My family, quilting, gardening,
woodworking and friends
are all things I might talk about

Behind My Picket Fence.....

Thursday, February 17, 2011

What’s Up with That?

I’ve always found it very enjoyable to sit down and write a post for my blog.   From that statement you might then ask the question:  why don’t you write more often???  You might also ask, which came first, the chicken or the egg??  Well, boys & girls, the answer is simple and the same for each question – I DON’T KNOW!!!!  Of course you also have to realize that there is very little in my life worth writing about.  Altho now that I think about it, most of my posts are about nothing at all.  Obviously, this will never be turned into an autobiographical book.  Or any kind of book.  Oh, geez, ya, I’d really LOVE to write a book.  I sat down with pen in hand one day to begin.  I was like Snoopy sitting on top of his doghouse typing out – “it was a dark & stormy night.”  After that I was stuck.  I couldn’t think of a darn thing and gave it up as a lost cause.  If you want to send me a story idea………I could add at least a paragraph to it!

Now that I’ve explained my long absence……ahem, we’ll move right along.  :)

Let me begin by sharing our winter house project.  Known affectionately (or not) as the “shower from hell”.  Pardon my language.  Our bathroom had a bathtub with a shower.  It had tile surrounding it.  Some tiles began to come loose – and then more & more.  The cause was a handicap bar we’d installed when I was recovering from “the incident”.  Long story short, we needed to re-do.  As all good projects go we decided to make  it all BETTER.  Are you loving it so far?  Me too.  Since we don’t use the tub, we might as well remove it and it will become a nice, large shower.  YEAH! 

I’ll skip thru a whole bunch of really interesting stuff here that would bore you (huh?).  We got out our tool belts and hammers, screwdrivers, hand saws, power saws, chop saws, drills, sanders, squares, tape measures, and well, nearly every tool we own.  We do this because whenever we tackle a building project we call in “Close Enough Construction”.  That’s us.  In addition to that we run to town at least once a day until project completion for something we don’t have.  Can anyone relate?  So once the dust has settled, it looks like this:

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Left side:

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Right side:

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One of the sad/funny things about it is in the instructions it says that this can be completed in a weekend.  HA!  Someone should call the better business bureau for false advertising.  Well, it’s done and we love it!  If I host a “shower open-house”, do you think it’s ok to ask people to bring their own towel?

Last Saturday was our monthly Prairie Women’s Sewing Circle group, sponsored by Farmhouse Woolens.  Per usual, a good time was had by all.  I cannot imagine a group of ladies who would be more fun to work with.  It’s sorta like having a 2-year old around and if there’s a moment of silence, you get real nervous.  I am not saying they act like 2-year olds!  Sheesh.  But there are no moments of silence!  Here’s what they made last month:

Sewing Circle 1 They are the sweetest little table runners called Seneca Falls.

Oh – Oh – Oh.  Miracles do happen.  I got something for Valentines day:

DSC01885Wasn’t that nice?  I gave him a card.  Yes, I talking about my husband! 

OK, what else?  I belong to an organization that provides services to help mainly senior citizens stay in their homes instead of needing assisted living or a nursing home.  It’s a great organization and well worth supporting.  They’ve had an annual Tour of Tables event for their main fundraiser for a number of years.  This year we are using Alice in Wonderland as our theme and have asked each table hostess to decorate to represent a children’s book or nursery rhyme. 

I had to go to eBay but I found vintage-looking Alice in Wonderland fabric ---

ByKtCiCWkKGrHqVikEw5e91ndBMQoCLtE8Q_3So I ordered a yard.  Then I wondered what to do with it.  Here’s what I did:

DSC01889    I really need to tell you that the quilt is straight & square.  It looks like it’s curved at the top but it’s just the way I pinned it to the wall.  Honest.  It really is straight.  I promise.  Really.

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DSC01898And, of course, minkee on the back so it’s snuggly soft for baby.  I also had a couple motif leftovers so will sew up a simple pillow to go with it using the green border fabric and minkee.

DSC01899 We’ll announce the raffle winner on April 9th at the Tour of Tables.

I missed going to Loose Threads this week but I’m hoping to be able to share pictures with you (if someone shares with me) as I know there was some good show & tell.

I do have a full-time job now so I may have less time than ever to write. 

What?  I need to clarify full-time?  Ya, ya, ok then.  I work 1 day a week.  But that’s a LOT, don’t you think?  My lovely and talented boss is none other than Kari Carr – New Leaf Stitches.  You can check out her patterns & notions on her website.  I’m trying very hard to be on my very best behavior while I’m at work.  It’s hard to be Faye.

 

9 comments:

donna said...

Who needs a towel? We'll all just drip dry. You always make me laugh.

donna

Farmhouse Woolens - The Primitive Thread said...

Oh chicky I'm lovin the shower - it turned out great. If I'm ever in need I will call up Close Enough Construction - looks like they pulled it off.

Hugs - Mrs. Farmhouse :)

Holly said...

Your phone will be ringing off the hook with construction requests!! That tile job is amazing!! Artwork in the middle!!! Wonderful!!!!
And I can totally relate to the "full-time" job! I work at the libray 12 hours a week and it's amazing how I don't have time to clean or cook dinner anymore...I'm just soooo busy with working and all!!
Good to have you back!

Wendy said...

Hey Miss Faye :)
Thats a swanky shower room you've got, I have some loose tiles in our wet room...fancy coming over to fix them???lol!
I love your alice in wonderland quilt, someone sweet is going to love snuggling up in it :)
And I reeeeaally want you to publish a book...I love your 'musings' ;) I buy it!
Hugs Wendy x

Mrs. B, a very peculiar person said...

I just happened upon your blog and I must say I've certainly enjoyed the read. I also love all the photos of pretty quilts. I adore quilts and I like quilting, but I don't think I'll ever be capable of producing one as nice, pretty and professional as the one's you and your friends have done.
I look forward to visiting again.
Mrs.B

Marie said...

Faye, You always having an interesting story to tell. I love your new bathroom--beautiful! I wish you lived near us with your organization that helps seniors stay in their home. Thanks to family, friends, and church, we have been able so far to stay in our home. My husband is not doing good because of his MS and I have a difficult time with my scoliosis. We are more than blessed though.
Never stop blogging!
A Fan.
Marie

Nancy said...

Oh, I love the Alice fabric. Do you remember the manufacturer? Fabulous quilt.

Thimbleanna said...

Ok. This comment might be REALLY late, but I LOVE that quilt! What a wonderful way to showcase the story panels -- Fantastic!!!

Beth said...

Hi! Thanks for visiting me. I'm glad to visit you as well. Your bath redo is great; very pretty. I agree that "can be done in a wknd" isn't the case for most of us! lol
Happy 4th of July!
Beth