Sunday, October 28, 2018

HQAL - November 2018

Here's what I've been up to for the last three weeks:



I sewed on the binding - everything else I did on the machine. Can you tell I love my new machine?


Starry Bright BOM was hand embroidered. I managed to get it sandwiched and machine quilted


And this was really fun. We have a new A.C. Moore craft store in our area. They had bags of yarn and while I was shopping ran across a bin to collect hand made scarves and hats. I don't make hats, but I can make scarves. This is the first one ready to go. I had enough yarn to make one more.


Now there are two :)


More binding :)


Another fun Halloween wall hanging. I actually purchased this one before I made the skulls. Honey Do really liked it and made the suggestion where it hangs. I had a little moving to do but nothing major.

I'm pretty happy with all that's accomplished because my motivation has been pretty scarce lately.

Don't forget to check out what my partners in this endeavor are up to here.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19 NIVUK




Goal Report for October 22, 2018

Goals for October 22, 2018:

1. FIND SOME MOTIVATION AND FOCUS !!!


I did manage to find a little motivation, just not necessarily for what I wanted it for. It was another crazy busy week. My mornings are spent in devotions and Bible study homework, then I take the dogs out. We had a pretty windy storm pass through a week ago and I'm still cleaning up all the sticks and branches that came down. To be fair, I'm only doing it when the dogs do out and not making it a concentrated effort. A few more outings and it will be done.

2. Crochet Scarf #2
- finish DONE



Not only did I get number two done, but a third and the fourth is begun. I dropped these two off and purchased more yarn so I can keep going. At least something is showing some progress.

**

3. Witch Hazel
- start assembly


I haven't begun sewing yet, but the first half of this project is laid out (this photo doesn't show all the progress, just mirror the right side to the left :) I am determined to begin sewing on Monday.


4. CQ Block
- try stitching 30 minutes everyday

No progress

5. House Quilt
- trying quilting 30 minutes everyday


No progress

So what should my goals be for the coming week, October 29, 2018:

1. Witch Hazel
- begin sewing

- work on second half

2. Scarf
- finish the fourth scarf

3. Download November patterns

I'm stopping here because #1 is pretty time consuming and I'd rather have a short list progressing than a long one with nothing to show.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a week filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8 NIVUK




Monday, October 22, 2018

Monday Goals

Monday Goals . . . 

One of them this week was to find some motivation, so after everyone left I started my daily routine. The one I have when I done have to look for motivation first.

One of my goals for this week is already done, finished Sunday evening while watching Netflix.  I don't know about you all that subscribe to Netflix, but I'm having a really hard time finding anything decent to watch.

Anyway, the finished goal . . . 



I finished the second scarf for A.C. Moore's collection. I'll drop it off Tuesday when I drive by on my way home from Bible Study.

Another unofficial goal is to get the sticks picked up that the storm Saturday night brought down. Lots of little ones. It's the perfect activity while the dogs run and play.


Sugar especially loves "helping" clean up. Right smack in the middle of everything.

When we weren't outside, I worked on Witch Hazel.
She's coming along, but this is a really slow process of cutting and placing and ironing on the grid.


So far I like what I'm seeing. I'm hoping once I get to the sewing stage it will move along much faster.

Enjoy your Monday.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:5 NIVUK



Goals for October 22, 2018

Goals for October 22, 2018:

1. FIND SOME MOTIVATION AND FOCUS !!!

2. Crochet Scarf #2
- finish

3. Witch Hazel
- start assembly

4. CQ Block
- try stitching 30 minutes everyday

5. House Quilt
- trying quilting 30 minutes everyday

Since motivation is at a premium, I'm keeping the list short. I'm also hoping and praying to be home a little more this week. It cuts into my motivation and productivity.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

Start children off  on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6 NIVUK

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Slow Sunday . . . enjoying my blessings


Aren't these great words to live by?
Well, I am this weekend.
I've taken the attitude that I will do what I do as it comes up and the mood strikes.

I started both days with devotions and Bible study. I'm finding the more time I spend in the Word, the more I want to. I have several Bible related "studies" happening . . . 

devotions which includes a reading through Our Daily Bread, a verse of the day through an app on my phone, Proverbs 31 (a 15 day study, verse by verse), writing out Proverbs (long-hand because in Deuteronomy 17 it literally tells us to), my Tuesday study of People of the Old Testament and Zecchariah with a friend. 

I know, that's a lot going on, and I'm not telling you about because I'm want something other than to share with you how much God loves us and wants to spend time with us. It feels really good and is very satisfying. It really doesn't take as much time as you think and you get out of it what you put in it.

I moved on from here and did things like laundry, dishes, prepped meals. 

Here's what else is going on in my space in the universe :)



A new resident. Yes, I know . . . but I find them fascinating. She was gone for a few days and reappeared Saturday morning. Now that the temperature has dropped, not sure what she'll do, but her babies are secure for the winter. She's big but harmless, except maybe for the aphids. She's a garden spider. And I think she's gorgeous !!!



If you don't live in the north, you might not recognize these as snow clouds. Yes, I uttered that four-letter word that no one ever wants to hear, except us snow-babies. This is what our skies have looked like all week. Most of the week, they didn't do anything. No rain, no snow.

Saturday, however, they did. Thunder, rain, winds and graupel.




Never heard of graupel? Me either, until Saturday morning's forecast. It's the small ice pellets with the sudden drop of temperature during rain. So they are tiny hail - they don't do any damage, melts quickly.

 

I managed to get the last of the vegetables picked, so when the weather got ugly the garden was done.

Honey Do helped me finish winterizing before the rains and winds came in Saturday afternoon. I pulled up all the leftover plants, spread lime and dried, crushed egg shells and he tilled it all in. Once he was done, he put away the tools while I straightened, applied the remaining lime and spread the hay my sister generously shared (when it becomes stale and the horses won't it, it becomes mulch for my garden).

I finished just as the rain came down full force and boy did the temperature drop!!

Sunday dawned to a lot of branches in the yard, very cold temperatures. It's been cold enough this week that Honey Do turned on the furnace. So we're toasty in the house with our video games, cooking, and sewing.

Speaking of sewing, I haven't done much this week, but I finally started that new project I was telling you about on my goal list.

Her name is Witch Hazel.


She is adorable :)

Assembly is using a gridded stabilizer, which I've never done before. All the fabric is cut out and I've begun sewing the HST (half square triangles). 

Unfortunately the instructions aren't very clear so it's going to be a slow process. Prior to purchasing this pattern and embellishment kit, I purchased one from the designer that is a Santa. No he's not done either.

I couldn't find the grid that already had adhesive on it, so I had to make my own using fusible web. I think that's going to be the easiest part of the whole project. I'll keep you posted, as I'm supposed to make two of these. One for BF's birthday this month (nothing like last minute) and one for myself. We shall see how far either of them get :)

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

Finally, brothers and sisters, 
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable -
if anything is excellent and praiseworthy -
think about such things.

Phillipians 4:8 NIVUK

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Goal report - October 8, 2018

October 8, 2018:

1. Halloween wall hanging
- finish binding

DONE



2. Crochet scarf
- finish length
- add fringe

DONE



And this was really fun. We have a new A.C. Moore craft store in our area. They had bags of yarn and while I was shopping ran across a bin to collect hand made scarves and hats. I don't make hats, but I can make scarves. This is the first one ready to go. I have enough yarn to make at least one more.


3. BFF birthday gift
- make something :)
I've decided on a project, chose the fabrics and got all my supplies together. It's just not done.

4. Busy Bee
- finish first border

no progress

5. Starry Bright
- finish stitching block
- sandwich, quilt

DONE



Starry Bright BOM was hand embroidered. I managed to get it sandwiched and machine quilted.

And the extras:


A Halloween wall hanging. I quilted the whole thing, you just can't see it because it's black. It was fun and my guys love it.


Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you days filled with kindness.



Verse of the day:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Slow Saturday

(image from Yahoo)

Today is starting early and overcast. There's even mention of snow and graupel (frozen rain, not quite hail) in the forecast. I've been dragging ten tails all week and have decided today I'm going to get something done.

Early here, on a Saturday is before 7 a.m. Most of the week, it's been around 5 or 5:30 (not by choice) and today it was just before 6 . . . yes, for a Saturday, that's early. I'm thrilled if I don't have to get up before 7.

First trip outside, breakfast, clean up the kitchen, start the laundry, devotions and Bible study homework.

And then I started reading my emails and cleaning out the box. It amazes me how many unsolicited emails show up. But honestly, I couldn't keep up with more than one email, so I just do a lot of clicking and deleting. It's all time consuming :(

But then you run across your friends' blogs and some really fun, encouraging projects and you know why you take the time.

And I ran across some free projects I thought you might be interest in too :)

This is one of my favorites. They didn't disappoint. Download and save for later.


(image from Thermoweb)



Jenny always has beautiful designs to stitch and this one is now esception.

(image from Jenny of Elefantz)



Here's another fun, BOM. I have the patterns, just haven't made them yet. Not sure why :)

(image from Bunny Hill Designs)


Pat is always giving away something for free. This is no exception. You will have to scroll down the page to find it, but it's there. (Look for the pink boxes)

(image from Pat Sloan)

This would be really easy to do seasonally.


This one is really cute. Save the Bees. Something we should all be very conscientious about because the honey bees are quickly becoming endangered.
This one is heading quickly to block four, but it's still available.


These are just a few that have hit my emails in the last few weeks. Check them out. I don't want to be the only one who has more choices than she'll ever be able to finish.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:5 NIV










Thursday, October 18, 2018

Less than productive

It has been a less than productive week around here. I knew I had things to do away from home, I just didn't expect it to be every day. The cooler temperatures, today is only a high of 50 degrees, seems to be affecting my old bones.

Monday I ran all the errands I didn't do on Friday because Newton didn't have school. I took advantage of that to get his annual physical done, along with grocery shopping.

Tuesday I went to my Bible Study.

Wednesday I had another appointment with Newton.

I have been able to work on the second scarf. This is what the first one looks like.


I also finished a second wall hanging. I purchased this one before I did the skulls and got it done this week.


It's hard to see all the quilting that I did, but trust me it's done :)
The finding is skeletal bones. My guys loved it.

So my goals for Thursday are to try and find some motivation. I have to run to the local chocolate factory - yes, I said chocolate factory - and pick up chocolate bars for Honey Do's office. 


It's close and on the way to the office. I try to include some in my Shoebox Swap every year.

So my goal for today . . .

Find some motivation to get something else done :)

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

This is how we know what love is:  Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.
And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

1 John 3:16 NIVUK

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Enjoying Remnants of Summer

It is October 10 . . .

We have had temperatures ranging between 80 and 90 degrees . . .

Warm, muggy, breezy, gorgeous !!!

So we are enjoying the last remnants of summer because we have a cold front coming in later today and by Friday . . .

it won't even be 60 !!!


Probably the last load of laundry to hang on the line this season.


Sugar up close and personal with the deer. This was amazing to watch how close she got and that neither of them appeared to be threatened by the other.



This is all that's left of my vegetable garden . . .
 brussel sprouts, eggplant and some peppers.


Nina and Taz enjoying the sunshine and warmth.


Sugar burning some excess energy (and she has a lot of it) with Nina's help.

I hope you have enjoyed your summer and are enjoying the days that remain. Autumn seems to come later each year and stays for a shorter period of time. All of our trees are still green. There's a full moon around the 24th and I'm told that will bring the "killing frost" which will end our growing season. Indian summer will provide the changes in color and then we'll be into winter.

Let's enjoy what we have at the moment. I sure intend to.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24 NIVUK


Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Goal Report for October 1, 2018

Goals for October 1, 2018:

1. House Quilt
- 30 mins per day
no progress

2. Crazy Quilt block
- 30 mins per day
no progress

3. BOMs
- download done, at least the ones that have been published
- start prepping them yes, making progress


Jenny of Elefantz Year in the Garden BOM
Follow the link, this one is a no-cost design generously provided by Jenny. You can still get them until the end of the year.


Another generously shared design at no cost.
Follow the link  :)


Starry Bright
Block 10



Color Block Challenge
Follow the link :)
This one is still available at no cost.

4. Sweet Land of Liberty
- prep first block
no progress

5. Cherie Payne memory QAL
- prep first block
no progress

I did work on some other things that weren't on my list:



Busy Bee
This was supposed to be a wall hanging. The block of the month started in January, 2018. I've decided I want mine to be queen size, so I'm going to add more borders to get it where I want it. I'm hoping to finish it yet this year.


I received an email from Therm-o-web with this suggested design. You could purchase the skull pattern from her, or find one of your own. Her's was cute, but I found one I like and was more appropriate for my guys' ages :) 

The designer also made hers into a pillow and I opted for a wall hanging. All that's left to do on this one is the binding.

Follow the link for the instructions and link to her pattern.



I'm also crocheting some scarves that will go in a donation collection at the local A.C. Moore craft store. They are new to us and I was thrilled to find this. I need to add a little more length and some fringe and the first one will be finished.


Along with the wall hanging, I cute some fabric for a quilt that I'm working along side Susan. She's designing the blocks, I'm tagging along :)


So now I should come up with a list of things I would like to accomplish this coming week, October 8, 2018:

1. Halloween wall hanging
- finish binding

2. Crochet scarf
- finish length
- add fringe

3. BFF birthday gift
- make something :)

4. Busy Bee
- finish first border

5. Starry Bright
- finish stitching block
- sandwich, quilt

I'm going to leave it here and see if I can't get these things done.



Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you days filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on thm.

John 3:36



Monday, October 1, 2018

A finish that almost wasn't

Do you see this face?


This is Sugar "Bear"
She was 10 weeks old when we got her at the end of August. We've had her about four weeks now. She is growing like a bad weed, funny, energetic, sweet, lovable. She gets along well with all the other dogs, including Rocky.


Although, he may disagree ;)

When she came to us, we were told she was a "miracle" puppy. She was parvovirus positive, which is why she was so old. I called the shelter everyday for a week trying to secure her. Once we got her home, she still had to be quarantined from the other dogs for three weeks. 

No one else got sick, she's thriving and we love her to pieces.

Now, what does all that have to do with "a finish that almost wasn't" ?

Here it is . . . 

It's hard to tell with all the white, but the tan bits you see on the left side . . . That's what's left of a small, wooden embroidery hoop. The stabilizer on the back was shredded and is now non-existent.


The good news, she didn't damage the stitchery itself as it was almost finished. I had one more flower to stitch.

And today, I can report a finish :)


There are seven different stitches in this project. The instructions only called for two - back stitch and french knots.
I added basket weave, stem/outline stitch, satin stitch, split stitch and turkey stitch.
I think the more variety of stitches you can add to a project, the more interesting and textural it becomes.


The stitchery was a gift from Susan and I absolutely love it.

It will be placed in our guestroom.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

The LORD is near to all who call on him, 
to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145:18 NIVUK