Tuesday, February 8, 2011

A little of everything.........

Hello once again,
I feel like I am not as committed as I should be to my blog, but it seems like I really don't get the time to play on the computer - as much as I would like to!  But, here I am today to say hello and share a few things with you.

Can you believe that we actually got snow this past week here in West Texas?!! I moved from Maine to get away from the stuff - but it found us just the same.  It didn't last very long - only a couple of days - which was "sweet" (as my kids would say!).  Today, it is in the low 60's with the sun shining brightly.  My depression has not reared it's ugly head like it usually does in the gloomy winter of the Northeast.  I am thrilled, as is my hubby and family.  This was a wonderful move for us.  We are planning our trip back to Maine for the months of June and July, so I am excited about seeing my old friends and stomping grounds.  As soon as we sell our house in Maine, we will be trying to purchase a "real" house here in Seminole.  The house that we are in is sooooo tiny, but at least it's ours!  Here's a picture to remind you of what it looks like:
Here's a picture of the house that I would LOVE to purchase.  It's got great landscaping (you can't really tell from the picture because the house has been empty for a few years).  It has enough land for a horse for Julia (and me!), barn structure and a sequestered master bedroom!  Woohoo! Oh - and more than ONE bathroom! 


On the camera front I received bad news from the repair shop.  My dear old friend, Kodak Easy Share Z740 will cost more to repair than it is worth :(
So I am looking at a new friend!
But, he is a little pricey, so I would have to wait a while to bring him home.  He sure is nice though!

Without a camera, I am frustrated as I can't show you pictures of what I am working on.  I have tried using my hubby's Blackberry, but because my hands shake the pictures all come out blurry.  One thing that is nice about the new guy, is that it has a stabilization feature - that focuses on your subject and snaps the picture without the shaking.  I'm not sure how that all works, but I like it!!

I am still working on my Civil War blocks - although I am behind 2 weeks.  These blocks seem to be tricky for everyone.  But I am not concerned about being perfect with them - I can always add some sort of sashing to make them all a uniform size.  I am also working on the Birdies Stitch block #2.  I only have the block made - the embroidery will have to wait until next week.  I also found a new stitchery BOM from my friend Lyn over at BlueBird Quilts.  Check the link out on my sidebar - I have a feeling that it is going to be beautiful when we are all done - Lyn does fantastic work!  The BOM is called Retro Nine Patch.

Two more projects that I have luckily come upon in the last few days are two that I would love to share with you.  The first is from The Quilt Room over in Dorking, Surrey England.  On their blog, they have offered a free BOM for a classic sampler quilt made from a jelly roll.  The quilt is lovely! The BOM started last year, but you can still download the block patterns until March 31st of this year.  So hurry over - here is the link for the last block and finishing instructions.  If you scroll back through their monthly archives, you will find each block pattern.  Also I thought you would like to see a picture of the completed quilt.  Isn't it pretty?!!
The last little pattern I would like to share with you today is something I found while surfing this morning.  It's a darling stitchery pattern - perfect for Valentine's Day or even just as a framed block.  Here's a picture and here is your link. 
Mollie Johanson was so sweet in responding to my permission request.  Maybe you have seen her blog already - Wild Olive - but it was my first - and not last - visit to her today.  She is very talented as is Michelle Clement from Scissor Quirk - the creator of this pattern!

Well, that's it for today.  I hope to be back again soon - maybe to show you my new camera???

14 comments:

  1. I know what you mean about the sun. We have had so much rain it is hard to believe it is summer here. Sun makes you feel good. I love the house you are looking at and hope you eventually get it. The jelly roll sampler quilt certainly is pretty. I will be downloading those blocks shortly.
    Cheers from Val

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  2. Yes, your quilt it pretty....

    I followed you...can't get away from me that easy!!

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  3. I have already added you to my Blogroll...didn't want to loose ya:)
    The Winter has been going on to long here and I am feeling it. I am glad all that sunshine is making a difference to you:)
    The quilt sure is pretty and I would love to have a new friend like yours as well. But David loves my Camera so much he won't buy me an upgrade to something more fancy...never mind I like what I have

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  4. Now that's my kinds of snow! Enjoy it for a couple of days and then it's gone! LOL

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  5. Are they accusing you of bringing the Maine weather with you? I am glad that it has already warmed up for you.

    You have lots of sewing to work on. I am with you on the CW and the Birdie blocks.

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  6. We are suppose to get snow tomorrow night. I am just about ready for spring time and I love the snow when it comes. I got a new camera for Christmas. It is a Nikon. So far so good.

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  7. I could handle snow that didn't last long, lol - but I think you'll be glad to be in Maine in June and July! That house sounds wonderful. I'm sorry your camera bit the dust. You'll love the image stabilization - my new one has it, and the pics are crystal clear, even without the tripod! I hope you get it soon. Thanks for the links to those projects, girl!

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  8. You did get my attention with Tom Brady - got your new information - thanks!

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  9. Thank you, Laurie, for your compliment on my photos. I also just found Vivian Maier's absolutely fantastic photos. She was a wonderful street photographer which is something I admire a lot but for which I don't have enough courage.
    I hope you will be able to afford a new camera very soon!

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  10. Oh, so glad you found Texas. Sorry, but we did get snow up here again. I love it. But we have a nice mix of snow and sun around here.

    Great quilting. I tryed quilting but think I will stick with cross stitch and other forms of needlework. I do admire you quilters!

    I just bought a new camera too. You will love having a DSLR. I bought a Nikon. Just do it! You NEED that camera.

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  11. I moved from the Kodak z740 to a panasonic Lumix DMC-zs3 and haven't looked back. It's brilliant.

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  12. Oh Thank you for sharing this link...I have a UFO (one of many!), with blocks that feature different type of "stars", so this will be prefect to look at and use for more stars that I would love to add.
    Blessings & Aloha!
    Thank you so much for your sweet comment. And thank you for going over to my facebook art page...(I'm still learning the ins and outs of facebook pages!...so, I hope you got my thank you for becoming a "fan" of my page).

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  13. Just found your blog and I am adding it to my favs list. I am your neighbor to the south in Odessa, Texas.

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  14. Hello Laurie, I have just caught up reading your posts....missed you....thank you for the sampler link with the jelly roll.....the new house you are looking at looks gorgeous....good luck with the process.....Hugs Lyn.....I know what you mean with no sunshine.....

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I really do appreciate you coming to my blog and reading what I have to share. And I especially want to say thank you for taking the time to comment!