Notes from the Patch

Precuts

Friday was just about perfect.

New pattern, new roll of Honey Buns and the whole day to do nothing but sew.

I'm having a love affair with precuts. They're like having a personal assistant who selects and coordinates your fabrics, then cuts them all out with laser perfection.

No more searching for forty coordinating fabrics or digging through your stash for the perfect fabric only to discover that the four hundred fabrics that you've been storing aren't quite right.

With precuts your only job is to sew.

     

I recently discovered this blog site that answers some great questions on using precuts and thought you all might find it helpful. 

       

     

I made some real progress on my quilt top on Friday and hope to have pictures to show you by Sunday afternoon.

Happy weekend everyone!

Focusing on the details

   

     

      and this adorable sachet Penne brought in on Thursday.

      

                      

The Poky Little Puppy

I met with a fabric salesman on Wednesday.

She showed me lots of Christmas and Halloween and everyday fabric. Lots of duds mixed in with a few really good collections. As we were wrapping up our session she casually laid this out on the table.

   

      

   

     

   

I squealed and called Amanda. She squealed and called her mom the librarian.

This group literally gave me chills. (Isn't it wonderful that after all these years fabric can still do that to me?) 

Unfortunately we must wait until July to get it.

Seems the puppy is a little poky!

 

A night at the Oscars

Some of you asked me to share the story of the time we went to the Oscars. So here ya go.

It was 1991. Bill and I had attended a charity auction and had successfully bid on two tickets to the Academy Awards along with a nights stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The tickets had been donated by an anonymous donor who couldn't be revealed because selling or giving away tickets was strictly forbidden.  I remember being so impressed that literally everyone in the auditorium that night was in some way associated with the film industry (everyone but the two of us).

Walking down that red carpet was a surreal experience with photographers from around the world standing three deep. As we walked  past them there was that split second where they would look at us and try to tell if we were anybody important. Trust me, it took them a nanosecond before they'd divert their attention to someone more newsworthy. Walking the red carpet was absolutely terrifying.

One of the highlights  of the evening for me was seeing Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin arrive in the lobby of the Shrine Auditorium. I looked up hearing a commotion and saw them walking right in front of me.

                        

They were the "It" couple (the Angelina & Brad of the early 90's) and Kim looked absolutely incredible in her blush pink gown. I remember just staring at her in that dress. For Bill the highlight of the night was peeing next to Lou Gossett Jr. (I hope he didn't stare!) That's my guy!

This photo was taken in the lobby of the Beverly Hills Hotel as we were waiting for our limo. Still have the dress and the incredibly handsome husband.

 

If you look really closely you can see the flocked polka dots on the sheer fabric of my dress. I guess I liked polka dots even back then!

So that's my story.

Remind me to share the story of the time we were invited to attend the Grammy's sometime. Now that was a wild night!

And the loser is...

Am I the only one who thought the fashions at this years Academy Awards pretty much stunk? 

I know what you're thinking. She wins an Oscar for Best Costume Designer and she's automatically a critic.

Let me illustrate my point.

What's with the two, two, two dresses in one?

 

Come on ladies. You have stylists. Have you no mirrors? (or taste?)

  

Hey Jessica. It looks like the front of your dress just threw-up!

I'm a huge fan of SJ Parker, but Sarah really. I think you've added one too many cutlets to that bra.

Whoa baby!

(Broderick, wipe that smirk off your face!)

 

Oh please! I'm speechless here. Looks like someone just took Draping 101 (and failed)

 Little girls shouldn't wear such big bows.

  

  

What's with the necklace. It totally doesn't work with this dress

 

And here's Miss Kitty just in from the saloon

 

Heidi don't you ever criticize the contestants of Project Runway again!

Heidi, You're out!

Auf Wiedersehen.

And here's the worst of the worst

  

If this weren't bad enough, wait til you see the close-up!

 

I guess Reese could always wear this figure skating! Did you notice she redid her hair? So why didn't she change her clothes too?

Here's a bit of trivia. Did you know that Bill and I attended the Academy Awards in 1987? I have a little photo of us in our formal attire that I'll try and scan so I can show you what I wore to the Academy Awards way back then.

Then you guys can rag on me if you'd like. = )

Till then - have a delicious day!

 

Ah, sugar sugar - you got me wanting you...

        

Today is Diet Monday over at Red Geranium Cottage and I wanted to share a little information that was recently on the Today Show.

Ahem. (Me climbing up on my soap box).

Did you know that the average American consumes thirty teaspoons of added sugar a day? (One hundred pounds of sugar a year)! That’s 497 calories a day (the calorie equivalent of a hamburger and fries!), more than 25 percent of a person’s dietary intake from a substance that provides nothing but calories and tooth decay. Put another way — if all you gave up dietwise was added sugars, you’d lose 50 pounds in a year!  You can see the Today Show video and read the article here. 

As you probably remember I gave up added sugar on January 1st and can honestly say I haven't missed it or the dress size that went with it one bit!

If you find yourself needing to shed a few lb's or just want to get healthier you might try losing the sugar.

Sweet!

And the winner is....

                What would you win an Oscar for? 

               

 

In honor of tonight's Academy Awards I'm sharing this test from Blogthings. Here's what they said about me:

                         You won an Oscar for...

                              Best Costume Design

You are imaginative, artistic, and very unique. You are a natural designer.

You can picture entire movies in your head. You are incredibly visual.

As long as you can remember, you've always had a flare for fashion. You like to experiment with looks.

(Me in an incredible long gown that I designed myself, tightly clutching my surprisingly heavy Oscar)

OM-Gosh! I just can't believe this. Thank you!

I'd like to thank the academy and my mother who always encouraged me....

Tell us what YOU won your Oscar for.

Footnote added: Click on the link at the top of this post, "What  would you win an Oscar for" and take the Oscar test. Then tell us what you won your award for. Will all us creative types win the same award?

Living a beautiful life

                

Melissa over at The Inspired Room hosts a weekly blog on living a more beautiful life.

This week Melissa asked the question, "What five ways do you add ambiance and cheer to your home and life?" (Sorry Melissa, I got a little carried away). Here are my ideas (and they can be done for little to no money):

1. Turn on the lights - it always delights me that the simple act of turning on a lamp can create so much ambiance. Bill insists on those funny looking energy saving bulbs. But that's okay if that means he won't come along behind me and turn off my ambiance! = )

    

2. Light a candle - nothing is so soothing as the aroma and flicker of candlelight.

3. Display your collections - I've been collecting red transfer ware for years and I love putting it out where I can enjoy it.

4. Family photos - an inexpensive way to add a personal touch to your tablescapes.

         

5. Play music - a simple way to set a mood and it's free!

6. Bring in fresh flowers - you can pick up a bundle at the grocery store or farmers markets for just a few dollars and they usually last a week. They certainly cheer a room as they add a bright spot of color.

    

7. Tell someone you love and appreciate them - a home is only as happy as the ones who live there.

You might like to pop over to The  Inspired Room for more ideas for living a more inspired life.

Happy Friday dear friends!

 

Cherished

Bill - "Do you notice the mornings that I warm up your car?"

Me - "Yes, sweetie, I notice".

I notice that you bring me a latte and a toasted English muffin in bed every morning along with my vitamins so I won't get sick. I notice that you always have dinner waiting when I get home (because you, for some reason, feel like my day was longer and harder than yours). I notice that you always make sure my gas tank is full (because you don't think a lady should have to pump gas). I notice when you always open the car door for me and yes, I notice when you warm up my car so when I turn on the heater on cold mornings it instantly blows warm air.

I also noticed at the very moment you asked me that question that I don't tell you nearly often enough how much I love and appreciate you. Thank you for being the kind, considerate, gentleman that you are. Thank you for loving me for forty one years and thank you for being my best friend.

I notice Bill. I really do notice! 

 

An overdose of reality

I have such an unbelievably busy evening planned.

You know, important stuff like the season finale of The Real Housewives of Orange County, the season premiere of The Real Housewives of New York City, American Idol and The Biggest Loser!

My recorders will be work'n overtime!

I did want to take time to share this delicious pillow with you though.

     

It's from Nancy Halvorsen at Art to Heart, from her newest book, Cider Mill Road. This baby measures a whopping 18" x 38" and I just adore it.

Now gotta run.

I've got some serious dilly dallying and lollygagging to do!