Yep.... they got it right!

Got an email, today from my friend, Barb Honey.... A bunch of Maxine cartoons and the story behind her creator. Anyhow, at the end of the email, there were these 3 sentences:

Be kinder than necessary; for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'
'The truest greatness lies in being kind, the truest wisdom in a happy mind.'
The secret to happiness is a Good Sense of Humor and a Bad Memory.

It's the last one that really struck me.... it described me to a "T" !!!

*VBG*

Thought I'd share.... I must have found "happiness" without actually LOOKING for it!!!.... LOL

Rosa

And yet ANOTHER set of hearts!!!

Well, since I needed my "paper piecing" fix AND I was worried about "Kyle",
our tropical storm.... I decided to make another set of hearts!

I think these are my favorite hearts... so far. *s*

And, once again, I got the pattern FREE, off the internet, at:

http://compuquilt.com/blockimg/2003Blocks/PPHeart6in.htm
(go to "printable paper piecing pattern"... right underneath the picture)

I think I'm up to 4 different "heart" blocks!

Plus, I've got a set all ready to work on, this week - APPLIQUE!!!

Have a great week!

Rosa

Another set of hearts!

Hi there!

Sunday morning and I made up another set of hearts! These ones were easy smeasy. Just follow the pattern - no paper piecing and no appliqué, either!

Mind you, yesterday evening I prep'd 2 blocks for appliqués - to do at work this up-coming week, during my break. Of course, I had to sew on them, a bit, after they were prep'd! LOL

Unfortunately, I can't seem to get my pictures to come out with a "true color". Anyhow, this fabric is a dark burgundy, with little "veins" of black, in it.

Got the pattern off the internet, once again. Web addy is:

http://bellaonline.com/articles/art803.asp

For those of you that aren't in the "loop", I signed up for a Heart Swap.... and since I ADORE hearts and HATE repetitious, monotous work (AKA boredom), I've decided to do TWO things:
1 - make each heart block differently
2 - make a double one, that I will keep for myself.

If you'd like to sign up for this block swap, you need to be on the DJalternate list (a Yahoo group). Send me an email and I'll then send you an "invitation" to join, if you aren't a member, already.

AND the deadline for signups, for the "Heart to Heart" block swap is the 31st of October 2008.

Now, bear in mind that you don't need to make doubles, like me and yours can be all the SAME block... if you wish. That's YOUR choice.

That's it, for now. Need to do all that boring stuff.... laundry and dishes.... while waiting for the forecasted tropical storm "Kyle", who's supposed to hit our area later this afternoon or evening or night. *keeping her fingers crossed that we'll be okay*

Rosa

I've been tagged!

Cathy, over at Tea and Crumpets with Chatty, tagged my blog. I have never been tagged before. So this is how the game is played. I really don't know what I'm doing but here goes, Cathy! *grin*

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you. In my case, that would be Cathy, at http://quazymama.blogspot.com/.
2. Put the rules on the blog.
3. Write 6 random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment.
6. Let the tagger know your entry is up. (What does that mean?)

Here are my 6 random thingies.
1. I'm not quite 5 ft tall and I'm not quite 5 ft wide (yet). LOL
2. I LOVE a good joke or funny cartoon!
3. I ALWAYS try to think positive about people and life, in general.
4. Yet, I mistrust auto mechanics.
5. I HATE slugs!!!
6. I LOVE my Tim Horton's coffee!

I have tagged these blogs:
Steffini Dameron at http://steffinid.blogspot.com/
Wilma at http://wilmaspage.blogspot.com/
Sylvie at http://sylviesrecipes.blogspot.com/
Mary Ann at http://maryannscorner.blogspot.com/
Elly at http://ellydspatchwork.blogspot.com/
Jacqui at http://treadlequilts.blogspot.com/

Now, this should be interesting to see who does this "tag" thingy and who doesn't... *grin*

Rosa

Heart Quilt

Well.... last day of our 2 week holidays and I decided to go in "ignore" mode today.... ignore dirty dishes, ignore housework... ignore everything except....

SEWING!!!!

*VBG*

As I've almost finished one of my UFO's (the Woven Tumbling Blocks table runner), I figured I could reward myself by starting to work on something a bit more creative, IMHO.....

The "Heart to Heart" block swap.

And, since I ADORE hearts, I had planned on doing them ALL different AND in double -
1 for the swap and 1 for me!!!

And, I decided to blog pictures about them... in hopes that it might encourage others to sign up!



(Picture taken with a flash)

(Picture of 2 blocks, without a flash)

Pattern taken off the internet, at:
http://piecebynumber.com/pastbom/candybox.htm

(This one is for me. I decided to make a quirky 4 heart block.)

(This block is the one that will be swapped.)

Pattern taken off the internet, at:
http://globnet.com/~flair/founda28.html

Now, this one was too small, for the swap. I suppose I could have gotten it enlarged, on a photocopier... but I decided to "log cabin" around it.

Anyhow, that's about it, for now....

Will add more, as I get them done.

Rosa

"WOVEN" Tumbling Blocks

Hi There!

I've decided to share a few pictures with you, about this "WOVEN" Tumbling Blocks table runner, that I've almost got completed.

As of yesterday evening, I have 1/2 the binding hand sewn on it. Of course, I'll post a picture of it, once it's completed. *grin*

Anyhow, in a nutshell, I personally don't care for this pattern... but it's probably just "me". Everyone that's looked at it, LOVES IT!

I figured out, late last night, why I hate it.

1st - it was GOD awful boring, sewing all those long stips... *yawn*
2nd - it was boring weaving these long strips.... *another long yawn*
3rd - I realize that I HATE burgundy. YES, I know - I picked out the fabric and will probably never, EVER select burgundy, again! LOL

That being said, YOU might LOVE monotonous, repetitive work and HEY!! You get to pick the color fabrics YOU would have in this table runner.

Did I mention that's it's "reversible", too?!?? *grin*

Okay... rewind the tape and I'll explain how I got involved with this pattern.

My friend and I took a trip to Bangor, Maine, USA in February. The "Cotton Cupboard" quilt shop had a few of these completed table runners, place mats and even some kind of "star" (same idea, but in a star shape), hung up in their shop. My friend and I fell in LOVE with them... came back to New Brunswick and then, we each ordered the pattern.

In June, since I was going back to Bangor, Maine at that quilt shop and a Woven Tumbling Block course was set up - I attended the course and I learned lots of tips and tricks on how to make the pattern. I "was" going to blog a tutorial, which I've never done before...

Anyhow, here's some pics, with explanations...

(Picture of the cover of the pattern)

(Close up of the name of the pattern.)

(Another close up of the pattern.)

You have to sew a LOT of these long strips and then, turn them inside out. Now, you can buy a kit of "tubes" that turn them inside out, in a jiffy. I used a gadget that Gilbert had. It was a bit more tedious, but worked for me and HEY! I didn't have to buy the tube turner thingy. Didn't want to spend money on a gadget that I might never use again.

Thank goodness, I didn't! LOL

Before turning them inside out, you have to iron the seam flat. Gilbert made me a nice "stick", as you can see in the picture, that sure helped! *grin*

(Picture of me, ironing the seam flat.)

The lady that gave us the course, had 4 (empty) cardboard (fabric) bolts, taped together. You start weaving on the cardboard bolts and NOT on a piece of flannel, as the pattern suggests.

In this picture, I had finished weaving my strips, basted them - did I mention that I HATE basting?!??!... Another reason why I hated this project.... Anyhow, I digress...

I measured everything and in this picture, you see, I'm about to cut off the ends. Long sides already were cut and I had added the side borders.

Here's another picture of the table runner. End borders haven't been added, yet.

Anyhow, I've since added the end borders and machine sewed the binding. Last night, I got 1/2 of the other part of the binding, hand sewn.

Hope to finish it off this evening, while watching some more television. *grin*

Once again, I'll post finished pictures of the table runner.

If you have any questions, give me a hollar at:
robich@rogers.com

NOTE:  Please do NOT write to me and ask me for the directions on how to weave this.  You need to buy the pattern, yourself.  The detailed instructions are in the "pattern".

Rosa

P.S. Please note that we were told that these "quilts" should ALWAYS be washed in a pillow case! Otherwise, the strips will all get tangled up and you'll have a hell of a time getting them un-tangled.... That's what the teacher told us, anyhow. *s*

Tail end of our vacation....

Hi there!

Well, we all knew it had to arrive, soon.... but where the heck did all the "time" go?!?? LOL

Well, for me, anyhow... that's why I keep a "Vacation Journal".... so that I can refer back to it, from time to time and see what we did.

Here's the link, in case you're bored or wondering what we did:

http://les3a.no-ip.com/rosa/vacation%202008/sept2008.htm

Yesterday, our coffee machine went on the blink and today, we're supposed to go shopping for a new machine. In the meantime, Gilbert was searching the net for coffee machines - models, prices, etc, etc. and he came across this image, which I thought was HILARIOUS!

Figured, I'd best share with you. *grin*

Have a great day!

Rosa

Received a surprise package!!!

Hi there!

Well, yesterday, after we came back from my Mom and Dad's,
there was a BIG package, in our mailbox....

A surprise gifty, from Pat Steapp!!!

*scratches her head and wonders what she did to deserve it*

LOL

Thank you SOOOO much, Pat!

Love the fabric, the mug and the HUGE jellybeans!!!



I wish you could have seen the HUGE smile on my face,
when I realized that I was now an
"Honorary Texan"... and not an "Ornery Texan"!!!

LOL

Gilbert kept saying, "Wow, that's a REALLY nice cup!"

Hmmm... he'll just have to find himself a pal, in Texas, if he wants his OWN mug!

LOL

Just LOOK at these HUGE, JUMBO jelly beans!!!

I was so impressed with them, that I went out to our local "Bulk Barn"
and picked up a few of our (regular) jelly beans, for a photo shoot! *grin*

Then, I played with them.... *VBG*

I, of course, had to taste one, Pat.....

One of these Texan Jelly Beans and you've satisfied your sugar cravings,
for the DAY!!! LOL

Once again, Pat (AKA Cyber Mom), for the delightful surprise!

Will think of you when I'm slurping my morning coffee,
whilst keeping Gilbert at arm's length,
so he doesn't take possession of my new mug! LOL

Rosa

P.S. Oooops, wait a minute! As per the writing on my mug, do I have to "share the great hospitality of the Lone Star State", and share my mug with him, now!??!?

LOL

DJ - The Original 4 "Bikini Bears"

Hi There!

Okay, Thursday evening, I decided that I, too should have the "Bikini Bear" series,
in my Birthday Siggie quilt.

Plus... Everytime I mailed out the "Bikini Bears" to someone, I'd forget to take pictures!

Sooooo, here's MY "Bikini Bears"....



(Bikini Bear)

(Pole Dancin' Bikini Bear)

(Skinny Dippin' Bikini Bear)

(Flirting Bikini Bear)

As I'm all caught up with the Birthday Siggie Swap, and if some of you out there
haven't received the 4 Bikini Bears or even if you just want ONE of them,
please send me an email and I will gladly mail you 1 (or more) of my
"Bikini Bears".... *grin*

Rosa

Misc. - View out my window

Hi there!

Since my friend Susan, recently posted a picture of
the view outside of her sewing room,
I thought I'd share with you a couple pictures that
I took a few weeks ago, from MY studio.

It was a beautiful evening and I had opened up my window blinds
and found this big fat spider, weaving it's web - outside of the window screen,
of course. *grin*

Here, in Canada, our spiders are non-poisonous
but are still a pain in the "behind",
when you walk into their webs.
EEEEE-YUCK!!!

I don't remember ever seeing such big, fat spiders,
in my city, as this summer.
They're almost like spiders from a horror film! LOL



You can also see a part of our vines, that grow in the front of our house.

Anyhow, that's it, for this blog...

Have a great sewing day!

Rosa

VACATION - Web site

YESSSS SIRRR!!!!

Vacation has started for Gilbert and I, and since I had previously started a "Vacation Journal" on my main web page, I figured it would be just as easy to continue with it, there.

http://les3a.no-ip.com/rosa/vacation%202008/sept2008.htm

You're more than welcome to go visit it daily, if you wish to follow my activities, thoughts and adventures. *grin*

Rosa

DJ - Special Siggies

Hi There!

Well, I've been having a blast, this year, with the "Birthday Siggie Swap".

And, I can blame this ALL on Steffini! LOL

Here's how the "monster" started.........

Steffini strong-armed me/convinced me to join the Birthday Siggie Swap.

Soooo, I joined up.

Since Steffini LOVES teddy bears, I decided to design her a "Bikini Bear".

Then, since my wheels wouldn't stop there, I designed 3 more "Bikini Bears".
Don't have any pictures to share with you, but I will take some and share, when I get a chance.

Anyhow, there were a total of 4 in the "Bikini Bear" series.
Since I thought they were rather comical, I mailed some out to others.

Steffini found out and was pouting and stamping her feet.
"I thought I was special", she wrote to me.

Sooooo, back to the drawing board and I made a "special" one up,
just for her.

*grin*

She and her hubby do the "bike" thingy.

Then, I thought of my wonderful friend, Jo.
She, too, had received the "Bikini Bear" series.

And I thought I'd surprise her, with her OWN "special" siggie. *grin*

Did it stop there?!?? Oh nooooooo.. Of COURSE not!!!

LOL

Diane and I were chatting one evening, via emails
and she told me what she did, to help pay the bills.
*s*

Then, she told me about her daughter, Karen.

Well, I felt that Karen needed a "special" one, too!



Once again... did it stop there?!?? Noooooo....

LOL

I wrote to Frummie and asked her a few simple questions.

She told me that she LOVES to read books, before she goes to bed.



Now, Frummie INSISTS on calling hers the "THONG Bikini Bear".... LOL

Anyhow, thought I'd share with you....

Next year, I REFUSE(D) to sign up, again....
But DARN brain!!!
The so-called wheels won't stop turning and I have,
what I think, is an EXCELLENT idea for next year's Birthday Siggie Swap!!!

*groan*

Will keep you all posted.

Rosa

P.S. In case you haven't noticed, I am NOT an artist!!!
Just having fun doodling... LOL