OH NO It's the FRO

Where has the YEAR gone?

2011-02-05T13:19:00.003-06:00

I see I haven't posted here in the last year. I think I have lost interest in posting. I have started many things, finished very few. My latest project is making Scarves for Special Olympics. I didn't get in on this until just a few weeks ago so won't get many made but it is something I look forward to doing for next year once they announce the colors. For now I will see how quickly I can get some done for this year.

Hexagons

2010-02-02T13:25:00.001-06:00

Hexagons
Originally uploaded by Danettay

I've finally got the hexies out again and made a little progress in January. See that red centered one? It has given me all kinds of fits!

One of my favorite things EVER

2009-10-03T19:12:00.003-05:00

Does anyone know the pattern for this quilt? For almost 10 years, nearly every time I visit my daughter Deana, she puts this quilt on my bed. It was given to her by her mother-in-law around the time she got married. It is the perfect weight and yellow is my favorite color so it just makes me feel happy. The last time I was there, I took pictures of this one and the one I call "my quilt" which also came from D's mother-in-law. Maybe sometime I will show it off too. The little white square is the center of a block. I tried to get a close up so that it would be easier to tell what the block looks like.

*** Update***

I am sitting here this evening looking at several varieties of this quilt online thanks to my daughter Deana. She saw my post and sent me the links to them. It is called Pineapple Log Cabin.
I never even looked it up or asked her about it. I just took the photos and blogged about it. You have to love communication in the 21st Century. :) Thanks, D.

Pot Luck Dots

2009-10-03T19:08:00.003-05:00

This is my offering for the GHQA2 Pot Luck. Congratulations to Valentina for winning. I can't wait to see what she does with all of them. She mentioned that she is thinking about embroidering the center dot with the person's name and location on them. I think that sounds really cool!

Progress and Frustration

2009-07-18T21:07:00.001-05:00

I have finished 2 sets of hexagons for the Quilt a long but can't post about them there, every time I try the post shows up here.

Slowly but surely

2009-07-14T10:46:00.003-05:00

It has been so long since I posted anything I about forgot how to. I love seeing all of the pot luck photos so thought I would pitch in. I think this group might actually get me back in the groove of WANTING to do something creative again. I took a quick break this morning and got started. The picture is kind of dark but you get the idea.

Taking a little break

2009-03-10T19:22:00.004-05:00

I have absolutely no interest in sewing or crafting of any kind for that matter and really haven't for about a month. Just after I spent a lot of money to take the quilt class.

I haven't even had much interest in reading the wonderful blogs I was looking forward to reading each day.

To those who do come by here occasionally thank you, I know who you are and I will be back around and hopefully have something to show for the time off.

I just don't know if it will be sooner or later.

For now, I am going to read a book.

Happy Birthday to Me

2009-02-24T12:55:00.010-06:00

My daughter had this on her blog this morning and it made me laugh. I was about 4 years old here and hated having my bangs cut. My Granny would sit me up on her kitchen counter and wouldn't stop until they were straight or I was nearly bald. Guess which happened first...

When I got out of my car tonight at work some of the guys got on the intercom and one after the other told the community that it was my birthday. I walked in and several people were standing there to tell me Happy Birthday then I see a cookie cake that my friend Michele got for me and it was decorated in my favorite colors and there were balloons that one of the sales guys put together.

I also received some beautiful flowers.

I have had a great birthday!

To all you have made this a special day for me, thank you very much.

Quilt News

2009-01-24T19:20:00.002-06:00

I've been invited to join The Great Hexagon Quilt-Along. I'm not sure how I came upon this blog a week or so ago but I love it! There are so many beautiful things being made from all over the world. Check it out if you get a chance.

I just finished piecing all of the small blocks together to make the Card Trick block now I just need to put the small blocks together. I'm not sure that I am supposed to put it together before the class though. She said something about DO NOT iron the seams until we come back and I can't imagine putting it together without ironing the seems so I guess I will make a call Monday to find out for sure. I have the templates cut out to get started on the Ohio Star pieces so I think that will try to do that tomorrow.

Enjoy the weekend or in my case a day off.

My Hand Piecing Quilt Class

2009-01-21T18:35:00.004-06:00

We went to class yesterday. It was a nice small class of only 4 people and the instructor. Our first block to make is the Card Trick. I have always liked this block and can't believe how much easier it is than I always thought it would be. I didn't take the photos until this morning before work so I didn't get to take one of Carole's but I will later. We had a lot of fun and I am glad we are doing this together.

Our instructor made each of us this flannel layout mat so that we would always be ready to sew on our current block wherever we are.

One thing I am sure of is that I am not going to be happy with my whole crib sized quilt being these colors. While I do like them, I am not sure it is going to be a very pretty quilt. Looks like I am going to be spending more money than I planned to. As always, I do reserve the right to change my mind in a minute.

There is always a glare from the florescent lights in my office. I am not a photographer as you can tell. But at least I have learned how not to have my finger in the picture too.

Spare Change Update

2009-01-20T08:00:00.005-06:00

I finished up the first half of the flowers for the Spare Change Quilt. I am pleased to see that it isn't going to be as big as I first thought. It will be a nice throw size when finished. I wasn't to get all of these sewn together before I make the rest. I may have to bring them to work on at lunch during the day.
I am starting a Hand Piecing class today. I have a feeling that the homework from that will take up my evening hours. I am kind of excited about it taking this class though because I asked my step-mom to take it with me and she is going to. I'll post pics of that process along the way.
I have signed up for another class in March but after the stress I felt getting ready for this class yesterday I may wait until another time to take it. It looks like it will be a cute little thing and it involves English Paper Piecing so we will see.

Making Progess on the Spare Change

2009-01-06T13:32:00.003-06:00

While most people just enjoyed a nice long break, I worked all but Christmas Day and on top of that I got a bad cold that decided to circle around and visit me again. I took the day off yesterday to recuperate a little and decided I could do a little of this while I was just hanging around the house.

I put together 5 of the "flowers" of the Spare Change quilt. I am using 2" hexagons.

Each flower is almost the size of an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper and I have 28 of them.

I was wondering last night how it would look to make it reversible by putting 1/2 on the front and 1/2 on the back. I don't want to make something so big that I won't want to finish it but I do want to use all of the swap pieces.

I am really pleased that there was only one duplicate square in the whole bunch I was sent. It will be kind of fun to place those in a way to make me look for it.

I'm looking forward to putting more together tonight at work. I have enough of the hexagons to put together about 14 of the flowers ready so I best get busy on it.

Happy New Year 2009

2009-01-01T16:05:00.002-06:00

I am looking forward to a wonderful year and hope for one for you too.

I need some quilting help please. When I took the quilt class, the instructor was adament that we use only 100% cotton materials and 100% cotton thread. I am really having issues with using the cotton thread. I think this is a big reason that I keep setting my projects aside. The thread seems to be almost unraveling as I sew. I am trying to only use enough to sew one side at a time but it is still shredding. I don't see how this will make a very sturdy finished project.

What am I doing wrong?

Working for Spare Change

2008-12-27T16:42:00.003-06:00

I made a decision this week that I don't want to work on anything else until I see some real progress on the Spare Change swap project. Here I am sitting at work, getting paid to work on my quilt. Thank you Mr. F... :)

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T22:59:00.005-06:00

It has taken me 2 hours to get on here tonight, so this will be quick in I lose the connection again or the battery goes from trying so long.

The tree turned out beautifully, the gifts are wrapped and there is tabouli in the fridge and Charlie brought me some of my favorite cookies from Nancy!

I wish you a Merry Christmas!!

Christmas is coming

2008-12-22T19:18:00.004-06:00

Believe it or not, we are still in the process of putting our tree up at home so who knows if I will get a photo of it. I tend to drag my feet when it comes to putting up a tree every year but we are getting it done, yesterday I just sat by it all day and late into the night with nothing but the lights on it. I absolutely LOVE having a Christmas tree but I absolutely HATE taking it down.

I work with Surgical Residents and last year and this year a couple of us have put up this little 4 1/2 ft tree that I had in my stash in their lounge.
I wanted to do something different for them since they are there so many hours so I tied ribbon on all kinds of treats and hung them on the tree for ornaments.

They love it and I love doing it for them! Every morning when I go in to check on it, it is empty. I have to say I am glad there are only a couple more days to this decorating. The good news is when it's over, there are no decorations to put away just fold up the tree and put it back in the box.

In case I don't get back here before the big day, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! If I do get back here, I'll say it again. :)

Let it Snow

2008-12-11T13:26:00.003-06:00

I heard from Kat in Queensland Australia that she received the apron I sent for the Sassy Apron Winter Swap. It didn't take as long to get to her as I thought it might.

I do hope Kat likes it. She mentioned that she likes the color blue and I love snowflakes and snowmen. I didn't make the apron, I bought it on Etsy and for some reason it isn't showing up in my purchases so I don't have the person's name and I no longer have the package it arrived in.

I sent my very favorite sugar cookie recipe (thank you Nancy) and I also sent the kind of sugar cookies I have made recently (thank you Archer Farms).

Thank you Lucy for hosting the swaps this year. It has been a lot of fun.

100 things

2008-12-10T08:35:00.002-06:00

If you want to play, just copy the list and bold the items you’ve actually done.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain (in a car)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (Some of them anyway!)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight (not even in the daylight)
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia (saw it on my way to China)
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person (from an airlplane)
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (no but have seen it happen more than once YUK)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life hopefully
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby (x's 4)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a mobile phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

I've been busy not doing what I need to be doing

2008-12-08T15:47:00.005-06:00

I was asked by a coworker to make some coasters for her to give as gifts this Christmas. I got those made and then picked up some thread and started making doilies. I haven't made a doily in YEARS and now I made two this week. These were the reason I wanted to learn to crochet all those years ago.

This one is the same pattern I used for the coasters and then just kept making it a little bigger . It actually started out as a joke because one of our doctors purchased a file cabinet that I said looked like something that would go in a bedroom and his birthday was last week so I said I was going to "whip up" a doily to put on it. Then came this one because I looked ahead in the calendar. Both patterns came from the Crochet Pattern a Day Calendar for this year. I managed to get the finished photo just as the camera battery decided it had just about had enough.

Winter apron has arrived

2008-12-01T11:28:00.004-06:00

I got a nice surprise when I made it to the post office Saturday. The apron from my swap partner for the Winter Sassy Apron Swap was there. Katie in AR did a wonderful job on the apron. I was so pleased that it had snowflakes on it. I LOVE SNOWFLAKES!!!!!!

She also sent me a variety of cookie cutters and a recipe for Ginger Snaps and one for Pumpkin Dip. I had just been told by a friend last Friday about how wonderful Ginger Snaps and Pumpkin Dip and then the recipes arrived for me to see for myself.

You can see the detail a little better here. It is a full apron but that photo didn't come out so well. I will try to get a better one later.

Thank you Katie!! I love everything!!

Thank you Lucy for doing these swaps this year. It has been a lot of fun.

The arpon for my partner is on the way but I will wait to post about it until she receives it.

I've Got A Lot To Be Thankful For

2008-11-27T00:00:00.001-06:00

Those are words some who read this will know a different meaning for but words I truly mean and am so grateful for. To everyone who ever stops by here, Happy Thanksgiving.

Spare Change is being collected

2008-11-24T13:43:00.006-06:00

I worked on the Spare Change collection I received from Juliette at Chickpea Studio on Saturday. I plan to use these for the centers and use the white on white that I picked out for the petal part of the flowers. I've started making those also but they aren't in the photo. I making these out of 2" hexagons so I think it will go pretty fast.

Or I might make it with the Ferris Wheel design. I've not tried that one yet but have been wanting to.

Then there is a different design that I've been looking at that looks kind of like a lattice.

I have so many things in mind for these little jewels. I just need to make up my mind and do it so I can get it done and have something finished.

There are some fabrics in here that I really love and want to see if I can find out the pattern so I can get some more of it.

My thanks to everyone who participated in the swap. This was the easiest thing I've participated in so far.

Long time - no see

2008-11-18T20:03:00.004-06:00

I hadn't realized it's been 2 weeks since I have been here. It's been a busy couple of weeks and I just got to the post office today. The pieces for the Spare Change Swap were there waiting for me to pick them up and get started and the apron I purchased for the Winter Sassy Apron Swap
was also there to get together with the rest of the package and in the mail.

Debi is also having another giveaway in January. I am still trying to decide if I am ready to do another one but still have a few days to think about it.

For now I am just hobbling around on my "fixed" knee for a little longer.

See ya back here soon!

I love vacation time

2008-11-05T18:51:00.002-06:00

I just got to spend 4 1/2 days with my kids in Colorado. I can't tell you how much I love going there. It gets harder to come home every time I go.

In the past week, I have seen all 3 of my daughters, 2 of my sons-in-law, my son and all 6 of my grandkids and it isn't even Christmas!

It's in the mail

2008-10-21T20:37:00.007-05:00

I managed to get to the Post Office just before they closed on Saturday. I got all of the giveaway prizes on there way.

I also got the fabric out for the Spare Change Swap.

Now it is time to get started on the Winter Sassy Apron Swap.

Every one has been a little more fun and this one is no exception. I am excited about it.

We are having a rainy morning here and I love it.

At long last, the time has come to draw a winner

2008-10-15T07:52:00.012-05:00

I decided to let the random number generator to pick the winners for me. This has been a lot of fun and I tried to get back to everyone who commented. If I haven't made it to you yet, I will soon.

The winner of the Slash Your Stash Quilt Book is Karen

The winner of the Amy Butler Fabric is Corinna

The winner of the Moda Jelly Roll is G'G'Ma

Congratulations to all of you. Please send me an e-mail with your mailing address and I will get your prize out to you.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by and left a comment with your favorite fall color. I can't possible pick one myself and wondered how many others couldn't either.

Thank you to Debi for hostessing the giveaway. She will be having a Winter Giveaway soon if you are interested, stop by and let her know.

You won't want to make this mistake any time soon

2008-10-09T07:25:00.005-05:00

As I have mentioned before, I read a LOT of blogs. Every day. I spend my evening hours at work reading blogs for hours like they are that great new book you just can't put down. I read about cooking and cleaning and sewing and crafts and - you get the picture.
One of the blogs I read every day is A Year of Crockpotting. Stephanie has made something everyday this year in a crockpot. Some have been old stand by meals, some have been gourmet meals, there has even been melted crayons. She did it all in the crockpot. She has been on Rachel Ray. I really like reading this blog.
Last night when I started reading I saw she is giving away a crockpot. I love to use my crockpot to cook since I am rarely home, it is a good way for me to make dinner and put enough away to eat several times without cooking since it is just me to feed. The crock part of my crockpot cracked and so I decided I would enter the giveaway. Fat chance I'll win but hey I won't if I don't enter.
When I was filing out the required stuff on blogger, I checked a box about reply e-mails. I thought it meant that she would reply to that e-mail. OH NO my friends. It means that EVERY SINGLE ONE of her thousands of comments from people wanting to win the crockpot (the one I want) is coming to my inbox along with the hundreds of e-mails from the people entering my giveaway.
I told Stephanie what I did and she is still laughing about it. I bet she couldn't sleep last night laughing about it.
I'm sure glad it wasn't Pioneer Woman that I did that to...

Spare Change

2008-10-04T13:44:00.007-05:00

Juliette at Chickpee Sewing Studios is hosting a stash swap. I have asked to be included. I love the quilt she made for her little guy using this method and have seen some others and think I could come up with something nice also. If you would like to join, just let Juliette know. This should be fun! I think I will do mine with paper pieces like this one Littleshika did or this one from Twiddletails.

Winter Sassy Apron Swap

2008-10-02T17:18:00.003-05:00

Lucy is once again hosting the Sassy Apron Swap. This is the Winter edition.

This is the fourth Apron Swap I have done with her and it has been a lot of fun.

Check it out, you'll want to join too.

October 1 is the day for the Fall into Fall Quilters Blog Giveaway

2008-09-30T11:36:00.005-05:00

The time has come to post about the Fall into Fall Quilters Blog Giveaway.

I have purchased 3 items to giveaway and so will pick 3 winners. Please forgive the pictures, I had a co-worker take them with his phone. They really are very nice prizes.

#1 is a Moda Jelly Roll called Fall Back Into Time

I saw a quilt in the shop made up from this and it is so pretty.

#2 is an Amy Butler 5 Fat Quarter Bundle

I thought I was buying a charm pack but just realized that it is folded fabric not cut.
I found the name of 4 of them on Amy Butler Fabrics they are from the Midwest Modern Collection. The 4 I do know are from Orange Dahlia Collection- Pink Happy Dots and Brown Trailing Cherry and from the Pink Dahlia Collection - Fuchsia Fresh Poppies and Moss Nouveau Trees. The 5th one has green tones.

#3 is a Slash Your Stash Quilt Book

Here are the "easy rules" to enter my giveaway, leave a comment between October 1st (not before) and noon October 15th. Tell me what your favorite fall color is and a link to your blog, or if you don't have a blog your e-mail address so that I can contact you. Feel free to mention this on your blog. To be fair, any comment that does not have these requirements will not be considered. A list of all participants can be found on the The Fall into Fall Quilters Blog You can go there and enter any and all of the giveaways. There are some awesome prizes waiting to be given away.

It's not too late to join us yourself if you would like just stop by The Fall into Fall Quilters Blog and Debi will add you to the list. There are over 40 bloggers participating so far!

The winners will be drawn and posted here on October 15th.

Good luck and thanks for playing.

I'm not a quilter - I am a crafter

2008-09-20T18:41:00.005-05:00

Today it sunk in. I'm not a quilter. I have made 2 quilts in my life, and they were both made over 25 years ago with lots of help. I love quilts and I would love to make quilts. Someday I will actually finish some and maybe all of the quilts I have started. For now, I will continue to read about quilts in books and blogs and collect fabrics and dream of what mine will look like.

This morning when I was looking for something to bring with me to work and looked through drawers and bags of fabric, I just got overwhelmed with frustration. I am forever starting something and not finishing it. I have GREAT ideas but I don't follow through with them. That's enough beating myself up. I think maybe every crafter has these feelings at some point.

I have been giving a lot of thought to what I want to provide for the Fall into Fall Quilters Blog Giveaway and I have decided what it will be. I hope you will join us. I have spent today reading blogs of the other participants and there is going to be a wide variety of prizes. I am really excited to be part of this.

Fall Apron Thank You and other things

2008-09-17T18:30:00.005-05:00

I finally got to the post office after the nice vacations I've had recently. I got to do the happy dance again when I opened the package from Kathie P. from the Fall Apron Swap. I got the nicest fall apron with material that has fall colors and leaves and nuts and stuff and she used my favorite color (yellow) to make the pockets and the neck and binding. The pot holders are so cool! I've never seen any like this but I really like them, you put your fingers in one end and your thumb in the other and then it kind of squishes together to hold the hot item. There was also a nice surprise of some fall cookie cutters! There is an acorn, an apple, and a pumpkin. Thank you Kathie, I really do love it!!!!

The apron I sent was from Aunt Bee's Kitchen on etsy.

I have been reading a lot about jelly rolls lately so I ventured out to the quilt shop downtown between jobs today and checked them out. The nice lady there showed me all kinds of books and quilts in the shop made from jelly rolls. I think they might be my new friend.

I had a great time in Colorado. I always love going there but this time was just very nice. I got to spend time with with my girls and their guys and their babies. I got to babysit with a squishy soft little baby Adeline and a big handsome Max. We read books and told stories and sang songs. Well, I did all of those things. They just listened, but it was a great time. Ang and I had some good time together. I went shopping. I don't shop. I hate to shop. But I wanted to shop and I have so many new things to wear now. I think Deana was a little surprised that I said I wanted to shop. I hear that she thinks it is worse than shopping with someone else but she didn't complain one time, at least not to me. She just kept handing me things and telling me that I was buying them. I came away with some great bargains and a box of things to check at the airport. The weather was amazingly beautiful. I sat out on the deck and had breakfast. We drove up to Mt. Evans and it was so pretty. I got altitude goofy a bit. I forget about those things.

I actually sat down at the sewing machine for a little while on Sunday. I haven't done that in MONTHS. I hope it isn't months before I do it again. I was just testing out a little project.

That pretty much catches you up with my little spot in the world.

Fall into Fall Quilters Blog Giveaway

2008-09-10T20:44:00.004-05:00

Debi at Quilting with Debi is hosting a Fall Giveaway and I am joining in. Check back soon to see what I come up with for my giveaway and to be entered to win.

Oops!

2008-08-26T14:06:00.003-05:00

As I was looking through some old posts, I realized that in all the excitement that's gone on here lately, I forgot to post about receiving the winning from HobbyMommy and her 100th post giveaway.
I got this awesome charm pack! I love the colors! Brown has always been one of my favorites and this shows me how nicely some other colors go with it that I wouldn't have thought of.
I've been giving it some thought and I think I now know just what this lovely little package will make.
Since I am without a camera right now, I borrowed the pic from HobbyMommy so that you can see how cute they are.
Someday I'll show you :)

Hairy Pets

2008-08-22T18:07:00.002-05:00

The nice people (Heather and Ivy) at Home Ec 101 are having a giveaway for a Furminator over on their site.

Ivy posted about it the other day and they offered her one to try and one to give away. You can hop on over there and enter if you like but I have to tell ya, this is another one I REALLY want to win...

Arggggggghhhhhhhhh Ugggggggggghhhhhhh

2008-08-21T18:17:00.002-05:00

Does anyone out there know where I can buy a nice, cute, full apron and hot pad in either Halloween or Thanksgiving fabric? This was supposed to be the easiest breasiest swap so far and I am coming up empty...

Someone's having a 200th post giveaway

2008-08-18T20:19:00.002-05:00

Check out Debi's blog. She just realized that she has had 200 posts and is having a really nice giveaway to celebrate!

Debi held a quilting round robin recently. Of course I thought about doing it but we all know that mostly what I do is think about it. I really liked the patterns and the way her quilt turned out.

Meet my newest Granddaughter

2008-08-16T17:31:00.004-05:00

I went to Colorado Sunday night and Ang and Dan went to the hospital early Monday morning.

Adeline May was born at 1:57 AM on Tuesday the 12th. She weighed in at 8 lbs and 10 oz and was 20 1/4 " long. She took her time getting here but what a wonderful prize at the end of the wait! She is so soft and precious! I think she is just beautiful!!!

08-08-08 and a few words from me about China

2008-08-08T08:49:00.010-05:00

The Olympics have started!!!!!!!!!!! I love the Olympics. I woke up this morning and this was my first thought. I knew the Opening Ceremonies were already underway because of the time difference.

I think this one is so exciting for me because it is bringing up so many fond memories of my trip to Beijing 5 years ago with my daughter D and son-in-law S. I started looking at pics we took on the trip and thought I would share a few. It really was hard to narrow down which ones to show, between the 3 of us we took nearly a thousand. As you can see here, we got a lot of the same shots. S thought it was funny that we were both looking so much like tourist. We had bought these great little cameras that were only about 2 inches square and worked very well.

It was the trip of a lifetime for me. It was my first trip out of the country and set a traveling fire in me that I hope burns the rest of my life.

I had talked about going to China since I was just a small child ( I had been told they eat rice there and I could eat all I wanted. Not true.) and never imagined that I would really do it but here I am on our first day standing in Tiananmen Square with a young man who walked up and asked if he could take a picture of me. My first thought was absolutely not. I am not a have your picture taken kind of person. I usually hid any time there was a camera around or made some really ugly face that now comes back to haunt me at the delight of others. When the kids told me it was a good thing to do, I told him he could take one of me if he would take one with me. His alone when I said that was worth a thousand words.

Welcome to China! This is going to be awesome!! I didn't understand that I was as different to them as they were to me. I just assumed they were used to tourists.

I've not been shy around cameras since. Especially when it comes to my grandbabies! I wish I had thought about that when my babies were little but I didn't. Live and learn.

They snapped this one of me about 3 steps from me deciding I had traveled as far up that Great Wall as I possible could go. What a wonderful experience!

I got one of the 2 of them right before D and I headed back down and S went all the way to the end, or at least to the end of the area on this section. I have never been so tired in my life as I was at the end of that day but I wouldn't have traded it for anything!

Thanks again guys! I loved every minute of it. Even the high rise shopping mall. :)

I hope you sit back and watch all of the Olympics you can and if you dream of going to China, do it. You won't regret it. It is beautiful and inspiring.

Here's Linda

2008-08-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Linda was the first person to come to my blog. She has helped me many times. She does some of the most beautiful crafts I have ever seen whether it is embroidery, quilting, cross stitch or applique work you name it, she does it and it is all just beautiful!

See for yourself.

When all else fails...

2008-08-02T14:08:00.002-05:00

I have tried several times to add some of my favorite blogs to the side like other people have. I haven't been able to get them to show up so I think I will just "showcase" them here.

I am going to start with one I found today called Mary Quilts

She makes quilts for charities and has put some of her photos and patterns on this blog in pdf form to share with others. She is very generous in many ways.

Take a minute and check her out.

Check it out!!!!!!!!

2008-07-25T14:10:00.003-05:00

I've mentioned before that I read a lot of blogs. I don't comment a lot but I read a LOT of blogs. One of my favorites is HobbyMommy. I have found her through Crazy Mom Quilts several months ago.
HobbyMommy just had her 100th post blogiversary and a giveaway. When I said I don't comment a lot, I meant it. I love reading what people have to say and I love looking at the beautiful things being created. When someone has a birthday or an anniversary I usually say congrats but other than that, I just read. I commented and I won. I had completely forgotten that she was having a giveaway. I came back from lunch and saw there were some new post and there it was in black and white - my name. I won!!!!!!!! That's right I won!!!!!! I am so excited!!!!!!!!!
Go tell her happy anniversary and check out what nice stuff she makes.

Beautiful

2008-07-19T17:32:00.001-05:00

I came across this site a few minutes ago and had to share they beauty I saw there.

It's getting close

2008-07-19T13:56:00.002-05:00

and I am getting really excited. My new grandbaby is coming soon and I will be heading out to Colorado to hold it and find out what it is. This one is my baby's 1st baby and I am way too far away right now.

Anyone see a problem with this?

2008-07-16T15:07:00.003-05:00

I am using 3' squares to make the 1 1/4" hexagon. These papers are reusable. When I have been looking online and reading about them, people show basting through the paper and being careful not to tear the papers.

My basting doesn't go through the papers at all. In fact I have been very careful not to go through the papers. Now I am wondering if I am doing it all wrong.

I do see that my stitches are visable (thanks a lot Aunt Jo) now I am paranoid about that. I was using light grey thread on these in the beginning because they told me at the quilt shop when in doubt to use grey. I really don't want to get all goofy about this but I don't want to learn it "wrong".

Anyone have any suggestions on this?

Toaster Oven

2008-07-15T11:43:00.001-05:00

I think I want to buy a toaster oven. There are things I want to cook at home but there is NO way I will turn on my oven betwenn May and November. My house holds heat like nothing you've ever seen.

Does anyone have one? If you do, what kinds of things do you make in it?

It's the little things that make me happy

2008-07-09T19:38:00.005-05:00

Have I told you lately that I have a great fondness for the elderly? I always have loved being around older people and watching them.

While I was having lunch with a friend today, a little lady came in and sat down at the table closest to ours. In a few minutes, a little man came in to join her. It was pouring rain so I am guessing that he let her out and then parked the car. He had a cane and a hat (with raindrops on it). He was walking real slow and he was so bent over he looked to be about half as tall as he used to be. It was so sweet to watch them. When it came time to get our check I told the waiter I would like to pay for their meal also. He looked at me a bit like I was crazy and then brought me their check too. He said he would wait until I was ready to leave to tell them. I asked him not to tell them until they were ready to leave and after I was gone. I learned my lesson last time I did that and made the little lady cry and then I cried and then my friend cried.

If you've never done something like that before, give it a try some time if you feel like you can spare a few dollars. It is amazing how such a small gesture can make so many people feel good.

The flowers, they are growing :)

2008-07-07T20:00:00.005-05:00

I have been spending every sitting still moment putting these little things together.

I followed the great tutorial from Sunshine Creations and it just couldn't be easier!

I used my entire package of templates (which was supposed to have 75 i nit but there were only 72) to make the hexagons and then just started piecing them together. Of course I am already second guessing my choices but I am sticking with them.

I have put together 4 of this size and gone another round on 2 of them.

I am going to use green to tie them together (after I buy it). Not all of the fabrics I am using have purple in them so I don't know if I want to mix the centers or just keep on using purple. Any suggestions?

Have I mentioned to anyone that I love this method?

I just ordered several different shapes and sizes of the paper pieces so I can play more!! The quilt shop only had a few and when I started to buy both packages of the size I needed the lady acted like I shouldn't be greedy. I'm out, I need more so I ordered directly from the company. Plus, they are on sale and have a lot of different shapes that the store didn't have AND I don't have to drive back to the shop which is no where near any place I need to be.

I have been so frustrated at having all of these pretty fabrics and no time to do anything with them and now as I have been looking at so many different patterns that use this method, it almost makes me giddy to think about what I can accomplish.

Happy 4th of July

2008-07-04T11:45:00.003-05:00

I hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday.

I am here working on my hexagons and having a blast. I think this is possibly the most enjoyable thing I have tried ever and I can't believe it only took me 50 years to try it.

Here we go starting something new again

2008-07-02T18:10:00.000-05:00

I finally found the little paper pieces to do the Grandmother's Flower Garden. I know I could have traced and cut from the patterns I've seen but I also knew some kind person had a company that would do that for me. After looking all over town for them, I called my quilt shop. The one where I took my class. I told the lady what I was looking for and she told me they didn't have anything like that. I stopped by the quilt shop by my house yesterday and told the lady there what I was looking for and she told me they didn't have them. I asked if she knew where I might find them because I was striking out. She told me the name of "my" quilt shop. When I told her I had checked with them already and the lady told me she didn't have them she laughed. She told me she buys them there all the time. OK.

I came in to work, thought about it a minute and called my quilt shop. Yes, she knew exactly what I wanted and they sure do have them she uses them all the time.

Guess where I went between jobs today? My new toys are spread out here all over my desk waiting on me to get started on making something pretty.

Wish me luck!

This has nothing to do with crafting but I need to talk

2008-06-25T10:58:00.003-05:00

I stopped to fill the tank on my car for the week Monday night. It was late, I was tired. I filled the tank and headed inside to pay. A man starts walking towards me holding a baby saying "Ma'am, Ma'am". I realized he was talking to me and I looked up to see him standing right in front of me holding the pretty little girl about 4-5 months old. He asked if I could please help his family get some gas for their truck. They were from Muskogee and trying to get to Tulsa. He said they were out of gas and the water pump had gone out. I asked where his truck was and he pointed to a mangled up old pickup with a woman standing beside it and a little boy in the back seat. There was a stream of water coming from under the truck and out to the parking lot. I said ok. I went inside, paid for my gas and then handed the clerk a couple of gift cards I had and asked how much was left on them. It totaled about ten dollars. I asked if he knew what the deal was with the people asking for money in the parking lot. He didn't. I walked out and over to the pickup and handed the man both cards and told him there was about ten dollars on the cards. He thanked me and God Blessed me and the woman got back in the truck and the man started putting the baby in the car seat. I drove off and got a couple of blocks and thought I would go back and give them what little cash I had with me. When I got back in less than 2 minutes to the QT, they were gone. They were beside me on the street going the wrong way to be going to Tulsa.
I had been duped. Why can't I just keep on walking? Why do people think it is their right to basically rip people off? This has bothered me for a couple of days now. I know I have to let it go but I really don't know how.

It REALLY is SO easy!

2008-06-23T09:04:00.005-05:00

About 30 years ago, I used to watch my friend Nancy make these pot holders. I was just learning to crochet and she made this look so easy. She would tell me "it's so easy". Well maybe for her it was so easy but my brain kept saying that looks sooooo hard.

Friday I was doing my daily blog reading and she was talking about working on some potholders. I followed the links and saw the picture of the ones Nancy used to make. I proceeded to print off the pattern and last night sat down and decided I was going to try it out. I didn't read through the pattern, I just started making it. In a few minutes it was like a light bulb came one and out loud I heard myself say it - this is so easy.

Why did I never try this before? I am always looking for a potholder. I have 3 but they always seem to be hiding from me. In just a few minutes, I had 2 more using up some of the yarn I bought to make the cup holders that I am now bored with.

For Baby Lu

2008-06-16T19:00:00.004-05:00

When Brenna was expecting Lucy, she picked out this theme for her baby room. It's getting close to time for Lucy to make the big step to her room so I thought I better get busy. I had picked up the material for curtains before she was born but just couldn't bring myself to buy the pre-made quilt. I just didn't like it. I don't suppose it really mattered if I liked it or not. It wasn't for me, it was for Lucy. I finally bought it and I am really glad I did. I had no idea at the time that no matter how much I wanted to "make" her a quilt that I would have no time to do so. I carried it around with me for a couple of months and finally a week or so ago, as I was laying in bed not wanting to get up and go to work again, I pulled back the little blankie that was Angela's when she was a baby almost 26 years ago. It was once a pre-made quilt and she loved it and now I have it by me every night. So I picked it up the one I had been carrying around for Lucy and worked at putting the binding on it. It took just a few hours and it is finished (as you can see, I had a little help).

WHY am I so stubborn? I never think anything is going to be good enough to give to someone. Brenna loved it and some day, Lucy will be dragging it around behind her and she will love it too.

Home Sweet Home Apron - for me

2008-06-09T08:16:00.008-05:00

I went to the post office yesterday and look what was waiting there for me. I got a package from Cynthia, all the way from Tennessee. She might be one of my long lost relatives since my people came from Tennessee.

I know she must have esp because she made it my very favorite color combination and she embroidered my very favorite of on the pocket!!!!

I am looking forward to trying out the punch recipe she sent too!
Her daughter named the apron Home Sweet Home and I think that is just a great name.

Thank you Cynthia, I love my new apron!!

Suggestions???????

2008-06-07T12:46:00.003-05:00

A month or so ago, I must have had a minute or two to get bored because I cut what was left of these fabrics from the first quilt a long Amanda Jean did into small squares.

I think they are 2 1/2" squares. I packed them all neatly into small school box and have been carrying them around with me in the car. I am sure I thought I would do something with them.

It has crossed my mind that I thought I would just make some nine patch blocks by hand and put them together for a nice little quilt. That seems a little boring though. It also crosses my mind that maybe I thought I would turn them into those little things that make a grandma's flower garden. I really like those but don't have a clue how to do it.

Any ideas from you what the would be good for? Or better yet, can you tell me how to make those little stop sign looking things?

Summer Sassy Apron Swap

2008-06-03T08:36:00.005-05:00

I have to admit that I didn't make the apron for the swap. Since being handmade is the requirement and not necessarily handmade by me, I joined Sassy Apron Swap again. I really enjoy these swaps and hope Lucy likes doing them as much.

I bought this apron and dish towel from Thevillagegiraffe on etsy and I really hope my swap partner likes it. I did make a coordinating dishcloth to go with it and sent THE BEST punch recipe you will ever try.

I asked a friend in my office to "model" it so I could post it but she asked not to have her face shown.

I'm on a roll

2008-06-02T11:18:00.005-05:00

Or I have lost my marbles. I'm not sure which.

Back in the day when my kids were little, Quik Trip had squarts. For their 50th anniversary, they sold them again. I bought 2 thinking this would help me get the water I am trying to drink in. I like that they have a lid and a straw and they are reusable. I admit it, I am addicted to QT tea but not all of the plastic cups that I really don't like to keep and have to throw away them away daily was making me feel guilty. I have given up the water bottle habit and gone to the filtered water pitcher. The first day, I remembered what I didn't like about squarts. They sweat. They sweat A LOT. I also remembered that I didn't like it back then either and made myself a squart koozie like I had done before.

I walked into my brand new QT close to my house and the young guy working there commented that he liked what I did with the squart. He said he would pay me to make him one. I told him it wasn't necessary and asked what color he would like. The one I had looked like rainbow sherbet and kind of frilly.

His eyes lit up and he said blue and black so I went to get the colors he requested and made it a little more manly. When I took it in to him, he was busy so I just dropped it off and went about getting my tea. The next thing I know, he is talking loudly about how cool it is and telling someone to make sure I don't leave. He brings a girl who works there to me and says "This is her, this is the lady I told you about." Then he tells me that she wants one too and hands me some money and says to not even think about not taking it. He keeps saying "This is so cool, I hate the way the cups sweat." I asked the girl what color she want and she tells me blue and green. Here I go back to my least favorite place to get some more thread. She loved hers too.

I had actually started making one to fit the QT cups for a girl at work who is also addicted to the tea and carries it around with her from office to office leaving little puddles everywhere she goes.

My daughter B liked it and I gave her the sherbet colored one I had made first since she needed a squart too. Then there needed to be one for grandson C I used the blue and black and made a different design for his. Next came a call from my son in law J asking for an orange one.

My niece saw those and wanted a pink one then her 3 year old said he needed blue.

Someone at the night job saw me working on them and asked for a green one.

Then Saturday, I had 4 other people ask for one.

The girls at my day job wanted one so I've made 3 there. I've created a monster.

I still don't have one for myself. I just "test" the one I just made each time.

I have to admit, it is fun to be able to crank something out in a short amount of time and for little money and be useful.

I thought about selling them on etsy but I see that there are already a few people doing that so I will just keep on doing what I do and if someone wants to pay me for them, I will let them and if they don't I'll just give it to them.

What kind of flower are you?

2008-05-13T11:43:00.005-05:00

My daughter Deana wrote the most beautiful tribute to "her mother's mothers" for Mother's Day. She picked a flower that reminded her of each of my grandmothers, my mother, my mother-in-law and for me and then wrote something about each of us and told why she picked that flower for us. She took the photos of each of these flowers herself. It was so touching.

The coincidence here is that I had tried several times to get on the computer Sunday to post a tribute to my mothers before me and put on photos of them and to my daughters who are all mothers now but couldn't get on. Even though Ang's baby isn't due for a couple of months, she is still a mother.

I am going to swipe the part she wrote about me to show you. I hope she doesn't mind. :) I tend to "borrow" her pictures quite often. She and her husband have quite an eye for taking beautiful photos. I have the eye, something just happens between when I see what I want to take the picture of and when I see what I took the picture of. I am so thankful fo rdigital cameras! I delete more than I keep.

Danetta...My Momma. The BEST...BEST BEST mom a kid could ask for. I know a lot of people say that because you're supposed to, but really, I LOVED having her as my mom growing up. She was just the right mix of smart, and pretty, and fun, and silly, and mean, and good. She would dance when she cleaned the house, and let us skate across the freshly waxed kitchen floor. She made us clothes, and every single meal. I have always had silly names for her, Mo-Mo, Mommafro, Mommy Poo. Today she's the person I talk to every day. She's a very different mom now in my mind from the mom I had growing up. Not that it's a bad thing, just that the mom I needed then, is not the mom I need now. And I think that's what I love most of all about her. She is always EXACTLY what she was meant to be when God decided she was supposed to be my mom. So why is the most important lady in my life a little daisy? I guess because it's so unassuming, just like her. But tell me, who doesn't smile when they see a daisy?
They brighten any day.

I saw this on a blog I was looking at today and it made me wonder. I love to take these little quiz things so I thougth I would check it out. Go ahead, have some fun and let me know what kind of flower you are and if you agree with the description they have to match the flower picked for you.
http://www.thisgardenisillegal.com/flower-quiz

They say I am a sunflower - "When your friends think smile, they think of you. There is not a day that goes by that you can't find something good about the world and your fellow human."

Star Quilt A Long

2008-05-05T09:49:00.005-05:00

I ventured out yesterday after having lunch with Brenna and her family to purchase the fabrics for Amanda Jean's 2nd quilt-a-long. This one is going to be various star patterns. I think this is what I have chosen to make my version. The fabric underneath is what caught my eye first when I went in. I think I will use it for the setting blocks. Then I found these fat quarters to go along with it. I will use the white ones for the lighter pieces and go from there. I still have to get the background fabric though. let the fact that the background fabric I had in mind for this is more of a cream color than white when I focused in on this combination. Now, it's back to the store... OH NO.

Growing up, these were my very favorite color combinations. When I was in 16 and got my very own room for the first time since I was 19 months old, these were the colors I chose to decorate it. My great-aunt Iva crocheted me a pillow in these colors to put on my bed.

Happy May Day

2008-05-01T11:13:00.003-05:00

This day always reminds me of the time when my kids were little and the teachers at school had their class make little May Baskets and told them to give them to someone to make them happy. Deana promptly took hers and hung it on the door of the little man across the street whose wife had recently died.
It was such a big gesture from such a sweet little girl.

Look how sweet!

2008-04-23T19:46:00.006-05:00

Who knew when I started this goofy little piece of my life that anyone would even read it much less tell me that they enjoyed visiting. Thank you Aunt Jo you really make my day too.

I would like to pass this award on to:

Linda at All Stitched Up.
Linda was one of the first "strangers" to visit my blog and has helped me in so many ways since then. It is a real treat to see beautiful items she is making and blogging about.

AmandaJean at Crazy Mom Quilts
I've never seen anyone who can accomplish things like she does and it is always such an inspiration to see her work. I love looking to see what she beautiful combination she will come up with next.

G'G'Ma at G'G'Ma Quilts.
She too does beautiful work and has such sweet stories.

I know these ladies get this type of award all the time but the really do make my day.

Making Something from Nothing

2008-04-21T14:29:00.004-05:00

I am using the green and black yarn and needles from Aunt Jo's Box-O-Junk to knit a scarf for someone who doesn't have one. I think I will even whip up a hat to go with it. I have to admit, I looked at this yarn several times when I would be at the stores and don't think I would have bought it but it isn't quite as pitiful as I imagined it would be. I think it's ok that I said that since Aunt Jo called it horrible. Anyway, it will make someone happy and that will make me happy and I think it will even make JLynnette happy too.

I am working on it during the evenings so I am accomplishing something.

The Box-O-Junk from Aunt Jo's Corner Has Arrived

2008-04-10T15:40:00.006-05:00

Here it is the box that caused the happy dance in the post office.

I carefully opened it and this is just some of what I found inside.

There was a card with my name on it and then out came a ball of wool yarn, then I saw it. THE BAG. The very one I remembered thinking would make a great bag to take to the Farmer's Market not far from my office. I pulled it out and there was another ball of yarn.

Now let me tell you, I was really excited to see that bag and then I pulled it from the box and it exploded with goodies!
I snagged this picture from Aunt Jo because my camera is on the fritz and only works on a part time basis. There is a flour sack and some knitting needles and some fabric and some aida cloth and some embroidery thread and a thimble and a seam gauge and a knitting book and a pattern for a bag and a quilt square with a star and some buttons and some seam tape and some yo-yo's and some ribbon and some lace and some embroidery patterns and some needle point covers and I just keep finding things...

People, I'm telling you, I don't know how she got all of this fun stuff in one box. It was like Christmas! I have so many things just from that little box that I can bring here to the desk at night to work on and I am excited to get started on it. I will show you what I come up with as I come up with it. It just goes to show you, one person's junk really can be another person's treasure.

This is Thankful Thursday over at Aunt Jo's Corner.

I am thankful for Aunt Jo and her kindness.

I need some advice please

2008-04-04T17:39:00.002-05:00

I really want to make a quilt. I took a sampler class last fall to learn to quilt. I read oh SO many blogs about quilting. I read books about quilting. I talk to people about quilting. I REALLY WANT to make a quilt. I have finally come to grips with the fact that right now I don't have the time to sit and cut and piece and hand quilt a big quilt. I have about an hour a day that I am awake in my home. I do have about 4 hours every day that I can do something (besides read blogs) at work. I have a great part time job that allows me this privalege.

Here's where the advice part comes in. What can I do sitting at a desk that is small yet will turn into a quilt?

I have brought knitting and crocheting with me but I do get bored easily with just doing one thing and I do want to do something with quilting also.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

I did it again

2008-04-04T09:46:00.002-05:00

I've signed up for Lucy's Summer Sassy Apron Swap. The last one crept up on me and I stressed out a bit but now that I am aware of how it works and the process for getting it done is all in my head I am excited about doing another one.

iPod Touch Giveaway

2008-04-02T12:37:00.001-05:00

All you have to do is click here for your chance to win. As always, good luck to you, but I can't lie I really hope I win.

I won! I won! I won!

2008-04-01T11:02:00.001-05:00

The box-o-junk as she puts it from Aunt Jo's Corner. I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!

Giveaways are blooming everywhere

2008-03-20T19:21:00.002-05:00

Aunt Jo is having a great grab bag kind of giveaway AND you can enter and your cats and dogs can enter, what are you waiting on?

I am going to visit the kids in the Rockie's tomorrow. I plan to take the time to blog about my England trip then. I've kind of put it off because I wasn't going to do too much on the personal side of life here but now I've decided we are all friends here and I've been asked about it so keep posted.

I had such a wonderful trip - let me tell you about it but be warned this is LONG

2008-03-18T07:35:00.016-05:00

I have written this post in several segments and saved them as drafts not knowing how this blogger works so it is all messed up and I am not going to start all over again. It's taken me weeks to get it on here.

Let me just say that I am not the person you would ever want to take specific photos for you. I see things I like and I try to get the picture and the next thing you know, I have taken a picture of something nowhere near it. But then again, I take pictures of totally random things too and no one can figure out why I took them so I will try to explain.

When were were looking at booking the flight, I mentioned that I would prefer to not fly out of Chicago because my friend Julie had been stranded there for days trying to get home in December and if it was at all possible, I didn't want to take that chance so my flight was booked Tulsa to Newark to Manchester.

The day started out by my son oversleeping and didn't show up to take me to the airport at 4:30 in the morning so I drove myself and had to park the car for 11 days. I got there before the desk opened and stood in line to get my boarding pass and check the luggage. While I was standing there, I look up and see that the flight I am to catch at 7:00 AM has been postponed an hour. Oh good I have plenty of time to get through security and get to the gate. No problem since Tulsa is such a small airport compared to the ones I fly into. I proceed to security and stood in line for 2 HOURS. It sure was a good thing the flight was delayed, I would have missed it! By the time I get to the gate, the flight has been postponed another hour. We were flying into Newark and there was a big snow storm brewing there. I was to have about an 1 1hour layover in Newark so this didn't bother me. I get settled in and start knitting to pass the time when I hear the gate attendant announce that the flight has now been canceled. We won't be going to Newark after all. I picked up the phone and tried to call Deana and Steve. I get voice mail. It seems the wind was blowing really hard in Sheffield and it was knocking out service. I leave messages and remain calm. Ok, I don't have to catch the flight to England until 11:00 in the evening let's see what kind of plan I can come up with on my own. I look over and there is a big group of people from England who were to be on the same flight. I spotted the person who appeared to be in charge and I went over to ask what their plans were going to be now. The very kind lady, Karen, told me that she had spoken with the desk attendant and that they were going to see what they could do for them. She asked where I was going and I told her. This was my lucky day, they were going to Manchester also. She told me to hang close and she would let me know what they found out. When the attendant came over to tell her that they were trying to get them on a different carrier, she told him to make sure he got me on the same flight with them. Done deal. He came over and got my information and proceeded to book us all (26 people) on a flight from Tulsa to Chicago and it leaves in 4 hours and will actually get us into Manchester a little earlier than the Newark flight would have. The weather in Chicago was beautiful. Imagine that.

The group from England took me in as one of their own and made sure that I didn't feel alone. You have no idea how much I appreciated that. I spent most of my life being terrified or airplanes and flying even going to the airport to take someone or pick them up honestly made me sick. The longest flight I had been on alone was an hour and a half. I make that flight as easily as driving to work now but I was a little anxious about this big trip alone. Excited but anxious.

Somewhere over the "pond" when the lights were all out on the plane and everyone seemed to be trying to get some rest I decide that maybe if I tried REAL hard, I could get to sleep too. I was just feeling my head nod when all the lights came on and I looked up to see all of the flight attendants running down the aisle to my right. I can't see what is going on because I am sitting on the left aisle. There were people everywhere standing up and trying to see what was gonig on. I didn't ask but from what I gathered, someone fainted and they were ok. I am glad that was it but I could forget about getting any rest now.

When we landed in Manchester, I heard the loudest noises under me. I think wow that can't be good but we are stopping and they are all smiling and saying thanks for flying with us.

It was a smooth transition through customs and I get to where the luggage is coming off and realize that I am going to have to try to figure out how to get all of it to where Steve would be waiting for me. Not a problem, they have carts to use. For free. In China they were free too. In America, we charge our guests for their convenience. I really don't like that we do that.

Steve is waiting for me and we head out of the airport to where he parked the car. Or are we? We walked for what seemed like an hour before we decide that maybe we were heading to the wrong terminal parking area so we go back the way we came. It was funny, really it was. My son-in-law does not get lost. When we got to the correct parking garage, he took the ticket out of his pocket and right there on it was the terminal we were supposed to go to. I got to tease him about that for a couple of days.

We drove from Manchester to Sheffield and I couldn't believe how beautiful the drive was OR how narrow the roads were. My first thought was "this looks like Arkansas". I love to go to Arkansas to look at the beautiful green. It was funny to me that Deana said the same thing to me.

When we arrived in Sheffield at Sam and Rachel's house where Deana, Steve and Max had been staying I was ssssssssssssoooooooooooo tired. Deana and Max were still in bed but awake so I went up to see them and Max was excited that Nonni was in England. They let me rest for a couple of hours and then we went out to see some of Sheffield. While we were out, the news on the radio said that the American Airlines flight from Manchester to Chicago had to turn around about an hour into the flight because of something faulty with the landing gear. I told you it didn't sound good.

The next morning I woke up to hearing Deana and Max outside my door singing Happy Birthday and then Max got to lay with me and snuggle a bit. We all got ready and headed to London where we would celebrate mine and Deana's birthdays.

If you are keeping track, so far we have had a flight cancellation, someone has caused commotion on the plane over the ocean, we have been lost in the airport and the plane I just flew on has been turned back to England because of faulty landing gear.

The drive from Sheffield to London was beautiful. We arrived and checked into the very nice hotel where for the first time ever, Max and I get to have a real slumber party. We had a separate room although right next door to his momma and daddy. This was part of their birthday gift to me and also my birthday gift to Deana. It was the first time they spent the night apart. I was so excited! Poor Deana though. She could hear her baby cry from their room next door and she would call and ask if she should come get him. I would tell her, no he is fine. He isn't doing anything in here that he wouldn't be doing in there and she would say I know and hang up. And cry. I don't care how old your child is when you first leave them with someone else it is traumatic. Even if you are right next door. If you would like, you can read about Max on his blog. He is one special little man and I love him very much.

When she came over the next morning to get him ready for the day I was so exhausted I am not sure I knew who I was much less where I was. Max had seizures pretty much all night long so I got no sleep. How many hours had it been since I slept well, I'm not sure of that either. I asked if I could rest a little bit and they had some errands to run so they let me sleep a little while. When they came back it was around noon. I had slept half the day away. In LONDON ENGLAND. Come on Danetta! This was also fuel for the son-in-laws to laugh about. We got out and did all of the sight seeing we could for the rest of the afternoon and evening then we went back to the hotel so Max and I could have another slumber party and his momma and daddy could go out to dinner alone, something they don't get to do much, to celebrate her birthday which was the next day. We didn't sleep a whole lot that night either. We got up and around and headed back to Sheffield but not before stopping in Nottingham at Ikea. I had not been to Ikea before but knew of them because of Deana and Angela and their love of all things Ikea. Oh how I loved Ikea. I bought myself a quilt while I was there because I know me. It will be who knows how long before I actually FINISH a quilt for my bed.

I'm going to stop here and publish this post. I could go on for days about this trip. I already have. If you made it this far, thanks for staying with me.

Here we are in London standing near Big Ben on my birthday. Deana and I are holding a stuffed thing I forgot the name of that represents Abbey being with us. When they went to England to live, Deana told Abbey that she would always be with them.
A lot of photos were taken as "drive by" or so I called them. This building had a sign that said "Closed for Refurbishment opening early 2006" I think they might be running a little behind schedule.
Beautiful view of Westminster Abbey at night. I so wish it had been open when we were there. It is a magnificent structure. I could have spent hours just looking at it.
Another drive by and a look into the sense of humor we share. Open Door is obviously closed.

Me standing at the front doors of Westminster Abbey. Parliament from across the street at the Abbey. There were guards everywhere to keep people out. Right. Twice in the week following our visit security was breached at this very spot.

These beautiful little crocus were everywhere and it was so green. Just a very welcoming site everywhere we went.

Proof of my "trip" to London on my birthday. It was the funniest thing but not so funny. It had just started raining and it was dark, we were on our way back to the hotel. I really love to look at the architecture and there was a building that caught my eye when we had passed it on our way to look around the London. Here I am walking along talking to Deana and was looking at the awesomeness and tripped on a broken section of sidewalk. I remember seeing that I was going down and threw my hands out to stop the fall. That didn't work it just made me have bruised and battered hands and what I thought might be a broken finger (turns out it was just jammed). What did stop my fall was all the extra padding I carry around in front of me. I heard Deana yell at me "Moooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmaaaaaaaaaaaa are you alright." I think I may have answered her but she thinks I didn't. I just kind of rolled over to my backside padding and I am literally sitting on the sidewalk all wet picking up the coins that had fallen out of my pockets one by one. She then proceeded to tell me to leave the money alone and answer her. I seriously was in a "London Fog". I was so embarrased and felt so stupid. Steve was ahead of us pushing Max in the stroller and Deana finally yelled at him to come help. He missed seeing it all but oh how he loved telling the story to Dan about it a couple of nights later. I heard him upstairs telling Dan about it on the phone and he was laughing and giggling from the practically soundproof room they were in. They both enjoyed the entertainment as Dan reminded me when I saw them on Easter weekend.
This is the yummy fruit tart that we bought at Whole Foods for my birthday cake. I could sure like to eat one of those right now.
This is the ceiling of Nando's restaurant in London where we ate lunch on Monday. This place was just beautiful and the food.....OH MY how I liked the food. We ended up having it from 2 other locations during my stay. They are coming to the States this year but I imagine it will take years for them to get to Oklahoma and it won't be the same.
Here I am looking at the site where Shakespear's original Globe Theater stood.
Another great shot of Big Ben and the London Eye. I didn't take this one either Deana or Steve did.

This is a beautiful tiled wall and etched glass window outside a building in Buxton England.
These little dress shops were one of my favorite sites. It was Mother's Day in England while I was there. It was amazing to me how much advertising was done for Mother's Day.

The Buxton Baths. We didn't go in there but these baths were built in the time of Roman rule and are still being used today.
A posed shot so I could finally get the face of everyone instead of some of the other shots I was getting. Here are Sam and Rachel my new family friends and Deana, Steve and Max outside of a little antique shop in Buxton.
This is where we spent the last weekend of my trip at Rachel's family's apartment in Buxton. I don't know when I have ever been as relaxed as I was this weekend. I loved every minute of it and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to share it with such great people.

This is my view outside the room I stayed in at Sam and Rachel's house in Sheffield. I could see what seemed liked forever and it was just beautiful. This also the room where the earth shook. Just as I was laying down to go to sleep, there was an earthquake on the night we came back from London.

One of the first things I noticed when Steve picked me up was all the moss on EVERYTHING. I had always heard that moss growns on the North side of the trees but this moss grew all the way around the trees and all over the roofs of the houses and on anything that wasn't moving. It was amazingly very pretty to me.
This little door built into the wall around this house caught my eye and became another drive by.

I loved the rock walls that were all over the country side as fences.

And this, well this is one of my very favorite memories.

YOU could win this quilt

2008-03-18T07:22:00.005-05:00

Old Red Barn Co. is giving away this beautiful quilt and she is also giving away 2 $35 gift certificates to her shop. Now I have to be honest with you, I will be happy if you win it but REALLY I would be more happy if I did!

Very Interesting

2008-03-15T18:44:00.004-05:00

I have been reading new blogs today for the past 10 hours. I found a lot that I will certainly go back to again. I found this website for FREE antique patterns that are out of print that I can't quit reading. Thank you to everyone who puts free patterns and free tutorials out there for all of us to enjoy. I LOVE looking at these old patterns. This is the kind of craft that made me want to start making things when I was little (and younger). I hope you find something there that you enjoy too.

Party at the Post Office

2008-03-10T19:13:00.005-05:00

I went to the post office yesterday and there were 2 packages for me.

One was from Jodie in Australia my partner from Amy's coaster swap. I got some really great crocheted coasters and a nice sewn pouch.

The other was from Mary in Oregon, she was my swap partner for the Sassy Apron Swap.

I couldn't figure out how to take a photo of the apron on me so you don't get a great view of it but if you will go here, you can see a much better photo of it.

Thank you Jodie and Mary, you made me do a happy dance at the Post Office again. I hope they aren't watching me.

Only 2 more hours of work

2008-02-21T19:28:00.001-06:00

then I am on vacation!!! I leave in the morning for my trip to see D, S, and M in England. I am so very excited!

Coasters are in the mail

2008-02-20T14:20:00.003-06:00

I made a decision. I stuck to it. This too is done now. I hope she likes them.

Someone who knows - loves me

2008-02-20T08:20:00.009-06:00

I came back to my office from lunch yesterday and my phone was ringing. I answered and it was the flower desk telling me they had flowers for me. They asked if I wanted to come pick them up or have someone bring them to me. I immediately said I would be right there. There was no need in me waiting for who knows how long for them to bring them to me when I could just walk right down the stairs and across the sidewalk and get them myself. Who was sending me flowers? I couldn't wait to find out! I love flowers!!!!!!!!! Every color, every kind, every shape. I especially love to "get" flowers, whether someone is handing them to me or having them delivered. Someone knows this. Someone knows that I won't be here on my birthday Sunday. Someone knows exactly where I work, building room. Someone wrote on the card. It says Happy Birthday - 50 - it only hurts for a little while. On the back - it says from someone who knows. Do you know who someone is?

OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-02-19T19:56:00.002-06:00

I was so glad to get the apron sent I forgot to send the required soup recipe with it from the Sassy Apron Swap!!!!!!!!!!!!

Somebody slap me

2008-02-16T17:20:00.002-06:00

If I sign up for more than one project with a deadline at the same time again.

I finally managed to take care of the apron swap today. These swaps have been one of the most stressful things I have taken on in a while and they really didn't need to be. I know it's just me and it is all good now that it is done.

I have had the flu B or something nasty that has been shared by the rest of the county for the last week. I am finally feeling human again today. Just in time too! I need to get packed for the big trip across the pond!

Coasters

2008-02-09T17:58:00.000-06:00

I have finished the coasters for the swap. I will post a picture of them a little later. Maybe not until after I have mailed them out.

Wendy asked me to share the pattern for the one I posted a couple of posts ago. I found this site by googling crocheted coasters. Then believe me, I looked at ever one of the links before I decided to make this first coaster. There are so many to choose from and there are so many simple ones to make. They make up very fast and are so pretty. The one I made is pictured in blue and is called Flower Coaster on her site.

I have had no time to sew this week. I figured out that I have about an hour and a half of time awake at my home six days a week. All of this as my darling daughter A said, just to pay for the house to spend an hour and a half in. Something is wrong with this picture.

I am trying to figure out what kind of craft to take with me on my trip. I will be spending a LOT of time waiting in the airport so I want to have something to do, maybe even a variety of small things to work on. I know I should sleep on the overnight flight but I've not had a lot of luck with that in the past. On our trip to China, I read 2 books and watched 3 movies.

If you have any suggestions, I'm open to them.

I got mail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-02-01T10:01:00.000-06:00

I went to the post office yesterday adn was so surprised when I got a key for something bigger than my box would hold. I was puzzled because I hadn't ordered anything and the swaps aren't due until later this month. I was SO EXCITED when I saw that the package was from Australia I did a little happy dance right there in the middle of the post office.

I got my PIF exchange from Lissa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I went to the car and looked at it for a few minutes wanting to open it but again wanting to wait until I got home so I could take pictures of it when I did. I compromised. I opened the packaging and inside wrapped inside this lovely piece of fabric in exactly the tones of green that I have been looking for was this beautiful quilted bag, some yummy looking chocolate biscutes and a journal for designing my quilts. I started taking pictures so I could share with all of you and it really took quite a few because of the lighting in my house and the fact that my camera wants to work part time now that I want it to be a full time employee. Anyway, I finally got one I could use and then I got to open the quilted bag and inside I found these great items and I saw the inside of this little bag.

I was (and still am) so excited. All things I knew I needed to get for my quilting adventures but haven't yet. The cutest pencils and some scissors with a beaded charm holder with a little sewing machine charm.

Thank you Lissa so much for letting me play along in your PIF challenge and for making my day with this gift!!!!!!!!!!!!

I knew it would be something fun to do but had no idea how much it would brighten my day.

Now wouldn't someone else like to play too? You can still sign up on my PIF challenge post. Katherine and I are patiently waiting for 2 more people....

Progress is being made

2008-01-28T20:38:00.000-06:00

I can't believe what all I can get done when I put forth an effort :)

I crocheted 8 coasters and I'm still not sure that I have found what I will give for my coaster exchange so I am still trying to figure that out. All of the photos I have seen on the group's flickr account are of quilted coasters and I am not comfortable enough with my beginner quilting to do that so, I don't know that I have the right concept. I took the 6th and 7th ones apart to make the ones below. I gave the 8th one to someone in the office who LOVED it and her coffee cup fits perfectly on it. It is the same pattern as the one on the left but out of the thread of the ones below. If any of you know about this kind of thing, I would like your input. For me, the kind of crochet on the left with the finer cotton thread is my kind of crocheted coaster. Dainty. But this came out too small. I have looked at hundreds of patterns and most of what I see is like the ones below so I made them with Sugar n Cream thread.

I have decided that it won't be any of these and I will keep looking for "just the right thing" to make.

I hemmed an old sweatshirt I cut apart to wear while I am sitting around the house doing this kind of thing. Why I hemmed it I have no idea other than when the kids saw it last year they thought I was nuts so I thought it would look better if I hemmed it. I mean really, the cat and I are the only ones who see me in it and I know she doesn't care if it looks nicer. I even cut slits in the cuffs so I could poke my thumbs through and keep my hands warm while I do needlework. It is very functional.

I put together block 8 of the quilt a long. No reason for starting with 8 other than it was the one closest to the machine when I started sewing. What? It's put together wrong you say? Of course it is.

EVERY time I make this block, I do it wrong first (this one is from my sampler class last fall)

and sometimes second (also from the class. Yes, I know it is only laid out her but I did sew it together just as it looks) since I had the machine out, I fixed this one.

As they say the third times a charm and I got it.

That was so much fun, I sewed together block one too.

Take time to make time

2008-01-25T19:04:00.000-06:00

I say this to myself fairly often when I think I don't have time to do something. I don't do it very well though. I was just sitting here making my list of things I need to get finished in the next few weeks and realized that I have a lot to get done!

In just under a month, I will be leaving for my trip to the UK. I have to get the coaster swap and the apron swap projects done and mailed before I leave. But guess what, I have to start them first!

The good news right now is that the PIF project I have to do gives me 365 days to do it in. I wonder how long I will put that off.

I think I might need to rethink my strategy and do something completely HAND MADE so I can bring it to my part time job with me. I have a great part time job. I get paid just to sit in a chair and greet people when they come in and to answer the phone from 5-9 Monday - Friday and 8-8 on Saturdays. Other than that, I am welcome to bring things to work on or play on the computer. That's how I got started here. Except now there are so many blogs I love to read that all I do is pretty much sit here and read blogs...

I guess there really are all kinds of addicts.

Better

One down (done)

2008-01-23T19:52:00.001-06:00

My first completed projects of the year.

Poor Kim, she popped in the other night just as I finished her scarf and had her hat on so I made her mug for a picture so I could put it on here. I warned her first that I was going to. My camera has been acting a little goofy but you get the idea.

Thanks Kim for letting me post your picture!

PIF Question

2008-01-23T12:48:00.000-06:00

I posted about about a Pay it Forward exchange earlier and Granny Lyn wants to do it too. Does anyone know what happens with this type of exchange when no one else wants to play with us?
We are both new to this blogging and swapping and exchanging thing so hopefully some of you nice seasoned people who come here occasionally can help us out.
Thank you - good day. (My daddy says that to me when he hangs up the phone sometimes he just says The End)

Let's don't forget...

2008-01-19T17:49:00.001-06:00

I signed up for this apron swap too. This is the end of me signing up for things for a while. At least until I get everything done I have signed up for...

All 9 weeks of the quilt a long

2008-01-19T17:17:00.000-06:00

are now cut out in little pieces waiting on me to put them back together. I suppose since I knew what all of the pieces were going to be, I should have cut all of one size at a time but NOOOOO I didn't think of that. Instead, I cut them out one week's block at a time and it took me what seems like forever but really it wasn't and now it is done.

As I was cutting yesterday, I realized that the blocks from the directions on the quilt a long
all had a light background fabric. The fabrics I had were prints and solids. I stressed out a little bit and then went to a white on white piece I bought last week and got it in the washer and dryer to use. I must have thought about this all night long. I was wide awake at 6:00 AM on a Saturday off wanting to get started on this.

I look at the white on white (which I really like but it is a HUGE piece and I hated to cut it up) and then I remembered. There is a flickr group for this quilt a long so I went to see what some of the others look like. Beautiful blocks are being made and I decided to stick with what I had on hand. At least until I decided I wanted to add another dimension to the colors and headed off to see if I could find a good deal on some green fabric. I picked some out, looked at the pretty one I wanted to buy but didn't, put the green back and left without buying it (but I did buy a couple of other pieces that I looked at last week and didn't buy, it's ok they were REALLY on sale this week). I headed back home and finished cutting. I do wish I had the green and now I want to go back and get it. I must be nuts.

Did you notice I figured out how to put the link on here all by myself? Linda has helped me so much with getting this blog started. I really appreciate all of the help from everyone. At least if it works I did...

I'll get the hang of it someday.

Quilt a long progress

2008-01-18T18:58:00.000-06:00

I was supposed to go out of town this long weekend but those plans got changed. Since I had already scheduled time off from both of my jobs, I decided this would be a great time to make my quilt a long squares with Amanda Jean. We are on week 9 and I am just starting (shhhhh).

I have been collecting fabric for several months (ok years) like most of you, but I saw some the other day that I REALLY like and thought I would like to use it for the quilt a long. I am SO proud of myself. I got up this morning, went to the fabric store, and talked myself out of buying that fabric that I think is so pretty. I always think it is so pretty, that's why I have so much of it. I reasoned that I would have to go home and wait while I washed and dried it, left the store and went home and started cutting out my blocks and taking pictures of my progress. I love the choice I made and think it will be every bit as pretty as if I had bought the other fabric ( I'm sure I will buy it at some point though).

I hope to be completely caught up by the next time I post and have the pictures to prove it. I am excited to finally have the time to do this.

Thanks Amanda Jean for doing this little bit of fun so I could join in!

I get another stamp on my passport!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-01-17T07:56:00.000-06:00

My wonderful daughter D and her wonderful husband S and my wonderful grandson M will be leaving in a few weeks to live in England and they are flying me there to celebrate our birthdays! D and I have birthdays 2 days apart. They made my flight arrangements last night and I am so excited! I have never been there and I am really looking forward to a great vacation. What a great way to start my next half century!

It's been a busy week

2008-01-12T13:48:00.001-06:00

I finished another project.

I made a hat (knitting loom) for my friend Kim. She loved the one I made for baby X and said she wanted a red one. I love the yarn I used for her project. It sheds (a lot) but it sure is soft and works up very nice. It is yarn bee Paradox in Cardinal which is a red and tan color. I gave her the hat already because I wanted her to have it for her birthday this week and now have decided to make her a scarf to match. I will take a pic of both when I give her the scarf now that I have learned how to add a photo.

I am going with my sister tomorrow to see the Ten Tenors. I am looking forward to this show, I hear they are really good.

Coaster Swap

2008-01-10T17:31:00.000-06:00

I may be officially spinning out of control but I am going to be having fun doing it.

I just joined this coaster swap and hope you will want to join in too.

Pay It Forward Exchange

2008-01-09T20:54:00.000-06:00

I found this on LissaJane's blog

"I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is 'Pay it Forward' by making the same promise on your blog."

Please leave me your e-mail address so that I can get your mailing address from you.

Ok, looks like I now need to learn how to link someone else's blog...

I GIVE UP ALREADY

2008-01-09T20:36:00.000-06:00

I keep hearing that I have my e-mail blocked and people are trying to tell me how to fix it. I just don't see it! I don't see anything that says edit or to show my e-mail. So maybe it will work this way. My e-mail address is danetta@gmail.com for those asking about it. Sorry if I seem dense, I just don't see where to make the change.

I finished something

2008-01-02T17:17:00.000-06:00

I set out to make a hat for baby X yesterday and I did it all in one day. It was just little hat on a loom but I felt very accomplished for not setting it aside. I took it to him this morning and put it on him so I could take a picture of him with it on.

One of these days I will learn to really knit a hat. But for now, the little loom works just fine, especially when I need to do something doesn't require a lot of concentration.

When I figure out how to post a picture on here, I will show you how cute he looks in it.

I need to start today - to find Someday

2008-01-01T10:04:00.000-06:00

I have spent the past several months reading other peoples blogs about family and quilting and cooking and knitting and crafting and just about everything else.

I decided today would be a good day to start a new blog about me and the things I like.

I played with another blog for awhile and didn't really have a clue what I was doing. In fact, I'm not sure I know what I am doing now either. But I do have an idea what I would like for this blog to be about.

I work. Too much. I have 2 jobs. Not because I want to but because right now it is a necessity. I won't work so much. Someday.

I have always been a crafty type of person. I love to sew, embroider, crochet, knit, quilt, scrapbook, cook, read in my spare time. I will have some spare time. Someday.

Last winter, I took a knitting class from a wonderful lady named Lucille who has now become a great friend. I can knit, I can purl. I don't have any idea how to increase or decrease and if I make a mistake, I pull it all out and start over. Lucille thinks I am nuts. I will get the hang of it. Someday.

This fall, I took a quilt sampler class from a wonderful lady named Jeanette. I have always loved quilts and decided it is time I learned to put some together myself. This was a six week class and of course, my quilt blocks are still in progress but I love what I learned from Jeanette. This will be a beautiful quilt. Someday.

I have a lot of questions about these and other interest and I hope to hear from others who share my interests. Someday.