JAMAICA VACA WITH JU

The Classic "OH CRAP" Moment

I was in a hurry, I'll admit it. I needed to quickly get 5 quilts to the ladies with LONGARMS. In my haste to get all the backs and labels prepared..... I made an amazingly ridiculous mistake. You know how I always say..."Carefully cut behind the applique????? Cut away the background ONLY...DO NOT cut through to the FRONT????" Well........At the worst possible moment, I cut through to the front. I also underestimated how darned sharp those scissors are. (Thanks Brint!!!) Anyway, I don't usually resort to colorful language, however , a heartfelt "OH CRAP" seemed to feel appropriate.
Now... to disguise the damage.
Thankfully, the damage was on the back, so I could have a little fun with it.(Probably would have done the same thing if the damage was on the front).So....On the back of the quilt titled "When Life Gives You Broken Dishes....Use Paper Plates. The Party Must Go On. " You can see the little Do-Sew Band-Aid. Problem solved...boo boo kissed... and I'm ready to move on....See you all soon in Chantilly, Kansas City, Minneapolis and Chicago!!! WOOOOOOHOOOO!!

Are You KIDDING ME ????

I had an Endoscopy yesterday. No biggie...just routine. I knew I wouldn't be able to drive for the rest of the day,and planned to spend the day sewing instead. Fortunately...I read the discharge info before any real damage could occur.In case you're not able to read the fine print....there is a warning against using dangerous equipment such as LAWNMOWER- CHAINSAW- SEWING MACHINE??????Darn...it looks like Chainsaws are out too. Who knew...

Bexley Babes Are At It Again

The ladies of Common Threads spent a lovely Saturday, "Fishing" in Bexley, Ohio.Thank-You so much for your wonderful hospitality and a great day.Hope to see you again soon! Join us in the slide show ...below

Quilt Maven Visits Amherst

Lorain County Peacemakers was honored to host Deb Karasik at our meeting last Thursday. Isn't she too cute? She let me fondle her amazing, award winning quilts!!!

New Stuff For Fall EXPO

Fall EXPO On The Way !!!!!

Preparations for Fall Expo are racing full speed ahead. I have at least four new classes on the way. I won't waste a lot of space writing about them...I'll just show you! Check out the slide show above. Remember that they are in the rough draft stage right now. In addition to designing new quilts, I'm also trying to get used to my new laptop. After struggling with an ancient (5 years old, and apparently nearly obsolete) computer, I now have a shiny new toy. It runs all the good stuff I need and more stuff that I really don't need, yet , but will be fun anyway. Anyone understand how to SKYPE? I'm not real happy about the view from the camera, but it's going to be fun...if I ever figure it out. I was telling my friend that using a computer without a mouse is like trying to write with your lips. I guess it will take time. Too much fun !!!

OH Mikey!!!

After cleaning the car seat with his tongue...Mikey claimed it as his own. Sorry Gabriel...

No More Kids

WooHoo... After almost 30 years, I no longer have any KIDS !!!!! Sunday was Anthony's High School graduation. The youngest of four.In October, he will move to Pittsburgh to attend the Art Institute for Graphic Design.I'm officially out of the school system.I wonder if they'll miss us. With four kids..we have attended countless skating competitions,marching band,concert band and choir performances.We attended football games during sweltering heat, freezing wind and thunderstorms to support the cheerleaders. We enjoyed drama productions,Pop Shows and Amherst Idols. I covered my face and peeked out through my fingers during wrestling tournaments.I laughed myself silly while watching the TV class kids,while filming a project...jump into the pool in April...fully clothed in hoodies, sweat pants and wool hats...with bikinis on top of the whole outfit.Oh yes... then there were Proms, Homecomings and Winter Formals.What about the preparations/fundraising for trips to Washington DC ,New York City, cheer competitions,and the principals office,(yes...I admit there have been a few).. and last but in no way LEAST....no more hockey bags in my van. You know that "New Car Smell" that most people recognize? I thought it was hockey bag fragrance!I'm not sure if the school system will miss us or not. I know that I will miss all of the wonderful supportive teachers,coaches, administrators, and parents who were on the journey with us.BTW..They ALL deserve a big fat raise!!! Yes..even the parents, especially the parents. So....when I am asked how many kids do you have... I can say, "I don't have any Kids...I have four grown ups now".

Worcester EXPO 2009

Easter At Moms 2009 For Tammie

Heading For Worcester

Poor Mikey....He does this everytime I get ready to leave. Does he think he BLENDS IN????

Itty Bitty Slave

I had Gabriel here yesterday. I made him do the dishes after lunch!!! :-)

A Teeny Vacation

The week before the Tampa EXPO,
my friend Teri and I had a great time in Lakeland,Florida as guests of Cyn and Bill, in the "Little House". Unfortunately, Cyn wasn't feeling well and we didn't get to spend much time with her. We were able to go to Casa Dega with her and her mom, Ruth. It was a beautiful day and we totally enjoyed the sunny weather and interesting surroundings. In Lakeland,we visited the "Patchwork Pig" Quiltshop, Brooke Pottery, spent too much and had lunch at Harry's.We found an amazing scrap booking store in Lakeland too. It's called Violette's. It has about 10 different rooms to wander in and out of. Again...we each spent too much, but it was a great little place and I'll definitely find it again on the next visit. We spent a lot of time trying to confuse the GPS!!!! On one of the GPS, sunset detours, we were treated to an unexpected treat!!! We looked to the side of the highway, and saw what we thought was fireworks. After a moment of looking though, we could tell that it was a space center launch of some kind!!! We watched until after the seperation phase.It was really beautiful to see the sunset colors showing through the vapor trail.
We also had a great time visiting with Teri's brother Tom and his wife Carol, in Lake Wales. Before we left,Tom climbed up in the grapefruit tree and picked a bunch of grapefruit to take back with us! What a treat!!!

Mending The Broken Hearts 2009

Journal Fun 2009

NEORQC 2009

Mirror Magic 2009, Non-Stinkey Version!!

We had a lot of fun, and made a big mess. As soon as Deb sends me a picture of the "Sunday Line-Up"finished projects...I'll post that for you too. Sorry ladies....most of the pictures are really dark.These are a couple of the better ones.

Everyone was so creative.

And came in with a vision

Learned about some new materials and techniques

Solved some problems and all ended up with fabulous pieces!!

Enough Winter Thank-You!!

My "Dumpster Diving Friend", Teri gave me four absolutely beautiful books for Christmas. They are all about Blogging. "Artful Blogging".I was so busy looking at the beautiful pictures, that I didn't read until yesterday that you're really suppose to update a blog several times a week!!! WHAT???? O.K., so I resolve to be better from now on.I finally got the Slide Shows to load! Yeah.

A word of warning to the Quilty Ladies in Atlanta and Tampa...After looking at the "Winter"slide show,you will see why I may be moving in with one of you!!!!! (Please, just until May???)

Had It With Winter Already

Art Journals At Spring EXPO!!!!

Back To The Land Of The Living!! (Sort Of)

With only the remnants of the holidays left in boxes around the house....I've returned to the land of the living. Hockey season is in full swing. Anthony's college and scholarship applications are the main focus for now.

The deep freeze has made it possible to spend time in the studio and getting some new projects ready for Spring classes. The Art Journal is a fun, fast "No-Sew" project. Trying to post a slide show, but there seems to be a glitch today. I'll keep trying.

Spring EXPOS are just around the corner. YEAH!!!! We go to Atlanta and Tampa in March. With the SUB ARCTIC COLD that we have in Ohio right now, I can't wait to go south. Oh, wait a minute.....didn't it snow in Atlanta last year? Well, there's still hope that Tampa will be warm.