Saturday

Another Saturday has rolled around and once more we are being put out of our house. Someone coming to look at it at 11:00............ It would be really good if they made an offer that we could accept.

I have been up and with Lem's help finished the house blessing. Now for a shower and out the door with the children. I have packed a lunch so that we can sit at Fort Hill and watch the ocean while we enjoy our lunch.

I finished block 16 of 50 of the Faye Anderson blocks recently. So I am a few years late completing them I am enjoying myself making them. I am even contemplating the setting. Any suggestions?




I did finish my Tisket Tasket block for March. They are so easy and a pleasant change from whatever project I am involved in at the moment.

I also got my Gail Pan block completed. I am not really happy with the fabric I have for this quilt so I am not adding the fabric until I find just what is right.


Perhaps I can get some pictures of Capt. Penniman House today.

Happy Anniversary

It is hard to believe but we have been married for 45 years...... Imagine that.

It has been a fraught two weeks. Things really busy at the office leaving me unable to even move much when I get home. I will be pleased when the health issues are taken care of so I can resume a more normal life.

I just could not let this day pass without some acknowledgement. I have been stitching but not much to show for it right now.

The Beginning of the Week

The weekend was spent being Suzy Homemaker. There was a section in the basement that had never been organized and correctly packed. I spent most of Saturday having a real sort out down there and doing the ubiquitous laundry.

No stitching to speak of was accomplished because we had another open house on Sunday. That meant putting away all of my stitcheries and sweeping out. The children along with their beds and toys were loaded into the car and Lem and I did a few errands. We also took time to stop at Fort Hill to watch the ocean for awhile.

For supper I fixed Barbara's chicken. You pound a half of a chicken breast till it is about 1/4 inch thick. Then add a slice of ham, a slice of munster cheese and roll it up. Wrap it in a slice of bacon and bake at 350 for an hour. So easy.......So good.....

Last week someone asked about the baby hats I had made some time ago. While I looked for the instructions I found that I still had some baby yarn. The knitting tide rolled in so I made these this past week for our local hospital. I will give them to Joan to take to the Auxiliary meeting tomorrow.


Things are rather hectic at work and I don't even get break time right now. By the end of the week it will be back to normal. Until then I remain behind in blog reading and answering comments.

Noah's Ark and Double Delight

I procrastinated working on the Noah's Ark. It was so TINY... I was not sure I could even see it much less embroider it.

I made the plunge last night and here is my first block. I am delighted.... The directions said to add 3/4 inch strips to each side. How lovely it was to open my drawer of 3/4 inch strips and select the ones I wanted.



I have also set up Double Delight on the dining table to be quilted... I am a novice at this task so once again I tend to procrastinate getting it finished. It sits there and mocks me each night. Perhaps this weekend will show some progress.

Tag Along Teddy

My Tag Along Teddy pledge was to at last begin my Leanne's House BOM and finish it this year.

I have three blocks done and I am now working on a fourth one. It is actually block six in the series but block two was on back order and I dropped down and began the second row.

This is mini block one............

This morning I prepped mini block 2 for this piece, prepped an embroidery for another change purse and prepped my Jan Patek February 2008 block. They are now downstairs awaiting my attention. When I sew again it will be to make my siggies....................

I love it when a plan comes together.

This and That

At night Wade Hamilton likes to curl up on the couch with his father. Upside down on his back with his little head twisted to one side. Doesn't look comfortable to me at all.



Close up of the Farmyard Bear Quilt.


And here it is with Part 4 all done. I am really liking this quilt more and more.

Report on Sunday

Yesterday afternoon I went to Vickie's. She helped me layer "Double Delight". This morning Lem brought the Janome downstairs and I hope to begin machine quilting it.

We also organized the flowers for my GFG. Soon I will be working on joining them. That is going to be another winner.

Progress

Here is the progress so far on my Bears in the Farmyard quilt. I still have the top and bottom of the ecru border to add and the next border to be finished with part 4. If you did not join in on this project, I would suggest you buy the pattern from Judy when she puts it up for sale. The original version is based on stripes but I had no striped fabric and no budget left for a purchase so I went with what I had.



This is a close up.


I can only sew for a limited time each day so it takes me awhile but we keep plugging away and things are improving.

Saturday

No, I can't think of a snappier, wittier title for this post.

Tried to sleep in this morning but the children would not cooperate. Gave up at 6:30 and went upstairs.

Thursday I had selected my fabric for the March Tisket Tasket block. I am getting the fabric from "The Bag". That means I pour out the fabric and pick around until I find what I like. Sewing time came to an end so I left it on the floor and went downstairs to dress for work.

Naturally the realtor called me at work about 12:30 to tell me that someone wanted to see the house at 2:30. Told the boss that I had to go home for a bit and dashed out the door. Lem and I managed to get the show towels in place, put the show bedspread on the bed, vacumm, mop the kitchen and put away all of our toys. The children and their beds are put in the car. I headed back to work and he went to Fort Hill to watch the boats. It would be nice if we got a decent offer on the house.

That means the house blessing is done for this week. I might get some cooking ahead done today and of course some sewing.

This morning I prepped my Tisket Takset Block and my Gail Pan Block. When the timer goes off I will go back upstairs to finish my Farmyard Bears blocks and move on to part 4. Maybe there will be a picture later today. Maybe not.

Ta Da

Here it is..........Block Five from Leanne's House. I am delighted to have this one finished. That is three in all. Now on to Block six.................

Monday, Monday

I did get the top finished. Sad to say it is bigger than I thought so the fabric I had for the back was not large enough. I did have some pink left from the quilt and added a section to the 5 yards I already had and now the back is pieced and ready to layer. If Vickie has time on Wednesday afternoon, I can get it layered. I am not planning to pin this one, just spray baste as I intend to quilt it right away. A simple grid using a walking foot.


I took one side trip Friday morning. I found this on the Polka Dot Pineapple's blog and had to try it. Took no time and I am delighted with the outcome.


I began the next installment on my Farmyard Bear quilt this morning. My sewing time is so much more limited these days because of the dratted back problems. The Spine and Pain Clinic of New England called this morning. I have an appointment tomorrow at 11:00 for a consultation. Prayers are appreciated.

Saturday

I am up and sewing this morning. Taking a break to do a bit of laundry.

I am trying to finish the Double Delight top today. It looks like that is a goal I can accomplish.

Much has been said about using what we have and finishing a project before starting another one. I do try but for me it is difficult. I must have attention deficit disorder. I cycle through projects as the muse demands but somewhere along the way I do seem to come up with a finish or two.

I have made a decision to no longer agonize over what I should be doing and begin enjoying what I do more. I have several projects in my "sitting downstairs and hand stitching" tote bag. Instead of listing them here I will list them on a note card for beside my chair. I will not add one until another one is complete.

The other thing about the upstairs machine sewing. I like signature blocks. If there is a block swap, I want to join. I have 3 siggy swaps going on right now. As soon as the Double Delight is complete I will start getting those in the mail......

I am also working on my Bears in the Farmhouse.

Lots going on and I am enjoying every minute.

The washer just finished so I will go put those clothes in the dryer and wash another load.

More later.........

Hexagons

I saw a site requesting 2 inch basted hexagons for Australia....... I spent a couple of hours last night and I have 25 basted. I will do more and send them along. I cannot imagine having everything I cherish destroyed by fire. Anything I can do to help I will.




That also meant finding my own flowers for my GFG. Do most quilters make a GFG or a Cathedral Window? I am working on both. There is something about sitting with needle in hand and stitching that a machine cannot replace. The day is long enough for both methods.


I got this started and then realized that if I joined as I went I would not be able to control the colors. This is where I stopped joining. I have all but 11 basted and after they are complete I will have 18 flowers to assemble. Then I can begin the pathway.


While blogging around I found this idea for storing those pesky plastic grocery bags.

The idea is from The Polka dot Pineapple.

Friday's Idea

Joan sent me a sketch for my Dear Jane Siggy stamp. On the back of the envelope she added this drawing. I traced it onto three fabrics and made three little bags. I apologize for the picture being sideways. I thought I had corrected the problem but it seems that I did not. Just tilt your head and you can see the pattern and the three bags I made.






When I get home from work I will be putting away all the things that have gathered by my chair and focusing on making Hexagons for "Hexagons for Hope". There is a link on my sidebar should you care to join me.

A Few More Pictures From SSS

Here is a flimsy by Nancy. Such delicate colors. And such an easy block.



This quilt was made by Kathy............. She donated it to a fundraiser.


The quilting on this is exquisite.

Unfortunately

I just got this from Jane at Sew Create it who got it from Monica.................

A GOOGLE GAME where you search for “unfortunately, your name”, including the quotes. The search results should reveal some interesting, if not unusual quotes.

It seems I lead quite a life.

Unfortunately Susan Lefevre had parents with your mentality.

Unfortunately, Susan B. Anthony did not live to realize her dream of women’s suffrage, but thankfully her legacy survives.

Unfortunately, Susan made things worse by showing up at the review board drunk and accusing the hospital administrator of having a vendetta against her.

Unfortunately, Susan's ardent supporters began turning on her when she starred in Stage Struck, the 1957 remake of Morning Glory

Unfortunately, Susan's husband was resourceful and tracked her down. But Susan's time in the support group had helped her build inner strength.

Unfortunately, Susan is unaware that the last man she was with is entangled with the mob.

That must be some life I lead.................

Progress

Here is my Double Delight all laid out and waiting for the end triangles. I will be adding them this week. Then I will have another top ready to quilt. I have many tops ready to quilt but currently I have little space to work in. Therefore I have made the decision to just keep them safe until we move. Then I will get started on making quilts out of my tops.



As you can see, there is progress here in my nine patch quilt. Remember, it is a Leader/Ender quilt and these are slow in growing. This is going to be a favorite quilt. I can already tell.



I am overjoyed to announce that my Nifty Fifty blocks are ready to mail............... That sure brings joy to my heart. I will like it even better tomorrow when they are mailed.




I spent some time working on my idea from Friday morning. Perhaps I will have something to show for my efforts later this week.........Stay tuned.