I Like Thursday #309

It's time for I Like Thursday! Please visit LeeAnna to link up with more participating blogs. Well, my Christmas Cactus is blossoming again! This is the third time since November. Is this normal?? I'm not very good with plants. I did have a Christmas Cactus for years and I don't think it bloomed much more than onceper year. It's very pretty and I love it. I'm just wondering if it's normal!

I'm halfway through making my border pieces for Facets. It's not a very large block measuring at 3" X 6.5". However, they are a little fussy. I'll be glad when I'm done. Facets has been a real challenge for me. I love how it's coming out but it's been difficult at times.

It's on the warm side today so I opened a few windows and I could hear the birds singing. I set up my Merlin app and found these birds in just a few moments. The birds are back! I feel spring is really here although it doesn't always feel it!

The conversation starter this week asks us if we still eat the same breakfast we used to eat as kids. Breakfast has always been difficult for me. When I worked, I used to have to be there quite early. I never had time to eat. Once at work, I did get a coffee break but only about 15 minutes. I'm used to not really eating breakfast. As a kid, I think I used to have toast but even then, I wasn't too hungry. I'm fine with just a cup of coffee! I just eat a good lunch at noon. 

Have a great weekend!

Two Projects

I've been working on the binding for my baby quilt. I made the binding and sewed it onto the quilt over the weekend. Baby quilts are fun since everything works up so fast. I got a chance to start sewing the binding down by hand. I'm already about half done. Love that!

Here's a close up of the binding. This colors in this quilt are brighter than they seem in these pictures. 

My cross stitch kitty is done! I thought I was finished until I remembered the back stitching. I'll get to it eventually! I have a few hand projects I'm trying to finish first. 

I Like Thursday #308

It's time for Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna to link up with more blogs posting happy and fun content on a weekly basis. I finished quilting this baby quilt this morning. It measures about 42.5" X 56.5". I'll be making the binding soon. I love how the ribbon candy just pops in this picture. This was fun to make and I hope my friend and his wife love it!

I had a gift card from Barnes & Noble so I bought this very neat Nook cover. It reminds me of a quilt so I just couldn't resist it! I use my Nook a lot since I borrow books from libraries in Massachusetts using the Libby app. It's such a convenient way to read books and it's all free!

I also bought this cute hair clip. You would never know it's a clip. It looks like a book and I just had to have it! It says Romantasy on the side where the book binding would be. So funny and it works great!!

The conversation starter this week asks what was your least favorite food as a child and how we feel about it now. So, in seventh grade I bought a cafeteria lunch at school that happened to be a pepper steak. Well, after eating it, I got sick. To this day, just the smell of peppers brings that nausea right back to me. It was always difficult living in an Italian family since my mom used fresh peppers a lot. I don't think I'll ever be able to eat peppers. 

Have a great weekend! Tomorrow is the first day of Spring so Happy Spring!!!!!

FMQ and Facets Quilt

I added that last round of full blocks to the Facets quilt. These blocks are 6.5" square. This quilt top so far measures about 84" square. I just started cutting some pieces for the border. The border round is much smaller and I expect to finish it quicker. The main color is red with a pale yellow background. I think they measure around 2" X 6.5".

 

I loaded the baby quilt and started quilting it over the weekend. I'm not doing anything too fancy. I'm making free motion loops, ribbon candy, and arcs. The thread is a very pale pink. I really love the little pop of pink on the blocks. It's fun to quilt this one. It's not too big and fun to add that texture!

I Like Thursday #307

It's time for I Like Thursday! A bunch of us bloggers post fun and positive content every Thursday. Please visit LeeAnna to link up with more participating blogs. I just had to share these pictures of the sunset. They were taken this past Sunday around 7PM. The sky was vivid with color! Just beautiful!

This is the fabric I bought for the backing of the baby quilt. It's actually a brighter pink in person. They may name the baby Lily so I thought a floral theme would be good.

I'll be quilting that baby quilt soon so I've been practicing my free motion quilting on the long arm. I thought I needed a little practice since I haven't done free motion quilting in awhile. It felt pretty comfortable once I started stitching again. I think I'm ready to start quilting it now.

Our conversation starter is - If you could bring back any fashion trend, what would it be?? I miss hats the most! I remember how nice everyone looked at Easter wearing their Easter bonnets. I feel hats added that extra touch to an outfit. When I got married, the ladies in my bridal party had cute little hats on with a small attached veil. It looked so elegant! Not sure they'll every come back!

Have a great weekend!!

Other Projects

I'm working on a few other things other than Facets. I made these sweet little baby booties for my friend who's expecting his first baby. Aren't they so sweet?? They're a pattern I found online that works the booties without a seam. Once you're done knitting, there's nothing to sew. If you're interested, the pattern is here. They're so quick and easy to make!

This is how far I've got on my cross stitch kitty. It's coming slowly but looking good. I'm more than halfway done. I try to work on it everyday but sometimes I get busy with other projects. There are so many thread changes that you can only do so much at a time. 

I have one teal row sewn onto Facets and another one in the process of being sewn on. There are so many seams to match that it takes awhile. Oh well, I should enjoy the process, right?? At least, that's what I keep telling myself!!

Facet Blocks Done!!!

 I finally finished making the 52 blocks for the last full round of the Facets Quilt. This round took me a long time! I didn't realize when I started this quilt that I would need to make 196 blocks and that doesn't include the border. I thought it was a great project to use up scraps. I did use some scraps but I also bought a few fat quarters as I needed them. I'm not sure I used up much of my stash. 

These are the last 4 blocks I made for this round. It sure felt good to know I'm finally done with this block! They measure 6.5" square.

This is my pile of 52 blocks. Shouldn't it look bigger??? Months worth of work in such a small pile! I'll be sewing the blue blocks onto the quilt as my next step. The border will follow!

Baby Quilt Top

Here's my finished baby quilt! It measures 42.5" X 56.5". I'm waiting for the backing and batting which I ordered on line. I'll custom quilt it but using very easy patterns. I hope it is loved and gets used a lot. I expect it to be washed often so easy quilting should be good!

I have 44 blocks for the teal round of the Facets quilt. I only need 8 more! I'm sort of tired of making this block so many times but I'm looking forward to finishing up this quilt. I just have a pieced border left to make! Yay!!!!

It's snowing again but it should turn to rain. I hope it rains and all goes away!!!

I Like Thursday #306

 Welcome to I Like Thursdays! We bloggers post fun and positive content every Thursday under the direction of LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color. Go visit her blog so you can visit more participating blogs. After all the snow we've had, I decided I had to go out and buy something that reminded me of 
Spring. I went to Home Sense and this is what I came home with! It's such a pretty shade of blue. I saw it and just had to have it. It's now sitting on the coffee table in my family room. Somehow, it makes me feel better to see it!

I also swapped out the table runner in my dining area. I made this last year and I just love the colors!  I feel it's also a nice reminder of Spring. The colors remind me of nature and flowers.

Here's my baby quilt so far. This is not the final layout but an idea of how it will look when done. I love the soft muted colors. It's full of animals and little girls. I hope they couple that are getting it will love it as much as I do!

The conversation starter this week asks what is the most adventurous thing you've done. I'm not very adventurous but I'd have to say having children has been quite the adventure! I don't think I knew what I was in for when we decided to start a family. There are so many ups and downs. It's been wonderful in so many ways but it's a lifelong endeavor. I'm not sure I understood that! It's truly been an adventure of a lifetime.

Have a great weekend! Our temperatures are warming up but there's a threat of more snow this weekend. I hope not!!!

 

Blizzard Sewing

These are the views from my windows today. The picture on the left is my deck. I can't open the door due to the snow. I think we've received about 9 inches so far. The picture on the right is from my front door. The snow piles are getting higher again. It was finally starting to melt. Oh well. All I can say is that I'm looking forward to Spring! 

I've been working on my teal row for the Facets quilt. I finished these very quickly hoping my power wouldn't go out. I have 18 blocks left to make for this round.

I also made another block for the baby quilt. I have 5 blocks left to make for the baby quilt. I'm so glad the power lasted while I was sewing. I did hear some people lost power just a few miles from my house. They called the electric company who told them to expect power back in about 48 hours. That is not good news! I'm hoping my power lasts!

I'll be home all day waiting for the storm to finally stop!!

I Like Thursday #305

It's time for Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to link up with more blogs posting happy and fun content every Thursday. The weather isn't quite as cold as it has been. It's so nice to have temperatures that aren't bone chilling for a change! Anyways, I've been working on my cross stitch kitty. This is a slow process due to all the thread changes but I love how it's coming out. I only work on it while watching television. It's fun to stitch and watch the Olyympics.

Having been a hospital pharmacist for so many year, I have met some great students over the years. I heard from one of my former students and found out he and his wife are expecting their first child. He was so thrilled to tell me the news. Of course, I had to start a baby quilt for them. I've got three blocks done so far. They measure 14" square. He told me an owl lives in the trees behind his house. I found a layer cake with lots of animals, including owls!

Lily has slept for many months on a little couch that we received as a gift from my daughter's boyfriend's mom. Well, before she bought us the couch, she had sent this little house for the cats to sleep in. All of a sudden, that is Lily's preferred place to sleep. I have no idea why. These kitties are very silly and you can never figure them out! Who know what made her change her mind!?

This week's question asks us what was your favorite subject in school. Well, since I became a pharmacist, I definitely loved science but it was also because it was the most practical route for me. I could make a career from something in the field of science and that's how I landed in pharmacy. But if I had had my way, I would have been an English major. I just love reading and just about anything that has to do with books. Teaching jobs were hard to find when I graduated from high school so I went into health care. My love will always be reading and language arts.

Have a great weekend! We may get 2 snowstorms so not sure what kind of weekend we're going to have. I guess we should be used to it by now!

Lucky for St. Patrick's Day

I just finished this month's free cross stitch pattern from Primrose Cottage. I started stitching it when I got tired of cross stitching the cat I'm working on. There are so many thread changes on that cat that I have to stop after a while. So, I worked on this project instead. I got it ready in time for St. Patrick's Day with plenty of time to spare!

I used 16ct aida in off white. I just used what I had at home. It measures approximately 5" X 5.5".  I thought the small pom pom trim would be a cute touch. Well, it looks nice but it was tough for me to sew on. It's very narrow and I kept sewing off the fabric. This is the second piece of fabric I sewed onto the cross stitch piece. The original fabric kept I chose kept shredding. I'm not sure if I like the twine, still deciding! Anyways, it's a cute new addition to use to decorate my house. 

I Like Thursday #304

Welcome to Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna to link up with more participating blogs posting happy and positive content. We had another storm over the weekend. I took this picture at the end of the day after the storm had ended. Isn't it so pretty?? It was a welcome sight after another snowstorm.

I wish I had seen these Vintage Valentine's Day cards before I bought my cards this year. I love vintage cards and especially Valentine's Day cards. I saw these at World Market. They have many cute items for holidays. Their Easter decorations are already up. I have to keep myself from buying since they stock the cutest stuff!

I just finished this book and loved it! You learn all about the main character through her letters. She keeps up correspondence with many friends as well as famous figures. I know it's all fiction but it was just done so well. I read this was one of the best books of 2025. I'll have to agree!

Our conversation starter this week asks us about our most romantic date. I don't really remember a date that stands out over any other. However, I think my most favorite gift my husband gave me was a Spa Day. It was so fun to be pampered for a day. I think wives and moms are so used to putting themselves last. It was a welcome gift that I thoroughly enjoyed!

Happy Valentine's Day! Have a great weekend!!💘

More Facet Blocks and Organizing

We're expecting more snow this afternoon. Just what we need!!! Anyways, I've been diligently working on my teal round of the Facets quilt. As you can see, I have 18 made but have 34 left to make. I can make them pretty quickly now but I usually only make 1 or 2 at a time. They measure 6.5" square.

I bought a new shelf with cubbies to hold all my fabric. It took a few days to get all my fabric in the baskets and on the shelf. I had so much fabric that I didn't even remember buying! I still plan on going through each basket and organizing better. I mainly organize by color but I also have lots of fat quarters that have their own area. Ugh! It's not easy to get everything in it's proper place. I'll get there eventually!

I Like Thursday #303

Welcome to Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna to link up with more participating blogs posting positive content. The temperatures have gone up this week but I went to the library yesterday and took this picture. There are still so many areas of ice that look they're here to stay awhile! This picture was taken in front of a gate with a plant in front of it. It made me cold just to look at it. 

Does anyone else use Duolingo? I finished the Italian course. Italian was my first language however, the Italian I spoke was a dialect. This course teaches the proper Italian. I've asked my mother about some of the words and she hasn't even heard of them! Italian only has 60 levels on this app so it didn't take too long to finish up. I also started to learn chess. I'm terrible at it but it's fun to learn. If you're on Duolingo, let me know so we can follow each other. 

If you subscribe to Primrose Cottage Stitches, this is the freebie for the month! So cute! Perfect for St. Patrick's Day! This one looks like a quick one to stitch up. 

Our conversation starter this week asks us if we exchanged Valentine's Day cards in grammar school. I remember decorating a shoe box to place the cards in. I remember buying a box of cards and signing and sending one to each of my classmates. We always had a party with cookies and juice! So fun!!

Have a great weekend!! Stay warm!!

Cat Pillow Cross Stitch

 It's actually over 32 degrees outside! Some of the snow is starting to melt. It will take many more days like these to melt this snow pack but it's a start. I heard the cold will be back this weekend so I can't get too excited. Anyways, does anyone remember this cross stitch pillow I made last year?? I ended up giving it as a gift. 

I liked it so much that I started another one. It seems a bit easier this time around. There are too many thread changes but I do love how this looks when it's done. The shading makes it look so realistic. I'm glad I have something to do when I watch TV. It's almost time for General Hospital! Time to get ready!