Winner, winner..chicken dinner?

OK, not really a "winner" or am I having a chicken dinner!  But I did receive this bundle in the mail yesterday!  Several months ago Benartex launched their new emagazine called Modern By the Yard.  They had a promotion that I entered and received these 8 fat quarters.  Nice, right!

It's actually a pretty neat magazine and because you can download it, there isn't any space taken up by yet another magazine!

There are lots of modern quilt patterns and some great inspiration...like I need more inspiration!  I can't complete or even start on some of the 'inspired' ideas that are in my head!









I have been attempting some hand stitching.  As long as I wear the wrist wrap and position my left hand just right, I'm stitching!  I may attempt some machine quilting later this week or weekend.

So other than EXTREME fatigue...ugh...hate that word and it's results....my wrists are at a 5!  Woohoo!  I stopped the Aleve as something is making me feel so fatigued...yes, RA will do that as well but this 'fatigue' is different. I looked up side effects of Aleve and, although, it's unusual it is a side effect!  Who knew!  I've taken aspirin, Excedrin and Advil and never felt this before...so, because the pain is there whether I take Aleve or not, I'm stopping it...so take that RA!!!

In between stitching...

So instead of stitching on Thursday I decided to do some spring cleaning in the sewing studio!  I started with the fabric closet...should have taken a before pic....

I normally just keep all my fabrics in bins, by color, regardless of their size...well, smaller scraps are put in bins at the bottom of the closet.  Yea, I know there are 3 bins there!  That's a lot of scraps!!  HA

 I decided to 'fish' out all the different yardage or 1/2 yard pieces and keep separate or out of the bins.

Seems to work so much better.  At least now if I'm looking for larger pieces or yardage I can see them quickly!  The bottom shelf shows folded yardage and there's some in the middle on the shelf above as well.  Bins now only contain scraps or less than 1/2 yard pieces.  So much better!!

I also cleaned out the 3 drawers of  one dresser too.  

The top drawer contains projects I'm working on at the current time.

Currently, that's my leaf pieces and hexies!





The 2nd drawer contains some UFO's, which aren't many...just some practise pieces or projects that I'd like to do sometime in the future.  The last drawer contains quilted pieces or quilts that I've cut apart.  I use these for scrap bags or fiber cards.

Next up is another dresser on the other wall that I keep my beading and other texture supplies.  They're pretty well organized so I won't have much to clean up there.  Books in the middle area are ones I use often...but there is an area next to my machine that I want to reorganize.  That will keep me busy for a day I'm sure.

Weather has been beautiful the past few days.  High 60's and expected to be in the mid to high 70's through next week.  Love this weather...windows open...fresh air!!!  Just makes you want to work!

I'm Back! Well, sorta!

OK, so Prednisone is my best friend right now!  So while 'she' is helping me out with the pain and swelling in my wrists, I might as well take advantage of 'her'!

Today I did some sewing, via machine, and it felt so good to be productive again!  I have four or five of these Solar Prints that I want to hand stitch but I needed to add some borders on, which is what I did today!

I added a batik border to this piece, which the leaf hand work is finished.

this one was finished while in Florida

And Wednesday I added this border fabric.  Now to start stitching the leaves!

I've finished hand sewing two of the leaf prints and now need to decide how to finish off the background area.  Machine or hand stitching!?  I do have a due date of August to finish these so I'll have to put my thinking cap on once I've done all the leaf hand work!

It feels SO good to be back...

One more milestone to go!

This past weekend was delightful!  It was Kayla's bridal shower, which ended up being held at the French Lick Winery!    Kayla's future MIL, Dinah on the left and Kayla's mom, Mary Jo on the right.

It was a girls weekend and we did make the most of it!    Bob's daughter came to the house around 9 on Friday morning,  then we headed out to pick up MaryJane (Bob's ex).  We arrived in Bedford, IN. Friday afternoon, checked into a hotel, then headed to Bob's son's house. Friday was time to visit with family, have some food and wine!  Then we headed back to the hotel for a good nights sleep!
Saturday we woke up to windy, cold, cloudy weather!  Brrrrrrrr  The shower wasn't until 2 in the afternoon, but I did take myself for a walk!  I didn't have dogs or Bob with me so I walked myself!  I'm not used to sitting around and didn't bring any needle work with me!  DUH!

The winery was a perfect venue for the shower.  Food was great; we each participated in the wine tasting; conversation and of course the shower!   One of the gifts I gave Kayla was her wedding announcement encased in a glass ornament!   I cant take credit for the idea, as adorable as it is!  My BFF, Tommy, has shown this on her blog several times.

 It's easy to make and you can head to Tommy's blog to see the process here.  The other 'gift' was the Easy Button...again, Tommy's gift idea...not sure where she found this one...think Pinterest for both...

I ended up finding a really cute Bandi Belt for Kayla to use on her honeymoon or at home!  I also put in a gift card to Victoria Secret!  Isn't this cute!

Kayla received some really nice gifts...her other grandma and aunt got her two sharp dinner plate sets!  I'm pretty sure this is the pattern...I only got a pic of the box!


And a unique set of silverware!

We just had a fun time...it really was a girls weekend!

The two grandma's with our girl!

Four weeks we'll be headed out for the wedding!  Whew!  Seems like it was just yesterday we were headed over to see Kayla when she was born!  And that was 25 years ago!  Time is flying by too quickly!!!

Preparing for another departure!

This coming weekend is Kayla's (our grand daughter's) bridal shower taking place in Indiana!   Bob is staying home with the girls while Diane (Bob's daughter), Mary Jane (Bob's ex)  and I head off for a girl's weekend!!  We're leaving Friday a.m. and will have about 7 hours of travel to a hotel then we'll head to Bob's son's house for dinner and the shower is on Saturday, at a winery!  Woohoo!  Then we return home on Sunday!

I'm thinking my weekend will go smoother than Bob's!  HA  Good for him to bond with the girls!

The wedding is 4 weeks away!  Yikes!  Seems like they were just engaged and now the wedding date is almost here!!!

Kayla and Nate are a great couple and I'm sure the shower will be loads of fun for us girls!  It will be nice to see everyone and relax!  Guess I'll have to go on a dog walk without a dog!  Although, Diane, will also be dog less!  She has 2 dogs...perhaps we'll end up walking each other!

Another Special Mother's Day!

Once again my daughter and her niece put on a wonderful brunch for all of us! There was so much food and it was all delicious!!    Amber loves helping her auntie prepare this meal.  And they do make a lot of food!  We're hoping she'll still assist when she's all grown up and out of the house!  I'm feeling she will!  She wouldn't miss this!

I love having this time with all the kids together!  These pics were after eating so we are all stuffed and just chillin!  No pics of grandma!  HA...I stay behind the camera!

I love all the wall colors in Dawn's house!!  So 'her'!  Love my kids!  And when we arrive at the house to see the kids for the 1st time since returning from Florida, I especially love my Amber running out of the house to meet and hug me!  It brings tears to my eyes each year!







And to boot...look at all the clothes Dawn and Kris bought me for Mother's Day!  Do you think they are tired of my black and beige outfits!  And I even got earrings and two bracelets...one of which Nick picked out for me!   He does know his grandma well!  Love those kids!   And a water infuser and Key Lime bread mix added to the pack by Dawn!

And they all fit!  But the big surprise is they all look great with my beige pants!  HA  Yes, Bob and I are both known for wearing a lot of beige and black!
Bob and I are just chilling this afternoon!  I watched the Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Horse event on TV...loved that and now we're watching the Tiger's play...what more could a mom ask for!  Hope everyone had a great mother's day as well!

Back to normal?

I don't know about "back to normal" but we are back and working hard as usual!  So on the health front...had more x-rays today; lab workup and put on Prednisone until they get results back..may have to go back on the RA meds. UGH!  But prednisone will help relieve the pain so I should get lots done this week!  HA

I made this piece a few years ago for our Inspired by the Masters exhibit.  I've never hung it in the house before, as it's been traveling for a few years.  But I did hang in the living room, when we got back from Florida.  It's so bright and cheery!  Makes me feel good looking at it!  And brightens up the living room!  Measures 20" x 24"...I think!

You can read about the process I used to make this piece here.  Of course adding the beads was a no brainer...just time consuming!  That process is here!  So, I'm off to sit and relax...took  my first Prednisone...Dr. put me on this for a week until we get results back on x-rays and lab ork.  I don't want to go back on RA drugs so keeping my fingers crossed!!

Hello Home!

Well, we arrived safely around 12:30 Monday afternoon and, as always, hit the ground running! Car is totally unloaded; suitcases unpacked and ALL clothes put away.  All that is left are Bob's golf clubs/etc and my art/sewing supplies to be put in their place!  That won't happen for me until the weekend...not sure when Bob will get to it either.  At least, the house looks like we never left!
After all the clothes were hung, I started some laundry, well actually dog blankets!  I'll do our bedding and clothes tomorrow, after I bath the dogs!

I also ran to the grocery store for staples and stopped to pick up a pizza!  I will need a WalMart run mid week but for today that's it!

Even the dogs are back to their normal routine of having their toys all over the living room floor!

They haven't stopped playing, running from room to room or looking out the windows!  I think they are happy to be home too.  BUT they are going to miss their golf cart ride when Bob gets home from golfing!  So will I!  And of course, we'll miss our friends!!!!
I am looking forward to seeing the kids this weekend...but right now I am ready for a bath and bed!