On the road again...

...goin' back to where I've already been, and I'm telling you ... I'm on the road again. I have a new occupation, as if retirement didn't keep me busy enough, LOL. Ya right!

I'm off today to begin a week of house sitting for a friend of many years. It's not something I thought about doing, but they asked if I would stay at their house while they fly hither and yon all over the country. And I said "yes". The property is rural , and off the beaten track, which is lovely for bird watching and quiet solitude. I see lots of reading coming up soon, and prepared by getting 5 books from the library . I also have GRAND and glorious plans for getting some tops basted, and borders added to others. She has a lovely, large dining room table where you can lay things out...WITHOUT cat hair everywhere!

I will be popping back into town periodically this next week to check on Ebony and her litter box. Jean will pitch in and take up the slack while I'm gone. Of course I've been 'gone' so much these past months you probably wouldn't miss me...right? Well, that's why I'm telling you, I'll be MORE gone than usual...Happy springtime everyone! See you soon...

I am totally confused!!

Even more than usual!! Apparently I am going to have to figure out how to publish pics with Picasa all over again...drat!! I've posted these through Blogger, hoping for the best.... First pic(I think) is an across the street shot, looking towards downtown.
Second one is an across the street of my new home. As I said, it's an old grocery store. Many of the older business here were built with this "shotgun" approach. The lots are deep, but narrow. The big windows downstairs are my front room, and obviously, that front door opens right onto Main St. I use the side door on the right side of the building primarily. Friend Jean lives upstairs, and we are connected by an inside back stairway in her laundry room. I never get wet on rainy days *VBS*

Here's a snap of my stash slowly being put into a walk in closet in the small 2nd bedroom. It's now my sewing room. I show it when its a bit more organized. Small room, too much STUFF!

And here's the view for April, looking south out my side door. In the last picture of it, there was snow, snow, snow. That's been gone for several weeks now, and I have tulips and daffodils blooming in the other side yard.

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone....

Everyone is Irish on the 17th of March! And some of us are Irish the rest of the year also *VBS* I'm having a glorious day, enjoying our 70 degree temperatures. Definitley NOT the norm for WI in March. It's "March Madness" time here, with the top teams from all over the state enjoying tournament fever and the hopes of winning a big trophey for their school. The boys are in Madison right now, and the girls go next. I do enjoy high school basketball alot more than the professional teams.
I've been busy cleaning and sorting out projects in my new sewing room. Hope to have some pictures real soon, when it's presentable! Kick up your heels and give the Irish jig a try!

Out of The Valley....

trying to inch my way back into the world. Today is the first time the camera has been connected to the computer since I left The Valley in Oct. At first I couldn't find the Rubbermaid with the cord that connects it to the computer. And after that was found, I got lost. These first two pictures are my view looking west and southwest. The steps in the first picture lead upstairs to Jean's part of the Duplex. As I said, it's an old building. I'll take some pictures from across the street soon.
 There are a lot of old things here, lots of old ,very large houses left over from a more prosperous time. Once upon a time the railroad ran through, there was a creamery or two, and a movie theater. These days we are lucky to have a gas station and a hardware store! One learns to manage.
 This set of 16 patch blocks(loosely based on Amanda Jean's 36 patch sew along) are from a Moda jelly roll,"Merry and Bright". I have 52 of them to lay out and join up. A couple more jelly rolls have been turned into quilt blocks, but not flimsies, as yet.
 
Finding that I really loved her 'method' of making this block, I've carried on with it, using odds and ends of scraps, strips and small yardages. If I can get the 8 pieces I need from a scrap, it becomes part of another 16 patch. Luckily I'm not bored easily, and am still enjoying making these, as each one is different! Other projects have been worked on, but NO finishes as yet. Now that I've dived in, I try to be here more. I've joined the String-Thing Along and am working on that with plaids. Hugs to all!!

After hours....

 
On the wall the clock ticks steadily onward, inching its' way to February. Only a few hours remain for this page on the calendar called January. Silently Ms. Ebby sits, folded into a resting Budda pose. For her it doesn't measure the number of days, just the length, and it's almost "bedtime treat" time. She has the routine and timing down perfectly, and stays near me so as not to miss it!
The kitchen light is on, altho no one is present, it shines brightly into the hallway where I sit.
Things are going quite well in little ElmVille, and I have ajusted to the majority of the changes. I am comfortable here and quite happy. What it lacks in glamor and size is compensated for with love, concern for my wellbeing, and friendship.
The Cottages were lovely to look at, and convenientally located, with lots of beautiful scenery. But what I found living there was a more profound isolation and lack of connection to other people. Sadly I think it's the case for many people in todays fast moving culture. No one seems to have much time for anyone else. It's not that they doesn't care, it's just that everyone is so busy.
I have been sewing nearly every day, and am still working on having my scraps "managed". I seem to be stuck in the 16 patch mode, and as long as it remains fun, I may as well get some of those scraps turned into blocks. Some boxes remain to be unpacked, and I will get to them...eventully. But for now, right now, at least, I'm sewing *VBS*

Muddling through the days...

and if I may say so, I'd rather be MOVED than waiting. But it's not up to me, and so I wait. I'm doing the Rainbow Scraps Challenge this year, and in addition to working with one color a month, I'm making an additional block for a dontation quilt. I chose the Shoo fly as it's quick, easy and works well with scraps. One block for each month won't do it, however, and I'm adding a 2nd and maybe 3rd as time goes by.
 I'm also playing along with Julie K's plaid quilt-a-long. Didn't realize I'm quite short of plaids! I love hers and to me it reads as warmer "fruity" kinds of colors. I'm lacking in those! But I'll muddle along and see what I can find.
 I couldn't resist jumping in when Amanda Jean, of crazy mom quilts, announced a 36 patch quilt-a-long. I had a jelly roll that I was itching to get used, not realizing you can't get the required number of 2.5" squares from one set of strips. Sooooo? What to do?, I scratched my noggin and opted for a 16 patch instead! I can make 2 of the 16 patches from one set of strips, and that will work just fine with the jelly roll. The one I'm using is Sandy Gervis's Merry and Bright, from a couple of Christmases ago. I won it in a giveaway.
 
And last of all, I want to thank you for all the lovely good wishes and happy thoughts you gave me when "the babies" arrived. Sadly, they returned to their former home and Mama cat late the next day. I knew it would be a rocky "go" with Ebby as she's so very damaged in the trust and comfidence department. I hoped she's come around to them gradually and even if she only tolerated them, it could work. Her reaction to "seeing" them in her house was quite spectacular, to say the least! I've never hear that many non-stop hisses come from one cat. She did a quantum dive under the bed, and 37 hours later she was still there. She ventured out a couple of times but the instant she saw them, it happened all over again. I tried to talk to her and reassure her, but all she could do was crouch and hiss at me. I felt certain she'd come out for water, litter box and food during the night(kittens slept in the carrier, locked in) but she didn't.
By early afternoon the next day, I knew she'd be in trouble if she didn't drink or relieve herself soon, and made the decision to return the kittens. Luckily I could do that. They were gone and things cleaned up by 4 0'clock, but it was nearly 8 that night before I looked down and saw her sitting by my chair. She was very skiddish the next 12 hours or so, and spent alot of time smelling every where they had been. By the next day, the 30th, she was gradually relaxing back into her old self. Jean and other friends who encouraged me to "give it a try" felt terrible, but I don't. I realize now that she's a unique case, and while I may not "like" what she's been stuck with, we are a couple of old ladies just "chillin'" together. If anything, she's calmer than before, and a bit more affectionate. Strangely enough, she seems to trust me more...go figure!

In my little corner of the world....

the population has grown by 2! 
Ms. Ebby has new friends!

Clouds in my coffee...

and sailing by the Valley today, assisted by 40+ MPH winds. Luckily we've had sunny skies to help us enjoy those high flying clouds. Storms seem to be the 'norm' all across the USA this past few weeks. Our usual unpredictable spring weather is late in arriving.
 I had a quiet Memorial Day weekend, enjoying a homemade bread treat with friends, watching some movies including 2012, and sewing. I've finished the 48 blocks I need for the Scot's Plaid pink quilt top. Still need to size them and decide on a layout.
 Lots of milestones the past couple of days...53 years ago on May 29th, I graduated high school and looked forward to college. 52 years ago on May 30th, I married someone I thought was my partner for life.And sometimes life happens while you are making other plans. Back in 1959, Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30th...period. For us, it was just the last Saturday in May. The holiday weekend was a bonus for relatives.
 
I lunched with Betsy today and came home with new scraps and some "starts" of sedem for my shallow flower pots. The window boxes are planted and need warm weather and sunshine to help them grow. The back seat of my car is full of boxes, empty boxes. Yes, this is the year that I will be moving from my little townhouse in the Valley. I've been here nearly 7 years,and have shared almost 6 of those years with you, my blogging friends. Things are up in the air right now.My lease isn't up until Nov. 1st and it's too soon to be applying elsewhere. But it's not too soon to be packing. There is always something to pack that won't be needed until next winter.

On a Monday in the Valley....

I'm trying to get myself back into the swing of daily life. My daily life that is. Even from the distance of only being a family friend and quiltmaker, I'm in a place where everything hurts. Keeping life close to home seems the best right now. I have gotten some Quilts for Japan together. These two are going.
 And also these two. Betsy has 3 ready to go, and will take care of getting both hers and mine to where they need to be. Today I begin to focus on the Rainbow Scraps Challenge projects. Each month a color is selected, and if you are participating, you work with scraps of that color. April's color is purple, and I have lots and lots of purple scraps. But I'm shifting gears slightly this month. W I've come to realize this challenge has produced a new quilt for each of the past 3 months. Two started in January's blue scraps, and another in February's red scraps. March's green scraps added one more. Of those 4 "started" NONE are finished or even close. That does NOT bode well for someone who is overly prone to UFO-itis!! Sooooooo...
 When In April purple scraps, I've decided to work with purple scraps to finish up two UFO's. This one is "purple" enough to qualify in my opinion. The other is an ancient Yellow Brick Road, at least one decade old! I made 9 blocks and promply bagged it. I like the idea of that Yellow Brick Road pattern, but the 9" blocks always seem clumsy to me.
 
But I will use my purple scraps(hoping at least SOME of the original purples are in the scrapbag or stash, and finish it up!! Same for the one in the 3rd picture, set with those 5" puple polka dots! Onward!

Little boy lost....

and a new guardian angel found. 
My little buddy Sam passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at home with his parents. He was 14 years old. His death was sudden and unexpected. All of us are stunned by his death. I've had the honor of being Sam's quiltmaker and Prayer Warrior since his birth. My lovely DD#1 is his God Mother.
Sam's mommy and DD are 'tied at the heart' friends since girlhood. I was given the task of making Sam's baby quilt, bright and happy, please. And I did. It was sawtooth stars with the VIP jungle print centers. He drooled on it happily. A couple of years later, in my "bug bottles" stage, I made Sam his very own Bug Bottles complete with his pieced letters name on one shelf. The next quilt was a big one, again very bright with reds and yellows, for his big boy bed. The last quilt I made Sam was about 3(or 4, I'm never sure) Christmases ago. DD#1 wanted a bright happy "I Spy" type quilt to cover him in his wheelchair as he rode the special van to school. Sam's mom picked out royal blue flannel with wonderful gold stars to be the backing. I have scraps of all Sam's quilts in my scrapbag. That one that holds the bits, old and new, the memories that linger, and the photographs both bright and faded. It is all in there, that scrapbag of mine, all those parts and pieces of my life. I cannot grieve for Sam, only for those of us who loved him so much. He is free at last to run and play and chase a new puppy. I am the Quiltmaker, I share the Quiltmakers gift. And what I have received in return is priceless.

Slowly... silently.....

the meager offering of color reveals itself across the landscape of my winter mind. What was found exciting,exhilaring and joyful has become commonplace. It is all of a sameness it seems. The colors of a winter's day...that blur and blend and begin again, more of the same. One must seek color elsewhere in these still long days before we are allowed to anticipate spring's arrival. Hopefully, one watches the edge of the snow drifts, searches the sky for a bird or bird song gone from the daily routine. Perhaps the sky is just a bit bluer today, or the elusive sun shows us a small kindness hinting at warmth. Mostly we wait. And sometimes, even when the day has been long and dreary, and color is just a word your mind plays with...
 
we might get this. As the last bits of twilight slip away and darkness descends, like a lamp in the window, a beacon to lead you home, spectacular color kicks up its heel and dances away into the darkness of a winter night.

here I am.....

not quite missing in action, but absent for a few days. Hope everyone had a lovely holiday and is ready for the calendar to change again, after tomorrow. Probably the best explaination for my absence, is "I'm tired". I'm certain I'm not alone in that feeling. I'm tired of the snow, the cold, the season, all of it. And I'm tired of being a good quilter and working on what I SHOULD. I'll be fine again in a few days when I can pick and choose what UFO or project I "pull" for that days sewing. I gave myself a little break over Christmas to combine left over Mickey Mouse squares with a pile of scrappy 4 patches. It's 40" square now, and I will be adding a 4.5" border, bringing it up to 48". It's for donation.
 And then last evening I pulled a rubbermaid of these red/white 4 patches and turned them into 16 patches. Got all that done last night. This a.m. I joined them into 6 rows of 6 blocks each. It's about 48" square and I'm not sure I will add borders. I may just quilt it, as is. I'm liking it's simplicity. It has the feel of the old Purina Feed signs that used to be painted on barns in rural WI. No frills, just big red/white checkboard squares and the Purina logo.
 
And lest you think there is NO peace in my Valley, I give you a glimpse into a typical days activity. Ebby snoozes here and there, through the house and all through the day. She's a sleepytime gal in this 9th year. Fat, sassy and full of bounce when she chooses. She occupies a footstool next to my computer chair, and when she chooses, just lately with encouragement, she has started jumping up on the computer desk and checking everything out for herself! And it only took 4 years!
Tomorrow is New Years Eve, and as the clock ticks down to midnight, our NYE UFO Countdown for 2010 will come to an end. We've done really well in meeting our individual goals and I'm so proud of ALL of us!! If you've got any steam left(and I sure don't)keep on keeping on!! I'm sure there will be UFOs carried over into the New Year, and some of us have jumped on board with Myra's PhD challenge. I'm looking forward to just "doing it"!! I'd love to end 2011 with NO UFOs at all...wouldn't that be awesome???

Goodie, goodie goodies...!

 Like most of us quilting bloggers, I blog hop *VBS* A couple of weeks ago I followed a link to a delightful blog that was new to me, Quilting by Dawn. As it happens, she had decided to have a "give-away". The prize was to be two of her wonderful potholders. So, of course, I entered. I rarely win, but it was my lucky day! I was delighted and happily awaited the arrival of these cute, slip over the handle potholders!
 Imagine my surprise, when instead of a mailing envelope, I found a big box in my mail slot! Excitement mounts as one cuts open a package of goodies from another quilter!! I was more than astonished at what I found inside *S*S*S*S*S*S*S*!!
 
These are my new goodies from Dawn. The wonderful potholders as expected, but also a neat treat of chocolate(yummy!) a darling needlecase that Dawn made, and a beautiful bundle of homespun fabrics. They are just perfect for this time of year, and I hope I can find a "November" type wall hanging to make from them. It feels like Christmas came early this year!! Thank you soooo much Dawn, it was a really GOOD goodie package!! Take a minute and pop over and say "hi" to Dawn, she has some really neat things to share with you too *VBS*

Almost Wordless Wednesday....

 Altho the picture could speak for itself, I just want to say, it was one INTENSE sunrise this morning. Just barely enough light at 7:15 to capture this.
 It changed quickly, as it usually does, bringing the promise of another sunny day. We are truly blessed here in my part of the world...Nov. 10th and I awoke to 53 degrees! Our normal high for this time of year is 46! It got up to 69 yesterday, warmer than many of the southern states...strange and amazing. Sounds like it's over though, rain mixed with snow forecast for tonight.
 
Just couldn't resist playing with some of the orphan blocks I got from Em of Em's Scrapbag. I'm off and running on a new Orphan Train quilt it seems. I seem to steer clear of using much white in my quilts, but it looks like this one will have a balanced amount of it. I'm curious to see what comes next, aren't you?

This and that on a Tuesday...

 Remember I mentioned back in Oct. that DGS L probably would be Curious George for Halloween? Well, Thomas the Train won out..gosh, he's getting so tall !
 And I mentioned that Baby AJ would probably be wearing the Tigger costume? Nope, he's his own little pumpkin seed instead! He's 5 months now, and going strong. I got to see both boys at my surprise birthday party back on Oct. 9th...*VBS*
 Once again Finn is "a glowin' and a goin'" with a lovely box of orphan blocks and spare parts from Em. Lots of really good stuff in this box!!! The Orphan Train thanks you and so do I...thanks again Em, I'm delighted to have new stuff to play with.
 
Had lunch with Betsy last week and came home with a few orphan blocks. She often has scraps, cuttings and strips for me and occasionally, orphans. I was pleased to get them, as well as a bag of selvedges.
The "situation" seems to have quieted down abit since Sunday, altho a couple more challengees have signed on, and one or two more donations quilts have been pledged. Today I'd love to direct you to pop over to the Magpie's Nest and see what Sue has to say about her recent experience with an ancient UFO. It's very insightful and well worth your time to read. Be sure and look at the blocks she pulled out for her 15 minutes of play...those are in her previous post, called The First Act of Avoidance. I had almost the same experience with Y2K siggy blocks back in October.