I had a plan today

I got up bright and early this morning with a plan. I took a load of boxes and a basket of laundry over to the house. I unloaded the boxes and put most things where they needed to go. I threw the laundry in the washer. Next on my agenda was a trip to Garden Spot in Ephrata to look for a bed for my father. My sister and I had an Ethan Allen bedroom suite when we were kids. I have one of the beds and my dad has the other. I want to bunk them for my grandchildren in the little bedroom at my house. I needed to find a bed for my dad to replace his. Garden Spot has lots of great used furniture. Pennsylvania House cherry, Ethan Allen maple and cherry, etc. I knew I would find a bed...and I did but I just wasn't sure if my mom would approve. So...I ended up buying 2 chairs for my dining room and I am really happy with my purchase. I don't need to bunk the beds for a couple of months so there is plenty of time to find a bed!

On the way home (Julie went with me) we decided to stop at a quilt shop...and they were having a warehouse sale. Now I have MORE fabric to pack! I need to stop shopping until after I am actually living in the house!!

BLOGOVERSARY TODAY!!

I can't believe it has been a year since I started making fairly regular postings to this blog site. Thanks to all of you that read my blog. I love the comments and I am so happy to have "met" so many of you out there in "Blogland".

So - for the giveaway - it's a surprise. Yes, a surprise because now I can't find my camera! The giveaway consists of a pattern, some fabric, some "quilty" tools, some needlework, some "girly stuff" and something crafted by me.

If you would like to be included, please leave a comment on this post. I will do the drawing on Monday, 9/1.

This is going to be a fun ending to a very crazy week!!

Update from the Crazy Woman

The beam in question needs to have another "sistered" to it as it is not structurally sound so that will happen tonight and I now have an appointment to close tomorrow (Thursday). My biggest fear is that I would not make settlement before the end of the month and that would mean a big chunk of money added to my closing costs. So...I am not freaking out anymore. The end is in sight. Many thanks to everyone for their concern and prayers!

Here's the thing...

I don't like to drone on about my house buying adventures on this blog and that is why I started the other one. In this case, however, the house buying is carrying over to everything else in my life. I have not taken the photos of my blogoversary giveaway and I truly meant to do that. I have a bunch of stuff all ready to put into a basket for a photo. I just haven't done it. I can't find one place (except on my bed) that isn't a total disaster area in my apartment. Tonight I have 5 women who are coming over for a "packing party" to help me get the kitchen and utility closets packed out. On top of everything else, I have this big, black cloud hanging over the settlement that is supposed to take place today. I still don't know if it is going to happen. At the last minute, the underwriter has made a request for a structural engineer to check the beams in the basement. If there is any problem, we won't close.

Anyway...that's why I still haven't posted my giveaway photo. I will. I will have the giveaway. Please check back tomorrow.

Back from retreat

The Society of Sexy Sewing Sister's retreat at Bear Hollow was a great success. The weather was perfect, the food was wonderful and you just can't beat the companionship! We had deer in the backyard watching us eat dinner one evening and the next day a doe brought her twin fawns to the same location. The deer are enjoying the apples that are dropping and even some that they are picking themselves! Early Saturday morning (middle of the night!) I was awakened by the sound of a high pitched barking and then the howling started. My first coyote experience! I know that the sheep farmer down the road isn't too excited about coyotes but it was a thrill for some of us that heard him.

I have pictures...or at least there are pictures on my sister's camera. As soon as I can get by her house, I will borrow the camera and download the photos. There are not many because who had time to take pictures?!

The blogoversary post is in a couple of days!

Such a slacker!

My blog entries have been few and far between of late. My only excuse is that I am busy packing. I have been reading blogs but just haven't posted. So...

I am leaving tomorrow for the annual "Society of Sexy Sewing Sisters" (S4) quilting retreat in beautiful Potter County, Pennsylvania. Wisely, Julie took our machines and some show and tell stuff up there last weekend. We are cramming 5 women in a Tahoe and with 5 machines and a large cooler, we would have had to strap someone to the roof rack. We are leaving at 8am so that we can stop at several quilt shops on our way. Thankfully fabric squishes up really well or we wouldn't be able to buy much! I know we will have a fabulous time ... and eat really well. Though we generally don't get much accomplished at our monthly gatherings, we actually do sew while we are on retreat!

Hopefully I will have some photos to share when I return. Y'all have a great weekend, too!

Anniversary coming up!

My "Blogoversary" is next week! I can barely believe I have been subjecting you to my blogging for nearly a year.

What shall I give away? Fabric, patterns, jewelry, notions? Maybe a basket of goodies? I am giddy with excitement!

Please be sure to check back near the end of next week. (I will start tempting you on Monday, 8/25.)

The latest

I mentioned quilting at my sister's while she was on vacation. This is the second quilt that I did during that time.
It is from the first Amanda Jean's quilt along. I decided to attempt "wonky feathers" all over the quilt.

I used a lovely variegated green King Tut thread and Bottom line thread in the bobbin. All things considered, I am really happy with the quilting. As always, I learned something new when quilting this one. I do not like re-stitching the spines of feathers. I prefer one pass and done. I don't know how I could do that with this kind of feather but that will be an experiment for another time. I wish that I had somewhere to display this so you could see the full effect. I really like this quilt very much and it was great finally using up a large chunk of stash to make it.

This quilt is for my niece. She will be a junior this fall at Shippensburg University. I better NEVER see this quilt thrown in the trunk of her car or used as a beach blanket!

King Tut

is my favorite quilting thread when I am working on the LA. Superior also makes a pre-wound bobbin that is fabulous. If I wind my own bobbins, I can maybe make 4 passes on the quilt and I run out. With the pre-wound bobbins, 2 will do an entire twin quilt if you aren't going crazy with lots of little stippling. ANYWAY, (the reason for my post), Sew Thankful has it on sale right now at prices a heck of a lot cheaper than you will find it even at quilt shows.

Just spreading the love around...

My other, other blog site

I just posted photos of the house on my other blog, My Little Nest, if you want to take a look!

A little "show & tell"

This is where we quilt. It is the spring house on my sister's property. It was essentially a one room building with a loft above for sleeping. A bath and small kitchen have been added to the back. It is charming and a wonderful place to quilt. No phone and with 12" thick stone walls, it is extremely quiet. This is the long arm we use. As you can see, it takes up a large portion of the space!

This is the quilt that I just took off the frame. I feathered the borders, did swirly loops in the inner border and did a swirly, wavy looking thing in the body. I am pretty pleased with the quilt! I still have not bound the quilt. I haven't decided on which fabric I am going to use. I would LOVE to bind it in the red but I haven't any left...bummer...

Ten favorite things

Since Nancy asked, here are 10 of my favorite things - It was really hard choosing just 10. My family (ALL of them) is a given. These are a few of the other things...

1. cool, crisp autumn air
2. dark, dark chocolate
3. Holden Beach in winter
4. Evolution #9 from Sokol Blosser
5. the smell of a line dried sheets
6. Christmas Eve midnight mass
7. Mt. Rainier
8. steamed crabs with a lot of Bay Seasoning
9. Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby ice cream
10. star filled summer nights

What fun!

Here's my portion of the goodies I picked up this morning. I really concentrated on the batiks. Batiks have absolutely no place in my decor and yet I am drawn to them like a moth to flame. The McKenna Ryan pattern was half price and my DIL's kitchen is decorated in a coffee theme. I think she will like the wall hanging.

I also picked up a large quantity of batiks for Julie and some Laurel Birch horse print fabric. They had a cheater panel from that line so I got that for her as well. Her daughter is a horse enthusiast and has been riding since she was a little girl. I found lots of fabrics for Pam and dropped those off at the library. She seemed pleased with my selections so I think I did a pretty good job.

Tomorrow I am going to load a flimsy on the LA frame. I made it several months ago and am finally going to get it quilted. I have been practicing wonky feathers and swirling patterns on my white board so this will be my first attempt at really letting my hair down. I will admit to being just a little bit nervous. At the same time, I also am excited to be trying something new. If all goes well, I will post photos tomorrow!

Fat Quarter Frenzy Day!

I have my basket ready, my credit card primed and gas in the car! Today is the fat quarter frenzy at Quilter's Palette. Selected fat quarters are $1.25 and if you purchase 20, every other fat quarter in the shop is $1.25. Julie is leaving for their beach cottage and Quilty Pam has to work at the library today so they have each assigned me the task of shopping for them. Such pressure! Of course, when you know two women as well as I know them (and their quilting style) I think I will be able to choose their fabric.

Fair warning ladies! I am choosing mine first!!

All things "house" related...

Since this is my quilty blog and I have my "thinking" blog, I decided to have a blog for my new house. I still have not been able to get in to take photos but this weekend looks promising. The new blog is "My Little Nest". Nothing much going on there yet but please check from time to time if you have an interest.