Our Vacation in the Outer Banks, NC

Good day, my friends.

 

We enjoyed our time in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I didn’t get a chance to read any blogs. I tried to do it yesterday (Wednesday, 5/21) but Blogger said I was leaving too many comments…try again tomorrow. So, that is what I shall do.

 

We made a couple of stops on our way to the beach. This rest area is just before we reached the seashore.

I’m always intrigued by some of the things we find inside these places, like this compass in the floor.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that my hubby had reserved a campsite only steps from the beach.

I planted my ‘anchor’ in the sand every chance I could get.

I also did a some stitching.

This little chart is called Grandma Winnie’s Basket by Primrose Cottage Stitches. It is one of many patterns from this year’s Nashville Needlework Market Cookbook.

I also made some progress on another chart, but I’ll show you that in a future post.

 

We didn’t just sit on our bums the whole time. We took walks on the beach and one day we visited Bodie Island Lighthouse.

This is the third lighthouse for Bodie Island.  The first was built on unstable ground and began to lean only a few years after being constructed. The second was blown up by Confederate troops to keep the Union forces from using it.

 

The third was built in 1872. Even though it has undergone repairs and maintenance, everything is still original. Only 12 of the 217 stairs have been replaced.

We climbed those stairs, 10 stories, to the top.

We got to see the original lens.  The ranger said they only have to change the bulbs every 7 years or so.

The views were amazing.

I’m going to read more blogs today and try to leave comments, with Blogger’s permission, of course.

 

Enjoy your day!

 

 

FNSI -- A Start on Autumn Basket

Many thanks to Wendy at Sugarlane Designs for hosting Friday Night Sew In where many creators virtually sew or stitch together.

Even though we were camping, I was able to get a start on one of the Autumn Basket charts by Hands on Design.

I mentioned in my last post that I am stitching this along with Nichol Spohr on YouTube.

 

I made a little more progress Sunday.

We were busy de-winterizing and cleaning the camper. I was happy to get a nice start on this project.

Our campsite backed up to a little creek that was pleasant to listen to at night when the campground was quiet.

The weather was gorgeous and we enjoyed a nice campfire one evening.

We are home, the laundry is done, and everything unpacked. So now I’m off to enjoy my coffee and catch up on what everyone else got up to during FNSI.

 

Enjoy your day!

 

Our Week and FNwF Sign-Ups

 Happy Friday, Friends!

 

We had a nice few days away in the camper.  It was our first time at Little Manatee River State Park which is on the west coast of Florida.  We drove through some cute small towns to get there.  I love the old buildings.

Even though I worked during the day, we took long bike rides during my lunch break. 

Saw this little fellow having his lunch.  He was such a poser, didn't even hide in his shell when I got close enough for the photo.

The weather was so nice we had the camper open much of the time.

Enjoyed a couple of campfires, so relaxing.

I started a new cross stitch project, November Calendar Crates.  This should already be fully finished and on display so it will be a focus piece next week.

I’m joining Cheryll at Gone Stitchin' for her virtual sewing event -  Friday Night with Friends.  I'm hoping to make progress on the Plaid Farmhouse quilt. Check out the linky party on Cheryll's blog over the weekend and see everyone's projects.

 

What are your plans for this weekend?  Any sewing or stitching? 

 

Whatever it is, I hope you have a good one 😊

FNSI and Another Weekend Gone

Weekends always seem to pass quickly but it feels like camping weekends go even faster.

We set up camp in the rain on Friday and since there was lightening, my sewing was delayed a bit.

I did, however, complete my Friday Night Sew In goals.  Visit Wendy at Sugarlane Designs to see how others spent their Friday night.

Farm Girl Vintage Spring Star Block

Farm Girl Vintage Winter Star Block

Mini Star Quilt (flimsy) from From My Carolina Home

I guess the picnic tablecloth didn’t make such a great backdrop for the photos but it was what I had.

We were visited by this little Florida Scrub Jay.  

My husband was so excited because they are considered to be in ‘vulnerable’ conservation status.

I made a light dinner Saturday night.  Fresh shrimp with zucchini and yellow squash, tossed in salt, pepper, Old Bay Seasoning and olive oil.  Everything is put together and baked (on the grill) in the aluminum foil.  Delicious meal and easy clean up.

It will be back to the grind tomorrow.  I hope you had a nice weekend and got to stitch some too.

September - National Sewing Month and OMG

September is National Sewing Month so I consider it a great time to end my summer break from creating and get back to it.

We’ve enjoyed several long weekends traveling with and without our camper and it won’t end until mid-November.  I’m adjusting my daily schedule to allow time for sewing…which I have missed terribly.

One of our upcoming trips is to attend an Airstream rally in St. Augustine.  I’ve learned that a couple of dinners will be provided by others but we have to bring our own plates, flatware, etc.  I think a camper-related tote would be appropriate to carry those items.

I’ve selected this pattern

Miss June by Loft Creations

Stephanie Dunphy’s patterns are my favorite.  I’ve made several bags from her book Uncommonly Corduroy.  You can find the Miss June pattern on sale at Connecting Threads.

These are the fabrics I chose

The camper print and paisley are On the Road Again by Katie Doucette for Wilmington Prints.  The flamingo print is Roam Sweet Home by Kris Lammers for Maywood Studios.

And to get back into the swing of things…I’m committing this to be my One Monthly Goal hosted by Patty at Elm Street Quilts.

I hope you all have had a great summer and everyone in the U.S enjoy this long weekend!

17 UFOs in 2017 – March

We are already one-quarter of the way through 2017.  Time flies when you are having fun.

And fun is exactly what I’ve been having.  I was a bit off my creative game in February due to a couple of distractions…nothing bad.

This is one of them.

Long story short…my DH and I purchased a travel trailer last fall only to find that it, combined with the larger truck needed to pull it, was just too big for me.  I was not comfortable towing such a large unit and was no way going to try to back it in anywhere.  My DH didn’t have any issues with it but the idea is to eventually travel all over the country and one person shouldn’t be doing all of the driving.  So, after 4 months we downsized to a 25’ trailer and a smaller truck.  For the record, I must say that my DH wanted the Airstream in the beginning so he eventually got what he wanted.

Now, back to what this blog is really about…

I didn’t accomplish my February goals for OMG nor 17 UFOs in 2017 but I did have success in March.

Finished turning the Birdie Stitches blocks into small quilts to be displayed monthly.  Some of the binding looks black but it isn’t…I’m not a photographer by any means.

Building Blocks #8 was a lesson in Slip Stitch.

Building Blocks #9 was a lesson in Left Twist.

I also completed two Farm Girl Vintage blocks.  If you haven't see them already,click here.

My 17 UFOs in 2017 goals for April is to finish Building Blocks 10, 11 and 12.  I would also like to finish two summer table runners and two more Farm Girl Vintage blocks.

Wish me luck.  Be sure to visit pomegranate and chintz to see what others accomplished in March.  Thanks to Meredithe and Anne for the encouragement.

I’m off now to pack for the weekend…Arya the Airstream wants to go to the woods 😊

Have a lovely weekend, my friends.