I'm a Quilting Teacher Now!

Yes, I know.  I'm not so good at keeping up with this blog, am I?
Since I last posted, the quilt shop that I worked in for 4 years closed.  The bad news is I lost a job that I loved very much.  The good news is when one door closes, another one opens and I gained an even better job!  I am now an adjunct instructor for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) where I teach quilting classes.  How cool is that???
I love it.  I adore it.  My absolutely most favorite classes to teach are the True Beginner Quilting classes and the Computerized Quilt Design (EQ7) classes.  My boss at the quilt shop would tell you that I avoided beginner classes like the plague.  What a surprise it was to find that I love it.  There is such a reward in teaching non-quilters how to quilt and seeing the light shine in their eyes when they have a finished quilt that they made from beginning to end all by themselves.
Of course I am still longarm quilting at home.  At the moment I am rather overwhelmed with work between the two jobs, but what a blessing it is to have the work!  To be able to earn a living from what I love!
My grandbabies are growing like weeds.  Kilee will be 2 years old in December and has started recognizing me in photos and calling me Nana.  Time flies.  Layla, who was born May 21, is learning how to crawl and has stolen my heart.  Sweet precious babies.
Daughter Leslie finished her schooling for Massage Therapy and works full time at The Day Spa in DePere, WI.  Son Matt (father of my grandgirls) is in school for a degree in Natural Resources.  His fiance, Becky, is a stay at home mom and she rocks!
My parents came for a visit in early August.  We were one of many stops on their 5 month long RV vacation. Being retired agrees with them.
In late August, for my birthday, I took a trip to California to see a long lost friend from my years in the Air Force.  Lori found me on Facebook!  She just left this week to go home after visiting us in Wisconsin for 5 days.  Beloved friend.  We have so many good memories together.
In October, I organized a quilting retreat at the EAA Air Academy Lodge for the best group on Yahoo, the QuiltChicks.  We had a blast as usual.
Thanksgiving is around the corner, gun season for deer hunting starts this weekend, and it's almost time for the snow to fly.  This southern girl, even after 20+ years, still hates the cold and snow.  Oh well.  Good thing I have quilting to keep me warm.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season.
Piecin' Love,
Terri

I promised you a picture....

....of this quilt.  Borders are finished, binding is done and it's on the wall at The Quilter's Escape in Oconto Falls, WI.  Kits are available.

Have a great day!

Terri

In like a lion, out like a lamb.....

In like a lion, out like a lamb.  So the saying goes......it was 40 yesterday but today it's only getting up to 21.  I think my lamb is freezing it's behind off!  Anyway.....
I belong to the Town 'n Country Quilt Guild of Pulaski, WI.  We are having our bi-annual quilt show and I will have seven, possibly eight quilts in it.
The show will be at the Middle School in Pulaski from 9 to 4 on Saturday, April 2nd.  Our theme is "Civil War Tribute" which is right up my alley.
I believe the entrance fee is $4.00 and everyone who buys a ticket will be entered to win prizes, including our grand prize quilts.
Please come and say hi!
Happy Quilting,
Terri

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm so happy that we finally had some warm(er) weather yesterday.  We topped out at 45 degrees, which was 62 degrees warmer than the morning two days before when we woke up to 17 below zero, real, not wind chill.
This morning we were in the thirties and, hey, I am not complaining!  Just so anxious for the snow to melt!
I have to say, Valentine's Day has never been one of my favorite holidays, at least in recent years.  With hubby and I both being self-employed, this is a tough one because "society" tends to make it all about going out to dinner, giving/sending flowers, jewelry or candy, etc.  February is a rough month for us because quilting is typically slow for a couple of months after Christmas and heck, who is wanting to have their house painted in January or February?  Money is usually tight or non-existent this time of year so we don't buy into the commercialism of the day.  Although, DD Leslie did take me to Subway today for lunch and we got a free cookie in honor of Heart Day.  :o)
I have something to share with you.  Carly Simon is one of my all time favorite artists.  
Happy Valentine's Day to you.

The Packers Won The Superbowl!

What a great game it was!  Nerve wracking but great!  After watching the game at my son's house, we got home after midnight.  But only after we battled all the traffic coming IN to Green Bay as we were trying to drive OUT!  The city was going crazy!  In a good way.

And now it's the day after and the excitement still carries on.    When I woke up, Mark said "all that's on TV is weather and Superbowl".  He had a hard time tearing himself away to go to work. And I had to grin at him.  Because I know if he had his choice, he would be in his recliner, drinking coffee,, and watching the news coverage.  This is a Packer Fan's dream....to see them become World Champions.

I found this T-shirt on Etsy.  I love it!  I can't stop thinking about it.  Guess that means I have to buy it.

I've decided to celebrate by spending the day in my sewing room.  


Happy Quilting!
Terri

Where did 2010 go?

I can't even keep up with a simple blog.  Sigh.  So here I am again, with a resolution in my heart that THIS TIME I will do it.  Right.  Why don't I start with 2010, seeing as how I didn't blog a thing all year.
Let me first introduce you to my granddaughter, Kilee Reese Petasek, born Dec. 29, 2009.

She is already a year old.  Here she is, getting "caked":

And I have an announcement!  Kilee has a sibling on the way.  Yes!  I have a second grandbaby due May 19.

Darling Daughter Leslie has been going to school at Blue Sky School of Massage & Therapeutic Bodywork in DePere, WI.  She graduates in just a few weeks.

Darling Son Matt, Kilee's dad, is going to Fox Valley Tech in Appleton, WI.  He's enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program.  He wants to be a private chef.

Hey!  My own private chef and masseuse.  I just need a housekeeper and personal assistant and I'll be good to go!

As for the rest of 2010...

• Mark and I are empty nesters.  It's not as easy as I thought it would be.  
• My beloved Siamese, Max, passed away at the age of 18 people years in January.  I miss him so much.

• In August, we welcomed Simon, an abandoned kitten found in our barn.  Tucker and Simon have become buddies and Tucker takes great care to keep Simon entertained, and vise versa.

• I worked at home, quilting for clients and making quilts to sell on Etsy.  
• I worked at my local quilt shop, The Quilter's Escape.  
• I got hired by Northeast Wisconsin Tech College (NWTC) to teach Electric Quilt Software and sewing/quilting classes for my local Oconto Falls District.  I don't start until June, I think, because they have already planned the spring session, but I have that to look forward to.
• I did go on two retreats.  The first in April to Fern Hill, a retreat house down by New Glarus.  And the second in October at the EAA Air Academy Lodge in Oshkosh.  If you ever get invited to go on a retreat here, you have to check it out.  Awesome!
• Darling Hubby, Mark, is still running his painting business.  2010 was pretty slow for him.  Not too many people looking to pay someone to paint for them.  He did get in as a subcontractor with a local ServPro company doing smoke and water damage jobs, which is really nice.  We're praying that it will turn into something big.

Guess that's it for now.  My life in a blog post.  :o)
Imagine this quilt with scalloped borders and 30's green binding.  I will post a picture of the finished one as soon as I get one.  It's hanging on the wall at the quilt shop.

Happy Quilting,
Terri
p.s.  The Packers are in the SUPERBOWL!!!!!!  Go Aaron Rodgers!  Go Pack Go!
        Brett Who????