Have you all had a good weekend? I’ve had a fun, relaxing weekend. I didn’t mean to spend all day cleaning yesterday — I was just going to clean out the little cupboard that holds my yarn. After that I planned to spend the day quilting.
But, when I got the cupboard cleaned out, I looked around and decided the family room needed to be cleaned. After that was all cleaned, well, I could see the messy breakfast room, so that had to be cleaned too. And then the kitchen. You get the idea….one thing led to another and before I knew it the day was gone. Do you ever do that — start cleaning and you can’t stop?
Then today, I washed and folded the fabric that I bought in Chicago last week. Then I decided I’d go see MeMum for an hour or two and work on the binding to the quilt we tied for SweetiePie and TheFirstChild at the bridal shower. Well, HBO was running all the episodes of John Adams and we don’t have HBO, so I bet you can guess what happened. I got sucked into John Adams and watched the first three episodes (it’s wonderful!) I’m happy to report I got the binding all done though! And did I ever show you the back of the quilt? We found this cute print with home and family words on it.
There wasn’t enough for the whole quilt, so It’s just a big giant 40″ x 40″ block in the middle of the back. Anyway, after all that John Adams and sewing, I came home to prepare for my monthly week in New Jersey. I made the beef stroganoff casserole and the chocolate chip cookie mix that Jewels gave us in Chicago last week (they are yummy — thanks Jewels!) Now my lil’ family will have a few goodies to munch on while I’m away this week.
Oh, and I almost forgot — look at the goodies I got in the mail this past week! Sweet Vallen sent me some Rose Water and it needed some padding in the envelope, so she wrapped it in that fantastic silky fabric with the big red flowers — isn’t it cool??? Thanks Vallen! I can’t wait to try the rose water — I’ve seen lots of great recipes on the web that use it.
And that’s not all — Darlene and Thimbles sent me and Mama Bunny that adorable pincushion with some cute pins. I was so happy to see that Thimbles didn’t forget his Mama! I love pincushions, and this one is so cute with all the sewing things on it. Thanks Darlene — I love the way it’s stuffed — will you tell us what you stuffed it with?
Thank you, thank you Vallen and Darlene for being so thoughtful and kind. {Smooch}{Smooch}
I hope you all have a fun week planned. I’ll be working in New Jersey and catching up on all of you from my hotel room!
XOXO,
Anna
I can’t believe I’m the first comment! What to say? What to do? Oh my – I’d better make it good, hadn’t I? Nah – I’ll just leave my usual comment.
I spent the weekend cleaning, too. I finally finished my sewing room! Woo hoo! I do love John Adams – it is wonderfully acted and beautifully filmed. I feel like we are actually living that history – it’s incredible.
Such lovely gifts you received! Darlene uses crushed walnut shells to stuff her pincushions. Isn’t that a great idea? I hope I didn’t steal her thunder by telling you! Bad Nan!
I hope you have a good time working in New Jersey – take care!
Just dropped by to say hello. Looking forward to see front side of the bridal quilt.
I’ve been doing a lot of the “type” of cleaning…one thing leading to the other. Must be spring in the air ;o)
I clean like that too…one thing leads to another and the day is half gone. Love the back of the quilt…I did a quilt for Relay for Life and used the pink version on the back…it is the perfect fabric. Safe travels to New Jersey.
Trust me, if you saw my house (studio, garden, garage,) you’d instantly know that I never get caught up in all day cleaning! LOL
However, if you come over o my blog, you will see that you (yes, you) won my 100th post giveaway! So, I need your snail mail address and a couple of days to get my act together! I’m working on an order for 30 (!) produce bags, so other projects have been delayed!
I love the colors and prints you’re using in the quilt; it’s gorgeous. And what wonderful gifts you received.
I’m glad that your pin cushion arrived and that you like it. Nan already told you that I used crushed walnut shells – it’s perfect stuffing for pin cushions. Enjoy!
BTW, I forgot to mention that the fabric is an old ME fabric I had stashed away. :-)
And where in NJ will you be? Not in the Philadelphia area by any chance?
I love the quilts colors! The backing fabric is perfect!
Have a great time. That quilt is darling. I love the fabric and colors. You’re such a great cook, too. Everything I copy from you comes out so good. And you’re a machine when you get set to clean. I wish I was like that more often. You’re definately the whole package Anna!
Take care on your week away Anna – hope the hotel is nice! That fabric on the back of the quilt is lovely – and how nice to be able to sit with your mum and watch telly and do the binding – a really peaceful way to spend an afternoon!
Lucy x
I never have the urge to clean unless company is coming… honest!! It wore me out hearing about your RELAXING weekend. I love naps… relaxing. That’s also why I’m battling my weight.
Joni
Anna: That’s how I bind a quilt. Turn on the telly and just get started. Before you know it, you’re done!!! What exactly do you do in New Jersey if you don’t mind me asking.
Counting down to the wedding? Hooray!!!!!!!!!
Anna: Doesn’t it feel great when your whole house is clean? I got a new vacuum cleaner and have been testing it out in every room. No wonder I’m not getting any quilts done. Yours looks wonderful though and binding is one of my favorite things. I love to sit in front the the tele’ and do hand sewing. Good thing I have several handsewing projects next to the couch that I haven’t touched in months. Two of the projects are Christmas stockings so maybe they will get done by December.
I often start cleaning and then can’t stop, and I also can’t start sewing when I know there’s cleaning to be done, LOL.
Great gifts in the mail!
I’ve been doing bit-o-cleaning lately. I pick a spot like the top of the dresser or the top of the bookcase and do a smash up job then, stop. This is in my workroom – it is a scary place but I get overwhelmed if I attempt it in one big piece.
I’ll have to put that John Adams series into my Netflix queue, it must be really good!
The quilt is really beautiful and I just love your new little pincushion!
We had the cleaning thing going on here at the weekend too! We finally unearthed our conservatory from beneath piles of accumulated junk. Unfortunately, whilst we were doing this, the kids trashed every other room in the house!!
The wedding quilt is looking great and is such a wonderful idea!
xxx
My computer died yesterday and as a result I got loads of cleaning done! However, we’ve managed to borrow one and I’ve been glued on it all evening! Love your quilt
Kimx
This is lovely. We did the same thing and it turned out great! My favorite thing though was that we were going to have a family reunion and I asked everyone to fill out a paper that I sent to them. It asked their name, date of birth, parents(if married in) a picture of them in the following order…Baby, teenager, young adult, married, with kids, and grandkid (if they were old enough). I asked them to give a brief life history and I put together a family album and copied it for everyone in the family. Needless to say…it was a big hit! I was realy happy with the whole thing. Thought you might want to try it and add your own flavor!
The quiltback looks promising! I’m curious about the front!
Lovely gifts indeed AnnA! Hope your week in NJ will be fine!
You know I have a horrible cold today but I done nothing but clean all day. Even stranger I have a cleaner coming tomorrow!! I absolutely love that quilt fabric – just perfect. I get to hand over my ‘wedding quilt’ to the newly weds this weekend as they are having us over for Greek Easter lunch on Sunday. Must get the label done!
Yah…don’t you hate when that happens…cleaning leads to more cleaning. Oh well it’s got to get done somehow. The quilt looks wonderful, I love the colours and that’s prefect backing too. I’m going to try your Beef Stroganoff this week, it looks so easy and yummy.
Beautiful quilt! I got one of those sweet packages from Darlene too…isn’t she a sweetie? Which reminds me–I need to quit reading and go tend to me abandoned little blog :)
All I saw was stroganoff!!! OMG… it’s my favorite dish (and I put corn in mine too). Gonna try your recipe. Mmmmmm!