Out With the Old..

Really? Really?!!

I'm sitting here, FINALLY catching up on my blog reading, and I hear a clumsy cat. I turn and look out the window, thinking "Which cat is this?" After all, there is a passle (are a passle?) of moochers who show up to chow down with regularity.

But no. It's not a cat. It's a...you know what it is, don't you? I was floored. I thought we were done with this, but apparently the opossum is back. At least I hope it is just one. Now I know why the food dishes are COMPLETELY empty every morning. I didn't think it was THAT cold to warrant that kind of consumption.

Well, I can't track back and find the posts about the previous possums...we had one week when I caught three on my porch. ugh. Use a humane trap, and call animal control. They do the rest, which is relocate and release them. I'm sure the folks in the country just love that! Me? I live in the city and I was here first!

That's right, you creepy critter! Run away!! He's right at the curve of the lawn. If you really want to see him, click on the picture to enlarge.

So anyway, I was sitting here thinking about 2012. All I think about when I think of 2012 is April 13-15, and all that leads up to it. That, my friends, is the Best of the Valley Quilt Show. Mark your calendars now, as it's going to be a good one.

Download the entry form and guidelines, and submit your quilt(s). Call your guild and suggest a bus trip - we'll give you a group discount for 10 or more...

What? Pictures? You weren't looking for business?

I took a few pictures of parts of my design wall. There is plenty to do, perhaps in 2012?

The white is the beginning of a quilted card (5" x 7").

Here are three more white quilted cards in progress. They have been pieced with leftovers from some of my icicle quilts. The bear card in the upper right needs help. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about/with him.

This last frame shows a red "Passionate" quilt that I'm making for myself. I loved the "Passion" quilt I donated to SAQA, I've been working on one for me, since last March. The two pieces below - the brown woven and the green/tan strips - were two of the projects from my class with Jeanette DeNicolis Meyer. One of these days I may finish one or both of them.

So, speaking of finishing. I guess it's time for me to add up my 2012 UFO list. Let's see how long it takes me to assemble and post it. One serious goal I have for the new year is to get back on a regular posting schedule. Travel has taken its toll, and I'm not sure I'm ever going to get back on track. But I've set a goal, and we all know that "Goals are good!"

Hope to "see" you tomorrow. Happy New Year!!

Beaded Flowers

Back in July, when we were in Anacortes, WA (for a wedding), my husband and I wandered through some antique malls. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, just looking.

Lo and behold, I saw this meager bunch of beaded flowers, locked in a case, for $39.95. Hey! We used to make beaded flowers! When we were in high school, my sisters and I spent afternoons stringing and twisting and trying to out-do one another's creations.

I took this picture, and sent it to the girls, never expecting what would follow. "Hey! Are you interested in the beaded flowers?" Say what? I loved those things. I was addicted to those things. I think that the only reason I stopped making them was because I'd made every flower in the book...and I'd gone off to college.

A few weeks before Christmas, this bedraggled bunch of posies arrived on my doorstep. They are bent and dusty, but nothing that a little TLC won't work wonders for.

I washed and dismantled one before Christmas. Last night I cut a new stem, brought out the new florist tape, and reassembled. Isn't she pretty?

Once I saw the results, I was hooked. Three (or four?) more flowers have been dismantled and washed. Today I will reassemble them. I have to do them in small groups, as I would never remember which leaves belong to which flowers.

And you thought my attraction to beads was something new. Fooled you!! :) hahahaha!!

Life Speeds By...

Christmas has come and gone, hard to believe. I wasn't really ready, but it came anyway. One of the most popular items at our house was one that was eagerly torn into. It was a mad race to see who could be armed first.

Let the fun begin!

It was every man for himself, and every man had a blast...and a blaster. :)

No, no! You're not supposed to shoot the mama!! (see the green ball in midflight, in front of dad's nose?)

bam bam bam!! Too much fun... And yes, those are rabbit ears in the background. We do not have cable. ;)

On Monday, I went to San Mateo, to meet up with some friends from our UCD freshman dorm. Meet Laura, Jane, me, Gale, Philomena, and Sanah. Yes, I'm the one in the hat. My dad gave it to me for Christmas, and my husband complimented me on it about 6 times over the course of the day. I figured that I'd get an honest review from my friends, which indeed, was favorable, after they stopped laughing, of course.

Laura lives near The Fish Market, where we met for dinner. If Candlestick goes dark again, maybe she can help us figure it out? ;)

On Tuesday, I stopped by for a babysitting gig with Miss Penelope. She was happy to see me, as Gramma makes a good jungle gym.

She seems to like the ball that we gave her for Christmas.

And she really likes taking off her socks. Does she look tired to you? She looks tired to me...

Penelope, let's take a nap. You close your eyes like this...

*yawn* close your eyes

If I blow kisses at you, will you stop laughing?

I suppose I should just give it up, this girl does NOT want to sleep.

I gave up, and then got her to sleep for two whole hours. Ah, Penelope, it's so good to see you!!

And now I'm home for a few weeks, where the mess seems endless. I have my work cut out for me. Hopefully, hopefully, it will include some quilting!

Odd and Ends

Both structures now have a roof. The construction is on pause, as my contractor spends the holidays with his family. I'm so proud of him. I would have felt bad if he continued to work 12-15 hours a day out here when his wife and kids prepare for Christmas.

I did some shopping at the Dickens Faire. Not only did I enjoy roasted chestnuts, I found a bead vendor. I'd forgotten about her, but once I saw her, I remembered. I found her last year too. You are looking at green glass, small sea urchin spines, shell pieces, and a bag of miniature colored jingle bells.

This is the only Christmas quiltlet I've made this year. It looks like it's going to be one of only two, as I spent too much time gallivanting around the globe and not enough time sewing.

May God bless you with a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.

"The generous man will be prosperous,
And he who waters will himself be watered." Proverbs 11:25

Can You Help My Friend?

Remember early November? When I went to Houston? It was an amazing fantastic incredible experience. I spent the days with my friend Sharon Schlotzhauer. We roomed together, we went through the show together, we had a wonderful time.

And then something happened. When the show ended on November 6, all was well. But on November 7, Sharon's "Really 'Wild' Flowers! Season Two!" quilt went missing. Calls have gone out near and far for the discovery and return of the quilt. No one knows where it is or what happened to it.

I took this picture of Sharon and her now missing quilt at the awards ceremony, shortly after it was announced that she'd won first place.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of her quilt, or any suggestions of how to go about finding it, we're all ears. You can contact her or leave a comment on this blog or email me. I'll make sure to pass along any information.

Thank you for your help!

Christmas is Coming?!!

This weekend, we went to the Dickens Faire in SF at the Cow Palace. I met up with Christmas Present. I absolutely must make a costume like this for my son. He could rock it...without the lipstick!! :)

I got the tree up. Instead of using any of my usual decorations, I was so late that I confined my selection to those made by my husband's grandmother. Our tree has never been small enough to look full with just these. It needs a bit more sparkle, but a visit to Hobby Lobby in the next day or two should take care of that.

See the ornaments? Gram made them all, years ago. They would be vintage family heirlooms, doncha know? :)

Charlie approves.

So does Edgar.

On Monday, our art group, Sew Eclectic got together for a marvelous Christmas party at Pat's Place.

My gift was to give them some scissors and let them loose on a bin of fancy yarns.

I think they liked it...

On Thursday, the Itty Bitties got together for our usual breakfast. Our group is the increasingly shrinking very appropriately named itty bitty friendship group. Still, good friends, good company...it's all good!

And there you go. If you've wondered what I've been up to, I've been go, go, go, not preparing in the least bit for Christmas. I haven't sewn a stitch, or shopped. But I've been to Tahiti and overseen some construction and gone to parties and visited with family. All in all, not a bad way to spend a month...and we've still got Christmas to look forward to!

P.S. Did I mention that Sew Eclectic is in the middle of a gallery show and sale at Artisans in Hanford? Stop by if you have some Christmas shopping to do. You might find just the perfect gift for someone...or for you!!

A Visit With Penelope

We spent a few hours this weekend with our favorite grandbaby and her parents. :) Around the table we've got Penny, Gramma, Grandpa, Kistler Uncle #1, Daddy and Mama. :)

Here's a close-up of our little missy. Isn't she a cute little thing?

This is my daughter. I am envious of her December blue skies and blooming California poppies. Seriously? It's DECEMBER. Who has poppies blooming in December? Apparently the folks in San Carlos do...

What?

As soon as I pulled out the camera to get the shot of her foot, she moved it.

Grandpa did a lot of bonding.

"His cheeks just beg to be pinched!"

Nice pair...no resemblance. :)

Grandpa declares, "Babies are SO much work!" Yet he didn't change a diaper or clothing or feed her or give her a bath...all he did was play with her. :)

Do you see who's the center of attention? Every male eye is on the girl. From left to right: Grandpa, friend, friend, Daddy, Kistler Uncle #1, friend, and in front (back of head) Kistler Uncle #2.

"I love my Daddy!"

"And for dinner, I think I will have...."

Num!

"Haha! Gotcha K-Uncle #2!"

"Oh no you don't!"

teeheehee...babies are so much fun!!!