Phew, day 29

The month is over.  Phew.  Although, I'm suspicious next month will be harder...a post a day involving a complaint.  I might have trouble.  I might be looking for some inspiration.

In the mean time, spring is coming. 

Libby

Day 28

Who wouldn't be happy if they were going here.....

I took the picture with my phone using the sepia effect.  I'm trying to distract from the fact that it was a gray day and I was in the parking lot. 

PS.  It wasn't established in 1827!  Wouldn't that be a destination shop!  That goes with the store next door. 

Libby

In February!

Such a strange winter.

And look!  The pot of gold is just across the yard in that tall brush. 

Libby

Day 26

A little back yard wild life.

The light dusting of snow brought him out of the woods.  He hunted around until he found something to eat then trotted off.  He's quite plump so I think our snow-less winter has been good to the woodland critters.

Libby

Day 25

The shortest month of the year is almost over.  With that, I have a large finish....

Just in time to take advantage of the last days of the February frame sale. 

Woot.

Libby

Pumpkin

The Great Pumpkin block 4.....

 I now have the whole bottom row finished.

Here's a reminder of the finished product. 

I love the way the background is pieced.  It adds depth to each block.

Libby

Day 23

We have had a fairly 'snow-less' winter.  Nice.  Everyone keeps telling me about their bulbs peaking up.  So far, they've only mentioned the obvious spring bloomers....snow drops, daffodils, etc. 

I went out to fill the bird feeder and saw these....

Irises...

 and Day Lillies. 

When the snow does fall, a few green shoots poking thru will be nice.

Libby

Day 22

This could have ended badly....

but luckily I found this little guy on the bathroom floor.  It looked like a little thread on the floor.  I almost walked right past it.  What made me go back and look was that I'd recently lost a needle...in a room far from the bathroom.  Go figure.  

Happily, it's tucked back into a piece of linen.  

Oh, and apparently, I can't count.  Nobody pointed out the error of my ways, though.  I titled yesterday's post 'Day 22'.  I've since fixed it.  Wishful thinking, I guess.

Libby

Day 21

Aah,

it's prom season.  But, before we can go all 'High School Musical', there must be prom dress shopping.  The teenage equivalent of bathing suite shopping for us dear ol' mom types.

I'd like to refer you back to a few of my all time favorite posts by my friend Lee over at Lake Stitcher. 

If you need a laugh go here, here and here.  Gives you a little clue as to what we're up against when looking for a dress.

The God's of Mercy were smiling upon me this weekend and we got to 'shop' in Oldest Daughter's closet!   That girl never missed a formal. 

I am trying not to get all excited about how easy it all went this time, though, because prom daughter is only a sophomore and I suspect we'll be shopping for many more dresses. 

Libby

Day 20

Finally, a finish! 

Working on large projects most of the time sure makes for boring cross stitch posts. 

In the mean time, my computer has developed a mind of its own and I'm not happy with it.  It's determined to make me into a crazy person.  Kind of like when children are 2 years old. 

Libby

A little sunshine on day 19

Proof that spring will come.

Despite having very little snow, winter is still winter.  Seeing more than 24 of these little beauties in the backyard this week was a pleasure.

Libby

Day 18...

I have loaned my camera to someone so today we're going picture less.  I could go find a photo online but we'll manage, I'm sure.

Today I want to share a few blogs out of my 'favorites' file.  These blogs are fun and silly and inspiring and not one of them involves stitching. 

KarenV of My Favourite Things has taken her blogging in a different direction by trying to take a photo every day and, almost wordlessly, capturing her life.  I absolutely LOVE it.  I could just turn to mush over one of her cats.  He is the spitting image of a boy I once knew and loved.  I know exactly how he would feel and respond if I reached out and petted his lovely back.   Oh, oops.  Sorry.  A little trip down memory lane.  Check out Karen's postings on This is my life.

For a little dry wit, check out Catalog Living and inside that blog follow the links to Curbed.com for another peak into life within the pages of the catalogs.  OK, I'll admit, I'm not getting the 'plains' reference about the room decorated with airplanes.  I looked at a few of the actual catalog items and never saw them miss use the word 'plains' for planes but maybe it's there somewhere. 

And, for a little something down an entirely different road....how about this one.  DYAC.  If you're easily offended by foul language, don't bother.  However, it brings tears to my eyes it's so funny.  I read the one about when parent's text...I didn't see it as so funny. 

Hope you enjoyed...

L

Feeding the addiction

A new block of the month kit.  Merry Merry Snowmen. 

I'm at a loss for words.

Libby

For the love of

the UPS man!  He brought me this box today.



It contains a quilt kit I requested for Christmas.  The pattern had an error so shipping was delayed. 

Hang in there for a year or two....maybe I'll have a finish to show.  In the mean time, I have a March post about this same gift to write. 

Libby

You make my heart sing, day 15

Valentine's Day goodness. 

Heart shaped jelly beans and a box of chocolates from the local candy man.  Yum.  No flowers this year.  It's too sad to pick up all the parts the cat chews up. 

So, in looking back at the first half of this month.... you all like my sick sense of humor at work and my sewing under the influence posts the best.  Hmm.  It's not good to encourage me!  Although, I took my camera to work yesterday and couldn't find a single thing to take a picture of.  Work is still work even in a courtroom.  I also couldn't find anything to complain about for a post next month.  Well, anything I'd actually write about, anyway. 

Libby

You make my heart sing, day 14

I should have a Valentine's post for today.  Maybe tomorrow.  Instead I have a work picture.  This guy hangs out on my desk.  Cracks me up.  Sick, I know.  We have to laugh sometimes.  I work for the court system. 

Dead Fred. 

There is someone who works in my building named Fred.  Pure coincidence.  I don't wish him dead.  He's a nice guy. 

My Dead Fred keeps a pen handy.  If I had a sicker sense of humor he'd be up on my Dutch door ledge for 'customers' to use.  (I have to put that in quotes.  Nobody is a willing customer in my office. ) 

Libby

You make my heart sing, day 13

My TBR shelf.  (To be read.)  I love knowing that I won't run out of books any time soon. 

I'm not a fast reader so I figure about a week per book.  I can safely say that at least one of these books will take longer and one won't keep my interest. 

Even so,  this will take me into spring....assuming I don't buy more! 

Happy reading,

Libby

You make my heart sing, day 12

A simple and fast supper for a lazy Sunday.  Fried rice with left over pork.  Did I mention fast?  Not to mention a favorite of everyone with little or no prep time. 

Oh, happy day.

Libby

More happiness

I was cleaning out the cupboard that collects gift bags, old cards, partial boxes of cards and the like.  I found this card...

It was the first valentine's card I got from my youngest daughter (signed by my husband on her behalf).   So sweet.  (She's almost 16 now.)

Lib

You make my heart....

Ok, time to wrap up the retreat drivel.  What better way than with a picture of how we finished up each evening.  I've been going to this retreat for 8 years.  The first time the alcohol came out I was a little surprised.  I didn't remember it from previous years but, hey, who am I to complain?  Now we bring something fun to share with anyone who cares to taste. 

Whipped cream vodka added to ginger ale tastes like a cream soda.  Yum. 

Once that starts I only sew simple things.... things easy to 'un-sew' the next day if the need arises.

Libby

Day 9

There was a little peak at these samples in yesterday's photo....

Most of them are samples of The Twister block using a cool new tool.  I bought one of the rulers back around Christmas but haven't had time to learn how to use it.  I watched a demo by one of the shop gals so now I know what to do. 

If I could just make the day about 3 hours longer.

Libby

You make my heart sing, day 8.

Inspiration and new ideas abound at a quilt retreat. 

Apparently there is a craze online called the 1600 quilt pattern.  Google it.  This is only the first link I found.  It's the fastest quilt you'll ever make.  It uses a jelly roll and a whole lot of thread...and that's it. 

These are a couple samples.  Finished off with a border or two and it's a nice looking throw. 

I will definitely try one of these.  I have lots of strips from a guild exchange that I don't know what to do with. 

(I keep going into the advanced design link and changing the color of the link highlight but it keeps coming back in that light blue that hardly shows up.  I'm not sure why that is but I'll keep trying.) 

Libby

You make my....

...you know the rest.

I took my camera to work.  One might wonder what would be worthy of positive thoughts at work.  Some days I wonder myself.  I bet I find more things to grumble about for next month than I do for a happy post!  I'll try to keep it to one post per week about work. 

This sign hangs over my desk.  I can only shake my head at how true this is. 

Libby

You make my heart sing, day 6.

One of the best things about a quilt retreat is seeing projects that I MUST MAKE. 

I am really sorry that this picture didn't turn out.  I didn't realize the flash didn't go off.  I even took a second picture for good measure.  So, I'll show the bad picture plus the one I've pinched from the web. 

But even that doesn't show the true Kansas Troubles colors.  You'll have to just trust me that it is done in fabrics that I love.  I don't think I've ever met a Kansas Troubles fabric that I didn't like. 

The shop that hosts the retreat doesn't carry a lot but the owner is tracking down this pattern for me.  (I know it's available online but we're trying to keep our local shops in business, right?)

Let's hope that I can show you a finished version of my very own someday.

Libby

You make my heart sing, day 5.

Tired? yes.  Reached saturation for time spent with my sewing machine?  No.  If I wasn't feeling wiped out I'd get my projects back out and belly up to my machine this afternoon.  It's still early, though.  Maybe after a little nap....

Lucky for you guys, with a post-a-day event happening I won't be abiding by this rule.  My husband gave me this sign for Christmas.  It really says 'what happens in the quilt circle, stays in the quilt circle'.  I just made a slight change to better fit our weekend. 

Stay tuned, I'll have some pictures and projects to show as the week goes on.

Libby

You make my heart sing, day 4

I know, you want retreat stuff.  I don't have my computer so I've done a wee bit of planning ahead. 

I just got the new Monica Ferris book from the library.  Generally I prefer a book with a little more meat, but there is something comforting about familiar characters and an easy plot. 

L

You make my heart sing, day 3

The next installment of my mystery quilt arrived. 

Libby

You make my heart sing, day 2

Who wouldn't have a singing heart if they were  leaving for a quilt retreat in a little bit?

I suspect I'll have a few pictures for future posts but for now you'll have to be happy with my project boxes ready and waiting.  There is even a cross stitch project in there for a change of pace.

And looky here!  Another blog joining the month long fun-fest. 

Libby

You make my heart sing...

that's going to be my title for the entire month!  I'm copying my friend Lee over at Lake Stitcher and posting about happy things all month.  She's doing it to get her blogging groove back and I'm doing it to try to recapture my lost audience. 

As you all know, I am a reincarnated blogger.  Feel free to email me and ask for details.  I'll tell you...just not in public and only if you promise not to tell...unless you know who you're talking to.  I just don't want my old self linked to my new self on any one's blog. 

But, back to my blog title.  Lee has a different title but that line from the song Wild Thing came to mind as soon as I thought about mimicking her.  I hope to post something that makes me happy each day this month and something that is worthy of complaining about during March.  I am an optimistic person so I suspect March will be harder than February. 

Time will tell.

Hang around and see how it goes. 

L