It's my Time of the Year

Hello My Sweet Blogging friends... it's becoming my favorite time of the year.

Fall and Winter??? 

You ask why the question marks..... well both seasons have my two favorite Holidays. 

Halloween and Christmas.

We are just finishing up our Annual Halloween Block Swap, and the blocks that are arriving are awesome. Speaking of Block swaps there are still some openings in the Christmas Block Swap if you interested in joining in on the fun. Please keep mindful all skill levels join in on my swaps ;O)  We are B Quilters here :O)

Now on to the good stuff... I will be holding a Halloween tote swap and a Christmas Stocking Swap.

I hope you will join in on the fun ;O)

Rules for the Halloween Tote Swap:

One Halloween Tote Large enough to haul a large amount of loot.

Two Halloween Fat Quarters

Three other small gifties.. exp thread, pins, ribbon, floss, seam ripper, seasonal potholder, Seasonal stamp, etc..

Please add a few Sweet Treats (What would Halloween be without sweet Lollies... don't forget I love Chocolate)

Sign ups start today Sept 18th and will close Sept 30th

Swap Due at Partners House on Oct 27th, 2012

To sign up....Please send Email to:

AuntPittyPatsFun@yahoo.com  

APP needs the following info:

Name

Address

Phone number

Blog

Will you ship international

Will you be an Angel 

Rules for Christmas Stocking Swap toward the end of October..

Hello My sweet bloggers... I thought I would write a post to you. Wow where does the time go? It's been three weeks yesterday since the surgery, and it only feels like a week. Ms Nadine has returned home and her family is so happy to see her! Me? I am sad..I miss her so much... but I am so very thankful that she was able to come and stay with me as long as she could. Her family is very understanding to give her up for three weeks. I don't know how I could have managed without her. Not only the great meals that she fixed for me... she also drove me all over town for meds, dr's appointments... and yes ladies we did get some fun in while she was here... JUST load me up with pain drugs and I was good to go :O) I have three more weeks before I go to the Dr. I am still having good days and bad days. I still can't sleep in my bed and my lower back is screaming at me to lay down. I attempted to lay down in bed yesterday... I had a 3 hr nap... that's as long as I could take it. I will continue to try sleeping in the bed. It's the hard plastic brace it has no give so it puts pressure on my neck. 

Speaking of Nadine... When she cooked our dinner meals she made extra food for me, to put in the freezer for the next three weeks so I don't have to fix anything.. or try to go out to eat. Yes she made delicious good meals for me!!

Driving is still sort of iffy... Big Daddy O has purchased a panoramic view mirror for me so I don't have to twist my neck so much. That should arrive later this week. Then he will probably install it next week for me.

I hope I am feeling better in the next week or so to get my own Halloween Blocks completed. Nadine worked on hers and got them completed while she was here. Sorry can't show they are a surprise :O) Nadine did get a lot of sewing in.. she sewed a large amount of hexies while here... she also sewed the following: 12 Halloween Swap Blocks, two pinkeeps/ with hexies, two tote shopping bags/with hexies, one pencil case/ with hexies, one blouse, one cute neck scarf for me, cut out an additional blouse, change her mind on sewing it and started one baby quilt (almost completed) and completed one large carry on tote with hexies for the airplane. I say she did a fair bit of sewing while she was here. I know she enjoyed the time she had to sew!

I had the best time while Nadine was here.. I hope her visit taking care of me was not to bad!!!

Some of Nadines Projects:

This is the large Tote she took home on the plane.

Here are the two very cut Hexie PinKeeps that she made us.

The following is sort of funny... We were eating breakfast out and Nadine had just emptied her jelly container... She say's hummm what can we make with this. We took them home and I made ring pinkeeps. 

Well that didn't work out so well because I used crushed walnut shells and fiberfil.  They were a bit heavy once they were completed. They did not want to stay up right on our fingers. So we took out the elastic band and put a small flower shaped piece on the bottom to cover up the hole ;O) This made a small pinkeep to sit beside you while you sewed watching TV. 

This was our first try... we didn't find the time to do the second try. 

Both of us thought they were pretty cute for trial and error ;O)

The Keep on the left is Nadine's and the one on RT is mine ;O)

I was bad and didn't get a photo of the shopping totes or Nadine's blouse, pencil case or baby quilt. Maybe she will be kind and send me photos.... I hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to sewing and sharing with you again :O)

I'M Home

My neck surgery was a huge success. I now have the feeling back in my fingers...The lightning strike pains that were running from the back of neck down to the tips of my fingers seem to be gone..... I did one over nite the day of the surgery. The nurse was also thinking I would have to stay another night If I couldn't eat without geting sick to my stomach. A motion sickness patch was put on behind my ear and a couple hours later the being sick to the stomach stopped. I was finally able to eat some scramble eggs for breakfast... Yeah I got to go home after that ;o) 

I am so surprised that I don't hurt anymore than I did prior to surgery. It seems to be about the same level  prior to surgery. I figured the pain would be worse.. but it isn't with the use of meds....Yeah for me... No additional pain. I think..... Everyone has been surprised at how well I am doing including myself ;O) I am having trouble swollowing. It is my understanding that can be a usual out come from the surgery. The Doctor cut through the front of my neck.. They had to move the esophogus around to get to the spine. Meds and throat spray are really helping. I will be off for 6 weeks before I see the doctor. He will determine at that time if I have to take more time off from work. 

I just wanted to let all of you know that I am doing ok.... and to thank you for all the sweet Wishes and Prayers.

M

I'm Wanting Cooler Weather!

I love the Fall it brings one of my favorite Holidays ... Halloween.

Speaking of Halloween.. there are still two openings in the Halloween Block Swap... 

Please help me get those two slots filled... 

Thank you in advance... 

First come first on the list.. Email on Posting of swap :O)

I have been surfing the web and have found some awesome things to share with you.

Here is an adorable treat bag for those little ones.

You can find the tutorial at Cluck Cluck Sew.

 Speaking of treat bags here is another fun tutorial at Sewing.org

 I saw these little treat bags and thought wow these would make a great

totes if you made them just a bit bigger and added a handle... they would be great to carry all of those tasty treats.. you will find the tutorial at Sharon Sews.

I just love these little shrunken Heads in Cider from Martha Stewart.

Even your house plants should get into the fun... Horrific Houseplant

Costumes. You will find the tutorial at Indestructibles. 

 

 

Here is a fun thing to do with your ice during the Halloween Season ;O) You will find the post at Fahrenheit 350.

The following speaks for its self.. I just love me some Holiday Apples ;O) You will find funny tutorial at Cookingcomically.

Aren't these adorable.. you can make them with any type of jar.. you will find the instructions at Seasonal Home Decorating Blog... Scroll down... you will find them a little ways down.

I love this make your own Ghosts from Be Different act Normal.

I have some very cute Glass Blocks that I use for Christmas Presents under the Christmas tree... why not for Halloween .. you will find the instructions for these at Crafts Direct Blog 

Make your own fun Halloween Decorations with Pumpkins from Better Homes and gardens. You will find other fun things made from punkins on this site.. run by take a look :O)

I laughed and laughed when I saw these little legs... run over to Design Dazzle and get the instructions on how to make a set of your own :O) Whimsical Witch Legs

It's Confirmed..

That's right you heard it right. My surgery date is set.... it's Aug 14th. Nadine and I have to be at the Hospital at 0530am. LOL Nadine is just getting off of a weeks vacation and now she has to leave out again to see me and the Pitty.  What will her family do? LOL just like they did the last time she visited for 3 weeks.. called  lots of times and whine there is no one to make paper pan cakes ;O) Poor Babies!!! NOT~~ It's my turn for Nadine's yummy yummy food ;O)

Although I do feel sorry for Ms Nadine.... Wow 0530am is early...it will be like 0330am for Ms Nadine. Plus she has to put up with me when I am not at my best... Maybe seeing the Pitty will make her trip a little more pleasant. Hopefully she will stay long enough to go to the fair. I will be on week three by then. I hope I feel ok by that time!!! Hopefully I can get her out some to enjoy her visit.. Dad is going to provide her with a car to drive. Nadine already knows where some of the fun fabric shops are, she could go without me if need be! I would like to take her out to my favorite restaurant for Prime Rib before I have surgery if possible... it's so yummy!!! Nadine loved my favorite steak house in Oklahoma City, Ok. It's called Cattleman's Cafe if you have never been there. She loved the entire meal.. the food was great and seeing Ms CJ was awesome!!!  After dinner all of us went to the Memorial for the Oklahoma City Bombing... Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. No trips to OkC this time... Ms CJ has moved back home to Wisconsin. ;O(  

I hate that CJ  and Nadine are so far away!!!  

I guess they are right..... absence does make the heart grow fonder ;O) I wish I could just get in my truck and drive over to see them at least once a week... but I can't :O(

Sweet friends....I am so ready to get this over with and maybe get some relief.... JUST like I am sure my readers are going to be so happy not to hear me whine about being in pain. I am currently under restrictions until the surgery. I am only working 4 hour work days. Work doesn't seem to be to happy but I am getting worse and I can hardly stand the riggers of work right now. 

I laid awake last nite after finding out the surgery date... for some reason I got scared. Maybe it was the little seed that the Attorney planted in my brain. He said I should look at other options before I do this. I explained everything I have went through for treatments.. and he did concede that it might be my best option, after everything that has been tried already. He did say the Doctor that I was assigned is an awesome doctor. That makes me feel better :O)

I thought I would let everyone know what's happening.. if your in the Holiday Block Swaps.. please keep working on them. They might be late this year in completion because of me.... But I am sure my players will understand :O)  LOL I just might prod Nadine in to helping me out while I am down and out ;O)

Until next time happy stitching and no ripping!!!

Christmas in July Part 2

I have received a lot of great comments from the items that I posted on the last Christmas in July post. I thought I would pass on some more fun stuff. I just love trying to find new and fun free things to make and give to my family for special occasions. I have found some more fun things to share with you :O)

What little girl wouldn't like this little Bear?

 Find the link HERE along with 1500 other patterns.

Here is another adorable pattern for that little girl in your life...I really thought this was cute.. it's written in Swedish.. but you could use Babble Fish to translate.

 Go HERE for the pattern. 

Flat Emelie and Matt

 I just love this little boy and girl...They remind me of those little Colorform toys.. You ask what was the toy? Sort of a paper doll if you will. It was a little card board scene that you stick the little plastic pieces on. You could dress up the people any way you wanted to...my daughter use to play with them for hours when she was little.

Here is a great idea for those ladies that travel ... speaking of traveling.. I love to travel. You can find the pattern for these very cute personalized laundry bags at  

NOODLEHEAD.

I always have trouble trying to find fun projects to make for little boys.. I think this is the most clever idea yet. A little car caddy with a little city street on it.. run over to  

Just Another Hang Up 

to see the pattern.

I can see the following item made for either a guy or a gal. Good project for those people in your life that own an Ipod and are active in sports... You can find the tutorial at  

Roubidou.

Awesome idea for those little ones in your life. This would also work well for those of us that have to take our lunch to work. Just throw a few in the clean and then toss them in the dirty to know which to use or not use. You can find these very cute pouches at  

The Silly Pearl.

What a cute grab and go tote. Of course it would have to be a favorite of mine because it's made from Up-cycled Jeans. You can find the pattern at  

Indestructibles. 

Here is a cute idea to keep the little ones busy while your driving in the car or waiting on dinner at your favorite restaurant. It might even be fun to give to and older child of yours. ;O)

You can find a PDF for this tic tac toe board at 

Lark Crafts. 

I love this idea. I try never to put clothing on wire hangers. This creative project takes care of that problem.You can make these out of any fabric. Not just vintage sheets or pillow cases.  To find the instructions for this very nice gift idea go to  

Cherished *Vintage.

As everyone knows I just love aprons. I have found another fun project from Lark Craft an adorable apron. It is also one of those projects after my heart it's made from up-cycled men's shirts.

Here is another amazing idea .... A Christmas Present to yourself... You could also make one for your sewing friends they will marvel at your brilliant gift. When I first saw this.... I ran right out and purchased what I needed to make this awesome fold away ironing board. I haven't made mine yet .. its on the list of things to do... but I love the idea ;O) 

Photo from Texas Freckles... Tutorial is at 

Oh, Fransson!

Do you ever need two pot holders to take something out of the oven. Well I do.. but I am a goof and use a folded up paper towel most of the time... and yes its still hot hot hot on the ole fingers. Well my problem is now solved.. here is the cutest potholder I have seen in a long time. You can find the tutorial to make this fun potholder at  

A little Gray. 

Do your hands get cold in the winter??? Mine freeze. I found a very cute functional Neck scarf with pockets. Yes I said pockets.. this would be a perfect gift item for your friends and family. You can find the tutorial at  

Delia Creates. 

I been on a trip to the 70's and I have came up with a very fun idea... Craft Knife has provided a tutorial to make some Tie-Dyed Socks... I think they are fantastic.. I am sure it will be messy.. so be prepared :O)

I wanted to post more fun.. but the notebook has given me trouble all night.... I have been working on this project for about 4 hours now... I guess the notebook is still loading up all the updates it didn't get when I could not get on line... It has taken way to long to do this post... maybe there will be a part 3.... Thanks for letting me share.. I hope you like the projects.. and if you try some out.. let us know.

Maybe it wasn't the notebook computer.. blogger is doing some strange things with my fonts... 

Getting Caught UP ;O)

I am finally getting caught up on Swaps and other UFO's Speaking of UFO's here are two of them completed.

Spring of 2012 Mug Rug swap.
I tried my had at some thread sketching on this mug rug.
It turned out OK... Could be much better!
I would like to continue to learn and improve on thread sketching
I would love to make art Mug Rugs ;O)
Or any type of Altered Quilting Arts.
I think it takes a skill just like painting.. and I am no Artist!
This thread sketching might be a struggle for me!
This mug rug is the one I shipped out.. not the one with thread sketching.
Sorry haven't taken a photo of that one.

Sorry about the poor Photos.. house lighting is awful!

I held a Christmas stocking swap in 2011. I made a beautiful Stocking with this little Snowman Applique. I liked the little Snowman so much I made a few mug rugs for myself. It took me a while to complete the handwork. (Binding)  My fingers are still not working like they should.

I made an adorable Sun Bonnet Sue that I sent out as a thank you gift to a sweet helpful internet friend. Of course I forgot to take a photo of her.

 Here is my Little Sue.. I found a photo of her that the owner had posted ;O)

 I guess there was a reason I forgot. I need to make one for me. I have all her parts and pieces cut out. I just need to stitch them together. WHY yes I have one of every mug rug that I have made so far. I think I make two just because..... It's so hard to give up the finished project. Most of my friends know... I just love mug rugs!!! You can do so many things with them and they are so very fast to make. It's not like all the Beautiful Quilt Blocks that I have laying around that need to be put in to a quilt. That will come soon I hope. My limitations has kept me from completing my Holiday Quilts. Completing the quilts was on my list of things I wanted to complete this year.

Speaking of Quilts... thank you to all that has sent me beautiful Christmas Fabric Scraps for my piano boarder for one of many Holiday Quilts. I can still use donations... send me an email if you would like to donate. I was just looking at the donations this morning and wishing I felt up to sewing them together. Maybe in Oct after the surgery....

Anyway ladies.. I hope your days are filled with Lots of Sewing and completing UFO's.

It's all about me :O)

Hello Sweet friends.... I hope all of you had a great and safe 4th of July Holiday :O) Me I stayed at home and didn't do much. Mostly dozed in my chair. I was not feeling to hot.
My neck has been giving me a lot of heck lately. No fun when you hurt!

I have news that both gives me elated feelings and scared feelings. After 5 years, I have finally found a doctor that thinks he can help me with all of this pain. I will be having surgery in the near future. My near future is in the next Month or so. I have found after visiting with Dr Henry that I have nerves in my neck that are trapped in over 4 places. Bulging discs, worn out cartilage between the discs and narrowing of the spinal canal where the nerve is rubbing on the bone. The Dr told me this will be a very extensive surgery and to expect to be off work for at least 4 weeks and then in a neck brace for 3-4 months depending how I am doing. Dr Henry is going to start at vertebra 2 and work down through vertebra 7. He will release the entrapped nerves, remove the worn out pads. Put in rods and screws and possibly some bone grafting. I will need to stay in the Hospital over nite. 

I know I have some swaps out there in progress... Please continue to work on your blocks and I will try my best to be on time. I have been having trouble with my hands again and its hard to sew when that is happening. 

I have to say I am truly bless with all my friends on the net... Thank you all... for all your notes and emails saying they wish they were closer to help. Speaking of help my dear friend Nadine C. :O) has offered once again to come to my rescue and come take care of me after my surgery... I don't know what I would do with out her.. she is so kind and giving. This will be the second time she has so graciously offered to come and be with me when I need the help!!! LOL Nadine is always telling me... I can't believe out of all the people in the world.. That my best friend here in Washington and you have the same types of illnesses. It's strange when that friend is not feeling well ... I am not feeling well either. Maybe I have a twin out there. I always laugh and say I have a twin.. I am the evil one ;O)

Anyway ladies that is what is up with me and why you don't see or hear much from me any more.. I hope after the surgery I will be antsy to do something and ready to Sew Sew Sew!!!

One final note......

I can never repay the kindness that Nadine gives to me in this Awesome friendship.
 Nadine you are the Best...
YOU ROCK!!!

TRADITIONALLY

 July

 starts 

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Here are some Ideas to get your Christmas Sewing Started:

Find Tutorial at: WhiMSY Love

Insulated Picnic Tote from: Sew Momma Sew

Child's Back Pack at: Fiskars

 Car Caddy Tutorial at: Sew Many Ways

 Blog is in French... Un Petit Bout De Fil

Click on the word ICI to get the PDF

Also can translate with Babble Fish :O)

There are a lot of other great patterns on this Blog

Easy Hanging Towel at: Hot Flash'n Craft'n

Close to bottom of post PDF

CD Pocket Tutorial at: Mushroom Villagers

** UP DATE**

I made one of these CD Holders yesterday...... I found I did not like the finished product. I don't know if it was me not understanding the directions... or how it was put together.  Most of you know that I try to change things to make them better if they seem wrong or hard to understand. The Second one turned out OK. Still not please with the design of this VERY CUTE IDEA. I laid in bed last nite... trying to think on how to make this even better... Yep you guessed it.. MR Sandman came along before I completed my thoughts!!

Soda Can Wrap at: CraftGossip

 

Presser Foot Organizer at: Husqvarna

IPad Cover Tutorial at: Amy's Creative Side

Clear Toy Storage Bags with Drawstring at: Make it and Love it

Cargo Scarf at: Indestructibles

Dish Rug Tutorial at: Quilting by the River

I hope these ideas get you ahead start on your Christmas gifts.