December 8, 2014 a rainy night in sunny Florida!

FOR TODAY   December 8,2014

Outside my window..it is very dark and rainy.

I am thinking...that I am thankful we headed south befor the big nor'easter scheduled to hit Maine this week.

I am thankful... that my husband is an excellent driver.

In the kitchen...the cupboard restocking is almost finished.

I am wearing...capri's and a 3/4 length sleeved shirt.

I am creating... nothing at the moment. The sewing machine has yet to be set up.

I am going...to "Coffee " tomorrow to see the school children sing for our  park.

I am wondering... if I will finally get my outside decorations up tomorrow.

I am reading..."The Christmas Quilt" by Sandra Dallas

I am hoping.... Harmony and her husband do not have to  cancel their Christmas Concerts due to bad weather this week.

I am looking forward to...the Christmas house tour tomorrow night.



I am learning to ...  eat gluten free.

Around the house...I need to wash windows!

A favorite quote for today... "It could always be worse."

November 2, 2014

FOR TODAY  November 2,2014    Nor'easter

Outside my window..dark, windy and snowy.

I am thinking...that we received no snow in October but are getting hit hard early in November. "Snow in October, soon to be over. Snow in November, here to remember."

I am thankful... for all of the people who work in storms to ensure our safety.

In the kitchen... I cooked pizza for an early supper. We might loose our power with the wind and heavy snow coating the trees and  wires.

I am wearing...a sweatshirt that says"Let It Snow".

I am creating...socks.

I am going...to the polls on Tuesday but I must confess that I won't be sorry to see the election season end. Too many ads!

I am wondering... if this is the beginning of a long , snowy winter.

I am reading..."The Christmas Quilt" by Sandra Dallas

I am hoping....we have some milder weather before we head to FL.

I am looking forward to...attending concerts and plays this month.



I am learning to ...  organize my pictures here on the computer.

Around the house...it is toasty and quiet.

A favorite quote for today...'When you are totally at peace with yourself,nothing can shake you." Deepam Chaterjee

A Most Wonderful Day

The last few days I have been working in the sewing room stitching Anna and Elsa costumes for twin sisters! It has been such a pleasure pulling from my stash to make dresses and capes for the little girls. I I only had to purchase three things. Raspberry  colored cloth, a remnant of silver material (75 cents!)and a dollar store crown ! Everything else was on left over from previous projects.

The girls live about 40 minutes away . Of course they grow like weeds ,and since I only get peeks at them occasionally, I was guessing on the sizes. I am happy to say they fit perfectly!

Look at those happy faces!



My face had a big smile on it too! I so miss working with children so I was delighted to visit with these seven year olds today. And that was not the only reason  I had a wonderful visit! There are enough children in this family to round out the whole cast.Kristoff, Olaf and Sven plus two baby flowers! Two more sets of twins , a singleton and another singleton on the way!!Yes , that's not a misprint!


Indeed, a most wonderful day!

October 4,2014

FOR TODAY  October 4th, 2014

Outside my window.. dark and rainy.

I am thinking...about today being my "baby sister's" birthday.

I am thankful... for good medical care  a friend received right here in our town.

In the kitchen...the light is out and the leftovers have been stored. I love leftovers!

I am wearing...long pants and a long sleeved shirt. It's a rainy October  evening here in Maine.

I am creating... burp cloths and car seat tents!

I am going...to my sewing room in a few minutes.

I am wondering... how long I will be walking with friends at 7:00 am. It is getting cooler and darker every week!

I am reading...My Name Is Mary Sutter.   It is about Mary Sutter's quest to become a surgeon.

I am hoping.... to finally have a  day with my best friend.

I am looking forward to...attending a women's retreat at the end of October to hear a woman speak about her experience as a missionary and the loss of her husband.




I am learning to ...  use tiny knitting needles  .

Around the house...I have my ceramic pumpkins out.

A favorite quote for today..."I think I can, I think I can, I think I can." The Little Engine That Could

Labor Day 2014

FOR TODAY  September 1,2014

Outside my window...it is  pitch dark at 7:45 pm.

I am thinking... about the apartment fire here in town that displaced eight families.

I am thankful... for the loving community I live in. Donations are flooding in to help the fire victims.

In the kitchen...I have fresh wild blueberries waiting for the freezer.

I am wearing...summer clothes! Fall has not arrived here yet!

I am creating...comfort quilts for friends having rough patches.

I am going...to be camping with my husband later this week.

I am wondering... if the nice weather will continue while we are away.

I am reading..."The Romonov Sisters"

I am hoping.... that the teachers and students at the school I taught at have a great first day tomorow.

I am looking forward to...an upcoming quilt retreat on the coast of Maine.



I am learning to ...  re-lace my sneakers to ease some of the arch pain that has been bothering me this summer.

Around the house... it is time to start the fall flower garden chores.

A favorite quote for today..."Make each day a little better than the day before" Gordon B.Hinckley

July 10,2014

FOR TODAY  July 10,2014

Outside my window..dusk is arriving after a beautiful sunny day.

I am thinking... That is has been way too long since I posted.

I am thankful... for the travel mercies granted to Mike and me as we headed to southern Maine this week. 

In the kitchen... I am  anxious for the new refridgerator to arrive.

I am wearing... Shorts and a shortsleeved top.Warm days have arrived!

I am creating... quilts and more quilts! I have a binding tofinish hand stitching on a quilt for my "fake" granddaughter, I am finishing up a baby quilt and will start a brown and blue quilt soon!

I am going... to  try to make it up to spend the night with my daughter this weekend.

I am wondering... how my Florida quilting friends are doing. I sent out a  "circle  letter" today.

I am reading... a book about wild horses in Montana!

I am hoping....  the furniture I ordered arrives early next week!

I am looking forward to... quilting with friends at the state quilt show at the end of the month.


I am learning to ... paint ceilings and walls. Mike has usually done that  in the past but I want to add the skill to my resume! 

Around the house... we have recently sanded and varnished floors. I am enlarging the  shade garden bed.

A favorite quote for today..."Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle and the life of the candle will not be shortened." Einstein

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FOR TODAY  

Outside my window..

I am thinking...

I am thankful... f

In the kitchen...

I am wearing...

I am creating...

I am going...

I am wondering... i

I am reading...

I am hoping....

I am looking forward to...



I am learning to ...  to make gnocchi.

Around the house...

A favorite quote for today...

A Real Blog Post

Greetings from Pieceful! It's been a while since I have posted  so I am checking in  tonight .The days have been busy since returning home from Florida. I am currently working on  a wedding quilt for Harmony and my new son-in-law. Sunday will find me working on Christmas presents since it is the second Sunday of the month. And tomorrow I plan on delivering the quilt below to a first time Mimi as a gift for the new addition to her family!

This is a flannel quilt that I made using the Creative Grids Tumbler ruler. The back is pieced  with yellow and blue flannel and I machine quilted it on my Janome.

I hope to post again soon with pictures of more completed projects. Happy stitching to all of my quilting friends.

April 24,2014

FOR TODAY  July 10,2014

Outside my window..dusk is arriving after a beautiful sunny day.

I am thinking... That is has been way too long since I posted.

I am thankful... for the travel mercies granted to Mike and I as we headed to southern Maine this week. 

In the kitchen... I am  anxious for the new refridgerator to arrive.

I am wearing... Shorts and a shortsleeved top.Warm days have arrived!

I am creating... quilts and more quilts! I have a binding tofinish hand stitching on a quilt for my "fake" granddaughter, I am finishing up a baby quilt and will start a brown and blue quilt soon!

I am going... to  try to make it up to spend the night with my daughter this weekend.

I am wondering... how my Florida quilting friends are doing. I sent out a  "circle  letter" today.

I am reading... a book about wild horses in Montana!

I am hoping....  the furniture I ordered arrives early next week!

I am looking forward to... quilting with friends at the state quilt show at the end of the month.


I am learning to ... paint ceilings and walls. Mike has usually done that  in the past but I want to add the skill to my resume! 

Around the house... we have recently sanded and varnished floors. I am enlarging the  shade garden bed.

A favorite quote for today..."Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle and the life of the candle will not be shortened." Einstein

Spring Sewing Fever!

Spring!

Spring is just beginning to really hit here in Northern Maine and I couldn't be more ready! Along with the sunshine came big inspiration to sew. Luckily, I am on vacation this week and I can do just that. Now that I have rested a day or two I am ready to tackle some projects. By the end of the week I hope to have three big jelly roll bags finished as well as two sew together bags.

Big Jelly Roll Bags

I am following Missouri Star Quilt Company's tutorial found on YouTube. Click here to see it yourself! Mine are going to look very scrappy! I am using a Jelly Roll that was given to me as a Christmas present.

Sew Together Bag

I bought this pattern on Craftsy. To see a picture, click on the pattern link. I can't wait to make them to take on retreats and to classes! I will be making one for my mum (pieceful) and myself to start but I see myself making many more as gifts. Many pictures will be included in my next blog.

Stay Tuned

Finished products will be posted in a few days!

Respectfully,

Harmony

Manifesto For a Simple Life

March 27,2014


This is a post I found on Pinterest that really spoke to me. Unfortunately no one was named to give credit to.



Manifesto For a Simple Life

Eat less, Move more,
Buy less, Make more,
Stress less, Laugh more,
Feel blessed,Love more,
Find a quiet spot and breathe.



Good advise.Plain and simple.


Off to find a quiet spot.
Pieceful

My Colors

Long time, no blog!

Truth be told, my sewing time has been limited lately! Now that I have a permanent station to sew though, I am taking advantage of short amounts of time that would have been out of the question in the past!

My Kind of Colors!

Many blogs ago, I posted about my first full size quilt. I was so proud and so happy to have that quilt for me! Who was I kidding. I rarely get to touch the thing! My boyfriend commandeered that within weeks of it being completed as his own. It's a large quilt. You'd think we'd be able to share....NOPE! It's his.

Shucks. Guess I had to make another quilt of my own! This time I'm making it in MY colors so he won't be tempted! The pattern I used is Popsicle Stick by Atkinson Designs and it required 2 bali pops or jelly rolls (lap size with binding included). My colors are Wild Berry.

I have to admit. Random placement quilts are hard for me. But with these fabrics, there was truly no wrong! I love it. I plan on having it quilted with a nice solid color backing to contrast the very busy front. And I will allow no sharing when I am cozied up with it!

Also, I get to share a project that Pieceful completed! I am sharing it because it was a Christmas present to me! Here is her Spider Web wall hanging. It currently hangs in my living room!

Spring has not sprung!

Spring fever has hit! I am so ready to enjoy the outdors! See green! Go kayaking! But it will be awhile coming...This picture was taken last Wednesday. The last official day of winter outside my building. The landlords have to maintain a path the the fire escape. On Thursday we got another foot of snow, it's snowing now (Saturday) and we are supposed to get another major storm on Wednesday! 

Lucky for me, I have another sewing project already lined up to keep me sane!

Stay Tuned!

My next project is going to be 3 Big Bags from on Jelly Roll. I will use the tutorial on MissourStar's youtube channel. It's definitely worth checking out. I especially like the way she makes straps for her bags. Huge time saver!

Respectfully,

Harmony

Stay Tuned

Mar 19,2014

FOR TODAY  March 19,2014

Outside my window..there is the most beautiful sunset.

I am thinking... that I need to go to The Simple Woman's Daybook site and check out the new book club.

I am thankful... for the opportunity to learn more about quilting. Tomorrow I head for the Sewing Expo.

In the kitchen...  the lights are off ! The kitchen is closed!

I am wearing..capri pants and short sleeved shirt.

I am creating... a pillow for a dear friend in Maine.

I am going... on a bus trip with my quilt group tomorrow.

I am wondering... what the weather will be like when we head north in a few weeks.

I am reading..."The Daring Ladies of Lowell". It is a wonderful book.

I am hoping.... the weather here stays warm for our last few weeks.

I am looking forward to... seeing family and friends.


I am learning to ...  acknowledge the importance of stretching exercises.

Around the house...I  need to start  wiping down walls  in anticipation of our move back home.

A favorite quote for today..."The earth laughs in flowers."Ralph Waldo Emerson




If you are interested in reading  posts by other people using the Simple Woman's Day book please enjoy this link. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

March 2,2014

FOR TODAY   March 2.2014

Outside my window... bright blue sky and sunshine.

I am thankful...  for good friends and great fellowship.

In the kitchen...chicken is marinating.

I am wearing...a short sleeved shirt and capris.

I am creating... a table runner incorporating a block called "North Star" for a display in a quilt show.

I am going...to sit outside and soak my foot The ingrown toenail is ALMOST a thing of the past!

I am wondering... why we have had to change the way we access out voice mail????

I am reading... The Shell Seekers by Rosamund Pilcher. I do not know why I haven't read it before!

I am hoping.... to finish two more Christmas gifts this week!

I am looking forward to... a trip to the panhandle of Florida to visit a military air museum.

I am learning to ... use more of the novelty stitches on my sewing machine.

Around the house... I need to mulch the flower garden.

A favorite quote for today..."Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." Aristotle




If you are interested in reading  posts by other people using the Simple Woman's Day book please enjoy this link. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

February 12,2014

FOR TODAY  February 12,2014

Outside my window..it is foggy but I see the sun trying to peek through!

I am thinking... about all of the lessons I taught on February 12th over the years. It's Abraham Lincoln's birthday!

I am thankful... I had a job I loved.

In the kitchen... everything is picked up but the floor patiently waits for me to mop it!

I am wearing...a purple nightgown.

I am creating... a Redwork sampler to be  placed with completed projects for next Christmas.

I am going.. to take a long walk while the weather is still cool  this morning.

I am wondering... what we should do for this week's special outing.

I am reading... Between Trust and Luck  by Emilie Richards

I am hoping.... everyone is safe during the storm heading up the East coast.

I am looking forward to... making an apple pie for Michael's Valentine's day gift!

I am learning to ...  try  different  places in my quest for the best Hot and Sour soup in the area! I love Hot and Sour soup!!

Around the house...I am organizing a few drawers each day.

A favorite quote for today..."It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves". Sir Edmund Hillary




If you are interested in reading  posts by other people using the Simple Woman's Day book please enjoy this link. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

My Guys

Can you tell I have been able to get a lot done lately? That is because a couple weeks ago Jon took pity on me. We live in a very small apartment. We are musicians and our instruments often take over our living space. Add my sewing machine and accoutrements to that and there is quickly no place for us!

One evening as I was expressing how I had the ambition to finish a project but not enough time because each time I want to sew I have to get everything out and set it all up running an extension cord from one room to the next Jon got up and started moving things around. The next thing I know our keyboard has a new home along the wall in the kitchen and I have a permanent sewing station in the living room!

Notice how nice and brightly lit the station is? That's because my Dad loves me! He knows that I love gift cards to JoAnn Fabric! The one he got me for Christmas bought me this wonderful OttLite which really brightens my cutting mat! He also does his research and purchases gifts on his own too. Top quality Gingher gifts.

Bottom line? My guys are pretty great!

Respectfully,

Harmony

Zentangles

At the State Quilt show one of the workshops Pieceful attended was on Zentangles. She really enjoyed it and shared some of the techniques that she learned with me. Along with the iron caddy pattern Mum also got my a Zentangle a Day book, a journal and some micron pens so that I can learn new patterns and practice.

Zentangles

For those of you who might not know me, I have NO drawing ability. I squeaked through art class in grade school. I never doodled in class. I didn't know how. I can draw lines. I can color. I can Zentangle.

Each day the book shows you how to create a few new tangles and then you get to try applying them on your own! For example, here a few new tangles.

 This is how I chose to apply them along with some others that I'd used previously.

I'll be posting more as it get better! When I do I will use my good camera to get better pictures!

Respectfully,

Harmony

Iron Caddies

Often for Christmas Mum gets me a new pattern of some kind. Often it comes with a not so subtle request to have that pattern made for her! She has made out well by doing this acquiring a variety of tote bags and snap bags for example. This year was no different I received a pattern for an iron caddy. I also received a not so subtle request for one of her own! Works for me!

Iron Caddy

I didn't stop at two though! Originally I bought enough material to make us matching caddies in a print that is a part of the same line of fabric that her apron was made of. Well, I then had to go on the hunt for more of the iron resistant material since the pattern only provided enough to make one. No such luck finding any up here where I live! We took a (3+ hour) drive down state and I was able to stop into the nearest JoAnne Fabric to me! Of course I didn't actually measure the piece in the pattern before leaving home. I thought it was approximately a half yard, but couldn't be certain because it had been awhile since I had even looked. I bought a yard to be safe since we don't travel south very often. The yard was enough to make two! Yay!

I dug through my stash and found I had enough material on hand, including some funky buttons to make the third caddy without having to shop. And I love this material so I decided that my Mum and a special friend will get matching iron caddies and I will use the third one from my stash!

 Still wondering just what this thing is? It is a nifty little carrier for your iron that doubles as an ironing surface! It is great for taking to classes or retreats because of its portability and the heat resistant material.

 Respectfully,

Harmony

Life's a Beach

Hello there! This is Harmony posting today. I promise I have been busy lately and I finally have a moment to blog about it to bring you all up to speed. I will share with you today about some of my latest completed projects but I will have a separate blog for each project so that it doesn't get too long!

Life's a Beach

This is a project that I began last summer when I went to the State Quilt show and took a class with Cynthia England. By sewing small pieces of fabric together a landscape is created. The picture outline is printed on freezer paper that you cut out and iron directly on to fabric and stitch with right sides together. This is different than paper piecing. Below is a the first section that I completed.

Once you have a few small sections completed, you sew those together and it begins to form your landscape. There are HUNDREDS of small pieces of material here!

 Finally done! Square it up and add borders.

The final product is going to be shipped to Florida for my Mum! Merry belated Christmas!

Respectfully,

Harmony

March 2.2014

FOR TODAY   March 2.2014

Outside my window... bright blue sky and sunshine.

I am thankful...  for good friends and great fellowship.

In the kitchen...chicken is marinating.

I am wearing...a short sleeved shirt and capris.

I am creating... a table runner incorporating a block called "North Star" for a display in a quilt show.

I am going...to sit outside and soak my foot The ingrown toenail is ALMOST a thing of the past!

I am wondering... why we have had to change the way we access out voice mail????

I am reading... The Shell Seekers by Rosamund Pilcher. I do not know why I haven't read it before!

I am hoping.... to finish two more Christmas gifts this week!

I am looking forward to... a trip to the panhandle of Florida to visit a military air museum.

I am learning to ... use more of the novelty stitches on my sewing machine.

Around the house... I need to mulch the flower garden.

A favorite quote for today..."Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." Aristotle




If you are interested in reading  posts by other people using the Simple Woman's Day book please enjoy this link. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Feeling smug...

I am feeling a tad smug. Isn't that  an interesting way to start a blog post? Yesterday was the second Sunday in the month and I successfully kept my promise to use it productively! Year before last I used an idea from a post on another blog and picked a day each month to work on Christmas gifts. By October I was all done and wrapped. It was a wonderful feeling. Why , oh why, did I not continue that into 2013? As I was scurrying around during this holiday season, I vowed to rectify that.

This year I am once again using the second Sunday of each month to work in my sewing  room. This year I have broadened the focus from Christmas gifts to gifts in general.

The feeling of smugness comes from a successful Sunday. Yesterday I completed an IOU gift from Christmas past,  completed and delivered a table runner for a neighbor and completed a sweet little pillowcase with trucks on it for next Christmas. That will be packaged with a book on trucks and placed in a dumptruck  for a little boy for Christmas coming!  (Insert a smug smile here). Completed is my new favorite word!

Off to stitch. I am on a roll!

Pieceful

FOR TODAY  January 3,2014

Outside my window... it is dark, cloudy, and very cool .

I am thinking... about how nice it was to see Ryan, Lucretta , Andrew and Joseph.

I am thankful...that all of my family is thriving.

In the kitchen... I have a new Kuerig coffee maker!

I am wearing....shorts and a striped top even though it was a very cool day by Florida standards.

I am creating..... leg warmers and a table runner.

I am going... on a bus trip to a quilt show in West Pam Beach next Friday.

I am wondering... how long it will take me to get used to writing "2014"

I am reading... Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlin (a favorite author)...still!

I am hoping...that my ingrown toenail continues to improve. (I know. TMI!)

I am looking forward to... starting the year off right by dedicating the second Sunday of each month towards making  Christmas gifts .

I am learning to ... do some yoga stretches.

Around the house...I have vacuumed and put things away today.

A favorite quote for today..."You can't use up creativity.The more you use, the more you have." Maya Angelou



If you are interested in reading  posts by other people using the Simple Woman's Day book please enjoy this link. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/