It seems my last post upset some of my friends. I am so sorry for that. I have a tendency to be very highly critical of myself and my work. If someone else doesn't like it or doesn't "vote" on it, or whatever, I tend to go overboard on my reactions. Instead of pulling up my socks and getting over it, I pull the blankets up and disappear. I went and took all the webrings off my page and wrote a real "oh poor me!!!!" post. Some reason I had thought I was actually older than 13. Guess not....lol. Guess I'd better grow up fast....otherwise my husband might get into trouble for having married a child.....hehehe.

To Charlene, Gerry, Gail, and my dear friend Jo, thank you for your comments on my purse. I appreciate all your support.

I also promise to let a day or week go by before I write a post concerning my hurt feelings next time. I do get over them rather quickly (too much of a waste of time not to).

Oh yeah, I am NOT giving up cq, have waaaaaaayyyyyyy too much stash, and I do enjoy it so much.

Purse I made for the Crazy Quilt International Purse Contest

Well, I made this purse and entered it in to the CQI Purse Contest. I actually had high hopes for it. Unfortunately, as usual, I was wrong and no one liked it. It got one whole vote, and that one was mine. Isn't that pathetic? There are so many ladies in that group whose work I so admire that I guess I was hoping one of them might like mine.

So the question is now, do I keep doing it or do I try to find something else that I enjoy and might have a chance at being good at. Maybe I just need to stay out of the big league.

Life in the Month of June

I know, I know, it's not even the end of May yet and here I am talking about June. So much has changed lately. By the way, we found a new doctor and I am back on my hypothyroid and depression medication. Tommy says he can already tell a difference in my attitude....ain't that a man for you?? :p

Anyway on to the end of the May and the whole month of June. Tommy and I are going to Bossier City Sunday and Monday. When his nephew moved home, he left most of his stuff here, so we are taking that up to him. Wednesday, the 30th is Tommy's 49th birthday. He has to work 3p to 11p (of course). He is, though, taking Thursday off. Rafal is going to rearrange his schedule for Thursday and then we are taking the birthday boy to Bourbon House (one of the restaurants owned by the Brennan's) for steak. Last year we went to the House of Blues. It was quite an experience, especially for Rafal. There was a goth concert in the auditorium part of HOB. We had to walk past two blocks of goths in full regalia. Rafal had no clue!!!!! He was actually rather nervous. Gave Tommy and me a good laugh. Anyway, Bourbon House is supposed to have killer steaks, and that's what the men want. Me, I will have my salmon.

On the 4th of June, I go back to the dr. for an EKG, chest x-ray, and blood work. The following Monday, the 11th, we journey back to Bossier for Tommy to have his 6 month check up with his cardiologist following his heart cath last November. We both admit the trips to visit our parents, his in Bossier, and mine in W. Monroe, are long and tiring. Especially since we still haven't been able to get the air conditioner fixed in the truck.

The fun for June really starts on the 17th. Once again, we are going to Bossier. This time, though, we will be leaving again almost as soon as we get there. If we are lucky, we will be picking up Tommy's son Patrick. We will then head north to Perry, Oklahoma to pick up his daughter, Erin Ree. She is 8 (8 and a half, according to her). Patrick is 15. From Perry, we will continue north to Pratt, KS. Pratt is about 40 miles east of what used to be Greensburg, KS. In Pratt, we will be visiting Tommy's dad. This will be the first meeting for him and his two grandchildren. Tommy hasn't seen his dad since '99. According to him "the old man is dang near 80 years old". His wife died two years ago and he has no other family up there. I feel sorry for him being so alone. I am looking forward to meeting him. My mother in law has made me swear to take tons of pictures. We are also going to give the kids disposable cameras so they can take pics and show their points of view of the situation. Of course it will also be video taped. It should be quite emotional.

Oh yeah, in case you are wondering if we have lost our minds, we will be borrowing my mother in law's car with the air conditioning. We may be crazy but we are not masochistic at all.

Once we leave Pratt, we will go to Horatio, Arkansas. I just hope Tommy survives. We will see his oldest child there. Chelsa is 17. She will also be presenting Tommy with his first grandchild while we are there. Tommy will have all 3 of his children together in one place for the first time in roughly 5 years and then to have his first grandchild thrown in also. All this on top of having visited his dad. I think I will need several boxes of kleenex.

We will drop Patrick, and the car, back off in Bossier and come home. Then on July 1st, we have to take Erin Ree back to Oklahoma.

In case you are confused, yes, each of the children have a different mother. Tommy has been married 5 times. Of course, he saved the best for last...lol.

I am going to have to put together some small projects to take with me. I will be spending most of the time in Perry in the hotel. No matter how nice I am to her, Erin's mother is very antagonist to me. I don't want that to happen and ruin what is going to a wonderful two weeks together with Erin.

Well, I think that is all for now. I am busy making clothes for myself. All my summer clothes are still in storage in New Hampshire. Too long for a one day trip to pick them up. But then who doesn't like new clothes. I am also working on a cqed box and will post pictures soon.

It's done. I finally got up the nerve to send in the pictures of the purse I made for the Crazy Quilting International yahoo group's purse contest. I have had it finished for about two weeks now but was just too chicken to actually submit it. Well, it's submitted, like it or not.

When I originally started this project it was a totally different purse. I was originally going to use the one pictured above and to the left as my contest entry. I don't know why I didn't. Who knows. A friend of mine wants me to put this one in a frame so she can put it on the piano in the hotel where she performs and sell it for me. I think I am going to put it in a frame but then keep it for myself. I love it. I actually can't believe I create it.

I just finished a black velvet evening gown for the same friend. Still have to make her two more. As she wants all 3 to be identical, it won't be that hard. And yes, I'm getting paid to do it. Hhhmmm, getting paid to do something I love to do.....what a concept! The only thing is I forgot to take a picture to post. Oh well, I will remember with the next one.

CQ4 Newbies Special Project for JK and Jenny

Here are the pictures of the wallhangings that we did as get well gifts for JK and her mother in law, Jenny. I have to remember next time to check my pics before I package everything up. The beautiful pic on the left is of JK's wall hanging, taken by JK. The one on the right is of Jenny's taken by me. I am so ashamed.






















On JK's wallhanging the blocks were made by the following people (rowxrow, l to r)

row 1: Charlene, Jo, me
row 2: Lesa, Linda C., me
row 3: Erin C., Ati, Lesa
row 4: Lori K.





On Jenny's wallhanging the block were made by the following people (columnxcolumn, top to bottom)
column 1: Lori K., Jo, me
column 2: Lesa, Linda C., me
column 3: Lori K., Lesa, Erin C.

The bauble bags were made by Christy and filled with teas and wonderful Dove chocolates.
The tea/chocolate sets in the last picture were sent by June and the black/green tea bags were sent by Lori K.