design wall blitz and a winner . . .

Now that the urgency of finishing My Orange Crush has been satiated, all the poor projects that had suffered from lack of attention (due to my single-minded focus) can come back out and play.  For example, this would be a truly perfect week to work on my hexie-snowflake (considering temps are to dip into the single digits again this week):

And to play again (errr, for the first time) with my Little Boy's Breeches from the Grandmother's Choice blocks:

Plus I've added the CQ Valentine heart (which I did nothing with yesterday, because we started a new church assignment which I'm very excited about and were gone pretty much all day):

*OR* . . . I *could* get out the pineapple UFO (a BOM from....2007?!?) and start working feverishly on it.  Here's the finished sample front and back . . .

I have all the blocks completed and all the applique done (I did the center block in applique and embroidered the corner pineapple blocks) ... it's a matter of setting that huge center applique on point, and then assembling all the pieces of the quilt together. Hmmm . . . maybe before the end of February?!? Bahaha!!!

I'm also on the lookout for a pattern (or encouragement to create my own) that's somewhat similar to the one pictured on the sweet little dress here, from Well Dressed Wolf:

Kim would like an Easter dress for June with a similar motif on it.  Isn't it darling? Looks like it's time to put pencil to paper! I'm thinking this would be gorgeous with a sun filled with single strand French knots!  Any thoughts?

Linking up to the Design Wall Monday post over at Patchwork Times!

OH!  And before I forget, random.org generated the winning number for the traveling stash box. Congrats to Doniene from Now it's just quilts!!!  I hope to get this out the door TODAY!

Happy Monday!

:)

a week ending well . . .

I think you might be able to guess which project got my '15 minutes' each day this week, but so there's no confusion, here it is:

MOC definitely was the winner.  I wasn't counting on the driving momentum that kept me singly focused until that stage of it was finished!  So much for my snowflake and my GC block!  Ah well.  The other thing that I *had* to give my attention to was the stitching of an Ellie dress.  It was time sewing, so of course I counted it!  

Unfortunately, the fabric wasn't mine, so I couldn't include it in my stash report. Which, by the way, hasn't changed a single bit since last week.

MOC has *not* been deducted from stash yet, so as soon as I get this one assembled and bound, that will be a nice usage total to add.  Linking up to the stash report at Patchwork Times!

Whew, what a weekend!  Friday I spent the day stitching the dress and then that evening I got to spend some time with Sawyer and June, while their mommy and daddy had a date night.  Then yesterday morning was spent making a matching dress for Ellie's AG Bitty Baby.  Sheesh . . . it was tougher than Ellie's dress was!  Ha! And then Saturday afternoon we spent at Ellie's birthday party.

As always, Jocelyn did a beautiful job of both decorating *and* setting up a marvelous buffet table!

The food was great and fun and kid friendly!

I tried so hard to get a picture of all three cousins together, but they are *all* SO active, it's nigh impossible! This was the closest I came . . .

Sawyer, June playing with a balloon--her new favorite, Ellie-the-birthday-girl and a bonus child, Emma, Ellie's BFF (or at least Ellie's mommy's BFF's daughter). And they're all in a constant state of motion, so *every* picture I took of a living, breathing being under the age of 5, had a bit of blur to it!!

I did get Ellie to try on her dress for me . . .

But she was so busy, that getting a front picture was tough!

I did get one of her trying to put a necklace on her baby.  That's as close as it's going to get.  Still, she really liked that her baby had a dress like hers.  It was fun and I definitely see more of these in the future!

Today is our last day at Cornerstone -- our assignment has ended.  We announced it last week (you can't announce it too early or you become ineffective) and the sweet folks there are doing a little send-off party for us after this morning's service.  I'm packing an extra set of Kleenex in my purse.  Saying goodbye will be so hard -- especially to my sweet Sunday School girls.  I imagine Todd and I will be quite done in when we get home tomorrow afternoon and I'll probably settle for some handwork on Mr. Owl . . .

He's my go-to hand project that I need to get-to! Anyway, I may put in an episode of the Walton's and do some hand-stitching. A lovely, quiet afternoon! Linking him up to Slow Sunday Stitching on Kathy's Quilts.

Shalom and Happy Sunday!

:)

sixteen blocks done . . .

"Sixteen blocks done," you say,  "how many more are there?"

None.

!!!!

Yes!  That means I'm finished!!! 

And do you know what's more exciting than having all sixteen blocks quilted??!??

Having all sixteen blocks quilted *and* trimmed to size!!

Yay! Yay! Yay!

And this is what the back will look like.

Leia gave me her seal of approval when I was over there the other day.

Actually what she's saying growling is, "Don't try and push me off these blocks." Mmmmmokay.  Linking Leia up to *Feline Friday* over at Sarah Did It!

Unfortunately, for now my precious MOC blocks will stay like this . . . 

For a couple of days at the very least.  Because Ellie's dress still looks like this:

Ummmmmm . . . yeah.  And I need to make several dozen cream cheese mints, too.  Oh, and 1099's, 1096's, and contribution statements for the ministry.  But still, I think we're looking good for a February finish!!

Oh yeah, and before I forget . . . Sarah of Feline Friday and HeLP fame is starting a new linky party -- a reading challenge!  *YOU* pick the reading challenge(s) you want to follow and then link up monthly to Sarah's blog to share about your choices and progress!!  I had to think long and hard about this, but then it just clicked.  Here's my self-challenge (incredibly loosely based on the "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" line of thinking):

One book a month recommended by someone else.  This month that book would be:

Recommended by Angela over at Tea With Friends.  It had a teapot on the cover!

One book a month (any type) borrowed from the library (either online or hardcopy).  This month's selection:

On my kindle!  I love that I can borrow book from the library for my kindle!  I've enjoyed several of Parr's prior works, so I know this will be a quick, easy, and light-hearted read.

One book a month as a review.  For this month:

This is a softcover copy that was sent to me by Moody Press.  I also got several other copies to giveaway when I post my review!  I'm about a quarter into this one and so far, it's very good.

And finally, one book a month that is a faith/walk strengthener.  This month I've chosen:

I love Beth Moore and was thrilled to find that her publisher had released several of her publications as *freebies* on Kindle, Nook, and iBook.  If you're a Kindle user and want to check them out, click HERE. But you'd better move fast -- who knows how long they'll remain freebies!

And if *you* are interested in participating (you know you are), check out Sarah's blog and the 2014 Reading Challenge linky party!!

Have a fabulous weekend!  And HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELLIE!!!

:)

one block at a time . . .

Yesterday was cold, cold, COLD.  I found an excellent recipe for bread HERE that requires no proofing, no rising.  It made a lovely loaf, from start to finish, in under an hour!  And it was very good -- there may or may not be some left over for today.

Bread fresh from the oven . . . MMmmmMMmmMMMmmMm!!  :)

I got two of My Orange Crush blocks marked out yesterday . . . marking the stencil is probably my least favorite part.  Which is probably why it's taken me so long to get these block finished!  Once I'd marked, I went ahead and finished quilting the inner square of one of them.

I loved the template for this one -- it's perfect!  All that's left on this one are the four squares in the corners of the block.

Here's the second one marked and ready to go:

I've got a stitchers' group get together tonight, so I'll definitely work on getting these finished.  Then it's down to THREE BLOCKS before I can assemble!

Today I'm headed to Joc's for an Ellie day!  I'm not sure what kind of lovely fun we're going to have -- I just know I'm itching to get over there -- I haven't seen Miss Ellie since Christmas Eve.  We were sick, she was sick . . . bleck on sickness!

Speaking of Ellie, someone's turning T-W-O on Friday!  And someone else is turning this:

Into a dress for Ellie (and a matching one for her dolly, too)!  Aren't these fun fabrics??!  Ellie (and her dear little dolly) will be smashing!

Go get 'em today!  

:)

the day is nigh upon us . . .

I love the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of this time of year!  Sweet and savory spices fill the air (in the RV, at least), the weather is crisp, and children's laughter bubbles, full of anticipation and expectation . . . and the simple realization that I have *so* much to be thankful for.  

Much like my ancestors who crossed over the Atlantic on the Mayflower and celebrated the first Thanksgiving!

I had fun on Saturday at our guild workshop.  We had such a fun group at our table!  Here we are with our various stages of projects . . .

Mine will be a doll baby blanket for Ellie's baby doll.  I am making one in pink strips for June's doll.

We've had family come in yesterday and more to come in today.  Yesterday, Ellie and I baked up several different types of biscotti and gingersnaps for snacks for our out-of-town guests (who are staying with Jocelyn) . . . 

She's very carefully measuring out some candied ginger for me.

She was particularly fascinated with the Kitchen Aid mixer ... don't tell Joc, but I let her change the speed of the mixer, under careful supervision!

I got June's dress finished and delivered . . .

I can't wait to see her in it tomorrow!  This was such a sweet and easy pattern. I want to make lots of dresses using this pattern! And I *finally* used the automatic button hole foot on my machine for this dress. Good GRAVY!!  It was SOOOOO stinking easy!  I want to make buttonholes in *every* thing now!

I've not made but twelve (yes ... so few I can count the actual stitches) in my cornucopia since my last post. 

Ah well . . . the pumpkin is fine where it is for now, and I'll have the cornucopia finished for next year! Christmas, though, is a definite must.  

I'm eager for tonight--our church family is gathering and sharing a pizza dinner before heading out with food baskets to deliver.  In the meantime, apple pie, pumpkin pie, and the prep work for the stuffing is on the agenda for today.  I got out my Thanksgiving runner, too.  

Even though we're eating on picnic tables over at the pavilion, I can still dress it up!!

That being said, I'd better get a move on . . . wishing for each of you--whether your celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow or not--a day of many things you can be thankful for!

:)

kickin' off the month . . .

Just thought I'd check in and touch base!!  I've been doing a lot of reading, so I'll have several book reviews to post in the next week or so, but I've also been able to satisfy my creative side, too.

We started off the month of May with a retirement party . . . 

Yup.  It's a done deal with no turning back!  Luckily, retired life is suiting Todd very nicely.  Later in the month we're traveling to Maryland for some NAMB training.  Isn't it a happy coincidence that the training takes place thirty minutes from my parent's home??!!  

I've continued to work on the wedding quilt.  I'm *bound* (har har har) and determined to have it finished before Joc's anniversary (her fourth!) at the end of June.  But I can't work on that cumbersome thing *all* the time, so I got out my new apple core English paper pieces and started playing around with those...

In no time at all, I had a nice sized little Christmas topper.  All that's left to do is to whip them together!

I've also been dabbling in granddaughter clothes, which is very rewarding!!  Kim had given me some material (waaaay back in THIS post) and finally I got things together.  First was this outfit:

Isn't it cute??  Ellie was kind enough to model it for us before June got there.

Of course, that it was so perfectly darling on Ellie should have been my clue that it would be just a tad (seriously, just a tad) big on June.  A few modifications and it's good to go!

And next was a beach outfit for June!

She decided to do her own modeling for this outfit - and as you can see, I worked out the sizing! She was jumping up and down when I tried to take a picture of the ruffled rump (my favorite) so I'll substitute a still life pic:

Isn't it darling?  Can't wait for the next "order"!

I also had a couple of wins ... but only one has come in, so that's what I'll share. I won not one . . .

But THREE sweet little patterns from Snuggles Quilts during the most recent 100 Blocks blog tour.  

I really love the table runner patterns in particular (the pattern in the middle).  Deanne has lots of really cute things on her site and it's very much worth clicking over!

And finally, the whole 100 Blocks tour got me thinking about what I'd create if *I* were making a block.  So I twisted my own arm and sat down at EQ (yeah ... it was a real tough sell).  Stars have really been speaking to me lately, so that's what I dabbled in.  I settled on this one . . .

I've got the templates cut out and I'll put it together and see how it works!!

Heading back out for now ... the wedding quilt is calling my name ... as is all the pre-coursework I've got to get finished before our class!

:)

i'm still around . . . !!

Truly I am! Some days are better than others . . . yesterday was not so hot. Today is *much* better!

These are the rails that my boss had build for our RV, to make it easier to get into the RV. We probably won't be there for several more weeks, but I'll be glad to have easier access when we do finally make it back! Another of our friends built a ramp, here at the house. I'd have not been able to get in and out were it not for that ramp!

Last Friday, Todd drove to Franklin, TN, and picked up a replacement for me! Isn't she pretty?? She's pretty tricked out, too. Todd says we've reached the top of the line in PT Cruisers! After much deliberation, I think I've settled on Princess Buttercup as her name! This picture does *not* do justice to her pretty color!

Unfortunately (for me) it'll be another 6-8 weeks before I'm able to drive her. Ah well, it's a lot more comfortable to be a passenger in her than in Todd's Ranger!

My son and his wife came over twice over the long weekend and brought my favorite baby!!

Sawyer just *loves* his daddy!! It's so fun to watch them together!

Here's me, with my walker, still sporting some lingering bruises. We did go to church on Sunday, and it was really nice to get out! I was able to wear the new clothes Todd had gotten me for Mother's Day!

And another of the cutest baby in the whole, wide world . . .

His foot is up. (Inside joke!)

Here's the handsome fellow dressed in blue gingham. He's quite dapper! And those eyes are just staying blue as can be!!

And here's a little of my own handiwork. I didn't do the other foot, because if I have to have surgery, they'll just want it off again. And I could only reach three of my five toes.

I did go back to the doctor this past week; she cut off the plaster cast, checked the stitches, and took some x-rays. Right now, praise GOD, she is leaning towards not doing another surgery! If the bones in the heel stay aligned nicely, when I go back in next week, she'll opt out. Her concern is infection. I say, good enough! I would just as soon not have to have another surgery. Although I'll be a little sad that I won't have a bionic foot - especially now that my X-Men blades are faded! Ah well, I'll just have to settle for the incredible peace and all the blessings I've received through this ordeal! I don't think Todd's had to cook a dinner but once or twice, and the cards, prayers, and words of encouragement have been phenomenal. It's very humbling, and incredibly appreciated!

I do have some (not too gross) pictures of the foot from Wednesday, which I may post later, along with the new boot I'm sporting. I don't care for the boot. It's cumbersome, heavier than a cast, and is a little on the painful side. I may ask about going back into a cast next week, especially since I'm under strict instructions not to remove the boot under any circumstances! We shall see.

In the meantime, I'll keep on keeping on!!!

:)