Finally Finished...... 50 Years Later

My grandmother, Oney Lillian Adams, married my grandfather, Leander C. Coburn, on May 1, 1917. My grandfather, who was 16 years older than my grandmother, had already been married once before but his wife had passed away leaving him with 7 children to raise on his own. After meeting and marrying my grandmother the two had 11 children of their own. My grandmother obviously did not have time to work outside the home but she did in fact, work incredibly hard inside the home. Not only was she responsible to feed and clothe her large brood of kids but she was also responsible to do that task on the small salary that my grandfather brought home by working at the refinery nearby in Drumright, Oklahoma. My grandparent's small home only had three tiny bedrooms... the girls shared a room with only one bed, while the boys slept in the other room nearby. My grandfather's first 7 children had already moved away by this time and two of my mom's siblings had died while they were quite young. This left nine children, 4 girls and 5 boys to be raised in this home. It still boggles my mind when I take into consideration not only the sleeping arrangements, but the fact that they were able to get by on so little. All of my mom's siblings were responsible not only for their own chores, but for bringing in what they could to sustain their large family. My mom was hired out to do ironing for nearby families and became quite good at it. To this day, I have never found anyone who could iron as well as my mom.... who is still ironing... but thankfully not for hire anymore. My grandmother enjoyed getting together with her cousin Mamie Cotner whenever possible. Once they were together they would sew, design, chat, and laugh. Neither woman knew how to drive so they were dependent on others to make these special moments together a reality. Both families eventually moved to California and my grandmother's time with her cousin Mamie was still dependent on others. I'm sure they treasured their time together even more than ever. After my grandmother passed away, my mom would continue to take me for visits to Mamie's home whenever she could. I found absolute delight in being surrounded by the smells, (Mamie and my grandmother were wonderful cooks) the sounds, (Mamie's laughter was contagious! I miss it to this day) and the comfort of just sitting at Mamie's table. She loved working with her hands and it showed. It didn't matter if she was working in the dirt outside her home, or figuring out various patterns inside her home, she worked with excited passion. Each time my mom and I would go for our visit, Mamie quickly took us outside to see all that she had planted and nurtured since our last visit. Once inside

the smells, coming from her kitchen embraced us like a warm, tight, hug. Then she would share her newest projects that she had just finished. Mamie could sew, quilt, crochet, you name it, she did it and with incredible vigor. So... you may be wondering why I am sharing this story with you... here it is.. Several years ago, one of my aunts gave me 20, hand sewn blocks that had been lost in her closet for some time. She gave them to me as she knew I enjoyed quilting. They were made in the early 50's by my grandmother and her cousin Mamie and left behind after both women had passed away. After my aunt gave them to me, I promptly brought them home and hid them again... but this time in my own closet. Recently, I fetched those 20 blocks out of hiding, laid them out on my floor and decided to finish making the quilt that my grandmother and her cousin were never able to complete. I searched and searched until I was able to find a couple of different fabrics that I thought would match the blocks well. I then sewed those 20 long, lost, blocks together to make the quilt that I share with you below. I can now dedicate this finished quilt to these two wonderful women that were a part of my life. I send them heaps and heaps of love. While their journeys may have ended, mine is still going strong. I am now sending all of you lots and lots of hugs and I am encouraging you to not let any treasures be 'hidden' in your closets like these were in mine. Until next time, Debbie P.S. Happy Anniversary grandma and grandpa.

Mystery Quilt 2012

Okay... so I'm not actually doing a mystery quilt, but I have started a project where I honestly don't know what each block is going to look like until it is presented at the beginning of each month. I also have no clue as to what the finished quilt will look like either... all of that is up to me, the quilter. For the blocks that I have pieced together so far, I have decided that I would like to make each block on point. That means that I will be needing a lot more fabric to surround each of the 6 1/2" blocks.... thus making them 12" finished.

Here is January's block. There were several different color waves in which I could choose from, but I decided to go with the darker colors. In the packet, along with the pattern, I was given three, dark, color swatches. To those, I was suppose to add a background color.... preferably light in color... I decided not to... I just used the three dark fabrics that were provided. I realize that there is not a lot of contrast, but by adding the surrounding fabric to the block, I felt that would suffice.



Here is February's block... there was actually a lighter color fabric swatch, mixed with the two darker ones, in the kit. I decided to add one more dark fabric to go along with the look that I had started in the first block. Since I have no idea as to what the next block pattern will be... or the exact color of the swatches that will be included, my prayer is that I will be able to continue on with the darker look.



(I know that I promised that I would be talking about 'Steam A Seam II" in this post, but I decided to share these two mystery blocks with you first... next post.)

Blessings! Debbie

BTW...... Guilty!!! I'm glad that it is over. It was a very short criminal trial in the Superior Court. It was rather difficult for the defense attorney to defend his client. At least this case was better than my last one which lasted three weeks!

Jury Duty 2012

So right now I am on a case in Superior Court and I am unsure when I will return. But.... I just wanted to check in with all of you to let you know where I was.... obviously I would rather be enjoying the company of anyone in my family... or with dear friends. Talking or listening to any one of them is far more comforting and delightful than what I am hearing in this case. However... I am truly thankful for our judicial system that allows one to have the right to a jury trial and prayerfully by the end... and deliberations are complete, we, as jurors, will have made a correct and wise decision.

With my oldest daughter Paula.



Once I am back, I will check in again and share with you the wonders of "Steam A Seam II". A machine appliquer's dream.

Enjoy the remainder of your week! Blessings, Debbie

Pumpkin Block of the Month

Another block is ready to share with you in regards to my Block of the Month adventure. I like the idea of stitching out various pumpkins that were specifically designed to represent each month of the year. I must confess that I look forward to receiving these new pumpkin patterns... along with their chosen fabric swatches... at the end of every month.

My next conquest is to complete one of those mystery quilts that are offered out there.... I'm thinking that I just may like that as well. It is always fun to hear the many conversations that are held between the gals at the shop who are or who have participated in any number of the quilting options that are available to everyone. If you have not had the opportunity to join in the fun by participating in any one of these clubs... think about signing up... you just may like it!



Happy sewing! Debbie

Hand Applique 2012

As I stated in my last blog... I do enjoy hand applique. However, if I know that I need to have something done rather quickly, I will revert to appliqueing by machine. Any appliqueing, quilting, embroidering, applying binding, etc. by hand has always been very relaxing for me.... some hate it... I love it.

Pearl P Pereira is a wonderful applique designer whose designs are awe inspiring. Take a look at her website and you will see what I mean. I used one of Pearl's patterns to make a little travel case to carry all of my hand applique tools in.... in fact this is my second one that I have made.

Here's the first one:



The inside:



On my second one, I decided to embroider my initials. The outside:



And the inside, which holds all of my tools:



Two of my favorite tools, also designed by Pearl, are a must for hand applique. I gladly share them with you:



Those interested in Pearl's pattern I will gladly share it with you below. It is very easy to stitch together and just as easy to embroider whatever you want on the outside to make sure that no one tries to snag it from you. Happy stitching!!

Block of the Month 2012

I decided to do something very different this year... at least something different as far as quilting is concerned. I have always wanted to participate in one of those block of the month clubs that the various, on-line, quilting shops offer. One can also find BOM's offered in different catalogs, magazines and sometimes in shops located in your very own neighborhood.

The BOM that I wanted to participate in however, was one where not only was the pattern sent to you each month, but the fabric that went along with it as well. (This is highly unusual for me as I am one who would rather choose her own fabric and not copycat someone else's ideas or choices!) Well... I finally bit the bullet this year and joined a BOM. My blocks are sent to me from Shabby Fabrics, a shop that I truly love. The name of my BOM is The Great Pumpkin. I must say... I am really enjoying each block so far and can hardly wait so see the finished quilt on my bed. BTW.... this is an applique BOM. Now some of you may not enjoy doing applique, but I am doing all the work on my machine. Those who know me know that I enjoy doing handwork, but I knew that it would be easy for me to get behind schedule and I wanted make sure that this quilt would be completed by the year's end.

Here is a peek at the pattern:



Here is a peek of my first completed block:



Can't wait to share each block as they come. Blessings, Debbie

Holidays 2011

Wow.... it has been awhile hasn't it??? I thought that I would share a few pictures this time around... pictures of the fam and our time together over the holidays.

Since we had not celebrated a holiday together in ten years, we decided to snap a shot of the nine of us together for our memory books.



My mother-in-law joined us for Thanksgiving this year and below is a shot of her with Paula-girl.... the following shot is Elizabeth and I in the kitchen.... eating. (Is there anything else one does at this time of the year?)





Casey and Rebekah do like their wine.. I just have never seen such a huge bottle!! And then there's Cash boy.. too cute!



CHRISTMAS... my favorite holiday. Here is our tree.. we actually got it up this year!!



We have added an additional tradition to our holiday celebrations by going back to Kansas and having a 'December 24th" day with them... we had the best time!!



The kids love it when we take them ice skating and since Randy and Elizabeth are usually helping out one of them, Jim quickly snapped a shot of just the two of them.



Of course we had to take a trip to the candy store...



And a place we all love is, Big Mama's. Great cinnamon rolls... not nearly as good as yours Nicole... but good none the less.



We ate at an incredible Irish Pub in the coolest little town...



And finally finished our day at The Cheese Cake Factory. I get the biggest kick out of all that the kids order. Last year Ryder shared with a homeless man who was outside in the cold. Ryder has got to have the most tender of hearts. (I miss all of those kids already.)

Back to San Diego....

Celebrating the 24th here in San Diego started by having breakfast at Cafe Coyote in Old Town. Yummy!!



Next, we took the train to Solana Beach. If you've never done this, you are missing out BIG time!



The kids LOVED the train.





Again... the candy store. This is a must at both celebrations... Jim and I pay dearly for this... or I guess I should say our waistlines do.



After we gorged ourselves on candy, off we went to Viejas Bowl. Mom and dad watched all of us make complete and utter fools out of ourselves by pretending to be the professional bowlers... that we definitely aren't. (I hope no one was watching!)

!

John and Michael... thinking that they were so hot..... tee hee.



Michael throwing the ball... to who knows where...



Someone needed to inform Nicole that you actually have to let go of the ball.....



Lindsey, showing them how to throw.... her problem?... she just couldn't seem to knock down those pins.... sorry Lindsey. ;-)



I'll end this little photo session with Cash resting safely in his grandpa's arms.



Thanks for stopping by.... I hope you enjoyed my little memory album.