Losing the Plot and Thinking of Christmas

We're having a massive heat wave here in Michigan right now, temps in the 90's every day, it's made me quite listless.  Even though I'm staying in the air conditioning...I think it's going to start acting like fall later this week, though.  I can't wait!

I haven't been doing much, a little stitching here and there, matter of fact I finished up a new free design.

I'll be making a table topper with it for mum, she never has enough Christmas stuff...you can get the design in my shop, Allie-oops Designs.

Speaking of mum, I'm going to be throwing her a surprise birthday party in December, for her 80th!  I'm getting very excited about it...I can't think of anyone who loves a party more than my mum.  Especially if it's for her, lol.  

Another thing I've been working on - I purchased an ecopy of Tonya Ricucci's book, Word Play Quilts.  I've been wanting to make larger quilts with scripture on them, but didn't want a lot of fused letters - I'd like to be able to quilt over them.  I've only made two (easy) letters so far - 

the next letter is a Y, which is more challenging, as it has angles.  You know me and piecing, lol - I'm extremely challenged!  The first T I made, I added the top bar with the fabric to the wrong side.  

I had a most incredible surprise the other day.  A package from my sweet friend O'faigh - she knows me too well - 

Her LQS was having a sample sale, and she got this for me.  Isn't that gorgeous!!!!  I'm not sure why my phone camera made the top of the frame a little green, it's not really.  I just love her - her tail has the teeniest beads!  Thank you sweetie!!

In the wildlife report, the deer are reveling in all the fallen apples - 

and apparently we have a new flock of woodpeckers.  I caught three of them on the shed the other day.

Just perching any ol' where, knocking holes in everything.  It's also stink bug season in Michigan, they are everywhere!  I've never had one actually stink when I killed it though.  Their only redeeming quality is that they don't bite.

I think that's all the news, I haven't been commenting much on blogs lately although I've been visiting...just feeling quiet.  Take care my friends, see you soon....

Love,
Allie

Have A Cup On Me

Good morning all - or good evening, depending on where you are in the world.  I invite you to join me in a pot of coffee.

A new free design in the shop - simple and fast.

Allie-oops Designs Shop

I'm finding it hard to believe it's Wednesday.  We're heading into the time of year when I don't know what day it is  - too many holidays.  Today is Mom Day, when I run her all over creation to do errands, so extra coffee is required this morning.  She wears me out!

Keep Florida and all the islands in the Caribbean in your prayers....Irma is a beast.

Love,

Allie

Cup of Kindess

As I sit here scrolling through endless coverage of Hurricane Harvey devastation, I'm struck by how different the narrative is - the kindess of strangers, everyone coming together, from far and near.  While the loss is tremendous and uncounted, I look for the blessing in the storm, and have found it.  We're not at war with each other, no matter what you've seen on the news, we're family, coming together when it counts.

I've been drawing up a couple of holiday patterns.  This one, Cup of Kindness, I've stitched while watching Houston news.

It started with the words from Auld Lang Syne, and transitioned into what I'm seeing on facebook.  One man from Kentucky, who was helping with the rescues, said he was struck by the kindness he saw everywhere, from everyone.

The pattern is free in my shop - here's a link - 

Allie-oops Designs

I would encourage you to support the rescue and recovery efforts in Houston and elsewhere along the coast.  I have two family members who lost everything - one has no flood insurance, because their area has never flooded.  Fox 7 in Austin has a webpage where you can look for places to donate, here's the link - How To Help.  

And please, even after the news coverage has moved on to the new story of the day, continue to keep these folks in your prayers.  They will need them for years to come.

Love,

Allie