So Busy!

 I can't believe it's been more than a month since I last posted.  So much for my "be back soon" goal.  hahaha!  The year is getting away from me!!

I made a few more birthday cards over the past month:

These two were made and mailed as postcards.

This was made for a friend who just turned...yep, you guessed it!...90!

We had another Zoom class this month, taught by Lynn Koolish.  It was called ColorPOP.  She taught the class in two sessions, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Here is my finished project:

I've been hitting the few estate sales that have come to my attention.  My sister was here recently, and found this painting for me, at Visalia Antiques.  She then encouraged me to put together a gallery wall.

I do have a LOT of paintings and framed art, so I agreed it was a great idea.  But how?  She sent a link to a youtube video that described making patterns of your artwork, placing them on the wall, and then using them to place nails and hang the paintings.

I only made one nail hole for each painting (well, except for the ones that required 2 nails).  It came out perfectly!  Perhaps I should do this in the living room too!

Last but not least, is the house in Cambria.  We have been busy painting, as we await our turn on the Foundation Guy's schedule.

The back bedroom had been white.  We painted it blue, with white woodwork.

The back bathroom was pale yellow.

We painted it white, as I try to decide what other color(s) I might prefer.

The beige hall

is now white.  I need to go back, and finish the woodwork.

An interesting note is that the house, with the mold/mildew issues, had retained some of the smell in the walls.  We used a primer by Zinsser called "Odor Killer."  It works!!  I had been told I MUST use shellac, but "be sure to turn off all gas, and be careful because it's explosive."  !!!  A different salesman suggested Odor Killer, so I tried it.  It works amazingly well.  

We are working our way through the house, back to front, first coating everything with Odor Killer primer, then following with walls, then woodwork.  It is a slow process, but oh, so worth it!!

I would be remiss if I did not leave you with a picture from the beach.

Happy Quilting!

Be Mine, Valentine(s)

 For a change, I realized that Valentine's Day was quickly approaching...in early February.  I made plans to make valentines for my grandchildren, then realized I was running out of time.  Quick!!  Stitch those hearts!

Above shows the tops, below are the backs.  There is a bunny, for P, who was born in the year of the rabbit.  There are puppies for A, who LOVES dogs.  There are street signs for truck-loving J, books for F, and balls for the youngest, H.  Hopefully each will recognize his/her own valentine.  If not, I will.

Not wanting their parents to feel overlooked, I also made cards for my sons and their wives.  The boys will be here for breakfast with the children.  Two of the wives will be absent because of work.

As with the cards for the grands, I went with themed backgrounds.  Patriotic for A, cowgirl for A; strawberries for M, wood for A; woods for M, and measuring sticks for D.  A well-rounded bunch, for sure!

As I was sewing, I ran across this red background for a card, which I began in December.  I decided to finish it off as a valentine-ish birthday card for a friend.  I usually make winter-themed cards for her, since her birthday is in early February.  This one is quite different.

On Friday, I took part 1 of a Zoom class with Jean Impey.  The class is called "Twinkle," and it focuses on making Liberated Stars.  My design wall already had a UFO in residence.  hmmm.  These seem to play well together.  I wonder if they'll end up as a single piece?

Yesterday, I realized that with all of the valentines I'd already made, I'd yet to make one for my Valentine.  I spent the morning piecing this little house (the color of our big house), and trying to personalize it a bit.  Each year, I make a valentine for him.  You can see more of them here.  I'm sure I had another post with ALL of the valentines I've made for my husband, but apparently I neglected to tag it.  sigh.

In other news, I went to an estate sale on Friday, and had happy hunting.  I found this cement pagoda, that reminds me of my mom.  She had one similar, in her front yard.

I also found this pair of iris lamps.  I bought them for Cambria House, but may end up keeping them here.  I really like them!

And speaking of Cambria House, work continues.  I pulled up carpet last week, and found that the floor beneath the window is squishy and falling.  Not only does it need to be replaced, but the subflooring as well.  But first, the foundation.

All in all, the vacation home will be an adventure.  It may look like the above today, but that will change.  In contrast, it is a mile or two from the ocean, which also changes...but is always there, should we wish to visit.

And with that, I've got a breakfast to assemble before heading off to church.

Happy Valentine's Day!

And, Blink! It's February!

 Where do the days go?  I wish I had a pile of quiltie pictures to share, but I do not.  I have spent some time with fabric, but not much that has been productive.  Well, there was one old UFO, that was "fixed."

In 2014, we made basket blocks for our outgoing guild President.  I finished my basket, but did not find the time to fill it.  I turned it in "as is," and thought I'd either fill it later, or make a replacement block.

Last month, Leslie returned the basket, with the request to "fill it with flowers, please."  Alrighty then.  No more procrastination, (though you'll have to admit that 6 years was a pretty impressive delay, right?)

Above is the "before."  Below is the "after."  I think it finished well.  I am glad that I was given a second chance to improve it.  I no longer cringe when I see it.

I've been working on Bonnie Hunter's Grassy Creek Mystery.  Though the last clue was revealed a while back, I am still working my way through.  This picture was taken a few weeks ago.  I'm currently plugging away at clue #5.

Cambria House is a work in progress.  When we first bought it, I thought, "It just needs a bit of TLC."  But now?  It's not so much Tender Loving Care that is needed...it's Tough Love.

Following our noses, we've tried to find the source(s) of a lingering musty/mildewy odor.  When I pulled up the carpet in the front bedroom?  I think I found the culprit.  The floor and subflooring are collapsing under the window.  We have foundation experts scheduled for ASAP, which might still be a month out or longer.  Once the foundation is stabilized, we'll be hiring an expert to work on the subfloor and floor.  We'd like to replace the wood floor with another wood floor.  It really is beautiful, though it is showing its age.  (This part of the house is at least 80 years old.)

Our other big news is the recent announcement of grandchild #6, due in September.

Many people are ruing these days, but I've learned it is much better to learn to give thanks in ALL things.  When one learns to do that, eyes are opened, and abundant blessings are found all around.

Happy February, quiltie friends!