Something About Nothing

Been playing with some photos in Photoshop Elements. Before: After:  Before: After: And I can't find the before of this one but I like it.

And the winner of the Down on the Farm pdf quilt pattern is #46:   fern  said... favourite zoo animal- an Okapi!!! love them!!! love the quilt!!! And because I'm feeling extra generous today I decided to give away a second copy too!  And the winner of the second copy is #17:   JuneBug  said... Oh i love it! Very cute. Today I'm all about monkeys because my daughter just learned to climb a tree :) I will be emailing both of you today with your copy of the pattern!   Congratulations ladies! I hope you enjoy the pattern and have many happy hours of sewing!

At Quilt Market I finally got to play on the sewing machine I've been drooling over in Quilting Arts magazine. (photos borrowed from HQ website) The HQ Sweet Sixteen from Handi-Quilter. *Deep Sigh* I took some time to play with the HQ18 Avante too. (photos borrowed from HQ website) It is a wonderful machine but honestly I've become so accustomed to quilting on my home machine that the Sweet Sixteen was truly SWEET for me. A long neck with plenty of room to push around a quilt and lots of speed! I sat at it's lovely table for a long while and quilted leaves on vines and a few swirls with the Sweet Sixteen.  The sales person said it looked like I've quilted before (just a little - haha) and then told me of all the wonderful features.  I can't recall them all now because I was in a dreamy daze.  The speed of the machine was beautiful and the stitches came out so even.  It really made my quilting look professional without really trying.  The sales person stepped ...

Today is Giveaway Day at Sew Mama Sew and I am excited to be participating! I am giving away a pdf copy of my reverse machine appliqué pattern, Down on the Farm. Reverse appliqué is a method of tucking under the edges of a piece of fabric in order to show another piece of fabric underneath.  Learn to make reverse-machine-appliqué blocks in this peek-a-boo 42" x 45" wall hanging or baby blanket.  Patterns are included to make the lamb, calf, colt, chicken, pig, fence and barn as well as instructions to make the blocks into a wall hanging or baby blanket. Since this is a pdf copy that will be delivered by email the drawing is open to anyone, anywhere as long as you can open a pdf file! To enter the drawing simply leave a comment telling me what your favorite zoo animal is.  Also, PLEASE be sure to include your email address in your comment or on your profile so that I can notify you when you win.  The contest will end at midnight, Pacific Standard Time,...

On Monday I came up with what I thought was a good idea for another class to teach this summer at Whimsy Cottage. The problem was that I had to come up with a description and sample of the class before Saturday.  This on top of an already full schedule of items to be made before Saturday, but somehow everything fell into place and I did it. I call the class "Summer Campish." All the fun of the arts and crafts sessions without the bugs, sleeping bags or lack of showers. The class will be three 2-hour sessions. During the first session we will learn to make stencils and stamps and then use them along with store bought stencils and stamps to paint onto a piece of fabric. During the second session we will learn how to use some easy and edible resists onto fabric before painting on top. (oops forgot to take a picture of the resist fabric) During the third session we will take the two pieces of fabric we have created and use them to make a drawstring backpack. I really like how ea...

This 5 panel boxer pattern is awesome. I love the baggy butt.  I can't imagine they would be anything but comfortable.  I have 5 or more pair to make for a client after I get some work done for  the shop. They were easy to make once I read the instructions correctly! I didn't realize early enough that the author was going to tell me exactly how to do something once she told me what to do and so it took me a bit longer than it should have.  I was stuck on a sentance telling me to make a flat felled seam.  I couldn't remember what that was and so I looked at the photos and it wasn't clear.  I racked my brain and then finally went upstairs to get my new go-to book: I looked up felled seams and said "OH! of course!" I made the seams, read the next line in the pattern and realized she was telling me how to make the felled seam.  I was humbled and realized I just need to read EVERYTHING first.  The rest of the pattern went much smoother.  I'm cert...

I was thrilled when Pokey Bolton , Editor-in-Chief at Quilting Arts Magazine and host of Quilting Arts TV , knew who I was.  But later I was a little embarrassed because she knows me because I comment on her blog and facebook page so much.  She, Helen Gregory and Lindsey Murray were all so nice to meet.  They have a job I would love to have some day when I grow up. Anna Maria Horner , designer extraordinare, is the do it all woman.  She designs beautiful fabrics, makes lovely projects and patterns, is active in her church and is mother to a brood of beautiful children.  The oldest is following in her mothers footsteps and has artistic talent galore! Patty Young and her husband were delightful to meet and visit with.  She designs some of the cutest kids clothing patterns, fabrics and now ribbons too. Paula Prass  and her daughter Jennifer Storey have had a very difficult year but you would never tell from visiting with them at Market.  ...

Who knew the Library of Congress had so much beauty!   I just thought it was all about books!  Even the Elevators were beautiful!

I sat and admired this monument for a long time while at the National Gallery of Art. Not only is the workmanship amazing but the story behind the 54th Infantry is fascinating. There is a very interesting article with actual photos of the 54th Infantry on this webpage.

I love the sculptures in the sculpture garden at the National Gallery of Art. This metal tree really grabbed my attention. I love trees and this sculpture seems to have grown from the ground.  All the twisting and turning of the branches looks so natural. Whenever I see Degas' dancers I think of my sweet ballerina.  I loved the way the artist captured the a couple of the children's faces in this portrait.  Especially the child who is looking up at her mother.  She is so sweet and genuine compared to the stiffness of those around.  Not sure why I felt the need to take a picture of Napoleon's portrait but I did.  I love Georgia O'Keeffe's flower paintings.  I wish there had been more of them.  I really fail at taking self portraits but I wanted proof that I was there.  Despite being in the shade it was still bright outside - Guess I should have been wearing my sunglasses on my eyes instead of my head.

Today is a day when we reflect upon all that our Mother's have done for us and tell her how much we appreciate her and the sacrifices she has made in our behalf. Thank you Mom. I would not be the person I am today without you and all your love. I miss you.

Just in case you have never experience this, I have uploaded a video I took of the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

You might recall that almost two years ago to the day I posted about visiting the grave of my mother's friend at Arlington Cemetery .  A few weeks later I posted about the mistake I made in finding his grave and the wonderful results from that mistake. Last week I returned to Arlington Cemetery in an attempt to find the correct grave.  I was surprised to find out how close we had been to Jim's grave two years ago. Just across the street from The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in section 46 is the grave of a young man my mother knew and loved.