New Fabric, and What's Up With the Roxanne's Basting Glue?

If you're one of those people who love the Roxanne's Baste-It Glue, you may have noticed it's become a little hard to find lately. I've been waiting for a new supply since September! Finally, I found out the scoop, and I should have more glue in stock by the end of next week. Apparantly, the owner cancelled business with many of her distributors after having problems with them. I should have called her directly months ago, because I can order right from her, which is how I'm getting more glue next week.
After a week of waiting anxiously, the new Mementos fabric arrived yesterday. The quilt on my to-do list, Indian Peaks is designed to be made from this fabric, and is absolutly gorgeous! I suppose if I want it to be done anytime soon, I'll be passing it to a friend or my mom to piece, but I will look forward to quilting it.
Yesterday was one of those days when you have all the hopes of getting a lot of stuff done, and in reality you get nothing done! I met with a fabric rep in the morning, and ordered some fabric to come next month. It's a different look than I usually go for, so watch for it soon! I did get groceries, but it was all down hill from there. I planned an afternoon of quilting, but failed to note that the girls got out of school at 1:30, so my afternoon was otherwise occupied making snacks and breaking up fights. After the shop closes today, I'll be quilting my heart out, trying desparately to catch up! (unless that kickboxing, treadmill loving alter ego dares to show her face!)

Return of My Alter Ego

After a brief hiatus on Thursday, during which I ate peanut butter m&ms & cookies all afternoon and avoided the treadmill, my alter ego returned yesterday. First, she only wanted a single shot latte. (A weak drink at best)AND she didn't even finish it!! Then, she decided to do 45 minutes of kickboxing cardio in the afternoon. (so much for m&m's) I need to have a talk with her, since today I am feeling muscles I didn't know I had! To top it all off, my alter ego likes to cook, and actually tries new recipes.

If you know me at all, you already know I don't cook unless it's very simple. I'm just terrible at it, and I don't normally enjoy it. However, for the past couple of days I seem to be turning. First, I baked cookies Thursday night. I bake so little, in fact, that it took me 2 pans of cookies before I realized if I used both ovens I could be done in 1/2 the time! Then yesterday, I make a fruit dip to go with dinner. It was excellent, and very easy. Here is the recipe, from a Kraft Foods magazine: 1 16oz can of whole cranberry sauce and 8oz cream cheese, softened. Beat together and add 2 cups of cool whip. Stir in cwhip gently, then refrigerate 1 hour. We had this with apples, bananas, pineapple, and kiwi and it was very good.

So, I'm almost afraid of what my alter ego has in store for today. So far, only a single shot latte. My muscles are screaming NO! NO! NO! already in fear of what's coming!

To Pee or not to Pee?

Yesterday, on the way home from preschool, I was pleasantly surprised by my preschooler. The drive back is about 9 miles, and 1 mile into it Will loudly proclaimed that he needed to go potty, right now! Since he is famous for holding it way too long, resulting in disaster, this is not what you want to hear with 8 miles left between you and home!
"You have to hold it," I told him, as I accelerated past the speed limit. "But Mom, why can't I go outside?" he asked. So I explained that going potty along the hightway is not ok, and can get you in trouble. To which his sensible reply was, "But it's ok to puke outside." Hmmmm....interesting thought.
I opened my mouth to say that yes, that is true, but only because you can't help it when you need to throw up. Then I realized that technically, he can't help it when he has to go right now! So, how do you explain the difference to a preschooler?
Thankfully, we made it home disaster free. Still, I can't help but be impressed by Will's reasoning skills, I'm still laughing about it today.

Who are you, and what have you done with the real me???

Monday I broke down and moved my treadmill to the living room. Normally, I like my house in order, decorated and arranged just right. A treadmill is not the perfect accessory for my living room. However, in the name of a happier, healthier Summer, I decided staring at my bedroom wall for an hour a day wasn't very motivating.
Even more strange is that I have actually been using the treadmill every day! Strangly, I find myself wanting to work out. Weird, since I usually can't force myself into it! Even weirder, it keeps getting easier and easier. Yesterday I actually did 2 miles, amazing since last week I was excited about 1 mile! (Yes, I'm in terrible shape. It turns out espresso, cookies, and muffins do not improve cardiovascular health.)
I don't know where the real me is hiding, but hopefully she doesn't return any time soon! I'm hoping the new me doesn't like espresso and sugar so much, but I'm not holding out for any miracles.
The strangest part about all of this? Monte seems to have found his inner me. "Notice anything?" I asked him, after he didn't say a word about the treadmill towering over our living room. "Yeah," he replied, "Your treadmill's in the living room. Do you really think it belongs in there?"

Fat Free Jelly Rolls, the Best Kind!

By now, many quilters know about jelly rolls. Still, many more do not. I get a lot of questions about what jelly rolls are, and what they can be used for. I thought I'd attempt to explain here.
First, a jelly roll is a collection of 40 strips of fabric. Each strip is 2.5" wide by the width of the fabric long. All jelly rolls contain 40 strips, unlike charm packs, which vary in pieces of fabric. Each jelly roll has fabric from 1 fabric line only, so all 40 strips coordinate. Jelly rolls sell for $29.99 each. The strips are rolled up like a jelly roll, thus the name.
So, what good is a bunch of 2.5" strips? It turns out, they're a lot of good! More and more pattern designers are creating patterns for jelly rolls. Similar to the fat quarter movement, there is now a jelly roll movement! There are also several great jelly roll books out now. What's great about these is that the fabrics are already coordinated for you, plus there is much less prep work and cutting. Jelly rolls make beautiful quilts that are especially unique, since it is impossible to get such a variety without buying yardage of a large selection of prints.

Boys Will Be Boys

We have more snow this morning, and the high winds last night mean that preschool has been cancelled today. So, my almost 4 year old son is here at the quilt store today. This usually results in a hectic, messy, obnoxious day, but so far so good! He brought his snow clothes, and he his now happily playing outside on the sidewalk with his toy snowmobile. However, this is usually not the case!
If you have boys, you know what I'm talking about. If not, consider yourself lucky. Hair bows, tights, make-up and hissy fits are nothing compared to the damage a young son can do. Here are some examples: Will is the reason that...

There is rock salt in my computer keyboard, frequently blocking keys.
The #8 key is missing from my laptop.
There is a 3" slit in the canvas on my quilting machine.
I frequently find things in weird places at the store, like thread in the gift tins, and once, my key in a gift card, a month after I lost it!
There is no glass on the ceiling fan in his room, since it was broken 2 weeks after we moved in.
I know every word to every episode of Scooby Doo, Backyardigans, and Go, Diego, Go!
Our garage door to the laundry room has dents in it, from a golf club.
I'm not winning mother of the year, since he was once found playing in the highway in front of the store.
I had to replace a blind 2 months after we moved in, after it was cut up with scissors.
All the scissors at my house, and anything else remotely resembling a cutting tool, now reside on top of the fridge.
Before we moved out of the apartment last summer, we had to purchase glass for a new window. His sisters locked him out, so he was going to break his way in...with a hammer.
We also had to patch a hole in the wall, from his foot.
And finally, Will is the reason for 1/2 of my gray hairs, his Dad can claim the rest!

Yes, I Know I'm a Dork

A couple months ago I purchased an iPod, partly as motivation to exercise more and partly because I was curious about why everyone seems to have one these days. I didn't understand the obsession with them, but I wasn't as adamant as my Dad that they're a waste of time. Mentioning the iPod in front of him will start a long eulogy about how stupid some of the new technology is, a waste of money and time, the reason for all the problems of today's youth........you get the picture.
Anyways, I got one, and soon discovered that it was good for much more than exercise. Yes, I use it on my treadmill, and even found out I can download workouts to it and plug directly to my treadmill. But even better, I found, it works great for quilting! Just pop in the headphones, turn up the volume, and presto chango, no more fighting kids down the hall, no more whining, no more football, NASCAR, or Trick My Truck from the TV. Just nice music to listen to while I work!
All of this is great, but it wasn't until last Friday I discovered why the iPod is awesome, awesome enough to convert even my dad! After sitting through an hour of "Trick My Truck" and "Holmes on Homes," it was my turn for the TV and I was all set to watch Stargate Atlantis. Imagine how disappointed I was to find out our Tivo had malfunctioned, probably due to the weather, and my episode only had sound, no picture, plus it locked up when I tried to play it. Irritating to say the least since I am spoiled by Tivo and never miss a show.
I'd resigned myself to the fact that I'd have to wait until next week to watch the rerun, and then my mom said something about downloading books on tape to the iPod. Hmmmmm......that got me interested enough to go exploring itunes, and what did I find? I could download the missed episode of Stargate Atlantis and watch it on my iPod!!! I know, I'm a scifi dork, trust me Monte made that clear when I got so excited about it. Oh Well, I've accepted my "Dork" status. It didn't ruin any of my pleasure either as I watched on my iPod!
So, you're wondering how this might convert my dad? Well, while looking for Stargate I found out that also available is almost any series on The History Channel, (The only channel my dad watches) including "Ice Road Truckers," one of his all-time favorites. Plus, "Deadliest Catch." Wow! I would've never believed it, but I wouldn't be surprised to see my dad with those headphones in his ears soon!

Return of the Sun!

The sun has finally returned to North Idaho the past couple of days, and it wonderful! What's even better? I actually have nowhere to go today, and love it! I will be spending the afternoon quilting. The morning? I have spent it lazily, exploring the website of the resort in Jamaica we are going to, dreaming of the wonderful spa treatments I can't afford! I did take the time to work out on the treadmill, so that's something. What I really want to do is lay around eating kettle corn, watching Backyardigans, Wonder Pets, and Mickey Mouse (OK, not my first choices, but in the name of peace I'll settle).
I have a beautiful quilt to quilt today, a queen size quilt from the Wilderness Adventure book by Gathering Friends. It was made by the sister of a friend of mine, and it's done beautifully from Kansas Troubles fabrics. Linda, if you happen to read this, I'll be sending your quilt to you soon, I promise!
I'm excited about this week, since the new fabric designed by G.E. Designs' Gudrun Erla is arriving in store! It's called "Mementos," and the quilt "Indian Peaks," on my list to do, is made using the fabric. Who knows when I will get started, but I saw the quilt at Market and it is beautiful! G.E. Designs patterns are some of my favorites, they have good directions and they make great designs. Their book, "Destiny," is also on my list! (What isn't on my list, at this point?)
I found a neat little gadget to add to my blog, the FeedJIT to the left. It tracks who is visiting my site. It's just fun to see who is looking, makes the world seem a little smaller!
Happy quilting to you all! I'll be posting again soon about my recent discovery on the wonders of the ipod!

Quilting Product of the Week

I am always finding new products that I love, if you stop by the quilt store you've probably heard me talk about some of them already. I've decided to select 1 new thing a week to give my opinions on. This week, I've chosen Best Press Spray Starch.

Released at Fall 2007 Quilt Market, this new spray starch is awesome for several reasons! First, it comes in 3 scents or non-scented if you are sensitive to smells. The scents are lavender, Caribbean breeze, and citrus grove, and I like them all. Second, this starch is not aerosol, so it is better for the environment, plus the nozzle doesn't clog or spit when sprayed. Third, and best of all, this starch works!!! It doesn't flake or spot on the fabric, and it makes the fabric lay perfectly. It is essential in quilt making to iron properly, and this starch makes it easier by giving your fabric just enough stiffness and shape to prevent stretching and make nice, flat seams.

Best Press also works for ironing clothes, linens, or anything else you need to iron. 1 gallon refills are available in each scent and non scent, and they save you the cost of 2 single bottles. If you would like to view the starch, you can see and/or purchase it from me at The Crazy Quilter. I love it, and I will never use any other starch again!