PINK CHICKS

Life's Tough Choices - Laundry or Sewing?

This afternoon, I am trying my best to get caught up on the housework.  There is quite the mound of laundry waiting for my attention.   But then again, when isn't there a mound of laundry waiting for my attention?

 

But what I think is more in need of my attention is this book by Sandy Klop of American Jane fame.

   

This book is called "American Jane's Quilt for All Seasons...and Some for No Reason."  There are some really pretty, scrappy quilts in this book.  I really like the cover quilt which is named "All Stars," as well as this quilt named "Snowy Peaks."

 

Snowy Peaks is made up of unbleached muslin and various colors of  prints.   There are around 5,500 triangles.    Sandy shows you how to do a strip piecing for cutting the triangles that seems relatively simple.    I might try it after I finish a couple of other projects I am working on.   This quilt would go nicely in our bedroom.

 

I made this quilt block for "Project Improv."   I'm not sure if it is "wonky" enough.   I almost went a bit nuts using all those 1 1/2" strips.  I think I am going to try something a bit different the next time. But I sure do love how orange and pink look together.

Well, I had better get back to work.    I think I will sort the laundry and then do some sewing while it is in the washer.  How's that for a compromise?

I Want On of These! Soon!

I have been debating for quite some time about investing in a dress form.   Do any of you have any tips as far as picking just the right one?

 

I saw this particular dress form on the Joann Fabrics website.  It is $129.00 on sale.   

Hmmm... I Think We Have a Mardi Gras Mouse

A belated Bon Mardi Gras to everyone!   We were just  coming out of the flu fog and didn't get to celebrate like we normally do.   We  like to wear the beads, eat yummy treats and just generally have fun.  It brightens up the long winter.    Anyway, Bill brought home some packzis which are basically just cream filled doughnuts in my opinion, but they are quite popular on Fat Tuesday and we decided we would have them after we all ate dinner.  When  I went to get the box, this is what I found...

 

Hmmm...I wonder who couldn't wait until after dinner and a bath? 

 

Oh, that would be Miss Ella our "Mardi Gras" Mouse.  LOL!

FLU

The flu has been running through our house for the past three weeks.  We have all had some form of it except Solana. I don't know how she has managed to skip it.   I have had it TWICE!   This is the first time this has ever happened to us.  

 

My poor baby girl Ella had it for four days.  I thought we might have to take her in to the doctor's office, but we didn't, she was such a trooper.

   

Now things are getting back to normal and we are playing catch up.   I hope to return all emails and get all packages in the mail within the next few days.

January Swap 'Til You Drop (STUD) Update

In January I was paired with John a.k.a. Quilt Dad for the STUD swap.   I joined the "plain jane" group which meant I could make the quilt of my choice for my partner.   But before I tell you about the quilt I made for John, let me share with you the little beauty he made for me.   

   

John name it "Valentine's Day Bouquet."  Isn't it pretty?!  I love the chocolate brown, pink and red combination of colors don't you?   I especially love the paisley print fabric.  Thanks John!

 

I made this quilt for John.  I named it "Home Is Where the Heart Is."   John and his wife have sweet four year old twin girls and a two year old little boy, so I wanted to figure out a way to incorporate them in to the quilt.  I hope he likes it!

Weigh-In Wednesday

I know I have mentioned a few times before my battle with the bulge and how I was going to start taking care of myself.  Well, I am constantly finding something or someone else to take care of besides myself.  I guess that's what a lot of women do.  This past November, Thanksgiving week to be exact, I decided if  I wanted to be a healthier person, I had better stop putting myself last on my daily "to do" list.  My sister and I got together and joined our local YMCA and Weight Watchers.

 

When I began last year, I had 85 pounds to lose to make it to the high end of my goal weight.  How on earth did I let myself get that unhealthy?!  Sigh....

Now I am on the right track and I have lost 22 1/2 pounds so far. I am really happy.  I  thought I would begin documenting my journey here on the blog.  One of these days, I will post some pictures to let you see my progress.  I will also be sharing some of the things I have learned along the way from the trainers at the Y as well as at my Weight Watchers meetings.

Sassyflirty Apron Swap

Here is a look at the apron I sent to my partner for the Sassyflirty Apron Swap .  My partner said she liked polka dots so I did my best to accomidate.

For some reason the polka dots on the pink and brown fabric looks blurry...

Black Inventors - Did you know...

The color of the skin is no way connected with strength of the mind or intellectual powers...

When Benjamin Banneker, Black inventor of the 1st wooden clock in America spoke these powerful words, Africans had already proven their strength of mind and intellectual powers in their homeland. Africans brought the same spirit of innovation to America. They helped shape the course of history through their contributions, usually never receiving any honor. How many of us use the cellular phone, traffic light or hairbrush on a daily basis? Well, these and many other things people use daily are the brainchild of a Black inventor. The mail box, pencil sharpener, Super Soaker water gun (that gross over $180 million dollars) and the world’s fastest computer (peaking at 3.1 billion calculations per second)were created by the minds and hands of Black inventors. Black inventor, Madame C.J. Walker was the first self-made African-American millionaire. She is a pioneer in the cultivation of beauty enhancement for black women. She created a scalp-conditioning and healing formula, called Madam Walker’s Hair Grower and a string of other beauty products for the hair and skin of an African American woman. She eventually established a national corporation, which employed thousands and also established a school for “hair culturists”. From working in the cotton fields to being a laundry woman and ultimately an entrepreneur, Black Inventor Madame C.J. Walker is indeed an inspiration to all who aspire to succeed. Dr. Percy Julian is the black inventor whose innovations contributed and continues to relieve the agony of many arthritis and glaucoma sufferers. He synthesized cortisone for arthritis and physostigmine for glaucoma. A tremendous accomplishment, as his synthetic versions reduced the cost of the ‘pure’ versions. Thus, allowing treatment to be more accessible and economical to patients. Dr. Julian lived in a segregated society at the time and endured direct prejudice because of his ethnicity. Today, he is one of the few Black inventors inducted in the National Inventors Hall of Fame.     air conditioning unit         Frederick M. Jones      July 12, 1949 almanac                       Benjamin Banneker       Approx 1791 auto cut-off switch           Granville T. Woods      January 1, 1839 auto fishing devise           G. Cook                 May 30, 1899 automatic gear shift          Richard Spikes          February 28, 1932 baby buggy                    W.H. Richardson         June 18, 1899 bicycle frame                 L.R. Johnson            October 10, 1899 biscuit cutter                A.P. Ashbourne          November 30, 1875 blood plasma bag              Charles Drew            Approx. 1945 cellular phone                Henry T. Sampson        July 6, 1971 chamber commode               T. Elkins               January 3, 1897 clothes dryer                 G. T. Sampson           June 6, 1862 curtain rod                   S. R. Scratton          November 30, 1889 curtain rod support           William S. Grant        August 4, 1896 door knob                     O. Dorsey               December 10, 1878 door stop                     O. Dorsey               December 10, 1878 dust pan                      Lawrence P. Ray         August 3, 1897 egg beater                    Willie Johnson          February 5, 1884 electric lampbulb             Lewis Latimer           March 21, 1882 elevator                      Alexander Miles         October 11, 1867 eye protector                 P. Johnson              November 2, 1880 fire escape ladder            J. W. Winters           May 7, 1878 fire extinguisher             T. Marshall             October 26, 1872 folding bed                   L. C. Bailey            July 18, 1899 folding chair                 Brody & Surgwar         June 11, 1889 fountain pen                  W. B. Purvis            January 7, 1890 furniture caster              O. A. Fisher            1878 gas mask                      Garrett Morgan          October 13, 1914 golf tee                      T. Grant                December 12, 1899 guitar                        Robert F. Flemming, Jr. March 3, 1886 hair brush                    Lydia O. Newman         November 15, 18-- hand stamp                    Walter B. Purvis        February 27 1883 horse shoe                    J. Ricks                March 30, 1885 ice cream scooper             A. L. Cralle            February 2, 1897 improv. sugar making          Norbet Rillieux         December 10, 1846 insect-destroyer gun          A. C. Richard           February 28, 1899 ironing board                 Sarah Boone             December 30, 1887 key chain                     F. J. Loudin            January 9, 1894 lantern                       Michael C. Harvey       August 19, 1884 lawn mower                    L. A. Burr              May 19, 1889 lawn sprinkler                J. W. Smith             May 4, 1897 lemon squeezer                J. Thomas White         December 8, 1893 lock                          W. A. Martin            July 23, 18-- lubricating cup               Ellijah McCoy           November 15, 1895 lunch pail                    James Robinson          1887 mail box                      Paul L. Downing         October 27, 1891 mop                           Thomas W. Stewart       June 11, 1893 motor                         Frederick M. Jones      June 27, 1939 peanut butter                 George Washington Carver    1896 pencil sharpener              J. L. Love              November 23, 1897 phone transmitter             Granville T. Woods      December 2, 1884 record player arm             Joseph Hunger Dickenson January 8, 1819 refrigerator                  J. Standard             June 14, 1891 riding saddles                W. D. Davis             October 6, 1895 rolling pin                   John W. Reed            1864 shampoo headrest              C. O. Bailiff           October 11, 1898 spark plug                    Edmond Berger           February 2, 1839 stethoscope                   Imhotep                 Ancient Egypt stove                         T. A. Carrington        July 25, 1876 straightening comb            Madam C. J. Walker      Approx 1905 street sweeper                Charles B. Brooks       March 17, 1890 thermostat control            Frederick M. Jones      February 23, 1960 traffic light                 Garrett Morgan          November 20, 1923 tricycle                      M. A. Cherry            May 6, 1886 typewriter                    Burridge & Marshman     April 7, 1885  **Information obtained from the Museum fo Black Inventions

Quilt In a Bag Quilt Swap

A few months ago I joined a swap on flickr called "quilt in a bag" quilt swap.  We were to send our partner a "bag" containing the fabric of our choice and any embellishments we might want to add.   My partner sent me the following fabric from a line at JoAnns.

(picture taken by my partner Marianne)

And here is the quilt I made for here.   Drumb roll pleasssseee....

Ta daaaa!!!!!!!!!!

I also made Marianne a few cards with the leftover fabric.   They were really fun to make.  I think I would like to make more of the houses next time.