Thursday, July 28, 2016

No Time For Talk

Rows4a

Just wanted to record that I have added Row #4 to the Farm Girl Sampler. Two more row to go. Gotta go let the dogs in.


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On 07/28/2016, Barbara Anne said ...

You go, girl!!!! Applause, applause!

Hugs!


On 07/28/2016, Joanne Cage said ...

This is going to be a wonderful quilt. Love the block patterns!


On 07/30/2016, Sue, a Florida Farm Girl said ...

You're making great progress. It's gonna be a wonderful quilt when you're finished.


On 07/30/2016, Dondi Murdock said ...

It is fabulous! I love the mix of all the bright colors!
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Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Another Sampler Row

Rows4

Finished sashing row 3 and joining it to the top. Three more rows to go and I can start on the borders.

My quiltmaking goes so slowly these days. It seems the things I have to do take so much time and energy, there's little left to work on quilts. Like yesterday, I had to do the grocery shopping. Well, Jesse was here to bring everything up for me. But just the shopping part wore me slap out. ("Slap out," I think, might be a southernism. It just means totally.)

But today, in between taking care of pets, doing laundry, and cooking a little, I did manage to get that row done. But now I'm worn slap out again. So I think I'll retire to couch and watch the convention on CNN. Who knows, Donald might say something else stupid and scary to take the attention off the convention and put it back on him. Wouldn't want to miss that.

 


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On 07/28/2016, Barbara Anne said ...

Love this great 3rd row and send congrats to you on making this satisfying progress!

Ywp, "worn slap out" resonates with me.

Hasnt' some of what Trump has said actually treason?

Hugs!


On 07/28/2016, Sandra said ...

Love your bright sampler! "Slap out", nope, never heard that one being a northerner, but I do think it's amusing, I'll have to start using it. : )
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Sunday, July 24, 2016

From The Sewing Room

Rows

I finished the rest of the Rainbow Heart blocks. They're all in a stack waiting to be sashed together into a pretty quilt top. And I got the second row of the Farm Girl Sampler sashed and attached to the first row (see above).

And now Sophie and Skipper are fussing at me to come downstairs and watch tv with them. They don't like it in the sewing room because there is no cushioned furniture for them to lie on. And since they always want me in the room with them, I guess we're done in the sewing room. I'm going to have to rearrange things in here and bring in a couch. Then maybe they'll let me work for more than an hour or so.


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On 07/24/2016, Margaret said ...

Would they be happy with plushy pillows on the floor?


On 07/26/2016, Dolores Tanner said ...

Those blocks are truly beautiful!!
Are you the one that told me about CJ BOX? I think I saw a review on your sidebar atone time.... have been on a stealth mission to fine his books, only have 4 left that have not found!! even found some in a used book store in LaCross, WI.. and a neighbor got some at a yard sale!! Love him.... good, great books...
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Saturday, July 23, 2016

Quick, Easy, and Fun

Leaf

I really enjoyed making the first block for the autumn leaves quilt from Quilter's World magazine. It was a very easy and fun block to make, using some of the same techniques as in the Farm Girl Sampler quilt. No cutting or working with triangles and bias edges--just squares and rectangles. But as you can see, the finished project does have triangles. They're made, however, by sewing two squares or a square and a rectangle together diagonally, then cutting them apart. It's one technique (the easiest, I think) for making half-square triangle squares. The only drawback is if you're making big half-square triangle squares, which these aren't, you will waste some fabric.

I'm putting this project aside now and not getting it back out until I have finished the Rainbow Hearts and the Farm Girl Sampler. It's going to be hard. I loved the feeling of autumn-on-the-way I got working with those fabrics. The temps here, as in much of the country, are oppressively hot. Near or past 100, with humidity like a sauna. My air conditioning system is really getting a workout--and so is my electricity bill, I'm sure.

Friday, July 22, 2016

How Could I Resist?

Fall1

It has been a long since I've bought a quilting magazine. It seems I find too many projects online that I want to make without going to the quilt publications.

But the other day I happened to stroll by the magazine rack in WalMart and saw the new issue of Quilter's World. The quilt on the cover grabbed my attention. Being a lover of all things Autumn, I already have several autumn quilts. But I love this block, it looks easy to make, and I have all those beautiful autumn prints that my friend Nancy gave me to make the Halloween Tree wall hanging. Plus I have some autumn prints in my stash. Far to much fabric to make just one small wall hanging.

Fall2

So I'm going to make this quilt. To start, however, I'm just going to make one block. Just to make sure it's as fun and easy as it looks. Then I promise myself and the quilting muses that I'm going to set it aside and finish the Heart Quilt and the Farm Girl Sampler before I go back to it.

Fall3

I also like these little baskets, and if I can find time I might make some to give Christmas goodies in. In fact, this magazine has lots of great projects.

Fall4

Fall5

Lots of work planned for the rest of the year, so I better get at it. Happy Friday, everyone.


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On 07/22/2016, Jane said ...

Darling quilt Susan! I've become addicted to ordering fabric and patterns online (especially Missouri Quilting Company with their daily sales and YouTube videos of different patterns. So many quilting magazines have closed down, so good for you buying Quilters World today!! I should do that too.


On 07/24/2016, Sue, a Florida Farm Girl said ...

I like that quilt, too, Susan. The colors are gorgeous and your block turned out great. I hate wasting fabric, too, but when I make those half square triangles, I will either go ahead right then and stitch another line so that when they are cut apart I have the square I needed plus another one a bit smaller that can be used for whatever. I've even gone ahead a cut the excess corner off but kept the leftovers intact and at a later day did some mindless sewing to create half square triangle blocks.
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Friday, July 15, 2016

Cardinal Winter

  Cards2
Cardinal Winter by Steele Creek Studios


Cards1
Cardinal Winter panel by Steele Creek Studios

Take a gander of the gorgeous cardinal fabric I acquired from Bill Locke of Montreal. I love cardinals and I love winter, so when I saw this on Bill's Facebook page, I had to order me some. I'm not sure exactly how or when I'm going to use it. But meanwhile, I can just enjoy looking at it.


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On 07/16/2016, Joanne Cage said ...

Beautiful fabric! Just looking at it makes winter seem a little closer.


On 07/16/2016, Pat said ...

Had to have it. Ordered yardage too. I like this style/print . My sister lives in Virgina - Cardinal is state bird. Seeing Christmas cushion covers!
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Thursday, July 14, 2016

Strange Phone Call

 

I Copyrighted_Image_Reuse_Prohibited_1052227 was spending way too much time on the phone telling telemarketers "I'm not interested" and wrong number callers "You have the wrong number" and just hanging up on political calls. So I adopted the policy of never answering the phone unless I recognize the number. Otherwise if it's important, the caller can leave a message. It has been a good policy.

But I do get some strange messages, including one this morning. A northern-accented male voice told me he was Blah-Blah from Blah-Blah Church in Blah-Blah. He was in charge of vacation Bible school. Someone had told him that I had been able to turn water into wine, and he wondered if I would share my formula with him. I don't have such a formula. But I think I'll call him back and tell him that if he's able to come up with one, I'd be interested in having it.


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On 07/14/2016, Dianne said ...

Now that is a funny story. How could he even say it without laughing? If you get the recipe, please share.


On 07/15/2016, Karen in Michigan said ...

Oh my! I have the same policy--if I don't recognize the phone number, I let it go to voice mail. I figure if it is important, they'll leave a message. Very few people ever do and certainly no one has ever complimented my bartending skills. Or are those technically sommelier skills? LOL.


On 07/15/2016, Lisa Allen said ...

I have started waiting until they expect a response and telling them, "Please removed me from your calling list." Even the recordings recognize this and they all apologize and say they will do so.
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Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Claire's House Block

House

Each year, our quilter's guild members make blocks for our outgoing president. This year our president, Claire, requested that we make 6" house blocks of any design or technique. Above is mine. The pattern is from the Farm Girl Sampler book. I didn't make the house block for my sampler quilt. I had enough blocks before I got to it. It's a bit reminiscent of my own Yellow House in that my house is yellow with a brown roof and a red door. However, my house has only two upstairs dormer windows instead of three as in the block. And I have only one chimney. I tried making the block with just two windows and one chimney, but I didn't like it as well.

My recent bout with the ear infection and bronchitis caused me to miss another guild meeting on Monday. So I'm mailing Claire's block to her. I won't have another chance to give it to her until September, since our guild doesn't meet in August.

It's so hot here. And HUMID! The dregs of my illness (cough and congestion) are still with me. That combined with this weather makes me miserable. I think I look forward to October this year more than I ever have. COME ON, OCTOBER!


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On 07/13/2016, Claire said ...

What a riot to check your blog today and see your entry! Looking forward to the mail now. Thanks Susan!


On 07/13/2016, Pat said ...

Pretty house block! Yes! October!
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Saturday, July 9, 2016

I Sewed!

Hearts

I had not opened the door to my sewing room for more than two weeks until this morning. Although I'm still feeling pretty puny, plus I have other things downstairs that need doing (especially laundry), I just felt like I had to get some sewing in. Or something fun. And laundry isn't fun.

I did good. I got ten Rainbow Hearts blocks made--all of the yellow ones and all of the green ones. I have the blues and purples to go.

I'm not sure I'll make the deadline to donate this to the Orlando quilts project. But if I don't, I know I'll find some great use for it some place else.

My ear infection is much better. I still have some pressure, but no ear pain. The congestion and coughing are hanging on, though. So if that doesn't clear up by Monday, I guess I'll call the doctor back. I promised him I would.

Happy weekend, everyone.


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On 07/09/2016, Jenny said ...

Beautiful! I just starting sewing again after taking a few months off :)


On 07/10/2016, fatcatnomore said ...

I'm sewing the binding on my pulse quilt now. I"m sure they will take the quilt whenever you can send it...even if it's a few weeks off.


On 07/10/2016, Joanne Cage said ...

Looks like it will be a great quilt!
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Friday, July 8, 2016

Sad Week

13615135_10208670532055247_1267212277546230955_n

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Praying for our troubled, hate-filled country.

 


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On 07/08/2016, Sandy said ...

It is a sad day in our beloved country. Praying for all.


On 07/08/2016, Jane said ...

Thank you for this wonderful quote from MLK. And thank you for "liking" my Facebook post today.
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Wednesday, July 6, 2016

News from Sick Bay

Can-stock-photo_csp5756065So I finished my Augmenten that the urgent care doctor prescribed. My condition, though some improved, was not where I thought I should be. So I went to see my PC doctor yesterday. He said I still have the ear infection and was somewhat surprised that the Augmenten had not cleared it up. He prescribed a Z-Pack, and I'm to call him Friday if my condition isn't significantly improved.

I still have the earache, pressure in ear and sinuses, and now today I have a headache. I'm so tired of being sick. I'm beginning to think of myself as an invalid--and I definitely do not want to be an invalid.

I'm going to make a bowl of pasta salad and see if that cheers me up.


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On 07/06/2016, Joanne Cage said ...

Hope the Z-pack clears you up. Hope you feel better soon!


On 07/07/2016, Pat said ...

Bless you! Do hope this does the job for you. It is no fun with a growing to-do list and all you can do is look at it! I'm sorry you don't feel like doing anything, but *one* thing about it - the more you rest, the better the medicine will work. Anyway, my sympathy... I had a sciatica flare up and got an injection today. Since I'm up at 2:00 from the steroid, I'm sure I will rest tomorrow, too. Take care. Gotta see that Farm Girl quilt all put together!


On 07/07/2016, Sandy said ...

So sorry you're still suffering. Hopefully the new meds will work and you'll feel better soon. Prayers coming your way. Hang in there. Better days ahead.
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Saturday, July 2, 2016

The Unvacation

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A couple of days after Vann's funeral in 2009, I came down with a raging case of flu. It was that bird flu or pig flu or monkey flu or whatever they were peddling that year. I got it. I guess because my resistance was down from the stresses and traumas of the last year, it hit my hard. Fever, chills, coughing, wheezing, sneezing, the works. 

Of course, the family picked that time also to come apart, as many families do when a loved one dies. (I've never understood that phenomenon; that should be a time of coming together.) Anyway, while dealing with my illness which should have kept me in bed, I was required to make lawyer visits and financial advisor visits and have long, harrowing arguments with family members. It was horrible. Family finally cleared out and left me to my misery. And while my body finally recovered from that illness, my family never did. I am still half a family short.

All that was to say, except for the severing of familial ties, this has been worse. I can't never remember being this sick--at least not in my adult life. The doctor diagnosed me with an ear infection which had led to a case of bronchitis. Although quite improved from a week ago, I am still getting over it.

It all started the day before Andy and I left for the beach. I thought it was just a head cold. I could take some DayQuil and go about my business. By the time we arrived at the beach, it was apparent I had more than a head cold.

By the third day, Andy insisted that we go home. I hated to spoil her vacation, which had already taken a hit when her friend who was supposed to join us had family problems and had to cancel. I guess poor Andy decided that beach time with a sick mama wasn't worth the effort. Anyway we packed up and came home. 

So I never stepped my feet in the sand, never went for sea food at Capt. Jack's as we had planned, never even got a hint of a tan. But I did have a wonderful view, as you an see above, while I coughed my lungs out.

Sorry about the lack of blogging. I'm using my energy right now to try to get well. So bear with me if I miss a few more days. I'm crazy to get back to the sewing room too. Quilts await.


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On 07/02/2016, Barbara Anne said ...

Bless your heart and other parts, sweet friend. So sorry you've been so sick and miserable. Your view of the sea was lovely, but in times like this, wise Andy was right: home is hwhere you needed to be.

Quilts will wait, but you

Okay, just lost my place on this white text on the whilte background so will just wish you well. Really WELL!

Hugs


On 07/02/2016, Joanne Cage said ...

I'm so glad you're on the mend. Drink lots of lemonade, hot or cold. Love you.

JRC


On 07/02/2016, Dee said ...

Susan, I am so sorry you are sick.....we've never met, but I've enjoyed your blog for years. Have admired how you "soldier on" in spite of often being in pain. I wish you lots of rest and better health.


On 07/03/2016, Arrowhead Gramma said ...

So sorry that you were not up to par for your vacation, and your daughter was right to bring you home.

Can totally understand your family issue as this has happened to me twice, once when my husband passed and more recently when my mother passed. As they say, you can't choose your family and it is what it is.

Feel better soon!!!


On 07/03/2016, Stephani in N. TX said ...

Wishing you recovery soon Susan. Nothing feels better than healthy following a joust with illness. Get back on your feet and write some more for us readers. We are part of your family now and miss you when you are down.


On 07/03/2016, Debra said ...

We just got back a couple of weeks ago from Universal Orlando. My daughter, her husband, my two grandsons and me. All the boys were sick one day or another, sometimes more. My daughter and I tried to carry on, but it was hard. Much sympathy to you for your ruined vacation. Get well soon!


On 07/03/2016, Sandy said ...

Prayers for healing and strength. We'll be here when you feel better. Rest up and recharge!!!


On 07/03/2016, Julie said ...

So sorry the vacation was spoiled, but glad to hear you are getting better. Take it easy until you fully recover.


On 07/04/2016, k&c's mom said ...

So sorry you are sick and hope your healing comes about quickly.
I'm also sorry that part of your family was not there for you in 2009 when you were in such a tender state. I've read your blog for years and I always admire how you sort things out and then make the best of them. Carry on!
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