Where is my pug doggies fabric?

Ordered it April 5th. It still has not arrived. I contacted the seller, hoping that she put tracking on the package so we can figure out what happened to it. I mean, who is going to go out of their way to steal fabric with a pug doggies design?

Back - still a work in progress

Front with the left sleeve

While I have been waiting, I have been finishing my Primarily Blue quilt and my custom applique sweatshirt jacket. I decided that instead of attaching and finishing 1-2 pieces at a time, I was better off cutting all the pieces and basting them in place. That way I can see the whole effect and balance out the design -- even though my asymmetrical design is far from balanced. I think I like the look as well as the color combination. I will be able to wear it with denim, navy and brown.

Big Thumbs Down

So much for the "thumbs up, thumbs down" theme I gave my post on the gift for my sister. I called her for her birthday and learned she is not into primary colors at all.  So, this quilt for her is a BIG THUMBS DOWN!

Her "thumbs up" is still pink floral. In addition, she is thrilled over a pug puppy she received as a birthday gift. Okay, I can adapt. Out comes all my pink floral fabric -- which is not much since I am not the "pink lady" like my sister is -- plus I ordered a yard of some novelty fabric covered with pug doggies.

Her gift was going to be a little late, but now it will be just a little later. Better that and get her something she might appreciate instead of sending a "big thumbs down" gift a little sooner.

As for my Primarily Blue quilt -- well, I have someone in mind who will love the primary colors and give it a "thumbs up".

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down

I am making a quilt for my sister's birthday. She won't get it by then, because I would have had to mail it today for that to happen and the binding is not even cut yet. This project has had it ups and downs -- as in some parts I have loved, and some parts not so great.

Thumbs up - I found this beautiful navy with small yellow and red floral print on deep discount. I was not looking for anything like it, but fell in love with it. It was an end of bolt remnant - 49 inches when trimmed. So, what was I doing to do with with it? Make a quilt using it for the sashing and some of the blocks.

Thumbs down - It took longer than I thought to design the pattern and cut it out.

BIG thumbs up - Except for the backing I bought on sale, all of the rest of my fabric came from my stash!

Thumbs down - My Singer quilter machine is great except when doing free-hand stipple stitch. I tried the so-called quilt stitch that is supposed to look like hand-quilting. It looked okay on the sample I tried but looked awful on the quilt.  It took me about three feet of stitching to decide -- no way, it's got to go. That is the WORST stitch in the world to pick out. It is a wonder I did not ruin the fabric. 

Thumbs up - The cycling pant leg rings I bought from Nancy's Notions to hold the quilt roll in place while I machine-stitched in the middle worked great.

Thumbs down - Some of the fabric kept stretching and puckering while I stitched. Some of my lattice work is not the greatest, especially since I used navy blue thread instead of medium blue that would have blended better.

Thumbs up more than down - Even though I stitched two-thirds of the lattices before I remembered this trick, once I used the spray sizing and hot iron to tighten the weave of the fabric and add some body, the rest of the lattice stitched up a lot better -- not one hundred percent, but better.

Zenos and Zenock

I received some insight into two prophets mentioned in the Book of Mormon that are not mentioned in the Bible while reading 3 Nephi 10:16.:  "...because they testified particularly of us, who are a remnant of their seed."

These prophets were perhaps not recorded in the Bible, the record of the Jews, because they were of the house of Joseph. Their prophecies may only have been recorded in the Plates of Laban which was the record of the house of Joseph.

Meet Tonka

We thought we had a full house even before Archie adopted us last summer and let us know he is an indoor cat who wants to eat indoor kitty food with "the old ladies", Precious and Bootsie. Then number one son came home for a few weeks around Christmas and brought his kitten, Tonka, with him. Sonny is now gone, but Tonka remains. He came indoors with Sonny, and stayed indoors. In fact, he now sleeps at my feet and naps next to me on the loveseat.

Breakfast and dinner times have become rather regimented at our house. That is the best way to keep peace and to keep the kitties from trying to swipe another kitty's share. So, this is the chow line in our kitchen.

Everyone knows their place.

Precious and Bootsie do not think much of the new "young guys". Precious comes in to eat, then she is ready to go back outside no matter how bad the weather.

That is just fine with the guys. They have
turned the house into their private play
area. On this day, they just could not figure 
out how  they could see each other through this tote, but they could not touch.

Each kitty chooses their "spot" to nap,
with Bootsie daring the boys to come
near her. However, when the weather
is nice, she would just as soon snooze        
outside on a nice comfortable hose
reel.

Christmas Parties - 3 Down, 3 To Go

Three down:

1.  Gateway Quilter's Guild

The guild members made some beautiful ornaments for the Christmas tree they sponsored at the Merced County Courthouse Museum. I also loved the spool garland. I cannot claim any of it, but I did enjoy looking at it.

2. Turlock Amateur Radio Club - no pictures




3.  Daughters of Utah Pioneers - Turlock Camp

We had our usual December meeting and pot luck luncheon. Joan brought her nativity collection for decoration. Marsha brought the Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus that she made for our speaker's table.

Three to go: Merced County Genealogical Society, Atwater First Ward & Merced Family History Center.

Thanksgiving Day -- So Far

My day started with waking to the sound of the washing machine going and Buck grumbling and shuffling around in the laundry room. He came in the room and asked, "Well, you want to go to Home Depot with me? I am tired to dealing with the water leak." I looked at the clock. It was 7:00a.m.

The floor was flooded this morning which required him to haul the cat food, laundry soap boxes, etc., out in the hallway (where it currently still is).  I opted out, due to pie baking duties. He returned over an hour later. Tried three stores, none were open. Hmmmm.....must be a holiday today. 

We are going to #1 daughter's friend's house for dinner, which is where she is having Thanksgiving dinner, and my food assignment was pies. (Per my Maxine calendar: "All it takes is one undercooked turkey and you are the dinner rolls and soda person for life.") Unless I am having dinner here, I am the pie person for life. #1 daughter bought this Pampered Chef apple corer-peeler which she keeps at my house. She's not so dumb. With it at my house, she has a reason to beg off making apple pies, whereas I do not. I started putting this thing together. Next thing I knew, the "equipment operator" honed in on what I was doing and decided to show me how it was done. Eleven apples later, I had enough slices for pie.

Then the "equipment operator" went to the back yard to work on the project he had planned on for the morning: splitting firewood. That homemade yellow monster is affectionately known as "No Problem". Because, when it comes to splitting wood, it is, as the name implies, no problem.