Bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

made the lists, checked them twice. Carry on is half empty to carry Reynold's overflow!

Flying off tomorrow morning to meet up with the Cirigs, et.al. And then on to the Caribbean. On vacation with Laurie, Kris, Tyler and Alice. The child is 17 months old and has a passport!


It has been a rough week here in the South with all the horrific devastation. And as what seems is always the case, the days following the disaster have been beautiful. We were spared in the ATL area-the tornadoes were all around us. I have to admit, I need to do a little better with disaster planning. I had no flashlight. If the power had failed, I would have had a problem.

Lilac Hill-the backing. I finished the Schnibble that will be the center back for my Lilac Hill quilt. The pattern is Novantique. According to the pattern "novantique" means new but old. Now I have to do some math to figure out how to piece the rest of the back. I will be using leftovers from some of the fabric I have.

Comfort and Joy-first applique block-picked it up last month. It is still in the bag.....

So now I have my next block. I am still working out the details on this project. STAPLIQUE... a new technique I will be perfecting to get this darn thing made. I am also considering crazy glue, duct tape, double-sided tape......I really love this pattern. I just don't want to do the heinous applique. So this little bag will join the other one in the project box for now.


One week until vacation!!!!! I guess I need to get serious about preparing. I think I have the clothes I need but it is the other stuff I have yet to do. I am really ready to sail away. Not too sure about swimming with the dolphins. I hope they are in a good mood.

My lawn guy...

When I moved to Ga, I gave up yard work. Too many years in NY doing that and it just is not my thing anymore. Jair has been cutting the grass and doing the weed maintenance for several years. He lives in my neighborhood. He calls me Miss Karin. At any rate, I no longer need or want a lawnmower and all the other "stuff". Last year I had him remove some bushes in my backyard that were leggy and too close to the house. Afterward he told me that some in the front were dying. They went away as well. I had good intention about replacing them... and we all know where good intentions lead...(the road to h--- is paved with good intentions-words echoed by my mother! ) Yesterday I knew he had been doing some lawn work-even I can tell when the grass has been cut! But I went right out after getting home and did not return until after dark. This morning I happened to look out the window. My naked area in the front has plants! I guess he decided that the area had no curb appeal. He took some plants that were in my backyard and replanted them in front! It looks quite nice. I need to get some pine straw and a few annuals and the area will be done. I wonder if he has anything in mind-marigolds...?

Stash Busting Class

Yesterday I went to Patchwork Cottage for the first session of the Stash Busting program. I located a couple of pieces of fabric (on the floor) to take with me. Did not know what the project was to be. This month is a table runner. It will end up with one of the girls. Take a look at the notebook..."Let's Bake". How funny is that...Baking is not happening in this house!

So I stash busted for awhile and then as I was exiting the shop.....this lovely line called to me. Summer Breeze by Moda. It is so pretty. (Maybe I should not have allowed Moda Man to come with me this morning). These lovelies will be made into a Sassy 16 sometime in the future....

When I returned home, I continued on construction of Lilac Hill. The pattern does not call for a border but I think it needs one. So does Wild Willie. I had already enlarged the top from 20 to 30 blocks. I think a border will just make it perfect! And now I can start working on the backing-Schnibble pattern as yet to be determined.

After 2 more terrible weeks at work, I have decided that being a light in the darkness may work for a short period of time (and I will continue to do so) but it is time to investigate other options. I can no longer work in a place where there is no way to do the job the way I want to do it with the limitations being imposed. And so today Laurie and I will be polishing the resume. It is time to move on...

Greater Atlanta Shop Hop

I think this is year 12 of Shop Hop. I have done part or all of most of them. Cindi and I headed out bright and early yesterday morning. first stop (of course) was Sweet Home. I picked up my Atlanta fabric. I am thinking of a just can't cut it quilt in the future. I also will be making one of my new fabric bags. That cute bundle just jumped into my hand, so I needed to take that home as well. Becky and Kristie were already there shopping when we arrived. Also met friend Louise and her hubby Mike. Cindi and I had only planned on 2 shops but since Becky and Kristie were heading south to Scarlet Thread, we decided to follow.

Note-also picked up month 3 of Comfort and Joy. And so beginneth the applique. Support group should be on standby. I looked at it when I got home. WHAT WAS I THINKING!! This month is house construction.

We drove down and found the new location for Scarlet without a problem. The new shop is a wow! And right at the door as I walked in, what did I spy? A whole display of Lilac Hill. I did need another charm pack for my schnibble that will be part of the backing. And then I decided that I am going to make the quilt bigger than originally planned, so I need more yardage and another jelly roll. Cindi also needed some Lilac Hill and when Louise got there, she did too! Karmen-let Mom know just how much we love this line.

I also saw a cute bag pattern, so I got that and the handles as well.

We also visited Patchwork Cottage. Also featured at the entrance....yup-Lilac Hill. Could it be that it is a fav since lilacs don't grow in this area. But you can almost smell them as you look at the fabric. I miss lilacs in the Spring.

I headed home as I had an urgent appointment with the couch. It has been another awful week at work and I am exhausted. I am rapidly reaching the breaking point now. If there is no improvement, I will need to make some choices but I will wait until after the cruise to decide.

Thimbles Weekend

It was so good to see all of the gals at Thimbles although Saturday group was a bit scimpy this month. I dropped in on Friday night for a little while to visit there as well. Gretch was working on a schnibble since she had to be in Decatur on Saturday for work (bummer). Also got to visit with Brenda as she was being a sharecropper on Saturday! On Saturday Kristie continued with her project -cutting almost 3000 one inch squares. Can you say she needs her head examined? But she will create a beauty I am sure. Cindi came late as she had a gardening workshop in the AM. It was a glorious day weather wise.
Took care of the feet with a pedi. They were in bad shape. Then had dinner with Laurie. Nice way to end up the day.

I am continuing to work on my project (above). I have 10 blocks completed. The picture does not do the fabric justice. Lilac Hill is beautiful. I just might have to enlarge this quilt!

I had to disturb Henry this morning so that I could check my email and blogs. He was NOT happy. Here he is being regal.

Not to be outdone by Gretch...

..I got "Happy Mail" yesterday as well. I had started working on my Lilac Hill jelly roll on Sunday. I will take a picture when I have made a couple of more blocks. This line is sooooo yummy. I had an idea in the back of my mind, so I hopped on over to Fat Quarter Shop. My rationale was that gas prices are so high......Of course I would have spent less (probably) if I drove back over to Tiny Stitches..but Mr. Computer is just so easy. At any rate I came home yesterday to a loaded mailbox. Oh Happy Day!!! The charm pack will become a Schnibble for the back of the quilt..pattern yet to be determined. So Happy Mail was abundant yesterday in the ATL!!

Wild Willie was looking pensive yesterday..or maybe he was just being regal. He likes to sit on the back of my chair when I am on the computer.

Work update...be a light in the darkness....keep repeating over and over again. I am presenting a happy face at work but deep down inside....not so much