THINGS THAT I FOUND

I was looking for something else, and came across 3 count em 3 New York Beauty quilts in the works. Okay.. one of them isn't pictured.. but I remembered that it existed. But I had completely forgotten about these. One of them has black backgrounds with cotton lame' spires. the other is a patriotic with an applique. Geeze.. just call me A.D.D. Girl. You would think I could stick with one thing until it is finished. I have a couple of finished tops that would be finished quilts if I could get around to getting backs ready. But then, that's no guarantee, because I have had a quilt basted for at least a year... I'm pathetic. I only found these because I was looking for a black zippered folder that has important stuff in it.. I have know idea where it is, but all the search is doing is finding more distractions for my already scattered brain.

FINISHING A UFO SUNDAY

Last night I was cleaning off the big area on my sewing table so I could quilt a UFO that has been basted and folded for a year.. at least. I came across a box with pre cut and partially sewn squares . I figured that it would be really easy to finish, so I started chain piecing until I ran out of bobbin thread. Then I went to bed. I pieced a few blocks together and even as I look at the picture, I can see that I didn't even do that right. And I didn't even notice it until now. There must be a trick to all of this. The pattern directions aren't very explicit. Now I have to make sure that I sew the blocks together correctly.. I wasn't planning on having to think.. darn! I should have made it in mulitple colors, then it wouldn't have been hard to assemble. I do still like making 'utility quilts', I like to wrap up in a quilt on the couch on a cold evening. I still have kids and a husband that like "Useable" quilts. Someone else can quilt this puppy. I'm not proud.

It was a beautiful day here yesterday. Bill and I went to Amishland. I bought some blacks at Miller's Dry Goods. We ate at Mrs. Yoders. It was over 50 degrees and sunny. I only had to wear a sweater. It was wonderful. Today it is cold windy and rainy, just like my friend Gail in Illinois said the weather was like there yesterday. Thanks Gail.. you were right.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTHEW

Twenty three years ago today, my first child and only son Matthew was born. Seeing his age in print really makes me feel old! Matt weighed 10 pounds 15 oz. The preggers picture of me is over a month before his arrival!! I sure don't look like the girls walking around pregnant today, I have this loose little maternity top with a collar and a little ribbon tie.. awww.... Matt is a wonderful young man. He was always a very sweet and sensitive child. He works 2 jobs and goes to college. My husband's employer dropped the age that they will offer insurance coverage, so Matt will lose his insurance on Feb. 1. He just called me to discuss different insurance options. They sent the COBRA information.. and they want over $300.00 a month to cover him. We are between a rock and a hard place. We all work, so we can't get it for free, but we surely don't make enough to pay for insurance like that. And with paying college tuition for 3, we can't pay it for him. So we will have to look around for something affordable that he can get. Two years from now, we will be in the same position with my twin daughters. Hopefully, they will all be able to get decent jobs that will offer insurance.

Let's see.. I went to my favorite bead store that was having a sale. I got out with $45.00 worth. I bought beads that go with my gradations for my new quilt. I plan to use them somewhere on it. they are micro seed beeds and I am sure they will drive me nuts trying to sew them on. I got these incredibly thin needles, but, who knows if the nymo will even fit through. I may abandon the whole idea.

Bill and I are going down to Amishland tomorrow. The weather up here is holding up well, and our favorite truck farm is opening up after a winter break. They have great baked goods. I really have to work on my miniatures so that I can get them finished by the time guild rolls around. That's about it. I hope that you all gave a great weekend!

DARN

My first quilt in competition. It's third show and first (and maybe last) win. So, what do I know.. I get my quilt home today. I open it up.. 2 blue ribbons fall to the floor. Okay.. that's weird. I write on the back of one, and write "second for some reason" on the back of the other. Hang them up in my studio beside my only other ribbon. I was wondering why there were no judges comments. I always learn something from those. There were none. Then I am talking to my friend Gail who also won a prize (bigger than mine, I might add) and she got her ribbon AND a check in with her quilt. I have e-mailed RTC. Some other quilter probably has my check. And I have her ribbon. It's an okay ribbon, but I'd rather have the money. Maybe if it was an extra PADUCAH ribbon...it might be worth it. I hope she doesn't mind that I wrote on the back of her ribbon...

FABRICS FOR MY NEWEST QUILT

These are my fabrics for my newest quilt. I am still in the planning stages. I have the main design planned, and I'm starting that, it is the secondary designs on it that I am still working on. Funny how things just pop in my head and this quilt really wanted to be made when everything fell into place quickly after I started thinking about it. I am constantly inspired by many things. Usually it is a phrase in a book, or a word or a feeling.. weird stuff. Not tactile things, unless words on a page in a book could be considered tactile..

Weird day today. I went to Barnes and Noble and Border's books. Got Excel for Dummies. And I am surely a dummy when it comes to that program. I took an online class in Excel from our local college. I passed it because I took the test after each section. But, I can't remember how to do anything in it. I hardly ever need to use it. I prefer making tables etc in Word. But when I have a work related need, I am completely at a loss. Hopefully, if I have this book, it will at least give me something to use as a reference, something I didn't get with the class.

Anyway, everyone around here is crabby, including me. I tripped on the steps AGAIN. This time outside. Fell against the steps in a "push-up" position smacking my middle on the step. So both arms hurt and my back hurts.. I'm too old for this.. I blame it on the dog.. who I was telling off at the time. At least I am not so old so when I fall, I CAN get up

I am up for a quiet evening.. hopefully my family will give me a break and not talk to me...

Crabbily yours,
Teri

NOT BAD WORK FOR AN ACCOUNTANT

My Christmas Present is a little late, but it was worth the wait. Bill made this thread chest for me. He made an Oak 6 drawer spool chest for me a couple of years ago. And I wanted something a little smaller that I could use on a table top and store all of the thread that I use to do my hand applique. I gave him a little picture of what I wanted. and ideas of how deep that I needed the drawers to be, and he made this for me. It is solid cherry.. even the drawer bottoms. the top drawer is solid pegs for spools of thread.
The center drawer is all open for loose things. And the bottom drawer is divided Horizontally for all of those longer spools. I have a few aurifils that are on long orange spools. They don't fit in any type of spool cabinet unless they are laying down.

The things that he makes for me are such treasures. I love them all. And to think I have only made him one flannel rag quilt with John Deere fabric.. Bad Teri...

I will have to think of something new to make for him. He does so much for me.

BIRTHDAY QUILTS

Please pardon the mess. I was searching for a space to put these miniature quilts so that I could show you what my Twisted Stitcher group and me have been up to. 2005 was our birthday quilt year. These are the last 3 of the year. I designed them, and gave patterns and sometimes fabric to each person in my group. They stitched the blocks, I did the Applique, and together, we pieced the tops. I will add appropriate borders and quilt and bind them, and then each will get their quilt next month. It was a very fun project. I almost hate to give up the quilts!! I have started on my new prospective show quilt. I'm pretty excited about that. Otherwise, I have been kind of lax in doing the blog the last couple of days.
Of course, you have all missed the Wacky Websites for the week! I went through and selected the best for you.
http://www.extremeironing.com/ Everything that you wanted to know about ironing
http://www.johannas-art.com/gallery1.htm This is an art site.. fantasy art from the look of it.
http://www.dogsincars.co.uk/default.asp dogs in cars for dog lovers
http://60gp.ovh.net/~cleanyou/ a free screen cleaner for cat lovers
http://www.swizzledd.com/ This woman collects swizzle sticks which proves there is something for everyone
http://www.japander.com/japander/gere.htm Did you ever hear of the commercials that our famous movie stars would do in Japan? Well, here is your chance to see what they will actually do for money.
Have a great weekend!!

ROAD TO CALIFORNIA

I got a call today. My quilt, "Skeletons From My Closet" Won first place in the art quilt wall category at Road to California!!!!! I am so excited. I wish I could be there to see it!

SAM IN A CIRCLE

Isn't this cute? I found this cropping option in my PrintShop program. It is a pic that I took of my Sam in his bed by my computer desk. I swear he's like a cat rolling up in a little ball like that. Actually, I think it IS a cat bed. The only thing that would have made this a perfect picture is if he had looked up at the camera. But then there would have been two big glowing orbs in his face..

I have been working on birthday quilts. These are some of the 2" Storm at Sea blocks that I have made for my friend Kathleen's quilt. One thing about a Storm at Sea.. it isn't as hard as it looks. Even blocks that are 2"are not very hard to do.

I spent the day bumming around by myself. I went to JoAnns for a sale.. got the rest of a bolt of wonder under with my 50% off coupon. And another set of 5 rotary blades for my small cutter which is what I use along with my add-an-eighth ruler when I do miniatures.

I went to Barnes and Noble and Borders. And I walked out with only $10. worth of stuff.

I went to a movie, which I really don't mind doing alone. That way I don't have to worry about anyone else. If I don't like the movie I can leave, if I do like it, I don't have to worry about whoever is with me not liking it. I can go really early and watch the commercial messages before the movie starts, and I can see all of the trailers for new movies. Today I saw Tristan & Isolde. It was an okay movie. It is a source of amusement for my friends and family when I profess my weakness for movie men that are dirty with long hair and swords. Well this movie was full of them. Nuff said..

Okay, the wacky Website of the day is http://oldsuperstitions.com/ I like this website. It even has an option to look up superstitions. Could come in handy I guess.

One of my days off down two to go...

GUILD NIGHT

It's guild night, and my friend Kathleen is going to talk on her progression in art. I put a crock pot pot roast in this morning. The trouble with going to work so early, is even on low, it was finished by 2pm. So I had a bowl, and put the rest in the fridge until later.

Okay.. Wacky Website of the Day.. ta da!! http://www.virtualstapler.com/
Which proves, there is something for everyone.. and I don't ever want to see someone look at me like I'm nuts when I say I need a week off to go to a quilt show every spring.

I NEVER OWNED AN 8 TRACK

Okay, today's wacky website is for you oldies but goodies that had eight track players. Bill did.. I threw a box of his tapes out (don't tell him) it was several years ago, and I know that he never missed them. http://www.8trackheaven.com/

I have spent the entire day getting everything together for my guild's workshops. I had a surprise one that I didn't know about because the information email came when Bill was sick, and I missed it. Luckily, one of my friends set it up, so she re-sent the email. And I was surprised to find out that there would be a workshop along with the lecture. But, I managed to get someplace to meet for our workshops for the rest of the year. Which is a load off of my mind. I also have the sign up list and supply list to take to guild on Thursday. I still have to get my paperwork together for George and Virginia Siciliano http://www.georgesiciliano.com/workshops.htm and for Mary Stori http://www.quilt.com/Artists/MaryStori/MaryStori.html

I am new to this stuff. I volunteered for this job, and it is a big one. It takes a lot of planning ahead. I am usually pretty good at the planning part, it is just the financial part that gives me the willies. I am not sure what to charge guild members for workshops. I don't want to put our guild in the hole because of my inexperience. But I still have some time to pull it together.

Hope you all are warm and happy. Talk to you tomorrow.

SCAN ARTIST

Okay, the wacky website of the day http://barcodeart.com/index.html

Here is the "Small Stuff" entry.. "Many of us have become so incredibly serious. We're offended easily and become bothered, irritable and uptight at the drop of a hat." I think this is a good one. I will admit.. I am guilty too often of being incredibly serious.. at least the bothered, irritable and uptight part. I am not easily offended.

And here is my cure when I am feeling especially cold and cranky... a hot chocolate topped with whipped cream... of course 1/3 of it is Bailey's Irish Cream.



A few years ago, I came across this little stuffed Zebra while I was at the grocery store. I bought it, and for reasons, I can no longer remember, I started mailing 'her' to quilting friends, who would in turn take her to quilt shows, classes, and on other adventures. They would send pictures, and I would post them in my webshots album.
I named the zebra Zelda. She has been all over the world. To many places in the U.S., France, Germany, Japan, and Guam. She has been on cruises, plane rides (first class). And she has had her picture taken with many well-known quilters. I am a slacker, or she would have met many others. If only I had remembered to take her with me. She has come home with many unusual things. Babies have shown up in my mailbox.. I know the AZ retreat people had a bad influence on her... so that is probably the reason.

She is on her way to California to the Road to California Show. She will be wearing my contestant name tag. When I unpacked her, I found a bag I forgot that I had. I packed her in that for her trip.

She is on her way there now, to travel with Suze and have her picture taken in front of my quilt and my friend Gail's quilt. Sometime I would like to send her to my friend Maree in Aus. She has never been there. You can check out pictures of her adventures at

http://community.webshots.com/album/71210818apQWbR

http://community.webshots.com/album/179247035UPMsHP

Finally, I would like to show you a picture of this little Dirt Devil that I got at a local pharmacy. It is great for defuzzing the sewing machine.

I hope that all of you have a great evening. I had a long day, and I am going to have a hot cup of soup and put my feet up. I am going through old magazines, taking out things I might use and tossing the rest. I came across some ten year old American Quilter Magazines with pictures of show winners. Several of the quilter's whose blogs I read daily were in there. I hope they know that they are aging well.

SUNDAY MOVIE

Bill and I usually go see a movie on Sunday afternoon. Today we will see Casanova. I have seen the previews, and it looks like a fun movie, without any type of social message. I don't mind movies with social messages, depending on what that message is. And considering Hollywood types usually don't want to tell me anything I care to hear, I leave the message movies for DVD rentals. It is nice to go to a movie that will just make you laugh and make you feel good when you leave.
Okay, the Wacky Website of the day is... http://colitz.com/site/wacky.htm All of you concerned about patent issues should get a kick out of this site.

Well, I'm off to the movies, have a good day!

A LITTLE APPLIQUE'

My Twisted Stitcher group has made birthday quilts for each member this year. I designed the quilts, and the blocks were pieced by all of the members. These two blocks are for two of the three last quilts. The block on the left is not trimmed. It will be 6 x 6" and it will be surrounded with green, gold, and rust log cabin blocks. the block on the right is 6" x *' purple coneflowers . I threw a penny down on the blocks to give an idea of the size of those bias stems! This block will be surrounded with bright hand dyes with black pinwheel blocks. The third quilt is the most difficult.. considering the size. It is a 2" block storm at sea. Black, and hand dyes of bright oranges and yellows. I might want to keep that one! It is great! But I don't have all of the blocks back yet so I can't show you.
Stay tuned...

FIRST UFO OF THE NEW YEAR

This is the first UFO I will finish this year. It was from an internet Block of the Month from 4 years ago called Chaos Harmony. The directions were filled with errors, and I got behind because I waited for others to find the errors and post them. It was put away and pretty much forgotten about. I only have about 4 sections to make and a border, and I will be done with the top. I have to get some of these almost-completed things finished. I have a couple finished quilt tops that I need to make into quilts. One of my guild friends has been selling us her finished quilt tops, and finished quilts. I can't say that I am ready to do that, but, you never can have to many quilts to wrap around you on a cold evening. Okay, maybe you can. But I don't have that problem right now. My biggest problem is having too much fabric in every storage area available. I don't want to pitch it, or give it away, so I have to do something with it. I am going to start all of this by getting off of the computer and getting busy.