Oh boy. . . . I almost missed another month

I don't know why I can't find the time to blog on a more regular basis.  There have been things that I wanted to say (and show) but getting the computer out and set up and waiting for the modem just doesn't work with the way my life goes.

Well, I have lots to tell. . . . .so I will have to make sure I get those posts up later today (once I get my pictures taken).

So, keep a watch. . . . there will be more posts from me later.


In peace and pieces,
 


This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

Did not want to miss another month!

I hope Thanksgiving was a good one for anyone that might be reading this post.

Our "turkey day" was uneventful. . . . and, except for the newspaper, it was a "no commerce" day which I am hoping will be the new normal for me.

Black Friday was also a pretty low key event. . . . Mr. Books and I went to Shady Maple Smorgasbord in Pennsylvania for breakfast and then went to Green Dragon Flea Market in Ephrata, PA (it is only open on Fridays).

We were supposed to meet up with some camping buddies but we kept missing each other. . . . but it was a nice day. . . the weather was gorgeous and the crowds were not what they were last year so we actually got to see a lot of the vendors.

I am hoping to have some eye candy for you later in the week. . . . but this post will be boring with no pictures.

Have a great day,



In peace and pieces,
 

 This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

Sewing from Sunday

Mr. Books and I spent most of Sunday home. . . . so between housework and all the ordinary things done when we are home I was able to get some stitching done.

The first two blocks are for a block swap that I have been in since May. . . . each of us picked a color scheme or block design that we wanted.

This is for a gal in Wales that wanted black, white, gray and red.

This is for a gal in Australia that wanted blocks of flowers.

This block is for a lottery type block exchange.  Those that signed up were given a piece of the print fabric and the only requirement was that the block had to be a 12" block.

I love the challenge fabric and if I did not have enough stash to fill a quilt shop I would try to find this.  I think it would make a great Stack & Whack or 4 Patch Posy type quilt.

Our quilt guild held an all day sew-in at Historic Walnford and there is another link to information here on Saturday. . . . . and I was able to get the rest of the center of a scrappy bargello quilt done.  I did not have my camera so I did not get a picture of that yet. . . . but I'm thinking I may wait on taking a picture until I have decided on the borders and get them on.

I have started a new project that is going to be a gift for Mr. Books. . . . but since I have only done 2 seams it didn't seem to be ready for "it's close-up". . . . but pictures will be coming of that as well.

In peace and pieces,
 


This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

Teal Mini Swap Blog Hop

Today is my day for the blog hop to talk about this wonderful program that Beth (the designer for EvaPaige Designs) has run for the past three years.

Teal is the color for Ovarian Cancer Awareness. . .  .and October is the month.

Beth's program involves a payment for a piece of teal fabric AND a donation towards ovarian cancer research.

The blog posting for this years swap is located on Beth's Quilting Hottie Haven blog if you are interested in getting all of the details so that you can plan on taking part next year.

I have been in 2 of the 3 swaps (I was not able to participate in last years swap) and have been very pleased with the swaps that I have received.

Here is a picture of the swap that I received this year from Regina:

Unfortunately I did not take a picture of the mini quilt that I sent to Regina. . . . I was a little late in mailing it out and I could not locate my camera quickly so I felt it more important to get it mailed.

This is the mug rug that I received in the swap from 2013.

I could not find a picture of the mug rug that I sent out. . . . and checking back through my blog posts it seems that my camera was MIA then too!

Here is the listing of the other members of the blog hop. . . . have fun visiting them!

October 12 - Twelo Quilting and One Quilting Circle
October 13 - Susan Brehm and Books Hooks Sticks Etc (you are here!)
October 14 - Teachpany and Bobbin's Lullaby
October 15 - Splitting Stitches and Purple Leaf Quilts
October 16 - Blue Ribbon Sewing and Quilt Art by Megan

In peace and pieces,
 

This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

Secret Sewing that I have been doing. . . . . .

As I have mentioned previously. . . I have done some pattern testing for several people over the past couple of years.

I don't show what I have been doing until I either get the ok from the designer or see that they have posted my pictures of their designs on social media.  I do that because I don't want to have any question as to who the designer was or where the pattern came from.

My last pattern testing was done for Eva Paige Designs .  I saw that Beth posted pictures from her testers on Facebook yesterday so I am going to show the pictures of my quilt top here:

This first picture is as much of the top as I could get. . . . .Mr. Books was not around to hold the quilt so I put it on our bed.  We have a full sized bed so that you get a better idea of how large the quilt is.

This is a picture to show how the borders were handled.  The design you see is only on opposite corners.  The remaining 2 corners are just the border fabric meeting.

Beth has not yet published the pattern but if you would like a quilt that has a lot of "wow" factor be on the look-out for this one. . . . . since she has not yet settled on a name for the pattern you may just want to stalk her site (link above and here).

If you like reading blogs that take a "slightly skewed" view of situations. . . and that make you laugh out loud. . . you may want to check out Beth's blog Quilting Hottie Haven and be sure to tell her that I sent you over.

There has been other secret sewing going on . . . . but I can't reveal those items just yet so you will have to wait.

Have a wonderful Tuesday,

In peace and pieces,
 


 This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

Santa Sack Sign-Ups are OPEN!!!!!

Do you love to swap?

Do you love Santa?

Can you handle a SIX month commitment?

Do you like to make things?

If so, you need to go see Cheryll and sign up for the 2015 version of the Santa Sack Swap (commonly known as the SSS)

June 1st was the beginning of the sign-ups. . . . and she has extended the deadline for a couple more days so that you can still join in on the fun.

I've participated for a couple of years and have been amazed at the creativity that my partners had.




In peace and pieces,
 

 This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

Wild, Wonderful West Virginia

Last week was spent on vacation in, as the title of this post would imply, West Virginia!

We stayed at a campground in Durbin (about an hour outside of Elkins) and, for the most part, just relaxed.

Before going we were not aware of some things. . . . . and they could have been "biggies" if we were a different type of people.

Thing #1

Cell phone service in the area does not exist.

No, it's not because of the mountains. . . . . . it is because of this:



https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/gbt/

We could see the disk from miles away. . . . . but the actual location is Green Bank, West Virginia.  Due to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) having designated 13,000 square acres around Green Bank as being as close to "radio silence" as possible there are no cell phone towers to be seen.

As Mr. Books is attached to his phone for work 24/7 it was heavenly to have a vacation without getting work related calls all the time.

We did not tour the facility, but we did go through the exhibit hall and the information there was fascinating.

I could definitely recommend a visit if you are in the area. . . . especially if you are science minded.

Thing #2

Durbin is in the middle of "no where" ..... which is a "good thing", except when you are out of milk and it is after 6PM, LOL

It is an hour from Durbin to Elkins, it was about 40 minutes from Durbin to Cass, BUT, the mountains are beautiful and, oh my goodness, the stars have never shone as brightly as they did in the clear sky over our campground.

Please do not get me wrong. . . . we adored the small town of Durbin.  Kinder's Market was well stocked with items, and Mr. Books was salivating just looking at the fresh meats that were available.  We got to speak with several local shop owners (one of which is a transplanted Jersey girl!) and every one of them were very friendly and helpful.

We definitely would love to go back.

Thing #3

Everyone is very "laid back".  Mind you, I do not consider Mr. Books or myself to be "big city" people. . . . . but there was still a bit of culture shock for us.

For instance, we do a lot of RVing.  And we are used to paying a deposit when we make reservations to secure our spot.  Back in April when I made the reservation for the campground we were at the owner said that a deposit was not necessary.

Since I wasn't used to that poor Mark got several phone calls during April and the end of May to make sure that we still had a spot at the campground.

Here is where the "laid back" comes in. . . . . when we arrived at the campground Mark (and So Be It --his dog) met us outside and walked us into our site.  After we got the RV situated on the site we went to the office to make our payment (which is usual). . . .after firming up the last day of our visit Mark quoted a price and said that we could pay him any time before we left at the end of the week!

I have never had that experience before and we told him that we would pay him right then. . . .which he said was "ok, but necessary".  That is laid back!

Thing #4

This has nothing at all to do with West Virginia, or any of the towns we visited. . . this has to do with Mr. Books and I. . . . . . we don't know how to relax without falling asleep!  LOL

I kid you not. . . . . I packed a UFO to work on, some crochet work that has been hanging around too long, a knitted cowl that is way over due to get done, a book and 2 DVDs to watch (on top of the lap top and iPad).

I did get a couple of rows knitted on the cowl. . . . but basically, I slept.  Talk about relaxing!

Must have been all that good mountain air. . . . . . . .


In peace and pieces,
 
 This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.