I won something!

I like to enter the give aways on the blogs I frequent. I have never won anything though...until now. I especially liked a charm package (5 inch squares) listed on the Kansas Troubles Quilters blog and left a comment. I was so surprised when her dear Grandaughter picked me! She said I must be a nice lady because I had Hello Kitty next to my name. I liked that. Well, at first I didn't know what to make from the 5 inch squares, (and she'd also sent some 2 1/2 inch squares, too)...then it came to me like "duh" just put them together as is. I love the Fall colors and am using a "tea-dyed" solid color muslin backing. It looks so "rustic". I love it already. Thanks again, Lynne! Click on the photo (twice) to make bigger to see the fabrics!!

I have been keeping busy this summer, but try to put off as much as I can until cooler weather. I have never seen such a stretch of 90+ degree weather before!! I'm a cooler weather person, and hate this hot-stuff. The health insurance company, in order to get us older folks active, is paying for our membership at ProHealth, and my daughter and I drive the 30 minutes once a week to "walk-in-the-water". I love it!! I can swim, and do quite a bit, but it is also enjoyable to just walk back & forth, too. (Just have to get out of the way before those "agressive" aerobic people come & take over!). Am still making crochet Prayer Shawls this summer. When most of the group takes off to enjoy their summer...I get going. My daughter has also made several, too.

That's about it...hoping it cools off soon, hope you are enjoying your summer, whereever you are. God Bless!

New Set of Books

I love to hunt for books at the Goodwill Store. It seems most of my books come from there these days, as the local libraries do not stock the books I like or am interested in! When our local public library moved into the vacated funeral home (the very one my late husband's service was in) I feel really "creepy" about going in there...sad, too. Recently, I found a book from the Guideposts Church Choir Mysteries called "Puzzle in Patchwork" at the Elkin Goodwill. What a perfect book for me to start with in this series! I love it! As I finished that one, I decided to find more on Amazon.com (also where the above photo came from). Well, after about two months, I have managed to find all the books in this set. As I read through the set, I feel more at home with the cast of characters. It is almost like I know these people. Before finding the first one at Goodwill, I was unaware that this series of books existed. Yay for Goodwill...my favorite place to shop! PS, I am also looking for Agatha Christie books, especially the Jane Marple ones. I am constantly amazed at how different the books are from the made-for-PBS movies!

Catberry RFD

Living 10 miles from the real Mayberrry RFD (Mount Airy, NC), birthplace of Andy Griffith, I immediately loved the Catberry RFD fabrics (oops, can't remember the Co's name that makes it). I didn't buy many of the different pieces in the collection, but had about 3 different ones. Then I saw a "Catberry RFD" pattern on the internet and had to make the quilt. I filled in with my own fabrics from my stash. I like the way it turned out and looks very much like the pattern. The quilt is about 45" by 60". Click on photo to make bigger if you wish.

My two (grown) children and I went to see "Kung Fu Panda 2" last Friday. I liked it very much and the movie had a good message for us adopted people. I plan to buy a copy when it comes out in DVD.

I enjoyed getting out early in the morning and quilting in my "studio" before this HEAT WAVE hit. It has been miserable here. High 90's. Once I saw 100 degrees on the drug store sign. Too hot and HUMID for me!!

Enjoy your Sunday! God Bless!!

Toothbrush Rug

Since 2002, when I discovered "Aunt Philly's" website, I have tried my hand at making "toothbrush rugs". I was leading a quilting group of ladies at the church and one of the member's aunt made these rugs and was willing to come and demonstrate it for us. It is a little hard on the back and hands because of my arthritis, but I do enjoy it a lot and have made several. They wear well, and probably will last my lifetime!! Also, they are a great way to use up those cotton fabrics that you bought way back when and now say "Why did I buy THAT"! I love to work on these rugs, but often just need a "round tuit" to get started. I suggest, if you are interested, to look up the "Aunt Philly's" website to get started, too. I made my own tool from an old toothbrush, but she has some to buy reasonably. Unless you have an OLD toothbrush that has a hole in the handle, you will need to buy one. I carved mine myself, then sanded it down. Newer toothbrushes are curved handled and do not have a hole in the end. The strips of cotton fabric are torn at 2" wide by the length of fabric (not more than 2 yards, though). I am experimenting with using cotton clothesline for the "filler" instead of the same fabric as the working fabric. So far it is doing fine. It just makes a stiffer rug, that's all. It's fun, it's useful, check it out!! (click on photo to make bigger)

Needlepoint

I have been trying to finish up some UFO's (unfinished objects). It seems like everywhere I look there are plenty of them! Quilted ones (embroidered blocks), crocheted ones (vintage afghan), knitted ones (socks, yuck!) and this needlepoint, among a lot of others. Yes, I can do needlepoint. I prefer the ones where someone else has done the center design, though. This piece was given to me by a dear friend in Michigan and I am determined to finish it. I will get the upholsterer to put it on a round footstool (vintage 60's) when I finish it. Thing is...my vision has changed since I began this piece. Just can't seem to find the right holes. Guess it's time for a needlework magnifier. Growing older ain't for wimps!

Happy Easter!

He is risen, He is risen, indeed!

Forty Shades of Green Afghan

Okay, here it is, the mile-a-minute afghan I call Forty Shades of Green. It is sitting on the back of a small couch at the Community College Library, in the study area outside of my son's office. (He took the photo for me, as I am a truly rotten picture-taker!!) Now I am concentrating on the green Breadfruit Hawaiian style quilt and the sleeves for the green Aran. Gee...how did everything end up GREEN right now? Maybe because it's Spring?

What I'm Working On

The work in progress above is a green Aran pattern. The yarn is cheap acrylic called green fleck. For my own use, I use acrylic, not because I want to, but because I have a skin disorder & can't comfortably wear wool and alpaca is even worse. I have now finished the front and back & attached one shoulder by three-needle-bind-off. All that is left is neckline ribbing and the two sleeves!! The pattern is by Grandma on the Mountain (www.aranknits.com). I am also working on, not pictured yet, a Mile-a-Minute Afghan I call Forty Shades of Green using green varigated, mint, and dark greens. The quilt I am working on is also GREEN, but it is a dark green, Hawaiian style, about 50 inches square, in the Breadfruit design (a commercial pattern by Kathy Tsark). I try to keep busy.

(PS. It is supposed to be 82 degrees here today. Snow last Monday, 82 today....go figure!)