Hope S-P-R-I-N-G-s Eternal!!

Looky, looky, looky at what I spied in the front flower beds today! The first buds of spring! And, today was a glorious day...so pretty here...and I turned off the heat and opened up all of the windows!  

  They are the first little buds to stick their heads up...and they are small...but THEY ARE HERE! Woot! Woot! Tomorrow will be cooler, and cooler yet the next day, and next week...but still...these little buds give me hope that Spring is right around the corner!   Thought you might need a little boost of hope too! Hugs,  

Odds and Ends

It seems so strange to be working on things, and yet not have much to blog about. Recently, two blocks were created for friendship quilts...but I can't share the photos. I'm working on a gift swap for Christmas...again, can't share the photos. While at retreat last week, I also designed a monogram set, a couple of embroidery motifs, and did some other "behind the scenes" things for Stitchmap...but, can't share those either. But, I'm getting a lot done...honestly!  

There is some progress on my Birdhous Village Quilt...two of the twenty-eight embroidery blocks are now complete...but a long way to go. There's so little time for "myself" projects these days. I'm working on Alice's Encrusted CQ Block...and have a lot more stitching to do before it mailes out on the 15th of this month. I managed to add a little pink/silver tree to it while at retreat.  

And some basic swirls for silk ribbon accents...

  And a piece of lace trim all ready to be beaded.  

  There are also a couple of seams to be stitched. Some trims have been added, but mostly they are to save two seams that had begun to "unsew" themselves. One of my pet peeves is when seams are trimmed...always a mistake in my opinion. I can't count the number of "open" seams that I've had to cover or applique down in round robins I've participated in. Oh well...off my soap box now...and back to work on my giftees for the exchange. Once my little Christmas Giftees get completed I'll be back working on this CQ block.      

Can You Spare a Moment?

My friend Bea has entered a small quilt into an online challenge...and I'd love for you to consider taking a moment and voting. I hope you like her quilt and choose it...but there are others there to view as well.

The link is:

 http://quiltinggallery.com/2013/11/01/halloween-fun-quilts/

And her quilt is titled "Ghostly Parade" and you have to scroll all the way to the bottom of the site post to vote. 

Happy Halloween with my Quilt Retreat Friends.....

..and yes, these are grown women...even thought you might not believe it! Here are some of the costumes greeting me for breakfast today...  

 SunBonnet Sue (Kim)

 Zombee Black Widow Spider (SCLady)

 Possible Unicorn (Linda)

 Kitty (Ellen)

 Foxy Lady (Mary)

Saloon Gal (Charlyn)

And, I'm having some serious fun! Wish you were all here with us. Hugs  

Geez, What a Dufus!

Seriously, I need a keeper. Here I sit at a lovely retreat with some of my cyber pals....and my laptop is only running on battery power...because I forgot to pack the electric cord!!! So, don't fret over me if you don't hear from me for the next few days...and I'm sorry, but I also can not post any of the CQJP challenge blocks this week...or let folks know that they are registered for 2014.  I'm sure to have loads of emails to check when I get back home... so, just please bare with me. Hugs!   Edited to Add: 15:20 hrs...my pal Libby from South Carolina (sweet angel of a friend) took the time to drive me home and back today to get my computer cords! The day was not a total loss....we stopped at two quilt shops too!  

My friend Pam...

This is my friend Pam...she is a wonderful person. Much too nice for me to post a photo of her on line for folks to see...since she came over and ironed blocks while I cut. And she did it early in the evening...without makeup. But, I'm not near as nice as her...so, here's the photo of her smiling face.  

Love ya Pam!   And for those of you that might be wondering...this is my living room Yes, it's small and yes, it's crowded. The room measures 9 ft across and 12 ft long. It used to be a kitchen, and if you look on the right wall you'll see that the wall plug is very high. The big-screen television (that I had to find space for when my daughter moved) is at the end of the room...that's the only place it will fit. A hope chest and black shelf unit is on the right side...and holds fabric and craft supplies...and I stack finished quilts/projects/stuff on top. A dresser full of completed crazy quilt projects is on the left wall along with Brady's baby swing (in the foreground). I'm standing behind the double recliner so you can't see that...but it makes a "wall" to close off the room. There is a walk way between the bedroom and sewing room right behind that recliner. And lastly, almost the entire wall on the left side is a design wall...you can see that I have finished my Merry Merry Snowman quilt top...except that I want to add some final special touches before it gets layered and quilted.  So, no show place for Southern Living Magazine for sure...but, it's cozy, functional...and I love my space. And my friend Pam likes it too! Still, y'all can come visit anytime...just not all a once unless you like to stand up. HUGS!  

They're Here! They're Here!

Isn't she pretty?!! And my muse is dancing with all the project ideas!  

  But, the serger has a disk of techniques that needs to be viewed first, because frankly...I'm scared of it! So, it will take a calm spirit and a clear head before I attempt to even turn it on. Hopefully, this time next month...I'll be serging like a pro...or at least can say that I have successfully NOT sewn through my finger. Ha!   Huge thanks to all my friends and family for helping me out. My spirits are renewed and positive energy is all around me today! Sending out hugs to the entire universe right now!  

Ditto for Me...(and please don't sue me)

Do you ever read the policy/etc posted on websites/etc when you join? You know...that multi-paragraph stuff that you have to "accept" to continue? Yeah...me neither. However, today Yahoo Groups changed the appearance of my Shawkl_Blog_Files group and I got curious if any major policy had changed...so I skimmed over the information.  Here is one section that I found interesting...and also a little tiny bit humorious to see (not funny about folks having any illness that causes this...just odd to see this in writing...)   QUOTE: e. A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF USERS MAY EXPERIENCE EPILEPTIC SEIZURES WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN LIGHT PATTERNS OR BACKGROUNDS ON A COMPUTER SCREEN OR WHILE USING THE YAHOO! SERVICE. CERTAIN CONDITIONS MAY INDUCE PREVIOUSLY UNDETECTED EPILEPTIC SYMPTOMS EVEN IN USERS WHO HAVE NO HISTORY OF PRIOR SEIZURES OR EPILEPSY. IF YOU, OR ANYONE IN YOUR FAMILY, HAVE AN EPILEPTIC CONDITION, CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN PRIOR TO USING THE YAHOO! SERVICE. IMMEDIATELY DISCONTINUE USE OF THE YAHOO! SERVICES AND CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS WHILE USING THE YAHOO! SERVICE: DIZZINESS, ALTERED VISION, EYE OR MUSCLE TWITCHES, LOSS OF AWARENESS, DISORIENTATION, ANY INVOLUNTARY MOVEMENT, OR CONVULSIONS.   Now, my guess is that someone has filed a suite in the past against Yahoo because too many hours spent in front of their computer screen caused a seizure of some sort. So...be forewarned...pace yourself! And, don't even think of filing a suite..as I have no assets...unless you want beads and ribbon. Hugs!

A Moment of Silence Please...

My Janome 5700 "may" have stitched it's last stitch this week. She has been making a grinding kind of sound for the past few weeks. The repair guy said it sounded like a bearing was going out perhaps. But, last Saturday...she turned herself off without any warnings or strange sounds...and refused to turn back on. The repair guy said that sounds like a blown board...and that could cost several (as in 7-8) hundred dollars to fix. So, my nephew (Brady's dad) has her now to break-down and see if he can get her to start working again. Even though he is a trained high-voltage electrician...he is the family "electronics" fixit guy. He has worked on several of our televisions and computers that have seen better days...We shall see if he can resuscitate my little sewbaby or not. For now...I've pulled out my old trusty Pfaff 1469 which I purchased at the Post Exchange in Germany way back in 1983-5 when we were stationed overseas. It has been banged around in several military moves...but still has a pretty stitch. The presser foot lever doesn't work perfectly to lower...but I can push it down all the way with my finger...so that will have to do for now.  

  I'm gonna miss my Janome 5700 however...it was a workhorse...and the machine that I taught Aidan to sew on...with the help of several things to bring the foot-petal up to meet her short legs at the time. Hard to believe that she can use the petal flat on the floor now...time sure does fly!    So, a moment of silence please...for my little sewing pal...and all the other great sewing machines that we have had over the years that have been good partners in creativity. Her last task was to piece the four CQ blocks together that I'm still plugging along on. Finishing up the connecting seams and adding more beads, etc to the CQ 4-block wallhanging. Sewing on beads takes some time...But, I'm almost done..and hope to finish the block portion today. The borders will require some lace dying I'm thinking...but not sure yet about them. When the stitching is finished on the center blocks, I'll get some closeup photos for y'all. Also will allow me to test out a new camera gifted to me by my SIL...and hope to get clear close ups with it later on today or tomorrow morning when the last beads go on. So, more on that later...hope y'all are having a great day so far!
Edited to add: If you are looking for a sewing machine, you might be interested in this post from DoYouSew. about a "starter" machine.  

Embroidery Instructions on your Iphone or Ipad?

My Aussie pal Arlene (and son) have been working diligently these past few months on an Application for the Iphone or Ipad. Embroidery stitches with how-to instructions...isn't that a super cool idea?  And to celebrate the pending launch of her free application (working with Apple right now, so no launch date yet)...she is having a drawing for her blog readers. So, if you are interested in possibly winning her giftee (international shipping is fine with her)...and/or just want to check out the specifics of her Application...please check out Arlene's blog. And, please send along a HUG from Shawkl too when you visit!  

Feedly vs Bloglovin

As you have most likely already heard or read about...perhaps even dozens of times... the Blog Reader part of Blogger is scheduled to go away in July. This means that if you follow many (or just one) blog in your dashboard...you'll loose you're ability to read them in July. This means that you will need to go back and "find" all of your favorite blogs again...and import them into another type of reader service.   OR, you can import all of them now. Which is a lot faster and easier than finding them all over again.   Basically, there are really just two (IMHO) choices for a new reader...Feedly or BlogLovin. Both are great, for different reasons.   So, I went hunting to find the real scoop...and read a lot of reviews. The most comprehensive review was over at: Nosh on It...posted back in March.   Here is the link to the full post:   http://noshon.it/blog/2013/03/google-reader-alternatives-feedly-vs-bloglovin/   But, here is the wrap up copied over for you   QUOTE: "In general, Feedly is a great Google Reader alternative if you:

• Want an easy way to transfer  your Google Reader folders and subscriptions.
• Want customizability over the layout.
• Browse quickly between posts and don’t regularly read from original sources.
• Regularly use a mobile device to access your subscription content.
• Frequently share content to a wide range of social networks.

If you prefer something simpler and more familiar, then Bloglovin’ could be for you. Bloglovin is a good RSS service if you:

• Use Tumblr and/or Twitter and like their clean, minimal, familiar layouts.
• Use Internet Explorer 8 (but please… it’s time to upgrade!).
• Primarily read your content on your computer, since the app (Android app at least) is sluggish.
• Haven’t spent a lot of time grouping your subscriptions in Google Reader and don’t mind manually categorizing them in Bloglovin’.
• Want to share your list of subscriptions with other people and discover new content through the Bloglovin community."

So, whichever reader you choose...the important thing is to transfer the RSS Feeds and Links to each of the blogs you follow before July.

And, in case you are wondering...I use Feedly.

Edited to Add: I downloaded the free Feedly app to my Iphone today...and now can read all of the blogs I follow right on my phone. So, I catch up a little while having coffee with Mom in the morning...when we aren't chatting...or when she is on her phone! My Mom's house is "grand central station" for the family, and there is always something going on!

So, whatever feed you decide to use...just add "shawkl.com" to your list of blogs to read, or follow on Google+ Friends, RSS Email feed, Bloglovin, or Feedly...Hugs!

   

Needlework Sayings...

Some words of wisdom for you...
"I've spent most of my life making quilts.The rest I've just wasted."   "You may admire my dust, but please don't write in it"  

"Success is often a series of failures that you didn't allow to stop you!"

"Embroidery is the art of enriching a fabric with stitchery."

When life throws you scraps, make a quilt.   

Any day spent sewing, is a good day. 

I got a sewing machine for my husband! Good trade, huh?    

Just Checking In with You

Hi all, just checking in. I have not posted this week because some how I managed to injure myself. And what's weird...is that I did it in my sleep. When I tryed to roll out of bed on Thursday morning, my right leg/hip gave me a heck of a pain. I have no idea what I did during the night, but my body did not appreciate getting up. As far as I know...I do not sleep walk. Aidan came over Friday, and was here for a visit this weekend, and she helped me pick up things and get around. Today, I went to the chiropractor for xrays and everything seems to be in place with the possibility of an ever-so-slight turning inwards of my right leg. So, seems that I could have simply slept in a strained position and pulled some muscles in my leg. I'll be fine in a few days hopefully, but have been eating over-the counter pain meds and now my stomach doesn't like me either! Plus, they have not really helped me much. So, I'll just have to try being a little slower for a couple of days...and will post when I get my lazy butt in gear and get something else finished.    I did manage to work a little more last night on the CQ Round Robin, but not enough to even see much difference.   I have determined that either my muse is beating me up at night while I sleep...or that getting older is just full of body parts that break down for no apparent reason! Geez!  

Stupid, stupid, stupid...

   ...and very lucky! This evening, while trying to "loosen" some fudge from a backing dish so it could be washed...with a large sharp knife (did I say stupid?)...it released...and went into my left palm. Fortunate for me that it did not go all the way through my hand. The cut is about a half an inch long and about a quarter inch deep. Hurts like heck! But, the bleeding stopped after a few minutes of pressure...and now I have some anti-biotic ointment on it and a bandage. Will get another bandaid on it before going to bed. Don't try to loosen up stuck food from your baking dishes with a long sharp large knife! Duh! Seriously, I need a keeper!!!   And no...I didn't want to eat the fudge...just get it all out and in the trash.  

Edited to add: Check out my bandage cover. Isn't it stylish? It's an old sock that Aidan has outgrown...the toe and heal have been cut out for my fingers and thumb. And, it's pretty comfortable. I think I have a new quilting glove too!  

Jumbo Ironing Board Cover

See my new ironing surface? No?, then open your eyes...hugs! My brother Mike agreed to cut a piece of wood for me...measuring 24" by 60"...from a piece of OSB Plywood he had in his wood-pile. He just finished a large remodel.   

 He used my ironing board as the guide and attached some pieces of scrap 1x1 boards to one side. They were placed just outside the shape of my ironing board so that the larger padded surface would sit on top of the ironing board...using it's legs for support.  

 I covered the other side with 3 layers of batting...wrapped around the edges and stapled...then a double layer of cotton sheeting, also wrapped around the edges and stapled.  Now, I have this wonderful huge ironing surface...it is easily removed and stored against the wall...when I fold up my ironing board. Inexpensive...and a huge plus when pressing out quilt tops! (Wish I had it for those dang draperies I just finished last month!...of course, pressing them is what made me "think" about needing one) ...so, all is well that ends well!  

And, with the "left over" scraps of batting and fabric...I also covered an old extra wooden shelf...and have a mini-ironing surface to put next to my sewing machine...or I can move it to my work table.  

Simple...wrap...and staple!

Nite All!

Why is it...no matter how hard I seem to try...I'm always going to bed late!  Even poor Buddy has given up and just decided to crash on the window seat!  Well, I had best wake him up to go out...and get myself moving towards the bed at least...hope y'all have a restful night...and a wonderful sun filled day tomorrow!  

Artwork Resource Perhaps...

The past five hours...I've been looking over hundreds of images on a site...where I can't even understand the language!! Here is the site link: http://lespetitescroixdanaide.centerblog.net/ This is a french site...and the images seem to be for use as blog headers, corners, pins, separations, and such. However, a great, great many of the images would be suitable for personal scrapbooking or for creating silkies too.

  Hopefully, you will agree that the site is worth your time to look around. As I don't speak or read French...please contact the site owner before using the images in your professional endeavors...as I have no idea what the copyright limitations are for these. There are no prices or pop up blockers on the site...so, it could be a free blog resource too...as it appears to me.  All I know for sure... is that there are hundreds of wonderful ideas there!

Templates at work...

I spent a little time this afternoon making more templates...using the grid system I posted about last week. I  did punch out an entire grid with my large needle...and it took a while. I also used my 1/16 hole punch and punched out just a few "individual" seam template base ideas...cretan, holbein, herringbone, running stitch, etc. and they took far less time! More printing of the grids on vellum...but far easier to punch out.   Actually, I'm really surprised that I can even see the holes...as I'm that tired. Sommer and Aidan stopped by late yesterday afternoon. And, Sommer was so tired...she fell asleep across the end of my bed. At 8:00 p.m. I still didn't have the heart to wake her...but had too. I was worried about them driving home, and convinced her to just spend the night...and get up really early to drive back home and get Aidan on the school bus this morning. There were clothes still here for Aidan...so getting dressed this morning was no problem.   Sommer agreed, and immediately went right back to sleep...and I put Aidan to bed around 9:00 p.m. Then, around 10:30 p.m. I decided it was time for me to turn in too. So, I crawled into bed. Now, my bedroom is the only bedroom in this apartment...but is big. It has my double bed and Aidan's single bed in the same large space. After about 20 minutes...and I was just almost asleep...Aidan starts snoring. And, I mean SNORING. Her mother never moved or woke up...being dead asleep herself.    ME...another story all together!  I tried getting her to turn over. Nope, no help...I tried a pillow over my head...Nope, no help. Finally, around midnight I just gave up...and got up. No sleep, so I got on the laptop and got some design work done. At 5:00 a.m. I was in the kitchen making oatmeal....and sure did need my two cups of coffee at 8:30 a.m. when mother was awake down stairs at her house!    I've got my second wind now...a burst of energy...but, figure it won't last a whole lot longer! I should sleep like a baby....a snoring baby...tonight!   Hugs! Hope you all get a good night's sleep tonight too! p.s. If you send me something today/tonight and my response does not make sense...then, I'm asleep...so you're really talking to my muse! Hey, that might be a better conversation come to think of it!