Sew-cation Results

I always get more done when I allot a few days to just sewing.  This Sew-cation did get me some good results.  Today I do have to clean-up, run errands, etc.  But here is what I accomplished:

The binding is applied to Peter and Jessica's picnic quilt.  You might remember some of these fabrics from Peter and Jessica's party here.  I'm giving it to them for their second anniversary on June 29.  The first anniversary is supposed to be paper (we gave them a gift certificate); the second anniversary is supposed to be cotton.  So I'll use that to justify why it took so long to get this done.  This quilt is HEAVY.  I really need to find a light weight batting that I can maneuver better.  It took almost a whole day to apply the binding to the quilt because it was so dang heavy.  If you can recommend a lightweight batting, I would sure appreciate any suggestions!

Check this one off my list as well.  This is for the Civil War program.  I've applied the binding and began hand sewing it on the back last night.  I love to sew at night but I can't see well enough to embroider in the evening (despite a variety of lights including an ott light).  Binding is easier on my eyes and I now have a stack of quilts to bind which makes me sooooo happy :)

Got this quilted and applied binding as well.  I'm going to be pretty busy at night!  Two other projects that went astray:

Didn't get these done the way I wanted because I didn't like something with the embroidery. So I ripped and am restitching some things.  

Every morning I am watering some part of the garden with my soaker hoses.  Thank goodness for the soakers!  We haven't had rain since April 21st.  I can live without grass (indeed I have no grass in my backyard) but I so love my flowers and foliage.  Hopefully we will get some rain Wednesday AND Thursday but we will see.

Have a wonderful day!

Sew-cation 2015

I've been working in the garden a lot this week.  Getting the garden ready for visitors and the summer season is always a lot of work but so worth it once the weather is truly warm (the temp was in the 40s this morning).  

The hubs is working, the kids aren't coming home for the weekend and I actually fell asleep at 8 p.m. last night, I was so tired from working outdoors.  I feel as if I need a sew-cation.  What sounds better than a relaxing weekend of sewing?

I don't have a ton of projects on my list.  I just want to:  1-- get the binding applied to Peter and Jessica's quilt, 2-- quilt and apply binding to a mini quilt for our Civil War program, 3 and 4-- put together two mini quilts tops for my embroidery program.  I think these projects are do-able for one weekend and won't make me feel like I'm juggling too much.

I'll be posting photos as I can because I need to be accountable to get these things done this weekend.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Remember those who have fallen and say some prayers for their families.

Dog TV

Greta visited yesterday and was so excited when she looked over the wall and saw a REAL LIVE CAT!  George (the cat) was out lounging on the back porch of my neighbor's home. 

Our first poodle, Paddie, used to enjoy looking over the wall at the world and that is when we originally called this region "dog tv".  She could stand for hours looking over the wall.  The wall was shorter then, built up for a variety of reasons (including Teddy our dog who could be neurotic when he saw the cat or anything else).  Anyway, this was truly exciting for Greta!  I was so proud of her because she didn't bark once at him, she was just thrilled to see a cat--so close and one that actually moved!!!

Seamus was less than thrilled.  He loves George and even visits him but losing Greta as a playmate was NOT what he called a good visit.  SO HE barked at George--an unusual behavior for Seamus.

Fortunately the two poodles made up later on and ended up lounging indoors once the heat got too high to be outsides.  

Hope the weather is tolerable for you!  We are expecting cooler temps later this week.  Have a great week everyone!! 

8 pointed star

I live in a neighborhood that is going through a transition.  Because many of the residents are elderly, we are seeing more houses go on sale and more estate sales.  I like to attend the sales on the off chance that I might find an old quilt.  It's surprising how often I do.  Here is a bad photograph of what I picked up on Saturday.  Many apologies for the lack of quality but it is tough to get a good photo right now in my house:

This is from the first half of the 19th century and is in really good shape although the fold creases look to be decades old.  I can't wait to show my appraiser and quilt study group it!

Hope the stars are all aligned in a positive place for you today!  We are fortunate.  Even if we haven't had rain (for weeks), we at least have cooler temperatures today.  Have a wonderful day!

Busy, busy, busy!

Life is busy these days!  April, May and June are usually three of my busiest months for lectures and this year is no different.  Fortunately, my husband has been home while I've been traveling so Seamus has had company while I've been away.  When I have been home, I've been working in the garden.  

This was not an easy task because I have seasonal allergies in the spring.  This year I just bit the bullet and got it done this week.  I was tired of the winter mess.  I'll post more photos of the garden after Tuesday.  

This weekend my son came home and helped me mulch the front yard.  We had a great time and my husband cooked dinner for Mom and I on Saturday.  It was a sweet weekend and I hope you all had a great time as well!  Happy Belated Mother's Day!