rooting for a finish . . .

Phew! It's been busy.  Really busy.  I didn't get to spend the time in the Nook over the weekend that I wanted to, but I did sneak in there long enough to finish this topper I'd started earlier in the week:

And to make a couple of fabric eggs, (beware: if you click on the link, you'll be compelled to make them) which I'm totally in love with and plan to make kaboodles of.  (:

I finally found a use for these scrumptious fat quarters I purchased YEARS ago at Cindy of Custom Creation's booth at Paducah . . .

They make the most perfect, ornamental and elegant fabric Easter Eggs!

I was delighted, in my recent purge cleanup of the Nook, to find I had enough of the carrot batik to make the topper for me.  I'd made a couple (one each for the Merkel and Panter crews) three years ago, and had tucked the extra fabric away.  

Yay for me, because I totally love, love, adore this carrot print! In fact, if you look closely at the green and orange egg I made, you'll see I fussy cut a carrot on my Easter egg!  I had to make my topper a little smaller than the first two I made (and the template I made for mine is a little more rounded), but I live in a smaller space (and *I'm* a little more rounded), so it works out nicely. I'm glad I went back and read the post from three years ago when I originally constructed these. That's when I remembered that I'd used green felt for the 'batting' on the leafy stems, which enhances the look, in my very humble opinion!

Saturday we took One Accord out for the first time this year. It was sunny, but cool and WINDY. And I spent most of our day looking like this:

LOL! We were exploring some parts of Tim's Ford we'd never been on before (like, navigating by the map and everything), in preparation for our vacation in May. I saw a couple of homes for sale that would make great B&B or quilter/crafter retreat locations . . .

My favorite was the latter. Absolutely gorgeous location on the point. I did a virtual tour of the grounds and scrolled through pics of the interior - whooooeeeee! 

This week is busy with meetings/events/something every night.  I'm really looking forward to Saturday -- I have yet to try anything with that pesky block (besides trying to block/stretch it, which didn't work) and I want to get on it! Thanks for all the good ideas and encouragement -- I think I know what I'm going to try next.

Happy Wednesday -- have a great rest of the week!

:)

cruising into august . . .

We are so enjoying these lovely fall days.  Ummm...only it's summer.  Trust me, I am NOT complaining!! We had some of the most beautiful weather ever this past month . . . hard to believe it was July in Alabama. In fact, we set a record low temp this week . . . the record -- 61° -- was set in 1914.  One hundred years ago.  And the low that broke the record?  A whopping 57°!  C-R-A-Z-Y!

More of the same here.  Enjoying family and grands.  

I think . . . in this picture . . . Sawyer's telling the two girls about giants in the camp. June paid absolutely NO attention to him. Ellie rode around the camp for the rest of the evening with her hands over her eyes because she didn't want to see scary giants.

Look how big Miss Olivia has gotten!  And she's just started smiling on purpose -- it's such fun!!  She is definitely a Sawyer/June sibling, too . . . they all look very similar at this age!

Also studying lessons and preparing for discipleship classes. Keeping up with turtles and other camp-related things.  

July is usually the slowest month of the camp, because generally it's so hot, humid and mosquito-ridden, that no one wants to be up here.  Not the case this year!  

I have been working on a couple of little things. And one big *surprise* kind of thing that I need to wait a while to share. I think I've decided that the space in the new RV is actually better workspace than what I had in the old RV:

I love the counter top space in the kitchen ... perfect for rotary cutting!  Haha!   took up a challenge to make some bookmarks.  Good way to use up scraps!

They were easy and whipped up really quick.  The tutorial for the book mark is HERE and the tutorial for the fabric flower at the top is HERE.

Joc called me on Tuesday of this week from Hancock's (fabric store).  She was looking for material to make curtains for Ellie's "big girl" room.  Yes, that's happening . . . Everley is due in a MONTH.  Anyway, Joc is talking to me on the phone and realizes she's lost track of Ellie.  Where does she find her??

Girlfriend had found the fat quarter wall!  She is my granddaughter, there's no denying it!  Joc said her little hands were so full of fat quarters that Ellie was dropping them.  Too cute!  And Ellie didn't want to put any of them back, either!

I told Joc to tell Ellie that if she would just pick her favorite TWO fat quarters, Neesey would make her a little purse with them.  It was tough, but we finally managed to come up with these two.

And don't you know, Ellie has reminded me every time she's seen me and every time we've talked on the phone, that I'm making her a purse.  Joc even mentioned that it was the first thing out of her mouth the other morning.  I gotta make good on this purse!

So, here it is -- not too bad, eh?  Just a simple origami-folded drawstring purse . . .

With secret pockets for treasures (and things you might want to hide from a baby sister) . . .

And coordinating accent pieces . . .

With a pearl for the center.  For Miss Eleanor Pearl.

It's how this Neesey rolls.  Happy Friday, y'all!

:)

the basket doth overfloweth . . .

And I do mean *literally*!

We finished up with VBS on Friday night (well, except for the VBS commencement service on Sunday morning and the VBS visitation and decorating take-down on Sunday evening) and so you'd think that Saturday would be the day I'd do absolutely NOTHING, right?

Wrong.

Saturday was our guild's big Quilt-In!  And since I not only paid to participate, but I was a working member of the committee, you'd better believe I was there, bright and early on Saturday morning!  Unfortunately, I wasn't very prepared to do much quilting during the Quilt-In (I didn't even bring my sewing machine) but I did have some handwork to work on . . .

Yes, I do think I'll have this finished up for a November debut in my mini quilt stand. I wish there was some emoticon I could insert here for *wry grin*.

Hearts--cut from a charm pack of Moda's Chantilly that I purchased--for Miss Olivia's baby quilt . . . 

Which I hope to have finished before she's one.  *grin*

And I also had the presence of mind to bring a couple of notions for the Notions Drawing we had, as well as six fat quarters for the Fat Quarter Drawing (I thought 1.5 yards used would look good on today's stash report).  For each fat quarter brought, you got a chance to win *all* the fat quarters brought.  Same with the notions. And that's where I worked . . . taking peoples notions, fat quarters, and blocks (we also had a block drawing).

And once that slacked off, I sat in front of my laptop and created and produced VBS certificates to hand out on Sunday!  LOL!  Once I finished that up, I put in a movie (a version of Wuthering Heights I'd never seen) and cut and embroidered to my heart's content.  Then it was snack time . . .

Oh yeah, we were treated well in the Quilt-In!  And not just with tasty treats (not to mention breakfast and dinner), but we also came away with some very fun goodies . . .

A treat bag filled with chocolates and some other door prizes (a $5 LQS gift certificate and a seam ripper), a seam marker, and a thank you from the organizer - a pretty luggage tag!

After dinner we got down to the business of drawing names for the notions, blocks and fat quarters. I had our guild president pick the four winning names.  I think we had the most participation in the fat quarter drawing . . .

That basket was full!

The basket went home with ME -- my name was the one drawn!! I was so shocked . . . and so much for depleting my stash a little and making my stash report look good!! Baaahahaha!!!!

There were SEVENTY-THREE fat quarters in the basket, for a total yardage of 18.25 yards.  A return of 12 to 1 on the fat quarters I put in.  Aye yi yi!!

Our evening class was a guild nametag class.  I'd signed up for that and was prepared to go up and listen. My old nametag was looking a little dated . . .

My darling affirmation sister, Sarah, taught the class and gifted me with one of her sample nametags . . . I finished it up this morning by stitching down the binding, adding the ribbon, and stitching my name:

And then transferred all my fun pins to it!

Now it's ready to wear!

We had a blast Saturday, and a blast Sunday, finishing up with VBS.  And today I'm spent!  So one last thing here . . .

The used/donated number reflects the two little projects I had made earlier this month and the six fat quarters I'd turned in . . . which actually netted me quite the intake!  Aaaah well, we'll find some uses for the pretties! Gonna go ahead and link this up to the Stash Report at Patchwork Times!

:)

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) !!!!

:)

it's a stash [report #52] wrap . . .

I can hardly believe that this is report number fifty-two . . . the final stash report of 2012.  And even with all the mega sales going on, I'm not ending the year with a bang . . . but rather with a little *ding*ding*ding*.  I was lucky enough to score a sweet little bundle of fat quarters, from Barbara over at Cat Patches, and her November NewFO linky party!  

Isn't it scrumptious-gorgeous?!  And it's *purple*!!!  I've had to be careful not to drool all over it.  I already know how I'm going to put some of it to use, too! (Think *words* and blog hop.)  Anyway, that sweet little pile of fabric was all that came in, and none went out, so here are my final numbers for the year:

Used/donated this week: 0.0 yards

Used/donated year-to-date: 50.5 yards

Purchased/added this week: 1.5 yards

Purchased/added year-to-date: 194.75 yards

Net used/donated for 2012: -144.25 yards

It's been an interesting exercise to keep up with intake/outflow.  I will definitely keep up again for 2013, though I still haven't decided whether I've got any particular goals for fabric for 2013.  I've still got a day or two to mull it over.  In the meantime, you be sure to head over to Patchwork Times and check out the rest of the stash reports for this week.  I understand Judy to say her last report was to be for laughs only!

And for this afternoon, slow stitching will definitely be my occupation!  I've been working away on my redwork course . . .

That's my bird -- isn't he rather dapper?  I've got a daisy scroll, a pansy face, and leaves on my tree to stitch up this afternoon, as well as an apple.  Then I'll try and finish up my butterfly and maybe even move on to a new bonsai tree and a sea shell.  (And that's all just in Lesson 4!)  I'll be linking up with Kathy's Quilts and Slow Stitchin' Sunday!

Enjoy the day!

:)

partying it up . . .

Tonight was our Stitcher's Etc. group Christmas party.  It's always a lot of fun and I so look forward to getting together with these gals!  It's potluck with an ornament exchange -- and we wrap our ornaments in Christmas FQ's!  This was my offering:

Our hostess home this year belonged to Karen . . .

She's definitely the hostess with the mostest!  And her home is decorated to the nines.  

It could have been in Southern Living (but I promised I wouldn't tell that story)!

After chatting for a bit, we settle down to the serious stuff . . . 

The buffet!  And after that . . .

The dessert table!  

As folks wound down from eating and spread out to chat, I wandered around taking pics of Karen's *pretties*.

The gingerbread house is one she made at a guild workshop this past year.  Isn't it gorgeous?  She handmade the little teddy bear to go with it ... and all it's parts move!  It's ingenious!

Karen did tell me I could share her Southern Lady story.  She had taken quilt squares that her grandmother had made before she passed away, and found a way to turn them into ornaments, so that each of her grandma's living relatives could have one.  I was so intrigued by her description of these little trees she'd made, I asked if we could see them and she invited us up to her quilt room (and you can bet we *all* jumped on that offer) . . .

Isn't it darling?  She shared the ornament with Southern Lady when they asked for submissions of homemade ornaments with a special meaning.  Karen's little tree made the magazine!

It was on a little tree in her sewing room . . .

Which had some *really* darling little things hanging from it.  Like these two button trees:

And isn't this one precious?!

I just love the little thimble at the bottom!!

While we were up there, she shared a few of her Christmas quilts with us . . .

'

Can you see the *sparkle* fabric on Santa's hat?!?

It probably wouldn't surprise you to know that she's a regular blue-ribbon winner at our guild's shows!

As we came back downstairs, her sweet little puppies greeted us . . .

They wanted to join the party, I think.

It was time to draw ornaments!!  The ornament table was pretty full--

And the natives were getting restless!

As we took turns (going alphabetically by the name of the street one lived on), Karen passed around a bowl of handmade star ornaments she'd made as favors for us.  

I picked one with mistletoe on it!  Aren't these darling?!  Hmmm...where should I hang it?

Haha!  I was being silly!

But I'm a trend-setter, too!

I had to do *something* while I waited for it to be my turn!  Finally my turn came 'round, and since everything was wrapped in FQs, it was the fabric that folks were going for!  

I chose this little beauty, wrapped in some very festive flurry by Kate Spain!  And I really lucked out, because inside was a very darling Jim Shore ornament . . .

A beautiful little cardinal!  I'd have picked this one for myself! Isn't it pretty?!

Once the ornaments were all drawn, folks started to collect there things and go. I managed to find a few more 'quilty' Christmas things to snap photos of, like this darling Santa calendar quilt . . .

The block of Santa with the Easter Bunny is my favorite ... something about the expression on the Bunny's face just makes me laugh!

And I love this table topper . . .

As well as this pretty pine tree throw with the quilted Santa pillows . . .

One of the last shots I grabbed was of this big felt and button covered tree . . .

Isn't this marvelous?  I think it's probably pin-worthy!  We had a terrific evening and enjoyed our time together immensely.  Next week is our last get together of the year (dinner before guild).  And then our big retreat is at the end of February!  Whoohoo!!

Thanks for indulging me as I shared our night (and Karen's marvelous home and quilted finds).  And don't forget that the Quilting Gallery 5th Birthday Party Blog Hop celebration is still going strong!  You can find *my* giveaway for it right HERE!

:)