Thursday, July 24, 2008

Hens and Chicks, Baby Quilt, Sewing Manuals, AC

Today has been long and tiring, but a lot has gotten done. I started the day early, and looked out my back window to see what looked like 2 large foxes in the field behind my house. I am almost 100% sure that they were coyotes, and that they live under the tree in the field about 50 yards from my back yard. After seeing them, I realized that I don't see stray cats anymore, and I have been missing my quail, and I wonder if the coyotes ate them, if so I'm not too fond of coyotes.


The two pots of hens and chicks are new to me. I had mentioned how much I like them, and Julie of Julie's Blog was kind enough to send me the plants in the pot with the mushroom, some real beauties, and the plants in the pot with the gnome I ordered from Mountaincrest Gardens. I had to wait a little while, but I ordered 2, and they sent 4, so I was very happy. Aren't they great, and it was so nice of Julie.
This (below, and in the closet) is a picture of what took all day today. We had 2 workers here working from about 9 am until about 6 pm installing our new AC, and they will be back tomorrow morning about 9 am to finish. They still have to do some odds and ends, and some attic work. Since we live in Central Florida, the earlier they get started the better, as the attic can be brutal. I hate that we had to spend the money, but it will be so nice not to be worrying practically on a daily basis about our old one breaking down.
The notebook is a project that I thought of, and hope I don't regret. I have several machines now, a serger, an embroidery machine, a Janome Jem, my old trusty Bernina 1130, and I seem to never be able to find the manuals when I need them. I made copies of the ones I could, so if I ever sell them I will have the manuals individually still, but I took the copies to Kinko's and had them put them all in a spiral binding with dividers. Now I have a big manual all in one place, I hope that it will simplify my life. If you ever do anything similar, copy what you need first, as they don't copy anything copywrited.
While the workers were working, I was working, too. I started and finished this baby quilt today, I'm still amazed by myself. It is a simple little quilt, but for me it was an accomplishment. I embroidered the back, and got the binding ready, too. It is another Crazy Big Block from the Stashbuster workshop pattern. DH is holding it up, and the border is a lighter purple than it looks like in the picture. It's 9:20 pm, and I still have more to do, I hope to mail the baby quilt and OC off tomorrow to the longarmer and need to pack it up and do my click and ship. That is what inspired me to work work work on my baby quilt today.

10 comments:

Julie said...

It looks like the little chicks have a great new home. That is a great idea for the manuals. I can never find mine either when I need them.

Amanda said...

Wow, you've been busy. We have some of those plants I think (succulents aren't they?) but I don't know what we call them. I'm fascinated by the fact that so many of you need to have air conditioning in the house. I don't think anyone in the UK would have it, and very few shops or businesses, it so rarely gets hot enough. It was pretty hot yesterday, but for the next few days the temperature isn't forecast to rise above 20 degrees. The baby quilt is cute - do you send them all out to be quilted or do you ever quilt anything yourself - by machine or by hand?

Margo in Maine said...

Hens and chickens...I have a bunch of them at my front porch and need to pot them...use to have many beds of them but gave them away and simplified...but I was just looking at those yesterday and said to my friend 'I need to get a pot to put them in' Also cute baby quilt...I have made several over the years and it is rewarding...some of applique and hand quilted and others done by machine...need to make one for my pastor's daughter who is having her first child ...they are also pastor's..It is fun to see their faces when they open the gift.

Sweet P said...

The pots are gorgeous! You've inspired me to set up a pot or two. I don't have a good green thumb, but I'll try anyway.

Great idea on the manuals. I've also heard of binding quilt books you use frequently. I've been thinking of having my Dear Jane book set up that way.

The quilt is adorable! Great job on it.

Cheryl said...

My mom use to grow hens and chicks..love them!! Great idea to have your book bound.

Perry said...

Hi, Candace, I have just quickly looked over your last several posts, I am so far behind on keeping up with you, you have been so busy. The table that your brothers made you is just awesome, and I know you are quite pleased with it. I am trying to go to be by 2 so I have to stop for now. Will try to come back by tomorrow and catch up on the rest. Hugs!!

me ann my camera said...

Congratulations on putting together a manual! Its sounds like a great job!

Thanks for your visit to my blog and glad that you enjoyed.

Susan in SC said...

I had forgotten all about hens and chickens! How sweet - makes me want to buy some! What a clever girl you are to put the papers in a binder. I would have never thought of that idea. That's a great idea. I loved the table and thread holder that your brother built. And, busy girl, I love your baby quilt!! You have been busy as a bee!!

Kim said...

very cute quilt and great idea on the notebooks -enjoy your weekend

BitnByAQuiltingBug said...

I just got hens and chicks about a month ago from a friend who is a master gardener. Mine are doing well. She suggested I put stones or small rocks in the pot as they like to grow around/over/on them. Just thought I'd pass it along!
Regina