Wow, where has this last year gone?? I retired in September 2010 and moved to Fredericksburg end of November. I could not believe a year has passed and it was time to renew my lease.

I have been sick with bronchitis, allergies and sinus infection for a few weeks now and need to get going on Christmas presents or I will be in lots of hot water. My daughter, Tiffany went out of Black Friday and grabbed almost all items on my list. Thank you..

Will leave home next Tuesday and go to Leander to see Deanna and her family. Will attend Abby's dance recital and her mother's day out church program..Marc and Anna leave at town end of week for a few days and Abby and I will be playing!

Leave Leander and go to New Braunfels for Cohen's 7th birthday on the 23rd. Will spend Christmas Eve and Day with Tiffany and her family. Return to Leander on 29th to celebrate Abby's 3rd birthday. Whew, this is tiring me out already....

I love the Christmas season, family and good food. Hope to catch up with an old friend in Austin during the holidays. Really miss seeing her!

Happy Holidays to all and drive safe.

Lov, TJ

It's been a long hot summer! I have completed two more quilt tops. One is a pattern I designed and I named it "Kyleigh" for my oldest granddaughter who will be 10 this month. I used the Amy Butler "Soul Blossoms" collection. The other is a quilt top I made at a quilt retreat last month. It was made using a jelly roll from the Arcadia collection by Sanae. Hope to get both quilted next month. Might learn to machine quilt on my brother sewing machine. I've watched several u=-tube videos and I think I can do it. If I can use a longarm machine, surely I can do a small quilt on my machine at home, right? Also, I am working on a design for my grandson, Cohen. And then, I will work on one for Abby. Thank goodness for EQ6..it helps with designing quilts. I am glad I can spend time sewing, it helps me get thru the days when my health prevents me from tackling much of anything else.






Once a month, at the local quilt shop, I lead a group of about 25 women in a scrap club. Each month I provide them with a quilt pattern, a scrap fabric project, newletter with tips, upcoming shows, etc. and a recipe. We have a great time with a show and share segment and lots of good food together. After lunch, we sit and sew on our projects and brainstorm new ideas with each other...It's a great group of ladies and spending time with quilting friends is like drinking a good cold glass of iced tea on a hot summer day! Yum, yum!



On another note, I have been teaching a group of ladies how to sew. One of these gals did not have a sewing machine last month and when we met last week, she had purchased a new machine and was eager to learn how to use it. We made cosmetic bags with zippers and a composition notebook cover. Everyone was excited to leave with a finished project.



As soon as I figure out how to get camera photos in my computer, I will post photos.



A week ago, I went to a quilt shop in New Braunfels where my daughter leads a group for a purse party. All six of us left with a finished purse, a Heather Bailey Smart Bag. Fun, Fun, Fun!

We meet again next month and will make a pruse using grommets. Can't wait to see how they look.

Working on several gift bags made from fat quarters for a group of little munchins who are having birthday celebrations this month.

Gotta run! Need to start packing for my trip to see Abby. She has a surprise for me! I wonder what it is..Shhh- I have a surprise for her too!



Pray for rain...



Happy quilting!



Love, TJ

Kyleigh

My granddaughter, Kyleigh in her outfit for the talent show......she sang and did an awesome job! Isn't she cute? These 9 year olds look so much older...her dad better get ready!!!

Love, TJ

Mother's Day 2011

Mother's Day Photo Gift with my beautiful grandkids, Cohen, Abby and Kyleigh! I love you!!

Amy Butler Dress

Here's the dress I made Abby Lu from a tank shirt and Amy Butler fabrics. It was so easy!
I have another one on the sewing table with a white tank shirt and some awesome fabric Anna selected for Abby.

Love, TJ

Quilt Show Kerrville 2011

My daughter has taken an interest in quilting! Yeah, somebody to share my hobby. Tiffany made her first quilt and I did the binding for her. She entered it in the Kerrville Quilt Show during May, and SHE WON 2nd place in the novice division. I am so proud of her...she was surprised! I had to keep it a secret for several days, DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD THAT WAS?


On another note, I made a dress for Abby and she wore it to a photo session with cousins, Kyleigh and Cohen to take pictures for my Mother's Day present from Anna and Marc. What fun that was and the pictures are awesome!


I kept Kyleigh and Cohen for several weeks while Tiffany finished up school. She teaches in Gonzales and the grandkids go to school in New Braunfels. Different schedules. Tiffany also had to attend a class in Austin for several days. K & C attended Boys and Girls Club in Fredericksburg and had a blast! Good programs, clubs and outings...


I have finished two more quilts. One for Abby Lu and the other for grandkids when visiting Nana.


I have two more cut out and started sewing one of them for Kyleigh. Teaching a few quilt classes at local quilt store and enjoying every minute of it..


Will have picutres soon!

Finally I have internet services. I have lived in Fredericksburg since first part of December and decided I needed cable and internet after all. So I am back in business.


Love, TJ

Spring is in the air!

I have been busy! Commissioned to make a baby quilt for a couple in Washington. Completed it and delivered it last week..baby blue, beige and brown...really soft and sweet! Remember those UFOs I needed to complete...I have four quilts that need binding, yeah! So let's see that leaves 6 more to go..I am getting there.

Since my last post, I have retired, moved back to Fredericksburg and I can quilt again! I have joined the Kerrville and Fredericksburg quilt guilds and also a quilting bee with my mom's cousin, Betty Blackwell who lives in Kerrville. Betty's group is such an inspiration..these are a group of talented ladies and I look forward to learning from them.

On a sad note, my sister, Loretta left this earth last Sunday and joined the angels in heaven. She had been ill for many years and moved from Louisiana to Kerrville last fall to be near family. Living in Fredericksburg I was able to visit her more often. and I cherish the memories we were able to make. My prayers are with her daughters and their families. A memorial service will be held in April. Thanks to those of you for your phone calls and messages.

This week is spring break for Kyleigh and Cohen. Each one will spend some time with me and I look forward to some good times...

Will post pictures as soon as I can...


Love, TJ