Foggy Morning & Something Raggedy

This morning we woke up to thick fog. I wish I would have thought to take a picture of it.. but I suppose everybody knows what fog looks like. Anyways.. I was planning to head out and get much needed groceries. I tend to let that chore go for as long as I dare.. and we were pretty much out of everything. Poor Mr Attic had to take packaged cheese crackers and left-over potato salad from Sunday in his lunch today, there was no fruit or sandwich stuff. But he didn't even complain so I didn't mention it.
I waited until 10:30 for the fog to burn off! And even then, it was still lingering in places. I thought I'd show you a little bit of my drive. It's very pretty farmland.. even though right now things look drab. Nothing is green yet.. and see the fog in the distance?

Here's a pretty farm. I was driving with my camera on the dashboard, trying to dodge pot holes, and keeping up speed so the truck behind me wouldn't rear-end me very carefully with my camera.. and if you look closely, you can see little puffs of fog in the field..

I love this house.. and I break the 10th Commandment every time I drive by..

When it gets nice and green everywhere.. I'll show you then too. There are a lot of beautiful farms along the way.. makes the job of grocery shopping no so bad.

By the time I got home the sun was shining bright.. and I noticed this crocus in my own flower bed! I had forgotten I moved it here.. and was taken by surprise because I had looked for it yesterday where it used to be and told my dad I thought I probably killed it. It was in a bad place before.

The past few weeks I have really neglected my blog. It just seemed I was so busy with projects, and there was no time for pictures and writing things.. plus several of the projects were surprises. This was one of them, but now the recipient has it so I can show. I made a pair of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls last week using this vintage pattern that I had not tried yet. It was the first commercial pattern for these dolls, copyright 1940.. and I have an original copy.

I really love the old patterns. They are very brief, and one is expected to know what one is doing. Of course I made copies to use for cutting, as my old pattern is pretty fragile. Look how sweet the pictures are in the directions..

Here is Ann before her hair is put on. I showed you a little snippet of her dress the other day. ☺ Keep in mind, this is not my first Raggedy Ann. It is probably more like my 350th.


I like them ☺

Ok.. it is NICE outside.. so I am on my way out to take the dog for a walk. Hope you are enjoying some pretty spring.. (or fall in the case of my friends down under) weather today.

See you again soon..

Weekly blog.. I guess. :-/

I would have been here earlier.. but we had to set our clocks ahead and I lost a whole hour this week. :-D

Today some ladies got together again at the church to work on things. They asked me to make another quilt top so "we" can knot it for a comforter to put in the auction in the fall.. but seems like there are only two of us who end up knotting. The rest of them have other projects they bring to work on. Well, today neither of us had a whole lot of energy. Plus this was a bigger quilt top than the last one I made. So we ended up only making a few knots, the rest of the way we just ran the yarn in big long lengths with needles while it was taut in the frame, unpinned it and took it out, then I brought it home to cut the yarn and tie the knots. I almost forgot to take a picture, and remembered just before we took it out of the frame.

I was thinking.. this is almost actually like basting. So really.. if i wanted.. I could just go ahead and quilt this now with a hoop. I might have to think about that.

Anyways..in the mail this week there was a total surprise. My friend Melanie who lives in Southport sent me a "RAK" package. She said is stands for "Random Acts of Kindness". And she is a kind one. Plus she knows me! My presents were all wrapped in yellow.. LOVE yellow. Inside was all sorts of tea goodness sprinkled with lavender. ☺ Melanie knows this is one of my favorite fragrances, and there was some sachet, some laundry tablets and soap for hand washables. She also included a place setting that she made her very own self with her new lamination machine. These are pictures of her own beautiful roses that she grows or sees at the park nearby. I wish I could go live in by her. ☺

Also some delicious vanilla Tetley tea which we are enjoying.. and a little tea bag dish shaped like a tea pot. At first I thought she must be my swap partner! But she said no she isn't. We have been blogging friends for about a year now, and I guess she just decided to send some nice things to some friends. Thank you so much dear Melanie.

And some more tea goodness while I am waiting for my own swap to arrive..(Stephanie tells me it's on it's way).. a little gift she sent to all the participants. This cute little Tea Cottage with a bag of White Raspberry my daughter says is delicious. ☺ I can't believe how many of these Stephanie made! She is a crafty one!

Thank you so much Stephanie!


Pretty fabric.. isn't it? ☺


More on that stuff later. ☺


Next week I simply MUST get our taxes done. And then get my B&W quilt put together and in the frame for Jackie's challenge, or I'll never have it finished by Christmas. I see I'm only going to get one made. I was shooting for two. All of my time management skills seem to have left me. I hope it doesn't get any worse. Maybe I need to start making lists again?.. I used to be a lot better at getting things accomplished. Now it just seems like I am always scrambling.


Hope you are having a lovely weekend.. spring is definitely here.

Bobbin in the Attic

I've mentioned before that I don't actually have an attic. The upstairs of our house has always been the kid's rooms.. and they really are like an attic because the roof is slanting and there is nothing above them. There are two rooms.. one that our daughter still lives in, and the other the boys moved out of a couple years ago. They still have a lot of stuff up there, and their beds.. but I've managed to set up my Singer 301 by the window, and I like to use the floor to lay out my patches. I can leave it there and no one has to worry about stepping over it. So this morning I was up there sewing happily away on my Roman Stripe quilt.. string piecing the strips and letting them just drop off the back of the sewing machine table and piling up at my feet..

..but if you look closely.. you might notice something that I didn't.. until about the next to the last patch..
The bobbin had run out. Grr. Now I know the new machines.. a lot of them if not most of them will tell you when the bobbin is about to run out. But this machine was made in the 1950's.. and it does not do any talking.. except to tell me when it needs oil.. so I had no idea the patches were dropping off the back onto the pile not sewn together.

So I guess it was time for a break. I took a walked outside before filling bobbins.. it is like spring! Came back in the house to get my camera, because I certainly did not expect to see anything to take a picture of in the back yard. But looking real hard.. next to the end of that stick... something is coming up amongst the dead leaves and pinecones..

I think I planted some Narcissus here back in the fall.. but I can't remember for sure. I'll have to go look around and see what else might be sprouting already!

Here is what I've got so far on my Roman Stripe. The idea is to have all the lighter stripes going horizantal, and the darker ones verticle. This is one fourth of it.. but don't look too close because I notice I had two blocks turned the wrong way. They aren't sewn yet.. so no troubles..

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend! Our oldest son is here to visit.. and there is nothing really planned. It feels good just to hang out.. drink coffee, eat, and play games. ☺

Tea Swap on it's Way...

The gifts for Stephanie's Tea Swap are finally finished.. wrapped.. and on their way..

I have seriously been engulfed in this project mostly non-stop for the past couple of weeks. I had so much fun working on it.. and I hope my partner gets it safe and sound.

The last time I posted here, I was getting ready for Hitty club. Cookies mixed up and decorated like little teapots and ready to go...

I had made some little dresses using the wonderful vintage organdy fabric that Ulla sent me as a Christmas gift..
The girls at club loved the tiny details of the little dancing mice, flying birds, and playing children. A reminder..these dolls are just over six inches high.

And Betsy McCall wore her skating outfit that I crocheted for her last year.

I felt bad that I didn't get anything new made for her this time, but she seemed happy to stand on our work table anyways.

Then the day after Hitty Club we worked at church on some projects for charity.. I took the double four patch quilt top to knot and it was well received. They asked if I could make up a couple more tops so we could have them for our church auction in the fall. I told them the fabrics were not high quality, and I hesitated to put it up for sale.. but they all said "who cares?.. it is lovely and people will buy it anyways!". So I said ok. I have tons. And tons.. of fabric scraps and stuff I can use up for this. Besides.. it is SO much fun. So I started cutting out some more strips..

..and I'm piecing a Roman Stripe.. always wanted to do one of these. ☺

I'm also cutting out some charms for a private swap.. always fun to have a chance to visit my vintage fabrics.

..and I am finally getting to this..

So that's where I am right now. The sun is shining and there is a hint of spring. I heard a Robin singing the other day. And the sun will come up again tomorrow. ☺

Valentines At Last

The cost of stamps is going up, and the postal service is in trouble.. right? I guess that's their good excuse for why my Valentines were so late this year. Truthfully I think they were all just enjoying a little too much President's Day Celebrations. ☺ But whatever the case, on Tuesday evening when Mr Attic came home, he announced there were Treasures for me. I was expecting a package.. I had ordered a pattern last week. And that was there. But also two unexpected packages.. the first from my friend Nanette.. one of her adorable potholders and a Valentine card. "I Yarn for You". ☺ She knows how much I like Raggedy Ann and Andy!

Look at that cute little fabric postage stamp on the potholder. You would have thought that would have made it FLY to my house in no time. She is away at a quilting retreat this week.. so I'll shout real loud.. thank you Nanette!

...and then totally unexpected.. this box from my fun friend Belinda at Brown Dirt Cottage.

A darling heart which I know is made of vintage fabric from her Gramma's stash.. she had sent me a little bit of it once before when we did a Cottage Block exchange between ourselves. I think it looks like peppermint candies. I love it! And I will find a place to hang it right here. Also an assortment of chocolates.. yum!..

Gorgeous old buttons.. I am a sucker for these!.. and some fabulous yo-yos..

Oh.. some of you might be wondering about the fabric underneath.. with the cherries and berries and other scrumptious looking fruit. That is a vintage feedsack I put on top of my plant stand by the window here.. it is good lighting for pictures right now. I don't leave it there all the time.. the sun would fade it too much.

But anyways.. more from Belinda. If you haven't read her blog before, it is a real treat. Mr Brown Dirt runs a cotton plantation, and he specially for me went out and picked a cotton bole for Belinda to send. You can kind of read that on the little card in there.. even though it's upside down. I have never seen actual cotton on the plant before.. so this was thrilling for me. Belinda told me it will last forever this way.. so I'll just leave it right in the bag. And then in another bag.. the cotton after it is processed..

We sort of have a private joke about cotton.. Belinda and me. It is very useful for many things.. including sticking it in one's ears when one is cooped up in the house during winter months, and one's spouse is playing some very loud music which might not be to one's taste.

Thank you so much Belinda.. my funny sweet friend!

One more package!.. some fabulous charms from my friend over at Bumble Beans. we did a little swap. How about that vintage red, green and gray birdie fabric there?? I LOVE that!

And finally.. my double four patch is done. This is not very big.. 61"x83".. it fits a twin sized bed. We will sandwich this on Saturday and knot it.. then I will bind it and either donate it for our church auction in the fall, or take it with me the next time I go to Kidron. We have a center out there that runs a thrift shop and gathers supplies and blankets for disaster relief. Next time I go I will try and remember to take pictures and blog about that. It is a fun place.

I really loved how this turned out.
Tomorrow is Hitty club. The last meeting we had was January 10th, when we had that big snowstorm with ten inches of snow.. and I couldn't go. I was SO disappointed. Well it is snowing right now. And we could have up to 6" by morning. But that's ok. I'm still baking my cookies today and AM going. I can make it!

Lots to do all of a sudden.. a double 4patch

February seems like it should be a nice free and easy month.. to stay inside and catch up on organizing, cleaning, taxes, etc. But it is filling up with lots of projects..
Some of my stash is pathetic. I have tons.. stacks and piles.. of non-high quality fabric that is not really what you would find at your local quilt shop. This is stuff I've picked up over the years at thrift shops, rummage sales, clearance tables at discount stores, etc. Most probably not much cotton, in fact I know some to be of 100% unidentified fiber content. But. I can still use it to make comforters to send to those who are in need.

Saturday some of us are getting together at our church, and a little over a week ago someone asked if I could have a top done to knot into a comforter. I said sure. I would have to set my Tea Swap aside for just a little bit, but I think I can do that. I have been wanting to make a double four patch.. and not long ago Paula from A Latte Quilts had a nice tutorial that I had printed off for myself. Saturday I started cutting 4.5" squares, 2.5" squares, and sewing little four patches out of 1.5" squares..

And putting them all together..

I kind of like how they laid out the blocks on the cover of "A Simple Strategy for Swap Blocks" by Lynn Roddy Brown.. so I'm going to try it. This is what I have so far on my "inspirational carpet". Of course they are subject to be moved around...

And here.. yesterday I noticed my other Christmas cactus is blooming. Just in time.. for President's Day! I know the flower is fuzzy.. but for some reason my camera only wanted to focus on the pot and the leaves. I need a new camera with a lens!

Ok.. If I'm going to get done I need to get busy.. and oh.. I guess Hitty club is Friday.. last minute thing.. but I can't wait to go! Lots to do..

I'm thinking of you all...

Grocery Shopping Yesterday..

Ahhh.. but first a little stop at the Good Will thrift store at the other end of town..

With the 40% off coupon.. my bag of goodies came to $7.19.. which I don't feel too bad about spending in these tough times.

Two sweaters (I do like Tommy Hilfiger) and some beads.. a Little Golden Book "Lassie".. which I already had in my collection but this one is in wonderful condition.. much better than the one I had..
..and a little white pitcher. And oh. I very pretty piece of green vintage solid cotton.. nice and crisp. It doesn't take a whole lot to brighten the day.

There are a lot of places cropping up where you can help with the bush fires in Australia. I've been reading Pip's blog over at Meet Me At Mike's.. she gives a lot of information there.

I'm off to work on my Tea Swap the rest of the day.. it is springlike weather here in Ohio.. yippee!

While remembering, I discovered something..

I noticed today that my Gardenia is blooming. One flower. Smells wonderful. So I thought I'd take a picture to show, and then remembered I had done this once before. So I went back into my posts to see when. It was Feb 25, 2008. I was also showing a double wedding ring quilt that I was working on at the time.. and had three comments. I had no idea what the world of blogging was all about then. I'm not even sure I replied to you three.. but I'm sure I commented on each of your blogs.
Then what really caught my eye was this.. my first post was on Feb 8, 2008. So I guess that means today is my one year anniversary. Woo-hoo! I'm sorry I don't have anything ready to give away. But I will just say a heartfelt thank you to all of you who have read my blog, commented, traded fabric with me, joined me and Ulla in our Summer Stash Challenge, traded Cottage blocks, exchanged Christmas gifts, sent me birthday gifts, let me win in your drawings, entered my drawing, shared your lives with me, helped me in so many ways in my quilt-making, became my silver friends.. and then all my gold friends who encouraged me and always left comments. I was just telling my daughter today how wonderful all my friends are.. all over the world. She agreed. It has been a terrific year.

Ok.. enough mush! Here is another flower that I just noticed. It is a totally different plant sitting next to the Gardenia, and for some reason the camera wanted to keep focusing on it! I have no idea what it is.. but I thought it was kinda pretty. Makes me think spring might not be too far off..
I hope you are all having a good weekend.. and my prayers are going out to all the folks down under who are fleeing the blaze. I can hardly imagine.

....or clouds?

Just another little sneak peek of what I'm working on for Stephanie's Tea Swap. We can't tell too much.. so I hope this isn't too much. Doesn't it look like the swirly tail feathers on a fancy bird?
Well it's not.

So since I can't tell you yet what I'm making.. I'll just say that it feels WONDERFUL to have something in my frame again. I never really realized how much I love hand-quilting. I have got to get that Black and White top done so I have something to work on after this. Maybe this week I'll do that, because I know I'll need to take breaks to let my fingers toughen up.


Lots to do today.. it is supposed to warm up to 48F.. yippee!


Have a happy weekend...

Eight Random Things and a Nice Dutch Treat

My daughter pointed out to me last evening that it has been a week since I put anything new here. Bad bad blogger me. My excuse.. I am working on my Tea Swap that I can't show, and looking out the same window at the same cold and snow and ice. But that is pretty lame because I did get something nice in the mail on Friday..

One of the blogs I've been following ever since I discovered blogging is Dutch Colours. Heleen is such a dear person, and I love everything she does. I mentioned to her that I loved the origami penguins folded by the children at her school, and she mailed me the pattern for them, plus added a few little extras. There was the cutest Dutch People to fold.. ann I love that swatch of fabric with the dutch children. Thank you Heleen.. I can't wait to try making the penguins!

Miri from Milk and Honey Quilts tagged me last week. I'm pretty sure I did this one before, but I'll play again.. ☺

Eight random facts about me.. if you really want to know. If not, you can come back another day.

1. I usually eat three breakfasts, but could easily skip the evening meal, and sometimes do.

2. I'm my daddy's girl, and talk to him every day on the phone since he moved away to Florida.

3. Coffee is my favorite beverage, and I used to sneak sips of it from my parents cups when I was little. My favorite coffee comes from Joshua Cup in Macon Georgia where my son is the roaster.. but I don't get it often enough!

4. I was the cake decorator for a small bakery in town for 10 years. But I don't like to decorate cakes. Too messy! This is my brother's wedding cake I made 15 years ago. Two annoying things I notice in this photo.. there are plumbing pipes showing in the background, and the tablecloth was not ironed! All of the satellite cakes had a different filling if I remember correctly.

5. I don't really have an attic.. I only pretend I do.

6. I was married at age 18, carried daisies for my wedding, made my own dress, and had bottle blond hair.

7. I had my first child at age 20 and loved being a very young mother.

8. I have five brothers and no sisters.

Ok. That's it! Whew. Hard to do. I'm supposed to tag eight more people, so here are some bloggers I would enjoy finding out more of. I know a lot of folks don't like being tagged, but if you'd like to play along, please do! If not.. that's ok by me. I believe in "no stress blogging".

Shari from Mumsy Blossom's World

Tudy from Tudy's Craft Cupboard

Hetty from Crafts and Stuff

Dionne from Sew Many Quilts

Paula from A Latte Quilts

Jean from Quiltin' Jeanie

Diana from Lavendar Dreams

Sandi from A Legacy of Stitches

Have a nice rest of the week.. Spring is coming..