Fall Flowers

Caryopteris - I purchased this plant/perennial/shrub a few years ago and have loved it's performance every fall. It has beautiful blue blooms (I love blue flowers of any kind!!!) on chartrues green foliage. I have also since divided it and started sprouts in two other beds with great results.

Last Blue Block Going Home

On the CQ for Newbies website I joined in my first round robin which started last March. For the past six months, 6 ladies in the SLATE blue group have circulated blocks all pieced in blue fabrics. Embellishments had to all be in the blue tones. This is the last block for me to work on and then home it goes to Marianne in New Jersey. I think her block turned out really nice and can't wait to see mine.

On this block I first added the flower trim with 5 buttons in the center of the block below the bird. I tried to add some stitching detail to the bird applique with stem stitch and buillon stitiches. I then did a silk ribbon flower spray tied with a bow in the upper left of this photo. It just still needed something else. (Or I just wasn't ready to quit.)

So I put together the dragonfly using fabric for the wings, outlined with chenile fiber and then beaded. This round robin was a great experience, one I will definitely try again.

Progress on Baby Boy Quilt

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the newest member to the family - our first grandchild. We now know that its a baby boy and the quilt has been started. Daughter selected a 9 patch design and together we selected fabrics. I'm happy to say that daughter is showing some interest for the first time in putting a quilt together. It is coming together and hope to have it all hand quilted well before baby's arrival in December. More photos to follow as this project progresses.

An Abundant Harvest

What a wonderful gardening year we are having in Missouri. Corn and green beans are in the freezer. We are now enjoying potatoes, melons, peppers, cukes,, and tomatoes.

We have been on the search for the ultimate spaghetti sauce recipe, even having cooking contests at our house. I must admit DH has out done me so far. I am a blessed woman. He not only puts out the biggest garden in the area but he also cans it also. Of course I help when I'm able, meaning not trail riding, shopping, etc. It is all alot of work but so worth it when we have garden produce to enjoy all winter long.

If you have a great (and easy) spaghetti sauce recipe to share I would love to give it a try!

Remember Poodle Skirts?

My craft and sewing projects vary greatly. These are a couple of my latest projects. We are having a 50's theme dance at work this Saturday and I began to think, "Wouldn't it be great if we all wore poodle skirts." I went to two rental places and just was not happy with what I found. So I decided it wouldn't be hard to make them. Well, they aren't hard to make but the cutting out and embellishing takes longer than putting them together. Four skirts are now complete and I have 3 more cut out. It will be an extra busy week but they will be completed before Saturday.

A Day on the Trail

What an enjoyable day I had riding with friends. One day on the trail and life's stress dissolves away. If I could only figure out how to stretch a 24 hour day. I am finding I just don't have enough time in one day to do all that I would like to get accomplished these days. Riding, gardening, stitching and must fit at least some sleep in there some where.



My trusty steed "Looker" was great. She is my tried and true experienced trail mare that really allows me to sit back and take in all of nature while she watches the trail ahead.

I'm Back - Stitching, Gardening, Horse back riding; Life is Good!

Life has been really fun and really busy lately so my blog has been rather neglected. Last post was late April, just before I left for a great trip with my daughter and son in law. Their lives are currently in transition as they have made the decision to relocate from Scotland to the USA. I am one happy mom! Anxious to have them living closer - at least on US soil.

As I traveled I did take along baggies that included the above blocks with thread, ribbon, trim, and beads to keep me busy on flights and time in airports as well as relaxation in the hotels. I found a great embellishment supply store in France and stocked up with more beads, buttons and trim. In London, Notting Hill found lace to include in future blocks. Overall it was a wonderful trip with some "great finds" along the way.

These two blocks will be mailed away tomorrow to be included in wall quilts that will be auctioned at the Omaha CQ retreat as a fundraiser for cancer research. I am happy to do my part to support this effort as my life, like so many others, has been affected by cancer.

Next project already underway is a block to be included in a wall quilt for my niece's wedding June 20th. Wedding colors are beautiful-taupe & salmon. This will be a beautiful quilt and wedding I'm sure.

This three day weekend was very busy and enjoyable . I worked in all of my favorite things. A day of trail riding on Sat., gardening on Sun. and BBQ with family today. And in between time to stitch and finish up these two blocks. It went by way too fast but it really was a great week end and alot was accomplished.