Construction... has begun... and finished. And floating bubbles too!!!

We have been planning on building a deck for many months...in fact since we bought the house we live in. Please note, we didn't paint the addition on the house blue, I would have chosen a more neutral color..but it is what it is...and I sure don't want to repaint if I can help it. Anyways, this past weekend... DD and her dear hubby came to assist, between the expertise and the brute force... we have a new deck. And although it didn't quite get finished while all the strong help was here, Bob and I managed to put the last 2/3 of the decking on and do we love it. Have to admit, it seriously cut into my time, but I did get to chase the wee one around... shame, I was so busy, forgot to take even one photo of the gang. But did get a " I am just going to sit here and have a cold drink " when we finished the decking. Since this was taken the PRofessor has added another built on bench along the back of the deck. I did splurge and buy some plants for pots to set out and we will break it in officially this weekend, when the gradutate students and several professors are invited over for the end of semester party. I can hardly believe that the Professor has completed his first year of classes.... so we figure he has just about earned the "P" of the PHD program.
Woohoo!!!!

And I am finally showing the Designer, DD in laws finished quilt, Floating bubbles, hanging in the quilt shop. It should have more circles or bubbles, but I lost a few...then forgot to cut a few more... and I liked it anyway! Just the way it was! I am also posting a few of the quilts from our last guild meeting. I do love these also. The string

quilt is too pretty. And the Christmas quilt is also lovely. I had to share this quilt ...the brilliant one, that came with a traveling trunk show...to a Bernina school house show.... at a quilt shop up in Tupelo I was able to attend last week. What a pleasure to see some really cool quilting. I am going to try some of these on a quilt I am working on this week. Just loaded it this afternoon. Our quilt guild is bringing in a quilt teacher to teach some kind of jelly roll bargello class this weekend. I will so get some pictures. It is my mothers day gift! I have never tried one before, and can't wait to try. Thanks for stopping by.

African books, Mississippi Delta and more quilt photos.....

School girls looking at newly donated books at the Ezebeleni Library in Ezebeleni South AFrica.

More donated books for the SA library

Children at a Library resource day during the School holidays.

Since returning to the US I have continued to focus on books for my African library. These are pictures of children using the Library facility I adopted as my own. All of the books pictured in these photos were sent by very generous Americans. About 8000 pounds of books have been sent to date for which, the library and myself are truly grateful. I haven't posted in so long...that I felt I had to post something. And these pictures of the children in the library and some of the books, say it all. A wonderful gesture.But since living here in Mississippi, I have become aware of some needs down in the Delta area. So I may continue to do what I can for South AFrica, but I can't beleive that there are schools and small rural communities who would love good used childrens books. So I am hunting down the info...and hoping to begin an awareness program, and hope to get something going for children in our own country. I have only heard stories from a doctoral student who taught school down in the delta, but am investigating further. I mean, people can't give away books at a garage sale...so there has to be a way to get something done. More updates will be forthcoming. Had to add this funny sign from Africa.... The Baboon sign...was located in a picnic area at the Kruger Park...apparently there was a problem with baboons and monkeys stealing food in the picnic area... grabbing things they shouldn't ...so it was a warning to be cautious and not to encourage them. Not something you see every day in your local park or picnic grounds. In other news, I have done some sewing. Finished a few customer quilts... need to take photos.... and have quilted a tester quilt pattern called Floating bubbles, a pattern available at Reanalilydesigns, ( my very talented DD in law)I forgot to get a good photo and it is already on a quilt rack at the quilt shop. I will try to remember to take a pic tomorrow to post. But I have made progress with my DD mystery, this was taken before I sewed the blocks together, since the photo, I have sewn them all together, now I just have to sew up a border treatment. Then can quilt it up. I had to add a photo of at least a couple of quilts. This baseball quilt was made by a wonderful lady in one of my quilt guilds, Sarah . She is a prolific quilter with a very dry wit. I love her Mississippi accent...and could listen to her talk for hours. Then this lovely quilt by another amazing lady, Martha Dubard, another one I could listen to all day. They are lovely ladies...and I really look forward to every other Monday morning.... and seeing them. Then the last is the "in progress" DD mystery. I will post another when I finally get to those borders. Thanks for stopping by.

More South Africa photos.... Another good day... snow in Mississippi

First a wonderful photo taken in Africa, showing how many people travel...to and from work, or to the grocery store...to town. They just cram into the backs of a bakkie( pickup truck) and they actually pay someone for this privilege. I always got a laugh when I spotted one of these crowded vehicles. They usually waved and smiled when I grabbed my camera. You will note that they drive on the opposite side of the road from us... a difficult thing to learn... and then relearn when I arrived home for good. I only drove on the wrong side of the road a few times here....but thankfully no one was coming... so all was well. Next up, I had to share a photo taken from the game reserve at the edge of Queenstown, where we lived. The little round mountain...was just behind our house..a couple of blocks away.The reserve had some wonderful giraffes and zebra. They also had several Rhino there. Always fun to see.

On the local front, we had a wonderful change of pace this morning.... woke up to snow... ON THE GROUND! Which isn't a common occurence here. The first we have had since we moved here last summer. And although we have had some wonderful warm weather, it actually snowed enough that it stuck. What a treat... and it had melted by this evening. So can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. Its a good thing it happened yesterday evening...as I have quilt guild in the morning... hope to get some wonderful pictures of those talented ladies quilts! I also practiced more feathering on a customers quilt.IT is a darling Sunbonnet Sue quilt. She is an amazing embroiderer and appliquer. And let me quilt for her. I don't think she has ever had a machine quilted quilt before. I did feathers, SID( stitch in ditch) and outlined each little sunbonnet girl in blocks. My talented DIL, of Reannalily Designs, is launching two new quilt patterns...and I tested one for her. I did "forget" to cut all of the circles... I think I left out 6.... but this was a pretty quick quilt to do. I sewed it in an evening....and a couple of hours on the circles. She has a very cool technique to use, for the applique circles. I machine stitched mine on. and haven't added the border that she recommended ....YET, as I am thinking of putting another fabric, that I have to go and buy. But this was quick and easy to sew up. It makes a twin size with the border.

Time is still flying... my "College boy" is starting school tomorrow... :o)

HAve been sewing....but not my favorite kind. Just finished another "hero"bag... made from an old set of BDU's for a dear sister who is retired military. Started another one for my Dsonin laws MOM. Had to post that some sewing is going on although not much quilting. Found out that the Bernina I bought from an auction house back a month or so ago... the bobbin winder is broken. So guess I will be buying a sidewinder for a while. Have added a few photos of my little curtain projects. They were very simple but will work in a pinch...and the price...as in free was great. My DD in law gave me some of her sewing "trash" which worked for the sheers and the other pointed things were leftovers from a dining area we had 6 years ago..JUst cut them down. Have suffered a setback in STUDIO LAND, we thought we were going to be able to put in a new ceiling in the STUDIO, but when the young contractor quoted me over 1000 dollars to put up the beadboard paneling I had already bought and paid for.... I said no thanks. That was just too much at this time. Being the mother of invention..... I went to the 1.00 table at Walmart fabric dept. and bought all the white fabric they had on the table. So we will be installing a simple fabric ceiling. That way, no electrician has to come and drop lights... or lower the fan box.... and so hope to get that started next week or so. It is a SHED aka, STUDIO, but still a shed. And after the new roof....we are nearing the insurance value of this place. Besides,the ceiling was to help with dust from the rafters.... decided that fabric will catch it as well as the paneling. Other than a spot of sewing and a little organizing, had to post the more organized kitchen shelf, least used items at top...way up high in cupboard, does anyone know the name of the glasses on middle shelf.... think they are from the 60's maybe, they are covered in a plastic... with the white swirls for decoration. I love them...but the plastic does peel off...found that out with the Princess's dad...chewing the rim of glass and peeling off bits and pieces. Other than this, not too much going on in my world.I seem to catch the princess with the strangest faces. She is really a lovely little girl. But she does make me laugh!! Had to add a photo of the THREE STOOGES... who had fun with their glow necklaces on the 4th of July watching the fire works. Then the WEE ONE who is not so WEE anymore......They sure do change quickly.... it seems that I'll be making quilts for college any day now! Hope you all had a great week. I sure did. Off to Nashville next week to the quilt show. Hope I can find a longarm and get some good ideas.

The latest Baby quilt.....delivered even if baby isn't here yet????

Ok....just wanted to share a photo of the finished quilt I made for our soon to born grandaughter. It needed to coordinate with the lady bug layette that she had selected for the baby's room. I broke a darning foot quilting it....but was able to get a replacement in Arkansas while I was there.

Thankfully...though the green didn't match perfectly....it still went pretty well with the rest of the crib things. I managed to make this and work on a sweet little blanket for the other grandbaby to be born in late Feb. I have never knitted following a pattern before....so this was a challenge. But it turned out ok. Still have to bind it off....left it attached to the needles...want to finish last skein of yarn. DD seemed happy with it....and now it will be off to the races for his baby quilt to be done in time. DD wants an UNDER the SEA theme. Been looking at sea creature books...for ideas. Wish I could watch Nemo...but don't have it on dvd here. Just waned to share the pics...to show I did do something besides look for luggage. Baby Chloe is due in another week or so. So its all good. We got our lights up...and had a wonderful turnout for a Rotary fundraiser. The guests were served sausage, salad...and ice cream, and given a map to travel to several homes here who had lights up. Now in South Africa, not many people put up lights, so it is a treat even if the lights aren't great. I will try to take a photo tomorrow. Last year they didn't turn out very well. Not sure how to get enough light...without too much light. My camera is old....and night didn't work well....all blurry lights....with flash dark and couldn't see anything. So will have to experiment with the other options. Any suggestions? Have a great day. I am going to. Colleen

If Sam Allgood sees this....email Bob and I at colleeneskridge@hotmail.com as I can't find a way to email you...although you did post a comment on the blog.??? I am just not very savy when it comes to this. Bob was surprised that we had heard from you too.

latest Baltimore and by the SEA!!!!

Well, I finally got some of my photos uploaded onto a cd at the camera shop...so can share a few today. This is the gorgeous unspoiled coastline we visited last weekend. It was only cloudy the first day...but rained continuously after that. I managed to get a few photos to post during the next couple of days/weeks. This village is located on the Wild coast of South Africa..and it only had two streets...so very few homes. The hotel had its own pub and a very nice dining room to eat breakfast and supper. I enjoyed the buffet, varied foods....and the fabulous cooked puddings!!!! I love the puddings in South africa...kind of like a cake with a gooey topping poured over it as it comes from the oven. I have mastered a few. YUM!!!! LOve them!!!!! This was the view from the veranda of our room. The gardens were quite pretty...and we were right on the ocean. Very nice. I am also adding a photo of the two completed blocks for my Baltimore project...although I have a dilemma....I purchased the lovely background fabric in South Korea...no markings on selvage...and only enough for 3 more blocks. I really need more. If Dawn or Jen see this...can you search the fabric mart for more???? Have no idea which floor I even bought it on????Again what was i thinking not buying the remainder of the bolt!!!!! That was in April...not much chance of me finding more. So I have to come up with some way of making the quilt size expand to fit a bed. Any ideas?????? I am stumped...as to how to proceed. I'll have

about 12 blocks I think....measuring between 14 inches square to 15 inches. Sorry for the condition of blocks...they need a good pressing...but you get the gyst.I am also showing the more difficult block in progress....I have used unusual choices...fall colors for a Baltimore! So this will be my first "Autumn" quilt. Forgive my foot...but wind was blowing terribly...much like my beloved West Texas wind!!!! Will post more later. I taught a scrapbooking class to some lovely farm wives who live about 45 min. away...and I am just plain tired out tonight!!! Hope you all have a lovely day. Colleen

Stripping on Fridays!!!!!

I have decided to start "Stripping on Fridays"!!!!Because I live in South Africa...and there aren't Friday night football games to go and see, it makes sense to jumpstart my sewing goals and projects by cutting some strips...could be for string quilts....as most of my strips are too fat...kind of like me....a little on the plump side! Or it may be for the next few days sewing projects. But it makes sense to me...to take my free day as we usually go out to eat ...... to cut strips on Fridays. I started last week...and it was amazing that my sewing machine seemed to call me for the hour a day I have been trying to sew, because I had things ready to sew on already cut...whether early AM or later in the day. It just may be the kick....that I need to get with the program.Since we are going to a village by the sea for the next three days...and I don't feel like taking the sewing machine to a hotel????? I am going to take my cutter...and mat along...to do my strips. I can fit one big bag of scraps...or maybe will start on a MIP ( masterpiece in progress!!!!) Of which I have several fabric pieces...all organized and ready to grab in nice little packets! may grab two...get them all cut...and ENCOURAGE myself to get busy. This is a photo of a white on white quilt which was finished just before Christmas last year. I had always wanted to do/have one so the time seemed right.For fun I've included a photo of me petting an elephant after I had walked him!!! Now what you can't see or SMELL is the ...er....stank.... he left on me...as he drooled all over my hand!!!! Those things are massive up close....and my husband Bob, is feeding his little fella. He was way more brave than me....I didn't like them grabbing at me. It was ok...walking them...but ....man I was afraid I'd trip and then be stomped all the time he was tramping behind me. Very adrenalin rushing....let me tell you! And their hair...is very spiky....wiry. They even make Elephant hair jewelry over here. I have a bracelet but it feels almost like plastic...it is so tough! Have a great weekend... I plan to!

How does my garden grow...and quilts?

Today was not a particularly

productive day....as we woke up to no hot water. So off to Mr Landlord to ask for assistance. I add that this occurred AFTER Bob took his very cold shower!!!! Mr. Landlord, called the electrician as the circuit breaker...kept tripping for the "geiser"( hot water tank as they call them here) Well the electrician assistant came in...asked where our Box was...I showed him the wall behind the lounge (living room) door...and as he pushed the switch up...A very loud pop!!!! And a huge flash of light emmitted from behind the "box". He then left the breaker switch off...and climbed up into the attic...to check out the situation.He returned a few minutes later to tell me that the "geiser" is leaking...and needs a new element...and we now need a plumber! So off to the landlord to ask for that. He sends a maid over to tell me that the Plumber will be here about 12....so I rush off to send off the Keys....yes ...real keys to our room at the B&B we stayed at when we went to Lesoto last weekend.He found them in the pocket of his shorts. Yikes, I apologized...and asked for her mailing address when I spoke to Ruth, the lovely lady from Scotland who ran our B&B. She said it was ok...to just post them back. So I went to the dreaded post office, stood in the queue, and when I presented the padded envelope to him he asked how I wanted to post it? I replied regular mail was fine...so for some reason...he held it up to an envelope chart...which made it a certain price...by size...not weight???? And I only had a 100 rand bill(about 16.00 US)...so I laid it on the counter.When he saw the bill...he then asked if I wanted to send it overnight delivery? Well, I wasn't born on a turnip truck...and I know that probably 1/3 of the time mail takes forever to get anywhere in this country...or maybe not at all!!!! So I am not paying 10 times the price to send something that may take a month..to get there.( I am still waiting on one of the five bags my brother sent to me AIR MAIL in MAY!!!!....That is a whole other story!) So I quickly said no...just send it regular. That done, I quickly popped to the grocery store..to buy some bits for the next day or two and off to the house to await my plumber! He showed up in good time...but after putting one new part on the water heater...it still wasn't fixed...so another part was added...then there was no power...so he said he'd try to sort that out and ...that took another 35 min. or so...and finally at about 3:00 i had hot water so I could finally do the dishes and a load of laundry! But it started to rain before I got the laundry hung out....so it is hanging on the inside wooden racks I have for such occasions. Man do I miss a tumble dryer! ON rainy days!!! At any rate, about 4:30 I finally sat down to sew for a few minutes. I did get all the half square triangle strips sewed and cut and pressed...before we got ready to go to dinner with friends. Not near what I had hoped to finish today.But the rain was most welcome, and I am thankful for hot water....and the beautiful things growing in my garden. I have included a photo of the clivia growing in my little side garden. They are too pretty this year. We are going to Haga- Haga, a village by the sea on Friday...so I am hoping to cut out some Baltimore blocks to take along. I just about finished number 10 and am about 1/3 through number 11. I am including a photo of the Ladies of the Nation quilt I made last year...it is nothing especially fantastic by quilting standards...but what can't be seen is that I took it to the Aids Farm ladies and they beaded the ladies....headpieces and necklaces...so it has beading all over the ladies. It will be difficult
to quilt...but I didn't have time to quilt it...and then get it beaded. I will have to make it work. The ladies are cut from cheater cloth...and I pieced the sashings and did the diamond borders....Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

I hate unsewing.....

Since we are on the subject, I hate unsewing. I save odd bits of things I probably shouldn't, because I might be able to use it somewhere else. I was moaning about all the navy quilts I have made lately. Thanks to the kind remarks about the completed ones. August's photos were of my personal favorites so far! Yes, yesterdays quilt is mine...made from the afforementioned scraps. Not only did I have many leftover navy white half squares from a donated Shoo Fly quilt....but couldn't bare to do more shoo fly...so I sewed across the half squares....right side down on gold...then cut these apart...to make 1/4 of a pinwheel block. I then sewed these together with the leftover sashing strips of the first quilt I pieced that the handquilter sewed for me....the one that was stolen by burglars ...when we had been in South AFrica for about one year! Very sad indeed....but it is keeping someone warm somewhere...SO ALL is well will my soul! If you notice the corner blocks on yesterdays post....those were the same constructed 1/4 pinwheel blocks sewed together incorrectly....yes I only noticed after I had string pieced them all together ...... so as I really hate to unsew anything...used them that way ...in the corners! Now ....maybe its just me..... But I truly live by the motto.... "if someone doesn't see the mistake ....driving past my bedroom window ..... at 35 miles per hour....I refuse to rip it out! I am a quantity over Quality kind of girl. Remember I had given away every previous quilt I had ever made.... so the only way I can get any quilts is to make them ......and KEEP them. That said, I have enjoyed trying new takes on old scrappy quilts. The problem here is that mine all seem to be made in NAVY!!!! I did raid some friends fabric stash...to make a truly scrappy quilt... and it is in golds/ reds, yellows.... and all hand appliqued center. But didn't take a photo of the quilt before I sent it home with the hand quilter, Noluthando. I am putting another photo of her....to this post. It was taken of her sewing on my "stolen" NAVY quilt. I did love that quilt. She is more than my hand quilter. ... as I also employ her to clean for me, 2 mornings a week. The only thing here is that although she does some jobs very well.....she pretty much cleans what she wants....not necessarily what I want her to clean??? If that makes sense to you. I have tried lists....asking her to do certain things...showing her what I want. Nothing seems to go right! But I am thankful that She does LIKE to clean the kitchen floor tiles...and likes to iron..(which I hate) Of course she only irons what she feels like that day...on Tuesday she left the house for the day...and left a pair of my husbands trousers hanging on the ironing board.....UNIRONED....so she pretty much calls the shots. But I am not complaining...since she does dust...and she LOVES to wash windows??????? How crazy is that...but she never dusts cobwebs from ceiling or the ceiling fans...not if written down...or asked to????? My friends say that some of the children are carried on their mothers backs for so long that is affects their vision!In that they don't actually notice things above eye level. I wonder if that isn't true...because she does work very hard......JUST NOT DOING THE THINGS I WANT HER TO DO! She loves to dry dishes...even dishes I washed the night before and left in the drainer overnight. IT is TOO FUNNY sometimes! But there you go.

Baltimore and so much more!

Worked on the two Baltimore blocks from this week...no photos of those.Did manage to start sewing on my navy/white stash busting quilt. made about 50 small 4 patch blocks...enough for about 12 of the blocks I hope to turn into another top. Will work on marking off the half squares tomorrow.Also went to scrapbooking today...finished two pages.But very tired today...had a prowler of some sort in the yard last night about 5 AM. The alarm went off...outside infra red beam was broken...and both motion sensor lights were on when we flew to the window to see who might be there. Well it wasn't SANTA....let me tell you. Not sure, could have been a Big cat...I guess. But the security people came with their flashlights...after about 10 min.Glad we weren't in danger....but saw nothing. I couldn't hardly go back to sleep...so a bit cranky this evening. Didn't get as much sewn on my stuff....as I would have liked, but every little bit helps I think. At least my sewing room/ Husband's Office( used to be anyway) gets a bit messier....so something MUST be going on!!!! But hope to get some things sorted for early in the AM, get at least some more of red/white quilt going...or work on the black African embroidered squares....they are so pretty and need to be done. This is a photo of a quilt I finished earlier this year....more of the German Print or Schwe-schwe... which I have been using. The two maids are some of the neighbors...from her B& B another of the quilt tops I will hope to quilt when I return to the States for good. HOPE my husband doesn't mind all the navy that will be around the house. I think I have about 5 or 6 tops in navy now....not counting the stolen and donated ones. I still have enough to make at least 2 or 3 more!What was I thinking???? Never slept in a navy bedroom....ever! And there sure aren't any holidays with a navy slant???!!!!! Shame!

I don't mean to be envious....but.....

It has occured to me as I read and scour the other bloggers...that they MUST be prolific quilters! I mean, quilts for seasons???? some of these girls have the most gorgeous things for specific seasons. I have done many quilts...but they always seem to leave my home!!!! Most were gifts...a few got LOST in one of many moves...and some were stolen right out of our home...in South AFrica. But I don't know that I have ever done a quilt for a specific season..so I am way behind the curve. In fact I have always given away all of my quilts...when I came to South AFrica...I didn't leave one quilted quilt behind of my own! Yikes, what was I thinking. So I have become more selfish...and am making as many quilts for me....as I can. I have done a few donation quilts while here...but now I am inspired to try some doll quilts...and when I get home, will buy some wonderful fall fabric....( though I did buy some of those colors in Korea when we visited!) and make at least two smallish autumn quilts...because next to Christmas...I love Fall best! I did make a red white and blue quilt for the fourth of July, but lets face it...its the middle of the summer in the Northern hemisphere..so who covers up with a quilt?????? I have to admit I so am loving the quilts that Libby posted on her blog today....wow! I am pretty much stuck with primary geometrics until I return to the US as that is what is made here...and imported fabrics from the US or England can cost up to 30.00....yep....that is 30.00 US dollars a yard! Most is over 20.00....so just not worth using here. I actaully prefer the pretty geometrics....anyway. So am happy to take them home as unquilted tops...lets face it ...they weigh less that way!!!!! I'm posting this photo of a totally finished, hand quilted quilt....yes, it is bound but I took it to the US for safekeeping after the burglar stole the other ones.So no finished pictures. But so like the red schwe-schwe geometrics mixed in this particular quilt. Have been spending more time drooling over Finn's little quilts and reading the other blogs...than sewing. But tomorrow afternoon I sew ....ON THE MACHINE. I am having trouble not working on the new stinking Baltimore blocks...the one is so involved...a wreath of flowers....lots of pieces...and the simple one has 4o hearts in the shape of a heart...so lots more sewing.Trying to do both...and cut other block pieces out to take with us this weekend...as we are driving to Lesoto for a Rotary conference...and I will be gone Friday to MOnday...hate not being able to sew at all for those days...so have to do handwork. It should be fun as never been to that country before...it is several hours drive away..but supposed to be quite pretty even if poorer than South AFrica! Hoping to take many photos...while there...then save them to cd so I can load. I had to have left that old cord in Tennessee!!!! Have scrapbooking club with some friends in morning and then sewing in the PM. Hope you all are enjoying your fall...it is spring here...and getting prettier every day!!!! Yeah!!!!!!