Kept In Stitches

Hot! Hot! Hot!

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August 31, 2015

I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m melting. The heat wave that Southern California has been experiencing is taking it’s toll on me…you know, sugar melts! My productivity it at an all-time low. I sit at the sewing machine with sweat dripping down my face…it’s not pretty!

Yes, the AC is turned on and cranked up! Did you know that when you plug in an iron it creates more heat? Even that damn ergonomic sewing cushion that I perch myself on has fused itself to my bottom and legs. That thing is a torture device…but, I’ll leave that for a future rant. After turned the machine off and unplugged the iron, I looked around the room. My gaze came to a skidding halt when I looked at my stash. What a disaster! For over 3 weeks I’ve been working on re-organizing and re-folding all my fabric. The end is in sight, and this week it will be finished…I hope. Solids, batiks and novelty prints still need to be gone through. I took a picture of one of the storage racks in its organized state. Now, I’m left with mounds of scraps that are too small to include on the shelves. Where will these pieces find themselves a home? Stay tuned for updates…

Remembering Diana

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August 31, 2015

I saw a picture of Princess Diana in the media commemorating the 18th anniversary of her death. I remember working in the ER when a patient told me that she had been involved in a terrible accident. Around 20 minutes later one of the girls at the admitting desk called me and said that she had passed. Working in the ER we are surrounded by death and dying all the time. You can try your best to keep it professional and distance yourself from all the pain, but, sometimes at your weakest moment humanity creeps in and you have to take a minute to re-group. I found myself, standing in the departs linen closet, crying. I did not know Diana and yet I felt some sort of connection. I allowed myself a minute to be emotional and then I was reminded of something my friend Andrew would say to me…..”Laugh and the World laughs with you, cry and you look like shit!”

Such a class act. No need to wear something revealing or even the dreaded wardrobe malfunction. A kind person in the position to do good in our world. She had a platform that the rest of us do not. Hopefully, she can still inspire each of us to be the change we want to see in the world. Just a thought…have a great day!

Jacquie Gering—Slice and Insert Improvisation Class

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August 19, 2015

I’m still recovering from the weekend. Sunday I was overcome with creativity at Jacquie Gering’s class. Superbuzzy in Ventura, CA hosted Jacquie’s class and it turned into the perfect day. She demonstrated several different ways to do slice and insert. She had many sample quilts with her and I tried not to drool. We had 16 students in the class and the best classroom you can imagine. My first try didn’t seem to be my best work and now I’ve tried some different colors and I’ll post a picture of that work soon.

New Tutorial….Magic Triangles

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August 11, 2015

A friend told me that I should be posting tutorials. I have not moved into the age of video yet, so I’m doing my best with my technical skills. Thanks to endless help from Greg, I’m almost able to keep up with the blog and all my projects, in general. The Magic Triangles were demonstrated at the August meeting of the Ventura Modern Quilt Guild and it was well received. The tutorial is located under the ‘Tutorial’ heading at the top right side of the page. I’d love to see everyone’s projects….I will post them!

Mom’s Ice Cream pie

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July 31, 2015

OR PIE!

With the recent burst of heat I’m thinking of nothing but Mom’s ice cream pie. And making it harder for the kidnappers is just an added bonus.

“A mud pie with a peanuty twist.

Ingredients

1 (20 ounce) package chocolate sandwich cookies

1/2 cup margarine, melted

1 1/2 cups chopped Spanish peanuts

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk

2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup margarine

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Crush all but 10 of the cookies. Combine crushed cookies in large bowl with melted margarine and peanuts. Press mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish and freeze until cold.

Spread softened ice cream over cold crust and freeze until set.

Combine confectioners’ sugar, evaporated milk, chocolate chips, 1/2 cup margarine and vanilla in large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 7 minutes, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and cool completely; pour mixture over ice cream and freeze until set.

Crush the last 10 cookies (if you haven’t eaten them yet) and sprinkle over top of pie.

Austin Houses with Carolyn Friedlander

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July 21, 2015

This past Friday, Los Angeles Modern Quilt Guild had Carolyn Friedlander as their featured guest. Her work was amazing and she is so sweet. It was such a treat to get to see all the quilts that she brought to share with us. And, on Sunday she taught a workshop in Ventura hosted by Superbuzzy. Austin House was the workshop we took and my top is done and ready to be quilted. The workshop was sold out and it was incredible to see so many people working on the same project. There were so many different variations with everyone’s fabric choices. I really can’t even begin to tell you what a great time I had. I’m now a huge Friedlander fan!

Introducing Bobbin & Stitch

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July 15, 2015

Bobbin always looks so worried…

Stitch is such a ham!

Bobbin resting

Stitch is going to be HUGE!

See Bobbin’s blue tongue?

Not too long ago I had to put down my dog of 14 years. Her quality of life had diminished and when she looked at me I just knew it was time. It is so painful to lose a member of the family and this was the second time in the past twelve months that I’ve had to make such a difficult decision. Let’s fast forward a bit…I saw this cute little girl at the shelter and she spoke to my heart. The problem was she had a brother whom was equally as cute. Okay, two puppies couldn’t be much more work than one puppy…Right? Wrong! They are so much work, but so much fun to have running around. The shelter told me that they are a Australian Cattle Dog mixed with German Shepard. My Vet thinks that there are a few other breeds in the mix as well. You can see some Sharpei in her face and they both have blue tongues. I couldn’t be happier…although, I could use a bit more sleep!

Happy Independence Day!

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July 4, 2015

We both wanted to wish everyone a happy, safe Fourth of July!

A Mystery Package

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June 30, 2015

About a year ago I had received an email asking for Zentangle submissions to be featured in a book. When I’m not sewing I’m doodling on something. So, I found some tangles that I had done on fabric, and I decided to incorporate them into a tote for submission. As time passed, I forgot about the submission and the book. Fast-forward to today…on my porch was a copy of 500 TANGLED ARTWORKS with no note. So, I quickly paged through to see my piece. Nada….nothing….jack scrap! Again I thumb through the pages while thinking about those mean people (I used a different word) who sent me the book to rub it in that I’m just not good enough. Ah…there’s my tote…and, I’m pleased as punch! So many amazing pieces in the book. As I’m looking at them I’m thinking “I can do that on the longarm” and the project will need to have plenty of negative space for me to play with. A huge thank you to the Folks at Quarry Books and Beckah Krahula the Author.

Pixel Quilt

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June 25, 2015

I posted this quilt about a year ago as a UFO, and it’s finally finished! Johnnie definitely helps me get caught up on all my projects. And, having unfinished quilt tops is great for practicing my quilting skills. Have a happy Independence Day!

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