Fabric dying question.

My sweet friend Debi Birkin from England closed her blog, but has since opened up a little web store for all her amazing patterns. If you love to knit run by check out her shop. On her old blog there were easy to follow instructions on how to hand dye fabrics using color markers. Does anyone know how to do the whole fabric piece.. not tye dying!... The instructions were easy and fun... now they are gone into the great nothingness. I am so disappointed that I did not write them down.
I have sent Debi an email.. I don't know if she will get it or even respond.. she lives on a long boat in the water canals there in Europe. There are weeks that go by after emailing her before I get a return post... I am always happy to hear from her.. even if it has been several months.

These boats are like the type that Debi and her husband purchased to live on. She talked about this for almost a year to me about one day she would be living on one.. and sort of being like a gypsy girl.... Wouldn't this be an exciting fun way to live??? She says they just pull up to dock ... get supplies and off they go again. This is a station for them to charge their batteries. Debi doesn't have internet out on the boat so she has to stop at a pub or a coffee house to be able to get on the inter-net. She says at least once a week because she does have her and her husbands little businesses .... Their little businesses is what keeps their little long boat a float ;)

Tables are turning :)

My sweet friend Nadine is always tell me .. I have bad luck..... but I keep saying if I didn't have bad luck .. I wouldn't have any luck at all....
I think I posted recently about my well pipes freezing up and being without water for four days. I was unable to repair them any sooner because my helper had to work. My helper was my sweet sweet brother Bubba. I tell you he must really really love me. He showed up at the house at noon and worked on the plumbing until 10 o' clock pm. Bubba says to me.. "you can not go another day without water. I am not going home until this is fixed" Now that is true love if you ask me to be out in the cold and snow getting wet and dirty .. just to help little ole me!

The plumbing project was going along just perfect!!! NOT!!! Every pipe and every item that we worked on was broken. In fact the pressure tank that makes the water come in to the house even broke. Agggggg
The only thing to do was go to town and look for a new pressure tank. We stopped at three stores the biggest tank we found was 56 gallons not big enough for my two story house. I have to tell you I about fainted when I saw the price on the 56 gallon one it was 400 dollars. I hated to see what the 85 gallon was after seeing the price on the 56 gallon. I was saying to Bubba when we got to Lowes.. it was getting late and he had already been with me for 3 hours and I said lets just get the 56 gallon one... Bubba said lets think about this for a bit and just get the other piping and joints that we need. While we were getting the items that were needed a friend of Bubba's happened by. Bubba chatted with them a while and we finished up and checked out. On our way out the door there was this big fancy Hummer parked along the sidewalk. Bubba says people just think they own the world. Then Bubba says the man we saw in Lowes owns one of those fancy Hummers. Bubba wondered if it was his friend's.. so he called him to play a joke on him. The guy answered and Bubba says there was this big huge fancy Hummer parked along the sidewalk.. just to show those jerks for parking there I put a huge scratch on the hood of their car!!..... Oh my goodness.. Bubba could not keep it together .. he spoiled his own surprise.... Of course he told his friend he was only kidding after he found out it was for sure his car. The friend asked why we were there and Bubba explained about the well. Then I heard Bubba say great ask how much he wants and give me a call back. About 5 mins later the phone rang... Bubba said great.. how much does he want?? Then I heard an Ok. Then Bubba hung up. Bubba looked at me and said we found you a pressure tank. I asked how much.. That is when Bubba said.. its yours free.. all I have to do is loan him my tractor tiller this spring.
Now ladies and gentleman... I have to tell you this man is my angel... I don't know how much that pressure tank would have cost me.. An expense that I really could not afford right now. Afford I had to.. I needed water!! All I know for sure... is the tank would have cost a pretty penny after seeing the price of the 56 gallon tank. When we went to pick up the 85 gallon tank it looked brand new... I asked Bubba why they were getting rid of it... he said because they just got city water at their house and no longer needed the tank.
This is just an example of paying it forward in my book.. and I truly believe that the good Lord looks out for us when we need it most..... Blessings to that family, and Praise to our wise and loving Lord!

APP coming to terms with the snow.

I thought by the end of this weekend ... I started a new profession... A plumber with butt crack included. The temps have been subzero with the snow here in Ta Town. I have lived in my house for over 18 years and this has never happened. As it was so smartly pointed out to me.. the temps are breaking new records here.
My Bubba and I spent all day yesterday putting my water well back together after it froze up and the pipes broke. I have to say that is not a job that I can do or would like... It's cold and its a dirty back breaking job. Nope not for me!!! I have to say my Bubba was a trooper .... he worked on my plumbing for almost 10 hours to get water for me because the house has been without it for 4 days... the 4 legged hay burners needed a drink.. not to mention the rest of the out door creatures....
I was trying to melt snow in buckets in the house.. I did learn something from that experience...
#1 It still takes a long time to melt snow even if your using a blow dryer.
#2 A 13 gallon trash can of melted snow yields about 3/4 gallon of liquid.
#3 It takes all day to get enough containers of water to flush the toilet!

Other than that ladies my weekend was uneventful :)
Happy Stitching!!!

I just had to share this with you.

I was hungry for a pizza for supper last nite. I called in to my local Pizza Hut to order my pie. I got up and around... Went out in the cold and snow to go get the pie. Came home and started to eat the pie and here is what I found... Nothing ugly like a rat in the pie.. but a great disappointment. My mouth was all watering from the joy of eating something that you have loved from a child. The anticipation was so over whelming. I could not get a bite of the pie fast enough.. But alas....

You will see by the following statements as to what happened..... I sent in a survey to the company regarding my poor experience .....
Here is what I wrote to them....
First off I have to say the store was very clean and the employee's were awesome and friendly. Could not have asked for better service.
Now on to the pizza.... A grocery store Frozen Pizza would have tasted better than the one I received today.
Where was the sauce, cheese, and meat???
I understand cutting food costs.. but the cardboard box would have tasted better. I could not put enough hot sauce on it to give it flavor today. One slice and the rest went to the trash.
I remember when I use to eat your pizza...the sauce would ooze out and the cheese would string from your mouth to the pie. Today truly was like chomping in to the box. The pie was so dry it didn't even make a grease spot on the bottom of the box. Nothing.. now that's just wrong!!! I have to be honest no more Pizza's from you. Papa John's or Papa Murphy's is a better choice over yours. Sorry.. you have to do some real changing before I come back.. Thank you for your time for listening to me in this matter.. Good Luck!
If your like me I love Pizza Huts thin and crispy pizza's.. but until us ladies and gentlemen unite.. Pizza Hut will not change.... If you receive a bad pie from them please fill out a customer survey to get them to change.... The above photo is how our pizza's should be!
I have found over time the squeaky wheel gets the grease.. and grease is what we want with our pies :) thanks for listening to me today regarding the down fall of an icon in the pizza industry.

We have the results...

Yeah.. it looks like it's almost a unanimous vote to have an Easter Mug Rug swap :) I'm all for that myself :) I really enjoyed the Christmas Mug Rug swap.. so ladies put your thinking caps on and lets start this swap.

The Rules of the swap ;)
One Easter themed Mug Rug (at least a 8X10 in size)
One Coffee Mug to match..
One Sweet treat for Easter... (Egg filled with jelly beans, Chocolate Bunny, Peeps etc)
One hot drink (Tea, Cocoa, Coffee)
**Optional** one cookie or quick bread recipe

International swappers welcome :)

Your swap needs to be sent to your partner no later than March 19th.

What APP needs from you:
Name
Address
Phone number
Blog
Ship International

Sign ups will begin today and end Feb 18th... Please send email to
auntpittypatsfun@yahoo.com

You don't have to wait until you get your partner to start your project... So have fun and create. Also if you want more than one partner.. (Please a Limit of 3) let me know when you sign up.. I will assign you more than one.. if we have enough that sign up requesting more than one partner.
We had some new comers last swap that did not complete.. please send references of other swaps you have participated in .. if your new to my swaps.. thank you!!!

Link to tutorial for a Mug Rug at Pleasant Home.

Annoucment :)

Above Annie's were made by Sandy W.

How many of you would like to do another Annie Swap or an Easter Mug Rug Swap??? Please let me know on this post if you're interested. Not taking names here just sort of getting a count or a vote if you will. I know some of you are holding your breath waiting on Spring to get here...
Making an Annie or Mug Rug will help the last of the winter months fly by :)
I ask you........
What's not to love about an Annie or Easter Themed Mug Rug???


I now have the person I needed for the accessory swap..
thank you all for your interest :)
Thanks M

Better late than never for Eye Candy :)

Here's Bubba's Quilt that I made him for Christmas. It was a tad different than Big Daddie O's. Bubba's has orange stripping and Big Daddie O's had lime green. All themed blocks were hand drawn and embroideried by APP. I was surprised and pleased at the end result. I love how both quilts turned out... I have discovered with these three quilts.... its very hard to find an appropriate place to photograph quilts.. this I might have to work on LOL. That is if I continue to make quilts.. which I see some being made into the near future also :)
Remember all the quilt blocks swaps I have held :)

I know I keep squawking about these three quilts, that I made for the family for Christmas.. but you have to realize it is a very big deal for me.. its the first time that I have completed one from start to finish.. let alone do three in less than 2 weeks.... I am still amazed I was able to get so much done on them prior to Christmas day :)

I thought I would show the wonderful fun creative Mug Rugs that I received through my Mug Rug swap. The following photo is of my mug and rug that I received from Jena G. I love the center embroridery... Love the cool winter theme. I will be able to enjoy this longer than just Christmas :) Thank you Jena!!

The following mug rug was from Bettina B from the Netherlands... I was knocked over by this lovely mug rug. Bettina has done such a lovely job of making this very special rug for me... I thought I would show you a couple of photos of each section separately.. I know I have looked and looked at all the amazing fun fabrics in this little Mug Rug.. I hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I have... thank you Bettina!!

Don't you just love these little angels!!! I know I am going to steal this idea.
They are sew adorable.

I am head over heals for this very cute Mug Rug. Don't you love the sweet little pocket with lace on the front of this little rug??? Isn't it cute??? Looks like the front of a sweet Christmas apron. I just love the matching and elegant Holly mug. Thank you Sue N.

I also want to mention that I received the cutest little Winter Apron... I think.. it came from Jena also... I was so busy when I pulled her swap out of the package.. I am sorry Jena.. if this cute little snowman apron was from you... I will get a photo soon and get it posted...
Thank you ladies for the wonderful mug rugs I loved each and every item I received in the swaps... Thank you as always for playing along :)

It's really cold in Ta Town!!

Since it's so cold in Ta town I thought a good hot cup of Cocoa would be on my list of things to enjoy today. I found this amazing reciepe at Better Homes and Gardens... click here to see ;)
Hot Carmel Chocolate

I don't know about you but one must have at least a scone to go with this wonderful yummy cup of cocoa ;)

Of course my favorite??? Yes you guessed it.. a chocolate chip scone ;)
Run over to Buns in My Oven to check out some of her fantastic recipes ;)

Who could resist such wonderful mouth watering treats on such a cold day outside??
NOT Me!!!

More Cute Ideas to share ;)

For our December swap here on APP's we did a Mug Rug swap. It was a great success and several ladies did challenges for this swap instead of participating in the actual swap. I am sure that was due to the time factor near the Holidays! Those that did participate stated they made more than one. I know .. because I made 10 or them... they were so fun and easy peasy :) I loved all the mug rugs that were posted. They were so very clever and cute. The rugs came with pockets, spoon, buttons and you name it... Awesome ideas!!
Ladies I don't know about you ... I go in these spells when I have tons to share and then there are days and weeks my brain has nothing to recall. When I am at a loss for anything to share... I turn to blog hopping.. I love to see what others are creating. I can always find fun and interesting ideas out there in blog land. That is how the idea of the Mug Rug swap came about. Speaking of blog hopping... I was blog hopping and came across this awesome tea set... Please visit Zigzago to check out her fun and creative blog ;) Run by her blog she has instructions on how to make the cover for the mug ;)


It's always fun cruzing around blog land .. you will never know what you will find. I found this unique and cute potholder at Loft Creations... Run over she has a tutorial on how to make this fun and wonderful potholder ;)

I have always loved these little fabric baskets.. I found what looks like a very simple and easy tutorial at Meremade.. run over see what fun stuff she has to offer. I know I will be making some of these this year to store rick rack, ribbons, buttons, floss and thread spools. :)


I realize that Christmas is over.. but this is a project that you have to think ahead. One has to either save, beg or dig around in old sewing stashes to see if you can find the needed spools for this project. I love the idea.... Awesome and easy peasy :)


I don't know if I have already posted this.. I have posted so many wonderful fun ideas.. but this one is a must have for all of you that use contact lenses ;) Run over to Sew Momma Sew and the design is by Puking Palstilles. Run over check out this tutorial on how to make this compact lens kit to carry with you anywhere.


My sweet friend Nadine is always tell me .. I have to get off the computer because my hands and toes are cold.. so I decided I had to post this fun idea on how to keep those fingers nice and toasty warm while blogging or Facebooking ;) I found this fun Tutorial at Salihan Crafts. Please run by and visit her blog for this fun tutorial :)


I have now found an awesome tutorial for a foot warmer to use while sitting at the computer!! You can find the tutorial at Simply Jenna.
NoW NaDinE!!
There are no excuses why you can't stay and chat :)
LOL other than The Mr wanting to play his games on line :) LOL

Pitty had a bad day!!

Yesterday APP was very bad to the Pitty.... Pitty had to go to the vet for her annual shots. Poor poor Pitty yipped and squealed like she was being murdered at the vets. Poor little girl had to have her blood drawn for her heart worm test. Comparing the needle to her tiny little itty bitty wittle leggie and that huge huge huge humongous needle.. I think I would cry too if I was her. Of course the vet had to grin at me when he brought her back into the room to see me... she ran right over and wanted up in my arms.... Poor little baby... but that wasn't the end of it. Pitty had to open her chompers and have toofies check and a look down her throat. So a huge ignominy for such a sweet sweet puppy. Once again say Poor Baby!!!!

Then she was weighed... poor poor thing has had too many snacky bones.. she gained 5 ozs... The Mommie got scolded... have to get the weight off!!!! That means no more laying upon the couch like a huge taco.. time to get up and let Mommie chase you around the house Pitty!!!
Lastly Doc says time to get the 4 shots... he took her to the back again and all was quite..not a peep out of her. Doc brought her back into the room and said she was a real trooper when it came to the shots. Me...... I think I would have had the fit with the 4 shots and not the blood draw!!! I brought the Pitty home and she wanted nothing to do with me.. and slept on the couch most of the day and the evening. Then when it was time for bed.. she came to bed but did not stay with me... I awoke in the nite and she was out on the couch... She was really mad a me.. but she is better after work tonite ;)
Yeah.... all of that is over until about 60 days when she has to go back in and have her toofies cleaned.. then she has to go through the blood draw again for a blood test. The vet then knocks her out to get her toofies cleaned and insertion of her micro chip :) After that she is good as new ;) Yeah a healthy happy puppy :) She will be ready for this years travels to Oklahoma and California ;)
I just have to prepare myself for her rejection.. do you think I can stand it again so soon?????

Side note..
If you still owe me for postage please send it..
I am still out of pocket several dollars..
If postage is not paid ...
I will no longer hold block swaps...
Sorry that is just the way it will have to be!