Scary Stuff!

Ahhhh Labor Day Weekend. Long weekend for most of us, Bill (my husband) wanted to close the pool down. "NOOOOOO," that means it really is close to my Nemesis - winter. However even closer to my favorite time of year - fall. Although originally from Iowa, our family moved to Arizona when I was three. I moved back to Iowa in 1976. After growing up seeing nothing but 865 shades of brown, I and am amazed every year in October, when the trees start to turn. With all of the rain and rain and rain we have had this year - the colors should be vibrant. I really don't want summer to end, yet.
To get ready for the Fall, I found these wonderful Trick or Treat bags to make. I made Mr Frankenstein for my sweet little grandson, Brody and then made one of each for my BF Mary's grand kids. The pattern is in October's issue of Quilters World.

I love to quilt! Below are a few of the quilts I have made in the last year

For my friend LaRae - this was a quilt I saw a picture of on the internet. I loved it so much I knew I had to make it. I put the design on Excel and my sister Kim helped me in putting it together. The quilter, Michelle Pettorini did a wonderful job using an original design in the large white swaures. Her quilting made the quilt very special!!!

This quilt is my first quilt. It was for my friend Shari. Shari bought a couple of hundred raffle tickets for a quilt. It was raffled during Relay for Life - made in honor of one of our co-workers, John. When she won the quilt - she gave the quilt to John's family. I knew Shari would love these colors!

I made the same quilt for my best friend Mary - Mary loves blue and white -so why did I choose purple and green? Hmmmmm - because I LOVED IT! There is an error in this quilt. My sister Kim told me that it makes it unique - and the only one that has perfection is GOD!
~ Mary still hasn't found it~
This quilt was for my son's fiance, Kristy - who loved the colors!

And this one for my dear sister Rene'

Mt grandaughter wanted a new quilt for her new room in North Carolina. Black and White for her black, white and hot pink bedroom. This one is a disappearing 9 patch.

(My quilter Michelle Pettorini from Urbandale, IA, quilted all of the above quilts for me)

Bigger than Life

My Uncle Donald died on July 28, 2010. He was 60 years old. Too young to have been taken from us, however he filled my life with such love and happiness.

Donald's family was his pride and joy. He left behind his wife of 39 years, Marie, his 8 children and 17 grand children. At his service his children each spoke about their dad. I sat in the pew and wrote down the words as they spoke them with tears of sadness for our loss and joy for being part of his life.

"Integrity, love, devotion, strength, courage, faith, with great compassion for others."

These were the words that described my Uncle Donald. They talked about his boisterous laugh and how he never met a stranger. These are the things, I too, remember about this man that we all loved.

"A friend to all, served his country and fellowman, a true family man, a great teacher, big storyteller, Heart of Gold! He was Truly Bigger Than Life!"

Feeding a baby

"Hey YOU! GG - I am really hungry! This scowl on my face isn't me poopin'"

"I'm so hungry - I think I will eat my fingers.......

or my bib!"

"Finally!"

" Ahhhhh mmmmmmmmmmmmmm "

He really was quite sweet through the entire process. He really does say "ahh mmmmmm" when the spoon goes in. He is starting to mimmick. :-)

John Deere

Brody's Pappa Jerry painted and cleaned up Rusty's old John Deere tractor. (Rusty is Brody's daddy.)
Brody loved his tractor this morning. First he was happy to just sit and hold on to the steering wheel - but not for long! Like I said - he is a busy little boy. Before long he was standing up and doing a little jig.

Weekend with Brody

I spent the weekend with my grandson - Brody. Last time I saw Brody - he was just learning to sit up by himself ... sometimes.
Boy - I have forgotten how quickly things change with babies!
He is a busy little man!

Don't drink the water...

There is something definitely going on at the hospital where I work. There are sooooo many pregnant women. I am/have made quilts for 4 of them. Brian (our CEO) and his wife just had a precious little girl, Kirsten. Her quilt was made with a charm pack and yoyo's for the flowers.
Haley is having a baby boy next week (Parker Liam). This precious quilt is flannel and so soft. This is the first time I placed a border and fabric strips on the back.
Jenny doesn't want to know what she is having and either does Jennifer. So the two latter will have to wait. Wellllllll actually - I know what Jennifer is having. I went with Jennifer when she had an amniocentesis - and I have "the envelope please...." with the sex of the baby in my drawer - and yes, of course it is open! SO I am making that quilt - but shhhhh - it is a secret.
Is is pink or is it blue? (all quilts were quilted by Michelle Pettorini)

Gotta LOVE Family Time

Bill and I have had a couple of great weeks with our kids. Our oldest grandchild, Kelsey flew in from North Carolina and traveled with us west to Omaha to watch our newest grandchild, Brody get baptized. The rest of the North Carolina fam flew in a week later. Janelle, Brayton and I drove the opposite way to Iowa City to have dinner with our son, Mark and his fabulous fiance, Kristy. We then went to South Dakota to watch Brayton race. Rained out both days :-( Everyone at the race was totally bummed - but Bill and I were happy! Rain could not take the smiles off of our faces after being able to spend a short amount of time with our kids and grandkids.

Name the Blog Contest

Before I started my blog I asked my friends on facebook to help me name it. OH I got some good ones! Linda from work gave me - Jerimania, Jeri's Jestosphere, Jibber Jabber Jeri, Jeriment Merriment. There seems to be a common theme there. And then my youngest sister thought 'Bloggers do it with their hands' would be appropriate. There were a couple of others such as 'Jeri Sue Who' from Princess Di (my beautiful neice) who must have thought her mother's (and my sister) name 'Hints from Harry Who' was goofy. My friend Annette suggested - 'mooermusings' and girlfriend Kim gave me 'Brown Eyed Girl'

Thanks everyone they were all great names but the winner is ..................
(that is a drum roll)
Jules Burian - In stiches - she thought it has about 4 relevant meanings for me. In stitches was already taken so I added 'I am forever'. I offered a small handmade gift to the winner so better go get that started ...

Quilting and Kim

I have only been quilting for about 1 1/2 years. I decided to start quilting when my younger sister Kim survived breast cancer. She is a survivor of a little over 5 years. Kim LOVES to quilt and quilts often with a group of friends, 'The Batting Buds.' Kim and I live in the same city about 30 minutes away from each other. But we let life get in our way of spending time together. Kim taught me how to do the basics of quilting. And I have caught the bug! Now Kim and I have quilting in common. Funny how quilting (and cancer) can change your life for the better. I love my sister Kim!.

Give-A-Way

Jane Monk is having a giveaway on her blog!!!

http://www.janemonkstudio.blogspot.com