http://www.jadedragonredphoenix.com/

Monday, December 17, 2012

Tired Tired Quilter

This is so totally foreign to me, being tired, or sleepy, I mean.  I had to look both of those words up on the computer.  In the definition it said, "see, 'Dianne.'"  It seems like I am so tired these days that I just want to go right back to bed no matter how many hours sleep I got that night.  One would think two-four hours of sleep a night would be just fine, but, no-o-o-o.  So, please excuse me as I yawn throughout this...

Gabby's Rose II

Black and White Forever

Gabby's Rose

I thought you might like to know that I am progressing with my fabrics.  I am very close to having them printed.  I am going to re-publish the four designs just to tease you.  Even if I gave the "go ahead, Make my day," today, it would be at least two months before everything was actually in my hands.  And, to be realistic, getting to that go-ahead day is, in and of itself, at least two months away.  Samples have to exchange hands, money has to change hands, colors approved, fabric approved, etc etc......process.
Taupe and Cream Forever

So, just in case you were curious, or the phrase, "Hmm, I wonder what is happening with Dianne and her fabric designs," crossed your mind, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  And, I hope this answered some of your curiousity.  If you really want to make me appreciative, take your smart phone, or your IPAD-type gismo to your local quilt shop, flash them (uh, the fabric images, heh heh) and say, "See this lovely fabric?  I neeeeeed some of it so pleeeeeese order it."


And if all that was not exciting to you, or interesting, or anticipatory (is that a word?), or did not suit your needs in any way, I will leave you with this beauty from Psalm 8:4-5

When  I see the heavens, the work of Your hands, the moon and the stars which You arranged, who are we that You keep us in mind, mere mortals that You care for us?

Friday, December 14, 2012

Just a Thought from this Quilter

Talking about  half-full, positive approaches to life...ysterday Brandy and I were out playing Santa and just happened to stop and shop for a moment.  (Wipe that shocked look off your face)  Here is the saying off of a card we found:

"We will never be the same as we were before this loss, but are ever so much better for having had something so great to lose."
 
 I loved that thought.

HoHoHo from this Quilter

It 's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.  We are making our traditional pralines and chocolate covered pretzels to ship off to the less fortunate (aka, those friends who decided to move away from this State-of-Awesome-Food.)  If you are now thinking, "Louisiana???? Sweltering heat, bazillion per cent humidity, and mosquitos on steroids,....these had better be da*#*#*%*$***#* good pralines,"  all I can say is, "Have you tasted these babies?"  I guess it goes without saying that I am pretty much a half-full-kinda-gal and right now I am totally full of kaka.






Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Finally Home, Finally a Moment

My gosh, it has been weeks since I wrote.  I tried several times to add to my Thread while I was in Alabama but it was hopeless from Mother's place there on the top of her mountain.  She and her husband, Gene, shared their love and their passions while living on 26 acres of land that they reclaimed from a watermelon patch.  Twenty five years later there are raspberries, blackberries, muscadines, blueberries, persimmons, peaches, figs, etc etc growing where they lovingly planted them along with thousands of pines, wildflowers, hardwoods and anything else they could stick in the ground.  They also planted rusty old cars, trucks, lawnmowers, and tractors, in that same yard along side a home they never felt the need to finish.  Mother and Gene were way too busy doing far more interesting things.  They cooked meals for the homeless, rescued injured birds and released them back to nature, were members of the volunteer fire department, recycled, and traveled, driving the back roads instead of the interstate, loving the beauty of the world from the stars to the bottom of the ocean.

Eleven years ago, at the age of 82, Mother called me saying, "Dianne, I want to buy a beach house. I figure better late than never.  Can you go with me?"

"Mother, I work, remember?  How about we go during Spring Break?"

"Can you get away next week?" she asked.  "We will just go to look and see what is available."  Three days after going down there, just to look, she bought a house.  Our next summer was the best, ever.  Talk about power shopping, we furnished an entire house from the bathrooms, to the bedrooms to the kitchen, in two weeks.  We filled eight carts at Wal-Mart, saw a sign advertising great wicker furniture in Atlanta so we hopped in the car and bought furniture in Georgia, found incredible finds, great bargains, and giggled the entire time.  We would fill the car until we could barely fit in it ourselves, drive home and unload it so we could start all over, again.  For the next eleven years, we spent many great times there, walking on the beach, gathering shells, driftwood, and memories. 

Now, we will be heading down there in two weeks, this time to cast her ashes to the place she loved so much, adding her ashes to our baby sister's.  When does it stop hurting so much?

Friday, November 23, 2012

Hi from This Quilter

Change of plans....we are now leaving Sunday.  Turns out we need a HASMAT team to come to the house before we can safely enter.  Scary.  The name of one of the groups we contacted was "The Suicide Crew."  Now, that is totally sad to me.  Where is the gentleness?  The, well, vagueness so it won't be so awful when these folks have to enter a home...it is also an assumption that anyone who dies outside the confines of a hospital committed suicide.  Where is that kinder, gentler mindset?

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving from this Quilter

Blessings and best wishes to all of you.  I am leaving to check on Mother's house. Please keep those good, sweet thoughts and prayers headed my way.  I seem to be in the market for those a lot these days.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

The Week From Hell

Another phone call.  My brother, Don, just called to say that the police in Alabama had found both our Mother and her husband, Gene, dead in their home.  Apparently Gene had a heart attack going into check on Mother.  When Gene did not show up for his doctor's visit, the office called the police in to check on them.  They found Gene, dead on the floor and Mother gasping for breath.  Emergency services were called but Mother died before they arrived. 

This week is now the anniversary of our Dad's death, our sister's, and our Mother's.  I am officially declaring November a non-month and skipping straight to December from October.  It is the only way I can keep what little sanity I have..........

One More Teensy Weensy Post

Jeez, look at the time.  Even my writing is all slanty.  Oh well, I have been playing with the colors on the earlier design, "Gabby's Roses" and we all know what happens to time when a computer is involved.................................................

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Quilter Hears Sleigh Bells

I swear I could hear those bells ringing, today as I walked into the mall.  Oh yeah, that is the normal ringing in my ears.  But, talk about getting in the Christmas spirit.  The sales that are already going on right now, attempting to lure us innocents into their shops.  IT WORKS.  I naively walked towards the mall from the parking lot.  There in huge letters, it said SALE.  It was like driving "past" a donut shop.... just not gonna happen.  There I was hours later with my goodie bag.  At least most of it will be Christmas gifts...just because I know what is in my pac....um, I mean, in their packages, well, Merry Christmas to us all, heh heh.

Quilter's YIKES

It seems like "Yikes" and "Eek" are becoming part of my every day, every hour vocabulary.  Take today.   I woke up after my usual two hours sleep thinking, "Great.  I have a few hours before I have to get ready for my meeting...I am even going to have time to do my walk, check on that quilt top I am working on, and, with any luck, play on the computer a bit." HAHAHAHHA.  My next thought, at least that what it felt like, was, YIKES!  I have fifteen mintues to get ready.

There was no walk.  O.K, there was a tiny bit of checking in on the quilt top.  Mostly, there was "playing on the computer."  It is a friggin' addiction!   YIKES.  I  now have three minutes to get ready. Seeya.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Survival of the Quiltest

I honestly do feel a lot better, today.  I survived the weekend.  Something interesting happened.  Up until now, seeing things that were either my sister's or a gift from her had made me crumble into a pile of sadness.  This weekend, I reached for my sister's coffee cup (that I gave her) so I could feel her presence.  Up until now, I have avoided looking at her things, touching her things, wearing her things.  I am praying that this new sensation of wanting to hold onto her through holding her possessions is the beginning of less sadness, less heartache.  Thank you all who sent warm comforting thoughts, good karma, and great vibes.  They were needed and appreciated...

Now, let me give you a peek into what I have been doing for the last two weeks....Here are some completely new designs.  Whatchathink?



Friday, November 16, 2012

Sad Sad Quilter

It seems like all I do lately is apologize to you guys.  I am in such a funk, you should be thankful that I am not writing.  Tomorrow is the anniversary of my sister's death.  I am almost non-functional and certainly do not need to drag all of you sweeties down with me.  So, please bear with me.  I will be back in the next couple of days.  Thanks for the support, the virtual hugs, the lovely thoughts....it does help.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Undeserving Quilter

Oh, boy, I am so undeserving of all of you terrific folks who support me .  I have majorly neglected this Thread for lo' these many days.  I wish it were quilting that has been keeping me away from my writing but, no, I cannot even figure out for sure what the problem is.   It matters not that I have been to the dentist for two days in a row, finished a quilt top, prepared a dinner for 12, worked on more fabric designs......  Mostly, I think it is because I am having a particularly difficult time this month doing much of anything.  This will be one year since my sister died.  I am usually fairly good about being in a state of Denial but for some reason, my GPS won't take me there lately.

Where the GPS did take me last week was T.J. Maxx.  I always try on a bajillion things and this time was no exception.  One of the things I tried on was a bra.  It was be-U-ti-ful to say the least.  My boobies looked great.  Suggestion:  Avoid looking at the prices until after you try on the garment so if it looks reallllly great, you can come up with some type of convincing rationale for purchasing items that might formerly have kept you from the Dressing Room and Clothing Bliss.  (We must specifiy the type of Bliss onaccounta Bliss can happen in other venues, heh heh)

Anyway, I definitely gotta have this bra.  How much it this baby?  Here I am squinting and concentrating while trying to read the price tag without my glasses.  Dang, my eyes have gotten a lot worse....the numbers are so blurry it looks like three  digits.  So, I reach for my glasses....


OHMYGOSH.  They must have the wrong price tag on it.  No, same company.....same everything......No, no gold leaf anywhere.....jeez.  Who puts their girls in a bra that costs $358 ??!???!!?!?!??!  Oh yeah, I am in T.J. Maxx.  You betcha, I bought it. The "girls" and I are going to go Minnie Pearl style and love every second of it--this, for those of you too young to know, means wearing the bra on the outside of the clothes with the price tag still in place.

See You Soon..... 










Wednesday, November 7, 2012

One Lucky Quilter

Amazing, simply amazing how lucky one gal can be.  I mean, here you guys are, coming for a visit...lucky me.  Now, top that off with my good fortune at Market.  I met the nicest people this time.  I mean, there are always nice folks there, it is just that this time I hit the Nice Person/People Lottery.  Not only did I meet one gal, Phyllis, who gave the most incredible testimonial I have ever heard, but that was only part of my blessings....enter into my life, Gabby and her sweet husband, Tom.  Gabby is someone I loved from the moment I met her.  Shoot, I saw her in her booth and I thought, "Isn't she lovely?"  Then, I met her and I was completely blown away.  It is as if we had known each other all of our lives.  We have so much in common that we felt like sisters.  She is helping to fill the HUGE void that my beautiful sister, Debbie, has left in my heart.  Of course, no one can ever truly fill that void.  The truth be known, each of you who are out there, caring how I am, reading my thoughts and letting me know you are together with me in my days, are my sisters.

But, Gabby, well, she has touched my heart at a really deep level.  I hope to have as many of you out there get to know her, too.  As soon as she and her delightful husband, Tom (again, amazing that her husband has the same name as my husband...), send pictures, I will post them and give you the privilege of getting to know her, too.  The truth is, everyone I spoke to who had met her felt they had met someone who was a treasure so it is probably more like a Duh moment when I say, "You are just gonna love Gabby." 

"Some folks come into our lives and quickly go....others come and leave footprints on our hearts."  


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Quilter Waits Until the Last Possible Moment

That is a shock, isn't it?  I mean, my waiting until the last possible moment to do something...Yeah, right.  This project has been hanging over my head for months.  Of course, I am leaving in the morning for Houston and this rug is going with me so for the last two nights I have stayed up until 4:30 and 6:30 in the morning trying to make up for not working on it for all of those many months.  I finally got the first coat of varnish on it this morning and am crossing my fingers that I can get it done soon enough to avoid having to hang it out the car window to finish drying, especially taking into consideration the size of this baby (10' x 7').  I think that is called a sail.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

A Quilter's Prayer

This is really selfish.  I am already thinking in terms of praying for lots and lots of support, and sales, of my new fabric line.  I am using a loud speaker to start calling in all of my favors that are owed to me (cannot think of anyone who owes me anything, but, it cannot hurt to call, can it?).  I am reaching out to all of my BFF's...both of you, for assistance in this endeavor.  Family, friend, co-workers (ok, so I am retired but I used to have co-workers), everyone I know even casually, hey, if I smiled at you in passing, you qualify as my new friend, all of you, I need your help.  Go to your local quilt shop and tell them to look for our booth, #2302, in Houston at the Houston Quilt Market this coming weekend.  Tell them you want to purchase my fabric by the BOLT.  Um, wait, if you want to do that, call ME.
 
I need at least 100 shops to buy the entire line.  That seems like an unsurmountable number. Like I said, prayers, prayers, and more prayers.......

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Yeah, Yeah Yeah

What a Notion- Quilt on a Chair
Large Clipboard with I Dream in Color
You have so-o-o heard it before--I am too busy to think.  Truthfully, I finally made it to bed at 7:30 this morning.  I slept for two hours and then hit the ground running.  Check these babies out:

Now, I can hear you saying, "That's not so much to get accomplished." Well, please add to the equation that not only have I made these guys, for two of them I created and then printed the fabrics before I used them in the projects.  So there, take that and sit on it....please, do sit on it.  It is comfy...... O.k., so I am just looking for a little sympathy.  Is it working????
What a Notion -Small clipboard

Friday, October 19, 2012

Hello Quilters

Sorry, still to busy to think of much of anything to write.  Please bear with me.....

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

My Cups Runneth Over

Here are three more with more to follow.....hope you enjoy! (check out the distortion on the outer cups.  O.K, so the IPhone is not perfect.)

Monday, October 15, 2012

Quilted Cup

So-o-o cute if I do say so, myself.  Yep, I am back to making the finished Quilt in a Cup kits.  Actually, I will be making several more of these babies as well as some Clipboards and Clocks.  If anyone is interested, (do I count as one of the "anyone's??? BFF alert!) I will be posting the images as I get them done.  I need some to sell at Sample Spree in Houston so my booth will be "legit" for selling stuff.  I am there mainly to give away brochures for the fabric, heh heh. 

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Check it Out

One smart gal used my Quilt on a Chair pattern to make this beauty.....I am delighted to have been part of her fun! You go Karen!!!

Insomniac Quilter

Luckily, it has been a while since I have had this much trouble sleeping.  My mind just won't let me rest.  My "To Do List" just keeps growing and the longer it gets, the less sleepy I seem to get.  I get wired.  Most folks that know me say, GET wired? how about get even MORE wired?

O.K., "Manic" just happens to be my middle name. 

As if getting ready for introducing our new fabric line at Houston Market, and preparing our kits and stuff for Festival, and prepping for teaching more classes is not enough to keep me sleepless for days, I am very excited about a discovery I have made.  There is a new product called "Nerium" that I am hoping will make me look 20 years younger, hahaha.  What I should do is post pictures to see if anyone notices the years fall off....hmm, that would require my revealing my face without make-up....hmmmm.  I am pretty sure I can judge this for myself.....

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Gadzooks It Has Been a While

Sometimes when I have neglected this Thread for several days, I think, "Bad Bad Girl." Then, I realize that the reason I am neglectful is because I am too dang busy to stop long enough to write.  At the present time I am doing my best to get ready for Market and Festival in Houston.  Check out the picture to see our progress on the new Booth Look....

This is part of the backdrop for promoting our new line of fabric.  Just to give you a size guide, the scissors are 60 inches long.   Any guess as to the name of the line?  Duh.  Anyway, wish us luck because we need a bunch of shops to buy this so we can actually take it to a printer.  Please call your local shop, MONDAY, to ask them to find us and buy buy buy.  Don't take it for granted that they can find us.  We are small, new, and, there are TONS of other fabric companies they are affiliated with and change is difficult for us all. 

Thanks for the help, support and your patience, heh heh

Monday, October 8, 2012

Quilter Heaven

Ha ha ha, you guys thought that I would be discussing something with a needle and thread.  Nope.  This is another of my "projects" that requires no sewing at all....first, it is where I wrap myself up in Tom's arms and smile 'til my cheeks hurt.

It is also where, once more, I find myself thanking my lucky stars for all of my blessings.  I had two delightful shows, back-to-back, neither of which were even remotely profitable, financially, but personally, and emotionally, they were dynamite.  Probably, the highlight of the shows was when a beautiful lady walked up to me, hugged me, and handed me a card that contained thoughts of support and caring.  You know who you are....bless you.

It is where I say, "Thank you, " to those wonderful folks at AQS for apologizing to me, for my inability to keep my schedule straight, for forgiving my tardiness to three out of four classes and for understanding my inability to be in two places at the same time....and, a thank you to the participants of those classes for giving me such glowing evaluations, making it more difficult than usual to find a hat that will fit....

And, last, but certainly not least, for all of you who are reading this very tardy Thread....now, I would love to add to this list of blessings the ability to get a real night's sleep.................that truly would be Heavenly.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Totally confused Quilter

I need some serious help. Well, I do need help in lots and lots of areas but, for the sake of this discussion, perhaps I should narrow down the field. I need help at this moment with this computer stuff. Not narrow enough? O.K., I need help with this "sharing" thingie I keep seeing on things like "Facebook," "Google," "Google+," you name it....oops I suppose that just un-narrowed the field. Hellllllp. I am told, "Dianne, why don't you just hit the sharing thingie so you can post your blog on Facebook? Or, why don't you "share" on Twitter? Or, "share" some of your creations on.....WHATEVER!!! I DON'T KNOW TO DO THIS SH....um, STUFF!!!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Insomniac Quilter

Here I am with the opportunity to get a great night's sleep and where am I ?  Sitting on the edge of the bath tub trying my best not to disturb the Sleeping Beauties in the next room.  I actually got to bed by 10:00 last night but I think I trained this old bod to exist on minimal sleep because by 2:30 this morning I was wide awake.  Oh well, like the rest of life, I'll adjust.

I think the bigger issue is whether folks can get adjusted to me, heh, heh.  I warned these guys that when they accepted so many of my class suggestions that I just might need a personal secretary to get me to the room on time.  Well-l-l-l, all I can say is, folks, you were warned.  Right off the bat, day one, I am in my booth when the head of the education department comes running into my booth and tells me that folks are waiting for me.  oops. Luckily that did not seem to affect the students creativity because they each made the most awesome chairs.  As soon as I can get to a computer to download the images off my cell phone, I will share.

Later that day, around 4- ish, I am happily waiting on one of our charming customers and she is telling me how excited she is to be part of my next class and aren't I concerned about being a bit late for the class?  I said I was pretty sure that I would have plenty of time to get there because it was not until 4:30 and all about how I had been late to my first class, and how I really needed to be conscientious about tardiness because of my first class and all, and how bad it would look if I were late to the next one, and about that time she proceeds to reach into her purse.  (How's that for a run-on sentence? Somebody, send this gal some periods!)  I, of course am thinking she is grabbing her wallet.  Instead out comes a handfull of bright orange class tickets and right on top is one for my class with the starting time glaring me in the face....4 friggin' o'clock.

Holy crappola! I grabbed my stuff and ran like crazy, in my stocking feet to the other end of the building.  At the end of the class, the lovely gal that I ran off and left standing in my booth, the one who was taking the class, came to me and asked sweetly, " Could you please finish signing my book?" I looked down and realized that I had started signing her book and had run off, mid word.  What a trooper!  Yes, Allie, there are definitely, nice folks left in this world.  Of course, I already knew that.  Just look at you sweeties who continue to read and support my efforts.  Sweetness abounds.....

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Update from LaLa Land

Welcome to my world, boys and girls!  Here dreams and wishes can come true.  This morning the technician cleared us for the duration of the trip.  I hugged his neck, big time.  Then, when I asked the service manager what the charge for diagnosing was he said, "Just be safe. There is no charge." I almost squeezed the breath out of that guy.

So, here we are, driving like crazy towards Novi.   If you see a white trailer with Dianne Springer splashed across the side, wave, beep your horn, or say a few more prayers for us.  Just please do not get upset if we do not stop or even wave back....we just don't have time.  If you are able to make it to Novi, or Des Moines, or Houston, that is a different story.  I will make time for you.

A Quilter's hourly

The hour? Nearly 8 a.m. and we are sitting in front of the service entrance of the Mazda dealership saying a little prayer (o.k., so it is a HUGE prayer) that the only issue will be that the light is flawed.    The likeliness of that happening is more like zero to none--it is just more evidence of my preference for LaLa Land over Reality.

Did I mention that last night while I was inside the hotel lobby arranging for a room, Brandy dropped my cell phone in my drink cup and drowned it?

this Quilter's Saga Continues.....

We finally left the house around 10 this morning.  Tom called.  He was leaving Pensacola and wondered if I was taking the "Jackson, Mississippi," route to get to Novi.  He said that if we were, perhaps we could meet in Jackson for lunch.  I told him one teensy weeny fib.  I told him I checked Mapquest and it only added a few miles to our journey.  100 extra miles is a few when one has not hugged, touched, or kissed her Honey for two weeks and is leaving on another two week trip that day.  So, we departed about three hours later than The Plan had allowed--by our standards, almost on time.  :-)

Then, just as we were driving through Vicksburg it occurred to me that there was an amazing quilt shop, Stitch 'n' Frame, living right there, and it would be "shame on me" if I deprived them of the opportunity of looking at my new designs.  So, we called Kay, the owner, and she agreed to see us.  She loved the designs and ordered the whole line of brights.  Did I mention she is really smart and has exceptional taste?

Now, one might be wondering about Tom.  Yep, he had already arrived in Jackson.  We should have been there at least thirty minutes earlier than he.  He called, again.  Without a complaint, he drove on over to Vicksburg. Talk about smart and really good taste.  Oh, wait that would be I, for marrying this incredible guy.

After a not too wonderful, very late lunch, we continued on our way.  Just about an hour south of Memphis the engine light came on....deja vous.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

This Quilter's "Usual"

My girlfriend asked me tonight, "Are you ready for your shows?" 
I told her, "Better than we usually are...."  Jeez.  If you think we are all ready to go, please check out the time I am writing this.  I just got finished packing.  It is as if I don't know what I own.  I look through my closet as if some incredible new outfits are going to jump out at me, make me look 10, no, 15 pounds lighter, and, sigh, 20 years younger.  Just because this has never happened before, surely does not prevent it from happening, ever, does it?  A gal can only hope.......

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Quilter in a Phone Booth

Have you ever seen those pictures where the folks are getting stuffed into a phone booth?  Get that image firmly in your head and then simply change it to Brandy and me stuffing our two weeks of supplies into our trailer and car.  Shoot, our clothes take up the entire back of the car.  I mean, hey, we have to take at least one pair of shoes per day, and outfits-- the weather could change while we are there so we have to pack lots of possibilities....then, we gotta have our own personal pillows, and blankets just in case...well, just in case... and what about snacks?  we have to have snacks....cell phones, Brandy's, mine, and the business phone, chargers, IPad, and chargers, Kindles (both of them), and chargers,--I guess it is asking too much for there to be just one charger for all these electric thingies. 

We make lists, then we make a list of the lists, and we still forget things.  Anyone recall last year when we went to Houston Market for the sole reason to show our designs to the various fabric companies?  And what did we leave in Ruston????....yep, the entire package of designs.  We got in the car and drove 6 hours, picked up the package, and then drove 6 hours back to Houston arriving in time for Market to open at 10 in the morning.  That, alone, makes us both compulsive list makers when it comes to preparing for shows.  The lists don't prevent us from leaving things. They make us "think" we won't leave anything....

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Quilter in a Quandry

My quandry is, dare I get another phone?  Should I mention that this will be my seventh phone in less than two years?  I believe this has been a topic of discussion in earlier threads so, any of you sweeties who have been bored enough, brave enough, kind enough, persistent enough to have actually read long enough, know my history when it comes to cell phones. What is the most amazing is my husband's attitude...he just kind of sighs, and then makes plans on how to remedy the situation.  I have thought about going to AT&T to see if they need someone to advertise for them who had basically tried every version of I-Phone that has been introduced.  I am now on the list for the newest one....anyone wanna take bets on how long I'll keep this baby?

Please keep your eyes and ears, and pocket books open so you can help with my KickStart idea.  Pass the word along, pass the buck (to me) and let's get this fabric in everyone's hands!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

A Quilter, Not a Baker

Whoa. I just made the worst cupcakes, ever.  I should be "Chopped," that is for sure.  The problem is I start craving something and when I go to the kitchen I usually discover that I do not have the right ingredients so, I substitute.  Nuff said???  It is amazing that Brandy and I still manage to eat the results.  What I could use right now is about a dozen BFF's to show up to eat the rest of them.  Talk about a test of friendship......  ;-)

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Where on Earth has this Quilter Been?

Those Pesky Flowers
Have I been out of town?  Out of state?  out of the country???? Out of my Mind is the most likely.  It has been so crazy around here that it is surprising that I have even an ounce of sanity left.  I keep asking Brandy, "What was I thinking when I agreed to do all of these classes?  these lectures?  these demos?"  The only answer I can think of is that I must have been inhaling too much of that glue that I use.

Get this:  In Novi, Michigan: Quilt on a Chair Class, Watch Class, Flower #1 and Flower #2 Class, Lecture on Ikats, Lecture on my approach to quilting, Quilt in a Placemat Class, second Watch Class, second Flower #1 and #2 class, 2nd Ikat lecture, and, when I am not in class, I am doing demos all day long in our booth.

(Pack up, try to get some sleep, then drive straight to Des Moines...)

In Des Moines: Applique 101, Scrap-O-Lator Quilt Class, Table Runner Class, Watch Class, Placemat Class, demos, Author's Round Table, more demos, and more demos.........

Are straight jackets comfortable?

Oh, it was also ----MY BIRTHDAY this weekend.



 

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

What is that Quilter Up To???

Busy busy busy....what's new?  I was busy preparing for two classes and a trunk show for Linda Z's Quilt Shop in Chicago, for end-to-end classes and lectures in Novi, Michigan, then for end-to-end classes and lectures in Des Moines when I get a phone call from Chicago asking if we could postpone the classes and lecture in Chicago.  Great, that was the only part of this scenario that I was all ready for.  My mantra these days is "Regroup."


Wanna see what I came up with while playing, um, I mean, working on my class preps?

Now, don't you wish you were in Novi or Des Moines taking this class?  I wish you were, too!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Finally, the last of the Pastel designs for What a Notion.  My "Plan" is to do my best to pre-sell the fabrics as much as possible.  The printer wants $50,000 up front.  HAHAHAHAHAHA.  Like I have that kind of cash sitting around, well, sitting anywhere!!  So, another part of my "Plan" is to put this on KICKSTART, a way to raise awareness and $$ for projects that folks want to see come to fruition.  It is a lot like fund-raising for groups like Public Broadcasting.  Someone gives, say, $100 to P.B, and they receive a t-shirt, or a cup, and the pleasure of knowing they are supporting a good cause.  So, you know my idea, you see the fabrics, you have heard the Plan.  As soon as we get the video together, and the awards in place, we will submit our idea to the Powers that Be at Kickstart.  Say a little prayer......

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Relieved Quilter

Did you just hear my sigh of relief?  Finally, I heard back from some of you delightful folks who are just stubborn enough to keep checking back.  I praise persistency ever day of my life. 

Now, for the really important stuff:
Happy Birthday, to you, Happy Birthday, to you,
Happy Birthday, my dear sweet Baby Boy (Chris),
Happy Birthday, to you....and many more.....

I love you, my son.  The Angels sang when you were born, the sun shone brighter, the clouds sprinkled hearts and flowers...but, no one was happier than your Dad and I and we have never stopped smiling.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Mas Quilty Stuff


Here is the next to last of the offerings for right now.  I can hardly handle all of the attention these designs are getting.  NOT.  I have not heard one word from any of you.  Am I to assume that these are so blatantly unacceptable that you guys cannot even bring yourselves to say something BAD?????

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Chocolate Quilters, UNITE

Save  the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate!!!!!!

As Ye Sew
Multi-Ply

Rotary Club

                                                                 Keep Me in Stitches
Did you know that this is the 100th anniversary of the Oreo cookie?  Join me with a cookie, a twist, a lick, and some yummie in the tummie.   

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Quilter's Mind is Spinning Out of Control


Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning.., Satan shudders & says ..."Oh no....she's awake"  

One of my new friends had this quote on the bottom of her email.  I loved it.  Usually, it is those around me who shudder, heh heh.  Hopefully, this guy is not too close by....



Bobbins
 How about a peek at what I have been working on?  It is part of that "Plan" that I mentioned earlier.  I discovered that with one of the companies that I have been in contact with, multiple color ways can be printed at no additional cost.  Of course, considering the "cost," period, that is still serious business.    

I already showed you guys the bright version of this line.  Now, I have been frantically trying to get the more pastel version done.  If you would like to place an order, feel free to call me.  If you would like to make suggestions, keep that to yourself....just kidding, I definitely need all the help I can get.  

Forever Dotty
Buttons
What a Notion