Bear Paw Chronicles

WQI Meeting in Madison

2009-08-02T21:16:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I went to Madison, WI to the WQI Meeting. WQI is our state quilt guild. It is a great group of women & men. We had two lecturers Louisa Smith and Mary Stori. Both were awesome.

Louisa Smith talked about her One Patch Plus book. What an interesting concept! She has three steps to this process. One is Color - she starts with a color/quilt source. Two is the design - the quilt top and three is the theme which is embellishing for her. She uses four different types of design. They are not your normal shapes...they are kites, curved kites, curved diamond and half clam shells.

Mary Stori talked about Penny Rugs. I learned a lot about them and how to make them but unfortunately I am allergic to wool so not something I will be making but I can use some of the concepts.

I showed two of my mom's quilts at the show and tell. One was the quilt I gave her at Christmas and the other is a block of the month I finished, had quilted at Patched Works (it is so great the way it turned out!) and hand stitched the binding finishing the binding late Friday night.

I also went to Mill House Quilts in Waunakee. I had never been there but it is a great store. I really liked it and ended up buying some Christmas fabric! I can't wait to decide what to do with it.

Happy Stitching!

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-04T11:02:00.005-05:00

Yesterday I had seven of my friends come over and sew with me at my house and I had such a good time. I decided to cook for them so I made Chicken Salad, a pasta salad and taffy apple salad. Some people brought candy, others brought snacks and yet others brought dessert...you get the picture - lots of food and quilting.

I started off by making this really cute wall hanging for my Mom's cubicle at work. I should say the piece was all put together...I bought it at Scrapfest so all I had to do was put a backing and batting with it and quilt it. Wow - she will love it for work.

I also put the binding on my Mom's birthday quilt - queen size and now it's time to hand sew the binding down. I also made up two backings for two other quilts so they should be ready to go. I'm just trying to get it all done and quilted right now. So much to quilt, so little time.

Happy 4th of July!

WQI Meeting

2009-02-09T17:58:00.002-06:00

I went to the Winter meeting of WQI (Wisconsin Quilters Inc.) and they had Nancy Prince speak about thread painting in the morning and then Maxine Rosenthal and Joy Pelzmann speak about one block wonders in the afternoon.

I found Nancy Prince's very inspirational! Her work is beautiful and I found myself purchasing her thread painting book so I could learn more about it! I have done thread painting before but I learned more about it that was helpful. I started to read the book today at lunch and well I have learned more already. Maxine and Joy were very entertaining. They brought quite a few quilts and it was interesting how they cut the fabric up and put it together in a Kaleidoscope or cube shape.

They also had a UFO Challenge and they showed pieces that were completed that had been started at a previous WQI meeting where they took a workshop. Some of the items were stunning.

January Accomplishments

2009-02-02T19:35:00.002-06:00

Wow I didn't get a lot done but I did get 2589 points for Waun-a-Quilt!

Rocky Mountain High - Pieced blocks, added a border and pieced a back
Folded Wreath - Cut binding and hand bound
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - Added borders
Winter Quilt - Pieced backing and quilted
Pink Ginko Leaf Quilt - Pieced backing and quilted

So it doesn't look too impressive but at least I was able to keep track of it this month! Thanks Waun-a-Quilt! Hopefully February will be better...I did start the Pie crust topping for my pin and top stitched it! I also pieced my binding and ironed it yesterday!

Thread Painted Iris

2009-01-29T18:39:00.004-06:00

I took this class quite a while ago and had told my Mom that when I finished it she could have it. She is pretty excited about it! I think she even knows where she will put them. I don't know where the left over fabric is to bind the quilt so I think I am going to try to find more or if worse comes to worse I may use black fabric so it will look like a frame.

This quilt was quite fun to make and I really enjoyed thread painting. I would like to try thread painting again. I do have another of these pictures so that I could thread paint a second one and I could then finish it for myself....so in theory this sounds like a good idea but in practice I wonder if it will ever happen! I would love to have one of these for myself but again it's a really nice theory! I have so many other projects out there. Once I finish this one I will have completed about six on my list.

Once I finish quilting some of the other quilts I could bind them while watching TV! Now there is something I really need to do...one of these days I will hopefully get a couple of these done!

Tonight I might work on ironing the pieces for a pie pincushion! I will be making a blueberry pie pincushion. Soon people will think I have a pincushion collection. My friend Sherry made me a cupcake pincushion, another friend Wendy made me two pincushions...one is a tea cup and the other is on a pedestal. I also made some chick pin cushions with Jen at an Open Sew at my friend Wendy's church where there was an open sew day. Once I finish my pie one I will have to round them all up and take a picture of them.

You Better Not Pout...Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

2009-01-25T18:52:00.002-06:00

Friday night I went to an Open Sew Night at PW (my local quilt store). I worked on this wall hanging...You Better Not Pout...Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. I love this quilt and can't wait to finally quilt it. Again I'm not sure how I am going to quilt it. I might just quilt around the appliques and around the various borders. I had to cut down the main portion, cut the borders, and sewed them on.

This is all I worked on ... I was having fun being social. Prior to going to PW I went to dinner with two of my friends...Sherry and Sue. We went to Baker's Square. I had my favorite .... Chicken Stir Fry Pita. February 23 was National Pie Day.

The Two Projects I Worked on at PW New Year's Eve

2009-01-18T21:06:00.004-06:00

Here are the pictures I promised...

...the first one is Folded Fabric Wreath. I took it back in 2002 and had part of it completed. I decided to bind it in the teal color and it is now ready to be put on the wall or be used as a table topper. I started this one in a friend's class and it turned out so nice. It is a "winter" wall hanging. I am planning on hanging it in my bathroom next Christmas as we are having our family over.

The second one was a class called Rocky Mountain High which I took at a local technical college again in 2002. I only had to finish the piecing that goes in the border and then piece the border and sew it on. I now have to quilt it and I really don't know how to quilt it...any ideas? I am so happy that I am getting a lot of my UFO's either pieced and/or quilted. When I looked at what I had I came up with 60 quilts. There could be more in my storage shed but these are the ones that I have here. Hopefully I will get some more done on Friday when I go to my local quilt store for an Open Sew evening. Wish me luck on getting some of those UFO's done...I'll need it!

Mom's Christmas Quilt

2009-01-13T21:10:00.002-06:00

This is my Mom's Christmas present. She loves it. In fact she used it again tonight. This quilt has gotten so much use since I gave it to her.

I took her to a local quilt store and she saw it there (it was the one that Jen had made as the store sample). Anyways she said how much she loved it and I had to look away before I gave the surprise away-I already had purchased the quilt kit and pattern for Let it Snow. I gave my Mom a quilt years ago and she loved it. She really loves quilts but she is not a quilter. She appreciates all the work that goes into it a quilt!

She did not have any idea that I was working on this quilt at Jen's house. Jen quilted it beautifully so that I could surprise her on Christmas Eve when we open gifts. I was over at Jen's on the pretense that I was finishing my brother's quilt. I was but I also had to get her quilt done.

I have to say I love batiks~my Mom loves them too. Blue is her favorite color so this was the perfect quilt for her. My Dad kept the secret for at least two months. I showed him the pattern and fabric and he said she would love it. Well she did! As a side note, Emma loved it as well! She laid on it the first morning I had it home and I opened it up to show my Dad.

My Brother's Christmas Present

2009-01-08T21:50:00.003-06:00

My brother has been teasing me for years about wanting a quilt. Well for Christmas, I decided that it was about time he got a quilt. I have been quilting for over 8 years and I only made him and his wife a wedding quilt which was a signature quilt. That is a show quilt and not one that they use. His wife received a quilt when she stood up for me. I made all my bridesmaids quilts. I knew I wanted to do a Northwoods theme quilt for my brother. I had started one in flannel and knew that this would be the perfect quilt for my brother.

I gave him his quilt on Christmas Day and he said look a bear, look a moose, look a fish, look a canoe and I said look there's paddles for when you are up the creek. My brother said to his wife that he was going to put it on their bed but it is way too small. I made it so he could use it while watching TV. My brother is 6 foot tall or more so he needs a tall quilt!

As I was leaving he said to me that he wasn't sure if he would use it as the front and back are flannel and it would be awfully hot. I ignored him as only a sister can do and wished him a Merry Christmas. His wife e-mailed that he used it the next day! He loves it. I am so glad. Jen did the quilting on the quilt so that I could finish my Mom's super secret Christmas Quilt. I will put a picture of it on my blog soon...but if you want to see it you can go to Jen's blog where she has a picture.

Happy New Year

2009-01-03T20:06:00.002-06:00

Wow it has been forever since I last posted but since them I have been quite busy quilting and will be sharing a lot of my projects. I started a UFO Challenge with my quilt guild and there were 60 projects that I own that need to "get done". I have already finished about 5 of them. The one I am the most excited about was my tree skirt. Jen quilted it for me but I finally got it put together, bound and it was under the Christmas tree! I do not have a picture of it but will take one and post it eventually. I am in the process of having my laptop worked on and then I will set it up so I can download my pictures to my laptop. What a new concept! I should have been doing that all along but now that I have had this hard drive fail I will be learning new things again.

I have the ability to go wireless once it comes back so that will be fun. I have to work on the quilt room that I share with my Mom...it's her computer space so we are making room and I still can't see the top of my cutting station. I also need to get my sewing machine set up so I can sew whenever I want.

I challenged myself to try to post once a week so that is my New Year's resolution. I am hoping to keep this one! I think having the laptop up and working will really help.

New Year's Eve I went to my local quilt store and had a great time. I met Jen, Cindy and Linda as well as some other friends there and we sewed the night away. It was great fun and I was productive. I swear that every time I am sewing with Jen I am extremely productive. I picked the binding for a wall hanging, cut it, pieced it, pressed it and sewed it on. Since then I have hand sewn the binding on. I also pieced some blocks for a pieced border and put them together and put the borders on. Both projects turned out really nicely. Again soon there will be pictures of them on my blog!

I was envious...

2008-11-01T15:03:00.006-05:00

I was so envious of a friend's quilt! I had to make one. First I had to get the pattern...Jen, the friend I was envious of, told me it was Baker's Square, so I had to get my hands on that pattern. Then I loved the fabric so I was in search of the fabric. Which fabric line would capture my heart and imagination you might ask? SMORES! I had to find a layer cake so when we went to Madison that was the quest I was on. Then I needed additional fabric and the icon fabric was sold out at the quilt shop I normally go to...bummer. I searched in Madison...no go! Now what...I ventured out on the internet and there it was...the Smores fabric. I found an on-line store where I could purchase 1/2 yard cuts so I had more than enough. They also had charm packs so I bought two of those. Good thing I did because there was a little bit of a cutting fiasco with one of the major fabrics so I went into the two packs for that fabric (the rickrack fabric). So I cut the fabric to take it with me to my quilting retreat...but I decided to sew one row just to see how it looked. I ended up finishing all three of the A, B, and C rows so on retreat I only had to finish up the D rows and put them together as well as put the borders on. Here it is:

Well once that was done I then had to make a matching tote...what else is a girl to do? The only thing missing from the tote is a button on the front pocket and a friend of mine told me she had one for me. It is a snowflake, how appropriate for a Smores Charm Tote.

I still need to finish the quilt and add a button to the tote but I am much farther than when I left for quilt retreat. I sure love this fabric...thanks Jen for showing it to me.

Finally - A New Post

2008-10-26T14:44:00.007-05:00

Thank you Jen for helping me update my Blog. Jen and Jill came up with the title and Jen came up with the new look to my blog!

Last night I went over to see Jen and give her this bracelet. There are so many stories involved in this bracelet. First of all I took the class years ago with my niece and I wanted to make one for Jen for Christmas, yes that is December 2007. Well first I had to find the pattern...easier said than done in my old quilt room. Finally it was found and I thought here I go. I am going to get this made but I didn't have pink crystals. So I waited. I was going to go out and buy them but I decided to go with purple because I had them. Something told me no...wait you want pink. So I did wait. Then I moved out of my house and in with my parents, well I thought that I brought the instructions with me. I went and picked up pink crystals and couldn't find the instructions. I really didn't want to go to my storage shed and try to find them. Not wanting to mess it up I asked my mom to ask her friend at work who also had the instructions. So only 10 months later and Jen has her bracelet. I had this beauty more than halfway done when opps I don't have enough fireline to finish it so I took it all apart and started over. I am so happy with the results and Jen seems to really like it. YEAH!

Not only did I work give Jen her new bracelet but I worked on some quilt tops! I finished putting borders on two quilts that I started last weekend. Last weekend I went on a quilting retreat in Lake Geneva with two friends and I finished up a bunch of tops and made a Charm Tote. Over the next couple of days I will show pictures and blog about them...How's that.

With all that has been going on I let blogging go and well I needed a new name for my blog so here it is Bear Paw Chronicles. Again I have to thank Jen and Jill for coming up with the name. I really didn't know what to call my new blog and well I was just not sure. So Jen asked me what my favorite block is and it is the Bear Paw. Mind you I have never made this beauty but someday maybe I will. I have so many UFO's that I just don't know when I will get the time to start one. That might be something to work on this winter...mmmm maybe some flannels? We will have to wait and see.

Kristie's 300th Post

2008-05-07T18:40:00.001-05:00

My good friend Kristie is having a give away for her 300th post. You should go check it out...http://quiltingcowgirl.blogspot.com/2008/05/300th-post-giveaway.html.

Yeah Kristie!

I'm Alive

2008-05-02T17:57:00.002-05:00

Okay now that I have your attention...I am alive. My viral bronchitis only took 9 1/2 weeks to go away. I admit there were times I thought I wouldn't make it. My lungs, throat, ears, stomach, ribs all hurt from coughing so much. Ohh well it's time to look forward to spring and hopefully some of the time to quilt!

Emma loves this time of year...is it because she was born in April and she's a spring dog. She has been really good lately. Okay except for the little incident with the pizza. I know you're thinking little incident with the pizza...Emma helped herself to two pieces of pizza the other day. I am sure the pepperoni was not the greatest for her but well she was happy when she was done gulping it down. Trust me I was not there encouraging her in fact I think I was telling her to leave it...like that's gonna work with PIZZA! The dog loves pizza and french fries. What's a girl to do.

Update on Rosemont!

2008-04-19T20:40:00.004-05:00

Sorry I haven't written before now about Rosemont but I have been pretty sick. In fact I was sick while in Rosemont! I have Viral Bronchitis. I have been coughing for the last eight and a half weeks. While I was in Rosemont, my viral bronchitis came back like it was back at the beginning. This cough has been horrible! I am trying to rest, drink lots of fluids and take musinex.

On Thursday, I woke up at 4:30 AM and left to meet my friends in Silver Lake, WI and then we went to Rosemont for our first class. We took a quilting class with Linda Fiedler. It was okay. I already knew a lot of the information that was presented but it is still good to get another person's view of quilting...also it's practice, practice, practice. I enjoyed spending time with my friends and seeing them learn more. I did pick up one or two tips such as pulling the bobbin thread up to the top at the end of the line of quilting. She also went over pulling the thread up at the beginning...something I have done but sometimes not. We practiced e's, stippling, meandering, wavy crosshatching (which was pretty neat), etc. It was a whole day class and it was fun to spend time with my friends.

Friday we took a mystery quilt with Debbie Caffrey. It was fun. I like the way it is turning out. Once I figure how to download the pictures from my camera, I will take a picture of the block I finished. We used Baby Lock Espires. They were really nice machines. Only thing was I didn't have a good scant 1/4" so the pieces were wider so I have to go and resew all the seams with my home machine. I am sure with this the viral bronchitis I wasn't as careful as I should have been.

Saturday we took "The Bag Lady" lecture. We went station to station and learned about all the purses and how to make them. It was fun. We also went to see John Flynn for a lecture and luncheon. It was interesting ... I really was impressed with his hand quilting. WOW is all I can say. I would love to be able to hand quilt that beautifully! Later that evening we went to Meet the Teachers where you go from teacher to teacher and learn about their topic. You can't meet all the teachers due to time constraints but we saw quite a few and learned a lot. That night we celebrate my friend Kathy's birthday. We had a really good time except I got really exhausted. I did go back to our room between the luncheon and Meet the Teachers Sampler. It took a while with all the coughing to sleep but I finally slept!

Sunday I finally went shopping ... I bought a yard of fabric and I had bought a book and pattern from Debbie Caffrey. I guess with as tired and sick as I was ... I really didn't get a chance to shop as much as I would have liked to. We also went through and looked at all the quilts... there were so many beautiful ones. In fact, we talked with the person who won the Viewer's Choice. She was such a nice lady and her quilt was very pretty.

Your Slogan Should Be

Maureen. Uncommonly Made, Uncommonly Good.

The Slogan Generator

What an intersting slogan...What do you think?

International Quilt Festival in Rosemont

2008-04-08T19:00:00.003-05:00

My friend Sherry gave me a book called Quilter's Guide to UFO's. She is so cute she showed me a picture in the book which shows a before and after picture of the author's studio. Sherry said it should make me feel better because mine isn't that bad. I think once I get back from the International Quilt Festival in Rosemont, IL, I will have to take pictures of my studio and figure out how to get it to look better.

I leave on Thursday for the International Quilt Festival in Rosemont. I am taking a class on Thursday with Linda Fiedler called Creative Machine Quilting...it should be quite a bit of fun. On Friday I will be taking Undercover in Chicago IV with Debbie Caffrey...it is a mystery quilt. On Saturday I am going to a luncheon called Confessions of a Non-traditional Quilter by John Flynn and I am going to go to a Saturday Night Sampler where 15 teachers will be demonstrating various techniques. I am looking forward to it! Sunday is our day to go to and check out all the quilts and to shop. I am going with my friends Kathy and Kristie! We have had a great time the last two years we have gone together and I anticipate this to be even better.

Ohh No I Made Changes & Lost Stuff

2008-04-05T18:47:00.005-05:00

Well I tried to make changes all by myself and guess what I lost all my stuff on the side like me Weather Pixie and my counter at the bottom...WHAT HAVE I DONE! I am so mad at myself I know I can fix the Weather Pixie but the counter is something I just don't know how to do...so for a while my website will be under construction. I knew bad things would happen when I deleted a "widget" or something like that. Well I guess it's a done deal and there is no crying over the spilt milk or lost stuff! Wish me luck fixing it...

Update - I added quite a bit back...unfortnately I do not know what number my counter was on but I did know it was over 5000 so I figured I could easily set it at 5000 and know that it was correct. Well I hope it looks okay...I tired for now and am planning on watching TV and finishing laundry... Tomorrow I have an open sew day and I need to finish some of the blocks for Wendy's Block of the Month Club at Frank's.

Working at Getting Projects Done

2008-04-02T17:43:00.002-05:00

As the title says I am working at getting projects done but unfortunately it is not quilty projects...it is projects around the house. This past weekend I did a lot of cleaning in our home and since then when I haven't been cleaning I have been either fixing dinner or working on some other household projects. I am hoping to wash dishes and start making dinner as soon as I am done typing this. I have been so sick to my stomach...probably from coughing so hard.

With this cold I had, the doctor told me I would be coughing for 4 to 6 weeks...I am on week 5 and I think I will be an overachiever and go 7...just a guess as it's not going anywhere. My mom suggested I call the doctor next week if I'm not better but I will be going to Rosemont for the Quilt Festival. I am soooo looking forward to that. I hate to leave Emma home but she will be okay. I may ask my dad to stop over and check on her during the day...Mark will be home with her at night but I know she gets really weird when I'm gone. Mark said she moped and moped last year.

I am going to take two classes and go to a couple of lectures. I will blog more about them after the festival.

I am hoping to finish my fabric coiled bowl this week. I thought I would get it done by the end of March and well it didn't quite happen...ohh well that's just the way things go.

I've been kind of down because I didn't got to Weight Watchers this last weekend and I know that this week I have not been eating well....well I havn't been eating much. My stomach and ribs hurt so much from coughing that I haven't been able to eat much and what I do eat bothers my stomach...okay I admit it ... even mashed potatoes hurt my stomach last night and they are bland! What's a girl to do?

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

2008-03-26T22:36:00.003-05:00

Your Blog Should Be Purple

You're an expressive, offbeat blogger who tends to write about anything and everything.

You tend to set blogging trends, and you're the most likely to write your own meme or survey.

You are a bit distant though. Your blog is all about you - not what anyone else has to say.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

This is not the color I would have thought...I guessed Green or Blue (my two favorite colors) I was really surprised about purple. Don't know if this really describes me...Hmmm.

Then I checked out what type of puppy I would be because well I love dogs and would love to have another one.

You Are a Beagle Puppy

Cheerful, energetic, and happy go lucky.

And you're sense of smell is absolutely amazing!

What Breed of Puppy Are You?

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T10:31:00.005-05:00

Wow! I can't beleive it is already Easter....Happy Easter! We have about 12 - 14" of snow here that fell two days ago, so it does not really feel like Easter. Emma loves the snow...being a springer...yup you guessed it she leaps and springs through the snow. Emma just went on a treat hunt...I hid a treat for her to find...it was a chicken Carvers. They are 80% meat and she really likes them. I know having fun with pup on Easter.

I'll post more about our Easter celebration later - that is if there is anything exciting to post...it could just be regular family time and not much to post about.

Yesterday was fun...I went to one of our local quilt stores called Bits and Pieces and it was the first month of a block of the month - the pattern is called A Kaleidoscope of Kolor. It is really pretty....we all get to pick out our own background fabric and mine is a white with stars on it. It should be fun to see the same Kaleidoscope of Kolors with different backgrounds like black, white, navy, creamy tan...very fun. Jen and Cindy were there and they brought Michelle...Jen also brought my Miranda bag which is beautiful. It was so nice to see Michelle.

Yeah...my cold is starting to break up some more...I wish it was totally gone and it has to be by this Saturday as that is when I am having my sleep study. I have to remember to call my doctor this week and ask if she wants me to have a sleep aid. That was on of the things they told me to do at the sleep study place.

I did go to Weight Watchers yesterday and well I'm up in weight. Not good. I want the scale to go down and you would think it would with my being sick. I didn't eat that much so you would think I would have lost weight but no, not me. I just have to really watch what I am eating I guess and write it down all the time not here and there. I should be good at this by now but I am not.

Tonight I have strips of fabric to cut because I am going to Frank's Sewing Center for a Fabric coiled bowl making class. Then I have to pull out the other supplies for the class. Tuesday I have Batik Club at Patched Works. Here I hardly have gone to any Quilting Stores in the past month and now I will have been to three in less than a week.

Happy Easter!

2008-03-20T21:52:00.006-05:00

Just wanted to put a post up that I am here...I have had a horrible cold and I normally come home and end up coughing myself to sleep.

I will be going for my sleep study the end of March. I can't wait to find out if that is the reason I am tired all the time and just don't have a lot of motivation. I am looking foward to an open sew day in April at Frank's Sewing Center! Hopefully I will have an answer about this sleep thing. It can also be the reason my blood pressure is up...believe it or not that is one of the side effects of poor sleep. I also read that it can effect weight...causing weight gain. It would be nice if my weight problem were that simple. (sigh)

I am also not looking forward to the snow that they are predicting. Right now we should get anywhere from 4" to 10". YUCH! I am tired of snow and I am ready for spring. I keep telling Mark maybe the snow will pass us by.

Emma is been sitting by me right now and has been taking care of me. She is a good nurse (giggle). Hope everyone is having fun and taking advantage of time to get some quilting done.

Lots Has Been Going On...

2008-03-11T21:36:00.002-05:00

Wow...I don't even know where to start!

Last week Thursday my husband and I went shopping at Best Buy and used my gift certificates that I got for Christmas...I bought a new digital camera. The new camera is an Olympus Stylus. So far I really like the pictures it takes. Unfortunately on Friday I did not take any pictures when asked because I still haven't learned everything about the camera.

Friday - Well I went to Block of the Month Club at Frank's. Wow the block has a lot of little pieces. Wendy brought this really yummy pizza dip. UMMMMM!!!! My secret sister brought me a lot of fun stuff...candy (3 kinds), a springer spaniel notebook, a Wild Rose charm pack, and an emery board. I would check in the bag to see if I am missing something but Emma is sleeping with her head on my lap. After BOM we went to Mama Mia's for dinner....wow we sure had a great time and a lot of laughs. The girls bought me dinner to celebrate my birthday...believe it or not I didn't see it coming.

Saturday - my sister-in-law Terry and my mom threw a 40th birthday party for me. It was so much fun. There were a ton of people who showed up. Jen and Cindy came and they bought me 40 fat quarters...they are so pretty...I don't know what I will do with the fat quarters yet...after talking to Jen I am thinking a Turning Twenty quilt. If I do that I will need to get more fat quarters...ohhh shopping. Mark gave me a dragon fly necklace and my parents gave me some beautiful earrings. I also got a lot of gift cards...Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, Patched Works, Joanne's, etc. I received a really nice frame and several pieces of jewerly. My friend Wendy made me a pin cushion. I also got a really nice bottle of Asti. I know I am missing some gifts like a charm pack and jelly roll...and other stuff. Wow I will have a good time shopping. There was a ton of food...my family (both sides) are great cooks.

Sunday - Well when I finally woke up I went to a sewing day at Frank's. I didn't get much done...in fact I got one square done and I left Sophia there for a cleaning. I should have picked her up today but unfortunately I worked later so I couldn't go get her and tomorrow night I have another appointment right after work so I can't go again. Hopefully I will be able to pick her up on Thursday. Sophia - my Janome 6600 - needs to come home so that I can work on a square or two this weekend so I can celebrate National Quilting Day. I left early to go to my nephew, Ethan's birthday. I gave Ethan his quilt and he loved it...he hugged his quilt he was so excited. The only problem is that I didn't get a picture of him with his quilt...at 3 if he doesn't want his picture taken you don't get to take it. Sorry!

Monday - I brought in treats for people at work and boy did everyone enjoy themselves. I made taco dip and it went really quickly.

2008-03-04T22:24:00.002-06:00

Tonight I tried a new Weight Watchers recipe and I wasn't excited about it...I felt it needed more flavor! Mark said it tasted really good. I made Orange Beef with Broccoli...it uses broccoli slaw. I think next time I will use real broccoli and more orange juice (fresh squeezed!). I squeezed the oranges and zested the orange! I felt like Martha Stewart - LOL!

I have another new recipe I want to make but I am a little unsure so I think we will be having stir fry for dinner tomorrow night. I am hoping I will be able to do some beading tomorrow night.

I was so excited that I was able to help Wendy, Jen, Judy and Tori cut fabric for the next three months of block of the month club at Frank's Sewing Center. I was so glad I got a chance to do some "quilting" related crafting. I have not had a lot of time to quilt...I have a lot of other things that have been taking up my time.

I did follow up with my insurance company today and I am working on setting up my sleep apena test. I am hoping to set it up for next weekend...this weekend I have other plans with my family! I also need to go to have my cholesterol level tested and other blood work as well. Tonight on Biggest Loser they talked about sleep apnea and how weight loss decreases how much you snore, etc. The doctor also explained that blood pressure increases when you have sleep apnea so there is hope that my blood pressure will go down.

Nothing Much Going On!

2008-02-28T18:00:00.002-06:00

Well I realized that I hadn't blogged since Saturday but not much has been going on...I have been going to work and coming home. My schedule is something like make dinner, watch TV, check out the internet and friend's blogs. I was going to work on a bracelet tonight but well I'm just too tired.

I still have to call my insurance company to find out where I have to go for a sleep study. The doctor thinks I have sleep apnea so I have to go for a study to find out for sure. With as busy as I have been at work I have not been able to call in a refill on my prescription nor to call the insurance company to figure out where to go for a sleep study.

I am looking forward to Saturday because we are celebrating my nephew, Teran's 14th birthday. I am going to call tonight to wish him a Happy Birthday and to ask his Mom what I should bring on Saturday (food wise). Then I actually get to do something quilt related on Monday...I am going to help cut blocks for the Block of the Month Club held at Frank's...which is designed and taught by Wendy Rieves! She is a great teacher and we have so much fun at the BOM meeting! Other than that not much to report here...sorry this is sooo boring!

Update on Ouch!

2008-02-23T19:28:00.002-06:00

I saw the Doctor on Thursday and she said that I was doing everything right for my back...for the first 48 hours I iced my back and then I used heat. I also took Naproxen Sodium for mucsle soreness...the pain slowly went up my back to my shoulders and neck. The whole time I tried to rest my back but still try to do things otherwise I would have stiffened up. I'm still a little sore esp. when I do a bunch of stuff...like today I did a bunch of running. I went to Weight Watchers right after I dropped Mark off at work. Then I went to the bank, followed by going to Wal-Mart, then the vet and Walgreens. I did stop for lunch and read a book that I bought at Wal-Mart. I bought 7th Heaven by James Patterson and Maxine Something...unsure of her last name. Anyways I really enjoyed that. I have read the series of the books and this is the most recent one...The books have been made into the TV series The Women's Murder Club or something like that. I only watched it once or twice. The characters in the book and on the show just don't match what I think they would look like and at times act.

At WW I was surprised that I lost a little weight. I haven't been there for several weeks. After seeing the Doctor I have to lose weight...I may have sleep apnea and I have to go for a sleep study. I know this is a normal procedure and I just have to contact my insurance company to find out where I can go. I am hoping I can go in the next couple of weeks. From my understanding I am probably not getting REM sleep because I am up so many times during the evening. I have to increase my Vitamin D intake (most people in Wisconsin don't have enough Vitamin D in the winter according to two of my doctors). I also need to take more Calcium in as I am Lactose Intolerant.

Well I am hoping I can work in the quilt room tomorrow. I want to finish two table runners for Easter...one for me and one for my sister-in-law, Terry. First I have to do some cleaning and wash some clothes. I am also hoping that Best Buy has a Digital Camera that I want to use my Christmas gift cards on.

The Ouch Continues

2008-02-18T16:36:00.002-06:00

Well I stayed home from work today because I just could not get out of bed this morning my back hurt so much. You would think I landed on my tailbone so that would hurt more but no...it's my back. I have been iceing my back and it helps with the pain. Sitting is my problem. If I can lay down on my side and rest my back I am okay for an hour or two. So that said tomorrow will be horrible! I have to go to work...I just can't miss another day. I have missed a few already this year and well I just hate to miss this much work.

I know when I can't sit or stand up to get dressed ... well I should stay home (just like when I get migraines) but I still feel guilty. I think I over did it yesterday. I got up and made blueberry pancakes with bacon...yum. Before we could do that we had to do dishes so Mark washed and I dried (OUCH!!!). I did recline and look at some blogs yesterday...not with it enough to post comments...also I spent a lot of time on the phone yesterday with my family talking to my Mom and my sister-in-law Terry!

Finally I made a really yummy dinner...Lasagna (homemade-not homemade noodles). Anyways that took some standing time so by about 9:00 - 9:30 PM my back was killing me so I sent to bed. Boy a Temperpedic bed sounds wonderful right about now!

So needless to say I have slept most of today and laid on the couch. I commented on Jen's blog and was having trouble posting on Jill's blog and well guess what I am yawning right now. Time to take a little nap! Tonight I think it will be fish and fries for dinner...Mark can make them in the oven.

Happy President's Day!

Ouch!

2008-02-15T18:59:00.003-06:00

This morning I dropped Mark off at work and decided to fuel up the truck...we were close to the Low Fuel light coming on and in fact when I put it in park the Low Fuel light came on...so far so good. I paid at the pump and started fueling....well I was getting into the truck to put my credit card away and that's when it happened...I ended up with one foot in the truck and the rest of me under the truck...I slipped on a piece of ice. As I laid there I said Ouch!...not loudly, the lady at the next pump had just gotten out of her car and she asked if I was okay. Well other than smelling like gasoline, at that moment my tailbone hurt and my pride was hurt...how did this happen. Ohh well, I decide to go and tell them in the gas station that I had fallen and that they should put something down. They lady said to me that they had just been plowed again and I told her it was ice....she said that they would go outside and put something down.

Now my back and bottom and foot, etc are really bothering me. I am taking Tylenol since I am sore all over. I am such a clutz at times...I wish there wsas something I could do. I am guessing I tensed up when I fell so I am sore all over.

I am also feeling bad about my weight. I need to lose weight badly...I have a lot to lose and no matter what I do I can not get motivated. I had a doctor talk to me about the lap band and I am wondering if the doctor is right...maybe I can't do this myself...maybe I need to do something extreme like have surgery...I don't know I did lose 30 lbs through WW but I love food...I am sooo confused.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T00:30:00.001-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day! I just wanted to wish all of those who read my blog a Happy Valentine's Day! Thank you all for stopping by.

I saw another blog site where someone is "auctioning" 3 red fat quarters off. It is a really good idea and maybe I will do something like that next year. From reading other logs I get so many ideas. I have to thank Jen for introducing me to the world of blog!

Here's a Link To Jill's 200th Post

2008-02-10T20:19:00.000-06:00

Alright I am trying something new....thanks to Jill! I am going to try to add a hyperlink (I believe that is what it is called) to Jill's 200th post! http://jillquilts.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-200th-post.html I hope this works...wish me well.

If it does work, I want to thank Jill for explaining to me how to do it - she gives great e-mail instructions. It's always fun to learn new things.

Next I want to learn how to make it so that Jill's name would be highlighted and when you click on it...it takes you to her website. I hope I am explaining it clearly.

Yeah...I keep learning new things about blogging.

Wow it's already Sunday

2008-02-10T15:22:00.000-06:00

I was so looking forward to Friday and it was all I expected. I was so glad it was time to go to Wendy's Block of the Month at Frank's! Wendy made Fudgy Snow Balls...Ohh they were sooooo yummy! Wendy also showed us a lot of neat things at the store. I bought two Daydreams charm packs and one Daydreams jelly roll, also, one charm pack of Fossil Fabrics and a Debbie Caffrey pattern called September Song. Now my question is what can I make with two charm packs and a jelly roll???? After a fun filled evening Wendy, Jen, Sherry and I went to dinner at Mama Mia's...Yum. I am sure the garlic bread was not WW friendly. It was wonderful to sit and chat with friends.

Now the only problem I had on Friday was going home...it snowed and the ground was slippery and icy. This is a problem for a person who drives a Camero. I couldn't make it up a hill by my home...I kept sliding back and could only get to a certain point...no farther. Mark had to come and get me. I drove the truck home and Mark figured out how to get the car home. I had to turn the truck around and loop back to where Mark was. He was gone with the car but several other cars couldn't make it up the hill either. Once Mark got home with the car, we couldn't get it up the driveway. We tried pushing the car, backing the car in, pulling it in, etc. We ended up getting a parking permit and parking it on the street.

Saturday I did some organizing and cleaning off of our table we had a garbage bag full of papers, etc on the table. Then I decided to take the Christmas tree down. Yes it is finally down. I still have some Jim Shore Christmas decorations up and I need to take them down soon. The success is the Christmas tree being down. I also need to get a box from work to put my nutcracker in. My aunt gave me one for Christmas which is great and tall but I need something to put it in so it doesn't get broken.

Again one of the problems we had was getting the car up the driveway...it made it to the back door and got stuck...yikes...Mark tood the sand in a tube out of the trunk and used that - amazing - he got the car into it's parking spot in the driveway. I asked him what we are going to do as the car is having such a bad time this winter (getting stuck that is) and Mark said we just park it until spring. Nice idea but we often have two different places to be so we have to fix this!

Today I am doing laundry and watching TV and checking out other blogs. I still need to balance our check book and pay some bills but it will get done soon. I am feeling lazy today which is common on weekends.

Snow Storm

2008-02-06T17:46:00.000-06:00

Wow...it's still snowing! Where I work sent us home at noon today due to inclement weather! The roads are icky and when I came home I ate lunch and then took a nap. When I got up I called Jen and talked to her...YEAH Kristie received her quilt.

I was sooo excited that she received it...Jen did a lot of work on the quilt...she did all the piecing of the blocks together, quilting and making the label. Cindy was wonderful and did the binding. IT is a beautiful quilt and I am glad that I was included in this team project but wow how hard is it to keep a secret from a quilt blog buddy.

I still haven't taken my Christmas tree down and Mark thinks that witht he poor weather I should take it down...I just don't feel like it. I teased Jen and said maybe I will keep it up until next Christmas. I am hoping to do this Saturday! I also need to hopefully go out and get my digital camera so I can take of my Works in Progress and maybe my quilting room so that I will get started on that. There is talk of an intervention (LOL)...my friends know me too well and I just haven't had the initiative to start cleaning. Ohh well at least I can own up to my faults.

Kinda Watching

2008-02-03T19:33:00.001-06:00

I like football and I have the Super Bowl on but I just can't concentrate...I am trying to watch the commericals but I am falling asleep all the time. I have been taking migraine medication since Friday and every so often I keep thinking I should go to the hosptial and get an IV and hope that the pain stops...the medication is helping me manage it somewhat but it knocks me on my bum!

I really wanted to go to the Valentine's Party at Patched Works but I just couldn't last night....my head has been throbing and feels like well it's painful! I feel like either something wrong with my body or the weather has been keeping me from things I want to do...this is stinky!

Mark went and got dinner for us this evening and there was a deer in our front yard looking in the window...I swear it was watching the Super Bowl. Emma was growling/grumbling at something in the front yard and I was egging her on thinking it was another dog ... ohh contrar mon fraier (or however you spell it) it was a deer looking in our front window. When I went to check out what Emma was talking to I saw the deer and it was looking at me like Hey I want to watch the commercials too!

Ohh the weather outside is making me blue

2008-01-31T18:39:00.001-06:00

Earlier this week Jen, Sherry, Cindy and I were supposed to go to Batik Club at Patched Works but the weather was icky and icy and we all figured that it was better to stay home!!!! I really wanted to go but unforturnately we couldn't go. Ohh I missed my friends, fabric and pie.

Tonight the weather is also icky. Here in WI we are under a Winter Weather Advisory...imagine that it's winter and we are having snowy weather. Yesterday we had really cold weather here and my husband worked a 12 and a half hour day outside. I know I couldn't do it.

Today I took my nephew's quilt to work and a lot of people really liked it. Especially all the fussy cutting I did around the animals. I am glad it is done and that I will be giving it to him for his birthday in March. I plan on taking it to Block of the Month at Frank's I can't wait for the next block of the month club...I wish it was more often!

Allergies and all that other stuff

2008-01-26T22:22:00.000-06:00

Well I had to go to the allergist and guess what...we found a medication the insurance company will cover...only problem no decongestant for me. Why you may ask ... well my blood pressure has sky rocketed. It could have something to do it the caffeine I drank and the yelling match i had with HR and how nervous I was, ohh did I mention I left work late to go to the doctor's office. Anyways, it was up there and I came up with several reasons as you can tell. Tuesday I went to start immunotherapy ... weekly shots ... I asked them to check my blood pressure and my upper number went up one number and my bottom number fell eleven numbers. I have been soo worried about this. The allergist also thinks I am Vitamin D deficient as I am extremely pale. I am a red head with a pale complexion but he has seen me before and he was really shocked with how pale I am. Not good...nor is the high blood pressure. After I had my shot I got pretty sick to my stomach. This happened when i was younger and I went through allergy shots. I can't believe I have to go through them again but hopefully I will feel better soon.

Some changes I have been making is that I am doing my nails and trying to take better care of myself. I need to lose some weight ... okay a lot of weight and I need to get serious about this now...how can I do this...I am such a non-commiter on this and I have been successful on WW before. HELP! I know if I lose weight my blood pressure will go down...If you have any ideas on any of this please post a comment...Thanks for your help and support my friends.

Here's Emma!

2008-01-21T17:08:00.001-06:00

Well I added a picture on the right hand side of my blog and it's Emma as a baby! She was such a cute puppy! I don't know about you but I wish they could stay little forever! She is sitting next to me right now watching it snow! I wish I had my winter quilt pieced and quilted...all I have left is to put the top and bottom border on it!

I can not believe how cold it is and how icky the roads are...I live a mile and a half to two miles from work...with then snow it took me 20+ minutes to get home...I drove behind someone doing 17 mph on the road. The speed limit in that area was 30 mph...it was not bad enough that we had to be going 17 mph!!! Ughhhhhh! I just wanted to get home so I could get warm. I hope tonight to take down our Christmas Tree. I am tired of it being up. I was going to take it down last night during the Packer game but it just didn't happen!

Well I hope everyone stays warm and dry!

So Sick and Tired of Allergies

2008-01-17T15:08:00.000-06:00

I just got off the phone with the allergist. I see him tomorrow at 10:30 AM to discuss options for my allergies. My eyes are really swollen...in fact my left one was a slit this morning. I am using Patanol to help keep the itching down but well with no allergy medication I am really stuck. I have to take Prednisone to help with the swelling & itching. I am sooooooo tired of allergies. I ended up staying home today because of how bad they itched. In fact they were bright red (the upper and lower lid) and puffy. Well needless to say when I talked to my supervisor she was understanding and as people would have thought that I had pink eye or something it would not have looked good as I work with the public in a county job.

This all occurred because I was using a paper folding machine and it threw so much dust in the air that my eyes were swelling yesterday but I thought it would be fine when I woke up. No not the case in fact it was worse! I told the allergist what I was doing and he told me that I should consider getting goggles or a face mask that covers my eyes, nose and mouth. Ohh wouldn't that be attractive at work! I am sure that, that would go over well...LOL! Okay who wants to wear a mask at work if they work in an office. I have to vent my frustration as this would not be happening if my insurance company would cover my allergy medication. So I have been going without and I have been miserable. I keep hoping that the next day will be better but it doesn't in fact my allergies are getting worse and worse. I will be talking about options tomorrow and hopefully we will find an answer! I am going to call HR at work tomorrow and see if they can find out what medication will be covered as Zyrtec is soon going to be over the counter and it was the only covered medication...this should be interesting to say the least. I know he is going to want me to start on allergy shots again but can I handle it without allergy medication...that's the next question.

7 Random & Wacky Things About Me

2008-01-16T20:35:00.000-06:00

Here are seven Random and Wacky Things about me.

I can't stand for my hands to be dirty. This Christmas my Mom and I made cookies and I had to roll the sticky batter into balls...I just about lost it!
I wash my hands all the time...it is a compulsion...see Wacky thing #1 and it will all make sense. I also worked in Dietary for 9 years and we had to wash our hands all the time.
I am afraid of birds. One came after me as a small child and my Dad told my uncle to pick me up...he didn't. Also when I was home sick one day my Dad made me watch the movie The Birds.
I am afraid of heights/ladders. You can get me up on one step shaking all the way on a stepladder. Step two just about kills me and step 3 just will never happen.
I think I was supposed to be left handed or I am ambidextrous. I always want to do stuff with my left hand but by habit I use my right. My Mom thinks the school didn't want me to be left handed so they stopped that.
I am allergic to everything in the world. In fact I am allergic to something that cause my throat to swell shut but we (the allergist and other doctors) don't know what causes it...it's a mystery. So I have to carry a EpiPen.
I would have a Springer Spaniel plantation if it was allowed. Emma wants to be an only dog but I would love to have a bunch of them...not quite 101 but enough!

All Day Quilt Retreat

2008-01-13T13:02:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I was at an All Day Quilt Retreat at my friend and Quilting Mentor, Wendy Rieves' church. It was so much fun. We made these chicks...Jen is going to send me a picture and perhaps she is going to post it on her blog! They were so fun and easy to make unlike the quilt below. I had it all pieced, layered and the quilting begun...this is my nephew, Ethan's quilt. It is a really cute quilt and I am glad it is finally done! I finished quilting it and for some reason it took quite a while....it stuck to the bed of my machine, the thread had issues about clinging to the foot and wrapping around other things....all in all it just didn't want to get done...but I persisted. I love the fabric for this quilt and the backing is fun, fun, FUN!

For some reason this quilt waves! I am not sure why and it was suggested that I try steaming it but I just didn't want to do that. I figure it is a kid's quilt and it will be dragged around etc. I might try to steam it over the next few weeks but I am still unsure.

Okay I also got a block done for the BOM...two to go. I did cut out a bunch of 3" squares for a scrappy quilt I am making for my sister-in-law Terry. I know she will like it. It is all 3-dimensional box tie blocks. Needless to say it will take a lot of bow tie squares to make a quilt. I think that is all I got done but it is a lot when you think about all the putzy work that goes into the bow tie blocks. I did get 3 more of those blocks done.

All in all it was a good time...I sat at a table with Jen and really enjoyed myself! Okay the chicks we made were darn cute.

I'm Following Through

2008-01-10T18:35:00.000-06:00

I am following though on one of my goals...I am blogging tonight! When I look out my window I can't believe it is snowing. I know it was predicted but I am just not wanting it to snow again. I love the snow but I don't like to drive in it. Depending on how much we get depends on how hard it will be to drive to work in the morning. I have a Camaro and it is not a snow car. Because of the snow Emma is feeling very snugly. She is cuddled up between Mark and I. She sure does like being between us and snuggling.

Yesterday I read others blogs and commented on them ... Yeah. It's been hard with not feeling well. I can't believe this cold is holding on ... I was really dizzy today and still feeling that way tonight. I hope this cold goes away soon.

Well tomorrow is BOM at Frank's. I can't wait ... I love going... there are so many wonderful people there. I hope I am feeling better so that I can enjoy myself.

This weekend I am going to go to a Sew Day at Wendy's church. I am going to finish my winter flannel quilt. When I worked on it at Jen's Sewing Day I didn't have enough fabric to put the top and bottom border on... I will be able to sew two pieces of fabric together and add the order. I have the backing and once I have the top done I will be able to pack it and layer it and quilt it.

I'm Going to Try to be Better

2008-01-08T18:48:00.000-06:00

Well there are so many things I want to be better at but one of the things I want to do more is to make sure that I blog more and read my friends blogs more often! I feel like with the holidays and now this cold that I just don't write as often and I fell behind reading others blogs. I also want to learn how to be a better blogger!

Any suggestions?

I also want to get a better camera than the one I have and learn to post pictures. That way I will feel like posting pictures.

I also need to be better at weight loss...I want to be able to do weight watchers and follow though. I hope it will be alright if I blog about this as they say it takes 21 days to form a new habit...right now I am working on decreasing the amount of chocolate that I eat.

I also want to finish work on my quilt room and get it to the point I can go in there work in the room. I have a radio that I can move in there and depending on the amount of room I have left, my husband is talking about moving my treadle machine upstairs instead of in the living room. We will have to see ... I think I have something for every space once I get the storage stuff that I want. I am hoping we can go to the Home Depot this weekend for shelves and some other stuff....hopefully I will get that done soon.

Winter Colds - Yuck

2008-01-07T18:03:00.000-06:00

Who cares what time of year it is...I do not like colds. This may actually be a sinus infection but who knows. My fever was 100 degrees when I came home from work. You can ask why I went in the first place and it is just me being me. Cathy, one of the women I work with, asked if she should call off the amounts that we were comparing as my throat sounded bad. I told her that it doesn't hurt it just sounds bad. Wasn't that nice of her though!

This afternoon I decided I was on fire - as I had a temp. and should come home. It is unusual that I take my temperature but I knew the doctor's office was calling and I wanted to be prepared for their favorite question. Anyways, the doctor called herself and checked on me. She said this could be a sinus infection but after talking to me we decided to wait a few days to see if it is a cold or an infection. I'm thinking cold. She said I sounded very congested over the phone - which was true and I told her I am taking DayQuil and NyQuil. When I am not at work - no DayQuil instead Tylenol. I have been drinking OJ and water so I'm resting and drinking fluids. I am sick of being sick. This started Saturday so I am only three days into a cold that people at work have told me lasts several weeks. I am just waiting to not be contagious.

Okay here is my whole problem...normally I go to help Block of the Month packets with three other people and Wendy, who is an incredible quilter and pattern designer, anyways as I am sick I can not be there to help...what help would I be if everyone else got this cold but I love to help! This stinks...I was so looking forward to going and being with friends and cutting fabric for the packets! Why!?!?!?!!?!??! Okay I think I have ranted enough. Obviously if I have been sleeping and resting since Saturday I did not get anything done quilting wise. I am going to work with Jen on developing a Quilting Plan/List like she has on her blog. Check it out....http://cre8tivequilter.blogspot.com/

Thanks for "listening" to me rant about my cold! I hope no one gets it and everyone stays healthy!

Happy New Year and All that Jazz!!!

2008-01-05T14:55:00.001-06:00

Wow it's the New Year....where did the last one go? I think I blinked and it was Christmas. I also looked at so many of my friends blogs and could not believe how much they got done in one month...I am a lazy quilter! I am also having a pity party for myself today as I have a cold.

I was fine last night and woke up with a full blown cold...I was going to go to Weight Watcher (one of my promises to myself is this year I will eat better!) WW is not a diet - I know it works I lost 30 lbs. My problem is I gained all 30 back when I went off of WW because I love food. I like to think I have a relationship with food - crazy but true. I am going to try not to be an emotional eater. Okay so I got up and went into the ladies room...Emma the crazy dog went up on the dresser next to my bed and took my roll of Vitamin C tablets and took off. I was in the process of washing my hands so I took off after her. By the time I got downstairs well she had the packaging ripped apart and one Vitamin C tablet on the floor ready for hoovering! So I have to stick my hand in her mouth to remove said hoovered tablet as I don't want her eating it....well out comes the tablet and the rest of the roll that are still in her mouth. I wash my hands AGAIN and now I have to give her, her morning pill. Okay I think to myself this is doable. Now I give her her pill which is the size of a quarter and I have to push it to the back of her throat so she must swallow it! Okay AGAIN I wash my hands. Now I go get dressed and come downstairs with my pillow - I think I slept for 5 hours total on and off. I have a head cold and my brain is killing me...my sinus is sore and my ears well my ears hurt as does my throat. My lunch was some Chicken and Wild Rice Soup...soothing yes, filling not so much!

Since then I have gone on some websites and read my e-mail. Tracy from Sewthankful has a Blog called Let's get sewing (http://www.sewthankful.com/blog/) and her latest post is titled My New Motto and Challenge: Be Great in 2008! What a great idea! It is to be great at whatever you want.

Let's see what else...ohh yeah Emma is fine the little bit of Vitamin C tablet she ate did nothing to her...she is fine in fact when our mail carrier came she felt right as rain...she was ready to bark and carry on as if she would kill him the whole time wagging her little stump of a tail. What can I say Miss Emma was going to protect me from the postal carrier! I should probably sleep some more or I might watch Harry Potter movies. I tried to read but just couldn't concentrate. Also when I was typing a response on Jen's blog http://cre8tivequilter.blogspot.com/ I was having a hard time typing Plastic Shoe Boxes instead I wrote shoe box plastic is what I kept my scraps in! Okay I know when I should stop and I am about there! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years!

Wow I was productive

2007-12-22T21:47:00.000-06:00

Well my mom and I made 7 batches of cookies today...2 batches of Spritz, and one batch Double Chocolate Kiss Cookies, Raspberry Bars, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Lemon Bars, and Oatmeal Raisin cookies. I still have two gifts to wrap for tomorrow. I have to go to Fashion Bug to exchange a new pair of pants I bought that are too big...oops. I want to wear them tomorrow. I would also like to make a little purse for my niece. I haven't even started. I also have a table runner that I want to finish for Christmas Eve. I have it all pieced and I have the backing but I would have to put it together and quilt it...Ohh we will see. I am planning on going to bed in about 15 to 20 minutes from now....we will see. I will keep you updated.

It's Getting Closer to Christmas

2007-12-21T22:27:00.000-06:00

Well I have half of the presents we are giving all wrapped! Today I made a new Christmas Cookie called Saltine Toffee Cookies. I never would have thought these would taste good but one of the ladies at work made them and I had to have the recipe.

Saltine Toffee Cookies
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
Saltine Crackers (about one sleeve)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Bring butter and brown sugar to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes.
Pour butter and brown sugar over saltines that have been placed on a foil-lined cookie sheet.
Bake for 4 - 5 minutes.
Pour chocolate chips on top.
The woman who made them puts them in the freezer for awhile and then she keeps them in the refrigerator.

Tomorrow I will be going over to my Mom's house to make Christmas cookes...this has been an annual tradition since I was a small girl.

This will be a fun day for me...I really enjoy it. Tomorrow night I am going to make a cheese ball to take over to my Mom's on Christmas Eve and one for when we go to Mark's parents. I am also going to a 7-layer salad. I am a little nervous as I am not good at making bacon. I know that sounds silly but that is what is making me nervous.

It's beginning to look like Christmas

2007-12-17T21:42:00.000-06:00

Well tonight did not turn out the way I anticipated but it was a good night. Well I did sew but not the kind we all like to do.....I was sewing Emma's toys back together. I had to do surgery on three of her stuffed animals. I did this while I watched some TV on the computer. While I did that I opened some Jim Shore items that I have for Christmas...two angels, a polar bear and penguin, and Santa, sleigh and reindeer. While I was putting them out Mark went and pulled out our 4 1/2 foot Christmas tree from our first Christmas together. I cleaned off a glass table and put the tree up. I am thinking of confiscating a red, green and black blanket to put around the bottom of the tree and cover the stand. Tomorrow night I hope to put ornaments on. I did just bring some up and I did just put the blanket around the bottom of the tree and it looks great. My tree skirt would have been too big so I am happy with this for this year.

For a cheap tree - it looks okay right now. I do have to fix some branches and I did bring up a box of ornaments. I may quick put them on so that I feel like I got something done. I was going to take my clear coat off and replace it but I don't think that will happen right now. Maybe in about 10 minutes or so...I don't know if I will get a chance to put a new coat on before tomorrow...which is our Section Christmas luncheon at work. I am bringing mini meatballs and mini hot dogs in a sauce. It should be a good time.

Yeah for me...I am getting some Christmas stuff up and I won't feel like I didn't do anything this year. :-)

Emma just got a little piece of chocolate...I dropped one the size of two plain M&M's. I hope she will be okay. I had a beagle lab mix that could eat chocolate and be okay. I guess I'll stay up a little later to keep an eye on her.

Again....Snow, Snow and More Snow!

2007-12-16T10:03:00.000-06:00

Okay I think we got six more inches or more yesterday and last night! It is definitely a day to stay inside and warm, even the pooch agrees. Emma is sitting right next to me on the couch and she is yawning and her head is dropping and her eyes are drooping...get the picture. Now both of us stayed in bed late today...I slept even latter...she came in and woke me up - pretty sad that I could go back to sleep.

Mark raked our roof last night...for those of you who do not know that is a very long metal pole with a metal "blade" on the end and you pull your snow off the roof. I bought this way back when we first owned the house and I worked at a local hardware store that is located in the Midwest. Anyways, while he is outside working on the roof I see a story about a local store having to evacuate because there was so much snow on the roof they were worried about it collapsing. I was paying a little attention but did not catch the name of the store.

Well I tried something new this morning, I entered a HTML button for people to join Wendy's Quilters if they belong to the group. I tried it and it appears to work....YEAH! Jen you should be sooo proud of me.

I need to get to both the grocery store and the other stores as I need to do some Christmas Shopping. I finished part of it yesterday and now I have 8 more people to finish....I really do put this off each year. I used to be done by the beginning of December and have everything wrapped and under the tree....ohh yeah the tree was up...as we won't be entertaining this year I think I am going to skip the tree. I did this one other year and ended up putting a tree up Christmas Eve or the day before. I thought the tree in the church where our apartment was would work for me but no I needed one in out apartment. You see my husband was the care taker of a church downtown and we lived there for caretaker duties and security. So I guess I better get up soon and get started.

Happy Holidays!

Snow, snow and more snow...

2007-12-06T21:46:00.000-06:00

Last night I met my friends Jen, Cindy, and Sherry for dinner at Bakers Square....then we were off to Pached works to play poker. I wasn't going to go but the night before I decided to go.....thanks Jen for being such a good friend and being supportive. I had a great time. Afterwards we went back to Bakers Square for pie. Ummmm pie!!!! Julie and her mom joined us and I had a good time just enjoying friends company. I love the fabric we got ... there is a dark blue background with snow flakes on it....some of the snowflakes are silver....ohhh I needed more fabric like I needed a hole in the head but well I just couldn't resist....FABRIC...what am I going to do with it.

I still haven't done anything with cleaning my quilt room and now I have more fabric to find a home for.

Ohh Sherry brought us a gift....Bella Charm Pack and a really cute snowflake ornament...which is quite appropriate as tonight we have snow falling right now! Wow we have been having a lot of snow lately. In fact Jen helped me get weight in the back of my car last night. I drive a Camaro and well it is a rear wheel drive car and it does not like the slippery weather and snow.

I can't beleive that we have more snow coming down....I hope that they do a better job cleaning up the snow....right now they have a news item on the poor snow removal we had this last snow storm. They are putting down salt but I think theyshould be plowing....ohh my right now there is a new report about a snow plow over on the side of the road for 40 mintues...ohhh my...we are having some snow issues here. Hope everyone is home warm and toasty under a wonderful quilt.

Good Day!

2007-12-02T18:49:00.000-06:00

Well today we celebrated my Dad's 75th birthday! It was a good day. The roads were a little icy when we headed home but that's okay. It was very nice to see both sides of my family (mom's and dad's). I didn't count but my sister-in-law told me 23+ people were coming over to there house for the party. It wasn't a surprise and we arranged for my sister to call and talk to my dad. My sister lives in Texas and I don't think she would have liked the weather up here this weekend. She complained that it was cold up here when she was up in July.

I made a new recipe and my family went wild....I made Ranch Style Beans...here is the recipe.

Ranch Style Beans

½ lb. Hamburger
½ lb. diced bacon
2 medium onions (I used fewer onions – for a double batch I used 2 large onions)
1 – 16 oz. can of pork and beans
½ c. brown sugar
½ c. Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce
1 T. chili powder
1 T. prepared mustard

Brown hamburger, bacon and onions. Drain well and add remaining ingredients. Mix and place into 9 X 13 baking pan. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Serves: 8

I have been asked to make these for Christmas Day and for Labor Day.

Only 26 days until Christmas...can that be right?!?!?!

2007-11-29T19:33:00.000-06:00

Ohh my how did the year get away from me? I had such plans...such grand plans that I would make all these gifts for Christmas this year and wow my family and friends! Okay..reality...well I haven't started a darn thing. I have had a lot going on lately and well I have already thrown in the towel...No quilted things for either friends or family. I just don't have the energy or drive or well whatever! I know that things happen to all of us and we lose our drive to make stuff...I even lost my drive to blog...I am hoping to keep up reading all my friends posts and posting stuff on my blog. I feel like such a cheat as I am not blogging about quilting!!! Oh yeah...only 26 days until Christmas...I guess I should get a tree up and start my Christmas shopping!

Emma is resting right now...My English Springer Spaniel has decided that she will out last me tonight! I am ready for bed but I am trying to stay awake! Emma did snore a little earlier but I believe it was a ploy...she no sooner snored and she was off the couch and looking for yummy paper. Emma likes paper which is weird. This weekend she ate a roll of Tums...needless to say she is just fine. As soon as she ate them Mark called me downstairs and I immediately went on line to see if she needed to go to the Emergency Vet...as it was a Sunday that would have been our only choice. Well said pup is just fine and no need to take her to the vet...I think if she ate a whole bottle of Tums ... different story ... off to the Emergency Vet we would have went.

Tonight is a big football night and I am not watching because if I start watching the Green Bay Packers mid-season...they lose. I used to watch the whole season but well my husband doesn't watch football and I guess I miss watching the games with my dad and brother. Ohh well. The Packers play Dallas so I will just have to keep my hands away from the remote! Go Pack Go!!!

I have been working on reading all the posts that I missed...oh my where have I been. I will try to keep up!

My MIL Quilt

2007-11-25T21:31:00.000-06:00

I didn't post that I gave my mother-in-law her quilt for her birthday recently. She loved it...in fact she had tears in her eyes. She says she has been using it at home. I am soooo happy that she liked it and is using it. I didn't realize that the border fabric for the quilt is similar to a border she almost put up in her kitchenette. I still have to put a label on it. I am really bad about labeling quilts. In fact becasue I don't label most of my quilts it is difficult to truly determine when I started quilting. Ohhh well.

I also didn't post that I put together my Friday night Block of the Month quilt. I finished the last block and the top at Jen's Retreat at her home which was a lot of fun.

I also started a Take Five quilt top but the kit that I had didn't have enough border fabric. The store sent me some fabric and I still have to put the final top and border on. I can't wait to get that quilt top layered and quilted. I have been soooo cold and winter is barely here...boy am I in trouble if I am cold now. I think part of the problem is that my inserts for my shoes are in but I can't get them until Wednesday. The inserts are because I have planters facitis. Until I can pick them up I am taking anti-inflamatories and icing my feet. Okay when you are cold and you have to put ice on your feet...boy do you get cold. I hope this gets better quickly. I guess my arches are starting to fall because of the planters facitis.

Dinner was good...I love to make Lasagna and I know my parents really enjoy it...Mark's parents liked it as did Mark. He asked for a home cooked dinner for his birthday so I decided on Lasagna, garlic bread, salad and a chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream for dinner. Well I hope Mark and I get back to watching the movie we were watching (The Hunt For Red October - he asked my parents for the DVD for his birthday.) As we were watching the movie, a phone call came in which Mark had to take so I decided to post on the blog....

I'm still looking for ideas for Christmas presents....please....

Really Far Behind

2007-11-25T14:34:00.000-06:00

I am so far behind on reading other's blogs. Sorry...I will try to catch up soon. I just have been so busy with the house and home improvement projects and other stuff.

Today I made a cake, Lasagna, and I am making a nice salad for dinner. We are having my parents and Mark's parents over to celebrate his birthday. I can't believe how much I have to get done and how little time I have. I still have to wash clothes. Yet another day without any sewing. How do you all do it and get everything else done?

I know I have to get going on Christmas presents too but don't know what to make. Any ideas? I know I asked in the last posting but thought I would ask again. Hopefully I will be able to sew sometime this next week. I know Monday and Tuesday are out so we will see how it goes from there.

Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving shopping & Quilting

2007-11-24T15:13:00.000-06:00

Now I wish I could tell you that the borders are on the Winter Quilt in the previous posting but well they are not. I had thought I would put up our Christmas tree and quilt the day after Thanksgiving but again I did not. I didn't even make anything to take to Thanksgiving.

Thursday started out lazy for me...I slept in which was good because I didn't realize the next day I would not be sleeping in. First we went to my brother's home and had a traditional turkey dinner. Afterwards we went to my brother-in-law's home and there we had a ham dinner. Both were lovely meals spent with family...nice. Mark and I had looked at the newspaper for special deals in the paper and well we couldn't decide if we were going to go out on Black Friday. I woke up at 3:45 AM and could not fall back asleep. We went to Circuit CIty and spent 38 minutes waiting to get inside the builidng. After we couldn't feel our feet we decided that was long enough and we had only moved a short ways. On our way home we passed Best Buy and decided to stop in and take a look as there was no line. We walked right in. Wow is all I can say. I do not think I will ever go out on Black Friday again...what was I thinking.

Several people have been blogging about making Christmas gifts. I thought about it but well I can't come up with anything and well I just can't stand the mess in my quilting room. I wish I could get motivated to make the various Christmas presents I have on my list including finishing my own Christmas tree skirt. Ohh well I guess I have about 30 days or less to figure that out.

Wow it's been awhile

2007-11-15T21:26:00.000-06:00

So I have been working on the kitchen project. My mom came over and helped me rip down the wallpaper that was in our kitchen....there were many problems and many types of walls underneath the wallpaper such as mud (for drywall), drywall, primed but not painted walls, unprimed walls, you name it I think we had it except for plaster. Since that first day my mom, dad and I sanded the walls and washed the walls. Mark and I put this product called Gardz up to protect the drywall (it's for porous surfaces). Next came priming and painting. We painted all the walls a color called Capri Coast...it's a cream color similar to the color of sand on the Capri Coast...hence the name.

I have also gone to a quilt retreat at Jen's house which was a lot of fun! I loved the panel she gave all of the attendees!!!! She made wonderful chili and stuffed green pepper soup. There were also a ton of treats. I think the companionship was the most fun!

I also had a Lia Sophia jewelry party at our house. It was nice...my mom made these delicious banana bars. She is so wonderful...she came over and helped me clean.

Emma went to the groomer before the party and was given a English Springer Spaniel cut with her ear hair cut shorter so her ears would not hang in the water.

Anyways, I finished the top for the block of the month except for the piping and borders...I can't wait to get that done and I can't wait to get it quilted. I also worked on a Take 5 quilt which was fun...I did not have enough fabric to finish the border but the quilt shop sent me some so I can hopefully finish that part of the top this weekend.

Well there is so much more that has happened but I am getting tired and will write more in the days to come. I also have to figure out how to post some of the pictures that Jen sent me that she took of the Quilt Retreat at her home.

Take care and happy quilting.

Not Much Going On

2007-10-20T21:02:00.000-05:00

Well Happy Sweetest Day!

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. I went to Weight Watchers and we will see what happens. I need to work on my motivation. I have been trying to get ready for the big challenges and the long journey I will be making with weight loss but I have been down on myself because it is going to be a long journey. It's depressing to think about how much I have to lose.

My x-rays results of my left foot came in and I have not one but two bone spurs all be it one is tiny per the doctor. Size does not matter though...it is causing a lot of pain. Now she is sending me to the podiatrist. I will probably have to have x-rays taken of my right foot as I have been having pain in both. The doctor only ordered the x-rays on my left foot because she figured it hurt worse so we could see the problems and then she would send me to the podiatrist if it was spurs. Well now I need to find a doctor and hopefully one who is close to home. My doctor is about 1/2 hour away from our house. Not bad but there are doctors closer. I really miss my old doctor...she moved on to working in a hospital so she was no longer taking patients obviously.

I haven't worked on any of the quilt tops I made. I have been thinking about my quilt room and I am hoping my husband and I can work in there sometime this weekend or next weekend. With Mark working on Saturdays that leaves us Sundays and that's not a lot of time. I know tomorrow part of the day he is going to spend with his brother working out in our garage...I will be watching the kids. I was going to clean the house while Eric (Mark's brother) was here but now I will be watching the kids in the morning.

I just bought the book The Secret...it was suggested by the leaders of my WW group. They suggested it because I have been down for a while about my weight and they think it will help me form a more positive attitude about it (weight loss). Has anyone read it and do they have any suggestions? Also I am trying to figure out some rewards for weight loss...so far I have come up with a manicure, a pedicure, a massage, a book, a dvd, a cd, okay I need help from there. Any ideas.

Sorry this is off topic but just needed to aske some questions and to vent a little. Well I am going to try putting my feet up and see if that helps with the pain...yikes I didn't know this would get so bad.

Four...Getting to Know Each Other

2007-10-17T18:00:00.001-05:00

Here are the Fours.....
Job's I've Had:
1. Word Processing Clerk Typist II
2. Corporate Recruiter
3. Human Resources Generalist
4. Dietary Aide

Movies I Could Watch Over & Over
1. Gone in 60 Seconds
2. Steel Magnolias
3. Better Off Dead
4. Any Harry Potter Movie
5. Contact
6. Tomb Raider (Laura Croft)

TV Shows I Watch: (I rarely watch TV but if I do here are the one or two I watch)
1. Gray's Anatomy
2. NFL Football...specifically the Packers

Places I've Lived:
1. West Allis, WI
2. Milwaukee, WI
3. Menomonee Falls, WI
4. Waukesha, WI

Favorite Foods:
1. Spaghetti and my dad's homemade meatballs and sauce
2. Lasagna
3. Chocolate Ice Cream
4. My friend Mary's Portegese Bean Soup or Chicken Enchiladas

Favorite Colors:
1. Green
2. Blue
3. Purple
4. Burgandy

Places I'd Love to Be Now:
1. Hawaii
2. Asleep in my bed
3. My perfectly set up quilt room (okay in my dreams)
4. With my husband doing something fun
5. San Diego, California
6. Visiting Mary and John in Florida

Names I like but would not use for my children:
1. Jasmine
2. Ethan
3. Benjamin
4. Kathleen

I'm tagging:
Whoever is left

4 Day Quilting Retreat

2007-10-14T21:30:00.000-05:00

Wow it has been a while since I posted but four of those days I was in Elkhorn, WI at Lutherdale at a Quilting Retreat. I did not make either of the projects but brought about 15 projects and completed 10!!!!

I was called a prolific quilter by some of the ladies in our group at the quilting retreat. There were 41 of us and I was in the group on the lower level. Obviously there was a group on the main level. Well the first night I made Kristie (one of my roommates and quilting friends from before going on the retreat) a runaround bag and wonder wallet. Prior to this and a while after I arrived I met my other roommate and quilting friend from before the retreat - Kathy and she introduced me to Carol. We three of us went out to dinner and had Chicken pot pies. I should say we had pot pies which the chickens ran through to give it flavor and very little chicken...but what was there was good.

Friday morning I lost my mind and decided to try paper piecing again. I did it once or twice before but this time it was a much harder project and I think I have paper pieced myself out for the rest of my life ... or until I forget the pain I was in when I was paper piecing ... whichever comes first. Okay I made a wall hanging with two pumpkins and a cat wearing a mask...it is adorable but there are millions (okay a tiny exaggeration) of pieces. I told Kathy and Kristie that they could smack me upside the head if I ever get it in my mind that I am going to paper pieces again. When that painful experience was over I then worked on an Origami bag. This did not take long and all the ladies on our floor loved it and wanted the pattern. Many of the ladies made the bag and it was the hit of the retreat. I was told that next year I need to bring another easy project. Several of the ladies told me I should be teaching quilting and projects as they thought I was quite good at it. Ohh my me teach!!!!! I don't know about that but I took it as the compliment it was meant to be. Linda heads the retreat and last night (Saturday) I mentioned the comments that were made and she said that she thinks I should be teaching as well. Wow how is that for a compliment!!!!!

Okay the bag doesn't take too long and that was with reading the directions and making it for the first time. I then worked on some two table runners....before you know it - well it was late and time for bed - Late is somewhere between 1:30 and 2:30 a.m. Okay before I went to bed I tried to make an easy project...a pillowcase...somehow this is just not the project for me. I sewed it according to the directions and Kristie told me it didn't look right and suggested I rip out all the work I did ... well I hemmed and hawed and finally ripped it all out...fixed it and proceed to sew the seams...somehow I broke two needles and one of them was titanium. Kathy tried it on her machine and it was fine....I just think I was too tired but who knows.

Suddenly I wake up and it's Saturday...well after breakfast I decide to work on making a top for a table runner I have wanted and just never gotten around to. Well I run into a snag because well I forgot it uses triangle paper. Okay well lucky for me we are going shopping later so I cut out all I can and then it's time to go. We went to Backyard quilts where I check out how to make my flannel and chenille quilt that suddenly I just couldn't remember which is supposed to be the binding (blue with snowflake), inner border (white) and outer border (fabric with words in blue). Okay this is also a reminder for when I decide to finish the quilt because you know I will forget by then. Well anyways I wander the store and end up buying a book and a bunch of fabric that is used on the samples in the book. I decide that I have fabric at home that I will make a tree skirt someday for my mom which is in the book. Then we stop at Sammy's Pub and I have Italian beef (which Carol and Kathy tell me is delicious and ohh were they right)! After that we head over to Milton to Loose Threads. There I buy more of the delicious fabric that I started to buy at Backyard Quilts. Ohh I am a fabric junkie. I think when we got back I laid down for an hour or two because I was fighting a migraine all the long weekend. Then I finished the table runner and was ready for show and tell. Ohh the first night I finished the hand binding on my mother-in-law's quilt and early on Friday I finished the First BOM Block for Wendy's group. Ohh is it beautiful. After show and tell I started cutting the chenille and flannel. Ohh was that a pain and I asked Linda for some suggestions as to how to cut some of it and square it up. This morning I finished cutting the fabric into squares so that later on I can finish this quilt! So needless to say I was quite busy. When I got home I dumped all my stuff in the living room and here it still sits. I left Lutherdale at about 10 AM and arrived home about 11 AM. Emma was very happy to see me and is now laying on my hip to tell me it is bed time...so I better finish this post.

When I got home I talked to Mark and then slept because my migraine medication was kicking in. When I woke up an hour and a half later it was time to get up and I ate a hot pretzel...not much for lunch but I wasn't feeling too good still. I laid down with ice on my temple because my headache was revving up and well I just didn't want to end up in the ER this weekend so it was nap time again. Then when I woke up Mark took me to the Machine Shed. I have been soooo lazy today and I can't believe it is almost 10 PM. Ohh well it is off to bed for me and I hope you all had a great weekend. I know I did. I made several new friends and one of the ladies Frannie and I talked for an hour and a half or so one night ... I got up at 2:30 AM to go to the bathroom and just checked to see if anyone was sewing and she was so I sat and chatted with her. What a great time I had but I did miss Mark and Emma and was glad to be home as well. I did miss seeing Michelle and her group when they came and visited Jen and Cindy and I did miss the Wendy's BOM group that meets at Frank's Sewing Center.

Ohh Today did not go as I planned

2007-10-06T22:26:00.001-05:00

I had the day all planned out. I would go to Weight Watchers and then the post office. Then Jen called and invited me to go to Ben Franklin in Oconomowoc and I decided to go to the post office first and then to Weight Watchers. Well I got out to my car and then next thing you know my car won't start. Okay wait a minute or two and try again ...again nothing. So I go inside to call Jen and tell her I won't be able to go because the car won't start.

My neighbor comes over and needs a tool from our garage so I go outside and when happens the lock spins and spins and the door won't open...ohh no how am I going to get in. I try the handle and wiggle it and turn the lock...give it one last try and amazing it opens. Now I am embarrassed because the garage is such a mess. So I say I am sorry and open the garage door so we can go in that way.

Next I decide to vacuum the kitchen, living room and bathroom. I vacuum up a metal tool so I have to take the vacuum apart...so I start to vacuum and now I have a clothes pin that is now somewhere in the vacuum so I have to take it apart a second time. By now I am figuring I should just give up. I continue and finish without any other problems with the vacuum that is.

Now my husband comes home and the car starts up for him...just like that. Why...I had so much I wanted to do. I also wanted to get a couple of outfits for work and I wanted to get some mums and asters for the front yard and perhaps a scarecrow from Joanne's to decorate the yard. I had hoped my husband and I would be able to rip the carpeting out...well of course that isn't happening. He is still outside helping his brother with his car. I want to do a load of laundry as I won't be home but as Amelia is falling asleep on my couch I just can't start my washer which is falling apart and loud. Amelia is five and the washer is three. It should not sound like it is going to take off but it does so so much for that idea.

There was other stuff on my agenda but I just didn't get to it either. I wanted to get stuff ready for tomorrow and going to Frank's Sewing Center for a sewing day but again it didn't happen. I was going to do the dishes and go to the grocery store but again it just didn't happen. I am going to get up off this couch as soon as I post this and pick up the crayons and coloring books I used with the kids.

Hopefully it will be bedtime for me in about half an hour. Hope you are all having a better weekend than I am. :-)

Allergies Strike Again

2007-10-03T13:03:00.000-05:00

Okay I am home early today because my allergies have struck again. This time I have the start of hives all over me. I itch everyplace...my scalp, my eyelids, my mouth, my hands and feet...you get the idea. I called the doctor's office because Clarinex D had been working for me but I only had samples and well they had run out...my insurance company denied my doctor's request to make an exception...well now the doctor has to write a letter to the national board stating that I am miserable and how today has been just well MISERABLE!!!!

I took Claritin D which the insurance company says should work but well obviously it doesn't. They also suggested Alavert which does not have a decongestant and is the same as Claritin...don't they get it - IT DOES NOT WORK!!! Okay I am sorry to complain but I really need to vent about this. I pay for my insurance and now they can override a doctor and say I can't have Clarinex D but Claritin D should work. I just am furious that here I sit itching everyplace and the medication that works well they won't cover it and it's $90 a month...well that's about 9 yards of fabric there and well my doctor has tried everything else. I am at the bottom of the barrel of allergy medications. When this doesn't work anymore he doesn't know what we are going to do. I just am so mad at the insurance company.

Well I am starting to get sleepy...when I was at the doctor's office they said I could take a Clarinex D but that the combination of that and Claritin D would make me VERY sleepy. Okay I should stop ranting now and take a nap. Hope everyone is doing well!

Sundays tend to me non-sewing days

2007-09-30T19:30:00.000-05:00

Well I didn't sew again today...I did laundry, cleaned up around the house and now I am cooking dinner. We are having Easy Skillet Chili Mac.

Easy Skillet Chili Mac

½ cup chopped onion
1 lb lean ground beef
8 ounces elbow macaroni (2 cups)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can (16 oz) kidney beans, undrained
1 large can (16 ounces) tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 t. chili powder
1 t. salt
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (Can substitute American Cheese slices)

In a large skillet, brown onion with ground beef. Add macaroni, kidney beans, tomato sauce, water, diced tomatoes, chili powder and salt. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese; cover and continue to heat until cheese is melted.

This is what we are having for dinner tonight because it is quick and easy…if you have any recipes you think I would like, please send them my way…I am trying to eat healthier and at home more. This meal isn’t healthier but it isn’t the worst thing for me.

Not Much Quilting Going On

2007-09-29T21:01:00.000-05:00

Well I had to take all of my stuff upstairs and put it in the quilting room. I was spread out on our first floor and was working on blocks down here. Well Mark wants to tear out the carpeting tomorrow so I took everything upstairs last night.

I was at my Mom's birthday party today at my brother's house. I made a homemade carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. I think everyone likes the frosting the best. Terry, my sister-in-law made Chicken Enchiladas...YUM!

I was going to go to Weight Watchers this morning but instead I slept in. I really need to get back on track....does anyone have any tips...I love fast food and ice cream...both do me in every time. Last time I was on Weight Watchers I lost 30 lbs. I gained it all back so I really need to buckle down. I know I can do it I just can't convince myself to get started. I keep saying to myself I will start tomorrow. I also get depressed thinking about how much I have to lose...there is not a picture of me on my website because I don't like how I look. Okay enough of my feeling sorry for myself when I created my own mess.

I looked at a couple of my projects tonight and I hope to get some started tomorrow. I also have to do laundry. I really do not like cleaning or laundry...it just cuts into my quilting time. I can't believe how many projects I have started. I didn't count and am afraid to. I have them hidden all over the quilt room. Some are in bags...some are piled together, some are in a tin...it is mind boggling how all these started tops multiply like rabbits. Where do they come from and when did I have the time to start all of them. Tomorrow I am hoping to work on picking out some more of the fabrics for my egg money quilt. I just feel like my days slide by. I have been so tired and my planters faciatis is just horrible lately.

I want to start working on the furniture for my quilt room but again I just haven't had time. Ohh well I'll just add that to my to do list which is getting longer by the minute. I also have to work on a mess in my kitchen tomorrow. Ohh how the day goes so quickly when you are having fun. Any ideas on how to get all this done esp all the projects that are started?

I Got Three MeMe's!

2007-09-26T19:52:00.000-05:00

I have made so many wonder friends because of blogging and three of them awarded me a "Make Me Smile" award. Thank you Jen, Moneik & Michelle for thinking of me! I should have posted this when Jen first sent me the award but I have been trying to think of adjectives for my name...this is going to be hard!

I have to use the letters of my name to share something about myself - so here I go...

M - Magical

A - Animated

U - Unique

R - Reliable

E - Enthusiastic

E - Entertaining

N - Nice

Now the rules of this MeMe are that I have to tag 6 other people to participate and these people also receive the "You Make Me Smile Award"........so here are my 6:

Jen, Cindy, Kristie, Jill, Michelle, Moneik

Thank goodness we did not have to come up with adjectives for our last name...the Z would have been hard!

I am sooo excited

2007-09-25T16:52:00.001-05:00

I bought a kit at the Madison Quilt Expo for the pattern Take 5. Here is how it works according to the pattern:

Take 5 minutes
Choose 5 fabrics
And in 5 hours you've made this fantastic quilt!

Well I hope it is that easy...anyways I bought the kit which is blue and white flannels and chenilles. Ohh it is soooo soft...I just loved the sample that I had to have it...you know how quilters love to touch their fabric...well anyways I'm not even to the good part yet...the backing fabric was blue with mugs on it...ADORABLE. Well they did not have any of the fabric there and it takes 4 yards for the backing, guess what came in the mail today! It is so pretty. I am going to have to figure out how to get pictures of my fabric...my camera isn't the greatest for pictures inside the house.

That is why I am sooo excited.

Color Confidence Class

2007-09-23T18:23:00.000-05:00

I went to a Color Confidence class for Quilters yesterday at WCTC (Waukesha County Technical College). It's not that I needed a confidence class for color I just know the teacher and I wanted to take the class for fun. Boy was it fun...we got to play using squares of color and making 9 patches by gluing fabric squares to paper. We started by looking at the color wheel and discussing primary colors vs. complementary colors, vs. triad colors, etc. We then looked at various quilts and discussed how color works in each of these quilts. Then we went and played on the Internet and then EQ5. After we were done with that we went back and started to make a fabric postcard using the concepts we learned in class. It was a fun filled class and we even did group projects.

By the end of the class my brain was tired and I didn't want to quilt last night. Today I cleaned some of our house...yesterday was laundry. Needless to say not a fun time but something that needed to be done. Hopefully everyone is having a great weekend and enjoying the weather.

Wow 1111

2007-09-21T21:59:00.000-05:00

Wow I just checked my counter on the bottom of my blog and could not believe that 1111 people have checked out my blog...all I can say is wow.

More pictures of Emma and my trip to Frank's Sewing Center

2007-09-21T21:12:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite things in life is my dog Emma. She brings me so much joy and happiness. Right now as I write this blog entry she is laying on the living room floor by one of my bins of fabric chewing on her Nylabone. We try to encourage her to do this because it keeps her teeth pearly white and she was really interested in one of Mark's socks sooo rather than have her eat a sock...which she would do if allowed I took the sock away and am encouraging bone chewing. I did put the sock in the laundry room so she won't be able to get it but who knows with Emma. The two pictures on the left are when I took Emma to the dog park.

She really enjoyed hunting in the long grass and sniffing the many smells available at the dog park. She has never hunted in long grass before so another springer named Bailey showed her how. Bailey is quite good at it and she had no problem diving right on in the tall grass. Emma wasn't quite so sure on that day if it was something she wanted to do but as you can see she figured it out really quickly.

Some of Emma's most memorable times occurred when she was a puppy. When we first got her, we bought her a wading pool. For her first birthday,

we bought her a second wading pool as we got rid of the first one. As you can see she really liked her swimming pool. Even though she is faced away from the camera you can see she was really enjoying her pool. She used to try to dig her way out of the pool...very funny to watch.

What do you think of the pool picture? All I can think is she was soo darn cute when she was a puppy. She still is cute but puppies are sooo cute!!!

Well I received an e-mail from Jen telling me she was going to the sale at Frank's Sewing Center and did I want to join her and her mom...well I called Jen on her cell phone and asked when they were going. They were on their way so of course I met them up there. I had to take Jen's challenge and go to Frank's and try to figure out which ones were hers...we will see if I am right...I sent her an e-mail with the answers so I done with that task I set for myself. Anyways with the sale I wanted to buy some jelly rolls but they sold out of all the jelly rolls by the time we got there. I did buy four charm packs...two of them in the tins and the other two are seasonal...one is Halloween and the other is Christmas fabric.

At the Madison Quilt Expo we saw a lot of quilts with crystals attached to them. Well I just had to have one when I saw they were on sale at Frank's and of course I had to buy crystals. I think this is going to be a whole new area of purchases. I also bought three patterns...two use charm squares and the other one uses a jelly roll. Needless to say I did well in purchasing stuff tonight.

Wendy was at Frank's working and I asked her if I could use 2 1/2" strips for tomorrow's class instead of 2" strips...she said yes so I was off to raid my poker strips for class tomorrow. I only had to cut two gray fabrics and one of my favorite floral. I put all the stuff in my new Quilt in a Day backpack to find that the left pocket the zipper doesn't work...how annoying. The first one I picked up had a small hole in the bottom. Anyways everything I need is packed up. We are supposed to come home with a binder full of ideas. I know a lot about color and have taken a Jinny Beyers color course in Rosemont at the International Quilt Show but I just want to take this for fun! I like to see what others have to say on various topics and Wendy is such a good teacher ... so I really like to take classes from her.

Well I should get ready for bed soon...I am rather tired and my feet are hurting again...I really don't like having plantars faciatis. Take care and I hope everyone gets a chance to quilt this weekend. I need to look for some batiks for my Egg Money Quilt so I can start that.

Yum

2007-09-20T19:37:00.000-05:00

Okay...I feel like I am often taking about food...I made the Tuscan Turkey Sausage Stew tonight with bread sticks, again. Jen and Cindy asked when I was going to post the recipe. I did get it out of a cookbook but I did change two ingredients and I deleted one so here it is...

Tuscan Turkey Sausage Stew
1 pkg (has 5 sausages) Jenn-O Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage, cook according to pkg.
2 pkg sliced mushrooms (smaller container)
2 medium zucchini,diced
2 - 15 1/2 oz. can cannellini (white kidney beans) beans, rinsed and drained
2 - 14 1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes with roasted garlic and onion
1 - 15 1/2 oz. can tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
2 - 4 cups baby spinach or baby arugula

Spray large nonstick pot with nonstick spray and cook the sausages according to directions on pkg. Take the sausages out and slice them. Respray large nonstick pot with nonstick spray; set over high heat. Add the mushrooms, zucchini and sausage; cook, stirring frequently, until the sausages and vegetables are lightly browned - approx. 6 minutes.

Stir in the beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and water; bring to boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered, until the vegetables are tender, approx. 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the spinach or arugula until it wilts - approx. 1 minute.

If you like you can add 4 t. chopped fresh rosemary. I don't add this so I know it tastes okay without it.

My husband really likes this recipe the second day...it thickens up and the flavors meld together.

I hope it is okay that I posted it. If there is a problem with it, please tell me and I will remove this post!

I was going to cut strips tonight for my Saturday class but I just don't feel like it. I also have a sink full of dishes which I don't want to do. I have a living room to straighten and again I don't want to do it. I wish the magic cleaning fairy would stop at my house and poof it would be perfect and everything in it's place.

Hoping you an evening filled with fun and enjoyment. I may not be quilting but my husband and I are going to watch a movie.

How do I follow up ... Here's Emma

2007-09-19T19:36:00.000-05:00

Thank you for all the comments on Emma...she is quite the spoiled puppy! Okay she is a 2 year old dog but forever I will call her puppy. She is a lot of fun but she is very active except for right now when she is laying on the couch cuddling.

Last night was so much fun! I am a student volunteer for a Beginning Quilting class taught by my friend and quilting mentor, Wendy Rieves.

She has inspired me since the beginning...okay in the beginning she had to convince me that I could first sew a strait line and then cut a straight line and finally that I would definitely have a huge stash one day.

WELL my stash is huge and growing my leaps and bounds...but I think the most fun for me is seeing the excitement on the new quilters faces. I have been helping for about five or six years. As a student volunteer I help the students with threading machines, helping them learn to rotary cut, how to figure out a scant 1/4", color selections, etc. I think I get as much out of it as they do. I just feel good when I walk out of the classroom.

I was working on some of my homework for the class that I have coming up this weekend. It is a color confidence class...I just know that I really want to take it to firm up all the concepts I have in my head plus to see if there are things I don't know. I at one time was an art major in college...I ended up with a business degree and two majors one in Marketing and the other in Human Resource Management.

I am also going to look at my Egg Money Quilt Book again tonight and start thinking about fabric I want to use for it. I am thinking batiks. I also have to pick out some fabrics for the table runner we are making in the beginning class. I have a kit that Wendy put together that I am going to make for myself. I also need to make one for my Mom. It has to be in blues...she said a little yellow is okay too. Ohh I also have to start cutting strips for my class on Saturday but I will probably do that on Friday night. I am a procrastinator - unfortunately.

Maureen

Here's Emma

2007-09-16T21:33:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it I finally figured out how to add pictures. I have them on a CD and I added them to the blogger site by clicking on the little picture icon.

This is a recent picture of Emma in her natural habitat...her house. We don't own the house she thinks she does. She also thinks she owns everything in the house.

Well I didn't think I was going to add another posting tonight but I was so proud of the fact that I was able to post the pictures that here I am posting away.

Anytime I can write about Emma I seem to be able to fill up pages. She really has been wonderful for both my husband, Mark and myself.

In fact here is a picture of Mark and Emma. (Do you think he likes her? - yeah he seems pretty content holding her. This picture was taken approx. last year in October. That is my guess..the window is open behind Mark but he is wearing a sweatshirt. She also has a recent haircut because she is shaved down and we do that only three times a year. Her hair used to grow quite quickly. In this picture we got her an English Springer Spaniel cut. The next cut she got was a hunter's cut and they shave everything including her really pretty ear hair. She was not too happy with us for that hair cut...luckily Mark took her for the hunter's cut haircut.

This is one of Emma's first tricks that she learned when we took her to puppy training...to jump through the hoop. Mark taught it to her. We needed to have her learn one trick that we taught her using the techniques that we learned in class. Well Emma learned to sit, lay down...come, and stay well those are optional to her. We still work on it but it is hard. She knows down/off when she is jumping up but if she gets excited well as Jen will tell you Emma forgets that command too! Jen was fine with it as she is a dog person! Lucky for Emma! In this picture she is jumping through a hoop that is being help straight out from my husband at shoulder height. She gets really good air sometimes and flies through the hoop. You would think that she would run and jump through the hoop but she doesn't, she springs from the floor through the hoop! Amazing.

Finally this is a picture of Emma and my brother's dog Sadie when Emma was pretty young. I think she was about 5 months or so in this picture. Sadie had just been playing catch with her ball and bringing it to my brother. Emma tried to copy everything Sadie did but only for example smaller loops of the yard. Hence why she is laying right by Sadie. Mark or I are holding the leash because we weren't totally sure how Sadie would take to Emma. She tolerates her even to this day and Emma trots along behind to see what Sadie is doing.

Hope you enjoy the pictures of my girls!

It's Sunday Night

2007-09-16T20:47:00.001-05:00

Well I can hardly believe it is Sunday night. I did a lot of work on my new blog site. I had so many good intentions but none of them came true! I did make a really nice dinner for my husband. OK here is what we had...Chicken stuffed with broccoli & cheese, Au Gratin Potatoes, and green beans. I am now hungry for Chocolate ice cream from Culvers. I can't believe how much I am craving it. I will ask Mark if he wants to go in about five mintues...that should give me time to finish writing the rest of my posting.

I had really wanted to finish the last block for my Block of the Month Club and put the last row of sashing on. I also wanted to quilt on my mother-in-law's quilt. I thought about starting one of the kits I bought yesterday at the Quilt Expo but again no. What I did get done is my laundry, and making dinner. I was going to take all the stuff down here upstairs but no that didn't happen.

Mark picked up my new Pink Razor Phone on Friday. He is so nice to me about doing that. I would have gone but I was at Block of the Month club. Ohh well.

Right now I have a very sleepy, snuggly dog next to me. She is quite a wonderful dog and very loving. Today she decided to sniff and try to step on and eat a wasp. That is such a dog thing to do and I just have to smile at her. Lucky for me she did not eat the wasp and my husband got her away from it.

Hope you have a quilty evening.

Very Busy Week

2007-09-16T20:11:00.000-05:00

Sunday, September 16, 2007 - Very Busy Week

Wow...I can't believe it is Sunday and I have not posted since Monday!!! I have been very busy not only quilting but doing stuff with my Mark (my husband) and Emma (our Springer).

Tuesday night I got off of work a little early so that I could run and get the backing for my mother-in-law's quilt - I didn't take a lunch so that I could leave a half an hour early and make it to the quilt store in time. I knew on Friday I was going to my block of the month club early so that Jen and I could baste my quilt! I had the top all done and now I just needed to baste it so that I could start quilting it. Then I came home that evening and made a really nice dinner for my husband - Chicken Cordon Bleu, Au Gratin potatoes and asparagus - it was really good and Mark said it was the best dinner he has had ... better than a restaurant.

Wednesday night was my quilt guild meeting - Patched Lives is the name of the guild. I missed part of the program but my feet have been killing me lately so I needed to come home and put my feet up. (I have plantars faciatis - don't think I spelled that right but you get the idea). We learned all about the upcoming programs and I got to see several of my quilting friends that I haven't seen in several months...unfortunately I missed the last three months...one of the members was sure to point that out to me. Our guild has a waiting list but I did pay my dues so I guess if I have things going on it is okay to miss some meetings. Then at the beginning of the meeting our president of our guild started talking about if you are not able to attend a majority of the meetings you should pay the guest fee and inferred giving up your membership so that someone else can have your spot who will attend. That seemed awfully harsh to me but I understood what they were saying but why can't they pay guest fees and come to the meetings??? When I came home I decided that after having my feet up I should finish my August block of the month club block. I then put that row together and sewed it to the rest of the top...well I just wasnt' paying enough attention and I was tired so I added it to the top and not the bottom so I took that off and went to bed.

Thursday night I went to a jewerly party and had a great time. My friend who had the party has an English Springer Spaniel who is one month younger than Emma. Baily is a peanut. She is sooo small esp. compared to Emma who is a large female English Springer Spaniel. My Emma is very tall and long for a springer but she is sooo wonderful. I got home late in the evening and decided to put the next row on the quilt top and go downstairs and try to bring my roll of batting up. Well Mark brought it up as well I thought I was going to throw my back out trying to get that huge roll up the stairs. I then cut the batting for my mother-in-law's quilt so that I could baste it Friday.

On Friday I had to be to work early so that I could leave early....I needed to be to Frank's Sewing Center where the Block of the Month Club that I attend is held. Well I came home and I made the mini meatballs for the snacks we were having at the BOM Club. They tasted really good! I got to Frank's and after I dragged all the stuff that I had in...there was Jen ready to baste the quilt. She uses a basting gun which I had never used before. It worked very well except I jammed one of the guns. Jen said when she got home it wouldn't take long to fix...well then next thing I know Wendy and Brad are telling us about a deal on the Gracie quilt frame and Jen bought it! YEAH JEN! She has really wanted one and this was a great deal. Before you know it everyone is getting there for block of the month club, Jen and I are done basting the quilt and we are all trying all these yummy snacks and Watermelon Vodka jello jigglers. We all really had a great time and there was quite a variety of snacks (appetizers and desserts). We learned how to make the next block and well we were quite a talkative group that night so I didn't get home until 9 or 9:30 PM.

Then it was Saturday and Jen and Cindy were picking me up so we could go to the Quilt Expo at Madison's Alliant Energy Center. It was sponsored by Nancy's Notions. We also went to a lecture by Eleanor Burns. She is funny, quirky but funny. It was about the Magic Vine and I then went and bought the book. I also bought a shorter version of it as a kit and I can't wait to make that. The three of us had a great time and at the end of the night met my husband at The Machine Shed for dinner. We were hungry because we ate from one of the refreshment stands not knowing there was more food out in the corridor. Well I got the last hot dog for 10 minutes...Cindy and I couldn't figure out why that was as they had a ton of them on the heating tray that turns the hot dog. The food was well it left a lot to be desired so it was lucky we had snacks in our bags...mini twix bars and twizzlers. I also got a pretzel and it was very dry. Lucky I had gotten some hot cheese to put on it. I sure did buy enough at the Quilt Expo and a fun time was had by all.

That is the shortened version of my week...I still know that it is a long post so I hope I didn't bore anyone.

Maureen

Sunday, September 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SewAndSnip
Friday night and Saturdays quilt show were just the best. A great time was had by all. My feet are still tired. Cindy

Sunday, September 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by luv2quilt
I wasn't bored at all! You have been a busy girl! Glad you had fun Friday night and Saturday. I'm jealous I didn't get to go though.....but I have 6 new windows! Michelle

Another New Home

2007-09-16T18:14:00.000-05:00

Well hopefully this is my final home for my blog for a while. I will be moving all of my previous posts over here and maybe I will even start to add pictures soon. Something I need to learn! I sure have been enjoying posting! I hope you will enjoy my journey which will include quilting, my friends and family, and off course Emma.

Ohh no I am home again - allergies

2007-09-10T20:18:00.000-05:00

Monday, September 10, 2007 - Ohh no I am home again - allergies

I can't believe this I am home again because of my allergies. My insurance company will not pay for the new kind and I found out late on Friday. Now my doctor has to file a request for me to get the pills. Lucky me they had a sample of Clarinex D that they could bring over to the office close to my home and work. So I found out this morning that I could pick the pills up at 1:30 PM. I had to take my steroid for my eyes and my inhaler for my lungs. Well it started to get better and then another person with heavy perfume walked by and I just could not breath very well. I couldn't use the inhaler again because I am to use it every 4 hours not every hour. After weezing for about a half an hour I called my boss and said I needed to go home I can't be exposed to all this perfume, etc. without any medication. So off I go home. Now an hour later I can pick up the new prescription. I went to the allergists office and I am told to wait she can't find the sample. Ohh noo I am thinking someone left it at the Mayfair office which is half an hour away in mall tower. The guy who is ahead of me is wearing enough cologne to knock me out just about. I am about to start weezing again when she says ohh here is your sample. Okay I take the sample and run for fresh air. Now I am home with a big glass of water as it has a decongestant and the allergy medicaiton. I am also very tired so I am going to take a nap but this has been a nightmare. Why do insurance companies deny us a prescription that we need? Why do they tell us that another product will work when you have used it in your past and it doesn't work. Ohh I am just not happy and feeling miserable. Why do I have to be allergic to everything? And I mean just about everything.

Well I am going to go to take a nap and I am sure Emma will too. She is just happy I am home.

Comments

Monday, September 10, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ThisOldQuilt
I'm allergic to the earth, sun and the sky too. I hope you get some meds that work.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - Allergies
Posted by Anonymous
Boy, I know what you mean about allergies, meds, ins. companies, and perfume/cologne. I used to take Claritin D and it quit working for me, I switched to Clarinex which works a lot better. Ins. co. quit covering it when Claritin D went over the counter and told me to use it. My dr. had to send them a letter explaining that I had used all the other meds and that I needed the Clarinex. They finally approved it. My husband, girls and I were having dinner out one night and a woman came in and sat down 2 booths away from us. Her perfume was so strong I could TASTE it. Of course I got an instant migraine and we left the restaurant, but not before telling the manager and making a rude comment as I passed her table. I don't like to do that but I don't like to taste perfume either. Yuck! Hope you are feeling better soon. If you get lots of pressure from your sinuses which makes your face and ears hurt, try putting a very small amout of IcyHot on your forehead, temples and around your ears. Be sure not to get it too close to your eyes. It will reduce the inflamation and help clear your sinuses. I've been known, in desperate times, to put a tiny dab on my cheekbones too. I'd try a small amount in one area first before putting it all over because if you have sensitive skin, it'll burn the fire out of it. HTH Nikki

Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by luv2quilt

I hope you are feeling some relief by now. Take care! Michelle
Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CountryQuilter
I really hope you are feeling better. Allergies can be so miserable. Rest up and maybe you will feel better. Kristie

Think I'm Ready to Give Up for Today

2007-09-09T20:21:00.000-05:00

Sunday, September 9, 2007 - Think I'm Ready to Give Up for Today

Today started out as a good quilting day and then well I messed up on my Block of the Month quilt...I put the second row on backwards and then proceed to put the next set of sashing on. Well first I took the sashing off because it was on the wrong side of the row; then I removed the incorrect row so that I could turn the row over and put it on correctly. This took more time than I thought it would.

I also was going to get a lot of cleaning done today but well it just again didn't work out. I was going to start cleaning after I got the second row completed...well instead I was cleaning up the strings and then I found that I have somehow lost the cover to my Gingher scissors (little pair). Don't ask me how but I did. I am worried that Emma ate it. It would not be good for her if she did eat it. On top of that I wanted to run to Joann's well I can't find my coupon so I can get my 40% off of my backing fabric for my mother-in-law's quilt. I also wanted to get to Office Depot for some stuff for the Color Confidence course I am taking on September 22nd. I am very excited about that course but not about the lack of things completed. I also wanted to get the Block of the Month block from August done so that all I have left is September but I just don't have the energy or motivation. I really don't like when I let all of this get to me. Ohh well, when my husband gets back from Home Depot I am going to the grocery store. Poor Emma ran out of treats today so I need to go to the store for her. There is stuff for us that I need but she is my priority. Someone at work told me that when they come back in their next life they want to be my dog because I treat her like a princess. I then teased that I should get her a tiara. (Only thing is Emma would not like it, would knock it off and eat it!) Well Mark is pulling in the driveway so I am off to the grocery store.

Hope others are having a good Sunday!

Sunday, September 9, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8tiveQuilter
Hey...breathe! I think you've just got too much going on today! Maybe just pick one thing to work on for the moment whether that be sewing or cleaning. Mom's upstairs neighbor is getting a liver and white springer spaniel puppy on the 22nd.

Sunday, September 9, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by cowgirl4ever
My day has been much like yours.. things just haven't gone my way and then to make things worse I got called into work and well that is a long frustrating story for another time. I hope your day gets better and you find the cover to your scissors in the couch cushion or something. Heather

Sunday, September 9, 2007 - you sound like me !
Posted by boopie
Guess you didn't have that good of a day. It sounds like one of my many ! LOL ! hopefully tomorrow things will go better ! Boopie

Sunday, September 9, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SewAndSnip
Your day sounds like mine. I got up and had good intentions but it just went down hill from there. There's always tomorrow. Cindy

Ohh I got a little more done

2007-09-09T20:20:00.000-05:00

Sunday, September 9, 2007 - Ohh I got a little more done

Once I headed out for the grocery store I went by Office Depot and found that they were still open. Well yeah I got my stuff for class. I also got a couple of other things we needed in our home office. Then I tried to go to Joann's. I still don't have my coupon but I was going to go anyways...well it was two or three minutes to 6 PM (when they close) and this woman comes out and says something like "Ohh you're just tooo late." Well let me tell you I still wanted to go in but I remember what it was like to work in retail on a Sunday and I know you just want to get home so I got in my car and went to the grocery store. Lucky for me Joann's and the grocery store are in the same shopping center.

I didn't know what I wanted to buy which is always dangerous when going to the grocery store. I ended up with quite a bit of food for next week...in fact I think more than we need but that's okay I can use it the following week...that is what freezers are for. Emma made out like a bandit...I had run out of dog treats so I picked up several kinds. She has to have a soft treat when she gets her pill in the morning. At bed time she gets a milk bone. I also got her a big Dentabone to chew on...she finishes those quickly but she likes them. Then I bought these little treats we use for training. I did buy myself the Better Homes and Gardens Quilt Sampler which has the Ultimate shop hop in it. That and some chocolate should fix me up. I did not even try to start the next block of the month block...I figured I just need to relax so I don't make any more mistakes.

Hope you had a good weekend.

Maureen

Sunday, September 9, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SewAndSnip
I didn't do anything today except quilt the first piece of fabric for my Veronica Purse. I just couldn't bring myself to start anything.
Cindy

Saturday Social Craft Event

2007-09-08T20:23:00.000-05:00

Saturday, September 8, 2007 - Saturday Social Craft Event

Well today I went and helped Jen and Cindy with the Social Craft Event they had at her Grandma's/Mom's Apartment Complex. There were some interesting people...three ladies who stopped in were very nice, one crocheted for about 20 minutes (she is having surgery on her eyes soon), one who was very nice and brought a picture of a sweater she made when she was young (she started knitting when she was 6) and a third lady who would like to do some crafting but she has tremors and is unable to (she was very nice). Then came the card playing group and they had nothing nice to say...first the room is too cold (so I politely turn the air conditioning up so it warms up), then it is too warm (so I move the cushions that were in the way of the air blowing over by them and they tell me if they aren't put back they will get in trouble), then our machines are too loud and we talk to loud (I think I kicked my speaking voice up a decibel or two ). Anyways it was nice to spend time with Jen, Cindy, Arlene, and I got to meet Kitty and Kari.

I also got a lot done today. I fussy cut the borders for my mother-in-law's quilt (which ended up being too small so I had to re-cut and pray that there was enough fabric when I got home). I also cut and sewed all of the parts for my block of the month quilt so I am hoping to work on putting that together this week. I was going to work on a run around purse by Lazy Girl but I did not get it started...hopefully tomorrow or the next weekend. When I wasn't sure if I would have enough fabric for the borders, I called Jen in a panic...she needed to talk me down because I was so upset with myself. I also had several other problems this evening but in the end it turned out really nice. Jen is going to download a picture for me on one of the two websites. Tonight I also cut the binding for the quilt and tomorrow I will sew it and iron it so that it is ready when I am done layering and quilting the top. The quilt will either be a birthday present or Christmas present...I am going to let my husband pick out which one.

On Friday, Jen and I are going to go to Block of the Month Club so that I can get this basted; I am going to try the basting gun that Jen has (I wonder if I need to bring masking tape like I do when pin basting - I better find out!) I also don't know if I will use invisible thread or if I will use colored thread. What do the rest of you do when you quilt the top?

Hope everyone is getting a chance to quilt!

Maureen

Saturday, September 8, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CountryQuilter
sounds like you got alot done, even with the hateful people there. Can't wait to see this quilt. Kristie

Sunday, September 9, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8tiveQuilter
I think I do a completely different kind of basting than you do! I've never used masking tape in my life. Since I'm self taught I just lay all three pieces down and smooth them out. Then I work from one end to the other basting as I go and re-smoothing as needed. With the basting gun, you really want your hand under the quilt so that the tacks go all the way through...or a crate thingie; and I never bought one of those because of the way that I baste. If you want to do pins and masking tape it down; that's fine too!! I'll still help baste that way.

Sunday, September 9, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lori
There's always a bad egg in every crowd ,still you got a lot done ,good for you

Archives

2007-09-06T19:35:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile since I posted

9:22 PM, Thursday, September 6, 2007 .. 2 comments .. Link
Thursday, September 6, 2007 - It's been awhile since I posted
I just haven't felt good today...allergies. I ended up coming home from work because I was so sick to my stomach. I have wanted to quilt but my eyes are so swollen that I just can't. I talked to the allergist about a week ago and there is not much they can do for me except going on steroids. This just is not an option for me so I am miserable.

Last night I went to play poker at our LQS, Patched Works with Cindy and Jen. Jen's grandma came too. Prior to going to poker, we met at Bakers Square for dinner - yum...we knew we were coming back for pie later! We all have our favorites and tend to chose the same thing...maybe next month I will try something new...or not! I normally pick the French Silk Pie! Well anyways I came away with about 20 extra strips unlike last month where I lost BIG! It's all for the fun of it right. My eyes were bothering me last night but not as bad as today. I have tried the drops they give me and they work for a short amount of time so it's really not working well.

I did get the first border on my mother-in-law's quilt. As I have to fussy cut the next border I think I will wait on it until my eyes are better. I am just waiting for my husband to get home and I think we will go out to dinner...he will have to drive as my eyes are itching and burning and a bit blurry.

Hope everyone has a good night and I hope to be able to say that I am able to sew in the near future. I also have a Yellow Brick Road quilt to cut out for my brother-in-law ... it is out of all sorts of fabric with tools on them. He does a lot of woodworking (esp. for Christmas presents) for all of us so it seems appropriate.

Thursday, September 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CountryQuilter
You poor thing! I sure hope you get to feeling better. Allergies can sure get a person down. I can't wait to see your quilts. They sound so pretty. Take a break and get to feeling better. Kristie

Thursday, September 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by maryann64
Hi hope you are feeling better soon. Go rest and then go quilt - enjoy life is short. Hugs Mary Ann

Wow...I didn't have too many posts to move
3:33 PM, Sunday, September 2, 2007 .. 0 comments .. Link
Sunday, September 2, 2007 - Wow...I didn't have too many posts to move
I have been working on moving all my posts and as I only had about 14 - I moved them all yesterday and today. I had a wonderful day yesterday...I got to meet Michelle and Louie (Michelle's husband) yesterday. We all went out to lunch with Jen and then she took us to two local quilt stores. I bought fabric at both...not that I needed anymore but I did. I bought some fun fabric with tools on it for my brother-in-law at Bits and Pieces. I am going to try and make him a quilt for Christmas. I also bought some of the fabric for a runaround purse for a friend.

At the other quilt store, Patched Works, I bought a panel to make a baby quilt. I don't have any friends who are pregnant right now to give it to but who know's it is always good to have around. I have to go out and buy a zipper to make the purse which I will try to do tomorrow before I go to my parents for a Labor Day picnic. My husband has to work tomorrow so I will miss him! It should be fun because a bunch of my cousins will be there as well as my brother and sister-in-law and my husband's brother and sister-in-law as well as his parents. Hopefully he will get off early and can come to the picnic.

Hope everyone has a fun and safe Labor Day!

Maureen

I'm Working on Moving Over
8:35 AM, Saturday, September 1, 2007 .. 1 comments .. Link
Well I decided to start moving everything over to this site. Don't know if I wil maintain two sites or not. I hope this one is easier to add pictures. I still haven't had time to sit down and figure out on the other site how to do it.
Well I should start thinking about starting my day soon. Was going to take a nap while the dryer is going because Emma woke me up really early today. Emma thinks when she is up the whole family should be up...not so in my world or maybe it is because I am sitting on the couch next to the dog...not in bed sleeping. Ohh Well! I am going to meet Michelle today. Jen is meeting her and going to some quilt shops, etc. so lucky me I was invited along!

I tried
8:20 AM, Saturday, September 1, 2007 .. 0 comments .. Link
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - I tried
I tried to add a picture of Emma but it didn't work. I just copied a bunch of her pictures onto a CD from our main computer and now have them here on a CD in my laptop. Frustrating! I have some adorable pictures of Emma as a puppy, when she got her first English Springer Spaniel cut, and now that her Hunter's cut is growing out. She is a really pretty dog...sorry. Hopefully I will figure this out eventually. I have to so I can put pictures of the progress I am making on my quilts. For example when I get farther along with my Mother-in-law's quilt. I hope to work on it tomorrow night. Tonight I had a doctor's appointment and then I had some paperwork to do here at home. Then my husband and I went out to dinner to the Machine Shed. We both had Mushroom stuffed chicken breasts. Yum! Now it is late and I am ready for bed so no sewing tonight plus I just started a sneezing fit. Something is bothering my allergies.

On a positive note I did learn how to save things onto a CD...we have a rewritable disk drive on our main computer and this is the first time I saved anything to a CD. My friend, Becky's last day is tomorrow and I wanted to bring in a CD with the pictures of her dog on it. I took a really good picture of Bailey (her dog) and her husband wants to blow it up and frame it..it looks good enough to be on the front of Field and Stream or a hunting magazine.

Well I'm off to bed...hope you are all having a good night...esp. Cindy...Happy Birthday Cindy!

Maureen

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by luv2quilt
You have a Machine Shed up there? I LOVE the Machine Shed!!!! We have one in Davenport, about 35 miles south of here. and that is one of the towns I go 'junkin' in, (thrift store shopping---there are lots of stores there). I think Davenport is the 'Original' Shed. My favorite thing to eat there is the Smoked Turkey Reuben Sandwich. I don't even need a menu...just give me that! I also love the Baked Potato Soup, but had to quit eating it, because it gives me a migraine, and I see spinning auras...must be the MSG. Oh well...it's an artery blocker anyway! Michelle

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jillquilts
Keep working on the pictures! I can't wait to see Emma!! Jen has a post somewhere about using webshots to upload pics. That's how I do my pictures now.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 51050
I can't wait to see your pictures of Emma. I'm a dog lover, too. Rhoda

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8tiveQuilter
I sent you the link. If you need more help let me know! =)

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CountryQuilter
You will figure it out, it took me a while too. I'm a little slow when it comes to computer stuff. Kristie

Too Tired
3:09 PM, Sunday, August 26, 2007 .. 0 comments .. Link
Sunday, August 26, 2007 - Too Tired
Okay the concert was great...I really liked Brad Paisley and his show is phenominal. He has one of the most inventive displays I have seen in a long time. He had three opening acts...Taylor Swift (who was great), John Ingram (who well I didn't enjoy that part of the show) and Kellie Pickler (she was okay). The friend I went with just couldn't wait for Brad Paisley and then she was just like a teenager again...she was soooo fun. If any of you have seen Brad Paisley's video Online that is how the concert started with the big doors opening and him coming out playing while the video informtion is streaming down all the displays. For one of the songs later in the show where it is him on guitar and the others playing there instruments, well he animated a cartoon to play during this section of the show. Wow is all I can say. I told my friend I would go again with her because he is so good. His guitar solos were awesome!

I did not get home until 2 AM there was a festival going on down at the Summerfest grounds by the lakefront and both the concert and Mexican Fiesta let out at the same time. It was a nightmare getting out of the ampitheater let alone the place where we parked. Jenna, my good friend, got out of her car and asked someone to let her in...I then had to get out and stop the crowd that kept walking past her car to stop so she could back out...it was very frustrating....a stream of people who would not let her back out they just wanted to get to their cars and wait in line. It took us half an hour to get from our approx. seventh parking place in out onto the street...that was three car lengths to get out. Okay so then we are on the street and this Saturn station wagon which is parked in a no parking zone hits the car in front of it. As it is on my side of the car I tell Jenna to watch out for this guy as he is from out of state (so he probably is unfamiliar with where he is going) and instead of backing up he hits the car in front of him by pulling into it...again I pointed out he is parked in a no parking zone...she let him in because we would rather have him in front of us than behind us possibly rearending us. It took us about an hour to get to Jenna's house which is at most a 20 minute ride...this is after sitting in the parking lot a half an hour. It didn't take me but a half an hour to get home so I was quite tired when I got home.

I think I got up finally at about 10:30 or 11:00AM so I got in the shower and then took Emma who has been very patient with me outstide. She is such a good dog, when she wants to be. When I got home last night she was soooo excited. I am worried how she will be when I go to a quilting camp in October and I am gone for 3 nights/4 days. She has seperation anxiety and it will be hard on my husband as she will be looking for me. When I go to Rosemont, IL in the spring for the Quilt festival in Chicago she is very anxious while I am gone.

My husband has to work today...poor guy he has been on 10 - 14 hour days all seven days this week. They have mandatory overtime. I think I am going to take a nap as I am starting a headache and then I will start laundry and my mother-in-law's quilt. Hopefully I get that accomplished when I wake up.

Hope you are all getting some quilting done.
Maureen

Sunday, August 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by luv2quilt
I'm beginning to think I am a winter quilter, because I sure don't seem be in the mood, nor can I get inspired enough to do anything lately. Hopefully, that will change soon.

Sunday, August 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CountryQuilter
Glad you had such a great time. Brad Paisley's homeplace is not too far from here. We have seen him several times. He does alot of charity concerts for local groups. He is great, and very down to earth... Kristie

Sunday, August 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lori
The traffic is always the worse part when you go to any kind of concert but thats part of the whole experience .Glad you had a great time .

Sunday, August 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SewAndSnip
It sounds like you had a great time even though I have no idea who he is. Traffic down there is always bad when something lets out. That's why during Summerfest I always take the freeway fliers. Cindy

Monday, August 27, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8tiveQuilter
Sounds like you had an awesome time!!!!!

Dinner and laundry done
8:15 AM, Sunday, August 26, 2007 .. 0 comments .. Link
Sunday, August 26, 2007 - Dinner and laundry done
Well almost done. I have to put the one load in the dryer. I finished all the laundry. I am going to throw Emma's bed in the wash just because I cleaned up her area on Friday night. We gate her in the kitchen so she can not get into too much trouble. We also have a doggie fleece crate liner that she lays on during the day. Emma does not like her crate so she is penned in the kitchen and dining area. She is very mad at me right now as she had an incident and I had to give her a shower. It's easier to take her in the shower and wash her then to put her in the tub. It still takes two of us as one of us has to hold the shower stall closed. In the beginning Emma figured out how to open the door and escape from the shower so now one of us is on the inside bathing her and the other is on the outside holding the door closed. Her hair gets sooo curly when she gets a bath.

Needless to say this was not on the planned agenda for the evening...so now I will wait awhile until I try to lay out my quilt. Having a wet dog lay on the quilt just isn't the best thing in the world. She does smell like raspberries as that is the scent of her shampoo. My husband asked what if she doesn't like the scent. Well the sent isn't for Emma, it's for us. I still really like her puppy shampoo..it smelled like babies smell after a bath. She isn't a puppy anymore so it was time to get her adult dog shampoo. They had so many scents for dogs it was crazy.

I made a really easy dinner tonight so that was good. I bought stir fry meat - beef and added onions and cooked it. When it was browned I added mushrooms and beef gravy from a jar. I served it over egg noodles. It was a fast and filling dinner. I should go throw Emma's bed in the wash. Hope everyone is having a quilty weekend and gets to work on a project a little this weekend.

Maureen

Sunday, August 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CountryQuilter
You will have to post a photo of Emma, she sounds so sweet! Kristie

Sunday, August 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jillquilts
Yes, you need to show us Emma! Congrats on getting the laundry done! I always feel like I accomplish something when I can do that - and it's just laundry for me!

Sunday, August 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SewAndSnip
You've been a busy little bee today. Give Emma a hug for me. Cindy

Monday, August 27, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by maryann64
Hi Maureen the dreaded bath my dog after 7 years will if I walk her up the stairs after her walk will actually get in the tub herself. But if I try to get her up any other way - no way not food nothing tempts her. Hope you had a good weekend do post a picture I think I will go now and post a picture of my Bosie. Hugs Mary Ann

Monday, August 27, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8tiveQuilter
I LOVE the new smells of dog shampoo. I get a kick out of it. Holly has some between bath sprays that you brush into their coat. Monday (Labor Day) from 5-8 there's a Doggy Dip at the Greenfield Park Pool (124th & Greenfield). I think it's like a $2 or $5 donation to the humane society. Holly and Murphy are going to go and they'd like Emma to join them. =)

Looking Longingly at the Sewing Machine
3:11 PM, Friday, August 24, 2007 .. 0 comments .. Link
Friday, August 24, 2007 - Looking Longingly at the Sewing Machine
I am sitting on my living room couch finally (8:30PM) but I am still going on my things to do list. As I sit here and type I can see my Janome 6600 out of the corner of my eye. Every once in a while it is a glance of longing. I really would rather be sewing than the other things I am doing. When I got off of work I went directly to the grocery store to buy the things I need to make Tuscan Turkey Sausage Stew...my husband and I really like it. With my husband working 10+ hours a day (today it's about 14 hours), I wanted to make him something yummy for dinner. This is a Weight Watchers recipe that I think I mentioned before. (don't know if I can post it because it is a WW recipe)

Well as I was getting dinner ready I decided I couldn't stand the kitchen floor...a lot of debris has been brought in with this weather...rain, rain and more rain so I vacuumed the kitchen, hallway and bathroom. Then I decided to wash the dishes...yes finally the dishes are washed...this has been three days of procrastination. After that I broke down our recyclables and went though our mail and threw out all the junk mail (recycle). I cleaned off some of the table and started a load of laundry...my husband needs socks for tomorrow. Once it's done I will throw it in the dryer. Cleaning is not my thing...but every so often I get a bug to get stuff done and then I feel like I make a big mess while I try to clean everything up. Ohh I forgot I cleaned the counters too...I want to make sure I have a complete list of what I have done.

I am sooo hungry. I am waiting for my husband to get home to eat with him. He should be home around 9 PM. Tomorrow is my weigh in day at Weight Watchers so I would have liked to eat earlier than now but I did eat a small side salad to tide me over.

From the time I got to work I kept hoping it would be 4:30 PM so I could come home and put my mother-in-law's quilt together. Well I hope I get to start on that but I am not so sure. Maybe Sunday. Tomorrow I will be running around in the morning and then in the evening I am going to the Brad Paisley concert. I just found out that Carrie Underwood will be playing too. Now I may not have known who Brad Paisley was but I do know who Carrie Underwood is and I like some of her music. Yeah...I will know a couple of the songs.

Well I should go pop the bread sticks in the oven so that dinner will be ready to be served when my husband gets home. Hope everyone has a great evening and weekend. Hopefully there will be some sewing in all of our weekend plans.

Maureen

Friday, August 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CountryQuilter
You sound sooooo much like me! There are times that I will do anything to get out of cleaning. Then you just have to breakdown and do it...hmmm...life. Kristie

Friday, August 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by scissorhandscps
Boy, you sound like me. Run, run, run. And the house cleaning and then this and that and we are supposed to quilt when :0) LOL Oh yeah, when we retire, in between doctors appointments! LOL

Friday, August 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SewAndSnip
Cleaning and working just seem to get in the way of all of the fun things like quilting. I can find so many other things to do than clean. Cindy

Friday, August 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8tiveQuilter
Maureen, I have a feeling your house is like mine! Only you've seen mine so you can be the judge. You actually saw it on a "good-ish" day.

Couldn't Post Yesterday...Power Outage
3:23 PM, Thursday, August 23, 2007 .. 0 comments .. Link
Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Couldn't Post Yesterday...Power Outage
Well yesterday we had some heavy storms here is Waukesha, WI, in fact we lost power from 5:45 PM to some time after 11 PM. Needless to say everything I wanted to do was put on hold. I couldn't work on my mother-in-laws quilt because I couldn't sew the rows together. I couldn't work on flower or heart yoyo's because ... well I would have had to go up into my mess of a quilt room and find the thread, needles, fabric, etc. that I needed. Needless to say it is not easy to find all of those things in the dark so then I sat as close to the window as I could and tried to read...no go. Well needless to say yesterday was a bust in regards to getting things done.

Now today you would think that I would be working on the quilt but I am reading all the e-mail's, blogs, etc. that I missed last night. I am already tired and it's only 6:20 PM I was going to go to the grocery store but came home to be with the dog...she was home all day by herself. As my husband still isn't home I don't know what I am going to do for dinner! Boy am I hungry...next I have to do the dishes and then depending on the time depends on if I will work on the quilt. I am hoping to get more stuff done tonight but I also would just like to go to sleep right now.

Well I hope the weather and electricity are better at your home than mine was last night!

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CountryQuilter
Sounds like another great night for frozen pizzas!! I hate power outages!! When it goes out here, it is out for a LONG while. It is just us back here so they just take their time. Kristie

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jillquilts
YEAH!!!! FROZEN PIZZAAAA!!!! I love frozen pizza! Sorry about the power outage. That stinks!

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8tiveQuilter
Ahhh, so you live in that area of Waukesha that always has the power go out!! LOL. It's sad when you know areas by who is without power and when.

Pizza, pizza, pizza
3:13 PM, Thursday, August 23, 2007 .. 0 comments .. Link
Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Pizza, pizza, pizza
Well I didn't get the dishes done again....ohh well there is always tomorrow night. We did have pizza...not frozen pizza as I had first thought about...I went to Papa Murphy's which is "Take and Bake" pizza. I picked up the Speciality of the House which has mushrooms, sausage, black olives, lots of cheese and a herb spice mix on top. It was quite good and with a coupon it was reasonable. I also picked up a salad to go along with the pizza. I am sure the salad was a Weight Watchers approved thing but the pizza...ohh my with all that cheese...ohh the points are flashing before my very eyes. LOL. My husband loved the pizza which is good because he works outside and he needed something tasty and filling to eat. He doesn't eat a lot in the summer because of the heat and being outside all day. He does like pizza a lot! He works for the local phone company.

Emma (our two year old English Springer Spaniel) is giving me hints that it is bedtime. She is laying down by the stairs going up to our bedroom and the other bedroom is the quilt room. I know she wants to get in the quilt room but until everything is put away...no quilt room for Emma. She loves fabric and will carry it around. She also shakes it up just for fun. After I have gotten the piece of fabric back and assessed the damage, then I can sit back and have a good laugh. If there is damage to really pretty, drop dead gorgeous fabric well she is in trouble until she gives me those big sad eyes. She knows how to play the puppy dog eyes game.

I just posted my first posting on Lazy Girls Yahoo group. I am a member and I finally made my first post and wrote an introduction. Sitting down and writing on this blog has really gotten me to go ahead an comment on the Yahoo groups that I am on and on some of your blog sites. I am getting better at it. I am not always sure what to write. Everybody seems to be so much more interesting than I am. Also others seem to be getting more quilting done than I am. Anyways about the Lazy Girls Yahoo site...I posted my intro and no one commented on it. Normally someone says hello so I was a little surprised. I also commented about making a needle case by Lazy Girl Designs...well that was a very $#*)#$% day. Jen was there as was Cindy. I think the air was blue when I was finally finished. I have thought about making a wonder wallet but I don't think I will for awhile...it looks too much like the Needle Case!

Well I guess it is now 9:15 PM and I just know that my husband is outside and it sounds like he is shoveling snow...which I know he isn't because we don't have any...wonder what he's doing out there. I am staying inside in the air conditioning while he plays outside in the heat.

Well no sewing tonight...I'm going to go check out some other blog sites and maybe post a comment or two. Who knows, maybe I will be able to add to my friends listing. So far I have been keeping up with what others are writing on their blogs as I have seven friends. I think I have come a long way since I first started blogging about a week and a half ago. Hope you are all enjoying my posts...have a good evening.

Maureen

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lori
oh my pizza I can taste it LOL .1 1/2 more pounds to lose ,can you tell I am drooling LOL, Glad your enjoying the blogs I often feel like that myself ,every one else seems to have way more going on in there life then I do .Thats why I enjoy the post .

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8tiveQuilter
The wonder wallet is way easier than the needle case. I guarantee it. Honest. Bring a fat quarter on the 8th and I'll walk you through one. Do you think you'll have your MIL's quilt done by saturday? We could go to frank's and baste it. You know, I HATE talking on the phone but I've been thinking latley I should just call you to chat...now, anyone who really knows me knows that this is not normal for me!

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CountryQuilter
I so enjoy reading your posts! I have come to realize in the past few days that you don't have to sew everyday...to be a quilter. And I am a housewife and I still don't get as much done as alot of these ladies. But it is still fun to hear about everyone elses adventures. Oh, and I am drooling over your pizza...do you know how long it has been since I actually ate something solid...you would think with me not being able to eat because of my mouth problems, that I would loose some weight, but oh no not me!!!! I think I just store FAT :o) Kristie

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by luv2quilt
I love Papa Murphy's pizza's! I also love the cinnamon rings. Can you believe they are only $3? Problem is, I could eat the whole ring by myself!!!! I didn't get much done tonight either. I did my usual nap in the chair for an hour or so, then watched a movie on tv 'The Pacifier'. I loved it!!! After that, I emptied the dishwasher, vacuumed, and threw one load of laundry in the washing machine. I think it can stay there until tomorrow morning. Now I just need to force myself to go to bed. I am tired, but I hate going to bed. I might miss someone's blog, but I won't mention any names (Jen!). Hee hee!

Friday, August 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jillquilts
I enjoy your blog! I enjoy everyone's blog on here! But I feel the same way that, since I ramble so much, I will end up broing everyone to tears! Fortunately, it seems like everyone has enjoyed hearing about my bad dates! And I don't sew as often as some of the other ladies either. Maybe once a week (or 2-3 times if I am in the middle of a class). I always feel like I should really make a concerted effort to sew more, but life gets in the way. :)

Friday, August 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by maryann64
Hi I enjoy every one of the blogs and find everyone is so friendly. I'm retired and still don't get to sew every day. Pizza yes the calories but last nite I purchased a thin crust frozen pizza and enjoyed eating it. LOL. Enjoy your weekend. Hugs Mary Ann

Creativity - 89%
3:22 PM, Tuesday, August 21, 2007 .. 0 comments .. Link
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - Creativity - 89%
Wow I was on Jen's website this morning and couldn't help myself...I had to take the creativity test. I am 89% Creative. I'm not sure this is right. I thought this morning when I was doing this test it was 87%,

You Are 89% Creative
You are an incredibly creative person. For you, there are no bounds or limits to your creativity.Your next creation could be something very great... Or at least very cool!

Try the quiz at http://www.blogthings.com/howcreativeareyouquiz/

Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 51050
well then. We expect to see great, creative things from you! a few art qults, performing at the Met, who knows! Rhoda

Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by luv2quilt
I was surprised...I was only 61% creative. Maybe that's why I am having trouble getting jump started!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by maryann64
Hi you beat me only 81% you go girl. Hugs Mary Ann

Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8tiveQuilter
I took it a 2nd time and now I'm 84%

What do Frozen Pizza, Slice & Dice Nine Patch & Brad Paisley have in common
3:21 PM, Sunday, August 19, 2007 .. 0 comments .. Link
Sunday, August 19, 2007 - What do Frozen Pizza, Slice & Dice Nine Patch & Brad Paisley have in common
What do all these things have in common? ME! Okay, because I am working on my Mother-in-law's quilt and I am making frozen pizza for dinner (I wish it was something more exciting but it isn't) and I am going to the Brad Paisley concert next weekend.

Slice and Dice Nine Patch is what I am using for my Mother-in-law's quilt and all the rows for the nine patches are cut out & sewn together!!!! I actually have one nine patch sewn together and I really like it so far. Jen & Cindy helped me pick out some of the fabrics for this quilt and it is turning out GREAT!!! I hope to have all the nine patches sewn together before I go to bed. Even better would be if I got them cut apart but if I don't there is always tomorrow! I even have the two end strips cut out and sewn together. I just have to decide what I am going to use for the border between the sashing and the final border. I can't believe how far I have gotten today with this quilt. Jen & Cindy told me to just start it and it would go fast!!!

Okay I had to pause in typing to put the Frozen Pizza in the oven. Emma ( my dog ) followed me into the kitchen to see what I was doing. She had to follow me back into the living room where I have both my laptop and my sewing machine set up. She jumped right onto the couch next to me and sat on my feet. She has to be touching whoever she is sitting next to.

Now for Brad Paisley...I knew nothing about him before yesterday. My sister-in-law and good friend called me last night and asked me to go to a concert with her. Her husband does not want to go. Well how could I say no to a good friend???? So I told her I had never heard of him and she told me to look him up on the internet and listen to some of his songs. Well I found Ticks, World and Online...it is not the normal music I listen to although I am very eclectic when it comes to music...I listen to some country but I had never heard of Brad Paisley. Anyone else heard of him? Have you gone to one of his concerts? I thought Online was funny, World was good and Ticks....well Ticks was different esp. the video where they have ticks on the screen behind him (just the outline and all blacked in - not an actual tick). Living in Wisconsin, Ticks are something you just don't want to find esp. on yourself or your pet or family member or friend so the song was weird. Enough already about Ticks. (I love the smiley faces!)

I am also reading a book called The Alibi Man by Tami Hoag. I am about halfway through and I like it so far. I also received my September/October Fons & Porter Love of Quilting magazine. I didn't find anything in it that I had to make. Normally in my magazines I find at least one thing I want to make. Ohh well I have enough WIP's/UFO's to tide me over anyways.

Just finished dinner...took another break from typing and Emma wants Pizza. She helped herself to some pizza on two prior occasions...once for me when it was a piece and I just turned my back and she took the piece and ran. Well with my husband he had over a half a pizza left and he just had to run outside for a minute (probably longer but who knows) and when he came back in the paper plate was spinning on the floor and there was no pizza left on the plate. Needless to say our dog now has a hankering for pizza when we have it. Well I should get back to sewing and laundry. I also have a ton of dishes to do but we will see what gets done. My husband and I are planning to take Emma for a walk this evening. We better get that in before it starts raining again - it has also really cooled off here over this weekend. By next Wednesday we are supposed to have temperatures around 87. I would also like to go out for custard...we'll see what Mark thinks. Normally we have ice cream once in awhile as I am on Weight Watchers but I am not doing so well today and lately so I think tomorrow starts a new day and I will start tracking again! Keep your fingers crossed I can do it.

Sunday, August 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Good luck with your diet tomorrow , a few of us are doing the same thing so feel free to comment on it .Your quilt sounds great is this the one where you stack the squares a certain way then cut them ? I have the pattern but have never gotten around to it .Our dog used to do the same thing so a trainer told us to put some pennies in a empty pop can and attach a string to the can and to the food ,every time the dog tries to takes the food the can would fall and make noise ,it took a few times but it did worked .

Sunday, August 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CountryQuilter
Brad Paisley!!! My oldest son loves his music. He is from WV, only about 1hr away from me, so in this part of the country he is very popular. You dog eats everything like my Old Mule, Jim. Of course, he eats his horse feed, but everyday for a snack, I take him out cereal, either Fruit Loops or Honeycombs! People laugh at me, be he loves it! Kristie

Sunday, August 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 51050
I grew up outside Wausau, Wis. and clearly remember my mom checking my head for ticks every time we played in the woods. We have them now and again here in Michigan, but not as plentifully. Rhoda

Sunday, August 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jillquilts
I'm glad the quilt is coming together so well. I can't wait to see the pics!

Monday, August 20, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8tiveQuilter
I think I like Brad Paisley. I have a feeling he's one of those that I listen to and like just couldn't tell you off the top of my head what he sings!! You're going to have sooo much fun!

Another Rainy Day in WI
3:20 PM, Sunday, August 19, 2007 .. 0 comments .. Link
Sunday, August 19, 2007 - Another Rainy Day in WI
Well it's Sunday and I have only done one thing quilting related so far this weekend and that is to go to Frank's Sewing Center (a store in Downtown Waukesha, WI) and buy a new ruler. It is an Omingrid 8 1/2" by 24". I now have the tool I read about in one of my books for perfectly folding fabric. Who knew a ruler was all it took. Anyways in this book I read that you are to take a yard or more of fabric...wrap it around the ruler and then pull it off half way and fold it in half. Then take it off and it is perfectly folded. Now let's see if it works as good as they say it does.

Yesterday I took Emma to the dog park with a freind of mine from work. She also has a liver and white English Springer Spaniel. Bailey (Emma's new friend) is much smaller than Emma. My liver and white English Spring Spaniel is very tall and long for her type of dog. That's okay because we like her just the way she is. Emma likes people better than other dogs and so does Bailey so they got along really well. I tried to take pictures of Emma flushing birds or something out of the brush yesterday but she did not want her picture taken. Bailey posed for me and I have several pictures to send to her mom.

My husband is installing another Malibu light outside. It has been raining today so I guess he is going to do it between rain showers. It has been cooler here this weekend so my allergies haven't been as bad as normal. The only thing with it being gray out is that all I want to do is sleep.

Well I am going to go and start cutting out my mother-in-law's quilt so I can start on it this evening. Let's hope I can stay on task and get it done. I'll let you know if I pull it get it done or not.

Any tips on posting a picture?

Sunday, August 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CountryQuilter
Picture tips??? Ask Jen, she is the wiz. Let us know if the ruller really works that well on folding the fabric. Maybe something that I need to invest in...Hmmm....a new ruler... Kristie

Sunday, August 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by luv2quilt
Hi Maureen! I missed your first blog, so I just want to say Welcome. A lot of times, I miss a lot of blogs, because when they get past the end of the page, they are gone, and my email won't send me messages of new entries. Anyway, I am so jealous that you are so close to Jen and Cindy! I met them last weekend, and they are WONDERFUL! I miss them so bad already! Shoot! You should have come to Waunakee with them and I could have met you too! Anyway, as usual, I'm not getting anything done today either. I got my new 'Old' hand crank sewing machine today, and it is really pretty. I will take a picture of it later, then decide where I am going to put it. I'm thinking I need a Goodwill truck to back up into my driveway so I can start throwing 'stuff' into the back to make more room. It is gray and cloudy here today too.(Maquoketa Iowa). My husband is out in the garage working on his nephew's motorcycle, and all I'm doing is watching HGTV and playing at my computer. Oh well....that's what weekends are for, right? Back to work tomorrow. Welcome! Michelle

Sunday, August 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by cowgirl4ever
I'm going to have to try the ruler trick. I'm always up for new ways to better organize. After all the more organized you are the more fabric you can have. Smiles Heather

Monday, August 20, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8tiveQuilter
Maureen, Check out my blog. Under Links there is one titled Blog Tips. THose are all the tips that I've typed up so far to act as "Help Files." You'll have to let me know the next time you go to the Dog Park. I'd like Holly & Emma to meet. Murphy too!! Don't forget on the 22nd of september is that Wag Fest for the ELm Grove Humane Society. We've done it the last two years. This year it falls on Murphy's birthday so we're using that as his party. Holly will probbably have hers at Petlicious.

Too Tired
3:18 PM, Friday, August 17, 2007 .. 0 comments .. Link
Friday, August 17, 2007 - Too Tired
I am just too tired to quilt or work on my quilt room tonight. Today at work I was the receptionist and although it is not a hard job it is very wearing. Whenever I fill in out there I am always tired.

I am almost done sorting about a ton of fabric and I need to fold it all neatly. Then comes the WIP's (Works In Progress). I normally put them in a plastic bag with the fabric that I am using but that isn't working anymore...they are sliding all over the place. Apparently I have too many WIP's. I am going to try to count them when I work on the quilt room but after I take Emma to the dog park tomorrow I am coming home and cutting out my mother-in-law's quilt. The last two nights I have just gotten busy and the next thing you know is it is bedtime. How annoying!

Well I just wanted to check on how others handle their WIP's (aka UFO's). Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Friday, August 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jillquilts
For my WIP's, I have them laying on my hope chest which is right behind my sewing table. I have everything on the hope chest that I need to finish the project. Usually, when I finish 1, I add 2, but I am trying not to do that anymore! I do have some things in plastic totes, but those are either not started or just not on my radar at the moment. They are definitely the things that I want to work on next so that they don't spend too much time in the plastic totes.

Friday, August 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by maryann64
Hi well whether you call them WIP's or UFO's every once in a while I feel guilty about how many I have but I pin the completed blocks on a coat hanger and put the fabric etc in a plastic bag and hang it over the coat hanger. The project is all together and I can see it. I do the same for my embroidery UFO's I have plenty of both. Have a happy weekend Mary Ann

Friday, August 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SewAndSnip
My UFO's are in a basket in the spare room. They are what I call my someday projects. If they stay in there long enough they actually become ugly UFO's. Cut out the quilt and start the new project. Peony

Saturday, August 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CountryQuilter
Have fun folding all of that fabric! Right now I don't have alot of storage space, so I have all of mine UFO's in a LARGE tote. I have soooooo many! I will have to drag them out sometime and take a photo of them. Kristie

Monday, August 20, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8tiveQuilter
I can't wait to see how your fabric looks all folded and pretty!! I keep my WIP in 2 gallon zip lock bags and then tossed into a 18 gallon rubbermaid tub. That is for the ones that are just waiting to be quilted or I'm tired of looking at for the time being. The rest are in drawers in a specific iris cart that I have.

No Sewing or Cutting Tonight
3:17 PM, Tuesday, August 14, 2007 .. 0 comments .. Link
Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - No Sewing or Cutting Tonight
I had the best laid plans tonight...I was going to start cutting my mother-in-law's quilt. This was my intention. Well made a list of what I wanted to get accomplished and the only thing I did not do that I wanted to do tonight was cut out the quilt - everything else is done.

I came home and was going to make Tuscan Turkey Sausage Stew (It's a modified Weight Watcher's recipe - I used turkey sausage instead of chicken sausage). One of the main ingredients is mushrooms and yesterday I bought sliced mushrooms for the recipe. I came home and opened the mushrooms and they were soft and wet and sticky and well a little moldy. I threw them down the garbage disposal. As I was driving to the grocery store I thought to myself this is nuts I bought three packages (8 oz each) and all three are bad. That's not right esp. when I bought them last night. I talked to the customer service person and she said that there was nothing they could do as I threw the product away (down the garbage disposal). Well I have gone to this store for a couple of years and was rather surprised. I went over to the produce area and there were mushrooms on the shelf that were disgusting. I asked to speak to the produce manager but he had gone home. I then asked to speak to the store manager. I had seen him before in the store and he had helped me locate a product on one occasion. Well I explained that I understood that he had spoken to the customer service rep. and there was nothing they could do. I went on to explain that I was no longer going to shop at that store which is unfortunate as it is so close to my house. I showed him some of the gross product and suggested they take it off the shelf. He agreed and he said if I had the cartons I should bring them back and then he could refund my money. Fair enough he needs something to return and I feel like they are helping me out...guess I will continue to shop there. So off I head home to get the containers and then back I go to get a refund and whole mushrooms (which looked and were just fine) for the recipe. After I get home I have to clean them and slice them up for the recipe. This took longer as I have been using the presliced lately. So needless to say next thing I know it's almost 10:30 PM and I'm writing on my blog.

Maybe tomorrow will be a better night to cut up the fabric.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CountryQuilter
Don't you just hate days like that? I hope tomorrow goes alot better. Kristie

Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lori
Good for you I hate getting home and half the raspberries in the contain have mold on them. .I used to be shy about returning things but after this happened a few times you soon learn you have to speak up for yourself .

Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jillquilts
Ugh!! I hate it when I buy produce and it is nasty within a day or so! Good for you for getting the cartons and taking them back!

Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by MoneikQuilts
I just hate it when that happens. I had good intentions last night and it was 11 and I couldn't believe I didn't get all done that I wanted to do. I know just how you feel!

Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - Food Shopping
Posted by maryann64
Afternoon I love shopping at the outdoor markets in the summer when the farmers come in and everything is so fresh and it even smells like food. Grocery stores can be nasty places. My son (trevor and DIL Sasky) are coming for dinner tonite and taking me shopping. I hope my experience is better lol. Hugs Mary Ann

Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 51050
Yuck! I hate it when you think you have the bases covered and are thrown a curveball. That's life, however. I'm glad you got a refund. Rhoda

Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - mushroom mold
Posted by LavenderHeron
Good for you for taking the time to take it back, you saved others the problem. I would love to see your recipe for the Turkey dish you were making.......hope it turned out to be extra special since you had to go to the extra trouble for it.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8tiveQuilter
Hey, you DID get a lot done...now tonight cut that quilt out and get it over with. =)

Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SewAndSnip
You go girl. Don't you just hate it when things just don't go right though? Cindy

2nd Entry - I'm on a roll
3:16 PM, Monday, August 13, 2007 .. 0 comments .. Link
Monday, August 13, 2007 - 2nd Entry - I'm on a roll
Some of the things I did not tell you yesterday is that I did not think I would ever buy a yoyo maker...then Jen and Cindy showed me the new ones they bought...a small heart and a small flower. Yesterday while I was over at Cindy's meeting both Murphy (Cindy's dog) and Holly (Jen's dog) I tried out both yoyo makers. The first time I made a flower well I don't know how it happened I ended up with a knot where there should not be a knot. Needless to say the first flower was a flop. The second one turned out okay. Now the heart yoyo marker on the other hand was a success. I made four of those puppies in no time. They turned out really cute. I don't know what I will use them for but who knows. I might make a garland for my sister-in-law's little skinny tree. She decorates it for all seasons - she decorates it for Valentine's day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, etc. Maybe I should make some heart garland for her...ohh the possibilities.

I met Jen and Cindy though our Block of the Month Club. Well the first day I met Cindy she bought Maggie (her Janome 6600). She told us her machine's name and I knew I would get along with her right away. Jen was so outgoing and nice that I couldn't wait to talk to her...Wendy had told me about Jen prior to the Block of the Month Club meeting. Jen's sense of humor and mine are quite similar. I do not have as exciting of stories as Jen does but we will see as time goes on. I am not as prolific of a quilter as Jen is. I love fabric...in fact I am a fabric junkie. Jen ended up joining the Batik Club because I really wanted to but I didn't want to be the only one to join...so she joined and so did Cindy...now that is quilting friendship. We also go to strip poker at Patched Works (our local quilt store) and last month I was the biggest loser...I lost about 50 strips...I think Cindy won most of them. Ohh well...it is quite fun and over the weekend I cut 120 strips, rolled them and rubber banded them so that I am ready for next month. The also encouraged me to buy Sophia (my Janome 6600). This was a birthday present as my old Janome died...Brad at the local sewing store, Frank's Sewing Center said that he was surprised that the machine lasted as long as it did as I worked it too hard. He said I needed a bigger machine.

Well even though it is dead I am keeping it. I made all of my bridesmaid's quilts on that machine. I learned to quilt at the community college WCTC (Waukesha County Technical College) and less than a year later I was married and I made all 4 of my bridesmaid's quilts and one for my junior bridesmaid. That is how come it is easy for me to figure out how long I have been quilting...I add a year to the number of years I have been married.

I have some more questions regarding sorting and storing fabric...as I said I am a fabric junkie...I need to sort through what I have and right now I put them in boxes by color. Next I plan to uniformly fold all of the fabric and then I need to find something to store them in. How do others store their UFO's? Do you cut your scraps down into sizes or do you sort them by colors? So many questions as I am in the midst of organizing my quilting studio.

Monday, August 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SewAndSnip
See I told you that you would take to blogging like a duck to water. Peony

Monday, August 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CountryQuilter
Haven't tried any of the yo-yo makers. I have made tons of the regular ones the old fashioned way, but I would love to try the flower and the heart. I don't have a big fancy machine, I just have a Brother, I've had it for almost 6 yrs. So far it has held up great. Kristie

Monday, August 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by MoneikQuilts
I'm sure you will love your 6600! I know I have put mine to the test and it has pulled through every time. Wow, I never thought of giving bridesmaids quilts. i will definately have to consider that when I get married! Maybe I should start now??

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8tiveQuilter
Ok now, have you cut your quilt out yet?? =)

Hello
3:15 PM, Sunday, August 12, 2007 .. 0 comments .. Link
Sunday, August 12, 2007 - Hello
Hi!

My name is Maureen and I am very new to blogging. I have read Jen's and Cindy's blog sites. I am married and our only "child" is an English Springer Spaniel named Emma. She is two years old and quite a handful. She is currently cuddled up next to me as I was gone most of the day. I went out with Jen and Cindy to one of our local quilt shops, Patched Works. It is here in Elm Grove, WI and a very nice place to go. I am working on a quilt for my mother-in-law and I needed more fabric for this particular quilt. It is going to turn out very nice. Once I finish it I will post a picture of it. I will need help from Jen I am sure.

The fabric for my mother-in-law's quilt was mostly from Quilt for a Cure. It has hydrengias on the fabric. I added some additional colors and we picked out fabric with flowers on it. As the fabric is lovely, I decided to use a large square of fabric. A friend of our's, Wendy, designed a really gorgeous quilt and it is very simple.

I don't know really what to write. I am currently working on organizing my quilt room which has taken me almost a year to start. It is quite a task and I am planning on organizing the fabric by color. That is also how I organized my scraps. How do others organize their scraps?

Well thanks for any advice for a newbie to blogging!

Maureen

Sunday, August 12, 2007 - WELCOME
Posted by maryann64
Hi nice to meet you I'm a old hand at quilting and still it seems my quilt and needlework room is always in need of organization. I try to keep my scraps in plastic bags by colour and if I'm really ambitious and good I will cut them in different width strips 2", 2.5" etc. Welcome again I look forward to getting to know you.

Sunday, August 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jillquilts
Welcome to the site! It's great to see new people join and their projects and ideas! I don't have much of a stash yet, so not a lot of scraps to organize. I would like to see how others handle their scraps.

Sunday, August 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SewAndSnip
Hi Maureen, welcome to the wonderful world of quilt. blogging. Thanks again for spending the day with Jen and me. We certainly did have a lot of fun. Oh I did finish the runaround purse for my sister and it's really cute. Watch for a picture in the next couple of days Cindy ( Peony the House Elf)

Sunday, August 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CountryQuilter
It is nice to meet you, I have heard so much about you. All good! Can't wait to see the quilt that you are working on. And as far as scraps go...right now I don't have alot of storage space, so I just throw them in a tote and when I need smaller pieces, I then dig through and iron what I need. Someday I will be more organized. Kristie

Monday, August 13, 2007 - Welcome
Posted by born2quilt
You will indeed enjoy this site. I think it is so cool to share just about anything and get feedback from everyone. You will have fun. Nice to meet you! Stephanie

Monday, August 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by cowgirl4ever
HI Welcome to blogging. I haven't been at it verylong myself but its always nice to see new people join the group. Organizing.. well fortunately I haven't gotten to do a lot of that if my scraps ar fat quarters or close I fold them and put them in a bin (almost like a bread loaf container.. they fit pretty well in there) and then the smaller ones get tossed in a basket. Can't wait to see your quilt. Heather