Good Bye August

It is hard to believe that summer has pretty much come and gone. I have to admit, the promise of Fall is lovely. The leaves are starting to fall, the shadows are getting longer, there is a sweet breeze  and the days are shorter and cooler.

I have gotten two more UFO finishes in to complete the month.  

This Thangles sampler from about six years ago.

And the Dresden Pkate that I started in January when the RSC color was blue.

This is what I have accomplished this month....

*Brickroad mini quilt 

*65 mini Bow Tie blocks (my Leaders and Enders project) for a grand total of 178.

*3 Wonky Star blocks

*6 Postage Stamp Star blocks

*2 Lucy Boston blocks - fell behind on my goal of one per week 

*Giant 4-Patch QOV

*Hooked Spring Basket rug-lack finishing edges

*18 Dog beds

*5 Farm Girl Vintage blocks

*7 RSC Sampler blocks 

*Buttermilk Basin Small August Matt

*Donder and Blitzen wall hanging (UFO)

*Dresden Plate quilt (UFO)

*Thangles Sampler quilt (UFO)

*block

*1 Vintage Block

When I put it all down, it looks pretty significant, whereas, if I just think about it, I feel as if I didn't do much.

This month I would like to....

*Stitch closed the 45 dog beds we stuffed at See Crazies

*Stitch RSC Sampler blocks, Wonky Star and Postage Stamp Stars for September (the color is orange 

*Start the setting blocks for the RSC Sampler

*Knit something 

*Bind 2014 Country Threads BOM

*Make Vintage top

*Finish floral hooked runner

*Finish Spring Basket rug

*Make more Farm Girl Vintage blocks

*Start Jen Kingwell SAL....click on the button on the sidebar if you think you might like to join in.....no stress, no deadlines.

I know that this is an ambitious list and it is not written in stone. But it gives me some goals and a starting point. 

Hope you guys are ready for September, too!

Our dear Buddy was found with a deformed leg that had been broken and never set, chained at an abandoned house.  This has always been my philosophy....even more so now.

Take Care,

Jennie

Another Slow Stitching Sunday

Managed to get two bindings on and ready to hand stitch today. I am linking up to Slow Stitcing Sunday. 

Tonight I am working on the blue Dresden Plate that I started as a part of the RSC back in January.

Follow the link on the sidebar to see what everyone else is doing.

These two quilts will knock two more off of my UFO list. Nice feeling.

A friend had this book at Sew Crazy this week......

I ordered it from Amazon at a reasonable price. It has some great ideas for using up small scraps.

I was fortunate enough to win this sweet little cross stitch on my primitive stitcher's group on Facebook. 

It is beautifully stitched and framed by Dixie Sampler.

And I had the perfect place to hang it.

Take Care,

Jennie

Week in Review

This has been one of those weeks that was gone in the blink of an eye.

On Monday eleven rug hookers convened at our house for a great finishing class by the most talented Kathie Meyers.

A fun time and a great potluck dinner was enjoyed by all.

On Tuesday we enjoyed beautiful weather for Jackson's last football game of the season.'

Here with Coach Matt ( better known as Dad).

And with his greatest fan.

On Wednesday I finally finished binding this UFO Christmas wall hanging, a Jan Patek design.

Framed the wonderful antique quilt template gifted to me by Diane onto a block from an old cutter quilt shared by Vicki. I fastened it in through a hole in the template with an antique and worn Mother of Pearl button.

On Thursday Carvin, Blake and I spent the day doing yard work. When Carvin requested a quilt because it is going to be cold soon, I had just the one for him.

Love gifting someone who loves and needs a quilt......knowing it will be well used. That is what it is all about.

Today the Sew Crazies met and stuffed 45 dog and cat beds.

Now to stitch them closed and deliver them.

I also made a few blocks that I will share in another post.

I need to remember this.....

Take Care,

Jennie

Slow Stitching to a Finish

My slow stitching today started with this cute wool appliqué, By Thy Hands by Buttermilk Basin. 

It is the August piece in the series. Last year I stitched January and February. My goal is to eventually stitch each month. They are fast and easy....and by the end of the day I had this.....

A finish!!

I am linking up with Slow Sitchin' Sunday. Click on the button in the sidebar and see what everyone else is doing.

Hahaha!

Take Care,

Jennie

RSC Saturday

Woohoo!!! My RSC2015 (click on the button on the sidebar to see what others are doing) blocks are all done. I am caught up and now ready to get started on the setting blocks so that I can begin setting it together.  My photos aren't great, but here goes...,

June

July

August

I have one project to finish that has an absolute deadline. After that I am going to try my best to avoid deadlines and just have some fun with my stitching.  I don't consider the RSC as a project with a deadline, because there is no pressure from anyone aside from myself. I just like to keep up, as I am afraid if I fall too far behind I won't catch up and it will be another UFO.

Lots of yard work yesterday, but last night I did start a little project that I hope to finish over the weekend.

Hope you all have some stitching time, too.

In case you haven't figured it out, we love our doggies here.

Take Care,

Jennie

Farm Girl Vintage

I have been wanting to start Farm Girl Vintage by Lori Holt ever since I saw it. I ordered the book and some wonderful Fat Quarters from the Fat Quarter Shop...

Even added a few of my own. But somehow life just kept getting in the way.

Today, amidst my dog bed production line,and a basket overflowing with scrap that needs my attention, I said what the heck, and started.

I am so glad that I did. It is amazing what a sweet little block (6 1/2" unfinished) of bright sunshiny fabric can do for one's outlook!

Looking forward to working on these a little bit at the time.

Now, back to the dog beds and the mounds of scrap and batting that need to be chopped up to stuff them.

Remember.....

Take Care,

Jennie

Memories

My dear mother, who passed away in 2007 after suffering with dementia following a stroke 10 years earlier, was an incredible seamstress. She made finely tailored clothing, supporting us with her talents. She crocheted, embroidered and did needlepoint, but alas, she had no interest in quilting. Her response to quilting was that it was for poor people....she preferred blankets.  Mind you, we were far from wealthy. My grandmother, on the other hand, quilted beautifully....making quilts for all of her grandchildren. Mine was carefully tucked away until I married....we had blankets you know. 

That being said, I inherited my mom's sewing machine. Honestly, I put it away and thought little about it until recently. I suppose it was just too hard to look at it and see my mom working away on it until late in the night.  But a few weeks ago, I decided it was time to pull her out and give her a whirl. Friend Sandy cleaned up her innards and got her humming. She sews like a dream and floods my mind with so many memories. 

I think I will call her Mattie Lou after my mother.

In the hooking realm, I actually have my class rug ready a week ahead of time. Miracles never cease!!

Now I am busily chopping up donated scrap and fabric for dog beds. Hope to have a big stack ready to donate by the weekend.

Take Care,

Jennie

Sew Crazy Quilts of Valor

On Wednesday I will be thrilled to pass off five Quilts of Valor to the Coweta County Quilts of Valor.  All of these made by our little Sew Crazy group of eight. And this is in addition to charity quilts and lots of dog beds. It is a privilege to be a member of this group!

This is the truth....you just love them for what they are and you get so much in return....

Take Care,

Jennie

Lucy to Date

A quick post today to bring documentation of my Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Crosses blocks up to date for Slow Stitching Sunday (follow the link to see what everyone else is doing).

Block 29

Block 30

Block 31

Block 32

It is nice to be just past the halfway mark with these blocks. They are a joy to work on. Though adding the background as I go is a bit tedious, I am glad I am doing it. Can't fathom  the monotony of having to do all of it after the fun part is done.

Kathy spoke about the long term commitment we make with these slow stitched projects, and I do find that I have a much deeper emotional attachment to them.  I like quick and fun well enough, but there is nothing quite like sitting quietly and meditatively with needle and thread.

It is such a blessing to see my girls love and support each other.

Take Care,

Jennie

More Scrappy Saturday

Still playing catch up with the RSC2015, and linking up tonight.

Indigo Postage Stamp Stars.

Red Wonky Star.

Indigo Wonky Star.

Next week I will work on the sampler blocks. I need to get June, July and August done. 

Take Care,

Jennie

Preparing for Class

In a little over a week, hooker friend, Kathie Meyers will be teaching a group of us a class based on her great instructional book....

We will be hooking a smaller version of the rug on the cover. We will learn reverse hooking, chain stitch, Herringbone stitch and Kalem stitch. It requires that you get the majority of the rug hooked prior to class. I, of course, have waited till the last minute.....queen of procrastination here.

Yesterday I got inspired, and have made considerable progress.

The basket will be reverse hooked with chain stitched handles and outline. The top and bottom edges will be Herringbone and the ends will be fringed with Kalem stitch.  I almost never use a light background, but I rather like it on this piece....and I have lots of light yardage I need to use.

Last night we went to see Jackson play Flag Football. He did a great job and ran for two touchdowns!

Sara Ashley started back to school ....eighth grade already.  She has really grown up since last year.

This is a photo her mom posted on FB.

This little lady is keeping me company tonight while her parents and brother are gone to the Braves game.

And I am stitching the binding down on the UFO.

Take Care,

Jennie