As you know, Big's mother is here.  That means we are running around seeing the sites of D.C. and there is not much time for anything else.

I just wanted you all to know I appreciate all of you being my friends and hope you stick around!

I will check on all of you when I can and will be back soon!


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Read the Instructions

I have been a bit tired this week.  Every day I get up, get busy and don't stop till I drop.  The sad thing is, it doesn't look like I have done much!  Oh well!

Photo from the book

Last night, I decided I would cut the fabric for the Diamonds at Large quilt.  I began to match up rectangles and decide which colors would match up the best.  I glanced at the instructions and saw that I needed to make a cut from the top left to the bottom right. 

I began cutting. 

I got a bit distracted.

I started to cut top right to bottom left.

I realized I screwed up when my pieces would not match!  I took a few moments to actually read the instructions. 

 

I walked away.

I finally got the pieces cut properly.  I made sure I read the instructions.  I made sure I followed the instructions.

 

Paint has been purchased for the big redo of my studio.  I decided to go with Warm Stone by Glidden.   I have only gotten as far as getting the paint in the studio.  No paint has gotten on the wall yet!  

At least I bought the paint!

I will be cleaning house like a crazy woman for the next couple of days.  If you remember, the MIL is coming!    

 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and get a lot accomplished!

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I am a Shut In

I am a shut in.

I am a recluse.

I am a hermit.

The first step to recovery it to admit it. 

Please don't worry.  There is nothing wrong with me.  I am not depressed.  I am not mentally ill (well...).

I love my home and I have such long lists of things to accomplish, that I don't mind not leaving the house.  I am glad that I have the CSA to pickup on Wednesdays.  If it weren't for that, I would probably never leave!

The dog is out of food.  I need to go to the store and get her some.  I am wondering if I should fix her a steak instead.  I mean, I have to go out tomorrow, can't I just get it then?  Perhaps she would enjoy cat food!  I am sure I can dig in the refrigerator and find some leftovers she would enjoy.

I also need to get some paint for my studio.  I was going to go yesterday, but got busy with other things and didn't make it out of the house.  It will wait until tomorrow.

Speaking of my studio.  Big and I moved some furniture around and pulled some of it away from the walls in preparation for the big paint job.  This is what it looks like now!

I spent some time on Sunday replacing the electric outlets in the room.  All of them were worn out and things wouldn't stay plugged in!

I am always impressed with myself when I do "home" repairs!  Well, I am off to make some Pop Overs for my Tuesdays with Dorie post.  Look for it at Feeding Big.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by. 


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Date Night, MIL and a Quilt in the Planning

It is late Saturday evening and my mind is beginning to get a bit fuzzy, so forgive me if this post is all over the place.

Big and I went to see a movie today. It is rare we spend that kind of money to watch a movie. The remake of Total Recall was playing and Big is a fan of the movie and a bigger fan of Jessica Biel.

Source: sawfnews.com

Big told me she wanted to take me on a "date."  I am not sure if watching a movie about people killing each other in the future is my idea of a date, but what the hell!  I don't get out much!  I didn't mind the movie and Big loved it, so all is well.

Early Monday morning, Big will be leaving for the state of Pennsylvania.  The land of the Amish.  The land of beautiful quilts and fabric that you don't have to take a second mortgage out to afford.  I wish I could go with her.  I would love to shop while she was working.

Alas, I can't go.  I have to stay here to prepare for ........ a visit from The Mother-In-Law!!!!  Need I say more?  There is a possibility the MIL will not be coming for a visit.  If that is the case, Big will not be home for two weeks.

I have been lining projects up to keep myself busy for the next couple of weeks.  Of course, you know there will be a re-do of the sewing studio.

I am also planning on making a quilt from this fabric.  I purchased two layer cakes and some backing fabric, while in Lancaster, PA a couple of years ago.   I love the colors.

I found out the book, "Layer Cake, Jelly Roll and Charm Quilts" by Pam and Nicky Lintott at the library.  I am planning on using the pattern titled, "Diamonds at Large."  It will be an easy and fun quilt to put together.

I am happy to make something that will come together fast.  Perhaps I can get the top finished before the visit from the MIL. 

I am off for now.  Almost time for bed!  Hope you had a wonderful day.  Thanks for dropping by and I hope you come back!

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I Have A Dream

I would like to start this posting off by saying a big thank you to everyone who chimed in and supported me during my rant.  I really needed to say some of those things and get them off my chest. 

I would like to report that, although the bugs are not better, the food has gotten better (after a phone call and a threat to go to the paper) for my little Veg Head.  She reports that tofu was on the menu! 

I would also like to thank Dr. Martin Luther King, for his, "I have a dream," statement.  It is one I am using today.

My dream for today is to get my craft room/studio in shape!  You remember this don't you?

My current Pepto Bismol mess!

I really would like to turn it in to something like this.



Photo Source:  Olabelhe

Photo source:  Olabelhe



Photo Source: Olabelhe

Honestly, is that not one of the most beautiful studios you ever did see?

Big's mother is supposed to visit us for a week or so (need lots of wine, will accept donations).  I have decided that, in my spare time (haha), I will whip up a studio that will look much like this one. 

Do you think I can do it?  I hope so. 

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Staying Positive

I am working really hard to stay positive.  It is an uphill challenge right now.  Oh nothing horribly wrong is going on, just those little things that add up until you want to scream! 

I am close to screaming!!

First off, good news.  I have my etsy shop open.  I don't know if you noticed or not, but I have a tab that will take you straight to my shop.  I know most of you are sewers and could make these doll clothes, but perhaps you know someone who doesn't sew or who wouldn't want to work with small patterns.  I would appreciate your looking at the shop and passing the information on to anyone you can think of.  Thanks so much.  You all are great!

Now to something that may make me scream! 

As you know, The Baby just went back to school for her Senior year.  I am so happy she will graduate soon and I know she will work hard at any job she gets.  Here is what is making me crazy.  Her tuition went up over $5000.00!!!  Part of that is for classes, part for food and part for room.  The Baby is a vegetarian and has had to supplement her diet with food she has to purchase on her own.  They do not cook for vegetarians.  We were promised there would always be a good meal for her every night!  The second thing is where she lives.  The school built a new 5 million dollar dorm.  The Baby has elected to stay in an older apartment building because it has a full kitchen and she can cook for herself (remember, they don't feed her properly)  She is a resident assistant, which means her room is paid for and in return she agrees to be on duty and make sure all hell doesn't break out.  This is a good thing, but now the apartments where she lives are infested with roaches, her internet is no where to be seen, and she is expected to put in more hours and walk across the campus at 3:00 a.m. to pull rounds!  Who makes a young, pretty woman walk alone at that time of the morning?!?!?

I have never been a helicopter mom, but I can promise you this.  I am so close to becoming one.  I am not a happy camper at this moment.

Here is a little thing that is currently driving me crazy.  I am trying to find new blogging friends and build viewership of both of my blogs.  I spend a lot of time visiting and commenting and few if any ever respond.  I am beginning to think I should just give up!

Oh well, I am sure all will work out.  I say my affirmations and try to keep upbeat!

Sorry for going on, but thanks for listening.  Tomorrow will be better.  I promise.   I am off to get some sewing done, that will make me happy!

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Back to the Way it Was

Life is getting back to the way it was.  The way it was before The Baby came home for a few weeks.

There are good things about this of course.  I get the house clean, I sew, I manage to get outside and water the plants!

There are also some bad things about this.  There is no one here to laugh with, bake with, make funny faces with, etc.   Yes, I laugh with Big.  Sometimes I make faces with Big, but usually behind her back!  But Big has a busy year and will be on the road more often than not.

We all had such a good time while The Baby was here.  We played games, watched movies, took walks and generally enjoyed each other's company.  There is a certain fullness when The Baby is home.  I think all "empty nesters" must feel this way.

I am proud of our daughter.  She is such a wonderful young adult and I know she will make a difference in the world.

She will be home again at Thanksgiving and the wonderful craziness will be here again, until then, I have some cleaning and sewing to do!

Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it!


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Getting ready for canning

I wish I could post about some wonderful sewing project that I have completed.  I have not sewn 1 stitch.

The Baby and I went to a couple local farms today to see if we could get tomatoes for canning.  Can you believe you have to get on a list to buy tomatoes that have seen their better day?  I find this a bit crazy, but we are now on the list.  I was hoping to send The Baby back to school with homemade pasta sauce, but I don't think it will happen.

This container is called a "Busket" 

What will happen, is peach butter.  We went to a "U Pick" farm and picked most of the peaches that were available.  Of course, the best peaches were in the No Pick zone! 

While there we were able to snag some pears also. 

After dinner, The Baby and I decided to go in our front yard and pick (shake) apples from our trees.  We have 5 apple trees in the front yard and 1 in the back yard!  We picked about 4 buskets  (really, this is a word!) full.  There are so many apples!

Tomorrow morning will find The Baby and I peeling peaches and apples and turning them into wonderful, spicy Peach Butter and Apple Butter.

Hope you have had a wonderful day!  Sewing will begin again next week after The Baby goes back to school.

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Fun with The Baby

This is not much of a post today.  The Baby and I did some shopping and picked up our vegetables. 

When we got home from our errands, we began to chat about a cat we used to have.  We would put him in a sweater and he would just freeze. He didn't really get mad or anything, he just wouldn't move.  We decided it would be fun to try it with Monet (the cat from hell).

I am not sure she is excited about this!

 Here is a video of him.

I promise, he was not hurt in the process.

I don't think there will be much sewing going on for the next week, but I hope you will come back to visit and see what The Baby and I have been up to!!

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