A Happy Place!

I've been in the beautiful Portland, Oregon area for the last week. Wow! What gorgeous views! Beautiful yards! Breathtaking horizons!

 In the photo above you see Mt. Hood as it appears from Vista House at Crown Point, east of Portland. We could also see Mt. Hood from Portland because the skies were clear. In fact, they were having a freakish heat wave and it was hotter here than it was back home in Texas!

I had been sent a month's supply of HCF to try in exchange for an honest review and I finished it during this trip. I have to say that I could really tell a difference. I was warned that it might be a gradual thing, but I guess my body really needed those amino acids this supplement supplied. I have some serious food allergies and I think this supplied some things I might be missing by avoiding those foods.

 I am always a nervous wreck going through the entire airport experience, but I was calmer this time around. I also felt that it helped with the occasional depression I have always fought.  I consider myself a happy person, but that doesn't mean I don't sometimes deal with anxiety and worry.  I would certainly take it again! It is a little pricey, but you can save by enrolling in their auto-ship program. Even without the savings, it is cheaper than the gym or doctor! You can also get a free 14 day trial on their website. At least check it out. I was impressed.

I will have a lot to share in the next few weeks about progress in the hill country as well as some exciting sewing related news that is on the horizon. My year has been a whirlwind of travel and renovation work, but I still have my sewing machine humming during those quiet moments!

Speaking of sewing machines, look what I found for $37.50 at the thrift shop (they were having a 50% off sale)! It runs beautifully, too! (You can never have enough sewing machines, right?) It didn't come with any extra feet or accessories, but I know I can find those online.

I'll be back soon!

It's September! See What I Did!

Thank you for joining me today on the See You in September Blog Hop! We are to show three projects we made this summer. 

Project #1

Remember these? I found them in a thrift shop and they started a search for souvenir plates to decorate a wall! 

Then I decided I needed a quilt to go with it!  I made a "Memories of Our Travels" quilt for my husband. We have done a lot of traveling in our 44 years of marriage. Since we lost all our souvenirs, I decided to make a quilt that would remind him of those happy memories every time he cuddles up in it to watch television or to read. 

 On the quilt I appliqued fabric "souvenir plates" with the names of some of the places we've been.  I used my Riley Blake gingham in the background along with a few other fabrics I had on hand.

Here is a close up along with a few of the real plates I have.  (I gave up on a photo without Sugarplum in the middle. She loves this quilt for some reason and searches it out to sit or lay on it!)

I asked Doug to choose 12 photos that brought him really nice memories and then my sister, Darla,  printed them off on fabric with special washable dyes. I used them  among the plates and other  applique souvenirs such as sea shells.

Projects #2 and  #3

I also had a lot of fun learning to reupholster. Many of you saw my Pinto Pony covered chair here (the one that many thought was "cow"! ) I also did this one, but saved it for this hop.

Here is the ottoman "before":

Here is the chair "before":

(Do you see the horsehair on the floor around it? It was falling out of the bottom!) I know my gray and bright serape stripes are daring, but I love it for the hill country! (I actually used a real Mexican serape for the upholstery!) It makes me feel happy. If I get tired of it, it will be easy to make a new bolster pillow and recover the top of the ottoman. Does a chair and ottoman count as two things?

Project #4

Well, in case it doesn't, here are some throw pillows I made earlier in the summer. I have never posted them, but Debby Kratovil did last month on her blog. (Thank you, Debby!)

I was really hoping to show you a finished kitchen at the hill country house, but it looks like you'll have to wait a few more weeks. That has taken up most of my summer!!!

My thanks to Mdm. Samm (Sew We Quilt)  and Shari (Living with Purpose) for hosting our fun "show and tell" from the summer!

 Be sure you visit the other blogs on the hop! Here is today's schedule!

Wednesday,September 10

Secretly Stitching
ME! - Buzzing and Bumbling
Quilt n Queen
Quilted Delights

Grandmama's Stories