Wednesday Ramblings

Today I will work on the chunky churn dash. Corned beef is in the crock pot for supper. Need to run to the store to pick up some cabbage to go with it. Did I tell you while I was gone my husband cleaned? Yes, bless his heart, he did. Okay, he's not a professional maid service--but the floors are clean and scrubbed, lots of stuff picked up, and he even managed to dust most my "stuff". And remember my Holiday cactus from my January 15th post? It now looks like this---


It measures 33" across and is covered in blooms. All summer it sat in the corner of the deck on the west side and was ignored except for a glass of water tossed its way. It grew so much out there the pot it was in became too small and the wind would tip it over. Right before it froze one night I repotted it and brought it in. And it is covered in blossoms. Yes, there are different colored blossoms in there because it is three different cacti. A yellow, a fuchsia, and a dark purple.

But I need to get moving here, the weather looks gorgeous out, bright and blue and no wind. And today is DD's birthday--HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART!

Monday Goals

I would hang my head in shame at not touching my goals this week if I hadn't had so much fun! But now I have things to catch up on, not quilty, but still to be done before winter.

1. Finish the CHUNKY CHURN DASH!!
2. load another project--they are starting to pile up!

There are four QOV that need quilting and binding (one is Ann's--she gave it to me to quilt at the Sew In), and one that needs just binding. Two sets of string blocks waiting for me to set together. And other tops waiting. Oodles of outside work to be done before winter REALLY gets here. Sigh I need to be cloned. And Ken has made a dent in the Halloween candy, I may have to buy some more!

Sunday Stash Report

I didn't buy anything this week, but I did reduce the stash! I took fabric with me to the Heartstrings Sew In and donated it for backing and pillowcases. I also took a big box of strings, a set of foundations, and enough green fabric to cut centers for 48 blocks. So I probably reduced my stash by at least 10 yards--maybe more as I donated 96 blocks I had done! I didn't finish anything, but I did put together two tops while at the sew in, it was a very good day. Great people, great fun! Thanks to everyone who organized it.

Rochester Sew in

It was a great day in Rochester. Fun meeting everyone, lots of sewing was done.

Wish you all could have been there, we had a wonderful time!

Motivation Friday

Okay, my goals weren't touched this week! But I am in Mankato, arrived last night and am cooking, baking, and watching Mason while Laura Beth catches up on some work emails. Watching Mason is a tough job, but someone has to do it!!

Yes, he's swinging and sleeping for the moment!!

I've got my stuff packed in the car for the Sew In tomorrow, the map has been googled, next I will lay out my clothes and see how wrinkled they are. If I forgot something, well, I think someone there will have whatever I might need!


In between I have been cruising the blogs I read. I may not comment, but I AM reading them! I find ideas, laugh, and think how much everyone's lives are the same.

And to my sister--Happy Birthday!!!

Wednesday Ramblings

My goals are headed out the window this week! Working outside with Ken over the weekend and on Monday made me rather sore. :( And a few family things came up. But I am packing for Minnesota, working on laundry and making a list. Today I made an apple cake with caramel on top---it was wonderful--thank you Judy for the recipe. I plan to leave tomorrow, want to get to Mankato before dark. ROFL--I am SURE my car will not be as full as the last time I went! :D

HEARTSTRINGS ROCHESTER SEW-IN HERE I COME!!!

Monday Goals

Monday goals---what will they be this week??

1) Finish quilting the chunky churn dash
2) quilt an isolette cover

That's all I'm going to put on my list this week, Thursday or Friday I am heading to Minnesota, visiting Laura Beth, Nick, and MASON. Then I will attend the Heartstrings Sew-In in Rochester on Saturday.

I was reading Extraorinary Mom's Network and the question was--what did your mother teach you that made you a better parent? Two things--she taught me to always thank whoever gave me a gift, accept it graciously!! And, she taught me to always take time to hug your child. She said they grew up too fast and she thought she had been too busy when her kids were little, she thought she wasn't a "good mother". She was the best!

Sunday Stash Report

No stash in, no stash out. Still working on projects here. Yesterday my sisters and I drove to Huron for a baby shower for Mason. It was great, I got to hold Mason almost the entire time. Great Grandma Schnabel asked to hold Mason---



This is what memories are made of! Great grandma Schnabel is 90 years young, and really enjoys babies and sewing, you should have seen the huge box of clothes, blankets, burp clothes etc she had made for Mason.

Today Ken and I are going to work outside, looks like a beautiful day.

Motivation Friday

How did I do with my goals this week? Well, the chunky churn dash has less than 1/3rd to go. My "not so top secret" blocks are a top. I worked on my 80 string blocks and they are done and trimmed! I am especially fond of these because they were made out of a "PIGS" I found in the back shelf of my cutting table. And I still have more noodles left. But look at the mess I made trimming them!

My stash isn't much neater, but I did fold another small pile of fabric. And no, I haven't quilted the isolette covers yet.  I'm still making progress even though there hasn't been a finish.

But I think I've done fairly well. Have done some necessary jobs outside. Today my sister and I made a dozen Kuchen and then made a pan of chicken enchiladas. Called my other sister to come over and eat with us. And I tried Judy L's method of seasoning and cooking a pork loin, I did mine in the crock pot and it smelled wonderful all day. Now we can eat sandwiches for a few days--which is good because I will be busy! Tomorrow I am getting my hair done, Saturday my sisters and I are traveling to Huron (1 1/2 hrs) to a baby shower for Mason. And Sunday and Monday will be days of outside work.

Wednesday Ramblings

Today is the day for errands. Groceries, etc. My goals are coming along nicely, I have 2/3rds of the chunky churn dash quilted. The not so top secret quilt is a top,


and I made two isolette covers--one blue and one pink.




Last night I put another string on 80 string blocks!


Now I just need time to get these projects quilted. And if you were wondering--the plumber was here this morning!!

Monday Goals

Feeling hard to be motivated at the moment, my kitchen sink has sprung a leak and DH is fixing it. Want to take odds on whether we call a plumber or not?? Hehe--it may get me out of making supper though! But my goals---

1. Finish quilting chunky churn dash
2. Get the "not so top secret" blocks into a top
3. Work on my string blocks
4. Keep whipping my stash into neat piles
5. Quilt the two isolette covers I made yesterday

Oh yes, I did get to sew yesterday!! I made two isolette covers (to me they're quilts) that cover an isolette--a blue and a pink one. I used an "Amish Bars" pattern. And the not so top secret blocks are sew into rows, down to fitting them together and adding the borders. I have a set of 6" string blocks I'm working on (80 of them) I saw as a picture on Jackie's blog--set together with sashing on the diagonal. I really liked it and will try to duplicate it. If anyone recognizes the maker--please let me know! Apples are on hold until the sink is fixed.