Blocks Finished!

Just finished the last of my (30) "Dutchman's Puzzle"
Flying Geese Blocks.  As mentioned sometime ago,
I've been trying to use up fabric left from the business
I had several years ago.  Now, it decision time
concerning sashing.  I've taken a couple of pictures
with blue (the old country blue) and navy fabric and
am posting them here.  Discovered a bolt of the blue that
has been hidden away and really need to use it up.  Thinking
that it may work here.  Tell me what you think or any
suggestions you may have.  The pattern used a red fabric,
but I am NOT a red person and red does not go in my bedroom
where this quilt will make its home, so I need something
that is soft, yet sets off the blocks.  Don't want the
sashing to be the focus.

Sashing will be either 2 inches or 2 1/2 inches finished
Blocks are 12 inches finished

Navy fabric is a white/cream dot fabric

The navy didn't show up very good...almost looks black.

But as I look at it here it almost seems a little too intense.

Hmmm.  So hard making decisions!

Nola

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Outside my window...The air is a gritty brown from the dirt
kicked up by the wind that has been howling around since last 
night.  Leaves from last winter and other light objects fly past my 
window.  A storm is on the horizon and is supposed to bring SNOW!

I am thinking...It is only a few more days until my new
grandson makes his arrival!

I am thankful for...My sister who spent a couple of hours
on the phone with me this morning helping me with a quilt I 
am working on.


From the learning rooms...Two minds are better than one.

From the kitchen...Split Pea Soup simmering and soon 
muffins baking in the oven for dinner

I am wearing... Blue long sleeved shirt, levi's and slippers


I am creating...A quilt for my bed...three more blocks to go


I am going...To start some wash when finished here

I am reading..."A Question of Trust" by Carole Thayne

I am hoping...My "Hives" are all gone

I am hearing...The sound of the wind whistling around
my house and through the trees outside


I am remembering...The fun time we all had this past
Saturday here.  We had our annual "Grandma's Easter
Party" early so everyone could be together.

Around the house...Just a little tidying up today

One of my favorite things...Daffodils in bloom (Hope
this wind and storm that is coming won't affect the
ones that are blooming in my garden


I am Praying...For a dear neighbor who is suffering
from some serious health issues and that the doctors
can find a way to help her.


A few plans for the rest of the week:
1.  Finish last 3 blocks for my quilt
2.  Work
3.  Tend grandchildren--new baby coming Friday
4.  Assemble craft activities for Grandkids
5.  BOM class Saturday (Block completed)


Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
Hoping they will survive wind and upcoming storm

Nola

Guess Who Else Stopped By...

Honestly as if "Mr. Cough" dropping in uninvited wasn't

enough, I inadvertently issued an invitation to a distant

friend of his, "Miss Hives".  Oh yes, she dropped in with

all her little irritants.  But, with the help of a good doctor,

every effort is being made to discourage her stay and I do 

believe she is almost packed and out the door.  It will be a 

welcome relief to have her gone.  I believe I will then put 

out the "Closed to Any and All of the Virus Family" sign.  
And, I promise never again to brag about getting through 
the winter without a cold, cough, runny nose or anything 
slightly connected.

I really can't afford to have any more "uninvited guests"

since I'll be busy with my grandchildren this weekend

while Mommy and Daddy pay a visit to the hospital. 

All must be in order to "Welcome Home" our new little

one.

Scratching and Itching,

Nola

Does It Count.....

Does coughing 'til you drop count as exercise?

How many calories can you burn as you cough your
head off?

Sleep deprivation must serve a purpose or one wouldn't
cough for 2 hours straight while trying to go to sleep.

Does that "throat" tickle you fight to control count toward
extra "treats"---Like chocolate? for all one has to endure?  


Why does "Mr. Cough" always show up in the late
evening and early morning hours?

Where this terrible cough came from, I don't know.  Why
did Mr. Cough "choose" my house?  I have nothing to offer.
I didn't put out the "Coughs Are Welcome" sign.
Honestly!  Rather rude inviting itself, I think!

I was recently feeling rather smug that I had made it
through the winter healthy!  Bad mistake!  Why is it that
as soon as you mention it, think it, or say it out loud you
get knocked down?

Finally after two hours of serious coughing, rubbed
some VICKS on the soles of my feet (I'd read about
this in an email I had gotten some time ago), slipped
on some old socks and believe it or not--"Mr. Cough"
backed off and I was able to get some much-needed
sleep.  I still coughed a little, but it wasn't that croupy
cough I had been struggling with.

Although my cough is doing somewhat better, it keeps
threatening to steal my voice and even more sleep.

Would it be rude and inhospitable to put out a sign---
"No Cough's Welcome Here"?

"Coughingly yours",

Nola

Miniature Wall Hanging

With spring just around the corner (at the time), I decided
to make a miniature wall hanging for a friend and myself to
welcome SPRING.  This is a pattern I've had bookmarked
in one of my "Miniature Quilt" Magazines for forever.
It was a little harder than I thought it would be trying to
get the points correct.  The blocks are 3 1/2 inches.
All in all I think it turned out quite nice.

Nola

More Daybook!

I can't believe how fast Tuesday comes around!  Seems 
like I just made an entry yesterday and here I am getting 
ready to add a new entry even though it is late in the day.


Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Outside my window...The sky overhead is a beautiful

blue and as the sun begins to set, the mountains to the

east are taking on a pinkish tinge and the sun's rays are

reflecting on the fresh snow that fell last evening and today.

I am thinking...I need to get busy organizing "Grandma's"

annual Easter Party which is taking place this Saturday.

We are doing it early because we are expecting a new

addition to our family April 2.

I am thankful for...cough drops.

I am wearing...P.J.'s, slippers and robe.

I am remembering...What fun I had shopping with

my friend today and the darling fabric she found to

make her future grandson a special quilt.

I am going...To bed early and hopefully get some

sleep as I have to work in the morning.

I am currently reading...Nothing!  Which is very

unusual for me.  I always have to have a book nearby.

However my new "Ensign" arrived in the mail today

so guess I'll start skimming it.

I am hoping...That I haven't exposed my family and

friend to this cough. 

On my mind...Thinking of all I need to do to get

games, eggs filled and games organized by Friday

as I work Saturday morning.

Noticing that...I have a shirt to iron for work.

Pondering these words... "A  friend will strengthen

you with his prayers, bless you with his love, and

encourage you with his hope."

From the kitchen...All is quiet.  The kitchen is

"Closed" for the evening.

Around the house...Waiting for my son-in-law to

drop off some medicine.

One of my favorite things...Poppy Seed Muffins

and Scones.

I am wishing that...I will sleep well tonight!  And

that I don't lose my voice. 

Happy First Day of Spring!

With all the excitement going on in my neighbor's backyard
the past few days, I have not accomplished a great deal.  But,
I have had fun sitting with my grandchildren in the very
best "seats" watching their Cottonwood Tree come down.
It is such fun to "see" the action taking place from a child's
point of view.  Questions they ask and comments they make
are often things I would never think of.

However, I did get a few things sewn and completed.  "Brutus,
The Cat" finally got the last few stitches finished and now I'm
starting the next one in the series.  Only have a couple of
weeks to finish it.

Recently while surfing some quilting blogs I found,
Rachel Griffith's blog, "p.s.i quilt" and saw that she
was doing a "Pinwheel Sampler".  I LOVE pinwheels!
Have wanted to do a "Pinwheel" quilt for the longest
time!

Now I know I told myself "no more new projects"!
Must finish what I am working on and the ones I
recently purchased.  But, sad to say...NO, I'm happy to
say I jumped on the bandwagon and spent the week
madly making my blocks so I could be caught up and
ready for "Block 5".  If you are interested in seeing
her blog and Pinwheel Sampler block go here:
http://www.psiquilt.com/
Be careful...you may get hooked!

This is what I have sewn...

Block #1

Block #2

Block #3

Block #4

Rachel's instructions are very easy to follow and these make
up quite fast.  Can't wait to see what Block 5 will be.

Also finished a small gift for a friend but can't share the
picture just yet.  Will have to wait until I give it to her.
It is fun and "springy".

Thought since it was National Quilt Day I would be able
to quilt but so far it hasn't worked out.  Did stop at the
fabric shop when I went to mail a birthday gift and bought
a couple of yards of cream colored fabric to use as a
background in one of my projects.

Being the First Day of Spring it seemed appropriate to be
outside enjoying the warm sunshine and working to clean
up residue left from the workers and the cottonwood tree.
The sunshine felt so good and temperatures have been in
the low 50's.  Not too hot and not too cold!  Just right for
a light jacket.  It was great to take a few minutes and "rake" 
in the sunshine while sipping on a lemonade.

Hope you're all having a wonderful and productive day
and enjoying the "First Day of Spring"!

Nola