Strengths and Weaknesses

Last weekend I headed to Green Bay. Quilt shopping was on the 'to do list', with strict objectives== two backing for the projects I was working on. Backings are no fun to buy...because they are just it.... backings. I said it over and over again.  You've been there. You know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Two backings.

I failed at achieving the objectives--sort of. I did get a backing for the Hop to it Quilt, but the black fabric were just too pretty to pass up.  She was cutting the packs up while I had my bolts of fabric set up to get cut out. I knew I had a certain dollar amount to spend - and convinced I could find a sale fabric on line or maybe piece something together with fabric I had at home (You're a  quilter, you know the reason we justify buying fabric we have no plan for what so ever!!). I haven't even untied it yet.  I just love looking at it for the sake of being beautiful fabric.

Every year I tell myself I'm going to do it. I'm going to plant bulbs.  It gets cold early, I get busy with life, I'm generally tired of gardening by this time of the year. I always regret come Springtime when the feet of snow start to melt.  This year is different. No procrastination---This packaged came in the mail this week.

It's filled with tulips, buttercups, and allium....pink, yellow, and purple. The tulips are planted in the garden.  The fence protects them form the deer.  Buttercups have a smell the deer do not like so they are in the porch side perennial bed. The Allium is sprinkled among all of them.

Don't put it off.  It's planting season.  Come Spring you'll be glad you did.

Welcome October.....

Saw a decal picture in Country Living Magazine--- I'm way too impatient to wait for it to come in the mail.  Postage is appalling as well, so I drew me a crow and painted it myself. 

This is my Heart and Home block for this September.  Fitting,I have it clipped to a turning Maple tree.  Though I work 7 to 4 every day-- my heart never leaves here...Just like the quilt block... My little brown house in among the Maple trees in the U.P.

Gratitudes-- A picture perfect weekend...

Bake Potatoes cooking in the oven--Supper is steaks off the Grill

My Family, My Pups, My Quilting...(throw in the lap top and credit card life is just about perfect)

Ripley Watch.....

He's four months old and Forty pounds.  He thinks he's as small as nine pound Bruno and Bruno thinks he's as big  as 40 lb Ripley.

He got his Rabies vaccination yesterday - so Now he's has 'Bling' on his collar.  

And Guess what??? We've figured out what exactly Ripley is (Aside from lovable)...

His Mom was a Lab Beagle Mix.  His dad was a German Wire Hair Pointer....Google it and you'll get it.  We've had purebred dogs before, But we think he's a Rock Star in his own right-- no papers needed...

To keep this a quilt journal-- fair and square-- here's the quilt part..

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Carol showed me this Scrappy Stars Along with 12 inch blocks.  Determined to whittle down the scrap box, I figure two blocks a month, I'll have a quilt in no time.

These are the Volunteer Mums that came back form last year. I just let them go wild this summer even though the rest of the flower bed was filled with begonias-- my flower bed-- my rules---.Now the begonias are gone and I have fall flowers left....

End of the Month...

Pumpkins -- from my garden.  the lines are fence marks where it grew.  Next year, I'll be better at it.  Every year a learning experience.  I got four pumpkins that big.

The leaves are 'peaking' in the U.P.  Basically that is the point when they are most colored and still hanging on the trees. Our woods are Yellow from all of the Aspen  and Maples.

No flash used on the camera, this is a tree that crosses my daily path in the woods.  I've said for 9 months I was going to take a quilt shot here-- and now it's done.  This is my Hop to it Quilt.  I love it and about to put it on the quilt frame. I try to think about my favorite part-- the colors, the different backgrounds of each block, or the friends I made it with. It's a toss up.....

You can see the worn trail from daily travels...It's definitely Autumn.

Don's home. I worked hard Thursday -- laundry, house work all done.  I've got a weekend to just play.

Hour Glass Blocks

It's not Chaos-- It's my sewing.  I've had the twelve blocks completed for about six months.  It's a project I did with Sue and Mary---  making a quilt designed by Edyta Sitar. I've had Six months of reading directions for the sashing and borders.  I have had six months of 'Googling'--- looking at how others completed the project.

 Triangles totally geek me out--- but I wanted the completed piece more.  I decided how I wanted it to look --- I was going to make the creme hourglass pieces match the blocks they surround.   I knew I was going to have to have plenty of room to lay the project out. I realized the detail involved.

 I realized I wanted it to look perfect because years from now I didn't want my great-great-grand kids looking at it saying, "Look Grams messed up here and here---She ran out of fabric here too..." Stupid, yes, I know... But the most important thing was I didn't want a big ugly quilt.

Last Friday was a rough day at work --- at the point of reaching 'the brink'  I received an email that said -- "When work sucks...think of this...." and included this picture:

Yep-- it was just as fuzzy in the email...but it did the trick.  I made it through the day at work plus I realized I was placing too much pressure on a bunch of triangles and sashing strips.  

I turn the brown pieces the other way and now it does matter was order they are in... the more random the better.

It's still a real busy piece, but I didn't want it real dressy anyway, I wanted it 'huggable'... Hopefully I can get the other 6 blocks attached tonight.

The pups had me up at 3:45 am---- It's amazing the things you get done before work when you get up that early.  

Housebreaking alert:   We're ten days without an accident.... I think we're over the hurdle with Ripley.

The radio just announce a hard freeze alert... It's 30 degrees...and Living in the U.P., it's that time of the year.

Sunday Evening....

Saturdays are the best. I get to sleep late(around 6:30am for me). I get to run the pups in the morning and the evening. Workouts on the elliptical machine do not involve a panic mode that "I'm running out of time". I have the weekly house cleaning to do coupled with errand running and the proverbial grocery shopping expeditions. But at the end of the day I sigh--- I have a cabinet full of food, a clean house, content pups, and enough calories burned I can eat just about anything I want.


Sundays are just as awesome plus I get sewing time-- completely guilt free. My Summer Stars are coming together. I am working on about 3 projects-- flitting from block to block. I want to get them to the completion stage. I have a trip to Green Bay planned for next weekend. I've hugged my scrap box pretty close on most of these projects so I'm due some fabric shopping---- borders and backings.

Seasons are swinging to new positions. There are snow flurries predicted for 50 miles north of here this weekend. Here are leaves from my walk with Ripley and Bruno.

I think my sewing machine is going to take up residence on my kitchen table this week....The weather is to beautiful to miss....

I'm off to make a pot of Gumbo for the week and cut up fabric the rest of the evening.

Summer Stars

Fall is slowly creeping up where I live. I have begun working through Summer Stars with a friend. Why? Because I could really use the practice at working with tiny pieces. But more importantly, it's fun sewing with a friend. I'm pulling from the scrap box and making two of each star. If I can get them all made, I think I'll treat myself to some alternating block fabric or a border piece for the project.

It's an eight week series found here.
I took the picture--wanting to share the project. But I also wanted to keep it real-----Look:

Therefore the reason I really need the practice with small pieces. I must have ripped out and re-stitched about five times, but I finally just gave up. I'm hoping that I can skimp on the seam allowance and it work will out. They don't take long to put together. Small projects are perfect with life's busy schedule.


I don't want to overlook the significance of today and the memories it holds for Americans. Some things you just don't forget.....

Heart & Home August

Here's my block for this month.... I am working on cutting out a new wool project.  I can't sit on the couch without something in my hands.

The original pattern had berries and leaves on the trees-- I decided  I didn't want them.

When I started connecting pieces this one turned out to be smaller.  It's my never ending problem with 'attention to detail'.  Well, I could have gotten on a fit, but instead I added an extra border around, with some left over fabric from another block.  Here's the row---

 (notice puppies wrestling in the background)

Putting it all together the quilt is darling and a ton of fun-- I love this block of the month program.

Sunflowers...

I don't want to get tired of the 'Fall Pumpkin' thing so I finished my Sunflower quilt and have it hanging in the breakfast room. Sometimes you can't even see bindings, but I love the dark brown framing it. The most frustrating thing about machine quilting once you get 'on a roll' is the bobbin running out. The only thing that tops that is not having one already threaded to get back to quilting. I finally decided to treat myself to more bobbins for an entire 5 bucks I got 10 new bobbins for my Pfaff Hobby quilter.

I keep asking-- why didn't I do this sooner??? For Sunday--I hope to get another binding set up on a quilted finish and set up hand sewing for the week.

A Scrappy Quilt

It still needs a good pressing and going over cutting spare threads... But I completed my project. Once it's quilted I'll show a better view.  I was wrestling the wind, the pups, and my camera to get a snap shot.  No patience, I couldn't wait to share.

When I first got it completed I was just sick of it.  I must have sewed every square twice because the first time I turn the blocks the incorrect way.  But as I pulled it out this evening-- I just loved it. 

I can't decide if it's saying ' Grab the picnic basket--- let's go!' Or 'Snuggle up it' s so cold outside...' either way, it's put together.  The binding is going to be brown-- to frame the entire piece.

I now have three pieces waiting in the wings for machine quilting.  That's my limit.  I need to get busy at the machine.  Summer weather and a new pup keep me from the machine quilting, but I'll get there.

Sign of the Times.....

The days of Summer continue, but we've been given reminders of the changing seasons. These are trademarks of the place where I live. Last year very few acorns fell, which also meant a lot of wildlife went hungry through the long winter.

It's been a great weekend. I tackled laundry, errands, and an entire housecleaning for today... Today I spent going to church and playing. The garden is full of vegetables. Despite lack of rain-- I was religious about keeping it watered. Now, I'm reaping the benefits: cucumbers, beans, tomatoes.

The novelty of the new pup will wear off I promise, but Ripley will be little for such a short time. At 22 pounds, Bruno and he have become best friends. You have to remember Bruno was originally Chelsey's pup....he's like her in so many ways....Don't mess with him when he's first gets up or when he's ready for bed at night...

But Ripley is pretty forgiving--- despite getting nipped at, he continues to come back for more. Lessons maybe we could all learn from a pup..... The clock is ticking--- enjoy the rest of the weekend....

Quilts are made from Blocks....

My quilt blocks are coming together.  Hopefully, if I'm not too tired, I'll piece twelve more tonight. 

Summer weather is holding on, I sew from the porch, Our days are long.  My Dad always says it's God's way of giving us some form of a growing season...

Ripley is fitting in well. He loves water...He's damp here because we helped water flowers this evening....

We just gotta get that sleeping thing figured out.  It'll happen....

Snowballs in July......

Here are my snowball blocks for the project I'm working on this weekend. The weather has been beautiful, so I moved the sewing machine up stairs where Ripley and Bruno can hang out on the porch.

I cooked my first batch of beans from my garden. Grilled chicken, sliced tomatoes and fresh corn  from the farmers market in town finished the menu.

We're not sleeping alot at our house.  Puppies don't do that-- therefore we don't either.  I remember when I had babies, my Mom always said, "Losing sleep burns calories...think how thin you're getting..."  I laugh and think of this very time Ripley wakes me up.

Back to the sewing machine.... have a good week....

Ripley---- As in Believe it or Not.....

The conversation went something like this--

"Mom, it's the only way to stop crying...."

"Chelsey-- Dad said just look at the pup..."

"Mom, She said take it or leave it....so I took it...."

So she is standing on the front steps with this....

So filling the huge hole in my heart is Mr. Ripley---

Joining  our family.....

He's going to be a big boy.... He's a Lab Mix... And he loves Bruno.  He has funny qwerks like Ransom had.. Sometimes Don & I just look at each other....I think he would have liked him....

Life goes on... When I get sad about Ransom I just tuck it away...and squeeze Ripley.... Time heals all wounds....

Have a good weekend.....

Ransom - 6/1/2001 6/26/2012

Hunter, Defender, Workout Trainer (for those days running in the woods), And most of all Friend....I'm really going to miss you.....

Weekend Wrap Up

Dinner with friends was fun. The weather cooperated and at the end of the night---long after everyone was gone, I laid in bed and laughed.... The house inside and out was clean(that thing you do when company is coming!!!) The yard freshly cut and flowers watered(another check in box). And the Fridge was filled with leftovers for the week's meals after work (Check! Check!). Maybe I'm horrible, but I still had Sunday to play...

I'm playing with more nine patches. They're so much fun to make. I purchased the creme print and never used it. I'm glad I waited.

This one is my favorite. I'm combining them with snowball blocks. We'll keep you posted.. This week temperatures are supposed to go back into the nineties. My dad goes back to the surgeons on Wednesday-- keep him in your prayers. I took a break from my Sunday School class this summer. It's been nice, but I find myself really missing it. There aren't enough kids to make a class in the fall-- but I'm hoping there's a door out there to be opened. Regardless for your faith, I believe kids need to hear right from wrong from as many adults as they can. It's a tough world out there.

This Weekend...I Hope for...

Chances to play with flowers... My new perennial spot..

Dinner for 8 with Friends... We're Christening the Screening of the Porch.

Time  to play with my next project...

Using the Porch to the fullest....

Play in my garden....

Willingness to share it with friends--- See the Robin...

Add to the list...
Run my pups..
Read a Magazine in the Hammock..
 and a Chance to slow down long enough to paint my fingernails....

Make the Most of Summer... It's so short....

Letters from Home....

I've spoken before about my folks-- they are in their 80's.  They've never owned a computer nor have any desire to.  Though I pretty much talk to my Mom  daily-- especially with my Dad not feeling well, there is no email. We write each other letters weekly. One of the best parts of her letters are the newspaper clippings she puts in the envelopes.   My kids laugh when the obituaries are pulled out but that's just my mom.  I can remember as a kid playing with my grandmothe'rs bible in church and there were always old obits saved between the book chapters. My Mom always says--,'When you hang up the phone the call is over--- but a letter you can read over and over again.'

This clipping was in Saturday's letter.

Here is the completed Heart and Home block for July. I love working with the lighter colors of woool.  Something new for me.  The Valdani threads are beautiful.

Gratitudes:

Fresh Corn on the Cob

Cookouts at work-- No lunch packing

Pony Tails--- Entirely too hot to have my hair down....

Love..... Mamie

I put the border pieces together yesterday. Now we've got the dilemma of getting down in the basement and getting this baby quilted or tucking it away until a rainy day for quilting. Yeah - I'm the optimist that dreams of having it ready to cover a table for a dinner coming up next weekend with friends....

 I'm pretty proud of this one for a few reasons. I used up fabrics I've had for a while. The piecing isn't too shabby. I'm learning the hard way, that quilts don't have to be complicated to be beautiful. Carol at Brown Quilts gets ninety nine percent of the credit. It's her design. She's a neat lady.

 I knew this summer I wanted to work on square blocks. For some reason I have just been drawn to them. I'm the one that does quilt doodles in business meetings. I wasn't short on ideas or patterns. These are waiting in the wings....

They are all beautiful. Why did I choose Love...Mamie....first? I chose it because more than quilting itself, I wanted to talk (or type) with someone else about quilting. It's a lot more fun if you have someone to talk to. I'm supposed to talk about Nuclear Energy at work--- that's a far cry from quilting. Now onto the next great piece....

 OK-- I now know the reason I haven't had much quilt talk. Kind of figured I hadn't posted much,so 'out of sight---out of mind' But I now realize Blogger has been holding onto 50 comments that I did not know I had.... I am so sorry... I am emailing tonight.

Getting Closer----

This is the backing fabric for the Mamie Quilt.  I had a fat quarter that I used in the Nine patches and loved.  So I went on line and bought some for borders and backing for the project.  I've done real good with my fabric purchases.  I have the one BOM project, but I haven't purchased any quilt kits.   I'm concentrating on scrappy patchwork this year.  Borders and backings are my only "spends"--- and the occaisional theraputic fat quarter( for sanity sake only!!!)

I moved the sewing machine upstairs where the pups could hang close on the porch with me.  Ransoms hips are failing and stairs are not his friend.  But his tail still wags and he still bosses me around with his barking-- oh the men in my life!!!---so life is good in our house.

I'm about to go play in the garden and water flowers--- it just seems wrong to say"work" in the garden. I promised myself I would do that, then run errands and knock out the Saturday cleaning...This afternoon--after nap time-- I'll be behind my sewing to complete this baby.

Enjoy your weekend.