Happy Birthday America ! ! !

Art Quilt Class

I had the opportunity to take an Art Quilt class with the wonderfully talented Laura Wasilowski

Laura hand-dyes all her fabrics and her threads - her finished work is beautiful. Check out her website to order fabric, threads, and learn about how you can attend "The Chicago School of Fusing". [it's not a real school you go to; Laura travels to your area].

Bed & Breakfast

For three nights I stayed at the most beautiful B&B in Bird-in-Hand, PA called Greystone Manor. Breakfast was a pure delight every morning!

Antique Quilts Purchased

Penryn Fire Company Mud Sale, Lancaster, PA.

Hand-pieced and hand-quilted too! One quilts tag is dated 1923.

Have Journal will Travel

A spur of the moment road trip with my girl friend to Lancaster, PA. The main event is to go to an authentic Amish Mud Sale. They are called mud sales due to the thawing of the ground and the mud created! Look at all the cool stuff that will be for sale!! I quickly put together a travel journal & a travel kit for each of us today!

The kits are inside of the plastic zippered cases my pillow shams came in [ I didn't want to ruin my nails picking at the price tags]. I placed our names inside the slot that had the Biltmore bedding label - it was on card board and slipped right out. Loads of fun stuff: journal is an artist sketch pad, pens, crayons, watercolors, stamps, masking tape, etc.

I hope we actually use them along the way so I can show off some pages!

Hope to reveal more about our road trip

as we head out at 8 AM tomorrow morning!!

Look What I Made

Made a pin cushion while hanging out at a quilt shop! Ya' hang around a barber shop long enough, you'll eventually get a hair cut - - -same goes for a quilt shop! I made the hen in the middle . . . her name is Henrietta. The red one was named Little Red by the shop owner.

Two of the hens - middle one & hen on the right - are both made from old, worn out, and tattered quilts that were too ragged to be repaired . . . now recycled into pin cushions! I fell in to LIKE with this quilt hanging in the shop . . . if I get skilled enough at the whole quilt process this may become a future project of mine!

Embroidery

Completed embroidery. I joined a "Block of the Month" at a local quilt shop with my girlfriend. We joined late so are several months behind. Better to have started late than not at all!!

I finished my "October Angel of the Month". I cannot decide if I will embroider the title of the month or not; I will probably wait until several are done and I have a feel for whether or not I want the month on them. My son suggested embroidering the names and birthdates of family members in each square and I do like that idea! What do you think??? Please comment!!

I am almost finished with November's angel. All of these blocks are embroidered using 2 pieces of muslum with batting in between. Once each month is finished they will all be squared and made into a quilt. I've already started to collect fabric for edging each square....fabric will be that homespun look to go with the folk-art look of the angels. Each block will be tea-stained to give it an aged look!

Wow.... I know you can't wait to see more.

One of my favorite things!!!

I just had to share one of the neatest things I've seen in a long time! I just got one of these Bodacious Beach Blankets for my birthday. Whether you go to the beach, the lake, or a picnic, this blanket rocks !!!! Buy 2 - one for yourself and one to give as an awesome gift - the gift reciever will be thrilled, just as I am!
Thank you to my dear father-in-law for finding such a great gift for me!! Dad got me the blanket in Royal Blue .... love it!!

Self Examination

Yesterday was not a lot of fun as I discovered some hard truths about myself.

It is one thing to have high principles and integrity - - quite another to practice these principles in my life. I've been playing with potential fire lately and unable to stop myself. . . . strike that, I've been unwilling to stop myself.

I have no excuses; the excuse I attempted to use when explaining to my friend yesterday is this:

"My mother would understand; she knows the history; she would say no harm done." I said.

"You mean your mother would have co-signed your bullshit!" she exclaimed.

* * * O U C H * * *

I can't play with fire if I stay away from the dry leaves and don't pick up any matches. How Freudian of me to use "dry leaves" . . . . . they are old; past; done for; no more; and can never be made green again and put back on that tree.

My Return to Blogging

Today I have decided to make a some what feeble attempt to continue this blog for myself. ...it's a nice place to ramble and post pictures of my creative projects.

"Yes", I have been doing a little creating and will be posting pictures soon. I have done a ton of scrapbooking although most likely won't post those pages here. My dear friend came by Tuesday and taught me quiliting. The worse part is the fabric cutting - which she did most of for me - and I have learned to hand piece.

Here are the fabrics I've selected, cut into 3"x3" squares.

Hand pieced together - this will most likely become a pillow! Without trying I selected colors that will be nice in my living room.

I've also started embroidering"Angel of the Month" . . . well, my start has been tracing the pattern onto muslin and selecting my DMC colors.

Carolyn Nancy

Mother passed on September 24, 2009.

Awake last night until 3 am . . . not sure why [ LIE ] . . .sleep doesn't come lately since mom's been diagnosed with acute myloid leukemia.

Yesterday was a rich, filled-to-the-brim-joyous- yet-heartbreaking day . . . so most likely that kept me up.

Jay & I went to a charity bowling event from 9 am - 12 pm - proceeds to benefit local women's shelter. Had great fun, bowled terribly & didn't care, laughed & talked with friends; went out for lunch afterwards [hoping to have some great pictures, but I am too tired today to even attempt connecting camera to computer].

Then we went off to purchase a new mattress set for mom; her's was way too soft & possibly part of the back pain she's been having. I had noticed this while at her house - she no longer showers if alone - although we purchased the shower bench for her, she is too weak. Anyway, I was "spotting" her whiel she was in the shower and sat on the bed to watch TV, then laid down and went "WHOA, this mattress is terrible" . . . decided she needed a new one. Her comment was, "I'm not buying a new mattres set with 3-4 months of life left in me" *sob*

We got a great deal on the mattress set - - -when I explained to the sales lady we were buying it for my mother she took another $100 off the set PLUS the guy said he'd deliver later the same dayfor FREE. So off we went to mom's house to meet delivery guy. Jay I moved her old mattress so I'd have time to vacuum under her bed, etc.

Mom was soooooooo happy and it was a delight to watch her try it out! We stayed until about 6 pm. My sister was there as she spends the weekends with mom to cook & be with her. It was good to see my sister, however, after about 2 hours she started with her comments about black people, gays, all laced with profanity.

I have many gay friends and black friends and I REFUSE to participate or listen to those comments regardless of whether you are an aquaintance or own my sister. So I paced a moment and told hubby we needed to head for home before our team's kick-off. We had to make a stop for Lucky Dog food on the way home.

Sister was on her 2nd bottle of wine & her personality starts to change when she's been drinking all day. Usually she's a "holier-than-thou-baptist-bible-quoting-bible-studying-knitting-church-lady-prude" and is offended if I say "sheet". Therefore, when talking with someone using alcohol - I find it useless to verbally stand up for my gay & black friends - I have found instead of talking to my sister, I am really talking to the alcohol and the situation becomes worse. Had she been sober, damn-skippy, I would have had a lot to say to her.

*Gag me with family-dynamics*

Bought our Lucky Dog food; got home, TV on for football, shoes off - - - Ahhhhhh, time to relax.

BUT, my BFF just got back into town from a creative retreat in Blowing Rock, NC [I passed on it due to mom's condition ] She stopped by the house to share the wonderfulness of the retreat and what she had created. Great conversation, spiritually & creatively uplifiting - laced with bubbles of laughter and both of our creative juices flowing!!!

Mr. Wonderful watched the game AND managed to put together snacks & sodas while we chattered on and on and on and on. She left about 11 pm just my son Mark got home so I HAD to stay up & spend time with my him!!!

I know - - - I've not written about mom's condition and have been absent from my blog. Not sure I can "go there" and write about it here. I will have to eventually put my feelings out there on paper, in print, or in my art, but I am scared.

Necklaces

Went to a great GiRl FrIeNd PaRtY today!!! Met fun, wonderful, new women and saw some girlfriends I've not seen in awhile!! I had to buy loads of fun home decor also. AND, will be hosting my own home show in mid-November! I am a huge fan of hosting and helping women who are in business for themselves. Especially in today's economy! Kudos to you fabulous women who take on so much!

Tomorrow I am hosting my GiRl FrIeNd PaRtY and have invited 54 women! What is with you gals that don't know the meaning of "r.s.v.p"? I'll break it down for you with a little help from Wikipedia . . .!

According to Wikipedia, RSVP means "Répondez s'il vous plaît", a French phrase that translates to "please respond" & word for word means "respond if you please". It is with this meaning that invitation cards and similar documents are often marked with "RSVP." It is standard practice to reply to an RSVP request whether confirming attendance or declining. It is incredibly rude to not rsvp to an invitation. And be cautious of a date given for an rsvp! And remember, never rsvp for more persons than the invitation requests"

*Whew* sorry to get a bit crabby, but for those who won't, can't, forget, to rsvp, you are missing out on some of life's joyous times. After awhile you don't get invited anymore and then you'll be all alone wondering where your friends are.

Dryer Sheet on Journal Page

Washing & drying load after load of laundry today got me thinking about dryer sheets !

So I went to my art journal and used good ole' "YES!" glue and attached a dryer sheet to my journal. Painted over it with green. Underneath you can see some personal writing - I love covering up my secret thoughts with art.

I am a big fan of texture too, so this page works for me. Of course more will be added, but that happens bit-by-bit and may be awhile!

In the meantime, I've been on a house-cleaning roll! I know, spring cleaning has passed and it is full on HOT summer, but it works for me! In the spring, I'd rather be outdoors instead of cleaning!

My life is sooooooo gooood right now!!! Thanks Universe!

Look What I Made! ! ! !

I really should post a picture of what these look like being worn !!!

Stained glass with thin sparkly paper wrapped with wire - of course coated so that I am not cut by glass and wire while wearing! Simple and fun to make. I couldn't believe I did this!

I've worn 3 of these now and get complimented every time! Wearing the yellow one today!

Could I sell these? Where? How much?

B&B Antique Store

Oh my goodness, the things I saw while visting B&B Antiques!

So much to see [ and kiss!]

Life-sized Blues Brothers for sale $4,000

I didn't get close enough to check the price tag on this Red Hot Lady Lamp - it kinda scared me.
I love this lamp! If it was in green instead of blue it would be in my bedroom right now!
Love the red hot mama table [above]!

My son would like this suit of armour in his home!

And wonderful Dominoe Jewelry for sale too! Oh-My!

New Tool Used

At my book making class I had the fun of trying another fun tool that I had to purchase while at Stacy's store.

Tim Holtz's Ideaology Sander Grip!!! This little gem cost me less than $10 bucks and I've used it all day on creating what is now my 2nd board book! WOO - HOO!

Here's a sneek peak of my 'House' board book before I've done anything to it!!

Okay, I am too, too excited about my efforts, so I will go ahead and show you the background papers added. All purchased at Stacy's store, Scrappin' Creations. Of course, more papers, embelishments, photos & ephemera to follow!

This books will be a gift for my father-in-law with photos of his parents & his siblings from his childhood. All the papers were added with the previously posted YES! Glue . . . gotta say it, this glue is fantastic!! Use your Michael's 40% - 50% off coupon because it is worth $5.00 spent!

- - FRONT - -

- - BACK - -

First Board Book

Saturday morning I took a book binding class at Scrappin' Creations and made this adorable recipe book! I learned a lot of great tips for making chipboard books. I am a hands-on-learner so this class was a real help for me.
Check out the new Scrappin' Creations store here:
http://www.scrappincreations.com/

The book has 5 tabbed sections.

1) Thanksgiving Feast
2) Traditonal Christmas dinner
3) HJ's Parties [for mother-in-laws fantastic party pleasers]
4) Carolyn's Best [mother's recipes]
5) Italian [because I am & have grandmother's recipes]

I am going to include inchie photos on the tab pages of each women and food along with some well-used quotes!

Love this new Zutter binding machine I used and hope to buy, beg, win one!!! Of course Stacy sells this at http://www.scrappincreations.com/.
My next project is a HOUSE BOOK and I am ready to go!!! I know, first I need to embelish my book and write my recipes. I get my creative juices going and forget to complete a project before beginning my next one!

Everyone I know will now be recieving the gift of a BOARD BOOK for Christmas from me with a personal theme and photos!