New Goodies

Not only did I receive 3 packages in the mail today I bought this cute birdhouse. There were several different styles but I thought since I lived near the coast the lighthouse was the one for me. I think it is just so cute.

I received two Australian Homespun magazines today and a couple of new stencils that I will be using this weekend. Also, my scrapbooking software came today. I haven't opened that box yet. I have the thought that maybe if I do my scrapbooking on the computer I will get it done a little faster. Have to unearth the photo printer and get it hooked up. I think it is in the closet in the quilting room. Of course it is on the bottom of the stack of project boxes.

A couple of pictures of recent customer quilts. I love the pink and brown combo. She also did the pink and brown in a string quilt. Guess those pictures are on my other camera. Will have to post that one later. I just fell in love with it. I did find that fabric but I keep telling myself that I have enough projects and fabric and so far haven't ordered it. I do know one of the shops in town have some of that line and I have a card for $20.00 in free fabric from that shop. It will probably have to come home with me one of these days.

Carol

Traveling Children

Neal, Monika and Dylan are on their way to the Czech Republic. They left this morning for a 3 week visit. They will be visiting Monika's Mother and some other family members. I'm sure Dylan's Grandmother is anxious to meet Dylan (and Neal too). I hope they have a safe and enjoyable trip. Neal said it will take them about 20 hours to get to their destination. Such a long trip with a baby!! This picture was taken when they visited this past summer. My Son in law, Brandon, is off for two weeks to Virginia for training. He has nine more years to go for retirement from the Marines. I think he is getting a little weary of the long hours and time away from home.

I am getting into so much trouble visiting blogs. I ordered some wool and knitting needles to make a felted purse that I saw on Thimbleanna's blog. I used to knit a lot but now just once in awhile. I'm really getting the urge to try some socks too but they look hard. I'm a pretty basic knitter.

I will be joining along in the block party for Heartstrings this weekend. I am still working on the neutral quilt, wondering if I will ever get done. I thought I would have it quilted by now. What have I been doing?, or yeah the yard. I need to get more of the yard planted in shrubs and flowers so I will have less grass to cut!

It is a wonderful cool day today. Hopefully Kendall and I will be able to take a walk around her neighborhood today.

Carol

Always Something

Thankfully it has cooled off in the evenings and I am making progress on the grass. As always progress in one area leads to other things needing attention. Opened the gate to the back yard tonight and that darn board on the gate that has been dragging on the ground finally pulled all the way off. After nailing it back on, which wasn't an easy task, I discovered I had nailed it on upside down. So - off it came. I finally got it on but the board is warped so there is an opening at the bottom. I think I will have to check into a new gate and someone to put it up. My son in law put up the fence and gates for me when I moved here but he is so busy now that I just can't ask him to take the time to fix it.

On the sewing front I have made the additional diamonds I needed for the neutral quilt and another Heartstrings block. I also put together one row of this months elimination project from a quilt group I belong to. I finished 2 customer quilts and have another one loaded and ready. My last customer had a beautiful pink and brown string quilt. I'll post a picture next time. It sent me on a search for fabrics but I could only find a few of the collection. I guess that's a good thing. I really don't need anymore fabric.

The dogs are telling me to get off the computer and get them some water. It's such hard work for them to watch me push the lawn mower.

Carol

Measure Twice, Cut Once

A few Heartstrings blocks finally done, slowly but surely. When I went back to my quilt room to cut the Designer BOM's I wanted to do tonight there were a few pieces of fabrics left over from previous projects. I cut those into strips, that took awhile but made a big difference in the cluttered cutting table. I finally started cutting the BOM's. Got the 3rd block all finished.
Unfortunately I was too hasty in cutting the 4th block. This is as far as I could go until more fabric arrives. I cut my piece 2 1/2 inches instead of 3 1/2 inches. That's the bad thing about BOM's, you really don't have any extra fabric for mistakes.
No sewing on the neutral quilt tonight. Don't know if I will get to it tomorrow or not. I have a trip to the library and to the fresh vegetable stand planned for morning and then I will be off to watch Kendall for the afternoon and evening. Maybe I will get a little applique done while she naps.

Carol

Just Swingin'

It has been very hot and humid here in North Carolina this past week. Kendall wasn't a bit bothered by it. She loves to go outside and swing. I really don't know if it's the swinging she likes or just the getting in and out of the swing. Needless to say, the little bundle of energy keeps me busy.

Not too much sewing going on. I am still working on the neutral quilt, ran out of diamonds so I am in the process of cutting and getting those made. Also have been making progress on some heartstring blocks. This evening I think I will get caught on the Designer BOM. I have two blocks to make to be caught up on that one. This week I plan on getting the yard work caught up again - it's never ending.

Carol

Fall Quilts

This is the Thimbleberries one that I just finished hanging in my bedroom. There may be a mixture of Thimbleberrie fabric and other brands of fabric. I don't remember anymore. This one is in the kitchen. Again, this one is many years old. It is hanging by my messy computer desk.
Carol

Fall Quilts

I've put my fall quilts out. This one is a round robin.
This one is a kwik krazy with Dear Jane Halloween swap blocks in the border. This is my Welcome Home quilt from retreat a couple years ago. This is one of my favorite quilts.

I think I made the banner last year and the folded wall hanging was made a long time ago.
This little wall hanging is a Thimbleberries pattern made with scraps. It has been around a long time too.

Hanna

Hanna was here about 3:30 this morning. I was out of power for a couple of hours. Everything seems to be fine, haven't found any damage around the house or yard. I am so thankful. Hanna was just a tropical storm but that wind was way too strong for my taste.

The boys have electronic collars which do not have a place for name tags. So I stopped to pick up collars for them but didn't get tags. I was able to write their phone number on the collars with a sharpie except for Emmett's. The only one left in his size was black so I did a quickie embroidery job last night. Worked out pretty good. I didn't get it lined up very well but it did the trick.

Carol

Getting ready for the storm

I have been spending this evening getting patio furniture and other yard stuff in. Tomorrow I have to get the grill around to the garage and bring in the hanging flower basket and wind chimes. Then I guess I'm ready. May tape the windows, will see if the storm is upgraded. We are under a hurricane - tropical storm watch until Sat. evening. Hope it goes out to sea.

Carol

Beautiful Babies

Here are three of my beautiful grand children. Arlena, 16 months, Mason, 3, and Kendall, 14 months. Looks like Mason is enjoying his "oldest" responsibilities. Carol

Labor Day Weekend

This is the view of the ocean yesterday. I took this at my half way point during my bike ride. I got a late start yesterday. It was very hot and humid. I was surprised that the beach was not crowded but by the time I got back to my car the parking lot was full with many more beach goers. I haven't accomplished nearly what I had planned for this weekend. After I got home from my bike ride I mowed the back yard. It took me twice as long as usual because of the heat and the fact that the grass was pretty tall and thick. I didn't take care of it last week. So after getting the back yard done I was pretty much done for the day.

I also have been taking care of Sherry's dogs this week while she is visiting family in Indiana. I think I have made about 30 trips to her house to care for her dogs. Good thing she lives just a couple miles away. Lucy and Derby are great dogs. I know they will be glad when their family gets home. I think Lucy is really missing little Kendall. They are great friends.

I did manage to get the binding on this quilt while sitting with the dogs in the evenings. I just have one spot to finish, the backing got folded over when I sewed on the binding. I should be able to manage getting that done today. This is my flannel Thimbelberries quilt that I made many years ago, before I had a quilting machine, so I sent this one out to be quilted. I never put the binding on because, as I discovered when I started to finish it (I had forgotten) the backing was short. It was short on three corners. I can understand 2 corners but the third one kind of puzzles me. Anyway, I was able to add on to it and even had the fabric to match the border for the binding. Glad this one is done.

Carol