Finishing Things Up!

I have decided to start doing some projects in the hundreds of magazines that reside on my bookshelves. What a grand idea, instead of sitting in there taking up space I am actually going to do the projects inside. It is funny because as I go through them, especially the Australian Homespun and Country Threads, I see all these projects that I have seen on the internet and I have said  “Oh I want to do that!” Well I can, I have the patterns.  The first one I completed today is from the Australian Country Threads Vol 9 num 10

I made the Embroidery Floss Tote by Carmel Scriha. It is cute, I love bags and  a bag with embroidery on it is perfect for me.

    I also finished up block 8 from the Bunny Hill Designs free block of the month. I have 9 blocks done now and still have 3 left to go. Actually I am not super happy with how this turned out but it will be okay.

My husband and I are watching some crazy John Travolta movie on VH1 and they just had a commercial for a work out video called Flirty Girl Fitness, you can even get a pole with it.  My husband asked if I wanted that – yeah right! Keep dreaming!

Merry Christmas!

What a morning! Santa came and all is well. My manager came in at 3 this morning and let me go home so I could help Santa out. I rushed home and did my “elfly” duties and tried to sleep for a couple hours.

The kids were so cute. I found Natalie and Alice sitting at the top of the stairs. They were waiting on Gordon –

He was so worried yesterday that he would be too excited to brush his teeth, but he was able to control himself.

Everyone was happy with their presents.

 

Including me: A piggy and fabric!!!!

And a book! And more books!! Including Sew Sunny Homestyle (which I already have – and I ordered them!! A sign of having too much)

So now the kids are busy: And I am tired. So maybe I will sneak in a nap!!

I have finished!!!

Wow, I didn’t think I was going to make it!  Natalie’s stocking is complete. I used three different Crab-Apple Hill patterns for the embroidery and added beads to hers. She was so picky but I think she chose a wonderful design. A lot of stitching!

 

I am so happy I was able to finish, she would have felt so left out.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and the kids are insane with excitement!  I have to work tonight and tomorrow night but my manager is going to let me go early morning on Christmas day. We have most everything wrapped but still more to go.

I hope everyone is ready for the holidays!!

Blog Problems and Health Insurance

I had a report that my blog was not coming up on some computers so I took the background off thinking that may be the problem. I should have left it alone, now I have been up for an hour when I should have been sleeping for work.  I am like that, when something needs fixin’ - I want to fix it NOW. I think I am going to stop though because I will be regretting it at about three tomorrow morning.

The kids are so excited because weather reports possibility of snow. Oh goody, I don’t think they have clothes to wear if it snows. Lots of layers and lots of laundry I guess.

I was supposed to be getting an MRI to find out if I have a pinched nerve in my back but my insurance company denied the MRI. So nice to pay so much money every month for nothing. They have been denying us a lot lately. AETNA I hate you, can I say that or is that defacing/degrading or something silly like that.  Anyway, with my husbands job we have to change insurance companies next month anyway, going back to Blue Cross, they sucked also. Since my husband is a Postmaster with the Post Office we have Federal Postal Health Insurance, which really sucks (how many times have I used that word). They will not cover anything that has to do with your back and barely cover anything else. I guess it could be worse and we could have no insurance but then again, we wouldn’t be putting out a thousand dollars a month for nothing either. Oh health insurance, once was a good idea but now it just SUCKS!!!!!!!! (Can you tell I am mad) I am going to walk away from the computer now, I can’t afford to get any more fired up!!

(Not my cat or house but that is how I am feeling right now)

On that note, have a super evening and may all your crafting come without injury, because if you (I just had to erase a very long ramble- sorry).

Walking away!!

Next Stocking!

I know you were expecting a picture of Natalie’s stocking. Not going to happen. I made the – I don’t want to say mistake – but it is the only word that fits – of showing her what I was going to do. So lots of erasing later on the pattern and all I have is a reindeer pulling a sleigh with Santa on the bottom. You remember when you were 11, very particular, actually I cannot remember when I was 11, but I can’t remember if I brushed my teeth this morning :).  Anyway, it is still a WIP.

A friend emailed me this funny email today on global warming, the subject is not at all funny, but the picture was. I tried to figure out where it came from so I could give credit but I couldn’t, I wanted to share it with you.

The title of the email was: Hundreds Protest Global Warming!

I do believe someone has cold hands after this. I think it is amazing!!!

Gordon’s Stocking!!

I finished Gordon’s stocking tonight.  He loves it!! I even added a picture of his favorite stuffed animal “Pigges” on it.

I am now tracing out Natalie’s so I can stitch on it this week.  I have been working 3 nights every week this month and will be probably moving to four nights next month so I will be pretty wiped out.  I know it does not sound like a lot but 10 hours a night 9pm-7am, wears  me out, so adding more nights is going to be a struggle. Each night kind of takes 2 days away. But it sure will be nice getting a little more cash to make up for the holiday spending.

The hubby is torturing the children. Poor little Alice is about to have heart failure. He wrapped more presents and put them under the tree and they just can’t stand it. The next couple of weeks is going to be tough on them, they are so excited!!

One Down Two To Go!

I finished Alice’s Christmas  Stocking. She loves it. I put chenille on the back, it turned out cute. It looks a little busy with the snowflake print but I like it.

  I have Gordon’s halfway stitched. So I need to keep moving on. 

We all survived the sleepover and had a great time. I hope everyone is having a super weekend!!!

Happy Birthday Alice!!!!

My little girl is 7! I cannot believe it has been seven years since I waddled in to give birth to this precious little girl. I was freaking out because she was jaundice and we had to stay at the hospital for a couple weeks and then keep her on a light wrap at home for three months. She was a good baby, always headstrong from day one.

 

Always into some type of mischief, but doing it oh so sweetly:

Even when she was raiding the panty drawer:

My little Devil!!      

Always smiling:    

She has had a great year. No emergency room visits this year. I am proud!!!

She is my peacemaker. At school, at home, anywhere, she always tries to have everyone get along and fix problems when they arise. She is a smart cookie also, does fabulous in school. But do not get on her mad, oh goodness, she will let you know. Strong willed, use to drive me crazy.  She is my Mini-Me. And I am scared of her teenage years. She is going to be something. For now I will enjoy my little Ali-Bear and not think of the those years, you never know she could surprise me, she always does!!!

I need to get moving, I am picking her up early from school so we can do lunch and hang out!!!

Happy Birthday Ali-Bear – I love you baby!!!

Angel Swap Finally Mailed

So I finally mailed the package to my Angel, for the Hugs from Helen Stitcher’s  Angel Swap. There was a combination of reasons it was late, I mentioned one of them to you before than came the real big reason, MONEY. Yes money, the root of all evil. Money can’t buy you love, but it can pay for postage. My Angel is a wonderful young lady in Germany. We communicated a lot and got to know each other pretty well. I hope she will be happy with the package. Can you believe I did not take a picture of what I included, shame on me. I have shown you the pillow before: I also sent her a tiny pair of elf boots, valdani thread, a charm pack, 2 quilting books and I think that was it, I think, man I should have taken pictures.  Anyway everything had the same color scheme as the pillow because she likes those colors. I hope she loves them.

So this postage thing is ridiculous and unfortunately because of it, I will not be involved in any more swaps. Which is unfortunate but right now having the necessities for the house is much more important.

Speaking of money – time to go make some – off to work for me!!

From my Secret Angel

From my Secret Angel
Originally uploaded by stitchin.thyme

I received a package from my secret Angel and it is so lovely!!! I received a sewing bag with embroidery on the front, another bag, a pin cushion, and a little case (I use it for my scissors). Thank you Janet I love them all!!!!!

Gail Pan - WIP

Gail Pan - WIP
Originally uploaded by stitchin.thyme

Okay so I was so concerned about the flow of the block border fabrics I did not pay attention to the color of the embroidery thread. So I was thinking of just changing the two bottom left blocks to the pink shade of embroidery floss. The embroidery is so simple I figured this would be the easiest. Or should I just leave it. Any suggestions. I have had two very good suggestions already, one was change it if it is going to bother me, yes that is true and a good one. One was just leave it, I could do that too. Oh yes, I also had a third one of "just chuck it".

Verandah Views Quilt

Verandah Views Quilt
Originally uploaded by stitchin.thyme

I finished up the Vernadah Views walhanging last night. I am very pleased with it. The colors turned out awesome in my opinion. Cheryl Gross of Willowberry Designs designed a beautiful free BOM. I am so happy there are designers out there like her to share their talents with us!!! If you are interested in it you better get to her blog because it is only available until the end of December! Happy stitching!!!!

A tragic day for Baby Tiger!

On a small highway in North Carolina this was the scene on this 1st day of December 2009 at approximately 3:05 pm EST.

On the way home from picking the kids up at school, a terrible thing happened. The car windows were down and the wind blew Baby Tiger out of the car. “She flew through the air and got hit by an SUV,” says witness Gordon. Screams were heard inside the car. A fast thinking Mom, turned the car around and they located Baby Tiger on the roadway. Traffic was heavy, polite drivers were few, but Mom was able to retrieve Baby Tiger before she was hit again. Upon reaching the car, Mom realized Baby Tiger had lost an eye. She fought the traffic and with her mighty eye sight she was able to locate the lost eye rolling in the busy roadway.

The family rushed Baby Tiger home to their Trauma Center located in Mom’s sewing room. With glue gun in hand and Baby Tiger adequately sedated, Mom carefully repaired Baby Tigers eye.  She will now wear a patch for a day or so, or for however long Alice will leave it on, but she is fine.  She will probably keep the tire track across her belly and nose but she is still the sweetest Baby Tiger we know.

We Love you Baby Tiger!!!

Antique Quilt

So my father-in-law and his wife received the appraisal on the antique quilt.  It did not make them very happy. They were hoping it would have been appraised for more. Here are some of the notes from the appraisal:

Date Made: 1st quarter 19th century to 1830

Size: 96 1/4” X 98”

Pattern: Flying Gees Square-In-A-Square with Stuffed Work

Predominant colors: Brown, Indigo, green, red

Fabric: Cotton Prints, chintz, wood print blocks, solid muslin

Quilting was very good and included more than one quilter. Very good overall construction with excellent stuffed work. Condition is fair with acidic storage stains and 3 small holes.

That was some of the basic detail of the report. She appraised it at mere $850.00, yikes, I am not sure I agree with that after seeing it in person. The full photo I received from them is not the best quality but at least I can see the entire pattern now.

She is going to donate it to the  DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) so it will stay in Maryland. She decided not to donate it to the Smithsonian because it would just be boxed.

Let me be honest, I am a little hurt it was not offered to me.  Especially since it holds no importance to them and it is not in her mind a family heirloom but I will get over it since I never had a chance to really have it. What we never had cannot be missed!!

Sweet Nostalgia Block 3

Sweet Nostalgia Block 3
Originally uploaded by stitchin.thyme

Finally added the borders to the 3rd block from Dorothy Baker Designs Free Block of the Month. If you haven't checked her site out you need to - she has fantastic designs. Click on the link on the sidebar to check her out!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

I hope everyone is having a fantastic Thanksgiving today. I know mine has been great.  I worked last night so this morning when I got home the hubby got up and stated cooking. He cooked from 8am to 3:30pm.  I tell you I am definitely  blessed in the being fed category. I am married to a “Top Chef”!! Here are the fixin’s:

I ate so much. I am so tired now.  I am even going to go nap again before work tonight. Right now my husband is getting the Christmas tree out of the attic. The kids are running around crazy excited.  We are going to decorate this weekend but we always get the tree out today.

Enjoy your day!!!

We are Alive!!

We made it through the weekend but not without a major event happening. Luckily, Alice was able to forego the emergency room this year, she usually has a trip around Natalie’s birthday. But, I am not sure what happened is not just as worse in her eyes.

One of the little girls had to stay later because her mother works on the weekend.  I was straightening up our bedroom when Alice came in white as a ghost and crying. (I will remember this moment for the rest of my life). She told me Natalie’s friend told her Santa Claus was not real. Oh my goodness, what, Alice is only 6, almost 7, this can’t be happening. She had also told Gordon the same thing  but he chose just not to believe her.  I calmed her down and told her she could not believe everything others tell her and if she knows Santa is real then he is real.  I kept this up until she seemed to believe me, but Alice is a smart gal, I don’t think she truly believes me.

Gordon on the other hand is a obey the rule kind of kid. For example, we were on a family walk in our neighborhood, the kids were riding their bikes. There is an unfinished part where the paved road ends and the dirt road is blocked by a rope so you cannot drive a car through.  They wanted to ride their bikes on the bumpy road (well Mommy wanted to ride their bikes on the bumpy road – take me back to the days when it didn't hurt much to fall in the gravel). As we were walking we looked back because Gordon seemed to be taking a long time going around the “blockade”.  He was just sitting on the ground.  The hubby and I walked back and asked him what was wrong figuring he was hurt. But no, he wasn't hurt, he said he could not follow us. Why – because it was against the rules and that is why it is blocked off.  It is moments like those that make you feel like you are doing your kids wrong, he was right, the rope was there so people would not go back there, so what do we do, we teach him it’s okay to break the rules when you want. Ugghh!! With that story in mind, if Mom and Dad say Santa is real then he is real.

Alice is not like that. She analyzes the situation and if she cannot figure it out logically than it is not so. In her mind, (I know from her questions) Santa cannot fit down the chimney, he cannot go to every house in the world the same night, he should not need money to get everything on the list, the elves will just make it if he is real.

Believing in Santa is not a necessary part of life and it is not what Christmas is all about, but it is fun for them. It is part of being a kid – a part I remember as exciting. The waiting, the anticipating, the not being so disappointed because I didn’t get everything on my list, because I knew Santa had too many lists to keep track of.  It is not fair to have that taken away from them so young.  The sad truth is this is probably the last year of Santa in our lives, I will miss him!!!

Off to finish orders until I pick up the kiddos!

Look Who’s 11!!!

  Yesterday was my little Natalie’s 11th Birthday! I did not blog because we were out all day and I had to work last night.  I picked her up from school early (her Daddy insists they have to go to school on their birthdays) we had lunch, bought her a new outfit, a Demi Lavato CD (I do not know how to spell her name) and went to Starbucks. We had a great time, so I thought.  I asked her if she had fun and got the “Sure” for an answer. Man, I remember the days when she would have done anything to spend the day with just me.  I was hoping this day would never come but like everyone says it comes to fast. Blink and you will miss it. I am so proud of Natalie. She is such a sweet girl, a great big sister, a terrific student (way better than I ever was). She is an awesome girl, excuse me, tween, as Natalie would say.

I remember when she was born she was a happy baby (when she wasn’t crying – which was about 18 hours out of the day for the first 7 months). Natalie did not sleep for longer than 20 minutes at a time until she was 7 months old. I remember the first night she slept we stood by the crib all night making sure she was breathing.  My husband was a police officer at the time and also worked a lot of part-time, so I would be alone with her for a long periods of time. He would come home and find us both crying. I bet he loved that. She hated the car, so we never wanted to drive for long periods of time. She wasn’t a snuggler, has always been very independent.  She so beautiful, everyone always thought she was a boy because she did not have much hair until she was about 2 1/2, but she was pretty.

  Some people would say how can she be a good baby and cry all the time – it is hard to explain, I guess you have to be the parent to understand, and why would you have more kids if the first was so hard, again I think you have to be the parent. The joy she brought me even through the tears I will never be able to explain in words. I love that girl and I am so very proud of the “tween” she has become.  This weekend Natalie will be having a Sleepover Birthday Party so she will really get to celebrate.

Off to bed for me, work again tonight!! And I need to get rid of this lump in my throat!!

I love you Natalie!!!!

Elf, Elf and more Elves

I have had a busy morning. I am working on orders from the craft show this weekend, most of them consisting of elves and elf boots.  I love these little guys and gals. I love when their bodies are completed and I can start decorating them, dressing them up for the holiday, they all have such great personalities. I wanted to show a picture of them for those who don’t remember what they look like.

 

And lets not forget about the elf boots!

Well I should get back to work, I only have 3 more hours until I pick up the kids, lots to do. If anyone else is interested in these little guys or gals let me know by emailing me. I take Paypal and credit cards (through Paypal only), if you write me a check, I will have to hold product until it clears. Thanks to you all!!

My 1st Craft Show

Firstly, let me say I cannot believe a week has gone by since my last post. Where does the time go? It has been a busy week.

The Rusty Bucket had their open house last weekend, it went great. This weekend my friend Janet and I attended our first craft show at the NC State Farmers Market in Raleigh.  I was not as prepared as I wanted to be but I believe as a newbie I faired very well. Saturday was still a little wet and windy and chilly but the day ended up nice in the end. Sunday was an absolutely beautiful day.  I was even able to catch a little sun on my face and on my left arm, yes only the left arm. Sales were good on Sunday. The weekend was a lot of fun. I had a great time and met many other great crafters and many wonderful people, some were even customers. I learned what I shouldn’t bring and what I need to bring more of for the next show.

I made a doll from a pattern in the “Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle” book by Tone Finnanger. It is one of the Tilda books. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these books. Actually, I made just about everything in it, I was just not able to finish the projects up for the show.  Here is a photo I took of them at the craft show today.

 

Well, I am pretty beat today, and my kids missed me so they need some lovin"’.  All for now, hope the rest of your Sunday is a relaxing one!!!

Report Cards

Thursday was report card day! The kids did awesome. Natalie had straight A’s again, Gordon did well also, 2 A’s, 2 B’s, and 1 C, pretty awesome for a kid who hates school.  Alice got all 3’s, she does not get letter grades yet.  Natalie also passed the gifted test, so now she has to take another test. We are supposed to have a meeting at school soon about what is next. She is very excited, she loves learning and loves to be challenged. She definitely gets that trait from her daddy.

I was cleaning up the craft room tonight. Really only doing so because I have another time limit on when I need to have stuff done – and I hate having time frames. My creativity is pretty much non-existent when I have a time frame. I believe it may have more to do with being a rebellious gal, I feel like I have to do something so I choose not to.  I thought I would have grown out of that but obviously not. Hopefully I will get busy later today and pump some things out, the next craft show is this coming weekend.

Well, all for now. Hope everyone is having a great weekend! I am going to stitch a little until I fall asleep. Have to try to get up at a reasonable time. Guinea pigs and dogs to wash, grass to cut, clothes to wash, etc, etc, later today!!

Love My Friends!

What a day today has already been. I got off work at 7am and went straight to my friend Evettes’ house. She made me bacon, eggs and biscuits, YUM YUM YUM!! I was taking my Christmas stuff to her house and she was going to take it to the store for me, but then she called another friend and she came over. Sharon brought her adorable grand-daughter and we played with 3 week old kittens and they shopped my stuff before it went off to the store for Christmas open house. Love those girls! It makes my head explode to know that such talented ladies like my stuff. I feel really good now. I have been a little down in the dumps lately but now I am feeling like this:

Thanks girls – I owe you big time!!!!!!!

Christmas

I have some new Christmas items made. I am so far behind, especially since I am doing the Farmers Market Craft Show this year.  But here is what I have so far.

Of course I did my Elf Shoes again, the pattern is from Country Whims:

I did 2 Regular Size

And 4 medium Size:

And 4 Minis  - I adjusted the pattern and these little guys are about 3 inches long. They are so cute!!

I did a couple wall pockets. The stitchery is from Primitive Stitches. (www.Primitive-Stitches.com)

 

These next three I love. I used the pattern by Donna Veal of Moonchild Primitives. They are so cute!

  

I found this little dolly body laying around waiting to be dressed up for Christmas.  She is supposed to have that Christmas morning look. And what is Christmas without a snowman and his little red cardinal?

Then I have these three little fellas. The middle one is adapted from a pattern from Chestnut Junction, well all are actually but they have been changed quite a bit. I thought I should give her credit since the idea came from her. She has great stuff!!And you know I could not do up some Christmas things without embroidery and embroidery pillows:     

These two are stitchery's from Crab-Apple Hill Studios:

And last but not least another stitchery patterns from Primitive Stitches:

I have not been in a crafting mood lately so last night I had to finish all this up – I stayed up until about 4:30am. I am pooped. Kids are off to school and I think I need to get a little shut eye! Work tonight!!

Angel Swap

Okay I am a little bummed. This was the first time I participated in a swap and it did not go so smoothly.  I was conversing with my Secret Angel for some time, we were emailing back and forth and then something bad happened to her and she was taking a vacation and she was also moving.  I haven’t heard from her since September. I have sent her several messages but no response. So I let her know I did not want to send her package, because she overseas, until I knew she was 1. At her same house and 2. She was back from vacation. So that is my dilemma with the Angel I was assigned.

Then their is my Secret Angel, who is still a secret to me because I have never been contacted by her.  I am so sad. I was really excited about this and for this to be the ending I am a little bummed.

Anyway, I do thank Helen Stubbings for hosting it, there were some cute projects and I did learn a lot about another country that I did not know before from my Secret Angel.

 

Happy Halloween!!

I hope everyone had a great Halloween. We sure did. The kids and I went trick-or-treating and the hubby gave out the candy.  I even dressed up this year.  I believe I was a middle-aged fat punk rocker groupie, something like that.  Here are the girls and I, Gordon did not like my outfit so he would not stand by me until I washed the eye makeup off. Here are the kids ready to go. Natalie was suppose to be a Goth Cheerleader but she didn’t like anything I was pulling from around the house for her.

As we were walking down a driveway a cat ran by and then this big fat grey rat came running at us. It stopped in front of me and then ran across my boot. I thought it was someone's pet because it was looking up at me like it wanted to be held, but I think it was just spooked. I believe it was the cats play toy until we scared the cat. Very Halloween I thought.

So we have lots of candy and had a great time!

It’s a Miracle

Not much tooth pain today. The dentist was able to grind my back teeth down a little so I wouldn’t be putting so much pressure on them. I hold all my stress in my jaws – there is a lot of stress in there!!!  It is amazing how different and how much relief I feel.

The kids did well, no cavities!!! They love going to the dentist.

I only jumped out of the chair twice. I believe I scared the dental hygienist to death, she will probably never be the same. She thought she could scrape the teeth that were hurting and I think I almost kicked her in the head.  We spent the majority of the cleaning saying “I’m sorry” to each other.  It was dreadful. After she hit the nerve the first time I was tensed up the entire time. But I survived and I hope she did. Anyway, I have another cavity. I have never had cavities and now I have had two, what gives. I guess I am getting old and my body is falling apart.

Have a great day. I have to get some sleep before work tonight!!!

Today is the Day!!!!!!!

I have been waiting patiently for this day. The kids and I are going to the dentist. It is a day I have dreaded but hoped would come sooner. I know this makes no sense. My teeth have been killing me since I before I went to the dentist a month or so ago. I have just been popping Ibuprofen and Tylenol bearing the headaches and pain. Hot/Cold, air, everything hurts them. Chewing on one side of your mouth takes a lot of talent, and frankly, I don’t have it.

I was hoping I would be a little more awake for the event but maybe it is better I am not. I worked 3-11:30 shift last night which put me at home about 12:30, and of course I stayed up working on dolls, man do I need to wear a thimble, but I wont. Then I played a couple mini-games on Bookworm, my family is addicted to that little worm.  I was not doing so well so I went to bed and was awaken by the phone at 6:30. My husbands work calling, don’t they know people are trying to sleep here. I feel so bad for my husband, he is so sick.  The man will not take off work when he is sick, probably because he knows he will have to work harder at home. Anyway, I am straying, as I usually do. I so hope the dentist can FIX me today, I know she will try, she is a great lady. Maybe even a Goddess of Dentistry (at least I am hoping – maybe I am building her up to big).

And to explain the photo above. As I was searching images on the internet of teeth I came across this article: http://www.wealthdaily.com/articles/sell-gold-teeth/2013. So for those who have the gold “grillz” you can now sell them to make a little extra cash.  Nice! I don’t want to know what they do with that gold!

Anyway, have a great day!! I am hoping I will!

Pumpkin Patch Primitive's Giveaway

I love a giveaway and boy do I love Whimsicals fabric - heck I love any fabric. Check out this giveaway Pumpking Patch Primitive Quilt Shoppe is having. Here is the link http://pumpkinpatchprimitivequiltshoppe.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-happy-halloween-giveaway.html. PICK ME!!!! PICK ME!!!!

Sweet Nostalgia Block 2

Sweet Nostalgia Block 2
Originally uploaded by stitchin.thyme

I finished up block two of Dorothy Baker Designs free block of the month. I decided to go ahead and put the borders on. I love the palette I chose. The original fabrics I chose for it did not work once I saw them with it, so I spent the last day and a half looking through fabrics and then realized that the fabrics I chose for another stitchery quilt went wonderfully. When the time comes to do that one I will have to pick again. I really love this quilt!

Here is Block 1 with the borders!

The picture is a little blurry.

Back from our Trip!!

We made it back from Maryland. It was nice to see family I haven’t seen in a while. It rained the entire time we were there, if it wasn’t raining it was drizzling. I did not get to see my father-in-laws boat. Things got a little crazy the last day we were there because his neighbors basement flooded.

I was able to see the old quilt my mother-in-law found at the farmhouse where her mother lived.  They have lived in Southern Maryland forever and owned a tobacco farm in or near Upper Marlboro, MD.  Her mother passed away not long ago and they have been cleaning out the farm house. In one of the closets she found a very large old quilt. It was not done by anyone in her family, I believe it was loaned to them or given to them. They are not really into quilts. Anyway, the quilt is very old, possibly from the 1700’s. Beautifully hand pieced and hand quilted, with trapunto also(not sure if I am spelling that correctly). I was not able to get a picture of the entire quilt because she did not want to open it all the way. And NO, I am not getting it, sad to say, I believe she had someone take a look at pictures of it and they are going to donate it to the Smithsonian or something for a tax write-off. Mercy me, I am saddened. Here are a couple pics of it, I put some others on Flickr.

 

The kids really enjoyed the trip playing with their cousins. Except Natalie, she was very sick by Saturday. Woke up with a high fever and just kinda laid around the entire time. I felt so bad for her, I knew how she was feeling though, I am also still sick.  We all are sick now, I tell you during the school year we cannot stay well no matter what we do.

My pictures were sort of lame but Bernie's sister takes such great pictures we usually wait to see hers.

Bernie and I were able to go to many antique stores and went back to a quilt store I have not been in since I began quilting more than 10 years ago. It was the same but with newer fabric. I think we both had fun there, well at least he said he did, he even said we should have bought more fabric – WHAT! Can we go back?