Happy Halloween Everyone!

Ceramic pumpkin light was a gift from dear friends.  Wool mat beneath was made by me a few years ago.  Love pumpkins, to the point, that some decor stays out all year round.  My feeling on "favorite things" is to display them no matter the season.  Just to let you know, however, the Christmas tree is an annual event!

Stay safe.  Enjoy and save all your extra candy for me (just kidding!).

Hi Everyone!

Hope today finds you and yours well.

Today, I finished my quilt top from  Lori's Madder Quilt SAL.  Here is a picture of the top, which has a few boo boos; however, I am OK with the boo boos.  Really lending itself to the homemade - make do approach!  While I was ironing the top, I thought to myself, each item I make is one more lesson in how to improve or accept the outcome.

My husband is very supportive of my hobbies, thank you Frank!  He reminds me every so often that this is something to be enjoyed; not a chore.

One of my other favorite past times is reading mysteries.  My dear friend, Liz D, has introduced me to a number of great series.  Today, I will start reading the most recent installment  Sheila Connolly's Orchard Series.  The title of this book is "Seeds of Deception."  Nearly finished with Ann Cleeves  Vera Stanhope Series, most recent book "Moth Catcher."

Does anyone else find that in reading books in series, you become familiar with characters who are a constant in each installment, then, missing them when the series is awaiting the next installment or has reached its final chapter?  I hope I'm not alone!  There are other series which I will comment on going forward.

It's a beautiful Autumn day here in Illinois.  Chilly at 50, a bit windy, but, sunny.  I will gladly take this weather.

Have a great day.  Be well.  Be happy.  Be safe.  Blessings from my threads to yours.

Happy Saturday!

Hope this finds you all well.

Today, I am sharing two works in progress.  The first one is  Maggie Bonanomi's "Turkey Lurkey" piece nearly finished last year.  Not sure if it will be a pillow or a wall hanging?  Maggie has great designs and patterns.  Have most of her books.  Love her work and style.

The second piece is my own creation titled "It Takes A Village."  Started with weaving strips of fabric ala Jude Hill , adding Sari remnants and various embellishments collected over the years.  Eventually, I want to add trees, flowers and pottery?  

This abstract style of artwork is so new to me.  For years, I have been sewing pieces and quilts which had a distinct form.  Quilt blocks which followed a set pattern.  Measured and cut with rulers and rotary cutters.  To  tear the fabric or cut with abandon is so foreign to me.  BUT, I want to learn this style.  Almost like dipping your toe into a pool of water and then shrugging and diving in.   

While I still love the traditional style of sewing quilts and follow numerous designers, some of whom have become good friends, I find myself spending time on line with the Artists who dance to a different drum.  Checking out books from the local Library to study different techniques, watching tutorials.  Then, I pick up a pad of paper and a pencil and I start drawing and erasing and erasing...

Maybe I should stick with "things" instead of people!  Have a good, creative day!

Good Morning,

This morning, my husband and I attended a funeral Mass for a lady whom we never met.  Let me preface the following by stating that neither of us did this to win accolades.  The Pastor sent an e-mail to the congregation explaining that Mary, age 87, died with only one surviving relative, a cousin, who was unable to attend the service.  Nothing more was known about Mary, other than that Mary's Mother was buried from this same Church 12 years ago (the only connection spoken of).  My husband and I felt sorry for this woman, bringing to light that, this could very well be us one day.

When the priest began Mass, he thanked the attendees, perhaps thirty in total, for coming to celebrate her life and journey to the Lord.  It gave dignity to this woman.  She was not forgotten.  All that attended were considered brothers and sisters.  We belong to each other in some form.

Mary was cremated.  At the end of the Mass, the congregation filed alongside the baptismal font, making a sign of the Cross over the beautiful, wooden box which held Mary's ashes.

I am so glad that my husband and I attended.  We were "called" to walk beside Mary along this path of her life.  We hope to meet her someday. God Bless You Mary.

May you all be blessed today and always.  Treasure who you have.  I have come to call you, my fellow bloggers,  friends.  Even though I have never met most of you face-to-face (yet!), I have come to know your hearts.  You continue to share your time, talent and treasure.  I am happy to call you friend.

Good Sunday Morning!

Hope this finds you and yours well.  I have two works in progress to share today:

The first one showcases the hand dyed fabric patches recently purchased from Jude Hill of Spirit Cloth.  This is my attempt at joining in for her SunMoonStars project.  Over the past few days, I used Jude's glue baste method to prepare the patches for joining.  All patches were whip stitched together using a single strand of medium/dark gray DMC floss.  Eventually, I will add embellishments.  The patch packets from Jude sell quickly.  What attracted me the most about this particular packet (Cosmos #22) was the center Moon.  The texture of the fabric and the color of the Moon.  Although green is my ultimate favorite color, more and more I find myself leaning towards gray.  Maybe its because I am sprouting more gray hairs on my head?!  Love gray hair.

 This next piece is my own concoction of the nine patch with practice stitching and embellishing.  Again, a Jude inspired creation.  The blue patch with stars is actually pre-printed fabric.  Just seemed to fit in with the theme.  "Good Morning, Mr. Sunshine, you brighten up my days..."

My Maiden Voyage In Blog World!

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for stopping by.  This is my first blog, so, please bear with me as I stumble and fumble my way through!  Please feel free to offer suggestions, ideas and tools-of-the-trade to get me started in the right direction.

Here is what is "under the needle."

A work in progress from Lori (Humble Quilts) Madder SAL.

As with most quilters and needle workers, there are countless works in progress.  More to show at a later date.