Back to School

We had an amazing Thanksgiving week! Our little house was full! Cade had atleast 1 cousin spend the night every night! I think the boys stayed up til 3 am playing and watching movies! It was loud and my house is still littered with Nerf "bullets" but alot of fun! Kelsey went back to college Sunday afternoon. She probably missed the peace and quiet of her dorm!

Thanksgiving Day was spent at my MIL's. She lives about 15-20 minutes from us. Andy has a large family and everybody shows up! There is always a large crowd! 2 of his brothers are Preachers, 1 locally and 1 lives about 3 hours away, so they always invite people who don't have anyone to spend the holidays with! Before we eat, we all gather in the den, make a huge circle, join hands and each person tells what they are thankful for! With 2 preachers and 13 grandkids it gets long winded!!:) MIL makes most of the food. We DIL's bring a dish or 2. I brought strawberry salad and 2 broccoli casseroles. After the feast, they all go out and play football in the yard. They women sit around and talk! Later, we drag out the leftovers and eat again!

Our Thanksgivings are pretty special to me. My kids take them for granted, but for me, a girl who grew up in a house where nobody ever said a blessing over the meal (or any meal) or ever said that they were thankful for anything...it means so much to me, to have my kids see how important family and being thankful for each other really is!!

Ruby is thankful that the Georgia Bulldogs beat Georgia Tech!!

What I'm Thankful for:

Hope that everyone had a Super Thanksgiving! We have a family birthday party tonight. Hopefully, this weekend will be full of family,football, food and sewing...I will try to squeeze some in! I am sure thankful for each of you! Libby

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a great day! I am so very thankful for the blessings that God has given me! Libby

New Quilt

o.k. First I need to say that these blocks have not been arranged in any way! I have just been making them and placing them on the wall. I don't think that I will leave that brown polka dot right in the middle!

This is the best picture that I could get of my new quilt. I saw this quilt on a tutorial on SewMamaSew. Elizabeth made it for her Fabric Focus. I loved it the moment I saw it and knew that I wanted to make one like it. I like the big blocks, Sawtooth Stars. They are 12 in. Elizabeth put a 4 patch inside her stars. I liked that and I also put in some Stars within the Stars. I love the fact that this fabric along with the white background can be used to produce a blended quilt. A blended quilt is a style that was popular in the 1700's and early 1800's. A blended quilt is made when you use fabrics to merge into one another. You don't use as many contrast fabrics like you would in a "regular" quilt. The design kind of fades into the block and sometimes you have to look for the block. Anyway, I am certainly not an expert on this style of quilt making. I learned about it whle working at the quilt shop. We had a line of fabric that was perfect for a blended quilt and the owner of the shop wanted a blended quilt to hang in the shop. We also had several Blended Quilt books, most by Marsha McCloskey and Sharon E. Yenter. I made a blended quilt for the shop. I loved making it and always wanted to do another. The quilt that I made was'nt blended as much as some of the quilts are, but I did manage to show how the fabrics can work when blended. Truthfully, I'm sure that neither of my quilts are true blended quilts but I did work to blend some of the fabrics. On the newer quilt, the white background offers alot of contrast so most of the blocks don't blend into the background.

I used House by Annette Tatum for my new quilt. Thanks for the tutorial Elizabeth!

For my quilt shop quilt I used Dominique by Moda. The pattern is Tag Sale by Miss Rosie. It is hand quilted and I LOVE it! It stays on my bed!

My girl is home. I think that she needs to do some running around in the morning. The rest of the day will be spent doing her laundry, some cooking for the dishes that I will take to my Mother-in-laws and I hope some sewing! I hope that everyone enjoys getting ready for the BIG feast! Thanks for reading! Libby

Still Sewing

Monday, Cade and I got the grocery shopping done early. Later, we picked up his cousin and went out for lunch. They boys spent the day playing. I spent the day sewing and making chicken noodle soup. I took some pictures of the quilt that I'm working on but they turned out pretty bad. Today was another cold, dark day. I will try again tomorrow. But, since I don't like to blog without a picture here is one of Ruby. She IS as sweet as she looks!

The boys are in the living room watching a Batman dvd. It is up so loud my teeth are shaking. I think that I will go to my bedroom with a book! and a shut door! Thanks for reading! Have a great day! Libby

Thankul for:

I am so thankful this time of year! I know that we are all thankful throughout the year but I guess when this time of the year rolls around we really start to count our blessings!Cade is out of school this week and Kels. is coming home tuesday night! It will be nice to have everyone here! I know that my girl was home last weekend but I'm still getting used to not seeing her everyday. I like for my kids to be home, especially at night!! I have never been more thankful for technology, I can text her, talk to her on facebook, email! That makes it alot easier on this Mother Hen!
Our Sunday was my favorite kind of day! Cold rainy and windy. Andy was at the fire dept. so the boys and I went to the early church service, grabbed some McDonalds and got ourselves back home! I put my pjs on and went right to sewing (and laundry,dishes,picking up) I sewed most of the day. Cade wanted to go to a friends house but I put him on restriction. I happened to walk by his Sunday School class just in time to see him up, running across the table!! His teacher (a sweet college girl) looked stunned!! I was embarrassed but not surprised!! That kid is always into something! Other than that it was a nice relaxing day!
Today I need to get my grocery shopping done. Hopefully early. Andy's sister drove in from Florida last night and will be staying at Andy's mom's house. That is where we have our Thanksgiving. I know that Cade is going to want us to go get his cousin for him to play with, That havent been together since last summer.
Everbody have a great Monday! Thanks for reading! Libby

Ready for the Weekend!

Woke up to the sad news that UGA Vll died last night. He was only 4 years old. My boys just went to a game and Cade got to see him and talked about how cute he was.

Well, I put my 9 patches aside and started cutting a new quilt! I sewed on and off all day long!! It is a simple Sawtooth Star quilt. The fabric is so pretty! It is called House by Annette Tatum. I will take some pictures when I get more done. I bought the fabric this summer after seeing a really nice quilt on SewMommaSew. With a daughter in college, I have tried to cut back on my fabric purchases. I bought several 1/2 yards of the collection. Knowing that it was probably my last "big" fabric spend for awhile makes it even more special. I havent decided yet what amount will be a "little" spend!!Thanks for all of ya'lls advice! I will finish the 9 patch later on. NO GUILT!!

We have no big weekend plans. A family birthday party Saturday night and that is it!! Kelsey isnt coming home this weekend so that will lighten my laundry!! Cade is out of school all next week. I really hope to just stay around the house, watch the UGA Bulldogs and sew!

I hope that you all have a great weekend! Thanks for making my first weeks of blogging so much fun!! Libby

Here is Ruby ready for the weekend! We heat her towel up in the dryer for her to lay on...

Good For The Soul....

I guess it is confession time! I am feeling a little guilty that I want to start a new quilt!! I knew that alot of people can work on more that 1 project at a time and I think that is good. I think every quilter starts out thinking "I will not start another quilt until I finish this one" Well, that is how I am. I have only been quilting since 2004. I am a hand-quilter so it does take me a little longer than most to finish a quilt. But, so far, I have finished every quilt that I have started! I do have a few tops from where I worked at a quilt shop. We made samples to hang in the shop and unless I was just totally in love with mine, I didnt quilt it. I did qilt a couple for the shop but I think that I have 3 that are still just tops.

My problem is that I have finished up my 9 patches, I'm all ready to sash them. When I started this quilt I just did a block a day, using scraps. I had no plans for this quilt until I noticed that it was turning out girly and I found out that my sister and her family were moving. I decided then that I could give it to my niece. I started using some of the scraps from items that I had made for her. I still want to give it to her but...I want to make another quilt first....now, why do I feel bad about this???? Is it because I usually finish 1 before I start the other or because the one quilt is for a little girl who has to move?? (they are moving around the first week of Dec. so I was going to have to give it to her after the move)
Finally, here is an old picture of Ruby. This is one of my favorite pictures of her, it shows her "true, sweet nature!!!"
Have a great day! Thanks for reading, Libby

Cutting and Sashing

Despite all of Ruby's help, I finished up my 9 patches. I need to cut and put on the sashing, then get the whole top together. I do volunteer work at Cade's school on Tuesday and Wednesday I have church but I will work on these in between those. I look forward to doing the final placement of the blocks. I will have to do this on my livving room floor. My "design wall" isnt big enough. Arranging the blocks,playing with the colors is one of my favorite parts of making a quilt! I get really excitied when I get to this part of making the top. It means that I'm near the end and I can start quilting it! Then, the best part...a warm wrinkly quilt right out of the dryer!My truely favorite part!!

Thank you so much for reading! Have a great day! Libby

MIL Quilt

I thought that I would show one of my favorite quilts. These beautiful Sunbonnet Sue and Overall Sam blocks were made by my precious mother-in-law. She is so talented at everything! How would you like to have her as a mother-in-law?? She really is sweet! She just happens to be a great cook, a great house-keeper, great seamstress, a wonderful Mom, the BEST Nanny, etc!!

She was nice enough to give me these blocks to make a quilt! I sashed them and hand-quilted it. The whole time that I was quilting this, I thought of what a special quilt that this would be. It just gives me thoughts of how it always has been for people who sew or have other talents that are passed down. Talents and sweet items passed down to other generations! I know that one day my daughter or maybe a grandchild will LOVE this quilt because of the LOVE that went into it!
You can click on the top photo to see more of her blocks! Have a great day! Thanks so much for stopping by! Libby

Boorrring..

Not much going on here. Down here in Newnan, Georgia we have had beautiful weather the past few days. Up to 74 today. Only in the 40's at night! The sky has been bright blue! We may get a cold rain in by Wednesday, but today I opened the windows! I love Fall!

I rushed home after church to finishing washing my daughters clothes so that she could get back to college! We brought home my 6 yo nephew so he and Cade played outside for a long time. Cade fell asleep on the couch after Stewart left!

I got out my 9 patch blocks and put them up on the wall (a flannel backed table cloth) and worked on placement. I made most of these during CrazyMom Quilts quilt-along. I made one everyday until I had to stop and make graduation quilts. This 9 patch quilt will have white sashing and a pieced border. I still need to make a few more. I didnt have room for all of them on the wall. This quilt will probably go to my little niece. My sister has always lived right beside me but her husband was laidoff from his job over 2 years ago. He found one in Alabama, so they have to move. Sad, but we are all happy that he found a new, good job. All of our land has been in my Grandmothers family for many years so we are really sad that they have to sell!! My niece is 7 and doesnt understand any of this. She has such a happy spirit, I hate to see her said! Anyway, I have made her a few little jumpers and a purse but never a quilt!

Monday, I have my running around to do and Cade has karate. I hope to finish up my 9 patches.

Have a great day! and Thanks sooo much for reading and for your comments! Libby

My Babies

Someone at Cade's school asked me about having my kids so far apart, so I thought I would write about it. Andy and I were married in 1989, we had only been back from the honeymoon for about 2-3 weeks (we went to the mountains and got snowed in) when I found out thet I was pregnant with Kelsey. When Kelsey was 6 months old, I found out that I was pregnant with Joey! I was so embarrassed and worried! We had both been working 2 jobs. After I had Kelsey I quit my jobs to stay home with her. Andy was working 2 sometimes 3 jobs and we were barely making ends meet. Kelsey was 15 months old when Joey was born! I was alone alot and really had no idea what I was doing with 2 babies! We all survived but I always felt like both of my babies grew up so fast. I always wanted another baby but was told by the Doctor to just enjoy the 2 that I had!!

We were very surprised to find out that I was pregnant again! Joey was 8 and Kelsey was 9. They were in school and I had started teaching Pre-k! The kids werent too happy at first but they got excitied! We all went to the ultrasound and found out that the baby was a boy! I had always liked the name Cade. I got it from the book "Gone With The Wind" Like a good southern girl, I had read that book over and over again. Cade Calvert is a character in the book but not the movie. Anyway, we all loved the name! Cade has been such a blessing to all of us! The big kids loved having a baby around! When the older 2 were being grumpy teens it was so nice having a sweet little guy around! He is very, very spoiled. I blame my husband!

I never thought that I could love anybody like I love these 3 Goobers!

Friday!

My daughter is coming home for the weekend. She goes to college about 2 hours from here in Macon Ga. This is her first year at college. I knew that the day would come when she would go away to school but it seemed to happen so, so fast! I'm so thankful to my husband that I was able to stay at home with her and the boys. I know that it wasnt easy for him. Anyway, Kelsey has been homesick this week so it will be great to have her home! She has already planned what she wants to eat!

I made a fast run to Joann's and got some flannel. I would like to make Cade some winter p.j.'s but I'm pretty bad at sewing clothes. I love to sew and always wanted to sew clothes for my kids but I was so bad at it! I tried my hand at quilting and it was LOVE!! Something clicked and I was pretty good at it! I still have the desire to sew other little things, pj's, pillow cases, jumpers for my niece,etc. but when I'm working on those things I always wish I was just quilting!! I'm not good at sewing garments so it takes the fun out of it for me. Maybe I should stick to what I'm good at. I do make a nice pillow case!

Back to the flannel. The red has little trees on it and the green has little snowmen on it. He will probably say that the snowmen are too babyish. The candy is for me!

Have a great weekend!

Thankful for Firefighters

Poor Andy! What a crazy day at the Fire Dept.! He doesnt always tell me about the calls that he goes on at work but he did share 2 with me that made me laugh!


The first funny thing was when they went on a call where trees had fallen on power lines and knocked out a bunch of power poles and alot of people's electricity. A news truck showed up and wanted some pictures and to interview my husband (he was the Captain in charge) he didnt want to but did a long 15 minute interview. Back at the firehouse everyone was kidding him about the interview and they all gathered to watch the news. The news showed about 3 seconds of my husband and the firemen then they spent about 8 minutes on a follow up story with a citizen who was complaining about not having any power 'cause he "can't even boil me a hot dog"


The second call that Andy told me about was the Rescue truck got a call to a retirement community. An older man was having trouble breathing and the Doctors wanted him to go to the hospital. He refused and pitched a fit, demanding to see someone in charge. My husband was called to the scene. The Doctor said that he wanted the man restrained and sent to the hospital. Andy tried to talk to the man and checked his signs (he is a paramedic) and told him that he really should go to the hospital. Well, the man got SO mad! He told Andy "I am a Christian and if you say another word, I hope that Jesus strikes you dead! Well! How is that for a "Thank You"? He also wanted the police to come and "escort Andy out of his apartment" He had a crazy day!

Windy Wednesday

We are still getting rain this morning and alot of windy. Leftovers from a tropical storm. I did not stop raining at all yesterday. I love cool rainy days when I can stay home and sew, not so much when I have to get out in it!

My husband will be home today. He is a Captain at a Fire Dept. and was very busy yesterday with trees falling on power lines. He even made the local news but I missed it because I had to do the school fund raiser. I don't get much done around here when he is home but it is nice having him here! I can usually talk him into going and getting Cade from school!

The trees on our road had just turned and were SO pretty, all this rain and wind have knocked the leaves off so we really got a short "leaf" season! I love Fall!

Rainy Tuesday

We are supposed to get some very rainy and windy weather here today. Lucky me! Tonight we are having a fund raiser for Cade's school at Chick-fil-A, it's my night to stand around and keep count of what teacher has the most students there! I don't think we will have a big turn out, if the weather gets too bad. The recent flooding in Atlanta has everyone a little spooked!

I got a few more of my nine patches done, but I'm not ready to take pictures of it yet. I found some pictures of a quilt that I did a few years ago for our church's craft auction. It is called Glittering Stars. The pattern is from a GREAT book called "Prairie Quilts" by Johanna Wilson. It is full of projects inspired by the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder. I hand quilted it and added to prairie points to the pattern! I fell in love with the block and would love to make one in red, white and blue for myself. This one was sold at the craft auction. I was so proud to make some big money for my church, but, I hated to see that quilt go!! Enjoy the Day! Libby

Monday-Blah!

Wow! that weekend flew by! I sure didnt get much sewing done! We made homemade pizza fri.night and watched GI Joe. UGH! My 9 yo son, Cade picked! Saturday, Andy went to the fire dept. so I got to work on laundry and cleaning my sewing room! My SIL called at around 9am and invitied my boys to the UGA Bulldogs game! So I had to get them up and ready and to their Aunts. They had a blast!! Bless her heart, she took my 2 boys (9 and 17 yo) and her son (6 yo) to the game by herself!! By the time I got home I was a little to nervous to do much sewing! I did work on my 9 patch blocks, from the quilt along that AmandaJean did. I did a block a day when I started but put them aside to do 2 graduation quilts, so now I'm back at them! I think I need to do about 10 more blocks, I'm only using scraps or my stash, trying not to buy any materials for this quilt!

Today I'm cleaning up around here and running some errands. Cade has karate at 530. Not much sewing going on here today! I have a picture of Ruby sitting on my sewing machine, another reason why I don't get much done!

Ready for the Weekend!

Book Fair finishes up today! My weekend plans are: laundry, make homemade pizza, clean my sewing room, work on my 9 patches and get a picture of them for my blog! Have a great weekend!

Not a good week to start a blog!

ok so this isnt a good week for me to start blogging! I am working everyday at my 9 yo old son's school Book Fair. It is alot of fun being around the kids and the books but by the time I get home, do some housework, supper and homework...I'm ready to go to bed!! Hopefully this weekend I will have some time to figure out this blog thing!

I am in between sewing projects. I just finished quilting a king sized quilt for a friend. I don't know what I want to start yet! I have been working on some 9 patch blocks for AmandaJeans quilt along (crazymom quilts) I will try to post some pics of it this weekend!

And..thank you so much Kristie for commenting and helping me out! If I could figure out how to link to your blog I would!!

RUBY

she does this everytime I quilt,
originally uploaded by libbydillard.

I wanted to see if I could add a picture to my blog. This is our very bad kitty, Ruby. Don't let this cozy picture fool you! I think all of us of scars from her. Except my husband!

Here I go..

Last night while washing my dishes, by hand (I dont have a dishwasher) I was thinking about all the great blogs that I love to read. Anything to keep me from drowning myself in the dishwater!! I decided that it was time for me to start my own blog. Will anyone read it besides me? Who knows? and since I am a computer idiot, I'm going to get my computer smart daughter to help me set it up!