Happy New Year to All!

Each year I get to this day, the last day of the year, and I wonder where did the year go?  I thought as I aged I would have more time each day.  Instead, time just seems to fly by faster each year.  Have you heard people who retired say, "I don't know how I had time to work".  That is now what I am saying.  I have been retired from the State of Illinois for 3.5 years. 

So I looked back through my pictures and here is my year in review, not in chronological order.

 

In March, one of my bucket list wishes came true.  My Easy Street Quilt, pattern by Bonnie Hunter, was juried into the Rosemont Show in Chicago.  I also had the honor of working for Sew Batiks in their vendor booth at the show.  My friends and I took a bus trip up to the show on the last day

Pointing out some of the secret message blocks hidden in the quilt. 

 

After loosing my Yorkie, Rascal in October 2014, I was heartbroken.  My son and I picked out a new Yorkie puppy in May, 2015.  Meet Tucker, who is now 9 months old and weighs only 3 lbs.  Your literally can tuck him under your arm and carry him around. 

 

 In June, my husband and I celebrated 28 years of marriage and spent a week in LasVegas!

We had a blast trying out some of the many restaurants. 

 

Harry Potter, my Australian Shepherd,  were invited to participate in a reading program at the Tiskilwa Library.  

 

My friends and I made a trip to Shipshewana, Indiana for their annual quilt show.  We participated in a shop hop before the show started.  I got buried in fabric at Lollies' in the basement at their "fabric" happy hour! 

A quick pose with the girls after a long day of shopping and the quilt show.

 

My husband and his horse, Hoot.  We placed Hoot with another family this year.  He is so loved by his new family and we follow him on facebook.  I miss having a horse, but I haven't missed the chores this winter. 

 

Now for the best thing I ever made!!!

This is my son, Aaron.  Four years ago he joined in partnership, creating 815 Productions.  They are a DJ and lighting company.  I love this picture of him inside our local Red Covered Bridge during a wedding photo session.

 

This fall my husband left his career with Coca Cola after 24.5 years.  It was a difficult decision but he is very happy with his new career at Marquis Energy.  My retirement has paid off, as I have taken on more at home so Rod can work a swing-shift and get enough sleep.  If I still worked, we would see very little of each other.  My quilting business in our home is the right fit for our schedules.

Below, we were able to attend our friend's son's wedding on October 31st.  I love this picture of us. 

 

From my family to yours, have a happy and safe New Year's Eve!

 

Yours in quilting,

Terry

Super Saturday

I have worked at the Chicago International Quilt Show for the last two days in booth 1331, Sew Batiks from Mayville, ND.  Stop in and see Diane the owner if you are at the show, tell her Terry sent you.  I will be on a bus early tomorrow morning headed back to Chicago to enjoy shopping with my friends.  So glad to be sleeping in my own bed, Friday night, before a big day of shopping.

While in Chicago, I did get to sneak a peak at my quilt hanging in the Midwest Marvels Display.

 

 

So here we are, the quilting peeps.  Watch out Windy City, we will be blowing into town.

 

Have a great Saturday.

Yours in quilting,

Terry

 

Easy Street Special Block

This has been a busy week.  I finish my 60 contract tomorrow, working back at the job I retired from on May 31st.  So this week I have been trying to get the counselors caught up.  Then during the evening I fixed dinner with my hubbie and then head to the basement studio for quilt time.  Finished the queen size quilt on Monday night.  Loaded a cute 1600 strip quilt with cute fishies and got it half quilted last night.  Quilting it with fishies and waves. 

Tonight (Thurs.) is usually our "quiet" dinner night.  Its our chance to sit and chat about whats going on just like our dates many moons ago.  We started to watch an old movie with Bruce Willis and Sarah Jessica Parker but hubbie's bed was calling.  These extreme cold days really wear the guy out.  So he headed upstairs and I headed to the studio.  Bonnie Hunter was on quilt cam so I listened to her and worked on the block shown below.  Bonnie talked just a little about the quilt retreat they are planning in Augst.  She did not reveal the dates yet.  She states she will reveal the plans when she gets back from Georgia.

Look closely to the block in the lower right-hand corner.  This was a special gift from my prayer partner to make my quilt special.  THANK YOU!

Tomorrow is the new block release for County Threads.  What to you think the next block will be?  Flying geese, churn dash, 9 patch?  Leave me a comment with your guess.

Stay warm and be safe in this chilly weather.

Yours in quilting,
Terry

Easy Street Update

Easy Street is the Mystery quilt Bonnie Hunter (www.quiltville.com) had going on between Thanksgiving and the new year.  I have all done and I am working on finishing the rest of my blocks.  This quilt is so out-of-box for me using such bright colors but I love it.  The colors aren't as vibrant in the picture as they are in person.    I have two retreats coming up and hope to have the top finished for quilting no later than March 2nd.  I have purchased the batting and backing fabric already, just need to choose border fabric, if any.  It is very hard for me to quit on it when it will only measure 80" x 80".  I am a "Go Big or Go Home" type of quilter.  So queen size at least for this one.

Bonnie is starting another mystery in the Quiltmaker Magazine in the issue coming out Feb. 1st.  I double-dog-dare you to try it.  :)  I have issued this dare to "quilty" friends through an email and now  I am issuing the dare to my blog followers.  Its a great way to use up scraps and clean out your stash.  Also, don't be afraid to change the colors to suit yourself.  Come on and be scrap-happy with the rest of us.

I am actually writing this post a day ahead of time and setting it to post tomorrow.  Also, I might be operating on a sugar high as I made a big batch of carmel corn again.  This weather is a little unpredictable right now.  If I don't have power tomorrow, those of you in blogland will still be able to read my news.

Have a great Monday!  Yours in quilting, Terry

Easy Street

Easy Street is the mystery that Bonnie Hunter has going on over at her blog.  I have been able to keep up throught Clue 4. 

In the back basket see Step 1.  Gray and white four patches.

Just in front of the basket are at purple and white flying geese units which where Clue 2.

On the right Clue 3 units with the teal triangles.

Oops, sorry I do not have a picture of Clue 4 units, they are purple flying geese units with teal wings and lime green 3 1/2 inch squares.  Tomorrow morning Clue 5 will be released.  We are half done!!!
Blessings, Terry

Easy Street by Bonnie Hunter

Well I just finished lunch.  Yummy beef and noodles left over from last night.  I knew last night would be crazy busy with Halloween trick or treaters.  We had about 3 dozen trick or treaters. Having something in the crock pot was the easiest way to have something warm when we could sit down to eat.

Dessert is a honeycrisp apple and a single serving of carmel.  Melt in your mouth good.

So, yesterday Bonnie Hunter released the fabric requirements for her 2012 Mystery Quilt called Easy Street.  (Please visit her website www.quiltville.com and then go to her blog post for 10/31/12 for the instructions.)  The colors she chose are lime green, turquoise, and purple with the background color of grey. The filler neutrals are white/black backgrounds or shirtings.  I have contacted my friend, Lisa K, who has downsized her stash because of moving.  She still has some fabrics that will help me with more scraps for this quilt.  I tend to collect country colors so these brights are out of the box for me.  Reaching out for help from my friend to fill in where needed and then will shop for the rest.

The clues for the mystery will be given each Friday, starting Friday, Nov. 23rd, on Bonnie's blog.

Here's what I pulled from my stash but the yardage is very limited as these are mostly small pieces.

My friends, Cathy Keiser and Barb Amrein, are also talking of working on this quilt.  We are going to challenge each other to complete this one together.  The quilt finishes 96" x 96".  I think this will call for lots of sewing days, girls!  Terry


Sew on!!!!
Terry