May 25, 2012 - Friday

Yippee... another Friday! 

This Friday is FULL of "stuff to do"!! 

1. Finish up cutting kits for B-a-a-a-d Girls Club 

2. Go to Apple store and find out why ALL OF MY CONTACTS have disappeared from my phone (NOT GOOD!!!) 

3.  Go to my friends and pick up some upholstery supplies 

4.  Pack my sewing for Friday Night Sewcial at Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe 

5.  Buy Chicken for tonight's "picnic" themed dinner....

Okay... that's enough.. I'm tired already! 

Hey...look at this....

Oh my gosh...when I saw this Barbie... I squealed.  You see... when Vicky and I were little girls... we made Barbie clothes just like this!  Our mom and grandma sewed.... everything... and they had so many scraps they let us use... including laces, furs, etc.  We would go to Grandmas and work with our Barbie patterns for days and make all kinds of clothes.  She let us use her sewing machine and supplies.  Can you believe we made Barbie clothes that many years ago?  That's how we learned to sew.  What good memories.  I LOVED my Barbie doll... combing her hair... even the smell of her (know what I mean...that yummy rubbery smell?  I know... I know... weird huh?)  I miss her... sniffle.  I wonder what nasty dump she's been sleeping in for the past 40 years...wwwahhhhhh!!

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See these... LOVE THEM!  My templates (Pretty Pots A Plenty) do this also.  As a matter of fact... I'm in the process of using my templates in LOTS of new designs... hopefully designs that no one has seen yet!  Wish me luck!!!  I can't wait to get started.!!

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You know... when Karen and I were at Kansas City Quilt Market... we both made a discovery!!  We either like quilts with lots of little pieces - or BIG pieces...there is no in between!  Now...take a look at this quilt.  How simple is it?  But how wonderful is it too?  I love quilts like this made with crisp WHITE fabric...then when it's quilted and washed... it's just wonderful...soft...cushy...smells good!  The kind you want to take a nap under  -  outside on the deck... in the shade - with the cool, fresh air breezes blowing... just enough so you need to cuddle under this sweet thing.  Are you with me?

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Hey... I thought this was such a sweet idea for children for Christmas.  Then I thought of adding another portion to this.  As a child cuts off each day... have them write on the back something they are thankful about - that they want to share with SANTA.  NOT what they want for Christmas...but what they LOVE about the season!  It would be great for the mommies and daddies to keep each year in an envelope - then when their children are grown - give to them as a memento of their childhood!

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Hey... I want to own all of these!  I love shakers (have no earthly idea why either!).  I want to make some fun things from them.  I'm always on the hunt in the antique stores!!

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Okay...it's time to get my day started.  I've been sitting at this computer way too long already today!  Isn't it amazing how it "sucks" you in!  Just think - years ago all we had was the newspapers, magazines, and encyclopedias to look for information.  My... how times have changed!

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How sweet is this?  Nothing more heart wrenching that watching a small child say their prayers. 

Have a beautiful day and a super weekend.  Remember to thank those in the military that have served their country and bless the families that have lost their loved ones. 

Chat with you on Monday!!

Gloria

May 24, 2012 - Thursday

Well... this morning is a sad morning!!  My sweet nephew, Luke, has been with us for a little over a week.  He's 17 and just graduated from high school.  He's thinking about going into the military... He wants to serve HIS country!!  Now... how wonderful is that?  To help him in his decision of which branch to choose... he's spent time with my honey (Jack) and they've "bonded" !!!  Jack told him all about the Navy, took him all over so he could see what that life is... and now he's going to make a decision.  Navy or Army!!  He's dream is to be a tank driver (boo hoo) so I'm sure he will go that route. 

What a great kid!  It's so funny...when we were that age (Jack and I) we were madly in love with each other and to see him... well.... it just brings back wonderful memories.  However, he's so YOUNG!  Was I that young?  Heck... I don't even remember!  Good luck to my sweet Luke!  What a great time having him here with us.

Today... I'm madly getting everything ready for my B-a-a-a-d Girls Club this weekend - for their make-it-take-it projects.  I think the number of gals in attendance will be very low since it's a holiday weekend.  However, we will have a blast!!!! 

Since I've returned from market --- my inspiration is HUGE!  I'm making a list of all the new "ideas" I have... whew... is it ever getting LONG!  Oh my!!  Then I looked at my travel schedule... it's going to be a SUPER-DOOPER next few months!

June - sewing with friends at a mini retreat and flying to Wisconsin to Primitive Gatherings Retreat

July - going to Paula's (Red Crinoline Quilts) so we can work on our computer patterns together

August - Quilting cruise to Alaska with my honey

September - Camp Blanding Retreat - YIPPEE!!

October - Houston Quilt Market

November & December - COLLAPSE!!! 

I love being busy... can't stand being bored!  Can you tell???

Here's some fun things for you.....

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Did you know that the lid to a Parmesan container fits on a mason jar?  Isn't that so cool???   I had no clue!  I can't wait to try this!!

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I love this cute packaging!  Red ribbon and jingle bells.  Now I ask you... how can you go wrong with this concept?  So cute and so simple... especially if these jars are filled with your homemade jelly, caramel.... cool huh?

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Now I know this may sound a bit strange... but I LOVE STOOLS!!  Do you?  These... I would give my eye teeth for.  OMG... they all match in construction but at different heights.  WOW... what a great trio to use in merchandising displays... or just IN MY HOUSE!  I know they are a bit primitive - but I guess that's what I love about them... aaaahhhh  chippy paint! 

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I'm on the prowl for these type of containers when I go antiquing!  These are pretty glass shakers and they've taken soft wire... twisted it as seen below and then you stick the ends in the holes of the shaker.  Wouldn't this be so cute on a buffet table with the name of the item on a sweet little card?  Or for place settings at a big dinner?  Or how about in a store with information about a product and the price?  LOVE IT!!!

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Now... this is genius and I wished I  would have thought of it.  When you buy green onions... you know how you sometimes don't need a lot of them... but because of the way they are packaged - they go bad before all of them are used?  Well, here is the answer.  Chop them all up and place on a paper towel and flash freeze them!  Then store them in your freezer - after you've placed them into a clean - used watter bottle.  Then...the next time you need some green onion - shake out what you need and put the rest back in the freezer!  Cool huh?

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Okay... here we are with chippy paint stuff again!  I love how they have taken this old frame and made the picture look awesome inside.  Isn't this clever!  Heck.. you don't need to worry about buying any small frames with this method!!

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Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.................. want to make your bathroom smell pretty all the time?  Here is the trick.  Buy your favorite scented oil  -  then just place a couple of drops on the inside of the toilet paper roll.  Each time it's used... the scent will fill the air.  Pretty darn clever huh?  What better place to use scented oil!!!

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Isn't he adorable??? (I know my friend Karen L. won't think so... she's NOT fond of rodents!)  I love the way he's stuffing the carrot in his mouth!  Hungry little boy!!

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Have a great Thursday!  Sew until your eyes go blurry....then take a NAP!

Hugs to all!!

Gloria

May 23, 2012 - Wednesday

Good Morning everyone!

I decided today was the day to give you some photos from the Kansas City Quilt Market!  Of course you know I have to visit with some of my favorite designers.  This market they out did themselves...! 

Of course... it goes without saying that Red Crinoline Quilts (formerly Bonnie Blue Quilts) was at the top of the list!  Their new Block of the Month is so WONDERFUL!!  I had posted it some time ago... do you all remember it? 

This is it.... FREEDOM RINGS!!!  (How true is that statement...living here in the good old USA!)  Ask your local quilt store if they are going to participate in this BOM!!!  They won't be sorry!

Hi Paula and Maryellen... see you soon!  LOVE YOU!!

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Here we go.... Lisa Bongean from Primitive Gatherings!!!  This woman amazes me!  I think she runs on 2 hours sleep and go-go juice!  Her new quilts and wool projects were so wonderful.  My favorite... well it's the one she's standing in front of!  It's called Colfax County and the inspiration was the antique quilt itself.  You use triangle paper - which makes the piecing perfect and EASY!  If you've never used triangle paper... I'm telling you now... YOU NEED TO DO SO! 

I remember the first time I used it... I was so excited to see and FEEL how well the quilt blocks went together...all seams matching and the 1/4" seam allowance was a dream!  As soon as this pattern (and the fabric line - OLD GLORY GATHERINGS) arrives at Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe...this quilt will be humming on my sewing machine. 

Karen ordered the entire line of Lisa's OLD GLORY GATHERINGS!!  Go to this link and check them out - Old Glory Gatherings 

Moda (her fabric company) has new "candy's" they will be releasing soon!  (coming soon to Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe)  They are pre-cut 2" squares from tons of different fabric collections.  I can't wait to get my hands on some of them for some new designs.

Hi Lisa.... See you NEXT MONTH (OMG.... I'm so excited to return to Wisconsin again... I could just pee my pants!!!...ooopps.... sorry about that...)

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Here is Tara Darr - Sew Unique Creations!  She and I have known each other for years.  She was a show vendor along with us for years.  Now... she's getting back to her roots!  Design, design, design...that's what she is working on.  She had 22 NEW quilts and projects in her booth.  That's totally EXTREME!  Needless to say - they were breathtaking!

Here is the link to her web site!  Check out the great new patterns... so much fun!  For those of you that love wool applique... she too is an expert in this area!  Sew Unique Creations

Hi Tara... LOVED YOUR BOOTH and your wonderful new patterns.  You're the bomb!!

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Pam Buda - Heartspun Quilts !!!    She's one of my sponsors for our Alaskan cruise that my honey and I are going on in August!  I'm so excited... Jack and I haven't had a vacation together for so long... I think the last time was the 3 days were went to Hawaii and that was how many years ago?  OMG... I can't even remember!!! (terrible...simply terrible...)

She was such a busy little girl in her booth...it was hard to get her to stand still for just a few minutes.  I remember the very first market she attended... I was so excited for her and her quilts were just wonderful! 

Hi Pam... see you in August on the BOAT!!!!  We are so excited!!!  Hugs to you!

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Stacy West - Buttermilk Basin !!!!!!!!!!!  Now...just let me tell you.... the wool projects she had in her booth will just.... simply... knock your socks off!  Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe will have them arriving soon and they are AWESOME!!!! 

Stacy's hubby was with her this trip... his FIRST market and he was so sweet!  What a great guy!  He helped us with our order and was so proud of his wife!  (as he should be...!!!)

Thanks Stacy for all of the hard work, long hours, and sore fingers - the new designs were so wonderful.

I simply love all of your work!

Take a visit on her web site and see what all she does.  Her NEW patterns are not yet posted - but they will be shortly!!! (right Stacy?????)

Buttermilk Basin

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And last but not least were the 3 sisters from Primitive Quilts and Projects!  What a wonderful family they are and how great they all get to work together.  They have almost 30,000 subscriptions to their magazine now... and I say we can all help to INCREASE that number!

Do you have your prescription?  If not... you should!!  All of the long time Primitive, Reproduction, and Folk Art designers are in the magazine.  PLUS - they are showcasing many new designers that are simply unbelievable!!!  Go to their web site - RIGHT NOW - AND SUBSCRIBE! 

SUBSCRIBE to PRIMITIVE QUILTS & PROJECTS

GUESS WHAT?  Vicky and I will have a project in the winter issue!!!  Yep... we are so excited.  So... you'd better get signed up!!!  That's the only way you will have access to the pattern!

Hi girls!!!  We're glad to be back with you!!!  Good to see you again at market...see you in October at Houston!

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Okay...that's it for the day... it's time for me to get my fanny out of this chair and get busy!  I'm working on my classes for this weekend... then I'm headed to the store for my

I-Pad  !!!!!!!!!!!  Yes... I'm buying an I-Pad and I can't wait!  Soon I'll be sketching my new design ideas - just like they do on Project Runway!  hahahahahahahaa!!!

See you all tomorrow...

Gloria