Sunday, August 7, 2016

OH MY!

This is the first time I have visited my own blog since March of this year!  OH MY!  How time does fly.  If you remember my husband and I made the move from Arkansas to Texas.  Really only six hour apart traveling on the highway, but not as easy as one would think.  Finding a home in the Fort Worth area was much more challenging than I thought it would have been. The area is growing so quickly builders are not able to keep up with demand.  Also selling our home in Arkansas in a very depressed area was as hard as I thought it would be.  We had three offers over eleven months. Luckily third time was the charm and we are now no longer home owners in Arkansas.  We were able to close on our new home in Texas in early June.

So I have spent most of the summer getting settled. Can't say I am completely there but for the most part we are moved in and thriving. It is so nice to be only a few miles away from my son and his family.  Attending a graduation and celebrating a birthday without having to make a six hour trek is so delightful.

But getting my sewing room ready to go has not been on the top of my list.  I just seemed to have lost my need to stitch daily.  But this week I pulled out the pattern for the next block of Shenandoah Botanical  and decided to see if just making myself sit down I could enjoy a few stitches.  Well, that did it!!!!!  I think, I finally feel like I have  a few minutes a day that I can sit and enjoy some stitches.



I will continue by using the back basting method to complete these blocks.  I got all the leaves done earlier this week and I hope to work on the flowers next.  So, I started back basting the little heart shaped buds this am.


They reminded me how I much love hand stitching.  Aren't they just too cute!


I also pulled Baltimore Garden out of the box and started hand quilting the border.  It's hard to believe that hand quilting the border and than doing the trapunto and trimming and binding will finish this beautiful quilt.  But I am sure it will still take me some time to get it done.  But I sure have come a long way from when I first started blogging about making this quilt in April of 2013.  So glad to have the relaxing time to stitch again I sure hope those sharing their  stitches over at Kathy's Quilts have continued sharing!


32 comments:

  1. I've just tried back-basting lately....it's a great way to do certain blocks!

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    1. I agree it sure does come in handy. Like you I like to try different techniques you never know when you might need one.

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  2. Glad to see that you are settled in enough to get back to a blog post...your floral block will be lovely; enjoy ! :)

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    1. It was time to jump back in. So glad to spend that bit of time each day to stitching!

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  3. Hey Carla! So happy you are happy and getting settled... sooo happy you have found your way back to stitching too! You are sooo awesome at it!!! Kathi

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    1. Thanks Kathi! I just wish I could accomplish as much as I used to but I have decided not to dwell on how much I get done but by just enjoying the stitching. I really really love the way you are quilting your daughter's quilt.

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  4. Welcome to Texas! I need to learn how to do back basting someday. Your work is beautiful.

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    1. Thanks Mary! It comes in handy for larger pieces as it keeps the piece in place so less shifting can happen. I really love it on handles for urns and such as the appliqued piece doesn't get stretched out of place as can easily happen with those frail pieces.

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  5. nice to see you back and glad your home sold in Arkansas I know you hadn't been too happy with Arkansas maybe that is why you stitched every day - to loose yourself in that - now you are in a place where you are near family and enjoying new things maybe you do not "need" to stitch every day to be happy - good luck

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    1. I am sure that was part of it Karen. But I have always loved to sew, so I am so glad to be stitching again. Sometimes seeing what everyone accomplishes on their blogs or in groups discourages me. I have decided to not worry about production and concentrate on enjoying the stitching.

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  6. I've missed seeing your progress on your projects but completely understand about not having the time. I'm glad you are settling in, it is nice you are closer to your son. Blessings, Gretchen

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    1. Thanks, yes it wonderful! Looking forward to getting closer to finishing a few. It's been a while and I love finishes.

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  7. I'm so glad you're back blogging and sharing your beautiful projects. You've been missed! So happy for you that you were able to more closer to family and that everything worked out in the end.

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    1. Yes, I have learned to remember that sometimes we need to be patient. It all worked out for the best and that is what matters.

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  8. So glad you are finally settled and back to blogging. Your projects are beautiful and I am sure you will continue to enjoy all of your stitching. How wonderful to be close to your family.

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    1. Thanks Cathie! It is good to have that bit of the day for me again. I am looking forward to catching up with my favorite bloggers too!

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  9. I thought your blog has been quiet for awhile. So glad you're enjoying some stitching again :0) Your border quilting looks gorgeous!!

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    1. Thanks I started out with perpendicular lines and it just didn't feel right and I so prefer to stitch on the bias. Our ancestors were brilliant I have learned just to follow in their footsteps after all, they made my favorite quilts.

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  10. Welcome back Carla! This is a beautiful quilt and You are doing a fantastic hand quilting. Have a great week.

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    1. Thanks Ivani! I really enjoyed seeing everyone's stitching last Sunday. Glad to have the time to enjoy some me time.

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  11. Welcome back to stitching! Wow, you do some lovely work!

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    1. Thank you! I think when you love what you do it helps to produce some beautiful pieces.

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  12. Can't wait to see pictures of your new place
    Colleen
    California

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    1. Thanks It is nice to finally feel more settled. It takes a while to make it feel like home again.

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  13. Welcome back, Carla...so nice to hear from you again. Glad all is well and that you are enjoying your new home AND getting back to stitching. Haven't tried the back basting yet...some day maybe. Your Baltimore is GORGEOUS and SO close to being done!! WOW...nice!
    Hugs!

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    1. I know too close not to finish it up. Although with temps outside of 100 plus everyday I have been doing more applique than quilting. But bit by bit it will get done. Had some back issues the last two weeks so I need to take it easy and not attempt too much. Don't want to aggravate my poor old back.

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  14. Glad you are back and that everything is going well for you. It is amazing how quickly time flies by!!

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    1. Yes as I get older I sure can't accomplish what I used to, but that is ok I still enjoy the stitching

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  15. I sure hope so I so enjoy seeing the projects move along each week.

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  16. Your Shenandoah Botanical and Baltimore quilts are just inspiring!

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  17. So glad things are settling in. Love your block, the SVBAQ blocks were very addictive for me.
    Your hand quilting is so inspiring, I LOVE it!

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