Last Day of Olympics...

I don't know about everyone else but I am glad the Olympics will end today. I have spent way too much time watching TV when I should be in the sewing room (need a TV in there.) So I will get my blog posted early today because I do have to schedule time to watch the final hockey game with USA vs Canada -
GO USA!!!

I have had a real slow week with sewing but have managed to sew a few sections of my "Freddy Moran" quilt. It has been a struggle for me because I had to buy so much of this "funky" fabric to sew with but I am liking it as it starts to fall together. This is meant to be a wall hanging and hoping it will give some color to a dark hallway I have. Here is a picture of some small pieces laid out on the bed...


I have spent a lot of time cutting strips and so to keep it organized I have sorted them into bins by strip size. Now if I can just make myself sit down and sew the pieces together... Maybe I will start work on cutting some of the black/white pieces while I watch the game. Nothing says I can't have a portable cutting table in front of the TV this afternoon. LOL!!!!



Here is my fabric stash for this project so you can see what fabrics I have accumulated for this project. I am loving some of these bright colors!!!



Well it is time to get up from the computer and get started with some chores. Have to be free to watch the USA beat up on Canada (I hope)!!! Congrats to all of the athletes who participated in the Olympics!!!

Until next time -- Linda

New Purse Inserts...

I just have to comment about my new purse inserts that I bought online... Since I started sewing a few months ago I have fallen in love with sewing purses. I love quick projects and so this fits me to a T. Anyway -- I am picky about what I want in a purse. The fabric purses are lighter and I can make the lining the color I want. I hate a purse with black lining where you look into the purse and only see a "black" hole. Well I found these inserts online and they are perfect for changing out a purse. No more dumping the purse out on the bed. Take a look at the pictures and you will see what I am talking about. And I found these online at www.chameleoninserts.com. She ships out immediately and I had mine in just 3 days. I paid $20 for this and feel that it was worth every penny.



I like the lime green because it allows me to see everything inside... I kid you not -- there are lots of zipper pockets, slots for lipstick, pens and cell phone is right where I can see it (in pick case).



When you BLOG you have to always have a camera in hand... my fits perfectly in the slot indicated...




There are two little loops that you use to lift the insert in and out of the purse. This lime one is actually the smallest they make so there are several that are larger and I sure plan on ordering them for those occasions when I travel and happen to carry a bigger purse.

I have to confess that my weekend was a bust as far as any sewing. Saturday night I spent at a "Sleep Clinic" where I am being tested for sleep apnea and my snoring issue. My sister encouraged me to do this and I have to tell you that it was the worse night of sleep. At 12:15 I actually told the clinic that I just could not do this. Hard to fall asleep when you have a hundred wires running everywhere and glue in your hair holding all of the electrodes. They finally agreed to let me try sleeping in a recliner and I did that for a couple of hours and then back to the bed. At 6am when I had finally gone to sleep they woke me up to get ready to go home. (I had just gone to sleep)!!!!!! So on Sunday I took a dozen naps and was really dragging my butt. Last night I went to bed early and slept like a baby in my own bed. Now I have to wait for the results and see what happens next.

So I hope everyone else had a wonderful weekend. I have been doing some sewing this morning and plan to do more in the afternoon. I have purses to make for my granddaughter for the upcoming cruise so I have lots to do. So till next time -- Have a good week!!! Linda

Someone slap my hand...

Am I the only one who has a problem saying "No" to buying more fabric?? I sure hope not because I tell you my stash is just not that much. I know that I am new to quilting and so it does require me buying just to be able to make projects. Guess I am going to have to put myself on a budget and stick with it... LOL!!!!!!

I went to my sewing bee yesterday and finally started work on my new project which is the Freddy Moran way to quilt -- Colorful and Loud Colors will make the quilt perfect for hanging in my hallway. Just can't believe that I am sewing with purples, polka dots and wild combinations. But I Love It and you certainly stay awake while sewing the pieces. The wilder you get the better it is going to be.

Now then -- I am having difficulty with a plant I have. This resides in my bedroom and it is spreading out all over the floor. However, I cannot identify the plant and need to know how to handle the long shoots growing spreading out all over the floor. I definitely need to cut it back and want to know how to root this. Can anyone identify for me??

I guess if nothing else I will cut off a piece and try getting it identified at the nursery. That is my last resort...




Here is a picture of LuLu on her cage in the breakfast room. Such a big cage for a little bird. I leave the cage door all day and she plays on the top and in the window. I caught her climbing up the wood blinds several times so then I have to yell at her and get out a rolled up TV guide which I threaten her with. She does not like me slapping that rolled up guide around and then usually she retreats and will stay off for awhile. YES, I could be mean and stick her cage in the corner away from the blinds but I am such a softie when it comes to my animals and usually let them rule me instead of the other way. LOL!! I threaten to put up curtains instead of the blinds but not sure if she wouldn't grab the fabric and climb up that anyway. She is a mess - what can I say!!!


Well the Olympics are on and I need to go glue myself to the TV so stay warm and cozy and I will write again later... Hugs, Linda

Happy Valentine's Day...

It's a beautiful day here as the sun is finally shining and of course it is Valentine's Day. Always a special day for me as my firstborn was born on this day in 1968. I can still see my wonderful husband James all smiles because he got his son!!! Back in those days we never knew the sex of the baby before birth. My husband had just been discharged from the Marine Corp 3 weeks before and it was a good time in our life. James was standing there afterward with a huge white teddy bear and a beautiful card which I still have. So YES, it's a good day today...

My son Kelly is out of town this weekend as his girlfriend has surprised him with a trip to Washington DC (and all that snow). I am sure that they are having a good time and enjoying themselves. I on the other hand will spend the day relaxing around here and enjoying having the Olympics on TV. And I'm sure I will get a little sewing done. I am trying to decide what my next project will be. So guess I will be digging thru the stash and patterns and getting something laid out to start. That is always a fun project - just deciding what to make!!!

Friday, I spent several hours at the first "Quilt Show" by Tri-County Quilt Guide. It was so much fun looking at the quilts made by several friends and getting to see their ribbons. Maybe next year I will get brave and enter something myself.
Well friends it is time to get up from the computer and make myself useful around here. LuLu is in the kitchen "screaming" because she needs some attention. She wants Mama to come and pick her up and carry her around the house. She likes to wash dishes and play in the sink so maybe we will do that first. Have a wonderful day... Hugs from Linda

My Bird "LuLu'...

As some of you know I am the mother to a "Blue Crown Conure" parrot called "LuLu" and believe me the name fits her just fine. I complain about her all the time as she runs my life, however I have to be honest and say that she does keep me company.


She does talk and can really jabber away when it suits her. This morning I was in the kitchen eating a piece a toast and she is asking "Is it good"??? That seems to be her favorite phrase when she sees me stuffing my face. I can then offer her a bite and she will keep on saying "Is it good" over and over again. She is totally spoiled but can also be very sweet. During warm weather she likes to take her bath with the waterhose outside and then blames me because she is all wet...


During the day when she takes a nap, for some strange reason she gets cozy with a bell on her head and a rope. The bell is like her security blaket and she always peeks out at you. She is a real character that's for sure...


Well it is time that I get up from the computer and make myself useful. I need to head out to Wal-Mart before it gets too crazy around here. We are expecting some rain tonight so I need my errands done early. So I bid you farewell and hope everyone has a good day.

Go Saints!!!!

Super Bowl Sunday and YES, the Saints won... Now we can put football to rest and frankly I am ready!!! I have managed to stay busy this weekend as I started a new project and it is coming along nicely. I did have trouble concentrating on the pattern and made several bad cuts but have just made a short pile of those and will manage to squeak out a table runner or something else. Don't worry, the fabric is not being wasted. Here is a picture of the project so far. I have been dying to make something out of my black and white fabric collection and this fits the bill nicely. Do you like it???


On Saturday I received a package from Amazon.com and in it were 6 books I had ordered at the beginning of the week. I have fallen in love with The Freddy Moran and Gwen Marston book "Talking It Over". Love all of those bright colors and I am determined to make something that is just as bright. Can't wait to start collecting all of the fabrics that it will require.


I've had the urge lately to make some stuffed birds so I tried out a couple of patterns that I found on the internet. This is what I managed to stitch up during the football game. Need several more as I want to link them together with some beads and hang them in the sewing room. The picture is not very good but you get the ideal...



Well it is getting late and I still have to clean up my mess in the sewing room and go put "LuLu" to bed. So till next time... Hugs, Linda

Oh my gosh!!!

I have to tell you how excited I am that I have won a gift and it arrived today. Pat Eaton over at "Bird Nest On The Ground" sent me the wonderful gift and I can't tell you how lovely the little pillow is. I will attach a photo but know that it does not do it justice as it is simply lovely. Thank you so much Pat!!!!!!!

My firstborn was a Valentine Baby so YES, I am partial to this wonderful holiday. And too, RED is my favorite color so maybe that is why I love this wonderful holiday. Anyway, many hugs to Pat for the wonderful gift. Visit her site - http://birdnestontheground.blogspot.com/ and check out her wonderful things.

I've also been fabric shopping this week. A couple of my quilting buddies and I took a drive to LaPorte and Friendswood to see some quilt shops. I fell in love with "The Painted Pony". That shop is to die for!!!!! I have been on a mission this week to find some new fabric in deep shades of red and managed to accumulate several different ones as you will see in the photos below.

I am not going to share the pattern today but this weekend will show the full project. It is from Pat Sloan so check out her BLOG and this is called Camp Sloanie Weekend Stash Buster Weekend. So I have my fabric and have started cutting the strips. I am ready to start.........

I also did a little shopping and look at this gorgeous "African" basket that I bought. Just look at the size of it and I thought it was a bargin at $37. What do you think??? Thanks for stopping by and as always keep on stitching...