Let the Wild Rumpus Begin!

Carol the Wild Thing’s front side

Carol’s backside

A dear and talented friend of mine--Greta we’ll call her, since that’s her name--knitted me this wonderful facsimile of Carol, one of the wild things in Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. Even though the book was written for children, it’s one of my favorites. In the movie, Carol’s voice was supplied by the late actor James Gandolfini, another favorite of mine. 

Aside from raising two box turtles, Dude and Chippy, this is what Greta does. She makes her little characters, monsters, and toys and sells them at craft and art shows and on Facebook at Greta’s Creatures and Gifts  (https://www.facebook.com/gretascreaturesandgifts/).

 

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Here’s something else that came into my possession yesterday: a pretty fake-patchowrk cover for my recliner, to protect it from the tons of pet hair that I have to clean off regularly. When I saw it on Target.com, I noted right away that it matched the rest of the stuff in my living room perfectly--the red, pale blue, and sage green, the quilty look. I just had to have it. The furbies have already checked it out and seem to approve.

I love the colors and the quilty look.

It has a pocket on the side in which the furbies can stash their toys and treats if they so choose.

The cover comes in several sizes (for chairs and sofas) and colors and designs. If interested, you can find them here: 

https://www.target.com/p/pink-heirloom-cottage-patchwork-recliner-furniture-cover-sure-fit/-/A-51444695

 

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On 03/31/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Carol is too cute and Greta must be very talented to have created him. Well done!

Love the chair cover you got from Target, too. Puts me in mind of making something similar but our two cats (mother and son) changed their sleeping places too often for me to cover everything!

Happy Easter!

Hugs!
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Bad Blogger

What has it been? Ten days, two weeks since I've posted here? Something like that. I have become so sluggish these days that it's a major effort just to move. Doing the things that are absolutely necessary seems to wear me out completely. I spend most mornings on the couch reading or playing on my laptop. I never get going until ten or eleven o'clock--and then only for a little while. I hate this chronic fatigue crap even more than the pain, I think. I want my life back like it was a few years ago, when I could go all day from daylight till midnight without any trouble.

I did get my living room curtains sewn since my last blog post. I even got one of them hung on the window. I'm hoping to get the rest up before my book club meets here in a couple of weeks. Today I'm washing and ironing my kitchens curtains. Not that they really needed it. That thick coating of cat hair on them was probably protecting them from fading. Before I hang them back up, my plan is to clean the kitchen windows and window frames. I hope I can follow through on that plan.

I have just this one thing to show. Have any of you sewers and quilters seen these heat-erasable pens? They're wonderful. I used one to draw the stitching lines for the rod pocket on my new curtains. Just a quick touch of the hot iron disappears the markings completely. The brand above that I have are M&G iErase III, but I believe Frixon makes heat-erasable pens too. I recommend the M&G brand highly.

Mark your stitching line.

When you're done stitching, a quick touch with a hot iron...

...and the marks disappear completely.

 

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On 03/29/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Sorry for your increased fatigue. Hope it's just a flare that will go away soon and you'll have more spoons available each and every day.

Just last night I asked DH for the Frixon markers but now wonder if I should change that to the ones you like? He may have ordered them already.

Good to see this post and hope you get the other curtain up soon.

Hugs!

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On 03/29/2018, Debbie Price said ...

I am going to look for those markers!
Chronic fatigue is the pits! I can handle the pain and the brain fog better than the fatigue. When getting dressed, brushing your teeth and getting some breakfast wears you out, it gets annoying!
When you get your curtains hung, please take some pictures.
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Top o’ the Marnin’

County Antrim in Northern Ireland produced one branch
of my Family Tree.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone. Although I’m pretty sure my Irish ancestors were likely Protestant, unlike the good St. Patrick, I still celebrate this day with pride. At least one of them was referred to by a relative of mine as “an old Orangeman.” So that would at least suggest he was Protestant.

Another Irish branch of my family, the Miskellys, immigrated to America (South Carolina) from County Antrim in Northern Ireland, one of the two Irish counties that are still today predominately Protestant. So it’s likely the Miskellys were also Protestant. But I have no hard evidence of that. I do know that their offspring that lived during my lifetime were Protestant, to the extent that you could label them with any religious intent. I don’t remember any of that branch of my family being particularly church-going, until my paternal grandmother died and my paternal grandfather then got religion as a Baptist. 

Other branches of my family are English and French, and possibly (relying on family stories) some Native American. But it looks like most of my DNA comes from Western Europe and the British Isles. When I had my DNA checked through Ancestry.com, that’s what it showed. 

But even if you don’t have a single Irish leaf on your family tree, as the saying goes, “Everyone is a little bit Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.” So happy wearin’ of the green (or orange) today. And Erin go Bragh, both North and South.

Beautiful Emerald Isle

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On 03/17/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you, sweet lass!

My family is German, English, French, Scots, and Irish and I also celebrate the day by wearing green.

I also have a small Shamrock wall quilt that's hanging and just finished Emerald Isle so when the hanger is ready for it, it will be hanging, too. Love seasonal and holiday wall quilts as they're small and not difficult to make (unless you choose a complicate pattern).

Hugs!
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Another Doggie Block

This is Doggie Block Number 6. Three more to go. I made the entire block, cutting and sewing, while Anna cleaned yesterday. Taco decided he wanted to help by jumping up on my work table and lying down on top of my cut-out block pieces. By the time I got him off, all the pieces had been jumbled and several of them had to be tracked down. Taco said he was glad to help.

Now today, I really must get started on those living room curtains.

 

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On 03/15/2018, Patty McDonald said ...

This really is an adorable quilt and I'm sure you are so thankful for Tacos help. Glad you are feeling well enough to be sewing. Happy St. Patrick's day.(on Sat.) Patty Mc

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On 03/15/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Such a cute block! It reminds me of the RCA ad (if memory serves) with the dog's ear cocked toward the speaker and it was called "His master's voice"

Will you start the applique/embroidery of the facial features soon?

I'm humbly machine quilting Emerald Isle and have 2 borders plus the binding to go. Can we move St. Patrick's Day back a couple of days, please and thank you?

Hugs!
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...And a Rabbit

I forgot to include my stuffed rabbit ornament that Andy included in my birthday goody bag. I had him hanging on the old Singer with in the foyer when I took the photo and completely forgot about him. I thought he goes perfectly with the Pink Houses quilt and the vignette. So that’s where he will stay until I change the quilt out.

Anna is on her way for house cleaning duty, and i expect to spend most of the rest of the day in the sewing room. I should be working on my living room curtains, but I’m not in the mood right now. Instead, I think I’ll start another doggie quilt block, maybe even get one finished. 

After Anna is finished, I have to go and pick up my tax return from my tax lady Martha. I’m so proud of myself; I got this dreaded chore done early this year. Usually I push it right down to the wire. I am not, however, happy that I have to write a great big check to send along to Uncle Sam. What’s that I heard about a income tax cut? Guess that only applies to “certain people.” It certainly didn’t apply to me.

Thanks to all for your birthday wishes. I appreciate them very much. I guess I must have another go at “Grantchester” since everyone except me seems to love it. Can anyone tell me how to get subtitles/closed captions on Roku?

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On 03/14/2018, Linda Enneking said ...

The tax cut goes into effect on this year's taxes, which you will be filing next year at this time. I expect a lot of people are going to be disappointed because with fewer brackets, some are probably going to move into a higher bracket and will be paying more.

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On 03/14/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Cute rabbit and so seasonal, too! Enjoy his/her delightful presence in your foyer!

Sorry, no clue here about Roku.

Have fun sewing!

Hugs!

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On 03/14/2018, Mary S said ...

Look on your remote--also, try setting them on your tv
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Another Year Older

My birthday card from Andy, reminds me not only of Skipper and Taco but also of Andy and Cait when they were kids.

Yesterday, I celebrated my somethy-something birthday. First I attended church with my sister Ramey. Then I enjoyed a great birthday lunch with daughter Andy and grandson Jesse. We ordered in from one of our favorite local restaurants. Andy had brought goodies (vanilla cupcakes and key lime pie) to top off our meal. We were planning to watch a movie in the afternoon, but everyone--including Skipper, Taco, and Bella--were far too drowsy, so we decided naps would be more fun.

Andy also brought me a goody bag filled with some of my favorite things: pretty socks, a book of daily devotions, a pretty bookmark, and a sofa throw that matches a pair of pj pants I already have. Thanks, A.

Sister Ramey gave me this personalized door knocker. I haven’t decided where I will put it yet, but I love it. Thanks, Ramey.

Ramey also sent me home with this video with instructions to watch it right away. I found the series is also on Amazon Prime, so after my short nap, I tuned it in and watched a couple of episodes. I found it mildly entertaining, and might have enjoyed it more if I had been able to understand all of the actors’ thick British accents. I caught less than half of the dialogue but was still able to more or less follow the plot. Those of you who enjoy somewhat prosaic and parched British mystery will likely love it.

Back to the laundry.

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On 03/12/2018, A Facebook User said ...

Sounds and looks like you had a lovely birthday. So glad you could get together with your loved ones.

xoxo
PP

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On 03/12/2018, Karen in Michigan said ...

Happy Birthday (a little late.)

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On 03/12/2018, Debbie Price said ...

Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday! Love Grantchester!

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On 03/12/2018, Linda Enneking said ...

Try using the subtitles (captions for hearing impaired) to help you until you get used to the British accents. And a belated Happy Birthday to you!

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On 03/13/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Happy Birthday again (sent you an email a little while ago) as I saw by the calendar I'd forgotten to mail your card. Oops!

Love your perfectly perfect gifts and am glad you and family had a day of celebration all about YOU!

Hugs!

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On 03/13/2018, Mary S said ...

Susan! I always use subtitles for British shows--and I adored that series! Try it again!
Happy late birthday!

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On 03/26/2018, Deb said ...

A very belated Happy Birthday, Susan, 2 weeks after the fact. I hope you celebrated marvelously!
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Spring Sprucing

 

In preparation for having my book club meet at my house in April, I’ve started trying to get things ready. Seeing as how it takes me several times longer to do anything than it should, I have started early. 

So far, I have got the snow man quilt out of the foyer and replaced it with my “Little Pink Houses.” I’m going to skip hanging “Bunnies in the Cabin” this year. Changing out quilts on the hanger requires a step ladder, which might not be a wise thing for me to deal with. So I can leave the house quilt up through the summer if I have to, or get Jesse to change it out for me if I get tired of it.

I have fabric to make curtain panels (half panels just to cover the lower panes) to replace the blinds that were in the living room. I decided on Waverly Norfolk Rose since it goes perfectly with the striped valance. I’m thinking of adding some small white lace or white-on-white print valances at the top of the windows inside the frames. But for now, I have to get the floral panels made.

Waverly Norfolk Rose fabric for curtain panels

The rose print coordinates perfectly with the Waverly stripe that my valance is made from.

My window awaits its new dressing.

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On 03/10/2018, Debbie Price said ...

Those panels will look lovely! I think your pink house quilt might be my favourite! Do you know where I might get the pattern?
Hope Jesse is not to disappointed still. Maybe it was not the right time to do the walk.

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On 03/10/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Your sweet Little Pink Houses quilt looks wonderful with the charming pretty things you have on the sewing machine beneath it. Hope you'll hand the adorable bunny quilt elsewhere in you home (or have Jesse do it!).

Love the Norfolk Rose fabric and am delighted it goes so well with your striped valance. I think your idea to add a touch of while or off white to the valance is inspired. :)

Hugs!
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Not All Plans Work Out, But Some Do

Jesse met with many problems trying to get off to Las Vegas. He boarded the Greyhound in Birmingham at 2:00 on Thursday morning. But the bus didn’t make it very far. To paraphrase Chuck Berry, the hound broke down and left them all stranded in rural Mississippi. Another bus picked them up and took them to Jackson, but that’s where Jesse finally decided he’d had enough. If it were just the breakdown, he might could have worked through it. But the entire tale of woe sounds like something from a Stephen King novel--from the bus load of prison inmates to the smell of vomit to the lack of leg room, things were off to a bad start even before Mississippi.

The cap on the stack came, however, when, while waiting in Jackson for the bus driver for the substitute bus, who finally called in sick, Jesse talked with the ticket agent and asked exactly when they expected he would arrive in Vegas. It seems the 48-hour tale that he was told when he bought the ticket, was a best-case scenario that has never happened. The ticket agent estimated four to five days. 

Jesse bought a ticket back to Birmingham.

So today, he has gone buggy riding with a friend. His back still hurts from the bus, and he’s thoroughly disgusted. No word yet on whether or not he intends to try again.

But my plans to get my pants made worked out. It’s such an easy pattern that I started and finished them in the time it took Anna to clean the house. Today, I’m wearing them to church.

So now I have to go. It seems like I’m always in a hurry these day--even when I’m not actually hurrying, I feel like I should be. So bye now.

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On 03/04/2018, Sue, a Florida Farm Girl said ...

Oh, I'm so sorry Jesse's plans were foiled. Let's hope he'll gather his resole and head off again soon. This time on an airplane to Las Vegas.

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On 03/04/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

What a shame the bus wasn't up to snuff or roadworthy and that the surroundings were awful - not to mention the sick employees. Bother and bummer! Jesse was smart to come home and regrou where there is plenty of leg room, pleasant surroundings, and good food!

Love your new comfy slacks!

Hugs!

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On 03/05/2018, judi0044 said ...

What a tale of woe - so discouraging. Your comfy-looking pants inspired me to try this pattern brand. I've ordered two tops/dresses and will see how it goes. I think I'll try your pants too. Was the fit true to the listed pattern measurements? I've tried to read a few reviews for some of this line to see.

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On 03/05/2018, Annette Franklin said ...

I ordered this pants pattern today. It looks easy, is it? I like the fabric you used.
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