Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Where do I begin?

Well, once again it's been forever since I posted. I wish I could tell you that I'd been gone on a wonderful vacation somewhere, but that wouldn't be true. Let me see if I can recreate the time since I posted last...maybe you should get a cup of coffee, a diet coke or maybe a glass of wine...this may be long.
Just after I posted last time, my dear Andy decided that we needed to do some serious yard work. The yard guys do the routine work...but we needed to add bedding chips, we use pine bark nuggets here, and you know the job is never as big when you start as it is when you get going. 76 bags of nuggets later we were done. Then we needed to trim back the crepe myrtles...Andy spoke to the yard guy and he said he couldn't do it that day because he didn't have his chain saw...Oh NO! not my crepe myrtles...so we trimmed them all. That part wasn't so bad, but the cleaning up and bundling all the stuff we cut for the yard trash people to pick up took forever...plus at that point we were both pooped. That whole yard work (togetherness) project took a couple of days...so nothing got done in my sewing room. By the time I had time to sew my body hurt so badly from all the yard work that I could barely make it up the stairs. The good news is we're done with the hard work.

The next event was taking Andy to the shoulder specialist. He's been there twice, had an MRI, got a cortisone shot, and and no relief. So he had to go back for the consultation about the MRI results...the good news is that his rotator cuff isn't torn but it's fraying and has lots of bone spurs in there...so he's going to have to have surgery. He'll probably schedule that for May.

Friday was Mom's 86th birthday...shame on me...I forgot the camera...Andy and I took her to lunch at the Ritz-Carlton and it was wonderful. They treated her like a queen. It couldn't have been a better day.
The kids found a house that absolutely loved...to quote Katie...it's the perfect family house. After offers, counter offers back and forth the owners accepted their offer on Sunday evening and they couldn't be more excited. They'll probably close the end of May, so I'll be driving up to help with the move...you know what that means, I'll be playing with my little man.

OK, I think I've got you caught up on life. Here's a little quilty stuff. I'm nuts about the Prairie Paisley fabric by Minnick & Simpson for MODA...so I did some button pushing and look what showed up on my porch.


Now you know how I love mail...look at these goodies that came from Sharon... Look at that cutie little yellow bunny holding a tiny flower...and I love the egg and I really hope that you can see the wonderful scrabble tile charm with the C on it...oh I love it all. There's also a mix there for a raspberry cheesecake...oh my...I'll have to get back to the gym.
Oh exciting news for Sharon and I...we're meeting in Chicago on Thursday for the big quilt show...we are so excited...we've heard that this show is great, so we'll let you know when we get home. We'll be coming home on Sunday.

I have gotten some sewing done...I'm working on a baby quilt and I'm having so much fun doing it...here's a bit of it on my "design floor" in my sewing room storage area
...I need to get this done, the baby's due the end of June.

I've gotten a couple of Civil War Diary blocks done
The top one is Yankee Papers and the bottom one is Special Blessings.

Karen helped me on Saturday with Judy's Faux Paper Piceing technique...I did much better doing paper piecing this way than I ever did with regular paper piecing...so today I attempted on my own and did just fine...here are 2 parts of another Diary block... Hopefully I can get it done before I leave.

Thank you so much for stopping and sticking it out here with me til the end. Have a wonderful evening.

21 comments:

Libby said...

Oh it does sound like you just doing every single thing you hoped you would when you retired. Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

You definitely have had a busy time lately! Love all your blocks and that baby quilt is really turning out nice.

Red Geranium Cottage said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that baby quilt your making. Is that the one Doe made too?? ADORABLE!!! Makes me wanna have a............oh never mind. LOL!!! I dont like it that much.
I can't wait to see you!!! And I'm happy for the kids. Glad they found a house and I know you are too. Sorry about Andy's shoulder. But tell him to hang on until after April. We've got shopping to do.

Lea said...

I agreed with Libby.*S* I'm looking forward and wish to be like you and your DH in my future.*S*
Your baby quilt blocks are just stunning. I love those cute blocks! and I love your fabric choice of your CW blocks. It's very beautiful.*S*

Karen said...

Well, looks like the faux paper piecing is progressing just fine! I haven't touched mine but I have company as an excuse.
I like those fabrics that got delivered. Isn't it fun to push the magic button and then packages appear on the door step?
Sharon always sends the cutest things to people.
Have fun in Chicago and don't get lost!

Elaine Adair said...

Well, at least you're not sitting on your caboose! My word, you've been busy and productive too. Glad you're back blogging! That baby quilt is on my list ... yours is giving me inspiration again.

Kim said...

Hi,
I have been eyeing that pattern you showed for the baby quilt.. what is the name of it? It's going to be such a great gift!
TFS!

Unknown said...

I love the Prarie Paisley line too! What do you have planned for that beautiful fabric?

Darlene said...

buzz,buzz,buzz,buzz - that's the sound of the chain saw on the crepe mrytles. LOL

My body hurt just reading about all your hard work. I'm sorry your DH has to have surgery on his shoulder - OUCHIE!

I love that Prairie Paisley stuff, too but can't decide what I need. LOL

You're gonna love the Chicago Show - I prefer it to Houston. More intimate! Stay away from the Country Threads booth! LOL

And, forget the baby with that cute quilt - send it to me. :-)

Thimbleanna said...

Oh sure...you just had to mention the Y-word! Just reading about your adventures made me tired. We're just thawing out up here and I'm dreading the days of yardwork that will be required. Not 'cause I don't enjoy it -- just want to sew this year! Love those new fabrics -- I'll probably need to have those pointed out. I'm a little worried that we're not getting there early enough -- try not to buy it all before we get there LOL! Oh...love the baby quilt too!

Lisa D. said...

Busy, busy lady. Lots of great news and a little not so great news (about your husband's shoulder - ouch). Your new goodies are wonderful. What are you planning to make with Prairie Paisley? Have fun in Chicago - take lots of pictures!

Chris@Cats On My Quilts said...

I am crazy about Prairie Paisley too and after I swore I wouldn't buy any more fabric for a while I bought a few of those at a show I was at this past weekend. Oh well! It is a fabulous collection.

Wendy said...

I know how you feel about yard work and how long it can take and getting very sore after. It's very tiring.
The baby quilt is very cute. And your new blocks are coming along.

Sounds like there will be some serious shopping this weekend, try and stay out of trouble you girls.

Robin C said...

could you explain the false paper pieceing method. I just can't do it and would like an alternative. I took a peek at the 2 blogs you mentioned but didn't see anything on there about it.

Anonymous said...

Well hello stranger! Good to hear from you. I am very jealous about you and Sharon meeting up in Chicago. You'll have to come out here again sometime so we can have a girls get together again! I love the Prairie Paisley too. I have a kit to make from it. But I wish I could order more too, I put myself on a fabric diet though! Dang! I love that baby quilt you are making, what pattern is that? Isn't that little package Sharon gave us all just the best? I got the little bunny in pink and love it so much! I'm so happy for the kids finding a home, that's terrific! Well, have a safe trip tomorrow.

Doe said...

Gorgeous WIPs! Thanks for sharing.

Ginger Patches said...

Wow..I'm tired just reading about all that yard work! I love Prairie Paisley too!!! I can't wait to see what you do with it-fun! That baby quilt is absolutely adorable!! And omg you guys are going to have sooo much fun in Chicago!!!! I'm holding my breath for pictures!

Nan said...

What a wonderful post, Carol! I love hearing all about what's happening in your life. Yard work is hard on the body, but so worth the effort, I think! I bet your yard looks beautiful! I'm sorry about Andy's shoulder. It sounds so painful for him, and I hope surgery takes care of the problems he's having.
Hooray for the kids getting their dream home!
I love the gifts from Sharon - so sweet, just like her!
The fabric is beautiful - I do love that line. Your blocks are all wonderful, too. I can't wait to see the baby quilt finished!
I know you and Sharon are having a great time right now - I hope Sharon gave you the hug from me!

Texan said...

hey are you and Andy for hire? We have 27 acres that could use some sprucing up? LOL ...

Sounds like you have been busy busy... but a good busy!

I love those blocks your working on they are really pretty...

Melanie said...

Love those fabrics!!! Mom is going to love the baby quilt just as much as baby....Great job....

Ulla said...

That baby quilt pattern is very nice and you have chosen lovely colours! I hope it will be ready just when the baby needs it without you having to work overtime.