Design Wall Monday - 1/30/17

I had a fairly busy weekend & it was a good great thing!

I left fairly early Saturday morning for a FART! I'm sure that you know FART means Fabric Acquisition Road Trip. I just hadn't known exactly how much fabric I would be finding....

I had left a wee bit later than expected which meant the store in Dansville was open so I picked up some vinyl that I'll need to make name badge holders to sell at my annual town clerk's conference. I also picked up a few FQs.

Maybe this would have been more meaningful to photo the backs
with their respective tops. Oops?!

Next I headed way south, almost to the Pennsylvania border to Addison, NY to visit the shop of a friend's sister. The store was having a 20% off sale and she had quite a few fat backs to choose from. I had brought 4 tops with me to pick backings. Of course, I also got another can of 505 - I'll definitely need it if I'm basting 4 large quilt tops. Oh wait, I take that back cuz I have 3 more top/backing sets at home. I probably should have gotten 2 cans with 7 quilts to baste. The kink in all this mess is that I don't have any batting and I just spent all my money on backing fabrics. I'm going to have to buy batting one quilt top's worth at a time...

As I was leaving the store, Cathy told me that there was another quilt shop in town and another on the drive home. Well sign me up! Three new-to-me quilt stores in one day! I picked up a few more FQs at the other Addison store and then  zipped over to Corning Glass Museum. I didn't have time to go through the museum (not at the regular admission price anyway) so I just zipped around the store looking at all the pretty glass items.

3 WOW for the pieced hexie sampler
4 neutrals and 4 colors for stash

Next up was the last store in Campbell, NY where, you guessed it, I picked up a few more FQs.

The last stop for the day was to hike the National Cemetery in Bath - I'll share those pictures later this week.

By the time I got home Saturday evening, I was whooped from all that driving and the heat generated from my debit card so I settled in front of the TV to stitch more of the border on my owl quilt.

Sunday morning was spent alternating between clearing out my bedroom for a major redo, laundry and more hexies! The afternoon was spent watching a double header since both my nephews had hockey games!

All the teammates now have nicknames...
say hi to "Curly Q"
so named for all those luscious curls!

Some time ago, the boys on my older nephew's team realized that other hockey teams (I can't remember if it was the Amerks or ???) dressed up before games so they all decided to do the same. It's so nice to see young men in shirt and ties with shiny shoes :) Can you believe this young man turns 12 next week??!! I've told him to stop getting older but he just shakes his head at his favorite Crazy Aunt Sarah.

Say hi to "Scrat"
Scrat (Ice Age squirrel) never gives up trying to get the acorn
Ryan never gives up trying to get to the puck.

The team for my younger nephew doesn't dress up - but he really wants to. Anything to emulate the older boys! He was so determined to have peeps see him dressed up yesterday that he refused to wear his coat. I supposed it helped that he had just skated hard for 90 mins but I was cold just sitting there.

Scrat and Tortilla

We might or might not be related...

I've joined...Design Wall Monday, Monday Making

ADK trip #1

Since I was 10 years old (just a couple years ago!), my family has been camping at 8th Lake Campground which is a NY State run campground.

The campground is nestled in the woods between 8th lake...

and 7th lake. They are part of the Fulton Chain of Lakes.

Rome, NY
3 FQs and 4 2.5" strips for my pieced hexie project

Inlet, NY
6 FQs, mostly for the pieced hexie project

It's a personal tradition to stop at the 2 quilt stores on the way up to the ADK mountains - an excellent way to break up the 4.5 hour drive.

I enjoy walking around the campground and trails early in the morning, allowing me to see the campfire smoke twisting through the trees.

Mt Sawyer with Tom, Kristie, Tyler and Ryan

Mountain climbing is one of our favorite activities. I don't know that I'll ever be a "46-er" but it's fun to find new mountains for every trip. Most of the local towns have "challenges" that include water falls, fire towers, lakes and or mountains so I have plans, on the next trip, to hike the Tupper Lake Triad which means three (easy?!) mountains in one day. The weather isn't supposed to be great most of the trip so my fingers are crossed that at least Thursday will have nice weather so I can complete the TLT.

The Fourth had a lot of activities this year...

We attended the 39th annual Ping Pong Drop. For the last 38 years a seaplane had dropped the colored ping pong balls onto the field but for legal reasons that part of the tradition is over. The kids are broken into 3 age groups and allowed to grab 3 balls per kid. The balls are then traded in for prizes. I suppose I should not have been, but I was surprised at how many people attended.

Later we spent time at the Inlet beach listening to an excellent Springsteen cover band.

And watching the sun set on 4th Lake.

Eventually the barge headed out to set up for the fireworks show.

I think this was about the time that Tyler asked if I ever get tired of hexies. Uh...no!
And when I said I would be posting his goofy pic on my blog, he told me that
only lonely ppl write blogs. I don't think so Dude!

But we continued to goof around with lightsticks and music.

We weren't the only people ready to watch the show - many boats were in the middle of the lake.

That gorgeous tree was in the way for photographing the fireworks which meant I could enjoy them for the fireworks and not be fiddling with my iPhone.

I think that pretty much covers trip #1 and trip #2 is right around the corner.

I'm changing the travel plans up a little this trip with a stop at the Syracuse-AQS Quilt Show next Wednesday. Is anyone else going to be there?

Is it Tuesday already?

Yipper - yesterday just flew by. It makes for a nice quick day when there's so much to do that you have to work late, but it doesn't make for good blogging. I'll keep today's post short and keep my surprise for tomorrow..

This past Saturday I went to Ryan's hockey tournament. Ryan is at a level where there are 48 kids on his "team" and they picked just 12 for the tournament! Go Ryan!!!! Unfortunately, the other team creamed them. The kids didn't seem crushed by the loss as they just plain enjoy being on the ice.

When we first got back in the truck I was sitting with 2 tired puppies. That changed after lunch!

Yes - they are both crazy!! 

But wait, you say, what did you have for lunch??!! The Jimmy Panini at Dibella's. Dibella's is apparently a Rochester staple that I was completely unaware of despite having lived there for four years. I tried to say they must have come up after I moved to Miami but my favorite brother was quick to point out they were established in 1918. That's a lot of subs!!!

Just don't tell anyone it took me 10 minutes to notice the floor!

So back to what I was supposed to be posting yesterday...

My birthday giveaway closed at noon with 22 comments for random.org to choose from.

Hexie napkins, hexie papers and dark chocolate!!!

Missy Shay was the winner!!!!!

And since Missy is a frequent linker to my Feline Friday parties, I'll be including a little something for the furkids too!!

Fair Thursday

I've been a lazy photographer at the Fair this year...partly cuz I haven't yet had time to wander and partly cuz I'm having fun doing what I'm doing and not thinking about taking pictures. Yesterday I did my hexies at the LQS booth and then The Boys wanted me to ride the rides with them. It's good to be loved!

Ryan and Tyler

As far as my Home Arts entries, I got a red on my chickadee quilt. The judges comments read along the line of great fabric, nicely quilted and good binding but wavy edges. I think the real issue is the outer border has less quilting (feather) than the inner border (~ribbon candy) and when I washed the quilt it became a little wavy. Of course that is just my translation of the vague comment.

I also got a blue on my hexified jean jacket, doll quilt, table runner and beaded soap dispenser.

As for my Antique entries, I got a blue on everything: salt dips, cheese knife, tea cup, iron bank, tatted hankies and tatting shuttles.

I always help Mom with the antique judging (we run the department) and this year we had a new judge. She was very knowledgeable and willing to answer questions. Awesome, since I know little to nothing about glass/china. She told me that one of my salt dips can be placed in a sunny window for the next 2 or 3 years and depending on what is in the glass, it will change colors and stay that way forever. If there is cobalt it will turn purple. If there is cyanide it will turn yellow. I think I am going to put them all in the window and see what happens.

And my new fav fair food?

Fried Ravioli!!!! Not overly greasy or crunchy but crisp and warm in the center. Yummo!!!

playing in the garden

Last week I hired my first official landscapers!! OK, so they are only 6 and 9 but Tyler is saving money for an iPod Touch and I am all for learning the value of five bucks. That and I hate picking up sticks.

Unfortunately, the weather was kinda nasty so the boys didn't come over.

I did have 2 other helpers but they just aren't so good at stick pickin'.

The pine cones are leftover from our pine cone war. Fun must be had :)

Fast forward to Monday night and now only one landscaper was still interested in earning some cash. I was mighty impressed tho as Tyler did a fantastic job as we picked sticks, removed the rest of the leaves from the flower beds and trimed some plants. Yeah, I am not a good gardener and waaaay behind schedule.

We still had a snoopervisor this week and, surprisingly enough, he was quite social with Tyler. Score one for Zorro!

Hmm..should have retaken this photo after we trimmed the plants...

The yard is looking better and my pear tree looks exceptional this year.
Next step? When the rain stops, I can finally drag out the mower.

Not Quite Wordless Wednesday

I missed their prime but this neighbors lawn is often wall to wall crocuses in the spring.
It doesn't look like they all came up this year.

My DARLING family for Easter Dinner:
brother Tom, unimpressed SIL Kristie, more interested in his choco rabbit Tyler, Ryan with a prize winning smile, Dad  playing the ham and Mom who moved out of camera range while I was taking the pano.

Sorry for the glare from the gorgeous sun!

Design Wall Monday - 3/31/14

Saturday was the last day of shop hop so I worked at the LQS. It was nice and busy, especially nice given the weather they were predicting.

You see we had this little snow storm Saturday night. Oh , I don't know 3" or 4" of the stuff, it's hard to tell cuz it was super wet and heavy and compacted itself pretty good. It was still nasty enough Sunday morning that they cancelled the controlled burn the fire dept was going to do. That allowed me to stay in bed and finish a book. Heaven!

Yes that is Squeaky's ear as she watched the antics from the window box.
Zorro is gonna have a surprise come summer and the snow isn't holding that mower upright.
I was impressed with his climbing ability - he did it exactly as the squirrels do it too!

As soon as I got up tho, Zorro wanted outside. First he had to make sure there were no squirrels in the feeder and then he had to inspect my car. Luckily he has long, fuzzy belly fur to keep him warm. He wanted out several more times during the day too.

Next order of the day was to finish the sashes for my nephews. I know it's hard to guess but I am pretty sure they liked them.

Last order of the weekend was to make more mugrugs and the best part of these rugs is that, except for the blue star fabric, everything else is scraps. Whoo Hoo! I think that gives me about 10 that need quilting so I best get on that...

Don't forget to pop in tomorrow - it's out next official Bibliofile Files linky party!

yet another Easy Street update

With more parties this week than one person should be involved with (6!) there has been little time for sewing which means I have just this morning finished sewing and trimming my flying geese.

Tonight I will take my nephews to watch Polar Express at the local theater. We are supposed to wear our PJs and will receive cocoa and a bell before the show. I'm not sure who is more excited: them (age 4 and 7, both having already memorized the movie) or me for getting to spend time out with them...

Design Wall Monday - 8/27/12

Certain people - and you know who you are - will be disappointed to learn that I did not win the lotto this weekend. Phooey!

I had a nice trip up to the mountains this weekend. It was short and sweet with perfect weather and time with the family. Friday was spent on the beach, Saturday shopping with Mom and canoing with Dad on Sunday with lots of biking and playing with the boys sprinkled in between. The food was great because my SIL loves to COOK when camping but nary a smore was seen. We did make quasi-fried-dough in the pie iron which was spectacular. I even bought a cookbook that is all kinds of meals made entirely with pie irons of different shapes/purposes. I just might spend my trip next summer with just a pie iron. LOL.

Needless to say I did very little sewing this weekend. In fact I only finished one rose star, bringing my total to 5 now.

It is, however, a good thing that I do not join in Judy's weekly Stash Report because I went totally overboard at the quiltstore in Inlet this weekend. They are retiring in October and everything is 25% off. Denise and I are splitting the batiks but I also found some nice panels and coordinating fabrics that I can work into some nice quilts. There were also FQs and an awesome poison green. Whew. I haven't even used the fabric I bought there in July and I'll be back again in September. I need to search out some projects I can make for the upcoming Christmas Bazaars...

Don't forget that this week is your last chance to join in my THREE giveaways. There haven't been an overwhelming number of entries yet so you have pretty good chances...

Check out Feline Friday where I will be giving away some adorable cat fabric.
Check out Hexie Linky Party as there are actually 2 prize packages. One will be given for the person who helps me pick a name for the monthly party but another package will be given in celebration of it being my 500th post!!! Both packages will have fabric and hexie supplies generously donated by Paperpieces.com and Creekside Fabric and I'll be adding in some other goodies too. I mean what's a prize without chocolate?! Good Luck!

You know you're from a small town when...

...the new fire truck is the biggest news around. LOL.

Castile Fire Department has historically (to the best of my knowledge anyway) purchased used fire trucks and some of them are now darn near as old as I am! But when you are only used a few times a year, it's ok.

This year, the department voted to get rid of 2 old trucks and purchase this one new pumper tanker. From this view it looks as long as the fire hall - it's not, quite. You can see all the guys drooling looking it over. We had guys from the county EMS and several local departments come to watch it be delivered and I hear it will be front page in the weekly paper this week.

As an EMT, I am technically an exterior firefighter but I know nothing about trucks or anything on them so I'll just show you the photos. My boss, a Perry Center fireman, asked to see a pic of the pumps and I hadn't even thought to get one. Check out how HUGE it is compared to my models. It feels bigger than the 2 trucks we got rid of.

And lucky me, I got the first truck related injury. I was trying to figure out how to open the roller door compartments (shown here to the left of Pete). Nick showed me the "latch" and as the door started to fly up, I tried to grab it. Instead, I got my fingers slammed between the door and the truck. Ouch didn't quite cover it. No swelling but my fingers/knuckles are pretty sore. See why I'm not an interior? I can't even operate the truck let alone run into burning buildings with all that gear on...

And the two bestest models? My nephews, Ryan and Tyler. Maybe you can tell from the angle of the photo how high they are. There are three steep steps and I had a bit of trouble getting up there in a jean skirt...can't wait to see the guys in their bunkers trying to climb up there.

Design Wall Monday

I'm in craft bazaar prep mode. I don't plan to make a lot of things, partly because I have leftovers from the Christmas shows, but also because I just don't feel the need to kill myself in prep for a (new) show where I have no idea how well I'll do. I decided late to participate in this show and I have my usual evening meetings and EMT classes to take my time as well.

One of the items I have decided to make are Kindle cases. They are based on the tutorial at http://frizzylizzie.blogspot.com/2011/02/patchwork-kindle-cover-tutorial.html. Everywhere you turn there is someone with a Kindle or a Nook so hopefully they will need a case.

This bazaar version is larger than the one I made myself. I think I prefer the smaller one I made only because it feels more secure to me but the larger version should fit more sizes of Kindle/Nook.







And just to put a smile on your face...I asked my nephews to pose for a picture yesterday and this is what I got. I guess I should have been more specific. I really wanted to document the fact that the 7 year old was wearing the 4 year olds jeans - they fit the waist but were about a foot too short and it didn't seem to bother Ty.

UFO Thursday

Yup, it's the end of another month and I should be reporting on my NewFO's and UFO's. I worked on a UFO this month, altho not the designated project. I also started a couple NewFO's that I forgot to take updated photos of so we'll post those next week.

I think you will remember that I finished my Kangaroo Walkabout top last month.

Well, this week I also cut the batting and pieced the back. I wasn't interested in trying to match the pattern of the kangaroo fabric or in having a seam down the middle so I had planned to cut one length of the kangaroos and then make a strip of pieced black fabrics to get it wide enough.

I'm sure you all know to "measure twice and cut once". I suggest you also read your notes twice about what size to cut! I had remeasured the quilt top to make sure my measurements were correct and that is apparently what stuck in my head because I did measure out 72" twice but it should have been cut to 76."  Luckily I also had some WOF black left that I could add to the bottom of the kangaroos. Not what I had originally planned but it works :)

Oh hey, I still have more kangaroo fabric left - I think it should become binding...

I need to make some quillows as birthday gifts for the boys and then their party is Saturday. I hope to get Kangaroo Walkabout spray basted in there sometime.

UFO Thursday

I was a naughtly little girl. I didn't finish my #1 UFO this month for the Challenge.

• I finished my quilted jacket that was started almost 3 years ago
• I worked on strips and blocks for my Omigosh quilt, a lonterm project
• I made half square triangles for my rollRollCottonBoll mystery quilt that was started last year
• I worked on cutting brown and gold strips towards my sweetPotatoPie that I started 3+ years ago
• I started and completed the top of a hexie doll quilt to use for National Quilting Day Weekend activities at the LQS
• I finally started the hexie project to replicate the bathroom tile floor at work. Have wanted to do this for almost 3 years
• I started another hexie project that will be considered longterm
• I started a fruit & veggie quilt
• I finished up a table runner and 2 quilt top samples for coming classes at the LQS
• I painted the office/library
• I attended 5 non-work related meetings, including dinner for 20 at my house
• I attended 2 birthday parties and other family events
• I answered I don't know how many rescue calls
• I've chased socks all over the house (yes, the saga continue)

BUT

I didn't finish my UFO for Judy's Challenge.

What do you think my punishment should be?
Do you want to stone me with new spools of King Tut thread? Do you want to bury me under fabric cut into 1", 2" or 2.5" strips? You choose and let me know. I'll be in the studio when you decide!

Be Prepared...

...when you lend a 6 year old your digital camera...some of the photos might be pretty good...

portrait of the artist



current obsession



Out of focus but I love how it's framed



no head but this is the perspective of a 6 year old



Not afraid to take portrait photos, even tho my mouth was full of yummies



We played with the macro function, altho he doesn't quite grasp the concept yet. I just need to figure out how to get him to slow down and focus before pressing the shutter. A lot of interesting shots/subjects but he was moving so fast they are just completely out of focus.

All on his own, he decided to do some motion shots - while twirling around the living room he would randomly push the shutter button. 

Quite the creative kid - don't cha think?!