Priorities

How do you like my handsome prince with his magic wand? (I'm sorry Mike, this is just too cute not to share.) He goes around the house blessing things. That's the only thing I can think he is doing cuz he isn't getting the cobwebs that are on the ceiling! And he isn't making everything nice and shiny clean and there are no piles of money or folded laundry anywhere to be found!

We made it home from Arizona. It was a challenging trip. I had issues with "people". We are walking through the Las Vegas airport. Crystal is pushing Elliot in the stroller, I am packing his car seat, we are walking side by side. We are on our way to the other side of the world for our connecting Southwest flight--that's another rant for another time maybe. I am not a small woman, I am packing a car seat. "People" can't see me! I am dodging "people" and finally decided I am not going to do that any more. I don't know how many "people" rammed into the car seat. Not one of them said excuse me or I'm sorry or I'm an idiot and I'm not paying attention to what's going on around me. It was kind of fun when they almost fell over and it made us laugh! Oh how I love "people".

This is my friend's BOB quilt. We named it BOB so we could remember which order the borders were to be put on. Black, Orange, Black. Well, I can only quilt up to 104 inches wided and BOB is 102"! BOB is a BIG boy! so he didn't get borders so he get black binding instead. He got the last of the quilting on him yesterday afternoon and BOB is now super dooper beautiful. Today he will get his binding.

I have been getting a little bit done. But mostly I have been visiting with my daughter, loving on my grandson and going on a little shopping trip or two. Yesterday we picked up Miss Taylor so Elliot would have someone new to chase around and this is her last long visit before school starts next week. My grandkids are growing too fast! We made a dash into Joann's and then out to lunch.

I'm out of here, I'm going to cut some binding and maybe get it stitched together and pressed before the household wakes up.

It's going to be super quiet here next week. Maybe I'll get a car seat and go to the airport!

Greetings (for the final time) From Arizona

I am happy to report that I made it to Marana. I am also happy to report that Crystal and Elliot will be coming home with me on Monday and Ernie will come down on the 31st to help move their stuff north.

Oh Baby, It's HOT, HOT, HOT! Yip, this is the desert. Right now, at 9:45 pm, it's 91 degrees outside. No Thank You Very Much! I like our cool nights.

It rained for a few minutes yesterday, put on a powerful thunder and lightening display. When it was finished, everything dried out and it got hot again. Sorry folks, this isn't like the Pacific Northwest and you can have your hot summers. I will miss the nice winter though. I guess if we wanted to, we could winter down here but I kind of doubt that we will.

Today Crystal, Elliot and I went to the nicest quilt shop. It's called Cactus Quilt Shop. We walked in and holy wow! Quilts everywhere, dolls everywhere, wall hangings, mini quilts. Fabric!!! Crystal wishes she had discovered this treasure a lot sooner. So do I! I left some money there today to make up for the times I didn't. Now I have a few more projects to add to the list. (The list is getting long!)

We came home, ate some lunch and then packed up a few boxes of treasured possessions. It really reinforced my plan never to move.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of watching Crystal pack up her fabric stash. I had my eyes wide open just in case she found a piece she didn't need or want. Brat Child, didn't want to part with anything! Guess I'll have to help her set up her new sewing space to see if she still loves everything.

I spent a little time this evening working on my redwork embroidery project. I haven't done any embroidery for a long time. I forgot how much I enjoy it. This is my first redwork project. And I am loving it.

Hopefully my little update will keep people (Mike) off my back. I am going to go read for a while, then sleep for a while. I think we have big plans for tomorrow.

Playtime

I've spent this morning playing on the computer instead of getting my other stuff done. I've been noticing all of the "signatures" on the blogs and of course, I want one too.

So I have my very own, not so original, signature that was created at My Live Signature . It's free and it's fun. What could be better than that??

I spent yesterday in front of my sewing machine working on some blocks for a swap. I love the look of black background but it sure is hard on my eyes. I have my little lamp set up by my machine and the extra light bounced off the white bed and drove me crazy. So I got out my featherweight which is black and couldn't buy a good quarter inch seam! I spent a good share of time ripping out what I had done and that puts me in a mood!

So I got myself some lunch, watched some mindless TV, went for a walk to the dumpster and the mailbox (2 more free samples!!!), chatted on the phone with Taylor and then went back to the Viking in a better mood. (I'm going to work with the featherweight today and get that 1/4" seam allowance marked!) I have all my blocks done until I get some more of the dreaded black fabric. I made a couple cutting errors (stupid lines on the ruler moved on me!) so I am about 5" lacking to complete my project.

Now I am off her to have myself a good day. You do the same!

Fun With Farbic

I am having so much fun being able to go to Quilt Party with Sonya on the first Thursday of the month. After Thursday's presentation on thread and needles, I left there totally inspired to play with my machine and my threads. But that will have to wait for a few days. I have more important work to do. The Miss needs new clothes for school and Gramma's in the mood to make some.

I left picked up Taylor and we headed for Joann's to get fabric for some school clothes. How much fun it is to shop with someone who loves everything. She loves fabric, "string" and zippers.

This is her cute dress made with a flower print batik and a crinkly hand dyed (well it looks hand dyed). She loves it. We have fabric for another dress and a shirt.

Then we spotted the denim on sale for 50% off. How could we go wrong there. We got some awesome shiny denim and then found some with pink stars embroidered all over them for short pants. Then we picked up a couple pieces for jeans. She is such a skinny minnie that it's hard to find jeans that fit her in the hips and waist and are long enough for her legs.

We had fun taking pictures. We tried to take some like Aunt Jen would but Gramma needs a better camera and lots more practice. Our outside pictures were the work of a soon to be super model.

Then I got started on my huge overflowing scrap basket. You know the one that you "are going to get to as soon as you have a few minutes". Then you cram more and more into it. I have run out of cram room! I needed a plan so I went to my 2 favorite people for inspiration and boy howdy did I find it. I can't do a complete redo like Patty did but I can get my stuff organized.

I read Patty's blog and Bonnie's Scrap Users System and couldn't wait to get started. I have a garbage can of itty bitty pieces, a big bin full of strings and my rubbermaid containers are all nice and neat on their shelf full of their fresh cut pieces. Oh, I still have a half a basket to cut up but it isn't cram packed like it was and I should be done with it Sunday or Monday. Heck maybe even tonight. Who knows!

Another Finish

I went to bed last night thinking of quilting. I know not to do that. The night is extremely short when I do. I heard Hubby leaving at 4:45 this morning and I was wide awake soon after. I finished quilting this Quiltville Chunky Churndash yesterday. I trimmed it and it was laying on the quilting frame waiting for the binding to be put on.

If you recall from my May post, this is my quilt from our fall retreat Ugly Fabric Challenge. I've had the top finished and the binding ready for a few weeks and just needed to decide on a backing. Since I have been on a quilting frenzy, I just went to the stash, picked a piece of fabric, made a back, picked my pantograph, Rhapsody by Jodi Beamish, found a perfect verigated thread got it done.

When I went to Quiltville to grab the Churndash link, I looked at the picture of Bonnie's quilt and she had done Rhapsody on hers! I couldn't believe it. I love Jodi Beamish pantographs and when I am looking for a new one, I look at hers first. I just ordered a new one and am not so anxiously waiting for it to arrive. (But I have to wait to use it because the thread that is in that order is for my next project.)




The binding is stitched down by machine. When I did the Wicked Easy baby quilts, I found the perfect stitch to use for bindings. There is no one that recieves my quilts that cares whether the binding is finished by hand or by machine. And if they do care, they don't get to keep the quilt! So there! I am all about getting my pile of tops made into quilts and this is the fastest way for me to move on to the next top.

The mail will be here in a few hours, hopefully my package with the thread will be there. I am now going to get the backing loaded on for Sonya's BOB quilt. Then I will work on something else until the mail comes. What if my package isn't there.......not to worry. I have other things to work on.

Time to get started on something else. Maybe I'll put some clothes in the washer before I forget that I have a few domestic things to do today!

UFO DONE!

This cute little lap quilt has been calling to me for a while. Yes, another project from Quiltville. It's called String-X and makes a nice little dent in the scrap basket. I think I have enough pieces cut for 2 more of this size.

I have been wanting to practice my ruler work on the machine. Oh boy oh boy, I need to continue the practice. The curves in the plain squares--I figured out how to do those really good by the last row!

On the border, I used my circle templates and the information from my video, Longarmed & Fabulous to do a border treatment that included turning the quilt. Good thing it was a small quilt. I almost gave up on it. In the inner border, I did my standard loppies. They are so fun to do.

On the X strips, I just did a wavy back and forth wiggle. It was fun. Lots more fun than the stitch in the ditch with the ruler. When your longarm quilter gives you "the look" when you tell her you want stitch in the ditch, there is a reason for that. Honestly, I don't mind doing it. I know I have to practice that a lot more.

I have a sampler top that I am planning to do lots of stitch in the ditch work and lots of free motion in the background. I am about ready to tackle that one. But it is at the bottom of my to quilt bin so it will wait it's turn. If I'm still in the mood tomorrow, I have another quilt to load on. Either one of mine or the famous BOB quilt--depends on when I get the fabulous thread for that one.

I know, 3 posts in one day. But I had a lot to say.........so until next time.....

PS-Dee & Taylor, this one is for me to keep. Love you.

Quilting Baby Quilts

I love quilting baby quilts. I think all baby quilts should have one side with flannel. There is just something so snuggly about flannel and babies.

The top picture is a quilt made by my friend Sonya for her son's friend's baby boy. Seahawk colors with no prints. That's what he wanted, and Sonya did a great job picking colors and fabrics. The lime green binding sets everything off perfectly. Cotton front and flannel back.

Quilt #2 is for same son, different friend. He wanted teddy bear colors. So Sonya picked teddy bears! She found the softest teddy bear flannel. It was so much fun quilting these 2 quilts.

Picture #3 are my 2 charity baby quilts. Both are made with the Wicked Easy pattern and flannel scraps from grandkid pajamas. It was fun showing these to the grands and listening to them remember their pj's. Ian told me he still wears his pj bottoms from 3 years ago.....they must be shorts by now!

I sewed the backings together, loaded them on the frame, layed down the batting and then the seperate quilt tops. Then I just meandered my way across. It didn't take long to get these 2 quilted. I put the binding on them right away and then used my fancy sewing machine to finish the binding. 2 done with 1 more of these to finish and a box of girly flannel for 3 or 4 more.

I just follow the cutting guide lines for the size of scrap I have and stack the pieces. After a while I count what is in the stack to see what piles need what. When my scraps are gone, I sit down and start sewing the blocks. The fun part comes when I have the blocks finished and I need to sew the blocks together. What a fun quilt to make. I can't wait for these to find their loving owners.

My Fun Saturday

Did you know there is an event (not just) for guys that is almost like Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show? There is! Its the Great Oregon Steam-Up. This is the 37th year, July 28 & 29, August 4 & 5. 62 acres of heitage powered equipment. It is entirely maintained and operated by volunteers. Lots of eye candy for the menfolk! It is located just west of I-5 exit 263 in Brooks Oregon.

We went yesterday. I enjoyed spending the day with hubby while he drooled over the John Deeres and other old and new tractors. There is also a Caterpillar Museum and its a good thing there is.

We have an old Cat D7. Her name is Charlene. (I figured if he was going to spend so much quality time with her, she had to have a name. She's lived here for so long that now she is considered family.) She needed a new magneto--all I know is that it is something that helps start the pony motor that starts the Cat. We found 2 guys that work on them and then we found Guy 3 that had a brand spanking new one in a box ready for us to take home to Charlene. But......

Guy 3 wanted to be sure it was the right one. We go over to the Cat Museum and right there inside in low light is a cousin to Charlene! Hubby climbs up on him, and there is the magneto with the numbers all dark and tiny. The numbers are angled so you can't see them very well but with sheer determination, the numbers are spotted, the part is listed on Guy 3's product list and Hubby is happy.

Go back to Guy 3 to buy magneto. No, he doesn't take Visa and we have no checks with us and not enough cash. Let's go find a cash machine. And bless the Great Oregon Steam-Up, they have a cash machine right there by the main office. Get the cash, got back to Guy 3, buy the mag, head for home. Good thing too cuz my dogs are barkin and its getting hot outside and I want to quilt.

After we get home, Hubby goes out and talks nice to Charlene. She's been parked for a while and needs a bit of TLC before she fires up and moves some dirt. After a couple hours, I go out to see what is happening and I smell fresh dirt. I now all is well.

Hubby is happy, Charlene is happy and I have to apologize for wanting to call in the scrappers to take her away. I'm sorry Charlene. You can live here forever.

Next weekend is a quilt show at Pomeroy House. I should make Hubby go with me before we go to the family reunion! No, I'll go on Sunday with Sonya.

Dear Mike and Elliot,

Please forgive me. I did not mean to hurt your itty bitty feelings. Of course I want you to move up here. I am an insensitive boob. I am so very sorry. You know I worship the ground you walk on. And Mike, I kind of like you too.

Dear Blog Readers,
Evidently my darling son in law has his feelings hurt because in my last post, I neglected to include Mike and Elliot. But is he pregnant and needing my help with packing and such??? I am now publicly apologizing to him. I must go now and give myself 40 lashes with a wet noodle.

Dear Mike,
I hope you will still be my friend. Because of my lack of sensitivity, I now have welts caused my a wet noodle. Are you happy!!!!!!!!!!


So, Dear Blog Readers, I will be going to Arizona in August to help Crystal, Mike and Elliot get ready for the move back home to Washington. I sure hope Mike isn't mad at me any more because I can't wait for the whole fam damily to be in Washington again where they belong.

Love you.

Fun at Gramma's

Here are Taylor, Ashlee, Ian and Amanda. Life is good at Gramma's house.

Jenny and the kids were here from Texas for a few days. I had breakfast with them this morning as they were headed for the airport to go back home. Taylor had to come a spend a couple nights also. She misses them all. At night, my living room looked like a flop house with 3 kids sleeping on the floor and one on the couch. I had to share them with other family and friends so they only stayed here for 3 nights.

It sure is quiet now. Knowing they are so far away makes me miss them a bit more. So now I am going to go full speed ahead on some of my projects before I head down to Arizona next month to help Crystal move back up here.

I have a pile of quilts to do for a friend and a pile of quilts to do for myself. I am slowly making a dent in my "tops to finish" pile and adding them to my "tops to quilt" pile. On Monday, I quilted 2 baby quilts and finished the binding on them yesterday morning. Next up are 2 more baby quilts for my friend. I hope to get one of them loaded on the machine tonight so I can get going on it first thing in the morning.

I did stop at Joann's on the way home from breakfast. I got 2 dress patterns for Taylor, a blouse pattern for myself and I found a cute maternity pattern for Crystal. I still am shocked at how much patterns cost and thankful that Joann's has them on sale. I love a good sale at Joann's. I got a new quilting design packet for half price. I wish they had the thread I like to use on the long arm but they don't so I will just have to make do with what I have.

I'm off here now to finish putting groceries away and to fix hubby a fabulous dinner. snicker, snicker BBQ pork chops and ceaser salad. It does sound fabulous, doesn't it.

Sisters Quilt Show

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show , second Saturday of July, already marked in my day planner for 2008. What a day!

For the past 4 years, my friend Sonya and I have taken a bus trip over the mountain to Sisters, Oregon. This year was just as fasinating as the past 3. There isn't enough time in the day to see all the quilts. But there are a lot of talented photographers (not myself amoung them!!) that post their pictures on the web, so after a while we do get to see everything. So, thank you to all of you for sharing with all us.

Here are a few of my favorite quilts.

I come home just full of inspiration and awe. Oh the talent--the piecing--both hand and machine, setting, quilting--again both hand and machine, color seclection, design--you know what I mean. It still amazes me--all the talent displayed in one city.

I was also amazed at the people of Sisters. Our bus has a reserved parking space!!! Donna and her husband (sorry, can't remember his name) save 3 spots on their property to park tour buses. They open their home to strangers that need a cool place to rest, use their bathrooms, or just sit.

After the quilt show, we head out to a quilt shop where we are even more inspired. But I am hot and tired and still thristy. I did spend some money but I didn't get what was on my list--guess I will have to visit my local shops cuz you know I have to have what is on my list.

Now its time to head back to our side of the mountain. We do a stop at Safeway to pick up dinner and drinks. Vitamin water sure helped me. Glad I got that instead of the diet Pepsi that I really wanted!

Now I am going to get ready for my company that arrives tomorrow night. Jenny and the kids will be here for a few days and I can't wait to see them. Hopefully I'll stop by here and show you some of my favorite non quilt pictures from Saturday.

Until then, drink lots of water!

Happy July!!!

Holy Cow, when did that happen! Oh yeah, on Sunday. Retire and forget the date.......life is good.

I miss my company from last month but I'm looking forward to my company for this month. Crystal and Elliot went home last week. Jenny, Ashlee, Amanda and Ian will be here in 2 weeks!!! WooHoo! Poor Elliot must have caught a bug on the plane. Now Crystal has it, I have it, Mike is getting it. Ernie refuses to get it. You can see in Elliot's picture that he has the I don't feel good look. Poor baby!

I've been sewing (when I'm not blowing my nose!). I got my pj pants cut out, then took a break to work on this cute little box. I found the fabric on a remnant table and had to have it! I seem to be grabbing alot of orange and yellow fabrics lately. Someone needs a spash of color in her room. I also made my lotto block for Thursdays quilt party at Craft Warehouse. It is so much fun to go to quilt party.

Now if you are afraid of a fat belly and butt, don't look at the next pictures. I had Ernie take pictures so I could see where I needed to make changes on my pattern. I also need to have my online sewing friends look at these and give their advice. I can see alot of my tweeking spots by using this fabric. I can see my pucker and pull lines and see where I needed to do more adjustments. Then I finished them up and wore them to bed last night. My next pair will have a sew on waistband instead of the hurry up and get them done fold over.

I now have another wearable muslin laid out ready to cut. This muslin will be a pair of capri pants out of a pink and purple print floral. That should be attractive, a big ole flower right on my big ole butt. But I am not going to make a trip to town to get some $1 a yard stuff when I have a mountain of fabric right here at home. If nothing else, I will make them into pj capris.

So on the front I cut the crotch curve a little deeper and took a bit more from the inseam. On the back, I also made the crotch curve deeper. I think I will put a couple darts in and add a zipper. That should take care of the waist frinkles.

I also got out my favorite book and looked through it again. If you are a full figured gal, you must have a copy of Rita Farro's book, Life Is Not a Dress Size. It is Rita Farro's Guide to Attitude, Style, and A New You. There is even a special section on sewing your own clothes. Not about fitting, just about the freedom to be your own designer. If you don't own this book, you are missing out on a great feel good about yourself book. I love it and read it often.

Happy Birthday America!!!!

Finally Sewing For Myself

Way back in June of 2006, I was working on the perfect pants pattern. Alot has happened since then. Seven months ago, I quit smoking (thank you very much!) and then I gained some weight (not gonna say how much). So needless to say, nothing fits. I did some power shopping and bought 3 pair of jeans, 3 pair of capris and some t shirts. Now I am ready to make me some nice pants.

I found a nice pattern in a new size (not gonna tell ya what that is) and got out my tools. I need my Pants for Real People book and fitting video. I have my colored pens, my scotch tape, rulers and pins.

I pin fit the tissue according to the video. Then I tried it on. Ouchhh, be careful of the pins. I did pin toward the floor but I still managed to stick myself numerous times. I made my modifications and tried the tissue on again. (I took pictures of my tissue fit buy OH BABY, that is for my eyes only!) Then I made a couple more adjustments. I now have it pinned to some flannel for pj pants for my muslin fit.

Now I am going to cut out my pj pants and try to sew them up tonight. The pants saga continues. Stay tuned........

Hello Retirement & Thanks Bonnie

Retired life is good! I've been spending time in my sewing room, trying to clear out the old sewing room-my hour a day project-and slowly working on cleaning my house. I already knew there was not much good on tv during the day so I've been listening to my cds as I mark things off my To Do List.

Today I quilted this top. I put the binding on while it was still on the quilt frame. I stitched it down with the sewing machine. I finished a UFO!

I love Quiltville. I have never met Bonnie but I am one of her biggest fans. She has a fabulous website with oodles of free patterns, awesome instructions with great pictures. Thank you so much.


This one is called Strip Twist and is so easy and fast to put together if you follow the directions. (I wonder how I know that!) I have been involved in several 2 1/2" strip swaps over the years and had a box full of strips.

I learned from Bonnie to cut 10 1/2" squares for the scrappy backing--easy to measure. I also cut 5 1/2" rectanges. I looked on her website where she talks about this but I didn't find it. She has so much free information there. Thank you again, Bonnie.

I have made several of Bonnie's quilts. And after a few more UFO finishes, I am going to make the Sister's Choice.

The bottom picture shows the Accu-Guide I use when applying binding with my long arm. First I quilt the row across--on this quilt it is just a loopy meander--then I lay the binding on from the center to both sides. Stitch slowly across from the center, turn the corner just like on the domestic machines, then down the sides. Then I roll the quilt, meander, attach the binding, etc... When I get to the bottom, either I cheat and just do the old fold and tuck like I did today or I take the quilt off and finish the binding the "proper" way. I wanted this quilt done so I finished stitching the binding down with my domestic machine.




Now to mark this one off my list and pick the next one. I think I will work on my Chunky Churndash (another from Quiltville) that I show here and talk about here.

I think I will practice some ruler work on that one. Wish me luck.

A Week In The Life Of Gramma

And what a week it was! Starting with Monday during the day. (My last post sounds cheery when in fact I felt like I was at the bottom of the pond trying to come up for air. And the post was written before Ernie came home.) I had submitted a request for some days off for when my daughters were coming for a visit. Everyone I work with knows how I feel about my kiddos and my grandkiddos.

On Monday afternoon, I got a phone call from the office telling me that "people" were complaining that I was taking too much time off. How dare I! My kids live out of state, I don't care about the hours, I want the time off to spend with them. Period, make it happen. I spent the rest of the day trying not to cry. Everytime someone said anything to me, the tears fell. I came home hurt and angry and vented to my dear husband. He said quit.

Tuesday morning, Happy Birthday to Me!, I call the office. ME: "This is my notice. I will work through the end of the month if you want me to." THEM: "Ummmm, ok." ME: "OK!" Hang up. Fall into my chair.

I felt the weight of the world fall off my shoulders. Then I had to tell the guys. I told one, that seemed to be enough because we can't keep a secret. So work Wednesday and Thursday, take a 5 day weekend that THEY scheduled for me (and I did not complain about), work next Wednesday and Thursday and become retired! I spent the rest of the day cleaning my office. I want to leave on good terms, just in case. You never know what life will bring and I don't want to burn this bridge. I also don't want to cross it again but...

Wednesday and Thursday were explaining days and trying not to cry everytime someone says they will miss me or not to quit. I've worked there almost 11 years so I know alot of people. I felt so great about doing this that I came home from work full of energy and in a good mood. I sewed everynight.

Then on Friday, day 1 of my 5 day weekend, I finished up this wall hanging. I love it and am giving it away. Due to arrive in a mail box next week but I'm not telling who or why yet.

Friday night was the Brad Paisley concert. I almost didn't go. But I sure am glad I did. It was fun spending the evening with Dee, Vern and Taylor. And Brad is one of my favorites and a hottie!

Then Saturday, I cleaned house for a while, then sat down in front of the sewing machine. (Ernie didn't feel good so he napped off and on all day. Poor baby has a head cold.) I got almost all of my blocks made from my quilt retreat project. I am calling it Circles and Stars. Then, after begging Ernie and the dogs to go get ice cream-and they did, I ate my ice cream, watch Over the Hedge - cute movie - while stitching binding down on my quilted jacket. Then I shopped on ebay, put in a bid on a book and went to bed.

I got up this morning full of energy, checked my bid--won the auction-wooho, made breakfast and finished sewing my blocks. Now I am sewing them into rows. Hopefully I can get the top together today. If I don't I have some extra time coming into my life. I think I'll be ok.

I'm 53 and I'm Free! Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy To Be Home

I had a blast at the retreat. What a great weekend. It sure felt good to sleep in my own bed. I had to come home ( a 3 mile trip!) a couple times to take care of Uggie and get some stuff for people that forgot or wanted what I had. Other than that, I got to sew. And eat! Lordy, the eats at the retreats! They are the best.

Thank you to all my quilting friends for giving me a fabulous surprise birthday party! All I wanted to do was work on my projects for my birthday present. I didn't know people were sneaking goodies into a surprise gift bag. (That's what makes it a surpise, Goofy!) I can't thank you all enough. Even singing Ole Gray Mare made me smile. (Remember Sister SuSue??? Riding bikes in the woods, singing at the top of our lungs!)

This picture is of our Bingo cards. We sewed together a 25 patch and the winner, Marian, sewed all 25 of them into a charity quilt. She is going to add some borders to make it big enough. I had planned on finishing it for the charity of her choice but she said she would do it. Thanks Marian, I have a new project list a mile long!!! She also won a fabulous wheeled caddy that I really wanted but didn't win. Good thing I gave up Bingo along time ago. Better to spend that money on quilting goodies.

Like the book I had to order last night and the sharpener thingy that I had to have. All because of Jane! I guess I have enough quilty "stuff" because those 2 things were the only things I had to have and ordered as soon as I got home.

Talk about inspiring. Show and Tell makes a person drool! I didn't ask the ladies if I could post their faces or their projects so I will keep those photo to myself. But let me tell you! Fabulous stuff.

Thanks for the great weekend, friends. Can't wait until the next one!

Hungry For Free Time

This morning I was getting out the Cheerios for my breakfast and without the aid of my glassies, I read on the side of the box "Hungry For Free Time". Then I put on my glassie to see what this was all about. What was actually written was "Hurray for Free Time". From the health and parenting experts at KidsHealth. So I checked it out and there are all kinds of fun things for kids.

Did you know that if you got to Cheerios.com and enter your box code, they will donate $1 to WomenHeart, supporting women living with heart disease. So rush out and buy your good for you Cheerios and be sure to get a box with the $500,000 banner on the front so you can find your box code and help raise a half a million dollars! Way to go Cheerios! Too bad you can't enter a code from any box. I tried. But not to worry, I'll buy more.

The funny thing is, I am truely hungry for free time. Yip, every once in a while, I need some Judy Time. You know what I mean, time to do what you want to do, when you want to do it. No clocks, no TV, no phones (I'll have my cel phone just in case!), no (sorry honey) hubby or dogs, no work. Just some quilty friends to talk to or not. To laugh with or cry. Snacks, chocolate, good home cooked meals--cooked by someone else and no dishes!

I get to sit down in front of my sewing machine and sew. I don't have to stop unless I want to. You never know when you might need a snack!!! And I do need to get up and move around a bit.

My bags are packed, I'm almost ready to go. I have a couple little things to do in the morning and then I am off to my retreat. I have my projects all packaged up and I know what order I want to work on them.

First thing I'll do is eat my Cheerios.

I Love My Dogs But...

 
 
...holy cow, they are so expensive!

DJ's shots--------------------$86
Uggie's shampoo & hair cut----$35
DJ's scrubbin'----------------$25

After all is said and done

Hugs and Kisses---------priceless

 

WhooHooo, I knew if I whined loud enough and long enough, I could show you this picture. Thanks blogger.

Ugly Fabric Challenge

Use your best blue whinie voice.......why won't blogger let her upload the picture of this quilt???

Last November at our quilt retreat, we played a game using ugly fabric. We were to bring 1 yard of ugly fabric. Then we ripped it in half, dropped a half, ripped, dropped, etc. At the end of the game, when the "What are we gonna do with this now?" question came up, I suggested we make something for charity out of it. Add some of your own fabrics, can't remember how many, and make something for someone else.

Last night I started to clear off my cutting table and I found my bag of uglies (which by the way, I didn't find one ugly fabric in the bag!) and figured I better get started. The retreat is in November after all and I have to have something for show. So I pulled out my notebook of patterns from Quiltville. I decided on the Chunky Churndash. And this is where I am now. I have one little piece of fabric left and I think I can get the 2 needed blocks out of it if I add another piece from my scrapbag and use the pink for the corners.

I didn't have to work today so I have spent my time obsessing about this top. I have all the hourglass blocks done and will do the 2 other blocks later today so I can sew the top together. I don't know what to use for the borders yet but I think I have enough fabric on my self to find something!

Now I have to get going and run a few errands. I need to go to the quilt shop and find a black batik for my May retreat project. I'm going to do an organized scrappy (I know--what a surprise!) quilt and I want my 2 background pieces to be constistant throughout the quilt.

It sure feels good to be productive again. I think I'm out of my slump for a few days. I've even been able to sew a little bit at work and have almost all of my half square triangles pieced for my depression block quilt.