what a week... how have you been?

Hello friend! 

Well, the kids are back to school--with the exception of Hannah.  We'll take her back next week.  Maybe now things will get into a "normal" routine.  (But then, the tricky part is how do I define "normal"?)  :) 

This card is a fun one.  You probably know I've been enjoying quilting this year--especially using the Big Shot machine.  So when I saw a "quilt" card like this, I knew I had to try it!  I liked it so much that my card club(s) in September will be making one that is similar.

 
This year I'm trying something new with one of my card clubs... they are meeting every-other-month.  They thought that it would still give them the fun, but also help them economize.  We're still working out the details, but I think it will be a good thing.  Does this sound like something you'd enjoy?  If so, let me know!

While I mentioned quilting, I'd also like to invite you to come here to learn more about how to use the Big Shot to quilt.  (whether you own the Big Shot or not)  If you'd be interested in learning more, just let me know.  I'm still working out a date for this class.

For that matter, what else would you like to learn about?  I would love to hear from you.

--:¦:- ) * ¸.·´ ·´¨¨)) -:
 :- ((¸¸.·´ .·´ Wendy *· -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:
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A reminder...

Hello friend!

When Stampin' Up renovated our colors this summer, they were kind enough to create Color Kits for us (thank you!) so that we do not have to purchase entirely new sets.  This is the Stampin' Pastels Color Kit.  It includes the new case and the 19 colors that didn't come in pastels previously:

The only downside I can see to this is that when I started putting my old pastels in (after I took the photo)  they looked "yucky" compared to the new ones!   I know, I know, they still work.....

Well, this is your last minute warning on the Summer Mini Catalog.  As the saying goes, all good things

 must end--of course that doesn't make it easy!  Here is a card using some of my favorite products

 from the Summer Mini, the Tropical Party stamp set and Island Oasis Designer Series Paper:

Remember, you may only order from this catalog until August 31, so don't miss out on these great items.

(Of course, I also must admit that the Holiday Mini that starts on September 1 is amazing, so we will probably survive the change!)

--:¦:- ) * ¸.·´ ·´¨¨)) -:
 :- ((¸¸.·´ .·´ Wendy *· -:¦:-
 -:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:
 :- *

A "do-nothing" kind of day...

Hello friend!

Actually, is it possible to have a "do-nothing" kind of day, but be busy also?  That's what today is for me.  I watched an episode of Bones (can't wait for the new season), and I've been sewing and reading, too.  (Reading "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters.  Utterly silly, and who knows what Jane Austen would have thought, but I'm enjoying it!)  Before you think I've been a total bum, I've also done some laundry, and donated some clothes to a local charity.  Hmmm.  I guess it is a busy day after all.  Let me show you what I've been doing before today....

This is photo with quite a story.  As many of you know, my dad was in the hospital and extremely ill back in May, but we were lucky and the Lord allowed him to stay with us.  Since then, he tends to be cold and get cold easily.  Hard to believe with this hot July, but true.  Natalie and my mom and I went to the Old Uniontown Quilt Guild's show on July 3, and a lovely lady gave Natalie a fabric packet of pre-cut squares.  She immediately decided she would make Grandpa a quilt, and this is the result!  I'm very proud of the way she stuck to her project, and finished it in less than four weeks.  I helped her with the rotary cutting, and the binding, but this was her project, and she did most everything else with basic guidance. 

She put this label on the back:

Labeling my quilts is something I have been very bad at remembering.... need

 to be sure to remember from now on!

Well, I've been stamping, too, of course!  My friend Bonita had a workshop the other day, and this is one of the projects the attendees made: 

That lovely blended center is made with the Presto Patterns Specialty Paper, found in the Mini Catalog and in the Idea Book & Catalog.  LOVE IT!  If you'd like to make this 8 x 8 inch page with me, get  yourself invited to an upcoming party, or (even better) you can schedule your own.  I'd love to show this to you.

Close up on the little bird.  This punch is too much fun.

Natalie's not the only one who's been quilting.  I made this wall-hanging earlier this month, but never showed it to you.  This uses one of my favorite dies, the Bigz Flower. 

Here is a close up on one of the flowers.

This summer-y one was fun to put together, and I'm starting to quilt my next piece.    In fact, I think I'll go do some quilting now, while I have the house to myself and everything is quiet. 
   
Thanks for stopping here, and I'll talk to you soon!

--:¦:- ) * ¸.·´ ·´¨¨)) -:
:- ((¸¸.·´ .·´ Wendy *· -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:
:- *