TA DAH! A post finally

 At last!   You finally get another post from me.  I've been busy working on a wool applique project and have been enjoying it immensely.  It is tedious but fun.  So here we go with some pretties. 

These are not perfect by any means but I love doing them.  I'm to the point of stitching the onto the tree background.  Some of them will require a bit more fancy stitching as they are fastened down and some will just need to be whip stitched.

We are having a wet summer here on the hill.  We have carpenters trying to do some outside work on our wood cabin and that's hard when it rains most every day.  Usually not downpours but enough to keep things wet.  Yesterday we did get a down pour, though.  

We are staying home except for necessity runs and its getting old.  Thank goodness we can go to the park for some exercise and a change of scenery.  We're able to do our social distancing thing there easily. 

Y'all stay safe and take care. 

Bits and Bobs

Today was Mama's birthday.  She was born 108 years ago on May 8, 1911.  We lost her on July 1, 2007 at the age of 96.    I don't know where the years have gone. 

95th Birthday celebration

At the moment, I'm not doing much sewing.  But I did get two quilts finished earlier.  One is made from Australian fabrics and is way out of my comfort zone with all the patterns and colors used together. 

Its simply a variation of a log cabin block and very easy to sew.  There are eight sets of 3 fabrics used for the blocks.  There is a total of 26 different fabrics in the quilt.  I bought the kit in Oregon where I attended the Sisters Quilt Show last July.  They provided fabric and the pattern but I had to choose the fabric combinations. 

This next quilt is all hand applique, except for piecing the blocks together and the actual quilting.  I saw this quilt at a show in Springfield, Missouri a number of years ago.  I had decided I wanted to learn how to do needle turn applique and figured that by the time I finished this quilt I'd be pretty good at it.  It has taken me at least three years to do this quilt, working on a block at a time.  I did not work exclusively on this quilt but wove it in among my other projects. 

The quilt is called Across the Wide Missouri.  It was lots of work but I really enjoyed making it.  I learned a lot and still have a lot more to learn to be more than what I think is just adequate doing applique.  

It has been busy around here.  We had company for two weeks and the "kids" were kept busy with honey-do projects.  Before they came, they all requested a list of chores they could do for us.    I got a garage door opener at last, along with a lot of other chores that hubby and I just could not tackle for various reasons.  I don't think they'd know how to act if there was not a chore list for them upon arrival.  

Y'all take care

Time Is Humming Along

I cannot believe that it's February 2 already!  The groundhog didn't see his shadow here at our house this morning and I can certainly believe that spring will be arriving soon.  Way too soon, really.  Due to the on again, off again weather we've been having, we already have early flowers coming up.  Trees and shrubs are budding.  This is just plain crazy here in the mountains.  Don't get me wrong.  I enjoy the mild temperatures but I worry about the plants and insect populations later in the summer.  

I spent a few days with friends from my quilt guild from Florida at a retreat over in north Alabama.  Had a wonderful time, of course.  No finished project to show but made a lot of progress on a couple of things.  Had lovely views of Lake Guntersville for the duration.

I'm not a fan of 'smores but a good time was had by the outdoor fireplace and some of the girls enjoyed them.   We've already reserved the same time for next year to do it again. 

Here on the homefront, a few friends came over and we worked on a small tote for use with hand projects. 

Now, to actually get to work on one of my hand projects. 

Life is good and I try to remember that and acknowledge the fact every day. 

Y'all take care 

Quilters Break Out

No sooner had we returned from the Texas birding trip, when it was time for me to pack up the car and head northward for my semi-annual quilting retreat. 


Once again, the event did not disappoint.  Our Maryland contingent arrived in fine style, having driven their work of art all the way down, even through heavy rain where pieces went flying!! 

These bits of fabric were lovingly applied to the vehicle using starch and/or wheat flour paste. 

Not to be outdone, Miss Elizabeth, the Magnolia Madam, thought we were all winners and presented every one of us with our very own personalized beauty queen sashes!!    Our retreat virgins were presented with tiaras during an induction ceremony conducted by Miss Congeniality.   And, we've all got that parade float riding, beauty queen wave down pat!!!


Oh, did I tell you that we actually did get some sewing done?  No?  Well, we all arrived on Thursday (some even Wednesday night) and proceeded to take over the retreat center.   We sewed, we ate, we sewed, we shopped, we ate, we sewed and we ate some more!!!!  And through it all, we seldom stopped talking and laughing.


I'm just learning to paper piece and Ms. Bluesnail made sure we started learning by piecing the tiniest block she could find!!! 

That block is a whole 3 1/2 inches!!! 


I also worked on my first hand applique project.  Not being inclined to start on tiny projects, I figured I'd go about as big as I could get. 

This one is about 3 feet tall!!!  

Immediately upon my arrival home, my hubby's first question was:  "So, when are you gonna do it again?"   My answer:   "November!!!"      Is it November yet????????????????


Y'all take care.