Just Musing

2009-03-30T17:48:00.001-07:00

Ewww, I forgot to mention the most important part....Susan is made from a Mary Tressler pattern, clothes are by me.

2009-03-30T17:36:00.000-07:00

Hi all. First my apologies for missing last week. I have been working 12 hour days and by the time I get home, I just chill for a couple hours and go to bed so I can get up and do it again. Anyway, not wanting to miss 2 weeks here are some really poor pictures of my entry into the Dollstreet Discworld Challenge. This is Susan, Death's adopted granddaughter and her sidekick is the Grim Squeeker. Okay, I am no sculptor but I thought he turned out cute enough. My DD and I took these pics as we were going out the door (ala all the stuff on the table, bad lighting, etc, etc) to deliver her to Judy Skeel who will see them safely to AFIC at the end of next month. Judy is going to take pictures and email me some good ones, so only those who check the blog will see her till I get those good pictures. I am not announcing her to anyone else right now. I haven't even checked the blogs I follow for a couple of weeks!! Between working and trying to make the deadline for this doll....maybe now I can play catch up. Hugs to all.

March 16, Photo a Week

2009-03-16T17:55:00.000-07:00

Here is Annie again, all done and sitting on the antique trunk that DH's dad hand painted, on top of my quilt that I made called Bed Bugs. She is all done and looking pretty cute sitting there.

Bed Bugs has cute bugs and "real" looking bugs embroidered in the center of each square and bugs in the fabrics making up the squares. I love all the happy colors and polka'dots in this quilt. I made it several years ago, but what the heck, sharing is sharing.

DD and I went to a quilt show and here are pics of a few of the quilts. Some folks do just lovely work don't they. We had a nice afternoon strolling thru the quilts and there were many very antique ones there too. Then a nice little snack. Kyleigh liked the "bear" quilt. She was too cute with her plastic adult glove on so she could touch the quilts.

Spring is coming!! Crocus are blooming. I am so happy. Now, why didn't I take a picture of those crocus? Duhhh.

2009-03-09T19:30:00.000-07:00

Hi all you weekly picture folk. I have to apologize for missing last week. One of my granddaughters went to Akron Children's Hospital last week for breathing issues. So, needless to say, trips back and forth and working left little time for internet, email, or anything else. So here are some pictures from my wonderful week.

Sick Sidnei at Akron Children's. This was first day she was off of oxygen.

Kyleigh visiting (with bear of course) at Akron Children's.

Kamden, first steps.

Brandy's lastest quilt that she made for a friend's daughter.

This was the topper. I was working on a challenge doll for a challenge at doll street. Had all my parts sewn and stuffed and just before bed started painting the face. I left everything on my worktable. Got up in the morning to find that Kyleigh had decided to do her own artwork on grandma's doll. I was most unhappy with her to say the least.

Then tonight Kamden broke the arm off of my 6 month old glasses. GEEEEEZZZ!!!

Here is to a better week, starting tomorrow, I hope.

2009-02-23T17:02:00.000-08:00

This week I have been fighting the flu, again. Seems like with 3 kids working in restaurants and DH working at the prison it just keeps coming back. So, I have been focusing on finishing...part of the resolution. I only worked on bit on the doll from last week. Got her dress together and her hair made. Pinned it on and her little yo-yo apron. I unstuffed her arms and legs and gave her some bead joints. Still need to make her pantaloons and sew all down. But at least this week she is a bit closer.

I showed you all some fabulous yarn that I bought a while back and paid a ridiculous price for. I also told you that I had picked out a poncho with sleeves and started knitting it. Well, I stopped. There is a pattern in Annie's Attic of Herrschners, or someplace (I can't find it right now cuz I was going to put in a link) for a poncho with sleeves that I really like. Problem is you have to buy the kit not just the pattern. I finally decided that it was silly not to make what I really liked with that yarn and quibble over $35 for a kit against what I paid for the yarn. So, that is on hold. I found this freebie pattern and thought this was pretty cute just to throw on over your shoulders. It is really just a long rectangle, but looks pretty cute on the model. So, I started that this week, in between working on finishing stuff.

I also worked on my cathedral window quilt and got all the blocks done that I have made so far. By next week, I will sew what I have into rows and take a picture for next Monday. Then I need to go buy a bunch more muslin and do it all again. I'll probably put that off a bit to continue on my finishing stuff.

Here is an embarrassing list of UFO's. I have at least one challenge doll to make before the end of March. A wizard that I started last fall. Two class dolls that are each in some phase of completion, pajamas that are cut out for GD, a shirt for me that needs a sleeve and hemmed (that is it! and I let it sit). Then I went and bought fabric to make myself 4 shirts for work so even tho they aren't UFO's, I need to get them done.

It's also been a week of worrying myself sick about the economy and the state of everything. I have finally decided that worrying about things I really have no control over is really counter productive and I am just going to deal with what I can and pray.

So, good friends, God bless for the sanity you represent and have a great week.

Feb 16 Phot of the Week

2009-02-16T17:47:00.000-08:00

In keeping with my resolution for this year, I am trying to finish projects I have pushed to the side for whatever reason. This doll is one of the projects. I started this so long ago, I can't even remember. I don't do many rag dolls, and at this point you have to really use your imagination. I think I would prefer her in pink, but guess I'll just finish her in these colors. She had long very straight arms and legs, which I really didn't care for, so I unstuffed them and am going to add bead joints so they will bend...or not. I really think she has a cute little face tho. Her dress isn't sewn together, so I just sort of laid it on her and sort of gathered her skirt. She has a little apron made of yo-yo's. Perhaps next week she will be done. Been doing a lot of babysitting tho and that leaves very little time for crafting. Oh well, guess they are only little once and I best enjoy it.

Feb 9 Photo a Week

2009-02-09T16:46:00.000-08:00

Here is Kamden really trying to get out of baby jail. This pic just cracks me up every time I look at it. Probably isn't really that funny, just strikes me that way.

Okay, I just couldn't resist more grandbaby pictures. This is Kamden having his first tootsie roll pop. (left) All in all, this was about as messy as he got which I thought wasn't too bad. He didn't leave one bit of it either, just the stick. DD and I lifted him, seat and all, upstairs to the tub and gave them both a shower. He wasn't too thrilled with the shower part. A bath is ok, but forget the shower.

These are 2 quilt blocks that I agreed to make for Rivkah. She saw an antique quilt with this pattern and has always wanted to make one.

If I got it right, she got a lady at a

quilt shop to help her draft a pattern to make the blocks. I guess she had been collecting fabrics for the tails for quite some time. Well, she put out a call for help in making the blocks, realizing that it would take too long to do them all herself. Being a quilter, all be it not a really really skilled one, I volunteered to make 2 blocks for her. They have to be mirror imaged too. I mean, really, how hard could it be? Well, let me tell you.......it can be pretty darn hard. This block was not easy and I can honestly say I will never make another one. I cut them oh so carefully and marked the 1/4" SA on every piece, sewed them by hand, then by machine. I mean, after all, I wanted them to be perfect for her. Well, they aren't perfect even after all that, and I just hope they are usable for her quilt. I would feel horrible if I wasted her fabric. Anyway, they are done, (THANK GOD) and I can put it all behind me. I even threw the pattern away, and I never throw away a pattern. That is how sure I am I will never do it again. LOL Have a great week everyone.

Monday Feb 2

2009-02-02T18:21:00.000-08:00

My friend Rob sent pictures of 3 of his cross stitch that he has done. The Lord's Prayer was done for his mom and the eagle for his dad. I believe they also have the wolf. Just thought I would share some more of his work. It is snowing here....again....but at least the newest storm seems that it will miss us and go farther east.

January 31

2009-01-31T20:54:00.000-08:00

Here we are, the last day. I posted pics of my mom from back in the day so I thought I would end this with a pic of her now. She hates to have her pic taken and you can rarely get one unless it is by surprise as this one is. I love this pic of her. Doesn't she have the most beautiful blue eyes. Here's to you mom, I love ya.

2009-01-30T20:27:00.000-08:00

Here it is, last day eve. Now, tell me aren't we all going to kind of miss this, at least a little bit. Surprising how challenging it can be to just take and post a picture a day for a month. I have enjoyed it tho and enjoyed visiting everyone else's blog too. Really kept us connected. This is DH with our babies and our babies chillin in front of the fire. From left to rt on DH is Maybe, Pudge, and Abbey. Abbey is Pudge and Maybe's mom. You guys already met our big boy Ernie in an earlier picture with my granddaughter. Just also wanted to take a minute to say thanks for all your lovely comments on the bear. My friend, Rob, who did the fairy cross stitch also wanted me to thank everyone for all the lovely comments on his cross stitch. Guess that is all till tomorrow.

Thursday Jan 29

2009-01-29T18:07:00.000-08:00

First off, thank you all for your great support about my weight,health and exercizing. I am really stoked to do this. I was s'posed to meet with the trainer today, but my street didn't get plowed so there was no way. Tomorrow at 11:00, then no excuses!!

This is my pic for today and it is not a new pic, but ultimately seems like this is about sharing and not just a new pic. Besides, there isn't much out there but snow to take a pic of, I haven't even had any birds lately. This is one of my favorite creations and it is sold so I am glad I have the pics. This is the Ice Fairy, The Polar King and The North Wind. The bear and the doll are cloth and the wind is needlefelted. The wind even has long willowy eyelashes, not sure if you can see them. I love the bear and the wind and the fairy is ok. She isn't my best, but she will do. Just thought I would share them and I am desperate for a picture. LOL

Wednesday Jan 28

2009-01-28T20:44:00.000-08:00

We got dumped on today. Snow, snow and more snow. Level 2 snow. I am trying to get a picture that gives you an idea. This is the house across the street with my DD car in front and yes there is a road in there. It was so deep I even had trouble in my 4WD pick up getting through it. I think we got about 12" but haven't heard the final tally. Most business closed early and the mall didn't open till 1:00 pm, if they opened then. We already had about 12" on the ground....so yippee skippee, more white stuff. But it does sparkle so pretty in the sunlight or the moonlight.

This is Kamden my GS. I just posted this cuz he is so darn cute and into everything. He is just a couple of weeks away from walking. We get so tired of chasing him and saying NO KAMDEN that we put him in baby jail. He is learning a whole new vocabulary now. LOL

Everyone had such nice things to say about my yarn. Here is a pic where I started knitting it and a pic of the style I am trying to make...kind of a poncho sweater. I thought it would be great to throw in the car and put on over a shirt on a cool summer night. That is the goal, but we shall see if I can do it. I do so love the colors yellow, purple, blue. Happy colors that go with about anything.

Now for the biggie. Here is a picture of me that I am hoping will become my "before" picture. I have been fighting my weight for about 10 years now. You know, all the menopause stuff (sorry guys) and I have low thyroid (which I am being treated for so it shouldn't matter anymore right?) and slightly high blood pressure. I didn't really talk about any resolutions but I really want to get this weight off this year. I am just not comfortable. I also am not brave enough yet to tell you what I weigh, maybe after I lose some. Anyway, I work for the hospital here and they have a fitness club, kind of like the Y, but they also use it for rehab with trainers and doctors etc. Course, we get a wonderful discount as an employee. Last week I went and joined and this Thursday I meet with a trainer to get me started. Now, this is costing me money (incentive #1). I have told you all about it (incentive #2) and I want off blood pressure and just better health in general (incentive #3). Once my dr. said I needed to exercize an hour every day. I was like, where did all the crap about 3 days a week go? Anyway, I really watched my diet and I did treadmill for 30-45 min (as fast as I could walk, which is pretty fast) and pilates for 1/2 hour a day for a month. I gained 5 pounds. Talk about discouraging!! Let's hope for better results this time. So, wish me luck and hopefully I can post progress pics & numbers. I would like to lose at least 40 pounds and by june would be extra nice. Till tomorrow. I think I have talked your ear off today.

Oh, one more detail.....I got the pictures to work thanks to everyone's helpful hints.

Tuesday Jan 27

2009-01-27T18:05:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody! I am posting early tonight. I have been trying to figure out how you guys get your pictures in different areas of your dialogue. Every time I try to do that, when I bring the pics in they just come out at the top. Oh well, maybe someday I will figure it out. Today, I have a picture of this fabulous yarn I bought about a year ago. It is wool and hand dyed. I paid a ridiculous price for it, but hey it is a once in a life time thing. Anyway, I really wanted to make a poncho out of it but I wanted a poncho with sleeves. I finally found a pattern for one, but it is done all in garter stitch which I really don't care for in this yarn. So, I have decided to do it in stockinette and see if I can figure it out. Anyway, if and when I finish it, I hope it fits and I think it will be beautiful. I went downtown today because the store I bought it in is really quaint and was in the refurbished carrousel district. To my shock the store is gone. So, I took a picture of two murals that are painted on the sides of buildings downtown. One is a mural of the town and the other of Johnny Appleseed. I guess he spent a lot of time here back in the day. We do have several apple orchards around here. Also, I am still trying to get info on Mickey Mouse, but the guy that everyone thinks will know is in Hawaii...must be nice. Also, about those cacti, they are huge, as in 6' and more!

2009-01-26T17:07:00.000-08:00

So sorry I missed yesterday. Hope that doesn't disqualify me. I was sick. The 9 month old grandbaby was sick and his mom was at work so guess who got stuck holding him all day? I was just to pooped to compute. Today I am posting some pictures from Kingwood Center which is 47 acres of mansion and gardens right in the center of our town. Mr. King left it and a trust to take care of it. The gardens are fabulous and here is a link if you would like to read more about it. http://www.kingwoodcenter.org/ I am posting a couple of pictures from the greenhouse where they have cacti. You certainly don't see cacti like this anywhere but a greenhouse in this neck of the woods.

Saturday January 24

2009-01-24T21:38:00.000-08:00

Today is not much of a post, but after seeing this armature yesterday in photo, thought I better change it and try again. I think it looks better now. What do you all think? It was cold here again today, 15. Took 2 of my granddaughters roller skating for the first time tonight. They did great and had a lot of fun. My 6 year old put those skates on and took off like she was born in them. My 3 year old had the kind that go over your shoe and they don't go so great but it did giver her the feel of rolling and keeping her balance. Maybe next time we will try real skates. Lord how long has it been since any of you been on a pair of roller skates? Let me tell you, I found all kinds of muscles that forgot what they were there for.

2009-01-23T22:01:00.000-08:00

Today was a quiet day. Temps got almost to 40 degrees today. Felt like a heatwave. I looked oustide and there were all these kind of big black birds flying in the sky. I mean gave you that feeling of the The Birds. Remember that movie? I tried to get a picture and these are the best I could do, but they were everywhere.

I worked on my cathedral window quilt and restarted my Libelle (Sherry Goshen class on DollStreet). I'm glad I took this picture. Her armature looks proportioned right when I look at her, but this picture makes it look like I need to give her a bit more torso length. You guys are so right about a picture really showing you what is wrong.

Thursday Jan 22

2009-01-22T21:22:00.000-08:00

Here is my other find at the antique store. Once again, this is only a top and needs completed. This is a crazy quilt. I could never see myself making a crazy quilt either. First of all, doing "random" piecing would drive me crazy. It would probably be a good exercize for me, but I just don't do "random" well. Second is the embroidery that is usually done on one of these quilts. I don't do embroidery, at least not by hand, by machine is another thing. This one has what I believe is called a feather stitch done around everything. I think you can see it in the close up of one of the stars. I really like star quilts, so I especially liked that the "crazy quilt" formed a star pattern. The entire thing is done by hand. The stars were crazy quilted onto a piece of foundation muslin. I took a picture of the back of a star so you could see that. I did some research and from what I can ascertain, crazy quilts were tied instead of being "quilted". Does anyone out there know anything about that? They also, traditionally, would have more exquisite fabrics in them, like silks etc. This one doesn't seem to have that. I feel like it was pieced with scraps and cut up clothes. No reason to believe that, just something I feel. I do want to finish all 3 quilt tops, but find myself hesitant to start. I want to do them and their original makers justice, so I keep hesitating. Usually I quilt by machine, but kind of feel that I should do it by hand since they did the piecing by hand. And just finding the right fabric for the backing.....lots of decisions there. If I do get brave enough and finish one I would for sure post it, but in the meantime I am happy I have them and appreciate them and can share them. I just feel that it honors the makers and gives them a bit of a legacy even if we don't know who they are or what their story was.

Wednesday Jan 21

2009-01-21T19:43:00.000-08:00

I went to my favorite little antique store and found two new quilts. But, since this is a picture a day, just sharing one today and saving the other for tomorrow. This is a double wedding ring, another pattern I would never do......there are those circles again, and do you see how tight that point is on the print going into the rings? Whew, not for the faint of heart there. Anyway, this one is also hand pieced and a top only. I hope to finish it too. The edges are scalloped, don't know if that is evident in the pics, so that means it will have to be bound with bias, that will be a challenge in itself. Also, notice the yellow? If anyone has a bit of fabric that looks like it would come close to matching, there is one of those tiny squares on the edge that is torn. If I can't come close, then I'll probably replace it with something obviously different. Once again, wouldn't it be lovely to know something of it's maker. That is a lot of work there. Tomorrow, pictures of my other find.........

Comment on Jan 20

2009-01-21T19:38:00.000-08:00

Yes, there is hope that she may go back to her art some day. My oldest DD grew up and never had any interest in sewing or cooking. Now, she loves to do both. I never would have figured that. We use to tease her that she couldn't even boil water. So, maybe age has something to do with it. We can only hope.

Tuesday Jan 20

2009-01-20T20:18:00.000-08:00

This will be short & sweet tonight. I worked 9 hours today and babysat from the time I got home till now. Sometimes you just wonder if it is worth their mom working. Anyway, have to do it again tomorrow so I need to get to bed. This picture is of a drawing my youngest DD did back when she was in high school. I so wish I had the talent to draw. She also sculpted a really awesome dragon in high school, but I don't remember getting any pictures of it. Anyway, she doesn't ever draw or sculpt anymore and, from someone who doesn't have that talent, I just hate that she wastes it and doesn't do it more. K, till tomorrow............

On the Tall Guy

2009-01-19T18:54:00.001-08:00

I talked to my mom and she doesn't remember his name. She said that Gray's (Gray Drug--do you remember those?) brought him in for a promotion. He was famous for being so tall. She says that she and her girlfriends took him out on the town that night and that they had a heck of a time getting him in the car. Sorry that is all she could remember. She says it was a looooong time ago.

2009-01-19T18:40:00.000-08:00

It's been a really long day. I left at 6:30 a.m. to go to work and just got home at 9:45 p.m. My DD had minor surgery to help her pass a kidney stone, so I work at the hospital then sat up there all night. Yuck. Anyway, everything went fine, now we just wait for it to pass I guess. The picture of the house has an icicle from the gutter to the ground. I could not get any closer or else I couldn't show how long it is. I think I win on size for an icicle here. This is my neighbor's house and I sure hope it doesn't ruin his gutter. The entire gutter is ice. Course, there is my DGD again. She wears this princess dress EVERY DAY ALL DAY and we are all so sick of it. It is poufy at the bottom and she is forever knocking things over or something with it. It is a good tool tho when she is bad. Instead of time out she has to give up the dress. She put this gettup on with the sunglasses and put the sunglasses on her Princess Pony. Okay, sick of the dress or not, it was too cute not snap and share.

Sunday January 18

2009-01-18T19:38:00.000-08:00

This is Ohio State Reformatory, which is no longer used as a prison but has been taken over by a historical society and they give tours. I think the architecture is neat, very gothic and the woodwork inside is gorgeous. It is the highest free standing cell range (5 or 6 tiers of cells high) Originally they did use it as a "reformatory". The grounds around it are park like and families were encouraged to come visit and have picnics etc with their inmate family members. At that time, inmates were taught trades like carpentry so that when they re-entered society they could be productive. This was also a working farm, worked by the inmates, and fed all Ohio prisons, back in the day. It has been used in several films, most extensively in Shawshank Redemption. To a lesser degree in Tango & Cash, Harry and Walter Go To New York, Lock Up, Air Force One. They also claim that it is haunted and a couple of those shows on TV that go trying to prove hauntings have been there, but I don't believe they found any proof. Needless to say, I did not get these pictures today....look at those lovely blue skies. So, in lieu of more snow pictures, I am trying for something you might find interesting.

Saturday January 17

2009-01-17T21:37:00.000-08:00

Do you believe we are already over half way thru this month? I cannot believe how fast time flies. I was looking for a photo to share with you all today since it is still nothing but white outside around here. I barely left the house today, just to take kids to work and back. So, I am sharing some really old photos with you today. These are pictures of my mom. She is just a tiny thing, 4'11", size 5.5 shoe and could buy clothes in the kids dept. She, of course, hates that because kids clothes are really not her style. I always got a kick out of the photo with her and the tall guy. I think he was someone the store she worked in brought in as a promotional thing and I don't remember how tall he was, but they look pretty cute together. The other is just an old black and white of her that I always liked. She is a living example of dynamite coming in small packages. A couple summer's ago someone drove thru her front yard and she got in her car and chased them down and made them come back and fix her yard. She was 67! I told her she was crazy and lucky. Gotta love her tho.

2009-01-16T21:23:00.000-08:00

I am sitting in my "sunroom", which is where my computer is and my teeth are chattering. We have been heating with electric heaters because our furnace needs a $400 repair and most of this winter that has been fine. But with this cold right now....NOT. During the day I keep a heater in here because it is also where I sew, but at night it goes up to the bedrooms, so I am shivering while I make this post. I was not inspired by anything today to take a picture of because my world is still mostly just white and it is all beginning to look a bit boring. Sometime in the last couple weeks I mentioned about my BF getting in a car accident, that luckily didn't cause any serious injury, but boy did she get some doozy bruises. I got her permission to post one of her bruises, which is on her stomach. I don't think I have ever seen a bruise like it before. They say this was caused by the seatbelt. Now, that is a wicked bruise. K, I am ending now and heading for the heat.

Thursday Jan 15 Photo

2009-01-15T19:46:00.000-08:00

Today, as forecasted, was horribly cold and I am still sick with a head cold that makes me feel like I am in a fog all the time. Had to go to the grocery as my lovely babies (see above) were out of milk and that about took all my energy for the day. So, here are 2 of my grandchildren, the 2 that live with me and I thought they looked so cute, they are a perfect photo of the day. Little Kamden is in the tub and looks to be having a grand time and big sis, Kyleigh, is helping mom scrub him down.

Carla, thanks so much for the ideas on how to attach some bird food to my tree. There are pine cones up the street, although right now I doubt I could find a one of them under the snow. I am going to do this tho. Course I went out today and needed new bird food and forgot to buy it. Sighhhhhh. I don't exactly know how I managed to spend 250 at the grocery today and forgot flour, sugar, lemon juice, kool aid, bird food......and that is just what I have managed to remember I forgot so far.

Here is a little funny for the day. I opened my cupboard (which is against an outside wall) to get a glass and the darn thing was almost frosted. Now that gives you an idea how cold it is out there. You Canadians put up with this kind of cold a lot don't you? Can't figure how you stand it. Here is to everyone keeping warm.

2009-01-14T20:18:00.000-08:00

More SNOW!!PICTURES!! I can't help it. We are under a level 2 snow whatever and Thursday our chill factor is s'posed to be like 35 BELOW zero. The roads are horrid and my DH is not finding his snow blower all that much fun anymore, but I still can't help but appreciate the beauty of it all. The lit tree is in my back garden and we put it up for Christmas, but I like looking out at it and left it up. I had visions of attaching food for the birds to it but so far have not figured out a good way to do that. Anyway, it just looked so pretty out there tonight that I took more SNOW PICTURES. The bird fountains are just for an idea of depth. I have no idea how much we have gotten, just that it is LOTS.

January 13 Photo

2009-01-14T20:07:00.000-08:00

I know, I am a day late (and a dollar short, ha ha) I was so sick yesterday I just did not have the energy to post. I had mentioned earlier about our downtown being restored and that I would try to take a few pics. These buildings are 3 stores. The Coney Island Diner has been a part of downtown as long as I can remember, (and I can remember a looooong way back). It looks just the same as it always has and has the best coney's anywhere. When I was young, like grade school (60's), we used to go downtown and spend the day. There was Penney's, Sears, Wards, Neisner's (5&10 with a counter lunch area) Woolworths, just to name a few. I can remember having the whole family grandma and grandpa, their 9 kids (my aunts & uncles) and the grandkids (me and my cousins--and there were a lot of us) going to Coney and eating. This is where the antique store is that I found my braids and my quilt top. There aren't as many stores downtown now, but I do love that they have restored things the way they have.

January 12 Comments

2009-01-14T19:52:00.000-08:00

Romona, the fairies are by Maria vanScharrenburg and you can see both of them at the following link on page 2 www.needleworkshoppe.com/lanarte . By the way, my friends are very down to earth and just plain wonderful people. I am so lucky to have them both in my life. For instance, my DH does not buy me a mother's day present because he says "I am not his mother", and my kids, up until recently never seemed to hold a job long enough to buy anybody any presents. So, several years ago Amy and Rob started buying me a mother's day present. Well, needless to say, that almost brought me to tears. I think the first year was a miniature rose bush that still blooms every year in my garden. That is just the kind of folks they are.
Judi A, your comment "you must be a wonderful friend to deserve such a lovely gift!", really touched me. I had never looked at it that way...I always thought what great friends they were to make that for me. I never thought of myself being a wonderful friend to deserve it. Thank you for that revelation and one doesn't diminish the other.

January 12 Photo

2009-01-12T16:54:00.000-08:00

This is my best friend Amy and her hubby Rob. The picture above is my Christmas present from them and hubby is the one that stitched the picture. Isn't she just a beautiful fairy? I just love this picture and Rob does beautiful cross stitch. There is a companion piece to go with this one and I told him he would have to stitch that one too, since every cross stitcher has their own style. He just laughed. This is one of the nicest Christmas presents I have ever received and I can really appreciate all the time he had in stitching this for me.

Also, to everyone who says my quilt is "lookin good", a big THANK YOU.

January 11 Photo

2009-01-11T20:01:00.000-08:00

I had a great relaxing day today. Even tho I had to babysit 2 of the grandkids they were quiet today and I watched movies all day and worked on my current project. I think in a post not long ago I talked about the cathedral window quilt I am working on. The top picture is "a block". It takes four 9-1/2" muslin squares to create that block alone. The second picture is just a close up and the bottom is all the blocks I have done so far. They aren't sewn together, I just placed them so you could get an idea of the overall look of the quilt. It takes a LOT of muslin to make one of any size at all. The muslin is all sewn by machine, but the inserts are set in by hand. I find it really relaxing when I am sitting watching TV. I am sure, just like most of you, I need to do something when I am sitting and watching TV or riding in the car etc. I hate to have idle hands. The first time I saw a cathedral window quilt was at a friends house, about 15 years ago. I think her grandmother had made it and I spent a lot of time looking at it trying to figure out how it was done. I never could figure it out, but went to the library to learn how to do it. At that time, I only found 1 reference to cathedral window quilts and some really brief instructions. I am not on any timetable with this thing, just work on it whenever and put it aside if I want to work on other things. Have a great week everyone, since tomorrow starts a new one.

January 10 Photo

2009-01-10T17:40:00.000-08:00

Saturday, SNOW DAY!! The first picture is just to show you how much snow we got and I took it at 9pm so it is a bit dark. The next picture is my crazy neighbor who is outside grilling tonight, cold, snow, dark. He does this ALL WINTER LONG. I tell him he is crazy all the time. But, when I went over to take his picture, it really smelled good. He is grilling deer meat hamburgers. I have never eaten deer meat hamburgers and they smelled really really good. I kind of like how the camera picked up the snow flurries in the air. The next couple of pictures are of my son and 2 granddaughters who we took sled riding today. We had great fun even tho we weren't very good at steering the sled. Came home from that and DS made meatloaf and mashed potatoes for supper then we took the kids out for ice cream. Perfect day, time with family and good friends. What more can you ask for?

January 9 Photo

2009-01-09T17:15:00.000-08:00

Today's pictures are some items I have picked up at garage sales and antique stores. The pic of the girl is pottery and I got her at a garage sale for a quarter I think. The hanger on the back is gone but otherwise she is perfect. There is something about her that I just love. She sits in my sewing room watching me work.

The quilt was found in an antique store and is just the quilt top and is done with just two different fabrics. It is completely hand sewn. I have visions of finishing it at some point. I really like the double pattern you see in it especially with just two fabrics and I do not piece circles. The piecing isn't perfect but it is pretty close. I wish it had had some other info or a signature, but it did not.

The braids I found in a box that I thought was a box of cards in an antique store. I opened the box and there was a note inside that it was found in an attic at an estate sale with the braids inside. Makes me think about the girl that had them cut off...who she was, how old she might have been when she cut them off. I plan to use them as hair on one of my dolls at some point.

I did not see any of my birds today, must not have been looking at the right time. But, I will keep trying.

2009-01-08T18:58:00.000-08:00

P.S. The bird looks much better, even blurry, if you supersize the picture.

January 8 Photo A Day

2009-01-08T18:43:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know this is not a great picture but I still like being able to see this bird just taking flight and how well you can see his wing. So his face is a bit blurry....maybe he is Amish and doesn't really like his face in a picture anyway. This pic came from me trying to get at least one good pic of one of the 4 cardinal mr and mrs I have at my feeder throughout the day. I got some decent pictures, but a red cardinal with a red barn birdfeeder behind him just doesn't really do it. Darn things would not go sit and pose somewhere with snow as their backdrop. This is day 2 of trying to catch their picture. Maybe tomorrow. I think cardinals mate for life and I love to sit and watch them in gloomy or snow laden winter because the males look so magnificent against that backdrop. The poor females are just kind of blah and it is fun to watch them because the male will eat and the female is sitting nearby in a tree or bush patiently waiting till he leaves, then she eats. Guess she hasn't heard about women's lib....course I think we bit off our nose to spite our face a bit on the women's lib thing. I mean, I don't have any desire to go off to war, I never really felt like I had to have a career even tho I did, I LIKE having my door opened for me and for hubby to do "man" things. (that loosely translates to anything I don't really want to do....lol) Like when I get hubby in the kitchen chopping up stuff he reminds me that being in the kitchen is "woman things" and I let him know that when you wield a knife like a chef, then it falls under "man things". Along with car washing and cleaning, trash, mowing......etc. Yes I am spoiled and I do not mind one bit, but I do appreciate him for it. Well, who would think a dumb conversation about birds would go here, but there you are. Till tomorrow........

2009-01-07T21:27:00.000-08:00

The sunny picture is from a couple of days ago. This is driving down the main east/west rd in our town. The flag is at dead center of the main east/west and north/south rd. On a clear day you can see this flag there for blocks before you get to it. I just really like the way it looks as you are coming down this road towards it. The cloudy pic is from the next day and there is that "gray" I've been talking about. It is so foggy that the flag can't be seen. Today, we had lots of snow....so tomorrow will probably have a pic of that. At least it won't be gray.

2009-01-06T15:22:00.000-08:00

My DS made rigatoni. He would like to be a chef and he cooks for a living. Naturally when he is off work I want him to cook at home, which he is just overjoyed about after cooking 6 days a week at work. NOT......LOL. He thought this looked really good when it came out of the oven. I had to agree, so thought I would see if I could get you all hungry. Bumble Vee's bread would go great with this don't ya think? By the way Bumble Vee, glad I could help out on the inchie thingy.

2009-01-05T18:25:00.000-08:00

Okay, here is Jan 5. There just isn't much of interest in Jan in Ohio. Unless, of course, you consider fog, gray skies, rain and/or snow interesting. No color, just blahhhhh. I need some color especially now that all the beautiful Christmas lights are gone and nothing really breaks up the blahhhh. This carousel was built smack in the center of our downtown. Matter of fact, it is just up the street from Mickey. The powers that be felt that this would rejuvenate our downtown area. In some ways it has. They restored many of the downtown buildings and it is very quaint downtown. The carousel, as you can tell is beautiful and is functioning all year long. It is surrounded by garage style doors that in the summer can be pulled up letting the outside in. When it was being built, a company was here that actually carved and painted the animals and you could go watch them work. Pretty fabulous actually. Thought this was a much brighter picture to share than drap gray everything else. Maybe this week I can get downtown and get some pics of some of the restored buildings. Here's till tomorrow.

2009-01-05T16:51:00.000-08:00

I'm late, I'm late for posting on this date. Here is my pic for yesterday. I have to confess that I did not take this pic, my DD did. I just love it tho and if you click on it, you can really see the dragonfly and the spider web.

I am still checking on the Mickey Mouse history but so far have come up with no new news. As soon as I find out, I will post here. I will be posting today's pic a little bit later.

2009-01-03T20:40:00.000-08:00

Meet Mickey Mouse!! Looks a bit like Steamboat Willie Mickey doesn't it. This guy is on a building downtown and has been there unknown amount of time. My DH is an ex-cop. When he first got on the force (back in the early 70's, like 71 I think) they sent him downtown and told him he couldn't come back to the station until he found Mickey Mouse. DH said he used to know how long he was there and maybe who painted him but doesn't remember. I think I will write the radio station and see if they can get some answers cuz now I am curious. When my oldest son was turning 16 we had a party (of course) and we put together a scavenger hunt (in cars) that eventually led him to my mom's house where we had a car for him for his present. We put Mickey Mouse on the hunt. It was great fun.
Mickey is at the top of a building in downtown Mansfield and you can only see him going east on Third St. I think he is pretty cool and unique and I hope they never paint over him.

Jan 2 Photo

2009-01-02T21:46:00.001-08:00

My granddaughter and one of my dogs. Meet Amiah and Ernie. They seem pretty happy.

2009-01-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

I have joined the group doing A Picture A Day for January 2009. I think that it is such a whimsical idea. They haven't emailed me back with acceptance, but I decided to do it anyway. The link is to the left. This is my picture for Jan 1. My ex-DIL bought me my first orchid for Mothers Day a couple of years ago. I was just extatic about this beautiful flower. She was my ex-DIL when she got this for me so that made it even more special. Anyway, having never owned an orchid I had no idea what the trick might be to make them bloom again. Still don't, so I guess this is just dumb luck. This is the 3rd time this orchid has bloomed for me and I just love it's color and am always in awe of nature's delicacy and perfection. Looking at things like this makes me feel God all around me in his exquisit creations. It touches my soul. Now, off to find a picture for the 2nd.

2008-12-31T18:12:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I don't post often, but when I do, look out.

This is my latest fiasco, (I find that a better term than latest "work") This is Libelle, the dragonfly by Sherry Goshen. You can find her class here.

http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=922212312342489222&Store_id=235&page_id=23&Item_ID=1365, I think this doll (Sherry's version) is fabulous. My SIL would love her. So, my mom bought me the class for my Christmas present and the plan was for me to make Libelle for my SIL for her Christmas present. So, I jumped in and got started. Sherry's class is great and so are her instructions. I am the problem. I got her to this stage, but cracked her poor face and she had cracks all over her body. I tried to photo the cracks but they didn't turn out too well. Sherry gave me some great advice on how I might fix the cracks which I haven't tried yet. I am debating about just starting over since her face is cracked too. I came home on the eve of Christmas eve, after taking Christmas Eve off from work in hopes I could finish her before Christmas and discovered all the cracking. I pretty much scrubbed her for Christmas but am looking forward to trying again. Learning new things is such fun, even when you screw it up. I gave my SIL a different doll and told her about all the drama and she was perfectly happy with her substitute. She is great. She always loves whatever I make for her and really values that it is hand made and not bought. Here is the one I gave her (the fairy) from a class by Paula Johnson and Emmet who I made for my mom. I told mom I got her a man for Christmas...one that doesn't talk back, but he does have a comb over, hair in his ears and skinny white legs with big feet. He is from a pattern by Plain Jane Dolls.

My niece got her hair cut and I have always asked her to save me some because it is a beautiful red color. Last summer she did give me an envelope with her hair. I was planning to use it on a fairy or something. About Halloween she asked me to make her a doll using her hair. Well, of course I will. I went on a search for which doll. She is a little beyond a "baby doll" and a little before an "art doll". This doll is from Judi Ward's Whatever, Whatever class. http://dollnetmarket.ivisions.com/product.php?productid=110&cat=13&page=1 I have to say that this doll is well worth the price of the class. She goes together beautifully, stands on her own, I just can't say enough good about it. Anyway, I have never worked with real hair before and had to weft it first. I found different instructions on the net. One way was to sew it and one way was to glue it. Glueing was easier, but it was pretty stiff on the glued ends. The 2 rows of hair above are the 2 techniques. The bottom one is sewn and the top one is glued. Then I followed instructions to put the hair on. That is the next couple of pictures. Yikes, talk about a bad hair day. What you see is how the hair sat on the head and it did not want to move. Course I glued it on and didn't sew it to the head. It is about 2 days before Christmas and I have no more hair and if I can't salvedge this hair then what is the point in the doll? I am fretting.....big time at this point. The hair is too short to really pull it up like the directions suggest in order to hide all the wefting, but in the end all turned out well. I took her to work and everyone went crazy over her. My niece just loved her. The only thing that might have been better, in my niece's eyes, would have been if she could play with her. I was pretty proud of her too. Did you check out those gorgeous feet? I did have to remake the skirt because since she stands rather knock kneeed and pidgeon toed it makes the back of the skirt kind of ride up and the first skirt was way too short. With that skirt, Whatever looked more like a floozy than a tween.

This is a quilt I made for my BF. She was living in GA and had no family except her DH. One day she was telling me that there are days she doesn't even speak till 4pm or later and that she does get really lonely since all their family and friends are here in Ohio. I felt so bad for her that I decided to make her a quilt. Something she could wrap around her whenever she felt like she needed a hug and know I was giving her one. She loves flowers and likes oriental so I thought this quilt fit perfectly. She was really happy with it and I wish I had made one for myself because on a dreary winter day those flowers are surely uplifting. She has moved back to Ohio now and DH is coming in February. I am so HAPPY. I missed them more than I ever could have known I would. YIPPEE 2009 is looking better already.

Well, here it is New Year's Eve and what do you suppose I am doing? BABYSITTING!!! I am, as I write, watching Horton sees a Who giving you some idea of how exciting this evening will be. DH is working till 10pm and very likely will get froze over to 3rd shift. My SIL, who always spends New Year's Eve with me worked 3rd shift last night and forgot to bother with sleeping today so she is sleeping instead of partying with me and my 3 year old GD and 8 month GS. My BF, who I just went to Georgia and picked up last week, went and got herself in a car accident yesterday (thankfully she is ok) but today is sore and bruised and not moving much. Sighhhhhhhh, so this must be a true sign that I am getting old....all alone with the babies on New Year's Eve. But hey, Horton is starting to look pretty interesting. I went to the video store and rented a bunch of "chic" flicks but they are so much more fun when you have at least 1 chic to watch them with. Kyleigh is just too young to get it. TeeHee.

I also knitted a scarf for a gift exchange at work, which I didn't remember to get a picture of. The recipient loved it tho. I think that about sums up all the stuff I worked on this year. Course, we aren't adding in any of the UFO's. I think I have 4 or 5 dolls in some stage of completion, several dolls with "stuff" gathered for them and so many patterns that I want to make. I started a cathedral window quilt. I am mixing machine & hand sewing on those. I'll post some pics of the progress on that next time. Speaking of patterns, I just have to put a plug in to go check out Shelley Hawkey. Her muse has been working overtime and I have been snapping up her new patterns as fast as she has been creating them. http://www.abracreations.net/

I am fairly happy to start a new year. This year has seen the loss of a dear friend, an old friend, a favorite aunt, and a niece. On the up side, I have wonderful grandchildren, my health and those closest to me and we are all working....at least so far. Here is to a peaceful and fullfilling year to come with as little heartache and as much joy as possible and the strength we all need to deal. God bless till next time.

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2008-10-02T05:12:00.001-07:00

No Pictures, Just Talk

2008-09-04T21:39:00.000-07:00

In an effort to continue with my blog, I am back. Since last post I did decide to switch to the 7-4 shift and I love it. Some days I stay and work 7-7. Last week I did that all 3 days. I figure my day is already pretty well shot so might as well go for 3, 12 hour days. I really want to go to AFIC in Columbus this year at the end of April and to take Natalie H's class on Doll Street. That is my plan and I am sticking to it!!

My DS significant other decided she didn't want to wait while he got a job and got settled so she moved here with their 2 children. There are 10 people living in my house, 6 adults and 4 children (3,2,6mo,5mo). Yippee skippee is about all I can say to that. 5 days at work is starting to look pretty good to me and I figure with winter coming and we are all cooped up together should be an even bigger adventure. The good news is that I have not given up my sewing room (said in a whisper so no one can hear), the bad news is.....who has any time to use it with all these people and kids here? Do you reckon those 4 kids could ever take a nap at the same time, want to eat.....at the same time, need diapers changed, baths at the same time. NOT Then add in adults who can't get along except maybe in hours, never days....week, whatever. And, do you all remember how wonderfully a 3 year old and a 2 year old play together with their toys? I feel like a referee most of the time. But, there is hope, I think, that my sewing machine will get used again soon. Oh, the other good news is they are all working except the oldest DD so just maybe there is a light at the end of this very long tunnel.

I have my newest traveling visitor, Varsha from Shashi in England. She is lovely and I hope to have a few pictures to share on the next post. I think I have her for 2 weeks and I hope to take her Amish Country to an awesome fabric store and I will post pics so you all can drool. There are some events going on this month that I hope to get to take her to. Next week I hope to take her to see some Clydesdale horses get shoed with a farrier (sp) friend that I met through my new job. I am taking DH too and he is really looking forward to seeing those horses up close and personal. They are at a place called Malabar Farm which Louis Bromfield owned and Bogie and Bacall were married there. One thing about this traveling doll group has made me realize how much we have here in this small town that I don't think about much because I live here.

As you can tell, I have been creatively stifled just because of lack of time. If I do run into some peace and quiet I just sit on the couch or the patio and revel in it. I have a wizard doll started that was for a challenge on one of my yahoo doll groups, but alas, he has a body and a head in this world, the rest of the poor fellow is still in my head. I have some things I made for my traveling dolls Sage and Ella Mae that I finished but cannot show till their mom's get them, and I have 2 more to finish for my next 2 visitors. I have a quilt cut out ready to sew up for a dear friend that moved to Atlanta, GA last year and I miss her dearly. We are still in touch but it is just not the same as going over to her house and visit. And, she was a great cook who often fed me since DH worked 2nd shift and I do not cook when he is working. Miss those home cooked meals too.

In the midst of all this my computer got a virus and Best Buy wanted $130 to fix it, mind you I was still under extended warranty..... what a waste. DD #1 managed to get me working again. Whew.

Well, guess I am done talking to myself today...all out there take care and God bless.

Pitiful Blogger

2008-08-09T06:56:00.000-07:00

Ughhhhh. I am such a pitiful blogger. No posts since May!!! Lets play catch up. My DD moved home from Missouri and just got a job that she starts on Monday. DD #2 also just got a job and is living at home with the two babies. She also starts Monday. DS is moving home on Sunday and going to look for a job on Monday. Yikes. At least his significant other and their 2 kids are staying at home while DS finds a job and gets settled. Still a houseful and that makes for a zoo around here.

I got a job at the hospital in June, just office work, but it is a good place to work. This job started out M-F 3:30-8:30. Not the greatest schedule, but doable. Since then it has changed to M-T-W 11:30-8:30. Now that is a sweet schedule. 4 days a week off and I make as much as I did at my old job working 40 hours a week. Now, that is what I call a blessing. Things have a possiblity of changing again. I can work 7-4 M-T-W if I want, which, in my world is the best schedule. I like to get up in the morning, go to work and get my work day done. But, if I do that it will cost me about $120 a month in shift differential. Now I am torn and don't know what to do. I can live without the extra money, but to lose it just because of the different time of day I am working.....I don't know how smart that is. But, for me personally the hours are better at 7-4. Isn't it funny how when you get a job the money is all great and it is ENOUGH. Then maybe you work a little overtime, like I did last week. Those 16 extra hours were pretty nice on the paycheck and I still had my weekend off. I have visions of doll classes and doll conventions and, oh yeah, there is the scooter I want to buy and gee, if I just work a bit over I could have all those things. Next thing you know, you are back to just working for mo money. I am at a time in my life when I want to slow down, enjoy my family (even if it is really screwed up...I mean 3 kids from 26-32 back at home...that is screwed up), enjoy my grandchildren etc, etc. But, it is sooooooo easy to get sucked into that "if I work a bit over then .......... I have a couple of weeks to decide what I am going to do and it is all because I opened my big mouth and pointed out that they have 4.5 hours dead computer time by having me on the shift I am now. They could get more productivity for the same amount of hours by changing my schedule. THEN I realized what it was going to cost me. DUHHHHHHHH. So, I have been trying to adjust to some kind of schedule which is no easy feat when you have all these people moving home and you are trying to make room for them without giving up your sewing area and adjusting to working again. So there are my big excuses for being the "pitiful blogger".

I joined a group from doll street dreamers that made traveling dolls. Each person in the group made a doll complete with passport and journal to travel. The idea came from the cost of travel being so high that the dolls are traveling in our place. There are 48 in the group, I think. They broke us down into groups of 4 or 5 and we send the dolls RR style to each other. While we have a doll, we take her sight seeing and souvenier collecting for a week or two then send her to the next person on the list. This has been such great fun and everyone has given their dolls such personalities, you would think they are little people instead of just a doll. I am kind of hoping that after the 1st of the year they might mix up the trading partners and send them out again. My doll went to Shashi in England and Shashi has taken her to India. Wow. I live in Ohio and would be happy to go to Niagera Falls, let alone India. Since Shashi went to India, I have to girls visiting me right now. Well, I was trying to add pictures here, but it added them at the beginning of the post. Boo Hiss. The redheaded trollish looking lady is Izzie Sue and her moose Willie. She is in the garden waving goodbye to her fairy friends just before she left for England. The other is her close up. She keeps Willie with her at all times and if anyone gets "fresh" with her, and that is based on her definition of fresh, she is inclined to whack them with Willie. I have spoken to her about this behavior, but she just tells me to mind my own business. Same thing with her skirt. I told her she was too old to wear her skirt that short and she let me know that she was old enough to wear what she d___ well pleased. She can be quite a handful. She left out of here with no underwear but Shashi was kind enough to make her a pair of knickers that match her outfit so Izzie was happy with them, but then she was showing them off for pictures!! Shashi sent me pictures on the yahoo site of this latest behavior and I can't share them with you because I don't know how to get them from there to here. Oh, and Izzie is made from an Ute Vasina pattern. Thank you Ute.

Ok, the first picture is Sage (on the right) by Becki Proctor and Ella Mae (on the left) by Sue McFadden. This is a picture of them at our Ohio State Reformatory, which used to be a prison, but is now a historical site. Here the girls are posing behind bars...that will probably have their moms worried until I explain. The next picture is Sage, Ella Mae and Bear sitting with GD Kyleigh. The next picture is Sage and Ella Mae sitting with Gertie who sits on my mom's porch and keeps mom company when she sits there and watches the deer across the street. The last picture is of Sage and Ella Mae on the carousel horse at our carousel which was built in our downtown.

Well, guess that is all for today and hopefully, I will improve on my pitiful blogging in the future.

More Spring

2008-05-11T16:57:00.000-07:00

I do not know why the first posts left all that space between things, and I don't know how to fix it either. Would also like to know how you put a link under a word, life folks will write.....go "here", and the word here is a link. How do you do that?

Spring

2008-05-11T16:09:00.000-07:00

Here is one of the fairies I have made from Paula Johnson's baby fairy class that was offered on Dollstreet. I have 2 others done except for their wings so figured I would wait and post their picture when I get the wings on. Taking a small doll break and making some summer clothes for my GD. Pictures of those on next post. This little fae does not have a name yet, so if one hits you, leave me a note. The class was great and they are really sweet little fairies. I think the class is being offered again right now.

Meet my newest and only grandson Kamden Edward McNeil. I think he is such a handsome fellow. Born April 8. I also have 4 granddaughters, poor little guy is going to be so outnumbered on the estrogen around him. DH is glad for the company tho. He has been dealing with it 4 ever.

This is my dogs. Ernie with my granddaughter Amiah, then (l-r) Pudge, Abby (mom), and Maybe, who all need a haircut. There was a time that I thought I was going through empty nest syndrome (cause I thought the kids were moved out and gone-ha ha) and I think I replaced kids with dogs. The dogs are much more enjoyable than the kids were/are. This excludes the grandbabies who are enjoyable. Can you relate?

Mother's Day. Yippee. Spring is here, although pretty wet and chilly. But, we have had a few days of sunshine. I thought I would share a few pictures of my patio and lilacs. I so enjoy sitting on my patio, listening to my fountains and the birds and smelling fresh air. Just some things I am thankful for. We are putting in an above ground pool just on the other side of the fence this year. Grandkids ya know. Plus, I can not take the heat in the summer anymore and living in a 100 + yr old house with 3 stories makes air conditioning almost impossible. I put room air in certain rooms but that is it. I am thinking I'll just lay on top of the water in that pool in the heat this summer and maybe try to do some walking in it for exercize. I try to walk every day, but in the summer I have to wait till it cools down after dark and then I don't feel comfortable walking by myself. I am just so looking forward to summer this year.

Guess that is enough for today, hopefully, I will be a little more prompt about updating. I kind of felt like only posting when I had something to show, but have found in following other blogs that I am interested in just daily things they might be thinking about, pics of their work areas, or gardens, or a special flower, anything really. Makes you feel so connected. That being said, I plan to muse a bit more and if you are interested great and if not, that is great too.

Happy Mothers Day to all.

Blizzard

2008-03-11T08:44:00.000-07:00

Well it is Tuesday and we had a blizzard over the weekend. It started on Friday, all day Saturday and most of Sunday. I have no idea how many inches we got but I thought we had teleported to Alaska. My perfect timing, I got sick starting Friday afternoon and was really miserable by Saturday. Could not get out of the drive to go get any medicine, therefore, could not sleep. Saturday was a really long day. We have a 4WD p-up, which my DH took to work at 1:00 on Saturday and then got stuck working a double and didn't get home until 6A.M. Sunday morning. By 9 I was out finding someplace open to get Nyquil. Finally I could breathe a bit and could sleep a bit. I am still not completely over it, but can tell I am on the mend. Lord that nyquil tastes so bad!! My good friend Veronica sent me an email with a picture of some mouth watering cinnamon buns that you could almost taste right through the screen. I was sure I could smell them even thru all the congestion. Thanks Veronica.

Monday, took my DD to the doctor and they did an ultrasound. I have never been good at seeing much in those pictures. The baby has already turned and the best we got was a profile of his face, which is still a big old guess in my opinion. Looks like he will be here around April 5. Got to get busy on the spring cleaning and get the crib set up. Would like to be ready when he gets here. Plus, I will be going back to work soon (YUCK) and never feel like spring cleaning then.

I have no pics to share today. Still working on UFO's. Should finish up one of the 3 fairy babies from Paula Johnson's class on Dollstreet today. The quilt that is ready to be quilted is still sitting by my sewing machine and I just keep looking at it. I might feel up to working on that today. Geez, if I would just apply myself it could be finished.

Do you ever feel that you have so many things to do that you don't know where to begin? That is where I am right now. Big old list of have to do, bigger old list of want to do. Seems like I just been pickin at a little of each and not finishing anything. This morning I took down the curtains in the bath to be washed, worked on my doll, played on the computer and game my honey his to do list. Guess that is accomplishment.

More Harpy Info

2008-02-25T07:34:00.001-08:00

Anyway, I got carried away posting the pics. Her feathers are from the wing of some kind of pheasant I think and they are amazing the way they change colors in the sun light. Her bolero jacket is from a fox head pelt and where the ears were form her cap sleeves. The halter top is just fabric but it looks like snake skin. She is quite dressed for and with her envirement.

Now on to my Paula Johnson Fairy Babies class. I have 3 about 1/2 done. 2 large and 1 small. I couldn't decide on fabrics so ended up doing 3 so I could use all my fabric choices. More later.

Harpy Done!!

2008-02-25T07:12:00.000-08:00

Drum Roll Please...............

Here she is, my Harpy, finally finished after almost a year. I think she is fabulous. I used so many new techniques on this doll and did things (like sculpting) that I never thought I could do so, to me, she is fabulous just because she looks like she is s'posed to. This was a Judy Skeel class, which is being offered at http://www.dollstreetdreamers.com/ in April and I cannot recommend this class highly enough. Many, many very clear pictures with very clear instruction and Judy is right there for questions and input. Well worth every penny. Best class I have ever taken, and I have taken a few.

Just A Note

2008-02-10T04:57:00.000-08:00

Your fairy is called Thorn Hailfly
She is a protector of the lonely.
She lives in brambles and blackberry bushes.
She is only seen at midday under a quiet, cloudless sky.
She wears purple and green like berries and leaves.
She has cheery turquoise wings like a butterfly.

Get your free fairy name here.
http://www.emmadavies.net/fairy/default.aspx

So, lets see....I have been working on my UFO's still. I got my quilt top finished and my quilt "sandwich" is basted together. Now if I can just figure out how I want to quilt the thing. It has me stumped a bit. So I switched off and worked on my Harpy some more. I have her wings almost completely feathered. Hopefully I can post some pics later this week.

Today we are going to a friend's house for her daughter to braid my granddaughters hair. She has wild curly hair and you can't do much with it because it is soooooooo curly. We are going to try 2 french braids going from front to back and see if they stay in for a while. I think they do if you know how to braid them right. We shall see. I'll post some pics of that too.

My ex-DIL and I went out yesterday on the spur of the moment and bought the book "The Secret". Wow, 15 pages and it is a powerful book and concept. I am studying on it and hope to put it into practice. Ya know, there really is a lot of magic in this world and it is amazing.

An internet friend has gotten me started on an herbal tea and I have been drinking 3 cups a day for a couple of weeks now. Yesterday I had to stop and realize that I feel "different". I mean, I feel GOOOOOD, physically and mentally. It just struck me that I feel like I am in my twenties or something. I had ordered more from her before this revelation but WOW this is wonderful. There you are a bit more of that magic in the world.

I feel like I am also trying to go through some kind of spiritual readjustment in myself and my life. Wish me luck on my journey of discovery and if you have any tips or words of wisdom...pass it to me.

Black and White Challenge

2008-01-27T11:45:00.000-08:00

This is Olivia the Octoherpodite. This was done for a yahoo group called Black and White Challenge. She was done in October but she didn't win. I still love her tho. The rules were that everything had to be black & white, but could have subtle color in the makeup and skin tone. My DH built her cage and I love it. Didnt he do a fabulous job? I got the idea for her from Circus De Soleil. The group has changed their name to Technicolor something and every year there is a new pattern and new colors. This year is a circus, mardi gras theme and the colors are purple and gold. I don't know if I'll enter this year or not. Right now I have no ideas but they aren't due till end of October so there is time. Everyone used the same pattern to start with and they, as usual, came out very different.

New Year Projects

2008-01-27T10:33:00.000-08:00

My new year resolution was to try and finish up some "stuff" that has been languishing for a long time. I got started on this because of the house/dog sitting for my SIL. I was going to have 2-1/2 weeks of uninterrupted time. I knew that trying to pack up stuff to work on dolls would be next to impossible unless I wanted to move my entire sewing room. We use so much stuff when making a doll don't we? So, I went through my unfinished project piles and pulled out stuff that I could do without dragging everything. Unfortunately, that can be astounding and I am just disgusted with myself for not finishing. That is how I decided this was ridiculous and I was finishing old before starting new.

The first thing I tackled was the large quilt which I had started for DD #3 when she was still in high school and she is now 25!! I had already made her brother and sister a quilt then got waylayed on hers. This is a simple quilt, like quilt in a day. You sew the top strip, batting, bottom strip to the quilt all at once. Since they are less than 6" wide and I used cotton batting, no additional quilting is necessary. I had seen this technique on Simply Quilts and they were using it to make quilts fast to give away to homeless children/hospitalized children. This thing is huge! I wanted to use the pillow panels that came with the center panel as the four corners and they are 8-10". That area of the quilt needed to be quilted and that is where I got hung up on it. My DD made me feel so bad that she never got her quilt that I had to finish it. Yippee.

The table runner was the first thing that DD #1 had ever sewn. I thought she did a fabulous job. I did need to quilt it and bind it for her, but now she let me keep it and I love it.

Then I started on the quilt from h----. DD #1 had cut and pieced the quilt top and it was a mess. I made her tear it out and I tried to get it back together and be usable, at least around the house. After two weeks of fighting with this quilt, I threw it in the trash. I mean, I do have my limits, and boy had I reached it with this top. That day my girlfriend came over and saw it in the trash, dug it out and is using it to make pillows. I consider that a very happy ending to that story. Unfortunately I didn't take a picture of it before she took it. Maybe I can get a pic of her pillows to post when she finishes.

That burnt me out and I had another top about 2/3 finished that I was going to start I next. I did start on it, but I was very stressed from the last two weeks about square blocks and things fitting together. So, I sew a bit on the quilt top, then I took a break and decided to get the feathers on my Harpy. I think she has been in the birthing stage about a year now. I really like these feathers. I got an actual bird wing at a shop near here and pulled it apart for the feathers. Boy the colors are gorgeous and change with the sun. God certainly can make some beautiful stuff can't he?

Well that gets me pretty up to date with what I have been doing. The last week I have not been too productive and I don't know why. I have been doing a great job at holding the couch down, but I guess we don't need any pics of that!! LOL

I did sign up for Cyndi Mal...... Caterpillar Class at Lisa Risler's site and Colleen Babcocks Water Lily at Cloth Doll Connection. I can't wait to get started on them, but so far, I am sticking to my resolution.

Christmas

2008-01-27T10:09:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone or anyone. I too feel like I am talking to myself, but, hey, at least I listen. VBG I haven't been posting since October. Geez. Above are pictures of the jammies I made for my 3 little princesses for Christmas. Don't they look sweet? Fooled you!! I was house sitting for my SIL and sewing up these jammies in the country, all alone, no distractions and enjoying every minute of it. Taking breaks from sewing in the hot tub. I know it is a tough job but someone had to do it. She paid me to house/doggie sit so I was having dreams of what I was going to buy when my oh so expensive Janome sewing machine froze up. Jammies not done. So, I packed up and came home the day before Christmas eve trying to think who I knew that I could borrow a machine to at least get these jammies finished. Oh, and no more hot tub breaks. Boo Hiss. Couldn't find anyone with a portable machine. So, out I go on Christmas Eve to buy a sewing machine. This was not what I was daydreaming about spending my newly and unexpected riches on, but isn't that the way it always works?
The other pic is of granddaughter #2 dressed up like the princess she is. I have two more coming. A girl in Feb and finally a boy in April. The two older girls got another pair made from fabric with frogs with big red lips. #2 says they have on "lipis" (aka lipstick).

2007-10-05T12:48:00.000-07:00

This is the other bag I have been working on. My DD also reads tarot cards and has several decks she uses. She makes her own bags, but usually gives them away. All her tarot bags, I have made for her. This is for a new deck that is much larger than the decks she has. I started out to just decorate this with the beaded face. Then I wanted to take a shortcut so got the bright idea of glueing it on instead of sewing it to the bag. WRONG The glue didn't ooze out around the face, the fabric wicked it up and made a terrible mess. Then, the darn thing didn't stick anyway. The hand and beading around it came as a result of trying to cover up the mess and not make a new bag. All in all, I guess that was a happy accident as I like it better. Who knows if she will or not. She lives in Missouri as her husband is in the service. Next week I am going out to spend a week and a half with her. We have much crafting planned and I can't wait.

2007-10-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

Here is one thing I have been working on since my last post. This is a bag for my DD who needed something to keep her "slices of rock" in. This is made from 2 halloween kitchen towels. They are like a cotton duck fabric, not terry cloth. I used one towel for the front, one for the back, the leftovers for inside pockets and the handle.

Aug Under the Sea ATD Swap

2007-09-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my two granddaughters from last Halloween wearing their costumes that I made them. Dorothy is Leah, and Glenda is Kyleigh. We went trick or treating at the mall-----what a zoo!!! I don't know if I'll ever do that again. You can tell Glenda was having great fun. (yeah, right)

Hi again all. This is a pic of my ATD for Aug. Theme "Under the Sea" Swap. It went to UK so still waiting to hear from the recipient, Jean, if she likes it or not. I told her if she didn't like it, go ahead and send it back. She said, "Fat Chance". LOL Coming up next, a witch hat swap. Will post pictures soon.

Joining the Crowd

2007-09-07T11:27:00.000-07:00

Okay. Everybody is on the blog bandwagon, especially since Molly (Carole) brought it up on the street. I have really enjoyed checking out everyone's blog the last few days sooooooooo, guess I will try this out too. I pretty much feel like everyone else, what do I have to say? Course, when you are carrying on a conversation with yourself, guess you can say whatever you want and you'll listen. VBG I don't jump in on the advise issue too much when it comes to giving it, but I do absorb a lot of what is given on the groups. I wouldn't want to steer someone wrong when they ask a how to question. On the other hand, is it ever really wrong? If you get the end result, how you get there isn't wrong, just another way to do it. Another thought on this blogging is---don't I have enough to do? I mean, work, kids, house, dolls, read email, participate in groups, knit, cross stitch, paper dolls, oh yeah--wife, do you really want to add something else? Like most things, the answer is yes and no. Off to explore how to do pictures. ONWARD