buckets of fun.....

These are fast becoming addictive.... It only took me a couple of hours this afternoon to make all three of these. Aren't they cute?? I didn't do the patchwork, but really like them just the same....

Look what ended up in the black/white one....



ha, ha it's a toilet paper holder....

The next one I make will be used to hold my stitching on the couch. I think it will be a bit shorter and longer/wider..

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

UPDATED - I made another one this morning. I made it wider and longer so it can hold my redwork on the couch while I stitch. It is perfect! I used leftover scraps from Granddaughter #1's quilt plus a FQ I won on a blog (which I can't remember the name)... QUILT TAFFY!! I remembered...shoot and I just won them....

Another giveaway alert....

This blogger is having a giveaway....cool fabric, wonderful pattern.....what more could you ask for...

Today, I will be working on this.... maybe I will have a photo tomorrow...

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

I am a Fancy Winner.....

Look at that!! I have been deemed a Fancy Quilter.... Jackmans is a local fabric store and maybe when I signed up for their newsletter I should have proofread my name... LOL

And just take a look at that lucious fabric!! I was a winner over at Quilt Taffy and won these fabulous FQ's. The colors are yummy...

And this morning I won a package from Willow Valley Store. A pattern and cool wood buttons. Can't wait to make these...

Off to take the Rock Star for a haircut....think I will take a before and after photo for you. He says he is getting it cut short. I won't be holding my breath...lol

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

UPDATE -

He did it!!!

I had to sneak the photo op during the cut. YIIPPEE, SKIPPEE....

So Proud.....

She's a NURSE......Yea!! Our daughter graduated last night. She was also named "Clinical Student of the Year". The same award her sister earned two years ago when she graduated from Nursing School. I'm thinking we don't have to worry about our old age...we should have lots of help changing our depends and making sure we don't get out and wander off...

She asked her hubby to pin her last night. He has been very supportive. While the graduates walked across the stage, one of the instructors read a little thank you letter from each of them. Our daughter thanked her Dad for being her "24 hour on call pharmacy support" (he's a Pharmacist), then at the end....she said...."A and O, Mom a nurse and things will be getting back to normal now".

She has a week and a half off before starting her new nursing job and will be sitting for boards sometime in the next few months...

No sewing news. The second basket block is traced and ready to start tonight.

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

Just summer stuff....

Nothing exciting going on around here.. This weekend DH did some drywall and sanding in the garage. Of course, being a guy, he didn't clear out the garage first so now there is a fine white powder all over everything. Tomorrow it is supposed to really cool off, so I will get out there and sweep and clean. We will have to prime and paint in the next few weeks or when the heat is gone....My car registered 103F yesterday afternoon. That is just ridiculous.....I am not a big fan of summer. I would love to have spring and then right into fall.. I will even take a mild winter with snow and no ice. I wonder if that place exists in real life...

Sunday, my sister and I went to see MaMaMia....If you get the chance GO...If you don't get the chance GO ANYWAY...by yourself if you have to. I was amazed at the talent, the songs, watching Pierce Brosnan sing(ok, he can't sing, who cares?). Don't leave when you think it is over. They start the credits, but then the fun begins with a concert by all of the actors IN SPANDEX, no less!! two words - HIL ARIOUS!!!! We laughed, we cried, we sang (mostly to ourselves, but not always).
This is one movie I would pay to see again. I would buy the DVD to watch over and over....it's wonderful..

On a sewing note, I have finished block one of my redwork basket quilt. I had two blocks done in color, but really like the red better. This is A Tisket, A Tasket . I should be further along than block 1, but other things got in the way. I have signed myself up for this as my personal series at Quilt Guild and need to take a block every month to be entered in a drawing. That should be do-able...



I brought home two charity quilts to bind. Hand sewing a binding is one of my favorite things to do. It's so relaxing to sit in the front of the TV and mindlessly stitch.....

I have joined up at Linda'sfor her bag/bucket swap. I have my partner and my idea. Now to get going...I have until September, but really want to do something special so need to think this one through.
My partner has given me no special color choices, which makes it even more difficult. Do I go bright? Thimbleberries? Primitive? soft pink?
Ughhhh....decisions....

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

good eats, good shopping and some red flashing lights....

I was so good to take my camera with me....not so good at taking photos with it.LOL

We started off right....at Cracker Barrel!! LOL Gotta get some food in ya to shop...



yummmy chicken pot pie for 2, and chicken strip salad for 1.. Then we were out of there and to here....



Got some lovely fabrics...

Abbie's Christmas quilt fabric...



fabric for a quilt guild charity quilt...


Polka dots to go with upholstery cotton for a purse....


and FINALLY, these are MINE...ALL MINE....I will make myself a lap quilt....


Then off to AppleTree Quilting Center where Bev bought some Doggie Christmas fabric and Veronica bought a book. Me?? Nothing jumped at me...

It's now 2pm and we are already tired...are we old or what??? lol

Driving home...talking...laughing... then BOOM!! Off to the left a sheriff turns on his lights. Veronica quickly pulls over to let him pass. NO NO NO...he is pulling in behind her!! What did she do?? NOTHING!!! He walks up to the car, glances in at all us old women and asks for her insurance card and license.. Asks her "Did you see the speed limit sign for the construction area?". "no", she says. "where did you get on the highway?" he wants to know. "um...back there at the other highway".
"well, you should have seen all of the 35 MPH signs for the construction area, I clocked you at 56" uh oh She was NOT going that fast. We were coming up a hill and she had slowed down cause we could see the dang construction workers out there and the little STOP/SLOW sign.... He takes her stuff, says "wait here" and goes back to the car. We now start talking like a bunch of crows.

He won't write you a ticket.
Whens the last time you had a ticket?
oh, that long? He won't write you a ticket.
What is taking him so long?
I never saw a 35 MPH sign.
Me neither.
I saw a "no center stripe" sign.
Me too, but no 35 MPH sign.
He's taking too long for no ticket.
What IS he doing back there.
Someone once told me you aren't supposed to turn around and stare at the cop in the car while he is doing whatever he is doing. It makes them mad...we sure don't want him mad.
Oh, here he comes...

SIGN HERE!!! Oh, shoot...a ticket...DANG NAB IT!!

we very s-l-o-w-l-e-y drove off.

Sorry, "V", we all agree there shouldn't have been a ticket. A warning, yes, maybe, but not a ticket...very unfair...

Well, I am off to the sewing room to get something done today...I'll be sure and walk slowly....



Happy Sewing,
Nancy

giveaway alert....

Quilt giveaway at Old Red Barn Co..

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

Quick Tip.....

I am out today shopping so I thought I would leave you with a quick chocolate recipe...

From Dizzy-Dee, chocolate cake in 5 minutes.

Enjoy.... I will be back tomorrow with great shopping photos....

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

A day of finishes and errands.....

Thought I would post early this morning as I wait for my underwear to dry...

This morning found me outside in my PJ's at 7:30am attempting to take photos of the latest quilt finish. Most of the neighbors had already left for work so I thought I was fairly safe. Oh, "bye Laura, have a great day at work, it's just crazy me taking photos in the morning light, yes! in my PJ's". Hmmm...she must be running late, she is usually gone by now. The pattern is TicTacMo by Terry Atkinson. This is first grandson's Christmas quilt and #3 of 6 finished. I love the scrappy binding. I had enough fabric left to make the binding for this one and the next one which is identical except where this one is golden yellow the next one is darker green.I love this quilt. Pat Two Borders (not her real name and no she isn't a Native American) did an overall star pattern on it and she did a wonderful job.

I dropped off Christmas quilt #4 for first granddaughter for her to do. I can't wait to get it back. She is a fairly new quilter, in fact this TicTacMo is quilt #116 that she has done. As much as I love her quilting and give her name out all the time, I hope for my sake she doesn't get so busy that I have to wait forever. Hear that?? Pat Two Borders??? I don't think she reads my blog, but just in case....

On to errands today.... Need to get the blinker fixed on my VW bug. Hope the cops aren't too diligent this morning. Luckily I only have to make one right turn to get to the dealers where it will take them 15 minutes to change the bulb and get to charge me $40...yea for foreign cars with great gas mileage..

Then home to pick up the Rock Star to finish errands in his non-air-conditioned car so he can practice driving and get his license. When I have to check HIS work schedule in order to plan a shopping trip with friends then it gets serious....lol Tomorrow Bev, Veronica and I are heading to Columbia to Satin Stitches and then to Mexico to my favorite quilt shop (after Patches of course) Homestead Hearth. Will take the camera and loads of photos to show. I might need to take the quilt with me as I bought all the fabric for it there. Do you think they will want to see it?

Well, I think my underwear is dry so off I go to the dealer...(cops be aware, if you stop me for no right blinker I will cry ....) I have been driving for 40 mumble, mumble years and have NEVER had a ticket!! I would like to keep it that way...

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

The birthday dinner story.....

Earlier this week I asked DH what we were doing Sunday for my birthday.
DH "nothing, why?"....
Me "will you make spaghetti and I will call the kids to come in for dinner Sunday".
DH "oh, not spaghetti. that takes all day.. how about hamburgers and hotdogs."
ME "ok, whatever. Is it ok if I call the kids and ask them to come"

Now it sounds like he doesn't like the kids to come, but I was only asking in case he had already made some other kind of plans. I call second daughter and say....

"hey, you all want to come for dinner Sunday?" Second daughter says "yea we will be there, but how did you know?". ME - "how did I know what?" OH!! ROTFLMAO.....
She kept the secret for a total of 3 and a half hours....I was laughing so hard, son-in-law could hear me across the room.....She finally caught on and was PISSSSSED at herself for letting me know it was already planned.... While I am laughing, DH calls her on the other phone and says, "hey, Mom is going to call and ask you for dinner Sunday....." that's all he gets out before she says "Too late...I let it out of the bag...." He calls oldest daughter to tell her, who calls second daughter to tell her.....TOO LATE....MOM already knows!! LOL


So all the grandkids came...

We had DH famous spaghetti sauce...

meatballs.....

french bread.....

and great cake......


So all the kids and grandkids are gone and I am sitting here quietly with a glass of Lambrusco...Ah.......
Janie gave me an award... Thanks Janie!!!


Janie gave me an award... Thanks Janie!!!

These are the rules -


1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link to the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you have nominated.

I have never been good at rules. And how could I possibly pick only 7 of the 89 blogs I check every day...lol

Tomorrow is ERRAND MONDAY!! I don't normally run errands on Monday, but DH cell phone is dead, clothes are at the cleaners ready to be picked up, I have to call and negotiate with the insurance company and I would like to sew a bit...

Maybe I will get the last two sides of binding sewn on #4 Christmas Quilt. If so, there will be photos....

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

A great Saturday.....

DH and I got up early this morning, set off to pick up my sister and we all went down to Soulard Market. Soulard is an open-air market that has been in St Louis since forever... 2 long aisles of fresh veggies, fruit, home baked goods and even a small pet shop. Today we got a great surprise as we pulled through looking for a parking spot. (and we found a great one in the shade!) There was a flea market/antique market/junk sale in the park. My sister is buying a condo and was in the market for some cool stuff, so we looked around. She found a great bench for her bedroom and a wrought iron mirror for her entryway. The bench is all wood and she will paint it and cover the cushions. We bought some great veggies and on the way home, DH stopped at the drapery discount store so we could look around. She found some great green/cream toile to cover the cushions and we hope there is enough to make a couple of pillows for her bed. i found some remnants for purses.

Of course, then I had to come home and blanch the green beans, carrots and asparagus. They are all safe in the freezer now...

Dh started his famous Spaghetti sauce for my birthday dinner tomorrow. It was supposed to be a surprise, but someone spilled the beans... story tomorrow....

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

Contest Alert...

Lyn over at Blue Bird Quilts is haveing a great Christmas in July contest. Stop reading here and go....

Oh wait, come back later this weekend. It's my birthday...let's see what happens.

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

How does your garden grow???

Mine doesn't. I have to confess to a pale green thumb. I have grass in the yard and two bushes that were planted last year that are still the same size they were when we planted them. The neighbors up the street (we call them "The Gardeners") are out every weekend either dumping dirt, spreading rock or planting something. Now the neighbors across the street are getting into the act and putting in flowers and mulch and rocks. WHATEVER!!! I have one indoor plant that amazingly has lived for almost 10 years now. Obviously it has a very strong survivor streak....

So where is this post going?? Last week I was sitting on my front porch, talking to my daughter on the phone, when my neighbor brought over these....

To give you a perspective, they are the size of my little finger. So cute. I came right in and scrubbed them clean and YEK!! They were bitter... Guess I should have cooked them and added some honey?? But they are cute!!

ME? I will be first in line at the local Farmers Market July 17th when they finally open. I will take the Winfield Ferry across the Mississippi (as soon as it reopens from the flooding) and go to the great Farmers Market in Brussels. I will also take another trip to Soulard Market in downtown St Louis (hey sis, what are you doing this weekend?)

In the meantime, I am headed up to the sewing room to start putting the binding on the latest Christmas quilt just back from the quilter. She did an amazing job with all-over stars. Then need to piece the back to the next one to take to her on Friday. Maybe I'll have a photo to post tomorrow....

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

I'm......back.......

What a crazy couple of weeks. My hard drive finally died completely so I called HP and the lady said "hmmmm...they really should have sent you a new hard drive the first time it failed". "Now you tell me???"..... I must say, they are fast. I had the hard drive the next day... I quickly found the small phillips screwdriver, removed the old hard drive, popped the new one in, plugged it in and .....nothing.... Um....the hard drive isn't formatted. and No cd's to format it... HELLO!! Of course, it is the holiday here in the states, so I sat and waited until Monday when the cd's arrived and then spent all day formatting the computer and getting my RSS feeds back and getting email set up...
So...that is behind me....

Today was sewing day with Anne and Miss Nancy. We had show-n-tell and I had my camera with me....Good for me remembering my camera...of course I didn't remember I remembered my camera so no photos... LOL

Anne is working on a pinwheel quilt and got two blocks done, Miss Nancy is working on TicTacMo and I think she might have made a strip set... We don't do a lot of sewing, can you tell? We talked, looked at some magazines that Miss Nancy's son brought her from Australia when he visited last month, we ate lunch..Yummy panini sandwiches....and then talked some more. I worked on the latest block from Lynette Anderson's Noah's Ark BOM. Cute elephants this time. There is a new photo on my sidebar. Click on it to take you to Lynette's blog and the BOM link is right under her photo...

No photo today.....

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

a quickie....

Just popping in from DH computer to let everyone know that Sharon is having a 4th of July give-away....

I will be spending it driving to my daughters house to stay with biddy-baby while they work.....their baby-sitter called in sick....

So, Happy 4th....Keep it safe out there......

Happy Sewing,
Nancy

Stay-cation.....

I guess I am being forced to take a stay-cation. My hard drive died a final death (I actually heard the last sigh) and I am now waiting on the US Postal Service to bring me a new one all the way from Canada...

I got the cutest stuff in the mail today, but you will have to wait until next week to see photos. DH deleted the camera software that I installed last time the old hard drive died. I sure am glad this is under warranty for the next 11 days....I think I might have to buy the extended warranty...

I have some housewifey ironing to do, will make a dessert for dinner and I guess I will now have time to add binding to the quilt I picked up last Friday.

Happy Sewing,
Nancy