Hello From a Tired Quilter

I have been so busy quilting Kissed by the Sun, I almost forgot I have a blog!  I'm not sure I like what I did today, but it is done, and I'm not ripping it out.  I'll show you, of course, when it is all done.  I still have two borders and the background in the sunflowers to do.

I was doing ruler work today, and my machine was NOT cooperating!  It wasn't the machine actually -- it was the table.  When you do ruler work, you need a flat surface underneath the quilt and something to press on.  So, someone invented a tool for that, and I have it.  It is an acrylic table, sort of, that sits on top of the sewing arm.  The problem is, it is kind of thick, and if you get too far up near the top, the thing bumps and stalls; and if you get too near the bottom, the thing bumps and stalls.  I ripped out stitches all day long!

As I near the end, I usually hate whatever I'm sewing or quilting, but I usually love it later.  Let's hope that holds true!

Some of you may recall I got a new car at Christmas time because I needed something my two big dogs could ride in.

My Toyota Camry has been for sale ever since.  A lady called today saying she had CASH, and she wants to come see it tomorrow.  Only problem is, the Toyota isn't here.  It is at the other house.  Poor Jerry had to make another overnight trip up there to switch cars and bring the Toyota back here.  Sure hope the lady buys it!  Too many cars.

I think I might go back upstairs now that I've had dinner and finished the laundry.  I have several jewelry patterns I want to try out.

Be back soon!

Hugs, Joy

Speedy but Thinner!

GoodNESS!

This day did more than FLY by.  It EVAPORATED!

I worked on Kissed by the Sun.  Terry came over and we sewed together for a few hours.  I worked on KBTS some more.  I ate my lefover steak and broccoli from yesterday when Terry and I went to Logan's steak house.  I came up here to email Phylly, and the day is gone.  It is 6:18 PM!

Jerry is on the lake fishing with Doug (Terry's husband), and I am SO HAPPY for him.  He NEEDS the relaxation and the friendship.  I pray God sends fish to jump on their hooks!

Do you ever notice God working in your life?  I mean, MAJORLY working like He is right there -- right that minute -- and he saw everything you said and did, and He reacted to it.

Ask Terry.  She saw it all.

I like to take a narrow country road that I call "Roller Coaster Road" when I take the 45-mile trip to Sherman, TX.  When we first moved here, it was a dirt road with huge holes in it.  You had to dodge them, or your tires would blow out.  There is hardly any traffic on the road, even now, and it cuts 7 miles off the trip to Sherman, so I always take it.

When I turned onto it, Terry asked me why I wasn't taking the brand new highway that was miles ahead.  I told her I LIKED that road better because it was a shortcut.  We drove and talked and arrived at our destination just fine.  We shopped, bought fabric, ate lunch, shopped some more, and then headed back home on the same road.

I was driving, of course, or we would have been on the other road.

I had NO IDEA what the speed limit was so I never paid any attention to it.  I'm not sure there are even signs on most of the road.  We were coming back and I was laughing as we flew over the wide bumps that make the road feel like a roller coaster.  I told Terry I loved the road because nobody was on it, and I could enjoy the ride.

Just before we arrived at Highway 70 where we had to turn, I made the following extremely BRILLIANT statement to Terry:

"I love this road because I can drive fast and there is NEVER a policeman on it!"

Now, don't get the wrong idea.  "Fast" on this road is 55 MPH.  It is only a 2-lane road though with fields on either side and a cow or horse every so often.

NO SOONER did I say "there is never a policeman on this road", one SUDDENLY APPEARED.  Terry saw him up ahead of us on the opposite side of the road.  He drove past me and turned around and headed back toward me.  Terry told me to PULL OVER because he was coming after me.

Sure enough -- he was!

I rolled down my window and got out my license.  He was very nice.  He said, "Good afternoon, Maam."

I said, "Good afternoon, Sir" and then I said one my usual super-brilliant remarks:   "I have NO IDEA what the speed limit is here."

I expected Terry to pipe up any moment and say, "She said she LOVES to drive fast on this road and that there are never any policemen on it!"  Thank God, she didn't!

He asked for my insurance.  I pulled out the 3 insurance cards I have stapled together.  He asked, "How many cars do you have Maam?!"  I told him the Toyota was for sale, and I asked if he would like to buy it.

He asked me if I had any traffic tickets.  I told him I hadn't had one in 20 years or more.  He looked at me as if to say, "Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight lady!"  He walked back behind my car and got into his police car.

Terry stifled all the remarks she really wanted to say to me, I'm sure!

I said, "Can you BELIVE that!?"

She said she certainly could believe it, and she informed me the ticket would be over $200.

I said a prayer out loud that Terry heard:  "Dear Lord, Please give me favor with this policeman, and I promise I will watch the speed limit on this road from now on."

In a few minutes the very nice policeman came back up to my window.  He handed me my papers and informed me I was going 20 MPH OVER the speed limit, and the ticket would be $350.

I GASPED!

Then he said, "I'm not going to ticket you.  Just slow down Maam, and have a nice day."  I believe he said, "God bless."

I SQUEALED with delight and thanked him profusely.  I said, "God bless you, Sir, and you have a very nice day too!"

Terry told him that I had prayed that he wouldn't give me a ticket, and I promised to watch the speed limit.



So NOW, I can show you the MOST EXCITING thing!  I told you I was going to stay on my Herbalife diet until I could get in Size 12 jeans.  I made a video to show you:

And here is a still:

How FUN is it to be thinner!  I must hurry and make a whole new wardrobe, so I have to go.

Hugs, Joy

Necklace for Sis and New Video

I can NOW show you the cute necklace I made for my sister.

She sent me a little sliver of fabric she was using for her Easter dress.  She told me to just decide myself what would look good in a necklace.

That is NOT EASY to do.

I HATE to disappoint anyone, and I know that most people wouldn't say, "This is HORRIBLE!  WHAT were you thinking!???"

So, I had just gotten seated in the little girl's room at Walmart where I was shopping for the ONE thing on my list, but somehow had a cart overflowing parked outside in the hallway, when my phone rang.  It was my sister.  She had received the necklace, and she was DELIGHTED with it.  She told me it was PERFECT and that it went with several of her outfits.

I was very happy to hear that, of course.  It made me want to DASH home and make her another one.

So here are a couple pictures of it.  You can see that I JUST HAPPENED to have the exact color of Swarovski crystal in the dark peach stripe.  All the other beads are solid black.  No stripes in the beads as it appears in the photo.  Just shine.

Another video that I made just on the spur-of-the-moment when I decided it might be a helpful tutorial to somebody who is learning to do applique.

You can check it out here:

Gotta get busy.  Need to sew around the sunflower petals and the large leaves, and then this quilt is going on the longarm for S&S (Stand and Stare).

Hugs, Joy

Two O'clock in the Morning! and SFD Blouse

I fell asleep early around 8 PM tonight while reading the new book called Knits for Real People by Susan Neall and Pati Palmer.

If you sew,

If you sew with knits,

If you ever WANT to learn to sew knits,

GET THE BOOK!

It is wonderful.

Phylly and I already have Fit for Real People and Pants for Real People.  Both are also amazing!

MORE information than you could ever dream of and very well done, as always, in the P&P books.

And I have only read about 10 pages so far!

I woke up at midnight with a cough and runny nose, as I often do.  I sauntered in the dark into the kitchen to find some cough syrup, and I took some of it.  Then I took a couple Aleve because my husband thinks that is a good way to stop my nose from running, and he doesn't like me taking the allergy meds.  He is a Pharmacist, so he knows all the bad stuff about drugs.  I like to take NyQuil Liquigels before bed at night because they get me through the entire night, but he says they have Acetaminophen in them, and that can cause your liver to drop out -- or something!

So ANYWAY, it is 2:13 AM, and I have been awake since midnight.  I think the cough syrup is keeping me awake.  HOW NUTTY IS THAT!?  It is supposed to make you drowsy.

I made a short video this afternoon showing you the Sure-fit Designs blouse I tried to make a new "style" out of.  It has some bagginess in the upper chest which I have since remedied in the paper pattern.  I will try it in a little different version tomorrow using the blue butterflies.

I don't know if these things are called "tucks" or "pleats".  Neither term seems right.  I may try vertical pleats in the next version.

I went down TWO DOTS for this blueprint.  I like the fit right now, but I better not gain that weight back!

Good thing Jerry isn't here tonight.  I would have to leave the bedroom.  Fortunately, I don't have to, so I think I will read some more of that wonderful new KNITS book!  Maybe I will get sleepy again.

Hugs, Joy

Play Day News Flash TEN Pounds Lighter

Wow!  Play days are really tiring.  Phylly and I do so much, we have to stop or we will destroy what we are working on.  I managed to ASSUME I had more than enough fabric, and I just started chopping away at my new creation -- which, by the way, I think is DARLIN

Phylly wasn't too crazy about it, I could tell, but when I get it done she might like it better.  She thought the pleats should go up and down instead of side to side.

Anyway, I cut out the loooooooooong front piece with the five pleats in it.  Then I just threw everything aside so Phylly could use the table, and I started sewing the pleats in.

THEN I decided to add some narrow cotton lace to each pleat not knowing if it would turn into a little girl's ensemble or what -- but the lace and many of its playmates has been in my drawer for years -- and if I'm never going to use it, WHY do I have it???

After finishing all the pleats and the lace on the front, I cut out the back of the blouse which was changed to have a zipper in it.  Then I cut out the facings at which time it dawned on my lightning fast mind that I FORGOT ABOUT THE SLEEVES!  No wonder I had so much fabric.

My sleeves may have some special design features themselves, but I will get them in the blouse somehow.

I have to go because I have to pack.  My husband wants me home, and I miss him.  He helps me so much with the dogs, and he does all the heavy lifting.  My lower back does NOT like heavy lifting.  I can't even lift Josie anymore.  She is at least 30 pounds now.

Be back soon with pics of my new top.  My very first "Joy-Style" blouse.  It may not end up on the cover of Vogue, but I've seen a lot of garments on the cover of sewing magazines I don't like nearly as much as this one.

Did you see Gertie's new fabric line?  That girl is into everything sewing and fabric.  I don't know HOW she keeps up with it all.  JoAnn's sells her fabric, and I was able to find one of the pieces I liked and order it.

Hold on.................................

I'll see if I can show you a picture.................

Here it is.  Roses on black.  I LOVE it!  She has another one that is a border print with roses on white with white dots that I really love too, but JoAnn's didn't have it.


I better get busy loading the car.  When my day comes to leave, I want to wake up -- drink my shake -- jump in the car and head south!  I can listen to Joel Osteen's church service on the way home.  I will NEVER think like he does totally, but he always has a good message that I learn something from.

And YES, I am officially 10 pounds lighter than the day I started on Herbalife.  I'm sure that will be short lived, however, since I went to Panera Bread with Phylly and Margaret for lunch today.  I ate EVERY morsel on my plate, but I did not have any dessert.  That was all I felt like sacrificing.

Be back soon with slooooooooooooooooow internet.  Not good for videos!

Hugs, Joy

Play Day Preparation

It has been a long time since Phylly has come over for a play day.  She emailed me this week to see if I was going to be here long enough to have one, and I made sure I would be!

I made a video to show you what I am going to work on tomorrow.

Not a quilt.

It is a new blouse or maybe two using my Sure-fit Designs Dress Kit.  It was fun to make a new blueprint today.  If my style looks dumb, I may have to think of a different one.

Yes, I WAS standing in the hall with Betty Blue.  Wish she had a face!

I let the dogs both out this afternoon into the muddy back yard.  They were SO MUDDY, I could not let them in the house, so I had to turn on the hose and spray them both down from paws to knees.  Josie did NOT like it one bit!  She was pretty sure it was some form of water torture.  Jackie couldn't wait for her turn.

Then I spent the next 30 minutes TRYING to wash off the patio.  Seems like every year we have to buy a new hose or a new sprayer or both.  Water was spraying all over the place, and it was NOT warm outside.  I am thoroughly worn out at this moment.  If I did a video right now, I would probably fall asleep in it!

My sweetheart hubby mailed my laptop to me, and it arrived today.  I really enjoy being able to sit in a recliner with my feet up and my laptop on my lap in the evenings.  Think I'll search for some "how to do something" videos.

Be back soon.

Hugs, Joy

New Quilt Needs a Name

Can you BELIEVE I have finished my SECOND quilt in just a few weeks?

It is so exciting!

I think the next one will be "Fried Chicken".

I really enjoy doing applique, and this one is so funny!

Don't you think it fits in the sequence?

Cats,

Sunflowers,

and a Chicken.

I ADORE the flip-flops on this guy!!!  You can't tell them from his feet!

It will be a fun Summer quilt project.

And here is a picture of the FINISHED Sunflower quilt top.  The name of the original was called "Kansas Troubles".  I think that is a VERY WEIRD name.  I have to think of something cute for it.

I made a little video because I am able to do that again.  YAY!  I am using my husband's computer for it since he isn't here.

I am showing you one of the ways I decide how to quilt the top of my quilts, and jabbering about various nonessential things -- as usual.

Phylly emailed me yesterday about us having a play day this Saturday before I head back to Kingston.

THANK GOODNESS the rain is supposed to cease for a few days.

We may get to go to Panera Bread for lunch.  I love to do that when Phylly comes because Jerry doesn't like it there.  I may put on two pounds eating the yummy bread, but I shall fix that later.

I have NO INTENTION of stopping my favorite foods.

I will just eat them a whole lot less often, and I won't let Margaret and Phylly FORCE ME to eat 10 layer cheesecake for dessert when we go to TGIF!

Even split three ways, that stuff will make you fat!

I must clean my entire house before Phylly comes over.

Wish me a TON OF LUCK with two dogs coming in and out of a rainy, muddy back yard!  They don't even WANT to be out there.  That is how yucky it is.

Hugs, Joy

Don't Faint -- a New Video!

GUESS WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

I figured out a way to get a video on You Tube.

UNFORTUNATELY, I had deleted the videos I wasn't able to use before because I thought there was something defective about them in my camera.

I just started over and took a new one.

I am showing you how much weight I have lost  with my Herbalife diet.  My friend, Margaret, has lost 4 pounds, but she hasn't been on it as long, and she keeps going out on dinner dates!  Unless you eat lettuce combined with air for salad dressing, you can't really eat out -- not often anyway.

Phylly is SORT OF on the diet with us, but she doesn't like what she considers the hassle of it.  Margaret and I think it is much easier than cooking and dishes, but we are alone.  Phylly has a house full of hungry mouths that expect to be fed by her.  It would be much harder to diet that way.

So,
here I am,
NINE POUNDS THINNER!
I started out at 154, and I weigh 145 now.  Unfortunately, my figure still looks EXACTLY the same.

Have you noticed that no matter HOW skinny you get, your figure still is the same shape?

And NO, I am NOT trying to fly up to the ceiling.

Isn't it crazy what pictures YouTube chooses???

I was really encouraged to see Suzanne Somers on Dancing With The Stars last night.  She is 68 years old, and she has a 68-year old body, evidently not enhanced by lyposuction and plastic surgery.  She had on a tight body suit cut high on her thighs.  Her belly stuck out every bit as much as mine does!!!  I was so excited to see her show it off.

I am sorting through patterns for an idea of what to do with that pretty new fabric I bought yesterday.  I found a couple I like.  I'll keep you posted.

AND LOOK WHAT PHYLLY GAVE TO ME:  19 Pantographs that she used to use when she had a Longarm Quilting business.  Only one of them was a duplicate of one I already have.  Terry and I will have so much fun!

The Sunflower Quilt is almost ready for borders.  Hopefully, I will get those cut out and applied tomorrow as it is raining all day long.

THEN, it is time to applique the giant sunflowers on it.

I miss my doggies, but I'm so glad they are at my daughter's right now.  The back yard here is the one that looks like the surface of the moon -- full of craters -- because of the dogs digging holes in the formerly pretty lawn.  When it is raining, it is a hopeless endeavor to keep the inside of my house clean.

That is it for today.

Be back soon.

Hugs, Joy

Sunday and a Real Quick Note!

GoodNESS!

I am quite FRAZZLED today!

I have had so much trouble with my computer.

I had hoped that coming to my house with the super fast internet speed would solve my camera issues, but it is WORSE here.

My husband is going to connect to this computer from our other house in a few minutes, so I can't use it.

Just wanted to say HI real fast and tell you I'll be back as soon as I can figure out how to make everything work.





Hugs, Joy

Earring Tutorial and Name That Quilt!

WHAT a combination in a video!

Remember that show that Kathie Lee Gifford used to be on called "Name That Tune"?  Well, I need to Name That Quilt.  More on that later.

I spent hour after hour after hour today learning my new Photoshop Premiere video editing software.  I have several other versions of PS Premiere, but I never could get those to upload my videos to Youtube.

I had figured out how to remove parts from the beginning and end of my videos to make them shorter, but I could NOT get the videos to upload.  Then I would put them back in the other software I use, and that software REFUSED to acknowledge them because they had Photoshop labeling on them!

So, I decided if I bought the LATEST, GREATEST, NEWEST version, it just MIGHT work!

It always takes just a few minutes for me to make a video.  It takes way longer to get them ready to show to you.  I learned a LOT today, so the next one will be much easier.

You will NOTICE that I did some video editing FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER on this video.  I cut out the part at the beginning where I have to run around and sit down after I start the camera.  That is why I SUDDENLY say "I'm Joy".

I cut out several other things too -- just to see if I could -- and you will notice some odd places.

Just shake your head and say a little prayer for me!

I can only get better, right?

Tell me if there is anything you would like me to show you or demonstrate, because I need to practice.  If it wasn't against the law to play music in a video, I could show you some dance aerobics I do.  I do a quick sashay back and forth the whole distance of the room, so it may not record too well.

So here is my video.  It starts with Jerry's new braces,
goes into how to make an earring,
and then I show you my new quilt with the Panto Terry bought me that is in need of a name.

Feel free to fast forward, pass over, not watch at all, or whatever suits your fancy!

That's all folks.

Be back soon.

Hugs, Joy

It Felt Like Home and Note to Pam

This was an unusual, wonderful, happy, friendly Sunday!

God is SO, SO, SO GOOD!

If you read my blog much, you know that Jerry and I usually attend Internet Church at Cornerstone in San Antonio, TX.  The services on Sunday air live, and we watch them on our big screen here at the house.  Before we started doing that -- several years ago now -- we attended Victory Life Church about 20 miles from our house here.  We LOVE that church and the preacher is the best there is.  His name is Duane Sheriff.  I quit going there though because of the perfume-soaked ladies and my allergic reactions to them.

WELLLLLLLLLLLL, Jerry and I were at Sam's in Sherman, TX (the closest Sam's to us) yesterday.  Everyone in the world was there!  People were so sick of being house bound, they all came out on the first pretty day.  There were long lines at every checkout counter.  We were directed by some guy to go over to a certain line.  We did.  We pulled our fully loaded flat cart up behind the lady who was last in that line.

She and I started a conversation with each other like we had known each other a hundred years.  I never saw her before in my life!  Her name was Elaine, and she was the sister of one of the ladies that I know from Victory Life Church.  We realized we both belonged to the same church, and we started talking about all the people we knew.  She caught me up on all the people we knew in common.  All good stuff.  Who they married -- how many kids or grand kids they had -- what surgeries they had, etc.  It made me miss all the people we knew from there.

As Jerry and I were driving home, I said, "Let's go to Victory in the morning."  He thought that was a great idea.  It just so happened to be the day the time changed, so we had to get up real early, but it was so worth it.  You may recall that Terry and her husband go to that church.  They have only gone a few years, but they are very involved, and they never miss a Sunday.  Terry said they would save us a seat, and I was so glad because they like to sit right up front like I do.  Plus, I knew Terry wouldn't take a bath in perfume.  I did take a Claritin and a DayQuil before going, however, to make sure I wouldn't go into Allergyville and have to leave.  I HATE when that happens.

I did walk around to the other side of Doug (Terry's hubby) to hug his Mom.  She didn't know me from Adam, but I knew all about her.  Terry and I talk about everything!  I hugged her and immediately got a huge whiff of perfume.  Doug told me later he meant to call her and tell her not to wear perfume.  Imagine having to do such a thing!  I couldn't believe he would even think of it, never mind do it!

The preacher and his wife were in the only row right in front of us, and I got to hug them both.  I got to hug the assistant pastor too.  They were all surprised to see us.  Our church has changed SO MUCH!  I wanted to take a picture for you because it was SO PRETTY!  All purple now with that kind of lighting like my new car has ...... Ambient ....... so the colors on the stage keep changing. They even had a smoke machine, lol.  The bathrooms were redecorated really fancy and the whole place was lovely.  I felt like I had come home because my spirit just melted into the place.  The praise and worship was beautiful, and the sermon was perfect for some issues in some family member's lives right now.  It was about STRONGHOLDS and how to bring them down.  Too bad "they" didn't hear it!

We went to the 9:00 service, so we left for IHOP at 10:30 with Terry and Doug.  Breakfast was wonderful too.  The waitress was good.  The food was good.  The company was good.  It was a lovely Sunday!

Pam, one of my readers, emailed me and asked me HOW I sew and quilt and make jewelry and work and do everything at the same time.

The answer is:  I CANNOT BE STILL!

Honestly, I can't.  It was real hard for me to sit still in church this morning.  I was afraid Terry would kick me any minute for crossing and uncrossing my legs 500 times.  I was watching her.  She NEVER moved from the waist down through the entire service!  HOW do people do that????  Jerry can do it.  Doug did it.  Phylly can do it with dogs and children in her lap.  My entire body would fall asleep and die!

I don't ever have the TV on.  I listen to music sometimes.  Other than that, I am ALWAYS doing something.  I can be making a blouse and a quilt and jewelry all at the same time -- or, at least, in the same day.  Usually, if I'm sewing though, I want to start and finish the garment all in one day.  I still go up and down stairs and do laundry and vacuum a little and dust a little and make meals and check on the dogs and sweep off the patio and water plants.  I am ALWAYS in motion.

That is until this time of night when I get ready for bed.  I still have to read or type or talk or something.  Sometimes, I'll force myself to watch TV with Jerry, but I'm usually doing something else at the same time.  He isn't here tonight, so no TV.

And still answering Pam as to what exactly I do in a day:

I altered the waist on my skirt this morning because it was 3 inches too big!  Went to church and IHOP.  Came home and unloaded the back of my car (from Sam's) and put everything away.   I packed a box and an ice chest for Jerry to take to our other house.  I took a short walk outside.  I quilted the cat quilt this afternoon.  I opened an order of beads and chain, sorted it all out and put it in storage boxes.  I looked through a new jewelry book I bought from Amazon.  I did a load of wash and made two smoothie meals (before church and dinner).  I bought PhotoShop Elements 13 and spent two hours -- off and on -- downloading just half of it.  I'll have to do the rest tomorrow.  Terry came over and made a video for me this afternoon that I wanted to show Margaret.  I tried several different ways to fix the videos so I could show them to you, BUT PhotoShop wouldn't work for me to cut out the messed-up part, so I had to buy Version 13.  UGH!

Here is a really bad picture of the cat quilt all quilted.  No binding yet.  It is pretty cute.  I wanted to give it to the church for the nursery, but Terry says it is too big.  I may sell this one if I can find anyone who wants to buy it on Etsy or Ebay.  HEY!  I wonder if that hospital that Rhonda made all the pillowcases for would want it.  Think I'll check into that.  Again, though, they probably need crib size.

 I used the new Pantograph called Curls that Terry bought for me.  It was hard with all those points!  Some of them didn't turn out pointy enough for me, but I'm sure not fixing them.

Gotta go.  Have two more new books to scan!

Hugs and Best Wishes for a MARVELOUS WEEK AHEAD!
Joy

Here It Is and Something New

I have worn my new blouse that I'm not that crazy about all day long.  Nothing fancy, but it matches my bracelet, and I really like the bracelet!

The bracelet is called Plush Pearls by Jill Wiseman.  Mine turned out with a pattern in it, and I really do like it.  I made the earrings to match, of course.

I bet I have another piece of fabric around here somewhere that will go with this.  I must search when the attic is a tad ABOVE freezing!

And today -- another icky snowy, icy day -- I was up here all day messing around.  I am always getting emails when "my people" who make jewelry make a new project, and this darling ring came up today.  I have never made a ring before.  I don't really wear rings because my hands usually look like they just came up from the bottom of the ocean, but I had to try this.

This afternoon, my daughter called me.  We talked for a long time and I told her I need to go to finish my ring.  She remembered that there was something she wanted me to make for her.

I was SO EXCITED, because I truly love to make things for people that they really want.

She wanted me to make her beaded stitch markers for her knitting.

Here is my very first try at that:

You can see some specks of glue floating around.  I tried to clean them up, but I needed to let them dry so they would QUIT coming apart!  I made the rings myself, and I hate that some got a bit out of round.  I shall try again tomorrow with maybe some dangly ones.

Time for our evening shakes.

Hugs, Joy

Cold and Wet

I suppose I SHOULDN'T complain, but I'm going to anyway.

The weather is AWFUL!

My dogs have been wet every day for over a week.

My kitchen and laundry room look like hobos live in it.  Hobos with two large, black, wet, dirty dogs!

Terry came over this morning, and I didn't even try to hide the mess.  Its a wonder she didn't trip over the vacuum or the mop bucket on the way in.

Terry and I went to Walmart where I bought a cart full of frozen fruit.  I did go down a couple more pounds!  I was 146 yesterday and 147 today.   I wobbled back and forth between 148 and 149 for a week.  Now, I suppose I will wobble back and forth between 146 and 147 for awhile.

I am ready for some SUNSHINE my friends.

I did manage to finish a new blouse and a new bracelet to match.  The bracelet is SO DARLING!  It took about 5 hours to make, but it is worth it.  I can't show you a picture yet.  You wanna know why?

I doubt it, but I'll tell you anyway.

I had just finished the knit top, and I wore it downstairs to check on the roast on the stove.  YES!  A real roast beef dinner tonight!  I got out one of those sucky-up things to suck up the juices on the bottom of the pan and baste the roast.  An onion or something got stuck in the sucky-up thing, and the juices wouldn't squirt out.  So, OF COURSE, I squeezed harder.  The onion popped out and the juice blasted out like a rocket and hit the top of the roast which caused it to propel outwards at all angles, but MAINLY all over my new blouse.

Hence, the new blouse must be washed.  When I get it out of the washer and on my body, I will take a picture for you.

I better go clean something up.  Terry is liable to report me to the Department of Health if she comes over tomorrow.

Hugs, Joy

Quilting Fun with Terry

Well, hello everyone!

How are you today?

I went to work this morning fully intending to stay there all day.  I probably didn't get there until 9:30.  I worked for several hours doing this and that, and then Jerry arrived just before lunch.  We left for a REAL MEAL at Gecko's.  I had Fajitas without the flour thingys you wrap around them.  I ate less than half of what was on my plate.  I did not keep track of how many chips with salsa I ate before my meal came though.  The scale will tell me in the morning, I'm sure!

While we were eating at Gecko's, I got a text message from Terry.  She wanted to know if I was home and if the longarm was empty.  I told Jerry we had to HURRY UP and finish eating because Terry had an emergency!

Then when we got back to the store, I told the girls I had an emergency at home and I had to leave right away.  When I told them what it was, they just laughed.

Terry came over with ANOTHER QUILT FOR SOMEONE ELSE!  It was a quickie she had made up to originally be a baby quilt, but she decided to put the pretty rose pantograph on it and take it to her 93-year old MawMaw to use for a lap quilt.  I saw a picture of her MawMaw, and I would love to go visit her myself!  She looks like the most PERFECT Granny ever!  Terry says she is.

Here is Terry's MawMaw quilt:

While Terry was quilting with the longarm, I was doing NOTHING!  We are leaving town tomorrow, so I didn't really have time to start anything.  Terry stopped quilting long enough to show me a picture of the next quilt she wants to make -- OF COURSE -- for someone else.  It reminded me of a pattern I thought I had.  It wasn't terribly freezing in my attic, so I went out to look through the quilts I had put away in containers.  I was shocked to find at least 12 quilts all ready to make.

I pulled out two.

The first one is crazy cats.  I started to make this when my granddaughter, Lindy, was young and loved cats.  I wanted her to help with it, but the event never happened.  I pulled all the blocks out.  I sewed in a few sashing pieces, and I put it down on the floor to see what it was supposed to look like.

The long sashing pieces are just LYING THERE, as is the border.

I didn't have enough of the outer border cut to go all the way around, but you get the idea.

 And here is another quilt I really like and have all ready to go.

The sunflowers are appliqued on top of the background.  It will be a lot prettier than in the picture.  It is SO HARD to take a good photograph of a quilt.

Here is a picture of the quilt on a rocking chair and all my fabrics ready to cut.  Looks like I better add some blues to the mix.

I will take the sunflowers to Edmond tomorrow, and I will bring it back here finished next week.  I will never catch up with Terry, but at least I will have something to put on the longarm.

Gotta run.

Need to pack up the quilt and the Herbalife and the outfit I am wearing to a funeral on Wednesday.

Be back soon.

Hugs, Joy