One 12" block

Isn't this nice and bright? I just love it!

Choices...

I have all the points done for Jim's quilt for his office. Now the big decision, how to put it together. You can flip the points after you make them, so here is what we have:
Choice 1:

Choice 2:

Choice 3:
Jim has decided on Choice #, well, I'm not going to tell you, you'll have to wait and see. Tomorrow night I will be finishing the quilt top. And then it is going back to the Quilted Moose for machine quilting, after I get the backing and wash it. I always wash my fabrics, I know some people don't, but I don't want to take the chance on having any shrinking.

Another Quilt Class

Yesterday I had another quilt class at the Quilted Moose. And it was great. I am going to work on finishing my top today, but we did the Lonestar quilt, using a method that makes it much easier! It's "Quilt Smart" printed interfacing, http://www.quiltsmart.com/. I haven't checked out the website yet. But it was alot of fun, and here are the pictures:

These are all the different color combinations people were using. It was really neat to see how different it would look!
Here are a couple that are halfway done. You make 8 "points" for a wallhanging/lap size.

That one is Judy's, Paige's sister. And this one is Paige's:

And last, but not least, Paige's children. They were waiting for their dad to pick them up before class started, I apologize for the red eye, my camera wasn't set up properly.

Clue 1 Finished!

I am very proud of the fact I have the first clue finished for the mystery stole:Clue 2 will be posted on Friday. I think it's going to be gorgeous, and I am doing my best to keep up with it even though I had a quilt class last Saturday and I have one this Saturday, and I'm working on another quilt. Life is busy!

Icicles

It is very cold here, -15 this morning actual temp. Not sure what it is now, I'm tucked under the fleece blanket Amber made me watching my Packers play.

The other day I opened our bedroom window and broke off an icicle. The cats were sleeping on the bed, and when I opened the window they opened their eyes to see what was going on. After all, letting in that cold air was rather rude of me. But I showed them the "treat" I had, and they were immediately interested in this new developement. Treats form from the roof now? This IS a magical place!

Justice loves cold,

It must be because she's actually Canadian. She licks the windows when it's cold out too.

Meanwhile back at The Quilted Moose

Today was a class day and we had a blast, as usual. We did the Magic Tiles pattern, which involves A LOT of pinning, just to keep track of what number is what. The results are well worth it though, and here are some pics so you can join in the fun. These are some of the fabrics that people chose:

And here is Shasta, who taught our class, standing in front of her Magic Tiles quilt:

Next up, the Lonestar Quilt. We'll be doing this one next Saturday.

And after that, this one:

And there are more after that. Taking classes at the Quilted Moose is a wonderful way to spend a Saturday. :-)

Hockey Tournament!

One of the best things about living here in the Soo is the hockey. And this weekend is a HUGE hockey tournament. And what could be better, our friend's son is playing, and he's a goalie! I went to 2 games today, and Michael played exceptionally well during both. And as a result he was awarded 2 medals, one for each game he played in. He was chosen by the opposing team's coaches as the best player on his team. Very cool! Here he is in action. I apologize, my camera is old and doesn't have a zoom:

And here he is with one of his medals:

The location of the second game was down by the river, and it was cold! The ship in this picture is a museum. Closed for the season of course.

Yes, we've had snow and more is on the way! :-)

Jim is learning to skate.

Jim wants to learn to skate, so today he put on his skates for the first time. He loves it. And I can't wait to get my blades sharpened so I can get on the ice. Don't worry, we both have health insurance. :-)

More Christmas with my mom pics!

I know, it's well past Christmas, but I was just able to celebrate with my mom and brother and here are the last pics of that. First her collection of teddy bears:

Those are just a few of them. And here is her hearth and village:

And more bears around the fireplace! And here is the wreath my mom made for my dad's grave. She crocheted the snowflakes.

My mom is the one who taught me to crochet. And then from there I taught myself knitting and quilting and all the other fun stuff! But she started it all, so it's all her fault I have a room full of craft related stuff now. :-)

Boots the Cat

Boots belongs to my mom. We finally got down to visit my family to celebrate Christmas, and Boots was just thrilled. She doesn't like me much, and tries her best to ignore me, which is hard with me cuddling with her. :-) But she did discover that I do have something she wants. My knitting bag.

More specifically, my metal cigar tube filled with double pointed needles.

After she was tired of that. She discovered something else. Yarn.


We had a talk. She can have the metal tube that makes noise, I keep the Lorna's Laces.

Jim's Christmas Socks

Ok, better late then never. Here are Jim's finished socks to match his flannel shirt. Black Watch plaid shirt, the socks are Lorna's Laces in Black Watch. I love Lorna's Laces.

Thankfully I have alot left in my stash since I am not buying yarn for the near future so I can use up some of what I have!

One more day of work and it's the weekend. Now that I work full time "weekend" has a whole new meaning!

Crap

It was a great day yesterday, spent all day sewing with Paige. Things were moving right along, had to use the seam ripper a few times but that's to be expected when you are doing a lot of talking along with a lot of sewing. Things went well till 5 pm. When this happened:

That would be the lever that lifts my presser foot. Snapped right off. I guess the look on my face was hysterical. I was very puzzled at first as to what had happened. My machine is 10 years old, a Bicor VX1005 made by Brother. After realizing the problem, I did what anyone would do. Got out my Packer tool box.

Turns out it will be an easy fix, if I can get a new lever. I emailed 2 companies who said no, and today I managed to find another one, and I called them. He assured me he will "fix me up" and he will call tomorrow. Fingers crossed!