tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299529362024-03-28T21:36:39.481-05:00From the Strawberry Patch...Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.comBlogger2528125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-75920105656417622322024-03-21T08:33:00.001-05:002024-03-21T09:35:12.127-05:00All Good Things......came to a crashing halt! Literally. Let me explain. Remember how I was on a roll? Catching up on on UFOs and working both forward and backwards on those blocks-of-the month? I even promised to spend National Quilting Day piecing those blocks that I was behind on and showing you the leader-ender blocks that are taking shape at the same time. Well, truth be told, that didn't happen. Last Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-69348181208652874692024-03-14T15:50:00.007-05:002024-03-14T16:18:57.010-05:00Pi DayAn oldie, but a goodie; always appropriate on 3.14!Life is Good! Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-27743982644076371042024-03-13T09:07:00.003-05:002024-03-13T10:14:36.794-05:00Checking 'Em Off......one at a time, from the "projects to finish" list. "Winter Winds"* is now ready for hand finishing! ✔ I used the Swirly Snowflakes pantograph for this one, it might just be my new favorite panto; it's FUN to quilt, it was just perfect for this one too! I got the binding and the hanging sleeve made as soon as I removed it from the rails so that I would be motivated to complete it 100% without Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-54319860254913388122024-03-09T14:08:00.003-05:002024-03-09T14:17:28.638-05:00Already?How'd this happen so fast? I'm not quite ready to give up an hour of AM sleep yet. Seems like we just "fell back", didn't we? Sigh.I've said for a long time that Augie has "cat-like" tendencies but this proves it! First of all, let me explain that "NO", he's not allowed to get on the end table! I found him curled up here one day last month. He's looking at me as if to say "what, there's Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-85567828924975098552024-03-07T09:12:00.003-05:002024-03-07T10:51:31.742-05:00Finally, A Finish!No, not a quilt finish but a finish nonetheless. I believe that I started this one the summer before last but it's done, in a frame and ready for its close up! I had to laugh when I read Mary's Country Threads blog the other day and she referred to quilters who've taken up cross stitch as "jumping ship"! I haven't gone all in, as in totally overboard, but I do stitch to unwind in the Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-1408657419358792582024-03-04T14:57:00.003-05:002024-03-04T15:37:44.982-05:00In Like A Lion?How did your March kick-off? Did it come in like a lion? Ours was chilly and rainy but not too cold to nip the abundant daffodils who are joyfully showing off right now. I'm participating in two blocks-of-the month currently. This one, left, is part of the Barn Star class from the book by Shelley Cavanna.My fabric choices are from the Dry-brush Essentials line by Wilmington Fabrics. I wanted my Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-76743114272149502012024-02-28T15:07:00.001-05:002024-02-28T15:07:06.275-05:00February~ Come and Gone!!Out with the snowmen, it's February; love and hearts have replaced them on the tabletops and kitchen windowsill! And yet, while all of that is true, here is the greater question:Thank you so much, blogger friends and those in real life who've reached out to inquire about my whereabouts and well-being. I'm fine, just as busy as I've ever been. I had taken on quite a few outside longarm Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-88035587021740318852024-01-30T13:00:00.002-05:002024-01-30T13:00:08.403-05:00Day Brightener!Look at what I received this morning; isn't it just the best?!! It was created for me by our DIL and Lynnleigh, I couldn't love it more! Our DIL got a sublimation printer for Christmas. You can click on the hyper link for more info, this was all new to me; I'm so VERY excited about the result!I'm including a day brightener for you, too; a dear friend texted this to me yesterday. It hits close to Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-28747368928672210062024-01-29T10:31:00.002-05:002024-01-29T10:32:06.849-05:00Reflections on JanuaryI don't know where this month has gone. It's been filled with activity, not the least of which is keeping up with breadmaking from two different sourdough starters! What have I gotten myself into? Loaves are being gifted continually. I've branched out into English muffins, cinnamon buns and multi-grain breads too.Without a lot of words or explanation I'm going to catch up with a post Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-57867144885565294802024-01-10T08:41:00.001-05:002024-01-10T08:43:01.886-05:00Driving AgeSo, I pulled these four-patch posies out of the stash closet the other day, they'd aged well. These are all fussy cut and reassembled from the same large scale print. Turning to the laptop and EQ8 I was able to draw up a setting for them that, hopefully will show off each block's individual beauty. It's about time. I seriously couldn't remember how long they'd been languishing until I searched Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-5652596778680259422024-01-08T13:55:00.003-05:002024-01-08T13:55:42.889-05:00What's New?What's new, besides the year?! I've been busy with new things, breadmaking for one. Loaves abound! As I posted before, I am baking rustic, sourdough loaves from a wild starter on a weekly basis now. Mr. G. was eager to resurrect another sourdough starter, similar to one that I had used back when our children were small. It is fed with sugar and instant mashed potato flakes and produces sweeter, Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-72578656224814020292023-12-26T14:54:00.006-05:002023-12-29T09:52:54.074-05:00Christmas!Another Christmas has come and gone; as always, I was almost ready. Are we ever completely prepared? Naturally, all of the gifts were purchased and wrapped, cards addressed and sent, and the food was ready at the appointed time and place. But, then, there's always those "extras", those things I think I'd like to make and tuck in as a special surprise- those little cross stitch ornaments I Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-34175283100497307962023-12-16T13:46:00.000-05:002023-12-16T13:46:26.071-05:00Something Fishy... I've been creating a few small Chrismons for our home tree. This one, the Beaded Fish, is symbolic of the action used by the Persecuted Believers to secretly designate themselves as followers of Christ. The initials (IXOYC) for Jesus Christ is the Greek word for fish. It's a precious little addition to our tree. Do you have a kitchen tool like this? It's a fish spatula. It's a fairly Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-58838859487254744782023-12-12T11:05:00.006-05:002023-12-14T11:43:20.694-05:00Trees!The trees are up at Chez Goodneedle; not without a few headaches along the way. Lights can be a temperamental thing, even on a pre-lit tree. There's never a mention of tempers flaring and patience sorely being tested by uncooperative lights on any Hallmark movie where the tree springs instantly into brilliant life all while singing carols and sipping hot chocolate; nope, as for us we're going Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-32779043191763325322023-12-08T11:01:00.000-05:002023-12-08T11:01:56.667-05:00Going Crazy?I have this portable heater in my studio space; it's one of my favorite things in the whole wide world! Mr. G. gave it to me a few years ago for Christmas after I had expressed a desire for one over a period of many years. One of the best features is the remote that I can use to control it from anywhere in the room: handy! So, two days ago the remote disappeared. If you know me at all you'll Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-78198785577761567172023-12-06T09:49:00.008-05:002023-12-06T09:53:59.976-05:00What a Difference......a year makes! Our little Augie is all grown up! It hardly seems possible that he's been with us a year now. It sure didn't take him that long, though, to train us. The best seat in the house isn't a seat at all; he's the resident "hearth hound"!He's filled our hearts and home with pure, unconditional love over the past twelve months.And in other news around the house, (I'm trying to catchMrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-32452664052525776382023-11-20T08:28:00.002-05:002023-11-20T08:28:32.442-05:00A Few Of My Favorite Things...Just a few of my favorite things this morning:our precious little Augie is now one year old and has become quite the canine clown, character and constant companion. Life is Good!Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-81016942856282338012023-11-17T09:42:00.006-05:002023-11-17T09:44:14.569-05:00Stitching KindnessI finally completed the quilting on the "Gratitude" quilt; the name seems appropriate for an almost-Thanksgiving finish! It's been on the rails since I broke my wrist at the end of August! Moving on...This is my version of Susan Ache's "Stitching Kindness", a sew-along from last year. Incorporating a red/white strawberry print for the border and backing, it was a natural to choose a pantograph Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-27596112542280413502023-11-14T18:20:00.005-05:002023-11-14T18:25:05.223-05:00I Know, I Know...In my last post, which was almost a month ago, I explained what was keeping me away from this blog. And today, here we go again! We've been in New England for three weeks spending time with family. It's all good. In the earlier days I would've queued up posts to periodically appear during an absence of this duration but I just didn't get that done ahead of time this go-round. You'll never find meMrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-18262613986809275572023-10-19T18:41:00.000-05:002023-10-19T18:41:07.322-05:00AWOLI know, I know; I've been AWOL with no clue as to when I'd return or why I had disappeared. The last you knew I had my cast taken off and I was footloose and fancy-free again. Well, let's just say that was a very short lived state! Sigh. After a few days of catching up with all the tasks that required two free hands I contracted some sort of virus that presented with almost every symptom you Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-6533342275948866732023-09-27T14:24:00.002-05:002023-09-27T14:36:12.791-05:00Free!If you've ever had your dominant hand in a cast for four weeks you know the feeling of absolute FREEDOM that is experienced when it's removed. Yesterday I was freed from the fiberglass "prison" that has surrounded my hand, wrist and arm; hallelujah! When they rolled the cast removing machine (saw/vacuum combo), just like the one pictured here, into the room I wanted to stand up and cheer. After Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-5449784495844686832023-09-26T10:12:00.000-05:002023-09-26T10:12:59.751-05:00From the Kitchen...There's been a lot of things happening in the kitchen lately, all good. After we returned from our trip up north I decided to try out a recipe given to me by an extended family member, for a "topper" to enhance Augie's kibble. He's an extremely picky eater, turns his nose up at a LOT of things, and basically eats like a cat; nibbling here and there when he feels like it. We've done all of the Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-38520626226221895142023-09-19T13:21:00.007-05:002023-09-19T15:46:55.760-05:00One Quick TripWe've only just returned from a quick trip to Massachusetts; this time, sadly, for a family funeral. Our dear friend, and brother-in-law, Dick, passed away on Friday, September 8th. He'd been sick for the last few months, we kept up constant communication with Mr. G's sister, Barbara, and knew of his rapidly deteriorating condition but still were not prepared for that phone call informing us thatMrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-87283734720991746422023-09-13T04:57:00.001-05:002023-09-13T04:57:00.149-05:00I Sewed!Yes, I did it; I sat down at the sewing machine this weekend and actually sewed! This is the sum total of two days' work, not much in the grand scheme, but it's HUGE after these last two weeks of being sidelined! Yay!! These were already precut and labeled before my little trip onto the brick sidewalk, if they hadn't been I'm not sure I could've gotten this far. I'm unable to use the rotary Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29952936.post-22085965216595585492023-09-09T08:21:00.005-05:002023-09-09T13:04:23.428-05:00Along The Way...I've learned a LOT along the way while the wrist is healing. Time doesn't slow down, or stop, when one's casted. Nope, it's business as usual. Augie turned eleven months old on Wednesday! He's my best snuggle buddy and resting companion when I need that. I can tell when I've done enough for the day and it's time to lay low. Fine motor skills are slowly returning and strengthening, (I can Mrs. Goodneedlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.com4