Gypsy Kisses

Gypsy Kisses - from the fabulous book Material Obsession 2...

This has been one of those slow, but oh-so-satisfying projects.

 I started piecing the arcs last Fall when I was lucky and got a FQ bundle of April Showers.

With those completed, it turned into a waiting game until I could get the April Showers navy yardage that I wanted to use for the background.

Then came the slow process of appliquéing the arcs and the eyes to the background...

And although it's a big quilt, I decided to quilt it myself. There are some quilts where I just can't give up control of the quilting finish. After weeks of thought, I actually ended up with some very simple quilting. Realizing that the quilt is very busy and that any fancy design, probably wouldn't show up much anyway - I went with simple wavy lines around the arcs and stippling in the background. A gray thread on the arcs and a blue/gray thread in the background {both Aurifil 50 wt} turned out perfect.

This was a tough one to photograph - the navy makes the camera want to overexpose. Here's a snap of the full quilt, but I have to say it's prettier in person!

One of my favorites!

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And the beat goes on.....

I apologize for my slack/lack of blog posts lately.

It seems that life has a way, sometimes, of pushing you this way and that.  Sometimes, you can resist, and sometimes, not.

You know I try to keep it real, so to let you think that everything is hunky dory, would be dishonest of me.
Life is full of trials and tribulations.  Surprises.  Beginnings, endings, twists in the road.

Today is day 8 of a smashing, miserable headache.  I have had a couple of awesome months, with headaches that stayed in the 2-4 zone.  Oh, occasionally they would ramp up, but for just a day, and I could handle that.
This time, not so much.  I have kayaked and woven rugs, and persisted, but to do that, when your head is an 8-9, well, let's just say it is exhausting.
Nothing helps.  No medication.  No rest.  No heat.  NADA. Nothing.

And of course the voice whispers softly about what it "might" mean.
I pray for weather to be the cause.  But I have my doubts.

To say that I am tired of all this "headiness" would be an understatement.


Watching baby Dale was a challenge with this head, but I had my two grand girls, 9 and 10, and they were so helpful.

I needed some help, cause this girl was on the move.

Scrabble, anyone???   With her yoga toes.

And yes, I am thinking maybe it is time for an MRI, to see what is going on in my head, if anything.
I really hope there is nothing in there.
Nothing that doesn't belong in there.


Yesterday, Lois and I wove this.    I think that it actually took my mind off the pain.   And it is no worse, or better, if I sit still, or I do something.
It just depends on whether I can push myself to get beyond it.  Sometimes I can, and sometimes I just can't.

Here it is from the other end.
58"x 94"........a good day's work, I'd say.

Right now, I am concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other.
Being grateful for those I love, and who love me.
Making a conscious decision not to trouble trouble, until it troubles me.
Hoping for the strength to do whatever comes my way.

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Red Letter Day

Red Letter Day ~ a new Thimbleblossoms pattern ~ super quick and fun one too! I'll let the pictures do the talking today :-)

I'm happy with the quilting too! I did a big "X" through the center of the quilt in both directions, then echoing straight lines, creating a "V" in each quadrant.

Backing and binding coordinate nicely with the front...

Making it a Red Letter Day!

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Paddling the river.

Could you ask for better weather???  I don't think so.
Out on the water today, with a motley crew.  

 I loved the American flag, strung out over the river.

Can't get as close as I would like, but this isn't bad.  He's a handsome one.

I've had a nasty headache for two days, but I've been determined not to let it slow me down too much.

Of course, there's always the worry, that it has come back to stay.
I can't go there.

 So I keep trudging on, one foot in front of the other, one day at a time, counting my blessings,
every single one.

Family is #1 on my list of things to be thankful for.

And I am, every single day.

As we were paddling down the river, I turned to my grandson, to take his picture.  I got less than an exuberant response.
Nothing I said was working.
Finally, I said to him, " Bulletin:  Mean boy paddles the Schroon River."

That worked.

Being with the people you love, that love you, that's all that really matters.
Headache be damned.

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This and That.

Miss Puss has taken over "the box".
Ever since we took it off the counter, and put it by the window, she has assumed ownership.

This has been a busy week.

Stalking grandkids on their way to and from the neighborhood ice cream shop.

How could anyone so small keep me SO BUSY.

Do you see the loopers???  She is enthralled.  Loopers just appeal to kids of all ages.

I had some help this week.

And I will take any help I can get.

Back at the studio, I have decided, after much thought, to downsize a bit.  I have 11 looms, which is the least amount of looms I have owned in years, but still too many.
So I am putting my Macomber loom up for sale, 32" wide, 4 harness.
It is a lovely loom, and I have spent many happy hours weaving on it, but I just can't weave on eleven looms.  It isn't possible.
And when I realized how long it had been since I had woven on this one, it seemed to make sense to move it along.

Other than that, I am reading "The Book Thief", planning my next kayaking trip,
and reflecting on the curiousness of life in general.

Some words I like.

Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart. Do not despair if the answers don’t come immediately. Some answers are only revealed with the passage of time.
Try to love the questions themselves. Do not look for the answers. They cannot now be given to you because you could not live them. It is a question of experiencing everything. At present you need to live the question. Perhaps you will gradually without even noticing it, find yourself experiencing the answer, some distant day.
Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926).

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Celebrate Christmas - a giveaway!

Christmas in July! I wonder where that started? Probably by a quilter who looked at her list of holiday projects and decided she'd better start in July!

Today I'm here to introduce you to a new book by the staff at Martingale. So whether you're starting your holiday projects now, next month or December 15th {like me}, this book is loaded with some great ideas! And if you're making gifts or your own holiday decor, I think you'll find some super cute quilts, pillows, table runners, and more!

Here are a few that really caught my eye:

This Chevron tree is awesome! Make it for a small apartment or home to serve as the holiday tree year after year. Or hang it in an entry-way or kitchen with a table of wrapped gifts underneath.

And how fun is this tree skirt? You can't go wrong with polka-dots! I love the colors in this one, but it  would also be just beautiful in more traditional Christmas colors.

I love the simplicity of this pretty woodland pillow. It's made with wools and could certainly be displayed beyond Christmas.

Have you noticed the holiday fabric arriving in your local quilt stores? I guess it's time to get planning!

So now to the fun part! Would you like to get a head start and win a copy of Celebrate Christmas? Leave a comment below and let me know what kind of holiday projects you like to sew. And are you a get-it-done early person? Or more like me and sewing holiday projects on December 24th? Be sure there's an email address associated with your comment and I'll pick one person to win an ebook on July 9th. Good luck!

For more chances to win, visit the other bloggers on the hop:

Thursday, June 26 - Stitch This!

Friday, June 27 - Silver Thimble Talk

Saturday, June 28 - Magnolia Bay Quilts

Monday, June 30 - Ruby Blue Quilts

Tuesday, July 1 - SewCalGal

Wednesday, July 2 - Hyacinth Quilt Designs

Thursday, July 3 - Gen Q

Saturday, July 5 - Quilter Chic

Monday, July 7 - Reanna Lily Designs

Tuesday, July 8 - The Teacher's Pet

Wednesday, July 9 - Amy's Creative Side

The book is available for purchase at Martingale or Amazon or ask for it at your local quilt shop!

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Saturday musings.

The spoiled cats at the studio have three window seats, one square, and two oval.  
First off, let me say that I do not take full responsibility for how spoiled ROTTEN they are.
One Miss L has had a lot to do with that, no matter how much she vehemently denies that she even LIKES them.
Anyway......they love their window seats, but they get nasty and covered with cat hair.  Cleaning them is nearly impossible.  So I went online to see if I could buy replacement covers.
I bought one for the square seat, $14.95, on Ebay.
But no oval ones.  NONE. 
So I went to Joann's Fabric Store, with my 40% coupon in hand, bought a yard of sherpa for $6.95, 
brought it home, cut the old one apart to make a pattern, and then I made two of that yard.
And I am very happy with them.
Next 40% coupon I get, I am going to buy another yard, and keep it ON HAND.

Lois is making paper birch rugs from our new stash of loopers.

These make the best bath mats ever.   These are 32"x 52", and maybe after these we will make some smaller ones.

Getting ready to live at the studio next spring, I am getting all sorts of things done over there.
So last night, after dinner, I met the man from AFSCO fencing.  My plan is to fence in the side yard for my boy Roy, and of course, any future dogs.  I will never be without a dog in my life.  It just doesn't feel right.
But being that the studio is on a state highway, safety is the number one priority.

While I was waiting for him to come, I was wandering around outside, and found this behind the barn.  It came from a florist friend who was going out of business, and it has been languishing for at least 6 years, until now, when it has a brand new purpose in life.

Oh, my how I love to repurpose things.
It was not in the chicken run for 50 seconds, before these two were up on it.

My chair is a popular hang out, too.  Of course it is.
I love sitting out there with them, they are somehow so calming.
Yes, I have clicked with my chicks.
But how do you name them, when you can't tell them apart??
 There are 5 of the yellow, buff orpingtons or buff rocks, who knows.
There are 3 of the Rhode Island Reds, and 3 of the Araucanas.
Then there is the barred rock, Vicky.
And the black Jersey Giant, Black Betty.

Life is simpler here.  I long for this place.
I think it is where I am meant to be.

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