Fabric, fabric and more fabric

OK - so my original plan was to ONLY sign up for the next series of Stash Pot Pie classes. Then I spied some cute fabric. There is no hope for me. Then since I couldn't find a horse/kid fabric, I had to go on line for that. Found it and some Christmas Street fabric - all on sale of course.

Seriously, my weekend was fun - spent Saturday morning at Best Friends shopping and signing up for the next Stash Pot Pie classes. The rest of the day was spent cleaning, cooking and getting ready for our friends, Martin and Bev. We had a fun evening with them. Just too bad the weather was far too hot to enjoy sitting on the patio with beer and dinner. Yesterday - I got to sew. Worked on Thimbleberries Lakeside wall hanging. Got the top pieced except for the borders which hoping to get done tonight. My intention was to make that for the kitchen or dining room. The colours suit my sewing room though, so it may end up in there.

Tattoo Boy was injured during Tae Kwon Do class on Saturday. He was hobbling around on crutches on Saturday night. I wish there was some way I could phone him, but he's without a phone at the moment. I told him if he needed further medical attention or help to let me know. But, he's so stinking proud, it would have to be VERY bad before he'd ask.

My brother phoned on Saturday to apologize for the email his wife sent to the entire world last weekend. He really didn't need to apologize, but it was appreciated. The important thing is that he is feeling loads better. Dopey SIL should have been the one to apologize!

In less than two weeks, I'm going to the national quilt show in Columbus. I've been to several local shows, but nothing on a scale like the national. Do you all have any helpful hints or suggestions that will help? ( bring loads of money, LOL) I want Michael to show me how to work the digital camera to use for the trip.

Well, it's out to lunch I go into the heat and humidity. Have a great day!
Hugs,
Cathy

Hot off the needle.....

Not the world's best photograph, but it's almost 9:30 and the light in the house isn't great, but here's my latest project - Split Decision - done and ready to give to my friend first thing tomorrow morning.

Here's some of my quilting work

OK, now that I have the hang of it, here are some of the quilts I've worked on recently.

This first one was a local quilt shop pattern - I called it SewEzy Cats. I made this for my step-daughter, Jenny, for Christmas.

This quilt is from Thimbleberries Big Block book - I call it a calendar quilt since each block represents a different month of the year. Remember the quilt that got held up in English customs? This is it. I delivered the quilt in person to my eldest daughter-in-law Leah in March.

This was my first attempt at a photo quilt. Another Christmas pressie - this one for my dear, dear mother-in-law. She sent the photos of her grandchildren/children and Michael selected the ones he wanted to see on the quilt. She loves it.

And last, but not least - this quilt top is made from the fat quarters I won from Gina in Wales. It's next in line for the frame. Thank you, Gina. It's the prettiest thing I've made so far in Stash Busters class.

England trip

Well, I'm trying to figure out this photo posting bit on Blogger, so here goes with some photos I had on file here at the office from our trip to England in March.The one at the top is from the stag night. Michael is front row, far left - the one with the nearly empty glass. Tattoo Boy is my son.

Here's a shot of my daughter Andrea and I at the wedding reception/party

This is my Tattoo Boy and Andrea. Nicest photo I've had of them in years without them snarling at each other. (LOL)

And this is the happy couple; my husband's youngest daughter, Lizzy and her groom, Chris

Now, I know how to do this, will get photos posted of the REAL IMPORTANT STUFF - QUILTS.

Hugs,

Cathy

Storm, storm and more storms

Since yesterday afternoon, we've had storm after storm roll through southwestern Ohio - not your garden variety showers either - big booming thunder, lightening flashes, dark clouds and tornadoes. Michael and I got little sleep last night between the storms and the tornado sirens going off. Then to top it all off, I forgot to set the alarm last night, so I was late to work this morning. Just as well since another storm hit right about the time I normally commute to the office. Looks to be done though, finally and the sun is coming out.

No updates from SIL or brother so I expect brother dear is on the mend. I'll phone later tonight.

Looking forward to sewing the binding on the Split Decision quilt this evening. I could use a few quiet hours of hand sewing. Besides, I'm anxious to hear my friend's reaction when I give her the quilt.

Hope you've all been reading Jen's posts about her quilts from years past. Got me to thinking about my quilting past. I've been quilter for almost three years. My first effort was a wall hanging that's in our family room. Man, what a slop job that was! Really have come a long way since then. And spent a lot of money getting there, but I sure enjoy myself!
Hugs,
Cathy

Help with unusual situation

A friend of mine has an unusual sewing dilemma. Her mother died several years ago and most of the belongings were divided, except the six mink coats. My friend's sister is being a real b_tch about the whole thing. They've discussed dividing the coats equally, but some of the coats are worth more than the others. Gail the b_tch (that's what my friend calls her "dear" sister) would insist on having the more expensive items. This sister has already taken advantage of my friend with the jewelry and other items from the mom. The best alternative my friend could come up with is to take all the coats apart and distribute the pieces equally amongst the sisters. Do you have any experience (or know of anybody who does) with taking apart fur coats? Any suggestions? From what I know, the coats are all beautifully lined and well constructed.

Aren't families wonderful to each other?

Hugs,
Cathy

Family Matters - Goofy Sister-In-Law

I'm trying my very best not to be upset or too critical about something my sister-in-law (SIL) did this weekend. Here's in a nutshell what happened. My brother (DB) passed out in their bathroom on Saturday night and continued to black out several times before she phoned 911. (Now, remember, folks, both she and my brother are health care professionals) Once at the hospital, DB was put on fluids and was told basically he was overdoing it with the weight loss and running - something everybody in our family (except SIL) has been thinking for the past few months. He was discharged and is feeling better, still exhausted though.

Now, here comes the interesting part, SIL informed us what happened via e-mail and attached photos of DB laying in a hospital bed looking very grey and tired. There were about 50 people on that mailing, including my mother. My husband read the e-mail and told me to immediately phone Mom -that kind of news should be told over the phone and we didn't think she should read about it and see those photos. Too late, she'd already opened her e-mail and was crying. You see, my DB is the spitting image of my father, who had several heart attacks and passed on 17 years ago. Those photos brought back a lot of bad memories for Mom and me. DB is two years younger than my daddy was when he had his first heart attack.

Now, seriously, what do you all think about this? I don't know what to think. I know SIL didn't intend to be mean or slight anybody, but my immediate family thinks she's fruit loops, that she should have phoned us. On the other hand, SIL probably wanted to tell as many folks as she could about the episode and used the e-mail route.

I could tell y'all loads more about SIL, but I'll save that for another post. She is decidedly different than most people and given her occupation - nurse- thinks she knows everything about medicine to the point where she ignores advice given by doctors to herself and her family. For instance, one of her sons was having psych issues - pulling his hair out (there's a medical term for that, but it escapes me at the moment) The psychiatrist they took him to said under no circumstances should they shave that boy's head. So, what does she do? Poor kid got his head shaved and then he proceeded to pluck out his eyebrows. He was a strange looking little dude for a few months.

Back to something loads more fun - quilting. I quilted Split Decision - Cats this weekend and will start the binding process tonight after the guild meeting. It was my first attempt at dwirling and I have to admit that I was hesitant at first. But, I'm very, very pleased with the finished product.

Michael and I got the flower bed by the mailbox replanted - the one destroyed by the wreckless driver six weeks ago. It looks even better than before the accident. My arms are a tad sore today from toting landscape bricks. The joys of homeownership!
Hugs,
Cathy