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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Thanksgiving Funny!

With Thanksgiving upon us, I had to share this email I got awhile back. I got such a chuckle out of it... Hope you do too!



Grandma's Invitation

Dear Family,
I'm not dead yet. Thanksgiving is still important to me.
If being in my Last Will and Testament is important to you, then you might consider being with me for my favorite holiday.

Dinner is at 2:00
Not 2:15
Not 2:05
TWO 2:00

Arrive late and you get what's left over.


Last year, that moron Marshall fried a turkey in one of those contraptions and practically burned the deck off the house. This year, the only peanut oil used to make the meal will be from the secret scoop of peanut butter I add to the carrot soup.

Jonathan, your last new wife was an idiot. You don't arrive at someones house on Thanksgiving needing to use the oven and the stove.
Honest to God, I thought you might have learned after two wives - date them longer and save us all the agony of another divorce.

Now, the house rules are slightly different this year because I have decided that 47% of you don't know how to take care of nice things.
Paper plates and red Solo cups might be bad for the environment, but I'll be gone soon and that will be your problem to deal with.

House Rules:

1. The university of Texas no longer plays Texas A&M. The television stays off during the meal.

2. The "no cans for kids" rule still exists. We are using 2 liter bottles because your children still open a third can before finishing the first two. Parents can fill a child's cup when it is empty. All of the cups have names on them and I'll be paying close attention to refills.

3. Chloe, last year we were at Trudy's house and I looked the other way when your Jello-O salad showed up. This year, if that Jell-O salad comes in the front door, it will go right out the back door with the garbage. Save yourself some time honey. You've never been a good cook and you shouldn't bring something that wiggles more than you. Buy something from the bakery.

4. Grandmothers give grandchildren cookies and candy. That is a fact of life. Your children can eat healthy at your home. At my home, they can eat whatever they like as long as they finish it.

5. I cook with bacon and bacon grease. That's nothing new. Your being a vegetarian doesn't change the fact that stuffing without bacon is like egg salad without eggs. Even the green bean casserole has a little bacon great in it. That's why it tastes so good. Not eating bacon is just not natural. And as far as being healthy... look at me. I've outlived almost everyone I know!

6. Salad at Thanksgiving is a waste of space.

7. I do not like cell phones. Leave them in the car.

8. I do not like video cameras. There will be 32 people here. I am sure you can capture lots of memories without the camera pointed at me.

9. Being a mother means you have to actually pay attention to the kids. I have nice things and I don't put them away just because company is coming over. Mary, watch you kids and I'll watch my things.

10. Rhonda, a cat that requires a shot twice a day is a cat that has lived too many lives. I think staying home to care for the cat is your way of letting me know that I have lived too many lives too. I can live with that. Can YOU?

11. Words mean things. I say what I mean. Let me repeat: You don't need to bring anything means you don't need to bring anything. And if I tell you to bring something, bring it in the quantity I said. Really, this doesn't have to be difficult.

12. Domino's and cards are better than anything that requires a battery or an on/off switch. That was true when you were kids and it's true now that you have kids.

13. Showing up for Thanksgiving guarantees presents at Christmas. Not showing up guarantees a card that may or may not be signed.

In memory of your Grandfather, the back fridge will be filled with beer. Drink until it's gone. I prefer wine anyway. But one from each family needs to be the designated driver. I really mean all of the above.


                                                Love you,
                                                 Grandma


Hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving.
You too Grandma!
;-)

















Thursday, November 19, 2015

Christmas blog hop winner


You had to get up early to win this hop.
Random.org picked #4  Allison, as the winner of the 
Merry and Bright pattern from Red Boot Quilt Company.



Just a reminder Red Boot has brought this pattern out of retirement just for us. After Dec 31, 2015 it will be gone forever.
You can find it right for under $3.

Thanks to all who visited. Your comments were lovely.

Thanks again to Marian for being the hostess with the most-ess!
You did collect all those adorable little designs she shared didn't you?
I have the moose printed and ready to go!
(go figure) 
LOL!!

Now I wonder if we could talk Marian into Valentines and Easter, and...

;-)





Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Christmas is in my Heart Blog Hop


What "favorite" part do you heart????
when it comes to Christmas...


Is it the elves?


Or the reindeer?


Or Nutcrackers that stand by?


Angels bearing gifts...
(Especially chocolate chip cookies)
yum yum!


Could it be the tree...
that sparkles and shimmers


or the fact, that not a creature was stirring,
except that blasted mouse!


Is it waiting for Santa to slip down the chimney with care?

*********

It's the lights and the glitter and the dreams, we drift off by.
Yes those are what I hold, dear to my heart, me oh my!


This wonderful quilt has all the things that I "heart"!
One would think it's just perfect...
 but wait there's still more.


I can even hang my stocking on the chimney with care.
And YES, they are "real" stocking you can fill if you dare!
Yes, this quilt fills my heart like no other you see.
I am just "sew" happy, that my heart dances with glee.

This fun filled pattern is "Merry and Bright"
from the Red Boot Quilt Company...
Maynards home.

I know you all remember Maynard.
:-)
You can see more of her darling designs right 

Monday, when I first started writing this post, the pattern was no longer
on her site. I had suggested, if interested you could email
and ask about it. Then I decided to contact her myself.
Toni quickly responded that the pattern had been retired.
BUT...
She offered to put it back up in her shop just for me us!
 It's for a very limited time...
just til the end of December, then it goes away forever.
Best yet, this delightful pattern is less than $3 if you live in the USA.
If that isn't, just the best Christmas gift and likely the most 
affordable we will see all season!
;-)
If your interested, you can purchase it right
A big thanks to Toni and the Red Boot Quilt Company!
This was so unexpected.


Three cheers to Marian from SEAMS TO BE SEW
for hosting this fabulous holiday hop.
(you just never mind that glass of eggnog I'm toasting with)
LOL!!
I know I can speak for us all, when I say...
we are delighted to be back together again
and it wouldn't have happened without you.

Please visit my fellow bloggers today.
While they share, all that holds dear to their hearts.

Wednesday, November 18

                                   MooseStashQuilting (your here)



A big round of applause to the Fat Quarter Shop for hosting our hop!


a Rafflecopter giveaway                        

As a Merry Christmas to you,  I would like to offer
a little give away of my own.
I am going to give away a copy of "Merry and Bright" to 1 of you.
Just leave me a comment telling me what's in your heart for
the holidays. I will be picking 1 winner tomorrow, the last day of our hop.
Oh it's gone by way too fast!
(please make sure your not a no-reply blogger)
:-)

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
And much needed Peace on Earth!

Monday, November 16, 2015

Swaps, swaps and more swaps!


I love swaps. Nothing better than finding a treasure in the mailbox
and making new friends.
This one is from the Teal Mini Swap.
An online fund raiser for Cancer.
I love my new mug rug. It's perfect for my computer table.
Everyone morning starts with a big dose of Internet fun!


I sent this one off to my partner. Just a bit of our glorious Colorado sunsets!  Most is done with my hand dyes.


This delightful table topper came from a
swap on the Scrappy and Happy Yahoo group.
Square in a square blocks was the theme.
My partner knew just how much I loved Halloween and 
enclosed a couple of adorable little appliques I could use if I chose.
Silly girl!!! Of course they were added!
How the heck did she ever guess I was a Halloween junkie?


My partner wanted pinks...
so pinks are what I used.
I sure hope she loves hers as much as I do mine.


Yep, swaps are great fun!





Saturday, November 14, 2015

Another Fun Freebie

It seems like I am stumbling across lots of fun things online right now...
and I just have to share.


Have you seen the Moda Sampler Block Shuffle?

Every Friday they are posting a new block.


This is what the patterns look like. Every Moda designer is participating.
Best yet, 2 print on every page, so you have a great "set" to share with your quilting buddy.  I see a reason to start stitchin up some fun little notebook covers!  

Check it all out at Bear Creek Quilting Company


Blocks post on Fridays from Nov 2015 thru Jan 2016.
(and yes the past ones are still there for a limited time)
They have an email subscription so you won't miss a block.
(My Favorite) 
;-)

Looking forward to seeing your samplers!


Friday, November 13, 2015

Quilt Album







Have you heard the news?  Quilt Album is now a free program for everyone to enjoy.  If you remember, a few years back, I was an ambassador for "Quilt Album". I personally love the program. It's a great way to not only document all your quilts, but keep important information with them. Pattern names, batting type, designer and quilter information. It even allows you to make greeting cards and post cards with your quilt photos.


So many choices for size and shapes. 
Half fold...quarter fold...
Horizontal, or vertical.


And the back of the cards, show your info.
It even allows you to change ink colors!

 
You can print off Album pages for a scrapbook. 



Business cards, labels and return address labels.
Even quilt labels!
Way cool huh? 


Here is what the program looks like.
A great improvement, is the ability to associate 10 photos of your quilt.


And there is a summary page that catalogues all your quilts, to make finding them a snap.
:-)
Another big improvement is the ability to move things
between PC and MACS. 
That's big!
 
As I mentioned before, this great program is now  FREE  for us all.  Yep, those Quilt Album folks realize how important it is for us all to document our quilts.  I loved the program when it was a paid program, so of course I am going to tell you its a must now that it's free.  They are asking for contributions to defray their costs. It is voluntary, but us quilters know the value of our work...Please support them in helping us!     You can download your very own program right HERE.


                                                ENJOY!



Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Holy cow...she actually got us done!

Hey, it's me...Maynard again.
Been awhile since you heard from me huh?

Well, I'm happy to report that the ole girl actually got us quilted and we are happily keeping her bed warm!

Not like it didn't take her long enough. I believe it was Memorial Day when we saw you last!
That's just nuts...and speaking of nuts, she even managed to get that Peanuts quilt done before us.
Now that's just wrong!!!!!


Here we are in all our glory. She put a fun little daisy quilt design on us!

Then put us right to work keeping her warm! 
Speaking for all my brothers and sisters...we are thrilled to be out and doin our job.

Thanks Red Boot Quilts...
Without you, there wouldn't be us!

Check out our pattern and many others right HERE.
You can't believe how affordable they are.

On that note...she's got another Red Boot quilt to share next week,
which is the real reason she got us done.
She needed her longarm!
Gheez.












Friday, November 6, 2015

IBA/YCQ Blog Hop Day 13...our final day!


Today Marlene is wrapping up one spectacular blog hop.
She will share finishing ideas right


You may have noticed the blocks I've done,
 with my hand dyes, through out the hop.

It's still a flimsy, but it's together.  
I have no idea just where the time went!

A big round of applause to AQS and Island Batik for a wonderful blog hop. And it goes without saying...
Marlene and Leila, none of it could have happened without you.
I do hope that you all have enjoyed this trip thru the new
 "You Can Quilt" book.






Thursday, November 5, 2015

Round Robin Reveal

I've never participated in a round robin before, but when Bea from "BeaQuilter" posted she was hosting one, I jumped right in.


I bet your not "even" surprised that my block had a moose on it!
Moose and fusible applique. Two of my favorites.

This made it's way to 5 fabulous quilters to add their spin to my block.
Never in a million years did I expect for it to come back looking like this!

Is this just not the greatest?
I'm in awe...it's just incredible.
These gals really "get" me!

Best yet... this was supposed to take 6 months to complete.
Thanks to all, I got mine back almost 2 months early.
Whoop whoop. I guess everyone was as excited as I was, 
to add their round and send it on.

Here is what I got to work on for the others.

In June I got Carol's scrappy center block.
She wanted scrappy...so I pieced a scrappy log cabin round for her.


July brought me our "fabulous" leader, Bea's quilt.
She wanted a Christmas theme quilt for her church.
Some simple piecing, picking colors from the quilt in progress,
 I then appliqued the Christmas message around it.


August was Carol's second scrappy quilt.
Yes, she loves these round robins "sew" much that she had 2 quilts going! This time was scrappy hearts and she wanted some black and whites in it. I added the top and bottom hearts to her quilt.


September I had Julianne's gorgeous Christmas quilt. 
It was so rich looking. The fabrics were just gorgeous.
I added the Snails Trail blocks around this one.
(Shakespeare in the Park, with all the Snail's Trail 
blocks is on my to-do list)
;-)


October brought me Rebecca's, book theme quilt.
I did a little research online and came up with 68 
book titles I could embroider to add to the final
round of blocks on her quilt.


I learned a good lesson on this one...


Wanna know just why it is, that writers have proofreaders?
OMG, I couldn't believe that I did this. 
Glad I caught it before I stitched it in.
:-)

As for my beauty...it's not quilted yet, but when I do...


I've got this quilt label to remember these wonderful gals with!

A big thanks to all who participated. 
You girls are just the greatest, and
 I'm thrilled to have been a part of it all!

Rumor has it, there just might be another one after the first of the year. Wouldn't you love to join in?