Computer problems, an update

I have posted a couple of times about the ongoing problems with the Vista computer and finally the inability to post pictures anymore. Over the weekend, the old Vista died. It got computer alzheimer's, and couldn't be convinced that it actually had a hard drive. I am still computer illiterate, but my son is computer savvy, and he did everything he could do to save it. I am now trying to learn to use his laptop computer. It is alot different from what I used before, but I might actually learn to like it! As a test here, I will attempt to post a picture of Sakurajima, an active volcano in southern Japan. My daughter lived about two miles from Sakurajima when she lived in Kagoshima, Japan. I think it is a beautiful sight. One of God's wonders of the world. Here goes.........

A Giveaway!

There will be a giveaway at Thistle Cove Farm this week with some very nice items. If interested, hop on over to www.thistlecovefarm.blogspot.com and take a look.

Picture Problems

I am sorry that I have not been updating my blog lately, but the truth is, I continue to have problems getting photos into this computer. My daughter, yesterday, worked on it for me, and it has helped a lot, but I still don't think that I can do the work myself. My old program used to be so easy, and I am very frustrated with this one. The above photo is of Shizuku-chan, and she is yawning. My daughter is very good at taking pictures. Earl Grey is getting to be quite troublesome. Although he is still a very sweet cat, he loves to "push the limits". Have a blessed day!

Hawaiian Style Quilting

Can you guess the name of this pattern?



I call this pineapple and woodrose. Pattern from an old magazine



Ulu or Breadfruit pattern

In 1993 I became interested in Hawaiian Quilting while watching the series on PBS. My cousin had married a Hawaiian man and that also added to my curiosity. Recently, I was reminded of my books, and bought a couple more from Amazon.com. I also got a few patterns from www.poakalani.net. I am not talented enough to draw my own. My art work is of the kindergarten variety, really. Because I am not Hawaiian myself, I read that I should call my work "Hawaiian Style Quilting", so I am. Well, have you made any guesses as to what my first mini-quilt is? If you guessed "a famous Mouse", you would be correct!! I used a batik fabric that I received in a trade, and it is from Australia. It is said that if you make a breadfruit quilt first, that you will never want for anything. That sounds nice. The red quilt was a pattern I tore out of a magazine in 1987. No name given, but it looks like a pineapple and woodrose design to me. I am quilting on the mouse, and am enjoying it a lot. These three mini-quilts are from 22 inches to 30 inches square. As I have to stand up to machine quilt, and being that I haven't hand quilted for about 15+ years, these are a joy to work on. Google Hawaiian Quilting, if you are interested, but I prefer the Poakalani site. I sure wish I could go to Hawaii. If wishes were horses, we'd all take a ride, eh??

Remembering our Veterans

Sunday afternoon quilting

It has been my habit, when I feel like it, to make a small charity quilt on Sunday afternoon. The above is what I worked on today. I like yellow! It doesn't take me long to make one of these quilts. This one is approximately 45" by 60". When I have hemmed it, it will go to Project Linus in Carroll County, VA. By the way, the pattern is "Square in a Square". They are easy to make and I use a special ruler to make the blocks fast & easy!

The New Goodwill Store

Yesterday, my daughter and I went to check out the new Goodwill Store in Elkin. I did not take a photo of it, as most towns have a Goodwill Store these days and everyone knows what they look like! It was day #2 of their Grand Opening. As usual, there were a lot of people there and they were buying the clothing. The other stuff wasn't moving so fast, as they had increased the prices outrageously! I bought a Sherpa bag (looks like a sheepskin) for $1., a plastic box, also a $1, a coffee mug for twenty-five cents and an old popcorn tin (this is a large one) with flags and Abraham Lincoln on it for a $1. My total was $4.32. This new Goodwill, while it has 3 times the floorspace, has lost it's "homey" feel and the clerks looked frazzled. My daughter and I couldn't leave fast enough. I imagine I will shop there on occasion, but things will no longer be on a first name basis. Too bad.

Iris at the College and a quilt

The bottom two photos are of the iris bed at Surry Community College. The iris have been exceptionally beautiful this Spring. Maybe because we had such a hard winter? The top two photos are of my latest quilt finish. It is a twenty block "disappearing 9-patch" and it makes up so quickly. The fabric came from walmart before they got rid of their fabrics, from a $1. yd. table. I like the froggie print, and have cut out one in blue froggies, too. Shizuku kitty always goes over to check out the just-finished quilt top when I spread it out to check on it. She would get on the top, and my dear Boo would crawl underneath. The finished quilt will go to Project Linus in Carroll County, VA (Shizuku stays here!!).