New Helper in the Sewing Room

I have been having a terrible time with my latest quilt. You know - seams not lining up right, bumps and bungles, just a general not-happy experience. So I decided to take a little break last night.

I don't know. Maybe I've entered my second childhood. A sock monkey is something I've wanted for a long time. (Actually what I wanted was a knit one from the fabulous MonkeeMaker, but she grew weary of making them before I could ever score one. Bummer!)

So I made one for myself. Yep - myself.

See, he's already volunteered to help with the sewing.

Might be a pretty handy guy to have around.

There is a little look around the eyes I'm wary of........

But I'm sure he'll be helpful.

Oh, go ahead and add a little silliness to your day. You'll feel better for it!!

Hugs and kisses,

Trains

Mr. Sweetie Pie and I visited with our daughter and her boyfriend tonight at the hospital. Yes, she's in again - three weeks this time so far. No fun for anyone, but hopefully she's on the mend now.

We took a little walk through the tunnels that run under the Medical Center complex here in Houston to Texas Children's Hospital. There on the first floor, safely behind glass, is the most fabulous model train layout I've ever seen. Many of the parts are lighted and animated. There are buttons on the panels on the outside of the display that the children can push to start different parts moving. There is a sign saying that the whole thing was donated by a doctor and his wife. We had a good time seeing all the little vignettes in action and the trains running. I'm sure it must be a great treat for children who have to be in the hospital.

Hope you're all well and happy!

Hugs and kisses,

Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

I finished my very first made-specially-for-me-purse last night.

It is the "Mixed Bag to Quilt" pattern from the fabulously talented Nanette, of Freda's Hive.

She did a great job of explaining exactly how to do everything to make this bag (a real plus for those of us - like me - who NEED instruction ;D ).

Thanks Nanette for sharing your talent with us all!!

Got to go and get ready for church this morning. Hope you all have a great day, and as the vicar in Pollyanna said, Give a little thought to Who is sending it down to you!

Hugs and kisses,

Another Quilt Ready to Go!

Another finish! Yay! I love how this little quilt turned out.

And these cats on the back just make me smile.

Its's in the wash now, getting crinkly and soft. Then I have a label ready to sew on and we're done.

I had a very nice surprise the other day. A knock at my door revealed these beautiful flowers.

Our sweet younger daughter had sent them, just to say she loves me. I love her, too, and miss her every day. I don't like her being so far away, but we each have to find our own pathway in life, and she's finding hers.

Our little cool spell seems to be over. Summer is here, so I have to get out early and late and stay inside in the middle. It is entirely too hot out there in the middle of the day!

Our first fig is just about ready to eat. Yummy! There won't be very many this year thanks to Hurricane Ike and all the pruning he necessitated. But I'll sure be thankful for what there are!

Enjoy this beautiful world we've been given!

Hugs and kisses,

A Small Visitor

We've got a little visitor in the back yard this morning. My neighbor told me that his nest was knocked down out of the tree yesterday by a larger bird. She only found two little birds, and one had been killed on impact. She kept this little guy inside last night and then tried to find someplace safe for him this morning. He ended up in our yard, and as you can see from the video above - made the acquaintance of at least one of the chickens! He's moved on from that perch now and hopefully will reconnect with his parents. He can fly a little, so I hope he makes it.

I have another little quilt pinned up and ready to start quilting. Wait till you see what I've put on the back. It's a surprise. I'll show you when it's finished.

We are in the midst of a little cool front. It blew through here on Saturday and has really made it a lot more pleasant. We were having a little TOO much hot weather already to suit me!Hope your day is full of lots of pretty things, too!

Everything is growing like wild around here. The flowers all look so happy and some of them have a truly heavenly fragrance.

Hugs and kisses,

Elaine

Will He Go Round in Circles?

You can just bet he will! Bruno is convinced that there is some varmint hiding in this flower bed, so every time he comes outside - - - he runs around and around it, trying to sniff it out. He is so funny!

More loot from Mother's Day! Our daughter and her boyfriend gave me this set of Corning Ware French White. Yay! I've been wanting some of that for a while now. They did good!

And yes, I've started on another quilt. Here are a few of the nine-patches from charm packs - one each of Objects of Desire, Woodland Bloom, Portugal and Nature's Chorus - that I'm working on now. They all go together really well I think. Not sure how they'll end up, but it's a pretty good start. :)

We had some fresh corn (double yay!) from the garden for lunch today along with some cole slaw, tomato slices, corn sticks and salmon croquettes. Can I just say, "YUM!"?

Isn't this a sweet little single bloom rose? I don't think I've ever seen a rose I didn't like. Have you?

It looks like we might get a little rain here. We can use it!

Have a great day!

Hugs and kisses,

Nest

I finally finished this little quilt and I like it a lot.

It's made from charm packs of the Nest fabric by Moda. All those bright, colorful patterns are just a pure pleasure to see all put together.

The back is pretty colorful, too, isn't it! And do you see that corn back there behind it? I thought for sure we'd be eating some of that corn this weekend, but it's not ready yet. But, soon......

The gardenias have started to bloom in the yard. Their fragrance is one of my very favorites. A very sweet neighbor has been kind enough to give me a number of cuttings over the years and some of them have grown into bushes which are now giving us beautiful, fragrant flowers. Those kindnesses of hers were truly gifts that are still giving.

I had a sweet surprise on Friday. the UPS man brought me a box of flowers from our sweet son and daughter-in-love.

Aren't they gorgeous!

Hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day tomorrow, full of all things wonderful for you.

And remember:

Hugs and kisses,

Chickens in Our Back Yard

It was really nice outside this morning so I let the chickens maraud a bit in the back yard while I took care of some clean-up out there. Boy, did they have fun!!

You have to watch them, though. They're pretty destructive, given half a chance. Look at this little sweetie. Looks innocent through and through, doesn't she?

But look what she quickly walked away from when she saw me. Yep, I caught her in the act of jumping up and plucking blackberries. She thought the red ones would taste better than the black ones. :)

And look at that corn! I think we'll be eating some of that corn real soon. I can hardly wait......

Have a great day!

Hugs and kisses,

Making Quilts

I used to think that quilt making was for old women. I know - h0rrible idea! Of course, I guess a lot of people would think that I am an old woman. :) Oh, well!

Anyway, I have had so much fun since I discovered quilt making. It is an ever-evolving thing with me.

I just like everything about it, and the fact that every quilt I've made has been totally different from every other one just adds to the charm.

To sit before my window working and look up to see the flowers and the birds and the chickens, to hear the birds singing outside the window are all so peaceful to me. I pray a lot as I quilt. Do you do that while you're working at what pleases you? To me, that just adds an extra dimension to the gift of the quilt when I give it.

Hope your day is filled with things that please you!

Hugs and kisses,