Whew!

I was about to "bust a gut" as we say here in Texas, trying to hold out on the posting. I had made myself a promise not to post for a couple of days to allow the TOTE give-a-way commenters time. It nearly killed me. I have so much to say and show. First....here's a link to another give-a-way I get points for that. Second.....Debbie, it looks like you're the winner ot the TOTE bags.....just "E" me your address and they are all yours. Number 3........here's are some of the things I've seen and been doing.

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I meant to get out and take a pick of the baby birds but didn't get to it.

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My Crepe Myrtles are blooming all over the place. I just love the colors.

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What do you think made this footprint? I know.....I know.....

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I was wandering around in the back forty and found this "weed", yes weed all over the pasture......isn't it striking...and notice the little spider just sitting there waiting for his close-up.

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On the embroidery front.....I decided to try my newfound knowledge on a denim shirt. I just love this lady {forgot the next}...I know, I know...it's not centered on the back of the shirt but I don't care.....I did good........LOL

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My good friend, Monica sent me this fabulas Cross and I already have a spot pict out for it. Thanks Monica! Well I think I've said and showed it all....stay tuned.......it's so good to be back!

3 Free Totes

Try saying that 10 times...........The picture showing the totes are up for grabs. Don't even think about the dotted fabric in the background....LOL....It's just a backdrop.....and the FQ on top is just a way for you to gauge the size of the totes......I've been cleaning my sewing studio.....AGAIN.....and these became emptied out but I can't bring myself to trash them...... So the 13th poster will be the luck person receive them.......or the the last one to leave a comment by the time I post again..........I post alot, usually. Lots to say or babber about.

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Note:If you have not edited your "comment" button in your "settings" to reply e-mail, and you're lucky #13 or by my next post, I won't be able to notify you. The "no reply" thingy that pops up in ones e-mail makes it tough for one to thank blog visitors. I'm always thankful for your visits, comments and friendship.....Sorry, I was babbling, again.

Wacky Embroidery Club

The WackyPac decided to start an embroidery/EQ5-6 Club to help one another and utilize all this wonderful techonology. This was our first meeting which was great fun with lots of laughter. Most of us were there the whole day, which was a good thing. Check back each month for more fun and please feel free to leave your "kind words." I enjoy reading your comments.

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Kathy seems to be concentrating on something important.....some decision about the next round on her project.........we can only wonder.

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Patty is our computer lady and gadget girl.....she really livens up the party. Now she'd in the middle of an EQ6 session.

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I am working on an embroidery design.....trying my hand at enlarging it......wish me luck.

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Molly is buzzing along with a cowboy design. That stabilizer is really working well.

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Jerri and Kath say, "Whew! This embroidery stuff is exhausting.......we're taking a break."

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KathyE is trying to keep us all motivated......I don't think she has control of the situation at all.

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Annie has been working so hard and is quietly having a snack hoping KE doesn't see her.

Stabilizers

Molly and I rode over to Tyler yesterday to investigate the embroidery club at "A Nimble Thimble." Two of your "wacky" buddies (KE & Kath) suggested it. Stabilizer info was my main goal. What kind, how much, what methods of hooping, etc., etc., etc. The instructor, another friend of ours, Brenda, was very informative and helped me pick out a product by the name of OESD Ultra Clean and Tear. I have this product in other forms but was willing to try this. She also mentioned using 505 Spray & Fix on the stabilizer before applying the fabric to it. Above are my first 2 attempts. Too much tension on my hoop produced the "flower" wrinkles, the eagle is much better but I still need to practice. Give me your opinions, please.

Miniature Booty Swap

Oh boy! My first swap. I can't wait to get started. The instructions arrived via e-mail. I read them several times and was very excited to learn that this is to be done in secrecy....so ssshhhhhhhhh. My partner's name is....oh I can't tell you that. She lives in ....... oh I can't tell you that either. Her favorite colors are....well, I can't tell you that either. But I can tell you this....I've been thinking about what I want to make for her.......I put on my thinking cap lady jotted down several ideas, picked out some wonderful colors and now I'm posting about it because the instructor (Toni)said to, but I would have blogged anyway cause I love blogging! I'm one step closer to starting my miniature. It's due to be finished and ready to mail by September 1st. Now that seems like a long time from now but it can sneak up on one, if one keeps putting things off. That sounds like me but not this time....LOL Good luck to all who are participating!

This Ain't It

I know, I know. Ain't isn't a word but it's usage fit this blog. I'm sewing on my next patriotic block in a tiny space of my own making....but I'm not using my new machine which I have named "JanoHer"....catchy, uh. The machine you see in the background isn't the Jamome, either. It's my Singer which I couldn't part with. Have I become the woman with too many sewing machines, I wonder? Molly and I are off to an embroidery day in Tyler tomorrow, just to check out things and maybe do alittle shopping. Will let you know how that turned out. (Note: I'm wearing one of my swing suit cover-ups from the cruise...just thought I'd mention that.....LOL)

Building Uncle Sam

Now I know some of my blogger friends are wondering what in the world is she doing, how does she find the time to get things done and what her secret???????? OK, I'll tell........I'm alone.......meaning.....not married, no significate other, no children (the boys are far, far away), no pets....well the hummers are fluttering around but they don't count. No phone interruptions, no mom....for the moment, she's away.........nothing, nada, zilch to bother me hardly ever. So I should be doing more but I do have to do house work, laundry and grocery shopping sometime. Now that that's out of the way...here's my latest project. I've been thinking about making a patriotic quilt for quite awhile now, so what better time to start than Father's Day. I enjoy taking pictures as some of you know so well and wanted to chronicle what I did nearly step by step. The Uncle Sam pattern came from an old Quiltmaker magazine July/August 2000 # 74. So far, I think I'll only do one more border around Sam and start on my next block of the quilt......an eagle.

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The block measures 13" X 33" so far.

The Last Round

I don't know what it is about stars but I just love making them. This particular star I made back in March at the Compass Center then promptly put it away. Yesterday I was looking through some stuff and ran across it along with a few additional half squares. So I decided to add another round or just use up all that I had. It was fun moving the pieces around on my design board just to see what looked good. By the way, my mom thinks this a crazy thing to do.....playing with fabric........hehehehehehehe.....she just shakes her head. Anyway, this is the results. She did love the outcome. 40" X 40"

What Do You Think?

HELP! I've put together the "Odd Star" quilt and stopped it with a 2 inch black border. Now I'm stuck. Should I put another border using some floral print or am I finished? Please leave your wonderful kind words and help me out. Thanks in advance.

Tag.....I'm It

Thanks Marsha for including me in your Tag.....I'm still pretty new at the "tag" thingy but I will give it my best shot. It's so much fun learning things about new friends and old ones, too. 1. What was I doing 10 years ago? Hummmmmmmmmm.......that's a hard one sort of because I usually can't remember what I was doing a minute ago. I know I was still teaching science and I had just bought a new Jeep.

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2. What 5 things are on my to-do list today? a. Work in my yard; b. Water my veggie garden; c. Help my mom pack; d. Help out at our church; e. Get ready for "girls night out"

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3. What snacks do I enjoy? Oh dear........ this is really bad but here goes.....potato chips, brownies with walnuts, oranges, and chichen salad on crackers

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4. Things I would do if I were a billionairess: Well that's easy.....I'd give some to several research centers,(ie) cancer, heart, etc.; I'd give some to my grandfather's chartered 55 center; I'd give some to the school that I taught at for soooooooo very long; and finally I'd build a place for the "wackies" to live in our old age.

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5. Places I have lived: Palestine Dallas Austin Plum Creek

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If you read this post and would like to participate, please do. Just copy the questions, make a link back to me on your post and have fun with it.

Odd Star

Take a package or so of your favorite Nickel Squares, add double 2 1/2 inch corner squares of black or a comparable tone-on-tone.

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Sew the smaller squares to opposite corners of the larger squares.

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If you stitch an eighth inch away from your original stitch line, you will get bonus half square triangles.

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Cut, press and trim.

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When you arrange the larger squares, you will get this effect. Granted it isn't finished yet but I'm getting there.

It's Here!

My package arrived today.......Notice the windblown hair.....I ran out to the mailbox and zipped back to the house...I was so excited.

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My girlfriend, Maree and I are exchanging fabrics from your countries (12X12 inch pieces),,,....We were so excited to do this, just like two little school girls planning a sleepover. Above are the pictures of me getting her package and showing the wonderful things off. Note the pretty fabrics. I think some of them are sort of Retro but may not......Love Them!!! Look at the pouch that Maree stitched my name on....(love it) The girl has talent for sure. Then there's the Homespun Quilting Magazine from Australia, (I love these mags because they have soooo much interesting stuff to do and read) "Our Garden" pattern from Country Cottage Collection, a "box" of buttons (which "wacky" has been talking to Maree about my box fetish????); and lots more. We can't wait for the next exchange....so stay tuned everyone!

Texas Wine Block Contest

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Recently, me and a few of my "Wacky" friends decided to enter the contest about Texas Wines sponsored by TDA - Texas Department of Agriculture. Now mind you, I love wine but didn't realize until this contest, how many wineries there are in Texas. Needless to say, it was truly a learning experience for me. My block was fun because I love the simplicity of it, loved working with the colorful fabrics, loved the brainstorming process (this is a throwback from teaching kids) and I especially loved that several of my friends participated as well. There's fertile soil in Texas, folks. For more information about our Texas Wine Country, visit TDA real soon.

So Juvie

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I know, I know.....look at the juvenile colors.....not me, you say.....well I thought so as well. But I had purchased the two main fabrics years ago with nothing in mind other than I like them. Of course I only bought 1 yrd. cuts so the block choices were limited. I chose the "stack-n-slash" method so that I could get a good blending of all the colorful fabrics. As I finished the quilt and turned to thoughts of the border, all I had left was a couple of pieces of the striped fabric....I had seen several quilts that finished with unequal borders or off centered borders so I took those ideas and ....WaLa! I named the quilt "So Juvie" because it reminded me of something a pre-teen to teen would appreciate.

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Here is another embroidery pattern from my new Janome.......I'm thinking about making another quilt.