My Goodness...

What a trying couple of weeks we've had around our house. We thought the loss of Bella was the worst of it. Not even close. So, with way too much confusion and way too many tears, we realize that life goes on no matter what. And now it's time to get a grip and move forward.

I do want to say that I truly appreciate your comments, your kind words, your condolences, and your taking the time to stop by and see what's happening in my little corner of cyber-space. You haven't gone unnoticed!

Well, life being what it is, I need to start getting back on track. So, I'm off to see if I can get some of my piles under control.

Until next time...Happy Needling!!!

STS - Winter

This is my 1/2 worked Season to Season (STS) share block for "Winter". I'm very pleased that there was such a great turn out again for part II of the project. But again we have an uneven number of participants. SO, it looks like I'm going to be needing another Make It Even block. I guess I have better get busy!







Until next time...Happy Needling!!!

Bear, Bear, Where Are You????

If anyone out there knows how to reach Bear, please have her contact me. She won a freebie and I would like to mail it out.

Thanks and until next time...Happy Needling!!!

A Special Email

I got this email today. I don't know who sent it. It said that it came from my email address. Well, I know I didn't send it. And no, I haven't lost my mind. I also know that because I password protect my computer and no one in my household has access to it.

So with goosebumps all over, I read this. And I read it over and over. I know it can't be from Bella. (I'm more lucid than that. LOL) But I'm glad it came.

MOM thanks for finding me
MOM thanks for your caring and love
MOM thanks for the special blanket you made for me so I could lay and look out the window
MOM thanks for the wiping my feet when they got wet
MOM thanks for all the cookies and treats you bought for Fritz and me
MOM thanks for loving me so much
MOM thanks for being you
MOM I LOVE YOU



Thank you to whomever sent this to me. And I would like to know how you managed it!


*****UPDATE - My dear, sweet mom sent this to me - THANKS MOM!!!!*****

Rest In Peace My Sweet Girl

As those of you who follow my blog know, that with the exception of an occasional MeMe, I don't really bring my personal life into my blog. Today I make an exception. Because today I laid to rest the most loving companion I have ever had.

Sadly, she was with our family for only 15 months. We brought her home on July 5th, 2006. She came to us from Houston Schnauzer Rescue. I fell in love with her the moment I laid eyes on her. And for those of you who don't know, her name IS Bella.

She adopted me as her 'human' and while friendly to the rest of the family...she was MY dog. She loved to play with Fritz. Bella quickly accepted him as both her mate and her mentor. (Aren't they cute together?)

I don't know how long it will take me to fully accept losing her. And the fact that I did absolutely everything I could to take care of her isn't very comforting right now. Because in the end what I couldn't do is protect her from a rare and aggressive cancer. One that took the life out of her in less than a month. One so aggressive that between 9AM and 1PM today, she was lost to me.

We opted to have surgery preformed to remove a tennis ball sized lump in her belly. And most probably the removal of her spleen. But during surgery it was discovered that the cancer had engulfed her liver and there was no hope.

To say that I am heart-broken doesn't begin to describe the loss I feel for her. I'm torn between helplessness and anger. But I know with certainty that I will miss her head lying next to mine while I sleep. I will miss hearing her breath. I will miss her at my side every step I take during the day. I will miss her little tail nub wagging until it's a blur. And I will miss telling her how much I love her.

I'm also sure that Fritz will be lost and lonely, too.


Rest in peace, my sweet little girl. Mom loves you!

Crafters Who Care - Completed

I just love it when things work the way they're supposed to. Today, I made nice with my serger and got the other 5 wheelchair/walker bags finished for Courtney's charity project. You can read more about it HERE.



I'm hoping to get these in the mail in the next day or two, Courtney! Well, got to go. I'm on a roll and I'm going to take advantage of it. LOL.

Until next time...Happy Needling!!!

STS - Winter

This is the block I pieced for part two of the Season to Season block share project that I'm hostessing with CQN.



I was happy to get a little bit of a jump on this. Sign-ups have just closed and the 1/2 worked blocks aren't due to be mailed to me until November 1st. And due to the 'holidays' this project will run to the first of the year.

Be sure to check back for photos and updates. And until next time...Happy Needling!!!

And The Winners Are...

For the first set of 5 fat quarters, postage paid, (going to the first commenter whose name begins with the letter pulled out of the hat) is Dee in Idaho.

Dee was unable to leave a comment so she emailed me. I received her email on 10/04/07 at 10:33 PM.

For the second set of 5 fat quarters, postage paid, in a totally random drawing (all names for comments and emails included) is Bear in Australia.

Congratulations Dee and Bear. I will be sending you an email asking you to send me your snail mail addresses. I'm planning on mailing your fabrics out by Friday.

Thank you everyone so much for playing. And until next time...Happy Needling!

Ever Had This Feeling?

Well, I was out of gas, running late and had to come back to get DS a different shirt before I took him to DPS today. And guess what???? About 10 minutes into standing in line he remembered that he forgot his wallet. I'm grateful is wasn't an hour.

Sadly, the last two weeks has been pretty much a series of unfortunate events. And the BONUS is...they've all been really inconvenient and costly. LOL.

Oh well, it must be time for a glass of wine and some deep reflection about how and when I messed up my Karma. Sorry, you can't join me. This pity-party is for one!


Until next time...Happy Needling!!!

2007 VBCS - Finished

Today was a nice lazy day for me. I managed to get my Crazy Quilted Christmas Stocking, aka Victorian Boot Christmas Stocking finished for CQN. Mary is our hostess again this year for this swap. Not only is this a great swap, it's wonderful for building your stash. Each stocking will be accompanied by 4 squishies full of fabrics, beads, lace, charms, ribbon, etc. A real crazy quilter's dream!!!!





You can see the boot I made last year, and my naked block for this year's swap at this POST. Just scroll toward the bottom of the post.

Well, it's been a full and productive day. So, I'm off to bed. Until next time...Happy Needling!!!

Fairy Tale RR - Nancy's Block

It's DS's birthday today, so I'm just doing a quickie post to show the work that I've done on Nancy's block. Her story for this round robin is "The Night Before Christmas."

Entire block:



I added the sleigh and reindeer, the seam treatment above Santa and to the left (on the curve).



Nancy is looking for a very 'Victorian' decorated block. So, I gave ornaments. Or at least my version of them.



And finally, a candle stick holder, with burning candles.



Well, gotta run. Until next time...Happy Needling!!!

Fiary Tale RR - Lauri's Block

The other day I received 2 of the 4 blocks I'm waiting for, for the Crazy4CQ/CQN Round Robin. I have completed my work on all of the Unicorn Group blocks. Now, only the Fairy Group blocks remain.

This block was lovely as a naked block. After being worked, it is really quite beautiful. The ladies in this RR have really done a nice job. This is the work I did on Lauri's "Last Unicorn" block.


I added (1st photo): the silver metallic seam treatment and green beads at the upper left corner of the Unicorn, and also the white and black beads at the bottom. I also made a slit in the back of the Unicorn siggie and added some quilt batting inside to 'poof' it out. It had gotten really stretched, skewed and wrinkled during its journey. Now it looks like a little pillow and has a wonderful 3D look to it.

(2nd photo): the butterfly button cluster, the ribbon and french knots (to the left), and the dual seam treatments (lazy daisy, beads, and flowers) below.



(3rd photo): "seascape" (but not the purple bead trail at the right bottom), and (4th photo) the vine type seam treatment with french knots and the purple beads (to the existing lace).



The other block I received is Nancy's. I will start working on it today and post photos when I finish my part. Hopefully, I will receive the final 2 blocks soon.

As always, thank you for taking the time to stop by and look! And until next time...Happy Needling!!!

Crafters Who Care - Courtney

Today I put this little bag together for Courtney's "charity project to brighten the nursing home residents' Christmas."

It's a really neat thing that she's doing. Please pop over and see. Maybe you could also help out. Courtney says, "I would like to have them all by December 1st. Anything extra you want to make (lap quilts, little pretty whatnots) I would be happy to accept as well."

This bag is my prototype. I know I can do a better job. And I don't know if I'll put the pockets in the rest of them because it's really time consuming. But we'll see. I plan on making 2 bags in each of these fabrics.



Well, I better get back after it. Until next time...Happy Needling!!!

My STS - Fall Blocks Are Back

Yippee!!! I got both of my blocks back from my partners this week. These women are QUICK! The blocks aren't even due to be mailed until October 25th. In fact, I'm surprised that I'm receiving so many of them so soon. Good job, ladies!

Anyway, I am just tickled with both of these blocks. It's obvious that a lot of time, thought and effort were put into finishing them. My original block went to Carole. She put so many wonderful treatments on this block, as you can see in the before and after photos. I especially like the ribbon work and the lace motif. I added the additional photo because I thought the bead work was just so unique and fun.



And you'll notice if you pop over to her blog that she already has her Winter block pieced. LOL.

My second block was dubbed the "Make It Even" block because we had an uneven number of partners. This block was supposed to be raffled off/given away in some manner to the group since we're all allowed only one block. But now that I have it in my hot little hands I don't want to give it away. It will be difficult to part with it.

Sharon R worked on this block. I don't know where she found the embellishments that she used. They are just adorable. I had added a lot of lace and trims to this block and Sharon did a great job of spicing them up with french knots, beads, and buttons. I got the biggest kick out of the little bees and the gourd. Way too cute.



It makes me feel good to know that everyone participating is going to be just thrilled with their blocks. This has been a great group of swappers. They have taken so much care in doing their best for their partners. I'm so very proud of all of you! Thanks so much.

Well, I guess I better start pulling my Winter Block fabrics together. LOL. I don't want to be the slacker in the group. LOL.

Until next time...Happy Needling!!!

Who Wants A Freebie?

(Keep the comments coming. I'm throwing in another set just for fun in a totally random drawing!)

I've decided that just for the heck of it that I would offer up a freebie. I might even make it a monthly thing. So for October, let's say, I'm offering this:



But what is THIS? you ask. Well, it's a bundle of 5 fat quarters of quilting fabric. How do I get my HANDS on it? you ask.

It's SEW simple! Just leave me a comment telling me you want it. I'll accept takers until midnight on October 15th. When I get moving around on the 16th, I'll put all 26 letters of the alphabet into a 'hat' and draw 1 out. The first "NAME" in the comments section beginning with that letter will win. Easy to do, very fair, and easy to verify!

I'll post the winner to my blog by the end of the day. If I have an email address for you, I'll contact you. Otherwise, just check back to see if you've won. As soon as I get an address, I'll ship it out. I'll even pay the postage. And I WILL ship to an International address, so everyone can play!

I hope you will join in on the fun. Until next time...Happy Needling!!!

MeMe's and Other Stuff

Mindy has tagged me for a Four Things MeMe. So, here we go...

4 Jobs I've had:
Waitress
Bartender
Accounting Clerk
Paralegal

4 Films I could watch over and over:
Cinderella
Romeo and Juliet
The Illusionist
A Good Year

4 TV shows I watch:
CSI Las Vegas
CSI Miami
Antiques Roadshow
Raymond

4 Places I've lived:
Northern California
Southern California
Central Utah
South Carolina

4 Favorite foods:
Sushi
Mexican
Meat
Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

4 Favorite colors:
Purple
Green
Maroon
Ivory

4 Places I would love to be right now:
Cancun, Mexico
Park City, Utah
Toas, New Mexico
On the back of a Harley

4 Names I love but would/could not use for my child(ren)
Zachery
Elizabeth
Patrick
Jessica

Now, I tag Candi, Susan, May, and Lauri. The catch is...I'm going to let them find this on my blog (or not).



Another fun thing I ran across is at Jo's blog. It circulated around my area about a year or so ago. I had all but forgot about it. It's weird but fun. Just try to read it before you say, "WHAT THE HE**?"

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can. I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!



SOH for Peggy
Peggy is our October birthday girl at CQN and she likes (among other things) oriental themes. I just happened to have some darling geisha fabric, so this is what I made for her. It's not due until the middle of October but It's going out in the next day or two. I'm trying really hard to get projects finished and loose ends tied up.




Well, I guess that's it for now. So until next time...Happy Needling!!!

Happy October 1st

I just can't seem to accept that autumn is here until October rolls around. I think it's because I am still programmed for a mountainous climate. And October usually brings the changing of the leaves in the canyons, cooler nights, and often the first snow of the year.



October also gets the ball rolling for one of my favorite holidays. Oh, I do look forward to Halloween in as much as I love to decorate, love to carve pumpkins, and love to dress up to hand out candy to our trick-or-treaters. Although, we just don't get as many trick-or-treaters as we used to.

October is also a birthday packed month for us. We celebrate more than 12 family birthdays within 3 weeks of each other. WOW!!!! Oh, and mine is in there, too! I'll be 47 this year. I think I'll get off this subject. LOL.

Instead, I will leave you with some October what's it's and observances. Enjoy :-)

Zodiac signs: Libra and Scorpio
Birthstone: Opal (Traditional) Tourmaline (Modern)
Flower: Calendula (The Calendula represents grief and jealousy)

Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month
AIDS Awareness Month (National)
Apple Month (US National)
Auto Battery Safety Month
Blindness Awareness Month (World)
Book Month (National)
Brain Injury Awareness Month (National, US)
Breast Cancer Awareness Month (National, US)
Car Care Month
Caramel Month
Car Care Month (National US)
Child Health Month
Clergy Appreciation Month (Pastor Appreciation Month)
Computer Learning Month
Cosmetology Month (National, US)
Country Music Month
Crime Prevention Month
Dental Hygiene Month (National, US)
Dessert Month (National US)
Dinosaur Month
Disability Awareness Month (National)
Disability Employment Awareness Month (National, US)
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Drum Month (International)
Energy Awareness Month
Family Health Month
Family History Month
Family Sexuality Education Month (National)
Fire Prevention Month (National)
Flu & Pneumonia Month
German American Heritage Month
Glaucoma Awareness Month (National, US)
Healthier Babies Month (National)
Healthy Lung Month
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)
Adult Immunization Awareness Week (National)
Kitchen & Bath Month
Learning Disability Awareness Month
Liver Awareness Month
Lupus Awareness Month (National)
Magazine Month (American)
Medical Librarians Months (National, US)
Mental Illness Awareness Week
Pasta Month
Pastor Appreciation Month (Clergy Appreciation Month)
American Pharmacy Month (National, US)
Physical Therapy Month (National, US)
Pickled Pepper Month
Pizza Month (National
Polish-American Heritage Month
Popcorn Poppin' Month (National)
Pregnancy & Infant Awareness
Pretzel Month
Rollerskating Month
Sarcastic Awareness Month
Seafood Month
SIDS Awareness Month (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
Spina Bifida Awareness Month (National, US)
Spinal Health Month (National, US)
Stamp Collecting Month (US National)
UNICEF Month
Vegetarian Month
Youth Against Tobacco Month

I hope you all had a good October 1st. And until next time...Happy Needling!!!