Hurricane Irene

I heard by e-mail from Robbie, my Santa Sack 2 partner, this morning. She and hubby are safe after Hurricane Irene roared through. She says the county they live in in New York was hit hard. They, their home and their pets weathered the storm; although power was just recently restored. They have been helping supply needed necessities at local shelters. Please join me in keeping Robbie and all others recovering from Irene in our prayers.

Scripture reference “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and out Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Philippians 4:19-20

Crushed Walnut Shells = Angry Cat!

 

Crushed walnut shells (bird litter) comes in a bag almost the size of, definitely the shape of and most certainly makes the sound of CAT FOOD. Cha Cha and I had some interesting "conversations" about crushed walnut shells today. Twice (not once but twice) she got extra kitty treats because I felt sorry for her. This is the treatment I have received in return.

LOTS OF TAIL ACTION!

ONE SASSY MOUTH!

She has retreated under the bed to sulk. Do not bother to feel sorry for the poor, mistreated kitty cat. She has a bowl of food, as well as water, in the same spot it always sits on the kitchen floor. And, she has "tricked" me into extra kitty treats - TWICE - today.

Robbie's Santa Sack and first two gifties are ready for the postman. Robbie is roughly 168 miles from New York city. I got an e-mail this morning, which said nothing about the weather, so I am hoping all is well. I will check with the post office tomorrow to see if they predict delivery delays. My prayers are with all the people effected by Hurricane Irene. 

Cha Cha has her nose back in the hall. She wants to be positive I know I am the source of her anger.She will be okay!

My scripture reference for today - "And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm." Matthew 8:26

Pick Four

Sue Abrey said pick four. First I had to pick one - just one of the lovely quilts in Sue's recently released book - "Pick Four." Definitely a hard process. I love all of Sue's quilts. Here is a picture (back cover of Sue's book) showing the one I am making first - Stepping Stones ....

I spent hours deciding on four fabrics. I had two gift certificates to Shabby Fabrics which I won online - one from Sherri, A Quilting Life, and the other from Jennifer, The Shabby. Thanks again Sherri and Jennifer.

Bittersweet by Nancy Halverson for Benartex Fabrics is my choice. The colors are much richer than my photo shows. I love this fabric line! The two wonderful gift certificates to Shabby Fabrics made it possible for me to purchase the backing at the same time.

Purple makes my drool! The backing is Bittersweet as well. Quilt quality fabric; one designer. Nancy Halverson did the hard part for me! Didn't she do a fantastic job?

Stepping Stones will someday be the quilt I snuggle under in my reading chair. I am a slow quilter/sewer and am currently making gifties for Grace, citymousequilter, and Robbie, rooee's confetti - my swap partners. Besides My Lucky Stars (the queen quilt for my bed) is no where ready for a long arm quilter to work their magic! Wonder if progress would happen if I got off the computer?

Should you want to know more about Sue Abrey, her amazing new book "Pick Four" and maybe win some prizes, join the fun blog tour Sue, Quilt Times is currently sponsoring. The tour is loads of fun! Go investigate.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

  

My scripture reference for today "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

What a MESS!

 How many times to I have to tell Mom she cannot leave my table looking like this! Looks like I will, once again, have to clean up Mom's MESS!!!

Such is the life of a hardworking curious cat!

I (not Cha Cha) have been a busy beaver today. My Santa Sack is completed for Robbie, my swap partner. I, also, have most of her first two Christmas presents ready as well. I would have finished except Cha Cha decided to drive the sewing machine when I took a short break. Her sewing efforts - heavy paw on foot pedal - created some bonding time with the seam ripper for me. My fault! I know to unplug the machine any time I leave the room.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

My scripture reference for today - "And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it." Psalms 90:17

Battle Cry! (and Shopping Expedition!)

 

A wee bit of progress has been made on "Lucky Stars." Here is my pile waiting to be pressed. Note my new word - pressed - instead of ironed. I was pressing but using the wrong word. My brain connected with the correct terminology when I read "Pick Four" by Sue Abrey (Quilt Sue of Quilt Times). What a relief! I can continue to hate dislike ironing and admit I have come to enjoy pressing - I love to watch the pieced fabric come to life!

Last night I was playing on the computer. Cha Cha had retired to the bedroom. She always goes to bed before me. Whatever she does all day while I am at work must exhaust her. Suddenly I hear a full fledged cat battle cry - you know the I will defend my territory with my life growl/hiss. Cha Cha has done nothing more than psst! at me when I told her to quit doing something in the year and a half she has lived here. I was almost immobilized with fear, crazy thought running through my head - snake or some other slithering awful Florida creature in my house threatening my baby. Armed with a broom (all I could find) I go to save Cha Cha. 

How I wish my weapon had been a camera. Cha Cha was "blown up" appearing 40 lbs instead of 10 - Ready to fight! The indoor/outdoor cat from two houses down was casually reclining on the outside window sill - paying absolutely no attention to my inflated cat. Of course, my laughter insulted Cha Cha. She slept under the bed last night!

I spent hours shopping online. I won a $25. gift certificate to Shabby Fabrics sponsored by Sherri of A Quilting Life. I saw the fun surprise on Sherri's blog yesterday morning. The story gets AMAZING here - Sherri planned to e-mail the winners. At work I occasionally check my e-mail; however, do not read blogs. I got an e-mail from Jennifer owner of The Shabby. She sent gift certificate information for $50. Wanting $50.; thinking I won $25., I "forced" myself to e-mail Jennifer, who replied I won $50. Okay! Yeah! What is a girl to do!!!!! Happily shop was my choice! This morning I get an e-mail from Sherri. Guess what? I'm standing on my head with excitement!!!!! I did win a $25. gift certificate to The Shabby! Someone - ME - will be purchasing the backing fabric to go with the quilt top fabric I ordered last night. I will show you when it all arrives. What a fun two days!

I did a bit more piecing. It feels so great to be back in the sewing mode and feeling like a human again. Have a wonderful day.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

My scripture reference for today (or should I say Cha Cha's - God has a sense of humor!) "The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Exodus 14:14

Jellyroll Goodness

My first ever jellyroll - Lilac Hill by Brannock & Patek for Moda. This lovely arrived in my mail and I am so excited! How does one unroll this? I mean it looks so pretty and fits my table decorations perfectly. I bought this from Carol of Life & Sew Much More (this is her new blog and well worth checking out!)

Go check out the giveaway Green Fairy Quilts is having. Lovely prizes. More importantly Judi and hubby are raising funds for a mission trip to Romania.

Ms Cha Cha says Meow - translated that means Hello and ....

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

My scripture reference for today "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son." 1 John 5:10

Sewing Again!

No pictures today. My crazy schedule finally gave me an opportunity to sew last night and again this morning. My parents are off on the long drive back to Mississippi. We had a wonderful weekend. It is always sad to see them go.

I have started my surprises for the Santa Sack 2 and am quite pleased with the results so far. I spent time this morning working on the stars for my Lucky Stars quilt. That one will hopefully be on my bed by the time it gets cold (for a day or so! - Florida Ha Ha!) in late December or early January.

Ms Cha Cha has decided the kitchen cabinets are off limits for a few days. This morning I was at the sewing machine and my eye caught movement by the computer desk. Cha Cha was "sneaking" up on a piece of ribbon. She has her "prize" safely hidden under the bed. Cats! I'm off to work.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

My scripture reference for the day “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalms 1:1-2

Cat Retraining - Day Two

Day Two of Cat "Retraining" could not have gone better had I planned it. I wanted a bowl from the back of a kitchen cabinet which required removing a bunch of plastic bowls to reach. Everything was sitting on the counter. I stopped for a bathroom break. The next thing I heard was a "surprised" cat scream, falling plastic and then a herd of elephants (one 10 lb cat in full flight!) trampling down the hall. Ms Cha Cha decided she was safer under the bed! Ha!

I took great pleasure is lifting the bed skirt to see the wide green eyes and say - Stay off the kitchen counter! This accident was worth having to clean up the kitchen!

I do believe I should avoid the computer when feeling under the weather. Look what came in the mail yesterday ...

Such a cute pattern! Perfect for a wall hanging for my friend who loves owls. This is Remember Whoo Loves You by Acorn Quilt & Gift Company. I only remember buying one more item but I will wait until it comes to show you.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

My scripture reference for today -"Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." Deuteronomy 10:19

Summer Cold Gone & Things

My summer cold finally ran its course. I have had no energy for a couple of weeks and haven't been doing much more than dreaming of quilting. But all is well! This weekend I sat at the sewing machine for a few hours. The result is this little pouch for my niece to keep her "treasurers" in. All it needs is a button. This is scrap material and a "make it up as you go" sort of pouch. An 8 year old should enjoy.

I won a giveaway from Kansas Troubles Quilters. My prize was a Snow Bloom charm pack. Look at all the amazing goodies sent with the charm pack - 4 wonderful quilt patterns, the cutest little 2.5 x 2.5 precut fabric AND the adorable tin holding the charm pack. I am in love with the tin. Thanks so much Kansas Troubles Quilters!

One day when I was feeling better yet not up to sewing I ordered the Which Witch pattern I have been coveting from Crazy Old Ladies. I got plans for this!

I do so envy all of the wonderful people who write patterns! Maybe one day!

I signed up to participate in FRIENDS SWAP 2011 being sponsored by Khris of Sew Prim Khris. Go check it out. The swap partners will be assigned August 19, 2011 - we get to spy on our partners and then send them 7 gifts representing the letters in FRIENDS. I was a part of the 2010 swap and had an absolutely wonderful time! I am looking forward to 2011.

My swap partner for the Santa Sack Swap 2 was assigned. She is Rooee of Rooee's Confetti. I'm looking for any "secret information" you might have about this person. Feel free to e-mail me any and all details! It is lots of fun to try to figure out what will make your swap partner smile.

This upcoming weekend is family time - my parents are coming from Mississippi. I very excited. I don't get to see them as often as I would like. Yet part of me would really prefer to be able to quilt - Family comes first!

Ms Cha Cha has been enjoying me feeling down.  She has been up to no good and I have ignored her behaviour. Imagine her "shock" when I  "suggested" she get off the kitchen counter this morning. She is now in my "cat retraining program!" How easily a cat forgets!

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

My scripture for the day "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right." Ephesians 6:1