November Journal Challenge

I had planned to get this completely quilted, but it isn't gonna happen before the end of the month, so I better post this and be happy. This is for the theme- Nature, up close. I sponge stamped the leaves at my fabric dyeing class back in September. I like how it turned out and hope the quilting will add to it. In closing: No question tonight....I've been at the hospital having a punch of test that involved a needle and nasty medicine, and I am tired!

October Journal Challenge

Yes, I know it is very late, especially since I sponsored this challenge on my blog. This is my October journal quilt. The theme was Nature-favorite Season. My favorite is actually Summer, but I did this Fall quilt.
I hand painted the fabric at my Utah Quilt Fest dyeing class in September. I add some thread painting to emphasize the fall leave trees. I quilted with clear thread to add texture and shape to the lake and clouds in the sky. The binding was not my best work, but I was glad to just have it done.

Thanks to daughter V for a photo to post!

I am quilting my November journal....Nature, up close. I had V take a photo of it unquilted, just in case I get behind again with photos.

I have enjoyed during this journal challenge. The only other challenge I have joined is a challenge group organized by Wil...my next project is a 20 X 20 inch quilt representing the theme "Wish". It is due by the first of February 2009.

No "In Closing" question tonight...I'm tired!

Finally...a photo!

Man can walk on the moon, we can talk to a screen and see the person on the other side of the World, but it takes me an entire 2 weeks to get one photo posted! I must be the most computer challenged person on this Planet! Thank you to daughter V who finally got this photo on her phone, which she sent to my e-mail, that I saved to My Pictures.

This is my September Journal Quilt for the theme of "How do I view Nature". It is my version of a photo of Antelope Island, which is about 7 miles from here. I hand dyed the fabrics for the the Island, as well as the Borders. I tried to play with some thread painting to bring out the beach grasses along the path. My October Journal...my view of nature thru a season....is done too. Maybe if I tempt V with some chocolate, she can take a photo of that quilt too.

On to other things quilted related: I got a call from a lady named Rachel here in Utah. She runs a service group called Quilters Without Borders. It is a inter-faith group that meets in the Salt Lake area once a month to tie quilts for those in need. Each month, a different church sponsors the meeting at their church building. So far, the LDS/Mormons, Methodist, Jewish, and Zionist churches have had a turn. She is looking for someone to organize a similar group here in my area. I am debating about being that organizer. I would enjoy tying quilts with others each month, but I'm not sure if I am up to being the Head Girl. I'll have to give it some more thought..... My quilt group is also having their elections for next years board-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the planning committee. I may have a place on the Board again this year. Can I do both? Do I want to do both?

In Closing:I am going to steal the subject from my brother's blog....what's you favorite ice cream?Me....Baskin Robins 31 flavors chocolate and peanut butter. How about you?

September Journal Quilt

The results are in!!!!At least for some of us. I finished my quilt a week ago, but, as usual, having posting problems with my photo. Daughter V thought she had it all figured out, but no photo. I am visiting family tonight who are photo/computer experts, so I will get this photo posted tonight!

Kris, Ann and Wil have posted to their blogs, so read them from my blog....right side under "Check out the journals" . Lorraine and Gina will be posting soon. Ann had quite a adventure with her quilt....and Wil has already passed us all and finished and posted her November quilt...busy girl!

October challenge (anyone want to join us?)is Nature-your favorite season. I am going to quilt one of the Fall blocks I fabric painted at Fest.

In Closing:How did you get into blogging? Me....family was doing it, and I didn't want to be left behind. Beside, a place where I can just ramble on and on without anyone stopping or correcting me....Heaven! Share, please....

Busy week, but aren't they all!

This weeks to-do list:

Monday/Today:Visiting teachers (women's church group) coming for a monthly visit, house cleaning, new tire for car, gather items for tomorrows fabric dyeing class, purchase clear, water soluble stabilizer to finish journal quilt for September (Update: I have been visited, hubby thinks he can repair the tire, I gathered my dyeing items, and I finished my September Journal quilt-even the binding!)

Tuesday:More house cleaning, babysit baby Tayge, leave nice dinner for Hubby & daughter V, attend Teacher meet n' Greet at Quilt Fest

Wednesday:All day fabric dyeing class at Quilt Fest, luncheon with Jane Sassaman speaking, hopefully win a prize during class or luncheon, come home to a home cooked meal not made by me

Thursday:Clean and cook, babysit Tayge, make something yummy for recipe club, go to recipe club and eat yummy things and learn to crochet thick pot holders

Friday:The usual....clean, cook & baby. Hopefully get finishing touches on journal quilt done.Attend evening quilt lecture at Quilt Fest with friend T.

Saturday:Sleep in...no cleaning or baby. Work on various projects (fleece jacket, other clothes, Christmas projects), make cookies for women's broadcast refreshments, attend baby shower for newest great-great nephew, attend annual Women's (church)dinner and television broadcast at the church house with Daughter E., get meal ready for the Sabbath

Sunday:Sleep in, read paper, Church, maybe have the kids over for boardgames and some good talk.

Okay, that's my week....not too busy!

I have no way of posting a photo of the completed journal top of Antelope Island I am doing for the journal challenge.....but here is the photo it is based on. I will hopefully get a photo posted soon...bear with me folks! In closing:Which way do you work better...with or without a to do list? I am a list person. Share, please!

Guess where I'm going...

on a cruise to Alaska! Yes! Yipe!!!!!

My dad is taking my siblings and I, along with our spouses, on a cruise of the inside passage of Alaska next June (2009). I am SO excited, I can't stand it!

As soon as we found out, I jumped on the Holland America Cruise site and started looking at the route and some of the port activities. We are going to see Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord (pictured below), and Ketchikan. There is so much to do, it can't possibly all be fitted into just 7 days! I definitely want to go whale watching. I've seen the whales by boat in California and Hawaii, and now I can add Alaska. I think they are beautiful creatures!
Hubby wants to fly in a float plane. He use to live in Alaska in the late 1970's and is really excited to be going back again. He has family that still live in Fairbanks....too far away for us to see though
I am already imagining all the fantastic photos that I can take that can turn into great journal quilts. I love working on the smaller scale of journal quilts.

I think I have decided on my pattern for the September journal challenge...I am going to do a picture based on the photo of Antelope Island I posted earlier this week. I still really like the Arrow Lake photo too, but will save it for a later project.

In Closing:Now that Summer is coming to an end here in the USA, what Fall activity are you looking forward too? Me, I love Fall cooking...pumpkin and squash recipes, hot chocolate with marshmallows and apple juice. How about you...please share!

A tradition is about to end!

For 19 years, on the first day of school, I have had a tradition. Myself, and anyone too young to go to school yet, went out to breakfast after my Hubby (a school teacher) and the older kids all went to school. I finally have hit the age where I don't have anyone to walk over to school or give up my car to so they can be cool and drive the first day of High School. I've gone to different restaurants over the years, but McDonald's (vintage picture below) has been a mainstay over the years T is going to the DATC for a nail tech class, starting tomorrow, and Hubby reports to seven classes of tech students at West Point Jr High (pictured below) tomorrow. Grandbaby T and I will just have to hang out in the sewing room, or something!
I have narrowed down (I think) my journal quilt pattern for September to one of the two nature views shown below. The first one is Antelope Island, which I live just off shore of, and the second photo is Arrow Lake....I just can't decide! I better hurry though, because the challenge starts soon!

In Closing:Do you have a back to school tradition with your children or grandchildren? New haircuts, book bags, book you read....what?...share, please

Journal Quilt Challenge

I am sending out a e-mail to all who signed up for the Nature Journal Quilt Challenge, but I decided I better post here too. Anyone who still wants to join, even for just one of the months, please e-mail so I can include you in the group mailings.

lej619....you can join too, but I do not have an e-mail for you....please e-mail me!

The challenge begins on September 1st.

The first month theme is "Your view of Nature"

Please complete a 8.5 X 11 inch journal block representing your view of nature. The quilt can be pieced and/or appliqued and/or embellished any way you like. Maybe you can try a new technique. It would be nice if your journal quilt was quilted and bond, but it is not part of the challenge guidelines.

Before the last day of the month, I will set up something here at minou's minute where you can post a photo and thoughts on your project.

Good luck Lorraine, Gina, Kris, Ann & Wil(and me)...I am looking forward to some great creations!