Blogging Break

I seem to have taken an unplanned blogging break. I'm sewing, reading and doing normal life, but haven't felt like reflecting and writing. Let's just call it my vacation from blogging and be done with it. I have lots of photos and lots of topics and hopefully lots of motivation or mojo. My hubby has had a bit of some health issues. It's required some adjustments on both of our parts. I'm  planning some of our meals and cooking even. You know he's been "under the weather" when he is happy to have me fix meals. I'm actually enjoying planning and cooking. Our summer garden has provided lots of tomatoes and cucumbers.

Our garden has been a dismal failure in the past couple of years. Our backyard is wonderfully shady. This is a bad condition for vegetable gardens. In the Spring, we transplanted the plants from our side planter. The tomatoes and peppers planted in this former flower bed have made gardening fun again. Have a wonderful Sunday evening! We're having a potluck dinner with neighbors at their home. It will be fun and I don't have to do any cleaning:)

A Transformation in Progress

 This is the finished room in our basement. It was a MAN DUNGEON - a dumping ground. Slowly, one small step at a time, our family has been cleaning, sorting, donating, reorganizing so that this space

 can become my new sewing space. My birthday gift from my family this year was to spend time and muscle cleaning and moving stuff.

A giant step was adding central heating and air to  the space. I never thought an air vent  or two would give me such pleasure:) 

A wall and door were added to separate my space from DH's area, his father's day gift.

This wall is just waiting to grow up and become my new "design wall."

The new paint color has been chosen and a gallon of paint has been purchased. It's one small step at a time.

June UFO Challenge

I'm trying to finish some "long loved projects" in 2011. I even joined the challenges at Judy's blog Patchwork Times and Nancy's blog Patchwork Penguin. Of course, I didn't finish the right "numbered" project for either list. BUT I did complete a UFO that was very aged. This quilt top, number 2, on my list  is DONE!!!!! The receipt from purchasing this kit was still in the plastic container. I began this project October 2, 2004. The pattern is Friendship Crossing by my friend, Pat Wys of Silver Thimble Quilt Company. The finished project looks complicated, but it's mainly nine patches and half square triangles. I am absolutely thrilled to have this UFO on the way to becoming a much loved quilt.

Field Trip to East Cobb Quilt Guild

The metro Atlanta area is blessed with many quilt stores, quilt teachers, quilt resources and quilt guilds. One of the largest guilds with over 200 members is the East Cobb Quilt Guild. Several times throughout the year, the EC guild brings in speakers/teachers with national/international reputations. Last week, Sue Spargo taught several workshops and spoke at both the evening and daytime meetings. This called for a "Field Trip." We (Pat, Kristie, Debbie, Brenda and I) headed out bright and early to attend the ECQG meeting on Friday morning. My photos from the Guild meeting  are not the very best, but I thought you might enjoy them. Sue Spargo's talk was inspirational. Seeing her quilts and hearing her speak, motivated me to "STRETCH" my creativity and to try new methods and techniques.

Visit Pat's blog and Melinda's blog for better photos of the event.