Finally going to use it

All quilters know that fabric is like fine wine......... it has to age before we use it.

I bought this fabric seven years ago at G-Street Fabrics in Rockville, MD when my oldest daughter Erin's penpal Emma was here from Scotland. I've finally decided on the pattern; Octagon and Twist, from Quilterscache. I think it looks pretty good; not as bright as I thought it would be. I hope Emma likes it!!

Orange Crush Flimsy Finished

I finally finished my Orange Crush top. This was the second mystery posted by Bonnie Hunter. I wasn't too sure about it until it was all together. I thought the pink and green were going to be too 'loud'.

Originally I wanted to do a scrappy border but my brain just couldn't make it work. So i decided to take what fabric I had left and do straight borders. I think it looks pretty good.

Now for a name......... I'm thinking Key Lime Pie....... any suggestions?

Dear Jane Support Group

I 'own'/moderate the Stash_Quilters list on Yahoo groups. A few of us thought it would be nice to have a little Dear Jane Support group so that we can work on a block a month so to speak. I am not sure what I'm doing with this........ am I nuts? I know these blocks are tiny, and I know I will probably drive myself insane.... but I'm hoping that by having the support group, I can at least have a little discipline in my life to get them done.

Now to find my book and starting thinking about fabrics.

Chookyblue's SSCS Swap

I opened my SSCS swap today. OH MY!!! What a wonderful gift. Kerry Swain was my swap partner and she really went all out with a beautiful quilt made from Australian themed fabrics. I love it!!!

She also sent me a copy of her book and an Australian quilting magazine. (They are in the sewing room as she told me I could get them out of the box before Christmas).

Thank you so much Kerry!!! And thank you so much to Chookyblue for organizing this swap; it was a lot of fun.

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Everyone is up, presents are opened and breakfast is served. I think everyone in this house had an awesome Christmas morning with a couple of unexpected surprises.

Erin, the law student, received an iPOD touch. She was really hoping for that. She also received a giant stuffed Madagascar Penguin. I know, she's 22 and still getting penguins...... I don't think that will ever stop.

Abby received a digital camera. Her big surprise was a ticket to see her favorite musical CATS in the American Music Theatre in Lancaster in February. She's been beaming from ear to ear all morning.

Beth was equally surprised by the ticket to CATS. She also received a ticket/trip to see WICKED on Broadway in April with a school group.

I received a new knife block and a super new knife for the kitchen. I've been asking for this for a while and Santa listened this year. I also received some new Christmas CDs - I can start playing Christmas music in September (the kids are so thrilled with that one). The biggest gift for Kevin and I was the new dishwasher...... I love my big box of cleaning.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa........ whatever you celebrate I hope it is joyous and full of love.

Momentary Flash of Intelligence

I had a brain cell kick in today. I have been avoiding putting the borders on my Orange Crush Mystery quilt that Bonnie Hunter did last year because I couldn't get it to lay flat on my floor in order to measure it.

So suddenly, without provocation, this brain cell kicks in and tells me "Why not lay it right side down so that you don't have all of those seams fighting the carpet. Then it might lay flatter and you get an accurate measurement."

Gotta love those brain cells........ I think it just might work.

Art Projects

The twins have a Design class at school. The big project now is to make a mask. They both chose to do really interesting designs, but the 'thinking through' process has been a learning experience.

Here is Beth sewing down her 'night side' on to the frame. Abby is in the other room with her ornament mask and didn't want her picture taken.

Isn't education grand!!

Christmas Calories

It is the first day of winter, we didn't get the ice and snow that was predicted and Christmas is four days away.......... time to work on the annual caloric countdown!!!

With the help of husband Kevin and daughter Abby, we got three trays of Pretzel Buttons (white wafers) made; one tray of Candy Cane Hershey Kiss Pretzel treats made, and one pan of Peanut Butter Krispie Marshmallow Fudge (it doesn't look like much, but it melts in your mouth). I made the fudge for the faculty luncheon tomorrow.

The recipe for the fudge is:

Peanut Butter Krispie Marshmallow Fudge

2 bags of white chocolate chips

2 cups of creamy peanut butter

4 cups mini-marshmallows

4 cups rice krispies

In a large, microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate in the microwave about 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each cycle. When the chocolate is melted, stir in the peanut butter until well mixed. Stir in the marshmallows and rice krispies until well coated, dump into a 9x13 pan, even out. Cover with plastic wrap and put in the fridge to set. Take out of fridge about 15 minutes before you want to cut them.

Enjoy!!!

How do you say "Merry Christmas"?

I've been thinking today about all of the people I've met through my blog and where everyone lives.

So, how do you say "Merry Christmas"???

2 hour delay!!!!!

Well........ it has snowed enough and there is a threat of some freezing rain/sleet over night so we have a 2-hour delay tomorrow. I love it when they call those the night before. At least I can try and sleep in a little bit.

I'd much rather have a two hour delay than a day off. If they start taking days, we lose days at Easter.

Stocking for my Secret Angel

I signed up for the Secret Angel exchange at school. Periodically through the year we give gifts to each other. I think I told you about this before when I made the fall wall-hanging.

Anyway, I decided I didn't want to give the Christmas gift in a paper gift bag and couldn't decide what to make (I'm going way overboard according to one of the teachers who isn't playing the game). So today, with the snow falling (are we going to be home tomorrow???) I decided to pull out some scraps and make a stocking. It is made over a Debbie Mumm pattern in one of her Christmas books.

Now for stuffing it??????? Chocolate is definitely on the list.

Neighborhood nearing completion

I finished putting together the last of my 42 Happy Scrappy Houses last night. I love Bonnie Hunter's patterns. I am going to be teaching this at the end of January so I figured I need to at least get the majority of the top done. And since I am caught up at school (and everyone in the house is healthy) I have the chance to this weekend.

I have most of my framing strips cut, now I need to decide which fabric will frame each house. I did get one house framed before I taught my block class yesterday (it is down near the bottom). Wish me luck!!!

SPAM

I really get tired of SPAM. No, I'm not talking about the stuff in a can.......... I mean the stuff in my email inbox.

1. Enhancing anatomy.......... I don't have one.
2. Enhancing anatomy.......... They catch enough dropped food already; why would I want them bigger?
3. Dating............ there is no way in **** that I would go through that human mating ritual again.
4. I've won!!!!.........I don't need half of this stuff.

Ok, I'm done venting now.

Have a good day!!!