Can you say SCRAPPY!

I went to sew with another group today and finally finished assembling this quilt top (flimsy). These are blocks that eight of us exchanged for 20 months (way too long). There is such a variety of fabric in this quilt that some of the girls were a bit concerned about how it would look when it was finished but we all love it. LOL Most of us used this particular setting.

Nothing to Blog About - Sigh!

Life has just been life the past few days. Nothing truly exciting in my quilting life. I was suppose to go to Spring Market in Salt Lake City next week but due to circumstances beyond my control I've had to cancel those plans.

I haven't finished anything, I haven't started a new project, I haven't cut out a new project, etc. Wait, wait I have planned a couple of projects. Maybe that should count for something. :-)

I did go sew with a few my sewing buddies last night and the most exciting thing we did was walk over to Baskin-Robbins to get a double scoop ice cream cone. We are all very ready for our retreat in May. LOL

I pulled this cutie out of the BIG Red cabinet just for a little show and tell. It's a pattern from Teri Christopherson and I made it about five years ago.

Miss Louise

Allow me to introduce you to Miss Louise! Isn't she sweet? I've been wanting to do some embroidery but it's been a very long time since I've actually done regular embroidery (I was a x-stitcher for years). I decided to order two simple redwork patterns by Red Brolly, Bronwyn Hayes so I could just practice. Last night while watching the baseball game I started stitching and I can't begin to tell you how much fun I was having. I was doing a regular backstitch and some of my stitches are irregular but I'm that's OK. Now, my plans are to finish Miss Louise and her companion and then trace a few more designs. My mind is racing with plans and ideas!

I Have An Urge…

An urge to show you this quilt. I don’t why I was thinking about this quilt today. Since it was on my mind all day I decided to pull it out of my BIG RED cabinet and show it to all of you. I made it approx 5 years ago and it will forever remain a favorite!

An urge to show you what I started working on last night. I’m using a Sanctuary Jelly Roll by Moda. This is a pattern from Super Simple Strips by Possibilities. Quick, cute and fun.

An urge to show you the pile of fabric I’ve been collecting for an upcoming project. I fell in love with those roses and decided they needed to be in one of my quilts (ok, flimsies – lol). So, I’ve been searching for pretty coordinates – need another yellow or two but soon I will be ready to start cutting.

An urge to dance or skip across the desert with excitement for Wendy. You’ve got to go read about her BIG news on her blog. Maybe you’ll want to dance or skip with me. Oh, wait instead of dancing or skipping, let’s do the Hokey Pokey with Vicky. You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out and you shake it all about..... LOL (are you dancing with me????)

An urge to share with you that I started my day with a phone call from Nadine. Yes, Nadine called me again! I was so excited to hear from her that it put a huge smile on my heart. She called because she was concerned about me. If you don’t know Nadine you must visit her blog and get to know her, she’s a dear friend and a delightful person to enjoy!

Happy day and thanks so much for reading my blog!

In Perspective (edited with explanation below)

I’ve had reason to put a few things in perspective in recent days after much pondering! This is about friendship and friends. Have you ever had someone extend their hand in friendship and even though you’re a bit cautious you still grab it. You try hard with this friend continuing to reach out to said friend only to have your hand slapped away, not once but numerous times. You don’t know why it’s happening and you don’t fret about it, per se, but it does cause a nagging in the back of your mind. That happened to me in recent months and caused some sadness and slight hurt feelings.

Well, let me tell you what has happened to me recently! A couple of weeks ago a friend stopped by with a surprise for me. Are you familiar with the Patchwork Party that several shops are doing using Moda’s Sanctuary line of fabric? I’d been on the fence about whether or not I wanted to order all the blocks and finishing kit. She made “the” decision for me – when she bought the blocks for herself she bought them for me, as well. Oh my goodness, I was stunned!

When we returned from our Choo-Choo trip this week end I found a cute little gift bag waiting by our front door for me. In the gift bag was this adorable book Inquire Within by Mary Engelbreit with an awesome message.
From the inside flap: “Life is filled with twists and turns that can leave us confused about which way to go. This little book from Mary Engelbreit reminds us that the answers to life’s difficult questions can usually be found within ourselves”.

I will be focused on friends like these and not allow myself to worry about the “friend” that continues to slap away my hand in friendship. I can’t force someone to be my friend no matter how much I extend my hand.

Please don't allow this post to make you sad just let it help you put something in perspective.

explanation edit: Please, please do not feel sorrow and sadness for me - I'm fine (yes, my feelings have been hurt but I'll survive). This post was merely to show that we should look at things not as they appear but as they really are. See, I believe that our perception is our reality. I truly believed that said friend was a friend when in fact that was just my perception and not hers - that's ok. I need to look at my friends Terri and Diane who brought surprises and gifts to me with an open heart and friendship. Thank you for your kind words and words of encouragement. :-)

We're Back!

We had an incredible time! My DH was in his glory and had so much fun - I enjoyed just watching him. :-) I'd never been to the Grand Canyon so he said it was great to watch my face the first time I saw it. Oh, my goodness I was in complete AWE.

I won't bore you with a lot of details about the train journey but I do need and want to share a few tidbits. It's only approx 65 miles from Williams, AZ to the Grand Canyon but on the choo-choo it took over two hours. It was a great journey - we saw desert, prairie, pine trees, etc. On the way up, we rode in a "dome car" and sat in the second row so we had an incredible view and on the way back we rode "coach" and experienced train robbers - obviously staged but fun.

This was only my second train ride - the first we took the "troop train" from Frankfurt to West Berlin (it only traveled at night since it traveled through communist territory - wow those are some memories!). I really enjoyed it this time because there was so much to see and enjoy.

All in all it was a great time and my DH says that he would only "change" two things - the weather (it was super cold and windy) and he had hoped for a steam engine rather than a diesel. They only run the steam engines in the summer time.

Choo-Choo Get Away

We're getting away for a few days!

Our daughter and her family gave my DH a wonderful birthday gift this year - we're going on the Grand Canyon Railway. We're driving to Northern Arizona, staying overnight and getting on the train Saturday morning for a scenic trip to and from the Grand Canyon. My DH is a railroad buff so this is the ultimate birthday gift for him.

This is will be the perfect start to my 365 Challenge - so I'm going do a small paper journal with notes so I can start my "quilt" as soon as we get back. You can read about this exciting Challenge on Leanne Beasley's blog and Linda has started a Yahoo group where we can all share.

See you in a few days! Miss me! :-)

A Fun, Fun Day! Playtime in the City!!!!!!

I had to take a friend to the airport this morning so I decided that this would present a day of playtime with me, myself and I. We reside approximately 40 – 45 miles away from the airport and with all our traffic it can be a trek. I figured if I was going to “trek into the city”, as my DH says, then I would take full advantage and visit a couple of quilt stores that I seldom get to. I was giddy with anticipation! LOL

I had a wonderful day! Two quilt stores and some fun treasures and treats. You’ll notice a new book called Feedsacks, a jelly roll pattern, a pin cushion pattern, a Sunshine Jellyroll with some border print (still need to purchase some fabric for inner borders), a cool ruler to cut circles, a desperately needed package of Triangles on a Roll and fat quarter with some pretty pink flowers. I skipped happily to my car when I left both quilt stores. LOL

Then I stopped by Barnes & Noble and picked up Jennifer Chiaverini’s newest novel, The Quilter’s Homecoming. I love her books and wait anxiously every Spring for a new one. I skipped happily to my car, again.

And, when I got home I had a package from Honeysuckle Cottage in AU with two Red Brolly (Bronwyn Hayes) patterns and A Quilter’s Journey package of patterns by Leanne Beasley.

The final topper to the day - my DH took me out to dinner!

Thank you!!!

I try very hard not to post about personal challenges however Monday was one of the worst days I’ve had in a very long time and I needed to vent. Thank you for allowing me to vent; for your kind words and all the “cyberhugs”. Blogging has really become a very important part of my day, as I’ve “met” so many wonderful friends. So, thank you!

I will go to bed tonight with a happy heart!!! :-)

Calgon Take Me Away!

Since the first of the year we've been experiencing some challenges in our little corner of the world. Can you say stress? Today was a really bad day and I was ready to run away! I thought about going to see Nadine in Belgium; May Britt in Norway; Tazzie, Cynthia and Leigh in Australia; Wendy in British Columbia; Gail in Ontario and I even considered just getting in my car and just driving!

Then I decided I'd just stay home and continue to deal with the "stuff". Ugh!!!!!!

Thanks for letting me vent!

Baskets of Leftovers

I couldn’t stand it – I had to do it! I had to work on my “tisket, tasket, cute little basket” quilt and finish it! YeeHaw!

This pattern is actually called Mojo and it’s by Carrie Nelson/Miss Rosie’s Quilt Co. However, in my home it’ll be called “Baskets of Leftovers”. Why? Well, I’m really proud of myself as I didn’t have to purchase one piece of fabric – this quilt is done with partial fat quarters and such from other projects. I had yardage for the borders and I might have enough yardage in pieces/parts to do some creative piecing for the backing. We’ll see!

Now, it’s time to think about the next project. I love to sew, don’t you?

Tagged Again & More!

Last night before bed I found that Wendy had “tagged” me again with the "Thinking Blogger Award. Thanks so much Wendy!

I’ve thought about the other wonderful blogs that provide me with so much inspiration. Blogs that I read on a very regular basis (without fail) and feel slight disappointment when there’s nothing new. LOL I’m going to list a group of talented women and their blogs – these are women that I’d love to know better. You know exactly what I mean – you leave a comment on occasion on their blog but you always read it and they leave a comment on your blog and you hope that they always read yours as well. You want to be friends with them; you admire their work (and tell them); you’d love to sit and sew with them. Anyway, you get the picture!

Judy – I’ve been visiting Judy’s blog since I started my blog. She is a woman of many talents. She does incredible hand appliqué (have you seen it?????), she can quilt on a regular domestic sewing machine (I can’t do that), she does beautiful handwork and her eye for color is incredible. You must stop by her blog and see it ALL.

Hanne – So much I could say about Hanne but her blog will speak for itself. Such talent in those hands!

Cynthia – I’d love to live near Cynthia and be a part of a sewing group with her. She’s multifaceted.

Paula – I’m in awe of her knitting talent. Oh my goodness! She does beautiful quilting, as well, but it’s her knitting that speaks volumes to me. I don't knit so I admire hers from afar.

Gail – A kind soul with so much talent. And, she's an awesome Mom to Captain Cool and Sweetie Pie.

Paula (Coffee Time Quilter) - Paula used to quilt in her "younger" days (sorry Paula) and stayed away from it for a long time but has found this passion yet again. Her work is wonderful.

I'll be back later with "the more" - I need to take a picture or two!

A LITTLE TIP:

(this is if your blog address is .blogspot.com)

So many new wonderfully talented bloggers have been leaving comments on my blog but I haven't been able to properly respond. Why? Well, they come to me in an e-mail as "no reply". If you'd like for me or others to reply to your comments, and we'd love to, please do the following:

Go to your profile and click on "edit your profile" then go down and put a check mark in the box "show my e-mail address".

If you do that so many of us would love it cuz it'll be easier to communicate with you!

Thanks bunches!!!!

Tagged – The Thinking Blogger Award

Wow, I’ve been tagged by Nicole and Caroline with The Thinking Blogger Award. I’m so touched and honored that it’s very difficult for me to express exactly how I feel. I’m just here blogging and sharing – sort of doing my own thing! To think that I’ve inspired some, when so many have inspired me, is difficult to fathom. These ladies are so talented in their own right! Since I’ve been “tagged” by two incredible women then I get to “tag” ten that have inspired to me. Picking only ten is going to be so difficult because there are so many inspirational blogs that I visit on a regular basis.

Vicky – Vicky’s blog was one of the first blogs I discovered a year ago and she immediately reached out and offered her hand in friendship. She’s inspired me in so many ways and she’s one of the biggest reasons I started doing hand appliqué and have found a new passion. What’s best of Vicky – her warped sense of humor is just like mine!

Patti – What to say about Patti; one of the most organized and talented quilters I know. She helped Vicky push (read shove) me over the fence to get into hand appliqué. She’s always there when I have a question and even provided a list of tips and techniques when I needed it most.

Libby – One of the kindest souls I know in cyberspace. She as a whole inspires me everyday in everything she does and stands for!

Nadine – My good friend in Belgium. Our friendship started over a simple e-mail and has flourished in so many ways. She is such a treasure to me.

May-Britt – An incredibly talented woman who never ceases to amaze me. She can do anything! It would be so much fun to just sit and sew with her – I’d come away with so much knowledge.

Connie Lu – I’ve just gotten to know Connie Lu but my goodness she’s something! Her work is awesome and a day does not go by that I don’t visit her blog several times a day hoping she’ll share something with the blogging world.

Carole - I'm just getting to know this talented quilter but her applique and piece work is awesome.

Dawn - Have you seen Dawn's work? Oh my goodness she does the greatest stuff. Everything is always perfect.

Linda - I'm not sure that I've ever seen Linda do anything for herself. She does so much for those in need - making sure that many have quilts to keep them warm

Mary - Another quilter who consistently thinks of others and donates her quilts on a very regular basis.

Kristie - My daughter who inspires me everyday with her dedication to her husband and children. I wish that I could have been half the mom to her that she is to her boys - Seth and Eli.

Yes, I've tagged 11 incredible women with The Thinking Blogger Award!

I'm honored to know each and every one of you!

SPOILED ROTTEN

It’s been almost a week since I’ve done much blogging. Oh, I’ve visited different blogs and left a comment or two but my little blog has been very neglected.

So, what have I been doing instead? Well, sewing, of course! I’ve been having so much fun! Every evening I’ve been working on my “tisket tasket, cute little basket” project. All 36 basket blocks are done (yes, four of each design) and are now assembled into larger blocks. It’s time to start assembling the rows with sashing and cornerstones. Still a lot more work to do with this project and I’m loving it. It’s been an interesting segue for me because I’m using partial fat quarters and pieces parts of fabric.

So, why is this entry titled “Spoiled Rotten”? Well, I am very spoiled rotten – my DH, Ron, spoils me rotten to the core. On a regular basis he will encourage me to “leave the dishes”, “cook something simple for dinner”, “let’s go get a quick bite”, etc just so I’ll have time to sew. He encourages me to shop for more fabric! He will come into my sewing room to assist with fabric decisions cuz he has “the” eye for color that I don’t. Recently when I was attempting to clean my “walk-in” closet in my sewing room, I jokingly told my daughter that it was “dad’s fault” that I have so much fabric. She started laughing and said “this ought to be good – why is it Dad’s fault” – well because he encourages me to buy, buy, buy. Of course, it’s his fault. LOL This man will come to my rescue when my computer "acts up", when I can't figure out my computer, etc.

I’ve been married to Ron for over 30 years now and while it’s been a roller coaster ride for both of us – I’d be lost without him! Trust me, he's no Saint but he's my Sweetie and I'd be lost without him.

Thank you, Sweetie for loving me and spoiling me rotten.

A Tisket, A Tasket; Pretty Little Baskets

I’ve been playing with charm packs for weeks now and I’ve been ready to do something a little more substantial – more “meat”, so to speak. I’ve looked through patterns, books, etc and finally settled on this project. They are definitely a bit more time consuming than my four patch charms (LOL). You might notice there are four different versions of the baskets/cakestands and I need to make 9 of each. Yesterday I was having so much fun working on these beauties that I lost all track of time. A fabulous day in the sewing room.

Edit: I'm not using charm squares for this one - I have partial fat quarters and scraps from another project. I didn't want to mislead anyone!

Take me out to the ballgame!!! It’s that time WOOHOO – it’s baseball season. A needle and thread with a cute project and a baseball game on TV makes me a happy girl. teehee

A Touch of Spring

Spring table topper brightening my kitchen! I “scored” those three blue ball canning jars for $2 each at a Patio Sale yesterday.

My daughter and I are so excited about these monthly table toppers that we’ve been brain storming about themes to use each month and what to use for center pieces. Some months are obvious but we’re a bit stumped with others. Any ideas?