Alone with a pile of fabric.

I just had to show you this sweet picture of my little Muffin!

Here are a few more quilt tops I have been working on. I hope to complete the backs to these two and the Baboo quilt so that I can prepare the quilt sandwiches (top, batting, backing). I will then attempt machine quilting for the first time! I am really looking forward to it as I have read up on the technique and watched several web tutorials so I feel ready to take the plunge. I am holding off from starting any new quilts until I finish these three. I have so many new ideas swirling about in my head just waiting to jump out. I never understood how sewing could become addictive but now I get it. What a luxury to have all day just to sew and create...without interruption. A little Sting in the background, a lavender candle burning and a huge pile of colorful fabric! Oh, the things I would do...a girl can dream, can't she?

Step into my garden.

So, as promised, I planted a few more barrels of greens. I went a little overboard, imagine that, so unlike me! I think I was inspired by a cookbook I unearthed from my collection. I dug it out, blew the dust off and now have it displayed on my kitchen counter at the moment. It looks so appealing there, just waiting to be opened and used. Some wholesome inspiration. Let's see, we have assorted lettuces, kales, radicchio, arugula and more Swiss chard. All so healthfull! I'm just doing my part to help keep my husband's prostate well and happy! (tee hee!) I'm very pro-Cruciferous, baby! Now if I can just keep the snails and bugs away from my little soldiers so they grow big and strong. I will then chop off their heads and toss them into a sizzling pan and...well, you know the rest!

"A cauliflower is a cabbage with a college education" - Mark Twain

One Mint Julip - Ray Charles

Log Cabin Fever!

I completed the patchwork top for the Baboo Quilt and decided to attempt a 12" Lob Cabin block for a matching pillow. Well, let me tell ya, I had so much fun cutting, piecing, pressing, & sewing that I kept going. I ended up making four Log Cabin blocks over the weekend which I will eventually turn into fabulous pillows! I love the contrast of the black & white against the bright colors. Do I dare make an entire quilt from Log cabin blocks? I just may dare!

"A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life" - Charles Darwin

Sister Moon - Herbie Hancock & Sting/ Possibilities

Baboo Quilt

Baboo wants a new quilt. She's changing her room at her dad's house to lavender and a new quilt is essential. We have been picking out fabric for a few weeks now, an assortment of periwinkles, pinks, black and whites. It's just all so pretty! I plan to make the quilt using different kinds of blocks and some traditional patchwork. I need practice! I have never machine quilted before so it will be a learning experience. I hope she wants to take turns at the machine as well. If there is enough fabric I will also make a couple of pillow shams for her lovely little head to rest. My little Baboo.

Wise words: "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." - Mahatma Gandhi

Listen closely: Lovley Head - Goldfrapp

My Little Muffin!

Meet Jack McFarland Finley, my daughter's dog. He is named after the character from Will & Grace and he channels that spirit perfectly. This little fella is a smart and sassy, sweet little sausage. He weighs 6.5 lbs. and is spoiled beyond belief. He even sleeps with me and my husband. He is known all around our neighborhood as Prince Jack and he literally prances as we take him on his walks. We have people calling out to him as we pass by. They have no idea who WE are but the little sausage on a leash they know well. He has escaped the house several times uaually with one of the neighbors carrying him back after a wild time running around the neighborhood, barking at the cats and pooping on lawns...such freedom! Does he ever get spanked for his bad behavior? Maybe a little swat on his behind for getting into the garbage but it usually turns into a bunch of kisses atop his head and possibly a few bits of cheese for being just so darned adorable. I love my little muffin! Did I mention he's my daughter's dog?

Fitting words: "The more I know men, the more I love my Dog." - Unknown

Music to my ears: Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven when You Smile) - Van Morrison

Mmmmmm...fabric!

I must admit that I'm a fabric geek. I love wandering through a fabric store fondling the calicos, the flannels, the muslins, all the while creating projects in my head. Notions are like jewlery to me. You can never have enough thread, ribbon, or buttons, in my opinion. My wonderful husband bought me a fancy new sewing machine a few weeks ago and I am anxious to start sewing. First, I must take a class to learn how to operate this fancy machine and then I must stock up on fabric. Oh, wait, I already did that! I placed a sizable order online a few days ago and today it arrived. Aren't they spectacular? I better stop fondling the fabric bundles and start planning which project I will start with...hmmm...pillow, tea towel, tote bag, belt, scarf, quilt...so hard to decide!. Maybe I'll just roll around on the pile of fabric a little while longer ....mmmmm....fabric!

Thoughts of Sewing: "Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing, the days pass quickly when I am sewing" - Unknown

Tune to sew by: The Battle of Evermore - Led Zeppelin, IV

The Enchanted Swiss Chard Forest

I planted my first patch of swiss chard this summer. An assorted mix of red, yellow and green. I also plopped in a few basil plants. I don't usually grow a lot of edibles as they take a lot of tending to and the bugs and slugs usually do a number on them before I can harvest. But this year I saw the lovely little six packs of multicolored chard at the farmers market and I thought I'd give it a go. Well, the chard is doing quite well. I usually harvest once a week or so and it grows fast enough to harvest in another week or so. We like it sauteed with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, as a side to grilled meats, tossed into pasta or stirred into a simmering white bean soup. I think I'll plant another barrel of greens soon. This time maybe kale with some radicchio plopped in or a barrel of mixed lettuces! The possibilities are endless......

Thoughtful Words: "Gardening is the purest of human pleasures" - Francis Bacon

Music to garden by: Tierra Verde - Strunz & Farah/Primal Magic