I always need inspiration.. to keep me going in a forward direction :)

I found my inspiration for the day.. this young lady is so amazing she is in the 7th grade and is 12 years old and she quilts.. I have to tell you she is fantastic. If you want to see some of her fantastic work.. I invite you to visit her blog :) The Scrap Box .... there you will find a whole lot of inspiration for such a short time blogger. From pieced quilts to hand quilting of her quilt tops. She has a goal to stitch 30 mins a day. Wow that is dedication.

Excerpt from her blog :)

The last thing I want to show all of you is a special work in progress that I have been working on for quite a while. It is a hexagon charm quilt where every piece is different. If any of you would like to help me out by sending scraps through the mail that would be very nice.


Well my sweet friends if you have any scraps you want to let go of for a sweet inspiring young quilter.. please drop by and send her a post.. I know I'm going to :)

OK OK!!!!

I awoke Friday morning and I was thirsty... so I trekked into the kitchen opened up the refrigerator door and grabbed my life blood Pepsi. I took a couple of swags and went on up and and took a shower. Dressed, drug a rake through my hair and polished my toofies. As most of you know our toofies start getting stained as we get older from the different foods that we eat. No amount of toofie polish or cleaning will get them back to the luster they were when we were younger, other than doing that expensive bleaching process. No matter how much I polish...I can not get a shiny bright smile any more. I am sure it has to do with the Pepsi staining them :)

Ok on with this what I think is a strange but funny story ;)
So I got ready for work and got to the front door and thought hey I should grab a Pepsi to take to work with me. I thought naw I will get one on the way to work at the local stop and rob because sometimes I like ice. I left the house and headed that way. I got to the corner where I either turn to go to work or go forward to the stop and rob. Which is past the bridge, and just on the other side of the stop light. Well I took the turn not thinking.... so I headed on into work. I could not just go around the block as I was now on the Highway, on the way to Ta Town. I don't know about you but I thought about that Pepsi all the way to work and as soon as I got in the door. I stopped put my two one dollar bills into the machine.. and LOw and BEHOld it was sold out!!!!! The machine popped back one dollar bill and gave back 6 quarters. Now I don't know if that was someone Else's change from 2 one dollar bills or not. Of course I called the receptionist for the vending company .. she asked who it was a I told her this is your Cranky local and not so friendly clerk at the Wichita Police Dept..... I don't have my hello good morning Pepsi... she started laughing and said .. I will have the boss out right away. LOL she knows its only me that calls when the machine is empty. She laughed and said I don't want you to be cranky.. we need you to be nice and friendly... So I think Wed when I go to work I will call and just say hello and say thank you :) Sure enough to her word.. he was out within an hour.. in the mean time I begged one of the Po PO guys and they went and got me an iced Pepsi :) But here is where the strange and funny part comes in.. I wondered to myself.. I says self... do you think God was tapping you on the shoulder and trying to tell me to get the Pepsi here and here .. or do you think he was trying to say.. you don't need that Pepsi????
Well I told several people of my story of the morning they just laughed and laughed... and everyone of them did believe the good lord was trying to tell me something and I just wasn't listening. What do you think???? What ever it was I sure was not listening!!!

I think I found the Ultimate Brownie

The Chocolatiest Brownies

More Photos and directions here: Chewonthatblog

Semi-sweet and Ghirardelli baking chocolate both go into this super-rich brownie.

Ingredients

1 1/2 C. flour
1 C. margarine
1 tsp. butternut vanilla or vanilla
2 C. sugar
3 oz. Ghirardelli 60% cacao chocolate
3 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolate
4 extra-large or jumbo eggs
1 C. chocolate chunks (or chips)

Directions

Melt margarine and chocolates. Remove from heat and mix in sugar. Always mix by hand when making brownies. Add eggs one at a time, stirring after each addition. Stir in flour, vanilla, and chocolate chunks. Pour into a greased 13×9-inch pan. Sprinkle chocolate chunks on top if desired. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes. Test for doneness with a toothpick; don’t over bake.

My back pack is done ;)

Here it is ladies... I really really love this one.. I like it better than my Nieces.. but I know my niece will love hers too :) Yes I quilted almost the entire bag. NOW....Don't look too close it was my first attempt to quilt such a large piece of material at one time. The inside lining has the same fabric used as the outside accent. I wanted to use red polka dots.. but I didn't have enough material. So instead of purchasing more. I used what I had on hand. I even put a pen slot on the pocket and dropped in a note pad. I am always taking notes when I am out ;) I just wish now that I had put in an inside pocket. Oh well live and learn :) All in all it turned out pretty good.

LoL...... you all know me .. I am always redesigning things that I make and that includes this back pack ;) I have a few ideas that would make it more wonderful :) I might even get those ideas worked out after the vacation and make a few and put them on my blog and in my Etsy shop for sale.
Mostly I think this back pack needs a cell phone pocket on the side :)
And maybe a place to put a drink bottle ;)
A girl can always use more pockets :)

Correction to the Annie pattern :)

For all of you that are getting a head start on your Annie's or Andy's :)

You know as a writer or an artist there are times.... no matter how hard you try you will make a mistake. I know I can write a blog post, read it and read it.. then a couple of days later I see the mistake. .but for the life of me at the time I wrote it I didn't find the mistake.....Well ......... on our Annie patterns if you are going to make the dress for your Annie. I have been advised there is a slight mistake.. here is the excerpt from my convo:
Well, you said we'd be just using the doll and not the dress. But, I did use her dress pattern and I had a question about the neck opening. In the pattern Brenda said cut away for the neck opening but, I couldn't really tell how or where so I emailed her. Brenda said that was a mistake. The new pattern doesn't say cut away.
So ladies no cutting away from the neck to make the dress :) I hope this has helped all of you :) If your dressing your doll with Themed fabrics :)
If you have other questions.. please email Brenda.. I am sure she will help you ;)

I am honored with another award

Ms S... AwtemNymf has given me this awesome award. I know there are a lot of award free blogs out there.. but I feel very honored and want to post when some one gives me an award. I am always happy to get an award that shows that I am doing what I am setting out to do in the blog world. Caring, sharing and being creative for others to enjoy ;)
Now I'm supposed to pass this Bella Sinclair Award to 5 other wonderful Bloggers. It's so hard to choose only 5. :0)
I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, as that's not my intent.
There's so many out there!
So I will pass it on to: (in no order of favoritism)
1. Jane
2. Naomi
3. Ruth
4. Mary Grace
5. Jennifer

Psychedelic :)

I don't know about you but I love how this little back pack turned out. I am of course giving it to my teen-age niece. She will love it!! I always thought it would be sooooooo cool to have something of my very own that was different than everyone Else's when I was in school. Well this little baby is truly different than anyone Else's back pack :)
I wasn't going to show anything that I am making on the blog until I returned home.. but I don't think the Niece will be reading my blog. I don't think she even knows I have one :) I was so excited about how this back pack turned out I just had to share it with you!!

I used pre-quilted Bastik materials then I used hand dyed materials for the accents. Then I topped it off with an awesome vintage pink button :)

Oh My Goodness I just noticed I did the pocket flap wrong!!!
Can you tell????
The flap should match the bottom material?
Does it look like I should go back and change it???
I sort of like it like it is :0)

So Ladies what do you think??? Me***** I am going to go back into the sewing room and make one for me today.. I will have to quilt some fun material I have on hand. I am going to make one to use when I go shopping with Ms Nadine on my vacation :) LOL In fact the material has those fun ladies on them and it says GONE SHOPPING :) I think the back pack will be a riot made out of this fun material;)

I still have to make my apron like the one I made Nadine..
We said we were going to wear them out one day when we were out shopping.
I think that will be a ton of fun also.. so its off to sew again :)

*************up date**************
I have been upstairs sewing away.. It got way too hot and I had to come down stairs and turn the fan on and point it up the stair well. I am hoping it will cool it off a bit up there. I was so warm the fabric was sticking to my hands and arms. YUCK!!!
At least I got the fabric quilted cut out.. straps cut and sewn, pockets cut and sewn, and the accent fabric is cut and ready to sew. After that its put on the pocket, measure and sew the casing where the straps go and then sew down the sides and I am done!!! Yeah and another project done for the day. I figure its about another hours worth of work :)
Then I am going to start on the men's neck coolers.. those are way easy. I make a ton of those each year, and give them to family and friends. I love them they turn out nice and are very useful in the hot summer sun. Then I am going to look in all of my numerous patterns and see if I can find my pattern for those do rags that the guys wear. I want to make my boys a few of those too. :)
Awe sew sew sew!!!!!!
Ps Don't forget to run by and vote for me .. only two voting days left :)
I'm #5 :)
http://downhiddenfarmlane.blogspot.com/

A Lazy Sunday :)

Wow its been a busy morning here in Ta Town. I'm doing laundry, I've done the dishes and then~~ The Pitty got a pedicure, and the Mommy got a pedicure. We both got a bath and Mommy sprayed fro fro all over us :) I don't know about the Pitty
but I love it when my toe nails are all short and filed and all comfy in my socks and shoes ;)

We are going into town to see Grandpa and then we are going over to Momma Bears. I haven't spent much time with them lately as I am working on Holiday presents for the family out in CA :) I know they miss me!!! because dad says when you coming to town to see me??? Aweeeeeee I feel so wanted and special :)
Monday and Tuesday will be my two sewing days ;) Now that I found the Back Pack pattern there is no excuses not to get to work on that gift. Then I found this awesome tutorial... on how to make an arm chair organizer.. I might try my hand at one of those too during my up coming sewing spree. My Aunt loves to read and sometimes falls asleep in her recliner chair. I think one of those arm chair thing a ma jaggies would be just the ticket for her. She could put her glasses and paperback in it when she wants to take a little old snooze a rooni :) When she wakes she doesn't have to have us help her search for those pesky glasses :)
OK ladies.. keep the cards and letters coming for sign ups.. its so fun to see what patterns everyone likes. Don't forget to run by and thank Ms. Brenda, for the wonderful pattern she is sharing with us. For what I hope to be a fun and exciting Annie Halloween Swap :)

***************Up Date****************
Well I must have been the most popular girl in the world this week!!! My Bubba was even looking for me yesterday. He was trying to take me to the hamburger place, he attempted to take to me to last weekend. We arrived at our destination and they were close.
So he thought of me yesterday.... he said self!!! " I'll call sis and ask her if she wants to go and get a burger!!!"
Wow didn't I tell you I felt special!!!! This just proves it....
Then to add on to what I was just talking about...
There is a girl that comes into my work all the time to get a drink
and use the restroom as our building is a public building..
well anyway on Friday she came in and handed me a sack.
She says " I just thought you could use something sweet.
Your always smiling and waving to me.
I always look forward to seeing you
when I drop in" ( Inside was Chocolate!!!!)
Now I was blown away by this RAOK, because
I don't really know her, but I always try
and at least smile and wave to her. I guess she noticed :)
I am setting here grinning from ear to ear right now!!!!

Revised Post :)

Guess what today is???????? Yes..... you guessed it!!!
Annie Sign ups begin :) ... don't forget to follow the rules..
I will be checking up on you ;)

Speaking of Annies: Run over here and vote for my Annie
Please
Please :)
Or the Annie that you like the best :)
http://downhiddenfarmlane.blogspot.com/

****** UP DATE :) Fons and Porter are aces :)

Thank you everyone that helped me look for this pattern.. you will never guess where I found it!! I use to put all my projects together in one place. That is so I would know where the patterns, threads, and fabrics were. Guess what???? This is one of those that I did this with.. when I started looking at my quilted fabric selections to try and wing it.... there it was!!! The pattern right in the middle of the material. Boy was I sure surprised that I found it there... LOL it really is getting bad when your so old you forget what you use to do :) Anyway thank you for all the help and links to try and find a replacement :) By the way I looked on Ebay for the buy now mag and someone else must have purchased it before me or.. I just over looked it with these ole eyes of mine. Speaking of which after Vac is an appointment to get them checked again. I might have to have new lenses.. I am have trouble seeing the small stuff... ugh bi-focals X3 :) Everyone have a great day :)
Thank you again for all your help!! You guys are the greatest :)

What Momma Sita ??????

Oh my did I hear Chocolate??????

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cheesecake Bites

To me cheesecake is like heaven on a plate, but a whole cheesecake would never get eaten in our house because it is just the two of us. OK well never is a strong word, it would get eaten, but with all of the other goodies I am eating this time of year, I figured these little bites would be the better option. There is gingersnap crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and sweet cherries all coated in decadent dark chocolate. Pure bliss.

Serves: 20-30

For the crust:

• 2 cups gingersnap cookies, crushed
• 1 tablespoon of butter melted

For the cheesecake filling you will need:

• 2 8oz packages of cream cheese
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 2 eggs

For the topping you will need:

• 1 can of cherry filling

For the chocolate coating you will need:

• 12oz bittersweet chocolate chips ( I chose bittersweet because I really like dark chocolate but you can use semi sweet if you prefer)
• 1/3 cup shortening

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Line a 8″x8″ glass pan with foil, be sure to cover the sides, you are going to use this to lift the cheesecake out of the pan.
3. Combine the melted butter and gingersnap crumbs and press into the bottom of the pan. Cook for 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
4. While your crust is cooking, in a medium bowl combine all of the ingredients for the cheesecake filling. Mix until creamy and smooth. Pour into the crust. Bake for 40 minutes or until the center is set.
5. Remove from the oven and set on a cooling rack for 40 minutes.
6. Put the cheesecake in the refrigerator for 2 more hours. Remove and spread the cherries on top. Now put the cheesecake in the freezer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Remove and slice into approximately 40 pieces.
7. You can make your chocolate sauce right before you pull the cheesecake out of the freezer. To make the chocolate sauce, melt the shortening and chocolate in a small sauce pan. Once melted remove from heat.
8. Using a fork gently poke the cheesecake bites and dip them in the chocolate, using a spoon to make sure they get completely coated. Set them on a cooling rack with wax paper underneath to catch the chocolate. You may want to spoon some over the top to cover your fork marks. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes.

A couple of notes about these: First, they can get really messy when you are making them, I actually dropped a few in my chocolate sauce but don’t let that discourage you! They are worth all of the work trust me. Second, they are not going to look perfectly smooth when you are done with them. But really who cares? Its chocolate covered cheesecake! Beautiful, sinful, luscious cheesecake.

Entire post taken from: http://www.lifesambrosia.com/2008/12/chocolate-covered-cherry-cheesecake-bites.html

Less than a week to sign up :)

Wow does time fly or what???
It's less than a week to sign up for the New APP Annie swap :)
I thought I would have all of my Christmas Gifts made before it was time for all of you to sign up. But sadly I have not been working on them too much in the last couple of weekends. I have had a ton of legal stuff going on. It was all those have to sort of things that I could not get out of. This weekend on my days off I have more appointments that I have to make. Oh well maybe I can get a tad bit of sewing done before today is over. I am sure I could if I would just get off this darn computer ;) I planned on sewing all day.. but when my brother asked me out to lunch... I hated to turn him down. As I have not spent anytime with him since the first of July when we went down to my property, and visited the family graves. We had a great lunch.. we laughed and chatted about the younger years when we were both young and silly ;)

When I got home ..... I was looking at the date and it's just a little over a month and I fly out to San Francisco to meet my sweet and dear friend Nadine :) and of course my family :) I can tell you, I am getting more and more excited each day about meeting Nadine in person for the first time. We chat on line and on the phone all the time. I laugh because she is so much like me in a lot of ways. She has a crazy sense of humor just like me. I would swear we are sisters. We are just so much alike ....Even down to the things we like, foods, music, movies, sewing styles.. almost spooky. :) Nadine and I have already planned out some of the things we want to do. I know we are going to hit several of the Quilting shops in San Francisco. We have talked about doing a day in Monterrey :) My Bubba suggested we hit Haight-Ashbury, and check out some of the cool shops. I have always wanted to take a photo of the street sign of Haight-Ashbury.. I'm still an old hippie at heart. Maybe Nadine and I could have our pictures taken there. I would also like to walk around Berkley.. Berkley has some of those really cool little bohemian boutiques.... there are lots and lots of fun things to do :) I usually have a hard time fitting everything in that I want to do while I am out there ;) Besides ...its time to get a new sweat shirt from Berkley mine is worn out :) I know for sure we have to do things that the Pitty can do... as she always goes with me ;) LOL Nadine was laughing about her the other day ... She asked if Pitty would ride around in my purse... heck yes that's an old standard way of traveling for her. Then Nadine said to me.... she really is a pocket pup isn't she. I laughed and told Nadine that when Pitty came home to live with me she did fit inside of a shirt pocket with room to spare :) Hence I use to call her the pocket pup :) It's funny the first day that I got her I put her in my pocket. We drove over to dads...she was sound asleep in that big roomy pocket. I went to show her off to dad and Ms K.....My step mom asked where she was and I pulled her out of my shirt pocket... Ms K just laughed and laughed and said my baking potato we're having for dinner is bigger than her :) ( The pitty was less than a pound then) They were so excited for me to get the Pitty. I had a really rough time when I lost two of my sweet little Chis 30 days of each other. My family was really worried about me.. because I was so upset over their loss....But a year later I decided to look for a new lap sweetie :) Hence my pocket puppy... and she goes with me everywhere ;) Speaking of pocket pup... she needs new clothes to wear out to SF ..so that means mommy has to get off this darn computer and start sewing if she doesn't want the baby to be nakie on her trip :)

Introducing a new friend :)

Hello ladies I would like to introduce you to Will0-Meana Newet... I had a lot of fun making this little Witchy Annie. As some of you know..... I joined in on the Nakie Doll swap. I received my Nakie doll from Tammy R. from Rose Creations. I posted other photos of her in a few post back... of her little nakie-ness :) So now she is all dressed up ;)

~*Before*~

~*After*~

I had to create everything on her from the dress to the hat. We received the little dolls without any clothes or patterns to make the clothing :) So it was measure here and measure that to make the clothing. Speaking of hats.. I put a spider hanging off her hat. (click on photo .. it will get bigger) It is very hard to see in the small photo.. I also put one in her hair. It was a lot of fun being able to create Will0 from the ground up so to speak. Now I can't wait until the Bump in the Night Annie swap.. I am so excited that the time is drawing near.
I always get a lot of ladies that want to be my partner. I hate to turn anyone down. But I tend to get a lot of requests. The last Annie Swap I ended up with I think 8 partners... Which I have to admit gave me great pride that so many was wanting to be my partner ;) I was very moved and honored. This time I am going to be busy and will have to choose only one person. Sorry... but I will be gone some of the swap time. Having said that...... If you are interesting in being my partner.. please advise on this post. I will put you on a list and I will hold a random drawing. After the ending sign up date :) The person selected in the drawing will be my swap partner. Thank you and I hope you all understand :)

He's free...... He's free!!!

Just a fast note for all you that have been keeping track of the Tonk Tonk Ba Donka Donk sage. We went to court for the final time tonite ;) My case was dismissed without prejudice. Neither the victim nor the city's witnesses showed. You ask what does that mean.. well if the City wanted to they could refile at a later date, but I doubt that they will do that. So we won we won!!! Yeah!!! One less thing that I have to do in my life. Now the big boy can go to the barn with me :) I am sure he will be happy to get out of that kennel. Yes :) everyone I'll keep a good eye on him when he is out as I always do.. I will just have to let him out this next weekend :) I hope this has made my sweet bloggie friends as happy as its made me...... By winning this case ;)

Nakie Baby is here :)

Yes the nakie baby is here and I need to get to work on her. As soon as I finish this post I am off to put some clothes on her. I can't wait... I have so many wonderful fun ideas in my head. So now I have to choose just one, it will be hard to do that .. but one I must choose ;) I can't decide if I want this baby to be a boy or a girl... now that's the first hard decision. After that it will be smooth sailing all the way :)

Ok here is a before Photo of the Nakie Baby :)
For your viewing pleasure.. I have also used my vintage
toy sewing machines from my collection as an added prop :)

Sorry about the poor images its cloudy here and my house is dark inside... Its been raining cats and dogs the last couple of days. I hope the finished photos are much better ;)

UP DATE ON NAKIE BABY ;)
I spent the afternoon working on the Nakie baby... I have decided its going to be a she ;) I have her dress designed, cut out and sewn. I think it turned out fantastic. But you will have to wait to see it finished. She is stained, stockings painted and boots painted .. with light sanding. I am loving how she is coming along. I would have had her mostly together but her body is still wet from the staining.. so I have been working on other parts of her ;) Like the clothing and accessories :) I am still trying to figure out what color I want her hair.. Does anyone have a suggestions :) I have decided that I am going to sew on her face. I really like the way the eyes turn out if you use buttons. I am always pleased with the result by hand sewing the faces that way. They seem to have that whimsical look about them.. really home made with love :)

I'm so darn mad!!! This is a whiney post read at your own risk!!!!!

I am so darn mad... My workers comp hearing started my day all out on a sour note. Doctor Worthless that had been seeing me says I don't have any disability and I'm fine. She wrote in my disability report to the court I was fine. So explain this to me.... Why is Dr Worthless still letting me fill Ultram (suppose to be for pain) prescriptions. Also explain this...why am I am instructed to use my TENS as needed. Explain to me what has caused me to have more and more trouble walking or moving, and why I am in pain all the time. I was so up set hearing what she said that I started crying. My attorney watched me walk in to the hearing .. and asked whats wrong your walking funny!! That's when I told him I hurt I'm in pain and it never goes away. Then after talking to me for a while and looking at me he said.. boy I hate seeing you hurt like this... Now mind you this is after he and I already got into a fuss this week about my care. He told me.... you need to go back to Dr Worthless so we can move the court to get you another doctor because you are in pain. Well ... to see Dr Worthless is like spitting into the wind.. it only gets back on my face, and I get no where, other than a nasty wet sticky face!! But if it helps me get another doctor I'm all for it.
Then add insult to injury... I took every ones packages to the post office to ship them off...I got so upset at the post office that I was in tears. I did a blunder of all blunders.. not knowing any different!!! You will never guess what I did. I taped down the stamps because some of them were coming off. Well guess what??? That was a huge NO NO!!! I stood there and stood there trying to peal off the tape. I ruined over 20 dollars worth of stamps on the packages and some of them might be shipped back or some of you might have to pay the postage again on your end. For that I am very very sorry.. I didn't do it on purpose... Believe me I would take it back if I could. So PLEASE PLEASE don't be mad at me if you have to pay for the postage again. I am very sorry it happened. The post office wouldn't even take the metered stamps either. I was spitting nails I was so darn mad. I told the lady that worked there at that post office .. this place was a jinx to me. Every time I go into that post office there is always a problem about something or the other. In fact I have spoken to three people on the phone since the post office ordeal and they didn't know you couldn't put tape on stamps either.... who would have thunk?????

OH My GoodNess!!!

I have spent the last 5 1/2 hours sorting blocks.. Geeeeeeze I'm tired. I still have to close the packaging. (Yikes that took another hour and a half...) But I felt like I needed a break. I have to tell you I loved all of the blocks that were received. They were awesome. It was too bad we had several people not send blocks or just didn't complete the swap after signing up. I ended up with enough sets to have 40 different blocks for each person. Sorry to say I am having to send back one entire block set back to one swapper. I hope that swapper understands. I did the first come first sign up sort of thing :) When it came to people sending in two sets. I know a lot of you made two to help me get to that 40 swappers goal ;) Everyone has one of each swappers blocks. It has been a lot of fun doing this swap.. although I think I will have to do some adjusting on the block requirements next time ;) This was a use up the scraps sort of swap.. The next block swap will be a bit more strict as far as the colors and materials ;) Anyway I plan on getting all the packages in the mail tomorrow afternoon :) Then its back to sewing the families Christmas Gifts. I want to thank all of you for the wonderful, sweet and thoughtful extras you sent to me for holding the swap.... All of you are the greatest :) Thank you ;)
I was looking at the cost factor on the Nephews Art bag.. It will cost a fortune.. Because I don't have half of the required stuff...... I think I might skip that right now. The iron in fleece is expensive.. I can start preparing for it with cents off coupons this next year at Joann's and Hancock's. Yes I am a tight wad.. I try to save everywhere I can. That is why I like to do so many of my swaps as....... use up the scraps and recycle swaps ;) Ok back to the packages.. then its to work on my nakie doll .. I need to get that finished up. She is due soon. ;)
I will be leaving the blog posts with the blocks shown for a few more weeks then I am going to delete them... as the photos are taking up a lot of my photo allotment here on blogger... I do hope you look at the old post to see who made your blocks ;) Hugs.. thanks for playing in my swap :)

ANNOUNCING ...MY NEXT SWAP .. READ HERE FOR THE DETAILS :o)

This amazing Annie was made by AwtemNymp isn't she adorable??? I do love pumpkins!!! Isn't this little spook-able Annie cute :) Thank you Ms S for making this wonderful Annie example for my swap :) You are always my little Angel Doll to always jump at the chance to help me out :) Don't forget ladies to run by AwtemNymp's blog and thank her for the wonderful swap example she so lovingly made for us;)

~*~*~ I just couldn't stand to wait any longer I have been waiting on pins and needles to announce this exciting swap to kick off the Fall Season. I know some of you have been excitedly waiting too ;) I have lots to share with you as far as rules on how this swap will be held. If you are not able to follow the requested rules.. then please please don't sign up. The Annie's must be received by the due date...(not sent out!!!).. they have to be "RECEIVED". Don't forget to get a tracking number :) So please plan accordingly ......The whole reason to hold the swap so early... is so everyone will have a fun Annie to enjoy during the Halloween season.~*~*~


Ok now on to the house keeping of the swap :) I know there is a long list of rules but it will be worth it in the end:) Please feel free to snag my swap button to put on your blog :0)
We have a new benefactor for our Annie pattern.. I am thrill to introduce you to Brenda Greenwalt. I received an amazing email from Brenda, who happened to hear about my fun Annie Swaps.. she asked if I would be interested in using one of her patterns. I have to tell you I was beyond thrilled at her request. I was also in awe and very honored that she asked me to use one of her patterns. Brenda is an amazing Annie Artist. She loves Annie's and is always designing new ones to share with us .. whether its through her on line store, or even through her news letters and blog. Speaking of blogs.. run by and thank her for her great kindness :0)
Brenda is always thrilled to share her love of Annies with everyone she meets..
Thank you again Brenda.. Your my Angel :)

SWAP RULES:

RULE NUMBER ONE:
You have to go to visit this web sight Lillie Mae's Crafts to look at all of her wonderful patterns.. In your sign-up e-mail you have to tell me which Annie pattern you liked the best. This is your admittance to participate in this swap. I will be checking to see which one you chose ;) This is the only way you will get the free pattern from Brenda to play in my swap :)
Ps If you choose to purchase a pattern while your visiting.. please don't purchase Sunny Days, this is the lovely pattern we will be using for our swap :)


While you are there visiting Brenda's web site.. please sign up for her wonderful news letter. She offers fun patterns and reader participation in her letters.. I just love her news letters they are very very fun... so hurry don't miss out on another issue ;)

All free craft patterns, designs and project ideas - Crafting With Lillie Mae's - http://lilliemaes.blogspot.com/
Purchase patterns at PatternMart :)


RULE NUMBER 2:
Since this swap is a Halloween Swap...
This is a designers choice.. you have to either dress your Annie/Andy in Halloween themed fabric attire or you can dress her/him in a Halloween costume like our example made by AwtemNymp :) We are using the body of the doll only .. then dress it anyway you want too :) I will be making a link for Flickr soon.. so we can show off our wonderful Halloween Annie/Andy dolls when they are finished ;)

RULE NUMBER 3:
I am anticipating this swap to be large .. so you better sign up fast :) .. I will only take the first 100 persons to sign up. International swappers are gladly accepted :) Brenda has provided a wonderful gift to give each of my participants who sign up. I will send that gift along with the pattern as you sign up.
THERE IS NO GIVING AWAY OF THIS PATTERN OR GIFT PLEASE!! All of Brenda's work is copyrighted... Brenda has so graciously given this pattern to me as gift for my swaps... so please do not share it. Also don't forget if you post about this swap don't forget to link back to her, so we can let people know who designed this wonderful pattern :)

RULE NUMBER 4:
Sign up @
auntpittypatsfun@yahoo.com ......
just copy and paste to your email :)

Name:
Address:
Blog:
Telephone Number:
Pattern you liked:
Did you sign up for news letter?
Angel?
Ship International?

RULE NUMBER 5:
Sign ups start Aug 22ND and Ends Sept 12Th. Sign ups will end early if 100 people sign up before.... Sept 12Th. The Annie's MUST be at your partners house on or before Oct 24Th.. so please plan accordingly!!! This time frame gives you a little over a Month to complete your Annie's and get them sent out on time.

RULE NUMBER 6:
As always its not a requirement to send extras.. but if you do keep them handcrafted or inexpensive. Your partner will be pleased with your thoughtfulness ;) Also If you have any questions regarding swap etiquette visit my blog button to read them :)

RULE NUMBER 7:
I am going to be holding two give-aways during this swap..... They will consist of fun Halloween items. The give-aways will be announced when I return home from vacation :) I will show what is in each one of the give-aways :) There is only one catch to joining in on one of these give aways... to be eligible for that one you have to purchase one of Brenda's lovely patterns. The other one is free to everyone ;) As a lot of you know I have indicated that I am going on Vac soon.. it will be right after the swap sign ups are completed, and assigned.. so if you have questions.. please ask them now... Other wise they might be delayed while I'm on vacation.... I may not be able to answer questions daily.. but I will get on the net and check emails every 2nd day or so.. please don't get upset if I don't answer right away :0)

Clip art for purchase from:
Digi Web Studio

Bumps in the Night Flickr Group
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1232359@N22/?added=1

It's been found.. thank you for you help :)

*****
Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions ;) I have found a lap top pattern in my collection of patterns.. along with another pattern.. I think I can combine the two of these to make exactly the item I want for my nephew :) I also found something fun and wonderful for my niece while I was looking at my patterns today. It is a cute cell phone case. It hangs off your belt. I also discovered I don't have enough manly material to make my nephews case.. so its off to the fabric shop after work tomorrow to get two yards of camouflaged material and some of that expensive fusible fleece :) Oh well!!! to the cost.. I know this is something he will keep for a long time.
*****

I have been searching on the net now for a couple of hours and I am looking for a pattern to make an Art Portfolio.. you know the kind that Artists use to keep their sketch pads and pencils in. If you have a link where I might find the instructions to making one of these please share it with me. I want to make my nephew an awesome art bag for Christmas :) He is spending a lot of his time at San Francisco School of Art and I thought this would be a good gift to give him. I know he already has one of those big boring black ones.. but I wanted to make him a cool fun manly novelty print one ;)
I also thought I would make a smaller one for my niece that plays a violin in school.. I thought that would be a cool way for her to carry her sheet music back and forth to school. In her own custom bag :)