WIP Wednesday. . . .NOT!!!

Boooo Hoooo! I tried to connect to DSL service (yes, I am probably one of the last hold outs on dial up service). . . .well, everything went fine after the Verizon tech helped me figure out how to open up my ethernet port. WOW, DSL is fast!!

I downloaded in 15 minutes more podcasts onto my iPod than I have in the past 2 months!! I was impressed & went to bed a happy camper.

Then came "the morning after". . . .my computer is down, dead, kaput, or insert any other word you want. I can't run ANYTHING.

Now, $42 and a call to India to speak with the Dell tech. . . I still have no computer and no explanation as to why this happened, nor do I have any easy fix to correct the problem.

Luckily, I have a computer guru in the form of the son of a friend who is going to be my Knight in Shining Armor. . . .just as soon as the new computer gets delivered! (Which should be no later than Monday, 12/10/07).

Until then I will be unable to post pictures or anything else (I've done this on my work computer).


On a WIP front I have worked on an afghan that I am making for my husband to give to his secretary for Christmas --- yes, I just started it. The pattern is very easy & I'm using a larger crochet hook (size H) so I have great hope that it will be completed in time.

Until my computer comes back to life I hope all of you have wonderful days.

In peace & pieces,

Sherry

What have I been doing???

Well, I finished another project. . . but I can't show any pictures until CHRISTMAS!!! UUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!! Yes, I am talking about my Secret Santa Christmas Swap gift. It is winging it's way to it's owner as we speak!

Ok, now I've had my "hissy fit" and I can talk about what I made. . . it was completely from stash so I have still maintained my fabric diet.

Not buying fabric hasn't caused me any other problems since I haven't overcompensated by book buying although I have purchased several books lately.

It's great fun in that I have been borrowing alot of books through inter-library loan so I can really check out the books before I decide to buy them.

My husband is very impressed with me. . . I have completed 2 projects in 2 weeks and have already decided what the next project to be worked on will be (but I don't have pictures of that yet). . . he said that he has never seen me so "single minded" since we have been together. . . guess the frustrating of a cluttered house is really working some "magic", huh???!!!

In peace & pieces,

Sherry

UFO Finished; some yarn stash BUSTED!!!

Well, here it is Sunday and I have the thrill of showing pictures of a finished project and the ability to report that I busted quite a few skeins of baby yarn that had previously lived in my basement!! Yippee!!!


I've provided 3 pictures in graduated close-up so that you might get a better look at the design ---- if you so desire.


This is a gift for a friend's daughter's first born. The baby (sorry I forgot his name) is now 3 months old. . . and as the weather has definitely decided to become winter-like he probably won't get any use of it until the spring. At least he will still be able to enjoy it & it is very light and airy -- perfect for a spring-time stroll.

I also busted some FABRIC stash with a Christmas gift. . . but that is a SECRET so I don't want to put a picture up quite yet. . . .but in a month I will be able to. It's just good to know that I have now gotten more OUT of the house than I brought IN.

Oh, BTW, I have been perfect for 24 days on my Fabric Diet. . . no purchases since November 1st. That is another great Yippee!!! since I have actually been on-line and in quilt shops during this time.

Have a wonderful day!

Sherry

WIP Wednesday. . . . a day late

I am in a couple of Secret Santa swaps. . . both on-line & off-line. . .this is the start of one of the projects. . . but I'm not saying whether it is being mailed or handed in. . . you're all just gonna have to wait!!! lol














My sister was married either 6 or 7 years ago as of May 2008. At the time of her bridal shower I told her that I would make a quilt for her as a wedding gift. . . here is one of the blocks. As she & her husband have a king sized bed I have to make about 135 more of these blocks. . . . guess I better get going.

These are hand pieced because I have a hard time with curves on the sewing machine.















This was the original plan (well, a portion of it) for the Fall Four Seasons Quilt Swap project. I wasn't really happy with it since I goofed up & did not cut the pieces correctly (the pieced diamond sections were to all have radiated out from the center solid block). I really like the fabrics though so I am going to finish this to use as a doll quilt.














I hope you all have a wonderful HAPPY THANKSGIVING. . . .and just remember, it's not the turkeys fault that you get so tired (yeah, that "T" word thing that was all the rage last year doesn't count this year!!!) Don't you just love "the experts" that don't know it all???? he he he he he

In peace & pieces,

Sherry

I'm gonna start Busting some Stash!!!

I read Judy L's blog (Sunshine Quilts) quite regularly. . . and have decided that her "call to arms" regarding stash reduction has really hit home.

As I may have mentioned, I am still relatively newly wed (we just celebrated our 2nd anniversary). . . and the house we live in was the house that I bought 10 years ago.

When I was living by myself the fact that I had 1/2 of the basement full of fabric, thread, yarn, hooks, needles, pins, patterns, books (both reading & project) did not concern me.

When I started dating my husband it was necessary to start "tidying up" a bit more (meaning that I wasn't leaving WIPS and WHIMMS all over the house so that I could pick up whatever project called to me at any one point in time).

After the wedding it came time to move his stuff into the house. . . and I knew that we were going to have a problem.

He has not only his possessions, but those from several deceased aunts & uncles that he just cannot bear to part with (including 6 big plastic tote boxes full of rocks, stones, quartz, etc. --- these, at least, are sitting on the patios outside)!!!

After reading Judy's entry about her stash I decided that I was not going to keep asking him to put his stuff away. . . . I was going to take "the bull by the horns" so to speak and tell him that I fully expect to have our home "company ready" (for upstairs) and "quilting studio" (ready for the basement) in 3 months.

He has agreed, in theory, to do this. . . . time will tell how much of his stuff ends up getting stored in the travel trailer while he is deciding what to do with it.

My main reason (besides the usual--- the house looks terrible) is that my sister will be celebrating her 6th (or is it 7th) wedding anniversary in May 2008. . . and I still have not finished the DWR variation quilt that was to be her wedding gift.

I have more kits & partial projects going than I care to mention. . . and that will be my first battle. . . .well, that & not running to Joann's with a coupon to buy yet another pair of fabric scissors since I can't find the 12 pair that I have in the house!!!

I look forward to being able to post weekly progress reports. . . .and willingly accept any "finger wagging" from my fellow challenge members that I may deserve.

But right now I have to get to the bank before they close. . . .gee, maybe I'll be brave enough to show pictures of the "dump site" also known as my basement in its current state????

In peace & pieces,

Sherry

Tales from the Vacation

As I had mentioned previously my husband & I went on vacation for the first full week of November. We travelled to Hancock, MA. . . . which is very close to the New York State border & somewhat close to the Vermont state border. And close to nothing else!!! he he he he

With gas prices the way they are it was disconcerting to have to drive at least a half hour in any direction to get to anything.

Yes, I am spoiled & I will freely admit it! We are lucky enough to live within walking distance of several small shopping areas and within a 10 minute drive to several major shopping malls and at least 4 major food stores.

We were out in the "boonies".

Ok, we were at a ski resort. . . .too early for ski season (which neither of us know how to do anyway!), and too late for tourist season (which meant many things were closed for the winter).

We decided to go to Great Barrington for some antiquing. . . . oh boy, talk about sticker shock!!! There was one shop that had a place setting of china (for 6 mind you) for $22,000.00!!! We decided that we were in the wrong town.

After deciding that we better find cheaper shops we got into the middle of a hail storm. . . that ended up with at least 1/2" of slushy stuff on the ground. . . and lousy driving conditions! All of this while going UP the mountain!!

At that point I was ready to turn around & come right back home!

Unfortunately that was not an option. . . . so I figured that I better get used to being up in the mountains for 5 more days.

The rest of the vacation was ok. . . .my husband seems to have had a much better time than I did. . . I would have rather stayed home & gotten either some more painting done or been able to work on my quilting or crocheting (yes, I did take projects to work on. . . but did not get much done) --- hours of riding in a car just seem to drain all my energy.

BUT, I did become a Moose hunter in Vermont!!!

Here are pictures to prove it:






It seems that several years ago there was a "Moose Walk" in Vermont. . . I have not had a chance to Google it to find out what it was all about, but I'm guessing it was a charity fund raising type thing (I believe that New York had a similar thing but with cows a while back also).

Any way, there was a moose that got away (too much traffic every time we went through town to stop) so I am not a Great Moose Hunter, just a plain ole moose hunter!

On a craft work note, I am almost done with the circular baby afghan that I have been working on for my GF's first grandbaby (a boy). . and as the child is now 3 months old I need to get my fingers moving a bit faster!

Until my next post. . . . keep stitching!

Sherry

BTW, I noticed from Margaret's blog that there are only a limited number of spaces for the Winter 2008 Four Seasons Quilt Swap. If you haven't joined yet you better get going!!

Four Seasons Quilt Swap. . .Winter sign ups have started!!

Oh boy, I go on vacation for a week & I come back to see that the sign ups for the Winter Four Seasons Quilt Swap have already started!! Wooo Hooo

I answered several urgent messages & then had to make sure I got my email off to Margaret (just click on the Four Seasons button on my side bar) so that I would be part of this great swap. Have YOU signed up yet???

I tried to copy the info from Margaret's blog but my computer is acting up. . . so, please, check out the Four Seasons Quilt Swap blog & see if this might be a swap you would like to take part in.

Have lots to tell about our trip. . . but that will have to wait until later in the week. . . this computer is just too finicky tonight!

Have a wonderful evening,

Sherry

Here are some Halloween pics!

My nephew was Buzz Lightyear for Halloween. . . and my mother, as had her mother in the past, had to get into the action of being scary to her grandchild.

The "monster" is my mother. . . . she posed with my sister (Ty's mom) for a group shot. And since Ty was a little scared (and wanted to know what the monster did with Mom Mom) so my mother decided on a photo op of attacking my DH.

















I can't figure out how to rotate the pictures so I apologize in advance for making you turn your head to the side!

Have a ton of stuff to finish before we leave tomorrow morning so I better get off the computer.

Have a wonderful day,

Sherry

On the Road Again!!

Gee, it seems that lately most of my postings have been telling you that I am not going to be posting! LOL

DH & I (and Mr. Wiggles) are heading out early Sunday morning for a week's visit to Hancock, Massachusetts. We will be staying at a time share property at a ski resort & will not have computer access (since we do not own a laptop) unless we can get to a library with internet access.

I plan on taking several crochet projects that have been lingering in my UFO pile for much too long. . . .one is the circular baby afghan that I have shown pictures of previously -- once it is finished I will post another. Then I have a scrap yarn afghan (the Jacob's Ladder one that I have also posted previously) and a couple of doilies that are in half finished status.

It would be nice if I could find some hand piecing to bring with me. . . but I think I may just bring the rail fence baby quilt that I got from our quilt guilds Free table and just never got to finishing the quilting on --- it is more than 1/2 way done & there are several babies coming soon that it could be gifted to.

Other than that I hope to be able to find lots of flea markets, antique shops, "old time" country shops and the like to nose around in . . . and I will try to take pictures to pass on.

I have pictures of my nephew from Halloween but haven't uploaded them yet. . . will try to get to that before we leave on Sunday.

Stay warm!

Sherry

Where has the time gone?

My goodness, I can't believe that it is almost a full month since my last posting!!
This is a picture of a mushroom that was growing on the side of a tree at Turkey Swamp Campgrounds in Freehold, NJ. This is one of the pictures that I took on one of our camping trips there this past summer.















Here are a few more for your viewing pleasure:


















On a quilting note I have started teaching my latest course through the Adult Education program. There are 4 women in my class.

So far we have done a table runner using 3 fabrics (at least that was the plan) -- some of them used 4 or 5 fabrics because they are trying to work through their stash.

We also did a tumbling block ornament (have to get a picture for you) and have started working on tumbling block center pieces.

The last project that I have picked to work on is paper-pieced crazy quilt blocks. That will allow my students to learn paper-piecing and practice embellishments at the same time.

The next session begins in March. . . and the girls are asking for an intensive session of curved piecing so I am thinking of Turkey Tracks, Steeplechase & Drunkard's Path since they are all traditional blocks and present different "problems" in construction.

If any of you have any other suggestions I would love to hear them.

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Sherry

Four Seasons Quilt Swap -- FALL update

Gee, it has been a while since my last post . . . things have been really busy lately.

I want to show you the really great quilt that I got from Wendy for the Four Seasons Quilt Swap -- Fall edition:




Isn't it just terrific! I love this quilt.

Now, here is the quilt that I sent out to my swap partner. . . hmmm, I can't say who it was sent to yet since it hasn't arrived . . . but I'll show you what is in the hands of the USPS as we speak:




I can't wait until the next Swap starts up. . . .guess it would be Winter since we have just done Fall. . .and I have a ton of ideas of what I can do.

Ok, there are lots more things to tell you about, but I'm a little rushed right now. . .stay tuned!!

Have a great day,

Sherry

A challenge to a reader

I just signed up to join this challenge -- http://bookawardschallenge.blogspot.com/
--- what an excuse to read more books! I most often read during lunch breaks at work and have found that I can read upwards of THREE books a month in just 1/2 to 3/4 hour chunks of time. Wow

It should be fun to "stretch" my reading horizons.

Wanna join????

Later,

Sherry

I've been back but I'm leaving again

Hi All:

I came back from the long weekend but haven't had time to post; now I'm heading out again -- this time to Harrisburg, PA for the Pennsylvania National Quilt Show (it had previously been held in Ft. Washington but has since moved west).

Will catch up with everything next week some time; I've got pictures from the campground to post.

Have a great weekend,

Sherry

Have A Terrific Weekend

My husband & I will be camping with "Mr. Wiggles" this weekend. . . .and hopefully he will be doing ALOT of fishing so I can get some handwork done. I hope to be able to get the Fall Quilt Swap quilt cut & pieced, plus I have the circular baby afghan to finish (especially since the baby has already been born!!).

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. . . .and I hope to be able to post more pictures when I return.

Be safe & keep stitching!

Sherry

Fall Quilt Swap update

Well I have the fabrics for my quilt picked out & in the washer as we speak. . . here's a picture:







I have several different ideas that I have played with through EQ6. . .but for some reason I cannot get them to upload to Blogger. . . . so everyone will just have to wait until I get some of the piecing done to see how things are developing.

I hope all my fellow Fall swappers are having a great time with their projects!

Also, thank you for your good thoughts. . .it appears that "Mr. Wiggles" may just have been having a bad spell because he seems to be "as good as new" since Friday. He has been getting a lot of extra love (not that he lacks for attention) from Steve & I so hopefully a crisis has been averted.

Have a wonderful day,

Sherry

This is my "best boyfriend"!

I thought you might like seeing the first love of my life. This is "Mr. Wiggles" (which is one of his many names!):

This is my "puppy" who is 13 1/2 years old. . . and has been with me since he was 4. He has been diabetic since he was 10 but the vet & I have been able to keep him pretty much on track so far. Unfortunately, he has been having some "issues" in the past week that are worrying me. . .and I'm afraid of what the consequences could be.

Guess he & I will cross our bridges as we get to them. . . may be time to get the vet involved in some more medical tests to check out where exactly he stands.

Hug your pets. . . and keep good thoughts for "Mr. Wiggles".

Thanks,

Sherry

My Turn to PAY IT FORWARD

Pay It Forward

I will send a handmade gift to the first three people who leave a comment requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don't know what that gift will be yet, but you will receive it within 365 days. The only thing you have to do in return is "pay it forward" by making a similar agreement on your journal.

I am going to be the recipient of one of these. . . . and would love to be able to pass it on.

Have a wonderful day,

Sherry

Chookyblue's Secret Santa Swap

I received my email today telling me who I get to play Santa to. And it is not someone from the US!! (How's that for a tease???)

I have already checked out some of the blog entries from her but I'm still a bit curious about what she likes, doesn't like, colors, quilting style, other crafts she might enjoy, decorating style, etc.

So, in an attempt to make my Santa's live a little easier here are a list of information from me that might be of use (and if any other Secret Santa Swappers want to use them feel free to copy!).

Here goes:

Favorite colors: yellow (all shades including gold), pink, burgundy, neutrals

Quilting style: prefer traditional, not into "art" quilting, crazy quilting, redwork, bluework

Other crafts: crochet, knitting (I'm a beginner teaching myself), counted cross stitch, redwork

Food likes: pretty much everything. . .I don't eat sauerkraut, liver, sweet potatoes or veal

Snacks/candy: chocolate always works, in any category (cookie, bar, etc.), chips, cookies

Decorating style: country/Victorian/"shabby chic"

Clothing style: professional during the week at work and for church, definitely casual when not at work or church

I hope this helps out my Santa. . . . .now I'm going back to trying to figure out what I am doing for the Fall Quilt Swap since that requires immediate attention.

Have a wonderful day!

Sherry

PIPS. . . . oh boy do I have them!!!!

PIPS --- projects in plastic sacks

I have alot of them. . . and thought you might enjoy seeing some of them.

This first picture is of a circular baby afghan that I am making for the daughter of one of my friends. . . she is expecting her first baby. It is made with a variegated baby "sparkle" yarn.














I am teaching myself to knit. . .and this is a project that I found on the internet for a simple shawl. . .I'm using worsted weight yarn so it is going to be pretty warm (if it ever gets finished). It is a very simple pattern but knitting just seems to take so long in order to actually "see" something (as compared to crochet) that I have no idea when this project will be completed.

















This is an afghan pattern that I found on the internet. . .it is called Jacob's Ladder. This is one of the projects that I use in order to use up the extra yarn that I have in the house from other projects (or that I bought just because I liked it.













And here is a ripple afghan, again, this is being made to use up extra yarn.

















This picture is a table runner that I made from a kit.. I purchased it while my husband and I were on vacation in Virginia. The written directions were very confusing to follow (at least for me) so I just kept looking at the pictures, had an "ah ha" moment & was able to complete the top in record time while at a quilter's camp.
















This picture is of a quilt sampler that I made for my first teaching sample ---- at least 15-20 years ago!! It is still a UFO but I have completed more that 1/2 of the quilting & I am determined to have it finished by the end of this year.















The quilt guild I belong to makes charity quilts. . . and here is one that I made from the blocks & fabric that someone in the quild donated. It is flannel but I am using a regular cotton fabric for the backing & binding. It will be a good size for a baby.




I hope you enjoyed my little show. . . and I hope that I will have some completed projects to show you in the near future. But you will be seeing alot of UFO's along the way as well.

Have a blessed day,

Sherry

Four Seasons Quilt Swap. . . oh my!

I received an email telling me who I am making a quilt for. . . and WOW, this is definitely going to put me "outside the box". . . which is fun to do at times -- it exposes me to fabrics and/or designs that I might not look at during the normal course of my quilting.

The keywords (at least in my mind) of my swap partner are: modern, contemporary, intense and abstract.

Hmmmm. . . they mentioned some designers (whom I am not familiar with) so I went on www.quiltshops.com to check out the names. Found a fabric that I think I will use as a "jumping off" point.

Now my next challenge is to come up with the quilt design. . . however, I do have some thoughts on that. . . looks like I might be doing more hand piecing (which is one of my loves -- especially since it is portable).

I think Saturday morning will find me at a QS (there aren't any local to me anymore) so that I can buy fabric to get this project started.

Wonder if my partner is going to have the same challenges with their project for me??

Have fun everyone!

Sherry

Fun Swap that I joined

As you can see from the side bar badge, I've joined up for the 4 Seasons Quilt Swap. Here is the information. . . . perhaps you would like to join us:

Four Seasons Quilt Swap I

Margaret has started a new swap of doll-sized quilts. She requested that we pass the word along to make this a big and fun swap, so here goes, from Margaret's letter:

Here's what I propose for the first swap...
This is the Four Seasons Swap. If all goes smoothly, over the next year we can collectively create a quilted project for each season. With Summer approaching it's end soon, let's begin with Fall.

Create a doll-sized quilt depicting your interpretation of fall. There are no design guidlines; use your imagination and you cannot go wrong. Keep the size between 12" x 12" and 18" x 18", with rectangular or square being OK. It may be for a wall or for a table (as in a runner or centerpiece). Please use prewashed cotton or cotton blend materials if possible. Embellishment with anything that sews on is great (ie., trims, ric-rac, buttons). Please no glue though. Specify to your swap partner how quilt should be washed. The back of your quilt should include a personalized label with the name you selected four your Fall quilt, the date and your name, at a minimum. The quilt top may be pieced, applique, or whatever floats your boat. Consider possibly a pieced quilt in fall colors, or something depicting fall, or a quilt for one of the fall holidays, OR WHATEVER SAYS "FALL" TO YOU!

August 20, 2007 - The deadline to commit to the swap challenge. The quilt must be completed by September 30, 2007 and mailed to your swap partner. Depending on the response, the registration may close.

If you are interested, email me msolomo1@maine.rr.com . Please include your full name, mailing address, blog URL if you have one and whether you are willing to ship internationally. Note: your last name & address will not be given on the internet, only to your swap partner. I encourage you all to indicate some of your preferences to style and color so that you may be matched with an appropriate partner - both in what you like to make & what you like to receive. If you do not have preference and would rather be surprised, that is great too. On approximately September 15 I will email each of you with your swap partner's information, and get an update on progress. I encourage you to post pictures of your quilts, though you may wait until after your partner has received it. I will also set up a group share on a photo site for these pictures to be viewed.

I'm back & have an editorial comment

My vacation was pretty good. . . but it was terribly hot & humid in Pennsylvania. The weather was not fit for either man or beast to be outside. Luckily our trailer has air conditioning and Bogart, our West Highland White Terrier, was able to be kept comfortable and safe.

Now, here is the editorial comment. . . and it may sound very harsh, but this is my soapbox & I plan on standing on it.

Pennsylvania is one of the SEVEN worst states in our country for puppy mills. This country can send money to every country in the world (whether they want our help or not) but we still have not eliminated this scourge.

For those of you that are not aware of what a puppy mill is I would suggest you visit www.stoppuppymills.org. However, I must warn you, the information and/or pictures on that site are graphic and not easy to view and/or read.

The "breeding bitches" that are used by these millers may have all died this past week from exposure to the extreme temperatures and weather. If they did die they are probably lucky -- since any that got sick were not cared for, not given proper water, shelter, medical care, etc.

What sickens me the most is that some of these mills are owned by Amish & Mennonites. These groups of people claim to be "true" followers of God's word as strictly defined in the Bible. . . .and I have admired them for many, many years as being good examples of charity, honesty, integrity, etc.

Unfortunately, the millers don't feel that animals have souls, therefore, they feel justified in treating their animals any way they want --- devoid of kindness, sympathy, or just plain common sense, etc. I guess they forgot that GOD made ALL creatures. . . and while Man was given dominion over all the "lesser" creations He made there is NO WHERE in the bible does God say that animals are to be tortured for the sake of money.

If you are in the market for a pet. . . .DO NOT GO TO A PET STORE. These stores buy from "distributors" that purchase from "millers". . . . meaning that the cute puppy you see was born from torture. Not to mention that since the mother was not given proper health care you have no idea what kind of medical and/or mental conditions you will encounter.

Go to an animal shelter, be open to adopting an older animal, open your arms to a creature that may require a little extra work but would be willing to do anything to have a gentle scratch behind their ears, or loving feet to lie next to.

Ok, I'm off my soapbox & hope that I did not offend anyone. . . .but if I spurred anyone on to pass this information on then I feel that I have done my part, again, in trying to get the word out & stop the millers.

Sherry

Taking a Vacation

I will be leaving in a few hours for a camping trip with my husband & our dog. I won't have computer access until I get back on 8/8.

I hope everyone stays safe & has a great week!

Sherry

Now I can get back to my regular life. . . . .

I completed Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows early yesterday morning. No spoilers here. . . .I just really liked the book. Because of the limited amount of time that I had to read it actually took me 6 days to read it. . .it's never taken me that long to read any of her books --- but then I was not involved in several things at the same time.

After completing the book I went out into my backyard. . .here's some pics:









Now, I just have to go to church, do some errands & then I can start working on some of my many projects. . . have to have some things ready for our camping trip this week (we leave on Tuesday for a week in Lancaster, PA).

TTYL,

Sherry

I don't have enough time for Harry

I got the last book in the Harry Potter saga on Saturday. . . . and today was the first day that I was able to read it ---- at lunch during work ---- and I was only able to get through the first chapter! bummer

My husband and I had a pretty full weekend & I did not have a chance to just sit with Harry. . . so now I have to play "catch up" to everyone else that has already finished the book.

Today is the perfect day for reading on the couch --- rainy, gray & cold; but I am working & then tonight I have a crafts class to teach for our Vacation Bible School. . . . .so I won't be home until later tonight and will probably be unable to get back to Harry until lunch tomorrow.

At the rate of a chapter a day it will take me 29 days to read this book!!!! Not a fun idea!! Not to mention that in 8 days (not counting today) my husband & I are going to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania for vacation.

So far there are a couple of things that we are scheduling to do. . . . but we are hoping that this will be a relaxing vacation, not one where we are running around like "chickens with our heads cut off". . . . .which is usually what we end up doing.

I did get back down in the basement over the weekend. . . . and now the only boxes & containers I have to go through are the ones that are actually on the shelving units. . . . but I think that can wait while I am working through the boxes that are cluttering up the floor. Once that is done I will have to figure out where I am going to put all the empty plastic totes (the paper boxes will be gotten rid of through recycling so they will be going out the door).

Ok, have to figure out how I'm going to be able to spend more time with Harry but still get my sleep. . . . . wish me luck!

Sherry

Why I don't have time to work on my projects

My husband & I share a 2 bedroom house with a full basement. And when I say full I mean FULL. . . . of stuff. I had lived in the house for about 8 years before we got married & then we had to move his stuff, his mother's stuff (she is in a nursing home due to medical issues), and stuff he has been carrying with him from his aunt & uncle.

The basement has been in complete disarray for almost 2 years & I have had it with all the "junk". . . .so I have a goal that the basement will be cleared out & organized by no later than December 31, 2007!!

To that end I have been spending a lot of time going through boxes & Rubbermaid totes of all sizes trying to see what I can get rid of. . . . and I have to say that I have quite a bit of stuff for a yard sale & just to give away.

Last night I worked on the lesser of 2 evils side. . . .and found that there really isn't alot of MY stuff on that side. . . . I did find 2 more tote boxes filled with fabric (which, I think, brings me up to close to 40 boxes of fabric & yarn -- YIKES). . . . but most of the stuff on that side is holiday decorations. . . . .and Stephen's things.

Since I need to get room to move around I plan on going back in the basement tonight to see if I can get through to the wall --- with removing a table & a dresser that is becoming worn out I should be able to set up one section in which I can put his stuff so that he only has one area to look at.

Once I can get to the shelving units I will be able to start weeding out from the ornaments & other things that I have for the different seasons & holidays. . . .which will, hopefully, provide additional space on the shelves so that I can get more of the boxes off the floor.

Does anyone know how I can "light a fire" under my husband so that he can start doing his part???

Have a blessed day,

Sherry

First post. . . . a little about me

This blog is my entry into the world of telling everyone what I'm up to. While I will try not to deal on personal issues I can't say that nothing from my personal life will show up here.

However, I do intend to talk about & show my hobbies. . . quilting, crochet, reading, teaching myself to knit, cross stitch & needle tatting.

I welcome any comments that you would like to leave --- kind ones only, please. And constructive criticism will also be accepted.

There are many blogs that I read and I will try to list them here as time goes on. . . . .so that a circle of friendship might be formed as my visitors go to the far reaches of the internet.

Welcome! God Bless You.

Sherry