I know, it's my 4th post today, but we're sitting around watching Aladdin for the 5,000 time (Missy C's choice, but Matey Moo loves to sing the songs too!).
Anyway, Rex took the following picture:

Secretly I think Daddy likes to help Missy C dress up the Barbies, but here's her outfit choices (with Dad's help) and Dad's "take" on them! :-) I know, cute, eh? The empty 90 Shilling is his (what do you expect, he IS Australian!).

Anyway, we've had 2 political canvasers and 1 group of 10 trick or treaters. I reckon it's the same group from last year....they came in a car (it's raining and it's REALLY cold - 42 degrees f.).

Well, it's back to Aladdin...you have no idea how many of these songs I sign without even thinking!

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Ok, so one more short one today, but who knew that Oriental Trading had Craft Accessories - again, I think I read this on Craftster, but I'm a big FAN of oriental trading...they have great cheap stuff for kids parties and all sorts of other events. I think I might order the crowns for Missy C's princess birthday party.

Speaking of which, she insisted today that she have a bounce house for her birthday, now unfortunately there's a sad side to this. Her birthday will forever be in November and her brother's is in May...sunny, warm May.

We have some close friends who have a bounce house rental business and so both of the last two of Matey Moo's birthdays we've gotten a bounce house.

How do you explain to a soon to be 4 year old that it's TOO cold to have a bounce house in November? She was almost in tears today...poor thing. So, I asked and my friend said there's a "chance" if the weather is ok. I'm not sure if it's fair or not to give her a glimmer of hope. Wish me luck and wish for lovely weather on Nov. 13! :-) Stumble It!

Ok, so I got this off of Craftster, but the American Science & Surplus site has some fantastic stuff, REALLY REALLY Cheap! I got a kick out of this:


I totally remember this from my doctor's office growing up and you can't beat $4.95. Hmm, everyone may get one for Christmas this year! :-) Stumble It!

Ok, so I just went to refresh my memory on this site as I was blogging and got sucked in again: Who Would Buy That? (auction oddities from all over the web) has an ongoing list of crazy auction items people find on the web (mostly on ebay). You can look around for hours.
Being someone who can get sucked into ebay anyway, this is a fun way to browse around - probably at stuff you would never find any other way.
Can you believe someone spends a lot of time blogging about this?
Kind of cool, eh?
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So, the cat's fine! We got the bloodwork back and it seems she really is this terrorized by Harry the new kitty. So, I'm going to definitely try to get a hold of the shelter today so we can have him fixed (it was part of his "purchase price"). Anyway, that's a relief.

Today, is "finish up the back yard day". We need to get stuff done because apparently it's going to snow tomorrow...hurray! (don't tell my husband I said this...he HATES the snow). Plus, we're going to Halloween party this afternoon, so that should be a lot of fun!

If you read "Inaminuteago" you've already seen this, but I think her Needlebook is quite nice: il Bloggo - Crazy quilting. I look forward to seeing more CQ. Cool to have another cq'er around! I really need to get working on my stocking. I have another HUGE project to get started too...maybe I'll start that today and work on both together. Stumble It!

I think this is the kind of story that just sucks you in! When I showed my husband this article in the National Geographic Magazine: A Life Revealed he totally remembered the photo and felt the need to delve farther into the story too.

I think you will remember the photo...I think it's captivating for a lot of reasons, but those eyes are fantastic. If you have an artist's soul and heart you will be absolutely amazed by her. The story behind finding her 17 years later is also interesting for cultural and, I think, political ones as well. Stumble It!

Okay, so I've had kind of a "down" week...my cat is really sick. She's old, but that doesn't make me feel much better. The vet took a blood sample and we'll hear tomorrow. I also found out a friend/mentor from my past died. Not old enough to die and died of cancer. Very sad. I'm just not enjoying this week much.

My daughter had her halloween party at preschool today:
That was last year! Nope, no digital camera for me (I still have to work on this one - maybe for christmas!!).

Anyway, absolutely no progress really on the stocking...needs MUCH work. Oh, well, tomorrow is another day (Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind)!! Stumble It!

Well, if you read other needlework/quilting blogs, youve already seen the STITCH projects (I think first posted by Sharon B. at inaminuteago . I think I might use photo transfer in my next project, I really like the ideas they had about that, now to find Lazertran here. I did photo transfer once, but just used iron on:




Anyway, they've got me thinking and wishing for another project (besides the photo transfer idea), but must finish the ones I have in progress.

I wasted about 2 hours this afternoon driving over to my brother's house (he's actually in England right now...long story) but enjoyed reading all the political signs as I crossed town. I must say there are a lot more folks begging on street corners than a couple of years ago. It's sad really...a very sad image of the times.

I'm off to book club tonight. It's a "spin-off" of the playgroup I'm a part of (actually created, but have now handed over to someone else) Denver Toddlers - tonight we're talking about Three Junes by Julia Glass - a really good book. I had a hard time getting into it, but really really enjoyed it. The characterizations are fantastic. Stumble It!

So, check out (czech out! LOL!) these really cool Czech Glass Beads, Crystal and Lampwork Beads. This company is supposedly in Denver....I need to see if I can save on shipping that way. There are some pretty gorgeous beads here....looks like you can order individual items too!
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Surfing for embroidery ideas, I came across: Garden Fairies: Hand Embroidery Book Catalog. The books have the most gorgeous photos I've seen. I've taken to getting a list of books like this and checking them out at the library first to see which ones I can't live without....it's a nice way to not buy a heap of books you only look at once!
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Ok, so at the beginning of this blog, I promised a rant or two and I finally really have one. For those of you who have grown children, I'm sure you'll feel my pain, if you have young ones you may relate, but yesterda I spent 3 hours having the WORST experience shopping of my life.

My 2 and a half year old (my son, the obnoxious yet really charming one), Matey Moo, decided to make my life a living hell this afternoon. Screaming through crowded aisles at Joanne's Fabrics until I would let him out of the cart and then bolting away from me, hiding in the aisles, grabing things off the shelf, lying in the middle of busy aisles, etc. If I put him in a cart, he screamed and cried.

We finished there and went to a dollar store next door. Repeat performance.

So, we had a little chat in the car. He promised to behave and I HAD to stop at Lowes to get materials for my Dad and husband to finish our backyard fence today. Well, we got to Lowes and repeat on the shopping cart. If I put Matey Moo in, he screamed, if I took him out he misbehaved. At this point my daughter, Missy C, who was sympathetic to me put her hands over her ears and we just threw him in the back of the cart and let him scream.

We got most of the hardware and went over to the lumber section. I needed to get lattice and the sheets were 4'x8'...too big to fit in the cart, much less with two preschoolers in it. So, I took them out and tried to look for a flat cart. No luck. As I attempted to balance the sheet on top of the cart I moved wrong and cut my lip. So, now....bleeding profusely from my lip with Matey Moo behaving badly (he ran off 2x) I finally gave up and threw him in the cart (leaving the lattice behind) and checked out. It was now 6:15pm....15 mins from bath time. UGH. What a horrible trip.

So, today I'm going back alone to get the rest of the stuff.

Maybe I'll never shop with Matey Moo again......nah, but wishful thinking, eh? I do think this will be one of the first stories I tell an enamored girlfriend years from now....maybe that will make us even! ;-) Stumble It!

My bag! I'm done!

Ok....it's absolutely NOT perfect...not even close (do not look closely if you're an expert with a sewing machine) - however, for someone who didn't even have a working sewing machine (and hadn't used it since Jr. High) until a week ago, I think it looks pretty great....
ALSO, it's just for me....I'm putting projects in it...I used the leaves for some experimenting with hand applique and with embroidery, so the whole thing was a lot of fun.
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So, I'm working on my hand applique/needlpoint bag with fall colors. I think this is just going to be a big tote bag for more projects. I'm almost done with the last leaf embellishment. Not sure if I'm going to put any beading on it or not. I may just finish it to get it finished! Here's a bad picture of it before embellishment:

Not the greatest picture, but you get the idea. Hopefully I'll finish it today and put up a finished picture. Woo hoo! Another finished project! Hooray!!

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Definately an interesting craft blog: You'll poke your eye out - features interesting projects....she's got some cool ones going....take a look at her "projects" in the menu...lots of cool links to odd stores and such!
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So, I need another project like I need a hole in the head, but I think these are particularly cool: Birds of a Feather - Handpainted Needlepoint Canvases. There are some traditional designs there, but scroll down and there are lots of cool interesting modern designs as well. I especially like the city scene. They claim you can find them in my area, but I had to email to find out where. Maybe I can get them online from someone...I'll let you all know when I find out!
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If you want some Christmas eye candy and idea makers, here are some Crazyquilted Ornaments. Very popular on a victorian Christmas tree, or think of some non traditional ways to use the same designs....anyway, very cool to look at!
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A friend emailed me this link: Pumpkingutter.com . Some spectookular (pardon me, I HAD to! :-)) carvings....I can't imagine the time involved in some of these.
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I am Progressive Girl Click on the picture below to read more: Take the 'What Kind of Girl Are You?' quiz at CookingToHookup.com

It's cute....take the quiz...I'm past the dating stage, but it was still fun! Stumble It!

So, it's Wed morning...I haven't blogged in a while. Been catching up on paperwork, preschool stuff for Missy C's preschool and the kids have been sick. Both have colds, but Missy C developed an ear infection. We caught it early tho, so got her on meds and hopefully she'll be a LOT better soon.
My piles had gotten too big on the kitchen counter, so I put my projects away for a bit, but yesterday (late) dug them back out again. I have a bag I want to finish...hand applique with some embroidery. Just a bit of embroidery to do and it's finished...then sew it up with some funky batiks my mother in law sent me. Then Matey Moo's stocking and back to my fairy. So, maybe I'll have a productive rest of the week.
I ran across a cool pdf manual: The Riches of Stitches - it looks fantastic, but I have to print stuff like that out to read it. It's only 36 pages and looks pretty cool...well worth the printers ink!
Well, off to pour another cup of coffee. I have a HEAP of links to post today! Stumble It!

There's a phenomenon in the crazy quilt world in artist trading cards. I had to ask one of my CQ buddies....why? What are they? Actually they are pretty cool....artist trading cards are a baseball size card that you can use to express yourself as an artist. If you would like to participate in the CQATCswap - they have extended the deadline.

I think I'll wait until the next go around....it's a little scary....maybe I'll practice first. There's some great eye candy in that link tho and they do seem like a lot of fun.
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Ok, I have to admit....hubby and I laughed for a while about this: Geoffrey's Geek Guide - Cats and Buttered Bread Stumble It!

Ok, I know there are a lot of knitters out there and I thought this was an exceptional project for all of you knitters to stick in between projects! Check out: Bunnie's Knitting House: Chemo Care Cap - maybe there's an opportunity in your area!
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Hey all,
Well, we had our first successful Rocky Mountain Crazy Quilters meeting today!!! Very exciting. 9 gals showed up....most from the Colo. Crazy list, but some newcomers, some lurkers. A fantastic mix of experience and projects everyone is working on. GOSH! Some awesome talent there....very cool!!!! I think the group is going to evolve in a really positive way...lots of sharing of ideas, sources to buy stuff from (one of the best things!!) and a ton of ideas on speakers and classes! VERY VERY cool! It's so neat to have such a kind of obscure hobby and then meet LOTS of folks with the same addiction. You should hear all of us talk about buying beads and looking at embellishments and laces, etc. It's like attending an AA meeting for the embellishing addicts! LOL! Anyway, it's going to be fun...I can only imagine where it can go from here!

Well, Missy C is sick (just a cold I think) and hubby has a bit of a hangover after a night of Sushi and Saki at the new Sushi Hai Restaurant down the street from us (very good by the way!!!) so getting back from the meeting the house is a mess and none of us wants to do much of anything. Hopefully I can pull my projects together tonight and get down to stitching....I think I'm going to work on my fairy border.....be kind of fun to get back into that. Stumble It!

I found some great Silk Ribbon Embroidery Stitches and Hints while looking for some new ways to approach SRE flowers. I really like the 3D effect you get with it, but I really must say it's harder than it looks to make it look really good.
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So, I ran downstairs and took some pretty awful pictures of my christmas stockings I'm making for my son (who doesn't have a real stocking yet) - now on to the embellishment...any ideas for boyish embelishments would be appreciated. The print in the middle is an old fashioned santa with dogs (see, I told you it was a bad photo).

Anyway, I was over at needlecase.net (if you're into blogging and any type of knitting, quilting, etc, it's a must visit) and good heavens, you knitters have taken over the world! I'm either going to have to take up knitting (my mother in law kind of has that market covered in our family tho) or convert all of you to crazy quilting!

Well, I'm off to bed. Enough time on the computer tonight. Hubby is off at a Toastmasters meeting tonight, the kids are asleep and I'm done watching the debates. Long day, and I still have 3 websites to work on tomorrow!!

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Okay, so I've finally finished one of my grandmother's UFO's....no pictures because it's going to be a gift, but I'll post it on a couple of the groups I'm on so they can see it.

I'm now working on my son's christmas stocking. I'm having a heck of a time with slippery velvet and may have to embellish over a couple of puckers, but I think I can work with it...we'll see. I'll see if I can post a photo tonight.....I'm almost ready to baste 1/2 number 2 and then it's on to embellishing.....no lace for my macho little boy! (he's wearing jammies with trucks on them tonight)
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Okay, I thought this was funny and definately worth a look: The Web Fridge Project
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My needlecase - the front:

The inside:

So, it's not perfect (lots of little mistakes) but the fantastic news is that it's finished and I can actually use it. I love the ziplock bag...and behind that is just a doubled over piece of fabric to put my needles in. The pocket is velvet with a little blanket stitch around it and a little charm next to it ("peace" in chinese). Anyway, I'm very excited it's done...it's a handy little thing and maybe this signals the end of my inability to actually finish a project. Hey, a couple of UFO's are one thing, but never having a finished piece is silly.

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So, I'm working on my needlecase and rooting through Grandma's button box again. Plus, I have so cool, hip ones that I've been given in swaps and purchased at some craft fairs...I do really really like buttons.



This is another cool site (with the exception that a box keeps popping up asking you to enter a password!, just cancel it and move on!) about buttons and button history . Anyway, lots of information there. Stumble It!