The Bigger They Are…the Harder They Almost Fall…

This was my view from the therapy table in the office of my Chiropractor, Dr Wright.

I needed Dr Wright to set me RIGHT because I did something really inane and stupid.

It really doesn’t take much to send things out of whack with my back.

Something as simple as a sneeze, or getting out of bed wrong, or something like….

Getting ready for a shower, disrobing, standing on one foot to pull off a sock…losing my balance, correcting myself automatically to retain my balance..and wrenching my lower back in the process.

What a dinglehead!

I thought it was muscular.  But it wasn’t getting any better.  After a couple of nights of not being able to roll over in bed without catching my breath –I made an appointment.

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Quilting Around Here ---

Look what’s in the machine!

I loaded my Box Kite top into the long arm yesterday evening, but really didn’t get much time to quilt on it ---I did run a couple of rows of quilting just because I was so excited to see what the design would turn out like.

Why do I like edge to edge designs?

For many reasons.

Mostly because my quilts are scrappily busy, with no real area where fancy custom quilting is going to show. 

Remember I quilted for the public for 16 years ---this adds to the realization that I have no desire to micro stipple or do extreme filler textures and ruler work on another show quilt ever again.

It doesn’t mean that I don’t love to look at it and admire the work of others – I just know that I’m much happier as a piecer playing with my scraps and loving my vintage machines rather than having the quilting be the main focus of my quilts.

There is room for all kinds of quilters, all kinds of quilts, and all kinds of quilting!

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Quilt-Cam 12/1/2014

Hey everyone!

It’s December 1st!  How did that happen??  Goodness Sakes!

And for those in Australia, It’s the 2nd.  So I am not complaining – they are always one day ahead of the day I am just ending.

I love how that is!

This photo is from Diana who writes:

All ready to sew with you on Quiltcam tonight. I just need to grab the IPad and I am ready to continue on with the first clue.

I only have about half of them left. I completed all of the half square triangles , now to assemble the blocks. I am using my Black 301 since it is the one I used for Celtic Soltace and now it is the traditional machine for the Winter mystery Quilt.

My black machine currently does not have a name, maybe your Quiltcam viewers can help me name her? See you soon!

So, does anyone have a name suggestion for Diana?  Leave your answer in the comments section below!

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Mystery Monday Link-Up, Part 1!

Get a load of this CAKE!

Oh, this CAKE!!

Our mystery quilters in Chandler, Arizona are at it again for their SECOND year in a row – the Saturday after Thanksgiving has become their “Sew Together” day to kick off the year’s mystery!

This year, it is Grand Illusion!  ((Why do I keep on wanting to type Celtic Solstice?!))

Andee sent along some photos to share of their day along with explanations of what is going on in the photos.

She writes:

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A bit of Antiquing Fun!

I antiqued yesterday on my way home from dropping Dad at the airport in Greensboro!

The Antique Market Place is a large facility right off I-40 and most of the time I am in that area It is too early in the morning as I am on my way TO the airport to fly out….or too late, when I fly back in.

Not to mention sometimes wandering an antique mall is something one wants to do when they can take their own time, stop and take as many photos as they want --- hold, fondle, read labels, ponder and just enjoy themselves without the hindrance of anyone else around.

I love solo antique mall time – and so I was glad to get it yesterday in the middle of a Saturday afternoon.

Sometimes it isn’t easy to spot a treasure in a place crammed with booths and crowded with look-n-seers.

I was hit head on as I entered with the strains of Christmas music filling the air, Christmas trees set up and vintage ornaments decorating the entire place including many of the booths.

Down one aisle I spotted this quilt folded and tucked on the bottom shelf of a wicker table.

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Cyber Monday Blow Out!!

I know it’s not Monday yet, but we are getting a good early start on offering you some awesome deals!

Besides, we don’t want Cyber Monday posts interfering with our Monday Mystery LInk-Up that happens tomorrow – so let’s do this thing early and get it out of the way!

I have marked EVERY ITEM including all books, and my seam guide rulers at 20% off of retail!

This means that I spent a huge amount of time last night redoing my book store just for this sale!

You won’t want to miss the deals ---

For instance, MORE Adventures with Leaders & Enders lists for $27.95 and you will find it on my website for $22.36!

EVERYTHING has been dropped 20% off retail!

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Heartfelt Goodbyes, Antique Malls and 5 minute Power Purge!

It’s hard to say good bye to family and send them back clear across the country.

It should be easier in this day and age of air travel ((Even if air travel is a pain in the (*&@#$ and no fun for the traveler!)) but it just isn’t.

However did folks do it 150 years ago where moving coast to coast likely meant never seeing or hugging loved ones ever again?

Before the phone was invented ((not to mention text messages and internet!)) folks had to rely on letters and pony express to receive word of any kind.

How did they survive?

I think of this and realize how lucky we are to be able to communicate the way we do.

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Surviving Black Friday!

This is how I have survived Black Friday!

Feet up in my comfy binding chair, enjoying copious amounts of chick flick movies in the company of my dad.

Barbara Streisand in Guilt Trip?  SO FUNNY!

And so poignant as well….makes me think of not only being the mother of adult children ((And still wanting to care for them, because after all I AM their mother!))

And also what it’s like to be the adult middle aged daughter of a father who feels the same way and has ideas for how I should do this, or do that or think this way.

Once you are a child, you are always a child no matter how old you get, and once you are a parent –you will still think you can parent that child as if they are still 12 years old --

It’s a never ending cycle!

And I take it all in and I smile.

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Happy Thanksgiving 2014!

Family is slowly rising ---

Sadie and I have already been for a nice long walk --

Yesterday’s rain has passed on through and left us with sunshine and low hanging fog this morning – SO beautiful!

The fog view changes every few minutes – it’s a moving, living entity ---clinging to the ridges and crevaces  as the morning sun threatens to burn it off.

I love my mountains!

Jason arrived last evening, and Jeff will arrive this morning – he was too tired after getting off work last evening to make a night drive up the mountain, and that’s just fine.

He’s on his way and should be here soon.

You will most likely find me in the kitchen for most of today – I’m so excited!  10 for Thanksgiving!

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