New Fabric!

Received a call yesterday afternoon from my local quilt shop informing me that the new line of Blackbird fabric by Moda had arrived and they would have it out by late afternoon.  Well, this morning after Keith and I made our usual trek to Rich's for our vanilla chai teas we made a quick trip over to the quilt shop to pick up yardage of our favorites.  Yes, make no mistake Keith definitely had an opinion on what I should get and letting me know I should make something for him as well.  I do love the beautiful brown and blue combinations of this line.  In particular the dark brown small check my display is sitting on as well as the blue brown stripe and dark blue small check in the mix.  Keith definitely has his eye on those 3 fabrics.  It is so nice the men in my house take such an active interest in my hobbies.

I put a few more stitches in Live, Laugh, Love but put it away when everything I had stitched had to be taken out.  After two very long days - or short nights (kind of depends if you want the glass half full meaning lots of fun stuff going on or the glass half empty meaning no time for sleep) my eyes were a bit too tired to stitch with any degree of accuracy.  Still I did end with progress on the piece.

My Aunt Marg on her recent travels stopped at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland (lucky her) and bought me this adorable ornament.  You would think she knows me from the looks of this ornament.  So fitting for me as there isn't a craft I won't/haven't tried which would definitely put me in the class of Craft Crazy.  Thanks again Aunt Marg - I LOVE IT!

It has been awhile since I've given you an update on my movie viewing and book reading so will just touch on it a bit.  

Last night we had a family movie night and watched Mud.  Not a particularly fast moving movie and was glad we didn't pay the money to see it in theater but liked it well enough not to turn it off before it was done.  

Last weekend we saw Wolverine.  I had not seen any of the previous Wolverine movies but don't think you need to.  Again not the best movie I'd ever seen but again not the worst.  My opinion it was just okay.

In books I finished Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon.  It was a strange one to be sure.  I also finished Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley.  I did like this one.  I have just started Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson which is about the big hurricane in Galvaston.  I usually love Erik Larson books so hoping this is a really good one.

Don't forget to check my cooking blog as I've added a new recipe - BLTA Salad.  YUMMY!

Pinch Me - I Must Be Dreaming!

The Iowa State Fair Fabric and Threads results are in and I have to say I could not be more surprised, shocked, astonished, amazed - happy, delighted, joyful, thrilled.  Of the six entries into the Fair this year EACH AND EVERY ONE was awarded a ribbon.  Six - the most entries I've ever entered in one Fair and to have six ribbons is OVERWHELMING!

Fair Eve was a really fun day for us all.  Hubby and son both home around lunch time getting ready for their ride in the parade.  As they were heading down to get in position for the parade, I was headed to the fairgrounds to see the results.  Within minutes of arriving myself I started running into many fellow stitchers I knew as well as a couple of quilters.  I arrived at 4:00 p.m. and in about 20 minutes I finally knew my final tally.  I know it seems like a long time but I had trouble finding my 6th entry.  Funnier even when I went back to take photos I could not find it again.

1st Place:  Be Thankful - Category Verse or Motto under 15"
2nd Place:  Easter Parade - Category Picture under 15"
2nd Place:  Kindness Begets Kindness - Category Pillow
4th Place:  Fairy Sampler - Category Sampler
4th Place:  Treat Time - Category Picture under 15" Linen
Honorable Mention:  Christmas Tree - Category Christmas Decoration

A quick 2 hours later - longest I've ever stayed at this event but I was having so much fun chatting with everyone and seeing their entries - I headed downtown to find parking and a spot on the parade route.  I opted to park in a parking garage where at least I knew I would not be ticketed or towed and walk the 3 blocks to the parade route.  There were thousands of people lining the parade route from one end to the other on both sides of the street.  The guys had a wonderful time and the evening ended around 10:00 when we all finally were just too tired to do another thing - besides next day was a work day.

I'll leave you with just a few photos from the Iowa State Fair Parade.  We are going as a family on Monday so should have many fun pictures to share.

Nothing Compares To The Iowa State Fair!

It seems like it has been forever since my last post and I apologize.  Life has been crazy busy and I was going to sit down Friday night to do a blog post and then became ill.  Bleh!  I just now had a 2 hour interruption - a quick drive up to the hardware store turned into a trip by the fairgrounds and ice cream shop for the guys - LOL!

Since last post there have been date nights, movies watched, books read, stitching finished and started, birthday celebrations (yes I had one left to go), housework done, workouts completed, pictures were taken, new recipes tried, battle for the tomatoes given up and won by the critters, sewing, car rides in the convertible with stops for ice cream and shopping.  I'm not sure that I've covered everything I've done in 2 weeks but this might be enough to exhaust you just reading.

I think I will start off with my post title Nothing Compares to the Iowa State Fair - this year's motto for our state fair.  It is hard to believe that since last post I've delivered my items for judging in the Fabric and Threads Department and according to their timeline judging is complete and display is being readied for the reception to be held the Eve of the fair opening (which is just 2 days away).  As usual, the closer it gets the more excited I get.

It all goes back to when I was a kid and we would go and see the State Fair Parade that is also held the Eve of opening day.  After the parade my parents would drive us by the fairgrounds where all the people who were in the parade got to go into the fairgrounds for the evening and enjoy it before it officially opened.  As a kid, you always wanted to be one of those who got to go in before it officially opened.  I have to say entering in the Fabric and Threads was my ticket into this "club" and it makes me feel just a little bit special getting to "sneak" in before the official opening day.

This grouping of 6 are my entries for this year's competition.  If you are wondering, yes I was working almost until the last minute getting my things ready.  See the pillow in the upper right corner - decided to put that together the afternoon before the entries were due on Saturday.  I had to fabric shop, cut out, sew and stuff it Friday afternoon.  I didn't get to any of this work until after 1:00 p.m. and had to have it done before Keith arrived home around 3:00 p.m.  I think it doesn't look to bad for a 2 hour project.

Here are a few photos from the Saturday Keith and I took them out to drop them off.  Keith wasn't too sure about leaving all that work with the ladies behind the table but with promises we were headed to the coffee shop for vanilla chai teas he quickly forgot his worries.

Now that my pieces are off for judging I've picked up some pleasure stitching to do.  I quickly finished Miss Peepers by Little House Needleworks.  I will point out the actual design is a little different than the photo on the front and I chose to stitch it from the graph rather than the photo.  I also added backstitching to the pages of the book as I didn't feel like the color popped off the fabric enough.  I changed all but one color from the original.  I have since dropped it at the framers and have chosen this brown frame that has a rosy hue in it  I can't wait to see it finished.

The fabric is an over dyed "oops" fabric.  I will list the called for threads and then my choices.

LHN                                                       Lorrie's Choice
Sage - WDW                                          Sage - WDW
Maple Syrup - GAST                             Havana - WDW
Pea Pod - CC                                          Chives - GAST
Clay Pot - CC                                         Raspberry Parfait - GAST
Sea Shelly - CC                                      Old Brick - GAST

Another finish was this little quaker motif by Milady's Needle.  It is destined to be a key chain in the very near future.  I then picked up a piece I started several years ago by La D Da called Live Laugh Love.  The first picture is where I left it a few years ago and the 2nd photo is all the stitching I completed on Saturday evening.  Very pleased with my progress and expect it will be a finish in the near future.

Next start I have planned is Botanical Blessings by Blue Ribbon Designs.  I fell in love with this design when Belinda taught it as a class and am thrilled she chose to release it for those of us who could not attend the class.  As you can see, I've pulled the colors.  This led to 2 hours of sorting colors and putting them away and with all the hundreds (in reality probably thousands) of threads I have I came up 3 short.  Pulled out my trusty DMC floss chart and substituted colors I had on hand that closely matched the called for colors.  Now I'm trying to decide between a piece of 25 count Jobelan in off white or a 38 count of Rivera linen in ivory.  Decisions, decisions.



 I thought Teresa (atwillowtreepond) would enjoy seeing her childhood tea set (she gifted to me in an exchange at Christmas) in its' new vignette.  I take advantage of house cleaning to change a vignette or two each time to have a new look.  The box it is sitting on was made by her as well.  Thanks again, Teresa as I'm enjoying it.

 While out shopping for fabric to make my pillow for the Fair I happened upon a new bobbin box that I really like.  It holds 30 bobbins (including the minis from HDF) just perfectly.  I like to keep bobbins for my sewing machine filled in many different colors of threads so I can just grab whatever color I need without having to fill a bobbin each time.  I also like that they stack very nicely one on top of another.

This is one of the little critters that was having a field day with our tomatoes.  It got one tomato but we gave up the fight when the big critters from the park were having a feast at night while we slept.

I big thank you to Mindi who sent me a text about the gorgeous big moon a couple of weeks ago.  Thanks to her text I went out and took the most amazing photo of the moon.

 Well, I've not yet touched on books read or the recipe for the BLT salad but promise to get to those in my next post - which will be done in a more timely manner.

Hot Today = Simple Supper

Today is going to be a hot one here in Iowa as it is over a lot of the country.  When it gets this hot, I'm sorry but I really don't want to turn on the stove or stand over a hot grill.  At 8:45 and already 90 degrees I'm leaving my workout thinking time to get errands done quickly before it really gets hot and what am I going to fix for supper.  I mulled over several ideas on the way to the grocery store and by the time I arrived I had a plan.  Today's menu is chicken salad on kaiser buns with sliced tomatoes, diced watermelon and a fruit salad I make with red seedless grapes, sliced bananas and a can of mandarin oranges in juice.  I use enough of the juice to keep my bananas from turning brown.  Simple but yet delicious and no standing over a hot stove or grill.  Oh, I did stop at the cupcake shop and indulge in an assortment for dessert.

While out I stopped at my local craft store and found this 14" serving platter clearance priced for $2.  I bought one this size about 4 years ago and use it all the time in the summer when grilling out - kabobs fit on it perfectly - and as a serving platter at gatherings.  I have been on the lookout for another since then as I find so many uses for it and today was my lucky day.

This same craft store had their DMC variations on clearance and bought a couple of skeins of each of these colors as I think they will make great pumpkin colors.

Made a bit more progress on Miss Peepers by CCN.  It won't be long and it will be headed to the framer.  I'm thinking to display on an easel on my bookcase.  I mean she is reading a book after all.

I once again have to thank rosek who recommended the author Dorothea Benton Frank.  I'm 1/2 way through a second one of her books and am thoroughly enjoying it as well.  A great summer read author.

Off to pour a glass of mango passion fruit iced tea and pick up Miss Peepers - nice lazy activity for a HOT summer day!

Another Year Older!

Hi everyone!  Seems like it has been forever since I've found a few minutes to post on my blog.  I really need to become more adept at using the app to make my postings.

On July 7th I spent the day at my beloved Iowa State Fairgrounds - sigh not yet time for the Fair but did attend the Good Guys car show with Bill and Keith.  Here is the car in front of one of my favorite old buildings - this is the Agriculture Building.  It was a hot day for sure but with an ever present breeze and shade trees in abundance it was quite bearable.  Bill had to go out early with the car so Keith and I went out a few hours later.  I wish you all could have seen his face light up when I asked him if he wanted to go - PRICELESS.  Let's just say I couldn't get us ready fast enough to suit him - LOL!  

I had to laugh at Teresa's comment that she did not see my family recipe for the homemade ice cream.  I feel a bit like the Bush's bean commercial.  Duke the dog trying to give the recipe - owner doing all they can to keep it secret.  I don't feel I can give out this recipe without the family's permission - LOL!  I feel I need to at least check with my brother's and dad before I put it on my blog.  Teresa, you will be the first to receive it if permission is granted.

I'm still have not spent as much time stitching as I would like but do have some progress to show on Red Riding Hood by Primitive Hare.  I could wait no longer to start the red.  I was a bit tired of stitching all black.  Switched to the red and it is going quite quickly - or at least it feels that way to me.

I was having sewing machine issues but figured out the problem and got it going again.  I was able to send Mary L.W. and Teresa S. their thank you needle cases for suggesting photo names as well as a project bag I had promised Teresa back in February.  In answer to your question Teresa - yes I did crochet the heart.  I used the pattern from Bythebayneedleart.  The needle case in the first picture is the 4th variation of a tutorial I found on Pinterest.  I never did like the large size of the original and never could get the binding to go on well.  Over the course of 2 years I have finally altered the original pattern to suit my sewing skills (thank you Teresa noticing my improvement).  In all honesty it makes me what to ask for the one I sent Teresa for Christmas back to redo - LOL!  I will be making another one of these soon taking photos of each step to add as a tutorial on my blog.  The needle case in the 2nd photo is a Lazy Girl design.  Both ladies received one of each needle case as a thank you.  The 3rd photo is Teresa's red wool project bag.  I had made one for myself on a whim back in July using the crocheted heart pattern and decided to add handles to it (my first attempt).  She liked it so well I decided not to wait until her birthday to gift her with one.

  

None of my photos were picked to be exhibited at the Fair.  I'm not sure if I will enter again next year.  There are usually close to 4,000 submissions for about 500 spots.  I understand with that many submissions not having the time for any feedback but it does make it difficult to know what needs improving.  I also know I'm up against many professionals as well as those who belong to camera clubs.  I have almost a year to make that decision so no rush.   I do like that Fabrics & Threads provides you a scoresheet as well as comments on your piece so you know what you did right and what you did wrong.  They have a volunteer who walks with the Judge and writes what the judge says as it is being looked at.  Most helpful!

Since my last post I have turned another year older (and was spoiled terribly by my friends).  It was so nice that Mary and Belinda took me to lunch on my actual birthday.  It was such a treat!  We just went to a favorite restaurant (On The Border) and had a fabulous time catching up!  These lunches do not happen often enough to suit any of us!

From BFF Allison

From Dear Friends Mary and Belinda

I just have to point out a few things that are particularly delightful to me.  

Allison (who knows me so well) included some vintage hankies (one was labeled a wedding hankie) as well as some gorgeous fat quarters of fabric (there are 6).  Can't wait to make something with these beautiful fabrics.  There is also a photo holder that she picked up that is made out of a doorknob.  It is the coolest thing - I have it in my kitchen to hold my recipe card while cooking.  SPOILED!

 Mary somehow managed to pick up a sewing basket at a flea market almost exactly like I've been looking for at the antique shops.  Amazing - she can read minds now!  I am also delighted by this little bird by Isabel Bloom.  It already has a home on my coffee table.  She also included so many one of a kind items I've never seen before.  SPOILED!

Belinda was just as creative as the other 2 with her choices as well.  She made this amazing Friendship Memory Book that includes photos from various outings we gals have taken together.  Such a thoughtful and unique keepsake - love it!  She also took the time to stitch a small piece to make into a necklace for me.  The backside has a piece of sampler fabric that you see through the glass.  SPOILED!

I really can't thank them enough for their generosity and thoughtfulness to make my day so special.  Tomorrow I get to have my birthday lunch with my BFF Rene' and then Friday is a short get together with Harriet to celebrate both our birthdays!

Happy Independence Day!

I hope everyone has enjoyed a wonderful  4th of July!  This was the first one in a very long time that didn't involve a family or neighborhood potluck.  It was just the 3 of us.  This, however, does not mean we don't celebrate.  I still make some holiday themed vignettes inside and out and cooked a downscaled but tasty meal of delicious summer foods.  This year's menu consisted of mom's potato salad recipe, barbecued ribs, coleslaw, baked beans and for dessert a batch of homemade ice cream using the recipe handed down for generations in the family.  It was a delicious meal and both Bill and Keith seemed appreciative of my efforts.  Head on over to A Stitcher's Snippets Cooking for a couple of the recipes.

I've managed to put a few stitches in the 2 projects I'm currently focusing on.  On the left is Miss Peepers by Country Cottage Needleworks and on the right is Red Riding Hood by Primitive Hare.  I really am making fast progress considering I've not spent more than a couple hours on them all week.  Tonight - I'm thinking will be a stitching night - we'll see if the guys agree with that.

On the reading front I finished Saint's Gate by Carla Neggers.  It was a good mystery but as always I knew who the killer was as soon as the cast of characters was revealed.  Some think it would ruin the book for me but then again I don't really know if I'm right until the end and I don't peek.  

I'm still reading Inferno by Dan Brown.  It is a page turner but am trying not to read it as fast as 11/22/63 as it is so hard to find a really good book these days.  I also started Porch Lights by Dorothea Benton Frank  and thank rosek for the recommendation.  It is my porch book to read while waiting for Keith's bus.  I have to say in 3 sittings I'm already 1/3 of the way through the book.  I am really enjoying the book and the author's style of writing.  I see myself reading more books by this author.

I want to share that my friend and designer, Belinda Karls-Nace of Blue Ribbon Designs has designed a special piece to raise money (she has to raise $2,300 to walk in this walk) for the Susan G. Komen 3 - Day Walk in San Diego in November.   It is titled Red Rosies and Pink Posies.  Click on this link and it will take you to her website and will tell you how you can get this lovely design and donate to this worthy cause.  It is a cause near and dear to my heart as my mom lost her battle with breast cancer in 2010 and a day doesn't go by that I don't miss talking to her!

On the fitness front I'm really enjoying my membership at the Y.  I've taken a variety of classes and have already identified a couple of favorites to go with my cardio workouts.  I think in the next couple of weeks I will meet with the Wellness Coach again to learn how to use all the weight machines so I can incorporate them into my routine.  I have to say I'm already noticing a difference in my body shape.   I've not yet stepped on a scale to see if there is weight loss and as that is not my main goal I may not.  My doctor tells me to quite worrying about that number and just concentrate on the healthy eating and healthy exercise.