Happy New Year quilting

There were a couple questions about the pantographs and how they work, so I thought I would take some pictures today while I quilted.They are easy to use and with my model of machine, they work well.You can see I got close up so you can't see all the lint and thread on the floor! lol
Yesterday was a UFO day at the store. I spent the whole day there and some of the ladies were there all day with me, some came and went. It was a fun, productive day for everyone. They all got a lot accomplished and what a great way to get back to what's important after the holidays....lol.

Christmas goodies....pantos!

I got some new pantos for Christmas from my daughters. I am excited to try them out!
My machine has a throat space of about 11" so I can only quilt about 6-8" at a time.
I am not a world class quilter yet....maybe some day...lol....so hopefully I can do these. this one has 2 patterns.
Now I am anxious to try them out....I have a quilt to do for someone so probably won't practice on it, but maybe after I get that one finished I will put something of mine on. Yes, Virginia, I have a few unquilted items....lol

OK I changed something.....

Can you tell what it is???? Opinions please on font size....never sure if I get it right.

Christmas was great!!!

We celebrated Christmas Eve with my 2 daughters who live near us.

That Johnny Cash is a rebel....lol

Christmas Day we spent in Earling with my family. This is a pic of my mom and dad, and a few other family members. I hope to get a better pic of mom and dad from someone else, since I had trouble getting mom to look up...lol...It was a great holiday...great food...great family...great chatting.....more food....

He's back in the states and I am finally finished shopping...

We know that my nephew is back in the states. He has been studying in Spain this past semester, so I was happy to hear he made it through that long flight over the ocean. He landed in Detroit a few hours ago, and will soon be boarding a plane to Des Moines. My niece will pick him up and bring him the rest of the way home. We are all anxious to see him, as you can imagine. Here is a pic of him on one of his trips in Spain.

I am so envious of everyone working on their cute Christmas gift goodies, and I haven't made one thing....I did get my shopping done, though and wrapped some of the presents last night.

Sunset in Iowa & sisters

My sister from Canada has been here since Friday night. We went shopping all day yesterday and went out to eat last night with my daughters, nephew and his girlfriend. It was fun and we got some major visiting done. I took them up to Earling (my hometown) today. My sister from Missouri was there and sent this plate of goodies with me. My sisters & mom are all really good cooks. Since I haven't gotten any baking done, these are much appreciated. There are some peanut butter cookies, fudge, pumpkin bread, caramelly bars(forget the name) and scotcheroos. I didn't stay too long as it was 2:30 by the time we got there and I didn't want to drive home too late by myself with the weather so frigid. The high today was about -1....brrrrrr...the sunset was beautiful. I took a pic on my phone, but it didn't turn out very well. So I will post the goodies instead.

Friday Snow Day!!!

Sometimes when you work for the school district, you feel just like a kid....like when you wake up to a SNOW DAY!!! And it couldn't come at a better time. My sister & her boyfriend will arrive late tonight from Canada. I have been cleaning like crazy the past couple nights, after having classes Mon. & Tues. night. So what I have left to do shouldn't be too bad since I have all day to do it.

We didn't actually get that much snow, but the ice and sleet that came before made everything a huge mess. I think a large part of the midwest was in the path of this storm. I have another sister coming from Missouri on Saturday, hope she makes it. Seems like they always get lots of sleet when it does anything. My sis from Canada will stay here til Sunday, then on to my hometown (Earling) about 50 miles from here. So I will see her several more times before they go home.

I love this time of year, even if I am so far behind...no baking done...no shopping done....no decorations up except the Nativity scene. But I did get the curvy pieced quilt top finished....so here it is. I'm still not sure it turned out like I thought it would, but it is bold and colorful. And I am still working on the new Sampler quilt, though it is on hold til after my sister goes to Earling. Whew, sorry this is so long.