Dreary Day

But only outside!  It was fun in the sewing room today, cutting tons of squares.

I know the picture doesn't do the fabric justice - but even with all these windows, it shows when it's dreary, lol.

I haven't been on the computer much lately.  Been too busy battling the fleas, and finding out more about mum.  She's going to have open heart surgery, she'll go talk to the surgeon on Sept. 14th, and set up a date.  She's actually looking forward to it, because they're telling her she'll feel so much better [after the recovery, of course]!

The fleas are succumbing to the diatomaceous earth I put down all over the house.  Slowly.  It doesn't work overnight - only works on adult fleas.  DE is a very fine powder, and gets airborne easily; I put down too much and had a bad night of it, trying to breathe.  I cleaned up best I could the next day, but it seems to have made a huge difference.

I haven't even been doing much stitching.  Right now I'm working on October's Postcard, and a few other things that I can't show you yet.  My date for The Road Home Row-Along will be Sept. 6th, I hope you stay tuned for that - there will be give-aways, and there are some awesome sponsors!!  And of course the spectacular free rows, depicting the road home of designers world-wide.  Go to Marian's blog, Seams To Be Sew, and check out her post of the sponsors!

I was busy cutting fabric squares today, and looked up, the fawn was on our patio, checking me out - too funny!

I looked around for mama, she was in the backyard, and the fawn soon joined her.

I'm hoping things will slow down enough for me to spend some time on the computer soon.  In addition to mum and the terrible critters around here, we're still moving, and getting ready to paint the old house so we can get it listed.  I feel like I'm totally missing summer.....I'm seeing ads for back to school already, and I haven't been to the beach once this year!  I also missed getting to the Woodward Dream Cruise today, I think that's two years in a row now.  I LOVE the Cruise. And this year they had legal drag racing!  So bummed!  They also had the very first Camaro off the production line.  Oh I love those cars!

Yes, when I was 15 I wanted to be a professional race car driver.  [I used to drag race...]  I wonder if there's a senior league????  Sign me up.

Hope to visit you all soon, I miss you.....

Love,

Allie

Random Sunday

It's been an eventful week here in Allie-land, took mum to the doctor, the hospital [for a test], had a great visit from a good friend, and discovered the previous owners left us a gift - FLEAS.

Mum did good on her test, she was very nervous but came through fine.  She had a TEE - please don't ask me to spell it out - they insert a camera down your esophagus and take pics of your heart.  Her mitral valve is calcified, she might need a new one.  We're going Tuesday to talk to the heart doctor.

I started noticing that Hermione was scratching and biting, looked her over good and sure enough, the four cats who used to live here left her a present.  I have to get some diatomaceous earth [hubby thinks he has some] to spread around, and find something that won't harm her to put on her.  She had a bad reaction to the flea collar.  Don't we have fun!

I've been so busy fighting the good fight that I've hardly been sewing.  I am working on a new little quilt pattern - 

and drew up a new scripture stitchery - 

but I just can't keep up with myself.  Around the house, things are coming together.  I hung my Loaves and Fishes  in the dining area of the kitchen, and just love it there.

Now for some good news.  You may have noticed a button on my sidebar, about the Road Home Row-Along?  That button links you to Marian from Seams To Be Sew, who is putting the whole thing together.  There are 48 designers of rows [of which I'm one] and tons of sponsors for prizes!!  There will be lots of give-aways!  The rows all have the theme of the road to home - and they are totally amazing.  Here's a peek at my row:

Oops, can't really tell much from that, can you?  *giggle*

You can go read about the designers and sponsors at this link:  Introducing the Road Home Row-Along designers.  The Row-Along will begin in September, I believe the 6th but I'm not sure - I'll be letting you know.  The rows include paper-piecing, piecing, applique and embroidery - something for everyone!

I think Marian must be the busiest quilter I know; she's always putting together quilt-alongs!  If you haven't met her yet, I strongly recommend going to visit!

Now I'm afraid I must go put on my armor [lavender body lotion, fleas hate it] and do battle.  Prayers for strength [and mom] would be appreciated!

Love,

Allie

Postcards From Heaven, Block 8

Time for the August block of our Postcards From Heaven - are you ready?  

I wasn't sure I'd get this one finished in time, with the move and all, but I made it!  Whew!

As always, I've used the KJ bible.  

Two strands of embroidery floss for the frame, one strand for everything else.

And of course the day I take pics, it's cloudy.  

Jenny's gorgeous version.

She'll have a link on her site to the alternate words she uses.  Click here:  Jenny of Elefantz

Download your free postcard here:  Allie-oops Designs

We do try to coordinate our posts, but with a 14 hour time difference it can get difficult, so patience if her post isn't up yet.

Moving is going well, work on the old house is not, but we'll get there.  The neighbors remain friendly.

Be blessed - 
Love,
Allie

Carrying On

We haven't seen much of our pet deer lately, they've started construction at the house next door.  This is the view from my doorwall....

Apparently, our lot line is 11ft from our house, which means we lose all the trees on the south side, plus part of our patio.  We may have to have a survey done sometime.

I've been getting in a bit of stitching [or cutting, lol], got this far on my scripture quilt.

Quite a bit to go yet.  

We went to IKEA the other night, but they were closed early for some strange reason, so we went to the thrift store instead.  I found the cutest vintage sewing basket!!

So very happy it's pink!  I also found a floor lamp, 3-way bulb and it swings out so it really helps with the hand sewing.  I couldn't get comfortable hand sewing in my room, so I set up a corner just for that.

Someday I'll have a real footstool, but for now a pillow on a tote works.  I needed somewhere to put my feet up - they've been swelling so bad!
Please disregard all the junk food in this pic.  It was necessary.

Two fawns have been venturing out from the woods recently, they don't come close enough to see really well, makes me wish I had better zoom on my camera - aren't they cute?

Well that's it, guess I'd better get off here and get some laundry done.  Y'all take care!

Love,
Allie

The Sewing Room

Ok - ready for some pics?  I also need your help.

First, the drawing and paperwork table, which is also the eating and playing games table, lol.

The other chair is over by the cutting table for kitty - it needs a new foot, tends to scratch the floor.

The computer/sewing table.

The cutting table is just behind it.  I put it up on bed risers, and it's now the perfect height.

Rear Wall O'Windows.  Cutting, ironing.

Tracing table [yay don't have to put my heavy x-ray light away] and Ikea cart - that holds hand embroidery stuff.  I can roll it where I need it.

Next to that is my grandpa's dresser, holds all kinds of stuff which must be organized someday.

Then the design wall, which is blocking the doorway, which is getting a door someday.  This house echoes so much - I put it there to help with noise, so I don't disturb anyone.  Of course they're mostly disturbed already.

And now my dilemma.

Sigh.  The guy who lived here before had two fish tanks, under those shelves.  It's a mess.  I love the shelves, and someday hubby wants to put two 90 gallon fish tanks under them, flush with the shelves.  I think that will look awesome.  The room behind it will become the fish room - he'll have access to the tanks, and store all his fish stuff.  However, in the meantime I'm looking at a mess!!!  

So, my question for you is, can you think of any creative way to block that off, as a temporary measure?  I had thought of getting bookshelves there to fit, but would have nowhere to put them once the fish tanks are in.  And bookshelves are expensive!  I welcome any and all suggestions.

I still have to put up all my little quilts - I've hung things up with the nails that were already here, haven't put any holes in the walls yet.  I have things that were made for me by you lovely people, and I want them up where I can see them.  That will take some planning.....although I only have one wall where I can do that.

Pics of the rest of the house will be coming soon - we're still moving stuff in!

Love,
Allie

Postcards From Heaven, News

Hi everyone, I'm still in the process of moving in, although I've been here a week and a half.  But - the sewing room is together, I'll have pics very soon.  Sewing room and kitchen - most important.

Jenny has been very, very sick, and had to take some time off blogging and stitching.  She's now uploaded block 7 of our Postcards From Heaven, although she's still recovering!!  I also told her to add the link to my KJ version, so you can get that on her blog as well.  I simply haven't had the time to upload it to my craftsy shop.  The link is here:  Jenny of Elefantz

Jenny's gorgeous design:

And my KJ version:

Head on over to Jenny's and get your free design - and don't forget to say a prayer for her!  

And now I need to go figure out why my washing machine sounds like the drum is going to break right out and go flying across the room - I'm a little scared to go look.  See you soon!

Love,
Allie