Is it Fall?

     The calendar says it is fall!  Time to switch out the wall hanging and such.  I remade the door wreath and added a large bow.   Now, we wait for the temperatures to join in and cool off.


   Good news is  my brother got word his power was back on.  He headed home on Thursday....bad news there was water damage in the apartment, and the AC went out.   No idea how long repairs will take when his turn comes.  Until then.....???     How quickly the storm damage and  residents with damages fade from our view and news.  And then another disaster happens.  

 Finally I am back in the sewing room for a little stitching time.    I am webbing the top together of the floral scrappy mountain blocks.  The first 3 columns are together....and I am taking a short break.













This week is Pernicious Anemia Awareness week.....believe me I am aware :)
   It's been an up and down week or so for me .....a couple of good sessions at PT followed by a bad couple of days and then a poor session on Thursday.  I have an evaluation on next Tuesday.  If I don't have enough improvement, I will not be continuing.  That is the way the health care system is working......you need the therapy  but your  measured numbers don't  show enough improvement and you are gone.   It is kind of funny in a sad way.  I try each day, but the body often does not cooperate.
    But then I never did fit into anyone's box.  Besides I would rather be quilting!  Happy stitching.

Where have all the flowers gone?

   All the floral fabrics have gone to Fletcher,  NC!  I found an abundance/plethora/amazing quantity  of beautiful fabrics yesterday at Foam and Fabrics Outlet.  Not the modern prints---most of the newer prints do not work for me---- that I always seem to find, but the packed and mixed floral fabrics I love to use in my watercolor quilts.  Of course, I spotted this batch of purple fabrics right away.
   Sir Old Man was very patient and willingly carried my selections to the cutting table.  Along the way he was trying to understand my vernacular.....like packed floral,  light background, blending, and transitional fabric.  









  There were several tables filled with flat fold fabrics, and one table was just batiks.  I found a beautiful variegated dark blue/purple/green.   Another couple of gals were also looking at it.....but in the end they gave it up to me..... at $4.99 a yard I just took it all.  I do have a plan for it, so no guilt about adding to the stash.  

   In response to a couple of email questions......I do not buy by the collection.  Most collections you pick up in a fat quarter pack or jelly roll  do not work for my style of fabric selection.  Those collections tend to contain fabrics with very similar values, and plaids or stripes, which are just not something I use.  I  prefer to use a variety of values and size of prints also.

   These are the ones I came home with....I bought yards.  Many times I only purchase 1/2 yard cuts because you can get a lot of 2" squares from that.  I have a plan for at least 3 of them.  Recently,  I donated the blooming nine patch quilt that I made several years ago.  I have a desire to make another one to keep, but my stash did not have fabrics with enough yardage for one.  By filling in with a few new purchases, I believe I can put one together now.
  We rounded out the day with a stop at the original destination for Sir Old Man.....a new woodworking/tool store.  He needed new drill bits....actually he wanted additional bits.  Just another way to build his stash of tools!  While he looked for a special sand paper, I browsed the book selection for him.  Ah.....I found a book on making small boxes, and a foot stool, and a small cabinet I could use.
 
By now, both of our wallets-- and cash stash--- were depleted......luckily  I still had a gift card that we used for a late lunch.   A good day trip for both of us.

   Time to wash up some fabric, get it bolted, and make some plans.  Oh yeah, there is other laundry to do, dinner to plan, and other chores to fill  out the day's plans.   Just a thought------ Do you realize how many more quilts we could complete if that other stuff didn't take up so much time?  
Happy stitching....and egg hunting!

Four Days before.....

  With sincere apologies to the real poets of the world......

Four days before Christmas, I had just checked my list.
 Gifts were bought and cookies were made.
Today I'll do laundry, so clean clothes will abound.
I was just sitting down, and there arose such a clatter.
I jumped from my chair to see what was the matter.
The racket was loud, vibrating, a clank.
Sir Old Man came a running, as he yelled "Shut her down".
 Out came the pliers, a screwdriver, and such.
Oh,  there's the flashlight, and the vacuum we need.
Up came the lid, off went the back.
The lint was a flying, while looking
for something  that had to be stuck.
Not the basket, nor belt, no mouse could be seen.
Not a sock, or a goblin making it scream.
Unbolt the front and what did he see.
The fan was dismounted, come loose it would seem.
A screw that was loose had created the scene.
Mrs. Claus feels exhausted, quite shaken you know.
Wet clothes on some hangers are nothing to show.
Sir Old Man is so handy, always ready to work.....
Disaster  averted, all is well...I was such a jerk!

Insight:  Before a holiday, expect an appliance to break or malfunction.  It is part of the cycle of life.  And your temper tantrums do not help.


 So on a merrier note....... my favorite little hang up for Christmas.  He always makes me smile.  And after today, a little cheer will cover me quite well.  My lists are long for the next few days, so I will return next weekend.

  May you find some peace and solace during this season with friends and family.  Hug them, and love them.  Hold on to them tightly and cherish each moment.  The gift of yourself is the one that counts.  And a little fabric never hurts :)