And so it begins

Summer has begun around here. School is out and the pool is open! I've recently got the Hubbie out of his winter basement hibernation and we've started going up to the tennis courts to knock around a few balls. Naturally, this has eaten into my sewing time....but I have managed to get some sewing done. And to add to the mix, I bought a used embroidery machine and have been playing with that the last couple of days.

Speaking of the embroidery machine, I do have to share a "Good Hubbie" story. About a month ago I decided it was time to upgrade sewing machines. I really want to acquire a Bernina with a stitch length regulator. So after doing some general research, I broke it to Hubbie that it was going to set us back over $2K. I requested it as my birthday present (for the next 10 years!). I dropped it after his initial shocked reaction. I figured it would take some time to get his mind around the cost (frankly I am still trying to get my mind around it). Days later the used embroidery machine popped up on the radar. I got it for a bargain! After I agreed to the deal with the seller, Hubbie says,"I was going to tell you to go ahead and buy your sewing machine for your birthday. I know it's expensive, but you really enjoy quilting and you deserve it." Now I know that the man I married is wonderful, but sometimes he shows too much of that Y chromosome and can be such a boy. But here is one of the many examples of why I love him so much. He does listen and support me. In my book of nice Hubbie things this ranked up there with the time he recorded the movie "Rebecca" for me because,"When I was looking for things to record I saw it was coming on and know it's one of your favorite movies." Good Hubbie!

Finally I promised many many posts ago to put up some pictures of the Munchkins' artwork. Here they are:

The oldest Matisse inspired creation


The youngest munchkin's self portrait (minus the green swimming goggles)

Are we there yet?!

When I was in school it always seemed like the last two weeks of school lasted FOREVER! It didn't matter if it was 1st grade or my final semester as a senior in college...the last two weeks....an eternity. Well everyone will be relieved to know that hasn't changed for me. The munchkins are wrapping up their final days of the 2007-2008 school year and summer isn't coming fast enough for us. We've been so busy....I haven't really been able to sneak much sewing time in but here are a couple pictures from the last week around here.

Cats and fresh air...here's my favorite feline model striking her purrfect "I'm so beautiful" pose. Notice how the tail is so delicately placed at her feet. She kills me!


And Rosy needed a picture for a teacher's gift. She wouldn't let me put the one of her in the green goggles on the card, so we had to take a new one....

I'm such a quilting groupie

If you've never thought of yourself as a Quilting Groupie then obviously you don't quilt. My first experience was at a AQS show in Nashville, where I saw Alex Anderson and thought OMG should I go ask for a picture?! Now I've found something even more exciting....Jane Sassaman's blog...see my Places I Like to Visit section. Now just to work up to commenting on one of her posts......

My life - The Office episode

I have maintained for several months now that the writers from The Office have some how secretly bugged the place where I work. You may remember the infamous carpet email. Well this week we've had another installment of this ongoing series. Here's most of text from a recent email:

"Is anybody out there?
I sent this note two weeks ago and the only response I got was from Jon . Thank you Jon.

Since trying to work with you as a group of committed professionals has failed, I will now try plan B – treating you like children who don’t care.

Action plan
1. Take 5 minutes now to reread this note and think about how we ensure a reliable service to our clients.
2. Respond immediately after spending your five minutes
3. Even if you have no input, respond anyway just so I can at least have the consolation that you read my emails (you could even thank me for doing this work for you – but that would be asking for common politeness – perhaps a bridge too far?) "

Now for quotes from an episode of The Office:
-"I tried being rational. And what happened? The employees went crazy. I got no support from corporate. So now, I have no choice. I'm going to treat them like the children they are."--Dwight K Schrute
-"Apparently, some of you are upset with my plan. So I want everyone to write down any diseases you have that you might want covered and I'll see what I can do….make it anonymous and put it in my in-box….Or don't right it down at all, and it won't be covered. Sound fair? Yes." --Dwight K Schrute I say eerie.....Twilight Zone eerie! Maybe my boss is falling asleep during office episodes and is being effected that way! Onto a different note, this weekend was Mother's Day! I had a very nice weekend. Hubbie and the munchkins made both Saturday and Sunday special. On Sunday the munchkins decided to conduct a scientific experiment. (Yes those are swimming goggles!)




On the sewing craft front I worked on my newest art quilt. Got a few more squares done. When I get a few more done, I'll post a picture. Read an article in Quilting Arts Magazine about flour paste resist that I definitely think I'm going to try this weekend. And emailed with an old friend who designs jewelry. And most interestingly is also making beads....did I mention I love glass beads? Check out her website in my Places I Like to Visit section, Designs by Lisa.

And finally, many of my close friends know I'm a Webkinz fanatic! I would be remiss if I didn't introduce my newest virtual pet, MeWa, the teeny tiny tiger! Isn't he a doll (haha)!

To be a cat...

Just had to remark on my freak feline. Take a look at that tail. Obviously, it's her most important accessory.

Busy Busy Week

This week has been so busy it has flown by. I wish I could say it's flown by because I've been only fun stuff but, nope. The end of the school year always seems like it's overpacked with things to do....field day, end of year parties, play performances, play dates, and in my house birthday parties. On top of that we've had work, random illnesses, and school. Amazingly, I've continued on my quilting binge. I can't seem to get enough of the sewing...

First, I finished Dear Sassy Jane last weekend and she made her debut at Quilt Guild. My sister has already previewed her newest addition to her quilt collection and loves it! I have to say this one turned out much prettier than I initially thought it would. I'm having a difficult time letting it go.



So then I realized that I would be giving this quilt to my sister on Mother's Day and that I probably shouldn't go empty handed for my mother. So I whipped this one up. Purple is her favorite color but she often doesn't use it in decorating her house. Plus I just got my yoyo maker so this gave me an opportunity to experiment. I was able to build it entirely out of my stash with scraps and 5" squares from a fabric exchange.



And then I finished my quilted backpack. I'm in the process of beading with seed beads on the flap. Hubbie said it was too much...my response...never enough "bling!"



And then here's the oldest munchkin's project in progress....
So maybe this weekend I'll snag some more time to work on some more things....and do some sewing with my favorite little sewing buddy....and her sister who is constantly "designing" the next quilt she'll be ordering from Mommy's Quilt Factory!

Happy Mother's Day!

Victim of a Time Portal Hole Thingy

This morning I've had two moments of "OMG, has that much time really flown by?!" First came as I drove my munchkins to school. Yesterday I had randomly found a cassette tape (yes tape not CD) of a duo that in my 20s I would go listen to play every weekend at my favorite bar with my friends. We loved them and were considered regulars. It would not be uncommon for Henry and Francisco to break into "Brown Eyed Girl" or "Sweet Melissa" as we walked in to claim our table close to the stage. So back to my moment this morning, I popped my tape into my minivan's tape player and tuned out the little girl early school morning bickering to revisit some old musical friends. And that's when it hit....I was 21 when I first heard this song.....and to reveal my age....that was 17, almost 18 years ago! That song is almost 20 years old! After that revelation, I let go of that momentary "OMG" and smiled and enjoyed my music.

Then just moments ago I was received an email from my youngest munchkin's 1st grade teacher. A simple newsletter outlining the last three weeks of school. And a simple remark about "soon to be 2nd graders". OK, when the HELL did this happen?! I swear it was only weeks ago that I held my precious Moose baby in my arms and joyously watched my 2 year old toddler play with her new sister under the baby gym. WHAT?! WHERE?! WHEN?! Now I have a 9 year old and almost 7 year old!

Throughout life you're told by your "elders" time goes fast. Enjoy the moments when you can. I never believed it....in fact I'm sure that I've been sucked into some bizarre time portal hole thingy.