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Friday, July 31, 2015

Birthday summer!

There sure are a lot of BD's in the summer!  Family and friends.....Amber turns 16 on Sunday, which is SO hard for me to believe!  Looking forward to her celebration weekend coming up! I wanted to make sure to make our friends fiber cards for their BD's this year so yesterday I got working on a few of them.

Keep in mind these are finished yet with edges and address/message on the back.  That's my plan for today!  These are for 'male' friends so I tried to not get too "oofy" with them!









So now it's time to get these finished and ready for the mail.  Then back to hand stitching on my patchwork piece.  I do have five projects to finish before we leave in December!  And I still have dog training to do!  Just shoot me!









Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Weekly Pattern Wednesday #11

Weekly Pattern Wednesday #11




This was a fun pattern to do...and I think it does relate more to a quilting design than a pattern! 
Be sure to head over to Lynn's blog or her FB page, if her blog isn't up and running again!  You'll see some cool patterns from Lynn and others! 


Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Patchwork #2 progress

I am making progress on this piece for the 'Inspired by' exhibit, which opens in February at the White Lake library here in Michigan.  I need to have this and four other projects finished before we leave in December.  That's my target!  I hate target dates!  But, oh well!






I plan on some additional stab stitching in the plain areas but will use thread to match the background.  In this case, I don't really want that stitching to stand out so I won't use opposite color threads as I did in the circle/line areas.  At least that's my plan!  Oh,those darn plans of mine get me in trouble and a lot of 'unsewing'!!





Oh, in between my 'life' I did get the front porch painted a week ago!!!  Forgot to post!  Was reminded when I read Carol's (Beads and Birds) post this week!

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Back to playtime!

 Saturday was busy...I left early for the Farmer's Market then home to give Gigi a bath and blow dry.  Her coat is starting to grow so she will look like a 'real' Bichon in no time!  I made Bob and I some lunch using one of the tomatoes I bought, added a little hummus, cheese and finished off with grilling the bread.  Yum!!!

Then it was playtime for mom!  I was watching Design Matters TV a few nights ago and wanted to play along with Laura and her dye painting.

I'm happy with each of the pieces and it was a nice break from dog training!  But that's another post for another blog!  Kalee and Gigi's!  HA



I really like this one and plan to use it for another "inspired by" quilt based on MaryAnn Beckwith.




This one turned out too.  Both of these pieces were painted onto white cotton sateen.


This was a piece of blue commercial fabric.  Doesn't look like much but in person the colors are pretty cool.  Great for fiber postcards!



This is a cool piece...again...great background for fiber cards...birthday fiber cards...yep...perfect!


This is what the fabric above looked like before I dye painted it! I did this years ago at our dye camp using bubble wrap.
So that was my fun yesterday!  Today I took both dogs on a short (3/4 mile) walk...just getting too hot; made some zucchini cookies, working on laundry and now I'm off to do dog lessons.  Sure keeps a gal busy!  Hopefully, I'll get in some hand stitching.  I'm making good progress on my patchwork #2 piece.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Weekly Pattern Wednesday #10

Weekly Pattern Wednesday #10




OK, so not a earth shattering design but I've been a tad busy with trying to teach a 3 yr old Bichon the way of the Payne's world!

This is a pretty basic design but heck...who knows it could be turned into a quilting design or even a patchwork piece!


You'll have to go to Lynn's FB page to see her weekly pattern as her blog is still under construction..at least it was two days ago.  Now off to train some more!!!  

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Reading



I do love to read but because of my other daily duties (see my previous post!),  I only read at night in bed (Bob likes to watch TV).   I just don't have the time to sit and read during the day so I'm a nighttime reader.    Anyway, I'm reading in bed The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, which is REALLY good!!!  It's a historical novel of life during World War II.  I'm only half way through and it's another well written book by her.   Just wish I could stay awake longer at night to read more!

The 2nd book, this one I am listening to rather than reading, is White Fire by Preston & Child.     I listen to books on tape or PlayaWays from the library while I sew or clean during the daytime.  We women are great multi taskers aren't we! This is another Agent Pendergast novel...I love these books and have read all but this one and Blue Labyrinth (but I have that on a PlayaWay too!).  If you love mystery novels, these are the best novels....I started reading some of their books years ago and not in order.  Didn't seem to matter much but you may want to start at novel one, The Relic.    Again, their books are also so interesting you just don't want to put them down!

Well, it's 9 a.m. and time for my next 'chore'!  Walking dogs!  I'm on a schedule you know!

Monday, July 20, 2015

Whew!

It's not easy being a 'new' mom again at 68!  OK, so I'm not being a 'human' mom but being a dog mom for Kalee and Gigi has sure impacted life around the Payne's household...well, on my end that is!
I finished the background for my hex horse #2...afraid that's all I have to show art wise!!!  Next I need to remove the paper/stitching then sandwich and quilt.  I'll attach the 'horse' after I complete the quilting.
But I did get some more stitching done on my patchwork #2 piece while sitting outside last night.  Yes, even with the 80+degree weather.  We had a nice breeze and I just like sitting out on the deck.
BUT  I decided last night I need to get a daily schedule going for the following:
  • Study daily online dog training lesson(s) 
  • Walk both dogs separately (due to training!) twice a day!
  • Apply multiple training sessions for both dogs
  • Keep playing Betty Crocker and Minute Maid daily!
  • Allow time for art work and completion of projects (5!) due by December
  • Allow time for computer work (e.g. blog, emails)
Whew!  Do I need to add time for a rest!  I think so!

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Weekly Pattern Wednesday #9

Weekly Pattern Wednesday #9


Not sure what this tangle/pattern is called...but I know I've never done it correctly!  But that's ok...it makes it unique, right!  And fits with our Weekly Pattern!

I started off using a micro pen to draw the shapes/lines then again used Inktense pencils to color in areas.  I used three different pencils (red, tangerine and yellow).  Then I brushed water all over the piece.  Being that I took the pictures last night I don't think the color difference is that great but you get the idea.


I also thought it looked pretty cool in grey tone!


  Don't forget to check out Lynn's blog for her pattern and others that are participating in this weekly pattern Wednesday! 

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Here she is!

Yep, here is our newest addition to the family!  Her name is Gigi and she is a rescued Bichon we adopted through the Michigan Bichon Frise Rescue.



 Glenn and Sandy Veltman are the folks who took Gigi in to find a new 'furever' home.  We had been talking with Glenn on obtaining a puppy or adopting.  Gigi just became available this past week so we jumped on the opportunity to adopt her.

She is just turned 3 this past May,weighs 10 lbs. and LOVES to give kisses!

 She is a sweetie and appears to be adjusting to our house easily!  In fact, as I'm typing this note, she is sleeping on the couch.  It seems that is her favorite place to lay.  She likes to sit with us on our chairs but after awhile she'll jump down and jump up onto the couch.  Fine with us and fine with Kalee!

Kalee is adjusting and wants to play with Gigi but so far Gigi is more interesting in just running and sniffing all over.  I'm sure it will take time for them to start their playing together.  Let's hope!!!

We've only taken her on 1/5 mile walks...seems to be enough for her right now but I'm sure she'll work up to Kalee's 1-1.5 miles in another month or two!    The video is the first night I walked them both on a dual lead!  They were so cute...ignore the noise and flashing...it's hard to video tape while walking and holding dogs!

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Weekly Pattern Wednesday #8

Weekly Pattern Wednesday #8


This was a fun pattern to do.  I was inspired by both Lynn for her coloring of her patterns and from Karlee Porter's quilting patterns!  




I used Inktense pencils to color in the pattern then I painted over each area with water with a mall paintbrush.  

I just might get more into coloring my pattern...thanks, Lynn!!!!  I enjoy working with the pencils but since I can't draw I would only get an opportunity to use them for coloring patterns!  Works for me!
Don't forget to head over to Lynn's site to see her weekly pattern as well of others who are playing along!


Monday, July 6, 2015

Dinner on the 4th...well, really the 5th!

Darrin and Kris invited us over for a post 4th of July dinner on Sunday, which was FANTASTIC!  Although, we have never been to either of the kids homes (Dawn or Darrin's) and NOT had a great meal!  Darrin loves to grill and smoke meat so of course he grilled tenderloin and grilled salmon, which were awesome!!  

Of course, Kris is also a great cook and made some wonderful dishes!   It's always hard to stop eating when we are invited to dinner.   I was in charge of  baking my 'famous' lemon pie as well as a strawberry pretzel desert/salad.  I made two pies as Kris' mom likes it and I always want her to take some home.
 It really was such a nice afternoon visiting with the kids and Kris' mom, dad and her sister and their family.
The kid enjoy the pool so much and I did get lots of videos of them splashing and jumping...yep, fun for them!  And yes, that's Brody behind the post walking along the pool!  He's afraid of the water but gets quite excited when the kids splash and scream!




Just such a nice, beautiful day...especially being with family.  Jeff and Dawn were headed back from a short vacation to Boston to visit friends so I missed them but I'm anxious to hear about their trip!  Clam bake and more!

Now back to some sewing and artwork!






Saturday, July 4, 2015

Multiple Project Progress

Actually, I only have two projects to show updates on (solar piece isn't being worked on anymore, yet!).

First up is my Patchwork #2 piece.  Hand stitching is coming along nicely...but takes time....I'm still quite happy with the colorway and threads for stitching.  You can see the pattern I drew up here for stitching.








I machine stitched the straight lines for stability and now I'm also hand stitching those same lines to give it more definition.


I think this looks lots better with additional hand stitching.




Next project update is the hex rows.  Again, making progress!  I have to admit I do enjoy working on this piece.  So easy to pick up and stitch!  Once I get those last two columns sewn together, then I'll sew those 4 column sections together, yada, yada!  The the background will be finished (approximately 20" x 22"ish!).


So that's what I've been working on...well, some other smaller, quick projects as well but those will be blog post fill in!    Kids invited us to their house on Sunday for BBQ!  YUM!  Darrin and Kris are great cooks so we already know the food will be great!  Hope everyone has a safe and fun 4th weekend!


Thursday, July 2, 2015

Birthday time

Tuesday was our DIL's Birthday!  Happy Birthday, Kris!!!

 Since her birthday was on Tuesday, which is the same day I go to visit the grand kids, they asked me to join them in a BD dinner (OK, maybe I asked myself!).  I sure am glad I did!  My son took us to Kruse and Muer Roadhouse in Lake Orion for dinner.      And it was fantastic!!!

This is what Nick and I split for dinner!
I have to say this was the BEST cheese pizza I have had!  Nick likes pepperoni,on his pizza, which I will eat on occasion (JETs pizza only).  I had a bite of his and it was even excellent!!!  I know where I want to go for the next birthday dinner out!!
Kris and Darrin each had a seafood dish, which looked  wonderful and they said tasted excellent.  Amber had a special chicken dish she gets whenever they eat here.  I guess it's been almost a year since the kids ate here but I might even be tempted to order a pizza to go sometime!  If I don't have dinner there!
The kids were so excited to give Kris their gift.  They were shopping with her last weekend and Nick had to divert his mom so Amber could buy (they both contributed $$'s) a workout top for Kris that she liked.  Wasn't that sweet of the kids!!!
I just love those kids and the are so giving. We had a lot of fun before going to dinner...Kids and I bought a cake, which we went back to house to cut into after dinner.

 That was a job in itself...the cake buying.  Our favorite bakery in Oxford was closed for vaca so we had to resort to a chocolate mousse cake from Meijer, which wasn't all that bad!
All in all it was a great day with family.  Only missed my daughter and Jeff, who were both working as they were leaving for vaca on Wednesday heading to Boston to surprise a friend.

I've been switching my time at night sewing the hexes and my patchwork piece.  I'll post pics of my progress later this weekend.  Oh and check out Kalee's blog today.  It's here birthday!!!  She's four years old!!!  I won't say how old Kris is!  Just because I'm a nice MIL!  Right, Kris!

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Weekly Pattern Wednesday #7

Weekly Pattern Wednesday #7
Ignore the date!  I goofed...what was I thinking...July 3rd!  No, it's July 1st!  Oh well....
 


OOPS!!!  Wrong date!!  



Linking to Lynn's Weekly Pattern Wednesday on her blog!  Check it out and tell her how much you missed her pattern from last week!  HE HE HE