Assistance please

Is there anyone out there that can walk me through how to "schedule" blog posts?

I've tried doing it and thought I had all the steps done but my posts don't go according to the schedule.  My thought is that it has something to do with a difference in the time zones (I'm East Coast and the schedule section seems stuck on  Pacific Daylight time).

Since I've seen so many people talk about being able to do it I'm sure it must be some thing that I am not doing correctly. . . . .but I don't know what it could be.

Any help would be appreciated.

In the meantime, I have been stitching. . . . just want to wait until I have at least a flimsy before I post about it.

In peace and pieces,
 

Bowls with Borders --- my way

Today is my day to post my Bowls with Borders WIP. 

I have had a grouping of orange fabrics for quite a while and wasn't sure what I was going to use them for.  When this pattern came up (thank you, Regina) I thought it would work as a wall hanging on a really narrow wall that I have in my foyer.

But the wall is narrower than the block so I had to come up with another idea.

I think this will become a cover for my Featherweight sewing machine (either that or I will use the open space to store one part of my brooch collection so it gets out of the dresser draw!

Here are a few pictures:

This is a full view:

Here is a close up view of just the bowls:

If you want to bounce around to the others that will be posting today here is a listing:

                                                                       August 25th

Rosemary B.

Susan H.

Christel G.

Alice
Peggy S.
Suzanne K.
Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc.  (you're here!)
Marla's Crafts
Kathy's Quilts

Sunshine Quilting

The Learning Curve Quilts and Such

Glitzy Me

Thank you, Madam Samm, for bringing me together with some amazing quilters throughout the world.

Here's a link to the Sew We Quilt blog if you would like to see what else she has "corralled" for us.

Please be sure to check out all the entries --- there are some really talented quilters out there; much more creative than I.  Oh, and the variation in fabrics used is just mind blowing --- every one of the pieces are wonderful!

In peace and pieces,

Another Quilt for Wrapped In Hope

I recently sent out another quilt for Wrapped in Hope (part of Margaret's Hope Chest).

This one went to a young boy that recently turned 11 and lives in Maryland.

Dog and cat fabrics were used on the front -- here's a full view:

Here's a close up of one of the blocks.  The small blocks in the sashing were from the same fabrics as the large blocks. . .I think it will be fun to try to find which little blocks belong to the bigger blocks.

On the back I used a length of football fabric with some mottled orange on the two sides to make the quilt backing large enough.

I'll have to find the pattern so I can post the name of it here.  The pattern was very easy to follow and the piecing wasn't difficult; but I think I would cut more little squares of fabrics not in the large blocks so that it will be easier to not have the same fabrics next to each other (which was the problem that I had when I was nearing the bottom of the quilt.

I machine quilted it with white thread using a meander patternboard pattern.

There are two more quilts that I plan on making for other birthdays. . . . I'll be using a different pattern so there will be more eye candy later on.

In peace and pieces,

Being a Conscious Consumer

I don't know if anyone actually looks at the books that I list that I read.  I know that I haven't made too many comments about them.  However, the last one that I read "The Story of Stuff" has deeply moved me.




This book has gotten me thinking about my shopping habits --- not just the excess fabric that I have, but the excess EVERYTHING that I have.

It was a bit hard getting through the first part of the book --- it was technical stuff and I had a hard time getting through it.  But, all of the information was/is important.


Starting now I plan on working within what I have already accomplished; however, with my quilt swaps I may find that I will need to make purchases -- but I don't plan on buying a yard of fabric if I only need a FQ (which is how I would sometimes justify adding to the stash --- overbuying for swaps).

I watch nutrition labels. . . both for myself and Mr. Books and for my pets.

I complain about how it seems that all products in this country are made somewhere else -- all the while putting something in my cart.

I've found myself just wandering around the mall looking for something to buy.

All the while I didn't need a blessed thing.

I've stood watching in awe as a hawk flew lazy circles in the sky; admired the heron and egrets that I have seen in my travels.

I never realized exactly what my "consumer muscle" was doing to the very nature and planet that I say I love.

No more. . . . .yes, I will still be a consumer --- I wouldn't survive if I didn't eat.  But, I will try to do it with my eye firmly fixed on not being more of a burden to the land than I need to.

I hope that I am in great company. . . . this planet is the only one we have.

Now, how do we convince the dingbats in Washington, DC????

If you want more information here is a website that can provide you more information.


In peace and pieces,

Possibly Permanent House Guest

About 2 weeks ago Mr. Books and I had an extremely hectic weekend. . . .we left on Friday evening and drove to Manchester, New Hampshire.  The trip, according to our GPS, was only supposed to take about 5 hours.

We left our house at 5PM. . . . . and got to the hotel at 12:05PM. . . . . definitely NOT a 5 hour trip!

Of course, there were numerous accidents along the way, we stopped for potty and meal breaks, then there was the crazy traffic we ran into once we hit Massachusetts.

But, the 3 of us (CaseyGirl had to come with us) made it to the hotel in one piece. 

Morning came too soon. . . .but we were on a mission.  We got a quick breakfast and then when further into NH to our final destination for an important meeting.

Meet Bailey:

We are currently in a trial adoption period to see if we all can get along to become a permanent family.

Here is a picture of us with both Casey and Bailey:

We met with his foster parents and the head of the New England Westie Rescue group at their vet's office in New Hampshire.  I have a picture of both of them; however, without first asking their permission I'm hesitant to post it here.

Bailey is diabetic and since I have experience (from caring for my Bogart) we are all hoping that this will work out.  Finding people to adopt animals with medical needs can be difficult.

Bailey is, for the most part, a wonderful dog.  However, he has been snapping and doing a lot of growling so we are trying to give him some more time to get comfortable.

Here's one more picture of him. . . .watching me from the top of the stairs:

He's trying to be a "tough" guy . . .  but I hope he decides to become more of a "mush".




In peace and pieces,

FNSI --- I actually did something!!

I actually got quite a bit done for the little bit of time that I had to sew last night.

First, we have "From UFO's to Orphans":

This block is for a swap in Block Swap Adventure, so it won't be an orphan for long.

This block was from a block of the month (BOTM) program of a quilt guild that I belonged to in.......
2002 --- yes, I like to let me fabric "age" before doing anything with it. 

 .
This is another BOTH that I finally got around to sewing ---- I don't have a date on this paperwork but I think it was a different guild.

Now we go into the "From Fabric to Small Quilt top":

This was a kit that I got from Connecting Threads....can't remember how long ago.  I am hoping to get the top completed today so I can get it into a "flimsy" pile.  I had thought to hand quilt it but there are so many seams that come together I don't think I will be able to do that.

I think I am the "Queen" of kits ---- or, at the very least ---- a high-ranking Princess so that is where I am going to be pulling my projects from for a while.  I really need to clear out the basement; it seems like it might be easier to downsize the kit stash first and perhaps work leader/ender projects between them from my fabric stash.

If you would like to see what other quilters were up to last night check out this blog for a listing of everyone that signed up.

In peace and pieces,

Traveling Stash Delivery Update

I've checked my delivery confirmation and the USPS is saying that the Traveling Stash box that I sent to Rebeckah was scheduled for delivery yesterday.

Double checking this morning did not give any other information. . . .but if you are looking for a Traveling Stash giveaway you should watch her blog for details.

I've signed up for the giveaways for a couple other Traveling Stash boxes so, if I win, there may be another one listed here as a giveaway.

In peace and pieces,