Doniene's Guidelines for FMQ

Really this post is going to be about FMQ - but when I uploaded my photos to the computer, this darling shot of Gracen and her Aunt Mammie (Mandie - my D2)was right there - so just had to "show off" a little!! What a joy to have family together!! They even had matching hats!!

Well, I did it!! I dove into FMQ big time!! For Christmas gifts I made 5 lap quilts each measuring about 58" X 68". I have seen all of you out there in blog land just churning out these beautiful creations using FMQ. So for several months I've been studying and ooooing and aaaahing. I've watched tutorials on-line, I asked questions, I've looked again and again...and I dove in!!!  But in the process I've created "MY" list of FMQ Guidelines!!!


#1.  FMQ is a lot like loping horses in circles. You've got to look where you are going, not where you are or where you have been.

Mike's mom's quilt

#2. FMQ is a lot like running a fast break in basketball - controlled speed and you've got to see the whole court.

Mollie's quilt - front

Mollie's quilt - back

#3. FMQ is a lot like life - there are bumps and wobbles along the way - but you just keep going - fix a few and don't worry about the others.

Mikkie's quilt - front

Mikkie's quilt - back

Mikkie's quilt - detail

#4. FMQ is a lot like anything you do - do it in small manageable parts and you don't get overwhelmed!

Mandie's quilt - front

Mandie's quilt - back

#5. FMQ is lot like training Border Collies - don't do it when you are tired, cranky or just had a disagreement with your husband!

Lyn's quilt - front

Lyn's quilt - back

#6. FMQ is a lot like I do everything - with passion, love, and endurance!

Now I'm going to make me something!!

Happy, Happy, Blessed New Year!!!!!

Blessed Christmas Day!!!!

Our family gathered on Christmas Eve for our Celebration of family - a family in the natural, but also a family of faith - with Jesus as our Savior and Lord! Christmas is that joyous time of making the proclamation of His Glory!! Hope yours is filled with Him!!

My youngest daughter, Mollie, portrayed our day the best! Go here and see our day!

Blessings,

Doniene

And the Shepherds Kept Watch O'er Their Flocks...

A Blessed Christmas filled with His Peace, Love, and Joy to each and every one of you!!

The Stockings were hung...with care!

Voila!!! I finished Gracen's Christmas stocking that hangs at Nene and Gramps' house!!

The bow on the top left is made from a hanky that was my grandmother's. Loved the colors, and thought it would be a nice addition!.

For those that wondered - if you look at my last post you will see some "paper" pinned on the stocking. Well, I couldn't write Gracen's name on the burlap, so I wrote it on tracing paper, pinned it in place and then stitched through it. I was using DMC #5 Perle Cotton with a large needle, so it made big perforations in the paper. When I finished, I gently tore the tracing paper away and it worked wonderfully!

Another note of interest. A couple of people have asked about my name. Well I did a google search and found that there is an area in the Basque area of Spain (northern on the Bay of Biscay) that has a winery with  my name but also there is a 70 ft fishing vessel which was constructed in that area and yep, you got it! It is named DONIENE!! I got this photo from the internet, and just had to show you! I'm not an ocean person - I've only seen the Gulf of Mexico one time, but this is one beautiful ship!!

Hope you and all yours have a Blessed Holiday Season filled with Love, Joy and Peace!!!

Slow Sunday Stitching (and same ole, same ole)

Ever since I started "doing" Slow Sunday Stitching over at Kathy's, I always find something that I need to Hand Stitch! This week it is Gracen's stocking that will hang at my house! My daughter commented, "It's huge, Mom!!!". Of course it is - grandbaby's stockings are suppose to be big at Nene's house!! I sewed it up yesterday, but am embroidering her name and then I will hand stitch some "bling" later. (I'll post a final pic later)

Same ole, same ole...

Barrister blocks, Grandmother's Choice blocks, and FG units.

And New Stuff - go here to get a glimpse of what I've been doing - not getting as much stitching or blogging time!

Hope your holiday season is filled with Peace and Joy!!

Slow Sunday Stitching!

Finished up binding and "personalizing" Emma's quilt!

Hand stitched the cuffs on some Christmas stockings for my daughter! She will embellish, so I will post more pics later!!

Hop on over to Kathy's to see some other super cute "slow stitching" projects!!


Hope your Sunday was filled with an abundance of His Peace!!

Blessed Day To All!!!

I have so very much for which to be thankful! Wishing a blessed day to each and every one of you, my special blogger friends!

Slow Sunday Stitching

Though I have been busy today with various things that needed to be done before the cold weather came, I am "slow stitching" binding on two baby quilts. Reveal in a day or two when I finish them up and have them washed and ready to go!

I'm thankful for our veterans, and I pray blessings for them and their families!!! Prayers for those still recuperating from Sandy!! Thankful for each one of you - always a treat to visit each of you and be inspired!!

Blessings!!!!

Favorite Little Quilt

I love little quilts and have several! My favorite one that I have made is my fall patchwork quilt that sits on my coffee table! (Though this photo was taken on my porch!)

Taryn is having a wonderful linky/giveaway party! Hurry over and join in!!

Blessings!!!!

This & That!!

Everyone needs a "this & that" post!!! So here is mine!!

Been stitching and accomplishing some things, but oh so much I have planned to do and so little time!! Hence less posting and commenting!! Miss that!

Grandmother's Choice blocks! For once I made one on time and I'm not behind!!!

I had nearly forgotten that I had not posted about the sweet, surprise gift that I received from Dawn!! She recently moved from California to Colorado ( I was raised on the Western slope of the Rocky Mts on the Wyoming/Colorado border) so I felt like she was moving to my "home"!!! She has an amazing blog and is such a student of antique quilts and sewing gadgets - her posts are always a treasure trove!! Several months ago, I purchased one of her patterns, and am looking forward to the day when I can start it!! Anyway, after she moved, she sent me the most gorgeous toile "Colorado" fabric!!!

Be sure and click on the photo to enlarge and get a close look at the lovely scenes!!! I"m waiting for just the perfect project, but for now I love to look at it and drool!! Thanks Dawn!!

This past week I received my "falling stars" quilt from Janet O., and it's a thousand times more beautiful in person than on the computer!! I love, love, love it!!

My photos really don't do it justice either, but wanted you to see that it has a "center of attention" spot!!

And the last of the "this & that". I sewed up a shoe caddie! Our closet/dressing room was in the old part of the cabin. We had taken out some windows and boarded them up on the outside, but on the inside there was still the space. That space is behind my hanging clothes, but I need a place for my dress shoes and bling/bling flip flops! I had some very heavy upholstery fabric that had been given to me, so I googled some info and then designed my own! I'm pleased as punch! It has 20 pockets and of course I made it to fit just in the spot! Now the drawer that I had my shoes in can be used for more fabric!!! Yeah!!!!

Blessed Fall Ya'll!!!!!!

Slow Sunday Stitching!!!

Blessed Sunday afternoon to each and every one of you!! Prayers and blessings continue heavenward for all those that suffered from Sandy!

Teresa is one of my favorite bloggers, because she is always so cheerful and she makes quilts that I can't even imagine in my traditional geometric brain!! I have always read her Sunday blog and thought "that's neat - she slows down and "slow stitches"!) But today, I went to Kathy's blog and read more. So, it has inspired me to do the same! Post on Sunday about my "Slow Stitching" and link up with others!

Here are my "Slow Sunday Stitching" projects:

5 inch Lemoyne stars pieced by hand and 1 1/4" (unfinished) hst for a border around the stars. Not sure if I'm going to do sashing or not.

Rocky Mountain Bride block - one finished, one about half, and some of the border.

 I've never posted about this quilt, just because it is a "Very Slow Stitching". I designed this quilt to be our 30th anniversary quilt and since we were married in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, I thought the block was appropriate! Well, didn't make it for the 30th, but it is on my agenda to finish this next year. Why I opted to hand piece, I'm not sure, because the blocks on 15", but it is soothing to sit on the porch (or when I'm waiting somewhere) to stitch away! So, when I read about "Slow Sunday Stitching" I thought it was a perfect time to work on these projects!!!

Thanks Teresa for always sharing such wonderful projects and thanks Kathy for sponsoring this great linky party!!

Blessings Ya'll!!!!

Flying Stitches!!!

Wow, two posts in one day!!! I had intended to post about my quilting updates, but...just haven't gotten around to it. Long story short - Tate and I didn't have a very good weekend at the last sheep dog trial - so been doing a lot of "soul searching" - replaying runs through my mind, analyzing my training methods, wondering how to tweak this and fix that - hence - what a great time to sit at the sewing machine and get caught up on projects!

So, with the needle flying here's my progress!!

About 35 more FG units finished this week for a total of  205!!! (only 235 to go!!!) (This picture is only a few of them)!

I had finished the Granny Square blocks about ten days ago, but needed more fabric for the sashing and border. I love how the top came together. This is a quilt for Gracen's cousin Emma who will be born around Thanksgiving.

I also got caught up on Randy's Barrister Blocks! Some of these were a little tricky - but I am liking them!

And of course I'm pretty much keeping up with Barbara Brackman's Grandmother's Choice blocks.

The middle block was Rocky Road to Kansas. It was similar to another block we did called Amethyst. I wanted it to look different, so I used the technique from http://www.quilterscache.com/R/RockyRoadtoKansas.html. It was a new technique for me and I really enjoyed it!!

As I had mentioned before I'm using chain blocks for setting blocks and I am assembling as I go! I'm really liking it!! What do you think? Is there enough color in the blocks to set them off?

Well, there it is - my flying stitches update! I'm working on some other projects which I will share later, and of course I'm still hand quilting on TWQ!!! Hope a reveal in a few weeks!

Blessings to each and every one of you! Your comments, encouragement and friendship bless me richly!!


Praying for the safety of everyone on the east coast!


Happy Fall Ya'll!!!!!

Mountain Trail - Almost Finished

Good morning fellow quilters!! It is a beautiful fall morning here in Texas - we don't get color until November, but I am absolutely LOVING the crisp morning air!!

I have had Lori's Mountain Trail SAL flimsy done for a couple of weeks, but haven't had time to quilt it - I originally was going to hand quilt it, but am thinking about simple diagonal machine quilting. I have so enjoyed seeing everyone's version! Such creative and inspiring quilter's you are!!!

Just a little note of interest - more just because I wanted to know. Not counting the red pieces in the quilt, there were 200 other pieces. For those, I used 93 different fabrics!!! It was fun for me to dig in my little shoes box and pull out favorite fabrics that wouldn't have been used any where else! Thanks Lori for this little project! I'm so glad I joined in!!

Happy Fall Ya'll!!!!!

What a Surprise!!!!

(photo from the internet google - dairy cow in New Zealand)

I'll bet you are wondering why I've posted a photo of dairy cattle in New Zealand - right. Well many of you know that I live on a ranch in Central Texas, we raise beef cattle, meat goats, Quarter Horses, Border Collies and yes I have a Holstein/Jersey cross milk cow. A "house cow" in kiwi terminology. Well, my dear friend Raewyn is from the North Island of New Zealand. She and her husband have a dairy farm - so we have developed a "common ground" - we both love to quilt!!

So, please go here and read Raewyn's post and read the comments, too - especially mine!

Guess what came to my house today!!! Boy was I SURPRISED!!!!!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!! Now, I don't have to make my own!!!


Thanks, Raewyn

Block Bonanza & A Winner!!!

A quick update of the quilt blocks that I'm "dealing" with right now!!

Our guild has a BOM, where one of the members presents a certain block and then those that want to participate make the blocks (or as many as they want). Then at the next meeting, we put our names in the post and a winner is drawn! Well, I won (for the third time in a year) last month's blocks!

Now, I need suggestions on settings!!!! The original called for them to be set next to each other, but the colors were the same and it made a nice saw tooth sashing - but I'm not crazy about that with the different colors. So please, I covet your suggestions!!


Additionally, I presented the BOM for this month (we present it one month, to make for the next month). I chose a very simple Vintage Churn Dash in Blue and White. I've made four blocks, not sure if I will put them all in the drawing because I love them so much that I might just make one for me!!

I caught up (I was 3 weeks behind) on Barbara Brackman's Grandmother's Choice BOW. I'm still in love the royal purple!! So rich!! I've added a couple other fabrics for a little diversity and I'm liking it! What do you think? Are my colors speaking to you?

I've completed 20 Petite Granny Squares and I thought I was done, but after I laid them out, I decided to make five more. But, I'm liking how they are coming together!!

This evening I captured the resident cowboy and his trusty black hat and drew a winner!!

Rockgranny, you are the winner!!! Please email me your snail mail address and I will get these FQs in the mail for you ASAP!!  Congratulations!!!

My deepest appreciation for each and everyone of you that take time to leave a comment! Again, I say, bloggers are the best!!! How you have enriched my life!!  Blessings!!!!!

A Few Finishes

Wow, the days fly by for me!! I'm mostly making this post to let you, my faithful followers and dear friends, know that I will draw a winner on Monday for the Indigo, Pewter & Honey FQs. So, stay tuned. Plus, if you haven't entered, just go here and leave a comment.

But, I do have couple of photos of projects in progress.

Remember Pam had a cute little SAL "Forget-Me-Not". Well, I finished the flimsy, and it turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself - "self, this is pretty cute!!"

I've never done a "leader/ender" project before, though I always chain piece everything I'm working on! But I have a "REAL leader/ender" one now!  Christmas FG - they measure about 2 1/4 x 4/12 and I'm going to make a strippy bed size quilt. (I need about 420, and I have about 120 finished!)

Last but not least for this post. Janet O. sent me (she is such a sweetie!!) 4 pieces of solid purple fabrics for Randy's SAL!! So, needless to say, I was "glad" that I was behind, because I got to use them for the last 3 blocks! Aren't the purples just gorgeous!! Thanks, Janet, a perfect addition to my solids!!

Hope each of you are having a wonderful Saturday. It is very cool and misty here! Yeah!!

Blessings Ya'll!!!!

Weekend Treasure!!

This past weekend was our annual "girls only weekend" where we trek across the state of Texas for a long weekend of junking/antiquing/shopping at a huge trade fair. When we first started it was a "day trip" now we are at 3 days and 2 nights and it still isn't quite enough time to see everything - though we are bushed!!

We rented a B&B old farmhouse this year. It was built about 1904 and sits on a lovely property! We really enjoyed our stay there. The weather this year was rainy and cool, but not so rainy that we couldn't shop!!! And the cool was so refreshing!!!

I really didn't have many items that I was searching for, so I mostly looked at furniture (we want to upgrade our dining table) and quilts. I saw many, many many quilts, but alas didn't take photos. There were a couple in my budget, but they just didn't "grab me" so I waited and looked. Of course the ones I really love are the antique ones especially with fan quilting - and they were way out of my budget!! But Sunday morning, as we were shopping in a large enclosed building (out of the showers/mist/cold wind) I came across a vendor who a vast array of quilts of each age, plus some antique/vintage fabric and some antique quilt blocks!! I ooooood and aaaaaaahed and looked at each block. Two of my daughters were with me (in the building) and of course lost me!! Well, when they found me, Mollie asked the vendor "How long has she been here?!!" Well, I bought some - and I am so excited. I haven't "quilt soaked" the blocks yet, but I will. I have enough to make 4 small quilts. Each block measures about 6 inches and are hand pieced with a very scant 1/4" seam and some pieces are "pieced" to make the square big enough (I love frugal blocks like that!!).

So without further ado...feast your eyes are my very humble, simple treasures!! (be sure to click on the pictures to enlarge so you can see the details!!

I just love all of them, but my favorite is the dark (mostly blacks) and pink nine patches!! I had just ordered some repro double pink fabric that I'm going to use for setting blocks or sashing and I had the black with gold yardage from an earlier win from Maureen! So, it will be one of the first that I assemble!! I think the shoo fly blocks are awesome! So, I'll have several little projects to keep me busy - like I needed another project!! LOL

By the way, Janet O., I didn't post yesterday because I was rocking Gracen!!

 I'm keeping her this afternoon, too, but she is asleep in her little infant carrier - so no rocking yet!


Here's my fall decor on the front porch!

Happy Fall Ya'll!!!!