Well now, it's 2010!

This blog has been so ignored since the autumn of last year, in fact, my other blogs have been too. I'm beginning to think I like to read blogs more than actually post to my own. So, I've decided I'm closing this one but keeping the Quotes and Dolls blogs going, for now at least.

Best,
Ani

Bye Bye Halloween HELLO Christmas!

Halloween is a thing of the past. Santa is waiting in the shadows, waiting for the turkey to make it's entrance so the grand hollydaze can commence!! I was out shopping today and am always a bit amazed at the ways the stores mishmash all the holiday items together. Here's what the sign above the holiday aisle should state: SCAREYTHANKSMERRY DEPT - this would get Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas all on one sign. Sigh. I really think the ghosts, witches and ghouls look rather absurb hovering over the turkeys and pilgrims who are trying not to look too sad that their holidays are not near the production and size of Christmas. OH! Almost forgot, you also have the color mixes from orange/black to brown/gold to red/green, it all just takes my breath away!

In any case our halloween was spacktackalur as we are fond of saying here in North Cackalackey (Carolina). I had great fun answering the door in my spotted kitty mask. The children seemed amazed that a cat was giving them their candy. Of course there is always one wee tyke who is terrified of the whole idea of people in masks. I had one little neighbor boy, he is about 3, come up to my door with his 6 yr old sister, at first he didn't see me because he was too busy looking down into his loot bucket to notice. But when he finally looked up and saw my kitty mask the sheer look of terror that marched across his face was the precursor to the mother of all screams! I'm still hearing that scream to this day! LOL! Poor little guy turned and ran all the way back to his house! Ah the memories.

Here are a few shots of my front yard, not a whole lot but fun never the less. Oh yeah, the granny in the pix is my Mom! She does a great scaredy face eh?




BFN,
Ani

Halloween - are you ready?!

Halloween, you either love it or hate it. I love to see little kids all dressed up and enjoying themselves. I don't so much enjoying seeing adults over 30, and usually drunk, in costumes as it is not a pretty sight to behold.

The most I do for Halloween is put out corn stalk bundles, pumpkins, homemade scarey signs and a homemade scarecrow. Now that my child is 15 we no longer go around the neighborhood in search of gooey treats. Not that we don't have treats mind you, my Mom sees to it that we have plenty of candy for every occasion!

Here is one of my favorite pix of my child taken 5 yrs ago on Halloween. It's funny, she can still look like this when she gets mad at me for not letting her go to the mall with her friends before she does her Saturday house chores. ;0)

Warm Towels with Kitty - a still life

What happens when you don't fold the freshly dried towels and sheets right away? They turn into a kitty magnet!! By the photo you can see what occurred a few minutes after taking the laundry from the dryer. My kitty Splash was drawn like a moth to the flame by the coziness of the soft, warm towels and sheets! >^..^<

BFN, Ani

Three Generations

This pix was taken on Mother's day this year. That's me, Ani to the far left, Mom Peggy in the middle and my DD Sasa. It really puts things into perspective to see the ages represented side by side. Where you came from and where you are going!

BFN,
Ani

WIN a Janome Sewing Machine - Old Red Barn Co.

I've decided to participate in the 'quilt a long' at the Old Red Barn Co. blog, grand prize is a Janome sewing machine. I may just be able to finish a quilt if I have an incentive and winning a new Janome sewing machine is right up my incentive alley! :-D Check out the rules etc by clicking the button on the sidebar, it's the one at the top.

The quilt that inspired this quilt a long:

The pattern is super simple, a big plus, and I've got lots and lots of fabric, a big big plus! I'm going to pick my fabrics today, will post them later today.

BFN,
Ani

My Sewing Machine Meme for the Sew Mama Sew Blog

I read the Sew Mama Sew blog everyday. It is a great resource for ideas and shopping as they have a cool store too http://sewmamasew.com/. They have asked readers to post on their blogs a questionnaire regarding the sewing machine(s) they currently own and use. And so here are my answers:

• What brand and model do you have?

Pfaff 1475CD // Elna EnVision CE20

• How long have you had it?

1993 // 2006

• How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
  

The Pfaff was TOL when new, approx 2000.00 // I purchased the Elna used for 800.00.

• What types of things do you sew?

Quilts clothing, handbags, home dec projects, cloth dolls and soft toys

• How much do you sew?
  

Everyday

• How much wear and tear does the machine get?
  

Moderate to high

• Do you like/love/hate your machine?
  

LOVE them both

• Does she have a name?
  

No

• What features does your machine have that work well for you?
  

The built-in 'even feed' mechanism on the Pfaff and the knee lift on the Elna.

• Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
  

The Pfaff has no knee lift bar like my Elna and so when I switch machines I'm frustrated with having to use my hand to lift the presser foot when I'm appliquing etc, you really get spoiled by the knee lift feature! The Elna is a great machine but it's speed is slow compared to my Pfaff.

• Do you have a great story to share about your machine?
  

My Mom gifted the Pfaff to me along with a matching Pfaff serger for my 40th birthday. I was just floored by such a generous gift! What a great Mom! :)

• Would you recommend the machine to others?
  

I would - if one can be found get the Pfaff 1475, it is a work horse! I see them on Ebay occasionally. They usually run around $600-$700. I would also recommend the Elna as a good beginner embroidery machine.

• What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
  

#1 is QUALITY. An inferior made machine will only bring headaches and frustration. Get a lower end model of a reputable manufacturer ie: Pfaff, Bernina, Viking, Elna, Brother etc. and save up for a mid-range machine unless of course you have the bucks to lay out for a TOL machine and these days that's anywhere from $5,000-$8,000! Try to buy from a local dealer so you will have hands on support if you need it.

• Do you have a dream machine?
  

Oh yes, two in fact. Either a Viking Sapphire 870 or a Bernina Aurora 440QE!

BFN, Ani