Time out for fishing

I replanted my cucumber seedlings in the large pot today.  Also planted two tomato plants.  It got hot quick.  I don't seem to be accomplishing anything in sewing or anything else since I have been home.  It seems I have been going going going and I need to rest in between.  

So today, I pretended I was a man.  I looked around and thought...I needed to vacuum, grocery shop, pull the weeds in the yard and do laundry.  So I went fishing.  Caught the first fish on Opal and Tom's new dock.  Boy that felt good.  It was breezy and just the right temperature.  If it was my dock, I would probably have to sit on that dock every evening.  No make up, looking rough...but I got a fish and none of the chores I have waiting for me at home disappeared while I was fishing. Until we meet again.....

Busy weekend

We got home Friday night and the kids and grandkids all came over and we ordered Pizza.  The grandkids begged to stay the night, but I was just too tired.  I really felt bad with Cooper (4) because he just cried and hugged me and told me he just wanted to stay with me and make "tookies".  He told me you just mix Orange Juice and milk and stir it and put it on a pan and stick  it in the oven and it makes tookies...don't think I want any of those "tookies".  Saturday was the Spring fest in Winter Garden.  I went with my DIL and her mother.  There were so many beautiful plants and it was the bigger than usual.  I bought some air plants and 2 other plants..can't remember the names.  It was so hot!  I think it was close to 90 degrees when we left.  Talk about being dehydrated...yuk.  I don't think I cooled off until today.  We realized last night that the AC was not working.  No wonder I was having hot flashes.  We called the repairman this morning and he came this afternoon, fixed it and finally I am cooool.  

Austin (10 and Emily (5) called begging to stay the night yesterday afternoon.  I said yes and Bill brought them home.  I never know what they are going to say.  Austin was showing me how he thought he might be growing a mustache and might have to shave soon.  A couple of months ago, he was proud to show me the one hair that had popped out under his arm.  They both are funny kids.  He also told me he hoped I did not turn into a COP,  crazy old person.  I hated to bust his bubble and tell him I was already there.  He had a number of acronyms that he shared with me. He did not want Emily to play is game and I had to tell him he was acting like a BOB, big ole baby!  It is fun to give them back some of their medicine.

Stacy came this afternoon so we could get our fabrics ready to sew.  She had cut most of the fabric and we (she) finished the cutting this afternoon on all the prints.  It will be so nice to be able to sew some "real" quilt squares.  I can cut a few strips but they are not always accurate on the ends because I cannot hold the ruler stable.  I have cut a few things like the table runners I made but it sure made my shoulder sore.  I have had several friends that have offered to cut and so has Lisa.  I think I will take the white fabric and let Lisa cut it for me.  I would not have let Stacy cut either except we bought the fabrics together and since she was cutting hers, she just cut mine too.  We just finished the last of the cuts on the prints.  I so appreciate her help plus it was so good to be able to visit and giggle a little with her.  I will lay it out and post a picture soon.  It will be a very happy quilt.  The colors are lime green, purple, aqua, orange, white.

It has several polka dot prints so I was able to add a few more strips to my polka dot group from the scraps.  My goal on that quilt is to just use no more than two pieces that are alike in the quilt.  I have already cut about 300 pieces.  I had cut the strips that I had and just used scissors to cut two 2X4 pieces of each of the fabrics.  It takes about 900 pieces to do the quilt and I think I have about 300 cut so far.  You can google New York quilt quilts and it will bring similar quilts up...just think all polka dots.

Bedtime for me since I have blood work tomorrow morning...until we meet again.

    

Cleanup time

I went through everything that I have drug out to sew on since I have been here.  The loft looked like an explosion had hit...which is pretty much how it looks every time I sew.  Just have explosive fingers I guess.  I got everything back in the tubs and made a stack of what I wanted to bring back with me.  I did not touch the main project I had intended to work on while I was here.  That would be the polka dot quilt.  Oh well, next time.  I got everything picked up, put away and the room vacuumed and clean sheets put on the bed for when I come back up for the quilt show with my friend Cathy.  I did a couple of loads of laundry...still got to fold one.  That about does it for today.  I was in slow motion from a sinus headache.  The pollen count is so high.  I did stroll out in the yard to look and see if any thing new had popped it's head out.

My little plants are doing fine.  I just don't know what they are yet.  I think they are cucumbers since they don't look like tomatoes and don't smell like basil.  Could be bell peppers I guess.   They should really start busting out when they get back to warm weather.

I bought a very unique mirror last weekend and I love how it looks over the mantle.  The pictures don't do it justice and I just love the little bit of sparkle from the buttons and beads.  Bill has not said anything else about it since we hung it so I guess he is getting used to it.

I like the funky look with my other little treasures.  For full appreciation, I think it has to be seen in person.  Here is the plant stand I purchased also.  I love it too.  I think I will paint it black when I get home.  The plant is a hoya plant.  The plant has gorgeous blooms that are called umbels. This is a bonus to the already beautiful plant.  The blooms are very waxy and look artificial.  You can see the bloom by clicking on this link:  http://www.hoyaplants.com/  

Yes, that is Butchie waiting to get into the house.  He has really been good and he loves it outside.

Here is a picture of the 10 minute block I made.  I found it a little more difficult sewing it on a smaller scale.  I used 5 inch blocks and the original pattern is for 10 inch blocks.  It is not perfect but you can get the jist of it

.  Now, for the last project, the 10 minute table runner.  Everything is 10 minutes it seems.  I just ran to Wallyworld and grabbed a couple of fabrics to try the pattern out.  It is more like a table linen than a quilted table runner.  Can't decide if I want to put batting in the next one or not.  Still have to do the top stitching,  I think it is a great pattern to showcase appliqué and embroidery.  I can see how it would be really nice for holiday gifts.

That seems to be all my news...until we meet again.....

Stitch in time demo

Yesterday, I went to see Sharon's new home.  It is absolutely beautiful and so much designed with nature in mind.  I was red faced when I got up the drive way which was interesting.  I guess I was scared since the last time I was up there, our car rolled over a couple of times and hit a tree.  Yesterday was a whole lot more fun than that day.  She still has lots of boxes to unpack and I am sure she would feel better if she could get her sewing room all set up.  I begged her to let me help her but she would not hear of it.  Bill and Jim went to the gun range and when they returned, we grilled hamburgers and had lunch on the deck.  The wind was blowing pretty hard but it was nice out side.  I really enjoyed the visit with her.  I miss her since she moved.  Last night, that was a totally different story.  It stormed here with 60+ miles an hour winds.  Lightening, thunder and wind had Butchie all excited.  I had to move his crate in our bedroom.

This morning I went to the demo at the local quilt store, A Stitch in Time.  Today's demo was Bullion embroidery roses.  It is very pretty and very dainty.  I think I might do some roses on a couple of cotton shirts around the collars.  You can watch a tutorial on bullion embroidery at www.needlenthread.com.  


They also have tutorials on lots of different embroidery stitches.  It looks like a great reference sight.  I will have to get some thread and try the stitch so I don't forget it.  I also checked out a couple of thrift stores and bought an old quilt top that someone had haphazardly put together.  I am going to use it as a backing to practice with the long arm.  I ripped part of it out today to straighten it up some.  I also bought a set of red curtains and a bed skirt that was blue yellow and green and I ripped those up to use in my quilts.  The fabrics on both were really nice fabrics.  


We will probably come home on Friday.  I will have to really hustle tomorrow to start cleaning up.  The loft is a mess with sewing stuff everywhere and it is shameful how big a mess I can make in a very short time.  Plus I have done very little sewing...just fondling of the fabrics.  I love fabric.  Yep, that does sound a bit sick doesn't it.  But it is true, I love searching the thrift stores for remnants and found several today.  Don't know what I will do with them but it seems cotton will soon be so high I might not can afford to buy fabrics in the stores.  Buying pieces at the thrift store for .25 to 2.00 doesn't seem like such a bad deal. 


The other quilt store, Deb's Cat's and Quilts has expanded and finally moved into the new part.  I slipped past there and checked it out also.  The new addition has really opened it up and made it such a nice quilt shop.  


My little plants are just growing right along.  I noticed on some of them that I have new leaves coming out.  One whole group never came up and sooner or later, I will figure out whether each plant is a tomato, cuke, basil or bell pepper.  I sure will mark the trays in the future.  The last tray of seeds are still in little seedling pot, I am going to wait until I get home to repot.  Well, no pictures today...until we meet again.    

Windy days, garage sales and funky mirrors

We got up today and decided we would go to a big garage sale at the community center across from Whistle Stop.  People could just rent a table and load it with their treasures.  It was very crowded and full of junk.  The sale benefited the "Senior Games".  I bought some strawberry jelly that a lady had made for her husband and he passed away several months ago and she said no way she could eat all the jelly.  Wish I had her recipe because it is scrumptious.  I am making whipped cream biscuits in the morning so we can eat the jelly. It is so good, if the biscuits fail, I will just eat it with a spoon.

Bill and I just wondered through looking at everyone's treasures.  He found several books to buy and I found a treasure I just love.  When I describe it, don't shake your head and think I am nuts.  It is very funky and perfect for over the mantel.  It is a mirror in a gold frame that has beads of a sort, all sizes of buttons, shells, pennies and I don't know what else glued all around the frame.  Then it has cording around where the frame connects to the mirror.  It also has two little tassels hanging down from the bottom.  Now I know that it sounds like the tackiest thing you have ever heard about.  It is wonderful.  Bill doesn't think he likes it very much but then again we know how conservative he is about anything out of the ordinary.

We brought it home and set it on the mantle.  I absolutely loved it.  He again stated he thought it was ugly.  It is not ugly...different maybe but certainly not ugly.  When I was carrying it out of the sale, 4-5 women stopped me to tell me they loved the mirror.  They had good taste I am sure...or maybe just loved the unusual.  It did not look right just sitting on the mantle so I had him hang it about 10" up from the mantle.  I have been looking for something to fill the void over the mantle.  It is a very tall space and needed something badly.  I still have room to hang a quilt If I want to way up high.  I took a picture and when I download it, I might post it.  It cost me a whole $6.00 and I think it is one of the best treasures I have ever come across.  It suits our little cottage style to a T.  I might be nuts but I would never cross that fine line into "tacky"...gaudy yes, but never tacky or ugly!!

I also bought a wonderful plant stand for $8.00.  It is iron and holds a pot perfectly.  I think I might paint it black if the wind will ever quit blowing.  It was a great day for junk and jelly!  Today the wind gusts had to be 40-50 miles per hour.  I was upstairs and the trees were bending waaaaaaaaaay far over.  The noise sounded like a hurricane.  Yes, when I went out side my hair was standing on end and I had so much electricity that I had to slick it down with my hand and slide my hand all the way down to my bottom before I could take it away from my body.  The hair just popped right back out.  I looked like I had been scared really bad or stuck my finger in a socket.

I bought a beautiful violet when I first got up here and it is huge.  It has got to be at least 12" across and maybe even 15".  I hope I can get it home without breaking the leaves.  One of them broke off and I am trying to root it.  Yes, I know I need another violet like I need a hole in the head.  It is much darker than the picture shows.  It is a dark royal purple with a very pale green edging on the blooms.  Got to work on those picture taking skills.

I replanted my little seedlings a couple of days ago.  They are still quite small, but they have grown in two days.  I intend to bring them with me when we go south.  I think this is the basil.  I thought it was cucumbers based on the seed that was on top of the leaves.  It might be basil.  The front two pots and one in the back have a different plant in them... might be tomatoes.  I have some more that will be ready to re-pot Monday or Tuesday.  I planted tomato, bell pepper, cucumber and basil seeds.  Got the trays mixed up so I don't know what is what...guess if it continues to grow the mystery will be solved.  Bill will stroke when he sees how many plants we have to haul home.  Hope we have room for all his guns and stuff. :)

I am going to Sharon's on Monday and I am taking a new recipe.  If it is good, we will eat it and I will share the recipe...if not, I guess we can feed it to the birds.  Until we meet again.....

Long time no blog

It seems forever since I have blogged.   The visit with my Dad went well and I did get curtain tie backs and pillow cases done for my Stepmother.  The room looks really nice with the updated colors and Margaret is quite pleased with the quilt, pillow, cases and the curtains my sister Sheila made.  Here is a view of the room.

I slept in the room and opened the blinds a little for some light.  I guess it would look better if I had at least fixed the blind before I shot the picture.  duh!  Here is a better view of the quilt and cases.

I planted tomato, bell pepper, basil and cucumber seeds when I got here.  I got the trays mixed up so I don't know what is what but some have come up and are large enough to replant.  The others are just peaking their head out and I don't think some are going to come up.  Pictures later when they get a little bigger.  I also noticed down on the slope of our property there was a yellow flower.  I thought it might be a daffodil since I had planted them the first year we were here.  I went down and dug them up and replanted them at the top of the hill. I believe I might have a mutant  daffodil.  The green leaves look the same as the daffodils.  I noticed I had another one today.  I am going to leave it where it is in the hopes that it will spread.  I had planted many different types of wildflowers in the time we have been here.  I have very small almost iris looking blooms that are spread all over the yard.  Haven't taken a picture yet but they sure are pretty.  I also have no idea what they are.  Most are purple but some are white.  They really are pretty and sweet.  I have planted lots of different bulbs and some cone flowers.  They are starting to come up.  I hope the red hot pokers make it.  Some of the things I planted last summer are peaking their heads out.  Don't really know which is which but just happy they are coming up.  Here is a picture of the mutant daffodil...unless it has another name.

I haven't sewed much since I have been here and I am almost ashamed of not having anything to show for my time here.  I have been very non productive.  Since we have returned from my Dad's, I seem to be a little down.  He is 85 and I see a decline in him every time we go to see him.  His wife is such an angel because it is not easy being primary caregiver to someone with Altzheimer's.  I am forever grateful for her care giving.  Don't know what we would do without her.  I feel very blessed to have her in his life and mine.

My tulips are starting to bloom and the Dogwood tree is all budded up.  I hope it blooms next week before we leave.  Otherwise, we will most likely miss it.  It is cooler here but expected to warm up tomorrow.  I also have some really pretty little purple flowers that I planted last year and they look like small upside down stems of a bright purple grape.  Wish I could remember what they were.  I have noticed a small grouping going down the hill that I guess came from a seed birds dropped or maybe they washed down there.  Anyway, they really are pretty and sweet and I will be fine if they spread all over the yard..

I made a 10 minute table runner tonight that was a demo at the quilt store last week.  I will send pictures when I get the top stitching finished.  It is quite simple but then it only takes 10 minutes to make it so it could not be too complicated.  That is about all for now.  Until we meet again.....