What we did . . . Tuesday

It was another gorgeous morning. Autumn is definitely in the air with the cooler mornings.

However the forecast was still almost 90 and it was humid. 

I'll enjoy the mornings while I have them.

First up was Maggie's First Dance.

 

We are half way through this block of the month. There is only one more feature block for September, alternating blocks will be in October and November will be borders and finishing this fun quilt top.  I'll work on Block 4 next week instead of this week.

For leaders and enders, I made a 9-patches.

I have an update for my Shoebox Swap coming up really fast. Boxes get mailed out the week following Thanksgiving.

Anyway, I have collected 13 of the 24 FQs. I will collected the rest in September and October.

(image from yahoo.com)

Another update, Row by Rows. I've managed to collect all either rows for this year's top. I can make it any size I want with the incorporation of sashing and borders. This is my second collection. Not sure if I'll be collecting next year (dependant on the theme). I already have so much I want to do and finish I don't really need any further distractions. I gathered them up Monday evening when I was trying to put a few things away toward getting organized again.

Honey Do and I decided to spend the day at home. He did time on the computer and then took 15 minutes outside to "organize" his fishing gear . . . Just so he could say he got some sun :)

Besides Maggie, I did some laundry, pulled a few (very few) weeds. The thistle thinks it should be permitted to take over. Naturally, I disagree - it's an ongoing battle. The birds appreciated cool, fresh water in their baths. I spent the rest of the day blanket-stitching Maggie.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with countless blessings.

And we're off . . .

To a good week :)

Monday dawned beautifully. The temperatures have dropped a bit from the 90s to the mid 80s. The mornings outside with the dogs are especially pleasant. Even though we don't have to get up at 5:30 for work, we still need to get up by 7 for school. Honey Do spends as much time as he is able with Newton and this time off is more about de-stressing from work and timing - first chance he's had to get the time off. It also gives Honey Do and myself some much needed time together.

After a leisurely morning, we took the 20 minute ride to the lake and Honey Do did what he loves - fishing. He set himself up on the dock for a couple of hours.

It's a gorgeous little lake.

Rocky and I did more walking . . . 

around the swimming pool and gardens.

These gardens cater to the butterflies, which we didn't see . . .

birds, lots of yellow finches - good luck getting their photos . . .

and beetles.

I could identify some of the perennials, but not many. These gardens were beautifully in their prime.

We came home and had a light lunch. Honey Do spent the afternoon on the computer. I spent the afternoon either outside with the dogs or working on my lace cabin, which is now finally finished !!!

 

First goal of the week complete.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with countless blessings.

Changing routines

This past week has been really busy changing from my summer routine to autumn - yes, even though it's still August.

School began on Monday. . .

Bible Study begins in two weeks . . . 

I spent a morning just visiting Mom . . . 

Friday I helped Honey Do out at work and that will continue for a few more weeks.

 

Honey Do is on vacation this week, we started it out by going fishing. One of his favorite past times and one he doesn't indulge in very often. 

It was a gorgeous evening and while Honey Do and Newton fished, Rocky and I walked around. He was having a great time investigating all sorts of new scents.

My week wasn't as productive as I would have liked.

Goals for last week:

1. UFO - 2 autumn themed table runners
1 done

2. Lace Cabin
progress made - not done

3. Maggie's First Dance
not done

4. Flannel quilt
not done

5. Library book project
not done

I did manage to get a few 9-patches completed and drew off Block 20 of Bee-utiful. Honestly, I'm surprised I got done as much as I did with all the comings and goings.

Goals for the week of August 29, even though Honey Do is on vacation:

1. Lace Cabin - "get 'er done !!!

2. Maggie's First Dance - August and September's blocks

3. UFO - 2nd table runner

4. Library book project - so the book can be returned

5. Flannel quilt - it's a Christmas gift and I have other sewing still to do, so it needs done.

Thanks for stopping by, 

Wishing you a day filled with countless blessings.

Midweek progress

Wednesday started out as an absolutely gorgeous day!! We started out breezy, sunny and 73 degrees. Rain was forecast for later. I'm enjoying the respite from the 90s :)

I'm pleased with all the progress for my goals this week even with all the "new school year" activities.

First, the tree is finally done on my Lace Cabin. I've also started on the small fir tree. Once the "big" tree is done, the rest of the block goes very quickly.

Next the UFO! I purchased this kit a year ago. It makes two table runners. One was for me and the other for BF. She has an October birthday and I always gift her something autumn related.

My morning was spent at an appointment with Newton, birthday shopping for Honey Do and a trip to my favorite thrift store. I had a 50% off total purchase coupon and ended up spending less than $20 !!! A trip well worth my time.

Afternoon respite in the back yard enjoying the sunshine.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with countless blessings.

Progress made . . . goals met

Goals for week of August 15, 2016:

1.  Beehive - finished

 

2.  Lace Cabin - Progress made. I moved my hoop !! This was also my Friday Night Sew-in project while I watched the Olympics :)

3. Nine Patches - one completely finished, 17 sets sewn into rows waiting to be pressed, and 6 +/- that still need to be done.

4.  Bee-utiful - progressing. 20 blocks and stabilizers cut. 18 of 20 patterns drawn off.



5. UFO - 2015 Mystery QAL. Quilted and bound and completely finished. It is large enough to cover the top of my queen size bed :)

I feel really good about the progress I've made this week. It's the most productive I've felt all summer.

School starts today and Honey Do will be on vacation next week. So I'm going to make the most of this week.

Here are my goals for the week of August 22, 2016:

1.  Lace Cabin
2.  Maggie's First Dance - Block 3
3.  Tie and bind flannel quilt (Christmas gift)
4.  One project from library books
5. - UFO - table runners (2)

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with countless blessings.

Helping "paws" . . . hinder "paws"

 One of my goals for this week was to finish a UFO

I pulled out the "mystery" quilt from 2015.

All that was left to do was to sandwich, quilt and bind it.

I spent the first part of the week getting it ready for machine quilting.

Rocky, being the nice, quiet, independent pup that he is . . .

came to help me . . . maybe hinder . . . 

He is definitely persistent and more than a bit demanding. But I give in every time :)

Hinder or not, the bin is now officially empty . . . 

"Fabulous"

 

The "mystery" of this was that you got instructions, no pictures and you were left to interpret. This is how mine came out. One of the instructions were to incorporate a word. Mine was "Be Fabulous" and that's where I'm getting the name. I'm not overly thrilled with this project, but I don't hate it. Now that it's done, I'm glad I did it. I have to say I prefer something much more structured.

I ran across these two beauties in my yard. 

Yes, it's in the air . . . 

autumn :)

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with countless blessings.

Friday Night Sew In . . . progress

 

It's that time of the month again :)

Head over to Ms. Wendy's for a sign-up. 

So, I've made some progress since my last post.

 :)

  

I've cut all the fabric and backing for Bee-utiful.

I've also managed to get a couple of designs drawn off. 

I also started working on the 9-patches. These are sets to be made and sets of three rows that still need to be assembled.

And my "Bee-hive" is stitched. This one was designed by Jacquelynne Steves and I just love it. At 10:30 p.m. I went into the sewing room and pulled fabric to finish it as a wall hanging. I'm going to revisit my choices and make sure they are ok before I start cutting and sewing. Of course, I'll keep you posted.

I also decided on a UFO.

 Here is the finished top from April, 2015. It was a mystery quilt and way outside my comfort zone. Well, I'm finally going to take the plunge and finish it.  It's about the size of a full size bed. So a decent size. I'm excited to have it finished. There are plenty more waiting in the wings.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with countless blessings.