Joke of the Day :)

Walter died.

His will provided $200,000 for an elaborate funeral.

As the last guests departed the affair, his wife Sharon turned to her oldest and dearest friend. 'Well, I'm sure Walter would be pleased,' she said.'I'm sure you're right,' replied Brenda, who lowered her voice and leaned in close. 'How much did this really cost?'' All of it,' said Sharon. 'Two hundred thousand.'' No!' Brenda exclaimed. 'I mean, it was very nice, but $200,000?' Sharon answered, 'The funeral was $6,500. I donated $500 to church.
The whiskey, wine and snacks were another $500. The rest went for the Memorial Stone.' Brenda computed quickly. '$192,500 for a Memorial Stone? How big is it?'

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Am I bad or what?????

Fun Aprons to Make

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/05/piece-of-cake-apron.html

Wow aren't these some awesome aprons??? Yes you can make this Fantastic and Beautiful Aprons too!!! Just click on the Link below your favorite apron and vala' you will be at the link that has the Apron instructions :) Happy Sewing :)

http://www.bhg.com/crafts/sewing/accessories/cottage-inspired-apron/

http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/02/quick-apron.html

http://www.bhg.com/crafts/sewing/accessories/make-a-pretty-paisley-apron/

http://angieasplund.blogspot.com/2009/03/hostess-apron-tutorial.html

http://www.bhg.com/crafts/sewing/accessories/easy-retro-apron/

{Ps any one who wants to be nice to the swap mommie... Hint Hint to all of you quilters out there :) And knows how to put wonderful fabrics together....she wants one of the top Aprons from the Moda instructions :o) }

Wah Wah poor poor pitti-ful little ole' me!!!!

Tee hee hee hee!!!

Oh my I guess I whined enough.. my sweet and wonderful friend Nadine has indicated she might make me that wonderful apron :)

I love her work.. I could have her sew things for me forever... :)

Thank you my dear dear friend!!!

Crying a River Here!!!

I finished up all three of my Annies. They got packaged and photographed and sent out today. I also got my up-cycled apron done and packaged and shipped. I even got a couple of things from my Etsy shop packaged and sent off too. I took my sweet time and photographed each item. Guess what for some reason the photo card dropped some of my photos. I know the battery thing was flashing.. but it has never dropped photos before like this. So I will have to be more careful in the future to insure I have photos prior to shipping the items out ;) So if you receive an Annie or Up-cycled Angel-ed apron.. please send me a photo of them ;) I would be very grateful for your kindness ;) As I always keep a photo of each item that I hand make.. just for my own scrap book :)

Round Trip to see the Family today

My brother and I took a trip to the State of OK today. We went to the family grave site :) It is a short trip it only takes about 4 hours out of our day. I try and go with him at least 2-4 times a year if not more ;)
Today was different... I got up early and put out my Wonderful Red White and Blue American Flag. Then I got myself and the Pitty around so I could drive N of me 14 miles to my Bubba's house. As I drove I looked at the homes. I saw two other American flags flying on my mile block. I did not see another American Flag until I turned down my brothers dirt road to his home. Two homes on his street were flying flags. I am telling you that was 14 mile trip to his house and no other flags. I drove down a long stretch of road with several houses, without seeing my beloved American Flags. I walked in my brothers door and asked where in the H e double L ... his flag was. He said he didn't own one!!! I told him I was going to give him one and I wanted him to fly it to honor his Aunts and Uncles that fought in the war to keep us safe and from harm. His reply is I don't like the current president. I said what does that have to do with honoring your loved ones that were willing to fight and die for you!! He said nothing and I let it go. But I am telling everyone that is reading my blog... I am A RED NECK FLAG FLYING PATRIOT!!! And if you didn't have your flag flying today .. you need to move to a new COUNTRY!!! Shame on you if your flag is not out of all days........We are in War!!! We need to show the families of those that are fighting we are behind them and their loved ones 100%, let alone honor those that have passed to make this great country what it is today!!!
Ok enough of my B***h**g!!!
On a lighter note my brother was telling me a story about him when he lived in Ca with my Grandma Peachy and Sweet Aunt. It was a story about the night the SFPD arrested him.
My brother has this awesome Red 64 Chevy Pick up. Its a slick and smart looking low rider. In fact he still owns that truck :) It was a low rider before anyone in Ks knew what they were. Anyway it was all tricked out and sweet looking. He said he was driving down the road and the Cops in San Francisco pulled him over with red lights and guns drawn. He said they snatched him out of his truck and handcuffed him to a light pole. He said they didn't say anything but started going through his truck. Of course he said hey what the H are you doing??? They didn't say a thing.. only removed him from the pole and put him in the back of a police car and took him to the police station. Once there he got the good guy bad guy cop thing. The bad cop says we brought you here because your truck matches a truck that was seen at such and so drive in where two young gay guys were shot and killed. Well being the smart A.. my brother is he says... only two people would get up set about a gay being shot.... his mom or his lover.. which one are you the guy or the gal in the relationship??? Of course I was really laughing at this...Bubba said the bad cops veins were popping out he was so mad. Of course the good cop was laughing hysterically. They didn't believe Bubba when he told them he was no where around that place and that there were lots of red trucks with custom tail lights. Well he landed in jail for the night as he had no money for bail. When he walked in to the court room the next morning.... there sat a women on the bench. He thought I'm a goner for sure now. She picked up the file read it and look my biker brother over and said.. this was a travesty of justice and a false arrest. You could sue the city of San Francisco.. you would probably win lots of money... but you won't see any of the money until your at least 50... That was almost 30 years ago.
Now here is where this story takes a funny turn.. Bubba was laughing so hard telling me this colorful story until................ I said... hey Bubba just think you would be a rich man today if you had only sued the City of San Francisco. Oh my goodness you could have heard a pin drop in the cab of my little red Toyota truck. There was total silence!!! Bubba got this puzzled look on his face, turned red and then..... It came!!!! Damn!!! Your right and I would be living on easy street now!!! Of course we both started laughing again at how life really does turn out sometimes. Oh my.... we got such a good laugh out of that.. I had tears running down my face. My brother is a very smart and witty guy and I just pull one of my classic Fast ones on him!!! Tee hee hee!! I love it when I can pull a good one on him and he is speechless!!!

THANK YOU FOR MY FREEDOM!!!!!

Rabbi Sherwin Wine:
There are two visions of America. One precedes our founding fathers and finds its roots in the harshness of our puritan past. It is very suspicious of freedom, uncomfortable with diversity, hostile to science, unfriendly to reason, contemptuous of personal autonomy. It sees America as a religious nation. It views patriotism as allegiance to God. It secretly adores coercion and conformity. Despite our constitution, despite the legacy of the Enlightenment, it appeals to millions of Americans and threatens our freedom.
The other vision finds its roots in the spirit of our founding revolution and in the leaders of this nation who embraced the age of reason. It loves freedom, encourages diversity, embraces science and affirms the dignity and rights of every individual. It sees America as a moral nation, neither completely religious nor completely secular. It defines patriotism as love of country and of the people who make it strong. It defends all citizens against unjust coercion and irrational conformity.
This second vision is our vision. It is the vision of a free society. We must be bold enough to proclaim it and strong enough to defend it against all its enemies.

On personal note:

Thank you to all the families and loved ones that are separated from their homes and family while away fighting for what WE as Americans believe in.

I also wish to thank our first responders (police and fire) that remain behind in the USA. They are the ones that are working and giving up their holidays to make our life a safer place to live.

MILKY WAY BROWNIES

Ingredients:

1 lb (4 sticks) unsalted butter

1 lb semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped semi-sweet chocolate

6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

2 Tbs instant espresso powder

7 large eggs

2 Tbs pure vanilla extract

2¼ cups granulated sugar

1¼ cups all-purpose flour

1 Tbs baking powder

1 tsp salt

12 ounces mini Milky Way Bars (chopped)

1 full-size Milky Way Bar sliced thinly
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour 12×18x1-inch pan. Line with foil or parchment that hangs over the sides for ease in getting them out (butter the foil/parchment).
2. In a heatproof, medium-bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, heat butter, and chocolates until melted and smooth; cool slightly.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, espresso powder, vanilla and sugar. Stir the egg mixture into the slightly cooled chocolate mixture. Cool to room temperature.
4. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt, then add to batter. Stir chopped mini Milky Way bars into chocolate mixture. Then pour into prepared baking pan and smooth top with a rubber spatula. Place slices of the full-size Milky Way Bar onto the top of the brownie batter.
5. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean with a few crumbs attached; do not over bake! Let cool completely, then cover tightly and chill overnight. Chilled brownies are easier to cut.
Yield: At least a couple of dozen, depending on how large you cut your brownies.
Cooking Tips*These taste better the second day.**If it’s a warm day inside your house, you might consider chilling the Milky Way bars before you try to cut them.
Recipe Source: Adapted from Ina Garten

Wow what a bargain.. I took Denise up on this offer!!!

Denise White our Annie Pattern Designer is having a crazy fun Memorial Day Sale
Now through May 31!

http://www.thecatspyjamaspatterns.com/

Purchase her Crazy Little Raggedy pattern and get another pattern of your choice for half price! You can add your half price pattern when you add her to your cart.

You can either purchase these patterns as and e-pattern or hard pattern its up to you ;)

Run over take a look and don't miss out on this wonderful deal she is offering :)

I got mine!!!

Thank you for giving me these wonderful awards

My first award was given to me by Turtle Trax Too. I received this award a while back.. and silly ole me.. I forgot to post about it. I am so sorry. I got busy working on Annies and Aprons. So please forgive my error. I have not been thinking or remembering to do a lot lately. But sometimes life gets too busy and you just plain forget. I will have to try and do better :) I don't like to leave anyone out.. I love all of you... that I have gotten to know. I love all of your wonderful work and your fun and exciting blogs ...

The Premio MEME Blog Award Rules:

1. list 7 personality traits about yourself.

A. I am a chocolate Addict :) This doesn't need any explanation ;)

B. I am some what funny and hold my own with the rest when its joke cracking time:)

C. I am very loyal to my friends and job!!

D. I believe in being honest and take responsibility for my errors :)

E. I love love love my God, Country, Creatures and Chocolate... and I should not forget my Pepsi :-)

F. I try to be a good and giving person.. I share and try to improve myself on a daily basis.

G. I never take a day of life for granite.. it should be lived to the fullest even if its only putting a smile on your face or someone Else's ;) Even if its a bad pain day.. I am always peachy and send a smile out with it ;) I have been told more than once... the people I work with look forward to seeing me because... my hello and smile makes their rough day better.

2. tag/award 7 blogs that deserve such fine recognition for the personalities that they share with the blogging world.

Here goes:

Khristina: http://sewprimkhris.blogspot.com/

Denise: http://www.thecatspyjamaspatterns.com/

J0: http://scrapnstitch.blogspot.com/

Ani: http://ani-makes-dolls.blogspot.com/

Paula: http://thevilulateagarden.blogspot.com/

Tina: http://beansiebabbles.blogspot.com/

Trish: http://notjustbagsbytrish.blogspot.com/

My Second award is the Attitude of Gratitude Award
I received this wonderful Award from: http://backporchblessings.blogspot.com/
The Rules of Accepting and Sharing this Award
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate a few bloggers who show an attitude of gratitude
3. Link to your nominees within your post.
4. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award.
5. Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award.
6. Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude.My first award is the Attitude of Gratitude Award

As stated before I don't like to leave anyone out of receiving wonderful awards... Just remember your not being slighted if your not named. I love all of you and each and everyone of you make my life a wonderful place to be ;)I am going to Name the Five People that I have a lot of contact with:

#1 Nadine from http://apronvalleyroad.blogspot.com/ I never dreamed in a hundred years I would find such a wonder close friend on a blog ;) Nadine is funny, loving, caring, and very giving and an excellent seamstress :) Through Phone calls and emails we have found out we are very much a like in a lot of ways. My only regret is she lives so far away :(

#2 CJ from http://auntdaisyscottage.blogspot.com/ I first met CJ on Etsy. She had an item up for sale. I really liked it a lot. I sent her a post and asked if she was interested in doing a swap.. She said sure and that was the beginning of a fun and wonderful friendship. CJ was also the person that gave me an invitation to join Apronista ;)

#3 Ms S: http://faeriewysperer.blogspot.com/

I had the privilege of being a swap partner with Ms S. We have chatted and email each other often since our Christmas Ornie swap. Ms S is a very creative, giving, and loving person. She makes me laugh and smile on a regular basis :) If I have a question or just need a friend to chat with she is aways there :) Thank you Sweet friend :)

#4 Maria: no blog

I have to tell you Maria is my Angel in every way. She is so giving and creative. I have had the honor of owning several of her lovely aprons. I first met Maria on Swap-bot. I invited her to one of my apron swaps.. and she has been swapping with us since in every swap since that first invitation. We are very lucky to have her in our group of swappers. If I need help with an Angel package.. she always offers before I have to ask.. She is a dear heart and so giving of her time and talents. Thank you Maria.. you really are my angel :)

#5 Val: http://yarnigras

Val is one of the sweetest person that I have been given the chance to meet. I am always amazed at her wonderful aprons, mushrooms, and the way she love her children and family. Val was the driving force for me to start making toys for the toy society. Val has the kindness and a giving spirit that the world needs more of. Not to forget her children they are so talented. Thank you for all the wonderful and fun times we have shared this year ;)

LOL I have to stop there as I am getting all mushy... but just remember if you are not one of the persons listed... I am still very glad you are all in my life ;) Thank you sweet friends. :)

I have been working on this single post for almost 3 hours. My computer is acting silly or its the web site.. which ever if you see your award before I get you posted please take it!!! I am going to stop on this blog post for now!!!
Watch out computer.. I can unplug you!!!!!

This is better than Chocolate ;)

I have developed a rather obsessive passion for old vintage sewing machines, and vintage toy sewing machines. There is a lot of history and wonderful stories that come along with these old machines. Some of the Singers Featherweights were made in several countries before or during WW11. I have been wanting a Singer 301 sewing machine for a little over a year. I was bidding on this vintage Singer sewing machine this week on Ebay..... I am so excited I won her:) Isn't she a beauty a really nice 301. I haven't seen one this well preserved in a while. I can't wait to get her home and try her out :) (APP is jumping up and down and fling arms in a happy dance)
The 301 is very popular with quilters it has a built in handle so you can carry it easily from one spot to the other ;) It is well suited for those of you who like to attend quilting, sewing classes, or quilting groups. The 301 has a much stronger motor than its sister the 221 or 221A or 222 Featherweights. The reason the 301 machines are so highly sought is because they’re gear driven instead of belt driven, which makes them capable of handling incredible thicknesses of fabric. This machine also sews adjustable length straight stitch's and goes in reverse. You can drop the feed dog with the turn of a knob. For easy free motion quilting ;)

This is the next Singer sewing machine on my list its a free arm Featherweight 222K. This machine is referred to as the Queen of all the Singer sewing machines. It is highly desired by all sewing enthusiast. There was a limited number of them made in Great Brittan. I have been keeping and eye on these machines and you rarely see one up for sale.

Below you will find some history on the Singer Sewing Machine :)

Among all models manufactured by Singer, quite a few are still very popular. Singer antique sewing machine models 301a, 301, 221 and 222 - so called Featherweight and model 66 are the most popular. Of these, the Singer Featherweight 221 is a classic model introduced in 1933 at the Chicago World’s Fair and continued to be manufactured until 1960 in the US and until 1971 in Scotland.
It is a “collectible” of the first order even if that can be a pricey item. In case of looking for an antique sewing machine not from a collector’s point of view, the Singer 301 or 301a are as good as Featherweights and can be found for about a third of what the Featherweight might cost. Besides Singer, there are many other antique sewing machines manufacturing companies, like Bradbury, Jones, Frister and Rossmann.
Excerpts of history from: http://hubpages.com/hub/AntiqueSewingMachine

Please change out your swap button :)

We all get a lot of information on the Internet highway. We don't always remember where it comes from.. but sometimes that doesn't matter and sometimes it does. As you can see the blog swap button with the Annie has changed. It seems I didn't follow the designers rules and she is upset with me. I read the pattern several times to see if there was a disclosure on the pattern. I didn't see one... so I assumed when it was free it was free to everyone if your not selling it. I was not selling it.. I was sharing it. The only thing I saw on it was a copy right circle.
I can truly understand why she is upset with me...if you put your time in on designing a fun pattern, and not getting the credit for it that's wrong. So I really don't blame her for being upset with me!! She also took her time to make the wonderful example that I used for our swap button. Denise White deserves the accolades that goes along with this wonderful fun Annie pattern. I think that we should all go and visit her fun and wonderful blog. I have to tell you she has some fun fantastic Annie dolls and fantastic patterns for sale.

Denise White has requested that we use her link, if you want obtain the pattern. You must also link back to her web site as getting the free pattern from her. As she really does deserve the credit for her lovely and fun Annie Pattern.

http://www.thecatspyjamaspatterns.com/

I have to be honest .. I can't tell you where I got this pattern from... some place off the net (maybe even off her site) or someone sent it to me via email. You know how everyone shares everything. Here is what she has up on her blog for this wonderful fun pattern:

This is one of the patterns featured on Creative Living with Sheryl Borden--you can try her out for free! Click the link below to open the file and print. Just don't sell the pattern and be sure to give me credit for the design!!
http://www.thecatspyjamaspatterns.com/

So ladies... I am giving 5 thumbs up to Ms. Denise White for this lovely and easy Annie pattern. Thank you for sharing it with everyone even if I did goof up on your requirements of its usage. Thank you Ms. Denise White on the behalf of my self and all the swappers of this Annie swap. Ladies don't forget to go visit her web site and say hello because she has some really wonderful fun stuff to offer:)