Postcards & Apologies

Hello all! This is just a quick post to thank my good friends Marie and Vicki for the beautiful postcards. Sorry, no pics at this time but trust me, the cards are great. I want to apologies for "not" visiting everyones' blogs lately. Just when I think I have some time set aside, something happens which needs my immediate attention or someone comes by or calls or asks me to do something that is very time consuming. I have a feeling that alot of you all know how that is. Please hang in there, I'll get back to my old self sooner or later.......LOL

The Navy

This emblem is, so far, the hardest. Those little letters measuring 3/4" tall nearly did me in. I traced and cut those babies out in two sittings. I still need to add 2 flags and then need to find a background and do the outlining on the ship's sails. (The shiny background that you see is a wonderful pressing sheet I use when working with Steam-a-Seam) I am not complaining because this has been a great learning experience as well as exercise for my fingers.

Honest/Scrap & FabulousAward

My good friend, Molly, has honored me with an award who name is Honest Scrap which is slightly scary. But, I'll willing to give it a try. The only rule is that I reveal 10 facts about myself that I haven't necessarily shared with anyone. 1. I always wanted a sister to laugh and play with and giggle with until mom said "go to sleep" 2. I always wanted to be a housewife. I never wanted to work, although I don't regret teaching for a moment. 3. I wish I knew more about this fast moving computer age with blogging, twittering, widgets and what'sits. This is one time that I really see the generation gap. 4. I always wanted to travel overseas or go around the world but now that I am able to.......I really don't want to anymore.....Weird but true. 5. Even though I never had children, two wonderful boys & now men, wandered their way into my life and made my life richer. I'm very proud of the men they have become. And I'm really happy that I'm a GoGo (grandma). 6. I am afraid of firing a gun. In fact, just folding a gun makes me ill. This is strange because I'm a Texan & all of my relatives proudly own, carry, hunt and shoot weapons regularly. 7. Now that I'm retired, I need to organize my time better because at this point, I mess off half the day doing nothing other than bird watching, which I enjoy immensely but I do have other responsibilities that I avoid at all costs. 8. I'm very happy to be 53 years old. I know that some of us don't want to think about or admit our ages but to me, it feels so good to know that I've made it to retirement. I have excellent girlfirends and a hobby that we share. The girls don't know this, but I really love them and can't wait to talk to or see them. Talking is usually on a daily basis but I still look forward to the evening chats. 9. I think about my weight alot, keep a running tap when I weigh but then, I'll turn right around and eat a whole pecan pie. Go figure! 10. When all is said and done, I truly love my life, my family and my Wacky girlfirends. Some people want to go back in life or call back 20 years and start from a certain age. If I were given that opportunity, I can honestly say, I wouldn't go back. All that I am, all that I've done to get me to this point is the sum of me and I'm happy with that. I'm truly blessed. Now, I must list 5 addictions..........this is going to be very easy! 1. Reading romance novels 2. Quilting/Embroidering 3. Eating Pecan Pie 4. Shopping for fabric that I don't need 5. Blogging/Checking my E-mail And now to tag 5 luck bloggers: Betsy Cindy Lani Molly Sharon

Army Emblem

The next block in my patriotic quilt is the Army emblem. I use a light box and of course, Steam-a-Seam adhesive. Notice my picture is turned face down on the light box so that I can trace the letters from that side, along with the eagle and other symbols. After choosing the fabric for the center circle, I cut and glued them in place using an adhesive ironing mat so that only the things I want will stick. It is easy to manipulate the pieces when they are in sections. Using the light box under the black fabric is a great aid in the placement of the letters and stars. And this is the outcome. This emblem is alittle pale so I used a touch of gray to give it some depth. This block took about 4 hours from start to finish. (12 1/2" X 12 1/2")

Air Force Emblem

Several of my blogger friends have left warm comments about my previous post. I failed to explain how I did the lettering. I went to a copy shop and had the emblem enlarged so that I could work with in on a light-box. I have a small one but if you don't have on, use a portable light under a glass table or under a plastic container.........I've done both. Turn your enlargement face down on light-box so that the letters appear in reverse, trace onto Steam-a-seam or whatever bonding adhesive you have. Once this is done, adhere to fabric and cut out so that when you are ready to place, the letters are turned the correct way. I also, used this method what making the eagle and shield. I will stitch straight around the letters and the rest......much later....LOL......Hope that helps.

Air Force

I am so proud of this block. It's the insignia for the Air Force. It's a little on the folkart side but I really like it. This is going in my patriotic challenge quilt that the "wackies" are doing this year. Hopefully, I'm make the other 3 insignias as quickly as this one got done.

I used Steam-a-Seam, which I live by for keeping things in place. I'll be stitching the pieces down at our next retreat.

(12 1/2" X 12 1/2")

Inaugural Day 2009

I have attempted to embed some "youTube" clips to chronicle this road to the White House as I saw it. So, please mute my sidebar music and see through my eyes for a few minutes, if you please. Today, January 20, 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. And as I watched this process for the tenth time in my lifetime, I was both excited and somber. Excited because history was being made, that we now have an African American as President for the first time in history and somber because for the first time in history, we have an African American as our President. I thought long and hard about this post, wanting to keep my celebration private with family members but also wanting to share my happiness with friends. When I was a girl in elementary school, we sang each morning, without fail, My Country Tis of Thee, America the Beautiful, This Land is Your Land, God Bless America. Those songs and my parents teachings instilled in me a strong patriotism and love for our country, its many diverse peoples, even though I could not receive all that my country offered at that time. I have to tell you, I still tear up when I here the Star Spangled Banner and get chills when I hear the nation's band play Hail to the Chief. I have never wavered in my love and belief in America and its people. I have clung to the words of President John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jesse Jackson, who had to put aside his pride & ego and accept what our new century's people are saying. That we have to grow & get past the past. That we are becoming a better America truly one nation, under God. I live in a country where I can speak freely of that which I believe strongly, standing shoulder to shoulder with another who may be against that of which I speak. And, you know, I'm alright with that. It's the American way, our differences and the things in which we are so very similar make us stronger. My deepest sorrow about our new President is that some will view him as "the black man" who became president instead of just a man with great character and intellect who became president. It shouldn't be relevant but sadly it is. I am going to give President Obama the same chance to prove himself that I gave Presidents Johnson, Ford, Nixon, Reagan, Carter, Bush, Clinton and Bush. After all the fanfare and hoopla, that's when his work and our work begins. The last thing I wish to say to all, "My hand is ready and I extend it lovingly."

Naughty Molly-BOTM

The title is apropos in honor of my good friend, Molly, who knows that I can't resist certain things like a BOTM challenge. I'm already involved in "2"! But thanks to Molly, I've now decided to take on another. The next time Molly e-mail's me, I am not going to open it........LOL...."Don't look Ethel"(private joke) This BOTM is really great because it has one theme which is Bird Houses. The houses come in two sizes for two different house per month. The site provides wonderful and clear instructions, as well. The year is young. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this!

Laughin' Out Loud

If you want to laugh your troubles away, pop over to Becks and enjoy her mouse story.

A Tisket, A Tasket

This lovely little block (7 1/2" X 9 1/2") is another BOTM. Molly put us onto this one.

It went alot faster to put together. About an hour and a half tops. I used Steam-a-Seam adhesive, then satin stitched around everything. All I need to do now is put some embellishments where the leaves are but I can't make up my mind. The design called for a heart in the middle and buttons on either side.

Country Calendar

My good friend Kathy challenged the "Wackies" to participate in a Block Of The Month. I spelled that out because if any of you are like me, it took several months of pondering what BOM or BOTM meant. Duh! Anyway, the block above is from THIS site and was really easy to make. The hardest part was choosing the fabrics. (6 1/2" X 8 1/2")

I'm excited about this project. Join in the fun and get a possible future Christmas gift out of it.

You're a Winner

First, I'd like to welcome the new "Followers" to my blog and to thank every "Follower" who participated in my first "Monthly Embroidery Give-Away".....Boy was that a mouth full....And now what you've all been waiting for.......drum roll, please.

And the winner is................HOLLY!

Funny story here.....I ran over to my neighbor's house and had him to draw a name from the "hat".........Of course he wanted to know what in the world I was doing. I tried to explain but he isn't into computers and certainly not blogging. So there I stood in the cold blowing wind, it's dark and I'm in the middle of a pasture surrounded by very large cows.....not funny and not a pretty picture, let me tell you.

What I wouldn't do for my blog supporters.......LOL.

So, congratulations Holly. E-mail me your address & I'll mail the package out by Monday.

Remember everyone, I'll be giving away an embroidery design that I've stitch out at the beginning of each month. Wait until you see what's for February. You need only to be a follower of my blog and leave a comment on the give away post. Easy as pie.

B D C = Star

I know that my title is cryptic but if caught your attentions, didn't it?

My good friend, Belinda did a great tutorial over at her blog on how-to make an easy star, I left a comment about it and she challenged me to get busy and make one for myself.

When some of my company finally left, I was able to sit down and make one. Belinda, I love this method. I'll need a little more practice but I think I'm hooked.

If you'd like to try this method, hop on over to Belinda's blog, read up on the method and if you are like me, I can't remember anything......print out a copy of her method......hehehehehehehe........great trick.

Slump Over

Hello everyone. It seems like ages since I've blogged. The holidays are over and I've got plenty of time to do what I want but couldn't get myself in gear for anything. But my slump is over with this "Split Nine Patch" quilt that I'm working on. I was surfing the "net" and saw the block and was immediately intrigued because it seems to be easy and quick. So I set my Janome to work on my black/white challenge, which I cannot show at this time, and began choosing, ironing, cutting fabrics. By 5PM I had all 16 blocks put together. I like this design but I'll play with placement for awhile longer before I finish putting it together.

The drawing for that wonderful embroidered horse is closing fast. Saturday is the deadline to leave a comment on the previous post plus be a Ravelly Follower to be eligible.

Monthly Followers' Give-Away

Hello Ravelly1 Followers!

Boy do I have something special for one luck "Follower." Since I love give-aways, plus, I love to experiment on my Janome 11000 and I have quite a lot of unfinished blocks (not in a quilt), I decided to have a special give-away each month for the people who follow my blog.

The first give away is this wonderful "horse" design (6" X 10") and a fat quarter to compliment it.

The only requirements are: (1) you are featured as a "Follower" on my sidebar and (2) you leave a comment on this post. Simple and very easy. So come on, join in the fun. Follow me!

The drawing will take place at the end of the week.

And The Winner Is.....

G'G'ma ................Congratulations. "E" me your mailing info and I'll get the windmill to you.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Shhhhh! Alrighty then. I cooked 2 pies for New Year's day. An apple pie and a pecan pie. The apple pie is for whoever drops by but the pecan pie is for me. Yes, I said it.......for me. I absolutely love pecan pie, especially the hot, gooey pecans after they've cooked so long. The taste is indescribable. See how happy I look knowing that as soon as I post, I'll cut myself a large slice and savoy it. I don't cook these very often and as you can imagine, if I did, I'd weigh a ton....LOL.........So, let's keep this between us. The boys and their families don't have to know about it. My mom doesn't have to know, either. After all, there's still the apple pie for everyone else.

Happy New Year Everyone!

A toast to the wonderful past year and a new beginning for 2009! I don't do resolutions because it's hard to live up to them.......LOL......but I will say that I look forward to the swaps and challenges that I've entered and to those I'll probably join during the year. Toni (Mini-Booty Swap), Valerie (Apron Swap), Brenda (Postcard swap) and Jackie (Black/White Challenge) have been great hostesses and inspirations to me. The new swap that I'm participating in is sponsored by Holly. It's a magazine swap. Magazines such as quilting, knitting, to name a few are what this swap is about. There's still time to get in on the fun. "I can do this, I can do this," I keep telling myself. And you know, I can! My accomplishments of 2008 are my sewing log total for the year is 333 1/2 sewing hours roughly. I was very happy that Kathy suggested the log. It really helped me to sew or embroider when I was in a slump. I have gotten loads of good natured teasing about my little "crazy cat" so I'm changing him for something a little more non-spooky......LOL.....because I want to continue to keep up with the hours I sew. I've finished the tops to s e v e r a l challenges that the "Wackies" put on, learned to use my new Janome 11000 and of course and I did get 2 pincushions made. BTW, there's still time to enter that challenge on the WP blog. Plus, if you're feeling a little "wacky," join the Wannabees. They are a great group of ladies who really know how to have fun! Finally, I am learning day by day the ins and outs of blogging. I must tell you that I'm very proud to be able to "link" to a blog, link to other posts within my blog (Notice the word "several" in the above paragraph. Each letter is a link to a previous post), upload pictures, move things around and place "widgets" on my blog. I've still got loads to learn but that's part of the fun. I looking forward to this new year. Take care, everyone!