Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Yeah, so I was looking forward to playing around with my new mosaic program today but I was so busy I just didn't get to it. There was no school for DS today and we had our friends across the street over to decorate sugar cookies. Yum! And DS had his second T ball practice after dinner. Yesterday I took DD with me to his practice and she got to play at the park there where the fields are. Well, DS was wanting to play at the park after his practice but it was already almost dark so I promised him we'd go early today so he could play. Now, here in NV the park actually has a merry-go-round. Totally old school. Not like so many places nowadays that take them out because they are "too dangerous." That's something that I really like about this place. Merry-go-rounds are ok. And it's ok to bring in homemade treats to school. (Some places only allow store bought-like where we used to live in CA) Things like that. They haven't gotten so...I don't know...prissy and over zealous about things. Well, anyway, at the park my kids are drawn to the merry-go-round like flies to honey. They are spinning round and round and round and DS lets out a big whoop and yells, "I LOOOOOOVE THIS PARK!" It was the sound of pure, unadulterated joy. Kids being kids and having the time of their lives. What a magical moment. Unfortunately, I had forgotten my camera so I don't have a snapshot to share but I can tell you that that moment is vividly imprinted in my memory. I want to remember it forever.
Well, I'm ready to get myself into bed. Bye!

Monday, March 30, 2009

Post #2 today! I just wanted to share this super duper cool program I just got. (FREE!) It makes photo mosaics. I just got it all set up and figured out how to make it work so this is one of the first ones I did. It just happens to be CD. Check it out...
Make sure to click on the image to see it close up! It is made up of many small pics of CD!!! Wow! Isn't that totally awesome!? I just LOVE this program! I can't wait to play with it some more tomorrow. I'd do more mosaics now but I'm very sleepy so I'm off to bed. 'Night!
Hello again. I know it's been a few days since I posted. Kaos has been putting some weight back on and healing up. He had quite a few bite marks on him. Not sure what got him. There's everything from coyotes to mountain lions out there. He did have a wound on his leg that abscessed and was draining pus so Gabe took him to the vet on Saturday. So, 50 bucks later he's doing just fine. He gets to take an antibiotic and I am very glad that he takes it so well. Put it with a little bit of peanut butter and he swallows it right down. (Anyone remember the nightmare of the sharpei and the little purple pills?) The leg wound looks much better and he's back to his usual nosy, goofy self.
Other than that, today is RF's first T ball practice. I think he'll really like it. He is pretty talented when it comes to sports and he's got a new glove for it. And, of course, Lil Sis had to get a glove, too. Pink. You know she's got to keep up with Big Bro!
So, that's what's going on here. Sorry, no new felt foods or anything. Maybe next time...

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Ok, I know I already posted once already but I did a couple of new layouts that I want to share.
This first one is of my DD playing dress up. She never has really been into playing dress up all that much. But now that some girls in the neighborhood come over to play, they will all get dressed up and pretty. I took this photo of DD against her wishes. But she looks so cute in her tutu, shoes, beads and with her little purse. This day she was playing Mommy. She was the mom to her daughters (the neighbor girls). How cute is that!?

Then the second layout is Lil B all worn out. He's very cute, too. I did use an action on the photo from the CoffeeShop blog. She makes such cool actions for PS and PSE that she gives away FREE! She totally got me into using actions. Anyway, I'm not sure what's up with this link situation. I only wanted to link "CoffeeShop blog" to the blog and it won't stop! But I'm way too tired to cancel this and start all over.
And just a quick update on the dog. He's doing pretty well. His poor little foot pads are worn down and he's got some cuts and scratches. He's just been eating up and resting on his beloved FiFi. That's what we call his bed. Maybe another day I'll tell you why we call it FiFi. Anyway, That's all for now. Buh-bye!
So, I got a phone call early this morning from someone who had found Kaos! He's home now and resting up from his adventure. Poor thing got all bony and skinny so we'll have to fatten him up again! But other than that he seems ok. Dirty and tired but seems unhurt. The kids are really happy and I'm glad to know he's ok. Well, that's all for now. Talk atcha later!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Well, we still haven't found Kaos. I hope someone at least found him and took him in. I hate to think he's out there wandering. There's one here that isn't sad that he's gone. That would be Mr. Kitty. He's taken over as king of the house again since Kaos isn't here.
In other news, I have a new layout.
I'm also feeling pretty rotten with (I think) allergies. Blah. Guess I better hit up the Zyrtec. That's also what spring brings. For me, anyway. Anyhoo, that's all for now. Better go get dinner going. Lovely leftovers tonight. Bye!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Well, this is sort of a good news/bad news sort of a post. I did get some asparagus made. I think they are pretty cool. Time consuming, though, as you have to cut out then sew on what seems like a billion tiny triangles.
Here they are. Just please don't look at the enlarged photo as my stitches are quite obvious and they aren't very neat! So, only got the 2 stalks done. I will probably make some more but DD is now asking for a pear. That's the good news. The bad news is that our dog is missing. DH took him out to the desert yesterday afternoon so he could run and romp around. Unfortunately, Kaos ran off and couldn't be found. DH spent hours out there looking for the dog until nightfall. He had his collar on but so far no one has called saying they found him. And we're not altogether sure he survived the night with all the predators out there. Coyotes and/or people hunting coyotes who mistook him for a coyote in the dark. So, the kids are understandably sad that he is missing. And even though he was sort of a pain in the butt I feel badly for him out there alone, lost, scared and maybe injured. I'll let you know if we find him. I hope we do.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Happy Festival of Extraterrestrial Abductions Day! Hope none of you have been abducted by extraterrestrials. I'm glad to say that I have not. LOL Anyway, I'd like to introduce you to the latest additions to my felt food collection.
Raviolis and spaghetti! And sauce for each. I will be making meatballs to go with the spaghetti but haven't just yet. I have decided to set the lemon aside for now since I attempted another and it's just not going too well. I'll revisit my nemesis the lemon at some point in the future. DD is totally excited about the spaghetti and wants me to make lasagna noodles. I have to get some more of that color felt, though. I only had one 8-1/2 x 11 piece and it's pretty much gone. Definitely not enough for lasagna noodles.
In other exciting news, we have an asparagus spear poking up out of the ground! Woo hoo! I just hope the rest comes up, too. And, you know, speaking of asparagus, I think that will be next on my list of felt food. Yeah. I gotta go make asparagus! Bye!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Hello again. It seems spring fever has come over us. The last couple of days have been nice and springlike with temps around 70. Yesterday DD and I got outside and planted some bulbs and flower seeds. In the process of watering DD made some mud and quickly plunged into it. She LOVES to play in the mud. Before too long DS got home from school and immediately joined in the mudfest. Usually he's the one making the mud for his sister. He normally prefers to stay out of the mud. But yesterday he was in it right along with his sister. They were a sight to see, all muddied from head to toe. Unfortunately I neglected to take pictures. But I did make DD's Snuggie and I do have a picture of her modeling it. She's only posing because I bribed her with the promise of an Otter Pop. That's why she doesn't look too thrilled in the pic. But she really likes her Snuggie and she's been using it a lot.
Now DS wants one but he's going to pick out his fabric. For some reason he doesn't want a Littlest Pet Shop one...LOL
I also did a new layout so here it is.

Well, that's all I've got. Talk atcha later!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy St. Patrick's Day! If you're not wearing green right now, give yourself a pinch for me, will ya? And in addition to the more well known holiday today is also Submarine Day. Just thought you might like to know. We had a visit from a mischievous leprechaun at our house. The kids made pots with rainbows in hopes of tricking the leprechaun into leaving his gold there.
This morning we found gold coins in there but perhaps the leprechaun tricked us because they were chocolate coins!
The tricky leprechaun also turned our milk green and the water in our toilets! You can see he left a taunting note as well. Maybe next year we'll catch him.
I haven't done much the last few days as I wasn't feeling well. No new projects done, except for one scrapbook layout.
I am finally feeling better today so I ought to be able to get some stuff done. Another new project I'm going to be working on is a Snuggie for my DD. She has seen those commercials and has been dying to have one. So we went to Wal Market and she picked out some Littlest Pet Shop fleece and I found a pattern on the internet to help me make the sleeves. Then I'm sure I'll have to make one for DS as well. I've also got some patterns for some more felt food. I'm going to try another lemon. Hopefully it will come out better than the last one. Oh, here's the pic I promised of the gingerbread cookie set. I lied, it wasn't on a blog but on Flickr. HERE I just love it and MUST have one! I mean, DD must have one? You can see, can't you, who the felt food is really for...LOL
Anyway, have a great day! Till next time!

Friday, March 13, 2009

Happy Friday the 13th! It's also Jewel Day so if you'd rather, feel free to celebrate that instead! LOL Anyway, got back from taking my DD to the dr. Poor thing has a UTI. So, it's antibiotics for the next 5 days. But at least we caught it before it turned into a kidney infection. I've had one and believe me, no one wants one of those.
So, I thought I'd give you all a little glimpse into the dumbness of my dog. I shot this clip last night. He'll go on like this for a loooong time. It seems as though it would hurt...

What he's trying to get is the dot from a laser light. Well, at least he's entertaining.
I haven't had much progress with my felt food. I did attempt a lemon but I'm not too happy with how it turned out. DD loves it, though. She's been carrying it around with her, even on our trip to Wal Market to look for embroidery floss to match my felt. (which they did not have, by the way. Sooooo disappointing as that's basically my only source unless I drive to the Big City, an hour away)
Anyway, I did do a couple of new layouts. I warned you that I was addicted.
Alrighty, then. That's all for now. Take care!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Hey there. I just have a couple of new scrapbooking layouts today.
Not much else going on here today except I'm feeling very tired. So, I guess that's all for now. Later!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Yesterday we decided to go to the snow. Had kind of a rough start, though. We loaded up coats, gloves, snow boots, and ourselves and started off. We had almost gotten to the next town about 30 miles down the road when DH says, "I forgot the sleds." After deliberating a couple of minutes we decide to turn back to get them. Once we're headed back for home DH says, "You know, we were headed the wrong way, anyway." We both laughed, as we were headed to the Big City, when to get to the snow we should have turned off to go through CC and up into the mountains to the snow. Neither of us was apparently paying much attention. Anyhoo, we retrieved the sleds, got on the right route and made it to the snow. There's a place where people usually sled and that's where we went. We got in a few runs down the hill but there were just a lot of people there who didn't seem to understand the proper etiquette. As in, walk up the SIDE of the hill, not right up the middle where people are trying to sled. It was quite annoying and we decided to head to another spot where we had sledded before. And we were the only ones there. Yay! So we did some sledding, threw some snowballs, made a snowman and had such a fun time. Here are a few of my favorite photos from yesterday.
DH also took some pics with his camera but I haven't seen those, yet, so maybe there are some more goods ones to share tomorrow.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

So, I hope you all remembered to "spring" forward. (except all you Arizonians-lucky!) Have I ever mentioned that I hate the whole daylight savings thing? Well, I do. I hate trying to make sure I get every clock changed. Inevitably I miss a clock or two and then that causes confusion. Did I change that one or not? Is it 8 or 9? Then I have to go double check and...grrr.
Well, in addition to my felt strawberries I now have a...
Tomato! I did this one on my own. I made my own pattern. I just traced a circle and cut it out of felt then did a running stitch around the edge and pulled the ends tight to cinch it up. Secured that then cut out the leaf and sewed that on. Voila! I'm pretty pleased with it. DD is quite enthralled with the whole felt food thing and she wants me to do a lemon next. I'll have to think harder on that one or else find a pattern. Not sure how to get the right shape. If anyone has any thoughts on that feel free to let me know.
I am still in the quilting mode but I have to order fabric for the back of my latest quilt. I didn't order any with the rest since most of it was quite pricey. And you need quite a lot for a back. Plus, I'm never really sure until the top is done what I want to back it with. Anyway, I figured I could find something at my local Wal Market. But DD wants purple on the back and we couldn't find a suitable purple fabric there. So, that quilt is in a holding pattern. But I think I'm going to start on another quilt with the bali fabrics I got. I'm going to use a pattern called Bento Box. I don't have a pic right now to show you but I can maybe get it up here later. And I'll continue with the felt food in between all the quilting. Alrighty, then. Talk atcha later!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Happy National Crown Roast of Pork Day! I did not serve crown roast of pork, though. We had chicken fried steak instead. Have any of you actually had a crown roast of pork? I haven't. I've only ever seen them make it on tv. Well, anyway, here's a little update on our seeds. Something has sprouted right up. Not sure what it is, though...
In other news, I have a new obsession. I was at AJ's blog last week and I found a link to a blog where the author is making felt food. It's totally adorable and I became fascinated. I had never heard of felt food before but after a bit of research it is apparently kind of a big thing in some circles. It's basically used for toys. And people have come up with so many different cool foods. Everything from fruits and veggies to sushi and cakes and doughnuts. Even pasta and sandwiches. Wow! So...I had to get some fancy wool felt and start making some. I began with a free pattern I found. Strawberries! I made 3 already. They are pretty simple, actually. And I've finally conquered the french knot! I have never really been able to do them correctly. But I got quite a bit of practice as all the "seeds" are french knots.
I'm not sure what I'll do next. I saw an awesome gingerbread cookie set. I'll have to find it again and post it here so you can see. I just love it and must have one. Here's the blog where I got the strawberry pattern. http://litlbrownbird.com/ She's also got a store at Etsy.com here where she sells patterns. You ought to check out all her cool creations! Or just keep watch here since I'll probably end up making a lot of it!

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Hello again. The weather here has been weird. A couple of days ago the daytime high was 70 degrees and I found a pansy blooming in my yard.
I was getting excited, thinking that spring was on its way. Then yesterday morning we woke up to snow. What is up with that? Just a warning from Mother Nature not to think winter is over? (sigh) I am so ready for spring. I hate the short days where it gets dark by 5pm. And the cold weather. Although this year has definitely been much milder than last. But the winter here is so bleak. The grass goes dormant and turns brown. All the flowers die. The trees are bare. Everything is so blah. So, hurry up already, spring!
Here is a layout that I did for an album for my sis.
And another layout I did for an album for my sil.
Ok, one last layout for today. This is one I did and I meant to email it to everyone and somehow I just didn't get around to it. Oooops! Sorry, guys. But it's Mom opening her Christmas gift. I LOVE her expression!
So, ok, then. That's all for now. Love ya!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Hello all. Here's your Tuesday blog entry. Last night my DD and DH planted some seeds for our garden. We're starting them indoors. My DD kind of went crazy with the seeds so it will be a surprise what comes up. Last year our poor garden was pathetic. We got 1 little cobbette of corn and a few small carrots and a few tomatoes at the very end of the season. Just as the tomatoes were getting productive, it froze and that was the end of the garden. I was very disappointed. Before we moved we had a great garden. Tons of big, juicy tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, herbs, etc. It was wonderful. But we moved and had to start from scratch here. The area here is known as the "Oasis of Nevada" and it's an agricultural area. In fact, they grow those famous (so they say) Hearts O' Gold cantaloupes. I had high hopes for my garden here. But apparently MY backyard isn't an oasis. We're hoping that this year will go better. We have some asparagus that we planted last year that I really hope comes up again this year. If so, we can start harvesting asparagus! Yum! And by starting seeds indoors we hope to get more than a few measly tomatoes this year. DH also had to get seeds for beets, brussel sprouts, and artichokes. DD picked out eggplant. (for its purple color, not because she likes to eat it) Here are a couple pics of the seed planting.



I also finished the quilt top. Really, totally done now with the borders stitched on. Guess I better tackle the quilting before I lose steam. Not that I've ever done that before. I don't have any unfinished projects...like a Sunbonnet Sue quilt I started like 8 years ago! LOL It's still not done. I also got another little bit of excitement today as I got the last piece of Hungry Little Caterpillar fabric. It was backordered so it didn't arrive with the rest of it. This one is the caterpillar eating through everything.
Since my quilt top is done I also did a new couple of new scrapbook pages. Isn't Lil B so totally irresistable?
Well, I guess I'll let you all get back to your regularly scheduled lives. Thanks for reading this!

Monday, March 2, 2009

Happy Old Stuff Day! Really, it's a holiday. But I'm not celebrating old stuff nearly as much as NEW stuff today. Namely a NEW quilt top! Yes, I finished the quilt top. Well, ok, it's not totally finished. But the trickier piecing part is done. I do have strips to sew around the edges but that ought to be easy. (knock on wood) I did quite a lot of seam picking out today, though. Ugh. I had so much trouble with the unit 3 (10 of them, I think). I couldn't seem to put them together the right way. I don't know what was up with that. And then I restitched some seams that I just wasn't happy with. As I was pressing them I looked at them and just wasn't satisfied so I took them out and did them over. I'm very happy with how it turned out. One of my better quilts with many of the corners matching up and all. So, are you dying to see it? Ok, here it is...
And here is my DD laying on it. She's been asking me over and over, "Is it done, yet?" And she keeps telling me to hurry up. I thought that I had gone pretty fast but not fast enough for her!
Today was very windy. DS was anxious to try out his new skate shoes after school but it was so yucky out there that he didn't get to. Maybe tomorrow. My silly dog is very afraid of the wind. He was anxious all day, barking at the wind, and DID NOT want to go out. I was afraid he'd pee in the house since he wasn't about to go out. Lucky for him he managed to hold it. And then I really freaked him out when I put his blanket in the wash. He's got issues. Anyway, that's about all for today. Talk atcha later!