Toy Story 3 with Mac & Cheese

And a few Candy Land and Uno games thrown in.
That's how we spend our weekend.
The 4 yr old prince and 2 year old princess came for a visit.
Papa and I had so much fun!
Plus, I was able to get my coloring practice in.
Went for lunch at Mickey D's to use their playground
and burn off some of that energy.
I forgot how fast their little motors run!

Have you seen this Crab-apple Hill pattern
called Berry Picking Party?

This pattern is moving to the head of my line.

The photo doesn't do the pattern justice.
Here are a few of the stitchery patterns.
Wouldn't these be perfect on tea towels?

I stitched this last night while watching
the Academy Awards.
What a boring show.
Bring back Billy or Whoopi!
PLEASE.

Cute-Cute-Cute!If you want to learn more about PhotoShop,
check out Kim Klassen's website.
I just finished Kim's FREE
Skinny Mini eCourse.
I loved it.
The PhotoShop Recipe Book looks interesting.
Going to try it next.

Have you read
Water for Elephants?
Couldn't put it down.
Loved it!

Customer Quilt Show on Friday.
Hope you'll stop back.

OOOO NO, tomorrow is March 1st.
You know the saying,
"In like a lion, out like a lamb".
Keeping my fingers crossed
Stay warm.

A Little of This & That

When was the last time you bought 6 yards of rick rack for 15 cents?
Look at all this lovely bias trim.....
pink and gray stripes,
teal gingham, red and flower prints.
I almost hate to open the packages.
Gosh, I love to go "junking" opps...
treasure hunting!
How old to you think these are?
From the 50's or earlier?
Who knew Fruit of the Loom made rick rack?

I baked this delicious Apple Cheesecake last month
for our St Louis company.
We liked it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
And coffee, of course.

Click on recipe to enlarge and copy.

Here are a couple quilts that I finished recently.
Both where machine embroidered by my talented
customer, Kathleen.

Santa before
and after the "bling".

And look at this delicate cut out work.

Have I told you I have the best,
most patient, loyal customers
in the whole wide world?

Here's what I've been working on, at night,
in front of the television.
I'm a little late jumping on the yo-yo train.
But with this Clover yo-yo maker it's so quick & easy.
Will surprise you with the finished project.
Soon.

Stay warm.
And keep those sewing machines humming.

Free Pattern & A Bargain!

Happy Heart Day!!

Lookey here.
Isn't this just the cutest dang tea towel pattern!
And it's free from....
Debbie at Busy As Can Be

Debbie suggest using a lightweight interfacing or pellon
on the back of the embroidery.
Something I've never tried before.
Makes for smooth stitches.
And no thread shadows.
I'll definitely be using her technique again.

And now for my bargain.

Carpet cutting blades from Freight Harbor.
They fit my Olfa 45 mm rotary cutter
and cut cotton fabric like butter.
The cost....drumroll please....
$1.99 a pack.
In fact, I picked mine up yesterday at the store
and they were on sale for $1.49 per pack.
Sew, let's see $6.99 OR $1.00 per blade.
I can change blades 7 times for the same cost.
Give them a try and
let me know what you think....
I see no draw backs.
Yet.

Oh, and I celebrated a birthday last week.
Lordy, don't make me say which one.

Here is my NO CALORIES birthday cake.
Just Beautiful.
Thank you Peggy Sue.

And now I need to rant a little.
Yesterday, hubby and I went to the movies.
Saw The Fighter,
with Christian Bale & Mark Walburg.
Great movie. Mark is such a hunk.
But I digress.....
It's the COST of admission and snacks!
Afternoon senior price $7.50 each.
We splurged and shared one
soda and popcorn for $12.50.
Shared, being the key word here.
Total $27.50.
That's a lot of Red Box movies
and pop corn let me tell ya.
I know some movies need to be seen on the BIG screen.
Avatar, being one.
But really.
Who will be able to afford to go to the movies before long?
Forget families.

Okay, I'm over it.

Hugs and Valentine Kisses.

Scrappy Sue

Oh WOW, have I been busy.
Machine quilting!
I'm so happy!

I haven't been on my machine for months with this broken arm.
I needed to put a practice top on and just go for it.

These Sunbonnet Sue blocks were rescued from a garage sale years ago.
Waiting patiently to be made into a quilt.
I pieced random strips of reproduction fabrics around the block.
Wouldn't the gal who hand stitched Sue
be delighted to see her quilt finished?
I

Four pieces from my stash were used for the backing.
I can't wait to wash & dry it
to get that cuddly, soft, wrinkled vintage look.
Surely, one of my 3 granddaughters, will take a liking to it.
Can you tell I love feathers?

On my table, the finished Valentine topper.

This yo-yo block, another rescued treasure,
is my usual table topper.

Well, that's my life up to the minute.
To dang cold to go out and about.
And snow......let's not even go there.

Stay safe and warm.

An Inspirational Quilter

WHAT AN INSPIRATION!

Cherries In Winter

What was up with Blogger?

Glad they were finally able to fix the problem.
Got me to thinking.......
what would we do without blogs???
Panic!

There is sew much inspiration out there!
Have you seen the "Apron in A Jar"
Jodi from Pleasant Home posted today?

And Karen from Sew Many Ways idea for a fabric swap?
And while your there check out her sewing room.
To. Die. For.

This is what I have been working on.
I started 2 table toppers last year, luckily it was all cut out.

Candy Kisses
by Sandy Gervais.

The book on my night stand was recommended by
Lori at Bee In My Bonnet earlier this month.
Check out her review.
Recipes with a story.
Loved it.

She talks about this in the book.
Oven Therapy.

I made the phrase into a 5 x 7 for my kitchen.
Just click on image to enlarge and save.
Then print.

Thanks for stopping by!

P.S. Check out the comment left by the author, Suzan Colon!

Tea Towel Edges

I sat and stitched edging on dish towels this weekend
while visiting with Mike's brother & sister in law.
They drove up from St Louis on Friday.
And left this morning with snow falling.

Remember the crocheted pillow case edging

I did last year?
Used the same technique.

The cherry & bee embroidery is from Bird Brain Designs.
The letters I marked with a blue disappearing ink pen.

Here is the blanket stitch foundation which I
stitched only on the back.
It made those cute little cream stitches on the front.
I'm kinda liken it, don't you?

Of course, I had to make a fabulous
chocolate dessert for company!
Brownies with coconut.
Moist & deee-lious.

Quick & Easy to put together!
Click on the recipe to enlarge.

We went to see "The King's Speech".
An EXCELLENT movie.
Colin Firth & Geoffry Rush both gave award winning performances.
I love movies based on history.
Don't you?

Lots of appointments this week.
I hate to drive in snow!
Scares the dickens out of me.
"Grandma sitting" on Thursday and Friday.

Hope this finds you healthy & happy.
Keep on stitching!

Life Got in the Way

I didn't get any sewing or quilting done this week.
Life just got in the way.
I wish I could say I finished up a few projects.....

Sew I wanted to show you a few of my favorite vintage quilts.
And my latest x-ray.
What a combo, huh?

This utility quilt top was found at an estate sale years ago.
The piecer used a large variety of scraps and plain muslin.
Just a simple 9 patch.
I quilted it using muslin for the backing and
it washed up beautifully.
It's on my guest bed and everyone comments
on how soft & cuddly it is.
Simple is good.

This beauty is from Bloomfield IA, hand stitched in the 1930's.
Soooo many 1" squares.

And look at the cheddar gold/orange and green.

This Trip Around the World is quilted
in my favorite overall pattern.
The Baptist fans.
Wonder why they're Baptist and not Methodist?

And I want to show you my latest x-ray.
I've been going to rehab now for 2 1/2 months and
I'm still not able to lift my arm very high.
It hurts like heck!

So back to the Orthopedic Dr I went.
And after one look it was obvious.
The metal plate is hitting my shoulder bone
when I raise my arm.
Poop.
Looks like I'm going to have the plate & screws removed.
I swore that the next time I was "put under" it was going to
include a face lift or tummy tuck! LOL

We are expecting 4-6 inches of snow tonight.
Looks like I will be stitching by the fire to stay warm.

Hope all is well in your world.
Stay safe.
And warm.

January Funk

This is exactly how I feel today
after the holidays.
Exhausted.

My 2 year old granddaughter just couldn't
stay awake another minute!

Do you get the "January Funk"?
How do you manage?

February isn't much better.
My birthday month.....

Here is one of the highlights of my week.
My 10 year old granddaughter
learning new embroidery stitches.

Gosh, I hope she catches the"bug"!


Off to take down the Christmas decorations.
Geezz, it's so much more fun putting them UP!

Stay warm.