Less Than Hoped For

My progress is less than hoped for on the stitching front, but the garden and yards have seen considerable progress. As the days get hotter it is likely that I will be spending less time outside. That may mean more time for stitching pursuits....or not.

My plan had been for a block a day on the scrappy rug. That didn't happen, but progress has been made.

Only three blocks left!!! This has been a very long journey. So ready to move on.

A couple of months ago, after completing all of my Lucy Boston blocks, I decided to put away the tub of fabrics that I had pulled for that undertaking. Inside I found three of the required 72 EPP'ed six pointed stars that I had started for 

this project.  (It was a Temecula Quilt Company program back in 2014!! I am just three years in arrears on this UFO). It seemed a shame to stow the fabrics away without cutting the remaining 69 stars, which led to stopping other projects and stitching same. Then I needed 4 yards of fabric for setting....hello stash. I found a good enough choice and am proceeding.

The center large hexagon is the setting fabric. I wish it was a bit quieter fabric, but it was what I had. There will be background triangles joining the stars. The final quilt requires 10 circles of six stars and 4 half circles of three stars. I currently have the first circle partially stitched.

I completed one more section of the First Friday Quilt. 

Now I need only stitch June and July in order to catch up.

I have watched this beautiful native fern, the Bracken fern, grow in the edge of our woods since we moved here ten years ago.

I have tried, unsuccessfully, to move a bit of it, so I will just have to enjoy it in its woodland setting.

These beans from our garden will taste so good this winter!!

Prayers for this guy, who is undergoing yet another surgery for wound infection this morning.

Seen yesterday enjoying a much deserved margarita at their favorite Mexican restaurant before heading to the hospital....again. They are so weary....my heart breaks for them.

Have a blessed weekend and Take Care,

Jennie

Making an Effort

Seems I have struggled to get through this year thus far. Rob has been hospitalized 8 times since the end of February and then they lost their elderly spaniel 2 weeks ago. Needless to say, all of this impacts the dynamics of our entire family. In addition, my volunteer time with Master Gardeners has been on overload...I have already volunteered 164 hours this year. I think that it has been my form of escape.

I have flitted from one project to another, never getting a real grasp, much less a finish, on anything.  That being said, I have designated July as catch up month.

Let's see how I do, as I get a bit of a head start these last days of June.

I just returned from a week at Caraway Rug School...more on that on another post. This is the first year since starting in 2004 that I haven't finished a rug for the rug show. How sad is that? This is a peek of the rug I started at camp....

 

It is called Rick Rack and my teacher was Nancy Parcels.

But before I allow myself to finish Rick Rack, this rug has been on my frame for far too long and really deserves to be finished....

 

My Way, by Hooked on George. I only lack nine rectangles....if I only hook one a day, it will be done in a little more than a week. I can do that, right??? The good thing...hooked entirely from my worm bags....which haven't gone down at all.

Next up, First Friday Sew Along, sponsored by Temecula Quilt Company. These are April's blocks that I have just finished. 

Now let's see if I can get May and June done before July arrives! These, too, are coming from stash...mostly from the squares in my scrapsaver system. Makes spending hours cutting them up worthwhile.

Robert's graduation..,,

No words needed.

Take Care,

Jennie

Happy Birthday Dear Robert!!

It is almost impossible to believe that Robert turned eighteen today. Later this month he will graduate from Newnan High with honors and then head off to the University of Georgia to start the next chapter of his life. Couldn't be prouder of the young man he has become.

 

       

It was a great evening!! Love you, Robert!

Jackson's team, The Force, won their tournament over the weekend. Jackson is center front. Go Force!!!! They are having a great season.

 

 Robert and Christi awarded Can't Never Could Scholarships at Newnan High.

And some great family photos of  Ashley, Matt, Macy and Jackson....oh, and Bear!

 

    

 

Take Care,

Jennie

Sweet Spring

Thought I would share a few Spring pics from my gardens. The nice thing about photos is that you can leave out the weeds, and we have had more than our share of those this Spring.

Arbor with antique Little Pinkie rose.

I have several lovely Clematis. Unfortunately I only know the name of one. 

    

Josephine. Her bloom starts out with a slightly fluffy center and ends up like the one in center bottom. They are amazing.

 

Cute planter made from barn board and architectural element. I added the asparagus fern.

 

Someone is helping me dig holes.

 

Take Care,

Jennie

Anita White Class

The Dogwood ATHA Class hosted a three day class with Anita White this week. This is my third class with Anita, and she never fails to inspire. This time was certainly no exception.

In addition, her wool is to die for and she has great patterns.

 Our class.

 

  

Our rugs.....

 

Mary's happy posies.

 

Theda's rug with standing wool flowers...a technique that Anita taught in class.

Kathie brought another rug to class, but couldn't resist this one by Anita. 

Ann did a great job building her cabin. 

Vicky worked on this Karen Kahle pattern...appropriate for her since she is a gardener.

 

Nancy worked on this beautiful pattern that included some of Anita's trademark paisley. She got so much done!

Laura changed this sweet Sharon Smith pattern to represent her granddaughter. 

I love the urn on this rug that Jan was working on.  

 

Sara Mac is hooking this wonderful coneflower rug. She started it prior to the class, but got lots done. Many of the strips are hand cut. I love her style.

 

Beth made great progress on her paisleys.

And Jackie did a nice job on her fruit still life.

 

 Cindy tackled her first eyes on this fun Santa.

 

This is my piece, a runner named Homespun Medallions by Norma Batistini. I am making this for Christi's table at their farmhouse. She chose the original colors and we added these golds, oranges and blue reds.

 

This is going to be fun now that I have it set up!

We had a great class and are most grateful to Anita and for those who worked so hard to facilitate it!

 

Take Care,

Jennie