Leaf and let leaf.....

I’m slightly ashamed to say I pieced this New Dresden Plate quilt last January/February.  Only recently, I’ve finished making all the leaves to applique on the vine.  I’m telling you, it’s this bum arm of mine!  Ok, so the fracture happened 2 months ago – but I plan to milk this thing for as long as I can.  Especially when the Hubs wants me to straighten up my side of the garage.....oh, ahwee, I sure wish I could, but I'm in a lot of pain today..... 

 

 

 

I can’t explain why it happens, but normally the quilts I make for others turn out super cute, and by the time I'm ready to hand over I wish I was keeping for myself.  From the beginning this project was all mine, and I have to admit I’m somewhat giddy that I’ll have cute wallhanging for the guest bedroom.  I’m loving the colors and how it’s turning out.             

 

Almost, but not quite there....

Just my luck the MRI showed a fracture right below my left elbow, inflammation and some other big gnarly medical word – basically meaning my arm is buggered up.  Sadly, I don’t meet with the bone doc for a few more days, so not sure what the plan of action will be.  Still in pain when I try to straighten, but I’m now able to hold down my ruler (with no pain) to use my rotary cutter…..and really, isn’t that what’s important?!!  Once I was able to cut the final borders for my Carol Doak BOM, I was off and running to finish my quilt.  Just a few months over-due, but it’s now ready for the quilter.  

 

The Carol Doak BOM instructions were for a 2 color quilt – saving for AQS Quilt Week in Paducah, I didn’t want to purchase fabric.  I had a great idea (not looking so great now) to do a scrappy quilt instead.  The two-color combo quilts from the rest of the group are stunning, I’m not so crazy about mine.  Maybe I’ll “love it” after quilting, but not counting on it. 

 

 

 

 

While I couldn’t use a rotary cutter or push anything through my sewing machine, I could hold an embroidery hoop.  Go figure.  These cutesy unfinished pillowcases were calling my name (and have been for several years!) to complete.  Like most everything else I do, I thought I could whip them up in a weekend – wrong (being slow as slug) after 4 days of cross-stitching and not completing one case, I tossed them in the closet.  3 years later, I don’t dare say how long it took me to complete both (I’m sure it was because of my bum arm!), but they are wash, pressed and ready for the guest bedroom.

 

Vintage Love

I love just about anything vintage - which includes advertisements.  A little “Madmen style” goes a long way with me.  But I have to question whether my skill at boiling an egg would qualify me to make AND embroider a blouse!

Dang, my Husqvarna didn’t come with this kind of guarantee…..

From one with some experience, she needs to be careful on the ladder ;o) 

I want her hat

Really?  Stout?  Call me stout now and see what happens. 

 

Leaving the painting to the professionals....

I used to think Home improvements were my “thing”….I’ve changed out a bathroom sink faucet, installed ceramic tile, wallpapered and painted more bedrooms than I care to think about.  All without incident – no hammer mishaps (still have all my fingers) but my streak of luck ended on July 5^th.  I was fortunate to have a 4-day weekend for the holiday and decided to paint the family room.  Since the room has 12 foot ceilings, I had to drag in the 8ft step ladder to reach the top of the wall.  I had just finished “cutting in” all the windows, doors and ceiling – not sure if I was excited to finally get to the “roller” part or too concerned about whacking the tv, but when I brought my right leg around to start my descent down the ladder I missed the rung and fell about 5ft to the floor.    Well, more like a body slam to the floor!  I landed on my left side – thought I’d dislocated my shoulder, since elbow and wrist went numb, but within a few minutes I was able to move my shoulder around.  After a trip to the emergency room, I had nothing broken but had traumatized the nerve and tendon from my elbow to my wrist.  Oh man, this is torture for me – I’ve got painting to finish, yard work to do, and 12 people coming over for a bbq the very next weekend…. now I’ve buggered up my arm and hauling it around in a sling.  Let me just say, when I dig a hole for myself, I dig it deep……….

All worked out just fine, but I’m still in pain and now my Doc has suggested I see a specialist for an MRI.  Not sure, but that doesn’t sound good. 

 

Each time this little guys shows up I run for my camera.  And for weeks I run back only to watch him fly off.  This particular day he hung around – I figured he felt sorry for the “old outta breath chick with her arm in a sling” as he hung out for a full photo shoot.

 

 

Baseball, Bindings and Bloomage

It’s happened.  That’s me in the stands whoopin’ and hollerin’ at my grandkids to ruuuu-nnn faster!  I’ve became one of those nutty grandparents yelling “dig in” and “choke up on the bat”….I tell ya, I never shut up…..whether they’re in or outfield, I’ve got something to say…. And I’m sure the coaches just love me. *wink!

 

Ms. B’s first year in Blastball, prequel to T-Ball

  Little Man’s first year in coach pitch. 

This is the last week of the season, I'm going to miss going to their games! 

I doubt the coaches will miss me!

 

A binding we will go….

2 down, about 4 more quilts to go….

 

New Blooms on the south lawn,  oh who am I kidding - the backyard.

My new shady area tucked between the trees

 

 

 

 

Oh sure, a squirrel did it.....

Like I’m suppose to believe that?  While out back checking the new grass seed, The Hubs found my leaf bird bath broken.  When asked how it happened, he said he thought a squirrel had broken it.  Really?  A squirrel?  Oh sure, a few nights prior he’d seen a squirrel skirting around it.  Just me, but I think it would have to be a pretty big squirrel (like maybe groundhog sized) to knock the bird bath off the stand….so I say, I’m guessing a squirrel was involved, but maybe the dog was chasing the squirrel and knocked over the bird bath.  Oh no, he was pretty sure it was a squirrel and not HIS dog.  Regardless, the birds will have to bath elsewhere.

I can’t remember how many leaf castings I made before

one would fit on the stand.  I'll weep softly.

What do you think?  She looks guilty to me.

Spring Fever

I’ve been bitten by the gardening bug. I’m trying desperately to get my flower beds in order.  They’re in sad shape due to the drought last summer. Thought I’d lost a couple of shady area ferny type plants, I babied them all summer long, watering, adding a little fertilizer, putting up little obstacles so the dog couldn’t trample only to have them dwindle away by late July. Surprisingly, they returned this spring, but I lost a few other perennials I thought were in good shape.  No green thumb under these garden gloves!

 

 

Lastly, my Yellow Brick Road Rose bush – a wonderful gift from my Beta Sigma Phi sisters, for being the out-going Prez this past year. 

Much appreciated!

How much time does that leave for quilting?  A big fat zero for me!  I can’t tell you the last time I’ve used my sewing machine.   A while back I decided to “finish-up” some projects gathering dust.  I’m ashamed to say I’ve got a stack of quilts without the binding on them.  Binding and I do not get alone.  I told myself to suck it up and get busy on some binding or I wouldn’t let myself start another project.  Without much... kicking and screaming, I’m on my second quilt binding.

2nd quilt without binding