Catching up

 Last evening we had a lightening show with thunder but sparse rain in my area...some Arizona spots has real rain. The wind was whisking around lots of dried stuff...Alan now cleaning it up so Murphy does not take any of it inside. He collects debris.

This is the width of the friendship quilt ....now I will add to the sides until it fits how I would like it. I love the look. It is just a coverlet....not a bedspread size for my daybed. I smile when I look at it! some of the windows are favorite project memories, and then there are those that some of you have sent. My goodness it is getting quite heavy. I now have it on the sewing table to work on as my shoulder is still not completely healed. Dianna was here this past week. Her wall hanging Cathedral quilt is just about finished. She is deciding on what next. We enjoy our weekly sew and lunch. Dianna found us a couple of Plumeria plants. There is no indication of which color but we do not mind. My plant is currently hiding in the lanai because of the storm and winds. I also read that they can be indoors with some care. For now it will be moved out for sun and back for shade. This afternoon Arizona heat is murder.

Murder did I say.... while getting fabric for a baby quilt...the pink roses and green fabric....

I spotted the crow print. It is fantastic! Had to get a yard for I do not know what...but I love crows and with chandeliers! Also spotted the needles. They are just what I have been looking for. Always fun to come home with goodies. The baby quilt ...as you may have guessed...is for a little girl. Her dad works for Alan. The pregnancy has been labelled high risk with a few scares along the way. Please keep this family in your thoughts for a healthy birth.

Healthy? when it refers to me...well I am healthy just recently having this and that. Tomorrow I will be having an injection with sedation...fun times. The pain in my back is caused from a disc that is pinching a nerve. Not sure how my rest of the day will go, so keep me in the easy time thoughts. Glad to catch up with you. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

New sewing tool....

 there is nothing more dangerous than a dull blade on the rotary cutter. Finally my blade was starting to skip. While in the quilt shop to buy a new blade I noticed . . .

an ergonomically Olfa cutter. Wow, it certainly is smooth and easy on my hand. Still cutting and will be cutting squares for some time so this will be great. 

It is growing... I sat outside on the lanai this morning sewing. Starting to warm up more so back instead.  The wind is pretty steady today. Also I wanted to cut a few more squares. I switch from doing one thing to another on the quilt so my hand gets a rest and my foot is propped up. 

 Sweet Lisa brought me tulips for Mother's Day. She is most thoughtful and I am lucky to have her around. We certainly have a lot of laughs.

I was asked if I still need  window squares....YES. I will be making at least 600 muslin squares. A block is 4 of them and in that block is 4 windows. Once connected to the next muslin square another window is added. Alan has  informed me I will need at least 2400.....and that is the low side! I think I will be in the fabric bin gathering some more fabric to cut.

Our rose garden is still blooming. We have 4 bushes and they are doing really well. The garden is looking so nice. A few things are in bloom and soon more will be. The bees will be very happy!

Okay, think I will rummage through the bin....

Glad you stopped to visit. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship....and the window squares!

                      Hello from Murphy!

Some assembly

 May.... how fast the time seems to be moving. However, I am finding my quilt project very relaxing.

I switch which part I work on and that keeps it all interesting. I began to assemble some of the squares and I love it. I grab from my small bin of windows and that is what I sew in.... no planning. It is all sewn by hand.  I find it very satisfying.

These windows are from Adele K. Thank you so very much...lovely selection. Thank you to those who have sent me squares. Dianna brought me fabric pieces the other day before we went for lunch...

Can you spot the cat? Dianna and Bobby have 3 beautiful cats so of course having a cat from her to sew into the quilt is a must. There is another piece of fabric with cat face outlines.

Oh, it is so nice not to be wearing the boot! Now to loose the limp. Still cannot wear a closed shoe....but I hardly do anyway. The heel and calf incision are still sore/sensitive to touch. The surgeon did prepare me for the months of healing and everyone heals differently. 

Hope you are enjoying the Cathedral Friendship Quilt project updates. It is interesting to see what fabrics are sent...love them all. Glad we had this visit and I hope you will return. Thank you for your kind words and thank your for your friendship. Thank you for sending the squares of fabric!

A vine for the window

So glad to have finished the window.

It is just how I wanted it to be...amazing, I know. We sometimes envision something and in the end it is so different or not as we like. I struggled with the nuts on the vertical mounting. After 14 years they were not coming loose too easily. I was determined to not fall through the window and not fall off the step ladder and with my trusty pair of pliers and a few whacks, the nuts loosen and off they came. Then it was time to  put up the rod brackets. You guessed right if you are thinking I had never done this before. I have come a long way these past 19 months. The brackets went quickly and then for the middle support....I called Glenda for advice and then that too was up.

A quick trip to Michael's after receiving an email with a 60% coupon "good for today only". they had the perfect vine … it is a grapevine style which I attached to the 3 vertical brackets that were left. I had already purchased 3 bunches of lavender sprigs and took them apart to be single sprigs and voilà...finished. The vine will remain and the sprigs changed out for the seasons. The window is pleasing to me and a nice look for the kitchen.
Met up with Dianna and Bobby to get something to eat on Friday night. Good conversation and great company.
The weather today is beautiful ----sorry to The Brother Alan and all in New England area--- and the front door is open and the sun is warm. The birds are chatting and enjoying the hummer feeder. I am thinking of hanging another feeder outside my bedroom window. I am feeling brave with the step ladder. I went to use the drill yesterday and it needed charging and it will be ready to put up a hook. The other drill is ready but I cannot get the screw bit out! It is locked in really tight. So, I can wait.
Happy to chat with you today. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

A window remodelling

None of us is perfect.... our creative pieces should be just what they are...  creative.

Here it is Saturday.... where did this week go? I know I am not alone with this thought...The Brother Alan also feels like the days are whizzing by this month. That could be a good thing... or not. The sun is bright this morning and temps are expected to be really nice. Sorry for those in the storm path...like The Brother Alan. Hope he and Lisa did the New England storm preparedness thing...bread, milk and snacks!
Well, yesterday was the day of determination. I managed to remove the stubborn screws holding the verticals to the window frame. Someone should have taken a picture. Me up on a step ladder with a pair of plyers whacking the nut on the screw to loosen it. 14 years in place and they were not coming off easily. All the time holding onto the wall with the other hand hoping not to go through the window or fall backwards. I did not fall or miss any steps on the ladder on my way down! It is still a work in progress...not finished yet. The window... as well as me!

I left the vertical brackets--for now-- as I may use them for this project. The curtain panels have a vine like pattern on them which fits in with my plans and the fact that this window looks out to the garden. I want to light to enter but not the sun at times and the panel sides can be dropped to cover the window. This is a large window 60 inches high by 72 inches wide. Did I mention that this is the first time that I hung curtain rods? Of course I am sure you already guessed that. A phone call to Glenda to ask about the middle support piece and voilà... done.
Spent time with Dianna and Bobby last evening.... we met for dinner. Always cheerful conversation and hugs. Good to be with friends. Today is an open day...might read, might sit outside, might bead... might even get the window finished. Right now there is fluffing out in the laundry area that needs attention. and I am hungry so breakfast will be served. Happy that you stopped by to chat. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. 

I am still here

Oh my... I guess a few of you are worried about me. I am … okay, just had an off week. My hand has limited my creative activity and definitely affecting my sleep. My motivation to do this or that is floating around somewhere.... I am sure I will find it soon. Actually I will be pushing me myself and I today. I have been trying to decide what to do with the kitchen window. It is a large sliding window measuring 5 feet high by 6 feet wide. Today I will take the verticals down...can not stand them and do not use them. Up will go simple curtain rods and simple white panels. I have some ideas to perk up the plain curtains. In the meantime.... remember the green onion shoots?

I planted them and they are growing. Who knows, soon I may have onions to harvest. Normally I just buy my herb plants for the garden but I have decided to grow from seed....let's re-write that... I plan to try to grow herbs from seeds. Of course we have been having rain so I have not gotten out to the garden to start the herb pot. This weekend we are expecting temps around 70 with lots of sun and I may get out there. Remember the stash of doilies?

At Christmas I spread out some of the Battenberg doilies on he dining table and added ornaments and such... this time I chose hand crocheted doilies and still thinking of what will be added...I did try this for now....

 maybe....maybe not. Until something else is found. I do not attach the doilies to each other so that I can reuse in other ways or places.
I love crocheting doilies but have not made any in a while. So many interests so little time.

Really enjoying my Quesadilla maker.... this was my lunch the other day...an Italian Quesadilla... mozzarella, mozzarella roll (salami and jalapeno pepper) hot capicola and peppered salami with cucumber sticks on the side... fun trying different combinations not to mention delicious.
Well, now that makes me hungry so off I go for breakfast. Glad you had time to visit and chat. Thank you for your kind words and friendship.

A slow start to my day

It is expected to be a hot day again, around 109 so indoors is the place to be. Shortly I will get out to water a few of the potted plants and that will be it. I have a few Denny's Angels getting finished today. Yesterday was the Day of the Bees

this was just a few of them. At one point you could not see the bottom of the feeder! It was so bad that the hummers could not feed. The bees managed to drink a full cup of nectar in a couple of hours. I read on line that you should remove the feeder for a few days and they will forget where to return(?) The feeder is down. Someone also suggested to rub Vaseline on the feeder....not heard that one before. I have had feeders in our yard for 13 years and never before had this issue. This morning a few are hovering around the area then flying off. It is not like there are no nectar producing bushes in the yard.
Thank you for wishing The Brother Alan a happy birthday and the nice comments on the picture I added to the sidebar. Did I mention he will be here on September 19th? I must share this...I had read sometime ago that using auto window wash for the outside of the house windows will do the job. Well, the other day I did...I washed 3 windows and it was super easy and quick. I do need to get a new squeegee though. I have the 2 sliders and the kitchen window left to do. This has been another of my firsts...that's right Denny did the windows.  Slowly the first of this and that will be gone. Oh no, I just looked up and the hummer is at the window looking for the feeder! I will not break down and put it up...no no no. There is another feeder across the yard and out front.

The Origami Cranes have moved into another window and the Black Crow followed as did the Ballerinas. All part of moving things around.

changes (plural noun) the act or instance of making or becoming different

Some changes are necessary in life, some are just good. Yesterday I decided to move and rearrange the DVDs and CDs that we I have. Denny was an avid movie fan and together we have many movies and lots of music. However, some of these I do not watch or listen to so it makes sense to me to keep what I do like together making it easier to find them. This is not to say that I will not watch or listen to what on the shelves, just not my favorites. I have not yet attempted to even use the Home Theater  set up. Instead, I am perfectly content with the TV set up. Still trying to learn how to get more than 4 radio stations! Well, that about covers what I have been up to and now to finish my coffee and after a few household chores I will tat angels. Thank you for the kind words and thank you for your friendship. Did I mention The Brother Alan will be here on September 19th?!