White Pine All-Stars - Tournament in Caliente NV

My family is soon headed to Caliente NV for the 9-10 year District All-Star Baseball Tournament. Both Sven and Eric made the team...and I am the Assistant Coach. 11 boys are on our team...and we are all excited for the opportunity.

I will post pictures of the team in complete uniform soon...but here we are at the first practice...just 6 days ago! Not much time to prepare...but we are what we are...and we are going with an attitude to WIN!

GO WHITE PINE ALL-STARS!!

New Backpack for Sven's Diabetic Supplies - and it's even Quilted!!

Maureen (MoeMoe of the APQS forum) made Sven this awesome backpack to carry his diabetic supplies in. I posted to the forum looking for suggestions on patterns...and Maureen offered to make him one! How nice is that?! He likes it...and so do I. 

The baseball fabric is very appropriate too as he was just voted into the White Pine All-Star Baseball Team along with Eric. We will be traveling starting next week for games. It will be great to be able to put everything he needs in one bag...just for him.

Thanks Maureen. You are too sweet! ;0)

Fourth Verse of Star Spangled Banner

The Star Spangled Banner





Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen, thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines in the stream;
'Tis the Star-Spangled Banner, Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heaven rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto, "In God is our trust"
And the Star-spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!





Semper Fi Marine Corps. Thank you to all our US Military...Veterans and those now serving!

In God I do put my trust!

Quincy Crazy Quilters Challenge

I joined the QCQ in January of this year. Even though I didn't think I would be able to made it to a single 'meeting', my friend Dory thought I should join anyways. They supposedly have a great retreat in October!

Well, the guild issued a challenge. They supplied 1/2 yard of the black starry fabric and I could add as many other fabrics to it to make a quilt no larger than 150" perimeter.

Now, let me say this, Dory forgot to send the fabric to me early on. So, when did I get it? Last week. Due date for the quilts to be back in Quincy California? June 17th! Thanks alot Dory.

Anyways, I accepted the challenge, and chose the Nevada Trails pattern  http://www.quilterscache.com/N/NevadaTrailsBlock.html. I made four paper pieced blocks and set them together...then came time for the quilting.

Well, since this was a challenge, I challenged myself to use only my rulers and tools and to not do freehand quilting, which I much prefer.

I used my Line Tamer for the sid work and to attach the binding, Judilators for some curved quilting, 2 circle rulers (2" and 3") for cc work, and my Quiltazoid for the spirographs and other curved quilting.

All that is left is the handwork on the binding and to attach a label. Then to mail it to CA.

Hey Dory, would you be certain to hold onto this for me after the show on Friday?!?! And, let me know what people thought of it! Thanks!

Oh, by the way this miniature quilt finished at 18" square...that would be 72" perimeter in case you wondered!  ;0)

Finally...back to quilting! For a good cause too!

My friend Pat made this top and gave it to me to finish!  Together we are going to donate several quilts to the Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City on Sven's behalf. When he was in the hospital...Sven wanted his own quilt to cuddle with. Good thing we brought it too...as the quilts on the beds were really little. More for toddlers than older kids.  Just thought I would share some pics of this bright quilt.  I used my Quiltazoid Regal template for the pieced blocks and also for the corners of the turquoise border.  The remainder of the quilt is freehand.  I did a swirly vine in the background...and feathery thing for the outer border. I also did some straight line quilting to give it something extra! This quilt is double batted with Winline thin cotton batting for added warmth. I can't wait to wash it...it should shrink up nicely! I just know somebody is going to love this quilt...I do! It is so pretty I think. I just love the colors Pat used!

Not much time for quilting as...baseball/softball keep us busy!

Not that this is a bad thing...just saying...we are busy every night of the week...and then again on Saturdays.

I took over coaching Devin's minor league girl's softball team...the Bombers, just one week ago when the coach didn't show for a game.

I am the assistant coach for Madeline and Taylor's major league girl's softball team...the Shockers.

AND...I help out where needed for Sven and Eric's major league boy's baseball team...the Tigers!

Between Dad and I, we also help to keep Sven's blood sugar under control so he can play!

As if that wasn't enough...I help out wherever else I am needed when it comes to Little League.  I keep book, help with line ups, and throw ball with any kid that will let me. I also bandage knees and provide hugs when a player feels sad or upset...usually the girls. The boys only like knuckles and high fives. :0)