Another Day

Got up early today. I knew I was having company for QOV. 

Jo showed up first and got backing and batting for 2 quilts. She's making another Coast Guard quilt just like the one she finished. It's really pretty! I love her work! 

While I waited for Sherry to come over for kits, I worked on my quilt that is on the wall. 

I worked on getting the strips above the stars done. I have that part finished now. I will work on the bottom part next and then the sides. It went better than I thought. I didn't want just a solid color for the strips and ended up sewing strips together and cutting them off to the size I needed. It took a little longer than I thought but it worked out. Once Sherry left, I called it done. She took two kits, and I was happy to see them go. She took a couple easy ones, which will probably come back faster. I have a pattern that I'm going to use a few times because we have some busy fabric that would work great in it. 

Tomorrow is going to be busy. I've got to get another blood test done. Patrick has is appointment. So, we will be doing a few things around town before we go. I need to drop off the two quilts at the church and then see Phil. 

The afternoon was watching TV with Patrick and baking a Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. It turned out great. 

At least today, I can say I was Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

A Day of Family History

This morning, I was just cleaning up a bit. Not as much as I normally do. Patrick did more cleaning then I did. 

I decided to work on my genealogy this afternoon. In the morning, I played games, but decided I needed to work on my genealogy and fix what I had wrong. 

So, I started out with the MATHESON family. Fixing the Henry Matheson family since he was married twice and I had his wife having an "unknown" father to Henry's children. That had to be fixed and only took a couple minutes. I was having trouble downloading to ancestry and sent a message to FWT to find out why. It turned out that ancestry has a twice verification on and I HATE that. That was blocking my connection to my online tree. So, I took it off and was able to load my tree. I had the fixes done, so that helped. According to ancestry my tree is 82% - good. I guess it says I have mistakes or duplicates that need fixing. Whatever, I know there are and as I find them, I fix them. I made the mistake of trusting other people's trees and putting that in mine, to later find out they had the wrong person in the tree. I'm slowly fixing those mistakes as I go.  

I ordered some beads today as well. Then I paid the state for Gunderson's non-profit status. Once that was done, I moved over to Patrick's family tree. 

I worked on the VAIL family. I was surprised to find two of that family (Patrick's 5th great grandfather) had been "lost at sea." Interesting how many where back in the 1700's. I will work more on his family later. 

Tomorrow, I have 2 people coming over to pick up fabric, so it's going to be a day downstairs with working on that quilt I have down there. The church contacted me and said they were ready for the 2 quilts I asked them to quilt. I will drop them off on Tuesday. We are getting more tops moving. I think Debbie is working on one as well. It's looking good so far. 

It wasn't a day I could call Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

A Little Of This And That

This morning, I tried to sleep in. No such luck! 

Got up and played on my computer. Got to play a couple games. Then I went downstairs and tried to get more done on the quilt. 

I was able to get the 2 center stars hooked together. They are ready to attach the 10" strips to them on the top and bottom. I cut a few of the 10" strips and called it done. 

Sophie was trying to get attention. She kept coming around in front of me so I couldn't cut the fabric. I worked on what I could. She's a piece of work when she wants attention. 

Then I came up and worked on the pretzels that I started before going downstairs. Patrick helped me with the cooking part of it. 

After we cleaned everything up, we went back downstairs to get some kits ready for when I have company on Monday. I'm hoping she takes a couple of them. 

Patrick helped with getting them done. I have them in the bag. There is plenty of fabric for them to do the kits. Plenty of fabric will be coming back as well. 

Then we came upstairs, and I went on the computer to work on the family history. I was able to find a couple more of my grandparents. Then Bryan called and we worked on the MATHESON family for close to 2 hours. I was getting tired of entering stuff. But we did add a lot of names. I am having trouble getting my program hooked to ancestry, so had to send a "help" message to them. I was working on the LITTLE family before he called. I need to fix one of the family members in the program and straighten it out. Then it will be back on track. 

Time to enjoy our British shows, so I'm calling it done for the day. At least I was able to fnd time to be Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Appointments In Olympia & Tacoma

This morning, we were up early and out the door to Olympia. 

Took this photo before leaving. The flowers are blooming and looking great! My appointment in Olympia was for my cervex (TMI) biopsy. Then we headed to Tacoma for my next appointment. We decided to head to Federal Way to see where we could get the tram and go to the stadium for mariners' game. Katt will be here at the end the month. Can't wait. Once we found it, we headed back to Tacoma. 

We stopped at the Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch. It was awesome! Food was good but couldn't eat it all. 

Took a picture of Mt. Rainier just before we let. It was from the parking lot. So, not the best photo, but I just wanted the mountain. 

Then we headed up the hill to Kaiser for my next appointment. I liked the doctor I had for my trigger finger. He told me I didn't need to brace my thumb except at night. He gave me a shot - not too much fun! Today wasn't my day when it came to the "treatment" I had to have! My thumb was numb for a good 2 hours. It took 2 hours to get home because of the traffic. 

Mt. St. Helen's was just as pretty today. This is just before we turn off to get home. That's why I don't want to leave WA state, but at times I think I should because of all the BS this state does to get taxes. 

We got home around 4:30 pm and then just relaxed the rest of the day. It was a good day for us. Traffic was good going up, just awful coming home. We weren't in a hurry, so we enjoyed it. 

On the way home, a rock hit the windshield, and we had to go and get it fixed when we got in town. We waited about 40 minutes to get it fixed because there were others waiting as well. It's fixed and we are good for now. 

So, I didn't have the energy to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Day At The Casino

This morning, I was up and playing my war games.  It's on Thursday's now. I was just glad I could play, since Patrick was waiting on me to go to the casino. 

We headed to the casino and played a good 4 hours. We didn't win like we have been, but we are still ahead of the game. I have money on the card now, so it adds ups pretty good. We had fun. I was getting bored playing the same "Good Cents" game because it just wasn't hitting. We tried 3 different "new" games and I was shocked at how little they pay back. We would be $2.25 and it gave 25 cents back. Not even the amount we bid. The most we won on those machines was $5 without winning the jackpot games. I couldn't believe it! I won't be playing those games again. They look like fun and a lot of people play them, but dang, when the payout is so little, not worth it. 

We went to Dairy Queen for supper. I had a hamburger while Patrick had chicken strips. It was $10 for his 4 pieces of chicken. I remember when it was $4. Prices are already going up. But I can't complain because we don't go out much anymore. Not worth it. The food isn't as good as it used to be. Partly because of what they feed the animal anymore. Taste isn't like it used to be. I'm pretty close to stop eating meat because of it. 

I have 2 people coming over on Monday to get kits for QOV. I was surprised to see we are getting more people coming to help. It's awesome! We lose some and then we gain some. What fun! This is great. 

I have been playing since I got home. I need to get some beads and haven't ordered them yet. I will order more tomorrow. There is a sell at High Street Beading Company. So, I need to get my butt in gear and order some beads. 

First I need to get the floss I need to fix the pillow. Debbie sent me this photo and asked which ones I wanted. I told her I needed the second yellow and last blue. I think those are the right colors. I decided to get the darker blue too. I was looking at the photo and I like the color! lol 

I keep hoping to get back to being Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Day With Debbie

 This morning, I was up and ready to leave when Debbie got here. We were going to Gee Gee's for some fabric to go with the quilt Debbie is making for a friend. She needed a "background" fabric for the T-Shirt's that she has. There wasn't much, so she really doesn't have much to go by. He liked fishing and baseball. Since he's passed, this is a memory quilt for her friend. I picked up a true-blue fabric. It's amazing how hard it was to find. There are so many different blues that just don't work for me. Then we went to another quilt shop she found off the beaten path. It's in a barn. I remembered getting my T-shirt from them a couple years ago. Now I know where it is. Not easy to see, but a nice shop. I got some rotary blades there because I needed some and forgot to look at Gee Gees. 

On the way home, mom called and wanted me to pick up the quilts she took to put labels on. We did and took them to the museum. We asked about the WWII veteran that was in the paper. They didn't know about him. So, they will check on it. 

Came home and I pretty much took the rest of the day off. I have the fabric for the stars, and will work on that this weekend. I'm going to put the two stars together and work from the center out on the quilt. 

I had to buy the blue fabric because I don't think I have enough of what I was thinking of using. The red I do know I have. As for the white, plenty of that too. I will do the center part of this, and then do the stars on the top and bottom. Then I can put it all together. First, I need to work on the strips. Once the center is put together, I can work out and then up and down. I know I'm crazy when it comes to how I do things, but it works for me. I won't be able to do anything on this till Saturday. It can wait, now that I know what I'm doing. 

Debbie G contacted me and asked about the floss since I thought it was Nova and it was actually Boucle. So, I ordered the right stuff to fix it and the yellow she had in Boucle was perfect. I will wait and see. I want to have it here in time so I can work on it by next Friday. 

With all this stuff going on, it doesn't give me much time to be Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching! 

I'm Trying.....

 This morning, Patrick was up before me and I didn't care. I wanted to sleep. So, I did. 

When I got up, I set the timer for 2 hours to work on my family history stuff. I have paid for the ancestry account and am going to get my money's worth out of it. This time I worked on the WINELAND family. 

Barbara came and I gave her 3 quilt tops to work on. I told her there was extra material to be there if she needed it. She took them all and I will need to get 3 more done. 

Then I went downstairs to see what I could do with that quilt. 

I started to work on the strips and then got frustrated because I had to keep cutting strips to a different size then what they were at. I will get this done, but just not today. I did pull the strips out and started cutting them to different sizes so I could just sew them down the next time. 

I didn't get far, but it helps. I just hate having to cut a piece for the strip that I'm working on. I could use the whole strip but then it wouldn't go there right. I'm thinking I need to do the center stars first and work my way around them. That way I could just do the top and bottom part of the quilt with stars. I may do that next time I go down. I hope I have more of that blue because it's bright and perfect. 

Then I came upstairs looking for the pattern to the embroidery piece Penny gave me to fix for her. 

This is the flower, and I couldn't find the pattern yesterday. Decided to look for the name of the flower - which I found but can't remember. Then I contacted Debbie G in Florida for the floss. It Nova floss, and I have very little of that. So, I ordered it. I had to get a variegated yellow as well. That set of flowers in yellow is in worst shape than this one. Hopefully I won't have to take it out, but the yellow ones in the middle of the pillow do need to be taken out. I watched a couple videos on it, and I know how to do these now. Just need the floss and it will be done in no time. 

So, I'm really trying to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Not My Best Day....But A Good Day

 This morning, I slept in. Patrick woke me up to get ready for our BE meeting at the grange. I headed out with the quilts I wanted mom to put labels on and my stuff. 

Arrived and Geralyn was right behind me. We chatted a bit before Sandy arrived and then mom. Mom gave me a pillow that her mother made with BE. She asked me a while back if I could fix it. I told her I would. 

It's beautiful! I need to find the flower pattern for the center flower. I know one of us has the pattern. 

I have an idea how it's made but not sure. So, I'm going to have to look for the pattern or find out how that flower is done. I did find the pattern online, but I couldn't find the name of the flower. I will keep  looking and then fix it. 

Sandy let me borrow her Inspiration magazines. She was looking for something to store her magazines in. When I got home, I pulled out a box Phil gave me and it works great. So, I'm giving her the box. I love this magazine.  Geralyn and mom basted her quilt. I will show the photo of her quilt tomorrow. I forgot to load it on here. Now mom can get the baby quilt quilted and off to the new baby. lol 

Went to pick up a pizza for supper after. Came home and my headache got worse! I had it all morning from 4 am on. Patrick said he thought it was a stress headache and I'm beginning to believe him with all that I went through this weekend. I will get better. My stomach was still in knots! I will try and sleep tonight and hope I can get back to myself again. Patrick and I took a nap for about 2 hours. It helped with the headache.

I played on the tablet. I had to make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor for the trigger thumb. It's Friday after my biospy in Olympia. Have to go to Tacoma for the orthopedic doctor because they won't be in Olympia till June or July. I needed this done now. lol 

I got the 3 kits back from mom and Patrick and I worked on making she I marked what colors to use. Barbara is coming over tomorrow to get her check and pick up a couple kits. We have a lot of veterans in need and I'm getting a lot of volunteers helping us. It's awesome! 

Now it the end of the day, my headache is coming back. So, I'm calling it a night. Not able to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Starting Back Up

This morning, I was up and moving. I wanted to go downstairs for a while today, but there was too much cleaning that needed to be done. I got laundry going, cleaned the litter box and then got busy in the kitchen. Debbie said she'd be here, and Patrick said he wanted to go shopping. 

After all the cleaning was done, I headed downstairs since Debbie wasn't here yet. I thought I would just try something else. 

I have a box full of 2 1/2" strips. So, I thought I could work on the stars that Georgie made. Since there are only 8 of them, I decided to do the 3 stars on top and bottom with the 2 stars in the middle. The 2 1/2" strips will be of the scrap verity. No right or wrong length. I will work it out as I go. I'm not a scrappy person, but I am going to try this. It's one way to use up strips and the blocks. I decided not to do the panel and when Debbie stopped by, gave it to her. 

This is the panel that I was working on. She wanted to work on the one she had at the house. She had stars her sister-in-law made that went with the blue border, so I told her to take the blue and the panel. As for the strips above, I may cut them up to use them somewhere esle. For now, I will work on the scrap quilt. 

On Tuesday Barbara is coming to pick up her check and also pick up 2 kits that I have ready. We have 7 quilts that need labels and I asked mom if she could fix the corners so that she can put the label in the binding as well. She said she would. I am taking 4 quilts to her, and will need to do the labels for the other 3 here. They machine bound the quilt, so I will have to hand stitch the label on. Phil working on labels for me and I need to order more. These will have the sponsored by part to them. I need to try and get more room between each label. 

After Debbie left, we headed to Safeway and bought some food. We were lacking in a lot of stuff. When we got back we fixed steak that we picked up tonight. Then had instant mashed potatoes we picked up as well. It ended up being a really good meal. We hadn't had steak in awhile. 

Once that was done, I sat and played on the tablet. I am so tired of watching "Funny Home Video's" because it's pretty much all the same. Plus the ones that win, their not funny at all!

After taking some time off from doing anything productive, I'm happy to say I was actually, Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Not A Good Start Today

Today wasn't my best day starting out. I received a text I needed to answer, and it just went downhill from there. I take things personally and was offended.  Then I headed off to the grange to get stuck by the train for 15 minutes. I ended up being late for the garage sale, but just in time for them to give change back. 

I worked all day at the garage sale, then we cleaned up and boxed up everything. We took fabric, and some threads. Gave the grange a lot of the other stuff. They can put it in the next garage sale. Think they are thinking it will be done in May. The fairgrounds had a garage sale as well, and it ended at 2 pm. I think a lot decided to come to ours before heading there. 

It worked out. They all started to close up around 4 pm but we were to stay open till 5 pm. Only 2 of us were left at 4:30, so we decided to go ahead and get things together. Some people came in around 4:45 and everyone had pretty much been done. We sold the sewing machine at 4:30, so was happy about that. We did pretty good today. 

Afterwards, Debbie and I went to Panda for supper. We chatted awhile. We had asked Colleen to join us but she decided not to. Then we dropped off the stuff at Colleens for be stored till fall. On to the gas station and then taking Debbie home. 

By the time I got home I was beat! I sat and played on my tablet for the rest of the evening. I wasn't anywhere near being Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

All Day At Garage Sale

Today, I had to be at the garage sale before it opened. I had the cash box and had to give it out. 

Arrived early and helped a bit. Then when it opened, we had a good group come in. The day got slow a couple times but it was pretty steady. JoAnn got sick so she couldn't work her part. I stayed a bit to help and then when Debbie and I were ready to leave, was told Colleen needed to leave to get her granddaughter. So, we ended up staying because Mary would have been on her own. Once we got going and Colleen left, it was already 2 pm. She didn't get back till about 3:30 pm. So, at that point it wasn't worth my going home. Debbie called her hubby to pick her up. I stayed till closing at 5 pm. 

We had a good turn out and made a bit of money. Hopefully tomorrow we can get more sold. 

It's slowly shrinking in amount. We did sell a lot of fabrics. Didn't sell any big item stuff. 

It was a long day, I didn't get to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!