We're almost 1/2 way through October already

Life gets busy, doesn't it? Hopefully things will settle down a bit. And I can't even say there's been anything momentous going on, just stuff.

I got started on a t-shirt quilt for Keith and Misty's daughter, Ashley. Keith has been a good friend for a number of years, one of "my guys" at work. I don't have the final layout yet, but have one in mind that will give a shadow effect. That will allow a randomness to the design, as opposed to just joining them together or sashing them. Here's a picture of several of the shirts. Ashley's involved in volleyball in school, does some running, and is active in her church, and the quilt will reflect that.

I've also started in on an upholstery project. I picked up a chair at a garage sale sometime in the last year, and about a month ago got the fabric to put on it. I've been able to strip off the old dusty and faded material, and it's stripped down to the frame. The springs are in good shape. But can you say, "sneeze"????? Some of that dust had to be 40 or 50 years old, and sure did tickle my nose. The first layer of upholstery was probably from the 60's or 70's, but underneath that, and underneath the batting and some kind of a shaved wood filling, was another material that I'm sure was the original which had been flipped over and re-used. I've put some Old English on the exposed wood, and my next step will be to put on new webbing, then batting. I don't know how long this project will take, but I'd like to see it functional and in use within a month or so. I like it, and think it has character.

And my bedroom re-decorating project is coming along. I found a nice bench for the foot of the bed on Craig's List, and at a garage sale the other morning got a tall display shelf that will help on balancing out the room. (Can you tell I watch a lot of HGTV???) I had thought I'd make a new bedspread, but it's just not coming out like I want, so I'm still looking for the right bed treatment. So much of what's out there now are comforters, and I may end up going that route, but I'm still looking for a spread.

It's been beautiful fall weather, and yesterday I made it to the park to take a walk. I don't know why I keep putting off getting off my duff and getting some exercise, but once I was there I really enjoyed it. Such a variety of ages and reasons for people being there. I saw a young mother with her little one sitting on a blanket under a shade tree, and a boy who looked to be about 9 on his scooter. He'd go past me, and circle back, coming around again to do a trick or two. There was a dad with a fishing line in the pond, and a fellow sitting on the bench reading a book (must have been a good one, he was on the last few pages). Of course there were the bicyclists, runners, and walkers, as well as the young families on the playground. As I rounded one of the curves, there was a couple sitting on a table with their bongo's playing a repetitous beat. The guy was real serious till I gave him the thumbs up sign, then he grinned. And there was a little couple who looked to be about 80 out for a walk before it got hot. Their's was a slow shuffle of a walk, but they looked to be enjoying it. Why do I go into this much detail about a walk in the park? It's simple really... I hope that if I look at this and remember that it really was a nice experience, I'll be inclined to get out and do it again!