no pictures but good news Tuesday, Sep 8 2009

Well another week has gone by we are approaching the best time of the year for me. I love the fall more than I love spring. I can't wait to put a sweat shirt on and sit on the deck and pull out some more stitching. This quilt that I have to unsew is becoming a chore. 

I guess it is time to tell you about my latest venture. This weekend I sold my first applique designs. I am going to issue a little challenge to all the readers. The samples will be shown at the Pennsylvania Quilt Extravanga in a few weeks. Find the sample in one of the booths at the show and you will win a fabric surprise. I will give you some hints  over the next several days so keep reading regularly.

Also have been asked to make two sample quilts for a well known show vendor. Goal is to get one done for the same show so if I do I will let you know where to look.   Maybe will make a little contest out of this one too.

Hint #1 for applique blocks…….pretty print fabrics by R. P.

Another hint tomorrow.

OOO…JAL

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packing the bag Wednesday, Sep 2 2009

Time to pack up my entry for the PA. National Quilt Extravaganza show which will take place in September in Oaks, PA.  I have tried my hand at beading and one thing I did learn is that my fingers get numb from holding the needle too tightly. 

Also learned yesterday that I may not be able to go to see the show as I am being treated for a pretty serious Heel Spur which has detached from the bone on my left foot. Little or no walking when possible especially on concrete which is how this whole thing came to a head.  How we all hate to miss a good show. Mr. AGL  suggested I get one of those scooters but I am afraid I might get to like being able to buzz up and down those aisles and play games with people. (I do have a bit of a mean streak in me!)

Here are a few pictures of the entry before it goes in the box…

              

Enough about pictures and heel spurs time to go back to work on the biggest monogram ever for a customer.   When I finally get it done you will get a chance to see it. Looking for a finish by Friday and then I might be able to do some stitiching or unstitching for me over the weekend.  There is quilt#3 in this series that needs some serious unsewing. 

More soon…OOO…JAL

      

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winners Wednesday, Aug 26 2009

Looks like I don't have very many visitors to my blog. The giveaway I announced did not bring many entries. Only two people entered and therefore I have decided to award both of you a prize. Mary and Rosemary are both winners and each may decide which prize they would like to claim. Towel or brag book however brag book does not have to be Halloween. Maybe you might prefer a brag book to put photos of your quilts in or a very famous front yard and gardens. Ladies just send me a comment on your choice and I will deliver the goods.

Thanks for entering. Thanks for reading my blog and if you have any ideas on how to get it read by more people let me know.  Off to do  more work on the web site so I can give you the address tomorrow.

OOO…JAL

 

 

 

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more tops Monday, Aug 24 2009

I have been stitching up a storm trying to get some projects finished and orders filled. I have put two tops together that were in progress. This one is a trial on a new/original design to be published by my newly formed pattern company which I have named ALWAYS SOMETHING.  Lets hope that I can come up with lots more  ideas.

Unfortunately it is not the very best picture as I do not have a space big enough to spread it out.  I am thinking about a name for it…maybe Common Stars. Any suggestions?

This top is from a pattern by Fig Tree Quilts at least the block is the layout is different.  The original has sashing and between the blocks straight set and I reject and avoid sashes whenever they appear. I can't help it so I set it on point and  it's over. Probably still needs another border but will have to look at what fabric I have left.

Finally this is a special order for a customer but I was quacking with Alyce about the monogram as I am always amazed at how well I can manage to get them done.  (I love me.)  I love to do them as well. Ever need a special gift I'm here armed with my monograms.

So much for now have to fill a few more order today and finish up posting pictures on the web site as it is nearly ready for broadcast. I can't believe it… I have been thru you know where to get to this point.

More soon.

OOO…JAL

   

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missed monday Wednesday, Aug 19 2009

Sorry I missed Monday. Sunday did me in. Walked the entire day at the NY Gift Fair and my heel is killing me. It was very sad to see what has happened to the industry with this bad economy. After being part of it for the last twenty five years. So many companies have gone out of business. Soon the gift industry will not be anything like what I knew.  Just real proof that I am getting old!!

Last Thursday we had our monthly sewing fest and I took some pictures of what was going on. Here are some of the projects that showed up.    

 This one is from Mrs. Seitz for her nephew but I think she should really let john keep it. He deserves it. You should see the label for the back…the embroidered Yankee logo she designed.

#2 by Mrs. Seitz for her grandson. The monkey quilt. It is a stacked posie with monkeys look at it closely. Very cool. 

Disappearing 9 patch by Mrs. Paisley. May be the first official quilt for profit by Mrs. Diamond.

Check out this one very carefully by Mrs. Van Dalen. Cheater???

There are more but the post will be too long for today. More if I have time later. Have to go on to my small applique project and the final touches on the web site.  It is really almost ready.

OOO…JAL

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corrections please Monday, Aug 10 2009

Earlier today I gave you some bad information about searching on Etsy. The master Linda in CT. has corrected me and I truly do appreciate it as I am NOT the master of this blog stuff by any chance.

So of you would like to search and see the Etsy site stuff I have copied her e-mail with the corrections for you to follow . It would have helped a great deal if I knew my etsy name to begin with.

However all of my boo boo' s are to your favor. Linda suggested that I do a blog giveaway so anyone who sends a comment by August 22, 2009 will be entered in a drawingfor a halloween brag book or a guest towel with the inital and color of their choice.   Download Etsy instructions.

Sorry for the mess good luck to the winner.

OOO…JAL

    

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back to work Monday, Aug 10 2009

Things have been picking up a bit in the business world and AGL is very happy. My friend Linda from CT. who a master at etsy.com, we have cut a deal and she  is doing some work for me.  She has put some of my product up on the etsy.com site. If you want to see it go to etsy.com and under buy search sew so special   and  my product should come up. 

Here is a preview of the items that will go  on later today. Linda tells me it is time for Halloween product.

    The  first picture is halloween brag books, soft covered photo  album holds 36 pictures and the second is a photo album  that holds 100 pictures.  Need to try to drum up some work.  If you want to see what I mean about Linda being a master look at her etsy site. Go to etsy.com and in the search bar type in handmade in the first bar and then WARMTH. Wait till you see these little critters.

I guess that means I should get to work this morning. More later.

OOO…JAL

 

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more flowers to smell Tuesday, Aug 4 2009

Just thought I would let all of you have a peek at the front yard of my friend Mary who made the blue quilt I showed you a few weeks ago. Not only is she an excellent quilter but she and her husband John are masters in the garden as you can see.   You could be inspired to make a quilt from the colors in the yard.

And if they gave an award for the back yard they would have won that one too. Any more yards in the area that  could give them some competition?  Send pictures.

OOO…JAL

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I survived Monday, Aug 3 2009

I have spent a lot of time this morning trying to get a post written about the weekend that I survived. I am going to try again one last time as I am totally frustrated with technology over that last week or so starting with this blog service and ending with my still not ready website and that entire mess. 

As for surviving we have returned safely from the monsoon rains of the weekend in MA. Brad and Jen were married on Friday evening in the middle of the worst storm of the weekend.  Actually father was forced to ask who had not been to  church recently???  Thunder, lightening and wind howling thru the entire ceremony.

I am going to load some pictures now and see what happens as this is where I have been having problems.

  Brad, my nephew, the groom and aunt J.

my husband Uncle T, myself, my sister Pat and her husband Rick parents of the groom.

 the groom, Brad  the bride, Jen

the bride and her dad…and finally Mr and Mrs Brad and Jen Francis sorry the picture is so big but this is where I am having trouble sizing it down so I will end here.

OOO…JAL

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time to smell the flowers Monday, Jul 27 2009

As I do not have any quilt news for you today and this blog service is making me crazy I am going to take some time out to show you some of the treats I had last week. First we have a photo of the fruits of the Remus garden. Betty showed up with these little darlings on Thrusday morning. I am totally smitten by hydranges and can't ever get enough of them. These were spectular and the lily made every inch of my house smell better. 

While I was taking pictures of these I thought I would also take a few shots of the super size geranium buds we have in our flower boxes and TL's intensive care basil grown from seeds.   He moved this basil which he started from seeds back in June almost every night so it would not be destroyed by mother nature. It is nearly perfect just like him!!

  Since it has taken me nearly one hour to write this post you may not hear from me again soon.  I will probably start to perpare for the trip to my nephew's wedding this  Friday  and will try to keep you posted on those events as they unfold.  I can actually say now that I am excited for him but I  have mixed feelings about how this weekend will go. I have a large roll of duct tape and lots of tylenol in all forms for whomever may need it includng me.  

More later…OOO…JAL

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