BEACH Scene! Just Gotta Do IT!

As most of my friends know, besides family, friends and work, two things that I love to do are travel and spend time in my sewing room doing embroidery, quilting or a combination of both.  My husband and I have sailed around the world, visited all the continents and enjoyed a great many days on the ocean.  We just completed cruise number 28 and are looking to where number 29 could take us.  When this new design came out from Anita Goodesign this month, I knew I had to do it.  Just looking at it will remind me of all the wonderful and fun places we have been so fortunate to visit.  I have done the painstaking part of prep work (gathering fabric and all the thread colors to make the shading just right).  I have stabilized my fabrics and am now ready to begin the process of sewing out a picture.  I am hoping to start the first block on Friday.  I think the estimated stitch count is 540,000 for the size I'm going to do.  There are 9 blocks that will complete the picture and I will have to most likely do them in sections because of my work schedule.  I will be able to judge more once I get going.  I always enjoy doing this type of design. Happy Sewing!  Carole

Seeing Double 2nd Try....

I think you all know that I am a huge fan of Anita Goodesign.  My first try with "Seeing Double" went well for a first try, but I had to work out the kinks (my brain does not always follow the directions well).  I had a few mishaps along the way, but once completed I did have it down.  So....  I had to do it again just to make sure.  I found some wonderful fabric with a wine theme.  Grapes, corks and leaves.  Nice colors all together.  This turned out much better and I shaved quite a bit of time off by continually using two hoops the whole way through.  I even got the center, well uh, centered (nice concept). I had used a huge spool of thread (5000 yds and had lots letf) on the first one and I never realized how much thread these use up until doing this one.  I used a large spool of RA 1100 yds and ran out, so had to use something similar for the middle.  So, if you are doing this design, make sure you have enough.  Fortunately, I ran out at a place where I could switch the thread color without an issue.  Time to find some holiday fabric and do a theme on each side.  Oh, wait, I better finish some other stuff first!  I am looking forward to the long weekend and have a ton of sewing projects on my list.  First I have to get in my sewing room (not an easy task as it is crammed full of all my "needed" stuff.)  It needs a good re-organizing.  I doubt any of you can relate....  LOL!    My next update will be introducing a new member of my sewing family.  I first "met" her at the AG event here in Phoenix earlier this year.  It was love at first site (and layaway).  A few of you have already met her.  I'll get pictures this weekend, so stay tuned.  Happy Sewing!  Carole

SEEING Double

This is a new design from Anita Goodesign that I've been wanting to do since it came out.  It has been so nice to have some time to sew and enjoy my hobby and I was able to get together with Christina and Tammy yesterday to sew.  We all made a few mistakes, but once you get going it is pretty easy.  Both sides are done at the same time so when it's all done, it is quilted. Side one is done with Chef fabric and side two has a sewing motif.  Christina did hers with Christmas fabrics and Tammy was using a wine theme (not surprising).  Another sleepless night for me, so I finished quite early this morning.  Okay, the center is not quite centered, but I am happy with how it came out.  The next one (and I think I'll make a few more) will be better.  I ended up using two hoop and while I was trimming one, I'd let the other one start on the next section.  This really was a time saver.  I'm off to "black bag day" at 35th.  Love the bargains and freebies.  Happy Sewing!  Carole

Hoopsisters Crazy Compass

I have just about finished my Crazy Compass block of the month quilt.  All that is left is the binding.  This quilt is done front and back all at the same time and then put together.  I really enjoyed doing it and am behind the rest of my group in getting it completed.  (What's New?).  I still have to add the binding and do some top stitching, but I am confident I can get it finished up some time this week.  The pictures do not really show the zillions of stitches.  I think each block took about an hour.  I am 4 months behind my next "block of the month" and really want to work on the new Anita Goodesign "Seeing Double".  I have a quilt that needs finished that has been on my mega quilter for longer than I care to admit and I've vowed that one is next in line to finish.  Work and life just get in the way of my sewing lately.  Things are starting to once again find some normal days.  Wishing for a few more of those.  Happy Sewing! Carole

Ahhhhhh..... Vacation

This year has been such a challenge and we have been working for what seems like 24 hours a day.  We had planned a short 7 day cruise to celebrate my 50th birthday (a little early).  Events in our lives changed and we were not sure that we would or should be able to break away, but we did.  We just returned from the Mexican Riviera where we spent 7 glorious days doing "nothing".  Oh sure, we did some stuff around the ship.  We ate (too much). We drank (too much).  We played Nintendo and went to the movies.  We sat out on the deck and fell asleep probley with our mouths open.  We just had a good time being away from reality.  I feel refreshed and am thankful that my daughter took over for me at the office and that my dear friend Lory took over my mother in law duties and my good friend Stu helped the two of them.  My brother and his family took over my grandparent duties and went to watch Aleyah and her school win the track meet.  It was nice to get away.  Thanks to all of you who gave us time to relax.  My real birthday is May 13th, but I'm satisfied to just let it pass on by.  I have accepted the fact that I am now an AARP memeber.  Time to get back to sewing and the real world. It is always fun to take a break and try to just enjoy.  This was our 28th cruise and it never seems to get old.  Somebody asked us what was our favorite thing to do on the ship.  Our response was "nothing".  It is just something that we never get to do and enjoy the most.  Happy Sewing!  Carole

Hoopsisters - BOM #8

Most of you know that since February, my life really took a change and I've had very little time to designate to sewing, embroidery, crafting or much else.  Since my sewing machine is considered one of my best friends, I gave it a little "dust off" and fired it up at 3AM this morning for a little test drive.  I am behind on my Hoopsisters block of the month group and this Friday is the next block.  I won't be able to go to the group meeting this week as it's moving day at the office, but Christina has assured me she will take notes (hahaha) so that I don't lag behind and I'll have to find time to run and get my designs and instructions some time soon.  I was able to attend "Black Bag Day" for a little break on Saturday at 35th Ave with Christina and found a few things that I just had to purchase.  A new ruler (like I really needed it), but the demo really made it look so easy to put a new block together.  Not sure when I'll get to use it, but at some point I think my life will be normal again and I will be working less than 16 hours a day.  I have missed my sewing time and just time to relax.  Thanks to everyone for all your support!  There is finally light at the end of the tunnel. Happy Sewing! Carole

An Ending followed by A NEW BEGINNING................

I have worked for the same wonderful doctor for almost the last 20 years.  How fortunate that I have been to work with somebody who I have repected and adored and who also given back to me the same.  I have called him my "work husband" and we have shared a great deal of our lives with each other.  Laughter, tears, problems, and having grandkids at the same time.  He has let me boss him around and scold him for being 5 minutes late as well as letting me have the last word each day with an opinion of what was going on in the world--a standing joke for years.  How many people get to enjoy their work and who they work with?  I consider myself one of the lucky ones.  We always said we would retire together and planned to do so in September of 2015.  We were going to turn out the lights and lock the door one last time as a team.  This has just been "the plan".  As I have learned over the last month, plans quickly change.  What you have one day, can change in the blink of an eye the next.  Due to some very serious and unexpected medical issues on the 18th of last month, our plans suddenly have had to change.  Life as he has known it, has altered itself and he is trying to stay strong and recover.  He has a long road ahead.  So, yesterday I said a final good-bye to the staff of our office.  Without a doctor, there are no patients and without patients, there is no income.  Had to close.  I've been getting hugs and tears from the patients I have known over the years.  This is hard, as there are so many wonderful people to say good-bye to.  So as one door closes, another one has quickly opened.  Starting Monday, Phoenix Diabetes and Endocrinology begins.  A new chapter and joint venture is starting.  My other dear friend and physician (who has been in our office with us for 8 years) and I have teamed up to start a new practice.  While I am still filled with sadness I can't help but let myself feel some new excitement.  Our website is in process and I'll post it once it's done.  Sewing will have to take a back seat for awhile while I get grounded--Carole