Monday, August 30, 2010

Rest in Peace

I had a plan today. First, I ventured upstairs (gasp!) into kidville to do a little cleaning up. Those who know me well will be amazed by this. Upstairs is not a place I visit often! After I had cleared out dirty clothes, trash & dishes (dishes??? what were they doing up there??? don't ask), I remade Leigh Anne's bed (hey she's only been gone for a month!) and cleaned her room up real nice so company can stay in there next week! That didn't take long, honestly, as she has taken everything back to Arizona with her & no longer considers herself a resident of this household (sob!).

After I completed this, and a couple loads of laundry, emptied the dishwasher & cleaned up the kitchen, I rewarded myself with lunch out with a friend (and a stop at the post office, keep your eyes open for your prize Beth!). Then zoomed back home. Next up? SEWING! Oh & some ironing as the shirts were beginning to pile up.

I plugged in my iron, turned my ipod to one of my favorite podcasts & prepared to set to work. But alas, when I returned to the ironing board, the iron was COLD. The light was OFF. This. is. bad. Unplug iron, replug. Nothing. Fiddle with buttons. Nothing. Plug into a different plug. Nothing. Dang. This does not fit with today's plan, now does it? Sigh.

Phone rings & I take an unplanned trip to Ally's school with meds & a pep talk. Hmmm as long as I'm out, I might as well go get a new iron, right? I mean, it would be silly not to. Right? The nurse & Ally suggested a pink iron. Well! You won't believe what I found! I think it's very cheerful & it works great. I'd show you a picture of the wrinkled shirt pile, but they are all neatly ironed! Hooray! So, I had a little detour today but was still productive. Whew! All is not lost.


Hope your Monday has been equally happy.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

winner

Thanks to all of you for the good wishes you sent on my 200th post & opening of my etsy shop! I have gone to Random.org & chosen a winner.... & the lucky number is 4.... Beth! Send me your address Beth so I can send you a pattern or the fabric basket. Wish I had something for each of you.

The kids went back to school this week & I have been working on a tshirt quilt, my witch blocks for the swap, & a few other projects. I will share them all with you very soon!

But right now I am off to sing with the church choir! My other love... have a good week!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

my 200th post and the Big Announcement!

200 posts in 2 years! Not bad huh? I never thought I'd do this many & here I am still enjoying it. & here you are still reading.... it's been so much fun to get to know other bloggers! That's the best part of this I think, community.

But you're not here to celebrate with me, are you? You're here for the big announcement! Ok, ok... here goes....

I finally opened my etsy shop! I know, I've been talking about doing it for ages. I finally got my act together & did it! So now if you want to purchase one of my original patterns, or another handcrafted project, you know where to go! Here are some pictures of things you will find there for the grand opening.....

zipper pouches for all the kids treasures...



 Fabric storage baskets for all your projects (they make great Easter baskets too!)...

 And your very own copy of both of my original patterns...

And of course, every celebration should come with a giveaway, don't you think? Leave a comment here by next Wednesday, August 25. Tell me what your favorite item is in my shop. Or suggest something you'd like to see there, or something I could do to improve it! I will draw a random winner from those who comment. Your prize will be your choice, one of my patterns (whichever you like) or this lovely basket....

Good luck to you! & thanks for stopping by to visit. Next week I will be celebrating the beginning of the schoolyear for my kiddos.... lots of crafty time ahead!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

which witch?

I've been working on these "Which Witch" blocks for an October 1 swap at the quilt store. Here they are all ironed on & ready to stitch. Which Witch is your favorite? Not that it matters. I don't get to keep them! But I was just curious. Now comes the fun of stitching them down. I have one done already (one hour of physical therapy & 45 minutes at the orthodontist!) & I will start the second one tomorrow at PT. You know me, I'm blanket stitching them all by hand. My choice. Crazy? Maybe. But I have always enjoyed hand stitching.


This is post number 199! That means that the next post is #200 & it comes with a big announcement (no I'm not pregnant, that's not even funny... or possible!). Stay tuned.... & vote on your favorite witch!

Friday, August 13, 2010

Horsing around in the kitchen

This is what my kitchen table looks like when Ally is working on a masterpiece..... She got a new cupcake apron for her birthday!
The request for today's birthday party was a horse. With very specific color requests...

Isn't it gorgeous? I think the birthday girl will be so pleased. Nice job Ally!
You rock!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

home again, just in time for a birthday!

Ally is 14 today! In just a couple of weeks she will start High School! How did that happen? Not that she's not ready, she is! She's smart & funny, brave, creative & ready for High School. Happy Birthday sweet girl!


I just got home a couple days ago from Arizona, where I helped Leigh Anne get moved into her first apartment.

She & her roommates did a terrific job putting together all her IKEA furniture. Happy Junior Year to her!


While I was there, Mom & I had some fun in the local quilt shops. My favorite new to me shop was Quilter's Bee in Peoria. What a fun shop, nice ladies & lots of cool finds. I hardly bought anything, but had so much fun looking! We spent some time in The Quilted Cactus near Mom's house... love that shop, we drop in there every time I visit. I'll be shipping some of my patterns off there in the next couple of days too!


I dropped off 2 quilts at the longarm quilter on Sunday. Steve's college quilt and my World as it should be quilt. She called me yesterday & they are FINISHED! Seriously! Three days & both quilts are done. And I know they will be beautiful, she does such wonderful work. So now I just have to wait for Mom & Dad to come in September for a visit, bringing my quilts home! ::::tapping foot impatiently::::::


I'm coming up on 200 posts! What can we do for fun on my 200th post? Hmmmm I'll let you know soon!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

2 years!

Two years ago today I posted my first blogpost here at ellyn's place. Wow! In some ways it seems like yesterday. In other ways, a million years ago. So much has happened in that time!


Two years ago I was sending my firstborn off to college for the first time. This week I helped her move into her first apartment in preparation for her junior year! Child #2 has filled out his application to come to ASU next year too.... & child #3 is starting High School. Crazy.


Since I started this blog, I have met so many awesome crafty friends from all over the world. I officially started my company, and published my first 2 patterns! More exciting ellyn's place patterns & designs are in the works. Stay tuned!


Right now I'm having a great time creating things with my mom. We've visited 3 quilt shops in 2 days (2 of them new to me). As soon as I return home from my latest Arizona adventure I promise a post with pictures, links & news. I just wanted to pop in & say hi, yes I'm still alive! & thanks for hanging out here all this time.