Lovin' On Safeway

Do you use your Safeway club card? I do and yesterday we got to reap the benifits. Safeway had a special promotion for your gas reward points if used your club card when you bought gift cards from them. We bought several gift cards for our adult children for Christmas gifts.

Yesterday while on our way to buy a new computer, I reminded Hubby to stop at the Safeway gas station and fill up the Bronco because we had to use our reward points by the end of the year. We have offered these to our kids that live in town but no one had used them. Silly kids, when your mom tells you to use the Safeway gas station, you might want to listen to her! Now I will be saying "I told you so!!!" and laughing like a mad woman.

We filled up the Bronco with 12 gallons of premium gas for the cost of 12 cents! That's right, 12 cents. HAHAHAHAHA! I told you so. We saved $2.04 a gallon. Can you believe it. I don't know if there is any more savings left there but if you need a fill up and you are near a Safeway station and have a club card, you might want to fill up.

Lovin' on you Safeway and your Club Card. Track my spending. I don't care.

Romping In A Winter Wonderland

Notice the little sunshine flag on the left??? I want to see a big ole happy sun shining from the sky. It doesn't even need to have cool sunglasses to make me happy. Even just a minute of sunshine. I love the snow, but enough already. I have never dreamed of a white Christmas but I am getting one. Really, I am not complaining No, I'm not. I'm warm and dry, except for an occasional potty trip outside! 6 more inches on the ground this morning and snowing again. I love the snow, I love the snow.

We made it through the night with no puddles. Tony is appearing to be a very smart little boy. He is training us quite well. He's already figured out when you go outside, come in and sit by the sink and you get a treat. He hasn't figured out his treat is a peice of his dog food.

Oh yeah, he is half Black Lab and half German Shorthair.

Have a great Christmas Eve.

Meet Tony

This is Tony. Born November 4, 2008. Adopted by us December 23, 2008. He is going to be one spoiled rotten dog. He has a big dark chocolate, jealous lab brother DJ, who at the moment, doesn't want anything to do with the little pest.

Tony is named after one of our favorite Nascar drivers, Tony Stewart, 2 time Sprint Cup Series Champion. He has a little bit of an attitude and likes to play and have fun. He really likes tormenting DJ, named after another Nascar champ, Dale Jarrett. Can you tell we like our Nascar???

Hubby was reading the ads in the newpaper, saw this ad with a local phone number. I did a reverse search and realized the people are practically neighbors and that we know each other casually. It really is a small world. They had 5 puppies to choose from and Tony chose me first, how could I not adopt him. But I could have brought all of them home with me. They are just so darn cute.

I can't wait to introduce him to the rest of our family. I think they are going to like him. Our hearts are still broken over the loss of Uggie and Tony will not take his place. His is a new addition to our family.

Let the potty training begin!!!

Fancy Socks

I finally finished my pink socks tonight. I have spent alot of time not working on these. I don't know why, I just haven't picked them up for a while. I got the first one done about 3 weeks ago and just didn't pick up the second one. It only needed the toe to be finished. So tonight I did just that.

These are made with yarn from Knit Picks called Felici Self Striping Sock Yarn. It is now on clearance so I'm hoping there will be new colors soon. Not like I need any right now, I have 5 more colors to knit up. I can't wait to wear them.

It feels good to finish up another project. The next pair will be made with the same kind of yarn. I can't wait to start them. Maybe I'll try the 2 circular needles again but I don't know, I am so comfortable with the double pointed needles.

I think first I will finish up the shawl I started not long ago. Maybe I can start 2009 with one less UFO. How strange would that be.........

Play Day

Holy Cow, I think I may have figured out how to change the size of my photos so I can upload them. Of course I have yet to publish this post so I better not get too excited.

Hubby is outside on the tractor. He is having fun, I think, keeping the snow plowed out of our driveway and the path to the woodshed. My job for the day is to shovel off as much snow off the deck as I can. Problem is this ole chucky broad is waaaay out of shape. So I've spent half an hour out there and right after I came in the house another huge pile fell off the roof. So next I will get my outdoor gear on and get to shoveling again.

We are doing fine in this storm. We have a well stocked pantry, a woodshed full of firewood, a generator if we lose power--gotta have tv! and no need to go anywhere. Although if we do need to go, the bronco is chained up and our driveway is clear. The country boys continue to keep our road clear but I just don't see me leaving the property any time soon. I know, I am a whimp!

I'll report again later,

Stay warm, stay safe.

37 Things About Me

I've seen this on several blogs and thought it was fun.

1. Do you like blue cheese? Yum! Blue Cheese Dressing to dip hot wings in is my favorite.

2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes? Yes, 2 years smoke free.

3. Do you own a gun? Yes.

4. What Kool Aid flavor was your favorite? Root Beer but they don't make that flavor anymore.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Horribly.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Don't tell me what's in them, I know! Ketchup and mustard please. Or maybe some chilli and cheese on top!!!

7. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a Wonderful Life.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? green tea.

9. Can you do push ups? Are you kidding!!!

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? my wedding rings.

11. Favorite hobby? Hobbies--sewing, quilting, knitting, reading

12. Do you have A.D.D.? Possibly.

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Readers--don't leave home without them.

14. Middle name? Ann

15. Name three thoughts at this exact moment? 1. Get me out of this house for a while. 2. Crap! It's snowing again. 3. Let me make it to town and back without having a nervous breakdown!

16. Name three drinks you drink regularly. Water, tea, coffee

17. Current worry? Will it ever stop snowing

18. Current hate right now? I try not to be a hater.

19. Favorite place to be? Home

20. How will you bring in the New Year? At home with hubby.

21. Where would you like to go? Back to Hawaii!

22. Name three people who will complete this? Jen, Crys, Sue.

23. Do you own slippers? Yes

24. What shirt are you wearing? teal t-shirt

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don't think I ever have.

26. Can you whistle? I try.

27. Favorite color? Green (subject to change without notice)

28. Would you be a pirate? I don't think I'd be very good--I'm too scared to be on the ocean.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing there.

30. Favorite girls name?

31. Favorite boys name?

32. What's in your pocket right now? Burt's Bees Lip Balm

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Listening to Mae Mae over the phone.

34. What vehicle do you drive? Honda Accord

35. Worst injury you ever had? Carpal tunnel surgery.

36. Do you love where you live? Yes, my roots are very deep here.

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 4


Your next!!!

Got Snow???

Dear Mike, I tried to post a picture of the snow but since my pc crashed, and I am using my laptop, I am unable to resize my picture and it is taking waaaay to long to load. Believe me, we have snow--the whole place is white. Sorry, I tried. I'll work on it and see if I can get you a picture.


Want some? I've been trying to give away (really I'm trying to sell) snow since Saturday. So far I have no takers. Even when I tell them they have won a bucket full of snow!

I am so happy hunkered down inside my house. I ventured out yesterday for a short walk about. A trip to the mail box and back to the house was enough. I don't do well in the cold. I am a wimp. I like being warm and toasty. When the temperature gets below freezing, I want to be inside. I have lots of things to keep me busy. Today I have been making a few extras for Christmas gifts. I have my gifts finished and now I can have fun.

The country has a road maintance shop up the hill from my house. The county boys are working away at keeping the roads plowed and sanded. They keep our road plowed off pretty good but I am still a whimp and will not go anywhere. There is nothing out there that I need right now so I stay home and stay out of their way!!! I am so nice. :-)

Goodbye Uggie, I Love You

This week we had to say goodbye to our beloved Uggie dog. I will miss you, you silly thing. I will miss your Elivis smile, your constant, irritating licking, your wiggles and the way you peeked out the bedroom window when we drove in the driveway and then met us at the door so we wouldn't know you were up on the bed. I will miss our cuddles on the couch. You know the kiddos will miss you, especially Elliot. Who will he take on walks now?

Uggie loved to go over to the neighbors and play with their dogs. Silly boy didn't know that he couldn't run in front of the car and be ok. The oldest of the neighbor boys (young adults) had moved back home just this past weekend and had not yet met Uggie. He saw that a dog had been hit by a car (and no the a**hole did not stop) so he did what was right and he buried him in their pet cemetery. That is a great place for my Uggie, he loved to play with the nieghbor dogs.

I miss you little dog. You will always make me smile.

My 100 Things

Over at daughter Jenny's blog, is her list of 100 Things. I love reading everyone's list and was quite surprised to see this on her blog. So I decided to copy and highlight my own 100 Things. Like Jen, there are several I have done, several I will never, ever in a kabillion years do.


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars (kind of, in a tent...)
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Held a praying mantis
9. Climbed a mountain
10. Sang a solo (NEVER going to happen!)
11. Bungee jumped. (would only happen after I sang a solo!)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort (attempted to ... don't think we ever actually achieved an actual fort!)
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon (isn't life a marathon?)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48.Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (attempted to snorkel.... can't do it!)
52. Walked in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving (NEVER going to happen!)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (opps!)
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar (bleck!)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published in a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (oh the joys of growing up in the country!)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

What's Happening in My World

Let me think--Yesterday my baby boy turned 34. I feel funny saying that makes me feel old when I think about my dad. He put that bug in my head once and now when I say something makes me feel old, I hear him say "How do you think I feel?". Darn him! Anyhow, we went to Doug and Lacey's for dinner. Lacey and her sister, Allie, made the absolute best marana sauce and meatballs I have ever tasted. They say it is a secret family recipe from Sicily and each of them has their part down to a science. Oh my goodness, it was so good. I've got leftovers in the fridge but I think I'll put them in the freezer for another time.

Tomorrow is Miss Taylor's 9th birthday and in a couple weeks, Miss Clella turns 1. That takes care of the birthdays for the year unless I have forgotten someone.

Our dinner on Sunday was good. The kids had fun and it makes me wish we could have more family days. Christmas dinner will be at Jen's house and then we probably won't all be together again until Easter. BooHoo!

My Christmas gifts are almost all finished. I joined an online group last January and we work on Christmas all year. I am feeling no pressure at all and that is a first! Of course we have all decided to cut back dramatically--only gifts for the kids. But I have to have at least a small gift for my kids. I just have to!

Today is sewing day. I have missed my friend time and really need to go. I'm looking forward to a great day.

What's Happening?

This is the second of the three quilts I quilted for my friends. In our small group, we had a block exchange and made blocks that represented our fine state of Washington. One of the gals had signed up but then surgery was scheduled so she had to drop out. Being the sneaky bunch we are, we made her this quilt. I had a blast freehand quilting this. The only problem, I forgot to take a picture of it when it was finished! How could I do that? I take pictures of all the quilts I do. So maybe, just maybe, my dear friend Cheri will send me a picture. Pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaase.

I've been sick. Yes, again. First it was the horrid cold, then the stupid knee--that one is still not healed--and then this weekend I had to go to Urgency Clinic. I knew what was wrong but they have to have you come in before you can get the medication. So I am on 2 nasty antibiotics. One of them is just horrible. My mouth tastes like I'm eating a big o' ball of foil. Nasty! So I am drinking my water, eating careful and sleeping. I didn't know antibiotics made you sleep but I don't care, I feel horrid so sleep is fine with me.

I thought today I could venture out to the grocery store but I just don't have the energy. I don't have to cook dinner on Thursday so that pressure is off. I do have a house full coming on Sunday. I am being the nice mom and giving my kiddos one less place to be on Thursday. But what I am really doing is hogging them on Sunday! So pray for nice weather so they can play outside.

I'm done checking in now, I need a nap.

Catching Up

It's been a while. I have been hiding and healing. I don't want to sound like a whiner because I have been doing lots of whining the last couple weeks. I don't handle pain very well at all. Then I feel worse because my injury is so minor compared to what others are dealing with.

At the retreat, I slipped in the mud, did not fall down and probably should have. You know when you slip and then to the please don't let me fall on my butt dance??? Well, that is exactly what I did. I reinjured my knee and could hardly walk. I went to the doctor, I wanted her to make it better just by my going to see her. She didn't! So after a few days of being dilegent with the ice, elevating and ibuprofen, I am doing better.

I did some grocery shopping yesterday after spending time with Dee. About half way through the store, I wanted to lay (fall) down on the floor and cry like a baby. But I didn't (only because I would of had to stand back up again!) and finished my shopping. I made it home, somehow got the groceries into the house and put away. I put a roast in the oven for dinner and got out the ice pack. I sat in the chair with my feet up on the stool, ice on my knee, phone by my side and the remote in my hand. I watched tv and talked on the phone for an hour. When I finally got up, my knee didn't hurt as bad. It couldn't have been from using it!

This morning it isn't too bad at all (could it be because I used it???). I hope I'm good for Thursday because I am going to the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival with my friends and then on Friday, I am going again with my daughter. The best part about going to this is that is close to home. Usually this is held way up north near Seattle and I can't go. I am so excited. I love this kind of stuff. I can't wait to see the latest and greatest. I am going to take my cane and my pills and ice pack just in case.

The quilt in the photo is one that a group from one of my groups made for a member that had surgery. I had the pleasure of sewing the top from blocks made by members and then I quilted it. It's very nerve racking to quilt for another long arm quilter. She loved it when we gave it to her as did the others that recieved their Hugs Quilt. Notice the block that has the sashing on the wrong side? I left it on purpose because that is the nature of our group. Just a little bit quirky and that is why I love it.

My Bags Are Packed

Again, my bags are packed for a retreat. I think after this weekend, I will settle in for the winter. I admire anyone that travels alot. I am not good at it. I like being home with my stuff. And besides, does it count when you go to a retreat but come home at night to sleep????

I have some Christmas projects for the kiddos I want to work on. I'm hoping to be done with that tomorrow. I packed a UFO and a WIP to finish. My UFO has been around for a couple years. I need to frog stitch a couple rows and then I can finish putting it together. I'm thinking it is about 80% done. Wonder why I didn't work on this one more.

Then I have my Orange Crush Mystery from Quiltville. The main top is finished, the border strips are finished, I just have to put the borders on. Maybe then I will like it more. I took it with me to the last retreat and Gloria had her's there so we compared. She had dark borders on hers and it really set it off. So we decided that is what I need to do also. So I searched my stash and found a nice dark blue that I am going to use. Now I am excited to get it done.

When I come home, I only have one quilt waiting to be quilted for my friend Nadine. When that is finished, I have 3 ready to do for myself. I have the flannel for backing and I have enough batting for all of them. Then I need to buy more batting. Uggggggggg!

How do you like my photo. Miss MaeMae is learning to give DJ treats. My dogs are very patient with the babies, knowing they are in for some good stuff. He knows if he sits there long enough, she will drop something or she will just put it in his mouth so he doesn't have to reach to the floor!

I'll catch up with you next week. Hopefully I will have some progress pictures. Until then.....

My View

Once I am out my back door, this is what I see. I look up the hill and it is full of yellow, green, orange and brown. I love all the colors of this time of year. But I am afraid my colors will be gone shortly. The rains have started and they forget to stop sometimes. I don't think we will be doing much dry leaf shuffling this year.

I can't sleep tonight. I am plenty tired, but I can't turn off my brain. I have a billion things going on in there. Like what quilt design am I going to quilt on my next quilt top. Or which piece of flannel will be the back. Or am I going to have time to get my lotto blocks finished before the retreat. Or do I want to. I do and I will make the time to make them before leaving on Thursday.

Today is Miss Ashlee's 14th birthday. Happy Birthday!

I have a little something for her and will try to catch up with her sometime today. Then I am going to make a mad dash to JoAnn's to get a new bulb for my Ott Lite and some knitting needles.

I dumped my light over the other day and the bulb blew out. Darn those things are expensive! And I have to have a pair of size 17 36" circular needles for a shawl I am working on.

I had one of those moments the other day where I looked at a pattern and then had to make it. So I made a dash to Battle Ground, found some gorgeous yarn but no circular needles so I bought the size 17s they had and came home. I cast on my 184 stitches and away I went. But that is just too much on those needles and it is hard to knit. So I am on a mission. I could work it on the needles I have, after all, I have one skein of yarn done. But I have a burr in my bonnet and I want those darn needles. And besides, they might have some more yarn that I couldn't live without.

I think I can go to sleep now. If not, I will toss and turn and then hubby will wake up and talk to me. Now that isn't a good idea!

I Hab A Toad In My Doze

And I don't feel berry good! I got home from the retreat Sunday afternoon. I felt fine. Monday I was great. Tuesday morning pretty good until about 10:00 and then it started. Sneezes, runny nose, sore throat. It jumped up and smacked me right between the eyes. Not fair, says I.

Crystal and Mike and the kiddos were on their way out here. Mike likes to cut firewood and I refuse to take his fun away from him. After a while, all I wanted to do was sleep. So when the kiddos took naps, Gramma took a nap. I woke up feeling worse than before. I sure hope I didn't share my germs with my babies! But I think maybe they may have shared with me.

Poor Hubby was on his own for dinner--he manages just fine so don't go feeling sorry for him. I need the sympathy here!!! About 8, I headed for bed. I don't know how many times I woke up in the night but from the pile of Kleenex on my night stand, I think it was alot. Maybe I should have taken something but I didn't. My stomach muscles hurt when I cough, my nose is raw and I can't smell or taste anything. Leave me alone, I am going to take a nap.

Aaaarrrrgggggggg CccccHoooooooooooooooo

We Have A Winner

Congratulations to Jo at Pieceful Afternoon. Jo and I have been on some of the same Yahoo groups for years. We have yet to meet in person but I know someday we will. Jo, watch your mail for a box filled with some fun things.

Today I will finish getting ready for my quilt retreat. I've got 3 projects cut and ready to go. I have to have "no brainers" when I am retreating. I have a tendency to loose focus on things when so much is going on around me. So I will work on a Turning 20 Again, a Hanky Panky and Next Door Neighbor . I also have a kit ready for Between Friends Junior from the book Happy Hour. If I possibly get these 4 tops complete, I have a bin overfull of novelties that I want to use for Yellow Brick Road.

So now I must get ready to go into the city--I don't mean Battle Ground, I have to go all the way into Vancouver!!! I know a big day for me. Talk to ya soon.

PS: Hubby thanks everyone for all of the nice birthday wishes. And I cheated and bought the cake. Sometimes a girl has to do that. So I guess I owe him a home baked cake.

200th Post Giveaway!!!

I can't believe this is my 200th post! I started blogging as a way to keep up with myself and my projects. (I have a tendency to get a bit sidetracked--yeah, really I do!) I have enjoyed going back and reading past posts and seeing all I have accomplished. And the changes in the grandkiddos! Oh my.

I never thought I would meet so many fascinating people through my little blog, but I have. I have learned so much from others, gotten some fabulous recipes and great quilt ideas. I have stepped out of my comfort zone and tried new projects just because "you" have shown them to me. Thank you.

So I've decided to celebrate with a fun giveaway. I don't know what it is going to be yet but I know it will be fun!

Leave me a comment that I can respond to via email and I'll put your name in the drawing. Then on October 21, I'll put you names in a bowl and have hubby draw out a winner.

Today is hubby's birthday--Happy Birthday Honey--so I now must go into the kitchen and bake the birthday cake. Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and there must be cold milk to go with it. Yes, we live the simple life.

What Have I Been Up To??

All kinds of things. Today I played with buttons. I made button fairies for the first time. I signed up for an Art 4 Mail swap and decided I better do my part. I had no clue other that a tutorial on the net. After seeing them for the first time, I knew I wanted to play. Being a bit nervous about my artistic skill level, I put this off until I recieved one. She is beautiful so I kind of copied her. Mine, I think, are kind of funky looking. First time making button fairies, first time using a polymere mold for the faces. Actually, it was the first time I had played with polymere clay. I might have to play with that stuff some more.

I found these plastic like leaves at the craft store for a quarter a stem. I thought they kind of looked like fairy wings. Tuesday, I made some faces and today I made my fairies. I got out my button box and started in. Then I wanted some super dooper big buttons and didn't have any so I went exploring in my Gramma's button boxes. I have buttons from both of my Gramma's but I am being very selfish with them. I only used 2 and there were several like both of them.

So after an hour, hour-10 (that means most of the day without a trip to the Home Depot), I decided these were pretty good. Not quite up to what this flicker pool has but pretty good. And I had fun.

Tomorrow I will take them to the post office and send them on there way. One little one will travel all the way to Cyprus. I hope she has a safe journey.

I've spent alot of time with my quilting machine. Tomorrow I will spend some more time with her. Then I have a retreat next weekend so I have a couple things I'd like to finish for show and tell. I am not going to pressure myself to get them done though. I am not going to pressure myself to do much of anything anymore. I found out it isn't good for my mental health.

~~TTFN

crossing my fingers that my picture will show up

Lovin' on the Dial Up

Here it is! Love my dial up. Someday I'll get to play with the big kids. LOL

I Should Be....

I should be doing other things this morning-like finishing up garden stuff but it's really cold outside and I want to work on my newest quilt. I was blog hopping one day and found Quilter Going Bananas. She has a fabulous quilt picture in her header. I loved it, wrote to her telling her this and asked where the design comes from. She remembered it came from a magazine several years ago. She would look for it if I wanted her to. Aren't quilters just the best people! I said no, I would see if I couldn't figure it out for myself.

Being a mega fan of Debbie Caffrey and her book Open a Can of Worms, I knew the basics of the block. So I get out my scrap paper and crayons (yes! crayons) and start to draw, then it's time for some 2 1/2" strips and the sewing machine. After a bit, I had it figured out. (You would think I would use EQ5 since I have it on my computer but I haven't take the time to learn all the goodness of it yet.) Anyhow, I decided it was time to use up some of the older strips from my 2 1/2" strip drawer and some of my older bricks--2 1/2" x 4 1/2". There are some really old fabrics in this quilt. And I really want to fill the drawer up with newer fabrics.

This has been my project at our Wednesday sewing day for the last 3 weeks. I got to the point yesterday that I needed to start counting sets. Then I knew I needed more and after waking up at 1 this morning and thinking about this for 2 hours, I decided to get working on it. I made all my units and am now working on blocks. I only need 120 and have 60 or so sewn together. Then I start to get antsy and have to see what it looks like on the wall.

Then another day on the internet, hopping around webshots, I see another quilt like this. The caption says it is called Barbed Wire from the book called Twosey Foursey Quilts by Catherine Wierzbicki. So I did a search for the book and now I will have to own the book.

I think I will stop for a while and work on being a domestic goddess. I'd really rather keep sewing!

Okay! Enough Already!

Look Sissie, a new post. Are ya done naggin' now???

This picture is a little bit of Sonya's quilt that should now be hanging in Craft Warehouse. It turned out very pretty and now people can ohh and ahh as it is being shown off promoting their fabric and the book the design came from. I can't remember the book title but I know it's by Karen Snyder.

I have been spending some time at my sewing machine. I have been working on some crazy quilt blocks for a swap. They were suppose to be send out by September 30 and for some reason I had October 15 in my brain. I feel horrible about being late. So I spent last night doing some embroidery on my blocks so I can get them in the mail ASAP. My skills are quite rusty. It's been a very long time and I had to look up the very basic stitches on the internet just to remind me. It's fun but I'm afraid to start collecting for one more project.

My focus this week is on getting my quilting machine running good again and getting some of my stuff sorted out so I can rearrange my sewing room. I've been working on that for such a long time. I seem to take 3 steps forward and 2 back. So that means I am making a little progress. Now I am going to finish sewing my last block so I can finish them. Hopefully I'll remember to take pictures.

Quiltathon Day 2

The flannel quilt is done, done, done! It was very toasty sitting under it today while I stitched down the binding. We had a cool rainy day here today so it was a perfect binding day while I watched my man, Greg Biffle win his 2nd Nascar race in a row!!!

I also put final borders on a small quilt for a friend. It will be quilted later in the week. Then I made a paper peice block for another friend and fianally I worked a little while on my depression blocks. This has been my leader/ender project for quite a while. Each 8" block has 16 half square triangle units in it. I seriously thought I had more HSTs made and I might have them stashed somewhere in this nightmare of a sewing room but I am too tired to look any further. Especially after searching for my orange thimble. Which by the way, I love!

So my Quiltathon is over for this weekend. Tomorrow I go to work on my friend's quilt. I have to have it finished before Wednesday morning. For this week coming up, I have a plan and I hope I can stick to it! I think this is the week Crystal and Mike move so I need to schedule some help time in there somewhere. They are going to need a supervisor and I am perfect for that job!!!

Quiltathon Progress

Or Lack Of Progress. Judy at Patchwork Times is having another quiltathon this weekend. I planned to join her and spend the weekend getting some things finished. I am so inspired to quilt again that I couldn't wait to get started. Plans were changed for me.

It was all cloudy and cool outside and I was thinking it might rain today and I would be able to stay in and sew all day. No rain happening here today! Hubby decided it would be a great day to get the rest of the wood split and into the woodshed. Oh lucky me! So after a breakfast of a fresh tomato and bacon sandwich, we went to the woodshed. After 2 hours, the pile was split and stacked. I sat in the lawn chair and admired my work and then admired the garden, thinking of the pioneer women and all the hard work they did and how lucky I am with all of my modern stuff. And very thankful for Advil!

Then I had a bucket of tomatoes to take care of. I had some bananas that needed to be made into bread so I found a recipe for banana zucchini bread and made a batch into muffins. I had enough shredded zucchini so I made another batch of muffins. Then I bagged them up, put them in the freezer. I love having stuff like that on hand. Easy to grab for Hubby's lunch box. Our son stopped in for a couple hours so no sewing got started until after dinner.

I had the binding made for the flannel quilt. I had sewn all the leftover peices from the quilt together for the binding so it was ready to sew on. I did that and then spent the next hour looking for my new thimble. I bought it at AnnaLena's and swear it was in the bag with all the fat quarters (I forgot to tell you all that I came home with 84! fat quarters!!). No, not there. Did I put it in my knitting bag? No. Crap, where is it. Did I leave it at the beach? In the Bronco, suitcase, in the fq bag???? No, i left it inside the 2nd bag that I had emptied, folded up and put away. I don't even know why I looked in that bag. Glad I did.

So now I am going to go use it and see how much I like the orange rubber thimble.

Fun, Funky Feathers

When I grow up, I want to quilt feathers like Judy at Patchwork Times. She makes fabulous feathers, just look at this post about her quilt back. It is stunning. I know she has spent hours and hours working on them. You have to to get good. I'm just having fun with mine. The are funky looking but that's ok. I'm kinda funky looking too! But I can tell the difference from when I started to the end of pass 2. They are looking better. Not fabulous like her's but better.

My quilt is 60" wide and I've done 2 14" passes. I am on bobbin #7! I'm using up the partial ones first. I didn't realize how many I had that needed to be emptied. I have lots of bobbins so I've never needed to empty one just to load it up with different thread. I try to have enough filled when I start the quilt but I have no way of knowing how many I will need. I guess and I'm usually wrong--not enough or too many. But this with this quilt, I need to wind ZERO!!! Now I need to get it finished so I can move on to a black and batik.

Using It Up

I have several bobbins loaded with various veragated threads on them. I am loading this flannel scrappy quilt on my frame this morning and got to thinking about thread color. I thought about using a gold color or maybe something that would blend in to all the colors. I wasnt sure what to use. I'm going to practice my free form feathers on this one (I think!) and so I decided to use up some of the bobbins that are partically or completely full. Then I decided to check my thread and found these 2 spools that are almost empty. I have no problem using both spools up on the same quilt. It is scrappy. I am not wasteful! I think it is going to be a fun quilt!

I'll give a progress report later. I have feathers to try. Why are they so scary???

Can You See the Quilting?

Quilting Fun

I love it when I have a fun quilting day. Today was a pretty fun day once I got to play. I had to get some groceries this morning. So I put all of that away and started to play. Then my eyelid swelled up like a balloon. This is the 3rd time it's happened so I called the doctor and they got me right in--my favortie thing to do-make 2 trips into town in one day. It turns out my tear duct is clogged so after a hot camomille tea pack, the swelling is down. Stupid eye!

This quilt was made by my sister Sue for her friend Rae Jean. It's what I call a happy quilt. While surfing blog land the other day, I came across a link to a link to a link---you know what I'm talking about! It is a tutorial for a really cool free hand quilting design. So I got out my scratch paper and started to doodle. I wish it showed up better in the picture. Maybe if you click it and make it larger you can see. Maybe not, but this is what I've been up to.

Anyhow the tutorial is over at Kim's Big Quilting Adventure on this page. She is waaaaaaaaay better at it than I am. I think if I do 4 or 5 more quilts with this design I might be almost as good as Kim. And when you are on her blog, be sure to tease the kitty cat! What the heck, click on this link and read all of her blog, she has some pretty cool stuff over there.

So now that one is finished and ready for delivery. The next one is ready to load on. I think I may have found my mojo again!

I am hoping this photo in this post shows up. If it doesn't, I'll just have to post it again.

You Know You Are A Quilter When...

...you take your quilts with you on vacation. Notice 2 quilts in the room. Mine on the chair and Crystal's on the couch. It made our suite seem more like home.

I popped this lap quilt into my suitcase just before we left. I thought it would be fun to sit outside and watch the waves and since I don't own a heavy coat, I took a quilt. I was quite surprised when Crystal's quilt appeared.

My quilt became the game quilt. Elliot loved jumping on the bed, wrestling with anyone that would play and hiding under the quilt and yelling yooooooowhooooooo for whoever wasn't in the room.

I am so glad my quilt went with me. I wonder where it would like to go next!!!

Vacation is Over

Am I allowed to whine because my vacation is over? Thanks! I knew it would be ok. We had a wonderful time at the beach with Crystal, Mike, Elliot and Clella. Visit their blog to she a hilarious picture of Mike in his bubble bath! and 2 of the cutest kids in the whole wide world!!

We arrived on Thursday afternoon and got home Monday about 2. Then we had to go into town and rescue Dee, Vern and Taylor from the 4 legged children. They were all happy to see us except maybe Vern. He was sleeping and I don't think it was time for him to get up yet. He works the night shift and barking, happy dogs aren't the best way to wake up. Sorry Vern, you can sleep in today.

Crystal, Clella and I made 2 trips to Anna Lena's Quilt Shop. I am going to miss that store when it closes later this year. It is my must go to place whenever we go to the beach. She is having a going out of business/early retirement sale so we helped her along. We discovered Homespun Quilts in Astoria. It's a very nice shop. Lots of different things and wonderful samples. This is a definate go back to shop.

Now that I am home, I must get my butt in gear and get some quilts finished. I am in the mood to quilt so I better get to it. That is after the zucchini is taken care of! And the tomatoes and the broccoli that went nuts while we were gone.

TTFN

Does This Enhance My Dorkiness?

I have a passion for all things sewing. I can't help myself. I do not apologize for it. I love to sew. I love to watch sewing shows. I search for sewing shows on TV. That includes HSN when they have on the sewing machine sales shows. I record it. Yes, I record it. And I watch it. Sometimes more than once!

I am not interested in buying a new sewing machine. I watch for new project ideas. Like I need anymore ideas. The enthusiasm of the hostess is contagious and makes me want to sew, sew, sew. Not buy.

See my old Kenmore with my paper peicing project I am working on??? I love sewing on this machine. My "fancy" machine is set up for embroidery and I didn't want to change it over. So while I am working on my project this morning (I've been up since 3!!), I search my recordings and there is HSN with the National Sewing Month show. Lucky me!

Now that I have shared this bit of information with you, I hope you understand my dorkiness. I just can't help myself. I love to sew!

Shadow's Blankie

This is Shadow's blankie. See the cat fabric? She doesn't care that it's in her dog blanket. She likes cats, they have a cat, so it is ok. I think Taylor did a great job on Shadow's blanket.

Wonder if she'll make one for her Gramma!

Here is the Garden

This is the garden picture that should have shown up in the previous post. Stupid dial up.

Hello, It's Me!

Yes, I am back from where I don't know. I just get busy with life and forget to post to my blog. Look at that garden. The tomatoes are taller than Taylor. She has such a blast going to the garden. She finds the elusive zucchinis, picks beans, pulls carrots and ripe tomatoes. Sonya, this is the same view as the picture in this post. Quite a difference isn't it??
I spent yesterday baking zucchini/blueberry bread for the freezer. Minus one loaf that Dee took home with her. Then Taylor tasted the bread, liked it but not too sure of the blueberries so I made another batch, made it into muffins, bagged them up for her to take home and put in the freezer so she could have some for breakfast before school. I hope she remembers to share with the rest of her family. :-)

Taylor spent the first part of this week with me while her parents went on a little vacation. So Taylor got to go with me to Marian's for Wednesday sewing time. Shadow, her little pomeranian, needs her own quilt for her crate. I found some flannel squares and Taylor designed and sewed this little quilt for Shadow. Then she played with Marian's dogs while Gramma quilted it. Needles to say, Shadow loves her little quilt. Taylor is considered to be our Sister Girlfriend and part of our group. I have such awesome friends!

Now I must get busy! See you when I see you.

Where Have I Been???

I've been right here. Not doing too much but getting a lot of things accomplished. I guess you could say I was in a blogging slump. Pictured above are my Oriental Postcards from the Yahoo group Art4Mail that I have recently joined. This is a group of fabric artists that make postcards, dolls, ATCs, inchies and other fiber arts. Sometimes I feel like I may be in over my head and other times I jump in with both feet and have fun. My postcards that I have signed up for are all mailed. Now I have inchies, flat dolls and an art doll to finish. This is a very nice group of people, you should check it out if this could be your thing. If I can do it, anyone can!

News since the last post is rather slim. The garden is thriving. Especially the zucchini! Today I froze 8 more bags of shredded zucs for breads, cakes, quiche and anything else I can sneak it into. I made quiche tonight that was very delicious. Tomatoes are turning but not making it to the house. I think there is a gianormous tomato theif living here. Hopefully he will get full of them soon so we will have some for the house. We saw a couple small beans so they will be ready real soon.

Last weekend was the family reunion. I am very pleased to report that all my darling children made it this year. It doesn't happen often. In fact when Doug arrived there was quite a buzz as to who he might be! It's nice to see everyone and catch up with all the cousins, neices, nephews and all the greats.

I've been gearing up to start working on more Christmas gifts. I have a plan in place, I just need to start. I've even emailed my friend that is in charge of the Christmas stocking exchange to make sure it is still on for this year because I have a plan for that also. I don't think she was all that excited to start thinking about it but it was fun to read her grumbling email.

I have a couple other pictures to post but I won't get to it tonight. I won a drawing from another blogger and I need to post about that. I feel bad for not doing so sooner.

I'm off here to work on a secret project for someone special. More later.

Fun With Friends

Today was the Quilt Show at Pomeroy Living History Farm. I got to spend part of the day with my friends looking at old quilts and new quilts. I love having days like today.

I love going there and looking around at the old farm house, inside the old barn, the gardern and the property. Today was the first time I have been upstairs in the house. They normally don't have that open for visitors. They have each of the rooms decorated in the theme of a decade. I wish I had more time just to stand and look at everything. Karen Snyder of Anna Lena's Quilt Shop was the guest speaker. She had a quilt show of fabulous old quilts. I'm going to miss her shop when she retires.

There were vendors to visit. One booth had a toy Singer sewing machine that screamed for me to take it home with me. So I did. I bought a used book and a pattern. I resisted the basket of scraps. It was hard but I did it! I do love the scraps! I almost regret not filling a couple bags!

This quilt top is ready for a back and quilting. It is made using the remaining 3" strips from several flannel strips swaps over the years. I have made 5 quilts from these swaps. I am using the leftover peices for the binding. I have almost all of them sewn together into manageble strips so I can trim them to 2 1/2". Then I will sew them into the binding strip and press them. I have enough other flannel to make a back. This UFO is probably 3 years old. According to my UFO chart, I started working on it at work in 2005. I sure got sidetracked on this one.

I spent Wednesday at Marian's sewing the blocks together. I came home and the blocks on the design wall. I needed to cut enough to finish 2 blocks and make 2 more. This morning I woke up early with this top on my mind. So being the sweet, considerate wife that I am, I tip toed out of the bedroom and into the sewing room at 5:30. By 9 the top was complete at 60"x 70". Just right for a cuddle on the couch quilt or a quilt for my bed in the motorhome.

I worked on my Drepression Blocks and have 7 more blocks put together. I now have 32 8" blocks complete. After looking at all my half square triangles, I decided I need to make lots more. I have too much of the same light for a good mix. No problem, I have lots of light strips in my drawer and it only takes a few minutes to cut them into triangles. I probably need to figure out how many blocks I need to make. I put them up on the design wall just to admire. And hopefully to motivate me to get it done.

I'm outta here to sew for a bit longer. Night All