Still Waiting

Although the British have their wee one, we remain on baby wait here.  This is a stubborn little one as this is the longest our daughter has ever carried a baby.  Now it just feels like she is overdue, but the due date is actually tomorrow ;-)

While sticking close to home as we await the delivery, I have managed to work on a bit of sewing.  My Just Takes Two quilt is back from the quilters and I am pleased with the results.  Logan did a nice job custom quilting all the different blocks.  I was unsure as to what to do with the binding as I thought the brown would be too "framed" looking.  In the end I used a two sided binding so it appears to have a piping around the quilt.  It was a bit more work to make the binding, but I love the way it turned out.  I will definitely use the technique again. 

I also made a few of the Japanese x&+ bee blocks. 

With all four of our sons away on vacation this week we have been busy watching over little ones and big dogs.  I think I will take children any day.

We find it great fun to feed the dog and he is just at our level!

There was some bird drama at one of the feeders this week as this poor hummer got its foot stuck in the feeder.  After helping to release, the little thing flew off apparently none the worse for wear.

 

Our baby hawk is also making its appearance in the yard this week.  It certainly makes his presence known with his screeching in the mornings.  The rabbit population seems to be under control thanks to the hawk and his parents.

Seeing Old Friends

Did you ever work on a QAL and stash the completed blocks safely away only to become reacquainted with them a year later?   It’s like meeting old friends again.  This week I finished blocks #96-100 of the Just Takes Two QAL and I met my old blocks all over again.  I remembered working on them throughout the year – hand appliquing some as I sat on the beaches in Hawaii and slaving over other new techniques.  What a fun year it was and here is the end result.



I really did not think I would finish the top, but once I got going I couldn’t stop myself.  I am linking this finish up with A Lovely Year of Finishes – one down and eleven months to go!!!

Blocks # 96-100

I took a couple of projects along with me on our vacation.  It was lovely to have something to keep my hands busy.  My granddaughters have loved the lacy scarves that I have been knitting and they are snatched up as quickly as they are made.  These were all claimed immediately upon returning home.

My cross stitch stocking also made so great progress.  I love to see it change along the way.

Before

Now

There have been a lot of Churn Dash blocks on blogs lately.  Thearica has a Churn Dash linky and although I did not make this unique Churn Dash quilt, I promised her that I would post it.  It is a vintage quilt that is not particularly well made, but I love all of the scraps used in it.  This was done before all of our fancy tools, rotary cutters and beautiful scraps.  I am sure it was a utility quilt made from scraps. 



Be sure to check out the beautiful red, black and white blocks that you can find at Pigtales and Quilts and see her Churn Dash Sew Along..
I had several fun packages arrive while we were gone.  One was from Mary at Quilt Hollow.  She is downsizing in getting ready for a move and was looking forward to getting rid of some of her scraps.  You have never seen such a full box of all sorts of fabulous goodies.  I told her she can come pack for me anytime!!!  There are many wonderful bits, blocks, hsts and all else.  Why is it someone else’s scraps are always more interesting that your own?



Another great package came from Maria.  We belong to a mug rug swap and she was my partner this month.  Look at her beautiful mug rug she sent me.  I love the darling hearts that she embroidered on it and the fun little extras that she included.




This was the mug rug that I made for Maria.



Our warm weather has switched to rains overnight which are very welcomed here.  The weekend will be busy so there will be no sitting around and enjoying the good rain.  I hope those of you in the bitter cold will get your warming trend.  Spring is just around the corner.....right????

Thanksgiving Week

I know many of you are either deep into Thanksgiving preparations or getting ready to travel for Thanksgiving tomorrow, but I would like to wish all of my U.S. followers a very happy Thanksgiving. 

In between trying to get organized for Thanksgiving here, which we celebrate on Saturday, I have managed to find a little time to slip in some sewing.  I'm trying to keep up with my Just Takes 2 blocks - especially with the holiday entertaining sneaking up on us.  These are blocks 98-95.

   

I met my mom, sister and SIL for lunch and I wanted to make them a few of those cute little coin purses.  I told you that they were addicting!

During the UR Priceless I won a giveaway hosted by Sue at http://suebeesworld.blogspot.com and it arrived in the mail this week.  Look at all of the wonderful goodies - lots of great Christmas fabrics, adorable Santa panel blocks and some fantastic gift bags that Sue made.  I can tell that I am going to have to make a few more of these.  They will really dress up the Christmas gifts this year.  Thanks so much, Sue. 

The mail also brought my swap mini quilt from the ALQS7.  My mini came all the way from Alaska and I just love the wonderful job that Natalie did on it.  I love the bright colors and her application of beads and little "eyes" on the swirls.  Brilliant idea!! 

In the evenings I am working away on my cross stitch stocking for the newest granddaughter.  I'm not sure it will be finished by Christmas of 2012, but I doubt that she will care this year.

Our son, DIL and three little ones will be down for the weekend so there will be no sewing.  Instead we will be enjoying family time with them.  The weather is forecast to be around 80* which is perfect when there are a lot of little ones who want to play outside. 

Have a great Thanksgiving!

An Extra Hour

I feel so rested with my extra hour of sleep last night!!  How about you?  I know that I will not be happy tonight when it is dark by 5:30, but I guess I can deal with it. 

Halloween has come and gone.  We had very few trick or treaters again this year in spite of nice warm temperatures.  Our kids always come over for a quick dinner of lentil bean soup, fresh bread and salad before heading out for trick or treating in the neighborhood.  I love seeing the little ones in their costumes.

I continue to work away at the Just Takes 2 blocks.  I think we only have a few more blocks to do before we are finished.  I have close to 90 blocks completed so far.  These are the latest.

My DIL asked if I would make a Christmas stocking for their children's school auction which is coming up in a few weeks.   Although it looks blue in the photo it is a lovely shade of regal purple. 

Last evening we had the thrill of attending our granddaughter's 16th birthday party.  They had the nicest group of kids and we had a blast.  There were several who played different instruments and entertained us with their wonderful music and fantastic voices. 

Several years ago our granddaughter had fallen in love with my pinwheel quilt.  I told her she could have it when she turned 16 and she has reminded me of the fact ever since.  Last night she finally got it and, although she knew she was going to receive it, she loved it. 

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for the kickoff of the UR Priceless Blog Hop.  Again, I get to show mine on the first day.  Yeah.  I think we will see a whole lot of wonderful coin bags and I am looking forward to it. 

 

I am off to enjoy the day now before it gets dark.  It is also 88* outside right now so those of you who know me know that I am loving it.

Still Alive and Kicking

Yep, I am still here.  I just haven't had time to get a decent post off and I didn't have a lot to show in pictures either.  However, I did manage to squeeze in some sewing today that lasted more than five or ten minutes.

Blocks 66, 67 and 68 are done on my Just Takes 2 QAL.  The new set also looks like they will go up quickly. 

I've been working on a couple of blocks for an upcoming Blog Hop that I will be participating in.  My day will be on October 1st - the first day.  I rather like being first because there isn't the pressure of having seen so many wonderfully constructed blocks.  I guess it is like school when I liked to go first before someone else did an awesome job and then I had to follow.  Here is a sneak peek of my block.

I have also been working on a Christmas Tree design.  It is a fusible applique which I really haven't done much of in the past.  Cherry from Cherry Blossoms Quilting is the creator of this fabulous design.  If you are not familiar with her you will be blown away at what she designs.  I am looking forward to finishing the applique and constructing the quilt.

We had five grandchildren staying with us for a couple of days and they each wanted to make something with the sewing machine.  The boys love the embroidery machine and always have fun creating something unique. 

My granddaughter is redoing her bedroom in aqua, black and white so she did a pillow to put on her bed.  I just loved her color combination.

We also got a chance at some wonderful baby snuggles for a few days.  This little one is as good as gold and is just starting to smile.  LOVE it. 

You know it is autumn when the candy corn arrives.  My DIL showed up yesterday with a fresh bag of it for me.  Each year she manages to find a bag before I see then in the stores.  Now I know it is time to start my decorating for the upcoming season!!!  After all.....this is the last week of summer. 

The days have been a little warm here so we always open the house up early in the morning to cool it off.  I had our doors open and two birds hopped right into the house.  When I saw them I went to show them the way out.  One flew out, but the other flew into the door, breaking it's neck.  I was hoping it was just stunned (as they often are) and set it outside.  The poor mate hopped around the limp little bird for close to an hour trying to get it to jump up and join him (or her).  I felt so awful. 

Lastly....the winner of my book from the Blog Hop Party has not responded to my email nor checked my post saying she was the winner.  It has been two weeks so I selected a new winner through RNG.  This time it goes to Susan.  Susan is actually a regular follower of my blog so congratulations to Susan.  I will send you an e-mail.   

A Healthy Fabric Choice

Can you eat your fabric?  If so, I think I have found a good choice.  I am hungry just sewing on this fabric selection. 

This was a fun and easy pattern at Moda Bake Shop  that uses charm packs and I loved the addition of the prairie points.

Over the weekend we celebrated the christening of one of our newest granddaughters.  It is always such a joy to join in the happiness of these events.

I love the very curious little one looking on.

The car trip up for the christening allowed me time to work on the applique of the newest set of the Just Takes 2 blocks.  I really like this set.  I should start putting them together so I can see what it is going to look like.

August is the month for the sunflowers to show off in the garden.  The heat that we've had for the last few weeks has encouraged them even more.   I love all the different colors in this year's plants - including one that is almost black.

My roses are also loving the warmer temperatures.  They were wondering if it would ever come, as was I. 

I need to get in and find the bottom of my cutting table now.  SIGH!!!!

Well Into August

Here we are well into August already.  The days are getting noticeably shorter and the grandchildren return to school on Monday.  It's hard to believe another summer is quickly coming to an end.

The summer chores continue.  I tried something new this year and am quite pleased with the results.  We have a couple of pinot noir grape vines growing over a structure and it is loaded with grapes this year.    What's a gal to do?  Make wine????  Nah...I'm not good at stomping and getting my toes purple.  How about jelly????  I can do that!!  It made the prettiest jelly - a rosy color and it tastes great.

In about a week we are going to have three little ones with us while their mommy and daddy buzz off to Hawaii for a little getaway.  I decided to make them a couple of soft fleece blankets to give them a little comfort.  They were easy and fast projects, but fun nonetheless.

During the wonderful Christmas Hop that was recently showcased I won a darling Christmas mini from Joan at Moose Stash Quilting blog.  I just love it and she did such an amazing job on it.  I know the little ones will get a thrill when they see it hanging during the holidays.  If you have ever wanted to see an amazing scrap quilt, you need to go visit her blog.  Trust me....it will blow you away and it is reversible!!!

I am officially all caught up on my Just Takes 2 blocks with these last two applique blocks.  The newest ones will keep me busy with MORE applique.  Oh dear!!  I think I have tried every type of applique known now and I am not sure it is getting much better.

I also finished my mini quilt for the ALQS7 swap.  I really liked the aqua fabric in this one.  I wish I had more of it for other things. 

#6 star from the Temecula Summer Star QAL is now added to the bunch.

The newest little one is home and doing great.  She is such a good baby - sleeps well and is so mellow.  I think the other children think of her as a doll meant to be dressed up!

I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy a wonderful weekend ahead.