Working on the Studio

I spent the entire day putting together storage units, painting, cleaning, and hauling some quilting things from upstairs to my new studio downstairs. I can't even imagine how long it is going to take me to move all my "stuff" down there. It is embarassing to see how much "stuff" I actually have. Can I part with any of it????...Noooooooo....I might need it for something down the line! I'll be getting a picture up to show you the progress soon.

Slow But Steady

Slowly my Mom's quilt top is getting finished. While my son and husband were at the Colts game yesterday, I babysat the "Grand-dogs" and worked on sewing the quilt top together. I got six of the rows done; there are 13 rows in all. I will be heading up to visit Mom at the nursing home tomorrow and will take what I have done to show her. I hope she likes it. I'll post a picture as soon as I get it all put together.

Visit

My Mom was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's. I went to visit her (in the nursing home) on Christmas Eve. I was relieved that she looked great, was in good spirits, and had a really nice private room. The quilt I have planned for her will look beautiful in her room. Thanks for all the words of encouragement.

Tip Chosen by American Patchwork & Quilting/Quilt Pattern Picked

I was "tickled" to find out that my Reader Tip has been chosen to appear in a future issue of American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine! I got an email from Mary Irish, Editorial Assistant at American Patchwork & Quilting, to let me know. I even had to sign a contract! My tip has to do with a really easy way to get fusible web off your iron and ironing board. Watch for it.

I have decided on a quilt pattern to use to make a quilt for my Mom. She was transferred to the nursing home last week and has been very agitated. I'm hoping this quilt will help to make her feel more comfortable. I think quilts can convey warmth and love; I'm hoping that is what this quilt will do. I shopped for the fabric on my way home from Indianapolis. I found a pattern called "In and Out" by Blue Underground Studios, Inc. (www.blueundergroundstudios.com) that I really liked. Here are some of the blocks I have made. Actually, I finished all the blocks yesterday and will start putting them together today. I used the fabric I purchased plus some from my stash.I sure hope she likes it. I'll get a picture of the quilt top posted when it is finished. Working on this quilt has helped to take my mind off my Mom's Alzheimer's and help me focus on the truly amazing woman she once was.

Busy

December is one of those months when you plan to get SO much done...ah, what a beautiful dream. I've either been dealing with family business or gone, so I haven't gotten much done at all (quilting or otherwise). Yesterday, I needed a mental diversion so I worked on my The Quilt Show 2009 Block of the Month quilt. I felt like I was in Flying Geese "hell." I made well over 100 of them.

I was told today that my mother will have to go to a nursing home that deals with Alzheimer's patients very soon. I will be busy making a twin-size quilt to go in her room there. The colors are lavender and green (which I don't have much of in my stash), so I guess I'll just have to go fabric shopping. I have to get this done real fast. Anyone have a suggestion on a pattern (other than slapping squares together). I'd like it to be fast but pretty. Please email me any suggestions at bschnellenberger@gmail.com.

Back Home Again...in Indiana, Free Mystery Round Robin

I've been gone for the last week or so and haven't had a chance to write. I've been in Pompano Beach, FL, for a family vacation. I must say...the weather is much nicer there. We had a little snow this morning; when we left there, it was in the low 80s. We had a wonderful time sightseeing and visiting friends. I didn't have the opportunity to do anything quilt related, but I took some nice pictures for inspiration. I'll post some as soon as I get them downloaded.

Today, I'm catching up on all I didn't do while I was gone...laundry, mail, bills, decorating for the holidays, etc. It is amazing how much time that can take up.

My son-in-law worked on the quilting studio while I was gone. All of the trim is in, the toilet is hooked up, the dehumidifier is hooked up to the sump pump, and there really is very little else to be done. The cabinets haven't come in yet, so they will have to be put in when they get here. The bathroom sink and faucet have to be put in. The laminate tops (for the bathroom and the cabinets in the quilting room) have to be put on, and some of the drop ceiling in the bathroom has to be replaced. Once these things are done, all I have to do is move all my stuff in and start sewing! Hmmmm, I'm thinking that could be awhile!

Also, right now there isn't enough interest in a (free) "mystery" round robin to make it worth my while to post it. If any of you are interested in doing this, please email me and let me know (bschnellenberger@gmail.com). I'm going to keep asking until the end of December; I'd like to start it in January. If you would like to know more about it, take a look at this post http://quilterbeth.blogspot.com/2009/11/are-you-interested.html