Country Threads 2014

Until tomorrow, I am finally caught up on the CT 2014 BOM. I had fallen way behind, finishing my last blocks back in March. With this BOM, that is not good. Most months there are several blocks, and some are challenging, so it was a feat to get back on track.  The CT ladies also posted instructions for setting together the first third of the quilt. I am pleased with my planned scrappy color choices.  I do need to get some more light background in there, though.

This afternoon I decided to make one of the dog beds for our guys. A test of sorts, to see how they will hold up.  A nice scrap of soft corduroy, batting and wool scraps made this bed. I think Daisy approves. And it is a lot cheaper than the last three they have torn to shreds.

This is what I am working on. I don't know exactly why, except that it was on top of the UFO stack in the cubby I opened at two a.m. the other morning when I couldn't sleep.  It was a Thangles BOM from the long ago closed Heritage Quilts.  Seems that a large number of my UFOs seem to be sampler quilts.

And this is the stack of quilts that are now home and awaiting binding....two of them are UFOs.  The pink and green on the bottom is a rep weave rug for my kitchen that I wove last year and never did the finishing work.

Next week I MUST make the CNC raffle quilt and the valances for Ashley's classroom.

Put up four quarts of okra for frying today.  And readied fresh tomatoes, peas and okra for a big pot of homemade vegetable beef soup to cook in the crockpot tomorrow.  This has been a busy week in the garden.

Sara Ashley will be staying from tomorrow till Saturday evening while the rest of her family is at Chrysalis, so there won't be much stitching going on here.

GRATITUDES:

Tiny little chameleon lizards on my plants.

Serving a country meal that everyone enjoys.

Watermelons on our vines.

Take care,

Jennie

ER Lunch

It is always fun when the "old" ER staff gets together quarterly.

Left, front to back: John, Kitty, Kay, me.

Right, front to back: Dave, Angie, Pat, Pam.

Thanks, Miss Kitty, for always facilitating our get togethers!!

GRATITUDES:

Old friends who can pick up right where you left off.

Quiet summer nights on the back porch swing.

Families home safely from their holiday travels.

Take care,

Jennie

Country Threads 2013

Debi gifted me with a set of Country Threads 2013 BOM blocks back in January. I made the setting half square triangle blocks and pinwheel block shortly thereafter and then it sat.....till last week. I added a plain border rather than a pieced one, and moved a few blocks around. I think it is a nice, cheery quilt.  Now it is back to Debi for quilting.

When cleaning, I came across 81 of these yellow and blue 4 Patches. I recall making them 10+ years ago! but have no recollection of what I planned for them. Debi took them home and created two great lap quilts for charity.  Pretty cute! And best of all, good bye to another UFO.

GRATITUDES:

Blonde hair whipping with the accomplishment of a back handspring.

Sweet memories of Mama and Papa as we pick our garden and preserve the food.

Heartfelt sharing with friends.

Take care,

Jennie

Drowning.....

In creative chaos.  Ever been there?  Recently I came to a point that I no longer felt like going down to my sewing room.  It was simply too overwhelming.  It didn't look so bad on the surface, but open that closet door, peek behind the sewing cabinet....you get the idea.  Too much stuff. Unfortunately, there was little I cared to give up, but I had to do something.  Blake was amazed at what I pulled from those closets. I finally decided to use my large closet as it had been intended....for fabric only.  How nice it is to be able to see and use what I have!

As for my kits, UFOs and projects in grocery sacks (PIGS), my solution is not ideal, but I think it will work for me.  I kept out several projects that I anticipate working on within the next few months in project boxes on my shelves and in the cubbies. The rest are stored in large tubs that are easily accessible and labelled with the contents.  This includes quilting and hooking projects. I used almost two rolls of label tape in hopes of being able to find my supplies and avoiding buying duplicates.

I found this adorable child's chest....in great condition....at a local antique shop for only ten dollars!

It makes for great storage.

Can't tell you how much better this two week cleaning binge has made me feel. Just hope I can maintain and enjoy some of the things I have stashed.

Rob and Christi are enjoying Vegas, despite the 111 degree temps.

And here is another photo of my Buddy man.  What a handsome boy.

GRATITUDES:

Lavender & Epsom bath salts.

Creating.

The dignity of the Honor Guard at a coworker's funeral.

Take care,

Jennie

Hope &Healing Collection

Can't Never Could has rented a space at Newnan's Market Days for September and October. The team has been crafting away, and I have made a few contributions.  We are calling it The Hope and Healing Collection.

This is my "Joy" pillow.

This is "Faith".

And this is "Love".

I also made eight blank pillows which will be used with interchangeable sleeves. Here is one of them...

Friend Micki wanted to see her  "My Family" quilt on the blog..it is all done except binding!  Great job!

Tonight I am spending time with these guys.

GRATITUDES:

Grandchildren.

Sweet spaniel puppy face.

Veggies to eat and share.

Take care,

Jennie

Sew Crazies

The Sew Crazies had their monthly meeting here today. Our group is seven years strong now, and though some members have come and gone, we are still pretty much the same.  Ours is not only a stitching group, but a group who have become genuine friends over the years. It is a wonderful thing to have friends who accept you just as you are....and we are there.

Debi quilted and bound several of our latest quilts, and they look great.

Today we made three dog beds to donate to Tenderhearts Rescue. It was our first time to attempt dog beds, but we have been saving our scraps for stuffing for quite some time.  We were really pleased with our results, and are looking forward to making more. What a great way touse up those scraps of fabric and batting that are too small for anything else.

In fact, I might find myself making a few for our doggies. You can see why........

Our family had great news this week. Rob's bimonthly MRI was clear, great!  Thank you Lord.

Here is a photo of their family at Dr. Dunbar's office on Tuesday.

Rob and Christi are enjoying some leisurely days in Vegas while the kids are vacationing with their other grandparents.

That's it for today.

GRATITUDES:

BLTs

Barefeet

Lip Balm

Take Care,

Jennie

Caraway Rug Show Part 2

A long time coming, but here is part 2 of the Caraway Rug Show. Looking through them again today, I am overwhelmed by all of the talent. Once again, I will credit those I remember (some have visible tags) and apologize to those I don,t have info for. Enjoy!

This rug I just love! Its simplicity, color and humor. It is "Fat Dog", hooked by Nada.

This pattern by Barb Carroll was also hooked by Nada.

Another rug by Nada....live her clean hooking style.

This is an interpretation of a Maggie B pattern hooked by Laura.

Time to head to the garden to pick some fresh veggies....it is that time of the year, and we are thankful and busy.

GRATITUDES:

The whirring of hummingbirds in our garden.

Tiny bunnies....even the ones munching the pea vines.

Puppy dreams.

Take care,

Jennie