NancyNoBlogBlogs

Bird Drama

A family of scrub jays recently adopted us and have been living in our tree.  We didn't know until recently how many babies were up in the nest.  There are three babies. Jeff was sitting outside this morning and looked down on the ground and saw one of the babies on the concrete.  There was another one up on the ground.  We didn't want to touch either of them because we had always heard not to touch wild animals or their mothers would reject them.  We decided to call the only bird expert we know.  Deb has a pet bird and has more than one nest in her back yard.  She told us that we could touch them which is what we did.  Jeff had to chase it a little bit but he picked it up and put it with its sibling.  We have seen both parents feeding both of them.  There is another one that has made its way out of the nest and has been slowly moving down the tree.  They are so darn cute.

 Aren't they cute!

 

 

Here is one of the parents

  

Piper is exhausted from watching us go in and out to check on the family.

 

I want Jeff to build one of these for the next family that decides to adopt us.

 

The Southern California Quilt Run started this weekend and my friends Pat, Maryanne and I hit a couple of shops.  We went here first and along with my bird theme here is a picture of the little kit Cheryl made up.  Cute needle keep.

Here is What I Did

over the 4th of July weekend.  I finished this Figtree quilt.

 

and I finished the monthly mini quilt from the Temecula Quilt Company. 

 

This picture makes it look like a big quilt but it is actually small.  I made it under two hours.

The biggest event of the weekend was having our friends Barbara and Todd and their kids over.  I decided I wanted to make these appetizers that I had seen at Pioneer Woman's site.

 

 

Don't these look delicious.  They were but there was a problem.  I have chopped up jalapenos many times before but never this many.  Apparently, the oil in 20 jalapenos seeped into my skin.  My fingers on both hands were on fire for literally hours.  I tried soaking them in milk, oil, putting on aloe vera lotion but in the end I had to keep my hands in ice baths for most of the night.  It was a nightmare.  I did take my hands out of the ice water to slip on leather gloves for the big Harley ride.  We didn't go very far and yes

 

I had on a helmet

 

We just went down the hill and down the street then back up the hill.  At one point Todd turned around and told me to breathe.  Thank goodness he couldn't hear the internal screaming.  Next time I won't be wearing flip flops.  I completely forgot about my flaming hands and was a little concerned about my feet getting burned.  It was terrifying but kinda fun.  Jeff can have a Harley if he has personalized plates that say "quilter".  Wouldn't that be funny?  I'm thinkin Jeff would probably say no.

We have a pair of scrub jays that have a nest in a tree in our backyard.  They have taken to tormenting Mia.  That bird looks pretty brave.

Happy 4th of July!

Not only am I blogging two days in a row but I'm blogging early.  I got up at 7 this morning to get a walk in.  You may be thinking wow she's a fitness buff and if you knew the hill I walked it would really be impressive.  Sadly, I walked down the hill to the doughnut store.  It was quite an adventure.  I had to walk through a landmine of snails.  In this one segment of the sidewalk I stopped and counted 62 of the little creatures.  They all survived as I hopped over the group.  When I finally made it to the doughnut store my total for six doughnut holes and a ham and cheese croissant was $3.05.  I thought great I am going to have to drag ninety-five cents up that stupid hill.  I considered giving it to her as a tip.  I had already told the doughnut store lady that I walked to her store.  Thankfully she showed pity for me and gave me two light weight dollar bills.  Whew!  If anyone tells you that doughnut holes are light weight - they're lying.  Maybe it was the croissant that was heavy but I stopped to catch my breath twice on the way back up the hill.  Holding the doughnut holes in front of my face so I could smell their yumminess was what really got me back home. 

 

Check out the size of this croissant.  Its not sitting  on a dinner plate but still its huge.

 

We are having two of our friends over for dinner.  They are coming over on his Harley and he is going to take me for a ride.  Lord I hope this isn't my last post.  The other night at dinner he asked me to make him a "blanket".  Ummmm no I don't make blankets.  He must come from a non-quilting family.  Jeff was trying to explain to him how into quilting I am.  He doesn't realize that I could probably open up a quilt shop of my own.  Like many of you, I have fabric everywhere - oh except hidden in the washing machine.  I have heard of that.  Anyway, off to eat my half of that croissant. 

Happy 4th of July

God Bless our Military who are protecting our Country for our Freedom.  Thanks to them, and their sacrifices, we can celebrate the 4th of July. 

We must never forget who gets the credit for the freedoms we have, 
Of which we should be eternally grateful!

Please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our servicemen. 
Of all the gifts you could give a U.S. Soldier, prayer is the very best one.

 

Patriotic Quilts

Today is the start of a three day long for me and so many others as we celebrate the 4th of July.  Here are some of my patriotic quilts. 

This is a Buggy Barn quilt from a few years ago.

 

Country Threads Sam -

 

This is a Country Threads pattern that was pretty fun to make.  As you cut the blocks for one side the other side is also cut.  Hard to explain but here are the pictures.

 

The other side

 

Here is a star quilt with no "Y" seams - woohoo!  I love the quilting on it.  I don't know if you can see it but the white section is the really pretty part.

 

Sandy Gervais panel quilt.  Her stuff is always so cute.

Here is an investment tip.  A couple of weeks ago I was at the Starbuck's by my office and bought this insulated glass for $12 (remember that price). I thought it would be perfect for my desk because of the lid.  I could fill it without with water and not worry if I knocked it over.  It was such a great find that I decided that I wanted one for my sewing room.  I couldn't find one anywhere so I decided to look online - nothing.  Then on to EBay. I found one but it was $50.  My cup had appreciated $38.  Can you believe it?  This morning I was at a Starbuck's by the Curves I was at.  When I walked in, I saw this one and only cup.  I grabbed it and paid $12 for it.  The barista and I were talking about how quickly they sold and he told me that last year he saw one for $65 on Ebay.  So if you are out and about and see them - grab them.  They're apparently very valuable.

I know - I don't get it but there it is.  I am going to have my husband build a special cabinet for it. 

Here is my patriotic Boyd's display.  Do you see anything out of the ordinary?

 

How Piper managed to get her body over in that corner without knocking anything off is beyond me. 

Happy 4th of July everyone. 

Temecula Retreat

I must be crazy.  I never thought that I would try to do something so hard and so tiny but I did.  Here is Pearl's fabulous quilt that I am now working on.

 

I have two blocks cut out and glued down.  Could I have picked anything smaller to learn to applique.  Pearl and Nancy were so nice and patient.  Their quilts were perfect and I can only hope that with lots of practice that I will finish this quilt.  Here are my two blocks.  I still have to embroider the spider legs and sew the pieces down but my owl doesn't look too bad and you know once I have it quilted and wash it it should really look good.

 

 

Maybe I should have started on a bigger project like Pearl's newest quilt (which I bought the patterns for and am waiting for the kit).  Its called Anita's Christmas Quilt and is available on her website.  Isn't this the cutest.

 

Here are some close ups of a few of the blocks.

 

 

Lavon and I have already signed up for next year's applique retreat.  Hopefully, I won't still be working on my Halloween quilt and will have this one done as well.  I still have more pictures from the retreat which will be on my next post.

Pattern

Okay okay - here is the pattern I was too lazy to go and take a picture of last night.  Its from Little Stitches.  Isn't it cute.  And again look in the right hand corner an Annie.  I never noticed how many times Annie makes an appearance in quilts and quilt shops. You only need three fat quarters and some wool.  It finishes at 13 x 13.  Pretty darn cute.  Just a short blog tonight to post the pattern info. 

 

Temecula

Last Thursday my friend Lavon and I went to Temecula for a four day embroidery class with Pearl Pereira ofP3 Designs and Nancy Amidon of Amidon Quiltworks.  It was an amazing weekend.  I have tons of pictures.  The first shop on the way to the retreat center was of course Quilter's Coop.  I didn't take a lot of pictures there because I was there last month with Sharon and the girls.  Here are pictures of their Christmas fabrics.  I had no idea how many Annies were in the shop until I posted my pictures. 

 

Cute Annie

 

I see another Annie peakig out from behind this quilt.  I bought the pattern for it but have no idea when I will get to it.

 

Look a patriotic Annie.  I don't have a patriotic Annie - isn't that weird Deb?

  

Great pincushions.  The big pincushion is a free Moda pattern.  I love that.  The little quilt pattern in the background is a pattern I bought but I'm too lazy go take a closer picture of it.  I'm pretty sure you can see it. 

 

Next stop - Temecula Quilt Company.  Another great shop.

 

All of her quilts are fabulous!  I love that little bag so I now have the pattern, fabric but no time. 

There's a class for this on Friday but I won't be able to make it.  Hopefully there will be a pattern.

She has adorable little quilts everywhere - even the bathroom. Look there is an Annie book in this store.  They're following me everywhere.

Last but not least, Cheryl's store is in the fall issue of Quilt Sampler with this fabulous quilt.  If you call, you can preorder the kit.  I'm already on the list.  Isn't it awesome.  Oh and Cheryl is actually someone that I am taller than.  I don't know why that's important but it is.  Anyway, call her, email her or stop by and sign up because we all know that once that magazine hits the stores something this wonderful will be gone and everyone will have it finished and posted on their blogs.  Hurry!  (Cheryl is the owner of the Temecula Quilt Co. and can be reached at 951/302-1469).

Happy Birthday

 to Sharon - I think she turned 25 today.  I know that because she is one year older than I am and on my next birthday I will be 25.  Do you believe me?

Tomorrow is my Friday at work.  On Thursday I am going to an applique retreat with my friend Lavon.  She said she is getting all her stuff in one bag.  There is no way I can get all my stuff in one bag even if it is my big bag.  Here are my bags and crap that I am taking (not counting clothes).

This is the front of my biggest bag.  I can get a lot of stuff in here.

Here is the back.  Lavon made these bags for our group a couple of years ago. Big but not big enough.

 

So I am taking this too. 

 

I have this in it.  This I got from JoAnn's with a coupon. 

 

Quite a bit of stuff can fit in here.  Pen and pencil containers in the top skinny section.

 

Starch and glues next

 

My Dovo applique scissors, rotary cutter, and other necessities

 

Threads -

In addition to all that.  Here is my little bag I made for my iron

 

And I think I may have to take this bag that Sharon gave me to put my container with my Bunny Hill patterns/fabric in.  Its pretty big too.  She gave it to me for classes so its on its way to its first class.

 Here is my purse for the weekend.  Lavon made it for me.  Its big in case we stop at a shop or two. Don't you just love the fabric. 

 

I hate to go to a class only to realize that I forgot something so with all these bags of stuff I better not have forgotten anything.  Here is what I am working on.  I have already taken one class but for something like this I need more help.

 

Good thing I'm not going on an airplane.  I would have to pay a fortune for all my bags. 

Aren't these roses pretty.  Jeff picked from our yard for me.  Awwww:)

 

Well that's it for tonight.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHARON. 

Its In The Mail

 

Isn't this cutest box.  What's inside?  Well its in the mail - ok not the mail UPS but saying that its in the UPS doesn't make sense.  Anyway, its a giftie from Deb and me on its way to Sharon's.  So here is the last pic I have of it.

And Sharon when you see a box with this amazing drawing on the outside.  Open it as quickly as possible. 

If you don't like it, UPS it back and Deb and I will flip for it.

This is my newest project. 

 

A cute quilt made from a honey bun.  Its very easy. I have seven blocks already made and I only need 12.  I bought the kit at Quilter's Garden sale I went to.  Here is the pattern -

 

Sharon's box will arrive at her home on Friday. Check with her to see what's inside. 

More Indianapolis

You haven't seen stars until you have seen this star.  Do you know him?

 

Its Mr. T.  He was on our plane from Los Angeles to Chicago.  He's one big guy.  After landing in Chicago, we of course had to stop and have pizza.  It was delicious!

After our pizza we headed over to South Bend Indiana for a visit to Ericas.

 

They wouldn't let me take pictures inside the shop but suggested that I go to their blog and steal pictures from there.  Why would I do that?  So no pictures but I do have pictures from Quilts Plus in Indianapolis.

I bought the kit for this -

   

 

And check out these little dolls by Gail Wilson. 

 
They were so darn cute and there were even kits but I knew I would never finish it so a picture will have to do.

Running out of room but I do have more pictures.  Tomorrow I have jury duty.  I hope I don't get put on a murder jury.  The only blood I can stand is the fake stuff on tv.