Gees Bend Quilt and Blogger Award

I usually don't write anything medical on my blog because I want this to be a happy place to see quilt and yarn projects.  But, yesterday I spent the morning in the emergency room after having some problems and passing out here at home.  They are pretty sure that I passed a kidney stone, and there will be more poking and proding to come this week.  But, there is a quilt connection in all of this.  This all started before 8 am yesterday morning, so my husband went to the cafeteria to eat some breakfast.  When he came back he showed me his cell phone.  He had found a quilt and taken a photo.  So after I was dismissed we went back so I could see the quilt.  It turns out it was made by several Indianapolis Quilt Guild members.  Some blocks were quilted in big stitch with perle cotton and others were machine quilted.   I'm glad that I was able to see this work of art.

I love the last line: 

Fabric donated by our community as a special gift in honor of loved ones and precious memories.

In the last couple of weeks I have received the Versatile Blogger Award from two of my readers.


I first received the award about 3 weeks ago from Marta at http://polkadotclassic.blogspot.com/


Then last week I received the award from Raewyn at http://stitchingfarmgirl.blogspot.com

When Marta gave me the award I linked back to one of my posts last January when Staci http://theconfusedquilter.blogspot.com gave me the Stylish Blogger award. All of these awards ask that you tell 7 (or 8) things about yourself, so since I've gotten the award twice just recently, I decided to put the 8 different things about myself here for you to read.  

Here are the 8 things about me:

1. I am an only child. I am really envious of those of you that have siblings, particularly those of you that are quilters and have sisters that also quilt. I would even settle for a brother that would appreciate one of my quilts, but it wasn't meant to be. When my parents both had passed away, I somehow had the feeling of being an orphan. I know that's probably silly, but I think it was just that there was no more home to go to.

2. I went on my first date with my husband on January 18, 1973, and we were married May 19, 1973. That was a short courtship by most people's standards, but it was right. We were married 38 years this May.

3. I have two grown children; both of them are amazing people. My son composes music and to date has about 50 published pieces, and is music minister at their church. He also works part time in an elementary school media center. My daughter has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Math and will soon have her Masters Degree in Statistics.  She worked in Alabama for 2 years, and now she is at Purdue and is almost finished with her Master's Degree in Statistics. She played with the Purdue handbells last semester. Both of my children are musically inclined, and their Dad and I can barely play the radio.

4. I taught ESL (English as a Second Language). That was an interesting job. People ask me how many languages I know. I know just enough Spanish to ask for a drink of water and for directions to the restroom. Well, ok, I know a little more than that. I love it when my Spanish speaking blog readers leave me a comment or send me an email totally in Spanish. I do my best to figure out what it says before I cut and paste it into Google Translator. If I ever post a tutorial and you feel like I am explaining it as if you spoke a different language, this is why. It was a habit for several years!

5. I've quilted for 16 years or so. Before that I made a few hexagons, but had no idea what fun it would be to learn so many different quilting techniques and just how many good friends I would make along the way. Last year I entered a couple of my quilts in the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show held in Bloomington, Indiana. I was awarded a ribbon for Judge's Recognition. I had never entered anything in any quilt show before-not even a guild show-so getting the ribbon was quite a thrill.

6. I am equally as addicted to knitting and crocheting and collecting beautiful yarns as I am to quilting and collecting fabric. You will hardly ever find me just sitting somewhere. I am always working on some applique', redwork, knitting or crocheting.

7. I had a total knee replacement in June 2009. I spent a lot of time working with a physical therapist, exercising and strengthening that knee both before and after surgery, but I'm pain free and if I had to I'd do it all over again. That was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and it has definitely changed my life.

 

8. I love technology. I almost didn't get a convection oven because I thought I wouldn't be able to figure out how to cook with it. Boy was I wrong about that. I love my Droid phone, and I'm finding out new things about it every day. But, if you are still reading my deep, dark secret is that I love video games (and some computer games). When the Wii was just coming on the scene, I had sold a bunch of collectibles on EBay. I took part of that money and stood in line at Fry's Electronics before they opened one morning when I knew the new shipment was coming in so I could buy a Wii. I claim that I got it for the Wii Fit so I could exercise....oh really? I got it to play Mario Kart, and I love Guitar Hero. I even have 2 guitars in case anyone comes over and wants to play. If only I could play games and quilt at the same time.

9.  I'm going to add just one more.  Our first grandchild is due at the end of March, and I don't know which baby quilt to make first!!!!!!

Here is a photo of my quilt that received the ribbon. It's called It's Just A Nine Patch. The nine patches are 1 1/2" finished and there are 964 in the quilt.

 
 

There are so many great blogs out there that I find it impossible to pick just 15. One of my favorite things to do while blog surfing is to go to a new to me blog of someone wholeft a comment on one of my regular blogs. I just love seeing what everyone is working on and what fabrics they are buying.



I really appreciate all of my followers and those of you that leave comments. I try and get around to visit all of you if there is a link back to you, and I try my best to respond to your comments whenever I can.



Thanks to Marta and Raweyn for reading my blog and giving me this award.

Thanks to everyone for stopping by and

visiting today!