Next Project - Thangles Quilt

I can't wait to put this one together. The 12 Thangles blocks will be put inside star blocks and then surrounded with some other beautiful batiks. I hope to get this one done over the holidays.

Christmas came early

Elijah and Katie were in for a short visit this weekend. Elijah is preaching in a church service tonight. I think 8 of the "preacher boys" are all speaking. They won't be back for Christmas so we exchanged gifts. It was so good to see them both! Don't they make such a cute couple??

Christmas Tree

Well, we finally got a tree. A new pre-lit artificial one. It has those new LED lights which are almost flourescent! It is up, but not decorated. This is the before pic; after the decorations (in a few days) I'll post an after pic. (sorry for the blurriness, I am a terrible photographer)

No Sewing Today

I can't believe I haven't done any sewing today. The reason is I was captivated by a book I was reading. I don't read that much, and today I remembered why. I get so engrossed in a book, I won't do other things. I was reading a Mary Higgins Clark mystery. I did cook some today, in between my reading. Jim and I got out and made a short trip to Lowe's and Walmart. But mostly, I read. And read. And read. And finished it. I just started it last night. Oh well, a day that could have been much more productive, but wasn't. I'll do better next weekend. Jim has his surgury on the 22nd and I hope to get some good sewing done while I am here with him recuperating.

Christmas Cards

We made our Christmas card photo today after church! We couldn't get both cats in it, but bribing Jake with treats was an easy way to ensure he was in the pic! Merry Christmas!!

Boxed Squares

I finished the quilting on this one last night. I am pleased with it, for my first real "free hand" quilting. I still have to bind it. I made two pillowcases for it. Not sure yet what I will do with this one.

Got the thread

I received the cone thread for my machine today, so even though it was late, I started the quilting on my boxed squares. This is my first real free hand quilting. I am learning as I go, but I think I am going to like it! I don't really know how you are supposed to start and stop on borders.

New Project

This is my latest project I am working on. I can't start quilting my boxed squares until I get a new cone of thread or the horizontal thread holder for my machine. It is loaded and ready. While I am waiting, I decided to start working on this blue and white kit.

Bird Watching

Jessie spied a couple of little birds in the top of our crepe myrtle bush outside the window..

Last night's progress

We finished Julia's other quilt last night. I used the "Fay Feathers" pantograph.

Julia's Cat Quilt

While my sister, Julia, is here for Thanksgiving, we are doing some quilting! This was a very cute quilt she made, and put fleece on the back. It is for a gift to keep someone warm. We did the pantograph, Happy Times, on it, and it turned out great. Jesse decided to check it out.

Friday

Busy, busy day. Didn't get to sew any yet today. Errands, groceries, house cleaning, cooking...My sister and her husband are coming here tomorrow for the week of Thanksgiving. It will be fun. She's a quilter also and is bringing a quilt to do on my machine! Today I purchased some track lighting for my quilt room. Can't wait to get it installed and take down the little ceiling fan light I currently have in the room. Jake is cozy and warm on this cold evening!

Pine Mountain Kentucky Quilt Retreat

For those of you, like me, who have never been to a quilt retreat, here is a peek. My friend and I were invited to visit Pine Mountain State Park Resort in Kentucky where a quilter's retreat was in progress. Even though, I tell everyone that I am not "social," after visiting, I did think that it is something I would enjoy. A huge room is set up with about 60 tables; one for each quilter. Each person brings projects to work on. You can work on your projects, check out what others are doing, hand stitch by the fireplace, eat in the restaurant with a georgeous view of the mountains, hang out in your room or cabin. It looked like a great place to meet other quilters, get new ideas, and be inspired! Thanks Betty and Linda for inviting us! Sign me up for the next one!!

What I am working on...

Boxed Squares. This quilt is made from a jelly roll. I found the pattern on MaryQuilts blog. I am still working on the blocks (80 of them). Haven't decided yet if I will add another jelly roll and borders to make it a queen size quilt.

Fall colors and smells....

These pictures aren't that great, but imagine the smell of pecans, maple syrup, pie crust freshly baked.....yum, yum. I wanted to practice a bit for Thanksgiving, so for supper tonight with our fried chicken fingers, mashed potatoes and peas, we are having cranberry salad and pecan pie.

Imagine the sound of leaves falling to the ground, the bright yellow of the pansies. Fall is such a beautiful time of the year!