Projects

I haven't been too productive, but I have been working on a few things in the past week. The first picture is my Thanksgiving hand towels and napkins. I've done 8 of the gold napkins and 12 white napkins for the kids, and when I finished my DH got a brainstorm. Why not put everyone's name on their napkin. I guess that I'll be doing that.

The second picture is the next two blocks of my State Flower quilt. I still have to put the frames on them, and now I'm already behind again, as Florida and Georgia are out now. A woman's work is never done.
The last two messy pictures are the fabrics for my Twisting Turning Twenty quilt. The first is the lights with the dark swatches on top, and the second is the darks with the light swatches on top. I hope there is enough contrast. This evening I got the 20 blocks sewn together, and now hopefully tomorrow, I'll be sewing the lights and darks together and then cutting them apart into two blocks. I'm anxious to get that step done, and then see how my stripes will look. Here is a picture of Donna's from Donna's in the Attic.

I'm getting excited for the holidays. I haven't done any decorating for the past few years, and this year will plan to do a bit of it. I plan on having Thanksgiving at my house this year, although I don't know yet who all will be able to make it. I will have anywhere from 9 to in the 20's. Somehow, our family has a problem with commitment, and they usually aren't sure until it is almost here.

Quilt Giveaway

Elizabeth from Pigtails and Snails is giving away a beautiful quilt that she designed herself. You have until Friday Oct. 17th at
7PM MST to make your comment.

Carolina Straightaway and Hancock's of Paducah Order

I finally got my rear in gear and finished my Carolina Straightaway top. I was going to do the star blocks in each corner, but when I saw that I had made enough extras to do 4 of the ring blocks I couldn't stop myself, I used them instead and took the easy way out. I still plan on doing some of the star blocks and using them in something.

I'm not a very good quilt shop customer. I would love to just go to my local quilt shop and nearby quilt shops and help myself to whatever appeals without having to worry about price, but that wouldn't work out too well for my budget. I love the nicer fabrics, but have to look for bargains. I usually either shop at Thousands of Bolts, Connecting Threads, or the clearance department of such as Fabric Depot or Hancock's of Paducah. I was very happy with my order from Hancock's that I received a day or two ago. Most of the fabric was $2.98 a yard, and I got 8 yards of assorted prints for $25.34. They also were having free shipping.

Needless to say, I was a happy camper.

I unfortunately have gotten a little behind in my state flower quilt. I need to catch up 2 states, which means 4 blocks, and then I think I am going to work on the Twisting Turning Twenty with Donna from DONNA'S - In The Attic, I think that will be fun, and I'll be part of her quilt show. She is planning to eventually do all the quilts in the book "Turning Twenty Just Got Better" by Tricia Cribbs. Donna does beautiful quilts and quilting, and has lots of good recipes, too.

Giveaway and Award and New Blogger

The charming picture is a picture of the giveaway prize from Raggedy Angel's giveaway celebrating her birthday and her 50th post. It is very unique, and just my style. I hope you win almost as much as I hope that I win.








"Megan decided to create a new award. "Something to honor any blogger who crafts, sews, quilts - you know, makes stuff - no matter how crappy (or how good). A way to say - I like your blog, like your stuff, and I'm pretty sure you have a good sense of humor."
"Her creation was... "I love your ugly mug" Award! In her words: "Now, all the lovely people whom I have had the pleasure to meet through this humble blog are all very talented and not the least bit ugly, but I am sure they will all take this award in the spirit intended." The recipients are supposed to pass it on, but only HAVE to pick 3 people to give it to. :)Here are my choices for their wonderful crafts, sewing, quilting, and for the Wonderful people that they are!!
Linda from Just a Quiet Place to Be nominated me, and it is a nomination that I am comfortable with. I like my quilts, and other crafts that I try, and I don't have false modesty about them, but I know that they are not masterpieces, they are for using, and that's ok with me. I love the masterpieces, but I don't have the skills or patience or desire, and this is a comfy award. I'm not real comfortable with superlatives, and this award takes in the full range bad to good in a humerous way. The hard part is trying to narrow it down to 3 nominees, and since I haven't been able to do it, I am taking the chicken way out, and nominating any and all of the wonderful people who read my blog. Let's support Megan, and if you read this please consider yourself a winner of the "I love your ugly mug" award and either nominate 3 others, or if you are chicken and indecisive like me, nominate everyone.

P.S. I changed my mind (it's ok, I'm a woman) I am going to nominate one person for the award. She has a brand new blog as of today, but I know from exchanging emails with her for the past few months that she meets all the criteria of the award, and that her blog is going to be one of everyone's favorites. Her name is Billye and here is her blog. I hope you'll add the award proudly to your blog, Billye.

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.