Weekend Wrap Up....

I set myself up for evening stitching for the coming week.  What looks like a blank canvas is turning into something that looks like home....

The leaves are just as green as they are in the woods right now.  The winters are long and quiet, but our summers are filled with the sounds of leaves rustling, birds, chipmunks, crickets and frogs. Noisy and I love it.

There will be a picket fence on this block, I'm just going to add it after the other pieces are down.  For my wool applique you can see, I use children's glue stick instead of steam a seam.  It works well for me and is somewhat of a time saver....plus my iron doesn't get gummy.

This block will have branches and leaves as well, but the blocks must be sewn together and in the interest of working with smaller pieces, I'm going to get as much completed before stitching them together.  This is the block of the month quilt Heart & Home, by Heart to hands.  I get my blocks from the Country loft.  They do a really nice job.

The quilt has a cat on this block.  Nothing against cats, I'm just a dog person. My dog Ransom is 11 years old.  He's got arthritis pretty bad, we're afraid he probably won't make it another winter..... Winters are hard on everyone in the North. So I decided to change it ---- not being morbid -- but because I'll always have that smile about him when  I look at it.  Basically my kids raised him from a pup.... or did He raise them???.... Tons of life's lessons were learned compliments of Ransom.  Now He kind of rules the house... I always say dogs look like their owners, " Look Don, his whiskers are white....yours like yours..."

Off to stitch.... It's going to be a great week.....

Mother's Day-- A little Late....

Hot off the Ironing Board....quilt blocks are coming along nicely.  With it warming up outside, these did not even get started until 8 p.m. Thursday night. It's been a tough week at work, but that's why they call it 'work'... otherwise everyday you would go to 'fun'.....

This is Eric's Mother's day gift to me.  He mailed it as he couldn't come home..I love the message and the puppy prints.  My pups are great company.

Chelsey and Kaina (a.k.a boyfriend) gave me a great pair of tongs that aren't photographed as they are constantly being used.  I loved their  card...All Mother's understand.  There will always be that moment--- that kid's dirty face....when you have no rag, no tissue, no water....The "mommy thing" inside you kicks in...Without thinking you lick your thumb and give what we affectionately call the "kitty wash" to the dirty spot on the kid's face....

I can remember at four years old, my kids would run up---"Mom, I need a Kitty wash..."

By nine years old---"Mom, ooh gross---you're Kitty washing me!!!"

I'm off to run the pups this morning and play in the flower beds the rest of the day.

Living in the U.P. when you get days above 80 degrees you have to embrace them...

Sewing Therapy

My Edyta Sitar Quilt blocks are bordered in 128 hourglass blocks. Precision in quilting is a real weakness of mine.  I get the concepts, but crisp pressing to preserve the bias and matching points without stretching the fabric are pretty tough.  So I was looking for an easier way to make hourglass blocks.  No pressure, no timetable, no stress..... Sunday evening I pulled a couple of pieces from the scrap box and looked on Pinterest for a better way.  After a couple attempts, I have found the way I want to make them.  I want to test it out a few more times and I'll share it.  May take a while--- but remember, right now--- I'm in no hurry......(Gosh, I love typing that....)

I wrote earlier that my Sister in law and Mother in law both came for a visit a week ago. They have been sending me photos for a couple of weeks.  Their hometown now has a quilt shop---Good for them--even better for me.  When family comes to visit they always bring surprises.  Here's what they brought me.  Bonnie Blue quilt fabric, a quilt book and jelly roll.

I spent a couple of evenings cleaning my sewing room before they got here--- when I probably should have been working on grad gifts---.  I cleaned it becuase I wanted to explain quilting my style.  What they best parts of quilting are to me....because now--- I just may have a pair of personal shoppers!!!! How I wished they quilted.....

On the gardening front--It was 81 degrees today-- I thinned out my hostas and pulled weeds from my flower beds.  Still too early to plant, but I did take soil samples to the feed store.  What I really know about gardening you could put in a thimble, so I decided I need some professional help.  Too busy as a kid planning a "briefcase" future....Sometimes I really wish I was closer to my folks.

Eric's Post.

I've completed Eric's Quilt. I stuggled getting a photo so this is it.  I used straight line quilting for that "Pottery Barn" look.  My favorite part is the borders.  I called it the Gees Bend method. Truthfully I wish the entire quilt was made that way.  The label on the back had words of wisdom from Mom and the finish line...

‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss,
 you'll land among the stars.....’

Quilt made by your Mom---

We had family Don's Mom and sister come from out of town. We travelled downstate together.  With Don's sister there it was like having a personal photographer.  We even facebooked the dean calling out Eric's Name.  He's officially a Pharmacist--with a job.  And we count our blessings everyday.  Short of the day he was born--- this was right up there....

Here's a photo with a couple of his close friends.  I made quilted journals for them--- and yes I was stitching on the way down across the Mackinac Bridge and wrapping gifts in hotel rooms. I did not take photos, but here are the fabrics I used.  While I never knew Krista and Aimee that well, we've become Pinterest and facebook friends and email back and forth.  I chose fabrics that reminded me of each girl.

I also got each this necklace....

http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/sterling-my-treasure-necklace-P215C45.aspx

Lisa's jewelery just fit the occaision.  I had a tag with the word "faith" enscribed, hoping both girls have the brightest of futures.

Next- quilt therapy.  I need to garden and sew quilt blocks.  I need to quilt without obligation-- without a timeline of a holiday or gift due date.  I want to make quilt block for the shear fun of doing it.  I want to work on sharp corners and straight borders. I feel like I've gotten sloppy in all the rushes….

Hoping for a summer slow down--- Thanks for all the notes checking on me.  I ready to find a balance in life again....