Dubber Ann's Nebraska Quilt ...

 

Because I don't want her to ever forget her roots!

 

... mini banner ...

 

It's a "mini" Big/Little Red Banner ... only measures 5 x 15 ... but it speaks volumes!

Go Big Red!!!

What was I thinking?

Talk about jumping from the frying pan into the fire! While perusing a quilting catalogue I found a "most excellent" pattern ... title more than block layout caught my eye. So I ordered it!

Upon receiving I opened up the pattern ... to 14 sheets of newspaper "foundation paper piecing" print ... each measuring no less than 22 x 32 inches! I knew when I ordered it that it would be paper piece-ing (which I am comfortable with) ... I just did not envision it being so --- detailed and elaborate. The instructions are in a 12 page pamphlet. Designer r-e-a-l-l-y goes into great detail. Which is nice ... spelled out very clearly, and maybe a little more info than my tiny little brain needs ... too many words? Overkill?

Reality has set in. I will need to think long and hard about how I will want to approach this project. While the quilt will only measure 60x66 when finished ... the "Maple Leaf" took me 33 years to complete! Just saying. This pattern looks to be a little more labor intensive and mentally challenging. So, if I decide to do two (as I have "2 baby sisters") what will that time frame be?

Hm-m-m-m-m ... I'm gona have to really think this one through!

"Slash-a-Stash" Quilt ~~~

On one of the many riverboat cruises I did with my sisters I purchased a quilt kit at the "Follow Your Heart" quilt shop in LaCrosse WI. To be honest I don't remember the year. I do remember that it was aboard the American Queen (or was it the gaudy Mississippi Queen?). IF I remember correctly it may have also been the trip when Michael's family brought nieces and nephew to see their Aunt Debi after we had docked there for a shore tour. I digress ... at any rate I remember a river, a big boat, some kids, my sisters and a quilt shop visit!

My next big project is the t-shirt quilt for Ty. I wanted to "warm up" on a smaller project so decided to "whip" this one out because it was so "simple" ... slash a block, mix and match the pieces/parts, and off you go! Of course, in the interim we had the heat pump/furnace replacement, then the foundation issues, and I was forced out of my sewing room(s).
Hmpf ~~~

I claimed a corner of the living room for my sewing station ...

... and was able to complete the quilt!

As I was preparing the fabrics, labeling, cutting, etc., I was thinking "I thought the shop sample had more pink?" However these colors/fabrics work just fine for me. Goes to show you when enough time elapses you don't remember some things as well ... and I don't think it has anything to do with age either!

(tried a different type of label for this one)



Hello Betty!!!!

"Hello Betty"

I finished the Simply Squared quilt last week. I used one jelly-roll of "Hello Betty" by Moda for this project. I love the vintage fabrics.

"Hello Betty" is displayed in our foyer on the storage bench Larry gave me a few years ago.

Lovin' it!!!

Happy Birthday Dubber Ann!

Just goes to show you ~ once a "Husker", always a "Husker" ~.


61 years ago today my "only child" status was forever changed. I was indeed blessed ... once she was past the bottle feedings and diaper changes she became a forever playmate, confidant and friend.

I love you Deborah Ann ... more than you will ever know.

PS: I just noticed your eyes ... same color, etc. in both photos!

Go Big Red ~

Finally, after 4+ years, got up my nerve to attend a UNL football game. It was made easier by attending with sister Judi.


Our dad began purchasing season tickets in 1946 ~ and was able to maintain the same seats. Wish I had kept tabs on the number of times I got to attend with him. He always sat on the left with the 50 yard line running between us.


Judi and I arrived more than a hour early so had the opportunity to watch the stands fill up.



I love my Nebraska Cornhuskers ... and look forward to going to many more games. Thanks HHBB for having the best seats in the house!!!

Kona Hawaii

Pelé ~ Goddess of Volcanoes

Lifeboats ...

Lifeboats had dual purposes on the Westerdam. First and foremost in the event of an emergency evacuation from ship the three of us were to go to Boat 13. Be aware that we were on the 8th floor and would have to take the stairs to the third floor to board. Secondly, if we were anchored and going ashore it was our mode of transportation to pier, and to board for that we had to go to bowels of ship. It was an interesting ride...glad we didn't need it for emergency purposes!!!

Hubbard Glacier

Dateline - Tuesday - May 24, 2011
Westerdam "cruises" Hubbard Glacier

...while we fussy cut hexagons in our suite! Please notice t.v. monitor -- ship telecasts Google type cruise route map, and fore and aft views 24/7 -- we never missed anything and knew where we were at all times!

LOQ2 - The Quilt

The quilt project we worked on is entitled "Jewels of the Garden" and is a reproduction of the 1860 quilt in the archives in Winterthur Museum’s collections. Our instructor was Gail Kessler a fabric designer at Andover Fabrics (New York City), she designed the "Dimples" line. Gail also owns and operates a quilt shop in Pennsylvania. She recreated and wrote the instructions for the quilt(as there were none with original). The project is very challenging -- nearly 1,000 hexagons ... you gotta love your rotary cutter and iron for this one!

This is how I lay out the hexagons to form the flower. So far I am enjoying creating these flowers. The end result should be beautiful.

This is the center most portion of the quilt that will measure 48 inches wide,

and this is Gail's finished quilt -- hopefully mine will look very similar.

Fons & Porter provided all of the fabrics and sewing accessories. BabyLock provided the use of the sewing machines -- which were not used -- but new!!! -- and no, we didn't get to keep them. Of course all of the "provided" materials were paid for by the class registrants. Flying out my luggage weighed in at 38 lbs., coming home it was 51 lbs. So that's lots of stuff being "provided"!!!

LOQ2 ~ Westerdam ~ interesting facts

The total mileage of our inside passage cruise (Seattle to Hubbard Glacier and back) was 2,230 nautical miles.


The Westerdam is 935 feet long, 106 feet wide, weighs in at 82,000 tons, and has a crew of 801 who "tend to" 2,086 guests.


Our stateroom slept three ~ two twin beds and a loveseat sized sofa sleeper. Judi and I each got a bed, while Debi got the sofa sleeper -- with a view!

I didn't do a very good job of getting interesting "on board" photos. But ... I did take a few photos of the scenery ... they will be in their own posting.

I had a wonderful time ~ being with my sisters ~ sewing ~ shopping ~ seeing new sights ~ and all thanks to a tiny little motion sickness pill!!!

LOQ2: Shore Leave = Quilt Shops!!!

"Changing Tides” in Juneau Alaska Juneau was our first "shore leave". This shop was located in the heart of historic downtown Juneau. It featured fabrics and needleart. I had my sea legs that day and felt a little motion sickness-on land!

“Abby’s Reflection” in Sitka AlaskaLocated across the street from St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church in picturesque downtown Sitka, Alaska features “Sitka” fabric that was designed exclusively for Abby’s Reflection. I purchased a "Puffin" kit.

“The Silver Thimble-Alaska” in Ketchikan AlaskaThis shop was located on the second floor of a mall located behind the main drag. It was huge comprised of two large sections both offering cutting and sales areas. It is one of three "Silver Thimbles" I am aware of; the other two being in Montana and Nebraska.

“Satin Moon” in Victoria BC CanadaWe were very pleased that this shop was able to stay open. We had an "after hours" arrival - but shop remained open until 10 p.m. The shop is noted for local Vancouver Island and Canadian design patterns, handmade quilts and gifts. You'll pay more for fabrics...and the conversion from "mm to yds" was confusing...but the staff was so helpful and friendly.

“Undercover Quilts” in Seattle Washington Don't let the title mislead you -- the shop was actually on the second floor! It was by far the smallest of all we had visited, but owner made very good use of all the space.

LOQ2 - Juneau Alaska

The "Westerdam" coming into Juneau (photo taken by Rhonda). The ship felt so huge ... but from this perspective it is so-o-o-o small! Isn't the scenery awesome?


The "sisties" have disembarked and are making their way up the ramp. Debi is looking at Rhonda smiling...Judi and I are in background -- I'm in lime jacket, Judi ahead of me with backpack.

The Alaska state capitol is very impressive ... I downloaded photo from internet ... my photo would not have done it justice. I was amazed with how it was built with six levels at front, reduced to five at back ... It really was a beautiful building.

Unfortunately the governor's mansion was being refurbished and was "encased" in a large plastic covering. So this photo at holiday time will do.

LOQ2 -- Cruise Log

I'm only posting cruise schedule at this time, I'll be posting pictures at a later date...

Saturday, May 21 - Seattle; 4:16 p.m. = Vessel undocked.

Sunday, May 21 - at sea = motion sickness. This was our first day of quilting. In our excitement we neglected to plan for an adequate breakfast. I'm used to my mocha, toast and water. Mid morning I was feeling rather queasy...trip to front desk for "the pill" helped for a better day and cruise experience.

Monday, May 23 - Juneau AK = Vessel anchored at noon-8:48 p.m. Debi's friend Rhonda met us at the dock-took our dirty laundry (blue jeans) and met up with us a few hours later. Alaska's capitol city is rather quaint. Capitol building is unique flanked by 4 large columns at entry. The scenery was spectacular ... We even managed to locate the local quilt shop -- the first of several on this cruise.

Tuesday, May 24 - Hubbard Glacier = Noon cruising experience. I've seen glaciers up close thanks to Michael's friend Sam-who is a pilot -thus the "close" (yet another post for another time). Hubbard provided another beautiful backdrop - I can see why people want to live in Alaska ...

Wednesday, May 25 - Sitka AK = Vessel at anchor 9 a.m.-4:53 p.m. This time of year Alaska is known for cool, overcast and sometimes "rainy" days...especially those communities located on water. Sitka proved to be the exception. We bundled up in rain jackets thinking sky's would remain overcast. The day did clear and we were bathed in sunshine the entire time we were on land. Sitka was another beautiful little seaside town welcoming us with open arms...duh, yeah...cruise ships = revenue! All kidding aside - we did manage to drop a couple of $$$ at the quilt shop.

Thursday, May 26 - Ketchikan AK = Vessel at dock 6:41 a.m.-12:56 p.m. Debi had warned us that of all the seaside towns this would be the most commercialized. No wonder, the dock was large enough to accommodate four cruise ships ... inhabitants have figured how to make an easy living! It was ver-r-r-y rainy this day ... had to wear rain jackets ... but a little drizzle didn't stop us from finding the quilt shop ... again some $$$ dropped.

Friday, May 27 - Victoria BC = Vessel docked 6:30 p.m.-midnight. Victoria was quite an interesting city. I'll have to admit my ignorance, as I believe it was a "holiday" for there were booths set up along the harbor shoreline and I don't believe it was in celebration of our arrival (maybe casual Friday?). There was only one other ship docked and we knew we didn't account for all of the human congestion. Hoards of people everywhere, street performers, bike races, etc. We taxied to quilt shop (about 1.5 mile inland) spent time and $$$, walking back to ship through residential neighborhoods -- it was wonderful!!!

Saturday, May 28 - Seattle = return to the mainland...end of the cruise.

I will say that it took me a good day and a half to manage walking about the ship. In rough waters it felt as though I was quite "drunk". It took a good two days once on land to not feel as though I was walking on the ship! The three of us felt as though display shelves were swaying at Macy's...talk about a "bender"!

More later with photos.

LOQ2 Boarding = Cattle Drive

My sisters and I are used to smaller boarding groups -- 300 people at the very most. The masses at a UNL home football game are nothing compared to what I experienced on Pier 91 in Seattle on Saturday, May 21st. Probably, what added to the confusion was the fact that two ships were boarding at the same time...both, we later discovered, with same sailing destinations. Fortunately ours was the smaller ship with only 2,086 guests (ha ha). We were herded like cattle through "receiving" lines similar to what you experience at an airport -- weaving back and forth through roped off areas. At the first checkpoint we had to show boarding pass, photo ID, passport...up a flight, down a flight (back to main area) and up again (again showing ID's) through another "receiving" line to check-in window. There we were given a boarding number and stateroom keycard (after showing boarding pass, photo ID and passport) and told to step over to the green wall for boarding. There we joined the rest of the herd and awaited our number to be called.

In hindsight it was well orchestrated, even with the trip up and down stairs...how else do you move a large mass of people in a contained area and maintain control?

We boarded the ship, found our "state room" and settled in. The Westerdam would be our floating home for the next week.

Fons & Porter Love of Quilting 2 (part 1)

I left PD on Wednesday the 18th -- a chilly blustery day -- heading to Rapid City. Judi and I would fly out on Friday to Seattle, meet up with Debi and board the "Westerdam" for our first ever sistie quilt cruise.

My road trip north was uneventful...partly cloudy, windy, misty, but lots of beautiful scenery. As I got closer to RC it became more overcast with a little more moisture...as in wipers on all of the time. It rained all day Thursday -- constant and steady -- a-l-l d-a-y l-o-n-g. Obviously their spring rain was going to bring flowers in June!

Judi and I had a 12:50 p.m. flight to Salt Lake on Friday. We arrived 75 minutes prior to boarding, as instructed. As time approached no plane was in sight. Unfortunately it had mechanical problems, still sitting in Minneapolis and would not be arriving as scheduled. Delay upon delay, we finally departed at 4:40 p.m., made it to SEA/TAC (as everyone refers to the airport)--got the shuttle to hotel, ordered room service and went to bed. Debi had been there since 5ish and had her own adventure -- discovering a bed bug and having to relocate to another room!

The next day would be Saturday, May 21st our boarding day ... our adventure would soon begin!

The Sengstake Girls

Today we are 182 years old!!!

And still rolling...

I'm one of three...

This was then...

Debi, Judi and Terry

and

This is now...Herbie & BJ's Legacy...

Terry, Judi and Debi