Here are the Marcus Brothers Surf & Sand prints that I ordered. The colors are so soothing... and at this point I need as much calming as I can get! Life has been hectic lately and it isn't always a good thing. I'll spare everyone the boring details.... but just wanted to share a picture of these new arrivals. Have the beginning of an idea of how to use them....
Until then....
I am in love!! With sincerest apologies to Homestead Hearth for using their photo of the quilt kit they are offering (click on the name/link and you can buy one for yourself!), I just had to show everyone the newest fabrics to capture my passion. No, I didn't buy the kit... but I *did* buy some yardage.
I am no lover of pastels (unless you mean those waxy little crayon-things that are probably not even spelled the same way... and please don't comment about the correct spelling; that isn't the point of my tirade)! Never have been; never will. But the name of this collection, combined with the visual and olfactory stimulation that take place make it impossible to resist. I can hear the waves softly lapping the sun-warmed beach. I can smell the suntan lotion. Put more succinctly, I am reminded exactly of a candle I purchased last summer made by The Yankee Candle Company. It was most aptly named Sun & Sand™ by the candlemaker. Again, the olfactory, visual, and auditory stimuli conjure up the beach, laughter, sunshine, suntan lotion, waves, etc.
So I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the prints in my mailbox. Now I can officially be ready for summer (we practically skip Spring in these parts; no point mentioning the half of week it occurs. Temps will approach 90 in the next couple of days. To some of you, that *is* summer). The inevitablility of turning on the air conditioner has been accepted. Winter is complete and life as we know it in this large city of cement, steel, pollution, and noise plunked right in the middle of the southern prairies can resume - the blinding glare of the sun, the sweltering heat that makes even the most dainty southern belle sweat gallons of perspiration..... and the self-imposed reminders that cement is *nearly* the same color as sand.... and if you look very carefully (and cross your eyes) the waves of heat rising from the pavement *sorta* resemble waves near a beach.... Thank goodness for fabric collections and candle fragrances!!!
***The title refers to a portion of a line from the movie based on John Huston's treatise of John Steinbeck's novels Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday. "Things were finally back to normal, on Cannery Row. Once more, the world was spinning in greased grooves." John Huston directed the movie Cannery Row which is actually a combination of the two aforementioned Steinbeck novels. It is unavailable on DVD, but if you ever have the chance, watch it. You will view Steinbeck in a whole new light.
Until I get back from enjoying the brilliant sunshine.....
I forgot my own anniversary!! Despite the fact that I've thought about the date (March 20) numerous times in the days leading up to the actual event, it still managed to slip my mind. The worst part is that I have no excuse other than.... I forgot!!!
Fortunately there are no hurt feelings; no ruffled feathers to smooth. The anniversary??? THREE (3) years since the beginning of this blog!
Until my brain is again functioning more clearly....
This has been a long week. In all likelihood it only seems that way to me because I am feeling puny. I think THE CRUD is trying to take hold in my body....sore throat, aching body parts, that tightness in the chest like something is trying to attack the lungs. I don't really want to get sick!
I've been working on some sewing projects. Mundane mending, for one. Loose buttons, frayed buttonhole, seam coming apart in something else.
Then there is "the" project I am doing under great duress. I am kicking, screaming, and flailing wildly in an attempt to get out of making this one. I don't want to do it because the person for whom I am doing this has a very rigid notion of what is and isn't acceptable. Needless to say, the fact that the *whole* concept is unacceptable to me matters for naught. His idea of a t-shirt quilt means appliquing the ENTIRE t-shirt to a backing. In this instance a flat bed sheet is being used. After the shirts are fused to the backing, a border will be added to lend more color. To make the entire project even more objectionable, he is insisting the project be 2-sided.... yup..... more t-shirts on the back. How do you convince a man his idea is lousy???? The picture below shows the progress. Can you tell that some of the shirts are ready to be fused? I am using lightweight bonding web... but when this is all sandwiched together... you guessed it..... he wants it to be quilted all over. To add insult to injury, he has enough t-shirts to make F-O-U-R of these covers...... yes, FOUR..... 4. He is as thrilled, anxious, and excited to get these assembled as if he is making it himself. (He even offered to help do the applique work. I will pretend I didn't hear him say that)! You gotta love a guy who has that much faith in your abilities... especially when I am having trouble visualizing (let alone conceptualizing) the end result. MEN!!!
T-shirts from all over the world...literally!
I finally got the wayward BOM installment in the mail...only 1-1/2 weeks later!! At this point I'd rather be working on those blocks... but that's another story! When does the Mystery BOM start again? Boy, am I ready.
Until I get out of this funk.....
I've just spent the better part of the afternoon reading the website/blog of a woman I've never met and likely never will. It all started when Cindy called and told me about a fabulous salad she ate at a recent sewing event at her LQS. (Life can't get much better than that.... quilting and eating... at the same time!!)
Cindy tells me the name of the recipe is Napa Cabbage Salad and that the woman who made the recipe told Cindy the recipe could easily be found on the Internet. Ever industrious...or maybe always REALLY bored.... I typed the name in a search engine and started following links to the differing versions of Napa Cabbage Salad.
Then I hit upon this little jewel. Not only does the author make me laugh, she takes incredibly helpful pictures of recipes as she prepares them. She refers to herself as The Pioneer Woman. Check it out and get a chuckle...not to mention some wonderful recipe ideas. I added one of her entries to my upcoming Easter Dinner fare. There is a companion website/blog for the recipes called The Pioneer Woman Cooks.
Until later....
Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone, Irish or not! It is also the 14th birthday of my youngest son, appropriately named Patrick. (His birthparents named him and it was so symbolic of the day we didn't have the heart to change it when we adopted him.) Seems impossible he is already that age. Despite the precarious nature of the relationship he has chosen with those who love him most, I wish him many more birthdays in the future years. It will be up to him to make them into what he would have them be.
Storms are headed this way. Typical spring storms in north Texas... threat of hail and tornadoes.
Already ate my corned beef and cabbage. Now to watch Two and a Half Men and Deal or No Deal. Might have to sneak a sip of Irish Whiskey into my bloodstream so the few drops of Irish blood coarsing through my veins actually stick around. lol
Still no sign of the next BOM installment in my mailbox, Cindy. If it isn't here in a few days I'll give the shop a call.
Happy Birthday, Patrick. Mom loves you and I am thinking of you.
Take a good look. This might be the *only* time in the recent past, present, or foreseeable future that my cutting/sewing table consisted of an honest-to-goodness open, workable space.
Back to work I go. I've been cleaning my table, sorting through a pile of patterns, organizing some WIPs, sorting and separating some prints (Thimbleberries and Kansas Troubles), and all manner of productivity today.
Cindy, still haven't seen the mailman to know if I got the next BOM package. Sure, now that I have room to work on it, the dang thing will take its time getting here! lol
Until I take another blogging break....
Haven't had the chance to do any more batik sampler blocks and it is stressing me. Life certainly intervenes at the most inopportune moments.
I've been doing some genealogical research again. Its been ages since I did that, too. Quite unexpectedly I was provided a lead to some files online that pertained to some of my lines. Hit the jackpot!!! The discovery involved my 6th great-grandfather (GRAY). I was excited to learn that he fought in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 upon review of his military records. Not that I am particularly interested in military records, but I was provided yet another surname in my line (CARTWRIGHT). This is always a grand discovery!! My paternal lines in the USA go back to the Salem Witch trials (HERRICK)..... but my maternal lines didn't start arriving on these shores until 1739 or later (SCHUPP; pronounced like Shupe/Shoop) with the "Pennsylvania Dutch" in and around Dauphin and Lancaster counties. My maternal grandfather (MATOUSEK; from Czechoslovakia) didn't arrive until after 1900. This doesn't even take into consideration my Norwegian roots (1840s), my Irish ancestors (1850s), and the scores of Bavarian kin (1840s) that immigrated to this land. So I am definitely a Heinz 57..... mutt..... true American!!
A word about the tunes.... there is a definite mix, isn't there? You can skip songs by clicking on a song title more to your liking or you can stop the player by clicking on the little pause/stop symbol. These songs have all been a "favorite" at one time or another, for one reason or another. Some go back to the 60s when I first remember preferring some songs to others... some are from my high school days... some are 70s disco.... some are from college... some are recent when my kids started liking music. I'll likely keep adding to these as I think of more tunes to add to the playlist. I also like to rearrange them from time to time.
Until another time.....
I need some help in a *major* way. I have been [quasi] commissioned .... cajoled and then out-and-out begged is more like it...to make several quilts which will involve a great deal of applique. Now, while I have done applique projects in the past, it has been quite a few years since I last did the kind of applique being called for on these projects. I will need to do FUSIBLE applique. I have used Wonder-Under and one other (Steam-a-Seam Lite or Steam-a-Seam II??) in the past; wasn't particularly thrilled with the results of either. I need something that will remain relatively soft rather than "cardboardy" as some heavy-duty fusibles can become.
Is there anything new on the market that fits this description? Please share your comments or suggestions about what has been successful for your fusible applique projects...and THANKS!!!!
Until I get a better idea of how to proceed.....
....here is yet another batik sampler block. I think this brings the count to 14 of the total 82 blocks completed. I have a looooong way to go. Cindy said she thinks she has 20something completed. Perry probably has 100+82 finished the way she is sewing like gang-busters these days!
Janelle was in the room as I made this block. She commented that I had way too much patience to sit there making something as small as this block without going crazy. The blocks *are* somewhat smaller than the typical 12" block. These will finish at 7-1/2" when they are assembled into a top. But Janelle is a 20 year old - full of energy and life - no time to be meticulous. rofl Oh how nice it must be!
Time to get busy. The weather is wonderful today and I think it is time to go enjoy some of it. Or maybe I will crank out another batik sampler block!!
Until the next time....
I actually made another batik sampler block. Those things have lots of pieces!! This block has over 40 of the little buggers. I have also planned out the next several blocks. Decided to go in the order they are listed in the pattern so I can alleviate the decision-making process on which to make next!! I've gone through the next several block patterns, assigning the colors. I don't take very good pictures of projects. I don't have a design wall so I lay projects on a table or the floor. I can't get straight away or else the camera and my hand make a shadow across the item being photographed. 
I've come to recognize that the hard part for me when it comes to quilting is the decision-making aspect. I am no good at deciding which fabrics/prints, which colors, or even which pattern, for that matter! I would do much better with a BOM or kit where everything is spelled out for me. And even now the current BOM is driving me nuts because I get sent precut strips and have to decide which 2 colors/prints to feature in each of the 14 blocks before I make the sub-cuts. I need a quilt genie!
Went to a wine-tasting class on Saturday night. It was very interesting. The main thing I learned is that I am too poor to afford the really good stuff! I got to see some folks I had not seen in ages, some as long ago as 8 or so years. My sister and I were laughing today about how well or not-so some of the people had aged. We mutually agreed that not everyone had aged as well as she and I have!!! ROFL
Until I again have something interesting to share......
I've been busy and I'm literally forcing myself to sit down to update this blog.
Last weekend Harry and I attended the 26th (or was it 27th?) Annual North Texas Irish Festival. The weather was incredibly perfect for such an event. The temperature was nearly 80 on both Saturday and Sunday.
The Festival is held at the Texas State Fair grounds. Two of the larger exhibit buildings are used for booths of all things Irish, Gaelic, Druid, Scottish, English, Renaissance, etc. Inside each building there are at least 2 stages for musical acts. Someone is singing at any given moment. Outside in the plaza between the 2 buildings is a long, reflecting pool and fountain that is drained, allowing the walls of the fountain to be used for sitting to watch the main stage set at one end. The beer and mead flow freely, as does the corned beef, cabbage, shepherd's pie, Irish stew, and more goodies than you can possibly eat. I was particularly fond of the mead. Last year I preferred the Irish Whiskeys. Came away with a good mead buzz and a complimentary copy of The Other Boleyn Girl. I was a happy camper. 
Then things got strange. On Monday, March 3 it was Ross's birthday as some of you read in the blog entry that day. A norther came through and by evening it was SNOWING!!! We got about an inch of snow that stuck to little more than the cold metal of automobiles parked in the wind. By the next morning it was all melted. So much for our winter blast in Dallas!
Today is nearly 70 again; tomorrow it will rain and be lucky to reach 40. Its a wonder we don't all have pneumonia this time of year.
Yesterday I went to a suburb south of town to meet and visit with some of Harry's former coworkers and fellow retirees. It was a fun afternoon. Got to look at some shotguns owned by one of his friends. We also sampled some spicy venison summer sausage a friend made from his last hunting adventure. Oh my, was it tasty!!
I was awed by the shotguns. Some were antique; others still in the box from the manufacturer. How I'd love to own one. My dad has some shotguns he used when he was a boy. I once asked if I could have one - or at least use one. I was given a resounding NO. I guess he wants to be buried with them... or else he thinks I am still 5 years old and could hurt myself. I need to talk to Mom about that one!!
Remington 12 ga.
Talked to Cindy this afternoon. I told her I'd received the next BOM installment for the Dash of Christmas Spirit project in the mail today. She was thoughtful enough to point out that I also need to start the pumpkin quilt I keep meaning to make!! We both agreed that if we couldn't buy another thing quilt related we'd have enough stuff on hand at home to keep us busy sewing for years. I'd bet Cindy and I are not alone in that regard. lol
Technically I should now go sew. Nah..... I still need to clean the kitchen, do some laundry, check the TV listing for tonight, read a chapter in the latest book that's collecting dust on my nightstand, run some errands, and more. I can always find something to do.
Until another day.....
It all began in 1991
After winning District Swim Meet - 2007Ross, many more happy birthdays! May your future always remain as bright as it is today.
Love, Mom
Yes, as Perry put it in her latest blog entry, it is bright out here. I am also taking that to mean she is feeling better... or at least well enough to crawl out of the rabbit hole in which she was hiding for a few days.
There isn't a cloud in the sky and the temps are supposed to be in the mid 70s. I guess spring will be here soon.
I had to share this with you. I have a confused Christmas Cactus. It is already blooming again after having done so between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I recall reading they can bloom again around Easter, but even this latest blossoming has surprised me. No sooner had I removed the dead blooms from the last flowering when this one started. They must like it here. Also shown is an African Violet. I love these little flowers and the thick, velvety leaves. My paternal grandmother always had violets growing (and blooming) on her porch. They remind me of her. I suppose that is why I keep some around.
Until the next post.....
It seems I've been on a mission of late. Cindy started it when she mentioned her new iron a few days ago. I've never owned a Rowenta, but I can relate to the problem of a leaking iron. I go through irons like some people change shoes. Perhaps it is because the ironing board is always ready to go in the event I start making some blocks. More likely it is because in my rough and tumble household of teenage males there is always a football, skateboard, or other flying object knocking the iron to the floor. The water tank cracks and I am again the proud owner of yet another leaking steam iron. Can't bring myself to part with them. After all, the "dry" setting still works!! (Rolling my eyes here at the depths to which I will stoop to justify my propensity to remain a packrat).
No, I didn't rush right out and buy a new iron (I substitute steam for a nearby, handy spray bottle of water should it become necessary). Instead I bought soleplate cleaner and put myself to work cleaning all the burned gunk off the bottom of my existing irons, the cracked-tank population included. So that you don't have to wonder how the gunk gets on the iron just by simply pressing seams while I construct blocks, let me alleviate your curiosity. KIDS!! More specifically, BOYS!!! Did I mention TEEN boys?
They never give a flying-fig about their appearance until there is a "woman" involved. Then all of the sudden even the grungiest t-shirt requires an ironed-to-perfection dewrinkling. At this point the desire to impress the young lady becomes so great that the boys take it upon themselves to do the task without benefit of asking MOM. (Wow! perhaps I did something right in their rearing if they are willing to save their poor, old, mother extra work. Too bad they forgot the cost of the cleaner, the elbow-grease, and the extra fabric to remake a block when it is discovered that scorched glue has now been transferred to the latest quilt project!!)
Did you know the speed at which the wrinkles disappear is directly proportional to the heat setting of the iron controls - the hotter the iron setting, the faster the wrinkles disappear? WRONG!! Especially if you happen to smooth across the rubbery, iron-on design associated with the preferred shirt at the highest possible setting. And that is how my perfectly good, leaking irons get covered with gunk.
Next noted was the deplorable condition of the ironing board cover. You gotta love 'em! They *tried* to get the glue off the iron while it was still hot. They really did... all over the edges of the cover. So now the relatively simple task of cleaning an iron (or two or three) has translated into a trip to yet another store to buy a new cover.
It took an entire afternoon to accomplish so little in a workspace covering no more area than a square yard. Rest assured I felt satisfied.... now the iron and the board are renewed and ready for the next quilt blocks to be made.... or for the next wrinkled t-shirt; whichever comes first!!
Until the next time.....
Isn't the snow beautiful? This was taken by relatives in northern Wisconsin. They were enjoying a day of snowmobiling. How I wish I could experience this just once. (Snowmobiles weren't invented yet when I lived there as a young girl.) But I do remember the snow... playing in it, building a snowman, iceskating. I wasn't old enough nor strong enough to do the work associated with the wintery groundcover - the shoveling!!
Some of you think I am crazy to want snow. But if you looked at the thermometer in my sidebar around 5:oo pm you would notice that it reads 82 degrees. Can you imagine 82 degrees on February 25? That is warm enough to turn on the air. No wonder I stay so cash poor.
Progress has been made on the Block-of-the-Month front. I have several blocks fully completed and now the remainder are waiting to be seamed. The blocks are a 9-patch version and all that I lack is the actual assembly of the "patches". The HSTs and the side pieces are finished.
Ummm.... disregard the above paragraph. I got soooo angry at myself for yet again procrastinating and putting off the completion of the BOM installment that as soon as I typed the part about the HSTs I got up from this computer and went to the machine to finish the remaining blocks. I AM ALL CAUGHT UP WITH THE BOM INSTALLMENTS!!!
Other than working on the blocks today, I've been busy. I experimented with making Black Pepper - Prosciutto bread yesterday afternoon. Not 100% successful, but headed the right direction. I should have subdivided the dough into quarters rather than just halving it.
I added some fish to the aquarium. First I took the goldfish to the nearby creek and released them. I couldn't make myself do something as cruel as flush them or give them to my cats. I now have Neon Tetras and Glowlight Tetras. 
I need to finish some laundry, think about starting dinner, and find something relaxing to do for the evening. I wonder if I should start another quilt! ROFL Aren't there supposed to be some postings of progress made on a Web Challenge quilt? I am craning my neck to see.......
Until later........ (Cindy, sorry you have the flu. Lot of that going around. Take care of yourself.)
I am back in Dallas after what proved to be a much needed change of pace, change of scenery, and change of attitude. I traveled to Athens.... Athens, Texas that is; population approaching 13,000.
Since the day I first ohhed and ahhed over a quilt, I've been under the influence. Yes, I get giddy (practically with drunkeness) when I am around gorgeous cotton fabrics that lend themselves well to an equally gorgeous quilt pattern. Fortunately I am not alone and in the company of some mighty wonderful people.
Then there are quilters who *are* the bad influence. These are the gals who are forever finding and pointing out new projects that make the rest of us drool. They know exactly how to feed this addiction we have. All they have to do is mention a website, a new offering at an online quilt shop, or a pattern they happened to see in a magazine. The rest of us unquestioningly take a peek at what the fuss is all about and before we know it, we are buying the kit, pulling fabrics from our stash, or signing up for yet another BOM or block swap.
There are some who take care of their addiction on the sly. They find these gorgeous projects, sign up to participate (whether by providing a credit card number or mentally committing to see the thing through), and then, ... see definition of bad influence above. All the while they act innocent and unaffected; like they can display incredible willpower and not succumb to the craving. Who is kidding whom?????
Hello. My name is Gena and I am an addict... ummm, and a bad influence (but only at times)..... as for the rest of you - You know who (and what) you are!!! *grin*
Until I need another 'fix'.....
