Okay...so, WOW!

In my last post, I had started on a new quilt...the Choose Your Own Adventure one.  At that time, I only had the first two rounds done.  But, hey...now it is finished!  The quilt top, anyway.  And, I am really liking it (what's new, right?)!!

Here it is...not a great photo because I don't have 72" of space anywhere to lay it out.  I am not a big fan of anything pink, but I think it adds a bit of drama to this quilt top.  What do you think?

And, I finally finished a quilt I started in 2012.  I have an 'almost' birthday twin...Lindy's birthday is the day before mine and she is a few years younger.  We met on the Wool Snippets message board and have been friends for several years.  To the extent that we exchange birthday gifts.  Cuz, why not?  Back in 2012, Lindy gifted me with the fabric collection of Curio by Basic Grey for Moda.  The project sheet that came along with the quilt was the quilt I made.  Back here is when I finished the top and backing.

Here it is now, all quilted and laundered...

The details...

Curio by Basic Grey for Moda

64" square (before laundering)

Quilted by local longarmer PJ 

with Feelin' Groovy pattern.

Love, love, LOVE this quilt!  Thank you so very much, Lindy!

In other news, me Mum is doing better.  Awake more often and eating more.  Still delusional much of the time, though. 

Stitch Kitty is growing by leaps and bounds.  He was neutered a month ago...went through it just fine.  Do I have photos?  Why, of course!

And, the best thing of all happened...my son, Paul, came to visit!!!  Not only that, he surprised me with his visit!  I had no idea he was coming and all of a sudden, there he was.  I cried, of course...it was so great to spend time with him.  It has been a year since my visit to Wisconsin...and it will be another year before I go again...so seeing Paul was wonderful!

Stitch was completely in love with Paul.

Having a heart-to-heart talk with Stitch.

Paul & his Gram had a nice visit.

Yesterday was 3 years without Tag.  That's all I can say.  

I am working on the sewing room.  PURGING!  Feels good to let go of some stuff.  Seriously.  Moved it here from WI and it's been almost 3 years...do I really think I will get it done?  Quite a few things fall into that category.  I am tossing some stuff, donating other stuff...and giving away lots.  Trying to lessen the load, ya know?  I want to do what I want to do, not what others think I should do.  Working toward that end. 

One thing I want to do is to start sewing clothes for myself.  It has been several years since I've done anything like that, so I am looking forward to it.  In fact, I just ordered two patterns that I can use in multiple ways to make multiple pieces!  I am excited about that.

Well, I think that is it for this post.  It is a gorgeous weekend here...and I plan to relax and enjoy it.  


"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

Concentration...Or the Lack Thereof

I should be working on sister Julie's quilt.  Remember those bright colors?  But, here's the deal...I am at the point where I need to lay the (partially put together) blocks out for color arrangement.  Once I do that, I will be able to finish putting the blocks together and then sew the blocks to each other.  

However, in the meantime, I acquired a kitten.  Which leaves me with somewhat limited opportunity to work in peace on something that requires a lot of concentration.

In addition to dealing with the new kitten, Mum's health is declining rapidly. As you know, we placed her in a nursing home a year ago.  What you may not know (unless you saw it on Facebook), is that she had a stroke at the beginning of May, followed by a fractured hip a few weeks later.  She has never fully recovered from either event.  In June, she was admitted to a hospice program.  

That's all I have to say about that for now.  

But.  What happened as a result of the distraction of life...the inability to concentrate?  I started a new quilt!  One that does NOT require much thought or concentration.  And, I am using fabric that I already have!  That's always a huge plus, am I right?  It is the Moda Bake Shop's Choose Your Own Adventure Quiltalong.  The fabric I'm using is Pat Bravo's Indie Boheme...

And, this is what I've done thus far...

I'm hoping to get the next round done this weekend. 

In the meantime, here are some photos of Stitch (aka Zoom Zoom)...  

Napping after a playtime with his laser toy.

Watching me sew.

Ummmmm...not where he should be.

It's lunchtime.  Right?

Have a great weekend!



"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

Never Say Never...

All of my life, I have said that I will never have a cat.  Dogs, of course...the more the merrier. 

But cats?  Never!  

Well, at least until having a cat was really the only choice I could make.  Then...okay!  

I got a cat!  Here is Stitch...my orange boy. 

Isn't he too cute?  I adopted him from the Humane Society...we think he is about 8 weeks old.  I named him Stitch because everything I do...knitting, sewing, embroidery...involves a stitch of some sort.    

He is one busy boy, that's for sure.  But, definitely likes to cuddle when he's tired and purrs like a little motorboat.  It is going to be an adventure, for sure.

Let me bore you with a few more photos...

So far, we're doing good together.  


"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

What I'm Working On Now...

There are a lot of pieces to the quilt I am working on now.  It's for sister Julie.  Can you tell that she likes really bright colors? 

I have been working on this for about a month...cutting, piecing, and pressing.  For now, that is all just to get the individual components of each block ready to go.  Next, I need to get those components together to make the blocks.  After that will begin the process of laying everything out and making rows.

But, first...company is coming and I have a few things to do to get ready.   




"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

Inspiration Comes From...

Where do you get your inspiration from? 

Usually, I am inspired/motivated by what I see in my Instagram feed.  Sometimes, a group challenge/project/quiltalong catches my eye, and sometimes it is a particular fabric.  Other times, it is a specific person whose work I admire.  

So, imagine my surprise when I was inspired by a backsplash.  You know, that area of wall between counter top and bottom of upper cupboard.  I was watching the Nate & Jeremiah by Design show on a Saturday night when a teal colored backsplash was shown.  Now, honestly, I have seen many, many backsplashes in my lifetime (because I have been known to watch more than a few of those home shows).  For some reason, though, I immediately decided that the very simple pattern would make for a fantastic-looking quilt.  Plus, it would give me the opportunity to use up more of my scraps!  

Here is the first block I made...

See...easy peasy.  

So.  I set about making the quilt.  I made it the perfect size (54 x 66 inches), so I was able to quilt it myself on the Big Bad Boy (Janome 1600p bd).  It is now completely finished...even laundered!  And, guess what?  I am in love with it!  It wasn't supposed to happen...was just a project between projects.  Like I needed something to occupy myself with.  But, hey...the softness, the drape, the texture...any one of them, but all three?  How could I not love it???  It is never leaving my house.

What do you think?

Scrappy Backsplash 

Hope you're having a great weekend!!!

"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

What I've Been Up To..

I'm guessing you all are wondering what I've been up to?

My village quilt is finished!  I will be sending it off to my longarmer very soon.  For those of you who know I have issues with 'random', you will be happy to hear (read) that the placement of the 132 little houses was completely random.  I threw all of them into a box, drew them out one by one and sewed them together in rows...and I think I switched out only once!  I love it!

This next quilt top was made in a week.  I had been inspired by the pattern of a backsplash shown on the Nate and Jeremiah show.  Just a simple layout, but it motivated me to use more of my scraps to make a nice lap quilt.  I will more than likely quilt this one, myself.

I also finished this scrappy crossroads quilt!

Whenever I get the urge to do some mindless sewing, cloth napkins appear...

And, I have been working on a quilt for sister Julie...putting together a bazillion components to begin with.  I will soon have something to show.

Lots going on, lots to write, but not now.  Soon.

Have a good week!


"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

Not About Quilting...or Napkins...or Kleenex Cozies...

Nope, this post is about hooking.  Wool rug hooking, that is.

It has been a very long time since I sat down and hooked on a rug.  It was back in February of 2011, when I finished my 2sheep rug.  Remember that one?  I loved that rug, but ended up giving it to a good friend.  

Here's a photo...

Since that time, I re-homed most of my rughooking supplies.  I did keep my frame and a few tools, though.  I also kept two rugs.  One that was never started and one that was started but never finished  The unstarted one...3 collies and a lab...let's be real...that one is never going to be hooked.  But, the star rug?  I have recently been thinking that it would be a good thing to work on.  Here's a photo of how it looks thus far...                      
                                 


It isn't like I'm looking for something to do, because....well, you know...I have a lot of projects on my list.  Nope...it's because I was inspired by Kelley of With Hook and Needle.  She posted progress photos of a rug she was hooking on Facebook...and I fell in love with that rug!  Guess where it is now?  Here on my living room floor!!!  ohmygosh...I love it!!!  

Isn't it gorgeous?  I love it so much!  It measures about 16 x 26 inches and fits perfectly in front of my tv cabinet.  

And, Kelley also sent along this little mat (about 7 inches square) for me...isn't it too cute?  She left it for me to finish off as a pincushion or a mat...for now it is laying on my table so that I can see it (and smile) often throughout the day!  (This isn't showing good color...the background is more red than it looks, here.)

I have always loved Kelley's work...she is the best at primitive.  

I will let you know what I decide as far as finishing my big a** star rug.




"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

Houses and (Cross) Roads...

No matter what we do or think, life moves along.  And, unfortunately, it usually moves at a faster pace than we would like, hey?  Life here in Canon City seems to move slowly...yet, here we are almost at the end of March!  

As usual, I have been busy sewing.

I am still building houses for the #sewingavillage party on Instagram.  It's so much fun to make them...and to see what everyone else is doing...different fabrics and individual touches.  There are 16 weeks to this sewing party and we are halfway through.  Here are the last 3 weeks.  

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

I've completed a few small projects...

Trying out a napkin with fringes.  

Ya know...cloth napkins.

Julie did the embroidery and I finished this pillow cover.
Purple grunge for the backing.

Jill knitted a scarf and asked me to do the fringes.

I have a few more things completed, but am not able to show them, yet.  

And, of course, I started a new quilt.  Another scrap-busting one.  Here are 4 of the blocks laid out together...

Scrappy CrossRoads

I am following a tutorial by Lori of Bee In My Bonnet fame.  The blocks finish at 16" and, once you get a bazillion 4-patches put together, the blocks go together very quickly and easily.  

I have a list of several projects coming up.  You know that I am never at a loss for something to do.  

That's it for today.  Hope you're having a good one.


"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

The One About Happy Mail...and other stuff.

Something special arrived in the mail the other day.  A box from my almost birthday twin, Lindy.  I am a bad friend...I have yet to send her a package of happy mail.  Soon, Lindy.  Soon.

More fabrics...larger than fat quarters.

Crewel embroidery.  February.  Cuz, you know.

2 yds. Grunge in Onxy.  Made by BasicGrey for Moda.

I love packages of stuff.  Thank you so very much, Lindy!,

I have been keeping busy, as always.  The list is longer than my arm!

The #sewingavillage party on Instagram continues.  And, I continue to have fun making the houses.

Week 4

Week 5

Those small houses measure 5 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches.  I am working ahead, but this is how far we are in this party.  So much fun!!

I finished my 4th SBB Heart Builders quilt!  I received the butterfly fabric and about 1/8th yard of orange with white dots fabric from SBB and I added in the other dots and the solids from my stash.  It's always interesting to see what I come up with.  This quilt top measures 46 1/2 x 64 1/2 inches.  Somewhere, there is a little girl who loves butterflies and bright colors who will be very happy to receive this.  The next step for me is to mail it off to my team leader.  She will see that it gets quilted and then it will go with many other quilts to this quarter's charity. 

Almost a month ago, I finished making blocks for my plus quilt.  I finally sat down and sewed the blocks together.  I LOVE this!  It measures about 60" square, so it's small enough for me to quilt myself. 

There are two special parts in this quilt top...

"I see you", said the owl.

A little thought of the brown dog.

I am a Silver Sneakers member now...there are definitely some benefits to getting older!  I no longer pay a gym membership and am able to join any gym that honors the program.  So.  In addition to working with the strength machines and walking on a treadmill at Anytime Fitness, I started going to a different gym that offers a restorative/chair yoga class.  My attendance has been a bit sporadic, so I need to make a commitment to going every single week.  It feels good when I go, both physically and mentally...but there are days when I just don't want to interrupt whatever it is I'm working on.  I need to get over that.

Me Mum is doing okay.  However, she fell again the other day.  Her BP fluctuates and she has orthostatic hypotension (decrease in BP when she stands from sitting or lying down).  Because her doctor was going to be unavailable for a few days, she was sent over to the ED to be checked out.  We are getting to know all of the staff there (and we like them all...they're so good to Mum).  Everything checked out, but the ED doctor told us that it looked like her wrist had not healed.  So.  We shall be going back to the ortho doctor to have that checked out. And, Mum agreed to wearing a helmet to prevent a serious head injury.  I told her we could decorate it! 

We will be playing cards with Mum today.  Tomorrow is my day off of everything.  What are you up to this weekend?