Thoughts of a Grasshopper

I took a little time last week to sit at my desk and stamp a little.  I've been going through my stamps and all the things that go with it to sell, donate, and send to my second cousin.  I ended up sending her around $750 worth of stamps, paper, punches and embellishments.  One of things in my stash is several flavors of washi tape.  I've used it on one card, loved the ease and then it has sat in my drawer.  I made several quick thank you cards that my son can use to thank family that has come from out of town to attend his graduation. The next card gives me a little jump start on Christmas cards.  Eight cards down 100+ to go. I'm not anticipating being behind this year with cards due to being in a new area and I don't imagine I will be as overly involved as I will be by the end of our assignment. I saw this next card as a birthday card on Pinterest.  I was considering it as a Mother's Day card but I think it is best suited as a birthday card...

I came across a recipe recently that was glorified Rice Krispie Treats.  They would have been glorified for me because they were chocolate.  They used the plain Rice Krispies but chocolate was added.  Rice Krispie Treats are okay, but you'll never hear me say, "Hey, you know what would be good right now?  Rice Krispie Treats."  I think of kids when I think of them and that is exactly why I would have been making them.  My kids would have liked them. I called my mother the other day to ask her a question regarding the characteristics desired as a wife, mother, etc.  I mentioned her mother in the conversation and how she always thought well of everyone no matter what they said or did.  My mom then asked, "What do you think my mother would say to your question?"   When it came time to use the mini marshmallows, I had my grandmother on my mind and ended up using them to make her Mississippi Mud Cake.  Yum!  Normally it is mad...

I've been working like crazy on this quilt trying to get it done on time.  I'm going to be late.  There is always something going on that seems to prevent me from getting to it and there are times I just need a break from it. I've been machine quilting it and I'm about half-way done.  I need to finish 8 blocks and the outer poinsettia border.  It really is lovely. Once I get the binding on, I'll post some pictures.  I know I'll be done next week, but the pictures may not get posted.  I still have Christmas cards to make.

I'm working on a quilt for my mother for her birthday in December.  It is a special year because she will be turning 70. I wanted to give her something special and living far away, it is a hard to make it a special day in person.  She is down-sizing planning to sell her house and move to another state in the next few years.  I decided to make her a quilt.  My mother knows I'm making a lot of quilts for Christmas this year, perhaps she speculates that she will be receiving one.  What cracked me up in one conversation was she asked if I had started my Christmas cards yet.  Nope.  While I need to be sewing 40-60 hours a week to be done by Thanksgiving, I haven't figured in time for the stamping that needs to happen.  Somehow, I didn't budget in enough time for Scouting either. The poinsettia and gold material is quite elegant in person.  There is a sheen to it with the gold thread that outlines the leaves/flowers and the print of the gold m...

I count myself very fortunate that I have a high tolerance of pain. I have to admit, I have wondered if that is a bad thing.  I had surgery on Tuesday.  I was told that my pain would probably be around a 5 or 6, if it reached a 7 or higher, they would give me pain medicine.  I don't even think it was a 1.  I got home around 6:00, my aunt called within minutes.  We talked for a while and then my son drove me to a meeting.  The funny part is when I talked with my aunt she mentioned she was going to send flowers but I didn't sound bad at all.  I told her to hang up and call me back and I'd do better at not sounding so good.  She laughed, as did I when I came home from my son's doctor appointment and saw flowers by the door. My biggest pain from the procedure was from the IV they put in.  It left a nasty bruise on my arm (2" x 1-7/8").  Ouch!

I've been so busy on another quilt that I put off working on this block.  I think I may have procrastinated on it because I wasn't looking forward to the doubling the triangle to get the 4 diamonds.  I should have pressed my seams open for it to lay better.  I managed to get it done in time for the Saturday Sampler.

I just experienced one of those needed do-over moments.  I made the card below first, recalling measurements but not the direction the card was supposed to be going.  I had to adjust the Old Olive CS, because that measurement seemed small.  I went to link up to the sketch and discovered my error.  I was going to go with it because it is late, I'm tired and there are dishes to do.  I couldn't do it.  I tried but I couldn't post it today of all days.  The above card is my do-over.  I like it.  I'm going to do the dishes and go to bed.  We've got 4 girls sleeping over but I will sleep through their laughs and chatter.  Enjoy! I used Sketch 175 to make this card.  Stamps:  Gently Falling, Chalk Talk CS:  Pear Pizzazz, VV, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Cajun Craze Misc.:  Brads, Woodgrain EF Click the image below to continue .