Egg on My Face

Here I am back already, with egg on my face, and my hat in my hand. I was feeling overwhelmed with the holidays coming and life in general, and thought that I could unstress life a little by being on the fringes of blogging. I guess I thought that I could keep one foot in and still enjoy blogs and commenting, but not have mine to keep up with. It hasn't worked. I missed everyone and being part of the excitement of sharing and taking part.
Twice this week I got interesting packages, one from Hancock's of Paducah, and one from Thousands of Bolts, and I didn't even take pictures, as I had no one to share it with.
There is a saying in Florida that people get sand in their shoes and have to come back, and I guess that blogging is kind of that way, too. After taking part, it is hard to stop. You miss everyone too much.

Closing Blog

As much as I've enjoyed blogging, due to life changes I won't have as much time for it, and I've decided the best thing to do for now is to close my blog. I didn't just want to disappear, so I will be closing it in a week or so. I will miss everyone, but will check out blogs when I get the chance. I have met some lovely people, and I wish you all the best.

State Flower Quilt

I decided to make a state flower quilt for my daughter too, so it has taken a little time to catch up, but now I am all up to date. The next block will come out Tuesday or Wednesday, and I'm hoping to keep current from this point on. I find myself doubting it, but I'm going to try. This makes 8 blocks done and only 48 more to go. Times 2 of course.

12 Year Old Boys

Ladies or girls would pick a picture that was flattering and made them feel pretty to be their favorite picture of themselves. Not necessarily so for boys. This is Micah's favorite picture of himself. He used a plastic cup to pouch out his lips (so much that he ended up with bruises) and then with his face different than he has grown into, he took his picture and cherishes it. His mom says he shows it to everyone. Young boys, God love them.

Carolina Straightaway and State Flower Quilt

I have been sewing and machine embroidering like a madlady the last few days, but don't have a lot to show for it. Here is the first half (without the border of course) of my Carolina Straightaway. I think that when it is finished I will like it a lot. I have also been working to catch up on my state flower quilt, and midstream I decided to also make one for my daughter as she seemed to like it. I have caught up the blocks, except today this week's came out and I need to do two of the Colorado blocks. Then, I will need to add the borders to 10 blocks, and I will be caught up until next week's block. Yeah! Meanwhile, I also need to finish the second half of my Carolina Straightaway top and then it's on to the 4 star blocks for the borders and it'll be smooth sailing. Next picture, hopefully will be my next 4 states with borders. Then it'll be 8 blocks done and 48 more to go. Good thing only one comes out a week.

Wonderful Gift

I was the very lucky winner of one of Linda's three prizes for her 100th post giveaway. Linda's blog is Living4Quilting, if you haven't visited it is an excellent Blog.

As you can see I received a beautiful array of goodies. First and foremost is the adorable little kitty pin cushion, and then there are quilting postcards and quilting notecards which I will enjoy using. There is a beautiful little Moda sewing kit holder for needles and such, a binding miter tool, which I'm sure will improve my corners, some binding hem clips which will come in very handy, a very charming set of vintage notions which includes a pin cushion and threader, and last but not least a fat quarter to add to my small collection. It's blue and white, so will come in very handy as I use blue a lot. It is amazing that with all the surprises, none are duplicates of what I already had. Thank you Linda, you made my day.

Lake Buena Vista

No sewing yesterday. Thursday afternoon we (DH, grandson Micah and I) took off for Lake Buena Vista and got as far as eating at McDonald's, and then the rain came so we went home. We tried again yesterday, and it was a beautiful day, not even a sprinkle. We picked Micah up about 12:30 and took off. Yesterday, we ate at Burger King (very healthy couple of lunches) and then went on to Lake Buena Vista which is kind of like Disney's shopping village. You get a taste of Disney, but don't have to pay any admission. We walked around for awhile seeing the sights and then since DH feet were starting to hurt (he has arthritis), we decided to see a movie. I let the boys pick, so we saw a Batman movie, The Dark Knight. I have to admit it was pretty good, and I enjoyed it too. We also ate at Wolfgang Puck Express. Micah just had a brownie and drink, and DH and I tried the Butternut Squash soup. It was very good. We walked around a bit more and then headed home. Micah and DH play the same game, World of Warcraft, so he came with us and played while DH watched his Red Sox. I went to my sewing room, and Micah followed. He is a very astute young man, he asked if that was my place where I hang out!! I read my email with all intentions for finishing at least my 3 block goal, but was so tired that I laid down and went to sleep and slept until DH took Micah home and got back at 11:00. I watched a bit of the news and went back to sleep. What a wimp. Micah was a very well behaved gentleman, even opening doors and holding them for us. His mama says he does that for her, too.
Now, I'm off to put meatballs in the crockpot.

Carolina Straightaway

Six down and 19 to go and then on to the next step. I haven't gotten into the nose to the grindstone mood yet, but I figure if I can do a few blocks a day I'll be chipping away at it. Now to work on my state flower quilt before I get too far behind on it. A procrastinator's work is never done. I like that!
By the way, the sashing will be red, not white. These are just me using my new design wall. I still can't take a straight picture.

Carolina Straightaway

I've agonized and been back and forth between doing the Carolina Crossroads as written, and doing my version of Carolina Straightaway, and now I'm declaring myself as having made a firm decision to do my version. I love the pictures of everyone's CC's, but I don't think that I want that large of a quilt, and so I'm going to do my version. Mine will have sashing and will have the other CC block with the star, in each corner, with 3 - 3 inch borders, one each in red, white, and blue, to join together with the star blocks. I have 1 block completed, and am set up and ready to go, but still procrastinating on the computer, lol. I feel like doing the 4 star blocks will make me feel like I did everything in the pattern, but just in a smaller amount. If it doesn't look girlie, I may give it to one of my brothers for Christmas, or maybe even my DH, or if I love it I may get greedy. The top picture is the fabric that I had bought a while back for my Carolina Straightaway, and now I can't remember which is which, but it is for the borders and sashing. Maybe the backing too, as there is quite a bit of the fabric with the little blue stars. I'll need to figure it all out again, as I lost my little cheat sheet when I moved my sewing area from the family room back to the bedroom. Now I still need to decide if it is going to be a Carolina Straightaway, or a Florida Straightaway. I could be going off to Lake Buena Vista this afternoon with DH and 12 year old dear grandson, but at least I have my plan now

Fall Giveaway

Fall is in the air, even though it's in the nineties here in Florida. I am ready to do a little autumn decorating, and this giveaway would be a wonderful headstart for me (or anyone else who's in the mood for the start of cooler weather and the holidays). If you go to Colleen's blog And Baby Makes Five, you can leave a comment and be entered to have a chance to win.