36 Quilts in 12 Months

Not sure this a good idea...

It is never a good idea to watch the news. Or is it ever a good idea to get too involved with politics or religion. (I am not religious, I merely believe in THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT). That does not make me Catholic, an Evangelist, a Jew, a Baptist, a Protestant, all it does is make me someone who has faith and believes in something greater.

What I do know is there are two women that come to mind when I endure the news. I think of them often. Actually one was not a woman, she was a mere teenager. Anne Frank. She died when she was only 16 years old. What she accomplished in such a short amount of time was documentation of a life in a time no one ever deserved. However, she did it with an abundance of grace. She had hope. 

This image is from Wikipedia. She was able to teach the world kindness and she was just a child. 

This was my Grandpa's ship.. 

USS New York - I barely knew him yet he is extremely dear to me and my heart. When you live in a military town such as Colorado Springs you find that these men and women are amazing. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. What they do, what they have done to protect our FREEDOM - I WILL ALWAYS STAND FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM with my hat off and my hand over my heart. 

The other woman I admire is Helen Keller. I often complain about my eyes, my arthritis and that I'm sound sensitive. To face life with no hearing or eyesight, this woman did. She lived to 87 and wrote amazing things. Took her years to accept her disabilities, she found hope and lived on. 

5 senses in your body or at least that's what "they say" In my opinion we can absorb a lot. She only had 3. I can only imagine how deep her sense of touch was, her sense of smell and her ability to taste. I think of her often when I feel sorry for myself, feeling sorry for myself serves no purpose. 

As we all, do I'm guessing she had her moments of defeat, but she ended up on top. 

How amazing are those words?! 

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched - they must be felt with the heart."

As always, 

Traci(ee), Tod and Cooper

We start again...

Need to get to Denver to drop off these to the quilter, truth is, I might get 45 done this year. 

So in turn, we start again. My quilts will not end up in an antique mall. Actually, I don't know if that's a reality or just a dream.

To be completely honest, this one is a bit ridiculous. 1 1/4" inch cutting and sewn down to 3/4". What exactly was I thinking? Simply, that I found this quilt at an antique mall and FELL IN LOVE. I rescue quilts and books, would love to help people - I'm better with paper, pen and fabric. 

The boys and myself - here we go again. 

As always, 

Traci(ee), Tod and Cooper. 

So it turns out...

I am related to my sister, or at least she's related to my Grandma. 

I don't much like appliqué, it's not that I don't like it - it's just not my thing. My Grandma loved it and so does my sister. My sister's name is Wendi and she is rather incredible at hand sewing. We are not very much alike. I often ask if we are really sisters. She told me last night but I don't remember I think she stands at 5'3, maybe 5'4??? I stand at 5'7. She has very dark hair and beautiful green eyes. Which you should know it is a mutation, just sayin'. While we were growing up I just wanted to be outside and have a dog (which my parents did not allow, I was given a bird). She LOVED to read. She's very smart. She has 4 boys all of whom are exceptional in their creative ways. I wouldn't even be able to pick a favorite... I love them all. However, her 2nd is quite the artist and I pray that he continues that passion. Most of us creative types starve, not this one - he's way too talented. 

I've got some pictures of her work... AMAZING!

 

If I knew the pattern I would of course give it credit. Again, she has 4 kiddos and I'll give credit as soon as I can. THIS IS MY SISTER AND I COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD! Grandma is flipping over in her BABY BLUE CASKET. Love you both. 

As always, 

Traci(ee), Tod and Cooper. 

This is the daily dog. 

 

 

End of Construction...

My goal with my blog is to talk about my simple passion for quilts. However, it is my blog and I am a daughter  of Jesus Christ. I read a lot, I write a lot and I LOVE way too much. I absolutely love Billy Graham. 

February 18th my devotional reads, 

"Years ago my wife, Ruth was driving along a highway through a construction site. Carefully following detours and mile-by-mile cautionary signs, she came to the last one that said, "End of Construction. Thank you for your patience." She arrived home, chuckling and telling the family about the posting. "When I die," she said, " I want that engraved on my stone." She was lighthearted but serious about her request. She even wrote it out so that we wouldn't forget. While we found the humor enlightening, we appreciated the truth she conveyed through those few words. Every human being is under construction from conception to death. Each life is made up of mistakes and learning, waiting and growing, practicing patience and being persistent. At the end of construction-death-we have completed the process. 

Death says. "This is the finality of accomplishment." While we cannot add anything more to our experience, believers in Christ have the hope of hearing the Savior say, " Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21)"

It's Gordon Construction Company and I wear my headphones all day with the exception of Sunday. I've lost most of my amazing view... I am in love with the mountains. All the people I talk to get rather annoyed at my complaints... I believe I live in Gothman City with no signs of Batman. 

Point being, Ruth Graham was an amazing woman. Billy and Ruth were married for 63 years and had five children and if I were to choose someone to have a cup of coffee with, it'd be them. 

As always, 

Traci(ee), Tod and Cooper

When exactly is going to be the END OF CONSTRUCTION Gordon Construction Company?

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6

Number one... 

Number two..

Number three...

Number four...

Number five...

Number six...

And all of them together... 

Not the greatest shot... but just you wait! Garden of the Gods here we come. When exactly is SPRING?

Good news is - my design wall is empty and ready to go! Unfortunately, until my designs are copyrighted I can't much post about them. 

As always, 

Traci(ee), Tod and Cooper

 

Continue on... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6...

This is 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. Please don't look at my terrible 1/4" seams! I went through a rough patch, but God is not done with me yet and I've got LOVE, DOGS and way too many sewing machines. 

Here's number 6...

Hopefully by the end of the week we'll be moving forward. Taking all six of them to the Garden of the Gods when weather is appropriate, I need to be careful... white fabric, dust, dirt, wind... feeling like when they are all complete I've delivered a litter!

I'm excited to get a great shot of all of them. Really excited. 

As always, 

Traci(ee), Tod and Cooper

My find of the day...

So much to blog about! It was a whirlwind weekend. However, I came across this...

Yes, that is Billy Graham on the cover of McCall's, that is his daughter! 1954. However, this is the best...

Crisp, light, Crisco-fried foods are so DIGESTIBLE YOU CAN EAT THEM 7 DAYS A WEEK. 

Can you not stop laughing?! (hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha)

Too tired tonight to blog. I'm sure much will be blogged about tomorrow. 

As always, 

Traci(ee), Tod and Cooper

 

What happens...

you protect your hands at all costs and with no embarrassment. 

I lose my hands, I lose everything... 

I make all sorts of chances in my choices, but never my hands. So, in turn I wear gloves all the time. 

Guess what? Pigs aren't flying today, it's cold, however we finally got must needed moisture.

They will fly tomorrow. 

How can you not love a person that can put together a puzzle? This is for you Molly. The quote on this puzzle says, "If you're looking for unconditional loyalty, adopt a dog." Thank you for finishing it. My quilt made for Anaheim and Louis, embroidered by my mother and finished by my Grandmother. (who thought I was crazy for making a quilt for dogs - little does she know just how crazy I am.)

We can't ignore the Minon. The one that was won for me at the State Fair.

Let's not talk about the lamp. Too many lamps, too many clocks. 

We've got this...

If that doesn't say it all, I don't know what does. 

No exciting quilting news today. Boys are happy and so am I.

As always, 

Traci(ee), Tod and Cooper

 

 

#6 and her sashing...

is in the chute... the last one.

Now we iron the white fabric and continue on. 

Unfortunately not studying today, however my study book is right there - my brain is just slightly fried.

Almost forgot! Got new towels. (hahahahahahahaha). What is it about towels?! 

As always, 

Traci(ee), Tod and Cooper. 

I'm excited...

My 3rd nephew will be graduating this year and to keep Grandma O's tradition all of my nephews and nieces get a quilt. 

I have 10 nephews and 2 nieces.

My first nephew, and I'm so SORRY human Todd his name will be posted. Jared. He wanted black and white. He got this one...

Twisted Craze. 

Yes, he is very tall. I did calculate this quilt but it was inspired by an Amish quilt.

After him, we have Elliot... who is my wonky (I love wonky) nephew and I LOVE HIM! Guess what he got? A wonky quilt. 

I can't find the picture of him with the quilt after it was quilted. Again City Quilts, however I didn't match up my seams. Oops...

Truth is, I love this one...

Now we have Alex. Who is now almost an adult and we always say to each other, "I love you the mostest French toastest. (I'm sure that isn't a word, but we came up with that together.)

Here's his quilt...

The negative space has always been a concern for me. However, I have the most amazing quilter. Not only is she full of love, her energy... Quilted Cricket. I trust her with all I have because she's SO awesome. As always, she came up with the perfect quilting.

After chatting this up with my sister (well my sister-in-law), this is the quilting I want and the thread we choose, Jacob's coat. Perfectly perfect for my boy Alex. 

Quilts aren't probably on their list of priorities at their age, but I will bet they will be, eventually. 

I captured Tod (dog Tod). Hahahahahahhahahahahahah... 

Been frustrating him since I was a kid. Do you see the look on his face?!

Love you human Todd and dog Tod. I'm laughing! 

As always, 

Traci(ee), Tod and Cooper.