We're gettin' close!

January BOM

 

The month of April will be the completion of the Carol Doak BOM Mystery (yahoo group).  The February block has just been posted (early!)  I could be wrong, but I think Carol will post one more block for March and the "big reveal" for setting instructions will be in April.  I'm nervous and excited all at the same time - Carol's mystery instructions were for a 2-color quilt, and with me being on a "fabric restriction diet" (I've banned myself from buying any more fabric), I didn't have enough of any one fabric to do the mystery.  It only occurred to me recently, I could have done a scrappy red and white or scrappy blue and white quilt....since I've always wanted a 2-color quilt I feel like a loon for not thinking of it!

Aint nothin’ Bitty about it!

When my middle granddaughter asked for an American Girl Doll for Christmas, I nearly went into spasms.  Ok, sure….they’re adorable dolls, fantastic accessories, but slightly on the pricey side.  I cringed and wondered how in the world I could justifying the purchase.  Low and behold, about a week later I get a call from my sister-in-law saying the Today Show is offering a discount code to order Marie Grace discounted to $50.  Now we’re talkin’!  I can certainly justify that!   The internet was abuzz that morning with people talking about the discounted dolls and patiently waiting for the release of the secret code.  Thankfully, I had my order filled out to the point of entering the code and completing the check-out process because later I heard the dolls were sold out by the time the West coast received the code (which is really too bad for them).

Two weeks later, I had Marie Grace in my hot little hands.  By the time Christmas Eve arrived, I could hardly wait for Shells to open her new doll.  Oh, but it gets better – not once did I think about how my youngest granddaughter would react….oh no, not once did I wonder if she’d want an AG for Christmas as well.  I was smart enough to order 2 Marie Grace’s, but Beezer is a tiny 3 yr old.  So my plan was to hold on to the doll a couple of years, then give to her.  Not a bad plan, unless little Beezer wants a baby doll sooner.  With her birthday the first week of January (turning 4), I decided to purchase Beezer the Bitty Baby.  Again about a $50 purchase, but I’ve already set this expensive ride in motion.   

I knew I should have ordered on-line, but nooooo I figured it was just as easy to run to the AG store (you know, save on shipping), plus I was wanted to see first-hand what all the hubbub was about.  Omgosh, it was like I drank the pink koolaid when I crossed the threshold of the store.  I went nuts, not only did I purchase Beezer the Bitty Baby, but I added the accessory pack as well.  And the madness didn’t stop there….I also purchased the Kid size matching pajamas.  I totally lost my mind and I’ve decided I'm never going back to that store…..it’s bewitching.

Once I regained my senses I decided the AG’s needed doll quilts.  For this, I went to the scrap bins….

My niece Em has a set of bunk beds for her AG's. 

 

 Shell's Marie Grace will get to snuggle with this one.

 

Happy New Year! sorta.....

All through the month of December, I told myself I'd blog more often - it would be my New Year's resolution if you will.  It seemed a whole lot easier than saying ......I'd lose weight, exercise more, etc.  Right?  Well, here it is the 16th of the month and I'm just now getting around to it.  Not only did I lag in posting, but my BOM's have suffered as well.  With all the Holiday festivities, it was hard to stay on track with anything (that is, for me!). 

 

Carol Doak BOM for October

 

 

Carol Doak BOM for November

 

...and the stocking were hung by the chimney with care....

I'm my own worst enemy....my cup runneth over with unfinished projects, yet I took on another. The Hub's daughter asked if I made Christmas stockings?  I never have, with 3 of my own children and 4 grandchildren, I'd never made anyone a stocking.  I'd bought the premade needlepoint stockings with their names embroidered on them. Had I taken on the stocking project, my youngest child at 23 still wouldn't have a stocking to date.

This was a little different, Kate wanted a quilted stocking - something "cutesy and girly" for her new baby girl. Hmm, ok - sure, I'm up for the challenge.  At All People Quilt I found a Joy-Stocking pattern I liked.  Didn't care for the "Joy" applique, so I left it off.  Added heel and toe caps and elfish looking trim around the top.  This is what I came up with.....

 

 

 

Yep, cutesy & girly!!

 

An Apple a Day......

When my friend Jennifer decided to make an applecore quilt for her Mother, I got really excited for her.  I’ve never made one – didn’t know anyone who had made one, so anything new to me is exciting.  Ha!  That is, until she told me the horrors of putting one together.  I couldn’t imagine such a thing…..it’s so beautiful, how could it be so bad?  Jen invited Dora and myself over for a sewing day.  She asked if we would help assemble the cores into rows with her.  I couldn’t pack up my machine fast enough, I love a good challenge!  I arrived, got set up and was ready to let’er rip! 

Before I dump on it too bad, I should mention I was on the downhill side of the worst flu I’ve ever had in my life.  Truly, I had no business being there, but I had already missed one sewing day with Jen and Dora and refused to miss another.   Ok, Jen was on to something….these were a nightmare.  There was some rippin’ going on, but it was a seam ripper and not the humming of my machine.  As a last resort I started pinning mine, as I couldn’t keep my cores together and sew all at the same time. I'm sure it was my illness! ;o).  By the time I mastered “the core” the whole day had flown by and I accomplished 2 rows of 24 cores.  Jen and Dora pieced about the same.   At this speed, I hope it’s a Mother Day gift and not a Christmas gift!

A few rows complete......

After a group effort

Back to school....

I took a fabulous road trip with Jennifer and her sister Holly to southern Illinois.  We were lucky enough to be traveling during the peak of leaves changing color.  One would have thought I would return with gorgeous pictures, but I did not.  I did take a few pics of the B&B we stayed at.  The Davies School Inn which is an old school house converted to a B&B.  Comfortable beds and plenty of room to spread out!  I highly recommend. 

Spooky spider web!

A must have for my yard next year.  So beautiful.

Did you know Hancock's of Paducah closes by 3pm on a Saturday afternoon?  I'm the last to know such an important detail......

Since we were in the neighborhood (about an hour north), we decided to buzz south to Paducah so we could ooh and ahh over the massive fabric collection at Hancock's.  Imagine the disappointment when we pull into the parking lot at 4:00 PM....  The entire car went silent.  Clearly, we were fabric junkies looking for our next fix and fell apart when we didn't think we'd get it.  Thankfully, Quilter's Alley located in downtown Paducah was still open.  What seemed utter disappointment, quickly turned into one of the best quilt shop stops I've ever had.  The shop owner and assistant were awesome.  Not only did they show us around the shop, but demonstrated new products, showed us a few sewing technics and kept the shop open way past closing.  Genuinely nice ladies! 



Finally! Some color...

...but, not much.  By the time Fall arrived, I was sure every plant in the yard would be dead.  Most were, except these beautiful autumn blossoming perennials. Granted, these are a bit scraggly looking but it’s the best my yard produced this season.  So, I’ll take it! 

By far, Autumn is my very favorite time of the year.  Since summer seemed to drag on for so long, and temps weren't cooling down fast enough for me - I decided to start a little Fall table topper or wall hanging (still undecided).  It's a freebie from Kaaren over at The Painted Quilt.  She's so creative and shares her own creations every few months.  Instead of applique, I did a simple embroidery stitch.