Springtime in Pensacola

Its been Spring here for about a month, but officially just since the weekend. Is it Spring in your part of the world yet?

I love all the beautiful blooming flowers and the clear blue skies. The relatively low humidity. Not so much the allergies that go with the flowering oaks and pine tree pollen, or the carpenter bees that can't get enough of the old, old cedar siding on our house. Still, Spring is really nice. Our house is surrounded by blooming azaleas, camellias, Baby's Breath, Japanese tulip trees (which smell like lemons!) and green grass. Wisteria is blooming all over town. I wish we had some in our yard too. The flowering Baby's Breath always makes it feel like a special occasion in the front yard. Like a wedding or something.

Another beach trip this past weekend. We saw a pod of dolphins going by. The water is still not to our liking temp wise, but such a gorgeous clear green! With the green water and white sands, you could easily pretend you are in the Caribbean.

It was a perfect day to play catch and learn about making sand castles. Soon enough the beach will be our refuge, standing in the warm water up to our chins, with hats on, because everywhere you go is sticky and so hot, you don't know why you bothered to shower.

This isTyler and his Papa checking out the "told water" and looking for fish. I tried to get Tyler's feet wet, but he crawled up my leg like a crab to keep out of it. He's a warm water lover.

Here's to a long, mild Spring, and many more beach trips before 2011 winds down!

Take care!

And now you are 2!

My grandson turned two on Sunday. He spent the last month telling everyone "almost 2. My birt-day March Turteenth."  

He wore his new shirt (which I made the night before) and we all had such a great time.  Chuck E Cheese. His request. He remembered it from when he went there at 1 yr old. He got pretty much every gift he wanted: roller skates, a skateboard and baseball glove. He must think he's about 5, right? And no, we are not going to let him loose on the wheeled presents. He did get a helmet to go with them. I think he is going to have to stick to the grass in the yard with someone holding him. Hopefully he'll get the idea that they are too difficult right now and he'll be back at T-Ball, basketball and soccer. And water play. That boy LOVES water play. Here is a look back at 2 years that have gone by too fast already. 

   1. His true Birth Day. I was there!

2. His first trip to the pool last year.

3. A natural with tools. Helping build shelving for Nana's sewing room.

4. The water horse he made. a miracle that I caught it at just the right moment. During summer, he is wet all the time, because no matter how hot it is, he wants to be outside.

5. His beautiful Mama holding him at the party. He loves that inflatable crown. He put it on this morning and said "my burtday hat! I a king!"

February beach weather?!

 Soft white sand. Warm weather. New sunglasses and a long stick. What could be better for the boy who is turning 2 in a two weeks? He LOVES the beach as much as I do. As a matter of fact, when he sees a plane or birds flying, he says they are going to the beach. He'd ride his little tricycle there if we let him.

It has been so nice out, we went to the beach this weekend. The water is still cold. I like it better in summer when the water is about 80 - 85 degrees. Tyler does too. He kept saying "Told water!"

We had beautiful blue skies and mid-70s temps.

This is us. Papa took the picture. This is what I love about Pensacola. The sand is so perfect. The water so green and clear.

We were having so much fun on the beach park equipment and on the beach itself that we missed the Mardi Gras Kiddies and Kritters Parade we had gone to see!

Lunch at Flounders Chowder House was the perfect finish to our morning. Come on down to the Gulf Coast if you want a nice place to vacation. You won't need a passport to get here! You can eat great seafood, shop and even play miniature golf right at the main beach!

http://www.made-by-rae.com/  Today wraps up the Celebrate the Boy 2011 on Rae's blog. (Sorry Rae, I can't manage to borrow the button here) So many cute ideas again this year. It got me in the mood to sew clothing again.
  I have started making Tyler's new summer wear. Pajama pants and appliqued tshirts are really nice to lounge in after visits to the pool or beach and I can't resist all the adorable kiddie fabrics. Here is the first of this year's crop for him to relax in.

Until next time, happy sewing, and I hope you are having fun, whatever your weather is like.

Resurrected! The Camera, That Is.

Yeah! I got the camera working again. Fingers crossed that it lasts until I can afford an upgrade!

So here is some progress on my stash only quilt top! The pattern is "Ginger Belle" by Miss Rosie's Quilt Company. Isn't it fun? I have made 4 of the 12 double Irish chain blocks. The blocks are 15 1/2 inches! That is a lot of seams to press open! I actually made extra star blocks, so those will be on the back. Or maybe pillow shams? Yes. Pillow shams might be perfect.

The temptation to buy a really cute floral backing fabric for it is nagging at me, but I am being good. I have some yardage that will do for the backing and binding. No shopping, no shopping, no shopping. My new mantra. There are some incredible sales going on, but I will use only my stash.

Here is the fabric that was my inspiration. (There is only about a 1/2 yard left now.) It is at the center of every Irish chain block and in many of the 4 patches. It's called "Forget Me Not" by Kimberly Poloson for Robert Kaufman. I love the vintage postcards and souvenirs look of the fabric. I pulled all the other fabrics based on the colors in this one fabric. It is fun to stretch a bit. Some people might never think they could put brick and cranberry together in a quilt top, but they work because they are mixed together with so many others, and all the colors are in the inspiration piece.

What are you working on from stash? Have you ever made this pattern before? Any suggestions on a quilting design? I'd like to hear back!

Cameraless

So, since I can't post pics right now, I will see how much plain reading you can take.

The weather here this week has been WONDERFUL. Clear skies, and in the low 70s! So nice it is a shame to be behind a desk all week. I plan to be outdoorsy this weekend for sure.

I read a Dean Koontz book in one day. Not my usual cup of tea, but my dad insisted it was not too gory and I'd like reading about all the places we used to live near in So Cal. If you want a good read and you like just a little bit of creepy, The Good Guy is one I'd recommend.

I have finished piecing the 18 blocks for the doubled-in-size Keyholes quilt, an Anka's Treasures quilt pattern.  As I wrote in an earlier post, I am using Moda's Glace jelly rolls to make it. You can see some other versions here and here. I think the batik one is just stunning, don't you?

Anyway, the blocks are 18 1/2 inches (unfinished) but doubling the pattern means there are still not enough to cover my California king size bed. So I have been searching the internet for Glace jelly rolls to make another set of blocks. There are some out there, but shipping is ridiculous for most - I just refuse to pay $7 or more to ship ONE jelly roll. Other shops that still have it (and at a good price too!) do not take PayPal, and at this point in the checking account, I have to pass on buying them too. Sigh.... Oh well, it is a long time til Christmas. I guess I'll see what else is still available when funds have increased. I still have to buy 2 border fabrics and backing anyway. Oh, and a camera. That will be the priority. Unless something else at the house breaks.

Other quilty progress: I am on the last block piecing step for Ginger Belle, by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. I have the 13 star blocks done. Now for the Double Irish Chain blocks! All from my stash!

I still haven't finished putting the Postage Stamp Quilt top together yet. Several rows are together, but I have a few seams just pinned and sitting there. Also still working on Hunky Dory. Most of the blocks are plastered on 2 design walls, and I have a long way to go. I knock at some here and there over the weekend between cleaning, laundry, shopping, cooking and taking care of the grandson. What? Me busy?

Oh, and I won something from www.stitchinheaven.com on their Valentine's blog contest! Whatever it is is a surprise to me, so I can't share it til it shows up in the mail. It is nice to be lucky once in a while!

Pardon the delay

Wouldn't you know my camera died when I was ready to take and post pics of my work??? Now we'll be trying to figure a new camera into the budget before I can show you my totally from stash "Ginger Belle," a Miss Rosie's Quilt Company pattern.

Patience comes from trials. I know that is so true!

Psst...

I am working on something totally from my stash. Almost done making the 261 four patches that go in it. I can't wait to show you what it is, but for now, that is all I can share! Stay tuned!