Finally.... something quilty to post

I've not really been a slacker in the sewing department. I just couldn't post anything about this quilt as it was a surprise for a special couple of parents-to-be. Shortly after it was finished a few days ago, D was kind enough to help me with the photography. I guess I shouldn't have cut the poor guy's head off though! The pattern is a smaller version of Wild Thing by Thimble Blossoms. The fabric collection is mostly Jungle Jumble by Michael Miller with few stash pieces thrown in. The quilting was done all by me on this one, but nothing fancy and no free motion, just some stitch in the ditch and straight line shapes.

Since today is their actual due date, B & N came over for supper and I gave them the quilt. I know they like it, but it wasn't near the surprise I thought it would be. I guess I've been giving too many hints away on the blog!
The backing is pieced using the border print on one end. Now all we need is a baby to wrap in it! Should be soon though!If I don't get a blog post up before Saturday - have a fun, safe and happy Fourth of July!

PS: Remember how I said I thought we'd get a countertop before a new grandbaby? Well, my money is now on the grandbaby!

Looking Forward

A short evening ride to the nearby State Forest and a stop to experiment with the new camera left us realizing we need more practice. But here's one interesting shot through the trees. We probably waited a little too late in the day for decent lighting. The colors here are pretty though.I still carry my little pocket Kodak and snapped this shot of D playing photographer. At least he looks like he knows what he's doing!

One project completed this week - another bag. This one will be claimed by someone special the next time she visits. She will surely recognize the fabric but hopefully I haven't spoiled the surprise too much!

We are looking forward to the 4th of July weekend. The kids from St. L will be here and maybe the previously mentioned bag recipient. (And then of course - we're hoping the new grand baby makes his appearance by then too. But no pressure! He'll come when he's ready!) I'm ready for a good old-fashioned backyard (or deck!) barbecue, some homemade ice cream and neighborhood fireworks. Since B is no longer working (maternity leave began Friday) and isn't busy with anything else yet, maybe she will help me come up with some interesting picnic food and shop for fireworks. The weather today was beautiful and the forecast for this week is great. Maybe the hot, steamy days are behind us for a little while. It's going to be a wonderful week and weekend!

Mmmm, Book Club

Last night our Little Book Club met at Mrs. D's beautiful home. With only five members, we definitely qualify as little. Lately, I'm not sure if we earn the Book part! But we certainly enjoy our monthly "meetings" and though we don't always find the time to read we always try to talk about books (among other things)! We've become good friends bound together by the love of reading but also by sharing the joys and trials of our lives as women in our fifties. And what do five (four last night since Mrs. W couldn't come) girls do when they get togther - they EAT! Mrs. D supplied this superb double chocolate cake from Sweet Stuff Bakery worth every calorie! One other highlight of the week - a trip to Among Friends. While my car was being serviced a few blocks away, I was able to spend some time browsing through some of the new fabrics. I know I've got enough to keep me occupied but I couldn't resist this from the American Heritage Collection by Windham Fabrics. Now I need some help coming up with a table runner pattern. I'm sure there's something in my quilt magazine collection - just need to spend some time hunting! Any suggestions are welcome though.Grandbaby #2 is taking his time to make his arrival. So no news yet. The parents-to-be are anxious, as is the rest of the family! I'm predicting a firecracker baby! Rest assured, I'll keep you "posted"!

Blog Writer's Block Today

"Hello, my name is Beamer and my dad got a new camera for Father's Day. But my mom will probably be using it too - once they figure out all the buttons and settings! It's a good thing I'm around, because I can be pretty photogenic when I want to. " Okay, so now you've probably figured out that I'm desperate for blogging material. There was a quilty/crafty project completed this week, but that's all I can say about it. I promise photos at a later date.

D's new toy is a Nikon D-90 and he has let me experiment a little with it too. It's a good thing that the camera store offers a free class because all the "bells and whistles" will take us a while to figure out. So here are a just a few of the trial photos we've taken this weekend.

How do you like my hibiscus plant with a split personality?

And someone is still waiting ....... Tomorrow begins her last week of work before maternity leave and she and hubby are counting down the days.

We've had a rainy, muggy, steamy week here in Southern Indiana. But at least tonight's sky at sunset gives promise to a better week to come!
Have a great week everyone. (Sorry about the blog writer's block.)

I guess I really do have a mental block of some type! Forgot to wish these guys a Happy Father's Day! And a Happy Father-to-be Day to our son-in-law too. Surely 11 pm is not too late to get the word out!

Anticipation....

Kitchen progress this week: the counter tops are on order !! On Friday the Cambria sales rep and his son came to our house with his fancy machine to measure and template the tops. It was some type of digitizer (sp?) that sent information to his computer so they can accurately cut and fabricate the quartz. Too complicated for me but it impressed my husband. And I think the sales rep was equally impressed by the cabinetmaker! As you can see, we've still got a long way to go but things are starting to take shape. Glass or maybe mica will go in the upper part of the cabinets and the refrigerator and pantry cabinets and crown mouldings still need to be installed. It's taken us almost three years to get this far so I'm used to the anticipation! Since we didn't get to spend much time here last time, Sunday afternoon climbed on the Harley and rode back to Stream Cliff Farm Winery and Herb Farm. Mr. and Mrs. T came along and our first stop was the winery.

The guys didn't do any tasting, but Mrs T and I picked out some of our favorites. My tastes go more for the sweet wines so these were my choices. Aren't these the cutest labels? We made it here just in time! The skies opened with a good 20+ minute downpour.

We watched the clouds roll by and were very glad to have avoided this downpour! Unfortunately we weren't that lucky on the ride home as we ran into another heavy shower and had to take refuge at an old gas station.

Our guys were man enough to enjoy a late lunch at the Twigs and Sprigs Tearoom!

My choice was the Blueberry Walnut Salad, complete with edible flower and herb bread. Mmmmm.

We browsed through some of the little shopping areas. Mrs. T models one of the many gardening hats for sale in front of an antique quilt as she clutches her wine purchases.

Unfortunately (or fortunately!) my camera was shoved into the trunk of the bike as we waited out the rainstorm on our way home so no photos of the soggy bikers cowering under the awning at the old abandoned gas station . But it was a great little trip anyway and now the T's know the new motorcycle seat purchase was worthwhile!


We stopped to check up on the parents-to-be for a few minutes. The nursery awaits! No news yet but they're definitely counting the days!

Counter top should be here in 10 days to two weeks. Grand baby.......? Which will come first? Send your comments and let me know which one you think! Have a great week!

Young at Heart

Meet an amazing couple. They just celebrated an anniversary and I'm sure they're just as much the love-birds as they were fifty-five years ago! Young at heart and spirit, that's how I hope we're enjoying life just as much as they are in another 20+ years.

We took advantage of the beautiful weather this past weekend for another motorcycle ride. I'm sure that doesn't surprise anyone! Riding up past Indianapolis and over to the Dayton, Ohio we stopped to spend the night with my aunt and uncle. It was great to see them again!

Whenever we go somewhere I do a little research to find any interesting quilt shops along the way. It's hard to find them open on Sunday though but the Fabric Shack in Waynesville was. I can't say that the outside of the shop is very exciting, but they do have a LOT of fabric and I was able to find a couple of pieces I've been looking for. The entire town looks like a great destination for some serious gifty and antique shopping! We spent a little time browsing before getting back on the bike for the trip home.

This is the modified Jelly Bag that I made for Aunt S's birthday (It's tomorrow so I'm wishing her a Happy Day!) I used up some of my Amy Butler stash for this one. I've got another "secret" project in the works and I've also been informed that I owe a bag to another one of the daughters! My father-in-law also has a birthday this week, so wishing him a Happy one too!

One last thing. Have any of you ever visited the nienie dialogues? Nienie was severely burned in a terrible small plane crash last year and though she had a popular blog before that, she now diaries her healing progress. I've been inspired and impressed by her honesty, her humor and her bravery. Check it out if you need a reason to be thankful for your own blessings.

Have a great week!

Siggies are Here!

They're here! My siggie swap blocks arrived today! They are so pretty, each and every one of them. It was fun to look through them and see where they all came from. I see a few familiar names and blogs but also some names with blogs that I'll have to check out some time soon. Hubby even was interested to see where they all came from but he also commented that now I'll be spending even more time on the computer! And he's probably right. But this is what was waiting for me this morning. Yep, that's a pickup load of mulch. I worked on this task until 10:30 when it was time to get ready for Pilates class, but I'd already had a work out by then! I hope to finish it up in the morning before it gets too warm. Only eight more bags to go!
Since I intend to keep some content of this blog in reference to my quilting/sewing/knitting/whatever crafty hobbies, here's a photo of one thing I completed last week. I changed the Jelly Bag Pattern up a little and made another bag. This one goes to my DIL's future SIL for her "green" shower. It turned out pretty cute and worked up quickly with out having to sew all the jelly roll strips together. In fact, I started another one this afternoon.

Last Sunday, we were on the motorcycle again. This barn was at Stream Cliff Farm which is an herb farm, winery and gift shop not too far from here. Unfortunately, we got there too late to see much so a trip back is definitely in order. Just when we think we've been to just about every interesting place nearby, we discover somewhere new.

Have a great week everyone. It's back to the truck full of mulch for me tomorrow!