It's Hump Day

This is one of those weeks that seems like it will never end.  We have early release days at school for parent teacher conferences and we found out this week that starting Monday we will have an additional 30 minutes added to each school day.  I'm not complaining at least we won't have to go back after Memorial Day.  One bright spot was when I came home today my DH had picked some flowers for me, it is going to be below freezing again tonight and he wanted to save them from freezing.  Daffodils are my favorite flowers.

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Not much going on in the sewing department.  I did get the binding sewn on this quilt, I got it back from Leisa a few weeks ago.  I made it from the leftovers of a quilt that I made several years ago from the Three Sisters Chocolate Line.  It is very similar to the Turning 20, but it is from a pattern called Cheaper by the Dozen.  It takes 12 fat quarters plus the 2 borders, it is a very quick quilt.  I need to get busy on my Christmas Reel half square triangles, just haven't been in the mood this week .  What are you working on this week?

 

 

 

70's no snow

 What a difference 10 days makes.  Just  a week and a half ago we had snow and ice and missed 4 days of school.  Not so this weekend, it has been absolutely beautiful.  The temperature has been in the upper 60's and low 70's.  While filling up the birdfeeders I notice the daffodils and the crocus were blooming, spring is just around the corner; although we always have our worst weather in March.




With DH out of town this weekend for a "manweekend"  I got caught up on a few things.  I finally finished all of my Christmas Reel blocks, now to get them sewn together and the borders done. 

I also got the binding on this flannel quilt.  I realized while doing the binding that I started this during our last major snow storm in 2011.  Maybe we should have snow storms more often and I would get more done.

 

 

Oops, forgot to announce the winner

I apologize for not announcing the winner of my wool giveaway on Saturday.  All of this snow and bad weather has just messed with my mind.  I enjoyed reading about everyone's favorite kind of handwork.  The winner of the wool and pattern is Michelle T.  Michelle email me your mailing address and I will get it in the  mail to you.  Thanks to everyone who replied.  Watch for more wool news soon.

We survived!!

Nothing like waking up to about 2 inches of snow on Thursday morning.  This was after a full day on Wednesday of sleet and freezing rain.  Our biggest fear was that our power would go out, and thankfully it didn't.  Some of the power lines were looking a little saggy but they managed to stay up.  I took this shot of a dogwood tree in our front yard about 7:00 yesterday morning.   It was so quiet and peaceful, the snow just adds a beauty to everything. About 9:00 DH and I decided to go out to "play" in the snow.  It was more like a walk, however; I did manage to get him with some snowballs.

Our house in the snow.

One of our neighbors was out walking and thought it was hilarious that we were having a snowball fight.   Like I say you are only as old as you feel!!  

After the snow walk and we warmed up with some hot chocolate, I headed back to my sewing room to clean some more.  I swear after this I am not and I repeat not letting it get so messy, between all of the wool and cotton it looked like a natural fiber disaster area. I can proudly say that the wool is now in it's proper place and most of the cotton is.  I realized that I never, and I do mean never need to buy any more fabric.  I realized while going through all of my fabric that my fabric taste has definitely changed over the years.  I disassembled two kits and decided that I would use the fabric for other projects.  One I did because I didn't like the pattern any more, and the other because I realized that I needed the fabric in a quilt I want to start for our bedroom and who knows if I would have ever made the other one.  I have sewn the binding on two quilts, now to get it stitched down. 

I think I am ready?

The ice has already started falling, DH almost fell in the driveway this morning getting the paper.  After the disaster a few weeks ago with snow and ice the state is definitely prepared for this "weather event".  I think we are as prepared as we can be, we have food, water, (other beverages), gas logs, everything is fully charged, and plenty of books.  Yesterday I prepped some stitchery blocks in case our power goes out and I can't sew.  Wish us luck!

You are only as old as you feel

Yesterday was the my birthday and there is nothing  like celebrating a birthday at an elementary school.  I had several classes come in and sing happy birthday to me and several classes that made cards for me.  One student made a card for me that he had to explain, according to his explanation I am now Princess UniKitty from Cucco Cloud land.  (apparently this is something from the  new Lego movie, whatever it made me feel good)  DH was his usual good self, roses a birthday cake, dinner and the circus last week.   I love the circus.  We were standing in line to go in and several people made comments that they couldn't believe that we were there and we didn't even have kids.  That is us!!!  Had a great time, saw several of  my students from school, they are always so surprised to see me outside of school.  Another part of my present was a trip to the High Museum last week to see the Western Art Exhibit.


 I never miss an opportunity to stand in one of  these things.  Annie Oakley is one of my heroes so it was lots of fun to have my face on her body.  If you live in the area and like western art this is a great exhibit.
Hope everyone has a great day, I guess I could say that an additional present was no school today!!!
 



First trip to the cabin this year

We made our first trip to the cabin this year.  I can't believe that here we are 6 weeks into the new year and haven't been to our cabin, it has been a combination of the weather and DH and I both having the flu that has kept us close to home this year.  I love the cabin in winter but I realized on my walk yesterday that the main color at this time of year is brown.  Everything is brown, the trees, the ground, and even  the sky looked brown.  It is the perfect time to be inside with a fire, a cup of hot chocolate and a good book, or some handwork.

 I took my applique blocks to the cabin and guess what 7 done only two more to go.  Can't wait to finish the other two and get them sewn together.  I have started working on the half square triangle border but have a  ways to go on that.  More snow and ice is predicted this week, could be that school is out a day or two which means more sewing. 

More Applique Blocks

Still working on my Christmas Reel applique blocks.  You can see four of them here but I actually have 7 of them done.  Only two more to go, plus all of the half square triangle blocks for the first border.  I can definitely tell that my applique has gotten better over the course of  my blocks.

I have also been working on more wool.  You can see some of my "spring"colors above.  I  love not knowing exactly how the wool is going to turn out.  But the really good thing is that in most cases if it doesn't turn out the way you think it will you can redye it and it will turn out better the second time in most cases.

 

I am enjoying reading about the types of hand work that everyone enjoys doing.  Check out my giveaway and tell me about your favorite type of handwork.

Birthday Give Away

Every year during February I host a special give away to celebrate my birthday.  This year I decided to do a wool give away, since I have spent so much time in the last year thinking about wool, working with wool, dyeing wool, or packing wool up for shipping.  I found this great pattern from Primitive Gatherings for  a penny pillow.  I have one ready to applique, you can see it in the photo below.  All of the wools are my own hand dyes.   I always have some type of hand work that I can do at night while I am watching TV with my DH.  For years I did counted cross-stitch, I still enjoy it but don't do it so much.  After counted cross-stitch I went to stitchery, like Crabapple Hill, that is still probably my favorite.  I have a Christmas Crabapple Hill pattern that I am working on.  Recently I have been doing either applique or wool applique.  Wool applique is so easy, you don't have to turn back the edges.  Love it.  I have this pillow all ready to go along with one that just has stars on it.

To enter the give away all you have to do is leave a comment about your favorite kind of hand work. If you want an extra chance to win just become a follower, for another chance blog about it on your blog.  If you are the winner you will receive the pattern and  all of the wool that you need to make plenty of pennies for this cute pillow.   All of the wool is hand dyed and treated so that it will not fade.  The only thing you will have to supply will be the back ground for the pillow. I will announce a winner on February 15th.  Good luck.

Happy Groundhog Day!!

Battle of the groundhogs, one saw his shadow the other one didn't.  According to Phil we will have six more weeks of winter and according to General Lee spring will come early.  I don' know which one to believe, according to the "official" websites for both animals, neither one has a great track record.  All I know is that today just a couple of days after the Snowapocolypse it is sunny and 60 degrees.  One thing that is definitely true about Atlanta weather if you don't like it, just wait and it will soon change.