Waiting in Texas (Gordonville, TX)

Since my last post, we have traveled a lot of miles.  2117 miles since 8 October. We rarely travel that many miles in a short time.  Surprisingly, our cats did not complain about the long hours on the road.  They did want to explore each new stop though.  Sometimes that just wasn't an option with the overnight location.  Ever try to explain to a cat that it isn't a good idea to go outside...yea, doesn't work.

We spent a couple of nights in Williams, AZ.  A great little town within walking distance of the Grand Canyon RV Park.  We were a little worried about being so close to the train tracks.  It would not be the first time a train has woke us in the middle of the night, but to be this close really had us thinking we were in for a couple of sleepless nights.  Turned out we worried for nothing.  The trains were unusually quiet...quiet engine...only one short horn blast at the crossings...even the wheels on the tracks seemed quieter if that is possible.  Anyway, we had no problems sleeping.

We hope to return sometime in the future so we can explore more of the area and ride the train to the Grand Canyon.

 During our two day stay, we walked the streets a couple of times.  I enjoyed the old signs the most and took more photos of them than of the buildings.

 Next time, I plan to check out this gift shop.  Looks very interesting...

I did go into this shop....Of Course!  I could not pass it by with the door sitting open just begging me to come on in.  The Quilts On Route 66 was small, but fun to wander around and talk to other quilters.  

 

We stayed one night in Homolovi State Park near Winslow, AZ.  We stayed here a couple of times when we first started traveling in our old motorhome.  Great views of fantastic sunsets!

Desert Moon

I really miss the southwest landscape, so I was quite happy when we went straight into Albuquerque, NM (ABQ) from Homolovi SP.

I'm sorry to say that I did not take a single photo during our week stay in ABQ.  I spent a lot of time shopping, getting a green chile fix from Golden Pride (more than once), visiting with friends, and seeing our old haunts.  We even drove by our old house which was a big mistake since it is up for sale and falling apart.  Such a shame.

 We are settled in Gordonville, TX while waiting for our new motorhome to become available.  We have a couple of more weeks to go.

We could not ask for a better spot to relax and wait.  This is our view from the side yard.  Nice, eh?

On The Cutting Board

All summer long, my shop was very quiet.  I think I had two sales.  So quiet that I did not think to close my shop during our trip.  I just thought it would stay quiet.  It did not.....

Lots of Happy Campers!

On the very first travel day, I received an order.  I messaged back that it may take me a few days to mail since I wasn't sure how our schedule would go or where to drop off packages.  I am very thankful that she was very understanding.

New Apple and Owl Mug Rugs (coasters)

That order was the first of many during our travels south!  It was like the first customer broke open the dam and the flood of orders started!  I was excited and stressed trying to fill the orders on time.  I really did not want to close my shop since this was the most active it had been since leaving Florida.

New Southwest Vintage Trailer

With the long hours on the road, I did a lot of sewing.  All of the photos above and below are new listings.  Some have already sold.

Tea Towel, Ornament and Quilt

My fingers are crossed that my shop will see more activity through the holiday season.  During my quiet time, I had started working on some UFOs - 3 quilts and more mug rugs.  I need to get them done and listed.  Well, I better get back to the cutting board!

Happy Quilting!

Time To Go (Key West, FL)

Well, it's that time again.

But, I don't want to leave!

Time to get back on the road and to move north.  Or to be a little more specific move towards the northwest to visit family and to see the Pacific coast again.  

We are packing up and leaving tomorrow for central Florida.  I'm going to miss Key West.  This winter wasn't as nice as the last time we were here.  We had more cold fronts come through bringing with it heavy winds, rain, and cooler weather. 

BUT, it was definitely a lot better than the weather up north.  The bad weather just made us appreciate the gorgeous sunny days all the more.

Plus the views were always fabulous.  I spent way too much time staring out at the sea and taking long walks.  I loved being able to spend this winter seating outside, breathing in salty fresh air, and watching the pelicans or the jet skis fly by.  I really have no room to complain.  I had a great time here.

On The Cutting Board
In between walks, watching cats, birds, sea....um...yea..anyway, I did start working on some UFOs.  I finished one wall hanging for Halloween.

This time I decided not to add a hanger and left the wall hanging a little more on the simple side instead by not quilting the whole background.  I wanted to add a few pets for the Witch.

I quilted a scared cat by her feet...

and a hanging bat from 'Witch'.  Just to fill it in a little.  Of course, I spent a lot of time second guessing myself.  Should I add more or leave it as is.  I do like the way it came out with just the two pets.  I might add more in the next one.  Yes, there is a second Witch sitting in my pile of UFOs.  I hope to get to it soon.

I also finished a tea towel with a design by Nancy Halovorsen.

I hope to get the Witch and Santa listed soon into Etsy since I just sold almost all of my Happy Campers this week.  I need to start a whole new batch of mug rugs soon.  Summer tends to be a busy time for the vintage campers.

In the meantime, I need to finish this Welcome wall hanging.  The checkered fabric is not as easy to sew through.  A little on the stiff side.  I found it harder to get the needle through this fabric than through fusible webbing.  My fingers are a little sore from fighting with the fabric and needle.

The hat's ribbon is loose right now.  I will attach it after I have finished the quilting.  I had a lot of fun embroidering the flowers around her feet...

and on her bonnet.  I added the birds as an after thought.  The area above her head looked a little bare.  I think the birds were the right choice.   I plan to quilt clouds into the background and I'll finish it with a blue binding.

The last project is this lap quilt.  I was stumped for quite awhile as to what I was going to do with this fabric.  I did not have a lot of it so I added in several soft color batik fat-quarters.  Now, I have enough to make two lap quilts.   I went a little crazy adding ginko leaves to the top.  I find applique work very relaxing. 

I guess I better get back to securing our stuff and packing up things I don't need out while we travel.

Happy Quilting!

Window Shopping Disney Style (Clermont, FL)

We entertained ourselves by visiting different shopping malls in the area and Downtown Disney.  

Talk about lots of photo ops for colorful pictures in Downtown Disney.  I took more photos than I did shopping, but shopping was fun too.

Downtown Disney is as grand as going to Disney World.  They even have a couple of different rides.

I like the Amphicars.  That looks like a fun ride and it goes my speed...extra slow.

They also have a balloon ride.  The basket is a ring so you can look straight down through the center. I bet the best scenes are the surrounding areas.  Talk about a panoramic view!

Did you play with Legos when you were little or with your kids?  I loved them while growing up....yes, they have been around for a couple of decades...no age jokes please.  Anyway,  I would also buy them every year for our kids.  They had a huge bin filled with them.  I can't imagine how many Legos went into this big guy.

Isn't he adorable?

Brickley, the Lego Sea Serpent

Okay, so I was curious enough to do a Google search and found out that there are 170,000 bricks and he stretches 30 feet from head to tail.  This site has photos of some amazing Lego designs with interesting facts about each one.  Make sure you check out #2 Warren Elsmore - gorgeous European style building. And #8 A Futuristic Japan made by school children using 1.8 million Lego blocks!

I love my TV shows in the evenings.  I really enjoy the ones with a little imagination like the ones J.J. Abrams produces - LOST, STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, and many more.  So when I saw these two scuptures peeking out from the bushes near the Crossroads at House of Blues, I thought of "BAD ROBOT"!  He could be a cousin...

I love this fountain so I had to add it in.  I don't know a thing about the winged statue, but overall, she is quite interesting.

On The Cutting Board

I finished two Santa Mug Rugs and I will list them in Etsy after we move tomorrow.  I already sold all three of my Uncle Sam Mug Rugs.  Maybe I should have made a few more?  I suppose I could make a couple of more...

but I have been busy with some new Happy Campers with horses.

I try to make each one unique so I decided to do this one in shades of purple.

I was going to add different flowers to this one.  I changed my mind while we were walking around one of the malls in Orlando.  One of the kiosks offered hair extensions and a young woman was trying on different styles.  Eureka!  I can do that with my horse!  I braided the first extension and tacked it down.  I think on the second one, I will leave it as a fringe - shorter than what is showing.  Hopefully, this is not too bulky because I want add a flower or star button behind the ear.

Tomorrow is a short travel day to Peace River Thousand Trails.  This will be a new location for us to explore in between sewing and cat outings...of course!

Happy Quilting!

Memories of Christmas Past (Patagonia, AZ)

I hope this finds everyone happy and healthy this Christmas Eve.  We are celebrating our third Christmas in our motorhome.  It is amazing how fast the time goes.  

I put up our tiny 2-foot tree on the dashboard and covered it in all my favorite decorations.  Every time I decorate our little tree, I find myself going down memory lane. 

These were school projects from our children.  I have to hide them on the tree because Dusty thinks they are his chew toys.  He did manage to munch on the reindeer's feet before I caught him.  

I got this Santa while we were stationed in Germany.  I bought the little elf gloves while stationed in Turkey.  Aren't they cute?

My friend Sandy crocheted the snowflake way back in 1988 when we lived in Florida.  The little jumping-jack soldier was given to me by my sister-in-law when she and her husband were stationed in Germany.

 Jo gave me this beautiful angel bell when I was working at Dillards in Albuquerque.  Jo was a very upbeat and happy lady.  An Angel in disguise, Jo was only in her 40s when she passed away from cancer.

May your holidays be filled with laughter, love, family, friends, and new memories to treasure in the years to come.

I wish one of the networks would bring back this Christmas classic show with John Denver and the Muppets:

Merry Christmas Everyone.....

Christmas Stockings Are Ready for Etsy

Well, it is that time again.  It is the "Starting Season":

• People are starting to THINK about the holiday season.
• Christmas events are starting to show up on people's schedules
• Christmas advertisements are starting on TV. 
• Stores have already started their seasonal section for Christmas.
• I'm surprised I haven't started hearing Christmas music on the radio.

Hmm, did I miss anything?  Oh, I know!......

• And it is time for me to start posting my stockings for Christmas.

I'll be posting new Christmas stockings this week.  I have a total of eight stockings.  They are small enough to use as a tree ornament:   9.5 x 5 inches ( 24.1 x 12.7 cm).  They are big enough to hold a small gift or money.  They will also make a great office gift or a great decoration for your office.  I know the size is perfect for our home since I don't have a lot of room for decorations.

I'm going to try something different this time.  I'm going to post one item a day on Etsy, but I am going to give you a sneak peek of all eight stockings today.

Elf with Candy Cane

A close-up of my hand-stitching

Gingerbread Man with blue stars

Christmas Tree

Reindeer

Santa Clause

Angel

Mistletoe

Gingerbread Man with Peppermint Candies

More Information:
Price: $10.00
Hand-stitch embroidery and quilting.

Size:  9.5 x 5 inches ( 24.1 x 12.7 cm)

I use all cotton scraps. All embroidery is hand-stitched with DMC 100% cotton thread.  All quilting is hand-stitched around design.  Appliqué is fused with Steam-A-Seam2.


All of these cute patterns are designed by Nancy Halvorsen from Art to Heart.  I am not affiliated with or sponsored by Art To Heart.

Discount on shipping if you order any two *Small* items. (Mug Rugs or Stockings)

Oh! It's beginning to look like Christmas!