So funny - I had to share (non-quilting post!)

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary......

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk Bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary...

Day 983 of my captivity...

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.

Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now.............................

Following Pat's Idea

Pat mentioned a great idea on her blog (here) the other day. Go back 5 years, and find your fifth folder in your saved pictures and pick out the fifth picture to post. Well, I don't have 5 years saved on my laptop, so I just went to the fifth folder and picked the fifth picture. Here it is - the kids thought it would be fun to show who really is in charge!

Terry's Second Quilt

Terry received her second quilt today - hop over to her blog to take a look. And don't laugh when you see my picture - I forgot that I had put it on the CD. Actually it's what I look like when I work, I just forgot to do my hair and put on my make-up!

Scrapbookers...........

For all you scrappers and blog do-it-yourself-er's - you have to check out this kit. LOTS of great designers and lots of great work. Here's the link!

One Love Kit

For Cat Lovers

I just read an excerpt of a book that is scheduled to be released on February 2, 2010. The excerpt is in February's Reader's Digest and is called "An Animal's Instinct" by Dr. David Dosa. If you love cats, you HAVE to read this story! The book is called "Making Rounds with Oscar" also by Dr. Dosa. It is a wonderful story about a wonderful cat. But you cat lovers know that most cats are pretty wonderful. I love dogs too, but cats have a way about them - a way that let's you know you are special. Here's a picture of the book.......

Sewing again.........

Well after a little break in the doldrums, my machine is humming again. Here are a few things I was able to work on today. It was a snow day for the kids, but they let me have time at the machine! They're so sweet - when they want to be!

These are blocks for Simone's Dromenquiltdag Project - finally sewn and on their way to the Netherlands!Some Tuffets from December's Schnibble pattern.

And my blocks for Cancer is Sew Done - these are actually on their way to Texas BEFORE the deadline arrives! Woohoo!!



















I'm also FINALLY working on the binding of a quilt I can't show you right now - all I can say is it's GORGEOUS! You should be seeing it next week sometime!
Until next time!

Help for Haiti with CraftHope

CraftHope is setting up an Etsy shop for handmade items to benefit Doctors Without Borders. The Craft Hope Etsy shop will allow crafters to donate products and allow folks to purchase them. With 100% of the proceeds going to charity. For details on how to participate in this Etsy shop, please click here to go the CraftHope link.

This is from CraftHope:
"Today we are working diligently to get the shop set up and open. We’ll also have a button for you to put on your site very soon. Please spread the word that we are looking for donations. Also, we’ve set up a nifty way to share information from our site through Facebook, Twitter, etc. Try it out, it’s super duper cool! I will post a link to our Etsy shop as soon as it is open."

In addition to this venture, Kelly over at I Have A Notion is working on setting up a donation match opportunity. Please keep up to date with her blog for more information.

"A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history." --Gandhi

Craft Hope Project

Until we know more about how to help the people of Haiti, here is a simple project you can work on - Craft Hope Project #6.

Until next time,
Laurie

My First Free Motion Quilt

Well here it is! It went from this back during the summer:

to this:
with this along the way: (just a little tension problem!! Click on the picture for a better/bigger view)
and to this: (a few more oops!)
to this: (getting a little better!)
Many thanks to Leah Day for the inspiration to try free motion quilting and to Marci Baker of Alicia's Attic for the binding tutorial. It is now my binding method from now on!

If you haven't tried free motion, give it a try! Once you do - you'll be hooked. Like anything else, it's practice, practice, practice! Just have fun with it :)

Until next time,
Laurie

So Happy!

Well, first things first - Happy New Year!! I hope 2010 is a happy, healthy and prosperous year for you! This year will be an interesting one for us as we are moving from Maine to Texas this summer! I'm looking at it as a grand adventure - hopefully that will help me get over the humps that come along with such a big move.

I had to share this news with you. I participate in the Toy Society. You can click on the link on the top of my blog to find out more about it. I've dropped three toys so far for them and not ever had anyone written back to tell us that the toys were found. Until now!! I made a drop Christmas Eve at a local McDonald's. Here's a picture of the crazy doll and where she sat waiting for someone to take her home.

Once you post your drop, you can check in periodically to see if the recipient posts about picking up the toy. And this time someone did for me!! Here's what they had to say:

The Leavitt family said:

Thanks Laurie for making #177. A McDonald's crew person found it and read the note. They gave it to the first little girl that came along...my daughter Becca. She was so thrilled to be a part of this. We almost didn't stop at McDonald's as she wanted Wendy's instead but we wanted to get home after going to a Christmas Eve Service. It takes 1/2 hour to get home and knew that we would be hungry!

Thanks again, you are one stealth dropper!

Wasn't that great?? What a great way to start the New Year!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends new and old. I hope this holiday season finds you healthy, warm and with peace in your heart. Thank you for a wonderful year in blog land!

Until 2010,

Laurie

My Letter to Santa

The Fat Quarter Shop has offered to have Santa stop by their shop this Christmas and pick up a goody or two for a few lucky bloggers. All we have to do is post our letter to Santa with our request from the shop and then keep our fingers crossed! And now my letter to my jolly 'ole friend:

Dear Santa,
I hope that my note finds you and Mrs. Claus happy.
I know that you're busy, so I'll make this quite snappy.
The crew at the Fat Quarter Shop asked me to write you.
To make your job easy;
To help with all that you do.
They have a delivery for me in their shop.
All you have to do is stop by and pick up.
You see, I've been dreaming of fabric and such.
I have so many projects that I truly love so much.
I've learned to free motion quilt all through the year.
And now I can quilt all my projects I hold oh so dear.
I've asked FQS for a Gutermann cone.
The color is taupe, so much thread all my own!
The quilting is fun, but I've run out of thread.
I'd love to have more just to keep me ahead.
I'll end it right here.
Thank you Santa my dear!
And to the Fat Quarter Shop,
Thanks for such a great year!

Until next time, Laurie

Confirmed delivery #1

You can see for yourself :)

Visit Terry and Tudy for details!! Oh, the joy of the season makes it all worth it!!

Quilted Christmas Ornament

First seen on Hanging on by a Needle and Thread - thank you Susan for sharing this with us!



Update on Lilly the kitty: Her family called to pick her up - Julia was heartbroken. Actually I was pretty sad also - this little kitty who looked no more that a year old is actually 5 years old and has had 5 litters :(

Until next time,
Laurie

Look what followed the kids home yesterday!

We've put up "Lost" posters around town, but have not received a phone call as of tonight. This pretty little kitty may be one of the family if we don't hear anything by Monday. I told the kids not to name her until we know for sure that she will stay with us - but I really like the name Lilly - how about you??

Update on Terry's quilts - the binding is being sewn tonight on quilt #1 and I just finished quilt top #2. I'm hoping to get both of these beauties in the mail on Monday. I need to say a special thank you to the following women who have been instrumental in the quilt process for Terry's quilts.

Marydon from Blushing Rose Boutique for a generous donation;
Rene from Luv2Kreate for the creation of Terry's Quilt button;
Jennie from Sunflower Quilts for the creation of the Flickr group;
Debi from Debi Quilts for donation of the second jelly roll;
Kimberly from The Fat Quarter Shop for the donation of the $50 gift certificate;
Kim from Create and Sew for creation of the quilt labels for all three quilts;
Mary from Quilt Hollow for quilting quilt #1;
Jackie from Canton Village Quilt Works for quilting quilt #2;
Mel from Mel's Own Place for creating the backing for quilts #1 & 2 AND the binding for all 3 quilts;
Kim from Stillmeadow Quilting for all the wonderful advice and encouragement during the sewing process;
AND of course all the wonderful quilters and non-quilters that contributed squares and funds toward postage!!

I hope I haven't forgotten anyone - I certainly didn't on purpose. If I did forget you - PLEASE email me and remind me of your contribution.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Until next time,
Laurie

Lots of prizes over at SpunSugar!

Take a peek over at Spun Sugar Quilts (formerly know as Mid-Ohio Knitter). Vicki has LOTS of beautiful fabric to share with a few lucky winners! Here are some pictures for you to gaze at as you digest your turkey! And for you international readers - here are some pictures for you to drool over as you finish your tea :)

And tomorrow, as you are surfing the web, be sure to go over and visit Judi at Green Fairy Quilts for a fantastic sale. She will be having all her honey buns on sale for only $9.95 and all of her patterns will be on sale for $5.95. Wow-wee - what a bargain!!
Until next time,
Laurie