58 and Counting

 

 Just got back from a great trip to Andalusia, AL. We camped at a National Forest Campground and had the best time. 

It was very quiet, and had absolutely no cell or WiFi service, but it was great to be unplugged and just enjoy friends. 

We made a trip into Destin and visited a couple of quilt shops and then ate lunch at “The Back Porch”  Dinner was delicious and the view fabulous.   A great birthday all around!

Mulching Done

I have finished my flower bed. This is all I am attempting this year. I don’t have much of a green thumb, so I am going to try to keep these plants alive and if I am fairly successful I will expand my efforts next year.

A Little Gardening

I spent a good part of Friday morning working in my flower bed. I had taken a day off to go on a day trip with a friend and it fell through, so I spent a few hours weeding and working in my flower bed.

It was a good feeling to be able to get the weeds out. I put landscape fabric down and planted some red salvia. I am going to get the mulch put down today after church.   I will post another picture when I get it done.

Making some progress on my second table topper. I am practicing some new techniques that I have learned. I think that soon I will be ready to work on an actual quilt. 

Special Gifts and a Throw Back Thursday Photo

Yesterday was Administrative Professionals Day.    I am an administrator for a PhD program at a major university.   I do a lot of paperwork, budgets, ordering, travel, meeting planning and hand holding for graduate students and research faculty. I love my job.   I do many different things and can basically choose to do something different every day.

I received this bouquet of flowers, and this beautiful card from a co-worker.   It made my day.   When I saw the card it made me think of a quilt (wall hanging) that I have been contemplating for years, that features birdhouses.    I told my co worker that, and she took it as the great complement that it is.

My boss while not as creative in his gift, also remembered me with a Thank You gift, and I am going to have to find something special to use it on.

I made some progress on the half log cabins, and will share some pictures when I get all of the blocks done. 

For a TBT (Throw Back Thursday), here is a picture of me with my sisters from 2006. 

I should have some quilty pictures for you tomorrow.  My sit-n-stitch group meets tonight and I will share what each person is working on tomorrow.

Works in Progress

Yesterday I told you about my new sit down long arm.   I was trying to figure out a name for her, and I think I have decided on Ruby, but if you have a better suggestion, send it to me as I am not totally set.

I have been playing around with a few things, trying to overcome the rustiness I feel.   I keep trying to remember that it is muscle memory and rhythm.  So I am working on that.   I had some tree skirt/table toppers already cut out in my UFO boxes.   I have a lot of UFOs.

 I have tried to get the rhythm for smooth curves on the swirls, but I have a long way to go.   I will bind this and it will become a present for one of my daughter-in-laws.   They say it takes 500 hours to get good at FMQ.  I believe it, but I am going to try.   I have a few table runners and 2 more of these table toppers to do, and then I am going to try a quilt.  Wish me luck.

I have started back with my 15 minutes of sewing per day challenge.   Most days I manage to get more time in than that, but I am trying for some consistency, so that I can get some things accomplished.   Currently under my needle are these half log cabin blocks.    

I got them all cut out on Tuesday morning.   I dropped a friend at the airport at 4:45am, and went back home.  It was too late to go back to sleep before work, so I used the time to get started on this project.   I should be able to get them done within a couple of days and then we will see what kind of layout is going to look best.

I have one more project that I am actively working on right now.  I love to have a hand project going for those long car rides, or during basketball season, football season, baseball season.  My husband loves sports, and spends a lot of time watching them.   Sometimes he likes me to be in the room, sitting in our twin recliners.   He watches sports and I stitch, or watch a movie on my iPhone, with my airpods on.  That way, he doesn't feel alone and I still get stuff done.   

The project is for a quilt called "To Grandmother's House We Go" by Crab-apple Hill.   They have numerous patterns that combine stitchery with piecing.  I just love this one.

 I am about half way done with the first embroidery panel, but have upped my time working on it and hopefully can get it done by the end of the year.   The hand work takes so much time, but I really enjoy the process, so it takes as long as it takes.

A New Start

I have been away from blogging for a long time, but I get a blog everyday by email, that makes me remember how much fun it is to keep track of life in words and pictures. 

So I am going to give it another try.   The hard part is making it a habit.   A few years ago, I posted everyday or at least 5 of 7 days of the week.   Looking back at my posts, I am reminded of great memories and how great looking back at my life events makes me feel.   So here goes:

So this happened.    I have wanted a long arm for a long time, but have no where to put a large frame.  While browsing FB market place, I saw this machine for sale, at a great price.   I asked my husband, not expecting a positive response, if we could get it.  Much to my surprise he agreed.  So then to buy it, haul it home and wait patiently(not) for my husband to put it back together again.  I was like a kid who was waiting on his father to pack the car for a fishing trip, who can't wait to christen his new rod and reel.  I was jumping up and down inside. 

When I told my husband I was jumping up and down inside, he said " I know" that is why we bought it.    I am a very blessed woman! 

I have begun practicing my free motion quilting and will share some pictures of my efforts soon.

So we get the new machine with its table and extension and my husband

James, says "It is not going to fit in that room."  I say " Yes it will I measured."  Then he asks, what do we have to move.    I say " Every item in the room." and begin to show him where everything goes.   It does fit, with just a few inches to spare, and now I have wall to wall quilting and storage spaces in my sewing room.  Have I mentioned that I am blessed?

I ordered and my huband hung for me some metal peg boards and I have organized most of my tools, but I still have some bins and boxes to go through, so the empty space will definitely get filled.

Tomorrow I will share some of the projects I am working on and some samples of my practice work on my Sweet Sixteen Handiquilter.   I need to come up with a name for her.   If you have any suggestions, give me a shout out.

Until next time.

Wow! 

I have taken such a hiatus from this blog!    Thinking I may want to start journaling here again, so here goes.   

I have not done much quilting, as life has become very busy.   We now have 20 grandchildren,

This is what a Parker Family Christmas looks like now!    It is a house full, every time we get together!  Blessed Chaos!

We have moved and my husband is now running his own business.   Life is good!   I have been truly blessed.   I will leave you with a couple of pictures of my most recent quilt.

It is a square in a square pattern that has been a UFO hanging out in my sewing room closet for a couple of years.   I am working hard on getting some of those finished.

I have another one almost done, and I will share it soon. 

He Is Risen!

Today at River of Life Church in Medart, FL, we had a marvelous celebration of the resurrection power of God as our pastor reminded us that the same power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead lives in all those who believe.

This cross has been hanging on my door for the month of March and I have been reminded each day as enter my home of the sacrifice that Jesus made for me. But today as there was such joyous celebration of His resurrection, I was reminded of the empty tomb, and the blessed hope that is to come.

My son and DIL came for lunch and the joy on the faces of my grandchildren as they hunted the eggs that we had prepared and hidden for them to find, brought such lightness to my heart. It was a wonderful day, and I thank God for the blessings that He has given me. For my husband, my home, my children and their children, for my church family that loves me with His love, a good job, and so much more that if I named them all you would go on to the next blog, because I would bore you, I thank you God. But most of all I thank you for sending Your Son Jesus to die for me.

He is risen indeed!

Happy Easter!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Getting Prepared

Today I am going to plant most of my garden. I picked up the potting mix, and a number of plants yesterday on my way home.

 

I used to think I had a black thumb, but then after a few years of struggling with a garden, I realized that I can grow things I just have to pay attention. I am a mom for heaven sake. If I can raise 3 boys and manage 13 grandchildren, I can tend to a few tomato plants. All the dead house plants over the years gave me a little bit of pause, But then I realized that if I pay attention the plants tell you what they need. So after a few years of hit and miss, I have consistently gotten some results. Last year we did not buy any tomatoes during growing season. I was able to produce all we needed to consume and even give away a few. I am hoping to be at least that successful this year, and maybe get a few strawberries and some squash as well.

Here goes nothing? everything? Well maybe somewhere in between that. I will keep you posted on my progress.

 

Posted with Blogsy

I Knew I Hated Soccer

My grandson Easton and granddaughter Kyla spent the night with us last night. I had to take Easton to soccer this morning. He has to be there at 8:15 to have his pictures taken. I am a Florida girl all the way and you are suppose to stay inside when it is below 40 degrees. But a grandmother's work is never done so we were out at the field at 8:15. His team won and I got a little sewing done. That metal bench was cold.

Favorite Things Friday

Can't believe it has been 7 months since I wrote anything. My life has been filled with work and grandchildren and more work and more grandchildren we now have 13 with 2 more on the way. I have missed blogging so much that I decided to give it a try again. What better way to kick it off and to take part in Shay's Favorite Things Friday. So here's one of my favorite things my digital photo frame. I got it for Christmas a couple of years ago and I just love it. It reminds me of wonderful memories old and new and I smile every time I look at it.

Death By Chocolate

Went to an amazing Pampered Chef Party last night. The food was wonderful and the hostess is the one with the mostest. It was a Death By Chocolate night and I am sure my stomach was protesting as I hadnt had sugar or chocolate in several weeks, but it was wonderful.

I was in awe of the table, but I shouldn't have been as my hostess, is the one with the mostest( is that a word, I think not) but I digress. She always has everything all together and her home and table settings are always beautiful. I envy her, but then I remember that I hate to cook, and table setting and cooking go together. So I will go to her wonderful parties and post pictures of her wonderful table settings and spend my husbands hard earned money on gadgets I never use. ( Sorry honey! He reads this blog you know) But I totally enjoy her company and I gave her a very short lesson on the uses of an iPad last night and that makes my day dont you know. I love it when I can be the techy friend.

And did I mention that I love chocolate and peanut butter, together was even better. Thank you Pamper Chef for this sinfully rich recipe. Now it is back on the no sugar band wagon. At least for now.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy