Beautiful weather

This looks fuzzy, but that is the way I feel. I went out this morning to pull the rest of the water grass around the bean plants. That is the center section of the garden. I then was putting the grass in a 5 gal bucket and sitting on the bottom of another 5 gal bucket to get closer so I could see the grass from the beans. I had done 1/2 of it and needed to get the rest done. I then placed newspaper down on the aisles and then straw over the top. Well before I got the second half done I got up to empty my bucket into a taller trash can. I replaced the empty bucket and moved the one I was sitting on. I backed up to the seat and the bucket wasn't sitting level I backed up to it and my caboose hit the ground. I laid there and thought I wonder if anyone saw me fall. Then I thought I ruined the plants and how was I going to explain that. I finally got my feet under me and got up, but I am aching to say the least. I came in and my son called and he wanted me to do something for him today and I said no I just fell. He giggled. He did call back later and asked if I was alright. Well I was back out in the garden placing the straw around by that point. I am ready for bed. I got my nightgown on and trying to relax the hip I fell on. Of course it is the one that hurts all the time. The grass is pulled the the straw is down. Hopefully other than picking the beans I don't have to pull anymore grass for a few days. I know you are giggling. Chris

The sun is out

Today is beautiful and we are to have great weather almost all week long. I can't go out to play because I have such a dirty house. I need to scrub floors and dust and vacuum the whole house. The gloomy weather made for a depressing time and nothing got done. Now that the sun is out boy can I see the dust on everything. Out of 28 days we have had 17 days of rain and I am not talking 1/4 inch more like 1 inch plus for all those days. We have almost 8 inches more rain fall for the this month than what is normal for this time of the year. No wonder I have to mow every other day. And the weeds are taking over in the garden. Maybe I can get to the garden after I work on the house some. Tomorrow for sure. Suppose to be less humidity tomorrow. I gotta go find a dust rag. Yuck! LOL Chris

My Shopping Trip

I have been looking for a fabric for some sashing for some blocks I have made. I found it today at 50% off. I got 4 yards of it. It is a Thimbleberries called House and Garden from 2007, but it works for my purpose.

This quilt shop has cribs to show off the bolts of fabrics. So in a doll crib they have scraps from making samples for the displays at the shop. They put them in storage bags and mark them. I applique and always looking for small prints. If I don't use them in applique I can use them in a scrappy quilt which I am sure will emerge someplace down the road. I have 6 patterns on my to-do list right now. Chris

As of yesterday 6 months till Christmas

I know you wanted to hear that right. Well I thought it was a good idea to get the lists out and see what needs to be done. I have got a quilt started for my son that I do want finished for Christmas. Today I am taking my Mom to the quilt shop and going to look for the sashing fabric for this quilt top. Time is getting away from me and I need this one done for Christmas. I should get another one done before the end of July. My Brother is coming to visit and my Mom wants one quilted for him. The yard work is on hold today because of the heat advisory so maybe after shopping I can get into the sewing room and get something more done. I haven't really sewn for almost two weeks. Painting, yard work and cleaning and everyday stuff has gotten in the way. Shut the drapes turn on the ceiling fan get the machine warmed up and see the thread fly off the spool. Chris

Quilting Design

I have been pondering how to quilt this top. It has some small pieces and I think because of the usage it is going to get I need to do it by machine. Would rather tackle it by hand because of the look it has, but it is going to be used on the couch and the stress of the use may take it's toll on it I roughly played with a design that might work. So many quilts in the magazines say quilt as desired. Well I want it to look nice and be secure besides. An all over design or free motion quilting will get lost in the scrappiness of the quilt. The small squares are going to be lost if you outline stitch each one. The quilting recommendations are 2-4 inches apart for the batting I am using.

I guess texture is the main thing with a scrappy quilt. This is the idea I have in a very rough drawing.

The red line is the quilting design I have come up with so far. It would be more of a perfect design image when I made a stencil to mark it with. I have a lot of difficulty as others do about what would look good. I just get stupid over how to go about doing it. My Mom comes to me over doing things on her quilts and I think boy you came to the wrong person. I am going to play with the look on paper for awhile and see if I can come up with something a little better. I am using black thread for the quilting also. Any suggestions will be welcomed. Chris

Nothing new to say here

More rain and more warnings. That is all we get as far as weather. The weeds are taking over the mosquitoes are on the rise and the Japanese Beetles have returned. I have a lot of house cleaning to do. The grandkids were here, well part of them over Father's Day and the grass was tracked through the house. Need to be on weed control duties outside, but going to be a heat wave today. Tomorrow is shopping day and I will be gone doing the grocery shopping and paying bills. The Taxes are due tomorrow and that thrills me, but it is an evil we all face. Might say to heck with it all and sew. Time will terll it is early. Chris

Sadly Missed

Many of you still have your Father's for today. Mine has been gone for a long time. He died in 1976. He was 49 years old. I am the oldest in my family. This is me in 1953 and I was one year old at the time this picture was taken. My Mother was pregnant with my brother at the time. There is another daughter my sister that was born in 1956. He loved his family and was always there for us. He listen as we read our books and he played board games with use. We camped and vacationed with us and we took his Father with us. My dad was the youngest of three boys and was always picked on growing up, but had many good stories to tell us of his adventures as a young boy. He has been missed for a long time. Father's Day, Birthdays and holidays are hard because we remember the fun we had as a family. Love your Fathers and love your Husbands as they are part of the chain of events for Father's Day

Life is taken away fast and we don't remember their voice or their touch for ever. Irvin E. Nelson 1926-1976. We love you Dad. Chris