Miscellaneous Thursday

Some answers today and some blabber.

The name of this Jen Kingwell pattern is The Avenue.

Here is the frog pattern.

Another Dirty Dozen finish.

My clean and tidy bookshelves.

I pulled this many books that were duplicates or ones I’m no longer interested in.

This is my next death cleaning area.

Looks a bit like a hoarder’s desk – scary!

These books came out for me to look at before I see which pile they go to.

Jen S. in Colorado – if you’re reading this, look at what I came across!

Oh, those waffle cones!

And this is what I’m working on – 250 little four patches and 72 nine patches for Friendship Starter in the Sisterhood book. Since I can’t sit at the machine for too long, it is taking me forever!!!

Look at this great bird seed bag – I’m going to make myself a new small bag because it’s such a great design.

And this 2011 engagement calendar by Alma Allen is too beautiful to part with because I, too, like to collect the simple tools of the trade from years ago.

Here’s a sample of what’s inside. I love to search for these same things at the antique store.

Exactly 24 hours ago it started to snow – and then the wind came up – which resulted in whiteout conditions! Very dangerous to be on the road when you can’t see where the road ends and the ditch begins. About midnight the wind died down and the temp began to fall – all the way to 20 below zero this morning with a wind chill of -38. School was cancelled and I think about those farm dogs who live outside as well as the farm cats and chickens, too, who don’t have any heat. I walked out to the shop and back today – and it was brutal.

Are there any more book titles coming my way? If not, I’ll post the new list tomorrow.

Stay warm!

41 thoughts on “Miscellaneous Thursday

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Jenny – hi! Isn’t that such a fun book to look at again? I love it! I’ll put your name on it – for when the time comes! Will you be coming to Iowa this summer? I wonder if I remember how to make those waffle cones! I’d be willing to try!

      1. Jenny Stevenson

        Hi- unfortunately we likely won’t make it back this summer… if we do it works only be a quick weekend for a wedding. Miss our visits to the farm.

  1. mary jane

    Bravo Mary, the bookshelves look wonderful…We also got some snow here in Hudson WI, but the winds were nasty. Today the sun is out and makes one feel better. Yes here too the temps were below zero. I have spent my time getting ready for the TAX MAN.I would rather be looking thru your books and mags.

    I do have a few book titles for you too…
    NEWS OF THE WORLD by Paulette JILES
    THE CONFESSION CLUB by Elizabeth Berg
    BLOWOUT by Rachel Maddow

  2. patti leal

    books. i didn’t realize they were considered young adult when i read them. this is the series i am re-reading many years later. These are written by Christopher Paolini. Eragon, Vol. 1 of 4, Eldest, Vol. 2 of 4, Brisinger, Vol. 3 of 4, Inheritance, Vol. 4 of 4. This one is recently published, The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm, also by Paolini. it’s about a kingdom of humans, elves, dwarfs, dragons and their riders. it is light reading but sometimes it is just what we need. patti of florida

    1. Felicia Hamlin

      Hi, I wish I could find the fourth book in that series, I read the first three ones about ten years ago and they were fabulous.

  3. Sue in Oregon

    That birdseed bag would be very inspiring to use for a bag. I have two to make but the bags are on the ugly side. Oh, well. Oregon has made it a law now. No plastic bags anywhere and paper bags are 5 cents. People look funny carrying purchased items out of stores in their arms and hands. Now, we have to learn to take our own bags in when we shop. I found a nylon bag that rolls up and goes in a pouch. It fits in my purse. I think those could be made at home too.
    Did you finish Greenleaf?
    Your bookshelf looks wonderful. Little Handfuls of Scraps looks too good to toss.
    You keep warm too.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Sue in Oregon – yes, I finished Greenleaf, 4 seasons, but I still think about those people and I’m tempted to start watching it all over again. Little…Scraps is staying – I’ve already picked out my first project.

  4. Connie R.

    I have two good knees and my book shelves don’t look anywhere as tidy and organized as yours. You’re an inspiration.
    Your bad winter weather is its way to us in far Northeastern Wisconsin. Below zero temps and wind chills to minus 35 by tomorrow. Poor animals who have to be outside. Spring can’t come fast enough.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Brenda – mine has completely worn out and faded to nothing – would love to find another one!

  5. Kathy in western NY

    I don’t know what to talk about first as this talk you had with us today has so much in it. First I love love LOVE Laura P’s design. She is talented if she put all these bits and bobs together herself to make that gorgeous collage. Your bookshelf is sooo clean that it must make you happy to see it. I too am like you thinking of how outside animals must be shivering in the cold. Breaks my heart to think of them trying to survive. So going to think positive before bed and think of how cute and useful that bird seed bag will be when you create it.

  6. Diane Bauer

    Wow!! You’re doing GREATon your death cleaning!!! I need to get started!!
    The birdseed bag will make a lovely bag!! My rancher friend dropped more bags off a couple of days ago. I got them sorted but not yet cleaned. I don’t need any more, but she brings fun ones, so I keep saying yes, drop them off! I think there are folks at the quilt shop who may want to make a few bags, so I’m hoping I have a place to pass some of them onto.
    You are busy with tiny pieces on your quilt!! No hurry I hope!! I got the binding on another quilt just now and am going to try to get another on yet tonight. Then I will have hand stitching to keep me busy for awhile.

  7. Elaine Kopischke-Trejo

    Mary…I’m interested in that bird feed bag. Is it plastic and you cut it down to make a bag out of it?

    Also books:
    The Tattooist of Auschwitz
    Widow Walk
    The One Blue Door

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Elaine – the bags are that plastic tarp material and I make bags using instructions found online

  8. Judy A

    LOVE your birdseed bag – makes me think I need to be buying feed by the pics on the bags instead of what’s inside of it 🙂 I can’t remember if anyone posted directions for a good stand-up-by-itself bag. Suggestions? I’ve been collecting bags. I’d love to have a few extra bags with me to give out so folks don’t need to buy the grocery bags at Aldi 🙂 I did find some coordinating webbing on clearance for handles, thinking it would be easier on the hands than plastic bag handles for heavy groceries.

    It’s good weather near Chicago to stay inside, too, but not near as cold as you’re talking. We’re only down to 11 degrees so far tonight.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Judy A – I always use webbing for handles because I think they’re so much more comfortable on the hands. Bag instructions are all over the internet.

  9. Anne Thate

    You might want to keep the handful of scraps book… I have made a couple of things from there and they were fun!

  10. Kathy Schwartz in SW MN

    Your book shelves look wonderful. The bird bag will really be nice. We also have 30 below and the wind has gone down. No school Wed. and 2 hrs. late on Thurs. I have to sub(teach) for Wood Shop/Ag on Fri. I told the office to have the power tools all locked up and the teacher should find a worksheet. I don’t want to fear for anybody’s safety. This gets me away from the dreaded cleaning for a day. I’m doing drawers and closets. Have a long way to go. Stay warm.

  11. Jo in Wyoming

    Your book case looks grand. I need to do death cleaning with my fabric stash…Lordy!
    It has snowed here too, but, no wind yet 🤞. About 3”. Not as cold, not yet below 0.
    Love all the finished projects, they make me want to just sew forever.

    I hope everybody stays warm, and your critters too. Loretta went to the spa, so her time outside is very short, by request. She spends a lot of time arranging her blankets.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Jo – it’s already 14 below here. Dang, it’s cold! Hazel runs out to the end of the sidewalk, pees and runs back in. I don’t blame her!

  12. Charlotte Shira

    I can’t believe how cold it is there. Makes me cold thinking about it. Stay warm and safe!
    Love all the pictures today. Great job on your bookshelves! Hope your legs are feeling better.

  13. Paula in Texas

    My husband and I keep a watch on your weather, please be careful and stay warm. Congratulations on going through your books and deciding you can live without a stack, I too have been trying to “purge” stuff!! You are my inspiration!!

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Paula in Texas – my Death Cleaning is going to continue but I’m not sure I can tackle the sewing room next – just too overwhelming. -14 this morning

  14. Paula Philpot

    I love the old antique sewing items. I especially love ric rac,, snaps, buttons the heavy paper designs that sewing needles used to come in. Remember the items that candidates gave for the election? thimbles, needles, etc. Love that stuff. Happy Valentines Day

  15. Karla Hatten

    Can you tell me where I can get the pattern for “
    “The avenue”? That is so different than my
    usual.
    So sorry about the weather! We missed out on
    that business as we left our farm in
    Stacyville and headed to
    Missouri just in time.☺️
    So happy to hear you are healing. It can’t be
    any fun.
    Karla

  16. Mrs. Goodneedle

    I love looking over your shoulder at what you’ve culled and what you’ve collected. I did read a good and very interesting book that I can recommend: The Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah (if I’m not too late). No cold or winter here at all in NC, that makes this transplanted New England girl a little sad. Enjoy~

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Mrs. Goodneedle – would you like to come for a visit and experience wind chills of -40?

  17. Deb H

    Hi, Mary, first of all I hope it is warming up for your happy Valentine’s Day! I was thinking of all the animals too! Thank you for posting the info on the quilt about which I asked. I ordered the pattern right away. I would kill for your bookshelves. My books are now in drawers of my childhood dressers made by my father. They cold up the countertop from Menards (a reject from construction) upon which I have my machine, etc. I did winnow down my books: some will go to library, some to Pine Ridge Reservation. Rest will go to my daughter in law if she wants them. I have one closet left…it’s Tim’s and he has to be involved.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Deb H – I wouldn’t dare try to clean Ricks closet or drawers! I’d throw everything – ha! Mare you going to make that quilt? Good for you!

  18. Felicia Hamlin

    Hi, Mary, those winds yesterday, if you went out, felt like needles on your face and today they have continued, but at least we had sun. Love the bag with the bird, it will make you a pretty bag. That quilt with the trees is amazing, I saw the close up of the quilting and I absolutely love it. Those frogs make me smile! All those little patches would give me a headache,

  19. Sandi

    Hi Mary, would you tell us the title and author of the book you want to make the nine patch scrappy quilt from. I would love to get a copy. Thank you. Hugs,

Comments are closed.