back to plan A

My plans for the baby quilt to have scalloped edges fell by the wayside when I realized that I didn't have enough backing to cover a bigger quilt. There has been so little time to sew that I just wasn't willing to put it off long enough to travel to shop for more fabric...I just wanted to quilt it. So after re-timing my longarm to get the stitching back in order, I was happy to put some loops and hearts all over this little shabby chic (am I spelling that right?), romantic collection of red, white and pink fabrics.

So is finally on its way to sweet little Emelyn Kate.

almost back

As you can tell, it is over a month since I posted my whereabouts...it has been a focused and taxing time but I think it has been fruitful. I passed my 'lovely' CEN test almost 2 weeks ago, then worked too many days in a row and managed to earn a cold that I'm still trying to beat. Less whining from me about it this time because it wasn't the flu or something worse. And mostly just required drinking fluids, taking Motrin and reading some good books.
Absolutely no sewing has been happening here but will hopefully start soon.
I am participating in the Quilting the Psalms group. I am thinking I will use the Cherrywood fabrics leftover from the Women of the Bible quilt. My niece really liked that quilt so I'm thinking this Psalms quilt will be for her. I'll have to see how it turns out. She was pleased with the batik quilt..."Searching for Chili Pepper Red"... so I'm hoping she will like with this one.

I found a new author, Robert Whitlow and enjoyed reading Deeper Water and Higher Hope. There's a third book in the trilogy that I will need to order. He's a lawyer and writes from that background. Fast reads and good characters.

Now the real news is that the new baby arrived early October and she is adorable. Almost even more adorable though is her proud big brother. Emelyn Kate is one lucky girl to have Kian welcoming her into the family. This is the second grandchild for my brother, Ron. I tell ya...his kids are making him and his wife look so good! Alot of love passed on down in that family.

quick note re: whereabouts

Last month I studied this book to take the exam for Trauma Nurse Certification last week. Intense course but I did well and learned alot.

This month I study this huge book and take another exam sometime early October. Hope to learn alot more. After working in ICU most of my career, I have now been working in the Emergency Department for a little under 2 years. So I'm hoping to put what I've learned together and add to it.

Yesterday after a hair appointment, I was able to stop at our tiny LQS to visit with the owner and brought home these. The sewing tin is a gift for a friend and the book is for me :-) I love scrappy quilts and hope to plan for some of these. Kim at Magnolia Bay Quilts has designed some lovely ideas for quilts.

When I can fit it in though, this will be this months project for the first great grandbaby girl in my family. Don't know her name yet but she is inspiring me to try a scalloped edge. I read Kaaren's blog and first got the idea from her love for 'scalloping'. I have received several tips...one from a friend who has a special template for making whatever size I need and some from the ladies at Quilter's Cupboard where I shopped for the fabric. They helped with color choices for the border and binding and recommended sewing the edge of the scalloped edge before I cut it...actually now that I think about it...she said to actually sew the binding on before I cut it as well. The sewn edge was to hold the fabric together and actually give me a line to follow for a 1/4"seam. I'll have to re-read this note before I tackle this challenge because it is going to be a few weeks before I can do it...I will surely forget! Note to self....read instructions :-)

a visit to the lighthouse and a visit to see Ruby

On the coast north of San Simeon is a lighthouse named after these rocks...Piedras Blancas. We toured today and learned about the history, the native vegetation and some of the marine wildlife that frequent the area.

The top of the lighthouse was damaged in an earthquake and removed in 1948. There are plans of restoring it but in the meantime, it still has a working light fixture. No fog horn though.

I thought some of the architecture was interesting. The window is actually on another building which houses machinery which I can't remember does what!

The rocks have a large number of sea lions resting on them.

And the next pic has a favorite beach for some Elephant Seals. You can see the sand bathers in the upper left corner and two sparring males in the water towards the middle of the scene.

After touring, we went for lunch at Sebastian's in San Simeon. And then we went to see Ruby :-)
All perked up and settling into her new home.

new luckypup in the family

My mom wanted a little dog and the local animal shelter just happened to have just gotten in a pure bred Pomeranian. So Ruby, 8 years old, came to live with her today. She was not spade yet and thus had to have surgery this morning. She is still recovering from the anesthesia and decided under the bed was the best place to do that. She's probably right because we are going to have a hard time not petting her :-)
Ruby is awfully cute. It seems like so much for her to go through in such a short time...move to the pound, meet potential owners, wait over the long weekend, have surgery and then move to a new home....but that's how they do it with county animal control. At least she will have a quiet, safe place to start over.

not much sewing going around here

Had to work most of the past week but stitched the border on this little baby quilt for a co-worker. The LQS had easy kits of fabric put together and so I grabbed a couple. Since the next grandbaby in our family is to be a girl, I picked up a second kit with pink, red and white in it. A very shabby chique start for her. Will start that soon.

getting to the finish

Elinor here, looking out the window...and as always, away from the camera. She is sweet company even if she won't pose for me.
We have been working away stitching the binding on these placemats...only 3 to go. I tried the turn the backing over method but couldn't get the mitered corners the way I liked them. So I gave in to binding each of them..It's a good excuse to sit and sew by hand though.

Last photo is of the roosters on the back.

I'll be happy to finally put these birds in the mail this week!