This'n That

Wanna Have Some Fun????

2011-09-07T14:28:00.000-04:00

Just signed up for this swap. APP always has such good swap ideas. I'm ready to get started. Here's where you can sign up if interested in a Halloween Tote Swap. http://auntpittypats.blogspot.com/

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-28T15:56:00.000-04:00

First an earthquake. Next came Hurricane Irene. Luckily, my home hasn't sustained any damage. Tomorrow I begin my 3rd year of retirement. Having been an teacher for 26 years, it's still difficult not to not think the new year begins tomorrow. Have a super school year, all you teachers out there.

Earthquake???????

2011-08-23T15:04:00.000-04:00

Frustrated!

2011-08-23T08:18:00.000-04:00

Frustrated!!!!!! why you ask? I joined Aunt Pitty-Pat's Halloween block swap. (Thanks Aunt Pitty-Pat for organizing this swap.) The RULES" said- please have all blocks in by Aug. 20th. Since I knew when I signed up that I was going on vacation from Aug. 13-20th, I started immediately; my blocks were completed and in the mail the first week of August; and just as I expected, nearly half of the participants have NOT sent in their blocks. I think we had at least 3 months to make 13
blocks. On averaage that would be 1 block a week. I guess I must be "old fashioned". A due date is a due date, be it for bill paying, or handing in a research paper and/or a a report at work. Now that I have this off my chest... I think if you sign up for a swap, no matter what it is, and you do not adhere to the timeline, you should not be invited to be a participant in another swap being held by the same organizer. I now wonder if I will have enough time tocomplete a Halloween quilt.

THUNDERSTORM

2011-06-17T18:35:00.000-04:00

Thunderstorm has knocked out power. So I'll not be participating in FRIDAY NIGHT SEW IN. Thank goodness the laptop is fully charged.

I'm Back

2011-06-13T20:43:00.001-04:00

Where have you been? you ask. Working and vacationing. Even though I've retired from teaching I've been doing a lot of ,and I mean a lot of substitute teaching. For the last 7 weeks I have been teaching 1st graders. In March, I spent 3 days in Ft. Lauderadale with a dear friend. This year for Spring Break I headed back to Barbados. The first week I spent with my son, and the second week was spent with my daughter. Of the 2 weeks, 3 days were spent with both adult kids. Needless to say I had a FANTASTIC time. This is my son, Steve, heading out into the world famous surf spot, known as the Soup Bowl, in Barbados.My daughter, Erica, and I went to an orchid garden. Breath takingly beautiful. In May, my daughter and I flew up to Buffalo, N.Y. to attend my neice's bridal shower. Back to Buffalo the first week in July for the wedding.

This was the mug rug I made for Aunt Pitty Pat's Easter mug rug and mug swap

Joined this swap . 5 blocks finished. My theme is Candy corn. I just love this stuff. I can feel my sweet tooth aching.

Participating in Kelly of Charming Chatter's quilt along. I've never sewed 1 1/2 inch squares. Wish me luck. So far it isn't going so well. The white fabric I ordered, White Snow by MODA, isn't a bright white. Went to JoAnn's Fabric to pick up 2 more yards of white. Found it, but the 50% off coupon I took, wasn't valid until Sunday, and I was there on Saturday.

Just 6 more days of school!
Promise to be better at keeping up the blog.

Sewing Party- FINIS!

2011-01-29T16:59:00.000-05:00

5p.m., the party is over and I just finished the heart mug rug! Thanks for visiting. 'Til next time... the word is DECLUTTER!!!!!

Update-Word Up Sewing Party

2011-01-29T15:41:00.000-05:00

The scraps from this heart placemat project made this:

a pouch for my sunglasses.

Here's my next project:

While going through the scrap drawer I came upon a 6 by 6 patch. Thought I just saw this fabric in someones recent project. It was in Kelly's latest tutorial: Valentine hearts. All I need to do is sew on the binding. This will be done by hand. A Valentine mug rug for someone!

Word Up Sewing Party

2011-01-29T14:11:00.000-05:00

Getting a late start. Needed to pick up the Tutto case for my embroidery module.

My word is: DECLUTTER.

My plan is to use scraps from a few projects and make afew small items.

First I'll make an eyeglass or maybe cell phone case, using scraaps from a valentine placemat I made for my husband.

No snacks or movies for me- a strong cup of coffee and some Michael Bublee. Hope everyone is having fun!

WORD UP

2011-01-23T09:10:00.000-05:00

My word for the year is DECLUTTER! Thanks Kelly, of Charming Chatter, for thinking of this wonderful motivator. I LOVE to browse and shop at antique and thrift stores. Needless to say, I don't come home empty handed. My husband had an idea, more like a strong suggestion, one bag of stuff needs to leave the house before one comes in. I'm trying. Filled a bag last night.

Last year at this time I was

on the beach, in Barbados.

My friend, Chris, is there right now. Temperature here, outside Washington, D.C. is 18 degrees. My daughter emailed me to say 83 days to spring break. She forgot I go a week before she does, so that means 76 days for me. Just like last year at this time, a snowstorm is predicted for this area., on Wednesday into Thursday.

Christmas Swap Blocks

2011-01-07T12:46:00.000-05:00

The 11 blocks arrived today. I was surprised to see each block was appliqued. I sent a block using a pinwheel pattern. The theme for my blocks was holly. So the main fabric for the block was holly. I had no idea that the block was to be appliqued. I feel just awful. I guess my block could be the center block! Lesson learned: ask for specifics. Don't assume!

Grethe's Secret Santa Package Finally Arrived!

2011-01-02T08:58:00.000-05:00

A pair of mug rugs and

a pair of placemats.

The mug rugs and placemats were quilted with a snowflake pattern.

I'm glad I chose the snowman pattern vs.a Christmas theme.

Maybe the third time...

2011-01-01T16:30:00.001-05:00

This is my 3rd attempt to make this post. Thanks to Kim for being my Secret Santa. Here is what she made for me.

Thanks Kim.

I also participated in the Crafty Goodness Swap. Want to shout out a THANKS to Kim R. The goodie box was excellent.

Now a public "I'm sorry", to Grethe in Oslo, Norway. She is still waiting for her Secret Santa gift to arrive. I hope the US Post Office didn't loose it or Customs didn't allow it in!

This is the mug rug and mug I sent to my swap partner.

Maybe she didn't like it, because she never sent me mine.

Happy New Year to all my followers.

Time to Catch Up

2010-11-19T20:38:00.000-05:00

Where have October and November gone? I'm supposed to be retired, but this month I have substitute taught all but 2 days. I'm booked to sub until the end of the month. There will be fewer subbing days in December because, I leave for Argentina on the 9th and return on the 18th. My daughter, Erica, asked me to join her on a business trip. Lucky me! I love the summer, and that is the season it will be in Argentina. Imagine, 2 summers in one year.

Tonight is FNS. I need to get behind the sewing machine. Planning on trying out a new embroidery pattern. I would like to use this to top stitch a table runner I am making for a Christmas swap.

All Goals Completed.

2010-10-24T16:16:00.001-04:00

Apple picking - done
Volunteering at the elementary school - done
All goals - DONE, DONE, DONE!

Pics from my Week-End of Leaf Peeping

2010-10-15T20:45:00.000-04:00

Just the beginning of color in Connecticut.

OH! the computer isn't cooperating. More pictures later.

More Finishes

2010-10-11T23:25:00.000-04:00

Back from a great long weekend in Connecticut. Spent 3 days with a my childhood friend, Mary. We were Leaf Peepers. The trees are just beginning to change color, so there weren't many leaves to peep at. We went to the Garlic Festival- yes, GARLIC Festival. Ate chocolate chip cookies with a hint of garlic. So after volunteering one more day this month, and picking apples on Sat. I will have completed all the things on my list. Took oodles of pictures. I'll try to post the best tomorrow.

Finishes

2010-09-21T20:36:00.000-04:00

Volunteered twice this month at the neighborhood elementary school. My side of the garage has been cleaned up and out. Now I have room for more "new junk". Started helping my husband close up the pool. Saturday will be the end of summer at my house. Hope everyone is chipping away at their lists.

Charming Girls Goals for Sept/October

2010-09-16T21:44:00.000-04:00

A little late with this post but, better late than never!
1. Volunteer at my neighborhood elementary school 2 x's a month.
2. Visit my friend , Mary, in Connecticut.
3. Help hubby close the pool for the winter.
4. Go apple picking with my daughter.
5. Clean out my side of the garage.
6. Do nothing one day per month, but relax!
.

What A NIGHT!

2010-08-21T16:32:00.001-04:00

FNSI was nearly a disaster. Didn't sit down to sew until 8:30 p.m. The embroidery component on my machine was not cooperating- AGAIN. I tried everything I could think of- even changed computers- 2 hours later, as I was removing all the cords I noticed I hadn't disabled the foot pedal. UGH !!!!!!!! Unplugged it, and re-plugged the other cords. Crossed my fingers, prayed and pressed the blue start button. IT WORKED. FNSI ended Sat. morn at 1:30 a.m.

Embroidered spider webs here and there. See the upper left section of the tote in this picture. The fabric already had webs on it.

Feeling Better and ready to SEW

2010-08-20T20:04:00.000-04:00

My back is almost back to normal. Lots of lying down and watching TV. FNSI has begun. Fabric chosen, cut and now to begin sewing. I'm going to add some spider webs to the Halloween fabric. It already has webs, but the webs I'm adding will actually be the quilting for the tote. Will post pics a little bit later.

A Slow Week

2010-08-19T09:11:00.000-04:00

All that fabric and nothing made. WHY???? Went to the supermarket on Monday, bent over at the waist to pick up a deli sandwich from the cooler and heard a tearing sound. Knew immediately all plans for this week would be put on hold. Sitting, walking and lying down are okay. It's getting up from a sitting position, or rolling out of bed that kills. To make matters worse, yesterday, my husband did the same thing to his back. What a pair we are!

Friday Night Sew In is this Friday., Aug. 20th. Thank goodness I can sit and sew. Here's where you can sign up, if you want to participate go to:.
http://handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com/ /sign up-for-august-Friday-night-sew-in.

More Fabric Pics

2010-08-05T12:15:00.002-04:00

A mesh backpack- maybe I can get this done before heading to the Outer Banks at the end of the month.

Now, to find all the pink fabric.

More fabric to stash

Some Halloween fabric
and a little bit more of Christmas!

Now, to find the time!

Have Fabric-Have Patterns- Need TIME!

2010-08-04T22:15:00.002-04:00

Per Sheila's request, here's some of what I bought last week-end.

FARMERS MARKET by RJR Fabrics

I plan to use this with The Fruit Ladies fabric I bought last year, with Farmers Market. I saw these fabrics worked up as a quilt.

Holly Jolly Santa and

Makin' New Friends Fat Quarters

I don't know what I'll do with this fabric.

Choir Angel panel and 12 Fat Quarters

More pictures another day.

Shop Hopping

2010-08-03T20:22:00.000-04:00

Last Thursday I drove to Williamsburg to catch up with a friend. We had a lovely lunch and did some shopping. I continued on to Virginia Beach for a visit with my son. But, before heading to his place, I stopped at What's Your Stitch'N Stuff. If you are ever in the area, take a side trip and give them a visit. I guess I didn't spend enough. I must have angered the Quilting goddess. Just as I was leaving the store it began raining. It rained so hard I couldn't see where I was going. What would be no more than a 30 minute drive turned into a 2 hour drive. The road I needed to be on was flooded for 20 blocks plus. I had to head back from whence I came, and circle around and approach fromm the East.

On Friday, I headed out to visit 2 more quilt shops. One in Chesapeake, VA and the other in Portsmouth, VA. I couldn't find either of these shops. The directions I printed out didn't get me there, nor did my GPS. CURSED!
Saturday was spent on the beach, watching dolphins, and soaking up the rays. Headed home after an early dinner with my son, Steve.

Monday put me back in the car. This time I was quilt shop hopping with my friend, Joy. We went to a shop in Purceville, VA called Web Fabrics. This was another adventure. Joy thought I was driviing, and I thought she was driving. Neither one of us had directions. She sort of knew where we were going. After a stop at the 7-11, in Purceville, for a look at the phone book, and a call to her husband we were on our way. She thought it was on Main St. It was several blocks off of Main St.
WEBFABRICS.com

116 North Bailey Lane
Purcellville, VA 20132
1-540-751-2069
$200.00 later...
Stopped for lunch at a small Greek/Italian Deli. I had a great shopping day.