On The Farm Quilts

The View From My Sewing Room

2012-02-07T11:46:00.000-08:00

A list buddy posted a photo of her relaxing day at the beach yesterday. She lives in Hawaii and the photo on her blog Peach Quilting is SO enticing! So I'm getting her back with THIS!!

This was taken through my sewing room window just a few minutes ago. Pretty ug-ly isn't it?

Rather than sitting here at the computer I need to be out at my machine. You will crack up when you see what I'm making for the youngest graddaughter! Ok, just a tiny peek.

Back to doing something that needs to be finished.

Have an awesome day!

Today I'm thankful for a warm house.

A Question From a List Buddy Has Prompted This!

2012-01-30T12:13:00.000-08:00

A list buddy thinks I'm very creative and asked me a few questions. It turned into a novella size reply so I thought I'd post my answers here!

NO, I don't think I'm creative at all but I DO like to take something and re-purpose it for another use, especially if it's old.My daughter mostly makes me that way! How did I ever raise a girl-child that doesn’t sew? My mother didn’t set me down and say, OK, here is today’s sewing lesson! I had a very big Bride Doll and decided she needed more than just a wedding dress to wear. I told my mother I wanted to make her some clothes so she gave me a pattern, some fabric and said be careful and don’t sew your fingers. That was it! And I didn’t sew my finger, until I was married and making a dress. I’ve only done THAT once!! (As I’ve aged I find that I’m a real woosie when it comes to pain, my threshold gets lower and lower. I’d no doubt pass out and die right on the spot!!) ANYWAY. I was probably 9-10 when I started sewing by making clothes for my doll. I’m not saying the craftsmanship was anything to brag about certainly. I’ve had to learn that as an adult. Mostly by watching a niece that is VERY accomplished. Just sitting and watching her sew as we visited, I learned so much about the proper way to do things. She’s so good she paid for the remodeling on their house with her sewing machine! Took the house from a very tiny little 2 bed, 1 bath to a 3 bed with an absolutely HUGE livingfamily room.

DD has me making a Nurse apron for my Princess, from a photo she saw on Pinterest! This has been an interesting journey. The child is in TX, I’m in WA. Her mother knows next to nothing about sewing! She doesn’t understand when I call/email saying I need another measurement, “Mom, I already told you how long it needs to be. Isn’t that enough?” I have things done and I’m ready to sew it together today. PTL!!!

Her other project for me is a crochet bag that she also saw on Pinterest. The directions are not in US English, so that’s a real challenge. I’ve discovered that we write crochet pattern instructions much differently! So, it’s a learning experience, to say the least! DD keeps my life interesting! Even from 1500 miles away LOL

I just HAVE to share my new purse with you. I love it! It's not leather and I only paid $15 for it. If I can find cheap, I can have a new one now and then and not feel that I have to use it FOREVER!

I don't want to brag or anything but I just think this is so cute! Wouldn't it be awesome in fabric?

That little "quilt" it's resting on is made from Dresden Plate blocks my Grandfather stitched before he passed away. I just put four of them together, added some ruffle and there it is! (I do love Dresden Plates) I wanted a cover for my seldom used pellet stove that I would like to stay nice, and further more, dusting isn't something I really enjoy!

Have a great day! And do something 'quilty'!

Isn't This Sooo Cute?

2012-01-27T09:56:00.000-08:00

sewhappy.me Check out this darling wall hanging! I'm printing out the instructions as they are given. The first part is up today and will be availiable until next Friday. Anyway, that's how I understood it. It's only three parts, so shouldn't take too long to finish.

The weather has warmed up, for a few days, and the other day the wind blew very hard. According to my max/min thermometer though, it was 16* F last night! No eaves dripping !!

That's it for now. I have sewing that I really want to get accomplished today. That's my intention. And I might do a little ~~hiding things~~ straightening in between LOL Something to make it appear I'm NOT the slobby person I really am!!

Have an awesome day!! And, if you're North of warm weather. . . .STAY WARM

Winter Is Here!

2012-01-24T07:17:00.000-08:00

We've survived this first major storm of Winter. My heart goes out to the families of those who didn't. I won't repeat the details but there have been at least two tragic incidents that I know of. Very heart-breaking.

It was beautiful! For a day or two. Since this snowfall we have had freezing rain so all this beautiful snow has turned to solid ice. It has melted some but my car is still stuck in the snow. I was without power on two different occasions for a few hours. I feel fortunate because there are STILL many people, even here in our county, that are without power.

On another note: Scroll down and take a look at the CUTE, quilt-a-long I found. And, of course, notice that there are LADYBUGS crawling around on it. It's from 2010 but the instructions are still up. Now to see what I can find for polka dots!

I blogged the other day about getting the cardboards from WalMart, well, that started something.

I have added more bolts since I took this photo and THERE'S STILL MORE. I had no idea I had so much fabric because it was all in little totes stuffed here and there. Now I need to make some curtains to protect it from the light and dust. (which is VERY plentiful here once the snow melts LOL)

Now I'm off to get some mug rugs made for a friend. I need to give them to her when I see her tomorrow as she lives about 60 miles away. I'll see her if my car gets dug out of the snowy looking ice, that is!

Have an awesome day and I hope you are surviving whatever is being thrown at you, weather-wise.

Today I'm thankful that I have power and the temps are warming enough that during the day this STUFF is melting.

What I'm Doing

2012-01-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

I made the most delicious Chicken Rice Soup for lunch. I like soup! I can get my veggies without any stress and it warms me all the way through.

I also stitched a bit on the Elefantz BOM. I'm doing the words now and it takes a great deal of time. I'm basically a cross stitch person so this is a REAL challenge! But I'm enjoying it.

I'm working on making a little thread catcher that I saw on a blog. It's really cute but a great deal of hand sewing involved. NOT my best talent LOL I'm learning!

I was given 15 of those little cardboards that bolts of fabric are wrapped on so yesterday I took some time and started rearranging things so I can wrap the larger pieces and put them where I know what I have. That turned into one of those "bigger mess" situations! Now I'm trying to decide just HOW to arrange them, by color families, subjects or what. First I need to get it all on the card boards and settle on a place in this tiny room! One thing I'm finding is that I have enough fabric to open my own shop LOL And SCRAPS! Do we EVEN want to go there? Is this even lawful? LOL I need to make many many quilts for others.

Have an absolutely awesome day!

Pincushion Kit Giveaway

2012-01-13T09:20:00.000-08:00

Susan over at Desert Sky Quilting is doing a giveaway until January 17. The kit includes the pattern, fabric, and a fabulous looking button for the top. Click on the link to find out how to enter for a chance to win it. Good luck!

Have an AWESOME day!

PS--There is a chance of snow this next week in our forecast! Maybe winter is just VERY late. Just hope it doesn't stick around until June LOL.

THE 2012 BOMs HAVE STARTED

2012-01-03T04:35:00.000-08:00

I wasn't going to collect any BOMs this year since I barely got started on the ones from 2011 but Jenny at Elephantz is doing a stitchery that's just a small size, perfect for the sofa. Each month is a different Bible verse so that will be fun to do. If you notice, there is a button to her site and the BOM.

ABC'S ABOUT ME

2012-01-03T04:30:00.000-08:00

About Me ABC's

Age:63 Bed Size: Queen bed with pillow top mattress Chore You Hate:Washing windows. Dogs: Mini Doxie, DaisyEssential Start of Your Day:Reading my Bible Favorite Color: Most any shade of blue Gold or Silver: Silver Height: 5'2" Instruments You Play: Clarinet, Organ, Piano Job Title: Mom and Grammie. Kids:3 and they've given me 6 GRANDS Live: Washington, USA Mom's Name: Julia Ruth (she hates it!) Nicknames: Tootie, when I was a child. Overnight Hospital Stays: Baby deliveries and masectomy Pet Peeve: People who lie to impress others, chewing with your mouth open(or talking with food in your mouth), and people being late. Quote From a Movie: "I'm older and have better insurance. Tawanda!." Right- or Left-Handed: Right Siblings: 0Time You Wake Up: That depends,usually between 3 and 4 a.m.Underwear: Yep, I wear them! Veggie You Dislike: Brussels Sprouts What Makes You Run Late: I am very good at not being late.X-Rays You Have Had: Dental. Yummy Food You Make: What are you asking? Most everything I make is yummy or I don't make it again LOL Zoo Animal You Like Best: The big cats!

Thanks for listening! :) How about you? Copy and past this list to your blog and after you fill it out, leave a comment so I can come see!

It's Beginning To Seem Alot Like Christmas!

2011-12-17T08:45:00.000-08:00

No. No snow yet, but an endless supply of frozen fog. It does make everything white.

I finally framed a small stitchery that i did last winter. It was shown in multi colors but, loving redwork, I did it in bluework!

I've been doing other sewing lately but after the first of the year I plan to really attack all the quilt patterns in my "I Want To Do" file. We won't talk about how BIG it is LOL I think I'm addicted to downloading all the neat patterns I see online, plus buying every quilting magazine that catches my eye. If you think I can ever throw one out, WRONG. Sometimes I just grab a few, sit in my rocker, and feast on the eye candy! I also scatter a few in strategic places in the living room as seasonal decor. Nate Berkus likes stacks of books so why not magazines also? LOL

Today I'm thankful that moving the thermostat for the furnace has helped a great deal in warming the rest of the house. It is a programmable one so now I need to get it programmed for something warmer than 62*! That's not in my comfort zone, more like my "I'm frozen now" zone! Now, if I could just get rid of the nasties in my bedroom I'd have my entire tiny house back! OR, I could just move. I'd REALLY like that!

Have a totally awesome day!

White Christmas? Maybe

2011-12-14T23:06:00.000-08:00

It's snowing! Not very much, just enough to make the ground white so far but I'm sure all the kids are excited!

Here's what I've finished today. I'm making progress!

You can't tell from the photo but there are tiny little pom-poms, glitter, and sequins on the snowmen. These little postcards go to the grands in Texas.

The tea towel apron started out as one of those quick in-an-afternoon projects. Well, it turned into a PROJECT! I really wanted to use that yellow ric-rac but I was 5" short. Bummer. I "borrowed" just enough from another project but then there was a seam where it joined so I made the yo-yo flowers to cover it up. It called for ribbon ties but every day I've had in mind to go to town something else has come up so I used some other coordinating fabric to make the ties. FINALLY, it's done!

I've been having so much fun making postcards that I did the two with the reindeer from two orphan blocks I had and two little Daisy Kingdom reindeer that I've had "forever." I think they were in the scrap part of some Daisy Kingdom thing I did for my younger daughter when she was young. (She just turned 31, so you know how old those reindeer are!)

I have one more postcard in mind to make for my sister (by choice, not blood). She has really been there for me even though we live about 60 miles apart at this time. So I'm going to try and make her a paper pieced yellow rose. We'll see how it comes out.

A friend came over and checked out the "cool-air" furnace. It put out heat just fine when he was here. Yesterday, back to cool air. He's coming back tomorrow. Everything checks out just fine when he puts his meter on it. Sigh. Thank you God for my pellet stove! I had to clean out the stove pipe today because it just wasn't burning right. No wonder. It was VERY clogged! It helps to do maintenance once in awhile LOL It has a cap on the bottom that you take off to get the soot out but I couldn't get it loose so I had to have a neighbor stop by and take it off for me. Messy job! My stove is burning so nicely now though! I have a new favorite brand of pellets. They are Hot Shot. They burn so much cleaner and completely than the ones I used previously. AND, they are $50 less per ton. That's one of the few times I prefer something that's less expensive!

Today I'm thankful for:

"Sisters"

Pellet Stoves

Have an absolutely awesome day!

Today I'm Thankful For. . . .

2011-12-12T16:15:00.000-08:00

A friend who had a business in heating & cooling, came over today to check out my cold, cold furnace. He brought his meter to find out just what the problem was. Guess what!! Not a thing! It must have been a loose connection of some sort and when he jostled wires it reconnected. I don't know and I don't care. I have heat again and the best part is it didn't cost a thing. I've been without a furnace for over a month. The high here today was 26*! Now, before you wonder just HOW I was able to survive I'll confess that I do have a pellet stove. I was living in a very small space and venturing to the back of the house (bathroom) only when it became desperate!

Praise the Lord for helpful friends!! And, Thank You for heat!

This is what i saw when I peeked out Saturday morning, a real Winter Wonderland! It's frozen fog, not snow, but it's still beautiful.

And here is a little fabric Christmas card for my older granddaughter in TX

Nothing fancy yet, I'm still a novice at this but I think a five year old will like it.

I have her brother's and her two cousins in various stages. I'll post them when they are finished. AND, I just need to put the ties and neck strap on my tea towel apron, then I can unveil it. So I have been trying to keep busy while it wasn't too cold in here!

Have an awesome day!
And don't forget to be thankful for SOMETHING!

Preview Is A Good Thing

2011-12-02T18:06:00.000-08:00

Had I taken the time to preview the last post I would have noticed I was referring to a Turtorial LOL I seriously doubt I will post again without previewing it first!

My apron is almost done. I want to use some jumbo rick rack that is just the right color. It is about 6" too short. So I think what I'll do is decide just where I want some additional trim, cut the rick rack and put it on either side. If I do it right I don't think it will be too noticeable. A friend suggested yo-yo flowers. That would be cute.

A family situation was resolved today favorably so I worried all day for nothing. Why, at my age, do I feel that my worrying will change the outcome? I could have been much more relaxed all day and I'm sure my arteries would have appreciated it! Somewhere, probably on a cassette, I have that old (now) song about "Don't Worry, Be Happy." Days like this I need to have it on a constant loop in the background LOL

So. My gratitude for today is that situations will work out the way they are supposed to and I need to just quit worrying about everything.

Have an awesome day! And. . . . don't worry, be happy!

Tomorrow is going to be a long day so I'm going to watch a little TV and turn in for the night. I am really tired, probably from all the worrying!

PS to Apron Turtorial

2011-12-01T09:07:00.000-08:00

I flipped through her catalog to find the size of the fabric used for the trim and ruffle. It's 18"x27", a little wider that a FQ (fat quarter). Stampin'Up sells a bundle of 3 for around $10. Time for Stash Shopping!

The day is going fine so far. I just can't believe how intelligent our Border Collie is. We have fencing and a gate that prevents her from going up to our shop. Earlier, I took her out and opened the gate, told her to go up and eat her breakfast. Mind you, I've never done this before. She watched until I was safely back in the house then went up and ate. The next time I looked out she was sitting patiently by the gate, waiting for me to open it and let her back in the house. Are ALL BCs this smart? (not allowing Skidboot in to the competition LOL I'm not too sure but what she could have been a challenge to him when she was younger!) She will herd chickens on her own but I have better luck getting them out of my yard with my Mini Doxie!

Have a Great Day!

2011-12-01T06:31:00.000-08:00

I just discovered a blog with the neatest little things you can make from all those scraps--pattern weights. You can see them here . I've always thought of pattern weights as oversized washers, ugly but practical, these bring pretty into the picture also. You could make them to coordinate with you sewing space, what fun! Why didn't I have thse years ago when I was sewing clothes with tissue patterns? Oh, well, I soon will have a few to add to the ~~clutter~~ collection in my tiny sewing room.

Here's another practical item, a tea towel apron video right here . I don't know about you but when I cook I always have a towel handy. . . . somewhere, in the way, on the counter, with one of these the towel will always be right where I need it. My only problem has been trying to find the width of towel she uses. I searched the internet, and found some really cute ones, in France! I just can't justify spending that kind of precious money on an apron LOL So my apron will have a seam in it, no big deal, this is a working apron, not one to wear when welcoming guests! And, since I don't have a die cutter I'm just going stash busting and finding something I have to make ruffles from. Just get resourceful and you can come up with something! I have a towel sitting near my sewing machine at this moment waiting for me to recreate it into something even more useful

Today I'm grateful that it is December 1, not very cold considering what it can be here, and there is NONE of that white stuff on the ground. What are you grateful for today?

Oh, can I have two gratefuls today? I'm also grateful for my very best friend. We've managed to weather everything life has thrown our ways and still be friends. We are miles apart right now but she still will change her plans when I need her. I just wanted to tell the world you are the greatest!

Have an absolutely awesome day as you rush around getting ready for Christmas

Gratitude

2011-11-29T04:39:00.000-08:00

Just a short post today to express my gratitude and share a short little movie with you. Please watch this movie. It is excellent!
http://www.flixxy.com/simple-gratitude.htm

I have an unspoken gratitude today. It's very personal so I won't share it here.

My dog wanted out a bit ago so I stood watching the night sky while waiting for her. How very beautiful! There was the huge constellation, Orion, dominating the southern sky and thousands and thousands of lesser stars and other constellations. It is so peaceful and quiet at night in the country and the darkness covers everything that is less than joyful to gaze upon.

Yesterday I finished two little fabric postcards for a swap I'm in. I thought I'd share them with you. Nothing fantastic but these are my first attempt at making postcards so I do have a certain sense of maternal pride in them.

This one is a representation of Mt Hood Or and the Columbia River. It doesn't show well in the photo but I added glitter on the snow and I plan to put just a touch on the water also.

This one is a winsurfer on the Columbia. There is more glitter on the water than shows in the photo.

I see now why people get so addicted to making postcards. They are FUN and use up those scraps I'm too stingy to toss! You can be sure I'll be making more!

Be grateful for the simple things in life that we all tend to take for granted and have an AWESOME day.

Thankful For . . . .

2011-11-22T10:15:00.000-08:00

I was just reading my daily email from Mary Hunt . Of course, her theme was on being more thankful for what we have. That instead of just expressing our thankfulness one day a year, we should do it EVERY day.

With that in mind, right now I'm very thankful for:

A roof that doesn't leak. It is pouring down rain out there.

That I'm not in Astoria, OR where earlier this morning the wind was 97mph on the Astoria-Megler Bridge. Does the Happy Zombie still live in that area?

That my oldest granddaughter showed up on my doorstep quite unexpectedly Saturday morning. No, she didn't run away, it was just a surprise to me.

I'm missing my TX family very much this week. Wish I could be there! Wouldn't it be fun if i could fly down for Christmas with them? Too many snowy roads between me and them to even think of driving this time of year and REALLY surprising them.

Have an AWESOME day!

PS Here is a very interesting site that was shared with me. Have fun!

Bits N Pieces Workshop

I Think I've Been AWOL Long Enough !!

2011-11-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

I had a bit of the dreary-wearies late in the Winter, believe me, you wouldn't have wanted to read a word I wrote! I even lost a couple of "friends" during that time. I THOUGHT they were true friends, bad times teach one the difference. OK, enough of that.

I'm back and wanting to keep myself from experiencing THAT again. My younger daughter got married July 10. It was a beautiful wedding and instead of throwing birdseed or what-have-you at the couple they released Painted Lady butterflies. It was magical! They were spendy but oh so worth every penny.

I'm no longer a Grammie-Nanny to her children as they moved to Texas the latter part of October. It has taken me a few weeks to come to grips with not having them any longer. I'd move to Texas also, if I could!! My son, daughter-in-law and their two children also live there. I bearly know the other two. So, that's two-thirds of my family down there.

To keep myself busy I've been cleaning and rearranging closets and supboards. I can hardly open the door of the extra fridge out in my storage shed !! But my house is looking less like a storage shed. I've watched too many of those Hoarding programs on TV, and do NOT want to be like that. My Mother is a hoarder although she denies it because you can still walk through her house. Just how many dishes does a single woman in her 80s need? Or computers? (that are VERY outdated) I don't want those genetic tendencies to come to the forefront. Salvation Army is doing well right now thanks to my donation every time I get to town, I'm sure!

I did manage to get a set of appliqued rooster placemats done for my daughter-in-law in time for the DD to take them down. I haven't checked on my camera to see if I got any photos of them or not.

I'm trying to get things arranged so I can make some Quilts for Kids and use up some of my stash. I want new stash and won't allow myself to buy more fabric until this is gone, or nearly so.

Then I'm going to make myself some of those warm fleecy lounging pajamas. This old house is so drafty that I freeze unless the heat is turned way up. In the interest of saving money and natural resources I will wear fleece. It's either that or become a couch potato.

Saturday Simmering

Would someone please find me a larger home in the Panhandle of TX? You'd be my new BFF!! Somewhere up around the Borger or Stinnett area.

That's the main thing on my mind today! I am NOT going to complain about the cold!

Have a GREAT day!

Cleaning Site

2011-02-20T15:35:00.000-08:00

Check out this site. Great cleaning tips.

http://tipnut.com/laundry-boosters-vinegar/

Kids Say The Darnest Things !!

2011-02-10T17:24:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting with two of my grandchildren yesterday and my granddaughter who is four tells me that Mommy got a new kind of milk. It's CHOCOLATE, Grammie!! I'm trying hard to contain myself and not let her know that they even had chocolate milk when Grammie was a little girl! So later, when I'm telling Mommy what all happened while she was at work I mentioned this and she told me that she had been at Grocery Outlet and they had Organic Chocolate Milk, in a 1 quart box so she bought one. Now, here's the best part!! Her daughter loved it. Her son didn't like it at all. Which goes to show that it's not a raging hormonal thing because My Little Princess is only FOUR!

But her mother did release a dragon because now Princess asks about everything, "Does it have chocolate on it?" And I mean EVERYTHING !!

Hope you get as good a laugh from this as Grammie did!

Thankful Thursday

For a beautiful unseasonable warm February day
Jackets in various weights
Fabric
Quilt patterns
BOMs

Hope your day was great!!

Going "Green"

2011-02-03T07:58:00.000-08:00

What do you do to reduce the amount of plastic going into our landfills? Today's post over at Not Quite June Cleaver is all about going "Green" and she also has a nice little GLASS fridgie dish as a giveaway.

This got me to thinking. One comment was that individual didn't use the produce bags anymore. I use them, but then I line a plastic bucket that potato salad came in with them and put the kitchen scraps in there, then when it's full I take it to my compost pile. The thin plastic bag thengets recycled the last time as heat in our wood stove!

I use the plastic grocery bags I get when I forget my reusable bags to line my waste baskets. Makes emptying the baskets quick and keeps the basket clean. Again, recycled to the wood stove. Oh, I seperate burnables/non-burnables.

I'm also big on the recycling thing. I nearly get free garbage service because anything they will take for recycling goes there. The main thing they won't take is tin can lids for some reason. So I have a seperate basket under my kitchen sink for those things. I think we MIGHT take one pickup load of non-burnable/non-recycleable garbage to our transfer station a YEAR. And all I have to do is set out my recycle bags every other Thursday and it's picked up for me. And I don't find that it's any more difficult to toss the garbage in one basket versus another.

I also use paper grocery bags the same way. I'm almost out of those plastic baket liners that you can buy but in cleaning out the back of a cupboard the other day found a HUGE supply of paper bags. Wah-la, my new supply of liners. Back to the days before they (basket liners) were available!

So, what do you do to be "greener"? Why don't you share with us? Leave a comment, ok.

By the way, I'm asking my mother for those 1950s glass refridgerator dishes LOL

I could go on and on but I'm trying hard to restrain myself! Have to save something for another post LOL

Have a great day and I hope those in the eastern part of the country are thawing out. Then they'll have to worry about flooding when all that snow melts. Big sigh. Remember, February doesn't last forever!

Thursday Thanks

That I don't live where the snow is.
That I wasn't involved in any rolling blackouts in frigid weather.
That I have a humble but warm house.
That Daisy is feeling better. ( She ate something she shouldn't have
and her system clean itself out. 'Nuff said?)
That my TV shuts itself off after a certain time with no channel change.
It's a great energy saver when I fall asleep watching tv in the evening!

Weather!

2011-02-01T12:55:00.000-08:00

Right now I am SO thankful that I live where I do! I'm so empathetic for those of you who live further east. I heard that it was forecasted to be 9*F in El Paso, TX last night. That's cold no matter where it is but those poor people down there don't know how to deal with that kind of weather like those of us further north do. Do they even HAVE anti-freeze down there? And there is SO much snow in the far eastern part of the country. I wish they could ship it out to our Cascade Mountains for snow pack! Wouldn't that be interesting? Seeing train car loads of SNOW LOL

The February challenge in one of my Yahoo Groups is to use at least 5 different red prints, only reds, (can have small amounts of another color but predominately red), and create something. I have wanted to make a cloth purse like my present one with a few modifications. I wasn't thinking of red, but...

I was on the phone until midnight last night and I'm just very unenergetic today. I have real case of I-just-want-to-be-a-couch potato today.

Today I'm Thankful For:

HEAT!!!
Sunshine
True Friends
The Telephone, to keep in touch
My Little Prince and Princess

I CHANGED IT

2011-01-28T12:35:00.001-08:00

If you look to the left you will now see the Print Friendly button right below the time/temp button.

Have fun!!

A GIFT FOR YOU-- Print Friendly

2011-01-28T12:30:00.000-08:00

Someone shared this print site with me so I'm passing it on to you. You can enter the url for what you'd like to print and this will do it for you. It makes it into a PDF file so you can edit out the ads etc. that you don't want to print. Then, of course, you can change font style, size and whatever. Do anything that you can with a PDF. Pretty neat! I WILL be making use of this. I usually highlight, then do the copy/paste into a Word file so that I can edit. This will be much faster. Oh, for some unknown reason I put it at the bottom of the page. I think I will get that moved when I can so it will be easier to get to. Just click on it and you will be redirected to the site.

Have an absolutely awesome day!!

It's a Beautiful Day!

2011-01-25T09:54:00.000-08:00

It doesn't look very warm out but it is certainly beautiful! I do see thin clouds coming in through. RATS!!

I received a great honor the other day. That little Snowman in My Cabin mini hanging I made was put up as the photo on the home page of the Challenge group I belong too. Maybe to encourage the others to get their project photos uploaded, but still.

For another group I elected to join a gift swap. It has to be to the list Mom by 3/1. I'm to make something that will fit in the smallest flat rate box. The trouble is, I want to do something that will be different, but nice, from all the other gifts. Do any of you really use needle books or pin keeps? I thought of a pin cushion but if other ladies are like me, they have more than they need. Notice I didn't say want, I said need LOL Any suggestions?

At the moment I'm auditioning fabrics for a set of Rooster placemats for my daughter-in-law. I want to make them fairly realistic, in other words, not blue or pink!!

I don't think I'm far enough along with any of my projects to show you any photos today. Sorry. I always enjoy seeing photos when I'm cruising around Blogland.

Tuesday Thanks

For the sunshine and blue sky
That my cold or whatever is getting better
The birds are slowly coming back to my feeder
For the Creator Who so lovingly gave us this beautiful world
For my Grandchildren

Have an awesome day!

I

PS You Have to See This!

2011-01-16T14:20:00.000-08:00

Check out this YouTube Video! blind quilter . It's amazing! Those of us that are sighted need to count our blessings and quit complaining about how unhandy our sewing spaces might be.

How about Once a Week?

2011-01-16T13:57:00.000-08:00

I had made up my mind to post several times a week this year but...I'm already behind! Between trying to get a head start on spring cleaning and actually doing some sewing my blog fell by the wayside. Here are some pics of what I've been doing.

The snowflakes were somewhat of a pain to applique but I do love ap-plique so it wasn't too bad, just time consuming.

Can you tell I like snowmen? The scarf is just glued at the neck so it will hang free. I fringed the ends also. This is for a log cabin challenge on one of my Yahoo groups. I call it Snowman in my cabin. The photo doesn't show it well but I found some wood grain fabric that was just perfect for the tree trunks. If you look hard you can see the freehand snowflakes that I did for the quilting. I added a little glitter to the trees to give it a more festive look.

Our snow has all disappeared thanks to warm temperatures and rain. Don't get me wrong! I am NOT complaining in the least!

Now I need to get busy on a little gift for a gift exchange. There are a few guidelines we have to follow. Everything has to fit in the smallest Flat-Rate box, one item we've made ourselves and we can fill the rest of the box with whatever. BUT, it can't exceed $10. So that has me thinking and thinking.

I'm also making a set of rooster placemats for my daughter-in-law. I'm just waiting for the background fabric to arrive. I found some of that cute chicken wire fabric to put behind the roosters. Now, for the back? I'm not sure at this point.

I've downloaded way too many ofl the fabulous free BOMS that are starting this month. I just can't resist! I agree. It's a sickness of some sort!!

And a list buddy introduced me to Siggy Tags. Oh what fun! Finding just the RIGHT graphic and adding your name. Now if I could just get those creative juices flowing and make my own graphics!

So that's what I've been up to the past few weeks. What about you?

Sunday Slumbers
Why is there only 24 hours in a day?
Why does it feel so cold when it rains and is really warmer?
Why is today so dreary?
Why don't we just run away to that deserted island in the South Pacific?
Why couldn't I have won that $390 million LOL?

And A Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T09:08:00.000-08:00

I just have to post today because of the date being all the same number. Something that won't happen again for 12 years, 2/2/22. I know, I know, I'm into weird things.

Was anyone awake to usher in the new year? I dosed off and woke up at 12:15 am, so the year wasn't very old yet!

My immediate sewing plans are to finish the "Snowman in my Cabin" mini quilt I've started for January. I'd like to do one for each month. I already have February and October.

My mouse saga continues. All my food is in jars, the dishes and cookware I use is where they can't get at it, so out of vengeance they chewed up my potholders which were in a drawer they can get to. They didn't use any of the fabric, just chewed it into pieces and left it there. I guess as a "Ha-ha, you just THINK everything is safe from us!" In retaliation, I washed and moved the potholders to a safer place. I WILL win this war! Time to get out all the various types of traps.

Let There Be Light? Nope.

2010-12-30T16:13:00.000-08:00

Something all of us quilters wish we had more of? Time, right? I just received an advertisement for a book I just might invest in. It is "Twice as Much in Half the Time - Secrets to Simplifying Your Life," by Amy Jones. Sounds good to me!

I flipped on the light switch here in my computer/sewing room this morning, bight flash then darkness. Both the light bulbs in the fixture I switched on went out, POOF!, just like that. I thought I had some spare bulbs but haven't been able to locate them if I do. Rats! Today was going to be a sewing day. So, I am trying to wait patiently for the new bulbs to arrive with my husband.

Since we all decided that the family was too large to buy gifts for everyone, Christmas isn't nearly as exciting. Writing checks to the grandchildren that live far away just isn't as much fun! My mother did get me a gift though, 25 fat quarters and two more books on quilting for my library. She picked up the FQs at a thrift shop but I don't care. After I got them home though and was removing the labels to wash them, oh my! I'm a non-smoker so the smoke scent really hit me. I was very disappointed thinking I'd probably end up having to toss them. I took a chance and Googled "How to remove cigarette smoke from fabric." One suggestion was to use your normal detergent plus Oxy-Clean. We have yellow-ish water so I always use Oxy-Clean. I did what the site suggested and my fabric came out of the wash just fine. So there's your handy dandy tip for the day!

We had a white Christmas but then the rain started and most of the snow is gone. No white New Year! It's clear and chilly. 11* is the forecast for tonight.

Today I'm Thankful For

My electric furnace
That I have no place else to be
The sunshine earlier this afternoon
That there is a little bit of hauling for my husband
The Internet!

Have a great day!

Long Time MIA

2010-12-26T07:33:00.000-08:00

More computer problems have plagued me. This time of my own doing as much as I hate to admit it. I inadvertently turned off a button that allowed my computer to connect to the internet. Hopefully, everything is running ok now.

Then I had some dental work done and was sick for nearly a week. I had flu-like symptoms and was basically camped out on the couch. You know, the kind of sickness where you're afraid you're going to die and afraid you won't! You know I've got to be sick when I don't even feel up to playing on the computer. My head felt better in a prone position! It didn't hurt, just dizziness.

If you are into BOMs the is a neat on here at So Scrappy . It looks like it will be fun and I'm planning to do it with her. And Fat Cat Patterns has a beautiful new BOM starting in January, called Fiesta. I'm hoping that this year I can keep up and actually get them done.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. We spent the day with friends and our daughter. Tomorrow we will go through the woods and over the river to her house to open gifts. I still have a few gifts to wrap and ought to be doing that. Or I could go clean up my messy kitchen! Nah!

Christmas Thankfulnesses

That Christ came to this earth just for ME
For the beauty around me
For my Little Princess and Little Prince

Winter Is Here !!

2010-11-30T06:28:00.000-08:00

I have three months of this to look forward to! Oh yea ! This is what it looked like here the Tuesday BEFORE Thanksgiving, in other words a week ago.

And it's snowing right now with freezing rain predicted for later today.

It seems that mug rugs, coasters large enough for your mug and goodies, are all the rage in the quilt groups. So I took an orphan block I had,found a piece of fabric for the other side, added an applique, and this is what I have. Oh yes, and a scrap of batting in the center.

I should have made the coffee cup smaller so it only was in the area for the cup but...this was my first one LOL These are fun and fast, hence they meet the requirement for gifts.

I'm still pondering what my daily topics will be in the new year.Maybe one day will be nifty eco-friendly cleaning tips I've learned. Of course at least one day should be devoted to quilty things. One can be miscellaneous musings. Now, what about the other days? I'm thinking!

Hope your Thanksgiving was a wonderful time with loved ones and friends and that your didn't spend too much money during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday madness. I did break down and buy one thing, a new Bobo for Daisy. Bobos are loofah chew toys for dogs. The brand I get just happened to be named Bobo! She's demolished the statue of liberty,and a snowman, so now she's getting a reindeer. Shipping and all it was still less than if I went to the local pet store.

Tuesday Thankfuls

I'm thankful I can stay home today and hibernate

I'm thankful for lights and heat

I'm thankful for the emergency babysitter

I'm thankful for Daisy

I'm thankful for the little birds (and the big ones) that come to my feeder

My spell checker didn't like some of MY words! Oh well, I can make up words if I want to LOL

Miscelleany

2010-11-20T09:35:00.000-08:00

It seems I've been gone so long and actually got used to be computerless that it's hard to get back 'in the groove."

It's a chilly day here in Eastern Washington and the forecast calls for colder yet. I'm trying really hard NOT to turn up the thermostat but put on more layers. In fact, they are saying it could snow any time until Tuesday. Oh joy! I'm trying really hard to be ready for winter. My hoses have been drained and coiled back up, I have my Winter tires on my car. I think the main thing yet to do is wrap the a/cs so the cold doesn't come in around them.

I won't get this new plan into effect until the first of next year I'm sure but my plan calls for blogging more often and having a different topic each day of the week.

Are you a counter? I am, and I am noticing my Little Princess is becoming a counter too. Is that something genetic? If I'm reading her a Bearnstain Book she insists on counting the bears on each and every page! In the process she's actually teaching the Little Prince to count!

Now to something quilt related. Have I mentioned that I found my quilt blocks that have been missing nearly twenty years? I am really excited about that. They are Dresden Plates, enough for a king size quilt, that my grandfather did shortly before he became sick and passed away. In fact, I found one block that doesn't have the center circle done. I was thinking of finding a scrap that would work, but the more I think about it I think I'll just tidy up the edges and leave it that way. Kind of a tribute to him. Maybe put a few together in a long wall hanging or frame that one. Something so it's not getting washed very often.

I enjoy getting comments, it lets me know someone is actually reading my posts. So please drop me a comment and let me know what is going on in your corner of the world.

Mistletoe Blog Hop

2010-11-15T06:27:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to let you know of a Blog Hop starting today. Stop by Hen and Chicks for all the details. It looks like it will be a fun festive Hop. Lots of recipes and projects to get those creative juices going.

Gotta run. It's a work day.

Have an awesome day!

As Arnold would say, I'm Baaack!

2010-11-14T00:16:00.000-08:00

After various computer issues I now have a new computer with Windows 7. So far I would highly reccommend Windows 7. I've found several features that are "Oh, WOW!" I downloaded an accessory pack because it didn't come with Windows Mail and discovered that I can get mail from my different email accounts delivered to one mailbox for instance.

The downside to my newer faster computer? I have discovered that I need to update some of my software. That's a bummer, not to mention added expense. So, for the time-being I can use the internet, send/receive email, and play games!

But I can still quilt LOL. One thing I discovered during this no computer time is that I did get more sewing and quilting done. I've even rearranged my sewing/computer room and it feels much more spacious now. As much as a 10x14 room can be anyway.

Anyway. I'm glad to be back in cyberland.

Oh, one more thing. The november/December issue of Quiltmaker magazine has an awesome Treasure Hunt. The grand prize is a $2600 Bernina sewing machine! I love my Janome but another machine would be awesome. Who knows, maybe it does machine embroidery! And, of course, there are oodles more prize packages also.

Today I'm thankful for

A warm house (baby it's cold out there!)

My wonderful bed

My sassy little Doxie

Computers and the Internet

Friends and family

Have a GREAT day!

2010-10-15T20:07:00.000-07:00

This site has tons of great info and will be having a grand opening on October 31. With some very nice prizes to be given away! Learn to Quilt Online

Have a great day everyone!

AND YET ANOTHER LINK TO VISIT !!

2010-10-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

Check out this link and join in on the Fall into Fall Giveaway while yet there! sweet-quilt-n-bee-shoppe
.
Have a good time! She made the cutest snowman wall hanging but is giving way a Christmas tablerummer. So hop on over and enter to win it!

CHECK OUT THIS BLOG

2010-10-07T09:34:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to finish the Fall into Fall Bloghop. It does take awhile LOL. Anyway, I'd like you to take a look at this blog Cheaper Than Therapy Quilting , if you decide to jbecome a follower, mention that Grandma Shell sent you over and I will get another 'ticket' for her drawing.

Have a Great Day!

I have three blocks finished for my Maple Leaf- Log Cabin throw. I need to go stash hunting for a larger variety of colors thought. So far they all have the same fabrics in the logs, just different positions. I don't want too scrappy but more than just 6 different fabrics!

IRISH MUSES

2010-10-05T15:33:00.000-07:00

I just discovered a new blog! It's Irish Muses . Since I have a Celtic ancestry I love anything to do with Ireland and Scotland. Celtic Woman is one of my favorite groups.

I've had a nasty bout with allergies or whatever for nearly a week now. It's really wearing me out! It started when the weather changed and I keep the windows closed more now. If I didn't have the proverbial Scotsman so ingrained in me I'd say, To heck with it! And leave the windows open.

Have a great day!

A Humongus Giveaway!

2010-10-02T06:04:00.000-07:00

Hop over to Patches and Pieces and check out the Fall into Fall Quilters Giveaway. There are over 150 bloggers that have joined in on this giveaway! And each of them is giving away a great prize. Click on the link and get in on the fun. You know you want to. It will continue until 10/15/10 so you have time to get them all visited. A fun way to discover new-to-you blogs and revisit those you know.

I just noticed that I'm past the 100th post. That means I need to do my own giveaway. Hmm. I'll need to ponder this for a while to come up with something creative.

The leaves are dropping but we haven't had any frosts yet so no pretty fall colors. Sniff, sniff.

I joined in on a challenge on one of my Yahoo lists to finish at least two UFOs during September. I just barely squeaked in under the deadline. I finished putting the binding on a lap quilt that I just do not like and a Christmas card holder. I posted a photo of that UGLY quilt earlier but here's the card holder.

The snowman really isn't pink. I put irridescent glitter in places and it's reflecting the red borders!

I found these two little items while sorting through nearly 50 years of accumulations. Above is a little Avon lamb from the days when I had sheep. It still has perfume in it too!

This is my sewing basket from high school home ec. I used a Wet One on it and it's as sparkly as new! I'm storing some of my speciality threads in it now.

After watching some tv shows about hoarders I decided it was time to go through things and get rid of the stuff I didn't think my children would want. Like business papers from 25 years ago! I certainly do not want to end up looking like a hoarder!

Saturday Thanks

I'm thankful that God set apart one day a week that He wants us to spend with Him. (see Exodus 20:8) Otherwise we'd work ourselves to death. I can forgot housework, yardwork, and even sewing today.

I'm thankful for a warm house to live in. It's tiny, but warm.

I'm thankful for friends, both on the internet and real-life friends.

I'm thankful for my three children and six grandchildren. They give meaning to my life.

I'm thankful for discovering places to donate quilts to sick children. Check out Quilts For Kids and AZ Preemie Blankets 4 Kids. Sorry I don't have the URLs for either one but I'm sure a Google search will find them if you are interested.

The preemie blankets are only 18x18 and they want them done envelope style. How simple can that be? Half a yard of fabric will make two of them. Oh, and they want flannel backs and no quilting in the center 12". So basically a 12" square with 6" blocks around it. I'm really anxious to get started on these.

Have an awesome fall weekend!

2010-09-25T13:57:00.000-07:00

Is this the season for giveaways or what? I just found another one. Some adorable hand crafted things here:
Sugar, Spice and Southern Life . Well, not everything is hand crafted, there is a cute spatula shaped like a leaf. Some really awesome things to add to your fall decor.

May your weekend be as great as mine is so far.

AND YET ANOTHER GIVEAWAY !!

2010-09-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

You need to hurry, hurry. hurry, like the mad hatter to get in on this one. It ends at 7:00 pm CT. Too late for some of you but it's for a one year subscription to McCall's Quilting. Here's the link Tamera Quilts. Even if you are too late it's a nice site to explore.

Happy Weekend!!

A GIVE AWAY OR TWO OR THREE OR MORE!!

2010-09-23T17:08:00.000-07:00

Over at DIY Dish.com they are hosting a give away by one of their sponsors, Janome. I have a Janome 6600 and just love it, by the way. Anyway, you can register to win a 300E machine embroidery machine, a 634d serger, or a couple of $100 gift certificates. Not shabby prizes, eh? I'd be thrilled to have both of those machines! There is a button on the left if you scroll down a little, that links to the DIY site. So hustle your bustle on over there and get entered to win one of those fabulous prizes.

Wednesday was the last day of summer. It is now officially fall/autumn. The sun is halfway to the bottom of its path. This winter I am going to try very very hard NOT to let SADDS get me. Think of it this way, it's only twelve weeks until the December Hump Day and the days will start getting longer again! Let's be positive!

I think I have all the fabric I need to finish a UFO Challenge in one of my quilt groups. Now I can't put my fingers on that magazine with the instructions! I know it's here...somewhere. Where was I when I looked at it yesterday? I only have a week to get it finished! Eeeks!!! AHA! I just was looking around on my cutting table, and there it was, right where I needed it! Hooray!

I just found another giveaway. This one is for a darling little doll quilt. It's at sewshesews.wordpress.com if you are interested.

This must be the time of year for giveaways! I was just at Pat Sloan's site, patsloan.typepad.com , and she is hosting a Double Blog Hop starting this coming Monday. One lucky person will win ALL 10 of the new Sullivan's Edge Rulers. That;s worth taking the time to hop around!

One last one! Gundrun, http://gudrun.typepad.com/ is hosting a Designers Blog Hop. I haven't been to her blog yet to see what it's about.

Sounds like lots of fun hopping around the internet!

Thursday Thanks

That "God's on His Throne, and all's right with the world!"

The rain. (Never thought I'd say that one LOL!)
The Internet. Living out here in the sticks, it's a marvelous way to connect with others.
The Princess-In-Training and the Young Prince. I just wish it didn't take me a hour to get to their house.
That my family is healthy.

I DID IT !

2010-09-12T21:18:00.000-07:00

I finished a UFO! I'm proud of myself for actually getting it done. It only needed the rest of the binding sewn down but I had a mental block...I just don't like the quilt. Here is a photo of it.

It's purposely not a close-up! It was one of my first attempts at free motion quilting, and I did the motif SIDEWAYS. I just couldn't believe it when I realized what I had done. It was a learning experience!

I'm in a challenge group and this month's challenge is to finish two UFOs. So I'm halfway there!

Chuckle for the day: My daughter was relaxing on the couch after work and needed to use the phone so she asked her four year old to please get Mommy the phone. The four year old walks over and picks up the phone, that was right beside Mom, and said, "Good grief! Can't you get it yourself? It's right here!" To her credit, my daughter thought it was the remote that was beside her.

Grammie's Little Princess started pre-school this past week. So begins her school career.

Oh, I finally got brave and started a paper piecing block. It is so cute that I made another one. They are only 3" finished size and there are 20 pieces. Laborious but fun! I'm an addict! Here they are

But I WILL finish UFO #2 before I do more tiny blocks, I WILL I WILL!

This afternoon it's warm, well warmer than it WAS! And that beautiful blue sky of autumn. It all makes for a wonderful day.

Sunday Simmerings

Why is summer so short and winter so long?

Why don't more people migrate?

Where, oh where, is that book I've been searching for?

Why can't we store the warmth from these beautiful days to get us through winter?

Add Joy to your Life

2010-09-03T21:08:00.000-07:00

I came across this while straightening up all the accumulated paper on my fridge and thought I'd share it with you.

1. Pay as much attention to the things that are working positively in your life as you do to those that are giving you trouble.

2. Rake a big pile of leaves every fall and jump in it with someone you love. (Remember doing this when you were a kid?!)

3. Memorize your favorite love poem.

4. Learn three knock-knock jokes so you will always be ready to entertain children.

5. Don't let weeds grow around your dreams.

6. Remember that everyone you leet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something.

7. Regardless of the situation, react with class.

8. Let some things remain mysterious.

Isn't this list just amazing? And such words of wisdom to live by.

My oldest daughter gave me a book called "The Four Agreements." The principles of the book are:

1. Be impeccable with your word. (can you imagine what a better place this world would be if everyone practiced just this one?)

2. Don't take anything personally. (a difficult one.)

3. Don't make assumptions. (don't we all tend to do this one?)

4. Always do your best. (notice it doesn't say, 'Be perfect." It says do your best. As long as we do our best we have nothing to be ashamed of.)

OK philosophy class is over! On to sewing.

I won a contest from patsloan.com the other day. My prize came today. A charm pack, two of her quilt patterns, sample spools of Aurifil thread, and the cutest little jar of buttons. Now how did she ever know I collect buttons? Just any old buttons, they don't have to meet any criteria other than being a button.

Since starting this I also won a prize from Sandi at Seasons BOM. I got an embroidery pattern and some floss. Awesome! The ladies in one groups I belong to thought I should buy some lottery tickets LOL

You all have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend and most of all, Be Safe!

Awesome Flower

2010-09-03T21:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a tutorial to make a cute flower. She has many uses for them, anything from a flower pillow cover to a do-dad on your purse, to a broach. Scrappy Strip Rose

Hope you've had a good week. It certainly has gone by quickly! I'm joining a Challenge to finish one or two UFOs this month. I've chosen to finish a Christmas Card Holder I started for Christmas 2009, it's about half done. And then a chicken pot grabber that's not that far along in its incubation!

Have a great weekend!

Quilt A Long

2010-08-27T21:17:00.000-07:00

Pat Sloan is hosting a quilt a long on her blog, http://www.patsloan.typepad.com/ . It sounds like fun. I just love her patterns. The first thing you need is a charm pack and some companion fabrics. I'm going to try and do some stash busting. There are a few other things you need to gather also but you can read about it on her blog. So come and join the fun!

Se ya there !

Lost in Cyberspace !!

2010-08-26T17:10:00.000-07:00

I was writing a post, wanted to add a photo, and my post disappeared.

This week I won a contest at patsloan.com ! Here's a pic of the goodies that were in today's mail.

Plus this little treasure

It's a vintage restaurant style salt shaker filled with little buttons, I just love it!

Sunday my Princess-in-Training turned four. She made quite a haul with nifty new things to play with but I think there's only one that will stick out in her mind... She got a Princess two-seated convertible! Now you need to understand that at her house there is only a narrow strip that is usable. But they certainly had a great time with it at the park.

I finally have my first Annie doll finished, along with a dolly-size tote bag.

Ok, so her mouth is a little crooked, she's having a bad day LOL I plan to stitch her hands together like she is praying. She is from ohsewdollin.com . Her name is It's Me Again, Jesus, Terry Ann. She looks MUCH better than the Cabbage Patch style doll I tried to make my younger daughter. Just ask her if you don't believe me!! I used some of the decorative stitches on my Janome 6600 to pretty up her dress.

Oh, I also wanted to share that the florescent lights you see in the background were put up this morning by yours truly. I'm not Handywoman Jane, but I'm learning! They certainly give me more light for my cutting table.

To quote Daffy Duck, "That's All, Folks!"

Thursday Thoughts

Why is summer so short?

If wind makes the air fresh, we should have the freshest air around.

So far my "garden" has yielded 2 pear tomatoes and 6 zucchini. Oh, and I only picked rhubarb one time and got around 40 cups, chopped. We'll be eating LOTS of rhubarb pie this winter!

Monday morning there was SOLID dew on my windshield! It was beyond frost! I protest !!!

Even if people don't like each other, can't they just get along? Must they make it their life's purpose to make the other person miserable?

Dresden Plate Tutorial - Beginner Block Quilting Series

2010-08-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

Fast and Easy Pinwheels!!!

2010-08-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

Great Site

2010-08-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

I just discovered a new (to me) blog called Molly's Place with a wealth of information. I could probably spend most of the day there browsing around and get nothing else accomplished! Great tutorials and many links to other sites. Take some time, get something to drink, and sit down for awhile to have some fun.

Have an absolutely awesome day!

An OLD Photo and a Trip Down Memory Lane

2010-08-15T17:13:00.000-07:00

While rearranging some photo albums I came across this one of my Father's family taken in 1927. It was their Christmas card that year. Since all but one of those pictured are passed away I thought it would be ok to share it.

My Father is 7 years old in this photo. One of the very few childhood pictures of him. The 24th of August would have been his birthday. I love black/white photography. Can any of you remember when you could get either black/white or color film for you camera? Or even "before color"? This generation can't even remember when cameras had FILM, I'm sure!

My 15 yr old granddaughter has been visiting me the past week. She lives in California so we don't get to see her as often as we'd like. Even though we are so much alike (Neither of us is very conversational!) I've really enjoyed having her here.

Last Saturday we took a little ride up to Mt Adams. We intended to park and hike in to one of our favorite spots after a picnic lunch. The road was unbelievably awful! It took us twice as long to get there as it used to. So we just ate our picnic and headed home. The mosquitoes were very healthy and active anyway! OFF to the rescue!

Sunday Simmerings

I'm LOVIN' this warm weather we've been having.

I almost have a little Annie doll from OhSewDollin done.

At 83 my Mother is off on another jaunt to Europe for a month.

Our old kitty (16 at least) is showing his age and probably won't be with us much longer.

I love, love, love my Janome 6600. It's the greatest!

Have A Great Week Everyone !!

Curtains

2010-08-03T20:12:00.000-07:00

Here are s couple photos of my new kitchen curtains. There is some of this fabric in my placemats and table topper also. I keep coming back to this fabric. I think it cheers me!

There is also a white band at the bottom but my kitchen isn't large enough for me to get the entire curtain. Sorry.

I'm getting to be such an I-can-do-it Jane! I managed to get my new weed eater put together all by myself! I tried ot out and didn't lose any body parts so I must have done it right! Bow I'm wishing I didn't need to babysit tomorrow so I could cut more grass. Oh, well. There's always more grass and another day.

Tuesday Thanks

For a day off.

Have I said for warm weather and long days LOL

That my oldest Granddaughter is coming for a visit.

For washing machines and dryers.

Electricity !!

Have a Great Day!

Busy, Not Lazy, Days Are Here!

2010-08-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the weather was perfect and I thought I'd just take a day off and enjoy my lawn swing. WRONG!! There was a mini reunion at my sister-in-law's. She will be 80 on Wednesday (Aug 4) and all of her children but one were there. I should mention that she has 10, yes 10, children. So children and spouses made quite a gathering! It was enjoyable to see the nieces and their families again, some had to come from OK and CO so we don't see them often.

Today I'm putting the final touches on a new kitchen curtain. After my machine decided to have a little hissy-fit. Tip: If the bottom thread garbles (tech term), it's an issue with the top thread. After I totally unthread the top and rethreaded it's working fine. Whew!

As soon as I'm finished with the curtain I'll get a photo and post it. I saw a retro curtain on a website and this is my interpretation of that curtain.

I must be having low blood sugar! I had the next-to-last seam all pinned on and something just told me to check it.. It would have been upside down! Much easier to unpin than frog a long seam!

The curtain is done, Done, DONE!! And hung. Love them!

Sunday Loves

The LONG days of Summer (sad the days are getting shorter)
Weed Eaters
Hot Summer days (85 is just right for me)
Instant coffee when I'm in a hurry
Warm oatmeal on a cool morning

Have an absolutely awesome week!

Grass, and more Grass

2010-07-18T21:04:00.000-07:00

Not much happening on the farm except the grass is growing faster than I can keep it cut. There hasn't been much time for sewing as I have developed an obsession to get all the grass cut that's around the house. Our area experiences grave fire danger so I'm trying to get it cut before it's too dry. Hopefully it will stop growing at that point.

I will be fitting the chair cover on for a "final fitting" tomorrow. I'm getting to the point of wanting to be done with it. I want to do something more fun! Like getting back to quilting! Or Annie dolls, or...anything.

Since I haven't been doing much at my sewing machine I don't have any photos to share...unless you would like to see "grass that's as high as an elephant's eye" really is. Can anyone tell me what song that line is from?

I was totally lazy today. I just couldn't make myself go out and start the weed eater or lawnmower. So I didn't. What a luxurious feeling! Totally decadent! I could get used to it very easily.

A friend is blogging how many miles she walks each week so i thought I'd start too. Nothing today, I'm afraid. She's aiming for 18 miles each week. I think I'll start with 1 mile each day, or maybe a little more, but I know it won't be 18!! We'll see.

Sunday Thanks

That I live where it's peaceful
For the birds that share my part of the world
For a/c
For my soft cozy bed when night falls
For long summer days

Have an Awesome week everyone!

Summer Is Here! Finally.

2010-07-08T17:34:00.000-07:00

We are finally catching up with the rest of the country temperature-wise. It's 103* in The Dalles. Seriously glad I'm NOT there but I DO enjoy the warm weather.

How times does go by! Between the grandchildren being sick and my mother's illness (and then, of course, I just COULDN'T be left out!) I've been very busy. Usually my yard is very colorful with pots of flowers but not this year. Too busy with other things. So I need to get busy and make some colorful quilt tops for QFK to fill my need for color.

We ended up having an Un-Fourth of July. We all got together along the river where the fireworks were supposed to be. But...alas! We were experiencing very high winds and they cancelled the show. We live in a very arid area (usually) and fire danger is an ever-present threat once the rains stop. We still had a great (chilly) time picnicing and visiting with friends and family. I'm sure it will be remembered for many years as "Remember the year it was so cold and windy and they cancelled the fireworks." How the temps change is just a few days!

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel getting that now hated chair cover finished. If I'm diligent it could be finished this weekend. What a burden off my shoulders that will be!

I did a first this week. My daughter bought a cute little fabric purse that only had a snap closure. Of course, she wanted a zipper. I found a matching zipper in my stash, and by hand basting it in first, I was actually able to insert it, and it came out looking ok. I was pleased with myself.

I have a friend who is a avid greeting card maker who just started her own blog. It is:
katsretirementjourney.blogspot.com

I think she will be posting regarding herStampingUp group, card making and other things.

I came across this remark by Jerry Seinfield the other day and thought it was worth repeating.
"Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason."
.The poem by Robert Frost has long been one of my favorites so I got a chuckle and a few thought-provoking moments from that line of Jerry's.

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY

Why does the real summer weather come after the day's start getting shorter?
Why do hair and grass always need cutting?
Why when I try so hard to be neat does my house still get messy?
Why do days go by faster the older you get?
Why does the wind quit blowing when it gets hot?

MY THURSDAY THANKFULNESSES

I'm thankful I had the money to pay the tire company when they came out along the freeway and changed a flat for me.

I'm thankful for warmer weather.

I'm thankful for the unexpected money that came today.

I'm thankful that my husband still has a job when so many are unemployed.

I'm thankful for my family.

HAVE AN AWESOME DAY!

I really DO know how to spell

2010-06-04T09:32:00.000-07:00

Sometimes my fingers aren't as fast as my brain though! Or is it the other way around? The word is DIVERGED not DEVULGED !! Sometimes I hit the wrong key and publish a post before I intend to also LOL

I finally figured out a way to do continuous bias, yippee! The placemats are all done. After I mend a small tear in a pair of pants for DD I'm going to finish a cute little pot grabber I saw on another bog and she was kind enough to mail me the pattern. It's a little chicken. It's been so long since I started it I will need to read the directions again to see what needs to be done next.

I found the cutest flannel at Jo-Ann's earlier this spring. It's bright green with red plaid ladybugs. There was only enough to make boxer-style jammies with it. Oh, well. Then, if I get left alone for awhile I will work on whittling down the fabric stash. It does no one good just sitting here.

I want to start doing Quilts for Kids and Newborns in Need. Small quilts that I can easily do the machine quilting in my tiny space. How I envy those with sewing STUDIOS !!

Friday Ponders

I love it when it rains HARD during the night and then dries out so I can do yard work later

I love trying to figure out how to do things on my own, and do them RIGHT

I love watching the deer browse in our fields

I love the scent of the air after a good rain

I love watching the little finches at the feeding station

Have a great weekend everyone!!

2010-06-03T00:25:00.001-07:00

BEJEWELLED QUILTS BY BARB: ACCU-GO GIVE AWAY!

Enter now until June 12 for a chance to win one of these fantastic little machines. Go to her blog for complete details on how to qualify for entries. And be sure to tell her Grandma Shell sent you. Once again it is
http://bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com/

Have we ever had rain the last few days! And this is only round one the weatherman says. Oh, my!! But everything around here is still so green and beautiful. I just hope it dries out enough so I can get the mowing done.

I don't know where the little quote came from but thought it was worth sharing. I found it in a journal book that I keep interesting qoutes in.

"Giving is Living

Each day, ask God to show you little ways you can be a giver, even if it's simply holding the door for another person or assisting someone with his or her struggles. Once you catch this whole attitude of giving, confrontations on the freeway cease to be confrontational, irritating sales clerks don't seem so obnoxious anymore. and daily chores like laundry and carpooling take on a different meaning."

One of my online quilt grous is doing a challenge this month. The challenge is to do a quilt or wallhanging of something you're a fan of. I'm still at the deciding point of choosing between Robert Browning and Robert Frost. I love the following lines that Browning wrote.

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in His heaven--
All's right with the world!

Or this portion that Robert Frost wrote:

Two woods devulged in a yellow wood,

What I've Been Doing

2010-05-27T18:44:00.000-07:00

In between rearranging and trying to declutter my home I have actually managed to sew a little. Two more pillowcases for my main little man. One is scraps of a jungle print that I'd made a shopping cart cover from and the other is very bright tropical fish. Who knows just why I bought that fabric but it's going to a good use now.

I haven't been able to mow the grass for going on three weeks. I know, if it gets much taller they're going to designate it wildlife habitat! This morning it was dry, not windy and not too cold so yippee-skippy I got the lawn mowed, most of it. I was in the process of trying to put up a couple of hose hangers and a hanger for a new wind chime when the rain came. With a vengeance!

If you would care to read a first-hand experience of a rattlesnake bite victim visit My Romantic Home . It's interesting to me since rattlers are common in this area.

I have ONE place mat all done, done, done that coordinates with the blue and yellow table topper. All I need to do to the other three is put the bias binding on. The genetics from my left-handed mother are showing through. I have several tutorials on making continuous bias, and if you think I can begin to figure them out !! When I read them it all makes perfect sense, it's when I try to do the actual sewing that I run into problems. I have my square of fabric, have cut it and sewn it into a parellogram, marked the cutting lines, but i just don't seem to be able to line up that last seam. So I'm letting it 'cook' for a bit.

This weekend I MUST do some sewing on that chair cover. I have cut it in two and fitted it on the chair to see what the next step needs to be, so I'm making progress. S-L-O-W-L-Y.

Can I share a Grammie story? Like you have a choice LOL My daughter called me on the cell phone while I was on my way home wanting to know what I'd done to Little Man. It seems he was lying on the floor crying his heart out because he wanted to go home with Grammie. is that sweet, or what?

Thursday Thankfullnesses

That God takes care of us

That I got most of my lawn mowed before the rain came

That I wasn't the one bitten by a snake

That everything is so green and beautiful after a good rain

That the birds music is so enjoyable

Where'd April Go? And other thoughts.

2010-05-08T20:10:00.000-07:00

Did I miss April? Must have, it still feels like March.

I finally got my round table topper all finished and on the table! YAY!! Now I'm finishing 4 coordinating placemats.I'm making bias binding right now.. I have a square of fabric cut and I'm going to try the continuous bias method. Well, I will if I can find the notebook that I wrote the instructions in. That's what happens when I tidy up my desk...I can't find a thing !! I found a good video tutorial at Erin Compton Designs blog if you are interested.

Here's a photo of the entire topper.

Oh, I get so tired of this! I keep telling it to left justify and it insists upon center justification. GRRR!!

The placemats have some of the same fabrics in them. When i get one finished I'll post a photo. I'm rather excited about getting to finish something for ME for a change.

I got brave one day and cut into that scary project. The recliner cover. I've even taken it over and put it on the chair so I could see how much needs to be removed. Now she wants elastic all around the bottom to keep the cat from going up under it to scratch. And a separate cover, all elasticized for the foot rest. Remind me, if I have another set of children in a future life, to teach them to sew LOL

I have a smallish bedroom so an entire bed frame is out of the question but I bought a headboard at an estate sale yesterday. It needs some repair work but I'm going to sand it down and paint it white. I've developed quite a liking for white painted furniture lately. I've also thought of doing my entire house blue and white with other accent colors but since my HUGE couch that takes up most of the living room is dark turquoise that probably won't work! I AM getting rid of those hideous green cupboards that you catch a glimpse of the the above photo. They are changing to white. I lived through those colors once, not doing it again!

Finally. I got the formatting to change to left justify.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! If it's nice I'm going to give my sewing machine a rest and go do yard work. There are so many weeds that are begging to be pulled and grass that needs mowing. I'm not sure how many flower pots I'm planting this year. It gets to be such a chore keeping them all watered and fertilized. We'll see. I love color in my yard, so...

Things I'm thankful for:

My almost blooming lilac bush

That the wind has died down. I was SO tired of the 'breezes'

For the peace and quiet of country living

That I don't have to put up with some people on a 24/7 basis

That I'm really not as old as I feel sometimes LOL

That it's finally warming up, some. I had to scrape ice from my windshield yesterday morning !!

Ta-ta 'till next time!

2010-04-10T10:19:00.000-07:00

It almost seems strange to be here it's been so long. What a month March was! Many, many birthdays, a granddaughter and her friend visited for a few days, plus the usual babysitting duties.

I almost have the kitchen painted. Now it's on to getting rid of those UG-G-LY 1970s green cabinet doors. I'm painting them white! Orange would even be a better color!! My granddaughter with the immpecable taste approved of the shade of blue I chose. Whew! It's Behr Russian Blue if you're interested and the white is Behr Frost semi gloss. An acquaintance gave me a fantastic idea to do the walls in flat paint and then choose a width of "board" in the paneling and do just those boards in the same color but semi-gloss. When the light hits it just right it gives a tone-on-tone stripe effect. Love it!

I finished the Downey Quilts for Kids quilt and it's on it's way to Pennsylvania. When I started the quilting it was going to be Rings Around the Rosies but as things often do it evolved into Flight of the Honeybee. I was running out of patience going around all the flowers!

This is the back of the quilt

The front

And a close up of the front, sorry it turned out so blurry

And here is the birthday boy's cute cake. he's really into the Thomas & Friends!

My next project is to remake a sofa cover to fit DD's recliner. We just happened to find a cover that's the exact match to the one on her sofa. How fortunate was that, eh?! I know what I want to do but how to achieve it is another thing alltogether. I want to take the excess out of the center and have two seams that are hidden in the part that gets tucked in on the inside of the arms. That way I don't have to mess with trying to redo the arms and ties. She keeps asking if it's done yet. Can you tell I'm reluctant to start? Any advice would be most gratefully accepted!

I wish I could get this thing to align LEFT like I tell it to. GRRR!! It will NOT change from Align Center.

SATURDAY THANKFULLS

For a day of R&R

For Spring at last!!!

For my sweet little Daisy

For living in the country

For flowers

New Show! Great Giveaways!!

2010-03-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

Check out this new show at http://www.thediydish.com/ The is a drawing for TWO Janome machines, a sewing machine and an embroidery machine. (I have a Janome and just love it. I always tell my family, If my house catches fire, get my dog and my sewing machine and let the rest go.) I'll get their button on here once I figure out how to do it correctly.

These two ladies are so enthusiastic they are contagious! In this first episode they demonstrate making cake pincushions. So easy and so much fun. You can let your creativity run wild! Next time they will show how to make those little pin heads that are just too cute!

There is also a giveaway for a pincushion kit by Heather Bailey. 10 lucky people will each win one.

Happy first day of Spring!

Maybe Spring is Springing, Maybe

2010-03-13T14:50:00.000-08:00

I see the very tippy top of my poplar tree is sporting tiny leaves and the lilac buds are bursting. Yay!! We made it through another icky winter. The "breeze" is about 20 mph and it's not very warm outside but the sun is trying hard to peep through the scurrying clouds.

I entered a Go Green Challenge with a sewing group. I intended to do a green wallhanging dipicting March with some green in it. It took on a life of its own and I ended up with Little Man's man bag and from the scraps (back of the legs) I made a pair of jeans for an 18" doll. You're saying,"what's green about those?". It didn't have to be the color green, it could also be green as in recycling. For instance on lady did one of those Capri Sun purses. It was really cute.

This is a close up of "Grammie's Car" No, I don't drive a Bug but it was the closest I could find at the time. A friend from a quilting group sent me the silver fabric. I think it was perfect.

This is the bag and the jeans. The doll now has a turquoise t-shirt so she's not topless!!

I'm doing a Downey Quilts For Kids project. They send you the kit with all the fabric you need already cut. All you need to supply is the batting. They are for hospitalizedchildren. The link is http://www.quiltforkids.org/ if you are interested in helping. I've also heard of an organization that makes things for newborns. I haven't checked into that one yet. I believe it's called Newborns In Need.

Keith is in Texas visiting our family there and also helping rebuild their house after a house fire destroyed part of the roof. They are taking advantage of having to do some repairs to also remodel in places. Someone has to stay home and tend to the farm, guess who. I don't even LIKE his creatures. Ugh. I quit the "Farmer Jane" thing nearly thirty years ago, I'm not sure why I keep getting drafted back into it.

Things I'm Thankful for Today

Spring is chasing Old Man Winter back to the North Pole

Friends

My fantastic sewing machine that will do nearly anything

The hope of better things to come

The ability to do something to help others

Most of all that, if we choose, we can have a home in heaven. Thank you, Jesus.

Yesterday's Journal Game

2010-02-25T10:10:00.000-08:00

Outside my window I see dawn's early light and a gray drippy day.
I am thinking I need to get much done on my "slave's day off" as my daughter calls it.
I am thankful that this moisture is falling as rain, not snow.
From the kitchen wafts the faint aroma of the coffee I brewed earlier.
I am wearing my jammies at this point...they are warmer!
I am creating a man-bag for Little Man's birthday.
I am going to make breakfast soom. As Winnie would say, "I have a rumbly in my tumbly."
I am reading and studying Galatians 5, the Fruits of the Spirit.
I am hoping to have a pleasant day.
I am hearing nothing but the quilt purr of the fan on the pellet stove.
Around the house are unfinished projects (UFOs) waiting for attention.
One of my favorite things is the pre-dawn quietness.

That was my world yesterday. Today it's much warmer, the sun made a glorious appearance, promising a nicer day today. I did get most of the man bag done, just waiting on some silver fabric for the windshield and headlight on the car. I am actually dressed! Since I'm a dedicated jammie lover that IS a feat for me! I've been wading through some old papers, not literally, shredding most of them. That's a boring job, but I do like to see the stack growing smaller.

I wish I had an embroidery machine so I could dress up the man bag a little more. Oh, well. Here's what it looks like at this point.

I'm hoping that the car will look better once I add the window and lights. I think a 2 year old will love it anyway!

Next on the list is a little 10" Annie doll and tote bag. OhSewDollin' has the cutest Annies if you are interested in them. I bought several patterns. The one I want to make for one of the grand-daughters is called, "It's me again, Jesus". She's praying, and oh so cute! The first one just might end up in Grammie's collection as it has been many years since I attempted to make a doll!

Clotilde has an embroidery pattern for No More Monkeys Jumping on The Bed. It arrived yesterday. I would love to get it done in time for the upcoming birthday, but since I haven't even made the pillowcase yet, that one is doubtful! I found fabric with numbers up to 5 and red sock monkeys. I thought that would be good. I have a pattern to make a sock money also. Plans, plans, plans, and here I sit playing on the computer!!!

Have an awesomely great day everyone!!!

2010-02-12T18:29:00.000-08:00

My Senior Citizen Toni doll has an outfit at last! I found her when rummaging through a box of things, butt nekked. So I had to drop everything else and make her an outfit. I don't know where her clothes are. Today I was looking for some of my other dolls and found a pair of shoes. And they fit her as long as she doesn't go on any long hikes! Stitch her up some socks and she'll be good to go.

She still needs a visit to her hairdresser but in amazingly good shape for as old as she is. I got her in 1952!

I also found a little doll quilt that my grandmother made for my oldest daughter. It's not very big but she was nearly blind when she made it and it is entirely stitched by hand.

Sorry it's not a better photo. I really need to get something set up so they come out better. It's about 19.5"x15" and was tied with embroidery floss. I think my daughter received it in 1972 or so. Maybe even before that. We won't tell my daughter that I came across this! She'd want it! I've been its caretaker for nearly 40 years doesn't that give me some sort of ownership rights? He-he!

Now if I could just find the quilt blocks that my Grandfather had made just before his death! Yeah, right, and someone is going to flat out GIVE me a Featherweight 222 in perfect condition too !! And I'm going to win the HGTV Dream Home in New Mexico so daughter #2 can have a larger home.

That's what's been happening on the farm other than spending several days with The Princess (who FINALLY got her Princess Castle so now she's a REAL Princess) and Little Man.

Friday Thankfulls

That it's the end of another week

For the rain I hear dripping from the eaves

For a day to rest from all the busyness of life

For good friends who will take time to listen

That no matter how humble it may be there's still no place like HOME!

Have a Great Weekend Everyone!

This Will Make You Think

2010-01-30T20:06:00.000-08:00

I visited a fellow blogger's website and she had this list of things to journal about. I'm trying to do better at journaling this year so here are the questions. I thought perhaps you'd like them also.

Outside my window -- I see gray skies, but NO wind. That in itself is noteworthy around here!
I am thinking -- What a peaceful Saturday afternoon
I am thankful for -- a cozy spot to sit and journal
From the kitchen -- silence. No sound of mice!!
I am wearing -- A white longsleeved T and fleece pants
I am creating -- A chicken self-portrait, that's hilairious!
I am going -- no where this afternoon
I am reading -- My Bible every morning
I am hoping -- That life will get better and better
I am hearing -- The quiet hum of my computer
Around the house -- blessed silence
One of my favorite things -- Something HOT in the mornings to warm my insides (not plain water, please)

I think it will be interesting to try and come up with something different each day. I'm going to give it a try anyway.

On the quilty side of life. Here's what I've been doing. The first one is Lonely Heart and was done as a challenge on one of my sewing groups.

I'm not really sure just why this chicken insists on being sideways. Maybe that's to signify I'm climmbing the walls !! Every piece has signifince as to who I am or what I like. The background is calico because I'm a country chick. Her body is blue check and her wing is eyelet because I love that combination. Again, a country thing. The red eye and green wattle are because I love little red-eyed tree frogs. The tail is patriotic because I am and also because I am a loyal friend. You have to be real blunt and say "Go Away!". Her feet are 1930s print because I love those prints and of course she wouldn't be caught dead with naked toenails! The beak is just a beak. And lastely her hair is various shades, just like mine. Oh, and she's chubby with short legs. (So am I).

Oh grrr! This seems to be stuck on Align Center. I can not get it to change to Align Left. So bear with me, please.

That's the little bits of nonsense I've been up to lately. Under the needle is a Christmas Card Holder that didn't get finished on time.

Saturday Simmerings

Why are there mean spirited people?

What is there to gain by lying about someone?

Why do grown people whine?

Why are some people so interferring?

And no, I'm not talking about any situation in my own life, just wondering.

Grey Day, Good Day for Sewing Projects

2010-01-24T10:15:00.000-08:00

Friday night I joined in my first ever quilt-in. It was a blast! We tried to stay up all night but I faded about 11:30 so I'm not sure how long others were up. We could quilt, sew, crochet, embroider or knit. And talk about anything as long as we were nice! Think of a bunch of teenage girls having a slumber party only I think most of us were grandmas, and it was on the internet.

It was nice and sunny the other day, wanting to get some fresh air I went exploring in my stuff in the old house. Here are some of the treasures I found.

This is part of a set of corning Petite Pans I received as a graduation present in (shall I admit?) 1965!

These were my mother-in-law's. They are a little rusty in places. I wouldn't put food in them but for other storage they are fine, and give a retro-country look to my kitchen.

Little saucers I've collected over the years.

One of my sister-in-laws gave me a set of these bowls in the late 1960s. This is the only one left of a set of three.

Can any of you remember S&H Green Stamps? I saved my stamps and bought this set of mixing bowls in the late 1960s. Again, the only one left.

And how about these treasures?

This was my mother-in-law's also. None of her nine kids wanted it, so I got it.And

And three worse for the wear sad irons, and NO I did not use these! They are in serious need of a good cleaning.

To make this at least a little quilting related, this is what I did for the sew-in. It just needs some quilting and the binding put on. It's a lonely little ladybug looking for love.

When I was over on the treasure hunt I came across that ladybug applique that I had made and never used. I thought she'd look great posing as a flower bud.

So that's the short version of what I've been up to lately. Well, that and my war on THE MOUSE.

I've had a continual war with this mouse all winter. It happens when you live in the country. They want to share the warmth.

I dislike finding mouse track all over in the kitchen cupboards, drawers, and even on the counters, so I decided to catch that nasty little creature.So I put out these new improved whilte mouse traps. No mouse. Someone suggested glue traps. I caught the ones stealing dog food but not THE MOUSE. In looking for something on the shelf above my computer I saw where an old cassette tape had been pulled out and even chewed into short pieces. I cleaned up that mess and decided things needed to be in plastic storage containers. In the process of doing that I moved the basket of my stuffed Easter bunnies and something fell out. THE MOUSE. The basket liner had been peed on so the bunnies smelled. (I hung them out on the clothesline for several days and got the smell out.) I even considered a mouse sized live trap but couldn't locate one close by. I won't use De-Con type products because of my bitty dog. Also I lost a very smart puppy due to her eating rat poison. It was a terrible way to die. One I don't even wish on a rodent.

I think I caught THE MOUSE Friday. Take some deep breaths so you don't hyperventilate when I tell you just how! In the washing machine!! It must have been hiding in the dirty clothes and trapped in something. I'm so glad I didn't touch it! I got a wad of paper towels and got it out of the washer and rewashed that batch of clothes. YUK!! So, if all else fails, try washing your mouse !!!

PS to that story? I'm getting a cat this summer.

HAVE AN AWESOME DAY !!

Today I'm Thankful That

There's no flooding here, or earthquakes, or tornados. It would be nice to get more rain however.

Friends care

To whoever it was that invented the Internet

We can have a "laxy" day once in awhile

My house didn't catch on fire the other night

SHHH! Don't Tell

2010-01-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

but I see blue sky!

I think it's one of those days that make you think Spring is really coming, but hold on! Winter WILL return!

I've been having issues with a too cozy little mouse. Very smart mouse also. I have those electronic things in both ends of the house, glue traps (hey, I'm desperate), even a new old-fashioned spring trap. I bait the glue trap with kibble. She can get the kibble without getting stuck. I've spent the past few days putting just about everything in totes. You would think I was getting ready to move. I found where she was starting a nest in the basket with my Easter bunnies. She ran out of there, I moved and disinfected the bunnies. I haven't seen her since but I'm sure she's in here somewhere.

Needless to say, I haven't done much sewing this week. I do have a couple of mending things for DD#2 and a pair of pillowcases that need to be done this weekend. My swap partner let me know her's to me are in the mail. I did get a practice case done. I think I'll make another one and send them to the Million Cases Project.

I know I've complained a great deal about my tiny, tiny house, etc. It's either too cold, too hot, too corwded, or whatever. I am changing my way of thinking. I am very grateful for what I have. Seeing the plight of those people in Hati has made me realize just how blest we are. No wonder some of those countries view us Americans as rich and increased with goods. My heart goes out to them. I wish there was more I could do than just send dollars to them.

I'm off to take a walk before the weather changes.

Today I'm Most Thankful For:

All the water I want to use

More than enough food

Electricity

Heat/Cooling

A roof over my head to keep the rain off

ORGANIZIATION MONTH

2010-01-03T13:46:00.000-08:00

Since January is traditionally the month for getting everything organized I thought I'd share the method I use for storing my fabric stash.

First, start by folding your fabric in half, lengthwise with the folded edge to your right, as below.

After that is done I use my 6x24" ruler as a guide for folding purposes.

Then I just start folding, with the ruler in the center.

This picture shows the fabric all folded in 6" widths. If there is a little extra, I just fold it in.

Then, I place the ruler vertically and fold in 6" widths again. Again, if there's a little extra, just fold it in.

This photo shows a nice, neat stack of fabric on the lower shelf. Above you can see some fabrics that haven't been folded this way yet. Messy, aren't they!

As you can see I also use plastic shoeboxes. I store fat quarters, small scraps for applique, strips, you name it. If it isn't large enough to be folded in a large square it goes in a box. After years of searching through the boxes to find what I want, I've put labels on them. You can also use a 3" ruler to fold smaller pieces so they look neat in the boxes. I have the FQ sized pieces sorted mostly by color family It's a work in progress, but I'm getting there, slowly it seems some days.

I don't bother folding the applique size pieces. They usually are odd shapes anyway, but it's fun digging through them to find just the right little piece. Reminds me of sorting through my Grandma's button box.

I must confess I did not invent this method of fabric folding. I saw it on a blog, but unfortunately, I don't remember the blog name so I can't give that person the credit. Sorry. Really, I'm not trying to take credit for somonelse's brain child.

Have a Great Day!!

Grandma Shell

Stairway to Cat Heaven

2009-12-27T18:36:00.000-08:00

Here's a photo of my mother with the Stairway wallahnging. That's dear little T-Bone touching the moon. I didn't even notice that until I had uploaded the pictures to my computer.

It's finally starting to snow. We didn't get a white Christmas. Oh well.

And here's a pic of the fabric for Bryan's fuzzy blankie.

Have a good day tomorrow!

Christmas Memories

2009-12-26T11:28:00.000-08:00

O've been thinking back over all the Christmasses of my life, trying to decide which was my favorite Christmas. It would have to be when the older two were in elementary school.
We were living in a 12x60 trailer. We had Keith's brother his wife, and three children, his wife's mom, dad, and younger sister. The living room was in the front and we had gifts under the tree from wal to wall, literally. It was a grand, great time! This is only a portion of the gifts. The rest of the family hadn't arrived yet.

Now my tree sits on the piano, is prelit and pre decorated. All i have to do is take it out of the box and plug it in. How times have changed!

I already have sewing jobs for 2010. Sigh. I don't think I'll ever get time to do MY sewing projects, unless I never sleep or eat!

Are any of you joining in on any mystery quilts? I think I have three! I'll do one and print the clues for the others so I can do them later.

We didn't get a white Christmas this year, but, hey, I for one am NOT complaining! It's those light grey clouds that usually foretell snow but I'm not sure there is any moisture in them. It's chilly however, around 23* the last time I checked. BRRR!!!

THANKFULLNESSES

Today I'm thankful

That Jesus came to earth, died and was resurrected, went back to heaven and will soon come for us. And if you don't believe that. I'm sorry, that's my belief.

That there isn't any snow.

That my house is semi-warm

That I have hot/cold running water

That my Best Friend Forever (BFF) is alive and well

THANKFULNESSES

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

2009-12-25T08:29:00.000-08:00

I only have a few minutes before I need to get ready to go over the river and through the woods. I made it! The wall hanging is done, done, done and wrapped, wrapped, wrapped. I get a photo of it with my mom today and post it, hopefully tomorrow.

Daisy wants to send her greetings also. Here she is in her finery.

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE !!!

Seven Days! Are you Ready?

2009-12-18T19:20:00.000-08:00

Sorry, I haven't done anything noteworthy to photograph this week.

It hardly seems possible that it's only seven days until Christmas! If the rest of our winter is no worse than it has been, I just might survive LOL.

I came across the cutest little fabric trees while crusing around in blogland. Cruise over to http://www.thesmallobject.com/ and check them out.

I thought I was nearing the end of the Christmas sewing. Are Grandma's ever at the end? Of sewing, that is! Dear son called and let me know that his little girl would like an activity book made by Grammie for Christmas. I told him I couldn't get one done and sent to her before Christmas but it will be my next project. One of these days Grammie will get to sew for herself, right? Don't count on it !!

Our beautiful Mt. Hood has claimed three more lives, the oldest only 29. So sad. If people would just take the locator beacons with them these tragedies wouldn't happen. Not being a climber I don't understand why the need for climbing in the winter.

Sunday I will have a photo of the Stairway To Cat Heaven to show you. It just needs the binding finished. Because I'm actually going to get it done in time does that mean I get a shopping trip to an online quilt shop? Or a new attachment for my Janome?

If you would like some absolutely can't-eat-just-one cookies that are really easy to make, take few ingredients, no baking involved, then let your fingers take you over to Gudrun's World and find her recipe for Icelandic Coconut Balls. They are so scrumptious. She posted the recipe during her 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop.

Things I'm Most Thankful For

My three children and six grandchildren. They may not realize it but they are my mainstay.

Running water

Electricity

A dependable vehicle

And, most importantly, GOD. He is the One that keeps the world spinning, not President Obama, Al Gore, or Rush Limbaugh. Let's all take some time and thank Him for the blessings He grants us each day.

Close to THE END !! Hooray!

2009-12-13T09:32:00.003-08:00

All I have left to do is finish the wall hanging. I've finished the fuzzy blanket (we call them memes) for SIL. He is a HUGE Dale, Sr. fan, so what else would it be?

I scored big with him when I made T-Bone a pillowcase with D.E. fabric I'd found!

I came across these cute little bird ornaments while browsing the web.

.http://www.purlbee.com/sewn-bird-ornaments/

They even look easy enough to make that you could stitch them up before Christmas.

It snowed last night! OK, so it's just slightly more than a powdered sugar coating, maybe what a child would do if turned loose with the sifter! AND, (drum roll please!) the weatherman says it will continue to warm up! Hallellujah! My back is tired of the couch in the living room. I've been trying to rely mostly on the pellet stove, which leaves the bedroom on the chilly side. Now that it's up above the close to 0* mark the bedroom is brearable. I like a cool bedroom, not a frozen one LOL.

I'm Thankful for:

Electric heat

Pellet Stoves

Warm Blanets

Slipper Socks

Fleece Jammies

Notice how each one has something to do with staying warm !!

Have a WARM day!

Close to THE END !! Hooray!

2009-12-13T09:32:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving and back to SEWING

2009-11-29T05:45:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is over for another year, families have all returned to their homes,

now I can get serious about finishing some works in progress. Such as this cute snowman card holder.

I'm not sure what I did but blogger and I are having issues about whether to left align or NOT!

This gets a border with zig-zaged ribbon to slide the cards behind.

Grandson will get some pillowcases for his big-boy bed. Dad is a real Dale E, Sr. fan and I happened across this fabric one day. I didn't have any plans for it at the time but I think I can make T-Bone a cute pillowcase with it.

Dear daughter #2 has informed me that I will only be needed one day a week through the winter. Oh how sweet! More time for quilting!

There was a new JC Penny sale catalog in yesterday's mail. I haven't looked at it yet but did notice a simple scrappy-looking quilt on the cover. One of my 'want-to-do' projects for this winter is to organize my quilt patterns. They are here-and-there in no particular order. I do have the applique patterns in two binders but I know there are more to be added.

I need to get over to the sewing machine for the day.

Each of you have a great day!

Happy quilting!

Thanksgiving Thanks

That it hasn't snowed yet (to stick for the season) and isn't even that cold!

Night driving glasses

The internet

Family

Daisy

Ladybug

Digital Cameras (adding a sixth one today!)

Thanks for stopping by! Come by anytime, the tea kettle is always at the ready!

Rainy Days and Sundays

2009-11-22T06:13:00.000-08:00

I only have two days left to finish painting the kitchen. You can guess what I'll be doing today! Somehow, I don't think the cabinets are going to change color. I'll be glad to get the walls done.

Meanwhile back in the quilting room, I have the wallhanging top done, ready to stitch around the appliques. It's much larger than I realized, nearly lap quilt size. If someone really wants a wallhanging size I'd reccommend reducing it by one-half. Or, plan on a large wall!

And all the little pieces on Special Delivery (Nov/Dec Quiltmaker) are fused, ready to be appliqued also. So, if I get the walls done I have things to sew. No, not if, when the walls are done.

Do any of you remember Bonanza the first time around? Chevrolet was a sponsor. For some reason that how-many-year-old commercial keeps going through my head. Didn't Dinah Shore sing the jingle? There was a Chevy driving along a straight streth of road somewhere in the Southwest, and the singing, "See the U S A in your Chevrolet." I was just a little kid, why in the world would I remember a Chevrolet commercial? And how many years' later?

We've had quite a discussion over on the Janome list as to whether there is anything we DON'T like about our machines. It evolved into a what-we'd- like-to-improve about our machines, as we don't have any major complaints. We all agreed on a low bobbin warning, a flashing light, not a beep system.If they can do it on cars, why not on sewing machines? No, not a low bobbin warning on the car, a low fuel warning! Silly!!

Why do I keep getting quilting magazines? With all the magazines I have marked with things I want to make, I certainly don't need anything else to tempt me! And an acquaintance is moving and sharing some of her old magazines with me.

Now if I could just get that sewing desk I've been wanting!

Sunday Simmers

Today I'm thankful that:

I don't live near a stream or river,

I can make it 30 more days and the days will be getting longer again,
Most of our family will be here for Thanksgiving.

My house may get cold at times, but at least it's dry,

AND most of all that God watches over us and keeps us from harm.

HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY!

Well, I wanated to add a photo but the little icon seems to be missing. So,you will see what I'm currently working on next time.

Been Wroking Hard

2009-11-12T07:40:00.000-08:00

AHA !! I found the culprit as to why my titles were appearing in some STRANGE test! Somehow the enable translation was set to Hindi. After fixing that, Wa-lah!, I'm in English again! If only all problems were that easily fixed.

Any of you that like mystery quilts head on over to Quiltvillechat at Yahoo Groups. Bonnie is starting a new mystery on Black Friday. She's not adding it to her website as it will appear in a future book. This will be the only chance to get it free. They are always a lot of fun, although my first one is still unfinished!

My car is ready to be brought home. YAY! Now for a garage to park its nice shiny feathers in! The kids all call it my little yellow canary!

A word of advice: If you're not diabetic, check your blood sugar once in awhile anyway. I'm so SICK of sticking my fingers, taking injections, not being able to eat what everyone else does. NOT FUN.

Computer time is up, sewing machine is calling me.

Have a fantastic day!

Thursday Thanks

Warm clothes and a warm house. It got downright cold last night!

My beautiful Janome sewing machine

Paint to cover up these UGLY walls.

That I live in the country

Friends

2009-11-09T07:19:00.000-08:00

DOES TIME GO FAST, OR WHAT?

I tried to put a title up there but everything turned to Chinese looking characters when I hit enter. When,if, I ever get time I'll have to see if I can figure out what's going on.

I'm 'On Call' today. Which means if son-in-law gets called to work I need to be ready to go over there. Dear daughter calls it a Slave's Day Off, I prefer, Grammie's Day Off!

I'm finally on my way doing the 36 nine-patch blocks for the Cats Stairway to Heaven wall hanging. I did about 12 in an hour last night. I've only had one or two blocks that are a little off, and that's not enough to really notice. Here are some photos of my progress.

This is the fabric for the other sets of blocks. The lavender has glitter in it!

This is the moon and the night sky. They both are glittery also. i discovered that it's difficult to find just the right dark shades of blue. So i gave up and other than the lavender, the recipient's favorite color, I tried to get as dark as possible.

I'm going to make today productive and not just sit and hibernate in front of the computer. (but..but...but, it's SO much fun!)

Have you heard about the Cross Country Christmas blog hop? There are twelve designers. Each one will post a Christmas project for the next 12 days, beginning today. There will be prizes also! So hop on over to Gundrun's World, www.gudrun.typepad.com/ If I knew how to make it a link I would, but I don't. I tried clicking on the icon for 'link' but nothing happened.

Have an absolutely awesome day!

Monday Greatfuls

For hot coffee to warm me on these cold, cold days.

For my children and grandchildren

For the knowledge that we really AREN'T entering the next iceage

For warm clothes

For the fact I will get MY car back this week, hopefully! I'm grateful for the loaner from Mom but it's just not the same.

2009-10-27T20:48:00.000-07:00

This is an untitled post. For some reason whatever I try to enter in the title bar turn to gibberish. I don't know what's happened.

I got news today that I have won two different contests. Now if I could just remember what they were!! I know the one had to do with breast cancer awareness. I've been searching through my blog list trying to find it again. So far, no luck.
Getting older and having those 'Senior Moments' is so much fun. NOT.

So what have I been doing lately? I've started the cutest little oven mitts. They are little hens. I only have the wings done so far or I'd show you.

I got my new issue of 'Quick Quilts' and want to make part of a winter wall hanging. It has a polar bear family next to a sing that says Welcome to the North Pole. Since I'm always cold I thought that would be very fitting to have on the front door!

I re-arranged the living room and now have an extra piece of the sectional I'm not sure what to do with. It's not very attractive as the center piece in the middle of the floor. Keith said it would be very difficult to put it in one of the other rooms. (like there is space anyway!) I hate being the teeny tiny woman in the teeny tiny house!

I intended to paint on the kitchen ceiling for an hour today but my arms had a different idea. But I did get about halfway across the room, so I don't feel bad. If you count the set up and clean up time it was probably close to an hour. I hadn't noticed how dingy it was until I started with the fresh paint. What a difference!

While I was browsing through my list of saved blogs I came across the perfect purse. But the pattern comes from Australia. It just looks like an ordinary bag but opens WIDE. It's called a Stable Bag. I don't know why it's called that, but it's just what I need. Whatever I want is always in the very bottom of my purse.

Tuesday Thanks

That it's almost November already

That Winter won't last forever

That it's almost bedtime

That sometimes you don't really know who your real friends are, until they're needed

That Fall colors are so beautiful

Scrambled Thoughts

2009-10-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

Only mending done this week, nothing fun or exciting. But...by asking a question on one of the quilting groups I belong to I did find the applique portions of a wall hanging I would like to do as a Christmas gift. I think I can figure out the rest of it. That's a big plus!

I've been 'trying' to get sick this week. Fever and chills, runny nose, just a touch of a sore throat, general malaise. Thursday I felt like I could go to bed and not wake up until the alarm went off on Monday morning. Unfortunately, the body won't cooperate! I did tell Keith that he was on his own for lunch today. I just don't feel up to cooking anything. Now, if I just had a nice thick book to read!

Do any of you readers cross stitch or embroider? I'm searching for a better method of storing my hundreds of flosses. I'm toying with designing my own. I have stored them on those little plastic bobbins in a fishing tackle box. It works but then every time I get a new color, sigh, I have to rearrange them all. When you have as many colors as I do, that's a time consuming job. I need something that will hold many many skeins. Please let me know if you have a system that works for you. If my brainy idea works I'll post a picture

As Bugs Bunny said, "That's All Folks!"

Thankful For

Puffs Plus Tissues

Warm Clothes

A few days off from babysitting

That I know this too shall end!

Online Quilting Groups

2009-10-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

The sun is shining, the skies are blue, but don't let that fool you! If you're old enough, hear this in Bing Crosby's voice! If you're not, you're going to say, "WHO?"

I'm so cold and would really love a nice hot cup of coffee, but I really need to sleep tonight. GD says, Grammie, no nappin', when I doze off watching Elmo for the upteenth time.

I told myself that I was going to work on getting the foot stool finished today. Hasn't happened! But I have taken a nice long nap. Does that count? And watched most of a NASCAR race. But anything productive, like even putting some paint on the kitchen ceiling? Nah. Aren't some sunday's just meant for lazing around?

I did get some applique out, look at it, make sure I still have all the pieces, and arrange it. Does that count?

Does paper multiply at your house? It sure does here. I have stacks and stacks of papers that are needing attention. The recycling guys will love me when I finally get it all taken care of.

Sunday Simmers

Thankful for the electric furnace that always comes on

Thankful for the ability to take a day off from the hussle and bustle of life

Thankful for understanding, caring friends

Thankful for my youngest daughter who has a birthday today (hard to claim 29 when your 'baby' is 29!)

Thankful that the huge SUV didn't damage my car any worse than it did

Rainy Days!

2009-10-03T09:46:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! It rained! Well, to some of the rest of you it was a sprinkle, but it was enough to make the eaves drip and the big dog all wet. (uck! and then she wants me to pet her?) That counts as rain here.

I've been in a sewing slump lately. Browsing all my bookmarked blogs has me inspired again. I did manage to get one teapot cut out. Now to fuse it onto the topper before I lose track of all the pieces!

We've come up with another plan to fix Heidi's coffe table cover. I'm going to put wide elastic diagonally on the back side of each corner. That's on the top of my list for tomorrow so I can take it over to her on Monday.

Today we are going to spend the afternoon with friends. There will be eight of us if everyone shows. If I had my "druthers" I'd stay home and take a very long nap! This kind of weather does that to me.

If you recall, a while back I made a pin cushion for a swap. Mine came in at sixth place but was the first one chosen. Now I've started collecting pin cushion patterns! I saw the cutest ones made to looks like toadstool houses. So cute! I printed off the instructions but don't remember the website so I can give the creator credit. Found it. http://thelittlehousebythesea.wordpress.com . They are Toadstool Cottage and Mushroom House. I'm afraid if I make them I won't want to give them away. So, does that mean I need to do two sets?

Thankfulness's

For friends we can get together with

For the rain

For a warm house

For my sweet little dog (except when she's naughty)

For my little yellow canary car up and running again

Have an awesome weekend!

Errata

2009-09-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

Another week is over.; The sun is still shining. Cooler mornings mean Autumn is creeping in. Indian Summer!

Daisy is moping around after her surgery yesterday. I hope she blames her misery on the vets office and not me!

Keith is out cutting wood for the stove in the shop. Another sign that Winter will soon be here. We have a pellet stove here in the house. We figured it out though and dollar-wise, it's no cheaper. But it does use less electricity, so...

I've been making "some" progress on my new table topper. I have the wedges sewn and the three circles sew together. Next is making the teapots and attaching them. Then I can sandwich it and quilt it. Here's a pic of what I have done.

I'm slowly getting the kitchen painted. I'm only buying paint by the quarts so I don't have so much left over to add to the collection. I want to finish the ceiling before doing the upper area. I tend to be a messy painter.

I have the coffee table cover done. Now I'm trying to decide just how to attach it in a way that little busy children won't undo it. Probably impossible with little man!

I'm working on getting my yard put to bed while the afternoons are still warm. We have such an overabundance of jellowjackets it's almost easier in the mornings while they are still snug in their nests.

Someone was asking what green chicken eggs look like So I took a pic while I was washing and weighing the eggs. So here it is.

In this photo they really don't look very green at all. Have to try again sometime.

Friday Appreciations

The week is over!
I feel as though I got a FEW things accomplished
We get to see good friends tomorrow
Daisy is doing fine
We're all healthy

Applique Projects

2009-09-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

Do you like applique? i love it! If you do too, have you been to the Fat Cats website? Sindy is an absolutely amazing designer! I'm planning on doing the Frogies for my granddaughter and the Jungle Fever for her brother as part of their Christmas from Grammie. Aspen is even getting me hooked on frogs! When I get some blocks done I'll post some pictures.

It's a grey day here in my area. Typical for late September. Probably will not need the a/c today! It's supposed to get warmer the middle of next week. Summer's last hurrah as it gives way to Fall. Sigh. I need to go out tomorrow and empty the flower pots, trim/pull up things in my little garden area, put away the lawn furniture and generally get ready for winter. Is a six month vacation to somewhere way south of here on that list? Ha-ha!

The most exciting thing I've done this week? Yesterday was Daisy's 5th birthday so I bought a package of cookies with no chocolate and gave her one in lieu of a cake! Wow! Not very exciting around here is it? As a treat I let her ride to town with me. She loves riding in the car! The only thing I don't care for is she really likes perching (?) on the back of my neck so she can see out better. I really need to get her a doggy car seat. I'm sure she would like it.

Saturday Thoughts

If you don't serve the Lord then skip this part, it's not meant to try and proselytize anyone just express my thoughts.

Praise The Lord for one day a week I can rest!

Praise the Lord for pets that are so bonded to us

Praise the Lord for families

Praise the Lord for Seasons, even if I don't care for certain one's

Praise the Lord for beauty

Sunny Day and Cool Tip

2009-09-11T07:02:00.000-07:00

It's promising to be a sunny day...and warmer also! (I really need to live in the South Seas somewhere!)

I just read an email with the neatest trick, not quilt related but still awesome if it really works. It said to fill a sandwich baggie half full of water, add four pennies, and hang it up where flies are a problem. They won't hang around. If it works that's a pretty cheap fix, and no toxic things messing with the environment.

I'm making a quilt block for a list buddy that's been ill. At this point I don't want to say anything more publicly but the name of the block is Contrary Wife. Hubby probably would say I should have an entire quilt of THAT block!!

Oh, here's a pic of the little pincushion I made. I had some issues with the pattern pieces not being quite right but did the necessary adjustments.

My sister-in-law that owns a quilt shop was telling me how the fabric companies are going back to the 70s prints and colors. After looking at the fabrics I chose for the pincushion I would have to agree.

Just WHY isn't sewing taught in high school any longer? Now dear daughter has me making a cover for her coffee table to protect it from her two young children. I tried to tell her that when you have kids, that's ALL you have. You can have nicer furniture after they leave home.

We had another bad experience at the local big-chain fabric store. We needed 1.5 yards of fabric and it was supposed to be 30% off. I even asked at the cutting table to make certain that particular fabric was included. Yes, it was. We get to the register and were charged regular price. I complained so the lady checked and made the adjustment for us. Fine. I bring the fabric home, and when I'm ready to sew it up, oops, there's only 48" not 54". So I have to wait until my next trip to that town, take it back, ask them to remeasure it, sure enough, even their yardstick said 48". So they cut me another piece. Don't they realize that in the long run they are only hurting themselves? They have always made things right but it's the aggravation factor for me and the fact it means ANOTHER trip to the fabric store. I don't life close enough that I can just jump in the car and buzz down there. I plan my trips to coincide with the days I work.

That Contrary Wife is being just that! I re-did two of the half square triangles because they were crooked. Second time around? They are supposed to be 4 1/2". One was only 4". So I've given up for today. She wants to be that way, she can just sit in the corner for a day or two. You know, time out!

I did this silly thing on Facebook this morning. I'm not going to die until I'm 87, and that will be by mauling from a cougar. There are cougars around here so that could be a possibility! Can't you just see me tottering down the road for my morning walk and get ambushed by a cougar!

I got a little sample can of Beher's new Primer Plus Paint. Wow, that goes a long way. And it does a really nice cover also. I'm painting light blue over lavender. That little 1 cup sample can probably has done a fourth of the kitchen. The easy places where I don't have to remove very much stuff !!

Thankfulness's

It's FRIDAY !!!

It's warmer today than yesterday

No cougars out today LOL

Ya'll have a great weekend! Enjoy the last days of summer weather!

A Reason to Save Things

2009-09-07T11:51:00.000-07:00

Not a very warm holiday here! The last time I checked it was 55* at 11 a.m. That's just plain old chilly. Plus we have a nice breeze close to 20 mph. The sun was shinning and i thought I'd go clean up the remnants of my little garden. Nope. Too breezy.

I'm stuffing a little pincushion and thought it would be nice to include a tiny bit of sand or silica in the center to sharpen pins and needles. All I need is something tiny to keep the sand in place. But since I don't save EVERYTHING I'm on a search. I know my children would dispute that last fact!! Something the size of a small medicine cup would work. Hmm...I wonder if I threw out all those little plastic cups that I used for lotion samples way back when? Hopefully I'll have a picture to share later.

Today I'm really trying to stick with the eating plan my doctor gave me. I'm starving and I've already gone over my carb allowance for the day. Sigh. Someday I'll find just the right combination of foods. I hope.

Have a GREAT day!

Monday Musings

I LIKE the peace and quiet of living in the country

I LIKE my wonderful sewing machine

I LIKE being healthy enough to do things on my own

I LIKE watching the cloud formations as they scurry by

I LIKE having a nice space between me and the neighbors. (or would that be the neighbors and myself?)

Summer Is Over

2009-09-05T23:58:00.000-07:00

Can we paraphrase that oldie, "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?" to Where Has All My Summer Gone? It is extremely chilly here tonight. OK, so extremely is a tad of an exaggeration, but you get the idea. Even my little Daisy is complaining of it being too cold.

I took this picture late this afternoon just up the road from our place. It doesn't really do justice to the contrast of the stormy clouds and the stark white of the wind turbines. Maybe someday I'll make a wallhanging of the way it REALLY appeared. If you look REALLY hard you can see the little town we live near. The light spot in the midst of the further trees is the grain elevator about 8 miles away.

I'm in the process of making a little Dresden Plate pincushion. I'm using mainly chocolate and blue. I really like that color combination. i should have it done in the morning. I'll post a pic when it's ready.

Daisy is insistently telling me SHE thinks we should go to bed. Silly dog! So in order to quite her down I will do her bidding! Now the young cyotes are out learning to howl at the full moon. Wish they'd go somewhere else! Maybe they like listening to Daisy bark at them!

Saturday Somethings

Why must summer end with such a vengance?

I'm thankful for good friends.
I'm thankful for warm weather, while it lasts.
I'm thankful for family.
I'm thankful for my computer and the internet.
I'm thankful for a furnace!

Have a great weekend!!

Slow Down Mode

2009-08-30T00:11:00.000-07:00

All the grandchildren are back at their homes, getting ready for the start of school I'm sure. Now Grandma gets to do some seewing for herself. Maybe.

I was just looking through my stash picking out fabrics for a table quilt. I'm in the process of changing my kitchen from lavender/green to blues/pale yellow/white with a touch of red thrown in. Mainly because I have one of those repro red step stools. It looks really out of place against those walls!

I found some 30s print at my sister-in-law's fabric shop to make curtains from. It has three shades of blue with tiny yellow flowers. I'm making tabs to lift the curtains up and down. Somehow I managed to "break" the roman shades! I thought, well, the worst I can do with these is break a button!

So other than my weekly babysitting, that's what I've been doing. And making the hornets angry! A word of advice. DON'T mow close to their nests. Not even accidentally. It hurts really bad! They even stung both dogs.

Have an absolutely wonderful day!

Saturday Musings

Just what are hornets good for?
Why don't we get thunderstorms here?
Why can't I read a book without feeling like I'm wasting time?

I Did IT !!!

2009-08-15T16:38:00.001-07:00

I got the three cart covers finished and sent them home with Julianne. Yay!! Now it's on to dolly clothes for Aspen's birthday, which is next Sunday. I must worked well under pressure or something. Not.

Did I say something about the man that said he wasn't going to cater for the fire crews this summer? Guess where he is !! Yep! Somewhere in California.

After having grandkids nearly all summer, the break from EVERYONE is sorely needed and appreciated.

Here are pics of the shopping cart covers and one dolly dress, modeled by Aspen's Mommies very old CP Doll.

Saturday Thankfullnesses

That I can rest today

That I have peace and quiet for a change

That when I clean the house, it stays that way (for a bit, anyway)

That my family is healthy

That The Lord watches over us

Long Time No See Me

2009-08-05T06:59:00.000-07:00

Due to having various bored granddaughters over the past several weeks my computer time has been limited. I only have one here now and she's sleeping so I'm sneaking in here.

I almost have the first of the shopping cart cover finished. I'm putting a quilt type binding around the top, then the elastic in to hold it on to the cart, and it will be done, done, done. Yea!!!

It's hard to believe it is already August. Where has the summer gone? We are just now getting nice warm weather. The next few days will bring a slight cooling, so the weatherman says.

I had a bad experience at a fabric store, which will remain nameless for the time being. I bought the other two pieces of fabric for the cart covers. I'm happily cutting away yesterday morning...and,come up about 1 1/2 yards short. Of course, I immediately called the store and told the young girl that answered my problem. Her reply was, and I quote: "Bring all your scraps and your receipt in and we'll figure out where YOU cut wrong." Before I called I sat down and added up how much fabric I have left and the length of the pieces I'd already cut. Let's do the math; 2 pieces at 24" equals 48" or 1 1/3 yards. 4 pieces at 18" equals 72", or 2 yards, for a total of 3 1/3 yards. Plus 12" left over. Grand total of 3 2/3 yards. I paid for 4 yards. I feel that since they shorted me they should GIVE me 1/2 yard. I don't want to have to piece the fabric. That would be ugly on something that is being purchased. How tacky! It may be Friday before I can get back over to the store. I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

On another blog I saw the cutest little pincushion. One of the chat lists I'm on is having a pincushion swap and I want to make one for the swap. It's at Boutique NutMeg Designs if you want to see it.

I'm not sure just when I'll ever get to start quilting again. One of my daughters has requested some dolly dresses for her daughter's birthday which is in a few weeks. I'm ruing the fact I didn't make her learn to sew!!!

Wednesday Wonderings

WHY is summer so short?
WHY are yellowjackets EVERYWHERE?
WHY are there snakes?
WHY are there rude drivers
WHY does time go so fact the older you get?

Have A Great Day !!!

Alone Again...Sorta

2009-07-19T15:49:00.000-07:00

This is the little lap quilt I made my Mom. I know all kinds of things NOT to do to a quilt now!

Granddaughter #2 went home yesterday. She'd been here three weeks and was missing her Mom, so they came and got her a week early. So I actually have a few moments on the computer!

I'm in the midst of trying to better organize my sewing/computer room. Hopeless, I know, but still... I was counseled to remove the closet doors, and one thing for certain, you WILL keep the closet less cluttered. Before it was a handy hiding place if someone was coming over! Stuff whatever in the closet and shut the door. I'm sure you know the routine!

I put a low, wide dresser that was my grandparents in the closet with a plastic storage unit on either side. Also many storage crates of various sizes. That side of the room is beginning to take shape. Now I need to take a trip to a "Mart" store and get more bins.

I'm also putting up some extra wallpaper that I had in the closet where the computer is. I'm tired of looking at chipboard, wafer-wood, or whatever it is, it's unappealing.

I also went out and mowed the yard around the hosue early this morning before it got too warm to do it. (I have a riding mower! Don't think I'm THAT ambitious!) I like it so much better when it's been trimmed. Which reminds me, it's time to go change the sprinkler.

I finally finished the little "what-in-the-world-am-I-doing?" quilt for my Mom. Now I just need to catch her at home. She's always going on one jaunt or another.

My back has quit aching so it must be time to get back to the task at hand.

Quick Note

2009-07-06T05:37:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to let anyone who reads this know I haven't given up. I've just been really, really busy.

I have a granddaughter here for two more weeks who is one the computer most of the time. I know, Bad Grammy! But she's so bored here.

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Now it's back to the whirl of real life.

I've been commissioned to make three more shopping cart covers. Not my favorite things to do but maybe they will go faster this time. I hope so.

Back to the task (?) of babysitting two of the grandkids. They are fun but when I think of all I need to be doing at home...well, you know. Wish I lived where they could come to my house!

My mother's quilt is all but done. I found a place where the scissors nipped it so I'm putting some appliques over each corner to cover it up! And, yesterday morning I made a little tote bag for my daughter. She wants it for the stroller when she goes walking. I'd post a picture but it's just black cotton duck, nothing exciting there!

If I'm going to get any breakfast before I need to leave I better get it.

Have an AWESOME day !!

Monday Musings

Why is Summer so short? and cold.
What happened to Global Warming? It sure isn't here !!
What am I going to do with this batch of wet clothes that are draped all over my COLD house?

Sharon Shamber Videos

2009-06-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

If you are a beginning quilter, or even experienced, watch the two videos on You Tube about Hand Basting a Quilt without Pins. It's a fantastic method.

I'm trying to get a quilt basted and I'm going to try this method. Since I have such a small space to work in, I think this will be a big benefit.

I tried to embed the videos but I must be doing something incorrect because it didn't work for me. So you will just have to go to the site. Hmmm. I'll try copying the URL for you and see what happens. It won't even do a copy/paste. Gremlins must have been playing with my computer during the night !! Well, go to Sharonshambernetwork.com you should be able to find it there. There are two videos dealing with this topic.

Happy Quilting!

Monday Musings

Why is the first full day of summer so cold here?
Why are the days already getting shorter when summer hasn't really started yet?
Why aren't there more hours in a day?
Why do quack grass and weeds grow so fast?
Why is it, the older you get the faster the days go by?

Time Does Fly

2009-06-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

I've discovered a new (to me) blog. It's called The Life and Times of Not Quite June Cleaver. Any of you who are as old as me will know who June Cleaver was. And those of you who aren't....well, look her up on the Web! She is having a contest of sorts every Friday she will post two recipes, we make them and post pictures on our blog, plus mention her blog. She has a 'drawing' every Friday for those who have entered.

So, I've mentioned her now all I have to do is get busy and cook. (what's that?) The first recipes are for a berry cobbler and quiche. So that shouldn't be too difficult. She's breaking us in easy, I guess!

One of the quilt groups that I belong to is doing a pincushion swap. I have the one I'm doing all cut out, just need to finish it so I can get it in the mail.

Mom's quilt is coming along....slowly. Somewhere I think something got stretched because to my eye it looks like the front and back don't quite fit. We'll see. I just want to get it done. I pledged to myself that I wouldn't start another quilt until this one was all done.

We had 40 mph winds yesterday and part of my clothesline fell down. My dryer has a problem also. Somewhere somebody needs to do some fixing!! Oh well, such is life in the country.

Now I need to get busy.

Have an awesome day!

Sunday Ponderings

Why is summer on the decline before it get warm weather?
Why does the wind have to blow SO hard?
Why is it so much hard work to keep a house clean and tidy?
Why can't I find the things I put in safe places!?
Why is it more fun to start something than finish it?

Thankfulnesses

That the horrific thunderstorm that hit parts of the Northwest didn't hit here.
That our more than usual rainy weather has made my yard nice and green
That my little garden is doing nicely
That my husband has a good job when so many don't.
That right at this moment there is NO wind!

Perfect Day

2009-06-02T14:55:00.000-07:00

You couldn't ask for a more beautiful day! It's in the mid-70s with a very thin cloud cover. I ought to be outside enjoying it. Why is Winter 9 months long and Summer only a few short weeks? Very unfair!

One of my quilt groups is doing a pincushion swap. I've finally decided on a pattern. Now the job of finding the perfect fabric. I want it to turn out "just right"! I need to quit being so indecisive and get with it because it needs to be to the recipient by the 15th. I'll post a picture after that date so I'm not giving anything away. Just incase she reads this!

Time to go do something more constructive. Even if it's wrong, at least I tried.

Tuesday Thankfulls

For Summer
For my Children
For my dogs
For A quiet, safe place to live in the country
For Freedom to live the way I want (this should have been #1. Eh?)

Quiet Weekend

2009-05-24T18:02:00.000-07:00

Friday evening I set out two more tomato plants along with two zucchini and a cucumber. I also have two good sized rhubarb plants. That's the start of my kitchen garden. Keith finally got the bed finished and filled for me. It looks so nice!

You've got to wander over to Kalama Quilts and watch the video of Sharyn hooping! Fantastic! You'll see what I mean!

Being diabetic is quite a challenge for me but I came across this recipe for rhubarb crisp that I could easily modify to my requirements. Not Keith's Mom's rhubarb pie but under the circumstances I guess it'll do!

Rhubarb Crisp (adapted from Mindy Breckenridge's cookbook)

Filling

12 cups chopped rhubarb
1 1/2 cups water
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 1/4 cups fructose
1 1/2 Tbs vanilla

Combine rhubarb, water and salt in a large heavy pot. Bring to a boil and simmer with the lid on until tender. Mix cornstarch with sweetener. Pour gradually into boiling rhubarb while stirring quickly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into ad 13x9 glass baking dish and set aside.

Filling

1 1/2 cups flour (I'm allergic to wheat so I used millet flour)
1 1/2 cups quick oats
3/4 cup chopped walnuts (opt)
1 cup sucanat OR brown sugar
1/2 cup fructose
1 cup butter OR margarine

Combine four, oats, sucanat and fructose in a mixing bowl. Mix well. Cut in margarine until crumbly. Crumble over rhubarb filling. Bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes.

It was so GOOD to find something that satisfied my sweet craving without raising my blood sugar through the roof! I still practice portion control, but just the fact that I'm not totally deprived is a treat. The millet flour had a texture somewhere between cornmeal and regular flour. Not objectionable in this particular recipe.

I haven't been doing much on the quilting lately. I did actually get out a quilt I need to get sandwiched, looked at it and then at the beautiful day outdoors and thought, Nah! I want to get that quilt all done so I can do something else. I found the cutest purse pattern and want to make it. (I have a purse fetish!) I change purses like...well, you know.

Sunday Greatful's

For a beautiful day
For a long weekend
For my family
For a quiet place in the country
For the Internet

Ya'll have a GREAT holiday!

Peaceful Saturday

2009-05-09T17:20:00.000-07:00

It was a glorious morning and afternoon. Nearly perfect weather. And so quiet! It was awesome. I spent a great deal of time out in the lawn swing reading.

Heidi called me specially to say that Owie Boy is walking now! His sister took her time. I think she's going to be a little perfectionist. She waited until she KNEW she could do it RIGHT! Little does Heidi realize what lies ahead! We won't tell her either will we? No one warned us!!

If you have cats you will just love this easy to make kitty bed. Here's a link--
http://network.bestfriends.org/crafts

When you get to it click on resources. The very first one is a document link that says Sweatshirt Cat Bed. All it takes is an old sweatshirt (small is best unless you have a VERY large cat) and some poly stuffing.

Here it is Monday and I still haven't posted this,. Better get busy!

I'm working on an applique wall hanging right now. It's called Spring Basket. I don't remember just where I found it. It's a basket with daffodils and petunias. LOTS of pieces I'm discovering LOL I'll post a photo when it's done! I've got the fabric picked out and am in the process of cutting the pieces. Goes much faster after I heard the tip about using spray startch to stiffen the fabric. I have a small table that I put in the living room so while I'm watching my favorite tv show I can mark and cut pieces.

You all have a GREAT Monday!

Monday Musings

I know the wind cleans the air but does it HAVE to cleanse so vigorously?

It's nice weather. Why can't the mice move outdoors? I'm TIRED of being their cleaning maid. And I don't WANT a house cat, but the dog doesn't seem to be doing the job.

How do clothes get dirty so fast?

Sunny Days Are here Again!

2009-05-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

We received 1/5" of rain yesterday afternoon and evening. And of course, I'd chosen yesterday morning, which was sunny, to put the cushions on the lawn chairs. When Keith came home and broght them in they were soggy with water. I didn't bring them in when it started to rain because we were scheduled for rain SHOWERS, not DOWNPOURS!! I'm not putting the cushions back out yet because I heard today will be a repeat of yesterday and tomorrow will be worse. So, might as well wait.

I have the Mosaic Tiles all quilted. I was ready to put the binding on--couldn't find the fabric. I did a serpentine stitch over the seams and in the snowball blocks I did a free motion heart. Some of them certainly LOOK free! But by the time I was getting to the end they looked better. I toyed with the idea of taking the errant stitching out and redoing it. But this is a practice quilt, not one to be judged by anyone. And, if the 'quilt police' don't like it...be my guest LOL

In crusing around the internet one day, I saw the most amazing Storm At Sea quilt. The way it was quilted, and the color combinations really made it look like storm tossed waves. I didn't bookmark it, and do you think I can find it again? Not a chance! Barbara Wynne has done one call After the Storm At Sea, which is awesome. She added three small sailboats and an object that is supposed to be a compass i assume. In the center of the quilt she put red, pinks, orages to represent the sunrise. Needless to say, it won a ribbon at a show!

My two year old granddaughter, the one I babysit, has a cold. I think it's her first real cold. Mom stayed home from work yesterday because they were both sick.

They say only newcomers and fools try to predict the weather around here. I guess so. Just while I've been writing this it has clouded up, the wind is about 20 mph, and it's RAINING. So much for sunny days.

Time to go change the tv channel. The View is on. I don't mind their subject matter, but eventually the squabbling, however friendly, wears on these old ears.

Have an AWESOME day!

Tuesday Thankfulnesses

Sunshine
Green grass
Birds Singing
Friends
Grandchildren

It's Monday morning!

2009-04-27T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a great weekend. It was actually somwhat pleasant here (the wind wasn't blowing a gale!). I managed to get outside and scrub up a Little Tikes desk so one of the granddaughters could use it.

I also got the blocks done for a Turning Twenty block exchange I'm in. The last one we did was black/red/white. This one is any floral. Anything goes as long as you can find a flower in it. Mine will be in today's mail to their new owners. It's fun to see what design others send you. You send for blocks to each of the others in the group and they add two strips and send them back. When you get them all you decide on the layout, sew the blocks together, and...you have a quilt top all done.

Monday Thanks

That I don't have a mortgage
That my husband has a good job
That my car is paid for
That my family is healthy
That I live in the country

2009-04-18T16:34:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned Fat Cat Patterns before? If so, disregard. I'm really enjoying applique and am itching to get started on some of her patterns. If you like applique, go on over to her site. Sindy has a special for the months of April and May. Believe me, you won't want to miss it.

I promised my Mom that I'd get her quilt quilted before Mother's Day. It's creeping up fast! I have another one that I want to 'practice' on before I make a mess out of hers. I'm not planning on anything too ambitious, I've only machine quilted one other quilt and that was a disaster 30 years ago! Hopefully I've learned a few things in the meantime.

Have you heard Susan Boyle sing? If not, go to Google Videos. There is one of her singing Cry Me a River that is just beautiful. You really need to experience her singing.

I'm STILL working on my April bunny basket. I just have the eggs and a little chickie to do. All the thread changes take up so much time! It's not perfect but I hope with each one I do I get a little better at it.

I also have Esther Aliiu's Mystery BOM called Red Delicious, which has absolutely NOTHING to do with apples, by the way. She only leaves the pattern up for a month. If you miss it, there is a charge. So I'll have to buy the first three. Believe me, they are worth it!

I got a phone call from my granddaughter Aspen a bit ago. What's unusual about that, you ask? This is the very first time she has called Grandma, 'Ma' to her, and actually TALKED to me, rather than it being a one-sided conversation. Those are the kind of things that are precious to Grandmas.

Off to enjoy a teensy-weensy bowl of ice cream. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Saturday Blessings

A day of rest
A beautiful Spring day
Bird songs
Grandchildren
Computers

Rainy Days and Sundays

2009-04-12T16:26:00.000-07:00

Drip, drip, drip! Not complaining in the least. I was about to drag out the sprinklers, my flowers were getting very thirsty. The grass is getting very tall though, I need a day that's dry and warm enough to mow before I have to call a friend with a swather and baler!!

It would be a good day to sew but it's so gloomy I just haven't been in the mood. So I've been browsing online, looking at all the free patterns and quilting sites.

I saw the neatest idea...somewhere. They had mounted photos, all the same size, on cardstock and then clipped them to a wire mounted on the wall. I want to do it a little differently and clip the photos to a piece of clothesline. Hmm, maybe even cut the cardstock in the shape of various clothes and use clothespins. Wish I still had all those cute little plastic ones from when I was a kid! Remember them? Back in the 50s, if I remember correctly.

I did work on one of my blocks-of-the-month, A Tisket, A Tasklet. The April one is a basket with a chocolate bunny, colored eggs and baby chick. I cut my chick facing the wrong direction so need to cut another chick. I have discovered I have a real passion for applique, much more so than piecing actually. above is a picture of my block so far. As you can see nothing is stitched yet, it's just in the arranging stage. Now I need to splurge and buy some of those really nice threads I've heard about. I love the way the egg that I used the batik fabric for turned out.

Hope you all enjoy what's left of the weekend!

Sunday Smilies

The rain
Daffodils
A roof that doesn't leak
Greenery Outdoors
Baby Animals (as long as they belong to someone else!)