Who Knew

And I thought ice cream was for lunch!  This neat old ad is from a blog I have listed on my sidebar - http://pzrservices.typepad.com/vintageadvertising/
If you are into vintage pictures, magazines, advertising, you will probably love looking around on this one.  There is a list on it's sidebar of all the different categories and also ads by the different decades.  A fun place for those of us who love the old stuff. 

Last evening when I went to my blog, the background was gone.  Could not even get to the blog where I found it.  So I did some looking around and found a new background at http://www.leeloublogs.blogspot.com/ and used a new picture in the header.   This morning, I went to the old website and it is back.  Think I will stay with this one for a spell as it's bright and cheery.  Later will search out another cute one for the holidays.  Lots and lots of cute backgrounds out there.   So much great stuff on the internet.   Here are some from the board I have for Buttons  on my Pinterest page. 

 How cool is this?

 I really love covered buttons. 

This would be very time consuming and you would need tons of buttons but it is just gorgeous.

(Click to enlarge)

Some Sewing Just Isn't a Lot of Fun

Every pair of long pants I buy has to be shortened. It has been this way forever and I'm glad I know how to make the alteration, but I sure don't like doing it. Guess you have to take the bitter with the sweet. These are the pants that go with the set I will wear to the wedding. The fabric is slippery - which makes it even more "fun". I have run a basting thread at the bottom after turning the hem up, then I ran a stretch stitch about an inch above. I will cut off the excess pantleg and will handstitch the hem. Sometimes I do a machine blindstitch but with the slippery fabric, I probably would be asking for trouble so might as well do it the way I think will be the easiest. There is a glimpse of my pretty pin cushion given to me by a really good friend. (Click to enlarge)

From One Thing to Another

I am like a flea sometimes - hopping from one project to another. About five years ago, I did a lot of crocheting and made a scad of long, skinny scarves that made up quickly and were fun to do working with the really cool yarn. All the girls got several scarves for Christmas and I think they are still wearing some of them. The picture above shows some of the scarves that I made.

I have that urge to crochet again so bought some bright yarns out at Michaels and have started doing some granny squares. Like eating potato chips.....the more I do the more I want to do. When, oh, when, will I quit wanting to do everything - everything, that is, except cleaning and cooking. I don't want the last thing I do on earth to be cleaning! I am making good headway on the little storybook challenge for our quilt show. And I am going to try and keep from starting anymore BOM's and will finish the two pretty ones that I have almost done. Behind two blocks on the Tisket a Tasket but those little blocks go pretty quickly when you finally get at them! Oh, me, oh my! How can a person ever be bored? End of lament. (Click to enlarge)

I Have the Date Saved!

This was in my mailbox Tuesday - I had been expecting it. When I went over to my daughter's for dinner Sunday evening, they had received their card asking them to "Save the Date" on Friday. Well, mine didn't come until Tuesday - but I was pretty darned sure I was invited. This must have been caught up someplace for a few days. Molly and Doug are such a great couple - just right for each other. The big day will be August 14 of this year in Portland, Oregon, so there is another great wedding to look forward to and another family gathering in Oregon again. I am so very happy for Molly and her Doug! He is welcomed into our family with open arms and I know Molly is welcomed into his in the same way. (Click to enlarge)

New Year's Eve

First of of all - Happy 2010! I am wishing you health, happiness, peace and contentment in the upcoming new year and all that follow, plus wishing you many happy hours spent in our shared passion of quilting. May your bobbin always be full, your needle sharp and your projects fall together effortlessly. Enjoy every minute spent with fabric and thread, girl friends! And I include in my wishes any of my family or other non-quilters reading my blog.

Resolutions - I don't think I am going to bother making any as I usually don't carry through. I probably should resolve to not start anything until I finish some of the things already in the works. Oh me, Oh my! Here is an example---I have always thought about doing hexagons - and they are fun and beautiful but they take a long time to make. I love these and do enjoy the process but at my age I think I will do something else that is a little faster. I envision doing enough to make a pretty addition to a totebag or tablerunner and not a grandmother's flower garden quilt!

Just wanted to show you what I picked up at Material Mart yesterday for $7.00. In a plastic bag, there are a lot of two and a half inch strips of the neutral fabric and a nice pile of quarter yard pieces of the same fabric plus another small print. I think this will be a great little pile of fabric that goes with lots of things. (Click to enlarge)

With hugs, Carol.

The Mystery Quilt

A few days back, I posted a picture of this quilt and could not figure out where the block was and how it went together. Several of you left comments and sent e-mails. Today there was an e-mail from Pokey with this link to a blog which explains a lot -

http://floribunda.blogspot.com/2009/12/y-not.html

It seems to be that this would be a very time consuming, though gorgeous quilt, with lots and lots of "y" seams to contend with. As pretty as I think it is, I don't think I will be trying to make it. I do thank everyone who took an interest in this. Maybe some one will decide to give it a try.

A Big Pot of Soup

Much to my daughter's delight, today I made a huge pot of veggie soup. I got out the old pan that has cooked many batches of soup over the years and filled it with all the good stuff that goes into that good old comfort food. It's impossible for me to make a small pot of soup, anyway. This was the perfect day - we woke up to a lot of snow on the ground, school was cancelled which gave Sherry a day off and just perfect timing for this little endeavor. It turned out great and I will have enough left for at least two or three more meals. Sher has been hinting about this for sometime now and was tickled when she found out she could bring a big pan over and take the soup home for her and Barclay to enjoy.

I also had a fun time sitting for a couple of hours with my neighbor's great granddaughter - a darling little 8 year old girl. That was such fun - reminded me of when I first moved here and Hannah would spend quite a bit of time with me. I always so loved having the girls around - and of course, I still do, but they don't want to play "Go Fish" or "Crazy Eights" anymore! Taryn can come visit me anytime. She's a sweetheart.

One other little note - Wednesday evenings the show Modern Family is on television. I am so hooked on that one - it is absolutely as funny as can be and full of quirky characters and great writing and acting. And while I am speaking of tv shows - I was in KC when Dancing With the Stars crowned their winner - a big thumbs down from this old gal. Could not believe who won! Nuff said!

A Great Tip I Got From Kathy

I hope you can get an idea from these pictures how to sandwich the layers of a quilt using a great tip I got from one of the girls in our guild who does just beautiful machine quilting. She uses little strips of fusible web to hold everything together. I actually took the web from the release paper of wonder under and cut little strips, laid them on the batting (starting in the center) then unfolded the top and ironed it to the batting. I was careful not to press the embroidery that I had in the blocks. It only takes a few strips for each side - the middle, and left and right sides.

If you enlarge this, you can see the web, I think. Otherwise, it sure is a blank canvas, right?

After you have put down the web, fold the back over and iron. Presto, it's all ready to go to the machine. Thanks, Kathy!! It's a keeper. (Click to enlarge)

Estate Sale Purchases

My kitty corner neighbors have moved into an assisted living facility here in town and have their condo up for sale with an estate sale to further clear things out. A really nice couple, they will be missed here. Their home is beautiful and has been remodeled in a way that I would love to have at my house, but of course that won't happen. They are in a lovely spot, too, one of the very best in our complex.
I walked over a little while ago and bought a few items. There is not much I need but I found these two pretty dresser scarves and pair of pillowcases.

Don't know whether the pillowcases are hand done or not but they are pretty and were not expensive. Would look really nice with lots of other pillows on a quilt on a bed.

And in the basement, I found this - an ironing board that is quite a bit wider than the ordinary ones with a place on the end for the iron. A good place for pressing large pieces of fabric or quilttops and backs. Only $10 so a good buy. I think I could just fold and pin fabric on for a cover when a new one is needed. My mom used to do that all the time. There were a lot of pretty items and some very nice furniture - all good buys. However, my house is chockful now so I am not in need of anything like that. Estate sales and auctions are good places to find things to furnish a home, though. (Click to enlarge)

Digital Magazine

This morning while reading blogs that I follow, I was reading Tozz's Corner

http://tozzscorner.blogspot.com/

which belongs to Vicki, a very talented lady from Australia. In her post, she was so excited about having the lovely bag that she designed on the cover of the Down Under Quilts, and she also mentioned that you could go to the website for a subscription. I did that and found there is a free six month online subscription for their digital magazine. I think it is a great magazine! And her bag is beautiful - the instructions are there for it. Back issues can also be viewed, I believe. Haven't looked into it too closely yet. That is evidently the way magazines are going now, and it might be a good way to get the overseas publications. Here is the link----

http://www.downunderquilts.com.au/

(I had a note from one of quilting friends that there seemed to be a problem with this link. If you do have troubles, just put "Down Under Quilts" in the search box and you will find links to follow there. Sorry for any trouble)
You might want to give it a looksee. Ditto, for Vicki's blog - there is a collaboration of designers going to post free Christmas patterns soon. Sounds like fun.

Listen to This Without Laughing

Last Christmas when I was at my son's in Kansas City, he played this song by these two funny people and it is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud and long. Here is Phyllis Diller and Jim Backus (remember Mr. Magoo) in "Delicious". Enjoy!! Click on the link below -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN1ionssuAQ

Balloons Over Our Street

A little while ago I could hear a swishing noise outside - it came and went. Eventually, it got closer and it dawned upon me that it sounded like a hot air balloon. Out the door I went and sure enough, over the woods was a pretty balloon. Came back in and grabbed my camera and was quick enough to take several pictures. I had no sooner uploaded them to my computer and there were more swishes - so I went out again and there was another pretty balloon coming over the houses across the street. So I got some more pictures. It's a perfect evening for them - the air is calm. Going up in a balloon looks like a lot of fun. (Click to enlarge)

Welcome to a New Blogger

Can my fellow Q2 members tell who took this photo and who has a new blog? The answer is Melissa - and I hope you go to my sidebar under "fun blogs to visit" and click on "Melissa's Photos" to see the great pictures she has been taking. And you really don't have to be a Q2 member to take a peek! (Click to enlarge)

Tomorrow is May Day

Happy May Day tomorrow!!

When I was a little kid in grade school eons ago, we used to make cone baskets from wallpaper and fill them with flowers then hang them on someone's doorknob. Does anyone do that anymore? I can remember putting lilacs in them and maybe lillies of the valley - whatever was available on May 1st. Another nice memory I have of spring - early spring - is the sound of the frogs in a pond in our neighbor's yard. Just loved to hear the soft croaking in the evening.

If You Like Vintage

drop in on http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/ for a cute post with lots of pictures of collections, quilts, and some really cute bottle aprons that she made for members of the Clothesline Club. There are so many really fun, really pretty, really addictive blogs out there!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to you on this beautiful morning. May God bless. And I hope the bunny left you lots of chocolate! Will post more later! Enjoy the day.

On TV

My new favorite man on television - Castle! I think his name is Nathan Fillion and he is so smooth, so cool. It is a good show - one that I like as well as The Closer. Even when you get old, old, old, you still like some eye candy! Have also been hooked again this year on American Idol and, naturally, Dancing with the Stars. Idol has some really great singers and the Dancing stars are good, too. I don't think he will win, but I think Ty, the rodeo cowboy, is just so cute and has really turned into a good dancer. Hard to get past that handsome Gilles, though, who is really wonderful. Lil Kim does a great job, too, along with the jilted girl from Bachelor. End of review!

Some Pretty Birds Stopped By this morning

As you probably know by now, there isn't a heck of a view to look at from my house. However, I am not complaining--I love my little place! It's just right for an old hag. Occasionally, there is a nice diversion and this morning one came along. Actually, a week or so ago this happened but I wasn't able to get a picture.

These are cedar waxwings - about the size of a cardinal and with a tuft, also. The first time I ever saw one was years and years ago in Iowa. It seems like they must migrate through since they are never around for long. When we spotted them the first time I looked them up in a bird book and found out what they were. The pictures aren't too clear but I took them through the window behind the curtain. The birds are easily spooked. Then I isolated the single birds in one of the pictures and enhanced them. I think they turned out pretty good. Funny, I didn't think birds liked the berries on the mountain ash tree, but the finches ate them last fall and now these fellows are enjoying the dried ones this spring. (Click to enlarge)

I Finally Saw One

Just went out to put the trash container and recycle bin back into the carport so it wouldn't be blown away and there it was!!! My first robin sighting of spring! Now there will be many, but the first one is special.

A Tisket A Tasket #3 and Birdies

Here is the latest basket block. Fun, quick little blocks to do. The other day when going through some files of pictures I came across this picture I took when we were in KC at Bill and Ann's for Norah's graduation from law school several years ago. Hanging from the tree by their patio was this little bird house with the hungry little baby birds waiting for their momma to bring them some bugs. I was able to get two pictures but this one was the best. Tomorrow, I think, is the first day of spring so thought this was appropriate.

(Click to enlarge)