Moda U Hangover!

What a week! Yesterday, (Friday), I woke up with what I call a "Moda U Hangover." Moda University meetings are always a blast, but the morning after this time was not so fun. Probably due to the fact that I gave myself a total carb overload. I was so busy all day I hadn't taken time to eat, and then by 9:00 that night I was ravenous and eating everything in sight, which of course included whatever was in the baked goods case. Yikes, carb overload since I have been avoiding carbohydrates all week. I slept for 2 hours Friday afternoon as a result, and missed posting on my blog yesterday.

Today is Sip & Sew at the shop, and my goal is to finish my Garden Friends quilt top. Easier said than done, as usual! So far today I've taken in 2 more quilts, packaged all the monthly mailings, and done NO sewing. Just another typical day of getting 1/2 of what I'd like to done!

I did manage to add both of the new kits to the website from the Happily Ever After fabrics. They are both great, and the pictures don't do them justice!

The new Holly Taylor fabrics, Natural Garden will be arriving this week, so it promises to be a fun and busy week again! If you like these fabrics, don't wait. I have lots of preorders, and some of the bolts are running low already, and they're not even in the store yet!

It's Crazy at The Crazy Quilter!

Today has been a CRAZY day! What else would you expect, from the name of the shop? Today is the monthly Moda University quilt club meeting, which always means an especially hectic day. Add that to a busy day of special requests and online ordering, and it's truly crazy!

A first for me happened today. I found out that I sent someone the wrong pattern. OOPS! I feel like such an idiot! The worst part is, not only did I send the wrong pattern, but the package was damaged and an entire jelly roll was nowhere to be found. I'm glad that I have a new jelly roll to replace my customer's order, but I'd love to have the other one back. Some postal worker/quilter is probably really enjoying it right now!
In my defense, the day I shipped her order was just as crazy as today, but that's no excuse! You can bet I'll be double checking everything from now on. I'm also implementing a new shipping policy for jelly rolls. They will no longer be shipped in the roll, unless requested. From now on, we'll unroll them to make a better package fit, and if you request they remain rolled there will possibly be additional shipping fees of $2-$4.

There is a great placemat pattern that coordinates with the Happily Ever After fabrics, and thanks to it I will soon be out of the panel! The kits are $30.95 for 4 placemats, everything but binding. They are absolutely awesome and soooo easy, and I'll be adding them online as soon as I get a chance. Watch for them under kits and Happily Ever After fabrics soon!

Mouse Update

In case you were wondering, we caught our mouse this morning. It was in the trap when we woke up, thank goodness. I was not enjoying thinking about it being who knows where all over my house!

By the way, those gloves Monte left out the other morning? He informed me that those were his "mouse catching gloves." According to him, he nearly caught the mouse twice that morning before it made a narrow escape. Likely story, I say.

One good thing did come out of all this, I scheduled a furniture cleaning for my couch set. It's about 4 years old, and has survived time in storage and 9 months of daycare kids, so I can't wait to see how much better it will look! After that mouse crawling on it, I decided I'd rather not wait for my tax rebate!

Miracles Do Happen!

And this week's miracle is......I finished something! Well, if you don't count the quilting, that is. This is the tablerunner that sat in pieces around my kitchen for a month before I finally got the focus to do it! I'm so glad I did, I absolutely love it and am going to try to quilt it this evening.

This tablerunner is from the Classic Runners pattern. I used Celebrate Spring fabrics, but I think there are many options for this runner. It would look great in Happily Ever After or Twinkle Little Star. I would love to see a funkier version done with Mix & Mingle. Anybody up for the challenge?

Eeek! A Mouse!

First, let me preface this story with the statements that my house is clean. I vacuum almost daily, keep everything neat and tidy, and by most standards my house is EXTRA clean and not cluttered. That being said, read on:

Last Fall, shortly after moving in to our new house, we had our first mouse. Monte was away at logging camp, and late one night a mouse appeared while I was watching television. I usually watch tv at night with one small table lamp on, and at first I wasn't even sure I had really seen it. It ran out from under our very large entertainment center, to the middle of the room about 3 feet, and then turned around and went right back under the tv. It was like a bird in a cuckoo clock, and it took me a few seconds to react. A mouse in my newly built house is NOT something I ever expected!
The first thing I did was jump up and stand on the couch. It was dark, and Monte's not home, and I hate mice. When I calmed down, I went to the phone and called, who else? My dad. "There's a mouse in my house!" I yell through the phone.

"Yeah, so?" he says rather calmly. Nothing like, "I'll be right over," or "How can I help?" Nope, just a nonchalant "Yeah, so?"

Forced to do it myself, I ran to my parents to borrow a mouse trap. It was hard to go to bed, I had the urge to stuff a towel under my bedroom door. Then, I thought about my kids sleeping in their rooms, and figured it wouldn't be fair to seal my door and not theirs. Or, worse yet, what if the mouse had already moved on to a bedroom? So, I reluctantly went to bed and left my door open.

Over the next couple of days, the mouse proceeded to eat everything I left in the trap, no matter how hard I pressed it on. Finally, after Monte reset the trap Friday, we caught our mouse.

We assured ourselves that the mouse had snuck in through an open door, and about a week later I'm just starting to let go of my fear, even though every little twitch out of the corner of my eye set my heart racing. Just as things calm down, what should appear, but another mouse! Nearly the same story: late night tv, out from the entertainment center, only this time Monte is home and he's very cranky when I wake him up yelling about a mouse.

Griping about how I'm such a wimp, and it's "only a mouse," Monte sets the trap. The next morning, I get up from bed to find the trap gone. "Did you catch the mouse?" I ask Monte. He's cranky because I'm waking him up about the mouse AGAIN, but he insists that NO, he didn't catch it. Now I'm really freaked, because the trap is nowhere to be found. After searching all day, we finally find it behind our dryer, the mouse still inside and still alive. (Ewww)Monte takes care of it, and all is back to normal.

So, what does this have to do with anything? Well......

At 5:30 this morning, it's me who's being woken up by Monte yelling "Mindi, where's our mouse trap!?" My first groggy thought is "Oh No." Plus, I have no idea where the trap went since last Fall. "There's a mouse in our couch," Monte yells.
"Are you sure?" I ask him.
"Yes I'm sure!" he yells as he looks for the trap, "The little f***er just ran across my stomach while I was sitting there!"

Monte ends up leaving for work without finding the trap or the mouse, and I toss and turn until 6:30 convinced that I'll feel that mouse on my covers any second. When I get out of bed, I find Monte's work gloves forgotten on the floor, the coffee table pulled out of place, and the couch pillows tossed aside. Well, well, well, looks like I'm not the only one who doesn't like mice! I'll be buying a mouse trap on my way home today, that's for sure!

Tax Rebate: Gone in 60 Seconds!

As soon as I heard about the possibility of a tax rebate this year, I could think of 100 things to use it on. I've never been good at saving, so this is no exception. Leave it to me, I'll have the economy stimulated in no time! Here are some of my top ideas:

A tanning bed, since I live in the nearest climate to Alaska in the lower 48. I'm positive my Vitamin D deficiency is the reason for all my ailments!

Save for my kids' college tuitions. (This is my responsible side. It doesn't show up too often, but it's there)

Put a down payment on a new boat, preferably one longer than 17' so I don't get sea sick from my kids jumping around.

Pay off credit cards. (You're right, that's no fun!)

Take a Disneyland family vacation.

Go wild at the spa in Jamaica. (Ok, even I couldn't spend that much at a spa)

More, more, more, more fabric! (On fabric, however, I could spend an unlimited amount!)

That vinyl privacy fence I've been dreaming of since we moved in.

A hot tub would sure be nice, of course that would require a patio to go with.

A down payment on a new lease for the quilt shop, with double the square footage!

A new living room set. OK, how about just cleaning the current set. My kids would ruin a new one in 6 months anyways.

New quilting machine, anyone? Hmmmm, wonder how much I could sell mine for??

So, what are you using yours for?

Not your typical truck driver....

This morning on the way to school, a road grader passed by just as we came to the highway. "Nope, not Papa Joe," the girls said. The first thing they do every time we see road equipment is look for Papa Joe. Then, probably since it was 35 degrees out, Bailey asked if road graders have heaters. "Yep," I told her.

Then, I hear Kylee whispering, "Bailey, can girls be truck drivers?" I started laughing and said, "What, Kylee?"

"Well, I just want to drive one of those. Since they have heaters," she said.

How sweet, my little future truck driver!

Spongebob, Really??

A friend sent me this email today, and although I usually delete them without reading, I was pulled in by this one. Take the test if you want, it only takes a minute. You might be surprised, I was!
According to this, I am a Spongebob Squarepants. This is the last character I would have chosen for myself. I can't stand his squeeky voice and annoying behavior, and my kids aren't allowed to watch him. I find the humor on the show too rude and crude for my tastes. I'm probably in the minority on this, since according to Wikipedia Spongebob was nominated for an Emmy. In case you don't know who Spongebob is, read up on him here!

Despite all that, I can definately relate to the desciption. Not so much the ooshy gooshy "everyone loves you" part, because I'm certain there are people who don't love me. But I do try to find the humor in life, and the part about jealous people is something I've tried to live by for years. I've experienced this with coworkers and certain relatives, and I always find I am happier when I just stay away!

So, what cartoon character are you???
*****************************************

Everyone has a personality of a cartoon character. Have you ever asked yourself what cartoon character do you most resemble?

A group of investigators got together and analyzed the personalities of well known and modern cartoon characters. The information that was gathered was made into this test.

Answer all the questions (only 10) with what describes you best, add up all your Points (which are next to the answer that you choose) at the end and look for your results.

Do not cheat by looking at the end of the e-mail before you are done .
Then forward this to all your friends (including the person who sent it to you ) and change the subject of this message to which character is you.

1. Which one of the following describes the perfect date?
a) Candlelight dinner (4 pts.)
b) Fun/Theme Park (2 pts.)
c) Painting in the park (5 pts)
d) Rock concert (1 pt.)
e) Going to the movies (3 pts.)

2. What is your favorite type of music?
a) Rock and Roll (2 pts.)
b) Alternative (1 pt.)
c) Soft Rock (4 pts.)
d) Country (5 pts )
e) Pop (3 pts.)

3. What type of movies do you prefer?
a) Comedy (2 pts.)
b) Horror (1 pt.)
c) Musical (3 pts.)
d) Romance (4 pts.)
e) Documentary (5 pts.)

4. Which one of these occupations would you choose if you only could choose one of these?
a) Waiter (4 pts.)
b) Professional Sports Player (5 pts.)
c) Teacher (3 pts.)
d) Police (2 pts.)
e) Cashier (1 pt)

5 What do you do with your spare time?
a) Exercise (5 pts.)
b) Read (4 pts.)
c) Watch television (2 pts.)
d) Listen to music (1 pt.)
e) Sleep (3 pts.)

6. Which one of the following colors do you like best?
a) Yellow (1 pt.)
b) White (5 pts.)
c) Sky Blue (3 pts.)
d) Dark Blue(2 pts.)
e) Red (4 pts.)

7. What do you prefer to eat?
a) Snow (3 pts.)
b) Pizza (2 pts.)
c) Sushi (1 pt.)
d) Pasta (4 pts.)
e) Salad (5 pts.)

8. What is your favorite holiday ?
a) Halloween (1 pt.)
b) Christmas (3 pts.)
c) New Year (2 pts.)
d) Valentine's Day (4 pts.)
e) Thanksgiving (5 pts.)

9. If you could go to one of these places which one would it be?
a) Paris (4 pts)
b) Spain (5 pts)
c) Las Vegas (1 pt)
d) Hawaii (4 pts)
e) Hollywood (3 pts)

10. Which of the following would you prefer to spend time with?
a) Someone Smart (5 pts.)
b) Someone attractive (2 pts.)
c) Someone who likes to Party (1 pt.)
d) Someone who always has fun (3 pts.)
e) Someone very sentimental (4 pts.)

Now add up your points and find out the answer you have been waiting for! Put your character in the subject line and forward to your friends and back to the person that sent this to you.

Very interesting to see 'who' your friends are!

(10-16 points) You are Garfield:
You are very comfortable, easy going, and you definitely know how to have fun but sometimes you take it to an extreme. You always know what you are doing and you are always in control of your life. Others may not see things as you do, but that
doesn't mean that you always have to do what is right. Try to remember, your happy spirit may hurt you or others.

(17-23 points) You are Snoopy:
You are fun; you are very cool and popular. You always know what's in and you ' re never out of style, you are good at knowing how to satisfy everyone else. You have probably disappeared for a few days more than once but you always come
home with the family values that you learned Being married and having children are important to you, but only after you have had your share of fun times

(24-28 points) You are Elmo:
You have lots of friends and you are also popular, always willing to give advice and help out a person in need. You are very optimistic and you always see the bright side of things. Some good advice: try not to be too much of a dreamer. Dreaming too big could cause many conflicts in your life.

(29-35 points) You are Sponge Bob Square Pants:
You are the classic person that everyone loves. You are the best friend that anyone could ever have and never wants to lose. You never cause harm to anyone and they would never not understand your feelings. Life is a journey, it' s funny and
calm for the most part. Stay away from traitors and jealous people and you will be stress free.

(36-43 points) You are Charlie Brown:
You are tender, you fall in love quickly but you are also very
serious about all relationships. You are a family person. You call your Mom every Sunday. You have many friends and may occasionally forget a few Birthdays. Don't let your passion confuse you with reality.

(44-50 points ) You are Dexter:
You are smart and definitely a thinker... Every situation is fronted with a plan. You have a brilliant mind. You demonstrate very strong family principles. You maintain a stable routine but never ignore a bad situation when it comes.
Try to do less over thinking every once in a while to spice things up a bit with spontaneity!