Another week almost over!

Well, we're getting some cooler, or down right cold, weather here in Michigan.  But that's to be expected...it is November after all!  Although, last year on November 1st, it was 76 degrees and we were at a football game to watch Nick play!  Not so November 1st this year!  It's 41 degrees as I write this post!  Brrrrrrrrr

Kalee had a really nice day on Halloween visiting with the residents at our local nursing home and the memory care unit.  Patients loved her Minnie Mouse outfit...Kalle not so much...but when she would walk up to the residents they really got a good laugh. 

 The story behind the picture above....this resident's daughter surprised him by flying in from California and dressing up as a witch.  She said he didn't even recognize her! How sweet is that!!  I did print out two pictures for him (one for her and one for him) and delivered those yesterday.  He was really surprised and so happy to have the pictures.  I thought that was so sweet of his daughter to surprise him that way!

Gigi dressed up for the trick or treaters!!!  But she did have to stay in her crate when kids came to the door.  Kalee had on her Lion's cheerleader outfit but I forgot to take her picture! 










I have been doing some sewing....finished two of the leaves on my solar print piece for the leaf diary. 

And I made the pillow flap for the quillow I'm working on for a Christmas present for my SIL!  The one I made him several years ago is starting to wear out.  My daughter told me he would love a new one as he uses the quillow a lot during cooler/cold weather.  The background color is pale blue and the batik's are actually navy.  Looks black in the photos.

Now I need to sandwich this 'pocket' and quilt it then sandwich 2.5 yards of the two different fabrics with batting, sew on the flap and quillow will be finished!  WooHoo...might get this finished by the end of this weekend.  At least that's my plan!

Several years ago, when I was still working, a few of we 'EDS'er' made several quillows and donated them to Outreach East.  At the time, Sister Rita was still running this organization and she decided to save the quillows we made to hand out at Christmas.  I hope those folks still enjoy theirs and they haven't fallen apart like my SIL's!  HA

Yesterday, I took the girls for a ride to run some errands.  Gigi rides in her crate and Kalee has her dog harness.  They both can look out the window and it gets them out of the house.  We did take a small walk after the Rite Aid stop but it was so cold I didn't walk far!  Then I spent some time knitting and trying to catch up on some of my shows on TV!  Just not enough time in the day is there!

Another idea!

Last year when I was writing my Bead Painting article for QA magazine, I included tips...one was a tip on a tray for holding your beads while beading!

 This was a tip that Mary Stori so kindly shared with me, as well as others (and I also acknowledged Mary in the article for the tip).  Mary recommended using an embroidery hoop and place some type of foam or material that your beads will sit quietly on.  At least if they roll together they won't roll on the floor!  Plus, you have a place for your needle and thread.

I love Mary's idea but in working on my Blue Squirrel, because I'm using so many different colors and sizes of beads, they tend to roll together....don't forget I have dogs that jump onto my lap at the most inconvenient times!  I mentioned this to Bob and asked him to think of a way we can divide the area so my beads won't mix with each other.

So this is what my hubby came up with!  

He used four different lids and placed some foam inside each lid.  He's also going to put small tabs of Velcro on the bottom of each lid so they will stay in position in case I tip the embroidery hoop ever so slightly!  Again, do I need to mention my dogs again!  I am really pleased with this idea....so thanks for the starting point, Mary!  And thanks, Bob for your idea!  I'll keep you posted as to any updates to this new bead tray!

Also, I'm starting on another solar print!  Why you say?  Why not I say!

Solar prints done...

Well, the solar prints are 99% finished.  I just need to add binding/facing and they can be put in the 'finished pile'!  HA

It's hard to tell but I did free motion quilting in the borders are each panel.  I didn't want the quilting in the border to stand out (guess I did a good job!  HA) so I used black on the purple piece and the one above.  The first piece I used a maroon rayon thread.








Saturday I made a new 3D snowflake for the front door.  Two reasons...first, the snowflake I made last fall 'kinda' fell apart...who knew the glue would melt?  Our house sitters had the snowflake on the counter when we got back from Florida.  Seems the sun beating on the glass door just melted some of the glue.  I did repair it but thought....why not just make a new one for the summer/fall season!  So that's what I did!

The orange is really more orange than in this picture, as is the green...more green...but you get the idea.  Looks good...let's see how well it holds up in the Michigan summer!!!

What I've been doing.....

Days are going by so fast and I don't have much to show for it!  Earlier this week Bob and I cleaned windows on the north side of the house...I used to hang out the window(s) to clean but it freaked Bob out so now we take off the screens and hose them off.  Then Bob uses a squeegee on a pole to clean the windows.  I can do the upper deck ones easily and the door walls (we have 3).   At least our windows are clean on one side of the house!

And then we rewarded ourselves with a pitcher of  Margarita's and Mexican dinner!!  I'll wash windows each week for margaritas'!  HA

I also did some free motion stitching on my solar prints, as all the hand embroidery is finished. I still have to do some free motion in the borders but I'm making headway!   The colors aren't that great on these pics. I took them with my phone but didn't change any of the settings.

I not finished with the free motion on this piece yet....

  I also found some Handeze Flex-fit wrist/finger wraps in my sewing room!!  I vaguely remember buying these several, several years ago.  Think my Q Bud, Susan, recommended them to me....so I've been wearing them to do everything. I even wore a rubber glove on my left hand the other day over the wrap when I bathed Kalee!  Gotta do what works, right!

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!!!

Get with the program, Robbie!

I know this is the longest I have gone without a blog post!  And there's no excuse.  It's not like I've been sitting on my butt doing nothing!
I did some solar fast prints last week which I'm happy with. They are similar to some of the pieces I'm currently working on, but that's ok.  I need additional pieces for another project that needs to be done by fall.

This past week I also played with some oil pastels and Inktense blocks with some art buds.  I only did 3 pieces.

The pieces were originally solar prints  but I forgot to rinse the pieces and left them out in the sun.  Well, what you get is a solid color!

Next time I played,  I stamped them and I was happy with that but....the next layer was calling so I used oil pastels on the blocks and now I am quite happy with the pieces.  I'm trying to get enough leaf blocks printed/created so I can use them for hand work too.

I'm quite happy with these two pieces....I used a Ginko stencil I had and the other leaf was putting the oil pastel on the edge of the cardboard template and rubbing the oil pastel onto the fabric.  

This piece didn't turn out so great.  I was using the Inktense blocks and rubbing over some leaf plates.  Nothing exciting, but I'm sure it will have another layer of 'something' added!

 I have also been busy with everyday stuff, outings with my friends and dinner out!  A lot!!  Bob's only golfing four days a week (he used to golf 6 days a week!) so now he wants to toot around and have a late lunch or early dinner out!  Well, no I don't argue with him!  he he he
I met up with some art buds last week and we surprised Kay with a FaceTime visit with Mary Stori!  Mary has been trying to get to Florida to visit and play but with air flight issues trying to get somewhere "from here" has prevented her from heading south.  It's not easy traveling from her home to the airport let alone to get to where we are. But who knows...maybe someday...and until then..FaceTime works!




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