[above drawing is NOT by me***]
Hello, hello! How is everyone? I think the looming hurricanes went out to sea, and we all are safe. I used to pay no attention to hurricane forecasts, until H Sandy caught me very unaware. Now I watch and worry.
Mostly I have been doing projects for friends [think tie dye, think patches], next some alterations and some doll clothes..
and laboring along w various quilt projects. Sometimes I lose creative momentum. . I get busy and happy, just having fun--- then a tiny glitch can totally throw me off track.
Does that ever happen to you ?
Noah’s Ark: the aqua whale w the other two grey was hopelessly wrong. Trust me it looked awful in person.Had to do over. which didn't please me as a redid the aqua whale's mouth at least three times. So tiny, so fraying.
Red baskets. Stymied by a border and the realization I won’t get it done and back from quilter in time to use this year. And who knows what next year may bring.
I loved the the anchoring base border in the Tiny Pumpkin print.
I went with that because I know it is more usable that way--but was surprised at everyone's somewhat safe boring choice. However I knew--in my practical heart--that I'd regret the tiny jackolanterns come November, lol. And I am very grateful to Two Thimbles who include a gift fat quarter/ fat eighth? in each order. The pumpkin colored almost solid was their choice, otherwise I'd not have had it or thought to use it. Two Thimbles
Next make do/ upcycle: a darling gingham Maple Leaf that was mixed in w the Red Baskets. Just a candle mat or crock tuck. But someday I would love to make an Autumn Leaves quilt, like blog friend Nancy made a few years ago.
Darling Whatnots: it’s back! [pics to come] Wait til you see it quilted, it's just a delight. But I’d planned to match the wide tomato red border for its binding. But not enuf fabric. I dithered all week. Made my choice---six times! I will show you soon. It may not be anyone else's taste but it will always make me smile.
Snow children: Silent Night's final touch. I keep burying the wool and patterns, ignoring it. It's the quilt that just won't go into its closet and shut up, isn't it.
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Another stymy moment: my dining room plate rack.
I had to take down all the plates and not use the summer blues because of the vibration of the brick workers jackhammering. Couldn't decide what to put up now. I haven't used my beautiful polychrome brown and sepia transferware in many years---but then I 'd have to change for Christmas, so soon, and again in January. I decided to go with Winter and just do the black Staffordshire. I can put a few red pieces out if I want to at Christmas. My days of redoing the home decor each month seem to be gone. I so rarely have friends or family in like I once did. Life is so quiet, times change. How I miss the joy of the bustle and chaos.
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Last week there was one cool day. I refocused and did some baking. Yummy roasted cauliflower. Biscuits from a Pillsbury Grands roll. Yes my oven needs a clean cycle, it is just too hot though.
[I am going through, using up, supplies ahead of storms and cold weather to come.] And I made The Most delicious pear tart.
It could be any fruit or a mixture. I love pears.
The juice sort of ran through the crust and made the bottom pastry wonderfully sweet and crispy. Served warm with a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt. I could have eaten the whole tart. Yum!
Mo had a child visit him today. He was sooo good, remembering his tricks and being so sweet. I don't let him dance on his hind legs anymore due to hip pain and arthritis. Those are young pug antics. The mom always says he is so stinky, though. I never notice, he is brushed daily and sprayed w a special fur .conditioner every third day. Peach! Face and neck washed. I'd do his feet but that is a big no for many pugs: "Do not touch my toes, mommy!" In my opinion, Pugs are very clean and just smell faintly wooly, so it upset me on his behalf.
Hope your October is wonderful. Have a good week.
love
lizzy
gone to the beach....
a last sunset of September, looks more like Spring with its gossamer pastels and soft sky.....
click to enlarge to see the evening flocking birds, one group of OCs, on right center edge.
I'm glad that you missed the storms. Apparently we are due to have heavy rain and gales this weekend (when I have an early start and a Fair 40 miles away . . .) You have been busy with the quilts - sorry the whale was such a problem. The Red Baskets has turned out well. Liked your gingham Maple Leaf block. A lady who has just joined our quilting group was working on this block last time. She had never made any patchwork before. Hers had a stem across the bottom right square though.
ReplyDeleteThat's a cracking Pear Tart.
I added the Maple Leaf's stem too, a brown gingham. It's a fun easy beginner pattern, I think. The triangles are few and large.
DeleteOh I wonder if our storms are now visiting you. Tropical storms are renamed when they hit UK or Eorope, but I often see the path on the charts, up our east coast then across the ocean, sometimes headed for Ireland and Wales.
Such a long drive for you, I think in early darkness. Maybe it will have passed by the fair dates? Good luck, safe travels.
OMGoodness--I used to love how my Winnie smelled--her doggy fur and ears...[different strokes for different people, right?] you have to be a dog=person I think...Anywaaay ;))))))
ReplyDelete--Sorry about the whale mouths--what a challenge they are...
I personally like the little pumpkins choice for the basket quilt.. think it brings a nice lightness to the piece...
That tart just looks so luscious--now I'll just have to make my Rustic Apple tart -- I made my Armenian Zucchini squash yesterday--really yummy...a recipe from my maternal aunt Mildred who married an Armenian sailor after the war and moved out to California to live! What an adventurous lady she was...
Lovely photos...the skies are beautiful this time of year...hugs to you and "sweet" Mo...
Julierose;))
I'm not surprised you were upset. How rude of her to say such a thing about lovely Mo.
ReplyDeleteI've not commented for a while as I've been unwell amongst other things, but have continued to read your posts. Best wishes.
Jean.
Hi Jean! I am sorry you were unwell, I did miss you. Hope you're feeling better nooow.The comment was upsetting, since I do my best to keep Mo smelling nice. The person has a very sensitive sense of smell and I think meant well?
Deletelet me know how you are!
lizzy
Rude and vulgar to comment on Mo’s aroma - wonder how SHE smelled to him?
ReplyDeleteCeci
Hahaha, like organic shampoo and good perfume? Mo loves everyone.
DeleteHi Lizzy, I can almost smell that delicious pear tart from here! And that reminds me of our tomato-basil tarts which I've yet to make this year, awaiting the ripening of the roma tomatoes that seem best for that tart. I always enjoy seeing your change of season decorating adventures especially since we have so little storage space for seasonal items other than the few Christmas things that still come out for a six or seven week period. About the only things we change out are quilts on the beds and racks and the back of my recliner. So decorate and pretend I'm visiting in person. A thought about the whales, could they have a bit of embroidery for the mouths?
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping the newly-forming hurricanes will not be headed your way, Lizzy. I was so pleased to see that Humberto and Imelda turn eastward and, I think, stayed at sea.
ReplyDeleteTHe pink tie dyed fabric is so fun.
Your Noah's Ark is looking good. It's too bad the aqua whale didn't work. Had you already stitched it down?
The red baskets look great, too. Could you hang it as a top and get it quilted later?
Ohh, that gingham maple leaf is fabulous!
And answering an earlier question in this post, yes I lose my creativity. I think it's currently gone and who knows for how long. I've done nearly no quilting and today, for the first time in ages and only because I needed to sit and listen to something, I pulled out the little plaid baskets with zinnias and finished one. It's hard to imagine your creativity leaving!
The pear tart does look delicious.
I think some people have stronger senses of smell than others, and I do think pet owners usually get used to their dog's fragrance. But I'm sure you're right that Mo doesn't stink. I think that's rude of your friend to say such a thing!