Rhonda, Rhonda, Rhonda.......(giveaway)

Rhonda - what can I say??  She is a nut!!  You could get into some serious trouble hangin' out with her, but she would make it worth it!!  I've been buggin' her to blog again, and you wouldn't believe what she came up with.  Now, this quilt is NOT one of my favorites that she has made. (Telling the truth, this was a kit so it's not Rhonda's style or colors)  But this crazy woman once made a quilt she called "Root Canal".  She hated everything about the quilt, but it WAS drop dead gorgeous!!  So go and visit Rhonda at Patches and Pieces for her giveaway it's a table runner.

Don't forget to keep an eye on my sidebar.  I'm always adding giveaways and fun things that I find and think are worth sharing.

Thanks for checking on me,

hugs,

joanne

love to hear what you've got to say.....

Am I Alone?? Digital nightmares....

They took my Kodachrome away, what's next my digital?? I have spent the last two hours rearranging pictures that I have taken over the last year.  This will be the third or fourth time I've done this and I still haven't figured it out!  Digital was suppose to be the answer to all of those dreaded negatives laying around in boxes and drawers.  Remember those? I have quite a few myself, and they are in a tub. I know exactly where they are but am clueless as to what is on all of those tiny little squares of film strips. Somewhere in another tub or box are the pictures.  The lucky pictures have managed to make it into a scrapbook from my scrap booking days. Vaguely remember those....

Okay, on to quilting...

Here's one of the totes that I made at a Northern Lights Quilting Guild Make A Tote Day.  We got together made a tote with the promise of giving one back to the guild for our Baskets and Bowls raffle.  I love the way this one turned out.  It's going to a friend in Indy....

I got a little quilting done lately also.  Here's a sneak peek at a quilt that I had the pleasure to do for Sue in NJ.  You can see more pictures at the Cheap Quilting blog.  Sue used pinks to create a really nice quilt for a very lucky little girl.

I'm trying to catch up with my quilt postings.  I've got quite a few to share so stay tuned and come back often!

Thanks for checking on me,

hugs,

joanne

love to hear what you've got to say.....

Perfect for Valentines Day....Grace in PA

Grace in PA

I love what I can do, even if it's not all that much.  Last year I wrote a blog post about why I machine quilt if you are interested in reading it, you can find it here.  When I get emails like the one below it just confirms that I am on the right track with why I quilt.  This came from Grace in PA.  She if far, far too kind with her description of my quilting, it's simple loops or meandering, but it gets the quilts finished.  Grace first contacted me two years ago when I had the brainy idea of the Joanne's Stimulus Package.  She signed up for the package and then life got in the way. Grace is now working with a local Doctor to provide quilts to kids who might need a little extra hug or love when they visit their primary care physician.  Here's Grace's email to me:

Oh my gosh!! The box arrived within the last half hour. As I took each quilt out of the box I was thrilled beyond words. The quilt I am keeping for myself is gorgeous and the best part the add on piece I can cover up with the binding. The table runners are gorgeous I had no idea how they would turn out, Joanne gorgeous is an understatement your thread choice couldn't have been better selected. The children's quilts are each individually made better with your expert quilting and design. Oh how each child will love and cherish their quilt. The practice I give the quilts to said each child that received a quilt was thrilled with their item. I told Dr.H**** this week I have a few more that will soon be coming his way, he is hoping this year to have enough to give to children as they are faced with a difficult diagnosis. We both agree when a child is faced with a difficult diagnosis the primary care doctor is the one who can best provide extra TLC. We are also going to incorporate a few adults into the gifting, we never thought of it before but the two sisters who last year got nothing for Christmas and only a card between them was heartbreaking.

I will be talking with someone from ****, (name withheld since I haven't asked permission to publish it) next week to get a charity off the ground for this group. I also hope to get a blog up and running to promote my idea of providing children's quilts to a PCP practice. When children are in a hospital it is great they get quilts , quilts for kids does an excellent job. Unfortunately children see physical and emotional abuse in family settings as well as a diagnosis of diabetes etc that can be devastating and the PCP office is best suited to provide extra TLC during the visit. I have also given them bears, whenever I get a coupon for build a bear workshop I make one. If you have any ideas please pass them on to me to help get this idea up and running.

Yep, this is all good and just perfect for a Valentines post.  Grace has a heart of gold and I wish her all of the success with her new endeavor. My thanks goes out to Grace who has included me and made it possible to help in a small way to make someones day just a little bit brighter.   

You can see all of Grace's quilts posted at my other blog, Insanely Cheap Quilting.  I hope your Valentines Day is filled with lots of love, mine certainly is.

Thanks for checking on me,

hugs,

joanne

love to hear what you've got to say.....

A couple of quilts and stuff...

Not much time today, I've got a dentist appointment this morning.  Chipped a tooth last week-ugh, and regular cleaning/checkup.  I'm sure this will be one of a few dental appointments in the next couple of weeks. 

I've been as busy as ever and I love it!  I have got an amazing group of quilts on hand right now that are waiting for a little stitching.  The tote workshop on Saturday was great, but come on, we all knew it was going to be.  Anytime you get a bunch of us together to sew all day, what's not to like?  Almost finished with the second tote, hoping I can share pictures tomorrow. 

Here's a couple of quilts that came to me from Nancy in PA.  She has got to have an unbelievable stash of finished quilts.  Here's her latest two...

And this one in batiks

How's that for a tease?  You can see more of Nancy's quilts over at the other blog,

Insane Cheap Quilting.

Thanks for checking on me,

hugs,

joanne

love to hear what you've got to say...........

Are you ready to see......The Wall???

I've had everything up for a while, but have had problems getting a decent shot.  Since I was shooting into the window the light was playing havoc with the camera.  I kept getting reallly dark pictures. I was totally bummed!  Then the sweet Allie came to the rescue and gave me some tips on how and when to take the pictures.  It worked!!  Thank you so much Allie!!!   So, without further ado...

The Wall

Closer look on the right...

Closer look on the left....

And the center...

And the pictures does not do it justice!  It is so cool, and everyone notices right away when they come into my room.  They ask if they are mine, and I get to tell where they are all from and the fun story behind them.  Thank you all who sent a block for my wonderful wall!   

I've got a little more space to fill, so if you would like to send me an unloved block, I would love to have it!

Thanks for checking on me,

hugs,

joanne

love to hear what you've got to say.....

Quick Quilting Post Today

I've got a lot on my plate today, headed to my favorite little quilt shop here in New Hampshire for their BOM. I "need" to do a little shopping while I'm there.  Saturday I'm going to a guild class.  We will be making tote bags, one to donate to the guild for their "Bag Raffle" and one for me.  I'm sure it will be fun, but I need to pick up some new fun fabric from Four Pines to make it happen.

Also need to show you this cute little Christmas tree that Becky made and sent me.  I've hung it on the wall with the rest of my blocks. It really makes me smile and I think of Becky often.  Here's a close look, click if you really want to see the colors...

And this from Brandy...the picture does not do it justice.  It's a

miniature of the quilt she made.

I have been trying to get some good shots of my wall, but I haven't had too much luck.  I may just give it up and post what I can.  It really is amazing.  Just last week I had a visitor and she commented on how cool it really is.  I can't wait to share her quilt with you. 

Thanks for checking on me,

hugs,

joanne

love to hear what you've got to say.......

School Bullying...What do you think?

did you see this?

13 Year Old Attacked

I watched it yesterday on Good Morning America yesterday morning.  When I googled it to find the link I was mortified at all of the "bullying" links that popped up.   Honestly, I don't know why I was mortified by the number.....I am, and have been dealing with my own school and bullying issues.

Tell me what you think....

joanne