Hello Girls!

Sorry for the silence. It's been busy here... How is everyone doing?!

Spring Break started @ 0800 Friday morning & I am SO...SEW happy!!! : ) I was steeped in flu & gastro, & was thrilled to get out of there before any of the germs took a hold of me!!! Go ahead, ask me how many times I washed my hands in an 8 hour shift...?!

Friday morning after work Scott & I made a trip to Ikea. We wanted to look carefully & critically @ what parts & pieces they might have to offer our current home transformation. We left there pleasantly surprised with several choices to consider.

Saturday, we went to the Beach!!! Clark & Hil were down @ their Rehoboth pad, so we piled Jingle in the car & headed out around noon. Jingle did AWESOME @ the Beach!!! : ) We weren't sure if he'd be overwhelmed & scared, or run away if un-leashed, or God forbid, poop in the sand... He was FABULOUS!!! Jingle even did a good job with Clark & Hil's dog, Cosmo, a 10 year old horse of an Irish Wolf Hound mix! In the evening we left the dogs @ home & went out for auce (all you can eat) crabs+. It was a marvelous day & the weather was glorious!!! We got home this morning & had chores & more to get done!

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I hung wash out on the line today!!! I just LOVE that! It SMELLS SO good!!! I think I might be able to do it again tomorrow too! : )

Scott & I went back to Ikea today. After discussing things we were both interested in & taking measurements along, we walked through their vignettes & decided what we definitely wanted to buy. Today we came home with a chaise lounge for the "new" living room & a ceiling light too! We will be going back later in the week for some studio furniture! Scott selected a computer table & we decided on some other furnishings too. : )

We are making forward progress. The chaos is starting to move towards organization. It feels much better to me, I'm not so...sew unsettled.

I have things loaded in the car to take to a thrift shop tomorrow morning. There is a Salvation Army en route to Rehoboth Beach, we made a pit stop there yesterday! It's a little bit crazy here - Shelby can't tell what's coming or going...?!

Okay, who is going to the Guild meeting tomorrow evening? Jean, I will go & gladly hitch a ride with you if that's okay?! : ) I didn't do the BOM, & I forgot all about bags for Moms. Maybe I can pick up a stuffed animal tomorrow! I did do 1+ kids quilts & I will probably take my Trip quilt for show 'n tell.

That just about does it for now! You're all caught up with the news from this end! Enjoy your evening & the milder temps!
Piecefully, Pam

Mare - forgot to say thank you for the dark chocolate m & m's!!! They're delicious! : ) Also, your Naked Lady is terrific!!! I'm glad you found the other life preserver... ; )

Cath - thanks for the telephone numbers, we appreciate them. You're the best! : )

And, according to Jean's morning email, it looks as though the Daniel Lemonade quilt date is Saturday the 24th! Glad to hear he's doing well!!! : )

Time to snooze...zzz...zzz...zzz
Piece. Out, Pam

Top 'O The Morning Lassies!!!

It's white outside, but I'm starting to think GREEN! ; ) It's Shamrock shake time @ McDonald's!

Dates...@ last nights Bee we were kicking around sewing dates for making Daniel's 2007 Lemonade quilt. The quilt is raffled off in June, & Jean says the sooner we can get the top sewn together the sooner raffle tickets can start being sold! In the past, we've done it as a charity project on National Quilting Day. However, this year Nat'l Quilting Day happens to fall on St. Patty's Day & that won't work for most Bee members (Jean - is that when your brother is getting married?!). Then, 3/24 was discussed. Most can sew that day, but I will be taking Karen's applique class @ Steve's, along with Barb. The following Saturday, 3/31, doesn't work for Marianne & Peggy. Hmmm...?! So/sew, I'm blogging about it to see if we can figure out a date that suits most Bee members? Please mull it over, check your calendars, & let's see what we can come up with!?!?!?

Dolores - THANKS for hosting!!! : ) It was FUN!!! Rocky is a beauty!!! ; ) And, WOW!!! - YOU are SEW productive!!! Way to SEW, girl!!! We saw, what, 4, 5, 6 quilts that you've made?!?!?! You get the prize!!! Those Moda quilts are just fab!

Peggy - I don't know exactly what's up, I got there late...I did hear mention of a trip to Florida, & that your Dad is OUT of the hospital!!! Hooray!!! : ) How is Richie? How is Jean's class going & what's this about fuzzy cutting...?! ; )

Jean - your Photo class quilt is AWESOME!!! I think the bias strips with their embellished edges work! : ) And, the Puzzle baby quilt is neat-o! Have good classes this evening!

Mare - what's new on your end? I will be on Spring Break starting this Friday 'til Sunday 3/18. Whenever you want to pick stuff up just give a holler. What's sewing on your end? Did you finish Nicole's t-shirt quilt?

Cath - glad to hear your Dad finished his first treatment regime without any reactions! : ) Whew - that's excellent!!! You said you finished a Beach quilt too? Was that one of the quilts you were working on down the Shore? Also, I REALLY like the Civil War BOM you're doing from the Little Shop. Doing them in batiks would be cool too! Keep your foot up & hang in there!!! : )

Lois - WOW! The skirt your Dad made for your Mom is incredible!!! What an heirloom!? It is absolutely gorgeous! Is that kind/style of needle work called Crewel Embroidery, does anyone know? It's done with wool "floss" isn't it?

We missed Maureen, Lori & Leigh Anne. What's new girls? LA - did you get your stitches out?!

Jingle says thanks for ALL the bags, but he's a little embarrassed...he thinks you think he has some kind of problem... ; )
Piecefully, Pam

Good Morning Girls,

What is with all this WIND?!?!?! When we awaken each afternoon, Scott & I look outside to see if there are striped witch legs sticking out from under our house!!! March is definitely a LION this year!!! I can't remember such sustained wind...

Hey, have you gotten a Sauder's sales flyer?! And, what about Burkholder's sale & coupon?! Should I bring these with me to Bee this evening or do you guys already have them too?

I am thinking about the upcoming Lancaster Quilt Show!!! : ) Is anyone else getting excited?!?!?! I started making a list of things to buy, look for & check out @ the Show!!! Have you? What's on your lists?! Does anyone have favorite vendor's?

I also have made a Trip Around the World baby quilt on my EQ software. This means that I am actually thinking about teaching the class...I am considering sending a card to Bea & Nancy with basic class info to see if they are truly interested in me teaching @ the Shop. Nail biter!!! We'll see what happens...?!

I have also been doing some hand quilting. I still have MANY squares to quilt, but I really do LOVE my Square in a Square quilt. : ) Those batiks & marbled fabrics are sew lovely!!!

Jean - I am anxious to see your projects!!! I HOPE I can find my way to the Upland address tonight...?! I'll call if I get lost...

This is seriously BAD HAIR weather!!! So, stick on a hat & be warm!!! ; ) See you tonight.
Piecefully, Pam

It's Monday, & it's cold outside! Get ready for another Arctic BLAST!!! I am ready for SPRING!!! Anyone going to the Philadelphia Flower Show?!?!?! Lois, are you?!

Okay, how is every one's Dad doing?! I am NOT liking this trend!!! Cath - is yours tolerating his treatments without any reactions? Lori - how is your Dad? He's home, right? Peggy - 200+ bpm (beats per minute) is NOT "normal" not even for your Dad. I can see where you get it though...?! ; ) How is he doing? You guys & your families are ALL in our thoughts & prayers!

Dolores - are you out there?! How was Disney?! Magical?! Did you happen to notice how Mickey Mouse ears are woven into all the fabrics @ the hotels & restaurants? Neat-o! You're hosting QM's this week?! Nice! Will Peggy be able to come or will Rocky hurt her?! Joe Byrnes!!! ; )

How is everyone else doing & what's been going on?!

We're back from Barb's! I seriously DON'T know how she does it!?! Our asses are dragging & she's flying ALL around doing 12,000,000 things; smiling, talking & sewing all the while!?! I NEED a nap!!!

Jingle was well behaved & caused NO problems @ Barb's. : ) Thank goodness. I can take a breath now!

Thanks for stopping by. : ) Have a good day & get a little sewing done if you can.
Piecefully, Pam

Hiya Ladies,

Cath - thanks for posting about your Dad. I'm GLAD to hear he hasn't had a reaction!!! : ) Hooray! We ALL will keep praying. How is your foot?

Last evening I worked with my EQ software. I needed to learn how to download fabrics from the Internet. The stuff I had done before is stuck in the non-functioning computer... So/sew I don't have my color palettes nor the Trip project that I've already done. I am working on designing a Baby Trip Around the World quilt, & am trying to + self talk me into teaching...

This evening I did hand quilting!!! Yep, I'm back @ work on my Square in a Square quilt. : ) I LOVE the colors, but those blasted batiks are a RAT to hand quilt through!!! I am VERY thankful for my thimble!!!

I am trying to stick to my "no NEW major quilt project" until I get my other things managed, finished or otherwise taken care of.

Which reminds me of our studio. We did not go to Ikea this morning. : / It was POURING!!! And, the little antique shop that has a piece I'm interested in using for the studio is moving to a new location & not presently open. Hmmm...roadblocks, no?!

Is everyone dry?! How 'bout that storm?! Most of you slept through it, I'd imagine, but Scott & I were awake for it. It was pretty wicked! This afternoon & evening were pleasant. : )

Enjoy your weekend. We're leaving for Barb's tomorrow morning. We're taking Jingle - wish us ALL well...!!!
Piecefully, Pam

Good Morning Girls,

Jean - how were your classes last evening?! Fun?! Good?! : ) Was Peggy behaved...NOT! ; )

Mare - thanks for your email. I called my friend & she's going to request the days off. I'll keep you posted.

Cathy - you're still in our thoughts & prayers!

Who's in for this years Lemonade Quilt for Daniel?! I think the design Jean chose is perfect for this project!!! : ) We can talk about it @ the next Bee, no - who, what, when, etc? Count me IN!!! : )

So/sew you guys are up to date...I have a friend, Barb Buffington, who would like to join us in Lancaster for the Quilt Show. If she can make it, she'll be hanging with us. : ) She's a good friend who lives in the sticks of PA. As I said above to Mare, I'll keep you posted. I talked with her last evening & she is WAY excited!!!

I did some sewing in our new studio space last evening. It's working. It's different. We will be looking @ some shelving options over the weekend, & that will help us to decide what to use & where to put it!?

I came across a link on how to clean your sewing machine. I've included it in this post. See if the link works, & then give your sewing machine a nice spa treatment!!! : ) http://homepage.mac.com/mbgoodman/clean/

Happy sewing & enjoy your day!
Piecefully, Pam

P.S. Okay, I couldn't just click on the link, but I could highlight & copy it & it took me there. Give it a try...?!