Finished!

I worked on this Civil War Block of the Week all last year. The directions were posted weekly by Barbara Brackman, and quilters all over the world followed along.  I really had fun collecting reproduction fabric and then digging through my stash to find the combination for the block that week. There were 53 Saturdays last year, so there are 53 blocks. When I laid it out, I found out that I only had 52. It took me a while to find which one I had somehow skipped. (It was the Indiana Puzzler block - top corner, second from the right). I have the fabric for the backing ready to go, but I am not going to attempt to quilt this one on my domestic Bernina. The quilt measures 96 inches square, and so I will send this out to my long arm quilter. I am pretty excited to have this all put together. On to the next project.

 

Roll Tide! Good News!

Last night I tried to add a new post, but for some reason, I could not get the pictures and spaces and typing to make any sense. It looked fine until I published the post, but then it was all confused with big spaces and odd spacing. I tried several times to fix it, but it just got worse. Try #2 tonight. We have biggger news than that tonight though. Our new (fourth) grandchild due June 1 is.... a BOY! Georgia will have a baby brother.

At least Alabama got try #2 right! We had a fun get together with Shannon and Nathan and friends on Monday night. Yesterday was a long day on short sleep, but it was fun watching them take the BCS championship  - decisively take it back! I made the Bama table quilt back in September, and we've had it out since then. Notice the hounds-tooth napkins?

I made the elephant tea towel with my Sizzix die and leftover fabric from the quilt.

Then there's the new needle-book I got for Christmas from Shannon. It has a new home in the sewing basket by the couch in the family room.

Here's the inside. I have found I really like Roxanne applique needles, among others. I never knew it mattered much what needle I used, but I guess I've changed my mind.

Did you know I have a fun collection of miniature elephants? There are little figurines, salt and pepper shakers, tiny tea pots, and my favorite, toothpick holder elephants. I don't buy them often unless they really catch my eye. Don't know why I like them, but they complement my bigger 1940-50s elephant planters.

I guess Alabama football is officially over for this year, but the first game for the next season is just around the corner in September.

Roll Tide!

Rainy Sunday

It has been rainy and gloomy here, good for hanging out in my sewing room. This is the first finished quilt this year - The Twelve Days of Christmas from the Temecula Quilt Company. Each block has the same number of pieces as the day of Christmas - one on the first day, two on the second, three on the third... and then it has sashing and borders. I had fun doing this from my stash in all reds and neutrals. I am also working on a Kaffe Fasset quilt, and I'm finishing my Civil War Block of the Week quilt. I thought I had all 53 blocks, but it seems I have 52. Darn!

Tomorrow, back to school and then home to the BCS game. Allen (not I!!) has the deer meat chili cooking. Roll Tide!

 

Wasn't it an excellent holiday!

I had to go back to work today after a most wonderful holiday. I thought I'd share some of my favorite moments.



Allen is showing Ozzie his own picture. Meghan painted Ozzie's portrait for her dad's Christmas present. Ozzie was interested in the new dog and barked at his own picture. Silly Ozzie.



Aunt Meghan and Georgia on Christmas night --  Georgia's tuckered out after her first Christmas Day.



Our grandsons Bridger and Taplin are good buddies!



Bridger and his Beyblades. Christmas is fun when you are six!



I love this picture because it is really hard to catch Taplin being still for a picture. Taplin loves Ozzie, and the feeling is mutual.



Allen, Ozzie, and Georgia. What else is there to say?



Nine months old. What a doll baby!

Excellent vacation. Oh, did I say I have four quilt projects going? Pictures of those another day.

Roll Tide.