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Thursday, July 2, 2009 (5 miles)
Be still my heart. I am heading out to Shreveport to sit in front of yet another Wal-Mart both on Friday and Saturday. What are you
planning to do on the Fourth? Wanna join me?
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 (4 miles)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 (3 miles)
I forgot to mention that I finally finished the new "Very Pink" quilt. Let's hope I can keep this one in my possession until it is won.
By the way, guess what I had today??? my very own tomato from my very own plant. The only problem is if almost feels like I am
consuming one of my children. Groooosss. I will say she was mighty tasty.
Sunday, June 28, 2009 (3 miles)
Back a the Peach Festival. Luckily there was a breeze today, and there was an angel in the midst. Her name is Christy and she brought
us a canopy ! God love her. I know I do. The only problem was that the breeze seems to have blown the customers away. So much for
adding to the Fund. Oh well.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Today was the "Day from Hell." Brandy and I sat outside in 105 degrees without a tent. We were trying to add to our Breast Cancer
Fundraiser. The good parts: We probably lost 5 pounds just in sweat, and we raised over $1,000 in one day. Please folks, go to
Breast Cancer 3-Day and make a donation. You can use your credit card and it is quick and easy. I just hate this "asking for donations"
part of the experience. You can not only help with the fund-raising, you can keep me from sweating !!
Friday, June 26, 2009 (5 miles)
Thursday, June 25, 2009 (4 miles)
Just checking in. I have lots of things to add but so little time to do it.
Starting today I am going to begin my chat by including the number of
miles I walked that day in preparation for the 60 mile walk. Yesterday I
checked out a new pair of shoes for the walk. Whew. $100 ++ dollars.
Everything about this venture is expensive.
One of the things I accomplished this week was getting my sewing
machine serviced. What I am wondering is how this puppy worked at all.
Check out the surprise that was inside my machine. That has to be
equivalent to at least one spool of thread. Amazing....
Sunday, June 21, 2009
All weekend long I have been in serious avoidance mode. I mean, I was supposed to be in my studio quilting the NEW "Very Pink" quilt.
Instead, I did everything else I could possibly think of so I would not be out there working on it. Heck, I even did yard work and I definitely
prefer quilting over that, so this was confusing to me. Finally, I think I figured it out. It is depressing me. Every time I go out there it
reminds me that someone stole the first one. It is also frustrating to have to remake the exact same quilt. So, I decided that I am going to
work on it a little each day until it is done. Hopefully, by then my anger and depression will be stitched away
Oh, wanna know a little secret? I have three new products coming out this next month. I plan to show them at the Long Beach Festival.
And, if the mood strikes me, I might just show a picture of them in the next week or so. This is just to tease, so, if it works and several of
you sweeties ask nicely, I will probably give in to that.
Friday, June 19, 2009
(My NEW computer was acting up so, obviously, my story was interrupted before the "big" ending. So, I continue...)
My sister and I arrived at the hospital. Mother was sitting on the edge of the bed looking a bit confused. This, of course, is not surprising
considering she had surgery and been drugged all of the previous day.
Mother looked up at us and asked, "Is this Monday?"
I said, "No, Mother, this is Tuesday. You slept through Monday."
Mother said, "Are you sure it is not Monday?" and then she looked at my sister and said, "And you bought a yoga mat and some socks
and you were sitting on the floor trying them on, deciding whether to give them to Siggie or not?"
Now folks, I do not know if you were paying attention, but my Mother was NOT in the room with us when we were doing that. She was NOT
in the house with us. She was not even in the same town with us.....We were 40 miles away from her. And, NO, she did not talk to her
husband. I asked.
This story is the honest -to-God's TRUTH. Now, someone out there, please tell me how this can possibly happen?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
More fun...I have been working all week on replacing the stolen quilt. My daughter and I are supposed to go sell more raffle tickets and I
thought it might help if I actually had the quilt to show. Thanks, assho.....I mean, whatever jerk it was who stole my other quilt. Could you
be more selfish? O.K., I got that off my chest. Luckily, I love to quilt. It is just that I have about 4,000 other things to do with my time that
did not include making a quilt that I had already made once before. Sigh.
On a more pleasant note, let's think "Burn Notice," again. Let me tell you a story.
At few years ago, at the age of 82, our Mother had to have a hysterectomy. My sister Debbie, and I went to stay with her and try to help
out Mother's husband. I should mention that her husband, Gene, is very protective of Mother (this means that he feels like we are trying
to "take over" whenever we visit). I have to say, he is very good at taking care of Mother so it is difficult to complain. While Mother was in
surgery, Deb and I waited with Gene. As soon as the doctor told us that Mother was out of surgery and doing well, we left Gene so he
would not feel like we were trying to do the take over thingie.
My sister suggested we go buy Mother a new nightgown so off to T. J. Max we go. It was the first time I had been in a T.J. Max, so I was
delighted at the great prices. Of course, we did buy a gown but, that was not alll that we bought, heh heh. I mean, duh, we are not
stupid. Later, we checked in on Mother at the hospital. She was totally out so we went to a movie and then back to Mother's house. My
sister said, "Let's look at the stuff we bought. I just love to check it all out after I get home." So, check it out, we did. First Debbie pulled
out a yoga mat and proceeded to tell me that she is always having to replace lost mats. Next, she pulled out about a dozen pairs of socks
and then sits on the floor and proceeds to try on each and every one. Each time she put on a pair, she would ask me, "Do you think I
should keep this pair, or give it to Siggie (her daughter)?" Like I cared? Anyway, twelve pairs of socks, and twelve pairs of
heavy-decision-making later, we finally crashed. In the morning, Deb and I got dressed and left for the hospital.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Boy have I been having fun. I ate breakfast on Monday morning and then began the lovely
regemine for a colonoscopy. Yippee. The procedure was not until Tuesday at 3:30 in the
afternoon so liquids were my friend for the day (s). All is well, thank goodness. No more of
that fun for about five more years. I will be desperately trying to comfort myself....with ice cream,
and cookies, and NOODLES.
Now, speaking of food, I took a picture of my tomatoes. Actually, I usually buy the plants that
have at least one tomato on them already because that is, more often than not, the only tomato
I will ever see. Not eat, just see. I have very bad luck trying to grow tomatoes. For some reason,
I remain undeterred. Stubborn, stupid.....or perhaps just optimistic and hopeful.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Even I cannot believe how stupid I can be sometimes. As they say on Burn
Notice, "Let me tell you a story...." Two years ago, I had to have my rings cut
off because they were too tight. Hey, I do not want to hear one word about how
much fatter I am now. I am 5' 8" tall and weighed 102 lbs. Weight is exactly what
I wanted to add. NOT up for discussion is how much I added..... Anyway, I decided
to have the rings remade by a jewelry designer in Santa Fe. The gold from the
original rings was made into a travel ring with no diamonds. The diamonds were
then used in the new wedding set. Well, I had to have the rings worked on recently
so I have been wearing the travel ring for the last several months. Finally, the
wedding set arrived in the mail. I was so excited. I removed the travel ring and
put it in the box that the company had sent. I was so delighted to finally have the
diamond set back on my finger. Don't get me wrong, I actually am more attached
to the travel ring because it is made from my original wedding band. Now, hours
later, after my son surprised us with the fact he was bringing his new girlfriend for
the weekend (about two hours before they were to arrive) I rushed around trying to
clean up the house. As I ran through the kitchen and saw the trash from the rings
that had arrived earlier in the day, I tossed it in the trash thinking, "I don't need more
boxes from that place. I already have some from before." The next day, we are on
our way to Dallas. Four hours later as I am dozing off in the car, the light came on.
I had tossed out the ring box that I had placed my travel ring in. I screeched, "I threw
my ring in the trash; turn the car around." As my sweet husband is looking for the next Can you believe that this is a
exit, he remembered that our son was still at the house. We called and asked him to tulip tree made entirely of metal?
get up early the next day and dig through the dumpster. Well, that sweet boy, and his
new sweetie went immediately, at 11:00 pm, in total darkness and jumped in the dumpster This was in Pittsburg on our way to a
for my rings. When he called a little while later and announced that he had found restaurant.
the box, we asked him how on earth he could do that in the dark and he said,
"Flashlights and Headlights, Dad, flashlights and headlights." Don't you just love it?
Thursday, June 4, 20009
I am fi-i-i-i-i-nally back home. I have been on the road more than I care to admit.
Just a couple of days after writing the last Thread, Brandy, Marcia, and I left for
Quilt Market in Pittsburgh. I cannot get the phrase from a movie out of my head.
(yeah, I know, a VERY old movie), "If this is Tuesday, it must be Belgium,"
Anyway, Marcia is a dear friend who offered to come with us on our trip. Boy,
did that ever turn out to be a blessing. I came down with a fever on Friday and
was sick sick sick for the rest of the week. Thank you, again, Marcia. You were GREAT.
Here is a photo of Brandy and Marcia loading the car. One of the vendors could
not take their fabulous plants so we graciously offered to help by taking the plants
off their hands and into ours thinking we had lots of "spare" space. It almost came
down to a decision, "Brandy.?...plants?....Brandy?....plants?....." I mean, a beautiful
blooming bromeliad, ivy, geraniums, snap dragons, etc etc. Luckily no decision
had to be made. Brandy is a determined gal and she got everything in the car.
Do you think she knew of my dilemma???
After we returned from Pittsburgh, we were home three days before we left, again.
Our first stop was Irving, TX, to retrieve a painting from a Show. I was sure hoping
that puppy would have sold....oh well, I think I am going up on the price, heh heh.
From there we moved on to Denton where we helped our friend, Royce, celebrate
his 70th birthday. Thank goodness we were there. If it were not for us, I feel sure
the party would have been a complete failure. Just because the food was fabulous
(cooked by their son who just happens to be a professional chef), the band and singers
were awesome, dancing was fun, attendees delightful, and we slept in a home that
belongs in Architectural Digest, I am sure had very little to do with anything. They
are just so lucky we were there to save the day.....Happy Birthday, Royce.
We then continued on our journey. Houston was our next destination. We were hoping
to be able to complete the work on our son's apartment and leave by Wednesday. HA.
Everything that could go wrong, did. For example, it took three trips to Lowe's to get a
toilet that was not broken, six trips for all the plumbing parts, three trips for mirrors that
would fit, and....well, you get the idea. We finally left for home on Sunday without the
ability to say, "Done." Oh well, Houston has so many restaurants that we need to
test....
Now, for the next few days I will be including random photos from my cell phone since I
have been so neglectful with adding them at the appropriate time. Hope you enjoy.
This first one is of my mother, primping, at a darling store in Gulf Shores, called
HoochieMama's. The ladies there were awesome. By the way, this is from the
week of her 90th birthday celebration. Doesn't she look great?
This next image is from the booth next to us in Chicago. I just loved
all of their products. That yummy pastry is actually a box made of felt !!
I, of course bought several.....
Later, Hope all (both ??) of you out there missed me and my
chatter.
Friday, May 8, 2009
My daughter and I were preparing to head out for Shreveport to sell raffle tickets for our Very Pink Quilt. We were shocked to discover
that we cannot seem to find the quilt anywhere. It appears someone in Chicago thought they needed the quilt more than we do. I am
extremely sad to say we have called all of the places we could think of in Chicago and no one admits to anything. I am having a difficult
time dealing with this. I usually try to think of something worse so I can keep things in perspective but even though I know that this is not
the "worst" thing that can happen to a person, my thoughts are still sad, sad. My stomach hurts. My head hurts. Did I mention that not
one, but two quilts are missing? Take a good look at this quilt, the Very Pink one, and scream like crazy if you see it ANYWHERE. It is
MINE.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Well, I had an interesting day yesterday. I have a new advertisement out in Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting magazine. The ad has a
photo of a Quilt in a Cup. The quilt has flowers on the fabric. The ad says, "Give your Mom flowers that never fade to match your love
that never dies."
Apparently, my ad offended the entire floral industry. I received an email from the Director of Consumer Marketing for the Society of
American Florists. I quote:
"As the national trade association representing 12,000 florists, wholesalers and flower growers, the Society of American
Florists (SAF) responds to concerns about negative references to flowers. A floral business owner has contacted us to
express disappointment with a Quilt in a Cup advertisement published in the May/June issue of Fons and Porter's Love of
Quilting magazine. It reads "Give your Mom flowers that never fade to match your love that never dies."
SAF realizes that advertising is competitive but supports respected principles that suggest promoting a product on its own
merits rather than disparaging another. In other words, consumers choose your craft projects for many positive reasons.
Therefore making references to flowers to make Quilt in a Cup look good seems unnecessary. SAF feels that taking the
time to identify and promote your advantages results in more sharply focused, creative, successful advertisements.
On behalf of the floral industry, SAF requests that you eliminate the reference to flowers in your promotions and reconsider this
negative approach in future campaigns."
I mean, "eliminate the reference to flowers?????" what ever happened to Free Speech? Also, is it a secret that flowers fade? How can
that fact be construed as a "negative" comment? If no one talks about it, does it make that fact less of a reality? Please email me with
your comments as I am truly curious to see if I am alone with my feelings on this.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Our week at the beach was great. Mother is now officially starting her 91st year of living and spending. At some point during the week, it
occurred to me that I had committed to an art show on Sunday, the 3rd. Oops. So, instead of a leisurely departure, we got up at 5 a.m.
and headed back to Ruston. We arrived around 3:30, emptied the car and then packed it back with paintings and easels. Off to Monroe
to the Blend of the Bayou fundraiser. The food is always beyond terrific and this year was no exception. We returned home around 9:00
and fell into bed. Now I am playing "catch-up." I had planned to show you lots of photos but my cousin downloaded them onto his
computer and did not "copy" them. So-o--o, I have to get them back before publishing. Sorry. See ya later, with photos, I hope. Gotta
run. Luckily, lots to ship.....
Sunday, April 26, 2009
No one is allowed to give me any grief over the adding-to-my-Threads gap. I am not even going to feel the least bit guilty. I have been
beyond busy, I have been out of town, I have not even been able to attend my painting class. So there you have it....no excuses, just
reality. That is my story and I am stickin' to it !!
The Quilt Festival in Chicago was great fun. We met lots more great quilters. We met lots of great shop folks. The food was great. Like
I said, Fun. Also, I came up with some more ideas for Quilt in...products. I already have the prototypes made. Now to get the directions,
boxes, package designs, etc, done before next month's Market in Pittsburgh.
In the meantime, I leave in about an hour for a week at the beach . It is time to celebrate. It is time to party. Our mother is celebrating
her 90th birthday. (Remember this is the remarkable woman who gave birth to me when she was 70, heh heh) We are surprising her
with the arrival of our cousins who she has not seen in years. My challenge: Not worrying about what I am NOT doing while away.
In the meantime, I hope these pictures of our trip are a bit of entertainment while I start yet another gap in my Threads.....
These yellow flowers just glowed
Brandy and "the Booth" Tulips in Missouri
The most important thing that I want to say today is a huge thank you to Laurie Lewis for her
generosity !!!!!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Started my day with an "OOPS." I had a meeting in Shreveport that
I thought began at five in the evening. Well, I was reading over the
announcement and guess what? The meeting was supposed to begin
at 1:00 and end at 5:00. How quickly can Dianne take a bath, get
dressed and put on make-up??? Record time - 15 minutes later,
ready and out the door. TADA.
I arrived home just in time to go to my Pokino group. No prizes but
at least the food and company were great.
Next, I was delighted to come home and find this photo in my emails.
I am introducing a new pattern, Quilt on a Rug. A lovely gal named
Karen Bailey of Arkansas, was my "official" tester and she did a
spectacular job. Don't you just love her quilty rug?
Sunday, April 12. 2009
HAPPY EASTER, MY DEAR SWEET BUNNIES (readers)
Saturday evening, April 11, 2009
Eureka. Twice in the same day???? Perhaps this will be used to sooth my guilt
when I skip days more often than not, heh heh. I shall be able to remind everyone
that once upon a time I wrote TWO times in the same day. Yeah, like that'll make up
for everything. Anyway, I thought I would let you actually see a photo of the high
point of our day in front of Wal-Mart. Brandy and the Easter Bunny.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Guilt trip, guilt trip. It is a short trip but I am feeling a bit guilty about neglecting my Threads.
It certainly has not been neglected because I did not want to write. What I am doing is madly
preparing for the Chicago Quilt Festival. My daughter and I leave first thing Tuesday morning.
Of course, it would be silly of me to think that I only had that one thing to do. A friend dropped
by yesterday to see if I could repair her bracelet in my "spare" time. I always have to smile and
bite my tongue when someone says that. Today is already a done deal and it is only 7:30 in the
morning. We are going to spend the day in front of Wal-Mart trying to raise funds for the
Breast Cancer Walk. Again, I have to restrain myself from getting too excited. Think I should
take a valium so I can calm down?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Here I go, again, laying my heart and soul out there for all to see. I am starting
to feel naked, exposed, definitely vunerable. What is even worse is that I am
very disappointed with this piece. it is mediocre at best. I am trying to
think of this as a growing experience. Uh oh. Since I am not getting any
taller, does this mean I might grow wider???? What I worry about is that this
might be my last painting for a while since we do not have class for another
week and that is when I am in Chicago at the Quilt Market. What a note to
end the semester on.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Well, my Very Pink quilt took on even more meaning for me, today. I drove
a very dear friend of mine to get her radiation treatment today. If you have
not been touched by this disease in one way or another, you are an unusual,
and rare person. All the more reason for you to consider donating -- to keep
your luck going.
Anyway, I have been working on a new quilt. "Be Still My Heart" is going to
be one of my first patterns that I offer for sale. Anyone out there want to
volunteer to be my "tester?" Just email me with your request and I will
mail you a free, autographed copy (as soon as I complete the directions,
heh, heh.)
Friday, April 3, 2009
Hmmm, it might be cheating to say that this is a "Friday" edition. It is actually after
one o'clock in the morning on Saturday...does anyone care? Not only did I just
remove a quilt from the quilting machine a little while ago, but I have a major
case of restless leg syndrome and from the looks of it, I might not go to bed at all.....
Oh well, we are leaving for Dallas around 8 a.m. to deliver a painting; perhaps I can
sleep in the car. I actually got accepted into a show in Irving, TX. TADA. If you are
even a little curious, here is a link to the show.
http://irvingart.ipower.com/iaawordpress/?page_id=11
What I cannot figure out is what has changed in me. I just keep adding my
paintings for all the world to see. They usually see only the inside of a closet! Maybe
with age comes a loss of embarrassment. Hopefully you see an improvement over the
Wednesday painting.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Another month whizzes by....oh well. What a waste of time it is to focus on that. I spent the weekend and first part of this week in
Houston, again, working on our son's apartment. I completely forgot to take photos but I will post them the next time I go down. We have
finished the guest bath and are now starting to focus on the master bath. When that is done all we have left to do is replace all of the
flooring in the living room, dining room, and both bedrooms. Then, DONE. I will be happier when that is actually a statement instead of a
prediction.
I am keeping my word that I would post my paintings as I do them. This is what I accomplished today. The guy in the painting is the same
guy both as a standing and as a sitting figure. Talk about a challenge. We are supposed to complete this painting on Friday so, we will
see what that brings. I hope you are getting some type of enjoyment out of my posting these attempts at painting, even if it is simply to
give you a chuckle. Have a delightful spring day....(oh I am also including a couple of pictures of my yard as a reminder that Spring
actually is in the air and in the yard !!
Friday, March 27, 2009
It looks like my accomplishment for the day is that I finally placed a photo of the Very Pink quilt that I am raffling off. The rest of the day
was very similar to yesterday -- a day spent at the hospital, nursing home, doctor's offices, etc. The necessary evils of life.....reality is not
my favorite project. I think I am gonna go bury myself in fabric.............
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Today I can only help you by lulling you to sleep so if you are an insomniac, read on and I can probably cure you, at least for tonight. I
did my second day of walking. Yawn. I then spent the day in Monroe ( a nearby town) taking my dear friend to see her mother in the
hospital. Yawn. Hospitals depress me and when I am depressed, I sleep. Yawn. I am working on directions for a new pattern. I hate that
part. Yawn. If you are not getting sleepy by now, even I cannot help you. Sorry, but I am heading to bed.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Well, lookie here, page FIVE of my Threads. Will wonders never cease? Not
too much is happening other than I have actually painted a couple more pieces,
and, another wonder, I have begun my practice walking for the 60 Mile Walk.
The challenge here is to see if I continue over the next few weeks. Fingers
crossed !!
AND, news flash -- I finished piecing the quilt that I hope to write a pattern for.
Now to get it in the quilting machine, write directions, test the directions,
create a cover/label, print, etc etc etc....
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