part of the Halloween care packages

For Peter and Jess and also for Nicole in her new apartments.  I added leftover Halloween fabric to some cotton towels and found pumpkin dish scrubbers at Joann's (FOR A DOLLAR!!!).  Off to finish their gift totes........

It's all Sandra's fault...........

Sandra and I are in a couple of groups together and I mentioned that I was thinking of selling some of my panels on Ebay.  I have way too much of them, went through a panel phase a while ago and then got sidetracked by life.  Anyway she challenged me to do something with them and now I am making gift totes for the holidays.  It's a relaxing sewing project and uses up a good amount of stash when you line the bags.......So THANKS Sandra! :)

bunny quilt

Finished this UFO during the last few weeks as well.  It is a bunny quilt that I decided to make into a wall hanging.  My idea was to try to emulate the old Easter eggs we used to get (way back when!!!) .  Those eggs were large with a peephole and a picture inside the egg.  Anyway, I embellished the middle of the yellow on point squares with Easter egg buttons and a basket button. 

His and Her Placemats

Made a set of placemats for Nicole and another for my son Peter and his gal Jess.  I wish I could tell you where I got the witch feet pattern--I found them on a blog sometime in August while I was carrying for Paddie and my mother.  I believe the quilter was sharing this pattern for a wallhanging but I liked the idea of Halloween placemats.  I've looked and looked for that blog and can't find it which is unfortunate as I like to share these things with my other quilters.  The Franken feet I drew.   I hope the kids will get a kick out of them.

Wickedly Wonderful!

Some of the kids in our family moved into their own places this year including Nicole, who just moved in to her first apartment efficiency this fall.  Nicole loves Halloween and when I saw this panel, I just knew I had to make a wallhanging for her!  The "Welcome" quilt holder is going to be mailed with her quilty.

Autumn

 I finished this simple little wall hanging in time for the first day of Autumn.  I've had these paper pieced blocks for years from a swap I did with the pcpiecers.  Anyway, since this summer was so productive, I used them up too and heavily quilted it.  It's a nice touch for our dining room right now.

"Dude, share that bone please"

Have a nice day!

We've got drought...

and it is so challenging to keep the plants alive.  No serious rain on the horizon either.  We aren't on official water restrictions (yet) but we are definately being conservative with our water use.  I think that tomorrow I might buy some big bags of ice and throw the bags of ice under our trees.  I started raking in August already which is weird but the trees are just dropping leaves.

I'm doing a lot of sewing these days when I am not walking or playing with the boys (our pups, Seamus and Teddy).  Hope to post pictures later this week!

Sweets from the Sweet...

My friend Lori came by yesterday with a little treat!  She is Ava's Mom and understands the grieving process we've been going through.

So she brought me some cracked eggs?  NOOOOOOOOOOOO.....

These are brownies!  The yolks are lemon curd and the egg shells...not sure how she made that but they are like a fondant.  While Lori cared for Ava at the end of her life, she would make things from the book Hello Cupcake.  They were delish and raised our spirits!  Thank you Lori.

We are holding our own.  Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and prayers.  It's a terrigble loss for me.  Paddie was my constant companion during the past 13 years; my husband travels all the time for his job so the bond between Paddie and I was strong.  When she was 10, we recieved Teddy from my mother and two years ago we rescued Seamus. 

The boys are going through their own changes.  They are very clingy. Ted is visibly grieving.   He looks for Paddie when she doesn't wake up at her normal time (early at sunrise).  Normally Ted sleeps in.  Seamus went to my Mom's house the other day and did a really weird thing.  Just peed right in her living room.  Our vet said all this is normal and it will be a while before balance is restored to her our household.  In the meantime, we go with the flow of the grieving process and try to get some things done.

A Life of Joy

Paddie the Poodle, 1997-2010.  Mama's Baby Girl, Dad's Poop-de-poop,  lover of all, protector of children, beloved friend to Molly, honorary dog to the George family, Mama dog to Seamus, Ted and other puppies such as Rascal and Harlow.  She inspired many a song including the favorite of Helena's, "Paddie, Paddie, Paddie, the Poodle" and "Little Black Dog."  She was often called "The Perfect Dog" by those who knew her and those of slight acquaintance.  We mourn our loss and celebrate the joy she brought to our world. 

Good Morning...

Today I will give you a Paddie update.  She is holding her own, on a variety of medications that seem to have her somewhat stable.  Last week was a very good one for her.  She had been eating better, her coat had gotten a little healthier looking and she was even teasing the boys.  We noticed a change in her over the weekend and she may need her meds readjusted.  For now, she can still get around and is eating (although much less than she had been).  Please keep her in your prayers!  We know we can't change the inevitable but I just want her passing to go peacefully and easily for her.

Yeh Team!

Helena is a cheerleader!!!!

Pop-Pop and I attended the flag football game yesterday where she cheered her second game!  Yeh Helena!!!!

Yeh Helena!!!!!!!!!!!!  We are so proud of how well she can cheer, she is realy wonderful at it !

But one of the funniest things was this little peanut who kept dancing with the girls (white shirt):

All of 2 and 1/2 years old, she wanted to be with the big girls and even.........ran out onto the field during the half time show:

She was clearly the hit of the show and the audience roared with approval :D  We had a great time and can't wait to see Helena's next game!