Making placemat purses at the PJ party

Last Friday I hosted another PJ party at my Studio and we made Placemat Purses. They are SO quick and easy, and make great gifts! Some couldn't stop at just one!

Sheri made two.........

Chele

Faye

Sam

Nicki

Emma..made another one with quilted black fabric

Natalie
made another one but got away before I could grab another picture

And mine.......Sheri found these placemats at Home Goods and so graciously let me have one. We used big wide handles and secured them with an ultrasuede tab.I embroidered my initial on the placemat before sewing it together. And had to CAREFULLY sew the tabs on to avoid the shell buttons. I removed the end buttons so I could sew it together.

I'm working on a quick little tutorial...

A Simple Woman's Daybook- Nov. 16

The Simple Woman's Daybook is done each Monday. Check it out......

FOR TODAY November 16, 2009 from Karen's Daybook...

Outside my window...a little gray today, and all the leaves are gone. Nice day to catch up on paperwork

I am thinking...if I buckle down, I can get all my Christmas done BEFORE Thanksgiving, allowing me time to enjoy the grandkids

I am thankful for...so many blessings God has bestowed on me........now I need to share MORE with others

From the learning rooms...I would like to learn how to do a Digital Scrapbook page as our Christmas letter this year......anyone know where to go for help?

From the kitchen..shhh, I know Thanksgiving is not until NEXT week, but I'm thawing a turkey out right now to cook tomorrow. Since we are going to my brother's for Thanksgiving, we won't get the leftovers that are so awesome after a big turkey dinner. So, I'm doing it ahead of time!

I am wearing...my new pj's!

I am creating...tote bags for all my daughter's staff. She has 9 people that work with her, so I better get on the ball

I am going...to my brother's and his family for Thanksgiving. I'm really excited. It's been at least 15 years since we've celebrated Thanksgiving together.

I am reading...and finishing up "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper (for my Bible Study)

I am hoping...to get all my Christmas decorations up BEFORE we leave for my brother's, so when we return, we are ready for Christmas!

I am listening to.... Theme from A Summer Place by Percy Faith........it's such an old song, but it's such a nice easy song to throw you back to yesteryear. You can listen to it if you scroll down to the bottom of my blog and see it on the playlist.

Around the house...hubby surprised me Saturday by putting up our huge Christmas tree while I was teaching all day. Thanks Kirt! One less thing for me to do!

One of my favorite things... getting inspired by so many Godly women. But I need to learn to read less of what THEY are doing and do it more myself!

A few plans for the rest of the week: work on my new class schedule and samples, doing some Christmas shopping

Here is picture I am sharing...........this is my youngest granddaughter and I might have shared this photo before, but I could just sit and gaze at her all day long.........my heart just almost bursts with love for those little ones. God is SO good to reward us with grandchildren AFTER we have raised our own. And such a reward they are..couldn't you just eat her up?
Now go out and have a great day and go hug a grandkid.......or your kids..........or any kid!

ABCDEFG...

I had an alphabet swap about a year ago with some students and am finally getting around to getting my quilt done. Just in time for the next round of students! I had 4 corner blocks that looked so lonely and blank, I decided to embroider the blocks.
A close up of a few of the blocks...I found this cute fabric that had Shoo Fly blocks on it, perfect for the Q, N for nuts, and a cool ultrasuede zebra fabric.I got it quilted last night and now it just needs binding and a label!

Here is a little sneak peek of what other quilt top I started AND finished Monday. It's a quick and easy one. But it makes no sense right now. It needs to be quilted and embellished a little before you 'get it'. Hopefully,over the weekend I can get that done. My friend found the pattern and she and another friend were going to look for fabric and did I want any? Of course not, I have plenty of fabric! That is, until she showed up and let me what she got! I loved that black/red/plaid and the snowflake fabric in red and white! I had to have it, but alas, no time to get it before we all got together to make it. As luck would have it, they had enough between the 3 of them leftover that I got to make my own quilt and all I had to do was add a white on white! Yee haw! So, this quilt used 1/4 yard out of my stash! And then will use another 2 yards for backing and about 1/2 yard for binding. Not bad I say, not bad at all.


I

more from Vegas

I'm back now and can post a few pictures since I forgot my patch cord while I was gone! Being born in Denver, I love mountains. And what a difference a mountain range can be. Here is the view from our room. Desert mountains look a lot different and a bit barren. Now that I live in the Mid west..the mountains here (through Penn., WV and VA) are way different. The one thing that confuses me in Vegas, is that you are surrounded by mountains, in all directions! I become navigationally challenged here.

They are building a bridge over Hoover Dam...quite a sight to see! When I was at the quilt shop in Boulder City, I overheard them telling somone that it was a must see! Unfortunately, I didn't listen to their advice. Who wants to go see a bunch of construction! My hubby sent this to me right after we got back. Now I wish I would have gone the 6 more miles!

Here is fabric that I bought for a friend (and since she only needed 3/4 yard, I bought 1 and kept 1/4!) I loved it!

Another FQ bundle of Blacks and Whites. I'm always on the hunt for a variety and these fit the bill.

Another few pieces that were calling my name. I didn't get very much of them, 1/2 yard, but thinking a handbag of some type would look good.

I love to read but rarely take the time anymore. I'll go in spurts where I'll read a lot and then spend many months not reading a thing other than my Bible Study book. But I just finished this book........gave some food for thought. :)

hangin' out in Vegas

(Check out this sign..it was erected in 1959 and they had to finally build a little parking area for it because so many people were stopping to take their pictures in front of it. Read more here...)

Um, I mean, working hard while hubby is REALLY working hard! Kirt has to attend the AAPEX trade show, held in Las Vegas this time of year, and what's a wife to do, but go with him. Not to the show..that would be too much like work! AND it would be like me asking him to go with me to a Quilt Show! Not gonna happen! So, what am I doing while he works hard?

Doing my own quilt shop hop! I am not here in time for the Las Vegas Quilt Shop Hop (Nov. 13-16), but I can certainly do my own. So, after dropping Kirt off at the show, I headed to Henderson for quilt shop #1, Quiltique. It's one of my favorites...bright and spacious, friendly staff and lots of eye candy to take in. Oh, and it's featured in the latest issue of Quilt Sampler! (by the way, they do have a correction to their pattern..so check online for it--I just did http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/ and didn't seem to find it right away). I purchased quite a bit of fabric for a friend, who told me to just use my own judgement on buying for a pattern. So I did..and if she doesn't like it, I do and will keep it! LOL oops, did I just say that?

After almost 2 hours at Quiltique, I headed to Boulder City (close to Hoover Dam) to #2. Fiddlesticks. Not a very big shop in size, but in personality. Their darling little vignettes were fun to check out. Had a nice little sale as well, so indulged in a Black/White bundle, which I'm going to share with a few friends when I go home.

One thing to note about visiting Boulder City, IF you want something good to eat, i.e., a good salad or something healthy? DON'T stay in town! All they had to offer were the usual chain fast food places and a couple of local diners, with fried foods, etc. Which I resorted to eating because I was hungry. Someone recommended one place had good burgers and I was thinking it was going to be like Red Robin burger, which are to die for by the way and you can get an awesome side salad instead of fries. They are so good, you can eat them without the bun (which I do--saves on those carbs!). So, I went to this Pit Stop. Hamburgers? Mickey D's are better! And side salad? a few pieces of iceberg lettuce, two little chunks of tomatoes and a sprinkling of cheddar cheese. And fries were nothing special. BUT since I was hungry, I ate it. And paid the price for it!! My sugar went sky high and had to come back to the hotel and work out for 45 minute to bring it down. Hmphh...next time I'll know better!

After lunch, I thought about just heading back to the hotel and skipping the rest of the shops but remembered that although they don't always carry my type of fabric, The Christmas Goose is another inspiring place to go. I stayed in Rt. 215, which skirted the southern part of the city and headed to the far west end. Quick and easy drive. And I'm so glad I did. They again, did not disappoint me. I ended up with a new line of fabric for Christmas (after going through my Christmas tubs, I NEEDed new fabric!) Return to Romance by WillowBerry Lane for Maywood Studio. I also found a couple of patterns for purses (my downfall.) One is darling and has an unusual component. I'll make one up and share later.

At this point, I checked my sugar (my eyes were getting blurry--and a clue to high sugar), so I thought I better head back to the hotel to work out. I didn't get to Nancy's Quilt Shop or Fabric Boutique. But I'll be back!

We had dinner at the MonAmi at the Paris hotel last night and was fortunate to get a table outside, directly across from the Bellagio and it's famous water show. Beautiful weather and a great dinner with my hubby. Life just can't get better!

more SITP blocks and a litte side tracked!

First, I am working on my SITP blocks...slow but sure. I'm loving it. A little unusual for me since they aren't bright colors. But I am loving all the scrappy pieces coming together.

Last week someone was renting Khloe, andI like to stick close by in case they need me. I would rather have been sewing, but thought I should tackle cleaning my 'supply closet' since I could only open the door. I couldn't even step into it! Mona............where are you? LOL I should have taken a 'before' picture. I had a big box on the floor full of upholstery samples (mostly microfiber stuff and velour type stuff). There were all kinds of wonderful samples, but most not big enough to make anything. I pulled the box out to pitch it and then picked one up. Hey--I could get a 5 1/2" square out of them, if I didn't mind a little glued on paper on the back stating the type of upholstery fabric it was and color. (picture shown is AFTER I cut the samples off...I didn't think to take a picture before because I was really supposed to be CLEANING and not CREATING!)

So, I spent the next 3 hours cutting all the pieces off the header and cutting them into squares. I thought they would have made a beautiful jacket, although it would have been a bit heavy. Then I thought...what about a color block purse? So, leaving the piles of stuff sitting out.......I headed the sewing machine and sewed (2) 9 patch pieces. They will be the front and back of the purse. Gotta think about a lining and handles.......stay tuned!

Oh, guess what else I dug up? My Dear Jane project...so sadly neglected. I really need to get it out and finish it! Some poor soul finding it when I've passed away probably wouldn't want to finish it. It's my 'Lifetime Acheivement' quilt because if I finish it in MY lifetime, it will certainly be an achievement! So, I did another block to get me back in the mood.

A Simple Woman's Daybook Oct. 26

Surfing the web over the weekend and stumbled over this blog. The Simple Woman's Daybook is done each Monday. Check it out......

FOR TODAY October 26, 2009 from Karen's Daybook...

Outside my window...God's beautiful fall colors at it's best! The trees are at it's peak in yellows, reds, greens

I am thinking...how nice it is to be a 'Nana' to 5 beautiful grandkids

I am thankful for...my hubby's safe return from his trip to China

From the learning rooms...I am thinking that this is for the homeschoolers..but hey, I'm STILL learning! Now am trying to learn how to make my own blog button.

From the kitchen...a new recipe for Peanut Butter Bran Choc. Chip muffins that do NOT make my sugar soar!!

I am wearing...my old pj's, a scraggly old sweater and big socks..I may look scruffy, but I'm warm!

I am creating...a new quilt for our bed in blacks and tans and am loving it (Shakespeare in the Park)

I am going...to Las Vegas at the end of the week with my hubby

I am reading..."Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper (for my Bible Study)

I am hoping...for great weather on Friday for Sheleah's BD party

I am listening to.... "Glorius" by Chris Tomlin....a new song for us at church and I love it!

Around the house...White pumpkins and fall flowers. I don't do Halloween stuff, just pretty fall things and quilts!

One of my favorite things... bonfires on chilly fall nights

A few plans for the rest of the week: shopping for Sheleah's birthday, teaching 5 quilt classes, decide on what to make for my Christmas cards and get started!

Here is picture I am sharing...........a fall quilt..........

I think I've been adopted!

I opened my door last Friday morning and ALMOST peed my pants! There was a big dog sitting inside my garage by the door! I thought I heard something Thurs. night, but didn't see anything outside. That's because he was INSIDE the garage. I felt bad because I was leaving, so gave him some turkey and milk. Well?? I haven't had a dog for 8 years and had nothing else. I left for the day and when I came home 12 hours later. He was still there! So I went and bought more food and then next morning before my classes, I went to the newest neighbors in our area and he didn't seem to belong to anyone. Which made me highly suspect he was a drop off. I live in the country and there are about a dozen homes close and then nothing but farms. Too far away to run away and then want to come into MY house. Oh yeah, he's definitely an indoor dog. He whines all day wanting in.

See his one blue eye and the other brown? Kind of creepy looking at first...

Of course the dog warden isn't in on the weekends, so I took him to get a bath (and where I discovered that he really is a he and not a 'she' like I first thought!). Then I could let him in the house. Well, he sticks to me like glue. The grandkids decided they like the name Maverick. So, that's what he'll be for the time being.

I called the dog warden on Monday morning, and no reports of a lost dog to that description! I suspected as much. No, I told her, don't come and get him yet. I want to see if I post a few signs, if I get a response. Nothing yet. IN the meantime, he's getting pretty used to being here. I allowed him to stay in the house last night and guess what? I woke up with a big black dog sleeping right next to me---in MY bed!! I started laughing because his head was almost on my pillow. I wish I would have had a camera. So, what's a girl to do? Friends think that God sent him to me to keep my company while hubby is away (he's in China for 10 days).

If only we didn't travel so much. I don't know what we'll do. But I hate to turn him in because I know what they do if no one claims them after a few days.

On another note.. took the kids to the park and talked them into taking a hike with me. Sneaky way to get my exercise in!

Alia had her 2nd birthday--what a big girl she is becoming.

Whew! It's been a busy few weeks...as usual. More later................

SITP progress and some charity finishes

I'm plugging away on my SITP blocks. I seem to be doing them out of order with the rest of the group. Oh well, as long as I'm working on them. I got all my light stars with my dark backgrounds cut out (for the 28 small stars--of which 8 of them will be inside a larger star) and only 3 done, 25 more to go in the variation. And then to repeat it all in dark stars/light backgrounds! I'm afraid I'm going to run out of fabric--and am thinking that maybe I better start introducing more fabrics now so they won't stand out later? I used 40 FQ's so far with just a tiny bit left.

I've been training more people how to use Khloe (my new--well used to be new) long arm machine. I put quilt tops on there they can practice on and then I bind them and send them off to charity.

It always inspires me to get another one of my tops done. I chose this one because it is for fall and we are right smack dab in the middle of it--although it feels a lot closer to winter! BRRRR! I've been freezing for 2 weeks now. What's going to happen in January? This quilt was made from leftovers from another quilt made with my friend Marilyn. I had to come up with a simple class for beginners and this was it. It's the size it is because that's what I had left of the strips. I've noticed that a lot of my design decisions are based on what I have left or what's sitting close by! LOL

5 year old trumpet player

This little guy is just amazing....gives me chills to see a young person with so much God given talent!



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