Left overs?

Do you remember me telling you that the pieces were small? Here's the proof. Who appliques pieces this tiny? That's a nickel for the Americans to compare and a Australian $1 for my down under friends. Really too small! I'm glad I went with the "mauve"work.
Ignore that shadow, it's just my fat head. Aren't they cute? I'll have to remember this tip if I ever come across the same problem. I like how it turned out.

I threw it in the wash last night, so it's all wrinkly. I need to starch and iron it and I had a lot of marks on it, that I didn't want to become permanent.

And this is the pile of fat-quarters put back together. It barely looks as if I made a dent in them. I think I can get a couple of tops out of these leftovers. I think I will just cut them all into 1 1/2 inch strips and use them as squares and half-square triangles.

BUT, I need to get some more UFO's out of the way. My UFO basket is still over flowing. I really must not start anything new! Please help stay on the straight and narrow...

I off to see what everyone else has been up to, till tomorrow.

Take care, Brandie

Weekend goal

I did finish my weekend goal, and I'm very happy with myself. Even though "the daughter" came to town and I still spent money. OH well!
My goal was to finish the applique on the opposite side of the other. I finished it and I'm happy. In the pattern, there are 4 appliqued corners. I'm lazy and went with 2 corners and I'm still happy with it.
So the next thing to accomplish is some "mauve" work. Do you see the empty squares above the house panel? There was to be some little flowers in them. At the time, still a newbie, I didn't think I could applique those tiny pieces. Even now I do think I can and most importantly, I wouldn't. So I made up my own rules and decided to do some rework instead. But red doesn't match any color in this quilt, some hence the mauve.

Stay tuned tomorrow to see the "mauve" work. I'm going to try my hardest to finish this quilt and have it pinned for quilting, this week! Hopefully I can get it quilted in a speeding fashion. I'm already thinking up template and motifs. If you have any in mind, let me know. I'll take all the help I can get. A 9 year UFO is too old. It needs to be finished and soon.

Oh, by the way, I was looking at the rest of the fabric from this quilt and I thought, simple 9-patches. How cute and homey would that be. And maybe half-square triangles, AKA Bonnie Hunter scrappy style. Now I just need TIME and background fabric.

OK, no more rambling, I must get ready for my walk!

Take care, Brandie

A Small Finish

I finally managed to complete 1 corner of the bunny quilt. I thought that I would have it done that night, but NO I sew slower that Moses. Of course there have been interruptions, and some boredom has set in, but I'm so close now I just need to finish it.
So that is my goal for the weekend! I don't have any more money to spend (I bought some fabrics!), so I will be staying home all weekend! Of course these are my plans, and who know what the rest of the family will decide. My Daughter is a big one for encouraging us to send our money on her. And she's moving into a new place, she hopse this weekend. And even though she has already move from home, she still thinks each move is an excuse to spend our money on things she may or may not need. Things like couch pillows and Kitchen- Aids. Seriously that girl!.. But you have to love her, every time she needs something, if I have it, I just upgrade and she gets my hand-me-downs. All except my Kitchen-Aid. Though they do have a beautiful copper one now. HHMMmmmm...
Have a wonderful weekend!
Take care, Brandie

Feathered Friend

In Oct 1997, our family was fortunate enough to go to Sydney Australia. Hubby was there working for about a month before his wonderful boss offered to ship us out to him. While we were there, I saw many beautiful things. Among them, the birds. I've always had birds growing up, the largest being cockateils. Visiting the Royal Botanic Gardens, I was enamored with the Cockatoos and Gulahs. It seemed everywhere we went, we saw the beautiful birds. Sitting in the trees, foraging in gardens. I've heard that the Australians think of them as pests, the same way we think of pigeons. Every weekend we would go to "Paddy's Market" and peruse the wares. Once there was a man there selling cockatoos for $20. At that time the United States dollar was twice as much as an Australian dollar. So I could have had a cockatoo for $10 American dollars. I went back to our apartment and researched "how to export a live animal". I found out that the bird would have to be quarantined for 3 months and there was no guarantee that the animal would live through it. Also, these birds were wild.
So 8 months later, we returned home and started live again with pigeons and blue jays. About a month later I heard of a woman in a neighboring town who had a young, hand feed cockatoo.

So this is what I bought, for many, many dollars later. Ain't she cute?

Naked as a baby.

Just a few feathers are starting to grow.

Most of her feathers, just no tail.
All grown up. Isn't she a pretty bird? And because she is hand feed, she doesn't know she's a bird. But she knows she's not a dog! She may bark like one, but she knows she on a higher level and she rules the roast.

My little feathered friend. She eats with me, and watches TV with me, as long as William isn't around, she's my best friend. Many years from now, when I too old to take care of myself, she'll be living with her beloved William. They say their life expectancy is 60 to 70 years. As long as William keeps her in green beans, pasta and warm tea, she'll live as many years with him.

She's a great bird and has given us many hours of fun. You should see her run! When she chases PugsLee, there's nothing funnier. Or when she sees her own shadow. Just be careful with your buttons, always check that you still have them when you leave my house. Victoria collect them.

Sorry for the late, late post. Had a very annoying morning appointment.

Take care, Brandie

Beyond the Stars

We have a finish! We had sent out our Opportunity Quilt to be quilted. And after spening 2 days sewing down the binding, well it's finished and I couldn't be happier. Sorry for the bad pic. I've been trying to take a good pic and it just seems impossible. I either can't get the entire quilt in the pic or the color is way off. So last night we has a Quilt Show meeting and I hung it up for all to see and to try to take another pic.
It was a great meeting, nobody left crying and we all had chocolate. In my book, that's a good time! We all throw names out in the air and we vote on "Beyond the Stars".

Our quilter did a fabulous job. Can you see all the little circle inside the flying geese? She used the fabric as a quilting template and quilted each and every honeycomb. And of course each piece is stitched in the ditch.

All the black rings have a quilted rope. Fabulous! Whoever wins this quilt...well I can only hope it's me. Cross your fingers!

Take care, Brandie

Animal Magnetism

My son seems to give off an animal scent. What I mean is that he has a scent that attracts animals. Like "that dog" that lives outside. That Dog found William and wouldn't leave. So he now lives outside. That Dog loves William. If William tells him to do something, he does it. He's not a bad dog, just a big brute who only listens to William. But the point of this story is William's animal magnetism. All animals love him. He has to be careful that no more stray dogs or cats, follow him home. I'm not joking, this has happened more that once. The animals find him. He has something that they like and trust.

So when William is home, Victoria is pretty excited. Now they do say that parrots tend to be attracted to male humans. They think is has something to do with authority. Birds respect that. So Yesterday, William was doing his best to ignore Victoria and she was going out of her way to get to him. Finally when she could be ignored no longer, he picked her up and turned her into a turtle. Yup, flat on her back.
She had a momentary shock, then she just laid there. As if William could do no wrong.
She isn't hurt or like a bunny, she is fully aware and she seems to enjoy it.
I was giggling, she turned to look at me as if I was disturbing her. Do you see the way she is looking at the camera? She's loving that she's with her favorite person! And she don't care what he does!
AHHhhh, petting is even better!

Finally I put a stop to it. William had plans and was on his way out the door. So Victoria had to be happy with me. He set her down on my knee and she just looked at me with indifference.
One thing I've always thought is that she has creepy reptile like feet. Not that I know what a reptile feels like. Her feet are a little rough but warm. We put oil on them but she just scratches herself and they come back dusty. Making them look reptilish.
She just noticed the camera, has to take a closer look.
My daily view. Victoria has a bad habit of getting right in my face. She likes to see eye to eye.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll have some sewing to show you. Bye for now.

Take care, Brandie

The Quick Brown Box

So last week I sent a package off to my Niece. She had asked for a quilt for a work mate. You all saw a little of the quilt. I was trying to surprise her as I know she reads my blog. So I packed it all up in a priority box, printed out a label and stuck it in my mailbox. Easy-Peasy. The mail carrier picked it up and my Niece had the package the next afternoon. How's that for quick? So now that she has seen the quilt, I can safely show you. It all started with pink and butterscotch. What color is that you ask? I'm not sure, but I was told a warm yellow. I really hope that a least I have one spot of butterscotch somewhere. For a quick quilt, I very happy with it. And I really do love to applique and I think all quilts should have some. Good thing it was for a girl! I quilted a silly little poem around the edge. "From the tip of her nose, to her cute little toes, nothings as cute as, Anabelle Rose." Poet I am not, quilter I am.
I also sent a new purse model to my Niece. She and I have a "bag" thing in common. Probably a shoe thing too. But we like bag, purses and such. So I finally used up all the bits and pieces of this linen fabric. Boy do I feel good! It's the same feeling as finishing the housework or even homework.

We both wanted a bag with pockets. So I added 2 large pockets on the back, 1 on the front and 1 inside.

In fact I liked it so much, I made one for myself. Also finishing up this linen.

Now if only we can find the perfect plaid. Niece wants yellow and purple plaid. So if someone sees plaid fabric made by the scotch tape people, let me know. I'll be looking for a less garish plaid. Don't want to clash with every thing I wear. That look is reserved for the young.

Take care, Brandie

It's All about the feet

I'm home at my own computer, most importantly, my own bed. I had an exciting but exhausting 2 days. 2 year olds are fast! And busy! I didn't have to many chances to sit and relax. I am sooo out of practice with little ones. But we had Fun! Between all the bathes (I don't remember my kids getting so dirty, I think the dirt was cleaner) and all the dirty clothes, I was ready to let them just go naked. How do parents keep up these days? As soon as I would sit down, little Zoey was off and running. It's really a good thing I didn't find any ties or string, I would have tied her to a chair, just to use to bathroom. But I did find that a grocery cart worked like a dream! We went to the store to buy Popsicles and milk. I ended up spending more time in the store than I ever do. My normal practice is to run in and get what I need and run back out. This trip, I was enjoying the freedom of moving at my own pace. Of course that trip for Popsicles ended up costing me, but now Mom and Dad won't need to go to the store for awhile.
Big sister Julia was a HUGE help. She helped me find things, wrangler Zoey and helped me keep some order. There were a few moment that we all just relaxed on Julia's huge bear. The girls were using him as a rug and a pillow. It was moments like these that I will always remember and hold fondly in my heart.
Introducing...Hailey, littlest sister. Both girls were very excite to meet her. Zoey was a doll and cried when Hailey cried. She was very concerned for her. She would wave her little arms and say "don't cry, don't cry". She was really sweet. Julia was a little shy and told her Mom that she would hold the baby when they came home. But then she talked about her new little sister all the way home.
It was a fun experience, just not something I want to do everyday. I'm feeling every one of my years this morning. I slept in late and my body feels like jelly. I'm talking myself into going for a walk and not going back to bed.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Take care, Brandie

More baby news

Sorry ladies, just a quick message to let you all know that I may be gone for a while. My friend Nichole is in the process of giving birth and I promised to watch her little ones while she was "busy". I'm not at my own computer and so I can't show you what I finished up this weekend.
So if I'm not back tomorrow, you'll know where I am, busy chasing a 2 year old.
Take care, Brandie

Faded Love

So since I seem to be between things and no one needs any baby blankets, I opened up one of my boxes. I decided to get back to my UFO pile. I has been months and I haven't reduced that pile any. So this is the box I went with. Want to see whats inside?
This box has a incomplete quilt and all the fabrics inside. I know I've shown yo this before, but if I've forgotten about it, maybe you have also.

3 yards of backing plus incomplete quilt top and all the fat-quarters from Robyn Pandolph's line "Bed of Roses".

And the pattern of course. The pattern is marked "2001". So that means it's been sitting around for a while. This was started in my own beginning days. My applique is a little chunky and not as smooth as it is today. But I'm going to complete it anyway and then what I'll do with it, who knows.

These fabrics use to make my mouth water. I remember pure joy when looking at these fabrics. Not so much these days.

It's kind of cute, but I've moved on. Don't know where that is, but this quilt was a step toward where I am today. I know that I didn't do everything just like the pattern and that I did think about moving things around. The beginning days of rebellion.

Yesterday I started the applique last border. I will try to finish it before closing up the box again. Wish me luck!

Take care, Brandie

Pay it Forward

This last week I signed up to do a giveaway. This isn't your normal giveaway, this is a "Pay It Forward". I love the idea of keeping the creativity flowing. I send you a handmade gift and then you send on a handmade gift. I found out about this from my new friend Samya and her sidekick Marie. You should go and check out her blog. She makes some fabulous bags and just wait till you meet Marie.

Here are the rules:
1. The first 3 people to visit my blog & leave a comment here on this post saying they want to participate will receive a homemade gift from me. You are allowed 1 year (according to the rules) in which to send out the gift, but I plan on making something & sending it on much sooner than that.
2. You must have a blog of your own to participate in the PIF.
3. You must post about the PIF on your blog & you must offer the challenge of a PIF.
By accepting my PIF, YOU agree to host a PIF on your blog, you will agree to send a homemade gift (within 1 year) to the first 3 people who sign up on your blog to participate in your PIF & so it continues.
I love to give and I think this is a great way to pass the love. Read the rules carefully and sign up if you are interested in passing on your handmade love.
Take care, Brandie

Finished

I did complete both my project yesterday, last night at about 11 pm. I was so close to finishing the quilt, that I forfeited some sleep to complete it all. Though I still need to trim threads and wash it. But here it is. Lori from Humble Quilts, had shown us a beautiful antique quilt that was teeny-tiny 9-patches, done in blues and white. It was a gorgeous quilt. So after I drooled a little, I started this one, which isn't nearly as small or beautiful. But I'm happy and I hope the recipient is happy.

Guess what? I still have about half a cone of the "Gucci" pink thread. I really thought I would be nearing the end after all these girls quilts.

I'm loving my kitchen "tile". It's not perfect, but the tape worked pretty darn good! Hey Lori, is this better than the rug? This time I'll agree with you. I feel it now looks complete. Before I thought it was missing something. But I Love, Love, Love this!

I may put a small square over the points where they connect. Just because some of the points are messy.

The squares are plenty big. Yesterday after adding more paint, I hopped from each brown "tile" to the next, to get around the kitchen. Looking at my toe polish, I might add red squares. I wonder if toe polish works. It's a great red (OPI, thanks so muchness) with a little sparkle in it. It would really set off the floor and tie in the dining room. Hmmmm...

Boy have my knees taking a beating. I have been on my knees for the last 2 days and they aren't happy. They even look angry. I tried to take a pic, but it's kind of hard to. You're lucky I could take a pic of my own foot. I was weaving though. Clumsy people shouldn't do stunts! Standing on one leg and taking a pic is defiantly considered a stunt.

Well I'm off to soak my knees. See you all Monday. Have a wonderful weekend!

Take care, Brandie

Square Happy

Quilting tools are good for so many things. I've discovered that an unused ruler, makes great diamond shapes on my painted kitchen floor. That ruler with the black writing has never been one of my favorite. I can't understand the measurements so I've only used it to true up large blocks. I've debated on throwing it away, now I'm glad I didn't.
If it wasn't for that ruler, well lets just say it was a whole lot easier. After chalking in my lines, yes with a quilting pencil, I laid the blue tape. Now I've tried painters tape before, and I've been very unhappy with the results. It better work this time!

All this went down before I went to bed. I only put on one coat, so the tape is still there. After I'm done with you ladies, I'll put on a second coat.

I'm already happy with my new look. Almost makes me want to do more, but I have no more unpainted floors. Anyone else out there have unpainted floors? I still have paint left

Sorry I didn't get to the daisy quilt. I will today. Hopefully I'll have something to show you tomorrow.

Take care, Brandie

Daisy time

I have been working on a quilting project. I'm trying to get it finished by the weekend. Hubby is leaving town again this afternoon. This time I have to drive him to the airport. Unfortunately, the airport is about 2 1/2 hours away from us. So I'll lose about 5 hours to driving. But what this does mean is that I can work on my kitchen floor again. I have another color and I'm determined to paint with it! So I may be distracted from my new quilting project.
Just a quick look. It all started with this daisy fabric. You can kind of get the drift of the finished quilt. I have 2 more daisies to applique. Then the quilting. I'm thinking of a echo quilting around the daisies, but we'll see. Sometimes when the quilts are done, they speak another language.
Have a great day!
Take care, Brandie

Dirty Bath

Every morning, PugsLee and I start the day with a walk around the yard. Me to rub the sleep out of my eyes, her, well, to do her business. As she walks, I make a mental list of yard work. Most of my yard work is really just racking up the leave in the spring, after the last frost. I use the leaves as a winter blanket and all the plants seem to like it. I don't use bark or any bed cover. I let nature alone and hope to grow a natural ground cover to hide the dirt.
So this week, I've been looking at this bird bath. Now I'm not one who is into distressed anything. Rusty, unpainted, peeling paint or antiqued paint, really just distresses me. I want to clean it up and repaint it, making it look new. So this bird bath is bugging me. Can you see how yucky the bowl part looks? But the birds don't seem to mind. Robins come out and frolic and splash, not seeming to mind at all if the bath is messy and yucky. The blue jays don't seem to mind either, even if I walk out to look at them (brave little bird-stards!).
So for now I going to try to live with this weathered and rusty bath. If the wild life don't care, I shouldn't either.

I do love how the fern practically covers the bath, making it cozy for the birds. The fern has been growing there for at least 6 years. He seems to love it. He doesn't require too much care. Just occasionally I have to trim out some died fronds. I love effortless gardening. Look behind and to the left of the bath. Can you see the best place in the garden?
This fairy has the best seat. I would love to be right where she is. Under a fern frond and reading a great book. What a life.
Looking through the dogwood. Now you can see more of the distressed bath and lovely ferny. I couldn't live without all this green. I'm very happy to be surrounded by foliage. I wouldn't have it any other way. And when I say surrounded I mean it. Even The house is covered by trees. I heard all the time that someone can't see my house because the trees cover it. Yeah, so what? I love that I have this secret doorway. These are the things that fairy tales are made from.

Have a wonderful green day.

Take care, Brandie

Party Food

This weekend, we had a baby shower for my friend Nichole. She is due in about mid August and we all just got our acts together. Nichole married my best friends little brother. So the sisters-in law and I put on a shower for her. Of course we had food, and lots of it. We had our jobs and I think this made it less stressful.
I had made meat buns and pumpkin cupcakes. When I returned home later that night, I discovered that I had made quite a mess. Just look at my newly painted floor. Can you tell what it is? Apparently I dusted my toes, while I was rolling out biscuit dough. I laughed when I saw it. I've never been able to see my toes out lined in flour before. Hehehehe

Speaking of funny...

I was looking through these pics of PugsLee and Julia. I missed these before as they were still on the camera. I giggled and laughed aloud. Look at the way PugsLee is looking at Julia, as if she didn't know that it was Julia under the "Groucho Glasses".

And they both stuck their tongues out at me. Hehehehehe

Or how about PugsLee's tongue. Look at the length of that thing. If Julia was any closer, her face would be wet.

We had a great weekend ad wonderful weather. This morning at 7am, the temp was 60 degrees. Kind of chilly. I'm going to have to pull my sweaters out of the back of the closets soon. My favorite season is coming.

Take care, Brandie