Monday, February 29, 2016

Happy Leap Day!


It's Leap Day! And Cooper is leaping like crazy! Can you tell he enjoys being here at the lake?

Today is closing day for our house - exciting! We'll be headed to town this morning to sign the papers. AND this afternoon I'll be getting the new issue of Hexie Love ready to release tomorrow. Busy, but fun day!

And tomorrow? I'll be sewing - yippee! We're almost done getting organized here at the lake. The new mattress set will be delivered Wednesday - can't wait for that. It's going to be a great week!

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Morning Visitors




It's hard to see, but we had about 20 visitors swimming by this morning. Some sort of ducks, we think. 

And the bad sleeping continues. Until we get new mattresses, I decided to sleep by myself and send hubby to another bed. I thought if I slept in the middle of the mattress, it might help. Well...it did, until hubby heard Cooper throw up and put Mickey in the bed with me while he cleaned it up. Mickey didn't want to be with me - and so the rest of the night was a bit restless. 

I'll get there, I know!


I touched fabric yesterday! My organization continued as I worked on stowing fabric. Love doing this! Can't wait to actually sew! I have a billion hexie ideas swirling in head! 

I spent the afternoon working on Hexie Love - almost done and ready to release the new issue next week!

Today: more magazine work, more organization, and dinner out with friends! Yay!

Friday, February 26, 2016

Good Morning


I'm getting into the swing of life at the lake. I made progress yesterday on getting organized - yes, I found my clean undies. Still missing my hair brush. I think it's buried somewhere in hubby's car. Tomorrow he'll be here and we can unload his car and get more done. This morning a satellite TV guy is coming to hook us up. This afternoon I'm going mattress shopping. The mattress on our bed here is 26 years old and sags in the middle. NOT GOING TO WORK! No wonder I haven't been sleeping well and hubby's back is killing him. Hopefully we can get a new set delivered next week.

I got back to work yesterday! Shipping happened! Today magazine work will happen! Life is getting back to normal!

And I'm cooking again! I was getting so tired of fast food. There's no such thing as running out for food here. The grocery store is 20 minutes away. There are a few restaurants a little closer, but I'm really enjoying cooking again. Something will be going into the slow cooker this morning - not sure what yet, but something yummy!

Hubby brought some homemade cookies home from work yesterday. Someone's mother had made them. They were peanut butter and corn flake cookies. And they were DELICIOUS! The corn flakes gave them a nice crunch. I've been searching the Internet for a similar recipe and haven't found one - I found some no-bake recipes, but not this one which is obviously a baked cookie. Anyone out there have this recipe? I would love to have it!

Okay, enough chit chat! Let's go hexie!!!


Thursday, February 25, 2016

I'm Back!


So good to be back in blog-land! Yesterday the big move happened. Hubby had to work yesterday, so I was on my own with the movers. They were a clean cut bunch of nice young men. They arrived at 8:15 am and finished at 5:45 pm. Everything was wrapped, loaded in the trucks, transported to our storage units, and then unloaded there.

Then I had to drive back to the house to pick up the dogs, who spent the afternoon in the garage. I fed them and we hit the road to the lake. I don't see well to drive at night, and of course by now the sun had set. The roads to the lake are dark and winding and you have to watch out for deer. But I made it safely. I was too tired to even eat, so I drank a glass of milk and called it dinner. By the time hubby arrived an hour later, I was already in bed.

I so glad that day is over!

I'll be here all day - not going anywhere! I have some Hexie Love work to do and some shipping. There's also a lot to organize here. I have no idea where my clean underwear is and need to find it before I get dressed! We have boxes and suitcases piled up everywhere. I think it will take about a week to find a place for everything, but it will happen. We have food and a bed and a TV - that's good enough for me at the moment!

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

A Little Something Missing...


I will be glad when this week is OVER. Tomorrow the movers are coming. There is also severe weather coming this afternoon. Really severe weather with possible tornadoes. UGH! I didn't sleep well last night - I kept having visions of a tree falling on my car (no garage at the lake) and not being able to meet the movers. Silly, I know. BUT, I've decided to go on to Auburn this afternoon and ride out the storm there. So I'll load up the dogs this afternoon and we'll head out. And I know I'll be there when the movers arrive in the morning. Hubby packed a bag and he'll meet me in Auburn tonight. We still have a bed to sleep on there, but no sheets - is this glamping? No TV either. But we'll have our phones and our cars will be in a garage.

As for the piece of bread...
While I was bringing in the groceries yesterday, apparently a loaf of bread fell out of a bag on the table. And sweet little Mickey was the rat who chewed a hole in the bag and then chewed through 4 bread slices. Ha! He was so proud of himself. I was not proud of him.

A big thank you to all who ordered rulers yesterday! I promise I'll get them out on Thursday along with a few other orders.

And now I think I need a third cup of coffee to get myself going this morning. All will be great in a few days! Hexie love to you all!

Monday, February 22, 2016

Reconnected!



And so...we are now officially living at the lake! We worked all weekend finishing the packing. Saturday's step count: 17,047! And Sunday it was more than 16,000. We arrived yesterday afternoon and spent the next hour unloading both cars and the trailer. There is still more to unload from hubby's car, but we pooped out.


 The dogs pooped out, too! That's Scout, the grand-dog, beside Cooper. We're sitting for him this week. And Mickey? He's in a lap under a quilt.

Today I'm trying to put some things away and get a bit organized. It won't all get done today, but hopefully I'll make a big dent in it. I may make a grocery store run later. I also have some rulers to mail - sorry if you've had to wait a bit for your order!

It's rainy here today. Tomorrow is supposed to be a day of severe weather, going through Wednesday am. Oh dear! I'm meeting the movers back in Auburn Wednesday. Let's pray for the rain to move out early!!! Then we'll head back to Auburn this weekend to walk through the house one final time to make sure we didn't forget anything. And then back to town again Monday for the closing. Luckily it's only 45 minutes away.

I'll also fit in some time today to work on Hexie Love - my favorite thing to do!!!





Friday, February 19, 2016

Second Wind...


I got my second wind yesterday - thank goodness! I worked nonstop on packing, but I made sure to stop often and put my feet up. I took the LAST load to the charity. And I think I bought the last load of boxes. Now I can begin to put some lake stuff in my car.

Today I have lots of little things to finish up - a couple of things to remove from walls, business stuff to pack, etc. Tomorrow we'll pack up the remaining televisions and a few garage items. If, IF, IF we can finish up the packing in the next couple of days we'll be moving on to the lake ahead of schedule. Then I'll come back Wednesday to supervise the movers who will be putting all our stuff into storage.

I do hope this works out! That will give me Monday and Tuesday at the lake to get organized there and put the finishing touches on the next issue of Hexie Love. Fingers crossed! I can't wait to get my hands on fabric again!

Thursday, February 18, 2016

A New Pattern Booklet!


You've asked for it! And now it's available. I've been getting requests for the BOM patterns I've done in previous years. So I've created a pattern booklet for the 2015 Hexie BOM, now available for purchase on my website: www.hexielove.com. Look for "BOM Patterns" on a tab at the top of the home page. I'll be doing a pattern booklet for the 2014 BOM soon, too. 

Some of you found this a couple of days ago - I've already sold a few!

And so the packing continues... I'm officially physically exhausted. I'm fine, really, but my body is tired and slowing down. I took a HUGE carload of donations to a charity yesterday. I have another good sized pile upstairs to donate. So today's task is to bring it all down and put it in the car. I think this is the last charity load! I've gotten rid of a ton of stuff! 

I do think I'll relax with my coffee a bit longer this morning. Hope you have a fabulous day!


Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Boxes, Need More Boxes!


Yesterday I packed fabric for long term storage. I'd had several friends offer to come help me, but in the end I just threw it all in a box. I know. It's a big mess. There will be days of sorting, ironing, and folding when we finally do get settled.

This packing thing? It's getting old. I realized late yesterday that I'll need more boxes. Maybe I'll make a run for them later today.

Do you have a move in your future? Here are some tips:

1. You'll need more boxes than you think.

2. The packing tape you use is very important. Scotch packing tape has NOT been good - maybe it's our humidity, but it doesn't stay stuck to the box. I like Duck brand or U-Haul brand. Get good tape - trust me on this.

3. As for boxes, just get them as cheaply as possible. I buy large and small boxes at Walmart for packing almost everything. Then I go to U-Haul to buy specialty boxes, such as for wardrobe, lamps, pictures, etc.

4. Pack heavy stuff (like books) in small boxes to keep the weight down.

5. Pace yourself. Take breaks. Drink water. Eat chocolate. The latter is very important.

6. Don't move often.

I ran across this old photo yesterday: the daughters and me with Alex Trebek at a Pillsbury Bake Off MANY years ago. That was a fun trip! Excuse the dust on the glass of the frame - dust is the story of my life lately!

There is a big, beautiful robin staring at me this morning from outside. Maybe a sign of Spring? Hope so!

Now I won't be making hexies today, so please go make some for me! Just kidding, go make some for yourself! Happy day!

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

A Great Find!




I'm taking my Accuquilt Studio cutter with me to the lake - I can't live without it! But there is nothing there to put it on - needed something sturdy. Currently it's on top of some fabric bins that will be in storage. Yesterday I spotted this rolling shelf unit on a local garage sale Facebook page. Only $35! It's mine now. Hubby likes it so much that he's already claiming it for his future workshop space in the new house. (Though I may just want it in my studio...)

As the packing continues, I keep finding this fellow in this chair - he knows he's not allowed in it. When I catch him he just looks at me with sad eyes. He loves a comfy chair.


Last night's dinner was a yummy chicken salad sandwich box - homemade bread - yum! Black bean and corn salad - yum!

Today I meet with my business accountant. And then...more boxes to pack! And a termite inspection. Fun times!

Have a wonderful day!

Monday, February 15, 2016

Monday...zzzz


I'm a bit tired this morning. We spent the entire weekend packing boxes and we took another load to the lake. This load included all the food from our kitchen pantry. Plus my BERNINA and my featherweight, along with 5 big under the bed storage bins full of fabric. NO MORE SEWING in this house!

Today it continues. I have lots of boxes to pack upstairs. Hope to finish this today.

The doggies are so confused! They know something is going on around here, but what??

This is our last week here and at this point, though I do love this house, I'm ready to be done with it. I'm ready for a day where I can wake up and take my time drinking my coffee. I'm ready to be finished with packing boxes. And I'm ready to the next step - at the lake.

I can do this. I CAN DO THIS!

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Making Progress!



10 days! Only 10 days left in this house! The countdown in ON!

Yesterday I was very productive. I packed the pantry food to go to the lake - the pantry is EMPTY! I packed some of my clothes to go into storage. I packed more of my clothes for the lake. I packed fabric for the lake (LOTS of fabric). Also took a quick trip to drop off donations and buy MORE BOXES.

In between boxes, I worked on Hexie Love. Behind the scenes I'm also revamping my website - it's getting too cluttered on the main page. Hopefully I'll get this complete soon.

I will say one positive thing about packing up our lives - I'm getting a ton of steps in every single day!

A few weeks ago I had a day of panic. Can we get all this done? And can I get the magazine out on time? I finally told myself to set small goals each day. Make progress daily on both the move AND the magazine. And do you know what? It's working! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still have a LOT to do, but I'm feeling so much better about it all.

Have a wonderful Saturday!!!! Go make HEXIES!

Friday, February 12, 2016

It Could be Worse


Are you sick of hearing about packing and moving? Sorry about that....

As much as I'm sick of packing boxes, I know it could be worse. We have a lovely (albeit small) place to live while we build a new home. And the view - yes, I'll be enjoying it. There will be lots of hexie stitching happening on the back porch.

But, I AM TIRED of packing...

Today I have a car load of donations to drop off at a charity. And I'll continue to pack the kitchen - making good strides here. I'm hoping to get some time to pack up fabric and sewing machines, too. Should be a good day! And the good news - the next issue of Hexie Love is coming along very nicely!

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Our Lives in Boxes...


More boxes! Packed boxes are lining the rooms - a good thing! I got a big portion of the kitchen packed yesterday - more of that to come today. Later today and tomorrow I'll concentrate on packing things that need to go to the lake to live under beds. We're making a lake run this weekend to drop more stuff there.

In between boxes I've been writing pattern instructions, and designing quilts.

Have you taken advantage of the sale of my Curved Hexagon Ruler yet??? Get 20% off with the coupon code, MOVING. I sent out lots of rulers yesterday and many more are going out today! FYI, I'll be moving the rulers to the lake before long and will have to take a break in shipping for a week or so surrounding the move. The sale ends on February 15 - just a few more days!!!

Hope you have a lovely day!

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Sleeping on the Job


I so wish Cooper could help me pack. But no, he preferred to nap on a quilt on the floor while I do the heavy lifting.


What a dog!

I met my goal yesterday of packing another large cabinet - a second china cabinet. Done! Then I started on the kitchen. We'll be eating off of paper plates in the near future.

I'm feeling pretty good about where we are in the packing process. Moving day is two weeks away. I think we'll make it!

Today I'll work on the kitchen again. And maybe my sewing stuff? We'll see...

I'm also working on the next issue of Hexie Love and it's coming together nicely!

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Sewing and Packing!


Onions, anyone? Yes, those are onions! Love this section of BLISS - can you figure out how I did it? It's so easy with my Curved Hexagon Ruler! Yesterday was awesome - I FINISHED the next section of BLISS - Yippee! Happy Dance!



Then I ran out for a bit to get more packing supplies...


and dinner. Yup, there's absolutely NO cooking going on here at the moment.

I finished packing the china cabinet in the afternoon - crystal takes a long time to pack! Today I have my eyes on another cabinet - it will get done today, along with patterning on the computer for the next issue of Hexie Love. Meanwhile, hubby has been tackling the change of address stuff. We're doing it!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Monday, February 8, 2016

Super Bowl Watching


We picked up a boatload of wings yesterday - gotta have wings during the Super Bowl, right? So good! And we got enough for another meal since cooking is not happening here during the next few weeks.


Mickey was ready for the game!


And this was my game time entertainment. I had just a few more hexies to baste for the next section of BLISS. DONE!!! This morning I'll head upstairs and stitch these to the mothership. Yay! Almost there!

Hubby has all but finished packing his man cave - he continued to pack during last night's game. We're making progress on all fronts. And that is a very good thing. Sigh. Still a lot of work to do, but we'll get it done.

Love to you all!

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Another Full Day


We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies yesterday, pulling a trailer to the lake with two recliners and an oversized ottoman. Behind us were two guys with truck and a similar trailer loaded with a washer and dryer.


All was unloaded! I put my Celtic Solstice quilt over the sofa to bring in some color. I also brought some colorful throw pillows. Ahhh...yes, it feels homey now! This will be our digs for several months.


While we were there, I put together my Sewezi table - this little spot will be my sewing studio, with fabric stored under the beds.


Last night I worked on the 2016 Hexie BOM. Do you notice something interesting? I'm working with Kaffe Fassett fabric. And under my feet? A Kaffe Fassett rug!! Gotta love it!

Today's schedule will involve less heavy lifting (for me, anyway)! I'm going to focus on sewing! Hubby will be packing boxes of his stuff in the Man Cave. Progress is being made!


Saturday, February 6, 2016

On the Move...


Art quilts came off the walls yesterday - packed up!


And there went the piano out the door.

My studio cutting table left, also. Along with two recliners and the BIG ottoman that hubby and I loaded on a trailer to take to the lake today (along with a washer and dryer that two men will pick up this morning).

We arranged for storage of all our belongings during our new home build. I packed my china and cookbooks. And I loaded my car with more charitable donations.

Moving is tiring. We ended the day at Country's Barbecue - and came home and crashed.

My hope is that we'll be back from the lake by lunchtime - and I can devote the rest of the day to HEXIES!!!


Friday, February 5, 2016

Another Cool Curved Hexie


I played with my Curved Hexagon Ruler yesterday - if you're new here, the ruler is used to cut your hexie papers into curved sections. I love this one! The ruler is ON SALE for a bit - until Feb 15 - get 20% off with the coupon code MOVING - get it here



Look how beautiful it turned out!!!!

I never got around to packing boxes yesterday. I spent most of the day working on hexies. But today lots on moving activities will be happening. Our piano will be moved out of here and stored by a professional piano moving company - it will be safe and sound and we won't have to worry about it. 
Hubby was able to take the day off from work - we'll be taking down some drapes and packing them. And we'll be doing anything else that requires a ladder. 

Tomorrow we'll be moving a washer and dryer to the lake to replace the 26 year old ones there now. 

And today I hope LOTS of boxes will be packed. I'm going to put hubby to work in his "man cave," packing up his stuff. And I'll work on packing my stuff.

AND...if I'm lucky...I'll stitch some hexies...

Trying to remember to just breathe...

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Another Day, Another Curved Hexie Fabric!


Here's the fabric that will be making it's way into curved hexagons today! I'm really under the gun, with a magazine to put out AND a major move, all needing to be done by the end of the month. I'm trying hard to focus on the goals and plug away without becoming frazzled. Though every once in while, I do get frazzled. Will everything get done??? I certainly hope so!

I need to buy more boxes today to get ready for a massive packing weekend. And I hope to pack more boxes in our upstairs. I'm making good headway there.

I hope to finish the next section of BLISS over the weekend, too, so I can write the pattern instructions.

And so, while I drink my coffee this morning I'll be basting hexies. And then I'll cut fabric for others. And then pack a few boxes. And then I'll repeat! Haha! Baste, cut, pack, repeat! My life these days...

Make it a great day!

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Wonderful Wednesday


Today I'm making curved hexies from this Kaffe Fassett design roll - got it for Christmas from Daughter 2. We are in the midst of heavy rain today, so this happy fabric will brighten my day!

Two different movers are coming this morning to give us estimates - an necessary interruption in my already packed schedule. I hope to pack a few more boxes and make progress on all the irons in the fire!

I had a nice trip to Birmingham yesterday. I lived there for 30 years, and it was all so familiar, but it just doesn't feel like home any longer. So strange. Auburn is definitely HOME! I was lucky to run into a B'ham quilty friend - so good to see you Penny R!!!! I had a couple of hours to kill and ended up running some errands. These were little shopping errands that I could have done here in Auburn, but I got them done and out of the way while there. Yay!!!

Have a happy hexie day!!!

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Good Morning!!!


You don't always have to piece a hexie to get a big impact - I love the way the swirl falls in this one - such a happy little fellow!


Here's a small peak at what I've been working on - a bit dark because it's still dark outside this morning.


 Look what appeared yesterday - the official SOLD sign! Still pinching myself. We are feeling so blessed that our home sold in only one month. The housing market in Auburn is crazy good. There are always new people moving to town - new professors, new coaches, or just people like us, setting themselves up for retirement in this lovely place. Have I mentioned lately how much I love living here?

The lake view is a bit dreary this morning. It's going to be a drizzly day. But that's okay! I'm off for a quick road trip to Birmingham this morning and I'll be back before the bad storms hit our state this evening.

I packed several boxes yesterday and got a lot of sewing done. Last night we took 2 televisions off their wall brackets - ready to pack them. We're making progress. Tomorrow I have two different moving/storage companies coming over to give estimates. Plus a meeting with our builder in the evening. Busy times!

Monday, February 1, 2016

And I Will Pack...


This will be our life for a couple of weeks...packing! We kicked it into high gear yesterday. We totally emptied our attic and sorted through the stuff - lots went into the garbage - YAY! I love throwing away and donating! We also took a load to Daughter 1's home - anything related to the wedding will stay there.

My goal this week is to pack up the two spare bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs. Totally doable!

I also plan to sew hexies together (my favorite thing!) today and continue getting my business books ready to meet with my accountant. Should be a busy day!

Don't forget the sale going on for my Curved Hexie Ruler! Get 20% with the coupon code MOVING!