A new Annie and tools of the trade

Another wet week here in Kansas and I seem to get lots accomplished when I can't go outside and play. I finished the "June" Annie stitchery block, isn't she sweet! Annie has been berry picking, her apron is full of strawberries and she is excited to maybe make strawberry jam, or a pie :) I have decided to have a little drawing, next Sunday Cleo will draw three names, winners will each receive my new Annie June stitchery pattern card. So if you love to stitch leave a comment below. Boy is this going to be a darling quilt when all 12 designs are finished.

More sewing room spring cleaning this week. My keep pile is much larger than the pitch pile :( I have a box filled with sewing gadgets and tools alone. We all have a favorite tool, one we use all the time, and I'm not talking just rotary cutters but I do wonder how in the world did we ever live with out those! One of my most used tools are templates in all shapes and sizes, especially a circle template. I can not live without it. They make tracing those circles for penny rugs a snap, or critter eyes and berries, I use it a lot!

My second most used template is the oval one, I used it to trace all the eggs in my "Hiding The Eggs" penny rug. When I needed a really large oval shape I've used picture mats, they come in several sizes.

And these here are just not a stack of plates, oh no they're not, it's a stack of large circle templates LOL! My kitchen is full of templates, glasses, bowls, lids and plates in a variety of sizes, they have all been used.

I started sewing together rows of charm squares for my next quilt. What do you think of charm squares? I have a lot of applique work to do next on this project, now that is the fun part to me!

Oh boy, it is getting late, Cleo is sleeping at my feet. It's Monday already, have a happy day!

Happy Mothers Day weekend

My weekend has just started off so great! The mailman brought the fabric I have been waiting for. Already I have the pieces cut and laid out on my table, even sewn the first row, so fun!

Most of the day I have been busy preparing for Mothers Day in Lawrence. Can't go visit your student empty handed. I made a pan of his favorite enchiladas, oatmeal cookies, and grocery shopped to fill his pantry and frig. Boy he is going to be happy to see me :) And I am just so excited to have lunch with my boys tomorrow!

Mothers Day is extra special in our home. Our oldest daughter was born on Mothers Day and this year her birthday falls on Mothers Day!

I thought you would enjoy this picture Melissa, of you and your Grandma Paquin on your 1st birthday, it makes me smile.

While digging through pictures this week I found this drawing you made me. Just look at all those flowers and how about those knee dimples lol! I'll have to send this to you! Wish I could celebrate with both my girls tomorrow, I know they will both have a wonderful day made special by their little families and I'll be seeing you all soon :)

Both Jerry and I will be remembering our Mothers. This is my Mom, a young and newly married wife, how I love seeing her smile today.
Hope your Mothers Day is special, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Melissa !! XXXOOOOO Mommy

Just goofing off this week

Just goofing off this week, feeling a little guilty I have accomplished so little. I have spent hours pouring over recipes for a healthier lifestyle. Hubby wants me to cook more fish and make more salads, he's on a mission! Sunday we cooked together, cod and salad, a nice light meal. Followed
by strawberry shortcake :)

I had to laugh. Watching hubby dart around the kitchen I caught notice of his shorts pocket, remote controller sticking out, gotta have that remote close by at all times LOL!

Monday I went to Target and bought a new book. I wasn't sure about this choice, the storyline was not one that I would normally choose. I have hardly put it down since and have a few chapters left to go!

Tuesday I had my hair cut and highlighted, you know that is good for an afternoon. Gotta look cute for Mothers Day! I will be laving lunch with my baby in Lawrence, home of KU. Wednesday I shopped for spring clothes, don't want to embarrass the child by showing up in an old cat sweater (of which I have plenty) :)
Today I did tackle some sewing room mess. Weeding through and refolding fabric, setting aside what I don't want to donate to someone who would. And my most treasured piece of fabric surfaced once more. I bought it on eBay 10 years ago. I'll tell you I paid a very pretty penny for it. Vintage novelty and feed sack fabrics were going like wild fire, it was a sellers dream! This piece was in a fast moving bidding war, they bid, I bid, back and forth we bid up to the last second. Then the email from eBay comes.... Cleo, YOU WON!!!!!!........ UH OH Cleo! I do adore this piece though,early 50's, I love the boldness of the print, the colors are amazing and the artwork is a wonderful sample of that time period. LOVE IT, LOVE IT! Yet here it sits. Whatever will I do with it. I can't just cut in to it without a really great plan. My kids don't want it. Will they bury me with it, throw it out (gasp) or sell it to someone in a garage sale for 10 cents :( What would you do with it?


Too much to think about, I guess I'll go finish that book!

A perfect weekend

Another weekend gone by, and April is nearly over as well. My weekend was perfect, I was able to spend my time doing just what I wanted to do, a little drawing, sewing and shopping. Even the weather co-operated, dreary and raining off and on, a good weekend to feel content working indoors. My "July" Annie stitchery block is complete and ready to join "May" Annie on my web site, just as soon as Mr Webmaster can take his mind off golf and work his web magic.

"July" Annie wears her paper hat and waves her flag while she and dolly watch the big 4th of July parade. Wish I had a big glass of ice cold fresh squeezed lemonade to share with Annie, July is always so hot here in the Midwest.

I finished the eighth block out of nine for my next quilt. Don't you just love this purple and lime green. I am using the Asian prints from a few posts back and just loving the color combinations.

Sunday we did a little shopping for hubby. Strolling through the store to check out, out of the corner of my eye I saw this........ I would recognize that cute face a mile away.... Oh, Oh, Oh, my heart fluttered, whatever could be inside that cute box.

OMG..... it's a Hello Kitty bling, bling, bling watch! Just my lucky day to be shopping with hubby, it was meant to be. Pam Kitty Morning eat your heart out, she's mine, all mine! Happy Mothers Day to me :)

Hoping your weekend was perfect too!

May is for Annie

Tada.... a new stitchery, isn't she cute! This is the 1st block in my new month-by-month Annie redwork series. "May" Annie taking her dolly for a stroll, flowers are blooming and soon it will be Mothers Day. Each block comes with a note card, envelope and stitchery pattern tucked inside.
A cute pattern card to mail to someone who loves to stitch.
And this is all I have been doing lately, drawing, drawing, drawing.... I love to draw :) And that's a good thing as I have 11 more Annies to go.


I found these sitting on the kitchen windowsill last night. Hubby must have picked them as the lilac bush out back is full of blooms. He must have figured they would catch my eye there,
above the sink full of dishes, do you think that was a gentle hint LOL? I love lilacs and purple is my favorite color, they made me smile before I went to bed... after I did the dishes :)


Back to the drawing board people!

Ding dong... Ma'am, this sure is one heavy box!!

Cleo and I saw the UPS man pull up while "we" were working on the computer. All I can say is those guys are young and fit for one good reason, to carry my box of Nonwovens wool felt up my steep drive way. Phew, I always feel bad. Spring colors are back in stock. Can't wait to see all the new colors they will introduce at Spring Quilt Market next month!

And in my mail box, new fabric. Yipppeee, what an exciting week!! (I think I can already picture my son raising his eyebrows at that statement). But hey, to each his own level of excitement.
Isn't this fabric lovely, I am thinking maybe purse?

As for my little fur ball Cleo. She had her monthly checkup and her vet says the insulin level we are at is working out well, but, my little girl is not so little anymore! She gained a pound in 4 weeks. Sheesh Cleo! Looks like the catkins diet is going to become a little stricter, poor Cleo :(

Well we are off to string some cute kids beads now. Whoohooo, more excitement :) I think my "model" is going to wear them on the next pattern cover, you'll laugh, well maybe not. Depends.

Alone again.......

Wow, Easter came and it went, along with all of my company. Alone again... wasn't that a song?
Well our Easter was just so fun, 4 generations of Paquins in the house, it was a very special time.
The weather was on the cool side, however the sun came out on Saturday. My pumpkins were able to run off some steam and take part in the neighborhood egg hunt.

Alex got to show me his tree climbing skills, he was very proud, as you can see he is just beaming from ear to ear :)

I had tons of help in the kitchen, pint sized help that is! Alex helped me make our Easter Peep
angel cake and I learned something new. This kid LOVES Peeps! He ate 6 of them while we decorated the cake. I said Alex.... I didn't know you liked Peeps! He chirped, I mean said, oh Nana, they are my favorite! Before making the cake we dyed eggs, you may be able to see that by the dye spots all over his shirt. But believe you me his shirt looked great compared to Williams. William goes to dunk his 1st egg in a cup and knocks it over, all down the front of his once white now in the garbage can purple tye dyed shirt LOL! Remind me to make these boys some head to toe aprons.

We had brunch instead of dinner on Easter. The kids had to drive back to Oklahoma and Jon back to KU. Boy it was yummy, we also had tasty breakfast casserole, fresh fruits and don't forget the chocolate! Doesn't this picture just look like a Hallmark card!

The rest of the week was spent with Jerrys Dad who keeps very busy for an 88 year old, he loves to fix things. And we save a long list of fixing things to do every year for his visit lol.
Before he headed back to Florida we took him to his 1st ever concert at the Sprint Arena. George and Reba were great and I think he enjoyed it!

And now my house is quiet. Everyone is back to their normal routines. I'm happy to be back to the drawing board again.... fun projects coming up... I promise!
Have a happy week!