Another post today...

Why is it that I don't post for a few days and then when I do it is a few all on the same day?

Ah well, I finished the thread portrait that I had posted earlier, it's framed nice and pretty. I also did a fabric picture of my cousin, which is below as well.

I also did a pillow cover... and added the pillow.

The writing says "Estoy Chillin a Los 60" as my cousin just hit his 60th birthday this summer. You can't tell by these pictures, but I have done a trapunto type stitching on the portrait and pillow.

I have heard so many people go on and on about trapunto and I did not know what they where talking about so I went and check out what trapunto is exactly. This is what I found at the http://www.museum.state.il.us/muslink/art/htmls/ks_tech_t.html site:

"In Italian trapunto means "to embroider," and in Latin it means "to prick with a needle." English and American quilters usually call the technique stuffed work. 

 

This style originated around the fourteenth century in Sicily. It became popular for clothing and other decorations in some parts of Europe, too, especially in Tudor England (A.D. 1485-1550) and in Marseilles, France, in the 1600s. Trapunto was brought to America by immigrants from these countries. A quilt made in this technique would have been considered elegant. "

I guess the portrait and pillow are considered elegant... interesting.

So they are both off to guild meeting tonight to show off and then  I'll pack them up and send them to my cousin in Puerto Rico. 

I am really hoping they enjoy the pictures and pillow... 

Enough  of my ranting... time to get things together to go to guild meeting tonight. Also need to figure out what's for dinner so hubby can cook before I leave. 

Hope you have enjoyed your afternoon coffee :)

Ciao for now ;D

J :D 

Insights From SewCalGal: Sew Biz - Help your favorite Quilt business - writ...

I had to post this insight from SewCalGal's Blog. I am not a quilt shop owner, though I know a few, I am not a designer of quilts, though I have designed a few, I am not a blogger with an agenda, though I have been told I might just have one... Still, I support a few local quilt shops, designers, teachers, and authors. Take a look at what SewCalGal has to say about supporting Quilting business & Yelp.

Insights From SewCalGal: Sew Biz - Help your favorite Quilt business - writ...: "Good word of mouth is one of the best PR opportunities for a quilt shop, designer, author, teacher, etc. Those in the business appreciate quilting, sewing and embroidery enthusiasts that take time to pass on positive feedback, and enthusiasts also appreciate hearing when a product (or business) isn't worth purchasing."

I like the idea of supporting local and of course to give credit, I do use Yelp a lot. I also have Yelped about different shops that I go to... if you go to Yelp, I do accept friends :) Just saying... www.yelp.com

Enjoy your coffee and have a great day!
Ciao ;D
J

Checking out different Blogs

I'm on the bus... Bored... Checking out different bogs as the bus eats up the miles...

http://2littlehooligans.blogspot.com/2010/10/casserole-carrier-tutorial.html this is a tutorial for a casserole carrier... I think it is adorable.


I might have to start another list of "To Do" projects... Course if my sisters see that list I am in for a teasing.

This is another project I have come across today... http://www.quiltersclubofamerica.com/media/p/251278/download.aspx

It does look like a wonderful idea for a table runner... wonder if I could make it longer...

No coffee, just a bottle of water, the iPad, my phone, and handbag.
Ciao, Catch again soon.
J :D

On The Road Again

I've had a peaceful time in NJ these past two weeks. My Aunt is doing so much better now, compared to when I arrived here the end of August.

I did finish a quick Jelly Roll top, pinned up the 1st of two borders for the DWR quilt, hemmed some stuff, took in some stuff, re-did some other stuff for my Aunt. Also helped my Aunt on some projects she had to have done.

Looking forward to being with my hubby, family, and friends at home. I have missed them all.

Hope you have enjoyed your coffee and my rant.
Ciao!
J ;D

Official Google Blog: Ten years later

Google has a wonderful tribute that I could never try to duplicate. Worth looking through.

Official Google Blog: Ten years later: The events of September 11, 2001 changed the lives of so many people around the world. In the years since that day, thoughtful online effor...

Remembering

Like so many in the NY/New England area I have refused to turn on the TV, Radio, open a news paper or read stories of what occurred today 10 years ago. I am not hiding my head in the sand, just remembering the statistics. As I could forget the images I saw on TV or the newspaper that day or the days that followed.

This was a post from a FB friend:

IN MEMORY OF ALL WE LOST, TODAY IS THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11- STATISTICS: Times of impact: 8:46 a.m. and 9:02 a.m. Time the burning towers stood: 56 minutes and 102 minutes. Time they took to fall: 12 seconds. 2819 dead from 115 different nations. 343 Fireman/paramedics, 23 NYPD, 37 Port Authority officers,15 additional state and Federal officers, over 100 cops, fireman confirmed dead from 9/11 Illnesses since, and dozens more awaiting this sad fate. REPOST IF YOU WILL NEVER FORGET!!!

The thought of someone else inserting what I am supposed to think and feel about today does not help me remember what happened. Of all the tributes, news stories, and pictures I have seen over the years my favorite video is the Budweiser commercial on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3eQmzw6n3k&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Alan Jackson said http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzzqhaLl_8w

Than you for checking in today, I hope you have enjoyed your coffee and have a wonderful day :D
Caio!
J :D

Sunday morning rumbling

I am still visiting with my aunt in New Jersey... My husband came down to spend the long weekend with, which I am very happy that he did as it looks as if I will be here for at least another week or so.

It's not so much that my aunt is really sick, but that she is low grade not feeling well right now.

I've been doing some sewing, some reading, and a lot of waiting in different dr's office for follow up appts.

Ah well, thanks for joining me for a coffee break. I'm going to go outside on the porch and enjoy the quietness and my coffee.
Ciao!
J :)

Off to NJ

Hello from sunny Highland Park NJ :)

Last weeks hurricane wreaked havoc in the Northeast. Vermont more than other areas, but still, we had our share at home, in Newton and in Central NJ, where my aunt lives. When I spoke to her the day after the hurricane moved on, she did not sound all that well... So I decided to travel down. I am glad I did, we've been visiting a few doctors offices of late. Ah well, life is better now.

I did bring a few projects to work on here, and now have a few more for my aunt while I am here as well. Good thing I like her sewing machine. It is not temperamental, which is a good thing...

Off to work on some projects and finish my coffee... Thanks for joining me.

Hope you enjoyed your coffee.
Ciao,
J :)

Comfortable and Confident in the Gym

I've been trying to work out more often... I hate going to the local gym... when I saw this article 5 Tips to Feel More Comfortable and Confident in the Gym I figured it would help me.

It dawned on me that I like going to the gym a little further away, because "everyone knows your name" and they push you to go the extra distance. I don't think it is needing to be more comfortable and/or confident in the gym, but rather knowing people who enjoy you and who you want to meet up with to work out.

Off to finish my coffee and head for the gym!
Ciao!
J :)

Free Pattern - Jelly Roll 1600

What is 1,600 inches long when it starts and finishes 48” x 64”? The Jelly Roll 1,600 Quilt!

Heirloom Creations shared their tutorial on how to create a quick quilt using all the strips in a jelly roll sewn together! Just click on their highlighted name and you will be taken to the free instructions. They even had "Jelly Roll Races" at a retreat (check out video below) to see who could finish the sewing the fastest and one woman finished it in 35 minutes (and she was talking as she sewed)!

It is so worth watching! Just so you don't think I speed thru life... there is no way I could do this in 35 minutes!

I have a few (too many) jelly rolls that do not have projects attached to them. I think I will be making a few of these during the hurricane (as long as we have power that is...).

I also caught a video showing how they made the long strip, it is one long strip of binding and Connecting Threads has a great tutorial on how to do this:

Enjoy your coffee :)

Ciao, 
J :)