FancyThat by deb poole

MY GRAND DAUGHTER THE CHEF

This is Rylan and she LOVES to cook!

Rylan wasnt quite 3 years old when she and grandma were making this cake. How many little girls this age do you know that can crack an egg all by themselves?

Rylan lives to be in the kitchen making her "Happy Cakes."

She calls all cakes/cupcakes by this name.. I think it comes from

singing "Happy Birthday." I will never correct her title to the goodies she makes. It just so darn cute to be apart of her world. She is so happy in the kitchen.

I love making her special little aprons for her. She just smiles at the silly little things. But it makes grandma's heart just beam!

See Grandma..I do ALL by myself!

She loves to stir by hand. She loves to hold her mom's "new toy" while its "whirrrrrrrrrrrrrrring." I think she must have heard her mom calling the new mixer she got for Christmas her new toy so now Rylan calls it that too.

But the BEST part of baking is the TASTING! aND who doesnt enjoy that part!

YUMMY FROSTING

And then we have Kaylan..Rylans sister who just turned 1years old the end of July.She is a baker in training.

Are'nt the little bibs cute?

So far... she has the tasting part down to a T.

I AM SO IN LOVE WITH MY LITTLE GIRLS. WHAT WOULD LIFE BE WITHOUT THE JOY OF GRANDCHILDREN?

MAIL ART POSTCARDS FOR QUILTER FRIENDS

I love making fiber postcards and sending them through the mail. The comments from some of the postal workers are wonderful. I invite all them to my sewing studio for a quick class. These were made for some "sewing sisters."

MY NAME SAKE

Kelly is having a baby girl. Kelly is my daughter-in-law's younger sister.I teased Kelly (on facebook) that no one names their baby girls Debbie anymore. I asked her, " What's wrong with Debbie? Old names are popular again." She replied.."If I had a mother in law as nice as you are, I would consider naming my baby Debbie."

I did mention that I did this teasing on facebook right?

Well, my daughter-in-law, Annie saw it and commented, "Thanks for throwing me under the bus sis!" Annie has given me 2 beautiful grand daughters who neither one is named Debbie....not even the mention of the "D" word in the middle name. lol

When Kelly's little darling was born she named her Cadence. But I made her a baby quilt anyway! I also threw in a little bib for Cadence to wear. What do you all think?

Disclaimer......Since most of you dont know me.... I WAS teasing with Kelly. I WAS teasing with my Annie.
They both know that I am just joking around so please dont think I was being a terrible person .

Posted by deb poole aka The Barefoot Quilter at 11:43 AM

WHERE HAS THE YEAR GONE?

I have been so bad about posting. Im sorry and I promise to be better NEXT year. Its hard to believe its almost 2012?! So much happened this year and here are a few things for me to share.

OUR LIFE IS BLESSED.

Paris for my birthday! What a present uh?

We rented an apartment that over looked the Eiffel Tower. It lights up at night and it was so exciting to be sipping on real French wine, bought in a real French store and watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle.

We have moved back to Kentucky in October. We had a house built just for us. Another great gift! I have

2 ovens and a pantry that is bigger than the bathroom!

In our new house, the entire basement is my sewing studio. We have been in the house for two months now and I’m still arranging and rearranging trying to get all my “junk” in just the right places.

We don’t have a home land line… please call us on our cells..those numbers are still the same.

We have 3 beautiful grand daughters, Rylan Poole is 3. Kaylan Poole is 1 1/2. and Addyson Kropp is 1. The girls are 3 of our most precious gifts.

Dave and I went to Great Falls, Montana to visit our Poole kids, Jim and Annie over Thanksgiving. While there, we got to watch Kaylan really get the hang of walking. She is smiling all the time and looks so proud of herself.

Dave and I took the girls to see Happy Feet one afternoon. The girls and I got settled in our chairs while Dave was getting the munchies we needed. Just as Dave was walking up to us, Rylan spots him… She gets the biggest smile on her face when she saw what he had in his arms ( a gigantic box of popcorn)… She squeals and yells out……… “ohhhhhhhhh PAPA!! POPCORN! THANK YOU” Everyone in the theater started chuckling and you should have seen the SMILE on Grandpa’s face. PRICELESS!

We were greeted with open arms in Townsed, Montana by Annie’s family for Thanksgiving dinner. The gathering was large, noisy and incredible fun. The McCarthy’s are a very loving family and we had a wonderful time. We are very blessed to have so many friends.

We are driving to Brittney and Mikes house in Arlington Heights, IL this weekend for a special party. Addy is turning 1. We can’t wait to see how she does when everyone sings “Happy Birthday” and just how much frosting she gets all over her face.

Alex is doing really well at Northern Illinois University. He is a junior and he is living in a townhouse in Sycamore with a roommate this year instead of the dorms. He is discovering the joys of grocery shopping and cooking. Taco Bell is just a block away so we know he isn’t starving to death.

Dave and I wish all our friends and family the happiest of holidays.

We love you all and hope you come to Kentucky to visit. You are always welcome at our home.

FancyThat by deb poole: My Mini Bee and Me

My Mini Bee and Me

A circle is being made made in my life. We are moving out of Chicagoland and back to Kentucky in a few weeks and I am leaving some wonderful woman here in Chicago that I met 11 years ago when we moved to Wheeling, Illinois from Burlington Kentucky.

I didn't know one soul when we moved here. I joined the NSQG (Northern Suburbs Quilting Guild) in hopes of making some friends. I have heard for years that quilters were great woman! I didnt tell a soul that I DIDNT know how to quilt. I WAS GOING TO LEARN.!

During my second NSQG's monthly meeting, I asked at the front desk if they knew anyone that lived by me hoping I could meet a new friends. It was my lucky nite... 2 woman over heard me and followed me through the vendors. I saw these two woman smiling at me.. I smiled back and said "hello."
They introduced themselves..."Hi, I'm Bev and this is Jean. We live by you and would love for you to join our mini bee."
I was so happy. I was going to make friends. It didnt matter to me that I didnt know what a mini bee was. All I knew that I was going to Jean's house the next week. (I didnt let them know that I didnt know how to quilt.. i had only made pot holders!)

Bevie (our Queen Bee)


Jeanie (my partner in crime)

I have belonged to my mini bee group for 10 years. I have loved looking forward to the companionship of my woman friends the first Thursday and the second Saturday (and the 5th Saturday on some months).
These woman are a plethora of knowledge. There has been many times over quilting that we have solved the problems of the world. These woman have taught me to love the art of quilting as they were teaching me to quilt. They didnt care that I only made potholders.

Janet

Debbie

Mary

Carol has a New York accent

Diane

These wonderful woman have become my chosen sisters!

I love all of them and I am going to miss them and our

meetings on the first Thursday,

second Saturday and sometimes the 5th Saturday of every month.

My sisters had a going away lunch for me. It was a happy day

and a sad day for me. We did a lot of visiting, eating , laughing,

eating some more and then they brought

out the newest projects they were working on.

I love show and tell. These ladies are so talented.

Some day, I hope to be just like them!

Bev was showing her newest quilts and she asked me

to read the label on a quilt that was all folded up.

As I looked at that label the tears started rolling.

Look what my sisters made me!

"QUILTING DIVA."

I am very blessed to have such talented and giving woman in my life.

I was so lucky 10 years ago that none of them cared that I could only make

potholders when they asked me to join "their sisterhood ."

BAKING LESSONS FOR ALL

THE WOMAN IN OUR FAMILY LOVE BEING IN THE KITCHEN WITH EACH OTHER. ITS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO HAVE GREAT CONVERSATION AND SHARE OUR LOVE OF BEING TOGETHER.WE INCLUDE OUR CHILDREN YOUNG TO JOIN IN THE FUN IN THE KITCHEN.

HERE IS MY GRAND DAUGHTER RYLAN TEACHING "HER BABY" HOW TO MAKE COOKIES.
(Grandma Dede made aprons for Rylan and her baby.)

My grand daughters. Rylan is almost 3 and Kaylan just turned 1. Already they love to cook and bake. Rylan even BEGS to do the dishes. (Now I hope that part never changes!)

CUTE LITTLE BIBS

Look at these cute little bibs I have been making.

AND LOOK AT THE CUTE LITTLE GIRLS WEARING THEM!!!!

I HAD THE HONOR OF VISITING A VETRAN HOSPITAL

I WANT TO SHARE WITH MY FRIENDS AN AWESOME

 EXPERIENCE I HAD TODAY....

I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE THE TIME TO READ MY STORY.

TODAY 4 OF MY QUILTING FRIENDS AND I WENT TO THE HEINE'S VETERAN CENTER

TO DELIVER QUILTS AND SAY "THANK YOU."

8 WOMEN WHO CALL THEMSELVES THE SCRAPPY LADIES MET TWICE A MONTH AND QUILTED.

8 WOMAN MET TWICE A MONTH AND TALKED ABOUT A WAY TO TELL A VET "THANK YOU."
IT TOOK ONE YEAR FOR ME AND MY SISTER QUILTERS OF PLANNING,COLLECTING

FABRIC AND QUILTING TO FINISH OUR GIFTS.

ONLY 5 OUT OF THE 8 COULD MAKE IT ON THE DELIVERY DATE. I HAVE A LITTLE SAD

PART IN MY HEART FOR THE 3 THAT COULDN'T MAKE IT. THEY MISSED OUT ON AN

EXPERIENCE THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET.

WE CARRIED INTO THE HOSPITAL 19 TWIN SIZE QUILTS.

MOST OF THEM WERE RED, WHITE AND BLUE AND A FEW WERE MADE WITH JUST

PRETTY COLORS. MOST OF THEM WERE A CHINESE COIN PATTERN BUT SOME WERE

MORE ELABORATE. ALL OF THEM WERE MADE WITH LOVING HANDS. ALL OF THEM

WERE MADE WHILE WE SHARED OUR THOUGHTS ON OUR OWN FAMILY MEMBERS AND

FRIENDS WHO ARE OR WHO WERE IN THE MILITARY.

ALL 8 WOMAN KNOW HOW LUCKY WE ARE TO LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN
AND WE HOPED OUR GIFT OF A QUILT WILL EXPRESS A SMALL GRATITUDE

OF OUR FEELINGS.
 
THE FLOOR OF THE HOSPITAL THAT WE VISITED HAD 19 VETS THAT WERE

PATIENTS THIS DAY.A FEW OF THEM WERE OLDER GENTLEMEN.
ONE MAN TOLD US HE SERVED IN THE ARMY IN 1955.THERE WAS ONE WOMAN

WHO HAD JUST HAD SURGERY. ONE MAN HAD LOST HIS LOWER LEG,

I DONT KNOW HOW AND I WAS AFRAID TO ASK.

4 QUILTS WERE LEFT OUTSIDE THE ROOMS FOR THE NURSES TO TAKE

IN BECAUSE NO ONE WAS ALLOWED TO ENTER THE ROOMS.

WITH EVERY QUILT WE THANKED THESE HEROES FOR THEIR DEDICATION,

THEIR HONOR, THEIR UNSELFISHNESS FOR KEEPING US SAFE.

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US FREE.

EVERY VET PUT OUT THEIR HAND TO SHAKE OR OPENED THEIR ARMS FOR A HUG.

THE HUGS WERE MY FAVORITE!

EVERYONE OF THESE VETERANS WERE SO TAKEN BACK BY THESE 5 WOMAN

WHO WERE GIVING AWAY THE "BLANKETS".

THEY KEPT THANKING US AND MORE THAN ONE SAID

"THERE IS A PLACE IN HEAVEN FOR WOMAN LIKE YOU."

(IF HEAVEN IS JUST A QUILT AWAY....I NEED TO MAKE MORE QUILTS!)

EVERYONE SHOULD THANK A SOLDIER

 FOR THEIR SACRIFICE.

TONIGHT I WAS CHECKING ON MY EMAILS TO FIND THAT A FRIEND SENT ME THIS LINK......

SO FITTING FOR MY DAY......PLEASE WATCH IT.


.<http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1>

GOD BLESS THE VETERANS

QUILTS FOR THE VETS

A Letter to a Soldier

We are a group of 8 woman who live in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. We call our small group of quilters the Scrappy Ladies.

In the beginning, Our love of fabric and the art of quilt making united us. Over the years, its our friendship that holds us together. Well that and meeting two times a month to share family stories, gossip and eat! We do have lots of fun with each other.

Every year we have handmade projects that we donate. Many times it has been for children centers or hospitals. Last year we made over 700 Holiday stockings that went to the brave service people in Afghanistan.
This year, it is our hope that you will except and enjoy the quilts we have made for you. We don't have to know what you look like or even your name to say "Thank you for your bravery and pride in serving in the military. Thank you for keeping all of us safe by making your unselfish contribution in making our country one of the grandest in the world!"
Our quilts are a small way for us, the Scrappy Ladies to show our gratitude to you for your sacrifice and commitment.

We hope these quilts will give you comfort in knowing that we care.

The Scrappy Ladies

PostCards In The Mail

I create little pieces of art that I make into postcards. They are 4X6 and I send them through the mail to friends and family.

The giraffe was sent to my 2 year old grand daughter Rylan to remind her that Grandma Dede is thinking of her.

The floral was made for a postcard swap in a group called PostCardMailArt. Its in yahoo and anyone can join. It was made with rice size pieces of fabric placed on the batting then a fine tole was put on top of that. Then I freemotioned the heck out of it to keep it from falling apart! Its called "If you can squint, you can see my garden."

I loved working on my moon series. Landscapes are my favorites. These were sent to Three Sisters, Oregon to be donated for the auction to raise money for breast cancer research. I hope they brought in a few dollars.

SUMMER TIME FUN

I have been so bad posting to my blog. I guess life just has a way of making you lazy with some parts of my hobbies. Im so into my quilting right now. I can hardly stand it if I dont get some time EVERY DAY with my sewing machine. Here are the 3 reasons I am soooo into quilting. DONT YOU THINK MY LITTLE GRAND GIRLS ARE ADORABLE? of course you do... you needn't answer.. :)

My Son's Birthday

I went to Great Falls Montana in February for my grand kid fix. Those babies had chapped cheeks by the time Grandma Dede got done with all her kissing.

My son had his 29th birthday while I was there. I haven't celebrated his birthday with him for a few years. It was really nice. I especially loved seeing his little 2 year old daughter, Rylan celebrate her dad's birthday. She was so excited to give her dad the "Happy Cake" she made for him.

She squealed with delight when he blew the candles out. And then my son re-lite the candles so his daughter could have fun blowing them out too. With that gesture, my heart was beaming. I was so proud of my son for taking the time to make "his" day a special day for his little girl too.

Rylan wrapped the gift her mom and she picked out . She watched him with her big eyes as he unwrapped it and when he turned and smiled at her "thank you Rylan for my present." she was beaming!
I have mentioned before about the feelings I have for my daughter in law. I love her to death. Annie is a amazing woman. She took the time to take Rylan with her to pick out Jim's gift. She made it her priority to have Rylan help her make the birthday cake.
Her heart is bigger than the Montana sky.

She loves her family with her entire being. Thank you Annie for showing Rylan (even at 2 years old) the pure joy she can feel when giving to another person.

I should mention something about my adorable Kaylan. She is only 6 months old and she celebrated with us too. She liked being at the party. She loves all the excitement and she gets lots and lots of attention. I dont think Kaylan ever stops smiling. (When she laughs, she snorts through her nose just like her grandma Dede.) But at 6 months, I don't think the blowing out of the candles was too exciting for her. I doubt it very much that she even cared about her dad opening his presents. I think her favorite part of the party was when her Mommy let her have her first taste of frosting!!! lol

SHE WANTED MORE!

A QUILT FOR MY MOM

In one of the letters my mom sent me, she mentioned that her 77th birthday was in May. (Like I didnt have a clue?) She continued her letter stating that she MAY not live much longer (she will outlive all her children, she is as healthy as a horse and is a stubborn Iris woman from Butte, Montana) and that she would really like one of my "blankets" before she dies.
Yes, she calls my quilts blankets. She also stated the colors she wanted and the size... King to the floor.
Oh yes... and she would be willing to buy the fabric but knew that I would never charge her for the labor since I was born breech and tore her from one end to the other. (I get reminded of my birth quite a lot.)
She asked if $30 was enough?

My heart was doing flip flops as I read her letter. How was I going to tell her that I had already bought the fabric and was in the middle of making a quilt "blanket" for her and it wasn't anything like she wanted. Even though I am 56 years old, what kid wants to disappoint their mother's "last request."?

I finally called her yesterday. I told her about her "blanket." I told her how sorry I was that it was not the purple and blue she wanted and it wasnt as gigantic as she wanted. I hoped that she would love it just knowing that I put lots of love and hours into it trying to make it special for her 77th birthday.
Of course like any good mother would do and say, "Oh Debbie, I never dreamed you would make me another blanket! And I know I will love it just like all the other ones." I was relieved but then the thought ran through my little brain..."Where are all the quilts I have made her?"
We finished our conversation and just before hanging up she says, " I love you honey. And by the way, How hard would it be to sew more fabric on the outside of my blanket to make it King to floor?" I finally asked, "Mom...why do u want it that big? You would have to take it to the laundry mat to wash it. It would cost me an arm and leg to mail it to you.(didnt mention how much the fabric would cost... she did send me $30.00) I would have to quilt it in sections because my frame isnt large enough to hold that big of a quilt. Why do you want it that large?"
I laughed out loud and slapped my forehead when she told me the answer, "I don't want people to see all the crap I have stored under my bed!"
I'm including a pretty bed ruffle with the new queen "blanket" I made for my mom.
Happy 77th birthday!

The quilt is a design my Bonnie Hunter, Majestic Mountains. Its very fun and very easy. Go to her web page and you can get the pattern for free! Thank you Bonnie for teaching at NSQG. You are very inspiring.