New Post about nothing, really...

So, I've noticed that I haven't posted for awhile, I think I may be out of original and/or interesting ideas. Mr. Handsome mentioned that we just had a fun trip to the condo, my answer, "Yeah, but it's not much to blog about - same stuff, get away, watch movies, you golf, we do a little hiking in Zion - way fun for us but not too interesting for blog-land."
I'm working hard on my hand quilting project (well, sort of), and on my applique quilt, they're looking good. Lots of hot-tubbing going on - which is great with the cold weather. Work is going well. The little darling grandbaby is getting even cuter by the day and we get to see him lots. Quilt retreat next week with my "Knott-y" friends. We're heading to the Caribbean next month (yippee), Brooke, Ben and the babies are coming for several weeks in May - so life is good and very interesting for me and my family, but, for the rest of you - sorry. Hopefully I will have something fabulous to report/show after the quilt retreat next week - hey, a girl can dream...

A Good Day!

Yesterday, my wonderful, angelic daughter, Amanda came and cleaned my house for my Christmas present, it looks and smells fabulous! I have Book Group meeting at my house tonight, so this was a great thing, to get it cleaned. AND while she was busily beautifying the house, I was working too, cleaning & sorting in my sewing studio! I dusted, vacuumed, emptied trash, etc, plus I got the rest of my applique ready to apply to my quilt from the last post, made two bindings for the quilts that are ready to be quilted, made a signature block for the past Guild President, mended Mr. Handsome's pajamas, and made a back for the quilt I am having quilted this week! Since money is a little tight these days, I didn't want to spend a lot on the back, so I used all of my scraps and pieced the back! It took a whole movie (The Blind Side - excellent) to get it done, but now it's ready and it was sort of free! I love it when I feel like I got a lot done - thank you Amanda!
And, of course, here is the front, which I think I have shown before:

I May Actually Finish This!!

I have been working on this quilt for 5+ years! I took a class on how to hand applique when I first started to quilt. It was hard! I have actually used 4 or 5 different methods on this quilt. I was trying different ways to find the one I liked best. My favorite is the freezer paper method where you trace the shape (reversed) onto freezer paper, stick it to another layer (for thickness), then stick it to the back side of the fabric and use starch and an iron to fold a small seam allowance around the shape. After it dries/cools, remove the freezer paper. I then glue that sucker onto the background with a small dot of glue, let that dry and stitch it on. I have decided the real secret to hand applique is matching the thread closely to your fabric applique shape. If you look closely you will see that my earlier applique is very - well, let's call it: "Primitive" looking. (Okay, my later applique isn't too much better). I am excited that I am finally getting close to finishing this baby! These are going on the borders/corners:

P.S. Today, I went to JC Penney's and purchased some lovely elastic waisted black work pants - hooray for me!, I 'm sure I'll be wearing them 3 days a week from here on out...

Next Project:

I got this baby all up and ready to hand quilt yesterday! I've been meaning to do it for a month, but I sorta dread getting it all put up (not to mention I always procrastinate making quilt backs- I don't know why - I mean how hard is it to sew two pieces of fabric together???) Anyway, Mr. Handsome helped me put it up, which is good, cuz he is good at measuring/squaring things up, etc. But - he is a little cranky about it - or maybe I am? Anyhoo - it's up and ready to quilt, I'm hoping to get it started during the Superbowl today, while I'm not eating homemade pizza and peanut butter M & M's - well I could probably quilt and eat M & Ms...
It's a throw size and it's headed for the condo when it's done, to hang in an attractive manner over the quilt rack that is sitting down there.

Why are Grandchildren Perfect?

I was thinking about how incredibly perfect my grandchildren are and what a blessing they are in my life. It is a privilege to know them and to just be around them. I'm pretty sure everyone else thinks the same of their grandchildren. I know my mom thinks the same thing about her grandchildren for sure. I realize that they will have their struggles growing up and becoming who they will ultimately by, but still, I think they are just perfectly suited to our family and to be right here, right now and I am just thrilled to be around for this whole grandparenting thing! P.S. His name is Beckham Ray.

Another Perfect Grandchild Arrives

He's here - sweet little boy. Born Feb. 2, 2011. 6 pounds, 11 oz., 19 inches long. So exciting!!!!
Here's the new family:Now, they just have to decide on a name...