Slow Sunday Stitching

The last couple of weeks have been long, exhausting (but fun!!) ones, so I’ve enjoyed some nice, quiet weekends … and this weekend is thankfully no exception. 

I had a full day at DD’s … she was off work but attending a homeschooling conference over in St. Louis, so I had T-duty.  T#1 is planning a festive day to celebrate his mama’s “retirement” on Monday, so we went some time working on that.  My sweet hubby picked up a pizza from Papa Murphy’s and asked me to call when I left DD’s so he could get dinner going.    He’s a keeper!  I was too worn out to even stitching Friday evening. 

I had planned to get outside and prune my roses and our butterfly bush Saturday … while the temperatures were supposed to be in the mid 50’s, at least the sun would be shining to help it feel warmer.  The sun never once made an appearance and the temperature didn’t get past 45!  Let me tell you, with the wind, it was plenty cold out there!  But I got the job done.  I should have taken before and after photos, but by the time I was done, I was too tired to think about taking a photo.  I used a lopper this year, which made short work of the job … and revealed that I have absolutely no arm muscles.  My arms are still a little sore this morning! 

Before we went out to work on the pruning, DH mentioned that he’d like to get some onions and lettuce planted in the garden.  By the time we finished pruning, he was as ready to get back inside as I was!    We’ve got a couple of warmer days coming this week … we’ll get out and do some planting then. 

After I finished pruning, I rewarded myself with an afternoon spent with my needle and thread.  I put away my Storm at Sea (with DD’s fabric on its way, the SaS will be moved to the back burner).  I pieced together another Martha Washington’s Flower Garden block … 22 completed, and I’m still not sick of them.  But I love the fabrics I’ve chosen (Kansas Troubles fabrics), and I love hand work, so I may end up with a bed-sized quilt before I’m done (my plan was to make a wall hanging). 

Today’s stitching will be more work on my MWFG.  I can see that I’m going to need to cut some more 2 1/2” squares before too much longer.  Thankfully I have plenty more KT fabrics in my sewing room.  I don’t plan to start piecing DD’s quilt until after I take the Mastering Machine Piecing class that I’ve signed up for (April 6); I confess that my piecing isn’t always as accurate as it could/should be.  While a part of it may be because I’m always a little too anxious to get to the fun part (hand quilting), I also know that my method/technique could be improved.  Since DD’s quilt will be made from triangles, I want to wait until after the class so I can have a much better chance of having perfect points and matching seams.  That will give me time to cut the 512 triangles I’ll need … and with a little time to spend with my hexies.   

After almost a week of feeling better (not 100%, but much better), DD has suffered yet another relapse.    This has been going on for at least 3 weeks now.  She’ll be seeing a new doctor … hopefully one who will be able to prescribe a treatment that will knock this pneumonia out!

I noticed this morning that my background is missing … wonder when that happened?  As usual, I had used a Cutest Blog on the Block template but when I tried to visit their website, it isn’t available.  What a shame as I always found pretty backgrounds there … thankfully I found another source …while it didn’t have as many pretty choices, I found something that I liked.  Whew!  Crisis averted. 

I’m linking up today to Kathy’s Slow Sunday Stitching party.

Hope you all have a blessed Sunday!
Kathy

Saturday’s Musings

I’m NOT a fan of shopping … if I go shopping, it’s usually for something specific, and it frustrates me to have to spend hours going from store to store looking for just what I’m shopping for … and all too often, I don’t find it … so all that time was wasted.  Ugh

So I love to shop online … so many choices, and going from website to website takes a matter of minutes, not hours.  Chances are, if I can’t find it online, I’m not going to be able to find it in a brick-and-mortar store.  So many online stores have free or discounted shipping … and frequently lower prices (less overhead), so for me, online shopping rules!

DH used to mock me for shopping online … I’ve told him all the positives about shopping online, but he’d still insist that it would be cheaper to shop locally.  I think I finally made a believer out of him when I found a leather belt case for his new iPhone … no tax, no shipping and $7.50.  He found one at the phone store … it was designed for a non-smart phone, so while technically he could get his phone in the case, it really didn’t fit properly.  And even with a 50% discount, it was $13.50.  He finally had to acknowledge that shopping online is the way to go. 

About the only exception I’ll make to shopping online is if I’m looking for fabric for a quilt.  I’ve shopped online when I know exactly what fabric I’m looking for (like some of Moda’s Midwinter Reds for a Minick and Simpson pattern) or when I need some extra wide backing fabric (it doesn’t have to match exactly … as long as the print or color coordinate, I’m good with it).  Usually if I’m shopping for a specific project, I’m trying to find several fabrics that will all play together nicely (I’m not into scrappy quilts) … so I need to audition fabrics. 

I’ve discovered (the hard way) that shopping online for fabric does indeed have its drawbacks.  On Thursday, I ordered fabric for DD’s herringbone quilt.  I had DH sit with me as I tried to logically calculate how much fabric I need to make the quilt … the only thing I knew was that I’d be making the quilt from 6” half square triangles (finished).  After we determined how much yardage I’d need for the top, it was time to order the backing.  As a hand quilter, I always order extra wide backing – no pesky seams to worry about.  The quilt needs to finish at 96”x96”, and the backing fabric was 108” wide.  I determined that a piece 108”x108” would work well.  After 30+ years as an accountant, I have become so accustomed to having a machine or software to calculate for me, I wasn’t confident that my math was accurate when I divided 108 by 12 … DH confirmed that the correct answer was 9.  So I inserted 9 as my quantity and placed my order.  Friday morning, I got to wondering … did I order the correct quantity of backing fabric and looked up my order online … yep, 9.  The problem is fabric is sold by the yard, not the foot.  I ordered 9 YARDS of backing … I only wanted 3 YARDS!    I immediately called the online shop, but alas, they shipped the order out yesterday afternoon.  Now, normally, I would be singing the praises of such a fast turnaround!  But not this time.  <sigh>  Of course, I cannot complain ... the error was all mine.  I suspect that had I been shopping in a brick-and-mortar quilt shop, I would have caught my error when I saw the clerk unwrap the bolt time after time after time to measure and cut out 9 yards. 

We are now into our second week of spring … and I’m still looking for some spring-like weather.  Not too many new signs of spring here at Chez Nana, but at DD’s yesterday, I discovered a few signs of spring … enough to give me some hope.


I had planned to get out and get to work in the yard today … I should have pruned my roses a month ago.  It’s not very warm, quite cloudy and still pretty windy here … but I also know that if I keep putting off this job until it gets warm enough, it will be too late.  There’s usually a random warm day in late February or early March when I can get out and prune … but not this year.    In a few more minutes, I think I can guilt myself into getting out there and getting the job done.  I can reward myself with an afternoon spent with needle and thread. 

I’m down to one last “get-up” on my morning “gig”.  While I have to admit that I am rather looking forward to getting back into my normal routine (and sleeping in … although I’m not sure an additional 30-45 minutes constitutes sleeping in ha!), I sure am going to miss seeing my precious Ts every morning. 

Have a wonderful weekend!
Kathy

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 
It’s impossible to believe that it’s Wednesday already … and not only that, the 26th of the month.  Where did March go?  But I can’t say that I’m terribly sorry to say goodbye to March next week … I’m hoping that April will bring in spring temperatures, green grass, flowers.
 
1. March is known as the windy month. Which of the following phrases best fits your March so far...'throw caution to the wind', 'three sheets to the wind', 'run like the wind', or 'see which way the wind blows'?
I’m not sure that any of those really apply … but the closest is “run like the wind” … it feels like the month of March has “run like the wind” .

2. Your favorite green food? Your favorite dish made with your favorite green food?
My favorite green food would probably be spinach.  I love good creamed spinach, and I like a good salad … most of our dinners include a simple salad with some baby spinach, leaf lettuce, sautéed prosciutto, grated parmesan and a little dressing.

3. Ever been locked out of your home-car-office-anywhere? Do tell!
I don’t remember ever being locked out of my home/car/office or anywhere else.  I remember having a terrible time getting DD’s garage door key pad to accept the (correct) numbers I punched in when they were out of town last October.  As far as I can recall, that’s the closest I’ve come.

4. Yoda, Kermit, Shrek, The Wicked Witch of the West, Oscar the Grouch, The Grinch, or Mike Wasowski (Monsters Inc.)...of the green characters listed, which one's your favorite and why?
Mike Wasowski (or Mike Gagowski as T#4 calls him) of course!  With 4 grands, we watch a lot of Pixar movies … so gotta go with Mike.T#2 doing her Mike Wasowski (“One Eyeball”) imitation on our trip to Disney in 2008 (she was 4).

5. "The first task of a leader is to keep hope alive."~Joe Batten Do you agree? Why or why not?
I agree that a very important responsibility of a leader is to keep hope alive in those he/she is leading.  Without hope, his/her team will give up and all is lost.  “When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." ~Author Unknown 

6. Share a favorite song with an emotion in its title.
The first song that came to mind is “96 Tears” by Question Mark and the Mysterians (they don’t name bands like they used to - ha!).  Technically it’s not an emotion.  But I’m having a hard time of coming up with something more suitable.  So I’m going to go with that … if for no other reason than to give a little bloggy love to Question Mark and the Mysterians.  Ha!

7. What's a road trip you'd like to take?
I’ll give you three guesses what I’m going to say … and the first two don’t count.   

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I finished up Block #18 and am almost done with Block #19 of my Martha Washington’s Flower Garden … I would have finished #19, but in the middle of stitching Monday afternoon, I had to make an “emergency” visit to the eye doctor to help DH select his new frames.  He had his eye exam last week … his prescription has changed, so he intended to get new frames, too … but he was going to wait until next week when I was back to my “normal” schedule.  But while he was checking out at the grocery store, his glasses broke … right in the middle of the bridge.  So I had to meet him at the eye doctor to help him choose his new frames. 

T#2 put on a “carnival” at DD’s yesterday morning after they finished up school.  There were all kinds of games to play, with prizes, big prizes and mega prizes to be won.  She did a great job of creating carnival games … we had a good time. 

That’s actually two random thoughts … but they ARE random! 

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Kathy

Finally! Some Slow Sunday Stitching

I had hopes of getting in some slow Sunday stitching at the swim meet last Sunday, but it was just too crowded at the pool and too dark on the way home for me to be able to work on my hexie project.

My storage case remained unopened all day Sunday. 

I did a little slow stitching yesterday on my Martha Washington’s Flower Garden.  I started and almost finished block #18.  In this photo, I’m still working on sewing the seams on the outer row of hexies … when I finish that, I will add to the two side hexies and move on to block #19.

I’m not sure just how many blocks I’ll make … I suspect that it will be a decision made on how much desire I have to make more blocks … I have plenty of fabric to cut more 2 1/2” squares … not to mention that since most of them (if not all) are Kansas Troubles fabrics, I won’t need to have my arm twisted to buy more fabrics to keep making blocks!    I do know that I plan to put these together in a tumbling block setting, so the number of whole blocks that I need will be divisible by 3. 

I watched the hockey game and a couple of basketball games … not one of the 3 teams that I was cheering for won their games.    We watched the second half of another basketball game (our team lost) ... and my hockey team is playing right now … perfect opportunity to finish up block #18 and get a good start on block #19 before we head to small group this evening. 

I ought to be working on my Storm at Sea … I was hoping to get it completely quilted before I start on DD’s herringbone quilt.  She's chosen her two colors: Kona Steel and Silver.

But since she’s been sick, she hasn’t been feeling up to helping me determine just how big she’d like this quilt (we need to measure her mattress and determine how much drop she’d like … which I need in order to estimate how much fabric to purchase).  So you’d think that I’d be taking advantage of this additional time to get to work on finishing up my SaS … but the allure of the hexies won out this weekend.  <shrug>

Speaking of DD, she started to go back downhill last weekend and it wasn’t letting up.  She had a follow up doctor’s appointment on Wednesday and got stronger meds.  As of Friday, she hadn’t noticed any real improvement … she has moments where she’s feeling better (not great by any means, but well enough to get out of bed), but those times don’t last too long and then she tanks.  I’m praying that she will be feeling much better tomorrow.  I won’t lie … I’m worried about her.  This has been doing on for over 2 weeks now. 

We watched 42 last night.  It was a good movie, but it didn’t do justice to the struggles Jackie Robinson faced in 1947 (and subsequent years) … time constraints, I know.  Speaking of movies, I need to make a list of movies we want to watch.  We don’t go to the movie-aters (movie theaters in T#3-speak) so all too frequently I forget what we wanted to see when we decide to have a movie night here at Chez Nana.  Any recommendations for good movies to rent on DVD?

Have a superb Sunday!
Kathy

Spring Has Sprung

I had hopes of getting out in the yard yesterday (it got into the lower 60’s), but I went to the spa instead.  DD received a gift certificate to a new spa in town … she’d made an appointment for this afternoon, and she’s still not feeling well enough to go … so she gave it to me rather than to have it go to waste.  While I felt bad that she wouldn’t be able to use it, I didn’t feel too bad to keep from using it myself.  My muscles (shoulder and lower back) are a little sore this morning where she had to work extra to loosen up the knots.  DH and I did spend a little time out in the backyard, planning out how we’re going to work up this garden … where we’ll plant what, etc.  It’s going to be even warmer this afternoon … maybe I’ll work in the yard then. 

We also grilled some chicken breasts … it was delightful to sit out on the deck with the sun shining and a gentle breeze blowing. Since it’s going to be even nicer this afternoon, maybe I will spend this afternoon sitting out on the deck with my hexies instead of pruning.  After all, we’re going to go to dinner with our neighbors … perhaps I should avoid working up a sweat. 

While it certainly looks like spring has finally arrived … outdoors and on the calendar, the meteorologists are telling us something different.  The lows are going to be getting back into the low 20’s tomorrow … with snow in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday.  Ugh!  We won’t get back to “normal” temperatures until Thursday.

Part of my “job” at DD’s is to make sure that the Ts do their morning chores, so they’ll be ready to start school when she gets home.  This morning I asked T#1 if he’d vacuumed the carpet in the living room … he was incredulous that I couldn’t remember him doing just that no more than 15-20 minutes earlier.  On my way to DD’s yesterday, I thought of a couple of things I wanted to order from Amazon … of course, by the time I got to her house, 10 minutes later, I couldn’t remember what I had wanted to do, let alone what I wanted to order.  Thankfully I remembered about an hour later.  <sigh>  I used to have a razor-sharp memory … now it’s more like a butter knife.  

Have a fabulous Friday!
Kathy

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 
It feels like it's been forever since I've been able to participate in the Hodgepodge.  The last couple of weeks have been crazy busy ... now that the fall/winter swim season has come to a close and I have only two more weeks on my early morning "gig", hopefully things will slow down a little.    


1. Thursday marks the first day of spring...to celebrate would you rather plant a garden or go for a walk in the woods? Would either of those activities be possible on Thursday where you live?

Way, way too early to plant a garden here, although I'd really like to be able to get out and work in our garden. The high tomorrow is supposed to be 64, so maybe I’ll walk on the bike trail … it runs through some wooded areas … close enough? 

Speaking of our garden, DH has been doing a little preliminary work out in our garden, working to get things ready for when it finally warms up enough to start planting.


2. When did someone last spring something on you? (or when did you last spring something on someone?)

DD often springs stuff on me … an offer to go with to the zoo, an offer to go to lunch, an offer to stay a little later for some game time, etc.   I have to say that she doesn't have to twist my arm very hard.  ha!


3. We often think of spring as a time for new beginnings. What's something you'd like to start doing this spring?

I’d like to start walking every morning this spring … with the weather improving (I hope) and with my early morning “gig” drawing to a close, I should be able to resume my early morning walks with my neighbor Lois.


4. Where do you like to sit in a movie theatre? When did you last sit there, and what were you watching?

I prefer to sit up a little higher so I can have a straight-on view of the screen. I’m trying to think when the last time I went to the movie-ator (as my youngest grandson used to call it) … I think it must have been the time when DD and T#2 invited me to join them to see Brave … unless it was when DH and I went to see Lincoln. As you can see, we aren’t much into going to the movies … we prefer to watch them at home, so we can turn on the closed captioning so DH can better enjoy the movie. Plus, the popcorn and soda are waaaaay cheaper at home ... and we can skip through the "coming attractions".


5. When you meet someone for the very first time, what do you want them to think about you?

I hope that they think that I’m friendly and fun to be with.


6. March is frozen food month (yes, really!). Besides ice cream (gotta make you think a little) what's your most often purchased frozen food item?

I’d have to say that we purchase a lot of frozen chicken breasts … it’s awfully convenient to just pull out a few breasts … they don’t take too long to thaw. Although with my early morning “gig”, I've gotten into the habit of choosing a frozen breakfast sandwich … for a quick and easy breakfast. We don't buy much frozen ice cream ... we're about a half mile from a local frozen custard stand, so we usually make a Bobby's run when we get a hankering for ice cream.


7. What's something you avoid?

I’ve been avoiding housework lately. By the time I get home from DD’s in the morning, choosing how to spend my afternoon is a no-brainer … stitching always wins out over housework.


8. Insert your own random thought here.

I went on a short walkabout around the yard this afternoon … it looks like Spring is on its way to southwestern Illinois! Although I have to admit that I’m not all that excited about that first sign (the dandelion) … the budding hostas are much more to my liking!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Kathy

The Extended Weekend Wrap-up

Goodness!  How long has it been since I’ve done a weekend wrap-up?  It seems like forever … I guess it’s because most of the time I’m able to wrap-up my weekend when I link up to Kathy’s Slow Sunday Stitching party.  But this past weekend didn’t include much stitching, none on Sunday.

I’ll start the weekend a little early since I didn’t share the pictures I took earlier in the week when I took the Ts to the park.  It was such a nice day … as you can see by the fact that they were wearing shorts. 


Earlier in the day, I had a major oops at DD’s when I inadvertently forgot to shut the veggie drawer of her refrigerator.

Needless to say, I’ll be searching for a new veggie drawer. 

Friday morning, DH and I headed out to Columbia, MO for the Y Area Swim Championships.  Homestead Hearth Quilt Shop is in a small town just about 15 miles north of the interstate we were on … and DH was sweet enough to agree to a side trip on our way.  And as if that weren’t enough, his parting words, as he went outside to soak up some sun and do a little reading, were “take your time and buy whatever you like”.    (Of course, what I liked was EVERYTHING!) 

Seriously, I did pick up a fair amount of fabric … the fabric I will need for Pam Buda’s new Sew Along

as well as some fabric that I think would be perfect for T#1’s quilt (on my list after I make DD a new quilt for their bed)
and some fabrics that I just couldn’t pass up … I just LOVE plaids in quilts and there aren’t many plaid cottons to be had closer to home (try as hard as I might, using multiple locations, I just couldn’t get a picture of them that would do justice … not that the above pictures are true … the reds are a good bit less pink and the neutrals aren’t so light … I think if you click on the pictures, you’ll get a little better idea of the colors … I just cannot seem to photograph fabrics and have the colors come out anywhere close to true … of course, it couldn’t possibly be the photographer ).

DD and family arrived in Columbia about an hour after we got there, and after they got settled in at the hotel, we met up for dinner … and an early bedtime … we had to be at the Aquatic Center at 8:00 for warm-ups.  T#1 swam in 3 events on Saturday and qualified for finals on all 3 events … and he improved his times on all 3 events … on top of that, he medaled on the last event of the day!


T#2 rocked her event that afternoon … dropping a huge chunk of time off her personal best … but alas, her competition was just too strong and she wasn’t able to qualify for finals … although she fell only a few second short.

Sunday T#1 had 3 more events and again qualified for finals in all 3 events.  Although we could tell that he was tired (we were at the pool for 12+ hours on Saturday), he still managed to knock time off on all 3 events.  We were so proud of both of them.  They’ll get a couple of months off before summer swim starts at the end of May. 

DD felt much better Friday and most of Saturday … but by the time we wrapped things up Saturday evening, she was starting to feel puny again … and has been steadily feeling worse.  We’re beginning to wonder if there might be more going on than just pneumonia … a lot of her symptoms match the symptoms of her connective tissue disease and dermatomyositis.  She’s been flare free for almost 10 years now … and she’s reluctant to start the downward slope of steroids and methotrexate, yet she’s not able to function like this.  If you would, please pray that she’ll be able to get to the root of whatever’s going on and that she’ll be able to find something to help her that provides relief without all the serious side effects. 

Hope you all have a terrific Tuesday!
Kathy

Miscellaneousness

 

I was expecting a busy first half of the week … and I wasn’t disappointed … it was busy, just not in the way I was expecting.  DD added a second shift on Monday to cover for a co-worker, had signed T#1 and T#2 up for a field trip to the Christian radio station Tuesday afternoon and had a hair appointment yesterday afternoon, so I was to stay late to watch the littles.  Oh, I stayed late all right … and I watched the littles … but because DD has pneumonia.   

 

DSIL is off today and will be on mama and kiddo duty, so I have the morning “off”.   In fact, other than a Prime Timers lunch at church later this morning, I’ve got the whole day free.  It would be the perfect opportunity to get out and prune my knockout roses and butterfly bush … or I could stitch.  Hmmm, decisions, decisions. 

 

We were without internet and television for about 18 hours yesterday … that meant no email or blogs.    Thankfully it was restored by the time I got home from DD’s

 

I’ve put together my shopping list for our stop at Homestead Heart on our way to Columbia tomorrow … fabrics for Pam Buda’s Sew-Along.  I’ve never done one before, and while I have always wanted to, I never seemed to find one that I thought I’d like in time to be able to participate.  Her Market Day will be a small quilt (30”x30”), so it shouldn’t be a burden on top of all the other projects I’ve got going on. 

 

Speaking of Pam Buda quilts, I oohed and aahed over Lesley’s beautiful Stillwater Creek quilt (she’s the one who gave me the heads up about Pam’s SAL) … she emailed me and offered to send me her pattern.  Aren’t bloggers the best?

 

Tomorrow is Worldwide Quilting Day … alas, I may not be quilting, but I do plan to spend some time with my needle and thread … basting pieces on my Texas Star will be the perfect way to kill time between the Ts’ events.

 

Have a terrific Thursday!

Kathy

Tuesday Trivia

Not that I need a specific day to post about the trivial goings on here at Chez Nana.  ha!

T#2 did really well at the meet Sunday … while she didn’t qualify for any more events at State (this coming weekend), she knocked off a good amount of time on the events that she swam.  And T#1 got “drafted” (chosen by the head coach) to swim a leg on the 13-14 year old boys medley team … and on a stroke that isn't one of his best ... not only did he help the team win 1st place in that event (his time was quite a bit better than the best time swam by the boy he replaced … and T#1 just turned 12), but he reached a goal he’d set for himself … to swim the 50 yard freestyle in less than 30 seconds!  The meet didn’t last as long as I expected, and we were home late Sunday afternoon … plenty of time to get some more time with needle and thread on my Storm at Sea.  While at the meet and on our way home, I was able to spend a little time working on my Texas Star.

I didn’t get a lot of pieces basted, but progress is progress … and as I am wont to say, if I wanted fast, I’d go to Target and pull a quilt off the shelf.  ;-)  So I’m kind of surprised that I’ve got a little joint pain going on in my left thumb … I notice the pain when I am gripping something … similar to the position I use to hold the papers while basting.  I don’t remember doing anything else that should have aggravated that joint, but I didn’t baste enough pieces to either … especially since I’ve basted many, many more in one sitting without any discomfort.  I’m hoping that taking it easy with that joint will allow it to settle down so I can baste on our way to the State meet this coming weekend.

Speaking of, we’ll be leaving Friday morning because DH has generously agreed to a side trip on our way … a stop at Homestead Hearth.  It’s only about 15 miles out of our way.

Our spring tease is here … our temps reached 80 yesterday!  And today should be just as nice, maybe even a little warmer.  I got home from DD’s mid-afternoon.  I had every intention of doing some yardwork (my knockout roses and butterfly bush need their spring pruning), but I succumbed to the siren call of my needle and thread.  I opened a few windows so I could at least enjoy a little of the delightful weather.  And while at DD’s, the Ts and I got in some outdoor time.  This tease won’t last too long … we’ve got a cold front moving in tomorrow, bringing with it some accumulating snow.  Thankfully it won’t be much snow, and the temperatures will warm back up to normal on Thursday, so whatever snow we get shouldn’t last too long. 

Have a terrific Tuesday!
Kathy

Slow Sunday Stitching

Finally ... I was able to spend some time with my needle and thread on Saturday. I'm sure they missed me ... I know I missed them!  Ha! 

I was able to move my hoop yesterday ... of course, I've got several more moves to make before I can call this quilt done, but slow and steady wins the race, right?  Besides, as I always say, if I wanted fast, I'd go to Target and buy a quilt off the shelf. ;-)

I enjoyed the quilt show yesterday morning ... I was encouraged to see several hand quilted quilts.  I would have liked to have taken a few photos to share ... but photos weren't allowed. :-(

My first issue of Primitive Quilts arrived ... I love traditional blocks from what I call primitive fabrics (like Kansas Troubles). I saw an appliquéd pillow in the magazine ... I've never done any appliqué work although I would like to learn how.  This pillow was done in wool, although I think that I'd like to try it with cotton.  Its gentle curves and primitive nature make me wonder if this might be a good beginning appliqué project. 

Our weather was 180 degrees different Saturday from Friday ... windy, cold, overcast ... ugh.  Thankfully the sun and warmer weather returns today, although we won't be able to enjoy it ... we will be inside all day at the rescheduled swim meet. 

Speaking of, the meet takes place about an hour and a half from here, so I've got my hexagon project all packed up for some stitching en route to the meet ... and between events ... I'm going to link up with Kathy over at Slow Sunday Stitching. 

Have a blessed Sunday!
Kathy

Six of This, a Half Dozen of That

Is anyone else excited about the time change?  I know some don’t like switching to DST because they lose an hour’s sleep … DH is chief among those who complain about it.  Yet you know, he doesn’t complain when he loses an hour when we change time zones when traveling … which supports my contention that most of the issues with switching to DST are psychological rather than physical.  ;-)  Of course, I love DST … I know, I know … it’s dark longer in the morning.  But very few of us are outside, certainly not doing anything fun at that time of day … but most of us enjoy being outside in the evenings (well, we will be if it ever warms up) so the extra hour of daylight in the evenings is awesome in my little world!

Speaking of warming up, we're getting a little teaser of some spring-like weather for the next several days.  It got up to 58 today!  Woo hoo!  I was even able to walk over to our next door neighbors without a coat or jacket … and since I have zero tolerance for cold, that is a HUGE deal!  And it’s going to get better with a high of 68 on Monday and a high of 69 on Tuesday!  Of course, we are going to have a return of cold weather, including snow, on Wednesday.  :-o 

There’s a quilt show tomorrow in a town about 20 miles to the north … hosted by a quilt guild that meets in a town about 10-15 miles to the north.  I’m hoping to not only enjoy beautiful quilts and shopping in their vendor area, but to find out more about this guild.  I’ve been looking for a quilt guild to join … I tried a couple (further away than this) but was never able to truly fit in … the one guild was just too big (I was never able to make a connection with anyone) and the other was quite clique-ish. 

Yesterday’s mail brought a questionnaire to be filled out and returned to the county jury commission … a certain precursor to receiving a summons to serve.  I’ve already served at least a half dozen times … haven’t I fulfilled my obligation?  ;-)  I admit that I’m concerned about being called to serve during the time when we’re going to be in Hilton Head in May … I’m hoping that if so, I can be excused (I know … it will only be a delay, but as long as we can go to HHI as planned, I’ll be ok).  The questionnaire is not due to the commission until March 15, so I intend to wait as long as possible to return it in hopes that I can postpone the inevitable.  ha!

When DH and I were in St. Louis at one of the quilt shops last Friday, I saw a quilt puzzle … DH and I had just finished up a puzzle, so I splurged.  We started it a few days ago and are making decent progress.  Wouldn’t you know that the first section we’re just about to complete is the hexagon part.  ;-)

Speaking of quilt shops, it was sunny and pleasant (as mentioned above) today, so I finally got out onto the deck to take a photo of the fabrics I purchased, as promised.  The colors still aren’t 100% accurate, but they’re certainly much closer than they were when I tried to take a picture last week.  You should be able to click on the picture to see it better.

My “gig” watching the Ts in the morning while DD is working up at the Y is going to be coming to a close at the end of this month.  While on paper, it sounded like her working from 5:30AM to 9:00AM, coming home in time to do school, etc. should work just fine, but the reality of the situation is that it just isn’t working for her or her family.  It will be a mixed blessing for me … while I won’t mind being able to sleep in (if you can call sleeping until 5:30AM or so sleeping in), I will really miss being a part of their lives every day.  :-(

I hope you all are having a fabulous Friday!
Kathy