Country Threads BOM

Finished up the Country Threads 2014 BOM through September, including piecing the second large section.  Not sure where each section will go on the completed top, so I didn't join them.  Supposedly these two sections represent three quarters of the quilt. It is going to be a large one.  Over all I am satisfied with it. When you have no idea where you are going, it makes color choices a bit difficult.

I couldn't resist this new one of Daisy and Buddy. My, how she has grown!

GRATITUDES:

A love that never fails.

Take Care,

Jennie

Little Letters

My friend has been doing all of the Temecula Quilt Company's adorable stitch alongs since last year.

Every time I see one finished, I regret not playing along......but it just seems it would be something else to incur guilt because I wouldn't keep up. So, I have passed on each.  You know where this is going.

When said friend mentioned the new quilt along, Little Letters, she said.....you can do them in just a few minutes, and they come out twice a week....you should do it. Well, she is right. They only take a few minutes to cut and stitch. And they are pretty darned cute. And I can use my scraps, though, trust me, this project, aside from background, will not put a dent in your stash.

Quality vs. quantity and convenience have become an issue for me in my blog.  There was a time when I blogged completely from my laptop using photos from my very nice camera. It was quite time consuming and I didn't blog as frequently because it was more demanding.  But the photos were better, nicely aligned on the pages, the same size, etc.  The blog was prettier. Then came the ability to blog from my pad or phone, using photos taken from the same. I can even do a little photo editing. But I can't do links and some of the other nicer functions. What to do?  Well, my blogging is mostly for fun and sharing in a limited community. I am not about making money, selling products or growing readership to thousands. So, forgive me if it isn't as pretty, but convenience is the route I am taking.

GRATITUDES:

Choices.

Conveniences.

Rainy days.

Take care,

Jennie

Autumn's Call

Autumn's Call by Crabapple Hill........started last year in a class with Debi.....is now a finish. Just looking for the perfect hanger to display it now.

It looks a little off in the photo, but it is really nice and square.  The original pattern shows it framed, but Debi designed this quilted border for it.  The vine and leaves are wool, blanket stitched with wool thread on the machine.

The hit or miss rug is progressing, although the worm bags show absolutely no evidence of this.

I am trying really hard to get "light, bright, dark and dull".......and to spread it around.  That white light is REALLY light. I will add some more and then decide if it can stay or not.

Have started prepping SNOWMEN A-Z.  Lots of work to be done on that one to get it ready before Christmas.

GRATITUDES:

A warm visit with an old friend.

A good night of sleep.

Puppy silliness.

Take Care,

Jennie

Teens

Both of the Estes grands are now officially teenagers. So hard to believe. I will share a few new pics and you will see!

Sara Ashley, Jackson and Macy at her family dinner at Olive Garden.

Her birthday party this year was a horseback riding day with friend Bella....on her favorite horse, Bucky.

Robert and new girlfriend, Christine, getting ready to go to NHS Homecoming.

Robert, Rob and Sara Ashley on Rob's birthday.

Sara Ashley's choice of birthday cakes......seven white layers with chocolate fudge frosting by yours truly.

GRATITUDES:

Being chosen to make birthday cakes of choice for the kids....and hopefully creating special memories of a Mimi who loves them all so much.

Time to do special things that pleasure others as well as myself.

Reliving the growing up of these now teens.

Take care,

Jennie

Smiling!!

For a very good reason, I am smiling.  Comfort and Joy, started the first of the year is ready to go to the quilter.....Debi, who has also finished her version (we started these together, hers was done first....of course). We gave each other permission to forego the appliquéd borders, deciding the allowed borders were too small and the quilt is quite busy enough. Besides, we were both ready to move on.

All the fabric for this top was pulled from stash. A nice feeling, even though it failed to make dent in said stas.

The weather has cooled a bit and it is back porch swing time once again.  Last year, I lost my best swing buddy, little Rascal....

And though no one can take his place, someone else is a good candidate for companionship in her own special way....

Note the sad state of the slipper. It seems this special somebody also has quite the affinity for her person's shoes.....the more expensive the better.

Off to whine, wheeze and hack for the rest of the evening.  My favorite season brings on the nastiest of seasonal allergies. Whine, whine.......

GRATITUDES:

The freedom won by a long term project finish.

Strong medicine and good medical folk.

Sharing my favorite chair and nap time with furry friends.

Take Care,

Jennie

More Dog Beds

Today was the first Sew Crazy day for September. In addition to a lot of catching up, yummy dessert and a generally fun day.....we turned out a dozen dog beds for Tenderheart Rescue.

And that makes our hearts feel good!!

We stuff these beds with all kinds of scrap from t-shirts and soft clothing to quilt batting scraps and fabrics. If you have anything you think we might use, let me know and we will arrange for pick up....assuming you live locally.

GRATITUDES:

Parents who teach their children this very important lesson.

Take Care,

Jennie

Lucy Boston #7

This Lucy block was prepped awhile back and put aside. Finally stitched it over the weekend.....while nursing my seasonal allergies.

It might be my last for quite some time, as Snowmen A to Z requires my immediate and reasonably undivided attention if I plan to get it finished in time to gift it to the Hornes for Christmas. Nose to the grindstone!!

GRATITUDES:

A tidy sewing room after several days of chaos.

The prospect of stitching with the "Crazies" tomorrow.

Seeing a bit of Roxie's spunkiness return after a not so good week. 

Take Care,

Jennie

Whew!!

Turkey, Turkey is ready for blocking and binding. He was just so much fun that I couldn't stop working on him.

Not wanting to sort the leftover worms from the turkey into the overflowing worm bags I recently organized, I decided to start this pattern. I had specifically set it aside with the intent of using up some of those worms.

The pattern is My Way by Hooked on George. I bought it years ago from the store at Caraway, and have always liked it. Did I need to start another rug?? Of course not.....but it will be fun to use up a few of those worms.  I know, they just multiply, right?  I am saving my Fancies rug to work on at an upcoming retreat....that is a "sort of" excuse for starting this rug. The real reason.....I just wanted to.

What can I say?

I have also been working on Comfort and Joy.  All of the pieced blocks are done except two paper pieced blocks.  Hoping I can get this one out of the way this week.

My busy weekend is done.  Family reunion for Blake's Adcock Family....check.  Can't Never Could Georgia Cup Sporting Clay Fundraiser at Big Red Oak.....check.  Deep breath.

Truett's Chik Fil A Luau furnished our lunch on Friday.  L-R: Christi, Rob, Mariah, Cyndi, Ryan (from Chik Fil A) and yours truly.  Many thanks to the all of the folks who worked together for the success of this event.

Big Red Oak is a gorgeous location.....acres and acres of beautiful, wooded land, wildflowers, streams and wildlife.  We got to see a pine grove where the new Hunger Games was filmed....

And, no, Jennifer Lawrence wasn't there.

Guess that catches me up for the moment.

GRATITUDES:

Prayer.

And Max Lucado, who helps us to understand that we don't have to be eloquent. God simply wants to hear from us.

Take Care,

Jennie

Pennies

Finished hooking the Maggie B rug, Pennies, before I left for Barb's but am just now getting it posted. Love the colors.  It was a good exercise in moving colors around for balance.

Now for binding and I can mark it off my list. And it will not become a UFO. Nice.

GRATITUDES:

Working with my family to raise money for brain cancer patients.

A clean house.

My hairdresser.

Take care,

Jennie

Market Days

Today was Market Day in downtown Newnan.  The weather was hot and humid, but we were all ready and willing to set up and man our booth for Can't Never Could.  This is our booth.....

Thank goodness a friend took pity on us and brought a tent to help shield us from the fiery sun.

And we were able to add a tidy amount to CNC's account.....enabling us to help more people.  So, for those of you who support us, we are so grateful.  Thank you!

GRATITUDES:

Supportive friends.

Teamwork.

A nice cool bath after a heated, hard day's work.

Take Care,

Jennie

Sharing

Dear friend, Diane, gave me permission to share her incredible Fall rug on my blog. The pattern is by New Earth Designs, and she worked on it with Jeanne Benjamin. She is almost done.....just in time for the season.

I am making progress on Turkey, Turkey.

Especially after a sleepless night last night...

 

That progress will probably come to a screeching halt for the next week or so as I take on some Can't Never Could activities.  We will have a booth at Market Days on The Square in downtown Newnan this Saturday from 10 till 3. We'd love for you to come shop with us!

This week Rob shared his testimony with the Newnan Cougar football team. Can't never could!!!

Who?  Not me.........

A dog bed doesn't stand a chance around here.

GRATITUDES:

Generous friends.

Soft, floppy cocker ears.

The promise of Fall in the air.

Take Care,

Jennie