A Wild Rose Quilt

I finished the top of the 'Wild Rose Quilt', needle turned applique, still needs to be put on the short-arm quilter. ANOTHER UFO ALMOST CONQUERED! It fits very well on a single bed. I was not sure what to use for the the borders and have had lots of wonderful suggestions. A couple of Saturday's ago a group of my friends and I went to breakfast and then on to Cotton Weeds in Freeport and I finally purchased the final border that picks up the various colors I used.

We had a fun time, after breakfast and shopping we ended up checking out the lawn sales on the way home and made some great purchases...I could not fit anymore in my car. We laughed and agreed it was a wonderful day. I have been fighting a very fierce physical condition and have been home for most of the week unable to even work. I am on strong meds. and they make me very sleepy and on and on it goes. I prefer Herb's but it got a hold of me and I needed something immediate. Well enough of that.

The beginning of each year I ask the Lord for a scripture for that year. He has always been faithful in speaking to my heart. This year 2008 was, 'In Him I live and move and have my being'. Acts 17:28a. I need to always remember that He walks with me and I am hid in Him and safe no matter what is going on around me there is peace in the midst of the storm.

I have added one of my favorite bushes that I can see out my kitchen window... it is very picturesque with the greenery so bright and the cows in the pasture, watching the baby calves are fun to watch interacting with their mother and one another.

Maine-Five Islands Trip today

I have had a severe attack of asthma the last 8 days. My husband wanted to go for a ride somewhere today and I thought maybe the salt air at the coast would help my breathing with the clean, fresh smell. So we left around 11:30am, ate dinner in Bath, and headed in the direction of Reid State Park. You pass the entrance of the park and continue a few miles until you arrive facing the inlet and are met with the building below which houses a lobster eatery. An ice cream stand is on the opposite side. It is probably my favorite place as it is so tranquil and picturesque.

This view is straight on and greets you when you enter the driveway. You can see tables set to the right and they go all the way around the platform to the back and to the left overlooking the water. Many people were milling around or sitting eating their lobster. Delicious!!
Below is where they unload the catch of the day and if you are fortunate enough to be there when they come in you can watch them. It is quite a site.
Below are the lobster traps stacked up.
You can walk on the rocks and get close to the water...summer homes along the side.
Trust you have enjoyed a little taste of Maine. Weather was 70's and very nice today.

Portraits from Nature

A few months ago I saw Jean Wells demonstrating her 'Portraits FROM NATURE'. You know how you see something and it quickens within you. Her suggestion was to start a portfolio of photo's and create a sketchbook to build a collection of flower's, trees etc. She describes how to applique, embellish and bind the portrait's and how to machine quilt the background. I just love the technique so am beginning to collect photo's of flowers (pictured below). I have done some sketching of my own ideas. Who knows where this adventure will lead. A quilters mind is always working and planning. I also will begin to look for just that 'right' fabric. Pansies in my window box. I can see them when I sit in my leather swivel recliner in my living room. They have such pretty faces and bring much joy to my heart.

Hibiscus - the plant was given to me by Bruce and Vickie, son and daughter- in -law

for Mother's day.

My garden is so sad after a tough winter. I have this one lone red/white tulip.

As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. Psm. 103:15

Beauty of nature

This Sunday morning I came upstairs to my office and looked out my window to this wonderful display of clouds and the sun was trying to peek through...what an awesome sight! The splendour of nature!This is a crab apple tree in front of my house. I have watched it for years, and in the ice storm we had a few years ago, I saw it bow down under the load of ice but, it always rises and gives off this wonderful display of beauty each year. It is not quite in full bloom as yet but so enjoyable to me to watch. Scene is taken from my house across to the other side of the road where our barn and more property are.Friday morning I went to our local park and just enjoyed the beauty of nature. It was so quiet, only a mother and her child sitting on the grass. It is not a big park and is located next to my old high school (which is no longer there) I attended and I remember walking around and around the path every day with friends at lunch time. It brings back lots of memories. Sometimes it is good just to take 'me time' as I call it and have no plans, and just relax and enjoy the moment and beautiful surroundings given to each of us.
When coming from work on Thursday I drove around this park and saw these beautiful tulips and decided to get a picture. They have started to pass their prime time but nevertheless are beautiful.

I am thankful this morning just to have eyes to see His beauty everywhere I look. What a blessing to me. "One thing I have desired ot the Lord. That will I seek. That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. To behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple" Psalm 27:4

My quilt & Thoughts

'Today is the first day of the rest of my life', that is a saying that has been around for awhile and I have often quoted it realizing that our days go very fast. Today it is 62 degrees and a little overcast, but nevertheless a wonderful day to be alive. Yesterday was a nerve wracking day as I had an MRI but everything is fine. I had cancer in 1997 and decided to go the natural way and changed my diet, took a lot of herb's and PRAYED and God healed me. I never had surgery but it is always in the back of your mind especially with so many people that you know having to face the fight of their lives. I feel life is a gift from above and what I do is important each day. So onward and upward...I am doing this quickly as I am going to get one of my twin grandson's for overnight and that is always so special... Many times my grandchildren kept me going with those unconditionally hugs. What a joy, Allison, 12, Jacob and Joshua, 9 and they live just down the road. I have two grown grandsons in Tn. How special they are and what a gift to Grandma.

I finished my Bareroots wall hanging with the 'perfect binding' that I demonstrated at our quilt show. I was so anxious to hang that I have not put a sleeve on it yet. I just stuck some pins in it to attach to a hanger I had....and hung on my door in the livingroom...not sure where it will make its final home...hours of embroidery were put into this but I am very pleased with the result.