Blogging Slump

I have been in a blogging slump. No particular reason.....sometimes it just happens.  And I realized that my post from last week never published, so I went ahead and posted it. I have accomplished several things, but I won't try to share them all at once.

First of all, the new bird photo on my header is compliments of The Graphics Fairy. Great free stuff there .......if you have never visited, you should.

Santa Sparkle block two is stitched and I have the next two ready to work on. I have to say, I am loving  these guys.

Last week I promised myself that I would finish the Dresden top that I started last month for the RSC2015, and that happened. Last night I pieced the backing and it is ready for the quilter.

This is a really bad photo....... The border is the same black and white dot as the center of the plates.

Last night I also whipped up this little cosmetic bag as a gift.......providing what might be my only finish for the month.  Lots of things in the works, though.

The Estes family had a grand vacation in Belize, and came home with a new family member!!  This is Maya.

Blake and I have been spending the last few days helping the Hornes get their new home ready to move into. Hard work, but an exciting time for them.

More later.

Take Care,

Jennie 

Paper Piecing Update

Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Crosses Block #14 along with two setting squares....

Love the delicate floral circle in the center of this one.

A couple more Little Gems.....

Both bottom fabrics are from old Fig Tree collections by Moda.

Rob has a new friend in Belize.

Rules to live by....

Take Care,

Jennie

Slow Stitching Santas

Decided I would Slow Stitch something a little different as I link up with Kathy today.

After Christmas I made nine blocks  for a Christmas Sparkle Quilt. The blocks are large and just looked so empty in the center to me. When I saw these cute Santas from Bird Brain Designs, I knew they were perfect. 

I had to reduce them by 10% and I will choose nine of the twelve. I am a happy camper now. Second block is already drawn off and ready to stitch.

Sweet Daisy snuggling with her old, blind sister, Poppy.  Love .....

Take Care,

Jennie

Scrappy Saturday Sampler Block

Happy Valentine's Day to all.

Finished the new RSC Sawtooth Star Sampler Block for this week. I really like the pinks with my black star points. Linking up over at So Scrappy and checking to see what everyone else is doing.

Rob and Christi at the Atlanta Airport this morning awaiting a flight to Belize for winter break.

For Rob and all those others fighting brain cancer.....

Off for a nice mid afternoon Valentine dinner with dear hubby...

Take Care,

Jennie

EPP Obsession

A little obsession going on here.....English Paper Piecing obsession.

First of all, another Lucy block...#14.

This one is a different conformation, with 12 of each color and the cross much more prominent.

Then I put the background around one of the previous blocks. 

I am trying to make a new block, then surround an older block without the background until all the finished blocks are surrounded with background.

Temecula Quilt Company is starting a new EPP Stitch Along, Little Gems.  They are about 3 1/2" x 4". So cute.  Did I need another paper piecing project???? Could I resist? I mean, they take less than an hour, start to finish....and it is only one per week. Easy, right?

Although they are using reproductions, I have decided to delve into my stash and use other fabrics for this one. This is a Tula Pink.

And....I know, I know.....last year TQC did Fussy Friday with 6 Pointed stars. I bought the template and paper pieces, but never got started. Figured I could do a couple of these a week, too. I think it takes 72. This is my first one. Not a leading lady, but okay for a beginning. These will basically be repro fabrics.

Had lunch with high school friends yesterday and Quilty friend, Debi, today, and longtime work friend on Tuesday.  Tomorrow night will be an overnight babysitting night. The weeks are busy, but filled with goodness.  I am blessed to be surrounded by family and friends.

Yes!

Take Care,

Jennie

Great News!!

Rob and Kelly both had clear MRIs this morning. What a blessing. Thanks to all of you who remembered them in prayer.

I finished the pink Wonky Star block. I expect that I will redo part of the star points. They are a bit too wonky. It's a learning curve, I suppose.  The block afforded me the opportunity to weed out some more of those old, odd fabrics in my stash.

A walk through the garden in this gorgeous weather revealed these....

Lenten Roses.

And a daffodil, just short of furling open.

Take Care,

Jennie 

Off the Frame

Oberly Tree is off the frame and ready for blocking and finishing.

I haven't quite decided how I will finish it. That is always a dilemma for me. I really don't enjoy this part of rug making....but it has to be done. 

Our dear old Poppy, who will be fifteen in April, has gone blind. At first we thought she was having dementia issues, but over the past couple of weeks it has become entirely evident that her sight is gone. 

She is good other than this. I don't know who it is harder on...her or us. Breaks my heart. Little Daisy has taken to being her companion, snuggling up next to her as she sleeps. We are hoping that she will adjust and that we can keep her safe in her familiar environment.

Tomorrow is Rob's bimonthly MRI and all prayers for a clear scan will be greatly appreciated. Although he is doing well, we know the reality of his Goliath, and suffer from scanxiety.

I forgot to post the most recent quarterly 

get together of the old ER staff. Kitty's husband, Kelly, was able to join us. He is about six months out from his brain cancer diagnosis and will also be having his MRI tomorrow. I know they would also appreciate prayers.

Remember...

Take Care,

Jennie

A Beautiful Day!

Today was the loveliest of days....quite springlike....leaving me hungering for the warmer days that will be coming soon.  Days when I can garden without the smothering humidity of Southern summers. Oh, how I love Spring and Fall.  I have also spent a little extra time with the Chicks, doing a some maintenance in their abode. And, so, I couldn't resist sharing a few photos....

I am linking up at Kathy's for Slow Stitching Sunday (click on button in sidebar) with a little knitting.  This is a seed stitch cowl, made from a pattern that is a knock off of a cowl sold at Gap.

Several times over the past few years I have proclaimed that "this is the year I will become a proficient knitter".  I knit just well enough to get myself in trouble....and then sweet friend Diane has to rescue me. I don't like not being able to figure it out myself.  So, when I saw this class offered at the local yarn shop, I figured it might be the answer......Fearless Knitting.  I have completed my first lesson, done my homework, and the cowl is the skill building project. So far, so good.

Muriel, at Little Quilts, is in charge of the Lucy Boston group there. In response to the waste from all of those mutilated pieces of fabric that are the result of fussy cutting, she started making these tiny, adorable 2" finished bow tie blocks.  Remember when I said that I couldn't believe I was using 1 1/2" blocks?  Well, these babies use 1" and 1 1/2" blocks. This is the link for the tutorial just in case you are interested.

http://littlequilts.blogspot.com/2014/10/patchwork-of-crosses.html?m=1

Once you start making them, they are irresistible. And, they make great Leaders and Enders. Waste not, want not, right??

Last night I stayed with Robert and Sara Ashley (can't call it babysitting any longer) while their parents went to an awards dinner and stayed overnight. Estes Landscape won an award for being one of the top 100 businesses owned by University of Georgia grads......and the only one from the College of Environmental Design.  So thrilled for them.

Robert and SA before church this morning.

It has been a lovely weekend.

Take Care,

Jennie

Pink

Linking up today for the first Scrappy Saturday of the month for the RSC2015, and the color is pink.

This is the Sawtooth Sampler Star. 

The orientation of my Flying Geese are slightly different, but by the time I realized it, there was no way I was redoing it. It is fine with me.

I also got two Sawtooth Postage Stamp blocks  done. I really like these.

Sara Ashley had her Middle School dance last night. She looked so pretty.

Be generous....

And have a wonderful weekend!

Take Care,

Jennie

Lucy Boston #13

Only 43 to go!!!  This one has a bit of a different look and gives me what I will consider a light block. I think it is very sweet.

All of the Dresdens are appliquéd and ready for setting. I had thought I

would use the black and white polka dot that is in the centers for sashing. Thank goodness, I pinned it up in the design wall first. It made each plate look as if it had no center... Just dotty background.  I dug around in the stash and came up with enough blue for the sashing....I think I have decided on the darker one on the bottom...and will use the dots for outer borders. The bottom blue doesn't look as dark in person......I am just not sure. In the photo the top one looks nice...wonder if there is enough?

Sara Ashley is growing up so fast. And such a sweet spirit.

The sweet Valentine image in the header is courtesy of The Graphics Fairy.

Sharing some wisdom....such an important statement in this world we live in.

Take Care,

Jennie