New Happenings

I have lots going on.  I am taking the Mark Lipinski class tomorrow at the Quilt Expo, but unfortunately for us students, Mark will not be teaching.  He was upgraded on the kidney transplant list and can't travel.  Class is still on with a substitute, so I am not as excited, but I am sure I will love the class.

I changed jobs at the company I work for.  I was a purchasing solutions "business expert" for the whole NA region, been doing purchasing support for about eight years.  I have now moved to a new function, Integrated Planning - as their Key User, the support for our external operations area.  I have lots to learn, as I know very little about planning, the work processes, and how the system works.  I have about a month or so to get onboard, but a good six months of learnings.

I made a sewing notions pocket hanger for my class tomorrow.  One that you have the flap of pockets hanging down in front of you, with the sewing machine holding it in place.....just took some denim and flipped, sewed, stitched in pockets, and put binding on the sides.  I took pics and am writing a tutorial and will be the first I put on the blog.  Hoping to get it done and posted by Sunday.....so come back to check it out.

Tina

Visit Stash Manicure !

I will have a post on Stash Manicure blogspot on Tuesday (tomorrow)!  Go take a look.....

My Designing Beginnings....

I am working on a concept of designing a series of quilts with a specific type of theme.  Cupboards or Cabinets.  Still working on it..

I have taken an idea in a old magazine - a jar quilt, that I had worked on several years ago - got it out a month or so ago - and added additional features.  It is quite large.....about 36" x 45" and over sized for the idea I have.  I am thinking of designing a series of "cupboards" about 21 x 29.  Like collections of teacups, cars, thimbles, etc, with options for pieced blocks or applique blocks.

Here are some pics of the Pantry Cupboard quilt - not done yet.....I have 3-D aspects to this one.  The jars are pieced blocks of veggies, bin of applique corn, Texture Magic basket of melons, Burlap bag of potatoes, and a fabric picture of an old cookbook.  The tea towels are sewn into the seam and hang free - these were in my maternal grandmother's box of linens that she hand embroidered.  I plan some thread painting to give dimension to the veggies and stuff the burlap bag.  More to come on finishing this.

Let me know your thoughts on this idea.....I am hoping it will seem appealing to quilters.

Quilt Activities!

I thought I would tell everyone my first two activities back in the quilting world....
I am scheduled to be a poster on the Stash Manicure blog on the feature for August of quilting from the Past.  I plan to post info and a pic on my grandmother's quilting.  Click on the link to the right, and visit the blog.  Rae Ann has such a great concept for this blog, and I have enjoyed following along.

I will be attending the QSC Expo here in the Cincinnati area in September....AND.....taking a class from Mark Lipinski.  That should be very fun!

How do I start......

I have been gone for a long time......I have followed along with many of the blogs I follow, reading and sharing in their activities, but not blogging myself. I am on a new venture to update my blog, get back into this, and make more friends! I hope my old friends are out there as well.

Bullets on updates since my last post:

• Diabetes in somewhat in control - I was doing very well in the Feb-April time frame, but has slipped a bit, but managing.
• I had a hysterectomy in March due to fibroids, so not life-threatening, but very much needed and relieved alot of issues I was having.
• Grandsons doing awesome - GS1 played t-ball this summer, such a good team player and has begun football practices with his first game this Saturday...so fun to watch, and will be starting kindergarden in September. GS2 has hit the terrible 2s - no worse than his big brother, but definitely a character and his own personality for sure!
• DS and DIL expecting their first baby in December. They have decided not to find out what they are having - but we have all decided it's a girl, and I am buying and making John Deere pink stuff......and lots of green too!
• DD is attending online college classes....a big deal with two boys and a part-time job....but she is dedicated. I went to school and graduated when my two were preschoolers too, so I know it can be done and she is doing very well.
• DH and DS are working for themselves this year - They have a landscaping and construction business - residential concrete work is keeping them very busy. They also are truck farming as they have for the last 20+ years.
• I have opted out of being a Texture Magic Rep. I just couldn't do the commitment needed with my full-time job I have. My job can be very demanding, and I like my time with the grandbabies and my sewing room.
• I have joined the Ohio Valley Quilters Guild in Cincinnati and have been attending those meetings. I have joined some quilt designer groups on Yahoo, and have some design ideas in the works (in my head and on paper only) and get wonderful info from these groups. It's amazing how quilters and crafters are willing to share and help others!

I have updated alot! I will now be very regular in posting and hoping to renew and expand friendships.

Back, again

I've been gone awhile again. My quest to deal with diabetes is going well. My glucose numbers are better, not perfect, but better. I continue to work on healthier eating and increasing exercise. A big surprise was getting Wii and Fit Plus for Christmas from DH via DD's help. It really helps motivate the exercising for me. I wanted this, but didn't expect it!

The grandsons are doing wonderful....they each have such fun (and mischievous) personalities, yet so different! Bradley is doing awesome in preschool and his speech program...he will be more than ready for kindergarten next school year. Jacob is a "normal" almost two year old. He mimics play and loves to read with anyone, and also, as his big brother, his fave person is his grandpa...As I like to say, "They're favorite thing at Grandma's house is Grandpa."

All the kids are great. I am very lucky to have a DD and DS that are great, and wonderful SIL and DIL too. We do alot with them and the in-law families. Our little family is so much bigger with them!

Both our parents are well, they have their medical issues, but doing well. My parents (finally!) have an email account, so I can send pics better all the way out there in Calif.

I am working alot....lots of projects since our corporation is buying up other small companies. Alot of my job is implementing these new companies into our purchasing systems, and training all the new users. I do this across all of North America, thank goodness, with so much technical wonders, I can do most right from Cincinnati, instead of traveling.

I have been a bit lax on my Texture Magic endeavor, but getting ready to ramp up again, and get out there to make sales. I love working with TM and introducing it to sewers and quilters.

DH is spending lots of time getting ready the greenhouses and plans for farming again. He is still only do this part-time, I will NOT let him open a produce market again.....and doing his concrete finishing work for a few companies and himself as they/he find jobs.

Hopefully, I'll be better at blogging.....I am still reading several each week and trying to keep up with news with blogging friends!