Friday, February 27, 2015

Puzzled

I still don't feel up to sewing, but I'm tired of reading and watching old movies on Netflix. So today after I went to XPress to get my oil changed, I stopped by WalMart and picked up a jigsaw puzzle. Cozy looking, isn't it? But after I got home and put away the few grocery I bought, I don't feel like doing the puzzle either. So I'm back on the couch watching another old movie. The spoon drawer is really limited these days.

 


This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 02/27/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

Love the puzzle you chose and it looks like a scene from your home although the cats don't match in color.

I'm so sorry you still feel bleah and I underestand the nearly empty spoon supply. Is it time to buy a pot of daffodils or hyacinths for your soul? Would cut crystal glassware, paperweights, and old marbles on a sunny windowsill bring a smile and bit of happiness? Do you need to leave Jesse in charge of the critters and take yourself on holiday with a sister or two? Perhaps have a slumber party with all attendees bringing food,drinks, popcorn, movies, and sleeping bags so you only provide smiles and the warm house?

Wishing your spoons aplenty and a happy frame of mind.

Big hugs!


On 03/04/2015, Ulrika said ...

Just found your blog, it's lovely!

Hugs from another spoonie, over in Sweden.
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Thursday, February 26, 2015

Meet Me in the Middle

America-Sister-Golden-Hair

I've been one poor correspondent,
I've been too too hard to find.
But that doesn't mean
You ain't been on my mind.

I have really been remiss in my blogging these days, haven't I? Thanks to those of you who sent emails and comments, checking on me. I'm really ok. Just got those wintertime, fibro blues. Don't feel like doing anything, so I only do what's necessary. Today I got out of bed vowing that I would get stuff done. I've accomplished a little, but it has taken me all morning to get this far.

We had a little snow last night. I guess you know most of Alabama was under a winter storm warning for the past couple of days. Just a few miles north of us, snow fell like Armageddon, some areas getting as much as 10-12 inches. When the storm was almost over, it looked as if my area wasn't going to see any snow at all. But then around 9:00 last night, the flakes started falling and we ended with about an inch, which is almost all gone now. It was fun while it lasted.

It's still right chilly though. So for my last major task of the day, I'm going to put on a pot of potato soup. I've been craving potato soup for days. Today, I feed that craving.


This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 02/26/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

Good to see this new post and to hear you're doing okay, all things considered. It's the pits when your spoon supply is lower than usual but that's the way it goes sometimes.

Hope you have your slow cooker at work so you can sit and not tend it while your yummy potato soup simmers. Goodness, you've flung a craving on me!

We awoke to about 6" of wet, heavy snow this morning so hope the power lines are not felled by trees or the weight of the snow. Snow day!

I'm about to try to humbly machine quilt Arctic Blast, Fingers crossed it goes well.

Hugs!


On 02/26/2015, Patty McDonald said ...

Hi Susan,
I check your blog daily and was hoping you were alright. The flu bug has hit me and it is a dozy. Glad you can't catch it thru blog land. Have a good weekend and don't push yourself. Patty Mc


On 02/27/2015, Stephani in N. TX said ...

Snowing here, there, and everywhere it seems.Coming down like mad here, but probably won't do more than keep us in the house for 2 days. Got the craving for potato soup myself, so bought the ingredients before the weather went south. Sounds like a good chore for today. Take care.


On 03/01/2015, Homebody said ...

You expressed exactly what I've been feeling for the last two weeks - extreme fatigue, pain, and fibro blues! Pushing hard to keep moving!

I was glad to see your comments today - I'd been thinking about you.
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Wednesday, February 18, 2015

On My Third Box of Tissues

6a00e54fb8709388330148c844200e970c-800wiAt the end of last week I came down with a cold. I was sick as whatever all weekend and the first part of this week. But I seem to be coming around now. Still a bit stuffy, but the constant sneezing is gone. Just an occasional ahchoo now. 

I didn't get any sewing (or much of anything) done for days and days, but today I finished a dog block and then did a little church and guild business.

I'm going to make Jesse some chicken and dumplings for dinner tonight. He has been on short shrift since I've been sick. But no complaints from him. He assures me he can take care of himself and I shouldn't worry about him. He's a good grandson. But sometimes I still think of him as a little kid instead of a young man. Sometimes he has to remind me.

Blessings to all of you on this Ash Wednesday.


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On 02/18/2015, Mamasewnuts . said ...

Sorry to hear you've been sick. You have my deepest sympathy. I had the same plague most of last week. Went thru an incredible amount of tissues. My poor nose looked and felt like I'd been dragging it on the pavement. Getting better now. I hope you will be feeling all well soon. Chicken and dumplings sounds like just what the doctor ordered. :-)


On 02/18/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

What a bother to have the major sniffles and the miseries that often go with it. Am glad to hear that you're on the mend and I wish you completely well.

It would be nice if the company that makes Puffs would once again make Posh Puffs as they were so soft on tender, abused noses.

Your chicken and dumplings seems to be what you need, too.

We got about 8" of snow and it's too cold for the snow to melt. Tonight's low will be 6*F., tomorrow's high is forecast to be 14*F and tomorrow night's low -5*F. Brrrrrrrr!

Methinks I need to start on a flannel quilt in a hurry! I have the flannel ...

Hugs!


On 02/25/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

Come out, come out, wherever you are! I've missed your posts and hope those sniffles didn't turn into something worse.

We still have remnants of last week's snow on the ground and the forecast for tonight and tomorrow morning is 100% chance of 3" to 6" of snow. Uncle!

Wishing you well!

Hugs!


On 02/25/2015, Sandy said ...

I hope you're feeling so much better you've just been too busy to post. Hope to hear from you soon.
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Friday, February 13, 2015

Horses With Borders

H1

Jenny's beautiful "Persian Horses" now has borders. I finished them up this morning. Before I baste it for quilting, I need to try to remove some pencil marks from the blocks. Now what was that formula? Something about Dawn detergent and lemon juice? Or is it Dawn and vinegar. I think my next order of business is a trip to Google.

H2I'll use the inner border fabric (light) for the backing and hanging sleeve
and the outer border fabric (dark) for binding.

H3I'm planning to use these two leftover horse blocks to make a matching pillow.


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On 02/13/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

Applause, applause!!! Well done on getting the border fabrics chosen yesterday and now already cut and sewn on. What a great idea to use the extra block for pillows, too. You go, girl!!

Hugs!


On 02/13/2015, Joanne said ...

I'm so thrilled! Good work!
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Thursday, February 12, 2015

Finishing Fabrics Found

Border

I took a quick trip down to Hancock Fabrics yesterday to look for border and backing fabrics for Jenny's Horses. Found them! The fabric directly behind the quilt top is for the border. The one behind the border fabric is for the backing. But I'm thinking of also using some of the backing fabric for a narrow inner border separating the top from the wide outer border. 

I'm feeling so much better these days that I'm trying to get as much done as possible before the old Fibro Monster comes calling or the bad back goes out again. Last night I worked on my Granny Square quilt. It is very close to being a finished quilt top.

What really needs some work is my house. It's a mess. Mary U. gave me the name of a painter she uses, and I really need to call him and set up an appointment. My walls and trim need attention. As does my yard. I have to also call Steve and get him out here to do some leaf disposal and hedge trimming before springtime arrives. It's always something, and oftentimes they overlap.


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On 02/12/2015, Pesky Patti said ...

Yes, I'm alive! Before I forget, I wanted to thank you so much for the Christmas card. What a surprise. Short update...I probably will need chemo in the next couple of months...Mom has been in the hospital..lung virus, cough. Anyway, glad you have been having good days and I like the idea of using the backing fabric for a narrow inner border....Happy Valentine's Day to you and the critters.


On 02/13/2015, Joanne said ...

The border and backing fabrics are perfect.


On 02/13/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

Cheers that you're feeling so much better and may that improvement continue until the end of time. Wish!

Love the fabrics and they certainly let the horses shine.

My home interior needs painting, too, but I'm pretending it doesn't.

Hugs!
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Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Jenny's Persian Horses

Horses1
My niece Jenny Cage's "Persian Horses"

My very talented niece Jenny Cage made these Persian Horses quilt blocks back in the 80s, I believe, maybe the early 90s. At any rate, she made them a long time ago. Jenny passed away in 2000 at the age of 42. Her mother, my sister Joanne, joined the blocks into a quilt top and gave it to me. 

Horses2
Anyway you turn the blocks, you have horses.

The top is on my UFO list, and my goal is to complete it this year in time for my guild's June quilt show. I want to hand quilt it, so I might have set myself a lofty goal. We'll see.

I plan to add an outer border before basting it for quilting. I don't have suitable border fabric, so a trip to the fabric store is in order. I have plans for what I'm going to do with the quilt after it's finished and after the quilt show (if I make it in time). But those plans must remain secret for now.

Horses3
The areas around the horses and the details on the horses are hand embroidered. The horses are also hand appliqued. That's why I think it's important to hand quilt Jenny's beautiful blocks.


This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 02/11/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

What amazing blocks and handwork! Jenny was a very talented young woman and you, Joanne, and your family has my sympathy in losing her so early in her life.

Wishing you well in finding the right border fabric for it as well as with your goal to hand quilt this lovely quilt before the June quilt show. May the perfect border fabric almost jump off of the bolt to get your attention on your first trip to the first quilt shop in this quest. That would use fewer spoons, doncha know?!

Hugs!


On 02/11/2015, Joanne said ...

I'm so glad you're going to finish the horse quilt. She left lots of beautiful things.


On 02/13/2015, Nancy in Utah said ...

Oh my gosh! What an amazing and beautiful gift. So much love sewn into it I can only imagine how much you cherish this lovely quilt. Big Hugzzzz
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Tuesday, February 10, 2015

February Guild Meeting

It has been quite a while since I have posted any photos from Birmingham Quilters Guild meetings. That's because I haven't been to a meeting to take photos since September. But yesterday, I made myself get ready and go. And I did good. My pain level has been manageable the past couple of days. I did crash on the couch when I got home, but at least I got to go and enjoy being with my friends and seeing some great quilts. Here are some of them.

G1


G2

G3

G4


G6

G7

G8

G10

G11

G12

G13

G14

This is by no means all the quilts that were on display for show-and-tell. I forgot to take my camera and had to rely on my iPhone for picture-taking. It took the pics ok, but it took me forever to get them emailed to my computer, downloaded from the email, edited in my photo app, and exported back to to my desktop. I just got tired and didn't get them all through the process.


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On 02/10/2015, Linda Enneking said ...

Your snowball quilt is my favorite.


On 02/10/2015, Lynn said ...

I always enjoy seeing the show and tell from your guild meeting.


On 02/10/2015, Joanne said ...

Love the "sister" quilt, and your snowball quilt is the best.


On 02/11/2015, Stephani in N. TX said ...

Lovely quilts, but your Snowball Quilt really shines. Thanks for the show.


On 02/11/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

I'm so happy to hear that you felt like getting yourself to the guild meeting Monday! I am sure there were many folks who were delighted to see you again and who had missed you.

Your Snowball and Little Posies quilts are wonderful! Did I miss others that are your quilts, too?

Love the Bees and Hexies Love pillow, the Valentine's quilt, and, well, all of them! What a treat to see part of the show and tell from your talented guild. Thank you!

Wishing you a good supply of spoons!

Hugs!
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Saturday, February 7, 2015

Snowballs All Done

Snowball1
French Snowballs...

Snowball2
...all bound and labeled

I like this quilt a lot. But I have to say that I did not enjoy making it. It was a tedious and boring quilt to make. As you can see, it has about a gazillion tiny squares and triangles in it. That's why it took me several years of sporadic work to finish it. But it's done now, and I'm glad.

***

More Kibble Art

10982744_10204983874971124_5451100120222149619_n

Sophie and Skipper wanted me to show you their latest work of kibble art. I swear, folks, this is exactly how I'm finding these images. I am not rearranging dog food to make the pictures. I told my Facebook followers that if I ever find a picture of Jesus or of Ronald Reagan (or Elvis, for that matter) in that bowl, I'm going to seriously freak out. Skipper is demanding that I buy him a beret and refer to him in the future as Master Skipper.

Linking up with Beverly's Pink Saturday blog post. She's got some really cool links today.


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On 02/07/2015, Kathy said ...

The finished quilt is wonderful! How large is it? I'm loving the kibble art. Our dog Chloe always leaves a blank canvas.


On 02/07/2015, denisecopeland said ...

Your quilt is spectacular. The Kibble art has made my day.


On 02/07/2015, Faye aka Mimi said ...

I love your quilt. What a great way to use up your French General fabric. I have a lot of it left over, but I can see this might be a long term quilt unless you are truly dedicated to get it done quick. I am sure you will enjoy it now that it is done. It is gorgeous.


On 02/07/2015, LaVoice said ...

All your work and time paid off. The quilt is gorgeous. I love all I see and want them. However, since I have many, old and new, I just touch and look now.


On 02/07/2015, Sue, the Florida Farm Girl said ...

Lovely quilt. Sometimes we just have to persevere on some projects.


On 02/08/2015, Tami Von Zalez said ...

THAT is an amazing quilt. You might want to check out 2 Bags Full, she hosts a yearly blog hop that is mainly quilters.

Popped by from Pink Saturday.
http://thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com/2015/02/i-heart-you.html


On 02/08/2015, Linda said ...

The quilt is absolutely fabulous. You should be very happy with the finish. Terrific colors too. The kibble messages are great & I bet you can hardly wait to "read" the bowl every day. What fun. Keep up the good work - all of you!


On 02/08/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

Applause, applause on finishing your delightful Snowball quilt, label and all!! I love it and have one very similar planned for the near future.

Your new Kibble art is too cute, too. Our dogs never left anything behind in their bowls. Will you print and frame these pictures for adorning the wall near their food bowls?

It's a joyously warm, sunny day here and I'm just in from my first walk of the year.

Hugs!


On 02/09/2015, Stephani in N. TX said ...

Love the quilt and its range of colors, soft, brighter, brightest. Sometimes our hardest quilt (or most boring to do), being a challenge to construct (or persevere), turns out to be a favorite. The kibble art is, well, artful and fun. My biggie grand dog just inhales the whole bowl at once, never leaves art or a scrap.


On 02/10/2015, Ellen in Oregon said ...

Your French Snowball quilt turned out fabulous. I remember how you were not thrilled with it when you were ripping all those seams out a while back. Now that it is finished I hope you can fall in love with it all over again because it is no longer a UFO, but a beautifully finished quilt (BFQ). I have a lot of the same French General collection, about 6 charm packs worth and I am thinking of using them to make a simple snowball quilt with alternating nine-path block. I have always liked how those two simple blocks look together in quilts. Hopefully, it will go together without too much of a struggle. I can only hope it turns out half as lovely as yours looks.

The dogs kibble art is a hoot. The pig is especially good and reminds me of my favorite book as a kid "Charlotte's Web" where Charlotte the spider spells out her words praising her friend the pigs best qualities to save him from being made into bacon. I wonder what Sophie & Skipper are trying to tell you with their art? So far it looks like they love pigs. Maybe they want you to buy a potbellied pig to live with you. Now if you do see Jesus or Elvis let your readers know before you alert the tabloids. The pig seems to good to just be an accident. Maybe the dogs a are artistically frustrated & the kibble was all they had to work with. Who knows what strange things lurk in the minds of dogs? Hope you don't get people knocking at your door wanting to see the kibble art now that you've gone public about it (tee hee).


On 02/13/2015, Deb said ...

Susan, you are a REAL finisher of projects!! You are still going strong with your UFOs even though we're not officially doing those projects on your sidebar any more. I miss it. I'm working on a Row-Along now, it's fun and certainly not as tedious as your Snowball quilt looks. But that Snowball is gorgeous! Great job finishing.
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Friday, February 6, 2015

My Funny Valentine

On Wednesday, when Anna was here cleaning, she came into the sewing room and told me that Sophie and Skipper had left me a Valentine. I immediately suspected a big smelly pile of some substance that neither of us would want to clean up. But when she led me to the kitchen and showed me the perfect heart they had made in their food dish, I was tickled. I love my doggies.

 


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On 02/06/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

How sweet! Don't you imagine that dear Vann whispered to Sophie and Skipper to stop eating while the heart was visible in their dish. Perhaps Anna got a little message to show it to you, too? Love is forever!

Happy hugs!


On 02/06/2015, Wendy said ...

Noticing those kind of things is very comforting and part of what keeps life interesting. You just have to keep your eyes open. What a sweet little surprise for you.
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Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Progress Is Progress...

French label
...even if it is slow.

I got a label made and stitched to the French Snowballs quilt. And the fabric I ordered for binding came in. It's the solid red and is from the same French General fabric line as the fabrics in the quilt. 

So today, my goal is to get that binding made. Cross your fingers for success.

Progress on my back pain is slow too, and wishy washy. One day, I'll feel pretty good and the next, the pain comes back. Today is one of those pretty-good days. Not much pain at all. But yesterday! Man oh man! In the early afternoon, I resorted to one of the muscle relaxers that Dr. M. prescribed. I hate taking them. Although they usually stop the pain, they wipe me out for the rest of the day. They don't really make me sleep, just make me weak and tired and fuzzy headed.

But my sister, who has had sciatica, tells me that it takes a long time to get over. Plus I have the chronic back problems too. So I guess I should be grateful for any progress. And I am.


LABEL HOW-TO

Flabel

I got this label idea from my friend and bee sister Mary U. It's very simple. Cut a square of fabric (desired size and desired fabric) and fold it in half on the bias (crosswise). Press the fold. Open up the square and print your information on one half of the folded square.

After quilting but before binding your quilt, place label on back of quilt at corner edge of fabric, aligning raw edges. Baste it in place around edge of label. Stitch the top of the label in place by hand. 

When you bind your quilt (which I have not done yet), the raw edges of the label and quilt will be covered.


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On 02/04/2015, Julie in WA said ...

What a fabulous idea for labeling quilts! Thanks for sharing it!


On 02/04/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

Fingers are crossed here so will hope with you that you get your binding cut, perhaps joined, and maybe even pressed in half.

The square to triangle is the way I now make hanging triangles for small quilts and even long panels that have few borders. The difference is that you make two for the upper two corners of your project and your don't stitch down the folded edge on either triangle. They're pinned in place, corners and raw edges aligned with the quilt edges and are sewing down as the binding is being sewn on. No hanging sleeve needed!

To hang your quilt, I recommend a flat piece of wood like a yardstick be cut to length and a sawtooth picture hanger be attached at center on the yardstick. The ends of the yardstick are tucked under the hanging triangles with the sawtooth hanger facing outwards. You quilt hangs from one nail. Very small quilts can hang from a pencil or even a straw when these hanging triangles are used. The larger the quilt, the larger your starting fabric squares need to be.

Is that more than you ever wanted to know?

Cheers for the good days!

Hugs!


On 02/04/2015, Debbie P. said ...

I am glad your back pain is low today, just don't do to much. Sciatica is horrible. I do exercises for it, some before I get out of bed. I understand how you feel on those pain pills. I don't like taking them at all. It is almost as bad as fibro fog! I like the way you made your name square. Show us the finished quilt, okay?
Soft hugs,
Deb


On 02/09/2015, Dondi Murdock said ...

Your quilt is beautiful.

Have you tried Skelaxin? I used it after getting rear ended, badly rear ended when I was sandwiched between two cars. Crunch. My car totally died for me. I got three bulging discs and two little sacs on my neck. The Skelaxin doesn't make me sleepy.
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Monday, February 2, 2015

Groundhog in Crisis

Groundhog
"What d'ya want from me?"

The Groundhog couldn't make up his mind around here this morning. First it was dark and cloudy, which would portend no shadow. But then, the sun came out, shining bright. Ooops! Shadow! But then it went right back in again, and we had a little bit of the white stuff come down. Then more sunshine, more clouds, etc. Right now, it's cloudy--and cold as heck. 

I hear Mr. Hog has just checked into therapy, and folks in our neck of the woods don't know if winter is over and spring is on the way, or if it's too soon to put the fuzzy jammies away.

Dogs

Above are the two doggie blocks I completed this weekend. I have four more to go, and then I'll have to start putting them in their doghouses. Maybe I'll work on another one today. And maybe I'll bundle up on the couch with my live doggies and start a new book. Decisions, decisions.


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On 02/02/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

We've had lots of rain with a high of 57*F so what's up with that?? Still, there are low temperatures in the 10 day forecast so time till tell if the rodent cannot.

Love your doggie blocks and well done on completing two more dogs. In just a couple of weeks, the Westminister Kennel Club dog show will be on TV and that's always a treat.

Hugs!
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Sunday, February 1, 2015

Inching Forward

Yesterday I got the label stitched onto the little album quilt, which I haven't named yet. I also stitched two doggie blocks.

Don't think I'll get much of anything done today. Rain has returned and so has the pain. So I took a muscle relaxer (at my insistent sister's insistence) and expect to be pretty much a zombie for the rest of today.

Rabbit, rabbit, everyone.

 


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On 02/01/2015, Barbara Anne said ...

What a charming label for this sweet Album quilt, made with guild blocks and your skills! Applause!!

I'm in the midst of top stitching the binding on the first of AMIL's 3 wall quilts. I machine sewed the binding to the back of the quilt, and have had quilt clips holding it in place on the quilt front since last night. A few clips at a time are removed, I hold the binding with my fingers while I sew to that place; remove more clips and repeat. I needed a break so I've turned to my computer which is 1/4 turn from my sewing machine. Back to it.

Hugs!
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