OklaCookiemaker Quilts

I'm NOT consistant...

2012-12-19T13:05:00.001-06:00

No, I'm not consistant...but, I'm here. I spend more time reading blogs than I do writing on my own.

BUT...since I'm working on Bonnie's new mystery, guess I have to post so I can tag along with progress.

I'm caught up with Step 4. There will be another step posted on Friday so (for me) I'm doing pretty good.

Green is NOT something I have in my stash. ...especially apple green. I might have some JohnDeere green, but nothing this light. This had to come out of DIL's stash. I was determined not to spend $$ on this one.

Flying geese, singles and paired with light ones, and 4-patches. Everything ready to go!

This is what I came up with but I know it's not right. There are WAY too many green squares cut up in my basket leftover. Whatever it is..it'll be purdy!

Supper is in the oven.

2012-05-30T08:52:00.000-05:00

It's not dinner...it's supper. I've been trying to think of creative ways to take supper to the field and I remembered Karin's recipe for Buckaroo Bundles.

I'm not going to post the recipe again, you can go back to her post and get it and she even has pictures to follow.

She made hers into the shape of miniature baseballs. I made pockets. Yes, the one on the front left isn't pretty....it developed a tear and needed pulled back together! It tasted the same. It developed wrinkles..kinda like me.

I made half of my batch with beef (above), and then I made the other half with leftover pulled pork. (below) Changed the shape a little so the guys knew the difference. Don't know if the picture is blurry from me shaking the camera or trying to stay away from the heat of the oven.

Then off to the field we go. The recipe is a keeper (Troy said it needed cheese but he thinks everything needs cheese). They were very filling.

Here is another first I made...Red Velvet cookies. The recipe is on the side of the box and I probably won't make these again. I don't know if somebody else ever uses a box mix, but this one didn't have much flavor.

Just a few more days...the Lord willing and the storms stay away...we might get done with wheat harvest soon!

Farm Wife Blocks--Caught up!

2012-05-30T08:35:00.000-05:00

Here is what I have made all together. I know there are a couple of repeats.....so what. It just gives me more options when I get it bigger....right?

This is a star that I made twice. I even put all of the blocks up on the wall and I could not find the original one of them. Too much wheat dust in my brain.

I decided I need more color, so dug out more reds. Some of this stuff is OLD.

Here is another of the latest blocks just made. Reminds me of the windtowers that we have.

I may of shown this block, but this one makes me smile. It's a multi-calico-very scrappy block.

This is the star block that Randy posted yesterday. I did a good job on making those Y-seams didn't I! haha

Wednesday morning sunrise

2012-05-30T08:22:00.003-05:00

Storms went thru NW to Central Oklahoma last night and came back again this morning. It's still dry out here on the plains, so the combines will be rolling again today.

More harvest

2012-05-29T09:28:00.002-05:00

Can you stand more harvest pictures? We're probably half done by the time this posts...and there's a chance of rain. We never cuss a rain this time of year, so we're cutting franticly trying to get it done.

Rolling plains and rough wheat fields.

I think this boy can smell a hamburger a mile away.

Really makes you realize how small you are.

Daddy will you take me next time? I know I can't set still and I have to push every button, but I still like the dirt and noise.

Making sausage rolls for lunch. Found an easy dough recipe and Miss Rachel had to help. Wish they would eat everything in a pocket...it's really easy to fix.

Have had four flats, two on semi's and two on one combine. Expensive fixes, but nobody hurt and we are thankful for that.

It's that time of year.

2012-05-25T10:12:00.000-05:00

Wheat harvest has came early this year....probably close to two weeks early.

We got a few rains early this spring, but then it turned hot..so the wheat filled out and then shriveled.

I LOVE this picture. Tyler loves the noise of the combines and is always looking for the next one coming by.

He took half of Troy's hamburger...I'm always teasing DIL that she never feeds this kid. He's HUGE...and eats constantly.

It wouldn't be harvest if you didn't have hamburgers, doritos and kids.

I'm actually sewing some during harvest...but don't tell the guys that.

a vew into my backyard

2012-05-08T09:17:00.003-05:00

More blocks...

2012-05-08T09:07:00.000-05:00

Have been working on keeping up with the Farm Wife Blocks. It's really just like any other project....do just a little at a time. A little adds up. Five minutes here, fifteen there...an afternoon being left alone....now THAT's heaven. I got up to make sure the phone worked and made sure the back door wasn't locked. They can't leave me alone that long!I do think I'll make another one of the sunflower-looking blocks in red. RED is a neutral...right?!

These two blocks were an experiment. Same pattern, but different colors/values. The left one looks like how my socks match sometimes. The one on the right probably goes with the other group better.

If you forgot...the blocks all finish at 6". So, some of those HST are just 1".

I want to sew...but this little creature keeps me busy a lot. He's so loveable....and he loves adjusting the knobs on the Bernina....so we go outside instead.

Orca progress

2012-04-23T14:15:00.000-05:00

I worked on this feverishly while the clues came out and then it got put to the side. I had some free time (haha) this weekend so thought I'd try to work on it.

I used magnetic clips to hang it from the back of a fellow worker's metal cubical cabinet. It still needs two rows on one side and another row at the top. There all there...at home waiting to go together.

One of the guys here at work stands and stares at it. He's found a cat, cow, tractor tire, bandana, chicken, candle flame...all kinds of "where's Waldo" prints. They told me to hurry up and get it done so it could come back for a visit.

It's "Administrative Assistant's" week, and since I'll be gone to training on wednesday, they fixed me breakfast and bought me a hanging basket of flowers. The office smells wonderful! Yeah...work isn't too bad today. Now, back to payroll!

Farm blocks--all I have made.

2012-04-20T09:49:00.001-05:00

Well..that's not true. There are a few in the orphan pile that either weren't cut right or crooked...or I didn't like the colors after I have them put together. A fellow worker said that the green sticks out too much.The extra block is to the side...so, is this the same number everybody else has made? Guess it doesn't matter....this is how many is going in MY quilt!

more blocks

2012-04-20T08:36:00.000-05:00

Here is the latest installment. I need to put them all up on the wall because I count 24 blocks (25 if you count the one I made two of), but there aren't that many pictures on here so I haven't shown them all. The one on the left is a little wild compared to the other's, but it's made. The first cutting instructions were off 1", so I have an extra block for the orphan pile. I have some other very-print blocks, so it should fit in with the whole!

A lot of the blackground fabric is some scraps I got from Amy a long time ago.

Look who all showed up at my house for Easter. We had a blast.

More Farm Wife

2012-04-12T09:33:00.000-05:00

Only one more and I'll be caught up. What can I say...my eyes got tired last night and since I'm good at making goofs..figured another day I could make the last one.

I was glad there was a paper piecing pattern for the Cups and Saucers. I felt like I cheated, but I like the results.

What's on the bed...

2012-04-11T11:45:00.002-05:00

Bonnie did a link-up for us to share what's on our bed. I've shown this quilt before, but this is what I've been sleeping under.

It's the first mystery quilt that Bonnie did. We were in the process of moving into this new house. I love the quilt.

More Farm Blocks

2012-03-09T11:41:00.002-06:00

I've always wanted to make a whole quilt of broken dishes...but, maybe not this small.

Churn dash is a classic. I love the colors of this. It's hard to see but the background is paisley.

If you read me..the first ones I made two of. There will NOT be two baskets...just saying. The handle isn't as crooked in real life as this picture shows...or maybe my head was just crooked when I took it. Have you ever seen a straight perfect basket in real life?

Speaking of read me....two of my last blocks weren't made right. Guess it's good that nobody DOES read me! They were corrected.

Farmer's Wife Blocks

2012-03-07T11:38:00.000-06:00

One more picture of my poor kitty and I'll leave him alone. He IS a farm kitty, so he's part of this too. He is the one to "judge" all quilts made by how soft they feel to take a nap on.

I need another project like I need a hole in my head. DH has been saying there's nothing but cotton batting between my ears for years. Soooo...I started another project. DIL got me the Farmer's Wife book for Christmas this past year and I love the blocks in it...but to make them? The book didn't have cutting directions and I'm NOT good at setting down (mind the TIME) to figure them all out. Randy is doing the math and figures for me, but shhhhhhh...we have to call it Barrister's Sow Along or we'll get in trouble. I added a button on the side and if I don't stay on top of this sew-along, I'll be behind.

IF you read Randy's directions it says to make TWO of each block...well, that is what my mind said...but when I went back the PICTURES said to make two. Randy said that she was making two to show different colors. That's what I get for sewing when I'm tired. The first few blocks have two made.

Here is the first block:

BLOCK 4 (page 131) Basket Weave

Second block:

BLOCK 21 (page 148) CONTRARY WIFE

Third block:

BLOCK 6 (page 133) BIG DIPPER.

BLOCK FOUR (AUTUMN TINTS, BLOCK 2) P. 129
This is the block where I woke up...it says "I made two of them:"...soooo...she made two out of all of them is what my brain was thinking, so I went back and read the directions. Okay...doofus..you only need one of each. I could've went to bed early if I only made one of each!

BLOCK FIVE: (BOX, BLOCK 9) p. 80, 136

BLOCK SIX: (Calico puzzle, block 16) p. 118, 143

First six blocks made. My Bonnie Mystery Orca is still in two pieces...gotta work on it too. I'll get there...I always do!

Helpers...

2012-03-06T10:31:00.000-06:00

Mama Spark asked me for an "after" picture, so here is my half-eared cat. It hasn't bothered him a whole lot to have part of his ear missing. He got 4 stitches in the tip of the ear and even though it's not completely healed, it's getting there. He likes the attention he's getting.

The other night DC came in just as I did and he disappeared. I looked for the darn cat for 30 minutes before I finally found him perched here on the back of the old trunk. Every quilt needs cat hair on it.

"Look Sauce-a...I found the cookie scoop!" Everybody needs a Tyler to help clean out the dishwasher.

a little look

2012-02-16T09:59:00.001-06:00

Remember all of the fabric that I bought a few weeks ago? Well, it got added to my already stash.....don't pay attention to the top of the shelves...it's really the "stash" of quilts needing quilted and a storage that don't use very often. The three bins on the floor are scraps from all of that madness that need to be trimmed into usable strips.

It all just takes time.

This is my sewing buddy. He decided he likes to sleep in here if I'm in the sewing room. This is actually a BEFORE picture....I took him to the vet the day after this picture was taken and discovered he had skin cancer on one of his ears. He had to have part of his ear amputated. It hasn't stopped him and he doesn't seem to mind. But it makes me want to yell at people GO HAVE THOSE PLACES CHECKED!! If I didn't have this done, it would've spread.
You know your pet is human...treat them well! DC is my constant companion when I'm home. He knows who feeds him...and he leaves me a trail of white hair everywhere he goes. AND...he loves everything I sew and never tells me my points don't match!

Got Fabric?

2012-01-30T09:06:00.001-06:00

What do you do when you go to a garage sale and they have sacks of fabric...and fabric...and fabric. AND, if you buy more than one sack (BIG BLACK TRASH SACKS) it's only $3?!

Well..if you're me, you buy it all! My pooor DIL had to help me haul it all home.

I knew the lady had a cat in the house...icky stink....but, little did I know the cat wasn't doing it's job so she had mice. THANKFULLY, there wasn't damage to the fabric but it did all need a nice wash job.

And folded, and folded and folded.

Most of it was yardages...more than one yard, sometimes the whole bolt. But, there is probably one tub full of smaller pieces that are going to be cut into strips and blocks.

I had NO idea I needed a section on my shelves for "fruit" fabric?! Who would've thought? But, this has made me think that my sewing room needs organized and straightened up. I don't want my kids selling my fabric by the trash sack!

Yes, I have a housecat!

2012-01-30T08:54:00.001-06:00

It's SO nice to have friends. This darling little/big playhouse was given to me. The girls love it!

Trip to the Barn

2012-01-11T09:16:00.000-06:00

I don't always take my camera to the barn when I do chores, but it was so calm and peaceful (and 50 degrees), and the sun was so pretty.

I went out to feed the chickens and of course I always have a few tag alongs. Orangie is always chasing the chickens--why they don't chase him is beyond me. He's a good Watch-Cat!

The barn cats and of course Rusty always have to come see what I'm doing. I think they're looking for a handout. None of them are deprived of food for sure.

The "Girls" also are nosey as to who is in the barn yard as they come in to get a drink. Aren't they pretty? I'm trying to talk the guys into saving a few of these for mama cows. We've had such a rough summer, we need to add to our herd.

I get an average of 15 eggs a day and with 17 hens that's a pretty good average. What I want to know is WHO is still laying the miniature egg?! It eats the same, but it's so tiny.

Will leave you with this last picture of my egg basket. Somebody tried to tell me it was for golf balls. Guess this is my kinds of golf balls!

Slow sewing progress...

2012-01-06T09:10:00.001-06:00

I've had some wonderful interruptions, so my Bonnie Orca Bay quilt isn't coming together at warp speed.

How can I go to the sewing room when I have little people in my living room!

I have all of the parts made, it's just a matter of putting them altogether. Here is a portion of what I do have:

The red door really makes the reds stand out. The first strip I put together made my eyes tired..it's a BUSY quilt, but the more I put together it tones down a little (or at least I'm telling myself that)!.

Guess who's Back?!

2011-12-23T10:33:00.000-06:00

After some prodding from some very sweet friends, I've decided to come back and post. I have caught the crud from my Granddaughter, and have some busy Christmas days ahead but I promise to come back and post some really boring stories about life out here on the plains!

Thanks to you who asked about me....you know who you are. I do appreciate it.

Summer Project

2011-06-27T09:44:00.000-05:00

I actually started this quilt right after Christmas when the couple first accounced they were getting married. Spring brings calving season, lots of road-travel for work, then comes harvest and to get a quilt ready is sometimes a big undertaking --okay, enough excuses. The truth is that sometimes I'm just slow!

This was taken outside on the north side of the house when the wind was gusting over 30mph.

Had to move toys out of the way to get this one...imagine that?!

You'll recognize the pattern as Bonnie Hunter's Many-Trips pattern. How can you go wrong with it?!

Dean and Trent fighting the wind to get a picture of it outside for me.

One of the back. No, you can't see it too close, but I ordered this fabric from Fabric.com and was real happy with it. Had to piece it and had maybe an 8x11" scrap left. WooHoo!

I have to say that the whole quilt top came from my stash! It's lots of left-overs and pieces that I've been saving. Farm/cowboy/barbed wire/paisley/plaid/cow/wheat/tractor fabric. One of the ladies at the wedding shower said it looked like a farm-quilt...duh! The groom and bride are both involved in farming, and since it came from a farm-wife...she was definitely right!

Rachel showing that the quilt is kid-friendly. Has her horse ready too!

I think people have learned that if they want a quilt...they better tell me WAY ahead of time, or it's gonna be late getting there. This quilt was given away Saturday..and I finished it THREE whole days ahead of time. SO proud of myself!

OH..did I mention it was quilted by ME on my Nolting!

Second harvest

2011-06-17T13:43:00.000-05:00

We were done with harvest almost as fast as we started. I would've uploaded these a couple of weeks ago...but Blogger had issues with me and my pictures. From what I've read on other's blogs..I'm not the only one it doesn't like.

The bin is almost full on the combine here. Setting inside the combine, the only way you know when it's full is the annoying beeper that goes off.

Troy and his Dad eating an early supper waiting on Trent to finish filling up. Lunch/supper outside...with the bugs, the flies and the dirt. Typical for this time of year.

Emptying into the semi which Troy gets to drive to town. Harvest was so slow that nobody needed me except to bring food to the field.

A view from the other side of the semi. This truck holds about 600 bushels of grain.

I rode for awhile...since they wouldn't let me drive...and you can get a better view of good vs. thin wheat. Why a combine has a windshield wiper is beyond my comprehension.

This is the first year we've used this new header. It has a conveyer belt that takes the cut stalks up into the combine. I just know anything that falls on it better be ready to get chewed up.

Harvest lasted maybe 8 days this year. The wheat is sold and the money is already spent at the bank. We now have another crop, milo, planted. Some of it is under irrigation so we can control the rain!

Gift in the mail!

2011-06-08T14:38:00.001-05:00

I received my 12x12mini quilt from the swap that I participated in and boy was I surprised to find a package addressed on the outside from Argentina, but inside the pkg was a bag that said MADE in TAIWAN! Ok...I have a funny sense of humor, and I know things are shipped to all countries but I found this funny!

This was my prize. This is georgous and I'm so proud to have an Argentina made quilt in my home. Celia at Patchwork Infinito sent a real treasure. Really love the colors...

Even the back is pretty.

I also received a gift of tea...how did Celia know I loved hot-tea?! I made this the next morning and it's some VERY-VERY strong tea!

I had to have one of the engineers here tell me what it said!

But then, I really want to know how she knew what I looked like, because she included a doll that looks just like me! Beedy-eyes and fuzzy hair...just like me!

I really want to thank Victoria at Bumble Beans, Inc. for having this swap. The world is really a smaller place when we share our quilting! I now have a friend in Argentina...and she does some magnificient sewing.