GETTING BACK ON TRACK

Hard to believe it has been about a month since I last posted to my blog.  What a month it has been!

Made one last trip to AQS Quiltweek Charlotte to promote the upcoming AQS show in Chattanooga.

Hung out with some neat quilters and shot a video for the Convention and Visitors Bureau Annual Meeting.

Travelled around the area highway yard sales with hubster while he was "picking" for his upcoming sales.

LilBit helping Papa with the Longest Yard Sale!!  What a great weekend that was!

Enjoyed a visit with my grandson, Nick, before school started!!  Hard to believe that he is in Middle School now.

Saw my first grandson, Preston, head off to Auburn University for his freshman year!

More promotion for Quiltweek!


FINALLY, it is here!!!





 Chattanooga was host to its first ever AQS Quiltweek September 10-13!! What an exciting time for all the quilters in our area.  There were so many wonderful quilts on display in the show area.  One of the special exhibits was the BAQS exhibit curated by our very own Maddie Kertay from Spool. I was privileged to have a quilt hanging in that exhibit.

I did get a little sewing done this month.

Added my "round" to Karen's Round Robin piece this month.  Loved working with the crazy log cabin blocks.  It will be interesting to see the final round and completion of this project!

Working on a quilt for a customer.

This month has been exciting and busy.  I am looking forward to getting back into my usual routine and finishing the quilting on several projects.  The travelling is over and the AQS show was a success so now I can go back to quilting.


                                    -sandi

WHAT HAPPENED IN JUNE

June has been a very busy month for my family and me.  We have had a high school graduation

The Birmingham Boys Choir Spring Concert

Fifth Grade Awards Day

And several days of visiting with our grandchildren.  Whew!! How wonderful and busy.

I have not accomplished very much in the way of quilting this month, but I will show what I have worked on and/or completed.

I completed the Auburn quilt for my grandson to take to college with him.  The pattern came from "Skip the Borders" written by Julie Herman.

My contribution to Sharon's block from our SLKS quilting buddies Round Robin.

This is a small (9" x 11") sketch piece for Modern Quilt Guild.  It is called "Roy G. Biv #1).  A larger piece will develop from this practice sketch piece.  All Kona Cottons.

The back of "Roy G. Biv #1". 

Another block finished in my Starry,
Starry Night BOM from scrappy Batiks.

Chattanooga Modern Quilt
Guild Sew-In Project for this
quarter was this cute little carry-
all pouch bag.




I always keep some practice pieces sandwiched together so I can check my quilting stitches, etc. before I use them on the "real" project.  When I finish, I make them into placemats.  This is a nice Maple Leaf orphan block worked into a mat.

 

This is Linda showing what she did for her row on my SLKS Round Robin this month.

It did not seem to me that I accomplished very much when I thought about the month, but when I look at this post, I feel better about what I have achieved.

Thanks for stopping by!!

                                -sandi

 

 

PORCH CHATTER: 2014 GRADUATION

This has been an exciting year for our family.  Our grandson, Preston, graduated from high school and he is heading to Auburn University in the fall to study Veterinary Medicine.

A few pictures I want to share for the family and friends.

This guy has brought so much joy to all of us.  He is always so giving and appreciative of his gifts and opportunities.

 

 

Talking on the phone with his special girl, Leah Byerly,  and thanking her for slipping over and hanging this banner on his special day.

Of course, there had to be a "big box".  My family members know that a box that size usually has a quilt in it.

Today's box was no exception.  It did, indeed, have a quilt in it.  This is the back of our college quilt.

That smile just lets me know he loves his other gift, too.  A check!!!

 

The college quilt still needs a binding and then it will be ready to go to college with our special guy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

There will be a complete post about this quilt once I have the binding on it.  In the meantime, it will be getting its finishing touches of a label, binding and its first washing in the next week.

Congratulations, Preston Alan Smith!!!  We love you and are so proud of the success of your life journey to date.  We know there are big things still ahead for you. 

We are sending you off to college with all the love and support we have for you!!!!

Mom and Dad,  Heather and Byron Smith

and Papa and Gram, John and Sandi Suggs

                                            

 

-sandi

a.k.a.  -  gram

 

RETURNED FOR REPAIRS

I made this t-shirt quilt for my older grandson about 6 years ago when he finished the fifth grade.  It was a gift from his parents and me.

 

This was a little on the edge of Modern Quilt because I did not cut each block to the same size and obviously did not line them up in exact, same size rows.  I attempted to get the outside edges reasonably straight.

I chose to cut the logos and get them ready for assembly by laying them all out and then adding whatever size sashing was needed to get them to fit together in something of a rectangular form.

 

The back of this quilt has a tiger stripe fabric because this is the boy/young man who has talked of being a vet for a long time and wanted to attend Auburn University to get that degree.

He is a senior this year and it appears that he will get his wish to attend Auburn!!

 

The logos on this quilt are appliqued.  This quilt has been loved for a number of years and one of the appliques has come loose.  Now it is back at Gram's house for repairs.

The label is in the upper center of the quilt back.

I made this label on my computer and ink jet printer.  It has held up pretty well after MANY washings.

I will take it home to its owner and he can use it to snuggle under again!  It thrills me that my family members always love their quilts.

                                                   -sandi

 

SEPTEMBER SEW DAY

My quilty buddies came over today and we had a wonderful sew day.  We have started a project from Julie Herman's book  Skip the Borders. 

I finished a few blocks and put them on the design wall to see what I think about it.

I believe I like it!

Doesn't look like much here, does it??

Well, I will keep you posted on my progress.


                                               -sandi
 

SELF PORTRAIT

 

 

 


These two photos show a piece
of art work done by my seventeen-year-old grandson.

This is a self-portrait done in a high school art class.

Works of art like this always fascinate me!

Preston is a senior this year at Hoover High School in Alabama and has plans to attend Auburn University next year with a goal of completing a degree to become a veterinarian.

He has enjoyed drawing and painting since he was a very small child.  I cannot encourage him enough to keep up his practice in the arts! 

                                   -sandi