See Them in September

What a fun and fabulous guild meeting we had yesterday at Homewood Senior Center, our last one of the guild year. We take a break in August and come back in September to begin a new year.

There was much to do, see, and taste at our annual end-of-year picnic. The highlights were the donation quilt drawing (which was won by our own Serene J.'s MIL) and our all-you-can-eat picnic buffet.

But before all that took place, and after the business portion, we had an eye-popping show-and-tell. Here are some photos.

Members turned in 33 Dog Day blogs for our Block of the Month drawing, won by Craig H. And Mary J. I was very disappointed that I wasn't a winner. I love this pattern; it reminds me of Sophie, of course, sans the tail. 

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Virginia B. shows off her caterpillar quilt...

...and her lovely floral wallhanging.

Joie S. and her fantastic Quilt of Valor

A quilt from Ruth Ann's grandmother. After it was retrieved from the box it has been inhabiting for several decades, it was very soiled in stained. Gwen C. helped Ruth Ann with the cleaning, and now it looks like new--and beautiful too.

Lisa A.'s quilt for a friend's little boy.

I believe that it was JoAn Knight whose customer's quilt this is. JoAn is an amazing long-arm quilter and member of Birmingham Quilters Guild

Gwen C.'s skull-and-crossbones button-embellished jacket drew some smiles.

Ruth Ann A.'s striking curvaceous curves wallhanging.

My "Love Birds" quilt, finally finished except for the hanging sleeve and label. It will soon be ready to go to the bride and groom it's intended for.

I did pretty good with the scallops, especially considering this is the first time I've ever scalloped a border. It took forever to stitch down all that binding though--thus the aggravated carpel tunnel.

The other side of the room

I'm not having a good morning today: fibro, right hand carpel tunnel, and just general malaise. I think my body is telling me it's time for a couch day, but I have too much to do. Maybe I can get some couch time in tomorrow.

We had a great thunderstorm and rain last night. So at least I don't think I'll have to water anything today.

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On 07/10/2012, Joanne said ...

Your "Love Birds," and the grandmother quilt, both get my vote for "best of show." But they're all fabulous.

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On 07/10/2012, Barbara Anne said ...

Love the quilts and that button skull jacket! Love Birds is just beautiful and here is some applause for that scalloped border and the finish - APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE!!!

I, too, love the grandmother quilt. It is so sweet. How wonderful it came clean with careful laundering.

Cheers for rain! We had a bit of rain overnight, too, and are thankful for every drop.

Hugs!

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On 07/11/2012, Kai said ...

Oooooooh - I've had two Scotties during my lifetime. One was Scotty (No, I didn't name her - LOL!) and the other was Pretty Polly Poppins. I LOVED those 2 doggies. I think THAT'S one reason I'm so in love with Ms. Sophie. She DOES put me in mind of Scotties! Wish you HAD won that pretty quilt! Yum to YOUR quilt! So beautiful! All of them are. It's absolute eye candy to see the lovely results of all that work! Thanks for sharing! Now, TRY and take a couch day - at least a partial one! LOVE YOU!

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On 07/11/2012, sillysally said ...

So much fun to see the quilts from your Guild every so often! Thank you for sharing them. Your Love Birds quilt/wall hanging is very pretty and the scalloped border really sets it off! The newlyweds will be jazzed to get it I'm sure.

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On 07/12/2012, Sue said ...

Hi - I love to read your blog and thank you for sharing so much. Your "Love Birds" quilt turned out beautiful - you did a great job on the border and binding. I was wondering if there is a pattern for the scotty dog? Thanks, Sue
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Good Sunday Morning

At least, I think it's still morning. What a night around here! Skipper, who apparently ate something outside that he shouldn't have, had nausea problems all night. It started right about dark and continued until the wee hours of this a.m. He seems okay now, but I have cleaned up enough doggie barf to last me a lifetime.

The climax came at at 3:00 when I woke up feeling something wet on my bottom. Bless his heart, he had thrown up in the bed. At 3:00, I had to get up, take all the sheets off the bed, clean the mattress, plus several more spots that had occurred on the carpet while I was asleep. I then moved to the couch, read for about an hour, then went to sleep and slept till after 9:00.

I am totally exhausted, still in my pjs, missed church again, want to go back to bed, but have to finish getting my supplies ready for quilters guild tomorrow. Plus, I have a ton of laundry to do, including barfy sheets, barfy towels, and barfy cleaning rags. I also see that I need to go back over some of the affected areas of carpet. Sigh.

I did finish binding "Love Birds" on Friday, then nursed my aching right hand all day yesterday (carpel tunnel). Today it's better but still sore.

I'm taking the quilt for show and tell tomorrow and will get a picture then to post here. The scalloped border turned out very well. I think this is the first scalloped border I've ever done. Can't think of another one.

I also got my lantana planted on Friday. It looked so puny that I thought I had waited too long. But yesterday it was all perked up and looking good. Dogs still need bathing.

Happy Sabbath to all. God's richest blessings on you.

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On 07/08/2012, Barbara Anne said ...

Oh, bless your heart, your spoon drawer, and poor little Skipper. Isn't it amazing how much one little tummy can hold? I remember calling the vet when our dog was sick decades ago and was told to withhold water until she quilt barfing. If the dog drank water, the barfing would continue far longer.

Is your laundry room upstairs? If you currently have to trek to the basement with laundry, it may be worth the cost and mess to move your laundry room upstairs where most laundry originates and thereby save many, many spoons in the years to come.

Guess what?! I actually cut, pieced, and pressed binding for a UFO yesterday AND I'm back to work on a counted cross stitch sampler from (shhhhh...!) 1987.

I'm looking forward to your show and tell photos! Meanwhile, rest up, soak in the tub, or pamper yourself some other way. How about some wine?

Hugs!

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On 07/08/2012, Kristine Walker said ...

Skipper is lucky to have you,that dog stays into something all the time! I get the flop-sweats just reading about Skipper, poor fellow would've been long ago rehomed if he'd have ended up with me. You are a Saint!
So sorry about the bed barf:( With 8 indoor kitties and 1 dog I have had that gruesome experience myself. Doesn't make you wish you could just strip your own hide off and toss it in the washer as well?
Love to you, try to stay cool:)

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On 07/09/2012, judyt said ...

Poor Skipper -- I hate to see sick dogs and hate even more cleaning it up! A couple weeks ago my dog, Joey, threw something up and it looked like a branch off the rose bush or some other plant. I picked it up with plenty of paper towels and looked at it and thought -- what the heck is that. I took it to the sink and rinsed it off -- it was a five and 3 ones! When I have bills in my pocket I tend to roll them and apparently it fell out and he found it. Needless to say Waste Management is $8 richer if they happen to find it in their sorting!
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Binding Factors

My carpal tunnel is acting up and my hand is going numb every time I start stitching. But I have to finish binding "Love Birds" TODAY! I still have to make a friendship block before Monday and get my block of the month stuff together. And Sophie badly needs a bath. And I have two pots of lantana that want planting. And all the plants need watering.

Yesterday I finished making the binding and scalloped the edges of the quilt. I machine stitched the binding onto the quilt and started hand stitching it to the back. But by 10:00 last night, I could not longer see well enough to tell where the black binding ended and the black thread began, so I had to give it up. Started back this morning, and now my right hand is refusing to cooperate.

I thought I'd take a break and blog and maybe my hand will be better when I get back to the quilt binding. And I'm going to put my whatchamacallit on my hand--that thing I wear to sew when I'm having trouble with my hand. Can't remember what it's called. Not a brace, but a elasticized glove thingy with the fingers removed. It usually helps.

Oh, and I have finally figured out why I wasn't receiving email notification of blog comments. They were going to my spam folder for some reason. Since I hardly ever check my spam folder, I didn't know that until Typepad finally told me to check it and there they were. Now I just have to figure out how to stop them from going there. Anyway, now I can reply to your comments. I won't reply to each and every one, but to most I will.

Since hardly anybody was participating anymore, I've stopped posting the Friday Mr. Linky for your progress reports. But I hope all of you are sewing up a storm and getting those projects finished. Happy Friday, everyone.

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On 07/06/2012, Jan said ...

Carpal tunnel...check! Difficulty seeing black on black...check! "Whatchamacallit Thingy" to wear on my hand...need to look into that right away! Thanks for the idea! If it helps I'm all over that one!!

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On 07/06/2012, Diane W said ...

Hope you get all the projects finished, don't fret too much, just work steady. I finished a UFO but gave it to a different person than first intended for.

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On 07/06/2012, RUTH said ...

If I lived closer I'd come and give you a helping hand. Just take it slow and steady Susan.
Cheers Ruth

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On 07/06/2012, Lori in South Dakota said ...

Ahh--the joys of carpal tunnel! Black on black--daytime with TWO lamps!

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On 07/06/2012, Donna said ...

Susan,
I am not far away if you want me to come help you with the binding. I am serious! I hope your hands feel better soon. I can't seem to get much accomplished these days.
Hugs,
Donna

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On 07/06/2012, Barbara Anne said ...

Here's to hiring someone to plant and water this one time - or call in family to this job for a promise of pizza and beer! The lantana and plants will thank you and you won't have used even one spoon.

I hear you on the achy wrists and the bother of black on black. I've told the boys they may like black, but it won't ever be a border or binding on a quilt. No way, no how - that ship has sailed!

When you find out the name of the whatchamacallit glove, please post the information.

Both in-laws are in rehab getting PT, OT, and speech therapy and I'm doing all of the laundry. Glub, glub! I fondly remember sewing ... but did buy the new issue of Quilt Sampler today!

Hugs!

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On 07/06/2012, Gael said ...

I'm thinkin people are just "summer" buzy, maybe thats why they are not Linky-ing? We are still fighting the mites, so no sewing going on.
Hope your hands are better today....Take care
Gael

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On 07/07/2012, Donna Welter said ...

Susan,

Would you please email me your addy? I thought about you several wks ago and remembered I always felt better about things I'd remembered, AFTER I "talked" to you.

I volunteer at a retirement ctr 10 mi. from here and LOVE it. It's the ONE place in the entire state I would trust for a loved one to reside. The entire staff, right down to and including the security staff are SO friendly and helpful. The odd thing was "something" kept telling me, for about 2 yrs., to go THERE to volunteer. I kept putting it off until finally, one day, just so I could say "Been there, tried that!", I stopped and applied.

I laugh EVERY day I go there- as soon as I go in, there's my friend Norman, and we croak with laughter EVERY time we see and talk with ea. other. Probably THE best decision I've ever made in my life. A very distinct 2nd advantage is I'm learning ALOT about "Someone"- the retirement ctr is managed by a very special group of people that've been around a LONG, LONG time. More about that later.

Bruno, whom I think you suggested might be able to learn nudging a jingle bell with his nose when he needs to "go out", is 5. Weighs 60 lbs., which is exactly what I estimated he'd eventually become, the day I found him and looked at the size of his paws. (Somebody had just dumped him, he was "crying", I would've kept him regardless of his projected size!)
Our vet said he is half Lab, half Border collie. Spends part of every day trying to "herd" and "cut" the 2 cats. Odd, they don't seem to care for him telling them which way to go.

We have a grandaughter now, being raised by our older son, she's going to be 7 next month and lives in KS. She calls Jeff "Popa", he's her grandad. My son wanted a differently spelled "normal" name for her, he chose "Danyelle Elisabeth". Gotta go- have to get ready to go to Wallyworld. Yay! or Ugh!????

Later,

Donna W.

PS: That darned dog NEVER nudges the bells after we go to bed- he goes to THAT door, alright, but he KNOWS we can't hear the bells several rooms away, so he barks. HE can hear a dry leaf blow onto the front porch and he's off and running, barking "Are you friend or foe?"
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Hail! Hail! The Gang Was All Here

Niece India's patriotic (and very delicious) cake

I had not planned to have the family for a 4th of July celebration as I usually do. I have too many deadlines coming up, and I just didn't feel up to the planning, cooking, and cleaning involved.

But I changed my mind at the last minute and invited everyone over for a feast. It just didn't seem fittin' to let Daddy's 101st birthday and America's 236th pass without a celebration.

After the hoopla ended, everyone went home, and the kitchen was cleaned up, the dogs and I repaired to our nests for some rest and revival. Just about the time we got all snuggled in, the neighborhood fireworks started. Skipper and Sophie jumped up and spent some time running back and forth between the bedroom window and the living room window, barking their lungs out. They don't seem afraid of the noise, just as they aren't afraid of thunder. I think they were just telling everyone to cut it out so they could get back to sleep.

Thank goodness, our neighborhood fireworks didn't last long. My sympathy goes out for some of my friends and family who spent most of the night lying awake listening to the ruckus and trying to sooth fearful pets.

But anyway, now I'm even farther behind on project deadlines. I have the "Love Birds" to scallop and bind and label and my BOM stuff to get ready for guild meeting on Monday. Also the class reunion group either is or is not coming back to my house tomorrow for more reunion planning. I was never clear if they're coming or not. Guess I better find out.

In spite of all these pressing matters, I don't seem to be able to get going today. It's already after 12:00, and I haven't done anything all morning except take my pills, drink my coffee, and water my eternally dry plants. The heat continues and is taking a toll on most of my petunias. Some have completely given up the ghost.

I hope you all had as great a holiday as my family did. The food was delicious and the talk was fun. I'm already looking forward to the next time we can all get together.

I'll end this rambling post by showing you some photos of recent and not so recent thrift store finds.

 
I made both my sisters' mouths drop with this beautiful acquisition, a thrift store tea pot for less than $3.

This lovely Laura Ashley vase, from the thrift store, graced our groaning board yesterday.

I finally got around to making my bed with this Laura Ashley coverlet that I found at Lovelady Center thrift store a few months ago.

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On 07/05/2012, Kai said ...

Oooooo, I'm happy for YOU but JEALOUS for ME that you found that awesome teapot! Teapots are my weakness. Never met one I didn't LOVE! And that one is a GORGEOUS piece! Also drooling over that picture of your cozy-beautiful bedroom! It looks wonderful! Fireworks - sigh - we had the full neighborhood doggy choir on call last night - ALL last night - to sing/howl their applause (or aggravation) for the round-after-round of noisemakers. If I hadn't been so exhausted, it would have been hilarious. I WAS exhausted, tho' so I wasn't all that amused after the 4th time. The people in this area are LUNATICS, so I ACTUALLY don't blame the doggies! They were shooting off guns, the idiots, and screaming and setting off illegal fireworks. At around 2:30 A.M. we heard a BUNCH of sirens. Found out today one moron shot 2 of his toes off 'cause he was so drunk. Sigh ...!

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On 07/05/2012, Barbara Anne said ...

Okay, what flavor was the cake under that wonderful patriotic topping of strawberries, blueberries, and yummy icing?? That cake is stellar! Applause for India!

Yes, methinks your decision to celebrate your daddy's 101st birthday was the right one. My daddy's 102nd birthday would be July 13. How about that?

What a lovely teapot and beautiful vase you found before anyone else did!! Score!!

Your bedroom with your delightful basket quilt and the Laura Ashley coverlet is certainly magazine-ready. The coverlet is the perfect compliment for your quilt!!

Well done!

Hugs!

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On 07/05/2012, Thelma said ...

You always find the most interesting things at yard sales and thrift shops, but that exquisite tea pot is my favorite by far! Lucky you!

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On 07/05/2012, Jan said ...

That cake looks delicious! Your thrift shop finds are always so perfect! You've got the touch! We, too, had the pop-pop-popping of fireworks in our area until very late. The dogs were barking and uneasy for hours...I HATE when that happens!
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Hay Making

I'm slogging through one of those periods in which there seems to be more to do that there is time in which to do it. I hate that feeling of the wolf nipping at my heals. That feeling makes me rush and not do anything as well as I'd like. Thank goodness, the fibromonster is taking a nap, and the back problems have lessened too.

 

I did get one task finished yesterday, the June spread in the Circle Journal Challenge. This one is for Dana's journal; her theme is "Knowing You; Knowing Me." Our instruction was to pick five words that describe us and use them as the theme for our spreads. I picked quilter, gardener, animal-lover, woman-of-words (reading and writing), and homebody. I used the hyphens to make one word out of a couple of phrases, but I don't think I'll be fined. This spread was fun to do.

Today, I have to get to the post office, and I'm supposed to pick up the "Love Birds" quilt from Lena. She called me yesterday and told me she has it quilted. But the heat has returned, and although it's not as hot temperature-wise as before the rain, the humidity comes with it this time. Suffocating. I'd much rather just stay inside today, but that's not an option.

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On 07/03/2012, Barbara Anne said ...

Cheers that you're feeling better and I LOVE your creative touches on your two pages in Dana's journal. Well done!!!

The heat here is draining, too. It's cooler that it was, but not so much you really notice it. I hope your rain reaches us and all other areas that need rain.

This business of going to see my in-laws at rehab (DH says I need to be specific as his folks don't do drugs or have an alcohol problem!!) following their strokes - and doing that extra laundry - certainly gobbles up spoons quickly. I am tired, but I did find a shady parking place!

Hugs!

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On 07/03/2012, Brenda Kula-Pruitt said ...

I was planning on staying in out of the humidity today. But ended up going out and running errands anyway. I'm glad you're feeling better.
Brenda

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On 07/04/2012, Helen in Switzerland said ...

So glad you're feeling better at the moment Susan - but I don't know how you stand those temperatures!!!

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On 07/04/2012, Kerrie said ...

Very glad you are feeling better! :)
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Rain, Beautiful Rain

I didn't have to water flowers this morning. The outside thermometer tells me that temps are almost 30 degrees cooler than this time yesterday. AND IT'S RAINING! Life is good. But let me also send out condolences to all who are still suffering in the heat, especially those who are without air conditioning due to the horrible storms. I wish you could all come to The Yellow House and enjoy the rain and the air conditioning.

This might make you feel better. This is a quilt that I photographed at our last guild meeting. I'm afraid I have completely forgotten who pieced it. (Perhaps one of my blog-reading guild friends can tell me.) But I do remember that our friend from Crossville, Tennessee, Elayne V., quilted it. That woman is an absolute artist with the long arm. Since I'm a dog lover and a quilt lover, you know I'm just crazy about this quilt.

I have a lot to do this week, and I'm afraid I'm off to a slow start this morning. Andy came by early to visit. Friday was her last day at work, so she was here to print off her resume. She has now entered the world of job-seekers. If anyone knows of a good position in a medical office for a bright, hardworking lady with tons of experience, please let us know. 

So now it's off to get busy with my agenda of projects.

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On 07/02/2012, Barbara Anne said ...

Love the quilt and I can just imagine the jazzy doggy quilting I can't quite see. Applause, applause to the quiltmaker and the quilter!!

Oh! Please send cooler weather and rain. Both would be so welcome even tho we're among the fortunate who do have a/c and electricity.

Best wishes to Andy as she looks for another job. My dad always said it was easier to find a job if you had a job, but since so much in the world has changed, perhaps that has, too.

AMIL is doing well in rehab and FIL is glum and grumpy - as usual. DH and I are feeling quite rundown with all of the hither and thither and the emotional roller-coaster. The heat doesn't help either.

Hugs!

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On 07/03/2012, Kai said ...

That quilt is DARLING! So fun & whimsical! And THREE HUGE CHEERS for cooling rain! We had ours Saturday & Sunday and it was REALLY appreciated after a week-plus of 100 degree heat! Oh, how I long for cool weather. But that's months away, and I will, at this point, settle for NO HURRICANES THIS SEASON! Best of luck to Andy on her job search! And YOU don't overdo, young lady. Dr. Kai SAYS so! Love you! Now, I'm off to work ...
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Hot Hot Hot

I don't think a lot of words are necessary here--and if they are, sorry, it's too hot to think of any. Stay cool, blogging buddies.

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On 07/01/2012, Brenda Kula-Pruitt said ...

Oh, I hear ya! Hot in OK too.
Brenda

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On 07/01/2012, Barbara Anne said ...

Ditto!

Here's to iced tea, lemonade, the blessings of deep shade, and everlasting thanks to those who invented fans and air-conditioning - oh, and to Ben Franklin for harnessing electricity!!!

Hugs!

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On 07/02/2012, Linda Volz said ...

Hi Susan -
I live alot farther north than you, but be that as it may, in Southeast Pennsylvania it's hot as blazes here too! Not much we can do about it but try to stay close to the AC. I venture out in the early morning to try to revive my garden with a drink from the waterhose and to fill my birdbath so the birdies can get a little relief too. And would you believe it, 100+ degrees outside and I've caught a cold. How does that happen? So, stay cool if you can. Love your doggie adventure stories, they make my day.
Wishing you blessings, Linda :-)
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