Merry Christmas! SSCS gifts . . . . . . and other gifts

I am once again hunting for a camera. . .  .so I don't have pictures on this post. 

To all of you that celebrate Christmas I hope that you have had a blessed day and continued peace.

Mr. Books & I attended the candlelight service last night & our regular Sunday service this morning.  It was very hectic but rewarding.

We haven't yet celebrated Christmas with my family yet. . . . and won't be celebrating it with Mr. Books daughter until next weekend so there will be additional updates.

But, as of right now I can say that I did not add to the stash for this day --- at least not fabric; I did pick up a pattern yesterday for a wall hanging that I am thinking of making for my office wall for next Christmas.

I opened the gift from Dale in Australia that was my SSCS gift. . . .oh, just wait until I can get a photo!!  I received a calendar and the most wonderful stitcher's case that I have ever seen.  The colors are wonderful & there are very many "nooks & crannies" for me to use to store things for "on the go" stitching.

The calendar will be wonderful on my refrigerator and will let me see what wonders there are to see in other parts of the world.

Thank you Dale, I love the gifts you sent and appreciate all the time you took to make it!

Mr. Books knows that I love novelty pins (brooches) and is always on the prowl for pieces to make to my collection.  (I'm known as the "pin lady" at work.)  Well, he added 2 pieces to my collection. . . . in a theme that I had not yet started -- SPORTS!!

We went to an antique mall yesterday (kind of a new tradition for us in the past couple of years).  While there he found a billiards pin and a golf club pin for me.

He had been looking for a treadle sewing machine but we hadn't come upon one of those in this trip.  Which is a good thing because right now I don't know where we would put it (at least so I could use it) until I get the house organized a bit better.

I'll post more later on. . . . and hope that by then I will have pictures. . . because I also have pictures to show of blocks that I made for a Flickr swap and I will get those blocks in the mail tomorrow so that I am ahead of the deadline.

In peace and pieces,

What a difference a year makes (or, in my case, maybe not)!

Judy Laquidara has posted her 2012 UFO Challenge and, once again, I know that I need to get myself in gear.

Here's a link to what I had said I wanted to get done for 2011.

Not one blessed thing on that list was completed.

The Bear's Paw & Square Dance quilts were lost in the sewer flood (unless, by some miracle they were in a box that I haven't gotten a chance to open. . . . but I'm pretty sure that they are gone).

The quilt blocks are still that --- blocks ---.

The Flowers of the Month kits are still kits.

The Spa Mystery has been found --- but I can't find the directions so I'm going to have to "wing it" for the borders.

Linda's quilt still needs to be completed and I hope that the pre-marked white on white can be located or that will be another quilt that I lost to the flood.

However, I have moved some things forward. . . . I've done 2 quilts for Wrapped In Hope; I've gotten my Scrappy Trips quilt to the flimsy stage; the quilt top that I did for the New Life Island Retreat is a flimsy; plus there are 3 more flimsies that are a year overdue for baptism gifts.

And I did participate in several doll quilt swaps and Secret Santa programs which had projects that were completed.

I'm hesitant, at this point, to make a list of things that I "have" to get done in 2012 --- mainly because I want to get alot of things done in the house --- which will require time to be taken from my quilting and crafting projects so I think that I will just plug along as best I can without feeling any guilt that I am not working on the "correct" project for that month.

Good luck to Judy & the rest of the gals who have signed up.  If you are a brave soul perhaps you should join them. 

In peace and pieces,

Just a quick check-in

I haven't done much lately because I have been sick. . . missed work on Tuesday because I felt absolutely lousy.

I am hoping that I can be up for Friday Night Sew In tomorrow.  Have you signed up for it yet?

My project for tonight was talking with the son of friends of mine. . . .I couldn't figure out how to get my Nook hooked into my wireless (I'm only partially a geek).  But that's to my "family" geek I was able to get the Nook hooked. . . .and now I think I might be able to get Mr. Books' laptop connected to the network also (well, if I can't I know how I can ask for help)!!!

It is wonderful to have someone that isn't bugged by my dumb computer questions!

In peace and pieces,

Friday Night Sew In

Tonight is the first FNSI's for December. . . . and I won't be able to participate.  Boo Hoo

But I'm not too sad because I will be (hopefully) wrapping a lot of packages and getting lots of donations for Animal Rescue Force.  Barnes & Noble is kind enough to offer free gift wrapping to their customers and opens it to charitable organizations.  In lieu of an actual fee all that is suggested is a free will donation to the organization; and the organizations are different every night.

Seeing as how this is a Friday night I am hoping that there is alot of activity --- because it will make the time go by faster.  If I'm busy I won't be too bummed out about not being able to be in my sewing area.

In peace and pieces,
 

What, there are FINALLY pictures???!!!

Ok, I still don't have my camera USB cord replaced (or found) but I have Mr. Books' camera. . . so here are some pictures:

This first picture is a doll quilt that I did for a swap through Delphi Forums.  The theme selected by my partner was Winter.  I love how the green (from a fabric line called "Winter Wonderland" -- sorry, I don't remember the designer) just "pops".  It reminds me of how scarves are so colorful.

 This next series of pictures are of the quilt that I did for the 2nd "Wrapped In Hope" recipient.  This child listed "basketball, orange and green" as favorite things.  I had a fun time looking for basketball themed fabrics (as you can see from the detail pictures that follow).  This is the 2nd quilt that I have done on our Grace quilting frame.

 This is a another view of the quilt. . . . gives a little closer view of the fabrics.

 This is the central panel (also used for some of the smaller pieces). . . .definitely basketball.

 Here are some basketballs (and orange).

 And you need basketball shoes if you are going to play!

This is the adorable ornament that I received from Dale in Australia. . . .both sides are beaded (wish I could have figured out a way to show both sides in one shot)!  It is wonderful.

I'm working on several other projects at the moment so there should be some more pictures in the not too distant future!

In peace and pieces,

End of Year Thoughts

In bouncing around blogland it seems that everyone has been gearing up for 2012 projects, quilt-a-longs, BOM's, etc. And I have been extremely tempted to sign up for several. . . but I think I am going to "lay low" for a little while.

As I've mentioned previously, the home computer has been having issues since the beginning of November. . .and, I think, I have finally "kicked the habit".

Granted, I really do need to get the computer back up & running --- there are way too many things that need to be done on the computer not to. But I see just how much time gets sucked out of my life by mindlessly sitting there hour after hour, day after day -- most of the time playing games on Facebook.

I don't count blog reading as a waste of time. . . but I can see where it could become a "black hole" if I'm not careful.

So, you may be asking, what ARE my plans for 2012. . . .hmm, I haven't quite figured that out. But it does require more "hand's on" time than I have been doing for a while.

Guess the first goal would be to complete the quilts that I have started. While that may sound like a "no brainer" it is very important to me --- especially since there were many that I lost in the flood from earlier this year.

To that end I have a couple of huge tubs with kits and UFO's. . . think that might be the first place for me to start working.

I have also committed Mr. Books & myself to four quilts for "Wrapped in Hope" (a program run through Margaret's Hope Chest). . .and it would be nice to have those quilts done & ready before I need to send them out. The first one is due in May so I have some breathing room.

Other than that I don't really have any plans for 2012. . . making lists of the UFO's that I have just causes me to freeze; so I'll just "put one foot in front of the other" on a project or two at a time until things get done.

There, I've made a commitment. . . let's just hope that I can stick with it!! LOL

In peace and pieces,

SSCS has arrived!!

Last night I received my SSCS from Dale in Australia!!

Things got busy & I did not have a chance to take a photo of the ornament -- but that is on my list for this evening. Take it from me (for now at least) that it is very adorable!!

I don't know what else was sent because there was clearly marked "DO NOT OPEN UNTIL CHRISTMAS" card on the other package. Mr. Books is keeping me honest so I have another 19 days to wait.

Not having a working computer at home has become a bit of a pest --- not so much for missing Facebook, but for uploading pictures and such. But I have been getting quite a bit of sewing and housework (gasp!!!) done.

I hope to be able to upload pictures here tomorrow so you can all see my great new ornament!

In peace and pieces,

Another Chance to Win a Travelling Stash Box

If you are looking for another chance to win one of the Travelling Stash boxes here goes:

http://joyineverythingthruhim.blogspot.com/2011/12/guess-who-got-thetraveling-stash-and-is.html

Although I would like to win one of the boxes I'm willing to pass on the information.

In peace and pieces,

Travelling Stash adventures

I didn't win the last time I entered the giveaway for "The Travelling Stash" --- but I'm trying again.

Here's where one of the boxes is now: http://phillysblarney.blogspot.com/2011/11/traveling-stash-has-arrived.html?showComment=1322546986144#c600830937219543322

I don't remember exactly where the stash started but it is now going throughout blogland from quilter to quilter to pass on items that are looking for new homes.

There are books, fabrics, notions, etc., etc. The winners get the box; take what they would like; then they refill the box with items from their own stash that no longer "speak" to them.

It's a fun concept; and I will try to win again; but with my history of having no luck with giveaways I think I'll try to concentrate on my own stash for a while.

In peace and pieces,

Another "Wrapped in Hope" quilt is completed

For now this post will be photo-less. . .I still cannot find my USB cord to upload from my camera & Mr. Books' camera is safely at home.

I finished the 2nd donation quilt for "Wrapped in Hope" through Margaret's Hope Chest. It is going out to a child in Georgia later this week.

It was quilted on the short-arm; using patternboards from Quilt-Ez for a meander pattern. It was a bit easier than the pumpkin seed quilt design that I used for the first quilt.

Mr. Books and I learned even more about using our quilting frame & machine with this quilt. . . and I'm sure that there will be even more to learn with the rest of the quilts to be done.

Once again, the quilting isn't perfect; but it is much better to be done than perfect; especially since the weather is turning colder.

Picture(s) will be inserted in a later edit.


In peace and pieces,

SSCS 2011 and other things (including Black Friday)

I mailed out my SSCS 2011 package today. . . sorry, I can't post pictures of what I sent because it would ruin the Christmas surprise!

Hmmmm. . . .a hint, perhaps? Ok, the package is NOT staying here in the USA.

That's all you are going to get until I know that my partner has opened her gifts. Hopefully by then the computer at home with either be working or replaced!! LOL

In addition to the SSCS 2011 package I am madley finishing up a doll quilt for the doll quilt swap #14 through The Quilting Bee group through Delphi Forums.

I love the quilt that I am doing & wish that I had enough fabric to make another one just like it. . . but since I am working from mostly stash I can't make an exact duplicate --- which might be a very good thing!

There is also the 2nd Wrapped In Hope quilt that has to be mailed out before the end of next week. . . that one just needs to have the quilting completed and then the binding.

I've had such a great time working on the quilts for Wrapped In Hope that I signed up for FOUR quilts for next year!! Besides having the satisfaction of making something for a child that needs it I'm able to try different fabrics and/or patterns that I might not make for myself.

And, of course, I am also using up stash fabrics, stash batting, and stash thread!!

Mr. Books & I may skip Black Friday festivities this year (first time since we've been together). . .there just isn't anything that we are desperate to have ready for gifts. It seems weird to think that I'll be staying home --- I think it has probably been 12 years or more since I've done that.

Joann's Fabrics has some items that are 70% or more off. . . and I'm thinking that I might go there --- but then again, I may not. I'm still on the fence.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I have many things to be thankful for -- not the least being that I will be having a nice dinner with my parents and one of my sisters & her family.

For those that celebrate Thanksgiving --- don't indulge too much --- remember, turkey makes you sleepy.

To all I wish a happy and peaceful day.

To the Blace Friday Warriors --- keep smiling --- you will drive everyone else crazy!! ROFLOL

In peace and pieces,

Friday Night Sew In

This Friday is the next FNSI. . . .I got quite a bit done last month so I signed up again.

Think it might be fun to be united with lots of other people that are working like mad on gifts Friday night? Go to Heidi's site to sign up!

It is fun to go back through the list on Saturday after everyone has had a chance to blog about their progress.

However, with the problems I am having with my modem I may not be able to make blog entry until Monday. . . or later!!

In peace and pieces,

Back from Vacation

Ok, so I've been back for a couple of days. . . . but computer access has been a bit hard to come by.

Mr. Books & I had a wonderful week. . .left on 11/4 for North East, MD. Camped at Elk Neck State Park --- a wonderful state park that I would not hesitate to recommend. I believe that this was our third stay there.

Next it was down to American Heritage Campground near Williamsburg, VA. Again, this was a repeat stay because the campground is wonderful.

We spent a day in Colonial Williamsburg. This time around the weather was wonderful for strolling through the historic area; approximately 70 degree temps (so unlike what we had left here at home). We ate at one of the restaurants "in town". . . so far we have eaten at 3 of them; need to make another return visit in order to finish off our "tour".

After leaving Virginia we headed back north. . .to the Denver, PA area. We did a one night stop over at Candy Hill Campground in Winchester, VA. It is a good point to stop since I can't drive Mr. Books' truck nor pull the trailer.

In Denver, PA we stayed at Shady Grove Campground. Again, a place that we had used previously --- another favorite for us.

While in Pennsylvania I found two "new to me" quilt shops --- one in Ephrata (Piece by Piece Quilt Shop) and the other in Womelsdorf (In Stitches Quilt Shop).

Both shops were very nice and I could see myself travelling out to visit them again --- perhaps with some of my quilt buddies for a road trip.

We both picked up some fabrics; I got a pattern or two and some specialty rulers (I'm such a sucker for gadgets!! LOL).

I am finishing up some projects -- but you can't see them yet -- and I have to admit that I have been having a ball working on the projects that I have been doing!

Until next time,





In peace and pieces,

Flickr help needed. . . . .

Are there any Flickr experts out there?

I'm a new member of a swap group and part of the "requirements" is to make a mosaic to show pics of color scheme & patterns that you like.

I have tried to set up a mosaic a couple of times. . . and everything works fine until it comes time to create the mosaic and then I get the dreaded "page cannot be displayed".

I'm wondering if this is related to the problems that I have been having with Blogger uploading my pictures. . . .could that be?

Other than that I have completed 2 quilt tops. . . one is the Block Party top from Retreat; the other is the basketball quilt that I am working on as part of "Wrapped In Hope" through Margaret's Hope Chest.

The basketball quilt is being sent as a 16th birthday present to a child in Georgia. . . . I certainly hope they like it because I had fun searching out the fabrics for it.

Pictures will be loaded as soon as I can get Blogger & Flickr to straighten themselves out!

In peace and pieces,

FNSI -- what I did

Ok, I have no idea if I will be able to get pictures uploaded directly into Blogger. . . so I may have to post links to open viewing Flickr pics to show you what I was working on.

Well, I tried to "copy & paste" the pictures from my Flickr account. . . .so far it seems like that is working so I'm going to go with it.
I am working on another "Wrapped In Hope" quilt for a child having a birthday in December. This one will be using the same pattern as the one I sent out for a Halloween birthday (Grand Stand by Mountainpeek Creations)
.

This new quilt will be basketball themed..... and I had a great time getting the fabrics for the quilt; they are not my usual picks but I've had a grand time finding them.

In addition, I worked on a table runner. It was a kit that Mr. Books purchased at a quilt show; but I didn't think that he would get around to doing it so I decided to tackle it.


I haven't gotten all of the pieces cut for the quilt; but it is getting late so I think I am going to continue to work on it tomorrow. Can't wait to go through & see what everyone else worked on tonight.

In peace and pieces,

Friday Night Sew In ---- first time participation!

I finally remembered to sign up for the Friday Night Sew In!! (http://craftyvegasmom.blogspot.com/2011/10/friday-night-sew-in-signups-102111.html) YIPPEE!!

I have several projects that I plan on working on. . . I just hope that Blogger will let me upload pictures (since I still haven't been able to do it). However, if worse comes to worse I will just have to upload to Flickr and then post links here to those so I can show what I have been working on.

There are already over 100 people that are planning on sewing tomorrow night. . .maybe I could "nudge" you to participate as well??

I can't wait to see what everyone else is going to show!

In peace and pieces,

Hey!!! Here should be pictures!!!

Ok, I still haven't found the cable for my camera. . . but I borrowed Mr. Books camera for a couple of pictures (until his battery died). . .yeah, we really are a pair, aren't we??

I've tried to upload the pictures three times & I still can't get it to work.  This is so very frustrating.  But I will try again later on because I am really happy with how the quilt came out.

Today I sent out the birthday quilt for one of the children that I got from Wrapped In Love (through Margaret's Hope Chest).  The birthday is Halloween; I hope they like the quilt.

I also sent out 6 quilts that were made by my quilt guild to Margaret's Hope Chest for their purposes --- they have several prison visits where parents can pick out quilts for their children. . . Mr. Books battery died after I got one picture of one quilt. . . .so I don't have pictures of the rest of the quilts that I sent out; but they were all lovely.

Recently (like this past weekend) Mr. Books and I attended the 5th Quilters' Retreat held at New Life Island in Frenchtown, NJ (in the middle of the Delaware River).  We act as "advisors" together with another couple (friends and guild mates) and have a wonderful time.

Each year there is a group project that the participants can choose to do, or not do, as they wish.  This year it was the Block Party quilt pattern (I've mentioned it previously & had also posted a picture of my sample).  Several people were working on them --- but they were each making them larger than what we originally identified as a good "retreat" size (meaning that the quilt would fit on the bunks at the retreat).

I don't think any of the 4 of us thought to take pictures. . . but there was alot of variety.  One of our regular attendees was making a quilt for her husband using John Deere fabric and plaids (in flannels) -- it was coming out really cute.  I'm sure her husband will be very happy to have it.

We have identified a block that will be used for next year's project. . . so for the next couple of months we will have to work on quilt plans and samples (we would like to have them ready -- at least in part -- for the February one day retreat held in Franklin Lakes, NJ.  We use it as an "enticement" to get more participants at the fall retreat.

Other than that I'm busy working on my gifts for the SSCS 2011 from Chookyblue --- can't show or tell too much since it is a surprise.  I'm having alot of fun with the items that I've chosen to make so far --- just hope that my partner likes what I'm doing!

I won't promise to be a better blogger because I do not know what life will be throwing at me. . . but I definitely hope to be back sooner rather than later!!






In peace and pieces,

I'm still here. . . . .

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. . . just been pretty busy.

I've completed a quilt using my Grace Pro quilt frame & Juki machine. I think it came out pretty well -- and as soon as I can find the cable to my camera I will post a picture.

The quilt is for the "Wrapped In Love" program run by "Margaret's Hope Chest"
.

This is the first quilt that I have done for the organization and I had such a wonderful time with it that I will definitely sign up for a couple more children for next year.




In peace and pieces,

Aftermath of Hurricane Irene

Just a short post. . . .Hurricane Irene passed through New Jersey. . .we made it through the major part of the storm only to lose power at 2:45PM yesterday.

The flooding is horrendous. . . there is only 1 way in and one way out of our town (at least as of 8AM today).

I'm at work where there is power. . . .but it may be another 2 days or more before the power is back on at home. It is so frustrating because the road right behind us has power; guess we are just on the "lucky" side of town for both sewer and electricity.

Guess we will be losing what is in the freezer. . .but the house is still standing; we were not flooded out (like houses just a couple of streets up from us); and, when we did leave the house yesterday to help out my parents Mr. Books & I decided to take the furbaby. . . so if we hadn't been able to get home at least she was with us.

I'll be back when I can. . . .


In peace and pieces,

Just popping in for a short note

Well, we've made it through the restoration of the basement after the sewer flood of May.

What a mess!  The emergency clean up crew that were called in by our insurance company would not have been in our "top 3" list of great experiences (actually they probably wouldn't have made it into our "top 10" list either.  But we didn't have a say as we were out of town when everything happened.

However, the company that did the restoration (putting up new walls, painting, installing new carpeting, etc.) were excellent.  We can't say enough good things about them. . . . so, if you are in NJ and need a recommendation after water damage (or any need of restoration assistance) let me know privately. . . . .I'd be happy to share their information.

The Pack Rat unit is out of the driveway & we are now able to use it for our cars again.  Yippee!!!

Needless to say, not much has been done as far as my crafting life. . . . but I did finish a shawl and a scarf --- I'll post pictures later.

My lunch time reading continues on. . . . I'm up to 20 books for this year so far (and I'm half-way through #21).  Pretty good pace, if I do say so myself.

The basement needs to be organized (AGAIN) now that we have all the boxes back down there. . . .and we have re-located the short arm to what (I hope) will be a more productive place for it.

Stay tuned. . . . . . .


In peace and pieces,

Finally seeing the end of the tunnel

It seems unbelievable to me that I haven't posted since April. But life has really been upside down lately. However, it seems that the long tunnel we have been travelling is almost behind us.

My MIL passed away right before Easter. . . after being in and out of the hospital and hospice for a while. Mr. Books & I were with her when she passed so she was not alone.

Then there was a very somber Easter and the funeral.

We were scheduled for a vacation (which we had been looking forward to since February) which, we thought, would be an opportunity to grieve privately and be away.

That didn't happen. We got a call while we were away that we had a sewer back-up (to the tune of 4" - 6") in our basement.

We had to cut our vacation short and race back home (after calling the town officials and our insurance company) to a right mess.

The emergency restoration crew was in the process of trying to get all the water out of the basement --- which continued on for 2 more days until the basement was completely dried.

We had to spend 2 days going through stuff that had been damaged to catalog and write up for the insurance company. We lost alot of items --- many irreplacable --- and alot of the damage was done because we were in the process of re-organizing the basement.

There were over 150 pictures that had to be sent to the insurance company; some of what we lost are in these pictures:

I lost 2 quilting frames (one hoop & the other a floor model) and Mr. Books & I lost over 215 yards of fabric.

Yes, I had been planning on de-stashing the fabric....but I hadn't planned on doing it by just throwing the fabric away!

There were a ton of other items --- but I think you get the idea --- we lost alot and it was not our fault; our town has had a problem with the sewer line and haven't dealt with it except for "jetting" out the line and causing a back-up in our house, and the houses of 2 of our neighbors (but we got the worst of it since we were not home to catch the problem).

We have a restoration company working on the basement and are hopeful that the basement will be back to being ours soon --- it will be great to have the PODS unit out of the driveway so we can use it for our vehicles again.

Now, I have some good pictures, I have been able to get a limited amount of sewing done since all these troubles:


This quilt is made from the pattern "Block Party" by Donna Poster. It was fun to make since there were no seams in each block to match. All the fabric was from my remaining stash.

This is a doll quilt that I made for a swap. The theme was crazy quilts. I paper pieced the blocks (from patterns in a book by Linda Causee) and then had a fun time working on the embroidery and bead work.

I might show pictures of the repair work that is being done. . . but then again I don't think any one would be that interested in pictures of concrete debris, destroyed panelling, etc.

I hope to be back to some more regular posting soon. . . but right now I just really wish I had my house back.


In peace and pieces,

Prayers & Understanding needed

I've been very quiet lately because my DMIL has been having some health battles. At this time she is under hospice care so if you are a praying person I'd appreciate your adding her to your list.

There are still prayers needed for others in my own family so I'd appreciate if you'd add them also.

As for understanding. . . .well there are plenty of things that I need help understanding -- both on a personal and a medical basis, such as, why is it that it is considered abuse to keep a nursing home resident clean so that fungus and infections don't set it; but it's not abuse to do sponge baths on someone that is incoherent?

And why is it that with our pets we can provide them with final days and an "easy" death (not that any death is ever easy) but with our "human" loved ones we have to wait until their bodies completely shut down and be witnesses to that slow decline.

And then there is the question of people not wanting to take responsibility for things that they should be doing. . . .and allowing outsiders to take over?

At some point this blog will get back to what it was intended to be. . . but for the time being it is probably going to be extremely quiet.


In peace and pieces,

Ten in Three

This will be a short post since I am trying to get organized from the second weekend away --- Lancaster Mud Sales are fun; but the weekends can be extremely exhausting!!

Ok, are you wondering about the title of my post? Well, it just means that I have read 10 books in first 3 months of this year.

Number 11 is in process (started it yesterday) and I am approximately 25% through it. Since I will only be reading at lunch for the next couple of days I don't think it will be finished by Thursday.

Have a happy day.

In peace and pieces,

Yes, I have been MIA again. . . . . .

Thank you, Lynn, for the "nudge". . . . .I didn't realize that it was more than a month since I last posted!

I have been somewhat busy. . . and somewhat just laying "low". . . and that is the best excuse I can come up with.

In the middle of February I got the flu. . .and lost 3 days of work. I know that getting the flu shot is no guarantee against getting the flu -- but this is the 2nd time that I have gotten the flu after getting the shot. It makes me wonder whether I should continue to get the shot or not.

On the quilting side of things, I have been productive. Well, at least a little bit productive.

I participated in a Doll Quilt Exchange on a Delphi Forum. I couldn't find my camera (actually I still can't find it) so I had to wait for a friend of the recipient to post a photo. . . .here it is:



The theme of the swap was "applique" and those of you that know me are aware that the "A" word is not one of my favorite techniques so this was a challenge for me.

With all the snow and dreary weather that we have had I wanted to do something that was bright & happy and spring-y. And I think I did pretty well with the colors (if I do say so myself)!

The design was just something that I made up while I was working. . . because it came out way more contemporary than my usual working style. Mr. Books loved the quilt; that gave me the confidence to continue working on it.

Beyond that I have three Yellow Brick Road quilt tops that need to "grow up" into full fledged quilts rather quickly --- they are going to be quilted on the short arm with a pantograph that I have tried out on my sample piece.

I am also going to make 2 quilts for the "Wrapped In Love" program through Margaret's Hope Chest. These quilts are needed later this year so I have some time to figure out what I am going to do.

The only other thing that was somewhat "exciting" was that last weekend Mr. Books & I went to Lancaster, PA to the "mud sale" at Gordonville. We made a long weekend of it and had quite a nice time --- but it was very tiring with all the running around that we did.

Th-th-th-that's all I can think of to pass on folks! As soon as the blasted camera shows up I'll be able to upload pictures of the Yellow Brick Road quilts.




In peace and pieces,

Stash Usage Report --- February 7, 2011

I'm hoping to have pictures here later today of the quilt tops that I have been working on, but, for now, here are the numbers:

Fabric Used This Week 7 1/2 yards (actually used in the past 2 weeks)

Fabric Used Y-T-D 17 1/2 yards

Fabric In This Week 0 yards

Fabric In Y-T-D 0 yards

Total Fabric Used Y-T-D 17 1/2 yards!! Whooo Hooo


It feels pretty good to have used that much fabric & have some pretty quilt tops to show for it. Now the hard part is getting them quilted and finished so that they can be given away.

Check out Judy's site for more Stash Reports from quilters throughout the world.


In peace and pieces,

Gee, if you are looking for me I'm over here today.




In peace and pieces,

From Snow to ICE and a Hawk to boot

There is a saying, "out of the frying pan and into the fire". . . that's kind of how I feel with the weather that we have been having lately.

Tuesday we were hit with rain, sleet, hail, and cold temperatures. Which all resulted in an icy wonderland.



Of course, the wonderland wasn't very wonderful when I had to go out to my car {which was located on my private skating pond (formerly known as my driveway)}!

I'm sure I could have won America's Funniest Home Video if someone had been filming me chiseling the car out from the ice block while holding on to the sideview mirror to keep from falling!! he he he The mental image should be enough to cause a few giggles (right Lynn???)

Now, these next two pictures might not be so easy to see. . . we were visited by a hawk the other day and I tried to get a picture of it. Hopefully you might be able to enlarge the photos and see it. . . it was on the cross branch near the middle of the shot.




I'm hoping to have some quilt related postings soon. . .I have finished one quilt top and am almost done with a second.

In peace and pieces,

Ok, I am SO done with snow!!

If you would like to know why I haven't been able to get any amount of sewing done here goes:

This picture is the back end of my car. . . I shovelled from the edge of the plow job to the back of my car yesterday. The car is outside the fence line. . . but when I was shovelling it was about 1 foot INSIDE the fence line. . .it was a LOT of snow.









This is a picture of a giant evergreen tree that is on the corner of our property...I took the picture because I thought it looked really pretty.












These next pictures are of Casey on the sidewalk. . . you can see how high the sides of the snow banks are on either side. . . .













These next two pictures show Casey along the front tire of my car (which is still snow covered at this point) and a view down the sidewalk looking from the back steps towards the driveway. . . the gate is open because there was no way for Casey to get to the road. . . because Mr. Books & I couldn't either!!! LOL















My shoulders and neck are so sore I have been sitting with the heating pad. Can't wait until the weather gets a little warmer. . . not the heat of summer, mind you, but I would really enjoy having some 60 - 70 degree days with a nice breeze.

Hopefully tonight, or tomorrow at the latest, I'll be able to get some stitching in.




In peace and pieces,