What the Heck!!

Well I thought that it would be super wonderful to finally be home and be where I could sew and be happy!! I have been working so many hours I barely get to look at my sewing machine let alone use it. In fact I haven't even touched it since I got back. Keith has done more sewing since I got back than I have. He hemmed some pants this week for his roommate.

Things have been a bit crazy here. I have already had to make the drive to san diego once to see the neurologist and have to drive down there again on tuesday to see the Occupational Therapist to see if we can get some therapy going to at least relieve some of the pain in my arm.

We have been working really long hours I go in to work at about 0530 (leaving my house at 0440) and most days I don't leave the shop until 1800 or after. So I don't get home until almost 7PM unless I stop at Keiths and then I get home close to 10 if I go out to my house at all. One day this week I was over at Keiths and fell asleep and he just tucked me in and set the alarm for me to get up in the morning.

I thought that I would get some sewing and baking time this weekend but Aden, Keiths room mates son is having a birthday party tomorrow and has been asking for me.. the exact words I heard were "Is Header back from the boat? When do I get to see her" So they are flying to texas to get him and then we are going to have his party. I still have Christmas shopping to do that I haven't gotten done and of course the weekly laundry. So this weekend is pretty messed up too.

OH!! Since I have left you hanging for a couple weeks as to the new goodies I got I guess I will spill the beans. I got a new/used washer and dryer!! Yea!! Oh Oh and even better I have a new Janome 6600 and table!! ( that I haven't gotten to play with yet) and I have a "Little Gracie II" on order.. my goodness now if I only had the time to sew.

The Weekends over already??

Wow I can't believe the weekend is over already. I feel like I have got nothing done.. Well I really haven't gotten anything done. If you missed in my last post thank you to everyone that contributed to my quilt I love it. I was all cuddled up in it at the hotel but I don't know if Keith got pictures of that or not. I have bragged about it and shown everyone that I know just how much my quilting friends love me. Love you guys so much.
We got to go over to Cozy Quilt in San Diego where I showed my quilt off and let them oogle over it. I also oogled over some patterns and things. I will have to decide between now and Wednesday/ Thursday if there are others that I have decided that I want. I have to drive back down to San Diego to see the neurologist about my arm again.. really not looking forward to that.
We looked for a washer and dryer for me because I desperately need one. No luck this week but maybe next weekend.. I actually saw one at moms and dads and think that I will just call dad and have him go get it for me and then I can go get it this weekend or something.
I have other special goodies to show you guys I even took pictures but am too tired to fight to get them online right now. Ihave to be up really early in the morning and have to fight the fog to get to work. I will try to update you in the evening when I get home.

Finally Home!!

Well I'm not quite home yet. But I am off the boat and slept in a real bed last night. Was able to take a real shower and not have a little 2 foot square to shower in. Home coming wasn't exactly what everyone expected I pretty much slept all of yesterday and last night.

Yesterday after my nap mom called me over to hers and dads room so that she could give me something. I just want to thank everyone for the hard work and love that has gone into the friendship quilt that you have given me. I am speechless.. I love it and the pillow case to go along with it. The quilt is very special to me and I will cherish it forever. I am sitting here all snuggled up in it as I type.

I asked my mom if the meows liked it and she said she didn't know she didn't share it with my girls and that she was going to let me decide if I was going to share. My thought? Of course I'm going to share maybe if I share they will forget that I abandoned them at moms house and actually want to come and cuddle with me.. Smiles

Well I am going to go ahead and get dressed .. They said that we could go to the quilt store this morning before driving back to mom and dads. I'm going to go oogle over the new sewing machines and decide if I have enough to get one.. smiles

I love you all!!

Is that a light??

Well I would like to say that I see the light at the end of the tunnel but really I don't. Not yet anyway. We are still all out here working hard all day every day. I am afraid to say that when I get home I will probably sleep for 3 days straight since it just feels like I never sleep. The last week has been filled with waking up feeling like I was going to be late to work.. How in the world can you be late when the shop is across the carrier?

The last couple of days my stomach has been really upset but we think that is because I ate real food while in port and now am back to the ship food and my belly is a little confused. My dad will be coming out to float with us for a while at the end. I can't wait.. I am not sure what he'll think about it.. He will probably never want to come to the ship again.. LOL

Well I have to run we have been really busy this week so I haven't gotten any sewing done. Talk to you later

No Watch.. Yeah Right

So much for having a fun day surfing the web and dreaming about being at home. I got up early this morning happy to start the day and then the phone in the shop rang... AT1 I need you to stand watch.. I wasn't happy but at the same time I wouldn't change places with the guy whos spot I took for a million dollars. He slipped on a ladder well and broke his wrist.. I would much rather be in one piece standing watch thank you very much.

I did get to go out in town and do shore patrol in the mall.. it was ok.. boring but ok. I bought a couple of little things for my nieces and magazine and when I came back in to the ship stopped at the Hard Rock store on the pier and to my suprise found a couple of really awesome long sleeve t shirts that I just had to have. I have never bought anything for my self from any of the Hard Rocks or Planet Hollywoods that I have stoped at while being over seas and today I found 2 shirts that I just couldn't live with out. I bought a shirt for my brother and one for Keith too.. I hardly ever buy things for my soon to be sister in law is that wrong? I don't know why she just isn't the first person on my mind while I'm out shopping. Usually its mom and dad.. the triplets, grandma and ryan.... and of course the post cards to mail to you guys when I have the time.. LOL.. believe it or not I have alot written just not mailed. Thats not completely the truth either I have looked and looked at thimbles for people but am so afraid that I will forget some one and that I will hurt feelings and I don't want that either.

Well I am going to get to bed here soon it has been a long day.. my bed and the shower are calling for me.. that and Keith is talkin to me in the email.. smiles

I'm still out here

Just wanted to tell everyone HELLO!! I haven't forgotten any of you! Thanks to everyone that has written and sent goodies.. I have been trying to write letters to everyone that has sent me thing but I got a little lost in the process.. there are a bunch of letters sitting in my rack down stairs that I need to address and get in the mail box.. so I will get you letters they may be late but I will get them to you.

I have duty tomorrow and don't have a watch so I should be able to catch up on some of my writing and maybe some of my reading too. I apologize for not writing more often but the internet is slow and its really hard to get anything done with out having to wait for pages to load.

How is everyone doing? Are you working on holiday projects yet? I really want to but well its kind of hard. I am hoping to be able to afford to get a quilt frame and a new sewing machine when i get back but that depends on how much money I can save and also how much I spend on Christmas gifts. I want to make this christmas super special. Two of my brothers and their wives and Keith and I will be spending christmas with mom and dad. I want to make things special since Keith said that he didn't do much for christmas in the past... all the more reason to make this one good.

Well I have to get going.. take care !! I will talk to you all again soon

Thoughts of Craftyness

Well I thought that I was going to be able to do lots of crafty things this inport period but that is not what happened. I have slept a bit even fell asleep while sitting at my desk last night. I have done alot of surfing and looking at the fabric that is out there.. I just want to be home to sew and be creative.

I have seen so many of the christmas fabric that I just love.. I was sitting thinking of all the things that I could do with them.. and though I would love to buy them all but really how much am I going to have time to do from the time that I get back until christmas comes around? Not much time at all really.

I think that I am going to try to set aside a little time every day to try to do my cross stitch I desperately want to see some progress in my little projects but haven't been seeing any.

I have to get going but will try to write again later.. Take care everyone.. smiles

Mail Call

Well I got mail goodies from mom today.. munchies that we have already started devouring.. Wash cloths that I am going to share with the girls down in berthing and then some books and other odds and ends.. all in all another great suprise..

I also got my box and I'm sorry but I told you wrong its called Quilt magic not Magic Quilt. They came in the mail today and I was super excited. They are smaller than I thought so I may have to rethink my gift giving and add something to it. Thats okay though its something to do. Not that I have all the time in the world but the last couple of days I have headed to the berthing early after breakfast and then sat there thinking that I should be doing something..

Today I am prepared I am taking one of my cross stitch kits down to the berthing with me and am going to work on it a little before going to sleep. Well I am headed to chow laters :-)

Slow Evening

Well tonight has been pretty slow.. Not much going on. I would love to report that I have done alot of cross-stitching today but I haven't done much of that either. I ordered two kits off the Magic Quilt web site a couple weeks ago and am waiting for those to show up.

If you have never seen the Magic Quilt website you should check it out. They are pretty neat kits. You start out with a foam board with a picture cut in to it. The kit comes with the fabric to tuck in to the foam and just like that you have a wonderful quilt like wall hanging. There were 2 sea shell pictures that I ordered for my sister-in-law. This year I have my older brother Sean and his wife Christy for Christmas exchange. I have a tropical fish quilt top at home that I hope to get quilted for my brother Sean and then those pictures for Christy. I hope that they are received well.

Well that is about all that is going on here.. Hope all is well.

Back to Work

Now the ship has been cleansed of its slimyness its back to work. Well Kind of.. tonight is a small maintenance day.. not much going on and then were back full swing in the morning.

Jen.. I would have to say that I simply adore all of Nancy Halversons fabric. I'm not sure what it is about it I just love it! I really liked the Peppermint and Hollyberries fabric and one day will get to the Reindeer quilt in that book. I have the green yo yo maker here on the ship.. though I don't have the rest needles or thread.. I donated my scissors to the festivities today so my good scissors that I brought for my crafting are no longer. I am going to have to get some more scissors or ask mom to send me a pair.

As far as pillow cases I would love to pass them out here.. There are a lot of people and I think that they would all love to have a little comfort from home.. Something special that shows that some one thought about them.

I thank everyone for their well wishes.. and hope that everyone is happy and healthy there at home. Take care

Hello from across the seas

Just wanted to stop in and say hello! I wish that I had had a camera with me the last few evenings. Everyone would have been in awe of the night sky as all the little worker bee's worked to repair and prepare the aircraft for the nexts days flights.

I was out doing maintenance with our civillian tech rep just watching the sky in awe of all the stars.. it was a great night.. more stars than you could ever imagine.. and countless shooting stars to make wishes on. The boys even watched a metior light up the night sky and hit the water. Then Last night there was a brilliant display of lightening to light up the sky it was awesome.

I miss everyone bunches.. have been thinking about the yo yo garland and I think that I want to do it in Nancy Halversons 12 days of christmas fabric.. that would be the perfect little country christmas colors I think.

Cindy if you let me know what I need to send $ wise I will be sure to get mom or Keith to send it out to you ladies.. Or I can transfer it to you through paypal.. better yet if you want me to order the fabric and have it mailed to you I can do that as well.

Well I had better get going .. Davey Jones and the Honerable King Neptune would not be pleased to find me goofing off.. smiles

Another Hello

I had the time so I figured what better to do than sit down and write a quick note to say hello. I have made friends with a girl in my squadron I'm not sure if I mentioned her to every one yet. Her name is Autumn and she likes to crossstitch and wants to get into sewing when we get back.. Can you say quilt buddy in the making?

Any way I have been thinking about what I can do out here to make the time pass faster and to I guess allow myself to get away from here mentally at least. Last year Jen made a yo-yo garland for her christmas tree and I think yo yos would be a great small project. Now I just need to figure out what I am going to need to do that.

I will be writing Jen here in a little while to talk things over with her and figure out the best way to go about getting this started.

Checking in

Good Morning Everyone!!

Well morning time wise but really evening for me. I'm working night shift now supposed to be from 6pm to 6am but I'm usually in the shop about 2pm.. makes for long hours but I'm hopping that time will pass faster that way.

I took care of the crud just like everyone said.. we stopped in another port and I came down with round 2 of the crud. Luckily Keith mailed me some cough medicine and throat lozenges. I have gotten goodie boxes from he and mom so far and they make life just that much better.. Something to smile about after a hard days work.

I already can't wait to go home.. have been out here about a month and really just want to be able to sleep in my own bed and smell the coffee brewing that Keith programed for me the night before. He's such a sweet heart.. He sent me all sorts of goodies to share with the guys and then a really great card to go along with it. Yesterday he emailed me a picture of what he got in the mail. I had been writing letters to him and they all showed up at one time.. go figure.

Other than that nothing much is going on here.. Keith keeps in contact with my mom on the computer while I am gone which is really cool.. they enjoy talking to each other.

Gotta Run! Talk to you later

Hello!

Just wanted to stop in a say hello to everyone! Of course I haven't taken any pictures and up loading them my prove to be a challenge anyway. I have been here on the ship for about a week and am doing ok. I seem to have caught what we call the crud. Everyone gets it at least once.. I just wish that it would go away.. LOL.

The guys in the shop are great. They are all personable and seem to all get along. There are a couple of bump on a log type guys but they don't seem to affect the others. The bump on a logs are pretty senior so if they haven't figured out how to deal with things there is nothing that I can do to help them.

If you haven't noticed with the help of jen I put a counter until I am home on my blog. Of course its not completely accurate but I cant really make it that way either. I just left a guess as to when we may be home.. things are always subject to change.

I brought crossstitch kits out here with me but have yet to sit down and break one out. I guess I am being a bit lazy. I think about them all the time but never have one with me when I have the time or motivation to do it. My plan today is to go back down to my rack and get a couple of the little ones and see how far that I can get. I want to try to keep doing some of my crafts otherwise I think I will feel overwhelmed when I get home.

Its actually funny Keith talks to me about setting up a quilt frame at his house so that I can sew when I am at his house. Things there are great he and I email everyday and he sent me a voice message on the computer today.

Well I am going to get going. I have a couple more things that I need to get done and then I am going to head to chow and settle in for the night. Take care everyone!!

Update

Well as everyone knows I was supposed to fly out to the ship on June 26th. That didn't happen due to weather in other parts of the world I was put on hold until the 1st of July. I was supposed to be flying out at the crack of dawn this morning but found out Monday that I will be here waiting for a flight.. I am supposed to head out this weekend I am still waiting to find out when I am supposed to leave.

Monday

Well today was as hectic as last week but the final paperwork has been finished for re-enlistment. Thursday at 10am I will be signing again for another 6 years in the navy. Other than that nothing much else has gone on.

I have been working on the SpongeBob quilt and a few other projects. Today I have been working more on cleaning up my house. I have decided that it would be best to leave things as clean as possiable because I know after being away from here for several months that I won't want to clean when I get back. Plus the kitties are at moms and not into everything and that makes things a bit easier.

Weekend

Just wanted to stop in and say hello. Its been a busy weekend. I brought the meows down to Mom and Dads. Thelma and Louise have settled back in to the familiar that they knew from before but Lilly is spazzing out.

I have helped mom and dad to set up a new computer, fax and all the things that go along with it. That took all day yesterday after we went and bought a bunch of stuff. There are still a few things that I need to help finish setting up.

I wanted to let everyone know about moms blog. Shes up and running no pictures yet but I'm working on that. So here is the address Moms Knit and Crochet Nook. As soon as I can get the chance to write out what she needs to do to add pictures I will send her that email. I was hoping to give her my camera since it was easy to use and buy another one but I haven't had the money to do it.

Hope all is well with everyone. Graduation is Wednesday!! I can't wait! I am so ready to be done with school.

OMG.. What a week!

All I can say is I hope that tomorrow goes by fast this has been the week from well you can guess where. Monday first thing I went to the dentist for an exam, just the usual check up and the Dr said I had all this hi priority stuff!

So I went out to make an appointment for the fillings that I needed and they wanted me to come back in the afternoon. Okay I can do that I just needed to get things taken care of right you know to get things signed off so that I could re-enlist next week. Well they couldn't finish because the base was turning off the water to the dental building and they wanted me to come back on tuesday.

Tuesday I spent the morning in dental.. where they numbed my whole bottom jaw and the top right side all the way up my nose back to my ear.. Let me just say it was not fun. I proceeded to go to school like that and then had my annual appt in the afternoon which is yet another appointment I hate almost as much as the dentist.

Wednesday I woke up still sore from the dentist and tired because I didn't sleep well. I had yet another Drs appointment in the afternoon to talk about my migraines and my elbow, had xrays taken of my elbow to be sure that I didn't mess it up since it was bothering me and finally got home around 5.

Needless to say it has been a busy week and I am just ready for the weekend

Sponge Bob

Okay So I asked everyones advice on what to do with this spongebob fabric and I want to thank everyone for their inputs I got alot of great ideas. Then I came across this book on my shelf called "Clever Quilts Encore" . I was hoping to find the quilt that I thought might work on the net but its not there. So I am going to proceed to describe it the best I can. I would map it out in EQ and post it but I have yet to put EQ back on the computer since it crashed.

Here goes there are 2 basic blocks in the quilt 1 is just a square of fabric they used 6" but I can change it to 8 if I want. and then the second block is a 4 patch but 2 squares are smaller 4 patches. Does that make sense? It creates the chain like effect? If I use the spongebob for the bigger blocks and then the other stuff for the 4 patch I think it would look cool. Not to mention I may use the same pattern for the Dale Junior quilt my brother has been begging me for.

I'm not set on the idea. I'm cleaning house and hoping to get some inspiration to sew this evening. That would be great if I could get some more things sewn. I felt like I did alot yesterday even though I really didn't.

Well I need to get back to cleaning and picking up.

Friday Night

Well I finished my brothers Nascar pillows with the exception of one last seam and I need black thread to do it. What do you know I can't find my black thread. So close to finishing one more UFO!! Then I decided that I needed something quick and easy.

Last night I designed and sewed all but the bottom hem on some little fabric covers that I am going to slip over the containers that I put my cat food in. I have been using one of the super huge buckets that you buy Jonny Cat litter in, yes I cleaned them out before putting cat food in them. But they are great for storage and I just decided to cover them up so that they looked cool sitting on the shelf in the kitchen.

I have got to find some elastic to run through the top and then I will be sure to take and post pictures. I have a list of projects to do today and hope to get a bunch done. That will all depend on how much worse I feel and how many naps I decide to take.. LOL. I got the yellow fever vaccination yesterday and was warned that I wouldn't feel great today.. nice right just in time for my weekend.

More help...

I have this fabric and have no idea how to use it. I want to cut it for a quilt or something of the sort but haven't found a pattern that says "ME ME ME". So here I am asking for advice to see what you might think.

Yes its more spongebob .. I don't quite get it but he likes it. Well likes spongebob he hasn't seen this fabric yet. I guess this would be comparable to my younger brother liking scooby doo:
Here are the other fabrics I thought would contrast well:

Now to find a pattern with squares big enough to not destroy the sponge bob pattern. Thanks in advance

Goodies for some friends

Well I did enjoy my sewing this weekend even though it was a bit mindless. I made a BUNCH of pillowcases for some friends. I don't know yet what they are going to think of them but do know that FF as Jen affectionately calls him thinks they are COOL! That in itself is a bonus.

Here are some pictures of the pillowcases that I made:

I enjoyed that so much today that I am debating sitting at the sewing machine for a little longer working on some other things. I don't want to ruin the motivation.. smiles.

Well I am off to work on some other things I have some house tidying and other things that would like to get done before going to school/work tomorrow.

Projects

Well I promised pictures of the things that I have worked on and I have a few for everyone. I still participate in an online group called the Silly Gals and we recently did a challenge fabric block. I have done a couple of these previously and have mentioned them on my blog. Heres a picture of the latest:

That I believe was by far one of my best blocks that I have ever done. Tracey was the proud winner of this rounds blocks.. ENJOY!

The Silly Gals also recently had a pin cushion swap that I also participated in. I'm always on the lookout for cute pin cushions because they make great gifts for your crafty friends but always go back to my stand by chicken pin cushions. I love them.. if you do them in different colors they could be what ever bird you wanted them to be. Here are the ones that I made for my partner:

I already got confirmation that my partner recieved them and likes them so I was pretty excited.

Mindless sewing..

Sunday I didn't get as much done as I had wanted to. I know it wasn't fun for my brother and his fiancee but I had things to do. I have a list that is soo long and I want to make that effort to get things done before I have to go.

I did get some laundry done, I sewed all but the last couple of seams on 5 pillow cases yesterday. I had intended on finishing them last night but fell asleep on the couch. Today I have more of the same planned. I have a list of things to get done to include putting pictures here on my blog.

I hope that everyone that had a relaxing weekend and that those that have vacation today enjoy their day.. Smiles

Saturday

Well I didn't get any sewing in yesterday just couldn't get motivated to start cutting things. Today though as long as my brother and his fiancee don't want to do anything to exciting then I will cut pillowcases and possibly some other fabric for a quilt. Maybe Ryan can find the fabric that I seem to have lost.. LOL

I am hoping that my brother and his fiancee decide to just chill out and hang watch movies etc. They wanted to go to the cheese factory and that I'm sure would have been fun but I'm just not feeling the site seeing thing this time. It has been raining off and on and I just want to sit home and sew or watch tv.

I still have to get some pictures up on here of my challenge block and the pin cushions from the pin cushion swap. I would just really love some mindless sewing today you know just a bunch of straight lines with no thought at all.

Help Help!!

First let me say that I am super excited to be starting this weekend. I have lots of stuff set out and organized and I plan on doing alot of sewing this weekend provided that my friend doesn't keep me occupied with text messages.

Moneik I did get your email last week and may have to take you up on the offer but I am going to try to get things put together before I leave. I already have a list of the things that need to get done and then a note for what to do with things that I don't get finished. Mom will mail the things that I don't get together after I leave if need be.

OKAY so here is where I need my quilting blog friends help. I have a friend (yes its a boy.. smiles) he is an absolute sweetheart. As with everything else our friendship just came along in a really hectic time for me trying to study for my military training and preparing to depoly but he seems to not be bothered by any of this. I wanted to write and tell everyone before what a great guy he was but didn't want to jinxs things. As far as I know he has not ventured to find my blog online even though he knows that I have one. He knows all about my meows, and my obsession with quilting and crafting and HE LIKES IT. Brownie points for him right?

Heres the delimma... I'm still getting ready to leave for deployment. He is bound and determined to make me understand that he will be here when I get back waiting so that we can continue to get to know each other. I would really love to give him something before I go that lets him know that I care but yet at the same time isn't TOO serious. Things (including relationships) always happen fast in the military and just don't want to screw this one up.

Right now I already have fabric to make him a pillowcase and there is a story behind that too. He loves to watch cartoons with his nephew and I thought that it would be a neat idea to make them matching cartoon pillowcases so that they could have their saturday morning pillows together. Mom suggested that I either embroider or write with my ident-a-pen something on the inside of the cuff of his pillowcase so I was going to do that. I would really like to do something more does anyone have ANY ideas? I have talked to Jen about him and with out going into too many details she could tell you that he is an absolute sweetheart who would if he could give me the world. Thanks in advance

Slogan

Again I had to steal Jens fun!! This was pretty funny

Your Slogan Should Be

How Do You Handle a Hungry Man? Heather.

The Slogan Generator

Tagged by Jen

Well not really but saw her tagged post on her blog and figured that I would play along. After all I have to find something to swamp my mom with reading when she comes home. She felt deprived of her favorite blogger.

Ive been tagged...

SCATTERGORIES...It's harder than it looks! Erase my answers, enter yours, send it on to 10 people including the one that sent this to you.Use the first letter of your first name to answer each of the following.They have to be real places, names, things..nothing made up!Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.

WHAT IS YOUR Name - Heather

4 LETTER WORD - Horn

VEHICLE - Humvee (yeah military kicked in)

TV SHOW - House

CITY - Huntsville (thanks to dads business trips)

BOY NAME - Howard

GIRL NAME - Hannah

OCCUPATION - Housekeeper (I thought of some others but their not nice)

SOMETHING YOU WEAR - Helmet

FOOD - Hersheys Kisses

SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM - Hair Brish

REASON FOR BEING LATE - High speed Chase (I tried)

SOMETHING YOU SHOUT - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

OK, who to tag.... Yeah, I'm not tagging. If you want to do it, do it!

OMG.. It has been FOREVER!!

I know it has been forever since I last posted. I did not fall off the face of the earth (well not literally anyway). I have been so busy with things that I just don't know which way is where any more!! I have done some sewing but not much.

This weekend is supposed to be a relaxing weekend we'll see how that goes though. Things in the last couple months have been anything but relaxing. There have been good times and well some rather stressfull (want to pull you hair out times) that I just felt were pretty pointless to share with everyone.

First let me say hello to mom who has sent me emails on almost a daily basis that say "What happened to my favorite blogger she disappeared". Luckily she doesn't depend on my blog to keep up with the happenings in my life.. smiles. We did get moms blog started and she has posted a few times. She is currently in Colorado this week taking care of the house there.. Oh and mom don't forget to say hello to my new baby for me!! Just kidding!!

Now there have been alot of other work things going on some I can talk about others that well I won't even mention. Things have been pretty confusing my squadron recently deployed with out me. I am supposed to be meeting up with them later but still don't know when. Things have been finalized for my re-enlistment!! I will be re-enlisting on June 12th the day after I graduate from this school. For those that dont know I will hit my 10 years active service in the Navy June 8th, I will finally be paid for making First Class Petty Officer (E-6) on June 16th. I do get a bonus for re-enlisting and had all this quilty stuff in mind in the begining but things have since changed and other deals have been set into motion.

Remember when I mentioned earlier for mom to say hello to my new baby? Well if everything goes as planned I will be buying my dads GIANORMOUS truck from him as well as trading him my truck (smaller 2002 silverado extended cab). That would be my new baby sitting in the garage there with mom in colorado. I love my dads truck!! I have loved it from the very first time that he called me on the phone and said hey listen to this as he rev'ed the engine. Let me tell you a little about this truck... Its an 05' Silverado, Crewcab, Longbed and yes its a DIESEL! Do I need a truck that big NO! and diesel is not getting any cheaper (thank god I still have my little honda) the thought behind it was that dad had FINALLY gotten the big boys truck that he had always wanted and he was ready to trade it in because of fuel prices and what not. Being the good daughter that I am, I knew that if he got rid of it that he would be sorry so as a joke I told him that I would trade and he agreed. Its a win win I get a pretty new truck and he can still come and visit it... HA HA HA just kidding.. he still has the ability to use it when he needs it. It is by no means going to be my daily driver to work. I will have to drive it a few times just to make the boys a little self concious about how little their trucks are ha ha ha... (cheesy grin).

Well that is all for me tonight I need to head to bed so that I can go to school in the morning. 3 more weeks and I'm done with school YEAH!! Oh and stay tuned for new pictures of some chicken pincushions, Ryans pillows and a Challenge fabric block!! See I did do some sewing.

OMG.. Too Funny

I just talked to Mom on messenger and she asked if I had looked at the blog giveaway and I had to admit that I hadn't even taken a peek with the exception of the links page. So I went back and started reading through it. I didn't even get past the first blog before I had a big grin. You have got the read this blog Dont try this at home more specifically the post that made my day Your managment style I tell ya if Matt Damon was available to clean houses I'd fight for him. Heck I'd settle for him washing the nasty bugs off my car and truck compliments of the commute to work through all the farms and fields. I do love the drive though much more plesant than the drive back and forth to the base in San Diego.

Tuesdays news

A while back I showed my mom how to make friends through yahoo groups online. She kept hearing me talking about my Silly Gals and the quilt swaps that we had been doing and wanted to know where I found them. So I showed her. We got online and I showed her how to search for knit and crochet groups and she joined a couple. She even found a couple of ladies that didn't live too far from us in California. Next stop to connect her to the blog world!! I swear the woman could write her own knit and crochet column if she sat down and thought about it. She makes things for me all the time and never takes pictures. She could post pictures everyday of the things that she's working on.. Let me think what were the latest projects?? Oh I know she made a draft dodger and dog sweater for a couple of the ladies that live here in my town house complex. What is she working on right now? Lacey garters for a girl that I am attending military technical school with.

My Dad says to me one day "Its all your fault! She sits on the computer everyday." and yes I will take part of the blame for that... but recently we have gotten dad hooked on searching the web for everything from car parts to addresses (yes he learned map quest) you name it and he's all about looking it up on the internet.

This morning I woke up to a couple of emails from Mom about the blog world. I'm not sure where she found it, it may have been one of her groups. She found a site all about blog giveaways! I know that a few of the girls have had some give aways Jen, Jill and Moneik to name a few but if your looking for something to pass the time this blog is worth looking over. Bloggy Giveaways.com.

So among my goals of trying to get my mom to join in on our quilting group I am also going to help Mom start a blog. Mom I know your reading this some where because you have asked several times how come my blog is so quiet (smiles). Together we are going to start you a blog, find you a digital camera that you can work, and show you how to show the blog world your wonderful creations! Love YA MOM!!

Strip Quilts

Today I desided to look online to see what other 2 1/2" strip patterns there were out there, I know about the ones shown on http://cozyquilt.com/. That is the store that I frequented while I was in San Diego. I love their patterns they are super easy and fun and they even have their own strip tube ruler ..I know that this isn't a great picture but I haven't gotten mine yet so I can't take an actual picture of the ruler. Here is a discription of how to use the ruler and how it works.. http://cozyquilt.com/Aspx/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=517 It's a great idea really makes alot of the strip club patterns work up super easy too.

I also found some great patterns on another site that I thought that I would pass on to everyone. Alot of them are quilt as you go patterns which are pretty neat. So if your looking for some quick gifts and things for friends, family, and co-workers check out GE Designs Iceland http://www.gequiltdesigns.com/qaygpatterns.html .

Short weekend..

I can't believe the weekend is over already. I was hoping to get those pillows that I have been working on finished so that I could post a picture but that hasent happend. I have gotten alot of other things taken care of though. I did alot of laundry and cleaned things up here around the house. I'm still working on re-organizing my fabric I'm trying to find a good way to fold the larger cuts of fabric so that they fit on my shelves better. Any Suggestions would be much appreciated.
Jen left a comment on my last post about small hand work that I could take with me on the ship and suggested fabric yo-yo's that I could use to make a garland similar to hers to be able to decorate with. What a great idea Jen!! I never thought about that.. I don't have the yo-yo makers but might look to see if I can get some. I am going to look through some of my things and see if there are other holiday things that I can make. Were supposed to be back in time for the holidays so I would be back just in time to decorate.. smiles

Finally

Well I finally got some sewing done today and yesterday and though its not complete yet I hope to have a completed project to show you this weekend or so. Here's the story on the latest project. While I was home at mom and dad's this weekend my brothers girlfriend asked me if I could make something for them.. I thought they wanted some more pillow cases or something.. well sort of they wanted me to make some actual pillows to use on the futon in their game/computer room. Easy enough right? So off we headed to Joanns to get some fabric having NO clue what kind of pillows that I was going to make.

We found out that pillow forms were on sale 50% off so we got 2-27" square pillows and then my brother found some new dale jr fabric with his new number 88. It was much nicer to work with then the red and black.. I think I was just tired of it.

Here are a couple pictures.. I am going to add another row of blue after the checkered fabric.. What do you think? Think it is stylish enough to go in his game room?

The first one is layed across the pillow form. the extra blue border is going to be just and extra sham type flap.

This is actually just front piece I am going to sew to seperate back peices so that they can stuff the pillow in and be able to wash the cover.. I think they will turn out nice.. Too bad he doesn't read the blog or he would get a sneak peek of his soon to be pillows.

Tuesday...

Yesterday was the typical Monday!! I drove all the way over to the base to realise that I had forgotten my ID card at home and couldn't get on the base. Yeah so I had to drive the 30 minutes back to my house to get my things and then back to school missing PT because I was too late. I went in to renew my id and they were too busy (strike 3) and then I got a talking to from the Chief in the school house to remember my medical appointment. At this point I was wishing that I hadn't even gotten out of bed.

So today I went to the medical appointment (that they reminded me of 100 times), renewed my id card and thought (key word) that I would have a peaceful lunch at the coffee shop on base. Guess who was there and made it a point to stop and ask me if I had gone to medical.. Yeah the same chief.. My thoughts were "respectfully I am a first class PO I don't need to have my hand held to get to the dr" You tell me to be there and I will be. Ugh .. So I thought that I would make my yearly appt at the GYN and then go and tell chief all about it since it seems that he has to make sure that he knows things... ha ha ha

Mom and dad were here this weekend.. I am having some issues getting motivated I thing I commented on that the other day. I hate it I feel like I am tired and Blah.. all the time. I did iron some fabric yesterday maybe that is a sign that things are going to turn around and I'll have all sorts of ambition.

I have started putting together a list of all the things that I need to get together when I have to fly out in June.. you know the required things uniforms and such. Here's my question to everyone if you had to leave home (and couldn't take your sewing machine.. No room) what would you take with you? You know the comfort things like a special blanket or PJ's.. what would have to go with you?

Some things I am going to have to pack and have mom mail to me because I just don't want to carry it through 15 different airports and then through the carrier too. She will mail it straight to the carrier.. and then they will probably be on the peir when I get back to help me carry stuff off. I am talking to my brother to see about putting movies on an external hard drive so that I don't have to carry a load of those either.

Oh I thought that I would be ambitious and work on some cross stitch but I have made almost no progress working on those at school so I might rethink that and take some smaller ornaments that I can actually finish in the near future.

Where Have I been??... Smiles

Goodness! I didn't realise how long it had been since I had posted or blogged or even read other blogs. I did get to read through a couple today. Just love Jens pink and brown projects.. they are awesome. I have my miranda pattern.. even picked out some super neat fabrics that I want to use.
I have a couple of pillow case kits that I picked up at the LQS about a month ago, and a table runner pattern that a friend sent me that looks great.. it looks like it would be easy and fast.. I might try to get to those this weekend.
School is okay.. I used to enjoy going to school but honestly wish that it would hurry up and be over. Maybe things will change after next week. The week after next I will be going to school during the day and then have all evening to do what ever I want. The only down fall is having to go to PT at the crack of dawn and even then its not as bad as it was the last time that I was in school. Last time it started at quarter to 5 in the morning.. Ugh
Well I have to get going I have to be at school at 330. I will try to get some pictures up of the new townhouse... I have yet to decorate.. I haven't even put everything away yet.. I guess I'm just lazy

Finished Projects

Well its not a super huge accomplishment but I finished 2 pillow cases today. I did pull out the new brother machine and used it because I still haven't figured out the tension problem with my other machine. I'm not sure what to do about that. But I used my brother embroidery machine for regular sewing and it was great!! When I find what I did with my camera I will get a picture of the two pillow cases.. One is cowboy boots for my friend Amanda and Curious George for my brother.

Earlier I posted about what to use as a gift for them.. Well I used the pillow cases a chocolate bunny and some other little things sunflower seeds, note paper, playing cards, pez dispensers. One of these days I'll have to post all about my brothers PEZ collection. I don't remember what started it, it might have been the first time that I deployed because I found some great PEZ things overseas, but my brother now has probably one of the biggest PEZ collections in the state.

I took pictures of the pillow cases and will post those later. We are all watching "No Reservations" right now.

What a week

Wow reading everyone elses posts it seems that everyone is having a super fantastic week like me.. NOT.. Jen sewed her finger, Jill has flooding... I won't even go into the adventures that I have gone through this week. All I will say is that I have run back and forth to the Admin office to try to straighten out pay, enlistment extension, re-enlistment and enlistment bonus issues. All I can say is my brain hurts.

I haven't had much time to blog or sew and I have spent alot of time sleeping.. My mom says that its obvious that I need the sleep I guess maybe I'm trying to catch up for all the sleep that I have been missing.

I do plan to sew this weekend though.. I have big plans infact. I actually wrote out a blog in my notebook one night at school and never got around to typing it in to the computer and now its too late to ask for ideas. I try to give my family little goodie bags or just goodies in general for the holidays because I miss so many of them while I'm deployed so I guess I try to make up for it everywhere else. This weekend is easter and I was trying to think of what I could use instead of a basket because baskets just get tossed in the garbage after a couple of weeks so I wanted to give something useful. I ended up deciding on making pillowcases for Ryan (my brother) and Amanda (a friend from San Diego), they are both coming up to see me and spend the weekend. My brother is bringing me a few things from moms and I can't wait to see them. He was pretty excited about them.

Well I guess I am going to get ready and head to school. Today is a PT day and I have to be there at 2. Sorry this post had absolutely no direction.. That is about how I have felt for the last few days even though I make notes and try to follow my schedule and list nothing has gone that way. Today and tomorrow for school and I'll have a 3 day weekend... I will try to re group and thenstart new next week.