Look What I am Making

Tomorrow, I am taking a applique class at Ladybug Quilts in Manteca. The teacher is Lisa Van Groningen-owner/designer of Kit N Kaboodle Quilt Co. I hear she is a fabulous and fun teacher, and I actually met her there, and she is so fun!! I am really looking forward to it. She teaches the "starch" method of applique, which I do not know, but I hear once you try it you are hooked. You choose the pattern, she does offer A Tisket, A Tasket, but I am going to do the Late Bloomer Quilt pattern in the picture, just in time for Valentine's Day. I am looking for the St Patrick Pattern by the same company, so if anyone has it and is willing to sell it, please let me know. I can not find it anywhere, and I am kicking myself for not getting it when it was available at BP&HH.I will post tomorrow what I completed in class. I cannot wait!!!

What I Am Dreaming Of

I am dreaming of Spring. Gone are the days of pea soup fog and damp days. In place of them, are clear blue skies, white fluffy clouds, birds singing in trees with new buds sprouting. Playing in the dirt, dreaming of the yummy things that will be sprouting soon to be picked to eat, beautiful, fragrant flowers to put in a vase on the kitchen counter. A soft breeze blowing through the window as I take a nap under a worn quilt on a lazy week-end afternoon. Yes, I am dreaming and hoping this will happen soon. Off to bed I go, for I have dreams to dream tonight!!

It's Done!!

Here is the finished project, minus the backing and quiliting. I will do that tomorrow. I cannot find anything in my stash to back it with so I am going to run to my lqs tomorrow and pick it out. I am really excited to be back at the sewing machine again, and I want to thank everyone for their encouragement. Until tomorrow, have a wonderful evening!!!

Friday Night Sew-It's a Hit!

I finally got to participate in Friday Night Sew, although I was cut short. Hubby came home and he and son wanted to go to In & Out for dinner, plus run by the supermarket-sale of chicken with bone(trust me, its another topic for another day). So I had cut my fabric out, except for the strips, so when we got home and got everything broken down and into the freezer, I headed back to my space to sew. And sew I did for 2 1/2 hours. It may not seem like a long time and it may also seem like I did not get much done, but for me I did. Please disregard the lineup, I have my seem ripper ready to take the sashing out, and I plan on finishing it tomorrow, after we return home for the International Sportsman Expo. This is an annual thing we do as a family. We are getting up early to get there when the gates open, and we hope to be home by 2pm. So I will have plenty of time to finish my small project. I am using it as a table topper for our dining table. I haven't sewed in so long, I almost forgot how to thread my machine!! Hubby actually thought that this Friday Night Sew thing is a great idea. He said I should be able to get more projects done and completed. I do appreciate his encouragement. Or maybe he just wants the tv to himself!! I can't wait to see what everyone else has done tonight. Sweet dreams, ya'll!!

Friday Night Sew, It's Back!!

Yes folks, back by popular demand, Friday Night Sew is bad. I am going to try it this time since I have my sewing space up and running now, and I am finding myself at the machine more. Only problem, I need to commit to a day of cutting fabric for all of the projects I want to do. Last Saturday, me and my BFF attended the Modesto Quilt Show and we had so-o-o-o-o much fun! I think it is the best show I have been to in a long time. We originally paid for 2 hours of parking, and ended up going back out to the parking lot and paying for another 2 hours!! I am having a hard time transferring the photos from my blackberry to my laptop, but I am going to keep trying. Above is a picture of Colleen and Nancy Galloway in front of the quilt that Nancy did. It is a beautiful quilt and the picture does not do it justice! Colleen has this pattern and was so excited to meet Nancy, as was I. She is a very gracious lady, retired school teacher, so you know she has the patience of Job! There were a lot of embroidery, and applique-wool and fabric, and a great selection of all types of quilts. I can not wait for their next show, in 2 years! A log of great vendors, and a lot of new vendors. Everyone was so nice and friendly. We had ourselves a wonderful time. We were so tired! I bought a couple of books, and several patterns. Only 1 embroidery pattern though. I think I shocked Colleen! I also bought some beautiful vintage button trim, vintage wooden buttons, and only 1 yard of fabric, green of course, and civil war style. I have such visions of grandeur!! Now I just need to get started, so off I go! Tootles!!

And So It Goes..........

This week, on Thursday, in when a group of us ladies are getting together at my house. Known as "The Girls", we have been getting together once a month to stitch and kibbiz. We are not sure if we all are going to make it, but we are going to make a go. Shirley, aka-Gran, I don't think will be joining us. Her son has been very ill and is doing much better, and they are moving him home here in Northern Cal for him to recover. We are all so grateful he is doing much better and prayer for his added strength daily! We have a newbie joining us, Lonnie, my buddy from BP. I can't wait to see her. I will try to remember to take pictures to share. Saturday is a quilt show in Modesto that me and my BFF are going to attend, can't wait!! Then Saturday afternoon, we have football to watch-playoff game. I think my BFF and her honey will be joining us at our house, we will see. It should be a great week-end, I cannot wait! I don't know if anyone else has been following the news regarding the floods down in Queensland Austrialia, but it is just horrible! I know everyone here in the states are praying for a speeding recovery for all! Hope everyone has a good rest of the week!!

Goodbye To Orca

Tomorrow morning, I will have to do something that will be very gut wrenching to me, I am having to take my beloved dog, Orca to the vet to be put asleep. Needless to say, this was not an easy decision for me, but we could not watch him suffer anymore. His poor, weak hips had not much strength left, as brave as he tried. He sight and hearing are fading fast, his voice is gone. How I feel guilty thinking back when I scolded him for singing to me in the wee early morning hours of summer, (1-2 am), wanting to play Frisbee when it was much cooler for him. I miss him singing to me while I have my morning tea, or when I pulled in the driveway. In fact, that is how I got the name Orcsmom. The whole neighborhood honestly could hear him talking as any of us pulled in our driveway, and they would say, "Oh, its Orc's mom". Thus, my personal license plate was ordered. I was very grateful when he did this when our son would come home, late at night. No curfews were broken for fear Orca would tell on him! He was a very good dog, pal and therapist. I could tell my problems and concerns to him and he would patiently listen, and I would hug him, scratch behind his ear and kiss his head, and off he would go looking for the neighborhood cats to chase. We would play tag together, he would jump on the back side of my legs trying to knock me down, and I would spat his butt, as he tried to fishtail out of my range. I lovingly would roast him carrots to eat, feed him 2 big stick Popsicles a night, knowing his love of ice. Grill him a piece of salmon for his birthday and 4th of July, or when ever it was on sale, while my mom argued that he ate better than her, then she would share her salmon with him. Lots of good memories, I will always hold close and dear to my heart. Orca, you have been a gem, I will always love you, forever. Enjoy teasing the cats in heaven! You will be missed, greatly by us all!!