Wednesday Ramblings Early on Thursday

I'm sure you've all been reading about the terrible fires in Australia. I can't do a lot from the middle of the Midwest, but in my blog reading I came across Tia. Tia lives in Australia, and is an Army military wife. Please read her blog, it is very interesting!

But remember the box I was gifted? When I was reading Tia's blog, I happened to be washing and ironing the contents of that box. There were bits and pieces of many fabrics in there. But there was enough of one blue to make block centers, and I cut some of the rest to make 13 blocks. To me, that was a good use of part of that box! The background fabric is all the same, Kona Snow. Yes, I used my stash!

There are 12 blocks that finish to 12", and an extra orange one--just because I thought the orange was bright and pretty!

I know there are many different organizations out there you can help, but this is the one I chose.

I still need to work on my goals, I don't like to quilt at night, too hard to see, so think I will work on those courthouse steps. If I get them together, I can start on piecing the backing. I am hoping I have enough leftover Christmas fabric to finish with! I thought back, this is the 3rd quilt I've made using that fabric, one was a large king, one a large queen, and this one will be rather ginormous too! LOL--House insulation as Henrietta says. And speaking of Henrietta--today is her birthday! Happy Birthday Henrietta--I hope that husband of yours took you somewhere nice!

Monday Goals

Goal time again. First, let's review last week's goals. I didn't bind Jane's star. I decided I will bind several quilts at the same time, I just find it easier. I did get another quilt loaded. My courthouse steps isn't a flimsy--but I have it into 16 sections now and am "previewing" it on the design wall. And I worked on a UFO. So it wasn't a bad week, I got a lot done, did lots of sewing.

This week I plan to---

1. Quilt a top
2. Put borders on the pink/white quilt
3. Finishing sewing together the courthouse steps.
4. Piece a backing for the courthouse steps

I think that will be enough for this week. I have some other things to get done that aren't quilty, so I will keep busy.

And the box from my sister and brother in law? It was filled with all sorts of fabric. Some cut into squares and bundled up. A cardboard template. Lots of homespuns and solids. I think Paul's mother was planning a 9 patch quilt, as there is a bundle of 9 patches already sewn together. I will wash it all up, and see what I can make out of it.



And when I quilt, I often wear some "more supportive" shoes. Okay, maybe more padded! I wear some hard foam sandals with my wool socks.



I will say I wear my wool socks almost year round!

I'm Finding It Hard To Type

I keep my laptop in front of the couch on a small folding table. Kinda like a hospital table but on a much smaller scale. It's very handy. So handy my friend can get underneath it and stare at me.

Although she is a very quiet dog, she does like to be close to you. As close as possible without getting on the furniture! The other day I was sewing and she was laying underneath the machine, she would lift her head so I could use the foot pedal, with her head on top my foot! She's not a little dog, so she had to squeeze to fit under the machine. But she is great company and I do enjoy her!

And you may notice I have my heavy fleece housecoat on. And when I walk her at night, yup, that's what I wear. And on my feet, designer footwear!


Wool socks, my fuzzy slippers inside Ken's slippers! Hey, it's cold out, and I walk Ruby when it's very very dark, my neighbors are all asleep and can't see me--thank goodness!! My housecoat is very long, I had to pull it up a bit to take the picture.

Today my sister and her husband brought over a box from cleaning his mother's house. Oh dear, the contents were a gift, so do I have to count it on the stash report? Tomorrow I will show pictures of all the stuff that's in there. Well, maybe a peek!

Some transferware saucers!

Sunday Stash Report

I'm started to sound like a broke record, 0 in, 0 out, stuck at the +8 yards for the year. But I'm getting closer to finishes.

And thanks to Judy, I won the "Slap ya Mama" gift basket. I am really excited to be able to try this seasoning, it's not available in any stores here. And prompted by Judy's challenge, I made Gumbo, Etouffee, Jambalaya, and Beignets. And all the recipes were keepers. I'm a messy cook, so the apron is REALLY appreciated! Thanks Judy!!

Remember I said I was working on a pink/white UFO? A few years ago a friend moved and brought over a box of fabric, it wasn't going with her. I had been inspired by Henrietta who made this beautiful pink/white quilt. This is her's--

It's quilted with twirling hearts that intermingle and go from very small to larger ones, it almost looks like trapunto when you see it. Well, I wanted one too. So in the box was some pink and cream fabric. Very old. I washed it up (in case it really shrunk or bled) and then cut it into enough blocks for this. And it sat for a few years. Last week I found it again and worked on it. I was hurrying so I could take a picture for today's blog post.

Notice anything?? The funniest part is Henrietta did the exact same thing when she made hers. I am playing with just leaving it, after all, it IS funny!

Motivation Friday

I've been working away here, and feel like I've gotten a lot accomplished. I had sewn the courthouse steps into 16 pieces and it COVERS my design wall from top to bottom. The top blocks are flopped over, I didn't get on a ladder to hang them. At first I thought there wasn't enough color definition in the blocks, but I think in the picture there is. What do you think?



I loaded another top on the machine. And I have been working on a UFO, I trimmed the pieces, now I just have to decide on a setting.


Today my sister and I are going to make Valentine goodies. I like to bake, and having a reason to bake and give them away is a good thing. We will have lots of fun doing this.

Everyone have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Wednesday Ramblings

Becky tagged me with this Honest Scrap post. The idea is to reveal 10 honest things about yourself that you haven't blogged about and list 5 addictions. Then tag 5 friends.

Five Addictions I'm willing to admit to--

1. Antiques--especially old dishes and sewing machines
2. Angels
3. Coffee--I have to have it EVERY morning, perked in an old fashioned coffee pot on my stove. No sugar, no cream.
4. groceries--I am a hoarder of canned goods. I once owned 27 cans of chili beans. I am working on this!
   
5. carbs
   

10 things you may not know about me--

1. I am the youngest of four children
2. I spent almost my entire childhood within two miles of my grandmother--she was very influencial in my life.
3. I love to drive but hate to fly
4. I am an avid birdwatcher
   
5. My favorite vegetable is broccoli
6. I want to try train travel
   
7. I wish I could play the piano WELL.
8. I can trap shoot
   
9. I learned to drive when I was very young in a pasture in a yellow International pickup.
10. I don't like my food to "touch" when it's on my plate, but love to eat casseroles

I won't tag five people, but feel free to try this. I found it very hard!

The sewing is progressing slowly. I have sewn together 48 of the courthouse steps in pairs and will lay them out again to "preview". I want to play with my Bricks and Stepping Stones box to relax. I may pick up a pink/white UFO to play with for a while. Ken is sleeping, he works tonight. Ruby is sleeping. I guess I am the only one awake!

Monday Goals

Oh man, I was reading last weeks goals and I didn't do very well. Only 3 out of 7! I hope I have more energy this week!

I did goal #3--the Jacob's ladder blocks are in the mail. #4--the Christmas Courthouse steps are ready to be sewn into a flimsy. #6--I worked a bit on a UFO. So this week I promise myself I WILL DO BETTER!

1. Bind Jane's star
2. Load another quilt
3. Sew Courthouse steps into a flimsy
4. work on a UFO

Enough I think for this week, there are 64 courthouse steps blocks, that may take a while! And I vacillate between UFOs. Am I anxious for spring? Do I need a vacation? I can't seem to settle down to anything lately! I had planned to make more blue and white Jacob's ladder blocks, but think I will wait to see what the other participants in the swap send me back.