New Project?...

I've been reflecting on life lately..go figure!  And I think life kind of resembles the pile of fabric strips that I dumped out on the kitchen floor this morning.  This is actually fabric I am playing with for a new project...BUT it is also kind of like life itself.

Friends and family-all different and all with little problems and joys all intertwined.  (Can't check my spelling-the little thingy went away).

I take a "shortcut" to get to the senior center.  I drive thru this strange little neighborhood.  As you enter, there is a sign that states there are "speed humps" to slow you down.  In fact, there are 8 speed humps-I counted them!  And in fact, it does work, I do slow down but I am also checking out some of the sights.  Back to my original thought,  we all have speed humps in life.  I have been blessed with friends to help me over those bumps in the road and hope that I can help them when they hit a bump as well.

And now I must go pick up the pile of fabric off the kitchen floor!

Celebrating One Year

I am finishing up the first year of my retirement.  And I am a happy camper!

I have discovered many things in the past 12 months:

-Pajama days are highly under-rated

-I have more projects (and fabric) than I will be able to finish in my lifetime

-Quilting buddies can get you in A LOT of trouble

-Laughing is contagious, road trips with friends are the best

-There are so many talented people in Gwinnett Co. and they share and encourage freely

-Guild, workshops and retreats are addictive

-When  you leave the house, it will probably end up costing $100

-It doesn't matter what you look like in a bathing suit

All in all, I am in love with my new life style.  I have the time to do what I want to do.  I have the time to enjoy my granddaughters.  I have time to smell the flowers and reflect on how I am so blessed.
And on a side note:  Spooky and Wild Willie seem to enjoy having me around more.

Farewell to Facebook

I've decided that I am done with Facebook.  Lately all there has been is stuff copied from Pinterest and ads.  I am tired of people and their rants and raves as well.  Maybe I will look at the cat pictures-really don't want to give those up.

Yesterday was Sarah' celebration -she is moving onto middle school.  She is growing up way too fast!

Grandmother's Choice block of the week

This is #38 of the 49 blocks in the series.  While talking to Debbie at Thimbles yesterday, I really liked her idea.  I don't think I will be making one large quilt (that way I don't have to redo some of the blocks that are soso!  Mine too just may end up in Just for You quilts.  We shall see!

I do love a mystery and this weekend at Thimbles, Pat introduced the new mystery quilt.  I am excited!!  I will be doing it in light gray and hot pink. 

It is a very gray day here in the ATL.  I have managed to clean up and get dressed.  Just may be all that I get accomplished today.

A Clowder of Crazy Cats

 I finished the crazy cat quilt today at Thimbles.  This quilt makes me so happy.  It is a Buggy Barn pattern.  The second pattern that I have completed.  I sew love doing this technique.  And I must say I am kind of proud of myself as the flowers have appliqued stems and leaves.  They are not needle-turn BUT for me this is quite a step.  I finished the binding and needed to give the kitties some eyes.  At first, I had planned on just black eyes.  Pat brought out her button box and i had a good time finding different eyes for the guys!

Mr quilt inspector is checking out my work.  I also had to embroider whiskers.  I tried to make one of the cats in the quilt resemble Wild Willie.  Spooky is kind of represented but it was hard as he is all black.  I hope he does not notice!

2012 Quilt Retreat swap

I think I am done with this one.  I am not going to put another border onto it.  I plan on using navy binding.  I might even have enough of the inner border fabric left.  Must go check.  I love the secondary patterns that jump out.  many thanks to Sharon Henderson for organizing the swap.  I love that gal!!

#37 -Nameless Star:The Lucy Stone League

 I was glad when I opened the blog this morning that this week was NOT applique!    Only 10 more blocks to go on Grandmother's Choice.  This block relates to women who did not want to change their names when they married.  Back in the day this was quite an oddity.  And as I age, I can relate-although I am who I am, no matter what my name is...so there!!  \
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Spooky felt the need to assist me this morning in fabric selection for this block.  I guess he did not approve of my choice, as I ended up with a small scratch on my finger!

 The completed block.  This block is also called Variable Star or Sawtooth Star

My other quilt inspector checking out my progress on the swap.  A few of us from last year's quilt retreat met last Saturday to swap our blocks.  I have constructed the center but the borders are still a work in progress.  I do love the secondary patterns that are created with putting the blocks together.  I have navy fabric for a  narrow border.  The outer border is going to be ?????

Yesterday at the senior center I worked on disappearing four patches.  This is one possibility.  And I have the blue/gold half square triangles too.  Decisions, decisions!  We had a spirited and often hilarious discussion yesterday of non-quilt related topics.  I think the powers that be may be sorry they moved this rowdy bunch up to the front of the building  It is good to laugh yourself silly at times!

Emma and I are going to have a sleepover tonight as Sarah is off camping with the girl scouts.  I wonder what Emma has up her sleeve to do!!!   I know it will involve french fries anyway.

Sunbonnet Sue needs rainware!

 This week's Grandmother's Choice block #36-11 to go- is a Sunbonnet sue Applique.  It took me 2 days to get around to doing her.  And now she is done.  It is another cloudy day here.  It has been rainy and cloudy for days  Here it is May and I still feel the need for my flannel sheets on the bed!  I have turned off the heat.  It is a good thing that Spooky and I have quilts to cuddle.  Willie-not so much.

So you ask, what is this?  She is something I really did not need.  But since the tax refund FINALLY arrived, I decided to treat myself.  She has a wonderful stitch that I can do some quilting on small pieces.  She has a built in walking foot.  If you look at old Sue, you can see a decorative stitch I did on her bonnet.  It only took me a few trys to figure out how to wind the bobbin.  I am signed up for a class the middle of May.  I need to write down questions I have.  Otherwise when I get there, I will have forgotten!

Now it is confession time......this past Sunday I went to have something to eat with my friend Sarah.  I arrived first.  I told the waitress that I was meeting a friend who had short, red curly hair.  Sarah does not have red hair and never has.  What was I thinking???  I attribute the booboo to the over abundance of rain lately!!