I'm on a mission . . .

My goal this week is to starch everything in the white bin.

A variety of prints were placed therein long ago.  Once done, I'll stack them neatly in the cupboard, ready for the right project.  With the fans and A/C going, everything dries much faster in the summer.

Ugga, the bookcases are in need of major overhaul.  Small bins have OLD projects.  Tins hold sections and units for other  projects.  It's a madhouse is what it is.  Re-grouping is in order.

Old projects will become kits. I'll combine sections and units with the pieces needed to finish a top.  Along with instructions, grafts, or pictures.

I'm renowned for starting things, then forgetting exactly how big the project was or what the original measurements were.  I'm positive that I'm the only one who does this though, LOL.

Sad news on the homefront, on Friday night we lost another black bunny.  Not this one, but another one I did not have a picture of.  A baby girl from Hazel's first litter.  I think she died from the noise of starting the lawnmower.  They can get stressed by the least little thing. So far we've lost 5 this summer.  The heat is very hard on Flemish bunnies.

Rebecca, however, delivered a litter of 6 on Saturday.  On one of the hottest days of the year.  Everyone is getting extra watermelon rind, cantaloupe rind, and oatmeal to boost their systems.

If you have outside bunnies, remember to mist them down on the hottest days.  Soak the dirt under their cages too, to help keep them cool.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

"You have to admit, I am quite adorable."

"Even though I'm 4 times bigger than the last time you saw me," says Bubbles.

 The cantaloupe really love the manure mix I planted them in, a combination of alpaca, horse, and bunny.

But the most exciting news is that the pumpkins are finally blooming.  We've been waiting and waiting!  It's so much fun to grow pumpkins and give them away to friends.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Allow me to introduce myself . . .

My name is Dolly and I'm available.

To go for truck rides even though mom says it's too hot.  To chew sneakers, cause mom is busy and won't come out of the A/C room.  To munch on chicken and broth over kibble, as mom still loves me.  To bury my chewies outside, which is why there is dirt on my nose.   (Don't tell mom though as big chewies are expensive.)

I've been digging up a few things myself and setting aside in a kit to work on later.  Do you recognize which quilt book this one is from?  I have no idea when I started it.

And then of course I stopped over at Temecula Quilt Company and saw their lovely little quilt, the 4-patch with red.  I wanted one, but opted to use these units instead.  There are many, and instead of using them for the intended project,

 I switched to this idea.  The plan is to use up various blues which are lying about waiting for something fun to jump into.

I've no idea how big it will be, but I think this needs to become a kit too.  We're waiting for cooler weather to arrive so I can do some porch sewing . . .

And so the poor neglected puppy can go for a truck ride!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Rainy day . . . . play day

 It's been ages since I've had time to sort through solids.  This stack will be starched and trimmed into strips as time permits.

Here's the inspiration for my Fall quilt.  They used plaids.

I'm using hand-dyed and solid fabrics.  Fall-colored and "inside" black squares are cut at 2".  However, you could use 2-1/2" squares to make a slightly bigger quilt.  

The side black pieces are cut 2 x 2-1/2".  Sorting through bins, I pulled out 2-1/2 strips that got starched and trimmed a tiny bit. They're not perfect, as they shrunk some, but are good for this block.

The odd size is to allow easier trimming of the block once assembled.

Dolly is not happy it's still raining.  I'm hearing lots of complaining from the peanut gallery.

She really wants to go for a truck ride and doesn't want me sewing any more.

I believe it's time for a chew bone from the emergency provisions bag.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Thank you Canada!

For sending this lovely cold front our way!  It's been wonderful to turn the A/C off and not be smothered by humidity.

Even though I've had a busy work week, the remaining solids in browns, oranges, golds and greens are starched and waiting to be cut into squares.  I'm kitting up the 9-patch project to be sewn later . . . .

And moving on to another Fall inspired quilt top.

This one is so old, I don't remember when I started it.  But the saw tooth borders will go on next.

The log cabin blocks were pieced on paper for accuracy.  Final sewn size is 5 inches.

Do you believe we're more than half way through the year?  Christmas is just around the corner and I want to start on gifts before ol' Jack comes knockin' on the door.

Dolly will be excited when he arrives though, as she'll be able to ride in the truck again.

Enjoy your weekend.  Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Tonight we must bid a fond farewell to Sesame Bun.

You may recall that Sesame and Nickell were the first bunnies I brought home in April 2012.  Nickell died last July and today Sesame followed her to the great clover patch in the sky.  He was the sweetest and the best.  We'll miss him greatly.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Will someone please adjust the thermostat?

With a high of 90 today and a humidity level at 3 million percent, it's officially summer in my neck of the woods.

Today the house was cleaned up, the bunny cages were cleaned out, and as the heat index rose, I sequestered myself in the A/C room.

There, I starched and cut and trimmed and stacked.  My hand-dyed fabrics are going to add a lovely dimension to this project.  Bali prints would work beautifully also.

Inspiration came from a quilt store catalog dated 2011.  When I came across it yesterday, I knew it was time to switch projects.  As you can see, Fall is on my mind.

I'll need a total of 108 9-patch blocks, but I'm going to assemble them in a non-traditional matter.  

Will post pictures of that process as soon as possible.  If you'd like to join in, you'll need a range of browns, red browns, gold, orange, green, and black for framing.  (I'm using 2" squares, but 2-1/2" would work just as well.)

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Epiphany and a turkey!

"It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind" . . . again and again and again if need be.

Yesterday, I had a light bulb moment . . . .

Instead of quilting this with straight lines, why not use wavy lines on a slight diagonal.   Something to add interest, but not distract.

The backing is all ready so I hope to work on this soonest.

Here's the turkey, slowly foraging through my front yard yesterday.  I'm not sure how many youngin's she had with her.  Can you see the one far to the left, between the fence post and the tree?

It's nice to live in such a quiet corner that turkeys can roam freely.

Stay cool everyone, we may reach 90 today.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

God Bless America!

Have a happy and safe 4th of July everyone.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

It's such a simple thing, the focus point on the Nikon D7000

But it was the main problem I had on Saturday.  Well okay, that and a few other things.

 When I tried to get focused on faces, sometimes it would work and sometimes not.

These 3 young people are waiting for the bride and groom to smash cake in each other's face.  I think it's the only time they were standing still.

 The groom's cake.

Love this Chevy.  

Getting ready to climb in the back of the truck.

 A lovely guest.

 I bet I could dance better if I had shoes like this.

Finally a sewing shot, 2-inch square assembly.  About all I've had time for lately.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .