Happy New Year

I really can't believe we are heading into 2009 in a matter of hours. This year seems to have FLOWN by. I remember complaining as a kid that New Years Eve didn't come soon enough. Now I wish it would slow down just a little. My dad always tells me "wait until you get to be my age." YIKES. New Years Eve is always that time for reflection and sappiness for me. I am so incredibly blessed and some times I just take it for granted. The big thing for me this year has been marriage and finally understanding Grandma's comment of it's a lot of give and take. I'm pleased to say I've been married for 17 years and have gone through some seriously rough rough patches. I think that give and take kicked in and we were able to work through it. To me that's a pretty big feat considering how easy it is to get a divorce these days. I'm so glad that I'm married to my best friend.

OK, enough seriousness. My friend Christine came over yesterday to play with the quilting machine. I kept teasing her and calling her a show off. It's amazing to me how some people just step up to those machines and the stitching is so natural. I feel like I struggle with quilting. It could be that I'm my own worst critic, I don't know. Christine did great. She's so excited to come over now and try her hand at some baby quilts.

On the embroidery machine front, it has now gone back to the manufacturer (Babylock). I'm very sad that I got the machine that was made on a Friday or Monday. I have been working like a fool though on the loaner that they sent home with me. There are so many people out there who digitize and make very cool designs. It's been hard trying to contain myself and not spend every red cent I've made in the last 2 weeks on new designs.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve. The plan is to just hang out at home tonight with some friends and play Wii games. Very exciting, don't you think?

Until next year....

We Have a Baby

Christmas was WONDERFUL this year. Grace named the puppy Buddy. Buddy is doing great!!! We are working on housebreaking this week. Thankfully it's warm today. Buddy does great with the cats. They aren't too sure about him yet. I think he moves too fast for them.

Grace and I made a trip to a quilt shop today. We went to Quilter's Station in Lee's Summit. The shop is fun with lots and lots to look at.

Have a great day!

Merry Christmas

This little guy is going to making an appearance at our house. He doesn't have a name yet. Poor thing has led a rough life already and I'm such a sap. Those eyes just suck you right in and you can do anything but go AWWWHH!!!!! I will be sure to share the picture of the first hug when he's introduced to his new owner. I can only imagine the squealing.

I'm on vacation next week, so I really hope to have quilty content again. I have a Dresden Plate top on the frame waiting on me. My hope is to get going on that Friday morning early. Then load another. I'm also hoping to get some quilt tops made. Oh the plans I have.

The new embroidery machine is in the shop already. I'm hoping I didn't get a lemon but am thinking now that I did. The techs can't seem to figure out it's issue. I will be picking up their floor model this afternoon so that I can finish some bags for Brandi. After all the anticipation, I'm really sad that the machine isn't working the way it's supposed to.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas. Be sure to remember the real meaning of the day and enjoy everyone you get to spend the day with.

WHY????????????

I love looking at all the blogs with people's cats sitting so nicely on their sewing tables in baskets. Or peacefully curled up and snoozing the day away. So I must ask why I have the most psychotic cat under the sun? Did his mom drop in on his head? Carry him too tightly by the neck as a small kitten? I have to figure it out.

I know you are looking at the picture thinking Oh he's so cute, he can't be psychotic.

This morning, while getting ready for work, I had to spend extra time trying to keep the crazy cat out of the Christmas tree. First was the drinking of the water, which is meant to keep the tree alive. I felt like I was living a "Christmas Vacation" moment. After I got him out of the water, then I had to fight to keep him from taking the ornaments from the bottom of the tree. I swear it looks like we have a very small child in the house because the ornaments just keep going higher and higher up the tree.

When I sew, psycho kitty thinks its very fun to get up on the table next to me and either eat the thread on the sewing machine as the spool spins. Pulling the pins off the magnetic pin holder is another favorite. The worst part is he takes the pins and then jumps off the table and runs away. Do you know how bad you want to scream when you step on the pin that he dropped? GRRRR.

Thankfully psycho kitty has now found more fun in harassing my husband when he's downstairs riding his bike on the bike trainer. The cat tries to run between his feet as he's peddling. Or the tail flips close enough to get caught in the chain as it's going around.

Sad part, psycho kitty is on kitty Prozac and that doesn't seem to be helping either. Everyone always says how cute he is. My response, which is bad, You want him? I'd be happy to let you take him home. Bad I know, but there are days I would happily pack him up and share the wealth.

Again I have to ask, what is wrong with this cat????

Embroidery and Stuff

I got a few things done this weekend. Below are 2 blankets that I embroidered. I decided that these will be GREAT gifts for the teachers at preschool.



I have a baby shower to go to on Saturday. Burp clothes were on order for the occasion. You can never have enough burp clothes.

I can hardly wait to resolve the thread issues I'm having with the machine. Once that's taken care of, look out. I'm off to the races and plan to start working on quilts and quilt blocks.

Today was spent taking Grace to the eye doctor for a recheck. Glasses need to be changed. After that we went to the dentist for the first time. She did GREAT. I figured why not traumatize all in one day rather than spreading it out.

We went to see Santa yesterday. That was pretty funny because she would NOT sit on his lap no matter how much he coaxed. I'm happy to know my child can be polite given situations she's not feeling comfortable in. She told Santa nicely that she would "prefer" to stand next to him for her picture. Thanks a lot though. Grace told Santa that she wants a REAL PUPPY for Christmas.

Have a great week!

Big Investment

Look what came to live at my house yesterday. I finally made the leap and plan to get a business going the beginning of the year. I purchased a Babylock BMP8 Embroidery Professional. There will be a definite learning curve. Tonight I tried to make lace snowflakes and well they are blue and green. Guess I didn't get the colors set correctly. Oh well they will look pretty on my tree.

I have so many cute kids designs. My hope is to incorporate some of those into quilts.

I suspect I will have some pictures to share by the end of the weekend.

Have a great night!

Finally...

Little bit of quilty content. I worked on this quilt for a lady that I work with. She pieced the top and I quilted it for her and then put the binding on. It's very bright and LOUD. The t-shirts are from her daughter's events.

The good news, I'm motivated now to get back and start piecing and quilting. Hopefully I will find the time I need.

Have a great week!!

Nothing that Calgon and Alka Seltzer Can't Cure

I did it, or we did it. UGH, none the less, we are the guilty ones. Yes, took a sick child to Thanksgiving dinner. I can make no excuses. Discovered after some complaining this morning from one small child and a trip to the doctor that Grace has strep throat. I, on the other hand, have a sinus infection. Oh brother!! Thankfully there were only 5 of us for dinner, but I really hate sharing, especially the yucky germs.

All I wanted to do this weekend was so and visit. The head is too clogged to think and the small child won't leave my side. I guess it will be a good time to just look at pictures in quilt books and snooze.

Have a great weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!! I'm sitting here smelling the stuffing cooking and I can hardly wait to eat. We are heading to my husband's parents house up the street.

I keep sitting here thinking about Thanksgiving and all that I have to be thankful for. I'm so incredibly blessed and seem to forget that completely from time to time (which right now is a crying shame).

• We moved into a beautiful house last year and have some some really WONDERFUL neighbors.
  
• My in-laws live less than 5 miles from us now instead of 5 states away. More of the clan will be moving to the KC area tomorrow, so now we will have even more family members to celebrate the holidays with.
• My husband lost his job in July and was out of work for quite a while. He starts a new job on Monday.
• Grace, Grace and Grace - although there are days I want to pull my hair out, she makes me smile more than I ever have. There is never a dull moment with her.
• My wonderful husband who has taken up healthy living. It's great to see him smiling again.
  
• I sold my first quilt this week on Etsy, which was very satisfying. The site allows me to feed the quilting / fabric beast. I'm thankful that I have a family that understands that quilting is something I enjoy and it makes me happy to spend time sewing.

That's enough sharing, otherwise I could go on and on and on.

Tonight is the big lighting ceremony on the Country Club Plaza. We won't be there in person, but in spirit. I'm sure when Grace gets older we will be making yearly trips down to watch in person.

More Embroidery

Tonights project was the Christmas towels. I'm going to give those as a gift to a co-worker who really decorates for Christmas.

Below is a baby blanket that I got and embroidered. I'm pleased with how it turned out. I made another one for a little boy and put his name on it too.

My hope is to get back to good Old Betsy this week and finish up the quilt that's been have done for ...oh ... 3 weeks or more.

Have a great week.

I've Lost A Week

I haven't fallen off the planet. Somehow I seem to have lost a week. I've managed to get a few things done, although not much is quilt related.

I have some pictures to share.

The first is a picture of the gas station and the price of gas. I'm starting to think that we truly were GOUGED around the 4th of July when the price was over $4. I'm not an economist and would never in a million years claim to be. Hedging on oil though - hmmmm. Yes that picture shows $1.84. Tonight on the way home I saw $1.79.


After work I was able to take in the Blue Valley Quilt guild show. Lots of lovely quilts. I'm going to share 3 of my favorites.

I love the circles. Since I've been working on my inset circle top forever, this one really caught my eye. I like the squares too. Seems like it would great with charm squares.
Last Tango in Kansas. I love Dancing with the Stars so this one really made me smile. The maker did a beautiful job.
I think the name of this was Key Lime and Oreos. I don't know if the picture does justice for how GREEN that quilt really is. This too made me smile. I LOVE the bright colors.
The next pictures is from last Saturday. Grace had her very first sleep over. I joked with the ladies at work on Monday that I'm probably that mom... I let the girls sleep in the tent in Grace's room. We had to shut the door because our crazy cats though it was fun to run and jump at the sides of the tent. The girls would SCREAM and that started to get a little old. I'm sure you can imagine how loud and shrill the scream of two 4 year olds is. I put the girls to be at 9:15, knowing they wouldn't go right to bed right away. 11:00 PM I finally had to go in and holler at them. Grace found a flashlight and was holding it. Her friend was holding the books and "reading" the stories. For breakfast, I got them all hopped up sugar - donuts and french toast sticks. I know my kid took a 2 1/2 hour nap on Sunday. I'm not sure about Grace's friend. I haven't talked to her mom this week, so I hope that isn't a sign. :-)
This week I did manage to get some sewing in. I'm back into my machine embroidery kick again. Probably because I've been working on bags for Brandi, the photographer. I will have 20+ bags done for her by the end of the weekend.

So in between bags I decided to see what other items I could embroider. I think everyone will be getting Thanksgiving and Christmas towels.

I love the pumpkin set I got from Embroidery Library.
Since sunflowers are my all time favorite flower, I thought I would put a border on a hand towel that lives in our guest bathroom. Not to shabby.
I couldn't resist the hand Turkey (Grace term). It makes me smile every time I look at it.

I did some Christmas embroidery too, but I can't seem to find those towels. My guess is that they are in the washer or dryer. That would require me to honestly go look and I just don't want to go there tonight. It might mean I would have to fold clothes and that's NOT going to happen.

While working on bags, I did get binding on a quilt that I found in the cabinet. Guess I should clean / organize a little more often. Oh brother.

I just realized that in my lost week, I missed the election. Try as I may, I couldn't stay awake. Fortunately I woke in time to catch Obama's speech. Gave me goose bumps. Yes we can is now yes we did. We are definitely heading into a time of change.

I even managed to finish a book that was pretty darn good. The Wednesday Letters. Quick read and a feel good book. I'm hoping to find some more time to fit book reading into my schedule. About the only time I have is at lunch and I never seem to make much headway.

Hopefully I will get a chance to post some more pictures over the weekend. If I don't, have a great weekend and I'll return next week.

No Way It's November

Here are a few pictures from Halloween. We had fun. Little to no trick or treaters in our neighborhood. I finally handed the bucket to the last group of kids and told them to divide it up put the bucket back on the porch. I will be taking candy to work to share.

Our pumpkins -

The girls had fun. Here's a few pictures of them hamming it up.
The reason for the title - it's supposed to be almost 80 today. 80 on November 2nd. That is just wrong. My guess is that when the rain rolls in this week the temperature is going to drop drastically. We have shorts and t-shirts on today. My hope was to sew today, but it's just too nice to be inside.

Well, I'm heading outside. Have a great day!

October...Where Did It Go????

I'm not MIA really. I just seem to have lost an entire week and can't quite seem to figure out where it went.

So what have I accomplished? Doesn't seem like much of anything. I did manage to get the Cowgirl's Halloween outfit done. She got to wear it to her preschool party on Friday night. The pictures aren't very good, so hopefully I can take some more on Friday before the tricking and treating begins.

I made the jacket which has fringe on the yoke. There's a pink suede boot and cowboy hat on each side. Sheriff's stars on the top of the jacket on each side. The skirt is out of my head and turned out better than I thought it would. I put fringe down the sides and elastic for the waist. The cowgirl boots were a must. We just need to find the fancy hat before Friday.



Tonight I made the bag below for the Grace, pictured with my Grace above. Her birthday party is Saturday afternoon. I decided that I was NOT going to buy something for her, but would make something instead. Since she's having a Princess party, I thought it only appropriate to put a Princess on her purse. I think I will put some markers and paper in the bag and call it good. My Grace loves to take her purse in the car to outings so she has something to do.



The remainder of my missing days have been spent trying to get baby items together so I can start embroidering them. I have 2 baby showers to attend, so once again, it will be a home made gift. Hopefully I can get moving on those over the weekend.

The queen size quilt is still on the frame. Seems that time has been available to get going on it. UGH. Hopefully soon I can finish that and get it on a bed.

My ETSY site hasn't gone up either. I swear I'm the slowest and am agonizing over nothing. Jump in. I keep telling myself - Don't be afraid little chicken.

Well, if I don't post again this week, have a great Halloween.

Rally and Etsy

This weekend is almost over. Haven't gotten much sewing done. Oh well. I do need to get working on a cowgirl outfit or my name is going to be MUD.

This will be my first and probably last comments about politics. That is one of those subjects that I completely steer clear of. I don't like confrontation regarding politics or religion. Everyone has an opinion and I'm not one to argue about mine. So with that said, I will say I went to the Obama Rally held in KC last night. Great experience. It brought out all sorts of people and really got me thinking. Obama said a few things that hit me close to home, which was good. The Felps cronies from Topeka were out and spewing hatred as usual. The weather was absolutely beautiful. I realized that I really do love living here in Kansas City and it is definitely my home.

Here are a few pictures:

This is the all types guy

I'm trying to get an Etsy shop set up to sell some quilts and machine embroidery. I did take a lot of pictures this weekend. Hopefully I can get that all up and running this week.

Have a great week!!!