The heat wave seems to be letting up a bit. The grandbabies were here much of the week. They stayed cool in the little pool out on the deck. Big enough to be fun, but small enough that I didn't have to worry! (I am a big worry wart where water is concerned.)
I spent my time in front of that window, in the A/C stitching away. I finished the applique on block 3 of Henrietta Whiskers. Still some embroidery to go, and there is a sign that needs to be added in that top strip of red.
Such cute blocks. I had the background for block 4 all ready to go....
Note the seam ripper....yes, I had to redo it. There are crows in this block, and that dark background would not work. This is much better.....
All the pieces were prepped quickly, as I had already traced them onto freezer paper.
They were basted up one evening during a family movie, and those hot afternoons were spent dreaming of pumpkins, and cooler weather!
It's almost done!!!
The girls have stayed cool too. They live in the lap of luxury!
Now that triple digits are a memory, I am thankful it allowed me to find my desire for my needle again.
Big changes happening here in the next couple of weeks. We bought this house 12 years ago, and my favorite part was the little room that faced east. It has 2 large windows and the morning sun beams in beautifully. It does not get heated up in the afternoon, like the back rooms on the house. It has 5 walls, not 4, and is the PERFECT sewing room. It was the reason I wanted this house. (Did I mention that already?) Well, when Charlotte came, it was given to her with the knowledge that "someday" I would get it back. I figured it would still be several years, but she has her own desire....like any 15 year old girl, she wants her own "space", not to mention that morning sun that I love and covet, is detested by her on those mornings she wants to sleep in! We decided she has done so well this past few months, we would go ahead and let her have the big room in the basement, otherwise known as "The Man Room". LOL She'll have it turned into a teen palace in no time! In the meantime, I have wallpaper border to strip (I have become a wallpaper, stripping expert recently), painting, and new carpet to shop for. This is IT. All the moves, and seeking out the perfect space in this house....you know I've planted myself all over this house, looking for just the right spot, never quite feeling I had found it. Feels like I am moving home! Stay tuned for pictures!
Cammy can get up on those chairs all by herself now, so she shares Sassy's favorite napping spot in the afternoon!
Last week I cleaned my sewing room, so I spent some time down there yesterday. The room is actually quite cozy. Other than my sewing table, it looks more like an actual family room. I used the afghan Charlotte made to cover the worn couch cushions.
Most of the time, I prefer to spend my time in the studio alone, but once in a while a little company is fine too.
What prompted my trip to the studio? My dear friend, 
HA! My Sassafras loves quilting so much she will even lay on a quilting book!!!!
Both are filled with wonderful projects and I was inspired by the Log Cabin quilts in both books....see that book mark? Winona made that for me! It is GORGEOUS!
So, inspired by these Log Cabins, I decided it was time to start the one I have been planning for 15 years! I got all the centers cut....I went with red for love and warmth...and got the first section sewn on all 100 blocks.
All blocks are pressed and the next sections are cut and waiting to be sewn on....next weekend, or maybe Friday. I was also able to get the next 2 block backgrounds done for Henrietta Whiskers. Blocks 3.....
....and 4....
The applique pieces are all cut for block 3 and ready to stitch during the evening hours.
This trio of pumpkins holding pumpkin scented tea lights graces the kitchen table. It is much {pretty}-er in person, and I love the look on the table runner. Pumpkins make me 
As much as I like the look of pumpkins, I love the taste of them even more! Weight Watchers has had an impact on that. I am 17.6 pounds down and do not want to mess that up with pumpkin pie! I did find this, which made me very 
...and it gives my coffee a "dessert" taste for 1 WW point! Also, there is a wonderful pumpkin dessert that is only 1 WW point per 2x2 inch square....1 box of angel food cake mix (the one step, just add water kind), 1 15 oz can of pumpkin, 2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice, and 1 cup of water. Mix and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. I top it with cool whip....my kids love it! It makes me VERY {happy}!
Because of PTSD, this time of year is difficult for Charlie-girl. Use your imagination, but it is less than fun around here. My mother and I decided to go see the movie "The Help". We had both read the book and looked forward to seeing it. She (my mom) told me it was rated PG, so I thought I would take Charlotte along....I would not allow her to read the book, but we were assured the bad part was not in the movie....by the way, it is rated PG-13 for some language. Anyway, I told Charlotte to be ready to go by 3 pm on Tuesday. I did not tell her where we were going. Little did I know, a neighbor girl had told her "If your mom ever tells you she is taking you somewhere fun, and won't tell you where, she is taking you to BOOTCAMP." Are you cracking up?? Poor Charlotte thought I was taking her to bootcamp!!! Nope....just a girls day out to the movie theater!
She cried so hard when we got to the parking lot, it freaked me out a little bit. We had to wait a minute before going in to meet Grandma! I don't care who you are...THAT IS {FUNNY}!
He is also starting to "see" someone. I do not know how serious it is, and I don't need to know. I am still the only one not "over" the divorce. It feels like a death still. I know life must go on, and that is {real}
Now I am just as {happy} to see it go and get back to our lovely fall temps!
She would bat at the pen every once in a while and kept her eye on it's every move!
I would LOVE to have one, and am praying about it. The kids vote YES!, of course...Sweetheart will say no, and so will Sassy! Chances are, it won't happen....but there is always hope. Remember 
This is one quilt that looks "nice" in photographs, but really beautiful in person. I think the quilting will really add to it, too. Get ready to take part in the selling of tickets....I am planning a contest, so stay tuned.
Let me tell you something about the piecing of this special quilt. There are blocks from approximately 30 quilters in this top. 6 of them are hand pieced and the rest machine pieced. All the fence rails were made by me....who is only accurate to my own piecing. I knew this would take patience and lots of coffee to put together. OMGOSH! Every. Single. Block. went together perfectly, with no fudging or problems at all. What precise quilters you all are!! Super cute blocks (like bees, and blueberries, and really girlie colors) were put aside to go into a little quilt for Isla to keep. I look forward to getting that together on my next sewing day.
That hunk of black fur in the corner is You-Know-Who!
UGH! Well that was a picture of block number 2. I forgot block one, but here is a picture of the 2 of them together.....
I love how they will blend together so nicely.....
....and the use of the different background fabrics in one block
Now I can get all the applique pieces prepped and ready to hand sew. 
I really needed a take along project. The UGRR Sampler does not travel well! LOL