It's Tuesday night so that means it's movie night

Well, it's Tuesday night so again it's movie night in my world. One of my friends and I like to go to the budget movies on Tuesdays because it's only $1.00. You have to wait usually three months and then the first runs make it there which is no big deal. Tonight we saw the movie called " No Reservations" with Katherine Zetz Jones. She plays a chef in a New York restaurant. Here sister is killed on her way to visit her leaving her niece in her care. It's got great tender moments and lots of fun moments too. It's a definite must see movie either with renting it or pay per view.

Our weather here has been fantastic. It's warm and breezy out and it's the end of October. What more could a person ask for unless I could ask for the rest of the week off and be able to just sit and sew. Oh well, I can dream can't I?

Happy Halloween to all of you. Enjoy the candy while you can. OK surveya question. What is everyone's favorite Halloween candy and what is your favorite memory of Halloween?

I got to sew in Jen's new Sewing Studio

Tonight I went to Jen's house to sew and we got to set up in her new Sewing Studio. The room isn't completely done yet but it's almost there. It was really fun being in that room. Jen has her Little Gracie all set up and she put a baby quilt on it. She took her Janome table and put it in the room and my " Maggie " got to sit down in a table. Wow was that a great way to sew. Now I know for sure that I'm going to start saving and someday I'll have a table like that. I was even able to use the knee lift since for once the machine was at the right height for me. We had a great night of sewing.

I got two of my BOM's done tonight. This first one is from the new Friday night BOM that just started. It turned out really nice but now I wish I hadn't followed the layout and put it in the color order that I wanted to.

This second one is the block for August from our original BOM at Franks. It was alot of fun to make and I changed some of the colors around.
I have one more block and then I can start assembling the quilt top. Anyway getting back to quilting with Jen. She had trouble at first getting her stitching down right and there were a few choice words that I learned tonight. I also learned not to comment on anything that she says and when she comments don't answer or ask anything. In the end the quilt turned out really nice but she's glad it's done.

I left my machine over there for the night and I know that by now it's getting a good work out.

What time of day am I

I decided to take the quiz that Nancy Rose did about what time of day I am. It was only a few short questions and I'm not really sure if I totally agree with what it says I am. For those of you who know me let me know if it's close or not. OK so the main one I don't agree with is that I enjoy cooking for friends. But then again I really do enjoy that but I never get a chance to.

You Are Sunrise
You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary.You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts.All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

Murphy's Wall Hanging

As promised here is the wall hanging that I made to hang on the wall behind Murphy's food dish. It turned out really cute and I swear he eats slower because he's busy looking at it. Every now and then he just stops and wags his tail and looks at it.

Here are the Four's

Jobs I've had
1. Order Expeditor
2. Health and Safety Facilitator
3. Receptionist
4. Joann Fabrics

Movies I watch over and over
1. An American President
2. Pretty Woman
3. Father of the Bride
4. Father of the Bride 2

TV shows I watch
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Desperate Housewives
3. ER
4. Dancing with the Stars

Places I've Lived
1. West Allis, WI
2. Brookfield, WI
3. Bay View, WI
4. Yuma, Arizona

Favorite Foods
1. Medium rare steak
2. Mashed potatoes
3. Triple Berry Pie
4. Watermellon

Favorite Colors
1. Light blue
2. Yellow
3. Red
4. Pink

Places I'd love to be Now
1. On a cruise ship in the Carribbean
2. New Mexico
3. In a fully outfitted sewing room of my own
4. Sound asleep in my bed

Names I like but wouldn't use for my children
1. Sarah
2. Zoe
3. Sam
4. Laura

Now here are the 4 that I'm tagging

1. Kristie
2. Bethany
3. Gina
4. Hazel

PJ Day

Yesterday when I was reading the blogs I read Nancy Rose's blog and was very jealous because she declared today PJ Day. All I could think of was gee I wanted to be home too and spend the day in my jammies. But, no, I had to get up today and go to work. Well let me tell you what happened.

I got to work as usual today and there was hardly anyones cars in the parking lot. OK so maybe that wasn't too strange then I noticed that the building was completely dark. We've been on a huge money saving kick lately so this didn't seem strange to me. I mean the street lights were all on. I got up to the door and my electronic key didn't work. Hmmmmmm and my boss Bill opened the door for me with a flashlight in his hands. We had lost all power to our building. It wasn't an Electric company problem it was our problem the main feed to our building had burned up. Now for a food manufacturing facility any time without power isn't good. I knew right away this meant big trouble. We'd have all of our tanks in the plant with product in them. Some need to be kept at certain temperatures for heating and others need to be drummed off once they reach a certain temperature for cooling. I had trucks coming and going all day. So here we were and no power. The electricians were already there and maintenance had been there all night. 3rd shift had been sent home and first shift had been called and told not to come. I was given a flashlight so I could see and off to my desk I went. Manned with phone numbers and what I had going on today I spent time on my cell phone calling and cancelling things. By then it was finally getting light out so we all gathered in the cafeteria to figure out what to do next. Two 1st shifters for production came in because they weren't able to reach them. We held a meeting and all departments went over where they stood and figured out what was critical. After that it was determined the office could go home. I had a reefer truck on it's way to back into the dock and wait for product to be drummed and stored in it. We have a huge freezer but without power they didn't want to open and close that door all day. One really huge generator was already on it's way so that we'd be able to bring up part of the plant so the two guys who came in could drum off product. I felt sorry for them because they were it for the plant. Home I came and I had all intentions of either studying or sewing. Didn't happen that way. In a way I got my Jammies day. OK so I was dressed for work but I did end up on the couch and I just woke up from a lovely 5 hour nap. Thank you Nancy Rose for the great PJ day.
Tomorrow I'll do it all over again and go in and see if we have power. This could be a 24 to 48 hour venture. The good news is it's Tuesday and that means it's "movie night" at the budget theatre.

Sewing sewing sewing

I've gotton quite a few things done in the last two days. Yesterday I made Murphy's wallhanging for about his food dishes. I honestly think the little guy enjoys his new "happy wall". Then when that. was finished I made him two doggie kerchiefs. He just loves to always have one on his collar.

Tonight I've been sitting and sewing together a table runner using the "Holly Jolly" charm pack I picked up a while ago. It's going together so easy I might just stay up and put the final border on it before I go to bed. When that is finished I'll take a picture and post it. It feels good to be making smaller projects that I can get done in a day

Fun with my Iowa friends

Today was just the best of all possible days. I was up early and doing little things in my house because Michelle, her husband Louie and the Quilting Ladies from Iowa were all coming for a visit. They are just the nicest group of ladies and I feel very fortunate that they have come into my life. I was like a little kid waiting for Christmas to come. Jen came over to my house to wait and finally the phone rang and they were almost here. Jen gave them the last directions to get to my apartment and Iwent outside to stand and wait for them. Finally there they were, their HUGE van they rented was coming up my hill. After a quick pit stop and a few hugs Jen and I climbed in the "Big Bus" and off we were for lunch. We took them to our favorite spot Hawg City. It's a really nice little place and it has great food. Once we were all fed off we went for our first quilt shop stop.

This is a present Michelle gave Jen and I and it's a great cook book. I love to collect cook books even though I don't cook much. I guess everyone has their hobbies and mine is looking at cook books. I did already find a few recipies that sound yummy that I might have to give a try.


This is a picture of all of us that we had taken at our last stop. Jen and I are in the back row next to Michelle and Louie. We had Julie from Patched Works take a picture with all of us. Julie is such a sweetheart. She always makes you feel so welcome to her shop and they really went out of their way to make the shopping trip for the whole group so much fun. I would say from the smiles on everyones faces their were many soon to be new projects that went back to Iowa. Julie was sweet enough to have refreshments set up downstairs for all of us and we each received a goodie bag from the shop. In there was a piece of fabric and a pattern for a challenge square. I can't wait to get mine done and a great little quilting pin. Sorry I didn't take a picture of that but if you check out Jen's blog I know she took a picture of me with my pin on. Oh our hostess Julie is the one in the front row far right. Ever since she became the owner of the Patched Works and made it such a friendly place to shop it seems Jen and I are always there. It's so very nice to walk into a shop where everyone who works there is so super friendly. Everyone needs a place where they can go and just feel comfortable and this is our place. We do our Strip Poker Wednesday nights there too.



I know these pictures are a little out of order but forgive me I'm new to putting the pictures on my blog site.

The first shop we went to after lunch is called Bits N Pieces. It's also a great shop where we're made to feel very much at home and very welcome. Last night while sitting with Jen, Murphy and Holly I decided that Murphy needs a small wall hanging of his own. I picked up this great dog print panel to make him one. I think it's going to be ever so cute. I'm going to use the small blue dot as a border and then use the small orange dot for the binding. I'm going to hang this infront of his feeding dishes so he doesn't have to look at a plain white wall when he eats. I told him about my plans last night and for some reason I think he totally understood what I was telling him because his little tail was just wagging away. I think small seasonal wallhangings are in his future.



While at the Patched Works in the seasonal area I came upon this great little panel that instantly caught my eye. It has 6 different blocks to the panel and the gingerbread people just called out to me. This is going to be my year of small wallhanging for holidays. I bought the red that goes with it for some sashing and the green for a small border and then for the binding I got the last piece and it's candy cane fabric. The picture just doesn't do this fabric justice so I'll be sure to post a picture when I'm done. I can't wait to start this but there are a few projects ahead of it so I'd better get sewing.



While we were out I picked up this pattern for a table runner. I've had my eyes on it for a while and then I remembered that I have a jelly roll of the fabric that is uses so it's high on the project list.



Last but not least is the challenge fabric from Patched Works that I mentioned before. It's just the cutest fabric with all kinds of different shoes on it. Once we make our block we need to make sure we take a picture and send it to Julie.


I guess that about wraps up my day. I've already had a little nap. Playing with your friends sure does wear a person out. I'd like to thank all my new friends for a great Saturday. Special thanks to Mike and Kelly at Hawg City for being such gracious hosts and serving us a fantastic lunch. Next thanks go out to Marla and Karen for letting us ramble around at Bit's N Pieces. And last but definetly not least to Julie at Patched Works and all her "quilty ladies" for making us feel so welcome. I know I had a great day and I'm sure everyone else did too. It was sad to see the big blue bus leave. I hope they all had a safe trip home and that they will come back again soon for another shopping trip. Special thanks go out to Michelle and Louie for putting this all together. Love to all and happy sewing ladies with all your purchases. Please send pictures.

A new day

Today is a big day in Cindy world. Michelle and her quilty ladies are as we speak driving up here to spend the day with Jen and I. I am so excited I got up extra early to start my Saturday jobs. Last night Jen was laughing at me because I was making a list of all the things that I want to get done this weekend. My apartment needs a big straightening and cleaning for fall. There is stuff everywhere and it's driving me crazy. When you live in a small place it doesn't take much to make it look like a bomb has gone off. I started on the kitchen this morning and made great progress. Now I'm waiting until 8 so that I can start the washer and do my vacuuming. My upstairs neighbors probably can't hear the vacuum but they are such nice people that I don't want to take the chance of waking them up. Then it's time to straighten my sewing area. I figure if I come up with a master plan and take a certain amount of time each day by the end of the week I'll be finished and happier. I have to also work in some time for sewing.

Last night we started our new BOM for Fridays. This is going to be so much fun because one of my sisters who just started quilting has joined along with one of my nieces and a dear friend of Jens so it's a good group. We did a little shopping after the meeting and then a few of us went to a Mexican restaurant close to the shop for some food and of course a margaritta.

Back to my cleaning. I"m so excited because I can't wait for the group from Iowa to get here. More later after our company has to go home.

Not a good day

Everything was going along just fine last night until I woke up around 12:30 and I wasn't breathing well. Yep, my asthma had gotton to me again. With all these wild changes of weather we've had this year I've had a really rough time breathing. I do everything I'm subposed to and it still doesn't help any. By around 5 everything was getting better but I was so tired I knew I needed to sleep so I called into work that I wasn't coming in. Then I finally fell asleep and what a good sleep it was. It seems I didn't hear the phone either and Jen was looking for me. Finally around noon I woke up because I could hear someone calling my name. Jen had sent Mike over to check on me. Yep, I was alive and sleeping. Spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping too. TOnight I kept looking at my sewing machine and thinking if I had an ounce of energy I should get up and go sit and do some sewing. I have a project sitting there just waiting for me to sew it. Another nap was in order. I didn't even take a shower and get dressed today and for anyone who knows me that is unusual. I finally did sew for about half an hour and now I think it's time for bed. Darn tomorrow I have to go to work and figure out how to fix all the messes that will be on my desk waiting for me. The terrible thing is if I'm not there it all goes down hill. I'm subposed to have back ups but it just doesn't happen.
Here's to a better tomorrow for everyone. Tomorrow night starts our new BOM at Franks Sewing Center. I can't wait to get the first block to make.

Fall Table Runners

Taaa Dahhhhhh here are two more projects I completed today. I had gotton a fall charm pack a few weeks back. It was the first one that I had purchased and I wasn't really sure what to make out of it. Then I decided that it would make a great runner for on top of my entertainment center. The one for the entertainment center is 3X10 squares. Today I did the free motion quilting of it and then put the binding on it. I'm really happy with how it turned out. Once that one was together I still had 16 blocks left so I went ahead and put them together and made a small runner for the center of my kitchen table. Today I free motion quilted that and then put the binding on. In all I had a really productive day sewing. It feels so good to finish up a couple of projects.

Now it's time to get serious about Christmas sewing. I need to go through my patterns and decide what I'm making and for who. Luckily I don't have that many people in my world so it should go pretty good. What is everyone else going to be working on for the Holidays?

First Machine Quilted Quilt

Well as promised here it is. This is my first quilt that I machine quilted. This is the one that I took along last weekend to Michelle's and did on her quilting frame. I'm not great at free motion quilting as you can see if you closely but it's finished and that's what counts. Today we had a get together at one of our sewing centers, Frank's in Waukesha. Quite a few of us go there for the Friday BOM and they let us come today to sew. I really needed that after all my studying. It was just so relaxing to be able to just sit and sew with no interruptions like you have when you're home. I put the binding on this quilt first since I wanted it to be done. Back about three months ago we did a block exchange during our Friday BOM and these were the blocks that I got. Our teacher Wendy gave us a really quick and easy pattern on how to put them together with the sashing and the corner stones. It went together so quickly and I've had it sitting here waiting to be quilted. It's only a lap size quilt but it's pretty fun looking. This is the first time I've ever used pink in a quilt and I really do love it.

Boo

It's Happy Halloween month and here's a little door decoration that I made. Lots of fun to do and I got to use the button hole stitch on my machine. I should have thought and used some glow in the dark thread but there's always next year.

I need a kick in the head

I just want the world to know that if I ever say again that I'm taking a computer class that I want all of you to bring me to my senses and for those of you who live close enough to me I want a good hard kick in the head.
I have spent the last 9 hours last night until after 3AM and another 4 hours two other nights and I'm still not done with my assignments for this week. I am almost done and I'm still having problems with one area where you have a formula for a discount and now you have to take that formula that is in the IF function and turn it into a formula that uses an absolute function. Now this is all greek to me and I'm so frustrated I could scream. Well, actually I did leave out a nice little scream last night to help clear the cob webs out of my head and it didn't help.
So far this weekend it's mainly about this stupid work and I really want and need some Cindy time. OK I needed to vent and now back to work. I'm subposed to be going to Franks today to sew and I need to get this done before I go. I really think the statement that says " you can't teach and old dog new tricks" is ABSOLUTELY TRUE.