Sail Away

Here's a quilt I picked up recently at a flea market.  It is a common ship quilt but these aren't often found around this part of the valley.  Two of the sail boats are invisible on this photo because the fabric faded.  Anyway I like it because so many of our family members are in the navy.  Might have to make my own one day...

Smalls

I'm working on a bigger project but have finished some small projects as well:

Made some pennants for two of my nieces to decorate for Halloween.  One is in her first dorm room and the other has an apartment but LOVES Halloween.  Instead of just storing the scraps I threw them in this crazy table runner for niece's dining room table.  At least the fabric is all used up.  Then I got a special request for a brick themed bag.  Turns out the brick fabric works well with some of the leftover cat fabric I have so I'll probably make another small with those scraps (anything but storing).

In other news, one of my dear friends made this quilt for Peter and Jessica.  Pete loves Autumn colors so I know they will both appreciate it.   Here they are snuggling under it after they got it (sweet newlyweds).  Isn't it lovely? Have a great day and happy sewing!

And the hits keep on coming...

OK, not so much hits but action around here continues to roll along.  This week the repair on the front roof commenced, only to develop in a new roof on the front of the house:

So far this year, we have replaced the central air and hot water heater, had major masonry done on the house, chimney and garage, now the roof plus DH is working on the garage (see photo of dogs above).  We had structural damage repaired on the garage after we removed two trees that were alongside it when we moved in.  DH and I worked yesterday painting but he has taken over as my hands can't do much more these days.  It will be grey the same as our siding and fence.  Today he is up on the ladders doing the top parts of the garage.  Then we will do the windows.

The garden has taken a hit for sure with all the construction but it is good to get it all out of the way at once.  We will, however, have the back roof done next spring.  The roofer didn't have that on his schedule and to be honest, doing our roof is problematic.  The guys have to be on safety harnesses because of the odd pitch of the house.

Our house is 96 years old.  I'm thinking we should have a 100th birthday party in 2017 to celebrate the centennial of the little cottage.  It was the first house in this part of town and probably by that time, we will have fixed even more of it.

So I'm not on the blog right now a lot but I look forward to a winter of sewing and quiet (indoor) projects. I'm off to get some more clean up done in the garden. Have a great day!

Linda's tablerunner and horses

I used 5 of the last 6 wonder blocks to make a table runner for Linda's new sunroom/kitchen/dining area.  She had a specific size she wanted and it worked well with the blocks plus she loved the colors in the blocks.  Her new baby horse is really growing!!  Niina is only 5 months old but look how big she has grown!  Doesn't she look adorable with her Mom?  The other two horses are Maysie and Calada (don't ask me for correct spelling).  Aren't her horses gorgeous?

Yahoo-- BAD Need email advice...Please share your preferences

I have had a Yahoo account since the 1990s.  However, I am having so many problems with their email system and thought I would ask people about their email preferences.  Yahoo continues to change their formats and I spend about a day or two figuring out new versions which seem to be "updated" (translation: more complicated).

I woke up today to a whole new system again and now I can barely read the font they are using.  What do you use and how often does the format change?  I am looking for a normal email system that is easy to read, etc.

Any insight would be so helpful!
Thanks, Mickie

A little present

I finished a little present for my friend LoLo.  We worked together in my past life as a college administrator.  We often did 'liquid lunches'--back before there was a coffee shop on every corner, we frequented the first one in our city, sneaking out and loading up on caffeine.  Our lives are so different now.  LoLo is finally pursuing her longtime dream of becoming a nurse and just started her hands on courses this fall.  I'm only doing quilt lectures and programs and spending happy times with my family and garden.  

Anyway, we still keep in touch and I hope to see her soon.  If you are interested in the pattern, I got it at Urban Threads which is one of my favorite places to buy funky embroidery patterns.

Have a great day!

Asian inspired:

Throw quilt completed! 

 I found this wonderful Asian inspired print:

 To match a number of wonder blocks I had:

I think the fabric was exactly what I needed.  I have a few wonder blocks left and am going to use those for another project and then I can scratch these UFO blocks off my list!

How's life where you are?