DETERMINATION!

Most of you that know me, know that when my mind is made up, a freight train at full speed is easier to stop! LOL!  So, I am DETERMINED to finish all my UFOs BEFORE beginning another "project"!  I have SO many here and need to quilt them whether it be sending it off to the Long Armer's or trying again myself on my machine, either way it WILL be done BEFORE I start any OTHER project no matter HOW tempting and beautiful and challenging and addicting they are! LOL!

I have also figured out a few things while shopping for a new sewing machine.  I definitely will purchase my next one with the following features, no exceptions, used or otherwise:  AHA (automatic height adjuster), SR (stitch regulator)  with those two major functions, I can finish quilts easily!

Also, I definitely see a long arm or mid-arm I think it is, in my future, hopefully near future as in the first quarter of 2011!  I'm looking at the Voyager 17 thinking it will fit my needs along with the frame from Hinterberg made for it.

So ... it is with determination that I meet these goals ... now let's see what happens coz we all know about the "best laid plans" LOL!

Have a smile, I have plenty! :)

Shoo Fly Quilt

So I was able to whip this out today and absolutley LOVE the pattern! Not so impressed w/my own work but I'm working on that lol! 

I love this pattern so much that I'm making one with Christmas fabric as we speak!

This is from the McCall's Quick Quilts magazine, current issue and it truly is a breeze!  My older daughter liked it so much that I'm making one for her for Christmas in her favourite colour, purple.

Still trying to decide whether or not it needs a border but in the magazine it only had white binding and backing and that's it!  Btw, I made this with one Moda Jelly Roll in the 30's Repro fabrics, my FAV!  LOVE the 30s Repros!

A REALLY Nice Saturday :)

It's so nice and cool and rainy out.  I slept in, something I usually can't do because I need a new mattress and it only allows my back about 4-5 hours of sleep, but moving to the sofa made a big difference, so relaxing.

I've had the house opened up for weeks and sleeping with the windows open is such a joy for me, I love it!

I'm going to spend the day quilting and loving every minute of it ... of course I need to go to the feed store first for animal supplies, but I don't mind that kind of shopping at all lol!  You see, I loathe shopping of anykind unless it's at the Tractor Supply Store or any Feed Store where there are farm animal things involved and even a piece of furniture or two and maybe some applicable clothing ... yes, I love my life SO much :)

Have a wonderfully, happy weekend all, I know I will!

Another Chance to Win!

My new Blog friend Micki in Ireland (LOVE that place!) is giving away an Accuquilt GO!  So GO! to her site and enter!  She's giving us 4 opportunities to win 1 GO!  WOO HOO! 

Click on her link:  http://thedote.blogspot.com/

Good luck, everyone!

Updates

Well, we won't know anything or get offers until Monday/Tuesday, that is going to make for a very, very, long weekend, oh well.

I appreciate all of your support and prayers.

Need Good Thoughts and Prayers!

Okay, so I've been job hunting since August and finally a GOOD prospect.  Tomorrow's the pre-interview at 930a CST and if I like what they have to say and the base offer, an actual interview at 230p then later that afternoon a decision.  I REALLY want this job!

I haven't worked since 2001 coz I wanted to spend my life raising my little babies. Now that they've mostly grown and take care of themselves, I'm not really needed and a full-time job will ensure that they get through college, debt free, another goal of mine as "Mommie".  Plus, the extra income will provide my horsey habit with all it's trimmings :)

So, wish me luck, say a prayer and know that your thoughts and efforts are not lost on me.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you SO very much for your support!

49 Years Ago Today

I made my advent into this world full of determination to be happy, no matter WHAT!  and I tell ya, that "what" surely has tormented me all these years but never won!  LOL!

Today is filled with a luncheon and tea, with my girlfriends, my favourite.  Then a nice trail ride and then dinner with my family, cooked here at home.  Think I'll have Pad Thai and a nice Orangecello after dinner on the patio and watch the horses do their evening run.

Yep, I'm a simple gal, I think that's why I'm so danged happy!  and I have only just begun ... here's to the NEXT, totally fulfilling 49!

Sunday!

Ahhhhhh ... *happy sigh of relief*  Here we are again, my fav day of the week!  Join us for Brunch?  The menu is:  Whole wheat pancakes, thick slab bacon, eggs, peppers from the garden, biscuits, Greek yogurt w/fruit and granola, coffee, tea and juice.  We're eating outdoors under the gorgeous trees in this GorGEoUS weather!  I just LOVE Sundays, my absolute fave day of the week!

I'm going for a ride later, just around the farm, wanna join me after Brunch?!

Also, thought I'd try to change the look of my blog to something more Autumnal ... also my fav.

Can't believe I'll be 49 this Tuesday, I feel like I'm only 35 and thankfully look it!  I say it's because all the FAT fills in what would be wrinkles! LOL! 

I had a family member have stroke this past Friday and it brings to the fore of my mind the ever present need to become physically fit and no longer take fitness for granted.  So, that's my goal for the next year ... along with a few others *wink* *big grin*

Happy Trails to all!

Win an Accuquilt GO!

Pop over to this gorgeous blog and find out how!

http://alderwoodquilts.blogspot.com/

I WON! I WON! I WON!

I still can't believe I won something! AACK!  I participated in the Fall into Fall giveaway on over 150 blogs, I think it was and I actually WON!  Considering I had my blog set to not have my email accessible *DOH* I didn't know that so the 1st 1/2 of my entries never got considered but no matter, I WON this one and it's in my FAV colours, too!  Yellows and Sunlfowers!  Now if I could EVER figure out how to put a calendar/clock on here and change my backgrounds, I'd REALLY be happy with MY blog LOL!

Thank you Joanna for the generous give away gift and for participating.  Check out her blog, it's beautiful and full of helpful info!

http://needlethreadhappiness.blogspot.com/

Til next time, *HUGS* and Alohas,
Bridgette
:)

Words to Live By

"Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don't have any problems, you don't get any seeds. " ~ Norman Vincent Peale

My personal philosophy is, "the only people that have NO problems are dead people!" So, using my "challenges" as "struggles" and not a means of suffering, I use them as a catalyst to spring forward into the future w/seeds that will bloom into GLORIOUS Victories!

10/10/10 and Sunday, too!

Another GOrGEoUS Autumn day and it's a Sunday!  Too bad lottery doesn't ring tonight, seems like a lucky day to win lol!

Here's to a wonderful, gorgeous day and now to finish my blocks I'm making for that block swap that's gone International, SO cool!

Giveaways WOW!

I'm still pretty new to quilting and self-taught (been quilting since July '10, I think it is) and there was a link on a wonderful quilting board that I belong to, that went to sites participating in a big giveaway called, "Fall Into Fall Giveaways" and WOW!  Over 150 bloggers I think it is, are participating and giving away very generous gifts based upon a drawing that will be held the 15th. 

First, I had NO IDEA that SO MANY people loved quilting and the talent out there, WOW!  I thought only such things existed at huuuge quilt shows lol!

I've saved quite a few of the blogs and will be revisiting for inspiration, instruction and helpful hints.  Some of the things that I've found on youtube just aren't very helpful or I can't understand the person so I keep looking but the gals w/the blogs certainly have a way of making things so clear for me!

Also, I must give kudos to the lady that started it all for me.  Her name is Jenny and she's from the Missouri Star Quilt Company.  It's her board that I belong to and it is her tutes that make quilting SO simple for me.  She explains things so well and makes them so easy that I have been able to quilt all that I want to!  I just need to continue to hone my craft and someday, I too will be a Master Quilter!

I LOVE Autumn, my fave time of year!  All the colours and the temps and lovely chilly nights, I just LOVE IT! Can't wait til we're in the mountains again and I can make a nice fire every evening, LOVE THAT!

Off to make some yummy soup for dinner ... speaking of Autumn :)

Thank you to all my new friends for following, I hope to get to know you better and visit w/you often.

*HUGS* and Alohas :)

Poor Kid

My poor kid ... she's a Senior in high school this year and has pre AP classes.  Problem is, she also works a part-time job that is really more than it should be therefore taking away from her study time.  If she asks for fewer hours the goofy boss lowers her hours to a rediculous 6 hours per week, not even worth the gas to go into town for and if she asks for more he complains and then gives her 20-25 which stresses her little self out far too much!

She's supposed to ENJOY high school and NOT work so hard, college and her life after that is for working and pursuing your career.  Her schedule is NOT a "preliminary" or "dress rehearsal" ... proud of her though, she doesn't complain but it sure is catching up w/her, I hate that.

Love my kid so much, just dunno what to do for her ... hate this part of being Mommie ... helpless :(

Sunday *happy sigh of relief*

Another GOrGEoUS, GLORIOUS SUNDAY!  How I DO love my Sundays! :)

October 1st! YYYAY!

Have I ever told you that besides yellow being my favourite colour, October is my favourite month of the year?!  It has started off absolutely GORGEOUS here, today!  It's a sunny, mild 78 w/a gentle breeze.  I've got the house all opened up and fans gently blowing.

Picked about one-third of my first crop of apples, SO excited!  We have lived here for three years now and when we moved in the tree was almost dead.  I convinced the landlords to not doze it down and let me have a go at it.  It took THREE YEARS but was so worth the wait as they are the most crisp and sweet that I have EVER grown!  They are the Delicious variety and although they would not have been my choice to plant, I'll certainly appreciate and love them fully.

As I type this, or as we speak in virtual terms *grin/wink*, I've got fried apples on the stove in my trusty cast iron skillet and yes, true to my Southern roots they ARE frying in bacon grease left over from this morning's breakfast, YUM! LOL!

I've also got the applebutter started, applesauce comes first :)  and now have to head to town tomorrow for more mason jars, *sigh*

Well, I'm off to do some more quilting while all the apples cook and, oh yes, I have a cobbler in the oven, too, the girls will LOVE that when they get home from school :)

Happy Friday everyone and mostly, HAPPIEST OF OCTOBERS TO YOU!!!  *happy dancing*