From July

Determined to get some productive work done in my Quilt Studio today, I dug out the quilt I started last July and made six more house blocks. Only four more house blocks to go and I could start putting the quilt together. Please notice that my houses have such realistic colors - tourquoise siding and a paisley door among my savy choices.

By the way, do you think that I may be spoiling my visiting cats?

Wouldn't you like to be as stress free as this purring cat?

Knitting

When I got the news today that my sister was taken back to the hospital, I knew from experience that it would be a long wait in Emergency. Sitting and waiting is not something that I do well, so I stopped at Hobby Lobby on the way to the hospital and purchased some yarn and needles. Working on a simple knit scarf keeps my hands busy while still being able to visit with my sister and BIL. The yarn is a very soft pink, not my normal choice, but it looked Spring-like and hopeful. This lovely rose plant which I recently received as a thank-you gift, is also a lovely shade of pink even though the picture looks more coral. Today I am pretty in pink.

Encouragement

When I emailed my cousins last night (we write to each other every night) I told them I was a failure at working on my projects. My excuse was that I had volunteered at church and spent the time there and at home working on the Pledge Statements for 2008, shown below all finished, printed, folded and stuffed into envelopes. My cousins lovingly reminded me that I was not a failure. I had been referring to my quilting and stitching projects and they, of course, were referring to me. However, I wanted to be able to post on my blog progress on a quilting or stitching project each day and instead all I can show you is my pile of stuffed envelopes. Oh well, Elliot still follows me around waiting to jump into my lap. (That is my pajama-clad leg in the picture.)

Rudi, the loner in the crowd, waits patiently on his favorite rug to see what I am doing.

Today I am grateful for -

1. Cousins who love me

2. Cats who entertain me

3. Peanut butter toast that awaits me right now.................bye............

Week #1 - Stashbusting 2009

Yes, I am off to a marvelous start for 2009 in the stashbusting department. I worked on two small projects that probably took a total of 1/2 yard of fabric - all from my huge stash. Week #1 - used 1/2 yard
- purchased -0- yards.

Lady Bug

This little book cover with the paper-pieced lady bug was made for my cousin. In posting this picture I realized that I completely forgot to add the bugs antenna. Oops. To tell you the truth, I made so many mistakes in constructing the book cover it was laughable. I cut things incorrectly, sewed them together incorrectly and unsewed at least three times. The back has a stripe down one side because I messed up so badly with the cutting directions and ended up having to add a piece in order to make everything the right dimensions. I was pleased though when it was all finished. I will just have to ask my cousin to bring it when she next visits and I will embroider the antenna on to the bugs head.

Today I am grateful for -

1. Subway sandwiches and sugar-free apple pie

2. Playing with fabric scraps

3. Getting Bonnie Hunter's book (Scraps & Shirttails) in the mail.

Quick art quilt

A little "art" quilt - started yesterday and finished today. It did not turn out like it was supposed to - my fabrics are two contrasting and my strips are too big - but it is a lesson learned. In order to give it more interest, I used iron-on crystals to embellish the polka-dot fabric.
Does anybody want this little quilt? I will give it away to the first person that asks for it.

Today I am grateful for -

1. Good service at the Honda dealer

2. Good service at Barnes & Noble

3. Easy to make cornbread muffins

New Years Day

Last night I finished my New Years Eve puzzle, took this picture, and then dismanted the puzzle so that I could start on another one. Every year at the Christmas/New Years holiday time, I allow myself to do some jigsaw puzzles. They are addicting to me, so I only do them once a year. I surprised myself today though by deciding to NOT finish this next puzzle. It would have taken me all day and I was more interested in doing some work at my desk. So I dismanteled what little I had done and the puzzles are put away for another year.
The cats were bored with my puzzle activity.

Really bored!

Until I went to the kitchen and prepared my lunch. As I turned to sit at my table, eat my lunch and read my book, these two were wide awake and ready to join me. Silly cats.

While working at my desk, I was playing an episode of The Quilt Show with Ricky Tims. He had a super quick "art" quilt that I decided to give a try. My little quilt didn't come out as handsome as his, but after I add some border and do some embellishing, I will have a artsy quilt and will also have learned a new trick or two.

Today I am grateful for -

1. Scrambled eggs and a cinnamon scone.

2. Visiting cats that make me laugh.

3. Optimisim as I begin a new year.