Hi Everyone.
It seems to me that no matter where we live, or our current work/financial status, most people are talking about cutting back, or making do. Are you feeling that way? I've had those thoughts since before this "recession". I'd try to do things differently, but then would fall back into old patterns.
This past year, I decided to make a determined effort to finish what I start, before taking on another project, or buying. Have you found this to be as hard as I have?
To that end, one thing I did was go through all those scraps form 20+ years, and cut them into usable squares and strips. Too small, in the can it went. At first, I was feeling so wasteful. But, the stuff wasn't getting used the way it was, so this should make it better, more efficient. Besides, I love scrap quilts.
Now they are all sorted into plastic bins, ready for me to get to work. Wish me luck!!

The weather today is perfect. Warm sun, cool air, dry. Chamber of commerce of weather, and the reason so many have moved here. Northerners call it Indian Summer. It feels so good.

Here's the picture of the wall hanging I've made for our little one's first birthday. She is the joy of our life--I've said that before haven't I? Sorry to be redundant, but grandbabies make me all gushy!

Good Tuesday morning

I have some pictures as I promised. These are the fabrics I'm using to make the Valentine table runner. I love the heart splash one, and he one that looks like heart balloons. Which one is your favorite?

And the top picture is one of the blocks I've made with them. There are four blocks, and I have yet to decide if I want to sash between them or not. If I do, I'm thinking of using the pink. I've always used a fabric with more contrast for sashing, but this seems to call for something different. What do you think?

The block is from Marsha McCloskey's book, Block Party. For me, using a book like that instead of a pattern, opens up the creative possibilities.

Now, I need to get that scrapbook finished for the precious grandaughter's first birthday. It's my first attempt, and I'm having a blast.

Well, it's Monday. Thought I'd get to the laundry and cleaning, but my darling is home today, and mentioned cutting the grass. I don't see the sense in cleaning when he's tracking in grass and such. So, I ended up working out there with him.
The cold snap we had two weeks ago, 30's is quite low for Fla, damaged alot of what we have been growing. One flower bed is on the North side of the house, and the 30 mph winds made everything really unhappy. Needless to say, the weeds thrived, as usual. Five large, black plastic bags later, most of it looks much better now. I still have a couple flower beds to do, later, gator.
I finished the 4 blocks I'm making for the Valentine table runner. I used fat quarters, and I think the fabric is a Clothworks line. I'll get pictures of both on here tomorrow, as well as the picture of the wall hanging I made for that precious grandaughter of ours. Do you have grandchildren? There are no words, don't you agree?
Drop me a line, I'd love to get to know you,

Ok
I needed to add a quilt picture. This is the Hawaiin quilt I made for our daughter while she was in Hawaii for a year. We were checking out the layout, and have since sewn the top together, added borders and it's now in a quilt frame. After all that hand applique, I just didn't want to machine quilt it. It's slow going, since my right hand can get tired, but it will get done.
She chose all batik fabrics, rather than the traditional red and white. I love the effect, but some of them weren't easy to make a nice applique stitch through. Who doesn't love a challenge?
Have a blessed day

Good morning,
I've been studying the Psalms of Ascent with Beth Moore. Are you familiar with her work? I learn so much from her, not only because she pulls out new and interesting gems from the scriptures, but because she writes to a woman's heart. She's truly gifted, try her some time.
Yesterday I began work on a Valentine table runner. I've alway wanted to make more seasonal items, now's the time to start.
This week I finished the wall hanging for our first, and only, grandchild. It's from a book, Color Me Baby. It's been out for a while, not sure if it's still in print. But you color the image with crayon, heat set it, then outline stitch around the motif. Fast, easy, fun and pretty cute. It will be a wall hanging for her room.
I like to do handwork at night, so this week, I began a sampler based on Mystic, Ct. I bought this almost 3 years ago, with no idea our oldest would be living there today. Who'd a thunk it?? Guess it will have to be a gift for her.
It's time to get the day started. Hope all's well in your part of the world. Drop me a line, love to hear from you. Soon, I hope to get pics on this thing!!

Hi
This is my first effort to blog. I obviously have lots of work to do. The subject matter will be all manner of handcrafting, though I'm primarily a quilter. I will also share my spiritual journey. We all have one, no matter how we view God, or don't.
See you later,
Linda