Lazy, rainy Monday

It has been raining all morning...a nice gentle rain with some thunder in the background.  Doesn't that make you want to curl up with a good book or do some stitching?   The rain is much needed and the temperature is in the low 70's, so much better than 2 weeks ago!  Saturday, I was able to work in my flower beds, but today is sewing room time!

Many of you have heard of Quilts for Kids,  if not check out their website.  This is my finished quilt that is washed and ready to send out.  I love the kit they sent me...the black and white striped border is something I would not have thought of.  Right now they are in need for quilts for boys, so I have another one cut out from some of my own fabrics...it has motorcycles on it.  The little quilts work up very quickly, and I do a simple meandering all over. 



The Farmers Wife Sampler blocks and the Civil War blocks are keeping me busy!  I like sewing on different blocks.  Some of the blocks are easy peasy, and some are a bit of a challenge.  I know I am going to like the finished quilt, samplers have always been a favorite of mine.

Farmers Wife Sampler blocks

It's still summer, but I am in the mood for fall.  I have dug out a little wool kit that I bought last year...it is so cute! It's a Pumpkin table mat by Lisa Bongean.  This afternoon I am tracing off the pattern, and will have it ready to sit and stitch while we sit on the deck this evening.  There are a some wool projects in the Primitive Quilts magazine that are inticing me as well, so I have been pulling out wool to make a few of these as well.  I feel like I always need to have something to do while watching TV, or I think I am wasting my time...what about you?  

Hope you have a pieceful week!

Absent from blogland

Time....sometimes there just isn't enough of it.  The hours when I am off of work seem to fly, I pack them so full...I'm sure most of you do the same.  It has been awhile since I have had time to visit blogland, and I have a lot of catching up to do!  My computer is running in slow mode, hope it is not on it's last breath...I have little patience for waiting for a page to load. 

Not getting much finished, so I thought I would at least post a picture of a quilt I made about 10 years ago.  A group of us traded 6-inch 9-patch blocks, and this is how I put mine together.  I love this quilt, as it reminds me of times shared with good friends. 

Look what I won!  A few weeks ago, Marlene had a give away on her blog...it was like Christmas in July for me.  And she added some fat quarters to sweeten the package!  The little candle mat is beautiful,  I know I will be using it when the holidays are here.  Thanks to Marlene, and if you have not visited her blog, you should...you won't be sorry!

It's hard to believe that 1971 was 40 years ago...

last Saturday, we attended a 40th wedding anniversary party.  The guests could dress up in 70's style...how fun!   Did you know that if you go to a "vintage" clothing shop...a lot of it will be the clothing of the 60's and 70's...when did I go from being a hippy chick to being vintage?

                                     

                                                                                                                       Peace!

Summertime friend

Look who came to visit while I was out watering!  Not too hot for this little guy!  I noticed that part of his wing was missing, wonder what happened?  I try to plant flowers that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds...so far this year, I have not seen a single hummingbird.  Usually I can get at least 2 or 3 interested in the feeders....no such luck this year!

It's sad when one thinks it is too hot to go to the pool!  So I am staying inside and trying to catch up on my Civil War blocks. 

And Penelope finally has a face! 

These are certainly the lazy, hazy days of summer...good for catching up on sewing and reading!  Hope everyone is enjoying the summer inspite of the heat!   I keep telling myself...remember last winter! 

I'm a Banner Girl!

The secret is out...my Crazy Hearts quilt was chosen to be included in the Stash Manicure Banner for July!  and it is in such good company,  all are beautiful, patriotic quilts. 

Crazy Hearts for Quilts of Valor

If you want to check out the other beautiful quilts in the banner, run over to Stash Manicure today!

I enjoyed reading the stories behind the seams, and I am sure you will too. 

I am off to mow before it gets any hotter, we are under a heat advisory again today.  Wishing all of you a safe and happy 4th of July.  We have loads of company coming, so starting tonight, we will start celebrating with family at the city fireworks show.  As one of my favorite ladies once said....

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every

 July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." ~ Erma Bombeck

Sundays are for catching up and naps....

Saturday, I attended Primitives of the Midwest at Quilters Station here in Lee's Summit, MO.  In the class with Lynda Hall, we made a charming primitive doll.  It was a fun little class, and I hope to have my youngin done sometime this week.  She still needs a face and a name....I'm thinking maybe Penelope.

This afternoon, I was able to add three more Farmers Wife blocks, Bouquet,  Country Farm, and Hovering Birds. 

And I am playing catch-up with the Civil War Blocks....this week's went together fairly easy.  If I were to make it again, I would use flying geese units for the star points and reduce some of the bulky seam intersections. 

Thank you for all your wonderful additions to my previous post...I have added them to my journal.

Here are what some of my fellow bloggers have added:

Relax, laugh and love.

Laugh hard and often.

Look at the stars, listen to the trees and smell the fresh air.

Smile at others.  Hold hands.  Laugh a lot.

Share good memories.

Sing with abandon.

Life is too short, take a chance now and then.

Look for the joy in every day things and everyday events.

Thank someone everyday.

Perform random acts of kindness.

and one more that I would end with....

perhaps the best way to apply the philosophy  of God's goodness

 is to constatantly live a thankful life. 

No willpower!

Friendship Block, Contrary Wife, Broken Dishes

Last week I went to JoAnn's...decided that if the Farmer's Wife Samper Quilt book was there and it was on sale, then it was my sign to join in on the quilt along here in blogland.  For the past 3 weeks, I have been tempted by the blocks that are being posted....telling myself, no, you do not need to start another project!  Truly, I have no will power! And if any jusitification is needed, I can use my collection of Jo Morton fabrics and not have to purchase a lot of fabric.  Actually, I think I will just entertain my inner child for now and do what makes me happy...playing with fabric and color and making little blocks.  You must keep the child alive...you cannot create without it!

"Plant impossible gardens.  Look forward to dreams.  Cry during movies. Swing as high as you can on a swing set, by moonlight.  Cultivate moods.  Do it for love.  Take lots of naps.  Take moon baths.  Listen to old people.  Entertain your inner child.  Get wet. Hug trees.  Write love letters. " 

What might you add to this bit of advice?

Quilts of Valor

This morning, I was able to finally get two quilts in the mail for QOV.   Go check out SewCalGal's blog for more information.  You still have time to send blocks that will be made into quilts for QOV.  So dig out your Red-White and Blue scraps and make a block to send in.  It will be neat to see how many quilt tops will be made from the Call to Action challenge.

This weekend, we are headed to Joplin, Mo for a family reunion.  I will be taking the Rock and Roll t-shirt quilt to my nephew...he graduated last Sunday.  Hopefully, I can get him to pose for a picture and show you how it turned out.  Off to finish sewing down the binding!

Hope everyone is having a great week...and getting some "me-time" in the sewing room!