Fall at my Home....

I sat on the porch Sunday afternoon and tried to take in the last few days of Fall. We have a chance of snow tomorrow night. It won’t stick, but it will be the preview of things ‘yet to come’.
(Yes, those are twinkle lights on the tree branch-- We're not "Hicks"---They are awesome on Fall nights...Everyone should have twinkle lights...)


I went to a funeral on Saturday. I also had a friend at work that lost her brother at 43 years old. So it was kind of a weekend to remember the blessings in my own life. I shared these mugs with Renee. My heart really goes out to her. I love anything by Bob Timberlake.

I have been wanting to share my pumpkin.

 I got it at the Farmer’s Market a few weeks back. I saw it and it was love at first sight. This farmer began telling me how to cook it and how good it tasted. All I kept thinking was, “Who Cares?!?!?!----This was a REALLY Super Cool Pumpkin.” It almost looked fake ----it was so perfect.

Acorns were scarce this Fall. There weren’t even enough for Sunday School Crafts. I found a few, but I think they were last year’s leftovers.

The deer started feasting on my hydrangeas so I cut them to save them for Christmas decorations for my tree.

Gratitudes Tonight:

Crunching leaves as I run the pups

Soup for Supper

Warm cup of coffee with Vanilla Creme

Because Babies are Blessings....

Don works with a guy who’s family was having their 3rd baby. I didn’t really know them, but I decided to make a baby quilt for them. The clock kept ticking but so did the excuses not to make that quilt.


Don even asked, ”How’s the quilt coming…”

“It’s not. I don’t really know them. I don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl. I don’t have the time to invest in it. I’m going to just pick something up…”

“oh…well ok.. It’s up to you…”

Then I felt bad. It seemed like he actually wanted to give them a baby quilt. So I opened up the fabric cabinet and used two partial layer cakes, Pure by Sweetwater and Lily & Will by Bunny Hill Designs and clearance fabric I picked up at JJ Stitches.

The pattern is For Baby with Love by The Pattern Basket. I was a little timid at mixing the pink in with the blue but I was pleased with how it turned out. The family had a baby girl—so it paid off.

I loved making it. Completely fun. Machine quilting took about an hour and a half.

When in doubt---make the quilt……

More JJ Stitches...

I want to remember everything-- so here are more pictures from my trip to JJ Stitches in Sun Prairie Wisconsin...

I showed this picture to a friend this photo-- He said, "looks like Halloween..." Yes, But it will look like Chrsitmas next, Spring, Summer, Independence day--A table and chairs in the middle of the shoppe is a WONDERFUL thing...." I don't think he got it.?.?.?



I loved the bed frame....

So many samples to look at--- and I don't remember one from my last trip.... I thin they change them often....

The 'Baby room' was also filled with thirties prints-- They get an A+ in presentation....



I loved the colors....



I took photos of baby quilts because I need reminding quilts don't have to be difficult to be beautiful. and there's just something about a hand made gift.



The greateset shops have candles and potpourri bins.

I don't know if we talked about it but fat quarters filled metal pans. Some asked about pricing.  I don't get to go to quilt shops often. Yes, prices were a little more than on line but I guess I was willing to pay for the experience. And I know if I had trouble picking out fabric for a quilt they would help (great example-- next trip I'm bring my Hop to it blocks for sashing strip fabric).

They had a Christmas room filled with Samples patterns and the neatest red shutters...

There Christmas room had really beautiful fabrics....

Guys, It's not a huge shop, but it feels larger than life.

I have got projects to work on.  We're kind of having a wind storm-- having woods filled with birch trees, I think the boys and I are staying out of them today.  It just feel like the holiday season is coming.  I need to start thinking about projects.....

JJ Stitches....

I’m home from Madison…. I had a class at the University of Madison in Contract Negotiations. The basic premise of the class was ‘be a tough negotiator..Just be nice…’


No negotiating, No persuading needed. You will positively love this quilt shop in Sun Prairie Wisconsin.

“Can I take a couple of photos of your shop…I promise to only write good things??”
“Sure—take as many as you want..”

I’m quite certain if I get to go to heaven one day---this is what it will look like. Coupled with the “angels” behind the counter, it made the 4 and 1/2 hour drive home worth it. If the pictures are blurry, it’s only because I was just having so much fun ‘clicking’ away… If there’s something you are interested in Just give them a call.. you can even email them one of the photos. They have a website.

The stenciling on the wall said:' Once upon a time there was enough time..."

I loved how the wool pieces were all in wooden boxes.

There were little signs peppered through the shop.

I purchased the pattern and kit for this one.  It spoke to me.  If you are a quilter you understand.

I'll share more tomorrow....Both pups went to the Doggie Hotel so I had to bathe them when I got home from work today. They are both sacked out.  I've got unpacking to do.  I have been pulling winter clothes out a piece at a time.  It's about time to put the summer things away and pull out the woolen sweaters.

Quilt some tonight....

It's Friday---

 An awesome week has ended... work went great...thanks for all the well wishes. What I learned this week-- I learned to laugh at myself.  It's O.K. not to be perfect and I knew I never was.  Second I learned if you get on a fit -- just say you're sorry and laugh about it......

Onto the quilt stuff---

I finished the binding-- and I'm so proud of this piece....I guess I'm like some tv commercial-- I did it myself.

Let's talk about it.

There are bats:

And spiderwebs...

Our Witches have Ruffles:

By the time I get home from work the lighting isn't good--- so I snuck out at lunch and shot these pictues-- the brush casts a shadow-- but if you look... there's a great pumpkin...(Remember Charlie Brown!!!)

Sailing among the stars-- this witch has a heart and pockets....

Everything I read about machine quilting says:Practice, practice.  Even from the top of the quilt to the bottom, I feel my confidence growing.... On the bottom border-- if you look close you'll see "Boo!" in the threads.

We had warm days before. We've had Beautiful Fall days before.  But to have a 79 degrees Fall day among the colors is a rare treat...

I took Bruno out one last time before bed last night.  It was anything from quiet with the leaves falling... But even in the dark-- I wasn't scared.. it was almost comforting...

Well, I'm off to hang my quilt. Remember if I was a witch---I'd use my powers for good....most of the time...

Have a great weekend...