Annette's Acre

Way back in late January, I spotted a very cool pirate quilt at the Phoenix Quilt/Craft show.

At the time, I had hoped to stitch a pirate flag, but instead, found a great skull/crossbones patch at the Renaissance Faire in February.  I did have it quilted in March, though it had to make a trip to California rather than be done during the March quilt show in Mesa.

And so it sat.  Waiting for binding.

And waiting.

I actually bought the black cotton fabric for the binding about two weeks ago.  Then I had to wait for the sewing machine to come home.

On Wednesday, the wait was over!  I was ready!

I found a couple videos online of simply techniques and started measuring and…. cutting! strips.

I cut 9 20″ long and 3″ wide strips.  The longest side of the quilt was roughly 40 inches and as it wasn’t straight (it is an old map, so I couldn’t have nice straight sides), I wanted some extra length.

As I sat down to sew them together (at an angle, like the videos showed), I briefly reminded myself to pay attention to the seaming as all had to be on the same side.

Sewed them all together…. time to trim and iron!

Trimmed off all the extra seam (from the corners) and carefully pressed the 1/4″ seams open for each of the 8 seams in the strip.

Next, folded the strip in half, lengthwise, to press.  Got to the first seam…. oops!  Wrong side out!

Refolded and repressed.  Got to the second seam….  uh oh.

A check of the remaining six seams showed that I had gotten six on one side and two on the opposite.  Bother.

I cut out the two on the wrong side and reseam correctly.  Next time I’ll either buy fabric with a definitive right/wrong side or fold and iron first, so I can tell which side I’ve picked as the “right” one.

I then sewed the binding on the quilt with no further issue.  A little futzing to join the ends, trim off the excess (which was a LOT) and it was ready to turn and whip down on the back!  I added the patch last.  Here’s the finished quilt (clickable):

It’s wall hanging size and will go in Z’s room.  The light strip down the middle is sunlight, not the fabric

But what makes this is the quilting…. here’s a section of the back:

Is that not the coolest quilting?!?  LOL

Whew… most of the day yesterday was devoted to moving the blog!  I knew I had a lot of files on my web host, but yikes…..

Most of the recent post pictures are showing now, but it will be a labor to go back and fix links, and categorize and tag posts (that hasn’t worked since my last upgrade).  Thankfully, I can do that over time

The header graphic has a story…

Since I started this blog six years ago, I’ve always searched for a flower field header.  Simple and colorful.  It dawned on me a couple weeks ago that I could commission one from my colored-pencil-wielding daughter.  So I did.  She drew the header and the flower used in the background.  I have a couple other small graphic bits to use here and there as well.

I did add a bit of texture in PaintShop Pro, but otherwise, no changes were made to her original drawing.

I rather like it

I would appreciate any help in letting folks know about the new link.  I do have a placeholder if someone uses the previous blog address (http://www.annettesacre.com/stitchblog ) but I don’t think that will feed into any of the RSS feeders to let folks know there’s been a move.  So, any help getting the word out will be very appreciated

Here’s my to do list status…

• Visit the Apple Store to have them fix my iPod  - DONE!  Unfortunately, short of replacing it with a new one (for $75), there’s not much they can do.  Mine is engraved and was a gift from DH, so I’ll just keep it and nurse it along….
• Visit a local quilt shop to see about fabric for the reindeer runner I bought in Houston - DONE! Took two shops + Joann’s, but I’ve got what I need.
• Clear out my stitching corner - DONE!
• See New Moon (on Friday)
• Put up Christmas tree (on Friday)
• Finish Echo in the Bone – DONE!  {sniff} I love love love this series.  When is the next one due out??
• Finish baby afghan (it’s about halfway)
• Finish Rachel’s Mirabilia RR (and mail) - Progressing
• Finish L*K’s Halloween Flip-Its.  - Progressing
• Move blog/website to new hosting company - 75% DONE!  Still have remaining files to sort thru and shut down old account.
• Work up Christmas lists and get shopping started
• Celebrate my anniversary (12 years on Friday) – Ok, this was a mis-type.  Our anniversary is Saturday (though the state of Tennessee thinks it’s Sunday, but that’s another story) and our big plans consist of dinner out sans children.
• Mail off the BDB Bookmark winner…. Tracy!! – DONE!

My Thanksgiving cooking is underway.  Only have four dishes this year to contribute to dinner at Mom’s  Green beans (yuck – but currently simmering on the stove), corn casserole (in oven), fruit salad (K’s to make) and candied sweet potatoes (the only dish I can eat of the four)

If I don’t post tomorrow…. I hope all my US friends have a marvelous and relaxing Thanksgiving!

The big boxes are moved and a bit of unpacking has happened…

Working on reorganizing, repointing, etc

Please update your RSS feed information!

I’m on vacation this week! w00t!!

Not going anywhere beyond the Phoenix city limits… just not working

Here’s my to-do list for the week:

• Visit the Apple Store to have them fix my iPod (battery life is horrible – I suspect a new battery will be involved).  That’s scheduled for this morning.
• Visit a local quilt shop to see about fabric for the reindeer runner I bought in Houston
• Clear out my stitching corner
• See New Moon (on Friday)
• Put up Christmas tree (on Friday)
• Finish Echo in the Bone – I’ve got about 200 pages left.  I’ve been reading very sloowly on purpose.  It’ll be forever until the next book!
• Finish baby afghan (it’s about halfway)
• Finish Rachel’s Mirabilia RR (and mail) – Queen Mermaid.  Pic below
• Finish L*K’s Halloween Flip-Its.  Just two more words and border to finish! Pic below
• Move blog/website to new hosting company (Note: blog will be at http://www.annettesacre.com directly)
• Work up Christmas lists and get shopping started
• Celebrate my anniversary (12 years on Friday)
• Mail off the BDB Bookmark winner…. Tracy!!

Rachel’s Queen Mermaid start:

The fabric is a beautiful blue/purple evenweave.  Not the grey muddy mess seen here.

Halloween Flip-it Piece:

On platinum Belfast.  I’ve learned one important thing on this piece.  I’ll be doing the Christmas version in all DMC.  I have a growing dislike for Weeks floss.  It’s been nothing but trouble here… breaking, knotting, tangling.  Ugh.  Thankfully I’m using black & white Anchor for the border or you’d hear me cursing across the world.

All packages have landed safely and been well received (as evidenced by the comments).

You are all very welcome

What did I send?

Five bookmarks.  Here’s the one I kept for myself (all pics clickable, as usual):

All are unique.  Where mine has read beads, the others are all different color Delicas.

Can’t see the theme?  Here’s a closeup of the letters…

B-D-B.  Black Dagger Brotherhood, baby!!  w00t!

Here they are ready to go:

Inspiration came from Missy Ann.  She mentioned she was hoping to have a Black Dagger bookmark someday and I figured I could work up something.  I found the dagger charms and letter beads at CharmFactory (great selection, fast shipping) and a little black nail polish (Revlon Black Lingerie – which may go with me for my pedicure appt this weekend) made them perfect.

While I only ordered enough letters for the half dozen, I did have enough of the other bits to make another bookmark:

If you would like to commemorate your love of all things BDB with a one-of-a-kind bookmark, just comment on this post with your favorite Brother and I’ll draw a name on Monday

And if you haven’t discovered the crackilicious Brothers, get thee to Amazon (or your local bookstore) and start reading Dark Lover.

My favorite?  Gotta be Vishous.  I’m a sucker for a man with brains and technical skills….. computer skills, that is, but other skills are always welcome…..

On Monday, I sent off five packages.

One was not really a surprise itself (the extra book from my recent signing adventure) but I added more to the box.  One item matched (well, mostly) the items in the other four packages.  And the recipient of the box, is the one that started my creativity flowing with a simple comment in an email exchange….

All recipients know who they are as I requested their addresses   And they know the “theme” of the item sent (Black Dagger Brotherhood – the crackilicious series).

I am DYING for any of them to make it to their destination to see if they like it.  I kept one for myself, of course, but don’t want to show it until a couple land safely.

Thankfully, all are US addresses, so it should be just a few days……

I feel like a kid waiting on Christmas….

I’m still plugging away on Halloween stitching (clickable):

I’m down to my favorite section.  The haunted house

I’m going to stick with it until I either get an overwhelming urge to stitch Christmas stuff or I finish it.  Obviously the preference is the latter  I will work in the latest Mirabilia RR installment over Thanksgiving, but that will be another incarnation of Queen Mermaid.  Also, working slowly on a baby blanket (crochet) for a dear friend that has unexpectedly fostered a new baby girl.

This past weekend, it finally got cool enough to break out the soup pot.

Yes, I think 80 degree weather is soup weather.  Can’t be too picky here in Arizona.  If you wait until it’s below 70, you may be lucky to get a two week window in January.

Family favorite is beef stew, which came out soooo yummy.  Instead of using the pre-cut stew meat, I bought a lovely marbled chuck roast and cut it into chunks (trimming it quite a bit).  Absolutely delicious!!

Another favorite for Kylie and I – Cauliflower soup.  (Mike & Zachary had meatloaf – yuck).  Rice, onion, garlic, chicken stock, parmesan and cauliflower.  Simple and very very tasty.

Other than that, I’m reading, trying to stay ahead of the DVR (though that will get easier soon, since two of the shows were cancelled this week:  Eastwick and Dollhouse ) and counting days until vacation time at the end of the year

What about you?

Last night I attended a book signing at a local independent bookstore: Changing Hands

It was for this:

Here’s how it went:

Several weeks ago:  Pre-order cookbook online

One week ago:  Decide to attend booksigning and pre-order second book at bookstore

Thursday: Realize I will have two copies after the signing, and check with friend to see if she would like the spare.  She does.  Whew.

Thursday 5:15ish:  Head to bookstore

–Just so you know, the policy at this store is that when you buy your book, you receive a signing group (designated by a letter of the alphabet) that will not only be used to form an orderly queue for signing, but also determine who gets to sit in the relatively small area reserved for author events.  My group was “D” so while I’d be sitting in the back, I should get a real chair to sit in.

5:30ish:  Arrive at bookstore.  Pick up book and notice a line forming to enter the event area.  Hmmm… must be the “A” people.   Clerk encourages me to “shop” the store while I wait for seating (6pm) due to the orderly group seating practice.  Realize I forgot my camera.  Will have to rely on phone pics.

5:40:  Notice there are a LOT of people in the store.  I’m browsing fiction shelves about the 15th person point in the line.

5:42: Store clerk stops nearby and calls for attention.  She drops the following lovely piece of news:

“Someone has “tweeted” that they are unhappy with our seating policy.  The author has phoned and asked us to seat folks as they arrive, rather than by signing group.  We like to make our authors happy, so we will honor her request for this event.”

5:43: Briefly entertain the thought of staying where I am and “merging” into the line at this point.  However, my conscience compels me to find the end of the line  Which unfortunately is now three times longer than when I arrived.

5:45: Overhear much grumbling.  Re: change in seating policy.  My end of the line assumes author has called out-of-the-blue.  I relate the store clerk story. They are somewhat appeased, but would love to know who complained.  To provide an “educational opportunity.”

6:05: Seating opens and line slowly moves.  There is much jockeying for position.  Needlessly, but just my opinion.

6:10: Find a marginally-acceptable leaning area against a bookshelf bordering the event area.  Crime fiction section.

6:10 – 7:00:  Lean.  Read (Kindle – Nice Girls Don’t Date Dead Men).  Feet and back start to complain to conscience about choice made at 5:43.

7:03:  Author enters to applause.  I realize there is a large column between author and myself.  Oh well, at least I can hear.

7:04 – 7:30:  Q & A session with author.  My favorite question:

What does your husband think about the fact that lots of women love him as much as you do?

LOL

Answer:  He’s fine with that

7:35:  Clerk calls for Group “A” to line up to begin signing.  Oh, and anyone with small children.

7:36:  Realize there are a LOT of small children.

7:37:  Wander to connected bakery (Wildflower Bakery) in search of sustenance.

7:39: Realize that bakery is not the best choice for someone with a wheat allergy

7:41: Manage to procure apple juice and rice cereal treat (leftover from Halloween.  It had candy corn in it.  An unnecessary modification, but one takes what one can get)

7:42: Find small table and SIT.  Feet and back finally SHUT UP.

8:15:  Give up table.  Wander back in to store area in hopes of finding a chair tucked away in a corner.

8:25:  Find seat on the floor in fantasy/sci-fi section.

8:30:  Signing Group “B” called.   I keep reading.

8:50:  Signing Group “C” called.  Decide to return to my original leaning spot to await the “D” group.

8:52:  Ladies I was standing next to during the chat have the same idea I had.  They ask if I’ve been standing there the whole time… LOL

9:10: Group “D” called!  Make my way to the line…. on the opposite side of the event area.  Lo and behold, most of the “D”s are already there, so I’m second to last.  Oh well.

9:15:  Use phone to snap quick pick of Author.  Realize store is in a Cell Phone Dead Zone and I can’t save the picture (not enough memory).   Hope upload to Facebook will go thru eventually.

9:30: Present my books for signing  Make small Oklahoma-based small talk with Author.

Me:  I lived in Oklahoma in a previous life.  In Stillwell.

PW: Stillwater or Stillwell?

(This is ALWAYS the response, I swear.  Like I don’t know the name of the town I lived in).

Me: Stillwell.   It’s 90 miles southeast of Tulsa.

PW:  When did you leave Oklahoma?

Me: 13 years ago  I do enjoy your stories about living in small town Oklahoma.

PW:  I’m glad you can relate to them!  (scribble…scribble….)   You know, my husband would be appalled that I have no idea where Stillwell is… LOL

She was lovely and very gracious.  Even with the HUGE number of people there (and books left to sign).

As I was leaving, I heard two of the bookstore employees discussing the fact that the publicist told them to expect 20-40 people tops.  There were at least 200 there.

And as you probably guessed, the picture didn’t get uploaded.  You’ll just have to take my word for it….

It’s amazing who you can find on Twitter:

BobTheSkull: By the way kids, did you know that a Magic 8 Ball uses no actual magic?

annette414: @BobTheSkull Say it ain’t so, Bob! My Magic 8 Ball is eerily correct so often….

BobTheSkull: It doesn’t take magic to be right half the time. RT: @annette414: Say it ain’t so, Bob! My Magic 8 Ball is eerily correct so often….

(Yes, I know the truth of the Magic 8 Ball… LOL)

Don’t know who BobTheSkull is?  Then you need to read these.  )