wall o' possibilities . . .

There are a couple of things I plan on working on this week . . . once I've gotten my bunk room tidied up, that is.  I came home from retreat sick, so things never quite got put back where they're supposed to be. Ugh.  I can definitely feel that the lack of order is stifling my desire to DO!

I found this darling fabric I'd purchased at the beginning of the year . . .

All People Quilt had a darling carrot table runner/topper pattern that I'd like to modify and use this for (solid top instead of stripped, with the quilting making the horizontal lines). I've got enough to do one for both sets of grandchildren!

And I'll work on my 'wattle' embroidery . . . I don't have variegated green floss, so I may make a trip into town today to pick some up.  

Or maybe I'll do that tomorrow on my way home from Ellie's.

And I have some wool that I'm anxious to work with . . . two things there.  The first is the flora around the Irish blessing and the second is a darling bunny candle mat.  Similar to this one . . .

This is my sister's darling mat -- isn't it precious??!  I just love the sweet little bunnies!  I'm thinking Ellie would probably enjoy stitching on this with me.

That should keep me busy enough this week.  Linking up to the Design Wall Monday post at Patchwork Times!  Be sure to stop by and check out all the marvelous creativity going on 'round the quilting blogging world!

:)

spring forward . . .

Looking for the current book review and giveaway?  It is HERE!

Did you (in the U.S.) remember to

I strongly dislike losing the hour of sleep, but I love the daylight added to the end of the day!  :)

My 15 Minutes report is nothing special this week . . .

I got the mug rug finished off (and sent), worked on something new, and then fizzled out for the rest of the week.  I had some sort of 48-hour virus Thursday and Friday and Saturday was so beautiful, we spent most of the morning outdoors with Sawyer and June and their mommy and daddy.  Then we celebrated all our March birthdays last night.  It was such fun -- I'm again so grateful that our children and their families live close by!

My stash report isn't anything to speak of this week either:

I added that FQ bundle of Kona solids and that's (enough) it!

And then finally, for today's stitching, I'm looking at my March Hex Lab.  We were given three options--all of which are flowers from Down Under.  I love the look of the "wattle", which I'd never heard of before:

Isn't that beautiful? There's some fly stitching, stem stitching, fishbone stitching, and a feather stitch -- so a nice variety.  And most are stitches I've worked before. Mind you, that's the sample piece, definitely not mine!

Here's the template we're given to work with . . .

I love the difference between the template and the finished product!  Sure is room for a whole lot of stitching.

Linking up today's post to the Stash Report at Patchwork Times and Kathy's Quilts Slow Sunday Stitching linky party.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing!

:)

a review: i, saul . . .

When Worthy Publishers presented the opportunity to read and review I, Saul, by Jerry Jenkins (with James S. MacDonald), it was another no-brainer for me.  Aside from the line of Left Behind books that Jenkins had co-authored with Tim LaHaye, I was well-versed with Jenkins' fiction and knew it would be a good read.  I was wrong.

It was a GREAT read.  This tale had the spy-action-intrigue I really enjoy in modern novels, as well as telling a dual historical tale . . . one based heavily on Scripture . . . the account of Paul in Nero's prison in Rome and the ministry of certain disciples to him -- and a lesser known tale of Paul's childhood and the events that made him who he was.

The modern story line follows a young seminary professor, Augustine Knox, who gets involved in the finding and subsequent heist of a new, first century parchment, supposedly written in Paul's own hand -- it begins with "I, Saul . . .". As corrupt government officials and antiquities dealers scramble to gain possession, Knox and his connections work to find the scroll and put it in the hands of those who would 'use it for good'. 

It's a gripping story and I really enjoyed going back and forth between the first century and the twenty-first century, seeing the content of the scroll played out in early history, as modern day heroes struggled to protect its integrity.

I have my hardback review copy which I'm happy to gift to someone who'd enjoy reading I, Saul ... leave me a comment and let me know you're interested!  This would make an ideal read for Spring Break, which is right around the corner!

:)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Worthy 
Publishers, as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a
positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in 
accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: 

"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

a happy wrap . . .

I think I mentioned in my last stash report post that I had accidentally stumbled upon a HUGE deal on a fat quarter bundle of Kona solids.  Seriously, it was a *huge* deal -- $26 for the bundle of twenty luscious colors that arrived yesterday . . .

Isn't it purdy?!  The colors for our guild's swap block this month are "solids" on a grey background, so I'll put this to use right away!

I wanted something for St. Patrick's Day for my little quilt stand and finally, after looking around through my patterns and online, decided to sketch out my own little something . . .

I'm thinking I'd print the blessing off on fabric and then outline stitch it and then use a combination of wool applique and embroidery to do the floral design that frames it.  Did I forget to mention I'm wanting it for St. Patrick's Day 2015?!  ;)

March is a big month of celebrations in our family, kicking off with Jocelyn's birthday TODAY!  I can hardly believe my beautiful baby girl is twenty-eight years old.  Where did the time go?!  It seems like just yesterday she wasn't any older than Eleanor Pearl!  

Happy birthday, my sweet Jocelyn!

After my walk yesterday morning a little flutter of color caught my eye behind the RV.  Some past caretaker had planted a nice little plot of daffodil bulbs and so each year they continue to herald Spring.  

This is the first bloom of the year ... it made me cry I was so happy to see it!  (And maybe my hormone levels *do* need to be checked.)

And finally, Leia says . . . 

TGIFF (Thank Goodness It's Feline Friday) !!!!

:)

wrapping it up . . .

I spent my fifteen (plus) minutes of stitching time on the mug rug project, Monday and Tuesday.  Today it hits the mail, so it's new owner should have it in the next week or so.  Once last 'back side' teaser . . .

Haha!  At least it's not just muslin this time, right?? Since it is a crazy quilted piece, I strongly debated on whether or not to do any quilting on it.  Crazy quilts generally do not have quilting, or have very little.  

But if you look closely, you can see I went ahead and spiral quilted the hexi center, where the 'mug' sits.  I used clear thread just because I didn't want the quilting to distract from the print in the front, which is the focal point!

Ellie *requested* that I bring buttons with me yesterday, so of course, I obliged. She happily played with them for quite some time, dumping them out and then picking them up.

She seems to have an appreciation for their individuality and enjoyed inspecting each one. 

Next time I'll bring them in a tea tin and add to the experience. Yesterday evening Joc texted me a conversation she and Ellie had after I'd left . . . 

     Ellie:  Where Neesey go?

     Jocelyn:  Neesey had to go bye-bye.

     Ellie:  And the buttons?

Ha!  Always leave 'em wanting more, right??!

:)

march's bibliophile files . . .

I think I've finally settled into a nice routine for posting . . . one I can live with and have some breathing room. I like to post on Mondays ... get my week geared up, show off my design wall (or not, as the case may be). Come back again on Wednesdays with a mid-week update (and share my grandchildren antics) and close out Friday with fluff, fur and felines.  I'm trying to schedule a book review every Saturday (I have some catching up to do) and I actually do double-duty on Saturdays by pre-writing/scheduling my Stash Report/15 Minutes Report/Slow Sunday Stitching post.

That being said, it *is* the first Tuesday of the month and that means it's time for the Bibliophiles Files Challenge that is being hosted by sarah did it!

I aced last month's challenge like a champ and even had time to do some extraneous reading -- and not just magazines.  LOL!  This month's lineup is another good one and I'm already well on my way towards busting my challenge. 

For my review book, I'm challenging myself to two (though I hope to actually review four).  One is a hard copy I just received from Moody Publishers, The Art of Story Telling: Easy Steps to Presenting An Unforgettable Story by John Walsh. Doesn't that sound interesting? 

The second review book is one from Spiegel & Grau publishers, due for release April, 2014. It's called

The Frangipani Hotel by Violet Kupersmith and is a compilation of stories that grapple with the legacy of the Vietnam War. It's not my usual fare, but something about this one struck me. Perhaps I've seen Miss Saigon too many times.  Or I liked the way Frangipani sounds in my head.  ;)

My recommended book this month comes (again) by way of one of my favorite tea bloggers, Angela McRae, who recommended Serendiptea: A Guide To The Varieties, Origins, And Rituals Of Tea by Tomislav Podreka, in a blog post a couple of years ago. I was stalking scrolling through her blog last month and stumbled upon her review.  I then quickly found a used copy for pennies on Amazon and scooped it up.

I also have two library books this month, but mostly because I got them both on March 1 and finished the first and am halfway through the second.  Yes.  Both are that good!  The first was The Dressmaker by Kate Albott.  A great historical fiction read based on the congressional inquiry that followed the sinking of the Titanic.  Albott is a terrific storyteller and masterfully handled weaving truth with fiction.  I highly recommend it.

My second library book is another one compliments of Davis Bunn, My Soul To Keep. Unlike his last three, which were filled with intrigue, action and thrills, this one is based on the resurgence of an actor who demolished his career (and another's) after too many drinks and a horrific car accident.  I'll finish this one lickety-split!

The last part of my monthly challenge is a book that speaks to strengthening my faith/walk.  I chose The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn't Exist by Craig Groeschel.  We're walking through this series in my Sunday School class and I wanted to read his book.  (Yes, I'm *that* student.)

So, there's my "March Madness" lineup . . . what are you reading this month? Head on over and share your tall tales with the March Bibliophiles Files linky party!

:)

design wall dilemma . . .

I'm not sure what to put on my design wall.  I've got a lot of finished tops that need to be turned into finished whole projects.  And I've got the mug rug that lacks just a few embellishments before it's ready to be finished . . . 

Haha!  Don't study the back too closely -- I *definitely* did not do a great job of making my back look as neat as my front.  I guess since I knew it would be covered with batting and backing, I didn't sweat it too much.  LOL!

I had a run of new things in February (it always pleasantly surprises me to see what new things I tried during the past month):

My little heart spool quilt for my stand.

The mug rug, of course.

My Celtic Garden Hexie piece (which should be finished this week).

And the wedding quilt scraps topper I whipped up over retreat.

So . . . design wall . . . maybe back to Grandmother's Choice blocks this week?  I also have a baby quilt (Olivia Mae's!!!) I need to be thinking about.  Whoa!  

Photo Credit:  Moda Bake Shop

Kim loved this heart quilt "Candy Hearts" by Gigi's Thimble, found over at Moda Bake Shop.  Isn't that a sweet one?  We were both intrigued by the ruffle around the edge. The hearts are made from a charm pack of Plume.  I adore it!  :)

All right then . . . maybe I just needed to write it out to determine where I needed to go from here.  A sounding board, so to speak!  What are y'all working on this week??!

Linking up with the Design Wall Monday on Patchwork Times and the NewFO challenge linky party at Cat Patches!

:)