Every second is of infinite value.

- Johann von Goethe

Well so far the fall out from the new VISTA computer has been minimal. I really like the new format for Word etc. There is a bit of a learning curve but basically all the old stuff is there and some cool new stuff so I'm ok with that. However...I'm really sad that my Palm Pilot will not SYNC with the new computer. I talked to the Palm Pilot people yesterday and basically their software is not compatible with the new 64 bit technology. I think that is just WRONG. Heck my EQ5 and EQ6 work just fine with the computer...What is wrong with those Palm People??? I sooo love my Palm Pilot my whole life is on this little thing. I simply cannot go back to a paper calendar and lets not forget my contact list, always at the tip of my fingers! I'm hoping that there is a magic program out there that can convert/read my Palm software and make my little palm pilot happy again. I still have all my info stored on the handheld I just need for the handheld to talk to my PC! Surely Bill Gates and the gang would not make me have to resort to a Palm Pilot such as this one... I mean come on...people! It may come to me having to purchase a Blackberry or something like that! I'm slightly over making too many more technology changes just prior to Houston Quilt Market and Wedding! So for today I'll be using the Palm Pilot pictured here!

Debbie and I are worked on our BOM we are debuting in Houston this fall. Things are moving along. I'm really thrilled about this project. I will take a picture of the quilt and post it soon. (its on the list for today!) We are developing 3 different settings (one thimble, two thimble and 3 thimble settings) for the blocks so that people can choose the setting that fits them the best! It takes a lot of work to get a program developed like this (back to that writing process etc.) but we are a good team and things are lookin good!!!!

I went to guild yesterday and tried to put aside my TO DO list for a couple of hours and relax. It didn't work! I just needed to be here working on the list and feeling good about that. I know that I need to stick with my little quote above and I will be fine..Keeping focused on making the most of every little second.

Ok the committee #$%^&*()@#$%^&* woke me up at 4 a.m....I may need a little nap later but right now I'm going to get dinner going in the Crock Pot (yum yum...Sirloin Tip Roast cookin away) then I'm going to the studio and I'm not coming down all day....Sewing my brains out.....making the most of every second right?

Have a quilty day,
Pat
Pat

We are all still children. We want to find a playmate for our thoughts and feelings.

-Dr. Wilhelm Steckhel

While happily sewing away I reached for a seam ripper telling myself that mistakes are opportunities to learn again! WELL this led me on a voyage of discovery in my own excessive quest to own every sewing notion on the planet....IN DUPLICATE....AND EVEN MORE. Yes, people I am here to confess in cyber space I AM A NOTION JUNKIE! There I said it! I think I'm going to form a 12 step program for people such as myself (come on..I know you are out there). Here is the proof of my illness.

I mean people 6 seam rippers within reach of my sewing machine. (I highly recommend the white handled clover one obviously I have 4). Then we have 5 rotary cutters. How about the collection of Mary Ellen's Best Press and 505 Basting Spray. Well obviously I was thinking of ironing and basting 10 thousand quilts and was afraid I would run out. (are you seeing a pattern here?) How about 2 copies and an entire notebook dedicated to the Country Threads "Garden Club" quilt...this is just a small indication that I have been know to purchase duplicate patterns and books (it's just too ugly to photograph). And then there is the MAC DADDY WALL OF RULERS...really didn't our ancestors make quilts with a candle and needle and tread??? Yes, MY NAME IS PAT AND I'M A NOTIONS JUNKIE!

P.S. While I'm confessing this is just some of the stuff in my studio...I have duplicates and more downstairs and in my travel kit. (I'm so ashamed!)

The really happy person is the one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

-Anon

Boy oh Boy have I had some detours to be "happy" about this week! My week started with my book club reading what we all agreed was the WORST BOOK in the history of our club. So bad that only two of us (NOT ME) managed to finish the book!!! We read a lot of really good books but this one was universally HATED by the whole book club. So if anyone wants to read it let me know I have a hard bound copy of the thing I will gladly give you! I don't usually buy books but the library had a long waiting list (I need to contact everyone on THAT LIST and warn them). The best part of the book club was sitting on Sues' lovely screened porch and enjoying the evening, dear friends, candle lite..drinks and snacks! See what I mean about that quote?

Then we have the computer issues.... I got a new computer and had it installed, just paid the Geek guys to do the work we don't have time or energy to get everything hooked up. I am now working with VISTA and my new 64 bit/tons of memory computer. I am adjusting well to my new SANDBOX. It is actually pretty cool! I had heard VISTA was a nightmare but I honestly don't know what the fuss is. Kristie reassured me that all would be fine and she was right!! Maybe I have surprises in store but as for now we are all playing nicely in the Sandbox.

The computer junk set me back on my massive TO DO list. This is where I have tried to remind myself of the above mentioned quote...oh those detours!! I have writing that needs to be done and sewing sewing sewing. Today is a sewing day, tomorrow and Sunday I will be writing (this is where I will really know if VISTA is going to be a problem).

I'm going to see Becky tonight and spend sometime with her as she is recuperating from her hip surgery. We are going to do some handwork and have a good visit! (I have 6 projects needing binding in preparation for market!) I'm taking dinner for us so eating is involved as well. Sounds PERFECT!

Thinking of all the people on the Gulf Coast and praying they are safe!

Have a quilty day,
Pat

The quality of our expectations determines the quality of our actions. -Andre' Godin

Well the computer Gods have not been with me lately. It seems that my computer is stressed. When I was told this I laughed out loud! If I am managing to NOT BE STRESSED when my "To Do" list is on a spread sheet (and I'm not kidding) HOW IN THE HECK CAN MY COMPUTER BE STRESSED??? The thing failed it's diagonstic check and it seems the hard drive is ready to blow. Could be in minutes...could be in a year. Thank goodness for external hard drives and back ups to keep me safe! So... I'm going to buy a new computer. While still managing to keep myself blissfully calm I go shopping I find myself not in my studio but in the world of bits and rams,bites...programs... So my problem is this, I want lightening speed (keeps that stress down if I don't have to wait in between clicking) and I want enough memory to store all the information of the world especially the quilt world! Not to much to ask right? Well it seems that my EQ6 is a mystery to the computer geeks of the world and they can't tell if the program will run with the higher technology..blah blah blah. I have the upgrade program from EQ5 so that is the real problem. So this morning I will be on the 800# to the EQ people in Ohio to find out if I can use both programs or if I will need to purchase a whole new EQ6. Meanwhile my computer is still stressed POOR BABY!!!!

The order of the day in Silver Thimble land is Binding, Binding and more Binding. I love to make and whip stitch bias binding to my quilts. Good thing because I have 4 projects I just got back from Peggy. Her long arm work is wonderful and she turns projects around in lightening speed (I'm seeing a trend here toward me needing things to move along quickly!) I completed the binding for a tree skirt and gave it to my friend Julie for a Silent Auction benefitting a friend who has breast cancer. I hope it brings in some $$$. Check another To Do item off the list.

Well it is time to introduce my Sophie to blog world. She is a "MESS" as we say in the south. Basically Sophie is a good dog with "issues". This is why she has earned the nick name "Osma Bin Doggie". She is a sweet dog with terroist tendencies she also looks a lot like the real Osama. I was laying out the above mentioned quilts to be bound and she decided to pop a squat right on top! As I layered on quilt after quilt she would not move. She decided to ignore me and catch a little shut eye. See what I mean about issues? You can also see by the paws and beard that she has been digging again (she is searching for her relative Osama...well you get the picture.)

Debbie and I are working on our BOM for market. I THINK the name of the quilt is going to be "Around the Corner" not for sure yet. We are planning to offer lots of options for setting this program up in shops. I'm very very excited. Also, Melissa aka "Bad Melissa" of Sweet Home Quilt Co. is launching the first internet based Silver Thimble Quilt Club! So excited about this I can't even tell you! She is launching her new kick butt web site and Silver Thimble will be a part of it! wooo hooo!!!!!!!!! Be sure to check it out. Melissa is blogging as well. This is ALLLLLLLLLLL GOOOOOOOD.

Gotta settle the computer issues
Have a quilty day,
Pat

At the end of the day....love is all that matters.

-unknown

Well..the whole weekend went to the bride. The MOH was present and was so much help to us...my younger daughter is preforming her maid of honor duties beautifully. We shopped our brains out on Saturday and some of Sunday. You know the girly stuff party dresses, honeymoon in Mexico stuff etc.etc. etc. Fun but we sure were tired and then Sunday(until 2 am) and Monday until I had to put her on a plane we worked on programs, favors, gifty things etc etc etc...We had so much fun. I am looking forward to the Nov 15th special day but so sad that this sweet time planning with my daughter for her wedding is going to be coming to a close. I was told before this all started that it is so stressful and that I should prepare. Sorry I'm not stressed...

If I wanted to get stressed this would certainly be a good time to do that! I'm choosing to take small bites of the elephant and hopefully everything will fall into place. What do you think? If I look at all that has to be done in the next 60 -70 days I probably could just sit in the floor and cry! I think I'll just dance instead!!!!! I mean...a WEDDING..SO EXCITING...FALL QUILT MARKET...WOW HOW FUN IS THAT??....SILVER THIMBLE QUILT CLUB launching it's first internet program.. BLOCK OF THE MONTH...OMG I'm tickled pink (or in the case of this quilt BLUE). I am so excited to be working on a BOM program to debut at Fall Market. My friend Debbie and I are working together to get this program ready. I think that it is going to be very special and that shop owners will like its presentation. I will check on posting a picture of the quilt real soon...

Again I hate keeping all this market stuff a secret but I've been told that I HAVE TO! I just hate being TOLD and I really hate the HAVE TO PART. HMMMM.

Have a quilty day,
P