Design Wall Monday

I love this simple sashing for this quilt. It was cut from the fat quarter fabrics left from the stars. The original pattern (scroll down to the second picture to see the pattern) called for a single frame around each block so when they were joined together there was a double frame effect and I thought it was too busy for the fabrics in this kit.

Updates from the past week are here on what I have been up to. Tomorrow will have pictures of the progress I have made on the Farmer's Wife blocks for Tiny Tuesday's. Any suggestions on how to do the handles for the basket blocks? I tried a bias tube and you will see the disaster tomorrow....

Happy Halloween all!!! I am going to the gym and not passing out candy. We usually do pass out candy but it doesn't work out for me this year. Besides, last year most of the trick or treater's were over 18!

I won't give to temptation of eating candy this year. 

Saturday's Update

I had my weekly date with my husband to the grocery, after the morning ritual of cleaning. It has been determined that if it takes preplanning, the purchase of food and travel then it is classified as a date. It has been a nice tradition, plus it makes a horrible job more tolerable.

I didn't make a small block by Tuesday. I did have an opportunity to share at a friend's quilt group. I took several quilt tops and finished quilts. I spoke of our long arm business. I had a wonderful time. It was a wonderful gathering of friends, good food and great company.

I also sold a quilt this week. I was suprised that someone was so excited to purchase a quilt. I am going to try to sell a few more quilts that I practiced new stitches on.

A great week!

Design Wall Monday

I made a decision about the star kit quilt. I am deviating from the pattern and setting it in a traditional sashing with cornerstones. I like it.

I finished the hockey jersey quilt, too. You can see it here. It should be arriving at the customer's house today.

On to the Farmer's wife Quilt!

Simple Living update

Simple living includes:

• daily relaxation
•  daily meditation on God's word
•  daily updates with family and friends
• daily work
• daily creating by quilting or playing a instrument
• daily sleep
• daily well balanced diet

• daily laughter
• daily i love yous
• daily hugs
• daily dreams

That's a start to simple living
The picture is just a simple hole drilled in limestone. Just random, ha!

The Happiness Project

The word/action for the week in happiness is discipline.

I am finding that I can't stay disciplined in all areas each week. I find that if I keep the house up, my cooking and eating plan goes. Or maybe my sewing (fun time) goes. I have been doing well in daily devotional time and exercsing. The other discipline that we are following is our plan for debt free living.

However, I need more discipline in my diet. The action is to continue to follow a healthy plan with less calories and more exercise. It is hard to keep all going in all the areas at once. I think I fall in the trap of wanting to do one at a time ... but that's not real life. It is really all about balance.

Tiny Tuesday

I started the Farmer's Wife Quilt today. Here are the first two blocks of the 111 in the book.  I am really excited about this quilt. It seems to be less piecing than the Civil War Diary Quilt but just as fun. I am using Moda's Cotton Blossom Charm packs and I will blend it with what I have on hand than "goes." The quilt blocks in this project are 6 inches.

Design Wall Monday

Here is a Pattern that you can have a chance to win here at Kate's blog. I was given the opportunity to test her pattern and absolutely love it!!! There are several options for layouts and I really thought it is a clever design. Note, my little runner is quilted and bound!!

Here are the quilt blocks from a kit that I am working on . I love the orange and green combo. I don't like how the pattern has them set with double scrappy sashing . I am not sure I am going to do that. I am liking the quilt kits when I need some easy soothing sewing, no intense thinking. :)

Simple Living update

The garden had a rough year. The tomatoes all split before being ripe. The cabbage didn't get heads in them and the squash didn't produce. Summer was hot and they had plenty of water, not sure why the poor harvest.

BUT we have potatoes!! What a surprise, the  white carrots did well and one zucchini made it.

Nothing is more simple than growing your own food. Or complicated or full of luck. Next year, we may have more kitchen herbs and annuals. But that 1 1/2 pound potato may entice use to try more veggies!!

The Happiness Project

I have been working on several items in this project. I have been trying to clean up and organize which is an ongoing project. I did let some thing pile up this summer and it is slowly getting sorted and put away. I am working on finishing projects that I start. I am also picking up with all seriousness my diet and exercise program after gaining 10 pounds this summer. Funny how all of this ties together with a summer that was full of travel, fun and eating out-which is still part of the happiness project because having fun is essential to happiness.

The next thing I have been working on is keeping in contact with friends and family. I have felt a resurgence of an old part of myself. Feeling very shy. I have been trying to email and contact people but this has had minimal success. Phone calling is best I am finding. I have found that going to events also help. What a concept, you gotta get "out there." :) I have an initial response to invites of .... not sure... could be uncomfortable. Ok I am going!!

It is funny how something that you thought was so over, like my shyness, can keep coming back. Like a bad penny as my Grandma used  to say.


Just goes to show ya that there are always things to be working on around here!

Tiny Tuesday

The last block of the Civil War Diary Quilt!!

I am starting the Farmer's Wife soon. I love the little blocks!!

Design Wall Monday

I am finishing up tons around here, I did 2 baby quilts. I made a hockey jersey quilt, check it out here. I have completed a couple of customer quilts. I have completed the blocks for the Civil War Diary quilt. 

Pictured is my latest beginning. A beautiful kit of oranges and greens. The pattern is one of my favorites and I think it is a fun project to do.

Fall Beauty

Limestone Quarry in North East Michigan

pretty trees

Ship in Lake Huron near the quarry

This was homecoming weekend. We lost the football game. The dance was last night and DS went. We went out on a tour of the fall leaf colors. I enjoyed the day. I was able to take some pictures of the kids before the dance. All in all a really good day.

The Happiness Project

Traffic Circle is fancy now!

There are really just a few small things that can make me smile. Art is one. Our town has placed a traffic circle near my work. I was very unhappy when it was first installed but I have had time to adjust.

I am in this circle a minimum of 6 times a day. It has been boring. It has had flowers in it, weeds and has just been really ugly. Then something happened. A metal sculpture was recently placed in the center of the circle.

It makes me smile. Now if the flowers could get straightened up.

Tiny Tuesday

I completed the blocks pictured over the past week. The last Civil War Diary quilt block is in process. I will have completed all 121. On to The Farmer's Wife! Maybe next week I will have one or two of those blocks done. They don't appear to have as many pieces per block. I am thinking about framing the 100 piece block in this quilt and not use it in a quilt!!!

I am having such fun with the little blocks. I have a quilt to start that is 12 inch blocks and I am not sure if I can make the transition back to large pieces!!

the smiles say it all~

a proud moment at the award ceremony

We had the last Highland Games of the year yesterday. It was cold in am but a pleasant October day with sun, laughs and competition. I had a wonderful time this season meeting some great people, watching a really interesting sport and travelling to new places. My husband won a sword for third place. I am so proud. He had a great season. I think he is currenlty rated in the top 100 in his age group!

I am spending today being a vegetable. OK, I am doing laundry and cleaning up. I already went to church and grocery shopped. Now, I am watching football and crying over my fantasy team not scoring points. I am rotting my brain on online games, blogs and Face book. Love it!! A perfect Sunday.

Today is an apple pie day and I have all the ingredients!