Almost Done

I'm almost done with "Gentleman Caller" top only 3 more rows and 6 to add to existing ones. I think I could become attached to this one. It is fairly easy to assemble and the reds, blues, & browns, look fabulous together. Maybe at the beginning of next week I will be able to get into the sewing room to start quilting some of these tops. DH brought in the bobbins from the Tin Lizzie so that I can wind them on the Elna which will be a whole lot faster than what the Lizzie has for a bobbin winder.
The weather isn't getting any warmer so I'm wondering what next Sunday will be like. The family is planning on going out for Easter dinner to the "Tom Ridge Environmental Center" for the buffet or whatever D S-I-Ls decide. That is my choice.
Have taken some pictures of a fabulous rainbow last Saturday morning but still do not have them loaded up to the computer. Perhaps today, you Think? The weather station is in need of repair. The strong winds over the weekend, were not kind to it.
I'm working on a coffee theme for next month, maybe a garden theme would be better. We should be starting to plant or at least get something started, but it has been so wet and cool that we just do not have any energy to look forward to the summer.
Oh yes, speaking of summer! My brother and sister-in-law will be coming probably in the middle to late June and I was given the task of calling 'My sister, Ilene' to see if she and my niece will also be coming around the same time. It would be fun, but I'm usually the hind foot when the older siblings get together. Kind of invisible if you know what I mean.
Ok, time to get to work. Get the dogs in, and finishing that top before this afternoon when our friend (The Vegetarian) comes to make us dinner and we are going to make some greeting cards. My StampinUp business is almost non-existent these days.

Up to my ears in the Quilting ????

Well, ain't this a bucket of ____. I'm up to my ears in quilting. Planning, cutting, sewing, ripping i.e. "froggin" (rip-it [rib-bit])and trying to fix errors made by not only me but instructions not clearly written. One of my biggest pet peeves are people who use quilting programs to design quilts then have someone else do the block work and quilting and all they do is the writing of the instructions which make little or no sense to the person trying to do it all. That is not only purchasing the fabric, but actually measuring, cutting out the pieces, and sewing them together.
One of my recent endeavors comes with extensive research looking for the right fabric because what was originally suggested in the pattern was already outdated and no longer made. I spent hours online looking for the right fabric. Then when I found something to my liking because, the original was not available, the quantity was just barely enough, with no room for a cutting mistake.
The pattern was then divided into 3 parts, that is 3 different magazines. So I had to purchase all three. If you have bought a magazine lately they are not cheap. I'm talking $21.00 just for the patterns. On top of that I purchased two (2) reference books; found them cheap on Amazon.com... if I had been smart I could have just used those instead of buying all the stupidly written instructions.
Now, I stuck with a poorly made quilt with points that do not exist and it looks like a 10 year old made it. You would think that I would know better? You think? Oh well on to the next stupid mistake.
It is a Mystery Quilt. I tried one a while back and never finished it because it had a medallion center that I couldn't get right. That one was a block of the Month and I got sick so never finished it either. This Mystery is posted on the Internet and is scheduled for every Friday a few steps are revealed. This week 4 and I'm already tired of waiting for the next steps. We have done 14 but they are simple too slow. More time and money invested and already I can see the fudging that will have to take place on this one.
I've made it my goal to at least get all the tops together before I die, so that someone doesn't just come in and take whatever fabric they like but hopefully will realize that it belongs to something that will turn into something else if they have the patience to work at it. Dying, who has time to die? I don't! I have too many projects to finish and too much to enjoy yet! So God, will you wait until I at least get my projects done and can enjoy them for awhile?
Amen.

This is a "MUST WATCH" on all political venues:

Working on my "Civil War Sampler" this morning... It looks like I'll be ready to put the top together this weekend should I still have enough energy.
I have the cold from H e double LL, cannot shake it and almost ready to call the doctor again...
We got the news that my D B and D S-I-L are coming probably by the middle of June for a stay. I have to call my DS and put a bug in her ear that she and my neice should come then also. Does it sound like he is using me :O)
Back to the sewing machine.

Civil War Sampler

The May/June magazine arrived on Friday, however; I didn't recognize it because it had an advertisement on the cover covering the regular front. Anyway, tomorrow, I will be able to start the last stage of the Civil War Sampler. I figure I'll be ready to put the top together by the weekend if I don't fall into too many traps.
Here is Part 1 and Part 2.

( there is a duplicate in here but what the heck)

Tomorrow, the dogs go for their hair cuts and toenail trims. Perhaps Spring is really here. I certainly hope so because I am tired of the cold and wet weather.
We got some kale from the garden tonight. It weather the winter and came back to life. Our friend, Barb, fried it up with egg and cheese and called it a 'faheita' I have no idea what that is and I'm sure it isn't spelled correctly. It was delicious through. Looking forward to a good garden this year. Hopefully, we have the junk out of it and the soil working properly.
Let not your heart be troubled, good night and pleasant dreams

Ladies of the Seas

Today I taking a break from quilting and going to work on some papercrafts, but in the meantime; here is the latest "Ladies of the Seas" block that I've almost completed. It still needs some embroidery on the ship's hull, but basically it is finished. My friend, Barb, is coming over this afternoon and we will have lunch and then do some stamping. It has been quite awhile since we have gotten together so this is a treat.
I've been so involved with quilting I almost forgot that I have a business to run. Connect with me here:Maxine Creates
The America - Ladies of the Seas

Now this is a daily quote worth keeping...

The sorrow for the dead is the only sorrow from which we refuse to be divorced. Every other wound we seek to heal—every other affliction to forget; but this wound we consider it a duty to keep open—this affliction we cherish and brood over in solitude.


Washington Irving (1783-1859)

Use This Daily Prayer

...Heavenly Mother/Father God: walk through my house, take away all my worries, and illnesses, please watch over and heal my family &; comfort my friends in Jesus name, Amen!


Add a little memo: Mother/Father, I know you always hear me; I know you always answer, Amen!

Quilter's Newsletter

Open publication - Free publishing - More articles

Lookin' for a 4 leaf clover

It is almost St. Patrick time. Lent and I have already quit smoking, so I'll have to find something else to give up this year, although the smoking never worked before. I need to find some need wallpaper i.e. background in green, perhaps tomorrow. Now, I'm off for a nap because I've been up since 5 am and today is MIL's bd so will be up late tonight. Ok off now to find that green and maybe even a beer.

Where did January Go?

Oh my, where did it go? The new year came in and I went into the hospital. Oh those nasty cigarettes and my nasty habit finally got me. After 11 days with doctors and nurses prodding and poking me, I was so happy to get home even if it was the dead of Winter. So were the puppies, they were so happy!
Now, I gearing up for Valentine's Day. Maybe a happier time.
Kori's birthday is on Thursday. I cannot believe that she will be 20. No wonder I feel so old.... I am old!
I really haven't done much at all on my quilt. So I had really better get at it. But the week goes by so fast. The skilled nurse comes on Tuesday and Friday and so does the physical therapist. I'm working really hard to do the exercises every day and I'm even taking all my medicine like a good girl, yuk!!!! I just want to feel good!
Ok, I caught up here!