Just Another Day

Ok, after much deliberation (procrastination) I finally had to dig in to do something with 'the bag'. I avoided it as long as I could - but this was a commission work - it had to be finished. Normally, it would have gotten thrown in the 'to be discontinued' stack for a garage sale (or worse). Just to remind you all, here is the bag as first presented.




Now, it's important to remember that she saw it at this point and loved it all except the handle (which I didn't like either but didn't know what else to do with it). So with lots of deliberation and advice from my blogging friends - here is the finished product to be delivered to her tomorrow.







Much better but this will never make my list of favorites. I fought it from day one. I should have stopped and regrouped but wanted to use this fabric (and of course this was the last I had). We'll see what she has to say tomorrow.

Tomorrow the quilting frame comes out of storage to sandwich and stretch the queen sized quilt that will go on our bed. I'm thinking I will hand quilt the borders and tie the inside. I only need about 150 chocolate buttons (cheap). This is only a small portion showing the corner of the borders. (I can just see the quilting police turning up their noses - but I am not a traditional quilter or anything else for that matter.)



I have decided to use my disappearing nine patch table topper as my 'first' free motion quilting project. I'm not sure if I'm quite ready but if I don't jump in the water, I'll never learn to swim. Speaking of which, I'm ready for summer and the pool.

Big T and I went to see Celtic Woman in concert on Sunday. It was our Christmas gift from both daughters and families. What a great Christmas gift. If you haven't had a chance to hear them, make the opportunity if possible. When it was over, I called our two daughters to say thank you and wish them a Merry Christmas (it was our Christmas present, remember). The daughter in California was out and I left a rather lengthy descriptive message of motherly appreciation and ended it with "Merry Christmas" from Mom and Dad. Then turned to Big T and said that wasn't D#2's voice mail message, they must have changed it. Following a strange look from him, I rechecked Caller ID and found it was one number off. So somewhere in San Diego is someone trying to figure out this weird Christmas message from some crazy lady.

Hugs - Marie

Life's Little Lessons Continue

The Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show was Saturday and it was absolutely fantastic. I loved every minute and step of the show. I oohed and aahed all over the convention center. For the first time the mix of traditional and contemporary art quilts was about 50 / 50. It was great because my friend likes traditional and I love the contemporary. Couldn't ask for better than that.


And now for the photos - WRONG! No photos - you can all hate me now. But I did learn a valuable lesson. You cannot take pictures if the little thingy that holds the pictures is full. Duh!! (How old do you have to be before you quit learning the basic lessons in life?)


And the vendors - oh my goodness, the vendors. For every quilt hung, there had to be a vendor booth somewhere. We were there for about 6 hours and only walked once around the entire show. No time to go back for repeat visits. I now have enough projects to last me the rest of the year (or more).


Back to current day - this is a great idea, plan and idea that went wrong. I have a commission to design and create a special tote bag (envelope style) for a beautiful soft leather covered Bible. The fabric, quilting, style - all is fabulous! But the handle destroyed the whole look. A BAD IDEA!




So now it is back to the drawing board to see if I can resurrect the look with a different style handle. She loves the bag - just not the handle (and I can't blame her one bit). More on this in a day or so.


The appointment to find out the results of the sleep study and some other tests is tomorrow morning; book club in the afternoon; and Mahjong on Thursday morning. Lots going on this week.


Hugs - Marie

Quilt Show

Tomorrow is the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show in Virginia. A good friend and I are going with a 'quilt bus' group from Raleigh. Neither of us know anyone else, but we anticipate having a great time both on the bus and at the show. I think it's about a 4 hour bus ride one-way so I better find something to do. (My little bag 'go bag' of hexies comes in handy at times like this.)

I'll try and take photo's but we all know I'm not much good at remembering to do that. It should be a long day - we leave at 6:00 and get home around 11:00 or so. I better charge my cell phone and, oh yeah, the camera too. So much excitement!

Hugs - Marie

Sleep Study and A Winner!

I'm not sure why they call a 'sleep study' a sleep study? Because there is very little sleeping involved in it. A real 'sleepover' would have been a lot more fun. I finally dozed off and this little voice announces from the ceiling - 'good morning, it's 5:00 a.m. and time to get up'.

Needless to say, I arrived home at 6:15 a.m. and went to bed for another 2 hours. ( I had to get some sleep before going to play Mahjong.) I felt like a walking zombie the rest of the day.

We went to D#1's for dinner Friday night - we had homemade pizza that was just plain excellent.

She makes a pizza crust in her bread maker that is just perfect. (Don't tell her especially, but she is a much better cook than I am - but boy can she make a mess in the kitchen! Maybe that's my problem - I am not messy enough in the kitchen.)

I won! I won! I won!

I just won a pattern in Carrie's latest giveaway. She is just one of the most generous people I know. Stop by her blog and tell her that I sent you. She is so talented. We met online through our blogs and then met up at a quilt show last spring. The pattern is called 'Twitterin' by Prim Point and combines quilting, applique, coloring (with crayons) and embroidery. I am so excited.

Thank you Carrie and Prim Point.

Hugs - Marie

Grown Up Sleepover. . .

What does mature, responsible person take to a 'grown-up sleepover'? (I know, you are asking yourself - what kind of mature, responsible person has a 'grown-up sleepover'. Yes, you are - I can read your lips from way over here!)

After much thought (not so much) and hours of preparation (more like 5 minutes) - here is the final result of what is going with me.

I just have time for a final check prior to leaving the house for my destination.

Pillow - check (can't sleep without my own pillow)

Cell phone - I may want to call someone in the middle of the night

Sewing Case - Of course I may feel a need to work on my hexies in the middle of the night

E-reader - I have to find out the ending on my story

Keys - I have to get there, don't I

Jamies - I think I better take these for a change

Sox - Warm and cozy (thank you Gerry)

Glasses - I don't want to miss anything

Monkey - I'll need to think of missing Big T (he threw in the container of Flarp)

Crown Royal - 'Nuff said - some things are self-explanatory

Oh yeah, I have to be home by 9:15 a.m. Friday morning so I can join our weekly Mahjhong (how do you spell that?) group.

Hugs - Marie

Disappearing Nine Patch

Deep, way down in my AP (Avoidance Pile) I found this 'disappearing nine patch' table topper complete but for the quilting and binding. I had forgotten all about it. It is still not high on my list, but it deserves to be finished. Then I can decide what to do with it.

I do like the colors so I'll reserve final judgement until I finish the quilting. (I know - not exactly traditional colors but it's me.)

I also completed the borders on my 'blueberry, raspberry, and chocolate ice cream' quilt. I am enjoying the play between the bright blues, hot pinks and chocolate browns. I have invited several pieces to join us in auditioning for the backing, but we are still waiting the arrival of just the right piece.

This is a better close up of the fabric colors and patterns in case any of you are thinking of trying out.

I can just hear the quilt police rolling their eyes, moaning and hoping no one is looking over their shoulders at this - but again, I like it - it's me. It does need a good pressing so it looks it's best for the upcoming auditions. I'm not sure I have ever been called traditional - wholesome yes (in 10th grade) but not traditional.

Chicken Mole (there is supposed to be a little accent mark on the 'e') in the oven and rice on the stove top - refried beans ready to go on the table.

Hugs - Marie

Design Wall

This is what is on my design wall. I have been working on this off and on while I was under the weather. The top is finished finally (much larger than shown here) the size of a queen sized bed. It needs to be sandwiched and quilted. This is an original design by me (I hope - I have never seen it anywhere else).

Thanks for everyone's warm wishes and comments while I was 'out ill'. I think I am about ready to hit the ground running again now. To all of you who wrote and asked how I was feeling - THANK YOU!

This was the week of mail goodies at my house. First there was . . .

then a day or so later . . .

(I have read these from cover until I have them memorized.)

and then this 'cute little mini mouse' - look no tail (and it's pink, pink, pink) - she's to go with my new laptop with the oversensitive touch pad . . .

but best of all were these beautiful, hand knit sox in this lovely shade of bright green with the delightfully orange cuffs. I have never worn hand knit sox before and I may never pull them off - well maybe once in awhile to be washed (maybe). They are so warm and comfy. Thank you Gerry - you are the best. Please go see Gerry's work and tell her I said to drop by.

And finally, I dug the 'disappearing nine patch' table topper out of the Avoidance Stack and have that basted and ready to quilt. I'm trying to decide whether to hand quilt or machine quilt. Photos of that another day.

I have decided that I do not have UFO's or Phd's - I hide things in my 'Avoidance Stack'. . I have bored you with enough photos already

Hugs - Marie