Computer Disaster

You must have been warned against letting the golden hours slip by. Yes, but some of them are golden only because we let them slip.

-J.M Barrie

I've been a tiny bit M.I.A. I was teaching a workshop Friday and Saturday for the Plantation guild in Hampton Georgia. I enjoyed spending some good quality time with this great group of ladies in the woods at the Calvin Center. The lodge/giant cabin we stayed in was pretty neat. All the rooms opened onto the sewing room. There were 30 people sewing there brains out and me yapping and teaching. Now that is my idea of fun! Many thanks to these terrific ladies. I feel like I have 30 brand new friends!

I wrote the beginnings of a post (see above) at 3:30 am (couldn't sleep committee called a meeting again)..then all hell broke loose. My computer is a mess...I have been talking to tech support in downtown Bagdhad or some place. All my programs and files are somewhere on my computer but I don't know what to do to fix my problem....did I mention I'm writing a book????? did I mention I'm having a fun give away on this blog.  Where are my pictures...where is my photoshop? Where is EQ7... WHERE ARE MY DAUGHTERS WEDDING PHOTOS??? If I were a drinker I would be under the table drunk right now.

The soonest the Geek guys can get here is Wednesday morning. And it is going to cost me large  $$$$$  Well at least I am able to find my blog on Internet Explorer...did I mention I'm a Mozilla girl...I can't find my MOZILLA. Do you hear my callllllls....are you out there.my blogging friends can I hear your voice?????...I can't find my email.........ok that is it......I GOTTA GET A GRIP...I have the manuscript for the book on a zippy thingy... and I have a second daughter I will save her wedding photos in a vault at Fort Knox. But where are my iTunes?

This is me signing off with no photos to show you of my retreat this weekend. I'm going to go to Kroger and get a giant bag of Cheetos, some Twizzlers, and a bottle of wine. I will try to post again...photoless...and possibly sick or hungover.

There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm.

-Willa  Cather

Oh I love this quote..I love Willa Cather have you read this book?

Read this book...pahleezee its a classsic....you can find it at the library under classics teehee. By the way it is pronounced  An-toe-nee-ah

Here is what I have been doing. Sitting at my computer, writing, taking breaks and reading your wonderful comments on my "Cats Out of the Bag" give away. Trying to reply to them but I'm not keeping up. Staggering to bed trying to get some sleep and then starting the process all over again the next day. I haven't been outside since Sunday, I haven't seen the sun, I'm going to be Vitamin D deficient for sure.  I managed to cook a pot of Chicken Soup so now Sir Quilt Dude is clucking. Could be he is sick of soup. Ok so I'll make a giant pot of Chili that should get us through till labor day. 

Speaking of cooking. I was making some eggs and bacon on Sunday morning (think of it as the last meal before the soup attack) I asked Sir Quilt Dude to "watch the bacon"   because I needed to check to see if my eggs were going to kill us (dear lord I don't need to get sick at this time). During the brief time I was googling  Egglands Best he managed to burn the bloody bacon. Let me point out 3 things right here:

1. I don't do burned food.
2. You know who does not even know which appliance is the microwave and can't be trusted with a GAS STOVE with 5 burners and 2400BTU's. Seriously, NOT GOOD. I have ruined the man.

3. WHO BURNS BACON!

 With my last pieces of bacon headed for the trash I said to him." You need to take over the cooking and the shopping because if I die you are going to starve, I need to take over the finances,bills, and investments because if you die I'm going to be confused!"   

He looked at me and walked to the refrigerator and got some milk and his Cheerios. laughing all the way........

When I die you will find my husband at either Coldwater Creek or Kroger looking for a new wife. Bring a picnic he will be hungry.

August Thimbles

We can't take any credit for our talents. It's how we use them that counts.

-Madeleine L'Engle

We begin this show with the lovely Karman, and further proof that my photo skills are always at the top of my game. I'm thinking of buying a killer digital SLR camera. I think I'm ready don't you?

Look at Lynn's quilt she finished during the Stitch IN. WOW now this is so great. I love the way the black makes the batiks POP.

This is a future quilt by Karman. It is going to be great. We will see it soon I'm sure. (no pressure K)

Here is a Kaffe or Amy or somebody wonderful quilt. Funky and great! I think Karman did this quilt but then the mind gets foggy with so much eye candy.

Front of Shelia's quilt very nice.

Back of Shelia's quilt. I love me some pieced backs. Yes I do!

Kim who is giving this (another!) quilt to her sons college age boy. I hope he takes car of this cuz I WILL go Mel Gibson on him.

Brenda with her second Christmas quilt in two months. I will be spending Christmas night at her house. Zoom in maybe you can see the vintage SANTAS. cutie cute cute.

Mercidene and another batik fantabulous quilt. This photo does not do it justice. I don't know why. It is so bright and fabulous.

HOLEY TINEYNESS. Look at the pen..look at the quilt...Look at the hand quilting....look at the applique...I seriously can't take it. I took this tiny perfect thing and personally took it to everyone in the room. Karman made this...miniture marvelous. I can't take anymore of this perfection.

Linda has such an eye for color and design. I love this quilt particularly the coverlet fabric in the center. It is terrific. She will not give it to me. I love her anyway!

Neutral...simple...fabulous...PERFECT. I love that dark inner border. Nice touch Sue!

Sue finished the Road To Romance quilt Stitch N' Quilt kitted up for us back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. It was well worth the wait don't you think? Good job Sue really good job....!

Can I have some Ceddar Cheese please? Red and CHED. Simply the best.

Lookie lookie the story on this quilt..Suzanne gave Julie two hefty bags of scraps. Julie made this KILLER Christmas quilt..from the dadgum scraps. My skirt blew up with this one and as for me. I am now hanging on to my 14 Hefty Lawn and leaf bags of scraps. Suzanne cried and wants her scraps back. 

The disappearing NINE PATCH. Always a crowd fav!

Cathy and her fabulous Lily Pad quilt kitted up for Silver Thimble Quilt Club by Patchwork Cottage! We really enjoyed this one. Sooo summery..without the HEAT!

That is all for now..loading these photos and getting them to appear right on my blog is getting on my last nerve. Can somebody come over here and fix ME? don't  answer that.

PS. Don't for get my GIVE AWAY...  just CLICKY THE LINKY

The Cat is OUT of the Bag!

Our aspirations are our possibilities.

-Samuel Johnson

So much to share and tell. First of all I want to have  a give away come and get it because the.... " Cat is Out of he Bag." 
I can now speak the words, I have permission to tell you and all the world...finally.. here it is...drum roll pahleezeeee...I am writing a book which will be published by the fantabulous people at...

My book will be out sometime next FALL,which seems like a century from now but we all know it will fly by and and feel like 10 minutes.  Here is a bit of the story. I've been soooo frustrated because I basically have been sewing and writing like crazy,and can't share anything with my bloggie friends. Sewing and writing, WRITING AND SEWING, for the book and for Fall Market. Both things have to be kept secret. I contacted the editors at MARTINGALE (insert heavenly music)  and asked if I can blog about the "  process of writing,"  ....got the big yes, go for it answer last Thursday! There is so much to be said here that I hope will interest you. I will put my thoughts down (and as you know I will have my own little spin on things). I'm excited to share my journey with you! Then there are preparations for Fall Market I will share that "process" as well. The frenzy for the book and market has begun with lots to talk about.

 Here are my prizes for you to enjoy.
Three specialty rulers 
1.A Pineapple ruler
2. A Kalieoscope Ruler
3. A Fast Flying Geese Ruler
A cute little cupcake stand, a cotton picker (love it), 2.5" Triangles on a roll, a lovely journal to write in, a spool of Aurfil thread (grey..love it) , and a layer cake of Deb Stains Winter Storm fabbies.
              WOW!

 DAH RULZ!!!

1. Give me a shout out on this posting (ok people I don't have a  "  Go"   to give a way...I don't even own a "  Go"   please don't be disappointed) . Let me know that you would like to be entered and that will be your first chance.

2. Blog to your friends about my give away and you get two more chances!! (two more..yeah baby). Come back to this posting and tell me that you have blogged about it so I can read, AND read AND read. If you don't have a blog just tell me and I'll give you TWO extra chances too! (but seriously people..you need to consider having a blog......just sayin)

3. If you are a follower or become a follower AND post to me about your following..well my sweet friends that means you get another chance.

 FOUR CHANCES TO WIN IN ALL 

I will choose the winner on Wednesday September 1st 6 pm EST and announce them Wednesday night! 

Good Luck everyone I gotta go...I'm writing a book you know!

God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with.

-Billy Graham

I am in recovery...I am spent...I am filled to capacity....I am never going to be the same...Good bye...farewell...auf weiedersehen...I'm leaving the planet...I've had too much...its over.

I SPENT THE WEEKEND WITH THE SILVER THIMBLES of GRAYSON  GEORGIA... I CANNOT EXPLAIN THE FUN. THERE SIMPLY ARE NO WORDS. THAT IS IT...I'm going to the doctor tomorrow because my face is in deep pain from the permanent smile. And my heart won't stop beating at Indy 500 speed.

...many photos to share. Get ready. 

 I also have BIG NEWS...so tomorrow come see me on my little bloggie I'm having myself a give away. The name of it shall be "The CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG" give away. 

As for today I must spend sometime in the sewing room. recovering.(and spending 40,000 hours downloading photos gadzooks)

Check this out!

Here are some swell links to a couple of Go give aways. Jump over and throw ya name in dah hat... but it is pointless cuz I'm going to win.

Karen over at Sew Many Ways is having a Go give away, she is sending her girls back to college so she needs us to cheer her on. Dang I just gotta win the Go.

Look in on Jackie's blog. You will love it. She has got it goin on! Get it? "Go"

Productivity

Taking the joy in life is a woman's best cosmetic.

-Rosalind Russell

Ode to Productivity:

Begin morning 7 am. pour coffee head to computer to update blog

7:05:Decide to surf web for Mary E. fabric for sewing room

7:10: Fabric ordered, back to blog.

7:12: Need another cup of coffee (slurp slurp)

7:14: Better go throw in a load of laundry

7:20: Back to blog

7:25: Decide to make beds and do morning chores, blog will have 

          to wait.

8:15: Tired of chores sit down and check emails then update blog

9:00: Wow that was fun got some sale coupons from the web 

9:05: Shower and get dressed need to get out there and use the 

          coupons. Time to go shopping, will run out and get back to 

          blog fast.

10:00: Hobby Lobby (bought stuff for Fall Market booth)

11: 30: Joans ETC. (bought more stuff for Fall Market booth) 

             cute

12:45: Hungry better stop for some lunch

1:00: Stop by Office Depot for 2011 insert to planner (I really 

          need a IPhone or Droid..this is just OLD SCHOOL. 

1:30: They are having a sale at Belk's and need some night cream 

           anyway. I'll run in here and get right home to my blog.

2:45: Wow got some new shoes, night cream and two cute tops. 

          Time to go home and update the blog. 

2:46: Ooops forgot to pull out something for dinner. Stop by 

          Kroger. 

3:15: Kroger.... $150 in groceries

3:20: Home now unpack groceries, make salad for dinner, scrub 

          some potatos to bake. Get ready to update the blog

4:15: Pull UPS package off porch, try to remember which item I 

         ordered Monday...its here.

4:17: More fabric for the sewing room spruce up project. 

4: 19: Let's just see if this is going to work in the sewing room. 

5:30: Sewing room looking great, time to update the blog

5:30: Fire up the oven for the baked potatoes.  Then head to the 

          office.

5:03: PHONE: Jan called, lets catch up I haven't talked to you in 

         ages. 

6:15: Good chat with Jan better marinate the steaks. Then work 

          on the blog.

6:18: L called 

6:30: S called

6:31: Time to get those steaks on the grill and set the table.

6:32: Sir Quilt Dude home and hungry

6:50: Dinner ready  (late tonight..usually we eat at 6 but I've had 

          a busy day.)

7:30: Kitchen clean then get that blog post underway

7:45: MB called 

8:00 : M called needs me to meet her at Sam's to pick up kits for 

          Silver Thimble Club. 

8:30 - Meeting with M at Sam's club..chat it up. 

9:15 - home now lets post that blog 

9:17 - Thirsty how about a cold glass of tea

9:20 - Sir Quilt Dude says there are a couple of emails I need to check out (business related). No problem I'm going to update my blog any way I'll do the emails first.

9:21: sit down to read emails and update the blog. More surfing ensues..

11:00 - So tired will update that blog tomorrow morning 6 am sharp. 

Yup...all in all,  a productive day wouldn't you say????

 

Teaching and College Move IN

The more you give away, the more you have.

-author unknown

I have been teaching classes with the wonderful people at A Scarlet Thread on Friday and Saturday. The shop is moving from a fabulous HUGE space to another more fabulous and more huger space..I'm pretty sure the shop will have its own ZIP CODE. It is going to be about 40 bazillion square feet. SHEESH. Fabric, quilts, machines and wonderfulness abound. and I hope they have a good moving company!!!! This move sounds like it will occur sometime in the fall..or sumthin like that. I can't wait.

We are leaving in a few hours to go help DD #2 move into her apartment for her final I SAID FINAL..semester of college. I'm so happy to do this because it is AFRICA HOT outside and we are going to Statesboro which is SOUTH and resembles the surface of the sun right now. Its a swell college town. Chances are real good I'll end up in Wal Mart purchasing some cord for a computer or a memory foam  or a shower curtain. That will make this little trip extra fun. WAL MART (just shoot me now please) 

I wanted to show you this photo which I "borrowed" from AST's blog..this is Deanna and her fabulous "Professional Tote". This photo really isn't doin the bag justice. This bag looked sooooo good. It looked like a piece of luggage. I'm not kidding and I would never lie to you or embellish... Made from "Tapestry" type fabric..lined, zippers, pockets and all kinds of stuff. I was so dang impressed. I tried to get her to give it to me but that didn't work out well. 

Something is up with the memory card in my camera...or operator error...or maybe an excuse to buy a new camera. I can't have this blog without great pictures right???? I'll get back to you on that. I'll play with it while in the car on my way to college...sweating.

Road trip with the Queen of Little Quilts

The distance is nothing. It's only the first step that's important.

-Marquise DuDeffand

I can't believe it is Thursday and I haven't stopped to write a post. Where do the days go? Believe it or not I've been at the computer almost non stop Tuesday and Wednesday. What doing? Writing, writing and more writing. My eyes are popping out of my head. I love to write but it tends to fatigue. (This is NOT where you would want to remind me that I'm no spring chicken okay....)

When I went to Alabama on Monday with Mary Ellen I remembered my banjo for my knee and I slammed my camera in my purse. Well apparently the camera was "on" the whole time. I settled down when we were at the guild meeting to snap some photos of Mary Ellen and all the wonderful people of the guild...you guessed it...dead battery, which I had charged up special for the occasion. Sometimes I want to lay in the floor and just scream don't you? Perhaps a good ol' temper tantrum is in order. (this is where you will refrain from telling me temper tantrums are not so lovely given my age). 

So all I can tell you is that we had a ball and boy do those people in Oxford Alabama quilt. There were a ton of show and tells and really good quilts. (no lectures here about the camera thing okay). I even got to meet some bloggers and we are now BBF's (best blogging friends, I'm going to get a lecture from my children about using chessy terms like BFF's)

Mary Ellen, Alice and Sylvia (Alice and Sylvia are now retired)

Little Quilts on Roswell Rd in  the burbs of Atl.

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Ellen and Brenda Papadakis at L.Q.

I do want to share some stuff about Mary Ellen and Little Quilts. She talked about how Little Quilts began 25 years ago. What struck me was actually what I already knew... but hearing her talk about how the three of them (Mary Ellen, Alice and Sylvia) who began their business by kicking in $47 each and putting their money in a bean pot to begin their business. When I tell you that she is a quilt industry trail blazer...I'm not kiddin...She knows EVERYONE in Quiltdom and is a quilt celebrity for sure. She showed a ton of the quilts from the beginnings of her business in the early 80's. She talked about the books they wrote and pattern development, and how they eventually opened a retail store 12 years ago. Originally, they were an exclusively wholesale business. If you are ever in Atlanta you MUST visit the store. First of all the dang place makes your credit card fly out of your pocket... the quilts and models are pure inspiration. They have a little room with a "Little Quilts" museum and a wall where visiting celebs have signed their names as they have come in for a visit. It is really koooool. One of my favorite things is that when you go to L.Q. you want to run home and sew something right away for sure, but if you return again in same a month. There is ALWAYS ALWAYS new things to see. They have trunk shows constantly and they change the models and quilts about every 5.1 seconds. PURE INSPIRATION...but then I said that right?  

At a very very personal level I happened to be blessed beyond measure to have Mary Ellen in my life as my friend and mentor. (I refer to her as "she who must be obeyed"...spoken with reverence and respect you know). Her knowledge about the quilt industry knows no boundaries and she shares it freely. As a designer working in the industry today she has helped me in ways I cannot count...I'm a lucky lady to have her as my friend and mentor. yup I am!!! 

This little story about LQ and Mary Ellen is something I want to do with my blog. I want to share quilts and the processes I use in sewing, designing, and working but mostly I want to share stories of the people I meet and their stories. (protecting their privacy of course) So that is what I will try to do..from time to time. Why??? because it is not always about the quilts right? Its about the people and the relationships right?  

Back to writing patterns.......wheww.  

Rushing out the Door

If you can walk, you can dance.

-Zimbabwe saying 

I'm rushing out the door to go on a field trip to Alabama with Mary Ellen. Guild talk, I'll be the one singing Sweet Home Alabama, and have my banjo on my knee!!! My mom would be sooo proud!

I will be the guest blogger here tomorrow so tune in. Then I'll be back with photos of the field trip.

Ok I cannot tell a lie I must get a pedicure before I go. If I die in a car I will go out with cute toes. It is only fit and proper.(I've got my camera).

Fun News

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.

-Victor Hugo

I have a list of quilting projects with DEADLINES...and what did Pat do today??? She decided to clean the sewing room (which never is really THAT bad) and move furniture around AGAIN! All this when it is hot and moving furniture is not recommended. I spent the morning doing all this and the afternoon sewing so that is not so bad right? (if you feel the need to lecture me about time management I suggest you remember I can go Mel Gibson on just about anyone at any time)(well not with the potty mouth!).

 

 

Tomorrow I am doing a magazine signing at Patchwork Cottage. They  have stacks and stacks of magazines for me to sign for the 3.5 people that will probably show up. I'm going to take my tiara just in case. I sure hope they have some snacks cuz it is going to be a long 2 hours talking to the staff!

Here is the big news...and best news.. and such excitement it blew my skirt up for sure! I have been invited to be a guest blogger on Stash Manicure!!! I will be blogging on Tuesday. Lets hope I can figure the techy part of this experience otherwise I'll just get back to you on that. I really am so honored and tickled as we say in the South. My blog will be completely serious and no joking around. So on Tuesday grab yo self a cuppa and read away! 

I really need to go back to the sewing room but I think I'll go clean out the lint from the dryer.

A Special Birthday and Other Stuff

If you ask me what I came into this world to do, I will tell you: I came to live out loud.

-Emilie Zola

I just love the above quote don't you??? The most important part of this day...is going to happen in 10 minutes it is currently 8:38 am...and at 8:48 am my baby girl came into this world 22 years ago. So as tradition in our home has it...I will call her at the moment of her birth and wake her college butt up and sing happy birthday to her.... I love family traditions don't you? In honor of her birthday her face is the only photo for today. This tells her I love her more than quilts. AND THAT IS A BIG DANG DEAL.

 

I have been super busy sewing and designing several new projects. I can't wait till I can share the finished pieces with everyone. I case you think I'm a slacker I'll have you know that this week 4 quilts are off to Leisa to be quilted. I hope she is getting plenty of sleep cuz I want her long arm to be hummin. 

I was reading Carrie's blog and she linked over to this blog about blogging more about the "process" we go through in our creative endeavors.  This really hit home for me on several levels so after reading both blogs and spending hours, days, contemplating this (ok it took 5 seconds) I took the pledge. See my little pledge button on my side bar thingy. I want to blog about lots of stuff but I will try to add more "process" oriented thoughts to my blog. okay? If this doesn't work out we will go back to the cheetos and random thoughts. I have another bloggy thing I'm going to add as well...so stay tuned tomorrow I will explain.

Many thanks to all who have emailed me privately about my quilt that is in the current issue of McCalls Quilting. I was in the grocery store and saw the issue on the rack. The manager called the police because I was setting up a display with lit candles around it. I saw nothing wrong with this don't you agree???