Little accomplishments...

Sometimes it feels like you don't get much done when deep in challenging times....but then little things pop up - and you realize - now, I did finish that afterall...

Our Thanksgiving turkey dinner did get prepared and enjoyed - a day early, so time could be spent visiting Mom onThanksgiving Day. Another sewing room bin got sorted and ready for disposal, a few kitchen drawers got cleaned out and a jumble of canning jars are now organized in the basement. Little things but accomplished...

I never did share 3 earlier projects made back in September - 2 purses made - 1 for our dear DIL, Jena. She chose the batiks at The Quilted Raven in Anchorage when we were there visiting this summer.

And the same style purse for me - both using Texture Magic on the over flap areas ...I found my fabric at Bears Paw Quilt Shop in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Like the tiny bear paw print for the lining. Remembering where you found the fabrics as you travelled always adds a special touch to a project, don't you think?

And this little tablerunner for Jena - she was able to pack both the purse and the tablerunner in her luggage when she returned to Alaska after a much too short visit.... she has used it during the weeks of Fall on their dining room table.

My last little accomplishment is made of 2" hexies and is now in place on our dining room table...

As we head into the next few weeks of more holiday preparations, I wish each of you time for accomplishments - big or small.

Pat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Pieces - pieces everywhere....

Ever feel as though your life is in scattered pieces? At Taylorsoutback, our days continue much like that, but this post is about scattered quilting pieces. Leaving my Dad in the capable hands of Mr. Outback (I owe him big time!), I recently attended a 4 day quilting retreat. A group of us have gathered every Fall for so many years, we have lost count.

We drove down a quiet snow dusted road that led us to our lodgings...food was plentiful and a variety of beverages were available with the Pumpkin liqueur a favorite....we are not sure how it happened - she will remain anonymous :-) but never put lemonade in your steam iron !

For the first time my machine stayed home - taking only handwork seemed the easiest...

Hexies - 2" and triangles - pieces finally joined up together...need to remove the papers, quilt and bind - maybe in time for a Thanksgiving center piece?

And lots of putsy work but enjoyed getting back to Di Ford's Mystery quilt project - so far behind and any day the final installment will arrive!

Even had time to do some hand quilting on the Cherry Tree quilt - and use the big floor space to spread it out and check progress...

With the early arrival of cold weather and a foot of snow, having this huge quilt to work on seems more doable...

So those are the pieces in my life - mostly scattered - mostly not joined to make a whole but I just keep working on it...day by day.

Wishing each of you time to stitch your pieces together...

Pat

 

 

 

 

 

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Long, long ago....

.....and far away, we lived in southern Virginia, just a short distance from the Colonial Williamsburg area. It was B.Q. - before I fell in love with all things quilting. The architecture and furniture drew my attention. How could I have been so unaware of the extensive quilt collection that existed there?

Check out the gorgeous new publication - Four Centuries of Quilts - The Colonial Williamsburg Collection. "Almost" as good as being there! Beautiful photography and extensive historic reading material...a book to cherish and curl up with next to this coming winter's warming fires. No tricks for this kid - just a total treat!

(PS - I ordered it through Amazon at a very nice savings!)

 

The days continue stress-filled at Taylorsoutback...my Mom's recovery is slow and caring for my Dad is full time. We run daily to the nursing home and it is taking its toll on all of us. Stitching time is precious and takes place late at night when the house has grown quiet. It took awhile, but just caught up on the last 3 Benjamin Biggs blocks -

August block

September block

October block

Ready for November's offering...

Pat

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