Grandma's Journal of "Lotsa"...

 In a simple 6" x 9" brown mailing envelope with my name written on it is a gift of timeless treasure from my beloved Grandma.  Grandma was left handed and very creative.  This was her writing at age 82. Inside this plain envelope is the following...

 A journal of tips created by Grandma herself. This sticker is very vintage and has my favorite blue color on it.  The gold frame around the flowers is very old world dimensional gold relief.

This is the title page of her journal that she left for me.  Wow I cannot believe it is already 14 years since she created this.  

 Here is her description of why and what she put into this little journal.  Grandma loved to type.  She would sit at a metal typewriter stand with her manual typewriter and type letters to her friends.  At 82 it was easier to type than to hand write.  Her fingers and hands had arthritis and would get cramped and painful.  Somehow she continued to knit and crochet to keep her hands busy.

I believe if you click on the photos they will enlarge so you can read the words.  Here is a tip in her little book that I can honestly say I have never tried:
Tennis Balls...When they lose their bounce, wrap in foil and bake in 200 degree oven for 20 minutes.  I am not certain I would try this nowadays.  So many variables may have changed.  
This is my late addition to Memory Lane Mondays and I am linking to Brynwood Needleworks.
It is no surprise to any of my followers that I often go back to a memory that includes my beloved Grandma.  She was such a special lady and I am so fortunate that I was able to learn from her and I continue to learn from her via her thoughtful ways she gave me so much.
Here is a special thought from a page in this journal...
"Just for today I will be unafraid.  Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe that as I give to the world...so the world will give to me."
I will be certain to pass this journal on to my daughter and so it will continue to give for generations.
Thank you Donna for this wonderful Memory Lane we can travel down.
Our weather is grey, cold and very wet.  Will it snow?  I don't know but it certainly is cold and dreary.
May your week be wonderful...

Marvelous March In Time...

 Block #31 Evening Star

Here I am in Marvelous March and I am thrilled it has turned out to be such and not Mayhem March.  I have been able to work on some more of the March suggested Farmer's Wife blocks.  I really love this block because it features my floral focal fabric with the blue I so love.  No matter how many times I look at the book page diagram on the left I still see it differently each time.  Talk about focus...good thing I am still mastering focus.

 Block #34 Flock

I like this block as it utilizes my beloved floral and a soft gorgeous paisley in the light grey and that pop of black and white polka dot.  Can you imagine some Canadian geese flying overhead?  Or maybe some smaller birds heading back home after winter?  

 Block #103 Whirlwind

This block doesn't do much for me but it will add to my wall hanging.  Speaking of my wall hanging I haven't decided how many blocks I am going to utilize in the finished size.  So silly me I asked Mr. C and showed him some I had laid out on the table.  He said nine blocks was the size he wanted.  Nine?  I have already made at least eighteen and have lots more to make.  The wall is very large.  This will need to be discussed again at a later date.  I will probably make place mats or a table runner also so therefore I can continue making my Farmer's Wife Quilt blocks.

Block #51 Hovering Birds

This block really had me stumped.  There are 22 cut pieces.  No matter how I tried to lay them out in order to begin my stitching I just didn't get it right.  Lots of de-stitching on this block.  The angles of the triangles are a bit tricky and the long edge is not the same as the shorter edges.  Geometry?  Math?  Not for me!

I called in the expert engineer, Mr. C, and consulted with him.  Oh dear!  What was I thinking?!!  Of course he could see right away how it should be done and put together but I did know enough that there is a very specific sewing sequence and pressing sequence to this quilting career.  Mr. C and I are complete opposites and with that said, he left the sewing room and I sewed.  Together we got the block completed and I am very proud of it.  He, by-the-way, thinks I am crazy to even do this quilt block challenge.  That's me...crazy!

I shall link this to our QAL hostess, Donna of Brynwood Needleworks.  She is amazing and you should see her beautiful blocks.  You can also view lots of other's blocks in the group.  The fabric selections are each unique and amazing.  

Our weather was sunny for a day and now is very cloudy and cold again as we await rain and possible snow.  Mr. C and I spent some very muddy hours in the yard this morning cleaning up weeds and debris and planning our new rose garden...now that we have our deer fence for this area.  

Please share what you are busy with.  I love to visit your blogs and see what you are creating.  I adore reading the comments you leave.  Blissful Inspirations...  

Farmer's Wife Progress...

Block #2 Autumn Tints

 As March is moving along quickly I am moving along slowly making progress on my Farmer's Wife quilt blocks.  I believe we have ten blocks for March which of course we can make all or part of.  Here are five that I have completed so far. My blocks have not been trued as of yet.

Block #6 Big Dipper

I am truly enjoying the process of seeing how my selected fabrics come together and compliment one another.  Not all I care for however they work harmoniously with one another.  

Block #10- Bowtie

Some blocks are fairly simple with very few fabrics and cut pieces.  This results in fewer seams.  I am actually getting the hang of matching points...well sometimes.  

 Block #15 Buzzard's Roost

For some reason this block seemed confusing to me.  There are 17 cut pieces of fabric and 16 seams that put them together.  I did have to do some de-re-stitching.  It is amazing how those little pieces just get together and switch it up on me.  I lay them out correctly but somehow in the pick up and sew stage they just get together wrong.  

Block #29 Economy

This block might be one of my favorites.  The floral is my feature fabric and the one I fell in love with.  Any other of the fabrics are the complimentary fabrics and this dark maroon is quite complimentary I think. 

I feel sew good when I am able to spend time in my sewing room and put together my little quilt blocks.  

Are you busy creating something you love? Are you trying new and challenging pursuits?

Our weather is very nice but we are in for a cold snap and more rain and possible snow by this weekend.  Maybe I will be able to complete my March Farmer's Wife quilt blocks.  

Thank you for visiting and commenting.  I read every one of them and enjoy the feedback.

Creative Happy Husband...

I know I have shown you my favorite play rooms but today I want to show you Mr. C's playroom.  We call this his Toybox and he has all the proper toys in order to play and be creative with what his passion is.  Cars!  He is always "shredding" apart cars and trucks and anything else with an engine.
Do you see this smile on his face.  This is when he is happiest!  Playing in his Toybox with his cars!!!

Just when I get busy playing in my studio I might hear..."Sherry!"  I cannot ignore my name when he calls.  He needs me to help him and I really would rather not when it comes to engines, or technical widgets or his precious tools.  Can I just say I am not the handiest girl in the garage?!!  I don't like to get dirty or greasy.  I don't like to get yelled at when I do something wrong...which is constant.  And I don't like the precarious positions I am expected to perform.  Stand on the top rung of a 6' ladder and hold this wrench but don't touch anything or drop anything and...  Geesh!

 I adore the fact that he is so hands on.  He has always done all the maintenance on our vehicles and saved us lots of stress and money.  I also adore that he allows me to have what I want when it comes to custom exhaust or headers or lots of specialty parts on a car.  He thrills in designing and engineering and making all the necessary custom parts.  The more complicated the project the happier he is.  If it hasn't been done he will do it.  He has quite the following too for his expertise in all of this.  Guys call him all the time for help.

 I just couldn't resist today when he called, "Sherry" and I had to join him in the Toybox.  I brought my camera and took photos. He will also use these and more that I took for his logbooks of what he has done.  Do you see the stencil on the wall?  He let me paint that on the entire length of the wall.  Then when his buddies come over he has them sign a car.  Too funny.

Here he is with clipboard and pencil documenting the progress he has made today.  For two years he has been chasing an EVAP error code and today he found the culprit!  Now to fix it and confirm all is well.  We must wait for better weather to put this little jewel on the roads and run through its computer sequences for complete confirmation.
So while I have all of my wonderful ways to play and enjoy my creative interests it is gratifying to know that my dear husband Mr. C (aka Mr. WayneO) is happy and creative in his playroom as well.
We are still having winter and snow on the ground however no snow falling.  Maybe more rain this week.
I am content not to be out in the yard all cold and damp even though I know I will have a ton of work to do.  I am enjoying staying indoors sewing and beading and keeping up with domestic frivolities.  So many of you are already gardening in this strange winter season we have had.  What else are you busy creating?

Serene Snowy Sunday...

 Good Morning Winter.  You are so beautiful and fresh and ethereal with your white fluffy snowflakes falling softly around me.  I went to bed last night with a hint of tiny little snowflakes falling but nothing really sticking.

 Throughout the night I would get up and look out my favorite window to see the progress.  It was slow and steady.  The rain soaked ground very slowly turned from muddy brown and fresh green grass to this white that does not compare to anything else on earth.  Snow has a beautiful shimmer and glisten to it.  It is pure!

I have spent years living in this wonderful slice of heaven yet dreading the snows of winter.  Having to get up very early every morning and traverse this treacherous slippery stuff is not what I enjoy.  However now I can  truly enjoy every snowflake and every inch that accumulates while I stay inside and and sip a cup of my favorite tea.  There is no place I must be and I am enjoying this winter scene.  My daffodils are smashed down from the over 12 inches of rain we have just received in 4 days and nights and now this layer of snow which is about 6 inches at this time.  It happens every year so no surprises.  Winter has been very mild this year so we are blessed to have rain and snow for our water tables and fire suppression.
Welcome Serene Snowy Sunday.  I hope you are enjoying your day sitting back and relaxing.