Going Coastal!

You can take a girl away from the coast... but that doesn't stop her from wanting to return!! As hubby is drawing "very" close to retirement, we are seriously considering our options and trying to decide where we want to live. All things keep drawing us back homeward... that dream of "a little cottage by the sea" just doesn't leave me.
We drove to Edenton, NC last week, just to browse.... Hubby knows I want to retire in New Bern, NC... but he wanted me to see this little coastal town, too. It is BEAUTIFUL, but it's not "in my blood" like New Bern seems to be. This town is probably just as pretty, if not prettier than New Bern, but it's a little too far away from "civilization" for me. Plus, New Bern is so much closer to the beaches that I love.

So, we think we have made our decision. The next year will be very busy, as we have a lot to prepare for.... but I am sooooo ready to go! I like calling (eastern) North Carolina "home".

Zippers

Just wanted to show off my cute little "zipper" flowers! I found these shoes at a new(er) outlet store nearby and so far, they have been my favorite summer shoes. (check out those hardwood floors... these are from the lilypad, where hubby lives during the week. They are very dog friendly and I love them!!! Wish I had them in my current home!) I had been seeing lots of "zipper" pins and jewelry on some of the blogs and magazines. I really like them, but thought to myself that I would never "wear" them, even though they would be fun to make.

(borrowed picture) So, when I found the zipper shoes, I didn't hesitate to buy them. They are fun and they seem to go with anything I wear! :o)))

Kisses

Just wanted to show you who I've been smooching with these days! Our Avery has learned to kiss! Nothing like those sweet baby kisses. :o)

Welcome

Welcome to the dark hole! I have never loved my entry way from the outside, as it looks like a plain dark hole to me. Here's my new wreath for this year (paid way too much for it), but it does add a pop of color against the brown.

I spray painted the chair, spray painted the metal hanging, and added the pillow for more color. It's better, but still a dark hole to me. :( I'm looking for a bright colored welcome mat... no luck so far. I know we are supposed to never say never, but I hope we never buy another BROWN house. Wishing for my white country farmhouse right now. :o)

Sorry for the long delay in posting... June will be better, I promise. :o)

Vintage Linens

I'm still dreaming of my "future" old farmhouse in eastern NC near the water. When I'm at thrift stores, I always look through the linens that have been donated. Sometimes you can really hit the jackpot! You see, in my future old farmhouse, with its many bedrooms, I have designed several different rooms already in my mind. One will be a vintage little girl's room, with lots of pink and other pastels... and lace.I'm not sure what this above piece is, but I'm guessing a tissue box cover?? It seems to drape over the box nicely. I'm not sure if it's handmade by anyone local or not, but it sure is pretty to me.

I couldn't pass up this set of pink pillowcases. They are made from a nice heavy cotton fabric. I washed them and they ironed up so pretty! I love the vintage design.

And THIS was my favorite find!! When I pulled this dresser scarf from the hanger, there were lots of frayed strings all around the edges. My first thought was that this piece was very damaged and that I would cut it up and make something , using the embroidery. When I got it home and washed it, I realized the frayed strings were only frayed edges from the hem on the back side of the piece. I am positive that the lace edge was done with a tatting shuttle and it is beautiful. I have this piece folded over and you can't see the whole scarf, but it is long, with both ends having identical embroidery. I trimmed the frayed strings, ironed it, and I am in LOVE with it! Seriously, in the store, one would think "why are they even selling this worn out stuff"? So, it was another happy week at the thrift store for me. Now, if we could just move along on getting that farmhouse in eastern NC!

First haircut

Look who got his first "big boy" haircut on Saturday! His mom took some great pictures of him with his precious little bottom lip rolling out during the haircut. What an experience for any little guy to have to go through. :o) Isn't he cute??? He sure does add a lot of love to our little world. :p

Still here

I'm still here... I've been busy spending time with this little guy! He is so smart and so much fun. He has been keeping grandma entertained 2-3 days a week. :o) I've been back to the doctor; my b/p is normal again. He says I may be able to go off the b/p medicine in six months. I'm looking forward to that! I saw the eye dr. this past week and he gave me one bifocal contact lense that makes me see a little better. I'm not nearly as depressed over my vision now. I love to sew and do needlework and it has been SO discouraging, not to be able to see the needle and thread! We've been working in the yard. The dogs are being good. Our preacher resigned. My daughter is coming home soon. My nerves still get the best of me some days. And I have learned that you are never too old to miss your mama! Have a great day!

Quilt "Tease"

It is true what they say: If you do stuff, stuff gets done! I've been watching some of my favorite quilters produce quilt after quilt after quilt, and I've been amazed with their accomplishments. Several of them have the same strategy: work on it just a few minutes everyday. I started making this small quilt for a very special someone approx. a week ago. I made it in sections on different days and there was absolutely no stress involved. It's easy to get excited about a project and try to complete it from start to finish in a hurry, but that is where the stress comes in, and it can take the pleasure out of the hobby. This quilt top is ready to be machine quilted (hopefully this weekend) after I buy the backing fabric. I had some leftover quilt batting from another project and was able to piece together two pieces to use for this quilt. (thrifty quilter) If all goes well, maybe I'll have a picture of the finished project for you by next week.

Yo Yo's finished.... here it is!

Yes, it is finished.... and framed!!! I was almost sad to see it end, as I enjoyed making the yo yo's so much. I'll just have to think of another yo yo project to do. I hope you aren't disappointed... ha ha.... as I have talked about this yo yo spread forever. I just can't believe I finally finished something. Yay, me! (ps... went shopping for a new lamp to replace the one on the table... couldn't find it... yet)

Baby (big boy) bibs

I have accomplished a little bit this week on my days off. I decided I wanted to make some big boy bibs for Avery. I hope his parents don't think the fabric is too feminine for him.... I bought the frogs and the puppy dogs, but the other two came from my "stash". These were so easy to make and now I want to find some cute little boy fabric and make a few more for him.

They show up a little better against my bathroom rugs that are hanging out to dry. (ok, I admit it... they've been drying for days!!!) And yes, my flower beds need mulch badly!!!

I also made Avery a little "tag" blanket, as he likes to fiddle with fabric when he is going to sleep. He usually winds the fabric of whoever is rocking him's shirt around his thumb, and sucks it to go to sleep. He really likes the little tags on his soft toys, so I took some leftover flannel, some cute ribbon, and made him a tag blanket. I don't have any idea if he'll even like it, but if he does, I'll post a pic. of him using it.

*I've completed the yo yo spread. I need to find a background fabric to frame it on... I tried a natural colored linen which did not show up well. I think black or dark brown is what I'm going to look for... I have decided not to paint the frame black, after all.... I think the brown tone looks better with my new recliners. (they are brown.... pleather) :o)

Doing stuff

I am so impressed by what you full time working girls are able to get done during your time away from work. My sweet boss has given me back my old part time schedule, where I have 7 days off in a row, every other week. If some of you girls had that much time off, you would probably find a cure for cancer, or something great like that. I know Debbie J. would make at least two quilts a week! :o) I had great plans with my last week off, and then I got sick with the flu bug.... so nothing got done. (good thing I didn't have to call in sick, right?) Starting tomorrow, I have another week off and I plan to get stuff done!!!

1. Finish the yo yo spread.... paint frame... and have hanging by the end of next week!

2. Work on new wall hanging that I have cut out already... maybe finish???

3. If the weather is nice, clean flower beds by back patio.

4. Walk!!! Take dogs for a walk. (my b/p is up and doctor put me on medication. I'm sick about this and am determined to exercise, lose weight and get OFF b/p meds)

Okay, I can't let my list get too long, as I don't want to overwhelm myself. ha! I just wish I had the drive that some of you "over achievers" have... I need lessons!! I know the number one thing to do is : get off the computer! :o)

Updates soon! Something WILL get done!

Quilt Dreams

You know I keep telling myself to stay out of thrift stores, right? But LOOK! On my weekly trip to Asheboro, I try to stop at the Christian Outreach Thrift Store.... you know.... just to look. Well, just look at this beautiful treasure I found a couple weeks ago. If you click on the pic, you'll see the book was priced at $2.68. The books were half price that day, so I got this wonderful dreamy book for $1.34. The quilt below really called my name! I'm enjoying making yo-yo's a lot these days and when I saw this quilt, I thought "oh!! could I possibly make that???" Isn't it pretty?

The sailboat quilt below looks a lot like one I made for my son when he was a little boy. It has had a lot of love (wear and tear) through the years, but I think if I replace its binding, it can be loved for a few more years. Another thing on my "to do" list.

And I really like this one too... a log cabin quilt with appliqued stars. The stars just give it such a pop, don't you think?

The one below is just so country and cute. I love the colors and it reminds me of the quilts that were made from feedsack fabrics. I love the 1930's reproduction fabrics that are so available right now. ( I have a few in my stash) These colors make me "happy".

So.... the moral of the story.... keep checking out the thrift stores, Penny! Even if I never make these quilts, the pleasure of dreaming about making these quilts is well worth $1.34. :o)