And That Wheel Keeps On Turning...

I don't know how many of you are "Wheel Watchers" and tuned in last Friday to hear Pat Sajak's final farewell to the game that he had hosted for 41 years! Yes; forty one years, 8,000 episodes, a HUGE feat! Beside that fact, I'd like to bring attention to his words of departure: he noted that Wheel of Fortune was "a safe place for family fun, no social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing... just a game. A place where families came together with friends, neighbors and entire generations."  He ended by "thanking you for allowing me into your living rooms and into your lives." What a class act! I couldn't help but relate to this mindset. Since 2006, 18 years, I've kept this blog for exactly those same reasons. Simply a diversion. A place where anyone could stop by, see some pretty pictures and join in a discussion about quilting, needlework, family or faith life with no judgement. A safe place. 

I'm not retiring. I'm going to keep cranking them on out... blocks of the month, scrap quilts, UFO's cross stitch, pets, families, grandchildren, gardening, life in general; you name it. We all have lots in common and I love hearing from you!

...and SEW it goes! Eighteen years is far from forty one but we've had a good, long run together. Let's keep it going!

As for me, I'm very comfortable right here. I hope to see you again soon.

This wheel keeps on turning; thanks for taking the time to stop by. 

Life is Good!

On Starting A New Project...

"Little Letters"  ~ Temecula Quilt Company

A few weeks ago I was alerted by Quiltkeemosabe to a new tutorial, an alphabet quilt, beginning over at Temecula Quilt Co.'s blog (linked below photo).  Yesterday the first letter, and installment of this series, was published; this will make up as an adorable little quilt!  I'm in! I love letters, I love old-fashioned samplers; what's not to love?  The only decision here is what fabrics to choose.  Why would I consider starting even one more new project right now? I was puzzled by that myself... and then I read this quote, on creativity:  "The excitement, the true excitement, was always in starting again.  Nothing's worse than an accomplished task, a realized dream." - Marilyn Harris  There you have it. I've finished up more than a few long-standing projects recently. I NEED to start something new simply to acheive balance; my creative spirit demands it! Who am I to argue?

Life is Good!

Grab 'em, Chop 'em, Use 'em!

There are good things going on all month over at Pleasant Home, a scrappy sew-along with all sorts of beautiful, colorful, happiness. Check it out; there's a button to link you on my sidebar. There will be guest bloggers, give-aways, inspiration, tips and tutorials... sounds like a good place to spend time as I clean out my scraps (and chunks, and yardage... oh, my!) and look for new places to use them... not just in January, but all year long. I am posting a photo of my stash closet as it looked five years ago... very neat and organized. Going public with this photo will should inspire me to USE what I have on hand, and neaten up the storage space to it's former, tidier, glory. Hold me accountable, and wish me luck!

A scrappy sew-along sounds just right, don't you think? Grab 'em, chop 'em, use 'em! Let's go! I am sew ready!

Life is Good!

Need To Know

I couldn't access my blogger account anymore. I could, however, get to my Gmail, and since they're set up within the same account this was supremely frustrating! I sent off a frantic e-mail to my daughter-in-law for assistance and she telephoned me right away; suspecting it was my browser she put my son on the phone to walk me through the diagnosis and cure. When he learned I was still using Mozilla Firefox he immediately got me started installing Google Chrome, he explained that what I was using had been good... back in 2006! Now, Google accounts are happier using the Google browser; that made sense to me. I asked him why he hadn't advised me to make this change sooner, his response: "you didn't need to know until now". That's the very best way to describe my computer skills (or lack thereof), I'm on the "need to know" plan; and that's absolutely good enough for me.

Life is Good!

Button, Button...

...I've got a button!
My sweet daughter-in-law is a champion "button maker". She designed this button especially for me and my blog. Thanks, honey! If you like stopping by my blog, and passing on what you've seen or read here to others, you can grab my button by using the HTML code on the left and adding it to your own sidebar, it will then be "clickable" back to the Strawberry Patch!

Life is Good!

One Wonderful Year!

It's been a year of blogging, it doesn't seem possible; but, 226 posts later... it most definitely is! Thanks to everyone who has commented, read, visited and generally supported and encouraged this blogsite since July 13, 2006. I am sincerely and genuinely appreciative! This is the entrance to the studio from the side porch... from the outside "looking in", if you will.

Meggie tagged me this week for the Five Things Meme. I'm "it" I guess you could say; another closer look inside, this time of Mrs. Goodneedle, for what that's worth.

FIVE THINGS:
I wish to do before I die:

1. Hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, my husband and I have been talking about doing this for a long time.
2. See my story published, read and loved by children worldwide: Mrs Goodneedle and the Miracle Quilt
3. Ride a jet-ski.
4. Swim in a pool of water at the base of a waterfall on an exotic island.
5. Rock grandchildren (my own) to sleep.

FIVE THINGS
I can do:

1. Make a quilt, start to finish... there isn't any part of the process I choose not to do myself.
2. Commit to things, or people, or relationships or tasks. I'm not a quitter, I follow through; sometimes to the point of exhaustion (mine and everyone else's!).
3. Be organized.
4. Be open minded to new places and adventures.
5. Pray.

FIVE THINGS
I can't do:

1. Wait to open presents! It's true, I can't. I'm a 'snooper' much to my family's dismay!
2. Sing.
3. Sleep late.
4. Sky dive. No one could force me to jump out of a perfectly good airplane!
5. Take myself too seriously.

FIVE THINGS
that attract me to the opposite sex:
All I can list here are the things that attracted me to my husband and they're actually the things that I find attractive in all people, regardless of gender:

1. Sense of humor.
2. Honesty.
3. Someone who challenges me to think, spar, debate, discuss...
4. Someone who is devoted to their family.
5. Someone who shares my sense of commitment.

I was also supposed to list five celebrity 'crushes'. I cannot, I admit to being completely disillusioned by celebrities. I'm not going to tag anyone else, either. Please do feel free to play along on your blogs of you're so inclined... it's always fun to learn more about each other, beyond the profile glimpse. I'll be gone for the next week or so, but will be back with fresh ideas for the another year's worth of new posts! Until then, thanks again for one wonderful year and remember, as always:

Life is Good!

June the First

When I was a little girl I watched Captain Kangaroo in the mornings. I was allowed to carry my bowl of cereal into the living room and sit in front of the TV, on the rug, in my pajamas. On that show they always had a birthday party at the Treasure House on the first day of every month to celebrate birthdays! I loved those "first day" festivities. Today is June then 1st, if the show was still running today the Captain, Bunny Rabbit, Mr. Green Jeans, Grandfather Clock, Dancing Bear and Mr. Moose would all be singing "Happy Birthday To You" beside a beautifully decorated cake with candles. There were streamers and horns, too. When I was five years old this was almost as good as having twelve birthdays a year!

I received a "just because" gift in the mail a week or so ago, a precious little sign that now sits on my kitchen windowsill where I see it every day when washing dishes or gazing out onto the patio. I am reminded constantly of the kindness of the giver, someone I've never met, someone who blogs Near Philadelphia. She has showered us with her wisdom through well-written and insightful blog postings. She's been faithful to me through e-mail communications, both listening and offering advice, which has been greatly appreciated. We've prayed together, and for each other, over these past few months. Blogger buddies are the best, blogging quilter buddies are even better! We are all blessed by a rich cache of wisdom, humor, assistance, support and camaraderie that we've come to know through this "blogger world". Thanks, Nancy! I love my gift, and you, for blessing me with your friendship and for making every day seem like my birthday!

If your birthday is this month, Happy Birthday!
If not, Happy June!
Life is Good!

In honor...

... of my 200th blog post this is a tribute to time and passage; to where we've been, where we are, where we're going.
What an incredible ride this life is!
This is our' 64 Oldsmobile convertible. Isn't this a great shot? Kyle took the car to Mt. Airy (Mayberry) this weekend and pulled up to Goober's for a fill up! Wouldn't it be great to pay Mayberry-era prices for gas again? Interestingly, while Kyle had the car at Andy Griffith's fictional TV-home we happened to be on Roanoke Island near Manteo, his real- life home, around the same time on Saturday!

I've been intrigued by Tonya's wonky letters and decided to try my luck at some free-piecing. I tend to walk a little close to the quilt 'rule book' most of the time (first-born-child tendencies apparent?) and thought that this technique would be freeing and fun. It was, on both fronts!! Here are the results, especially made to commemorate this auspicious occasion! I need more practice, this is supposed to read: "200 blogs" not "zoo blogs" but I am pleased, nonetheless. I love to add words and lettering to my quilts and now I have another avenue to explore. Thanks for sharing your know-how, Tonya! I want to do more of this, stepping out and away from the tried and true, ignoring the "rules" and listening to my own voice; if not now, when?

I've learned so much in almost a year here, what a wonderful place this blogging-world is. Thanks to one and all for your comments, your encouragement and your friendship; I eagerly await tomorrow and what's next to come... in fact, I'm bordering on giddy just thinking about all the possibilities!

Oh, yes~
Life is Good!
...yesterday, today and tomorrow...