Saturday, March 30, 2019

DONE!

DSC_0112

Well, almost. I’ve decided I need to make her nose a little more prominent. You can’t even see it in the photo can you? There isn’t much to it, just a couple of black lines, but I think they need to show up a little more. Maybe.

I got the backing seamed up too. So as soon as I solve the nose problem, I can take the whole thing to my long-arm lady. 

DSC_0109My backing and the beginnings of a label.

I thought that I’d have had enough of collage quilting when I finished this one. But I’ve decided I might tackle one more. Remember this fabric I got a few weeks ago? I think I’ll use these cats as the inspiration for a collage quilt, a smallish wall hanging.

6a00d8341cbb0053ef0240a4908cbc200b-800wi (1)My next collage will be an interpretation of one of these kitties.


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 03/30/2019, Sylvia said ...

Great idea! Such cute kittys


On 03/30/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

Your fancy lady looks wonderful and I agree about her nose needing more definition.

Love the kitties, too!

Hugs!


On 03/30/2019, Nancy Mc said ...

Beautiful!
-----


Friday, March 29, 2019

Feeling Loosey Goosey

A16ae4d2e7894a9c02a56bd0248ed961--crazy-hair-i-love-lucy

As you know, it doesn’t take much to frazzle me. I’m good for about one major errand or chore or appointment a day--and then it’s couch time for me.

This week has not slowed down, as I had hoped it would. In addition to the renewals at the DMV, I’ve had family and medical appointments and dates, a house that seems to get harder and harder to keep neat, and a bazillion trips to the grocery store. Jesse gets pickier and picker about what he deems edible. I never know from one day to the next what it’ll be.

I did get a short stretch in the sewing room the other day. Enough time to get the gypsy girl glued to the background. And was that a tricky mess. It probably would have been easier if my back had not been hurting and Skipper had not been standing at the foot of the stairs barking for me to come down. I haven’t checked on it since I glued it. It might be permanently glued to the table for all I know. I was able to push a bunch of tables together to get enough space to lay out the top, by the way.

And here it is, midmorning, and I’m still on the couch drinking coffee. I did get the kitchen cleaned up. I left it in quite a mess last night. Just didn’t have the energy to tackled it. But it’s fine now. My bed isn’t made, but who cares? I need to run Alfred (the Roomba) and then mop the floors, but who cares? My bathroom could stand a scrubbing, but who cares? I’m going to the sewing room.


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 03/29/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

You go, girl! It's healthy and wise to give yourself permission to sit as needed, nap as needed, and let everything else ride, slide, or be forgotten. You are more important.

As for Jessie's new picky choices about food, well, let him cook his own meals or at least get the needed groceries. Your kitchen shouldn't be a short order kitchen and you don't need to be a short order cook. You don't need the hassle of last minute menu changes either. I was an only child (still am) and my mom cooked and I ate what was on my plate or was in charge of making myself a healthy alternative.

Hope your pretty lady wasn't stuck to the tables!

Hugs!


On 04/01/2019, Pat said ...

Indeed! Who cares!!
-----


Monday, March 25, 2019

Street Legal and Well Fed

DSC_0103

Got car tags. Got driver’s license. Got Kung Pao Chicken from China Wok.

Now I’m ready to spend the rest of the afternoon resting on the couch with Skipper and reading (standing in those long lines is bad on the already bad back). Starting tomorrow, I finish the Gypsy quilt. No more errands, I don’t care how urgent, until I get it ready to go to Lena for quilting.


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 03/25/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

Well done in getting your car tags and enduring the long lines and waiting. Your Kung Pao Chicken looks yummy and what a good idea it was to get that "to go".

Enjoy your days at home with no errands looming!

Hugs!


On 03/26/2019, Nicole said ...

Love your post title. What else could one wish for?


On 03/27/2019, Stephani in N. TX said ...

Your Gypsy quilt is gorgeous. Hope your body gets in sync with your plans so you can get tags and do the things you want to do.
-----


Friday, March 22, 2019

Busy, Busy, Busy

DSC_0098My chicken planter that Andy gave me for my birthday, finally got planted--with fake greenery. I can't have the real stuff in the house since Taco insists on eating any vegetation left within his reach. But I think this looks pretty real, and I don’t have to remember to water it.

This has been a horribly hectic and busy week. Nothing interesting, just picky chores and errands to run, meetings to attend, laundry to catch up on, auto tags to try and purchase.

I have been purchasing my auto tags online for many years now. But when I signed on to order them this time, a message popped up that I could not buy them online. No explanation. So I looked for a list of places where I could get them, picked the most convenient and went there yesterday after my semi-annual meeting with the fellow who lets me know if I can remain retired or go back to work. For now, I can remain retired, but I have no auto tags. The lady told me I was in the wrong county. I was too exhausted to go to the office that she suggested. So that’s one chore that remains undone for now. I will, however, have to stop driving my car after March 31 if I don’t get my tags some place.

For today, I have to catch up on some household chores. I wish I could say I was going to catch up on rest, but that’s not possible. The laundry is stacked to the sky. Piles of fresh laundry remain unhung and undrawered. I need to send Alfred the Roomba on his way, which requires picking up stuff off all the floors (which is a lot harder for me than it sounds). A coat of protective dust lies over everything. And I haven’t been able to get into the sewing room to work on the Gypsy quilt in days and days. So no rest for the very weary. 

When I got out off bed this morning, I could not straighten up, and my legs and hips felt as if they were not going to let me stay on my feet. By hook and/or crook, I managed to get the animals fed and the coffee dripped. After a couple of cups, I can now walk upright, and my legs feel stronger. But the pain is still raging when I walk a few steps.

At my yearly health checkup last week, Dr. G. decided to prescribe Mobic (Meloxicam) for me. I think it has helped some with the fibro pain, but it doesn’t seem to being doing much for the back and hips, which is a different problem. I know I have pushed too hard this week--and last week--and I think the week before. But how does one just stop and let things go? That’s a question I’ve been trying to answer for a couple of years.

The Gypsy quilt remains in the sewing room, all done except for gluing my gypsy girl to the background and stitching up a backing so I can take it to Lena for quilting. Maybe tomorrow. June (when the quilt show happens) is fast approaching.


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 03/23/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

Love your cute chicken planter and applaud your "planting" it with silk greens. Now you just need to dust it as needed.

Bother and bummer about the fruitless trip to get your car tags. Surely the on-line site should list which places serve residents of your county.

Might it be time to find another cleaner so the housework doesn't fall to you? Decades ago in Memphis there were several cleaning services you could call to clean your home or schedule them for the interval that suited you. All you had to provide was two rolls of paper towels. I used to call them 4 times a year, 3 ladies came, and in a twinkle my home was clean! Their business was called "Merry Maids".

Hugs!


On 04/01/2019, Pat said ...

I know just how you’re feeling. I got a sciatic nerve trigger point injection Friday and man, the energy I’ve had! But the good side effects are wearing off; the hip/leg is better, but the rest of me is coming off that good feeling. Looked at April calendar this morning-so many check ups plus dentist. So, well, thankful I’m retired and can rest when I need to. I sure understand your comment about not giving up. We are brave and strong! We haven’t given up!

Everyday happies keep me thankful. Love your gypsy quilt and your chicken planter. It’s the little things. And it’s our Never Give Up spirits. I am always uplifted when I read about your accomplishments.
-----


Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

...and get to work!

Skip
I’m to the point in the quilt when I have to glue the girl to the background. Yep, glue her. I’ve never attached anything as large as her to a background fabric before, certainly not with glue. I’m very nervous about it. I suppose I could attach some fusible to her back and fuse her onto the background, but that sounds even more iffy. I can see wrinkles being a problem either way.

Another problem is that I don’t have a table large enough to accommodate the piece, and there’s no way I can work on the floor. I’m going to try it, I think on my dining room table, which is almost big enough.

I will probably wait until tomorrow to get to work on it. Cait and Kathryn are coming out today. But tomorrow for sure. I’ll try to get an early start, while my energy level is still half staff. Dare I hope Skipper will still be in a sleeping mood and won’t fuss at me to leave the quilt alone and pay attention to him?


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 03/20/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

A friend in the UK asked her neighborhood church if she could use the floor in their dining room and they suggested she use their long table for that sort of thing. Food for thought.

'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
-----


Sunday, March 17, 2019

Home Stretch

DSC_0092

I got the background put together for the Dress/Rhiannon/Gypsy quilt yesterday. I’ve also been working on some flowers for the corners. Just a little more of that to do in the lower right corner and then I can fuse the flowers and attach the lady. Then I think it will be ready for the quilter. Oh yeah, and I have to come up with some kind of nose for her too.

DSC_0089


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 03/17/2019, Tamra said ...

She is beautiful. You do such fine work. Thank you for inspiring me.


On 03/17/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

How delightful! Love the added flowers in the corners. Great idea! Hope the nose you add will be just right.

Hugs!


On 03/17/2019, Anita said ...

She's lovely! I love the background fabric, too. Good job!


On 03/17/2019, Nicole said ...

Amazing. That is fabulous.


On 03/18/2019, Mary said ...

Susan! I love this!!!!
-----


Saturday, March 16, 2019

Flower Yarn

Shopping

I just discovered this yarn a couple of days ago. A friend of mine is making chemo hats using Alize flower yarn. As soon as I saw one of her hats in progress, I almost immediately ordered some of the yarn. But I controlled my darker angels and didn’t order it, knowing that I have so much work on quilts to do before the June quilt show. But I still want some. BAD! I want some bad. I can see making hats or scarves for Christmas gifts from it.

Online photos of projects made with Alize flower yarn are not plentiful. Here are a few I found. If any of you have used this yarn in projects, would you mind sharing descriptions or photos.

18004ad776f9fbc31ddd32ac4167e49a

Flower_tuubihuivit

269eb525d3d3ec3506736e253eacae0e

45645570_152329342396300_6682571409330012686_n

D34b6ce160aa9edc26d3ef663f6e85e3


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 03/16/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

What lovely yarn!! Sadly, my hands don't play nicely together when I've tried to knit or crochet, but as my hands do other things well, I cannot complain.

I look forward to seeing what you choose to make with this delightful yarn. What color(s) did you buy or do you intend to buy? Yarn keeps pretty well though not as well as cotton fabric. :)

Hugs!
-----


Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Book Club Day

Acorn

This is the beautiful acorn necklace that my sister Ramey made and gave me for my birthday. The acorn cap is an actual acorn cap, sealed and varnished; The acorn part is a bead.

I wore my necklace to our book club meeting today, at the new restaurant in town, the Three-Earred Rabbit. Up for discussion this month was The House of Rose by T.K. Thorne. We were fortunate to have the author join us for lunch and a great book discussion. Teresa (which is what the T in T.K. Thorne stands for) is an Alabama girl. She was once, before turning full-time author, a Birmingham police office. Her law-inforcement life came in handy when writing The House of Rose. The main character is also a Birmingham police officer. See this blog’s left sidebar under “Books Read in 2018” for a review of this book.

51bM02HWyIL._SY346_

TK_Thorne_(London)Author T.K. Thorne joined our book club meeting today to discuss her most recent book, The House of Rose.

Everyone loved the book, police mystery/fantasy involving crime, witches, and magic. It’s the first in an eventual three-book series, and we can’t wait for book number two to come out.


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 03/13/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

What a beautiful necklace you were given! Thank you for the photograph of and your lacy blouse.

The book sounds very interesting and I have put it on my library list. So glad you felt like going to the book club meeting.

It's sunny and forecast to get to 62* so I plan to sweep the porch.

Hugs!


On 03/13/2019, JAMES CAGE said ...

Happy Birthday!
-----


Tuesday, March 12, 2019

A Bountiful Birthday

277140_originalPhoto by Caitlin R. Kiernan

it started out pretty terrible. I woke up yesterday, got out of bed, and couldn’t straighten up for the back pain and stiffness. I had totally forgot that it was my birthday until I finally got a cup of coffee, sat down with my laptop, and started reading all the beautiful birthday wishes from friends and family. Things only got better from there.

Cait and Kathryn came by and brought fresh roses, a copy of Cait’s latest book, The Very Best of Caitlin R. Kiernan, and a Snoopy card. We had a nice visit, but they couldn’t stay for the cake-and-ice cream festivities later.

Cake

Daughter Andy left work a little early and showed up just ahead of the rest of the gang (my two sisters) with this gorgeous and tasty strawberry cake from Edgar’s Bakery (a favorite seller of scrumptious confections and treats), ice cream, and gifts o’plenty. 

Chicken

This chicken planter was one of the gifts Andy brought, along with Goo Goo Clusters and a piggy spatula. I think the chicken would look great planted with succulents. But I don’t dare. Taco would eat them before you could say “Don’t eat those, Taco.” So I have an idea to purchase some of those fake succulents that I’ve been seeing at craft stores. They look absolutely real. Side by side, they’re just about indistinguishable from the real things. And Taco would not eat them, I’m sure. The only problem is that they aren’t cheap. But I’m going to get some anyway.

Sisters Joanne and Ramey did not come empty handed either. Ramey gave me a beautiful acorn necklace that she had crafted her own self, and Joanne came with a box of 24 Ferrero Rocher chocolates. Niece India, who couldn’t be present because she was teaching a music lesson, sent me two bottle of lovely smelling hand lotion. Don’t I have an awesome family?

About the time I had finished opening my gifts, the Pizza Dude showed up with a delicious dinner that I didn’t have to cook.

I still have leftover pizza, half a strawberry cake, and half a tub of ice cream, if anyone wants to drop by for some leftover birthday goodies.


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 03/12/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

A happy Birthday to you! Hope the card I sent arrived at the right time. What wonderful gifts: lovely flowers, cute chicken planter, Cait's new book, the handmade necklace, chocolates, ice cream to have with the lovely cake and topped off with pizza!! Am so glad you felt better after the unpleasant start to your very own special day!

I'd love to come share the leftovers, but the distance is just too great. Bother!

Hugs!
-----


Sunday, March 10, 2019

Gypsy

53641382_832842263728718_6412142708411858944_o
What about I call my Dress quilt “Gypsy?” That would be keeping Stevie in the picture, and it’s easier to spell. Ha Ha.

6a00d8341cbb0053ef0240a490ad9d200b-450wi
"So I'm back to the velvet underground
Back to the floor that I love
To a room with some lace and paper flowers
Back to the gypsy that I was 
To the gypsy that I was"


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 03/10/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

Ah Gypsy! Methinks there needs to a dot of white in each eye and a bit of a smile (just turned up corners drawn perhaps with a Sharpie?) for that name.

Stevie will be so pleased!

Hugs!


On 03/14/2019, Pat said ...

Happy Birthday! Love your name for your collage, too.
-----


Saturday, March 9, 2019

Pioneer Woman Hack

DSC_0082

I’ve been thinking and wondering what I could get or rig up to hang my beads and necklaces on. In my jewelry box, they get all tangled together, which isn’t good. 

One day a week or so ago, I was in Walmart, just browsing after I had gathered my groceries, and I saw this Pioneer Woman cup hanger. I love all things Pioneer Woman, and I fell in love with this piece. Trouble is, I already have a cup hanger that I like too. It holds more mugs, for one thing. But I just wanted this so much. Having vowed to not make another purchase without having a plan for how to use it, I almost gave up and left the mug hanger. Then I remembered: something to hang my necklaces on. I think it turned out perfectly. What do you think?

DSC_0087


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 03/09/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

Perfect and pretty, too! Glad you thought of your necklaces before you went to the checkout. Do you need a second one for bracelets?

Hugs!


On 03/14/2019, Pat said ...

Perfect! I use a cup holder someone made me years ago. PW has pretty things.
-----


Friday, March 8, 2019

News From the Sewing Room

DSC_0077

I made lots of progress on the Dress quilt on Thursday. She’s all fused, cut out, and ready to place on the background. So now I have to construct the background. I bought the fabrics specifically for that purpose, but looking at them, I kept thinking something was wrong. It finally hit me. That red is not the fabric I ordered. The one I ordered is more of a mauve. Not nearly as bright.

0562518This is the color I ordered.

I don’t know whether I want to bother with returning it and getting the correct color or just using the brown for both side borders. But I’m not using that red. I’m just too tired to think about it right now. I’ll think about it tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is another day.

DSC_0076I think I need to add some pink cheeks. She looks a bit pale. And something for a nose.

DSC_0074A rosy bodice

DSC_0073
She’s got her little Mary Janes on. I just noticed that I need to trim that left leg (on the right) a little.

 


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 03/08/2019, Dianne in Colorado said ...

Great job,Susan. She is lovely.


On 03/08/2019, Wendy said ...

Hi Susan-

I am loving how your creation is unfolding. I think the name you thought of is very clever. I don't know how you made the eyes but they are wonderful! I wonder if a nose made with a line of stitching or a pencil of some sort would work? I also have used real powder blush on projects and that works for giving the cheeks a bit of color. I can see you are having a lot of fun with this. Faces are not easy.


On 03/08/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

She's looking good and I think blush powder that Wendy mentioned would be stellar for a bit of color on her cheeks.

I agree the red is too bright and hope you find a color that suitable. I do think you should contact the shop to tell them they sent the wrong color fabric. That happened to me once and the shop said to keep the fabric they sent in error.

Hugs!
-----


Thursday, March 7, 2019

Fancy Kats

DSC_0066

Look what came in the mail yesterday--a yard of this beautiful fabric. I ordered it not because I have a project in mind for it, but because I couldn’t not have it. Mine is a cat-loving family, so I’m sure something will come to mind to use it in. Meanwhile, I’m just going to love it.

 

DSC_0070

Just so you know, I’ve been working on my Dress quilt--mostly fussy-cutting flowers and sticking them on. I gave her some lips, but Im stuck on eyes. Everything I come up with makes her look weird. I have a few more ideas to try today.

 


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 03/07/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

What darling cat fabric!! I made our two cats wee quilts of their own using cat fabric and flannel and neither cat would go near them ever. What was up with that?

Wishing you well on completing the face on your Dress model. I think there are some tutorials about doing faces on fabric so you might check around.

Hugs!
-----


Tuesday, March 5, 2019

In Like a Lion

53137511_1712431975568941_5850159805531947008_nDeadly tornado as seen from U.S. Hwy 280 in
Lee County, Alabama

The Month of March came roaring into Alabama this past weekend. Lee County in the southeastern part of the state suffered a massive and deadly tornado on Sunday. At last report, 23 people had died, and many others were injured and missing.

Here in my area, torrential rain was the story. The creek (Little Cahaba River) was already over its banks and many yards, fields, and pastures were flooded before the rain finally stopped. Made me glad the Yellow House sits on a little hill. 

Since Sunday, we’ve had beautiful clear and sunny weather. But cold? My yes. Some of the coldest temps this season. If most of my flowering plants hadn’t already died from lack of care, I’d probably lose them tonight. I do have a couple of remaining azaleas that survived the drouth of a couple of years ago, and my knockout roses that even I and the Japanese beetles haven’t been able to kill. 

Yesterday I braved the cold and enjoyed a sunny drive to Martha’s house for the March meeting of our quilting bee. It was good to see everyone and catch up on what they’ve been doing. Below are some pics from our show and tell.

B2 (1)Plastic-bead-filled cell phone stands, made by Mary U.


B3 (2)To warm a brand new grandbaby


B4Cyndi puts the finishing touches on this beauty.

B6 (1)Nancy's gorgeous sampler

B7 (1)Mary U’s silent auction donation

There were a couple more, but I guess that’s all I photographed. I showed my own silent auction donation, “October Song.” I still don’t have it quilted, and the month of the quilt show (June) is not too long off. I have to finish it, bind the “Bow Wow Bunch” and “Witch Hunt,” finish the Dress quilt and get it to Lena for quilting, make hanging sleeves and labels. Wow! It sounds like a lot of work when you write it down. I’d best hie myself to the sewing room and get busy.

Unnamed
“October Song,” made by me for our guild’s charity auction, which will be held at our quilt show this June. Will I get it quilted and bound in time?


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 03/05/2019, Stephani in N. TX said ...

I listened hard to the news when I heard of the tornado in Alabama. Was relieved to not hear Leeds when I first heard the location which was Lee followed by County. Said a silent prayer for you and that you were safe. Evidently, you were high and dry as well. We lived in Wichita Falls, TX for 30 years, well after its brush with a tornado that leveled many homes and a death toll of 30+. When we moved there 10 years after the tornado, we would still occasionally see a cement base for a home still barren and not rebuilt afterwards. Many neighbors and co-workers still had fresh memories of the stormy day and the tornado. It takes many years for a town to move on and bury even the scars. So glad it didn't happen where you live.


On 03/05/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

I was saddened to hear of all of the destruction and deaths in Lee CO. but was glad your home was high and dry (well, not flooded!). Our home is also near the crest of a hill so we're always above flood level. Didn't think of that when we boght the house, but have many times since then.

Love the varied quilts and am so happy you made it to your quiilting bee!

Hugs!
-----


Saturday, March 2, 2019

Third Hat’s a Charm

DSC_0065

There’s really more work in this portion of my Dress quilt than shows here. This is actually the third hat I tried. And while I’m not totally 100% happy with this one, it’s staying. I will add some more details, maybe some more flowers. But I was exhausted and Skipper was downstairs barking that it was quitting time, so I quit. 

The hair is barely visible in this photo, but that’s because it’s light-colored hair on a white background. When the entire girl is cut out and placed on my darker background, I believe it will show up just fine.

I’ve thought of a title for this quilt: “Rhiannon.” After I added the black hat and the long blonde hair, she reminds me a lot of Stevie Nix. But I didn’t want to name the quilt “Stevie Nix” or even “Stevie,” mostly because I don’t think Stevie would ever be caught dead in that colorful dress. She’d be wearing black. So “Rhiannon” being one of Stevie’s best known songs, I might call it that. Not sure yet.

I think this is going to be a pizza night. I’m pooped.


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 03/03/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

I love this hat, the flowers, and - especially - Rhiannon's hair! I look forward to seeing her on the background fabric you plan to use. Love the quilt's tentative name, too.

Hope the pizza was delicious and that you've more spoons to use today.

Hugs!
-----