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Not Five on Friday

20 Comments / June 12, 2015 June 13, 2015 / Chat

Well, it’s Friday again — Yipee! And I don’t have five things for you — mostly because it’s been so slow around here, there just aren’t five things. There are barely three things!

We successfully made it through graduation season — the last of the little birds in our family will soon fly the coop and head off for college. We had a FULL weekend last weekend with parties and get-togethers and it was a lot of fun. I’ve been in a homebody funk the last few weeks and I wasn’t very excited about all of the activities, but MyDadLovesMeBestSister did a beautiful job and it was all so worth it. Aside from graduation, we had a nice little family dinner, a birthday brunch for CuteNiece1 and the weekend ended with a big multi-graduate-country-club bash, complete with candy bar and photo booth. It was jam-packed with lots of people and everyone had a great time!

I also managed to get CuteNiece2’s graduation quilt finished, just in the knick of time. Here it is, fresh out of the dryer, about an hour before I gave it to her.

You’ve seen this quilt before. When I bought this fabric for my little shop a few years ago, it was always with the intention of making this quilt for my niece. She was definitely made for adventure, and now she’ll be off on her own grand adventure. I do love those sweet little adventure girls.

(Ooooh, and have you see the new adventure boys that will be coming out this summer? They’re called The Adventurers and they’re SO cute!!!)

Now that the party is over, I’ve just been trying to get caught up around here — everything’s a mess. We’ve been busy trying to edge all the shrub/flower beds so that they can be mulched, but it’s taking so long, that we’ll have to re-weed the first few beds we edged. We’re hoping to finish that little task this weekend. In the meantime, I just ooh and ahh every time I see the Ugly Tree.

In case you don’t remember, I don’t really think this is an ugly tree — I LOVE it, but TheManoftheHouse does not. It’s really a weeping cedar and I think it’s beautiful. Can you see that cool little sprout in the middle of the tree? Here’s a close-up:

It’s really hard to see with a two-dimensional picture — sorry. It’s like a new pine tree is growing out of the old one. It seems to have popped up almost over night! I would call this my favorite tree now, but every time I do that, my favorite tree dies, so I’m not going to say that about this one. But I Really, Really Love this tree!

Ok — that’s it for me. I’m off to take MeMum out to lunch so the cleaning ladies that she doesn’t have can clean her house. Have a great weekend!

XOXO,
Anna

Bye-Bye May

17 Comments / May 31, 2015 May 31, 2015 / Chat

Well, I hate to have another incredulous post about how time is flying, but I can’t help it! Tomorrow is June 1st — WTW??? I can’t seem to get caught up from the aftermath of the quilt market trip — I still have half a messy suitcase sitting on the bedroom floor. It’s pitiful.

But, enough whining. Here’s a bunch of random, which sort of reflects how random May felt. Hopefully I’ll be a little more organized in June (a girl can dream!):

I am actually sewing a bit (in between all the yardwork and prepping beds for mulching). Working on the last high school graduation quilt in our family. My youngest niece will graduate next week and hopefully her quilt will be ready for her. ;-P

Have you been following the adult coloring book craze? Did you know that people are embroidering some of the designs from the Johanna Basford books? Mary Corbet at Needle and Thread has done a gorgeous version of a hummingbird design (Go Look!), and Elaine at Emily’s Cupboard is doing a super cute scarecrow.

A few new long-awaited arrivals in my little etsy shop. London Map by 3 Sisters for Moda — I think it will make a great quilt back for my Union Jack quilt. Assuming I can ever find time to get back to those blocks! And Gardenvale by Jen Kingwell. It was sold out, but since the order was over a month late, a pre-order cancelled, so now there is one tower left.

This fuzzy little heathen

has attacked every roll of TP in every bathroom in the house. He’s driving us crazy. I think he’s trying to tell us something — too bad we don’t know what it is!

And, do you remember this little project bag I made a few weeks ago?

They’re really simple to make, but I had a few questions about them, so I’ll try and show you how I make them next time.

Have a great week!
XOXO,
Anna

Excuses, Excuses

43 Comments / May 2, 2015 May 2, 2015 / Chat, Liberty Love, Sewing

Well, I don’t know about your place, but it hasn’t been very productive around here in the last week or so. I do have excuses though — so I hope I can be forgiven.

First off, today was MeMum and BigDaddy’s 60th wedding anniversary. Sixty Years. We had a nice little family dinner last night — it was wonderful to take the time to go out together and relax. It was fun to hear the stories of the day they got married (they eloped) and their wedding trip (they saw a mushroom cloud from an open-air atomic bomb test as they drove through the Nevada desert on their way home). Anyway, it was a good time, and we all feel fortunate that we could celebrate together.

And then, there’s been a fabric delivery here in ThimbleannaLand. Lots of beautiful Liberty fabrics. Personally, I think this excuse could stand on it’s own — it’s hard to resist fondling beautiful fabric – I know you understand! Here are some of the pretty prints that have arrived:

These Liberties (and a few more) are loaded into my little shop. (Bundles will be coming soon!) Thank you SO much to those of you who have purchased fabric — your purchases have made it so that the selection can expand.

So, back to my excuse list — I blame this next distraction on Jan. She posted on instagram that she was mesmerized by a live feed of an eagle’s nest in Latvia and now I’m hooked too! It started off, innocently enough — look at that cute little baby!

Before long, it was time for a little dinner. I was fascinated watching Dad Eagle (Is that the Dad, Jan?) feed the baby. I was amazed that when he pulled pieces off of a fish that were too big, he would put the piece back under his talon to rip off a smaller piece for the baby. And if he pulled up a bone or tail, he ate it himself — only the finest for that little Eaglet.

Then they settled down for a little nap, which was perfect timing. I had to go take MeMum out for lunch so that the cleaning ladies that she doesn’t have (haha) could do their magic.

When I got back a few hours later, they were sleeping, but look! Someone had re-stocked the pantry with quite a few fish. They must be amazing fishermen!

I keep checking in now and then (they’re just waking up to a new day as we speak). You might want to check these Eagles out too, don’t blame ME if you get hooked. Blame JAN!!!!

And, if those top three distractions weren’t enough, there’s this:

Isn’t she beautiful (the knits too!)? (And can we take a minute to oooh and aaaah over that sweet print on Kate’s dress????) How exciting that little Prince George has a baby sister. I can’t wait for the name reveal — and … bring on the little smocked dresses!!!

In keeping with the royal theme, I had to hurry and whip up a little project pouch (it’s hard to tell, but there’s a clear plastic front on the pouch) with some Brit-themed fabric. Sometimes I take a little something to work on during my lunch hour at work, and I’m tired of using ziplock bags. Everything was in my stash (I love it when that happens) and this was a quick little project. I’m planning on making a few more — these will be perfect for my Chuck Nohara blocks. (Btw, CrazyMom has a cute pattern for totally clear project bags.)

Whew! I’m done making excuses — thanks for sticking with me! Hope you’re having a great weekend — it’s a beautiful one here in the midwest USA!
XOXO,
Anna

Checking In

20 Comments / April 23, 2015 April 23, 2015 / Chat, Chuck Nohara, The Aunts' Quilt

Man, I have no idea where the last week went. I feel like I just posted yesterday, but according to the calendar, it’s been 8 days. Work, Work, Work, it sure makes time fly. I’m sure you’re busy out there too — it feels like it never lets up, doesn’t it?

I spent the whole of last weekend cleaning. and boy, was it ever needed. Sort of big cleaning. Like, clean the windows cleaning — I can’t remember the last time I cleaned the windows. In addition to cleaning, we had a visit from Winston for a few days while the kids had a few days away. I enjoyed being able to take him on walks in the neighborhood. Spring is finally peeking out from under winter’s rock — late, but here. And looky who we found on our walk:

Can you see them? It’s Mr. and Mrs. Duck! Winston spotted them right away and wanted to go and play. Sorry about the picture quality, but I felt lucky that I had my phone with me. Anyway, if you’ve been around for a few years, you know that our duck couple is our official sign that spring has arrived. The trees are just barely showing a tinge of green and in spite of the snowflakes we saw this week, beautiful weather is right around the corner.

In the meantime, I’ve been doing a bit of sewing here and there. When I started the Aunts’ Quilt, I mentioned to the Auntlets that they might want to think about prepping the scallops for the border as we go along, in order to save a ton of work at the end — only I haven’t been following my own advice. After I finished last month’s blocks, I started to panic a little. Only a few more months and it will be time to do those borders and I hadn’t prepped any of the scallops. So, this past week, I got with the program and prepped some scallops in the evenings while we watched tv. Very fun work. And pretty too!

And there’s been another little project too. There are a bunch of crazies over on Instagram and I’ve followed them over a cliff. They’re having a quiltalong — you make a few blocks a month from the book “2001 Blocks of Patchwork” by Chuck (it’s a woman!) Nohara. (Click on the link, scroll down, click on the book and you can view a few pages). I need another project like I need a hole in the head. But, the ladies are a fun group, and what’s another deadline anyway? It’s good to keep busy, right? I hope I can finish some of them in this lifetime LOL. Anyway, here’s my first block:

Before I go, here’s a few fun links for you:
Randi is making smoothies and this one looks deeeeeelicious!
Flossie Teacakes wrote a great post about solids. Do you have a solids stash? Mine is sadly lacking. Hey — maybe we should have a Moda Bella Solids of the Month Club and build our stashes.
Speaking of Crazies, Ms. Ric Rac has her very first line of fabric coming out at market. Here’s a peek. I can’t wait to see it.
And finally, Irene has a new book coming out and I can’t wait to see it too. Spring Quilt Market is almost here — lots of exciting things on the way.

Ok, Peeplets — I’m off to bed. Have a great weekend!
XOXO,
Anna

Five on Friday

14 Comments / March 12, 2015 March 12, 2015 / Chat

1. A friend of mine had a birthday this week and she shamelessly hinted that she’d sure like our favorite chocolate cake as a little surprise. How could I say no — I LOVE that cake! I think you need to make one too — really — it only looks fattening!!!

2. Have you seen this article about the oldest man in Australia? How wonderful would it be to knit to a ripe old age of 109?

3. Selina posted this quote by Gwen Marston on her Instagram account:

“I love sewing, so I’m not trying to ‘get it over with’. I’m not trying to wrap it up so I can go off and dust.”

I love that! I love sewing too and I love taking my time and enjoying the process. And this quote explains a lot. Why my projects take so long and why this house is SO dusty!

4. I realized that I never showed you what I ordered when I won the Minted.com giveaway over on Amy’s blog a few months ago. I can’t even remember everything I ordered, but I’ve sure been enjoying these little notecards. They’re printed on a beautiful, heavy paper, and I had so much fun choosing a notecard style. I love that get to see those pretty Liberty fabrics when I write a note to someone!

5. And speaking of Amy, I’m holding her responsible for the latest round of fabric that has arrived in my little Thimbleanna shop. A few weeks ago she posted about the new Maker line by Art Gallery Fabrics. Oh. My. Gosh. I LOVE this line and I had to have some of it. And while I was ordering from AGF, my fingers slipped and I ordered a few other prints too. Here are just some of the new prints in the shop:

And when I saw Hello Bear, I couldn’t help myself. I mean Come. On. It’s BAMBI. And her Mother!!! (I’ve had this problem with deer fabric before LOL.) Just tooooo sweet.

So…if you love these fabrics as much as I do, skip on over to my little shop and I’ll hook you up!

That’s it! I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I plan on being a Maker!
XOXO,
Anna