Destructo Dog

He looks harmless.

Another Christmas quilt from a Thimbleberries pattern. This one has also been in the works for a long time. Again, 2004 maybe. It goes in the waiting to be quilted stack.

Not What I Expected

The last couple of years there has been way too much snow for North Carolina. I don't like it a bit, not one bit!

Holiday Lights by Alex Anderson, a retreat project from 2009. My version is minus the lights but I added some crystals. I still have to put more on but it did have enough to hang. It sparkles in the sun, love it!

Happy New Year

I have been busy, enjoying the season, working on projects. I finally finished Hometown Christmas. I think I started this one in 2004 or 5, can't remember when it came out. It is finished and on the guest bed. These pics are all from my cell phone - so not the best but quick and fun.

Little Kendall all snuggled in under the new quilt. She was over for a baking weekend. We had a great time. I wish the other grand kids lived closer but Noelle and her family were here for the week of Thanksgiving. It was so nice to have 4 of the grand kids together. Lucky was busy. He must have seen a cat in the backyard. He is a rescued dog, I am beginning to understand why he was homeless. This is the second set of blinds for the bedroom, each set gets cheaper. Think I am going to vinyl this time.

Some of the string blocks for Bonnie Hunter's current mystery.

A customer's t-shirt quilt. I didn't just quilt this one but made it start to finish.

Just some of the things keeping me busy. I hope everyone has a fantastic New Year holiday! Stay safe and keep stitching!!

Carol

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!! I am getting ready to go to town and pick up those last minute items. Have to get some fresh shrimp and some of the local winery's holiday wine, then it's off to visit with family. Four of the grand kids are together this week, having a great time playing together. There are two 3 year olds, one 5 and baby Grady.

I have been able to sneak in a little sewing and knitting this week. Eighty of the scrappy stars are done and ready to be pressed, Hometown Christmas is loaded on the quilting machine and progress continues on my socks. I think I am the world's slowest knitter!

He's Just Too Cute!!

A couple of pictures that the photographer posted of Grady's last session.

Grady's quilt

Grady, my youngest grand child was born the end of Jan of this year. I just got his quilt finished. The nursery is decorated in orange and black hence the orange and black flames. On the back are motorcycles with another piece of the flame material down the center.

Carol

Le Petite

Paganini, the first project for La Petite. I think it took me longer to do the scalloped border than the entire rest of the quilt. I used Three Sisters Chocolate and a little Wuthering Heights. I enjoyed making my first Schnibbles. It looks cute hanging in my bedroom right now but will make a nice table topper or little splash of color across the back of the couch too.

Carol

All is Well

Thank you Faye. My area came through without a scratch. A little breezy and few sprinkles is all we saw of Earl.

The last I heard the storm was on its way to Cape Cod. I hope it fizzles out before it gets there!

Carol

Earl

Depending on which weather channel you listen to, some form of Earl will be arriving tonight. The latest I have heard is that the area I live in will experience more of a tropical storm, good news us. Emerald Isle, about a 20 minute drive from here, was evacuated early this morning. It is a very narrow strip of land with the sound on one side and ocean on the other. I'm usually wishing I could live out there but times like these I am glad I am a little inland.

The sky is dark and the wind is picking up. I have most of the outdoor furniture and hanging plants and the grill tucked away. Now just to wait. I think it will be a long night!

Carol

Emmett

My Emmett. 11-11-2000 to 8-12-10 Nothing is as silent as the absence of a loved one.

One More Quilted

Starry, Starry Night has been in the to be quilted pile for many years. I picked up this pattern when I went to the Sisters Quilt Show in 2005 and made it right away. The backing and the top have just been waiting. I think one reason I didn't get it done before now was that I couldn't decide how to quilt it. Finally I just did a free hand. The quilt is so busy it hardly shows anyway.

Glad I can cross this one off the list. I'm putting the machine part of the binding on this evening and then it will be next after the Chelsea Cottage binding.

Summer Breeze is Quilted

I really like the batik that I found for the back. Perfect colors. I will be binding tomorrow and plan to mail this off to my SIL Monday.

Carol

Chelsea Cottage

Chelsea Cottage is finally quilted. I don't do custom quilting very often so it is far from perfect. It is mine though and I can live with it. I need to trim a lot of threads yet and get it squared up but since I am running about a week behind I will set it aside until Summer Breezes is quilted.

Several of the Alex Anderson retreat group purchased this kit from In Between Stitches at sew night. In Between Stitches, in Livermore CA, has opened their sewing room for pre-retreaters the last couple of years. It is a nice little get together for those of us who arrive early.

This quilt is from the book You're Invited by Barb Adams and Alma Allen, Blackbird designs. I love their books!

Off to quilt Summer Breezes and then I have one customer quilt that has to be finished by Sunday evening.

Carol

Summer Breeze

Summer Breeze from Scrap Basket Surprises by Kim Brackett is the quilt I chose to make for my Sister-in-Law, Wendy. Wendy was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and will have her second chemo treatment next week. I hope to be able to find backing and get it quilted over the weekend and off in the mail Tuesday. That may be a lot to hope for but I am going to try. Seems like I always forget to buy the backing. I wanted to use the same fabric collection, Fresh Cotton, but I don't want to have to wait on an order. I need to get in the habit of getting everything I need at one time.

Also a picture of my nine patch mess. This quilt is taking forever to put together. I need to get back to it, I'm tired of looking at it!

Carol

Thursday

More family fun

Pool Day

Pool Day Cont.

Busy Week

Each of the kids got a crayon roll.

Natalie, 1yr.

Natalie and Grady 4 mo.

My three kids are all together this week. The grand kids are having fun playing together enjoying the ocean and the pool. A couple of pics from yesterday.

Some Planting

I am off to Lowes this morning to finish getting the plants for the porch planters and some fresh dirt. Since we have had such early summer weather it seems everything is pretty picked over. I don't need a lot so maybe I will get lucky. I also need to replace the watering hose and get a new sprinkler. Seems sprinklers have a very short life around here.

I haven't done much in the way of sewing since my big finish of the DWR. Guess I needed a little break. Maybe today I can make some progress on the planting and spring cleaning and settle down to some sewing. I still have the nine patch out to work on, all the blocks are ready so I just have to get it together. The quilting machine is open for one of my quilts right now also. No customer quilts waiting at the moment. How odd. I guess the 5 new machine quilters in the area are making an impact on my workload. Sometimes it is nice to have a break!

I did have a moment of insanity and went Harley shopping last week. Thank goodness I came to my senses and didn't buy one. Sales people have been calling me all week. Yikes, I have to stay strong. Too many other things to spend the $ on!

Carol

Finally, Finally, Finally!!!

The DWR is finished, well except for the label. It's been a long process but I am happy with it and so happy that it is finished!!!