I am first a wife and mother of two beautiful daughters. I have taught kindergarten and first grade for 20 years. My second career has been a journey as a quilt designer,lecturer and teacher. I LOVE MY JOB! Come share my quilt journey and crazy life!
If you want a place in the sun, you have to put up with a few blisters.
-Abigale Van Buren
It is Wednesday...days are flying by me so fast I can hardly keep up. I make a to do list everyday and tell myself the sun will not set on my daily list. If I don't do this I will probably show up at Houston quilt market with no clothing...oh but wait I did that in Salt Lake!! yup got on the plane with my suitcase left at home...swell. Life is such a great adventure don't cha think?
I wanted to show you what I have been doing. Can't show everything in its full splendor.
I love buttons, I mean, I reeeelllly love buttons big uns little bitty's..colors..shapes I just love buttons.
I have learned the hard way not to dump my little friends on the table. Put them on a tray..but here is a lesson. Don't put the tray on your lap and quickly answer the phone..not good, ask me how I know. This would fall into the category of aerobic exercise for the day. Those little suckers can bounce way across the room too!
While I was working sewing many many many buttons my friend Sandy came over and said " Why don't you sew those on with your machine it is so easy!" (I tried to act really cool ..."Well I like to sew them by hand cuz I really love hand sewing" not wanting to appear uninformed but she saw right through that she knows me too well.)Then she showed me.Sandy saved my life and my schedule. See TO DO comments above. whewww. I was slammin those buttons on my project so fast. I loved it.
If you ever need some buttons call me I'm there for you.
All the dreams I prayed you'd be Are all the things you are. You were once my little girl and now my shining star.
-Author Unknown
So adorable and so much fun. Yes these young women have learned the value of sisterhood. Now they need to learn to quilt..I'm workin on that right now!
We were here to visit this fabulous southern mansion which is home to the women of ADPi...A sorority founded in the South, in Macon Georgia in 1851 (I think). For all the stories and quite often myths that surround Greek life on a college campus I certainly see soooo much good here. These young women work to benefit their communities and campus life. (much like the community or quilters..I really do see strong similarities) The Greeks are the most active of all the groups on campus and do some wonderful philantropic work. They entertained 180 guests this weekend with charm, grace and STYLE!!! We had a blast.
Isn't this house fantastic? Where is Scarlett and
Rhett??? I think I should live in this house!
Also, the girls and boys get all dolled up for the football games. Young men wore shirts and ties and the girls were in all manner of cute attire...and it was hot...sheesh. For those of you keeping up the fashion trends..this is what you need to get. (no these are not my legs..dang it) I saw about a million girls in skirts and cowboy boots. I'm going to get mine today. Keep up quilters we don't need to be behind the the rest of the world!
Sewing binding in the car like crazy and I'm back to work today. Taking a little breakie to say hi and HAPPY MONDAY....
Laziness is nothing more than resting before you get tired.
-Jules Renard
Out the door this morning with Sir Quilt Dude. Off to the last parents weekend of our youngest daughters college sorority. They always make it fun, catered tail gate before the game, then the football game, and an after party (parents on the loose in a college bar OH MY!, Sunday brunch and then back home. It is hard to believe that she will graduate in December and begin her life as a young nurse. I'm so proud of this fabulous young lady and can't wait to see her. We will be driving "south of the gnat line" as we call it. Its gonna be hot and muggy and buggy..for sure, its not fall yet in Georgia friends...fall comes in mid to late October for us. No problem ! I just packed capris flip flops and bug spray. I'm ready to party down with the college girls. (I packed two projects to bind..we don't want to get carried too far away from sewing right?)
I was drinking coffee a few minutes ago with my calendar in my lap. I am in pre market crunch right now like every other designer. If you read (and I know you do) designer blogs you know what I'm talkin about. This is the point where I begin to question if I can get it all done....but I always do...So the goal for today and tomorrow will be to enjoy and be in the moment with family and remember the words of this great lady.
Life is a great big canvas; Throw all the paint on it you can.
-Danny Kaye
If I could get sound to this photo you would need to go to the ENT doc to have your eardrums replaced. Wonderfulness combined with people...a lot of people....many people having fun was going on all last weekend.
Sewing away. Look nobody is looking at each other just sewing sewing sewing. I could run through the room neckid no one would blink an eye...or pass out...or hurl.
Tacoa she is one bundle of talent I'm telling you. I can't wait to see what she brings next month.
This is Groovy Girl Sarah with her Groovy Girl bags she made at Melisa's Groovy Girl Club. I wish I was groovy.
Karmen and one of her very famous quilt industry trail blazer moms quilts! I have admired her mothers patterns and fabric for 10,000 years and now I treasure her daughters friendship. Wow can you imagine learning quilting from Linda Brannock?
Check out the label.sigh!
Complete JOY on the face of Beth. She is a long armer and finally found some time to do a piece JUST FOR HER. Great Quilt too! Hey Beth can you find me some of that time??
These are little blocks made by Julie all lined up in their little notebook sleeves. She is making a Farmers Wife quilt from batiks and it is sooper dooper..tiny blocks...many many tiny blocks. I think there are about 40,000 of the them.
This adorable quilt was made using the Twister ruler. When the group asked Vickie how many more blocks she was going to make she said " None, this IS the whole quilt!" hahahaha placemat..table flop is what I call them!
Ok I started writing this blog post at 7 am..it is now 8:37 pm. I have been adding bits and pieces to this post all day when I take a break from pattern writing. My fannie is glued to this chair and now I need some sleep and I want to watch Project Runway.. Later friends
The seige is over, life as we knew it has been restored...This is such a beautiful sight to me...my computer back up and running. AHHHHHHH. Did I mention that there are 11,793 emails in my inbox? and I'm NOT KIDDING. No tellin how far back they go. Please explain this to me. Those emails have long since been read, deleted, trashed...TOAST. Why did they come back? Does this mean that the VCR we tossed out 2 years ago will come back someday. What about all those rotary cutter blades? Can we ever say that we got rid of ANYTHING?? This is a very deep subject you should give it many hours of thought. I'll await your response but it may be a while before I read that email.
Here is another thought why can't I just hit the select all ...then delete the whole lot of them..Why do I feel I must give consideration to the 11,962 emails I have already read and deleted. HMMM. This is why I have a problem separating myself from my scraps. Just can't let go of anything.Perhaps I need help for this problem.
So much to share with you WITH PHOTOS....as for now. I'm happy ,to return to life as I knew it prior to the last 22 days.
What ever comes from the heart carries the heat and color of its birthplace.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
I got a comment from Art about the Iraqi Bundles of Love project. I think you may enjoy reading this handout.. he sent me. I'm planning to pass it out to everyone at the "Thimbles Club" meeting this weekend. There are about 70 quilters present during the three class sessions every month so hopefully we can send some Georgia LOVE to the people of Iraq. I'm going to make up a box of fabric this weekend! Come and join me.
It is 4 am and the committee that lives in my brain has called another meeting! I wish they would learn to sleep or better yet they could sew !!! It is the least they could do for waking me up so dang early.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Everything comes to those who hustle while they wait.
-Thomas Edison
My computer is in Georgia. At Best Buy..they are coming to reinstall everything between 12 and 4 on Sunday. I figure they chose Sunday for a reason. They must know that murder is less likely to happen on a Sunday. I did offer to pay for the entire Geek Squad to have a BRAZILIAN WAX.. The bill is on me..make that wax EXTRA HOT TOO!
Oh well, as the quote above says..hustle which is what I have been doing. Pecking away at my book on my lap top. Sewing some final projects... trying to answer emails but that isn't going so well either. All should be back up and running on Sunday night correct? For the record it has been 18 days....
My friend Becky is having a splendid give away on her blog so hop on over there...she is a sweetie and a special lady in my life for sure!
Also, Nancy contacted me about this.http://ibol.wordpress.com/ I am going to box up some fabric to send to the women of Iraq. I'm hoping that many of you will look into this and consider jumping in there with me. Check out the blog right side bar there are instructions for boxing fabric up and using a flat rate cost (around $12.50 I believe). They are currently operating with an October 1 deadline for mailing so if you want to participate get some fabric together in a jiffy (no problem from here...I got fabric to spare!!) Certainly a gesture of good will from our country to theirs. Thank you Nancy for letting me know about this. Nancy if you are reading this JUMP IN THERE if I left anything out.
Silver Thimble Club meets tomorrow...guaranteed to be a great weekend! topped off with my LAST visit from any member of the Geek Squad. yup I'm done....
The way I see it if you want the rainbow you have to put up with the rain.
-Dolly Pardon
Project Thimble...writing a book...getting ready for market with book and market deadlines falling at the same time. Pacing myself..staying organized, focused, determined and enjoying the "process". Ok no problem! Computer problems disaster. No problem! I am woman I am strong. I have cheetos, twizzlers and diet coke in the sewing room.
When I started the design and sewing work on the book it was wonderful that I happened to be going to Paducah. I went with a mission. I was going to buy fabric. I was going to take no hosatages. I called my credit card company and told them I was coming and I didn't want any nonsense from them, it was a platinum card and I intended to use it. Within 7 minutes of arriving in Paducah we were in Hancocks of Paducah. I left two hours later with $500 bucks worth of fabbies. It was just the BEGINNING. This fabric buying frenzy went on for three days.
My thoughts about buying fabric have changed over the past couple of years. I have always subscribed to the theory that why should one buy a fat quarter when you can buy three yards? If you like a fabric then a 1/4 yard makes no sense. Right? We won't even go there with the idea of precuts. In short when I buy fabric the smallest amount I buy is a yard. This kinda works because you can do a lot with a yard. It does force you to add an extra wing onto your house to store the fabric.Reinforcing the floors so your fabric room/closet does not fall from the second story of your house into the floor below isn't a bad idea either. While you are at it put a lock on the closet, evidence of your insanity/addiction might me admissable in a court of law. Don't let any spouse near that closet!
I bought around 200 yards of fabric in Paducah..it takes a lot of fabric to make all these projects.Are you still there...breathe stand up take a walk and come back to my story...get some coffee and oxygen. 200 yards of fabric isn't that much.
Here is the big shocker! As the weeks flew by I was sewing, coming up with so many ideas I wanted to include in the book and or market. My brain was in overdrive...I love this process!! I came downstairs one evening Sir Quilt Dude asked how it was going. I said that on a couple of quilts I had run out of fabric and I was going to find some of it on line. Silence, by that time the Visa bill had arrived and been paid. It was a whopper too.
I was somewhere finishing up project 6 or 26 and after several internet shopping experiences...the LIGHT DAWNED! I had a sewing revelation, a big moment. I had wasted my money. Bought too much fabric (ya think!). Stock piling fabric is not a good thing for me. What I need to do is work on the designs and then go find the fabric that works for that particular design with the approximate calculations for each project in mind. While I have used much of what I bought I still have much I have not touched. Maybe those nice folks at Martingale will let me right another book!
Having a large stash is an interesting thing don't you think?
While I have been absent from my blog because of router/internet problems and fighting my latest battle with the Geek Squad,believe it or not I have been sewing and teaching.
Friends!! All I can tell you is that I do not recommend you engage the services of the Geeks that work out of Best Buy. I got an email from them last Friday saying they could not BEGIN the system restore to my computer. BEGIN, BEGIN are you kidding me... they had my computer in their possession for 10 days and they had not begun!!!! Apparently they had not received the paper work from my local store. It seems they did not fax the work order properly. 10 DAYS LOST on a com When we got the email I got in the car with Sir Quilt Dude following close behind zooming up to Best Buy! I think he was worried I was going to resort to violence. Which I almost did. I don't think I have ever been so mad. They are supposed to call me today as they could not tell me anything about the computer because it was Friday afternoon so we had to await out the weekend to find out when the puter could be fixed blah blah blah....can't wait....frustration to the max.
I KNOW I'LL SEW ALL DAY. Sewing cures everything. I'll be so happy and chilled out that when they call they will think I'm related to Mother Teresa. Right now they think I'm related to Mel Gibson. I kinda made a bit of a scene in Best Buy....again!
I went to my book club last night and enjoyed a lovely evening with friends and dinner outside (finally we can breathe when we go outside it has cooled down a bit). We read "HALF BROKE HORSES" by Jeanette Walls. Some time ago we had read another book by Walls called "The Glass Castle". I think this book was even better! Good thing too because my computer problems BEGAN with me trying to open iTunes and sync this book to my ipod. Could be the most expensive book of the month in history!
Now that my router situation is fixed I can get back to the business of blogging. Thank you so much for your kind emails and thoughts on my computer situation. I'm hoping to get some POSITIVE news today. Perhaps things are looking up.
Tomorrow, Project Thimble and fabric for the book...whoaa talk about over spending!
I'm going to buy a cord thingy for my camera so I can upload photos to my laptop..today..maybe..I promise. As for today it is no photo Monday Tuesday. I just love Monday holidays I'm going to be screwed up all week.
Still no word on my computer, tomorrow will be one week. They SAID it could take up to 2 weeks but then they also SAID they were expediting and escalating the job. They SAID the fees for all this will be determined when the job is finished. So I have two weeks to prepare for the fight battle WAR. Every day I remember more things that I want recovered, while I have the very very most important stuff backed up, I do NOT have my emails/contacts and stuff...I have a hard copy of my address book but dang can you imagine what a pain in the patookie that is going to be typing all those addresses into a new list. HOLEY MOLEY.. I'm just mind blanking it right now okay?
Since I don't have any photos to share I will start my "process" blogs about the book. Also, this whole journey feels a lot like "Project Runway", if you watch that show then think of developing a whole collection of quilts/projects and sending them out into the world for the world to judge, therefore I have decided to call these process blogs "PROJECT THMBLE" I will begin at the beginning a very good place to start (dee dah dee I watched the Sound of Music this weekend WHILE I WAS SEWING for the nine zillionth time..do re mi, do re mi).
On November 8, 2009 I sent my book proposal to Martingale & Co.I considered and researched all the publishing companies out there in the quilt industry and I felt Martingale would be a great "fit" for me and the concept of the book. The proposal took some time to write. I downloaded the document from their web site and went to work. They "suggest" that you send quilts/projects with the proposal as it helps the committee when they discuss your project. Of course this took time as well, designing, getting the quilts quilted etc. I sent 2 quilts and a smaller project, had the proposal document spiral bound at Kinkos, took it to church and had holy water sprinkled on it and the quilts, considered including a bag of cheetos or some twizzlers but nixed that idea...they didn't need to know about "that side" of me just yet right???? They say it takes up to 90 days to hear from them regarding the proposal. So I figured I would hear something around mid February...wrong.. It too a little longer than that. I did hear from them around the first of March and they said they were still working on the proposal and concept. I wrote some of my extended ideas in an email and waited some more. I was sitting at my computer one evening (first of April) talking to Mary Ellen and up popped an email that said "book proposal". I gasped and told Mary Ellen that it was there. She said "OPEN IT, NOW" I told her I was afraid to look. So she said " Forward it to me and I'll read it to you..." That was silly so I opened it and read it ... "happy to inform you...we look forward....contract to follow in a few weeks...." I peed in my pants hung up on Mary Ellen... I was jumping up and down screaming, sir quilt dude was so happy he dropped the remote....At this point my only thoughts at that time were the thoughts of a career teacher!!!!
"I'M GOING TO HAVE A NUMBER IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS". I suppose that is my respect and high regard for the written word coming through, I'm a reader, I love books....I still can hardly wrap my mind around it.
Next....the gathering of fabric...be afraid be very afraid...
Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence....Persistence and Determination alone are omnipotent.
-Calvin Coolidge
Computers what a wonderful thing they are. If you have ever had extreme computer issues you would understand my concerns and frustrations over the last week. But here is an even more frightening scenario...go without....and find out how deep your addiction is the internet and "being connected." I found out and I'm not even as connected and addicted as half the people I know. BE AFFRAID BE VERY AFFRAID.....
OK so I promised to tell my computer story so here it is. (does this count as a process? I did take that pledge thing you know)
There once was a quilt designer named Pat who loves to sew with her iTunes and books all loaded in and ready to go. Could not open iTunes now what is up with that? I won't bore you with the details but after mulitiple attempts I consulted an online help resource. BIG MISTAKE...HUGE. The process they sent me down resulted in WIPPING out my computer...programs, files everything...EVERYTHING PEOPLE!!! While I was concerned to say the least, I was not ready to kill myself (that comes later). I do have an external hard drive and thought I was okay. maybe...prayer is good at this point.
I decided to call the Geek Squad because they had installed my new computer and external drive and hooked it all up with my laser printer (remember this is a business here). Got me all fix up and running just peachy two years ago. I have an awesome computer with TONS of memory and major speed. So I get my Geeks out here on Wednesday to fix me back up...my call was between 8 and 12...he arrived at 1(I didn't stomp my foot or loose my composure yet). My Geek was a hottie which helps. I baked him some cookies I thought that was a nice welcoming touch..get things started out right so to speek.
Mr. Geek went clicky clicky clicky on my puter. Then the blood drained from his lips and face.
"WHAT" said I.
"Your external hard drive has not been backing up anything"...at this point the oxygen was leaving the room..
"Since when" I said.
"NEVER"
"But I check the little bar thingy periodically and it was moving showing I still had some room on the drive"
"Well the last time it saved anything was in 2008" and he checked the Geek records, and guess what... the last saved file matched the date of the install.
"So what now" the hives are beginning to form and my tongue was swelling, sweat beads were also forming...
"Computer needs to be disconnected and sent away to have a full system restore"
"And how long does that take?
"Around two weeks"
The oxygen is now gone from the room and I am beginning to hyperventalate. I fell off my chair and hurt my head when I banged it on the desk.
"Cost?"
"$299. - $700"
I peed on myself.
"And who pays for this ERROR in THE INSALLATION" insert frustration in voice and music from Jaws movie but still not yelling or swearing aren't you proud of me?
"You will have to take that up with Geek central"
"Oh you BET I WILL..." and "I WILL TAKE NO HOSTAGES"
My little hottie looked very scared. But he was oogling the photos of my daughters while talking to me. He asked me about them..one was in her wedding dress and the other he would like to meet...I tried to slapped him but he was younger and faster.
So, off I go. Leaving sewing that needs to be done and market prep and there is that slight matter of a book in the works....Holey Moley I'm in serious trouble here..........it is now 2:30. day is slipping away.
At the Geek place..They are all over themselves about this computer and the wrong install. They are "Expiditing and Escallating" the restore process..Who knows if I will actually get the computer back sooner...I let them have it...I mean I lost it...They know where I stand and there were lots of people around listening to the story. (I may have throw myself on the floor a couple of times and flopped around like a fish, frothing at the mouth) I'm prepared to fight it. Bottom line they cannot waive any costs at the store level..I have to fight it out with headquarters. Which I will. Yesterday I just blogged and went to my sewing room and stayed put with some decompressing. I knew if I call the numbers I have and started the fight I would be too angry. So I will start now. I'll be nice I promise. kinda.
Ok the moral and thank goodness. In addition to my external hard drive, I have most everything backed up to discs and flash drives.(Geeks don't know that). My programs will have to be reinstalled. PLEASE NOTE THIS>> even if you have the discs for the programs, if you don't have the product key number on the outside of the box..your disc is worthless..put your product numbers on the front of the disc people! You don't have to save the bloody boxes... My biggest worry right now is my contacts in my Windows Mail (formerly Outlook Express), I need that restored for sure! Going forward, I WILL be signing up for an online back up service ASAP.
Pat's Silver Thimble Computer Back up Plan
(aka we ain't going down this road again plan.)
1. I will have a WORKING external hard drive. Or I will be in jail for murdering the Geek Squad.
2. Back everything up to discs
3. I will have an online back up service as well
Ok the fight begins in 10 minutes, I need more coffee first.(I have eaten all the cheetos, twizzlers and drank the wine..thanks for your kind words)
sorry this post is so long but it felt good to tell the story.
All you need is deep within you waiting to unfold and reveal itself. All you need to do is be still and take time to seek for what is within, and you will surely find it.
-Eileen Caddy
First let me apologize for not posting the winner of my "Cat is Out of the Bag" give away last night. I will tell you the story of a computer and confusion later. There are lessons for all of us here.. all I have to say right now is that Sir Quilt Dude posted my bail and got me out of jail LATE last night (had a little scene in Best Buy,I spent the night in jail with Mel Gibson).I drew the winners number from the random number thingy, but had to get the router hooked up this morning so I can post from my lap top.
The winner of my give away is WINONA!!!! I had a nine page list of numbers and hers was the one the computer pulled #61. (I would show you a picture but see above...computer issues. You are going to have to trust me on this.)
Please let me say a few words about this give away and my blog. I can't thank all of you enough for entering, blogging about it on your blogs and telling your friends. This blog has become such a blessing in an already abundantly blessed life. It never ceases to amaze me that anyone would read my ramblings and thoughts about my quilt life, family etc. Thank you all and I hope I will be worthy of any time you choose to spend with me in this busy crazy world we all enjoy.
I am struggling to get emails out for some reason I cannot reply to your postings which is a mystery to me right now and I'm working on it. My computer is gone and on its way to Geek central. It may not be back for two weeks. story to follow. I just got the router hooked up and I am working on my lap top. I can read my blog, post and read your blogs but the reply thing is weird. Hang with me friends I'll get there. I'm anxious to share my "process" about the book. There is so much to talk about.
I'll be back hopefully with photos next time. or at least a doodle.
In solitude we give passionate attention to our lives, to our memories to the details around us.
-Virginia Woolf The Geek squad is coming..They said they would be here between 8 and 12..it is 10:33 I'm drinking coffee on the driveway waiting to see the little black and white VW bug speeding down the street toward my house. I have my credit card in hand. I'm starting to break out in hives.....I will pay the price..I'm so sorry...I screwed up my own computer all for the desire to listen to a book...iTunes mishap. I'm so ashamed. Maybe I'll just buy a Kindle. and a "Go" and a "Stix" and maybe an iPhone, I'm sooo techy ya know.
I will be back tonight with an announcement on my give away. Then I will post and post and post. Thank you all so much for your sweet comments. Your support of my whinning behavior has been so helpful (that and the cheetos, twizzlers and wine).
I miss my photos too..and my daughter hasn't called me..something about her wedding photos. so sensitve...sheesh!
