Pincushion Diaries

The Bags Have Landed!!

2008-09-19T22:07:00.000-07:00

Well for me, Linda's Bag swap has officially come to an end. I have to tell you it was a very happy ending on my side of the world. Monday I received an email from Solstiches in Spain. I think she was very pleased with her bag. Her email just made me so happy. Mission accomplished! I came home from work the same day and found a box in front of my door. WHOO HOOO! My bag arrived. I forgot to get the camera right away, but I did come to my senses and I can show you what I received from Suzie The Busy Bee in GERMANY!!!

Suzie wrapped everything so pretty. I love this paper and I opened everything very carefully so that I can save it. There you can see a German postcard and some German hand lotion. I systematically opened the gifts largest to the smallest. I'm here to tell you that all were full of wonderful gifts. First, the star of the show... The Bag!

The fabric choices are perfect. Suzie hand stitched and appliqued the front and the back of the bag, it's fully lined and has a perfect little pocket inside. It cinches up really tight with the wooden beaded drawstring. I love it. I continued to open presents and was more amazed at each one! yummy chocolate!

Can you imagine my excitement when I opened these fat quarters of awesome red and white German fabric. Aren't they fabulous? and there's more!!!

Suzie also made this sweet little needle minder to match the bag, love the little stitches and needle. Look! a wrist pincushion that also coordinates. Love my reds!!

Linda has done it again! She matched me up with a great partner. One who obviously is talented and put a lot of thought and consideration into what she sent me. The only clues I gave were: No purple, I love red. WOW, I am overwhelmed and very grateful. Thank you Suzie and Linda too!!

Tomorrow I'm heading down for another sew day at Holly's with Deb, it should be a wonderful day with lots of sewing, chit chat, food and laughter. I'm excited because Holly finished my quilt so that I can bring it home with me! Hope you have a good day planned also!

xomar

Obligations... Check, Check, Check!!!

2008-09-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

I finished yahooooo! I've finished my gifts for the PIF that I signed up for back in April. Less than six months, not too bad. So if you were one of the the 3 that signed up to play, I need your addresses. You know who you are! These gifts are for you, you and you! I'll get them to the post office next Friday. I'm anxious to show what I'm sending, but until they are received all I can show is the left overs. Sloppy leftovers, lol.

Unfortunately all that I have time to work on is obligations, I'm in the pincushion mode right now so there is a lot of stitching going on, but not much I can show. I will be using Alex's More Romance line. I love this line, so it is a joy and red/black are my favorites, so I'm hoping I don't get bored too soon. The next thing on my list of obligations is a couple of items for the Secret Santa Swap. I won't be able to share those either!! I'm going to have to dig up old projects to blog about.

The cupcakes were a hit last week. They flew, I didn't go to the event. I stayed back and watched the fort so that my staff could attend. I did manage to catch a bug and have been laying low since Friday. Just a lot of rest with stitching in between. (and no shopping!)

Hope you all have a wonderful week xoxomar

A Few Hours Later

2008-09-10T21:36:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the office picnic, time to frost the cupcakes, some one wanted to see them all frosted, here they are. Again, apologies for the blurry pictures, I wonder if I have the macro on? I'll have to check it out before I take more pictures. It's a production to load pics on my computer. For some reason the card reader will only work once, after I take it out, if I want it to work again I have to re boot, this is all a pain in the behind, so what you see is what you get. So that was a picture of them all frosted in case it's too blurry to tell and here they are being packed. I collected copier paper boxes from the office and cut them down to the same depth as the lids.

TAH DAH!! yes ladies and gentlemen there will be cupcake lift off!

News on another front. Today was a lovely mail day. In my box was this sweet little package of napkins from Heidi at Hen & Chicks as a little thank you to me for sending people her way. Thanks Heidi what an unexpected little surprise!

And..

I also won over at Cath's Willow Valley Store blog. I was allowed to chose a pattern and this came today too! Thank you Cath!

Well, off to bed, there won't be cupcake lift off unless I can get out of bed in the morning. This morning I woke up with a sore throat, I'm drowning it in Air Bourne so please send good thoughts my way, I have no time to get sick, I have things to do!!! xoxomar

Politics the Musical

2008-09-07T23:40:00.001-07:00

This will probably be my only post regarding politics, my friend Susan sent me this link, I think it's a hoot! Hope you will too... http://www.peteyandpetunia.com/VoteHere/VoteHere.htm

I've Run Amuck

2008-09-07T14:16:00.000-07:00

Another weekend is coming to an end and I don't have much to show for it. The work week was one of the longest short weeks I've ever worked. I must of been delirious by Thursday because at the office picnic meeting I raised my hand and volunteered to make over a hundred cupcakes. I am NUTS!! This has been the hottest week of the year, hitting triple digits for the last few days and I'm gonna bake cupcakes, amuck, yes, amuck!

It seems this past two weeks all I've been doing is shopping. Since I don't have any "product" to show you, I'll share my purchases. Last weekend was Labor Day weekend, good for sales.

Saturday, on the way to my Aunts for dinner, I dropped in at the Quilter's Inn, then stopped at In Between Stitches. I've been collecting black/tans for this project. So far I have this plus some black and whites to maybe tea/coffe dye and another bag full of black/tan that I can't find. Maybe its in the trunk of the car? I hope so... not that I need it, I probably have enough here to make that quilt 3 times! amuck, yes, amuck! I will still continue to pick them up until I get the quilt made. I'm like that. I love little collections.

Here are a few other things I picked up, no particular reason in mind, like I mentioned... amuck!

I thought that maybe Labor Day weekend would be a good time to purchase a light box. I have been using a tiny one for a long time now, or putting my ott lamp under my sewing machine extension table. I headed out with coupons in hand. First stop was Aaron Bros., they had the 12x18 Lite Tracer for $69.99 on sale from $89.99. They wouldn't let me us my coupon. So I trekked over to Michael's Crafts, they only had the smaller version for $49.99, I did have 50% off coupon, but now I wanted the big one! Next stop.. Joann's they did have the larger version at a price of $129.99 (what a mark up!) & I had a 40% off coupon. Hmmm... NOT! One more place.. Beverly's. WHOOHOO they not only had the larger version at $89.99, but they also let me use Michael's 50% off coupon. This light box is so awesome!! Beverly's also had all of their fabric at 25% off for the day and some of it followed me home. amuck, yes, amuck!

I've already put my light box to good use. I've been tracing little stitchery designs for the retreat pincushions.

So on to this weekend... Unfortunately I used permanent red ink (for redwork) and found that the size of the design was too large. Wasted a yard of fabric and time, but I'm getting good use of my light box! Yesterday I went to the post office and mailed off all of the prizes for my give aways and the swap bag. What a great feeling to get those packages on their way!

On the way home I stopped in at Thimble Creek to replace to fabric I wasted. They were having a sale on fat quarters and who can resist, so this little pile followed me home. amuck, yes, amuck!

My condo has piles all over the place but it smells good in here. I have a few cupcakes too! I've gotten them all baked. No these aren't designer cupcakes, these are the cupcakes that your Mom made and sent you to school with. Thank goodness for Duncan Hines. I'm freezing them and will pull them out on Wednesday nite to frost them for Thursday. And yes Sharon, that is a cake tester!

Hope you have a wonderful week! xomar

Time to Catch Up -Quilt Frenzy 08

2008-09-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

I thought I should finally post about my heavenly weekend. At least before the next new work week begins. I have some pictures to share, and you know what they say about old news. can't let it get too old. Some of this has already been shared by my fellow worker bee, Deb, who also attended the Quilt Frenzy.

On Friday I packed my car and headed 2 hours down south. I met up with Holly and packed her car for the 2 hour ride further down to our destination.... The Hive, yes, there was a Quilt Frenzy at the Hive and I was invited! It only took 4 of us to rock the "Hive", our hostess's husband probably thought there were eight of us with the noise we made and the food we ate.

When we got there the first thing we did was unload, then stand in stunned awe of the 'hive' and our Queen Bee's stash, omg! Deb got better pictures, but mine was so bad that it looks like I tried to do that, I thought it looked pretty cool. Next thing you know we were throwing quilts around. Holly has a long arm and Deb and I both brought quilts for her to take home. The rail quilt is Debs, all brushed cotton, it's lovely. Mine is made of cw repro fabric, I will share when I get it back from Holly. She just told me this evening that it is done!!!

The tan and red quilt is Holly's, she certainly has fun with her long arm, isn't it beautiful? Funny thing, I have the blocks made for this quilt. I made them at retreat last year. Makes me want to get it out and work on it!

The Queen's husband treated us like royalty, he made us awesome grilled poppers and tri-tip, wonderful salads, an awesome cake, woooooo, yummy!! Deb made us french beef and breakfast, even the Queen herself made us breakfast. Talk about getting spoiled! Every morning I woke up to a doe with her twin fawns eating breakfast in the yard and fresh coffee. Now that is heaven! I don't have pictures of food or deer, I need to take lessons from the paparazzi princess! I never think to take pictures of the right things. I'm just sayin.... I'm a Bad Blogger!

The weekend was very productive, we were motivated to show our host and hostess PRODUCT!Even with all of the gabbing, laughing, singing oldies, and eating, I managed to show PRODUCT! I finished a PIF (2 down, one to go), put together the back for the CW quilt to give to Holly, showed the Queen how to make a fabric basket, learned how to make a project pouch, finished about 6 potato bags and embroidered 5 or 6 little squares for the retreat pincushions. No pictures, seems I'm always working on stuff I can't show.

Deb worked on her socks and Holly the speedqueen of quilting, made all of the blocks for her Halloween quilt.

Here is Holly with the Queen herself behind her. They are both no bloggers, but we're working on them!!!

The Queen flitted from one project to the other, she made the cutest red and yellow basket ( a tisket a tasket O MY!) and no I don't have a picture!

But I do have a picture of her other project. She cut out all of these cute things from her stash and glued them down to the wrong side of a piece of purple polka dot flannel. She will then raw edge sew it all in place and finish with a grid. It turns out to be a wonderful weight, just right for dragging around and should keep any child fascinated for hours.

As you can tell, it was a perfect weekend. I can proudly say I earned my first Bee and had a blast doing it.

Have a good week! xomar

Time's Up

2008-08-31T09:54:00.000-07:00

We have a winner, Deb pushed the button and tooted her horn! The number is.... 21 which I calculate to be Sue Cahill. Congratulations Sue. Please send me your address and I will put it in the mail to you.

I will be going to the post office on my next day off, which will be next Friday, I have a lot to deliver!

Little something for Julia

Purple 30's to Regina

Bag to Sue

and my swap bag too!

If you are up for another giveaway, check out Heidi's blog!

xomar

Happy Happy Bloggy Bloggy

2008-08-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

Well, I had a tough go of it. I cut up all of the comments but it wasn't working, so I googled up a random number generator, but it was so fun I started playing with it and then I couldn't really use any of the numbers. I wanted everyone to win. My solution to this problemo was to call my friend Deb and have HER go to a random generator, you see I can trust her, don't trust me, but I trust her. Deb put the numbers in and gave it a go and BINGO the winning number! A number I can stick to.

25!!! Regina at Bitnbyaquiltingbug

Regina, send me your address and I will put it in the mail, which reminds me, Julia, I haven't forgotten you, your's will be mailed in the same group.

Thank you all so much for your awesome comments, I will try to respond to all of you, but it will take a little time. I still need to tell you about the wonderful weekend we had!! That will have to wait till tomorrow because this day is about to end, and I have an announcement needs to be made TODAY.

The Happy Happy Bloggy Bloggy is because it is my blogaversary tomorrow! One year ago I took the dive. What fun it has been, meeting all of you in this lovely place called blogland. I love seeing everyone's talent and creativity, not to mention that some of you are so funny you should be published! OOO and the pictures, I hope to attain just a tiny bit of what makes you all so awesome & original. I'm just sayin.....

I mentioned last week that I would be having two celebrations, and I also mentioned that the bag I made from this pattern designed by PKM would be making a special repeat appearance. Well, to celebrate my first year of blogging I would love to offer this bag with a couple of surprizes inside.

I won't make you jump through hoops, play games, nor make any guesses. This is not a test, just a give away. Comment any time to this post between now and Sat. nite and I will beg Deb to put the numbers in the generator again and make one stick! I'll post a winner Sunday morning (not too early, I'm a California girl!) Looking forward to another year of having fun with all of you.

xomar

So Happy Together>>>

2008-08-24T19:21:00.001-07:00

LOL but oh so tired too. We had a fabo weekend, singing old tunes and rockin the hive. I'm so tired that I'm going to extend this little give away till tomorrow nite, I'm going to climb into the sack early and be fresh for work in the morning. Till tomorrow, xomar

A few things to talk about

2008-08-21T21:50:00.000-07:00

I've been putting off this post. I wanted it to be an important one, it's the 100th! My blogaversary is next week also. I was going to combine the celebration, but it's taking too long and I already have things to show you and places to go. So what the heck, I'll just have 2 celebrations! One now and one later.

Last weekend, I managed to finish this little baby boy's quilt. I had purchased this fabric at a quilt shop close out with the intent to make 2 Yellow Brick Road quilts. I cut out both, but got one top made and didn't care for it. The fabric is cute, but I just don't think I like the YBR pattern. I like seeing a design when I look at a quilt. That is unless it's a fabulous scrap quilt, that's different, then there are so many fabrics to dazzle you, you don't need much else. Well anyway, I took the pieces of the top that wasn't finished and added the yellow stars and stripe border. The stripe border was left overs from the placemats I made my staff for Christmas last year! It worked out well, if I would have found that before I made the stars, I might have matched it a little better.

After that was finished, I had to get rid of that mini patch basket bug that I caught from Darlene, and Lorraine and all of the others. I made 3 for little prezzies. They are so much fun to make, I want to make more. I want to make myself one for my desk at work, to put note pads and staple puller and stuff like that.

The week's mail has been a lot of fun, socks are starting to

arrive and a most unexpected gift from my good friend Syl!!

Look at this pumpkin stack. Syl called it a big pumpkin pincushion! LOL, she is so sweet, what a lovely surprise. The best part of this gift was hearing her voice when I called to thank her! This lady is a dear and she makes some beautiful quilts, she just won some ribbons, I'm not surprized at all. We talked about her starting a blog. I think she might!!! Come on Syl, join the fun! Here is a picture of Syl and her quilt that we suprized her with at retreat last year!

So are you still here? Good, I've got a lot to be excited about, I'm packing and planning to leave tomorrow morning to go down the coast to a mini quilting retreat. I will drive down to Aromas and meet up with Holly, we'll trek on down further and meet up with Deb and Pam. I can't wait. I can't stop grinning, we are going to have some fun!! I'm so looking forward to this gettaway!

I was making a list of stuff while at work today, and the list went something like this...

Projects to Pack

Pincushions

Prairie Paisley

PIF's

Potatoe Bags

Other Items to Pack: Pillow

Phone charger

Prezzies

Do you see what I see? How does happen, why am I perpetually plagued by P's??? Well to celebrate my 100th post I thought it would be fitting to offer this perfectly precious 30's fat quarter packet to a random commenter. Yes, they are purple! I'm so sorry the pictures are blurry. They are cute, honest! and I'm not even gonna make you count the p's in this post! I'll pick a name when I get home on Sunday nite.

Hope your weekend is a fun one! xomar

So Tell Me, How Was Your Weekend?

2008-08-10T21:21:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I spent the day quilting at my LQS with two very nice ladies, Jo & Di from my Wednesday nite group and of course Susie the shop owner joined us when she could. And then there are the shoppers that sit with us a spell. It's a small world. Both of these ladies (Jo & Di) happen to know my ex-mother-in-law and all were good friends with the family. We shared a lot memories, it was funny to think that we could have actually crossed paths before. We even gave her a call and she was thrilled. Now we are going to plan a little train ride together to visit her. It should be fun! I can imagine all three of us sitting, doing hand work and giggling through the whole trip. While we were there Jo started talking about Verna Mosquera's new pattern. We share a love of applique and Verna's stuff is so beautiful. I knew exactly what pattern she was referring to, Faded Glory! . (My good friend, Deb had called on a Friday while at the Long Beach Quilt show told me to go check it out at Verna's site.) Can we say ADORABLE! O yes we can!. Well Jo was telling me that she ordered the kit from InBetween Stitches. She mentioned that she always liked what they put together. I was sure that I would do this quilt, but I was thinking that maybe I would just pull fabrics myself. Well one by one everyone left and I was still trying to finish the potato bag and Susie tells me that Jo is on the phone and not to leave, she will be right down. OH Boy! What's up? Well Jo went home to find her kit from InBetween Stitches on her doorstep and wanted to show it to me! What an enabler she is and I just met her!!! I kept thinking about that kit all nite. Everytime I try to pull my own fabrics I end up with WAY too much!

The Faded Memories line that I used to make "Rabbits Prefer Chocolate"? Well, I made the bag using only left overs and look! I still have a bunch! I don't mind having it, but I have this problem with using it all up, gosh what happens if I need it for something else? See, if I don't have it in the first place then I won't miss it! But once I have it, I'm in trouble. So all nite I'm thinking about going to Livermore and buying a kit. I talked to Deb and she tells me... don't buy the pattern!! Ooops! My anxiousness spoiled Deb's surprise for me. But she certainly had that gift right!! I called my son and arranged to meet him for dinner decided to hit the road about 2pm. I spent the morning trying to free motion the baby quilt, but actually I spent the morning ripping out whatever I accomplished. I hate it when that happens.

When I got to the shop, I asked for the kits, they asked if I had one on hold, WHAT? NO! They told me the only ones they had were on hold. She opened a drawer and there were the kits and my name wasn't on one of them! DARN DARN DARN....Oh I should have called! Darn! Darn! Darn!, I was so upset! The whole drive over I was thinking that I should have just called and ordered it, with the price of gas, it might have been cheaper, but then I wouldn't have had an excuse to have dinner with my son. So I start looking around to see there was anything else to take my mind off of this I was so focused on getting this kit and was so distressed. There had to be something that would help me feel better. Well, there in a little basket were 3 little kits, only one had borders and they had no patterns left. Ok.. Hello store people! Lookie here!! this little tag says "Faded Glory"! If you don't know what you have, you shouldn't answer!!! So enough said, I bought that and then practically got kicked out of the store because they close at 3pm. But I got my kit!! they did their kits with a few different fabrics and the border are more of 30's look. I like it, and hope I can get to it soon. I just love seasonal quilts.

So at the end of this weekend I'm feeling pretty good, I sure don't want to go back to work tomorrow! I think I would make a very good retiree. That will have to wait.

On Saturday at the shop I finished the bag, here's another pic. It's all DONE! The little stitchery on the front is actually a days of the week tea towel pattern from Crabapple Hill. I just reduced the image and took the day of the week tag off.

Ok, so if you're still with me, you saw that I mentioned a potato bag, well, I'm starting on Christmas gifts for my staff. Right now I have 19. I'm going to make these potato bags and put a grocery gift card inside. I found this perfect fabric at the Fat Quarter shop on clearance. Perfect! This is the first one, I just wanted to see how they went together. If you have any suggestions for a cute wrapping please let me know. Oh wait, maybe I can find some mini brown paper grocery bags! LOL , ok, so have a great week! xomar

Yes, We Have A Winner

2008-08-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

And a young one! LOL, Julia was the first to guess "We Can Work It Out". Great detective work Julia! Send me your info and I'll send you a little surprise. I had a giggle at the other guesses, Help! and Hard Days Night would also be appropriate! The more I listen to this song, the more I can see how it fits my quilting. I think this will now be my quilting anthem! Try to see it my way, Do i have to keep on talking till i can't go on? While you see it your way, Run the risk of knowing that our love may soon be gone.We can work it out,We can work it out. Think of what you're saying. You can get it wrong and still you think that it's alright. Think of what i'm saying,We can work it out and get it straight, or say good night.We can work it out,We can work it out.Life is very short, and there's no time For fussing and fighting, my friend. I have always thought that it's a crime, So i will ask you once again.Try to see it my way,Only time will tell if i am right or i am wrong.While you see it your wayThere's a chance that we may fall apart before too long.We can work it out,We can work it out. Life is very short, and there's no time For fussing and fighting, my friend. I have always thought that it's a crime,So i will ask you once again.Try to see it my way,Only time will tell if i am right or i am wrong.While you see it your wayThere's a chance that we may fall apart before too long.We can work it out, We can work it out. While I was surfing around in You Tube I came across this video of a roof top concert. What fun, hope you enjoy it as much as I did, there are 3 parts. xomar who is still gaga over the Beatles!

Name That Tune

2008-08-08T11:32:00.000-07:00

Remember this little wall hanging that Darlene sent me last year? We'll I'll tell ya, I don't listen to music while I quilt, but songs sure pop up in my head and they are usually songs that are of my heart and soul. I'm a child of the 60's and there was some great music during that time. After I show you this picture you will understand why I don't do tutorials. OUCH!, why do I do this? Feel free to use this picture of what NOT to do in tutorial if you like. It's certainly the consequences of borders gone bad or is this a bias based booboo? What ever it is, a little song popped into my mind as I was pin basting this little guy. Can you guess what song it is? I can't get it out of my head now! I'll send a little something to the first correct guess! now back to quilting...xomar

hmmm need a clue or two? The song was written & recorded by the Fab 4 who launched the British Invasion. I was so gaga over this band! My parents thought that they were raising a groupie! The song was recorded in 1965.

Lesson Learned... Again

2008-08-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

How many times do I have learn the hard way? A couple of weeks ago while at Beverly's Fabric store, I stopped in to take a peek at the consignment shop next door. On the shelf I found an elf planter. I had it in my hand and put it back. Last week I went back to buy it. It was gone, that was what led me to the Peddler's Fair last Sat. I thought for sure I would get my elf fix. Nope, no luck there either. This is the second time this happened to me at this consignment shop. The last time it was a hutch that would have been perfect for my kitchen. Lesson learned again? buy it when you see it, it will not be there when you return. I'm tired of telling myself that if it isn't there it isn't meant to be.

So about collections, I have a few; tins, elfs, pincushions, other sewing odds and ends. The elf collections started with the little burgundy guy and the little green guy on the tin in the picture on the left below. They were my grandmother's. All of the others have been given to me by friends.

When my maternal grandmother passed, I was asked by my Aunt to help clean her house. She had a few things that I carted home.My grandfather was in the Seabees and brought home a few trinkets.The bowl in the background above, the little coffee puzzle and a coffee pot or two. There were a few pre WWII pieces, cups and saucers, and these adorable little musical pigs. But I have to say that the most unique trinket I found there was this little lady. I've never come across another, there are 4 of the little cups that are next to her, they are the size of a thimble and hang off little hooks on the back of the sofa. Hope you don't mind the x-rated post, LOL.

Ok, so back to the peddlers fair, I have two pictures that I took that I would like to share. Since the booths were all packing up, I went into a couple of antique shops that were still open. The shop where I took this picture had great displays, very artistically arranged. With so many items of odd ranges a shop can look very messy. I took this picture of the shop owners display of Bakelite. So much color contained in one space. Check out the cherry necklace. I love looking at this stuff, but the only jewelry I wear are earrings. So I don't buy, just look. That is the shop owner in the picture, oops.

The other picture is in the same shop, what a find, I have to remember this. I didn't realize I had such a great source for buttons so close! This whole cabinet is full of sorted buttons!!

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm on vacation this week. You would think I would be getting a lot done... NOT! I've been putzing and putzing and not accomplishing much. There are two bloggers that will remain nameless that have been checking on me, I'm starting to feel bad, I don't have anything to report. Hanging my head in shame for my slothfulness. I did manage to get my swap bag just about finished, all it needs is the handle and the lining. I also have a baby quilt just about finished. I will be quilting it tomorrow and show you when I'm done.

I really need to finish all of this stuff so I can start the PINCUSHIONS for the AAQ Retreat. Later...xoxomar

Faded Memories & The Peddlers' Fair

2008-08-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

Not much quilting going on here this weekend, this is about all I've accomplished so far, but hey I'm off until August 11th, WHOOO HOOO!!! I was overdue for a stay at home vacation. I was at use or loose time and we can't have that!

This is the start of the bag for my swap partner. All of you stash busters would be proud! I've decided to use what I have and I'm piecing a lot of it together, this the 3 Sisters, Faded Memories by Moda. It's from my Rabbits Prefer Chocolate quilt, had a lot left over. I need to make two more panels like these and I should be ready to start the stitching and assembly. Wish me luck!

Yesterday was the Annual Martinez Peddlers Fair. Every year I say that I want to go and every year it is so hot that I stay home. This year I made it down, but too late, everyone was packing up. The Peddlers Fair is a mixture of old, new and new made to look old. It's fun to see everything, there is so much to want, but I sure don't have space. I'm going to make myself happy by just blogging some pictures of all that I saw that made me smile.

And this last one made me laugh out loud. I wonder if he'll get a cut of the sale? More tomorrow!xoxomar

Retail Therapy

2008-07-27T09:40:00.000-07:00

This last week was going along as usual but about mid week, out of nowhere I was knocked out by a blow from a "friend". Friday was my day off and I moped around all day, trying to regroup, trying to understand and get used to the facts. I gathered all of my bag patterns, thinking about what bag to make for my swap partner. Suddenly I was making a bag using PamKittyMorning's pattern for her Market Bag. Suprisingly, it went together very easily, I've never really attempted to make a bag. Cool! The outside shell was done by Friday evening, but didn't have a lining, so I did a little stitchery to get through the evening.

Saturday I thought that maybe a little retail therapy would help me out, after all I needed to get the lining, some fuseable and a few other things were on my list. I took a trip downtown to Main Street Quilts. This place makes me smile.

I thought that Susie might still have some of the Moda Fruit Cocktail line that I was using for my bag. I originally bought the line to make mother/daughter aprons for Christmas gifts a few years back and had some left over. I love this line, it's an old one, but it's adorable. BINGO, she had a few choices. I went ahead and bought a couple of yards of each. Don't ask what I'm going to do with it. Who knows, I didn't know I was going to make the bag with it either. Sometimes you just can't plan these things and it's good to have "adorable" on hand.

Look at that red/black fabric for an apron, soo cute, huh? can't wait to make one up! Hmm what else is in that bag? I plan on making a quilt that calls for a ruler (Omnigrid 98L, which I think is basically the same as the one that Okperi bought) to make the tubular hsts. That will also be a new experience for me. Also another package of those Easy Threading needles. Easy Threading needles come in handy! They are the ones that I thought were for old ladies that couldn't see to thread a needle, LOL. You know the ones that you can just pop the thread in the top. Well, when I took a machine applique class I was shown that they are a very good tool to use to bring your threads to the back to tie off. Since then I've found a lot of uses for them and there is always a package near!

Last nite I managed to get the lining made and finished the bag up this morning. TADA!!! It looks so.... well so.... PamKittyMorning! LOL So anyway I love how the bag turned out. For the swap bag I have a few changes planned, but now that I've made it, that will be simple. I hope you like this bag, it will be showing up next month for a little celebration.

Today I'm doing the necessary get ready for the next work week kind of stuff. This evening I'm going to find my way to San Jose to have dinner with my son and his stepdaughter. Thats enough to cheer a mom up! Hope you have a wonderful week xoxomar

2008-07-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

It's been a week, a pretty busy but boring week I must say, all work no play makes Mar a boring blogger. I'm winding down on a weeklong cat tending job and also double dipping by petsitting in Benicia this weekend. (Debbie, if this mention of Benicia brings me into your radar again, please email me again as I lost your contact info).

At the office we have all been busy trying to figure out where to put things and we are making headway. It's a very busy public office, so we don't have much time to figure things out, but, bit by bit it's coming together nicely!

You may have noticed by the emblem on the sidebar that I've joined another swap. Linda's swaps are great, I love that they are secret swaps, so you don't know who you've got till it's done. This makes it exciting. (doesn't everybody love a secret?) Also, she takes effort to swap us out with other countries. How could I resist. The pincushion swap was a great success. Of course now I need to do some more pet sitting so that I can afford it. I know I will buy materials to make at least 3 different bags and then decide on something I have, but need a little more of something to go with? At least I know this about me and can plan for it, sheesh! (if you'd like to join the swap there's still a little time, it will close at 8:30 pm tonite)

I'm slowly working on my Prairie Paisley quilt. I love how it's coming along. Problem is that it's a big one and I don't have a space where I can sit and ponder and plan (gettin into my P's again, did ya notice?) The next row will be the middle row. I doubt that I will keep what I have up on the wall for that row, but it's a start. I need to get back into making some more blocks. At the start I had planned to use a variety of the reds from this line for the cornerstones so I pulled them out and didn't use them for the blocks. Since then I've decided to use the same red that I'm using for the setting triangles and now would like to incorporate the other reds into the squares. I guess I should do this before it's too late, I wouldn't want them all at one end, now would I?

This picture isn't very good. I have been putting it up on the wall in my hallway and it's hard to get a good shot, and soon I will be out of wall!!

Ok, thats it. I told you it was boring and I didn't even mention my laundry or my nap! I'm off to feed the cat and sleep with the dog. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. xomar

2008-07-12T23:20:00.000-07:00

The Pincushion has landed. Will you look at this! This sweet little package had a long way to travel. It came all the way from Finland! From what I can figure, that is over 5,000 miles! I am so thrilled to receive such a treasure. Lucky for me that Linda paired me up with Jeanette . Jeanette enjoys a second hobby, wire working. This is a new hobby to me, I've really have never seen anything like it. How clever of her to blend it with her stitching and make such a beautiful, unique and useful pincushion! Not only the pincushion, but she has made this sweet angel also.

Thank you Jeanette, they are both wonderful.

Oh No, I'm not done, there's more! Jeanette is not only talented, she is also generous, look at the cool thread bag she made, she hand stitched my initial on it too. A cute little tin was also inclued. I can't thank you enough, it was worth the wait.

Special thanks to you Jeanette & to Linda for selecting you for me!

Now, back to the normal stuff. When I went to work on Thursday 6/30, one of my workers told me some information regarding one of the participants in the trial. So on Monday I had to appear before the court and share that infomation. The court excused me. Since this was a murder trial I was greatly relieved to be excused. At work, my staff have all been moved as of yesterday. There is still a lot of "stuff" that we need to fit in, and we need to learn new processes and get re-oriented, but it only takes time. I worked my day off yesterday and I was glad I was there to help them. The new work area is so nice. We also had a fellow unit member retire this week after 37 years! Needless to say, I haven't gotten very much sewing done. I have managed to get about 40 blocks finished. There are only 61 blocks so I'm over half way there. I hope to get started putting it together tomorrow, even if all of the blocks aren't finished. I just don't have a space big enough to lay it all out. Hope all is well with you and your world. Everything is moving along here! xoxmar

2008-07-02T21:53:00.000-07:00

I finished this wall hanging last year just in time for the 4th of July, wanted to share it with you. This is "3 Cheers" by Verna Mosquera of the Vintage Spool. I really enjoyed making this, it's a nice size and goes fairly fast. I also have the fabric all picked out for the St. Patricks day wall hanging, but not enough time, maybe that one will be for retirement? For those of you have asked, the air has now cleared, we finally saw blue sky yesterday. There will be high fire danger through fall. I have noticed that my life is in the "P" lane again. As you may have noticed Andrea received her pincushion surprise (I think she liked it!) and I just got notice that mine will be put in the mail tomorrow. ANTICIPATION!! The fun part of this swap is where they are coming from. Linda swapped each of us with someone abroad and it tickles me to think that I could receive something from someone so far away. The Internet has brought us all so close! Now, "P" is for pincushion and "P" is for Pay It Forward (which I should be working on) and .... "PP" is for my Prairie Paisley fabrics!! WHOOO HOO, I finished the socks and decided in celebration of the holiday I would start cutting into them. After all they are red/white/blue! I used use "PP" to describe paper piecing but now it is for Prairie Paisley. I did paper piece the hst's in this, I used Triangles on A Roll, I had a partial roll of the right size and happened to have the exact amount for the quilt. Sometimes things just work out! This is just a rough little peek at what I've decided to do with my precious prairie paisleys. I like how it's going to look, but have a lot more work to do on it. Are you good at math? I'm not. I'm wondering... if you have 42 different fabrics and there are three different fabrics to a block, how many different combinations can you make without duplicating a block? Is anyone that good at math? Now for my final "P" I'm going to say that I'm patriotic. If you can say that serving on a jury is patriotic. I've spent most of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in jury selection. I was selected and will begin on Monday. They think the trial should last approximately 2 weeks. I never ever thought I would be chosen. I don't know what to think. I guess you are never too old for new experiences.

I also want to thank for my blog buddies Cara at Quilt Nook and Kristin at Quiltilicious for the tags, so sweet of you to include me. I hope you don't mind if I pass. I have played before. I'm just lazy right now I guess.

Hope you have a safe and happy 4th of July!

2008-06-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

My swap pincushion didn't arrive, but Friday, when I went to the office there was a soft, squishy package that was sent interoffice for me. Look what was in it!!

Doesn't this remind you of a pumpkin? I have a friend/co-worker who I've worked with for about 10-15 years that gets out and about to fun places where she is always picking up sewing items for me. Sue has given me many little surprises over the years here are just a few.She finally found my blog a few weeks ago and went about to start her own. I haven't seen it yet.I would give you the link, but she hasn't shared that with me I think she is shy. Oh SUUUUUE where are yOUUUUUUU? Thank you! xoxmar

2008-06-26T19:46:00.000-07:00

I think the ride home tonite was even smokier. I noticed that the traffic on the other side of the freeway all had their lights on. They may have them on all of the time, but I never noticed it before. The smoke gives everything a weird kind of feeling. Spooky.

Today was my Friday. I'm off to pet sit in Benicia for the weekend and I still need to go to the office tomorrow to finish some business. Shouldn't take too long. I love to surprise my staff. This weekend I will be mostly be back and forth between home and Benicia. Taking my socks with me and the PIF's also.

So hope you all have a good weekend. Here is the pincushion surprise that I sent off. Sure hope the recipient likes it. I shouldn't get into swaps, I always stress too much about it. I think I bought the fabric/wool and patterns/books to make about 6 different pincushions and ended up using this pattern that I had at home. I just let Mary lead me...

2008-06-25T21:53:00.000-07:00

Wow, I've been in a haze this past week, I think most of California is on fire. Blessed be the firemen who work those hot blazes for countless hours, where would we be without their bravery. It's been so smoky here that we haven't seen blue skies all week. They have been broadcasting advisories not to exercise outside if you have allergies or asthma. When you go out sideyou can smell it and there is ash on the cars. I'm not even that close to a fire, but it's been windy too, which makes it much more dangerous. I've been busy working on my PIF's so I can't show what I'm working on. But I was surfing around and I'm not naming names or anything but another pincushion swapper posted a picture of what they made. I would love to have that! So I hope I don't upset our gracious hostess but I don't have anything else to share with you. I don't think I will spoil the surprise if I just don't tell you where it's traveling to... right? So... are you in the swap? Is this for you?Did you really think I was going to post a picture of the pincushion that I took to the post office on Monday? Maybe tomorrow. xoxomar

2008-06-17T07:15:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Sharon led us over to The Willow Valley Store where Cath was giving away stitchery transfers. I was lucky enough to be one of her twenty commenters and she sent me a little leaflet with a pretty little basket transfer. I was so excited to get that little envelope with the Kangaroo stamp! Cath is so generous to do this, she's done it several times. AND NOW she is having a big give away for lovely transfer set that I hope to win (hmm, maybe I should keep this a secret... nah). So hop on over and comment, you have until June 24th and she will pick 20 random winners!!! Tell her Mar sent you and thank her for her generousity will ya?

2008-06-15T18:20:00.000-07:00

In honor of her 300th post Sweet P. is having a little give away. She put out a call for all to show our unique containers. The containers that I have chosen to share are very special to me, using them keeps them in my sight and at hand.

The only longaberger basket I own is this little one, I love how my rick-rack looks in it and keep it out to view, it was sent to me by my friend Julie in Wisconson, she is an old pal from AAQ message board days. I never got to meet her and haven't heard from her in a long time, but I think of her everytime I glance at this little basket full of color. Thank you Julie. The little wooden carry all is also from a good friend I meet on AAQ message board. At Alex's quilting retreat I was admiring it. When Vicky got ready to leave she asked me if I wanted it! She didn't want to take it back on the plane. It's small and easy to carry around to classes or sew days and sits by my machince holding extra needles, threads, cutters, lotion, you name it, even Tums!! Thank you Vicky, ILY!! The little quilted zipper bag holds all of the feet for my machine, I have to hide them from the cats, this is perfect! And guess what?? It was gift from another friend made on the AAQ message board. Gail, I love this little bag and it is always at hand. Thank you sweetie!! Now the big white basket was a great garage sale find, all of my rulers fit in there and it's nice to look at too! I collect tins and have had the big round one for about 30 years, it's one of my favorites and holds all of my buttons. The little one is a Jack Daniels tin and holds my basting pins, it was given to me by my uncle. So there you have it.

ALSO.... Another little contest, with a very generous prize! Jackie over at Canton Village Quilt Works is giving away free quilting to one lucky person. Hope I get lucky!

AND.... I've finished my pincushion for the swap, Happy Dancin in California!!

2008-06-12T20:24:00.000-07:00

Now where was I ..... OH YEAH...the last post told you all about my sew day at Alex's. After that things got out of control. When I last posted I was working on a baby quilt for a shower on May 31st. Well I almost got it done.... It's still on my board. This pattern is from Alex Anderson's Baby Quilts with Love.

There was a family episode happening while I was trying to make this and I just didn't have the umph to finish it. I ended up going to Baby's R Us and shopping for a gift. It was just as well, she recieved two hand made quilts at the shower. To finish this I need to either make some corner stones, trim the top & bottom border to fit the width of my fabric for the sides or piece the sides to fit, I haven't decided yet. What would you do? I know most of you would have finished and taken to the shower already!!! So anywho... I ended up working the Friday that I should have been off, going to the shower on Saturday and then working Sunday and working Monday through Friday and house sitting the following weekend and and and... hmmm oh! I've been working on my pincushion swap surprise, I wish I could give you a peek, I'd love to hear what you think of it, but that won't work because it's a SURPRISE! I'm using Mary Englebriet fabrics, love her stuff! I'll show you after it's received. Also I'm getting near done with the socks for my sock swap.

Other than that I've been working on my office at work. I've finally moved in to my final resting spot (lol sounds like a cemetery eh?) I took some before pics so that you could see what I'm dealing with. It's a mess I tell ya, one big mess. In fact the whole unit is a mess, this move involved 15 of my staff, plus myself. One more move to go at the end of June and we will all be able to settle in. I'm still not done with my office, I've moved it around some since these pics were taken and I still have about 6 boxes to unpack. Now I would like to find a nice little black stand up shelf. Maybe I'll hit some garage sales this weekend. Oh and my door, this funky door, I need some curtains for it or something. (Like my sign?) Anyway, I'm told by the facilities manager that the *&%*^ door was $7500 or so. They didn't plan to put a door on that wall because it is a load bearing wall. For some reason the architects felt that the reception supervisor's door should open up to another unit, not reception (duh) and had it on the opposite wall. Well, they had to move to the costly plan B and this is the result. Too funny, they tell me if there is an earthquake I've got the safest spot in the office :-) Tomorrow is my Friday off and I'm takin it!! I'm soooo ready for a long weekend. It's good to have that bloggy feeling again!xoxomar Post Script: Big bloggy hugs to those of you who emailed me with concern. It means so much to me that you care.

Monday Sew Day

2008-05-22T22:43:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post about this sooner, but got a little behind. I took a vacation day this past Monday for a very special sew day. It's retreat planning time and getting to be pincushion time all over again. (YIPEE!) Deb, Susan and I met up at Alex's studio to sew and laugh all day. We took time out for a little lunch too. Between working on our projects, eating and laughing, we managed to get a few retreat items ironed out too! Alex's husband, John was home working in his office, it was nice having him join us for lunch (so much for girl talk! LOL) It's always fun to sew at Alex's. Besides having a fabulous studio, she always has exciting news. She is so busy. I love hearing what she is up to. Here are a few pictures of our day, and lunch too! Deb made us this fabulous taco salad with homemade salsa. Alex also posted about our day on her daily blog over at The Quilt Show. About the picture in her post: I'm usually camera shy, so this doesn't happen very often. There is Deb up front working on her socks, Susan on the right with short hair, and I'm sitting in the back supervising! Along with hearing about Alex's journeys, she also gave me a bit of news. I recently made some pin cushions out of her new line, Never Enough Romance and they used them for market! Not a kit this year, but WOW, slick, glossy paper, full color and the whole shebang! I'm thrilled. Thanks for the wonderful day Alex, John, Deb and Susan! I hope we can do it again soon. These pincushions are disguised for our AAQ 2008 retreators protection *wink*

2008-05-20T20:35:00.000-07:00

Boy, get a life and you can get behind in your blogging really quick! Saturday, my friend Deb was up from San Luis Obispo for our big sew day planned for Monday. We took this as an opportunity to also visit a couple of shops. I took some pictures as I know we all like looking at pictures. The first ones are from Prairie Queen Quilt Shop It's a wonderful shop just stuffed with wonderful things. I don't get there often enough! After picking up another quilting friend we stopped in for a visit at One Quilt At A time in Newark. This shop just moved across the parking lot for double the space they had previously. It's so comfy there, very nice class room area. These kind of days pass too quickly,after a nice visit and some snacks I headed home to work on... what else? SOCKS!!! Here are some beautiful flowers in Deb's Aunt's yard. I think these are Calla Lilys? At least someone has a green thumb!!

2008-05-16T18:22:00.000-07:00

We're havin a heat wave, and it isn't tropical. The humidity in my part of California isn't much to talk about. It's just plain hot, I think today got up to about 99 degrees. I'm a whimp, it's a good thing I don't live in Arizona, or the desert. Fortunately I have central air conditioning at home, the car and the office, so it isn't bad. The bay area weather is usually mild. In the dead of summer and in the early fall we've been known to hit the hundreds for a few days running, but this seems early or maybe I'm just not ready for it. I'm so sorry, you would think I would have more to post about than the weather! But my life is kinda BORING! It's been another long week. I've spent today just relaxing and working on Lost Socks. I'm finished with the 20 large socks. Now I have the forty small socks all prepped and ready to go minus heels and toes. I should be putting my Cherry Baby blocks together, but ahhh, I'm still thinking about them. While I'm working on the Cherry Baby and the Lost Socks, my Prairie Paisley collection is reproducing at an alarming rate. If I don't stop I will be making a few quilts out of this line! Oh and I still need to make my PIFs. I've got to stop poking! Tomorrow I'm going to visit a friend who is up from San Luis Obispo. Hope to visit a few shops in the Fremont/San Jose area. Should be fun. And last, but not least, here is a picture of my Big Boy Tomato plant. He's getting tall and a little thin, don't you think? Please, any advice you could give me. I would love to get at least one tomato for my trouble! Something is different in blogger, my pictures are coming up as code. Very strange. Hope t0 have more pictures tomorrow!

Hiatus

2008-05-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

That's word I was looking for: noun, plural -tus·es, -tus. 1.a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc. 2.a missing part; gap or lacuna: Scholars attempted to account for the hiatus in the medieval manuscript. 3.any gap or opening. 4.Grammar, Prosody. the coming together, with or without break or slight pause, and without contraction, of two vowels in successive words or syllables, as in see easily. 5.Anatomy. a natural fissure, cleft, or foramen in a bone or other structure. There are some big holes in my blog reading, I'm really missing Sharon, Cheryl , Carol and Nan. Hope they return soon. It's a good thing that there are so many others that fill in the gaps. Editors note: Nan's BACK!!!! Well, like I've said before I've been doing a lot planning, I seem to be stuck in that mode, all I can think about is planning and shopping. But enough is enough. I've just learned that my sister-in-law is going to have a baby girl! A baby shower is planned for the end of the month, so now I've put the PIF and Prairie Paisley projects on the back burner (sorry girls) and I'm cooking up a little baby quilt with Lake House Cherry Baby fabrics. I'm so pleased to have an excuse to surround myself in this sweet fabric line. Hope to have pictures soon.

I wish you a happy Mother's Day.

2008-05-04T17:46:00.000-07:00

I think I scared a bunch of commenters off with my PIF. Don't worry, I've got my three takers and I'm so pleased. Thank you Kristin at Quiltilicious, Yvonne at Quilting Down the Stairs and Darlene at Quilting Daze. I've got everything planned (you know I love to plan) and will be starting soon. This is gonna be fun!

This week I've been busy trying to get the 20 large socks done for my Lost Sock Swap. I only need two more. Then I can start on the 40 small socks. This is a good project for after work while I watch American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. Hope something else good comes up, these shows are almost over and I've got a lot of socks to do!

I did manage to complete something this weekend, remember the pumpkin swap? I've got them together and put on the outside borders this afternoon. I love it!

Are you ready for a pumpkin parade? This pattern is called "Frost On the Pumpkin" by Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs. I have couple of pictures of the same quilt for you. The first one is from last year at Quilting in the Garden. The second one is my friend Holly's who was in the swap with me and the third one is mine. I decided not to use a few of the pumpkins from the swap and made a few of my own. Also Holly had the great idea to tea dye the blocks that were too light. I'm really happy with it and I hope I can get Holly to quilt it for me.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend! xoxomar

2008-04-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I closed my eyes, pinched my nose and took the plunge. I dove right in! I really wanted my blogger friend Carey over at Blueberry Lane to make me a little something. I signed up for her Pay It Forward. Now that I've done it, yikes!!, ya know it's kinda like throwing a party and worrying that no one will show up. But hey, here I'm all out in the open offering you a little something if you would like to play. It’s the Pay It Forward Exchange. It’s based of the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness are passed on. So here’s how it works. I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on the blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 6 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog

2008-04-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

We are having a beautiful weekend in the SF Bay Area. just the kind that the Big Boy (on the left) likes. The temps are in the 80's, they say it will chill up a bit, but I'm enjoying it while I can. Love having the doors open. Yesterday I spent the day sewing with my good friend Deb and her 96 year old aunt. Her aunt is such a character, she had us laughing all day. She was very interested in our processes as we prepped our appliques. Deb uses a thread basting technique and I was using starch. Deb is in my Lost Sock Swap, so we were working on socks. I only finished one sock and prepped another but we had a wonderful day.

I thought I would show you what I've been puttering around with while waiting for my Prairie Paisley order to arrive. One of the fabrics is backordered so it may take a while. That is ok, because it gives me more time to clean up loose ends before starting a new project. Maybe it's not ok, I've got that itch to start something new and it won't go away. I will be strong!I will be strong!I will be strong!I will be strong!

So, yesterday I also finished Bock #5 of the Piece and Plenty BOM.

And I didn't show you the blocks I made to donate over at QYW, we are making red/white/blue friendship stars to give to some of the members that have family in Iraq. I got 8 done, they are huge 12 inch blocks. I need to get them in the mail.

After trying to take a picture of my pincushion and it coming out blurry, I decided to purchase a tripod. It wasn't very expensive, I think $20 at Target, I didn't shop around for the cheapest, you may find one cheaper. This is what it looks likeThen I had to play around a little and yes it will improve your pictures! (I need all the help I can get!)

With tripod: and without:

2008-04-23T07:48:00.001-07:00

Can you say Giveaway! yep, it's not a secret any longer, so I'm telling one and all while you still have a day or two to get in on the great "Thimble Blossoms Giveaway" I really want to win and need all the help I can get, so get on over there and give it a try! Today, do not delay!

2008-04-22T21:12:00.001-07:00

I just gotta say... Did you watch American Idol????? OMG! David Cook... singing one of my favorite show tunes and an awesome job he did!! I don't know how to add video, but you can see it here if you missed it. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and now back to the stawberries.

2008-04-22T19:18:00.000-07:00

I got lost! LOL, busy, busy busy! I've had a string of pet sitting jobs and of course there is my 9 hour a day job and I've got my own house to take care of and other than that, I haven't been up to much. I did manage to get a prize together for Cara over at QuiltNook and it has been recieved so you can see a picture of my newest pincushion. My pictures were too blurry! Also finished some filler blocks for the Piece and Plenty BOM, a couple of Lost Socks done and 8 friendship stars for a group effort. What else... hmmm... not much... hmmm gosh I need to get busy! I've been busy poking buttons for more Prairie Paisley, I think I have a new plan, I'll tell you more once I get started. Anyway, one shop that I poked at, Forever Quilting, gave very speedy service, but had I to laugh. They were selling what they called misc. pieces. I ordered a 1 yard piece of a Buttercream and Figs print @ $4. Not complaining here, but it was interesting to get it, the piece actually looks like it's been washed and ironed! you know how you can tell from the cut edges? I can't help but think I helped yet another person bust their stash! LOL ! Well enough of the unimportant stuff, down to the real reason for this post; If you haven't seen this already, please go help out and maybe win this beautiful quilt! Such a good cause and for the sweetest little girl. OKPeri's Place has instructions on how you can have a chance to help the cause of Cystic Fibrosis and maybe win a beautiful quilt. Check it out! Well tomorrow is Professional Assistant Day or whatever they call it. I'm heading up a banana split day for about 125. I'm going to go prepare about 15 lbs of strawberries for the occasion. Toodles xoxomar

2008-04-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

The good news is.... We have a winner!!

I told all of the contestants that their name was in the hat, and then I couldn't find a hat!! Well it just happens that a certain little 5 year old left a hat here a long time ago, so I put it to good use!

Then I thought wow if only I had a hamster to pull a name for me, like this one. I tried the cat, but DUH! She just didn't get it! Then I thought maybe I could go knock on a neighbors door. It's a good thing I thought that idea through... no Mar, not everyone quilts... no Mar not everyone blogs... I have to live in this neighborhood, so that left little O me to do the deed and here it is!

I pulled Cara's name from over at Quiltnook. She guessed the correct pattern, the answer if you haven't solved my little mystery is the Crazy About Hearts and Stars Pattern from Buggy Barn.

I picked this pattern because, well, I had it already. Also because I could use all of the fat quarter stack and not have to buy a lot of yardage.

Congrats Cara, welcome to blogland, I will get your prize to you soon. Send me your info.

The bad news is...

Not all has been rosy cosy in Mar land today. I started the morning off ok. I had to go feed some cats (remember that second job to pay Sharon?). The cats made a pukey mess for me to clean up. Finished up and came home. I was out checking on my BBTP (Big Boy Tomato Plant) and to my dismay he is already infested with white flies!!! Pests are the exact reason I abandon my gardening projects! Off again to the nursery. They recommended Neem Oil spray @ $10 which gets me to thinking, $3 bucks for the plant, $3 bucks for the plant food, $3 for the marigolds and now another $10. Hmmm if I get a tomato out of this it is going to be the most expensive tomato I've ever eaten. So now my BBTP has been sprayed and so have the marigolds, they will all have to be treated every 7 days till gone.. and that brings me to this...

I took me so long to post the winner because I was trying to make a block to show you. Guess what? I DO NOT like making these blocks! Lets just say I wasted a coulple of fat quarters and I'm looking for a new pattern. I'm a little red faced after all of the "to do" over finding the perfect pattern. Marcie over at Patchalot Patterns emailed me and said she might use her Wintergreen pattern. Hmmm, I'm looking for a pattern again. Any suggestions?

2008-04-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

A day well spent. Quilting, friends and a view, what more can you ask for? I spent the day with the Deb's up at Holly's Hillside Hideaway. A few years ago Holly and her hubby built this not so little quilt studio for her and a garage for him. Holly lives a little down the coast from me and it's almost half way to Deb's so it's the perfect place to meet and have sewdays! Holly worked on her antique ebay find, Debbie worked on Lost Socks, Deb worked on the starbellies from a past Alex Anderson Retreat and I managed to finally get the label on the turtle quilt and a Lost sock done. Lots of laughing, lots of chatting, and mmmmm lunch too! Here's a few pics of the day, I'll be right back with my little mystery winner!

2008-04-09T23:21:00.000-07:00

I've decided that I don't like not hearing from you, I guess I got lonely, LOL pathetic huh? So comments are on. I wanted to show you what arrived in the mail today, I was lucky enough to catch the sale over at Red Geranium Cottage. WHOO HOO! Thank you Sharon, the check is in the mail.. Honest!! Also thought I would give you a glimpse of what I'm making for the giveaway. Since I had to take on a another job to pay Sharon, I'm going to extend the deadline to Saturday nite. Actually I have a sew day planned with the Deb's and Holly on Saturday and won't have time to pick the winner until Sunday. Let me tell you, only 6 names are in the hat so far. It's really easy. Just read those italics and you'll either get it or go buggy! *wink* *wink* I've also been known to give out a few more clues if you send me a wrong guess.And now for something a little different from me, I'm attempting to grow my own food. I'm such a city girl. I actually planted a tomato plant. Say a little prayer that I don't kill it. I have such a black thumb. Any advice you could give would be appreciated. And no wagers as to how long I can keep it alive. And if you do wager, keep in mind the last time I tried gardening I gave it up for a year. I took a picture of my baby because I have great hopes of taking more glamour shots as it flourishes and produces. I'm thinking big red juicy homegrown tomatoes... yummmmmmm. I think I read somewhere that marigolds help keep bugs away, Hope that was right!

2008-04-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

My Prairie Paisley Plan you ask? Well, maybe I'm just P crazy, but I thought I would tell you a little about my plan. The pattern that I picked is comprised of one block with 3 fabrics. There is no applique and no embroidery. I'm going to name my quilt "My Heart Shines on American Prairies". But wait, I haven't told you the pattern yet. The pattern comes from a "Unique Quilt Shop In The Country" located in a North Western American state. Well how could I tell you all of that and still you don't know what the pattern is? Have you guessed yet? Have I made it too easy? This is a little game with a little pincushion giveaway gift! Oh look, I'm getting into G's now! Ok lets GO! email your answer to me at marquilts@gmail.com by Friday, midnite 4/11/08. I will put all correct answers into a bowl and draw a winner. *a little note to all - I've edited this to try to give you a few more clues and italicized the keys to unlock my little mystery.

2008-04-05T08:33:00.000-07:00

YUMMYLICIOUS! Look what was on my doorstep Wednesday nite!

Can we get a WHOO HOO?

My order of Prairie Paisley fat quarters! I was off yesterday and played with it all day, lol, I added a couple of pieces of green from my stash to change it up a little. I've got a bad case of what Linda calls Start-itis. I have my plan all set and I'm so wanting to start that I can't think of much else. I wish I could catch Finish-it-itis, then I could freely start cutting into this, but alas I have other priorities, one which needs to get in the mail by Monday. So besides a trip to the garden store for some marigolds and tomato plant food, I will be here all weekend, just working away. And resisting the urge to start... wish me luck!

Added note: I was just adding Prairie Paisley to the labels and it occurred to me that I am stuck in the "P" lane! Most of my interests start with a "P" hmmm.... pincushions, pumpkins, placemats, pimp my pincushions, Piece & Plenty, and now Prairie Paisley... what's up with that?

2008-03-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

It's been a long week. Last weekend I worked on my Piece and Plenty BOM #4 and finished. I have to tell you that I did not enjoy making this block. I started #5 and miscut the background square, tsk tsk, the Madeira line is getting difficult to find. Not to worry though, I have already found, ordered and received the needed piece. #5 block is almost done!! I've been working on #5 this weekend, but still have some more applique to do. I've also done some special secret stitching for a friend. I volunteered some blocks for a charity group, they are 12 inch finished friendship stars. I cannot get over how BIG a 12 inch block is, LOL, cutting those 4.5 inch pieces just seems strange! It's kind of like quilting for kindergarten after all of the smaller blocks that I'm used to making. They should go fast. Red white and blue for families of service men. A friend of mine just asked me for a picture of my Cherry Quilt. Since I have a handy picture I thought maybe I could entertain you with it. Everytime I look at this quilt I ask if this is my design? What makes it mine? The cherry blocks were started at an Alex Anderson retreat. They are Alex's cherries, but I chose to put mine on point. The nine patch blocks are from Lynette Jensen's Daisy Days book. The border fabric is from Mary Lou Weidman and doesn't the over all look remind you of Mary Englbreit? So who can lay claim to this design? This quilt really has a lot of memories for me. It was my first attempt at applique. It's also referred to as my broken elbow quilt. I had only made one of the nine patch blocks and about 3 of the cherry blocks at retreat and put it away. A couple of months later I fell at work and broke my elbow. I was off work and in a cast for about 6 months. It was my right arm and yes, I'm right handed. I was actually able to applique and put this together with a broken arm. An old AAQ message board friend, Laurie in Kansas quilted it for me. Back to stitchin....xoxo

2008-03-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

OK I'M GUILTY! I admit it! Guilty of posting tacky pictures, I've been ever so distressed by the tacky pictures of my pincushions. I really should have taken more time and staged them and maybe taken individual pictures to give them all a chance. I'm embarrassed! But I think I found a way to show show them off in a new setting. While waiting for the Lint Extractor (why is that title so funny to me?) I was catching up with my favorite blogs and clicking away and happened upon these! I wish I could find the blog that led me there because I had to laugh at the subject of the post. I would really like to give them credit and not rip them off, but here goes...

I'm gonna "Pimp My Pincushions"!!

I adore the pins in the link, but I wanted instant gratification. I couldn't wait for an order to arrive. I needed to find a way to reshoot my pincushions to fight off the "tacky picture image" that I left you with. I dug through all of my hidey places and drawers and button box for things I could use! I used flat head pins & super glue. I'm sure you could come up with some cuter ones.

These took all of an hour to make, check out how they "Pimp My Pincushions" Ahhh that is fun to say!

2008-03-21T23:34:00.000-07:00

Here it is Friday nite, a week and half since my last post. I haven't had much to blog about. Work has been tiring, so I've been coming home and working on my Lost Socks. So far I have my my first ten large socks done. Ten more of those and I'll move on to the smaller socks. Today was my day off. Cleaned up the condo a little and waited for the "Lint Extractor". I needed to have a little duct cleaning done as that was the reason my dryer went kaput. Who would have thought I would be dealing with this kind of stuff? As it was I had a celebrity lint extractor arrive. I had bought one of those dryer brushes and had it hanging in the laundry room. He looked at it and told me that it was his invention. He spent a while flying back and forth to PA to hawk them on QVC until someone ripped his idea off and mass produced them. I didn't have one of his originals but kind funny listening to all of this. Very strange I must say! and costly too! After he did his job I decided to go downtown to Main Street Quilts in Martinez. I packed up a sock to work on just incase and headed down. It was a beautiful day.I took my camera cause Susie has some older Fig Tree fabrics and I can never remember which I have and what she has. Solution= take a picture. While I was there I took few more of the store to share.

As you walk in the front door you see the longarm in behind the french doors. Susie rents it out after certification. If you look to the right she has a couple of comfy chairs to relax in. Notice the poles X in the windows. Those are earthquake retro fitting. Only in California!

If you go to the left you run into the some Jenny Beyer wall and nice collection of 30's on the right.

My photography isn't the best, but you get the idea. It's a great little quilt shop.

2008-03-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's Wednesday again already! Time flies when you are having fun? That's what they say anyway, they also say that time flies the older you get, hmmmm. Fun? Getting older? which is it? I think it's a combo.

Not much was accomplished this week, I mostly wanted to post before it was to late to show you my pincushions. Blueberry Lane Designs found some old copies of Lynette Anderson's Pincushion book and she is going to have a little draw. They thought it would be fun to see everyone's pincushions and of course your favorite. So here ya go, it's not a very good picture but the whole gang is there.

The second picture is my favorite. My now 16 year old granddaughter made this little pillow when she was about 6. It was her only sewing experiment. (there's still time) Anyway she was so proud of her little pillow and her buttons just about popped when I asked her if I could use it for a pincushion. I can't part with it. I keep it pinned to the end of my ironing board. Be sure to hop on over to Blueberry Lane Designs and put your name in for the draw. I'm off to the office, it's only Wednesday! (Funny how I complain about time flying and then wish away the week days for the weekend!)

You can come back now...

2008-03-05T07:56:00.000-08:00

The coast is clear!

I'm done ranting and raving, it's Wednesday and I'm almost back to my old self. The weekend was fun. Loved spending time with the little one. Even if she was a carrier. Now I have a fever and chills and the making of a cold. I sat thru interviews on a panel yesterday, if not for those air born type of things and aspirin I don't think I would have made it through the day. Today I'm going to stay home, lay low, rest and hopeful beat this critter!

Before I went off of the edge I was going to tell you that I finished the Turtle quilt, I'm in the process of making a label. It's going to be a turtle with writing on it's back. I don't have a good printer to make those groovy labels so this one will do. It was an easy job of quilting, I usually balk when it comes to the quilting part (that is why there is a pile of flimsies over there <<<<). This one went along well. I stitched in the ditch around each turtle and the rick rack in the border. Put a flower on the back of each turtle and just did wavy diagonal lines behind it all. I'm pleased the how it went and now need to hurry up and start quilting another before the feeling goes away! Won't be today though.

I've been diligently working on socks. I have about 5 done, but need to go back and check my placement. I am my own worst enemy. Most of the time I go around hitting my head like they do in that V8 commercial. They might be ok, I just need to check. Hope I get lucky and not have to unsew them. I hate to go in reverse!

I have a lot of non quilty stuff to take care of, and none of it is fun. Oil Change, Post Office, Gather Tax papers, find someone to fix my dryer that stopped working this weekend. That is Friday's list, so I need to get rid of this cold. I have Sunday to look forward to. I volunteered to help out at Main Street Quilts. Susie isn't usually open on Sunday, but it's the last day of the shop hop and I know she will be worn out.

Now on to the reason for this middle of the week post. One of my new fab fav bloggers is having a pattern giveaway! So if you haven't already done so, hurry on over to Dorky Homemade Quilts. Even if you don't win she'll make you smile!

And this blogger is looking for love, blog love that is. She hasn't had the draw yet, so hurry and put your name in the hat, I bet she'll include you, and her prices aren't bad either! I love me some fabric!

EDIT: I almost forgot something! Lynette Anderson is doing a little stitchery give away, she is posting a download of her Noah's Ark stitchery every month for the year in celebration of her blogging anniversary. Cute Cute Cute!!! Thanks Lynette!

EDIT EDIT: I just found that Sharon is doing a little giveaway! Hope I get lucky!

I'm going to go park on the couch and cuddle up with the kitties and a quilt. I have "No Reservations" from Netflix to watch or maybe sleep through it, we'll see!

Proceed with Caution

2008-02-29T21:03:00.000-08:00

*This blog post is a rant* Please feel free to move on, my feelings won't be hurt if you do so, I just need to get it all out.

My office has officially started a 4 phase remodel. I supervise 20 clerks in the reception area and reception I think is in 3 of the 4 phases. This week I packed my office and moved upstairs, as of today my old office is part of the construction zone. We also moved and cleaned and squeezed in 3 more workers into the front reception area and 3 more are moving elsewhere. We are figuring out new ways to do things and trying to make sure all of our bases will be covered. This phase involves the whole bottom quarter of a two story building so there are a lot of other workers affected also. We are looking forward to probably 3 months of noise and dirt and complaints. And then we can move again and get another 3 months of it. And so on and so on. Oh boy! I am excited about changing, not so excited about he journey. One foot in front of the other, one day at a time. Well, I'm writing this to set up my mood. I'm kind of on a short wire and ready to snap. It's the weekend! thank all that's good, I will have time to recoop and decompress. In order to do that I have a little more to rant on about and most of it is about our economy. WHATS UP??? Has this world gone crazy in the past 2 weeks?? I got sticker shock going to the grocery! Cans of chili that I've bought on sale 4@$1 at one time are now $2 each!!! (Thats the cheap stuff!) My favorite soup? OMG it is up to $3 a can. I was buying it for $1.50 -$2 a can just the other day! And I won't mention the gas. Yesterday after the dentist I found myself looking for cheap thrills at Thimble Creek, that mean't a couple of fat quarters just to get a fix! So sad....AND THEN..... and then I got this email from Williams Sonoma ... Perfect Endings Cupcakes - 9@$59 + SH.....Are they for real? So what if they are from a bakery in the Napa Valley! I know there are a lot of people that can afford these and I wouldn't want to dampen their joy of these perfect cupcakes. So I would suggest : the cake stand of course, umm, thats about $20+, and don't forget the matching plates to serve them on, and then I think that you need this lovely table runner kit for $52.50 from the Fat Quarter Shop to display them on.

You've heard the phrase the "Other Half" well I'm on the wrong half, so better yet, I'll buy the kit and make it for you and charge you $150 for the table runner. Then you would be sure to have the pefect cupcakes. Heck I'd even bake a whole dozen cupcakes to throw in as a bonus!(and I could buy my soup, gas & some more fq's !)

OK, enough, I feel better now, I'm off to a good nite's rest, I will be spending my weekend with a 5 year old so there will be lots of chit chat and smiles. Hope I can get a few stitiches in too! xoxomar

2008-02-24T10:53:00.000-08:00

Well now, Libby has thrown up a little game in honor of Sadie Hawkins Day/Leap year. She is curious about our ironing boards. If you post a picture of your ironing board on your blog and comment on her site, you may win a prize. This is my submission uh...confession:

My ironing board is part of my decor. I never ever take it down (well possibly for non-quilting company) and it is the first thing I see when I walk into my condo. It serves as a catch all when my hands are full coming in the door and is very versatile. You can see it's stained. But I don't care about the stains unless they are transferring to my fabric. The cover is one those that you buy at a quilt/sewing expo. Some smooth talking salesman talked me into it. It's actually very nice for clothing, but too slippery for small block parts and pieces. That's when my handy dandy cut n' press comes to the rescue! So... I've shown you mine, now show us yours!! Thanks Libby, confession is good for the soul ;-o

2008-02-22T19:05:00.000-08:00

Ahhh Don't you love Fridays? Especially if you don't have to go to work? I had a great day, I pieced the back of the turtle quilt, took it down to the LQS, Main Street Quilts in Martinez, and got it pin basted. Spent hours there just chatting with the owner, Susie and customers as they came and went. It's always so inspiring. Didn't bring much home , just some thread for quilting the turtles and a pattern. I won a jelly roll of the Strawberry Lemonade line a while back and haven't made up my mind what to make with it yet. Maybe this pattern? Split Decision - No need to make up my mind now. Too many other irons in the fire. I was going to meet some good quilting friends and go to a quilt show in Watsonville tomorrow, but I keep hearing that there is going to be a big storm coming in tonite and will be with us through Sunday. I think I will just snuggle up and stay in. Not a good time to be on the road. I stopped at the grocery on the way home and got some ingredients for soup, my netflix movie selection "Becoming Jane" was in my mail box and there is the turtle quilt to get quilted! Not to mention that I have 59 of 60 socks to work on. My friend over at Rabbit Stitchings asked if I was knitting. Nooooo these are of fabric and they are blocks not real socks, for this: Lost Socks quilt. I'm doing a swap with some close friends. Here's my first.I've decided to try the starch method that everyone uses. Being a needle turner I thought it was too much prep time, but I'm finding that I like having them sooo ready to go! But the jury is still out on this method. This is a very simple pattern and I think that corners are easier to needle turn. I'm going to go get cozy! Happy stitching!

Doin the Turtle Dance

2008-02-19T18:52:00.000-08:00

The turtle top is done!

It's really wonky, I sure hope the little waves will quilt out. I know you perfectionists and long armers will cringe when you read that. I have a few excuses of the wonkiness; curves, on point, pieced border, yadda yadda.. But besides the little waves, I really like how it turned out. I will probably bind it with the dark pink. I was having issues with green again, that is why it took so long to get done. Umm now to get it quilted. If I wasn't so embarassed about the wonkiness I'd have someone do it for me.

Wait, that's not all I've accomplished! I also finished the Piece & Plenty BOM #3. This block is designed by Brannock & Patek and is primitive. I love primitive, but I didn't realize how difficult it would be for me to DO primitive. I thought I needed more guidance, but now that I'm done, I think it was a good experience. Now I know I can do it!

So, have you signed up for the new Designer Mystery BOM that Kimberly has going over at the Fatquarter shop? I couldn't resist. They go fast and I know I'd be heartbroken if I missed out. Good thing Vicky catches these, cause I would have missed it for sure.

I'm moving on to some new things, I've started another swap that I need to make 60 socks for. The pattern is called Lost Socks, it's adorable and easy so it should be fun. I guess I'm just one of those gals that need at least 3 0r 4 balls in the air. I can't settle down to one project. That would just be too boring!

Have fun stitchin!

It's Been Awhile

2008-02-14T14:30:00.000-08:00

Today really is Valentines Day! I hosted a meeting at work today and here are the goodies I brought (dependable pretzels and tissue holders) with the table runner that I managed to get bound and quilted!

I managed to mess up my computer, doing something as simple as putting password protection on it so that a guest could use it while I was away. DUH DUH DUH!!! I set to password protect and didn't have the administrator password. Sure messed me up. I ended up having to do a recovery on the computer and since I only know enough to make me dangerous, I haven't been able to re-establish what I had. It feels like I'm using somebody else's computer!

Other than that I haven't been able to accomplish much, just working at work and then petsitting. I'm still working on bock #3 of my P&P BOM and the ever lovin turtles. I've got a plan for those turtles tho, and I've been working on that, it's getting there. I'm just soooo sllloooowww (hmm kinda like those turtles!). Here's a little of the turtle progress..

And... While I was gone it looks like Kris came over and Tagged me for the 7 weird/strange things meme. I hope these few items don't make you think I'm even stranger than you already thought!

The Rules: 1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you. 2. Post THE RULES on your blog. 3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog. 4. Tag 7 people and link to them. 5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged. Here we go.... 1. If you give me a plate of food, I will eat it all. But only one item at a time and I save what I like best for last.

2. I've lived in Houma, Louisianna and Katy, Texas for short periods of time, 20 years ago. Other than that I've only lived in the San Francisco Bay Area.

3. I was born in Berkeley, California. (see! I had weird beginnings!)

4. My grandparents homesteaded desert property outside of Las Vegas Nevada. They both worked in the casinos. As a child I slept on their roof!

5. I've only ridden a horse once and that was a pony in the park (same with riding a train!)

6. I've never been on ice skates or snow skiis

7. I have to read at least a page or two every nite before I go to sleep.(my sleeping pill)

ok thats it. Now for my tags.... hmm I need to find somone who hasn't been tagged.

SuBee, Vicky(she's havin a blogaversary giveaway!,Alison, Bon, and Laurie

I think I'm at the end of this game, so if I tag you and you've already done it... OH WELL!!! I'll be back home on Saturday, hope my computer finds it way home. Toodles!

It's FebRuary!

2008-02-01T21:08:00.000-08:00

and that's the month with the extra R, what a waste of a good R. I thought this week would never end, it just kept happening. I'm so glad it's FRIDAY ! I won't be able to accomplish too much this weekend and It'll be hit and miss for my blog for thenext two weeks. I will be petsitting in Benicia along with my other day job. You know, the one that pays the bills. The up side is that this is my quilting money and we still need to stoke up this economy!

I haven't accomplished much this week, only prepped my 3rd block for the Piece & Plenty mystery. The turtles are still on the wall and they brought the baby in to the office yesterday for show and tell. I need get that done! I stopped by ThimbleCreek last nite to look for a book for Deb. Nope, sorry Deb, they didn't have it, but I did manage to pick up a new American Jane pattern and one lone fat quarter. This pattern gave me an idea to maybe quench the desire I have to make a hexagon quilt. Time will tell. Thimble Creek is having a super bowl sale on Sunday, so I'm reserving my lust for fat quarters until then. Why pay full price? Last week I stopped in for the same reason (Deb's book) and ended up getting about 10 fat quarters only to have them go on sale last weekend too! I mentioned that to Joe and he gave me a few extra punches on my card. Such a nice guy. He was working on a yummy quilt made with Fig Tree fabrics with a machine appliqued medallion of his own design. Please don't hate me for not having pictures, I'm not one of those bloggers that carries a camera around (mines too lumpy). I'll try to take my camera with me when I walk the dog this week.

What I do have to show you is a wallhanging that will be in my office for the month. I finished this last year. It's a Bunnyhill Design and it was a joy to do! Hope you have a sweet weekend! xoxomar

Awards and Give Aways

2008-01-29T21:07:00.001-08:00

I'm probably too late for this, but want you to know that Brenda over at Acorn Quilts is having a little give-away to celebrate her new book!Hope you can get there in time and check out her new blog. I thought I'd lost her!

I tell ya I haven't had my head on straight, my blogging buddie Sharon bestowed an award to MOI!!! I'm so thrilled and honored. Thank you Sharon! Ya know if Sharon is quiet, something must be wrong, so please email her!!!!

As for awarding who makes my day?? who who who... you, you, & you!!!

xoxomar

No, Not A Rebel

2008-01-27T23:15:00.000-08:00

Thank you Kim, for showing us the light. I'm not a rebel, no no no.... I'm a PATRIOT! I'm doing my part to stimulate the economy in my own small way. I'm wondering if it was something in that Los Angeles water that gave me the urge buy fabric? I have no excuses for my purchases, other than that Roman Holiday piece was 50% off, it will be the backing for my All Things Christmas. Oh and I'm really wanting to do a hexagon quilt out of Fig Tree fabrics and then there is the swap that I need stuff for. On the stash busting side I did manage to turn the charm pack that Darlene sent me into a little table runner. Note, that I have the backing up there. I'll machine quilt it next weekend.

I also finished the 2nd block of the Piece and Plenty Moda U Mystery. This basket is designed by Joanna of Fig Tree fame. Love doing these blocks, I'm going to start prepping the next one tomorrow nite. Have a good week everyone, hope you get some stitches in! xoxomar

A Rebel?

2008-01-26T10:12:00.000-08:00

I thought I would slip this stash busting report in here quickly, before the next one is due. Yup, I'm late again. That's because I'm feeling like a rebel. There is a song from the 60's that keeps going through my head and I did a little research on it. It's called He's A Rebel by the Crystals. I wasn't even a teenager when this came out, but I remember it just the same. So in my research I found that the Crystals didn't even record the version that became a number one tune. It was the Blossoms. Just a little bit of Trivia for you. And if you watched the video in the link for He's A Rebel, who does that remind you of? First thing I thought of was Heath Ledger. I don't know if Heath was a rebel, but I would think for a straight guy to play a gay man in a movie, he would have to have a little bit of a rebel in him. I really liked Heath, I thought he was a great actor. I loved watching him in " A Knights Tale" or "Cassanova" and "The Patriot". What a sad loss. Oh yeah, this is supposed to be my stash report.... I have only acquisitions to report. As I mentioned in my last post 28.5 yards of Vicky's stash followed me home. It all happened quite innocently. She plopped some bags of fabric on the table and told Judy and I to go through it and take want we wanted. It sat there for 2 days and finally I started to look through it thinking I would take the neutrals for a swap that I'm in. Once I was done, Judy said she didn't have room in her suitcase to take it home. Well, I couldn't say I didn't want it, could I? This just doesn't look like 28.5 yards, but it really is! Do I get any points for taking it off of Vicky's hands? And this trip was all about going to one of the biggest quilt shows in California right? So a girl has to shop a little! We also went to a couple of quilt shops in our travels. Ginger's and Bolts In the Bathtub. So here is a pic of another 10.25 yards that came home north with me and the other stuff I acquired. Sharon you must be special, cause I didn't get a fat quarter in my goodie bag from Kris like you did! Ok, so it's Saturday, and tomorrow is time for another stash report, I need to go accomplish something so that I will have more to report than my fabric gluttony! I such a rebel!

Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jig

2008-01-21T09:56:00.000-08:00

And exhausted!! But a good kind of tired. What a fun trip with such a good group of friends. The Debs are the perfect travel companions and Vicky is a wonderful hostess. And Judy, what I can I say, if you ever get a chance to meet her, you will love her just like I do! The show was fantastic. I didn't get to meet up with all of the bloggers that I wanted to, but at the Calico Horse booth I was able to say hi to Donna and Cheryl. I also whispered the secret password to Kris over at Cozy Cottage Fabrics & Yarn booth and got a special gift. I didn't buy much either, but a certain 28.5 + yards of fabric seemed to follow me home. I'll do another post about that. Just wanted to say.. HONEY I"M HOME!

Before I left a little special something from Darlene arrived in the mail, cute huh? I plan to make a table runner with the charm pack. I'll need to think a little about the flowers, but can't wait to try this out, cause they sure are cute! Thank you Darlene!

BUH BYE!

2008-01-17T07:26:00.000-08:00

Well I'm packing it up and going on a road trip with the Deb's. We are driving down to LA to meet up with our BFF Vicky and I'll get to meet Judy. Road 2 California, here we come!! This trip looks like it will be a great one. Hopes of turning a great quilt show into a bloggers convention is high. I'm sure you will hear about it before I even get home! You know Sharon, she isn't the quiet one! Of course she may be having too much to blog? We'll see. This is quick post, I still have to pack and run to the bank and gas up the car. I wanted to leave you with a couple of pictures. Remember I said I was always late? Well Nicole put out a challenge for all to show their work table. I'm too late for the competition but here's mine.. at least a corner of it and yup there is at least fifteen things, but I don't have time to list them all.

And here is the other little critter that leaves hair all over the place.I pulled out the top drawer of the tower to dig thru patterns and when she saw a cozy place I guess it was just too irresistible!

And I have a mystery gadget. This came with my order from the Fabric Shack.

WHAT IS IT? IMWTK!

Until Sunday.....

Muse? What Muse? I don't see a-muse..

2008-01-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

I've read on some of the designers blogs that at times they've lost their muse. MY creative muse needs a GPS. Do you think they sell Tom Toms for creative muses? I have a tendency to AMUSE... myself that is. I have the hardest time making up my mind. Even when I've taken polls and asked everyone that could have an opinion. Case in point.. The turtle quilt. Do you remember when this started back in the summer. This is what it started off as Here. I didn't get around to even thinking about it again until after Christmas. The baby was due 12/31/07. Did I tell you that I always wait till the last minute? After thinking about the fabric I bought, I didn't like it. It was for a baby girl and I wanted something sweet and cute and girly. Looking at what I had in my closet, I decided to use 30's repros. Pink and Green to be exact. A friend suggested, what I thought was a good idea, to strip my pink and greens. Off I go, cutting up all the pinks and greens I have. Must go shopping for a background! Found a sweet print. Right away I made a big error in cutting the strip sets! I cut the setting triangles too small. Hmmm maybe I'll just use the strips for the border. I know! I'll go shopping! I'll use just greens for the turtles, my sweet print for the backgrounds and all I need is a fabric for the setting triangles. I Found two fabrics, couldn't decide, buy both....... one did work. Now the turtle blocks are made and I remember why I don't like 30's pink. So far I've named this quilt "Turtles On Antacid" and "Pepto Turtles". Yup, 30's pink reminds me of Pepto Bismo... ewwwww. Now I'm having trouble deciding on borders, I asked one of my online groups to help me decide. These are the choices:

The majority liked the one with the green inner border and the stripped outter border. I like that one, but it doesn't give that sweet girly look. I've been looking at this quilt for 3 days now. The baby was born a week ago, so I guess I should make a decision. I think I know what I'm going to do. Next time you see it, it'll be done!

Stash Busting?

2008-01-13T17:32:00.000-08:00

Well, I didn't buy any fabric this week, I just finished this block that I already had. Does that count? Does it count that those little filler blocks are paperpieced and I wasted a bunch of fabric cutting my pieces out to small? Not to mention that it took me all day yesterday to make these five little blocks! I'm such a doofus, thinking I'm so smart. I haven't pp'd in a long time and it took me a while to get back in the swing of it. I had just enough to get the job done!

This is the first block of the Piece and Plenty Mystery from The Fat Quarter Shop. I love that they are using this fabric line, it's Madeira by Blackbird Designs from Moda. So far each block is a basket by a different designer. This block is by Amy Bradley. Can't wait to start the next one!

Good Saturday Morning to You!

2008-01-12T08:53:00.000-08:00

I haven't had much to post about this week. Work has been busy and I've had a couple of trips to the dentist. No more heavy rain so I haven't had to bail out my patio! Now that I started my focus list, I'm working on at least two projects at the moment (baby turtles and P&P#1) so I don't have any pictures. I'm off work until the 22nd so hopefully soon I'll be showing what I've accomplished.

In the meantime, I remember that question that was going around "What's On Your Bed"? This is whats on mine when I don't get it made in a timely manner.

The way this little princess sheds, it makes perfect sense for me to dream that I rented my son's two cats their own apartment!!

This what my bed looks like when I get it made in time!

The Storm

2008-01-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, like any other work day, I got up with my alarm, made coffee, turned on the computer and started reading my emails. I got to the comment from Kim about keeping dry. (Kim is located about an hour north of me) Hmm that's right, this is supposed to be a big storm! I think ohhh how I wish I could stay home, call in sick, but I'm a supervisor and I really need to set a good example for my staff. I leisurely finish my e-mail and go get ready for work. As I was leaving I look on my patio. OMG!!! my patio was under a good two inches of water and it was still raining fast and heavy! At least it was casual Friday and I had my jeans on, sheesh, I spent the next 4 hours sweeping water off my patio. At one time the water kept returning from the side yard I was sweeping it into, so I had to go out and dig a ditch so the water could disperse. Here I am, blisters on my hand from the broom, in my little red poncho, drenched from my toes to my knees out digging ditches! Who would have thought? (Kim? did you get a Voodoo doll?) All I wished for was to stay home so I could build a fire and applique in a nice cozy condo! Careful what you wish for! I guess I need to be more specific with my wishes.

I have no pictures of all of this, I was a little too busy. I finally got a hold of the property management and they sent a landscaper out to see if they could help. The rain had slowed by then and most of the water OUTSIDE of my patio had drained. He dug out a little more and showed me why and where the outside drained so quickly. He also confirmed what I thought was happening. I share a common wall to the left of me and have another neighbor above me. The left side of my patio is the low end! So basically I was getting the run off from 3 other patios. I tell you that water just kept coming!!! The landscaper will report to the property manager that a drain needs to be installed to prevent this from happening again.

By 1:30 all looked like it would be ok, it stopped enough to sweep most of the water off and the worst of the storm was over. Off to work I went. I didn't want to, but I'm glad I did. My staff were all having the day from hell too and really needed help.

So that is my stormy tale of woe. I feel badly for all of those that got it worse. No rain yet today, I don't think it will get as bad as yesterday. Before it starts I need to go to the post office and drop off my old TV at the e-waste site. I'm going to make a pot of soup out of my left over turkey breast and work on my focus list. Enjoy your weekend! xoxomar

Happy New Year!!!

2008-01-01T13:35:00.000-08:00

So what are you doing on the first day of the new year? What are you cooking? Me? I'm going to roast a turkey breast, yummmm. I've been spending the morning working on some redwork and watching the Parade on my new TV. I've found that Monk is doing an all day marathon and and he's very light weight and a good background for sewing. Remember that baby quilt that I bought the fabric for a couple of months ago? Well, I finally started it, but it's now a totally different quilt. Yep, I changed my mind. I've got two little turtles done and 6 more to go. Today I'm also going to start my Piece and Plenty BOM. A dear and thoughtful friend gave this to me for a Christmas/birthday gift. Can't think of a better way to start the year!

You may have noticed my new list the the right. Instead of a to do list, I've labeled it a FOCUS list. It's a list to help me stay focused on the projects I really want to work on. I sometimes find myself doing nothing for no good reason. My plan is to focus on category 1 projects first, as they get done I will promote items from category 2. We all know that new projects will pop up unexpectedly, so I will cagegorize those as needed. I have no limitations as to how many projects are in each category. I'm just trying to help myself stay more focused and not forget all of the wonderful projects that are here, waiting to be done. I haven't done very well with the stash busting, but I think this list will definetely help me use what I have.

So my dear blogging buddies, what are your goals?

Wishing you the best year ever!!!....xoxomar

Farewell 2007.... Hello 2008

2007-12-31T20:10:00.000-08:00

Christmas came and went in a flash. I never really got any decorations up, nor did I do any shopping. I was in great denial this year. The day of my last post I came down with a nasty cold. I tried to keep it together, but I missed some work and basically missed Christmas. I did manage to get the crayon bags done and made 3 little girls very happy. I don't know of a better feeling than to watch a little one open your gift and see them get so engrossed that they forget there are other gifts to open!

I needed wrapping for the crayon bags so I stopped by K-Mart on Christmas Eve.I think that is where my Christmas Spirit was hiding! All it took was for me to see some adorable Martha ornaments on 50% off and it was a light bulb moment! I'm so excited about next year! Sure hope by the time it rolls around I will remember I have these little goodies. Maybe I haven't decorated because I didn't have a fake tree and going out and getting a real tree was too much trouble and $$ just for me? All of my ornaments are for a big real tree. Well... now I'm looking for a 3 foot fake tree. That is all I need, I found one, got it home and it's not green... it's COPPER! ugh! looks like a dead tree. The search continues. Nothing can move me like the word "Clearance" ! My sweet son thought that I had been very good this year. He surprised me with a gift that left me speechless. His gift from me left him speechless as well. Can you guess which is which? Here's a clue... His comment was "hey it's PG 13!" (I told you I was in denial mode, I hang my head in shame)...Thank you Andrew, now I'm no longer in the dark ages of television!

Tick ... Tick ... Tick.......

2007-12-20T22:10:00.000-08:00

No it's not a bomb, unless you call Christmas a bomb, I think the phrase "It's the Bomb" went out of style a while ago. As I type I can hear the clock ticking down the days, hours. minutes and seconds that are left to get my projects done. I thought I would put up this post and not revisit until Sunday Stash Report. I spend entirely too much time on the computer and time is getting short. By Sunday evening I will need to complete 3 crayon bags, a table topper and a pillow case. Hmm, we'll see what I can do. Yikes, I have a dentist appointment in between now and then too! The placemats were a success, all of the recipients seemed pleased as were the tablerunner recipients. I made a huge pot of vegetable beef soup, ceasar salad, french bread, cranberry oat bars and pumpkin pie cake. Let me tell you there wasn't much of anything left over!! Oh except salad, I bought too much, so somebody brought chicken in the next day and we had chicken ceasar salad and french bread for lunch! Not much to write about tonite. This may be strange, but in the category of "Things that make you go HMMMM?"........ The little tin in the picture came from Joann's filled with cookies. I think I bought it last year on clearance, it could have even been the year before. Check out this year's "Christmas Past" line, it's a perfect match!! Kinda like what came first, the chicken or the egg? Ok, now this one isn't as close, but it is ribbon that again I got on clearance at Joanns last year, and it sure reminds me of the Holly Jolly line. Ok, now that I've given you something to think about, I'm going to get bizzzzy, where's my Starbucks, I'm going to need gallons!!

Holiday Progress

2007-12-16T11:10:00.000-08:00

Things are moving along. I put a wreath on the door, I have scented candles burning, I'm drinking my Starbucks Christmas Blend with Peppermint Mocha creamer. I've been watching the holiday movies (happy to catch "It's A Wonderful Life") and I bought a christmas cd to listen to. Oh and got some peppermint ice cream too!

This morning I finished the 4 table runners that

I started about a month ago. They've been waiting for applique. I'm very happy those are done! Now I can move on. I'm taking my staff of twenty lunch on Tuesday so those preparations will keep me out of trouble. That's when I will be giving them the placemats. I'm going to make more of those pretzels too. I made some last week and they are yummy!!

Now for the stash busters, please note that the table runners are completely from stash!! But I will confess to pushing some buttons on Friday. I ordered this "Heels On Wheels" fabric to make a pillow case as joke gift for my now single son. And my next projects are crayon bags for my two little nieces. I have a lot of fat quarters that would be appropriate, but no yardage. Darn, I think I need to shop! Fa La La La LA... Tis the season!

Oh and head on over to Strawberry House Quilts and leave her a message, she's having a giveaway!!

EDITORS NOTE: hmmm about that pretzel link, I don't think crazy Sharon realized that she put her pretzel tutorial in the same post as her husband's polyps.. oh my!! just scroll down and you'll find it.

Ho Ho Hummm

2007-12-11T20:57:00.000-08:00

This is my Sunday Stash Report, yeah I know it's Tuesday, what can I say? I have not bought any fabric. Of course I didn't use a lot either. I did one block on my secret gift Q project, but I've abandoned that project. There is just not enough time. Now I hope to get it done for next year. Hmm what do I feel like working on now? I guess I will do some machine applique to finish the 4 table runners that I started a while back, that would at least be 4 more gifts. Maybe work on a redwork project.

I don't know what it is, I can't get in the holiday mood. I did manage to put a wreath on the door and I have my scented candles burning. I've been looking at all of the blogland homes decorated and cheerful, but it's just not working for me. I do have this wallhanging in my office that I finished last year. It's called Winter Greetings by Elizabeth of Late Bloomer Quilts. This was before my machine applique class so it is needle turned. I love this because I can leave it all winter!!

Did that and Done!

2007-12-05T20:23:00.000-08:00

The placemats are done and in their baskets, I'm going to bring lunch for my staff on the 11th and hand them out then. These were fun to make and I don't know where my brain was, but I almost didn't quilt them. It finally dawned on me that they were supposed to be "quilted placemats". Sometimes I can be so slow, but eventually I catch up. Like next time I make these I won't use all of my prints and maybe space them out with some tot's or solids. Duh, then I may have had enough of the prints. I think they have a saying for this, something about hindsight. It also finally dawned on me that this was another "P" project!! What's up with that? First it was pincushions, then pumpkins and then back to the pincushions cause I didn't get them done and now placemats! I'm done with the "P's" and I'm movin on to the "Qs" but I can't say what. What I'm working on now is a gift for someone who may check my blog. So... I'm busy and staying out of trouble. The 20 placemats managed to use up about 5 yards of my stash and odd bits and leftovers of batting, so this is gonna be linked to the stashbusting!!

Oh and how cute are those napkins that I found at the dollar store... 2 for a buck?

I'm a Winner

2007-12-04T09:38:00.000-08:00

Gosh I'm just grinnin from ear to ear! I've been patiently posting at all of these fantastic blog give aways with the hopes of winning something. Wondering if I would ever get lucky and BAM!!! Three in a row, I 'm so flippin excited. First I woke up yesterday and read Darlene's Blog to find that she picked me as a winner, altho she wasn't exactly doing a drawing, it was a thrill all the same and a great way to start my day. Then last nite before I went to bed I thought I would check in over at Calico Horse Blog and OMG! I won a Strawberry Lemonade Jelly Roll !!! Sweet dreams for me!! So surely not expecting anything else like this to happen, I was going thru my blog roll and OMG again! Sandy over at Vintage Collage and Quilts drew my name for her adorable Cup Cake Quilt pattern. Those a just the cutest little cuppy cakes, I'm just can't wipe this smile off my face. I don't care what anyone says, it's FUN to win!!! And now the anticipation of delivery.... the fun continues! (Stop the presses, I just realized that this winning streak started over the weekend, when my name was drawn in another quilting group's weekly drawing, that makes 4!!! Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket? go to the horse races? Reno? Vegas?) **** Added note: Camille is having a Pattern Giveaway, be sure to visit and let her know what your favorite patterns are, you might get lucky! ****

First of December - Time Flies

2007-12-01T11:07:00.000-08:00

I haven't decorated the condo, but I did do a little here. I've been spending way too much time looking at everyone's holiday decorations. What beauty to behold. It just doesn't end! Actually, I think this is just a form of procrastination. Good grief, I'm even thinking of baking! I managed to get 7 placemats done and now I'm bored. I would really rather do something else. Anyhoooooooo... Here's a little link that you can play with. Make-a-Flake - A snowflake maker by Lookandfeel new media I'm actually thinking of Sharon, cause she has that sign that says that all of her best friends are flakes. Now with this link Sharon can make all the friends she wants!! LOL OK, I'm gonna go work on placemats.... Hope you enjoy your Saturday!

Home Again

2007-11-28T20:35:00.000-08:00

I've been busy pet sitting in Benicia, keeping Grizzy (above) and Ferris company while their owners were up in the mountains. I love Benicia, it's a beautiful little city right across the delta from where I live. I took my camera with me, prepared to show you the sights that I enjoy so much. Unfortunately not all goes as planned. My camera wasn't cooperating. Here are a few pictures that I took when I stayed in June or was it July? I love old houses, the house I stay in was built in the 1800's an old victorian with lots of little rooms and high ceilings and room for REAL furniture! These are pictures from the neighborhood when walking Grizzy (none are the house where I stay) So this all means that I don't get much sewing done, I do a lot traveling to and from their house, to my house, to work, yada yada. Usually by the time I land I'm too tired to accomplish much. I took a block from Happy Hauntings with me and did a little applique and when I was home I did get a couple of the placemats finished. I realized that I need to go purchase some more of the stripe fabric. Using the salt and pepper shaker print and the stripe was enough without adding a 3rd fabric. So I'll be doing just a little shopping on Friday. I guess I fail at stash busting. But I really really need it! LOL and I'm not keeping it, it will not rest in my stash... there, is that better? Have I justified this purchase yet?

Use it for the Holidays

2007-11-23T18:22:00.000-08:00

So did everyone have a good Thanksgiving? My granddaughter and I spent a few hours traveling to and from Pine Grove, a little town above Jackson Ca. It was sooo worth the trip. It was wonderful to spend the afternoon with my brother and his wife visiting from Arizona, my stepbrother and family from the bay area and of course my Dad and stepmom. Great meal, great company. And great news too! My stepbrother and his wife are expecting. It was surprize for all of us! And of course the dinner was awesome.

Today I've been pretty wiped out. Did you go shopping today? I went to the grocery store and the dollar store, no crowds there! I seem to remember when we thought that 7am was awfully early to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving. The sales were so great, I mapped out where I would go and stood in lines. Not anymore, any sane person is in bed at 4am and I really feel for those who work retail now.

4 am ??? NUTZ !!!

Thank you for all of your ideas and links to crafty gifts. As soon as I posted the question, my friend Deb sent me a link for roll-up placemats. They're cute and have a pocket for utensils. I went digging in my stash and found a few yards of Barb's Kitchen line, you might remember, it has all of the little salt & pepper shakers. Very cute! So had exactly enough of that to make twenty tops and found some vegie fabric for the backs and some stripes for the untensil pockets. I even found some cute fabric napkins at the dollar store. I was looking for utensils, but they weren't very nice. I think I will look at the thrift stores, Ross and stores like that,they really don't need to match. I'll post picture when I'm done, I've got them all cut out and the tops pieced so far. And thanks to all of you I have great ideas for next year.

I received the most wonderful gift in the mail today, from one of the sweetest bloggers we know. How Darlene finds time to shower us with such sweet little gifts, I will never know. I just know that I feel so blessed and special to recieve this little piece of her. I was going to hang it in my sewing room. But now I think I will put it in my office so that I can spend more time with it! Isn't it CUTE???

Thank you Darlene, I love it!!! Just looking at it puts a smile on my face and a song in my heart.

And speaking of special blog buddies, I think Vicky may be feeling a little better cause she is talking up her stash! She sure gave us a scare. Keep up the good thoughts for her. Since I'm using what I have for my gifts this year, I'll be linking up to Judy's Stash Busters. Wish me luck, the new lines are so tempting!

Well, I need to go prep a block to take with me to pet sitting tonite. I just know that all of you are already busy with holiday preparations. I'm not even going to mention how many days we have. :-)

2007-11-21T21:12:00.001-08:00

I am thankful for all of you who visit me and so much more. Hope you all have a wonderful day with your families. xoxomar

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

2007-11-18T11:01:00.000-08:00

Oh what to do, I'm spinning my wheels trying to figure out what to make for my staff of twenty for Christmas. I had big plans of making them all table runners, but just realized after working on them for the last 3 days I could never get them all done in time. I only got 5 put together and they still need a little machine applique. I guess they will be gifts for others. Have any good ideas for me? Last year I made pot holders and gift jars of soup mix. I do have one idea, but need to work up a pattern. Thinking along the lines of a personalized pocket placemat for their lunches at work. Maybe I could find some inexpensive place settings to include? Seems that I have a thing about food. hmmmm.... Wish I would have thought about this sooner. LOL, I could have been done!!! Oh and I'm all about "Homemade for Christmas", I've seen that logo on other blogs but haven't looked into what it is all about. Also I'm REALLY all about "Use What You Have". I've seen that logo on other blogs also, but I'm just doing my own thing.

Speaking of food, I participated in the chocolate swap over at Red Geranium Cottage. Sharon paired me up with Subee. What fun! you can check out what I sent Subee HERE!

This is the fabulous box I received. Su was a little more timely than I was and now my chocolate is all gone. Boo Hoo, it was delish Su and the box was adorable.

THANK YOU!!!

Guess I'd better get back to work! xoxomar

2007-11-14T12:43:00.000-08:00

Alone Again ! Where do I begin?

How do I tell you what an awesome time I've had without boring you to tears? Maybe just the highlights....

Saturday 11/3 - Pincushions are done, condo is clean, I'm ready!!!

Sunday 11/4 Pick up Cheryl at the Oakland airport, out to dinner with son and Daja. Yum, ClaimJumpers!

Monday 11/5 Carol and Syl arrive in afternoon. Carol is here from SC and seeing her grandson for the first time in 3D. Syl is staying with Cheryl and I. Carol is off with her son and family to get some grandma time in. She will meet us at the retreat.

Tuesday 11/6 Visiting, laughing, crying, yak yak yak!!! (and Dancing with the Stars!)

Wednesday 11/7 Haircuts, carwashing, last minute shopping. Deb is coming! off to Thimblecreek, home for dinner, baking,packing watching Miss Potter.

Thursday 11/8 Packing, loading the car, off to retreat! shopping at Inbetween Stitches, hugging on Vicky and Jane, seeing old friends, meeting new ones!! Dinner, Alex speaking, gifts & prizes, laughing, crying, sewing, sharing.

Friday 11/9 COFFEE... Alex demo applique prep, brunch, group picture, Shopping caravan to Quilter's Inn in Danville, Thimble Creek in Concord, (where I ran into my stitch & bitch friend, Wilma who made this quilt!), stopped at my condo to tend the "girls", Main Street Quilts in Martinez and InBetween Stitches in Livermore. Out to dinner at MIMI's in Pleasanton. Back for sewing, laughing, sharing and sewing!

Saturday 11/10 COFFEE!!!... Paula demos machine applique, brunch, show and tell, sewing, seeing Pam, sharing, laughing... Dinner, gifts, drawings, sewing, margaritas, sewing, laughing, unsewing, sharing, FUN!!!

Sunday 11/11- Packing, saying goodbyes, promises to keep in touch. Home.

Monday 11/12 - Visited the second session retreat, shop with friends, finally stop at the Polka Dot Attic in Danville. Home to Rest and Relax!!!Tuesday 11/13 - Off to shop at Queen B's in Antioch, on a mission to spend the gift certificate my staff gave me on Boss's day! Bought Roman Holiday fabrics for All Things Christmas. To the PO to mail my chocolate!(more on the chocolate swap later)

Today Wednesday 11/14 - Cheryl left for Mass. at 4 am this morning. Alone again. Good thing I've got the girls to keep me company. I won't even mention the work crew making all kinds of racket working outside on the condos!!!

I'm sorry the pictures I took didn't turn out, I was either too far away or they blurred.

2007-11-01T20:22:00.000-07:00

Yippee Skippee it's my Friday again. But this time I'm grinning from ear to ear. I don't have to face that office again until November 19th!! Yep it's time to have some fun! Time to get some quilting done and visit with my very best of friends. I'm so excited to see everyone, it's been a long year!

I know Halloween is over, but I forgot to share this with you. This was from a kit purchased from Keepsake Quilting, on clearance! I probably bought in Feb. to get it on clearance, but I have a friend who loves fall and all that goes with it. This gal hangs in her office all through the year :-)

The chili and pumpkin cake were both a success! Here is the cake recipe, Rebecca gave me permission to share it with you. It's so simple you won't believe it! It's almost the consistency of a bread pudding, very moist.

Pumpkin Angel Food Cake

1 box one-step angel food cake mix

16 oz. can pumpkin

1-2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice*

Mix together; pour into 9" x 13" pan.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

*1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. ginger, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg or allspice, 1/8 tsp. cloves

I've also made this with a can of crushed pineapple and hear that it it fabulous made with a can of lemon pie filling or a can of cranberry sauce.

2007-10-30T23:04:00.000-07:00

This is the wall hanging in my office.

Good Jack-Bad Jack, kinda like my personality ;-)

Thought I would post before I head to bed. We've had a pretty good earth shake in the area tonite, hope all is well with my blogger buddy Theresa, she lives very near.

I've made a pot of chili for the office tomorrow and also tried a new recipe for a pumpkin cake. All of the little guinea pigs at work can test it. All it takes is an angel food cake mix and a can of pumpkin with some pie spices. Hope it's good. It drives me nuts not knowing if it's good or not.

Hope you have a fun day tomorrow!

I sure hate see this holiday come and go so quickly. Would you believe I saw the beginnings of a Christmas tree lot tonite. They have campers and stakes and a porta potty already!! Nuthin like rushing things!

Another Good Weekend

2007-10-29T07:53:00.000-07:00

This is the extent of my Halloween decorating, pretty pathetic eh? I was able to get all but five of the pincushions done, yipeee!!! I have to pick up another package of piping to finish them up. All is good! I managed to also get about 40 of the little tissue holders done for retreat gifts and a good start on my packaging for Sharon's Chocolate Swap. Four more days of work and then I will have two weeks to play! My friend, Cheryl from Mass. will arrive next Sunday and Carol and Syl will be here on Monday. Syl will stay with Cheryl and I until RETREAT! starting Thursday. Then I will finally get to see Vicky and Jane and so many other great quilting friends. For some of us this will be our 7th year together! Ok off to work. Have a good week.

This Little Pincushion Went to Market

2007-10-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

Last year, I was way ahead of the game with my pincushions. My pal Deb says I was done by August. I did all the stitching by hand and was so happy doing it. I was using Alex's new Alexandra line that wasn't out yet and feeling kinda smug ;-) you know, smiling alot! Then she emailed me asking if P&B could use my design for a handout at Market. My design? the little basket is Alex's and I just came up with the idea, but... SURE! I was honored! I had to make an extra for the sample, but that was fine by me! I think they gave them out at the Schoolhouse, but don't really know for sure. Alex made sure that one kit was saved for me. I thought they kitted them up real cute..... So this little pincushion went to market and all of the other little pincushions went wee, wee, wee all the way to retreat!

Double Tagged!!

2007-10-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, don't wanna be a party pooper so I'll play along. Giz tagged me for the 10-20-30 years ago. After you've been tagged, and answer/post, you need to go over to RelevantBlog and leave a comment and link. As boring as my life is, here goes....

10 years ago - Was working as a clerk for the Department of Human services, going to a lot of Jr. College football games raising my then 18 year old son.
20 years ago - Was working for the Dept. of Human Services, I had already been working for them for 6 years. Raising my then 8 year old son.
30 years ago - I just got hired at the library, but I must have had too much fun cause by the end of 77 I was pregnant with my son. If you are still awake, I'm gonna tag Vicky, West and Laurie - Good Luck Ladies Then my sweet friend Vicky tagged me for 4 MeMe (notice her name is first up there?)
4 Jobs: Worked in a Florist; Fry cook; Clerk; Clerical Supervisor
4 Films I could watch over and over: Pride and Predjudice (any version); Dr. Zhivalgo; It's a Wonderful Life; Elf
4 TV shows I watch: Desparate Housewives; Brothers & Sisters; Masterpiece Theater; City Confidential
4 Places I've Lived: Martinez California, Houma LA, Katy TX, Concord California
4 Favorite Foods: Any homemade soup, grilled cheese, broccoli, any kind of pie :-)
4 Favorite Colors: RED, Blue, Green, and all of the others
4 Places I would like to be right now: Quilt market, mountains, quilt retreat, with friends
4 Names I love but could not use on my children: Chloe, Amanda, Mathilda, Benjamin
4 People I'd love to tag: Gloria, Giz, Erin and Gail

Now why was this such a chore? See ya later!

FEELIN GROOVY

2007-10-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you for all of the get well wishes, I don't know what it was but I think it's gone now, I've gone to work for two days now and I'm feeling preeeeety good! Since you asked, here are pumpkin pictures, inside and out! one is needle turned (I got 11 of those done) and the 31 others are machine appliqued using my new skills. Notice anything wrong? oops, I guess I didn't listen to the teacher. I forgot to reverse my pattern when I did the steam a seam technique. I don't think it will matter too much, I hope not. It's been fun seeing all of the pumpkins out in blogland. You can check out Erin's or Yvonne's, and Teresa's. I think there are 42 of us and if you've posted pictures on your blogs that I have missed, please let me know. It's going to be one adorable pumpkin quilt. I did get a chance to "chat" with another pumpkin swapper Gloria. What an interesting new friend. Anne Sutton designed the Strawberry Hill pattern for her and mentioned her on the back of it. (oh and Fatquartershop has this pattern on sale! and they also have some NEW Bunny Hill Designs!) I hope you will visit Gloria and ask her to show us her pumpkins too! Some of you were asking about the pincushions. I can't share them until after the retreat, but have an idea. Alex Anderson posted a blog about Duck Butts, it was funny. I told her I was gonna blog about pincushion butts. We thought that was funny too. But then I thought about it some more and thought it was dumb. But oh well here goes....what's wrong with dumb? TADA!!! PINCUSHION BUTTS in all their glory, this basket shows half of them done. At the moment I have got a total of 60 done and 20 to go. I think I'll make it! OK, are you still with me... all together now.... Slow down, you move too fast. You got to make the morning last. Just kicking down the cobble stones. Looking for fun and feelin' groovy. Ba da, Ba da, Ba da, Ba da...Feelin' Groovy. Hello lamp-post,What cha knowin'? I've come to watch your flowers growin'. Ain't cha got no rhymes for me? Doot-in' doo-doo, Feelin' groovy. I've got no deeds to do, No promises to keep. I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep. Let the morning time drop all its petals on me. Life, I love you, All is groovy... xoxomar

Whelp, the weekend is over

2007-10-21T23:57:00.000-07:00

I'm still up, It's midnight and I should be in bed. Morning will come too soon. This happens every weekend. Seems I never want to go to bed and once I get there I don't want to get up. I get my hours messed up so quickly, I think my internal alarm clock needs repair.

It's been a productive weekend inspite of not feeling well. I even passed on going to a local guild show, just didn't feel up to it. But... I managed to finish all of my pumpkins, even trimmed them all, now they just need to be taken to the Post office. I also managed to get 10 pincushions piped and stuffed I got all but two of them stitched closed while watching Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters. I will be working on these every nite when I get home. Hmmm tomorrow nite will be Dancing with the Stars. I will have to discipline myself to keep focused on these. 30 more to do and they will be done. Vicky mentioned that there is only 20 days till retreat. OMY! My friend Cheryl from Mass. will be coming in on the 4th so I need to get the condo in order also. No time to waste, must get rest. Sweet Dreams.

MY FRIDAY !

2007-10-18T20:45:00.000-07:00

OH Lucky me, I work a 9/80 shift and have every other Friday off. I pay for it by working an extra hour every day but my alternating Friday. That other Friday is an 8 hour day and my cherished short day. Tomorrow is my Friday off. So today is my "Friday". LOL, have I totally confused you? I didn't get much done this week. It's been stressful and busy at work and have come home too tired to get much done. I did go to my Wed. nite group last nite,but ended up taking out what stitches I put into my haunted house. I just visited and came home a little early. This morning and most of the day, I've been feeling kinda yucky. Hope a good nites rest will cure it!

So what does this leave me with?

A Boring Blog, that's what it leaves me with!!

Leaves..... This is a little wallhanging that I did when I met with my old Wed. nite "stitch and bitch" group. A few quilter friends lived on a court and we would sew in their garages and watch the kids play out in the court. During the summer it was fun, we moved inside when it turned colder. We'd go on field trips to Thimble Creek and out to dinner and exchange gifts at holidays. We don't meet any longer, but I do have this little quilt to remember the fun we had. I hang it my office every year around this time.

This weekend is designated as the BIG P WEEKEND, I have to get down to business with those pumpkins and pincushions! I have 3 wonderful days to get something accomplished. Wish me luck!

I'm going to leave you with some before and after pictures of Precious. When she moved in with me it was summer and I made my son get her a shave, LOL, she got clipped pretty good. Her new "do" is growing back, it looks better on her but doesn't look so good on my dark clothing!! Hope you all have a productive, if not, a FUN weekend, doing what you love most.

Maybe You Could Join Us

2007-10-15T19:27:00.000-07:00

Vicky and I will be at Alex Anderson's Quilt Retreat next month. I can't wait!!! It's so much fun. My "famous" friend Deb just posted this news on another site. I thought I would let all of you in on the contest too! APQS and Alex are having a contest. What fun if you won! Why I'd even make you a pin cushion ;-o Alex Anderson Quilt Retreat contest link http://www.apqs.com/quiltingcontest.htm Check it out and if you enter ... Good Luck!

Class at PIQF

2007-10-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

Whoa, what a busy weekend!! I think I need a week to rest from my weekend! Thursday was spent at PIQF, Friday was chore day, you know the days where the laundry, car, bills and all of that boring stuff needs to be taken care of. It rained HARD all day too! I've also been pet sitting in Benicia, it's not hard work, but it's not the norm, so it takes a little more effort. Saturday morning I was signed up for a class at PIQF. I've never taken at class at a show before! I've said that if I went back to Asilomar I would take a class by Sue Nickels and Pat Holly to learn how to machine applique. Well Sue was teaching a raw edge applique class and I couldn't resist. Chances of me going back to Asilomar are slim, so I thought I'd better take advantage of it.

Sue is a great teacher, she covers everything and has so much patience, yet allows everyone to move at their own pace. She uses a camera to teach so that everyone can watch her work on the screen as she doing it. It's an awesome tool. It was wonderful to see her quilts. Such beautiful machine work. She works very closely with her sister and most quilts are done in tandem. I was going to show you a couple of pictures, but blogger is being difficult, quit after the first picture!

The 75th Anniversary Bernina's were furnished for the class. If you are a Bernina lover, I'm sorry, but I wasn't a happy camper. I wasn't familiar with using the knee lift. The last time I used my knee for sewing it was when I learned how to sew on my Mother's old Singer in the cabinet. Talk about flash backs! I was also having trouble with it skipping stitches, and that darn needle up/down feature on the foot pedal was too sensitive and messed me up constantly. Even with all of the problems and unsewing, I managed to get one little bird block done. I can't wait to sit down at my Pfaff and give it a go. Now that I see how it is done, I will be machine appliquing my pumpkins.

During lunch break my friend Debbie and I met up with Deb and Holly and I was able to lure them to the Bonnie Blue Booth. I got some major notches in my meg belt. We had to hurry back to class but there was plenty of time to shop after. I got some supplies that I found useful in the class, easy thread needles & tweezers. I found a couple more patterns and that was it. Today I was off to a baby shower and back home to clean up the messes I left while passing through all weekend. Back to work tomorrow, but I do have another 3 day weekend this coming week, just 4 more days!!

Where to Begin?

2007-10-11T22:48:00.000-07:00

What a day! It started by taking a bus ride with the Wednesday nite ladies to the Pacific International Quilt Show in Santa Clara Convention Center. This is a huge show, I think the largest that I've been to. I love taking the bus, everyone is always in such a good mood and you don't have to fight traffic coming or going. The show was awesome as always, but I have to say that I really just go to see the vendors, LOL! I think I have already seen most all of the quilts online at one site or another. There weren't many surprises. The biggest surprise to me, was to see so many quilts with very very heavy quilting. I guess that is the trend now that there are so many talented long arm artists. The quilting is beautiful, but sometimes I think it's a little too much, but that is just my personal opinion. I tend to like the more traditional.

My first mad dash at the show was for the Fig Tree booth, Joanna has limited kits made up and they go quick. I just love her stuff, she had her patterns there and I managed to put a sizable ding in my checking account. From there you could follow my trail of drool from vendor to vendor, I think I left a big pool of drool and the Bonnie Blue Quilts booth. Be still my heart, those civil war fabrics tug at me. I wasn't too bad, but according to Vicky's three touch rule, I should have brought it all home with me, I must of picked everything up at least 6 times and put it back. I found out that they are from Katy Tx. , I used to live in Katy Tx.!!

So this was my haul, a little of this, a little of that. I was happy to find the book for my class on Sat. (yes, I have to go back on Sat., oh darn!)I was able to take a nice nap on the bus home. When I got in my car there was a light on the dash board that I didn't recognize! OH NO, I knew I have a small oil leak, but this devastated me. I thought I was being punished for my carefree purchases. I came in and looked in the book... LOL, oops! I forgot I turned the defroster on this morning, whew, saved again! Then I went out and got my mail, what an awesome surprise was waiting for me!

My new bloggy friend Theresa sent me the most beautiful piece of hand dye that I've ever owned, the color is so pure and clean, THANK YOU!! Isn't this gorgeous?To top it off I got news that I finally have enough in my deferred comp account for my employer to kick in a little... nice! Hope your day was good one.... OOOOO I almost forgot, I got chance to see Pam and give her a hug, in fact she probably thought I was stalking her, we were passing each other at every turn! It was great to see her and ... Ok I'm babbling, I can't wait to go back, LOL! I'm gonna go see if I can remember how to put pictures from the show in my flicker album. And also I wanna add that after seeing what Carol bought in just ONE shop, I don't think I bought much at all!! ( a good thing she wasn't with me at Bonnie Blue's)

Finally Finished!

2007-10-07T17:20:00.000-07:00

Last year I made that Nancy Halverson panel advent calendar for my son's foster child. They asked me if I could make something like that for her birthday. Daja's birthday is on Halloween. Do they want birthday theme? Halloween theme? They said both! This sent me in a tizzy, I'm not creative, I can follow a pattern, but that is as far as it goes.

Hmmm.... Daja loves PINK! Oh my gosh, this is the little girl who when I visited her took me by the hand and pulled me into her room, jumped up and down over and over yelling PINK PINK PINK! My son had painted her room totally PINK! She was tickled pink! I remembered that Moda line "Wild Things" that was cute and had pink in it, kinda Halloween, so I searched and searched and found some coordinating fabrics.

Now for a pattern. Hmmm, I couldn't wrap my mind around a design. I Spent hours looking online, looking through magazines and books. I found I had one those fabric folding books. AHA, a little bit of an idea. The Christmas book had a pocket type count down hanging. But wait, isn't there a Halloween book too? I Need it! Well I got it and it didn't have anything that really worked. Then I showed Daja the fabric. She didn't like it! Do you see where I'm going with this? $$$ is adding up and I still don't know what I'm doing! Do you do this? Do you start off in one direction and turn completely around? I guess this how I build my stash. Well then, the divorce got started and I put it all aside. I wasn't planning on making this, because of all that has happened, but I kept seeing the fabric sitting there and I had to do it!

TADA, here it is. It's pink and it's original, I borrowed the pattern from the fabric folding book and got some help with lettering from Elizabeth's book and Holly's fabric is so fun to work with. (Thank you for the link info Rabbit Stitchings! ) My lil project is finally done. Just need to sew the button, the label and the sleeve and I can send it off . It's outta here! I sure hope she will enjoy it. I won't get to see her face when she opens it and finds all of the goodies that I'm stashing in those little pockets. The only place I used the original purchased fabric was for the binding, sleeve, backing and pocket liners! The lime has cute purple spiders and I found an awesome lime green button with a spider that is going on the end of the thread running through Halloween under the spider web.

So now I can move on,

I'm off to mind my P's.... pumpkins an pincushions that is!

Happy Birthday to my baby brother and my dear Dad, they both celebrate their birthdays today. You are both always in my heart!

Lazy Blogger

2007-10-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

No, Actually I've been a very busy blogger, the day job has been extremely busy & I've been working on a special project that is taking longer than I thought (don't they always?) I'll be back to post and share pics when I get this lil project done. xoxoxomar

I'd Like You to Meet...

2007-09-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

The GIRLS!

Biddies and Precious

I used have dogs and cats, but that changed as soon as I had my first child. Too busy for animals. I pet sit often for extra stash cash, so I've had plenty of opportunities to enjoy other peoples pets. In fact I love OTHER people's pets. Well at the beginning of summer I inherited my son's cats. It was only supposed to be until they sold the house (staging, right?) No problemo! come stay at Kitty Hilton, I have a master suite at their disposal. Unfortunately he got kicked out with the kitties! So the story goes, my son got a divorce and I got custody of the girls. I guess now I'm a cat person. He loves his girls dearly and as soon as he gets settled (it's the batchelor life for him), he will take his girls, but now I get to feed and care for them. They are quite endearing. I swore I wouldn't get attached. But how could I resist?

Now don't you think they would look cute in those LHDG Cherry Baby Kitty bibs that they are going to give away here: http://hollyholderman.typepad.com/holly_blog/

I'd like to give a special shout out to my doggie friends Rio, Daisy and Grizzy. Please don't be mad, I still love you too!

To get in the mood for the new season and because this is supposed

to be about quilting, here is a picture of a little wall hanging I made for a dear friend many years ago :-)

Muddy But Nice!

2007-09-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday ended up being a wonderful day. It rained on Quilting In the Garden though. I called ahead and found they had hung all of the quilts indoors. Hmm, it was going to be a muddy, crowded show but wanted to meet up with some special friends. It was sooo worth it. We had a good time looking at all of the quilts and chatting with Alex. We said goodbye to one our group and headed over to Inbetween Sitches and LUNCH at the Railroad Cafe. This little place has great food and they close at 2, so we just made it. We had to wait about 15 minutes and would you believe they told us we could wait in the quilt shop, they came and got us when our table was ready!! How's that for service! LOL I Love it! Potato pancake and fruit, yummm. Inbetween Stitches was packed, got a chance say hi to Pam and the crew and shop a little. Then we headed out to the Diablo Valley Guild show. What nice surprise that little show was. It's grown since the last one and had some very nice quilts. It was great day and I was worn out!! My purchases were minimal. I'm so proud. I must be preoccupied with pumpkins :-) This is all I bought and no Darlene, not joining you yet! ( oh how I want to!) Also, I've added a flicker album to the left. There are some pics of both shows in the albums.

Quilt Season in the Bay Area

2007-09-21T21:40:00.000-07:00

These are pictures from last year's Quilting in the Garden. It's a wonderful event that I look forward to all year long. And guess what? It's happening again tomorrow!! I hope the weather holds, because a lot of work goes into hanging all of the quilts up in the old oak trees. The show is two days, but I'm going tomorrow hoping to meet up with my quilting buds, Holly, Pat, Nancy and Debbie. With a little luck I'll also run into Alex Anderson (and if I'm really lucky her parents too), Elizabeth from Late Bloomer and Pam her sidekick (Pamkittymorning). One of my favorite shops is also in Livermore, InBetween Stitches, of course I will stop there. Here is the back of their their tent at QIF last year , Alex signing t-shirts and some quilts hanging.

Other happenings include a local guild quilt show. a stop at another favorite shop "Quilter's Inn" and then Thimble Creek where Joanna from Fig Tree Quilts will be signing her new book.

Next month PIQF is the big happening ! It seems we go for months with no quilt happenings and then... It's THE SEASON! :-) More tomorrow. nite nite

Pumpkin Auditions Are Now Closed

2007-09-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

Oh my, what a process this has been. I know, you're wondering what the big deal is, it's only a green pumpkin. I honestly can't tell what takes me to these lengths. Call me the manic quilter I guess. I thought I would show you some of the auditions. They will all now turn into bit players in my stash. This first batch tried hard, but they just didn't make the cut, too brown, too blue, too green? I label these the pumpkin wannabes. Next the next picture is a group of what I have named the Great Contenders. These three greens are from Benartex's William's Inn by Nancy Halverson. Have you seen this line? Queen B's out in Antioch has the whole line. Yummy stuff! It's a huge line and has beautiful prints and colors. Well just when I thought I was going to use that little William's Inn plaid, I ran into This awesome woolie! It is a Maywood Woolie. It's flannel with a woolie look, too cute and it played the part of the pumpkin perfectly!

This will be my contribution to the pumpkin patch. As of right this second there are 3 pumpkins left that are looking to be picked. If you would like to join us please check it out and respond ASAP!!

http://www.pumpkinpatchprimitives.com/Newsletter.html

2007-09-18T21:20:00.000-07:00

Another Day, Another Green (yuck, yuck... Green Day!) Well, the 3rd times a charm thing didn't work, that green faded into nowhere land when I put it on my tan background. Tonite I brought home another green, it's in the dryer, we'll see. I have no great expectations, I'm goin with the flow, if it works - AWESOME, if doesn't work - AWESOME, I'm stash building. So now I'm appliquing the haunted house again and ignoring the green situation. I just got this in an email, have heard it yet? It CRACKED me up!!

MY LIVING WILL

Last night, my friend and I were sitting in the living room and I said to her, "I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug.

"She got up, unplugged the TV, and threw out my wine.

She's such a bitch.....

:-) nite nite

2007-09-17T19:48:00.000-07:00

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN! I had never considered myself to be green challenged. At one time green was my favorite color. It kinda got pushed aside because of my love of RED. But I still like green. I have green all around me.

I even have a green bathroom.

I have green glass in the window sill and a green stash in the closet! I realize that it isn't a huge green stash, but keep in mind that my repros and Christmas greens aren't represented. I never thought I could relate to Kermit, but I kinda enjoyed his little song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpiIWMWWVco Why am I so challenged by green? It's all about the perfect pumpkin. I want Pumpkin #34 to be the perfect pumpkin. I know I worry too much!!! So what I really want to know is... at what point does blue turn green and green turn brown? The right is the first green I bought, is it too blue? the left is the second, too brown? I think the top one is just right, it was the third and you know that saying about the 3rd being the charm, it will make a charming pumpkin! I'm gonna use it and be done with it!!!

Details you ask??

2007-09-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

I too was amazed when I saw this particular coffee pot. Silly me I didn't even bother to look up reviews. Still haven't. It may have drawbacks that I haven't found. This is the link to the product at Cuisinart: http://www.cuisinart.com/catalog/product.php?product_id=376&item_id=472&cat_id=3

It is a 12 cup coffee brewer. You fill your cup with the lever. There is a series of baskets that contain it all, I'll try to show you since the link above is useless!!

Picture one is the insides taken out. The larger black receptacle (which has a handle) is what your coffee drips into once it is brewed. The smaller basket is the filter/coffee holder (it also has a handle) and nests inside the larger.

Picture 2 is where it all sets, picture taken from the top of the maker. You pour water in the opening on the right (there is also a replaceable water filter there) The water goes up thru the lid and drips down. The heating element is the round lighter spot. This picture is taken without the coffee receptacle.

Picture #3 is the inside of the coffee receptacle. You see it also has a round metal disk that matches with the one in the machine. That is what keeps it hot. The only down side that I have found so far, is that I have to remember to turn it off. I think I can program it to turn off too, I haven't gotten that far. So how we doin? Any questions?

I'm Rev'd Up and Rarin To Go

2007-09-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

I've been hearing about this "Retail Therapy" and saw what it did for Vicky. I decided that I could use a little therapy myself. Yesterday the only thing I accomplished was this beauty.

Wow I love this contraption! No carafe to get busted, no coffee burning, no thermal carafe that doesn't keep your coffee warm enough. All I have to do is put my cup under there and press the lever. It even has a little gauge like the fuel gauge in my car.... It actually has an "E" & "F" LOL!

Gotta love Cuisinart. It was pricey... but I'm worth it!

I was able to stop and get a batik for the turtle quilt. I ended up going brighter. It's in the wash. The coffee's working, I'm buzzed, gotta go... Toodles.... later..... :-)

SNAP OUT OF IT!!!

2007-09-15T12:50:00.001-07:00

I'm in some sort of funk! I think it's called overload. I can't decide which way to turn. I even tried climbing back in bed! It started with me making a pot of coffee and forgetting to put the pot on the coffee maker. If you would have told me I'd be cleaning under my sink today, I would have called you a big liar!! Funny thing is, it's all my own doing. I took the trip to Sew Ewe Quilt shop yesterday. The shop is looking good, they've expanded and have more fabric and have a nice little $5 a yard area. I only came home with two pieces of fabric and no GREEN!!! Actually I supervise a gal who is having her first grandchild. I want to make her a grandmother's quilt because her daughter won't let her purchase stuff for the baby unless she approves. Well, Mary loves turtles and mermaids. They make her so happy. It's nice to see Mary happy, Mary's 19 year old son was murdered about 6 years ago and she is still grieving. She breaks my heart. My hopes are that this grandchild will help her move on to a happier life. ANYHOO.... here's the pattern I want to make . Cute huh? The two pieces of fabric I picked up were for this, but now I need one more. Aww gee I gotta go fabric shopping again! Ok the blue will play the role of the white fabric and since this little one will be a girl, I'm hoping to find a nice clear pinky pastely floraly batik to play in the red role. I fell in love with this pretty blue it's Jelly Frost by Andover. It reminds me of sparkling water. Of course the back is going to be this Laurel Burch Mermaid Print. So now this is another project to occupy my poor little overloaded brain. You tell me, should I work on Pincushions? Still have 40 of those. What about Pumpkin blocks? I'm gonna need 36 of those and need to decide which fabrics to use. Maybe I should go looking for fabric or should I sit and applique on my Happy Hauntings? What ever I do, I need to get going, the day is wasting away!! added note: I'd better go buy a coffe pot so I can get something done tomorrow!!

Modem Snafu

2007-09-13T06:55:00.000-07:00

Well it wasn't Fritz after all, good thing, cause he usually causes problems. I guess my modem was just having a hot flash or something. When I got home from my Wed. nite group I started messing around and found a button on the back of the modem. Turned it off and on and Voyla!! Here I am and I didn't even get a pumpkin made. I started working on my haunted house block. Just got a few windows turned. So far I've bought two greens for my pumpkin and can't decide which to use, since I can't decide I figure there must be a better one out there. On the hunt again! It's a sickness ya know. Sew Ewe Quilts is having their anniversary sale starting Friday, is this just an excuse? We'll see. Have a great day!

Due to Technical Difficulties

2007-09-12T17:24:00.001-07:00

there will be a brief delay in programming. WHAAAAAA, my computer's on the fritz and I'm posting from the office which is a big NO NO! Hope to be back soon. I'll be busy working on pumpkin #34. I know a couple of you have taken the plunge. What's your #? Don't have one? Join us!!! Hit that link in the post below. Hope to see you soon.

Hey There Pumpkin Lovers

2007-09-09T15:04:00.001-07:00

Anne Sutton posted a link to a pumpkin swap today and I jumped or maybe fell right in. This should be fun. Hope you join us. I can't wait to see all of these little pumpkins!

http://www.pumpkinpatchprimitives.com/Newsletter.html

Remains of the Day

2007-09-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

Yep, that and the memories of another fun filled day with friends. I bet you thought today's blog would be all about the spoils of our shopping. Actually it was more about the pile in this picture. We made astounding progress on a secret group project. I hope to show you the end results in a few months. All of you bloggin buddies were so right!!! Omy, I stayed up till 1:30 fretting over the house, I got up at the crack of dawn to make food for my guests. I repeat, you were so right!! I was so tired and terribly grouchy. I shouldn't have worried. The plan of the day was to meet at my place at 8am. The C&T sale started at nine and we wanted to get in as soon as possible. I'm about 5 minutes from the sale so I thought we'd have time for some nourishment before we faced the events of the day. I was ready with a nice little feast. Southwest quiche, strawberries, scones, juice, coffee. But all for naught. Holly was right on time, but with no appetite. The Debs were running late, so we ended up meeting them at C&T. The C&T sale is an annual event. It has been 3 years now and nothing will top the first one. The prices are awesome and what they called "damage" would amaze you. All of these books were in the damaged section at three bucks a piece. I was lucky enough to get some newer publications and just as lucky to find a couple of older ones. I bought a few others but those may turn into gifts and I wouldn't want to give away any secrets. After C&T, it was decided that we would go to breakfast with a stop first at ThimbleCreek. ThimbleCreek was bustling with activity. They were having their Saturday Block Party pick up and a 30% off backing sale. Plus cut fat quarters were only $1.25. I couldn't pass up the fatquarter deal. I'm always looking for backgrounds and bits of this and that for applique. This was a steal. I did control my desires tho. Infact I thought I was very good!!!

Then we were off to breakfast and Main Street Quilts to visit Susie and her awesome shop. I wish I would have had my camera with me. Main Street was blocked off for a custom car show and our little downtown was packed with colorful cars (and colorful people too).

We'd all had enough shopping by then so we skipped Cotton Patch sale and went back to the condo and got down to the business of the day! SEWING!

The quiche end it up as an early supper and my brunch today, so nothing is wasted. I 'm lazing around, doing laundry and getting ready to start another set of pincushions and prep another of the Happy Hauntings blocks.

I just looked down at my jammie bottoms and Tweety is looking up at me with his hands on his hips saying "Don't Mess With Me!" Maybe I could learn a few things from Tweety!

Hope you have a great week!!

If I had a Magic Star Wand...

2007-09-07T09:47:00.000-07:00

What would I do? Well first off I would swish away my extra pounds, improve thy self first, right? then I would swish myself into retirement and good health. Dream on...

Today I'd like to swish my condo into a squeaky cleandom. The Debs (Deb and Debbie) and Holly are coming for a sew day tomorrow. OH MY! C&T Publishing is having their warehouse sale and Cotton Patch is having a Copy Cat sale (they are gonna fill their parking lot with lots of goodies at good prices), Thimble Creek is having a sale and we all want to go to lunch and hit Main Street quilts in Martinez too! Wait, when are we gonna sew? This is guaranteed to to be a FUN day so I need to get prepared and here I am blogging.

One thing at a time, right?

1. dream

2. blog about dream

3. blog about clean

4. then clean.

It all makes sense in my mind.