A beach weekend.

It was a beautiful weekend at the beach and the Easter bunny knew where to find us because we have spent some other Easter's there. I think both girls came home because of a certain furry creature. There were some chocolate bunnies and eggs around ....and someone forgot to take theirs back to college. I am hiding hers from myself!



This beach is at Gulf Shores, Alabama. The prettiest beaches I have ever been to. And I have seen both coasts, north, south and in between. Canadian beaches...yes, Prince Edward Island has a lovely beach. I have seen the beach in France, granted it was a cold and windy day that time, but Gulf Shores still has the prettiest sand and water. NO OIL ON THE BEACH. yes you heard me. There is no oil on the beach. For a nice family vacation..you should check it out. Great Seafood around and beautiful beaches. What more can you ask for?

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to everyone!

Two more blocks!

This block is called Fourth Inning. Very easy ...so why did I mess it up. The bottom left block is a little crooked..might not show in the picture cause there was a little breeze rustling. I think I will remake when we are done. I don't want to run out of fabric. I might change it up a little if I do a redo..maybe two whites to replace two greens.

Diamond Mine. Half Square Triangles.

Done on these till next Monday when P2 will post the next two blocks. We are half way through this quilt along. It's been fun and I will do another because everyone is so supportive. I don't have too many friends that sew or they are too busy and so this is a great way to share with people with the same interests. The online quilting community is great. I did recently join a quilting group locally but they are very traditional. I will be taking this to the show and tell when it's done.

We are going to the beach for Easter. Sunrise Service on the beach! I am looking forward to some sun and seeing my girls. And I want some chocolate! Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.

Sunday Afternoon....

Yesterday was a beautiful day. Cool. No humidity to speak of. Perfect Day to ride the Harley to Blakely State Park and hike in the woods.

Blakely has lots of options. There are hiking trails, horse paths and biking areas. There is waterfront, archaelogy digs in the old town and a civil war battlefield you can expore. You can climb all over the breastworks and hike on the confederate ones. Great for reenactors. We have actually seen a few reenactments here when the kids were younger. Gunfire, horses, tent camp, the whole thing. It was very peaceful yesterday.

The boardwalk stretches a long ways along the Tennsaw River. Blakely is a hidden treasure just a short ride from Mobile.

This was a day the Lord had made and we were glad and rejoiced in it!

P2 Week Three - 2nd Block

This is the second block for week three of the P2 quilt along. It's called Biggest Fan. I love this block and can see doing a whole quilt like this.. Maybe not these colors. Something softer.

Here are the first four blocks I have made. I think this will be quite striking when it's done. The colors are a lot different than what I am usually attracted to but it's growing on me. Working with solids is not quite as forgiving as prints. I am having to piece, cut and press more accurately. So I am pleased cause I am learning better skills!

P2 Week Three

This is the first block for the third week of the Patchwork Squared Quilt Along. It's called Center Aisle. I checked my 1/4 inch foot to make sure I was sewing exactly a 1/4 inch using a 3x5 index card. Did you know the lines were 1/4 inch apart? I didn't. My foot was right on. I have problems pressing. I never seem to know which way to press, especially after the first few seams. Anybody got any good tips?

I am having trouble inserting a picture in edit mode so I am going to make a new post for the next block of week 3.

Found Them!

Found these beauties (Denyse Schmidt collection by Fabric Editions) at Joanne's. I had to go twice this week. Earlier in the week I searched the store high and low and there was no sign of them. But on Saturday I scored! These five are the only ones in the collection my store had. And by the looks of what was left on the bolt it was a good thing I got there when I did. The red dot was almost gone. Look here and here for some better pics of this beautiful line.



I also found these at Joanne's. This is Alexander Henry's Farmdale collection or at least all they had of it. This chickens are adorable and I am seeing some cute kitchen stuff with these.

No plans for the DS collection. I need to get a few more then am thinking maybe a star quilt.

Joanne's also had all their rotary tools at 50% off , along with notions and Gutermann thread. I picked up some thread and needles. Ready to sew!

peppermint pinwheels done!

Block No. 5 for the Designer Mystery Quilt.

Block No. 11 came in the mail yesterday so I need to get busy and get caught up!

too much coffee.....too late.

This is what happens when you stay up too late because you drank some wonderful smelling coffee someone was nice enough to make for you too late in the day. Alternate block for p2 modern solid quilt along.

1st block for P2 Modern Solid Quilt Along

Here it is...

I finally finished my block. I was starting to worry I wouldn't get it done in time. This week was so busy...finished my taxes and efiled. Never fun. Finished the kid's taxes too. Thursday was
dear husband's birthday...celebrated with the traditional cake and whatever you want for dinner and of course, presents! Yesterday we, as in most of the family, spent the day at my mil's house packing and going through things to get ready to sell and help her move to her new living space. She gave me an interesting piece that I will share later. I think I will use it in my sewing space.

I spent some time looking at blocks in books and online. I wanted to do one similar to one I saw on flicker but of course I can't find it now. I didn't like the end result so I played around with the same HST's. I like the pinwheel and star combination. I looked at this site for some inspiration too. There are even directions for blocks.

I had a lot of fun deciding on a block and can't wait to do some more. I have lots of ideas for more quilts I want to do. So many quilts, so little time.

quilt along

so... this is a first for me. I am participating in the Patchwork squared quilt along. Also a first working with solids but I am excited. I have checked the site twice today to get started!


Here are the fabrics I ordered. I never prewash and in checking out the group in flicker I noticed people are prewashing and ironing. So should I prewash? I may be behind already!
If anyone reads this, please advise. I only prewash reds. I just throw in some color grabber thingies and wash the quilt when done. Just starting and already flustered! what do you think?

a little cutting...

I spent some time today cutting out a few more orange fabrics to go in a quilt for my youngest daughter. The color in this picture is not so good.

I have three blocks done and at least 20 plus to go. I kind of work on this project in between others. It's a come and go kind of thing. I like working on this one though cause it involves more "play". No pattern. Just do it. I need to do it more often cause someone has a birthday coming up...

meet Lacey....

This is my fabric for the Patchwork square quilt along. My first time doing a quilt along and first time for working with solids so I needed some guidance in choosing fabrics. I went straight to the Fat Quarter Shop and picked these and got a discount. Hoping to learn some new skills along the way. I'm ready.

This is my dog Lacey...she is an 11 yr old Australian Shepherd. She loves to get in the Asian jasmine and romp. It's thick right now with new growth and kind of swallows her up.

Isn't she cute? She has slown down and mellowed out a lot in the last few years. But she can still chase squirrels...never catches them though, even when she was faster! She is one good dog.
She kind of matches my solid fabrics!