Fall...

Fall has been beautiful here in my world...

I've spent it finishing up my Stitcher's Angel Projects...they are off in the mail to places far away!

I've finished up a few customer quilts...a beautiful floral...

And an adorable Halloween quilt!

And I've finished the top for a special little baby to be...she should be arriving soon! This one is next on the machine...

And to top it all off, Cliff Lee pitched an amazing 6-1 win against the Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series. Un.be.LEE.vable!!!

Vermont..

Grace had a half day this past Friday, so after school I picked her up and headed to Vermont to visit Andrew. I love having a reason to go to Vermont! On Saturday morning while the kids were sleeping, I went out and explored. I'd driven past a quilt shop on the way in and decided to head back there to see what it was like. Good choice...this store was amazing! Waterwheel House quilt shop is a beautiful shop...so full of wonderful projects and fabulous fabrics. And Gracie...the shop Golden Retriever, who is just a sweetheart.

This fall leaf quilt was hanging on display...see the little sign that says "Kit Available"? Not anymore, I bought the last one. :o) The sample was done with fusible applique, but I think I'll do needleturn. The fabrics in it were nothing like anything in my stash...lots of brights, Kaffe Fassetts...just a beautiful combination. I plan to prep blocks and work on it during my travels to Vermont and back...when the boss is driving, of course!

Shelley, the owner was very nice and the women in the shop were just having too much fun together...it seems like it would be a great place to hang out! If you find yourself in Londonderry, VT, be sure to stop by! You won't be disappointed.

The ladies did direct me to another shop, Country Treasures in Chester which carried Jo Morton fabrics. We stopped there in the afternoon and I have to admit...it had a ton of fabric and was very charming, but also very overwhelming. I found some Jo's that I wanted, but so many bolts of fabric were piled on top of the ones I wanted that I walked out with nothing...and decided that I'd order them online from Old Country Store Fabrics when I got home. This is a shop I've visited several times in Intercourse, PA and love. I didn't realize they'd started an online store!

I also stopped at the yarn shop, Six Loose Ladies in Proctorsville. Another fun place! One of the things I noticed in talking to the people I ran into...most of them were from New Jersey! When you're ready to slow down, the heat lovers from NJ all head to Florida and the cold lovers to Vermont. Guess which one I plan to go to? :o)

Making Progress...

I took the pictures of my October projects on Saturday morning and since then I've had 3 productive days in my sewing room. Several of the projects are much closer to being finished! The Poochie bag is done, the blue quilt and applique quilt block are both now quilted and I've made and sewn the binding onto those two quilts as well as the feathered table runner. I've also put together my embroidered Christmas quilt top and have prepared the backing. That should be the next one on the longarm, but will have to wait because my days off are over.

I've also joined in the Quilt Along at Charming Chatter. I thought the little nine patch quilt would be perfect for my Jo Morton fabrics, so will be using my little stash of them for this project. I plan to use the whites/tans on the top of the pile for the background fabrics and the rest for the nine patches and sawtooth border.

I plan to work on binding during Wednesday's Phillies game. It's an afternoon game, so I'm going to park myself in front of the television and stitch away. I can't do that during Thursday's game because I'll be AT the game...can't wait!

October Projects...

It's a good thing October has 31 days in it because I have lots to do by the end of the month! This block is going to be made into a small quilt for my Stitcher's Angel Swap partner...

And these fabrics are going to become a Poochie Bag for her as well...

This quilt top is going to be quilted, bound and shipped off to Margaret's Hope Chest whose blog I found through Crazy Mom Quilts.

This baby quilt is still in the works...I never got to it in September. At least I decided on a pattern this month! Baby is due around Thanksgiving...I need to get to work!

I'd like to make this practice piece from my longarm feather class into a table runner. All that needs done is trimming and binding...should I use muslin or a color?

I've finished my Gail Pan embroidery blocks, so making this into a quilt is on the agenda for October...

And this stack of fabrics needs to be made into a quilt for Andrew...I'll be happy if I get the top made by the end of the month. I'd like to have it ready to take to him at Thanksgiving.

So, those are my plans for October...as well as keeping up with my schoolwork, the house, the Phillies (we have tickets to one game in each series...we'll be at the Bank for Game 2 of the Division series on Thursday!) and hopefully a quick trip up to Vermont in 2 weeks. Looks like it's going to be a busy month!

September Finishes

I had big plans for September, but with Andrew getting a job and moving so quickly, my plans were shot before I even began! The only thing I finished were the blocks for my swap. I'm formulating plans for October though! Now that the house is a little quieter and I've moved all of the extra furniture out of my sewing room into Andrew's empty room (He took his bedroom set), cleaned off my sewing table which had become a dumping ground and I'm ready to work. I'm expecting great things in October!

And Congratulations to the Phillies who just won the National League East!

Settled In...

We had a wonderful weekend in Vermont, getting Andrew all settled into his new place. It's a perfect apartment for starting out...and we had it all set up by Friday night! We spent a little time at Christopher's, the bar down the street...and really enjoyed our breakfasts at Trappers.

Andrew's new home...

Doing dishes in the kitchen...by hand!

The Red Sox poster and Fenway sign were the only things that made it on the wall while we were there...he has his priorities!

The living room...

Getting everything done on Friday left us time Saturday to go looking for the Long Trail Brewery. A tour will be on the agenda when we have more time!

Okemo Mountain taken from in front of the apartment...

Good luck Andrew!

Moving Day

The truck is loaded, the cars are packed and we'll be heading out in the morning. Next stop, Vermont!

I've heard the color is beautiful up there right about now...can't wait to see it.

A New Start...

Back when we lived in NY and the kids were young, we had friends who had a little place in southern Vermont. We would borrow it a few times a year and head up for some rest and relaxation. It was heaven. As Andrew was beginning his job search when he graduated from college, he kept looking in the Philadelphia area. There was NOTHING available. Earlier this month he decided that, with snowboarding season coming, what he'd REALLY like to do would be to find a job in Vermont. He started looking on Craigslist and found a few positions to apply for. There was one in particular that just seemed to suit him.

He sent his resume, got a call back and it seemed like it might be a good fit, so I suggested he go up there to visit. He did that last week and things went well...he was invited back for an interview on Thursday. Another 6 hour drive found him back in Vermont on Wednesday, he interviewed on Thursday and they invited him back on Friday morning and offered him the job. Of course he accepted, then went to look for an apartment. He was worried he wouldn't find anything, but I told him that since he decided to look in Vermont, everything has fallen into place...if it was meant to be, he'd find an apartment too. An hour later, he had an apartment lined up! Talk about karma! So he'll be living in this little town...

With this lake down the road...

At the base of Okemo Mountain, right on the shuttle line to the mountain...perfect! I just love it when everything works out!

It will be Andrew and his dog Max, starting a new life in one of my favorite places. I'm so excited for him...and for me because now I have an excuse to go to Vermont!

September Projects...

Project # 1...Make 5 sets of 5 basket blocks for a swap...

Project # 2...Make these into a baby quilt...

And of course, I want to stay caught up on my blocks of the month, but I'm not counting those as my September Projects! So, what are YOU planning for September?

Priceless...

A few days away, with beautiful weather...

A wonderful dinner with new friends and a fabulous sunset...

Touring the most opulent mansion in Newport...

Spending time with the kids...

A cruise of the harbor...

Another spectacular sunset...

Grace with her own boat...

We had a wonderful time together in Newport, RI...a perfect way to end the summer!

I actually did it!

I actually finished all four projects I set out to complete in the beginnning of August! It's amazing what having a deadline will do. So here are the finished socks...

And the finished blocks for Anne Sutton's block of the month.

Now to make my plans for September...

Iraqi Bundles of Love

A few days ago I read about Iraqi Bundles of Love on someone's blog...and clicked over here to check it out. Maj. Art La Flamme came up with a wonderful idea to put sewing and knitting supplies in the hands of Iraqis who need these things and aren't able to get them. It's a short term project right now...all the bundles must be sent by September 7th.

As I started pulling fabric from my stash to fill the box, something happened. Yeah, first I pulled the older fabric, the larger pieces left from fat quarters where I'd just nipped off a small square or two, or a little bit for applique. Then I found myself pulling fabric I really like, but just hadn't used yet. It occurred to me that if I've had it sitting on the shelf for quite awhile, was I likely to use it? And if I really enjoyed having that fabric, wouldn't someone else love it as well? Next thing you know, I was pulling my favorites to add to the box.

I don't have a huge stash, but managed to put together a nice, heavy box of fabric, along with a few gadgets, buttons and ribbons to share with someone who can use it. I have so many other choices still on my shelves...I'm blessed to be able to share some of it with others.

Then I realized that I did have enough yarn left from projects (and some still in wrappers!) to share as well. So, Art...thanks for creating this project to give all of us a chance to share some of our bounty with those in Iraq.

Two boxes will be heading your way tomorrow...and I hope to put together a third box by the end of the week and get that to you by the deadline. All of you reading this...I ask you to put a box together as well. We can make an Iraqi's dream come true...as well as the dreams of a Major named Art who truly understands us quilters and our need to help others. Thanks, Art!

Interesting way to spend a Saturday...

Audrey Kitching is an alternative model who grew up in a town near us. Grace has been reading her posts for over a year now on BuzzNet and was very excited to see that she was going to be having a yard sale at her childhood home. I promised to take her and today was the day. It poured all morning, so it was moved inside. Audrey seemed like a very nice person and was willing to have her picture taken and sign autographs for everyone who came. I loved that she was so accessible to her fans. Just wish I could pull off the pink hair!