WooHoo my QAL top is DONE!

There you go Kelly and Darlene.  Done!

I can hardly wait to see the rest of the group's!  

Confession - I choose to make my border the 5 inches and not insert the 9 patches into the corners.  Why, I wanted to have a 5 inch border and was going to make my 9 patches into 16 patches.  It would have worked, however, I decided to go for the look that I have with this fabric.    

Yes, indeed I did make the nine patches for the corners.

And yes, I did sweat bullets over what I was doing....

  The nine patches and the remainder of my 5 inch strips will make a cute small quilt.  

I have had fun making the quilt top and looking forward 

to seeing every one's tops!

Thank you Kelly and Darlene!

Kelly at Cotton Charm Quilts - our fearless leader!

Support Moms & Families

I was thinking this was a worthwhile cause - 

Vote to Reunite Mothers with Their Children

 

Procter & Gamble, continues to celebrate moms everywhere with "Thank You Mom Reunions", a nationwide contest to reunite Moms and their children for milestone family moments like graduations and birthdays which they otherwise might have missed. 

 

Each month thru November, P&G is providing the opportunity for 15 lucky Moms to travel home to share a memory with family.

 

Since Mother's Day, participants have been submitting their stories online to be considered for a reunion with their Mom or Mother figure for the June contest.  Thirty finalists have been selected and voting begins NOW! 

 

Deposit some tokens in the good karma piggy bank and vote for the person you think deserves to be reunited with their Mom for a special milestone event.  Click here to cast your vote.  You can only vote once a day, so keep going back to vote for your favorite.  Voting ends for this period 11:59:59 ET June 30, 2010.

 

Specific contest rules and regulations can be found online at www.thankyoumom.com.

We are all busy, I know, yet your taking a moment and voting might reunite a mother and her family.  

World Cup and Cup of Tea

We were talking to University Son (#3) yesterday, and the subject got around to the USA Soccer Team.  It was not meant to be and Ghana won the game when they played the other day.  So, they are out of the World Cup and I along with the whole country are sad.  They played well and there are some moments that will live in US Soccer history.  Most of all they made us believe and their true grit and courage are an example for us all to follow.  

I will miss ringing Kim's house after each goal to hoot and hauler!  The guys on our team worked hard for four years, their efforts took them a long way and they made the country come alive with soccer.  

We are looking forward to watching the remainder of the World Cup.

Who are you rooting for?

A DAY LATE ... AND SOMETHING FUN

Yup, I am a day or so late for posting my picture for the Between Charming Friends Quilt Along.  It has been fun to work on - I have never made a sixteen patch block, and think now that it is finished it looks pretty darn cute!  I think you can still join if you are interested or just "peep" at the progress at Kelly's Charming Chatter http://cottoncharmquilts.typepad.com/charmingchatter/2010/06/index.html or Darlene's  http://quiltingdaze.blogspot.com/

I picked these Carsters up at Bearpaws and Hollyhocks QS yesterday when I was working.  They are the cat's meow!  They come two to a pack and are very inexpensive!! Have you ever taken a cold glass of something to drink while driving the car and when you went to pick it up and take a sip it dripped all over you?  Or have you stashed a paper serviette into the hole of your vehicle cup holder to catch the drips, only to find it sticking to your drink, and falling off as you are sipping and driving?  Well, no more!!!

There are all kinds of pretty, fun things printed on the carsters, the two I picked were   "Are we there YET? with LOL and smiley faces printed all over the background and this one is for Kim - 

"She looked So awake...So Alive!  Was it caffeine or botox?"

She is the one who was telling me the other day about her petrified serviette .... so, I knew I had to get her a set for her car.  

(It could save a life....)

So my next event is getting ready for my Tea Party - Time for Tea and Embroidery at Bearpaws today.  

Thank you for stopping by to visit.

Kim's Baaaaack In Blogland

Kim Update

Sheeee's Baaaaaack in Blogland!

It was fun being her disignated blogger for updates

 on her surgery and recovery. 

Kim's Blog

Welcome Back Kim!

Thank you for stopping by, you are more then welcome to come by and visit me anytime. 

Check Out Free Schnibbles Pattern from Carrie Nelson!

Carrie Nelson - Schnibbles - is giving us a free pattern!  

And I love it.

Thank you Carrie!

Free Pattern!

At Quilt Market, she was telling us (Lindy Munday owner of Bearpaws and Hollyhocks Quilt Shop) a joke, check out her fingers....  since I am as old as dirty, and it doesn't really matter any more - I am posting this (worst ever photo of me....) because it was so funny.

After we composed ourselves - (well, as best as we could).

Look what is in the bottom left corner!  It was beautiful.

I am making that sweet one!

Thank you Carrie!!!

I got my luck cup out during the last ten minutes of the game - probably should have earlier - WooHoo!  Algeria 0 USA 1 in the 91st minute of the game - World Cup Soccer - a Fairy Tale Ending!

Kim Update - No news is good news.  


I am off to take on the day - 
I hope you are having a good day, thank you for stopping by.

You be Thelma. I'll be Louise. And the Throne....

The Throne of Princess of Quite Alot.

Look what we found at the shop next door to the book store yesterday.

She let me talk her into going and sitting in the chair and take a few pictures of her on her throne......

Me thinks she was so darn happy to have the surgery over with, that she was open to even letting me photograph her......

There she sat,  all comfy with her Iced Vanilla Latte and relaxing!!!

FYI - The only reason we did not pick up the throne as a memento of the monumental accomplishment of the day was the manipulating  we would have had to do to get the chair into my motor car, and that is not counting the mammoth marital mess that would have materialized if we has managed to make the purchase and  maneuver the freeway to her home.  I am with her - "It would really look nice off my kitchen with a Fourth of July quilt over the arm."

TTYL

Kim Lives On

2nd Update on Kim

Kim is doing well.  Well, better then well!!!  

Maybe it is the drugs, but she is mar-val-us.  (Said with a Billy Crystal interpretation of Carlo Montalban accent.)

I drove up to her home and who should come out to the car - Kim.  Looking, well, very well.  She had on her make up, her hair looked good, and she was not in an old house coat and slippers.  (To be honest I do not know if she has an old house coat and slippers.)  She was feeling good too.  We unloaded the things I brought to cheer them.... they both were doing fine.  

So after a short time, Kim says, "What are your plans for the rest of the day?"  They were open, and she suggests we get out for a bit, and hit the used book store that we had been wanting to go to.  Wow, was this the same Kim who was almost paralyzed with anxiety over her surgery, and what she would have to deal with in her recovery?  

Kim found about eight other books of some of her favourite authors and I found two.  I got her home in about an hour and she was ready to settle down for the evening.  

Her hand and arm are in a cast that will probably come off on the 30th when she goes back to the doctor.  She is so funny testing out all that she can do and can't do with her cast on.  It is delightful to see her genuine excitement as she discovers what she can do - it is like watching someone open a Christmas present.  She following her doctors instructions to the letter!

I have a feeling that she will be blogging before the day is out or in the next couple of days.  I will keep you updated if there is any news.

TTYL

First Word From Kim

1st Kim Update.

Just got home from teaching, dropped all my "stuff" and headed to the computer to see, to see what I do not know, old habit....  Low and behold a message from Kim:

"Surgery went well and I'm not in any pain.  I can use my fingers to some extent, so I'm not as helpless as I expected to be.  I'm waiting for anesthesia to wear off completely to figure out how the hand will feel, but so far, so good!"

Hooray for Kim!!!!

1. She survived the surgery.
2. She is going to live.
3. She is still the same ole' Kim.  (You can't keep her down for long.)
4. She sounds like she is able to sit up and take a little nourishment - I am heading to Starbuck's for her life sustenance and driving over to see her.  I will report back when I get home.


TTYL

No News is Good News

Kim update.

She is probably on her way home from the surgery and Lisa her friend (take to and pickup person) is following instructions to head to the first Starbuck's (route already googled...) on the drive home from the hospital.  That's our girl.

One of the last things she said to me after Knot-y Embroidery Ladies last night was, "Well, if you do not hear from me, you know I died in surgery."  Yikes!!!!

Seriously, she has been anxious about the outcome of the surgery.  Only because of her great courage, sense of humor and her incredible desire to house clean has she been able to survive the long wait until surgery.

Say a little prayer for Kim.

I am heading out to teach my morning Knot-y Embroidery Ladies Group - I expect to get a call during class, if not I am heading over to her house.  

TTYL

A Tribute To A Fallen Soldier

My friend Kathy sent me the following email and I felt impressed to share it with you.  It is not a funny feel good email - but when I saw the photos I knew you would be as moved as I was.  

Funeral in Tennessee    In Tennessee we really do pull off the road and stop for   funerals... nobody moves until the last car has gone by.  What follows is a message from Vicki Pierce about her   nephew James' funeral, who was killed  while serving his country in Iraq! "However, the most incredible thing was what happened following the service on the way to the cemetery.  We went to our cars and drove to the cemetery escorted by at least 10 police cars with lights flashing and some other emergency vehicles, with Tennessee police handling traffic. Everyone on the road who was not in the  procession, pulled over, got out of their cars, and stood silently and respectfully, some put their hands over their hearts.   When we turned off the highway suddenly there were teenage boys along both sides of the street about every 20 feet or so, all holding large American flags on long flag poles, and again with their hands on their hearts.  We thought at first it was the Boy Scouts or 4 H club or something, but it continued for two and a half miles.   Hundreds of young people, standing silently on the side of the road with flags. At one point we passed an elementary school, and all the children were outside, shoulder to shoulder holding flags kindergartners, handicapped, teachers, staff, everyone.  Some held signs of love and support. Then came teenage girls, and younger boys, all holding flags.  Then adults.  Then families.  All standing silently on the side of the road, no one spoke, not even the very young children.   The military presence, at least two generals, a fist full of colonels, and representatives from every branch of the service, plus the color guard who attended James, and some who served with him, it was very impressive and respectful,   but the love and pride from this community who had lost one of their own was the most amazing thing I've ever been privileged to witness!   I've attached some pictures, some are blurry (we were moving), but you can get a small idea of what this was like.  These photos are awesome !!                                  Being a military mother I was very touched by this email that I received from my friend Kathy Munoz this morning.  Having never seen this email before, I thought that I would share it with you my blogland friends.  I wished we showed our love and support in California in the same way that they do in Tennessee.  We can not forget our fallen warriors.

World Cup and Cup of Tea

Got up early this morning to watch the World Cup play - USA vs SLOVENIA!

Having said that it is half time and time to make a cup of tea.  It is a pivotal game against Slovenia and they are ahead 2 to 0 (Groan!)

To nurture my nerves I chose a cup that a friend gave me a couple of months ago at my Time for Tea and Embroidery.  I is a beautiful china mug and feels so good in my hands when I hold it - thanks Diana!!!

Half time is over - I hope you have a great day and a peaceful weekend.

Go USA!

OMG as I was proofing this post the USA scored - 

we are back in the game!

Diana - your mug is a lucky mug!!!!!

Thelma and Louise on A Road Trip

Schools out, tired of cleaning, surgery coming up - not sure the excuse but we both had a day clear to head out on an adventure.  Kim armed with her printed out Google Maps and me with my atlas.  Yes, we were hitting the road.

First stop was some fuel for Kim.  The girl has these running through her veins....

Next we headed down into the central San Joaquin Valley to a town called Lathrop.  Never  heard of it, well I bet your have heard of this.

This free digital slideshow personalized with Smilebox

We then headed over to the west side of the valley to a little city called Pleasanton to a shop called English Rose.  It is featured in the Tea Time Magazine July/August issue on the stands now.  Here is a peek of the shop, their outdoor seating area and our sumptuous tea.

This free scrapbook design made with Smilebox The English Rose Tea Shop Our next stop - In Between Stitches a Quilt Shop in Livermore, California.

They were chosen one of the top 11 quilt shops in the latest Quilt Sampler Magazine.

In Between Stitches





This free digital collage made with Smilebox

I will save the funny stories for Kim i.e., her managing to go through a red light and other assorted tales.  It was a wonderful day, with a wonderful friend.  (Although she still can not get over me suggesting a Raw Food Restaurant.... :o) Still smiling here.  We got home in one piece (thanks to Kim's driving.)  Chocolate, a tea and wondering around an excellent quilt shop with a friend - It Was A Good Thing!

PS - I am trying something new with Smilebox.  Please let me know if your are able to view them.

Cheerio!

Come Smell the Gardenia's and Look At Marie's Quilt

Gardenias are one of my favourite flowers.  This seems to be a good year for them in my front flower bed and not only can I open the windows in the morning and drink in their fragrance over my morning tea but I have them floating in bowls around the house.

Marie brought a show and tell quilt top over Sunday evening.  (Marie is my late night window tapper friend - remember the Redwork Quilt top (for Empty Bowls) that she brought over to my home for a "viewing" after she had finished piecing it.)   It is the Bethlehem Star or also known as the Lone Star.  She made it out of her scrap stash and it is really fun to look at.

I think you will enjoy looking at her accomplishment as much as I did!

It's an adventure looking at it and seeing what scraps she used and hearing the stories about the bits and pieces she found.  Things like I had a fat eighth of this and a fat quarter of that.

When I grow up I want to piece like Marie and Kim.  They are MASTERS.  

There I knew you would enjoy the pictures.

I hope you are having a peaceful day.

As for me - Oh, My Gosh - peaceful it will not be,

 BUT - IT IS GOING TO BE FUN!

Why, Thelma and Louise are hitting the road to visit one of the Top Eleven Q Shops as written about in the Spring/Summer 2010 QUILT SAMPLER.

Thank you for stopping by - I do enjoy your visits.

So We Went To Lunch

The Green Boheme

Kim ordered - Big As Yo Head Salad
Mixed greens or romaine topped with seasonal veggies, sprouts, hemp seeds, croutons and I think a Lemon-Mustard dressing (which she liked).

Moi had the  All American Wellness Burger 

Sprouted sunflower seed and mixed seasonal veggie "burg" served with onion rings, tomato, avocado, sprouts, house made pickles, fresh tomato ketchup, cashew mayo and their hot mustard in a crisp lettuce "bun".

I liked it!

Chocolate Pecan Bar - Yum!

News Flash - just got an email from Kim and she was anxious for me to get the above pictures posted.  She is much better with the story telling... please head on over to her blog to find out the rest of the story.
Kim's Blog
I am just smiling here.  

We headed over to Meisners - never been there before.  I told you I don't get out much.....

I was quiet impressed with their selection of thread....

A quick shot of the display floor before we left.  You could have rolled a bowling ball through there and not hit anyone.....

I was able to find a couple of 1/4" feet for my machines and some bobbins and seam ripper.  You know the usual.... 

We then headed to Continental Display for a display rack that Kim wanted.

These were shots of the second story windows that I found interesting.  Well, both of us did, and I have to say I didn't get either window display.....

We headed over to Dessert Industries (DI) and straight for the "Crafts Gone Bad" isle. 

I did think that she was cute but nothing grabbed our ankles and said take me home....

Don't get me wrong - there were plenty of things to choose from, like all these ties.  We donate to DI and now I know what the tie happy hunting grounds look like.  

I did SCORE!  Found a couple of old glass plates exactly like the ones that I use for my Time for Tea and Embroidery Event each month, a Spode soap dish for my bathroom, and a couple of cute buttons for the center of some flowers I want to make.

All in all, getting Kim out of the house, away from her oven cleaning, and I think she is still in the kitchen striping the yellow waxy build up in the far corners of her kitchen floor...... was a Good Thing! 

Thank you for stopping for a visit.