It has been quiet on the forum. I think most people are posting their current activities and updates on the "February Quilting/Sewing Goals" message thread. Maybe everyone is too busy sewing to talk about it!

It's been pretty quiet on a couple other forums I frequent, too. Yeah, being snowbound or bad-weather bound, you'd think posts would be soaring, but it seems to have had the opposite effect.

The memorial quilting of your BILs clothes is very special. Had I been a quilter when my father passed away, for sure I'd have done that. I still have a lot of his ties, and hope to make something very special with them some day.

I am looking forward to seeing the memorial quilt too Geri.
Tell me about your QAYG, I have only made the traditional ones Gloria Bonesteel taught me and I want to try another.
I have been busy with fam so i haven't been quilting too much.
At the moment I am making quilted pillows for my sofa.
Rosa

I'm just being lazy. I'll get out my camera and post my latest crazy project.

For me it's the opposite of the folks with bad weather! In Orlando, this is gardening season so I've been busy outside. Maybe I should post a picture of my outside 'patchwork' project! Once the weather turns hot here in Florida, I'll have more time for quilting.

Kate

I've made 3 quilts which are posted in the gallery and another top today but it needs borders yet. So, yes, I've been sewing....and reading. I need to start working on getting the backing on a few tops I have ready and borders on a few others instead of making a new one!!! Oh well, that's what called me to work on today.....

SharonG/FL

I've just returned from a week in Florida and hope to get back into the sewing room soon. At this point my next priority is 3 tops I want to get quilted. Then maybe I'll start on a few other small projects I have in mind.

I do have a few pictures I'll share when I can get caught up on 7 loads of laundry! LOL

I have been lazy too. I've been working on purses, and trying to finish up some quilts. I'm going to a quilting retreat in April and looking forward to getting the supply list in the mail so I can go fabric shopping!

Solstice98, Please do post a picture of your "outside patchwork project."

Thanks for asking! It has been a whirlwind month around here: medical testing for me, which turned out well thankgoodness. My Bro came from SA, TX for two weeks and helped my DH do woodworking for my sturdy new bookcase for my stash...and Jennifer & little ones came for lunch one day while they were in FL...it has been a great, enjoyable time! Hope yours has been too!...Did manage to start the year with 3 donation baby quilts...Gwen

That's all the encouragement I needed! I posted a couple pictures of the backyard project. Take a look and let me know if you think my quilting skills helped!

Here is a link that might be useful: This forum - different post:

I was happy to see this post as I have been wondering where everyone was.
solstice, your patio is beautiful!! That sunset is to die for. Considering the temp outside is 18 tonight all that green grass looks pretty appealing,
I try and quilt a little each day and have several tops that need to be sandwiched so I can quilt them. Not job I enjoy as I much prefer to piece them togeather.
Looking forward to more input from everyone and I love those pic.
Jayne

It seems most of the posts these days are related to the birthday block swaps - more than a third on the first page. I just wish more of the swappers would post photos!

Ah, well, I will post quilts when I finish them. My Chinese Lanterns blocks are almost done, but I'm kind of losing steam with them, sigh.

Mary

I'm gradually getting back to my sewing and quilting. This winter has been rough on me - I was sick for several weeks off and on from Dec. 17 to the middle of January. It has been many years since I was so sick for sooooo long.

This past weekend I made my block for our next round robin project. We will trade them on March 23. This time we all picked fortune cookies and used the fortune for our theme and inspiration. Some of us picked more than once until we got a fortune we could do something with! LOL!

I'm trying to follow a strict program for quilting HA,HA,HA!!! don't fall down laughing!!! I posted the prayer quilt I finished & am doing BD blocks. I FINALLY have my Piecemakers squares from the 2008 swap together & got the backing fabric. Soon, very soon ...
This quarter I've had lots of essays to grade & am teaching Romeo & Juliet for the first time - and one class are very reluctant readers - so it's quite a challenge.
DS also thought he was going to be laid off from his job so he went out & bought a puppy - needless to say, he didn't get laid off (yet). He's a field engineer in the oil industry so he left yesterday for a new rig assignment (usually 18-24 days) and we are taking care of this dog. Our dog Penny is a miniature Australian shepherd & FINALLY out of the puppy stage (she is 1-1/2) and now we have Max, a 10week old Siberian husky. DH is retired but not happy about all the time this puppy is taking - and it has been sick so he's been to the vet 4 times in the last week!
Penny is being pretty patient since she has been an "only-dog" and almost like a little mother - until he takes one of her toys!
It's not warm enough in Colorado for us to enjoy the 2a.m. trips to the back yard!
This is Penny & Max under the table resting.

Max - with chew toys.

Good to hear from you Geri. Thanks for posting!
Sue

I have been missing in action around here for a long time, no time or motivation in a while, but I'm ready to get back in the swing!

Glad you mentioned memory quilts. My sister's dh passed away three years ago, and I offered to make her DD a quilt from his shirts. She was finally emotionally able to let me bring the shirts home recently. I have them all cut apart, but have not been able to decide on what block/blocks to make from these.

I could sure use some input from you who have made quilts from shirts.

I've been checking the posts every now and then,but haven't posted. In Sept, my brother fell down the stairs. For a while it looked like he wouldn't survive. He's home now, but has to take anti-seizure medicine.He's still not feeling well.Then my Mom died-we buried her Dec.23 and I have tears in my eyes now just thinking about her.Just starting to get back to quilting but can't seem to build up any steam. I'm working on a quilt for a summer wedding gift. Hoping to get the top finished within the next few weeks.

~Geraldine

daytoday, so sorry to hear about your brother and the loss of your mom. I lost my mom a few years ago around the same time of year and I still get tears in my eyes and miss her very much. Quilting can be a great healer. Be sure and post a picture of the wedding gift quilt you are working on when it is finished.

Geri

Kathy tx, Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville.com has a new book out called Scraps and Shirttails with emphasis on making quilts from scraps and men's shirts. I've included a link. I bought this book; if you have any questions you can email me. A pattern like Swing Your Partner could use one shirt per block.

Geraldine, I'm very sorry for the loss of your mom and the health problems your brother is facing. Keeping busy with your quilting can help you focus on something else.

Sue, those doggies are so cute! Two a.m. trips to the backyard....not so cute.

Gwen, a new bookcase is great! How nice that you and Jennifer were able to visit.

Teresa

Here is a link that might be useful: Scraps & Shirttails by Bonnie Hunter

Oh Geraldine, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I totally understand the loss of steam. I'm experiencing that myself. I go home from work everyday feeling exhausted and just I just don't want to do anything or even leave the house again for any reason. But I've been too lenient with myself and so I've decided that every day I need to do at least one constructive thing at home, even if it's just squirting toilet bowl cleaner into the toilet and swishing the brush around.
Salijo

Teresa, thank you so much for the link. I just ordered a copy of her book, it looks interesting. I hope they ship it quickly, I finally have hope of getting started on the quilt. I've had the pieces piled up on the sewing table, waiting for inspiration.

Thank you so much for the information! This is what I love about this forum.

Kathy, I'm glad the link helped you! Bonnie Hunter is one of the most unselfish quilt professionals that I know. She is the kind of person we all should support if possible.

Salijo, I know about that end-of-the-day exhaustion and the frustration at not getting *anything* done! You have inspired me to try to accomplish one thing each day during the week so I am not bogged down with housework on the weekend when I would like to be quilting. Last night I washed a counterful of dishes AND did a load of clothes (so I would have clean underwear to put on today). Somedays, just getting my bed made before I leave for work is all that gets done. Wednesday and Thursday I was up at 5am and at the store by 7am to get supplies for my group meeting at our conference center at 8am. That schedule can make for long days!

Teresa

Well I have been trying to educate myself with a new laptop and Windows Vista,of course. It is getting better now but at first I thought "how stupid am I". After 15yrs on computers I felt like a knew nothing.

Sue the pups are so cute and they will become real friends.
Geraldine so sorry about your Mom and brother. It is hard to get past these momments in life and quilting does seem to help.

I hope others that were sick are feeling better and I envy gardening in Florida....I am getting very tired of winter.

I too can`t seem to get a lot accomplished. I have 3 small charity quilts in various stages and my new years mystery on the quilt frame but nothing is finished. I would feel so much better if I could see 1 project done. Geraldine I am dying to start my Dot to Dot but must get the above done first.

Take care all and hopefully we will surprise this forum with a lot of pictures very soon.
Jean