Saturday, December 31, 2011

year end recap

Projects finished for this year:

6 quilts
7 table runners
6 pillow cases
4 pot holders
4 monsters
1 doll makeover
12 (?) books read, this has a question mark because I'm just going by old posts and I know that I've read more, I keep a notebook where I write the title and a short summary but it is eluding me at the moment, lol
2 batches of strawberry rhubarb jam
6 jars of pickles
1 pumpkin roasted, pureed and frozen

Well, that's all I can really think of off the top of my head!  I feel like I had a productive year, but looking at this condensed list makes me think I could've done more.  Now I know what I can accomplish and have worked the bugs out of some processes so next year can only be better, right? 

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

compassy quilt

Okay, so quilt is now together, quilted and ready for binding :)  This is a picture as it's taped down to my kitchen floor for pinning so I could quilt it.  I have to say, I really like the way this one turned out.  Not too crazy about the quilting.  I didn't get a pic of that yet, but figured since I'm driving my Mom crazy by not posting any pics I should just show what I have.  I lost a LOT of points by cutting the squares all to the same size, but the compass parts all lined up nicely.  I'll try to get an up close so you can see what I mean. 
 I was going to be stingy with the giraffe fabric, and kept staring at it before the borrders, then realized that I really just needed to use it because it wouldn't have been right with just the one border.  It needed both.  And, really, what is fabric for but to use it up, right?  I still have a teensy bit that I can eke out and add to other projects for myself.  I really do love it, it's wild.
So, mission almost accomplished, a quilt almost finished before Christmas.  I will have it done and ready to deliver by Friday!  Is anyone else doing a handmade Christmas gift for anyone???

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

ramblings....

Okay, just checking in to say I have not forgotten about blogging....just super busy right now!  I will have pictures to share of the quilt I'm working on, hopefully this weekend.  I almost finished the top last weekend, but started to get annoyed at it so had to walk away.  So I went to a Stampin' Up workshop and I'm glad I did :)  It was nice to socialize with a completely different group of ladies than I usually do.
Today I was fantasizing about going back to Florida so I looked up ticket prices!  Because last night it was 2 degrees.  No exaggeration....and really it might have been colder.  It's supposed to snow tonight, but who really knows?  So, I was thinking about how warm and nice it would be on the beach...........

Sunday, November 27, 2011

new quilt

And so, I started a new quilt.  I know, I haven't finished the star one yet, but this one is going to be a Christmas gift and it's a little down to the wire so I need to kind of get this one done first.  Since it's a gift I won't say who it's intended for even though I am fairly positive they don't remotely read my blog, and let's face it, I don't think anyone but my Mom reads this blog!  LOL. 
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So, I've been wanting to try out this style for a loooooong time but didn't want to do paper piecing which is all I found for patterns when I did a google search.  My machine does not play well with paper.  So, then I tried improvising a pattern and that did NOT work.  I'm sure if I messed with it long enough I'd figure it out but I gave up and bought a pattern.   
Here's another view:
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I'm not finished with the layout and I need to trim up the blocks before sewing them together.  I still have a couple rows to sew, and then pick a border.  I'm really digging the way it's coming together, what do you think?

Saturday, November 26, 2011

turkey day recap

I think I may have, sort of, recovered from Thanksgiving.  Well, the shopping really took it out of me!  So I went over to Jan's for Thanksgiving, which is always nice because then I only have to do a little bit of cooking :)  I baked cream cheese swirled pumpkin bread, made cranberry orange sauce and hot spinach artichoke dip.  I was on the phone with my Mom while I was making that and holy cow!  When it was done, I tried a little bit and it was sooooo good!  I used this recipe off the knorr veg packet, only minus mayonaise and water chestnuts.  I just doubled the cream cheese.  Oh, and I made it in the crock pot instead of baking it.  I'm happy to say it was a hit :) 
Ummmm, and this is funny - I found out that I cannot follow simple instructions!  Jan's fam makes instant mashed potatoes for their dinner because no one wants to make the potatoes so that's just what they do.  I was wanting to help in the kitchen so I was tasked with making enough for 14 people.  Easy enough, yes?  Yeah.....I didn't really read the directions at all so I got the water measurement mixed up with the potato measurement and then I just dumped it all in the pan, which I didn't know someone had already turned on so the whole lot of it got scorched.  Eeeek.  So, Susan, who is Jan's MIL tried her darndest to help me add more milk, then water, to try and get the mixture right again.....it didn't work out well!   For the leftovers dinner last night we just scrapped those and started over!  And I volunteered to make REAL potatoes next time!  LOL
Jan was planning to hit the black Friday sales, and I never commit until I see the adds.  Well, this year Walmart and Michaels actually started their sales on Thanksgiving!  We scoured the ads and made our game plan - which means we cut out pictures of what we want and make a collage page for each store and the times of the sales so we can stay focused.  So we ventured out about 9ish to Michael's.....then Wallyworld.  The entire parking lot was FULL.  The store was packed and a crazy madhouse!  I was circling the $1.96 movies with a load of people and thought I would never be able to move from that area!  We got everything we set out for and then started again at 5:30am the next morning.  We hit a little bit of a time warp in Fred Meyer and lost our focus but at the end of it all I think we got everything we wanted. 

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

new star quilt

So, I know that I was supposed to be working on my scrappy quilt and all but.....I had to start something new!  For some reason cutting loads and loads of squares before being able to actually sew anything is not so appealing to me.  Hmm.  I will come back to that project eventually but for now I need something where I can cut, sew, get up and iron, sew some more, you know?  AnywayI saw this quilt on Pinterest and filed it away as something I'd like to do someday.  And, now that I've relooked at it I've realized that I never noticed the gray in there before.  Don't know that I'll add gray to mine?  And, I also didn't really notice that the centers were a different color from the star points.  Funny how you can see something and then not really remember what you exactly saw.  That's okay though because what I'm making is my interpretation and I didn't intend to copy hers exactly anyways :)   Anywhoo, this is what I have so far.  Can I please tell you how much I love that darker blue square towards the bottom?  It' Holly Hobbie in the center!  Love.
100_2888[1]So, that's what's new here, what's new with you?

Sunday, November 6, 2011

snowy cozy weekend

Oh man!  I have had the most kick-back weekend ever!  Friday was actually a really nice day, sun out.  I spent the whole day reading!  I read the book "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins.  A gal that goes to book club with me had recommended the series, and the movie of the book is coming out soon so I thought I'd give it a shot.  I have to say it took me a bit to get into it, mostly because I've been so busy and have like 3 other books I'm reading right now also.  Once I actually gave it my attention I got into it and read it in two days!  I liked it and am looking forward to reading book 2, which was checked out at the library.  I'll have to get on a waiting list like I did for book 1.
Yesterday I woke up to snow!  100_2875[2]It did snow last week but mostly melted off by the end of the day.  Yesterday was a real snow day, because it stuck.  It snowed all day long, it was fun to watch.100_2876[1]I had a really fun day yesterday, my friend Brooke was in town for a girls weekend with her sister and some friends,  and I was invited!  Her Dad had hired 2 massage therapists for the day to pamper the ladies!  Everyone was scrapbooking and chatting, and I took a knitting project.  I did have my scrapbook tote and stuff still in the car from last weekend, but didn't feel like trekking it into the house through the snow.  It was great to see everyone and laugh a bunch :) 
Today I woke up to even more snow!100_2881[3]
Isn't it pretty, though?  When I don't have to drive in it with ice then I think it's pretty, lol!  So, today I put on Christmas music, roasted the last pumpkin and did some more knitting.  Check it out:
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This was the last pumpkin that didn't get smashed. I cut it up, took out the seeds, roasted it and then pureed it! Look how much puree I got! A whole large sized pyrex bowl! I am amazed at how much.100_2883[1]
The smaller containers hold 2.9 cups and the larger ones hold 4 cups!
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I think I have enough for some pies, lots of bread and who knows what else!  One thing is for sure, I won't have to buy pumpkin in a can for a loooooonnng time!  Love it.  I have to say that it was really easy, a litte bit of a time consuming endeavor but not bad.  I did other stuff while it was roasting and the peeling and pureeing didn't take too long at all.  I say do it.
I'll leave you with a little cat paw in the snow! I mean, really - how cute is that???
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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

a swap and some bread

I have a couple fun things to share today.  First off, I signed up for a swap on Swap-bot that was a whimsical fat quarter and something handmade out of whimsical fabric based on our partners profile.  I checked my recipient's profile and was a little stumped at first on what kind of colors, themes, etc that I should go with.  I finally noticed that she put that she likes owls, so that's the theme I went with!  I'm still digging mug rugs, so thought I might try a little applique.  I'm happy with how it turned out, and best part is that she really liked it too! 
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back view:
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I just did a meandering swirly quilty pattern - I imagined that those were they "flying lines" of the owl before it landed on the mug rug. Hee, hee :)  And it also kind of mimicked the lines from the fabric I used on the back, which is an Alexander Henry print that I love!
The other fun thing is that I tried a new recipe for pumpkin bread and it turned out fabulously!  I have been finding all kinds of cool stuff to try on Pinterest, which is a website where you can browse all sorts of images that also have a link to a website that might have a tutorial and such.  I was right about to sign out the other night when I saw this loaf of beautiful bread, I clicked on it and it had a link to a recipe for pumpkin cream cheese bread.  Oh man!  Amanda, from the blog Modern Marigold, had posted a "pin-did challenge" for people to actually do the things that they pin.  I thought this was the perfect opportunity to try it out and I'm so glad I did because it turned out sooooooo good. 
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That lighter area in the middle is a ripple of cream cheese! yum. I will definitely be trying this again!
In other news, I did not finish the book that I was sure I was going to finishe this weekend, The Mercy by Beverly Lewis.  I really, really wanted to keep reading -but- I thought that this week was book club and I had not read my chapters yet!  So, I buckled down and read to chapter 8.5 in that even though I'm pretty sure we were supposed to get to 11 (?), then I checked the church website in search of a phone # to confirm that book club was indeed tonight and it said November 1st.  Whooo!  :)  So, I still have time to catch up.  Good thing.  This weekend is the scrapbook retreat and I'll bring it along because sometimes my brain just needs a break from scrapbooking!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Mean people suck

As if we all didn't know that already, right?  Well, here's another case to support the statement.  Remember yesterday's post about my cute pumpkins???  Good thing I shared them because they are gone!  Last night about 1:30 I woke up to voices really close to the house and I was waiting for something bad to happen but didn't have the nerve to get up and turn the light on.  I should've because two punky boys grabbed my pumpkins and smashed them in the street!  Bastards!  I almost yelled down the street at them because I could see them 2 blocks down, but thought that might not be the best idea in the world.  I went and picked up the pieces because I couldn't stand the thought of them getting run over and smushed by cars.  I guess I'll be roasting seeds a LOT sooner than I had planned.  I still have one pumpkin left which has been moved into the kitchen with the other one I had displayed. 

Friday, October 21, 2011

pumpkin-y catch up

Holy cow!  Sorry I haven't blogged in forever.  I haven't had two minutes to just be blogging for awhile, just been busy.  K, so the first project I finished up the Sunday before last.  I like the way it turned out, I just made my own pattern for tumblers with paper.  I will say that I don't really like using paper as a pattern because if you happen to be cutting repeated pieces and maybe you don't get the cutting ruler completely over the paper you can slowly trim it down until some of the pieces are not uniform.  I had that happen but still like the way it turned out.  Sorry this picture is so blurry!  But you get the idea.  I had the "ghastly ghoulies" fabric in the gray colorway from last year.  I kept thinking I'd make a runner with it but nothing looked right.  This last time I was at the LQS I bought some of the orange colorway and it all started to come together.
halloween table runnerHere's the back view, George jumped into the picture as I was taking it!  Silly cat :)
halloween table runner back viewLast weekend I went down to visit with Mom.  I drove down Friday afternoon, it was a beautiful day and drive.  It was like driving back in time to Summer!  I left home and 50 degree weather and drove into upper 90's!  I found a couple of pairs of cute boots and we ate at my favorite cheap americanized mexican place La Comida, and it was fab. 

Saturday we found a bunch of yard sales, we trolled around for awhile before I realized I might not live without coffee.  We stopped at a Starbucks, which had the most amazing ever pumpkin spice muffins!!!  So. good.  Okay, and I also learned a little life lesson.  You know how sometimes you'll hear people raving about something and you think, hmmm that sounds just okay but then you think maybe they all know something I don't?  Go with your gut on that.  Maybe tons of people like something and it's just gross.  Case in point: salted caramel latte.  GROSS.  I thought, sounds interesting and I've heard people just raving all about it.  It tasted like drinking a pretzel.  Because they put that super coarse salt on it.  After you get past the salt it's fine but that doesn't happen until about halfway down.  I say go with pumpkin spice for a seasonal "want to try".  Just sayin. 

The big fun for me was going to the pumpkin patch.  Which is a funny story because I have been driving down to Chico from here for at least 8-9-10 years or however long I've lived here.  And in between Red Bluff and Chico there has been a sign that looked like it should be a pumpkin patch, "Pumpkinland".  So, when Mom and I were thinking we'd go to a pumpkin patch I immediately thought of that place and it'd be perfect.  We drove all the way out there and it's really called "Pumpkinland Chocolate Factory"!  Whoops!  It smelled divine in there!  Luckily there was a fruit stand up the road with a little pumpkin patchy area and we had fun picking out the perfect pumpkins.  I should mention that we had been driving with the windows down, so my hair is pretty scary.
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Here were the winning pumpkins on my porch the night I got home.  Sorry the picture is so dark.  I also picked a bigger oranger pumpkin that is in my kitchen.  I also picked up some of those miniature pumpkins that were super cute, a couple of orange ones, a couple white with greenish stripes and a white one.  I brought those in to work and put them on the front desk where Vikkie and I sit.  It's funny because the patients are just fascinated by the white and the striped ones!  They are so curious where I could have found such exotic pumpkins.  The funny thing is that I think I've seen similar ones at the plain old grocery store!  Oh, well.  I'm glad it brings them joy and awe.
pumpkins
I totally scored at the library book sale!  I got two walmart sized bags of books on tape for the hubs!  .50 cents each!  Super score.  Mom also found a whole bunch of Beverly Lewis books that I hadn't read yet, so I've got lots of reading to do!
Okay, so that was last weekend, what's up for this weekend?  I might, might be starting a new quilt.  I don't remember the name of the magazine I just bought, but it had a really interesting looking quilt on the cover.  It's scrappy but also structured.  Mom gave me a huge bag of fabric scraps that she scored at a sale and the lady couldn't give them to her fast enough for .50 cents!  I've sorted through the bags, and I think it will fit the bill for the quilt on the cover.  The other fun thing about the scrap bags is that there are tons of pieces of leftover binding!  So, I might even be able to eke out the binding for the quilt with those.  We'll see, it might not be quite enough or the right colors.
I started a new book last, which means I am currently reading 3 books.  Um, more accurately I have started 3 books and really just hooked into one.  It's the last book in a series from Beverly Lewis called The Mercy.  I have been waiting for it to come out, then on the wait list at the library so I was eager to start it.  I have, of course, already read the ending and it is satisfying :)  I'm pretty sure I'll finish it before the weekend is over, her books are easy reads and I always want to keep reading.  Like just one more chapter, then I finish that one and then I'm like, just one more chapter! 
Next weekend is the scrapbook retreat!  That will be fun :)  What is everyone else up to???

Saturday, October 8, 2011

new dolls dress and sweater

So, this morning I accomplished two things.  One is this little dress for the new doll.  It took a little bit of sewing and resewing to get it right, like couture for dolls!  The proportions on this doll are tricky, but I got it right and will know what to do next time for a pattern.  I'm thinking I might add a little belt? 
new doll
Here's the sweater I was working on. I think it turned out really well.  I found the pattern on Ravelry, here's the link.  This doll is quite a bit bigger than a Blythe, or my other dolls which I usually use a Blythe pattern for so I did a few modifications.  I added a few rows, used bigger needles and a larger gauge yarn than the pattern called for.  I notice now in the picture and looking at the pattern picture that I didn't do the garter stitch all along the edge.  Whoops.  I took off the necklace that came with her and made her a new one.  It doesn't quite cover the icky glue spot but is an improvement I think.
Other than dolls stuff I haven't done much.  I might do some regular sewing.  Or read?  Who even knows.


Friday, October 7, 2011

super laze

There's been lots of napping going on around our house!  Monday I took the day off since the doctors were out of the office.  I did attempt to do some sewing in the morning and it just didn't work out so I went back in the house and watched movies and took a 2 hour nap!  George enjoyed an extra day inside snoozing.  Normally when I'm not home she's outside.
 Today I've been doing some knitting.  It's cold out so I don't feel guilty putting a movie in and just knitting!  I'm working on a little sweater for one of the dolls, it's turning out really cute!  Today I have learned how to cast on stitches in the middle of the work and also transfer stitches onto a piece of scrap yarn to pick up later.  I'm planning to spend some serious time in the craft house, but we'll see.  I don't have an actual project going so I'm like doing a little of this and a little of that.  The way the weather is it might turn into another super lazy weekend!  Yesterday my windshield was iced over - not just frosted where once you turn the defrost on it melts off quickly.  Nope, I really had to scrape at it.  bah.
What's everyone else up to this weekend? 

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

must.lose.weight

I have decided that I need to reinstate Weight Loss Wednesdays.  I used to do this regularly but stopped quite awhile ago and now the scale is indicating it needs to begin again!  So, I think what I need to do is start with making some goals, little ones that are attainable, and then reporting back here every Wednesday. 
Goals for this week:
*  Will not eat out for lunch more than once
*  Will bring healthy lunch and a snack
*  Will try to eat breakfast
*  Will fit in some sort of exercise and cleaning the office does not count!
*  Will drink more water

Okay, I think that's pretty good!  I'll report back next Wednesay and let you know how it goes!  Anyone else want to join in???  I'm mostly doing this to hold myself accountable, but sometimes it helps to have others to support you.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

playing around

Um, okay so I'm going to share a botch up.  Because I think it's sort of funny!  So, I bought this Bradley doll at Goodwill for $4.99 with the intent to renovate her.  I don't like the look of Bradley dolls - they have giant poofy skirts and look a little like old west  dolls to me.  The one I bought had a giant bonnet and giant hoop skirt.  But, on flickr I saw a doll that I thought was tres cool and looked like it had begun life as a Bradley.  And, so I have taken off the awful clothes she came in and have started making a dress.  This is the rough draft, so forgive the stitching.
new doll to renovate
I'm not sure what to do about a couple of things.  The spot where her necklace is has a dirty looking glue spot underneath.  Also, where the bonnet was there is a line of glue on her hair.  Um, which leads to the botching story.....I thought I'd make her a wig!  I know, where do I get these ideas???  But, nevertheless that's what I proceeded to do.  I watched a you tube tutorial where the girl took a plastic baggie and put it over the head and then hot glued hair over it.  I didn't account for the ginormous top of this gals head!  So, I ripped it taking it off to trim it down.  And I used the only saran wrap that I have, which happens to be pink!  LOL! 
Then I thought maybe it would work on one of my other dolls???  The answer was no, but it is a funny photo :)
wig botch up
Dude! That's a whole lotta hair!  And you can see the saran wrap.....ugh.  I might try again though.......we'll see.
I do have a project that did work to share with you.  I started this maybe a couple weeks ago in anticipation of Fall.  Then, was a little annoyed that it's getting cold already and didn't work too hard on it.  But, finished it up today and I like the way it turned out.
Fall pillow
Originally I had in mind to make the leaves all facing different directions but you know how it is, you start turning things this way and that, and voila! I liked them all put together like this. I had the purple binding leftover from another project and I really like the way it looks.
So, early today Jan and I went to the annual rummage sale at the fairgrounds. We thought that all day Saturday is bag sale day, but it really started at noon and we were there at 9am. So no bag sale, which is really fine. Last year I stuffed my bag with anything that looked interesting and ended up with some stinky stuff and stuff that didn't work so it was a waste of money. This year I just picked stuff I'd really use and paid the same as I would have for a bag. I got a couple of wreaths forms, some green pom poms and some random other bits and bobs to stick on wreaths.
After that I had a wild hair and drove to Merrill which is like 20 minutes away to the quilt store. And bought a ton of fun fat quarters!
fun fabric
I kept taking bolt after bolt to the cutting table because I kept wandering while she was cutting and finding new whimsical fabric! The store was PACKED because I guess the first Saturday of the month they have a thing. I mean, I couldn't even get in the door at first! No joke. I'm glad though because that means the store is definitely getting supported.
Tonight Kristin is having a Pampered Chef party which I'm going to. I've been eyeing their garlic peeler!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

chillin

So, yesterday all day was spent at the Ladies's Lounge with the other scrapbooking ladies.  I did not scrapbook the whole day, I brought a couple of other crafts to work on.  Lately I get burned out just doing one thing the whole time.  So, I started a new Steelers wreath and did some crocheting along with scrapbooking.  It was nice.  We always go somewhere close downtown for lunch since it's like a block away.  It turned out to be a nice, relaxing day.
Today I woke up too late to go to church.  I was sort of bummed, but I was also super tired!  Once I woke up I worked on my bible study homework and decided to make some zucchini bread.  I love the way the house smells when it's baking!  It was raining out this morning so it was quite cozy. 
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Tomorrow, it's back to work so today I'm just taking it easy.  I'm a little apprehensive about a recent change at work, a lady just left and I'm wondering what the dynamic will be now.  I'm sure I'll find out pretty quickly which way it will go.

Friday, September 23, 2011

green Friday

I've started the weekend pretty well, I think.  I woke up super early for me - like 7am!  no alarm.  I made a wreath for my friend Jan.
Oregon Ducks wreath
I really like the way the "O" on this one turned out. I let her pick which one she'd rather have, this one or the first one and she said it was tough to decide because she liked both for different reasons but ended up picking this one. I think I might take the "O" off the first wreath and make another one like this one. Need to buy more poms.
pear
While walking out to the craft house I noticed some pears on the ground near the pear tree out back. I figure that must mean they are ripe? They don't feel soft yet so not too sure. I was looking up pear recipes in my Ball canning blue book to see if I might can some up?
After cleaning the office I met Jan and Charese the fairy princess for lunch. We checked out a new restaurant that just opened that is an Indian restaurant. It was sort of funny because I am a very picky eater, but I am keen to try new things. Charese had told Jan she was worried about going there because she thought I wouldn't be able to find anything! The thing that as long as there is a veg dish without a white sauce I can usually find something and be happy. I can report that the restaurant was delicious. Service a little slow but I'm sure that was because it was PACKED and they are very new. I'm happy for the owners that it seems to be very popular!
After that I drove over to one of the retirement homes where there was a blood drive happening and gave blood. Not my favorite thing to do but I am happy that it can help people. Apparently this year they are pretty low on donations so I felt even better about not wussing out :)
What's everyone else up to this weekend??? Anything fun and exciting?

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

better late than never weekend update

And so, what have I been up to?  A little bit of this and a little bit of that!  I actually finished this project last weekend but didn't want to share it until the recipient had rec'd it so as not to spoil it.  I signed up to do a swap on swap-bot for quilters.  I have been wanting to make a mug rug forever so thought this would be the perfect opportunity to try it out.  I made up a little pattern for the mini dresden plate, I can't find the exact tutorial that I followed to make the pattern, but this one is sort of close.  Basically you make a circle and divide it in 4 then each 4th divide into 3, cut out a wedge and then shorten a little and add seam allowances.  I decided Fall colors because I thought that would be appropriate.  And because I love fall colors :) 
Then I was looking around Pinterest and came across a type of wreath that just made me swooon!  I thought, I have to make one!  They are made with giant mesh ribbon.  I looked all over our little berg and the widest ribbon in the colors I wanted were 2.5".  So this is the first wreath I made.  The colors are for the Oregon Ducks.  Around here you're either a Ducks fan or a Beavers fan.  I'm not really either because I don't watch sports, but I do like to put up a wreath! 
I liked the way the first wreath turned out but couldn't really get over the other kind with the super wide ribbon.  I googled "deco mesh" and turns out it's 21" inches wide!  Dang dude!  And, since I am super impatient and did not want to have to wait for shipping I thought of tulle.  It's super cheap and wide.  So, I followed the same basic priciple and gathered a bit, pinned it down and then every 12 inches or so gathered and then pinned about 3 inches from the first spot.  I had a bunch of yellow ribbon left from the first wreath so I added that.  I'm not thrilled with the "O" but, eh, it needed something.  I used foam backed with cardboard and just glued on some poms. 
The first wreath I gifted to Karlie and the second one is going on my front door!
Now for the super exciting find of the whole weekend!!!!!  Um, okay, so my whole life I've had this sort of fantasy of living in Maine.  Somewhere on the East coast and living an LL Bean kind of life.  Part of that life would include sitting around in Adirondack chairs near a lake just gazing out or reading a book with a glass of sweet tea.  Not that sweet tea is an East Coast thing, I think it's more of a Southern thing, but hey, it's my fantasy :)  So, I walk into the Hospice thrift and I'm browsing around and sometime after I got in there these chairs were dropped off......green chippy Adirondack chairs!  Eeeek!  Two of them with $4 marked on each one.  Double eeeek!  Of course that store only takes cash and you can use a debit card if it's $10 or more.  If you know me at all you'll know that I sure wasn't going to pick up $2 worth of stuff to be able to use my debit card and I never carry cash!  Bah.  But, I was at the store at 10:02 the next morning when they opened with cash! 
adirondack chair!Here's one of them, I really should have swept off the deck area for the pic, sorry!  But, you get the idea!  I'm debating sanding them down to the wood and sealing them.....or just finding some sort of sealer to keep them chippy.  I already know what my Mom with say - leave em chippy.  I just don't always love chippy though, it makes me feel unkempt for some reason.   Anyways though!  I LOVE them!  l.o.v.e.
Sunday I went to the quilt show at the fairgrounds.  I haven't really been to a quilt show before and I'm not sure how I felt about it.  I certainly appreciated the workmanship and the stitching was perfect.  That's kind of it, though.  Too perfect.  There were a few quilts that were just gorgeous, beautiful colors and some originality.  There were a lot of traditional quilts, cutesy quilts, and some kind of plain ones.  I didn't see anything my style really.  Not that I have a particular style I don't think?  It made me realllllly want a real quilting machine.  I love my little singer, it's really worked hard for me.  And really, who has 4 grand laying around for a sewing machine??? not me, that's for sure!
This Saturday there's a scrapbooking thing, that should be fun!  Not sure what I will work on yet.  Maybe cards again?  It will be nice to chat and catch up with the ladies.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Fruits of my Labor Day

Finally, finally I have finished my Vintage Sheet Quilting Bee quilt!  yeeeessss!  I can cross it off my list and put in my linen closet.  Here's the front view.  I hung it in one of the trees in the back yard with the fabric covered clothespins, I knew those would come in handy!
front view
And the back view, part of the reason it took me so long!  I couldn't figure out a configuration I liked for the extra flowers.  Mom suggested that I do 3 on one side and 3 on the other.  So I did that and got it sewn together but once I set it out on the floor I liked it horizontal instead of vertical.  Some seam ripping later and it was acceptable :)
100_2805[1]
I'm so glad it's done!  The pink and orange solids were just from my stash, as well as the turquoise that I used for the binding.  All in all, I like how it turned out, do you?
Okay, new subject!  This is a little lame....oh well!  So, I've been growing my hair out and my bangs are just where they are super annoying but just long enough to barely go behind my ears so I don't want to give up yet.  K, this first pic I took and then realized that my Mom is right and just a little bit of lipstick add just enough color that I don't look dead or dying.  Okay, the dead or dying part I added!
me
me
2nd pic, a little color, much better. What do you think? Bangs or no? 

Sunday, September 4, 2011

The Band Perry

So the concert was last night and it was amazing! I went see The Band Perry in Lakeview.  I met Brooke's sister Liz and her friend Kim over there and the seats were great!  I knew some of the songs from the radio but with a live show sometimes you never know what you're going to get.  I have to say that they made one of my top 10 live performances!  SO GOOD.  Great, great energy.  You could tell that they wrote most of their own songs, they had such an authenticity and connection with them, the lyrics are witty.  And, whooeee the lead singer, Kimberly has such a ginormous voice! 
She's a little lady with a whole lotta personality, as she said herself she's the "spitfire in this punch".  All of the musicians were spot on, very lively and a nice fast pace.  The two brothers of the band were great also, they did a medley at one point where they all had a chance to shine. 
They also sang Amazing Grace and it was beautiful.  So afterwards there was a little meet and greet thing, if you wanted you could have your picture taken with the band and if you had bought any of their merchandise they would sign it.  I had planned to buy their cd because I liked the concert so much, and then thought, what the who?  I'll stay and get my picture and autograph.  I mean, really, I drove 2+ hours to see them, why not wait an extra hour and meet them? 
They were super nice and polite and of course I couldn't think of one cool thing to say, not that they'd remember anyway what with meeting so many people.  I got home about one, it was a long day, but definitely worth it! 

Friday, September 2, 2011

Do you ever feel like you were in the middle of a conversation and you knew what you were saying and then all of a sudden lost track of the point? I feel like that lately. I feel like I've been blogging about random stuff and I don't have a point. Like, I'll start to blog about the quilt I'm working on, but literally I've been working on this quilt for-ever so I feel a little pointless. Like it should be done already and I should have something new to talk about. But, I don't. Last night I was feeling particularly like I should really light a fire and finish it already! then got side-tracked! This morning I was up before 8 (on a day off!) and was stippling along and thought I might finish by noon. then got hungry....and started watching a show....then chatted on the phone with the hubs for awhile....got back to stippling and the bobbin thread ran out. I took that as I sign to go shopping :) Maybe, just maybe, I'll finish it this weekend.
I got some fun mail last night! I signed up to do a swap on swap-bot, which frankly I was little reluctant to do since the last few have been stinkers! This one redeemed those, fo sho. Check out the loot:
swap received
Now I need to get busy and gather some goodies for my recipient! I've been mulling over what I might want to send because I don't want to just pick random stuff, you know?
In other news, tomorrow night I am going to see The Band Perry! Funny story. I've known they would be in Lakeview for like 3 months. Been counting down for this. But, didn't buy tickets. Why? well, you know other stuff going on, visit to Mom that I wanted to save money for. I mean, the shopping choices there are so much better! Anyways, this past week I went online to buy a ticket and they were sold out - online. Here's the tricky part, you could buy one in person, in cash, in town. But, I live like 2.5 hours away! Bah! I was scheming, thinking maybe I'd drive over today to buy one, but then I'd have to drive over again tomorrow....no thanks. Vikkie's MIL lives over there so she asked her to buy a ticket for me. Then, got an email from Brooke's sister Liz who lives over there and had an extra ticket! Got an email from Vikkie that her MIL didn't get the tex that I didn't need her to buy one and she already did. Funny how these things happen, huh? Holy cow.
So, is anyone else starting to think about Christmas??? I really shouldn't be, but am. It was like 37 degrees in the morning this week, cold weather! Which then made me think I should start thinking about making some Christmas gifts. Not that I actually have. Just thinkin.

Friday, August 26, 2011

catch up

I know, I've been absent a bit here.  I've had a bit of a funk.  A melancholy mood, if you will.  No big whoop, it just happens sometimes.  I can't say that I'm completely done with yet, either.....but at least I've gotten back to a couple of projects. 
So, let's see, was it last weekend that I went to a scrapbooking thing?  I think it was, it was the 20th.  But I didn't scrapbook!  I took along a project instead.  Because I still want to chat with the ladybirds but didn't feel like scrapbooking.  I saw on another blog where she took some fabric and covered some clothespins.  While I was visiting my Mom I snapped up some clothespins at one of the yard sales we visited on the cheap.
 I measured the width of the pins and then rotary cut my fabric, it really didn't take too long at all.  They're the dash right after the 1/2 inch.  So, I used all scraps from my scrap basket, some vintage sheets, some just regular fabric.  Then, modpodged the pins and stuck the fabric to it.  I didn't do a sealing layer yet because the one that I did do I didn't love because the modpodge I have is matte and it's kinda rough feeling. 
Today I finally finished the back of the vintage sheet quilt I've been working on.  It just hasn't looked right.  I finished it and then I looked at it from a different angle and realized I liked that better except the sides were not long enough.  So, after some seam ripping and re-sewing I think it's done!  Now I can make a quilt sandwich :) 
In other news, I finished up a book last night, the 2nd in a series by Rick Riordan called The Throne of Fire.  I really liked it, v. entertaining and a quick read.  As with all of his books it's a great story, there are some laughs and I am looking forward to the next book in the series! 
I also finished a Beth Moore book, called Get out of that Pit, that I have been reading for-ever.  It hasn't taken a long time because it's not good, just a lot to sink in.  I think I am going to read it again from the beginning. 
Let's see, what else is new?  I can't believe summer is almost over!  It's gone by so quickly!!!  Tomorrow I am going to go rafting, so that should be fun.  I haven't been swimming or in any type of water (besides a shower) all summer!  Last year at this time, Mom and I were in Florida and swimming every single day.  Oh, yeah!  I found a new yarn store last night!!!  I saw a sign last week driving down the road, but couldn't see a store front.  Last night I was driving down the same road, and as luck would have it no one was in back of me so I could cruise by veerrrry slowly and I found it!  It was closed but the door was open so I peeked in and she let me check it out.  V. pretty stuff and might be a good place for a knitting club to form.  Hmmm, the wheels in my head are turning :)

Sunday, August 14, 2011

another girly monster

I guess I just can't stop making monsters! :)  This is the latest one, at first she was not my favorite.  I made the body a little too small, and when you're trying to sew around already stuffed limbs that can be sort of annoying.  So, by the time I was finished with that part, I hurried through the rest.  As a result her eyes are off center and sewing up the opening was a little sloppy.  Hmphf.  So she drove around in the car with me for a couple of weeks so I could think of what to do with that.  Today, I added the flowers that look like two puffs of hair a little bit.  I saw the tutorial on Make it and Love it, which is a blog I follow.  So now she is complete!  And has found her home in my chair with the rest of the monsters :)

Saturday, August 13, 2011

visit with Mom and pickles

So, last weekend I went to visit my Mom, it was great!  It was nice to see her face again and catch up a little bit.  Here are some highlights:
* We shopped till we dropped!  I found so many new clothes and Mom spoiled me!
* La Comida rice
* Pink pyrex from Mom!  Love it :) 
* Nice nice weather, pretty mild temps
* Beautiful farmer's market!  delicious scones, giant blackberries, lots of cucumbers, ripe everything
* Estate sale with tons of fabric to sort through, all you could fit in a bag for $1!!! Also found 3 other pyrex bowls for a quarter each!!!
* Sitting at the creek chatting with Mom after dinner Friday, it was fun to people watch
* Visiting with Mom's friend Nelly over breakfast at the Italian Cottage which has prolly the best cottage fries ever!
* Book sale at the library that we happened upon where I got a ton of books on tape for the hubs for .25cents each!
* Guava flavored french maccaroon that was gorgeous and delicious!
* Visiting with Jeannette and Nathan over "linner"

So, I had originally taken Monday and Tuesday off from work. Monday was going to be a drive day and Tuesday if I found enough cucumbers at Farmer's Market then I would be pickling.  So, Monday ended up being a clinic day at work so I drove home Sunday night, which is what I usually end up doing anyways.  But, since the doctor was gone the rest of the week, I got to take Tuesday off to make pickles!  I have to say, it was quite an experience!!!  Next time I will try to get everything prepared ahead of time, before I start boiling the water.....I felt a little rushed and dropped a jar in the scalding water spilling it (water) everywhere!  Luckily I didn't break anything or get burned.  All in all though, I'd call it a success. 
 There are these pickles made in Chico that are called Dave's Dazzling Dills, and they are wonderful!  They are spicy, and garlicky and tangy and a little bit pungent.  I try and buy some every time I'm there.  My mission was to try and replicate the flavor.  I found this recipe by doing a google search.  Luckily my Mom has wild grapevines growing in her back yard!  I don't know where in the world I would have found those otherwise.  So, since I was in a hurry I left peppercorns out of all of the jars except the first one, whoops!  Next time I'd like to add a little mustard seed, not sure if it will add to the flavor too much, but I just like them. 
 *****if you use that recipe make sure you only use 1/2 cup of salt NOT 1 1/2 cups**************
 
I've tried the pickles I made, the recipe said to wait three days.  They are pretty good, not as spicy or strong as Dave's.  Other recipes say to wait 6-8 weeks to try them, so maybe after that long they get stronger. 
This weekend I've been rearranging and reorganizing the craft house.  Mom gave me a couple bookshelves and one of those plastic drawer things.  I've got everything filled already with fabric and such.