2nd post today.... Perhaps another tutorial?

I was reminded today by my mother, in her usual unsubtle way, that I have something I had promised to make her... A Sweatshirt Jacket!

Though not hanging to nicely on the hanger, this is the black one I made for myself about 4 years ago... At the time I bought a navy sweatshirt and fabric to make one for my mother... Ya I know! It is high time I get to it!!! So, I will surprize her with it sometime between the time I finish it, and Christmas... and I think I will count it as another UFO finish for Finn's Challenge... 8-)

This next photo shows you the inside of the jacket, and the fabric I decided to use... My mother wants the same design I used on my jacket, but I am kind of thinking I may leave the ...?... Gosh my mind ain't a workin' tonight...?... what's it called? The stuff around the neck, bottom and cuffs of a sweatshirt!? I know what it is, but it escapes me right now!!! Grrrr... Anyway, you know what I am talking about, I may leave it on the bottom of the next one.... I found that the back of mine, and the other gals that learned with me, tented out at the bottom, and it did not look very good. What I did to correct that was open a bit of the bottom binding at the seam on each side and thread some 1/4" elastic through the back, tacked it down on the side seams, and restitched the binding. It does help!

Here is the navy sweatshirt, the fabric I plan to use, and the pattern. I had wanted to use a pattern of tulips, but Mom really likes this braid of sorts...

So, I thought to perhaps do a tutorial of it. Any interest in that?

Mail Call....

Back in August/September Dot from Rantala Rags held a contest. The contest was to make a comment with a guess when her grandchild was due, the date, time, and the sex. Closest guess would receive a prize, and it were me!!! (check her September 19th post - I tried to link you there, but not possible) What a neat contest hey? I will have to remember that when I have a grandchild on the way! Not too soon I hope! 8-)

My friend Kh from Quilter Going Bananas had also taken part in this contest, and she had the next closest guess!!! Funny thing... At least I thought so... 8-)

So the much anticipated package came today! Not often that I get packaged mail...mostly just bills...thus the anticipation! 8-) Dot had mentioned that she had mailed it last Wednesday, so it only took a week to get here! 8-) Not like the recipient of my giveaway... It will take much longer for her to receive her package... 8-(

Look at the wonderful goodies! A lovely card, a cat bookmark, a neat pattern that is good for the use of Jelly Rolls, a pair of cook Halloween socks, AND a Fall Table Runner!!! An awesome gift to have received! Thank you so much Dot! 8-)

And here you see the Fall Table Topper on my dining table already... needs a bit of attention from my iron due to it's cramped bit of traveling... Not a problem! 8-)


And finally, a photo of little Miss Ruby... FFF (funny furry face) Ruby is such a little sweetheart... 8-)

Well, I think I should make my way into the sewing room today... It's time I do more quilty posting again.... Can you tell I have been taking another break? 8-)

PS: In case you are interested, here is a Knitting Tutorial, and info for a higher work/extension table. Don't know if I would try this myself, but maybe you would?
I also found another new blogger at the blog All Things Nice. Pop on over for a welcome and look-see yourself.
And something I found really interesting is a Birdie Mobile that Karissa at Kitty Kitty Crafts made, and found the pattern too! I am thinking to make one...eventually... 8-)

A small mystery project!

Yes I know...another post from me today... it's no wonder I hit 200 posts so fast!!! LOL! 8-)

If you are like me, and don't have time for a big mystery project, but would like to try a small mystery project if there were one available, then you, like me, are in luck!

Myra Harder from Blue Meadow Designs, one of our local designers here, is leading a small mystery every Monday through the month of October. Her first bit of it was posted this past Monday, the 6th, so not too late to get going on it! Check it out! I'm going for it...if I can find the right fabrics in my stash... maybe Christmas fabrics? 8-)

Marlene from Sipiweske Quilt Designs brought this to my attention! Thanks Marlene! 8-)

Good news and more...

First the good news!! For those of you that follow Lilly's blog she has posted today explaining today of her absence... "Glad to hear things are going fairly well now, you are in my prayers Lilly..."

And, this is how I spent my day yesterday...

DD#2 phoned a request for Hamburger Soup for supper, to which I said "Sure!" ...only to then realize I was without my stove-top (as of the day before...check previous posts)... So I thought, OVEN! Had browned the ground beef and onions first, then added the other ingredients and in the oven for a few hours, when the daughter said "why didn't you use your crock-pot?" ...?...Duh!!! 8-)
Hubby has a lead on an electric cook-top at a warehouse for only $425, he will bring a photo of it home for me to see. We shall see what comes of that...

Last week I had stitch ripped my 4 curtain panels from my bedroom, and yesterday I stitched them all together (I don't open them anyway), then I took the length and folded it up on itself and stitched it for a double thickness, turned it right side out, top-stitched it, and hung it up. So, now it provides more privacy, and darkens the room more during the night (we have a streetlight that shines in our window).

Found another new blogger through my giveaway, Vicki of the blog Felines and Firbre Arts, so pop on over to welcome her, and see what she is up to. 8-)

If you are interested in making aprons, check this here out for free patterns.

Check out this an awesome quilt on Cissy's blog!!! It is a quilt from a quilt show that she visited...

I received an email from a friend with this awesome feather artwork!

I have also added some wonderful tutorials to my "Tutorial List" (on my sidebar) that will take you to some wonderful blogs that I follow... Julia's, Gina's, and Em's to name a few....

I must say, my "Followers" list is growing! It is so exciting seeing a new one pop up every so often! I feel very honored. Thanks for letting me know who you are... This gives me some new blogs to follow too... 8-)

My choices for the unusual award... 8-)

Katherine of Quilter Going Bananas
We have quilted together once a week for about 2 years now, and I know that Katherine has a good sense of humor, does lovely quilt-works, and has a really nice blog. You must pay her a visit! 8-)

Marlene of Sipiweske Quilt Designs
Another gal with a good sense of humor! Marlene designs quilts. She has several wonderful patterns out now, and is working on a few more...being very secretive about it too..... 8-) Marlene has some very interesting information and photos from some of her local travels... I have learned quite a bit from that! Go have a look and see! 8-)

Lise of Lise's Bits and Pieces
I definitely know that Lise has a good sense of humor just from her blog entries, and some of the emails we send back and forth! She does wonderful quilt-works, and posts some really great photos of nature and such! Right now she is homeless, as in waiting for the possession date for her new home soon. Of course she is staying with family right now... Go check out her blog! 8-)

Gina of Quilting in the Valleys
Does have a good sense of humor! You can tell reading her posts about Stanley, and some of the mishaps her family or herself have come across... She is adventuresome in her creations, and does lovely quilt-works too! Just this past weekend Gina posted a tutorial for an awesome book cover. Pop on over for a visit! 8-)

Lilly of Lilly's Stuff
What can I say, I get a kick out of Lilly! Just the way she words things, especially in emails, I feel like she is right there a talkin'! A definite sense of humor, and she does some very lovely stitch-works!!! I have been some worried about her because she hasn't blogged for quite a while...not like her I don't think...she hasn't answered any emails either... Can anyone tell me that things are OK with her?
Check out Lilly's blog, she has many links to great blogs in her posts... 8-)

An Award & The Cook-Top Saga

This "I Love Your Ugly Mug" award has been graciously given to me by Megan of "The Bitchy Stitcher" blog. If you click on the award photo, it should take you to her post about it... While you are there take a look at all the wonderful things she is learning, and has learned to make. You must also do some reading there. Megan makes me laugh!! 8-)

Thanks Megan!

Megan says that this is an award to "honor any blogger who crafts, sews, quilts - you know, makes stuff - no matter how crappy (or how good). A way to say - I like your blog, like your stuff, and I'm pretty sure you have a good sense of humor."

Megan also goes on to say, "Now, all the lovely people whom I have had the pleasure to meet through this humble blog are all very talented and not the least bit ugly, but I am sure they will all take this award in the spirit intended."

Recipients are to pass it on to 3 bloggers that fit that category.

I couldn't pick just 3, so I pass this award on to 5. I know they all have a good sense of humor and should be ok with this unusual award... 8-) Next post....
______________________________

Now, The Cook-Top Saga..

DH took the gas cook-top apart last night to see what the problem was...did I mention he is handy? 8-) It was a loose wire thing that started smoking and caught fire, and it burnt out/zapped the spark component. Hubby said that the other 3 look fine, and we may only need to replace this one, thus we would not have to buy a new cook-top.... depending on the price, and if I really want to stick with a gas one....

I wasn't crazy about this "gas" cook-top when we first bought the house, had never used anything but electric, but was willing to give it a try... I must admit, I have been fairly nervous about it since we moved in...almost a year ago. You know! All the thoughts about going to bed at night and someone not turning the knob off properly , explosions, etc...

DH was on the comp and phone this morning to hunt the spark component down, and guess how much it would cost us!?! This is such a throw away, wasteful world we live in, no wonder the landfills are overloaded with not so old appliances!!! The price is so high, that a person would choose to buy a new cook-top!!! ...$400 just to replace a little thing that fits in the palm of your hand... $400!!!! A new cook-top is $700 to $1,000 plus. I am thinking we are going to change from a gas cook-top, to an electric one... Hubby found one on sale for $800...

Prices never seize to amaze me...

Now I am off to try and make a pot of soup in the oven. Daughter's request, Hamburger Soup...

More giveaways to check out if you haven't already...

And now, I would like to remind you of my friend Kh's 100th Post Giveaway... Click on the link and it will take you directly to her giveaway post on her blog "Quilter Going Bananas". Remember, the draw is tomorrow night, the 6th, at 10PM CDT, so get your comment into that post for a chance to win!!! 8-)

Check out another giveaway at Katie Z's blog "Zana's Ninis". Great prizes! Yup! Prizes... If she gets over 100 comments, she will pick a second place winner for another bunch of goodies! So get on over there and comment! 8-)

200th Post Giveaway Time...... 8-)

The moment you have all been waiting for....

Hear it is, the package that I got all packed up today, and is ready to go! All it needs now is an address on it, and off to the post office we go on Monday morning...8-)

Here is a look at the items inside...plus a last minute thought of throwing in 2 "Fall like" fat quarters! 8-)
DH picking the lucky winner..... and the winner of Myra's first 200th Post Giveaway is....
..... drum roll please..... well, just pretend ok? 8-)





OH my! It is Kerry, of Australia, with the Forever Friday Blog!!!! Clap, clap, clap, Yeaaaaaaaa! Woohoo!!!! 8-)

Kerry, please email me your mailing address. You will find my email address in my Profile..... I have no idea how long it will take for the package to get down under to you, but it will be on it's way tomorrow.... that is if I have your address.... 8-)

I would like to thank everyone for commenting to enter my giveaway.

THANKS ALL!!

FIRE! GAS! "HUBBY!?!"

A very unexpected post and situation, but let me assure you, all is well, except my cook-top. Appliance shopping, here we come! Electric this time.... definitely! House came with a Gas cook-top....

So I am cooking supper this evening, later than usual, have two burner going, go to turn on the third one and it makes a funny noise, so I turn it off. But, it would not turn off, and then I smell gas, and I turn off the rest of the elements...Better to be safe than sorry! Still making a clicking noise as if to lite and element... I'm smelling gas, I'm turning knobs back and forth to find out which is the problem, it keeps clicking.... HUBBY HELP! Of course I am thinking we are going to blow or something terrible like that. He plays with the knobs, nothing will stop...he lifts the little cap off of what we think is the offending burner, and there is the little spark clicking away... still smelling some Gas, and I am worried now! All of a sudden smoke is coming from under one of the knobs... the fire, Hubby runs out for whatever and down the stairs.... I grab a dirty container full of water out of the sink and throw it on the flames.... big mess, still smoking some... DH comes upstairs saying that her turned the gas off to the cook-top, and turns off the electricity.... I took the drawers out from under the cook-top and unplug the damn thing anyway! Turns out that the breaker he turned off what to the oven anyway.... Just what I needed today! NOT! I am sooooo thankful that DH was home!!! I wouldn't have known where to turn off the gas!!!

But now we have a mess to clean up, which DH says leave it! I'm ripping it out and chucking it anyway... ...?... Definitely electric for the next one....

Only 20- Hours till Giveaway Draw...

If you haven't commented on my giveaway post yet to be entered for the draw, now is the time to do it! I am getting the package ready for posting, and will hopefully get it out on Monday sometime... I have quite a few goodies in there.... Draw is at 9 PM (21:00) CDT..... 8-)

200th Post, can you believe it!?

....and this post doesn't even remotely have anything to do with sewing or quilting today!

It was a work-work day... for DH, and a day of procrastination for me!

DH is redoing the bricked sidewalk here. He made it a bit wider, as it was a bit narrow for our liking. Plus, he dug out the weed infested flower bed that was under the living-room window. That's right! We've planted nothing in the beds around here yet. The Previous owners had nothing in the many flowerbeds, and we've left them all summer till we figured out what we wanted to do with the front yard, plus hubby did lots of work in the backyard during the summer. So, now that we have a plan, DH is doing first things first! Is there any other way? 8-) He is putting the bricks all the way up to the house (thus the dug out flower bed that was there) at the front window, making sure it slopes away from the house... We've had a bit of water in the basement when it has rained hard, so we...?... "he" is making sure there is good run off from the house.... Hard worker that hubby of mine... 8-)

As for me today, sometimes I have so many things in my head of what I have to do, that I can overwhelm myself so much so, that I end up procrastinating...sometimes for days... Today though, I am not feeling good, and I am going with that too.... 8-) Seems my son's girlfriend (on antibiotics) left some nasty bugs around here... Stupid me, I didn't even think about going over the likely surfaces with a Lysol Disinfectant Wipe earlier in the week! You know? Doorhandles, light-switches, the toilet flush handle (et whole toilet), bathroom taps, anything like that, that she would have touched.... I usually think to do that when one of our family is sick, and it has worked for me, cause I can get sick at the drop of a hat! Now I can only hope that I have caught my bug in time with my Echinasea and Acidophilus, so I am not full blown need antibiotics sick.... And today I have gone around with the Lysol Wipes... better late than never! 8-)

Lastly, my fur-girls were hard at work chewing their rawhide sticks... Can be a messy thing with baby Ruby...







Till tomorrows giveaway draw and post....

I forgot to post a few things yesterday....

#1.) The other day I noticed something new on my blog's"dashboard". It said I had a follower. I followed the lead, and it led me to figure out how to become a follower of someone else's blog, and it shows me on my dashboard who has updated their blog. It also showed me how other's can join a list of followers on my blog, which, when I click on their little profile photo, it takes me directly to their blog, so I can see what they are up to... Having this feature could help me clean up my long sidebar some... Besides my regulars that I keep in contact with, I would love to see who all follows my blog! Don't be shy! 8-)

#2.) My next post WILL INDEED BE... My "200th", and my Giveaway (info post) will be this coming Sunday 9 PM CDT!!! So, if you haven't entered my giveaway yet, now is the time to do so!
* Remember, if you are an anonymous commenter, or a Google member without a blog and your email address listed, I can't contact you if you win, so please make your info known to me through my email, or make a second comment with that info, and I will keep it to myself... I thank you in advance... 8-)

#3.) My dear friend Wk, who is not a quilter, but loves quilts and everything about them, has a coworker (or few) that does quilt. Every once in a while Wk emails me photos of quilts made by them... Yesterday I was supposed to post a photo of the most recent photo emailed and forgot, so here it is! 8-)This was made by Mc for her brother's fiancé, and presented to her at the bridal shower. Apparently it brought lots of tears and applause... of course! LOL! Mc jokes, "Must get tears or you get to take it back!" LOL! I'm thinking her sister-in-law to be, is a cat person! 8-)

Thanks for allowing me to share your wonderful quilt with the world Mc! 8-)

What can I tell ya all today... ?

Today I forced myself out of bed at 9AM...(what can I say, I'm not a morning person, and been having trouble sleeping in the wee hours of the morning, thus sleeping late) ....and out the door with the fur-girls for an early (for us) 45 minute walk, because I was expecting a stitching friend to join me today, and I wanted to be ready.

So, last night I thought to make another part to the giveaway today, and do some more stitch ripping on those curtain panels and see if I could get stitching on them.

I was going to make another tutorial out of this little sewing kit that I made "from scratch", but was soooo busy yacking with stitch friend that I forgot all about taking photos during it's progression. Similar to this Tute, only from scratch... Oh well... Next time!

I don't know what got into the fur-girls today...or at least one of them! I had 3 fights to break up within a 1/2 hour after friend came in... One of those days I guess?!

DD2 comes in after work and says, "What's all this? Where am I supposed to put my stuff?" when she sees the table piled with my sewing needs of the day... I told her, as per usual, to bring it all downstairs where she spends most of her time when home... 2 more weeks! ... 2 more weeks! 8-)

Some of the comments on my giveaway post have brought me to some very interesting blogs, and today brought me to 3 new blogs... THREE!!! Thus, I share them with you now to welcome them aboard... Terri of Terri's Bits and Pieces, Anna of Quiltmom's Journey, and Jen of My Little Craft Corner. Congrats on starting your blogs ladies! 8-)

Also, of interest, is this tutorial and this tutorial to make an apron out of old pants! Ya, I know, I thought "what?" myself when I read that. But check it out! It's cute!

This might explain my "2 more weeks?" comment...

I have 3 birdies. Two girls and a boy. First Girl out of nest 3 years ago, Second Girl has stayed in the nest, Baby Boy was out and back in the nest... Though... First Girl is moving back to the city later this month and asked Second Girl to share the apartment, thus she too shall fly away... Baby Boy says he will be gone before the snow flies, but I don't know...? Could it actually happen? The nest will be empty, but for 2 fur-girls... 8-)

That be it for today... time for supper!

Crescentwood Day/Evening...

We had about 14 quilters show up for tonight's gathering. Not much for show and tell, but a bit.
This is one of N's creations from a class she took at the be quilt show in Fargo. Isn't it lovely!? I was sitting on the other side of the room from her, so I don't have the details of it's creation...


This photo is As, being goofy, with her hand-piecing that she was doing tonight. Seems she took a class on hand-piecing. Even if one doesn't bring stitchings to work on, As always seems to have everyone in stitches with her stories... 8-)


This is Ls's WIP that she was busy with tonight. I think it is for one of her grandchildren...again, she was on the other side of the room, thus no details... Looks great hey!? 8-)


Photo of the front of magazine of the Tote that Dl is planning to make. Looks interesting! 8-)



Here is a bit of my Holly Jolly showing with the fabrics I bought today. Only the teal and yellow will be used in the quilt, the other fabric was bought "just because I liked it". The gals gave me some really good boarder ideas that I hadn't thought of... Stay tuned! 8-)

Tonight, I only did a bunch of "un-stitching" on some curtains from my bedroom. I have a wide, but short window in that room, and the curtain 4 panels reached the floor. Because of it being in 4 panels, I was always having trouble keeping them closed, so I plan to sew them up together, and double it up for more room darkening, thus making the whole thing shorter... Not crazy about the streetlight shining in from our back-lane... I like dark, as I was used to it in the country...

And last but not least, the fur-girls playing Tug-O-War together... They haven't played that in a very long time, so I had to capture the moment! 8-)

Time of my Giveaway Draw....and QGB's Giveaway!

I never said what time I would make that draw for my giveaway! QGB reminded me of that with her 100th Giveaway post!

I think I will do the draw around 9:00PM CDT. I have added a clock to my sidebar for you to refer to. (I know, I copied your lead QGB...It's a good lead, what can I say!?!) 8-)

So now, you must go to Kh's blog Quilter Going Bananas to enter her "100th post mystery giveaway"! That link will take you directly to her giveaway post, and while you are there, take a look at all her wonderful quilt works!