Friday, March 30, 2018

Nearing the Finish Line...



I have two flower blocks left in Bring Me Flowers. Only two! I'm making them both at the same time.  The one above is coming together nicely.



Now this one is another story. Somehow I've misplaced the three wedges for the last circle. I hope I can find them because there is no fabric left! I thought I had all the pieces together, but I guess a few fell out. 


I thought you'd enjoy seeing the Native Azaleas that Hubby planted in our backyard a few weeks ago - aren't they pretty? 

Hubby and I will be very busy the next couple of weeks. We are embarking on a complete renovation of the family lake house. We have hired a design/construction firm to help. With our ideas and wants in mind, they have presented us with their designs and we have approved it all. They are fantastic designers!

We have two weeks to completely empty the house before construction begins. It's a bit like moving all over again! We are excited about the process and hope to be able to enjoy the lake house again by the end of the summer.  

Wishing you a happy Friday and a Happy Easter!



Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Counting Down...


Yes indeed! Another one bites the dust. This block was fun to make, but it's not my favorite. The flowers are just so square! But there will only be one of these in the quilt and I'm sure it will blend right in. I will say that I LOVE this vase!

The next block? Yes, I've already started it. Of course I have. This quilt is getting made! We're off to the lake for a few hours - some work to do there.

Have a great day!


Tuesday, March 27, 2018

One Track Mind


This block will be finished today - the photo is dark because...it's still dark outside this morning. We are drinking coffee and waiting for the sun to come up. The doggies are sleeping by the fireplace - baby, it's COLD outside.


Here was little Mickey last night in my lap - a sweetie pie who continues to wake us up EARLY every morning. Yes, we'd rather be sleeping at the moment. 

Yesterday we had dermatologist appointments - no cutting, no freezing, great appointments! The only yearly appointment I have left is my mammogram in June. 

Back to quilting - after I finish this Bring Me Flowers block I only have TWO left and then I can work on the alternate blocks. I've had people asking me 'what's next?' - well, I have a list. Of course I do!

I want to get back on Brimfield Awakening, then there's My Small World. Oh and there's the Rowdy Flat Library Quilt - haven't touched that in some time. And my wool bird quilt. Oh my, there are so many quilts that need work! I'll get there eventually.....


Sunday, March 25, 2018

Productive


I love a productive day - and yesterday was just that.

Grocery pick up - check.
Laundry - check.
Machine sewing on challenge - check.
Began another Bring Me Flowers block - check.
Walked Cooper - check.
Had a putting and chipping lesson from Hubby - check.

And that was my day in a nutshell.

I wanted to get a lot done because today I'm going to lunch and a movie with some neighbor women friends.

I do hope to finish at least one more of the units shown above - ready to get these flowers done! This one is easy since there are no curves, but some of the pieces are really tiny.

Enjoy your day!

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Ta Dah - Another 'Bring Me Flowers' Block


I finished this last night while we kept up with basketball, baseball, softball, and golf. Yup, that's a lot of sports! I think I only have 3 flower blocks left. I hope to start another one today.

I did a bit of machine stitching yesterday and that is coming along nicely - I'll work on that today, too.

But first I have a grocery pickup - I should be getting the text that it's ready any minute now.


Yesterday our neighbor puppy, Angus, joined us on our walk with Cooper. Cooper and Angus are developing a bond. Angus' owner says that he does much better on a leash with Cooper along because he just follows him.

Have a happy Saturday!

Friday, March 23, 2018

Shopping and Sewing!




I made another block yesterday - yippee! Maybe I can finish this block today? I hope so!

I also did a bit of machine sewing and there will be more of that today, too. Hubby's got a golf game scheduled and I'm all in to stay in and sew!

Speaking of golf...


If you can't beat 'em, join 'em??? Hubby and I went to our local antique mall yesterday where someone has a booth of used golf clubs. Hubby helped me pick out a small set with a bag - only $49! This will be a good way for me to stick my toe in the water without a big investment. 

He gave me a chipping lesson in the back yard - he says I'm a good student and learn fast. In the next week I'm going to the driving range with him to see how I do there.


While we were at the antique mall, I wandered around a bit. I fell in love with these pillows which will go live at the lake house. I bought some other lake house decor I'll have to share with you.

Have a wonderful day!

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Slowly...


I've slowed down a bit this week - all I have to show for two day's work is this 4 inch flower. I'm hoping to make another one today. I also have some machine sewing I need to do - a small challenge I'm a part of. Let's hope I get myself moving early!!!! Come on coffee: do your job of waking me up!


Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Another Flower Block!!!



Another block! Have you noticed that I'm not working on anything else? I'm getting so close and it's hard to stop now. Four. More. Flower. Blocks. To GO! So excited! This was a quick one to make and I'll be making one more of these.


Cooper was my sewing partner yesterday, but he needs to be more careful about changing the channel..

Have a good one!
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Monday, March 19, 2018

A New Hobby?


Friday we went to Birmingham to see Daughter 2 and her hubby. We went to Top Golf. This is a fun family activity! Each group has their own 'bay' with a couch and tables and a rack of golf clubs. The golf ball have sensors in them to tell each person how far they hit it and how many points they got. There are different games you can play as a group.

Those round areas are the target you are aiming for. If you get in them, you score points. The closer to the middle of the target, the more points you get.


Here was Hubby taking a swing - can you tell he's done this a time or two?


And here he is giving me some tips. I look clueless in this picture!

He did tell me that my swing is not bad. I really enjoyed it and felt I got better as the session went on. So will this turn into a new hobby? Maybe.... Hubby is going to take me to the driving range (in our neighborhood) and I'll see how it goes. If (big IF!) I enjoy it after a few months of practice I may be asking for golf clubs for my summer birthday. I'll keep you posted.

No worries: I'll never stop quilting!

Scary storms are coming through Alabama today - praying they aren't as bad as predicted. We're off for our physicals now!

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Another Flower Block


I finished another Bring Me Flowers block yesterday. The pattern calls for circle to be appliquéd to the center of the blossoms, but my points came together so well that I think I'll leave them off.


Then last night I made these three flowers for the next block. They're ready to be appliquéd to background squares. 

This quilt will be coming together soon!

Today I have a Walmart grocery pickup and I have to do some household chores. But I might just finish this block, too - I hope so!

Enjoy your day!

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Guild Meeting!


Thursday night's guild meeting was a good one! When I walked in and saw these quilts at the front of the room...I knew we were in for a treat. I recognized them as Jen Kingwell patterns!


Midnight at the Oasis - I want to make one! So happy and fun!


Gypsy Wife -

I can't remember the name of this pattern, but I know it's in the book, Quilt Lovely by Jen K.


Can't remember this pattern name either...


Glitter! I've barely started one of these.


Happy Birds!

Circle Game!

Our program was a put on by a shop in Montgomery - about an hour away. I've been in there a couple of times and they do have a beautiful selection of fabrics. They are also my Bernina store for repairs and maintenance.

I was in hog heaven as their Jen Kingwell 'expert' talked to us about the quilts and tips for making them. Fun evening! And I learned some good tips that I hope to use TODAY!

Enjoy your day!

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Two Mini Blocks...


Here I am this morning, sitting by the fire with the two mini blocks I made yesterday. I'm working on the third, but last night I was too tired to finish it. You will notice that these blocks have mix and match flowers petals - running out of fabric! Haha!

I think my body might be finally adjusting to the time change. My sleep pattern has been so off this week. But last night I went to bed at a good time and woke up at a good time. Yay!

I have a small bit of machine piecing to do today - just one block - and then I hope to work on the third little flower block. Sounds like a plan!

Enjoy your day!

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Cutting and Cutting and Cutting...


For two days in a row I've been tracing templates and hand cutting (scissors) fabric for Bring Me Flowers. You may remember that I've been using a jellyroll of fabric to make this quilt. In addition to the 25 flower blocks there are alternate blocks (4 patches I've already made) that will each need four arcs appliquéd around their sides.

Before I make the last 6 blocks, I took time out to cut the arcs - these are bigger pieces of fabric and I wanted to get them cut and set aside.


Yesterday I then attacked the remaining scraps above(which were dwindling!) to cut the remaining blocks. WHEW! I barely had enough fabric left. In fact I dug through my little table trash bucket, using every little snippet.  I now have kits ready to make the last 6 blocks. 

There's still plenty of work left on this quilt, but I feel good having done all the cutting.



We had a lovely Spring walk late yesterday. We're enjoying temps in the mid 50's - nothing like the poor folks up in the Northeast USA. 

Today I'll be hand sewing some of these little kits! Enjoy your day!












Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Travel Iron Tote!


 Here's the little project I made Sunday afternoon - it's a tote for my travel iron. Most members of my guild have a little travel iron like mine for our retreats. It's a low wattage so we can all have one at our tables without blowing a breaker. We also have a few large ironing boards and irons through the room for bigger projects.


This little tote folds out and has heat resistant fabric on the inside, so it doubles as a pressing mat. 



Here's the pattern with heat resistant lining included. This was fun to make though the instructions were not that great, to be honest. But I figured it out and I love the way it turned out!

Yesterday I worked on Bring Me Flowers, some cutting...I'll show you tomorrow. Today I think I'll do some hand sewing.

For those of you with Instant Pots...I made THIS recipe for Pork Chops and Celery Rice last night and it was a HIT! So good!











Monday, March 12, 2018

Finished the Hexie Blocks!


I'm so happy to have finished these two blocks for Bring Me Flowers!


I now have completed 19 of 25 blocks - only 6 more to go!

I also made two loaves of bread yesterday, cleaned the oven, did a load of laundry, and well...I sewed another small project from start to finish. You'll have to wait until tomorrow to see that one. I'm not sure why I was so productive - maybe it's the time change????

Happy Monday!
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Sunday, March 11, 2018

Accuquilt Club...and Hexie Blocks


Yesterday I led the new Accuquilt Club at Stitch Therapy. We had a good time! We are starting each meeting with show and tell. This is Sarah hiding behind her quilt. She won a quilt pattern and realized she could cut all the pieces with an Accuquilt. In only one month she has completed this adorable baby quilt. We had other items shown, but I forgot to take any other pictures!


Because we were talking about what to with small squares of fabric, I brought everyone a square of chocolate. We talked about organization and storage of our dies, exploring lots of different options.

Next I demonstrated how to cut squares with a strip cutting die and how to make an Alabama Pine Burr block. The funny thing is...I inspired myself to want to make more of these blocks!


Here's the update on the hexie blocks - almost done! I'll add the stems today and call these complete.

We have a rainy day today. I think I'll bake some bread this afternoon, do a bit of laundry, and SEW!

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Hexies Done!


Yay! I finished the six hexie units last night. I made myself keep working on them until they were finished. Now I can appliqué them to their little backgrounds and finish these Bring Me Flowers blocks.

I made yogurt yesterday and am in the process of straining off the whey - lots of whey to make more bread! Today I'll be making a blueberry compote to mix into the yogurt.



Last night I made Reuben sandwiches on our Panini maker - yum!


Here's a pic of a Pine Burr block I made last year - this is what I'll be teaching at the Accuquilt Club meeting here in Auburn Saturday morning. What fun!










Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Busy


I've been away from the blog for a couple of days because I didn't really have anything interesting to share. So what's been going on? Well, I decided I hated my new glasses. They were big and constantly slid down my nose. I couldn't keep them up! Drove me crazy! I went back to the eyeglasses place Monday and was able to order these new frames - much smaller with a little Kate Spade funk on the inside. Can't wait to get them in!

As bad as my eyes are, my glasses are my most important and treasured possession. If they are not right, my life is not right. I depend on them! I'm so happy that this problem will be resolved.


One of our grand-dogs, Scout, is staying with us for a couple of days. He and Cooper are like brothers and are having a blast together. Mickey stays on the sidelines, but he likes Scout too.


I'm making my way though these cute little hexie units for Bring Me Flowers. I hope to get the last two done today and then I'll be ready to put together the blocks.

I'm leading the first meeting of the Accuquilt Club at our LQS on Saturday - I have a little prep to do for this today. I've decided to teach a block or small project at every meeting - something made much easier with Accuquilt dies. On Saturday I'll be teaching the Alabama state quilt block - the Pine Burr block. Can't wait!

Enjoy your day!

Monday, March 5, 2018

A Little of This and That


It was a weekend of hand sewing and plenty of house cleaning. Saturday morning had me dusting and cleaning bathrooms, and doing laundry, and doing laundry - Hubby did the vacuuming. The dust and pollen are gone - along with the dog hair. I put a little bit extra oomph in the cleaning - sometimes it just take a bit more effort, right?

Many of you realized that the above project is Brimfield - I'm using some Indigo fabric in each block. I'm immersed in a love of navy and white...or any blue along with white. I bought some new clothes last week and they are also denim, navy, and white. I seem to have a theme going in my life - haha! 


These hexies are for Bring Me Flowers - making progress! I want to finish two more of these blocks by the end of the week.

Happy Monday!

Friday, March 2, 2018

Quilt Top Finished!


Yay! I finished this quilt top!!! And I got to know my new Viking machine at the same time. A good day, indeed!


I have gotten LOTS of questions about this pattern! Below is the pattern:



Have you noticed the difference between the pattern and my quilt? The pattern quilt is not symmetrical - I'm a bit OCD and I like a symmetrical quilt - so there! So instead of making my quilt in a 5 blocks by 5 blocks layout...I made mine 4 blocks by 6 blocks. It's not big - more of a lap quilt and that's fine with me. I could make it bigger, but I'm saving the rest of the blue grunge fabric to use for the binding. I like lap quilts!



If you decide to make this quilt you'll need this Spider Web ruler by Creative Grids. Trust me on this - you will really want to have it!



I plan to baste this quilt over the weekend - it will be ready to quilt when I'm ready. I need to run a couple of errands this morning and then I'll be hand stitching my heart out!

Happy Friday!