The Quilterhood

One of my 2012 goals

2012-01-04T07:07:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to share a link for a Free BOM on Craftsy.
It's basically video tutorials on basic blocks and at the end of 2012, you have enough blocks for a cuddle-up-quilt!

My goal is to attempt to follow along and make the blocks and probably learn some tips for the correct way to sew blocks that You-Tube failed to show me! lol Because I've never actually been to a quilt class...just learned from other girlies, books, blogs, or watched a You-Tube video to supplement my sewing/quilting education!

A quilter card!

2011-12-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

"Kentucky Cross Roads Quiltscape"

greeting card #47 by Rebecca Barker

A greeting card I gave to a friend, I took a pic of it because it was my last one...but I found the website and thought I'd share a treat with y'all!!!

Marvelous Monday

2011-10-24T00:23:00.000-07:00

I decided to update my blog with some lovely oldie-but-goodie projects I created about 2 years ago with some black and white fat quarters i got in an online swap.

A couple of little makeup bags utilizing my newly acquired skill of zippers!

Although the bags are pieced with different patterns, I think it has a nifty Bohemian look! What do you think?

Wool Crazy

2011-07-17T23:54:00.000-07:00

I'm doing a "Wool Crazy" Pincushion Round Robin with my Backporch Friends Retreat group. This is my first attempt to play with wool...so I had to arm myself with some necessary essentials! I got 10 different wool cuts in an array of colors and patterns, and also Joann Mulally's book, "Wool Crazy," of which I finally found on Amazon, but had there been a LQS, I could have picked it up there and not paid for shipping!

(My personal rant: El Paso, Texas is a metropolitan city of over 700,000 people, which makes it the fourth most populous city in Texas. However combined with Cuidad Juarez, Mexico, the two cities create the largest population center on any international border in the world...2.2 million people live and work here!)

So why don't we have a dedicated quilt shop here???

I decided to go with a beachy theme and made my base to look like a clam shell.

My base measures 8" x 11" and is a sandwich of the following materials:

muslin

warm-n-white cotton batting

muslin

For a couple of weeks, I played with the design and placement of several different wools before deciding upon this fan-shaped look with the directional pattern as if you are looking from the ocean toward the beach.

I'm excited to see what everyone will contribute!

Recent giftings from various friends near and far!

2011-04-05T17:33:00.002-07:00

My friend Imelda has a thing for ebay...and she thought of me when she bid on this gem! It's a sewing machine figurine music box! I use the guitar to accompany it...lol

Celebrating our "Half Birthdays", I got Little Leprechaun gifties, 2 FQ's and an handmade card from Laura.

And this little weiner doggie went wee wee wee all the way home!!! Yee haw! A gift from a recent house guest who thought this was a fun hostess gift...my husband helped pick it out...ahhh!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-23T22:05:00.001-07:00

My first Gathered Clutch

2011-03-16T21:36:00.000-07:00

"seams" like there's enough red in the focus fabric so the accent fabric will work...

Got this nifty idea for a gathered clutch from a loverly tutorial from Noodlehead's blog. And also, I had sew envy because I had admired numerous creations produced by my Crafternoon buddy, Karen.

The Fabric Audition
This duo made the "cut" after a text consultation with Karen and this is what I sewed up!

the end result...and did the focus fabric really have that much green?!!!

polka dots...just for fun!

You can see the gathers a little better here.

The interior fabric doesn't always have to mirror the theme on the exterior fabric, but I do have a penchant for being matchy-matchy with my colors--don't hold it against me, that's just the way it is!
;-) Right Karen?

One of the things I really liked about this tutorial is that I learned how to hide my zipper with end tabs! The tabs are a little tricky, and I had a slight gap that I used to my advantage and created a place for the wristlet.
Sorry I didn't capture this wristlet feature on film because I know my description does not do justice to my sewing genius that allows me to finesse an ooops into a wowzers! Take my word for it...it was pretty phenominal and besides I can't provide photographic proof because i mailed it to a friend who needed a lift of the gathered clutch kind!

I also boxed the bottom of my clutch and didn't attempt the interior card holder as in the 'tute.

Fresh Flower Friday

2011-03-04T09:00:00.006-07:00

Hubs gave flowers yesterday...not something that happens often enough!

So of course, I had to celebrate it here!

Springtime Sewing

2011-03-02T23:00:00.016-07:00

I have really been itching to stitch...but why does my sewing machine sit there taunting me to come hither?

I want to sew, but...

Wow, I'm really in a slump all around, in my training and in my sewing...and they're both things I want to do! Argh!

So thank the good Lord for a friend like Laura who has challenged me to join her in a monthly BOM (Block of the Month) in the "Things We Love" BOM from Among The Gum Trees.

Guess I had better start on the February BOM, so I can eventually finish the March BOM before the end of this month!

We are supposed to do this together, every month. Well, one of the two of us is an over acheiver and one of is a slacker...there's a blog title in there somewhere! I'm going to quit beating myself up and be more self-loving rather than self-loathing in my future posts, I promise to do better...to do it for me and for the good of my blogging fan club.

Couch to 5K and other "Juicy" adventures!

2011-02-17T01:21:00.000-07:00

Yep, 2011 is starting to "shape up" to be a year of new beginnings for me...I even created a blog to document my progress!

Another area of new beginning has been in the way of nutrition. Robino and I embarked on the idea to begin juicing...since mid January, I've lost 14 pounds without trying and with no excercise, until now...

I got the idea for juicing when I came across this website, Juicing for Health because I was looking for recipes to utilize my $15 yard sale find. Plus, we started buying our fruits and veggies in bulk at Costco and this was a way for us to use up the produce before it went bad.

We also finally bit the bullet and upgraded to a better quality juicer...after much research, we ordered a Hurom H-100 from Amazon. It will help us get more juice than the Hamilton Beach centrifugal juicer that had begun to show signs of use from daily juicing.

I'm really hoping to improve my health further and not only see weight loss results, but eliminate lethargy, mind fog, and just have more energy. I haven't given up coffee or tea, but have stopped using refined sugar and Splenda, opting for sugar in the raw and honey instead.

Random pictures saved on my laptop with no title

2011-01-23T20:13:00.006-07:00

Scary, huh?

vacay for 30 days

2011-01-09T20:12:00.001-07:00

So I'm getting settled back in at home in our little desert casita, after being gone on "vacation" for the last 30 days.

We visited Robino's family in Puerto Rico, and then in Massachusetts...

2 climates
(from the tropics to a blizzard)

4 timezones
(Atlantic,Eastern,Central, and back home to Mountain)

and 5 plane rides...oh my!

2011, I'm looking to the future

2011-01-01T16:50:00.003-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

40 years and 1 month

2010-09-08T13:41:00.003-07:00

40 years and 1 month...that's how old I am today.
On August 8th, I turned 40 years old.
On August 7th, my husband came home from Iraq...my birthday present from God as an answer to prayer!
I hadn't seen Robino since October 20, 2009.

The last 10 months of my life as an Army wife have been some of the most heart-wrenching times of my life. We hadn't gotten to skype, phone calls were spaced weeks at a time, and email didn't happen for us until the last 3 months of this deployment...needless to say, I've cried too many tears during the lonely times, especially when our communication was one way...I couldn't call him and so I resorted to being "one of those Army wives" who gripped her cell phone like a lifeline, waiting for his call.
However, this time apart hasn't been a negative experience. I discovered that I'm pretty resourceful and independent...I've moved to Kentucky from Texas, rented our house out in Kentucky, moved back to Texas and this time pulling a U-haul trailor, then rented a house in Texas and moved our remaining household items from storage to our new casa...all by myself, with Betty and Beulah, the Darling Doxies by my side through it all!

So, here I am now, 40 years and 1 month old...and the honeymoon phase is just about over and I've decided to resume my life...so what to do with myself? Well, I received a guitar last Friday from Robino as a birthday gift. It has always been a desire of mine to put music to the numerous songs I've written over the years and guitar is my instrument of choice...especially because I want to learn how to play Flamenco and Rumba style.
Other pursuits in my future are to ride a bike, play tennis, and maybe take up golf...and live to be 120 years old!!!

Bravo for Fabric Giveaways!!!

2010-07-29T20:20:00.002-07:00

Pat Bravo is doing a fabric giveaway on her blog!!!

She's a fabric designer and the giveaway is for her Art Gallery fabric line Paradise that hasn't been released yet! EXCITING stuff!

Curtain Call!!!

2010-07-26T16:47:00.006-07:00

So I've been MIA on the blog for the past few months...I have a fairly good excuse though. I moved across country back to El Paso...just me and Betty and Beulah! I moved into the cutest little bungalow and have set about to create a cozy little home for Robin to return to.

Below I created 3 sets of curtains to adorn my windows and bring a tropical cheer to mi casa! I had to find something that would work with these YELLOW countertops! I believe I succeeded with these lovely darlings, which by the way, were 40% off home dec fabric at Joann Fabric's.

I just fell in love with this print and color combo and so I finished the bolt of this lovely Anna Maria Horner home dec fabric...a steal at $6 per yard at a local fabric warehouse. This is in my sewing/office/guest room...now to just coordinate a bedcovering with it!

And for the grand finale...my elegant living room curtains...another lovely Anna Maria Horner fabric and it goes great with my furniture too!!!

Now that I'm pretty well settled in, you can look forward to regular posts from now on. However, you may not see as much sewing as you will home improvement projects.

What I did on my vacation in El Paso

2010-03-28T19:08:00.007-07:00

Imelda & me...one of my dearest chicas! She played hooky from work to spend the day with me while in EP! We had spent the day shopping at the outlet mall, then she took me to an authentic Mexican dive for the most amazing lunch! We also went to the spa and had body massages...that was a different day, but I think we still had the glow going on.

Eli, Karen, Lindsay & I took the Wyler Tram to the top of the Franklin Mountains, behind us is the metropolis of El Paso and beyond that in the distance is Juarez, Mexico! It was 70 degrees that day, but the wind at the top of the mountain made it feel much chillier.

One of the things I really enjoy about my El Paso peeps is that we are a bunch of crafty chicas! Here we are at one of our sewing parties...I like to think they threw this bash just on the occasion of my visit!!!

Here is a project that Lindsay completed...finally! She had bought about 20 different 1/2 yard cuts of some Amy Butler fabric and cut these up months ago, but with a little push, she made it happen into a quilt!!! I'm so proud of her and how it turned out!

Here is my quilt that I completed while in EP...I bought a jelly roll of Simple Abundance by Moda and made the Garden Tellis pattern from The Jelly Roll book. This is the layout of all the blocks before attaching them together...this quilt now has 2 outer borders and is queen sized. I hope to find a long arm quilter to send it to...any suggestions?

So I found this little panel for $6 and decided to quilt it...I wish you could see the backing fabric...soooo cute! Maybe I should think about taking pictures of the front AND the back of things before I post it, but I wanted to show off since it has been over a month since my last post!

I also completed 3 other projects while in El Paso: a baby blanket, a quilted zipper pouch and a quilted Vera Bradley look alike purse for my mom's upcoming 60th birthday...a photo of her sporting the bag will show up here in the future!

Wintery craftings

2010-02-12T15:07:00.005-07:00

New Directions in my Life

2010-02-02T00:00:00.001-07:00

What in the world? It's a nametag, people! Ok, so I decided to pursue a new career path since I've got time on my hands while Robino is away fighting for our country. My plan is to complete my degree in nursing...however, one of the first steps to being accepted in the program is to complete a Certified Nurses Aide course...thus, the nametag.

And here I am modeling my uniform after my first day of clinicals at a nursing home. On a scale of 1 to 10...how fun was it? Umm, well, fun is not the adjective I would have used! Tired is the word, yep, because when you're not used to being so physical in your work, it wears you out! So I really don't know how I managed to hold onto some cuteness here in this photo after such a long day...it has to be the grace of God!!!

Recent Fabric Finds

2010-01-30T17:51:00.006-07:00

Recently I made a pitstop at Among Friends Quilt Shop in Louisville, Kentucky, so I could get my fabric junkie fix. (Karen, if you read this, please note that this q.s. is not far off our route)

Since I'm addicted to charm packs...I snagged a couple, both from Moda. You can check out the entire Rouenneries line by going here

Check out the vibrance of the colors from Simple Abundance line, by going here

I REALLY liked this fabric from Simple Abundance, so I got a fat quarter...but I think I'l have to eventually buy some yardage and make a quilt...any ideas people?

Hourglasses and a wonky word

2010-01-27T21:50:00.003-07:00

I'm in an internet quilting bee and every month there is a different queen bee and a different block challenge. If you want to stalk, you can check us out over at the Mish Mash Stash Bash on Flickr

For January the challenge was to make double hourglass blocks along with a food related wonky word block...these blocks will be used to make a picnic quilt.

These are my artistic results that I mailed off to Sarah in Belgium today. So in order for me to really make this challenge fun, I just HAD to go buy some food fabric...thus justifying my visit to my friend, Linds while she was in St Louis. I bought way more fabric than the peaches, avocados, and grapes that you see here.

Now this is a really wonky word...and no I wasn't drinking vino when I pieced it!

Project #1 of 2010---complete!

2010-01-02T16:46:00.006-07:00

My first project of 2010 is completed! I actually started it in the last week of 2009, but it's not a UFO anymore! It's a birthday gift for my friend Marcia. She is from Panama and therefore she is of a tropical nature...so I thought it appropriate to bless her with a snuggly scarf!I CROCEHETED it using only one skein of Lion Brand Homespun yarn in the color family: Herb Garden. it measures approximately 60 inches in length, and about 10-1/2 inches wide. I purposely made it wider to accentuate the snuggliness of the scarf...almost makes me want to keep it!!!

Here I am modeling the scarf and as I type, I still have it on...it really is warm and cozy!

Christmas Quilting Sister Exchange

2009-12-28T12:06:00.003-07:00

So, I'm part of an online group called Backporch Friends and every year or so, there's a retreat that a portion of the girls go to. Coming up in May 2010 will be my second attendance. And so, in anticipation of getting together, Angela, our retreat "mama" organized a Christmas Quilting Sister Exchange...well my "sistah" was Peggy and she spoiled me good! Below is the loot I got in my box of goodies from her.

She made a Christmasy/winter wallhanging, some chocolates, especially delish were some caramel Ghiradelli chocolates...yum. She also put some sweet goodness into making me a donut pincushion with frosting and sprinkles on top! I also received 2 ornies, one a snowman jingle bell, and the other a yo-yo/button jingly-jangly...(my made up name for it). I got to FQ's of Thimleberries fabric and some Mettler thread. I also got 2 Christmas hand towels and a package of Christmasy napkins! Hopefully Peggy was as pleased with her goodies that I sent to her. Sorrry it took me so long to post this Peg, I'm loved it all, really special to have handmade goodies!

This is the one we chose!

2009-12-18T18:12:00.003-07:00

Feliz Navidad!

We need your vote!

2009-11-29T21:37:00.003-07:00

I'm trying to choose a photo for our Christmas card this year and I can't decide between these three...so this is where you come in handy...just vote in the comments on which photo you think is best! And thanks in advance, from our "family" to yours!
1.
2.

Current Events

2009-08-29T17:58:00.004-07:00

All kinds of craftilishusness! Here's my top ten...

1. Sewing a peasant blouse for me.
2. Baby gift for a friend who reads this blog...guess who you are!
3. Machine quilting a 30's twin size quilt.
4. Making a fabric gift bag for Mini to give to Sue.
5. Teaching my friend Claudia how to crochet.
6. Sewing up another black/white "Margaret" purse.
7. Making a baby changing pad for my friend Mari.
8. Crocheting tons of cotton dishclothes!
9. Packing up 3 bundles of clothing fabric for IBOL---Iraqi Bundles of Love.
10. Packing up my craft room right before I move...but I'm procrastinating because I have so many projects in the works...

what's up with me...

2009-08-06T10:05:00.004-07:00

I haven't blogged in awhile...I've been kinda sad.

I had to put my dog, Buddy to sleep last Monday because he sustained an injury to his back and he was in pain. His last days were very pitiful, as he would drag himself around with his front two paws. He had also lost control of his bowels and didn't even know he was going because he had lost the feeling in his back end.

It was a difficult decision to make and I had held onto him for awhile before I could bring myself to go through with it.

I was with Buddy when the vet injected him and I sobbed when he went limp in the vet assistant's arms. His eyes where still open even after the vet confirmed his little heart had stopped beating. I was left alone to be with him and I pressed my face against him and I could still feel the warmth of his body. I told him how much I loved him. Logically I know he couldn't hear me anymore, but I needed to put it out there, I needed to declare his importance to me.

Buddy was my first "child" and I thought I would have him longer than 4 years. His birthday would have been at the end of August and he would have turned 5 y.o. Now he lives on in my memory and I smile and get teary eyed when I think of him.

I've been busy sewing

2009-07-23T15:30:00.002-07:00

I've completed 3 bags using the Margaret bag pattern from Oh Fransson! blog...I just need to take photographs...pics coming soon.

So what have you been doing this summer?

I'm in love with aprons!

2009-07-10T04:00:00.000-07:00

This is an apron I recently finished using Sew Liberated's Emmeline Apron Pattern.
The Apron is reversible, so I chose a different color hue in the same pattern of fabric.The bow in the back was the only fabric in my stash that coordinated with both fabrics and I think it really enhanced the femininity of the apron.

The degree of difficulty is intermediate. I'm not usually good at reading patterns, but Sew Liberated's Meg made this one easy without a bunch of extra steps.

It's Christmas in July

2009-07-06T13:24:00.006-07:00

The Crafternoon girls that I hang with decided we would make Christmas stockings as a group project, but we didn't really have a pattern to go by, so I sourced one from Martha Stewart. Basically I just used her template and loosely used her directions but the rest is all of my own design.
I am a scrap junkie...and when I want to do some mindless sewing, I will pull strips from my scrap bag and sew them together. Well, I had amassed quite the collection of sewn together strips...this became the fabric of my stocking and since I like a scrappy look, it worked out great.
The whole project took about 1.5 hours, maybe less. I embellished the cuff with seasonal buttons and a running stitch. What would I do differently? First of all, make a larger stocking pattern and a larger cuff on the stocking top.

P.S. This may just be going in the mail to the winner of the 07/08/09 giveaway!

****************Random.org chose the winner of the 07/08/09 giveaway and it is............PAT! Congratulations girl! I'll be contacting you with an email to get your snail mail address so you can get your prize. Thanks for playing and stop by again in August for my Birthday giveaway!****************

Another Stinkin' Cute Giveaway!

2009-06-29T05:33:00.010-07:00

I'm sure lots of folks in the U.S. will be enjoying a

4-day weekend over the

Independence Day holiday.

So I decided to have another giveaway, but not for

"the Fourth of July,"

no, I was thinking of another spectacular date...
how about the occurance of something un-usual, not the norm, ...
how about this...

at five minutes & six seconds past four am on the 8th of July this year,

the time and the date will be

04:05:06 07/08/09

This will never happen again!
Party on with a giveaway to be drawn on this date and time.

Just leave a spectacularyly un-usual comment

and you could be the winner of...

drumroll please...

umm, I don't know yet, but it's gonna be spectacularly un-usual and fabuloso!!!

Giveaways Galore!

2009-06-26T07:20:00.002-07:00

Being a big fan of giveaways, since I myself just won a purse and did a giveaway for a purse...here's some blogs I've snooped for giveaways.

Canton Village Quilt Works...giveaway ends June 29th @ midnight

Quilt Qua...giveaway ends July 31st

SewMamaSew...Husqvarna/Viking sewing machine giveaway ends June 29th

Not So Plain Jane...giveaway ends June 30th

Enjoy entering for prizes and hopefully receiving some too!

How I'm feeling today...

2009-06-25T07:24:00.002-07:00

Michelle you rock!

2009-06-24T11:30:00.007-07:00

Via Random.org, Michelle became the winner of my Give it away, Give it away, Give it away now! giveaway which is my version of the Margaret Bag from Oh Fransson!; because she answered correctly that the Red Hot Chili Peppers is the band that sang the "Give it away..." song

And because she also knew what year the song came out in 1991, she will be receiving the bonus giveaway of a quilted pouch in matching 30's fabric.

And Michelle, I agree...it is one of the best songs on Rock Band...I had just played it right before I got the idea for this giveaway...coincidence? Nah!

Congratulations Michelle (I'll be emailing you soon) and thank you to everyone who commented...keep coming back and visiting, there will be 2 giveaways coming up in the next few weeks...I'll be having a 100-Post giveaway and a Happy-Birthday-To-Me giveaway.

Give it away, Give it away, Give it away now!

2009-06-22T08:34:00.007-07:00

For those of you who even know what group sang this song back in the day...
...leave a comment and by random drawing, I will choose the winner from those who left a correct answer in their comments.
...deadline to leave a comment is Wednesday, June 24, 2009 by noon MST.
...I will ship internationally.
Oh, and the prize is this bag... a sling purse made from 30's fabric, lining of bag is muslin, buttons are vintage. I got the free pattern and tutorial of the Margaret Bag at Oh Fransson.

*Bonus*if you name the year the song came out...I will send along a quilted zipper pouch in matching fabric!

*Another purse giveaway is being done by Amanda at "just the morning coffee" and the deadline to enter is Tuesday 8pm EST.

Starting a new hobby...KNITTING

2009-06-16T16:30:00.000-07:00

June 20th & 21st are the dates to knit in public--world wide! I crochet in public all the time, so I'm used to people watching me crochet. It's actually a great conversation starter because people will ask questions and generally a nice little banter will get going between former strangers...very helpful for a turtle like myself.

Recently I joined some other ladies for a morning session so we could learn to knit. I caught on after some one-on-one instruction. But when I got home, I had to go online because I forgot the basics of knit & purl that I had just learned. Below are some resources I found that may help you also!

How to read a knitting pattern

Knitting Glossary

Free dishcloth patterns

Video Tutorials:

Casting On

How to Knit

How to Purl

*How to Purl--English method

*How to Purl Pictorial Tutorial

Come follow ScooterSissy's adventures on TWITTER!

2009-06-11T06:41:00.000-07:00

Just something random to blog about...links I discovered while Twittering...

Red Fish Circle...she's having a giveaway until June 19th

V and Co...super delish crafting and quilting

Punchneedle Artist Trading Cards

2009-06-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

I recently played in an embroidery ATC swap over at Swap-bot and found a valueable tutorial resource for creating Artist Trading Cards over at Art in your Pocket. Here is what I created for my swap partner, using punchneedle technique. I didn't use a pattern, just did free-form using her favorite colors of blues and greens...also my favorite colors too!

These ATC's were also created for a swap on Swap-bot. I adjusted an embroidery pattern to the 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 card size, then I used oil pastels for color and smudged them for that smudged look. Tres chic!

Here are some other punchneedle resources:

video how to

resource guide

pretty images

Also check out flickr, they have tons of photos to peruse for inspiration...you might even see someone you recognize when you click on the flickr link!

The Albuquerque Roadtrip...

2009-06-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

Headed out with my Crafternoon girlfriends (Karen, Lindsay, me & Sarah and Sarah's dad in the background) on a roadtrip to Albuquerque, New Mexico for a weekend of shop hopping and memory making..."Twinkie" became our code word for laughs...and we had more fun than you can shake a stick at! Although the trip was only for a weekend, we packed a lot into just 2 1/2 days and a bond of friendship was created amongst us. As you can see from my photo montage, we definately had fun! Enjoy!Karen practicing peek-a-boo before her Grublet arrives in August.Thoughts by Lindz...A merry heart does good like a medicine!Isn't she lovely...isn't she beautiful...ah Sarah with fragrant Spanish broom, we wouldn't have had near as good a time without her planning and driving us around in her hometown!Karen and her pretzel...Up close and personal with Sarah, the TwinksterShop hopping really is the glamourous life...Karen with her batik jelly rolls and Lindsay with purchases of black & white fabric to be used in a quilt for her husband...ahhh

Daisy chain quilt pattern done in Amy Butler Daisy Chain fabric...a future project!

All the goodies I bought, in random order: 3 FQs, a Kaffe Fasset jelly roll, Aurifil thread, 3 1/2 inch Omnigrid ruler, 2 Hallmark Keepsake ornaments (truck & photo frame), Green Chili Jam, 2 Fiesta ware plates, & a woven basket (snagged for $1)

Happy Anniversary

2009-05-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

On this day

5 years ago

Robino & I tied the knot...

we've come a long way on this marriage "adventure!"

Here we are, taking a photo op with a stranger's bike in the parking lot of the Inn where we got married on a beautiful Saturday morning.

I look surprised, don't I? Because my eyebrows are NOT naturally this arched! We were dancing away at a friend's wedding.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

2009-05-25T22:00:00.000-07:00

I got on a baking kick and thought I'd use up some stuff in my pantry.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

Dry Ingredients (combine together & set aside):

1/2 cup rolled oats, quick or regular

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup teaspoon cinnamon

Wet Ingredients (cream all ingredients before adding eggs):

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 eggs

Mix Wet & Dry Ingredients blending well, then add:

3 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

Use ice cream scoop or make similar sized balls and place 2 1/2 inches apart on prepped cookie sheet (I used sheets lined with parchment paper...easy cleanup).

Bake until cookies are lightly browned, 16-18 minutes @ 350 degrees. I like my cookies crispy so I baked for the full 18 min.

Yield: 2 dozen cookies ( I got 3 dozen out of this batch)

One of those forget-about-everything-but crafting day

2009-05-20T04:00:00.000-07:00

I borrowed my title phrase from Inspire Co. (where by the way, she has done this incredible sampler in french knots!).
And so I thought how appropriately that expresses how I spent my day on Friday...with (l-r) Lindsay, Sarah, & Karen--(she's got proof on her blog of our first ever Crafternoon together), my "Crafternoon" girlfriends seen below as they ponder Lindsay's block placement.

Crafternoon is an afternoon spent crafting with other crafty crafters. We've been doing a wallhanging quilt pattern together called "Spin City" RQC #401 by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. We spent nearly 5 hours together on 2 seperate crafternoons getting to a nearly finished point on our quilt tops. Of course, we ate and chatted and snacked some more... (this chocolate chip & oatmeal cookie recipe will be coming up in a future post)

we basically had ourselves a "rip" roarin' good girlfriend time.

However, too much gabbing can lead to a lot of errors in sewing.

Here's proof that I was running my mouth, my sewing oopsie...I put my border on backwards! Duh!

This was just to make you laugh! Can you guess what's on my head?

Towel Day--May 25th

2009-05-18T09:03:00.000-07:00

What in the galaxy is "Towel Day" you ask? It is a celebratory tribute to the author Douglas Adams. On May 25th, On that day, fans around the universe proudly carry a towel in his honor.

Quoted from the website Towel-day dot com

What? Carry your towel the whole day with you, wherever you go.

When? Every year at May 25th.
Where? Of course everywhere you go!
And why? May 25th is the commemoration day for the Douglas Adams, the author of the world-celebrated book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, who unfortunately passed away 2001. And a towel is the most useful thing, what anyone can have.

Swap-bot is even hosting a Towel Day Swap, but hurry, signups close on May 18th!

Disclaimer: the atheistic views expressed by Douglas Adams are not congruent with my own personal beliefs of Christianity.

Tote 'Tutes & Other Things I've Snooped

2009-05-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

Yes...2 posts in one week...I must have gotten the Internet at home! Yippee for me! Finally I can surf the www from the comfort of my "lazy-girl" chair, update my blog and snoop around everybody else's.

I must tell you how I pulled off this miraculous feat to change my husband's mind about getting the internet. Due to finances he didn't want to fork out the monthly fee, but I convinced him by showing him the light when I said, "Well, we can just eat more PB&J and we can borrow the money from our grocery budget." He finally agreed when he realized how draining it was for him to go to the coffee shop to do his online classes...yada, yada, yada...you get the point.

Now onto fun stuff!

Sew Mama Sew Tote Tutorials
Tote and baby stuff Tutorials
26 Tote Tutorial Links
Mini Tote Tutorial
Pincushion Ring Giveaway
Handcrafted Doll Tutorial
Strawberry Knit Hat w/a simplistic tutorial
Monogrammed Handmade Handkerchief How-To

National Apron Day tutorials & giveaways

2009-05-04T13:47:00.000-07:00

May 11th the Monday after Mother's Day is National Apron Day...soooo, wear your apron, all day, everywhere...even out in public...go ahead, you deserve the attention!

Blogs about Apron Day plus some giveaways & tutorials:

Not Quite June Cleaver

The Kitchen Madonna

BlogHer

National Apron Day dot com

Sew Liberated

139 Apron tutorials & patterns

Cottage Chic Cooking Apron Tutorial

People, Places & Things...oh my!

2009-03-29T19:10:00.000-07:00

A couple Saturdays ago, Robino, me & los tres perritos (the 3 doggies) took a day trip to Cloudcroft, New Mexico...here is the view from 8,000 + elevation in the Lincoln National Forest in the Sacremento Mountains. If the picture had been clearer, then you'd be able to see White Sands National Monument and then further on, the Organ Mountains.

P.S. Doesn't Robino look thrilled? Yeah, he had to be coaxed into the photo...I would have posted a pic of me and the view, but it made my butt look big!
Ask me how close I live to the Mexican border? I can see Juarez from my house...less than 1 mile away! Schnikes!

Beulah the amazing piebald Doxie, models a crochet Easter hat... lol... actually a crochet experiment gone to the dogs....

Last Friday yielded a most enjoyable fellowship at Unravel Yarn Shop and Organ Mountain Quilt Shop along with the Bernina QS in Las Cruces, NM, and of course, Hobby Lobby, with new quilty girlfriends, Karen & Sarah.

Shout out to Karen, here striking a pose for the blog...check her out here. She makes me want to be a better blogger! :-P

Interior of Organ Mountain Quilt Shop in Las Cruces, New Mexico

Robino & I took a "field trip" to downtown El Paso...this was the only photo we could take OUTSIDE of the El Paso Museum of Art ...they're very persnickety about using your camera or cell phone inside...they have guards everywhere! But admittedly, they were featuring artwork by Andy Warhol and Frida Kahlo.

And so, these are my recent adventures....besides I needed to blog something?!!

Cutie Patootie Crochet

2009-03-13T15:19:00.001-07:00

This is a creation especially for Angela at Country Cellar in an online exchange for Hand-dids Yahoo Group.

This little bunny was made for my friend Michelle B. These colors were by her request! Very vibrant, don't cha think?

These are all creations that I mailed out for online swaps. Starting clockwise from left, the pink/green was for Angela, next is the hot pink roundie for Vicki at My Creative Corner blog, and the multi-stripe oval is for Penny at The Black Sheep Cottage blog. The minty green one is for Crochet a St. Patrick's Day Surprise over at Swap-bot.

Cuteness in a Quilt Bag!

2009-02-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

How about some doggie cuteness and a deliciously pink quilted tote too!!! In order of appearance (left to right), we have Buddy (my old dog), Beulah (my middle child), and Betty (the baby and stinkin' cute...but here she looks a little Cujo-ish)...and me, the Mama has been left holding the bag!!!

So I just had to let you see what stinkin' cute is all about!!!

I went to a quilt class recently and learned to make this HUGE quilted bag out of this delicious cheater panel I found at Joanne's in the remnant section! This thing was so huge...it is big enough to fit 3 miniature dachshunds into! That's a whopping weight of about 38 lbs. of doggie cuteness! The bag's dimensions are 22 inches wide, by 18 inches deep and 10 inches wide on the side. Whew...what a project!

What is Biscornu? And the links thereof...

2009-02-17T06:02:00.000-07:00

While searching around Swap-bot, I came across this unusual French pincushion idea known as Bircornu. The links below provide resources for you to discover this cute little embroidery form. Although I have yet to venture out into this realm...I did manage to find a free photo to display here in the blog for your viewing enjoyment.

Biscornu Tutorial from Pretty Impressive Stuff dot com

Free Biscornu pattern--Bulgarian Motif from Alita Designs

Biscornu Design Ideas in francais

Biscornu Instructions and Patterns

Crochet Goodness

2009-02-12T07:09:00.001-07:00

Here's some crochet goodness that I made for myself...a cell phone case for my Palm Centro to keep it from getting scratched up and easier to find in the black hole known as my purse!!!

I added a kangaroo pocket for my Ipod Nano...I color coordinated my electronics on purpose because I love me some blue.

I used a variegated cotton yarn because that's what I had on hand. I didn't use a pattern...because it started out as a dishcloth. But after awhile it got wonky on me and I just kept on crocheting until I got this nifty idea to turn it into a dual purpose "useful" ...my new word for repurposed stuff.

And here I have a girly, pink cell phone case I made for my new friend here in Texas, Imelda. She was admiring mine and asked if I could make her a pink one...
so i began crocheting a long strip and folded it in half and attached the seams, then added extra wonkiness to the flap to weigh it down so it would stay closed, and lastly, I added a handle...voila!

This is a recent dishcloth swap I participated in on Swap-Bot . I had forgotten what that elation felt like to find a squishie in the mail....ahh, bring on the swaps!

So my partner, Panda Kitty, also crafted a cute little handmade card, which I totally love!

'Been out of commission...

2009-02-07T20:22:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted for some time...like over a month now! However, in my defense, I have been ill and recovering after being hospitalized for a couple of weeks in January.
Not to fear, I am feeling better...prayers and medication have helped. Perhaps I'll post more in the days ahead, but for now I am really weak and tired and this is the most strength I've had in awhile to even be on the computer for very long.
SOOOOO as soon as I take photos, I'll post my recent crochet projects that have kept my hands and mind busy. Today i did actually sew on a quilt bag project using a cheater panel I found on clearance at Joanne's...it's deliciously pink!!!
xo
~Christie

Tag I'm it!

2008-12-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

"Tagged" by my IH friend, Laura to show the sixth photo from the sixth folder of my saved photos.

Here's what I found: a snapshot through a screened window taken last winter when we lived in Kentucky. My dh Robino is hanging a homemade birdfeeder on our front porch.

I posted the creation of this lovely object here on The Quilterhood sometime in the Jan-Feb '08 timeframe, however...I can't seem to locate that post!

Oh well...enjoy the back of a bald man's head wearing his wife's robe!!!

Feliz Navidad from our new home in El Paso!

2008-12-20T15:42:00.000-07:00

Well of course I'm alive and well...finally settled into our new home after a long few months of transition...I know you've been waiting with baited breath, errr right?!

Well I figured I needed a spectacular way to kick start the ole blog and get back to a more "normal?" life of quilting and crafting...so what better way then to show off my little family of "reindeer!" Let me tell ya...after 23 takes...this was the best one we got, even though Buddy blinked!!!
Doggone that Bud-man...he's such a prima donner! LOL

FYI--those reindeer ears were not made by my loving hands, but were courtesy of Dollar Tree!!!

Love and miss all my bloggin', quiltin', craftin' friends...but just so you know...

I'm back on the scene!!!

Who wants a new post?---a bunch of quilty whiners, that's who!!!

2008-09-03T19:35:00.000-07:00

My neice Ally and her mommy, Cindy pose in the mother/daughter "Dynamic Duo" aprons I made for them!

Maybe you can't tell here, but Cindy is 5 months pregnant in this photo, taken just a week ago! She and my brother lost a baby earlier this year and they thought that they would just have their 2 girls...but God had a different plan and so can you guess what they're having?

It's a BOY!

And his name will be Trey...that's a short for DMM the third! The whole family is very happy and excited! However, we'll be in Texas when this baby is born in January, so I will have to wait awhile before I can hug and squeeze and kiss him and love on him real good!

Now are you happy now Liz and Laura, IH and everybody else who visits The Quilterhood, but doesn't leave a comment!! Leave a comment for cryin' out loud!!! :^} Otherwise I can't respond to my fans! LOL

Snugglin' with Mama and UFO's

2008-07-27T21:47:00.000-07:00

So I had to get a new picture of the 3 Stooges on here as promised! I don't know how Beulah got away without red eye or ?aqua eye?----how does Betty always manage to be so color coordinated!!! LOL

Now onto gettin' r done! Yesterday was such a productive sewing day--probably because I stayed off the computer!!! Sooo anyway, I did some alterations on a pair of dress pants and a pair of capris so they'd fit me!! Can't afford to go shopping right now since we're getting ready for the big move in 95 days!!! And besides it was fun to make tailoring mistakes--preparation for one day going on Project Runway!!! LOL

Also I finished up a cutie-cutie RED apron that I'm going to list on Etsy...as soon as I take a photo of my neighbor modeling it for me!

Quilty Motivation for some 30's fabrics

2008-07-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

I just love a scrappy quilt and when I saw the quilt, "American Spirit" below on Judy Martin's site here, I knew I'd found my latest quilty motivation/inspiration for my collection of 30's fabrics. The quilt pattern comes from the book Quilts and Cookies by Judy.

I've already got a good start by making some 4 patch blocks for a swap I'm in with a Yahoo group called Sew Many Swaps.

In fact, I just got around to laundering the multitude of fat quarters I had...now I'm off to press them for cutting into 2" strips and sewing em' up!

"American Spirit"

Stitch Alphabet

2008-06-26T03:57:00.000-07:00

I just visited Feeling Stitchy blog and found this wonderful resource that I wanted to share with all my embroidery/stitching pals.
It's a Stitch Alphabet from Stitch Point...you can create your own design using one of six fonts and then print it out.

They even have printable graph paper! Super cool resource to have in your bag of stitches!
And as an added bonus...the website can be translated into not only English, but French, Dutch, and German! Maybe Espanol someday...

# 3

2008-06-08T14:44:00.000-07:00

Here is Daddy posing with the newest member of our family---introducing Betty! She came into our hearts and home all the way from Missouri!

Thanks to a hookup at a quilt retreat, I met Deb who is also a Doxie lover and who has the doggie mama & daddy of our little Betty. Betty is 10 weeks old with black & tan semi-curly hair. And she is a real snuggler too!
Beulah (left) and Buddy (right) inspect Betty (center). She got initiated into the pack with lots of sniffing her address!!! As you can see, we now have a range of colored canines.
Sorry the pictures are a little blurry, Betty is a little fast and feisty---Robino says it's the Puerto Rican in her!!! LOL

Sassy Apron Swap Received!

2008-06-04T19:46:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to my Sassy Apron Swap partner, Cyndi! I got my apron and Utah goodies in the mail yesterday! Photos to follow...soon, I promise!

Quilt Retreat

2008-05-27T14:51:00.001-07:00

yes, I had to strike a pose in one of my aprons for my retreat gal pals--I'm slowly converting them to the Apronista side of life!!! If I get one of these girls to join me then we'd be apron-sistas!

Here I am posing with my baby--she told me that even though I was tired when this photo was taken, that I still look so cute...I have to agree...I was feelin' perty cheek to cheek with "Christie Ann"--my dollie's name.

She was such a big help to me on my quilt retreat...she presses pretty seams!

Photos courtesy of Liz---check out her Webshots album of the entire retreat! I haven't even begun to organize and upload mine yet!

Ott or not?

2008-05-18T17:06:00.000-07:00

I recently went to a quilting retreat and several ladies had Ott lights. I had considered them just a luxury...but sitting at my sewing machine for hours upon hours made me realize that these other marathon quilters were on to something! So I'm comparing prices below. ..this may be ongoing!

Dick Blick TrueColor Tabletop Lamp for $59.99

Joanne's Vision Saver Plus for $44.99

Michael's OTT-LITE® Jupiter TrueColor™ Table Lamp

Celebrate National Wear Your Apron Day!

2008-05-11T20:22:00.001-07:00

First Blog Giveaway Winner is...

2008-05-03T06:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in announcing the winner of the random drawing for the Art Doll---I know you've been waiting with baited breath------RIGHT?!!!

So without further ado, the winner of my First Blog Giveaway is Cynthia from her family blog.
Based on her comment she left here, she will be receiving a custom made Art Doll. I will be posting a picture soon of this little dollie after I know Cynthia has received it.

Oh and by the way, the CONTEST ends today!

2008-04-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

Today is April 25th and my first contest ends today. So if you haven't made a comment on this post, The Quilterhood: Art Doll Swap and a CONTEST then get your tiny-hiny to the link by clicking it and leave a comment NOW!

What do you have to lose??? Just leave a comment for cryin' out loud!

"Stay tuned for scenes of the continuing story on, The Quilterhood!"

I just screwed up my blog!

2008-04-25T11:13:00.001-07:00

Oh you noticed I did some redecorating when you stopped in?

Well, yes, I tried to add a fancy template to the blog to spruce it up a bit and ended up not being able to get it on here and then oh by the way, I also deleted my entire sidebar in the process!!!! NOT the type of spring cleaning I had in mind! "Aye Santo!"

Word of warning, don't try to make major changes to your blog when you are sleepy---you may think you're understanding what you're reading, but you find out in a big way, like I did that it you are indeed about to delete something important and are you sure you want to do that? (Whew that was one long run on sentence!)

And inexplicably, I answered "yes"---------DUH!

WHY did i do that?

ARRRRGH---well, it looks like I'll really be doing some redecorating here on THE QUILTERHOOD.

Check in often and please leave a comment so I can rebuild my blogroll and drop in on all my online friends!

Thanks,
The Management...it's just me, Christie

My Earth Day Parade

2008-04-22T23:59:00.000-07:00

It was beautiful 81 degrees here in Kentucky and I decided that since it was Earth Day---why waste electricity drying my clothes, right? So I decided to slightly bend the rules and put up a temporary clothesline in our backyard. Am I a bad girl for breaking the rules of our Home Owner's Association by putting up a clothesline or an Earth Day good girl?

I remember my mom would put her whites out in the sun to dry and because the sun would bleach the stains out...so I laid them out flat in these chairs instead of on the other clothesline I put up on my patio (you can see a towel hanging on it in the background.

Here's the beginning of my compost pile. I've added it to a larger container with soil, yard clippings, and dead leaves.
A birdfeeder made from a plastic bottle decoupaged with paper and covered in silicone sealer and then nailed to a Zak Designs melamine plate that I got at Tar-jay for a whopping $.74!

And the grand finale...up close and personal with Beulah, my Miniature Dachshund. She turns 1 year old on April 24.

I'll post pictures of her puppy party with the neighbor Weinaramer, Belle (seen below), that she's so found of barking and chasing!

Can you imagine the hilarity of this little doggie chasing this big doggie? Videos coming soon!

Mailbox love from Espana

2008-04-10T06:50:00.000-07:00

I received this "Care Package" awhile back, and just took pictures of the goods I got from my online buddy, Margaret, go over and visit her at A Sampler of Stitches and you'll see more of her handiwork like what you see below. I don't really have any crafty girlfriends who live nearby, so this was like a hug in the mailbox!

Here is a closeup of the cross-stitch handwork on the zippered pouch above, and the needlecase below. I don't know, maybe it's the UK alphabet (I'm poking fun), but are there a letter or two missing from that alphabet?

She even personalized it with my initials!

Above we have another of Margaret's skills being displayed in this dishcloth of knitted sunshine!

Above here we have a FQ of "Friendship Fabric"and below a closeup of the wording.

Ahhhhhhhh! I just have to come up with a clever use for the fabric so that it will remind me of not only Margaret, but others whom I've never met, but have become my friends via the internet...I hope I get to hug you some day...I better stop, I'm tearing up!

Above are some candie lovelies from Spain! It's so interesting to receive candy from other countries. Just goes to show you that running through the human race is a sweet tooth and it wears sneakers made of sugar! I was trying to be funny...but I think that last statement was a lame attempt, yeah, it's on its last leg....yeah, ok, I'll stop because now you're crippled with laughter, right?

Here we have a paper pieced flower pincushie...it wasn't until I angled the cushie for a foto-op that I realized what it was! Before that I thought it was just random fabric Margaret had sewn together----DUH----oh well, let's blame it on my blonde-ness!

And last but not least, what else does and ex-pat from the UK send in her lovely little care package to me? If you guessed tea, then I'd say you're smarter than a 5th grader! The cup of tea shown here is a thrift store find for a buck and I just added hot water and the Harney & Sons tea---scrumptious Hot Cinnamon Spice tea!

Who Wears it Better?

2008-04-08T12:30:00.000-07:00

So you be the judge...WHO WEARS IT BETTER? The husband or the wife?

Robino had to give a demonstration for one of his classes, and he chose to demonstrate how to make "deviled eggs" wearing my apron! But I think he looks so cute sportin' that apron!

And me, well I'm just modeling in my living room for a spread on Conni's blog, LOL, since she did make the apron for me when we were doing our Quilting Sister Exchange with our Backporch Friends!

I thought I would give her a nod here since I "oops-ded," and accidentally deleted the photo when I was making up the post "A Parade of Aprons"

Inspiration for Spring Redecoration

2008-04-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

Ok this is the room to be redecorated...I definately want to paint the walls...just not sure what color. The previous homeowners gave it this loverly shade of mint green and we've just kept it for the past 2 years out of laziness and indecision. But I think I want to keep it a tranquil, cool color...maybe a cornflower blue, or a paler shade of the green seen here. The room gets a lot of sunlight since it is located on the south side of the house and it has 4 windows.

I'll take suggestions...PLEASE! Keep in mind we are going to sell this house in the very near future, so the color would have to be something appealing to the masses...? I saw this "Sweet Retreat Room Ensemble" on All People Quilt and got the idea that it was time to redo the budoir. I posted the pics from the website below...I'm not too keen on the pastel color scheme...I do have to consider my husband. What I do like is the nightstand slipcover (see closeup pic below).

I'm really seeing a lot of rickrack embellishment these days...and I like it!

Above and below: idea that I will use in my own bedroom to cut down on nightstand clutter utilizing these side pockets. I have drawers on my nightstands, so I will probably eliminate the front panel. I am diggin' this gingham and white rickrack though!

More inspiration on "How to Dress a Bed" and living with quilts. Below are just a few that appealed to me, but the link will take you to other types of bedrooms, i.e. childrens, nursery, and adults.

I have a white eyelet bedskirt, sheets, shams, and curtains.

This gives me an idea of how I can keep the femininity of the white eyelet and incorporate "manly" accents...like the layered bedskirt and of course, the boots!

The layout of this bedroom is similar to my own, as seen in the top photo.

I'm not real ga-ga over the color scheme in this room but there are some furniture details that I really like: the toolbox looking shelf and the glass-front cabinet, as well as, the trunk at the foot of the bed.

I simply love the old fashioned nine patch...and that little chenille/minkie bunny on the floor!

I have a ton of 30's prints that I wanted to make into an "old fashioned" quilt...I think I found a pattern! Also like the braided floor rug incorporating the colors of the quilt.

A Parade of Aprons

2008-03-30T13:51:00.001-07:00

This apron is reversible---I received it from Amy via a swap sponsored by Lucy at the Sassy Apron Swap. I think it looks like a sassy little sundress! This apron is THE BOMB!

This is another apron from a swap at Backportch Friends, an online group of quilters that I have been a part of for going on 3 years! My swap partner, Liz, made me this gardening apron using Debbie Mumm fabric. I'm wearing the gardening gloves and holding the green bean seeds she sent me.

The rest of the aprons shown here are ones that I had made for a craft show back in December. The bottom hems all sport decorative stitching and are lined with a muslin backing.

Art I Knitty?

2008-03-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio (AP) - March 10, 2008 -- No, that's not a hallucination. That pear tree is wearing a sweater.

Wrapped around the trunk is a colorful, crazy-quilt skin made up of panels of yarn knitted individually by residents and visitors alike. Good-luck charms cling to the yarn. Family photos, poems and jokes peek out of knitted pockets.

The art project in this southwest Ohio village, already known for its offbeat art, has become a conversation piece and even a photo op.

Who are the Jafagirls of Yellow Springs, Ohio? See the incredible slideshow of the KnitKnot tree.

Art Doll Swap and a CONTEST

2008-03-27T01:21:00.000-07:00

Art Doll Swap via Swap-bot to my partner, Crafty Joan from Italy. The object was to create a doll of our own choosing...and this is what I created. I used scrap fabric and sewed it to muslin to create fabric for this dollie. All her seams are on the outside and her face is handstitched on felt encircled with little glass hexagon beads. Her body is bunched up so that she can sit on a shelf because her booty is 'poochy'.

Following is newly added content on March 28th

Truthfully, her doll face is the only thing that came out like I wanted...I think she has a mischevious expression. But the rest of her--well, I wasn't really satisfied with the end result. In restrospect, if I could redo some things, I'd take the beading off her face, and give her longer fabric hair. I'd also make her more primitive looking and tatter her clothes a bit. And probably make her torso a bit longer, however my aim was to work with whatever shape my 'created fabric' came out to be, which in this case, was an oblong triangle.

I have to remind myself that this was after all, an Art Doll and that it doesn't necessarily have to be symmetrical in design. What I wanted to create was a worn-out looking "rag doll" that had been loved and played with by a child, who's mother would have fashioned the dollie out of scraps of fabric too small to use in a postage stamp quilt, but fabric too precious to throw away...very Great Depression-esque. That's how my Granny was and how I am like her...we don't want to throw those little scraps away. So the created fabric was my invention for reutilizing the scraps.

CONTEST

Ahhh the creative process...I guess this means I'll have to make another "Art Doll". And I guess that calls for a CONTEST! For those who would like an opportunity to win the new "Art Doll" I will create---please leave a comment with your critique of the doll in the photo above and what you would change about her. Please don't worry about hurting my feelings---I believe this will help me, not hurt me. So fire away! The deadline for leaving a comment will be April 25th and the winner will be chosen by random drawing. The winning comment will be used to fashion the drawn winner's "Art Doll". You will be contacted via email if you are the winner...so of course, leave your email address in your comment if you are not responding via your blogger id. Thanks!

I hope Crafty Joan likes her...I didn't name her, I figured Joan could do that since the dollie will be with her for awhile. I had her for quite awhile, way past the deadline because I couldn't decide what else to do to her because I felt like she was unfinished...but eventually I had to put her in a bubble envelope and send her on her way to her new home in Italy.

This was my last swap that I had committed to...Robino, my husband, said I had to stop with the swaps until I after our move to Texas...I bargained with him because I knew I couldn't wait that long and made a deal that I would get a part-time job to supplement my hobbies/swaps. That postage does add up--now to find a J-O-B!

I also have a quilt retreat to prep for in May---stuff to make, such as: a baby quilt, 3 pincushions, a mini-quilt & 4-inch double pinwheel blocks in a 30s print (I can't remember how many blocks I need though!), so I better get to crankin' these things out. Not to mention the goodies I want to make for my roomies...Conni, Laura, & Sandi.

I love me some aprons!

2008-03-25T16:01:00.000-07:00

I "borrowed" these links from Kate at her blog Kalico Kate for a few great pattern resources.

Pillowcase apron
Vintage Scrappy Apron
Little Girls Monogramed Apron
Dishtowel Apron
Recycled Denim Apron

New apron photos coming soon...I have to find my camera...I think it got left behind at my cousins house on easter Sunday.

Stay tuned!

I'm Sparkle-worthy!

2008-03-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by my Quilting Sister, Conni with

"The Sparkle Award!"

Now it's my turn to tag someone with the Sparkle Award!

Hmmmm, well I can't tag Conni back, even though she sparkled my day, so I reckon I'll pick on somebody else!

Margaret, you've been sparkled!

BIG MOVE NEWS

2008-03-24T08:19:00.000-07:00

So Robino got the news that we will be relocating for his new job. I have been waiting for this with great anticipation because I am ready for a fresh start.

Although I did some traveling as an adult outside of the US, I am currently living in the same neck of the woods where I was born and raised! So much for 'getting the heck out of Dodge' until now! Drumroll please!

Am I excited? Oh heck yes! Although I love my family and the beautiful Bluegrass state, I have always known that I've never been content to live, work and die in the same place my whole life. Now my Granny on the other hand, was the type of person content to never move from the house she and my Pappaw had lived in since the 1960's.

So I have already begun another blog to document our exploration of the Borderland area. I'm just trying to figure out how to link it to this blog! I'll still keep this blog going because after all, this is

THE QUILTERHOOD!

And we have to get together somewhere don't we?!

Taking Another Internet Break!

2008-02-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

I came to the conclusion that I've got to TAKE MY LIFE BACK! Because right now I am just way too overcommitted and stressing myself out--I am not an A-Type personality and I am not a multi-tasker. But our society drives us to fit into that mold.

I made a list of things this morning that are time wasters for me...granted it was only a list of 10 things, but the top 2 were TV and the Internet. And one of the major things I do when on the Internet is surf! As you can see from my blog roll in the side bar, I practically mention every blog I visit because I don't want to forget places I've been so I can revisit in the future.

So in order for me to get back on track from this derailment, I've decided to eliminate TV and I went ahead and canceled my cable starting tomorrow. My husband and I had decided to do this during our last budget meeting, but I had been putting it off because I really didn't want to give it up!

I feel like I need to get back to the basics of life---for me. I used to do journal writing everyday and as a result my thinking was clearer and focused. Too many swap commitments and other time wasters like the TV and Internet have gotten me off the path for my life because I'm either vicariously living through others or trying to keep up with everyone else and accumulate more stuff. For me having too much excess in my house and in my mind makes me an inefficient person. Also I think I may have some ADD issues! I wish I could put LOL on that last statement but I think it may be true.

I know this is a downer to read and not a very crafty blog entry...but I've got to get MY life back and start living it, instead of letting it slip through my hands like sands in the hour glass---thank the Lord I'm not hooked on soap operas too!

So my bloggin' buddies who may be reading this and wondering if I fell off the face of the earth----I just needed to step back and reasses my life, my goals, and how my time is spent. Time is something I won't get back once it's gone and so I won't be blogging for awhile---not sure how long, but i hope you understand. I probably won't answer emails right away either because I really just want to eliminate things that tempt me to waste time...i.e. even getting on the computer to check something as innocent as emails----which link to other stuff and then it turns into a surfing frenzy!!!!!!

Nos vamos! See you later!

Craftiness, not quilting, that I've been up to since my last post

2008-02-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

Exactly 6 months from now, I'll be another year older! So here's the crafty countdown to 38 on 08-08-08! Had this LocaChica notion to get a tattoo of a needle and thread or something crafty like that. I told you it was a crazy idea. I wanted one when I was in my early 20's, but chickened out. Then with the resurgence of tattoo popularity...kinda gets you to thinking! My husband would probably agree to a tattoo before he would a baby! I want one of those too! My second attempt at crocheting a cotton dishcloth, and I have to say this one turned out much better than my first attempt. This one also turned out a little larger than i had expected 9x9 and it also has a twin that was sent with it to my swap partner. I hope she likes this cornflower blue...although I think it kinda looks lavender in this photo.

This is pin was created for my swap partner Kiva over at Musings of a Southern Girl at Heart blog. She and I were partnered up via Swap-bot for the 4LOVEofNOTIONS Pin Swap for Quilters and Sewers.
This is one of 2 cards I made one morning while drinking my coffee...love me some early morning coffee with hazelnut creamer...mmmm! Usually I get up to fix coffee and Robino's lunch for the day at 5 -ish when he goes to work.

I tend to have these creative bursts of energy...so I do one of two things ... clean or create ... sometimes I go back and forth between the 2 tasks with pretty good results of getting something accomplished. I wouldn't say I'm a multi-tasker type...I'm that other type who compulsively has multiple things going at once...but I'm not sure what the proper terminology is for that person, i.e. me.

Then I get sleepy because I'm a night owl and I probably didn't go to bed until midnight or later the night before...so then I take a nap and wake up 2 or 3 hours later wedged in between 2 weiner dogs who've crawled under the covers with me!

Ok so off that tangent and back to my play-by-play of my card creation. I started off by playing around with an heart embroidery stitch across the middle of the card that I did on my sewing machine. I had super light blue thread in the spool and bobbin, so that inspired the direction for the color motif here. Then I made a heart of blue ribbon, sewed on some glass beads to cover the base of the heart where it had a ragged edge. I also sewed beads in the center of all the hearts. Then I just went crazy with a blue sakura pen...and he rest is history. If I make a set of these cards I may sell them on Etsy....hmmmm.

Now aren't these 2 fun looking cupcake magnets? Well, they're actually one and the same, because I reconfigured the top one and made him into the bottom one. The top one kinda looks like a church lady....use your imagination here, I know it's a cupcake in leapard print.

But for some reason I wanted to glam her up with glitter and pink/white feathers in her cap. But the cupcake took matters into its own cupcake hands and changed genders on me AND turned into a pimp!

Quilting Month Progress

2008-02-03T18:24:00.000-07:00

I received this rag doll, affectionately named "Christie Anne" mailed to me from my Quilting Sister, Conni. I think she's absolutely adorable! So "Christie Anne" inspired me to create these 2 lovely gals who are named in honor of my neice "Anna Kate" who was stillborn on January 19th. I created 2 dollies for each of Anna Kate's big sisters: Ally, 4 and Abby 18 months.
I started late on February 1st and finished sewing up the dollies on February 2nd. I didn't use a pattern to create these dollies, I just drew on muslin eyeballing the "Christie Anne" doll as a model. Then cut out the shapes of the head, torso, arms, and legs seperately then turned them inside out, stuffed and sewed the parts together.

The background fabric that the dollies are laying on is what I am using to make dresses for the dollies right now---when finished I'll post pictures of the dolls with their clothes on! I started on the dollie dresses on the 3rd...also without a pattern, but I've run into some snags, so I hope to finish up on the 4th and get that posted for your viewing/comments. I used Ricky Tims Razzle Dazzle sparkley blue thread to secure the buttons--I thought it was a nice touch since Anna Kate is in heaven now and she has a perpetual sparkle in her eyes now.

February is Quilting Month

2008-02-01T21:43:00.000-07:00

I'm so motivated by the newest challenge from SewMamaSew to get my butt off this computer so much and back to my creative passion and really what this blog is all about!

For more info about February is Quilting Month you can go here because I can't get the darn button in my sidebar to work right! Plus I'm a little cranky and don't want to fool with it this late at night!

So stay tuned for my 29 day quilting extravaganza---my goal is to crank out some progress from the Pfaff 2134 everyday or by hand---probably just better be honest and say unless it's a stitchery or mending, I won't be sewing by hand, so who am I foooling when I say I'm going to sew by hand?!!!

Ciao my sewing/quilting/crafty chicas and chicos!

Doll Quilt Swap Blocks

2008-01-16T08:05:00.000-07:00

Ok, so the name of this blog is The Quilterhood, so I thought amidst all this crochet I'd throw in something quilty that I've been working on for a Doll Quilt Swap organized by Christine at Liberty Star Farms via Swap-bot. 12 blocks measuring 3.5 inches each...my partner requested red and white blocks...obviously. And I think they came out kinda perty! This is a closeup of the bottom left-hand corner block. I love how the WOW (white on white) fabric has a swirly design just like the red fabric!

Getting Creative with Crochet

2008-01-16T07:57:00.000-07:00

What happens when you're on a 2 day roadtrip and no pattern to follow? Well you start getting creative with your crochet! I dare the crochet cops to stop me now...whaaahhhhaaaa!

Dishcloth Swap Received

2008-01-13T16:21:00.000-07:00

The recent Dishcloth Swap I participated in yielded these lovely treasures from my swap partner, Ruth. She did an awesome job...don't you think? Want to join in on the next Dishcloth Swap...check it out here. , so hurry, signups close on January 14th. But not to worry if you miss it, because Liberty Star Farm is hosting several, here, here, and here...and last but not least, here.

Dishcloth Swap

2008-01-08T14:39:00.000-07:00

Christine from Liberty Star Farm hosted a dishcloth swap over on Swap-Bot and the only requirements were that the dishclothes had to be knitted or crocheted with 100% cotton yarn. Thankfully size was not one of the requirements!!!

Christine was such a sweetheart to send me a videotape on how to knit--since I had expressed my desire to learn to knit; but due to time and circumstances, I wasn't able to view the tape and knit my dishclothes in time for the swap. So drawing on some past crocheting experience, I bought me a hook (size 8) and got to work. Hopefully my swap partner, Chelsae will like the color and overlook the workmanship! I have to say though, that the more I hooked up this yarn, I learned the need for looser tension on the yarn and that I have to count my chains! Duh!!! On the next swap I hope to improve even more and finally knit some dishclothes!

The one on the left was actually my second attempt and it looks ok in the photo, but it actually is a little dome-shaped in the middle, probably because I began crocheting in a circle and thought I was making a really cool design by going into a square shape.

One things for sure...these dishclothes came out wonky shaped, but they're still functional! :-D
The little loops in the lower right hand corner are for hanging them to air dry since I was told by this lady at Hobby Lobby, that these can get sour smelling if they don't dry out good between uses.

2008 looks great!

2008-01-01T19:13:00.000-07:00

Resolutions and Goals for the upcoming year...

1. Create/Sew/Cook/Write/Paint...one or all everyday.
2. Blog everyday
3. Get a part time job
4. Enroll full time in college classes
5. Put down wood floors in our house
6. Paint 3 bedrooms and master bath
7. Flip the house and sell it by August/September 2008
8. Get website up and running
9. Pay off visa, mastercard and 2 dept. store credit cards
10. Remember family birthdays by sending cards and little gifties
11. Menu plan and do frugal grocery shopping
12. Limit TV watching to 1 hour per day
13. Balance my checkbook and be a better home manager

Taking an Internet Break!

2007-12-18T04:14:00.000-07:00

Since we are leaving for Massachussetts to spend the holidays with my inlaws, I have decided to take a break from the Internet--i.e. blogging, emails, swapping updates, etc. I got the idea from VeganRuthie who is taking a fast from the Internet...great concept!

So you won't get a response from me until January 2008 unless I find a WIFI place while out and about, or we get snowed in....we are going to the New England area!!! "Oh I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!"

I totally love snow...we don't get much in this part of Kentucky, so when it does snow...I act like such a big kid getting all giddy and running outside to catch snowflakes on my tongue. Another reason I have such a fondness for snow stems from the cleansing power of God's love I have found in the scripture from Isaiah 1:18. It reminds me of God's mercy and forgiveness and His grace. All things I need everyday...so appropriate to remember this time of year when the Savior's birth is celebrated!

"...Though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them whiter than snow..."

Goals I hope to accomplish while on Christmas vacation: Updates below in blue

Bond with my stepdaughter, Dalisha Family time together included: bowling, out to eat a couple of times, played Monopoly, couple of family dinners and we got to meet her boyfriend Dennis. On a good note, I bought her some Christmas presents that she actually liked--she even said so!

Get my Pfaff serviced at Quilts-n-Treasures in East Longmeadow, where I bought it and get a tutorial on how to use the embroidery component! Yeah, it was under warranty and I didn't have to pay anything, but it wasn't ready for pickup until Jan 4th, thus delaying our departure from Mass.

After Christmas shopping with my mother-in-law, Dalila--our favorite pasttime Didn't get to do too much of this...she was working and we were on the go visiting family.

Learn to knit Still in the process!

Work with my IT brother-in-law, Saul to get my website up and running Check out our results so far!

Make snow angels Not enough snow and also I forgot about this one!

Visit NYC--never been and want to go sightseeing Had the opportunity to go the weekend before New Years and stay at Robino's Uncle Frank's girlfriend's apt in Brooklyn, but Robino got the flu...so I played nursemaid!

Learn some more Spanish since I'll be in the midst of all Spanish speaking people "Poderoso sel Senor!"

Pick up some more Puerto Rican recipes for my reportoire Soncocho (Spanish stew made with yucca, malanga, yautia, nam`e, green bananas, calabasa, habichuelas, sofrito, and smoked pork bones for flavoring) I bought all the ingredients at the Spanish market in Mass. since most of these ingredients aren't available in Kentucky. I made a big pot of it on Thursday...mmmmmm good!

Get some swap UFOs done...i.e. stitcheries, quilt blocks, knitted washclothes, ATCs I reconnected with my crocheting past and knocked out 2 washclothes and a waterbottle cozy--see photos in a recent post.

Take some brisk walks with the Doxies around the historic neighborhood where my MIL lives Ok, so the weaher was pretty nippy up in the Northeast and the Doxies don't have awhole lot of meat on their bones...so we didn't go far. And besides, Beulah is in that "stubborn-I'm-not-going-if-I-don't-want-to-even-if-you-tug-on-this-leash" stage!

Read this book I got at the library by Debbie Macomber: "The Shop on Blossom Street"---I'm already on page 13---it's gonna be a fast read! It has been a long, long time since I read a novel and so far, I am on page 223 of 408---I'm not a fast reader.

Sing karaoke I got to do this and sang an old Stevie Wonder song duet with Robino--fun!

Take lots of pictures Didn't do too much of this, but I got a few interesting shots--see recent post.

Warm up by the fireplace Nobody had one!

Bond with my husband...reminesce about our first Christmas together when we were dating back in 2003 Ummm, well, we reminesced, but we didn't visit any of our dating places...maybe this summer when we go back for the family reunion.

Enjoy my husband's family and spread lots of joy! Got to spend some time with folks I'd met before and some I'd met for the first time, overall it was ok, but there's no place like home...

SWAPS goin' on!

2007-12-11T11:55:00.000-07:00

You can click on the title of this post to take you to the first swap I'm hosting over at Swap-Bot:

4LOVEofNOTIONS--Handmade Pins4Sewers/Quilters

The last day to signup/drop from the swap is January 1, 2008
The date items must be sent by is February 4, 2008

The second swap I created is:

DOXIE LOVERS UNITE #1

The last day to signup/drop from the swap is December 26, 2007

The date items must be sent by is January 9, 2008

Of course it's obvious why I wanted to do this...I'm a proud parent as all Doxie mamas and daddys are!

Ruthie got her apron!

2007-12-10T23:08:00.000-07:00

Now that the apron swap is over and my partner has received her apron...I will post pics of the one that I made for her. Here is moi modeling it and yes that is Beulah in the background!

This is a closeup of the front pocket...Ruthie models it much better over at her blog...click on the title of this post and it will take you to her blog!
This is a totally original embroidery created just for VeganRuthie...it says: Veganlicious

This is a closeup of the ruffled bottom edge of the apron...as you can see i reversed the ruffle fabric for contrast. The floral fabric is vintage 1960's from my Granny's basement...and the pink is Wal-mart $1.00 bin, but is a super soft and thick cotton!

I got my Apron Swap from Ruthie!

2007-12-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

I got the bestest apron in the mail today from my swap partner Ruthie! Can you imagine my joy today when I got this surprise in the mail today! This a-door-uh-ble little embroidery was attached to the apron...see photo below of me and the Doxies posing!

Ruthie made it from a pillowcase and I just love, love, love the stripes! Soooo yummy!

My first craft show!

2007-12-03T05:10:00.000-07:00

My first entrepreneurial venture! Dickens on Main Street, Vine Grove, Kentucky. I was so keyed up that I didn't sleep the night before...plus I was nervous wondering if I had enough stuff to sell, so I stayed up sewing, pricing items, packing all my stuff into plastic containers.

Another view of my corner vending spot.

In the center of this photo are the 15 aprons I sewed up (2 of them are being modeled below)---and I didn't sell not one! That was a little disappointing, but this was a small show in a small town, so I didn't take it personally that no one bought an apron.

An up close view of my main table. I got a corner spot and right in front of the door.

My favorite photo of the whole event...my mom and me sporting our aprons! This was the first time we had done anything together--just the 2 of us, in a long time! My mom is the family caretaker for the 2 Grannys who live with her, my dad is a big kid himself, and her 3 + 2 in the oven, grandkids. So to have her all to myself made me feel so special. Even though I didn't make a monetary profit for the day, I gained so much more emotionally just having this time with her!

Take it Further Challenge

2007-11-26T17:54:00.000-07:00

Sharon B at her blog "in a minute ago" is hosting a monthly challenge: What ever you choose to do, you need to blog your development of the idea through the month (preferably weekly) and to leave a comment here with your web address so that people can visit your site and see what you have done. a link to this challenge page

Things that make me smile

2007-11-21T07:27:00.000-07:00

Various forms of "Puppy Love"

This is why Buddy's nickname is Mr. Licky-Licky

why brown is one of my favorite colors--Robino & Beulah

Buddy & Beulah nesting

Buddy is always bathing Beulah with his licky-lickiness...anytime, anyplace...even at the cafe place!

Apron Links

2007-11-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

APRON PATTERNS AND INSPIRATION----borrowed from Rhonda Jean's blog, down--to--earth

Beginner’s apron tutorial
Vintage apron patterns
Scalloped apron
Types of aprons
Plain apron
Apron patterns
Vintage apron photos
Apron story
Crossover apron
The Alice apron
Old fashioned aprons, these are lovely
A variety of aprons

Cookie Recipes Galore!

2007-11-21T03:00:00.000-07:00

Chronicle Books holiday sale!

2007-11-19T12:29:00.001-07:00

Chronicle Books holiday sale!,
originally uploaded by susanstars.

I love books and don't have time to check out their selections right now, but I wanted to save this to my blog so I won't forget to look at it later!

Things I learned about myself from filling out a profile on Swap Bot

2007-11-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

About Me
Renaissance Woman, Wife to Robino, Blonde, Entrepreneur, Mom to Buddy & Beulah, Cookbook Collector, Stand-up Comedienne, Outdoorsy, Artist, Quilter, Chef, Retiring in Puerto Rico...10 years and counting!

Favorite Crafts
Quilting, Garment Sewing, Embroidery, Punchneedle,Dolls & Softies, Photography, Mixed Media Arts: fabric, paper, wood, paint, ephemera. Turning found items into art...another way to say it: Reinventing uses for otherwise tossed out stuff

Favorite Books
I really like to read/collect books and these are my current faves:
"Sew Subversive" and "Subversive Seamster" by Alvarado, Meng, & Rannels
"Simple Sewing" by Lotta Jansdotter
"Craft Inc." by Mateo Ilasco
"The Cute Book" by Aranni Aronzo
"The Crafter's Companion" by Anna Torborg
"The Impatient Embroiderer" by Jayne Emerson
"Hip to Stitch" by Melinda A. Barta
"Around the Quilt Frame" by Kari Cornell
"What I Learned From God While Quilting" by Ruth McHaney Danner with Cristine Bolley
"How to Start a Home-Based Craft Business" by Ken Oberrecht
"Three Dimensional Embroidery Stitches" by Pat Trott
"Home Cheap Home" by Budget Living
"Felt Wee Folk" by Salley Mavor

Favorite Television
Ugly Betty, Project Runway, Grey's Anatomy, What Not to Wear, That 70's Show, Men in Trees, King of Queens

4letterWords that tell a story
LiveGive Bath Sing CookBook BakeMake Love Dogs Host Meal Send Mail Blog List Swap Find Fire Wood SnowGrow Tree Good ViewBlue Buen Vida

Colors
any shade of green or blue (anytime of year), orange & brown (in the fall), hot pink, teal & lime (in the summer time), red is my signature color...my car, coat, gloves, shoes, business card, dishes, apron, furniture, dogs (i have 2 doxies)

Things I like
miniature dachshunds, funky socks, being generous, recycling/recrafting, laughing/smiling/joking, aprons, creating recipes, Jesus, feeding people (it's how I nurture), smelly good candles, postcards,anything handmade...NOT "Made in China", gardening, ocean/beach/Puerto Rico, dollies, stuffed bears/other handmade creations, being married to my best friend, coupons, Moscato wine, frugal living, being a girlie girl, vintagey stuff, being organized, the Good Will, swaps, coffee, maps, the true meaning of Christmas, snow and a big pot of soup, the colors of fall

Things I don't like
depression, evil, waste, strife, fear (the kind that keeps you from living the life you were born to live), Suduko, and living in a "box"--not literally, but metaphorically, I actually live in a real house...my attempt at being funny is when nobody laughs at my sarcastic humor!

My Wish List
A dress form, have crafty friends, go to design school, write a cookbook, learn how to knit, have a baby, design clothes for women with curves, spend less money, own a restaurant with a mountain view in Puerto Rico, live in Europe (check the block--projected move date is late 2008), finish flipping our house and sell it for more than we bought it for, before we move!

Active Pursuit of an Uncluttered Life

2007-11-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

On a personal note, I feel compelled to share some changes I've made to my life recently. As a result of being influenced by Rhonda Jean's blog "Down to Earth", which led to reading other blogs as well; I have begun persuing a simpler lifestyle and a more thrifty one at that.

The small changes I've started doing are recycling my plastics, newspapers, glass & metal containers. I joined my local freecycle and gifted some clothes that were too big for me, but just right for someone else who needed them for a new job. Also, on freecycle, I was gifted some lumber and wooden shutter closet doors from a house remodel that I'm going to reinvent into a garden bench and arbor...just as soon as I get a saw! Also, I have vowed not to BUY anything for Christmas...it's going to be handmade!

Why the change? I've always detested buying craft items or anything that has got a little sticker on the bottom of it stating: Made in China. I'm not prejudice against Asian factory workers, but rather against the gross overspending consumerism that has changed our society into a bunch of wasteful credit card zombies! Me included!

Robino and I have always talked about living simpler and we have raised our own garden in summer's past, as well as, recycling. But we want to go beyond that and quit acquiring more Stuff for the sake of having Stuff! This has always been a problem for a pack rat such as myself. But getting a littler older and wiser has taught me that Stuff doesn't fulfill your life. So I am now in active pursuit of uncluttering my life.

Taking the leap into dot com world

2007-11-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

Currently I'm trying to set up my website for the quilterhood dot com. I got a domain name, but I am just clueless when it comes to HTML and understanding all the rest of the jargon necessary to do this thing.

To kickstart my new business venture, Renaissance Quilting Company, I'm doing my first craft show on December 1st and I have the business cards already printed with the website on them...now how's that gonna look when someone checks out the website to order a custom quilt or a cutie apron and all they find is...well click on the link and you'll find out!

So I enlisted the help of my local library for a 'Dummies' book to check out on creating your own website. Meanwhile, if anyone who reads this has any advice about setting up a website......HELP! I've got too many purty fabric items to create to spend my time learning something that comes naturally to an IT person.

Thanks for letting me vent.

The newest addition to our family

2007-10-23T04:13:00.000-07:00

Beulah officially joined our family on Saturday, October 20th. She is a 6 month old Miniature Dachshund just like her "big brother" Buddy. She has a lobster claw paw on her front paw (the left one in the photo). When we adopted her, the paw didn't seem to impair her walking. But we took them for a long walk on the pavement and I think she bruised the padding because it is red and she has been limping ever since Saturday. So off to the vet we go!

Quilting Sister Package

2007-10-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

These are pics of the apron I created for my QS, Conni. It is a reversible apron, here being modeled by moi. If you'll notice the embellishments on the pockets: sequins and ribbons, those are my clever coverups for boo-boos I made when my embroidery machine decided to sit in one place!

Also, today I got a quiltilicious package in the mail from Conni. We send each other one package per month with a different "theme" each month. October was "Apronista" month and a small stitchery kit. We always throw in other goodies as well. For instance, I received a beautiful fall leaf apron, a Yankee Harvest candle and candle holder, a yummy fat quarter bundle of autumnal fabrics, along with a cutie stitchery pattern from Chestnut Junction and the supplies to create it.