Louisa

I just couldn't resist a few simple pleasures, Valdani thread and an old wooden bobbin.  I'm not sure if the other is a bobbin, but I found it wrapped in thread.  My bedtime reading is a book by Janet Bolton called Patchwork Folk Art and now I drift off to sleep with ideas stirring in my head. 

Though not the most exciting quilt, my Louisa is finished.  I just wanted to test out my new pyramid ruler, but really didn't have a plan, so my pieced pyramids sat for almost a year.  I never did come up with a really good plan, but I sure had fun needle turning all the circles! 

To always have a plan is my lesson learned.

  

From the top of the Porcupine grass.....

to the bottom of the Japanese maple,

Signs of Autumn's near End.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen



Mile High Flower Cake

I was going to make a Mile High Chocolate Cake for visiting One Flower Wednesday Garden Party members, but decided a Mile High Flower Cake was more appropriate.  Seven new flowers top the cake this month for a total of 76 of 92 flowers completed.

Orange Crush Daylily

Last year I read a book called Give It Up! by Mary Carlomagno, a book about learning to live better with less.  Each month for one year, Mary would choose one of her favourite things and give it up, cold turkey, for one month.  Things like chocolate, dining out, cell phones, shopping and television. 

After reading the book I decided the first thing I would give up was magazines (except for one quilting magazine) and it would be forever, not just a month.  That turned out to be very easy to do. 

Back then I also thought I could give up television forever.  It was always on my mind to do, but I never did.  Now, television would not be considered one of my favourite things, it's just there and I don't believe it has even been turned on all summer.  So, last week I picked up the phone and cancelled my television service. 

I think I will make a list and see what else I can give up.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

Simple Pleasures

Thank you Terry!

I won her Half Blog Anniversary giveaway.

Simple Pleasures by Anni Downs

Enjoying the simple pleasures of life, letting nature do the entertaining, finding a balance between activity and quiet time, and not spending a lot of money in the process. 

The new definition of luxury is life's simple pleasures.  This new luxury doesn't involve great expense, but things like time, quiet time, and private spaces.  Being able to indulge in hobbies, recreational activities, and perhaps some extra time with the family is now seen as a luxury.

So, don't let another day go by without a simple pleasure or two!

My Agenda for the Week

Baby Ralphie has been selected for completion. Machine quilting is well under way and binding is just around the corner.  It was New Project Day, last week, at Sew Saturday and I just have a few finishing touches to go.  One Flower Wednesday is tomorrow and my Dear Jane block is ready for piecing on Thursday.  And, hopefully, the weekend will be spent with my clamshells.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

Merry Christmas

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,

for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away

like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.

The good you do for others is good you do yourself...

~Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976