Too Much Fun! and Markers for Debora

They say laughter is the best medicine, and I do believe that is true.

I have laughed so much today and yesterday, I feel like RUNNING up and down the stairs.

That may not sound like much to some, but believe me, I usually SAUNTER down the stairs hoping I don't miss my step and go tumbling.

Of course, I usually have a cup of coffee or several dishes or fabric in my hands.

Terry came over again today and brought the most fun thing with her.  I do live a bit of a sheltered life here in the deep woods of Kingston, OK, and I don't get out much to real towns except on the internet.  Even with Amazon and Zappos, I had never heard of Nail Wraps.  I had noticed them on Terry and thought they were really cute.

I was working on my new Louise Cutting MHAF blouse, but when I saw what Terry brought with her, I decided to sit down and PLAY.

Here's a peak:

Terry had a book with a whole bunch of different designs, but I chose this one because I love black and white.  I didn't stop to think that it might not be appropriate for antique hands, but....

Here is a little video we made for you.  Wish you could have been here.

If you want to know where you get these fun nail doohickeys, you can check out:

www.terryestes.jamberrynails.net

After we got the nail wraps on, we started talking about quilting.  Terry asked me what I was going to do after the lighthouses are done -- not realizing that they may NEVER get done at the rate I am going -- but I actually did have a project waiting for sashing and borders.  I had gotten stuck on fabric choices.  The kit I purchased came with some fabrics, but I didn't really like them.  Fortunately, I do have about 10,000 fat quarters here, so I went looking for some more choices.

I found out that Terry is a Professional photographer!!!  Isn't that just amazing?  She knows all about Photoshop.  She probably has the whole PS, however, and I just have Elements.  I am looking forward to her teaching me more about PS as I teach her more about quilting designs and free motion and stuff.

Here is the quilt I am working on.  Terry helped me pick navy blue sashing and brown corner blocks. LOOK THOUGH, the corner blocks can't be placed at all the corners!  How weird is that?!  I never noticed that until right this minute.  I may just leave them off.  Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I better get back to my new blouse.  I'll show it to you WITH the jacket on top when I get it done.

Note to Debora:  I use everything under the sun to mark fabrics.  Something that works really well on cottons for me are WASHABLE markers.  I opened a box today that I found in the closet.  I had bought it years ago for my grandchildren.  There are ONE HUNDRED colors!  Yay!

I did a test one time using two big squares of white 100% cotton broadcloth.  I marked 12 squares on each piece of fabric.  Then I colored in each of the squares on both pieces with a different color from a box of 12 WASHABLE markers.  Then I IRONED one square.  I did NOT iron the other one. Then I threw both of the squares in the washer and dryer.  BOTH OF THEM came out perfectly clean and white.

I have used them since on nearly everything I make.  I also use chalk.  I have found that blue and yellow NEVER come out, BUT if I use it lightly in a place that nobody will see, I don't care.  I use the carbon paper sheets you put between the layers.  I use the air erasable pens.  I use chalk pencils with erasers.  I use those pens with the colored lead in them, however, I can never get them to make a mark or if I do, the lead breaks off.  I paid a lot for them, but never use them now.

Hugs, Joy