February 5, 2012 - Sunday ((Superbowl Sunday!!))

Ahhh.... what a great day - Sunday!  I'm so looking forward to 'playing' in my sewing room - I have 3 quilts (I'm on a MISSION!!) to get finished.  I've been so distracted by all of my other crafts.. they have been forgotten.  My problem:  I simply like toooooo many things!! 1. quilting  2.  wool  3.  making jewelry(something new I've started....arg!)  4.  Pinterest  5.  cooking recipes I've found on Pinterest  6.  designing  7.  handwork  8.  wool rug hooking  9.  the list goes on and on!  PLUS... this doesn't even include the two most wonderful things in the whole wide world that I want to do.... ((((drum roll))))

Knitting AND Counted Cross Stitch (antique samplers & primitive things)!!!  So... I'm thinking about doing what one of my friends used to do ((Faye... love her!)) .  She would cross-stitch one day, quilt the second day, and on and on.... don't you think that sounds like a plan?  Although.. I know myself VERY well and I know I would get off track. 

I'm not sure what has happened to me... I used to be very focused...stay on track... finish one thing before starting another.  I think it started when I worked my final years at the bank!  I had to work on so many different projects at one time... my focus was messed up!!  Then the store came along and it was a multi-task job... so... I'm just a mess!  I have to tell myself the entire time... focus...focus...focus...  Does that happen to you??  ((please tell me yes...))

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Ok... the "feel good" picture today is hysterical!!!  Ready????  Here you go!!

Now that... is a "bust"!!!  Wow... isn't it a hoot???  I don't think I would like to carry those gals around with me!  My back is killing me...just thinking about it!  Tee Hee... I'm sure your hubbies will get a kick out of this photo too!

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Look at these adorable magnets!!!  What a fun idea and so inexpensive to make!  You may already have some buttons around the house..just glue some round magnets to the back of them.  You may even want to tie some pearl cotton through the holes (tied in a bow) to give it a little extra "punch" while hanging on the refrigerator.  What a fun way for small children to learn their colors too!  OR.. choose only those colors that match your kitchen decor (it's all about the presentation you know...).

Have fun with them!!

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Then... I saw this great idea to make large throw pillows!!  These are rugs - you can buy two and sew them together or just one large one - folded in half and stitched together.  They are perfect for kids to play on - lay on while watching tv.  If you want - you can Velcro them closed - then it will be easier to remove the pillow insert and wash them!  Throw rugs like this come in such wonderful colors and designs, they are durable and can add that extra 'zing' of color to a room!

Check out places like World Market, Pier I... places that may have rugs with different textures and design!! 

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Then... I just gasped with surprise when I found this sweet thing... !  It's a simple tub that you can buy MANY places (Target, Walmart, etc.)  Then they used fabric and Mod Podge to cover the exterior!  How sweet is this?  Use the instructions on the Mod Podge jar for applying.  Cut your fabric by measuring around the object along with the height.  You can trim the top and bottom to fit!!  Wouldn't these look so cute in your laundry room?  My last house... I loved my laundry room.  I had it decorated so cute... it actually made doing the laundry not such an AWFUL chore....

Speaking of laundry.... be right back... time to put a load in the dryer..... 

Ok...all done.  My hubby gets so frustrated with me... I'll put a load in the washer and then forget to put them in the dryer... many times having to wash them again.  He just doesn't get that... how can I forget?  Hello.... he just doesn't live in my head! 

Then... I promptly told him that if it bothers him so darn much... he could resolve the issue and do ALL OF THE LAUNDRY HIMSELF!!  That immediately dismissed his ISSUE!!  ((darn it... I thought sure he would go for that deal..but it didn't work.) 

Now... he DOES help me with the laundry...don't get me wrong... however... HE DRIVES ME NUTS.... when he's folded the clothes (towels, sheets...etc.) he will sit them on the bathroom counter!  Leaves them there!  Now... here's the issue... the linen closet is right BESIDE the bathroom counter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Why can't he open the door and sit them on the shelf????  See... I also have issues with the laundry!  Is any of this sounding familiar to you?

Ok... I feel better know that I've shared that with all of you... moving on to a new topic!!

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Look at these 'long johns' !!!  Are they a sight to see???  I read an article... this family hangs them on the line each Christmas... then leaves them all winter long.. lets the snow fall on them... !  Hey...wouldn't this make a cute jigsaw puzzle???  hhmmm... which red piece belongs to which pair???

B-r-r-r-r-r... doesn't it look so cold???  I'm so HAPPY to live in Florida!!!

BRB.... my darling hubby has breakfast ready!!! ((30 minute time lapse))    Baaaaccckkk.... that was pretty yummy!  Scrambled eggs, bacon and hot tea!!!  He fixes breakfast every day... aren't I lucky???

Ok...time for me to get my tush off this computer and get busy!!

Here is your organizational tip for the day:

Take a good look at any artwork you have hanging on your walls, stored in closets, attic, basement... do you really want these pieces any longer?  Shaking your head no????  Then donate them to Goodwill or the Salvation Army centers.  It's time to let someone else enjoy them like you have!

Let's visit tomorrow!!

Gloria

February 4, 2012

Happy Saturday!  Ok... I must admit.. I've lost track of time and what day this is.  What a whirlwind week this has been.. finishing up the retreat, coming home and hauling everything back into the house and garage (which I have not finished putting up yet... sniffle...), helping Heather at her new house... and BOOM it's Saturday already. Wow... this week just flown by.

So... today is "GET TO WORK GLORIA" day!  (I hate to do things I don't like to do... how about you?)  I'm on a mission to get my sewing studio back to normal.... we may have to bring in the "organizers"... you know ... those people you can hire to make sense out of your mess?  (no... it's not that bad...really...)

Hey... look at this sweet photo!  I just want to curl up with this sweet fellow and take a nap.  What a life dogs have... ever noticed that?

Dreaming of wonderful things that are just outside the window!  LOVE HIM!!

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My B-a-a-a-d Girls Club starts this month at the Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe here in Jacksonville. 

 B-a-a-a-d Girls Wool Club 

I'm going to spoil everyone each month with a special treat... and a yummy dessert.  Look what I've picked out for February!!

Aren't these adorable?  I have everything all ready... I just need to get the little cellophane bags and some sweet ribbon.  I have the chocolate, peppermints, and sticks.  I just can't wait to make them!

Then.. for dessert we are having home made cheesecake in these adorable little canning jars!

I'm topping mine with cherries !!!

Then... we are 're-purposing' the jars and lids and making them into "wooly clipping jars" to use during our wool sewing session.  We'll be adding cute wool flowers to the lid !  They are so cute.. I know the girls will love them.  The lid will be a learning lesson on the different stitches... and adding black beads and a button to the flower center! 

So... Come on... come and join us!  It's going to be so much fun... sewing on our projects, eating, laughing, just bein' with the great people and havin' a blast!  $45.00 for the quarter - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm each month - last Saturday!  See you there!!

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Let's talk extension cords... ok?  Have you ever wondered why they are always - brown, black, green, that gorgeous school bus YELLOW and don't forget that bright 'caution' ORANGE!  Now... this I don't understand.  They have a rubber coating... why can't they be plaid, striped, flower print... they could do that you know... and they would sell a TON OF THEM.  All of us chicks would rush to the store and buy them out.  I thought about making a 'cover' for mine.. .just to make it a little more attractive.  Then I came to my senses and said... come on Gloria... get a grip!!  It's only an extension cord... not the cover for your couch!  But then... look what I found!!!

A 'SCREAMIN' BRIGHT PINK" cord!!!  Is this not to die for?????  I'm telling you... I need to only have the money to put some of these ideas in my head into motion.  If they can make a bright pink cord...what's wrong with purple???  soft pink???  mint green???  Don't you think I've hit on something here?  Although... I'm sticking with my first thought... the paisley, flower or plaid look!  Heck... they can make that gorgeous oil cloth, plastic coated fabric... why oh why not the cord???

Ok... that's it... I'm over it now... I'll be happy with pink.  I swear... if I see a cord manufacturer come out with these new designs I've just talked about... I'm suing!!  ha!!  It never fails.. I just have this luck... every time I think of something... it appears and I missed out on the deal.  (of course... I'm sure there is a reason for that... just don't know what it is yet... one of those questions I'm asking when I get to Heaven!)

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Here's a sweet idea I found on Pinterest.  The butterflies are the name tags at each place setting.  Now... you can use anything that 'fits the party'.  Let's say you're having a bunch of gals over for a sewing bee and you want to serve them dessert.  This is a cute way to show them how to use the name tag in the fork idea.  ONLY... let's use a spool of thread instead...

I went a head and found this one for you on "google".  You can print it - enlarge it - whatever works for you.  You can just cut away the needle!

Google - I should be a stock holder as much as I use it.  For those of you unfamiliar with this great computer 'tool'... did you know you could ask Google a question and it will give you sites to visit that has the answer for you?  It's a miracle... Google is an encyclopedia for whatever you need to know or find!  Try it... go to the Google website and type this question - Where is Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe located in Jacksonville, FL?  Press the Enter key and there you will have your answer.  Try it the next time you need information.... it's awesome!!

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Okay.. it's time for me to get busy!!!  But before I go... let's get back to getting organized!!

Tip for the day:

Empty your frig freezer - toss old food - give it a good scrub... it will make you feel so much better! 

Tomorrow....

Gloria

I'm Baaacccckkk....!!!!

Wow...what a fun time I've had these past few days!  We just wrapped up our Camp Blanding retreat and I'm finally getting rested up.  Who would know that sitting around all day... sewing... laughing... and having a blast would make me so darn tired.  On the way home (Tuesday) I felt like all of the blood had been drained from my body... so sleepy!  Of course that could have been because I'm not used to staying up until midnight (5 nights in a row) and then waking up at 6:00 am. 

I'm not sure why... but no matter what time I go to bed... my peepers are open around 6:00 each morning (sometimes MUCH earlier).  So... why fight it.. get up and start the day!  Too many things to do ... will I ever get them all done?

We were honored by the visit from the Senior Staff of Camp Blanding and their wives.  We presented each of them with a quilt (wives) - for their part in supporting our active military - they so deserve the recognition. 

Our group presented the base with 17 quilts for their soldier family program.  It's so wonderful to know they go to great families! 

Our Sale Room... well let me tell you... it was stuffed!  That room sold $13, 400.00 worth of "stuff" from the participants purging - cleaning out their stash - getting rid of old crafts.... it was so much fun to see the smiles of everyone as they walked out of the room with their new treasures.  It simply amazes me to see what each of them will do with the new items. 

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Today - my honey (Jack) and I celebrate our anniversary!  44 years... wow... that's a long time with one man!  And.. he is so wonderful!   Tonight we are going to dinner at Marker 32... never been there before but I hear it's pretty darn good!

Today we are helping our daughter (Heather) move into a house they just purchased.  What a cute lay-out it has... great big screened in porch on the back... beautiful stone fireplace.... I can't wait to see how cute she fixes it up... she's so talented!

I'm now the proud craftsman of these bracelets... they will soon be on my website to purchase!!

My clasps are just a little different... plus I will be hanging a sweet charm from one of the links.  They will sell for $10.00.  I made quite a few of them at the retreat... I asked the gals to wear them... test them.. let me know what to change.  I've received that feedback and they will soon be ready to order.  You'll just need to tell me your wrist size and that's it.. then I'll ship them to you!

They are perfect for all of us that love to sew!! 

I'm also working on another bracelet.... wait until you see them!!!  SO COOL!!!

Since it's almost time to hit the road and help Heather... I'll have to cut this posting short... here's your feel good picture for the day....

See that teeny... tiny... puppy in there????  How in the heck can he breathe???  So funny and so loving at the same time!!

Hey... have you been 'pinning' on Pinterest?  Guess what... I'm going to have a 'pinning' party!  I don't have all of the details worked out yet... but it's going to be so much fun!

Chat with you tomorrow!!!

Time to put on the grubbies... gather the cleaning supplies... and get busy!!

Gloria