New Project

Crazy because I really need to get 3 or 4 tops quilted. But sometimes I just cannot resist fabric. I saw this quilt in a Fons and Porter quilt book.

I absolutely loved the color scheme. Then I found this fabric. And couldn't resist.

I have all of the pieces cut out. Good project for when I was sitting with my dad. I was close by at the kitchen counter while he napped in the recliner.

Anytime I cut fabric, I just bite at the bit until I can put some blocks together. I do not think I am going to be disappointed with the results. 

But, I am making myself plug away at this quilt and now only need 5 blocks and the border, which is appliqued also.

And then the other day I was at Hancock Fabrics and quilter's cotton was 40% off. This came home with me.

You'll have to wait to see what I have planned.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

On the homefront . . .

I tried gardening in a small raised bed two summers and can't get anything to grow. We live on top of a ridge with layers and layers of rock underneath a very thin layer of soil.  Even when we added bags and bags of soil, do luck

I have a little flowerbed spot right outside my kitchen door that I decided to plant a few items. Two tomato plants, 2 pepper plants, and basil.

I added some miracle grow to the soil and am trying my luck. This tomato plant is huge with not a one tomato on it. Anyone know why?

This is a plant that requires less water and does not get very big. It has some tomatoes on it when I purchased it. The tomatoes are growing some but not sure if they are going to do anything.

The pepper plants do not seem to be growing much. The green bell pepper plant has a couple peppers growing but not sure if the plant is going to support their weight. The red pepper plant doesn't seem to be doing anything.  Can you tell I do not have a clue about gardening? We had a garden growing up and it just magically produced. lol

But the basil is doing well. I harvested some yesterday.

After reading how to harvest and how to preserve, I washed the leaves and stuffed as many as possible in a half pint jar and put it in the freezer. I am supposed to be able to just take out a few leaves at a time to use.

The rest I put under a plastic bag. It is supposed to stay fresh longer.

Experiments, experiments, experiments.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!

A Missed Opportunity & A Second Chance

I drown to Ft. Smith and had dinner with my kiddos this evening. As I was driving home down highway 22 I looked in my rear view window and saw a beautiful sunset.  I thought about pulling over and taking a picture. But I hesitated.  After rounding a slight curve, I looked again and it was gone.  My thought was, "Well, that was a missed opportunity."

Which got me to thinking. How many missed opportunities have I had in my life because of my lack of making quick decisions?

Then, as I got near my home and turned to start up the ridge, I glanced up and once again I could see the beautiful sunset. Made even more beautiful by the elevation and surroundings.

Then, I realized that I had a second chance to see that glorious sunset and I did not hesitate to stop and get some photos.  How many times in life do we get second chances and fail to take them? How many times do we get second chances and make the same mistakes again?

Just something to think about on this beautiful day.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting.

New Quilt Started

I have wanted a yellow and blue quilt for a few years now. I never made one because I didn't have very many yellow or blue fabrics.

I found an applique quilt that uses a neutral background and blue and yellow applique. Although I had to purchase the background fabric, I have enough scraps to do all the applique.

When I purchased my first applique pattern, the lady I bought it from told me she used paper towels as the stabalizer on the back. And that is what I used for that project and most of the time since then.

I used two layers. Then I tear all of the paper towel off when I finish.  Works like a charm.

Happy snipping, stitching, and quilting!