Patchwork Princess

Its a Sewing kind of Day!

2012-01-15T16:43:00.000-08:00

Oh what a great day it is so far. The low pressure front that moved in makes all the cold and dry go away and the air feels good. I have been sewing today in my swept up room and having a nice time. Got two UFO tops done.
This is from http://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com/ and she did a 12 days of Christmas sew along tutorial which I enjoyed. Small projects take so little time and the end result of satisfaction is the same. I used some scrap civil war fabrics, just love there yummy warmness. I have been drawn to these types of fabrics for many years back when calico's where still the rage. In researching my genealogy I have discovered some wonderful civil war veterans in my family and I guess that's the connect. Its all in the DNA.

My second finished top is a small whimsical farm that I got off of another blog, http://missymack.blogspot.com/ and she did a cute BOM which introduced my to adding color to my embroidery. I never saw her end project so I just added a little bit and wella, Its done.

Now to go layer, baste and quilt them before Feb 11th. That is the day of a sewing/potluck get together and I would love to do the binding there. I love that kind of project to work on in a group setting so I can yak and stitch to my hearts content without making boo boos.

Its A New Day

2012-01-05T01:15:00.000-08:00

Well I did it, I finally got a light bulb moment and shut down all but one Facebook game. What was I thinking spending all that time going nowhere! Well today I accomplished alot. Took the day to reflect alittle, pack up the last bits of Christmas, do a little house work and then made 10 3" blocks for a small quilt that I found on another blog. I used cival war fabrics and will post a pic. All the while "Little Man"followed me around and slept under the sewing machine. I even took him out for a walk but he ran the whole way home. UGH. I tried some training. He is really good at eating the treats just lacking focus on the job he is supposed to do. I think I need to make him a poster of a sitting dog so he gets the idea! Ok off to go read my book and enjoy my time away from Facebook. Hugs

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T23:25:00.000-08:00

Welcome 2012! It will be a very good year, can already feel it. I hope to get in as much sewing time in as possible. Also I am planning on starting some long over due projects along with some new ones. I love the BOM programs that start each year but I tend to putter out part way through. I am going to try to be as organized as possible. Please family..... No distractions like last year! LOL.

My first distraction was not having my son home for almost 5 months. He was in Oklahoma getting certified as an air traffic controller, than when he got home it was new adventures for him in getting him moved into an apartment and settled. (Third floor no elevator) But it got done and no sooner did I dust of my moving duds and put away my paint brush when the baby says " I am moving to Colorado" Ugh. I found myself an empty nester 2011. So she packed up, moved and I revamped her room so I have a wonderful spa like oasis for anyone to stay in! (Yep she has been home to enjoy it) My third child the oldest turned 31 which is hard to believe. she is still living life as a wondering Gypsy and I pray for her each day that she will find her way home again.

My little man "Buddy" and I have spent a year getting acquainted, Its a love hate relationship, I love him he hates me! LOL. I should have known on the first day a year ago when I kissed him on his nose and he growled that It was going to be a one sided relationship. Midget hates him so I guess we are all even! I should probably keep a journal about Buddy the polka dotted dog and his adventures.

Well enough of this and back to stitching!

Happy New Year

Its June Already!

2011-06-03T02:20:00.000-07:00

OMG. I can't believe how fast time as gone by. So much has happened since my last post. The greatest bit of news is that my son has moved into his new apartment, started his new job and is starting new journeys in life! I am so proud of this young man. He allowed me to help him fix the place up and of course allowed everyone to help move him to his 3rd floor nest with no elevator! It is a wonderful place and he should be very happy.

Hubby and me took a break and drove down to Disneyland for a few days, It was nice just to get away. Saw Mickey and told him Hello from everyone. The best fun I had was playing with my phone during down time sending crypted pics of myself to my friend Jenn's little kiddos. They are disney fans of had great fun guessing where I was in the photos and they were very good at it. Fun game.

Midget turned 3 years old on the 1st of June. What a milestone for her. We went to the park just the two of us and we played ball for a bit. She enjoyed the one on one time with me.

Buddy is turning into a sturdy "little man". Thats what we nicked named him or at least that is one of many nicknames. the latest is Gomez. Hubby is convinced he looks like Gomez Addams. He is a lovly little dog and He still growls when I kiss him!

Haven't done much quilting or stitching. I have been in terrible pain at the ankles and knees. Its hard to concentrate and be creative when you are hurting. I will get a handle on that.

Mother's Day at the Beach was WONDERFUL!. Had a great time with mom and sisters. Rode the roller coaster at the boardwalk with my sister and niece and ate corn dogs, ice cream and giant doughnuts. It felt good to just relax in the sand all day and breathe the sea air. More beach day a in my future for sure!

Its All Good!

2011-03-14T01:50:00.000-07:00

Well after a very long fall/winter season of doing nothing but work work work, I quit work. I just could not handle the stress and the harrassment I was enduring. The hours were long, the shifts very unrealistic and I have been in such pain in my ankles due to falling off a ladder. Enough was enough and I have realized that my hubby, my children and my health are what I should be focusing on. I have enough quilting fabric hoarded into my little quilt room that I could go on the buried alive hoarding show! So the focus is life and living it.

I plan to clean up my quilting room, prioritize my projects and get organized. I will spend one day a month going to a natural place such as the beach and just relax. I am going to work with my Buddy and get him trained. He is the most out of control pup in the world and needs some love and attention. I love him to death and just can't wait until he minds me better.

Leonard is Oklahoma since December 10th. He is doing the required training for his job with the FAA. He is currantly 96% in his class. Yippee.He will be home in 6 weeks. I can't wait cause I miss him so much. This picture of him is in the Dallas Stadium two weeks ago. He and some fellow classmates drove to Dallas for the weekend and had fun seeing the sites.

Christina is busy with school. Here she is with my brother Joe on the whale watching boat out of Santa Cruz. We had so much fun. The whole family went on this trip to celebrate my sister Linda's 50th birthday. It is something that she had wanted to do and everyone surprised her. The whales were really neat and they put on a great show.

So this is my update and plan to keep posting my successes in my quilting room!

Oh Happy Day!

2010-10-24T18:13:00.000-07:00

My darling son Leonard has finally got the phone call he has been waiting for since he left the Marine Corp 2 years ago. The FAA called and they have a spot for him in class December 10th in Oklahoma City. Yipee! Don and I are thrilled to say the least and it will be such a relief to see him finally working in his chosen career. He was already hired by the Oakland airport so thats good news that he will still be close to home. The young man is destined to see the world one way or another!
I have been working so much at my job since May that I really have no time or energy to do much of anything. Don had a disability this summer that lasted almost three months and that took its toll on the family. Happy to report that all is well once again and he is back to work and feeling good.
Christina has been preoccupied with work and school and we are lucky to see her on her way in or out! She will be 21 this year, my how time speeds by when the kids get older.
Mahria..... still no news on her. I just pray each day she is happy and well without her family. She is such a free spirted young woman and will flutter until she finds just the right spot to land. I believe that my energy is sent to her across the heavens, it has to because it is energy from love. Pure unconditional mommy kind!
So I managed to work into my schedule a trip to the Pacific International Quilt show and had a great day. I was by myself which was hard because I always go with Cathy and we just work ourselves into a frenzy of good fun. We did get to go together on the last day and it was quiet, and the people were rather testy! I always thought quilty people were the kindest, most loving of sorts but I was proven wrong and my bubble was popped! I won't be wearing Rose colored glasses to a quilt show again and I will hold on tighter to my wallet! I am sticking to my online shopping. Proves wonderful and fullfilling! Shhhhh just don't let Don know!
Ok so I am off to work on something quilty and I will be back. I promise. Hugs to all, Patty

Nothing New

2010-08-22T20:22:00.001-07:00

Not much going on lately. Busy with work and family. No time for quilting and that is frustrating. I just signed on to a block of the month by Lynette anderson that incorporates on of her hand painted buttons. I hope I can get started on it soon.

What Did You Do Today!

2010-04-11T17:22:00.000-07:00

Pouring down rain, freezing tempatures, day off from work! That was not all that consumed my day today, My dear Hubby had a blast in the garage building his new handy dandy BBQ. I swear to God when it comes to him I have my own "Tool Time Guy".

In 21 years of marriage the man hasn't proudly posed for a picture without an arguement since his wedding day to me, but today all that changed when he was asked to pose for the camera with his new love interest...... The BBQ.

OK so the man knows zip about the internet, can't turn on a computor doesn't even know how to look up a number on his cell phone but He purchases online all by himself without my knowledge this monstrosity of a BBQ. His Hot Rod Grill! I could have had a new sofa for what this damn thing cost. (You don't want to know) So folks when you come for a visit bring something to sit on and we will watch the BBQ spew smoke out the pipes while he revs up his grilll!

Our neighbor next door encouraged him to get it built saying that he wins the
"Macho Man of the Block" award!

So check out the pictures of his new love interest and get a good giggle. I wouldn't be surprised if I wake up during the night and he has it moved into the bedroom!

2010-03-05T23:59:00.000-08:00

Our dear devoted and very loved pet Annie passed into Gods hands for a much deserved peaceful rest tonight. You will be so missed "My Annie" and will always be in momma's heart.
Annie came into this world on November 4, 1995. She was born in Oregon and came to live here with us when she was just 8 weeks old. She went to school with the family everyday in the start and had great fun with all the kids in the first grade. When she saw kids her stumpy little tail always would start "awagglin". She knew no strangers and was such a delightful member of our neighborhood. Never barking or peeing on anyones lawn, an occasional poop now and then but mom or dad was always on hand to swoop it up as she never would leave our side. She loved Vanila ice cream and beef jerky. She loved rides in the car but was most happy just chillin with the family. Every birthday she got her own T-bone steak and one year I remember the very expensive fruit Tart from the fancy french bakery that cost me more than care to share. That was the year she was a vegetarian!

This little dog didn't have a mean bone in her body and even when she was feeling grumpy and tired from age she still was waggin her tail. She supervised many a quilt being pieced and always was handy to lay her butt on each new one to give it the "Annie Butt Approval". Yep everyone out there who has one of my quilts that you so loveingly snuggled up with or displayed on your wall, rest assured it has had the Annie Butt Stamp of Approval. I think she thought they were all meant for her. She seemed to enjoy being under my feet at my sewing machine, never really getting in the way. She would just snore an snooze while I worked.

She will be so dearly missed by so many but mostly by us, her family. Rest in Peace sweet Angel Girl, My Annie Bananai, Momma loves you forever and always.

Happy Valentines Day

2010-02-16T17:28:00.000-08:00

Let me share with you the wonderful Valentine Quilt and goodies I recieved from today from my swap Partner Nikki Rainey. I signed up for Pat Sloan's Rockin Sweethearts Swap http://www.deathbyquilting.com/ and was matched up with Nikki. Nikki's website is http://www.nikkittyquilts.com/ take a look and see the beautiful work she does.

Nikki lives currantly in Georgia but being an Army wife she is relocting this summer to Colorado. While trying to pack up, sort through and sell her home she managed some time for me! I was thrilled to open the package the postman left on my door step today to find so many yummy goodies (not just the chocolate ones). Nikki surprised me with not only the delightful quilt shown here (note its already on my wall) but an assortment of chocolates, fabrics with pattern kits and sticky notes and stickers. she even included an audio book for me to enjoy so I will have to move the cd player in my quilt room.

The cutest things can be found in small boxes. I opened up the checkered one that was enclosed and it is a kit already to go including the buttons to make a sweet libery Angel. How did she know I am a patriotic girl!

I can't wait to dig in to my treasures.

2010-01-17T19:15:00.000-08:00

I completed the first block of "Bouquet" BOM by Jenny at Elfantz. I just love how easy her designs are to recreate. Her pattern is flawless of error and the design line is intricate enough to give excitement to the piece but not so much that you get burdened down. I have include the link to the pattern on my sidebar.

I don't know about anyone else but I love to zoom through my projects. I like to complete it in a day. I guess that shows in my capacity to complete so many little quilts. The problem with the little quilts is I only have so much room on the walls!

I spent last week sorting my quilts by holiday and season. This will make it so much easier to pull them out. I was surprised at how many I really have completed. I do need some more summer quilts. I am thinking lots of white and pastels, maybe some sand colors and blue sea glass. I have never been to a blue ocean beach so don't really know how to visualze it. I have only been to the California Coast line which I adore. I would love to see some tropical beaches in the future.

My Annie has been hit bad with a bug. I have spent the past two days tending to her. She seems to be perkier tonight after a good warm dinner of rice and turkey. We took Midget and Seven for a walk between bursts of rain. They had a wonderful time as the park was all theirs(No Kids today) They ran all over the fields and Midge was so proud to be off the leash. She was just prancing along the pathway like the queen in procession! Have I mentioned how I love them so.

Today I discoved Flicker and was able to download a picture of my Noahs Ark quilt. Oh boy have I got more to share. Have a wonderful Stitchy day, Patty

2010-01-15T20:52:00.000-08:00

I can share some of what I made for Xmas this year for family and friends.I still have one gift to be hand delivered to my bestest friend so I can't show it but here are the others.

I completed Sophie from lasting treasures for my #2 daughter the day after Xmas. (she didn't mind)

For mom in law I made her an angel wall hanging and matching table mat. She was thrilled as she loves to cover her tables. I made a blue/green pillow for my mom

A wall hanging for sister Jackie with the bunker, a wall hanging for my other sis Linda of a lighthouse.I did an experiment with color with my online group, One Stitch at a Time and gave it to my cousin and his wife. I made a cute little kitty wall hanging for my best friends quilt studio. ( I am her kitty's godmother) I also made her a scissor keep and a book mark. I was a busy stitcher this past holiday and proud of it.

2010-01-09T01:09:00.000-08:00

Another of my 2009 finishes- Noahs Ark designed by Lynette Anderson @ http://www.lynetteandersondesigns.typepad.com/

Lynette graciously offered this as a free BOM and it is so fun to stitch. The animals are so unique to her style. I am not sure what room of the house this will go in, maybe in my quilt studio when I get it back from my son!

I recommend surfing the internet and looking at the different blogs all over the world. There is so much talent out there and these ladies are fantastic. There are alot of projects that are free. I love my BOM's and look forward the each new month. Happy Stitching.

My Furbabies

2010-01-08T17:21:00.000-08:00

Annie is my sweet 15year old Cocker Spaniel. She is a lovelyl old girl with a easy going temperment. She loves anybody and everbody. She is especially fond of those who bear gifts fo food! She loves to eat, sleep and just hang out. She can always be found sleeping right under my feet. She has been my sewing buddy and the hum of the sewing machine just sings her to sleep.

Midget is my little baby dog. She is a one and a half year old Pachini! For those who dont' quite know what that is I will break it down for you. Papion, Dachsand, Chihua mix.She came into my life at just the perfect time. She makes me laugh and gets me up and on my toes. She is very much a daddy's girl though and I must admit I am jealous at times. On a positvie note he keeps her busy so I can get some stitching done. She lets me dress her up which full feels my need to design clothes! She is long and lean thus requires custom outfits.

Day 5 of the New Year!

2010-01-05T17:51:00.000-08:00

So many new and exciting BOM are starting up this week. I don't know about everyone else but I am still working on last years. Sometimes I feel like I am scrambling around trying to get them all done before someone pulls the rug out from under me and says "Times UP". Why I got it in my head that its a race against myself I will never understand. I am going to work on one of last years BOM as a BOW.(block of the week) In fact I am going to name it my BOW-WOW because I can stand back and Say WOW when its complete. Sounds like a plan!

I finally figured out how to get my photos on my blog so I am sharing my Veranda View designed by Cheryl of Willowberry Design inwhich she shared so graciously last year as a BOM for free. I think it is stunning and put it up on my wall New Years Eve when I completed it. Thanks again Cheryl for such a wonderful pattern. It was a thrill to make.

Willowberry Design has a new BOM called under the sea. It looks adorable. I am going to make it just because it looks so darn cute. Someone very lucky will end up with it someday. I have plenty of time to figure out who that will be as the months pass. The link is on my sidebar. How cool is that.

Happy New Year 2010!

2010-01-01T01:59:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it, another new year. Wow!!!! Well I brought in the new year with a evening full of machine quilting, potatoe chips and ice cold diet coke. What a night! Hubby was in his element with the Three Stooges Marathon running on the TV. Found some wonderful downloads of new and exciting projects for 2010. I am just loving all the BOM that the lovely ladies from all over the world share. As I figure out this computor stuff I shall begin posting some of my projects completed and in the works.
My wish for this year is happiness, good healthy feet and a job working with nice decent people. (and of course a paycheck) My wishes for everyone else is happiness, health, finacial security and love.
Happy New Year to all the flowers in my garden.

Happy Birthday Baby!

2009-11-01T21:29:00.000-08:00

Today is my youngest 20th birthday. It marks the official beginning of having all my children being grown and out of the teens. She is such a lovely young woman and I am so happy to be her mom. We celebrated the day at Bennihanna for dinner. Her friend Louis was invited to join us and we had a fun time.

Today was also the birthday of my dear friend Cathy. They had a party for her at her house but I couldn't make it. She is such a special lady and I wish everyone could have someone like her in their life. She just makes you smile and happy to be alive. Happy Birthday Cathy Crowder. Love ya!

Took down Halloween to make ready for Thanksgiving. I asked Casey the little boy down the street what was next after Halloween and he knew. He has got the holidays down pat.

Welcome Autumn

2009-10-06T14:11:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that October is here. There is so much to do and so little time and to top it off I feel so relaxed. The air is crisp and clear, the sun warming and bright. Sunday I came home from work to a wonderful surprise. My hubby had decorated the front of the house in Halloween from Ghosts to pumpkins. And inside the candles were lite in our haunted manision that brings smiles every year. He was so sweet to do this. Which reminds me. Did I thank him? Uh oh!

Today is a nice day off. Spent my morning with my fur babies. This afternoon will be filled with lots of sewind. ITs the first of the month again and that means the hustle and bustle of finding all my BOM and start stitching them up. I must say I enjoy this so much. I will spend some time to figure out how to post my progress and the links. Happy October.

Happy Birthday to Me!

2009-08-29T23:50:00.000-07:00

oh what a wonderful day. I slept in with my puppy dog Midge to start. Got up, dressed and packed for a day at the beach. At noon we were headed over 92 to the coast with temps rising to 100. When we got to the top of skyline the temp dropped 20 degrees, so you know the beach was great. I had such a great time basking in the glorious sun with my behind planted firmly in the sand. I went into the surf and it was totally devine. I waited a whole year for this. Don packed a nice lunch eaten by the three of us. Midge had a blast, not crazy for the surf part but running on the sand and the cool air made her do donuts in the sand. She met some other nice dogs and enjoyed her jerky treats. Don was suave cool and sophistacate while trying to pee in the cold pacific ocean. He was to cute for words. We came home, showered and dressed for dinner. Headed to Elephant Bar with Leonard, Christina and Adrianna. It was a scrumptous meal followed with ice cream sundaes! Yeah for the ice cream sundae part. After wards I enjoyed a quiet evening catching up on some stitiches, laudry and email. Zeek surprised me by comming in and snatching the kitchen mouse right in front of me. Seems we have more than one mouse in the house. The first one was caught in Christina's room. That one Don named Mickey, the one in the kitchen is ratatoli!

Sad Day

2009-06-25T21:13:00.000-07:00

Today Michael Jackson passed away. I am in utter disbelief and shock. He and I shared a birthday and I always enjoyed his music. As a kid I remember hanging out at Dolly's house and dancing to "ABC". The Jackson 5 were so talented and so much better than the Osmond brothers which was there counterparts back in the early 70's. I so liked his music. I loved dancing to his music and when my oldest child was a little girl we had all his albums and she had his posters on her wall. She liked Michael as well and she was so thrilled when I made her a white glove covered in sequins. The world has lost a great icon for pop music. Sigh........

June Jabber

2009-06-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

I have been busy working on my BOM projects. I just love the anticipation each month waiting for the next installments to post. I don't know which is my favorite any more. Veranda view is so precious and Sophia Dress Up is so silly. I liked doing the wonky houses that Elefantz gave us. The colors were fun. Sorry to see that one end. I try to get as much done as I can with work and all. It seems the day off I get tends to be cleaning and such and by the time I am ready to sew the family is home. I need better time management.

Putting the journal quilt together has been quite the experience. I never was a journal keeper, but now I find it fascinating to go back and read what I have written. The positive side to journal keeping is you never loose your precious thoughts. I am now happy that I wrote a letter to each of my children write after they were born and sealed them in envelopes. They have never been opened. It will be fun one day to watch them open them and read about how I felt about them when they entered my life.

So back to stitching!

Blasts from the past and then some

2009-05-07T21:19:00.000-07:00

What a month April was. I first get an email from an old boyfriend of mine. Hadn't seen him is 25 years. His name is Mike and we talked on the phone and set a date for dinner. My darling husband was very sweet and trusting and said go! (hint: maybe he was hoping I wouldn't come back) That email meeting lead to the meeting of another old friend. She is living in Hawaii and living life. I plan to go to see her. So I will be busy making a gift to take along. So we met for a nice dinner and talked for four hours. It was just so wonderful to be in the company of such a dear and old friend.

photo taken 1972

Easter was wonderful. Very restful day after a fun and yummy brunch. I was so indulgent with all the chocolate desserts. We were lucky to have a table poolside at the sheraton hotel. It was so nice to just relax and enjoy the company of my family.

I have been busy working on some stitching. I have so many BOM that I am working on and I love every minute of trying to keep up. My daughter laughs at me and thinks I am quite silly. I just love a challenge and I am so appreciative of the many ladies whose talents are shared with us each month on the internet. I spend so much of my time searching and reading blogs from quilters all over the world. It is so heartwarming and I feel as if I have this unlimited and vast amount of friends. I am still trying to figure out how to get my picturesposted. I am hoping that someone will be interested in seeing what I do for fun and therapy.

Yours in Friendship, Patty

Sunshine at last

2009-03-19T14:42:00.000-07:00

Beautiful day today. I am off from work and am enjoying the fresh air that spring has sprung! I have been busy working on my embroidary everyday and loving it. I have gotton up to date on most of my Block of the Months that are so generously shared on the web by other bloggers. Thank you to all of them. I plan to show my progress just as soon as I can figure out how to post my pics. Have a wonderful and happy Thursday.

Saturday night ramblings

2009-02-21T22:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Saturday! Well wouldn't you know it, I planned for a day of stress free quiet sewing and I woke with a Migraine. I finished the embroidery of my Noah's Ark blocks. Need to square up and sew on the logs. I made 1st block for the harmony Village BOM, I cut out my fabs for Veranda Views, grimms fairytales and wonky houses, then assembled the flosses and made up my take along kits. I am ready for movie watching with the hubby now. Midge and Seven got into my Boyds bears collection and had their way with two of my bears. It was hard to scold them because all I had to do was pick up the bears and they both slinked off with ears down and tushies tucked! Having three dogs in the house is no different than having three children, they each want your full attention now, each have their own attitudes when it comes to wanting them to do what you want and they are easily excited over the littlest thing.

Another Wonderful Wednesday

2009-02-18T22:22:00.001-08:00

Spending long rainy days quilting this week in usually sunny California. I am working on the Noah's Ark from Lynette Anderson which was her free to us BOM. It is still up on her site if you want to start. It is a lovely pattern and very easy to do. I find myself smiling with each stitch. My favorite block so far has been the elephants. I enjoyed making the woven rug on the elephant back. I am currently doing many BOM this year and am eager to share with everyone. When I am not stitching I am with my dog Midget. I love her to death. I will post her picture just as soon as I figure out how to do that function. Meanwhile...........

Happy Stitching! Patty