Captain's log, star date 11-13-11

Alien beings discovered in vicinity. Before interrogation could commence, they took flight. Informants verify they dwell in a body of water known as a lake, form close knit groups, and are known for cacophonous rants if threatened. Detailed report to follow.

Work detail commenced on completing 7 windows in 2 days. View from the observatory, verifies no pitbulls in sight.

3 remaining windows received 2nd coat. Thorough sanding was in order due to cracks in the sill boards.

Four-legged companion waited anxiously for work detail to end so truck ride and trip to Arby's could commence. Detailed report to follow.

Nanooo, nanooo. (oops, sorry, wrong show)

Live long and prosper, buy lots of fabric and may you make many quilts.

This is the captain speaking. Over and out.

And you thought you were having a bad day . . .

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Winter preparedness

If you were watching last weekend's news, you know a storm hit the northeast hard . . . rather unexpectedly I might add.


Along with winter comes the inevitable cold and flu season. Although, we'd rather ignore that fact and focus on the holidays, it does not hurt to be prepared.

This is a good time of year to go through your pantry, check your juice, gingerale, and soup inventory, then stock up during seasonal sales.

Check your medicine cabinet and dates on cough syrup, cold and fever tablets, etc.

Make a list and re-stock your supplies. Don't forget tissues.

Nobody wants to go out when the weather is icy, cold and miserable when they too are feeling icy, cold and miserable.

And just in case you're feeling blue, have a good book or 2 on hand to keep you company.

After all, it's better to stay home snuggled in a warm quilt and get well. That's the most important thing.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

A CALL TO ARMS

Our sister of the cloth, Alycia, has put out an All Points Bulletin.

To be on the lookout for quilts for our soldiers. And to get them to her as quickly as possible.

Here are the particulars:


Minimum size of 55 x 65, Maximum size of 72 x 90

Made of 100% Cotton materials (flannel is perfectly fine -especially here in Colorado)

Long arm or machine quilted, not tied

Washed in cold water, no detergents or dryer sheets. (Some folks have allergic reactions to strong scents.)



For more information, stop by Alycia's blog and contact her directly.

Dolly says thank you, and I do too.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

As promised . . .

A picture of the new porch light. Honestly, it's about as exciting as it gets here in the woodsey mountains of NC.

But first the story:

After taking down the new brown light, the back of which was too long to fit properly on my siding, I put up the new black light. . . . Only to find out that it would not fit snugly against the siding.

Due to the inclement weather that batters this side of the house come winter, a flush fit is absolutely necessary.

So I layed out an old car mat and traced the shape of the back piece.

Cut it out leaving a nice 1/2-inch "seam allowance" . . .

Trimmed the inside, but left extra on the bottom where the section of the lamp back hung below the extended siding.

Hooked up the new light and wallah . . . it looks like part of the lamp. It will also prevent water from getting in.

All of this excitement was too much for Dolly who spent the day working on her tan.

We're getting some lovely weather here lately. Cool in the mornings and warm in the afternoons with plenty of colorful leaves to brighten our day.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Out with the old . . .

Up with the new!

This is my original front porch light. As you can see it's small and shall we say worn out.

I am not an electrician, nor do I play one on TV, but some jobs I can do myself.

The first rule to remember, and trust me on this one, is turn off the main breaker in the fuse box. Always. Some folks just tape the light switch down in the off position, but why take chances.

Once upon a time, I worked for a power company and while there, typed safety manuals. These were the books they used in teaching classes. This was a BIG company. They took electricity seriously. And so do I.

After unscrewing the white wire nuts and untwisting the 3 wires (copper, white, black), I removed the horizontal bars that held the original light.

Keeping the original screws that held the back (slanted) bar, I replaced the old with the new 2 bar section. On the outermost bar is a small green screw and the letters GND (ground). The copper (ground wire) must go around this tiny screw and be firmly tightened in.

Next connect the new black to original black wire, the original white with the new white wire, and original copper to the new copper wire. Do this by twisting the bare ends of wire around the original bare ends of wire, maybe 1/2 inch of wire shows at the ends.

Firmly fasten the wire nuts at the end of the copper (ground) wires, the end of the white wires, and the end of the black wires so no bare wire shows.

Align the new light fixture with the protruding bolts and screw in.

Unfortunately, this fixture did not work well with my siding, so I had to go back to Lowe's and get a different style.

A couple things that help when working alone:

1) Wear a nail apron or an apron with pockets to hold all of the pieces that are coming off and going back up.

2) Spread an old white sheet under the bench your standing on to catch any small screws that may fall through the porch boards.

3) Carry a large heavy duty magnet to locate said screws when you forget to put a sheet down.

Later on I'll show you the new light fixture and the process it took to get it right!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

These exquisite hand-woven beaded bracelets . . .

were made by Jim Gentry. Aren't they wonderful!

(Sorry, but I don't have an e-mail connection for him.)

Katrina Miller hand sculpts copper yard ornaments with fine detailing. Always whimsical and fun!

The signature blue and white pottery is made at Birdfoot Ridge Studio by Lee and Doug.

They are located in Weaverville, NC. However, through the magic of the internet, you can reach them at: birdfootridge@frontier.com

Here's Dolly holding her blue toy from her Aunt Carol over at Brown Quilts. Carol's mom is in the hospital right now with anemia and pneumonia. Perhaps you might want to stop by Brown Quilts and leave her a get well message.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .