And that my friends...

is a (blurry) pile of completed blocks!

A little something new.

Back when I first discovered the Kitty Craft site and I was having PamKittyMornings right and left, I saw this tool. Ok, I'll be honest, I saw it but Elizabeth really read all about it and got us all excited about it. The Kitty site says it's for "Prickling" and lets face it, don't we all want to prickle something? I know I do. I wish I could get the exact quote but I can't select anything on KittyCraft so it will have to wait. (Oh come on, you know you want to prickle, don't deny it.)

We finally got the tools in at the shop, of course they were on back-order. Lets face it, all the cool kids are doing it. I prickled a few things, but you know me an my attention span.. I set it aside and didn't pick it back up till the new Indygo Junction book called Needle Felting came out and I saw the cool cherry pin. The book is kind of a dud in my mind, as far as projects go. Just not my thing. But it had a lot of good information and techniques so I'm glad I picked it up. This weekend Bird Brain was at the show and I picked up some wool roving from them. They've got some really fun wool things there, I mean wait till you see that squirrel. I just scored some tiny styrofoam balls for my cherries so I have everything I need to get going. I'd rather sit here and visit with you though. Then, before I prickle anything, I'm finishing those blocks.

Seriously, I am.

Quilt Show

I took these photos in the afternoon Saturday. We rode back Sunday on our bikes, parking is limited, and tried for some more, but it's just too sunny and everything is super washed out, at best. Yesterday's don't really show the quilts as much as the atmosphere. Which is lovely. Have a wonderful day!

Swoon

They say you can't buy happiness but I have to disagree. This is my favorite thread EVER. Imagine my delight at the size of this spool. If you ever have a chance to try this thread, I'd say do it. Just knowing this thread was in a bag waiting for me at the end of the day kept me going. Show day remember, and it was HOT in the store. I could not cool off for the life of me.

My luck didn't end with the spool of thread, I was able to leave a little bit early and take in the show, which was wonderful. While still warm out, there was a breeze and in the shade of the giant oaks it was very pleasant. I'll have photos soon of some of the quilts later. But the thread.. be still my heart.

It was a day.

It was no PamKitty Day but it was ok. One of those days that just has a mind of its own and you gotta roll with it. So I did. Got some this and that kind of stuff done, you know, stuff that needs doing and is boring. (Laundry people, boring laundry.) The relentless in and out of the dogs. They sense weakness and they know when you're vulnerable. Bark bark bark.. they're out. Bark, one is in via the kitchen slider, bark the other calls from the bedroom slider. Bark we're lonely please come in here and watch TV. Bark I think we hear some children coming down the street. Bark there's the woman with the ugly dog. Bark.

You all know how it is. I drank a lot of coffee then a lot of iced tea. Both of which have their own agenda. Lets face it, I just walked around the house most of the day.

In between everything I made a Mary Jane's Farm bake-over. I ordered some of her mix and finally got around to using it. Mmm peaches.

It was tasty, inspite of the fact it looked like something that they showed on CSI during the marathon all day on A&E. Which I enjoyed a lot, because helps me settle into do some sewing and TV watching all in one...

I love it when there are marathons. But I didn't get that much done. Lots of pinning and unsewing and in general I'm not that excited about these blocks. I love the look and I know it will be cute when done but the blocks aren't that well constructed. Off here and there by bits that I know I could fix but somehow I just don't want to. That ruins it a tiny bit for me. In general people won't notice but I notice. Do you ever feel like that? Like you said "oh well" one too many times?

I decided that I had to finish this last set of units before I went to bed. I have one part left to assemble and add, but I'm so much farther and that will be so fast. Because yahoo, no pinning. I love no pinning. So here's the proof, I really did get more done on these blocks. And all that's left is to sew rectangles onto those little geese units you see and get them on the block. Well all that's left of the blocks anyway. But still, progress my friends. You can't deny it! This might actually become something other than little bits of fabric that keep getting moved all over.

But don't hold your breath.

PamKitty Hangover

Here are my leftover photos from yesterday's post. I could not let blogger get the best of me, so I tried on and off all evening to get these to load. Ahhh free blogger with all your quirks. Why do you toy with me?

The photo of the sign is pretty poor. I love to drive and take photos out the window. Except right now my windows are so spotted from the sprinklers I have to roll them down and sometimes I don't notice things in time to get a good photo. My garage is home to many things, sadly, not my car. I just looked up and saw the strawberry and thought ohmygosh even the signage is darling. This is the same center with the Japanese market and bookstore. There were other businesses as well, but those two were the standouts.

My magazines are lovely, as you can see from the their front and back photos. I really love the colorful backs. I would love to have more Lecien fabrics. Maybe at quilt market they'll have some more bundles of Miss March at sample spree. I should make a note. Because I love Lecien but don't love the higher cost.

What will I do today. I should do more piecing on that red and white project. Apparently saying that I'm going to do it and doing it are two different things. Well who could blame me for wanting to have a PamKittyDay? Really WHO COULD??? What I should do today is have a peaceful calm day, because Saturday is the quilt show and I know it will be a super busy day. Will I see you there?

PamKittyDay

Today was a PamKittyDay! But not the whole day spent sitting on the computer looking at Japanese Craft books on the Kitty-Craft site but GOING TO AN ACTUAL STORE AND LOOKING AT THEM!!!! I kid you not my friends! A real store. Jackie mentioned buying some Japanese Craft magazines in San Jose the other day and I pretty much freaked out!! I mean San Jose! Its close!! So I (probably scared her) asked her to give me the info, which of course (out of fear) she immediately gave to me! Wow!! I know. Can you believe it?

So right off since I was going that way, I told Frankie I'd meet up with her to give her the Blackberry power cord she left at home on her visit. I pulled up to her car and passed the charger her way! Don't they look happy! And it's not like I ditched them, they had class in a few minutes. So, that's Frankie driving, Candace and Garrett. Does Candace look just a tad familiar? She was a model early in this season's Project Runway! I know!!! Celebrity sighting! ON MY BLOG!!! And Garrett... is he the cutest? What a smile!

So I grabbed a cup of coffee and headed back up to the Land of Japanese Craft Books! Latte and a book on tape.. I'll pretty much drive anywhere! Mapquest told me just how to get to the address but unfortunately in my excitement I failed to note the finer points of Jackie's email and pulled into the shopping center and didn't remember which was the name of the center and which was the name of the store. And I didn't remember it was a bookstore .. I mean it could have been a market right? And the market was big and named one of the names I remembered so I walked through several times but not a magazine in sight. Hmm. Back in the parking lot I looked at my other options and what I thought was a video store really was a BOOKstore. And DUH, the same street number from the email.

What a great store. Nice, clean, light, lots of room. And lots of books and periodicals. I walked the whole store once or twice before I found what I was looking for and it was the MOTHER LODE of books and magazines. I probably was there about an hour and a half. I ended up with three magazines. I can't wait to pour over them. Photos tomorrow, because Blogger thinks one photo is enough.

Busy Day

Its a busy day today! Everyone will be up and out and back and out again! Frankie is home and we're playing Musical Cars! She needs a regular maintenance visit for her vehicle. With class starting at 4pm today, she had time for a trip up to have dinner at home last night and then get her service appointment this morning. Bret can pick her up and bring her back home and she can drop me at work to take my car for hometown errands. I'll drop her at her car in the afternoon and she'll hit the road back home in time for class.

Is there any doubt she's Daddy's Girl??? Yup, Sweet 16!!

This picture was taken a few days later after she'd passed her driving test! I can't believe she's been driving all these years! In California you can get your permit at 15, so she's been behind the wheel for nearly four years! We got in a lot of good experience that permit year, she drove me almost everywhere. I think we did pretty well together, but I'm not sure that she'd agree.

I love that she comes and goes. I see her enough to not miss her too much.

Not that old thing!

Yes I am still working on that red and white quilt. I'm caught up on samples and other pieced projects so I figured I'd get back to this. I really did love the inspiration for it, which was a quilt in a home dec book. I just saw a bit of the quilt in a photo and decided I needed to make my own version of it. The blocks are nearly done, and then its all about deciding on posts and sashing.

One thing that's hard about working in a quilt shop is that you're constantly being bombarded with darling new things. New patterns, new fabric, new books, new ideas, other people's projects.. you name it. Monday I go in and see something new, buy all the bits and pieces and then Wednesday I go back, with half a project on the table and see something new that's inspirational and I want to make that. After the 15 or so years of working in quilt shops I've pretty much got myself in control (like I said pretty much) but sometimes things get the better of me. This week though, I'm trying to make myself just work on this project and get the blocks completed. I even cleared off (which really means shoved stuff around) my cutting table to get ready for cutting the sashing strips.

I'll let you know how it goes! Have a happy day my friends!

Life is Good.

Binding Day

Today is binding day. I have three quilts that need binding, two sets of binding are done, and one ready to be sewn together. Number one on the list is this quilt. I have to have that into the shop this week for the show. Then as a bonus I found the binding for this quilt that I had already made. And in the search, I found the binding for this quilt, which has been in the almost but not quite done pile. I thought it was a lovely soft quilt and we have a friend with a new baby girl, so I think this will be perfect. I love making things and its even better when I can find a home for them. Bret was the Best Man at this couple's wedding a few years ago, so now we'll have a special gift for their wee babe.

I'm hoping there is some nice TV on today to watch while doing some hand sewing. The weather is also very nice today, so I could sit outside. Endless possibilities.

Happy Day!

Sometimes you just feel good you know? Like things are going well and even though there are frustrations you just work through it. Or get over it, or move on from it. Whatever it takes. There is always something to be thankful for..

Like this

Or maybe this

and certainly this..

Like who wouldn't love to have a tray filled with ice? And a delightful daughter who's thrilled to have discovered a new Home Goods you've never been to? And not only that be willing to go into it! Seriously! I'm not kidding!! And of course who doesn't love a beautiful Monarch butterfly that comes into their yard like a little blessing? And then take pictures while you're on the phone talking to your mother-in-law and still have them turn out!!!! Its a great day my friends. Live it up!

Ice Ice Baby Be Cold

Cool Breeze

Good morning! Today is going to be a slow moving day. The weather is cool and breezy and I am happy as a clam. A clam in a cool breezy house that is. Yesterday my quilt came back from the quilter. This quilt was made as a sample for the mystery quilt we put on at our retreat each spring. It wasn't as popular as the quilts before, and we have quilt kits left. I had thought that this cabin design would fit our weekend at the camp. I selected fabrics that reminded me of the colors of the cabins, and the surrounding areas. The quilt is quilted with an all over design which is fine. I will get the binding on it and get it back to the shop. We'll hang it up next weekend and hopefully the kits will sell. While I usually like to work on a smaller scale, I think its a fun quilt and it was easy enough to make. Its the perfect size for sofa time.

My other two tasks today are fun, and not that fun. Fun will be taking photos for two of Elizabeth's new patterns. She has the large quilts photographed by a professional photographer.

The other will be cleaning the refrigerator . Finally after 23 years of living here I am getting a fridge with an ICE MAKER. Ice 24/7 my friends. At my beck and call. A treat many of you take for granted I'm sure. We had new pipes installed a couple of years ago, and with that the plumbing for water at the refrigerator. And tomorrow is the day of deliverance.. deliverance from an ice maker free world. And a bit of salvation for those family members (who shall not be named) who take ice from the trays and leave just one cube. AND FACE MY WRATH.

Another Runner down.

I finally completed what should be the last runner before the show. We'll see, there's still a week to go. It was easy, all the parts went together so nicely. Those squares on point around the edge couldn't have been more perfect, right up until I sewed them to the center. You'd think I'd never sewn before the way those points would not match up to the star points. Those kinds of points have thwarted me in the past, pointy star points to squares on point. A pox on you bumpy crappily matched points. Then while trying to press it into submission, I get those weird creases in stuff, they're not really creases, but just bad iron reaction. I don't know what to call it. Iron ruination.

Of course a photo always looks about ten thousand times nicer. Especially when you can 'crop the crap' right out of the photo. I'm a long time crap cropper. Its a skill I've had to hone since I have so much crap that needs cropping.

I hope you earthling have a splendid day. I'm off to work. Tonight is a staff meeting to discuss the show at Alden Lane next weekend. Its a huge event. If any of you are attending and see us at the shop, take pity.

Rita's Roses

Last August Sandy's book Quick and Easy Romantic Quilts was published! Yeah for her!! I love her work. Pacific International Quilt Festival was just around the corner and we wanted to have a sample from the book for our booth there. I had a few pieces Moda's Fruit Cocktail fabric and a bunch of my favorite fabrics around the shop, and I came up with this version of Rita's Roses. I love the pieced blocks in this quilt, and of course I love Rita, Sandy's mom. It was the perfect fit.

The quilt is partially quilted, I got the ditch work and borders completed, but left the blocks for later, so I could take my time. The quilt was displayed at the shop up till a month of so ago, and I finally brought it home.

Like a lot of people I have a hard time figuring out what to do in the alternate solid blocks. I'll just stitch in the ditch around the pieced block.. in fact when laying this out I was surprised I hadn't already done that. When working on the binding for Elizabeth's tulip quilt, I noticed a lovely little design she was using in her squares, so I think I'm going to look for a similar design to use in my alternate blocks. I'll use the Golden Threads paper to draw my design on and stitch through. It really works well.

But as usual, I have lofty plans for getting right on stuff and then my attention is lured away by something else. Hmm, what will it be this time? Until then, I have this quilt draped across Frankie's bed, which is across from the sewing room, where I can enjoy it (and not notice that its not done!)

One more cup of coffee please!

Yawn... stayed up reading Embroidered Truths by Monica Ferris last night. Way late and the whole thing. It was soo good I couldn't put it down. I really enjoy this mystery series about a woman who owns a needlework shop in Excelsior, Minnesota. I have been to Excelsior many times on my visits to Minnesota so that makes it ever more fun. If you like mysteries, I recommend this series.

On the sewing front, I did get my runner done, well the top anyway, still have to quilt it. I was trying to pick something easy again that I could whip right up but this time, it was a little harder. Lots of matching, lots of triangles, so lots more time. Have to confess lots of those points are off, but hopefully the overall look will be pleasing. When its done I'll take a picture. The fabrics are pretty and it goes well with a lot of the Nicol Sayre gift items we have.

Here are the little preview shots from the quilts by Elizabeth. Both are so pretty. They're off to the photographer this week I think. Thanks Elizabeth for letting me post these photos!

Well my friends, its time to get this show on the road, so have a fine day!

San Francisco Open Your Pearly Gates

Here are some shots taken off the Alameda County Sheriff's boat coming thru the Golden Gate and Bay Bridge yesterday morning around 10am. The crew invited Frankie to ride back up to Alameda from Monterey from their training mission. It was a rocky ride along the coast but once they came thru the Gate she said it was calm and nice. What a great experience and I'm pea green with envy!

Coffee please!

Fall is beginning to show itself a bit around here. Yesterday was lovely, breezy, cool. The change in light was apparent. I just loved it. These aren't glamorous pictures of the backyard, but you can see the leaves collecting. We have a liquid amber tree and its leaves are so pretty. The tree is still totally covered in green leaves but a few are sneaking off. Its the season of sweeping, there is something so introspective about sweeping. And this year something aerobic, as the broom my husband recently bought weighs a ton!

The bird feeders were empty, so I went out and filled them up. I'll have happy birds and squirrels again. I even put out a dish of grapes past their prime, the squirrels love those and don't care that they are a little mushy. There was time for one cup of coffee out back on the swing .

But now it's time for sewing. And more coffee. I managed to finish that runner in record time so I picked out more fabric for another runner.. this one will be a little more time consuming but still easy. I'll have photos later. I also picked up another quilt from Elizabeth, it needs binding and when its done she gave me permission to give a sneak peek at a bit of it! So maybe tomorrow I'll have those photos.

Have a wonderful day my friends! Keep busy, be happy!

Shout out to Ellyn

Just a little shout out to Ellyn Frankie's new friend at school. She's a fun new friend who likes milkshakes and deserves her own little blog entry to say Hey! We're glad you're on our side!

I'm glad Frankie has found a great new friend at school. That kind of thing is important. I met my friend Sharon in college, first years in the dorms! She was a junior and I was a freshman. Even though we no longer live across the hall or even across town we're still friends and keep in touch by email. Sometimes its scary to realize we've been friends for 34 years now.

In 34 years I hope Frankie and Ellyn will look back on this photo of their first weeks in the dorms and have a good laugh!

Done!

Wow, who would have thought I could really finish that runner yesterday morning? Not me surely, since my attention span is not that great. But its done and I dropped if off at the shop yesterday. But not before I took a photo of it with my new candle holder. We got these in at the shop and I just love it. So it's mine! Crows and cherries, I love it.

Here is a lovely display at the shop. I love this little area and could just stare at it all day. Well of course that's a tad of an exaggeration but I think you know what I mean. I would love this display at my home. I love fall and all its decorations, both Halloween and Fall themed.

On other sewing news I even got the binding sewn on a quilt for Elizabeth. She's getting ready for Fall Quilt Market and there's still a lot to do. Hard to believe I could get so much one in one day. I even cast on and got started on my purse... so I'll have something to knit this weekend. By now you know how I am about starting stuff on a Friday.

So my friends, you all have a wonderful day. Its cool and breezy here and I think it's going to be super!

Awesome Day!

Yoda said so.

This morning I'm working on a small table runner for the shop. Samples, more samples. I cut this out last night waiting for Project Runway to start, Frankie has me hooked on that. I hope to finish it by this afternoon, it's pretty easy.

As you can see I'm sewing with my friend Yoda. He's like a Magic 8 ball that reveals his Jedi wisdom with a vigorous shake. When I asked him this morning if I'd have a good day he said "Yes, it is so." You can't ask for better than that. (If you want a second opinion check out the Toaster Oracle)

And speaking of a good morning, Frankie is off on a wonderful excursion today. A friend of ours does dive rescue, and a bunch of other amazing things, and they are out on the Monterey Bay doing training on a underwater robot guided from onboard a Coast Guard ship. She just text messaged me that she's on the sheriff/coroners boat going out to the ship now! How CSI of her. I know she's having a great day.

And just to mention, she called this morning to say they were waiting and to tell me that she's brought an extra change of clothes, a warm jacket and that her life jacket will keep her warm. Standard Operating Procedure. Now there's a kid who knows her mom.

Good Garden Morning

Our typical SF bay area morning brings us cool weather in the morning and evening, with the usual hot weather midday. The fog creeps in through the hills and brings the moist cool air on a more regular basis.. I LOVE IT. It makes for a nice cool coffee morning on the swing. This morning I'm keeping company with Mary Jane. My father always wanted to be a Gentleman Farmer, have a few animals, a big garden, that kind of thing. I guess I get my farm dreams from him. Except I know I'm way too lazy for a farm. Keeping me company out back are the pooches, Peep and Rocket. We enjoy sitting and listening to the frog fountain. Its not fancy by any means, just a frog on some scrap wood spitting into a galvanized tub. I just have one lone water hyacinth in there. And finally, here's the update on the sunflowers. They're doing so well I know I'll have a nice showing at the end of the month. We sure get the heat for them.


I've been in for two days sewing and it was grand. I love holiday weekend sewing as there are always marathon TV shows going, and yesterday I was sewing with Speedle, Delco and Horatio, of CSI Miami fame. While I never really watch the show while sewing, I can hear them solving crime in the background. But all good things come to an end, so it's time to hit the high road. Have a wonderful day my fine feathered friends.

Sunday Sewing

Finally you say! I've had that purse cut out for days.. so I just put my mind to it and got sewing. Why do I procrastinate so much? I think it turned out quite nicely and Frankie was pleased with it. I'd made this pattern before, its a Simplicity Sewing For Dummies purse pattern. Its beyond easy. And I spent way more time thinking about doing it and putting it off than it took to actually make it. I had made this purse a couple of times before, Frankie's complaint with it was that it sagged out in the bottom when she put her cell phone in it. I used a piece of canvas liner in the bottom to make it a little more stable. (note to anyone who hasn't used canvas as a liner before, PREWASH if you think there's any chance you might wash the item.. learn from my past mistakes) I also made a version for my cousin Linda and she requested a pocket. Thank goodness Frankie didn't, so I didn't have to bother! Additionally, I finished the table runner! I love small projects that can be completed in a short period of time. And I loved having just the right yellow binding leftover from another project to use, so I didn't need to make any! I think the runner is fun with all its different fabrics. The main print, which I thought was the same as the purse, is totally not. Wow. I so do not pay attention to things! It cuts up nicely, and looks so fun as centers to the sawtooth stars.
I have a little left of a lot of things, so I think I'll make some of the small items from the Amy Butler book, which should be in the shop soon. Its fun to make samples up and inspire people to try new things.

Next project, another table runner. Ready set, sew!

Me + Blogger

Blogger loves me. It posted my photo on the first try.

Along with coffee here's a little bit of the table runner. Its my intention to get this quilted today. But its also my intention to possibly go to Home Goods after copious amounts of coffee because Home Goods siren song is calling out to me. I can't resist it. I know there must be something there I want or need.. or possibly both. And even if there isn't, I love a trip to Home Goods. I wish I had a new book on tape that I could bring, its a bit of a ride over there and a book is always fun.

This afternoon the prodigal daughter returns. I think only because everyone else in the dorms is leaving and there will be no one to hang out with. She's having a great time so far, and loves all her classes. Phew. I guess since she's coming home, I should get on that purse. I have it all cut out, so it shouldn't take too much time to get that done. After Home Goods..