IRISH MIST

Yes, I'm still alive. I know it's been almost a year since my last post, but this blog just hasn't been on the top (or even close to the top) of my To-Do list. Sewing has been a big part of my obsessions this year... I wanted to get tons of projects completed. Of course now that I look back... I may or may not have been successful in that area.

Here is one project that brought me much joy. It has 61 steps in the pattern (a lot of 2 1/2 inch squares), so I have been working on it all year step by step. I made it to step 58 last week only to see that a huge error had been made way back on step 27!

Do you see the mistake?

 

That's right... each of the 4 corners of the dark blue should have a green square instead of a white background square. I was a little disappointed in myself to say the least! So now what to do? Should I just let it go, or should I take the time to correct it? Better to eat a piece of fudge (or two) while trying to make this big decision! Being the perfectionist that I am, it was decided to correct the problem. So, with seam ripper in hand, I started to take my quilt apart.

It only set me back a few days. Now I can honestly say the finished project is much more pleasing to the eye, and balanced, and the way it should be.... see what I mean about perfectionist?!?

What do you think? Does it live up to the name of the pattern? IRISH MIST... and yes, my Irish heritage is why I wanted to sew this project in the first place. It will be on it's way to my quilter this week. I can hardly wait to hang this up in my home come St. Patrick's Day!

 

The luck o' the Irish is with me now!

DIET

There is a reason why the word 'die' is the major part of the word diet. It's a killer! After losing 4 pounds since the first of the year I had a total break down last night. John walked in the door after work yesterday and I said, "You are going to take me out for pizza tonight!!!"

Yes, it was a demand. NOT a request. I had given up all the good tasting food since New Year's Eve and couldn't take it any longer. Drinking water is so tasteless! I don't know why it is so dang hard to control eating - or should I say change eating habits.

I felt much better after sharing a small pizza with John. Yes, there was a twang of guilt, but I got over it. Perhaps eating a salad with the pizza helped me justify my consumption of the pizza.

Today looks much brighter. Cross your fingers that I can be successful in this journey. I would like to be much lighter before anyone has to try and carry me to my grave. Dead weight is the worst!

Sewing Goals

I've created my list of what I would like to accomplish in 2012 regarding my sewing projects. It seems if I keep focused the projects get done quicker. Who'd a thunk it?!? Anywho, even though it's not new year's eve yet, I got a jump-start on setting some resolutions. My plan is to keep track on the sidebar of my blog the projects I've chosen to complete this year. I will update the list as the projects are completed. Kinda my checkoff list. Since I send my quilts out to be quilted, I will consider them DONE when the top is finished and they are ready to be sent to the quilter. Yes, I realize that means the binding is still left to do, but it will be more satisfying to me to record them done when the piecing work is done. This may be slightly cheating, but it's my plan so I make the rules!!

Pictures will be posted whenever - as you know, I'm not real good about providing pictures, or blogging for that matter. Let's see how long it takes to break this resolution!!

WANTED: Baby Girl

I'm looking for a baby girl that would enjoy wearing these bibs.

Aren't they simply adorable? The picture doesn't do them justice.
I found the pattern in a quilt shop in Utah last summer. Then I found the material in another Utah quilt shop. The rest is history.... came home and let the fabrics sit and grow on me for a while. Then cut and sewed until my fingers hurt. I like the results so much!

Found out my niece is having a baby, and quess what? It's a GIRL... now she will know what her present will be!

Virginia Is Calling

Ever have the urge to move? Usually I don't, because there is just too much to pack. Of course we all know the good strong boxes are at the local liquor store, but I can't afford to have my Brothers or Sisters see me coming out of those establishments!

However, I am very tempted to move. I found a wonderful home in Virginia last month. Seeing it from afar was quite breathtaking - to plagiarize my favorite movie "I don't know when I've seen a house more happily situated!"

The closer we got, the more excited I became...

Isn't it beautiful? 

The horse and buggy (I mean car) can swing right up to the front entrance. 

I think this staircase just screams "WELCOME". 

I love a house with pillars.

Wouldn't you love to ring the doorbell and have my butler see you in?

This was actually an old southern mansion - yes, there were slaves here at one time. I could be a slave in that house and live quite nicely!

The views from the inside were absolutely stunning! We couldn't take any pictures of the house inside, but it sure had a lot of character - fireplaces galore and lots of detailed wood trim.

I imagined Mr. Darcy in each and every room!!

Maybe the yard needs a little TLC. But I love the white fence. 



Well, all good things must come to an end. 

There was one drawback - the house was not on a lake.

In fact, I didn't see water anywhere (except for my drool)!

Guess I won't be making a run to the liquor store any time soon. 

Small Packages

They say "Good things come in small packages". After yesterday I'm a firm believer of that. My dear son, Travis presented me with this lovely little package after his graduation last night.

I should have been giving him a gift for all his accomplishments, but to my surprise he gave me one. And what may you ask was inside????

This gorgeous little morsel....

It was absolutely delicious!! Chocolate red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. Thought I had died and gone to heaven. Happy graduation to me!! Thank you Travis for thinking of me - you will remain in our will forever!

Virginia

Just returned from a trip to Virginia & DC with my favorite travel companion - John! He keeps me calm, safe, and headed in the right direction. Even though I tease him about his maps with dots and circles all over it, he plans a good trip and we see a lot of things. If I travel alone, I'm more apt to sit in my hotel room and hope I don't get lost or abducted.

This time we went to Harper's Ferry... it is a quaint little town with lots of history. The scenery was gorgeous with green everywhere. I'm sure the fall colors will be amazing (but that would mean another trip)! This is wine country, so there were rows and rows of grape vines.

We ate lunch at a little cafe in an old house. The cafe only had 7 tables of 4 so it was very small. The food was delicious and homemade.

John is a walking history book, so he fills me in on all the historical details of the area - I didn't like history in school, but I love my personal history tour guide! The old train station was unique and we enjoyed looking at it from many angles.

The church of course was an old ornate building with a tall steeple. Set on the highest hill, it overlooked the village below. Very picturesque.

Of course I loved all the buildings with their many colors. Reminded me of a patchwork quilt!

The laundry hanging on the back porch was fun too... or are these ghosts?!

The town was unique because two rivers came together here. It worked well for the early settlers to move their wares.

Of course the big history of this town was the abolitionist John Brown and the events that took place just prior to the civil war. He did what he thought was right and gave his life doing it. Gotta love a guy with that much determination and love for others.

These steps were well worn and warped from so much use by people long ago.

I'm glad we were able to visit such a historic place and enjoy the remains there. It was time well spent to see this area. That's it for now, but I will share some other pictures of our trip later.