Happy Birthday To Me?

Why not, lol!  Cathy [queen of sewing machines, see this post] called me this afternoon.  She'd been garage-saling.....and she wanted to show me her treasures.  She swung by on her way home, and pulled a vintage red chair out of her car...and told me Happy Birthday!!!



It cost her all of $3!  I couldn't believe it.  I'd been looking for one for a very, very long time, to go with my retro table...



And she found one!!!  Look how well it goes with my table!



It is SO comfy and fits me to a T.  Thank you Cathy, I love you girl!  Now what gorgeous thing can I do for her....hm, maybe I can find her a treadle machine, I'd better get looking!

Hermione says "Can I have this old chair now, mom?"  No Hermione, that one goes back to grandma - she needs it for sitting at her easel!




A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half-cracked.  ~Author Unknown

Edit - no, it's not my birthday, that was last March - but I told her we can celebrate our birthdays anytime, lol - thanks for the wishes though!

Down In Kokomo.....

Got that song running through my head - and Sloop John B, my favorite ever by the Beach Boys.  We went to see them in concert tonight.  What fun!  It was an outdoor concert, we had mud lawn seats, it was great.



Amazing how popular they still are.  But I don't think their music ever gets old.  By the end of the night, folks had moved down the hill, and the place was packed close and everyone was dancing.  Yes, even me....no photos of that.  EVER.



I haven't been to a concert in years.  I think the last one was Stevie Ray Vaughan, here at this venue, shortly before he died.  That was - eleven years ago!

The lawns around the stage form a sort of bowl, so you can see pretty well anywhere.  I couldn't believe all the beach balls being tossed around.  Lots and lots of kids, teens, and of course us older folk -



I don't know which was better, people watching or the music!  I took some VERY short videos if you'd like to see.  Not of the people, but the crowd with the beach balls, and the stage.  The first one is pretty dark, sorry, see if you can make out all the beach balls...





Mum and my aunt were up to their regular tricks - I left them alone for 10 minutes, and a couple of young guys tried to pick them up.  HONESTLY.  Can't take them anywhere.

Not much going on for the weekend, I'm going to work on sashing blocks, and see if I can get them all done.  It's going to be a hot one, but thankfully the humidity is gone.  I should be able to turn the iron on, yay!  You have a wonderful weekend everyone, and if you get a chance to get out and do something summery, go for it!  It will be gone before we know it.....I'll be back Sunday night or Monday to pick our CTTY winner!

July Christmas Through The Year Strut Your Stuff!

It's time to link up - a little late this month, but you still have 4 days - our give-away this month is a surprise, from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, but I know you will love it!  No pic yet....

Link up to your blog post of your Christmas gift you made.  If you don't want to blog it, you can email me with your pic, and I can post it here, and add your name to the give-away.  Don't forget to add your pic to the flickr group!  I can't wait to see what everyone has made!

Tickled Pink Tuesday, Plus

Happy happy Tuesday to you all - what a gorgeous day here, the high was 83F and no humidity, it was so good to get out and about!  I took Sam to his doctor appointment and imagine my embarrassment when I was told it was NEXT Tuesday...ever done that?  Sigh.

This is the time of year where everywhere you look, there are vintage cars on the road.  All gearing up for the Dream Cruise, I think.  I've taken to carrying my camera with me everywhere, as I love old cars.  These are two we saw today - a Thunderbird,



and I believe a Continental.



There were more, but I wasn't quick enough.  Most were driving away from me.  Love it.

I got my July Christmas Through The Year gift done.  Not too happy with it, as my tension seemed off, it was the top thread I was using.  I switched to a different thread finally, but the damage was done.  Front....



and back.  I had to use two different fabrics for the pockets, there wasn't enough of the cherries.  It takes one yard for the pockets and lining.



I think it'll be ok though.

Since today was Tuesday, we went to Shirley's.  These pics are from last week, but there were left-over goodies and we had them again this week.  OH YUM.  Cherry Nut Squares.



Mom thoroughly enjoyed them, like a good diabetic should.  *insert major sarcasm*



Greta really wanted some too.



But of course she can't.  If you'd like some, here's the recipe!

Cherry Nut Squares

1/2 lb soft oleo [margarine?]
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 cup chopped nuts
1 can cherry pie filling

Cream oleo and sugar, add vanilla and eggs.  Stir in flour and nuts.  Spread 3/4 of batter in ungreased 13x9" pan, cover with pie filling and drop remaining batter by spoonfuls on pie filling spread [will not cover filling completely].  Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.  Sprinkle powdered sugar on top when cool.

So very yummy, it reminded me of strawberry shortcake.

What else - I found the cutest tutorial for Little Sneaks Shoe Deodorizers from a link on Stephanie's blog - they are the sweetest little dolls, and the faces are printable on fabric!  I think they'd make fabulous Christmas gifts.

The blocks for Kaaren's quilt are coming along, I'm in the trimming and sashing stage.  I've made myself a turntable cutting mat - I'll have to show that soon - very easy and almost free, lol.  Trimming sure seems like it takes the longest, doesn't it?  And yet it's so very necessary.

Seems like there was more I had to tell you, if I think of it I'll let you know.  My poor memory....I'll leave you with a couple of gratuitous animal shots - Hermione, whose name I just discovered I've been spelling wrong for YEARS [yes, she's my cat] and Greta, Shirley's Schnauzer.  Spoiled rotten animals, they are.  Hermione's nickname is Wide Load, just sayin'....




Almost forgot -  I've discovered the secret behind this massive heat wave in the USA.  It's coming from Washington, D.C.  All that hot air is just blowing around the country....

Have a great week!

Sadness

How my heart grieves for Norway - my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hot?

Me too.  Got up to 96 here, then a storm came through, and it dropped to 70.  It's climbing back up right now, and the humidity is worse than ever.  Today will be the coolest day of the week to come....I'm feeling a bit nostalgic, thinking about last January...

Here's the blocks as of Sunday, pressed and ready to go.



Now if I can just bring myself to turn the iron and sewing machine on.  Even though I have a/c in my sewing room, the rest of the house is over 100 degrees, and going in and out of my room is making me feel sick to my stomach.  I don't know how my family is coping with this, I really don't.  Sam stays in here with me, does his schoolwork and plays on the computer, but John sits at his computer downstairs and that's after working in it all day!  No a/c at the warehouse.

I had to convince my kitty to join me in here, and now I don't think she'll leave, lol.  Here she is taking over the dog bed in my room.



 The dog doesn't like it in here, she can't hear what's going on in the rest of the house.  She comes in but leaves in about 30 minutes.

One tutorial for you today:  Karen from The House of Wilson has a really cute tutorial for a Baby Hands Mini-Quilt, this would be a great gift for grandparents!

I hope wherever you are, you're staying nice and cool - or warm, for my friends Down Under.  I'm going to miss Tickled Pink Tuesday this week, and Cheryl is too, she's at the beach!  I can't think of a better place to be in this weather.  Actually, ANY weather.  No place better than the beach!  Be careful in this heat, check on your outside animals, and any elderly friends or family members.  Stay safe!

Update

Hi everybody, just wanted to mention that I'm still taking blocks for Kaaren's quilt, we have 120 blocks right now so keep 'em coming and spread the word!  The backing and sashing fabrics are in the wash right now, I spent the day pressing all the blocks that had come in.  I also took some time today to do math - not my strong suit - and came up with a couple of different settings for the blocks.

Ann, you made  a comment on the official post for Kaaren's quilt, but I have no way to contact you.  If you could please email me, I'll give you my address.

Our temps will be in the low to mid 90's tomorrow and the rest of the week, I'm not sure I'm going to leave my sewing room at all, it's the only place in the house with air-conditioning.  I'll try to get some pics tomorrow of the blocks.  It's AMAZING to see them all together, you guys are just the best!

With Apologies....

for the appalling lack of commenting on your blogs lately....do you know that being able to make comments on blogs was what started me blogging?  So many didn't take 'anonymous' comments, so I bit the bullet and started one.  And look at me now.  Sigh.  DAYS without commenting.  And you all are having so much fun.  I'm missing the party!  ACK!

The blocks for Kaaren are still coming in, I do like to see them coming to my door!  While I was in Port Huron, I picked up the batting and some navy fabric, on clearance at the WONDERFUL quilt shop there.  They always have the best stuff on clearance!  I would have loved to have stocked up.  If I ever hit the lottery, I'm going to make their day.  Have to play it first, lol.  I never do!

Along with the blocks, there have been a few surprises in my mail lately.  Diane from Sideroad Stitcher sent me these darling little charm squares, so sweet I could eat 'em up.  Thank you Diane!  I see a new sweet stitchery in my future to go with them!


Forgive the loose threads, I took that pic before I could see this morning.

And Marilyn from Mardi Meanderings sent me this gorgeous  Australian wildflower fabric.



Thank you Marilyn!  I'm collecting Australian wildflower fabric, I want to design a quilt with stitcheries around them.  They are so gorgeous!

And my partner in crime co-conspirator Paulette from Sweet P Quilting and Creations, sent me these gorgeous snowflakes, ready to be fused - there's going to be a winter quilt design in my future too, thank you Paulette!


Terrible pic, but you KNOW how hard it is to photograph snowflakes....

And then my sweet friend Nancy tried to kill me.  Honest.  Death by Squishy Mail.  You know, when you're not expecting anything, and you open a package and it's so wonderful your heart stops.



Four Green Fairy Quilts patterns, and the cutest little stitchery....is this not too funny?



Two charm packs, Aunt Grace and Nouveau by Moda.  And the prettiest fabrics!  Oh Nancy, I love you to pieces.  Thank you darlin' girl!

So, I HAVE been doing things other than opening mail.  Mum and I went to Shirley's of course, and I do have another recipe for you.  Shirley is very tickled that you all like her recipes, and every week she has something new sitting on the tea table now.  This time it was the yummiest coated walnuts, they take about 5 minutes to make!



Mum-approved, of course.



Greta-the-Schnauzer really wanted some too.



Here's how you make them.

Mix 1 1/2 cups of sugar with 1/2 cup of sour cream.  Boil for 5 minutes.  Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla, toss in 1 pound of walnuts.  Stir to coat the nuts.  Spread on cookie sheet to cool, moving them around so they don't stick together.  Watch them disappear. 

Seriously.  I brought a bag home, hubby snatched it out of my hand and I haven't seen it since.

I had to pull over and take a picture of the sunset on my way home from Shirley's, it was so lovely.



That's right out of the camera, not touched up or anything.  It was amazing.  My kids always say that's a sky right out of Mordor.

And now for my mate Midge, a couple of videos of freighters coming into and leaving the harbor at Port Huron.  Just cuz I can.




It still tickles me that I can put a video on here. Midge had put some videos on her blog of the walk she took the other day, a most beautiful spot where I would like to build my castle.  Y'all are invited to come visit, of course.  Stay as long as you'd like.  I promise hot tea, clean towels, a full pantry and lots of comfy chairs.

Off to finish writing a pattern, then MAYBE I can read some blogs!!!

Tickled Pink Tuesday

A few hours early - because it's late, I'm tired, and tomorrow is yet another busy day, on the run all day.

We made it to Port Huron yesterday.  We were supposed to meet our friends at our favorite park with the beach.  It was PACKED.  So packed, that we had to meet our friends elsewhere - by the time they got there, the parking lot was full.

We headed on down to Thomas Edison park, it's a lovely place with a very long walk along the St. Clair River, which empties into Lake Huron.  A very busy city - major border crossing and lots of freighters coming in and out of the river.  This is a pic of the Blue Water Bridge, which connects Port Huron to Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.



This is the Canadian side, across from the park.  It's not really this close, I had the zoom on.



Here's one of the freighters coming down the river



heading out here, to Lake Huron.  My favorite Great Lake.



It was 90 degrees in the shade and a perfect day for boating.



Lots of seagulls.



Downtown is very pretty, but sad with so many empty historic buildings.



One of my favorites isn't empty, though.  We had dinner at Powers Diner.  Here's mum.  [And Sam off to the side.]



Inside Powers.






There was a pretty house near the park, we couldn't resist crossing the street to look at the garden.




After we ate, we went back to the beach, but still didn't make it down to the sand.  Instead we just relaxed under the trees, and enjoyed visiting with our friends.   Just a perfect, lazy hazy summer day.  We even had a free concert - the Salvation Army came and did a concert, with free food [that we didn't partake of].  A very blissful day.

I'm really behind in reading blogs.  And will probably stay behind for the week.  You might not hear much out of me this week.  I'm still here, just so busy - and not feeling well at the moment, hopefully that will pass quickly.  I'll catch up as soon as I can, I surely do miss you all!

Saturday, What A Day

 A lovely day.  Boys were gone all day, they celebrated some birthdays with their cousins by playing laser tag.  I stitched, and stitched, and stitched.  See?



I know, you really can't see, but you will.  *G*

I have a couple of tutorials for you.  Linda at Buzzing and Bumbling has done an upcycled jeans purse tutorial and is it CUTE. 

I've made jeans purses before, but not that cute!

And Susan from Sew Many Things To Say has made a darling little Happy Meal bird house,

which I think would look awesome in Christmas colors too!  Maybe with glitter for snow....sweet!

The mail has been coming in pretty steady.  No pics of the design wall today, I had to take the blocks down.  This is my sewing room, yes, but Sam also uses it for his therapy exercises and Pilates.  He went to put his mat down yesterday, and kind of whooshed it, and all the blocks went flying off the wall.  I THOUGHT I had my own room......

I got a few things in the mail myself.  Kind of exciting when that happens, isn't it?  Remember Caroll's scissors fob tutorial?  Well, she sent me a fob!  Front:




and back.  As you can see, it's in use already!  Thank you Caroll, I just love it, your stitching is so perfect!

And Lyn from Blue Bird Quilts sent me this gorgeous pattern...



She remembered that Japanese quilt I had done in January, for our first Christmas Club give-away, and thought I might like it.  Yep, I like.  I like a LOT.  Thank you darling Lyn!

And Kathy from Quilting Along The Gorge sent me this gorgeous fat quarter:



Sooooo pretty - love the hearts on it - thank you Kathy!

Tonight I have to charge up every battery I have, tomorrow is a beach day in Port Huron.  We're meeting our friends.  It's supposed to be 90 here, so I'm thinking the beach will be pretty crowded! 

I have a funny story to tell you.  Last week, Sam and I were driving home, and I came up on a car where the guy was texting as he drove.  He was going 35 in a 45.  So, I used my turn signal, went around him, signaled again and got back in the lane.  Didn't cut him off, didn't flip him off, just nice and easy.  You know, like the mother of an impressionable soon-to-be-driver should.  Somehow this outraged the guy....I saw him throw his phone on his seat, grip the steering wheel, then he floored it, went around me and cut me off.  JUST as he cut me off, his hood flew up against the windshield and he couldn't see where he was going.  I don't think I've ever laughed so hard, I could hardly drive myself  - and I know he heard us shrieking with laughter, all of our windows were open.  I've never seen justice administered so quickly, or so aptly.

Let this be a lesson to you, Detroit drivers.  You don't ALL own the road!

See you Monday, hope I have some beach pictures for you!  And I hope you all enjoy your day as much as I will!