apples in October

We (me, DS, DH, my Mom and Dad) picked apples in 42 degree weather with a little drizzling rain and wind. The Canadian geese wobbled in the sky in the fierce wind gusts, really they did. But we really had fun. We ate at the little snack bar, bought gifts in the shop and lots of apples. I am making apple crisp this afternoon, of course!! The trip over we went through the Jordan River Valley and the Salmon were still there swimming upstream. We ended the ride driving around Torch Lake. A bit of fall color still on the trees.

I have been working on sewing items. I made a oven mitt but not photo worthy because the bias tape I have was too small. I have 30 blocks made for the spool block exchange but we haven't exchanged so no spoiler photos!! I have continued on my pastel pineapples and I have about 8 made only 4 more to go!! I will photograph the top when it is all together.

So stash report= I purchased 1 yard plus 6 fat quarters over the past week. I have a little more than 3/4 of a tote. I need to make one more quilt top or several runners and I will have met my 2009 goal. I better get a move on because it is almost November and I just "realized" that. The short daylight hours of October get my movitvation annually but this year it zapped me. I have to push a little harder in the evenings and sew. And exercise and cook meals. Anyone else have the same problems?

PS my dog continues to be ill with pancreatitis and his prognosis is not great. I am steeling myself for a poor outcome.

a cute tutorial

It has been a long week already at work. People are freaking out they may lose their jobs, clients are very stressed with life and I wishing that 5 pm would come faster and faster daily. I like my job but right now with the state cuts, it is a scary time for some. I think I will be ok but to watch my co-workers and friends be so stressed is hard.

I am really not getting much sewing done. My house is a little cleaner. I have been using the Wii fit 4 times since Sunday. I have been trying to sew but I need a break from quilting, I think. Just that time of year + a sore elbow=not much craftiness.


I found this cute little project:
http://theidearoom.blogspot.com/2009/10/oven-hand-mitt-tutorial.html
I am going to start one tonight.

I found one yard of fabric, a rotary cutter blade and three fat quarters at the Moonlight Madness sale. I saw many things I loved but couldn't bring myself to over do it.

Sunday and just a little report

I sewed a few blocks this week and used about 1/2 yard of fabric. I have heard that there is midnight madness at the quilt shop this week so the opportunity to add to the stash at a really good price is there.

I had lots of fun at the U of Michigan game yesterday. It was great ( win by a large margin)but I am tired today because Ann Arbor is about 3 1/2 hours from here one way. We did it all in one day. We had no place to kennel the dog so we had to get home. He had play time with my parents but he can't be left alone for overnight.

I am going to work on sewing this week but I think I am going to make some purses and pincushions. That should use up some of my stash!!

I finished my spool blocks for the exchange online. I have taken a day off from crafting. I will pick it up again Sunday.



I found this really cute pattern on Moda Bakeshop. I think it will be a great block exchange idea with my local friends. I like the color pallete in the pattern.



We are going to a U of M football game tomorrow. Should be loads of fun, but there is always a price of being behind in the chores at home. I am eating pizza tonight and trying to get a head start on it all. I hate housework it is way overrated.

Block Exchange Party

For my local friends participating in the Black/White X Block Exchange -- a party date has been set. Nov. 7 at 2pm at the same place as last year.

I have a little more straightening up on my blocks. It will be fun!!!

Have you ever....

looked at blocks you made a while ago and then go "what was I doing when I made these?" I did just that today. I pulled out 2 block exchange sets of block that I had finished and thought, "what!!"



So, I have been ripping and redoing some seams. They look better. One block exchange I sewed the entire 12 block set ( with 48 pieces) with the machine threaded wrong. It wasn't too long post surgery so I was out of my mind, ;). Points just aren't passing my idea of quality control.



The next block set I keep making more thinking the more I make the more will pass my quality control, then I will have a set to exchange!!

Sunday Stash Report

I have made a few block this week but not enough to really say I have used a yard. So no more in and a little out.

I have a few pictures above of our nature tour yesterday. It snowed briefly. Sigh, that made the green leaves start to fall without turning. Maybe there will be more to see next week. The is pictures are in the state forest east of here.