Shopping....aka Therapy......

I'm making a log cabin quilt. It's currently in two pieces and then it will officially be a flimsy! I can't decide on a border. I've "auditioned" several fabrics, but...none seem to work. Blue or white or cream all just wash out the blocks. I've almost decided on a burgandy. It's the best choice so far.

It makes the blocks stand out. I tried a dark gray and a light gray. It didn't work at all. Well, this decided it for me. Burgandy it is. I should be able to finish this and add border tomorrow. I'd like to start quilting it tomorrow, too, but I doubt I'll manage that.

Connecting Threads had a sale, so. Here comes therapy part. In the basket are 99 coordinating fat quarters. Yep, blues and creams and some wine colored fat quarters. I don't have a plan for them yet, but they are just so pretty and I love their fabrics.

Then there was the clearance fabrics, so....why not? Several yards of each. Sure, I'll take it. I also got some fusible 1/4" green quick bias. Just in case I ever learn to applique. You never can be too prepared, I hear.

More fat quarters from Connecting threads.

And then we get to the real therapy/shopping part. One of our local Wallyworld's is getting rid of their fabric department. Yep, it's all half off. How could I say no to that? Garry, of course, is still trying to get back on my good side, as if I have a good side, so HE thought it might be a good idea if I went over there and stocked up.

Now, of course, I couldn't say no. So all this fabric stack up in these pics are what I bought there. Some of it are 10 yard cuts and some are 2. Ok...most are 3 or 5 yards. I have no idea how much I bought. But...I bought a lot.

Now where am I going to put it? The shelves have very little space left on them. Maybe I'll have to go get some more shelves tomorrow.

Can you see my evil grin?

Sunday Giggle....

I needed a giggle today. Really really badly. Thought I'd share with you...

Ok...I'll tell ya, it's very very rare that my hubby and I argue about anything. And, I'll also admit, I'm really mad at him right now. It will pass, but WOW, he is gonna have to suffer for this one. Can you hear the wheels turning?

9-11

It's 9-11 again. I tried to find a pic to commemorate this date, but I dare say they are just too sad to post. I'm sure each of you remember where you were and what your were doing and who you were with, when this terrible attack happened. I was at my cabin in Northern Michigan. I was with my husband, Garry and a friend/employee, Mike. It was a beautiful up north weekend. We were having coffee and watching The Today Show. And then it happened. I kept thinking "The pilot must have had a heart attack or something." Mike said "No way! That's intentional." I argued that no one in his/her right mind could do that intentionally. Then the second one hit. And at that moment I knew Mike was right. I still can't wrap my mind around it. It's beyond me. It seems that through our lives certain events remain embedded into our memories. The day Kennedy was shot, The Challenger, and for me the day John Lennon was killed.....and this tragedy. My heart still aches for the loved ones, lost. I can not imagine being there. I guess I'm actually glad that I don't understand this whole mind set of anyone who could do this, as I think it would make me insane.

So, to all my online friends ... know today that I am thinking of each of you. I appreciate all of you more than I can say and even if we never meet, I am proud to call you friends. Hug someone you love today. I know I will.

Canning Tomatoes

My current life in pictures......

Yep, maters are coming in here in Michigan. I love them. I have about 50 plants and it won't be near enough for canning. I can about 180 quarts each year. Why, you ask? I have no idea. I love the home canned tomatoes more than the store bought ones. I'm OCD, so ... I like the idea of it. The system to it, I guess. I also like the idea that I grew them and then in the dead of winter, I can open something grown myself and make a great pot of chilli. Also, You Know Who, thinks it's amazing. He thinks it's some kind of magical powers that I possess that I can do this. It's the least I can do for him since I spend all the money he earns on fabric. Yes, I earn it too, but he's the one who is out at 3 a.m. all winter fixing furnaces. So....that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I'll be back when I run out of tomatoes or my back gives out.

Oh....and ... that poor sad large canning pot....I have a big fancy pressure cooker for canning. I don't care for it. Four of my wonderful Aunts in Tennesse went together to buy it for me and I love them so much for doing it, but I love this poor rusty old pathetic pot. Something to be said for keeping with traditions maybe. I've used this one for years. I should throw it out, but I never will. The bottom will have to rust away before I give it up. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Need to get healthier....

Yep, I've gained another 12 pounds this year. Every year, it seems as if I gain 10 pounds. I'm tired of it. I think it's why I feel so crappy so often. So, I'm leaving in 25 minutes and heading for the gym. I bought a lifetime membership about 15 years ago and used it for about a year. Then, like most people, I quit going. In my defense, the one closest to me burnt down about 10 years ago, and I hate driving to the other one. It's in front of the biggest mall in our town. The traffic there is horrible. But, I paid for it, so I might as well use it. I'll be moaning and groaning tomorrow, I'm already preparing for it. I think I'll try to go three times a week. Wish me luck.

Life sure can get in the way.....

When you're trying to craft! I've been too busy. Too much going on after the elections. Lots of Chamber of Commerce stuff to do. I actually had to do some bring home the bacon work since I took almost a month off during the little mini-competition with Kristie. I have tried to climb Mt. Laundry, but failed to reach the summit. Oh well....on to the pics.....

Really simple little pinwheel quilt and I stippled it a lot smaller than I've ever done. I have to say, I love this one. All that's left is binding and it's a finish.

Locker hooking. Yep, tried it. Like it lots. This is about 36x24 or so. It used a lot of fabric, but was great for in the evenings with the family. I may do some more of these!

I finally got the block done for "you know who's" quilt. I know, it took me a while and while it's not anything like the masterpieces done by some very talented Prolific Quilters, I'm finally satisfied with it. Lots of love went into it, and what talent I have is there, too.

So, here's the kicker. Garry is up north dirtbiking this weekend. My daughter, Cindy has company staying with us while her family is away on a trip. That leaves me all alone. Naturally, to fill the empty void (giggle), I went to Joann's. About 40 yards of fabric followed me out to my car. I loaded it up and brought it home and folded it up nice and neat and inserted it into the already "found a home" fabric I had. Yes, I did say about 40 yards. It was on sale! Well, some of it was on sale. Some of it wasn't. And, I rearranged my sewing (living room) to include a chest of drawers. Yep, there is fabric stashed in it too. No one (you know who that is) would have been the wiser, except he called while I was in Joann's and said.... ready.... "Where are ya?" I might hide fabric, but I wouldn't outright lie to him. So I told him. He didn't say a word. Of course, he was up north.....DIRTBIKING! I'm sure I spent less than he did this weekend. Hehehehehheeeeehhheheheeee!

So, I'm off to see if I can finish something tonight. I do have to get to bed at a decent time for church service in the morning, but I don't have my usual 10:00 class, so I don't have to be there til 11. Ahhhhhhhhh......I'll sleep in an extra hour tomorrow......

Have a great weekend!

Primary Elections......

I'm a nervous wreck. Today was election day. I'm fairly sure I got at least two votes. Mine and my husbands. Other than those...I don't have a clue. I didn't think I'd be this ... uhmmmm....nervous about it. It's scary putting myself out there this way. I have never "run" for anything. Nothing in my school years. I am the Treasurer of our Chamber of Commerce, but I didn't run for that position. It was hoisted upon me....giggle! Ok....When I hear the results, I'll just edit this post.
Edit: I did not win the election. I'm ok with it. I did get enough votes to hold my head up high, so that's cool. It was a great learning experience for me. I'll have a run at it again in four years, if I'm not ruling some country, starring on broadway, or having found fame in some other venue.....hehehehheheee..... I thought I would feel a lot worse about it, but I don't. I guess each day is just an adventure and I tried something I never thought I would try. Life is still good and I'm still a happy woman. Vacation Bible School is going on at my church all this week. Maybe that's why I have the outlook I have. Some good lessons are learned from watching children.....