Lucy!

It seems as though I have some explaining to do... something about an unexplained absence.  I've been here.  Where were you?  

 It's the fall-back ploy of a guilty conscience - change the subject!   

As with everybody else, life just got a little busy and the days flew by without my realizing it.  My brother was here for Thanksgiving and by the time he left, I was whupped, whipped and wiped out.  So were Rosie and Mom.  The visit was great and like most visits of this kind, it was way too short.  That probably means it was just the right length.  

It is funny spending time with my brother though.  I learned two new words - anthropogenic and farkle.  

Anthropogenic - caused or produced by humans; especially as it relates to environmental pollution.  How does that relate to turkey?  Don't know.  But we got to talking about climate change and so on.

As for "farkle"... it is a combination of the words "functional" and "sparkle."  For example, a hood ornament on a car or a pretty bow worn by a little girl would be "bling".  It's pretty but its purpose is entirely ornamental.  But chromed exhaust pipes on a motorcycle or a sparkly headband that keeps your hair out of your eyes would be "farkle".  It has a functional purpose and it is sparkly or pretty.  

What can I tell you?  We're an odd genetic bunch. 

Since then I've been trying to get caught up with the pile of stuff that I have to have done in the coming weeks.  A magazine project, a couple of quilts for classes in March, projects and "extras" for the two classes I've got at local quilt shops in the next couple of weeks, and so on.  While the class projects are done, I do have to finish some of the patterns and "little extras".  I promise to share those as soon as I have them.   

This will be the December project at Olde World.  It's a variation of Two Percent from the Another Bite book - with sashings and a different border.  The fabrics are "mostly" Fellowship by Brannock and Patek with a few additions for variety.  The collection is terrific but it seemed like most of the prints were the same scale and value so I added some "helpers".  

I've also been working on the binding of this tumbler quilt - I'll show you the whole thing when it's done.  

And yes, the tumbler instructions are done.  Finally.  I won't bore you with the trials and tribulations of getting that finished, mostly because it is entirely a mea culpa - a mea slowa sort of situation.  Those will be ready to ship by Wednesday or Thursday so I'll let you know as soon as they are up in the shop.  I promise.  Really.

I've been trying to get caught up with blogs and parades and all the exciting goings-on.  The Drop quilts in Sherri and Sinta's parades are seriously cute and I'm happy that so many people took the plunge with those itty-bitty pieces.  The bad thing with small piecing is that it becomes highly addictive.  If you think I'm kidding, I'll have to show you the blocks I'm making with 3/4" finished half-triangle squares.  It's something fun I'm playing with for next year - I think.  

One last thing... I copied the posts I wrote about pincushions and saved them as PDF files.  They're now in the sidebar under Random Stuff... so if you want to remind yourself what I was babbling about, they're a whole lot easier to find.  

That's all I have for now but I did want to let you know that all was well here.  I've just been behind... tired... forgetful... distracted... basically, all the regular stuff.  Can I blame that on crazy hormones?

Happy Monday!

Comments

[Helen]

It's good to have you back. I always enjoy reading your posts. Plus when you are gone a long time I worry about your mom. Thanks for the pincusion pdfs!

[kathie]

december project should be a new pattern! LOVE that quilt...ok ok ok I will look again for that tumbler pattern and template for sale :) in a few days. love the look of the one you showed here...
nothing better then tumblers!
looking foward to some mini ones too!

hormones explain everything you can use that excuse for at least the next 10 years!

[Anna]

yeah, you're back! I wonder if I am a farkle...I am functional and have spark!

[Phyllis]

Farkle is also a fun dice game which can be played by a number of people of many different ages. Don't know that it sparkles but it is fun!
Always great to see you post....

[Archie the wonder dog]

Phew, you're back! Your December project is fabulous - enjoy the class!

[Sherri]

Yes, sewing with small pieces is addictive...as are the pincushions. I finally got some more walnut shells, but now I'm waiting on some sweet dreams stuffing... I don't want to finish the four I have ready to stuff until I can put some stuffing in the corners before adding the walnut shells.

Ahd what a great idea to put those pincushion posts into pdf's....thank you!

[Gloria]

Thank you for checking in Carrie. You are loved and followed and obviously missed when you are MIA from blogging. It's okay to take some time for yourself; we'll survive, but miss you all the same! Take care and give Rosie a little scratch upon her head for me :)

[catherine]

Farkle is also a dice game, that I learned to play in Alaska. It is played with 6 dice, and basically you attempt to roll straights or flushes, or full houses (so I guess it is sort of like poker). It's a great way to teach counting to kids, and we have had a blast playing it! Plus it didn't hurt that the single on the dice had a moose instead of a single dot!!!

[Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts]

I'm happy to see you back~ and yes, you can blame anything on hormones and no one will argue with you. :-) I'm tired~ must be hormones, I'm hungry; its those hormones, I'm cranky; darn hormones! LOL Love your quilt! I did have fun with the little bits in Drop~ 3/4 inch you say? Bring it on! LOL Have a happy day!

[Jocelyn]

Well in true Ricky fashion -
LUCCYYY!!! SPLAIN!!! Love it! Glad you are back with us, that is among us, or is that among the living....... oh never mind. Welcome back :-)

[Linda P]

There she is..... Miss America!!!
Well, when we were little, and had to wait in the car for my mom or grandma, and seemed to take forever, we would all sing that......... hee hee!!
Thanksgiving was good here too, had my girls and that's always a great time! What fabric is the tumblers from? Looks like one from my scrap basket, I've got a little of all, but not same line. Anxious to get a little tumbler template.

[Bari Jo]

Yay! You're back! :O) And I'm late realizing it! LOL! Thank you for the side bar short cuts! And can't wait to get your new ruler!!!

[Mary]

Oh yes, your Little Bites are so addicting that I own all your patterns! I also want to say thank you!!!! I received my winning loot and was so excited to see THE CRUMBLER! Thank you, I can't wait to play!