Blogging (not so much)

It has recently been pointed out to me that I haven't been blogging as much.  There are several reasons...one...I have definitely been spending waaay too much time playing games on Facebook.  Another...there are just too many wonderful quilting blogs to visit each day.  But mainly, quite a few home improvements going on around here. 

First, a new roof,  then the kitchen:  All new appliances; a new granite counter top with new sink and faucet with a copper backsplash (not real copper) and finally (as of yesterday) a new floor.  I had also tried my hand at redoing my kitchen table and chairs.  The table and chairs were originally wood-tone top and seats with dark green for the rest.  I changed the green portions to black and redid the top of the table and seats of the chairs (six of them!)

Then I decided I should also do the square coffee table in the living room.  That one actually took a bit longer to do, since I had to sand the top down to the bare wood.   Believe it or not, all the chairs, and two tables were painted with Rustoleum Lacquer finish paint.

So newly painted front door,  new curtains, new slipcover for the sofa (yep!  that is a slipcover from Surefit), new lampshades (where I added the trim on top with ric rac) things in the kitchen and living room are pretty much done.  Whew!

You can see my Berries and Bluebirds quilt handing on the quilt shelf.  I also got my Wish Quilt back from the quilter.  It still needs the binding to be stitch down, but here is a picture of one corner with the candy-cane stripe border.

I guess that explains where I've been.  But...there are still three bedrooms left to tackle! ;)

The Wish Quilt and Bluebirds and Berries

The Wish Quilt, by Red Brolly, is a quilt that I almost finished during the time of its initial release.  However, running into a road block with one of my little star blocks, I stopped working on it.  The thought of doing all the remaining checkerboard blocks was a factor, as well.

However, once the star block hurdle was crossed, I moved forward with those checkerboards.  And...lookee here!  It is almost completed.  Four little applique hearts are to be applied to the dark burgundy rectangles, and the outer border, and it will be done!

 Now to audition those fabrics for the outer border. ;0

Another one that has languished is my Bluebirds and Berriess by Gail Pan Designs.  Mine will have to be called Blackbirds and Berries....
Another one that just needs the outer borders.  Who knows??  Maybe two more finishes before Christmas!


 

Picture Day!

Lots of pictures today!  First, a few small cross stitch pieces.  This is The Cross-Eyed Cricket's Sophie's Mitten.
Here are two of Shepherd's Bush small Halloween designs.  Each one had a little sheep; how could I resist?

We are already on Block 4 of The Adventures of Harrington and Hannah (a free BOM) by The Raspberry Rabbits.  This is another very nice block for April:

Next, two blocks from my Blessings of Summer BOM from Shabby Fabrics, Block 7 and 8:

I love this little red wagon. 

More sunflowers!\

And, last but definitely not least, Block 5 of Berries and Bluebirds by Gail Pan.

Whew!  Luckily, I was able to upload my pictures today with no problem.  What's next?  Esther Aliu's next flower block for her free BOM....the Great Pumpkin (I am a month behind on that one), Merry, Merry Snowmen and another one for Raining Cats and Dogs....all still waiting, and each one calling louder than the last!

Flower basket

A pretty little flower basket....part of Block 4 for my Berries and Bluebirds (or in my case...blackbirds!)  More to come for this block.:)

Berries and Bluebirds

I had almost finished Block 3 for Berries and Bluebirds a little before Christmas.  It still needs the leaves and berries along the vine at the bottom as well as some little leaves for the flowers in the border.  To help inspire me to finish this block, I decided to post a picture of my progress.

(That is a portion of Block 2 you see behind it.)

Berries and Bluebirds

More birdies, once again!
Berries and Bluebirds (Gail Pan Designs)

The top portion of Block 2:

The bottom:

Entire block:

Birds and more Birds

Funny....I did not realize until I was going to take a few progress pictures....all I have been making the past week are: birds.
My Partridge ornament from Esther Aliu's Twelve Days of Christmas design.

My second large bird from the third block on Hatched and Patched In My Garden.

My bird for the top portion of the second block of Berries and Bluebirds from Gail Pan Designs.
With the basket of funny blooms thrown in there, too, also from In My Garden.

Still another to come...the bottom portion of the third block from B&B also has another bird, which I am working on now.

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving...lots of family, food and fun.  Now we are in full swing towards Christmas!  Won't be long now!

Bluebirds and Berries....my way

Not a bluebird in sight!  I guess mine will have to be called Blackbirds and Berries, or as I had mentioned to Anne Marieke, Crows and Cherries. :) 

Here is the original quilt, Bluebirds and Berries.   It is very pretty, but I wanted to make it more 'mine.'  :)