STS - Summer 2009 Update

This is my partner, Ing's block after my work on it. She gave me a beautiful block to start with, so prettying it up was super easy.

From the orientation of the block shown, Ing worked from the top to the center and then to the right. She added the most wonderful sun to her block. As well as the clever little net in the lower right. I don't know if the photo (enlarged) will show it or not but she also added some cute little fish with blue metallic threads.

I added the fibers, bead, shells, and charms to the left hand side, just to the left of the mermaid. I also added the SRE roses to her head piece. And the seam treatments and embellishments at the bottom. And I just couldn't resist adding a little anchor to her net.



I'm really excited to get my block back and see what magic she worked on it. I just know I will LOVE IT!!!!



This next photo is my latest adventure in PhotoShop. When I decided to make a banner for my blog, I put together a collage of my works. I'm still tweaking it but it's been a great learning experience.





And finally, I had to toss in a couple photos of my furbaby, Fritz. He's such a good doggy. I just love him to pieces.

This is one of his favorite toys, Eeyore aka Eeyboo. He was playing with it on the landing and when if fell down the stair, he looked so forlorn that I had to take a picture.







Well, DH is done wrenching on his motorcycle. We've both had showers and it's time to get this party started. Take care all and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Celebration Day

Today is my 3 year BlogAversary.

For those of you who don't already know, the name of my blog was inspired by the fact that I'm a Lefty (aka Southpaw). And because I love to sew, I chose the name Sewing Southpaw.

Yet it was purely a coincidence that I started my blog on National Left-hander's Day, which is also today!!!!

And how totally cool that all this took place on my favorite number day - the 13th. I guess, it was meant to be. LOL.

Here are some Left Handed Facts and Trivia (courtesy of Holiday Insights):

1. Sinistrophobia is the fear of left-handedness or things on the left side.

2. While many people are left handed, very few are 100% left handed. For example, many Left handers golf and bat right handed. On the other hand, there is a high percentage of righties who are 100% right-handed.

3. Lefties are also called "southpaws". The term was coined in baseball to describe a left handed pitcher.

4. Tuesdays are Lefties luck day.

5. Only about 10% of the population is left handed.

6. During the 1600's people, thought left handers were witches and warlocks.

7. International Left Hander's Day was first celebrated on August 13, 1976. It was started by Lefthander's International.

8. They say everyone was born right handed, and only the greatest overcome it. (he,he,he)

9. It is believed that all polar bears are left handed. Also see Polar Bear Day.

10. There is a rumor that octopuses have but one right hand. Scientists are diligently studying this issue.


To everyone who has followed my blog from the beginning, those who pop in from time to time, and those of you who are new or 1st timers, I say THANK YOU so very much for taking the time. It's wonderful to hear from you. I appreciate you all!

Have a great day and if you're a Lefty - kudos to you!



Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

Friday Afternoon Chuckle

A woman stops by her local lounge to have an after work cocktail before heading home to kids, fixing dinner, finishing laundry, and stumbling, exhausted into her bed.

As she sips her cocktail she notices a tall, stunningly handsome, 20 something man walk through the door. She is thinking to herself that he really is quite exquisite when she notices him looking back at her.

Becoming painfully aware that she has been staring at him, open mouthed, and worse that he noticed, she blushes and looks away.

Surprised, as he approaches her she smiles at him. He smiles back and leans very close to her and whispers in her ear, “I will do anything. Absolutely anything for $20. But there is one condition.”

Intrigued, she asks what this condition is, bracing herself for what that might be. He tells her that she must tell him what she wants in only 3 words.

She grins and reaches into her purse for a $20 bill while writing down her address. She turns to him, hands him the money and her address and in her best, sexy voice says to him, “CLEAN MY HOUSE.”


Hope this brought a smile to your face, too!

400th Blog Post and More....

While here deleting another post, a bad, bad post, hasty and without proper research, (thank you, Cathy) I noticed that I had managed to reach 400 blog posts. What a surprise when I don't seem to get here very often anymore. But then again, I am nearing 3 years of having this blog. I was obviously much more 'active' in the past. I remember when I opened my account on August 13th, which is National Left-handers' Day, in 2006. Totally a perfect coincidence.

I was so absolutely intimidated by the idea of blogging. I was also very frustrated because I just didn't know where to begin. I wanted so much to have one of those beautiful blogs that I saw every where during my surfing. Well, it was through that surfing that I learned the basics of blogging, editing html code, using PhotoShop, etc. A truly great learning experience and fun, fun, fun (mostly) at the same time.

That's also about the time frame when I was introduced to crazy quilting, Yahoo Groups, etc. Looking back that time seems so long ago. Maybe because so much has happened since then. Much loss and sadness, but also much joy and much renewed hope.


Now the "More" part....

Today is also our 1 year anniversary of closing on our Colorado home and embarking on our Empty-Nester's Journey. Now that was a quick year! And yet, in just one short year the house we bought, that I hated, that I even sat in the car crying because we bought it now hold such warmth and comfort. I can't imagine living anywhere else. I truly feel like I am home. Maybe for the first time in my life - truly home. I attribute most of those feelings to the GUT JOB that we did at the first of the year.

DH and I also celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary (in July). We spent a very relaxing, long weekend in Steamboat Springs. The time away, and time together was more needed than either of us originally realized. We took Fritz with us, so we were somewhat limited in where we could go but we didn't mind at all. I much prefer to have him with me than to worry about him in boarding.

I have also decided to stop ignoring, and resisting what I believe is a direction in my life that I have (for as long as I can remember) felt pulled toward. This is a personal, and relatively private journey that I take but just accepting my path has brought me a great deal of peace of mind.

Wow, this is turning out to be a really 'happening time' of year. LOL.

Before I close, I would like to acknowledge an award that I received from my dear, dear friend, Charlene WAY BACK ON July 18th. I feel just terrible for being so remiss in responding. And I might as well apologize right now for not passing it on to seven other bloggers. I just haven't been doing much reading or visiting lately. Hopefully, I will kick in gear before too long and then I will be able to earnestly pass it on.



Thanks for thinking of me, Charlene.

I also thought it would be fun to share this with you. I don't know how many of you play Cribbage but DH and I find it both fun and challenging. As in - we both WANT TO WIN. LOL. This game was the closest game either one of us has EVER had. There was only 1 peg separating the winner from the looser.

The top deck card:



His hand:



He counts his points - OOOOOOHHHHH he counts, he's finished. And just one peg away.

Next it's my hand, my crib. (I count last):



Close but no cigar....I'm in by only 1 peg! VICTORY!!!!!!



Needless to say, we didn't play another game. LOL.

Well, we're outta here. We're going to dinner to celebrate our 1 year anniversary in our home. Since I didn't cook that night, I guess we've started a tradition (of sorts).

I'll be back tomorrow to post a photo of my STS-Summer (2009) partner's block. Until then, have a good one. Good night and............

Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!