Stitch By Stitch...

My last post was entitled "A Day at a Time", certainly days are rocketing by as the year end approaches but I struggle with a way to measure the passage of time in any concrete fashion; it's a seemingly elusive thing. Certainly I can look back at work that's been accomplished and recognize where time has been spent; perhaps quantifying it in stitches helps. I kind of like that! In the evenings over the last few months, stitch by stitch, I've completed "Strawberry Manor" by Theresa Kogut. I suppose I'll frame it eventually; but, for now, finished is good enough.  

Moving on, I've nearly completed this "Moonlit Garden" sampler from Blackbird Design's booklet "When Leaves Fall". I had a moment of panic the other day when I got this far and realized that I had used up all of the hand-dyed floss called for to complete the lettering on this one... with only two words to go! My panic was relieved at the discovery of not one, but TWO(!) skeins of this very color in and among my stored floss. Oh, happy day!! All my slow stitching happens in the evenings in front of the television. Stitching on 32 count linen in the dim light of our TV space had become increasingly challenging.  

That was, until I found the best solution! Along with my OTT floor lamp I found an LED magnifying light to place on the table beside my chair. It is absolutely and totally fantastic. 

This is the lamp from Amazon, I purchased it with some birthday money that my parents had sent to me. I called to thank them shortly after putting it into service and assured them that their gift is being used and appreciated more than they'll EVER know! I can't recommend this lamp highly enough. The base is heavy and substantial, it stays put even when the gooseneck is being flexed, pulled and contorted to the best viewing angle for me. It's also convertible to a floor lamp, if needed. All I can say is that this product is worth every penny! I could be a spokesperson for the company!! Ha! That's all for today, I've got two more words to stitch this evening; betcha can't guess what they are!😉

One day at a time, 

stitch by stitch,

and sew it goes...

(Hey, maybe those words should be stitched into a sampler!)

Life is Good!

One Day At A Time

Its been a while, I know that. Time marches on, one day at a time, and before you know it a month (or more) has passed! Suffice it to say that the days have been busy ones, and it's all good. I'm going to hit the highlights with loads of photos here, simply as a way to catch up. It's good to be back! Augie is now two years old! That hardly seems possible. He was proud to receive a blessing from Pastor at an outdoor service honoring St. Francis last month. 

The birthday boy with his new toys.

Augie isn't the only one celebrating; both Lucy Ann and Gregory have each recently observed their 14th birthdays!  Those of you who've been longtime readers will remember (seemingly not that long ago!) them as babies, see what I mean about time flying by and losing track as the days evaporate one into the next?

In the studio: a memory quilt for my SIL is s-l-o-w-l-y taking shape on the design wall, it's going to be made up entirely from her husband's shirts. I hope to have this one pieced, quilted and ready for Christmas.

My side-kick thinks that the bin of deconstructed shirt pieces is a comfy spot especially for him. 😬

Nope, I don't think so.

🎂

 I'd like to wish a special friend a very happy birthday today! 

She shared with me yesterday that she was born on the very day that 

Herbert Hoover was elected; here's hoping your day is a great one, Mary! 

Life is Good!

The Test of Time

Once a month, our church hosts a gathering for Young Women/Mothers to socialize, study God's word and enjoy snacks. I've been helping out with the children during these times (seriously believing that I get the best end of the deal!); playing games and supervising outdoor play. I've been digging deep into the game closet at home for new(!) different and exciting ways to occupy their time and satisfy their curiosity. Yesterday was the day; there were just two boys, brothers, 5 and 7 years old. I had brought two vintage games with me which were both a rousing success! The youngest especially loved Booby-Trap. The many-times-repaired outer boxes indicate that these particular games were manufactured in 1965; almost 60 years ago!  In these current days where smart technology moves at breakneck speed in an attempt to make our lives easier and more efficient there's really something quite affirming and heart-warming about the fact that children can still be entertained by simple games.

In fact, on the playground, later in the morning, 

these brothers reveled in collecting acorns together; 

certainly another activity that's survived the test of time!

You can't help but smile at that.

Life is Good!

Shining A Light

When I was a young girl I could do all sorts of things without switching on a light, or even thinking about doing so, and I remember both my Mom and Dad repeating the same warning:  "let's shed a little light on the subject, you don't want to strain your eyes." Today I am thankful for every. bit. of light I can get, the brighter the better! A few years ago a friend gave me this pair of lighted tweezers*. I kept them near the sewing machine, and the longarm, they've helped a LOT with removing a stray thread here, a glob of lint there, or even occasionally threading a needle. Yesterday I used them when I threaded the lower loopers of the serger; usually a difficult task it was made worlds easier with the addition of this super handy must-have tool with the built in LED light!

I've been using the serger more and more since I got it cleaned and tuned last year; that was the best money spent! I'm consistently edging my quilt tops before loading them onto the longarm now... 

...and finishing the edges of my cross-stitch linen. 

It's been worth every penny to have that little workhorse back up and running! 

Sometimes it's the little things that make the BIGGEST difference.

What's making your life easier these days?

Life is Good!

* If you're interested, I found that these are available on Amazon, marketed for cosmetic use, at the price of 3 for $8.99! Search "lighted tweezers", keep one and give two to your friends, they'll thank you!

Ah, September!

The weather, at long last, has cooled off a bit! Brisk mornings and clear blue-sky afternoons with a slight breeze have been the norm around here this past week; it's a welcome relief~ I'm SO ready! The Dahlias are putting on a colorful show right now. We made another trip north to New England a week ago, a quick back and forth to avoid Labor Day traffic, it's all good. My mother had been hospitalized again and is now residing at a new (to her) rehab facility where she's very happy. Health-wise, she's weak; but she's content. Following that quick visit we continued south from New Hampshire to Massachusetts where we assisted Mr. G's sister with a recent home move. Having lost her husband a year ago she was ready to sell their home and forge a new path on her own. She's settling in nicely, and so is her dog, Monty; although the move was a bit traumatic for him.
Here are Monty and Augie resting after a full day of emptying boxes and wrestling with furniture! 

I read this one, start to finish, on the road trip. Being of a "certain age" I can relate well to the time period of this one, the Viet Nam war era; it's a good read.

The Barn Star quilt, my abbreviated version (56" X 76"), is together and off the design wall.  I needed to make room for the next project, a memory quilt for my SIL made from her dear husband's shirts. I've spent much time deconstructing them this week and getting everything ready to begin. There's a LOT of usable fabric in a shirt!

Stay tuned for progress on this one. I'm deeply grateful to all who've contacted me inquiring as to my whereabouts during the recent blog post blackouts, thank you! I'm fine, we're great and you're all wonderful to check in on me.

Life is Good!

Take A Seat...

...pull up a seat and settle in, I'll catch you up on the happenings around here; it's been a long time. In fact, to be honest, it's been so long that I wasn't even sure where to jump back in but decided that there's no time like the present. 

Back to school happens here next week (already!), those of you who've been readers here know that back to school means "nap blanket" time for the Pre-K program at the local elementary school that our small group of quilters has adopted. We've been supplying three classes with a total of 45 nap blankets each year for somewhere in the vicinity of the last fourteen years now! Made from bright, colorful, child-friendly fabrics they're always a huge hit with the teachers and students alike!

This year, as in years past, we've taken our machines to a friend's sewing space for a full work-day to accomplish this task. Quiltkeemosabe brought her new-to-her vintage Singer 301 this time. I didn't realize that these in-cabinet models are designed to be lifted out easily and can double as portables! Live and learn! Of course, I came home and opened out the cabinet where Ruth resides to discover that, yes, mine can also perform that exact same feat!  It's been a while since I spent quality time with Ruth. You can read how I came to inherit her by clicking the red, highlighted, name Ruth, above. I stitched up another nap blanket and she purred like a kitten. I feel like my precious mother-in-law is watching over me every time that I sew on her. 💗

I guess she's not the only one! 😂

More treasures discovered in Ruth's cabinet drawers. Mom saved these along with buttons in an antique tin that, at one time, held loose tea. Do you remember these perfect attendance awards for Sunday school and the like?

That's a quick glimpse into a few happenings around here lately. Our daughter's beagle, Buddy, is visiting. He and Augie get along just fine. On day one they rested in their respective beds. 

On day two they decided to swap beds!?!! "The grass is always greener" I suppose.

And here's where things stand today! They've certainly enjoyed resting in the sewing room while I'm keeping myself entertained in here. So, back to the beginning and that photo at the top: the bar stools pictured are all hand made by Mr. Goodneedle. It's been his summer project. Constructed from hard maple to match the cabinetry in the kitchen each one weighs almost 16 pounds! They're quite substantial. He has one more in the works and then they'll all be sprayed and finished and ready to supply plenty of room to sit at the kitchen island; pull one up, take a seat~

Life is Good! 

What's New?

I'm sure that you've given up on any future posts from here; and yet, I keep popping back up! In the last post I spoke about the baby bluebirds fledging and, as of this morning, we have more hatchlings in a new nest; here we go, all over again! Sorry, it's been awhile. Since I was here last we've made yet another trip to New England and spent precious time with my parents. Thanks be to God, they're doing well. 

Our family is celebrating birthdays this month. Mason's is today and our daughter's later this week. Those of you who've been reading here through the years may remember when our oldest grandchild first made an appearance... 16 years ago! He is every bit as sweet today as he was back in 2008. I'm unsure how this happened, certainly I don't feel any older myself. The Birthday Bear felt ornament, pictured above, was made to commemorate the occasion of our daughter's birthday. Inspired by Ramona who blogs at Doodlebugs and Rosebuds, I decided to try my hand at some of these. They come packaged as kits and... yes... I've discovered another rabbit hole! If any of you care to follow me down there I have discovered all sorts of goodies at Merry Stockings. The kits arrive complete with every little thing that you will need and easy to follow instructions. You're welcome. 😉 

What's new with you?

And sew, here we are again, playing catch-up. Thank you for your patience.

I'm back and it's all good. 

Life is Good!