Friday, November 30, 2007

Girls,

Just a little photobucket practice...

Lori's Santa wall hanging top!
Jean with her Irish Cottages quilt top!
And, Dolores with her "too colorful" quilt top!

Enjoy!!! : )





Piecefully, Pam
Good Morning Girlies,

TGIF!!! ; ) Dress warmly, it's chilly outside! It's starting to "feel" Christmas-y...

Speaking of which, we are thinking of getting our Christmas tree this weekend. This is the FIRST year in over a decade that we didn't get a tree Thanksgiving weekend. Scott's back has been problematic in the fluctuating weather & temperatures. We usually would drive out to York, choose a tree in the field & cut it down. Scott is NOT able to do the drive, but is still considering the choosing & cutting down option, or not... Not being familiar with any Christmas tree places in this area - does anyone have a recommendation? And, what prices might we expect to pay for a tree here? Any help would be appreciated, you group of QM elves!!!

Jean - glad to hear you stopped in @ Cloth & Bobbin! Did you drop off your Pinwheel quilt?! And, did you buy apron fabric?! Keep us posted on your project!? Glad you're finished teaching for the semester!!! Hooray - freedom...!!!

Cath - you were @ Cloth & Bobbin too! Way to SEW. ; ) Glad you dropped off your TATW quilt! I am SEW proud of you!!!

Thanks Jean & Cath for seeing my Mystery quilt in Johanna's store front window & admiring it. I am REALLY glad I actually finished that project. It will go to a good home for Christmas. : )

I have officially begun work on Natalie's baby quilt. It will be a Star baby quilt, but with different colored stars than the first one I did. I will have to wait for a fabric delivery from Hancock's to begin sewing, but I am making Templar stars in colors like soft blue, lavender, honey dew, & melon. I hope they like it...?!

What projects are you working on? How is your Christmas sewing coming along? Enjoy your weekend, be festive & have FUN!!!
Piecefully, Pam

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Hi There Ladies!

I never thought the Osmond's would generate such buzz HERE...?! ; ) You all never cease to surprise & amaze me. Not only do you have sewing skill, but musical talent as well. Maybe even a little dance expertise...?!

Thanks for hosting Bee last evening, Jean. It was decided we will have the Second Annual QM Christmas Extravaganza on Tuesday Dec 18th @ the McCabe home!!! : ) There will be NO Bee next week, but on Tuesday the 11th we will meet & decide who is to bring what to the Holiday Bee. LA asked if we could "blog" about it here, grinning from ear to ear & practically doing the pee pee dance of joy & anticipation!!!

Jean - your Pinwheel baby quilt is CUTE! I saw your class posted on the Cloth & Bobbin newsletter!!! ; ) Did you see Johanna today? She has upcoming PR with Mainline Life Newspaper & Main Line Times magazine, I believe. How excellent! Was your last Adult Ed class this evening?! How did it go? Are all the projects done...?! Hey, your snowflake table runner is cute too!

Cath - your new TATW project is AWESOME!!! I REALLY like the use of the black fabric - it really POPS it!!!

Lois - thanks for sharing baby pics!!! Cute, CuTe, CUTE!!! How is the quilt coming along for Kara & Colin?!

LA - what are you going to do with that BIG bolt of fabric? How are your Beach projects progressing?! Hurry up! Did I miss the updates 'cause I arrived late?!

Lori - BIG, BIG kudos to YOU!!! Your Santa wall hanging is absolutely gorgeous!!! You should be SEW proud of it!!! : ) Who cares what John says, HANG that Santa wall hanging - NOW!!! It deserves a place of honor. Do you need some 'Mama's to come over with a hammer & nails...?! ; )

Mo, Mare, Peggy & Dolores - you guys were missed last evening! What's going on in your domains? Dolores - I hear smoke is coming off your Gracie machine, & there are some complaints of "quilt lung"...?! ; )

My Mystery quilt is DONE!!! It's residing @ Cloth & Bobbin presently. Anyone who wishes to see it, can go there. ; ) Last evening I was able to locate my stash of fabrics for making the baby Star quilt - hooray!!! I have fabrics sprawled on my sewing table & am auditioning them. I have already weeded out a few. I have a certain amount of relief that I am moving forward with this project. I will be glad when it too is done!

This evening after dog walking, I made a pot of yummy soup!!! I used Thanksgiving turkey stock, & for the first time I used things like whole wheat penne pasta, red lentils & barley grass powder. I know it sounds a little extreme, but it actually turned out to be delicious!!! Good weather for soup!

We are listening to Christmas carols. May your homes be filled with the peace of the Season. And, may you piece when you get the chance. Enjoy your evening & have a FAB tomorrow!
Piecefully, Pam

Monday, November 26, 2007

Good Morning Mama's!

Happy Monday! Has the Holiday season begun...?! Get ready!

Scott put blue lights on the little holly tree out front. We've never done blue lights before. It's different, but nice. : ) I put wreaths on the back yard gates & our front door. We have candles in the front windows.

The weather was mild & nice to be working out of doors on Sunday. Besides doing holiday decorations, I had 2 loads of wash on the line, & Scott was scooping up leaves from the back yard. Jingle was flying all around with us & having a great time!!!

I'm listening to B 101 & their Christmas carols. I know it's a little early, but I figure, "Why not?!" ; ) I am still working on sewing the binding to the back of the Mystery quilt. I have all the tails to tuck in yet too! Uh, a label too. I'll bring it to Bee on Tuesday.

Who else is coming to Bee? Peggy - can you bring your class quilt? Dolores - did you finish the jelly roll quilt you started @ the Beach? Will you bring it? Have you been piecing backs, & cranking out quilts?! Cath - did you start your next TATW quilt? Will you bring it? Lois - I can't open the pictures that were emailed! Do you have any photos to bring? How 'bout the quilt you're doing for Kara & Colin?! LA - do you need help basting Gerry's quilt? What else are you doing? Lori - is the Santa project done?! Will you bring it? Mare - CONGRATS on 25 years!!! We ALL did a good job of not letting the cat out of the bag, huh?! ; ) How are the blocks coming along for your In-Laws quilt? What else are you sewing? Mo - will you give us an update on Matt? You can bring your quilt too...!!! Jean - can we see your class Pinwheel project for Johanna's? What about your current class project? Is it quilted? How are your Irish cottages?!

Enjoy your day! Stitch when you can, or page through a quilting magazine!
Piecefully, Pam

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Hello, everyone! Mare - what a wonderful tribute to you and Joe from your children!! Hope you had a great time - we sure did. The food was terrific...the dancing was great...and the picture tribute was awesome. I hope everyone had a nice weekend. The weather today was really nice - hope you got a chance to enjoy it. I'm going to host Quiltmamas on Tuesday. Hope you all can make it - Lois, we need to hear about your trip. Peggy - hope you bring your class quilt. Hope to see lots of show & tell. Piece...

Friday, November 23, 2007

Happy Black Friday,

Did everyone survive Thanksgiving?! Who stayed home & cooked, & who went somewhere else for their feast? What kinds of traditions do you QM's have?

Mare - can you tell me about gnocchi? Is it made from potatoes or is it pasta? Do you serve it @ Thanksgiving with red sauce/Italian "gravy"? Do you make a turkey too? And, you & Dolores (I think...) were talking about making gnocchi using a fork or something? I don't know anything about it, can you give a mini crash course? I think you stayed home, Mare, right? Any other relatives come over? How's your Mom?

Did anyone else stay home? Or did you make a covered dish to share @ a relative or friend's home? If you made a covered dish, what did you take?

What about other Thanksgiving traditions...watching the Macy's parade, going to the Philadelphia parade, watching foot ball, going to the movies...?

Scott & I were home & feasting! ; ) Wednesday evening I made my baked pineapple casserole, & pumpkin pies. It had been a couple years since I made pumpkin pies! Thursday morning we stuffed a 14 pound turkey, & later in the day it was served with all the trimmings - gravy, mashed potatoes, orange cauliflower. YUM!!! There's plenty of leftovers too!!! We're ready for soup, turkey salad sandwiches, & hot turkey platters.

Yesterday afternoon I raked our front yard. Today I'm thinking, "Why?!" How bout this change of weather?! The winds sure blew in COLD!

Is anyone working today? I'm off & hoping to do some quilting! : ) Mare, thanks for dropping off the black binding! I'd like to get the Mystery quilt done. I'm pretty sure I'm giving it to my Mom for Christmas.

I know Lori is out there @ the Malls & stores doing some mega Black Friday shopping!!! Anyone else? Mama Barb has coupons & plans to shop today. Not me. I did shopping over the Summer, & recently I did some online shopping too.

Hey, use the link to Cloth & Bobbin to see Cathy's TATW quilt on the web!!! : ) It was a VERY pleasant surprise for me to navigate there yesterday & see Cathy's quilt. AWESOME job, Cath!!! : )

We're planning on having Bee Tuesday @ Jean's, is that correct?! I'm looking forward to it!

Enjoy your day, your family, & sew a little if you get the chance!
Piecefully, Pam

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving Girls!

I am thankful for each of you. : ) May you each have a few quiet moments today to take a couple stitches, pick up a quilting magazine & browse through it, or to visit with a Quilt Mama. Enjoy your families, friends, & count the blessing you have.

Piecefully, Pam

Monday, November 19, 2007

Let's hear it for our MVP!!!








And she keeps sewing & sewing & sewing & sewing... Two flannel baby blankets, a flannel rag quilt, 4 schlep bags, a t-shirt quilt for Gerry, a Nativity wall hanging, & place mats too!!! ; ) That's our girl!!! Way to SEW, Leigh Anne! Hip, hip, hooray!!!

Piecefully, Pam

Sunday, November 18, 2007

testing, testing, one, two...





For your viewing pleasure. A picture is worth a thousand words! Here's two thousand words. ; )

Piecefully, Pam

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Hello Girls,

Jean - thanks for the photo link. : ) The pics are FUN!!! A picture is worth a thousand words, truly.

I hope to write more this weekend, & to work with photobucket too. Please, bear with me, this week has been a real bear!!!

Piecefully, Pam

Monday, November 12, 2007

GOT IT!!! : )

Piecefully, Pam
Good Morning Girls,

If anyone gets through to the Hilton this morning, could you PLEASE send an email and/or post a message on the blog?! Thanks ever so much!

Piecefully, Pam

Friday, November 9, 2007

It's FRIDAY!!! : ) TGIF!!!

Leigh Anne, this one's for YOU...TODAY, THIS MORNING we leave for the BEACH!!! Wahoo!!! It's a Bee Brigantine Beach Sewing Retreat kind of weekend!!!

Does everyone have ALL your projects packed?! What about clothes & tooth paste too...?! ; ) Got your cell phone & charger? A camera?

How do you think Mare, Mo & Cath are doing? What sewing project is under their presser foot? Did Mo take any good movies, magazine, newspapers or books?!

Lois - safe travels to Washington State!!! LOVE that new grand baby girl!!! : ) We'll want to SEE pictures!!!

Piece everyone, & enjoy your Friday. It's the weekend!!!
Pam

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Girls,

I am putting the Houston 2008/Hilton Reservation data on our blog. This way, if anyone needs it is available - here! : )

HILTON RESERVATIONS
1-800-236-2905

“For your convenience, the Hilton Americas Reservations desk will be taking reservations for the 2008 Convention starting Monday, November 12, 2007 @ 9:00 Central Time.” That is 10:00 AM our time!

Arrive: Tuesday October 28, 2008
Depart: Saturday November 1, 2008

The Hilton is located @:
1600 Lamar Ave.
Houston, TX
It communicates with the George R. Brown Convention Center directly via a sky bridge

Please book THREE rooms; each a quad for 4 people. This insures 2 beds per room!

The 2007 Quilt Festival group price for a quad was $184 when booked Tues – Sun.

One of these rooms will most likely be canceled. We can cancel within 48 hours of arrival. You MUST pay for the first night for each of the 3 rooms by credit card @ the time the reservation is made. This amount will go towards the total due, & will be a credit.

Mama Barb has been known to spend 45 minutes to an hour just trying to get through! PLEASE, keep trying until you are able to book the rooms & get a confirmation number!

Our Confirmation #___________________

Piecefully, Pam

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Girls,

Wow!!! There is SEW much to recap!!! I am ALWAYS surprised & impressed by you Bee ladies! : )

Jean - thanks for hosting us! We can be quite loud & a handful. Glad you're able to come to Brigantine on Friday following work!!! THANKS Peggy!!! : )

Mare - look @ you!!! Your Vegas shopping seemed like a LOT of FUN! : ) You bought some excellent kits & fabrics!!! I like your wool Christmas project too! Do you have a glue stick & exam table paper to use for the machine applique? What about freezer paper for cutting out your shapes?

Peggy - you score bonus points for helping out Jean, our Queen Bee!!! Thanks again for volunteering to take over the water station, Peggy. Enjoy the Temple vs. Penn State game! When do we get to SEE your class project? It's basted? Has it been quilted yet?!

Lois - the baby pictures are just awesome!!! : ) Congratulations again to you & George. I LOVE the pregnant pumpkin belly!!! ; ) The quilt you're making for Kara & Colin (is the spelling correct?!) is BEAUTIFUL! I LOVE the colors!!! Retirement definitely suits YOU!!! Safe travels, have the BEST time & give everyone a BIG Quilt Mama squeeze!!!

Cath - your TATW project ROCKS!!! I am SEW, SEW proud of you!!! : ) Did you get your Kim Churbuck book yet? What about the Kim Diehl book...?! Are you still doing the Little Shop BOM? Haven't seen or heard anything about it recently...

Dolores - we're SEW glad you're going to Brigantine!!! Hooray! Gracie's first trip to the Beach...!!! : ) Scott says I'm NOT permitted to teach this weekend. I told Johanna that others have asked about another TATW class. That may be in the future @ Cloth & Bobbin, who knows...?! I am SURE you have something FLANNEL you can bring down to the Shore to sew...?!?!?! ; )

Lori - are you going to bring your Santa project to the Shore? Do you need exam table paper? What kind of thread will you use to quilt it? Lor, just because I said it's difficult to hand quilt through batik, doesn't mean you can't give it a try. Yours is a wall hanging, mine is a queen sized quilt! Do you have the t-shirt quilt ready to do? What is the status of your Civil War quilt?

LA - I LOVE you!!! You have ALL your projects cut & bagged!!! You ARE ready!!! : ) I think Friday to Sunday will be GOOD for you! Think of what you can get done!!! You'll be SEWING! The husband & kids will be just fine! They sometimes need to spend their own time together. It helps them ALL to appreciate YOU!

Mo - do you know the time for Saturday's soccer game yet? Glad you're going to Brigantine...early even!!! : ) I'm imagining it won't be-e too much longer before you will be bringing a sewing machine too...?! ; ) I LOVE your flannel stash!!!

You girls surprised me with 6 of us now planning for Houston '08! That's just AWESOME!!! I can hardly wait!!! If you use the link from an earlier post to go to this year's Houston Quilt Festival, click on: "On the Show Floor" - two of the photos give a birds eye view of the vendor, & the quilt exhibit areas on the Convention Center floor. This is truly what it will look like...imagine BIG!!! And, then super size it!!! Get READY & start saving your $$$ NOW!!!

Piecefully, Pam

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Good Afternoon Girls,

Has everyone turned their clocks back one hour?!?!?! Now it will be dark when I walk Jingle in the evening. I don't like that much. Jingle will get to wear an awesome disco light on his dog collar though. He's special...! ; )

I need Bee on Tuesday, Jean! Thanks for volunteering to host. I don't know what to make, when I'm going, or what I'm taking to Brigantine. Help!

The Jennifer Chiaverini luncheon was nice. Her new book is due out November 13th. It was good to see Boonie Barb!!! : )

Mama Barb & Karen should be home from Houston by now. I talked with Barb on Tuesday & Friday evenings. They were having a GOOD time!!! Karen took a class this year - with Susan Cleveland of "Piping Hot Binding" fame. Barb had taken classes with Sue Nichols, Sally Collins & 2 others. She said this year's classes were some of the best she's ever had! She also said that she thinks this was the fullest & busiest year she's ever seen @ the Houston Show. Wow!!!

Didn't get to sew too much this weekend. Hope to soon though! I did pick up my 440 Gertrude machine. She's all shiny, clean & ready to SEW!

Piecefully, Pam

Friday, November 2, 2007

TGIF!!! It is LESS THAN 1 week until Brigantine!!! : )

Tomorrow I pick up my 440/Gertrude machine. ; ) Afterwards, I will meet Boonie Barb for the Jennifer Chiaverini luncheon.

Bee on Tuesday to discuss Brigantine plans...?!

Enjoy your weekend!
Piecefull, Pam

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Girls,

Here is the link to the Houston 2007 Quilt Show!!! Some of these quilts are truly spectacular!!! To see the BIG winners click on their link, Quilts: A World of Beauty. Enjoy, & be inspired...!!! ; )

2007 Houston Quilt Show

Piecefully, Pam