I'm back!!!

and what a wonderful time I had visiting, stitching, talking, and laughing.  I made it to the mountains in record breaking time - a little over 6 hours! and actually that is pretty normal travel time.  If any of you know TN Rt 411 off I40 you know that the road is narrow and winds this way and that.  It is a pretty drive if you are a passenger - driver not so much.  You do travel past the Bush Bean factory and gift shop eatery place which I have been to and is worth a trip to see.  And yes, they do make a bean pie which is very sweet but does not have a lot of bean flavor and maybe that's a good thing!

Yes, I did finally get over the sinus infection - allergy thing I had going for so long.  Now I just have a cough sometimes with a sneeze every now and then.  All the health news you get this time.

There was lots of sewing done on the mountain top after we attended the quilt show in Pigeon Forge.  I managed to sew 4 childrens quilt tops (7 sq x 9 sq all 6"). These tops were pined on top of fleece back which I sewed around and turned inside out and resewed the outer edge.  They will now be hand tied by a dear man/husband who suffers from alzheimers.  I finished a total of 10 with one completely machine quilted as it was a kit I was completing for the cabin owner.  She very graciously donates these quilts to Michael's House in Greene Cty in Ohio and Care House in Montgomery Cty in Ohio.  Each child who enters receives a quilt from say age 3 to 18.  Unfortunately there are a lot of abused children and this is something that they can have just for themselves.  She received a call saying they were out of quilts and did she have any more.  Lucky for the children she had 2 trash bags at home and her daughter raced them over to the agency so no child would go without.  We do make larger quilts for the older children but we seem to need more in the mid range - I'm not sure if this is good or bad.

My friend had thought to give up this quilt business and said something to one of the directors.  She asked my friend if she noticed the 3 teen boys walking with the policeman.  Each boy was offered a sport ball of their choice when one spotted the quilts in the same closet.  He asked if he could have a quilt instead and was assured this was fine.  He picked one and so did the other 2 boys and yes they also got a sport ball of their choice too.  She hadn't noticed the quilts the boys had clutched under their arms.  So we are still in business.  I don't do as much as she and her group at home in Ohio do but I sew like crazy when I am with her.  She has decided I can sew tops here as she will send me packets for tops and I can send them back.  the only problem is she hates to sew the backs on. We had a plan when we were together.  I sewed the tops and ironed (I am fast at both) and she would crawl on the floor and pin them to the backs..  She will have to do her own backs now! 

The other 2 girls and I left for Ohio on Sunday (yes I attended church that evening) and I checked into the hotel, dropped everything off and hit the road again to visit with my Mom.  Went everyday to see Mom thru Thursday and told her I was leaving the next day, Friday.  Does Mom know who I am? No  and yes, only that I am her daughter.  She has no names for any of us and that's ok.  She loves how I just pop in to see her - she loves my surprises.  She is very healthy and best of all, she is safe!

Well here is the Queen'sRoom.

It has a step in front of it now and the electric is all hooked up.  I have one specifically for a window airconditioner which I don't have yet.  I have the curtain rods for the sides and back windows but not the doors.  I have been slowly moving my things - stuff - in and Paul said he would make a big effort to work on the heavy stuff on Thursday when he is off work.  I can't wait for it to be all moved in.  The heaviest item will be the sewing cabinet - it's on wheels but it will be hard to roll thru sand so I don't kow who he will get to help him move it.  I still have a closet full of fabric to move as only the baker's rack has been moved (the fabric from it not the rack itself).  Most of the longebarger baskets have been moved and I will finish with those today and start on the fabric.

I did take everyone advice and stopped work on This is the Day until after I got back.  I worked on Moon and Stars from Little House Needlework instead and got the border and a bit more done on it.  I have since picked up This Day and finished the whole middle section!  WooHoo!  This is where I was but I am beyond that now.

The dog that is only partial is complete now.  It's on the left side.  Sorry these were taken with my phone and are not the best but I don't take very good pix at any time.

I guess I have chattered long enough for now.  I really will try to post more often and talk about stitching instead of quilting but when you love both it's kind of hard to decide what to do when.  I do look forward to getting my room all set up and ready as I have several quilts due - although the children aren't in college yet so I guess I still have some time.

HAPPY STITCHING!!!!!