Preparing for Christmas

Teddy Bear Tea at Four Seasons, Boston was quite the affair.   Two grandmothers, a mother and two little girls.   What a fun day !

Meghan, Ashley and Eileen

Sunday my dear friends and I spent the afternoon at the Concord Museum, Concord, MA - we viewed the Family Christmas Trees and a special antique quilt exhibit.  
http://www.concordmuseum.org/explore/current_exhibitions.html
We then found our way to the Colonial Inn for Afternoon Tea...
Although it poured rain all day, being with friends made the day very relaxing and enjoyable.   http://www.concordscolonialinn.com/


Until noon last Wednesday, I had no idea how or when I would finalize Christmas prep.
From 8AM 'til noon, I sat in the Jury Assembly Room, then a court room with 50 others awaiting consideration.   I was #148.    By noon, 14 jurers were chosen and the rest of us were dismissed.    Off I went to finish my shopping...

Last night was the annual Bernard Christmas party, that we look forward to every year to renew friendships with long-time friends, but very sad because David is no longer with us.    He succumbed December 11, 2010 to injuries sustained on September 11, 2010 outside the World Trade Center.    Nancy carries on, but the toast to David's memory is always the highlight of our evening together.    We love you, Dave.

I'm very excited that my sister, Laurie Kay, is flying in from Texas on Christmas Eve.
We haven't been together for Christmas since December, 1999 and I haven't seen her since June, 2007.   This will be a Christmas to remember...

Have you ever listened to Pandora ?   What an awesome way to get into the spirit !

House is decorated, most gifts wrapped and under the trimmed tree, menu prepared, grocery shopping list is started - now, as Nike says, I have to "Just do it !"

But before I close, to show you I have been working on some little holiday projects, a photo of my worktable...

If I don't post again until after Christmas, it's because I'm busy, busy, busy -
I wish you all a Merry Merry Christmas and a Happy Happy New Year. 
Make memories with those you love, because when all is said and done, that's all we leave behind.

And sew on...

Jeanne

    

Busy, Busy

  Visitors to my blog are nearing the 3000 mark, but I have only 12 registered "Followers" and very few comments.    I'd love to know who's looking at my blog, so don't be shy - become a follower or leave a comment...  it's easy sneezy.

Since I know most of you visit to see my quilty posts, here we go...

In previous posts, I've told you about our new granddaughter, born mid-October.  Well... here's a photo of her quilt,  bound and ready for label and sleeve:

Inspired by Darlene Zimmerman's

"Gingham Flowers"

in her fat quarter small quilts book

DH and I visited 3 antique malls on Black Friday.  Some great bargains to be had !   We were looking for rusty tin canning jar covers, but only found them on the jar at $8 to $30.   Not what we wanted.  DH is my scout and came to me with a handful of tin tart molds.   Perfect !   They became pincushions...

If you're looking for a perfect gift for the stitcher in your life, I would part with one of these for $12.   Feel free to contact me.   I have several more tins to fill and you can choose the fabric color.

Last night was Squanicook Colonial Quilt Guild's (my guild) Holiday meeting - and we had our 1st Annual "Squanicookie Bakeoff."   3 year-old granddaughter, Meghan, and I made Snickerdoodle Squanicookies.   No we didn't win a prize - just making cookies with a little one is prize enough for me...     I did, however, come home with a "cookie buzz" and saw 3:00AM on the clock.   Needless to say, I'm tiod today ! 

As chair of our Guild Challenge, I am so excited to report that we have 35 New England sports team-themed quilts in progress, which will be donated to "Wrapped Up in Sports."   Check out this very worthy cause at http://www.wrappedupinsports.org/ .

All participants were anxious to see what others had accomplished and to move on to the next row or border in this Row and Round Robin project.   To be continued... 

Saturday I am speaking at Breakfast Club at the Quilted Crow Quilt Shoppe, Boxborough, MA, and will be presenting a trunk show of the little quilts I've made for Jo (Morton)'s Little Women' Club #8 and #9.    Breakfast Club is from 9AM-10:30, the cost is $9 and breakfast will be served.   Now, where can you get breakfast AND entertainment for $9 !!!!     Here are just a few of the little quilts:

Time to get crackin' ~  Sun is shining.   Think I'll go for a walk - need the fresh air to help flush the sugar from the system !!!!

And sew on... 

Jeanne





Thanksgiving

I am thankful for my family - my dear husband, my three sons, two daughters-in-law and, it goes without saying, my two granddaughters, Meghan (3) and Ashley (6 weeks) ~

...and my mom, three sisters and their families and my husband's family, most of whom are in cold, snowy Northern Wisconsin.

Our Thanksgiving dinner will be Sunday because the girls' (above) daddy, is a firefighter, and is on duty today.    That's not to say he won't be eating turkey.   The "station" is treated to all the trimmings on holidays.

We, on the other hand, have been invited by dear friends to spend the day with them. 
The guys will watch the Pats game and we "girls" will cook and stitch.
I will take a crab dip appetizer and NY Barb T's German apple pie.  Must get crackin'  

To all my quilty friends and family - Happy Happy Thanksgiving ~

And Sew On...

~ Jeanne

PS - if you're in the area, The Quilted Crow is having their Holiday Open House tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.   Get away from the mall and see you there.



Grandma taught me...

Everyone has someone, who is/was their favorite and has influenced their life.
  
Mine is my maternal grandmother, Emily Edith Davies Knudsen.   
She was a beautiful, loving, kind, talented, strong, extraordinary woman.
   
My memories of her conjur up the scent of tea and cinnamon toast to warm me after skating on a cold winter day, cookies and milk at my bedside (just in case I might get hungry in the night), handknit mittens and a dollar bill tied in a bow with the crochet string, Friday nights watching Perry Mason, the projects she taught my Girl Scout troop, roast chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, the little wooden apples with carved tea set inside, shrimp salad and ice tea parties on the screen porch, picking ripe plums from the trees in her back yard, all the handiwork techniques she taught me and my sisters...   I could go on and on and on.
    
My time with Grandma was the very best ever.   A true lady.   She passed away 40 years ago and I miss her every day.

When I saw Jo Morton's "Sisters" quilt and, especially, how one of the "Stitchers"  used an old photo of a relative, I knew I would make this quilt with Grandma's photo.
It's now finished (except for the label) and I just HAD to share it with you.   

The photo is one of three, circa 1916, taken just before Grandma and Grampa were married.    They, actually, eloped on New Year's Eve, so I'm not really sure what year they were married.    And they kept their marriage a secret, because she was a teacher and back then teachers could not be married.   She needed to keep her job, as Grampa was headed to France - he was a train man, actually, a brakeman, and was invaluable on the WW1 troop trains.

     

The little quilt, aptly named "Grandma" is sitting, proudly, on Grampa Knudsen's writing desk in front of Grandma's acrylic chalk drawing of tiger lilys...     The quilt stand is made of wrought iron and the little quilt fits it perfectly. 

And sew on...

Jeanne

   

Tootin' My Own Horn

This past week was A Quilters' Gathering 22nd show in Nashua, NH and two of my quilts were juried in !   Yes, I'm just a little proud.     Here are photos of the hanging quilts:


This is "Star Promise."    At first sight, these fabrics took my breath away.  Of course I had to purchase the whole line in a fat quarter tower to tuck away in my fabric resource center.   Then... when choosing fabrics for Deb Tucker's "Shadow Stars" workshop, sponsored by my guild, these were my first choice.   Birds, holy & berries, oak leaves and acorns create the image of both Fall and Winter, when shadows lengthen; but the softer color tones promise return of the longer, warmer, sunny days of Spring and Summer.   Thus, the name "Star Promise."     My friend, Melissa Heys, of The Completed Quilt, quilted this piece on her long-arm machine.



This smaller quilt is inspired by Jo Morton's, "Holiday Inn" pattern, which she named for a favorite movie.   Jo coaches us, when using her patterns, to make the quilt our own.  This I did, using Jo's fabrics exclusively, on the top, and adjusting a couple borders to suit my "Type A" personality.  I call it "Parker House" in honor of a memorable one-night stay at the famous Boston hotel of the same name, where everything was perfect.    Again, Melissa Heys long-arm quilted this piece.

No ribbons, but I did get some very positive comments and feedback from viewers.

The variety of quilts exhibited was amazing and the special "Amish Quilts - Amish Culture" exhibit of quilts and memorabilia from the Collection of Dorothy Bosselman was exquisite.

Of course, I enjoyed browsing and purchasing in the vendor malls...   not that I don't have enough projects, patterns, books, tools, fabric right here in my "resource center"  !!!

And Sew On...

Jeanne

  

Light's Out !

It's an overcast, gray, misty day and I'd hoped to spend some of it working on The Baby Quilt , but my overhead full-spectrum light, in my sewing room, decided to flicker and fade to black !    Good thing I have two table and one floor Ott lamps !   Hopefully, those will do until DL can replace bulbs ...

Yesterday I taught my first class - Beginner Hand-Piecing.   Three students registered for the class, but one called-in sick.   As it was, two was fine and we had a great time.   Working with Donna Lynn Thomas' Portable Patchwork book, I shared  template preparation, straight and curved seams and intersection stitching.    Since there were only two students, I was able to stitch right along with them.   Here's a photo of my little 5 1/4" block...

After dinner, I prepared more fabric pieces to continue the project...

Always nice to have a take-along project.    This time of the year, I find it motivating to work with Holiday fabrics, this being North Woods Botanical by Holly Taylor for Moda. I bought several charm packs when I was in Lancaster County last year, so have plenty to finish this project.  

Our son, his wife and their two daughters (the baby, being only a week old) will visit today for Sunday dinner... Corinne's ribs, roasted potatoes, veggie, and some kind of apple dessert.    Best I get crackin' !!!

And Sew On...

Jeanne

     

Life Afirming Weekend

DL and I, with friends, Rick and Chrys, spent the past weekend on Nantucket. 
 
Our Hy-Line "fast ferry" ride over was cancelled due to high winds, but we caught the Steamship Authority "car ferry" as walk-ons.   The 2 1/2 hour ride was treacherous, to say the least - so many passengers got sick.  lucky for me I didn't.    Mayflower passengers sure must've been hearty folk !    Needless to say, we will pay attention to Hy-Line, respect their decisions and won't do that again.

The guys golfed Saturday in the high winds, but loved it.   Us, gals, walked, enjoyed the sun and did our own thing.   

The first cell phone call, from the mainland, came about 10AM from our son, announcing that our 2nd granddaughter was about to make her debut.   By 5PM, she had arrived.    Ashley Karen Lex, weighed in at 6#2oz, 19" long, with dark, dark hair and eyes - absolutely perfect.   Her mom, dad and big sister could not have been happier.    I sure wish I'd been there.

   

Sunday was beautiful - the four of us walked, explored the island a bit and had a picnic lunch by Sankaty Light House.
               

Luckily, the winds had died down and our return "fast ferry" ride was uneventful.

Monday, I met Ashley for the first time.   She is beautiful.   I am so proud of my son and his wife.   They are just the best parents ever !!!    Meghan, our 3-year-old granddaughter, spent the better part of the day with me - preparing dinner and baking cookies for her mom and dad.   Delivering to the new family at home that afternoon was a delight.   Nothing like a new baby to confirm the goodness of life.

Yesterday was work, work day.    Always something to do on the computer for work.
Full retirement will be so welcome.

Today I MUST get back to the baby quilt.   Here it is on the design wall...

Progress report to follow.

But first a trip to The Quilted Crow, to pick up supplies for Hand-Piecing class on Saturday...    Never a dull moment.

And sew on...

Jeanne





A Challenge to New England Quilters

Each year my quilt guild, the Squanicook Colonial Quilt Guild, aka the Squanicookies, has a Challenge.   Members are given a set of rules and then produce quilts in accordance with those rules, which are revealed during the last meeting of the year.   Members vote for their favorite and a Viewer's Choice prize is awarded.

This year, I am the Challenge Committee Chairperson and have challenged SCQG to create 48 quilts for "Wrapped Up in Sports" a charity, that donates New England sports team-themed quilts to children with medical, social and mental-health needs.    The good people at "Wrapped Up in Sports"  feel, "Every child deserves to have their spirits lifted, not only on game day, but everyday."

You may log on to  http://www.wrappedupinsports.org/ for more information or if you wish to make a quilt for this worthy organization, see below:

  And Sew On...
         ~ Jeanne

Progress not unlike Goldilocks

Went back to the baby quilt drawing board this morning... 

3" Tri-Rec Pinwheels are too small !

7" Tri-Rec Pinwheels are too big !

4" Tri-Rec Pin Wheels are "Just Right"   !!!

And Sew On...

Jeanne

Works in Progress

Here are a few photos of my worktable:

Wild Rose from Marti Mitchell and Maywood

Tri Recs - first time I've tried this technique to make pinwheels

First pinwheel set completed

Can you guess what I'm working on ?       hmmmmm - sure doesn't look like a Fall inspired project, does it ?   

Could it be ?     hmmmmm - a, a, a baby quilt ?    

A B S O L U T E L Y  !   And another baby girl at that.    Our son and his wife are presenting us with another granddaughter,  due in November...    Their 3-year-old daughter, Sweetie Pie Pie (that's what I call her and she, actually, answers to) aka "Big Sister," will be a hands-on participant. 

More photos w/b posted as the quilt progresses, so stay tuned...


Being a typical quilter (whatever that is), I have several projects in progress at all times.   My week with friend and Featherweight on Cape Cod (see a previous post), produced Organized Chaos, the quilt top shown below, ready for quilting:

I always have a hand-stitching project to work on while watching a movie or one of my favorite TV programs.    In April, I was fortunate to find a jelly roll of Civil War Homefront by Barbara Brackman for Moda at 1/2 price.   And at the same time, I became hooked on Hexies !   Here is a photo of my hexie project in "my" chair:

Before I start sewing today, the outdoors beckons.    Wouldn't you want to go for a walk too, if it'd been raining for the past two days and the view from your front door looked like this?

And sew on...
       Jeanne

September Jo's Little Women Club

Thursday was our final meeting of Club #9.    Here are Show and Tell photos:

Beth finished her name badge

Beth's Bittersweet Stars beginning blocks

Carol's Autumn Crossing

Carol's Daffodil Hill - so pleasing to the eye

Carol's Sisters - a very sweet little quilt

What a cute Halloween project ! Nice job Donna and Beth

Kathy's Bittersweet Stars

Maggie's Autumn Crossing



Maggie's Bittersweet Stars



Maggie's Daffodil Hill

Maggie's Sisters

Maggie's Keystone Medallion

Life got in the way this month for Pauline, but she has a good start on her name badge.
It's ready for hand-quilting.





Susan's hand-embroidery for the center of her Sisters quilt is impeccable. 

Great job, Susan.





Beth and her newly published Christmas stocking and pin cushion pattern,
available, exclusively, at The Quilted Crow, Boxborough, MA.



Jeanne's Keystone Medallion

Look !   It's a Jo To Go Cup Cozy !
This month's special project.

I just have to say, it's been so much fun moderating Jo's Little Women Club at The Quilted Crow this year.    I've met some really great quilters and have made so many new friends.   Thank you, Jo members, and thanks to Sue and Donna.   

If you have any interest in becoming a member of Jo's Little Women Club at The Quilted Crow, Boxborough, MA, we do plan to resume meetings with Club #10 in January, 2011.   Contact The Quilted Crow @ 978-266-9102, keep an eye on this blog, on The Quilted Crow's website http://www.thequiltedcrow.com/ for further information.   Friending The Quilted Crow and/or me on Facebook (use Jeanne Moritz Lex to search for me) is another way for up-to-date information...   Be sure to let us know you are interested in Jo's Little Women Club when you send a friend request...   Technology, isn't it great ? ! ?

Until my next post...        

                                                                  And sew on...

                                                                    ~ Jeanne

                                                     



Wellfleet 2010

A week away from home with a friend with like interests is amazingly refreshing.   I just returned from a week on Cape Cod with Janice.     We took our Featherweights, our supplies, our fabric, our tools and spent our days sewing, walking, talking, shopping, sightseeing, laughing, and eating whatever and whenever we wanted.   No internet, no email, no computer.   Yes, cell phones and cable TV, but no computer !    And... I completed a quilt top and got a good start on another !     Thought you might enjoy some photos of our week...


Coast Guard Station, Race Point, Provincetown, MA

Sand, Snow Fences, Race Point, Provincetown, MA



Old Harbor Life Saving Station, Race Point, Provincetown, MA

Wellfleet Harbor from Mayo Beach, Wellfleet, MA

Uncle Tim's Bridge over Duck Creek, Wellfleet, MA



Wellfleet Harbor from Duck Creek, Wellfleet, MA



You cannot help but smile at this Bronze.  Kendall Gallery, Wellfleet, MA

We had a great week, but Dorothy said it all... "There's no place like home."

And sew on...

Jeanne