what do you call these anyway?

 

Still working on the double wedding ring quilt.  While I sew, I’ve been calling these “eyes.”  That was the first thing that came to mind.  I also sometimes think “almonds.”  I know others have called them “footballs” or “melons.” 

What do you call them?

So far the sewing has been all good. I’m sure that scary challenge that I’ve been expecting is going to come along eventually. But not yet.

…I’ll be sure to let everyone know when it arrives. ☺

 

I also finished four more sprig blocks.  One more and I’ll be half way through the appliqued blocks for my Stars and Sprigs quilt top.  Yes!

The weird lighting and shadows in the photo are because it’s late …  just haven’t been ready to give up my day for sleep yet.

 

My latest read is God’s Smuggler.  I thought it would be like “Angel on Her Shoulder” by Kenneth L. Wilson, about a missionary woman in Taiwan.  I read that book many years ago and loved it and still think about it from time to time.  I was so touched by that woman’s sacrifices and her determination.  This one hasn’t made an impact on me that way but I am enjoying the story.

…I’ll be linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times….right here.

And then finally… off to bed.

coloring books & the book I’m reading now

I whipped these little book bags up the other morning.  They each hold 6 crayons and a few smaller sized coloring books … perfect for a carry-along project… sort of like me and my take-along sewing bags.  So nice to have something to do at all times.  They should keep my two granddaughters occupied for a little while.  They were made with love and I hope they like them. 

 

This week I am reading “Summer of the Monkeys” by Wilson Rawls and am about half way through.  It’s a fun story.  I thought it might be like “Where the Red Fern Grows” also by Wilson Rawls.  That was a special book for sure.  But this one is its own story and is keeping me entertained.  I’m looking forward to finding out what finally happens between Jay Berry and those monkeys.

Thanks so much to Norece, a reader of my blog, for recommending it.

And now I’m going over to link up with “Whatcha Reading Tuesday.”

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Not as hard as I thought

So… I started sewing the “eyes” for my Double Wedding Ring quilt…those curves making me a tad nervous.   But I found out it isn’t so difficult as I imagined. 

Just pin carefully and sew carefully and ta-da!  They aren’t perfect, but by the time I finish 194 curves for the “eyes” plus 168 more curves for the centers…(whoa!!)  I should be better at it by then don’t you think?

So far the pieces are matching up so I’m not feeling exasperated and frustrated.  That’s what I worried about the most. 

Instead I’m having fun!

Two more sprig blocks are finished.

 

I’m in the middle of reading the book “Killing Lincoln” by Bill O’Reilly and having a hard time putting it down.  Learning things about our past that I never knew before.  History wasn’t my favorite class in school and I struggled through those text books…but lately I find myself enjoying a little bit of history.  Other good ones are “1776” by David McCullough, and “Destiny of the Republic” by Candice Millard.

Now I’m going over to link up with “Whatcha Reading Tuesday”.

some things finished…and starting another….

Woo..hoo!  I finally finished the arcs for my Double Wedding Ring quilt.  197 of them!  Then I realized I only need 194 arcs, but, oh well, better too many than not enough.  I’ve been working on them for a few months now so I am excited to have them done.

Next comes curved piecing….yikes!!

 

I also finished two more sprig appliques.  Always a pleasure to work on these.

 

This month our book club chose to read Mr. Churchill’s Secretary.  I’m only a few chapters into it, but so far it’s interesting.

And with that, I’m linking up to Judy’s “Whatcha Reading Tuesday” here.

Sprigs and eerie bones

Ten sprig blocks done….thirty to go…but I’ve only been working on them for a little over a month…at that rate it is possible to finish the quilt by year’s end…but…you know…we’ll see how that goes.

So far so good.  This is surely a nice way to spend our cold winter evenings…cuddled in a cushy chair in front of the fireplace and TV and stitching away.

Judy, at Patchwork Times, had a contest for a subject for her Tuesday link party.  Since I’m a reader, I mentioned sharing books.  Judy chose that idea and generously gave me a gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop.  I was so excited! and used it to get some awesome fabric for my Stars and Sprigs quilt.

Thank you so much Judy.  That was really nice of you and I appreciate it.

Speaking of which, the book I am reading right now is “Speaking from the Bones” by Alan Bradley.  I’ve waited a year for this book to come out. 

The star of the story is Flavia, a precocious 11 year old growing up in an old English mansion.  She’s a genius in chemistry, lives to solve murder mysteries and can be a little melodramatic. 

I have read every other book in the series and they are are so much fun!  Mr. Bradley is a gifted writer.  I could easily have finished this one by now but I ‘m trying to make it last, because the next book in the series isn’t due to be out till next year. 

Another whole year!!

I’m linking up with Judy for “Whatcha Reading Tuesday.”  Hoping for leads to more good books.

finished…oops! maybe not

Finally all finished with the top and wanted to get a quick picture before its off to be quilted and given away.  Not a good picture …there isn’t much light on this cold winter day.

Not until I looked at it here on the computer, did I finally notice that really obvious mistake!  Do you see it?  I never saw it before…even though I checked and rechecked as I worked on it. 

Wow! The tricks your eyes can play on you!

But it will be fixed before the day is out.

I also finished the book I was reading in my last post.  I enjoyed it till the last third of the book and then I hated it.  Just skim-read to the ending so I could call it done and in case it had a surprise good ending…but there wasn’t one.

But oh well, I started a new one already and I know I’m going to love it because I’m a fan of the series.  I’ll tell you more about it next “Whatcha Reading Tuesday.”

Almost finished

 

Every Tuesday morning you will find me hanging out with a group of ladies working together on humanitarian projects.  It’s one of the highlights of my week.  This morning I worked on this quilt to donate and I’m almost finished…just need to add the borders.  We have some expert quilters there who will finish it.  The pattern is from Scrap Basket Surprises by Kim Brackett.  And it’s been a great project.

And I’m also almost finished reading my latest book; Murder on Astor Place by Victoria Thompson.  It’s a mystery involving a midwife at the turn of the century.  Tonight before I fall asleep, I will finally know who did it and why.  As of now I have no idea! 

I’m linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times for more book ideas.

Whatcha Reading Tuesday

I’m excited to be linking up with Judy’s “Whatcha Reading Tuesday” because right up there next to loving to sew, I also love to read.  You might have figured that out by my side bar…I have a reading list from Goodreads and another one from Shelfari posted there.  Overkill maybe… but oh well.

Just last night I finished reading “Navigating Early”, about 2 boys, Jack and Early, who venture out by themselves on the Appalachian Trail in search of the great black bear…and Early’s long lost brother.  They meet up with some interesting characters along the way.  Also, the mathematical pi (3.14) is an important part of the story.  …huh?? 

I decided to read it after finishing another one by Clare Vanderpool…

…Moon Over Manifest, which I really, really loved.  Both of the books are written for youth but are perfect for adult readers too. I shared Moon over Manifest with my book club and they liked it.  It made for a fun discussion that night.   Clare Vanderpool is a talented writer.

Like many of you, I am always looking for another good book. I hope to find some more great leads on Judy’s Tuesday links.

Go check it out (here) …and share what you are reading.  I’d love to know.

My applique tools

I haven’t been on my blog for a bit, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been sewing away.  I have four blocks appliqued for my Stars and Sprigs quilt… 

…and three more prepped.  My way of prepping things may not be “the way”  but it works for me.  Prepping is my least favorite part of the job…I like to get it all set and ready quickly so I can sit down with needle and thread.  And I work it out from there.  Kind of impatient that way.

I first learned to applique right after I was married…about 35 years ago… and loved it right away.  Since then I have learned a lot…especially from fellow bloggers the past few years.  There are some awesome ideas out there.  I’m thankful for them all. 

A while ago I found this little bag, a make-up bag or something like that.  It was ideal for what I needed.  It also had advertising so I sewed the sunflower ribbon on to hide it. 

Perfect portable size for keeping my applique stuff handy-dandy in one spot.

Inside I keep…

-My Clover Quilt Dome.  In the past I used a homemade felt booklet to hold needles and threads…it was always tangled no matter how careful I was.  This little device is awesome…it holds 10 threaded needles…nice and neat and no tangles!!

-Travel soap containers are perfect for threads.  I keep my favorite ones on bobbins and refill them when needed.  Then I always have a wide assortment with me.  And I use the plastic tubing pieces idea to keep them from unraveling.  Thanks again blog ladies!

-My little house needle book was also a blogger’s idea that I fell in love with and holds used needles…I like straw needles size 10 and sometimes 11. 

-I only need a little pincushion for those teeny tiny pins and also keep a tin with more pins and stick on thimble pads. 

-I use a white charcoal pencil for outlining and a lead pencil for light fabrics. 

-I love my sharp little scissors

-and my very comfortable thimble. 

-Last, but not least, a used film canister (can’t find those anymore can you?) to hold threads and clippings and keeps everything neat and tidy.  A miniature waste can!

These Stars and Sprigs blocks fit just right in my case with all my supplies and I’m ready to take it anywhere with me. 

And that way…I just might finish them.

2013 here I come!

Wow, December was such a whirlwind for me.  Lots of Christmas fun, of course, but no time at all for the sewing machine and rarely even time for the computer.  I notice I didn’t blog once for a whole month. 

But now it’s over and I’m really eager to spend time with needle and thread.

Mostly because this is what I got for Christmas!!  From Mr. Sunshine…who knows just what I like. (& because he’s really good at picking up hints)

I have 2 tubs full of fabric that have been stashed away for a day when a project like this one came along.  So excited to use them now!

I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to finish those awesome borders but I’m going to try.  And I do have great plans for the main body of the quilt irregardless.

 

And I haven’t forgotten my Double Wedding Ring (well I did in December but now I’m back).  I am so close to being done with those arcs. 

 

These are my two main projects for 2013. 

…or at least until something else comes along…

that’s how it always seems to go, isn’t it?

Happy New Year!

2012… VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

…was a good year! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I was surprised to see what I’d been able to finish this year.  What a fun year it has been…in my sewing life… and life in general.  I have much to be grateful for.

Here’s wishing all of us a very wonderful 2013! 

2 back from the quilter

I started this quilt some time ago (I just noticed it was in 2010…oh my!) as part of Erin’s Florabunda quilt-along.  I got 7 of the 12 blocks done before setting them aside for a break.  Last summer I decided I probably wouldn’t finish the rest, so instead, made plans to use these 7 in a quilt all by themselves.

And I’m really happy with it. 

Thank you Erin for the pretty applique designs.

I admire my quilter, JoLynn.  She always does very nice work.

She quilted this one too.

I love the sweet little extras she added…children and letters all around the border.

Makes it really special…

And I was excited when I found this fabric for the back… perfect!

 

I’ll be spending the next few evenings binding them…

Then back to work on Christmas stuff!

Such a fun time of year!