More Lake Time - New Project

I went to the lake Sunday evening with the idea that I would get up early Monday and mow the lawn.

After getting up rather late (9:30AM) and  having a nice brunch with the puzzles from the Sunday paper, I was finally ready to tackle the lawn.

When I went to the shed, the key for the mower was missing - Al had forgotten and put it in his pocket and it was in Wendell - what to do? 

Got out my trusty Hot Dog Bait and went cat fishing.  That lasted about an hour - too hot - although it was so pretty with the blue skies. 

Back inside for me where it was nice and cool.  I cut some strips for a quilt that I have been wanting to try since I first saw it on the Nifty Quilts Blog last year. Kind of a Spider Web design.

I think this may be a winter project. It took me lots of time just to sew all this  .Only 1 block is completely sewn.  I really like it as it  but it looks like it will be a challenge for me.

My neighbor has this on her lawn. A Sea-Doo Planter - who knew.

Lake Life - July

 

 

 

 

  Kathy was in charge of inflating this old float we found in the closet. 

Trick picture - she used the elec. pump.

 

 

Luther is so spoiled  - he got so he wouldn't go in with out Daniel to float him around.

 

 

Daniel won the high jump.

 

Hunter went for accuracy. 

 

It was a fun day. Jesse cooked the steaks and grilled corn.  We had a great meal with Marcy, Tracey and Paul.  Scrabble and games on the porch. 

 

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 It was a little sad not to have Papa with us and take us out on the boat ---

but times change and we are adjusting.

Stitcher's Garden Blocks - July

 

Last week was Stitcher's Garden BOM class at Thistle Bee Quilt Shop in Goldsboro, NC.

We had two blocks to complete this month.  A lot of the blocks suggest using buttons for flower centers.  I'm going to wait until I quilt the quilt before I add buttons or beads.

 

Had a brief respite from the rain.  The Stargazers are soo happy!  Wish I could stand to smell them inside.

 

The flowers around the workshop are just out-growing their area. The weeds are happy in their too.

"MMBS Birthday Girls" Road Trip

 

Our Monday Morning Bible Study Group  has a tradition of going out to lunch to celebrate the  birthdays of those who wish to participate.  Some of these gals have been doing this for many years. 

One former member of the group, (she was the Bible study leader for over 20 years) Alta Ruth, has moved to Wilmington to be near family.

 

Today is her birthday so we left at 9AM to have lunch with her there.  Julia and I both share the 9th for our birthdays, and Jim, who volunteered to drive us on the bus celebrates his birthday on the 15th.

  

About halfway there we began to notice a hot, smoky odor.   We stopped at a rest area and the AC unit was smoking. 

Jim used to pastor a church a few more miles down the road so we stopped at the garage of one of his former parishioners.  They cut the belt off the AC unit and we continued on our way with the windows providing our AC. 

 

 

Lunch at the K & W in Wilmington after we picked up Alta Ruth on the left. With Mary Jean standing,  Norma, Julia's mom, and Annie.

 

Then we enjoyed dessert with Al's daughter-in-law, Joy,  at their new home nearby.

 

We had 2 beautiful 90-somethings, 4 lovely 80-somethings and even one guest, Ellen, from Sierra Leone who was here visiting with Annie.

 

It was so nice to celebrate with friends and always good to see Alta Ruth.  Alta Ruth's childhood home was right next door to the church.  Jim, who grew up at WUMC says Al was his mentor when he was a youth leader and as he made his decision to enter the ministry.  She is the nicest person I have ever met and we all love her.  Happy 88th to Alta Ruth.

 

We arrived back in Wendell just after 6:30PM.  Windblown and warm, we'll all sleep well tonight.

We're so thankful for Jim for always being willing to drive. 

Beach Towel Tote Tutorial

 

Materials Needed:

1/2 yard fabric

2 yards cording

1 Beach Towel

 

Cut fabric into 2 - 18 by 21" pieces

 

To make casings in top of tote, press four top side edges in 1/8" for 2 1/2" down and stitch these edges.  Then press top edges down 1/4" and then press down 1 inch.  Stitch close to edge.

 

If desired, pockets can be added at this point.  Otherwise, pin front and back together with WRONG sides facing.  Stitch sides and bottom, starting and ending stitching just below casing with 1/4" seam.

Trim seams to 1/8".  Turn wrong side out and press well.

Pin tote to towel with casing at top edge.  Stitch, beginning and ending just below casing.  Back stitch at beginning and ending.

Stitch again 1/4" from first stitching.

 

 

 

Turn tote right side out, with towel rolled inside.  Cut cording in half.  Tie knot in one end.  Thread one piece from one side around and out the same side.  Knot other end of cord, then tie ends in square knot.  Do the same with the other cord, starting and ending at other side of tote.  Pull ends to close.

 

 

 

Great gift for anyone who goes to the pool or beach.

 

Beach Towel Tote

 

A cute little tote that I made a couple of weeks ago.  Just needed some cord for the ties to finish it!

 

 

Sew the bag to the back of a beach towel.

 

 

Roll up the towel and stuff it in the bag.

 

 

Add swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen and maybe a book and you're good to go!

Tutorial to follow soon.

Have a great 4th - see you at the lake.

End of June Wrap-up

 

I put these on the floor Sunday morning before SS. I made them about 2 years ago.  I call them E Blocks; the pattern was published in a magazine that I bought at the grocery store.  Hope to sew them together today.  

 

  

The porch pots have been liking all the rainy weather - I only water them occasionally.  Normally they would need water almost every day.

 

Porch visitor - beautiful colors!

 

Day lilies brighten all the corners of the yard.

 

Love this pinkeye phlox

Raspberries - so good.