Fat Quarters

Twister ruler

2011-10-03T14:19:00.000-05:00

LOVE the twister ruler/template! I made this for my sister. It was super fast, fun and simple.

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Think I've been neglecting my machine???

2011-09-23T16:14:00.001-05:00

Hmmmmm......wonder how long it's been simce I cleaned.....not like me to let it go so long....

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Minkee Monday

2011-09-05T21:36:00.002-05:00

Ms. Minkee is pooped out from a weekend filled with laughter and family! We laugh and carry on for hours on end when we all get together and we must have worn her out!

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Design Wall

2011-08-29T05:16:00.001-05:00

Finally, finally finsished!!! Yippee, Yappee, Yahoooeee!!!! This has been languishing in my UFO box for almost 2 years. DH COULD. NOT. start the new football season with a golf quilt on the back of his chair now could he?? Now he has a Cleveland Cavs quilt and a Cleveland Browns and a generic golf quilt ready to adorn the back of his chair during the appropriate season! Perhaps this will help the final score for our Ohio teams????

This will have to qualify as my design wall as I finished it last night and my wall is now empty!!!

What's that strip at the top of the quilt you ask? Why it's the only piece of paw print fabric I own....hence, it's the dog pound....or if you are a Browns fan and get the reference, it's the dawg pound!!!! It cracks me up!!! (in case you are not a football fan, the dog pound is the area under the end zone at the stadium.)

Some poor color shots but you can kinda see the quilting. I used a panto called popcorn and I love it!

Click on over to Judy's blog and see what the rest of the quilters are working on this week!

Stash Report/UFO challenge

2011-08-27T19:39:00.005-05:00

I've lost track of my stash! I forgot about keeping track during June and July...well and August. To be honest, I haven't been to quilt shops (other then one weekend), Joanns or Hobby Lobby & Hancocks. To the best of my recollection, I bought a few yards of fabric that one weekend. Plus, Ms. CCCat found a great sale last weekend (every time she leaves town, I spend money!) on Saggy Baggy Elephant fabric! Cute! And someday I'll make something with all the author and book fabrics I've collected.

Today we had a one day retreat and I cut and pinned 6 0r 8 pillowcases, got half done on a binding and will soon work on an embroidery. The quilt and embroidery are UFO's. I'm behind by two months but plan on catching up by the end of this week!

Because I don't count fabric out until something is finished, finished, I can't count any fabric going out! PHOO! That means that my final stash count will be in the plus but I'm not worried. I'll have a quilt and a bunch of pillowcases in the out column next week!

Used this period: 00
Used year to Date: 59
Added this Week: 8
Added Year to Date: 109.5
Ahead or behind 2011: +50.5 ...therefore behind

UFO workings

2011-08-25T17:53:00.001-05:00

Weell...my UFO for Aug is now quilted....can I finish the binding????? Having a one day retreat this weekend so it just might happen......

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Minkee Monday

2011-08-22T05:53:00.000-05:00

I was trying to sew...Ms. Minkee had other ideas! You must scroll to the last picture as it is hysterical!!!

Hello, Shalom, Hola!

2011-08-21T10:44:00.007-05:00

It seems fairly obvious that I am no longer sure about blogging. I love the idea of it....but the actual execution....It is soooo time consuming to edit pics and all. I am going to hang in here a bit longer but bear with me...if you are still out there... I've been filling my time elsewhere. How do you find time to post, read, comment ect......I don't have kids and it's just DH and I so that isn't the problem. It's just so much time on the computer. I have that I accomplish much more without the blogging but I miss it......So how do you do it?

On the quilty front....

I made this sign for school. I teach a class we call L'dor V'dor. In hebrew that means from generation to generation. I teach Jewish customs, traditions and holidays.

I have been wanting to make this sign ever since I bought this book by Atkinsons Designs.

Number one. I hate my sign. The kids will probably like it but....icky, icky on my part. Number 2, I didn't want to sew so I used the old paint around the edges technique. ICK. Number 3, The idea was to make it reversible because I am also the librarian. I painstakingly fused and cut the letters for LDOR VDOR and LIBRARY. I fused, painted, bejeweled, and decorated both sides. YEAH it was done. AHEM....I strung the letters on the rod. L-d-o-r-V-d-o-r. I turned the rod around expecting to see L-i-b-r-a-r-y. Instead I saw y-r-a-r-b-i-L!!!!!!! AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! To add insult to injury, I can't even find a place to hang the riffin' raffin' thing!!!!!!

Here is a close up of a couple letters.

Design Wall...YIKES

2011-07-18T07:46:00.003-05:00

Working on a million things here...none on a wall though!
Not a lot of time for explainations but here are pics

I am making a sign for school....more on this later as I made a HUGE mistake!!!

Our guild is having a block exchange. I've had months to work on these and naturally I am doing it at the last minute.....they will eventually be butterflys.

See this hoop stylishly being modeled on my knee. I scoured the city for this style so I could continue my work on this

My UFO for July. I have been working on this for years now. I am making real progress and it is so exciting.

Green Bottle Caps II

2011-07-15T19:18:00.002-05:00

The question was asked, WHY do I need green bottle caps? I have a mission at school this year to do as much as I can with recycled objects. Sooo, when Passover rolls around, all of the children will make frogs like this or like this. Just like Andy Rooney, "Now you know the rest of the story!"

Green Bottle Caps

2011-07-15T05:47:00.001-05:00

I love my volunteer job! However, I have been struggling with it because I feel... well... less than necessary. I know they appreciate what I do, but they don't always have anything FOR me to do. They are a) nearly all men b) not accustomed to volunteers and c) nearly all men! The "being men" part leads to the blank eyed stare when faced with someone wanting to "help." (Think toy assembly, getting lost, etc. LOL!)

There is one man (CV)that realizes that there is potential in having a volunteer and more and more often he has things for me to do. A few weeks ago he was out of the office and actually "called in" a job for me.

Last week, I walked into his office. I spotted a case of water in the corner of the office. I embarrassingly blurted out to him, "YOU HAVE GREEN WATER BOTTLE CAPS! Please save those for me!" I silently cursed the lack of hard wiring from my brain to my mouth! CV certainly has more important things to think about then saving those silly green bottle caps! I hoped and hoped that he wouldn't remember.

This week when I said hello, CV jumped up and said, "There you are! I've been waiting for you. I have this, and this for you to do and Oh, on the shelf." I looked on the shelf, expecting to see a pile of papers, and found 10 green bottle caps! When I thanked him, his simple response was "We help each other."

It's the silly things that validate a person. They make one feel needed, necessary and important. Like many others, I don't require compliments, pats on the back or flowery words of praise. For me, the silly little, off-handed, often un-thought-of things that people do, like remembering to save a silly lid, affect me far greater.

These ridiculous green bottle caps made me realize that I am indeed a making a difference in this volunteer position. As crazy as it sounds, those green caps made me feel like I belong because I was remembered on Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday, not just Wednesday (the day I volunteer).

Once again, it's my theory, You never know when you will touch someone else's life. I wrote about it here. It also reminds me to be kind and thoughtful to others. I may touch someones life and I certainly want it to be in a positive manner.

Bobbins Question

2011-07-14T09:19:00.003-05:00

Can anyone tell me what difference is in "factory" bobbins and generic bobbins? I took my machine to be cleaned & checked. The tension was funky...every now and again. I was unable to take or pick up the machine as the shop is 4 hours away. DD delivered and picked it up. They told her that not using "factory" bobbin (yes, they used air quotes) can cause issues. HONESTLY? I've never used anything but generic bobbins,and not had problems.

I can understand that you may get a "bad" bobbin, or one that has become warped but....come on! Someone MAKES all of these bobbins, right! Do we really believe that there is a bobbin manufactorer for Janome, and a seperate one for the genenric bobbins?

So this begs the question,was the "use factory bobbins" statement real or meant to sell product? Do you really, really need to use factory bobbins?

Minkee Monday

2011-07-04T06:50:00.000-05:00

I swear this cat must be reverting back to a kitten. She has been "discovering" all sorts of new places to sit. This one kills me cause I can't figure out how she got in that space!

UFO Challenge-a finish

2011-07-01T16:34:00.004-05:00

Done. Done. Done.I'm officially caught up and this finish counted for June!!!! Yippee!!!
This is a recycled photo from when it wasn't finished however it IS done now!!!

State of my backside

2011-06-29T04:11:00.001-05:00

Oh how I wish my daughters and their spouses were slugs! Instead they are driven, determined young people.

I have be fiddle faddling around with the same 10 lbs for a year now. It is annoying and I've been looking for inspiration....ANYWHERE!! S0, we all made goals for the month of June. This was all my stupid idea. I said that I wanted to lose 10 lbs for the umpteenth time. Serena and Chris-A made goals too. Aviva and Chris-S didn't. Serena held to hers and about 10 days ago asked us how we were doing. WHOOPS! I had forgotten about it!!

After discussion, Chris-A and I made a deal for our goals....little did I know he planned on sticking to it!! LOL!! He is giving me a run for my money! But....if all goes well over the next two days, I will have attained my goal!! WHOOHOO! (don't get too excited as I had gained that 10 lbs).

For July it seems we all have goals, DH not included as he is healing! My goal is 4 days a week at the gym.....Chris-A dittoed my goal.....my muscles already hurt! Aviva has a gym goal, Serena and Chris-S have the same goal.

The way I see it the month of June goes to Serena for inspiring us...uhm and making us feel bad that we weren't working towards our goals. I am hoping that the month of July will go to me and that Chris-A will poop out with the gym! It's not easy for me to go toe to toe with him...he's almost half my age!

The unknowns here though are the rest of the family....they may just surprise us and be the winners! Any way you look at it we will (hopefully) all be winners by the end of July.

Family photos

2011-06-28T05:15:00.000-05:00

In December we had family photos taken. We are just getting around to doing something with them. Thought I'd share here too. ( I can't find that I've already posted these....if I have, forgive my aged brain and bear with me!)

The entire crew....

DH and I. I LOVE this photo as getting DH to smile is like pulling teeth. This is as close as we've ever gotten!

DH can't do anything serious and he was squeezing the stuffing out of me! I do like how it made my waist look so small though!!!

Serena and her husband

Too bad they aren't in love huh?

Aviva and her (now) husband.

The photographer was awesome! She manages to catch moments. Doesn't this look like a Calvin Klein commercial?

Love this! The guys MUST appear tough and crusty!

DH loves his girls and they love him. This picture brought tears to my eyes.

If you are so bored out of your mind and have nothing better to do, we have 50 some odd shots from this photo shoot! Have at it!!!

Design wall Monday

2011-06-27T14:58:00.003-05:00

edit********I always forget(URGHHH!) to tell everyone to hop on over to Judy's blog and check out all of the other design walls!!!!!

A little late but I'm here...

So my machine is going to the spa....for a minimum of one week. The tech said that they are running at 10 days however, I send my machine to Austin. I live almost 4 hours away. After Friday, I won't be able to pick it up for at least 3 weeks.....sigh....... Let's keep our fingers crossed he is able to finish it before I get there on Friday!

On the plus side of no machine, I have to work on other things. So...my goal of the summer is to get my fabric scraps

and drawers under control. No machine will allow me to do just that. I am working on the chuppah scraps I didn't finish. Next I'm going to attack the drawers of strips in sizes I'll never use. I'm going to take them down to the sizes I will use and then....USE them!

On a TOTALLY unrelated note....I think my heart rate monitor needs a new battery.....

or maybe I DO! LOL!!

UFO Challenge-a finish

2011-06-21T05:09:00.000-05:00

I may not be quite on track, but I have finished one UFO for each month of this year!!! Here is my latest finish. It counts for May.

I began this last year for DH. I had found both Cleveland Cavalier and Cleveland Browns fabric. This one is finished just in time for basketball season to be over!! LOL!! Oh well. Hopefully, I will finish the football quilt that is identical to this one, only with the Browns, before football season begins!!!

Minkee Monday

2011-06-20T08:42:00.000-05:00

I have had this unfinished quilt on the floor behind my sewing machine for weeks waiting for a binding......Ms. Minkee made herself a little nest!

Minkee Monday

2011-06-20T07:47:00.002-05:00

I think it's funny how she finds that most obscure places to sleep!

Design Wall

2011-06-20T06:53:00.004-05:00

I've really been working on ...well, everything! I have this locker hooking rug that is over a year old. I began this rug as a demo for our quilting group. I originally started the pattern with one thing in mind, and then decided that I didn't like it. I changed my idea to just blocks of color. I don't particularly care for the finished product but it will be just fine in my classroom at school. I can't wait to see if it's durable.

.

I made it totally out of T-shirts, It is a great recycle project! The bits of color among each block are the logos, pictures and wording on the T-shirts.

I am allllmost done. The problem is that I am unable to work on it for more then a few minutes at a time.

I have some serious shoulder issues that really, really flare when I work on this rug. I am determined to finish it so I do it in small bits. I find it very upsetting that I cannot locker hook any longer. Luckily I have this and this and this to enjoy. Unfortunately, I also have tons of supplies to do more rugs!!

It's so much fun to pop over to Judy's blog and see what all the bloggers are working on this week!!

What to do

2011-06-13T12:24:00.000-05:00

A 6 hour workshop [for school] with an hour and half lunch! Absurd! What's any self repecting quilter to do with all that time? Mark fabric! Keeps me calm enough to try to forget the 1 1/2 hr lunch!

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Back in position!

2011-06-12T10:52:00.000-05:00

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Have project will travel!

2011-06-11T19:30:00.001-05:00

Always have a project ready to go! I'm working my star struck quilt from the Bonnie Hunter workshop. I need to draw lines on a bazillion squares. Its great work to do while during in a hospital room!

I am loving working on this super easy quilt. It goes together so quickly! I have decided to make it queen or king sized. I haven't finished cutting my strip sets so the size will depend on that. I've already assembled 200 quarter blocks and 6 full blocks. For me, working this quickly is a big deal.

I don't think I'll be sewing before Dan comes home. To frivolous to sure and sew right now. Besides don't want to. I sleep just fine, for days and days on end, when he travels but can't sleep when he is literally only one mile away! Same with sewing. Soooo.... I'll suit and mark my bazillion squares and be ready to go as soon as he comes home!

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Update!

2011-06-10T22:05:00.002-05:00

It seems the surgeon didn't look at the CAT scan......till today! (only the ER doc looked) It may not be a micro tear after all! He is started on liquids which is fab! If it isn't diverticulitis and is what they now think, recovery will be a matter of , well, recovering! He'll have to have additional testing but allowing him to put something in his system is a BIG clue that the surgeon is probably right. Sure hope they have all their ducks in a row now!!! He is happily drinking his first cup of water since Weds!

Sigh....

2011-06-10T14:35:00.000-05:00

Never a great thing to be able to take a photo like this. DH woke me up Weds night at2am writhing in pain. Many hours later he was admitted to the hospital with a diverticulitis micro tear. In other words a hole where there ought not be a hole. He has been and will remain in the hospital. He is healing but the treatment for this is resting the colon and antibiotics. Only way to do that is through IV meds and nutrition. Hopefully by Mon he will be able to go home. In the meantime I'll quietly do handwork in this chair while he sleeps through the hard hitting pain meds.

Thank goodness for modern medicine.

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So much fun!

2011-06-05T12:49:00.003-05:00

Temp measured from my car on Friday

Thursday and Friday of last week I went to see Bonnie Hunter in Houston at the Kingwood Guild. It was absolutely what I needed! I've read everything on her site, followed her for years, cut my fabric into strips....but somehow, never "got" it. Listening to her made a light bulb go off in my head. It was as if she was saying to me "Marla! JUST do it! Just go out and do what you want! Just use your stuff! Stop being paralysed! FORGET the quilt police!" It was as if a huge weight was lifted off of me. My GF took a picture of Bonnie and me but I need her to send it to me.

Let me tell you what a trooper she was. The church we were meeting in had no A/C. She carried on as if it was nothing. We were dying of heat and not even moving around and talking.

It was utterly miserable!

I need to take a picture of my star struck blocks ( the workshop project). Right now I am busy sewing, sewing and limiting my computer time.

2011-06-02T07:04:00.001-05:00

Test

Design Wall

2011-05-16T05:00:00.001-05:00

Look familiar? This is the quilt for an hour quilt that Judy

hosted in 2008. I am going to finish this because I just love it!! I plan on having it done for my June UFO project!

I am giving Ms. CCCAtlover free reign to quilt this. I will be the helper but once the borders are on and it's being quilted, it'll be her baby. BUT, just to clarify, mine to keep!! LOL!

Check out all of the other fabulous works in progress at Judy's blog.

Stash report/Catching up

2011-05-15T08:55:00.006-05:00

******YEAH!!!! I'M BACK ON!!! COULDN'T LOG IN! ACTUALLY FOLLOWED DIRECTIONS AND CLEARED COOKIES AND VIOLA!! HERE I AM AGAIN!! WHOOHOO!!!!

So funny, I haven't blogged in two months, the urge hits me, blogger is down and it drove me nuts! I guess I'm really NOT ready to quit blogging!!!

Lots to catch up on…
In the department of stash busting….

INCOMING- I bought 5 yards of oriental prints to make an anniversary quilt for my daughter Serena and her husband Chris. I had NOTHING in my stash that would even remotely qualify for oriental. Since it’s their quilt, I figured I’d use fabric they would like!

*****EDIT SINCE THIS MORNING******Went to a friends "getting rid of my fabric" sale. Bought 5 lbs at $3/lb.....equals 20 yards!! I'll take pics of it later and show.....I'll take the "hit" as I got a bunch of wool felt, a few nearly finished projects, and all blenders,neutrals, and tone on tones, mostly pieces but a few bits same as or bigger than fat quarters...things I need!

OUTGOING-I finally finished my April UFO! I used 10 yards of fabric on this! Aviva has a whole room devoted to the Simpsons and I knew she would love this.

Individual blocks.

Doesn't this fabric just scream the Simpsons!

Plus I finished this little cutie! It’s a doorstopper. It didn’t use much fabric but something is something. I used a pattern from Thimbleberries but the door stopper was my idea. It didn’t quite work as planned and it ended up like a big pillow but I still love it!

Used this period: 11
Used year to Date: 59
Added this Week: 25
Added Year to Date: 101.5
Ahead or behind 2011: 42.5 purchased...therefore behind

Catching up

2011-05-12T06:56:00.000-05:00

Hope anyone out there reading my blog is in the mood to read as I plan on updating over the next few weeks. Gotta catch up with pictures from Aviva's wedding, my UFO finishes and stash reports! See ya soon with updates!

Paper piecing fun

2011-03-11T12:23:00.001-06:00

A few weeks ago I made this adorable paper pieced pin cushion. I needed a good excuse to break out the heat set tool and jewels and this was as good a reason as any! I forgot how much fun paper piecing can be.

I gave it to a friend so she too can be a princess!

State of my backside

2011-03-09T05:20:00.002-06:00

It is a never ending cycle. Yes the weight is coming off BUT I have been sooooo busy that I haven't had time for the gym. The weight loss is great but the muscle loss is awful! Toned is so much more important than a number on a scale and shows just as equally. No, I'm not complaining. I'm thrilled the pounds are coming off again, just annoyed with myself for not making the time necessary to work out.

The truth of the matter is I only have less than 30 pounds to lose to BE AT GOAL! Maybe by fall...........

Wedding prep 1

2011-03-08T05:05:00.003-06:00

A few weeks ago we had a massive wedding prep day. Noone (read bride and groom to be) was safe from the weekend of crafting.

Chris and Aviva used large amounts of glue and made even larger mounds of hot glue strings in the process!

Aviva is making a lollipop topiary with white fabric. Up close it kinda looks like white and red roses. Not so much in this shot.

Chris was the winner this particular weekend. He created the most amazing Tootsie Roll topiary. Give a guy a job with very specific instructions and plan to receive amazing results.

He was meticulous in his application. However, boys will be boys and after a few hours of crafting fun he couldn't take it any longer and resumed his Mortal Combat game!

The picture of the finished product does not do it justice. You'll just need to hang around long enough to see actual pics from the wedding. Those tootsie rolls are packed tight! It is absolutely adorable. There are about 5 lbs of candy on this thing. He said if you get close it smells like a tootsie roll flower!

A few weeks earlier, I made this starlight candy topiary. It is holding 7 lbs of candy. I made a mistake and used permanent glue! LOL!!! The only way these puppies are coming off is if you unwrap them!

Here Chris is cutting papers to cover water bottles and Aviva is assembling candy bags.

See my sewing machine? I wasn't just the photographer, I was busy finishing the last bits of the kippot.

Just a cool shot. My phone has a panorama setting and I wanted to see how it worked. All that mess you see around is crafting stuff! It was a very busy and very productive weekend!

Minkee Monday

2011-03-07T05:45:00.000-06:00

The view from my chair.......

Nuff said.

Presents for the bride

2011-03-07T05:26:00.001-06:00

My design wall looks very empty...that's because everything I'm working on right now is 3 dimensional! I managed to finish everything on my list for last week...unfortunately we are now in a new week and the craziness re-starts!

I went very simple for Ms. Aviva's shower gift. First, I made her this bag. The entire wedding is candy themed. I made candy fabric kippot and used the same fabrics to make this bag.

This is the bag pattern.

I also made her pillowcases from this adorable fabric.

The best thing I included in her gift bag was a pair of booties!!! (they were $1 at joanns and I couldn't resist the joke) She wanted to kill me! I couldn't stop laughing!!! "MOM!!!!!!" (yes, I unashamedly would like grandchildren but no there are none on the way!)

Stash Report

2011-03-06T09:07:00.003-06:00

I haven’t shared a stash report in 3 weeks. I just haven’t found the time to sit and file the report.
The “INS”
I did buy a little bit of fabric. I am making some covered bowls for Aviva’s wedding and needed the perfect cheery fabric for that. I also found this really cute “bones” fabric at Joanns. I mean who knows when you will need fabric with bones on it so you have to buy it when it’s 60% off right! Plus there was this green….it reminded me of my favorite “dimples” line from I believe Andover. All in all 5 yds. Not too bad.

The “OUTS”
The chuppah, a tote bag, and 4 pillowcases. Not too bad considering everything else I have going on….

BTW>>>>Pictures will follow in additional blog posts of the tote bag (SO CUTE) and the pillowcases (THE MOST AMAZING FABRIC FOR A BRIDE).

Used this period: 10
Used year to Date: 48
Added this Week: 5
Added Year to Date: 76.5
Ahead or behind 2011: 28.5 purchased...therefore behind

Judy is the keeper of the statistics! Hop over there and see how other quilters are busting their stash!

State of my backside

2011-03-02T05:13:00.001-06:00

Is improving! I nearly have off the 5 7...9 lbs I gained!

I am interviewing a new trainer...read working out with him for a while. He is the owner of a Crossfit gym and I learned one thing....I haven't wasted my money thus far and I am waaaay more in shape then I thought. I think I surprised the guy!

THe downside is that I feel awful that I am not using the trainer I've been using. I feel like I'm having an affair on him!!! I go to the gym and have a hard time looking him in the eye! I think it's safe to say I'll never really do anything bad or I'd explode in a burst of guilt!!!! I may or may not go back to him but I'm giving the Crossfit guy a month first.

Ahead of the game

2011-03-01T19:53:00.003-06:00

Well, I.DID.IT! I finished Aviva's chupppah!

(that funky line is just a reflection)

That also means that I finished a UFO for February!! It doesn't exactly seem fair but it was started last year.
That also means that the night before the wedding I won't be furiously applying the binding!!! WHOOHOO ME!

I entered the chuppah in the quilt show. No earth shattering reviews. But on the other hand, nothing said was unexpected. The judge "appreciated the custom quilting." All in all the negatives weren't too negative and the positives were just enough to make me feel ok, so I am declaring it a good review!

Here is a lousy shot of the feathers.

I don't know why I didn't take better pictures, but, don't despair! I'm certain this isn't the last time this silly thing will be shown as the wedding is coming soon! Also the color is sooooo off in this shot!

State of my backside

2011-02-16T20:36:00.002-06:00

I gained 5 lbs......ok, I gained 7 lbs. URGH! I need to lose weight before this stinkin' wedding not gain!

New resolve. New determination. (uhm...and no more pizza) I really only have 30 more lbs to lose. I've already lost more than that so it should be easy peasy right!???? If I could only get taller instead.....

Big sigh.......I WILL NOT GO BACK TO FAT!

Now we will go back to our regularly scheduled quilty posts!

Design Wall Monday

2011-02-14T05:34:00.000-06:00

My design wall "a few miles down the road" now looks like this!

You know what that means? Yes indeedee! The quilt is quilted and being bound. No more peeks at it until it's finished and hanging at the quilt show! However, to be fair, I'll give you a little teaser at the so-so quilting. (I'm pleased because it's the best I can do but I'm not thrilled with my best. Make sense.)

Stash Report

2011-02-13T11:07:00.004-06:00

It's all I can do to keep up with the crazies of planning a wedding....I'll be posting sporadically until it's over. BUT! BUT! BUT! I, for once, did not purchase one little teeny, tiny piece of fabric!!! Of course, I have nothing to the minus side either but......I will! I only count the "out" when a project is finished. Hopefully next week will be an "out" week!

Judy is the keeper of the statistics! Hop over there and see how other quilters are busting their stash!

Used this Week: 0
Used year to Date: 38
Added this Week: 23
Added Year to Date: 71.5
Ahead or behind 2011: 33.5 purchased...therefore behind

I found the picture somewhere in cyberspace....I'd give credit if I could....If it's yours, let me know!!!

Minkee Monday

2011-02-07T06:38:00.000-06:00

Not being cat people...ahem....we are always surprised by the funny things this silly cat does. You daresn't leave a chair for a second or you have an instant seat cushion! She loves to sit at the kitchen table with us during dinner. Poor DH got up to get a napkin and was greeted by this at his return.

Like a small child, only a face a mother could love and INSIST on showing off!! LOL!! Thanks for indulging me with these Minkee Monday posts. They soooo amuse me.

Design Wall Story....

2011-02-07T05:06:00.002-06:00

Until Aviva's wedding canopy is finished, my design wall is a few miles down the road on Ms. CCCat's longarm.... I therefore submit a story about my "design wall" along with pictures, in lieu of the real thing.....
I am a math idiot. If there was a book, Math for Dummies, I would need to own it. Geometry to me reads, Gee, I’m a Tree. When I went to college, my degree required no math classes at all. I however, had to take a rudimentary math class! It was computations and probabilities. It was a two week course and I couldn’t pass it!!!

Also, I decided that it would have been soooo much easier to have been born any other religion then Jewish. Christians have crosses (a rectangle and squares) Muslims have a crescent moon (circular and therefore appliqué able) but Jews, Jews have the Star of David…. 60 degree triangles!! Not good when you are a math dummy!!!!

Aviva’s chuppah (wedding canopy) is based on 6 pointed stars.

Each star is based on a 60 degree angle. At some point when I was cursing the borders on the chuppah, I shouted out, “What angle am I supposed to set this at!!!” From the other room, DH aka the guy that READS MATH BOOKS, calmly shouts back, 30 degrees….HUH!??? I stormed into the other room. NOW WHY WOULD I NEED 30 DEGREES IF THIS IS A 60 DEGREE STAR!!!???? Because,”Mr. I read math books for fun explained,” 30+60 = 90. But why do I need a 90 degree angle if I’m working with 60’s? Big ole sigh from Mr.” I know how to do calculations in my head without a calculator.” Because, if you have a 60 degree angle, the opposite is a 30 degree. WHATEVER! All I care is that this star here, lines up with that star there, and that the borders don’t look wonky.

Fast forward to last week. Ms. CCCat and I are trying to figure out the straight line quilting in the borders. The quilting will be mimicking the 60 degree angle of the stars. I started with the top and bottom. It looks great.As we were going, I kept saying “How are we going to line up the top border quilting with the side borders? Even though there are feathers between the borders, the lines will need to be in the same place because the eye notices it. I couldn’t explain it but I voiced over and over about these lines needing to match up. Today I finished the top and bottom border. After much agony, we marked the left and right borders….with the same 60 degree angle. I worked on the side borders for a bit until we decided to quit. For some reason I rolled the quilt. UHMMMMMM!!!!!! 60 degrees on the side and 60 degrees on the top will never match!!!!!!! What the heck??? WHY DON’T THESE **&#$%^%&*))*@&^ LINES MATCH!! Suddenly, Mr. “I knew you weren’t listening to my mathly wisdoms” voice was in my head….60 + 30 =90. 60+60 will never = 90.

I still don’t completely get it. All I know is that I need to rip about 10 rows out of my border…and I thank my annoying 60 degree stars that I don’t have another daughter to make a chuppah for!

Stashbusting

2011-02-06T08:00:00.004-06:00

If I were little, my sister would be running towards my mom shouting over her shoulder, "I'm tellin!" S-I-G-H! Then.....

Mom-
"Tell me what you did.".....silence......................................
"Tell me what you did".....silence.......................................
"TELL ME WHAT YOU DID"
Me-
"Walmart had a bunch of fabric on clearance and....(words coming faster now as I try to spit it out in a hurry.) it was only a dollar and $2 a yard. And it was nice. And cotton prices are rising. And I was bored. And I'll use it all I promise. I mean it takes many, many yards for a backing. I have really big plans for it! I only bought fillers, no novelties.And I'll take reeeaalllllllly good care of it.!"And. And. And.

And..........

Used this Week: 0
Used year to Date: 38
Added this Week: 23
Added Year to Date: 71.5
Ahead or behind 2011: 33.5 purchased...therefore behind

Good thing I'm trying not to buy huh.

Scoot on over to Judy's blog and catch up on all the other participating stash busters! Perhaps they are more productive than I!

Girl Power!

2011-02-01T05:53:00.000-06:00

Longarms. Lovely fabulous machines that quilt our quilts so beautifully.

Longarms. Mechanical, heavy monsters that require maintenance and sheer strength from time to time.

Ms. CCCatlover has a wonderful A-1 longarm. Last year we needed to replace the rails. Not as easy as you'd think as you have to lift the entire machine head off of the rails in order to accomplish this. But, we did it. We also were having a problem with the machine being level so Ms. CCC pushed shims while I lifted one area then another. It's like being a mechanic on a car.....with not much of a manual! (Oh she has a fabulous dealer that once walked us through a timing/computer issue for about 1 1/2 hours but mostly these things happen on the weekend or at odd hours and we are on our own!)

Thank goodness Ms. CCC kept the blocks of wood we used to rest the machine on because this year we were at it again! I was prepping to quilt Aviva's wedding canopy. This is going to be the most involved custom quilting I've ever done. Everytime I hit one spot the machine bucked and kicked and knocked me off my quilting line. The machine had been doing this for a long time. At first we thought it was the tracks. Once they were replaced the problem got better but it wasn't perfect. Plus if you let go of the machine when it was at the far right, it would roll backwards. (remember a longarm machine moves side to side and front to back). If you forgot and let go, it would roll and bounce just enough to give you heart failure thinking the thnig was flying off it's housing!!! (also remember I'm a guest quilter. It's not my machine and everytime I forgot and the machine rolled back and went C-LUNK, I'd nearly plotz!)

After a bit of measuring, repositioning a level and head scratching, (notice I said head scratching as we are women and actually scratch our thinking parts) we realized that the machine itself was off level. Fixing it required #1 removing the machine head from the rails,

#2 me crouching down and crawling between the two rails to reach the wheels, (so this picture is posed as when we really worked on it there were no extra hands for cameras!!) #3 both Ms. CCCat and I using muscle to turn, hold and reposition everything, in tandem. At one point we didn't have the right sized piece of equipment. DH said he would bring us one but just the idea of a man entering our inner sanctum was enough to urge us on to fix it ourselves!

In the end, we did it! No directions or instructions. No helpers other than ourselves. That puppy "drives" better than it has in a long time! Just in time for the chuppa-a-thon!!

Design Wall Monday

2011-01-31T05:12:00.000-06:00

My design wall is a few miles down the road right now at CCCatlover's house! Aviva's chuppah (wedding canopy) is finally being quilted.

These pictures show us loading it on the frame.

I HAD to take this picture as I NEVER, EVER, EVER make things square! This chuppah was built on bias edges. I had no real pattern other than the stars. Every turn was an agony of "what to do next." (my poor friends had to suffer in what we like to refer to as chuppah "hell" also) However, all of the agonized, kvetching and picking the brains of those around me, resulted in something that was square! I have no earthly idea how I did this but attribute it to sheer, utter luck!!

Here are some shots of the continuous curve quilting I did on Sunday. It's not the greatest but it's the first time I've done continuous curve. It's getting better but is a far cry from smooth! The thread in the pics looks like the tension is off but I think that's just because I had my camera setting on macro.

Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the rest of the design walls listed on Judy's blog.

UFO Challenge-a finish

2011-01-30T00:54:00.004-06:00

I managed to finish 3 UFO's this month! There weren't the most difficult but a finish is a finish! Count me in!!

Started this tablerunner last year. Made it from a pack of charm squares and a Charmers pattern.

I finished two of the snowman tablerunners. I started these last year at retreat.

So sorry, the photos aren't the greatest.

This is my story....

2011-01-29T22:21:00.005-06:00

As you can see, the title isn't Stash report......

Retreat + Quilty codependants + 1/2 price, yes HALF PRICE quilt shop fabric....and not the garbage that has never sold but the ENTIRE stock in the store =

~~Stash Enhancement drunken delight and giddiness~~ a very quietly stated stash report.

Here was my reasoning and see if you too would have given in to all of the above influences.
1. The price of cotton is about to rise dramaticlly. The quilt shop owners told us that the price of fabric is going to rise a minimum of $1/yard. They wanted to clear the stock so they could put out the more expensive new lines. No, they weren't just trying to sell us, here is an article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer backing their claim.

2. I bought name brand, Moda ect., for half price!

3. I bought only 3 pretties. I focused on Marbles, blenders, backgrounds, lights, and compliments/backgrounds to specialty lines (cowboy ect).
4. We went to two different shops. One had the entire store at 1/2 price and the other had quite a number bolts. The second store had Christmas fabric on sale. I bought some fabulous Americana, red/white/blue fabrics from the Christmas sale. Those were only 20% off. Still a good price.

5. I made a deal with myself not to feel tooooo guilty if I buy fabric but to seriously curtail my spending this year. Ahem....I may have failed in the curtail part in January, but perhaps it will equal out in July when I won't need to buy??

USAGE since last report
---The kippot for Aviva's wedding used 12 1/2 yds! They actually used over 13 but I have a number of scraps and will count that when I use it. Because the kippot are curved and have 4 pieces in each the top and the lining, they consume a lot of fabric.
---Pillowcases (using the newly aquired fabric) 6 yds.
---Three table runners (I only count fabric from my stash when projects are finished) 6 yds.
---100 ft. of clothesline and 3 partial spools of thread for a clothesline basket.

All in all a good two weeks.

Used this Week: 24.5
Used year to Date: 38
Added this Week: 42.5
Added Year to Date: 48.5
Used for 2011: 10.5

Scoot on over to Judy's blog and catch up on all the other participating stash busters!

Stash Report

2011-01-16T20:17:00.003-06:00

I've decided to use this stash report to track my fabric as opposed to feeling guilty for purchasing. I really do not want to buy...often. However, on occasion, it is a necessity...whether physical (need to right shade of fabric) or mental, (need to fondle some new fabric)

I did however clear 13 yards! I made all of these pillowcases from flannel. I had bought it from Joanns the day after Thanksgiving. I wanted to make myself a robe but gosh it is too thin and (so aggrivating) printed off grain! My friend didn't realize what she said when she told me to make a pillowcase! I made a few for me, a few for my fellow roommates at retreat, plus a few from golf fabric for my husband (hey, he supports my quilting habit and deserves something once in a while too!) I made the pillowcases a few inches bigger all the way around to try to compensate if they shrink.

I discovered that it requires a boatload of fabric to make the number of kippot needed for Aviva's wedding. Naturally I don't have enough candy fabric! I bought M&M and Tootsie Roll fabricsthat are so cute!

The tally....

Used this Week: 13
Used year to Date: 13.5
Added this Week: 6
Added Year to Date: 6
Net Used for 2011: 7.5

Scoot on over to Judy's blog and catch up on all the other participating stash busters!

Snow Day here too??

2011-01-13T09:15:00.002-06:00

I decided that in solidarity for all those poor students and teachers off of school today, I too would take a personal "snow day." My plate is so full that I am overwhelmed. A snow day is exactly what I need to recharge before retreat next week!

So how will I spend my day? Cleaning. Washing. Cutting fabric and exercising! It will all be for the best as I will need all of my energies next week to sew, sew, sew!!!!

Design Wall

2011-01-09T22:45:00.003-06:00

I can go to retreat!! My original rule was I couldn't go if Aviva's chuppah wasn't finished. I modified it to read, I can't go until I have the top done and ....IT IS DONE!

The bottom must not be straight on the design wall as the stars look different sizes.

Such a relief to have this off of my shoulders. Next stop....quilting~

Stash Report

2011-01-09T10:53:00.004-06:00

I've been thinking about stash this morning. We have fabric stash and then we have all the rest of the stash. The gidgets and gadgets. The tools, rulers, sticky things, storage containers. The thread and oooooo don't forget the quilt patterns, clothing patterns, craft patterns, magazines, books, computer printouts, and saved computer files of our someday projects. Like the fabric stash, these things overwhelm me. Which leads me to....

I've been cleaning. Cleaning with a purpose. I've managed to cull 50, no that is not a typo, 50 patterns, books, and other assorted items. I can't wait to share my trash with others!! LOL!! I am going to retreat next week and have decided to hold a silly little giveaway so all 20 participants walk away with something. Most of the items are patterns that I've accumulated from $1 sales, Half Price book clearance etc. But some of the patterns and books are "good ones." One that I bought, still like, but know I'll never ever work on. It is so freeing knowing that these items will no longer be weighing me down.

I cleaned out clothing patterns, size 20, don't need those any longer, to "sell" at our monthly guild silent auction. I've purged out quilty gift items that I've received but will never use.
I've even yanked things off of the shelf that pain me but I know, know, know, I just like owning and won't ever actually see finished.

Fabric. Well, I used a whole .5 yard this week recovering this. REad about it here. It's a super functional table that I use constantly at home and is fab. for traveling to retreat.

I also made an additional padded ironing surface to take to retreat.

Pop over to Judy's blog and see how others are actually busting fabric!

Used this Week: .5
Used year to Date: .5
Added this Week: 0
Added Year to Date: 0
Net Used for 2011: .5

Shop With a Cop

2011-01-07T05:20:00.000-06:00

I know it's a bit late to talk about this but....I want a record of it so here goes.

In December I volunteered with the Shop with a Cop program. I was surprised that so many
policing agencies participated.

I was paired with a little girl......

....and a guy from Border Patrol. Both were soooo shy!

Of course our local police were represented. This guy is a "new guy." He graduated about 2 months ago. I helped out with the "scenarios"portion of their schooling. I'm not saying I was difficult during those scenarios but....he remembered me.

Members of the IndoorFootball Team, The Hammerheads also participated. They were dynamic and added alot of spice to both the shopping and lunch experience.

Ride Aong...with the Parking Control?????

2011-01-06T05:35:00.000-06:00

I volunteer with our police department. I was, "loaned out" to help with a project with the Parking Control Department. We never got a chance to work on the project. After the guy picked me up at the police station, on the way to his office, he received a call of a water main break. He looked at me and said "Wanna go see?" Me? Wanting to experience an adventure? Are you kidding me? "Of COURSE I want to go see!"

Luckily, eventually, the heros arrived to turn off the water! Show over!

By the time we got to the Parking Patrol Office (a word I use very lightly here....it's more like a cave), there was no time to work on the project. Mr. Parking Patrol Manager took me on a tour of the cave. There was a room filled with these!

Parking meters in various states of assembly! To be honest, I've never given a parking meter a second thought! But, it seems that they, like everything else in the world, have a home, and someone in charge of them. And when the meters are many, many years old (and like me past their prime) they need repaired. No botox or fancy creams here. Just a lone man, 80 something years old, that repairs the meters. (my"tour guide" told me that this man is one of a dying breed. That once he is gone, there is noone here that is able to repair the meters. I told him it reminded me of a watch repairman. He agreed.) No sending them in for updates. These are good old fashioned mechanical objects here. With everything going electronic, I bet in a few years his workbench will be a thing of the past.

Two steps away from the parking meters were the police bikes. Don't know if they were in for repair or this is where they live but I got a picture nonetheless.

It just goes to show that there is adventure in everything. When my girls were little, we used to take our adventure baskets and go look for adventures. I never in a million years thought that a few hours with the Parking Patrol would be this interesting. Or this much adventure! Go figure!

State of my backside

2011-01-05T06:24:00.000-06:00

OK I AM GOING TO DO THIS! Yes, I know I accomplished alot from last year

to this year..So did Dan. But.....

but I must lose 25 more lbs. How do I do this when immediately in January, I go to retreat? This year we splurged on ourselves and are spending an entire week there.....I must be on track when I leave home so that I can be strong when the cook at retreat pulls out his daily homemade bread and desserts!

I've lost a whole 6 lbs since July! whoo.hoo. :(

Here is my new resolve to be strong and get this done! Anyone want to join me?

Playing with my friends...Library

2011-01-05T04:56:00.002-06:00

After we ate cucumbers and hot cocoa.......we walked to the library. It was really alot of fun. For most of the time, we were the only ones in the children's section. No whispering or tippy toeing. Good thing as Ms. Monkey loved taking books off of the shelves and piling them on our seats!

This library furniture is so cute! There are cubbies behind and under the child sized seating that keeps things "neat." The enormous tinker toy decorations are adorable.

Couldn't resist a picture of the three of us.

Just a nice picture.

Ms. Kitten is reading. She read me this entire book. I don't know who was more thrilled!

We checked out books and then walked home. Luckily, I forgot a bag!!! Ms. Monkey insisted on carrying her own books.....they kept slipping from her hands! It was a funny sight seeing this little thing loaded down with books but insisting on carrying them.

And Ms. Kitten? She was too busy trying to walk and read at the same time to notice anything else going on around her!

All in all a good afternoon. Now that we have finished everything we wanted to do on our list....well, we are going to have to create a new list of fun things!

Playing with my Friends...Presents

2011-01-04T05:02:00.002-06:00

Ilove playing with my friends...whether they are young or old! These two, Miss Kitten and Miss Monkey, happen to be my most favoriteist friends of all. We haven't gotten together for quite a while and I missed our playtime. One afternoon I picked them up from school,for an afternoon of fun. We began at my house for a snack. It was cold (uhmmm , that's relative here. It IS south Texas) and I had hot cocoa. I really didn't want to give them cookies or more sweets, but what else can you eat with cocoa? Ms. Monkey took her cookie and instead of dunking it, dropped it in the cocoa! She thought it was hysterical! One spoon later, she decided she didn't want cookies. Not want cookies!!! Are You KIDDING me?

Cucumbers? YES! YES! This is what they want with their cocoa. CUCUMBERS! This little thing, cookies vs. cucumbers assures that we are totaly unrelated! Then to boot, they dunked their cucumbers into the cocoa! Nummy!

I had so much fun making them a present. I was at Joanns and they had fleece blankets...a monkey and a kitten! How could I resist???

Ms. Kitten was particulary thrilled. You see, Minkee loves fleece blankets. The day I made the kitten blanket she decided to uhm.. investigate (read, scratch at it). Well, the back is a lovely solid pink.....so.....When Ms. Kitten discovered that Minkee "signed" her cat blanket, she was thrilled!!!

Design Wall/Chuppah

2011-01-03T05:46:00.000-06:00

This week has brought, thankfully and finally, many changes to my design wall. Last week I was here. As I was the week before, and the one before that! I've finally been inspired to get this thing done! This morning I was here......

....complete with mitered corners! Yes! Me! Mitering corners!

This evening I was here....

It's a bit misleading as the left and right are not attached yet.

I have a really big problem. The top and bottom have .75 difference. I don't know if I should compensate when I add the top and bottom borders or if I let the difference grow.If I split the difference before adding the top and bottom borders, all the excess will be in those solid triangles. If I let the problem grow....well, it will just get worse! I don't know if the problem came in with the triangle border or before. I had tons of trouble adding the triangles. I must have ripped the biased edges a million times. Seriously, I learned a valuable lesson that the degree of angles really matters! LOL!

Hopefully by next week the top will be done!

Stash Report

2011-01-02T10:32:00.006-06:00

Sooo, the question is, do I begin afresh or do I report from last week????? My idea is to begin afresh. That means.

Used this Week: 0
Used year to Date: 0
Added this Week: 0
Added Year to Date: 0
Net Used for 2011: 0

This is the best report I've ever given!!!! Now mind you I always go on retreat in January and we visit quilt shops on the way. Never a good thing when trying to NOT buy. So I allow myself ONE little pleasure and one week of zeros!

Last week I did however finish this

By using these..... that I have been working on and saving since here....

and I arranged the finished 1" squares to create this....

It was next to impossible to insert properly into the cup and it's all crookedy but it is done! It is one more thing off of my shoulders, sitting in the sewing room waiting to be finished.
Don't forget to visit Judy and see all the other stash busting reports.

UFO Challenge

2010-12-31T16:53:00.002-06:00

Ok. Ok! I'm in!!!! I'll join Judy's UFO challenge! Who is nagging me you ask? Only the most naggiest, pesteriest of all....my conscience! I have accumulated a few UFO's and I don't like it!

I took this paragraph from the UFO Challenge Directions to heart..."As far as definitions, use your own judgment. Whatever works for you is good for me. We’re not going to get bogged down here with “rules” and there are no UFO Challenge Police on the payroll at Patchwork Times! Here are some loose definitions!"

My daughter is getting married in March. I have a full plate besides a few UFO's! I really want to join this challenge so I have decided that I will list all of my items but, when the month is chosen, I will decide what I will be able to accomplish that month and work on it. I will give myself a self imposed "have to claim it" rule. That is, I will blog about which project I'll work on that month so I can stay on track. I think the first two items on my list are fairly obvious...they will be worked on first!! LOL!!

1. Aviva's Chuppah
2. Wedding Kippot
3. Locker Hooked rug
5. Football quilt
4. Log Cabin-
6. BasketBal quilt
7. QFH/Kona Cotton Quilt
8. Sh'ma needlework
9. Simpsons Quilt-bind
10. Thimbleberries 9 patches
11. Valentines Table Runner-Quilt
12. Winter Table runners
13. Birthday Banner

Design Wall Monday

2010-12-27T08:01:00.004-06:00

Finally I am working on Aviva's chuppah. Good thing as I now have 3 months to finish plus all the other pre wedding things....

Yesterday I planned ahead for Design wall Monday. . I took a picture of the progress I've made. Although it is impossible to notice, I've actually sewn blocks together and taken those blocks and formed rows and joined a few rows. I was feeling rather pleased with myself.

Don't ask me why I was sitting and staring at it but!!!! thank goodness as I had a big mistake! Can it be seen? Now that I know it's there it sticks out like a sore thumb! (See the dark star in the middle of all the white ones? It's supposed to be on the edge.)

I was devastated because I have be "arguing "with this silly quilt for months now. The points are supposed to look like this....

but instead mostly look like this!

It has been driving me nuts and I am beginning to dread/hate working on this thing. I keep telling Aviva we might have a problem, I don't think I'm "sewing love into this chuppah!"

When I had joined the two rows together (the mistake row) the points were perfect! I danced!
Not dancin' so much now knowing that I have to rip!

I briefly considered NOT fixing it. Then my better judgement kicked in and it is all fixed now. All I can say is thank goodness for Judy and her design wall Monday or I would never, ever have noticed it.....well you know, that is until the day of the wedding!

2010-12-20T09:39:00.002-06:00

Lat week we had to have a plumbing re-route as we had a leak in the slab. Ever since we've had no hot water to the washing machine. Luckily he came back today and has managed to cut not one but two additional holes in the wall! These two will be added to the 3 others that that needed to be cut last week! I'm just glad that I'm not the one that needs to fix them all.

Gifts

2010-12-17T05:07:00.000-06:00

(why the gift post now when Hanukkah is looooong over? We are just exchanging gifts this weekend as this is the first we've been able to get together)

These are the items I made for my kids...the true gift is mine....the reason....

Last year I made these apples. They were the September gift of the month. I didn't think much of it but Chris2 said "Oh. can you make pears?" I never gave it another thought. Obviously he did. When Ms. Aviva took the apples out this fall he told her, "You know, I really do want your mom to make me pears." Chris2's gift.

A month or so ago, during a family dinner, Chris1 said, "Hey, I need you to make me one of those bowls like Serena's. I later asked my daughter if he serously wanted a bowl! Yup! Seems he wants one for his toiletries. I did something a bit different with this one. No fabric wrapping! Thread only. I like the way it turned out. I was testing different threads so that is why the bottom is different. It looked to "girly" for a guy. Chris1's gift.

Earlier this year our guild had an owl swap. Serena came over one day as I was furiously making owls. She ooohed and aaahhed and said she wanted a pillow. My friend made me a shirt with the owl on it and I wore it one day when Serena and I went out. She ooohed and aaahed and said she wanted a pillow. In October she spotted one of the owl blocks and reminded me that she "wanted one of them." I forgot that she wanted a pillow but made her this shirt. (naturally I remembered the pillow after I'd finished the shirt!) Serena's gift.

I had a gift for everyone else so I needed to come up with something for Aviva.....I decided to make her one of these loopy scarves. (I just used this link for a pic. I bought it from Joanns). It is stlylishly being modeled by my iron! Aviva's gift.

What is my gift in this? Well, all this sewing, crafting and patchkeying around is NOT in vain! They not only like but want the things I make. It make my heart sing that the boys asked for homemade items. Chris#1 is always asking when I'm going to feel like making pj pants again! Chris2 is excited that his kippot (Jewish, traditionally male. head covering) will be made from candy fabric.

I think my girls picked winners when they chose their mates!!

State of my backside

2010-12-15T05:00:00.003-06:00

One reason I've been short on time is I've been working out many days a week. I have a personal trainer 1X/week. I have to go in between because otherwise I won't be strong enough for the next week's workout! It is time consuming to workout but I really do like it.

My trainer Gabe is, as he puts it, a bootie man! I just tell him he's obsessed with my backside. As a result, I've toned quite a bit in the lower half. I think I've done a million lunges, squats, step ups and run a million stairs. I highly recommend the expense of a trainer. I am using him for the short term to learn, shape up, motivate and then move on on my own. In the process, I've lost a bit of weight and toned up alot!

I think the blog neglection has been worth it because here I am last December (w/ 2 of my cousins)...

and here I am this December.

I purposely found a before photo with straight as opposed to curly hair since last December I had my hair straight, !

Yes, I am bragging a bit but mostly I need to be accountable. I am so tired of losing and gaining and want to really really keep it off this time. I am at high school weight and really want to get to a weight I've never been before! (yeah right!) I haven't been this thin since high school.

I didn't plan it, I always post my weight issues on Weds., but after last night's biggest loser, I think this post is rather apropos!

Aviva's Chuppah

2010-12-13T07:19:00.000-06:00

It's really not much further along then the last time I showed it....I really need to light a fire as the wedding is in March. I have a self imposed deadline of the end of the year! HA!

The strips around the outside are there to see how it would look if I continued the pattern of diamonds and triamgles.

Minkee Monday

2010-12-13T04:14:00.000-06:00

I have no clue what she was digging for in this pail. She went at it for about 10 minutes though!

Origami Shirts

2010-12-10T07:46:00.000-06:00

I found that I'd never posted this! Cute huh! Our "guild" has a make and take each year and this is what I taught. I came up with a ton of uses from holding gift cards to a lift n see flap quilt for children. I didn't actually make up all of the ideas as I had too little time. The quilt in the picture is my friend's. The individual pictures at the bottom are a few that our members made. They got creative with the ribbon!

Hello! My name is Morah

2010-12-08T06:44:00.006-06:00

Ok, My name is really Marla but.....I'm still alive. Yup! Where have I been??? I can't decide if I want to continue blogging...... My life has changed. I work. I volunteer. But I think the biggest "not wanting to blog" factor is Facebook! I seem to spend so much of my free time there keeping up with family that I feel guilty when I sit down to blog. Here are some of my other reasons for the indecision....

-I wish there were a faster way to post and explain photos, hook up links. - Hooking up the camera or removing the card. Uploading, getting the settings correct. Love to do it but unless I just don't know what I am doing, it is very time consuming.

- It's been soooo long, I wonder if there is anyone out there that will read (although I really blog for posterity)

-The birth of "professional" blogs. Although I love to read them, the explosion of "professional" type blogs has diminished the impact of us little peons just plugging away out here. (wow! I should read my previous bullet point!) I have nothing to promote, no book to sell, no advertisers to keep happy....Don't get me wrong, I love reading them. I'm just not as fancy.

I will try to begin blogging again. After all, I am working on a wedding canopy for my daughter Aviva! I have to give her equal time as her sister (it was her sister's chuppah that started the whole blogging thing)

Yet........all of the above are probably just an excuse for sheer, plain, Laziness!!!! LOL!!

BTW Thank you to Ms. Desertsky for wondering where I've been!

Oh and the picture..????Has nothing to do with nothing!! It's just a shot of my daughters and I ....Perhaps....I'll explain why we are in identical shirts in my next post......

Owl Swap

2010-09-30T04:31:00.000-05:00

We all have "those" kind of friends. You know the one. She suckers you into something batting her eyelashes, smiling ever so pretty and all the while beckoning you with her claws! LOL! Well my friend suckered me! (Silly me, I fell for it......AGAIN!) Our quilting group had an owl swap. They had 8 months to complete 21blocks, one for each of the participants. The day the blocks were turned in, THE VERY DAY, during the meeting, in front of the group, I received the eye batting, sweet smiled question..."Would I like to make up for the one person that didn't fulfill their responsibilities?" I fell for it and then the claws came out...."finish the blocks in one week?" Oh, did I run screaming? Did I even see the claws? Did I stop to consider that it was the week that school was starting, two weeks before all the Jewish holidays and my most busiest time of the year? Whatdaya think! Of course not! I said yes. On the plus side, my eye batting, sweet talking, claw wielding friend is also very, very nice. She and another dear friend helped immensely and were vital to the completion of my blocks. I didn't finish in one week but did have them ready at the next meeting. Like the crossed eyes I gave my owls? That was how I felt after the word yes came out of my mouth!

This is the pattern we used.

Minkee Monday

2010-09-27T06:53:00.002-05:00

DH is NOT a cat lover. DH is NOT a cat lover! DH is NOT a cat lover?????? Hmmmm....let's review. Find original evidence here. Ok, I'll give it to him. DH is not a cat lover. DH is a Minkee lover!!!!! BUT, BUT, BUT, she seems to be converting him! LOL!

Last week we had torrential rains and flooding. Just as we left for work on Monday, the skies re-opened and it was a downpour. That night, well into the evening, DH looked at me and said, "There was a little cat in the middle of the freeway." Pause. "It was just sitting there soaking wet." Paauuse. "There was so much traffic and it was pouring. I couldn't just stop in the middle of the freeway. The poor thing was just sitting there." Pause. "The rain was just coming down and there were cars on both sides of me. The traffic was heavy. It was just soaking wet." PAUSE. ........ "I had to drive over it. Neither my tires or the bottom of the car hit it but......" (Now I realize that NOT hitting an animal is not a reason to be called an animal lover, that's just being a decent, caring human being. It's what happened next that is the amazing part.) I looked at him and said, "Awwww, too bad you couldn't stop a get it, Minkee would love a friend to live with her." He didn't even balk!

Hopefully that poor little kitty made it's way out of the middle lane of the freeway. But I have a feeling that the next little orphan Mr. DH sees, will be coming home in his pocket! I don't know how in the world we'll ever explain that one to the girls.

Stash report

2010-09-26T06:10:00.001-05:00

My report......dismal! I went to my favorite Creative Sewing Center in San Antonio. I needed to get the perfect background fabric for Aviva's quilt. I found it! It was on sale! It's a 108" backing fabric and is perfect. I bought a ton of it because I use whatever was used in the chuppah for a first year anniversary bed quilt and then anniversary presents for years to come. I wanted to have as much as possible to begin with. They also had Judaic fabric that I'd never seen......Plus, and it's not fabric, but I went ahead and bought the smaller MM templates just in case I change my mind. Suffice to say, I spent a fortune! I had fun but I will use it all. I mostly regret how much I spent!!!!!

Like I said last week, I keep this up and I'll get kicked out of the stashbusting linky!!!

Aviva's Chuppah

2010-09-24T05:00:00.001-05:00

Aviva, aka Ms. A is getting married in March. That means I need to make her a chuppah. Serena's chuppah (Mrs. S), was my finest work. A masterpiece. No it wasn't perfect. To another quilter it may have even been simple, the quilting a smidge wobbly, the one side just a bit tippy. It was a stack and whack and the first time I'd ever worked with diamonds. The pattern I used did not include that border and I made it work (I even had to use MATH). I was very proud of that. I machine quilted it on my DSM and I was very proud of that! (never mind the judges in the quilt show thought there was too much white). Aviva's chuppah is going to be another opportunity to create something that I've never done before. Hers too will be a masterpiece, only different. I have been wanting to work with diamonds and hexagons for a long time. I've just been too chicken. Here are the (waaaaay to much) fabrics I've chosen.

This is the way I am going to make the chuppah. I've said before, I love Marti Michell templates (Hi Mr. Michell if you are reading...he searches for hits on Marti's name). I have been wanting to buy this set of templates for a long time. One Sunday morning, while still in my jammies, I punched a few buttons and by Weds. or Thurs., I had this book and the templates.

I actually read the words in this book. I poured over it for days trying to figure out exactly what I wanted. This is a method book not a pattern book. On one hand that made it easier, on the other harder. Not color but value is what I had a hard time with because I am only using one color, green. It took me a while to realize that I'm not quite good enough yet with value to make some of the settings work. It's ok. The one I chose will challenge me enough!

I couldn't resist. I immediately cut a few pieces and tried them out. Guess what?! THEY WORK BEAUTIFULLY! Yes, you need to be carefull. My first attempt at a star is good but not perfect. The outer edges match fine but the inner points missed. That was operator error. I was so excited to put the two sides together that I forgot to pay attenten.

My first attempt at hexagons. (I LOVE, LOVE, grandmothers flower garden and tumbling blocks. I've started a few GFG by hand but never finish....I just may now! Plus with many 6 pointed star designs you need the hex) You can see where the scissors are pointing and at the interesection of the diamond and pink and stripe, that I had a bit of trouble stopping at the right place. Again, I was excited and didn't slow down enough. SLOW is hard work for me.

Here you see I slowed down and made PERFECT HEX'S!!! I am so excited to get started on Aviva's chuppah. She and Chris approved the fabrics and YEAH! I CAN GET STARTED.

The weather!

2010-09-20T21:28:00.003-05:00

This is what happened in my town over the weekend. My daughter left to drive home literally in the nick of time and got out before the roads flooded. It isn't like these images are miles and miles from my house. Some are nearby, some a few miles away, but all in my city. We had between 11 and 15" of rain depending on your location. We were somewhere in between at our house. No flooding at my house but the end of my street and surrounding streets whoa!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5MGQvywzZQ

Design wall Monday

2010-09-20T05:35:00.001-05:00

Look familiar? I only added another project on top of last weeks entry. Sigh....maybe if I stopped posting blog posts I'd actually sew!!!! LOLOL!! It's there because I'm trying to decide how to quilt...plus I am picking out the terrible quilting I'd done earlier.

I always forget to remind ....go to Judy's blog and see what everyone else is working on.....

Minkee Monday

2010-09-20T01:28:00.001-05:00

It's DH's birthday. I think Minkee was thrilled. This box is no bigger than
6X15". She found it comfy and cozy!

I couldn't resist closing her in. She stayed put!

Just a bit of rain

2010-09-19T14:18:00.003-05:00

Love rain but WOW! Last night and today have been amazing. Here is photographic proof. All these were taken within a 4 block radius of our house. The end of our street was flooded but we est. long ago that ours is the highest house on the block. It's a good thing when it rains so much.

The view looking out my enclosed patio. For reference, it was taken at about 11 am. Looks like nighttime huh. I think I detect white caps on the lake.

The pond in my side yard. I'm looking out the window... no way I was going out to get this picture. See the pond?

In front of the middle school for those of you that have been to visit. To those that haven't, come on down and you'll have a point of reference!

A block down from the middle school

On the major street that connects to ours. I wouldn't have done this but the little Ford Focus made it through. Can't imagine that they had dry feet though!

Stash Report?

2010-09-19T09:37:00.005-05:00

Stash report. Hmmm.....Welll.....Uhmmmm......we are supposed to be committed to REDUCING the stash???? I think I have this entire idea mixed up, backwards and cattywomppus! I haven't been sewing. I haven't been producing...but man o man! I have been stash enhancing. I think I'm going to be kicked out of the stash report system!!!!

Case in point #1
My folded stash

Case in point #2
The bolt of fabric that cost only 1$1.50/yd at Walmart. It's from Possibilities people! A good fabric at a good price. Too bad that it's an ombre..which I don't like too much, it was cheap and will make excellant backs to projects.

Case in point #3
The bits of fabric, not fat quarters, not yardage, not cut to size, in color bins.

Case in point #4
Fat quarters.

Case in point #5
Bins. Mostly filled with various sizes. Some filled with speciallty scraps like novelties, homespuns ect., that don't fit into the upper bins. The specific sized strips I never use. I have decided to purge these bins and only cut 3-4 sizes of strips. Just need to get to the task....

Case in point #6.
More bins. These I use a bit. Sized 1', 2', 21/2"...

Case in point #7
The fabric for Aviva's chuppah. Oh, it doesn't look like much but that bag is stuffed with greens!

Plus I forgot to take pictures of of the huge bin of Americana fabric.... huge bin! Plus the huge bin of 5" squares, the bin of UFO's (the least problematic of all the bins and shelves!) and the bolt of Kona in the closet. Oh and did I forget the drawers of embroideries???? (AND WHAT PROJECT HAVE I CHOSEN TO WORK ON??????? LEFTOVER ITTY BITTY HALF SQUARES THAT AREN'T EVEN MINE!!!)

I really want to use this fabric, mostly because no more will fit, but have discovered that I've bought pretty fabrics, not necessarily useful fabrics. Plus... well, I think I'm in the dreaming mode right now and owning some of this is as nice as making things....sorta! I am not in the mood to stress over it today. I'll save that, and the guilt of having soooo much stuff, for another day. Today I'm just confessing that my stash is out of control. OUT OF CONTROL! The consequences of that will just have to wait.

Pop on over to Judy's blog and check out how everyone else is really controlling their stash!!

State of my backside

2010-09-17T07:28:00.003-05:00

Some time ago, I did the "State of my backside" reports. (the beginning coincided with the state of the union from the president). I then re-gained all the weight I had lost and stopped the SOMBS reports. Well, I've now re-re-lost the same 60 lbs. BUT have 30 more to go. I have been futzing around with this 30 lbs for months now.....haven't lost an ounce. In fact, I've gained 5 lbs. (SIGH). On the other hand, I have been struggling mightily with my RA this entire year. I am on my 3rd round of oral prednisone + a couple of shots for this year . The fact that I've managed to keep this weight off, continue to exercise regularly, meet with my trainer, AND take prednisone and massive amounts of ibuprofen, gives me some measure of accomplishment....but not enough! 10 lbs. gone would certainly help! So, I've decided to reinstate the State of my backside reports. Not feeling well is not a good enough excuse to allow either the weight to come back on or to become complacent in my efforts. Perhaps being accountable to WRITING down my accomplishments, and to my 3 readers left after my extended neglect of this blog, will spur me on to better eating habits and additional exercise. We'll see, we'll see....

If I could weigh what is on the scale in the picture........

Design Wall Monday

2010-09-13T07:11:00.005-05:00

THis has been on my design wall for at least 6 months....maybe more.

It comes from this quilt that I made this at retreat in January....

.....for my husband. He in turn promised it to his dad. I never bound the thing! It's been sitting here patiently waiting while I recover from my quilting funk.

However, this is design wall Monday. Why the funky, wonky table runner looking thing? It was what I started to assemble to create a quilt from the leftovers from the quilt. I got this far, decided it looked like a table runner and quit! Perhaps my current streak of inspiration will allow me to work on it as a quilt...or at least finish it as a table runner!

Some friends are a pain!

2010-09-11T09:25:00.004-05:00

I don't know if it's me or my friend Cccatlover that is the pain! See, she is making a fabulous 30's quilt. It has lots and lots of with lots and lots of cut off triangles. I couldn't bear for them to go to waste so she saves them for me, I sew, trim and put them in a box. I've been working on them again (OH did I mention that they will finish at 1"??) . Sew, iron, trim. Sew, iron, trim.

When I was in Ohio, I had my BIL help me separate them. (because of his brain tumor he is like a man with brain injury. It was a challenge for him to separate them into the proper piles). Here, I am on my own.

This is a SMALL pile of blue and white half squares waiting to be trimmed....

How many do you think are in this little tiny baggie??? 160!! Yes, all that work and once assembled 160 teeeny blocks will only work out to be 40X40....INCHES!!!

This is the pile I have left to sew. Doesn't look like much but trust me! There are a million little half squares in that pile.

I have no idea how many more she has for me...She keeps threatening to send more. All I know is I am nuts and she is literally becoming a pain in my neck! This is hard work! But I sure am enjoying myself with this mindless little ditty!

Doesn't look like much but....

2010-09-11T09:23:00.002-05:00

I think it's safe to say that I have been in a quilting/blogging funk. It's really not even a funk that I was too worried about but it lasted soooo long this time. I am however, happy to report, that I am starting to put that funk where it belongs! I have been sewing. See the pile in the picture? It doesn't look like much. However, under the quilt that needs bound, there are two table runners that I finally finished adding borders to....after 3 years. There is also a top made from the orphan blocks leftover from Ms. A's "I used to be a pillow" quilt. Tucked in the drawer off to the left where you can't see, is a table runner that I began to quilt but the tension was off. I threw it in there in disgust about 6 months ago. Yesterday I ripped out all but the teeniest stitches. Oh and that quilt in the pile? The goal is to have it finished by the end of the week. It only needs to be trimmed and bound!

So if there is anyone left that has kept me on their blog reading list....I think, just think, that I'm back. Stay tuned....

I think...

2010-09-09T18:14:00.002-05:00

I think....I think....I think...I've been sewing! It isn't an enormous amount but....I finished the tops of two table runners that have been here for two years, put together some leftover blocks to make a top and made pillows for work! It isn't much but it's sewing! Yeah!!! More updates very soon! I am so happy that I am sewing again! WhooHooo!

Storybook panels

2010-08-07T19:46:00.003-05:00

I'm in love with all of the nursery rhyme, storybook fabrics they have been printing lately. I don't necesarrily buy the panel because you often have to cut them apart and reassemble. That drives me crazy. I do however love the companion fabrics. Because my school duties now include the library, they fit perfectly into my life. Today I bought (just as I said I don't buy them....LOL) the Brown Bear panel. I have the companion fabrics. I also have the Hungry Caterpillar companion fabrics but no panel. I have to get busy and get these made! School starts in two short weeks!

Summer 2010

2010-08-05T05:42:00.000-05:00

Remember the kippot I made for Hudson? Well his Bar Mitzvah was the weekend that I left for Ohio. It was lovely, lovely, lovely. These are the pictures they took at his party. The first one is a photograph of my BFF and I. We were obviously being silly and sassy.

These are two of my former students. Hudson is on the left. The boy on the right had his Bar Mitzvah in January or February. He then promptly grew 3 feet taller!! LOL! Of the 5 boys in this class (I taught them for 2 years) these are the only two that haven't moved away. I was so pleased that they both agreed to have a picture taken with their ol' teacher.

Quilt Show New Braunfels, Texas - 2

2010-08-03T07:35:00.000-05:00

More pretty pictures from the quilt show. Not going to narrate each one....I think the colors are wonderful on a few of these. If only I'd sit down and sew.........

Quilt Show New Braunfels, Texas - 1

2010-08-02T05:57:00.000-05:00

Just thought I'd share these pretty pictures. I am always in awe of the workmanship of others. I have no idea of any of the makers. I apologize but I forgot to write down the names.

Love the idea of this one. The possibilites make my head spin.

Could these two be any happier???

I would never have the patience for all this paper piecing!

This was so cute. There were embellishments all over it. Bugs, ect. Very, very cute.

Just pretties~

Playing with my Friends....Again

2010-08-01T21:13:00.001-05:00

I am so lucky. My little friends here have a mom and dad that are completely willing to live with my wierdness! I was gone for 5 weeks, came back, called them and asked if the girls could come out and play with me! LOL! This time we went to the coolest fountains. You have to understand. We live on the gulf. Water abounds......but so does sand. Sandy toes, car seats and the new leather seats in my car.....well, they don't mix. I love these little girls....but not THAT much!! LOL!! This little fountain area fits the bill perfectly. The water is about 6" deep, the fountains go on and off....water play...no sand in sight! (It's a shame. I won't post pictures of them playing in the fountain because there are too many crazies out there....)

Here they are just enjoying themselves.

After the fountains we went to McDonalds for lunch. It was nearly 100 degrees out that day so an indoor playground was perfect. More fun ensued!

Ice Cream! Yummmm....

I learned from our last outing just how to get Ms. Monkey in the car, in the car seat and not go nuts!! I carried her, no shoes on her feet, out to the car and gave her no choice. I put her in the car seat this time! Worked like a charm! It's funny the things you forget when you don't have little ones around for a while! LOL!

Quilty!

2010-07-30T07:38:00.003-05:00

OH My goodness! I finally have a quilty post and I FORGOT to take pictures!!! URGHHH!!!!

We have been making these potato bags here. I don't know what has set us (my friends and I) off about these silly things but we are all busy making them. They are nothing more than a fabric bag filled with cotton batting but supposedly they make the most scrumptious microwaved potatos. I don't eat potatoes so I have to take their word for it. Since I don't have pictures of mine, I thought the least I could do is provide a link! LOL! I don't make mine exactly the same but you get the idea. I make them in all sizes because they are so versatile! You can use the basic idea to resize for many, many uses.

I made potato bags for my sister to share with all of her volunteers. She cannot leave my BIL alone and volunteers often help out. I thought it might be a nice little token for her to give for their help.

Hopefully I will find time to blog surf......I miss you all!

June and July doings

2010-06-16T15:48:00.010-05:00

I've been away from home for the past 4 weeks. I am at "home" helping my sister. My brother in law has been fighting glioblastoma multiforme (if you scroll to the bottom you'll see the dismal prognosis.) for the past 11 years. For all intents and purposes, he beat it because when he was diagnosed 11 years ago, they gave him mere months to live. He has fought hard and received fabulous treatments. They really don't know what worked or why but obviously something did work. Now however, because the tumor is growing again, he is very much like a man with a traumatic brain injury. He is currently under hospice care.

This is a great picture of my BIL and niece taken the 2nd week I was here.

The past few weeks have been a true test of my mettle. I came here for many reasons. Obviously I came to help my sister, bro in law and niece, but I also came to help my 94 year old grandmother. She is at the point where living alone (in a two story home with laundry in the basement) is no longer a good option. We are trying to find the perfect place for her to live. My grandma is a feisty woman and it isn't easy merging her needs and desires! This task alone could drive a person to drink!

This is honestly the best picture I've seen of her in years!!! She actually smiled!

I came here for a another reason too. I've been too wrapped up in my own emotions and needs lately. I've been to self centered. Here, I've had no time here to worry about myself and and my self indulgent thoughts and behaviors. I don't have time to worry about piddly, unchangeable things. It is all about life, death and living with dignity. There is only time to do the necessities and certainly no time for self indulgence. It has been an emotionally and physically draining few weeks but ones that I wouldn't trade for anything.

I've had the intention to make baked potato bags for all of the volunteers that help my sister. I bought the fabric and borrowed the sewing machine the first week I was here. I still only have 4 made...uhm....two of those 4 are pressed correctly. I will get them finished this week before I leave. Hopefully, I'll be able to get a picture and blog about them. In the meantime....

Playing with my friends...baking cookies

2010-06-06T21:46:00.006-05:00

It started out innocent enough...Cookies, frosting and sprinkles. Fun huh! As you can see, Monkey managed to get one cookie frosted before the tasting and finger licking began.

Now Ms. Kitten got wayyyy further along in the process before she began the finger licking. She is older and although the finger licking is fun, she had more fun with the sprinkles......

Cookie number two........already been licked once....notice her face....

Messy fingers......

Another cookie, more finger licking fun! (reallly she didn't eat frosting as much as lick her fingers)

Look at that face!!!!!

Now Ms. Kitten began to really, really get into the whole process.....

Sprinkles and sprinkles.....

...and sprinkles......

...and sprinkles!!!!!!!!

The cute part was that they helped clean up without being asked. Ms. Kitten rinsed all the dishes for me to put in the dishwasher. Look at the bottom left, you can see Monkey's arm reaching up. She found a sponge and was "cleaning" the sprinkles off of the table.

When I took them home, both girls were asleep before I was a mile down the road. I honestly could have slept myself! This day made me understand the concept of a grandparent. Things I would have never let my kids get away with.....using 3 bottles of sprinkles on 24 cookies.... didn't bother me in the least. But, it also made me realize that sheeeesh! I am soooo glad I had my kids when I did. I don't think I have the ooomph to keep up with them!

Playing with my Friends #2

2010-06-04T07:22:00.005-05:00

It has been a long time since I've had little children in my house. This day was a huge reminder that I did the right thing in having my children young. I forgot how much energy it takes to keep up with a two year old for a day!

I picked the girls up. I don't know if they knew that I was coming, but when they saw me, the look on their faces was precious. It was a combination of "What is SHE doing here," and "Oh Lookee who's here." Most times preschoolers get confused when they see teachers outside of school. We are "in the wrong place." We grabbed their things and headed off!

We began the day with breakfast. We did, after all, need to make lists of what we were planning to do during the day. I forgot about restaurants and little ones. The not being tall enough to reach the table and need to kneel on the seats, the allure of the jellies, syrups, sugars, salt and pepper....the whole potty issue.... Naturally we needed to potty as a group. No problem, I potty little ones all the time. HA! I forgot (a reoccurring theme of the day) how alluring potty rooms are! Monkey pottied first while Kitten did the "hurry up" dance. Cover the seat. lift the child, get her hands off the disgusting potty, wash hands. Repeat. BUT Miss Monkey was not reading my mind after we washed hands. She very proudly raced over and threw her paper towel in the toilet, put one hand on the seat, and the other stretched up and over to re-flush. AH! "Please put your towel in the wastebasket." Rewash hands. I turned my head to grab a towel for myself and YIKES!! she was already tossing the towel in the potty and flushing again! Re-re-wash hands. Hold her hand. Dry her hands. GET OUT of the public restroom! The whole time Miss Kitten is calmly watching us. Her face looked like, "Can we PLEASE leave this bathroom already! LOL!! Tummies full, hands relatively germ free, we headed off to the grocery store.

The grocery store was simple. Everyone was contained! Zip we were home.

Because I haven't had children in the house in so long, we are not childproofed. I frantically sped through the house the day before finding all the contraband! Oh boy, my sewing room is like a mine field for little kids! Pins,(many on the floor), needles,rotary cutters, scissors....ooeeee! Get things up high! Medicine...YIKES! I no longer get child proof caps. Under the cabinet in the kitchen. OMGoodness! My purse alone is a scary object in the hands of a child let alone an entire un-childproofed house! MRS H.(that's me) BE ON ALERT!

I did put my design wall to good use. We used it as an enormous flannel board and arranged flannel board story pieces all over it. This proved to be a fabulous activity and they did it again and again.

We played inside.

We played outside.

At one point while they played, I began to pull weeds. Ms. Kitten decided to help. Hey, cheap labor!!

Ms. Monkey managed to rearrange my house the way only a two year old can. It took us 15 mins. to find the remotes, I found pillows all over the house, coasters decorated all the rooms any furiture light enough to carry was moved. It was so amusing to try to figure out where she put things.

We also baked cookies. Tomorrow.....

Playing with my Friends #1

2010-06-03T18:23:00.008-05:00

Are these the cutest little faces you've ever seen or what!!!(well except for the two girls that share my last name that is!)

I have worked in schools for many years. These are the first children that absolutely took my heart! Now I love all of my students but these two..these two ....well, I fell in love with them. Monkey, on the left, is 2. She cracked me up all year long. If I sat on the floor, plop! There she would be, sitting on my lap. If I would start to read a story, before you knew it there she was in my lap!

This is how she spent a good portion of time in my class.

Once, during one of our Shabbat assemblies, I was standing next to her group. They were sitting on the floor. I watched her scootch her little butt closer and closer until I looked down and she was sitting on my foot! She stayed their during the entire assembly! Another time at Shabbat, she stood up, picked up her backpack, walked over to me, took my hand and just stood there during the assembly. No words. Just standing and holding my hand!

For a good portion of the year, she either had baby hair (fine and flyaway) or a fancy haircut courtesy of her big sister! But whatever it was, her hair was all over the place every time she came to my room. I would ask her, "Monkey, who did your hair today!?" Her response? "Daddy!" The funny part is whenever her hair looked smooth and I asked if her daddy did her hair she would firmly shake her head no! I knew I was in trouble with this child when I realized that I allowed her to point and go "uh. uh" instead of using words.

Monkeys older sister, Kitten, 4,(on the right) was equally adept at winning my heart. Oh my gosh! Early in the school year I knew I was in deep, deep trouble with this child. Cute doesn't begin to describe her....Kitten too would sit next to me. However, Kitten would copy my movements. If I flipped my hair, she flipped her hair. If I crossed my legs, she crossed her legs. If I leaned back, she leaned back. She wasn't playing the copycat game, she was honestly just doing whatever I did.

Luckily, I got a daily dose of Kitten and Monkey. Their classes came to my room on opposite days so I had a "fix" from one or the other each day. Now Monkey and Kittens parents are awesome, hard working people. Dad is a police officer and mom is currently, I believe, a paramedic. If I am correct, she is working towards being a halo flight nurse. Dad is the officer that took me on my first ride-along. I talked about him here and here and here. To make a long story short on why, I offered to watch the girls one day a week over the summer. (HA! Mom and Dad thought I was being nice and that they were getting the deal. Actually, they were doing me the favor by allowing me to have a weekly "play date" with Kitten and Monkey.)

Because of unforeseen circumstances, I will be gone most of the summer. So, this week may be the only time I could have a play date with Kitten and Monkey. Depending on how the summer goes, I may get home in time to have more play dates but for now, our first play date was on Wednesday. I don't know who was more tired at the end of the day, them or me, but I call play date #1 a complete success! More pics and story tomorrow.

I have a job for life.

2010-06-02T20:17:00.007-05:00

A number of years ago I made kippot for my Hebrew School kids. (A kippah-singular- is the "cap' Jewish men wear). That year I had all boys in my class. They loved them. One boy in particular wore his.....and wore it and wore it and wore it! Now you have to understand that I made the kippot from matzah fabric (you have to scroll down to the bottom to see the ones I made) for the holiday of Passover. I never meant for them to be worn at any other time ....b..u...t....Noone told that to Hudson. For the last four years he has proudly worn his matzo kippah every time he goes to synagogue. (his mom had had me make a few for their household so I'm sure he hasn't had to wear the same one over and over and over) For his Bar Mitzvah, I told him I'd make him a kippah out of any fabric he liked. He chose hockey fabric.
I really think I have a job for life with this kid. He enjoys wearing the homemade kippot and I enjoy making them for him!

For some reason, this one came out a little bit cone head! Naturally I had waited to the last minute to make them so I chose not to remake it. I figure 13 year old boys are a bit coneheaded to begin with so it shouldn't be tooooo, tooooo bad!

This one looks much better!

He was very impressed, as was his mother, with the monogramming. It took 10 minutes with my machine! I may rarely use the bells and whistles on my machine but they are sure nice to have when you need them!

Stash Report

2010-05-09T10:02:00.002-05:00

Welllll......It seems I haven't sewn a stitch in months.....does that STOP me from BUYING FABRIC?????UHM>>>NO!!!! I bought fabric to try to rekindle the flame of wanting to sew....it hasn't worked so far but I sure do have some nice fabrics to show for my efforts! LOL!

THey have finally updated our Joanns. You know how about 5 years ago the Joanns around the country converted to Joanns ETC? Not us here. We live at the ends of the earth. Well, during my hiatus from Joanns/sewing...they completely rearranged and updated the place. Nice! We are actually going to have classes (although they are nearly always during the day???? sooo annoying).

I will need to begin sewing again soon as my youngest daughter has become engaged and wants a chuppah like her sisters! I need to become inspired...quickly...so that I can create something for her that she loves. Rght now that is a big task but I will get there.

Fabric added this week 10
Fabric used this week 0
Total added YTD 62.25
Total used YTD 18.25
Total 44 yds

Minkee Monday

2010-04-12T05:22:00.000-05:00

This is what we see when we sit down to dinner...... cracks me up every time!!!!!!

Quilting program and stuff

2010-04-11T19:24:00.003-05:00

I actually sewed something...Yeah I know, pitifull but I sewed. I made these for a friend and he is lucky I like him because I wanted to keep them. I love making these coasters! They are such great gifts.

I am the program for our guild meeting tomorrow.....I am going to attempt to teach machine quilting without demo"ing". I have no idea how it will go.....I plan on covering the machine setup ect., but I can't help feeling that it is going to be nothing more than an in person magazine article.I'm not looking forward to this but......hopefully someone will get SOMETHING out of it!

Neat Shabbat video

2010-03-06T08:59:00.001-06:00

I don't know how to get this as an imbedded video so here is the link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GW-frPw2oI

Bloggers

2010-03-05T16:31:00.001-06:00

Bloggers are the great. Quilters are wonderful. Quilting bloggers are the best!!!!! Nuff said!

Reflections

2010-03-02T22:17:00.003-06:00

I have this theory. It’s not deep. It’s not revolutionary. It is however something I need to remember more often. It is “You never know when, where or how you could change someone’s life.” You could change it for the better or you could change it for the worse. A nice word, a mean word, an off handed comment, letting someone out in traffic, not letting someone out in traffic, an unexpected compliment, an unintended insult… You never know what gesture or comment may make a difference to someone else. I have had many such encounters. It is usually the simplest of gestures. The other person generally has no idea that they had such a big effect.

When we first move to Ft. Worth, I was miserable. We were far away from everyone we knew. No friends, no family. I went to the post office and the postal lady looked up and, acting as though she remembered me, said “hi there how are you today?” I nearly cried on the spot. She was so kind, so genuine. She changed my day, my entire out look. She changed my life that day. She made me just a tad ok with being 1,000 miles away from everything I knew. She has no idea that to this day I remember her.

A few years ago, one encounter changed me so deeply, so profoundly that I am still struggling to deal with it. It was a simple thing but it changed me. For the better or worse I still haven’t decided but it changed everything about me.

All of this however is about today. Today, I am struggling. I have been for a long time. This isn’t the forum for why; just know that I am in turmoil and struggling. For some reason, today was particularly difficult. I forced myself to the gym, not because I wanted to workout, but because I had to workout. I had to get in my running practice. I had to prove that I am capable. I had to prove to myself that I can do this. At the end of my workout I ran into a long time acquaintance and ….he changed my day. With one kind, off-handed comment, he changed my entire miserable day. He changed my outlook and put a bounce back in my step. I walked out of the gym taller than when I walked in. It wasn’t much, just a kind word but little did he know the impact.

Such small gestures put me in awe of the power we have. I hope that the lives that I have affected have been more positive than negative. I pray that I remember my own “theory” the next time I become impatient and that I remember to compliment my friends and acquaintances often.

I have wanted to write about this for a long time. Thank you to my friend for giving me the inspiration to actually put it into words.