And Here We Are

 First Fall

The weather has been beautiful....warm days, cool nights....but we have not heard the last of Summer, I'm sure of it. 
Even so, I love Fall and I will take what has been handed to me!

I'm taking a break from the UFO clubs for September.  There are two things I just MUST do THIS month.

Finish Barbie 

I did start the  Falling Charm quilt using Barbie Fabrics....sewing on Miss Ellie.

It has been a pleasure the past few days.

 

Designed in EQ8...I even imported the fabrics from Riley Blake's website.

 I've numbered each of the blocks and will follow this layout....

As simple as this pattern looks, it can get confusing, especially if you're using directional fabrics, as I am.  

I'll admit, I'm only a few blocks in and Jack and I have already had a date. But, you know the saying...It isn't really a quilt until Jack shows up.

 I'm taking it one-diagonal row at a time.

 

The other item I want to finish for September is Ana's Pullover. 

Ana asked for this a year ago when I was in Seattle at Thanksgiving....It's going to be pretty easy.  My hesitation has been cutting such a beautiful piece of fabric...and messing it up.

I will do a "practice piece" first...using some inexpensive fleece, which I've already purchased...so no excuses.

 

I've been wanting to get back into garment construction....have been following a couple YouTubers, and purchasing vintage patterns from Etsy and eBay. 

 

Did you know the four big pattern companies, Simplicity, McCalls, Vogue and Butterick will no longer be producing clothing patterns?  Here is the latest scoop.  While sad, it kind of makes sense....with fast fashion being as cheap as it is and fabric being as expensive as it is....not as many people are actually sewing their own clothes...too bad.  It will certainly be a lost art if it dies out.

 

 

How Do You Spell R E L I E F ?

 

 

 

The Hot, Humid days have finally turned to
cooler, less-humid days...what a R E L I E F !! 

Ryan Hall Y'all, weather man extraordinaire 
says 6 to 10 days of this lovely weather! 
We're not finished with summer, but this is a nice respite. 

 

These lovely, cool mornings are perfect for yard work. And, Let me tell you....my yard needs some T.LC.!  After unprecedented Spring rains, and a flooded back yard, then grubs and moles, and unprecedented heat, and another flood in the back yard, and then moles AGAIN....it's been like a mole family reunion!  My yard looks like "H-E-double toothpicks!! "

So, I'm taking this opportunity to pull out all the perennials, use my pick ax to loosen up the soil in the beds, change the positions of the stepping stones, etc. and prepare everything for a better looking yard
down the road, I hope.

 

 

 

After a morning of all this physical work, when evening comes I'm pretty-much done for the day....

 

 ... I want to sew, but I don't want to think....
Just put pedal to the metal and listen to the hum.

 

 

 

 

 

I resurrected an old project, Scrap Crazy 6  not even included as a UFO on any of my lists, 
just sitting in a box on the shelf.

 

As a "Thank You" gift quite a few years ago, Miss Mary Mello gave me a set of acrylic Templates. From these templates you cut left-over fabric and assemble a scrappy quilt.

You can still get these on Amazon.  HERE 

 

 I had cut some fabric scraps way back then... not many....didn't do anything with them...So, out they came!

 

 

 

Laid out on the design board.

 

 

 

 

 

I have to admit....it was relaxing and kind of fun.  

Looking at each of these fabrics brings back pleasant memories of past projects.  

I think I'll do this again tonight.

Scrappy or Not Scrappy:  
Look what you can do with these Templates:  Click HERE
 

  

 

 

Notice, too, I'm sewing on Miss Ellie right now.  (Millie is at the Spa.)  Miss Ellie is so dependable and easy to sew on.  

I want to remodel and rearrange my studio so Miss Ellie can be out all the time. Ready to sew on when the mood strikes.

 

 

 

 

I'm auditioning pre-wound bobbins from The Featherweight Shop.  I like them!  No skipped stitches or thread jams... Certainly worth the money.  (Which really isn't much.)  I like the thread, too, Wonderfil.  

If you have a Featherweight, check out The Featherweight Shop! They do tutorials on YouTube and they'll even answer questions via email.  All their materials and tutorials are FREE!

 

 

 

 Finally, happy birthday to my mom...she would have been 91 today.  I still miss her.

 

 

Flying By....

 

 

 

Wave, bye-bye !!!

 

 I will admin, I'm not sorry to see these DOG DAYS go away...man, has it been hot and humid !!!  😰

 

 

 

 

 

My goal for the remainder of August is to finish up bits and pieces and re-group. 
 

I'll start with tidying up the studio.  It's a bit out of control.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've not been totally distracted from the UFO groups...  
UFO's I'm SUPPOSED to be working on for the month of August are:

River's Edge:  August's Letter is " I " 

 

 

Years ago I was going to make a quilt for one of my dearest friends, Hank.  
I ordered these panels because I thought they were so pretty.  
Sadly, Hank passed away in 2013. 

These panels have been in the queue for at least 14 years? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They're beautiful and hand-painted and a bit intimidating, I don't really know where to start, and I don't want to mess them up.  But, might as well jump right in and do something....better than having them in a box on the shelf !

 

 

Companion fabrics purchased over the years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APQ's:  August number is 10.  Barbie Fat Quarters!   

I'm probably not going to even think about Hank's quilt for now and focus on the Barbie Fat Quarters because it will be easier.  

I don't know what I want to do with the "Hank" panels  and Barbie will be a no-brainer... or mostly a no-brainer.

The Barbie Fat Quarter bundle was purchased in 2023 while I was in Las Vegas visiting my quilting Niece, Desiree.   An impulse buy from Sew Yeah Quilting.

Not sure where I picked up the black fabrics, but I think they complement the Barbie fabrics, don't you agree?

 

 

 

Maybe use the same pattern I used for the Halloween Fabrics, 
Falling Charms?

 

 

 

 

 

 

By-the-way the Halloween-Fabric quilt is finished.  
Needs to go to the LAQ*. 

Update:

You're Invited has been received by my Great Niece, JayCee...and she loves it!

 

Peanut, the puppy, is checking out the points...seeing if they line up. (Don't look too close, pup.)

*LAQ - Long Arm Quilter.

Glorious Way to Start a New Month!

 

 

 

What can be more fun than quilting ALL weekend???

Quilting ALL weekend with a view of a LAKE, that's what!! 

 

The gathering was not strictly quilting.  There were three, small groups of ladies. We did everything from Quilting, Scrap Booking and something called Diamond Dots?  I'd never heard of it before, but the finished product sure is pretty.

Click HERE if you want to know more about Diamond Dots. 

 

 

The Venue; Serenity by the Cove.  
Click HERE for their FaceBook Page. 

 

 

 

We had so much fun, nearly three FULL days (and nights) of quilting, laughing, eating--quilting, laughing, eating, and exploring the surrounding small towns and hamlets of the LBL* area.

Work area, Before--All Clean and Tidy. 

 Work Area with all our STUFF scattered about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carolyn's projects:

   

 

 

 

Falling Charms

My Project; which was was the January UFO for the American Patchwork and Quilting UFO Challenge.  It was too big a project for January, so I skipped it.

January's post HERE

But, Now it is nearly finished...just needs borders and binding.

Even though it is August (with two new UFO's on the list (one for River's Edge and one for American Patchwork and Quilting)), it feels REALLY good to finish this one!

And, I love it...I'm going to keep it!

 

 

 

 

     * LBL - Land Between the Lakes (Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake.)
  ** The Running Rooster HERE 
***  Falling Charms Lap Quilt Pattern HERE

July Evaporated (in more ways than one*)

 

 

 

 

And WHAT a month....
It has been like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride....

 

I was sidetracked by an unexpected death.  
After a very pleasant gathering for Cash's Graduation just a month ago, Ed (my children's dad) suddenly passed away.  And, even though we've been divorced many years, it is still very sad. (Not to mention many phone calls to help the kids navigate all the details.)

Grandson's High School Graduation, June 2025.

 Psalm 37:23  Our steps are ordered by the Lord...and we do not know how many steps we have.

July wasn't a total bust...

FOUR projects started were actually completed! 

 

Baby Quilt: all quilted, bound and gifted  at the baby shower.  
So now  the Cat is out of the Bag...I did not really want to start making quilts for ALL the expectant moms in my church because I fear that is a never ending path....but every time I saw Hally the thought popped into my head. 

And, I'm already thinking of another mom-to-be. She is expecting her third girl.  Little Miss Marigold MUST have a quilt, right?   So, here we go.

  

Rosie O'Doggie small wall hanging for my daughter's 40th birthday gifted and now hanging on her wall:

 

 

 

This was actually harder than I thought it would be and I'm not entirely happy with the result.  But, that is the beauty of gifting items....the receiver doesn't know the difference! 😀

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final Memory Bears for my bestie, Peggy.  That makes SIX in total for her.  
These are for a ministry Terry was involved with, Finding Freedom.

They did turn out cute.  I'm kind of beared-out at this point, but with the death of my kids' dad I think there is at least two more bears waiting in the wings.

You're Invited FINALLY FINISHED!
Started THREE years ago, it is finally bound and labeled and soon to be off to its new owner, JayCee (great niece.)
Now that it's finished (and all the thoughts of my dates with "Jack"** are a memory) I like it so, so much.  I want to keep it for myself!  I can justify keeping it....It's mine....I made it....she's not even expecting it....

 

But, JayCee will love this and she's the only great niece/nephew that doesn't have at least one quilt.

One more thing I will do before month's end:  I've had these pictures hanging on my wall for many years.  Me at around 18 months and my children's dad about the same age.  I'm going to package them up and send to my daughter.  She needs this.

 

UPDATE:  Ana's dining room.  This is her "family" display.  
There are things from her grandparents, and other people who are (and were) important to her.

 

*It has been so hot and humid...for weeks....I feel like I'm melting. 
** Jack the Ripper 

 

Feelings

 

It feels like we (as a collection of people) have forgotten what Liberty is about.

It feels like we do not give our neighbors and friends, family and people we meet the Freedom to have their own opinion.

It feels like we are so Divided giving no grace for others Independence.

Isn't that the founding fathers wanted? 

Isn't that what our ancestors fought for?

Isn't that what we all want?

We, the people, need to come back together in Unity. 

Start today.  Come along side .... 

We're Back (and) in the Saddle Again

 ....Out where a friend is a Friend...

Even though my vacation did not materialize the way I'd imagined....it was a GREAT TIME just the same.

 

 ...spent time with my littlest Babe at the Aquarium of the Pacific:

 

....had some beach time:

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Eeje, Ana,
Dez,  Me.) 

.

 

 

 

..breakfast at Richies in Victorville (apparently a well-known place) with my sister, Renee, and  Dez, my niece.

 

...Graduation!  AND, Party !!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It takes a village to launch them!

Parents, Siblings, Aunties, Grandpa and Grandma (me 😊)

 

 

 

...Wrapping up a wonderful trip in Lake Tahoe with my *bestie, Peggy.  It was so beautiful! And, relaxing.

 

 

 

 

 

Now I'm ready to get back in the swing of things in my 'ol Kentucky Home.  

Stay home, save money and finish UFO's

 

Did I accomplish ANYTHING in the Studio in June?  Why, Yes I did: 

 

 

A quick baby quilt for a dear, young mom-to-be.
(Off to the LAQ today.)

I've used this pattern several times before...one of my favorites.
Petal from The Pine Needle...a great fabric store in Lake Oswego, Oregon...sadly, no longer there.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you know, I finished and gifted three memory bears to my *bestie, Peggy, in memory of her husband Terry. HERE

One for her grand daughter, one for her and one for her daughter. She loved them, she cried... then she asked for three more. (Story later.)

 

 

 

 

I've made all the mistakes with the first three, so these should be quick.

Happy 40th Birthday to my Baby Girl, Ana.

 

 

A small wall quilt ...  Rosie O'Doggie.  We adopted Rosie when Ana was in High School....we had her 10 years before her passing.  

She was a good dog.

Paper-pieced...the pieces were teeny and I'll admit I did not remove all the paper from the backside....It is a wall hanging, so who will know??? 😀 

 The Plan now:  Finish the additional bears and be ready for July. 

*Peggy and I go back to the mid 1970's...yes, we are THAT old.