House warming gift

I finally finished the housewarming gift for my nephew and his wife. The recently purchased their first home and, I'm told she really likes red. I had the heart shaped potholders in my gift box having made them last year without any recipient in mind. More of the potholder fabric was used to make placemats. These items are packaged in the red and white casserole dish which was the inspiration for this gift. I originally bought the casserole dish (on sale) for myself but decided it was a great start for a housewarming gift. My mom added a red metal trivet and matching spoon rest along with red silcone utensils to complete the gift. Now to get the gift to them since I don't actually know their address. His dad, my brother, has agreed to pick it up and deliver it to them.

I think the gift turned out very well. I might add a few casserole, cake, or brownie recipes to round out the gift.

Kitchen remodel updates

New window blinds for the dining room have been ordered. I can't believe the difference in prices. I ordered over the Internet for dining room and kitchen and at the end of the order discovered the manufacturer/vendor is in Tempe, probably 20 miles from home! I hope the arrive soon!

Today we went to a cabinet showroom to look at options for our kitchen. There are so many choices, almost too many. A designer/estimator will be calling to schedule an appointment sometime next week. Options will be discussed and we may be purchasing cabinets very soon. I can hardly wait!

Well S#*)!^! I just wrote a blog post, tried to add a photo, and then the entire flippin' post was lost! WTF!!!!

Anyway, in the ongoing remodel project, the dining room is done!!! DONE!! It is adjacent to the kitchen, and both really need to be done at the same time, or at least, close together. It is so nice to see a beautiful floor, walls, and a table, all looking so inviting. Note to viewers, the blue striped curtains are only there for privacy. Those are the curtains I've had for years. Soon to be replaced by blinds, and..... well, I'm not sure. I'm thinking a cornice or some sort of window treatment at the top. I need to ruminate on that for awhile.






The Mister said we need to move the TV/entertainment center so he can see it from the dining room table. Not happenin'!! I love how this turned out! The curtains need to change, that is the next step.

Kitchen project is next! All the plumbing, wiring, drywall, painting, tiling, etc. is finished. Cabinets, counter tops, and the dishwasher are next. What am I going to do with a dishwasher??? Never had one! How difficult is it to wash dishes for two people? Well, the dishwasher will increase the value of the house when we are ready to sell. Which, I hope is soon!

The Mister's work is awesome! I tried to help him by painting. He said, I've seen you paint. So now, HE does all the painting. And he does a fantastic job!! It is a good thing I married him because I could not afford to pay him for the work he does!

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day didn't come off quite as planned, but still nice. The Mister surprised me with flowers and champagne on the dining room table when I went to the kitchen/laundry room for coffee.

For him, I made a fabric take-out box with Valentine fabrics and filled it with paper hearts, each one with a reason why I love him. The brown and pink item on the table is the take out box. I think he was surprised. I hope so. I used a pattern by Susan Perry from http://www.storyquilts.com/

I wish I could remember where I read about this idea but I don't remember which blog it was on. I think it turned out very nice and he seemed to like it.

Quilt shop play date

Last week I had fun shopping with Miss J at Sun Valley Quilt Shop in Sun City, AZ. I'd been out in Sun City the previous day (see the Post Office budget cuts post) and decided I needed another trip with a like-minded friend.

On the first trip I bought patterns but no fabric. I found the Lazy Girl pattern for the Mini Miranda handbag. I really could have re sized the full size pattern I already have but I like to support independent designers and quilt shops.

The Darling Duet pattern is for table toppers and since I have a round dining table (and so do several friends and family) I thought this would be perfect for gift making.

The Piece of Pie book is full of projects designed for the "layer cake" cuts of fabric. The book also includes several recipes which I can't wait to try.

The Quilt shop play date shopping trip yielded four fabric purchases. The upper fabric is a print with shallots, artichokes, and broccoli which will be an apron for me! The colors work great in the new kitchen.

The other three fabrics are for kitchen towels, which I plan to embroider. Unfortunately the large plaid IS as minty green as it looks rather than the sage green it appeared to be in the store. Oh well. They are just going to be towels, after all! I haven't decided if I want to use the machine embroidery design or due them the old fashioned way, by hand. Either way, I think they will look very nice in my kitchen.

Phoenix Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival

This year I had the pleasure of going to the sewing festival with my friend Miss J and my Mom. Three buildings full of vendors and classrooms. We walked for over two hours and I was so ready to sit down by the time we went to lunch! I was really good, only bought items from two vendors! I didn't buy fabric, but only because I couldn't even get close to the cutting area and I wasn't willing to stand in line. Whew! I thought about going back the next day but was too tired and sore to leave the house.

The black metal item in the center is a purse frame for the pattern in the lower left corner. Too bad the flash obliterated the detail on the button in the lower center. I don't know what I'm going to do with that button but it was so pretty I just had to have it!

After two+ hours of walking, we went to My Florist Cafe for a scrumptious lunch. If you've never been there, you really should go! http://www.myfloristcafe.com/phoenix/hub.phx.html The cafe is in an historic building in Phoenix at 534 W. McDowell Road and was a florist shop for 49 years. The food is a bit pricey but worth it!

Post Office budget cuts

During all the discussion of budget cuts, I recently heard that the Postmast is telling congress that they need to eliminate one mail delivery day a week to cut costs. I guess everyone is having to cut back.

I was shopping in Sun City and saw something that just made me get out my camera for a picture because I knew no one would believe it! If you can't tell what it is, the postal carrier is riding a Segway Scooter that has a front wheel attached, saddle bags, towing a trailer or cart which probably has mail in it.

Have you gotten any of the emails that promise fortune, love, your heart's desire if you just forward it to so many people, and dire consequences if you don't? I hate those emails! Even worse are the religious emails that promise dire consequences if not forwarded. I believe we make our own luck. There is no book, card, email, chain letter, or anything like those that will improve your luck.

Inauguration Eve

I think inagurating my blog on the eve of inauguration of a new president may be auspicious, or not. At any rate. Time to get moving.

This subject, inaguration of the new president, is one of the few my sweetheart and I disagree on. I tell him we need to give the man a chance, at least see what he can do. Time for a change! More than time for a change.