Thursday, February 28, 2013

Cards from the recent Exchange...

We meet each month at Paper Vineyard for a card change.  If you have been reading my blog, you know that this month's theme was "floral."  Here are the cards made by the ladies in the group:
A lot of pretty cards and a lot of talent...

Next month?  Purple!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Another jelly roll - I can't help it...

I love them!  They are such beautiful color combinations and designs.  You should see my list of the ones I want to buy.  I know it won't happen, but a girl can dream, right?
My daughter, Kimmy, picked out her own jelly roll of the fabric she wants me to use when making her quilt and the colors are so gorgeous, I just had to start it tonight.  By this time tomorrow, I will have the inside panel done.  She chose Valentina Ramos by Robert Kaufman.
There is very little white, or light colored strips, so Kim's quilt will be full of color.  The picture below shows the strips all sewn together in one extra long strip - 1760 inches of fabric.  In this picture, I have started sewing the two ends together.
It makes me want to stay up late and finish this part, but that's not a good plan since I have to be at work in the morning.  I'll have more to show you tomorrow.

Monday, February 25, 2013

February Card Exchange

It has been AGES since I shared photos of the monthly card exchange I take part in.  The theme for February is "floral," which is not one of my favorite themes - because I am not good at arranging them.  I have to keep it simple and I came up with this card...
I used hearts to create flower petals and used buttons for the centers.  After stitching the stems on book pages, I used different patterned papers that I had on hand.  As I mentioned before, I am trying to use my stash rather than purchase more "stuff."  So far, it is working.  Simple and I am happy with it.
My friend, Cindy, is not able to attend this month's exchange, so she left her cards with me.  Here's a sneak peek...
Very cute - I believe she may have used a paper line by Crate Paper, but don't quote me on that.  I know she used the fairly new tissue paper by Tim Holtz in the layering of the flowers.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Lunch with my girls... and...

My daughters and I spent some time together Saturday morning and ended up stopping for lunch at Lucille's BBQ in Tempe.
The girls opted out of having their pictures taken, so I had to move on to the next photo op - my lunch...
A tri-tip salad, which was really good and quite large... so large I brought half of it home.
I couldn't pass on the cheese grits.  Their's has a spicy flare - they add jalapenos to the grits!  It was good, but I have to say I am a basic cheese grits kind of girl.  It was my first time for going there and I saw several items on the menu that sparked my interest.  I will be going back.

Friday, February 22, 2013

More Quilting

I have been crafting - a little bit of paper stuff and a little bit of quilting.  I finished the outside borders of the heart quilt.
I used one of the red fabrics as part of the "Flirt" line by Moda, which of course matches the quilt.  And then for the outer frame, I used a lighter print.
As you can see, it is pretty good size.  Next is the backing and then ship it off to California for machine quilting.  I am so excited about finishing it!
Then I moved on to the Lucy's Crab Shack quilt top...
This is just the inside panel and as you can see, it is just a mixture of the jelly roll strips, but the colors are beautiful and the theme is beachy.  I just love the name "Lucy's Crab Shack."  It makes me want to snuggle up under the blanket while watching TV or reading a book.  I placed the fabric I am using for the borders and back on the right side of the strips so you can see what I plan to use.  There wasn't much to choose from at the store because this is actually from last year's line. 
There will be more quilting tonight.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Pete the Cat

As you have probably read in my blog, my oldest daughter is a first grade teacher.  She shares with me some of the cutest stories about her kids.  We went to Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe last weekend and she is always on the prowl for books.  Kate told me that her kids just love the book series about Pete the Cat.  The story lines actually make them giggle and laugh.  So I had to share some of "Pete's" philosophy with you...
This particular book was about Pete's four groovy buttons...
Pete lost all of his buttons, one at a time.
"...stuff will come and stuff will go.  But do we cry?  Goodness, NO!"  Actually, Pete is a pretty smart cat.
Have a great day!

Friday, February 15, 2013

A little bit of this and that...

Yesterday was Valentine's Day.  I can't remember the last time I received flowers, so it was very nice that my daughter, Kimberly, showed up at my office and surprised me with a bouquet of flowers.
Thank you, Kimmy, for such a sweet gesture!
Today, in the mail, I received a package I ordered and have been waiting for...
A new Cricut Cartridge - Bridal Shower - and by placing this order, I received a free magazine.  There were several to choose from, but since I am hoping to utilize my cricut more, I chose a Cricut magazine.  These always have such great photos.
Tonight I am crafting with Cindy - we have not done that in FOREVER!  I am working on my cards for the card exchange and in my head, they look perfect.  Let's see if I can make the paper work.  I should have photos to share tomorrow.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

I am a woman obsessed!

After attending the quilt show last weekend, I have been C-R-A-Z-Y about starting a quilt.  And not just any quilt.  I am really excited about jelly rolls (no, not food).  Well, I do like jelly rolls, but that should be the subject of another blog.
I bought these two jelly rolls, I believe both are made by Moda.  One is "Joy" which is a Christmas pattern.  The other is "Flirt" which is hearts/birds and Valentine's theme.  I found it so hard to select just one because they are all so beautiful.  I am starting off by sewing the strips, end-to-end, making one long roll.  Here's one of the piles when I first started sewing the strips together...
And here's the inside panel - done - next step is to attach the borders, which takes a little more brain power for me.
It went together pretty quickly and I am looking forward to making many of these quilts.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Little Mermaids

If you read my blog, you've heard me talk about my friends, Nicole and Sam, who have two daughters, Myah and Kylee.  Myah and Kylee were both in a local production of The Little Mermaid, which I went to see Saturday night.  It was sold out!  My daughter, Kimmy, went along with my friend, Pat.  No pictures were allowed to be taken during the performance, but here a few taken afterwards:
 Myah's cast picture.
 Kylee's cast picture.
 This is Kylee right after the production.
 Here's Myah holding her flowers - a little blurry because I was bumped while taking this photo.
What a great photo of Kimmy, Myah and Kylee!  
We had a great time and really enjoyed the production.  It was funny and all of the kids did a great job. Of course, my main focus was on Myah and Kylee.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Just Don't Call Me Granny

I recently decided I am now old enough to buy and use a recliner.  I bought a typical one from La-Z-Boy, but I have to say when I got it home, I did not like it.  When I took it back, I checked the chairs at the clearance center and picked out another one.
Getting it home was another story...
You may not believe it, but if they opened up the recliner, it actually fit in my car.  I had a hard time seeing out, but at least I was able to get it home.  Driving home, I felt like I was part of the Clampett family and should be on the Beverly Hill Billies.
Here it is at home... right where it belongs.  I love it.  Taking back the other one and finding this one?  It was meant to be.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Quilt Weekend

My friend, Diana, invited me to a "Girls' Quilting Getaway."  So last weekend, we made a quick trip to Hemet and Ontario, California with two of her sisters.  Once there, we met another of her sisters, had lunch at Panora, and went on to the Quilt Show in Ontario, California.  The Sisters?  Jean Ann, Janie, and Carolyn.  Here are some of the highlights:
 We start at the convention center in Ontario...
 There were so many beautiful quilts and fabrics...
 I think these blue birds and extremely cute!
 Not everything quilted is a quilt.
 After a day of shopping, we stopped at Famous Dave's BBQ for dinner.
I was told it is TRADITION.  I didn't get a picture of our dinner, 
but it was served in the lid of a garbage can.  
Something different and very tasty.
We went back to Carolyn's house, and didn't waste time getting into bed.  It had been a long day.
Carolyn is a talented lady who obviously loves quilting.  This is the bedroom where I stayed.  
She made the quilts and pillows - so very gorgeous!
 Even the valance was quilted.
 Carolyn and her husband, Bill, live in Hemet and their home is situated in the foothills.  
I guess that's what you would call it. 
This picture was taken looking out their front window - that's their driveway.  
It is steeper than it looks in the photo.
 This is part of their back yard.  They have such a wonderful view.
 This boulder sits smack dab behind their house between...
 their two grassy areas.  I can only imagine that in the spring it is absolutely beautiful.
 After a wonderful breakfast, we went through some of the quilts made by Carolyn.
And I mean only some of the quilts.
 I took photos of just a few.
She has a couple of trunks full of quilts.  They are absolutely beautiful - such a talent.
Time to go, but before we get back in the car and head back to Arizona, 
I snapped a picture of the Crandall Sisters...
Jean Ann, Janie, Diana, and Carolyn.
There is one missing, but I hear she'll be visiting in March.
Such a great weekend - quick but full of fun!