Sandy's Sew Clever

Getting back into the swing of things.

2012-02-02T08:19:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I blogged and sewn anything for that matter. Well, I'm here to tell you I'm back to both. I don't know got into me, but, I've been sewing, sewing, sewing. (don't tell anyone,but, I'm loving it).
I was able to demonstrate improv quilting to our guild last week, so, needless to say, I had to get some examples ready. Now have the start of 4 more quilts. It was really fun sharing one of my favorite ways to quilt. I did notice some deer in the headlights looks from the traditional quilters in the group. I could just hear them thinking to themselves, "What the heck is this stuff? What, no pattern!!! This just looks like a big mess!!! Oh my, that color is just too bright and wild for me!!! I do have to say, I did get a kick out it. Nothing like shocking a few people ever now and then. (I seem to do this on a daily basis.)
I have some pics, but, I don't know how to download them to my new laptop, so, when I figure it out, I will share.
One other thing I'm looking forward to is, I get to teach a workshop on paper piecing in April. Can't wait. Better get busy and make some demo blocks and brush up on my PP skills. (again, pics will follow).
Oh, yea, I'm also taking part in a block swap with Tulsa Modern Quilt Guild. We are making 10 blocks each month and then swap them to come up a one of a kind quilt. Just finished up 6 of them yesterday, 4 to go.
Oh, yea, one more thing. Our guild is doing a pizza box quilt for the next 8 months, and, YES, I'm going that one too!
WOW, I've gone from 0 to full throttle in 60 seconds.
Life is good. Sewing is fun. Sharing is great!!!!

(I'll try the pics later, keep finger crossed I can figure it out)

Winning..........Winning..........Winning

2012-01-16T06:41:00.000-06:00

It's hard to believe it was 11 years ago this month I was told I had Cancer.

Seems so long ago, yet, like yesterday. Talk about turning your world upside down, inside out and back again. They (the Doctors) put me through the ringer and pushed my body and soul to the limit. Being cut from stem to stern, 3 times, radiation, once, chemo 3 times and can't tell you how many CT's, MRI's, PET scans I've had. I've been poked, prodded and scoped for a life time over the past 11 years. But, I made it, don't know how, chances were not in my favor, that's for sure. Guess the big "C" just didn't know who it was messing with. I found out just how strong and stubborned I could be. I WON!! Winning!!!! (little Charlie Sheen humor). I WON again 8 years ago when the Cancer came back. Winning!!! And, I WON, yet again, 5 years ago, when they found the bladder Cancer. Winning!!!! (got to love Charlie).
So, according to all the Medical texts and all the Cancer info out there, after 5 years, and, NO sign of the ugly little "C" (@#%$), you are considered......
CANCER FREE!!!!!!!!
Let's have a party!!!!!!!
Thanks to all the prayers, good wishes, great friends, and, an amazing family, I'm still here.

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

2011-12-31T17:16:00.000-06:00

Another year is just about over and in the record books.

Saying farewell to an old friend, 2011. Memories burned

into my brain, some good, some not so good. But each one

amazing, and, each one makes me who I am.

A brand new beginning just around the corner.

So, Goodbye 2011!!!

Cheers to 2012.

Here's to a new year full of surprises.

A year full of Love.

A year sharing with Family and Friends.

A year filled with Fun and Laughter.

A year of nothing but Good Health.

A year Learning, Doing, and, Sharing.

A year of New Adventures.

New Places to Explore.

New Quilts.

Lots of New Fabric.

Posting more on my Blog.

Good Food.

You get the picture!!!!

My wish to each of you:

May God Bless you, your family and

may he keep you safe and well for 2012.

Here comes 2012, ready or not!!!

Where have I been??

2011-09-18T11:55:00.003-05:00

Now that's a good question, and, thanks for checking on me.
It's been one whale of a rollercoaster ride these past couple of months.
Lets see if I can fill you in a bit.
No, I haven't dropped off the edge of the earth, even though a couple of
times I wish I could. All is OK, or, will be OK, here in Skiatook, OK.
Sadley, I haven't been quilting too much, but, I am sure hoping that is going
to change really quick. (It can't get much slower, or, there will be NO quilting
and I sure don't want that!!)
I've had a couple of little health scares, but, ALL IS GREAT, thank goodness. That
slowed me down a bit, and it's been hard getting back into the swing of things.
Like I said, that should change soon. Our car club wants me to do a couple of
t-shirt quilts for an auction in December, this should get me motivated!!!
Since I last blogged, I am now the Pres of our Owasso Quilting Guild, don't tell
anyone, but, I'm really have fun doing it. Our board has come up with some really
great and fun things for our members and I can't wait to get them started. It's
a good thing!!!!
The other major thing we have delt with, and, still dealing with, is the death of hubby's
Mom. It was pretty much of a shock and a pretty big blow to his family. She had been
in and out of the Hospital since April, but, never could figure out what was wrong.
When they did, it was pretty much too late. David and his brother are working on
getting the house and car ready to sale and trying to make sure all the paperwork
is in order and the bills are paid. Have to tell you, this has not be a fun time for David,
but, he's doing good and taking care of business.
So, now you know what's been going on around here, (the short and sweet version),
life is trying to get back to normal, but, since that's one thing I have never been,
(normal), it might take me longer than most. lol
Again, thanks so much for checking in on my world, it means a great deal to me
that I have such great friends, and, quilting buddies.
I promise you, I will try to post more often and get to sewing so I have something
to post about.

FINISHED (almost)

2011-05-24T12:24:00.002-05:00

Just have a couple more blocks to go here! FINISHED QUILT TOP.........YEAH!!!!!

View from the floor.
Finished top on design wall.
Too Cool!!!!!

So, now WHAT???

I still have to add the boarder and get it quilted

before I can really celebrate.

Doing the happy dance.

You got a love Maxine

2011-05-21T11:14:00.003-05:00

I found this and just had to pass it on.

It says it ALL.

As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon, before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read, quilt, or play on the computer until 4A.M., then sleep till noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60's, 70's, and 80's, and if at the same time, I wish to weep over lost loves, I will do so.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, dive into the waves with abandon, (if I choose to), despite the pitying glances from the younger jet set.
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But, there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved on, or when you see a child suffer, or, even when your beloved pet dies? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray, to have my youthful laughs be forever itched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore.
I've earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer to your question, I like getting older. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but, while I am here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.
I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).

Day 3 Progress Report

2011-05-18T21:24:00.003-05:00

Well, nothing to report on the quilt. Bummer
Today, I did nothing but CLEAN!!!
Ok, I did manage to put (ALL) my new fabric on
mini bolts and get them hidden before
Hubby got home!!!

I sure hope your day was a lot more fun than mine.

Tomorrow

Sewing, Sewing, Sewing.

Row Three..Completed

2011-05-17T20:46:00.004-05:00

Row three completed.

Row four started.

Progress

2011-05-16T13:49:00.012-05:00

I've been a little unmotivated, (OK, a LOT), here lately. But, that's
about to change!!!!! I have so many UFQ's (unfinished quilts) around
here, it's about to drive me wild. Not that that has slowed me down on
adding to my stash, can't seem to pass up a GREAT sale and
some really GREAT fabric.

LQS had another sale this weekend, prices starting at $1.99 a yard.
I came home with a couple a new fabrics and a few new trinkets.

I love FABRIC!!!!!!

So, for the rest of this month (we will see just how long this lasts)
I am going to post pictures of any and all progress I make getting
my stach of UFQ's completed.

The other reason I am doing this, is, so you guys can give me
a hard time if I don't get anything done each day.
I am counting on your comments to keep me motivated.
(I need all the help in the world to get me moving)

Progress May 16
I have the second row sewn.
I've cleaned up my sewing area.
Set up my new sewing table.
I'll have pics of that later.

Here's the finial design for Prozac
(I'm not tearing it apart again, this is it)

Where have I been?????

2011-05-11T13:49:00.004-05:00

Well, that's a good question. I'm still here and I'm
STILL working on the Prozac quilt.
YES, you read correct!!!
Not really sure why this quilt is giving me such fits, but, it is.
Things happens when you don't have a
pattern, and, you have no idea what you're doing.
But, hey, that's the way I do things.
I love surprises!!

So far, I have sewn it together 6 times and,
I have ripped it apart, 6 times!
I have gone through enough thread and time, to make
a world of quilts. Here are a couple of my rip outs.

This one looks good, but, just not wild enough.
This one was wild enough, but, still not there yet.

A little too traditional.

I'm now about 1/2 of the way finished with version 7,
and, I'm really liking this one. Sorry, no picture of
my progress on my LAST and FINAL version.
(I don't want to jinks it)

Other than a lot of rip and tear, things around
here are going pretty good. Wow, this is the
first time the rip and tear is with fabric and
not one of the rooms in the house.
(that makes Hubby a happy Hubby)

Thanks, you guys, for contacting me and letting me
know it's past time for me to update my blog.
It's alway nice to know you're missed once in a while.

p.s. don't forget to leave a comment, I love reading them.

Progress Report on Prozac Quilt.

2011-03-20T19:11:00.004-05:00

Well, this is what I played with this weekend.

I'm liking the strips in between the blocks.

All the half square triangle's and additional flowers.

For those that aren't sure what I'm talking about, it's the

little blocks in between the big blocks that fill the gaps

and covers the white on the design board.

Got it?????????? lol

Still have a lot more strips to make and 5 more blocks to make, (I think),

then on to putting it all together.

I still don't know how I'm going to do it, but, I'm sure I'll have fun trying.

So, what do you think?????

Looking more and more like a jig saw puzzle or

one of those puzzles you have to fill in the blanks.

I love it!!!!

Where have I been?????

2011-03-14T16:04:00.006-05:00

As you can tell, I'm not really good at sitting down and posting.

Guess I have a lot to catch up from my last post.

I noticed it was Feb. 7Th, shame on me!

Check out my new toy!

Comic Book Boards. Yes, Comic Book Boards!

I'm sure you are asking yourself, what does Comic

Book Boards have to do with Quilting???

A LOT!!!

They are perfect for mini fabric bolts.

You get 100 boards per package for $9.95.

I got mine from the Comic Store at 71st and Mingo,

(In Tulsa), but, I'm sure there other locations.

This is what part of my stash looks like now!
(just getting started)

Don't you just love how organized it looks?

I do!!!

This is in the office area.

David said it looked like I was starting a fabric shop.

We won't tell him about my private stash I have

hidden in my closet, Will We!!!!

Keep in mind, I'm not finished YET.
As a matter of fact, David found a large tote full

of fabric (I forgot I had) while he was cleaning the garage.
This is in my hall closet. Overflow. lol
Now on to my project updates.
This is what I have finished so far on my Prozac quilt.
Still not sure how I am going to sew it together, but,
I have a couple of tricks up my sleeve.
(just hope they work)

A couple of weeks ago, I took a Fabric Art class from

an amazing Fabric Artist, Candace (sorry I forgot her last name)

that spoke at the Tulsa Guild. She is a great teacher, she has

amazing ideas and she thinks outside the box. My kind a lady!

We were told to bring fabric, a LOT of fabric, and a picture of

our inspiration. I picked Poppies. Not just any Poppies,

my Mom's Poppies!

My Niece painted a picture for me a couple of Christmas's

ago of Mom's Poppies (forgot to take a pic, I'll add it later)

called, Doris and Bill.

This is my interruption in fabric.

First step, cut a bunch of fabric.
Then, arrange them on muslin,
then, pin water soluble sulky on top.
Last step, go to town sewing all over it.

When you finish the sewing, soak it to remove

the sulky, dry it, and stretch it on canvas.

Step one and two.

Sewing finished.

Before it goes onto the canvas.

Finished and hanging on the wall.

Got to say, this ain't bad for someone who can't

even draw a stick person. Like I said, she was a

Great teacher!!!!!

Hope you enjoyed my catch up posting.

Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear from you.

Quilting on Prozac

2011-02-07T18:14:00.004-06:00

Remember these????

I thought a log cabin design with the flower in the middle would be pretty cool.

So, that's what I did, a simple log cabin block, so I thought!

This is what happens when you sew on Prozac!!!!!!

I read the warning on the bottle, Prozac bottle, and it said,

"do not operate heavy equipment".

Never thought my sewing machine was heavy equipment, I mean, I can pick it up.

I think I will stick to drinking wine while sewing from now on. lol

disclaimer: no fabric was harmed during sewing

operator (me) was not on Prozac, just crazy sewing.

Things you do when it Snows, and, Snows.....

2011-02-07T09:15:00.005-06:00

Well, it's been a week now that we have had snow (a LOT of snow) on the ground.

Bad news, more snow, anywhere from 4 to 10 inches tomorrow and Wednesday!
(don't you love the gap they are giving?)

Don't know how your town/city takes care of snow removal, but, here in Oklahoma, Tulsa to be exeact, we are not prepared for this much snow. Our roads are bad!!! David had to get an MRI Saturday, so, I taged along to get out of the house. The main Highway's were in good shape, but, all the others, not so great! All I could think about was, this is not good for someone that had to get to a hospital having a baby. Not only would it take you a while, but, a short drive on the major bumpy roads, that baby didn't stand a chance making it there.

I did find out, as of Friday, 3 babies were born in cars on the way to the Hospital.

Now, that's a story to tell your Grandkids.

But, there is good news, or at least for me! Since we, David and I, were in Tulsa anyway, on Saturday, thought I would have me run my by The Quilt Sampler. They just happen to be having a Super Bowl Fabric Sale. Everything in the shop was 25% off, everything! They also had FQ's (fat quarters) $1.00 each if you purchased 10 or more (not a problem) and there clearance fabric was $2.99 a yard (again, not a problem, lol) So, since David was going to busy with his MRI and I would have just sat there, I let him leave me at the Quilt Shop.

Don't you like it that I LET him leave me?

Wow, two + hours stuck in a Quilt Shop, what was I do? What would you do?

I did what any fabric collector would do, I had a BLAST!!!!

The ladies at the shop (most I knew from our guild) were getting a kick out of me, guess I looked liked a kid running wild in the toy isle. I found a few, 10, FQ's, that looked good, they off to the clearance section. Low and behold, Amy Butler's Love fabric in the clearance $2.99 a yard. Before I got excited, I had to make sure I was seeing right, so, I asked, and Yes, it was correct. Don't know if any of you purchase Amy's fabric, but, $2.99 a yard is un heard of. So, I started loading up my cart, yeap, cart, they found me my own cart to use. lol Then on my second pass, I called my Sister-in-law and niece, who loves Amy's fabric, to see how much they wanted. Check, add more to the cart. Then I found some batiks, Tina Givens, Michael Miller, free sprit and, well face it, I found it all!

I ended up with close to 60 yards of fabric, Accuquilt cutting pad, and a new book.

So, all I have to say now is:

Let it Snow!!!!

This is my haul

The small bag is my Niece's and Sister-in-laws fabric

This is the one yard pileTwo yard pile

Three yard pile, mostley Amy Butler
Hey, a girls got a do, what a girls got a do!!!!

Sneak Peak and Snow

2011-02-02T08:32:00.005-06:00

I'm having way too much fun!!!

Here's a little sneak peak at what I'm playing with now.

Can you guess what it is????

I am sure hoping someone guesses, because, I don't know

what I'm doing!!!!

But, I'm having a lot fun playing and can't wait

to see what and how it turns out.

The Blizzard of 2011
in Skiatook, Ok

This out our front door, needless to say
we aren't going anywhere to soon!
Just to give you an idea how deep it is,
there are bushes under there, somewhere!!
About a 2 1/2 to 3 foot snow drifts. FUN!!
This is the view out the back.
Isn't that pretty???
Note the snow up to the benches just
beyond the tree. They look like they are
level with the ground. NOT.

This will give you a better sense of the snow.
Check out the snow drift. It's up to the door handle!!
Guess we won't be getting into there for a while.

These next pictures crack me up.
Josie, our youngest Rat Terrier LOVES the snow.
She gets out there and just has a blast. I didn't get a
picture of her playing in it, but, a couple of times
she disappeared and all you could see was her tail.
Here she is looking out the front window like a
little kid begging to go out.

Well, that's it for now. I will try to get more

pictures of both my new project and of the

dogs playing in the snow later.

Thanks for checking out my blog and please,

leave me your comments. I love to hear from you.

p.s. if you leave a comment and want me to respond,

leave me a way to that.

See ya!

I'm Flattered

2011-02-01T18:00:00.007-06:00

Special message for Stacy and Brooke...

OK, this message is for Stacy and Brooke who left me comments

about the quilts I did for Ashley (Under the Sycamore), my niece.

You did find Aunt Sandy (ME), and, thanks so much for your

comments and requests regarding my quilts.

I am flattered and excited others

enjoy my quilts as much as I do.

I tried to get back in touch with the two of you, BUT, I don't

have your email addresses, so, no response.

Sorry.

I would love to chat with you regarding your requests,

all I need is a way to contract you.

So, if you (Stacy and Brooke) leave another comment here,

with your email address, I will make sure it does

not get published. It will for my eyes only.

Again, thanks so much for checking out my blog,

(nothing like Ashley's), but, it's fun.

Sandy aka Aunt Sandy

Passing it on....................

2011-01-20T18:31:00.008-06:00

My blog got an award!!!!!

(I am doing the Happy Dance)

My friend, Darlene, over at Sew Much Beauty, passed

the Stylish Blog Award to me.

Too cool. Thanks Darlene.

Make sure you go and check out her blog and

some of her amazing quilts.

So, what's the Stylish Blog Award all about, well, let me tell you.
There are two rules that comes with the award:

1. You have to pass the award on to 8 of your favorite blogs.
2. You have to share 8 things about yourself that others
might, or, might not know about you.

So, here goes.
1. I asked my husband to marry me on our second date.
(6 months later we were married, that was 16 years ago.)
2. I am the youngest of three children.
(they saved the best for last.)
3. I love to tear down walls and rebuild them.
(which you can tell by my postings)
4. I am a licenced Cosmetologist.
(you wouldn't know this by my hair)
5. I am a certified Floral Arranger.
(the wilder the design the better)
6. I sold Real Estate.
(another licence)
7. I do upholstery.
8. My nickname from my Nieces, Crazy Aunt Sandy.
(I know that's not a surprise to anyone that knows me)

Now, for my 8 of my favorite blogs:
1. Melody at Fibermania
2. Vesuviusmana at My Patchwork Life
3. Wanda at Exuberant Color
4. Karrie at Freckled Whimsy
5. Terry at Studio 24-7
6. Carl at 3 Dog Design Inc
7. Vivian at Whistle Stop Quilts
8. Rosy at Everything Rosy

Well, there you have it for today. I really, really hope you
take the time to check out each one of my picks for
the Stylish Blog Award.

I know a lot of you read blogs, but, never leave or
post a comment (I am guilty too), so, if you would
please take a moment, leave a comment. I would
love to hear from you.
Thanks for checking out my blog and here's
hoping you have a great and blessed day.

Hembree Christmas part 2

2011-01-06T21:15:00.007-06:00

Make sure you read the post after this one, it's part 1.

Then this post will make sense.

Wow, two posts in one day, that's a record for me.

Anyway, these are a couple more pictures that my Niece Ashley

emailed me today of our Christmas Dinner 2010.

I must admit, this combo of red's look pretty good.

I planned it that way. NOT

Not sure if you can read the date on the plate, Christmas 2001.
This is David's Christmas plate he picked out on one of our flea

market outings. But, for some reason this year,

my Brother got to the plate before David.

Ok, check out this picture and find the present one of my

Grand Nephew's left on the table. Can you find it????

Look just past the ham. Two cars, a yellow one and a red one.

Is that too cute, or, what?

Christmas at the Hembree's, Part 1

2011-01-06T15:49:00.005-06:00

Thought I would share a little bit of our family Christmas Dinner for 2010.

Christmas Dinner was at our house this year, so, that means,

family, food and a lot of CLEANING!

It cracks me up, we spend days cleaning the house,

putting things away, (should have been put away a long time ago),

cook ALL DAY, set down to eat, (30 mins tops),

then clean again for several DAYS!

But don't you LOVE it???? I DO!!!!

I will be the first to admit, I love cooking, I love to set a

fancy table, I love getting the GOOD out,

but, most of all, I love having my family around!

This year I wanted to do something different with my table

and place settings, so, where do you go for ideas?

Yep, the Internet!

I did some surfing, hung 10 (fingers on the keyboard)

and found just the right solution, instructions for

fancy napkin folding.

This is what I did with my linen napkins.

Is this the coolest thing you ever seen????

A Napkin SHIRT!!!!

My table before we added the food. Don't think you can tell,

but, every place setting has a different plate design, flatware

pattern and different chargers.

Dare to be different, dare to be original!

This is my Brother carving the Turkey, Carol, his wife,

making the gravy and if you look really close, you can see

my better side (my back side) on the right.

Talk about a mess, my poor kitchen. Wouldn't have it

any other way, this is a Good Thing!

Had to get a pic of the Pheasant Bowl with Lesley's
Cranberry Compote.

BEST buttermilk cornbread stuffing in the world!
Yum, yum!

Ashley's green bean casserole.

What was left of the Smoked Ham.

Lesley's Baked Sweet Potato's.

Well, that's our Christmas Dinner 2010.

We had a great time, ate way too much and had

way too much fun.

While the grownup's (some of us) were in the Kitchen

slaving over the hot stove, the kids were in the living

room playing Wii.

Oh, to be a kid again.

Wait, I am a kid!!!

OK, not a real kid, but, after dinner the BIG kids had

their turn on the Wii. Not sure which group, the little

kids, or the BIG kids, had more fun.

Well, I'm off to see what kind of trouble I can get into.

So, here's hoping you and your family had as much

fun as ours did and

may 2011 be the best year yet.

Busy, Busy Day. I had too much fun!

2010-12-20T16:02:00.004-06:00

First off, I got a lot finished today, but, it was not all work. I did PLAY!

Just had to share my Spider Solitaire screen. If you haven't played it

you should, it's a good mind bender.

Anyway, to the picture. If you notice the bottom of the screen, it shows

60 cards left to deal, this is what I did on the first deal. I moved all the

cards from the hidden stacks and still have 60 cards to deal. It might

not be a big deal for you, but, for me, it was a first. I love this game.

I finished another project in the living room.

I couldn't leave these window treatments up after I recovered my funky

chair, they don't match. lol
Thought I would throw in a picture of my Christmas Tree.

(notice the window treatment?)
Another pic of the treatments.

This is my mess and the beginning of the NEW

window treatments. Yes, they are really, really

long and I am doing them all in one piece.

(not the best idea, but, it worked)

Another pic of the tree.

Got to say, It's looking good!!!

Just have a few more pillows to add and this

room will be finished. (for now!)

I also did a bit of candy making today. My chore each

year is making fudge, 3 or 4 batches of fudge!!!

If I didn't make my fudge, I would be ran out

of town on the back of a horse.

My nieces would dis-own me.

My Sister-in-Laws Dad, would never

speak to me again, and my waistline

wouldn't be able to expand. lol
(Don't tell them, but, I love making fudge)

I also made a pot of Navy Beans for dinner, yum, yum!

All that's left to do, buttermilk cornbread.

In between all that, I did find time to make a pillow

for my funky chair.

I don't know about you, but, I'm TIRED!!!

Sandy's At It Again!!!

2010-12-15T08:59:00.004-06:00

Just a little update on what's been going on around the house these days.

If you know me, or, have been following my blog, you had to figure out

by now, I hate things to stay the same for very long. I love change, and

I love to tear things apart and put them back together again. One thing

is for sure, I am not one of the Kings Men in Humpty Dumpty,

I can put thing back together again. lol

So, what have I managed to ripe apart this time?

Remember this picture with Josie? Take a look at the chair behind her.

I love this chair! I know you can't tell in the picture, but, the back is

tufted, curved and higher on one side. It's my funky chair. I re-did

the chair about three years ago with the fabric in the pic. But, for

me, it just wasn't funky enough.......till now!

This is what I did to the chair, tore it down to the bare bones.

Josie must think this is her chair, wrong!!!

I did a lot of re padding and reinforcing. Not my favorite part,

but, it needed to be done.

Here's a peak at my new really, really, funky chair.
This is fabric I purchased from Fabric.com for only

$2.99 a yard! It's called Hot Flash!

I think I ordered most of what they had

left in all the patterns and colors in this line.

I love it!!!!!

This is the finished chair.

I LOVE IT!!!!!!

THIS IS SOOOOOO SANDY

Now, I am off and running to get window treatments,

and pillows finished to match my new chair.

Man, I love wild and crazy !!!!!

Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks

2010-11-24T15:09:00.003-06:00

Can't believe it's Thanksgiving already.

Where does the time go?

I am starting to believe that ole wives tale,

The older you get, the faster time goes.

So, since it is Thanksgiving, thought I would

share some to the things I'm thankful for.

First and foremost, my Family.

I'm so thankful my Dad is still with us to

enjoy the Holidays.

He gets my vote for Best Dad Award.

I still miss Mom,

but, she will always be with us in spirit.

I'm thankful for my Amazing husband, David,

that puts up with me no matter what!

I'm thankful to have a brother, Bob,

that's just as crazy as I am.

I'm thankful to have a Sister-in-Law,

Bob's better half, that's more like a

Sister, than a Sister-in-Law.

I'm thankful for Bob and Carol's two

daughter's , Ashley and Lesley.

I'm thankful I have had the chance

to watch them grow up and start

families of their own.

I'm thankful for my three Grand Nephew's

Corbett, Hudson and Everett.

I'm thankful for my two Grand Niece's

Breese and Pasley.

I'm thankful, I'm healthy.

I'm thankful I am still cancer free!!!

I'm thankful, I'm happy.

I'm thankful for my friends, old friends,

new friends and friends I may not

have met yet.

p.s. I'm thankful for Internet fabric stores.

I'm thankful for the Pumpkin Pies I

just took out of the oven. I can hear

them calling my name. Listen!

Sandy, I'm ready for whip cream

where are you????

Oh, yeah, almost forgot one,

I'm really thankful for buffet pants

this time of year. lol

(you know, the kind that EXPAND!)

I thankful you are still ready this.

Most of all,

I'm thankful, I'm ME.

OK, now that I have let you in on a few

of the things, I'm thankful for,

it's your turn.

Tell what you are thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you and your family

are as blessed as mine.

NaBloPoMo day..........who knows???

2010-11-23T14:32:00.005-06:00

Well, well, well.

I didn't make it very far with the NaBloPoMo, did I?

Well, I did my best, but, things happen. Besides, I don't have enough

to say to post each and every day. Do you?????

If you do, maybe you can give me some pointers.

Better yet, let me know what you would like

to see me post about.

(don't you love it when the tables are turned, lol)

Any who, all is well at the Hembree's house, both, David

and I are feeling a lot better and well on the road

to recovery. I hate it when he thinks he has to share

everything with me, including a nasty ole virus.

I guess that's what marriage is all about, sharing!

Check out this picture, this is all the stuff I scored at

Harbor freight. If you haven't gone there, you should.

It's one of my favorite places to shop, besides, Lowes.

This is all quilting stuff, yes, quilting!

The carpet cutters just happen to use 45mm

round blades, just what our rotary cutters use,

and there are two in each package. They also have

the replacement blades, but, they are back ordered

and won't get them till next year. But, get this, two

blades, plus the carpet cutter is only, $2.99. Rotary

cutter blades are $10+ for two blades! Didn't take

a genius to figure that out, thank goodness, or, I

would still be buying the expensive ones.

I also found the magnetic wrist band, great for

using while sewing, and the mini suction cup,

the little red thing, that's great for holding your

ruler in place while you cut. These things were so

much cheaper, and work just as well, as the stuff

you buy at the quilt stores. Now I have more money

to spend on fabric!!!!!!

Thought I would share a really sad moment with you guys.

This is me washing my Spiked with Color quilt for the first time.

By the time I took this picture, tears were running down my face.

It was sad, not to mention, scary!!! I wasn't sure what was going

to happen to it, or, if it would come back to me looking like it did

when it went into the washer. I couldn't stand watching it get covered

with water, I was drowning my quilt and there was nobody to save it.

After I splashed some cold water on my face and came to my senses,

I closed the washer lid and let it wash. I swore I could hear it scream,

you know like lobster's do when you cook them alive.

All I could do, was walk away.

Happy days are here again, the quilt made it!!!!

It did fade a bit, but, it came out all in one piece.

Guess what?????????

I'm sewing again. Yeah!!!!!

This is me quilting one of my UFQ's.

One down, 6, to go. But, at least I'm sewing!

Don't know why, but, this quilt took forever to get quilted.

I did the ole stitch in the ditch routine and as you can see,

there was a lot of ditches to stitch. I bet I turned this quilt

around and around and around a thousand times. The next

few quilts are going on the Flynn Frame for sure.

I love this picture (David not so much)

This is Josie, doesn't she look proud?

She got into the toilet paper and from

the looks of it, she had a blast!

Here's hoping this post made up for me not posting for a week.

Thanks for checking in to see what I've been up to,

see you later.

p.s. leave me a comment, they're free and I love hearing from you.

(besides, that's the only way I know someone is reading it.)

NaBloPoMo Day 13 and 14

2010-11-14T16:03:00.003-06:00

Sorry, no posts for a couple a days.

We are bit under the weather around here.

I will update the blog as soon as we are all

feeling better.

Here are a couple of pics of our Autumn tree

in our front yard.

Enjoy.

NaBloPoMo Day 12

2010-11-12T22:42:00.011-06:00

November 12Th, 1949

Doris Breese and William Corbett, my Mom and Dad

were married in Bentonville, AR.

Today would have been their 61st Wedding Anniversary.

We lost Mom a couple of years ago, but, Nov. 12th

will always be their anniversary.

Love you Dad

Love and miss you Mom

My Mom and Dad. 1949

Mom and Dad, a few years ago, with their youngest

Grand daughter, Lesley, on her wedding day.

Tried to find more pictures of Mom and Dad, but, no luck.

Just wanted to share a couple of the ones I found.

Have to say, they were one good looking couple.

NaBloPoMo Day 11

2010-11-11T21:02:00.002-06:00

Veteran's Day, November 11Th, 2010

I just wanted to take this opportunity to say,

Thank you, to each and every person

that has ever, or, will ever, serve

in The United States Armed Forces.

I get the chance to wake up in this amazing

place called, The United States of America,

because of you.

Not a day goes by that I don't give thanks

for all the freedoms each of you fought for,

so that could be possible.

The sacrifices you and your families make

each day to serve our country, will not, and

should not be taken for granted.

We, each and every one of us, would not

have, or enjoy, our Freedom, if it

were not for the brave men and women

who have, and continue to serve, our country.

May God bless you and keep you safe.

I will be the first person to stand up and

say how proud I am to be an American,

and for that, I will forever be grateful.

THANK YOU.

NaBloPoMo Day 10

2010-11-10T20:19:00.004-06:00

I've got some really, really good news!!!

I finished painting the bathroom today.

Happy Dance, Happy Dance, I'm doing the Happy Dance!

Get this, I had it painted before 8:00 a.m..

Yes, I said 8:00 a.m.!!!

David gets up at 4:30 a.m. and wakes me up,

and I can't seem to go back to sleep. So, since

I'm up, might as well get some stuff done.

I can always take a nap later. :)

Now all we have to do is get all the trim installed.

That's the easy part. lol

It is sooo cool!

I love it when a plan comes together

and you can sit back and enjoy all your hard work.

David, more or less, picked the colors, a medium latte'

for the upper half, a dark rusty color for the bottom half.

I will be the first to admit, he did a great job with the colors.

It looks amazing!!!

(pictures will follow, promise)

I ordered some fabric today from Fabric Depot that I

plan on using for art work in both the master bath

and bedroom. It's pretty wild, bold, colorful and out there.

Just the way I like it. I take after my Granny Taylor, she

loved bright colors and wild patterns. By the way,

she also quilted. I'll have to get some of her quilts

down and take some pictures to share with you.

As far as color and design, I think she was ahead of

her time. Sure glad she passed that gene on to me.

Thanks, Granny, your were the best!!!

There I go again, talking about bathrooms and end up

sharing about my family. It's a great family and I am

really proud to be a part of it, or could you tell?

NaBloPoMo day 8

2010-11-09T18:12:00.002-06:00

I can't believe it, but, I got some quilting done today.

HIP, HIP, HOORAY....

Doing some machine quilting on some of my UFQ's. I know, I was supposed

to have already finished all my UFQ's, but, NO, I get side tracked way too easy.

I think I am back on track, and ready to get some sewing and quilting done.

OK, that's easy for me to say, until the phone rings, I get carried away checking

out blog posts, or, the wind blows, and I am off doing something else.

That's life!!! Things happen.

Don't you just love it????

I do!!!!

NaBloPoMo Day 8

2010-11-08T21:30:00.002-06:00

I am going to have to admit, I have nothing to blog about today.

It was a typical Monday. It came and now it's going.

See you guys tomorrow.

NaBloPoMo Day 7

2010-11-07T20:01:00.002-06:00

OK, my blogger friends, have you sent your photo's to EM's blog yet?????

Why NOT???

(Check yesterday's posting for all the details.)

Where else on the internet can you win a quilt

for just showing one of your quilts?

NOT A, NO WHERE, NO HOW, but, on EM's blog.

So, let's get those photo's taken and sent in.

Then, leave me a comment, let me know you sent your pic's,

so, I can go check them out.

Don't forget to let her know, I sent you.

I just know the winner is going to come from one of my followers.

I can feel it in my bones!!!

NaBloPoMo Day 6

2010-11-06T19:37:00.005-05:00

It's Saturday Night and I ain't got no money........

(sorry, that's all I can remember of the song, but, it fits. lol)

Another great Saturday night with my wild and crazy family.

Hubby, David, got out the boiling pot and cooked us up a Shrimp Boil.

Ahhh Eeeee!!!!

Justin Wilson, how you all are, better look out, I've got me a Cajun cook.

The best part of a good Shrimp Boil, throwing it on the table and having at.

We all ate till we couldn't eat anymore, and then ate some more. Yummy!!!

I fixed, Grandma's Delight, better know as, Better than Sex, for desert, so, like I said,

we ate till we couldn't eat no more and still ate more.

Other than eating, I did get the other half of the bathroom painted.

Still needs a second coat, but, that will have to wait till Monday.

I also got in a little bit of sewing and machine quilting done

in between the painting and cooking.

All in all, it's was a pretty good day.

I hope you all got a chance to check out some of my

favorite blogs I had listed yesterday.

I know, if you check them out, you'll end up adding a couple to your favorites.

It's amazing how many talented quilters out there in cyber space that love to

share their talents with the rest of us.

So many blogs, not enough time!!!

I have one more blog for you to check out!!!

EM CELEBRATES
Don a quilt and U can win one, come play

Here is the link:

http://www.wonkyquilter.com/2010/11/don-quilt-and-u-can-win-quiltcome-play.html

It's am amazing blog and she is giving away one of her quilts as the prize!!

All you have to do is take a picture of you wrapped in one of your

favorite quilts and email it to enter.

If you have a blog, like mine, and put the link to her blog,

you get another entry.

Best of all, make sure you let her know I sent you and I get an extra entry.

So, please tell her Sandy at Sandy's Sew Clever sent you over.

That's the skinny of it, so, go to her blog and read all the details.

NaBloPoMo Day 5

2010-11-05T21:29:00.003-05:00

Not much to report today. No sewing, no painting, just on the phone all day talking with the Bank working out our refinancing loan. I HATE dealing with Banks, they think they are the only game in town and treat you like it too! Sad part, we have been with this bank for over 10 years, never, never late, pay extra payment every other month, and they still act like jerks.

Go figure, it's one of the Bank's that got the bail out money.

OK, sorry about that, just had to get it off my chest.

Enough ranting and raving and on to some good stuff.

Since, I don't really have anything to report, sewing wise, thought I would share some of my favorite blogs and let you check them out for yourselves.

Get ready to enjoy some amazing talent, and hopefully, get inspired.

http://3dogdesignco.blogspot.com/

http://afewscraps.blogspot.com/

http://www.amylouwho.com/

http://dontcallmebetsy.blogspot.com/

http://www.freckledwhimsy.com/

http://imagingermonkey.blogspot.com/

http://www.redpepperquilts.com/

http://sewmuchbeauty.blogspot.com/

http://straystitches1.blogspot.com/

http://studio24-7.blogspot.com/

OK, that's enough for one posting, these should keep you busy.

Enjoy!!!

NaBloPoMo Day 4

2010-11-04T20:34:00.003-05:00

This is getting kind a fun, posting every day. Who'd a thought???

I got back to my sewing machine today and did some sewing and quilting.

Have to tell you, it felt good to be sewing again. Still not finished with the painting in the bathroom, but, you know what? it can just wait.

It's time to dust the sewing machine off and get with the program!!!

I'm doing some machine quilting on a couple of my UFQ's.

I call them UFQ's, unfinished quilts, instead of UFO's, they're quilts, not objects.

I had to correct a mistake I made on one of my finished tops (I thought it was finished, so much for thinking). Yes, I made a good one. I had one row of my Shadow quilt upside down!!

A friend came by the house this past weekend and found it right off the bat.

I've looked at the top hundreds of times and never caught it.

Sure am glad she found it before I started quilting it. Thanks Viki, great eye.

Here's hoping today's sewing ignites the proverbial quilting fire in me and gets

me off my butt so I can finish my other UFQ's,

which seem to continue to grow along with my fabric. They must be part rabbit!!!

NaBloPoMo Day 3

2010-11-04T06:41:00.004-05:00

Oops, I forgot to post yesterday, so, I am making it up now. I will still have 30 posts in 30 day, just not everyday posts. Hey, I am trying and that's the best I can do.

So, what happened yesterday? Good question, I'm still trying to remember. It's the pitts getting old and you can't remember from one day to the next what you did the day before!

Ok, OK, I'm not that bad, YET, but, I'm getting there. lol

(let's hope it's a slow, long journey, I'm not in any hurry to get there).

As far as what I got done yesterday, not much. This seems to be my MO lately, just can't seem to get motivated. I did finish part of the painting in the bathroom, still have the top half to paint, but, at least I am getting closer to the end. I am in hopes to have it completed this weekend. If I keep up this pace (slow) by the time I finish it, it's going to be time to re-do it all over again. lol

OK, enough of me.

I have some exciting news to share with you guys. My niece, Ashley, the amazing little crafter that she is, has been featured in this months Women's Day magazine!!! How cool is that???? She has also been asked to be a feature contributor on the Design Sponge website. Again, how cool is that? Her blog is known world wide and is growing like wild fire. She has more talent in her little finger's than most have in their whole body. I know that sounds corny, but, it's true. She can take something as simple as yard sticks and make the most incredible back splash you ever seen. She's used an old wire basket and transformed it into a light fixture for her kitchen. You guys have asked about the little girls bedroom I have posted here on my blog (pic at the end of this posting) showing the quilt I made Breese, well, Ashley did all that. I could go on and on about all the cool stuff she has done, but, I think you should check it out for yourself.

You won't be disappointed, I promise.

Her blog is called, Under the Sycamore, and here's the site address. http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/

When you visit, let her know her very Proud, Aunt Sandy, sent you.

You can also check out Design Sponge at:

http://www.designspongeonline.com/

Ashley was the guest blogger yesterday.

Well, I think I made up for not posting yesterday and gave you something to check out as well.

It's time for me to get off this thing and get some work done.

Have a great day.

Sandy

NaBloPoMo Day 2

2010-11-02T21:40:00.002-05:00

Day 2 of 30 Post in 30 Days

First off, I have been trying to get on here and post for the past couple of hours, blogspot.com must be having problems. Anyway, here I am.

Not much to report today, still can't get seem to get anything done around here. But, this is what I did manage today:
I voted, and let my voice be heard. Not sure anyone is listening, but, I voted.
Went into town, (we live about 25 miles apart) to see my Dad (who is 85) and fix his TV. He is so funny, he called last night and couldn't see the captions at the bottom or top of his TV channel. You know the one's that tell you the scores and highlights of the day. I asked him if he wanted me to walk him through fixing it on the phone and, he said, well, can't tell you what he said, but, his answer in not so many words was, NO. I think he just wanted some company, or, that's what I am telling myself. lol I do have to say, I really enjoy spending time with him, he is so funny and he always has a story or two up his sleeve. I talk to him on the phone almost everyday, and go to visit at least twice a week. It's really cool on the weekends, we all head over to Dad's house on Saturday and do what comes easy for us, EAT. We have a pretty full house most Saturday's, Me and hubby, David, my brother, Bob, his wife Carol, and their two girls, Ashley along with her family, hubby Chris, their 4 little ones (three boys, Corbett, Hudson, Everett and a girl, Breese) and Lesley and her family, hubby Eric and the newest member of the family, Paisley. I sure you can imagine with all of us in one place, at one time, there is never a dull moment. I LOVE IT. I have to say, I look forward to Saturday night at Dad's, it might be a bit out of control most of the time, but, I wouldn't change a thing. Guess you can tell I am pretty proud to be a part of this crazy group I call FAMILY.
Wow, where did that all come from ????? One minute I am talking about voting and the next thing I telling my family story. What's up with that?
Anyway, on to what else I did today.
I picked new stuff for the bathroom while in town.
Came back did a little painting and cleaning.
And best part of the day............I took a nap!!!!!
So, that's it for today.
Tomorrow, I plan on getting in some sewing and quilting.
Good Night.

Day 1 of 30 Post in 30 Days Challenge

2010-11-01T21:50:00.000-05:00

Day 1 Posting

I started out today with all intentions of getting our bathroom painted, that's all I have left to do and it will be finished. I also had plans to get most of the quilting finished on at least one of my many UFQ's. I also knew I had to do a post on my blog per the challenge. Well, I guess one out of three will have to do for today.

I did manage to get the doors back on the vanity, after my trip to Lowe's to replace the henges and knobs. Seem's I got the wrong ones, but, didn't reilize it until AFTER I had the wrong ones screwed to the doors and tried to hang them. They didn't fit!!! So, needless to say, there went my day, nothing got finished. But, I did get all the new stuff for the bathroom, like, towel rack, toliet paper holder, toothbrush and soap holders and a new trash can. I also managed to get a little painting done, but, not as much as I would have liked.
I also spent some time checking out some of my blogging buddies posts and seeing what they have been up to. So, all in all, it was a pretty good day and now I am looking forward to tomorrow.

NaBloPoMo

2010-11-01T06:46:00.002-05:00

NaBloPoMo

National Blog Posting Month

What's this you ask?
Can you do it?
The answer is YES!

This is a challenge to post on your blog everyday

for the month of November.

30 posts in 30 days!

Check out the NaBloPoMo icon and join in on the fun and prizes.
This is going to be a real challenge for me to complete, but, I'm up for it. How about you?
I have never posted to my blog on a daily basis.
What do I post, what do I do?
This challenge might just be the ticket to get me motivated, not only to post daily, but, to finish up ALL the projects I've started.
Think about, do I want you guys to think I am one lazy Gal that sits around all day drinking coffee and eating bon bons?
NO!
(even though that might be what I want to do)

So, here goes to a fun and productive month of postings.

Finished Shower - Finished Quilt Top - plus two

2010-10-27T18:25:00.002-05:00

FINISHED SHOWER.

Well, here's the finished shower. It may have taken forever to complete, but, we did it and I love it.

I think the glass tiles are my favorite. In case you can't tell, it's white tile

and black, grey and white glass tiles.

FINISHED QUILT TOP TO ADD TO MY OTHER UFQ'S

As I mentioned in the last post, I didn't get any UFQ's finished, but, I did get another quilt top completed. I'm beginning to think making the tops is a whole more fun than quilting them.
This is what's on my design wall. It's made from fat quarters I had in my collection of fabric's. Collection of fabric's sounds better than all the fabric I have stuck in all the corners of my house. The tumblers were cut out using a friends commercial GO cutter. It took less than an hour to get a full quilt cut and ready to sew. Now, that's pretty cool if I do say so myself. The pattern is something I made up as I went. I knew I didn't want the tumblers next to each other, way to busy, even for me. So, I got out a bunch of white fabric and added it to the blocks. I kinda like the end results. I'm thinking about adding another row of white just to balance it out, but, we will see. Just a thought.

NOW FOR MY PLUS TWO

These are my little buddies that help me sew everyday and keep me company.

Scooter (on the right) and Josie (on the left), my two Rat Terriers.

It's now Mission - you have got to be kidding!!!

2010-10-26T20:27:00.000-05:00

Needless to say, my last posting was a lot of wishful thinking on my part. In theory, I could have gotten at least 6 of the 7 UFQ's finished, if:
1. I didn't play on the computer looking for more fabric. (it was fun and no I didn't buy anything)
2. I didn't have to do house work, chores, chores, chores.
3. I didn't start yet another quilt top. Yes, I am guilty and loving it.
5. I didn't take off all day Friday from sewing to attend a quilt show. Way too much fun and I think I will have to enter a quilt next year. (maybe one of my UFQ's I'm supposed to be working on)
5. It's the weekend, let's go have some fun.
6. Scratch number 5. I forgot I have a shower/bathroom redo to finish, there goes the weekend.
7. My husband took a day of vacation on Monday, and you know what that means, no sewing.
8. I had to make a trip to town to get Dad's tag, again, you know what that means, no sewing.

Well, that's my story and I am sticking with it.

Not ONE UFQ got finished, but, I did manage to complete the shower this weekend. It is amazing looking, I love it!!! For me, that's something to cheer about.
(I will post a couple pics of the shower later)
As for the full bathroom redo, all I have to do now is get the room painted and the trim up.
Just another thing to add to my growing to do list.
Isn't life GREAT!!!!!

Mission Possible.........I hope!

2010-10-19T14:11:00.000-05:00

I don't know how many of you have UFQ's, but, I do. So, my mission, if I choose to take it, (and I will), is to finish them by next week. Now, that's a tall order for me since I have 6 or 7 UFQ's. All but two are bed size quilts, (full size or larger) the other two are lap size.

I feel I need to finish them so I can start an art quilt. I want to do something wild, colorful, modern, funky, and totally artsy. I've been playing around with pen and paper for a while, so, for me, the time has come to put it up on the design wall. But, I have to finish my other quilts first, at least that's what I am telling myself.
So, now that I have a goal set, I better get with it and get some work done.
Oh yea, we are almost finished with the shower, just have the ceiling and trim work to complete, then I get to paint it. So, as you can see I have a lot on my plate for the next two weeks. Here's hoping I can do it.

I will keep you posted on my progress, that way, if I am not getting things finished, as hoped, you can get me back on track.

What UFQ's do you have laying around that need to be finished??? What to join me and make it a challenge????? Let me know, the more the merrier!!!.

Still plugging along

2010-09-29T13:37:00.000-05:00

Sorry it's been a while since I got on here and updated the blog, but, I have been busy, busy, busy. David and I are about 1/3 of the way finished on the bathroom redo, and, if I don't watch it, this will be my LAST redo in this house. It has been one thing after another with this room. You wouldn't think one of the smallest rooms in your house would be your biggest headache. Well, it is, but, we are still plugging along and we will get there some day. (let's hope is soon, really, really soon).

Anyway, here are a couple of pics on our progress.

This is when we started removing all the old tile, wall paper, floor, and all the molding.

Hubby looks like he is having fun. (he was at this point)

You know you are a Redneck when.........

Now, tell me, how many people can claim they have a toilet in their hallway?????

Well, I can!!!

We do have most of the shower tiled, next step is getting the glass tiles inserted and tiling the ceiling of the shower. Shouldn't take more than a day to do that and then we can start on the floor. Since David is taking off all next week, I can see the end in sight. YEAH

Now on to quilting.

I finished my Spiked with Color quilt, and, entered into the Tulsa State Fair.

This is a first for me, so, I guess I will just have to sit back and see what happens.

This is not the finished picture of the quilt, but, you can see which one I'm talking about.

I forgot to take a picture of it before I entered it in the fair. I was just so happy I got it finished,

(King size Hand quilted) everything else pretty much slipped my mind.

I promise I will get the finished pics uploaded when I get my quilt back.

Couple more quilts I am working on.

Another Zig Zag. This is going to be bigger than my last one, it will be more of a full size than lap size. Quilting this one it going to be a challenge, but, a fun one.

I also have two more quilts cut out and ready to start sewing, and a bag of strips to play with. Not sure what I'm going to do with them, but, it's going to be fun trying.

Thanks for checking out my blog and leaving comments, I love reading them.

(besides, leaving a comment let's me know someone is reading it!)

Update on Room Do Overs.

2010-08-23T16:56:00.001-05:00

It's been a couple of weeks since I last updated you on a couple of my room do-overs. One is sort of complete, the other, well, let's just say it's a work in progress.

This is what the office looked like a few months ago:

Notice all the custom panelling, dark carpet, DEER on the wall and dark wood blinds?

Well, take a look at the room NOW!!!!!!!!!

I have to say, this is now a bright, colorful and fun room. As you can tell, I use it for my fabric/quilting storage room. All those neat and organized (for now) bins are full, yes, full, of fabric. I am going to have to quit buying or I am going to run out of room to put it. (like that is going to happen, me stop buying fabric???)

Here's a progress report on our bathroom.

All the sheet rock, tile, old shower pan and some of the floor are GONE. Hubby did some re-routing of the plumbing this weekend and now all we are waiting for is our new shower floor. It should be here within the next two weeks and then the fun begins. Picked out the tile we will use for the shower walls and for the bathroom floor, but, can't start on that till the shower pan gets installed. So, as far as progress goes, there is none right now. All is on hold waiting for the pan. Thank goodness we have other bathrooms.

Week of the Accuquilt Go......Tut and Giveaway

2010-08-22T13:05:00.000-05:00

Hey Ladies and Gents,
You need to head on over to Sweet P Quilting and Creations, and check out her tut with the Accuquilt GO. While you are there, you might as well sign up for her giveaway. YES, giveaway. She is giving away to one lucky blogger a new Accuquilt GO cutter.
You have to admit, and Accuquilt GO cutter would make any quilter's cutting job a lot faster, not to mention, a more FUN!!!
So, I hope you go and check out her blog, become a follower and sign up for the giveaway, but, I am hoping it's ME that gets to bring the Go home.

Two of my favorite things...quilting and destroying rooms!

2010-08-13T20:25:00.001-05:00

Thought I better do a little updating while I have the chance.

It's been pretty busy around here. I am not only sewing as much as possible, but, I am also in the process of redoing our master bathroom. I know, another room to add to my list of re-do's.

Here is my latest quilt on the design board.

"Half Crocked" a self portrait. lol

Half Crocked

Half Crocked

The pictures don't do it justice, it is made of all Batiks and
it's very colorful, fun and a bit off beat.
So, in that case, it really is a self portrait.
This quilt started out straight, but, I couldn't stand it, so, out came the rotary cutter and away I cut. Not sure what I am going to do with the back yet, but, I am sure it will be just as wild and bright.

This quilt already has a home, it's going to live with my
Brother and Sister-in-law. When Carol, my sister-in-law saw it, she said it reminded her of stained glass and would be more than happy to take if off my hands. But, I had to finish it first.
No problem.
I'm thinking of doing a straight line, OK, not so straight line, machine quilting on this one. I really liked the way the
zig zag quilt turned out with it's straight line quilting, so,
my thoughts, don't fix it if it's not broken.

Now, on to the bathroom.
Couple of pics of the destroyed bathroom shower. Do have to tell you that my hubby is really thrilled with me, NOT????

One thing you can say about me, I don't do things half way, it's either all or nothing.

We have all the tile off the walls, ceiling, and floor of the shower so far. Now, all we have to do is remove the tile in the rest of the bathroom. My hubby really LOVES me!!!!!

Can't wait to get this room finished so I can start on the living room and dining room, and their NEW wood floors!!!

Don't tell my husband, I will deny, deny, deny.

Paisley

2010-07-28T12:55:00.003-05:00

Meet Paisley Ann Zellers

Paisley and Mom, Lesley.

Picture taken by Ashley, Lesley's sister, who was in the delivery room

when little Paisley was born to capture the moment.

PAISLEY ANN ZELLERS HAS ARRIVED

2010-07-27T16:56:00.004-05:00

Paisley made her debut at 12:17 p.m. yesterday. She weighted 7 lbs. 10 oz. and is the cutest little thing you have ever seen. Again, you are going to have to trust me, no pics yet, but, should have some for soon.

Mom, Lesley and Dad, Eric are doing great with their first little bundle of joy.

This makes my second Grand Niece....(so far!!!) and three Grand Nephew's. Wow, this family is growing, better start working on a bigger table for the holiday's.

Hubby's great Adventure

2010-07-24T08:41:00.004-05:00

Thought I would share with you a couple of pics of hubby's handyman skills.

We have had way too much rain and needless to say, the grass is really liking it.

Hubby mowed everyday last week, keep in mind we live on about 4 acres and our heat index has been over 100 all week, this is what he racked up! YES, raked 4 acres in over 100 degrees!!!!

He has lost his mind!!!!!

He can't stand to see dead grass blown all over the place, he as lost his mind!!!!!!!!!

Six hours +, he ended up with 152 piles of grass, and this is what that looks like.

This is my hubby, the FASHION ICON. At least he stayed cool, and our lawn looks

AMAZING!!!!!!!

Great job, but, I still think you are a tad bit crazy. That's why I love ya!!!

Camera is working (not great, but, working) and some pics to follow later

Update on Paisley, her quilt, and a couple more

2010-07-22T15:43:00.004-05:00

I finished Paisley's quilt and it looks amazing. (You're going to have to trust me on that, since my camera is not working right now. )
Still waiting on word if she has made her entrance yet, but, it's any time now. Can't wait to get my hands on her and welcome her to our family.

I also finished the zig zag quilt posted earlier, and, I have to say, it might be one of my favs. I really, really, like the way it turned out. (again, you have to trust me). I did straight line quilting outlining the zig's and zag's and threw in a couple down the middle of each one. It was the first time quilting that way for me, and, I love it. I can see a lot more quilts quilted this way in the future.

I am in the process of cutting out a new quilt top, it's batik squares in squares in squares. Guess you can tell I like squares by now.

I will get pics of all the quilts and Paisley as soon as I can.

Paisley's quilt is on the frame.

2010-07-07T15:53:00.003-05:00

Paisley's quilt is finally on the frame and getting quilted.

Just to update you, Paisley will be my newest Grand Niece that is due to arrive sometime this month. I guess I better get with it and get this quilt finished before she gets here. I have for some reason, (I don't want to screw it up) put this one off, and now, time is running out on me.

I work best under pressure.

Check out the pic below, don't you love my bag of Pinto Beans for weight????

I had to use something, the quilt's a pretty big one. It started out as a baby quilt and I just kept adding some here and adding some there. You know how that goes!

First two rolls completed, lot's more to go!

Guess I better go, I hear the quilt calling me.

The reason we Quilt

2010-06-14T16:39:00.004-05:00

Thought I would share four very, very special Grand Nephew's and Grand Niece with you, showing off the quilt's I made them. Two of the quilts are crossed stitched, HAND quilted and my own design, Corbett's and Hudson's. Everett's is a quilt as you go and Breese's is the first quilt I did using a real pattern.

This is the reason we all quilt, to share with the people we love.

This is Corbett's with his Nascar quilt. Notice orange #20, Tony Stewart's car? Tony and the color orange were his favorites. I also added Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson and Dale Jr.'s car.

This is Hudson hiding in his camping quilt. Each block as a different camping theme framed with stripes. I really like the green and two browns, along with the stripes.

This is Everett's quilt as you go quilt. It also has a camping, fishing, lodge look. I have always heard you are supposed to name your quilts, well, this one HAS A NAME! The Murphy's Law Quilt. I'm telling you, if it was to go wrong, it went REAL wrong! But, the good part of this quilt, I got a new sewing machine out of the deal and the quilt turn out pretty good.

This is the little girl in the family, Breese. Now, tell me, is she cute or what? Ashley, my niece and their Mom, picked out the pattern and the Amy Butler fabric and did the rest. This quilt was my first machine quilted quilt.

Staples are LONG GONE.

2010-06-11T17:52:00.002-05:00

Just a little update on the surgery. All the staples are out, along with the other drain tube. YEA. Doc said I was doing really good considering the extent of the hernias. Don't have to go back and see him for a month. FREEDOM, FREEDOM, FREEDOM AT LAST.

I do have to take it easy for the next 6 weeks, but, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel from here. I tried really hard to get the Doc to tell me I couldn't or shouldn't do any house work for 6 weeks (hubby, David, was there with me), but, he told me I could do want ever I thought I could as long as I did not pick up anything heavier than a gallon of milk. HUM, a wet mop gets pretty heavy is what I am thinking.

Best news yet, I can get back to quilting and stash busting. Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!!!!

Don't tell anyone, but, I did order more fabric via internet. Hey, I can't drive, but, I can still shop. lol

Stapled from stem to stern

2010-06-02T12:11:00.003-05:00

Surgery went great on Wednesday, they repaired both hernias with mesh and finished me off with about 60 staples from stem to stern. No kidding, it looks like I have a zipper down the front of me. Bad part of it, the zipper is not really stright, it curves to the left right next to my belly button. I would take a pic, but, I think I will spare you of that.
Had to stay in the Hospital till Saturday, a tad bit longer than I would have liked, but, I'm home now. I go in tomorrow, Thursday, to get my drain tubes removed, not looking forward to that part, but, they do have to come out. I am guessing they will remove the staples the next week.
The wildest part, if you want to call it that, I found out I quit breathing in recovery after they gave me a pain shot. The nurse (cute, young, male nurse) told me he tried to get me to breath, but, when that didn't work, he jamed a tube down my throat and did my breathing for me. He said it took a couple of minutes to get me to breath on my own, but, thankgoodness I did. He also told me my heart NEVER stopped beating, I just didn't want to breath. What happened to good old fashion mouth to mouth??? Anyway, I can laugh at it now, at least I am HERE to laugh about it!!!!!!!
Anyway, while I am recovering, I am catching up on my hand quilting of the spiked with color quilt. I am just about finished and I can see the finish line just around the corner. I can't wait to get the binding on it and put it on the bed to show off. I am hoping sometime next week to have the finished pictures posted. Wish me luck.

Out of action for a couple of days

2010-05-25T15:49:00.003-05:00

Headed to the Hospital in the morning (5 a.m.) to get two hernia's taken care of.

Since they are having to cut me from stem to stern, I will be there for at least two days.

Not really looking forward to it (as if anyone looks forward to this), but, they have to

be fixed so my insides stay inside.

So, wish me luck and keep me in your prayers and good thoughts.

See you guys in a couple of days.

Just a little note:

In the past couple of days I have received LOTS, and I mean LOTS,

of fabric I ordered via Internet shops.

I can't wait to show you my haul and my new storage units, they are so cool.

I have my fabric, books, patterns and everything else needed for sewing

and quiting all nice and neatly put away.

Looks great, just wonder how long that will last!

Trying to catch up.

2010-05-23T18:26:00.011-05:00

Yeah, I know, I'm still not keeping up with the blog postings, but, I'm trying and I have been busy!!

Been sewing a bit over the past couple of weeks, not to mention, I am still hand quilting the big King Size quilt, spiked with color. So, I'm not sitting around watching TV and eating bon-bons. Although, that would be nice ever so often.

Anyway, here are a couple of the things I have been working on:

This is the front of the baby quilt I am doing for my niece, Lesley's baby girl due to arrive around the end of July.

A friend of mine (thanks Vicki) gave me several cross stitched blocks she had done and told me I could do what I wanted with them. So, here is the first quilt from them.

Lesley picked out most of the fabric from my ever growing stash, then I worked on the layout and added a couple more fabrics to the mix.

This quilt, front and back (pic to follow), are ready for the Flynn Frame.
I am hoping to get this one, at least, partly quilted before Wed of this week.

We shall see.

I love bright colors, or, can you tell!

Next Quilt

I saw this flannel fabric at Hancock's and fell in love with, but, had no idea what I would do with it. I just knew I had to have it. Low and behold, a new baby is on the way and I had the perfect fabric to use. It just so happened, in the quilting class I was taking, she wanted us to make a rag quilt to show us how to quilt via the embroidery attachment. Now, I call that perfect timing. Sadly, I didn't purchase enough of the large floral print, and I could find it anywhere. The fabric was no longer a stock item.

So, the hunt was on.

Website after website, no luck.

Just when I was about to give up,

I received an email about a new fabric shop on line.

Yep, they had it and the other coordinating fabric.

I was in business.

I really love this RAG quilt.

Here's one of the quilting designs we learned in class.

Here's a couple other tops I have been working on over the past couple of weeks.

Enjoy.

Shadow quilt top.

ZIG ZAG

Still kickin'

2010-05-06T12:58:00.003-05:00

Sorry it's been a while since I have updated my blog, but, I am going to try to keep it current. The last couple of months have NOT been my best, both, physically and mentally. But, that is about to change in a good way.

As most of you know, I have beaten cancer three times (third time was the charm) and I am still kickin'. Eight years ago was my first bout with Chemo and Radiation, not fun! Anyway, four years later, another round of Chemo and the last one, two years ago. Chemo was bad enough, but, the Radiation, that's some BAD stuff. Now, eight years later, the damage from the Radiation is showing it's nasty little self to me.

First and foremost, there is NO, NOT-A, NONE, Zero, sign of cancer on my last CT scan. YEAH, YEAH, and double YEAH.

Now for what is there. I found out that my left kidney is no longer working and the right kidney is working around 90%. This is OK, because you can live with only one kidney, you just have to go to the bathroom more often. I found this out the hard way on our trip to Arkansas a couple of weeks ago. I got the nickname "Tiny Bladder" since I had to stop every hour or so. Good part about that, I was able to refill my drink at each stop...........maybe that's why I had to go so often. lol (don't tell David that, he won't let me drink and drive anymore) The other thing I found out was I have a hernia in my belly button and I am waiting to see when I go in and have that taken care of. It will an outpatient surgery and I'll be back in business in no time. Man, I'm glad I didn't get the belly button ring. See, there is a silver lining to everything.
That's the physical stuff, here's the mental stuff.
When I found out the cancer came back the second time, a friend told me about CarePages. CarePages is a site for cancer patients, care givers and families to share their journey with others going through the same treatment as you. I have to say this site was a God Send, it let you know you aren't the only person facing this battle. It allowed you to share everything with a fellow cancer patient, your fears, your hopes, your treatment and most of all, you shared your heart.
I meet 5 AMAZING ladies on CarePages over the past 5+ years. We shared, cheered and cried together and became bonded in a very, very special way. Sadly, as of two weeks ago, they have all lost their battle with cancer. Two of them lost the fight within the past couple of months and it has taken a toll on me, to say the least. Every one of them fought a brave battle and I am going to miss them.
So, with all that said, I have taken the time to handle each situation in my own way and I am ready to take on the world once again.
I have had my pity party and I have cried a lot of tears and it's time to get with it and start living! I know this is what my dear friends on CarePages would want me to do.
So, look out, here I come.

p.s. Thanks for all the well wished and funny cards.........you know who you are. lol

Quilts for 2010

2010-02-02T07:29:00.003-06:00

Started a new quilt yesterday and this is what I have finished so far. I found the pattern on line free and just had to make it. The best part, I'm using fabric I already had. So, this is a stash buster. Got to love 'em.

So, here's the pattern, notice I had to mark it with the colors I would be using.

Here's all the pieces cut, numbered, and stacked ready to sew.

This is my quilt on the design board. Looks pretty close if I do say so myself. The dark purple and olive colors don't show up very good in the pic, but, you can see them in person.

Not a bad days work.

Christmas Quilts Finished, better late than never.

2010-02-02T07:10:00.003-06:00

Christmas quilts finished. Yea, I know it's the end of January, but, at least I got them finished. I thought I would have time to finished them after my knee surgery, but, needless to say, I didn't. So, that set me back about two weeks. Each quilt was more of less improv quilts. I started out using a pattern, but, then changed them up a bit to suit my taste. They were quilted on my Flynn Frame. I have to say, I really like they way they turned out.
So, Merry Christmas guys, hope you enjoy them.

This is Lesley and Eric's lap quilt.

This is the finished quilt for Ashley and Chris.

Just a few of 2009 Quilts

2010-01-31T13:00:00.004-06:00

Since it's a Cold and Snow covered Sunday afternoon, thought I would do a quick update on a couple of quilts I made in 2009. I still have a couple more pics to upload, but, here's a start.

This is a rag quilt I made for our Ladies Corvette Club, called, L.A.C.E. By the way our colors are pink and black.

I made this t-shirt quilt for Tulsa Vette Set and it was auctioned off at our Christmas party and all the money went to The Little Light House in Tulsa. The members donated all the t-shirts and Sew Flakes Quilt shop in Broken Arrow donated the amazing backing fabric.

By the way, the quilt rasied $1,050.00 for the charity. The next two quilts I made for Quilt's for Kids. The first one they (Quilt's for Kid's) sent me the fabric, pattern and design, all I had to do is sew it, put it together and quilt it. Easy. The second one is a quilt I made out my fabric and design. Both quilt's are keeping some little one warm today. If you haven't made a quilt charity quilt, you should, it's a great way to share love.

This quilt is a pretty special quilt, it's for my First Grand Niece. It's also the first quilt I made using a real pattern. I love Amy Butler's fabric.
I still have a few more pics to find and update, but, this is it for now. Enjoy and happy quilting.

p.s. I am almost finished with my blue room remodle. YEA. pics to follow.

Happy New Year

2010-01-09T12:22:00.013-06:00

Well, it's a New Year, 2010, and so far so good.
2010 Sounds so weird and really makes me feel OLD. lol

It's been less then exciting around here since the last time I posted, but, things are starting to look up. Believe me, they couldn't go any further down.

Something about the holidays this past year, along with all the snow, put me in a funk. You know the old saying, when you mix Holiday's with Extended Family's, you could come up with a dump cake. lol
Oh well, thank goodness this too shall pass. It's a new Year, new Decade and I am determined to make this the best year ever. No more WORRYING over things I can NOT change, and things I don't have any desire to change. So, look out world, here I come.

I am going to take Mr. Favor's (The trail boss on Rawhide, I know I am aging myself, but, I loved that show) attitude and go with it, which was: I don't take crap from NOBODY!

Ok, with all that off my chest, I will get on with what's happening in my world.

I have a LOT of things going on, sewing, machine quilting, hand quilting, cooking and remodeling. I love being busy!!!!!

This is the Spiked with color laid out on the front room floor, basted, pinned and ready for HAND QUILTING. YES, I SAID HAND QUILTING. I know I posted earlier that I thought I have lost my mind, well, I lost it again. lol

I do have to say, I am looking forward to getting this quilt finished, it may take a while, but, I love to hand quilt, so, it will go pretty quick. At least I hope so. I will be posting updates on it's progress.

Now, to what I am up to today, Jan 9th, 2010

I have two quilts to get finished, they were supposed to be Christmas gifts, better late than never.

I have my Niece Lesley's quilt on my Flynn frame and just about finished quilting it. I have a couple more passes and then on to the next one.

Thought I would take a pic of how you quilt with two dogs. First you set up the space heater, wait till they find it and you have a built in baby sitter. Don't know how they can lay so close to it, but, it works. No more dogs under foot.

This is a close up of Lesley's quilt on the frame. Did I mention..........I LOVE THIS FRAME?

The next quilt to go onto the frame will be Ashley's, my other niece. I do have to get the backing together, but, that won't take long. I should have both of the quilts finished by Monday. Or at least I am hoping for Monday. We shall see.

This is the pic of Ashley's.

I am really getting into the square in square with squares. They look so modern, but, a hint of old school design.

The other things going on around here, besides quilting, is cooking and (still) the room redo. I will be posting pics of my favorite Magic Crust Cherry Cobbler and an update on the room redo later. Think this enough for now, my fingers are getting tired. lol

Hope your New Year brings you Love, Laughter and lots of time to create.

Winner of the Give Away

2009-12-02T06:22:00.002-06:00

Just want to say thanks to each of you that left a comment about my blog and the Surprise Give Away.
I have a winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeAnna S.

I will be posting a pic of what DeAnna won later today, so, come back and check it out.

Again, Congrats DeAnna S. for being my first give away winner.

Happy Thanksgiving - Give Away getting Close

2009-11-25T06:14:00.003-06:00

Just a quick posting to say Happy Thanksgiving to all and remind you that the November Surprise Give Away is getting Close.

Thanks Giving has always been a big deal in our household and this year will be the same. Getting up early to get the turkey in the oven, making the dressing, (which, can only be buttermilk cornbread dressing, is there any other kind? Not at our house), setting the table, and sneaking a taste ever now and then. The turkey and dressing is my job, deserts and green beans are my brothers duties this year and Mom's famous hot rolls will be Lesley's (my niece) job. I am so thankful my two nieces, Ashley (who will be sending Thanksgiving with her husbands family) and Lesley spent time with their Grandma and learned how to make Mom's rolls and carry on a family tradition. Mom's been gone a little over two years now, but, it's great to know a part of her will always be a part of our holidays.
After spending half the day fixing, mixing, basting and cooking, we all set down to enjoy the meal. Can't wait to sink my teeth into the Turkey and Dressing. Yum, Yum. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.
After our belly's are all full and we couldn't put another bite into our mouths, it's CLEAN UP time. The fun part. NOT. Can you believe we spend all day getting ready to eat, which, takes no less than 30 mins., then it takes us another two + hours to clean up the mess. Don't you just love holidays?
Anyway, it's all worth it to me and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Now, for the give away.
Give Away is getting close to the end and one of my blogger friends will win the surprise gift. I hope you have enjoyed reading and being a part of my blog and most of all GOOD LUCK.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

GIVE AWAY UPDATE

2009-11-09T07:31:00.004-06:00

Just wanted to update you on my give away that I will be giving away at the end of November.

I am adding things everyday, still a surprise, so, make sure you add your name to my followers list and leave a comment.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.......leave your name with your comment, otherwise, how I am going to be able to send the surprise if I don't know who you are????????????

Also, make sure you tell all your quilting friends to sign up.

The more that signs up, the more I ADD to the give away.

Good luck and hope you win.

(hint for give aways: fabric, books, patterns, kits, etc. The number of followers will determine the size of the give away)

Official. I have lost my mind

2009-11-02T09:23:00.003-06:00

I have no idea what got into me today, but, I think I have totally LOST my ever loving mind.
Now, take into consideration it's 9:30AM.

I started my day out like any other, up at 5:30AM to see hubby off to work and sitting down for my morning coffee. My favorite time of the day. I know that's crazy in it's self, but, that's just the beginning. After taking the dogs out to play for a little while, I noticed just what an amazing day it was. No wind, bright blue skies (what a change from October and our 11 days without rain) and the hill behind us shinning in the sunlight. Normal so far.

Well, when I came back inside to finish my coffee I noticed something...................DIRTY WINDOWS! I couldn't stand it and out came the window cleaner and I was off and running. After I cleaned the windows to let the sunshine in and enjoy the view, I noticed the BLINDS now looked really BAD. So, off they came and into the sinks they went to get a good overhaul. Check out the pics.

View out the back through CLEAN windows.

NOV. GIVE AWAY

2009-11-01T12:32:00.002-06:00

Well fellow quilters, I am doing my first Give Away. It will be easy to win, all you have to do is sign up as a follower and leave a comment and you are entered.
I will be updating the surprise as the month goes by, so, sign up and good luck.

Happy quilting.

New quilts in progress. Square deals.

2009-11-01T07:56:00.004-06:00

These are four quilt tops I made in the past two weeks. I think I am loving the square in square designs. They go together really quick, got to love that. The first two pics started out as one quilt top, but, I didn't like the 17in blocks (from a pattern I found on line) so I whacked them up into four squares and got two quilts of it. Second pic I didn't add anything to them, but, the first pic, I added two more pieces to each square and added the two little squares in a block between the rows for a totally different look with the same fabric.

This is the first top with this fabric, from another pattern I found on line. I love all the different block designs. I did change up the layout from the original pattern and like it better this way.

Same fabric, but, this time I did a improve quilt layout. I took leftover fabric and just started whacking and sewing. I love the off centered blocks and the way the turned out. Then I added the little square between all the blocks for added intrest. Now, all that's left is the quilting.

I have to say, Hobby Lobby is loving me. In the past two weeks I have purchased 24 yards of white fabric and 10 1/2 yards of black. (black is for my next quilt). Thank goodness for their 40% on line coupons.

Starting a New Room re-do.

2009-11-01T07:25:00.003-06:00

I am off and running with a NEW project, the office. Hubby thinks I have lost my mind.

We have been in this house for a little over 6 years and I have never liked the dark wood panels on the walls. As you can see it's really great workmanship, but, not my style. The former owners had this house custom built back in the 80's and didn't scimp on details. But, it's time for a change!!!!!!!!!!! Besides, this is the only room I have not messed with, YET!

Most of the paneling is GONE. Yeah. I have to tell you, I had so much fun distoring this room, but, what a mess to clean up. I did get Hubby to help with removing of wood. Don't think he was too happy with me at this point, but, he will get over it once I get the room finished. (I hope, lol)
I have to admit, it's already looking better. Next step, mudding all the walls. I can't believe all the glue they used! I was not prepared for this much work! But on the bright side, I have a bunch of good wood panels to make another project with. Ok, that's a whole new adventure and I guess I better finish this one first.

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you (and hubby at the time) I am replacing the floor too! As they say, one good thing leads to another.

This project may take a LITTLE longer than I thought. I will keep you informed.

Black and White room completed

2009-11-01T06:52:00.005-06:00

It's been a couple of weeks since my last update and I have to tell I have been one busy little bee.

Finally finished the black and white room and I love it. Added the pics and a couple little touches to complete it and now I can sit back and enjoy.

The wall art is one of my favs. I used some canvas pictures I found in the clearance department at Hobby Lobby and covered them with the fabric left over from the quilt. Cheap art, but, I love the look. In one of the pics, if you look next to the side table on the floor, I also covered a couple of old hat boxes I had with the same fabric. And you just thought fabric was for sewing.

It was really fun transforming this room around the quilt and I think I surprised myself on the outcome. Now on to the next project. lol

Too much to do, not enough time.

2009-10-16T20:51:00.004-05:00

Thought I better do a little updating since it's been a while. I have been soooo busy the past couple of weeks I don't know where to start.
Anyway, here goes.
The first weekend of October, hubby and I took off for a weekend of fun, friends and fast cars. It was the annual Corvette weekend in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, way too much fun. Our first stop on Thursday, was in Springdale, Arkansas for the Motocross. David (hubby) couldn't wait to try out our new Vette (not a brand new one, but, new to us) on the course. He went in to register and sign up to run as I headed for the ladies room. Little to my knowledge, he signed me up to run the course and didn't tell me till he was staging for his third run. I think he knew better than to tell me earlier, that way I didn't have time to back out. Well, let me tell you, I had a BLAST, it was really cool going around the cones, which I might add, I did not hit a single cone on the course. Not bad for a newbie and for someone that yells at David when I think he is driving too fast. It's a control thing. lol You know how it is, when you are driving you have control and know where you are going, but, when someone else is driving, (Daivd) I have no idea where and what he's doing. Ok, for the wild part, I won fifth place in my class for the ladies. Oh yeah, I'm the girl. I think Daivd opened up a can of worms and I am now hooked and can't wait for the next motocross.
That was just Thursday and we still the rest of the weekend to go. So, to make a long story shorter.............we had a blast and David and I both came home with plaque's. David came in second in the fuel economy run, he got over 33 miles per gallon in the Vette. Bet you never knew a Vette could be so fuel efficient? Get this, the winner got 54 miles per gallon. Don't know how he did it, but, he did.
All and all it was a great weekend and can't wait till next year.

I will try to get some pics of the weekend and post them later.
I will also try to catch up on my posting of my quilts I have finished and the ones I am working on now.

Take care and thanks for checking out my blog.

365 Days of Free Motion Quilting Filler Designs: Upcoming Treats for Quiltsters

2009-09-30T07:13:00.001-05:00

365 Days of Free Motion Quilting Filler Designs: Upcoming Treats for Quiltsters

If you are a quilter and you do any type, or want to do Free Motion Quilting, you HAVE to check out this blog.
It is AMAZING.
Leah Day has challenged herself to designing a NEW free motion filler design every day for 365 days. All I can say is: WOW, you go girl.
Check out the link, you won't be disappointed.

More quilts.

2009-09-27T22:06:00.009-05:00

Adding a couple more quilts I have finished.

A quilt for Griffin.
Finished Sept. 2009

Griffin is Rachel and Robert's (very dear friends of my niece Ashley) newest member to their family. Congrats to you both, he's a real cutie.

This was a quick project, the ones quilters love. Pieced one day and quilted the next.
I have to give credit where credit is due, a friend of mine, Vicki, did the cross stitching
and was generous enough to give them to me (along with a few other sets). Now, tell me,
am I lucky or what? That's why the quilt went so Quick.
The other reason, my Flynn Quilting Frame, it only took about an hour to quilt it.

I like the front of the quilt, but, really like how the back turned out. Really simple, but, I love this look.

A very special quilt for a

VERY special little girl.

Breese's quilt and her room. (my grand niece)

finished July 2009

(This has to be one of my FAVS, both the quilt, and the Room.)

Ashley, my niece, picked out the pattern and the fabric (Amy Butler) and I was off to sewing machine. This was my very first quilt I made using a real pattern. It took me a couple of weeks to get up the nerve to tackle this one, but, once I got started, I couldn't wait to get it finished.

As for the room.................AMAZING. Ashley has a gift of taking things and making them spectacular.

The reading bed is made of two wooden pallets on casters, and the headboard is an old door, the arrangement on the celling, is from Martha Stewart's wedding collection. Put them all together, and you get this.

Who would have thought?

Spiked with Color top Finished

2009-09-24T07:49:00.006-05:00

Sorry it's taken a while to update the blog, but, been busy (as you can see) finishing up the the quilt top. Well, it's finished. Yeah!!!!!!!!!! Now, all that's left is the quilting. Oh boy, now that's going to fun. I had to go and get more conduit (10 feet long) so I can quilt it on my Flynn Frame. Did I tell you this is a KING size quilt? For some reason, it just kept getting bigger and bigger. Just couldn't control myself, I was having way too much fun putting this one together. Did I ever say: I LOVE THIS PATTERN??????? Well, I Do!!!!!! Not bad for a first time paper piecer, if I do say so myself.
David (hubby) is pretty pleased with himself for picking this one for HIS quilt.

Spiked with Color getting BIGGER

2009-08-26T19:41:00.004-05:00

Here's a close up of the middle of the quilt.
I LOVE all the colors and the wildness.
Who would have thought, me, Sandy,
liking anything this wild?
(if you believe I wouldn't like it.....
you don't me very well)

Since this is David's quilt, he wants it to go on
our bed, (king size no less).
So, you can tell by the pic I have a ways to go
before it will fit the bed.
So much for thinking I was finished, not by a
long shot.
The quilt showing through, is a quilt my Granny
made over 50 years ago. I guess I am taking
after her in a lot of ways, but, I am not sure what
she would think about all these new, bright,
colorful and crazy quilts out today. But, on the
other hand, Granny was one wild, crazy, and
colorful gal in her time.
(five husbands and was still looking
for number six when she passed away at the
age of 88). I guess I answered my own question,
YEAH, she would love this quilt. She might even
say it was a tad bit tame. lol
Thanks, Granny for passing down your love
of quilting to me. I think about you everytime
I'm quilting and how much you enjoyed sitting
at your old Singer piecing a quilt and then
watching you for hours as you hand quilted
each and every quilt you made. Wow, what
a talent you had for quilting and what fun
we shared at your quilting frame.

I like this pic, it shows all the colors

2009-08-18T20:15:00.004-05:00

Black/white and Red Bedroom makeover in progress.
A month ago this room was decorated in a lodge, fishing, cabin look. A real Man's Room.
WELL, NOT ANYMORE!!!!!!!
When I finished the black and white quilt, (below) I had to do something with it.
So, the transformation began. Hey, a girl has to do what a girl has to do.
First, I tore the bed down, repainted and glazed it and the dresser.
Added taller posts to the bed. Added new art work, lamps, and
anything else I could find in the bargain bin at Hobby Lobby.
Then I started sewing, and sewing, and sewing. Pillows, bed skirt,
covered hat boxes, and even some of the pictures in the room are made from fabric.
I think I need to write a book on all the different things you can do with fabric.
Anyway, this is just a peek at what's going on in the room so far. I still have a
few little details to add and then I will post the completed room.

New Lamp, I love it.

Hobby Lobby bargin finds

Quilt, pillows and pic of fabric

2009-08-18T20:06:00.003-05:00

Progress on the quilt:

Not to bad for a weeks worth of sewing.
It takes a bit more time than all the other quilts I've
made, but, THIS IS WAY COOL. (at least I think so)
As you can see, the layout have changed, again. Thought
I would to it on point, but, I'm liking this layout better.
What do you think?????

2009-08-13T20:34:00.003-05:00

A quick update on the quilt I'm working on. As I see it, I am about a third of the way done. Still a lot more blocks to go, but, this is so much fun to do, I don't want to quit. David's beginning to think I am glued to the sewing machine. Oh yea, did I mention he has already claimed this one.

Sandy's SEW Clever

2009-08-09T20:20:00.009-05:00

August 9, 2009

Welcome to Sandy's Sew Clever Blog. I hope you enjoy looking around and leaving me a comment or two.
This is my first entry and my first time blogging. I know, I'm a tab bit behind the times, but, better late than never.

Thought it was about time to get with the program and do some posting of some of my sewing projects. I have been sewing for as long as I can remember, but started quilting about a year and half ago.

I am working on my 16th quilt (my first paper pieced project) and can't wait to get it finished. (more on that later)

I have been checking out other blogs on quilting and found some AMAZING workmanship and a lot of inspiration. I will list a few of my favs later so you can check them out.

Ok, now for a few pics:

This is Scooter on the quilt I made for Everett, one of my grand Nephews. She has to check each quilt out and give it her approval. This one she had to make sure it was kid friendly and it passed with flying colors.

This is my Black and White on the design board. I got bored and started laying material down, 5 at a time, and wacking them in 5 differant directions, scattered them out and then sewed 'em up. I will post the finished quilt later.

Since I finished the black and white quilt and I really liked it, I had to (remember those words I had to) redo the extra bedroom so it would show off the quilt and look good. You know, paint, pictures, refinishing the bed and dresser, new rug, sheets and pillows. I had to order, there are those words again, a new slipcover for my chaise so it would fit into the room. It was green and white strip, yeah, it wouldn't work with the black and white. Just a few little small things that had to be done.

Anyway I will add those pics of the finished room as soon as I twick it a bit.

COLOR, COLOR, COLOR!!! I LOVE COLOR.

This is my latest project in the works. My first attempt at paper piecing. I think I am in LOVE. This is SO much fun and SO easy. If you haven't had the nerve to try this, just do it, you will be hooked in no time.

So much color and design, the two things I love the most.

Well, that's all for now. I will update you on my progress.

Sandy