Grannies du Jour

I made these two Granny Square blocks yesterday, as well as a few more nine patches for the shirt quilt. 

I can't describe just how much fun it is to make those granny blocks. I have a huge bag of scraps. 

Remember how Baby Taco used to like to nest in my scrap bag?

It's such fun to scrabble around in that bag and come up with some pretty pieces for the next granny square. And the blocks are very easy and quick to make--especially now that I have my Accuquilt Go! to make cutting out all those little squares so easy. I have my next quilt in mind already to start after I've finished up the Granny and the Shirt Quilt.

This Scrappy Trip Around the World, or something very much like it, just might be my next patchwork project. Here's a tutorial for making this quilt by strip piecing, which I might decide to do instead of cutting each square separately. I haven't decided that part yet.

Another Scrappy Trip Around the World in progress

Cheryl is downstairs housecleaning, and Steve is outside doing my annual spring yard cleanup and mulching. So I suppose I should get to work too, since everybody else is.

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On 03/06/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

Oh, now I wonder if I need to ask for one of the Acuquilt Go! cutters for my birthday?? I have two quilts in mind that use little squares and my right arm is still hurting intermittantly.

Your happy Granny Squares are delightful!

Love the colorful and gloriously scrappy Many Trips quilts. They remind me of coloring on graph paper when I was in elementary school. My favorite color choice then was magenta but now it's not in the ballpark.

Instead of rain, we awoke to a couple of inches of snow and it is still snowing. What a surprise! We were supposed to be well south of the snow/rain line.

I hope to get ND together today and to get to work on the borders. Hope you have fun doing whatever you decide to do.

Hugs!

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On 03/06/2013, gail said ...

Love your color choices....really nice together.
Gail

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On 03/06/2013, Laura said ...

Looks like Taco is having as much fun as you are making this quilt!

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On 03/13/2013, Heather said ...

Hi I'm Heather! Please email me when you get a chance, I have a question about your blog! LifesABanquet1(at)gmail.com
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Hobbling Off to Bee

In spite of the knee problem, which continues to get worse, I made it to my quilting bee group's monthly meeting yesterday--limping all the way. Everyone except Rita was in attendance, including a brand new member, Darlene.

I'll get right to the show and tell.

Sally and her critters

New bee member Darlene and her lovely show-and-tell

Somebody has been shopping.

Martha shows her latest creation.

Mary S. and her sweet cuddle quilt

Mary S. is also showing this beauty that she finished at retreat last week. That's Mary Grace B., to the left, helping Mary S. show her quilt top.

Another Mary S. creation

Mary S., got lots done at retreat last week, including this beautiful Tumbler quilt top.

Doris's pretty patchwork bracelet

A mother-daughter collaboration. Cyndi (standing) and her mother Gerry (seated behind and to Cyndi's right, our left) combined their talents to make this "Mama Said" quilt. It's all hand appliqued and hand embroidered, and the two are working frantically now to get the last of the hand quilting done before our guild's quilt show in June.

I had planned to take my Nancy Drew quilt top, but forgot. Remember that the Nancy Drew Reveal Day for me is this Friday, March 8, so don't forget to stop by for the Blog Hop.

I have an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon on Thursday to find out what's wrong with my knee and if he can do anything to fix it. We've already determined that there's nothing much to be done for the back; and of course, nobody has a solution for the fibro. 

OK, now, I'm going to see if I can get a couple of quilt blocks stitched before either the pain or a dog starts barking too loudly for me to continue.

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On 03/05/2013, Kai said ...

Still running to and fro with MaryBear & Mar, but HAD to come peek in and get my Susan fix! I would die of happiness to be among those darling quilters & all their pretties! Are you SURE you wouldn't like to adopt a rather OLD person? I'm not much to look at but I am a HARD worker! And I'm incredibly tidy!LOVE YOU!

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On 03/05/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

Cheers that you made it to your quilting bee which, no doubt, did your heart a world of good! What wonderful eye candy! I first saw a Mama Said quilt at the Houston Quilt Show and have loved it ever since! Well done to Cyndi and her mama Gerry! Mary S's many accomplishments have me envious and exhausted.

With all of the time consuming work we're doing next door to get rid of FIL's mountain of stuff, I probably won't have borders on my ND quilt by the 8th. My rationalization is that this challenge started back in November and we were late to the party having started in February. You've done better than I since your quilt top is finished. I look forward to seeing it!

Hope your doctor can find an easy to fix (without surgery) cause for your knee pain.

Hugs!

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On 03/05/2013, Sylvia said ...

Love the Show & Tell. You are so lucky to have that circle of friendship. Hope you get to feeling better
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Granny Houses

I just now discovered that my Little Pink Houses that I've made as part of the Shabby Fabrics Sweetheart Houses Block of the Month look great with my Granny Square blocks. I don't know if they'll actually get paired together in a finished quilt, but it's fun to play with them this way.

I feel a bit better today--actually, a huge bit better than yesterday. The allergies, I suppose, had caused a doozy of a case of vertigo. The vertigo caused nausea, which caused barf city. I had to stay in bed all day, trying not to move my head the slightest bit and send the room into swirls and spins and thereby the stomach into lurching and heaving.

I still have some occasional mild vertigo today, but thank God, no nausea. I hate that! I will call Dr. M. tomorrow and let him know of my roller-coaster ride of a weekend.

I know my health situation has become a bore to read about. Actually, I don't expect you to. I'm really just using my blog to document what's going on with my condition, in case I have to remember it accurately for some doctor somewhere sometime who just might have a cure, or at least a treatment that works. Or if a future family member with a health condition needs info. So feel free to ignore my health posts.

But thanks to all of you who send your best wishes for better days. I love you all.

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On 03/03/2013, Pesky Patti said ...

I like the grannies with the houses. It's cheerful and bright...

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On 03/03/2013, Jan said ...

Granny squares are so much fun & those adorable houses look cute with them! Feel free to vent...I'm sure your readers all wish you get well soon!

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On 03/03/2013, Julie in WA said ...

Gasp! I LOVE the granny squares paired with the houses! I am going to have to remember the idea, even if you don't use it!

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On 03/03/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

Cheers that you're feeling so much better! Happy dancing at that bit of good news!

I echo the approval of the charming, delightful look of the Granny Squares paired with the cute houses. What serendipity! If I may be so bold, I'd like to encourage you to put these together in a quilt. It would be a lovely touch with warmth and heart wherever you chose to hang it (if it's small enough) or use it. Applause!!

Methinks this is your blog, so you choose the topics and you can talk about your health hiccups as much as you want to or need to.

Your vertigo is puzzling but most commonly it's the result of an inner ear problem - unless you've been twirling too long and that seems unlikely in this situation. If your doctor wants to see you, beware of driving if you're still dizzy.

Big hugs!

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On 03/03/2013, Linda said ...

So glad you are feeling better, Susan. Vertigo is no fun. I had it one day; sent me to my knees crawling to the bathroom. Good that you will bring it to your dr's attention. I can't say that I "enjoy" hearing about your health issues. I would much rather hear that you are well and bouncing with good health, however, it does give me the privilege of praying re the current needs.

I like the combination of the granny squares and the little houses. What a good idea!

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On 03/04/2013, Karen in Michigan said ...

Just FYI, I started getting vertigo a year and a half ago. The doctor says it is "benign positional vertigo" and gave me some eye exercises to do. Apparently the crystals in my ears are not aligned. I didn't even know I HAD crystals in my ears. And why eye exercises help align crystals in my ears is completely beyond me. Anyway, let us know what the doctor says. You, too, may get to lie in bed and look left! Look right! Look up! Look down! Faster. Getting old isn't for sissies and I'm NOT OLD. Regardless of what my niece says. What does she know? She's 18.

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On 03/04/2013, suzanne said ...

Susan, My husband went to the ER with vertigo and they told him to take motion sickess pills. Did the trick..
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Another Granny

Amidst the current fibro/knee/back flare, I haven't got much done the past few days. But I did make one more granny square yesterday. which means I now have five.

Today I'm trying to work on my next Block of the Month pattern to give out at the March guild meeting in just over a week. I'm a bit behind schedule on it, and I'm making slow progress today.

I'm appalled that I am missing my church's annual women's spiritual retreat this weekend. I got all ready to go last night, but the pain was just so bad, I had to give up and put my pajamas on and go to bed. Today is a little better, but still not good enough to sit all day and pay attention. I know I'm missing a great day of friendship, prayer, and praise--not to mention good food and fun. 

It's a very cloudy, windy, and cold day here. We were supposed to have snow, but so far I've seen nary a flake.

When I finish the Block of the Month sewing and instruction writing (I'm more than halfway finished), I'm going to snuggle up with a few furry friends and read. I'm reading a Bentley Little book entitled The Haunted--and geez-a-lou! is it a scary one! Doesn't really break new ground, plotwise, but the action will make your hair stand on end and you'll be checking the corners of your room for strange presences and listening for spooky noises. If you don't like scary books, don't read this one.

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On 03/02/2013, Joanne said ...

The Grannies are lovely. Very sorry for your pain and fatigue, and I hope and pray something is found to make you all well again. Love and hugs!

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On 03/02/2013, Nancy in Utah said ...

I love your Grannies Susan. I'm so sorry your not feeling well. My Sclero pain hasn't been any worse than usual but the overwhelming fatigue has kept me from sewing. I know that you understand exactly what I'm talking about. It is a fatigue that you can't fathom until you have experienced it. Anyway, I'm so glad you have the furry kids to cuddle up with, all that unconditional love surrounding you as you read and rest. Feel better soon, I want to see more Grannies. I think I'm going to have to do some to use up some of the pieces in my scrap bucket. Now about that Bently Little book, I love scary, always have, I'm going to have to check it out. Thanks for the review. Gentle Hugs...

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On 03/02/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

My condolences that the fibromonster laid you low so you had to miss the wonderful retreat with the ladies at your church. I know you were missed. It's a bummer to be wise and take good care of yourself when with all your heart you want to go. Big hugs!

Your Granny Squares are lovely and each and every one is so cheerful, too. Not to mention precisely sewn, as you do!

I've just totally used up my spoons for today helping DH clean out AMIL's garage. We worked for only three hours but today is cold with a leaden sky and while I worked up a sweat, my hands froze. I'm 10 seams shy of having my ND quilt center together and it's not likely that I'll sew during what's left of today. Bother!

Hope you feel lots better right now, but keep taking it easy until you do feel better.

More hugs!

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On 03/02/2013, Linda said ...

I was thinking about you today, and I've never even met you - isn't that amazing. I was hoping you weren't having the fibro pain. I hope it keeps easing for you. Enjoy your cozy evening. Love your grannies and now you have me looking up Bentley Little on Anazon.

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On 03/02/2013, Ellen in Oregon said ...

Sue-
It totally stinks that you are still feeling so bad & that you missed your retreat. If you told your doctor that things were so bad that you missed your annual retreat, they would not understandstand the seriousness of that statement. No, only a fellow quilter knows having to cancel an annual retreat only happens if you cannot get yourself out of bed & upright. I really had hopes for you that all the shots & meds would have improved something for you.
The book you are reading sounds right up my alley, I think you and I are the minority who love Criminal Mindish gore marbeled mysteries. Bring on the arterial spray and we are not phased one bit. Sometimes I regret that I spent decades as a rehabilitation counslor when I was best suited to working as a homicide det. trauma dictor or an EMT. I like to think it does not bother us because we are a bit more intellectually wired than the norm, but I would never say that outloud for fear of being labeled pompous. I do not understand people who are squimish at the slightist hint of blood any more than they understand those of us who never flinch.
On to brighter topics - Your Granny Squares are coming along really nice. I just finished cutting out the zillion squares to make one of my own. Are you using the Accu-cutter thingy you bought to do the cutting for you? Cutting is the worst of me physically, so I hope I can get one down the road. Too making windows need replacing to make it any kind of priority right now.
Hope all your furries are behaving. I hope Sopie has gotten over the shock of her poodle doo - poor girl. I chuckle every time I think of her picture post- groomer. I feel a bit guilty about the laughing, but you gotta laugh. I hope that groomer never thinks that her true calling is human hair stlying.
Rest, feel stronger & when you finish the book let me know if I should get a copy to read.
Take care - Ellen
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hellooooo

Bella is trying to decide if she wants to lie with the rest of us (me, Taco, Sophie, and Skipper) during reading-in-bed-time. She finally thought better of it, hopped off the bed, and went her own way. She marches to the beat of a different drummer, that kitty cat does.

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On 02/28/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

Isn't it interesting to watch the thought process our pets seem to get through? Pros and cons? ... do I want to or not? ... and who would be next to me if I deign to join in (only cats think this).

I long ago heard someone say "In ancient Egypt cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have not forgotten that." So true!

Remember that little movie titles "The Bluebird of Happiness" with Elizabeth Taylor and Cecily Tyson? In this movie the cat, dog, sugar, and milk become human to help two children find the bluebird of happiness. Cecily Tyson was the cat. At the end of the movie as Cecily is about to turn back into her cat self, the little girl asks the cat if she'll always love her. Cecily arched her back, stretched, and said in an off-hand way, "I'll love you just as much as you deserve." Also very cat-like!

I plan to get my Nancy Drew center together today.

Hope you're feeling good!

Hugs!

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On 02/28/2013, Joanne said ...

Bella's a beauty.

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On 02/28/2013, Mary said ...

Most cats do march to their own drummer!! She sure is pretty!

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On 03/01/2013, gail said ...

What a lovely cat and she looks like she has her mind set there on something very important.....
Gail

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On 03/01/2013, Kai said ...

She's SO beautiful! Tell Jesse if ever he needs a 'vacation' from her, he can send her right over to Aunty Kai! (As IF, right?) I AM reading blogs between running to and from, hither and yon, etc. And I LOVE those quilt-making ladies! Just sorry YOU couldn't join them this year! LOVE YOU, SUSAN!

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On 03/01/2013, Valerie said ...

Shes so beautiful. Hope you are feeling better!
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Retreat Visit

For the second year in a row, I missed my quilters guild's winter retreat at Camp McDowell in North Alabama. Pain, fatigue, and lack of stamina let me know I'd best stay home near my own bed. I surely did miss all the fun though. I have been to all but maybe three of our retreats over the years. There's nothing like it. Not one thing to do all day except sew and visit and laugh and talk and enjoy all the wonderful food that the ladies at the camp prepare for us. I sure hope I can go next year.

Thanks to our president, Vasha R., who took all the following photos, I can share share some of the beautiful quilts that were created there last week.

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On 02/27/2013, Wendy said ...

Thanks for my morning quilt show! What a talented guild you're in. Hope you're feeling better every day.

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On 02/27/2013, Joanne said ...

Gorgeous quilts! Thanks for posting them.

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On 02/27/2013, Lisa A said ...

You were sorely missed.

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On 02/27/2013, Julie in WA said ...

I'm sorry you missed the retreat! But it is generous of you to share the quilts that were created! I love online quilt shows and the quilts showcased here are marvelous!

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On 02/27/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

What a glorious array of quilts of so many sizes, fabrics, and styles!! Yes, your cohorts are a talented group and you, even tho you were home last week, are well and truly another member with talent! It was a delight to see these great quilts!

Hope you're feeling better this week and will reserve those hopes for next year's retreat week.

Hugs!

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On 02/27/2013, Valerie said ...

That was almost as good as being there! Thanks for sharing. Hope you feel better soon!

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On 02/28/2013, Andrea said ...

Wonderful quilts! I enjoyed every one!

Received the Quilters' Guild cookbooks this morning! I will certainly be trying the Coconut Rice recipe, sounds great. We were all happy to see the famous Hummingbird Cake recipe, but I think the "Idiot's Delight Dump Cake" recipe just below it may possibly get made first!

The cookbook is really adorable and well organized, too. Great project!
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Clue Two

I have finished the Nancy Drew quilt top and the pieced backing. Since it's so close to reveal day for the Blog Hop, I'm going to wait until after that to have it quilted. I might even try to machine quilt it myself, but probably not. Me and machine quilting are not a good match. Oh I can do it; it's just that the whole thing looks like a big mess when I'm finished.

I am very much in need of a machine quilting class. Everyone in my bee can do machine quilting except me. Maybe I could talk some of them into some tutoring.

I finally got all the cookbooks packed up and in the mail, so if you ordered one, you should be receiving it in a few days. 

Here's a look at Sophie's haircut that she got last week. Doesn't look like the new groomer cut much off, does it? I think I'll have to tell her "a little more off the top" next time.

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On 02/25/2013, Barbara Anne said ...

Well done in getting both your Nancy Drew quilt top and backing finished so far before the reveal date!!! Applause, applause! Clues 1 and 2 have me eager to see the whole thing but I will be patient. I continue to putter along with my ND quilt.

Love Sophie's slightly fluffy look! She's a cutie - and knows where to find comfort!

Hope you feel great this week!

Hugs!

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On 02/25/2013, Jan said ...

Poor forlorn looking Sophie! She doesn't seem to love the new 'do!! And, I don't think telling her 'it will grow out' would be any consolation since it appears to pretty much still be there!
Love your Nancy Drew quilt! From what we've been able to see, it's very cute!

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On 02/25/2013, Joanne said ...

Interesting quilt. A lady named Mildred Benson was one of the "Carolyn Keene" authors of the Nancy Drew mysteries. But you probably knew that.

Sophie looks kinda cute with that do. Mo has to go to the vet today--he's in pretty bad shape.

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On 02/25/2013, Valerie said ...

Is Sophie a poodle?? I am thinking of getting one someday when I can get up the nerve! She is beautiful.

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On 02/26/2013, Ellen in Oregon said ...

It looks like you somehow managed to get the Nancy top finished despite the various bad health monsters that have been rotating through you this Winter.
I don't know how your sister could like opposums. When I was in high school I had a boyfriend who found a baby possum that had been abandoned by its' mother. I cannot begin to tell you how butt ugly that creature was. It was the only baby anything I could not stand to look at or hold. Pointy razor sharp teeth & a face that even a mother possum could not love. There is a reason they only come out in the dark of night. UGGHHHHH! Considering how ugly possums are, your quilt is really cute and quite a modern pattern too.
I think Spohie might want to find a new groomer next time. Sadly, her old lady poodle doo is nothing like the picture. Don't worry Sophie, next time you can get a nice short Springtime doo. You are such a pretty girl and you deserve a cut that matches your vibrant personality. This too shall pass.

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On 02/27/2013, Kai said ...

I've been in and out all week and will continue to be until week 2 or 3 of March - arrrgghhh! But I have been reading blogs as much as possible! LOVE Ms. Sophie's 'do'! Pretty & sweet doggy! I love you, Ms. Sophie! Also love that Nancy Drew quilt! But - despite my INTENSE dislike of possum, I think that is the COOLEST quilt EVER! I bet Raimy went crazy over it! Hope the Fibromonster has vacated the premises! LOVE YOU!!!!
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