Here it is..........The lap quilt for my sister..........All done..... I might even get it mailed tomorrow. 

Care Quilt

Pieced, layered, quilted, bound and labeled............ My contribution to the service project of my Cybee with Cyber Friends Quilt Guild........ Another item in the mail.............. 

My Last Row Jane Blocks (I think)

If my memory is correct this is the last set of Row Jane blocks I will need to do. I hope mine will be coming home to me soon. It is such sheer joy to have a project complete........ 

Tuesday Already?

I just cannot believe that it is Tuesday already. Time sure does go by when you are busy.............

Two things were not done this weekend. I did not get the borders on Lem's quilt and I did not get the table runner started. I did finish everything else. I could have gotten them all done but Lem wanted to take a little trip to Hyannis and I agreed to enjoy part of the day with him........ Glad I did too...

It has been so much easier this week since I have my clothes ready for the week. One less thing to do each day. That is one of those things that require a decision and that is always a problem.

Meals are done for the rest of the week. I never learned to cook for two people. I still cook for four. Now I only have to cook half the time. The other half is leftovers.

I saw the Hour a Day Quilt from Judy. Sunshine Quilts I can see she is going to be of great assistance in helping me cut my stash down to a managable size.

I have always admired those nice beaded watches. Last year when I needed to get a bead order up to a certain amount for free shipping I added a couple of watch faces. I just knew I would make them into watches right away.

This is the first one. The other picture is of a necklace I made when I was practising the spiral necklace. This past spring I convinced Lem that he really wanted to go with me to TJ Maxx...... We found a top with the same green in it and I knew that at last I had something to wear that necklace with. That of course led to a stop at Beady Boop for earrings to match. And now I have a watch too. Isn't that just too much?

























As to my accomplishments today. Well, they aren't too bad...........

I did get the house blessing completed and the laundry all done. I have clothes lined up for the entire week. I even checked the weather forecast since it is supposed to be 82 on Monday and 62 on Friday. I got one set of blocks prepped for the holiday swap.

Lem wanted to take a ride out this afternoon so we went to the Big City. For us that is Hyannis, about 20 miles away. We went to A C Moore for split rings. I want to make some beaded stitch markers. I took my socks with me of course. I have one finished and half of the top of the second one done.

We never made it out to the garage. I keep putting that one off but Lem has agreed that tomorrow we will give it at least one hour of our day. All in all it has been a successful day. I might even get all the other tasks accomplished tomorrow. Now off to sew the binding on the Care Quilt.

The Weekend Cometh....

Aha..... Another week has passed and the weekend cometh...

I need a plan or the entire weekend will be lost. There are so many things to choose from.

It would be a good weekend to do some clearing in the garage.
I could finish stitching the binding on my quilt for Madwomen and get that ready to mail.

I could add the borders to Lem's quilt and get it ready to pin.

I could do the house blessing, get caught up on the laundry and get my clothes all ready for next week.

Doing a little clearing out in the studio would not be amiss.

I could prep some blocks for the Holiday Swap or even do some stitching on the table runner I need to make.

Which one will I choose.............

Stay tuned for the next installment.

What Color Green Are You?

You Are Emerald Green

Deep and mysterious, it often seems like no one truly gets you. Inside, you are very emotional and moody - though you don't let it show. People usually have a strong reaction to you... profound love or deep hate. But you can even get those who hate you to come around. There's something naturally harmonious about you.

What Color Green Are You?

On Wednesday nights I go to a class at Town Ho Needlecrafts. Barry is the owner and instructor. Brilliant man. Gifted in the use of color.

As I was sitting there one night several years ago I noticed an Adirondak chair with a pumpkin in it. My daugher and I like adirondak chairs and I thought that was really a cute one. Barry explained that it was one in a series of 4. There was one for each season. Sure didn't take me long to say "I want them". He placed an order with the artist for two sets of them. One for him and one for me. They are hand painted on canvas and work well for traditional needlepoint BUT....... Barry likes to do Creative needlepoint....... Different threads....Different stitches...... Each week I would do exactly what he had done. I worked along slowly. Barry got bored with them and put them aside. He promised to get back to them soon. I have two completed and they are at the framers. If I can locate the picture of them I will post it later. I wanted to finish them last year but that did not happen. I wanted to finish them by the end of spring 2006. That did not happen. I do not want to go into 2007 with those pictures still incomplete. They are taking TOP PRIORITY now. They are moving into the FAST LANE. It really is hard to tell from the picture but the sky is complete (but not the snowflakes), the chair and basket and the red ribbon are complete. I am now working on the green pine leaves. I have the thread for the snow man, the snowflakes and the water. That is my goal for this week. Then if all goes well next Wednesday I will learn how to do the snow on the beach...................... 

Your Brain is 53% Female, 47% Male

Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female You are both sensitive and savvy Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve

What Gender Is Your Brain?

Another One's Done

Aren't they just adorable? They belong to Carmela Thompson in NC. If I have counted correctly, these are the last blocks I will need to do for this Row Jane. I can just sit back and wait for mine to come home to me................VERY BIG GRIN 

Another Finish

Several years ago I made a few cotton outfits for work. Then I developed the idea to make jewelery to wear with them. This necklace was supposed to have fruit beads on it but the base I began with is to small (size 11 beads) so I changed the idea a bit and came up with this necklace.










Here it is on the fabric I will be wearing it with. It is too late to wear it this season but there is always next year. Now if I make the little potpourri bag and jewelery bag to hang with it I will be all set for next year. No, that will have to be another project.

Confession is Good for the Soul

After looking at the new catalogs I looked for my sock yarn.........
Here it is...
All kitted and ready travel. Directions included in most bags.

The next expedition in the Nether Regions will be to gather together my sock books and patterns. Perhaps I can get this portion of life organized.

There are 34 future pairs of socks here. If I did knit one pair a week I could be finished in 8 1/2 months. I cannot knit one a week so it will take me a bit longer........... Maybe I should print this picture and take it with me when I shop?
I am adding my sock list to the side bar.........This is such a great way to keep on track. A daily reminder that I need to be more in control of my spending.

Here is the list.....

Pink Broadripple
Blue Fortissima
Carnival
Red Railroad Rib
Red Railroad Rib
Fuschia RailroadRib
Pink Easy Worsted Weight
Mother Lode
Mixed Berries
AquaGrayPurple with Flecks
Primary Colors
Primary Colors
Purple Many Diamonds
Blue with colors
Regia
Navy Many Diamonds
Periwinkle Little Arrows
Pastel Little Arrows
Pastel Little Arrows
Grape Little Arrows
Primary Colors Applause
Florida Colors Sockatta
Green/Purple/Pink Sockatta
Gray/Green/Pink Sockatta
Blue/Aqua/Gray Sockatta
Blue RegiaSalmon
Almost Argyle
Autum Socks
Purple Socks
Green Autumn Leaves
Green Many Diamonds
Gray Mock Croc
Burgundy Twisted Socks
Purple/Gray/White Sockatta

Where Did the Day Go

I had such great plans for today....They went to naught....... I had two goals - finish my Care Quilt and finish my Fields and Fences top.........Neither are done.........

I did buy groceries, cook lunch, take a walk with DH, take a nap, wash the sheets on two beds, dried them and made the beds. Cleaned two bird cages and vacummed part of the living room. I wrapped the two wedding samplers and got them packed to mail........ I also packed up a box of surprises for Jason & Kim, two boxes for Rebekah and one for Robert. Now the coffee table in the living room is cleared of all the excess items I had placed there in anticipation of mailing them. Rebekah called and chatted for 45 minutes. Using my handy head set I managed to knit a bit on a sock while we talked.

I got a Lion Brands catalog and a PatternWorks Catalog today. Obsession takes over if you aren't careful........ They even have knitting needles with batteries that light up while you knit so you can knit in the dark...... I must save up for a pair...... Oh, the Oat Coutour patterns look like something I am up to these days.......... Fitting can be a bear so I started knitting socks and shawls......... There are some really great sock yarns these days....... I should know, I have gone overboard already. Just as a reminder of what I have ( and hopefully to reming me why I do not need more) I brought up my PLASTIC TOTE of socks. Already kitted and ready to knit..... I think I will make a list on the side bar.......That should dampen any purchase urges I have. I will take pictures later..............

The Guild Meeting

My dear friend Peg invited me to go along with her to the Cape Cod Quilters Guild meeting. I was a member once before but they moved the meeting place farther away. I don't see well to drive at night so I stay near to home if I need to go out.

One of the members showed a quilt she made this year "ALL FROM STASH" (except for the blue section on the back). She established 2006 as a stash clearing year and this is what she got from the experience.

Holiday Swap

Yes, I signed up for the Holiday Swap on the Dear Jane list. I have such a lovely quilt (not yet quilted but layered and pinned and waiting) from 2004 and I wanted to do this again. I already have the fabric and I got the blocks I wanted to do and I have done them so many times that they are easy to me now.............. I suppose I just like swaps.......... For me it is a connection with other quilters and I don't have to clean up before they arrive............ Eight more blocks and I will have all my other promised DJ blocks done................ Yes, I can do this..........

Warmsies

I keep a pair of socks going all the time. Sometimes more than one pair. It is a great thing to grab on my way out the door when DH wants to take a ride. I can knit them while I watch TV and most evenings I put in a few rows as a way to wind down before bed. Here is the pair I finished this morning. The knitting has been done for weeks but they needed the ends run. That has been done and they are ready to wear.

Another Table Runner

Since the last one I made was not great and it is supposed to be a gift, I cut out another one. I am sewing this one on the Duchess and perhaps it will be better. 

Chain Event Mystery Quilt

The mystery quilt I made this weekend was so awful that I felt the need to redeem myself by making a better looking one. This is the fabric I found this morning. It is cut and ready to go........ 

Fields and Fences Completed Blocks

Here are the blocks I have complete. I had a few minutes left this morning before I had to come to work and began stitching the four patch units with the red you see there. This is going to be a great quilt. 

Fields and Fences

While looking around at the McCalls Quilt site, I came across this quilt. It really spoke to me and I went immediatly to the fabric shop for Homespun. It has been sitting around since.

When I got home from work yesterday, I began cutting the fabric. There are 49 blocks and I thought that if I did 10 a day, I could have the quilt top done in one week.

You know that feeling you get with a new project and you don't want to stop working on it. Drat, I had to visit the grocery store and then come home to cook. Began stitching again after we ate. I have 1/2 of the blocks cut out and 18 of them stitched............... I can see this puppy done by Sunday. 

Close Up

Here is a close up of the block on the table runner. 

Table Runner

I also pieced a table runner for a swap. You can't tell here but it has "issues". I am hoping they will "quilt out". I stitched this downstairs on the Janome........... I cut out another one and I am going to sew it upstairs on the Duchess. I think it will do much better. I have not been able to get consistant quarter inch seam on the Janome.

Chain Event - Mystery Quilt Top

Here it is folks. The finished top from the mystery quilt........ DH said "That's nice" I said that I thought it was ugly. Then he admits"Well, it is not the best one you have made" When it is done, it will be warm.... So there.............

Close Up of Quilts

Here are some close up shots. I did not even look at the price. The log cabin was not in the best shape, 

Antique Shop

Yesterday DH wanted to take a ride just to get out of the house. Even though I wanted to stay at home and stitch, I did go with him. We passed an antique shop in Brewster and it had two quilts on the front porch. 

Blocks for Gay

I have so much to report this morning. I will begin with the Dear Jane blocks I did for a Row Jane. I marked this off the list several weeks ago but did not get a good picture till recently.

Whew

I feel so much better now...........I have made a coporate decision............... I wanted to finish my nine patch quilt by the first week in November. I realize now that was an unrealistic goal in light of my other obligations and normal day to day living................. I will still finish that project but I am removing the deadline. Now I can stitch it with the joy that was there at the beginning of the project......... That being said I am much relieved....

On September 11th Carol Honderich is beginning the Women of the Bible quilt again and I really want to participate in that project. That will mean spending some of the time each morning in Bible study instead of sewing....... I know this is the right decision and I will share each week's block with you as they are done.

My friend Lu came for breakfast this morning. I was so tired after she left that I just had a wee toes up. Now back to my quilt............... But it is raining and cold and dreary and I am just to muddle headed to sew. I will knit instead and finish the Mystery Quilt in the morning. I am sure you can stand the suspense............ I saw that Peachy Quilter has a Fabric Depression going for September. I am trying to learn how to get it on my sidebar. Wish me luck.

Clue 8

This one is done.........Yes, you were right about the direction we were going in..........

The next step is cutting. Off to the Nether Regions for that step. Then I must come back upstairs and clear the dining room table and get it set for guest. Lu is coming for breakfast and we are celebrating the end of summer with Mimosa's. Like to join us?

Clue 7

I went to bed one clue behind. This morning I am three behind. I must sew fastly. By now you have a good idea where this is heading but we aren't there yet..........

Clue 6

Here it is, the last post for the night. The next clue has been printed but it is too late to work any longer. I should have had time but decided to complete a few home chores instead. Also did a few errands with DH and cooked lunch and dinner. Aren't I such a good wife?

Clue 5

Clue 5 is done and I am on to the next step. I will confess that it helps to read the instructions. I did not read carefully and it took me longer on that step than it should have.

Clue 4

Clue four is complete and the next one does not come out for 15 more minutes. I even had time to take a walk with DH and start boiling a hambone for split pea soup......... It sure is smelling good....

Holiday Weekend

Peg and I thought it would be great fun to work on a mystery quilt this weekend. This is the fabric I selected.

Most of the tourist will be leaving. The Cape is changing and we have more and more people that live somewhere else, buying a second home here. They come for holidays and weekends as well as all summer long. Grocery shopping is impossible except for early in the morning or late at night. It is raining today and since it it not good "beach" weather, folks will be in their cars, driving around looking for places to shop. DH failed to pick up his blood pressure medication yesterday and he thinks I will go with him to get it today. He is wrong. I will be stitching.

Backing For My Quilt

At last a good nights sleep. Such a blessing that was………

I found some fabric for the background of my Hour a Day quilt. Not as exactly what I wanted but it is going to suffice.

I have been giving much thought to the re-organization of my stash………. In comparison to most people I know I really have very little. I tend to see a quilt I want to make and but the fabric to make it. Then the fabric is washed and placed in a plastic tote or bag with the instructions and there it marinates in thyme……….. I made a list of them all but I have not looked at the list lately. I have added to it also.

I want to be a part of all the excitement that is happening in the cyber world around me. I tend to sign on to what ever comes my way. Now I have Promises to Keep and they are dragging me down and keeping me from other things I would like to do.

My “Name it – Claim it” list is posted under “10 Hour Rotation” to the right. These are the projects that I work on upstairs at night. I have to be careful because the projects multiply if I do not watch them….. I am trying to finish the things with a deadline first and then I can get back to working on the items on my list.