Waiting...

I was reading Ashley's blog (Film In The Fridge) the other day...she had written a post about her unfinished quilts.  Go here to see what she has to say (and show).  

It got me to thinking that I really need to finish some wip's.  Good grief!  I have probably about 8 quilt tops done, but five of them actually have the backing ready and are completely ready to be finished!  So, what's the holdup?  I just need to get at them and get them done!  Right?  (And, you know what's even better?  I have the bindings ready for those five, too!!!)

Here they are, in no particular order...

Wonky Log Cabin (wow...I started this back in September of 2009!) 

Paris Park...this is for Kaylynn and was started 2 years ago...

Paul (son) and Rachel's wedding quilt...been married almost 3 years now...oops!

And, this whirlygig quilt that I am not totally in love with (but am sure I will be once it's quilted)...

Kashmir Filmstrip...

I also have this one waiting...it's from Kelley and it is all hand-pieced.  I've not done anything but prepare a backing for this yet because I keep thinking I should hand-quilt it.  We shall see what happens with it.  Need to make up my mind and get it done.

                      

 

Of course, you know that there are more in various stages, but I really need to get at those five that are waiting.  

Anyway.  Just taking stock.

And, trying to keep cool in this hot weather.  

Have a great Sunday!



"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11

Birthday Celebration!

Yesterday was Kaylynn's birthday party.

Julie and I had a lovely time in the company

of my sons and their families!

Kaylynn was crowned

Princess Kaylynn

and loved being the center of attention!

Here is what I was working on last week...

Not quite square, it measures about
19 x 20 inches after being laundered.

I used Kona solid in White

with scraps from the quilt I started

last summer for Kaylynn.

I guess I'll need to get that one finished!

Go here to see the Paris Park quilt top.

Princess Kaylynn loved her new doll quilt...

 It was a great day!

Inspiration From An Unexpected Source...

Not too long ago, I was catching up on my blog reading. A major feat, let me tell you.  Or so it seems most days.

I am a follower of Natalie's Beyond the Reef blog.  In case you don't remember that name, I won a giveaway she had last summer...a yard of Paris Park fabric!  I wrote about it here. 

I put together a quilt top for Kaylynn, which I showed here. One of these days, I will finish it.

Back to Natalie.  I came across her 'Happiest New Year' post that I found to be very inspiring!  I asked permission to share what she wrote with you all.  She gave me permission to do so.  

First, a bit about Natalie, in her own words...

"I am a pattern designer, living with my McNab dog, Buddy, on the coast of California.  Beyond the reef, however, got its start on the north shore of Kauai - Hanalei Bay to be exact."  

Please take a moment to visit her blog and don't hesitate to become a follower...she has terrific giveaways!  AND, a website found here! 

Finally, here is what she wrote:

"It is never too late...let me say that differently.

It should never be too late to do what you believe you are destined to do.

To be.

It is not a function of age.

Age is a function of HOW you achieve it, but not whether you achieve it.

Lessons of history teach us

that great things have been started at many different ages.

Sam Walton started WalMart at age 44.

No, it's not enough to create it.

It's not enough to protect what you create.

You can't hide your light under a bushel - 

you must let the world know about it.

You must share it with the world.

Give it to them so they can give back to you - to the world.

Recently, I have seen some inspiring movies about overcoming adversity

AND about leadership.

History has taught us - proven to us -

that the impossible IS possible.

So.

Greet the day, stand a little taller

and find your second wind.

You've only just begun,

and the best is yet to be!"

Natalie Barnes

1/15/11

Natalie...thank you so much for allowing me to share this!

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Back to Work...

Good Monday morning! (really??)

I am cleared to go back to work. Not looking forward to it, as I know I will tire easily. ohwell. Will just take it easy.

Thank you so much to all of you for your well wishes and prayers.

Here are two projects I worked on this weekend.

Paris Park for Kaylynn. 60x60.

                         

It'll get quilted one of these days. Sooner rather than later, I hope. I have several quilts waiting to be quilted...must get on that!

Here's the second carrycot ensemble...same fabric as the first, but with a sheet instead of a little quiltie. I now have 6 items in my etsy shop. Go here if you'd like to check them out.

Have a great week!

Color Me...what???

I will be the first to tell you...I have difficulty with color. When I was hooking rugs, I always second-guessed myself. Many times I simply did not trust my judgment, so I asked for help. From those I considered more knowledgeable. Which, by the way, most of the people I know fit that category where color is concerned. In my humble opinion.

So. When I first started quilting and needed to choose fabrics, I would ask for help from the lqs ladies. Now, they just laugh at me. Not that I have learned everything there is to know about color, but because I definitely know what I do NOT like. Which, to them, means that I know what I'm doing. NOT. Nowhere even close.

But, some things are fairly apparent.

Take this as an example. I thought that the white inner border line would be the right choice...lots of white in the central square, and all those white dots. Thought it might make things pop.

WRONG. Looks blah...

So, I took that white inner border out and replaced it with this blue...

and am now much happier with it.


Another example. I am working on part 2 of my DQS9 swap quilt. Here's what I showed on the flickr group...

I was planning to put a black border around it and then bind it in black polka-dot fabric. Many suggested, however, that I border/bind it with a bright color. Let's see how that works.

Okay, I like this...very dramatic, wouldn't you say? If that's what I'm going for.

Ready to see what it looks like with a bold color? Something, perhaps, that you would not expect.

Like this.
I LOVE it!

And, that's all I have to say!

More Pneumonia Talk...and some sewing.

I'm home. I feel better. Perhaps not physically, but no more worries about hospitalization. Saw my own beloved Dr. Deaton today. Talk, talk, talk. Here are the results.

*Added a corticosteroid inhaler (Flovent).

*Added an antibiotic (Avelox).

*Continue with the Prednisone and the Albuterol inhaler.

*Have a CT scan of chest. Didn't have a base radiograph, so wants to take a real good look.

*Recheck appointment for Monday, though if I am feeling the same or better, I don't need to keep it (doc said).

*I am to be off work all next week. We'll see how I'm doing at the end of the week to determine whether or not I need more time off.

*Take it easy, stay in a cool environment (out of the humidity), drink plenty of fluids and don't overdo. I think I can do that.

So. That's that. I was feeling pretty crappy, so Claire (neighbor, landlady, vet, friend) offered to drive me. Thank you, Claire!

I'm hoping that these new drugs really kick this thing so that I can get back on track. But, I won't push it. Not going to relapse.

Thank you for all of your prayers, well-wishes, cares, and concerns. I appreciate you all far more than I can say.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As for 'some sewing'. I worked in very small increments of time. Seriously small. 20-30 minutes. No more than that. Usually less. Was really starting to need to do something. Ya know? Here's what I accomplished...

From this...

To this...

To this!

Now to just piece it all together.

Have a great Friday night and a wonderful weekend!

I WON!!!

Yep, I did! I won a giveaway! I haven't won anything for a long time, so was extra excited to win this one! Natalie, over at Beyond the Reef, was giving away one yard of Paris Park fabric. And, I won! How exciting is that!!! Here's the photo I snagged from her blog...
Thank you so much, Natalie!

I am going to make a quilt for Kaylynn. (you're surprised, right?) She has the flannel one I made, but not a quilt like I made the other grandkids. I think this would be so fun with dots and stripes and dots and well, who knows what I will find to go with it! Time will tell!

Tag is going in to work with me tomorrow and will have a physical exam and vaccinations while I am slaving away working. He's good about injections (he gets monthly allergy shots), so it'll be no biggie. He is all set to go. I washed/dried his warthog. As Tag's 'security blanket', the warthog needs to go along...and needs to be clean. I gave Tag a bath last week, and today I cleaned his ears, brushed his teeth, combed him, and clipped his nails. He is one handsome brown boy! {grin} The girls will be swoonin' for sure!

Not much else going on. BUT, I will have some fun things to show & tell very soon!

Stay cool!