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...

Hop to it Block #7

Last night's wind storm knocked down a couple of trees in our woods -- so I used them to photograph my block for this month.

It's the 7th block in the series that I'm doing with Sue and Mary.  Funny-- I just read Sue's posting with her block reminding her of the fall colors outside her window bright and brilliant. 

 And until I read her post--- my block reminded me of the fall colors outside my home.  The Enchinea plants have faded from frost and days of sunlight. 

The ferns have used up there days and are now in muted colors with the milkweed.  I guess quilting can bring out the season's different perspectives. 

 The blue in the middle symbolizes my raining sprinklers that Don set up for my garden when the Good Lord doesn't see fit to water it for me.All of the wool pieces were scraps except for the blue.... showing the merits of saying scraps.

What am I doing this weekend?  As little as possible... It's been a hard week at work.  We've moved into our new building, but carrying on business and yet getting organized is not the easiest thing in the world for me... this too shall pass I guess.

Friday Night Doodling....

We're moving into our new building on the river at work.  Exhausted... it was pizza for supper.  I ran the pups and chilled on the couch last night.  I have Saturday housework to knock out where I can move onto the fun stuff...

Enjoy your weekend... The Beginning of Autumn 2011....

The Pack 2011-2012 Season

To keep it a quilting post--- I have finished all twelve blocks on my Penny Garden BOW. I'm hoping to start borders-- of some kind-- this weekend.  Looking at this snap shot...the blocks my look good framed in half square triangles.....just thinking....

  I finished the last of the purple flowers and stems in the car on the Way to Green Bay....for the Season Opener of the NFL.  We went to see the The Packers play the Saints...It was nothing short of awesome.

We tailgated...Amazing how putting on team colors makes friends out of strangers....

Growing up in Louisiana and cheering the Saints-- through the lean years-- made the game great.  We texted back and forth with family back home....

Ok-- Be jealous for just a second-- we had box seats complete with drinks and buffet.....

Yes -- I'm a complete NFL junkie-- completely obnoxious I went to sleep watching Inside the NFL last night....

Lucky Finds....

I opened the fridge on Saturday and glanced toward our front window....I just had to grab the camera.  While it's not even a good photo, it's home to me--- in the Fall.

I worked today. When I got home, I ran the pups before supper.  Chelsey says Bruno is putting on weight, so he's in training.Tonight I playing with my weekend finds.

Yep, It's an old window... a steal for five bucks.  There was a matching one in black that I scooped up for Chelsey.  It definitely needs a bath, but something I've wished for forever. I think it's going above the fireplace.

This is a old tool box that was just begging to be filled with quilt fabric....It came home with me as well.

I better get busy.  It'll be bedtime before you know it..Who cares about laundry?!?!

Getting out of the Safety Zone....

This is  a sign from the snowmobile trail at the back of my property.  A reminder to hunters as to which way to point their guns....But that's not what I'm talking about...

You have to  know exactly  what I'm talking about....You saved and purchased the right fabric for the quilt (that's getting more expensive all the time).  You cut it out with care.  You did the best job piecing it.  You are soooo ready to  display it.  All that's left is the quilting part.  You want to quilt it a different way to get out of the safety zone-- but you don't want to screw it up.

I worked out to this view daily for about two weeks---

I quilted it no less than one hundred times in my head...wanting to try something different and yet not wanting to "mess" it up.  I made this chatting with a friend.  She took hers to a machine quilter that did a wonderful job.  There were bats and owls stitched in.  Each witch had a different outfit-- wow. But I wanted to quilt mine myself.

I'm going to do it.

So I planned.

and found the backing material on sale--

The binding was made first.  This may take forever...but I am working on it now.....

We'll keep you posted.....



Apple Watch 2011....

We had our first freeze/frost -- a combination two for one---this week. But I harvested my first apple crop.

One is missing-- because I ate it. You have no idea how proud I am of these.  Yes-- it's about $3.00 worth of apples.  Yes, I could have gotten a bag of them at the grocery store.  Yes- that bag is available any time of the year.....  But not these.   These were prayed over, protected from pests and deer.  These came from my back yard.

How many times have I gotten that phone call.... 'Mom,email this recipe.'  'Mom, I'm in Wal-mart.  Text me this recipe...'   I laugh --- it's part of my job description.  So when I had a meeting in Milwaukee this summer, we did a little shopping to kill time--- we were early.  I saw this and couldn't resist.

It was four bucks.  I bought us both one.  I've sent her cook books, recipe cards, emails.  She got a kick out of this recipe.

Knocking out chores where I can put the needle and thread in my hands.

Have a great weekend.

Keeping my Word.....

OK-- I've always wanted to take a picture like this.... I've seen them on quilt book covers.  No photoshopping, no filters.... But they are my quilts... Two of them are quilted and another on the frame.

The bindings are made for three quilts.. that's the most 'un-fun' part...

I had a helper outside as well.

It's the same deer I've protected my flowers from all summer.  She looked interested in quilt pictures-- and hungry.  I went into the garden and pulled out a handful of tomatoes... We have more than enough.  She changing into her winter coat as most things are in the U.P.  The high for the next few days is only in the 50's.  It will warm up again some... but those days are getting fewer....... 

End of Summer.....

It's that time.... Don't forget to get your lotion for Fall from Bath & Body....



I'm stitching away  on my last block for my Penny Garden Project from Primitive Gatherings.

I started the project not knowing what the finished quilt would look like.  I trust Lisa Bongeans designs--- never met an ugly one.  We were told we'd have different border packages at different prices to pick from.. So I dived in Head first..

Here is the border she designed...

It looks Happy... Like a County Fair.

But completed won't fit in my house. It wasn't what I pictured.  But how sad if every quilter saw everything the same...... I researched my Quilt dream and here is my game plan---Inquiring quilters asked....

It's Northern Cardinals Fabric by Holly Taylor.  It's not a good picture but colored in shades of brown.  We'll keep you updated with pictures.  I'm going to use my wool scraps and add some things in borders, I haven't got that part of the dream figured out yet.

Don's working today so I have a date in the garden and in my quiltroom. I plan on purchasing some mums for the picnic table.

Have a great weekend.



Labor Day Weekend----

 We made a road trip.... It was on my bucket list... Something I wanted to do.  When friends called us up, We called Chelsey to watch the pups and threw some things in a bag and left.

There was quilting involved-- because I worked on this block while we drove and laughed.

I wanted to do the Labor Day walk across the Mackinac Bridge.  It's a five mile stretch across Lake Michigan.  It's in the record books now.  I've done it.  It was pretty chilly.  Everyone laughed at me when I packed winter coats, but it was 47 degrees with wind gusts Labor Day morning when we started walking.

We first drove a couple of hours the night before so we wouldn't have so far to drive the next day.  The bridge was only closed to traffic for 5 hours.

We spent the night on a quiet lake with Kayaks,Bonfire pits,and cabins. We laughed at the metal ice trays in the fridge and yet they had direct TV---what's wrong with this picture? We play cards until late.

I wanted to get a picture but didn't think of it until after dark. So first thing in the morning I took it.

But Here's the bridge --

And Lake Michigan under the bridge grates beneath our feet.  I have always been afraid to drive on this bridge... not any more. 

We met so many nice people.  It started out really overcast, but by noon it was sunny.  We went wine tasting in Mackinac City and headed home for the evening.

It was a great holiday and one of those times when I ask myself --- How come I've never done this before....

It's a constant reminder... I       need       to      slow      down..... Slowing down is nice.

J J Stitches......

Monday started out rough.  I knew I had my trip to Madison and the whole classroom scenario after 30 years terrified me.  I had a 10 am meeting and I planned on getting on the road after that.  Only when I got to work did I realize the meeting was in another town--- Rhinelander--  and hour and a half away....

I regrouped and made it through and drove down there. I sat through the meeting and Headed for another 3.5 hour drive to Madision. I arrived in Sun Prairie at 4:30 pm.  I was not lost and I was alive-- Time to reward myself. I headed to JJ Stitches,  a quilt shop that had been featured in the Quilt Sampler a few years ago.... I didn't had a camera--- But I will when I go back in 3 weeks--.  The shop was wonderful with a small town look to it.  Wooden floors and tall ceilings  were lined with quilts.  The only thing better was the lady that rang up my purchases.

The pocket book is made from a bendable ruler.  I've studied the pattern. It doesn't look complicated.  I'm hoping to find something easy to make as several Christmas gifts.

Needless to say the Quilt therapy helped me get it through the classes. I can't wait to go back....

I'm Home....

From the Carol's mailbox to mine.... she sent me her penny squares to add to my collection from summer projects we need from Primitive Gatherings.

My 3-day weekend list is a mile long with things a want to accomplish.  My Sunday School class starts a new season with all new kids so that takes the front seat this morning getting everythign ready.

For the record--- I love my  U of WISC classes.  I have to go back in three weeks. The pups survived without me. Work was chaotic yesterday....I just kept telling myself a had a three day weekend ahead. 

I'll type more later.  Thanks again Carol.....

Block Six....Hop to It

Summer is winding down.... Tomatoes coming in daily... So here's my block of the month from Edyta Sitar's Quilt in her Hop to it Book. Half of the blocks ar enow completed.  Made from wool, I see pieces of my garden in every block.

I'm typing from a hotel room-- yep..I've been in class today and had a ball.  All the nerves, all the worries, all the "I'm too old for this" has passed.  I just love it.....

I'm finishing this post early=== back to the books....

Gratitudes:

Don taking care of my pups, my garden, my flowers

My safety in travel-- talk about a country mouse in the city mouse's world.

2 quilt shops I visited along the way.... I'll post later.

The Pillowcase...

Promises are important to me. I don’t take them lightly. I emailed Carol and wanted to participate in Jami’s pillowcase project. I put it on the back burner. She sent out a progress post last week and last night I made my pillowcase. There was machine quilting to work on--- I’m 2 quilts down-2 to go--- but you always have time for the things that matter the most. I hadn’t forgotten that email to Carol asking for the details to make a pillowcase. I wish it were a dozen…..It should be a dozen… But here’s mine…

The flag print came from San-- so it’s the gift that keeps on giving……

Michigan to Florida….my package left with three-day –select postage. Anyone has almost a week to get one made….

My favorite part...

My favorite part of quilting………..I have thought about it a lot. There’s the choosing the pattern—I love… I study quilt photos constantly. It’s relaxing to me. Some people workout to the television, or music, I study quilt pictures. I like choosing the fabrics and cutting out the pieces. One of my favorite things to do is to total up the individual pieces for a total count of a quilt. Piecing and bring those individual squares ranks pretty high. I just love bringing it to life.

While I don’t love stretching a quilt—the machine quilting is the most challenging part for me and it’s something I want to work at getting better at. Bindings are addictive because you are just so close to being finished with the project. When a quilt is completed, I have put time and energy into it…. Most of the time I’m tired of it and I’m pretty hard on myself as to whether I did a ‘good enough’ job.

But I have spent time thinking about it this weekend—my very favorite part of quilting is taking that quilt out and covering a table, covering a bed, hanging it up—maybe throwing it over a ladder-back chair.

I have 4 quilts pieced…. Four of them not quilted. I’ve even blogged about getting them quilted and I put it off—I think it’s because stretching them onto the frame is the hardest part for me. I want to complete them so this afternoon I got one stretched and part of the way machine quilted. For those that don’t relish that “ladder-back chair” experience---to have the un-quilted projects on the shelf is no big deal… but it bothers me… and I’ve promised myself that I’m giving at least 30 minutes a night this week to work at getting these projects done. I’m working from easiest to hardest because I’m hoping to improve as I work at it.

This weekend Don ran 10.25 miles… he’s working toward a relay with Eric. I ran the pups twice on Saturday and a 4 mile workout this evening on the elliptical machine. I went to the farmer’s market and picked black-eyed susans from the roadside.

I played in the garden, knocked out the housework and got a nap after reading a few pages from my IPAD. This weekend was outstanding…. Boring to some, pretty much perfect to me.

I can deal with Monday…

Scraps and Four Blocks.....

I prepped by four blocks for handwork this week.  By leftovers are centered in the picture. Sometimes I stress over the accuracy of the orginial block photos as compared to mine, but then I remember the quilts will never be side by side and it's my quilt anyway.

I'm saving up for the border package for this quilt.  I don't know what it will look like. I can't wait to see it. 

Every once and a while something comes along that you want to tell someone about....

For  late night cinnamon toast-- it's pretty good....

And lastly -- the first Snap Beans of the season...

Hop To It Block #5....

While I may not have bunnies in my garden--- I caught birds playing in puddles after a good watering.  I have to watch Ransom because he snitches the blueberries.  My wool class with Lisa Bongean taught me to save even the smallest of scraps because you never know when you can use them. Everything but the bunny gray was made from left overs.

I went to a Thirty-One Bag party for a friend's daughter. I saw this-- and knew it really wasn't a laptop case but a quilt block bag. Comfortable enough at work now, that when we travel to inspect machine shops-- I bring along hand stitching to not waste time in the vehicle.

So last Saturday's mail comes. Don says--,"I checked it when I cut the grass-- nothing much... We can get it after church."...This is what was in the mail.

Obviously his definition of 'nothing much' and mine are completely different...



Gratitudes:
Chelsey checking in-- Busy with Summer life
Eric---Healthy and Running in the Warrior Run
Sleeping in on a Saturday.