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!!!

Day-time Moon

I took this photo while out having my morning coffee today. I thought it was fascinating to see the moon at 8AM, just floating above the clouds. Then off to the left, I saw the hot air balloon. I guess you just never know what you'll see when you look up!





Have a nice weekend!


Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

STS - Summer 2009

My gosh, I can't believe it's been two years since I hosted the first Season To Season (STS) block share at CQN. Time surely does fly!!!! This time around, the block share is being hosted by Lesa, co-list owner. What a sport she is. LOL. Don't get me wrong, it was really fun project but it is fairly time intensive with mailings, photos, etc.

I was more than surprised at how quickly this block came together. My muse has been on vacation for way too long. I'm thinking that she must be back home. LOL. I was also really surprised at how small an 8" square block seemed to me. I remember, not too long ago, when it would have seemed enormous. Even intimidating.

The idea here is to piece a block, work approximately one-half of it, send it to the hostess. She in turns chooses a partner for you and sends your partner's half worked block back to you. When finished, everyone gets their own, completed blocks back.

As most of you who visit regularly know, I am an encruster. So, even though some might think that this block is already finished.....I see it as having LOTS of room left for seam treatments, embellishments, and personal touches.

So, with that in mind....here is my Summer block, ready to be mailed out.



In addition to noting that the season is Summer, I have included Litha, aka Mid-summer, which is celebrated around the world and is more widely known for being associated with the Summer Solstice.



I found it a little odd that I really couldn't put my finger on what summer meant to me in terms of colors and objects. I guess it's one of those things that you just 'know' what it means until you actually have to put 'words' to it. In the end, I thought of greens, and browns, and sunshine, and bare feet or flip-flops, ice cream, and golfing (only because I see it every day - I don't golf). So, that's what I put on the block.



Because I've become interested in making cards recently, I also decided to send a little card out with my block.



This isn't normally done (I don't think), except for round robins, but I thought it would be fun to have the memento later on. Inside, I've thanked my partner for working on my block and I've asked her to tell me a little about herself and to list some of what she added to the block. I've also attached a poem (which was my inspiration for the 4 blocks that I will make) for her to read. I will also include a little something in the way of a thank you to her.

All four of the blocks will be set up the same way and put into a wall hanging (yeah right!!!!) when they are finished. They will probably end up on a dark, if not black border with the 'inspiration' poem.

Here it is:


Seasons
by K.Shaw

The cold north wind begins to blow
Lady Winter pulls up her blanket of snow
She tucks the land in nice and tight
The land then sleeps through winter's plight
******
Four several months the land will sleep
But hush my darling don't you weep
Soon...the land again will wake
Lovely flowers Mother Spring doth make
******
She sends her warm, nourishing showers
That are full of her growing powers
The snow crocus is the first to wake
From its head, winter's plight doth shake
******
At this time the fairies begin their work
And their chores they never shirk
They wake the land and paint it bright
So open your eyes and enjoy the sight!
******
The days begin to grow longer
As summer's sun grows stronger
Children play in the sprinklers stream
As summer birds sit and preen
******
Summer's end is drawing near
The fall colors will soon be here
Autumn comes with its colorful arrays
And the night begins to overtake the days
******
Then the days begin to cool
For this is Mother Nature's rule
The leaves turn red, yellow, brown and gold
As summer's days begin to grow old
******
Jack Frost prepares his paints and brush
The animals begin their harvest rush
Lady Winter again will soon be here
But don't you cry my little dear
******
For the circle of seasons you see
Are meant for the enjoyment of you and me
For Mother Nature is fair and wise
And she always creates a new surprise!


As always, I thank you for taking the time to stop by and visit.


Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

Christmas Stocking Swap

I've decided to participate in Lyn's Christmas Stocking Swap for 2009. It sounds like great fun, with few 'rules' or restrictions which is just perfect for me. If that sounds perfect to you too, then by all means pop over to her blog, check it out and sign up!

I will of course be making another Crazy Quilted Christmas Stocking, aka Victorian Boot Christmas stocking. I think that this was the first pattern I designed. I know that it was the easiest to work with. LOL.

Anyway, you can click on these links for additional photos (that can be enlarged) and information about these stockings: 2006 stocking, and 2007 stocking.

OR.....if you just have time for photos - here they are.

2006 (CQN swap)


2007 (CQN swap)



Now for a little shameless self-promotion.........If you're looking for a pre-made, handcrafted Christmas stocking (or other unique gift) for yourself or someone special, I invite you to browse my Etsy Shoppe.

I always welcome special orders and I'm happy to accommodate you.

Well, that's it for now.

Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

Pretty Things

True beauty from the street


Architectural details of times gone by


A promise doubled


A simple, vintage, blue bowl


An antique wedding dress (1889) and a child's chair





Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

Father's Day Outing

I hope all the dads out there had a nice Father's Day, no matter how you celebrated.

Gene and I decided to take a ride on the motorcycle. We got lucky with mostly clear skies, warmer temps, and light traffic. Strange how the bike felt almost foreign after not riding for so long. And I noticed right away that I'm going to have to toughen up my buns. After only a few hours my backside was screaming at me. LOL.

I'm hoping that we get back into the 'swing of things' and start riding more often. Gene bought his bike new in 1985 and has over 190,000 miles on it. When we first met he was an avid (almost obsessed) rider. I even rode my own bike (1983 Sportster) for a while. [But that's a story for another time.]

When we got married we chose the month of July so that we could take a two week anniversary trip yearly. And up until we moved to Texas, we did. That might not mean much until you understand that in a typical two week bike trip we would cover about 4,000 miles. Our longest day on the bike was a 750 mile straight shot to get home (in the rain and cold). Yet, in the 5 years we were in Texas we rode less than 1,000 miles TOTAL! How sad is that????

Anyway, we had a wonderful time being back on curvy roads, surrounded by open space, fresh air, clear skies, and quiet (except for the bike, of course). The only thing that could have made the day more perfect is if Mathew had been with us, or if he had even called or acknowledged Gene in some way. Especially since Gene was practically his FULL TIME dad for 10+ years. Oh well......






Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

Round Robins Done

This is my finished CQI Spider and Webs block. I'm so very pleased with the end results. The ladies who worked on it for me did a fantastic job. What magic they can work. I can't imagine it looking any better. Thank you so much Lauri, Janet, Lindy, Gerry K, and Marya.

Here is the before and after:





And while I'm glad to have these RR's wrapped up, I'm already missing something to work on. I might be forced to dig out one of my many WISPs. LOL. Or maybe get these last 2 blocks framed and on my studio wall. Now that's an idea!!!!!

Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!