Susie Q's World

I got this link in an emal from a friend. This is a great site. Cetainly something that you should not miss. If you get a moment to stop by Susie Q's World you will not be dissapointed. Be sure to click on the links at the home page. She has done such a wonderful job, you will be glad that you took the time.

Hoffman Challenge 2006 - Winning Dolls

The Hoffman Doll Challenge was a huge success this year, as always. There were many, many entries but unfortunately only a few can be chosen as the winners. Kuddo's go out to all of the artists and doll makers who participated. There were some lovely, creative, and interesting entries.

If you haven't gotten a chance yet to see the winners of this year's challenge please click here.

If you would like to see previous year's challenge winners, click on the links:
2005 Winners

2004 Winners

2003 Winners

2002 Winners

If you are interested in receiving information regarding upcoming Hoffman Challenges, please visit Notes From Jukebox.

For those of you who are new to doll making, would like to try your hand at doll making, or are simply looking for a fun and creative personal challenge, I invite you to stop by The Cloth Doll Connection's Freebies Page.

Overflowing with Heart

I recently completed 2 hearts for a group swap. My first time (no, really) and I had a lot of fun. I spent a considerable amount of time browsing around for inspiration (and embellishing examples), and I began to discover that CQ hearts were everywhere. They are quite possibly the most popular on-going CQ project around.

There is such a wealth of wonderful embellishing being done that it would be quite impossible to even attempt to list it. So, I decided that I would treat you to a sample of some of the eye candy out there just to get you started. You will find that one site will lead you to another, and before you know it you'll wonder where the day went. I dare you not to drool on your keyboard.

Grab a comfortable seat and enjoy the ride.....

Debbie














Iris Susan

Jo in NZ



















Lillian

Melissa











Renea


















Ribbonwiz

My Fur Babies are Celebs!

This is a picture that we submitted to the Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of Houston (MSRH) for the upcoming 2007 Calendar.

There are lots of other much loved fur babies also being considered. And it just doesn't matter to Fritz (right) and Bella (left) if they get their own page or not. We all just want lots of humans to buy the calendar (and other neat stuff) so that the great people with MSRH can keep making happy families.

This is our "Happy Ending" story:

We made Bella a member of our family on July 5, 2006. And we weren't really sure at the time how she would fit into our family. First of all, we had never seen a white schnauzer before and were a little hesitant. We didn't know how another fur baby would change or impact our lives. Especially, our other (current) mini, Fritz - a six year old, 'only child.' Would he enjoy a companion? Would he feel slighted? Or jealous? How would he treat her?

Well, we took the plunge and we could not be happier. Fritz and Bella play together wonderfully! They run, and wrestle, and tug on toys. They sleep together (in our bed, of course), and usually right next to each other. They are constant companions. Bella is such an affectionate, loving, sweet little girl. So eager to please, so willing to learn, and so easy to train. When mommy is running errands or we go out for awhile, she has full run of the house with Fritz. No crating or confining necessary. And they are both at the door barking greetings and wagging their nubs when we come home. We just love her to pieces!

We are so grateful to Karen, Sherry, and Mona for helping us to make Bella a much loved and appreciated member of our family.

Another Car in the Garage

Well, it was bound to happen. But what an eye-opener it turned out to be on Monday when we had to clean out the garage to make room for a 3rd vehicle.

Yes, light-bulb goes off - my baby is going to be 16 in 6 weeks. He’s had his Learner’s Permit for nearly a year and has gotten quite a bit of driving experience under his belt. Yet, when we started car shopping a few weeks ago it never really occurred to me what that actually meant. He’s about to take a head dive out of the nest. He’ll be flying alone! And I’m wondering just how large of a crowbar we’ll need to pry me loose (lol).

The odd thing is that the day started out pretty much the same as the one before. Uneventful. But around noon it started to pick up momentum. The next thing I know, we are on our way to revisit ‘the car’ from last week. My DH grabs the check book, we all pile into my Jeep, and we’re off!

It seems that the next thing I remember is feeling stunned. Why, you ask? Well, because DH decides that right out of the shoot, our son should have the car of ‘his dreams.’ My DH’s rational? “When I turned 16 my dad bought me a brand new 1969 GTO TriPower, and he was still driving an old pick up truck.” So, with eyes rolling and head shaking I think back to how I had to buy my first (very used) car all by my little lonesome. Anyway, as I began to regain my senses, I discovered what the automobile insurance was going to cost. I darn near dropped face first on the floor! And if I was certain that I could get back up, I just might have.

I’m still wondering if I was actually in the Twilight Zone or not. I remember the sales person fueling a 2004, fire engine red, Mustang Coupe as we marched off to do ‘the paperwork.’ I vaguely remember the three of us sitting in the waiting room. My little darling just beaming. Grinning from ear to ear. DH tapping the check book on his knee, and me, with a blank look on my face and still shaking my head.

All too soon the fog disappeared and reality set in. It was a done deal. The kid had keys in hand, DH was climbing into ‘the kid’s car’, and poor befuddled mom is bringing up the rear in her Jeep. Awwwwwww, I’m hoping that this little adventure will somehow help prepare me for when he leaves for college. :)

A Crazy Quilt

They do not make them any more,
For quilts are cheaper at the store
Than woman's labor, though a wife
Men think the cheapest thing in life.
But now and then a quilt is spread
Upon quaint old walnut bed,
A crazy quilt of those days
That I am old enough to praise.

Some woman sewed these points and squares
Into a pattern like life's cares.
Here is a velvet that was stong,
The poplin that she wore so long,
A fragment from her daughter's dress,
Like her, a vanished loveliness;
Old patches of such things as these,
Old garments and old memories.

And what is life? A crazy quilt;
Sorrow and joy, and grace and guilt,
With here and there a square of blue
For some old happiness we knew;
And so the hand of time will take
The fragments of our lives and make,
Out of life's remnants, as they fall,
A thing of beauty, after all.

Douglas Malloch
(Taken from The Romance of the Patchwork Quilt in America)

Quote of the Day

"People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built."
Eleanor Roosevelt

Memories of New Orleans, 02/04

Those of you familiar with New Orleans will recognize these pictures immediately. But for the benefit of the others:

French Quarter/Bourbon Street Area.














Across the bay at the Mardi Gras float warehouse.










Yes, that's us....
Smile, you're on spastic spotlight!









Anne Rice's home in the Garden District. I believe she has since moved. The home is really quite breath-taking. As are most of the homes in the Garden District. I absolutely love to read anything by Anne Rice.





Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1/Marie Laveau's tomb. I have been fascinated with cemetaries for as long as I can remember. They just never frightened me. I have also been very intrigued by Marie Laveau since the first time I heard the Doctor Hook and the Medicine Show's song about her.