Today

Whre did those beautiful fall leaves go? This morning they were here and this afternoon they were all covered with white stuff. It didn't cling to the road but at times made it difficult to see. This is way to early for snow here even if it will soon be gone.

Nothing seems to be working correctly. Yesterday my cable was out. This morning it was blogger. My computer has been absolutely crazy. Lost stuff and functions. I called a computer guy but he said he can't help. The young man who helps me get storm windows up and much more has moved away. Car tire was loosing air and had a screw in it. Went to dentist. I'm sure there is more silver and gold in my mouth than in my bank account. I spent six more hours today on my friend's book. Tomorrow is last day for me working on her book- done or not. Sewing room? Where's that? Thanks for listening to my gripes. I know I need to count my blessings and there are oh so many more of them. Have a nice day! VBS 

Sea Green Done?

After way too long, here it finally is. Yesterday had some sunshine so I hung it outside for the pic. The pic of the back has the sun shining thu and shows the design of the front coming thu. I wish it actually did that. It is 47 x 64 inches which should be good for a nice cover up for the reclining chair. I said I would make a quilt for a raffle. This is the first time I ever did anything like this and thought it should be a full size bed quilt. But I didn't want to pay to have it long arm quilted. So I've been trying to figure a way to do it on my sewing machine. First I decided on a smaller one. Then tried and unsewed. My problem is definitely in doing the sandwiching. So I thought I'd match the front and back at the corners of each block. That was a lot of work but seemed to work, at least after I ironed the finished quilt. I used my walking foot and sewed around the darker patterned parts. I have many knots and just locked them on the machine. I know I'm suppose to hand tie them all but .... I am thinking it needs something in the middle of the green blocks, not to hold them together but to look nicer. What do you think. I could maybe try some hand quilting. But do I want to mess with this quilt any more? One of my problems all along has been that I needed this quilt to apeal to the general Florida public and not be what I liked. I'm back to finishing my friend's book. It WILL be done this week. I'm also trying to get ready to join the migrating birds and head south. They have been grouping up for the last month. I plan to go the end of October.
 

Churches
As most of my travels have, my recent trip included many beautiful churches.

 

Fall Leaves in Michigan

Just had to post some pics of our trees in their fall color. We have had a lot of cloudy, rainy days lately but yesterday was a beautify sunny day. Really need this sun to see the best color. These pictures were taken in a park near my house.

 

 

Flowers

Recently I traveled to Switzerland, Austria and Bavaria. I saw many wonderful sights. Today I'm sharing pictures of flowers. They are everywhere. There are no screens on the windows. I was told the flowers, especially the geraniums, keep the bugs, especially the mosquitoes away. Hope you enjoy. Wish you could have been them in person.

There are many other flowers including roses.

Fabric

I'm having problems posting. I finally got it tonight. I had three pics but I see the close up did not come through. Oh, well.

I so wanted to buy some fabric to bring home but there are not many fabric stores. I don't think they do much quilting. Not from new fabric, anyway. I liked this fabric and it was half price for end of bolt. I got two and a quarter meters. It is not 100 % cotton - probably closer to 50%. I have no

idea what I'll do with it.

I took time today to work on my sewing room. I don't know how it gets so bad. Kipper must be sneaking in there and messing it up. I'm also doing the finish sewing on the Sea Green thing. Three sides done.

 

Trims and Buttons

I just had to buy some lace and buttons in Switzerland. Expensive but I liked them. I don't know what they will be used for - just to add to my stash, for now.  

What is old?
It always amazes me how we Americans think our history is old. We don't know what old is. This is Chateau de Chillon on Lake Geneva and its written record dates back to 1150. Suddenly 1776 doesn't seem so old. Since so many of us came from Europe, I guess these old castles are part of our heritage too. Of course I'm only thinking "old"as from my immigrant family history. The Native Americans date back much further. I think history is so interesting.

I'm still struggleing with a sore throat and fatigue but I did finish machine quilting the Sea Green quilt. I'm still not happy with my machine quilting.

Pillows

These pillows were in a store window in Switzerland and I really liked them. Wouldn't this inspire a great quilt? I've often thought about putting lace on some blocks.

I had a very good time but the trip home was long, very long. It was 25 hours from the time I got up until I hit by own bed, which sure felt good. I'm lucky that I can sleep anywhere, anytime, so I wasn't awake all that time. Anyway, I have been recovering from jet lag and a sore throat. Today I'm beginning to feel better.

I have a great group that I travel with. They stay positive and are always willing to share a hand and a laugh. My brace worked well on my knee and I was able to walk a lot.

I was surprised at the high prices of almost everything. At least they were much higher than those here in Michigan. I was also surprised at the limited selection of soda, which we call pop in Michigan, and how expensive it was. The only diet or sugar free one was Pepsi Light.

I loved the chocolate. Why does Europe have such wonderful chocolate compared to our American chocolate? All our food was very good. There was lots of pork. It was nice that all the tap water was portable and had an excellent taste. More tomorrow.

Pincushion

I posted these pics before but here is my pincushion again. It is actually two pincushions put together. The chair is made from a tuna can and was made and given to me by my sister-in-law. The doll was make and given to me by a coworker before I retired. It was made to hang but I put her on the chair, which was getting thin. I have had this, my only pincushion, for many many years and I take it with me to Florida in the winters. I do have a magnet pin catcher near my sewing machine too. 

Where has Katie been?

She saw lots of cows. That could be about anywhere. But look again. There are bells around their necks. The flag in the second picture gives another clue. Yup, they are Swiss cows. I've been traveling with my local Senior Center. I enjoyed the trip but am tired and have a sore throat. Kipper had so much fun at the kennel that he is trying to catch up on his sleep too.