Sunday, January 21, 2007

Sewing Frenzy

I've been on a bit of a sewing frenzy this weekend. It started out yesterday with these 3 pincushions.
cube pin cushions

Then I moved onto making two of these fun sewing kits.
Sewing kit

Here is the inside. There are pockets for items such as thread, buttons, measuring tape, and two needle books, and a built in pin cushion. These were fun to make, and will make fun gifts.
Inside of sewing kit

This morning I made this fun and easy bedside caddy. No more searching for the remotes.
bedside caddy

Last week I made this fun tote for a swap I'm hosting on about.com's quilting forum.
Tote Bag

That's it for today. I've got to clean this messy house, and we have company coming for dinner tonight.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

A funny that Al shared with me

A store that sells new husbands has just opened in New York City, where a
woman may go to choose a husband.

Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store
operates:

You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the value
of the product increase as the shopper ascends the flights.
The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose
to go up to the next floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the
building!

So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband.

On the first floor the sign on the door reads:
Floor 1 - These men Have Jobs.

The second floor sign reads:
Floor 2 - These men Have Jobs and Love Kids.

The third floor sign reads:
Floor 3 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, and are Extremely Good Looking.

"Wow," she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.

She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads:
Floor 4 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Good Looking and
Help With Housework.

"Oh, mercy me!" she exclaims, "I can hardly stand it!"

Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads:
Floor 5 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Gorgeous, Help
with Housework, and have a Strong Romantic Streak.

She is so tempted to stay, but she goes on to the sixth floor and the sign
reads:
Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on
this floor. This floor exists
solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping
at the Husband Store.

To avoid gender bias charges, the store's owner also opened a New Wives
store just across the street.

The first floor has wives that love sex.

The second floor has wives that love sex and have money.

The third through sixth floors have never been visited.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Tote Sweet Swap

I'm hosting a different swap on about.com's quilting forum. This swap is for Totes and sweets in a spring theme. I like to go for walks with my dog in the spring (theoretically that is) so, I made a tote bag out of 2 orphan doggie blocks I had. It has a lining and pockets inside.

orphan block tote bag
robicole

Sunday, December 31, 2006

How Many Quilts?


Around mid November I realized I had quite a few half made quilts, in the form of blocks. I decided to make a goal to finish them all into the form of quilt tops by the end of the year. Basically finish everything I had started this year. I was able to almost meet this goal. I still have the blocks from the book swap, I'm not even close to finishing this quilt, as I need to make knick knacks, and don't have a clue how yet. I also have a Christmas Sampler quilt that is not finished as I am waiting for 2 blocks from a swapper whose cats spilled cranberry juice on her blocks and she is having to re-make them. All in all, (by my best count) I made 29 quilt tops this year. All but 3 are either finished or at the quilter's waiting their turns. Not bad for my first year of quilting. And just in time, here is the quilt top I finished today. The last one of the year! Most of the other quilts can be seen Here. Some quilts don't have pictures yet, as they are being quilted. Now What? Only time will tell.

Friday, December 08, 2006


Holiday Eating Tips
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday
buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact,
if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where
they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine
single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than
single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year
but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories
in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an
eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one
for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole
point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make
a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy.
Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with
skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother?
It's like buying a sports car with an automatic
transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort
to control your eating. The whole point of going to a
Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots
of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now
and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have
nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which
you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a
10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet
table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size
of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have
as many as you can before becoming the center of attention.
They' re like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them
behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of
each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and
one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have
more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with
the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all
cost. I mean, have SOME standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave
the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying
attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is
just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the
intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well
preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in
one hand, martini in the other, totally worn out and
screaming,

"WOO HOO what a ride!"

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Butterfly Storm


I'm guessing that Stormy was wondering if i would ever actually get this quilt top made. When I saw her on Thanksgiving I told her I was going to start it this weekend. I didn't think I would actually finish it though! Now I need to purchase the fabric for the back and have it quilted, and bind it, and its done! i think it turned out cool. all the small squares around the large butterflies are made with a variety of butterfly fabrics, there are a couple of dragon flies thrown in for variety. Hope she loves it. It will be a late wedding gift for her and David when its completed.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Geography is not my strong point!

Just for fun, I took this online "3rd grade geography test" I failed, miserably. I did okay, until I got to the north east. Bad Bad Bad, see how you do.
http://www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Patchy Hearts and Four Patches

This is a quilt top made from blocks I exchanged in two different block swaps. I woke up at 3:30 this morning and couldn't sleep. I put this one together and then worked on a queen size swap block quilt top for the next 10 hours or so. I'm sick of looking at both of them now. :)
Image hosted by Webshots.com
by robicole

Friday, September 08, 2006

Bring on the Cheese

Just need to whine a bit. Tony has been gone A LOT! I think I saw him for 3 days in August. and I haven't seen him since. He left August 22nd and so far no Tony. Its such a drag. Whine Whine Whine. Mom would say, should I bring the cheese? YES! Bring on the cheese!

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Star Fling Quilt

I finished a quilt top made from swap blocks from the group on about.com Here is a link to my webshots with the quilt.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

How much do you weigh?

I was wandering around the internet and found this site. You answer about 10 questions and then it tells you how much you weigh. Ha! I thought, no way. But, I answered honestly, and ......... it was exactly what I weigh. Scary! And.... AMAZING! How do they do it? Lifestyle choices. I think I should go back and lie, and see what would change if I changed a thing or two about my lifestyle.
Check it out!
http://www.blogthings.com/howmuchdoyouweighquiz/

Another fun little quiz

You Are a Newborn Soul
You are tolerant, accepting, and willing to give anyone a chance.On the flip side, you're easy to read and easily influenced by others.You have a fresh perspective on life, and you can be very creative.Noconformist and nontraditional, you've never met anyone who's like you.
Inventive and artistic, you like to be a trendsetter.You have an upbeat spirit and you like almost everything.You make friends easily and often have long standing friendships.Implusive and trusting, you fall in love a little too easily.
Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul
What Kind of Soul Are You?

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Fun in Denver and a quilt too!

What great fun. When I arrived in Denver Janet had my bed made up with a quilt she received from Mom. Thanks to Janet, Lisa Kate, Rachel, Trevor, and Jordan for a fun filled week in Denver.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

What kind of flower are you?

Once again Sophie has found something cool on the internet that I have to steal her idea. This one is fun to do and to see the results.


I am a
Daffodil


What Flower
Are You?



You have a sunny disposition and are normally one of the first to show up for the party. You don't need too much attention from the host once you get there as you are more than capable of making yourself seen and heard.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Another Quilt Top Done

Here's a cute quilt called Chinese Coins, I made from scraps. Well, except for the black wasn't scraps.
Image hosted by Webshots.com
by robicole
PS. Stormy, I miss the comments.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Pet Rules

This is a funny little article someone posted on one of the quilting forums I frequent. I loved it. Especially the rules to post on the door for visitors at my house. Author Unknown

PET RULES
To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.
Dear Dogs and Cats,
The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate of food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping onthe couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years --canine or feline attendance is not mandatory.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets
1. They live here - You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"niture.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Friday, June 23, 2006

This is too funny!

I was wandering around the internet looking for free stationary for my e mail program, and I found the funniest little clip. Go to this website, and click the play/arrow button on the picture of the road with the trees on each side. Then wait a minute for it to download, and enjoy! Its so so so funny!

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Red States

An online friend of mine put a map of all the states she's been in on her blog. She shared the link so others could have fun doing the same. What a great idea. Now, I know I can't compete with Tony or Al, but I think my map looks pretty impressive for someone who doesn't make a point of visiting every county in a state. LOL! Now if I could just get out of Idaho, and take a road trip with Tony I might get some more states. Or if I could use up those frequent flyer miles I still have from school that would be great also. Here's the link to the website if you want to do your own map. And so Al can have fun too there are country maps also.



create your own personalized map of the USA

Safari Quilt for Charity Purposes


I made this quilt from donated interior decorator swatch books. I used 2 different sets of swatches, and this is what it turned out like. I will do a drawing at work, and one of the clients will win it.
You can see close up pictures of some of the cool blocks on my webshots pages Here.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Tony's little vacation



Tony came home for about 12 days and here's what he did. We have been talking about increasing the deck so I could actually put the patio furniture I bought myself as a graduation present several years ago on the deck. Tony decided it was time, and did the deck, and then we decided we wanted more privacy and he put a fence on one side. Its like another room in the house, only outside.