Happy Thanksgiving

I just realized it's been almost a month since we've last visited.

What have I been up to? Well, quite a lot actually.

I have a new job! And, it's a promotion! I still work for the Navy but, I actually am challenged and get to use my education/experience. It's a small group of people I work with, so that's really nice. I'm still a cubicle dweller and need art/color for the space. I think I may look for a nice BRIGHT lamp. I have florescent desk lights, but it's not the same. I started a Pinterest board for ideas, so little by little, I can make it homey. I do have my trusty Keurig by my side. Love that machine. We did some experimenting. I love the Starbucks Eggnog Latte, but they are a bit pricy and full of stuff I probably should consume. But, if take plain old (light) eggnog and put some in cup (to taste of course), warm in the microwave and use an 8 oz and a 6 oz shot of Keurig coffee (I'm cheap and run it through the coffee pod twice), cheap(er) Eggnog Coffee drink! YUM!

Ok, suggestions are welcome on the cubicle decor. If I can take a picture, I'll post it. It's very brown.

Let the Holiday season begin!

ps We went to a restaurant for dinner today. Should have taken the $$ and stayed home. Oh, well. At least we were together and no dishes!

ppss Have you met Julie?

http://intrepidthread.blogspot.com/ She's got a fantastic new store and a wonderful sale tomorrow!

and have you met Jenny?

http://sewkindofwonderful.blogspot.com/ She invented the "Quick Curve Ruler" and she and her sister Helen are hosting a BOM featuring traditional blocks with QCR way... I'm out to get some bone background tomorrow and then time to sew!

Happy news!

Good morning!

Last week was kinda crazy. Monday I had a 'procedure', you know, one of those 'have to do' things. Piece of cake. The prep was worse than the test. Got a call about lunch time and was offered a new job! Of course, I accepted and start on the 5th of November. We took off to Portland Wednesday and Thursday for a quick little family get together with the DH's family. GPS took us too many weird routes, but once we got ready to leave, three turns and we were on the freeway. Lesson learned, don't hit 'alternate route', should be 'takes forever and you will want to scream'. The day after the party, we got up early and ran some Portland errands. Still didn't get to Ikea. I think we have a bit of anxiety going there. But, I really, really want to look for some new linens. We visited Bolt. A very eclectic little shop on Alberta. They carry all of the Kaffe Shot Cottons, so I got a few pieces to play with. Did I take any pictures? No, I didn't. Sad, isn't it? I even had my camera and my phone with me. The only pictures I took were of my chili dog at Weinerschnitzel and my #9 at Jimmy John's. I warned you, I'm not the best blogger and if I promised I'd improve, do you think I would?

Happy Thursday

What a crazy week. Monday was a very unhappy day at work. I knew it would be. So, on the way in, I stopped at my local Safeway and bought flowers for myself. a dozen long stem red roses, some white carnations (the small ones), some alstramaria (I'm sure that's SIC), and a nice heavy vase. I miss having flowers on my desk. My favorite roses are English roses, have you ever smelled one? Pure and sweet, with just a little dash of spice. Sorry to say not a part of the yard decor here (rememeber Bambi and her little ones). But just wait, I'm still thinking of putting in a Graham Thomas (my fav yellow). Hard to have them at home, my kitties think they need to nibble on plant life here. Plus, sadly, I am at work more than home, so flowers are destined for the desk. The photo below is my favorite climber, New Dawn. Mmmm.

What's your favorite flower for your desk or work area?

Fall already?

Here in the pacific northwest, you can tell when it is fall. The leaves shift from green to yellow and the most brilliant shades of orange and red. We have early morning fog and there is a slight chill in the air. Starbucks has pumpkin spice lattes now, not my thing, but I do love eggnog lattes

All of a sudden, I feel the need to make a quilt. Lately, I've been more of a starter, not a finisher. I enjoy making the blocks, thank goodness I have a stunt finisher. I just lose interest and apparently I'm easily distracted. We have a king size bed with a down blanket, but I need to make a quilt. Not sure what I want. We have a mahogany sleigh bed. It screams traditional, but I just can't bring myself to commit to a large traditional. I could cheat and do a duvet cover for the down comforter. My bucket list contains a double wedding ring, I could do that, curves don't really scare me. Winding ways, those scare me! Oh that center! I really like a log cabin, maybe in French General? I like bloks of the month, just not a hand appliqué kind a girl. I know how, just can't sit still long enough to do it. 

Suggestions?

What's your go-to quilt?

I'm doing a section in my booth for beginners. So I'm making samples using conetemporary fabrics. Pics to follow once the flimsies are done. I'm making the standard Yellow Brick Road (Atkinson Designs) in Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey for Free Spirit. Don't forget to read and follow the directions. I had to tend to dinner and came back to cutting and forgot one important step. Now I have to scrouge for more FQ! Darn it. I'm making Turning Twenty Again from shades of grey/blue batiks. This one will have a special surprise.

What is your go-to quilt? What do you recommend to beginners?

The old nine patch works too. How about charm squares? I turned my niece loose with a bunch of Funky Monkey and the featherweight and at 8 she made her first quilt. According to my Mom, her last. For now anyway.

Let me know.

Hi guys!

Long time no see.

This past month has been crazy. Decisions,  decisions. Some easy, some not. Summer finally came. The past few days have been in the high 80's/low 90's. I know, for some of you that's sweater weather, but for us up here in the PNW, we melt. Very few people have AC, so you can imagine how crowded the mall was. B&N has a Starbucks (man, I love blended strawberry lemonade) and I'll be if they sold ice cream, the line would be twice as long.

So, what have I been up to? Well, I made a new friend. More on that later. She is a sweetie and guess what-she has an online quilt shop, just fabric.

We've been packing, but took this past month off from that. I've filled my car with Azaleas (Home Depot had them for $3.30, so we bought alot. Took the truck down and got more and two trees. This doesn't include the $$$ trip to the local nursery. Note to self: don't wait until August again. Yes, the fun part of getting the house ready to sale, dressing up the yard. It is coming out so beautiful. I will be posting pictures soon.

I've been getting ready for the quilt show in February. I will probably do a mock set up once it really starts raining again so you can visit the booth. You won't believe some of the super fun new quilty items I've found!

Have you seen anything new lately? This is one corner of the booth from last February's show.

July 4, 2012

Happy 4th! I hope you have plans with your loved ones today.

Around here, it's going to be a quiet day. I have more boxes packed, yes, it is a long process. The hardest question "what do I keep out". That said, it is hard to pack away my personal sewing projects and keep out some UFO's I really do need to finish. My stunt sewer (you may know her as my Mom) said she'd help, but only easy UFO's. Mom, really? If they were easy, they wouldn't be UFO's!

It is in the 50's this morning. I look out my window and see the sun catching the top of my Honey Locust tree. Aside from the thorns, this is a lovely, lovely 20 plus feet tall dash of chartreuse in the yard.

We have seen a little fawn, and I do mean little. Our neighbor's yellow lab is bigger than it is. Momma Bambi is a petite doe; they do make such a cute pair.

Have a Happy 4th and celebrate what our forefathers (and foremothers) gave us 236 years ago.

Tool Time Tuesday

Before you say anything, yes, I know today is Wednesday.

But, Tool Time Tuesday is coming back. I discovered some fun things and can't wait to share.

Anything you've seen that you'd like to see closer?

June 6

Wow, where has the time gone? It is now Junuary (yes, that's how it's spelled here in the PNW). All of a sudden I have leaves on the trees! Once the lawn is mowed and some weeds are pulled, I'll get you some lovely photos. I still have three cans of paint in my car! Yes, the painting continues. (Really, it hasn't started.)

Our life is full of lists of things to do, boxes to pack, trying to figure out what to not pack, trying hard not to go crazy at the grocery store (I really do have some strange items in the pantry). I love Trader Joe's. Affordable and small packages--perfect for two!

What are you doing on your summer vacation?

In honor

This weekend is the unofficial start of the summer. But with our family, it's another summer without our Dad. 

Memorial Day is meant to honor our veterans, present and past.

So while you are enjoying your families on this weekend, don't  forget to bow your head and say a little prayer for all those families who've lost a loved one.

So, Dad, here is my post to honor you. I'll be making a strawberry-rhubarb something just for you.

Just checking in

Oh my goodness! It's May already. Quilt Market is just around the corner. New fabrics and patterns and books, oh my. I have some friends who are going so hopefully I'll get some pictures from her.

My plants are starting to bloom (yes, that includes the dandelions). We are starting to see our deer come out and visit more. Wonder if we'll have a new fawn or twins this year?

Have you seen the new Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Vol. 5 magazine? I have one extra that I bought just for my blog readers! More info coming soon.

A new look at machine quilting & a cool new tool

I've been surfin' looking for new ideas and came across this:

http://sewkindofwonderful.blogspot.com/

What a cool tool! Sewing curves really isn't that difficult. If I can do it, you can too! Look at her amazing quilting. Inspiring. To see more, visit Jenny's other site.

http://jennysdoodlingneedle.blogspot.com/

I'll bet you won't look at your quilts the same way. I know I won't! Now where did I put that stack of hexagon flowers?

Spring Quilt Market 2012

I'm bummed. I can't go this year. I have a date with a bunch of cans of paint and hopefully, not too more boxes. But, do you "Pin"? I love Pinterest. My handle is --

www.pinterest.com/auntiepami

I've started collecting sneak peaks and pinning them on Spring Quilt Market 2012.

Lily's Quilts: LynneBobSquarePants

Have you seen this?

Lily's Quilts: LynneBobSquarePants

How about this?

http://www.suedaurio.blogspot.com/2012/04/friday-finally-very-long-week.html

Need I say more? I'll never be able to do feathers that way. But I can dream...

Ten Little Things

Happy Monday! I've been working on my website, still need a cute logo, but it's in a draft stage!

So, Ten Little Things. Jenn Ski is a really cool designer. She does mid-century modern. I fell in love with her art when I saw her little critters in the scrapbook aisle. Her little critters soon found their way to fabric for P&B Textiles. I still have some that will be posted soon. In the meantime, I put up the precuts on the website and put them on sale. You are the first to know! I have some yard goods, but haven't had a chance to post it yet. Soon, I promise.

Twas the day before Easter...

...and all through the house, I've been scurry-ing about. Laundry and dishes, shopping and cooking and what to my eyes did appear? A bunch of new boxes from UPS!

The art of thread (not what you think)

I saw this on another blog. Oh my goodness--if you like thread, this is for you. Moda Lissa, there is even one for you!

http://welovequilting.com/my-my-my-what-you-can-do-with-a-spool-of-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-10331

Monday, Monday

Ok, I've been a bad blogger, but what else is new?

Retirement, that's what! Not for me, but my husband has finally set a date. So, what have I been doing? PACKING lots of boxes. Making a "to do" list for the house. Drooling over houses that won't be available when we are ready (ready meaning this house is sold, sold, sold). Deciding on a white paint color...

Am I excited? Yuuuuup! I sure am. I don't think I could be a stay at home person, so I'm hoping to get a space large enough to hold my longarm and my business so I can actually go to 'work' instead of to the garage. I found a great house, but it was on the market for about, 24 hours?

2012 H2H Challenge

Woo-Hoo! Have you signed up yet? I'm going to try and do at least one quilt for each charity. I so love children's quilts, so you guessed it, I'll be trying out some new designs.

Time for a change

I've been thinking about this for some time.

I think it's time for a change. A big change. Not sure exactly what quite yet. I'm so used to moving around every few years and changing jobs; not really jobs, but duty assignments. You see, my Dad was in the Navy. So, we moved every three to four years. I went to college off and on for a few years, still didn't know what I really wanted to be when I grew up, so I joined the Navy. One of the secretaries where I worked then told me of all the fun she had, plus (in hindsight) I did enjoy the adventures my family went on. You have never really traveled until you go cross-country in a Chevy (2 door) station wagon with five kids and a big pile of comic books.

I've started the Spring cleaning. You know, if you don't move every few years, you accumulate a lot of stuff. I won't bore you with the details but dang, we have a lot of stuff. I have a lot of books. Now I understand the great appeal of the e-reader.

Books are heavy. There are a lot of quilt books that are e-reader friendly. That'd be fine unless I want to make a template. Then what do I do? I just love the feel of the rough paper and the firmness of a good hardback. I have been collecting some of my favorite authors for quite some time, so I have a lot of books. Some of which I've been re-reading on my iPad. Still hate to part with the books though. I have quite a few first editions. Quilting books are heavy. All that color on slick paper. Maybe my inner cleaner is saying "downsize woman, downsize".

So, back to the change. Need to make some decisions. I need to make a list. Wonder where I put that journal I bought in a moment of nostalgia?

Sample Spree--the easy way

If you read blogs of the lucky folks that go to Quilt Market, I'm sure you've heard of Sample Spree. That's the mass mayhem that is crazier than the wedding dress run at Filene's Basement. Thankfully, Moda occasionally lets us do a Sample Spree Online.

I ordered Vintage Modern Layer Cakes (two left) and Vintage Modern Charm Packs (eight left). If you are interested, let me know. Free shipping just for my blog readers. Layer cake: $37 and Charm Packs: $8.50 each. First come, first served. Post a note below. I'll contact you with a PayPal invoice.

Note: This offer will end Sunday, March 18, noon PST.

Vintage Modern will go great with Bliss and Ruby. I have a growing collection of charm packs. I try to get at least one of each line I want and eventually I want to do a real charm quilt. Not sure if it will be hexagons, tumblers or whatever. Believe me, it will be super duper hard to cut into them, especially my Roman Holiday and Shangri La charms.

Are you ready for Sarah's H2H Challenge? I am! Can't wait.

Ok, this is getting old

And, after a vicious windy heavy rainstorm, we have more snow. Two more weeks and it is Spring! Must think of something fun to do...ideas? I have a stack of unpacked goodies from Moda, Robert Kaufmann and Studio 180! I have some new things to share, hopefully by Thursday.

By the way--do you Pin?

Oh my goodness! It's snowing (again)!

I looked ou the window at work and thought I saw rain. Little by little, it turned to snow. So, I hussled my way home and what did I see? Accumulation! As soon as it's daylight I'll be out taking photos to share.

Monday, Monday

Happy Monday!

Tonight is my sewing night and I'm so excited. I am not sure what I want to do, but I have some new patterns to start making samples of so I just need to pick one and get started.

Sarah is getting info on the H2H Challenge 2012. I had fun last year, but must remember to keep my camera handy (and not in my tote bag).

What are you working on? Or still planning?

Wow!

Good morning!

Has it really been a month? Oh, and what a month! This morning I find myself up early. My printer is not working and I just don't have the patience to redownload the driver right now.

The first quilt show of the year is this weekend, so I really should be sleeping! I worked yesterday in the booth and should have some great pictures for you later today. The quilt that won first place is a Little Bird quilt and WOW, Mary Beth did the best quilting. And Ann's applique! Some of these pieces are so tiny!

I came home after the show and my UPS driver brought me some of the new Holiday patterns. Never too early to start. Tomorrow will certainly be a day of rest! Maybe some sewing and for sure, Mount Wash Me is ready to erupt. It never ends, does it?

One fantastic thing to report--the sun is finally coming out of hiding! Do you think twin bambi's are in our future this Spring?

Or is this?

In the long run, who cares? They are just fun!

Sunday Snow

Well, here we go again. I woke up early and heard rain on the rooftop. Most of the snow on the roads washed away. That didn't last long. Oh well, after I get the dishes done, make lunch, time to sew! How about stove top pot roast? Yum, yum. Warm comfort food. What should I do? I need to finish my Swoon and get Full House built!

Happy Saturday/

The snow is quickly melting away! The sun is shining (but more rain and wind are coming).

I have a new pegboard display for my quilt show. I've just went shopping for some blank signage. I need a cute header for it, so I'll be off to the scrapbook store for some cute (pink of course) paper on Monday. It is has three panels --

One is for hand embroidery
One is for English Paper Piecing (have to make a story board-I'm doing a demo)
One is for sewing notions.

I'm super excited! I did order a gridwall display and it will ship in February (I hope) and it will be full of Schnibbles, Bunny Hill, Acorn Quilts Cozy Quilts new Thimble Blossoms, & more! Things are slowly coming together for my new adventure--I really want to do more quilt shows (hopefully within a one to four hour commute radius). I need a book display. Do you like books front out in a rack (they do get some bending) or like a little library? I am still looking for some fun shelving (I have my eye on some that will need to be repainted (a soft white)). I also would like some black polyester (lightweight) draping (have you ever tried to press 120" inch x 8 feet draping) I think poly is the way to go.

I'm looking for a old time mannequin/body double to be my apron display. Something for purses/bags too. I may just try a coat rack. I like to try on purses before I buy them, don't you?

I've ordered floss displays (otherwise known as Artbin boxes) for my Cosmo Floss and Seasons Floss. I like to hand embroider, but I'm better at cross stitch. So glad to see it coming back!

Now all I need is a pink pick up truck and an empty Bambi Airstream trailer to haul it all in. Hey, a girl can dream, right?

Check out my pins-- www.pinterest.com/auntiepami

See you soon!

ps--FedEx just brought me a box--maybe UPS is not too far behind! I'll be sure to post some pictures on Facebook and Pinterest for you! My first show of the year is 17/18 February with Kitsap Quilters at the Kitsap Pavillion.

Google Chrome/This just in...

Hmm. Not so sure I like this.

But on a happier note, my UPS driver braved the snow last night to drop off some boxes!

Have I mentioned how much I love precuts? Especially charm packs?

We're in the midst of a lovely snowstorm. Not the best timing, but oh well. So, please visit the shop later today for "This just in..."

Congratulations!

Number 1 is the winner!

You should be getting an email this morning.

Congratulations!

Do you Schnibble?

I must confess. I love little quilts. Why? Because I can get them done. I'm always making samples or doing charity stuff, I like love the little quilts. I've made a few, Mom has made one or more for me and a friend made one for me. Miss Rosie is one of my top 5 favorite pattern designers. She really hit the target with these. Plus, I adore charm packs.

So, Sherri at A Quilting Life and Sinta at the Pink Pincushion are doing another year of Schnibbles. So, I'm no longer a lurker, I'm a Schnibbler.

And, because I love my blog followers, I have a giveaway for you.

The January pattern is Full House and two charm packs of Primitive Gatherings. All you need to do is add a little background fabric.

Invite your friends. This is going to be fun!

I'll draw a name on Sunday night (around 6pm) so I can mail it on Monday!

I have other kits available in the shop. http://www.auntiepami.com/

Happy New Year!

Hope the weekend/holiday is going well for everyone.

Enjoy the piece and quiet!

I just want to thank you for being a follower/reader.