Itty bitty dresses with itty bitty aprons

Itty bitty dresses with itty bitty aprons, originally uploaded by Old School Acres.

I think these are lovely!!

The person on flickr.com was making them for a mobile, but I wrote her a comment that they would make wonderful Christmas ornaments as well.

They could even be used for needle holders or a pin cushion.

Gift tags is even another possibility

I have been going nuts looking through an armload of books that I acquired in one thrift store yesterday. (My son said I needed blinders on and would not let me look at the last two on the shelf to see if they were something I wanted as well. Another trip will have to be made again without my 11 year old tagging along!!) There are so many project ideas to think about and get started on.

I spent the night before last getting all my threads for embroidery into a good order. It tired me out, but is completed. Today, I am putting together a 5 shelf bookcase to be used specifically for my craft books and notions. Time to go and get started.

Mermaid vs Whale

Goodbye Flickr Friends, originally uploaded by chrisinhaiti.

Recently, in a large French city, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym.

It said:

THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID OR A WHALE?

A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

To Whom It May Concern:

Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans). They have an active sex life, they get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia. Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids don't exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human? They don't have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them not to mention how could they have sex? Therefore they don't have kids either. Not to mention who wants to get close to a girl who's skin is all scaly and smells like a fish store?

The choice is perfectly clear to me... I want to be a whale.

P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my grandkids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and a latte with my friends.

With time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.


Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, "Good gosh, look how smart I am"!

Scrappy Stacked Quilt Top

scrappy stacked vintage quilt top, originally uploaded by nanotchka.

Okay -- another posting with something that inspires me. At times, I must be on quests to find something different or to find something that I have had in mind but not been able to visualize.

This quilt project found on flickr.com matches all of the above in me. I will be pulling out some quilting books to get similar flower shape patterns and start from there.

Right now I am playing with border quilt blocks for Savannah's quilt to finish and just got a bear face pattern enlarged 200% to begin the final stages of Wynston's quilt top. Pictures will follow soon.

Also, I am stitching away on some embroidery and have one piece almost finished to post. I know I could work faster if this weather would only COOL down some for me.

We are now able to hear the annual Great Falls fair outside for a week. I don't think we will be attending as the prices are out of this world. There is a parking fee, an admission fee, an arm band fee, food fees, exhibit pass fees, and concert fees for each day there. One person can hardly afford all those prices and to consider taking a family of 5 there is out of the question entirely!

So the fair sounds will have to fill our imaginations. Tonight we did hear a pretty credible performance of a Johnny Cash impersonator from 7:30 to about 8:15 (then a major rain happened upon us all), but on the flip side the fair closed with a horrible sounding Elvis impersonator. My husband says Elvis is on the schedule for the closing every night of the fair. We might just have to tough it out and close some windows!

Laser Water - Splash

Laser Water - Splash 3, originally uploaded by Stevpas68.

I love this "techy" photography with the colors thrown in. It reminds me of a kaleidoscope. I used to love getting them as a child and looking for long periods of time at the changing shapes as well as finding the right light to shine through them.

Modern kaleidoscopes are made of brass tubes, stained glass, wood, steel, gourds and most any other material an artist can sculpt or manipulate. The part of the kaleidoscope which holds objects to be viewed is called an object chamber or cell. Object cells may contain almost any material. Sometimes the object cell is filled with liquid so the items float and move through the object cell with slight movement from the person viewing.

I am going to have to check out on of those kaleidoscopes filled with fluid. I had not heard of doing that until doing a little research just now. My curiosity started out at first on how to correctly spell the word, but again I walk away learning a new concept.

Enjoy your day and stay cool. It is HOT here in Great Falls, MT today!!

Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding Heart, originally uploaded by annkelliott.

This flower looks very delicate to me and there is something intriguing about their shape. I, of course, decided to give some of the educational information here. Makes me wonder what planting zone Great Falls, MT is in? I so want to get back into a yard that I can call my own. We have started taking walks around the blocks -- so far Avenues A, B, C, and D. It is interesting to see different styles of landscaping and yard decor people have. My opinion is changing as far as there not being much to see. I guess with the seasons being so marked and long in changing here, this was a basis for my original thinking of the lack of greenery here. Still, there are not as many a variety of trees here as in the South and scrubbery does not appear plentiful as there as well.

Bleeding hearts usually reach 2'-3' in height with a similar spread. The plants' flowers are either pink or white, and they appear in April or May. Bleeding hearts are growable in planting zones 3-9.

I thought I would include these lyrics with the same name as the flowers in my blog today -- Bleeding Heart. Two very different uses for the words.

David Vendetta
Lyrics to Bleeding Heart :

We meet for a moment and then it's goodbye
but I just lived a lifetime with you in my mind

what would it be to live in your world
if you were my boy and I was your girl

it's crazy this spell you have me under
I know it can't be but I'll always wonder

what would my life be living in your arms
I feel I'll never know
and what would you say
if I were to stay and just go your way

this is where you lose your mind
and just let your heart unwind
you're blind don't lose control
you're mine don't lose it all

we meet for a moment and then it's goodbye
but I just lived a lifetime with you in my mind

what would it be to live in your world
if you were my boy and i was your girl

it's crazy this spell you have me under
I know it can't be but I'll always wonder

what would my life be living in your arms
I feel I'll never know
and what would you say
if I were to stay and just go your way

Could you fill in the blanks in my story
tell me what I'm missing what you could be for me
what would I find if I followed your path
all the things I long for that ive never had

it's crazy this spell you have me under
I know it can't be but I'll always wonder

what would my life be living in your arms
I feel I'll never know
and what would you say
if I were to stay and just go your way

Bird of Paradise Machine Applique'

Bird of Paradise Machine Applique', originally uploaded by WonderlandShoppe.

This I call my Bird of Paradise Machine Applique' Wall Hanging.
It took me very little time to create the main part, but a little bit more time was involved in the added touches -- yo yo's, braided fabric strips for branches, and the eye work.

I am just waiting for a darning foot for my sewing machine to do some machine quilting on this piece. I found the darning foot on Ebay yesterday and it should be shipped coming my way very soon.

This is my interpretation of the earlier blog on a quilt block I found online someone called a peacock. I enlarged the pattern with a tracer projector -- a wonderful tool I have that I don't pull out often enough!

Peacock Beauty

Peacock full span, originally uploaded by pixilpame.

All fanned out and looking pretty!

The male peafowl, or peacock, has long been known and valued for its brilliant tail feathers. The bright spots on it are known as "eyes", and inspired the Greek myth that Hera placed the hundred eyes of her slain giant Argus on the tail of her favorite bird.

Indian Peafowl is iridescent blue-green or blue in the head, neck and breast. The back, or scapular, feathers are vermiculated in black and white, while the primaries are orange-chestnut. The so-called "tail" of the peacock, also termed the "train," is not the tail quill feathers but highly elongated upper tail feather coverts. It is mostly bronze-green, with a series of eyes that are best seen when the train is fanned. The actual tail feathers are short and grey-coloured and can be seen from behind when a peacock's train is fanned in a courtship display. During the molting season, the males shed their stunning train feathers and reveal the unassuming grey-coloured tail which is normally hidden from view beneath the train. Both species have a crest atop the head which is also present in the females.

The female peacock is duller in comparison. It is mostly brown, with pale underparts and some green iridescence in the neck, and lacks the long upper tail feather coverts of the male.

The plumage of the peacock, and the peahen's preference for its exorbitance, is a classical example of sexual selection and especially the handicap principle. However, in recent years scientific research has shown that the size and brilliance of a male's plumage does not meaningfully correlate with his mating success nor his health, and that instead the key factor for attracting females is the vocalizations made prior to mating.

Mine Yours His Hers Mr Mrs

Mine Yours His Hers Mr Mrs, originally uploaded by WonderlandShoppe.

This is a page of patterns for embroidery that I posted on flickr.com in the Hoop Love Vintage Transfers pool today.

These are from Vogart which is out of business so there is no problems with copy issues.

I love the crowns (a sign of royalty) and then the distinction of "Mine" and "Yours". I like to share like everyone does, but some things are just better to be separate -- like face cloths!

Soldier's goodbye & Bobbie the cat, ca. 1939-ca. 1945 / by Sam Hood

Soldier's goodbye & Bobbie the cat, ca. 1939-ca. 1945 / by Sam Hood, originally uploaded by State Library of New South Wales collection.

The cat looks intrigued with something he is viewing! Also, look at those gorgeous shoes she is wearing. Now those have style and beauty. Look at the buttons on the cuff of his pants. Lots of neat details captured in this photo of a time long ago.

Notes: Find more detailed information about this photograph: acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=153383

Search for more great images in the State Library's collections: acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/search/SimpleSearch.aspx

From the collection of the State Library of New South Wales www.sl.nsw.gov.au

Stupid Cupid

stupid cupid, originally uploaded by Porterness.

I love this embroidery piece someone put on flickr.com.

The Dunce Hat is cute. He is having to study up on the art of "love".

I am all the time looking for embroidery patterns and there are tons to be found on flickr.com from a group called Hoop Love Vintage Transfers. Check them out if you are into stitching to give your fingers something to do!

Hope you are enjoying your summer. It is hot here in Great Falls, MT with 90 degrees now at 8:30 p.m. We just finished grilling hamburgers and having some fruit with pound cake.

Peacock Applique Quilt Block

I have totally fallen in love with this quilt block. I will be making it this week!

Some months ago, I was scouring the internet looking for a quilt block pattern of a peacock. I have always loved this bird. One's childlike cry even caused me to get locked out of my aunt's house on a snowy day when I first moved to Montana years ago. Let's just say I am glad the neighbors were friendly and kept me warm, because my relatives were gone when I got locked out of their place.

I have definitely decided to follow this very creative artist blog site and see what else she comes up with. Her link is here for the peacock story: http://www.lemontreetales.com/lemon_tree_tales/2009/01/peacock-quilt-applique.html

Truly beautiful and inspiring to me!!! Many thanks Lemon Tree Tales.

Alzheimer's Art Quilt Site

Make finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease a priority. Help by creating mini art quilts in any theme with a maximum size of just 9" x 12" (so that it fits a USPS Priority Mailer without folding) or purchase a mini quilt made by another artist. Or, do BOTH!

Auctions are held during the first 10 days of each month. All profit is used to fund Alzheimer's research.

This project is ongoing. We welcome your quilt at any time.

Read more: http://www.alzquilts.org/paq.html#ixzz0LDgkUSQw&C

Eureka, Montana (July 30-August 1)

These quilts will go to the Eureka Montana Quilt Show to be offered for sale on August 1, 2009.


Go to the link below to see the quilts that will go to the Eureka Montana Quilt Show to be offered for sale on August 1, 2009.


Read more: http://www.alzquilts.org/eurekamonatna.html#ixzz0LDiKlhCH&C






Made by: Pat Huston
Willowbrook, IL USA

Width: 8" Length: 8.25"

Materials/Techniques: 100% Cotton fabric & batting; machine pieced, machine quilted & bound.

Pat Huston

Dedication: To all who care for Alzheimer’s patients.

This quilt is displayed with Fast Finish Triangles.

Read more: http://www.alzquilts.org/2186.html#ixzz0LDj76QyW&C

The Correct Spelling

This is what I learned today -- the correct spelling of this fruit/berry. Also, my husband will be surprised to learn this. Isn't it funny how you get something in your head whether it is correct or not? Something simple like a spelling of a word, but learning just the same.



Raspberry

For other uses, see Raspberry (disambiguation).

Cultivated raspberries

Raspberry (plural, raspberries) is the edible fruit of a multitude of plant species in the subgenus Idaeobatus of the genus Rubus; the name also applies to these plants themselves. The name originally referred to the European species Rubus idaeus (with red fruit) still used as its standard English name.[1]



Raspberries are grown for the fresh fruit market and for commercial processing into individually quick frozen (IQF) fruit, purée, juice, or as dried fruit used in a variety of grocery products. Traditionally, raspberries were a mid-summer crop, but with new technology, cultivars, and transportation, they can now be obtained year-round. Raspberries need ample sun and water for optimal development. While moisture is essential, wet and heavy soils or excess irrigation can bring on Phytophthora root rot which is one of the most serious pest problems facing red raspberry. As a cultivated plant in moist temperate regions, it is easy to grow and has a tendency to spread unless pruned. Escaped raspberries frequently appear as garden weeds, spread by seeds found in bird droppings.

Two types of most commercially grown kinds of raspberry are available, the summer-bearing wild type that produces an abundance of fruit on second-year canes (floricanes) within a relatively short period in mid-summer, and double- or "ever"-bearing plants, which also bear some fruit on first-year canes (primocanes) in the late summer and fall, as well as the summer crop on second-year canes. Raspberries can be cultivated from hardiness zones 3 to 9.

Raspberries are traditionally planted in the winter as dormant canes, although planting of tender,plug plants produced by tissue culture has become much more common. A specialized production system called "long cane production" involves growing canes for 1 year in a northern climate such as Scotland (UK) or Washington State (US) where the chilling requirement for proper budbreak is met early. These canes are then dug, roots and all, to be replanted in warmer climates such as Spain where they quickly flower and produce a very early season crop. Plants should be spaced 1 m apart in fertile, well drained soil; raspberries are usually planted in raised beds/ridges if there is any question about root rot problems.

The flowers can be a major nectar source for honeybees and other pollinators.

Raspberries are very vigorous and can be locally invasive. They propagate using basal shoots (also known as suckers); extended underground shoots that develop roots and individual plants. They can sucker new canes some distance from the main plant. For this reason, raspberries spread well, and can take over gardens if left unchecked.

The fruit is harvested when it comes off the torus/receptacle easily and has turned a deep color (red, black, purple, or golden yellow, depending on the species and cultivar). This is when the fruits are most ripe and sweetest. Excess fruit can be made into raspberry jam or frozen.

The leaves can be used fresh or dried in herbal and medicinal teas. They have an astringent flavour, and in herbal medicine are reputed to be effective in regulating menses.

An individual raspberry weighs about 4 g, on average[2] and is made up of around 100 drupelets,[3] each of which consists of a juicy pulp and a single central seed. Raspberry bushes can yield several hundred berries a year. Unlike blackberries and dewberries, a raspberry has a hollow core once it is removed from the receptacle.

Victorian Lady Cameo Embroidery Project

I am happy to say my project took a month (with me putting it aside for a while)to complete.

It turned out very well and I have yet to hang it over my bed as I have been admiring her draped over the rocking chair for a day or so now.

Already I have begun stitching a new piece from a thrift store find last week. This time it is a lightly outlined snow skating scene of a couple. I know I have seen a print or something like it before. Maybe when I am finished you can fill in the information about the art.

Colored Pencil Alice in Wonderland

I just had to post these beautiful pictures someone on flickr.com posted of my favorite fictional character.

These are done with colored pencils. It looks like watercolor to me almost.

My kids have a new set of 50 colored pencils. I just might have to attempt to finish that Gibson Park flower garden picture with them.

I have been busy working with tons of photos from the 4th of July parade here in Great Falls and a post is coming soon from it.

Also, the family just got back from a Happel family event in Bozeman, MT. My husband's cousin got married in California a couple of weeks ago and wedding reception was held in Montana so all the relatives could make a trip to get together. We all had a lovely time.

A lot of activity for this family in the past few days. I need a mid-week weekend!

God Bless America

God Bless America, originally uploaded by ladybugbkt.

Click here to listen to Bobby Darin sing "The Simple Song of Freedom".

Abraham Lincoln
The Gettysburg Address

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met here on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But in a larger sense we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled, here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but can never forget what they did here.

It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they have, thus far, so nobly carried on. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Pillow Design Inspiration

I ran across this lovely pillow from a friend on flickr.com. (Can you tell I love checking out new things found on there daily?)

I like the layout of the embroidery and the strips and squares found in this. I am going to have to do some playing of my own for some pieces that are not symmetrical and have variation in them. I like to look at something and then look again only to spot something new and different each time.

Also, I want to get out of my comfort zone of using the same colors and try something that grows on me.

PS: I found my "lot" of T-Towels on Ebay today and ordered them for my embroidery projects.

Elegant Fruit Dish Embroidery Pattern

Design 846 b, originally uploaded by mmaammbr.

A friend of mine uploaded this elegant fruite dish pattern on flickr.com.

It has set my mind to thinking I would like to find a "lot" of plain flour sack towels in muslin cotton (white or creme) to embroider a bunch of my embroidery patterns on them as Christmas gifts to friends and relatives.

It appears Christmas in July as struck me again. Last year at this time I went nuts sewing quilt blocks and throws in my holiday prints.

I think there should be a mid-year holiday. Waiting 12 months is too long to wait.

I sound just like my son, Avery, who has a birthday right before Christmas. He is celebrating now that he is 9 and 1/2. Those halves are important that his young age!

Optical Illusions

Optical Illusion II, originally uploaded by mudflap.

I got a lot of rest last night and it must be playing with my head today.

In search of something "different" today on flickr.com to view, I did a search for optical illusion. This one almost makes my head swim.

Do the patterns look like they are moving when you stare at it? Even now while I am typing and glancing at the picture it is moving.

Here is another site that has some optical illusions to view: http://www.ophtasurf.com/en/bestillusions1.htm

ScienceDaily (Feb. 3, 2009) — Ever get a little motion sick from an illusion graphic designed to look like it's moving? A new study suggests that these illusions do more than trick the eye; they may also convince the brain that the graphic is actually moving.

For the rest of the article from Science Daily read here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090202175202.htm

Okay, so now consider you have had a little science in your daily regime. Still thought provoking yet geeky creative in a way as well!

One last one to view -- This dragon appears to move with you: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26704629@N02/2949900531/