Lacey Irish

Hi from Georgia, aka Lacey Irish. I live in a small town 30 miles North of Boston, MA and about 3 miles South of the New Hampshire state line. I’ve was widowed at age 48 (17 yrs ago), and have 3 sons and 2 DD’s (ages 36-42) and now 3 DGD (ages 9, 6, 3). I live in a large home that has been in our family for 4 generations, and my granddaughters are 5th generation to celebrate a Thanksgiving dinner in my dining room. My home is on a dead-end street with mostly retirees and is a nice setting for quiet sewing time. I recently turned my 3-season porch into a dedicated sewing room, with a door I can close to hide my WIP’s and UFO’s, LOL! My year old Scottish terrier, Bonnie, keeps me company and monitors the bird feeders while I sew.



My desire to quilt began when I picked up a Watercolor Quilts book back in 1994. I bought the book just for the pictures alone. It wasn’t until my first DGD was expected in 1996 that I bought an Eleanor Burns QIAD book and made her a log cabin baby quilt in pinks and purples. The rest is history. I really enjoy the piecing process (mostly by machine), probably because I’ve always enjoyed puzzles. I do machine quilting, but only the basic SITD and grids, etc.; no free motion yet. I enjoy making traditional quilts and I'm currently hand piecing a Drunkard’s Path out of Civil War fabrics (a real long WIP). I’ve also done some hand quilting on small wholecloths, but an entire quilt take too long and I lose interest. I own a condo about 20 minutes from Keepsake Quilting and usually visit there when possible. I don’t travel far, but I’ve visited the Vermont Quilt Festival, Lancaster PA Quilter’s Heritage show, as well as numerous shows closer to home. Through the years I’ve met several of the MB members in person, mostly from the northeast and NJ/PA areas, and hope to meet many more. I also enjoy reading, cross-stitch and golf, as well as ballroom dancing.



Thanks so much to Deb and Dan for providing us with this family-type site where we can gather and share. So many of my quilting questions have been answered right here by all of you. Thank you all for being you and for being so special!!



Hugs, Georgia

Shirley Ann

Thanks so much for starting this thread!!!! It is good to get to know the people that go with the names.

My name is Shirley, I live in southwestern Wisconsin, not too far from Nola and Jeanne. We had lived across the state, about half way between Milwaukee and Chicago for 34 years, then retired and moved to Iowa for a couple years and are now back living in our home town. We are so blessed to be back. DH was born and raised here, my family moved here when I was 12, so this is where I grew up.
We have been married for 43 years, have one daughter and three sons; twelve grand children; and, one great granddaughter. They all live away from us, two in the Kenosha area (where we lived so many years), one in Georgia, and one in Malaysia.......yes, Malaysia. We also have a grandaughter and her husband that live in Italy ( he is in the Air Force there). Another grandson and his family just got stationed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. So, you can see they are scattered all over the world.
We have no pets. Up until two winters ago we traveled to the south in the winter, so pets weren't an option. We do feed the birds and enjoy the wildlife that we spot them along the way.
I started getting excited about quilting in the early 90's. I'd quilted a bit, put tops together and tied, polyester, cotton and whatever a little before that. I took a class at the local museum and subscribed to many magazines. While I was working, that's about all I got done, was read and dream. My sister and I went to a retreat in Oshkosh and did a wallhanging there (still an UFO) and a quilt (also a UFO). I made small lap quilts for the grandchildren. A full sized one for my granddaghter.
Now that we are retired, I thought I'd have all kinds of time to quilt, but still have to really budget to steal a moment here or there.
I recently purchased a "short arm" and frame to do some machine quilting, and have taken a class on using it. Am so anxious to practice, practice, and use it. Having quilts quilted was an expense I couldn't afford.
Since moving back to our hometown we find ourselves very involved with the local government, meals on wheels, and of course, the church. don't know how we ever had time to work!!!!!
Shirl
I also have a grandchild in Georgia.......that brings the total to 13......our daughter recently remarried and since Christopher is in college we don't see him too often............shame on Grandma!!!!

cathy

Thanks everybody for the great response, its so great to finally know a little about so many of you. Its amazing how much we all seem to have in common. Its been a lot of fun reading about everyone and have to admit enjoyed quite a few laughs , myself included.

Its great to meet you all and hope this means we talk a lot more

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One of life's little secrets is to make today's stumbling blocks into tomorrow's stepping stones.

Ms Marge

It has been great reading about all of you gals on the board. I live in North Central Washington in the Methow Valley. This is a beautiful valley that has been discovered by lots of folks from the west side of Washington as well as California, Oregon and lots of other folks so it is growing and changing.

I am married to my DH Lee for 29 years - we have 5 children between us - my three are Mark (49) who lives in Phoenix with wife Billy and 2 kids Tammy 18, and Steven 14. Scott (soon to be 47) who lives in Portland OR, unmarried, and works at Oregon Science Hospital University as a CNA. Kim (soon to be 43) who lives in Monticello UT with DH John and DD Alexa who is almost 15. They have three other daughters, Jessica and Tasha who are in Ellensburg. Jessica graduates June 10th from CWU and Tasha will go to Cosmetology school in Jan. Sierra is going to college in St George UT. Lee's daughter Bonni lives in Bandon OR and is doing health care work and son Brad, who lives in Troutdale with wife Blanca and two little boys - Brian age 7 and Brandon age 3. We just saw these two a couple weeks ago and it was fun.

I retired from Okanogan County Mental Health after 20 years as an Admin. Asst and then worked for the local newspaper in Omak for 7 years. In 1999, when I reached 62, I threw in the towel and have never looked back. My DH retired in 2001 and he had worked for the State for 44 years as an Adult Corrections Officer. He hasn't looked back either. We both enjoy retirement and are in the process of getting our new place started and will be busy as beavers this summer.

I made my first quilt before Mark was born - still have it in my cedar chest, it needs some TLC - It had been tied, the batting is all lumped up inside of it and the embroideried blocks need some re=doing. Should have put that on my UFO list. Crocheted blankets for the other two kids so didn't get back into quilting until the late 70's. Really got back into it around 1990 and have been going strong ever since.

I prefer traditional patterns, do some machine quilting, dabble in hand quilting and need to get back to it to finish a quilt from the 1930's that was given to me to finish. I have way too much fabric and too many books and stuff but I guess that is part of my personality. Obsessive compulsive is what they call it!

We are developing land for a new home - it is part of the Prewitt homestead that has been in the family for well over 100 years. My DH was born in a house on the south end of the property from where our new home will be. The old house burned down in 1983 but that was where he was actually born. I moved as a child and young adult and so it is foreign for me to think of being in the same spot where I was born 60 odd years later. I wish I had those kind of roots but I am what the locals call, "a transplant" even though I have ties to a pioneer family.

So anyway, I love to quilt - it is my #1 passion for relaxation, creativeness and just plain love it. I do like to do some hand piecing and it is a great take along when we are traveling in our 5th wheel trailer or by car. Oh yes, I am an avid Seattle Mariner's fan although I am still upset with them that they got rid of Bret Boone. Oh well, he has retired so I guess it is okay. Hopefully this years season will be better than the last couple. We have been really bad - so far this year we are 1 and 1 which is better than 0 and 2!

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cathy

Welcome to all our new members.

We did this little get to know me thread a while back for some of our new members and thought I'd bring it back to the front page for those new ladies who would like to get to know us a little better.

If interested just click on page 1 to start and read all about us. Also feel free to write about yourself because we love to meet new people around here.

Again Welcome Everyone

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One of life's little secrets is to make today's stumbling blocks into tomorrow's stepping stones.

Shoebuyer

Wow, Cathy, thanks....don't know how I missed this the first time around! Well, here goes!

I am 50 years old....yup bit the big one back in December! Married now for going on 31 years this October...have two children...DD is 29, has a live in BF of 6 years and they have a DD (my DGD!) who is 5 (going on 20!) LOL I have her with me til Saturday this week! DS will be 28 in a few months...he is still single....has a great job and both my kids live close so that is very nice! He will be going camping with us this weekend for opening fishing! DGD is all excited ...she loves her uncle!

Anyway, DH retired from his job with 3M in the twin cities after 32 years...17 of those years he drove back and forth every day to work (200 miles a day!) He stayed retired for a couple years but then got a part time job and works at an auto parts store now. I am currently unemployed and enjoying every minute of it!! LOL The money would be wonderful but we live in a very small town and the jobs are scarce...I've done just about everything from secretarial work to bartending!

I started quilting in 1975 shortly after DH and I were married...his mother was a quilter and got me started! Its wonderful, I love it and I love it now that I have more time to do it! Over the years it was so off and on and now I am making quite a few projects .. each year brings more exciting things to the quilting world! I want to try it all but probably will never get around to it...who knows! LOL

I mostly do piecing but have experimented with fusible applique...don't think I would like the hand applique but have done some machine applique....I love to put the tops together...mostly for the bigger quilts I tie them but have been machine quilting the smaller projects...make alot of tablerunners! LOL I hate doing the bindings! my least favorite part! Except maybe for the last 12 inches! LOL

I have several machines but currently use only two but have plans to get two others working so I can have one for piecing, one for machine quilting, one for free motion and one for bindings...that way it will be like an assembly line and you never have to change tensions, threads, etc.! LOL For the most part I am a Sears Kenmore machine fan! I own four of those! Have a serger I've never used but intend to get busy to learn how soon! hopefully this year!

I have 3 cats and 3 dogs currently but have had as many as 8 dogs at one time! Love those animals!!!

I come from a family of 9 girls and one boy...my oldest sister just turned 65 and my brother (the youngest) will be 48 this year...I was number 8 on the family "totem pole" LOL My parents are in their 80's and are healthy for the most part yet but my mother has been having some troubles lately...

Can't think of much more than that! guess thats half a book anyway! This is fun...glad I found it...its fun to read about all my internet quilting friends!!

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Quiltkid

Hello all,

What a wonderful idea!! I feel like I know so much more about you all now. So, turnabout being fair play, here goes:

My real name is Karla. I came up with Quiltkid a few years back, I think because I've always felt like a novice at quilting. Been sewing since age 9, tho. It wasn't until I received a CD of photos from my oldest DS last year, that I remembered making my first quilt at age 22. How can you forget your first quilt?!

Anyway, married to an awesome DH for 22 years now, who not only supports my quilting habit, but often jumps in with both feet for the design stage of many of my projects. We're currently working on a Roy Roger's quilt for him. He's the one that designed the "boot block" so many of you have admired (thanks). I didn't sew/quilt much until my health forced my retiredment back in 93. I've gotten my feet wet doing many photo quilt projects, gifts, small projects, etc.

We have two grown boys, 5 grandchildren spread out all over and a resident Springer Spaniel mix, Shadow, that thinks she rules the place. DH is retired too, so it's just the three of us. We live in the Colorado mountains at 9200 feet and enjoy beautiful temperate summers. I heard our first hummingbird of the season the other day. We don't feed them anymore, sadly, their food attracts too many brown bears! We're six miles outside of a town that used to only have 2 lights. Now, they're trying to become the next Aspen or Breckenridge! How sad.

I also cross stitch, read, manipulate photos on my computer, and enjoy church activities. I am self taught, although have learned much from this forum and others along the way. Born and raised in Denver, but had to get outta Dogde, way too big. Nice to meet y'all.

Blessings,

Honeycat

Well, I have been a member here for about seven minutes, but no time like the present, right??

My name is April, and I am a new quilter rapidly succumbing to addiction. My sewing skills are rudimentary but getting better recently. I love doing things with my hands and have since my mother showed me how to cross stitch at age six. I have rubber stamped and love making cards, especially the creative aspect. But I sure do love the feel of fabric between my fingers as opposed to paper. Currently, I'm focusing on hand sewing. I love its portability, and the fact I can sit with hubby while he watches TV and do my thing. I'm about halfway through Jinny Beyer's book on Quiltmaking by Hand and it is a gorgeous book! Fons & Porter have been early guides for me as well.

My passion for gorgeous fabrics manifested itself some time ago when I gave in to my dream to be an interior designer and went back to school; I'm about halfway through my studies. Between that and a near full-time job, I'm almost too busy to sew. Almost.

I've been married to my honey for 12 years, and live with our four amazing kitties in southeast Michigan (just south of Flint.)

This looks like a great forum!

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~April


"I'm an artist at living, and my work of art is my life."
~Suzuki, Zen Master

My Blog: April's Atelier

Jezebel George

Hello everyone. I am new to the board and have enjoyed reading everyone's stories. I have three grown children, a very supportive DH, and 3 dogs. My DS and first DD are lawyers in NYC. My youngest DD graduates from law school this month and will also work in NYC. No grandbabies, yet, but two of my children have long-term significant others who I love.

I married young (first child at 17). I was 8 months pregnant when I graduated from highschool a year early, but was proud to wear that cap and gown when I walked across the stage (I was enormous and am sure I looked like a moose). I did not start college until the youngest was a year old. I taught math and history to junior high kids after graduating, then went back to lawschool after a few years. My practice is primarily focused on child advocacy, which is a natural given my background as a teacher.

I married my second husband and moved from Oklahoma to Northern Virgnina in 2000. We have three nest fillers (our Samoyeds) named Sapphire, Jezebel and Evelyn.

I did not start quilting until a couple of years ago and have really been bit by the bug.

That's about it!

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Penny - still missing the prairie.