIG toad.

And the little one says, “Sure, go ahead…take a dip in my pond”.

And then we found this guy…look at those legs…this one can JUMP! Really far…He is about the same size as that big toad.  I guess he is some kind of frog…???

Hope your weekend is hopping along nicely, too!

daily life · quilt top · quilting · quilts

Blog, blog, blog…

Wild Rose Quilter8 Comments

First, thanks to those who sent comments of concern & encouragement.  I am feeling better.  Man, I sure do hate to waste a whole three day weekend, though.  But, this week on my lunch breaks, and after work, I’ve managed to do some sewing on Daddy’s log cabin quilt.  I’m likin’ it….

A little more fun from around the yard…look at this eenstie teenstie weentsie mushroom I found growing on my Russian Olive tree…there are several of these.

Some tiny insect eggs on the same tree.

Praying mantis egg, same tree

An older praying mantis egg.

Don’t know what this is…It looks like hair from the cat, but it looks as if something has formed it into this perfect little sphere.

I just love this old tree.  The bark is so beautiful…what great texture…and it’s full of all kinds of hidden little surprises when you take the time to look.

And a beautiful thunderstorm.

TGIF!!!

daily life · quilting

Crash & Burn

Wild Rose Quilter9 Comments

First, on this Memorial Day holiday, I want to take a moment to share my appreciation for all the men & women, past & present, that serve or have served our country to give the rest of us the freedoms that we have.  Many have paid the ultimate price.  And to their families, for the sacrifices that they have to make.  We would have none of this were it not for you.  Thank you.  You have my undying respect and appreciation.

I know I promised to be back on track with my Sunday reporting this weekend.  Honestly, I am out of spoons this weekend.  It’s been a stressful couple of weeks around here, and it finally caught up with me.  My body said STOP! So I am not getting anything done this weekend that I had hoped. 

I’ll be back on track soon.

quilting

Quilty Goings On & Gardening Report

Wild Rose Quilter9 Comments

What a crazy week, but I’ve managed to steal a few moments for a quick blog.  I missed the Sunday report, but should be back on track with that this weekend.  I quilted a charity top for the local guild this past weekend.  It will go to a ranch in Colorado that is being used as a rehab type facility for wounded soldiers. 

I have started another quilt top…this one for my Dad.  It will be a queen size…..drum roll please….log cabin.  Yes, another log cabin.  I don’t know if I will ever get tired of log cabin quilts.  Every one is so different from the last.

There are now four tiny eggs in the swallow nest, above my front door.  I have to stick a mirror up there to even see into the nest.  My patio tomatoes are looking good.

My little grape tomatoes are doing well, also, and even sporting some tiny fruits.

Cherry tomatoes…these were really sickly looking, and I gave them some Miracle Grow, and they perked right up.  They were even mostly yellowing, and now nice & green.

A couple caterpillars on my parsley.  These are the cats that turn into swallowtail butterflies.

My other garden space, which looks like it’s mostly mud & bindweed right now, but if you look close, you’ll see my Mucho Nacho jalepeno plants.  I hope these guys give me a good crop this year. 

And two more cherry tomatoes.

I planted some sweet corn in there, too, and am hoping to see it popping up soon.  This weekend, I will have to pull more bindweed.  Hate that stuff.

My dill & parsley is all doing well.  I plant both of these mainly for the caterpillars. 🙂

And my cilantro is up & growing great, as always.

I planted some small zinnias in the pot with my celosia and it is popping up.

These are another variety of iris, from my backyard.

And a couple pics of my sweet Libby girl, enjoying a nice day in the grass.  She & I have been walking together, as we both need to shed those extra pounds.

Well, not the most interesting post, but I figure it’s better than coming to visit and seeing the same thing you’ve seen since Saturday…lol.  Hope the rest of your week is wonderful.

 

daily life · longarm quilting · quilting

A Week of Ups & Downs

Wild Rose Quilter8 Comments

First the ups…I posted about my Mother’s Day gift certificate from my son.  My DH also gave me a card with a bit of cash tucked inside, and told me to have fun spending it.  Oh, and the card whistles when you open it.  My purchase arrived yesterday.  I am starting to mull over quilting ideas for my Storm at Sea top, and my selection of Rainbows thread is seriously lacking…almost nonexisant.  It now has a bit more variety. 🙂

Sunday evening, my youngest stepdaughter called to wish me happy Mother’s Day.  That was a very nice and most welcome surprise.

Monday, a card arrived from my oldest stepdaughter and her family.  This card sings Tina Turner’s “You’re Simply the Best”.  That brought a smile to my heart.  And today, DS surprised me with some flowers, which I would have thought had something to do with him getting in trouble over his grades this week, (one of the downs of the week)  except he had it planned before that happened, and my husband could vouch for that.

Another up, was that I finished the commissioned quilt I’ve been working on, and my customers were very happy.  No pics, it’s a graduation surprise for the recipient.

Another downer is that I have to make another trip for that criminal trial, and it’s next week.  It’s bad timing, as I already had a full load on my plate next week, but I’m also ready to get it over with.  So, added to the other stuff I had going on next week, means that I will be on the road, traveling somewhere, everyday next week, except for Tuesday.  I’m ready for it to be next Saturday already.  Then it will be in my rearview mirror. 

I saw my massage therapist today.  She usually doesn’t work on Saturday, but she had to rearrange her schedule this week.  She is wonderful, and I really feel better after a session. 

The NASCAR Allstar race is now on, and already two cautions.  Guess I’ll close this up and go watch!

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilting · quilts · sewing · stash busting

Happy Mother’s Day & Sunday Reporting

Wild Rose Quilter13 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms reading.  Hope your day is wonderful.  I enjoyed celebrating with my Mom & family yesterday.  DS (with some help from my Mom) gave me a gift certificate to Sand’s Fabrics in Pampa, one of my favorite shops.  Everyone there is so nice.  I did not buy any fabric with my certificate, but another Eleanor book I have been wanting.  And, I bought myself one of the Fons & Porter marking pencils.  I tested it on a scrap last night and I think I am really gonna like this marking pencil.

I quilted up four more yards of fleece fabric this week, so that moves out of my stash! Yippee!  I have several more yards of fleece in my fabric closet and it takes up a lot of space.

I share some flowers from my front yard with you for Mother’s Day!

daily life · quilting

Just Popping In For Minute

Wild Rose Quilter3 Comments

Not much time for a substantial blog today.  Thanks for all the good thoughts  about my trip.  I will say it wasn’t a pleasant trip, and it was a huge waste of time.  The hotel the DA’s office recommended was, let’s just say, a little “rough”.  Glad my husband went with me.  And glad there was a Family Dollar store still open so we could purchase a couple of clean blankets to sleep under.  The criminal defendant that I was testifying against, did not even show up.  Yea.  Very aggravating.  Probably means I’ll be making the trip all over again in the near future.  Damn.  If I do, I will not stay there again, but will stop in Lubbock, which is only a little over an hour from there, and just get up earlier so I can get to court on time. 

And have you all noticed the new little avatars that WordPress is using for those that don’t have their own avatars?  They look like quilt blocks! How cool is that?! 

I think today my family and I will go to Pampa and spend the day with my parents.  We will celebrate Mother’s Day a day early.  Have a great Saturday!