Follow Me...

Hi There!

September's here but where did the summer go?!??

Saturday morning, Gilbert and I decided to go to yard sales.  Just outside of Saint John, 2 hamlets called Red Head and Mispec, were having a Community Yard Sale.

We hadn't been there in over 13 years,
so we decided to jump in the car and head on out!

At the very end of this "peninsula", is a lighthouse with a very pictoresque view of the Bay of Fundy.

Gilbert, overlooking the Bay...

A "dark" picture of the shoreline.

And a "lighter" picture of the shoreline.  

Don't ask me why my iTouch did this.  

*scratching her head*

And, a picture of the lighthouse!

I've started "hooking" again.  

Gosh, but I love hooking.  

Almost equally as much as quilting.

But I can create quilt tops faster than I can make a hooked rug.

Anyhow, my recent rug is of a SnowMan.  

I had seen this in one of my pattern books and

 had promised myself that I would make it... someday.

"Someday" is now here.

Saturday afternoon, I was able to sit outside on our deck. 
It wasn't sweltering hot but nice enough for me. 
Worked on my "hooking" as  Gilbert puttered around the yard.

And here's a close-up of my progress.

Then, yesterday,
I decided to make a batch of my Mom's "Uncle Ben Oven Rice".

Its the kind of recipe that makes a big roaster filled of yummy rice. Great to bring to a family get together, a potluck or to make at home. AND, the rice freezes very well.  Great to separate into lunch portions and freeze, for later!

Recipe for Uncle Ben's Oven Rice.

You absolutely NEED this rice. 

I've tried it with other brands of rice and it didn't work.

A close-up of the package.

This morning, my friend Elly, at Mad4patchwork, wrote to me 

and asked that I put on my blog, a "Follow by Email" option.

When I asked her how to do it, 

she wrote back with these instructions:

Go to your blog

Click design (top right corner)

Then click 'layout'

In layout click 'add a gadget'

From the list that comes up click  'follow by email'

Click save

et voila! :)

Turns out, I already HAD this option on my blog 

but you have to scroll waaaaaay at the bottom of my page to see it.

  I'll be moving to the top right hand side.... 

as soon as I finish publishing this post.

Anyhow, Elly gave me permission to copy her instructions - 

in case some of you might like to add this option on your blog.

Elly, I just went to your blog site 

and did you realize it's been 5 months 

since you last posted, girlfriend?!?!?

*grin*

And, this "following" topic reminded me of 

one of my favorite songs by Uncle Kracker....  

"Follow Me".

Here's hoping you have a Super September!!!

Rosa

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N !!!

Hi There!

Yesterday, at 4h01 p.m., I officially started a week's vacation.  

And, once again, I will try and maintain my vacation journal.

Rosa's Vacation Journal

That's about it....  

Gilbert has decided to stay home and man the fort.  

Me?  I've got a 3 day trip planned.  

I'll be leaving Monday morning and heading up North of my province.  

I should be back by Wednesday.  

And Friday morning, 

I'll be going to St. Andrews-by-the-Sea. 

If you're bored or just plain curious, 

check out my Vacation Journal.   

I should be updating it, every morning.

Hope you're having a Wonderful Weekend!

Here's a song, sung by the Muppets, that should keep you entertained for a bit... 

Rosa

Happy Canada Day!!!

Hi Everyone!!!

Happy Canada Day and

Happy 4th of July!!!!

I've always been proud to be Canadian

and have also been proud

to be neighbours with 

our American cousins!!!

Have a great day....

on whatever side of the border you belong!

Rosa

Hi There!

Gorgeous sunny morning 

and I'm O-F-F till Tuesday Morning!!!

Got 2 bindings, 1 label and 1 sleeve to make, today!

One of these 2 quilts will be going in our local quilt show, this fall.

Then, I have a flimsy that needs to be pulled out and re-examined.  I need to remove some paper - a small section of it was paper-pieced.

I might need to add an extra border... and maybe not.  Either way, I'm hoping to put that one in our local quilt show, as well.

Gilbert is supposed to paint the trimmings on our Baby Barn, this morning, and who knows, eh?  I might change my mind and sit outside, while he's working.  We shall see.

Tomorrow morning- Saturday, I'm picking up 3 (cooked) lobsters and heading into the country.  I plan on spending a good part of the day with my parents. 

Sunday is Father's Day and I plan on going to our fairly big (and new) Farmer's Market, uptown.  That should be fun!

And Monday, I hope to spend time in my Sewing Studio.

How's THAT for a perfect extra-long weekend, eh?!??

Hope you get the chance to enjoy yourselves, this weekend!

Have a Wonderful Weekend!!!

Rosa

Meet Herbie and the Boys

 Hi There!

I can't remember if I shared this with you, but I was on "V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N", this past week!!!

I pulled out my Aunt's yellow rose blocks, this week, and started putting them together.

As of 5h30, this afternoon, Gilbert finally finished our Baby Barn!!!

Yes, there's still a few things to do but the building is now "enclosed".

He still has to do the "caulking" and paint the exterior.... It comes with a base - ivory color - primer paint on the outside of the building.

He will be making shelves inside of the barn and transferring all our "stuff" from the old baby barn - on the right hand side - to the new one.

THEN, he will be demolishing it and putting it to the curbside for garbage pickup.

This afternoon, I decided to go to the "Pumpkin Patch" and pick up a few flowers, for our deck.

This was an empty planter and I selected 3 begonias and a heliodrum or heliotrump or some kind of "helio" plant.... Apparently, once it starts blooming, the smell is INCREDIBLE!

Can't wait...

This planter was already filled and "ready" to hang.  It's got TONS of reddish/orangish flowers!!!

This one has black-eyed Susans and some purple flowers.... but I especially loved the "Welcome" sign, on the hanger, itself!

And finally, let me introduce to you

"Herb and the Boys"!!!

From front to back....

Italian Parsley, Spicy Oregano, Basil, Garlic Chives and Frilly Parsley.

(their names as best as I remember them...)

Tomorrow is "Victoria Day", here in Canada and some of us are lucky enough to have the day off.

I'm one of them.

:-)

I plan on hiding in my Sewing Studio, tomorrow... 

Two days sitting on my deck, watching and helping Gilbert and I'm EXHAUSTED!

I need a break!

LOL

Rosa

Some More Pics to Share...

Hi There!

Yesterday, after the meeting, we managed to slip over to the Quebec side and do a little shopping!

No, no fabric or quilt stores but mostly groceries and a couple different and hopefully "good" bottles of wine.



Today, I managed to make 2 Batik Blocks!

According to my magazine,
this one is called
an "Hour Glass Star"



And the magazine people called this one,
a "Double Star" block.



I think I have 3 more stars to do,
buy some more dark green batik,
to put a frame around the last
five (?) blocks.

Yep, I "THOUGHT" I had purchased waaaaaay too much of this dark green batik, for the framing of each block.

Last week, I realized that I wouldn't have enough.

Bummer....

And once I finish the last 3 blocks, add the frames on the remaining blocks..... THEN, I add 2 inch black strips between each block and probably a 6 inch black border, to finish off the whole thing.

Hmmmm... which reminds me. I truly need to check my black/grey plastic tote. Not sure if I have enough black, either!

Later gators!

Rosa

A Beaver, a Moose and a Lady...

Hi There!

Sunday, Gilbert and I left on a work trip,
up North of my province.

On our way back, yesterday,
Gilbert snapped a picture
of me,
standing beside these 2 comical creatures.



Looks like someone decorated them for Easter, too!

LOL

I'm off for the rest of this week...

Hope to post a few blogs.

Rosa

A Door Closes...

Hi There!

Yesterday was my last official "Vacation Day".

Boy, did the week ever fly by quickly!

But, I really can't complain as we mainly stayed home, saved money and I got to do my favorite thing - playing in my Sewing Studio!!!

Yesterday, I managed to sash all my Batik Blocks....
and completed 2 new blocks.

This is the first time that I've ever made the "Card Trick" block... that I can remember, anyhow... and I think it came out fairly decent, wouldn't you say?

*grin*

Here's a picture of my Design Wall,
as of yesterday at 5 p.m.



Mid-February, I was told that our office would be closing for good, on the 28th of September 2012.

I was rather upset, to say the least... a few sleepless nights and several conversations in my head, later, I realized that the thing that scared me the most was the "un-certainy".

What will I do? Can I survive financially? And if not, at my age, who would hire me? And if they did, would I be able to keep up with the training and/or a new job?!??!

*insert biting fingernails*

And finally, I told myself, "Rosa.... STOP worrying! What will happen, will happen. Worrying won't help matters, anyhow!"

And, I've ALWAYS tried to focus on the glass being half full as opposed to it being half empty.

Besides.....

You know what they say?

When one door closes - another one opens.

That's all folks, for now.

Have a Super Saturday!

Rosa

Scrappy Patchy Quilt

Hi There!

Do any of you remember the TV sitcom "Home Improvement", with Tim the Tool Man Taylor?

Remember how he'd start a weekend home renovation project that would keep growing until it became this MAJOR 3 month project?!??



Well, I've been seriously trying to keep my Sewing Studio tidy. Whenever I finish a project, I pick up and put away remaining big chunks of fabric and those that are considered "scrap", I cut 'em up right away into "strips".

I WAS cutting them into 2-1/2" strips till I realized that the patterns in the 2 books that I have of my (new) idol, Bonnie K. Hunter..... well, she mostly uses 2" blocks.

What was I to do?

Buy more bins?
How was I going to keep the
2-1/2" inch scraps separated
from the 2" scraps?!??

Keep them separated in a zip lock?

Did I really NEED the 2-1/2" strips?

The bindings on my last 6 or 7 quilts all were 2" and I like the results better.

Why was I holding onto the 2-1/2" strips?!??

In case I made a quilt with jelly roll strips?
I hardly think that will ever happen...
(fatal last words - I know.)

Decisions... decisions.

Finally, I said to myself,
"Rosa... Sh!t or get off the pot! Make a decision, now!"

(Sewing Studio all tidied up)

Sooooo, I will be slowing getting rid of the 2-1/2" strips and converting them all to 2".

That being said, I, of course.... had to go over Bonnie's patterns and found one that said to me.... "Hmmmmmm....... I should prep these strips and do some scrappy 9 patch blocks and put 'em aside and only do a bit at a time, whenever I get a chance."

Here's where the Tim the Tool Man Taylor mentality kicked in....

I cut up all my scraps from my last 2 projects and threw away the itsy bitsy pieces. And, I started sewing these strips together to start my 9 patch blocks.

Then, since I didn't have enough variety, I picked into some of my 2-1/2" bins to cut 'em down to 2" size and sew 'em up.

Was that good enough?

Well, of COURSE NOT!!!

LOL

I remembered some old (cotton) shirts that I had saved in my big blue totes, yanked 'em out and started cutting THOSE as well, into 2" strips!!!

The Studio looked like someone had vomited fabric, all over instead of being nice and tidy, like I had FIRST planned on doing!!!

LOL

And remember?

It all started out that I wanted to trim and put away my previous 2 quilts' leftover fabrics before I got back into my Batik Blocks...

I've been working on these 9 Patch Scrappy blocks for the past 2 days, now!

This plastic container was put away at 7 p.m. and I will NOT pull it out until I have 2 more flimsy finished!

Hope you have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Me?

I'm on vacation
(AKA my Stay-Cah-Shun)
and LOVING IT!!!

Rosa

Another Birthday's Come and Gone

Hi There

Gilbert and I went to Bangor, Maine for an overnight sleepy the weekend of my birthday. And since we took a lot of pictures, I decided to write it up - "Vacation Journals".

In the meantime, here's a few pics of gifties that I received, for my birthday...

A birthday card from my friend, Marianna.

Gilbert and I both thought that the picture was EXTREMELY funny!

Marianna took the time to translate it for us...

"Celebrate.
You still look in great shape!
Real Tight."



LOL

Marianna also included some polka dot fabric, for my 2nd Dear Jane!



Elly, from Scotland, send me this card.

What baffled me is that Gilbert says he has difficulty with English, yet understood this card enough to "LOL", at it!

I had sent a little gifty to my friend, Pat... who's now in Florida.

When she received MY gifty, she insisted on sending us some Florida sunshine. Who was I to refuse, especially since it was REAL cold that evening when she offered.

*grin*

When her parcel arrived here, Gilbert and I BOTH opened it up at out kitchen table.... hoping some ray of sunshine had been captured, harnessed and gently placed into this package.

We both hooted with delight when we saw this cute "Choco-Gator!!!

And the cutest quilty "Thank You" card!

Gilbert says he'll hang it up in his Longarm room.

I received many more gifties but these were on my desk, this evening and I decided to take a few pics and share with you.

Hope you have a Terrific Thursday!

Rosa

Out With 2011 - In With 2012

Hi There!

Found a couple cute cartoons,
representing the new and upcoming year...


Another year washes away...

I like this prayer....


Have any of you heard that THIS is the year that the world will end, according to the Aztec calendar?




And here's ...

"Back To the Future"

I've been busy working and sewing.

Gilbert.... THANKFULLY..... put away our Christmas decorations!

I think, after 11 years, he knows better - If it was left to me, they'd probably STILL be sprawled all over the house at Easter!

LOL

Wishing you all
a Happy and Healthy New Year!!!

Rosa

We Remember

Hi There!

Sometimes a picture just says it all....



Gilbert and I designed and painted this sign.
We usually hang it up, outside,
for the whole month of November.

Picture taken on this wet and windy
11th of November '11.

Rosa

If The Cookie Fits....

Hi There!

Today, Gilbert and I had a few errands to run .... You can read all about it HERE, but the reason I'm posting this evening is to share with you.

Once again, I'm a great believer in fate or Karma or "what was meant to be was meant to be".

At dinner time, Gilbert and I decided to go eat at our new Chinese Buffet restaurant.

Anyhow, a good friend of mine has nicknamed herself "The Princess" and, as I think of my close friends very often - you know who you are - when I saw this drink on our paper place mat, I KNEW I had to grab a picture!



No, I didn't get the drink but when I do return there, I certainly will.... and I will salute "The Princess"!

*VBG*



And OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!

Guess what my fortune cookie read?!?!?!?!

DUH!?!?

I'm on V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N !!!!

I certainly PLAN on relaxing and enjoying myself!!!!

LOL

Rosa

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N !!!

Hi There!

Yesterday, I officially started my 2 week holiday and, as it the tradition, I'll be maintaining my Vacation Journal and uploading as many silly pictures as possible. *grin*

(click on the coconut drink to read what I've been doing...)




Every time I start my vacation, I automatically start humming this song!!!

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N !!!

Last weekend, I managed to finish a baby quilt top, in 30's fabrics...

Thursday evening, I believe, I finished off the 2nd one and this morning, I finished the 3rd one. Mind you, I had been sewing these blocks together, for quite a while. All I really had left to do, was to sew the strips (across), together.

The other 2 "blue" ones are identical to this (pink) one 'cept they're in mostly blue colors.

And this evening, I pulled out that king size Batik quilt and, with Gilbert's help, measured the quilt and cut up the strips to make the border.

By the time I turned out the lights and shut down my sewing machine, I had 3 sides sewn on.

That's about it, in my life.

Waiting for Irene,
our tropical storm...

Rosa

My Mind Works in Mysterious Ways, Sometimes....

Hi There!

Gilbert and I went to Calais, Maine, to do some shopping!

I picked up some fabric for the back of that batik quilt that I was putting together. Remember that one - the one that I really don't really care for? *s*

Well, Gilbert was in the extra wide bolts of fabric area, I said, "How about we go with blue? Blue's a pretty universal color."

Soooo, we got a honkin' big piece of blue fabric, for this king size batik quilt.



Then, I picked up some fabrics for my latest baby quilt. I think I'll be calling this one "Baby Chicky Quilt".

Here's the colors that I selected.

Then, since I wanted to make some
"Eat, Play, Sleep, Repeat" quilts, I picked up these fabrics.
(NOTE: as I searched for this web site to share with all of you, I just NOW realized that the letters are ALL different colors!!!! DOUBLE GROAN....)

Oh well... doesn't matter.

I'll still go with my original plan!

On my way out, I saw THIS "Pez" fabric!

I just HAD to grab it!!!

(Ssssssshhh..... Don't tell anyone - it was speaking to me.... LOL)

The Pez fabric will probably go on the back of some baby quilt... some day.

Then, on my way to the cash, I looked in my carriage and realized,
"Look at all the blues!!!!"

And I'm not usually a "blue" fan, either.

I love ALL colors!!!

And those 3 blues truly ARE almost the same colors, too!

Okay, off to bed!

I promise I've got more interesting stuff to blog about, but it's getting late...

Rosa