A Friend Without a Name

A wonderful Good Saturday Morning to all of you in Blogland! I would like to introduce you to......????? This sweet lil Monkey doesn't have a name! Actually, I have several in mind but couldn't decide which one. SEW, I decided to let you help me name him/her!

My friend Pat over at "A Little of This and A Little of Pat" recently introduced us to Spencer, her hot little monkey. What a wonderful idea! It made me think of the little elf that all the parents were doing a Christmas and he would show up end the weirdest places.

On Friday, while at a local shop purchasing a baby gift, I looked over and saw this adorable display of monkeys. It reminded me of my precious granddaughter, Camryn, because she loves sock monkeys and collects them. SEW, I thought "self, you need a mascot in your studio". But first, I emailed Pat and got her permission to be a COPYCAT! YEP, I just a copycat, but hey Pat was okay with it.

Sew, if you have any ideas for names, please submit them. Like I said earlier, I have a few in mind, but just not sure. I can't wait to see what you come up with! My 'gut' is telling me this lil Monkey may become famous......hehehehehe

10 Random Things All About Me

1. I am a Christian


2. I am the youngest of three children, the only girl, the only redhead. Both brothers and parents have/had black hair.


3. I am a cancer survivor and have been in remission for 8 years


4. I recently became a widow -- the worst day of my life


5. When I love someone, I love with my whole heart and soul


6. I love birthday cake, wedding cake, and Hershey's chocolate w/almonds


7. I love to hear the sound of my grandchildren's laughter


8. I feel like a kid in a candy store when I go to a quilt shop


9. If I am your friend, I am loyal and you will be stuck with me forever


10. I love to laugh and have fun

WHAT????? A PANTY SNATCHER!!!!

The time has come for me to share the story of the "panty snatcher"! If you have been reading my blog (not that there have been a lot of posts lately), you know that I lost my precious husband a couple of months ago. You also know that he had spoiled me rotten. You see, he was retired and I was still working. He took care of the house, the yard, did a little cooking, and he also did the laundry. WAIT! I know some of you are in a panic -- "she lets her husband wash her clothes????" In my closet was a basket and if there were pieces of clothing I didn't want him to wash (let's face it -- men can really screw up our favorite clothing in the washing machine), I just put it in the basket and I would take care of the washing.

In the week or so after his passing, I would wonder "where are those special capri pants I love to wear, or I wonder where that ole t-shirt is that is so comforting"? I just blew it off that they were "here somewhere" and that in my sudden grief and dispair, I had just put them "somewhere" (you know -- those places that we never know WHY we put them there in the first place).

Typically, I am one of those people who like to shower in the mornings. One morning, I arose getting ready to take my shower. I go to my panty drawer, open it, and to my surprise, there were only TWO pairs of panties!!!! I was in a state of panic -- WHERE WERE ALL OF MY PANTIES??? I mean, my drawer was always stocked with panties. I just couldn't imagine. My mind went into overtime. I decided there must be a panty snatcher in the area!! Now I have some really awesome neighbors -- they know I'm here alone and they tend to look out for me. I just couldn't believe that they never told me someone was stealing panties! But then I thought "they just didn't want to scare me". Okay, so I go on to take my shower and get dressed for work. As I am in the shower, I just keep thinking about what happened to my panties! I said "Lord, I don't know what is going on, but SOMEONE has stolen ALL OF MY UNDERWEAR!!!!!!". As I am washing my hair, it suddenly hits me -- I NOW HAVE TO DO ALL OF THE LAUNDRY!!!!!!!!! There is NO panty snatcher in the neighborhood -- just a crazy, grief-stricken woman who hasn't done the laundry!!! Then I began to laugh and laugh and laugh. You know the kind of deep laugh that you can't stop and you laugh so hard you nearly pee yourself (good thing I'm still in the shower!). Whew, so glad that mystery was solved!! I mean, I was really concerned!

Not to fear folks -- my panty drawer is full again -- I have been doing the laundry! So now you have the 'rest of the story'.

Stayed tuned for more adventures in this new season of my life. Who knows??? I may even have some quilting stores to share eventually! (I'm still trying to get my mojo back -- haven't sewn a stitch since my sweet honey passed).

School Fundraiser!

All three of my sweet grandchildren go to the same elementary school. They are in Kindergarten, 4th grade, and 6th grade. Their Mommy (my wonderful daughter-in-love) is also a 3rd grade teacher at their school. They are blessed with a really awesome Librarian named Ms. Shelly. Ms. Shelly always plans really fun things for them and especially really neat field trips for the top AR (accelerated readers) students. This year (as is everywhere), there were budget cuts and the funds for the field trips were cut. I agreed to help raise money for the school.

The following is a picture of a quilt that I have made for a raffle -- "Tiger Power". I tried to incorporate as many of the school activities as possible. I finished the quilting today and will sit and tack down the binding tonight as I watch TV. I hope they raise lots of money with this quilt. It is a 'one of a kind' quilt and would be a great keepsake for an alumni.

Another fundraiser is the sale of Koozies. Everyone wants a personalized koozie of their favorite school. We are making black koozies with tiger paws and "Centerville Tigers" on one side and their choice of wording on the reverse side. The girls get orange polka dot ribbon and the boys koozies do not have ribbon. Below is a group of koozies that were recently made:

Below is a picture of the koozies with names on the reverse side.

I am even taking orders for special requests. Ms. Nattalie wanted red lady bugs. I found this cute lady bug in my design stash and put it on the black koozie with red, yellow and green polka dot ribbon.

Here is the side of the koozie with Ms. Nattalie's name.

I have couple of more 'special request' koozies to make: "Grammar Guru" and "LuLu's Nails" I even have a request for "Woozies" -- a koozie for a wine glass. I haven't found a source to purchase unsewn blank 'woozies' yet. Even any of you know where I can purchase them, please leave me a comment.

Post Rated PG

I sure hope this doesn't offend anyone! I saw this and thought it was funny! But then, I can have a warped sense of humor.

Nat'l Quilting Day Fruit

Just thought I would show you a little 'fruit' of my labor on National Quilting Day -- a little wallhanging for Spring. You wouldn't think it would take that long to make. The piecing was very quick, but I did all the embroidery by hand while watching TV.

Struttin' Thru Blogland!

Watch out Blogland! Cock-a-doodle-dooooo! On August 28, there will be rooster struttin' everywhere. Barb over at Bella Vista is hosting a "Rooster Parade". What fun this is going to be. Mark your calendars! This is a parade you do NOT want to miss!

Brrrrrr!

This is a little wallhanging that I made called "Brrrrrrr". It is certainly not cold in TEXAS!!!!! But this was a 'cool' little project made from a charm pack that I really enjoyed. It was quick and easy. The pattern is by Pieces from my Heart (Sandy Gervais) and the fabric is Crazy Eight by Sandy Gervais. It measures approximately 21" x 25". Here is a close-up of the little snowman.The following is a picture of the entire wallhanging.


This is a kit that I purchased from The Fat Quarter Shop. It was one of their "Friday Specials". I immediately fell in love with it and HAD to order it. It came complete with fabric for the top, binding and backing. I just LOVE the Fat Quarter Shop (no affiliation -- just a happy customer). They have excellent customer service. Go check them out!

Books

Just thought I would show you two new books that I purchased recently. The books are great and give ideas about using vintage linens for aprons and other kitchen items. I recently participated in the Vintage Linen Remix Apron Swap and that is what inspired me to purchase these books. I have a number of vintage linens and hope to make some of the projects in the book.......Maybe before I die...sew many projects, sew little time!

A Picture....Worth a Thousand Words

Weekend Fun and Preparing for Retreat

My weekend began when I picked up my granddaughter for the weekend. My DH is out of town and she decided we needed to have a "girl weekend." Here she is in her cheerleading uniform. She is sew cute, but then I am very partial.

On Saturday, we HAD to go to the movies to see High School Musical III. The move just came out this weekend. It was a very cute show. She LOVED IT. It did bring lots of memories back to me of my high school days. It is hard to believe that I've been out of high school for 38 years. My goodness, someone must be getting old!

After the movie and a bit of shopping, it was time to come home. We went to the quilting studio and got lots done. Camryn played school while I spent time getting ready for the upcoming annual Wacky Pack Opening Weekend of Deer Season Retreat. Here is a basket of treats (or tricks) for the Wackies.



Then I spent time cutting MORE 2-inch strips for the 4-patch exchange that the Wacky Pack Quilters are doing. I've made several sets of 4-patches, but now I have all the strips cut and in this handy little box to take to retreat.

Then I made this cute little Christmas apron. The picture really doesn't do it justice. One of the Wacky Quilters will have the opportunity to take this apron home from the retreat. How do they win it, you ask???? I haven't decided yet!

Then I finished putting the final border on the Spring Fling Round Robin II quilt top. This is just a "sneak peek". I can't show the final picture yet until it has reached its owner. It has left Fairfield and headed on to the quilter to finish and send to the final recipient.


I still have more to do to get ready for retreat. I can't wait. We always have sew much fun when we are all together. I hope the week goes by fast!

ABC's

My friend, Monica the Button Counter, has posted the ABCs on her blog and challenged everyone to do the same........SEW, here goes my friend:

A. Attached or Single? Attached for 37 years to the same guy (by the Grace of God -- LOL)
B. Best Friend? Friend...how 'bout friendS.....all my Wacky Pac Sisters
C. Cake or pie? Do I have to choose?
D. Day of choice? Saturday
E. Essential item? I reckon that would be my cell phone....How did we live without 'em
F. Favorite color? Purple, then pink, then blues, then....
G. Gummy bears or worms? Worms, of course
H. Hometown? Humble, TX
I. Favorite indulgence? Uninterrupted time in my quilting studio
J. January or July? January
K. Kids? Yep; 2 wonderful sons that I am very proud of (ages 34 and 32)
L. Life isn’t complete without? Prayer and my family
M. Marriage date? June 11, 1971 was marriage and yes we still date
N. Number of brothers and sisters? 2 older brothers
O. Oranges or Apples? oranges with vodka
P. Phobias? Snakes
Q. Quotes? "Do what you feel in your heart to be right -- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do and damned if you don't." by Eleanor Roosevelt
R. Reasons to smile? Waking up each morning
S. Season of choice? Fall
T. Tag 5 people: Oh Dear.....
U. Unknown fact about me?
V. Vegetable? Tomato, but some say it is really a fruit
W. Worst habit? Just one??? Procrastination
X. X-ray or Ultrasound? Had 'em both; don't care as long as results are good
Y. Your favorite food? Mexican
Z. Zodiac sign? Gemini

I've Gone Yo-Yo!!!

Some time back, I purchased the Clover Yo-Yo makers. I absolutely love them!!! They are so easy and all the yo-yo's are of uniform size. They are fun to make. I've been making yo-yo's at night while watching TV. I have quite a box of them so decided to make them into something. Here it is -- a flag -- in honor of the good ole U. S. of A!!!!

50 Questions

1.Whats your name spelt backwards? yelrae

2. What did you do last night? had dinner with my Wacky friends

3. The last thing you downloaded onto your computer? Music from iTunes

4. Have you ever licked a 9 volt battery? Heck no!

5. Last time you swam in a pool? mmmmm; it's been a while; don't remember

6. What are you wearing? grey slacks, black/grey top and black shoes

7. How many cars have you owned? 9 or 10; I've lost count

8. Type of music you dislike most? Rap

9. Are you registered to vote? Yes; in fact just voted today in early voting.

10. Do you have cable? Dish

11. What kind of computer do you use? A Dell desktop and a Dell laptop

12. Ever made a prank phone call? oh yes!

13. You like anyone right now? yea, I like everyone

14. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? Never

15. Furthest place you ever travelled? Europe

16.Do you have a garden? Nope -- I kill everything! LOL

17. What’s your favorite comic strip? don't really have a favorite -- probably Family Circus

18. Do you know all the words to the national anthem? Yes

19. Shower, morning or night? Morning most of the time

20. Best movie you’ve seen in the past month? Pursuit of Happiness with Will Smith

21. Favorite pizza toppings? Supreme

22. Chips or popcorn? Chips

23. What cell phone provider do you have? Cingular

24. Have you ever smoked peanut shells? YUK! No

25. Have you ever been in a beauty pageant? uh NO

26. Orange Juice or apple? apple

27. Who were the last people you sat at lunch with? My Husband

28. Favorite chocolate bar? Hershey's with Almonds

29. Who is your longest friend and how long? Katrina since we were just toddlers

30. Last time you ate a homegrown tomato? last summer

31. Have you ever won a trophy? Nope

32. Favorite artist? Don't have a real favorite

33. Favorite computer game? Solitaire

34. Ever ordered from an infomercial? Heck yeah

36. Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school/work? Nope

37. Last thing you bought at the store? Office supplies for the office

38. Ever thrown up in public? uh, yes

39. Would you prefer being a millionaire or finding true love? Millionaire; I've got true love! LOL

40. Do you believe in love at first sight? Yes, it happened to me nearly 36 years ago

41.Can exes just be friends? I guess

42. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital? My grandson

43. Did you have long hair as a young kid? I did as a teenager

44. What message is on your voicemail machine? Whatever the pre-recorded message is

45. Where would you like to go right now? Back to Europe to see my son and daughter-in-law

46. What was the name of your first pet? Killowatt -- a dog

47. What kind of back pack do you have, and what’s in it? I don’t have one

48. Last incoming/outgoing call on your phone? My Sister-in-Law

49. What is one thing you are grateful for today? My salvation

50. What do you think about most? Trying to be a good person and a good example