what kind of flower?

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh." Well, that was fun. Not sure how true it is--I don't garden though I have managed to keep a couple of houseplants alive in spite of myself. The outside gardening is DJ's job such as it is hence we have no flower beds but plants sticking up with yard and weeds all around them.

Nothing much doing here--Pineapple Blossom is bound and another UFO for 2006 is officially done--that might be #10 or 12? I really am not all that concerned about the number other than avoiding queendom on stashbuster list. So much of what I do is NOT a project I originated, necessarily, start to finish. Occasionally it is. Done and ready to be donated to the kids is far more important to me. I have gotten labels sewn on three quilts with two more to go--one had to be printed and rinsed in Bubble Jet so I am waiting for it to air dry. Labels are so much easier when you can sew two sides into the binding and only applique it down on two sides. That didn't happen on a few of these so I'm finishing the job because they are in my house. If you saw the stacks, BOY, are they in my house!

Back to quilting this afternoon. #12 of 12 needs to be done so I can finally get the walking foot off the machine and work on that round robin--deadline one week away so nothing like procrastinating, Linda. In my defense I had to make a fabric run a week ago.

lazy day

If you only knew how unusual it was for Pippi to be up on her alternate perch lately. She has possibly spent about an hour up there when she first came from being boarded after our trip in May. I put her up there so she can watch the birds, she jumps down almost immediately. You used to like it up there so what's the deal-e-o??? My theory is that today, she is liking the higher position than her catnip scratchy box in the living room because she had some visitors of the canine variety.

I heard something rustling around in the front bushes and looked to see two dogs--medium to large sized ones. One reddish and stockily built that looked like he had some lab in him and his companion, white with one black side of his face like that dog in "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" kinda. No collars on each. Not barking really, just trying to be friendly. Might be loose from the nearby subdivision or might have been dumped. Pippi was not frightened of them though and just pulled her sniff at the door, turn her backside, walk over to the scratchy box routine that she does with the neighborhood cat. I put her up in the perch in here and she has stayed keeping a watchful eye out for their return. DJ saw them too when he got home from the golf course. I was given strict orders not to feed them or given them any water---yeah, like I have any dog food around here. I don't hear any barking frenzy going on with the other neighborhood dogs so they must have moved on.

I like dogs but prefer cats. I hate to see any animal suffer though and it makes me sick when they are mistreated and abandoned. Just read the book by John Grogan "Marley and Me" over the last two evenings. DJ came in to tell me "good night" and I was bawling my eyes out. The story had followed Marley through puppyhood thru his senior citizenry and its inevitable conclusion.

Cher asked me this morning what I had planned for the day. I'm still binding--if I would stop reading blogs etc and kept my fingers busier on the stitching than the keyboard I might be closer to done. I didn't intend to keep working on this quilt but I am getting closer to done with it so I may keep plugging. There are enough quilts in the other room that need labels sewn on and other binding that I could keep at it for a week or more. We have a cooler day today with cloud cover and some breeze so the a/c is not even on yet so I'm guessing that I won't be quilting--concentrate on the hand work instead.

I thought I might share a couple more of the quilts from last weeks meeting since I have nothing of my own recent completion to share. These are two quilts that Jane turned in for the Girls Ranch. Nice and scrappy on the one on the left. I love that little heart she put in the border for a little surprise.

She used a neat print as the focus fabric on the other one with a variation of a horizontal strippie quilt we use for quick quilts. Kind of a Chinese Coin element as well. This one the fun of little blue squares in the outside border in it for interest. My mom and I were joking how a lot of quilts seem to wear tennis shoes. Not so much hands on this but definitely, shoes, LOL.

Well, it is probably time for lunch (reheated vegetable beef barley soup--gotta love leftover pot roast that you can pull from the freezer and re-purpose for a couple more meals. Plenty of soup left so it will head to the freezer too. The meal that keeps on giving *VBG*) TTYL

it's safe to come out now

Sorry for being such a crab apple yesterday---some days are just like that, I guess. The worst thing is that DJ feels compelled to try to cheer me up which entails his acting like a big goofball which just irritates me more. Usually I can laugh with him but if I'm in one of those gray moods he would be better served to back off. If he would just let me stew in my own broth till I make myself sick of being such a grump, it would all work out in the end. I'm better today, trust me.

My mom's email this morning said that my grandma had been moved out of ICU where she had been since surgery on Sunday to a regular room. Things must be looking up in there if she needs a lesser level of care.

So what are you looking at here on the bed? First, be surprised that the bed is actually made and Pippi is not in the perch. Norma commented that I must make few quilts for myself--she is right on that score but this happens to be one of them. The pattern is "Star Trip" from J. J. Stitches. Tami was just talking about this spot in her blog after a recent trip to Sun Prairie, WI. I made the quilt in a class at a Birmingham area quilt shop some years back . Lots of Robin Pandolph and other quilt shop quality fabric so I am definitely keeping it.

Under the quilt is the bowtie that I normally have on the bed in summer---purchased top but I quilted it. The pink and cream one underneath is one that belonged to DJ's stepmother though I don't have a clue if she made it or not. Little worn on the edges and it is hand quilted, summer weight. What was the fabric that has such a nice finish on it from years past--cloth of gold or something??? Whatever it is, that's is what is on the back of it--feels silky and cool.

Yep, Finn--it is a Jenny Lind frame. You asked about that in a previous post that showed my room. The bed once belonged to an ex-boyfriend. His dad made it, as a matter of fact but it was just in storage when he gave it to me. It once had a coat of black paint on it but I took it to one of those furniture stripper places where they dip it to get it down to the wood. The people at the shop said they could have sold it several times over. I stripped the side boards myself but the head and foot board were way past my abilities.

Well that was kind of off the track there. What have I been doing today? Walked when it was thankfully, a bit clouded up. We got some tstorms through here last night about 8 so it was a good thing the firework had already been done on Saturday. 1/2 inch of needed rainfall. Yards are finally greening back up and the red crepe myrtles are really starting to come out now.

We received word last night that our neighbor's mom passed away this weekend (they shared the house) after a long illness and a 10 day hospitalization. Ronnie said that the obit was not in the paper as it should have been and the visitation was this morning followed by the funeral. It being a holiday we could not call to order some flowers and the visitation started at 10. We stopped by the florist's in our little mapdot after we walked--their order was not in and they suggested the one in the town just north of us about 5 miles. Off we go---not opened due to an extended holiday week. Drive into Anniston---out on delivery. He took me home or at least tried to--road construction on that last leg of our road. Anyway, he went back, the florist was in, the plant ordered and delivered--fortunately, right across the road from the funeral home. Attractive arrangement.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I was trying to get ready to go to the visitation. This meant drying my hair instead of just leaving it to its own devices (or yanking it back in a "puny" tail ), putting on a dress and makeup. I was getting hotter by the minute with that blowdryer in hand and almost in need of another shower. I told "AC Controlman" that I would trade him a half hour of ac now for half hour off the end time tonight. SHEESH. Well he thought I looked nice so I guess it was worth it.

Once we got home, I made a blueberry pie to take over to the house--it's still cooling. Of course, DJ thinks I should make HIM a pie and was teasing me about buying some apples so I could. I told him to be sure to buy a deep dish crust while he was it. I don't "do" crust--well I can but just don't. It is hard to roll it out in the limited space I have to do so. You see, his golfing friend came down for a visit last year and brought a big sack of apples. The first night he was here we had some sort of pie, maybe even blueberry. The 2nd night I asked if he wanted a piece of pie---his response was "is it still ---------pie?" He had expected me to whip him up a pie with those apples while they were off to the golf course!!!! I don't even take many requests/suggestions from my husband (he rarely makes one anyway), let alone him! They sure made good applesauce later though--wrong variety of apple, Herb.

Anyway, DJ will get something else or wait till next shopping day. They served something they called a peach congealed salad at the tea room last week and I know it is very similiar to something I make with blueberry pie filling that has a topping of sweeted cream cheese and sour cream topping. I may give that a whirl with the substitutions to see if I'm right but I'll have to make a store run. Actually I am "blowing off" going to a meeting tomorrow with a potluck lunch. This might have been a good chance to make something like that. I know, I know, you shouldn't try a new recipe and then serve it to a group if you are not sure how it will turn out.

No quilting yet today and it is after 3, meaning I am not inclined to want to start if I haven't by now. I finished up the quilting on the pink bowties last evening and started on the last one in my stack but only got one row of blocks done. It's the Embroidered blocks in Picture Frame set that I shared some months back--guess I better post another picture when it is quilted since we have some new web ring members. I'll get back to binding on the Pineapple Blossom and give my upper back and shoulders a rest today. Always tomorrow.

Happy 4th

INDEPENDENCE SQUARE

Brackman #1621

Happy Birthday to my friend Cindy too should she be looking in. Hope everyone has a good day and a safe holiday. It is not going to feel much like a holiday here as the fireworks already were lit and we aren't going anywhere (like we ever do) or doing thing special.

Truthfully I am a little bummed, maybe a bit homesick and worrying about my grandma. So it manifests itself as some sniping at my husband over something stupid and him, naturally, sniping back. I am glad that he is on the golf course this morning so I have a little time alone. My annoyance will pass but I need the chance to miss him a bit, mostly. Ever feel like running away from home for a day or two? Not sure where I would go but I would be off like a shot if I could.

No quilts to show today. I am a little more than half done quilting the Mennonite Bowtie top from late June but I'll wait till the a/c goes on to get back to that. Think I'll work on some binding and keep that quilted piled up off my lap while I hand stitch.

till later then--

#10 and holiday quilts

Quilt #10 of 12 quilted but binding not done. The top was made by an unknown quilter in Oregon and donated to Cher's Portland Piecers group. She sent me part of it to re-purpose as it was too large for their needs. Cher, I assume that you kept the other half or section for your use? All that red and blue and it looks a bit patriotic too.
There are upholstery fabrics in it, that bumpy stuff used to make dresses in years past and cottons. I am guessing the fabric spans a couple decades---50's through 70's?? What do you all think?

Now here is the curious thing. DJ came by the sewing room as I was working on it and said that he really like this one. I tried to figure out just why that was as the workmanship is far from perfect--some of the blocks are a good 1/2 inch away from joining etc. "All the mix of colors and it just looks like a quilt" Well, Darlin' , what the heck have I been making with all those others then? HMMMM. It definitely looks like something from years gone by to me. Maybe that's it--it looks more like the quilts he may have grown up with, the "make do" ones. Though I see flowers, pinks and some butterflies maybe this should go to the boys if he likes it?? I don't think it screams "girl"

Some of my quilts in the patriotic vein. This is the "Multiseasonal Banner" from Katrina Designs though the flag is NOT the one that came with the pattern. I foundation pieced this one but may have even drawn it up myself as I used something similiar in a BOM block. Who remembers or who really cares? The center little quilt has velcro loop tape on the back so you can change out the center.

I have made a few different sections of my own and really intend to make some more---like I never got the Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas ones done but did make the multipurpose house. The Heart and Shamrock were my ideas as was the flag. The picture I tried to take of the pattern itself was intended to show you what lays ahead but I didn't account for the flash going off it would appear.

The last picture on the post is my Debbie Mumm "USA" banner that is a tad too big to hang anywhere in my house. Several of us in the Bama Belles group made these--this is my version.

I also have a "Little Quilts" flag around here somewhere--probably packed away with the decorations in the utility room. The door between the kitchen and utility rooms was taken down and that is where I used to hang it. I also used to put stuff up above my buffet in the kitchen AND atop the buffet--that's gone too as we put another cabinet atop it for storage purposes. Needless to say, my desire to decorate for the seasons kinda flew out the window.

So I'll be off for groceries soon. It might be an extended holiday weekend but it's still a Monday and that means errands to those places that remained open. It was interesting to read Anne B's account to how they celebrate their national holiday. Check my last post if you would like to read.

Over the weekend my grandmother fell while attempting to walk about 5 feet without her walker. She has been living with my aunt and was left unattended just long enough for the accident to happen. She suffered an incomplete fracture of her hip and had surgery yesterday to repair it. If you would, please keep my mom, aunt and grandma in your thoughts and prayers . Thank you.

Mystery Quilts & US Holidays

Looks like I didn't get one of the girls best side in one of these shots . (OOPS. I won't name names)

Aline said that I could show her Mystery quilt top that she recently completed. The pattern came from a Fons and Porter magazine from last year? My quick flipping though a stack of back issues Thurs night didn't come up with article. My reason for looking in the first place--the name--because Aline wanted to know)

The quilt will go to one of Aline's grandsons when completed. Note the pieced back she is holding. Not sure why we didn't pin it for her but I suspect that due to its size, it is headed to the longarm quilter.

As for me, not much to report except that the 9th quilt for June was quilted on July 1, LOL. Hanne is right--we should just extend June another week at least in our minds. The one I worked on was the 2nd pineapple blossom made from Linda S' blocks that I showed you in the post from June 17th. Today I believe I will work on a pinwheel top that Cher shared with us from their donation box---large quilt scaled down with lots of neat fabrics to look at. Finn will love it!

Anniston had its fireworks display last night at a park just a mile or so away as the crow flies. We can see a good bit of them through the trees and occasionally some go a bit higher where you get a better glimpse. DJ said we could probably see them better if we went up on the roof but that is kind of a joke between us. Years ago (like back in the late 80s) he was living a couple miles out from Bloomington. With everything being so danged flat with all those corn and bean fields you could see for miles when the fireworks were being set off at the country club golf course BUT you had to get up on the roof to get past the subdivision tree line. I got up there but could not get down--first of all, because it was pitch black out I couldn't see where I was stepping and couldn't feel the ladder rungs. 2nd, I am a little afraid of heights and 3rd, I was wearing a sundress and sandals which is not the best attire for ladder climbing or descending. Plus it turns out I already had a stress fracture in my right foot from moving that weekend--worked for a podiatrist and the x-ray confirmed it. How he talked me into getting up there in the first place I still don't know.

SOOOO I enjoyed looking out his bedroom window at the back of the house without the mosquitos and the crowds. I DO miss walking the 6-7 blocks over to Miller Park in Bloomington, IL to see fireworks. I think we have actually gone once since our move here--the last year they had them at Fort McClellan on the Parade Grounds before it closed. The lead singer from "Three Dog Night" performed in concert that night--shades of my "salad days" in the late 60's-early 70's.

We are not going anywhere this weekend but I know many of you ARE so it is apt to be pretty quiet around the ring. (I'll still look, LOL) Interesting to see how the other countries celebrate such things. UK have something similiar to Canada Day? I often wonder how long it might take till someone moves 4th of July just so they can have a 3 day weekend like they do with President's birthdays. Call it exclusively Independence Day and they might.

422

Speaking of the 422 quilts my mom has made--here is the top in question. Nice and scrappy---I believe she said she sewed and cut her way through " a large shopping bag of binding ends, miscuts etc., a couple of shoe boxes and a 2 gallon freezer bag". Sure made a pretty quilt! For the last few years she has sent some quilts to Novgorod, Russia by way of the Fellowship of Christian Farmers which has their headquarters in their little town in IL. This will be heading there as it is large and more bedsized which the matrons have indicated is a better options for their facility.

I have to wonder if that tension rod and clips would work at my house. How wide is my hallway anyway? Could you imagine DJ's being put out of Quilt Holder position! Lately I have put a few on his bedroom floor which is the biggest expanse of floor space in the house for those quick snaps. He may get a little tired of me tracking strings in there too BUT what ammunition when he acts so put out about holding one up for me. In all fairness, he doesn't gripe all the time so it must just be bad timing on my part.

Okay, the batting question for Finn, Judy and my mom. We use Hobb's polyester 3.3 oz (their lowest loft) , 48 inch x 60 yards and order 4 at a time--we just opened the third roll (2nd roll was opened in late April. ) This stuff is not all wiry like some I have seen--rather soft actually. The quilts will be a little puffy and cuddly plus stand up to the washing. That may be frowned on by the quilting purist but I believe that is why the ditch stitching makes the block components stand out more. I do like 80-20 for my own stuff--ha, like I do my own stuff--depending on the project. Of course the quilting does mash it down a bit--what I might struggle to get under the feed dogs at first is easier in the middle of the project. We did try a roll of 80-20 at one point that Susan got for us in error--while one girl may have an allergy problem to the poly and another who free motions is not fond of it at all, most of us prefer the puffiness part since it is for the kids.

So, soon time to go walk. Except for the shoes not being on I am at least remotely ready. Been up since 6--sorted and started the laundry, dressed for a change, picked up my room and even made the bed, LOL. A few things in the sewing room need putting away but I'll be back to quilting these last four in the stack over the holiday weekend. Then, no excuses---it will have to be round robin time.