New Hardware

Yet another picture from a phone...but hey...from two time zones away, I'll take any pictures I can get!

MRS RORY FRUHLING?!?!?!

Well before the surprise and excitement died down from Lauren's engagement last Friday, we were hit with the shock of their plans to elope on Monday! Talk about a whirlwind of emotions! We were confident Rory was "the one" and were suspicious an engagement was in the near future, but nothing could have prepared us for this. If they were looking for shock value--they got it!

They stopped at the bridal shop on their way to Palm Springs to get a dress for Lauren. I hope she doesn't mind that I'm sharing these pictures :) Speaking of surprises, I'm not sure anything can prepare a mother to see her daughter in a wedding dress either!

Thankfully Lauren & Rory hired a photographer and so there will be pictures of the event.

They will be living in Tempe, Arizona...at least until Lauren graduates in May. Hopefully Lauren will be accepted into a PA (physician's assistant) program this summer which will require a move. Unfortunately no schools in Texas met her requirements :(

I can't imagine too many people will find fault that I didn't get a wedding quilt made as a gift for the bride and groom. Maybe a 1st anniversary present...

Running Buddies

For a few months I've been running early Sunday mornings with a group of runners in The Woodlands. For the life of me I can't figure out why. First, The Woodlands is about a 12 mile drive. Second, they consider 5 miles a short run. And third, they like to start very early in the morning. Sometimes I think that's what makes it possible--I'm running before my body knows I'm out of bed!

Last Saturday, all 5 of us ran in the "Ten For Texas" run in, you guessed it, The Woodlands. We all finished smiling. Especially Venetta. That's her in the middle sporting a 3rd place medal for her age group. Sorry the picture is so small :(

Tomorrow they think it would be fun to run 21 miles. They are gearing up for the San Antonio marathon. All except for Venetta and me. We will join them halfway (at 5:45 am!) and run a measly 10-1/2 miles...

Backbasting Technique

The quilt guild I belong to had a Schoolhouse night where members taught different quilting techniques. The following are the samples I brought to demonstrate the backbasting applique technique.

It's as easy as Trace, Baste, Clip, Flip...

Start by TRACING a reverse image of your design on the wrong side of the background fabric.

Place a piece of the fabric to be appliqued right side up on the right side of the background piece. Make sure it is larger than the line you just drew on the back. Using a good-sized needle and thick thread (I use quilting thread), BASTE around the pattern line on the back of the background fabric through both layers. No need for knots--just leave tails. Basting stitches do not need to be perfect and even, however, they should be reasonably close because they are marking your pattern. (The spot on the left where the stitches are larger is the spot under the bat which will be appliqued later--that spot isn't critical because it will be covered with more applique.)

CLIP (trim) the fabric to be appliqued a scant 1/4" from the basting line...on the outside of the shape.

Using your needle, pull out an inch or two of basting thread and FLIP (needle turn) the edge of the applique shape in using the holes left from the basting needle/thread as a guide. Keep pulling out basting thread as you go.

This is an easy "to go" style of applique. No glue, pins, or freezer paper coming loose. Try it, you may like it!

A Few Quilts...

This was a quilt I made for the Miracles Baseball Academy auction. TJ has really enjoyed being part of this club team. It's been the best baseball experience he's had to date. Finally--good baseball in Texas!

Katie was a quilt-making machine this summer! Think she made 4 quilts. This one she's posing on was made for a special friend in California.

Here's another pic, sans Katie. Minky on the back :)

Her first quilt of the summer was a string quilt sewn on a foundation in Michigan blue and maize. And yes, it had minky on the back too :) No way she will get cold under that. Suffocate maybe, but not freeze. The following quilt was made just like the Michigan string quilt, but in Christmas colors/fabrics. So cute. It didn't fit in her luggage and I gave serious thought to just keeping it. Can you blame me?!

Just in case you wanted to know... I mailed the quilt to Katie this week. Guess that means I have one more quilt to add to my list of quilts to make.

Harley's a sophomore

You can just imagine how proud I am of Harley. Before you get nervous thinking this is a picture of his first day of school...it's not...although I wouldn't put it past him! He's not known for being shy! This was how he dressed for "nerd day" yesterday.
Apparently being 15 is exhausting. Can't tell you how many times I find him (or TJ for that matter) asleep in this chair. And, naturally, the dogs join in.

Both dogs were asleep when I got the camera out, but they can't resist posing for the camera when it's focused on them.

Lauren's new hobby

First of all, I never thought I'd have girls who played water polo. Shoot, when they were born I didn't even know such a sport existed! However, with Lauren's back surgeries, water polo is now off limits and it was only a matter of time before she found another athletic hobby. But really, rock climbing??? I blame my dad for this. He was always a wanna be. Gotta admit, she LOOKS happy :) I'm happy too, as long as I'm not the one on the mountain!

Does this look like fun??? Takes my breath away...and I'm just sitting here at a computer!

She has joined a rock climbing gym and is loving every minute of it. More power to her. Love ya' Lauren :) Be careful!

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Mojo is actually doing a pretty good impression of a DEAD dog, not just a SLEEPING one. He gets so cold that the blue heating bad was his bed most of the winter. Now that the a/c has come on, the heating pad is put away. He's taking advantage of the quilt as well. Can you say spoiled?

Everything IS bigger in Texas!

So now we know what's been making all the racket in the backyard! Check out the size of this frog!!!

Just a little more TJ...

TJ ended the high school baseball season with a great game against Lufkin. They won 3-1...and the 1 was unearned. The first time we played them (with another pitcher), we were run-ruled and sent home early. No fun, especially since it's a 2-1/2 hour drive! On this particular meeting though, TJ struck out 10 and gave up just 2 hits. In the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings he faced just 10 batters. I understand it was a pretty exciting game--wish I could have been there! Thankfully a mom was texting me updates :)

TJ's Dominating the Mound!

After a miserable sophomore baseball season, this year has been a blast. TJ's playing again (as opposed to just wearing the uniform like last year) and doing very well pitching. I think the team's overall record is 8-3. TJ's record is 5-0 and he has pitched 5 full games. (I hope that's right--I'm not a "stat" girl.) We have a tough league with 3 teams that are a few of the best in Texas, so competition is tough.

On the left is Cody Althouse--big time home run hitter. On the right is our TJ :) Lookin' good T!

Quilt Exhibit in Galveston

Yesterday I went with a group of quilters to see a quilt exhibit in Galveston. The trip had everything a quilt-related field trip needs--quilts, food, and fabric shopping! I was a little disappointed in the quilts--was hoping for older quilts. General consensus was that the oldest quilt was maybe from the 1920s, with most from the 40s and 50s. Maybe everything before that was destroyed in the 1900 hurricane. The following quilt is a Carpenter's Wheel.

This Trip Around the World quilt was made from double-knit polyester! Yeah, apparently it wasn't just my Grandma making polyester quilts in the 70s. There was a quilt appraiser with us who said polyester quilts are becoming quite collectible. Apparently no one saw much value in them so not very many were saved. Which makes me wonder, who appreciates them NOW?

A string quilt in "normal" cotton. Gotta make one of these.

The following wholecloth + embroidery quilt was a favorite in our group. This picture just shows one block. Very pretty.

Pretty log cabin with stars.

Is it really possible to be this tired???

And, you're talking to someone who knows tired! Now, Harley has an excuse because he was sick. Still, the couch is just 2 feet away and there's a quilt and pillow RIGHT THERE! I would think it would be worth it...but that's just me.

Just couldn't get enough of this pose. The dog's even in on the action....or lack thereof!

And what do you know? TJ seems to like this spot for a nap as well. Thought I raised them better.

Snake Bite

This is the copperhead the dogs discovered in the backyard.

This is what happens to a dog's neck when bitten in the cheek.

This is what happens to a dog's neck 24 hours after said snake bite.

Ahhhh...and here's our Bella with her normal neck back and just 2 puncture wounds to remember the snake by.

About a week and a half later, another copperhead showed up in the backyard. No one was home but me so I had the "privilege" of disposing of it. Guess I should give Molly credit because she helped. Bella stayed far away. Good dog!

Happy Birthday, Harley!

No birthday cake in this family! It's all about the birthday PIE! Here's Harley digging in to his apple birthday pie. He's 15 now...I can almost hear the car keys jingling in his pocket...

Veggie Boxes

TJ and Harley worked together with Tom to build 4 raised veggie boxes for the backyard. Who knew they'd be so excited about growing veggies :) They're working on the box upside down--attaching chicken wire to keep critters from crawling up from the bottom. All 4 boxes have been finished, put in place, and planted! I'm hoping I can stay on top of the tomato hornworms (grrrrrr) this year.