Thursday, December 31, 2020

No OMG Finish

My OMG for this month was to finish the Merry Mini quilt, including quilting it. I would love to say I worked really hard to get it done, but I had a lot on my mind. I wasn't even able to get the third block done! So many days I just sat in front of the sewing machine and more times than not I would get the pieces mixed up and just plain frustrated. If you don't follow my blog, the reason is due to the loss of my mom this month. So much on my mind, so much still to do. I did complete my Cozy Things quilt flimsy this month. Maybe I should have put that down as my OMG!😁 It's all good. 

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal - December Finish Link-up

 

Onto other subjects...

We had a white Christmas! It wasn't suppose to snow much on Christmas eve and not at all on Christmas day, but it snowed and kept on snowing. I believe it was mom knowing how much we wanted a white Christmas and letting us know she was with us. The dogs were as happy as pups. They played and chased each other and ate the snow! silly puppies!

From our family to yours, I hope you all have a much happier, healthier and calmer New Year! Until next time...

Sheila

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Getting Things Done...

 Though I really don't know how I am getting anything done!! A lot of the time I just sit in front of my machine, lost, dazed and confused! I know I'll pull myself back together, hopefully sooner instead of later!

I did finish my quilt top for Cozy Things QAL that Pat Sloan ran. You can get to the blocks from HERE. With this link you can also check out her next QAL, Home Is... that starts January 6, 2021 and runs until June 2, 2021. 

I have the backing and the binding ready. The binding is a diagonal peppermint candy stripe. I've never used striped binding and I really like the candy cane look of it. I can't wait to see it done! The backing is red polar fleece with white swirly snowflakes for cozy cuddling! I'm just waiting on the batting and I'll stitch up a quick swirly pattern to get it done and on the couch!

Another quilt I finished on December 6, but haven't posted yet is The Ultimate Beginner Quilt that Fat Quarter Shop ran a year ago July. You can find the pattern HERE. I used Finding Nemo and Finding Dory fabric that I found on clearance at Fat Quarter Shop. The quilt will go to a local charity as soon as I can find out where to go! Usually our guild handles that, but with them not meeting and my friend who has the contacts and used to take my quilts has moved! Bummer! Here it is... I'm calling it Finding Nemo/Dory.

I really like how this came out...I'm a lover of the ocean and I also love both Finding Nemo and Finding Dory movies. What can I say, I'm a kid at heart!!!

Here are some of the blocks close up to show the quilting. I did a swirly wavy pattern to mimic water. Some parts came out watery, some I just don't know! hahaha
I used Aurifil #4663 Baby Blue Eyes, a variegated thread, in both the top and bobbin.



My goal for next year is to get my patterns written up and available for you. I have several planned already, all in different stages of progress. My son will be going off to college in the fall and I'm hoping to help him out with the sales from my patterns. I hope you'll follow my blog so you won't miss my goings on!

I linked up with Pat Sloan, Wednesday Wait Loss and Free Motion Mavericks

Until next time...Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming,

Sheila

 

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Changes

 One of the dogs I rescued and actually let go of was adopted by my new friend Lynn who lives in NY. She sends me pictures of Yeti and her dog and we chat (email style) and get to know each other. I've enjoyed our correspondence, but so much more lately. A week ago today my mother passed away. It's been difficult but I know she was in pain and was ready to see dad again. We had a good talk the Friday before and even though she was very coherent and alert I could tell she knew the end was near. But being so alert it came as such a shock when they told me to get to the hospital as soon as possible on Sunday. She wasn't awake when we walked in the room and wasn't going to wake up. I watch the monitor of her breathing and then I realized she wasn't breathing anymore. She had waited for us to come so we could say goodbye. 

As I was saying, I have a new friend in NY and she has been there for me. She sends me pictures of Yeti and Sabre playing in the snow and just checking in on me. As I responded to her last email and made the comment about how I love seeing how handsome Yeti's getting I realized that's what life is, it's all about the changes and how we handle them. 

When I was fostering, Yeti was the second rescue we helped. Gracie was our first and our first fail. My husband didn't want to do anymore, but I felt there was still more I needed to help. So I talked him into Yeti. Yeti was a pup, maybe 4 months old who had demodex mange from neglect. We had him a month and he was looking better before he left. But wow the pictures I get of him now! He is so handsome, a real showstopper!!! Here are some before and after...

on his way to us, poor baby. I knew he needed me!



I knew he was going to be big...look at those legs and paws!
His hair was spars and he looked so sad when he first got here.

But he did love all the toys and enjoyed playing with Gracie.

The ball was heavy, but he isn't one to give up!


Yeti and Gracie

He's a quick learner. Especially where treats are involved! 

I feel like she's telling him the secrets of being a Great Pyrenees.

Timmy and Yeti, doesn't Yeti look so much happier than he did a month ago! July 10th we went to meet up with the ladies who would be bringing him to his new life. He would be traveling with a bus full of other dogs and cats heading to new furever homes. I believe it took him 20 or 22 hours to get to his new mom Lynn! 

Yeti now, isn't he handsome!!!
 

As I look at how Yeti has changed I think of this year. The changes we have gone through and how they have changed us. Next year will be more changes. Timmy will be graduating and heading off to college. We are thinking of moving. This house is too big for the 2 of us, even with our 2 big pups. Who knows what else is in store for us, hopefully good things. Always hope for good.

Until next time,

Sheila


Monday, December 7, 2020

Hello December And My OMG!

 Well December finally made it! This year is not one that I want to remember too often or too easily! And I hope and pray next year is much kinder to us all. I know come January 1st everything will go back to normal, but wouldn't it be nice!

December here in Kentucky has been on the chilly side. The dogs love it, me I just throw another quilt on the bed! We had our first snow and it was beautiful. I wasn't sure if the pups would enjoy it or not. I'm happy to say they loved it! Gracie would get snowballs all over her feet. She would let me clean them off and was ready to go back out. Duke would play snowplow and eat the snow! Gracie enjoyed eating it too but loved rolling around in it. The next morning they ran to the window like kids to see if it was still there and then run to the door to go out. My son is already asking when it'll snow again. It says 7% chance tonight...so I doubt we'll get much if any. 


 

Now for my OMG...

I started the Merry Mini QAL last year (I believe it was through Fat Quarter Shop hosting it) and only completed one block and started the second. There are only 4 blocks in the quilt! I did finish the second block the beginning of the month so at least that's one less! My plan is to finish this quilt (including quilting it) so I can hang it up on the wall rack for the winter. Right now I still have the Kitty on the Pumpkin  hanging up! 

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal December Link-up

And I'll close here with Duke sitting in my chair... He thinks his butt goes on the armrest! hahahaa I hope that leaves you with a smile!!!

Until next post, have a wonderful time!

Sheila