I finished all of the Road to the White House Exchange blocks. There are three layout options as pictured above. I am exchanging about 20 of the blocks so there will be more variety in the fabrics. I like the option that makes the traditional X pattern in the light fabrics. I sewed three of the blocks today with minimal problems with the machine. I have it working the best it has ever worked now.

I am proud of the Middle School's Veterans Day program. I think about a thousand people were there. It was moving, educational, professional and very well done. Thanks to all Veteran's. DS did a great job with taps even though he was nervous.

I am knitting another tote during television viewing in the evening. I loved the Christmas music today. The snow is still here and I think that I am getting ideas for projects for Christmas. First is the ornament exchange. First attempt isn't working so I am going to the second plan.

I am going to have some of my apple pie, I hope it tastes as good as it looks.

Vicki

I have a sewing day planned for tomorrow

Yeah for our Veterans! We appreciate all of the sacrifice! Yeah for my employer who gives us the day off!! Yeah for a Day for sewing!!

DS has a school Veterans day program in the am I will attend because he is playing taps. I have some cleaning to do but not much the day is planned to be my day.

I need a fun day. I couldn't get my sewing machine to work yesterday so I didn't get much done. I think I fixed it... a little cleaning, 2 new needles, oil and taking the bobbin all apart and playing with the tension, new spool of thread.. and wa la... it was working.

I have been thinking about Christmas already. I bought a Holiday Cd from a fund raiser and I am going to listen to it tomorrow. We had 6 inches of snow this am but it is slowly melting. I went to Kohls with my Mom and saw lots of great holiday gifts and sales already. I am getting in the mood. I usually get bit by the bug early in fall and start projects and gifts but not this year. I have been just not into it this year and not inspired I guess. I think I will plan little projects tomorrow, I have time before Christmas.
Click on the link for a live view of snowman cam.http://www.snowmancam.com/news.htm



Vicki

Update on THE squirrel

If you look closely you can see the little black squirrel in my neighbors ancient lilac trees. All of the leaves have fallen and the squirrels are going crazy for the walnuts and acorns in the neighborhood. I see about 12 little squirrels of all colors -- black, red and gray. Yes there are times when you see calico ones too.

The little squirrel, aka the tree rat, that found it's way in the house yesterday was a 4 inch gray squirrel. We left the doors open and the dog kenneled and haven't seen or heard of him since. We even left out a paper plate with peanut butter and it was untouched. BTW, tree rats love captain crunch cereal. He was lured out from under the fridge with that. Good bye little fella, you are cute outside but aggrivating in my domain.

While I was doing the Sat weekly cleaning. I found evidence of where the squirrel came in. He came in through the crawl space under the bathroom followed the pipes to the vanity holding the sink. He chewed a hole in the rear corner and let himself in. Now to find where he came in under the foundation ..... Rats!!

I have sewed 2 RTWH blocks for the exchange and I am pondering how to start my applique Santa. I have not attempted something so large, intricate and with a pattern. I usually look at a pattern and then draft my own because so many patterns have errors in it.

It is a nice quiet weekend home and I am taking advantage of it. I am making meatloaf and apple crisp. Nice fall comfort foods.

Vicki

SQUIRREL ON THE LOOSE!!

AND.... IT .... IS ...... IN..... MY HOUSE!!!!!!!!

Wish me and the whole family luck in shooshing it outside. It was discovered this am, spotted again at noon and muddy footprints by the fridge and dog's bowl this evening. I feel like Carl the groundskeeper on Caddy shack.... "Come on little gopher....." No idea on how it got inside. GRRRR.

Vicki

Friday Nov 7

There really hasn't been anything new here. I did finish hand quiltng the Postage stamp table runner!! This is not a great example of the best piecing skills but I absolutely love the fabric. I decided this is a cute block but the pattern I used was terrible and the handles weren't easy to do.

I have been watching Quilt in a Day on RFD. Elenor has been doing victory quilts based on 1940's patterns. Wow, so many little pieces and she makes them look so easy. I want to try some of the blocks but they are intimidating with my elementary piecing skills. But as I tell my music students, practice makes perfect. Has anyone made any of these blocks? Are they as hard as I think?

I am going to start my Santa applique this weekend using the wonderful patterns I won from Dorothy. I hope my fears are settled over this project. Until I get my courage up on applique the Dear Jane, Civil War Diary quilt and Nearly Insane quilts I love will have to wait. Just google the names of the quilts and you will be dazzled by the workmanship of these antique quilts and quilt blocks without the use of computers and modern technology. Horray for the ingenuity of Women!!

Vicki

Signs, Signs everywhere there's signs....

Lots of signs in people's yard this year, I noticed before the election. However, they were not political signs. They were House For Sale signs. Going out of business signs. Signs very few for candidates or the props. I voted already, I was in and out in less than 10 minutes. Now we wait and see. I am hoping that the signs change soon. It is a uncertain world out there.

Weekends are way to short

...and weekdays too long. Went shopping and Christmas music is in full swing at all the stores. I am slowly thinking about it.


I went to the local quilt show. I was great! Saw quilts by people I know and was truly inspired. I forgot my camera so no photos. I did buy some powder stuff to use for applique instead of Wonder Under or stitch witchery. I will post photos when I use it. I hope it is worth the money I spent on it. It is called 007 Bonding Agent.





I sewed 2 more RTW block exchange blocks yesterday and worked on my table runner. Both goals on the those projects will be met soon. I have a applique Santa project that I will do next.


An aquantaince I met at the quilt show said "We should have a quilt in this show. We can do it." I thought why not? I think I am going to plan a show quilt for next year. My work is as good as many of the quilts there... I CAN DO IT!! Maybe...





Vicki