Good Sunny Morning

Hi there my peeps! How goes it? Just another dork around day here. What about with you?

Anyone try these cool new iron on transfers? I really like them. I know, ridiculous for a grown woman but I can't help it. You cannot feel the transfer at all. I mean, remember the olden days when they felt like rubber on top of your clothes? I didn't press it for long, and sadly, after one wash it was nearly gone. But I did press it on a shirt for Frankie, and left it on longer and there was still plenty of ink. I wonder if hers will last longer. Anyway it was a lot of fun.

And hey, why did I spend so many years ignoring soft knit pants? I hope I continue to have the self control to change them before I leave the house.

Ok, who's coming to the Big Book Signing tomorrow at In Between Stitches tomorrow? I hope to see a lot of my peeps there.

Happy Weekend my friends! Keep Cool!

Morning Sky

Today is my layabout day. Not that I 'll actually lay about (or maybe I will) but I just plan on doing what I want. Maybe I'll sew. Maybe I won't.

The morning weather is typical for this time of year, cool and damp, so I took my new Mary Engelbriet out to the swing and indulged for a while, over coffee. Peep and Rocket came as well, but as soon as the squirrels left, they were done. Traitors. They only care about Bret now, and since he was still sleeping after a long night of working from home on a change control, (ew, business talk, sorry) they couldn't wait to go lay on their beds at the foot of ours, waiting for him to get up.

I took my camera this time, yesterday there were swarms of birds, but today, they were all hiding. (and probably waiting for someone they like better) Just as I was about to get up and come inside, a large white egret flew overhead.

Crap, I guess it's going to be one of those days.

And you thought I was kidding!

I am actually working on it. And I think it's turning out pretty well. Still need some blanket stitching but I love how it came together so far.

I have a couple of super-favorite fabrics in here, first off the yellow plaid from Monica. The second I saw it I knew I wanted to use it for the basket. Another favorite is that pink in the heart, it's a piece of Lecien that I got ages ago, I saved every oddball piece because it is so pretty. And lastly.. that background. Its a white with yellow dot. YELLOW DOT. I could just swoon over it and I'm sorry I didn't buy more. If I were to make my own fabric, a yellow dot is the first thing I'd make. Well I could go on, but I should stop myself now. Yellow dot on white or just barely off white. Yum.

Back to work.. keep cool my little peoples!

Inspired

After working on kits at the shop for Follow Your Heart, I was inspired to get busy and get my own kit together from my stash. I know, using my stash.. kind of scary huh? Monica sent me a delicious pack of fabrics that I had set aside and I added few of my own and here's the pile. Stay tuned. Elizabeth has some reds for me and I'm actually going to work on it!

Well, after work anyway.. Have a happy Monday my sweet little friends!

Finally!

Bret has be talking about getting a car for ages. Years in fact. And he deserves it as he commutes for ages and has been driving a truck that's not too luxurious for the number of hours a week he spends in it. Finally though, the time was right, the car was right and he's now the proud owner of a 2000 Z3. You can't wipe the grin off of his face that's for sure. And the fun thing about this, he's willing to share a couple of days a week so we can all join in the fun. What a guy! So Mr. B, have some fun and be careful.

Understatement

Tonight I was looking for this piece of fabric.

And I found this quilt top, that I had totally forgotten about.

I could probably be better organized.

Just a tad Ridiculous

Sometimes I just can't help it. The whole day starts to veer off in its own direction and things start going crazy. And it's fun. Maybe that's why people like coming in to see us, you just never know what's going to happen on Wednesday!

Like today when Nicole came in. It was when she started asking about the Steam-a-Seam that I just realized I totally could not remember the difference between Steam-a-Seam and Steam-a-Seam 2. Isn't regular SaS repositionable as well? I used some tonight and I had no trouble repositioning my big error. Anyway, I was all ridiculous about the whole thing and I'm sure Nicole just rolled her eyes and thought yeah sure whatever, let me out of here. But she was a good sport. But I bet she was calling Sara on the phone on the way home saying wow, that PamKittyMorning is a nut case. (and I'm sure she' s not far off with that whole line of thinking)

No, she surely didn't do that, look how sweet she is. Very nice. I hope she didn't get scared and will come back again.
So on my list of things to do today was kit up Follow Your Heart for Elizabeth's book signing event.
These are the two piles we came up with. I think they're both pretty. I'm making a pile at home as well, trying to use up some of the things I own. Shocker I know!!!

So it was a totally fun day! Seriously. I hope Nicole had fun as well, and a safe ride home. And Leslie my dear, have a lovely visit with darling daughter Addie and our favorite football hero Maurice this weekend!!! But come back. Because it's not Wednesday without you !!!

Hugs all around my peoples! I think you're all the greatest.

P.S. Elizabeth is having a drawing for her new book, so head on over to her blog and comment for you chance to win!

More Friends in the News

It's a work day, so no time to chat. I've dawdled a bit enjoying the sweet cool morning air. The bird feeders are filled and all the birdbaths and dogs dishes have fresh water. (You know, before the backyard becomes a blazing inferno only that stinken bird and the squirrels can stand.)

I just want to take a few minutes to tell you all the exciting news I heard yesterday! My friend Angelina has an apron design accepted for publication. I am so happy and thrilled for her. I often wish we lived in closer proximity so I could join her for sewing adventures. I hope you'll hop over and check out her blog and send congratulations her way.

It's just the beginning of great things for you Angelina.. one door closes and another opens. Congratulations!

If it quacks like a duck...

Good morning my peoples! How are you? I'm having a nice cool morning here, it's such a delicious treat after some hot days. The heat has been creeping up on me, it stays nice and cool inside and I just leave the windows open till all of a sudden it's stinking hot. I don't like it hot and I plan on complaining a lot about the heat this summer, so consider yourself warned.

Even though the weather has been hot (see, told you) in the late evening we are able to open the windows for some slightly cooler air. The dogs love it because they can hear every. little. thing. that goes on outside in the night. I think they take turns standing watch at the sliding door in our room to let us know, which is just an added bonus to us. If they manage somehow to sleep all night, they are up early letting us know there are squirrels running around. Thanks Peep and Rocket. I sure appreciate the warning.

Another thing bugging me is this guy. You can barely see him but he's a huge pain in my ...He's here ALL. THE. TIME. And he quacks. Like a duck. I spent two days looking for a duck he's so good at it. Because what would a duck be doing in a suburban neighborhood? And he's an early riser. Which we are not. So if he stays in the neighborhood he better watch out. I have a pocket full of rye and I'm not afraid to use it.

Evidence

Just in case anyone doubts that I actually still sew.. here's my take on Elizabeth's R is for Rose. It's such a pretty pattern. I loved the reds in Moda's Roman Holiday and thought the elaborate stripe would be perfect for the plain panels above the rose blocks.

This, of course, is not the best picture ever, its taken on my 'design wall' which is really the backside of a flannel backed vinyl tablecloth tacked up in my hallway. No natural light making its way back here with this hot weather, everything is closed up to keep it cool. Which it is not.

Still need to layer and quilt this so it can hang down at the shop. We cut some kits out for this, but there aren't many.

Next thing to sew is a skirt for Frankie. Its cut out already, just needs putting together. But first up, work!

Happy Father's Day Bret!

You're the greatest!

The Rest of the Weekend

Ahh now its been a whole week. What a nice weekend. The weather was perfect. Sunny and nice, not too warm.

The Apple Farm is always so beautiful. There are flowers everywhere, and its my favorite part of the experience. Look at this, its a pot on top of the waste can. Even garbage is beautiful there.

Pots of flowers that I can't grow here fill the area. I'd love to live somewhere that I could have the fuchsias and begonias that I see there. I love those big hanging baskets of tuberous begonias you see along the coastal towns.

When we were kids we'd go along and pop those flowers, I LOVED doing that. It really irritated my mom. Look at that tiny pansy face... is that not so sweet?

And yes, I love me some consumerism, and we went to this historic building that housed a shop call The Nest. I really enjoyed it. Bret and I walked all around town, window shopping and enjoying the weather and relaxing.

We made our way down to Arroyo Grande, and went to Susan Branch's little shop. I love the clean look of it. She's got her farm stand open, Branches. What a cute name for a farm stand.

More pots of flowers. I can't resist them. I saw other people taking pictures as well.

It was such a nice time. Everyone was happy, it was relaxing. We had dessert out at the pool Saturday night. We never really do something like that around here.. relax, chat. We had time to read and look at magazines, really, really a nice time.

Anyway.. time to get to some sewing. Bret is off to see the Silver Surfer, Frankie is off with a friend and his family, so I'll get some sewing time. SEWING TIME did you hear that?

OH. MY. GOSH!!

As many of you know, I work at In Between Stitches, a very nice quilt shop in Livermore. The shop motto is "A Place Where Friendships Grow" and it's true, I have made many friends at the shop. And today my very good friend Elizabeth's book was delivered in the C&T autoship box.

Here it is, it's the cutest book I've seen C&T put out in ages!

I know Elizabeth talks a lot on her blog about me and the things that I do for her, but really, it's her I'm grateful to, without her kindness and generosity including me in her own success I wouldn't have had opportunities I've had this year. Believe me, her skills so far surpass my own I'm lucky to have been included. She is a great friend who is totally worth driving through snow for.

I hope you all get a chance to see her book and maybe you can head over to her blog and leave her a note of congratulation! The books is awesome. If you want to meet up and get a signed copy, In Between Stitches is having a book signing for her on June 30th. There will be cake! And good times. I'll be there to cheer on Elizabeth.

If you you can't make it to the book signing, I bet you could email the shop and order a signed copy to be sent to you or email Elizabeth and order from her.

I can't tell you how excited and happy I am for Elizabeth. She's a kick-ass friend and she deserves the success!

All about the weekend..

I am feeling super lazy. Is anyone else? I'm just mired down in my inability to do anything. I SERIOUSLY need to get in and do some finishing up stuff, and my cutting table is a mess. I keep moving stuff around and there are piles teetering here and there.. all I want to do is complain about it, I don't want to actually clean it up. Is it just me?

We had a lovely weekend away.. seemed like it lasted forever, in the good way, and it was very relaxing. I'm going to have to drag out the adventure because I have done absolutely nothing else to post about.

On the way down to San Luis Obsipo, we stopped at the Mission in Soledad. It's been a while since I've been to a Mission. This one reminded me of my childhood. My parents took us too all the historical landmarks we passed by, and I've been to a lot of them. This one had the traditional canning jar filled with roses at the entrance, snipped right from the Rose Garden. I love that, so sweet and welcoming. Simple, old fashioned. Frankie enjoyed showing us around where she spent a good part of last semester. We also got to meet a friend of hers Lily, or Lil' Lily as Frankie calls her. She's a sweet girl.

I have a thing for those California Mission Bells. I don't know why, just add that to my list of weird ok?
Next stop was at a nice little trattoria called the Upper Crust. Frankie had been raving about it since she went with her friend Candace. We get seated and who do we see across from us? You're right, Candace and her parents! The world is full of delightful coincidences.

Frankie and Candace went out shopping around town and had a great time. It was serendipity for sure!

That's all for now. I must drag this out so I have something to show for myself until I actually DO something to show!

Weekend Retreat

We're off for the weekend to the Apple Farm! Looking forward to some lounging about, walking around and coffee drinking. See you next week my little apple dumplings!

Flashback

Back in the day, we used to go to Elizabeth Gamble Gardens a lot. Frankie and I would go get crusty sandwiches from the Oakville Grocery and head there for a picnic.(check their site for lovely recipes) Its everything you love as a kid, paths and little hiding places. I can picture her , her long pony tail flipping back and forth.

Its been quite a few years since we had lunch there. We went back and strolled through the gardens a couple of weeks ago. Lots of new things there to see. Hardscapes, topiaries.

These sweet peas were so fragrant and colorful it almost hurt to look at them.

Does this even look real?
A little story telling hut. Little Girl Frankie would have loved that.

Lots and lots of espaliered apple trees. I would love a row of those. Or possibly two!

The giant bumblebees were rolling around in the pollen of these California Poppies. Lots of them.

This wisteria was so delicate and lovely.

A girl indulging her mother.
The running path, down to the fountain.



The flower beds were wonderful, the little wander we took through the surrounding neighborhood delightful. It was a good day and I'm filled with gratitude for it.

Set adrift!

OHMYGOSH I was without internet, well real internet, for two days. TWO WHOLE DAYS. I had my Sidekick3 but you can't really really appreciate the internet and email from a Sidekick3. Don't get my wrong, its better than NO INTERNET.

To top it off, the second laptop that Bret picked up for me, after the first one didn't work, was also broken. What the heck? He's picking up the third laptop today, lets hope it's the charm.

Because people, I don't manage well without CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERNET.

I'm such a wimp.

Sunday Driver

The first Sunday of the Month is the Antiques by the Bay show in Alameda. Elizabeth and I were on a mission to find some 'good stuff'. We weren't sure what that was going to be, but we wanted it. Thrill of the hunt. Bret came along as good company, driver and enabler. He likes shopping, and encourages me to buy buy buy!!! ( I know, really, how lucky am I???)

Now, just because.. seriously, how could you drive by this without whipping out you camera. This house has been in Oakland, gussied up like this, for as long as I can remember.

Here we are at the opening. The show opens at 9am for the regular folk, well people who either don't want to pay the additional money or who just can't get up. We're usually the latter. Lazy. It was cool and overcast at first, but it turned into a nice day out. And not that crowded.

This is strictly for Holly. She told me about her darling chipmunks at the LakeHouse. She mentioned the cats might be taking a little too much interest in the local wildlife. Out here my friends, the chipmunks can fend for themselves.

Again, how can you not take a picture of something like this??

We ran into Joanna and her pals a couple of rows into the show. She beat me to the punch on the blogging about it, I had no internet this morning!!! Here's Elizabeth getting a photo of Joanna talking about forgetting her camera.

And here's Joanna and Diana, one of her two shopping companions. They came prepared with Starbucks. I was a little envious of that, I should have scored a cup before entering but I like my hands free for grabbing up stuff. I'm greedy like that.

Ahh so what did I buy?

Sorry about the crappy photo. Every flat surface of my house is covered with stuff, so you have to be satisfied with my stained well used ironing board. Vintage Crepe Paper from Wendy Addison (I am so the name dropper), some really cool vintage state charms. I am totally going to start a collection of those for the states I've been too. (Wisconsin, Minnesota and Connecticut shown here, I have a lot of states to go.) I love charm bracelets. Some cool cherry shelf edging. I was hemming and hawing over it and Elizabeth managed to get the price down to $5. Even I can't resist that. Oh, and my little flower frog. I loved the size of this, I'm thinking pens, but more than likely I'll pile it up somewhere and not unearth it for months.

That's the story my little shoppers! How was your weekend?

The List

That Silly Lil' Doe dared me to write my TO DO list.. so I'm going to have at it. But I'm keeping it short here, its late and I have, well a TO DO list now, geez, no wonder I never write these, they're a lot of pressure!

1. Wish my friend Sandy a SUPER HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I hope you'll go to her blog and wish her a Happy Birthday too. I would do this even if I didn't have a list.


2. Complete the blanket stitching on this, I knew it was going to be good. Then when I get done, Elizabeth will do the embroidery.

3. Work on the piecing for this quilt. Elizabeth did all the cutting, am I lucky or what?

4. Have a PamKittyMorning on Saturday, which means coffee coffee coffee. And then more coffee. (Did I ever mention that I love coffee?)

5. Work on those book reviews. Felicia Sullivan sent me three delightful books and I've been remiss about the reviews.

I'm going to tag some people, Holly, Mary, Elizabeth, Monica, and Sandy. Let us know what you're up to.

Have a super weekend my little listmakers. Happy June!