Sewing with Nancy!

There is nothing like a 'play day' to revive ones spirit and energy. It had been quite some time and I was in dire need....Nancy to the rescue.  She found an awesome quilt on Pinterest that we could make together from our stash fabric.

So far I have twelve blocks finished.  Here are another sixteen blocks in progress....and below, I see at least two blocks I really don't like, maybe they'll live together in a different quilt.

Nancy posted a terrific tutorial on her blog for making the blocks.  I had a terrific day!

Desperately wants to PLAY!!!

Yep!  Nothing really to blog about.  Just been busy working and staying on task...except for this distraction called Pinterest.  So many fun things to see and inspirations to motivate the heart to create.  One day, soon I hope.

Christmas Sewing

I started the month with great plans for making grand kiddo gifts.  I had great ideas for the girls, certainly I could just shop for the two boys and be done.  Well, the typical Star Wars stuff and I was done for them.

Next up, a ruffly purse for the oldest...I knew which fabric I wanted to use but trying to lay out the plan just didn't come together.  Having a pattern may have helped but I gave up before that and went to the store.  Found cool stuff, on sale....three down, three to go!

Little girls costume dresses!!  Natalie LOVES Snow White and Addisyn LOVES Tinkerbell...piece of cake!  Not so much.  I had planned to use fabric I had on hand but really, if they aren't shiny or sparkly princesses and fairies lose their appeal.   Back to the store...one cool thing, one ok...nothing on sale (yikes)...five down, one to go!

So.  Middle grand girlie is getting an American Girl doll and she needs a wardrobe.  Knowing this several months ago I made a great find of Simplicity patterns for $1 each at Jo Ann Fabrics.  Easy, right?  Well, happy to say I persevered and only need to add one fancy dress at this point :)

Nothing more to shop for since dog surgery blew any budget for ourselves.  I did pick up a little something for my sweetie.  Nothing special but I know he'll enjoy it (yes, food related).

Poor Ratchet!

It's been an interesting few dog weeks.  Took Ratchet in to be neutered, rabies shot, license and such.  All went well.  The weather that week was especially cold and I couldn't bear to put him out in the kennel so I put a crate up in my shop so he could at least be warm and close by.

BIG MISTAKE!  Ratchet's middle name really should be Hoover (as in vacuum) because he sucks up anything he finds on the floor.  I never saw him get into anything.  A couple of days later he started vomiting and wouldn't/couldn't stop.  Murphy's law couldn't let it be during normal vet hours....NO! A Saturday morning trip to the emergency vet.  Ratchet had swallowed a straight pin and it perforated his stomach.  Surgery....brought him home the next day....along with plenty of meds.

Poor sweet puppy totally doped up and wearing the 'cone of shame'.  It's not the most wonderful accessory though it is useful if one wanted to be hit in the back of the knee or scoop gravel from the driveway during a potty walk.  He's done a great job in the last ten days of attempting to destroy it and we will both be happy when it comes off tomorrow when the sutures are removed.

Happy Thanksgiving AND "Favorites" is going to RTC!!!

 Michele e-mailed me today to let me know that "Favorites" was juried in to Road to California.  This is our second year in a row to be accepted.  She calls me "oh great quilter person" and I call her "oh great applique master", yes, we are a mutual admiration society.

So here is a little detail of the quilting and a small glimps of Michele's amazing applique.

In other news:  Today was my very first time ever at physical therapy.  Ouch!, however, I have high hopes that this will take care of the pain in my knee, leg, and hip.  The knee cap isn't tracking properly, muscles are super tight and bursitis in the hip....but, there is hope so it's all good. 

Wishing all a happy thanksgiving.  My  silly husband said today that he was thankful he wasn't the guy he drenched as he drove past this morning.  I'm thankful for my home, family, and most of all God's love, grace and mercy that He so generously gives to each of us.

We're on our own!

Yes, It's hunting season.  All of our men left last Saturday so they could get a decent camp spot and be scouting the elk until opening day, which is tomorrow.  Ratchet and I are "home alone", so to speak.

Seeing as how Ratchet really is Scott's dog I'm happy to day I've survived the last three days pretty well.  We've gone on some super long walks and I've found my man voice. The nail trimming and bath time even went ok.  All that to say, I'll be really glad when my guy is home again.

Silver Falls Retreat - 2011

I've had an amazing week, when is it not wonderful to spend time with friends, eating delicious food and having time to sew on all the projects you've wanted to have time to work on.

The Silver Falls Conference Center is a wonderful facility and the staff are extremely accommodating.  The dining hall serves the most delicious meals.

 So, no pictures of the ladies sitting around in jammies for the evening but here is a peak at our snacks!

 Leola and DeAnna were looking over some projects being shared.  My projects in the back corner (strippy quilt and hourglass block quilt).  The Wedding Star is a quilt I made way way back (when I was still hand quilting).  It belongs to my sister, JoAnn, now and she brought it to share.

 Michele's white pumpkins turned out so great!  I had just finished quilting it before retreat.

 Many areas to hike and take photos around the park.  I think the leaves were just beginning to turn this week.

 It's a fair walk over to the cabins from the meeting hall and dining hall but nothing bad as long as you have an umbrella.

 More beauty to behold.

 The meeting hall is just roomy enough for twenty four industrious quilters.

My first two projects.  Finished the strippy on Monday and the hourglass on Tuesday.  Experimented with some other projects and techniques on Wednesday and then spent just a bit of time working on my hopscotch :)