My Favorite Fat Dog - Rest In Peace

As much as it pains me to post this, my baby Chelsea had cancer in her spleen & her lungs. Even though she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease, her conditon worsened & when I took her back to the vet to be re-examined. She was x-rayed & we found all the cancer.

Chelsea had a really rough week & I just couldn't allow her quality of life to continue in such an awful painful manner.

I made the choice to have her euthanized. It was the most difficult thing that I have done in a long, long time. I called my DSD#1 & just cried, and boo-hooed. I'm doing it as I type......My daughters both called Chelsea thier sister. Chelsea's death is extrememly difficult for me. Just really hard. I can't even explain it.

I very much miss my baby dog & last night is the first night in over 10 years that I have been without her. I can't even think about her without just breaking down in tears.

Yes, folks, I know she was just a dog. But she was just MY DOG. My companion, my friend, my personal love muffin, my buddy, my sanity sometimes....And I love her.

Sam

My Sick Baby

My baby DOG has not been herself for about the last week. Exactly 9 days.

Loss of appetite, incontenence, and in the last 2 days passing out. I took her to the vet this morning. Moping around, in & out constantly.

And after extensive tests, she has Lyme Desease.

I never pulled the 1st tick off her this past summer!

She is on medication and I don't know how long it will be before she shows signs of feeling even a little better.

All y'all know how emotionally attached to this DOG that I am! I am a basket case right now & She won't have anything to do with me because of the indignities that I made her suffer through this morning.

I hope that she feels better soon. Like immediately. That's asking too much , I know....She's going on 11 years old. I know I won't have her forever, but I did think & still hope that I'll have her longer than just today. It's so hard to figure out what is wrong with a dog - they can't talk, and belive me, I listen. She probably wishes that I didn't talk.........as I talk to her (or is it AT?) her all the time. Even Prince Charming asks me WHO I am talking too.......after all this time - you'd think he had it figured out? Maybe?

I have no idea why she parked herself between those 2 stacks of books. I pulled them all out yesterday because one of the shelves in that plastic cabinet collapsed & I have to get something to to stiffen the shelf to hold the weight of my notebooks & quilt/craft books. I probably need to get something set under them too....You can see them bowing under the weight of the books on the bottom shelf... under the doors! Hey! They said "heavy duty".....they are utility cabinets by Black & Decker from Lowe's - not built for books....I'll tell you that.

I hope my dog feels better soon. I hate seeing her in this condition. At the end of the day, I know, she's STILL a dog - but please send good thoughts her way. I'm really, really REALLY worried aobut her recovery. If there are any of my fellow blogers out there that can tell me anything about what a DOG with Lyme Desease can expect & what I should expect, I'd sure like to know. I've cried all morning.

thank you - if you know anything.........

Sam

Rainbow Brite

Isn't that what these colors remind you of? Rainbow Brite?

This is a donation quilt. It is the "Trip-Around-the-World" ala Bonnie Hunter.

I was trying to get go-along pictures but the ones that I took last night were too dark - I don't think the flash went off because , last night, I was facing the Ott Light and the flash didn't go off & they were simply too dark to save & post.

Anyway, All I lack now is to put the last 2 rows on. The one on top & the one on bottom. I will have to post pone putting the borders on because I failed to get extra of any color for the inner border. The outer border is going to be the turquise color. I already have it, but nothing for the inner border.

I bought this stuff so long ago, I don't know if the shop that I got it from still has any, but I will send a sample with Prince Charming to go to the shop & see, while he is in Camden next week. THEN I can finish it.

Please don't ask me why I decided to sew this quilt today, I have much more on my plate that needs to be done, that I could have done, that I SHOULD have done. But you know what? I have enjoyed my day sewing today. And that's what matters most.

It's an eye-popper ain't it!!

Sam

What Is This ???

Do you know?

This is a Thermax Mini-Max - Water Based Air Purifier & Air Freshener. (in order to get it right I had to read the box)

I went into the "local" sewing machine/vacuum store yesterday to ask about a "cover-stitch" machine. Trying to find out what the advantages of having a cover-stitch machine would be. There does not seem to be any advantage....It's a double needle decorative stitch machine. Period. I can DO that wtih my regular machine...however - I really would have like to test drive one out.

Anyway - I'm in the shop & they have Dyson vacuums. He did a demo with the Dyson & the Riccar vacuums. I dont' want a Dyson anymore. I want a Riccar. Pricey little devil, but impressed me! Big time. I even made him "do" the demo with 2 different machines because I wanted to make sure the Dyson wasn't performing & the Riccar WAS. I am still impressed, but buying one will have to wait until after the New Year.

ANYWAY.......

While I am there, he has THIS little jobbie running. Sounds like a little miniature dryer when it's running. He said it's an air purifier/freshener. Well, as you all know, I have a big fat dog. A House Dog. she is a bassett hound & she smells all the time. All the time. Even after a bath. Matter of fact - she smells worse after a bath. Anyway - I bought one. Brought it home - filled it up - and I have been running it for about 24 hours. I am sold on it.

I bought the "Baked Apple" scent - he had - oh I don't know - 50 different scents? to choose from. You fill to the MAX line & put in a few drops, turn it on & it does it's job. Well. We spend 85-90% of our time in our bonus room, so does the dog, and there is no dog odor. Sure - you smell the dog if you sit on HER loveseat - that is to be expected. It's not overpowering - it's subtle. Nice. Humidifies too.

Anyway - price? $69.99 plus tax & plus the additional scent. Pricey? Maybe. but the candles that work the best are the Yankee Candles & those babies cost $24.99 per candle. I use about 2 of those a month. I'd use more but I can't stand spending that much on a CANDLE. And , of course, you can't leave a candle buring when you're gone or not in the room. And you NEVER leave a candle buring if you have a curious cat. Anyway - I figure I will have saved myself the $$ in buying candles inside ONE month....

Don't mind my dust when you look at the pictures either. Martha Stewart don't live here & housecleaning only gets done when it bothers me. It don't bother me MUCH.

Ha Ha Ha

It's a good little machine. Get you one.

Sam

Yes, I have!

Been sewing that is!

I just have not been able to take pictures...

Friday the 16th (or was it the 17th?) I dragged out my paperpeiced pineapple blocks & boldly decided that I would get 25 done this weekend. I got 25 blocks HALF WAY done. Laid out what I had, and I keep changing my mind how many I need. this weekend it seems that I only need 99 blocks for the body. 4 corner blocks & 40 border blocks. 143. Each with 37 peices. What's the math? More than I got fingers........over 5000 peices.....If I ever get this quilt done, it will NEVER leave my house. Just not going to happen.

I longarm quilted 2 quilts for QB1.

I cut strips out for a Trip Around The World ( ala Bonnie Hunter) quilt to donate to my guild.

I have also laid out stretch knit fabric to make 2 maternity shirts for DD#2. Pinning some of that jersey knit is frustrating. But they are going to look really nice.

Longing looked at the applique blocks that I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY need to get started & finished on the baby quilt for DD#2.......that didn't happen either. (could someone please tell me WHY I can't get motivated?)

That's all the sewing stuff I have done since last Friday.

TODAY I worked late because I have to me in a meeting the next 2 days....came home fed the big dogs, and started chopping down some of my Angel Trumpet. I cut the stalk into about 8 inch peices & dipped them in some of that "rooting compound" and put them into pots & brought them into the basement garage. Also cut some peices off my Hydrangeas...then I rant o Lowe's & bought some gro-light bulbs - Prince Charming will make something to hang the lights from this weekend so we can bring in all the yonger plants. I am NOT a gardener, but I LOVE the Hydrangeas and DD#1 wanted some of the Angel Trumpet (so did QB1 - she came & got a stalk too) I just don't want all my efforts wasted....There are still more stalks on this Angel Trumpet! This baby was a monster.

There will be no sewing on Wednesday or Thursday because of the meeting. maybe I can get something pretty posted by this time next week.

We shall see. Guild Saturday Sit N Sew is this Saturday....don't know what plans will pop up before then, but it would be nice to sit & sew all day!

Sam

Home Made Baby Clothes

I have been buying a BUNCH of fabric & a BUNCH of patterns to make clothing for my *new* grandson.

He makes his arrival in December. (see the previous post)

I used to make a lot of clothing for my girls whent hey were younger. If you have sewn clothing a term in sewing called "a muslin" is what this example is!

I found some XL twin size sheets @ WalMart that had been returned. Got them super (I mean super) cheap. $6 for the set. Took them home - wahsed them & cut the fitted sheet up to use as my muslin for this baby outfit. I didn't work with stretchy fabric very much when i sewed for the girls. These sheets lack "body" & were not the easiest to sew with. But they are SOFT. Very, very soft.......

Anyway - this took me about 3 hours - start to finish - to complete. I am sure that these ourfit will be easier when it's being sewn in a larger size....getting those little teeny tiny leg cuffs sewn & the arm cuffs sewn was a challenge.

Hopefully - sewing on the "good" fabric will be an improvement.

Remember - this is just the TEST article - DD#2 said she'll have him wear them anyway. I doubt that, as she'll have to get this to her house for him to wear them & right now - this isn't leaving MY house - I want it as a visual aid to tweak for the next outfit.

The pattern is from NEW CONCEPTIONS. I never even read the instructions to make this! I only needed to know how long to cut the elastic for the waist - otherwise - I just winged it.

Cute , cute!

I bought some red/green/white "Ooga" fabric to make a coming home fromt he hospital outfit. Also - coordinating red/green/white stripe to make pants & a hat. He'll look like a little elf.......

That is a standard 45mm rotary cutter for size comparison & the chest has a double layer. One thing I would like to "tweak" on this pattern? To make the shirt a little LONGER. I'd like to add about 2 inches to it.

I do have apattern for a onsie & a gown - but I really like the double layer on this shirt.

Whatcha think?

The Baby Bump

This is DD#2 @ 30 weeks.

Sam

Purple Room BEFORE

It really was purple....very purple...and the previous homeowner didn't know how to hang ANYTHING without a 10-penny nail. If you don't know what a 10 is - it's as big as a J or G crochet hook....there were Bunches of nail holes to fill.

Cute for a kid - but it did nothing to compliment my tastes..

The "white" is after 2 coats of primer! And you could still see the purple bleeding through...

I used Benjamin Moore Paint - "Moonlight". Yellow is such a nice color. Passive. Happy. Goes with just about anything...Mellow. Soothing. I don't think you can go to sleep angry in this room now!

Sam

Here is the Purple Room AFTER

Still lack hanging the knickknack shelf & hemming the curtains.

Sam

Stash Post 1 of 2

I won't make any type of reslution. None. but I figured I'd show you my stash....

Don't look for the happy homemaker - cuz I'm not - "up" on housecleaning - it's just not on my list of priorities!

I heard about showing your 2009 stash here: WHIMZEE'S STITCHES

(thanks Chris - I think I was able to MAKE the link...)

Behind closed doors is SO nice!

Sam

Stash Post 2 of 2

For Want of Batteries!!!

Two nights in a row, I have come home & forgot to stop & get batteries. I even went to Target yesterday (during lunch) & forgot them.

I work in Nashville - it's not difficult to FIND a place that sells batteries..... you know?

Ok - so why do I need the batteries??

Because my blog is boring without photos of what I am keeping myself busy with!

I took before & after photos of the purple room - but for the lack of batteries - I can't load them onto my computer.

Maybe I'll remember them on my way home tonight.

Sam

Learning ! Learning!

Just added a "gadget" to my blog!

Whoo-Hoo!

I added a gadget for where I shop!

I won't post any websites/stores on here if I have NOT used them.

So far - the ONLY one I have on there is my buddy Kyra. She is a personal friend. I have known her many years. We had the pleasure of working with one another for several years.

We electronically correspond with each other frequently - I sure miss her company. I also miss going to dinner together druing the week.

She has toddlers & they are SO CUTE! Give me baby urges. Good thing there is a grandbaby headed my way!

Sam

Busy Busy - No Sewing - Picaso - I am not!

Last weekend, DD#1 & Prince Charming & I started work on the purple room. We got both coats of primer on but did not get any paint on.

So On Monday night, after work, I painted the trim work & rolled the first coat of "yellow" on the walls.

Tuesday - my shoulder hurt too bad to do any painting. Wednesday, after work, I put coat #2 on it. Thursday, Prince Charming & I pulled up the plastic & blue tape. i vacuumed really well & we put the furniture back in it.

Let's just say: I do not miss the purple. Not one little bit.

Friday, after work, I went to Ace Hardware & got 2 more gallons of the yellow "moonlight" paint for the 2nd spare bedroom.

Saturday, we went to Lowe's & got some new rollers, i did laundry (thanks to my washer being in working order again!) and I took a nice long nap.

SUNDAY - well Sunday - we got busy again. First of all, it's rained all day. Not hard, but steady. A very good day to spend napping...but NNNNNOOOOOoooooo, I wanted to paint.

We emptied the 2nd bedroom, and put all the furniture into the old purple room, laid down plastic & I started putting the first coat of paint on the trim. I say "trim", but it's below the crown molding & above the baseboards. Since the crown moulding & the baseboards are already a high gloss white - they're staying that. We got lucky & didn't have to prime this room because it's already sort of a yellow - but it's a baby poop mustard yellow - I didn't like it - so it's getting painted the SAME "Moonlight" yellow as the OTHER room. Prince Charming rolled the walls. We started the 2nd coat around 4 & finished at 6. I closed the door & am leaving it like that until Monday. I am tired of painting and after you look at such a light color for so long - you can't see where you've been....

I love that Benjamin Moore paint. Expensive - but well worth it. $44 a gallon. Let's just say - you get what you pay for. I like GOOD paint.

"Moonlight" is a very livable yellow. In Alabama , I had it in my kitchen & in my downstairs guest room. however - the house in Alabama had dark wood stained trim around the windows & the baseboards were dark wood too and the ceilings were textured. It was nice - & it made the yellow seem a little darker - since THIS house has high gloss white trim (basboards & crown moulding and white ceilings)the yellow seems so much lighter...but I STILL love it.

Next up for paint? Can't decide betweent he dining room or the master bedroom. The dining room is currently RED. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE red. But let me tell you - you can not go "themeless" with a red dining room. Can't put green in there or it looks like Christmas - Can't put blue or white in there or it looks like the 4th of July. While I like both holidays, the red is so dark that it looks like a cave off the kitchen. Sot he RED is going.

For the dining room - I found a page int he latest Paula Deen magazine that I am going to try & recreate. So , the dining room is going green. Sage Green. On the LIGHT side of Sage. Green plaid curtains, and light colored chair seat covers. I'll need a rug for under the table. And I am keeping the lower part the high gloss white that it is. This is what I am going to try to do - only I have only ONE window - and obviously - my dining room is NOT this large - I am NOT buying new furniture either - AND I am not going to put the dingle balls on the curtains (I figure that's just asking for the cat to play with them and dust to live!!!) AND since I have a nice custom set of Levelor Blinds, I won't have the green shade thingy....so I am going to SORT OF copy this idea!! The picture at the top - is what I am going to try & RE-CREATE - NOT what I have aleady done.....


For the master bedroom? No clue. I just know that that dark green depresses me. Seriously. It's just too dark. Green is okay - just not hunter green. Not for me. That color compliments my quilts VERY well, but it does nothing for my mood or nothing for how I feel about the room. I ONLY want to be in there to sleep. Just can not bring myself to like that dark green. Prince Charming likes it, though. But he said he really does not care what color it is - but not blue. No problem.

All this, that I have completed this week...there has been ZERO sewing. I'm going into withdrawls.....

Sam

Ku Dos - To a Company...

On Sept 19th my quilt guild went to a quilt show in Hunstville,Alabama.

It was a good show. One item I really wanted while I was there was a Cureve Mater foot, by Martelli Enterprises.

I had one before, but with the "move" from AL to TN - I have inconveiniently LOST it or misplaced it or simply misplaced it...I don't know. I didn't have it & I wanted to use it on the "30 Something" quilt.

Well, blessings for me! Martelli was there & I bought one. Dude at the booth told me it was his last one. Goodie for me! $32 later - I was a happy camper.

Well, the next day I did 2 things. #1 tried out the new foot & #2 found my old one.

Once I knew what I was supposed to be looking for, I found my old one in my little presser foot keeper box. BUT ! the one I bought at the show was a 5/8" foot. Now tell me, WHY would they sell a 5/8 foot at a quilt show???????

So , I called the company , to see , if MAYBE, they would exchange the 5/8's for a 1/4"???

Well, they DID ! I paid shipping to them & they paid it back to me. I am a Happy Camper.

Now I have 2 !

Sam

Secret's Out !

I fiddled with a free block pattern this week. It is a free "no match stars" pattern off the UrbanElementz website. (I buy pantographs from them...)

The block is big, and easy. I decided I'd TRY to make a quilt for DD#1. Since I am making so much & doing so much for DD#2 & the soon to be grandchild...I wanted to make DD#1 a quilt for her birthday.

I have been hoarding pink fat quarters & brown fat quarters. Figured I can replace them when/if I get ready to make something for myself.

So , on top of everything else I have started/need to get done/plan to get done , I have added a queen size Pink & Brown Quilt for DD#1.

Don't ever ask me to keep a secret. I can't. Don't ask me to keep a straight face when telling a joke - can't dot hat either. I'm not even very good at telling lies - so I don't!

Here are 20 blocks. I have 15 more cut out.





In other news today - DD#1 & I emptied the purple room of furniture - I know, I know - I was supposed to do this several weeks ago - well I never got started.

Well the purple room is currently empty of furniture - but we didn't get any further in the paiting department then when we started today. Why??? Well ! Let me tell you....

The washer died. We don't know if it has a clutch problem or a belt problem. Prince Charming said he was absent when they covered washer repair in school - I told him I slept through it...so I spent all day running to auto parts stores for a belt. I think (the third try) we got one that looks like it's going to fit - but it was too dark to get it on & test drive the washer. We look like shur-nuff rednecks right now with my clothes washer on the back deck, my dryer in the living room & various other furniture scattered in every room BUT the purple room.

I hope that the belt works -as I would rather have spent all day running around trying to find the RIGHT belt than to go buy another washer. And why only buy a washer? I really want a co-ordinating dryer too.

Cost for the set? $1600. A $7 belt? Priceless!

Let me tell you though - I don't have a LAUNDRY ROOM. I have a double doored closet in the hall way. You CAN NOT slide either appliance out - while leaving the other one in there. No matter how much rigging or pushing or anything. Not without taking the door jamb off. How did we get the washer out? Well, we had to lift the dryer up & over the washer before it would come out of the closet. That's how I remember it getting put in there...WE didn't put it in there - movers did. Little skiiny dude got behind it & taller dude helped him lift it & put it in the closet. It's not a little bitty closet - looks big enough when the appliances are IN there....but try & get one out.....HA, Ha, Ha! We looked comical , the 3 of us. Prince Charming told me that if I wanted to PAINT the laundry closet - i had better do it NOW - because he wasn't going to take those suckers out again....

I really hope that the belt is all the cream puff will need. It's over 10 years old....it may need replacing...I sure hope not.

Sam

Edited to add: event hough we're west of a "big city" there isn't anyone form an appliance repair company going to come out after 12 noon on a Saturday - much less on a Sunday. If I waited until Monday to call - I'd have had to stay home from work to wait on a repairman. Such decisions! It's working with belt #3 - so it's moot now!

50% - Well....Sort Of

Here is the latest update on my Pineapple Patch Quilt.

I am setting the blocks 8 X 9, so this is half the blocks set into rows.

There are 1.5" (cut)sashing strips between each block & then the sashing stips BETWEEN the rows will have little bitty 1.5" (cut) blocks between them....It sounds like a lot (well...it is!) but it's going together SO much faster right now!

I say it's SORT OF 50% because the body of this quilt is the easy part. The body of the quilt is bordered by a 10" border with appliqued flowers & vines & leaves and then a final/outer 2" border. The pattern has the final/outer border in a lavender. I dont' think I'll go with lavender - I may make it blue. We'll see what "speaks to me" when it's to that point & since I'm no where near "that point", I'm not gonna worry about it!

I am going to use that EB/Quilt In A Day method to applique the flowers & flower centers, but the vine will be bias strips & totally needle turn applique.

There is NO WAY that I am going to be able to get this beauty completed before THE baby is here, because there isn't enough time. Maybe I should rephrase that: I don't want to sepnd the time on it to get it done. It's not that important. I'd like to have it done before our guild's show in may , but tha's the ONLY goal.

Soon as the body of it's done, I'm back to THE baby applique quilt - still haven't finished the bunny.....

As you view this photo - remember a few things please: #1 it was after 9PM when I shot the photo #2 It's on a beige floor carpet #3 It's pretty dark up here unless you're under the lights at my table(s). #4 the cat was waitin on the top step, to the right of the photo, to get ON my quilt & the fav fat dog was laid next to the wall onthe left of the quilt -so I was snapping this picture really QUICK so that neither one of them seized the opportunity to get on it.

Cute isn't it? All 1930's repro prints. 72 blocks, no repeats! It's going to be a keeper for sure!

Sam

Checking In - No Photos Yet

Saturday - my guild went to the Huntsville Quilt Show. We chartered a bus. Since the last time I went to a quilt show, I forgot to put new batteries in my camers - I made SURe I put *NEW* batteries in it - but - guess what? I forgot the camera...We had a blast. I am so glad we chartered a bus.

They had door prizes - every hour - one of my guild members won a new Viking Sewing Machine! I don't think anyone else (in our guild) won anything more.

There were a LOT of quilts. Beautiful too - nice bed size quilts. There were vendors too. I spent my "allotment" - one thing though - I bought another Martelli Curve Master. When I got home I did 2 things. #1 Tried to use the one I bought - but guess what??? The one I bought on Saturday is a 5/8 inch seam allowance. Now WHY would they even sellt he 5/8 at a quilt show? Needless to say - a 5/8 is NOT going to work #2 Now since I knew what the foot was supposed to LOOK like - I found my other one. I am going to try & send the *new* one back (because it's 5/8's) and exchange it for a 1/4". That way, I'll have a spare or a good door prize.

I got to meet up with my freind Kat - she brought her sister & her sister-in-law. WOW - what a great bunch of people. I'm glad I got to meet the 2 of them. Sure wish Kat didn't live so far away.

Well - I will see what kind of pictures I can load later -

Sam

Blooming Again!

This is my Angel Trumpet plant. If you remember - I planted it at Easter.

I must say, AGAIN, I am not a gardener. If I plant it & it grows , it's a GOOD thing.

This plant is now over 8 foot tall. No kidding. And it's blooming AGAIN!!!!! The smell is beautiful - I can't explain it - just lovely.

WOW, it is so beautiful. You would not beleive it. There are twice as many blooms this time, than there were last time. There are so many hummingbirds in it that they sound like chickens.

I don't know anyone ,that has one, that has seen one bloom twice. I nearly cut it back, about 2 weeks ago, until I saw the bloom pods....it's taken over the walkway - you either have to move it or walk under it to get by it.

Once it's finished blooming - I'll have to cut it back.

the photos are a little dark - it was nearly 7 PM when I took these photos. I have never had anything do so well! I am so proud!



Not much sewing going on. I did lay out my Pineapple Patch blocks & stacked them all up to be sewn into rows. And that's it.

Sam

#72 !

Ta-Da! This is # 72. I didn't dig in the 30's bins. (I have 2) - I just pulled out the 1st 30's print that was pink that I touched.

Good thing there are only 4 borders, I'll know when I finish #4 of the borders I won't have to worry about making a 5th!

Sam