Four fantastic shell-looking coasters arrived in the mail today. THANK YOU BEV! The batteries in my camera need to be replaced, so I'll have to describe them to you all. The tops are made of fabric with lots of shells in it, and the bottoms are sky blue with poofy clouds mixed in. They are all shaped like shells, and Bev quilted the shell lines into them. They are just too cool, and yes Bev, perfect! Now, how did you ever know I'm a beach addict? LOL! Either tomorrow or Saturday I'm going to have to go to the grocery store and pick up the ingredients so I can mix up some pineapple sunrises and use them! Thanks Again Bev!!!

I found the tax shelter in this posting when searching for a gift for my brother. He is a tax preparer and has everything. So I just had to share what I did for him. I took one of those woodcraft houses from Walmart- removed the two screws from the base. I cut a 1" block of wood that fit into the bottom of the house. I glued this block onto the base thus allowing the top of the house to be easily lifted off the base. I cut a 1/2" groove in the center of the block with the table saw so I could set a card of thumb tacks into it. This was hidden in the house until the top was lifted off. I wrote a poem for this & read it to him while my daughter did a Vanna White presentation of the house. Everyone got a good laugh out of this and I finally did a complete craft project! It's been a while. Hope you have as much fun with this as we did. Here's the poem: I drew your name for Christmas It's an honor, don't you know To get my brothers name for Christmas Ah! ashopping I will go. But then I started frettin After searching high and low Whatever will I get 'im (Twas wrong to worry so!) I went into an office shop Maybe something for your desk? I talked to the clerk a lot She tried to aid me in my quest. He could use a tax shelter Is what the lady said It seemed a bit off-kelter But there was nothing left instead. So here's your little shelter All painted so very nice The foundation has been mended The roofs' been polished thrice. The flowers are all blooming In the big pot by the door The bumblebees are buzzing And there's no sawdust on the floor. It seems to be the perfect place I do agree she's right It sure beats a plain old case And your tacks! They're finally safe at night!

I'm so sorry, Rita. Having an injured hand is just the worst because it affects all you do. I hope you recover soon. I didn't think I'd get any quilting done this month. I've dumped old things, taken loads of furniture to thrift stores, torn out stuff, replaced light fixtures and painted following the death of uncle. The paperwork has been daunting. Thank God for lawyers and accountants. Just looking at a sewing machine was rare. But, my best quilting friends took me to a fabric store and I'm finally waking up to what was important to me before all this happened. I actually put a border on a wallhanging last night and am preparing to quilt it. So, I might get something done after all. I'm also finishing the last of 4 redwork blocks hoping to have them ready to assemble at retreat. Just gathering stuff for retreat has gotten the juices flowing again. I think I will survive this. Can't believe it's almost September.

Sue, Are you having the kids cut and tie the quilts? Geraldine, Good job on what you were able to accomplish this month! Robbie, Your blocks are great! Can't imagine doing the snowflake!! WOW! What technique did you use? Looking forward to seeing your tic-tac-toe quilts. Linda, Making kaleidoscopes is easy?....matching up all those designs across the fabric? Your's looks great! I had a spurt of energy this morning so started a 'memory table runner' that I read about. It's basically something that visitors can sign during whatever season or special event going on. I used the rail fence pattern with green and red with white in the center for the signature or message. Not sure how it'll work out, but it's something that won't take a lot of time....I think. @:) Now I'm back on the couch.....a couple more days of meds (thank you everyone for your good thoughts) and planning on Dec being a sewing marathon! In the 80's today and mid 30's expected tomorrow night! SharonG/FL