sam c.hart mom

New place for the quilt progress

2012-01-26T21:30:00.000-08:00

I got a new phone for Christmas. It is so much easier to post pictures and Facebook, that I have not updated the blog for awhile. The quilt on the blog might be a thing of the past. Here are a couple of pictures of the current progress as of today January 26, 2012.

This stripe on the edge of the picture is at the edge of the second half of the quilt. I only have to finish up some squares on each side. Then do one more row and the half that is on the board and the quilting of this one is done. Then only binding and it is ready to send. Hope to finish soon.

Family came for Christmas 2011

2012-01-11T12:03:00.000-08:00

The first to arrive were Marjorie and James. They got here about 6 pm Thursday night, December 22. Marjorie had worked early the day before. James picked her up after work and they drove to St, George that night. They got there about 9:15 pm.

Curtis and Christine flew in to Ontario that same night about 11 pm. Hardings picked them up at the airport and took them home. They stayed there for this visit. Christine was only here for basically the weekend. She has just started a new job and had to go back to work. Curtis stayed there most of the rest of his visit.

This is the latest picture I have of Chrsitine. I was very sad to see, when all was said and done, I didn't have a picture of her this trip. I promise to do better next time.We had a wonderful day Friday. Jeff and James went up into the back country and did some shooting and 4-wheeling. Marjorie and I went to get James a Christmas present. We went to the new Deseret Book in Santa Ana. We looked and looked and couldn't decide on of anything. Then Marjorie remembered that they had Kindles on sale at Staples. That was the perfect thing. We went to a close one. They were out of them. So they called the one down in Foothill and they had one. so we go it later.

Saturday I was up early. I had to make rolls and banana bread before we went to get Harts at the airport about 11:30 am. I started on the banana bread first and then the rolls. I got them done enough that Marjorie could cook them for me while I ran to the Apple store for 1 last important present and then stop at Costco for some big groceries that would be needed. It all came together perfectly. I got the perfect parking spots and the stars alined so I got it all done and was ready to go get Harts. Marjorie and James got their stuff out in the car to move to the HOtel close to home. We just didn't have room for all those people. They could have their own little family place and be close enough to be with us too.

The flight that Harts came in on was early. WE didn't quite make it before it meet them at the baggage claim. So when we got there Jeff dropped me off and I ran in to meet them while we waited for their luggage. Jeff just circled the airport a couple of times and we went to the curb for pickup.

On the way back home, Martin was going crazy with all the cars he was seeing on the freeway. I didn't even think of that as something he would enjoy. I needed to get ready for the dinner at Hardings with the towel gifts and I had to make the bed with the clean sheets and set up Teh room for Martin by taking down my quilting frame and putting it at the end of the room. Jeff and Martin went for a ride down PCH to the beach and the pier They met us at the Hardings for a lovely Christmas Eve dinner.

Christmas Day was quiet. Jeff and I got up and went to church. We missed seeing Marjorie and James as they cam in so they sat at the back. We got to talk to a few people after church. We came home and everybody did their own thing. Grandma painted with watercolors. Marjorie worked on the book of Remembrance project she is doing for Jeffrey. James looked up things he could get for his new Kindle. Jeff and Martin watched the new Star Trek movie. I worked on the food for the BBQ. I didn't get the rest of the groceries so we were out of briquettes to the BBQ Curtis came in and saved the day with his INO cooking skill and did the burgers on the electric grill. After dinner we did presents and then had a game of Pit and Uno. It was a great Christmas

Monday we went to the beach at Doheny State beach. We made a wood fire and cooked hot dogs and the kids roasted marshmallows. the weather was great. Marjorie heard a song on the country station that said "all I want for Christmas is a real good tan" here was our chance. We opted for the hotdogs instead.

Jeffrey cooking hot dogs. We could not have asked for more beautiful weather for this whole visit. It felt like summer the whole week. Temperatures were in the 75 to 80 range.
We took this picture before the boys headed off the the back country up by Frazier Park for some shooting and 4 wheeling.
Betty and I went and scouted out a quilt place i had heard about called Piecemakers. It was amazing. It has patterns and fabrics and supplies for any kind of soft craft you would want to do. They even have a little kitchen and tea room where you can have lunch family style, all-you-can-eat for $5. That is where we had lunch that day. Betty really liked this place.

After we ere done there, we rode down PCH to the little flower shop we found on Betty's trip in October. We had a nice visit with Maggie and got some shells and flowers. she makes the cutest little folded boxes.

Thursday, we went to the San Diego Zoo. There were a million people but we were lucky enough to get a parking lace in the lot not on the street. We rode around the zoo on the bus and then went down to the big cats for Martin and Jeff to take pictures.

We took this quick picture on the way out.

Friday WE took Martin and Grandma to Orange County Airport. Then I cam home and changed the sheets and got the quilt back up to start working on it. The Bowl game that BYU was playing in was on TV. I sat down worked while I watched the game. It was an exciting end.in the last 11 seconds. BYU won.

Curtis and Kenny came in the afternoon.They went up to the upper field to run and play in an effort to wear Kenny out. Saturday they were going home and Kenny would be in his carrier for a long time. They ran and played. There was another man up there with his dogs. Kenny is a very social dog.

We had to go to the airport very early on Saturday morning. Curtis stopped just before we went into the terminal and picked up Kenny. The minute you walk in, it is no longer early in the morning. I could see Kenny shivering. It was so good that Curtis was holding him. It was New Years Eve morning. There were a million people the in lines. We Got through the line in about 15 minutes.

By the time we got to the security line, Kenny was comfortable enough to get down and stand on his back feet to look over the ledge down into the baggage claim area. We are sorry for all the trouble they had getting home on their flight that day.

We are so glad for all the company we had during the Christmas holiday in 2011. Wishing a Happy and Prosperous new Year for all of us.

Christmas tie

2011-12-27T20:22:00.000-08:00

This is the most appropriate Christmas tie there is.
On our way to church Christmas morning.

The last roll of the first side

2011-12-13T08:03:00.001-08:00

I am so excited to see the batting and back at this end of the quilt. It has been a long time coming. Although, I must admit I have not spent as much time working on it as I such on a consistent basis. I hope is that I can do the half of all the squares across the edge before the Christmas company arrives.This year Southern California is the destination of most of the Hart - Webb family. curtis and Christine come in on Thursday December 22. Marjorie and James will drive if the weather allows. They will get here on the 22nd also. Grandma and Martin are coming Christmas Eve for the week between Christmas and New Years. This room will become someone's bedroom for that time. The quilt will have to go up against the wall like last October when Grandma came.

Now I must get off the computer and get busy shopping for Kourtney's birthday, other Christmas shopping and getting the house ready. Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln

2011-12-09T14:25:00.000-08:00

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we avoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the Nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of Peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.

I thought this was interesting. It was written October 3 1863, 3 months after the Battle of Gettysburg. It establishes Thanksgiving as a day of gratitude. There is no mention of food.

A really good day!

2011-11-26T20:38:00.000-08:00

I got up this morning and got organized. I got gas and groceries, letters in the mail, meds and the potatoes I have to cook very early Monday morning. When I got home Jeff was playing spider on the computer. I tried to check my sugar but the machine acted like it needed a new battery. I went and got one while Jeff got ready to go exploring in the back country. This book has all sorts of trails from easy to difficult. We went on one that said moderate. The GPS on Jeff's new phone was incredible! It showed us right where we were and where we were going. It is crazy how fast it tells you that you are going the wrong way.

Jeff put in Santiago Peak. It took us through the whole trail. It was very steep in places and very bumpy the whole time. I got my inards jiggled real good.

When we got down out of the mountain, we went to Ruby's in San Juan. We also found the Golden Spoon down there too. They have an interesting topping, floor sweep. It is a collection of little chocolate things. I had to try a taste.

All in all a very good day. Now to enjoy just sitting still.

Quilt progress

2011-11-17T19:35:00.001-08:00

When I was making lunch a week ago Saturday I cut my thumb. I didn't want to get blood on teh quilt so I wore this glove. It is one like the ones e wore to change diapers in daycare. It protected the quilt well adn made it easier to pull the needle through without having to pick up the needle puller.
It was an exciting day when I rolled and saw the edge of the border at the end.
This morning when I started I planned out with pins where I was going. I got it all done by about 5 this afternoon and rolled the quilt.

This is what it looks like after the roll. There is only about 3 inches turned under and I am done with the first half. Cool.

Progress across the Quilt

2011-11-03T22:56:00.000-07:00

This is the progress on the quilt from the left-hand side.This is from the left side toward the center.

This is the other side of center.
This is the most right hand side to the quilt.This was exciting to see the patterns come together so well on the bottom. It totally makes sense. The hardest part of this was laying flat on my back on the floor to take the pictures. I set other fabric on top of the quilt to block out the lights so I could see the stitching on the under side. It is going better now that I am putting time on it every day even if it is only a few minutes. It is a good use of my time.

Grandma's visit

2011-10-24T14:35:00.000-07:00

Thought I would post some pictures of Grandma Hart's visit. There was a heavy marine layer the day we went to the beach. It never did get sunny that day while we were there.

One of the evenings we did a video call with Curtis and Christine for training an Grandma's ipad. It was very helpful for both of us. Good thing we talked so I didn't try and charge her ipad on my computer. She was bummed that hers didn't have a camera on it for chats. Thank you Curtis and Christine for the training.

Wednesday we went to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. We wanted to go on the tram ride around to see the animals. We started walking and saw a zip line that was 2/3's of a mile. The whole walk to the tram was a mile. We asked Grandma several times if she wanted a wheelchair or motorized cart. She said no and just kept walking. We did stop and rest several times though.Thursday Grandma wanted to go get some souvenirs. We went to Laguna Beach. I didn't know where to go. We walked around for a while. We stopped in a flower shop, Flowers,Too, and asked if they had some sea shells. They lady said she did and went to find them. When she came back, she brought this cute vase of shells with small roses in it. It was the greatest souvenir ever.
So glad that Grandma Hart came to visit. It was fun to show her where we live.

P. S. Tuesday afternoon there was a doorbell ring. Grandma had called the shop and had this beautiful flower arrangement sent. It was a wonderful surprise and so beautiful. Thanks Grandma!

Grandma Hart and I are making a quilt

2011-10-19T00:25:00.000-07:00

Grandma sent fabric home with me when we went to see her for her birthday last April. Now that she is here, we are sewing strips together like these to cut them on the diagonal and alternate them with plain navy blocks sashed with black polka dot strips. There are the strips sew together. We tried to rip them but not all the fabrics were straight. so most of them ate cut.
There are a couple of pictures to kinda show the lay out. It is so fun to work with a master quilter!
This is what we had put together when Grandma left. There are probably 15 or so more diagonal squares ready to go. I wanted to get the other quilts I was working on done, so this one is put away with notes on it to work and finish another day.

There will be more to come. Happy Sewing!

My Quilt Progress

2011-10-19T00:17:00.000-07:00

While Grandma Hart is here she wanted to work on making a quilt top. We have rolled up the quilt frames and put them at one end of the room so we can work on the top. You will have to look closely. It is behind the ironing board.
Here are some pictures of the progress from the under side of my quilt. If I took the pictures on the top you wouldn't be able to see it. These pictures are in no particular order.

I know how to quilt now!

2011-09-24T20:46:00.000-07:00

My mom always said that you didn't know how to sew until you knew how to unpick. Well last night for the first time I had to unpick one of the borders. I was so excited to start the borders on the opposite side of the quilt. I was also excited about finding the BYU football game being rebroadcast on BYU TV. We went to the empty nesters party and missed most for the game. As I was getting started, there was a lot of excitement, a touchdown by central Florida and a 92 kick-off return by BYU for a touchdown. I guess I was not watching the quilt very closely and started the quilting on border 2 and 3 instead of 1 and 2. I pulled the stitches out. If you look very closely in the strip of pink flower fabric at the seam line you will see where the stitches were that I had to take out. I don't know that you will see all of them. They go onto the green and it might be too light to see. The pins you can see are set in the right place to start the row over again in the right place.

I have now pulled out quilting, so I know how to quilt now.

Progress Update 9-19-2011

2011-09-19T23:12:00.000-07:00

I made this template so that the quilting on all the squares would be the same. It fits in the center blocks and the outside triangles shown in the next 3 pictures

This is the stencil for the outer most borders. It fits perfectly and even has a corner pattern.This is the stencil I thought would do for the triple border. Turns out that it works better doing one pass with 2 stripes and one offset pass with a stripe and part of the quit center.

Work in progress. I had to change to a lighter weight thread. It was almost impossible to pull the needle thru the quilt. They didn't have it in the darker color so the color is lighter too. It goes so much faster with the thinner thread.
This is the top side that I worked on for 3 hours tonight.
This is the underside of the same picture. You can see the work better from the bottom.

Realization Moment

2011-09-10T13:58:00.000-07:00

Last night as I was quilting next to the large triangle along the edge, I decided I needed to figure out what I was going to do in that space. Then I looked to the triple borders on the other side of it and the same thought came to mind. I bought a stencil at the last quilt show I went to in July so I know what I am doing with the outside border. The AAAAHHHH!!! moment came when I thought I have to do it NOW!!! I am not going to do the center of this quilt and then put it up like this again to do the other borders..

When I roll this quilt, it will be done. The only other thing I will have to do is bind the edges of the whole quilt after ALL the sections are done.

So this morning I went to Joann's and got a 3 inch stencil for the triple border, a plastic template grid to made for the large triangles, stripe, and plain squares along with a soapstone marking pencil. I should be set now for a good long time.

Center squares

2011-09-09T22:07:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture of a 9 patch and a stripe block with the center square quilted. I have a needle that is just exactly as long as the width of the stripe. I can run it through the batting so it doesn't show on the outside. This is how I am going to do all the center squares. Then all I have to figure out is the side triangles and the 3 stripe border. I already have a stencil for the last 5 inch border around the edge. I need to plan it all so I can quilt it all in the row before I turn it and be done with it. I don't want to have to get the quilt to this position again.This is what the stripe block looks like alone. I still have the left side to go down on the block. I used a ruler to figure out where the corners went.

Update on the quilt progress

2011-09-08T22:27:00.000-07:00

I stapled fabric on the 8 foot pine boards. I love using a staple gun!
Setting the quilt up on the frames in the garage was easier with fabric boards. I could pin the fabric to the boards instead of using thumb tacks that I can't push in the boards straight or otherwise. Jeff and I are sharing the garage. He agreed to park the Jeep outside while I had the quilt up long enough to pin the layers together. There are pins about 3 inches the length and width of the quilt. Living as close to the school as we do and with school starting, I could not leave it put all the while I quilted it. I was going to buy a small 2 person pvc pipe frames to use after it was pinned.
close up on the pins.
The back of the quilt was bigger than the frame so I just let it hang.
The batting was also too short so I had to sew on extra batting.
My visiting teacher, Linda Gale, came and helped me start pinning. We got about 1/3 of the quilt done and I started to notice wrinkles.
I was frustrated so I googled putting quilts on a frame. There were several videos. The one that helped me the most showed laying the quilt out on the floor, stapling the ends to the boards and rolling them equally toward the middle so you could start there. It made total sense to me so that is what I did. I didn't staple the quilt to the boards though. I just pinned it to the fabric. I took out all the pins we had already done and started over in the middle. I am so glad it was just pins and not quilting.
It even looked good on the bottom.
Barcelona Hills is now part Capo district school and part charter school, Oxford Prepartory Academy. Last Thursday, a week before school was to start, there were a ton of cars parked all along the street. There were desks and tables and chairs outside the school. There was a lot of parents and children working around too. I knew it was time to get the quilt out of the garage. Jeff also thought if I had 4 foot boards that it would fit in my sewing room. I went and got a board and had it cut in half, came home and put the fabric on it. While he was gone to the movie, Monday night, I straightened and rearranged the sewing room. When he got home, Jeff helped me get the quilt upstairs still on the long boards. This is what it looks like.I found that I am not skilled enough to quilt forward and backward. I need a chair on both sides of the quilt. That works too. I do have to go under the quilt though to change chairs. Oh well.

This is the squares I finished the first night. It was late but I was curious to see how it would look. I wanted to see if I could do it with the things I had here. It worked and I think it looks pretty cute. The thimble and the needle puller are essential when doing this quilt.
The under side even looks good too. I am glad to have such a good start. Now I will just have to work on it often. I will also blog about it more often too. Happy Quilting!

Just barely missed it

2011-09-08T21:51:00.000-07:00

This afternoon there was a huge power outage. They say it went from Southern California to Mexico, Baja and Arizona. They even said that San Onofre plant shut down automatically when the power went off sometime between 3:30 and 4pm. On the 5 o'clock news they were showing the traffic snarl on Oso Parkway. I also heard people on the news calling in from Trabuco Canyon (Coto de Caza, I think) that their power was out too. I even heard a lady at the drugstore say the stoplight 1/2 way up Alicia from the freeway were out. They said that power will not be restored until tomorrow or maybe even Saturday.

Thankfully, we have not been without power at all today. It had been about 97 degrees and the air conditioner has been going full blast all day.

July Trip 2011

2011-07-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

I made a trip to Utah this summer to spend some time with family. It was over the American Fork town celebration, Steel Days. There was a small quilt show in the Senior Center there. It had a lot of creative quilts. I also saw the type of quilting I want to do on the ones I am working on now, larger stitches and crochet cotton. There was also a class reunion for American Fork High Class of 1971. I was glad for the senior pictures on the name tags so I knew who I was talking with. This is my picture. Boy that is a lot of big hair going on.

I was able to see Breanna in the dress I had made for her pioneer trek. The store set aside a child size 12 pattern. It was supposed to be a misses size 12. Luckily Gloria was able to trim the inside sleeve seam and add a ruffle at the bottom. They just let the sleeves be short. It was fun to make. glad Breanna could wear it in spite of the mistake.

Here are my favorite pictures of Sean and Aaron on the days I went to play with them in the morning

Breanna and I went and played miniature golf. The picture shows where Breanna hit her first ball so that it stopped on the top of that curve. It just sat there until she hit it again. Once in a lifetime?

After one round of miniature golf, it was hot and humid. We wanted to do something inside. I suggested bowling. Breanna was in flip-flops. We stopped at Walmart on the way to the bowling alley for socks. We played 3 games. We got better with each game. Love those bumpers!

There was a birthday party for Aaron and Sean on Sunday morning the day between their birthdays. Sean was 1 on July 9 and Aaron was 3 on July 11. This is some of the fun playing with the presents. Brittani Petersen hosted a family party at her house July 10 2011. Everyone from Utah was there. It was noted that we were all descendants of Daniel Cutler and Ida Smith. The day before was Daniel's birthday. He would have been 103 years old. There is a grandson, Austin Daniel Cobbley, with that birthday also. He was 21. There is also a great grandson, Sean Sorensen Hart with that birthday. He turned 1.

Gloria took some time off and we got to spend Tuesday together. We went and saw the movie, 17 Miracles, and then did some shopping. It was fun to spend time together. It was a good trip. So glad I could go.

I would like to give a big Thank You to Brittani for offering to loan me a car while I was there. It made it possible for me to get the places I needed to be on my own. Thanks Brittani!

Summer 2011

2011-07-28T11:47:00.000-07:00

My Day with Kenny

2011-07-26T22:58:00.000-07:00

Curtis and Jeff were going to take a trip in the new Jeep to the back country. I thought it would be fun to have Kenny for the day. When Curtis brought Kenny in the morning he couldn't wait to go play in the back yard.

Jeff and Curtis as they ran out the door. Kenny and I went out in the backyard as they went out the front door. Kenny ran right around to the side gate and was whining to go through it and go with them. That only lasted a 1/2 second and we were chasing toys in the yard.Kenny is hiding the toy after chasing it several times. We went on walks every 2 hours because I thought he wanted to go.
By early afternoon, Kenny picked under the kitchen table for his naps.
Then he wanted a little more privacy, so he found the rug under the piano several times for some more alone time. I'm not great at catching cute poses.
This is how we went for walks. Kenny was leading the way and setting the pace.
That is the best picture I got of him all day.
Kenny listening to another dog over the fence barking.
Best stop action picture I took.

Kenny and Curtis after they got home. Kenny had been resting , almost asleep. When the boys walked in about 10:30 pm , Kenny was wide wake and full of energy.
It was a fun day and I am glad I got spend the day with Kenny.

Finished Quit Tops

2011-07-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

I am working on the boards to my quilt frames. I am stapling fabric on to them so I can attach the quilt with pins instead of thumb tacks that drive me nuts.

This is the second quilt I finished.

This is the finished quilt top I finished first.I have also tried the back on to check for size and found that it is about 1/4th of a yard too short. I will have to do a patch project on the backs. That is where I am with these quilts as of today July 18, 2011. Happy sewing!

Staple project

2011-07-14T22:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the stapling project that I have worked on tonight. I washed and ironed this white mid-weight fabric. I measured and cut it into strips, folded it in half and zigzagged the raw edges. I figured out the staple gun and used it to attach the fabric to the board. Now when I use them, I will be able to pin the quilt to the fabric and not have to push thumb tacks into the boards. I am doing this project in preparation to pin the twin quilts together to be quilted. I think it is very cool!

Inspiration

2011-07-14T13:47:00.000-07:00

I went to a quilt show last weekend. It was rather small but had a lot of quilts to inspire me. I saw a couple of them that were quilted with the larger crochet cotton with stitches that were larger and evenly placed. That is what I want to do with the two tops I have ready now.

I have fabric to cut into strips and staple on the boards of my quilt frames. It is so that I can pin the quilts on instead of having to put them on with thumb tacks. i just can't push them in. Better get working on it. Pictures later. Happy sewing

The Spider

2011-06-24T23:43:00.000-07:00

This is the coolest trick ever so that you don't have a lot of strings hanging off of your quilts or sewing projects. The small piece of fabric (pink and purple flowers) is where you start our sewing. when you are don with the seam, you just snip it off and all the long unruly threads go with it. I love using it on these quilts I have just finished.Now the next step is to get the fabric stapled to the boards of the quilting frames so I can pin baste all the layers together. Happy sewing!

I took a break from working on the quilts

2011-06-17T22:19:00.000-07:00

The first weekend in April Jeff and I went to Laguna Beach and celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary. It was fun and relaxing. The view from our room was opened up because they replaced all the wood railings and fence with plastic and glass. It was very nice.April 6 - 12 I went to Scott's house. We had a wonderful visit. We read stories and drew pictures. I think our favorite was going to the park. Sunday there was even a tornado watch. The bad weather went by to the north. I was able to teach Scott how to hem jeans. I thought that was pretty cool. I was there for Scott and Stacy's 13th wedding anniversary. I stayed home with the girls while they went out to dinner and a movie.

Marjorie and James came down for his spring break. They got here while I was gone to Scott's. When I got home, we worked on Marjorie's quilt and got it all sandwiched together. We found out the back was too short, so we got extra fabric. She took it home and has since put it on. I would put in a picture of the quilt but I promised her I would let her post about the quilt.

Here are a couple of cute pictures of Aaron and Sean during our trip to Utah for Grandma Hart's 88th birthday/Easter weekend.

I love the picture of Jeff and Curtis saving seats waiting for the graduation to start. Two seconds later Curtis jumped up to make sure everyone got together for the graduation.
Here is Jeffrey playing with Kenny dog in the car. He is so cute.

I hope this post comes out alright. I am still learning to work this blogger. Next I am going to try posting a video.

One Quilt Top Done

2011-03-29T22:36:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since I wrote a blog. This picture is back when I was still deciding what 9 patches to put in this quilt. This is the combination I decided on.
This is the 2 quilts together. I was seeing how they would look together. In this picture the red one is sewed together but not the other one.
This is when the whole center section was sewed together.
This is showing the piece I had to put in across the top and the bottom because I was short about 6 inches. I think it looks ok.
This is the striped border with a 9 patch in each corner.

This is the whole top put together. It is a twin size quilt. I am still wondering why it covers the top of my king size bed. I guess it is bedspread size.I am taking time to make an Easter skirt before I start to finish up the other quilt top.

Santa Ana's

2011-01-18T23:02:00.000-08:00

It has been very warm here the last couple of days. Yesterday it was 84. This morning at 10 it was 70. It has been warm enough this evening that right now, at 11:05 p.m., I have the sliding glass doors open and all the windows upstairs. I love this warm January weather!

This Is It!

2011-01-13T11:41:00.000-08:00

After all the combinations there could be, this is the final decision for the quilts. They look like the fit together this way. The quilt on the left is sewed together. The one on the right is not. Now back to the sewing machine. Happy Sewing!

Practice in putting pictures on the blog for the new computer

2010-12-19T20:13:00.000-08:00

I wanted some practice putting pictures on the blog. I know that there are already pictures of these in earlier blogs but it was good practice.

A New Way To Do Pictures

2010-12-12T19:33:00.000-08:00

I had to have Dad help me figure out a new way to do this on the new computer. Here are some of the pictures I have done tonight. This one is Scott on his skate board. He had a little paper route on Thursday mornings for awhile. He saved his money and bought this skateboard. It looks like we took this picture on a Sunday. It is in front of the house in Kearns.
This is Alex sitting at the kitchen table in Kearns. It was his 6th birthday which must have been on a Sunday too. Gloria made the Batman cake. She was into cake decorating then.
This Picture of Curtis was taken on Marjorie's birthday 1986. What a cutie!This is one of my most treasured pictures. This is what I saw as I walked into the kitchen one afternoon. I think Marjorie was trying to make bread and got carried away. Instead of getting mad at the mess, I am so thankful I grabbed the camera.
I love putting this new hobby in blogs. You can keep the pictures and comments together. More to come later.

My new hobby

2010-12-12T19:23:00.000-08:00

I have learned how to scan pictures on to a thumb drive and then put them on my computer. I have spent the last 2 Sundays scanning in some old family photos. Here are some of my favorite. This is another learning process. Dad has changed me to a Mac. This is the first time I'm trying it. Well I have them in there now I have to figure how to get them on to here. More later.

Quick Picture

2010-11-12T14:31:00.000-08:00

I was so happy to get this picture of Aaron with his Halloween cowboy hat on. An instant later he took it off never to leave it on again.

Here are pictures of the rest of the family on that Halloween lunch. Sean has on a cute little pumpkin on his shirt. Jo talked about making their Halloween dinner in a pumpkin. I really want to try that. Happy Halloween.

Favorite Pictures of Alex's family

2010-11-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my favorite pictures of Alex and his family at home.

They are such happy fun little boys to play with.

Love them to pieces!

Canceled flight

2010-11-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

Here are some interesting pictures from the Denver airport. I spent almost 4 hours there when my flight to Utah was cancelled. I was also able to talk to Anna Sanford Low, from Marjorie's Young Women's class growing up. She was traveling back to her home after a long visit to her parents. This world is getting smaller all the time.
This picture is what it looked like out of the Quizno's sandwich shop. The other 2 pictures are of a courtyard in the middle of the concourse I was waiting in.

I set the alarm on my cell to wake up in time for my flight. I slept thru it for about 15 miutes. When I woke up and realized it was my phone that was ringing, there was a medic alert cart in front of me that left after I sat up and realized it was time to get in line to board my flight.

After we got to Salt Lake my suitcase was not on the luggage carousel. I took comfort in the fact I had 1 change of clothes and my diabetic supplies with me. It took an hour and a half to get someone from the airline down to the baggage claim to research where it was. After several suggestions to look in the back room that was right behind them, the door was opened and there was my suitcase. I was glad to be on the way to the rest of my vacation.

Showing Progress Again

2010-10-15T22:19:00.001-07:00

I am learning so much by doing this blogging. I had 2 files of pictures I wanted to put together. When I was copying them, some of them had the same number. ('scuse me, I need help over here!) Jeffrey showed me how to put a little"a" after the number and they all transferred just fine. Now all the pictures from this quilt project are in the same file. Now I can update my blog much easier.
I put the pictures together once and at the very end figured out how to get them side by side. I didn't see a delete bottun, so I logged off and on again. When I started over I put "Again" in the title so they would be different from each other. Hopefully the first try is gone.
This picture is to show the sets of blocks that will go in the planned quilts. They are sitting on the background fabrics. The sets of blocks sitting on the table are the extra ones being made at the same time. They will be for future quilt projects.

With so many different sets of blocks, I was having trouble keeping track of how many were in each pile. I put the number on a post-it note and then on a tissue so the sticky from the note would not get on the quilt block. This has really helped me keep track of where I am in the project. This is quilt 1.

These are the extra blocks.

At the right, are the ones for quilt 2.

Each quilt needs 26 9-patch blocks and 32 stripe blocks. I put that on a note too so I didn't have to keep looking it up.

After I had been sewing awhile and had several block done. I was curious to see how the first row of each quilt will turn out. I laid them together just to see what it would look like.

I am still learning how to put this blog together. One of these days I will get it figured out. I have learned that you have to plan the pictures you are going to put on because they go on from the bottom up. Tonight I got them to go on side by side after changing the position. Now if I can just get the ones across from each other to be on the same level that will be another thing I have learned.

I am now down to figuring out how many more I need of each block and cutting just the right number of 8 inch strips into blocks to finish up. There might be a tiny light at the end of the tunnel of these blocks. Back to the sewing machine and ironing board.

Happy Birthday to Me

2010-10-05T21:53:00.001-07:00

On the weekend of my birthday I found a crochet pattern I wanted to try. I haven't done any crocheting. With the help of youtube, I found videos on how to do crochet. It looked easy enough so I started a scarf. The crochet hook and yarn are huge. The little whate card is a 3X5 card with the pattern written on it. It was fun to try.

Curtis and Christine invited us to come and see their new apartment. It is nice. We played Skipbo, Racko and Uno. They were such good sports. Then we did presents. I loved the sugar-free cookies. I, also, had my first lesson in new ipod touch technology. Curtis and Christine said if I could do facebook I could do this little thing. We have had bonding experiences. It is like being in my own little world.

Curtis and Christine made a lovely dinner. We had birthday cake for dessert. Mine was sugar free of course. It was a great a great birthday spent with my family.

A new quilt project

2010-10-05T21:26:00.001-07:00

Here are the pictures as I start another quilt project. These will be 2 quilts when I am finished using the same squares with different fabrics and backgrounds. These are the original fabrics. The purple was out of place. In a later picture, it is replaced witha light green and looks much better.

This is the fabrics for the second quilt. They hit things off right the first time.

This is what the green looks like with the fabrics. I like it much better. There is a little green in a couple of the flowers of the background. In changing the purple to green I will be making an extra set of 9 patch squares. When I am done with the 9 patches and stripes, I will have enough for 4 quilts. There will be more pictures to come soon. Happy sewing.

Finishing up the quilt

2010-09-08T14:40:00.000-07:00

I was able to find one of the fabrics on the front for the back of the quilt. It was on a good sale too. I had to take on row off each of the long sides. I was able to fit it on with enough for the binding on each side. I think the blue tied all the quilt together and finished it off just right. It was fun to make. I hope they enjoy it as much as I did making it.

Labor Day Weekend Trip

2010-09-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

I wanted to recap the weekend. We saw alot of my side of the family when we went to Utah this Labor Day weekend. We were able to make it to the party for Logan after her baptism. It was great to see all the children. Gray's have a great back yard for relaxing and just hangin' out.

Later in the evening we went to Gloria's for dinner and hung out with them. Breanna, Marjorie and James played games for a bit.

Sunday morning I got up early and went to help/play with the boys at Alex's before the blessing. They are so sweet. Such a cute little family. Morning is the best time to play with the boys. I went back Monday morning also. They grow so fast and we were there such a short time.

Monday afternoon I helped Marjorie make curtains. I'll like her blog about that. Then for a family dinner before we had to go to the airport, We all met at In-N-Out in Orem for dinner. We had a bit of time so we went to the Golden Sponn on 800 North and 800 East. It was almost like home.

This picture is Sean after his nap in his Stanford onies for Curtis and Christine to see. Sean is a real cuddly baby.
Things have gone well writing this blog. I think I have figured out a few things. So glad we could go to Utah this weekend and see so much family. I love to spend time with family!!!

Side note to pinned in order

2010-08-24T21:30:00.000-07:00

I tried the pinned in order tonight. I did a whole section in an hour. Cool! Hopefully that will mean I can get the top put together before Friday. I would love that.

Difference in width

2010-08-24T00:40:00.000-07:00

The sections in the center of the quilt are sewed together. Notice how much larger the section on the outside of the quilt are. They have not been sewn together. That is tomorrow's project.
Good Night

The perfect set up

2010-08-24T00:34:00.000-07:00

This set up works very well. I sew on the sewing machine. Then I can swivel my chair and press the seams. There is also a garbage can right there so I can trim off threads and get them out of the way. It has really streamlined the putting this quilt together.

Pinned in order

2010-08-24T00:28:00.000-07:00

Since the order of the strips is very important, I started safety pinning the top of the seams together. That way I could take more strips at a time. If you pin it right on the seam, it does not get in the way of sewing the one before it. That helped move the work along faster.

Sectional sewing

2010-08-24T00:16:00.000-07:00

The picture above is a small section of strips after they are sewed together. At this point I was taking 2 strips at a time, sewing them together and pressing them. Then I took them back to the quilt and put them back in the pattern so it doesn't get mixed up. That is very important. Grandma Hart even does it that so she doesn't get confused.

This is the place the section was put back into the quilt. The blue square surrounded by 4 red squares is the center of the quilt. Since I put it together from the center out, that is the way I am sewing it together. I am starting with the center and working my way out to the edge.

Totally laid out

2010-08-24T00:11:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of the whole quilt laid out ready to start sewing the strips together. If you noticed there is an extra row on the far side of the quilt. I took it off and now it is totally ready. Also note that it is bigger than the fabric under it.

Figuring size

2010-08-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

I was doing some figuring for the final size of this quilt. The length is about the size it will be. I only have 4 small seams to put the center strips together. The width, however, is different story. I will take out a 1/2 inch for each seam across the quilt. It will be alot more narrow. I need to put on several more rows to make a regular quilt. So glad I thought of that before I started putting it together.

It is coming together

2010-08-20T22:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture of the progress I made today. I can't decide if I want it any wider. Input would be appreciated.

2010-08-19T22:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick picture of what the quilt looks like now. I have spent some time on it today. I think it is growing on me even more. I have enough material to make it as big as I want. I love it when a quilt comes together.

The quilt is coming along (read from the bottom up)

2010-08-16T22:43:00.000-07:00

This is pretty much what I have done now.

I took a break to finish some bibs I was making for the toddler room.

I still haven't figured out how to put these pictures on in the order I want. Here they are in the order blogger put them in. This picture is starting to put the quilt together.

Another Quilt

2010-08-16T22:17:00.000-07:00

Here are the fabrics for another quilt. The cute fabric with the rockets and planets was very light, so I backed it with a white cotton. I already had 2 of the fabrics, so I just added a couple. It has worked out really well so far. Better get back to it.

The finished quilt

2010-05-06T22:20:00.000-07:00

Here is the picture of the finished quilt. I really like it. Curtis said he was skeptical at first but thought is turned out really well and was something that Alex would like.

Surprise in the Cookies

2010-05-06T22:08:00.000-07:00

As I drove back to work after my lunch hour, I was openinga little 100 calorie pack of soft and chewy cookies. There was something that felt like cardboard in the package. When I pulled it out , there was a piece of a conveyor belt. What a surprise!

Trying my Quilt Top

2010-04-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

Last evening as I was finishing up working on the quilt. I thought of the top I made from a kit a couple of years ago. I thought it was a king size quilt. I wanted to see if it would fit on the frames. It is just as long as the frames and not quite as wide as the one that is on there now. Cool! This one will take alot longer. I am going to really quilt this one. The pattern is too cool to be covered up with all those little threads.

Halfway done tying the Quilt (read from the bottom up)

2010-04-18T20:49:00.000-07:00

This is the picture of what we got done on it over the weekend.

After the quilt top was all put together Jeff and I went to the lumber yard and got the 8ft boards for the frames. Jeff helped me set it up in the garage. It is in the place where Jeff parks his little car. It will be outside for a little while.

I just looked at the last post. That was so long ago. This is the quilt I put up on the closet doors to figure out the pattern.

Quilt update

2010-03-31T22:50:00.000-07:00

I am making the Trip Around the World pattern on this quilt. The squares form a pattern of the world. When I was looking at the pictures I posted last time I didn't see how it was going to come out looking like the world.. The I remembered what I did with Jeff'e mom when we put the one together for him some years ago. We started in the middle and did it one quarter at a time. I cut the blocks bigger and laid it out. Then I could see it coming together just fine. Here is a picture of what I have done in the last couple of days.

Working on a quilt

2010-03-27T21:09:00.000-07:00

This picture is what I have done so far today.

This is what I started out with. I had to put a sheet under my work to see it from the quilt under it. I have also figured out that I have to work this pattern from the middle out and a quarter at a time. Larger squares would make the quilt make up more quickly. Hmmm!

New Digs

2010-03-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

The new guest room is officially open at Hart's Dew Drop Inn. Curtis has reserved the room for this weekend while Christine is at the NCAA tournament in Salt Lake. Just call when you are in the area, we'd love to have you for a visit.

A better picture

2010-03-06T13:35:00.000-08:00

This one is pretty good too. Gotta run. We are going to get the bed for the new guest room.

This is a much better picture. I guess I was more tired last night than I thought looking at those pictures.

Family Pictures

2010-03-05T22:23:00.000-08:00

Tyler at dinner after Ron's funeral Brandi, Tyler's son and Sherryl

Mama, Mark, Grandpa and Grandma Smith on their 50th wedding anniversary.

James and Marjorie

Jo, Alex and Aaron

Dinner after Ron's funeral Glorie, Martin, Eileen, Shirl J, Me, James, Marjorie, Grandma, Camille, and Grandpa

Logan, Tristin and Taylor Sunday morning after flying to Utah

Curtis taking our picture Christmas day

Curtis and Christine Trying out my new camera Christmas day

Thought I would post all the family pictures I got this last holiday season. Let's see how many I can get in here. I am still figuring this out so I hope it comes out the way I want it. I thought I had a picture of Breanna but couldn't find one.

A new craft

2009-12-24T20:15:00.000-08:00

I found a pattern that is basically a 1/2 circle of material sewed together and folded to look like a Christmas tree. It was easy to make. I decided to put a star and ornaments on it so you would know where to fold it to get the desired effect. With all I had to do this season, I only got 6 finished. Maybe I can do more for next year if I start after the first of the year.

Trying something new

2009-11-09T22:33:00.000-08:00

I wanted pumpkin pie last night. I got out my favorite recipe that tastes the most like regular pie. As I got into making it, I was out of pumpkin pie spice. I was also out of ginger and cloves which I don't like. I looked up what was in allspice. It comes from a berry plant in Jamacia. It is like cinnamon, cloves and black pepper. Interesting.

I loaned out my glass pie pan. It has not been returned yet. The smaller one that I have wouldn't hold all the pie filling. I got out the muffin tin. The whole recipe of filling fit into the 12 cups. After it was cooked, it divided perfectly into 8 servings of a cup and a half each. Very cool. I took one in my lunch today. What a treat.

I love it when I try out new things and it works.

Apple Trip

2009-10-13T21:06:00.000-07:00

On the afternoon of October 3 we went for a ride up to Oak Glenn for our annual apple trip. There had been fires a couple of weeks earlier. I heard that they had evacuated homes in Oak Glenn. We called to see if things were open. They said come on up. We are all here and open.

So we had a lovely drive up there and didn't see any fire damage at all. We drove into our favorite place to get the apples and were very discouraged to see cars packed way back up the road. When we got up there we drove around and saw a huge line out the door of the barn. We were lucky to get a very close parking place. We walked in and found the apple guy. They had the 2 bushel of golden delicious to bottle and a bushel of huge jonagolds to eat that we wanted. We waited while they boxed them up and found out that the line out the door was people waiting for donuts. We were able to drive up to the side door and they put the apples in the back.

We went right down to the Little Dumpling restautant. I walked in and got seated immediately. Jeff got the last apple dumpling for the day. That is what he really wanted. He said it was yummy.

After dinner we went to the art gallery. Jeff likes to visit it every time we go. He said it is his mom's fault he likes to look at art. The artist was working on a large painting of ahelicopter dropping water on the fires in the mountains by his house.He picked out a bobcat picture to have framed. We also picked out a pretty picture of floral trees and a house in the background for me. We will go up and get it this weekend. (Oct. 17)

We went home the other way from where we came. We saw alot of fire damage going home. One side of the road was really burnt alot and the other side was not touched. It was the side of the road the houses were on. We wondered if they had started back fires to stop the progress of the fire at the road. Thanks to the firefighters.

All in all it was a great apple trip.

Happy Birthday to me

2009-09-14T21:53:00.000-07:00

I have decided that the only number we are going to remember in connection with my birthday is the number 12. That is the day of September that is my birthday. Also my favortie time of year is from April 20 to September 12. During that time Jeffrey and I are the same age. This year for my birthday I went to the reader's festival sponsored by the Mission Viejo Library. They had author's come and talk about their new books. I went to a section with Lisa See talking about historical fiction. Then to a section with illustrators including the creator of the newspaper comic strip Drabble. I grabbed a bit of lunch. Then I went to the section with Mr. Henry Winkler. It was very good. I was a little disappointed when I thought is was going to stop talking after about 20 mintues. He opened it up to the audience to ask questions. It was very interresting. He took questions mostly from children. He is a very big advocate for children. Mr. Winkler has co-authored a series of 127 books about a 4th grade boy, Hank Zipzer, that has dyslexia. After the section. I went and bought the 1st book in the series and stood in line to get it signed. After about 20 minutes they said he was walking around I was bummed, I thought he was done. He was actually walking down the line signing books for everyone in line.
I was tired and so I went home. Curtis and Christine had come. We went to Golden Spoon and then to the Mission Viejo mall for the Apple store and my birthday dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. It was yummy.
After we got home that evening I got to talk to Marjorie, Alex and Scott. I always enjoy talking to my children
All in all it was a wonderful birthday or my own special day as I am now referring to that day.
Next year I want to have a birthday party at home with games and cake and ice cream.

Playing with Aaron

2009-08-04T20:21:00.000-07:00

While I was in Utah for Marjorie's bridal shower, I got to play with Aaron. It was fun watching him help with the laundry. We also built block towers, and played peek-a-boo. I certainly enjoyed my time with Aaron, Alex and Jo.

Marjorie's Bridal shower

2009-08-04T20:02:00.000-07:00

Genifer Adam Bacher gave Marjorie a bridal shower Saturday, August 1st. I was able to go and be there for the fun. It was great to talk to all of my side of the family and meet James' family. We played a couple of games and each wrote a bit of advice on a paper flower that was put into an arrngement. We all brought our favorite dish and a recipe to build Marjorie's collection. Since I flew in I was not able to make anything so I had an edible arrangement delivered that was full of yummy fruit and some chocolate strawberries. There were some really tasty dishes and we all had a good time. I am so glad I was there. The best part for me was the smile on Marjorie's face and the cute twinkle in her eye when she talked about James.

It pays to check out different airports.

2009-07-17T21:06:00.000-07:00

Marjorie is having a bridal shower on August 1st. I have to be there. When I went to get my flight from the closest airport, Orange county, It was $314.00 pkus tax and stuff. So I checked Ontario. It was $282. plus tax. Lax was about the same. Then I checked San Diego. Bingo! The flight I got was $188. plus tax. It pays to check airports.

A Busy Summer

2009-07-11T19:38:00.000-07:00

Time is just flying by. I knit alot. when I get a few dishrags done, I promptly find someone to give them to. I found a booklet of Baby wash clothes and have started those. I also got a pattern that is so easy I can just do it from memory. That is the pattern I like to do best. It looks good with varigated yarn and makes up the fastest.

It was great to have the whole family here for Curtis and Christine's wedding the end of May.

The weekend of the 4th of July we drove to Utah so we could make some of the arrangements for Marjorie's wedding August 15, 2009. She is marrying James Webb in the Mt. Timpanogus Temple. That is in American Fork, The town I graduated from high school in back just after the dinosaurs died off. I am looking forward to having the whole family together then also. there is a possibility that we could get a picture of all Mama and Daddy's descendants together if we are all there at the same time. I hope it happens.

We also had a little birthday thing for Aaron, Alex's son. He is 1year old today. We did his gift while we were there and they also did a little cupcake thing too. He is soo cute. I will include a picture but who knows where this blogger thing will put it. I love blogs!

I'm back!

2009-06-06T18:45:00.000-07:00

With all the things going on for Curtis and Christine wedding and all the family here, I have not even been on blogger for several weeks. Today I caught up on all the blogs and could do some more of my own later. I even put on a profile picture from Easter. I Love Blogs!

My magic wand

2009-04-11T22:42:00.000-07:00

A balloon lady came to our table last night at dinner. She said she could make anything. I asked for a magic wand. This is what she made. Apparently it works. I used it on the cupboard and see how cleaned off it is. I'll have to try it on a few other things.

Lots of new rags

2009-04-11T22:18:00.000-07:00

I have found a new pattern for dish rags that is easy enough that I don't have to make cards to get the pattern right. It goes very fast and I love it. I have only had the pattern a week and I have finished 2 rags. One of them I used up a ball of yarn and successfully tied on another and finished the rag. I thing it looks pretty good. Now I will try and put pictures of them on this post.

Happy 30th Anniversary!

2009-04-04T22:15:00.000-07:00

Jeffrey and I went to our favorite beach front hotel for a couple of days. It was in celebration of our 30th wedding anniversary. We walked and sat on the beach, walked around Laguna Beach and ate at many fun places. I even found a new knit shop. It had a new pattern for dishrags. It is so easy I can do it from memory. They also had a book with patterns for baby washrags. It was a good vacation.

Lots going on

2009-03-27T21:46:00.000-07:00

I'm glad it is Friday! It is time to rest recharge and get some things done for the future. I am still looking for a dress to wear to Curtis' wedding. Tomorrow is another Saturday so I will go looking again. Hopefully I will find something. It is our last week to clean the church until June so that will get me up and going. I also need to do a Costco run. I have the menu picked out for the Rehearsal dinner and most of the set-up planned. I am rethinking the table arrangement. I am anxiously awaiting the release of the new Elm Creek quilt book on Tuesday. Jeff fixed the resistance on my stationary bike and now he rides it sometimes too. I hope to have a good weekend. I will make it a good weekend.

Looking and finding

2009-03-17T22:20:00.001-07:00

I looked through all the drawers in my file cabinet and dresser to find some white handkerchief's I thought I had. I found several things of interest to me. One was the letter I received form President Spencer W. Kimball. There was also a pattern to the afghan I knitted many years ago. There was also a letter from my dad (those were very rare) and my visit teach partner to my mom. It was from many years ago when she did a spotlight on me in Relief Society. How sweet. I never did find the envelopes with white hankies in it but had alot of fun looking through all the stuff from way back. I also saw the baby outfits for Scott, Alex, Marjorie and Curtis. There were plaster of paris with handprints of Curtis and Marjorie from long ago. Surprising what you can find.

Versitile pattern

2009-02-24T22:58:00.000-08:00

I am making another dish rag with that cute valentine pattern. It is cream color. I can't wait to finish it and start on green ones that can be lucky 4-leaf clovers for St. Patrick's Day.

Cute Valentine

2009-02-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

I tried a new pattern. There were several stitches in it, I didn't know how to do. I found wonderful videos on youtube showing how to do the stitches. All I had to do was google the abbreviation and click. It was like magic. The pattern takes real concentration but turned out really cute I think. You can even see the holes.

A song is a wonderful kind of thing...

2009-01-28T21:49:00.000-08:00

I have been dealing with sickness these last 2 days. I have been to the doctor twice and still don't feel I have the things I need to sleep. Anyway, I was feeling a bit better, kinda. I sat down at the piano. My Children's Songbook was there open to Away in the Manger. It is a very easy arrangement, so I played it a couple of times. It felt good. I played Picture a Christmas. That was good too. The for the remainder of the hour I played my favorites from that book, Popcorn Popping, To Be A Pioneer, I Wonder When He Comes Again, Whenever I hear the song of a bird, and Once There was a Snowman.
I should play the piano more often!

Picture a Christmas

2009-01-06T21:42:00.000-08:00

Tonight Dad got my Christmas present out and set up. He got me a digital picture frame. I love it! He put pictures from this Christmas on it. I could sit and watch it all day long, but I need to get things done. It is something I've always wanted. Thanks sweetie!

The real story about the sweater

2009-01-04T14:00:00.000-08:00

With all the knitting I have done this season, I was curious about the things I have knitted in the past. I went to my file cabinet and found a booklet that I thought my afghan pattern was in. It was not there. There was one like mine though. I found a sheet of paper that I think Gloria's afghan pattern is on.

I remembered the sweater Daddy sent home with me when Mama died. He said it was partly done. I should take it home and see if I could finish it. It has been sitting out in the garage since it came home probably about 16 years ago. I went out and got it out last night for the first time. The sweater is almost totally done. All it needs is a small fix at the back of the neck and the inside of the pockets sewed down. Then it will be done. It also needs a good cleaning. I tried it on last night. I could wear it if I roll up the sleeves 2 or 3 times. It also doesn't quite close. That is ok. There are no buttons or button holes in it.

What a real treasure! It was especially meaningful after I read the Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck this season. My story is nothing like his though.

Now when I get the time I want to get the big box down out of the garage that has my old afghan in it. Some other day.

New Year, New Rag

2009-01-02T11:57:00.000-08:00

When I went outside yesterday, New Years day, this is what the tree in our front yard loked like. It looks like fall in the middle of winter.

I also finished a new dishrag yesterday. I think it would be good for Valentines day.

This is still not the order I wanted but I need to go.

Happy New Year to you all!!!

A new pattern

2008-12-30T23:22:00.000-08:00

After doing 13 dishrags in the Christmas colors, I am ready for a different pattern. Here it is.

This one has 4 hearts in it. Very interesting. It is only a little more than half done. I just want to keep knitting and see what it will look like when it is done. Better leave some to do tomorrow.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-28T10:59:00.000-08:00

Our family moved to California in July of 1987. That is 22 Christmases ago. This year for the first time, we went back to Utah for Christmas Holiday. On the way up, Jeff thought there would be bad roads at some point and he drove all the way. The days we traveled were both sunny and clear. The days we were there it snowed. We had to buy a scrapper for the car and gloves for me.

I knitted most of the way. When it got dark I figured out a way to knit with my cell phone plugged into the car with the cord around the back of my neck. There is a little flashling on the top of it. That was my light and I was able to knit all the way. I also did it on the way home. As near as I can count, I have made 12 dishrags this season. I used the one I gave Alex at his house and it was great. I am thinking about making all my gifts for next Christmas. We'll see about that.

The weather was cold and snowy. It was so warm and cozy to be near family. It was fun to be there for Aaron's first Christmas. He was so cute and loved to "eat" the blocks. We also have a new family tradition, going out to the Japanese restaurant for Christmas dinner. There was another family dinner at Marjorie's too. We had a little visit with Steven and part of his family. Austin's wife had their baby Dec. 23rd . We only got to see Gloria for a few minutes. Her family was sick over that weekend.

This Holiday was full of family, travel, and renewing family ties. It was good to go and good to be home. We are thankful to the Lord for his bounteous blessings.We know that Jesus Christ is the reason for the season and His atoning sacrifice is the best gift of all

Thanksgiving Weekend

2008-12-03T22:09:00.000-08:00

What a treat Thanksgiving weekend. Marjorie surprised us by coming home by herself Thursday morning. Thanksgiving dinner with Hardings was great. I got to show Marjorie how to purl with ther knitting, how to take the finished project off the needles and weave the end string back in.
Friday we got the stuff to finish Dad's quilt for 1/2 price on sale.
Satueday was Marjorie's birthday. We went and picked out her dress for Curtis' wedding. Then there was a birthday party at the restaurant.We met some friends of Marjorie's for the first time in 5 yearts. We also had a 10 person Pit game. What a Scream!
I drove back to Utah with Marjorie Monday. I knitted while she drove. I am on dishrag #8 now. I used the needle I sent her to finish #7. I left it for Marjorie and her roommates. I left all the knitting needles I had there. I figured they wouldn't let me take them home on the plane. I went to the knitting store. A flight attendant was right behind me in line and she said she takes knitting needles that are plastic or bamboo. So now I know. It was a great Holiday weekend

Knitting update

2008-11-26T22:27:00.000-08:00

I have now finished 6 dish rags. It will be interesting to see how many I can get done this season. A 3X5 card for each row helps me keep track of where I am as long as I remember to move the card to the bottum of the pile whenI finish the row. A couple of them have pattern switches at the top. I won't tell if you don't.
Happy Holidays to all!!!

Christmas colors

2008-11-20T22:00:00.000-08:00

I am working hot and heavy to see how many Christmas colored dish rags I can get done. I am on #2 and counting. I am going to try another picture of the Christmas color ones. They go pretty fast. I feel like I am acomplishing alot.

2008-11-18T22:48:00.001-08:00

picture post

2008-11-18T22:43:00.000-08:00

this is trying!I did it!!!

Jeffrey had to do something with my folders or files or something but I think it worked. Let's try this and see what happens

Using this blog thing

2008-11-15T21:56:00.000-08:00

I just had a lesson in making a new post and adding blogs to follow. Now if I can just do it on my own.
I have finished 2 dish rags and donated them to the Mercy House. Now I am making another one that is green yellow and blue. I want to hurry and finish so I can start on the Christmas color yarn I got the other day. I worked on it some earlier today and have been doing other necessary things. Now I can go back and knit for awhile.
Happy Knitting

I've started

2008-11-09T19:31:00.000-08:00

I think I have figured this blog thing out. This is my first post. I have a new hobby, Knitting dish rags. I finished my first one yesterday. Maybe a picture will follow if I can figure it out.