Oh my goodness....

What a whirl wind since Thursday the 24th of July. It has been fun.

Will let's start with the 24th.
It was my precious daughter Gabriella's 9th birthday.

The day started off with phone calls from Australia (several family members), Peru (more family)wishing her well. Then a few errands to complete everything for the birthday party. Which was held a a candle store. The children made their own candles using colored wax and molds. They were able to pick out the scent and shape of candle they wanted. After making them we had a fruit basket cake and juice. Opened presents and once that part of the party was done the candle's were reveled. Beautiful!


I do not all the photos yet as I (panic) forgot my camera in the car that my husband took back to work. So until I got it back my girlfriend Kimberly (blog less) let me use hers. Thank goodness. Oh here is a group picture of the children and their candles.


I will not bore you with all the pictures of her and family and friends.

Then in the evening we went to a family dinner with my parents, brother and Gabriella's mom and dad. Big sister's was at camp and missed her party. Here are a few pictures of her.


Friday 25th.
There was a family outing to the San Francisco Exploratorium. This was a group of five adults and five children.

With a full day I was ready for a sew night. Thank goodness my local quilt shop was ready for me. It is fantastic-you pay $5 bring a potluck item and UFO's to work on. It was a nice 4 hour break.

Saturday the 26th..
It was time pick to pick up Victoria from camp. Then another family gathering to a lumber mill that runs using steam machinery. This was a fun to watch and see a let of the past working "today". The name of this mill is called Sturgeons Mill.



Sunday the 27th...
We were off to Fremont to a chili cook-off festival. Kenny has a couple friends who have a band. They were in a competition in the Colgate Country Showdown. They did real good but did not win. That's okay, big and better things for them coming down the pike.


Went to the outlet shops and on the way home we were stuck in traffic due to a huge fire in Petaluma.


Back home and safe we all had a sleep in, except dear hubby whom had to go to work. Quilting visual soon.

Busy Bee...

Well I have been a busy bee around here. Pictures, updates, swaps and more in the coming days. Lots to share. Quilts, pillowcases, fabric glimpes for bag swap and my thimble collection.

Take care.

updates..finally

I am so very happy to tell you that I, Kathleen am out of my time out. I was able to finally open my soft package waiting patiently for me by my desk. My swap friend; May Kristen from Norway blessed me with a fabulous pin cushion. Two in fact. The mini one is to be worn upon my finger for hand stitching. Pretty clever! Then the squeeze compartment held a thimble. I am partical to these treasures. In fact I collect them. Something my Grandma started me on. I will have to share some of those soon.
Here is my parcel...

Here is the secret hide away and timble.


Some past news...We went camping on the family property and had a blast. The girls rode bikes, go-kart and hiked. It was a great time. Here are some of the photos..Take notice of Victoria's fun summer pink tip hair.


I have quilt updates as well, but I think I will leave it for tomorrow. Victoria is going to camp and there is packing to do.

Hello...I am here I promise.

Having problems once again. I think it is time to settle down and invest in a laptop just for me. No, hand me downs. I am working on getting the photos, I hope tomorrow I will have pictures and updates.

In fact I recevied a package from Norway. I have yet to open it. My thought was since I was not a very good blogger I needed a "time out". So my parcel sit's next to me waiting for me to organize my time to make time for blogging and rewards of a parcel.

So I look forward to opening it up May Kristin!!!

Having fun....

In Tennessee!

I have meet Trace Atkins and he signed a quilt that I made for my girls'. They have a summer project they are working on. More about that when it comes together better.

Gone to Dollywood, and having a good start of summer break.

Hope to see a couple quilt shops tomorrow.

It's June 4th....

My goodness, summer vacation offically started today at 12:20pm. The 8th grade graduation was beautiful and I will be one of those crying parents next year. May God help me and not allow me to embarrass my Victoria too terrible much.

I have a couple photos to upload tomorrow of the final gifts made.

Working on my pincushion swap and will be doing some traveling soon. Who knows what I will find to make up a package.

Soon to be seen, whatever that maybe these days of summer.

Deli Bags..Oh My!

Just checking in, between pillowcases and these Deli Bags I am on a roll for getting teacher's gift's done on time. It's offical 4 1/2 days left of school. Then we are off on summer break. Will update with photos soon of the goodies.

About Gabriella's Good Deed

Well this past Saturday Gabriella decided it was the day to make a difference in someone's life. She had been taking about it since her sister did this good deed.

With tears in my eyes my little one donated nearly 14 inches of her hair to Lock of Love.

I was so proud of her, and doesn't she look smart?

Well....

My goodness what a busy couple days. As many of you, finishing up with school and getting summer events managed. One of those events that I am planning for myself is a pincushion swap that Linda is generously hosting for 50 international blogger. Total fun! I have been looking at different patterns and coming up with ideas from some great books. And the gal whom I have been partnered is going to be great. I have never had an international swap, so something to look forward to.

Busy making teacher gift's. Many pillowcases and a few deli bags. These are alot of fun. Next is packaging and tagging the gifts for delivery on June 3rd. June 4th will be the last day of school and a bit hectic with other children passing out goodies.

I have been also working on a magic title quilt. (hope to get link here later) These are great from fat quarter fabrics or to make larger the 1/2 yard cuts. They go quick once you get the method. I just started my 4th one last evening. Then once I finish that one and have my 4 piles of squared up 15 inch blocks I will finish piecing and bordering them. This working for me, not sure why.

Are thing busy enough for you yet? Well my sweet hubby found a mama kitty and 4 of her babies. Bet you can't guess who's keeping two of them? My two girl's picked out each their own and it turned out that they were the girl kittens. The mama is going to my mom's to be a mouser and the boy's are going to home we found for them next week.
Here is Gabriella kitty-Sadie-Baby

Then we have Victoria's kitty-Tigria

So over at Sockpixie, she has a great pattern for a cat bowl that I am also in the process of knitting then will have to felt. So be on the lookout for this.

I have news to tell you what my Gabriella did Saturday, I am so proud of her. So come back tomorrow for details and pictures.

So much to tell you...

Just stopping by to let you know I have photos, updates and tid bits to tell you about. I am going to gather all the information in my mind and sort it out a bit before I get back to you. So tomorrow. I also joined a swap. Picked up some goodies this eveing to get started on that. Okay, I got to go to the school event-Open House.
'til later.

A HAPPY ......... DAY

I sure hope all the mom out there in the world had a beautiful day of reflection of their lives as a mom or/and as a child.

Last night after the BBQ for Mrs. Lefor we went to dinner for my oldest pre-birthday and Mother's day celebration. My Dad treated my in laws, brother and my immidiate family. Yum..we ate at Red Lobster.

Then this morning some how both of my girls migrated to our bed. It was quite crammed but I loved it. We chatted mostly about how Victoria started my motherhood aventures 13 years ago today. Here is my birthday girl Victoria.



This mornings breakfast (Marie Callendars)was generalously treated to three daughter in laws and their families by my father in law. So we had a total of 14 of us there. My one sister in law and here family of four could not make it, they live in Grass Valley.

Once we had our fill of buffet hubby and I took the girls and the two cousin that wanted to go bowling. That was a riot, we played two games had pizza and just had a wonderful afternoon together. Here is a picture of Victoria with her bowling pin she had signed by family members in black tomorrow her friends at school will sign in color. Her cousin Rebecca, cousin Adam and sister Gabriella.

A whirlwind of activity...

Well this past Thursday hubby and I left our children and dog in the charge of Grandpa and Grandma's until Saturday. Then off we went to Folsom, CA to see Hal Ketchum. He is a singer (county) that we both enjoy. Then on Friday morning we drove to Sonora to see him again. We have gotten to know him, his band mates and his right hand man Matthew over the past couple years. So it was nice to catch up with them after the shows. On the Friday our friends Tracy and Vern meet us in Sonora from Alameda. It was wonderful to catch up with them as well. Here is picture of Ken and Hal.

Then as we drove home on Saturday we went to different quilt shops and yarn stores. Thank goodness next door or around the area was a shop or two for hubby to enjoy so that I did not feel rushed.
Once we got into town the dogs had been dropped off at home and we were invited to an 80th birthday party. Mrs. Pat Lefor is a lovely lady and the great aunt of my childhood friend Merilee. Ironically my MIL cuts her hair. It wasn't until about 8 years ago we put two and two together. SMALL world. whew!

Be Back on Saturday

Going on an outing with hubby. Tell you more about it soon....Hope there is shopping on the way there, back or both. Hehehe

Surgery is never fun...

Well I had mentioned that Gabriella is going to be having surgery this next month. Having a child with a hearing loss is a challenge. Especially when mom (myself) am hearing impaired. She has a bi-laterial mild to sever loss. On her left side she has continued to lose middle ear function; so she became a canidate for a BAHA implant. The healing time for this is a total of three months. Due to the metal plate that they are placing in her skull. The skull will take that time to regrow over the plate. Then the exposed metal snap eventually have a processer placed. This is the functing device to enable her to hear. Unlike the hearing aid that uses an ear piece to help amplifiy sound through the middle ear, the BAHA will use the processor to send vibration signals through her skull to her coclea to hear better. So we are excited!! Her more than her dad and I.



Before surgery she is planning on cutting this beautiful hair and donating to "locks of Love" Since her left side of her head will have to shaved off she will be sporting a funky hairstyle.

hi...it's me...

Since my last post so long ago I have done quite a bit of quilting and not so much knitting. Some picturesof these very soon.

We also got a new King Charles Caviler. Just like Stahie out 3 1/2 year old dog. Our newest is currently 5 1/2 month old little girl. She has been a wonderful addition to the family.



School is getting ready to finish up and then the adventures of summer will begin. We are starting Summer Vacation going to Tennessee for seven days to look at maybe relocating. There is a school weare looking into for our youngest. Located in Knoxville. Then after that our oldest is doing camps and horse riding. We are keeping her busy because Gabrilla is having surgery on June 19th.

So I am looking forward to being a better blogger as I have my own laptop, and learning how to upload pictures better now.

Latest Shopping Finds

I found a patchwork pincushion pattern from Hello my name is Heather site. and I am going to work with this cherry fabric and give it a go. Nice to have some simple gifts ready to go for the upcoming birthday's, don't you agree?



I now own a Jelly Roll made by my LQS to make a Boxed Square quilt from Mary Johnson. This will be simple but a new technique for me.

Some sale fabric to make napkins. I found this great tutorial at Sisterchoice blog site. If you go to the Dec. 2007 archive and scroll down you will see it. Fantastic!

Then there are a couple pillowcases in the works for dad, brother, and nephew. These fabrics are based on interest and locations for them.


For my niece I have already cut out a twisted sister pattern using some fun Princess and knight fabric.

Finally some great yarn from my friend Caroline. Her on-line shop is fun filled with new yarn every week with new inspirations creeping upon her daily.So I ordered two great color and then she threw in a Christmas surprise of the Lolita colorway which is the pinker of the three. The red one is called tanager and then the painted bunting.

Lookin' to see some action.

I have taken some pictures of fabric and merino yarn to show you today. Do you think I can produce this photos? Well my computer crashed once again!!! So the answer to the question is a obvious NO. My dear hubby got the basics up and then with any luck I can have my photos updates done by tomorrow (Thursday).

More to chat about later when I am calm about this matter. Need to go and breathe, have a cup of hot chocolate before I jet off and pick up the girls from school. No after school activities today, which will be nice as we brace for another mini storm tonight/tomorrow.

Ringing in 2008 was Great

The three boys on the top are the ones I drove around to sing, drink, gamble and eat during the New Year eve/morning festivies. All home safe by 6:30am. Then myself up at the shop getting food. Going to get the girls in a little bit, and maybe go for a walk. The weather is so nice,cool but clear. The rain is coming soon.

I am so looking forward to my friend Nicole's shop sale. It does not start until tomorrow and I am busting! Fabric yea! And then Caroline sent my sock yarn order. So with any luck maybe I will have new fabric and sock yarn all in the same day. Yippee for me!!!!

Make 2008 GREAT!

Hello my fellow friends. I just wanted to send wishes out before hubby and I go to a Karaoke bar. My dear daughters went to grandma and pa's. Two of the cousins are in town for a few days. So yea for Kenny and I.

MAKE 2008 GREAT for youself! Cheers!!

Here is my Ella-bee

Going through my Christmas pictures this evening I found a great picture of Gabriella my sweet 8 year old by the Christmas tree.