This work stuff is for the birds...

I haven't had time to sew, blog, goof off, cook, bake, or anything. I guess I shouldn't whine when my graphic design work picks up. Some of the projects have actually been fun! I need to find more fun design projects and wild clients!

I did finish up my salvaging selvages doll quilt. I love how it turned out. Now I want one for my studio, but I rarely recreate anything. Oh well, there are plenty of projects to keep me from doing laundry! ;)

Today I have time to create, so I'm finding my usual inspirations. Bumble Beans has to be the best art teacher I've ever had. And free! Please don't start charging me V, hubby lost his job Friday. V teaches us to color outside the lines with fabric. Did you catch Pioneer Woman on GMA? Stumbling across her blog was one of my finest moments. My family groans when I prepare her dishes, but they really are quite good. If you want any recommendations, just let me know. I bet I've tried 75% of them! I also have her new cookbook, which is filled with comfort foods and her beautiful photography. And lastly, I'm reading John Mayer's interview in Playboy. Interesting. I hope you are finding inspiration today.

Happy Valentine's Day

Vintage Holiday Crafts has these adorable old time and anthropomorphic Valentines you can print. They also have clip art and other fun items to help you craft up some cards for your loves. Have a happy one!

Happy Friday and a Bones Update

First of all, thank you to all of you who offered such sweet and caring words for our pup, Bones. He is doing very well! It's only been 13 days since he lost the use of his back legs, but he is regaining the ability to walk which we weren't really expecting after our visit to the vet. He looks a little tipsy when he walks, but he can do it! He's dragging his back legs less and less. And he can go potty fine now (yay!) He's been a trooper through the whole ordeal and we've learned so much about this disc disorder and alternative treatments.

Now our problem is keeping the little monkey down! He bounds through the house and yard like normal and he's supposed to be immobilized in a small crate for 6-8 weeks while his disc deals. Yeah, right! But we're trying! My son rigged this temporary crate which is somewhat bigger than the dog carrier. Bones will stay under the laundry basket for a few hours at a time. Then you have to hold the rotten little dog or feed him chicken! ; )

He was using the Christmas bone toy as a pillow (awww!), but when I got near him he lifted his head up. Tough life, huh?

In other news, the lovely and talented Victoria from Bumble Beans is looking for some house blocks to make quilts to help the homeless in New York. It's always nice to help! If you're interested in making a block or two, the details can be found here.

Giveaway Day!

Have you heard or purchased anything from CSN Stores? They have a wonderful selection of mailboxes, furniture, home decor, housewares, baby and kid items, and so much more. Most of the items have free shipping which always makes me happy!

CSN Stores has offered to host a giveaway on my blog and will send a Calphalon Contemporary 10-inch and 12-inch Omelet Combo Set to one lucky person who leaves a comment below. Comments can be made until Tuesday, February 16, 2010 and I will randomly pick a winner Wednesday. Sorry international readers, but they'll only ship to the US or Canada. The details of the prize follow.

Prepare delicious omelets every time with this versatile Calphalon pan! These 10" and 12" Calphalon Omelet pans features a thick, flat, wide bottom for quick, even heating and cooking. This Calphalon omelet pan has a cast stainless steel handle that stays comfortably cool for stovetop cooking. The gently sloping sides allow the omelet to glide freely, flip in one quick motion and slide easily from the pan to your plate.

Features:

• Nonstick surface makes cleanup easy and promotes low-fat and non-fat cooking
• Versatile vessel shape that accommodates several different cooking techniques
• Thick, wide bottom for quick, even heating with little or no oils
• Sloping sides allow food to glide freely from the pan to your plate
• Long handle stays cool on the stovetop for hours of comfortable cooking
• Oven safe up to 450 degrees 

Specifications:

• Material of pan: Hard-anodized exterior and nonstick interior
• Material of handle: Stainless steel
• Not dishwasher safe
• Recommended utensils: Nylon, wood or coated
• Lifetime Warranty
• Made in the USA 

Just think of the goodies you can make with these pans! They're great for eggs, pancakes, french toast, quesadillas, and more. Can you tell I'm hungry? I have lobster quesadillas on the brain.

Good luck! I'll cross my fingers for you! ; )

Somebody Stop Me!

Name that movie. First it was wonky houses, now it's string blocks. I can't stop! This one is for Tonya's Lazy Gal Liberated Amish 2010 Get Together. My inspiration was the No. 60 Roman Stripes quilt.

I want to make several more for this challenge, but I thought I'd give this one a try yesterday. It's only 20" x 24" but it did utilize a few scraps. If you get a chance check out the Get Together and the lovely Amish quilts in the book. Wow! I think I'm string block satiated, so it's on to something else. Laundry would be nice...

 

Stay tuned for the big giveaway...you won't have to wait for my laundry to get caught up. I'm thinking that might happen by summer. We're not used to all these winter clothes in Florida. Even my Yank husband is complaining about the "cold" weather here. I know, I know, we're big babies!

Selvage Strings

I'm using some of my selvages to make string blocks now. This is going to be a doll quilt for a swap. I'm not quite sure how you would quilt those string blocks.

I was paper crafting yesterday too. I've been wanting to experiment with a transparent ATC and I came up with a little quilt using Kaffe Fassett's fabric photos from the Hancock's of Paducah's catalog. Sure with I had the real fabric!

Stay tuned for a nice giveaway this week. I'm hoping this company comes through with the loot, but if I've been bamboozled, I'll make ya a little something. Here's the gift I chose.

Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 10" and 12" Omelet Combo Set

More Strings Attached

Sixty string blocks made. And the scrap basket is still overflowing. Do you have that problem? I did finish a small table runner thingy for someone. That used three blocks. And I gave eight away for a swap, so I'm down to 49. I received a wonderful package yesterday that had some yummy fabric and a large bag of the cutest scraps you ever want to see! Now I'm inspired to make more string blocks.

Loft Creations has a "No Strings Attached" challenge if you're hankering to make some string blocks and shrink your scrap basket. I can't guarantee about the shrinking of the scrap basket, but these blocks are really fun to make. If you need some inspiration, check out all the finishes on Stephanie's blog. There's a list of participants on the right hand side of her blog.

Wonky Household!

I'm still having fun making wonky houses. This a little mini that is about 10" x 12". I'm sending it to South Africa for a swap. I can't wait to see what my partner comes up with for me!

Thanks for all the Bones love. I knew it would help! He's doing well, but still can't move his back legs. He does wag his tail, eat, give kisses, bark at the mailman and fake growl if you get near his rawhide, so he's acting normal. I was so afraid the back problem might make him mean or sad. My son made him a makeshift crate with an overturned laundry basket. His carrier crate was kind of small and confining, so now he can look out and see us. We are the wonky household!