A Movie Review

The weekend approaches, and while I don't consider myself a movie critic at all, I did want to let you in on my opinion of this film, which opened last weekend.

I went to see this movie last weekend mainly because it stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Sigourney Weaver, two of my favorite actresses. It is about what happens when high school nemeses meet up again- 2 of them about 10 years after graduation, and 2 of them about 30 years after graduation. It is a story of forgiveness, of leaving the past behind while appreciating the person that it helped mold you to be, and moving on and enjoying your present. The performances were great (it also stars Betty White who is everywhere these days- Go Betty!), the story was cute, and there was a performance by Hall and Oates during the end credits which made me smile and tap my foot. But here is the biggest reason I took my family to see this movie- because I could take my family to see this movie. It is rated PG, not PG-13. Frankly, there are some PG-13 movies that I am uncomfortable letting my 15 1/2 year old watch- and I am tired of it. This movie had no foul language, no sexual innuendo. And it was still a good, entertaining movie. I say we vote with our wallets and let Hollywood know that there is an audience for truly family friendly entertainment. And that's just my 2 cents.
Enjoy your weekend, whatever you decide to do!

In the Studio Today...

I just finished a project using my fabric line Sewing Room Social. The more I play and work with my fabric, the more I love it.... You know how sometimes a project doesn't come out as great as you'd hoped, and other times it exceeds your expectations... I love love love the way this project came out and I can't wait to show it to you! Soon, soon- I have to finish the quilt that goes with it and write up the pattern and then it will be available.

 And the other day I got these in the mail from The Gentle Art, their latest colors in overdyed cotton and wool threads. It is always a fun day when I find something in the mailbox from them....

Colors like Fisherman's Wharf, Acorn, Tiger Lily, Lemon Drops and Silver Fern. They will join their friends on my special wall, on their way to becoming part of a beautiful project:

Today it is raining, but I don't mind so much. Daughter had off from school today, so that means I don't have to go anywhere, I just get to play uninterrupted in the studio. That's a good day...

Sewing, Sewing, Sewing...

If you follow more than one quilt/fabric designer's blog, you are probably aware that many of us currently find ourselves in the undertow of preparations for International Quilt Market, a trade show which will be held in Houston at the end of October. For the past couple of weeks, I have been sewing, sewing, sewing some more, and writing/tweaking/correcting patterns. Here is a peek at some projects that are underway, featuring my fabric line Sewing Room Social for Henry Glass Fabrics (available in shops and online in October):

The above is a border I am working on.

I know this doesn't look like much in the photo, but it will be sweet and simple, and done in 2 colorways, perfect for a little boy or little girl.

I did the above applique for a quilt, and I liked it so much I am doing another one for use in a companion project. It came out prettier than I'd hoped!

Maddie has been "helping" in the studio- which I really appreciate because I really do love having all of my fabric and projects covered with globs of black fur. Makes it all so much more interesting. These are pretty good photos of her- usually, because she is so dark, in photos she just comes out looking like a big black blob. At least in these she actually looks like a cat.

And if anyone has recently contacted me, and I have not responded in a timely manner, I do apologize. It's just that I have been sucked under lately, drowning in fabric (not a bad way to go, I guess.) I hope to come up for air soon....

Have a great weekend.

Gimme Greek (food, that is)

Hubby and I were looking for something to do this past weekend. Lo and behold, one of his coworkers goes to a Greek Orthodox church and they were having a huge Greek fair.... so we had to check it out... the food did not disappoint...

The Greek platter, above, featured, clockwise from top- Moussaka (eggplant casserole), Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), Meatballs, Spanakopita (spinach pie in phyllo pastry), and Pastitsio (a pasta casserole- I make a pretty good version here at home for special occasions). How do I know all about these Greek foods you might wonder? Little known fact about me: I worked as a waitress at a Greek restaurant one summer many many years ago. The boss was impossible and tyrannical, but the food... sublime.

The gyro, a delicious sandwich with a yogurt sauce called Tzaziki. Another fact about me- I hate yogurt, hate the smell, hate the way it looks. But I love the tzaziki- don't ask me why- I just do. It is my favorite thing about Greek cuisine. Except dessert. But we'll get to that later.

A little salad amongst the heavy casseroles is probably a good thing.... too bad I don't like olives. (I love olive oil- does that count??)
Now dessert. Baklava and a bunch of other things I can't pronounce or even begin to spell. Extraordinary. Unfortunately, no photos. Devoured before you could say "Cheese." Typical around here. Oh well.

Here is the only problem with Greek food. About 10 minutes after you eat it, you begin to feel like a sponge that has been left out in the Sahara Desert for a few months. Dehydration, then headache, lethargy, and disorientation set in, in that order. Drink lots and lots of water. After a gallon or 2, I managed to reconstitute myself and feel better.

And then I wished I'd gotten the shish kebabs and lamb chops to bring home for a snack. But that would have required 2 more gallons of water. So probably best that I just walked away when I did.

By the way, here is a good website if you are interested in Greek food.

Good Morning....

Sunrise at 6:06 am

6:20 am, God continues to paint the sky in His inimitable way... just one of His many love letters to the world...

....the morning stars sang together

and all the angels shouted for joy.... Job 38:7

All of the comments on what you all would have your clone do were great- someone even suggested having her exercise! That hadn't even crossed my mind, which tells you where THAT is on my list of priorities these days..... I chose a winner at random, because I thought all of the answers were great -essentially, we'd have the clone do the "work" stuff so we could have fun. Which makes me think: Maybe I am someone else's clone, and they have me doing all the work while they are out there somewhere spending the day having FUN!!!!!!  Anyway, the winner was Marlene from Stitchin' By the Lake. So, Marlene, contact me with your info so I can send out your prize.

Happy Friday everyone....

Free Pattern! Friendly Jack o'Lantern Apron

Now is a good time to start on this free project- very simple, make one for yourself and a couple more for your friends. Who wouldn't love to wear this around the kitchen while baking up some yummy autumn treats.

Click here for the free pattern/tutorial. Enjoy!

You still have time to tell me what you'd do with your very own clone- (see previous post)- winner will be announced on Friday!

Block 7

I think this is block 7 for the Block of the Month (Settler's Pride by Maggie Bonanomi). I have a few more blocks waiting for me to finish them up, and then the whole project will be DONE.

I think it will be a while before I get to work on the next couple of blocks. Oh, how I wish there were, like, 10 of me. Does anyone remember that movie with Michael Keaton, I think it was called Multiplicity, where he cloned himself so he could do everything he needed/wanted to.... but while the original clones worked out great, one of the clones cloned himself, so the copy of the copy was a little "fuzzy"....  I have to admit, some days I feel a little "fuzzy" myself.... so I can't imagine how "off" my clones might be...

If I could have a couple more of me, my house would be a lot cleaner, and all of my quilt samples would be sewn up just like "that", all of the paperwork would be done, and I'd go out to lunch with my friends a lot more often. Oh, and all of our meals would be home cooked and delicious, and I'd do all of the volunteer work at church that I'd like to, and daughter would have rides to and from school every day and never have to take the bus. And I would have time to design more quilts and fabric and I would paint, paint, paint. So how many clones does that make????

What would you do if you could have a few clones of yourself?? Best answer wins a prize!!!!
(I don't know what the prize is yet, because my clone still has to figure that out, but it will be good!)

Looking Up... and a Big Announcement

I am getting back into a routine and back into the studio. Here is a little sneak peek of something I am working on (yes, a very, very little sneak peek, I know- I am just starting it so there's not a lot to show yet):

Here is the announcement part- the project will be included in my book which will be released through Kansas City Star in July 2011. I have LOTS and LOTS of work to do! AND my fabric (about 21 bolts worth) should be arriving any time. So I have a feeling I will be very busy in the coming weeks, which is a very good thing.

Thanks again for everyone's kindness regarding the loss of our darling Daisy. Some days are easier than others. I am still trying to just get used to the fact that she is not here, I still expect her to come running up to greet me when I pull into the driveway. I certainly miss her "help" in the studio. But I am so thankful that we have a kind and merciful God Who certainly knows our heartaches.

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.

 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. 

Psalm 56:8-11 King James Version

Have a good Labor Day weekend. Monday marks oldest daughter's 20th birthday, so there will be some festivities! Also, we are thinking of going to Hershey Park tomorrow, just a little diversion. Some chocolate sampling may be in order.....