September Strut Your Stuff!

It's time for our linky up party, to show off the Christmas gifts you made this month!  Normally, this is where I also show off mine, a-hem, but it isn't made yet.  Told you I'd be last this month.

Don't forget to upload your pics to our flickr group as well.  It's always so inspiring to see the finished gifts!

We do have a couple of finishes from folks who can't post to their blogs.  Dolores made these two adorable knit hats - I can't wait to learn to knit!  Aren't they darling!



And O'faigh made this darling gift bag - so sweet and you don't waste wrapping paper!



I had to go out today, and while I was out I picked up some magnetic sheets - so my gift this month will be another Carry Out Menu Holder from Karen Wilson,  I just adore that project and I think it's brilliant.  Click on the Free Patterns/Tutorials page on her blog and check her out! 

If you haven't already, get your Christmas gift post done, then link up here - our giveaway this month is for another darling cupcake bag [thank you anonymous donor!], with a surprise inside!  I'll be doing the drawing at midnight on Friday night.  I can't wait to see what you've made!

Weekend Report

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday, it's a damp and drizzly day here - I fell asleep last night to the sounds of a torrential downpour, it was lovely.  We had perfect weather this weekend.  Saturday, Cathy and I went to the American Sewing Expo, do you want to see my loot?  There's not much of it, but I'm happy with it!  First I bought what I always go there to get, my hand sewing thimbles.



I LOVE those thimbles.  This may last me until next year.  Then, there was a vendor selling books mighty cheap, I got these two...




for $9.  Wow!  I hadn't planned on buying any books, but couldn't resist.  I also picked up some fabric to make stars for Johna'Lee, from the Quilts of Valor booth.



I told them her story, and they gave me 10% off the fabrics.  Isn't that so sweet.

The show was smaller yet this year, and crowds were way down.  A very sad indicator of our economy.  There were some new vendors, I hope they made enough to cover their spaces.

Sunday, we helped Cathy move some more things from her old house.  Thank goodness for teenage boys!  I was too tired to blog or sew last night [although I mostly supervised, lol].  I'm going to get the binding on the quilts today, and try to come up with a Christmas gift - I need to decide what to make!  I'll be back probably tomorrow for our link-up post.  Although I just realized tomorrow is Tuesday, and that's always a busy day for me...errands and a visit to Shirley.  I might be the last one this month to get my gift done!

By the way, if you're going to make stars for Johna'Lee, could you please include a dollar or two to help offset costs?  She didn't ask for that, but I think it would be a lovely gesture - quilts cost money, and she's got a Herculean effort going.  I don't mind asking for her!

I'll try to catch up on your blogs this week.  You've all been busy, and I'm missing you!

Turkey Lurkey

That's me, lately.  Not a lot of time to comment on your blogs, although I try.  Do you know what this is?



Took Sam for his fitting, and we have to go back next Friday - they need to cast a mold of him first, before having the brace made.  Won't that be fun...hope it's warm in there.  But the orthotist was very nice, and thinks it will help him.

Tomorrow I'm spending the day with Cathy, we're going to the American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan.  We've gone together for the past 8 years.  If any of you are going, I hope I can meet you!  Not too sure how long we'll be able to stay, Cathy fell down the stairs Wednesday and tore her meniscus in her knee.  My hubby went and got the wheelchair from his folks, but it doesn't have foot rests....so what good is it?  *sigh*

Did you figure out what my top picture was?  It's BINDING.  That's right, the quilting is done on both quilts, and binding is next!  I'm looking forward to an evening in front of the tv, old movies on, hand-stitching it to the back.  That's my favorite part.  I hope I made enough.....



I'm not good with math.

Enjoy your weekend!

Catching Up

Hi everyone, been glued to my sewing chair, quilting up a storm - I'm happy to report that the big quilt is done, and I'm halfway through the smaller one. 



Very simple quilting - just a wavy stitch on all the seams.  I want the blocks to shine, and just hold the quilt together.  Binding is next.

Let's see, today is Wednesday.  Yesterday I didn't get to do any quilting at all.  The day started with the mailman....and what a LOVELY start it was.  I had won a give-away on Sue's blog, bless her, Simply Piece-ful Quilting, and they arrived yesterday.  She was giving away two of the sweetest books!



Oh my gosh I want to make everything in them, but I'd love to start with this...



and then maybe this.



Thank you so much, Sue, I love them!

And then my sweet friend Cyndi sent me a box.  She sent me one on Saturday, too. I can't stop petting everything in them....cotton fabric.  Vintage barkcloth.  Vintage sheets.  A gorgeous shower curtain that is destined to become something beachy.  Magazines.  A flexible curve ruler.  *SWOON* and *SWOON again. 






Cyndi, words fail me....but you already know how much this meant to me.   And I promise I will get your fabric to you before Christmas. *G*  I've put it in writing now.  Thank you my precious friend.

We did make it to Shirley's last night, no pics though.  As we were leaving, hubby was burning some brush in the backyard.  The sun came through the trees, shining through the smoke, and I thought it looked so pretty!




By the way, I live in suburbia, not the forest.  There's a whole lot more brush back there to take care of.  I'm afraid the dog will get lost back there.  It's a little creepy.  But then, I'm the girl who likes her nature behind glass, lol.

That's about all I've been up to.  Tomorrow I get to stay home all day again, I'll  hopefully be finishing all the quilting, and cutting the binding.  Friday I'm taking Sam to get fitted for his back brace - if you're a praying person, prayers would be most welcome.  I have no idea what it's going to look like or how much it will hurt, but he's determined that God won't give him more than he can handle, and that if it helps him, he'll get through it.  I'm just a bit proud of him, but I'm a mum, and still worry.

Be good, I'll see you in a few days with our link-up post for September Christmas Through The Year.  I still haven't made my own gift yet, but I'll get there.  I'm also struggling to keep up with all of your blogs, so you might not hear from me for a few days, but I am reading and enjoying...just can only do so much in a day, as I'm sure you know!  Big hugs to you all!

Please Help....

Many of you know Johna'Lee from her blog, The Scrappy Appleyard, and that her family has just suffered a tremendous loss...her daughter Tory was supposed to be married this week, but instead had to bury her soldier fiance, Chris.  Johna'Lee is asking for star blocks to make quilts for the family, and for Chris's best friend, who was with him when he died.  Go HERE to see if you can help, and be sure to check her updates....she's posted a block with the colors.  Thank you so much - and please, keep them all in your prayers!

Undone

A couple of people asked on my last post about why the pins were left open, and one was a no-reply blogger so I thought I would answer here. 



When I learned about pin basting, I read that you're supposed to leave the pins open until you get them all in.  If you close them as you go, you're lifting the layers and shifting them, so you can end up with puckers.  There is a wee bit of danger in doing this....I have a few holes in my fingers, but I've never had puckers [or blood on my quilts].   I assure you they're all closed now.  And.....drum roll....quilting has commenced!

If you want to read my post on how I baste quilts, you can find it here.  

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thank You Cathy!!

I spent the day with Cathy [always fun!], and we got both quilts basted!!!




I am amazed, really truly - I've never in my life gotten a quilt basted so fast, and we did TWO.  With a brief time out for a Slim Jim at Big Boy...yum.  Cathy, you're the best!  She got a new haircut today too, is it darling.

Is there anything better than spending time with your best friend??? 

Can't Help Myself

I just had to show you this.....


The borders are done!  I'm going to my friend's tomorrow [hi Cathy] to baste them.  Happy dance!

Yesterday, I had to go to the post office and on the way, I saw my car.  Well, one of them.  [Not mine, just one I really, really, really want].


 It's even the right color!

  Mum and I went to Shirley's last evening, such a lovely visit, we've all been sick with one thing or another and it's been weeks since we've been there.  Shirley showed us the new little table set she made for her sunporch...



Isn't that cute?  She wants something cheery to look at when the snow starts flying.  This is a quilt she made several years ago, just hand quilting...



Always loved it.

While we were there, mum pulled out a hat she made for me.



It's a little large.  I pulled it back a bit so I could see.



Ah, that's better. 

Then I made her put it on.


If you're thinking she looks like more fun than me, you're right.

My hand is better today, I wore my brace all night and day, so I'm going to go answer emails before my inbox explodes, and check out your blogs.  I may not comment on every post, but I've got nothing to work on until morning - so I just might!   I'll keep my brace on just in case, though.

And I'll leave you with a pic of Greta, Shirley's dog, just cuz I like you.

*Cue Chirping Crickets*

Hi everyone, that's right, I'm about to go a bit silent....



I have an owie.  NOT a clue why, or when, or what, but kissing it hasn't made it better.  Typing is difficult, so I'll be quiet for a bit til it heals.  Thank goodness I can still sew, and I've already got the borders cut for Kaaren's quilts.

In keeping with Tickled Pink Tuesday, I finally got pics of the gift Mickie won in our last Christmas Through The Year give-away.  Mickie, I'm sorry it has taken me so long, it's being mailed in about an hour.



The darlingest little cupcake pouch, made by someone who wishes to remain anonymous, and a surprise inside.  Cuz, you know, the best things have a surprise inside, right?  So what does that have to do with Tickled Pink Tuesday?  I'm finally getting my sorry behind to the post office, and I don't have a manual transmission.  Can't imagine trying to shift gears with my fancy glove on.

So I'll be reading your blogs and keeping an eye on you, better behave.  You'll hear about it when I've healed.

Remembering

My boys were 7 and 9 the day the world changed.  It was hard to tear myself from the unfolding horror on tv and take care of them....but I did.  For the next few weeks, I bounced between joyful boys and the heartbreaking sadness that I couldn't keep myself from watching.

I remember standing outside while the boys played, looking at the empty skies, listening to the silence.  Flags everywhere.  Shock evident on every face.  Listening to the stories that started to trickle out, the stories of heroic acts, everyday kindnesses, and uncommon courtesies.  The feeling of kinship with perfect strangers.  We were united by a grief that was bigger than any of us.

Today, I will remember.  I will never forget.  I will pray for the survivors, for the heroes, for the families who lost loved ones, and for my country's loss of innocence.  For our soldiers and our leaders.  For our enemies who mean to harm us.  And for this land, this beautiful and bountiful land that I love with all my heart. 

America, I love you.

Press. Slam. Repeat.

Someday I'd love to meet the shining light in Washington that thinks we're all too stupid to turn off our own irons.



Normally, I don't get political here.  But this one hits home, baby.  As I'm pressing, my iron [every iron I've bought that has auto-shut-off] decides I don't know what I'm doing and capriciously turns off.  So I SLAM it on the table, because shaking it doesn't wake it up.  Naturally, that's not good for an electrical appliance, but it guarantees I'll have to buy a new one every few months - cha-ching into the manufacturer's pockets.  Can you tell this angers me?

I put this right up there with smart meters.  Which we've already refused, by the way.  Along with every other thing that someone [usually someone who has stock in the company, or a vested interest somehow] decides is good for me, taking away my own free choice in the matter.  Did you know that Michael Chertoff [former head of Homeland Security] made piles of money from those intrusive body scanners at the airport?  Does THAT make you feel safer?

I'm going to go find some thrift stores and see if I can get an old iron that won't tell me what I'm doing.  And then I'm going to put on I Love Lucy and pretend it's current.  And hopefully get over it.

So how's YOUR day going?  Got any good jokes to lighten my mood???  And btw, thank you for indulging me,   I promise it won't happen often.....

Shut The Fridge Door!

And turn off the water, lol!  Oh brrrr it is cold here, and wet and rainy....my boys [hubby and son] went to the range today for target practice, and came home soaking wet. 

Yesterday, I ran errands most of the day.  One of my stops was at the pharmacy where Cathy-Of-The-Endless-Machines works.  She had finished a customer quilt, and hadn't taken any pics, so I took them for her.  Couldn't hold it up and take pics at the same time, you'll have to use your imagination.







Lovely, isn't it?  I wanted to sneak out with it, but she was keeping an eagle eye on me.

Another errand was to the produce store.  They wanted .99 PER LEMON.  What?  I think I'll grow my own.  Then I went to Walmart, and got some new slippers....



My old ones were down to the plastic, it was time.  I uploaded that pic to flickr, and not five minutes later, Terry commented that she has the same slippers!  Aren't they comfy, Terry?  I love them.  How fun to know we match!

Today, since it was so rainy and cold, I stayed inside and did a lot of this.



And ended up with this!



This is the lap size, all I have to do is add the red border.  I'm so happy!!!  Tomorrow I'll press all the seams, and then press the seams of the rows of the bigger quilt and start putting them together.  It's so chilly here, it's very nice to have the iron on all day!

Because I've been so busy, your blogs are piling up in my Google Reader.  I was going to visit you all last night...I was having terrible nerve pain in my foot and couldn't sleep, but I couldn't concentrate on blogging either.  So after I post this, I'm going to open my Reader, and see what you've all been up to - not sure if I'll get to you all tonight, but I'll try!  I miss you all so much! 

Long Weekend

I like long weekends - especially in summer - but when the temp is almost 100, it's nicer to stay indoors.  Here's what I did today.

Stitch and trim.



Press.  [This is only half.]



Trim again.



And now we're all prepared for joining in more rows.



I'm not sure how I got all that trimming done today - I think a little angel was perched on my shoulder, cheering me on.  Normally I can't stand for that long, but it was nice and cool in my sewing room [except during the pressing] and I just got into the groove.

Tomorrow will be exceptionally hot again, mid-90's, and by Monday it will struggle to get to 70!  You'll know where to find me....I'm hoping to get ALL the rows done.  I hope you are all enjoying your weekend, I know I will be!

September Christmas Through The Year

September already!!!  This year is flying by [I say that every month, don't ?  At least I'm consistent, if somewhat boring].

I do have some tutorials for you, and I did find a project I want to make this month [already!].  I was reading Barb's blog, she had a link to Thimbleberries' free patterns, oh thank you Barb!!!    There are a few I want to make, but the log cabin potholders will be my project this month, I believe.

And then Caroll emailed me about Elisa's blog post - I read Elisa's blog, but hadn't seen her latest post yet.  What a great post, chock full of inspiration!  I was going to post the Zip-Itself coin purse, but Elisa beat me to it, lol.  Thanks for the links, hon!  Let's get together again for coffee after the holiday, k?

And one last one that I really, really want to do - it's from So September - the cutest little hanging mirror you'd EVER want to look into!  She makes it look easy enough for me to try.

I've been working hard today on Kaaren's quilt, no pics sorry, but all the blocks are now sashed.  I still have to trim the ends off, press the seams open, and trim them again to 7" - then I'll be putting them ALL together, yay!!  I'll try to remember pics tomorrow.

I hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday weekend here in the States - not sure if anyone else celebrates it?  It's Labor Day, for my overseas friends, a holiday to celebrate the working 'man'.  I was a mum and went through labor, so I'm going to celebrate.

Kidding.

Maybe.

August Christmas Through The Year Winner!

Sandra asked not to be entered in the give-away, so I put 7 numbers into Mr. Random Number Generator and clicked...and here's our winner....

Mickie!!  I'll be emailing for your address, girl, congratulations!!!  Did you see all the stuff she made???  If not, go look!

And to read the funniest crafting post I've ever read, go over to Wendy's blog....

14 Steps To Buggering Up A Shopping Bag

Too funny!