The Thread and I

A New Week

2012-01-23T09:36:00.005-05:00

January is leaving us quickly this year.......... It is amazing how time is going by this year......

I did manage a finish this past week. I got the binding put on this quilt that I made several years ago..............

Now I am making some pillow cases to match it......... I have two almost finished and I have two more planned......... The second set will not have the scalloped edge and will go much faster....

This is the progress so far on the garage........... If the weather warms up and I have a light schedule I could actually get it organized by the end of February......... That is my goal.......

Since I have spent the last two weeks having company I am behind once more on my Thangles quilt........

I am also behind on my round robin and the new month came out for the Hartfield quilt that I haven't even started............

Maybe I can get to sew some by the end of the week.................

While clearing the garage I spotted this sock yarn. Just the thing to put in my Sock Bag that Peg made for me. I like to keep my sock bag hanging on the chair in the breakfast nook..... That is where we sit when the girls come over for tea and I need something to keep my hands busy......
I am going to make some for Jean and Bill but I am waiting for the yarn to come in that I ordered so this will fill the gap.

Kim saw this sweater when she was looking at the Mary Maxim catalog and liked it..... I ordered this the same time I got the hat kit for Andrew............. This is my LAST order from them. Their shipping is scandalous. I only ordered this time because Kim had made those selections..... Now their catalogs go straight into the trash............

Jean bought the yarn to make a cream sweater like the blue on I made...... In fact she found the pattern and shared it with me........... She is so busy and has not had time to knit hers so I said that I would do it for her...................

Some blogger had started making these Christmas ornaments......... I had to try my hand at them too........... Yes another project going...........

This was also a garage find............ Who knows just how long this has languished waiting for attention. Well, it has found its way into the studio now so I will leave it there to see what happens......

The baby sweater I started is now ready for assembly....... I am looking for my yarn needle. I had them recently and put them where I would know where to find them.......... I just wish I knew where that was..................

Now off to the kitchen.......... We are out of bread and the cookie jar is empty........ While things bake I can get them menus made for next week and this afternoon we can grocery shop.......

Maybe by Thursday I can get back to sewing............

Updating........

2012-01-20T08:39:00.004-05:00

It has been over a week since my last post......... So much to report of very little interest to anyone but me.................

Last Wednesday I was on track and had a nice little schedule going. I was getting the list checked off at a reasonable pace......... I only had four pages left........

Kim and Jason had stopped by with Andrew wearing his new hat......... Another finish for me this year............

Wade Hamilton was enjoying his new sofa....... He likes to have it all to himself........

Then Thursday morning Ernie Everett's office called to say they were going to demo the house that day..............

I won't bore you with all the pictures I took....

This is the beginning...............

And this is the end.............

How sad to see it go........

Friday Rebekah came with Kate........ It was wonderful to see them both....... They left Sunday... I did fix breakfast for everyone before they got on the road.

Monday I cleaned the guest room to get ready for Jean and Bill. They got here after lunch and were with us till Wednesday.

It was grand fun to cook for them and have people drop by to say hello.

Bill did like the socks, in fact he liked the ones I made for Jean so he took them and I will make another pair for her........ Jean and I selected some yarn and when it comes I can make them several more pairs...........

Right now my current project list has grown again..... I really need to cut back soon.....

At Last

2012-01-11T08:06:00.002-05:00

I was beginning to think that I could never convince Lem to agree to some comfortable furniture.

Monday afternoon we went to a local furniture store....... How easy it was to find what I wanted and he agreed to sign the check for it all.......... We got the sofa, a recliner for Lem, and easy chair for me, two end tables, a coffee table and two lamps........ We also purchased an ottoman but it has to be ordered to get one with the fabric that goes with the rest of the furniture. Then that little foot stool with my chair can go into the bedroom........

Yes, the first thing I did was to toss a quilt over my chair. I know it will get a lot of wear and I want it to last........ Besides, it is a lovely quilt. And you do see the Christmas tree in that photo. It is down now but I did not get to it till yesterday.............

I also finished a sweater that I started last year........... Thank you Peg. This is some of the yarn you gave me...........

I also finished the blue sweater I was working on............ Now to make one for Jean. She has the yarn....... It was not that pleasant to make. I thought the instructions were a bit vague but some how I muddled through and got it done.............

As to the list ........................ I still have one item on that page to complete and I have added four more pages to it........... I like making list. It helps keep me focused.

An Ending and A Beginning

2012-01-06T07:41:00.003-05:00

My first finish this year is a pair of socks for my sister...... She is coming soon for a visit and I can give them to her then............ I wonder if her husband would like a pair?

Before I started on the list I wanted to do a wee bit of sewing. I managed to finish four more blocks. Four left to complete while I wait for the last four to arrive by post. They should be here soon..................

This is today's list..... Quite ambitious I think but I will give it a try...... There is always tomorrow to finish up what does not get done today..........

Kim liked the little hat that you can see........... She selected the yarn and I am doing the knitting.
This is the project I will be working on when I pause for a cuppa......................

Now to get to work.......................

The Paper Tiger

2012-01-04T14:26:00.005-05:00

The Paper Tiger has taken over the studio again......... I don't know where all this comes from but I am terrible at handling it......... My method is to put it into a stack till the stack is big enough to put in a tote bag.......... Then put the tote bag in the closet....... Some things have aged almost a year so something must be done...........

But not today.......... I have managed to finish one third of the Thangles blocks.......... I am almost finished with the second sock and I am attempting to do 10 threads a day quilting the GFG.......

I have about an hour to work on the quilting till it is time to start the next meal.

Tomorrow will be my house blessing, a wee bit of unpacking and a Dr.'s appointment tomorrow.

I am also WAY behind in answering my email...........

Lots of entertaining, lots of cooking................ Maybe now I will get down to normal day to day living.

New Years Day 2012

2012-01-03T07:45:00.004-05:00

The whole family was here............ We had 13 in all.............

I was so busy that I failed to take any pictures till late in the day. By then the grandchildren had gone and the rest of us were just sitting and catching our breath.

As usual the men were watching football.

The ladies had tea in the kitchen....... Everyone helped with the cooking and the clean up so that part was easy............

Now to report on the two current projects................

There is a pair of socks I am working on.........

And I am adding the border blocks to the Thangles blocks................

Yesterday was spent catching up on the ironing and today also has house hold chores to be done but I do hope to finish a few more Thangles blocks........... I am also edging closer to the end of that second sock.

Early Morning

2011-12-31T07:46:00.003-05:00

Well, not too early.......... It is almost 8:00 AM............. The last day of the year..............

What are your plans for tonight and tomorrow............I do pray that everyone is safe and enjoys their last holiday for awhile.

I did most of the cleaning yesterday. I still have to mop the kitchen but that is all. There were things left undone but I can get to them next week.

Every day there seem to be choices as to just what has to be done and what can wait.

Today I will spend the day cooking for tomorrow. The Menu is:

Deviled Eggs
Ham
Collards
Black Eye Peas
Pickles and Olives
Cheese Grits
Congealed Salad
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
Pumpkin Scones
Chocolate Pie
Hummingbird Cake
Cornbread
Rolls

Jane is cooking the Ham............ Joyce is bringing the tea............. Rebekah is here to help me cook.........

There will be about 12 of us......... I hope to get most of it done today because tomorrow will be busy.

Joyce is coming early to set the table. Previously when we got together here it was rather hectic. I haven't gotten into the groove of having so much fun at one time.................

I might even get some pictures taken to post this time............

Progress

2011-12-29T09:28:00.002-05:00

The first border is on my At Home Round Robin............. I just realized that I should have another border......... I will need to get it out again and start working on the next border. It should incorporate a Log Cabin block..............

I also got out my Thangles BOM from Emily's Quilt Cupboard............ I am missing four months of blocks. Two months were lost in the mail and they will send them to me with the last two.

I ordered the finishing kit for it and this morning I got started cutting it out. I think I will finish what I can on the Thangles before I go back to the Round Robin.

Rebekah is still with us.......... She is going to help me with the cooking for New Years Day so off to the grocery store...............

Update

2011-12-28T09:07:00.004-05:00

Life continues to go at a fast pace.... I just can't keep up...............

Dillard delivered the table to us last week......... It came last Wednesday, almost a week ago.

It was originally a dining room table with two leaves............ My grandfather gave it to my mother when she married...... Many years later she wanted a coffee table instead so Papa cut a piece out of the center post and lowered it for her..........

Then my sister wanted it for a dining table so Papa put the piece back in and it went to my sisters. Years passed and it came back to Mama who wanted a coffee table again. Papa took the piece out and and lowered it once more.................... They moved several times after that and the center section was lost. Then I got it and I have used it for many years as a coffee table....

But now I wanted it in the breakfast nook.......... A new post was put in and here it is.......

I have been hard at work in the garage but I did find time to work on the border for my At Home Round Robin........ I am saving the hourglass border for later and made this HST border instead.......

Now back to the finding a home for things and putting them away........

2011-12-19T08:40:00.004-05:00

A wee bit of sewing this morning........

I am working on the BOM being offered by Dawn at Linen Closet Quilts......

Block one was applique.......

Block two was pieced...................

Block three was applique and block four was flying geese to fit around it........... They will be sewn to block one.........

Block five is nine applique stars...........

All cut and ready to stitch...........

But first I must tackle the garage.......... That is were we put everything that was in storage and I want to get it unpacked and put away............ Therefore I am postponing most sewing till that task is done............

Saturday we took off one car full of boxes............... And then I emptied more......

This is the largest section...... Everything is placed on five pallets...

There are a couple of tables set up for work stations................

I will probably spend the rest of the day in the garage and up and down stairs to put things in the attic........

I do have a crockpot of vegetable soup going for dinner tonight...........

Last Week

2011-12-17T06:18:00.005-05:00

Last Saturday was the family gathering at Lem's sisters house in Wilmington......... I was assigned to bring the seven layer salad........... I will say even if I did make it that it turned out grand.....................

We had good fellowship and good food......... The trip was tiring but then I do tire easily these days...........

On Monday we headed to Danville, VA to meet Jean and Bill........ Jean had bought some Christmas flowers and we wanted to put them on Mama and Papa's headstone.......

Tuesday was shopping.............

Wednesday was the party for the Quilt Guild.................

Thursday was cleaning..........

Friday was breakfast with friends................

And to make the day complete, Jason and Kim came for dinner and brought Andrew.........

He found a few things to keep him entertained...................

As for the weekly sewing, I did get the border done for my At Home Round Robin......... I have already decided to change it and use that border later.......... I have something else I want to make for this round...............

Happy Birthday Lem

2011-12-08T13:53:00.007-05:00

This smiling fellow had a birthday yesterday................

His brother treated him to lunch at Hooters......

And didn't those two old men have a good time..........................

Meanwhile I finished the last border on my Christmas quilt........ I do need to make another one but I am putting it on hold so that I can catch up on a few things first.............

This is a close up of the tiny borders on the quilt.........

Sunny at Quilting Dreams is hosting a Stay at Home Round Robin. You can find the information HERE. It isn't too late to join in because she is wise enough to give some time off for the holidays and to help me to catch up............ First you make a center block......... Border one is supposed to be a combination of triangles. Having just finished the Mill Girls Quilt I decided to use the hour glass blocks for my first border.......... I might even get it sewn on some time today.......

I

2011-12-04T07:19:00.003-05:00

Foggy this morning......... You can't even see the wee ducks swimming on the lake.........

The Sun is just starting to rise..........

Just a few minutes and here it is........... Soon the mist will burn off and it will be easy to watch the ducks dive and swim.............. That can be a problem...... It will draw you in and before you know it time has passed...........

Yesterday I did one hour sewing and 30 minutes of necessary tasks......... It worked rather well for me........ I completed two loads of laundry, brought 6 boxes in from the garage and put them away.......... Made three batches of cookies......... organized the pantry and cleaned the kitchen........

And I have 1/2 of the first of the four borders on this quilt............

Jason stopped by late yesterday afternoon. Kim was out Christmas shopping so I invited him to stay for dinner........ It really is grand to have at least one of the Children so close by.

2011-12-03T07:23:00.003-05:00

Jane came over yesterday and we baked cookies for Christmas.......... Yesterday was dog treats...

We took a walk around the lake after lunch, drank tea, tested the dog treats (they were very good) and just enjoyed being together..........

I did manage to find some time in the studio before she came and after supper to work on the chosen project.........

Sashing between the blocks on two rows, one being stitched and two more ready to assemble.

It will be interesting to see how far I can get today and still do the necessary household tasks....

More House Shots

2011-12-01T08:04:00.005-05:00

I tried to get some pictures of the guest room but of course I chose the wrong time of the day. I had the Mill Girls flimsy on the bed at that time.

This is the opposite side of the room.

This cluttered area is the studio......... It overlooks the back of the house and is the warmest room in the house. A good thing too because I am always cold.

This is the opposite wall.........

This is the foyer......... Looking at this picture I notice that I need to make a slipcover for the lamp cord...................

The dining room needs furniture also.......... Plenty of time for that............

Jane and I spent yesterday making Christmas Cookies.... We are giving them as Christmas gifts this year..........

I did manage to get the final border on the Mill Girls quilt..... Now it is folded up and put in the bureau in the guest room till I get the backing and batting for it.................

This is the next project up. It is the blocks for the quilt I saw in Cary while on the shop hop....

Maybe I can get a quick finish on it too...............

Last is the family room......... This is where Lem sits most of the day........... TV and computer... What more could a man want..........

Three Weeks Later

2011-11-29T08:13:00.005-05:00

I did get 12 of my Mill Girls blocks done before the movers came.......... I sure am glad I did.... I didn't get to sew again till this week.................

We (I) am getting unpacked and finding places to put everything. I can start on the things that were in storage next week......... I have put a lot of things upstairs. It is an unfinished attic that is 2000 square feet of storage for the things that I don't have room for in my little studio. I am keeping only current projects in the studio and it is still very crowded............

The landscaper came three days ago and planted grass seed...... I sure hope it sprouts soon. All of that dirt gets tracked in the house and I am not that fond of vacuuming every morning.

Thanksgiving we had 16 people here on Thanksgiving. Kim and her family all came and helped with the cooking...... It was grand to have family around...... The weather was warm enough for some folks to eat on the porch. They played games in the yard and all the men talked sports while we ladies cooked.................

This is the morning sky. The sun rises on the back of the house and I can see it from the bedroom window.............. What a lovely way to wake up....................

At Long Last.................

2011-11-08T21:31:00.004-05:00

Well, here it is.......... The house is complete................. We are taking small things there each day this week and the movers will come on Friday for the furniture in this house........

Saturday Jason will help us get the furniture for the guest room out of storage and I will be able to get that room in order..............

I now have a dishwasher........ Oh Happy Day..................

And a large refrigerator..................

And a stove with an oven that works consistently. The stairs lead to the second floor where all of my extra fabrics are being stored right now..........

A nice vanity at which to put on my war paint each morning..............

And Lem's side of the bathroom............. There is even a small room just for the water closet.

The great room, foyer and dining room.................

Those two birds are a pair of Bald Eagles that were sitting by the pond on Saturday...... Lem enjoys sitting on the porch and watching the world go by...........

I have met some lovely neighbors and I am looking forward to spending the next six months unpacking..................VBG.......................

YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS.............

2011-11-03T08:17:00.002-04:00

WE ARE MOVING.......................(AGAIN)......................

The movers arrive early on November 11th..... A week from tomorrow......... Now I have lots to do before the Big Day..............

They are finishing up the last minute details on the house so I will wait till later to take pictures. Right now the front door is the wrong color and the stove is sitting in the breakfast nook........

Yesterday it was swarming with people doing last minute touch-ups and such...............

Of course that means I will have to dismantle my studio once again........... And who knows when I will get back to sewing. I also have some Christmas sewing to get done that takes priority....

We packed so long ago that who knows what we actually brought with us from Massachusetts.

Now on to the Mill Girl Quilt that I am making for the Quilt Along in the
SBS-and-Other Elm Creek Quilts Yahoo Group................

I have all of my hourglass blocks together and I am now ready to assemble the blocks.

I even have four blocks assembled and I would have more but I managed to put some of the hourglass units together the wrong way and had to frog my way out.............

As we know, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are my busiest days...... I have groups that meet on those three days...........

Today I will be getting some cooking done and Joyce is coming by this afternoon to help me start the packing..............

Perhaps house pictures soon..............

Mill Girls Week Two

2011-10-29T12:38:00.005-04:00

I am surprised to report that I have actually finished week two for Mill Girl Quilts.... And it looks promising that I will finish week three on time. What you see is 80 hour glass blocks...

A few weeks ago we went to Richmond to get some things I had ordered for the house......

Bill, Lem and Jason are checking to make sure all is secured for the trip back to NC.

Jean fixed us a delightful lunch and we had some time to enjoy being together before we had to come home.

The following week we went to visit Rebekah. She and I stopped at Loving Stitches in Fayetteville and I saw some placemats I really liked. I did purchase some fabric and when I got home I actually drafted the pattern, cut them out and assembled four placemats.

I need to pick up some backing and batting to finish this project but it is the first time I have ever brought something home and actually made it right away........ I rather like that feeling and hope that I can do that more often............

I also got my two blocks done for the Block of the Quarter swap at the guild. They have been turned in already so that is one less thing I will need to remember.

This afternoon Lem and I are going out to the house to see how it is progressing. We had so many things to do this week that we never got out there but once..............

Maybe I can get some good pictures to share later.

All Cut Out

2011-10-16T16:20:00.002-04:00

Here it is............. Mill Girls.............. It has taken most of the day but it is all cut and ready to stitch.............

Now if I can sew for a bit before cooking supper I can get a bit ahead.........

I am using Lucinda's gift as a Leader/Ender so I will be working on both of them at the same time............

2011-10-15T11:02:00.003-04:00

Anne Ida is hosting a Quilt Along to make Mill Hill Girls from Jennifer Chiaverini's pattern book More Elm Creek Quilts.

I have not yet completed the last quilt I began in her Quilt Along for Lucinda's Gift but I am half way finished with the blocks.......

Yes, I am going to do better with this one.........

We are planning to move before the 11th of November so I am rather busy these days but I am finding more time to sew by using the odd 10 to 15 minutes I can carve in each day.

The first week we are supposed to choose our fabric and cut the pieces for the blocks.......

Remember, I have those large bags of scrap fabric I purchased several years ago when I was getting the BOM's from Homestead Hearth.............

The first thing I need to cut is 80 four inch squares. I spent the last several hours sorting out fabric large enough and pressing it for cutting............

The original is done in brighter colors but I like CW Repro and since I have lots of it I plan to use it up. You can see the edge of the cream I am using for the background........ I will confess that I did purchase that from Thousands of Bolts. I never seem to have enough background fabric....

Now off to clear the kitchen and get dressed......... Yes, I am running a bit late but I wanted to get my fabric ready to cut........

Today Kim is having a birthday party for Andrew...... He is one year old...... Lem and I went shopping for a gift yesterday...... I do hope we selected the right thing....... A talking dump truck...

We can also take our laundry to wash at their house during the party. It will be WONDERFUL to have my own washer and dryer in three weeks........... Oh Happy Day...........

Reporting in

2011-09-30T18:02:00.004-04:00

Wednesday was Guild and after we ate lunch Lem and I headed to visit Rebekah in Lillington...

We got there in time for Rebekah to go with me to a new quilt shop.......Loving Stitches..... It is a great place to shop. I saw this placemat and of course I want to make some for the breakfast room.

She had an appointment on Thursday morning so I got to applique a wee bit while we waited. I have three flowers done and five left to do........ Then I can start on the first border. That means I am only one month behind on my Round Robin...........

I also got the fabric cut out for the two blocks I am making for the Guild block of the quarter. I might even get this one finished before it is time to watch TV with Lemuel tonight.......

Last night a bottle of root beer got too close to the back of the refrigerator and froze. Just as I was going to sleep it exploded.........

I started my day with taking everything out of the refrigerator and wiping it off and dealing with all of the broken glass...........

I met Pat at the house and we had a nice lunch together....... Lots of fun enjoying Girl Talk......

Then I had to give Wade Hamilton a bath when I got home.

Lem cooked supper tonight so I got to actually work in the studio for about an hour.....

Of course there were several phone calls catching up with family and friends...... All in all it was a pleasant day..............

Yesterday Was

2011-09-27T18:34:00.004-04:00

another one of those days.......... I had things timed perfectly...... I even thought I could get it all done............. I was so very wrong............... I am still carrying things forward that should have been done last week.

I did get the groceries purchased and the Wade Hamilton groomed but that is just about all. We went out to the house and usually Lem has to be home by 5:00 to watch the news..... Not yesterday. We got out there about 4:00 and got the car unloaded but he wanted to sit on the porch. Jason stopped by and we sat and talked till almost 7:00...... We did stop for BBQ on the way home but we were both really tired..............

I did get the cake baked that was on the list..... But that was all...............

I got a few petals of the flowers for my Round Robin block made and this morning I managed to get them all finished........... Now the large flowers are all ready to stitch in place........

We took another car full of things from the studio out to the house and found the painters there....... I haven't taken pictures in a long time so here are a few........

This is the family room looking toward the dining room and foyer...........

This is from the family room looking into the kitchen...............

And a better picture of the wee bannister for the stairs.......... Everything is covered in plastic and tomorrow they will be spraying the primer on everything..........

At last we are near the end of this project.......... Oh Happy Day!!!!!

YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS.............

2011-09-25T15:15:00.005-04:00

I actually finished something................. On the Shop Hop I got a lot of grief from my fellow quilters because I had never finished my Guild Name Tag.............. You are supposed to pay a quarter if you don't wear it and I had been sliding by....... They promised to double the fine for me if I didn't get it ready for the next meeting..........

Voila!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I do know that the ribbon is not perfect but I was finishing it 3 minutes before leaving for the meeting.............. At least I have a finish...............

Lots of Happy Dancing over this one............

Last night I took the last few stitches on this tea towel. I am so pleased to have the blanks ready so that I can reach into the cabinet to get one to stitch......... Since I didn't get any finished for the Church Bazaar this year I thought I would start for next year............. Jane goes to Sharon Church so I can make some for their bazaar too........ It is in May........

Last night I even got the last leaf on the center block for the Round Robin I am participating in...........

Today I plan to get the flower petals cut so that I can work on that tonight.......

Dillard (our contractor) told us that we should move in the first week in November............

Since so much of my sewing things are going into the attic for the time being we can start taking things out to the house and taking them upstairs........ We took the first car full yesterday. All from the studio........... Today we filled the car again. Can't take that out till after the painters leave tomorrow afternoon............

I have something in the back of my mind for the studio............. Maybe some thought will help me make it a more attractive place to work.....................

The Best Laid Plans.............

2011-09-22T17:50:00.003-04:00

of mice and men do often gang aglee................

Jane was coming this afternoon for a pleasant afternoon of knitting........ I had even organized the studio a wee bit more to make room for both of us...........

I had problems sleeping last night so I did not get up till 8:00...... I had not washed dishes last night...(just too tired) so I got the kitchen spiffed and then started making my Upscale Sloppy Joes in the crockpot. The recipe came from Coleen's Kitchen. She is on the side bar if you want to see what delightful culinary treats she has................

Then I made my first batch of scones..... The recipe came with my last order from King Arthur flour............ Naturally I had to stop in the middle of everything and go out for baking powder but finally I got them in the oven.

Pat called to say that she was in the area and wanted to meet for lunch. Her sister, Denise was with her. We agreed to meet at the new house and I would make sandwiches for us....... I called Jane and asked her to join us and then we could come back to my house to knit.........

I packed a delightful lunch. Turkey with provolone sandwiches, hot pumpkin scones, pickles and chips...... Beverages were added to the basket too. I even added placemats and napkins.....

We pulled up, got out of the car and then both of us locked it................ With both sets of keys inside..........

It took 1 hour for AAA to come...... After all, we are out in the middle of nowhere......... Mike with AAA arrived, unlocked the car and we really enjoyed the late lunch.

Pat and Denise had already left. Pat needed to get back to work...............

About 2:30 Jane and I decided to meet tomorrow and knit.

I sure am glad that I had supper in the crock pot............ That meant I could get a nap after we got home......

Now off to serve our dinner and maybe tomorrow we can get some knitting done........

Shop Hop..........

2011-09-20T08:49:00.007-04:00

I am a terrible Blogger......... Either I forget to take the pictures or I don't stop long enough to download them and type a few words........

Realistically while I think I have an exciting life I doubt anyone else would agree....

Last Thursday I went on my first Shop Hop........... A grand time was had by all. Rebekah came on Wednesday and stayed with us till Saturday morning so she could go along for the fun......

We left at 8:00 AM and the first stop was to buy a stool so that we could get in and out of the rented van.......... We covered 6 shops............

Yes I did forget to take pictures of 4 of them. What was I thinking.....About fabric of course.......

This is from the Whistle Stop in Cary, NC ............. Great shop.... My kind of fabric....... Lots of special touches.... Just the kind of thing I want to have for my home....

It was there that I discovered the Tuffet.......... Yes, one is in my future. I don't know how long in the future but I really do want one of these wonderful things.

You can find out more about them here.

This was another wonderful place..... Lots of patterns, fabric and notions.......

And here is the group at the end of the day............ Tired but still smiling.

2011-09-14T15:43:00.003-04:00

I had forgotten that I had taken pictures of us at the fundraiser on Friday night.

Here is Kim and Jason.............

And across the table are Lem and I.............

I actually got all of the center blocks completed for Lucinda's Gift............

Not being able to go back to sleep after waking up at 4:00 AM I finally got up at 5:00 and finished cutting out the last blocks............. Now to get them assembled.........

Today was Guild and of course there are always fabulous quilts there........ This one is being hand quilted.........

Someone saw a picture of this quilt and is making it from the picture. Each center is a gold button with a jeweled center....

Isn't this just the sweetest quilt for a darling girl?

Rebekah is coming tonight so I am fixing her favorite dinner........... Spanish rice...... Yum.....

Tomorrow we are going shopping with some friends............

I will let you know how it turns out...............

OUCH

2011-09-13T07:58:00.002-04:00

Jason got a picture of the house after the tree was removed.......... Rather large hole in the front and a limb went through the rubber roof on the back addition letting 24 hours of hard rain drench the contents. Sun out the next day and then that night another downpour......

The windows on the right are the living room and on the left was Lem's bedroom growing up.....

Thursday night we went out to eat with family. Friday night I got tickets from Sharon Church for dinner. Saturday night we had dinner at a fund raiser for Hugo Volunteer Fire Dept. Sunday Kim and Jason invited us to dinner with them. Boy is Kim a good cook.........

Last night I actually had to cook myself........ Leftovers from last week was my choice. That gave me time to sew yesterday afternoon.

I had knitting at church yesterday morning. Came home, fixed lunch and Jane and Beck stopped by....... Jane and I sat in the studio to chat leaving the men in the family room...... She and I are planning a day together next week...... We have some Christmas goodies to make.......

We did go out to the house late yesterday evening........ They have started on the screened porch..... The post are up on one side....... Mr. Bodine is still putting up the trim....... He is doing such a fabulous job. How good to watch a craftsman at work........

We might get out there during the day this week for some pictures.

Just what you wanted to see........ More pictures of the house.

I changed August Hopefuls to September Hopefuls....... Still hoping I will finish them I suppose.

I did get some work done on my Lucinda's Gift quilt yesterday......

This morning is the opening session of the study of The Prophets....... I found an interdenominational book study that meets on Tuesday morning....... We read The Screwtape Letters last session and that was quite an eye opener.......

I hope to be learning even more this time...........

I am in charge of installing officers for the Guild tomorrow and I need to type up something for that. I also want to make a wee giftie for each incoming officer..............

Oh well, time for me to dress and go. I do hope everyone has a good day.........

May the Lord bless you and keep you.............

I Haven't Been Idle

2011-09-10T08:21:00.002-04:00

Yesterday morning we had to meet the insurance adjustor at the house again. This time I took my stitchery and sat in the shade while he measured and calculated..........

I actually got the stitching done on one of the tea towels I made several weeks ago............

During the afternoon I finished the assembly of the disappearing four patch I am making for Kate to give as a gift. When Rebekah comes next week we can get the backing and batting. I already have the binding cut and ready...... We can assemble it and I can get it quilted and in the mail............. I have been listening to The Help while I am sewing.

We got chicken salad plate from Sharon Church last night so I could sew an hour longer yesterday afternoon. I actually got one more strip sewn on my second 1/3 of my Lucinda's Gift quilt...... Maybe if all goes well I can get them finished this weekend.

Lem and I stopped by J C Penny's yesterday afternoon and I found a pair of black dress slacks. Being short I will have to hem them. I want to wear them to church tomorrow.

Another busy day planned...... It will be interesting to see just how much I actually get done.

Reporting in

2011-09-09T08:24:00.002-04:00

One thing about living in Orleans, MA......... It was not a large town....only 14 square miles. You could go all over town doing errands with little time wasted in travel........

Here in Kinston it is much different...................... We are 15 to 20 minutes from anywhere I need to go............ On the days that we do errands it takes the entire day...........

Then there is the time spent doing the house blessing, laundry and cooking...............

Not to mention the time needed to read email and other blogs............

Did I mention sewing in there anywhere???? I thought not.

Added to the fun has been the housing problems we are having. The house on Perry Park has been condemned......... That means endless meetings with insurance people and lots of time for Lem and I to discuss our options and what we plan to do next............ The house on Hugo Rd needs a new roof because of Irene. Those arrangements take time on the phone. Some days I feel like all I do is talk to people. This has even caused me to miss guild meetings and other fun things..........

On Saturday of the recent holiday weekend Lem and I went to Lowes........ After all, Lowes knows and we needed to select the door knobs and purchase the cabinet knobs for the house. While we were there I saw that patio furniture was 50% off............. Too good to pass up and I wanted a table for my screened porch.......... Lem needed to think about that for awhile..........

By Sunday morning he had decided that we could get the table I had selected and four chairs. I called Lowes and they were still there. They agreed to hold them for one hour so we dressed and headed that way........... By now it is 9:30.......... We paid for the table and chairs, bought breakfast at McDonalds and headed home again. I left a message for Jason to call us because we needed him to use his truck to move the table and chairs.........

I worked on my little four patch blocks for the gift quilt I am making for Kate...... He called and said he would be glad to lend a hand and headed toward Kinston. We all went to Lowes AGAIN.. (third time in less that 24 hours for me)...... to get said table and chairs. They found one set still in the carton and two more chairs (I wanted six chairs).........I paid for the extra chairs and we loaded everything in the truck and headed to the new house............

Jason unloaded the boxes from the truck............ We unpacked them and Jason put the table together................... By then it is 1:30 and Jason mentioned lunch............. We went to Ayden for take out and came back to Grifton to sit around our new table..........

Now when I have my impromptu gatherings everyone will have a chair to sit on......

I spent Monday making my four patch blocks and catching up on blog reading.......

Tuesday I made cookies for the person putting up the trim in the house........ We took those to him and did a few more errands............

Wednesday was Guild............... Here are the pictures from Show and Tell..........

Front of the quilt..................

And back of the quilt................

And one lovely Railfence.....................

I actually got to sew yesterday.... I will post those pictures later.......... We met family for dinner out last night............... so I did not have to stop sewing early and cook...........

Today I had planned to spend sewing again but once again someone else has other ideas. The insurance adjustor wants to meet us at the Perry Park house once more.......... Looks like another day of errands instead............

Update

2011-09-03T08:18:00.005-04:00

I am trying to uncover the cutting table. I seem to be able to keep every room in the house in order except this one............. It is so very frustrating but then it is my own fault.......... Perhaps after we move and get settled in I can do better................

I did get all of the blanks made for tea towels........... Now I can embroider them and add some rick rack trim and they will be ready to go. I want to do at least 4 for the church bazaar but that is looking more doubtful by the minute.......................

I have the designs printed on Fabri Solvi for them. Now to find time to sit and stitch.

I did get most of the unpacking done yesterday............. We did laundry at Rebekah's so that was put away and now I have the ironing to do. Yes, I do still iron. I like for my clothes to look crisp and fresh and I just pretend that I am ironing quilting fabric so that works.........

Katie called and she needs a small baby quilt made in a hurry for a friend. Rebekah had the fabric for it so I brought it home to see what I could do quickly........... I have just over a yard of both pieces so I am thinking perhaps a disappearing four patch might work. I will have to look into that and see..................

Yesterday afternoon was spent with the insurance adjustor looking at the house. I had gotten the house blessing done by noon and had just enough time to fix lunch and get a quick shower before he showed up.

He looked here at Meriwether and told me that the items that were in storage in the garage and were ruined were not covered. The water blew in from below so that is considered flood damage. I have no idea yet just what was lost and right now I do not have the heart to go through it to see.........

When we moved to Massachusetts we kept our house and rented it.......... We took him there to look at the damage on it............ Part of the roof is damaged and some shingles are missing.

Then off the Lem's parents house to see the damage there.................... I wish I had a big bow to put on the top of the house........ Then it would be gift wrapped........... That big dent in the middle is where the tree went through it.................

Pat called and she was at the new house......... We met her there and finally got to meet her new husband...(of five years, we have been gone a long time...)... Jason and Kim stopped by so we all went out to eat...............

Today I am supposed to work on that quilt for Kate and find something to wear to church tomorrow..............

Oh and go shopping because we had to toss everything in the refrigerator and freezer.......

I think I will turn off the computer and start to sew a bit. Maybe I will have something to report tomorrow....................

IRENE................

2011-08-29T21:43:00.007-04:00

The lights went out at 6:00 AM Saturday morning............. They have just come back on..........

It has been in the high nineties with no air conditioning............. We have not raked the yard of debris or dragged the fallen limbs to the front for removal.........

We have been having one great time after another........ Rain started at 3:00 PM on Friday afternoon soon to be followed by punishing wind...........

We got a call from the couple renting Lem's childhood home saying that they were living somewhere else because the house was damaged.............

The wind and rain was still pounding us but we tried to drive over there to ascertain the damage............ Too many trees and power lines down........ We gave up and came on home. Jason went all around the county to get there................. He called to say that the house was a total loss.

Sunday morning we were able to try once more...... and we finally got there........... and this is what we found.................

Lem and Wade will give you some idea of the size of the tree that fell on the house................

This would have been the front door and front bedroom..............

It cut the house in half from front to back................ and is now resting on the floor..........

Even the car was covered.............

The Sherman's had just gone to bed when the tree fell........... The blessing is that they were able to get out............

Now we are waiting for the realtor to call us about the fellow with a crane to move the tree.....

It will be interesting to see what tomorrow brings............

Catching Up

2011-08-24T08:04:00.004-04:00

This past weekend was Lem's 50th class reunion..............

Friday night there was a cookout and Saturday was a prime rib dinner at a local restaurant.. He got to see lots of old friends.............

And then we indulged in an Eastern North Carolina tradition.......... A pig pickin'.......... There is the pig with some chicken added to the grill........... At least the head was removed this time. I don't like to have the head looking at me while I am trying to get a sliver of tenderloin..............

Saturday we went to Simpson to pick out counter tops.......... That is all done but to date I have no pictures of the sample................... We paused in Greenville long enough to pick up some interfacing............ I needed it to make a template for my center block on the upcoming Round Robin.......... I also got all of the pieces traced on freezer paper ready to cut out, the template made, and the bias made for the vines................ Now to cut out all of those pieces and get them ironed onto fabric............... In the mean time, if you don't know where to put something, just put it on the table in the studio................ Once again I will have to clean up before I can sew again.

Sunday morning Rebekah called to say that she had been admitted to the hosptal......... We put everything on hold to go to Dunn................. That is also what we did on Monday and yesterday. She might come home this today so I am going to stay at home to catch up on a few things..........

I haven't even been out to the house to see the progress.......... Maybe later today we can get out there............. Right now I have to get some bread baked.......We are totally out............. I am looking forward to having a freezer to keep an extra loaf in........................

Off to get the day started......... It promises to be a busy one.......... I might even get caught up on my blog reading one day...........

Show and Tell at Neuse Quilters Guild.........

2011-08-18T07:54:00.006-04:00

If you are ever going to be in Eastern North Carolina on any Wednesday let me know.......... You can join me at the Neuse Quilters Guild..................

Always great fun..................

The quilt pictured below is completely hand done................ Of course the ribbon is made of UNC material..................

This is also an opportunity to layer a quilt........... She started out alone but in a few minutes was joined by several others that helped get the quilt basted in no time at all...............

This quilt is being sent off to our local long arm quilter......... the blocks are 8 inches square and all done with crumbs............

A cute little quilt made to give to Ronald McDonald house..........

One member is becoming a grandmother and has already started the layette.

This will be the raffle quilt for the First Baptist Church (tickets $2.00). Lilly just finished quilting it and now it has to be bound and labeled.................

Click on this to see the outer border.......... She did a fabulous job of mitering the corners.

And a total of 16 pillow cases were finished for the Children's Oncology unit in Greenville.

A postage stamp quilt....... The tree skirt is only attached at the top giving the quilt a third dimension.....

Another quilt for the first grand child........

A quilted vest finished and ready to wear..................

A UFO back from the quilters............ As soon as the binding and label is on there will be some happy dancing going on at this household.

Another Care quilt ready to give...........

It seems that the world is a much warmer and brighter place with all of the things quilters do for others.....................

2011-08-16T08:59:00.004-04:00

DISCLAIMER: This may contain content that is boring to most people. However, I do have family and friends that live far away and this is my method of staying in touch and showing them exactly is going on in our life.

Friday we met Jason and Kim at the house.......... The bonus was that Amanda and Andrew came along too............ We didn't stay to long.... He learning to get around and there is too much to get into there that is not good for him..............

As we were leaving I noticed the sunset......

By Monday morning there were lots of boxes in the family room........ Hurray, the cabinets are here............

Some showed up Tuesday to start the assembly....................... And started opening the boxes...

This cabinet faces into the hallway.............. That hole in the wall has had a lot of people wondering just what we were going to do........... I do not like blind cabinets. You know the ones that you have to get down on the floor and just about climb inside to get something in the corner. The place you store things you rarely use and then use them even less often because you do not want to take them out or put them away.............. Some folks put a turntable in that corner and I had one in Orleans but I wasn't wild about that either........... The new kitchen has two corners to turn so that would net me two of those cabinets.......... I decided to have this one open into the hall way. It is near the dining room and the perfect place to keep napkins, placemats, napkin holders and individual salt shaker........ (I used to have some of those, I wonder if the made it here to NC. I will know when unpacking time comes)......

The second one is where the bar turns the corner and it will open into the breakfast nook......
I am getting too old to get down and get back up from the floor.........VBG.......

He started the assembly in the master bathroom...... Lots of storage space in this house. Now for the challenge of not using it................

Yesterday was a glorious gift from the Lord................ The weather is a bit cooler (in the 80's).

The lab test was better............ I had a grand time in fellowship with the prayer shawl ladies.....

After lunch we met with the contractor to look at steps on another house he had built.........(with the owners permission.) I really liked them so we will be doing something like that.......

Then we went out to the house to make the bannister selection....... I will have about 3 feet of banister showing going up to the STORE..........

Jason was in the area and stopped to say hello.......... Chad from Fergusons Supply came by to discuss faucets and such..................

Kim stopped in so we sat on the porch and had a good visit with her...............

We had take away for supper............. Went to bed at 9:00.......... I sure was ready.

Road Trip

2011-08-15T08:44:00.002-04:00

You can't take pictures when you leave your camera at home.........Silly Me.......

We went for a long ride on Saturday....... All the way to Oriental, Arrapaho, Dawson Creek, Chocowinity, and then toward home...........

Saw lots of things........ Trees..........Crops.............Water...............Church and Boy Scout Camps....

Lem went on a tour of the places of his youth.................

We had a grand and time.......... Did I do any stitching you ask......... Very little... Wade Hamilton and I had some one on one time and he got petted a LOT............

I did some stitching on my redwork quilt but not as much as I would have liked. We stopped at Bojangles in Ayden on the way home for a dinner and took it to the new house to eat. We have some chairs there so we sat on the back porch for lunch........ It will be nice when it is screened in and I don't have to fight the wee midges for my food...............

Then home for a rest....... Still no energy but that is what happens when you have Anemia. Yes, people that are overweight can be anemic........Who knew..............

Sunday was church.......... Wade was sick and his bedding needed to be washed. Alas, still no washing machine so that meant a trip to the laundramat.......... Then home to dry them (Rebekah got a new dryer and gave us her old one).

Today is going to be busy................ I have to give blood at the Doctor's office first thing and then is my prayer shawl group at church................. Bills to pay and Lem and I are going shopping for some new clothes........Lots of sales going on right now..............

Maybe I can get a stitch or two tomorrow............

And Did I Sew Today?

2011-08-12T16:09:00.003-04:00

NO...................

I thought I would get the kitchen chores out of the way and then head to the studio. Lem wants to go out of town tomorrow so that will mean no sewing for me........ I really need to get a few things accomplished with a needle..............

I thought I would make some pudding for Lem......... But I bought the kind that has to be cooked... Silly me.......

All done and I even sprinkled a few nuts on top.

I made salad dressing, cooked chicken breast for the freezer for meals later, repackaged the rest of the meats I purchased yesterday and put them in the freezer................ Fixed lunch...... By now I am out of steam. I had a wee toes up and then decided I needed to walk because I had a cone of Soft Serve yesterday so Lem and I headed to the mall to walk.............. I even spotted a few things I liked on sale as I went through a couple of stores. We will go back for them later.

Home again and I made a tossed salad for dinner..... diced nectarine, dried cranberries and sliced almonds......... I will use a raspberry vinaigrette dressing on it..........

Got the spaghetti sauce bubbling...............

Of course it is now 4:30 and I need to be back in the kitchen by 5:30 so that we can eat at 6:00...

Oh well, maybe I can sew next week..............

This picture is for my sister Jean. She shared some cuttings that she was rooting with me... I added a slip of coleus to it.......... What a lovely picture it makes in my kitchen window.

Now I am going to tackle the tea towels again. I do want to have at least 6 for the church bazaar. Then I can move on to Lucinda's gift................

And How Did the Day End

2011-08-11T17:36:00.005-04:00

Well, we did go grocery shopping............ And then stopped to look at appliances. After all I will have to purchase some soon.......... I found a freezer that had a good sale price so we bought it. They will keep it for us till the house is ready..............

Then it was lunch (late) and I was ready for a rest after that.........

We wanted to check the mail in Grifton so we rode out to the house.......

Yes, more boring pictures of the inside of an unfinished house...........

The studio is the first one in these pictures.........

And Jean, and Pat and Rebekah and Lu ................. (and any other guest we might have). Here is your room.........

View from front door into family room....

View from family room into breakfast nook.............

Kitchen and breakfast nook..........

Dining room from the family room....................

Now time to cook............ BBQ pork chops, mashed potatoes, tossed salad with fresh fruit........

Quick and easy......... Maybe I will stitch a bit tonight................

What To Do?

2011-08-11T09:40:00.002-04:00

Grocery shopping is in my future today.......... Lem hasn't said yet when he wants to go so I can play in the studio till then...........

But What To Do First?????? That is the question.............

I like tea towels............. LuAnn at Loose Threads (HERE) had a picture once on her blog of things at a Quilt Show and one of the booths in the picture was Bird Brain Designs. (HERE) and the rest as they say is history........... I figured out a way to make my own tea towels..... Some with a scalloped edge and some with rick rack trim........ I think they are lovely gifts.........

I cut up all of my white muslin into the correct size and I am going to try to make two tea towels each day to be ready for the design.......... There are a couple of products on the market now that you can use to transfer your design by printing the pattern onto a special sheet using your computer and then just stick it to your fabric.......... When the embroidery is done just wash away. How cool is that?

So this morning I need to do my two tea towels.......... Finish two dish cloths.......... And according to the list on my sidebar I should be working on Lucinda's gift.........

Now that I have made that decision I will listen to a book while I stitch. Maybe pictures later.

We Are Home Once More......

2011-08-06T20:40:00.005-04:00

And you probably did not even know that we were gone............ My niece was visiting my sister in Richmond, VA so Lem and I went to join in the fun......................

I made bread and cookies to take with me as a hostess gift and we left Thursday afternoon. It took just over 3 hours to get there............

Tonight I am tired and ready for a long rest..........

My sister sets such a lovely table......... And she is a good cook too. I came home with several great recipes...........

Bill (brother in law) and Lem........

Jean (sister) and Mary Katherine (niece)................

After we got back to Lenoir County we stopped at Jason and Kim's to see Andrew.....

He is learning to crawl. Instead of using both knees he uses one knee and one foot to scoot along.... He sure lights up with a big smile when he sees his granddaddy........

But then Grand daddy lights up too................

Round Robin

2011-08-03T07:52:00.002-04:00

Sunny at Quilting Dreams (HERE) has come up with an idea for a Round Robin........ It sounds like a chance to improve my skill a wee bit so I thought it would be fun to join.

The first step is to make your center block. I have been looking around for something and today LuAnn at Loose Threads (HERE) showed a table topper she just finished with the perfect center block. Now to find time do draft it...........

Oh this is going to be so much fun................

Today is Guild so I must away..............Later............

Another Red Letter Day

2011-08-02T16:56:00.005-04:00

Yesterday Jane and I made our second trip to Greenville for shopping............ Such fun we have and we also stop at Olive Garden for Soup and Salad.............

Since we both liked the flowers out front I got some pictures of the arrangements. Gathering ideas for my own garden.............

I have never seen Lambs Ear with such large leaves......

I got more pink fabric for tea towels and a skein of yarn for a matching dish cloth.

Some Rick Rack to put on the bottom of some tea towels, two skeins of DMC that I needed, Pearl Cotton for embroidery, snaps, scissors (on sale) for trimming my applique pieces and two packages of Aida. I have an idea for a pillow and if I get it done I will share it with you.

Also an assortment of zippers for coin purses I hope to get made for the church bazaar........

Barbara at the Sanguine Stitcher (HERE) is always making something lovely to wear. Her success is encouraging and I am going to give it a try once more with Jane to help me with the measuring....................... The green dress on the left pattern is the first one I plan to try.

When I got home I found my Monthly Mini Quilt from Temecula Quilt Company... (HERE) Now I have three to get done................

I also got my yarn order from Herrschners (HERE) in the mail........ They have sale right now on a bag of yarn for $12.99.............. Their choice........ I ordered two bags and I now have enough for four prayer shawls and of course hats made from the leftovers...........

I even got a book with some different patterns that was on sale.............

We fit in a couple of consignment shops and I found this great bag............

We had just the best time.................. We even stopped for soft serve ice cream on the way home.

I had laid out a frozen meal from several weeks ago so dinner was all ready to warm up when I got home...............

We went to visit Jason and Kim and then home for some TV and to unwind till bedtime.........

It was a great day.........

Thanks Jane....................

Week One is Finished

2011-07-31T19:19:00.002-04:00

Okay so most participants have finished three weeks and are starting to assemble their quilts but the best I have so far is the first week. I am going to keep right on till I get this puppy done.

Thanks so much to Anne Ida at Quiltaholic for inviting me to join in............

I also got the strips cut for the next section. Seriously doubt I will get them finished next week either but that is okay.......... One day they will be done...........

Yes, I do have on block turned wrong in the first picture. Wade Hamilton walked across my blocks before I could get the picture and I failed to get that one turned around. Sorry, just feeling really tired today and some histamines have attacked me so I am having problems even thinking.....

Our First Gathering..............

2011-07-29T07:26:00.004-04:00

When we were checking on the house earlier this week I noticed a lovely breeze on the not yet screened porch........... I then thought it would be fun to ride out there one evening after the news (Lem has to watch the news) and sit on the porch with a cool drink......... I also thought that having someone else to chat with would be good so I called the family and issued the invitation to bring a chair and join us.............

This is the group that greeted us when we arrived. Well, we did have to drive farther than they did....

Left to right is Kim, Jane, Beck, Lem and Jason.........

While we were there a neighbor came by to say hello........ She had one grandchild with her....

And was followed by another one.........

We sat and talked and got acquainted with the neighbor........ It was GRAND........

What a wonderful blessing from Our Heavenly Father........

Maybe we can do it again next week.................

Now for the ubiquitous house pictures........... The sheet rock crew is working this week....... So far they have the ceiling up and 1/2 of the walls...........

This is looking into the dining room from the family room......

And from the family room into the foyer (right) and hallway to guest room and studio (left).

And from the front door toward the family room........... The area looks larger than it really is because of the archways being so open. I wanted a place for family and friends to gather and enjoy good fellowship.

Now off to finish the house blessing and perhaps I will get a chance to sew a bit today........

Where did the Week Go?

2011-07-28T07:59:00.004-04:00

I can't believe it is Thursday already............... I can't imagine where the week disappeared to......

Monday morning I met with a group at church to knit ...... Monday afternoon we had first one guest and then another drop by to say hello. I so very much enjoy that and I know that when we move again it will not happen as often.

That meant that some tasks were left undone and not much sewing was done but there is so little time to be with family and friends that we need to enjoy the moments of fellowship when we can........

I did get the another tea towel for Jane and I ready to stitch...............

And I finished my applique BOM from Linen Closet Quilts..............

I also got a start on one of my tea towels..........................

On Monday at the knitting group there was a large box of yarn that had been donated. It looked a lot like this but was much bigger.....................

I have been working on it every evening this week and this is what I have so far.............

Yesterday was Dr. appts for Lem, errands and laundry....... Whew........... That sure was too much in one day............... Today I must do the house blessing and a few organizing task in the house.......... Maybe tomorrow I can devote to sewing and just relaxing.............

I have done a few blocks of Lucinda's gift but nothing big enough for a picture yet........ Lately I have forgotten to take my camera...........

I called Jane and Joyce to tell them that we are going out to the house at 7:00 this evening for about 30 minutes to sit on the porch and look at the geese on the lake and feel the breeze........ I invited them to join us......... We will see if anyone shows up. Maybe I should fix a tray of savories just in case some one shows up........... Hmmmmm.......... Any suggestions other than a few finger sandwiches?

2011-07-24T12:49:00.009-04:00

I grabbed this to have something to stitch at the guild meeting. I bought the kit several years ago at a quilt show and I had already made 7 of 32 of the embroideries.......... I decided to work on this off and on for awhile with the goal of getting it completed. (No, it is not on the list but I am beginning to think that the list is just a suggestion....)

I have traced a few more and have it by my chair in the family room to stitch when I can.

Dawn Heese at Linen Closet Quilts is offering a BOM......... You can find the link HERE.....

She is also offering a 20% off sale till Tuesday....... You can find that link HERE....

I went through my big bag of scraps and got the first offering ready to stitch.... She has such lovely designs............ (Another thing that is not on the list...........)

I picked this kit up at the Morehead City Quilt Show..... Wanting a gift for a friend I got it stitched up right away.............

I even got two tea towels made, one for Jane and one for me....... Now we are already to stitch...

The cotton is looking good...... I can see lots of white flowers forming.........

The corn got rain in time to make so there is hope for the farmers in this area........
Some in neighboring counties were not lucky and their crop is gone.....

As always here is a picture of the house......... The insulation is in place and now we will wait for men with sheet rock to put in the walls..........

I did get a picture of the back from a distance........... I might get to unpack this year after all.

On a Rabbit Trail

2011-07-21T09:29:00.006-04:00

I was making some (not very much) progress on my July list........ I had already acknowledged that part of it would roll over into August but that was fine with me......... Just as long as I am making some progress.............

Then Anne Ida at Quiltaholic announced a quilt a long....... You can find it HERE.....

It is the Lucinda's Gift quilt from an Elm Creek book...........

I went out the garage and finally located some fabric to use......... I brought it inside and pressed it carefully....... Just to let you know, this took several days....... Days right now are filled with meals and errands and dishes and such.......................

I began cutting my fabric till I had enough for a start and I have it all laid out ready to stitch.......

I did finish my June Thangles blocks........ July hasn't come yet so at least I am up to date for a few more hours.............

Wednesday I finally made it to the Guild meeting and this time I brought my camera... You can tell from this shot that I was concentrating on the quilt............Look at those lovely paper pieced blocks........

This is a quilt made for Greene County.....

This one was made from a panel and I sure do wish I could find some of those interesting panels....

This is a finished Turning Twenty Quilt.......

And a Quilt of Valor all done...........

And another lovely one........... I did not see the pattern completely till I looked at the picture...... I really need to remember to take more pictures of quilts before assembly to make sure there are no errors...........

And the ubiquitous house pictures............ The siding is complete and the insulation is up on the inside..............

But the best part of all is that Pat came for dinner last night.......... We haven't seen each other in over a decade.............. I am so glad to be close to Pat again..................

Now to get back to my sewing for a few hours.............

Whew.....

2011-07-16T11:18:00.004-04:00

I finally finished the hand quilting on Andrew's quilt. I know you thought it would never happen and I was beginning to think so myself.................. Now for the binding and the label and I can give that darling boy his quilt hopefully before his first birthday...........

Due to a medical procedure Rebekah came down this for a few days this week to help her father while I was feeling woozy........(No Duplin County wine was involved)

She and I were in the studio talking yesterday when Kim stopped by......... It was wonderful to see her. She works full time and takes care of her home and family and as we know that leaves little time for visiting but yesterday she got off work early and came over..... It was grand with the three of us sitting and talking........ Just what I have missed for years and I am relishing every moment now...........

A short time later, Jason stopped by.......... He helped his father take the plastic off of the boat, wash it out and put the cover on to protect it.................

I jokingly said to Lem, "Let's all go to Ruby Tuesday's for dinner tonight." We were all surprised when he agreed. He isn't much for eating out and normally I agree but I was still feeling rather tired and did not want the good times of us being together to end.

The lighting was bad and Jason suggested using a cell phone to read the menu.......... Let me tell you girls, it works a treat...............

There is Jason and Rebekah........

And Kim sat beside me........... I should have taken another picture of her but as I said, it was really dark there and I did not realize that her eyes were closed..............

How wonderful it is to have family all around to be with.....................

Thank you Lord for so many blessings................

Siding At Last

2011-07-13T07:35:00.003-04:00

A quick check yesterday and we found that they are adding the siding to the house......

Lem and I looked at house for days trying to find just the right color and this is the final choice......

Yesterday afternoon I finally got the blocks ready for the Guild Swap........... Now I have one more item to check off of my July list.............. After looking at it yesterday I decided that I will never get all of that done in one month. Perhaps it will run into August............

I Am Not a Shopper........

2011-07-12T08:09:00.006-04:00

Let me be begin with that statement. I much prefer to go out, get what I need and come home. That is why I miss so many things that are on the market now.....

Since we are in NC now I am enjoying being with family as much as possible so when my sister-in-law, Jane called and asked if I wanted to go to Greenville with her Monday and shop I said yes. A few hours spent with her would be fun and I did need some solid fabrics to make tea towels so I said 'Of course'...............

We left at 10:00 yesterday morning and half way there I realized that I had not put my camera in my bag..........How foolish is that..........

We went to JoAnn Fabrics first and picked up some fabric.................. A couple of Christmas prints that were on sale and the needed solid fabrics.

We also selected yarn to make dish cloths to go with our tea towels. I wanted to get the yarn for Jane as a gift. After all she drove...........

We found some porch and garden items on sale for 70% off. That is the kind of thing you find when you shop often.........

While I was waiting to get my fabric cut she said that she was going to the front to pay for her purchases (a pack of pins and some knit markers)..........

Bless her heart........ She paid for my yarn..........

And the four plant ornaments I had selected.........

After that we went to Best Buy to look at MP3 players and appliances....... Jane is a great one to take shopping.... She ask all the right questions like, "if she buys several appliances what kind of discount can she expect?"............

We had a nice relaxed lunch at Olive Garden and even divided a desert and had coffee........

We wandered around Barnes and Noble for awhile..........

Then back to Kinston........... I could not believe that it was almost 5:00 PM..............

It was a glorious day.................

Thank you Jane...............

I Haven't Been Idle

2011-07-10T08:06:00.002-04:00

I got three quilts ready for Lilly. She will come again on the third Wednesday of this month so I will have something for her to take back with her.............. I even know where to find the binding fabric for two of them............ No, I have not finished binding the only one of the three she quilted last time.......... Maybe I can get to it soon.

I also got the first dishcloth for July completed. I have also been pegging away at Andrews Quilt. I have one half of the last row to quilt and it will be ready for binding. When that project is complete perhaps I can work on some smaller ones that will finish more quickly.... I do want to start quilting my GFG............ Maybe three threads a day?

And I could not leave without one last picture of the house. It is hard to get good pictures inside because they always come out so dark.......... and there is no electricity inside yet. Just lots of boxes for it............. Anyway..... This was taken in the family room....... Looking out toward the lake.............. There was such a lovely breeze that day................ I would have liked to have stayed and had a picnic on the porch................

Yes, more house pictures............

2011-07-07T10:08:00.002-04:00

The hardwood floor is down now........... I chose #2 Red Oak............ When it was delivered Jason pulled a small piece off of the stack to take home to show Kim....... It happened to have some writing on the back......... In Spanish........... I gave it to Joyce and she took it to a friend for a translation........ it said..... "I Really Need a Raise".............. Imagine him getting that one small piece of flooring from that entire bundle that had writing on it.........

As I said, it is #2 flooring..... Has lots of worm holes and knots and other natural spots of character................. It is lovely and it is going to be even lovelier after it is finished........

I got this quilt out to press and get ready to be sent for quilting. There was backing fabric in the bag with it......... Then I found that I was 2 yards short of the needed backing...... I do have some of the white that I could add to the blue backing fabric but then I thought it would look even better to put some of the blocks in the back........ No, I don't know where the scraps are for this quilt. They are somewhere in those multitude of totes and boxes in the garage...........

I have made a decision to pack up the entire thing till after the move and the GREAT UNPACK.... then I will be able to find the scraps, make the additional blocks and I will be much happier with the quilt. Now to find another quilt to get ready.............

Reporting in

2011-07-04T13:05:00.002-04:00

I finally finished the last stitch on my Streak of Sunshine quilt. The pattern is on Bonnie Hunter's site......HERE..

This shows why I should have cleared off the design board sooner and put this quilt on it... Did not even notice the problem till it was quilted............ Yes, I do know better but since we got to NC I seem to make one foolish error after another. Perhaps one day soon I will be in the groove again.

Jane came by one day last week with a new dishcloth pattern to share. We sat and knit and chatted and just enjoyed being together.......... This is the outcome........

Thanks Jane for such a pleasant day..........

And of course the ubiquitous House Pictures.

Jason has just walked from the dining room into the family room. That big opening should be an arch way.........

This is the master bedroom looking out to the back..........

The back porch is ready for the concrete to be poured. Probably tomorrow.........

The garage is poured and now I have sturdier steps leading into the house. Jason even nailed up a hand rail for me.......... He sure is a good son.

And the front porch is poured........

Lem's computer is in for repairs and we are sharing mine right now. That means I am able to be online less........ Maybe I will get something done on that LONG list for July.......

Now off to make a couple of batches of cookies. I am giving each crew a batch of cookies and tomorrow will be the Heat and Air workers and the the crew that Pours Concrete...........

Hope all are having a safe and happy holiday................

This Wasn't on the List....

2011-06-28T08:23:00.004-04:00

No this is not on the list of things to do this week........... BUT........it was in a puddle under the ironing board after I had sewn the ends together and the easiest way to get it up was to stitch it up........... Now it is in the 'Lets Go to Greenville' bag so that I can find some fabric for the borders and backing...........

This was on the list...... I did get the second KAL for July finished. Now do I wait for July or forge ahead with the last one for May? Only time will tell.

That is supposed to be a bird in there somewhere.......... Kind of cute........ The yarn had some slubs in it and that made one side a bit wonky but it was made to wash dishes with.

For some time now I have been following Leah Day on Free Motion Quilting Project....(HERE)

Now that I have retired and have more time I thought it was reasonable for me to learn to turn some of my tops into quilts......... I have purchased many books and some DVD's on machine quilting. I finally realized that purchasing the instructions did not give you the ability. I read some of them and tried a few projects and I have even done some stippling on quilts but I was never satisfied that I was doing in RIGHT..........

Several weeks ago I ordered Leah's Basics for Beginners........... Today I plan to watch the DVD while I wait for the butter to soften for the cookies (forgot to take it out of the refrigerator last night).

This is the quilt that was chosen for the experiment......... Let's see what happens.

Rainy Monday

2011-06-27T09:03:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I realized that I have been moving just a bit too slowly. Things don't get done on time as they should.

I am behind on so many things and it is time to buckle down and get the ball rolling......(how is that for mixing metaphors?)

I noticed that I had put a TO DO list on the side bar. They were things I was supposed to accomplish 3 weeks ago. Instead I forgot the list entirely...............

I also failed to keep up with some task at home and got caught Saturday with some dishes in the sink......... UGH........... I will be pleased to have a dishwasher again to hide that sort of thing.

Last weekend I cleared out some things from the studio and make my signs for the card holders of things I wanted to do............ They number 30...........

Hopefully this week I can show a bit more progress...........

I did finish the dishcloth for the first half of June.......... Now on to getting some more things in the finished column.

Another Day with a Life of Its Own.........

2011-06-25T20:11:00.007-04:00

The plan was to drop off a book at the library, a loaf of bread to a friend, take a table template out to the house and spend the rest of the day sewing............

I did get to the library and the bread delivered. I came home and made the table template and we headed out to the house.......... But as we were getting into the car we had friends stop by.....

We all came into the house and wasn't I glad I had made those lemon crisp cookies yesterday to serve..........We had a grand time catching up..........

Then off once again............. Lemuel wanted to see a few old places on the way home and then it was time to get dinner ready.......... Oh well, maybe I can sew on Monday............

The original plan was to use Carbonized Bamboo.............. And then I saw this second grade Red Oak............. It was love at first sight.......... Knot holes and worm holes and just LOTS of character....... Well, here it is............. Ready to be installed.........Next week maybe?

This is looking from the breakfast nook........ Maybe one day there will be people on the other side........

Looking from the back of the family room toward the front door. The dining room is off to the right. That will all be open..............

Guestroom..................

Tub and shower in the guest bath..............

Studio..........

2011-06-24T09:21:00.000-04:00

Yes, more house pictures........

We had a grand Father's Day. Both of the children were here and I fixed a rather good lunch.... Jason and his father watched the race together and Rebekah and I enjoyed just being together. Rebekah stayed with us till Monday afternoon and she had to go back to Lillington......

After that I seemed to get a slight hitch in my get-a-long and just laid around till Thursday. Just had no energy at all.........

All better now and back to taking house pictures........ When we went out to the house on Thursday they were finishing the roof......

Not much to see on the inside except plumbing and wiring.........

This is the attic............... It is supposed to be the second floor but we are not finishing it now because we really don't need the space. I am planning to put my stash up here and all of the other things that can be stored till I am ready to use them.

While Rebekah was here she helped me do a bit more sorting and organizing in the Studio....

Jason brought the second cabinet in from the garage for me to use in my room..........

It still looks rather over done but maybe I can get some more things out of there soon........

If I could only find time to sew...................

What a Day.....

2011-06-16T09:25:00.006-04:00

Yesterday was quite an 'On the go' day.

I did take pictures of my boys to show to a few friends.............

And then off to Guild.

We are finishing up the quilts for Greene County tornado victims........ Everybody busy working on something.......

There was even a little one on one instruction going on.........

Then it was out to lunch with the girls and off to painting class.

I have no idea why I did not take any pictures after the Guild meeting. I will try to better next week.

I did get to the laundramat...UGHHHH and then picked up fried shrimp from The Sandpiper for dinner.

After that we headed off to check on the house progress.........

HURRAY............ It is dried in now and the plumber starts his work on Monday.... Maybe even the electrician too............

Now for a day of sewing and home making........... I think I will even add a list on the side bar of what needs to be done in the studio...........

This and That

2011-06-14T08:38:00.004-04:00

Lem took me shopping. I needed another dress for church and there was a sale going on at my favorite store - J.C. Penny's..........Since I am actually losing weight now my clothes are too big. Actually two sizes too big...........

I saved enough on the dress to get some jewelery to go with it............

The plan yesterday was to finish the binding on this quilt for the Guild.........

But instead, Joyce stopped by and we went to thrift shops.......

I found this crock and it was free..........

A few glass dishes and a card holder........

A Bicentennial plate for Robert because he likes Eagles.......

And Joyce bought this bowl for me.........

Isn't it lovely...... I plan to put it on the table in the entry.........

The final item was this lovely little dish.......... I just could not resist............

Today we have errands to do again............They seem to never end.

2011-06-12T10:01:00.004-04:00

Rebekah and Robert came from Lilllington yesterday and we did a bit of exploring...... Robert is such a good soul for looking for things and going from one store to another and stopping for a bite to eat anywhere you would like.........

Since we were going the New Joanne Fabrics in Greenville, I wanted to eat at Olive Garden. Lem wanted to stop at the Dixie Queen in Winterville so I agreed to the change.

Then we say the billboard for Cracker Barrel. Rebekah had a Audio Book to return to Cracker Barrel so we ended up stopping there.

This little tchotchke was 25% off so it came home with me........ It is in the African Violet that my sister Jean gave me until I get my coleus potted.......

At Joanne Fabrics I got the notions for two purses with matching inserts. One for me and one for Kim.......... If Kim does not like my selection I can give the purse to someone else or keep for myself.........

I got the pink fabric for me and the brown for Kim............ I seem to wear a lot of pink this time of year and Kim wanted something that went with lots of things......

I got the baking for the quilt I am making for the guild..........

And this was on sale for 1/2 price so some came home with me..........

This was also 1/2 price and I did need one.............

Then we stopped by the house to check on progress.

This is the front from the right hand side. I am now wondering if the garage is too prominent when looking at the front....... Maybe the landscaping can make it seem less obvious.

Front porch is looking nice. Lem is waving from the center window upstairs.....

This is the garage side........ The area over the garage will be perfect for the Long Arm Quilter is I should ever own one...........

And of course the back porch............. 98% of the time we are out there there is a lovely breeze..... It will be nice to sit out there in the evenings and watch the geese..........

What, Friday Already?

2011-06-10T08:19:00.006-04:00

I sure am glad that I had that nice quiet day at home........ Things got real busy after that.........

Tuesday afternoon we went to check on the house progress.......

This is the back view with the porch where we can sit and stitch and enjoy looking at nature....

If it gets too hot we can go dip our toes in the lake and cool off................ It is not really as big as it appears in the picture..........

Wednesday is Guild Day........ We are making quilts for the tornado victims in Green County. They were hard hit by tornadoes in April so we are doing what we can.

Some people tacked quilts...........

Our Fearless Leader sewed on Labels............

Others stitched binding.............

Another group tying quilts...............

And we bought our next BOM to be completed in August..............

And here is Lem.......... The darling that keeps the home fires burning while I am out and about.

And not to forget.................... Our darling Wade Hamilton................

Yesterday should have been an easy one........... Dr's appointment at 9:40, hair cut at 12:30 and somewhere in there get a shingles shot for Lem............

The doctor's office was unusually busy and we did not leave there till almost noon. The Beauty Shop is 30 minutes from here so I took Lem home, grabbed 1/2 of a bagel and headed out again. I was running late............ I have this rule, if you are late DO NOT make up time by speeding. That puts others at risk (not to mention yourself ) and it is not their fault that you are late.

I did call to tell Jean that I would be a few minutes late............. It worked out fine. Her next appointment came in just as I was leaving so I did not interfere with her day......

We were supposed to be at Walgreens at 2:00 to get Lem's injection...... We were there but the pharmacist that did that was not........ After all things do happen so we agreed to come back at 3:00. Good thing we are living in town right now and were just a few blocks away. In fact we could have walked if the temperature had not been 100............

I am so glad that we planned to have dinner out last night....... Shrimp from The Sandpiper. Yum................

A Nice Quiet Day

2011-06-08T08:25:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was a nice quiet day at home....... I worked on my basket blocks and watched the birds and squirrels. I have never seen a squirrel play with a stick before but there was one in the back yard playing with a stick just like a dog would.........

Lem moved the bird bath so that I could see it from my window and the birds kept it busy all afternoon.

I got my basket blocks finished and this is the fabric that was lying around so I used it for the sashing , cornerstones and borders.

Now it is all together and sandwiched and ready to quilt. I sure do hope to get it quilted and finished before Saturday's deadline.

To make the day even better, the Mini Quilt arrived from Temecula Quilt Company. Now something else to play with.............................

Off to Quilt Guild and then lunch with the girls and painting class. Wednesdays sure are busy.

I have Lem's lunch fixed and in the fridge.......... Supper will be fish grilled on the new Griddler that arrived in the mail this morning........

All in all a very good day ahead................

Yes, more house pictures............

2011-06-07T10:30:00.005-04:00

Lem and I rode out to the house again yesterday...........

This is the back where the studio will be...........

And this is the front.........

Another back view with the screened porch..........

Side view with the master bedroom.........

There is Lem up on the second floor.

I did finish 7 Cool Ties and get them delivered to the workers.......

And made five blocks for my Small Quilt Challenge...

And even a batch of cookies to share................

I got the house vacuumed, the kitchen and bathroom mopped and a few other house hold chores done..........

All in all it was a good day.............

2011-06-05T10:18:00.008-04:00

I did get some basket blocks cut out for my Small Quilt Challenge......... But that is about as far as I got................The back has been a problem for several days now which means little is getting done.

Jane came by yesterday and we sat and sewed together. She is helping me make the Kool Ties for the framers............

Then Lem and I rode out to look at the house................ Remember, a blog is a diary of sorts and this is my diary of our house being built. Boring for most people but we do have family and friends far away that will enjoy the pictures.

This was at the end of the day on Friday.......... Front View

Some of the sheeting is up on one side.......... That corner will be my sewing room..

The stairs were in so Lem went up to the roof.........

By Saturday most of the outside was enclosed...........

Jean, this is your room looking from the hallway door to the inside of the room......

The stairs to the second floor..............

And I got one good picture from the second floor.

Maybe Now I Can Sew

2011-06-01T14:11:00.006-04:00

My Small Quilts Yahoo Group is having another challenge and I want to join in.

And I am working on my Strawberry Fields Quilt as a Leader/Ender.

I even got the Janome cleared off enough yesterday to finish quilting the Care Quilt.

But the rest of the Studio is a disaster........ Piles of things everywhere. I decided that I needed a bookcase but we are trying not to buy anything until we move again.........

I happen to have another cabinet like this one in the garage.......... I thought that when Jason came over again he could help Lem bring it into the house but I needed a place to put it.

I took the three drawer carts that were stacked on this wall and put them under the tables. That left this wall blank and all ready for the cabinet...........

I put the little two drawer cabinets on the long table.

It still doesn't look all that great but at least I can move around better and I might even get some sewing done........

2011-05-31T15:53:00.006-04:00

The week started off well. I got the house vacuumed........ It take just under 20 minutes to vacuum the whole house. That is just the floors...... Not the baseboards and pictures. More of a quick Pick Me Up.

Then I made two loaves of bread....... Jason stopped by and took one with him when he left...

Decided to take a few pictures of the house......

Kitchen......

Another view of the kitchen.

Next I found the Bali Strips that I bought several years ago...... Thought they would make a great Lasagna Quilt for Kim..... Got those strips sewn together and then moved on to something else........

Living/Dining room.......

View from the other side.....

Just the dining area............

Bedroom.........

Bathroom.......

Next I layered the quilt for Greene County.......... It is all together and quilted. Now to add the binding and it will be finished.

This morning the Framer called and wanted us to meet him at the house...... He had a few questions......... Of course we headed right out there........

They sure have made a lot of progress...... And it is HOT here today .......

Much discussion going on.............

And one good view from the front right corner............

That strange looking piece sticking off from the front was put there to provide a bit of shade when they eat lunch............

Came home and baked cookies........... Put away 7 things in the studio............

Sherman (our car) has gone for a sleep-over at a local garage............ Of course that will mean that I miss Guild tomorrow.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring..............

Arghhhhhhhhhh

2011-05-30T09:11:00.004-04:00

I have been trying for a week to post something........To no avail. Blogger would not let me in....

I was almost caught up on my blog reading and was even starting to post more frequently when something went wrong somewhere in the system somewhere.

I even began setting up another blog yesterday BUT.......... Lo and behold this morning here it is working again...........

Last Monday was the first meeting of the Home Owners Association that we were able to attend.

We met some of out neighbors (not that I can remember anyone's name) and discovered that the purchase of a golf cart is in our future....... That is the way people get around the neighborhood..............

Rebekah came Wednesday morning and went with me to Guild. I forgot my camera and did not get any pictures.

After Guild I had a painting class. One of the girls I went to high school with teaches painting furniture and of course I signed up....... I am painting a table and a mirror.... It was great fun.

Rebekah went with me Wednesday night for the Girls Night Out with more classmates. It seems that the group gets together quite a lot.......

We did find time before going out to eat to go to Wal-Mart and purchase a gas grill for Lem for Father's Day.

Jason stopped by on Thursday morning to fix the dripping faucet and he put the grill together for us..... I will take a picture later.

Now for the HOUSING UPDATE................

The brick that was delivered had now become a foundation.

With stacks of concrete blocks inside for the house to sit on.......

This is the sunset as we were leaving Fountain Hill on Monday night. The colors were much more vivid. God makes the most lovely colors..........

This is the front left side of the house as you are facing it. That would be the doorway into the utility room and the wall on the left would be the master bathroom...........

This is a view of the entire front.......... Your room (should you come for a visit) will be on the right front of the house......

I know it would be the proper thing to put the guest room on the back so that they could enjoy the view of the lake but I am keeping that for myself for my studio....... I will spend more time in the studio than anyone else would in the guest room........

Now off to blog reading to try to get caught up again.

I Haven't Been Idle

2011-05-23T09:02:00.006-04:00

I wanted to make some pincushions for the Guild to give as gifts to visitors. I selected the Bicornu pincushion. I went to Quiltsalott for the tutorial.........

I used a charm pack for the fabric......Just needed to trim a 1/2 inch from each piece. I tried making some without trimming but as the instructions said, "Smaller is better"

All stuffed and ready for buttons............

I managed to locate my bag of buttons........ At one time they were in a lamp but I left the lamp in Massachusetts and just brought the buttons.......

Fourteen of these lovely little pincushions........

I also finished the two Vintage pincushions that I was making for Rebekah and I...........Well not quite.......... They need to be hot glued to the base but I don't know where the glue gun is right now. That is such an easy thing that I am counting it as a finish...........

I got April and May Thangles BOM's made..........

I also have the finishing fabric pack from Emma's Quilt Cupboard. I might just get it cut out and ready for the day when all the blocks are done.......... There will be some kind of border on each block and I could get them ready for assembly...........

I got the center done for the Guild Care Quilt. I haven't found any fabric that I like for the next border yet............( you can see the February and March Thangles blocks in this picture)

And to make the weekend complete, Jason stopped by with Kim and Samuel and Amanda. Lem is in the center with Wade Hamilton......... And he is hiding.........

This darling boy.....................Yes he does smile a lot but he is also a serious fellow just like his dad.....

Friday Already?

2011-05-20T09:39:00.006-04:00

I don't really know exactly where this week disappeared to............

I thought that when I retired I would have lots of time....... That sure was wrong...... I have so much less time than before but I am enjoying myself much more. It just takes me longer to get things done........

Monday was WALMART day.......... Not living near a Walmart for 20 years had turned me into a Walmart junkie......... I enjoy going there as much as my husband does not.......

This was my find this week......... A bamboo cutlery tray. I will put it in the studio to hold the accessories for The Duchess........

Then off to the excitement of a mammogram.... And since May is Mammogram month at Eastern Radiology they gave me this lovely cup. I will enjoy this because I drink cranberry juice and club soda all day long and this glass does not sweat as much...........

I finished the Biscornu Pincushion.............. Now to make more for the guild. This morning I pulled out a charm pack that I bought on sale in January........Sorted them into pincushion pieces and today I can start that project...... It should not take too long.

Wednesday was Guild............. Someone brought the quilt that the Greenville Guild is making for their raffle quilt........... It is so much lovelier in person.....

This is a close up on fone of the blocks...........And it is all hand quilted........

It was also the day to turn in the bags that were made for the Red Cross....... This is such a giving group. The last two meetings have been used to coordinate the making of care quilts using the blocks and fabric and batting donated to the Guild.

I took home 12 string blocks with two yards of green fabric for the backing. I used the green fabric for sashing instead and ordered some fabric for another border and backing. It should arrive today or tomorrow. When it does I have the center section all ready. I hope to get it finished within the next several weeks........

I met with the Lunch Bunch........ A group of girls I went to high school with. They meet every Wednesday for lunch......... It was such fun. I did not take pictures because some of them are camera shy.... and it was my first day with the group...... Maybe next week I can get a few shots.

One of the girls teaches painting furniture........... Yes, I did sign up for a class.... Upon arriving home I unearthed this table to be painted.......... I think I will do a penny rug design on top. I am thinking of painting a floor cloth for the family room of the new house.......... This will be good practise...................

A Lovely Weekend

2011-05-16T08:40:00.005-04:00

Saturday was the Crystal Coast Quilt Show............... I called Rebekah to see if she and Robert wanted to go......... Happily the answer was yes.........

They live an hour and a half away and the quilt show venue is an hour and a half from here.

They got here about 10:30 AM and we headed off to Morehead City. As it approached noon Robert asked about lunch............ We stopped at Crabby Patty's and the food was excellent.....

This was my favorite at the show........ I can't imagine that much work in one piece but it is so charming........

This was Robert's favorite quilt............

Great job of quilting and a unique border.

Of course we always go to the shows to shop........ I found a few things that I had wanted and a few patterns that I did not even know I wanted..........

Rebekah and Robert bought a pair of dressmaker shears for me....... Gingher no less and they are spring action so they are less tiring to use. I cut a few things with them yesterday and they are lovely to use........

I did get all the pieces cut out for Strawberry Fields and now have them beside my machine all ready for the next leader/ender project............

I got one quilt top pressed and the backing sewn together and pressed. I started on the second top but ran out of spray sizing....... Today is a shopping day so I can pick that up while we are out.

I also got more of the Baby Quilt marked and ready to quilt and the fabric cut for the last of the Hexagons for my dresser scarf............ Lots of bits and pieces being done in several places. One day soon I will actually be finishing things.........Imagine that.........

I Am Not Sure...

2011-05-15T05:23:00.007-04:00

...exactly where to start.............

Anne Ida at Quiltaholic (here) had a button on her sidebar for the Strawberry Fields Quiltalong. It looked like a good project and it did mention being good for a leader/ender project. Since I have not yet unpacked my red and cream log cabin I thought it would be a good idea to cut out the fabrics for it. I am delving into my two big scrap bags for this one.

And I agreed at the guild meeting to make some Bicornu pincushions as gifts to visitors.......I found that pattern at Quiltsalott........ (here).

Temecula Quilt Co. has a BOM for Lori Smith's Heritage Sampler. I signed up for that and two kits came at once........I started late..........

These bags are paper stuff that I need to sort and organize........

An almost finished pincushion......(it has been in that state of uncomplete for almost a year now)

A pincushion kit I bought years ago......... There is another one somewhere because I got one for me and one for Rebekah...........

A stitchery I started prepping from Lynette Anderson.......

A printout of a quilt that I saw on the Sanguine Stitcher...... She found it here.

Judy Laquadara at Patchwork Times mentioned this as a project for 2011. I got the book and my two bags of fabric and now I just need the time to sew........

Dawn at Linen Closet Quilts offered this for us to stitch. I have all of the patterns printed and I know where the last three are....... I am sure the rest of them are in those three bags of papers to go through.

And I have yet to try this block that I see around so often........

Our guild is making quilts for the people that lost everything in the recent tornadoes in Snow Hill, NC. They are so very close by and in such need..... I was given 12 blocks and the backing to assemble a quilt.

Not to forget that I need two quilts ready for the Lilly to quilt by Wednesday. The tops are done but I need to get them pressed and the backing sewn together and pressed.

Just where to start is a wonder...

2011-05-14T08:14:00.005-04:00

I tried to post these pictures yesterday and to read a few blogs but Blogger was not accommodating. Instead I worked on the ironing, baked two small cakes and two loaves of bread and went with Lem on the ubiquitous errand adventure..............

Thursday was a bit more exciting............ We stopped for steak biscuits at Bojangles and headed out to Grifton.............. I wanted to add more potting soil to the tomatoes that Jason and I are growing in the Topsy Turvey planters that Rebekah bought for us................

After that was accomplished we headed over to the lot to check on progress.

Dillard had put up his contractor sign............ It sure is a big one.........

Now the footings are dug and the concrete is poured. There is a dumpster on the lot for debris and a Porta Potty and a large pile of masonry sand.............

This view is taken from the front of the lot.

That is not water you see there but the concrete that the house will stand on........

Looks like rather a mess right now...............

I then came home and finished planting the flowers I had been buying for the last few weeks. They had been gathering on the back porch and the time had come to get them in a more permanent place.

Then I put the rest of the plants in pots on the steps to the back porch..... Right, no sewing done on this day either...................

Update

2011-05-12T08:07:00.000-04:00

My nieces wedding was on Saturday. Lem and I were able to attend....... How good it was to be with family for such a special occasion.

She got married on the beach at Emerald Isle...... The weather was bright and sunny but not too hot.

I promised my sister that I would get a picture of Lem and I so here it is Jean.............

The mother of the bride is in front followed by the bride and her father.

Sunday Jason and Kim took us out to lunch at McCalls in Goldsboro. Then Jason showed me where all the fabric shops were there........... Lem and I hope to get there some time next week for some shopping.

Monday morning bright and early they started digging the foundation.

Not much to see now. Lem and I are going out there later today to see what else has been done.

Yesterday was the Guild meeting. Our guild gave a donation to the Kinston Arts Council. They let us meet there each week and there is no fee....... These funds were raised from a quilt raffle they did last year.............

There was also a Show and Tell portion of the meeting. This quilt was made by putting crumbs of fabric on dryer sheets............

The center of this quilt was donated and someone finished it as a donation quilt.

One member passed away and the family donated two unfinished quilts for the guild to quilt and donate.

Another member made two pincushions as gifts for visitors to our guild.

This quilt was sent to a member by a friend........ It was purchased at an estate sale and the label on the back said that it was pieced as a wedding quilt in 1936 and the quilting was completed in 1996. That is a good reason for me to want to get all of my tops quilted now..........

It was mentioned that there is a quilt show in Morehead City this weekend. I called Rebekah and she and Robert are driving here on Saturday so that we can all go together.

Now off to do some ironing before Lem's next Doctor's appointment.........

Another Day on the Road

2011-05-06T10:19:00.004-04:00

The original plan was to have Thursday be an AT HOME day. Otherwise things just don't get done around here.........

Instead, Jason called to say he was going to be working on the house in Ft. Barnwell and he wanted me to see the floor there. He came by and we followed him out there. A good thing too because it was way out in the country.

The floors are #2 Red Oak................ Of course this picture is the floor unfinished and it will be so much prettier after it is finished. It has wormwood holes and knots and character....... Just my kind of thing.... So that is another decision made........

This is the house the floors are going in.

It is being built by the same contractor that we selected..........

And of course I had to get a picture of the cornfield as it is just coming up.........

This area is near the Neuse River so this family is prepared for flooding..........

This looks like a yard that would take a few days to mow........

Or this one...........

And this one........... I know that I would like less yard to maintain...............

When we got home I mixed up a cake mix. I used two 6 cup bundt pans instead of one 12 cup pan. That meant I had one cake to give to Kim when she stopped by this afternoon.

And I gave her a loaf of bread too...................

It was really a lovely day. Who knows I might even get to sew one of these days.......VBG

What a Day.......

2011-05-05T09:12:00.009-04:00

I have no idea where the day went. It seemed to take a life of its own. The only plans I had when I got up was to go to the Guild meeting.........

Before I left Dillard Wallace (our contractor) called to tell me that we had to go to Goldsboro (25 miles away) to pick out brick for the foundation........We had planned to eat at the Sandpiper that night and it is between Kinston and Goldsboro so that worked out well.

I did get my blocks ready for Guild..............

And had my handwork all ready to go..............

Guilds are such a wonderful thing.............. People that enjoy the same things getting together and helping each other.

And just a little business meeting to keep the group on track............

Here is the quilt that several people helped pin...........All ready to quilt........

A little show and tell........... This quilt is being made for a dear grandson.

And a quilted cover for a notebook. The perfect place to keep things organized.

One member started this quilt and another member finished quilting it. Now it is all bound and ready to keep someone warm.

I think this is wheat........... Got this picture on the way to Goldsboro.

We had no trouble finding the Brick Store...........

And my selection was made in record time.

Since it did not take long to make my selection we had time to spare. Lem and I did some shopping. We picked up some clothes for him and then headed to the Sandpiper.

The restaurant has rockers on three sides for people to use while they are waiting to be seated.

And benches inside on three sides for more people to use while waiting. On weekend nights all these seats are filled........

The meal starts off with a basket of hushpuppies and sweet tea (the house wine of the South).

And then they bring the meal. We selected shrimp.......... with fries and coleslaw.....

I got home to discover that Rebekah had driven all the way from Lillington to bring my Mothers Day gift. She and Robert are not going to be able to see us Sunday and she wanted to make sure she got a chance to give me a Mother's Day hug................

And an Edible arragnement with some lovely balloons..............

Such a wonderful day................ Now we can see what tomorrow will bring.................

2011-05-03T23:34:00.003-04:00

Judy Laquidara of Patchwork Times fame is way smarter than I am......... She is in a hotel and has her sewing nook all set up. I saved my sewing nook till last and tomorrow I am in need of two finished log cabin blocks.......... Easy Peasy you say but remember, I am a Leader/Ender girl and I don't have a project unpacked and ready to go............. It is almost midnight.......... Just what is a girl to do?................

I took pictures of the things that came in the mail and managed to erase them. Now I need to do them again........After the sun rises tomorrow.........

Now to dig through what is in the closet to look for a leader/ender so I can finish these blocks........

May the force be with me...............

Saturday

2011-05-03T07:39:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I am a few days behind.......... That is not so unusual....

Saturday Jason and Kim went with Lem and I to Danville, VA to meet my sister Jean and her husband Bill..... Actually we went with them as we took Kim's car and Jason drove.

I had not seen Jean and Bill in over 2 1/2 years and I was really looking forward to the adventure.

We met at the Mall and then went to Pinos for lunch. They serve the most amazing Italian food there............ If you are ever in Danville it is the place to go..........

I don't know what I was thinking......... I got no pictures of the family except for this one. Jean and I wanted to get some flowers for Mama for Mother's day............ And for Papa for Father's day. She got the pink roses and I picked up the greenery. That I Jean and Bill after we got our flowers out of the car..........

They look rather nice and I know Mama would be pleased that we got together.

I spent the rest of the weekend clearing out the studio trying to make space to sew.........

This is the view from the doorway.

The design wall is in place. It really needs to be vacuumed and the fabric pulled tighter on the insulation but I can do that later.

The cutting table and the large closet. I put the zip-loc bags that are unpacked in the closet. Lots of things can be hidden in a closet..........

I have my Bonnie Hunter bins all stacked in the corner near the cutting table. It makes is easy to put the fabric in them as I am cutting...........

And here is the closet.............. Perhaps I will get around to organizing that some day before we move again................

The Studio

2011-04-28T13:22:00.002-04:00

The rest of the house is unpacked.

I vacuumed and dusted it all this morning.

Supper is partially cooked and will be quick to finish...........

Now to tackle the Studio.

This is what it looks like now........................

Let's see what I can do to make it a space I can enjoy,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,