OBX

We just returned from a trip to the Outer Banks of NC (or OBX as the natives say). 

 We drove for 15 hours to get there with our camper. 

 The kittens did great in the truck and even used the litter box I set up for them.  

This is our first BIG trip in our new camper.  

Feel like coming along?  Here we go!!

The kittens took up some of their favorite positions, laying on one or the other of our laps.

We went up and then down Sandstone mountain and that was a BIG elevation!

Once we crossed over from Manteo we were on the endless bridge connecting all of the OBX.

In one spot they are building another (or a replacement) bridge.  Notice the crane in the water???

On the way to where we were going we passed through Pea Island wildlife sanctuary.  

This is our camper and truck all set up in our campground.  It was only about a block from the ocean!

It's difficult to see it but the ocean was pretty rough for the first 2 days due to hurricane Irma.

We walked down the beach and there were several places that had sea turtle areas marked off.

This sea gull looked like a weathered old man.  

We thought he should have a cap on and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth saying, 

"Yeah, I've seen some stuff".  

LOL

When I turned around from the ocean this was the view.  

Mostly rental places I think but they were all so colorful.  

The aqua one was my favorite!

The boys adjusted to life in the camper like champs.

They especially loved napping with our daughter.

One of the side trips was to Cape Hatteras and the lighthouse. 

 I did not know that all the paint jobs on all the light houses 

(day colors)

 are different as are the light signals.  

We stayed for the presentation by the ranger.  

She chose our daughter (on the left) to be part of the program.  

She said she usually uses a child and since she was the  youngest in the audience 

(excluding the baby) 

they used her.  

It was a wonderful and informative presentation.

Due to beach erosion they had to move the lighthouse and that was quite a feat!  

We went to climb up the stairs (257) to the top but due to the wind we couldn't go outside.

This was the view as I panned from the open doorway at the top of the lighthouse.

We stopped for ice cream at a place called Fatty's Ice Cream.  

They had really good ice cream!  We made hubby pose in the fat sea gull cut out, LOL.

That night we ate a wonderful dinner at The Captain's Table.  The scallops were amazing!!!

More tomorrow.  

This post is already getting photo heavy!

Up next is our trip to Jockey's Ridge and the Kitty Hawk.

~XOP~

WIPs With Friends

As you know I have been on vacation and I will post all about the fabulous time we had while we were gone but down to quilty business first. 

 I worked on absolutely nothing while I was gone!  

Both good and bad right?  

I managed to get just a few squares cut out for the fish quilt on Sunday.  Honestly I was exhausted.  We drove for over 5 hours on Sunday after driving for over 10 hours on Saturday.  

We dropped the camper off at the farm and headed home around 5pm and then there was still unpacking and laundry to work on. 

I did all the unpacking and started the laundry then I wanted some time in my sewing room.

As you can see even Cole was exhausted!  

The kittens NEVER come in my sewing room and lay right down, but he was pooped!

This is a photo of the fish fabric mess I am working on taming into blocks 

for another Ob-La-Di quilt.  

On Monday my daughter asked me to come over and help her tube feed her male peacock Des.  Apparently this silly bird has eaten too many rocks and got dehydrated.  

I had to hold him and stretch his neck up while 

she put the tube with the food and liquid down into his crop.  

Ahhh fun times at the farm!

So except for my trip, that's all I have to report.  

Work is crazy busy upon my return, keeping me away from my computer and posting before today.

Your turn!  What are you working on?  I need some inspiration!!!

~XOP~

An InLinkz Link-up

Taking a Break

I will be away from my computer for the next week so no blogging = (  

That means no WIPs With Friends next week either.

I will, however be on Instagram if you would like to follow along as we plan a brand new vaca.

Apparently going to the Outer Banks is not a good idea when a hurricane is blowing in.  

We are not sure the mountains would be good either so will make it up as we go along.  

We are nothing if not adaptable!

I am going to take my sewing machine along on this adventure as well as the kittens which should provide some good shenanigans.

This photo reminded me of God pointing His flashlight at us.

I hope everyone in the path of the hurricanes stays safe!

~XOP~

Homeless Pets In Need of YOUR Help

Feeling like you want to help all the homeless pets during this time of crisis (or any time of crisis)?

Well hunt no more!  

Over at The Quilt Pattern Magazine, you can join the ranks of other quilters pitching in and sending small kennel quilts to shelters overflowing with homeless pets.

All of the requirements are on their website and can be found right here.  

The size of the quilts is certainly do-able.  

They are asking for 12" x 18" quilts.  Just right for small dogs and cats.  

You can find them on Facebook also right here.  

If you are interested in helping the Texas animals in the aftermath of hurricane Harvey 

here is the mailing information.

There is a form you will need to include with your donation and it may be found right here.

I know you all have scraps laying around and batting too.  

Everything needs to be 100% cotton (even the batting) and washed.  

They even provide you with some free patterns!

I hope everyone takes some time to sew up a few of these small quilts.  

Personally I think it will take longer to choose the fabric and pattern then to actually sew it up!

I would love to see what you make and they encourage you to 

post your finishes to their Facebook page too.

~XOP~

Quick Destash

I have a few things I am destashing.  

If you want something just claim in the comments. Note the group (if there is one) and the letter.  

Anything with a green X on it has been sold.

 I will need your paypal to send an invoice.  

Shipping is NOT included in the prices.  I will do the cheapest shipping.

Feel free to make me an offer although most of the prices are pretty cheap to begin with.  

Smoke free cat friendly home.

Here we go!

Seven FQ of Moda Chez Moi $15

22" Yorkie fabric $3

Halloween panel 41 x 23" $7

42 black Halloween 5" charms $5

Nine fall 5" charms and one house block $1

Purple and green 5" charms plus the cats at the bottom of the photo which are 13 x 20" $3

Group 1:  A-13 x 16 $1, B-22" xWOF $2, C-13 x 22" $1, D-18 x 20" $2

Sparkly bats and orange swirls (size in photo) $3 each

Halloween scene (there are a few cut outs, but that is accounted for) 2.75 yards $20

Group 2: B-13 x 24" $1, C-13 x 20" $1

Group 3: A-13 x 22 $1, C-11 x 13" each piece $1 both, D- 12 x 13" $1

Group 4: A and D are FQ $2 each, B is 18 x 33" $4

Group 5: A, B, C all FA $2 each

Group 6: A and C are FQ $2,  B 15" x WOF $3

I would love for all of these to find new homes!

~XOP~

WIPs With Friends

I really don't have any WIP's to show currently.  Oh don't get me wrong, I have plenty of them.  

We are getting ready to go on vacation (maybe, if Irma doesn't spoil it) .

 Our plan was to go to the Outer Banks in NC to visit with our daughter.  

We are going to have to keep an eye on Irma and see where she lands.

Last night, instead of working on a project (as you saw yesterday, I finished up a few things) 

I went into my stash and started posting things for sale.  

If any one is interested in Halloween fabrics I will post them here too and you may purchase.  

I will do another post with that in it.

Hallie brought me a "bad mousie" last night, left it on the front porch on the welcome mat for me!  She spent time "helping" me destash last night.  

Should I have been doing that last night?  Heck no!  

I needed to spend time cutting out the next WIP.  I have the sashing cut, but not the main part. 

 Maybe tonight?  

Although I still need to make a meal plan for next week and shop for said items.

I did finish my chenille blanket so this is after it came out of the washer and dryer.

Your turn.  What are you working on?  I will link up with Sew Fresh Quilts.  Will you link up here?

~XOP~

An InLinkz Link-up

Progress

I hope you all enjoyed your time away over the long weekend.  

I was able to get a quilt top finished YAY!  

I loved working with the Canyon fabric line by Kate Spain but 

was SUPER happy to finally finish this top. 

My friend Robin did the bulk of the stars and I sewed all the squares and put it all together.  

OMG was there a LOT of seam matching!!! 

 I was soooooo over it by the time I finished!!!  

It was quite a big quilt so I could only get a photo of it on my front lawn.  

(Notice Hallie photo bombing in the top!)

I started making another Chenille blanket for an upcoming baby shower.  

As you can see I had loads of help!

Got all the lines sewn

Cole

Such a handsome helper!

PHEW all those channels are cut, the blanket is squared up and bound and ready for the washer.

Cole was exhausted from all his hard work!

I also did some hand quilting on the small snake wall hanging.  Ready for that one to be finished too.

Next up is making another baby quilt for another niece that is expecting.  

I'll probably make a chenille blanket for her too, but I need to find just the right fabric.

What did you do over the long weekend?

~XOP~

Good Friends and Gratuitous Kitten Photos

I want to take a few minutes heading into the holiday weekend to share 

a few recent gifts from my internet friends.  

First up is a pillow cover my friend Kayla made for me.  

Isn't it gorgeous?

Then totally out of the blue, my friend Judy sent me some strips for my scrap quilt.  

I was so amazed and thankful!  

If any of you have 1.5" wide pieces x up to 4" long and want to sew those together and send some to me just message me for my mailing address. 

 It is a great leader/ender project!  

Also, my friend Carol, sent me a tracing of a Spartan helmet.  

I am considering using that as an applique for a MSU quilt for the camper bed!  

(It is the tissue under the card in this photo.) 

Thank you ladies!!!

Last night I was *trying* to work on the star quilt but Finny had other ideas.  

He sorely wanted my attention as you can see here.  

Here he was helping me sew. 

 I finally had to put him out of the room, LOL.  

He is so cute though.

With hubby away they have been more needy than usual of my time. 

 What is everyone up to this weekend? 

 I have a birthday party for my great niece to go to tomorrow and then pick up hubby.  

No big plans after that.  

DD1 asked me to come over and watch some TV show with her she is excited about but 

that is a BIG time commitment.  

She would want me to watch both seasons and the episodes she has saved after that.  

Sounds like a good one though.  

Revolution I think is the name.

Whatever you do, enjoy your long weekend 

(if you live in the US)

and if not then enjoy your weekend!

~XOP~