Checking In

Hello everyone! Another month gone. I thought I would share the things that are going on at my place. If you read my previous post you know that my in-laws have moved down here from Illinois. They have picked out a really nice retirement home to move into. They will have to stay with us until June 23rd. They have to wait on the moving company to bring their stuff down from Illinois. It really hasn't been too bad having them here. My mother-in-law is good to help out in the kitchen when I am cooking for us all and cleaning up. She also helps me out in the garden pulling up weeds which is nice. I am beginning to harvest some fruits and veggies now. Here is a photo of what I picked yesterday.

 I have worked on a few blocks.

 I thought I would show you what my daughter made me for Mother's Day. It is hanging in my sewing room, of course.

 Missie from Traditional Primitives mentioned a new magazine that just came out for those of us who like Punch Needle, cross stitch, and rug hooking. She has a punch needle pattern in the magazine. I decided to subscribe for a year to see what it is all about. I do want to do some of the punch needle patterns. Not a big fan of cross stitch any more.

While reading The Jolly Jabber blog I saw a video of Jen Kingwell. I love her patterns and the Fat Quarter shop had her new book, Quilt Lovely and the booklet, Green Tea and Sweet Beans. So guess what I bought. I have been wanting the Green Tea... booklet for a long time after I saw Carla from her Grace and Favour blog working on the pattern. 

 After I bought the books I found out that Jen Kingwell was coming to visit the Modern Quilt Guild. I visit the guild when I can and this time I made it a point to go the meeting.

 I got to see the Green Tea... quilt up close and personal. She brought many of her quilts for us to see.

During the end of April Moda was having a blog hop. I had time to visit a couple of the blogs during the hop. Kathy Schmitz, one of my favorite designers, was part of the hop. She was giving away an original water color painting. I won it! She also sent some of her new patterns. One day things will get back to normal and I can work on these new patterns!

And to end this post is the newest photo of my grandson. He needs a haircut but his mom is not ready to cut it just yet. He is such a smart little guy. He is starting to do the little hand actions from the song, The Wheels on the Bus. He knows some sign language.  He loves running all over the house. He loves being outside but grandma not so much since it is getting hot. He can say thank you even though you wouldn't recognize it but I know what he is saying.

As you can see I am staying very busy. I don't see things slowing down much this summer. I hope you all have a great summer. I will check in at the end of June. Until then...

With Passion,

Carrie P.

The month of April gone!

How was your month of April? I would probably know if I had time to read your blogs but sadly that is not happening these days. I thought I would take a minute to share what has been going on this month. 

First of all I won a giveaway from Stephanie back in March. She had a giveaway for the very cute bag she made. Inside were all the other goodies. She has closed down her blog because of some family stuff going on. Maybe you can remember her in your prayers. Thanks Stephanie for the gifts.

 So I attended a workshop put on by my quilt guild. Mary Sorensen taught needle turn applique. I love taking classes with any hand applique teacher I can. I learn so much and this time was no exception. We didn't get much done but we learned a lot. The photo on the left is what we all did in the workshop. The photo on the right is what it will look like eventually. She only does a few workshops a year now. If you see her at a big quilt show and you like to do hand applique I highly recommend you take a class with her.

 I did get some sewing done this month. I got these blocks sewn and some prepped to hand applique. This is the free sew along from Jeni's blog from the Willow. It is still available on her blog. You will just have to scroll through the post to get all the blocks.

 I did get my two blocks made for the Modern Quilt Therapy group.

 And the block made from the BOM at one of my local quilt shops.

 I did get block #4 made from the free BOM on Buttermilk Basin. Working on #3 now.

 The garden is all planted and things are starting to take off. We did get enough rain last month to fill up my 1500 gallon rain tank. That makes me very happy for those days when we don't get rain for a week or so.

 I have some Lily of Valley planted between my house and garage. Walking by the flowers is delightful because of their scent.

 This spring both bluebird houses were taken over by the Chickadees. Their nest is so neat with the moss and some other fuzzy stuff. I wonder where they find that fuzzy stuff!

So more changes are coming to our household. If you read my blog often you know that I watch my grandson. My in-laws are moving down here to North Carolina from Illinois. They will be living with us for as long as it takes them to figure out where they might want to live. Apartment, Retirement Home, etc. So I will be driving them around town helping to get established here plus taking care of my grandson. Not sure how much sewing I will get done but I do have some hand work I can pick up when I have a minute. Hopefully I will be back at the end of the month to share any sewing news.

Enjoy the month of May!
With Passion,
Carrie P.