A Glorious Day!!!

I have so much to say (type) and my mind is going about a gazillion miles an hour!!!

Here we go...

I think I posted about this a long time ago. I was given two quilt tops by my (then) MIL. This was back in the mid-70's. Both are very large...a log cabin that is not pretty and this crazy quilt top, which measures ~78" square...


It was made in the 1940's. I've never done anything with it...just dragged it around with me all these years...sometimes it's been packed away, and sometimes it's been sitting around on a bench. Never used it. While at my LQS one day, I asked the owner about who to talk with about my crazy quilt. She offered to call a woman for me. Next thing I knew, I was signed up for a 'learn how to crazy quilt' class.

That class was this morning. So, I hauled my little sewing machine, (the worthless piece of junk) and the crazy quilt to the LQS this a.m. I think the teacher was disappointed in me, as I didn't have a specific crazy quilt project in mind...I just wanted to learn how to do it in case I ever wanted to do it. AND, that I was really only there to find out how to repair and finish my crazy quilt. ohwell.

And, by the way, the crazy quilt teacher thought that the fabrics were much older than when they were used...closer to the turn of the century. WOOHOO! The silk pieces are shredded. Did you know that silk used to be spun with metal in it...cuz it was sold by the pound? Now, there's something that you'll rest better tonight knowing. ~grin~

I think I turned out quite a nice little (8x10) block, don't you? I hated to disappoint her further, so I made a plan to make a pillow with it. Bought some fabric (twigs & berries) and I'm set. Isn't it interesting...I just dug into her big box and these were the colors that I grabbed...they are the ones that grabbed me. My colors. Mary (who works at the LQS) laughed at me, cuz I always whine talk about how I struggle with color. The only thing is...and that's why I chose a green for the border/back of the pillow...that there is only one piece of green in the block. I love green.

I need to do the hand-stitching on the seamlines and, perhaps, some embellishing. Will show you when it's completed.
While selecting my fabric, Mary asked me if I knew about their 'bag' deal. See the bag below? Purchase it for $7.00 (it's big, too...~13x16" and expands 4" or more) and you have a very nice heavy plastic tote with zipper closure for all your stuff. Any stuff. BUT! If you come in to shop on Monday (any Monday) and bring the bag, you'll receive 25% off one item. COOL!!!! Gosh, you'd make up that $7.00 really quickly! So. I bought one. Easy sale. My quiltalong quilt batting will definitely be purchased on a Monday. My Mama didn't raise no dummy!

Stopped at Joann Fabrics to buy some bias tape and brightly colored buttons for the clothes I'll be sewing for Kaylynn. Pillow forms were 40% off! YAY! Got me some perle cotton, too...so I'm all set to finish my crazy quilt block pillow.

AND. A lady at work ran across this puffy (sorry, not sure what the real name is) quilt and thought I might like it. All that needs to be done is to finish sewing the cording/bias fabric around the outside...looks to be about 1/4 done. It currently resides in the trunk of my car, cuz ya just never know where it has been. It may end up in Colorado...the colors are those my sister, Julie, likes.

AND, when I got home I read an email that has me positively jumping with excitement! Cannot share it with you, yet. Sorry.
I mailed out Bren's birthday box, Jo's swap box and Kathleen's pattern.
oh! oh!! oh!!! I used the coolest (okay, the hottest!) iron today!! You leave it laying in a horizontal position (rather than upright, ya know?) and these little things come out to lift it off the ironing board. I don't remember the brand name...but how cool was that!!! You just touch the handle and the little thingies retract. I giggled every time I used it! I own a little $7.00 iron from Wal-Mart. haha!

edited at 10 p.m.to add: found the iron...

Auto-lift Technology

Touch the Iron, and it instantly lowers.

Let go, and it automatically lifts safely above the fabric.

Iron can remain in a safe, stable, horizontal position

on the ironing board at all times.

cool, hey???

There you have it. My Glorious Day!



PS My 2 year blogoversary is in 4 days (see it over on my sidebar)!!! Watch for giveaways! Yes, I said giveaways...as in more than one. Plural. At least two. Maybe more. Probably three. Something for everyone. No, not something for everyone who enters...but something for hookers, and something for quilters, and something for stitchers...like that.

This n' That...

I took a bunch of photos today. I've been busy getting a lot done, but I am also spending time just hangin' outside...enjoying the glorious summer day.

These first two photos...just taking my daily walk around the yard, looking at what's blooming and checking on the pears, which are about 2 1/2 inches now.



After lunch, I took my scooter out and washed it off...it got very dusty sitting in the basement at the apartment building. I wrecked my knee shortly after I bought it, so I really didn't have much of a chance to try it out or to train any of the dogs. Want to know what in the heck I'm talking about? Click on this link and you'll see... http://www.dogscooter.com/

Anyway, here is a photo of the scooter...it has 20" wheels and the handlebars are set about 48" off the ground, I think. I hooked Allegra up with her x-back harness and she looked at me as if to say, "I believe you have me mistaken for someone else...I am THE Princess!"...and "You want me to do what?" Doesn't she look cute sitting there, though?

I relented and took her off the gangline. Then, I got Tag hooked up with his brand new hybrid harness...custom made...even has his name embroidered on the harness! Course, he hadn't a clue what 'line out' meant, so he kept following me as I tried to take a photo. Apparently, he doesn't know what 'stay' means, either. Doesn't he have the sloppiest sit you've ever seen? Cripes! Curt came over to see what we were doing...apparently he is a much braver person than I am...he jumped on the scooter and Tag took him for a little ride around the property (with a lot of help from Curt). YAY, Tag! LOTS of training ahead for me, for sure.

After we finished with that, Tango and I sat outside and hung out together...he's such a good ole boy.

I had dyed some woolens the other night...first time since I moved here. I was havin' fun! Here are some photos of them...I need to get them listed in my eBay store.

All in all, it's been a very good day...and it's not over yet!

It's Nine O'Clock On a Saturday...

oh. It's past 9 o'clock...and it's Sunday, not Saturday. huh. How does the weekend go by so fast???


Here's my newest mini...again, made with scraps from the quiltalong quilt. I finished handsewing the binding on last night and washed/dried it this morning. About 23 inches square, I think.


I am in love. Again. Just can't help myself.






I thought I was on the verge of making a major decision concerning my sewing/hooking projects. Had been thinking about how it must sometimes be difficult for you all to come up with different flattering words to describe my sewing/hooking pieces. I wondered if, perhaps, I should show them only when they are finished. Then you wouldn't need to comment 3 times on the same thing...when I show the fabric/pattern/whatever, when I show it partially done, and again when it's completely finished.

But. Then. I thought...what would I blog about if I did that??

So. Instead, I thought that perhaps it would be helpful for you to have a list of words to choose from each time you comment on something that
1. I am going to work on
2. I am working on
3. I have finished.

oh, no thanks is necessary...I'm happy to help out. After all, what are friends for?

Here you go (in no particular order)...
beautiful
splendiferous
beauteous
gorgeous
amazing
awesome
stunning
lovely
pretty
glorious
resplendent

There are several more favorable adjectives you could use, and please, feel free! I just grabbed these off the top of my head.

(for those of you who don't know me well, the above was typed with tongue firmly in cheek)
I really need to work on putting my sandwich together (quilt top/batting/backing) to stay on track for the quiltalong. ohyeah...and quilt it! Instead, or should I say, in addition to, I may work a bit on another project I started yesterday. I am excited about it. Alas, I cannot show you this one.

Have a great day!