Happy New Year!!

Goodbye 2011! Hello 2012!!! May 2012 be a better year than 2011.

Annette's Pretty Stitches

I changed the name of my blog to Annette's Pretty Stitches. I was never thrilled with My This That & Everything Blog. The link will stay the same but the name has changed.

What is it?

Look what I made! Can you guess what it is? I'm not telling the pattern because it looking nothing like it's suppose too.

Well what ever it is it's Stinker's now. She sure likes it!

So did you guess that it's a dog? If you did I bet you didn't guess a Scottie Dog! Now you know why I'm not telling the pattern name. Maybe I'll make another one and actually follow the directions.

Smiley Fred or Grinning Gretel

My little monster. The pattern is name's Smiley Fred but my monster's a girl so I'm calling her Grinning Gretel.

The pattern is in Homestyle Sewing Special Issue 3 April/May 2011. The fabric was a kit that came with the magazine.

Merry Christmas!!!

I hope that Santa brought everything you wanted and/or needed. I must have been extra good this year! I received EQ7!!!! And lots of other goodies!

Merry Christmas!

Lottery Win!

I had to share my lottery win! Ten wins on one ticket!! I won $20!

Potholders

I sewed! Surprised? I must admit I am a little. I made two potholders.

I followed the pattern except I used two layers of cotton batting instead of just one. Then it has the one layer of Insul-Bright. I've been burned by potholders that didn't have enough batting before and don't want that to happen again.

The pattern is called patchwork potholders by Linda Permann. It's in Volume 10 of Sew Simple. I don't know the name of the fabric. It's just some scraps I had.

P.S. It's SNOWING! The first snow of the season!

Happy Thanksgiving

Another scarf

It's knitted on a loom. This is my favorite scarf I've made. I don't think I'll be making any more scarfs for a while. It's time to try making something else.

Edited to add the yarn is Serenity Chunky Weight by Deborah Norville. The color is Spring.

Stinker's Quilt

I made this quilt in 2007. The pinwheels are the leftover corners from flying geese. They were too big to just throw away so I sewed them together. And this is what I ended up with. It's all Thimbleberries fabrics.

I had named the quilt "mini pinwheels" but I call it Stinker's Quilt. After I had made it but before I sewed the label on. I sprained my calf(ouch). And spent 7 weeks on crutches:( I was laying on my bed watching tv sewing the label on. When I finished, I laid the quilt beside me. Before I could yell for someone to come get it and the needle and thread Stinker was laying on top of it! While I couldn't walk when I was in bed she laying right beside me on her quilt. So I changed the name so now the label is wrong.

These pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago. When we turned the furnace on it didn't work and it was chilly inside for a couple of days. Normally Stinker doesn't like to be covered up.

She finally got warm. And our furnace got fixed.

My Tooth

Remember my abscessed tooth? I don't have it anymore. It swelled up And started hurting this week. Also I didn't feel well. I was able to get into the dentist yesterday. And he pulled it! I spent yesterday curled up watching movies. Today Half of my face is swelled up. I fell a lot better than I have in a long time.

Wordless Wednesday - Stinker

Knitting

I QUIT!! Or  give up depending on how you look it. I think knitting with needles is way too hard. And I'm not finding it to be fun. Life's just too short to have a hobby that's not fun.

This is the first scarf that I knitted on needles. I did it all by myself. I was so proud!

This is the second and last scarf I knitted. I had so much trouble with it my Mom ended up knitting most of it.

I did start another scarf. Remember the purple scarf? Before I could force myself to start over on it my Mom had started and finished it.

I'm going to keep loom knitting I like it and think it's fun.

Happy Halloween!!

Sick Again

Remember Saturday when I said we would not be getting sick again. I lied! We all have colds. What is it about a cold that makes you feel so much worse than any other illness?

Cat-O-Lantern

I finished my project! I always forget how much I enjoy sewing when I haven't done it in a while. I'm not going to let that happen again.

Here it is. Isn't it cute?

The back ground fabric is more purple than it is in the picture. For some reason my camera wants to make it blue.

The pattern's in Fons & Porter's Quilting Celebrations Fall/Winter 2011. I love this magazine. I'm going to be making a lot of the projects in it.

Happy October!!

It's hard to believe it's October! Where did the summer go? I think October is my favorite month. It's just so pretty.

I know I didn't post much this summer. Everyone in my family had medical stuff going on and that was more important than anything else.  But everyone is healthy again. and we WILL stay that way! I'm thinking positive here.


Now that summer is over things have stated to calm down. Believe it or not I sewed this week!! I'll have pictures soon. All I have left to do is hand sew the binding down. And I plan to do that tonight.

Cat Jigsaw puzzle

I'm not a big jigsaw puzzle but I thought this was so cute and had to share.

purple scarf?

I crafted! Knitted if you want to get technical. It was going to a scarf for my Mom for Christmas. But...I only have two balls of this yarn and this is one of them. And it's certainly not long enough for a scarf.

Before pulling it off the knitting needle my knitting teacher (a.k.a. Mom) told me my knitting was really good. I think she was surprised at how good! It's only my third knitting project! (I was thrilled that she thought and said that!)

Mom thinks if it's skinnier that it might make a very short scarf. I hate short scarfs but it's going to be hers so I'll knit it again with less stitches and see it will be long enough.  I have three balls of the same yarn in a different color to make a scarf for myself. But I think it would make a better hat. And since hats sound hard to make I'm going to try and talk my Mom into making it for me.

An update about me

I haven't felt well for the last couple of weeks. I didn't feel sick just tired and not myself. And I had a headache most of last week. When I went to the dentist for my check up Friday he took x-rays and it turns out I have an infection. He didn't mention an abscessed tooth. He has me on taking penicillin and I feel much better. I have to go back Friday for a couple of fillings and hopefully the infection will be gone.

I feel so good I may even sew this week! I can't even remember that last time I turned my sewing machine on.

I'm back!!!

Did you miss me? My internet has been down! And they finally fixed it today!!!

Wordless Wednesday

 

Check out Wordless Wednesday to see what others aren't saying. 

More Birthday Cards

I made more birthday cards. They are machine embroidery.

I bought pastel colored scrap booking card stock for them. (I also got some red and green to make Christmas cards) I also found some sticky stabilizer so they open up.

I also made the envelopes. I really like how they came out.

Once again the disc is from OESD called Stitched with Love. It says "your free gift" on it so you probably can't buy buy it. The website on the box is www.embroideryonline.com.

Shower Curtain

I love rubber ducks. And I have a huge collection and thought that this fabric would make a perfect shower curtain.

I'm sorry you can't see it better but my bathroom's not really designed for taking pictures.

The pattern I used from the book Embroidery Embellishments by Machine. I really liked the pattern. Very easy to make.

Wordless Wednesday - Stinker & The Peppers

I just noticed that she's licking them!

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Peppers

I stopped at the local produce store and look what I found. Red, yellow and orange peppers!! They were selling them for a dollar or if you bought 15 or more they were only 50 cents!!!  They usually sell for $1.99 or more. So I bought 15 of them. Couldn't pass up that deal!

Stinker inspecting the peppers or wishing someone would open those cat treats.

When I was asked what I was going to do with so many peppers. I said freeze them. From the look I received apparently not everyone knows you can freeze peppers so I thought I'd share how I freeze them.

I chop and/or cut them into strips. Which ever one you prefer. I use the strips in stir fry and fajitas. The chopped get used for pasta sauce, pizza, sloppy joes, and anything else I think needs peppers.

Then I put them in bowls and mix them up so I get a variety of color.

Now I'm wishing I got some green peppers too. Wouldn't that have been pretty!

Then I place them in a snack bag. I just know from experience that that's how much I will use in a meal.

Then place them gallon freezer bags, label and freeze.

When I finished I wished that I had bought more so I went back the next day and bought more peppers. And again forgot to get any green ones. Froze those too. I forgot how many bags I ended up with but it should be enough to last until next year.

Long Arm Quilting

I have a friend who owns a quilt shop. She has a long arm quilting machine that she rents out. And I had my first class. I loved it!!! Then I quilted a quilt. And I still loved it! I want one sooo much!!!! But until I win the lotto at least I can rent hers.

My very first long arm quilting.

She usually throws away the practice pieces but I wanted to keep mine. I thought Stinker would like to lay on it. Boy was I right. I serged around it. Then put it on top of this basket. Think she likes it?

She's watching a robin that built its nest on the downspout. They have such a good time playing together.

Design Wall Monday 7/11/11

It took 15 tries to post yesterday. Hopefully it won't take so many today.

Nothing on the design wall. My next project is going to be an apron. I've picked out the fabric. Now I just need to get some rick rack to go with it.

Here's the Soft & Simple quilt I just finished for now. I'll add the borders when it's not so hot.

The pattern is Soft & Simple in the Summer 2011 issue of Quilts and more.

Visit Patchwork Times to see what others are making.

Stash Report - Week 28

I bought a quilt kit but I'm not counting it because it's for a Christmas quilt and I'm not opening it until November.

Used this Week: 2.75 yards
Used Year to Date: 30.175 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 51.63 yards
Net Used for 2011: -21.455 yards

Visit Patchwork Times to see how others are doing.

Parents Magazine Only $4

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US residents only.

Soft & Simple without borders

It's done! Maybe. It's suppose to have borders but I like it with them. And and weather's changed from nice cool thunderstorms every day to HOT! Too hot to sit under a quilt. (I envy those with air conditioners.) When it cools off this fall/winter I may put the borders on it.

The pattern is Soft & Simple in the Summer 2011 issue of Quilts and More.

Wordless Wednesday - 7/6/11

see more Daily Squee

Thirty-One Days of Powe by Ruth Myers

The publisher says:

As a follower of Jesus, you are engaged in a battle against a treacherous enemy. But the mighty power of God is yours through Christ’s victory on the cross of Calvary.

The daily readings in this uplifting devotional are steeped in Scripture and blended with praise to bring foundational truths to life—to help you wield the power of God that’s available in all our afflictions, in every trial and temptation.

The truths in these pages will equip you to resist the forces of evil, to stand firm in a day of deepening darkness, and to know firsthand the truth of Romans 8:37: “In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”

I say:

I enjoyed Thirty-One Days of Power: Learning to Live in Spiritual Victory by Ruth Myers with Ruth Myers. I really like that after each days reading, there is a section to add your own thoughts. The first section of the book is full of scripture that you are to take 31 days to read. The second section of the book is aimed at giving you power beyond the 31 days. I admit it did take take me more than 31 days to read it.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Buy from Powells

Happy 4th of July!!!

Wordless Wednesday...hmmm....yeah I know

Only one day late!


see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Design Wall Monday – 6/27//11

I was able to sew a little before last nights storm. Hopefully I can finished it this week.

The pattern is Soft & Simple in the Summer 2011 issue of Quilts and more.

Visit Patchwork Times to see what others are making.

Stash Report - Week 26

Nothing to report. I only got to sew last Sunday. We've had storms and power outages all week.

Used this Week: 0 yards
Used Year to Date: 27.425 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 51.63 yards
Net Used for 2011: -24.205 yards

Visit Patchwork Times to see how others are doing.

Wordless Wednesday - 6-22-11

My favorite picture of Stinker. I love that tongue!

Check out Wordless Wednesday to see what others aren't saying!

Design Wall Monday – 6/20//11

I sewed! My sewing machine was soooo happy!

All the pieces are sewn into rows and the first two rows are sewn together. I had the next set of rows sewed together and had to rip them out. So I decided that was a good place to stop for the night.

The pattern is Soft & Simple in the Summer 2011 issue of Quilts and more.


Visit Patchwork Times to see what others are making.

Stash Report - Week 25

I really don't want to post this. I'm really not doing very well.

Nothing used. My sewing machine hasn't been turned on in almost 2 weeks.  Hopefully I can sew tonight.

I added this week:( I could have done a lot worse. A quilt shop was having a sale and everything I bought was $4.00 a yard!!!! I got 4 yards of white on white. The rest are batiks: a light peach, a dark peach, a green and a bright yellow.

Used this Week: 0 yards
Used Year to Date: 27.425 yards
Added this Week: 15 yards
Added Year to Date: 51.63 yards
Net Used for 2011: -24.205 yards

Visit Patchwork Times to see how others are doing.

An update

Sorry I haven't been around lately. My Dad was in a car accident last week. And had to spend some time in the hospital. He's home now and doing much better.

Maybe life can return to normal now.

The Perfect Shot

A guy stood over his tee shot for what seemed an eternity, looking up, looking down, measuring the distance, figuring the wind direction and speed, driving his partner nuts.

Finally his exasperated partner says, "What the heck is taking so long? Hit the darned ball!"

The guy answers, "My wife is up there watching me from the clubhouse. I want to make this a perfect shot."

"Give me a break! You don't stand a snowball's chance of hitting her from here."

Wordless Wednesday

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Camera Bag

The camera bag is finished!

It's a lot bigger than my camera.

The pattern is Camera Case in the Summer 2011 Quilts and More magazine.