Finish Ye Quilt or Walk the Plank, Matte

So, everything is back up and running...My pink eye is okey dokey! My machine is not acting nasty anymore. Also, I finished the quilt top...three cheers! A special thanks for all of the empathy and well wishes. They did cheer me along to recovery.




Someone asked who the lucky receiver of the quilt was going to be. It is a graduation gift (oh, don't throw anything at me, Mary Anne) for a very nice young lady graduating NEXT year. I just thought that I would get it done now and then at my convenience send it to the quilter whenever I had a bit of extra cash.




It is a good thing, too, because this nasty pirate was going to make me walk to the plank otherwise! Ahoy matte!

A giveaway you should enter!

Jackie from Canton Village Quilt Works is having the greatest giveaway. She is going to quilt the lucky winner's quilt for free (up to a twin size) and ship it back to you for free. Just click on the link to follow the simple instructions to enter. You don't even have to have a blog. Hop on over there and get to it!

Another Apron Swap!

I really enjoyed the last apron swap I participated in. Just so happens, when I was at the quilting store the other day....I saw some really cute Fall and Halloween prints. So, it only seems natural that I participate in this apron swap that I came across at Booming Aprons blog.




If you want to participate, visit Booming Aprons blog and all the contact information is there.

When you're down, you're down

Okay, so I have no machine. I haven't had a chance to take it in for repairs either. I was suppose to have oodles of company today, too. You're waiting for the BUT. Well, here it is...I woke up with pink eye. GASP!

As buddy would say, "That is such a dumber." What he means to say is 'bummer'. It is a bummer. I should be enjoying this quiet peace. I should be sewing like a maniac in an empty house. Yet, there is nothing to sew on. I say empty house because The Director went and bought my medicine, my Starbucks to pout on, and the boys left the house. I think they didn't want to be around me while I was still contagious. I think they are going to be gone all day, actually. Since I was having company there isn't much to do around here....the house is quite clean.

Onto an almost positive note, here is a picture of what I did get done before Satan possessed my machine.

It is quite chic and contemporary for me and I LOVE IT. I am going to give it away though, so I am trying not to get too attached. Even The Director likes it. And buddy, well buddy usually likes everything...he said his normal, "that's pretty, mama."

On a final note, here is a picture of my cute little buddy with his cute little worms in his bug box. He was pretty excited that I found said worms for him. And btw, my husband did finish weed-wackin those weeds around the sandbox. We were in middle of some yard work when I discovered the worms.
One final thought or question, what happened to Connie's blog: Simply Quilted? Connie are you out there? Since you Simply dissappeared, I am a bit concerned!

Oh and I have been tagged, twice infact! I will be responding shortly and thanks for all the blogtaglove. Would anyone like to be tagged?

Hang a sign on me- "out of order"

Wouldn't it figure just as I am getting into the groove of my quilt top... my machine goes all fritzy! I tinkered with her. I trouble shot her. I cleaned her. I prayed over her. I said choice things to her. I gave her a nasty look or two. I decided she is out of order as am I without her. I'll be back later with pictures of the quilt top though. I was hoping to show you a finished quilt top, but that obviously isn't going to happen this week. Oh dear, I think I am feeling grumpy.

And, did I mention I was in the groove? Where is my mojo now?? More like mo-no.

The Mailman Really Delivers

Whoa, what a hectic week we've had here at DQ. Amidst all the busyness at work this week, and who could forget to mention swingset construction, I had a couple of nice deliveries at my doorstep!


The first I'd like to mention is that I received my lovely Sassy Summer apron from Karen.

This is my first time taking part in the SWAP and it was a lot of fun. The theme was summer. Karen used this material that reminded her (and me) of a summer picnic blanket. I thought the design was just darling and she did a great job. I love the double row of ric rac. I've already wore it twice! She also sent along some towels and these potholders, quite sweet of her! Thanks, Karen!

The second package was a little something from Dawn. She is just so creative...even her card matched the fat pack and the ribbon!

I was quite tickled...and went bounding out to the construction site to share my news. Husband who had been working in the 90 degree, high humidity heat all day...perhaps had difficulty expressing his equal enthusiasm over the gift. Hmm.

Oh, my final and gift I received was that my husband, dad, and father in law worked so diligently on the swingset for buddy. Here are some pictures of bud sitting on his swing eating a popsicle yesterday.





Later I will post a picture of buddy's quilt that I stayed up late to get the borders on last night. We are off today to buy some backing material so that it can get off to the quilter's where she can work her magic. I am quite pleased with the look that the borders added.

Monster Cookies

These cookies turned out great. I was surprised they contained no flour. Very chewy and delicious.


Monster cookies

1 1/4 c brown sugar
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
12 ounces creamy peanut butter
1 stick softened butter
1/2 cup M&Ms
3/4 cup chocolate chips
2 tsp baking soda
4 1/2 cups quick oats

Mix brown sugar, sugar, and eggs. Add in the salt, vanilla, butter, and peanut butter. Stir in M&Ms, chips, soda, and then the oats. Drop by tablespoons, 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. (I baked some on dark pans at 325 degrees.) Let set for 3 minutes before removing from pans onto wire racks.