What's Wrong with My House???

Let me tell you a little about my little house. We live in a modular home purchased in the mid 70's. It's small. . . only 24 x 40 -- it is not a double wide. As young kids, not thinking about how long we'd live in that house, we selected dark panelling for the main part of the house and pecan panelling for the bedrooms. Oh yes, we were being smart, we weren't going to have to paint drywall before we moved in. Well that dark panelling soon became tiresome, and in the late 80's we decided to try to paint. There is no panelling in my little house now!! It's all painted, and I love it. No more dull, dark panelling here!!! I make all my curtains - it's cheaper and I can choose the fabics I like. But there are a few problems. First of all, there's too much gravity in the kitchen/dining area. You can't imagine some of the things that fall off shelves for no apparent reason. People drop things with no explanation, they just fall. So we have decided that there's a serious gravity problem in that area. And the biggest problem is that there are several "black holes" in my little house. What is a "black hole" you ask. Well it's the term that I give to areas where things fall or are thrown and are never seen again!! The first "black hole" is under the kitchen table. When the grandkids drop food, they quickly say Grammy, my (whatever) just fell into the black hole. The only ones who really love the "black hole" under the table are the grandpuppies. And when they come over, that's the first place they hunt for food!!!

But the biggest and probably the worst "black hole" is at the end of my sewing table in the sewing room. When I'm done with a piece of fabric, I just throw it into the sewing black hole. Usually it's folded before it goes there, but lately . . . not so much. Since my sewing room looks like a serious windstorm blew through, I've decided to give it a good cleaning before starting 2009; and, I'm starting with the "black hole". Who knows what I may find there!!!! I've ordered a new sideboard to put into my room, and in moving the furniture around, I'm going to try and eliminate the "black hole". So far my plans are to put magazines on a bottom shelf since they are used so infrequently, and make room for some of the things I use more on shelves that are more accessible. We'll see how that goes, and I'll keep you posted!!! Have a Happy New Year!!

Christmas is over

And what a great day it was. The kids showed up at different times, which eliminated a lot of the confusion we usually have. Rod and I opened our gifts along for the third time since we were married. And I was delighted to open EQ6 from him. I'm not sure I'm smart enough to learn to use it, however. I got a new reed diffuser and a new journal from Mary's family; a beautiful heart shaped locket with a diamond in the center from Kris's family; a new cut and press and a beautiful pair of earrings with pearls from the twins. Yesterday, Mary family came for the day, and we planned a trip to Disney for next December. Rod and I will celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary in November, and are planning this trip as a celebration. We've never been there, and Mary and family will join us as Mary is an old pro at planning Disney trips. Hopefully, Kris and family and the twins will also be able to join us.

The quilts all got finished in time, and everyone seemed pleased with theirs.

This is Jimmy's Steeler quilt, a simple 9-patch.



Mary's Pirate quilt is Pat Sloan's Arrr Matey pattern


Pam's quilt is Pat Sloan's Nick of Time pattern done in western fabrics.



Pat's quilt is a cowboy boot done with leftovers from a BOM that I was in.



George's quilt is a pattern named Anvil, which I got from Quilter's Cache.



Kristin's quilt is a sampler quilt that I pieced by hand and then attempted to machine quilt. Not bad for my first attempt, eh?


So, now I'm off to the train store with Rod, then to the meat market and then home to tackle the mess I've left in the sewing room. Merry Belated Christmas.

Christmas eve eve

Wow, it's time to take a deep breath and get ready for the big day. I certainly haven't accomplished all that I wanted; but rather than regret, I'm going to be pleased with what I did get done. All six quilts for Christmas gifts are done. I finished sewing on the labels yesterday. (Mary will take pictures tonight, so look for them here soon) All the gifts are bought . . . however, none have been wrapped. Some of the cookies which the twins mixed up on Sunday are baked, but some are still in the frig waiting for the oven. (They may have to wait until after Christmas) The tree is up and decorated. The house inside and outside has been decorated. The menu for Christmas dinner has been planned, the roast ordered, but the other groceries still need to be purchased. Rod is on vacation tomorrow, but we have to go to work to get his paycheck, unless they give them out today. I enjoy just riding with him, and there's no real interruptions. Plus, it gets me out of the house and away from Mother for a while. She's becoming more annoying each day with her constant complaining, and has decided to go into a nursing home after the first of the year. I guess I'm seeing that with mixed emotions. I thought I had done so well, but now as I look at my list, there seems to be a negative for each positive, but I have made up my mind that this Christmas I'm not going to stress. So, I'm going out to the kitchen, getting my breakfast, and preparing for my little ones to arrive for the last day this week. Have a good one!!! and Merry Christmas!!

Where have I been?

I have been sewing, sewing, sewing!!! First, thanks to Jennifer for nominating me for a Kreativ Blogger award, and I will respond when I have a little more time to think. Five of the six quilt tops are now complete, and two of the quilts are totally finished. Jimmy's Steeler quilt was the first done. I bought 5" precut squares from ebay, and put together nine-patches. (Photos to come soon) George's quilt is also done. He likes red and black, and I wanted something quick, simple and yet impressive. On Quilter's Cache (www.quilterscache.com) I found a pattern called Anvil. (Thanks to Mama Bear) Since it was basically Half-square triangles and Squares, it was quick. So, it's also completely finished. I have the tops for Mary and Kristin's finished and the backs are pieced, so now I have to layer them and get them quilted. I don't usually sandwich quilts, as most of you know, so I'm a little nervous about starting these. But as they say, nothing ventured -- nothing gained.

Pat Sloan has a way of putting binding on by machine (totally by machine) and although I've tried it in the past, I never really cared for it. But I have some of my greatest ideas in the middle of the night and this just came to me. I tried using my walking foot to apply the binding. The hole in my walking foot,(for lack of a better word) is wide enough for zigzag stitching, and so after pulling my binding to the front, I used decorative stitches on my sewing machine to sew down the binding. And, the mitred corners were always a problem for me because they didn't want to feed evenly. Well, this doofus finally figured out that I needed to fold the corners the opposite way from what I usually do, and voila!!! neat mitred corners. So, I have done that on both the quilts that are done, and it looks great. I may get these quilts done yet before Christmas. I'm hoping to get Mary and Kristin's done by the end of the weekend, and that just leaves the Twins' to go. Just for the record, these are just lap type quilts which measure about 45" x 58". Nothing earthshattering in size. Have a great quilty weekend.

What a Weekend!!!

It all started Wednesday evening when all the kids were here to help with Thanksgiving preparations. We ordered Pizza in and started to work. By the time everyone left, the pies were done, the dinner rolls were done, the eggs were boiled and into the beet juice (everyone argues about who gets to peel the eggs), and all I had to do before going to bed was to make the two kinds of dressing, and put the turkey in the oven. Thanksgiving morning, I peeled potatoes and did the cranberry casserole and the twins showed up early to fix the relish trays. I gave the girls their new aprons (Thanksgiving fabric on one side, and Christmas on the other) and they wore them for dinner. We had also gotten each one a Christmas music box and let each pick their choice. Even had some for the step grandkids who are 16 and 22. The three grandkids each got a nutcracker. I love to give presents on Thanksgiving because it shows them how thankful I am for their love and support all year long. For the guys I bought Rubik Electronic Cubes and believe me they are addicting. Everyone played with them after dinner and tried to beat each others high score.

I had Izzy on Friday because Kris and George both had to work. After they got home, we made a family trip to Kraynaks. http://www.kraynaks.com/ Check out the Santaland section for some photos. The kids just loved it, and doesn't Christmas make all of us kids again??? Even Great Grandma went along, and did some of her own Christmas shopping for the first time in a few years. It was just great!!

Saturday afternoon Rod and I went to the mall for a little Christmas shopping. I hadn't been there in a couple of years and it was gorgeous. People were kind and friendly, and I love shopping late afternoons. I also splurged on my first manicure -- see I do lead a sheltered life!! The guy cut them a little too short for my taste - they don't even come out past my fingertips. But they look nice and it made me feel a little special. We were supposed to go out to dinner, but I was tired and just wanted to go home. So my hubby, who spoils me greatly, stopped at the local butcher shop and bought Delmonico steaks and cooked dinner at home. Don't you just love a man who can cook??? More shopping yesterday AM. Rod bought me a new flat screen HD TV for my sewing room since the old, little TV had given up the ghost last week. See, I told you he spoils me!!!

But the biggest news of all is that I have 5 of the 6 quilt tops finished, and the last one is started. But the bad news is that they all still have to be quilted. Do you think I'll finish or will the quilter's elves have to show up one night to help???? Well, have a great week.

Busy, busy, busy

As the magician in Frosty the Snowman said, that's just what I've been. I've been working on the quilts I'm giving for Christmas. I have 3 quilt tops finished, one nearly finished, one started, and one planned. Not bad, huh.

The other night our PBS station showed a documentary on the artwork of Dale Chihuly. I've always love glass, and have a collection of Fenton baskets. But the work of this talented man just leaves me breathless. Check out some of his work at http://www.chihuly.com/glass.html. The colors and shapes are just incredible. He has a team of blowers, and does little glass blowing himself, but the designs are just amazing. I think I'll bookmark this site for times when I need some inspiration. Have a great weekend.

Monday, Monday - Again

This weekend Rod and I were to leave Saturday AM for a night away for our 34th anniversary. I was so looking forward to it, but on Friday afternoon, Rod called and said find us a room for tonight and pack your undies -- I told the Bossman I'm leaving for my anniversary weekend early. I'll be home at 3:30. What a great surprise. We left the house at about 4:00, and made a quick stop at our favorite bakery to pick up a few goodies for the trip. Soon it was dark and very rainy, and we missed a turn. The trip which usually takes 2-1/2 hours took 4-1/2 hours, but we laughed and had a good time. Our trip was awesome, we visited stores we don't usually go into. Had a lot of good food, and a very relaxing weekend. And of course, I visited a fabric outlet. After all, what's a trip without a fabric purchase????

Yesterday we took down the Halloween decorations and put up some turkey things. Thanksgiving is Rod's favorite holiday. After all, he says, what's better than a weekend of family, good food, and football!!! And, of course, we throw in a little Black Friday shopping. We aren't the early birds since I don't like crowds. Last year we left at 4:00 pm, still found the bargains we wanted and no crowds. Guess everyone else was shopped out. How do you spend Thanksgiving weekend? We put up the turkey quilts, and today my sewing room looks like a tornado went through. So, now I'm off to put things away and try to find the half finished project that is my next victim. Have a great week.

Friday

It's another Friday and with each one that passes, we are closer to Christmas and I feel more pressure to get things done. This morning I've been trying out a Bear Paws block for DSL George's quilt. I love the block but I think it's too complicated for the time I have left, so I may just go with a Log Cabin in homespun plaids.



Finally got a picture of the Lion King Quilt. Doesn't look too bad, does it? Well, Bubby is calling me from the living room -- probably to watch Blue's Big Musical for the fifth time in the last two days. Good thing it's Friday!!! Have a great weekend.

Election Day and Gratitude Tuesday

Wow, it's finally election day, and I'm so thankful. Hopefully tomorrow will end the bombardment of political ads, phone calls, and opinion polls. What will all these people do when this is all over??? Will you be going to vote??? Please DO..

Well, they're here -- photos of the grandpuppies in their costumes. Do you think they look positively humiliated?




I've started putting Kristin's quilt together -- cutting sashings and squaring up the blocks. Looks pretty good so far. This Saturday will be our 34th wedding anniversary, so Rod and I are planning a night away to celebrate. Hope to get another hand-pieced block cut to take along. We're going to Amish Country Ohio, and everything there closes as 5 pm, so I'll want something to work on. I guess this weekend is their holiday open house so I'm looking forward to that.

Another Monday -- New Month

Wowser!! It's November already. And I still have 4 quilts to go before Christmas!!! Better get a wiggle on, as my granny used to say. We had trick or treat night here on Friday. All the kids left together from here with the grandkids and grandpuppies. I don't have pictures of the puppies, but the black lab went as Darth Vader and the chocolate lab went as Yoda. They looked as though they were totally humiliated!! I do however have photos of the grandkids.



Krissy's birthday party was Saturday evening, and she loved the quilt. I didn't honestly think I would get it done, but I did. Slow and Steady -- that's my motto. It really turned out well, and I'm pleased. Now I'm making some 9-patches for a quilt for Jimmy and I need a break from all the thinking on those character quilts. I'll post a picture of Krissy's quilt as soon as Mary gets one to me. Have a great Monday.

Monday

Another Monday, and this one is Rod's birthday. Happy Birthday, Dear. The kids are coming tomorrow night for dinner to celebrate. Sunday am, Mary dropped the kids off at 8:30 and then went to watch Jimmy's playoff games in softball (they lost the first two games they played, and Mary was pretty happy -- it was cold). So, for breakfast Pappy made his world famous donuts. Kristin and Izzy stopped, and Izzy got her first taste of Pappy's donuts. She just kept saying, "Oh, Wow!" Kris and Izzy stayed over an hour, and then went home. Krissy and I made pumpkin pies, and when the pies were done, we went down to the train room. Krissy and Rod worked on placing some of the houses, so he can finish the wiring, and Bubby just got mad because he could only run three trains instead of five. Shortly after we came back upstairs, the twins showed up and made wedding soup for dinner. It was so good. They really pile in the mini-meatballs and you get at least two in every bite. Mary and Jim got back about 3, and we watched our Steelers lost to the NY Giants.

I had my quarterly check-up with my PCP on Friday. He photocopied my bloodwork papers and told me if he had a gold star, he would have put it on the top. My bloodwork was the best it's ever been. My numbers were all in the range of non-diabetics and that's better than he ever expected. He told me I must be doing something right, and just to keep it up. So, I don't go back until January, and no bloodwork this time. Guess I go to the head of the class. It's not easy. Sometimes I am just so tired of being diabetic, and watching everything that I put in my mouth. But check-ups like this one make it all worthwhile.

I'm still blanket stitching the blocks for the Lion King quilt, and can't wait to finish this one up. It seems to be taking forever!! And I'm anxious to start some other projects. So, I guess I'd better go and start stitching. Have a great week.

This and That

Wow, another week nearly gone. Here's a few scraps from my brain. I got my fall wall hangings out over the weekend. They were made, oh, about three or four years ago. I'm amazed at how much my work has improved in that time. Sometimes it's good to realize that.

I did something yesterday that I don't think I've ever done before -- I forgot to turn my iron off. Luckily when Kristin showed up to take me shopping, she noticed a "hot" smell in the back of the house, and found the iron on and turned it off. I'm so upset by this -- Hopefully it's not anything wrong, just a "mental-pause".

Rod is on overtime. Don't know for how long, but it really changes life. Now he leaves the house at 5:30 am and doesn't return until after 7:00 pm. We don't eat dinner until he's home, and then I'm not really hungry for a snack before bed. This morning my blood sugar was only 64 -- not a good thing. I'm sure it will take some getting used to before I can level it out again. I like to keep it between 80 and 100 because that's when I feel best.

Still working on the Lion King quilt. Yesterday I fused Rafiki and Zazu. I figured they would be the most difficult, and I was right. But now that they're done, I can move forward. If I don't post tomorrow, have a great weekend.

Catching Up

Another Monday. It was a full weekend, which for me started on Thursday evening. We left as soon as Rod got home from work, and drove to Bedford Pa, where we stayed for the night. Then after sleeping in until 8 am, we had a hot breakfast buffet which was included with our room, and then started for York, PA for the TCA train meet. We got a lot of good buys, a new expansion pack for the kids' Thomas trains. Each grandchild has their own engine, and now they each have 4 cars. We also bought a new car for the Polar Express train, and my favorite buy -- a roller coaster for the carnival/circus. We drove home on Friday evening, and arrived back home about 8:30 pm. Saturday was sort of a lazy day for me, I put corn chowder on in the crock pot, but Rod got the grass cut for the last time this year. I did get some more blocks done for Krissy's Lion King quilt, but time is getting short, and I need to kick it up a notch.







Here's the three blocks that are completely done. I have one more to fuse, and three more to trace and fuse, but the rest are all ready for the blanket stitching. Have a good week.

Wednesday

It's Wednesday, and there's no whine!!! Just heartfelt thanks to my hubby and kids for a great birthday. Yep, yesterday I became one year older. Mary bought all her necessary stuff here to cook dinner since my mom is quite under the weather with a virus and upper respiratory infection. This way she could join the family for dinner. Dinner was really delicious. Pork chops, hot German potato salad, homemade applesauce and a double chocolate mocha trifle for dessert. We ate on the back deck, and it was getting dark when we sat down to eat. We have white LED lights around the top of the roof, and around the pond. And it was like having dinner by candlelight. All the family was here. Rod and the girls sent me flowers yesterday, and they were stunning. Guess I should have taken a picture. Lots of orange, and fall leaves. Fall is my favorite time of year. We got married on November 9 and the girls wore orange dresses, the guys dk. green crushed velvet tux's. Are you old enough to remember crushed velvet?? The girls carried baskets of straw flowers, and even my bridal bouquet was dried flowers. Seeing all the leaves in full color makes me happy. I can't imagine living somewhere where you don't have 4 seasons. I got an email from the girl who is quilting my sampler quilts that my first quilt went on the machine yesterday. I can't wait to see them done. She had told me not to expect them until early December, but looks like it might be sooner. What a great birthday present from her. Now to work on the Lion King Quilt.

Friday, Yah

Here's the photo of the train quilt that I promised. I love how it turned out, and Bubby was really insulted that it wasn't for him. He said Izzy got a Sesame Street quilt and that this one should be for him. I told him that he got a Backyardigans quilt, but he said that didn't matter. Don't figure!

Well, another Friday -- another week come and gone. I saw an ad on TV yesterday that said that Thanksgiving is only 6 weeks away. And now I ask myself -- why does the time go faster than I sew!!!! Looks like I'd better put on my Speedy cap and get cracking if I'm to finish everything I've got planned! I've got a birthday on Tuesday -- wow another year older. I just keep telling myself I'm not older - I'm better. DD Mary has offered to cook dinner that night for the family. She's a really good cook, and since it's my birthday, she's gonna make Hot German Potato Salad to go with pork chops. For those who don't like the potatoes, she'll make mac and cheese, or maybe her yummy cheesy potatoes. Mary reads Pioneer Woman's website each day and has gotten some really kickin' recipes from her.

I've been trying to clean up my sewing room which looks like a tornado tore through it. It's really a hopeless cause. I just seem to move things from one flat surface to another, and then back again. Months ago I pulled fabrics for DD Pam's Christmas quilt, and they're still sitting where I put them. I think I'll cut the pieces, put them in zippy bag, and then when I'm ready, they will be too. Fall has definitely been in the air, but the next few days are supposed to be warmer, and it looks like I'll get to enjoy the deck for a few more days. Next weekend is the train show in York, and we've already made our travel plans. I'm really looking forward to some time away, and if you've never seen Pennsylvania in mid-October, you don't know what you're missing. Have a great weekend.

I'm Baack

Some people have been wondering why I haven't been posting. I guess I just haven't taken the time. I only get about 1-1/2 hours in the morning to do "my own thing", and lately blogging hasn't been one of them.

Do you remember when Mrs. Reagan had her "Just Say No" program. Well, it's something I don't seem to have ever mastered. I just have a horrible time saying "NO". DD Pat asked me to do a quilt for a co-worker, and of course I said yes. I finished the train quilt (photos coming soon) and really like the way it looks. Then when DD Kristin saw it, she asked me to do a quilt for a co-worker of hers. Again, I couldn't say no. So I pulled out some bandana scraps and used the pattern "Simply Charming". Go to http://www.cozyquilt.com and click on cozy patterns. And the quilt top was finished in no time. This weekend I hope to get the fleece and get it quilted. Izzy's first birthday party was cancelled due to bad weather, and will be held on Saturday. Hope you have a great weekend.

Hump Day

Today is October 1st. And it really feels like fall. Yesterday we had rain, and now cooler temps. Fall always puts me into a push mode for Christmas gifts. I'm doing pretty well. Mary's quilt top is finished. Can't post a photo since she reads my blog each day. I'm working on block 10 of 12 for Kristin's quilt. Fabric is pulled for Pam's quilt, and I know what I'm doing for Pat's. George's is designed and the layout and drawings are done. And for Jimmy -- well he's getting a Steeler quilt made of 9-patch blocks. And to save time I bought the pre-cut squares from ebay. They were so inexpensive that it didn't make sense for me to do it myself. I'll probably chain piece them, and I already have the fleece to back it with. I just have to decide whether to tie or quilt it. I think tying is harder on my hands.

I bought a new purse pattern - it's a mailbox bag, and it seems to be a lot more complicated that it looked. I'll have to study the pattern and try to come up with a production line of doing it. I did buy FQ's at Joann last weekend for two of them. If you've made a mailbox bag, please let me know. Have a great rest of the week.

Friday

Wow, I seem to only find time to post on Friday. Wednesday was Izzy's first birthday, and although the party isn't until tomorrow, Kristin made cupcakes and had the immediate family to the house on Wednesday evening for cake. You can see that Izzy had a ball with her first cupcake.

I did finish up her quilt and made a pillowcase to wrap it in. Here's the photo taken by DD Mary (my official photographer)


I'm working on a quilt for Pat to give to a friend at a baby shower on Oct. 11. The appliqued pieces are big and quick to buttonhole stitch. Rod's been out of town since Wednesday AM, but comes home this afternoon. I sure miss him. Have a great weekend.

Where did the week go???

It's Friday, and the whole week is gone. We were without cable and internet service from Sunday until Wednesday night. I felt as though I was cut off from the rest of the world.
Mary and her family spent last week in Disney World in Florida. Here's a photo of them with Mickey and Minnie. (Mary made the shirts - aren't they cool???) They flew back on Monday evening to find a tree uprooted in their yard, but the house was cool and they had electric and cable. However, sometime through the night the power went out and she was without power until Wednesday night. It's tough to keep the kids occupied when there's no power. It really hits home what those stricken by Ike are going through.

I got a lot accomplished this past week. Izzy's Sesame Quilt is ready for quilting. I'll have to post a photo. And I finished the top for Mary's pirate quilt. Also hemmed three pair of pants for DD Pam. And, I finished block #9 for Kristin's Christmas quilt. Hope I can finish up Izzy's quilt this weekend. Have a great one!!!

A Busy Week

Wowser, it's been a busy week. Last Saturday I got a big zero done. Rod decided that we needed to check out the Hobby Lobby store which is nearest to us. So, we took off for Ohio. I needed bandana fabric anyway, and the weather kept us from going to the Harrisburg show. Hobby Lobby was pretty impressive, but the prices were a little higher than I expected. I did find my bandana fabric though. Then Rod stopped at two train shops since we "were already here". He bought a new Steeler car for his collection. Then he treated me to lunch at Quaker Steak and Lube, a really great place for wings. Sunday I watched the Steelers win big. Go Steelers!!

Monday I finished up the neck coolers for Mary, since her family was leaving Tuesday for Disney in Florida. This time at Disney, Bubby actually made it to 11 A.M. before asking to go to Grammy's. I can't believe that I'm more fun than Disney!!! Yesterday my sewing machine was smoking. I finished up buttonhole stitching the pirate appliques for Mary's Christmas quilt, and did another of the Sesame characters for Izzy's quilt. More rain is in the forecast for this weekend, so I'm planning on doing the bandanas on Saturday in the living room while watching college football. Although Rod is talking about going shopping again. Shopping, isn't that supposed to me a woman's desire? The big train show in York is coming up in October, and he has two items he wants to find before then. I found one, now to locate the other. I'll have to post pictures of the train layout soon. Since the Steeler game isn't till evening this Sunday, maybe I can talk him into staying home of Saturday and going shopping on Sunday. Hmmmm!!! Have a great week, and weekend.

Friday Already?

Wow, was this a fast week? Probably because it's a short one and the kids are back in school. And how I miss my Kristina!!! She's my oldest grandaughter, nearly 8 years old and was such a big help this summer. Izzy and Bubby miss her too, you should see how excited they both get when she gets home from school. There's a very special bond between Krissy and I. After Bubby was born, and had so many problems, Krissy stayed with me when everyone else went to the hospital. I was her little bit of consistency, and she kept me from going crazy with worry. When Bubby had his first grand mal seizure on the day of Krissy's kindergarten orientation, her Aunt Tissy took her to orientation while Mary rode to the hospital with Bubby in the ambulance. After orientation, Krissy came back here and together we made her a pillow to take to kindergarten the next day. We have become each other's security blanket -- we give strength to each other, we comfort each other, we are very special to each other. Where is this going? Well, Krissy has more of my quilts than any one, it was her idea to get a new quilt each year for her birthday. This year she picked out cat fabric for her sashings and picked a cat pattern for the blocks. But she really loves the character applique quilts I've been doing for her brother and cousin. Krissy is a great Lion King fan. She has a Lion King collection to rival no others. So, as a surprise, I've decided to do her a Lion King quilt for her birthday. It's a "kitty" quilt -- they're just big kitties. Now I don't know if I should use the Lion King fabric I have for the sashings, or make it a little more grown up by possibly using an African animal print for the sashings and borders. I guess I'll have to think on that one! Have a great weekend.

Boo Hoo,

I'm crying. It was such a wonderful weekend, and I'm so sad to see it go. The weather was just perfect -- not too hot, nice breeze, and I did a lot of sewing on the deck. Also watched poor old Pitt lose their season opener on TV. Saturday was our family day, with all the kids and their families here for beer can chicken. Everyone thought dinner was great - everyone but me. Somehow, the potatoes didn't taste right to me, nor did the picnic beans. And the cheesecake seemed to have no flavor. I think I need to find a different recipe. Thank goodness the corn on the cob was good.

Sunday my machine was smoking!!! I got 8 of the 12 blocks for Izzy's quilt buttonhole stitched. I woke up with a nasty headache, and it never left. So my sweet twins came down and cooked dinner for us. Woke up Sunday morning to find that the pond filter had sprung a leak overnight, and my poor fishies were swimming in just a few inches of water. We have an old canoe that still holds water, so Rod filled it and left it sit in the sun all day to eliminate the cholorine and then on Sunday pumped the first load back into the pond. Then he refilled it and left it sit until Monday. He fixed the filter (we hope) but we're not taking any chances and will turn it off at night.

Monday was a really lazy day. Any word you can find for doing nothing would fit this day. Rod and I went to Target shopping, and then to Lowe's, and then he treated me to lunch at Pizza Hut. We love their buffet. We came home, and putzed. We updated the train inventory book, talked, laughed, and did a lot of nothing. I love days like that. Now I'm just sad to see him go back to work. Dinner was simple -Manwiches, and squaw corn made from the leftovers from Saturday, and fresh yellow tomatoes from the garden. Rod did the cooking. Geez, I love a man with special talents. Last night I did get two more blocks for Kristin's quilt cut and ready to sew. I had to do something so that yesterday wasn't a total loss. Have a good week.

What's on tap. . .

for the holiday weekend? Tonight we may visit our local fair. Haven't been there for years. When I was nine, I entered the gathered skirt I had made in 4-H in the fair and won a blue ribbon. And I was hooked. That's when my love of sewing started.

Saturday, we're having all the kids for dinner. What's on the menu, you may ask. Beer can chicken. Love the stuff. And to go with it a hash brown casserole that I do in the crock pot, also some picnic beans (also in the crock pot). Have to use the crock pots since college football kicks off tomorrow, and I'm a college football nut. Mary is bringing a salad, Kristin is bringing deviled eggs, and Rod and I are making a homemade cheesecake. Come on over, there will be plenty of food!!!

Sunday and Monday I'm hoping to get a lot of sewing done. The Sesame Street characters for Izzy's quilt are fused and ready for buttonhole stitching. Today I'm hoping to get the appliques for Mary's pirate quilt ready for buttonhole stitching, and then all weekend I can sew. We bought a folding table (which Rod shortened the legs on) that I use for sewing on the deck. I form an "L" with the ironing board, and I'm off to the races. For Chistmas, Rod bought me an IHome for the Zune. We plug it in, set it on the table, and I have music which makes me a happy stitcher.

On this morning's news, they were calling this weekend, "The Last Hurrah of Summer". That's OK by me, since I love the fall. The foods, the smells, the crisp mornings. I love them all. Did you ever make clove studded oranges as a kid? We made them every year in Girl Scouts. Party-Lite candles has come out with a scent that smells just like those did. I ordered them for the holidays. Can't wait till they come. Have a great weekend.

Thinking about Dee

Last night Kristin and Izzy were here for dinner, and Izzy had her first official dinner with our family. Oh, she's been in the high chair at the table before, but last night she actually ate real people food from her own plate. She loved the roast beef, and held her spoon in the right hand while shovelling the mashed potatoes in with her left. And all the while was saying "Mmmmm, good". Our dinner last night was what Rod's family used to have for Sunday dinner. Dee (my MIL) would put a beef roast in the oven before church. She taught me to cook them low and slow -- which is all the rage now. Along with the roast there would be mashed potatoes, gravy, yorkshire pudding, and "grandma beans". What, you may ask, are "grandma beans". Well, one Sunday during dinner, one of the kids asked what the green beans with mushroom soup (never any french fried onions on top) were called, and Dee replied that they were Grandma Beans. And so they have been called ever since. Dee would have loved watching Izzy last night. And just like my kids and my other grandkids, Izzy decided that the sleeve of my shirt was better than any napkin.

Dee was a great cook, and made the best applesauce I've ever eaten. She would peel the apples and cook them til they were soft. Then she mashed them by hand, but left them very chunky. When no one was looking, she snuck a jar of prepared applesauce into the pan, and added cinnamon, a little sugar, and just a pinch of nutmeg. Everyone loved Dee's chunky applesauce and never guessed that it was just a way of doctoring up generic applesauce in an effort to stretch her food dollars. She loved to cook, and to teach others to cook. From the time the kids were little and could stand on a chair, she would give them pie dough or bread dough to play with as she showed them to roll pie crust or knead bread. An so, this morning as I raise my coffee cup, here's to you my beloved Dee. Thanks for teaching me all you did.

Wednesday Whine Fest

We haven't had a whine fest for a while, and I can't hold back any longer. I have this serious anger about one of our American freedoms. I realize that electing a president is right that we should celebrate, but it's become one of the most dreaded times in my life. I am so tired of advertising that attacks the other guy. Why in such a great country don't we sing our praises, acknowledge our strengths, and celebrate our accomplishments rather that shouting the shortcomings, inabilities, and weaknesses of the other guy. Who really knows what one brings to the table that qualifies him as president because he's too busy slinging mud at the other guy!!! And what makes it worse is that we still have two months of this to go. Thank goodness my remote control has a mute button, because I find myself using it more and more. Now if it just had a delete button, so I could delete all these annoying political ads. Sure wish that Pat Paulson was running this year because I would vote for him. DD Mary says she's voting for Elmo because he thinks about something everyday, and never thinks bad thoughts. Hmmm, Elmo for president. Well, OK.

Gratitude Tuesday

Yes, it's another gratitude Tuesday. This morning at 5:45 am, my phone rang. Only twice, and by the time I got awake, it had quit ringing. I just sort of sat motionless in the chair thinking of all the things that could be wrong. Finally, I got up enough nerve to check the caller ID. It was one of the twins -- not what I had anticipated. I returned the call, only to have Pat answer with "What's wrong?" "You tell me," I replied, you called me. "No Mom it wasn't me." "Well, it was Pam's phone." So, she called for Pam who was outside walking the dog. Seems that Pam called the wrong number. So this morning, I'm really thankful that it was only a wrong number. Do you ever have such a stretch of good things in life that you wait for the other shoe to drop? Well, my life lately has been really good, and I was afraid that the other shoe had finally come home. Thankfully it hadn't.

How about today is National Cherry Popsicle Day. If you check back to an earlier blog, I am a cherry popsicle. Guess that means it's my day. Wahoo!!

Have a good day.

I DID IT!!!!

Remember on Friday I said that I was going to finally finish the borders on my sampler quilts. Well I did one better than that. The backings have been prewashed and ironed, the bindings have been readied, and the borders are on. Since this is my first experience with sending a quilt away for machine quilting, I called the quilter on Saturday and we spoke about how I wanted them quilted, what type of batting I wanted used, and how I go about paying for this service. She seems very nice, but warned me that she took 52 quilt tops back from my local quilt shop a few weeks ago, so it will probably be three months before I get my finished quilts back. I started this class on July 11, 2006, and after my diagnosis with diabetes and the blurred vision resulting from beginning my meds, I doubted if I'd ever get them finished.A few more months won't matter. So, this is a major victory for me. The top photo is the original sampler quilt that I picked the fabrics for. I really love it and can't wait to see it finished.

This is the quilt that I made at the same time using scraps that I purchased from Pat Sloan. She was selling off some of her stash, and I bought some to build my stash. But when the boxes arrived, it looked like the fabric had been put together for a quilt, and that's what I did with some of it. The green paisley, the purple marble and the bright floral were picked to go with the blocks after most of them were completed. I also love this quilt, and don't know which I like best. I guess it's like kids -- you can't love one more than another. So now you see what I did this past weekend.

What's up for the holiday weekend coming up? I hope to get more done on Izzy's quilt, and maybe to start DD Mary's Christmas quilt. Let's see what I get accomplished. Have a great week!

Whew, Friday

Yeah, it's Friday. First an update on the raccoon. It must have been sick, because when George got home from work and went to release it, it was dead in the trap. He said there must have been something wrong for it to have died. Our good Lord seems to send sick and homeless animals my way. And so it must have been with this raccoon. At least his last day was good for him since he got a lot of food and water from us. And the little guy can know that he was very entertaining for that last evening.

I'm making my list for the weekend. I am determined to get the borders on those sampler quilts. I have saying that for most of the summer, but this time. . . yeah, yeah. I'm now four or five months behind on my "Be Attitudes" BOM, I still have not started my 2005 Circle of Friends from Pat Sloan, and I have three other BOM's which are all here, but not started. Wow, I just realized I'm starting to resemble a Slacker!!! But Fall is almost here, and that's my favorite time of year. So hopefully, I'll get cracking. Have a great weekend.

Big Game Hunt At the "Hive"

Yes, you read it right! Last night we had a big game hunt here at the "Hive". DH Rod was vacuuming the deck with the new Dyson Sweeper he won at the company picnic last Saturday, when I heard him say "You're getting a little too bold for my comfort". "Who, me?" I asked. "No, that coon", he replied. And when I looked, the cutest little coon was peeping out from under the deck. He ambled over to the pond and proceeded to get a drink just like he owned the joint. He was really friendly, and not at all shy - a trait that made us a little nervous. (Do you remember the movie, "Old Yeller"?) Well, although we have no dogs, and only the two cats, we do have the three grandkids and a coon just didn't fit into our family. He was so cute, though, and you could tell he was quite hungry. But I called DD Pam, who borrowed George's coon trap. (You remember he's DD Kris's FIL) She brought it down, set it up and then sat down to wait. Boy was he a bright little fella!!! He set the trap off twice from the outside, and then stuck his little paw in through the wire to eat the food. Pam filled the food bowl twice, while holding him at bay with the skimmer from the pond. What a brave superhero she was! Everyone knows how dangerout a skimmer is as a weapon . . . not! Finally when our wild animal could get no more food from the outside, he ventured inside. Yeah!!! But wait, the trap door didn't close. OH NO!!! So our brave huntress, Pam threw a root beer bottle at the trap.(Root beer bottles can be really scarey, you know) Door is still open. So, our superhero picked up the umongeous pipe wrench laying near the gas grill (we use it to change the gas bottle) and tossed it at the trap. You'd have thought she was in training for the olympics!!! And voila!!! the trap sprang shut, and the vicious beast was captured. Dad helped her load the trap complete with raccoon into the back of her truck and our excitement was over. Pam took him to the barn, and tonight when George gets home from work, they will take him into the woods and release him. Unfortunately, I was so fascinated with him that I didn't think to get the camera until it was too dark to take any photos. I know I'm a doofus!!

Been really busy lately. Mary had to work extra hours last week since her boss was on vacation, and that meant that I had her kids extra hours. Sewing took a back seat. I did manage to complete five blocks for DD Kristin's Christmas quilt. Will post photos hopefully this weekend. Also made some neck coolers for DD Mary and her family to use at Disney in September. They looked so simple, but keeping the water absorbent pellets inside while sewing up the seam proved to be a little bit of a challenge. In the end they look pretty good, and Mary was pleased. I have the coloring pages for Miss Izzy's first birthday quilt ready to begin, and the fabrics have been selected, so I will start it this weekend. Have a great week.

It's Monday!!!

I have to report on the birthday party, but first. . . Pat Sloan had this on her blog this AM. It asked what kind of popsicle are you. Of course I had to take the test.

You Are a Cherry Flavored Popsicle

You are sweet and friendly. For you, summer is all about doing your favorite things. You are a nostalgic person. You love old fashioned things like ice cream trucks. You savor everything. Every taste of summer, the feeling of the sun, the smell of the beach... Of all the types, you love summer the most.

http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= Flavor Popsicle Are You?

And now onto the party!!!
This is a photo of our Bubby with the surprise clown who came to his party -- his Meemaw. She surprised all of us by saying she wasn't feeling well and couldn't be there. When she came up to him, she asked if there was a birthday boy here, and he yelled, Meemaw. If she hadn't said anything I don't think he would have known who it was. The carousel at the bottom right was his cake, made by DD Kristin's mother in law. Wasn't it cool? Complete with cookies decorated as horses.

The party was a hoot!!! Jimmy built some games -- a skee ball alley, a dart and balloon game, a shooting gallery where the kids shot rubber duckies off a ledge with a nerf gun and bullets. There was a ring toss, a fishing pond, a water gun shoot, and a ping pong ball toss. Each kid won a ticket for trying each of the games, and a maximum of ten tickets per child was awarded. Then, they went to the prize tent and traded them in on prizes. Mary had some great prizes -- teddy bears, cheerleading sets, pingpong ball shooter, basketballs with net hoops, matchbox cars, and disney night lights. And she even purchased some baby toys for the two littlest ones. The kids had a ball, and so did the adults. Her food was great. And well received, too. Everyone said it was the best birthday party they had ever attended. And finally, Bubby got his Backyardigans quilt. He was so excited, and I was really proud. I love how it turned out. Now, I'm going to rid up the sewing room and then start a Seseame Street quilt for Izzy's birthday. Have a great week.

8-8-08

Yep, that's the date. And, I'm told that today is National Frozen Custard Day. DD Mary will be glad to hear that. She's as crazy about frozen custard and ice cream as I am. We have some great custard shops in our area. One makes peanut butter ice cream as their Wednesday special. Have you ever had a hot fudge sundae on peanut butter ice cream? Ymm!! And another makes a great chocolate peanut butter milkshake (had one of those last night). The third still has the old twist cones, and this is where we go for the awesome burgers. Nothing fancy -- they just use a lot of black pepper, and I'm a big fan of black pepper. So, take a break today and have some frozen custard. Now to finish that quilt. See you. Have a sew great weekend.

Getting There

Well, the grid quilting is done, and I'm about to start the free motion quilting. Then the binding, and voila, I'm done.

Rod has worked really hard this summer to upgrade our backyard with the new roof, carpeting, ramp, pond area, and two weekends ago, the tractor and the lawnmower both quit. (They have since been fixed). Then last weekend, the weed whacker died (may it rest in peace). I told Rod that he was going to have to take a time-out this weekend since he keeps breaking his toys. He's been wanting a chaise lounge, and the one to match our patio furniture was on sale on line. So, I ordered it. It came yesterday, and he got it all put together. Now, Pappy has a "time out chair". We re-aranged the furniture since all time out chairs should be in a corner, and wow. The patio looks so much bigger. We got rid of the old swing since we have both hated it since we got it. It's like having a new deck all over again. Now, when I sew on the back deck, Pappy can relax in his "time out chair".

Just a short note

this morning. I'm trying frantically to finish up Bubby's Backyardigans quilt. That's been my primary focus, although during the day when the kids are here, I'm working on the blocks for Kristin's Christmas quilt. Today, I'm going to finish the grid quilting on Bubby's quilt, and hopefully start the free motion quilting. Tomorrow AM I want to get the binding on, and then on Thursday and Friday I can hand-sew the binding down. I have tried to finish the binding on the machine, but just don't like the way it looks. I guess it's just a matter of preference. Catch you later in the week.

Busy, Busy

Yes, I've been really busy trying to finish up the Backyardigans quilt. It's the first month that I haven't finished my Farmer's Market Block before the end of the month. I've got most of the blocks ready for blanket stitching. Seven are already done. First thing tomorrow morning I'm planning on painting on the eyes, mouths, and other details that I decided not to applique. Then I'll take some photos so you can see them. Tonight we're going out to dinner and then to shop for groceries (geez, I hate that job). The next birthday is Izzy's in late September. Kristin wanted a Sesame Street quilt for her. So yesterday morning, I got all the coloring book pages I liked downloaded, and will be ready to figure out the appliques as soon as Bubby's is finished. Hope your weekend is sew happy.

Hump Day

Wow, I completely missed Tuesday. Well, not really. I was busy working on the Backyardigans quilt. Maybe tomorrow or Friday I'll post some photos of my progress. On Pat Sloan's blog, they're working on a Crooked Cabin Sew Along. I did the last Crooked Cabin sew along, and I love the quilt I got from it. However, this time, I had to pass. Just not enough hours in the day for another project. I have two of the blocks from Kristin's sampler quilt done, I can work on those during the day when the kids are watching TV. I cut 5 blocks this weekend thinking that I had an extra week before Bubby's birthday. Well, I don't!! The party is on the 9th of August, so I need to get a wiggle on, as my granny used to say. Mary has planned a party with a carnival theme. She's serving corn dogs, funnel cakes, popcorn, nachos and cheese, and soft pretzels, along with sno cones. We're playing lots of games on the "midway", and the kids will win tickets which they can turn in at the end of the party for prizes. I think it's going to be fun, and I think the kids will love it. Check out the invitation post cards she made for the party. All the necessary information was on the back. She's such a great idea person. She needed gifts for Bubby's teachers, therapists and bus drivers, and didn't have a lot of cash to spend. So, she packed gift bags with a huge Hershey bar, a box of graham crackers and a bag of marshmallows, along with a recipe card for microwave s'mores. Then she wrote a cute little poem about the person being sweet and deserving a sweet treat. It ends with "we can't wait to see you s'more next school year." Pretty inventive, huh!!! Do you have any neat gift ideas to share? Please do. See you tomorrow.

Not Much Impressed Me

at the Hershey show on Friday. We went to the Farmer's Market in Bird-in-Hand the first thing Friday morning, and bought meat and produce, and then it was on to Hershey. I did find the greatest Christmas fabrics for Kristin's quilt, and over the past two weekends I got 7 of the 12 blocks cut. I also found some great marbles for Pablo in Bubby's Backyardigans quilt, but no Disney fabrics at all. Sure was a lot of Wizard of Oz, though. Never cared much for the movie, myself. There was nothing that screamed, "Take me home", so there was not much I brought home. Is that a good reason to try out the show at the Farm Show Grounds in September? Sounds like it to me!!! I did buy a pattern for an octagonal mat for the kitchen table. I liked the shape of it, and think it will look really nice under the candle and stand I bought for the kitchen. There were some really cool bag patterns, but if I had picked up another pattern for a bag, I think Rod would have started screaming, "Not another bag!!!" So, I passed them by.

Kristin kept Mary's kids on Saturday evening and they slept over at Kristin's also. Kris took the three kids to the "Y" on Saturday evening, and Rod and I went, too. What a great time we all had. There had been some rumbles of thunder which must have emptied out the place, because we had the pool pretty much to ourselves. You should see that Izzy in the water. She and Kristin have been taking swimming classes since Izzy was six months old, and she's like a little fish.

This week I hope to get Bubby's blocks finished and ready to put together. So, I'd better get moving. Have a good week.

WOOHOO! It's Thursday!!!

Yep, it is. And we leave about 5 pm for our Hershey trip. Yeah, Yeah, we're only staying away overnight, but still it's being away. And the thought of adding to my stash ----- one can only dream of the possibilities. I know I have to find some cool Disney fabric for DD Mary. She found a pattern for "Neck Coolers", and bought the stuff you put inside. All Moi has to do is make the things. But they are simple. Mary and family are going to Disney in September and are anticipating some hot days. Mary is always prepared.

I also have to find some pretty Christmas fabric for DD Kris's Christmas quilt. Maybe something elegant with bells on it. And some tiny Christmas prints that would be suitable for a "card trick" block. And for me -- well, I'll know it when I see it. It will call my name and beg to be adopted. And, since I'm such a softie for homeless animals and the such, I will have no choice but to take it home. And Rod, well he'll smile sweetly and say "I only wish you had more money to spend and more space to fill, honey". But I know that all the while he'll be rolling his eyes. But you see, he knows, that if he is patient with my spending at the quilt shows, I encourage him to spend more money at the train shows!! It's a symbiotic relationship!!! You know, you feed my addiction and I'll feed yours!!! Have a great weekend.

No Whine Today!!

Nope, not today. It's a rule -- if you miss posting on Gratitude Tuesday then you can't do the Wednesday Whine Fest. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it) We started getting ready for our trip to Hershey last night. Boy, you'd think it was a very long trip when, in fact, it's only 5 hours. But I printed out my hotel confirmation, and the TripTik from AAA. Yes, I know that we have a GPS unit, but that "biddy" is sometimes clueless. She tells us to return to the nearest highway because she thinks that we're off roading or in the water. Little did she know that we were on the Capital Beltway in bumper to bumper traffic in a bad thunderstorm. So, I don't trust her and take my own directions!! I made my list of what to pack, and have gotten my "wish list" started. I just can't help myself -- I'm a list-maker. This trip won't be as much fun as last year's because last year I took a class from Pat Sloan. Before that, I was definitely thinking in the box, usually in symmetrical duplicate -- it's a twin thing. I've always had to have two of everything, and they had to match. One of the guys Rod used to work with called the twins my "bookends". Guess that's pretty true. I need bookends. But since the class with Pat, I think a little differently. I can even use something other than white for a background. Are you a list-maker? Is it difficult for you to think "outside the box".

Rod's second surgery was yesterday. His ear has healed nicely, and the dr. said in about a week you won't know he even had surgery there. The one on his cheek was deeper than the dr. thought, and this morning his eye is swelled almost shut, and turning black. He's such a good-natured guy and doesn't complain. Said he's telling all the guys at work that I hit him!! He's pretty tall and I'm pretty short. Like I could really reach that high!! Have a great Wednesday!!

Monday

Well, it's back to work again this week. We had a really lazy weekend -- I think we need those occasionally. It's been really hot and muggy, and I don't go out much on those types of days because of the asthma. So, yesterday AM before the heat set in, Rod and I were on the porch talking about Christmas, yes Christmas, and I was telling him about the Christmas quilts I had planned for the girls. Can't decide what to do for Kristin. We talked and threw ideas around, and finally decided that there's no reason that I can't take my sampler quilt patterns, choose 12 blocks, and do them in Christmas fabrics. I have tons, already in my stash. Rod said he could hear the wheels turning, and smoke was starting to seep out, but, I started cutting blocks for Kristin's quilt. The sampler quilts were done by hand, and I loved that. It's something I can do sitting with the kids, travelling in the car, or just sitting on the porch. I got two blocks cut yesterday that I can take with me to Hershey this week. We are leaving Thursday evening after Rod gets home from work, and going about three hours away - to Breezewood. Then Friday AM we will drive to Hershey (only about two hours) and should be there about the time the show opens. I have a short "wish list", and so it should be a fun trip. This week I'll work more on the appliques for Bubby's birthday quilt, and tomorrow Rod has his second surgery for the skin cancer. Last week, the dr. did the one on his ear, and it has healed nicely. Tomorrow he'll remove those stitches and do the one on his cheek. Rod really has listened to the dr., and not overdone anything. He stayed out of the sun this weekend, and worked only short periods outside. But, he did manage to finish the steps off the deck. Have a great day, and stay cool.

Look I found them!!!

Have you ever watched 'I Spy", a children's show on HBO? Well, this little guy with a tennis-ball head and his block dog friend, CeCe spend the time looking for things that a duck on wheels tells them they need. When they find an item, they dance and sing, "Look we found it, look we found it, how about you!" Well, just after I posted on my blog the last time, I drug (or is it dragged) out the large suitcase that I store my fabric left over from projects in progress, and cut the sashing pieces that I needed. While I was looking on my table for the ruler I use to draw the 1/4" lines with, I found a little sandwich bag that held all the pieces I was missing and more. So, I did the "I Spy" dance. But do you think that means that my table needs cleaned off??? If you said yes, you get a gold star. Not only does that table need cleaned off, but the whole room needs cleaned. Unfortunately when I'm in there, it's usually only for short periods of time, and who wants to clean when you can sew!!??? But I promise, one of these days soon, I will clean up and get ready to start Christmas gifts. Have you started sewing for Christmas yet? I ordered Pat Sloan's pirate pattern to do a quilt for DD Mary, and I have the fabric already. If you're a pirate fan, you need to see this pattern. http://patsloan.typepad.com/photos/patterns_apl/158_cover.html

For DD Pam, I have chosen a Pat Sloan pattern also. It's Pat's Nick of Time pattern, and I did this one for myself and Pam loved it. I have chosen some western fabrics for her quilt. If you're looking for a quick quilt to make, then this pattern is for you. http://patsloan.typepad.com/photos/patterns_pcd/159_final_v3_web.html

But first I have to finish Bubby's birthday quilt. I have all my patterns ready, four are ready to fuse onto the background squares, and three more are traced and ready to fuse onto the fabrics. Have a great weekend.

Gratitude Tuesday

I'm giving thanks today. For what this week, you may ask. Oh, the normal things like family and health, but today for the nice weather we had yesterday and are expecting for the next few days. They say it's the first time we've had five days in a row with no rain since April.

My party on Friday night went really well. It was a candle party, and I had enough sales to earn me about $300 in free product. Not bad. Everyone seemed to love the pinwheels that Mary and I made, but I have to say I was really disappointed in the Italian ones. They just didn't have much flavor, although we used a full packet of Italian Salad Dressing mix in the pack of cream cheese.

I'm working on the appliques for Bubby's Backyardigans quilt, and have three ready to fuse to the backgrounds. Wow, there are some really small pieces even though I tried to simplify the designs. I finally finished putting the top for my second sampler quilt together, but have one row of sashing across the bottom to finish. I seem to have misplaced some of the sashing, but I have more fabric, so this morning I will cut the four pieces that I'm missing. And then both sampler quilts are ready for the borders. I just might get these finished before the end of the year! Have a great day.

Friday

When DD Kristin was little, she would come home from school on Friday singing a little ditty that she made up -- "it's Friday afternoon and I'm glad of that cause I can't take another day of school." Think I'll sing it this afternoon. DD Mary came last night and together we made the pinwheels that I'm serving at my party this evening. We did five kinds -- cream cheese blended with ranch dip mix, bacon, mozarella and topped with smoked turkey; cream cheese blended with italian dressing mix, and topped with parmesan and mozarella cheeses and prosciutto; cream cheese with blended with bbq sauce and french onion dip and topped with cojack cheese and roast beef; cream cheese blended with stone ground mustard and chopped dill pickles, topped with cheddar cheese and ham; and finally (Mary's favorite) cream cheese with fiesta dip mix and well drained canned corn, and topped with fiesta blend cheese and turkey. We rolled them in saran wrap, and refrigerated them. Now, today before the party, we will cut them into pinwheels, and arrange them on a large green glass plate that I have. I'm serving two pudding salads with them, and a homemade punch. We cleaned the deck last night, and moved the furniture around, and so, other than the final food prep, I'm all set to go. Then, since the house is all cleaned, hopefully, I can sew all weekend. I like the sound of that. Have a great weekend. Linda

Hump Day

Wow, it's Wednesday already? I've been working on putting some beads on my Slice of Summer quilt. We bought mulch and new landscape lights for the pond area, and it looks really nice. Rod reset some of the stones around the pond, and finished the fence with a new gate. I'll post some photos if it every quits raining. I'm so anxious for everyone to see it at the party on Friday night. Rod and Jimmy have put so much work into this project, and I love sitting on the deck so much that I don't want to leave the house. However we will be going to the Hershey show at the end of the month.

Bubby wants a Backyardigans quilt for his birthday. Last year I made him a Blue's Clues quilt from coloring book pages. It turned out really nice, and I think I posted photos on an earlier blog. So, yesterday I finished prepping the Backyardigans' pages for applique, and hopefully will get started on it over the weekend. I'm currently working on charm party totes for Bubby's two busdrivers. They are great, caring ladies, and help with him alot. Have a great day.

I'm Baack

As Randy Quaid said in "Independence Day." I just took a short hiatus. Sounds like something medical, doesn't it. Nope, it's just a short break or vacation. Guess the old mind had drawn a blank, and I didn't want to bore anyone. The holiday weekend is over, Boo Hoo Hoo. Rod took a vacation day on Thursday, so we had a four day weekend. We spent Thursday with the 3 grandkids here, and I don't know who had more fun. Pappy seemed to have a kid on his lap almost constantly. And, he made his world famous donuts. Krissy is now old enough to shake the paper bag with the powdered sugar in it. And it doesn't go everywhere since she knows to hold the top shut. Donuts were done before Mary and Kris left for work, and they were pleasantly surprised to have Pappy's donuts.

Bad news, the oven caught on fire, and doesn't work now, so on Wednesday night we went in search of a new stove. Found one I really like and they delivered it on Friday -- yes on the holiday. It's got a ceramic top, and is also a a convection oven. No more cleaning under the burners when Rod perks over the coffee. Got to go and start some more charm party totes. I'm making them for Bubby's bus drivers and his last day of school is at the end of the month. Have a great Monday.

Gratitude Tuesday

Woah!!!! Today I'm really grateful that my husband's name is Rod and not Noah. We have had rain everyday for what seems like forever. And sometimes there's no warning -- the sky just opens up and it's a real cloudburst. If his name were Noah, I'd be worrying that our new roof was about to become an ark. Today, however, the weather person is calling for a dry day. We'll see. Sure hope he's right.

I haven't started any new projects, nor have I worked on any old ones. Just lazy I guess. Today I'm going to start on the July banner from last year, and I have made up my mind to get the borders on my sampler quilt this weekend. We are supposed to have rain nearly every day this weekend. Jimmy asked last night if we moved to Seattle. But rainy days are always good for sewing. Have a great week.

Weekend is Coming

And aren't we glad? Last night Jimmy got the last gutter up on the deck roof just before we got a really bad storm. Rod has rigged up a pipe that goes from one of the downspouts into the pond, so that we don't have to fill the pond anymore -- Mother Nature does it for us. By the time we went to bed last night, the pond was overflowing. They are calling for thunderstorms everyday until next Wednesday. We're hoping that the weather person is right and that the storms will hold off until late tomorrow afternoon, as we're all going to Kennywood Park tomorrow for the Carpenter's Union Picnic. The whole family is going, and last year we had a really good time. I don't ride the rides, but I'm definitely a "people watcher" and there are always some sights to behold!! http://www.kennywood.com/ Everyone raves about Kennywood's Potato Patch Fries, but I'm more impressed with their corn dogs. It's the first place where I've gotten a corn dog and it hasn't tasted like the stick. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Then on Sunday, I hope to get some quilting in. Today I have a dr's appointment for my quarterly check-up and so I don't have any of the kids today. Maybe I can start a new project. Have a great weekend.

Moving Right Along

Yesterday I finished the wall hanging that I started last year. I had started it before I went into the hospital and was diagnosed with diabetes. When I got back home, the new meds were making my vision blurry (a condition that was only temporary) and so I put it away. But yesterday, I finished it. Now, today I may start the July banner from last year. The beads I ordered from Pat Sloan's site arrived yesterday, and so hopefully this weekend I can finish the Slice of Summer Quilt. June has definitely been a Finish it Up month for me. Perhaps in July I will start the girls' Christmas quilts. Linda

Wednesday Whine Fest

Guess I did all my whining yesterday. Nothing new to report. I'm getting ready to start my next FIU project. I have a lot of the Banners of the Month that I was in last year that I never started and some I started but didn't finish. I have gotten out June's from last year, and hope to get it quilted today.

Mom got home from the nursing home last night, and has a home health person coming this morning. Bubby has preschool, and DD Kristin is taking Krissy and Izzy to the "Y" to swim, so I'm going to stay home for the HH person to come. Maybe I can get some sewing in after I run the sweeper in the living room.

Do you say sweeper or vacuum? I've always called it a sweeper, however Mary's kids call it a vacuum. When Krissy was little, there was an ad on TV where a lady was doing underground sweeper races. Do you remember that one? Well, Rod and Jimmy do most of the "vacuuming" in our houses, and while we were watching that commercial Krissy said, "Grammy, I didn't know that ladies vacuumed, I thought only mens did". Jimmy said that we were setting her up for a big fall later in life, and that we better teach her to find a hubby that also will vacuum.

See you tomorrow.

The "F" Word

Did you see that George Carlin passed away? When I was younger and he was just starting out, I thought he was sooo funny. But then he changed, and his comedy routine became almost vulgar, in my opinion. The "F" word became way too prevalent for me. I don't understand why the word is so offensive to me, and why it is so commonly used. My sister used to tell me that it was just another "cuss" word to the nurses she worked with. But, in all the years that my Dad was alive, I never heard him use that word. My father-in-law either. Dad was a mail carrier, and Pap worked in the mill. You know it was used there. But they never brought it home with them. I've never heard my husband use that word, and my SIL's have never used that word in my presence. One night when DD Kris dropped a stuffed zucchini on the kitchen floor, she let it fly. I don't know who was more shocked, me or Rod. Then Jimmy said "Awww you dropped the "F" Bomb". Everyone laughed and it really lightened the moment. Kris apologized, and we've not heard it since. I'm thankful for that.

It's everywhere in some movies. I think movie producers need to reevaluate and determine if the word is really necessary to the plot of a movie. If not, get it out of there! OK, I am now climbing down from my soap box. Guess I should have written this post on Whine Wednesday. But I am thankful that my family has enough respect for me to avoid the use of the "F"word. Have a great day!!

Another Weekend Has Come and Gone

But this weekend I was able to Finish Up my Slice of Summer quilt -- well, almost. I ordered some new beads so that I could finish putting the beads where I wanted them to go. For the first time, I quilted on my appliques. Usually I quilt around them, but this time I tried something new. I tried to make the quilting on the fence look like wood-grain, I did wavy lines in the flag stripes, stars in the blue fields of the flags, I did swirls on the tomatoes, and although my technique isn't the greatest yet, I like how they turned out. Now I have to decide what to do next. But first, I have to finish serging the patriotic bandanas for the kennel. Have a great week. Linda

Finally -- Friday

Yep, it's finally here. And aren't we all glad. Why is it that two week days are longer than two weekend days!!! I have to iron bandanas and get them ready to be delivered. Then I have a small order of patriotic ones to do and they are done. I think this weekend I will start to quilt my Slice of Summer quilt. I have put the flying geese tablerunner on hold -- I really want to finish up the Slice of Summer that I started last year in Hershey before the Hershey show this year. I want to make myself a charm tote, but haven't been able to decide which fabrics to use. While digging for thread, I found a fabric pack that I bought last year at a quilt show to make a table runner. It's black, red, white and one piece has coffee cups on it. The colors don't go with my kitchen or living room, so I think I may use it for a charm tote. I saw the finished runner hanging at the show, and I couldn't pass up the fabrics. So, I bought them. Do you do that? Buy something you don't really have a place for just because it calls your name? Have a great weekend!!

Short Note

This is just a short note. I'm off to finish the bandanas, because I want to start my flying geese table runner. I've picked my fabrics, and am anxious to get started. Thought about going to the Colombus quilt show this Saturday, but I really don't need anything and with the price of gas, one has to weigh pros and cons. So, we've decided to stay home. Mom is scheduled to come home on Tuesday, and I think I just want to enjoy my last free weekend with Rod. I should be able to sew this weekend.

Mary called yesterday afternoon and told me not to start dinner. She and Jimmy had taken the kids to the pediatrician, and since they were in town, decided to bring pizza from our favorite pizza shop for dinner. It was a really thoughtful surprise and very much appreciated. See, I really am spoiled. See you tomorrow. Linda

Wednesday Whine Fest

Wowser, do I have something to whine about this morning. Went shopping to Walmart last night. I don't buy a lot of fabrics there, but for bandanas it's a great place. Low cost fabric makes more profit for me. Well, they had some doofus cutting fabric. Never saw her there before. And there were signs everywhere that all regular priced fabric was 50% off. Where are all the regular fabric cutting girls, I asked. Oh, she replied, they've been moved to other departments because we are clearing out the fabric department before the big remodel in July. Walmart in all it's wisdom has decided that we don't need our fabric department any longer. So, once it's gone, I'll have to drive about 25 miles to the nearest Joann to get affordable fabric for my dog bandanas. After waiting in line behind only 2 people for 25 minutes, Doofus finally was ready to cut my fabrics. She had called for help 3 times and no one responded. By the time I left Walmart, I had quite a headache. And to top it off, the cashier was ready to leave for the day and we were her last customer. So, we unpack our groceries at home, and there's a bag missing. About $30 worth of stuff was in that bag -- it was toiletries. I called the manager this AM already, and she told me the bag was turned in and is at customer service. So a bad shopping experience at least has a happy ending. And, the fabric I bought was only $2.00 a yard and that yields about a 1000% profit on this batch of bandanas. Now I'm off to cut the bandanas. Have a good day.

Gratitude Tuesday

Don't forget to give thanks for all good things today.

I do have the book I need to do the sew along with the flying geese, and hopefully will get started on that tomorrow. Today I'm cleaning up my sewing room -- you know putting things away that I left laying around. I'm really bad at that. I just throw the fabrics, etc. on the end of my table and worry about it when it falls off into the "black hole". But today, I'm putting it away -- go me!!! I really need to take an entire weekend and just rid up, as my granny would say. But I have to little sewing time lately, that when I do have a large block of time, I just want to sew. I have to do an order of bandanas for the kennel, and will get the fabrics tonight when I finally go for groceries. I'll do the one-stop Walmart thing and get everything in one place.

I've decided to do my flying geese in red/white/blue and use the table runner on the patio set. I had ordered a tablerunner from Terry's Village (I knew it would be cheaply made) but they didn't even sew down the stars on it -- they're just glued. So, it will probably be chucked into the trash when mine is done. See you tomorrow. Linda

National Fudge Day

I guess that this is National Fudge Day. Mmmm, I do love fudge. In fact, I don't think I've ever met a fudge I didn't like. Although Paula Deen's cheesy fudge sort of turns me off. Just the thought of cheese in fudge makes me go blahhh. For recipe, see here. http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_22063,00.html

We had a great Father's Day weekend. Once again Rod and Jimmy worked through cloudbursts to put up the new ramp coming off the deck. My mom came home from the nursing home for the day on Sunday, so they were working against a deadline. But. . . . being the two awesome guys they are, they made it. We had burgers and chips, and then later s'mores for our Father's Day with all the kids. Our local Giant Eagle has a selection of pre-made burgers including, bacon and cheddar, bbq, gyro, jalapeno pepper, peppercorn, and more. We love the bacon cheddar, but this time we also tied the gyro and bbq burgers. They are huge, so I can barely finish one, but the gyro burgers were great. Next time we get them though, we need to make the cucumber sauce for on them. Kristin brought a veggie tray and hot dogs, and Mary made a great dip that she got the recipe for from the Pioneer Woman's website. Then yesterday, Mary and Jimmy, the twins and my mom joined us for a great dinner of marinated pork, baked potatoes, grilled corn and grilled pineapple slices. The twins made their daddy his favorite dessert -- coconut cream pie.

Starting Wednesday, Pat Sloan is doing a sew along from her book "Beyond the Basics". It's a flying geese pattern, and I've never done the flying geese. So, I'm hoping to do the sew along with Pat. Check out the info here at her blog, and see if you're interested. http://patsloan.typepad.com/ I think I have the book, but need to check so that if I don't I can order it. Pat's shipping department (hubby, Greg) ships almost immediately when you order, so I know if I need to I can get it super quick. Have a good week.

Friday the 13th. . . .

and the only thing running slower than I am this AM is this laptop. Maybe it's glad it's Friday, too. Well I got the bags finished yesterday. Kris didn't work until 4 so I didn't have Izzy until around 3 pm. I put my nose to the grindstone and finished it before noon.

This bag is niece Paula's. She always seems to be up and happy. She's a ball of fun, and so I used stripes and dots for her bag. To me, stripes and dots are fun. Paula is 29, and Mom to Eileen and Jaramy, fraternal twins - age 5. She found a job cooking meals at a halfway house for mentally challenged adults. The company sent her back to school, and now she's the manager of that same house. I'm proud of her.

This bag belongs to Becky. Becky is nearly 31, wife to Adam, and Mom to Keith (age 9) and Jonny and Joey (fraternal twins - age 6). Becky is our old fashioned girl. She loves to plan parties, cook and is learning to quilt. So, I figured 30's repro fabrics would be perfect for her. Like my twins, Becca works for Coventry Health Care System, but in a different department.

And last, but not least is Sharon's bag. Sharon is 27, wife to Brian, and mom to Lily (age 2) and Garrett (age 10 months). Sharon and Brian live with SIL Kathy in what was Rod's parents huge house. Sharon doesn't work -- at least outside the home!!! She takes care of her own two, and helps tremendously with her sisters' kids. She runs kids back and forth to school, shops for the groceries for the household and does whatever she's needed to do. She's truly a sweetheart, and we've always called her and my twins the "Three Musketeers" because as kids they were always together. But Sharon has a habit of talking to Brian like she's the Queen. So, May Engelbreit was perfect for Sharon. I even made sure that one patch boasts "It's good to be Queen".

So, now you've met my favorite nieces, and can understand why they're like daughters, not nieces. Tonight Kristin is having a candle party to which the nieces are invited. I'm hoping to give them their bags tonight. Have a great weekend, and make Dad feel real special.

Will I make my deadline?

I'm trying to get charm totes done for my three nieces for Friday night. I have two done, and the third is started. However, I have all three kids both today and tomorrow, so my sewing time will be limited. Paula's is dots and stripes. Sharon's is all Mary Engelbreit fabrics, and Becky's will be all 30's repo fabrics. I have cut way too many blocks, so guess who will get totes, also. Meee!!! See you tomorrow.