Quilty Thankful Thursday #28

Happy Thursday everyone, I hope you're having great week. For me it has been an ok week. It is funny how, little things can make or break your day/week. I try to focus on the positive things, but sometimes it is hard, which is why I really like doing this post every week. It keeps me looking for the good stuff. So here is my list for this week.

1. Squishy Mail. I hate picking up my mail, because it is almost always junk or bills, but not this month. I'm the queen of the Swarm Johanna for the Bee Hive bees, and I've started receiving my blocks. There is just some happy about getting blocks made especially for me.  Here are the three I've received, and they are are from Johanna, Emily and Tori.  The colors are awesome, and I think this is going to a very cool quilt.

2. Testing New Patterns. I was asked to test a pattern that will be used for a quilt along in August. I can't show you anything about it yet, but you will definitely see more about it later. I am always honored when asked to test for a designer and I love testing my skills on something new. This will be a mystery quilt along, and from what I've seen so far will be lots of fun.

3. Open Roads. With all the rain, there have been roads closed around here and a couple of them are ones I use on a daily basis. About a week ago one closed due to flooding that made the trip to take Sharla to work a lot more difficult. But as of this morning they have opened one lane, not a big deal, but it sure beats this.

4. Sales. Yes I'm a fabric hoarder, there I've said it out loud. Anyone that looks at my sewing room, would have already guessed that, but I can't resist a good sale. Over the last week there have been a couple that I couldn't resist. One was a fat quarter bundle of rainbow text prints. I love text prints, but most of the ones I have are black and white.  This is what I call pretty!!!!! I don't have specific plans for it at the moment, so I will just pet them and look at them for now.  I got other fabrics as well, more to finish my cross quilt. But I'm just having fun folding it, and dreaming of what I will make with it.

5. My Little Buddy Pal. Tucker is getting old and having more and more health issues. I had to take him to the vet this week and he has bad ear infections and needs some teeth pulled. But he was so happy to get to go for a ride in the car. I took him to pick up Sharla at work, and he loved when I circled her parking lot with the window down. I know that my time with him is limited, so I'm going to enjoy it as much as possible. He sleeps beside my desk during the day, and I try to reach down and rub his belly every so often.

Ok so that is my list for this week, and I hope that you have just as many things to be thankful about this week. I am linking up with Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl.

Quilty Thankful Thursday #27

Happy Thursday everyone, I hope you're having a wonder week. It has been a week of ups and downs for me. I've gotten things accomplished which has been wonderful, but work has just about stressed me beyond my breaking point. But I'm not going to let a little thing like work get me down, no sir it is time to get my happy going!!!!  So here are things I'm thankful for/about this week.

1. Quilting. I feel like it has been forever since I've fired up my long arm and actually quilted something. This week I quilted my Grande Scrappy Tiles quilt and even got it bound as well. I'm not going to show you the front of it today, because I'm revealing it here tomorrow. But I will show you the back. Make sure you come back tomorrow and see it because there will be a giveaway too.

2. E-readers. Ok I don't officially have an e-reader, but I do have an i-pad and an android tablet (one personal/one work) and I've loaded the Nook app on both. It is so nice to have a book readily available whenever I want without having to carry something else. So when I pick up Sharla in the afternoons, if she is running a little late I can read a few pages. I go through stages where I read a lot and other times not so much. I admit I read junk, pure entertainment stuff, but I like it. It is a nice way to relax. I just finished Double Fudge Brownie Murder, which is the latest in a series. It is a fun series full of lots of cookie recipes.

3. Encouraging Readers. I love people who comment on this blog, it is nice to know that I'm not just writing in a void. But even more not only do they comment, it is almost 99.9% nice things that they say. I want everyone to know that I appreciate every comment, no matter how big or small.

4. Quilt Designers. I think I've said it before, but I am in awe of those that can visual and create patterns. I can follow a pattern, I can even create a quilt from a picture without a pattern, but I can't visualize something from nothing. In the last week alone I've seen numerous patterns that intrigued me. Some I will never make, because although they are beautiful, they aren't my style or interest. Others I've pinned for future reference, because I do want to make them someday. I'm very thankful for those that write patterns, because without them I wouldn't have nearly as much fun.  Over the last week or so I've been seeing lots of Irish Chain quilts due to the release of a new book featuring Irish Chains by Melissa Corry.  I've not purchased the book, but I did use EQ7 to see what a Single Irish Chain might look like. This is going on my to-do list for my nephew, but I'm not sure I would have thought of it, if I hadn't seen all the others.

5. My Job. It has been a busy couple of weeks with changes happening on the fly and things more out of control than I like. But I am still thankful that I have a job that provides me funds to have a home, food, car, and most of all lots and lots of fabric.  Without it I wouldn't get to do the things I enjoy. So although it isn't fun, I am thankful to have it.

That is it for today. I'm linking up with Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl.

Quilty Thankful Thursday #26

Happy Thursday everyone, I hope you're having a wonderful week. I know I am. I have so many reasons to be thankful, but sometimes I forget to focus on those things. So this weekly post really helps me to remember the good things, big or small.

1. Blocks Done. Since I'm the queen of one of my bees, I only have to do blocks for one bee this month and they are done and I've completed more cross blocks.  I have 10 cross blocks totally done about 15 more that are 2/3's done.  I really like when things come together.

2. Sewing Machine Is Home. I picked up my sewing machine on Friday and it costed me nothing to get serviced. They service it once in the first year for free. It is running like a champ and I'm happy to have it back. I've also taken Sharla's into the shop to be serviced and it is ready to be picked up tomorrow.

3. An Extra Hours Sleep. Sharla was sick this morning so I didn't have to drive her to work. I'm sorry she was sick, but I was able to sleep and extra hour, and still feed the dogs, empty the dishwasher, and mop before I had to start work. That is a lot less I have to do tonight.  Plus I don't have to drive in and pick her up, so I can get some more done. That extra hour felt wonderful. And Sharla is feeling better, and as long as I don't get the bug all will be well. No photos, because I've still not combed my hair today.

4. Back Completed and Quilt Loaded. I completed the back for my Grande Scrappy Tiles this week and got it and the top loaded onto my long arm.  I've not got to start quilting just yet, but I'm ready and hope to start on Saturday afternoon.  It seems like forever since I've quilted anything.  I think I'm just going to do a simple meander, because I love that pattern and it works well with scrappy quilts.

5. Local Farmers Market.  We have a small farmers market where everything has be be grown in the county to be sold there. I love that I see the same farmers from week to week, and I get really fresh veggies. Last weekend I even got some strawberries and a  cantaloupe. It was all de-lish!!

Today I'm linking up with Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl.

Quilty Thankful Thursday #25

Happy Thursday everyone, I hope you are have a spectacular week, I know I am. Ok maybe that is just a little over the top, but why not be super cheery. I'm here today to let you know what I'm thankful for this week, and I have lots of reasons to be thankful.  But I'll only give you five of them.

1.  Sunshine. I think it is now five days in a row of sunshine and no rain.  Looking at the forecast it might be mid next week before we get rain again.  It has gotten hot, but I will take that as long as I get to see puffy white clouds and sunshine. On Sunday I was out photographing my latest finish and found some pretty red flower just soaking up the sun.

2. My Turn as Queen.  This is my month to be the Queen Bee of the Stash Bee Hive Johanna and I'm very excited.  In this bee we have a range of blocks to choose, depending on the month you are queen. I selected the Tic Tac Toe block, one because I like the look of it and too it is a fairly easy block.  Since I like bigger quilts I will need to make several myself so I wanted a block I would enjoy.  I selects low volume background, grey corners and bright crosses.  I made two sample blocks to show my bee mates and here they are.

3. A Clean Sewing Space. I swear it was just the other day that I cleaned the sewing room, but it seems like several of the blocks I've had to do for my bees have required lots of scraps/colors and so I think I've had every FQ storage box out so many times that I just left them on the floor. But last weekend I finished and mailed my blocks and I finished the test quilt top I was piecing so that meant it was time to clean. All my fabric got put away, the floor was swept (a couple of time) and I set about cleaning my sewing machine. Then oops the feed dogs wouldn't raise.  So it is in the shop for a good cleaning and repair.  The repair guy said it would be a simple fix. While it is gone I gave my sewing area a good clean.  

4. New Fabric. I'm always thankful for new fabric because it just makes me happy.  I bought a bundle of the mini pearl bracelet fabric off of Massdrop.  I like the pearl bracelet fabric, but I think I like the mini even more.  I don't have real plans for it at the moment, and it may just go into my fat quarter bins, but for now I'm holding it back because I may want to use it for something else.  

5. Bee Blocks Sent. I'm not sure what happened to May, but it was over way too soon.  I swear I didn't sleep through it, but it feels like it.  I had my Stash Bee blocks early in the month, but somehow not my Bee Hive block.  I ended up taking them all to the post office on Saturday, so they were out just in the nick of time.  I'm going to have to work on that this month, I don't like being that late. Here are the two types of blocks I made.

Well that wraps up my week of things for which I am thankful.  But I'm hoping to have time to blog tomorrow about the test quilt top I finished this past weekend.  I'm very happy with it and I can't wait to show it off to everyone.  Today I'm linking up with Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl.

Quilty Thankful Thursday #24

Happy Thursday everyone, I hope you are having a great day.  Me not so much, but that just means it time to focus on the positives in my life.  Here is my list for this week.

1. Freedom. Last Monday was Memorial Day here in the US and it is a time to remember those that have served and died for our country.  I know I'm bless, and even somewhat spoiled, but I am always grateful to live in this country and I don't take lightly those that have served and gave their lives so that I could remain free.

2. Rain. Ok maybe I'm tired of all the rain (it has rained 22 out of 28 days  this month). But tired or not, I'm grateful the lake levels are back where they should be, and grateful I've not had to spend money watering my lawn.  Now if it wanted to stop for a couple of days I wouldn't mind that either. But since I've seen a lot more drought than floods in my life, I'll make myself be thankful for rain, even a lot of it. This is the radar right now, and yes it is raining again.

3.  Being Queen. I am queen of Bee Hive Swarm Johanna for June and I got my sample blocks together Tuesday and I'm very excited.  I picked the Tic Tac Toe block and here are the two samples I made. I have enjoyed this bee so far, and hope everyone has a great time making blocks for me. Ok it is just plain fun beeing queen (hehehehe) and I'm grateful for the opportunity.

4.  A Finish.  I still have to iron it and photograph it, but I have finished the top of my Grande Scrappy Tiles quilt that I was doing as a test quilt for Meadow Mist Designs.  Hopefully you will get to see it tomorrow.  I really love how it looks, and the pattern is so much fun.  The blocks are huge and so 9 blocks makes a 72 x 72 quilt.  Now what is cooler than that? I am hoping for a little sunshine soon so I can get it photographed.  But it sure feels nice to have a finish.

5. Feeling Better.  I think the rain has washed away some of the yucky stuff in the air, because I'm feeling better. I'm not sure I'm 100%, but I'm at least 95% and that ain't bad.  It also helped that I got some rest over the long weekend and really spent some time vegging.  I watch several movies, did some cross stitch, and a little sewing.  I'm sure once it stops raining we'll have another bought of yucky pollen and stuff in the air, but for now I'm just happy and grateful that it isn't bothering me at this moment.

Well that is it for this week. I'm linking up with Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl.

Quilty Thankful Thursday #23

It seems like my only posts these days are Thankful Thursday posts. I promise I am doing other things, just not finishing anything, which is a bummer. This week I have a couple of fun things on my list.

1. Giveaways.  A while ago I won a giveaway from Jen at Quilter in the Closet. The prize was a custom made mini quilt. We talked about ones she had done and what colors I liked and then I just told her to surprise me and that was the right decision. I opened my mailbox on Monday to find the cutest and I do mean cutest mini, along with some charm squares and chocolate...what could be better. I knew I would want to hang it in my sewing room, so I told her to include teals/aquas, and then purples and pinks. I've seen the foxes around, and keep saying I wanted to get the pattern to make some for myself, but now I have some of my own. I can't thank Jen enough for such a great gift.

2. Sales. My local quilt shop had a sale last weekend, 25% off of everything. And although Sharla and I don't need any new projects we thought we would go look for backing fabric for 4 different quilts we have on our to-do list, plus some added fabric for a project for Sharla. I love the store, it always has things I like, and Saturday was no exception. We found the backing and added fabric for Sharla's quilt, I found several fat quarters for my cross quilt, we got 2 patterns, a book and little pop-up trash cans. It was fun, but I wasn't feeling great, so we tried to make it quick.  Here are the fat quarters I got.

3. Cool Spring Day. Normally at the end of May the temperature runs high 80's to low 90's, but today it is supposed to barely hit 70 degrees. Since I know that it will soon be hotter than blazes around here, I'm just going to be thankful for the cool day and try to be outside in it as much as possible. It is also supposed to rain more today, which is getting a little old. Here is a pic of our local lake and yes that is a covered picnic table that is underwater.

4. Feeling Better. I ended up going to the doctor on Friday of last week. I just was just feeling yucky and couldn't shake it. The doctor gave me a round of antibiotics, and that has helped some. I think the main problem is allergies and with all the rain everything is blooming more this year. I take allergy medicine every day, I just don't think it could fight it all. But my sore throat is much better, I'm coughing less, and feeling better.  So for that I'm grateful.

5. Holiday Weekends. I can not tell you how much I'm looking forward to a three day weekend. I plan on sewing, sleeping, eating, and then repeating that again and again. If all goes well, I might not even leave my house on Sunday and Monday. I'm sure for some that would sound like no fun, but for me it would be great.  In fact I think this is going to be my plan.

So that is my list for this week. I'm linking up with Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl.

Quilty Thankful Thursday #22

Hello all, I'm hope everyone is having a wonderful week.  It's time for my list of thankful items.  I will admit that I struggled this week, not because I have no reasons to be thankful, but because I just generally grumpy this week. But I know the best time to list out what I'm thankful about is when I grumpy, because it helps me focus on the good.

1. Sharla's eyesight.  We went back to see the eye specialist on Tuesday and her eyesight is getting better. The swelling in her left eye is down about 50%, and since the shot should last 7-8 weeks, they decided to give her a shot in her right eye to get the swelling in it down. She was actually able to see some of the letters on the eye chart with her left eye. We go back in three weeks for them to check again. Here is a photo of her at her first appointment, I call it her pirate photos.

2. No Bad Storm Damage. Sunday morning we woke up to storms, and threats of flash floods. I had to run into the office because a sever was down, and it was raining but not bad. Then in the afternoon the warning sirens started sounding. I turned on the TV and the weatherman was saying if you live in Denton take cover. So I got Sharla and the little dogs into the pantry, woke up my nephew Cole and told him to take the big dog into his bathroom. Then I went out on the porch to see what was happening. Sharla wasn't thrilled at that, but I just couldn't sit and wait.  I made sure she was safe, since she is slower moving. They are saying a tornado touched down about 2 1/2 miles from us, but we only lost a few shingles. So I'm very thankful for that. We had to run an errand when it was over and we checked out a local creek that was and is way over it's banks.

3. My Job. Ok to be honest I've not been very thankful about it or for it this week.  I spent most of my days off working doing stupid stuff because others are so unorganized. But in reality I'm very thankful that one I have a job and two it lets me be flexible enough to take Sharla to the doctors when needed. I was once told that I should be thankful for the hard things in life because they will make me appreciate the easy things. This week has been hard, so hopefully next week will be easy.

4. New Books. I rarely buy book books these days, I always seem to buy electronic ones to read on my ipad. But I recently got an email about a sale of real live books and I couldn't resist picking up a couple. I just need the time to sit down and read them.

5. Fabric. I'm always grateful for fabric, because I love it so much. But I've not gotten anything new, insert sad face here. But then I realized I had never shown ya'll this fabric. When I saw the previews of Fresh Cut by Basic Grey, I knew it would be a line that I would want. The colors are so pretty and it has great prints in it. I'm not sure what I'm making with this bundle, but for now I'll just be happy looking at it.

Now if I can get some actual sewing time I will be very very thankful. But this is my list for this week and I'm linking up with Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl.

Quilty Thankful Thursday #21

Yes I know it is Sunday and not Thursday, but it has been a very very busy week and today is the first chance I've had to sit down and try and write out my thankful list. I could have skipped it, but I really believe a thankful attitude it a good thing and this helps me keep that kind of attitude. So here is my list for this week.

1. Great Designers.  I am awe of people who design, quilts, fabrics, anything really. I'm not a creative person by nature, I'm so much more of a techie. So I rely on others to create things that I can adapt or copy. The quilting industry has some great designers and I've been lucky enough to test quilts for some of them. I'm currently testing a pattern called Grande Scrappy Tiles and I'm loving it. I would have had it finished if I wasn't sick on my days off last week. But as it is I'm about half way done.  I love that the blocks are so big, and they go together so quickly. The pattern is by Meadow Mist Designs and I will let ya'll know when it is available. For now, here is a picture of two of the blocks I've finished and yes they do need to be ironed.

2. Colorful New Tools. I join the purple Olfa rotary cutter drop on Massdrop and got a pretty new rotary cutter. I admit fully that I have several cutters, I like to have one in all the different spots I use them, like beside my machine, at my desk, at my cutting table and on my ironing table. So getting one more wasn't a big deal for me and it was PURPLE. My favorite color is purple and I just couldn't resist.  And it cuts through fabric like butter, probably because the blade is new.

3. Pretty Bundles of Fabric.  I bought this bundle a while ago, with no real purpose other than it was pretty. I told myself I could use the light fabrics as backgrounds for my cross quilt, but I just can't make myself break up the set.  I'm not sure what I will make with it, but for now it sits on my desk and makes me smile.

4.  Safety.  I live in Texas and spring always brings thunder storms, and this week we've had some really big ones. Several tornadoes in the area, but not really close to me, lots and lots of flash flooding, and some wicked hail. Through it all I've been safe and dry, not even having to drive in any of the bad times. So I'm very thankful that we gotten rain, but none of the really bad weather.

5. My Mom. She is gone now, but I will always be thankful for the love I received from her. She was one of a kind, and I am a better person for her being in my life.  She taught me a lot, but not how to make gravy...old family joke.  Sometime I wish I could spend one more day with her.  Here is a scrap book page I did recently.

Well that is it for this week.  I hope you have found lots of things to be thankful about this week. I'm not sure if the linkup at Quilting Jetgirl is still open, but if it is I will be linking up there.  If not, this was really for my benefit more than anything.

Quilty Thankful Thursday #20

Time sure flies when you're having fun, ok it flies even faster when you get old, so it is zooming for me. I can't believe it is Thursday again. But I'm on the right side of the ground, so that is definitely a positive thing. I have lots to be thankful about this week, so let's get started.

1. Pretty Fabric.  Yes I know I'm a bit of a fabric hoarder, but it is so pretty, and I love to pet it.  I've really tried to resist buying fabric, but every now and again I see something I just can't pass.  Several weeks ago Massdrop had Allison Glass's Sunprint bundle up for grabs. I used these fabrics for my Texas quilt and just love them. She has changed this bundle just a little from the last one, and I just had to have it. I love the colors and prints so much, it is going to be hard for me to cut into these.

2. Awesome Designers.  I recently volunteered to test a quilt pattern for Meadow Mist Designs. She has great patterns and is super nice. I'm going to be making new new pattern called Grande Scrappy Tiles. I've not got any blocks assemble yet, but her is a picture of hers. She is so nice that she is letting me giveaway 3 of her patterns for the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway day, so make sure you stop back her on May 6th for your chance to win them.

3. Sunglasses.  I've had to wear glasses/contacts since I was in high school. For years I used only contacts, and had lots of sunglasses. Then my eye doctor recommended I move back to glasses, and I never wanted to spend the money on prescription sunglasses. But a co-worker showed me an internet site where I could order glasses/sunglasses for much less than anywhere else. So I ordered new glasses and sunglasses and I love them. It is so nice to have sunglasses again.

4. New Toys.  Ok I have to say I like Massdrop, because they have some good deals. They had a Bendable Bright Light drop several weeks ago.  So I got one for me and one for Sharla. Now let's just say these babies have a very bright light. The bendable neck makes it easy to adjust where the light shines.  I've installed mine and will install Sharla's this weekend.

5. Spring Weather. I love spring, everything turns green, blooms, and releases pollen. Ok maybe I don't love that last one. But who doesn't love a seven day forecast where the highest temp is going to be 82 degrees. It is nice to be able to enjoy it, for however short it lasts here in Texas.

So that is my list for today.  I think it is time to go sit outside and enjoy the weather.  Today I am linking up with Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl.

Quilty Thankful Thursday #19

Hello all, I missed last week, not because I wasn't thankful, but because I was busy preparing for the weekend.  So be prepared, I have some really pretty photos to show this week, but I'm going to try and keep it to a minimum.

1.  Weddings.  I will admit I've not always been a big fan of wedding, but Callie (my niece) and Beau had a wonderful wedding. Not without issues, as always seems to be the case, but still beautiful. They wrote all of the vows, and they were funny and touching. A few tears were shed, but not too many. And no Watson (the dog) wasn't at the ceremony, but friends brought him in for photos.

2. Family and Friends.  Ok from the photo above you would think everything was wonderful. What you don't know is about 5 minutes after this shot was taken, Callie almost passes out. I don't think she had had much to eat, and was running on adrenaline, but when that ran out she pretty much dropped. She has the best friends and they all ran to help. They were trying to cool her off, because it was very humid. Luckily a family friend went and got some sugar packets and she up and going again. Then we took some family shots and just as they were finishing a heavy thunderstorm arrived. Everyone jumped into action and moved chairs, etc. and ran for cover. Even with the rain and the semi-outdoor reception, everyone stayed and had a good time.

3. Beautiful Flowers.  Callie picked out great flowers, and they looked wonderful. The arbor that they used, my brother Tom built and Callie and Beau collected silver vases and such for months. All of the flowers were arranged by us, which saved money, but also made them even more special. The running joke was about the boxes that were used, some were dynamite boxes and others were liquor boxes.

4. Laughter. It was either hot and humid or cold and wet, but that didn't stop the laughter. We laughed at each other, things around us, the weather, and so on. The best line I heard all weekend was on Sunday when Callie was talking about her dad walking her down the aisle. He told her she was beautiful and she told him to stop, if he said nice things she would cry. So he told her she had a fat ass....yeah that is so not true. But it made her laugh. She told him during the daddy/daughter dance that he could say nice things again. Also the one shot I think everyone got was Callie almost tripping as she went back down the aisle. The look on her face was priceless.

5. Love.  I really felt blessed to participate in everything last weekend. I saw so many instances of love, and all kinds of love. Everything did not go as planned, but no one let it get them down. They just kept moving forward, and you can't beat that. The love Callie and Beau share is special and I am very very thankful that she found that love. And I'm thankful that he joined our family and fits right in with the rest of us crazies.

And yes Watson caught the bouquet, well the doggie bouquet. All in all it was a great weekend, and when it was over we were all tired, but a good tired. Sorry that this post doesn't have more quilty content, but just so it has a little, here is the "guest book" table with the quilt squares laid on it.

I am linking up with Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl.