finally...... the pictures y'all have all been waiting for!!

Here is my whole outfit... I liked the look but am not happy with these pictures, I look like I weigh about 700 lbs.(eeek) but oh well..




Check out the shoes! I am totally in love with them! I think I was about 5'7" that night (which is a big deal if you've ever seen me in person). I was a little scared the first time I looked down at my feet because I was so far off the ground - I am not used to that at all!!!
We danced the night away and my feet were killing me by the last dance - but it was such a blast! I work with a cool bunch of people!



I put the cool insert in these pants - don't you just LOVE Kaffe?? His designs are retro and now all at the same time.. (I did get a lot of compliments on them too).









Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!

Mary

my groovy outfit!!

I have my whole outfit put together now.. From the jeans with the very cool Kaffe fabric inserts (they are now very wide bell bottoms) right down to the baby blue eyeshadow.

I AM SO EXCITED!!

The party is tomorrow night and hopefully I can snap some pics and get them up here asap!

So... I'll just say goodnight :)

Mary

TRON

I remember waaaay back in the 80's when the first Tron was released and I was so excited to see it (with my acid washed jeans and ripped sweatshirt ala Flashdance) hahaha! Those were the days!

Anyway... Since I can't even remember the first one, I am going to watch it again and then see the new one next week! So excited!!

If you go see it, tell me what you think.

Mary

I was going to include a photo of me from the 80's but then I revisited that thought and decided against it :)

oops... the days just got away from me!!

So much for my posting every day (a valiant effort though). I am listening to my son play Christmas songs on the piano as I write this. Tonight we went to Pioneer Theater to see White Christmas - it was so good. I think that is my all time favorite Christmas movie. When the general walks down the stairs I always get a tear in my eye.
So, having said that, it now feels like Christmas to me. Now I gotta get busy, make my list and check it twice... Heading to the mall (or should I say maul) in the morning... wish me luck :)

Mary

that ann, she's always up to something

I have a friend who started a blog that is chock full o' good ideas, In fact the blog is called Good Ideas! I think you should all check it out. I hear there are some good ideas there!

I gotta go fight the snow on my morning commute to work so I'll sign off, put the big car in 4 wheel drive and head out... Wish me luck ;)

Have a happy day!

Mary

Sweet Emotion

My latest quilt! It's a little guy (32" x 43"), but I think it's so cute!! The pattern is called Sweet Emotion (any Aerosmith fans out there) and I made it out of Barbara Jones new line called Summertime. I love, love, love the green in it (but then again I am a sucker for lime green). It will be hanging in its new home at Pine Needles which is located in Gardner Village (in Utah).

Gotta run! Have a great day!

Mary

top 10 reasons why I quilt

1. fabric! fabric! I LOVE fabric

2. love the creative process

3. sometimes (yes sometimes...) it relaxes me

4. I have met some awesome people that have become my friends

5. seeing what happens when two blocks "touch" and the secondary pattern that is created (sometimes it is a total surprise to me)

6. getting together with my "quilt group" and seeing what everyone else is up to

7. visiting all the quilt shops here in Utah (we are very spoiled)

8. being able to hang out in my basement in my ratty thread covered sweats and just sew

9. the joy of giving a quilt to someone who really appreciates it!

10. putting the last stitch in the binding


What are some of your favorite reasons???

Have a great day!

Mary


this picture is of my last quilt (or should I say latest)

9th

I am having computer problems (trying to download the pictures I took at Pine Needles yesterday) so I thought I would share a Christmas memory from my childhood.

My family (mom, dad, Dan, and I) used to go to my Uncle Ken and Aunt Elly's house every Christmas afternoon for our family Christmas dinner. We would exchange gifts with all of our cousins and just have a blast.
My aunt & uncle lived at the top of a hill in Victor NY. I remember the long steep driveway they had. During the family party the kids would always go sledding and we always had so much fun!

One year there had been a terrible snow storm, from what I remember, the roads were ok but my Aunt's driveway was filled with tons of snow and there was NO way we were getting up it. I remember my mom putting all the gifts and stuff in a sled and my dad pulling it up the hill. I also remember wondering how we were going to get my 90 year old grandpa up.
We ended up putting him in the sled on the next trip and giving him a ride up the hill. I still picture my distinguished grandpa, in his overcoat and hat, and white shirt and tie getting a ride up the hill. He loved it!

He was an awesome guy and he lived to be 101. I wish I had a picture of him from that Christmas! This picture of him above is from a very long time ago - when he was MUCH younger. He is sharing a Popsicle with my cousin Anne.

Have a super day!
Mary

8th

I get to go on a little quilting jaunt today - I am so excited!!

I am going to Pine Needles to drop off a quilt I made for their store. It's called Sweet Emotion and I made it out of Barbara Jones' new line called SUMMERTIME. I love this line! I love the green in it!

I am also going to shoot a few pictures of 2 other quilts that the store remade. 1 is Apple Jax and the other is Topsy Turvey I can't wait to see how they turned out.. stay tuned and I'll share pictures with you!!
Have a great day!

Mary

7th

Thanks for all of the suggestions on my 70's wear. I found a cool pair of bell bottoms the other day. I am excited for the party!

I haven't been doing much quilting right now, more in the "getting ready for Christmas" mode. We baked sugar cookies last night and will frost them tonight. I always put a little orange flavoring in my frosting - it makes the cookies taste delicious!

So, share... what are some of your favorite holiday traditions. I would love to hear about them.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Mary

6th

See Saturday's post... I still need help so I am posting the same post as Saturday! Cathie (who is awesome) was the only one who commented!! Suggestions please ;)

Mary

with a little help from my friends

Our work Christmas party has a dress theme.... the 60's & 70's. Ok, people this is where I need help since I am the original "fashion don't".

I did find the TALLEST and most perfect black platform shoes ever so I am set in the footwear department. I also found this super groovy multicolored corduroy paisley jacket.

BUT.... I am at a loss as to what type of pants and shirt I should wear and HOW SHOULD I DO MY HAIR AND MAKEUP??

Since I was a baby in the 60's and tween/teenager in the 70's, I really can't remember all the fashions!

A little (read a lot) of help/suggestions would be much appreciated!!!

I know you guys won't let me down!!

Thanks!
Mary

*THIS POST IS SUPOSED TO BE MY DEC 4TH POST... I JUST HAD A LITTLE EXTRA TIME TONIGHT SO I JUMPED THE GUN AND POSTED EARLY - LUCKY YOU!!

3

Do any of you out there have an advent calander? We have one that I made a long time ago. My kids still love it and can't wait to start it every December. We are now on day three.
I guess that is one of our Holiday traditions. What are some of yours?

Have a great day!
Mary

December Second

I've been doing some cleaning, straightning, folding... you know the drill. Well, in the deep recesses of my quilting closet I found some goodies I had totally forgotten about! And I am so happy to share them with you! I have some kits for various quilts that I am selling at very good (read cheap) prices so here's the list of what I have.


4 Tapestry kits $60.00 each. Pattern is included
Backing and Binding not included
This beauty measures 46" x 58" and the blocks are 9-1/2" x 9-1/2". The kit includes 22 fat quarters + yardage (for the border and setting triangles) - a bargin at $65.00.





5 Three Shining Stars kits $25.00 each. Pattern is included
Backing and Binding not included
This awesome table runner is 24" x 47" and the blocks are 12" x 12"





1 Hot Cakes kit $45.00. Pattern is included
Backing and Binding not included
Hot Cakes Measures 61" x 71" and the blocks are 10" x 10" (it is made out of Layer Cakes).




SOLD!! 1 Baby Spice kit $30.00. Pattern is included
Backing and Binding not included
Cute Baby Spice measures 47" x 57" and the blocks are 10" x 10" (it is made out of Layer Cakes)




ONLY 1 LEFT!! 2 Undercover - Eye Spy Quilt kits $25.00 each. Pattern is included (this pattern has 100 precut charm squares cut by me).
Borders, Binding and Backing not included
This is a darling Eye Spy Quilt measures 54" x 54" and the blocks are 5" x 5"





I also have some yardage of Moda's Portabello Market line that I am willing to sell for $8.00/yard. But I don't have a lot so if you want any for backs don't drag your feet.

So there you go. Have a great day and Happy Shopping!!

Mary


If you buy 2 of anything I will offer free shipping - otherwise shipping is a flat rate of $8.00.

Please feel free to email me at mscowan1@earthlink.net if you have any questions!

DECEMBER FIRST!

Oh. My. Gosh. Can you even believe it is December first??? I have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming! I LOVE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR!

Soooooo... In honor of this awesome holiday season, I thought I would try (did I say try?) to post everyday (now, stop laughing) :)

I thought I would start with a cookie recipe my mom made every Christmas. She got the recipe from a friend Nan so these cookies have always been called Nan's Christmas Cookies. They are so cool because you can make them ahead of time and slice & cook as needed.

I hope you enjoy them as much as we did. I think it's the only time that candied fruit should be allowed in a cookie (I am NOT a fruit cake person)


NAN'S CHRISTMAS COOKIES

2-1/2 cups white sugar
1# butter
3 eggs
5 cups sifted white flour
dash of salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup walnuts
1/2 cup candied pineapple
1/2 cup candied red cherries (cut in thirds)
1/2 cup candied green cherries (cut in thirds)

Cream butter & sugar, add ingredients in above order. Form into rolls (like snakes about 2" in diameter) and wrap in wax paper. Put in refrigerator overnight. Slice 1/4" thick slices with a sharp knife. Bake at 325 for 10 minutes. COOKIES SHOULD BE WHITE NOT BROWN.

Enjoy!