http://www.jadedragonredphoenix.com/

Monday, February 28, 2011

Lucky Quilter


You know, I think I am lucky for a lot of reasons. Of course, the numero uno reason is TOM. There is a gap, then the rest of the list is based on the issues of the day. Today, I am lucky because I am looking at a gift on my dining room table. It is a gift from a friend, and, from nature. Now, I pass this gift on to you. Enjoy.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

The Quilter Wannabe Returns for???




Finally home and I definitely wannabe quilting. Who would choose chopping/burning brush, scrubbing and packing over quilting????, double DUH. I am finally going to include some photos of the house we built for our son and daughter. I do not know how much you can tell from these but, whatever. I will try to remember to take a few more in the next few days. One image is of the living room with the fireplace that we tiled. It was the first time we went vertical with tile and it was a challenge. I made the drapes, painted the picture, and we put down all of the wood flooring...and another image is of the 5' x 4' window that I sandblasted for the master bath. The coolest thing is when the sun is shining, it casts the flower image on the bathroom wall......love that.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

More Quilts and Fun Stuff



I just love it when a customer/friend sends me images of what they are working on. It is especially nice when the project includes some of our products, heh heh. Here are some pictures sent by Sharon from Michigan. She not only made a beautiful clipboard but check out that quilt. What a beauty. Don't you just love the creativity of placing the panel off center? I spend my life off center. Perhaps my quilts should reflect that, too?

I had it "on my list" to leave by 8:30 a.m. for Shreveport so we could run errands and work on Brandy's house. Also on the list was to do my walking before we left. It is now nearly 10:00 and I am not only still at my house, I have entered the "black hole," the "sanctum," the "room." Yep, the sewing room. I am in biiiiiiig trouble..........

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

New Quilt - I Sea Stars



Finally, here is the new quilt that I made using nearly all of my fabrics. (very professional photography.....not) This baby is being shipped to Timeless Treasures in New York where it will be photographed professionally. The quilt pattern will be given away free for one year. That is a very nice perk for simply logging in to the Timeless Treasures website, don'tchathink??? I would love to hear some feedback.

Now, unfortunately, I am heading back to my daughter's house for more back-breaking stuff. We have to pack for a move, groan. Later, my BFFs.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Too Bad I was NOT Quilting

Oh my goodness. I am so sore. I have cuts and scratches all over my body. We, meaning my daughter, son, daughter-in-law, husband, and I, spent the entire weekend working in our daughter's yard. We made four huge, and I mean HUGE, piles of debris from all of the limbs, trees, and vines that we cut. My husband's last words as he left to go back to Arkansas?, "Honey, don't burn those piles until I get back." Now, don't you think after a zillion years of being married to me that he would be just a teensy weensy bit wiser and know me LOTS better than that? Today, my daughter and I spent all morning burning that stuff, and, no, he is not back. I don't understand what he is so worried about. Could it be that he remembers the last time Brandy and I burned a pile of cuttings? He drove up to the house after running some errands to find the Fire Department in full working mode in our front yard. Hmmm.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

A Non-Quilting oopsie

Obviously, I do not know what I am doing with the "transferring images" thingie. Please excuse that and blame my husband for not being here. I mean, I ??--- make a mistake???, hahahahaha. Oh well, I was so excited when I got the email with the write-up about about me and my fabrics that I thought I would post it. You get the gist, I hope. Looking forward to seeing your creative juices in pictures. Don't forget to send your address so I can send you a surprise. Now to try to round my butt back out with a little exercise. I have been sitting forever!!!

By the way, I did discover that you can click on the Timeless Treasures image and it will actually enlarge enough to be readable. Patience, patience.....

To Dianne, with love from Timeless Treasures



Well, I consider this a gift from Timeless Treasures, to me. The cat is out of the proverbial bag and ready for the scrap bag as soon as you make a project using my latest "Dream." In fact, I will then give you a gift as soon as you send pictures of your project-- any project that uses any of my fabrics. Of course, it might take a little bit for the shops to actually get my fabrics in stock. Just remember, good things come to those who have patience....uh oh, if that really is true, then I am in deep deep trouble.....

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Quilts and More Quilts

I have several quilts to take up to the studio and finish. I cannot imagine what keeps me from doing it. Probably because those projects are at the top of that infamous "To Do" list I keep making. The weather is absolutely gorgeous. I NEEEED to get the quilts done. I love doing it....So, what is the problem? Can a person go to jail for burning a To Do List?

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Quilting in Montana

I thought I lived in the South. I am beginning to think that I live somewhere in Montana. Oh wait, I see where the temperature in Montana is -33 degrees!!??!! Never mind, I will stop complaining about the "bitter" cold. It is supposed to be snowing and sleeting today with a high of +33. If I can do my math correctly, that looks like a 66 degree difference. I am definitely going to stop whining and complaining. In fact, I just thought of a reason to rejoice even more. My husband's school is closing in a few minutes so he is coming home for an extended weekend. This weather is looking better and better, heh heh.

You guys stay warm and cozy. By the way, did you know that during WWII, it was discovered that the fastest way to "thaw out" a nearly frozen body was to place two naked bodies together? Hmmm. I really am cold.......

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Quilter's Hubby Not so Thrilled


















Well, part of my wish came true--my husband was able to maneuver around in the ice and snow and make it home and into my arms. The part that did not come true was that he was not snowed in and stuck here. The ice melted on Sunday.

When I showed him my post with the "Mr. Dreamy" attached, he said, "Oh, Dianne. That is a horrible picture of me."

I said, "I know, Honey, but it is a good picture of me, heh heh." I mean, Duh.

So, to be more fair, I drug out some of the pictures of him that I love. Take it easy....he is alllll mine.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Another Perfect Quilter's Day


As I mentioned last month, how could it get any better? Snow on the ground, fabric in the closet, and, so far we still have electricity....I am sewing and sewing. I might actually get this quilt sample done for Timeless Treasures. I would say that I am going to post a picture of this quilt but I had better hold my horses so I won't get in trouble, again. To be honest, they have been great about my bursts of enthusiasm and premature announcements. The folks assigned to work with the newbies must surely be given lessons on how to deal with us. A lot of deep breathing, a lot of therapy, or, perhaps pharmaceuticals?

Oh, I did think of a way the day could be more perfect -- Tom would not be stranded in Arkansas, he would be stranded HERE. Stay warm and cozy!

And, I could not help it, I am posting part of the quilt...heh heh.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Fabrics, Carvings, Sinks, etc

Finally, my shipment from Bali has been released from being held Hostage. At least, that is what this whole process feels like. It gets more and more involved to have things shipped from Bali. Also, more expensive. Last time I shipped from Bali, I shipped four times more stuff and it cost me 1/3 of what this latest shipment cost. Also, it takes longer to get to Shreveport from California (the shipment went through ATLANTA ??) than it did to go by boat from Indonesia to the US. There are several processes that the packages have to go through. That is "code" for $$$$. There are customs charges, fees for fumigating, fees for x-rays, then, of course, there is always something "suspicious" that requires an extra check, a.k.a., $$$$, then warehouse fees, etc, etc, etc. Why don't they just be up front, let me know what the blackmail (oops, I mean, total shipping charge) amount is, and get it over with?
Whine whine whine. The bottom line --would I do it, again? Without hesitation! Just stop the whining and go get the boxes. Christmas in February....

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Quilter's Baby Announcement

Oops, it looks like I tried to hand out birth announcements for my fabrics, prematurely. These babies will still be in the womb for a couple more months. I was ready to send the kid to college!!! Apparently, we still need to build the crib, paint the room and have the baby shower. Must have been a case of false labor pains. Please forgive me for getting you guys all excited and sending you out as card-carrying BFF's in my honor. If you can bear with me I will do my best to stay focused and hollar only when I hear the first cries of "live and sell." In the meantime, big hug and stay in touch.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

A Quilter's Mr. Dreamy


I just thought I would share a picture of my sweetie of lo' these many years. This is the guy that makes me laugh, smile, breathe......