The WIRE: Week In REview, #3

After a month-plus hiatus due to my hectic schedule procrastination, the WIRE (my weekly recap of pop culture news) has returned! Here are some of the items that caught my eye:Note to Rip Torn: This ain't Bonnie & Clyde &%$@*$#!On January 29th, actor Rip Torn (The Larry Sanders Show, 30 Rock, etc.) was arrested after breaking into a closed Litchfield Bancorp branch office in Salisbury, CT (the

Contestant #10

Sheryl-I started quilting in 2004 after moving to the Lake of the Ozarks. By 2007, I had a new long arm and a studio, quilting over 150 customer quilts my first year in business as Osage River Quilt Company.Originally from Pittsford, NY, I now live in Lenexa, Kansas with my husband, Clif. Together we have raised two incredible children. Chad, is studying Audio Engineering in Hertfordshire,

Costa Rica Day 10 - no really!

I think I packed and ran to the storage place four or five times. I did NOT want to take more stuff than I needed. I did NOT want to over pack. Keep It Simple. Keep it Safe. I still left the bulk of my allergy medicine, shampoo, and notebook somewhere in Jersey. PFT.... I'll get it right. I just need to move in a suitcase a few more times. So after enjoying myself in Jersey for a week. Attempting

Costa Rica Day 10

My mate T totally called me out on her vlog. LOL Other than the video of the flat, I hadn't blogged about life in Costa Rica. She wanted to know what it was like living here. I must admit. I've been busy and lazy. A strange mix. I made my escape from the UAE on January 13th. I was supposed to leave on the 12th, but a mechanical problem with the plane delayed take off for 24 hours. I headed strait

Contestant #9

I remember being fascinated with art from a very young age. Each time we would visit a store I would beg my Mom for a new craft project. I would promise that I would even finish this one if she would just buy it for me. Thankfully she almost always gave in to my pleas and even tried some of the new projects as well. Over the years it appeared that I failed at many of these projects because I

The Retro Mix Playlist For 1/29/10

7 pm hourBurn Rubber (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)- The Gap BandWhat A Life- Juliana HatfieldHeart Shaped Box- NirvanaInstant Karma- John LennonBe Thankful For What You Got- William DeVaughnLet's Get Down- Tony! Toni! Toné!Uptown- PrinceWith or Without You segment's feat. artist: MorrisseyThis Charming Man- The SmithsBoxers- MorrisseyThe One I Love- R.E.M.Everybody Is A Star- Sly & the Family

Please Take A Moment To Vote In the Current A.I. Poll... Thank You

Contestant #8

Pamela has been quilting for 10 years, her first quilt was an ambitious wedding quilt for her husband. Since then, she has tackled quilting projects ranging from creating her own pattern, applique, hand quilting, embroidery, and hand dying her own fabric. Her little basement studio is always a mess with fabric and thread as well as dinosaurs and Lego's. Pamela lives in American Fork, Utah with

Contestant #7

Hi everybody!My name is Eve, and I love my sewing machine. I started sewing after my mom misheard my request for "swimming lessons" and signed me up for "sewing lessons" one summer when I was about ten years old. My first project ever was a scrunchy, I used some leftover Strawberry Shortcake fabric of my mom's and I was just so proud of myself.The funny thing is I feel the same way every time I

Contestant #6

Hello, my name is Lisa Sipes. I'm a 28 year old city girl living the small town life. I'm a longarmer by trade, piecer by obsession, digitizer, freelance designer and embroidery pattern tester because I just couldn't resist adding another hat to my ever-expanding wardrobe. I love tattoos (design my own) and piercings, and always laugh at the funny looks I get from little old ladies that need me

Pernell Roberts: A Good Guy Who Wore Black

Actor Pernell Roberts, who became a household name as eldest son Adam Cartwright on the classic western series Bonanza and who made a comeback several years later as the title character on the hospital drama Trapper John, M.D., has died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 81. Over the last few years, Bonanza has become one of my favorite shows and Roberts' portrayal of Adam was a primary reason.

Contestant #5

My name is Amy and I’m mom to Cassidy, my 8 year-old daughter. I quilt because I really enjoy playing with fabric and love the creative process. I generally piece by machine and quilt either by machine or by hand, depending on the project. Lately I’ve enjoyed making doll-sized quilts to display on my daughter’s bedroom wall. I also enjoy making baby quilts as gifts. You can see a little of what I

Contestant #4

Joanie began quilting less than five years ago although she has sewn much of her 51 years. Her first introduction to quilting came while completing a lace sewing project. Looking for answers on the internet to a persistent problem she stumbled upon Jennifer Chiaverini's site as well as a the Quilting Arts Forum at Delphi Groups. All of her quilt education to date has come from the internet and

Contestant #3

Jennilyn:Grandma made gorgeous fancy whole-cloth quilts that we would play tent under, watching the needles poke down and looking for “spaghetti” knots or loose threads. It seemed like every time she tried to teach me I would prick my finger and bleed everywhere, but “NOT ON THE QUILT!” said with a loud Scottish accent. When I was 9, I made my first solo quilt with a no-batting 8" x 10"

The Retro Mix Playlist For 1/22/10

7 pm hourStart Me Up- The Rolling StonesRockin' Soul- The Hues CorporationBad Girls- Donna SummerStar- ErasureThe Reflex- Duran DuranLet's Work- PrinceTwo of Us- The BeatlesDouble Retro segment:Dust In the Wind- KansasDust In the Wind- Eric BenetReal Love- Mary J. BligeRomanticide- Combo AudioDoll Parts- HoleLove My Way- Psychedelic FursOur House- MadnessThank God It's Friday- Love and Kisses8 pm

Contestant #2

Kathy:I made my first quilt as a 4-H project when I was in high school and I used cardboard for the templates so none of the blocks turned out the same size. It was neon green and bright yellow (I was big on Miami Vice). After that experience, I did not make another quilt until I was pregnant with my first child. This time around I learned all about rotary cutters and found lots more variety in

Contestant #1

I'm Melissa Ann Stramel, creator and owner of Lilac Lane. My favorite thing to create is quilts, but I also like to crochet and design children's clothing, bags, and aprons. I love to play tennis and shop, decorate and paint. I am also a pharmacist (who rarely practices) and a stay at home mother. I aspire to someday be a fabric designer.I own a store in my little town of Colby, Kansas, called

Introducing LilyBean!

Here is our new little kitten! Isn't she cute??? We adopted her from the SPCA and picked her up on Monday afternoon. Her adopted name was Daffy Spirit Fingers...LOL! We've renamed her and her new name is LilyBean.  She's 3 months old and soooo affectionate.  Lily loves to knead her paws, so I think that's how she got her original name.  She loves to nuzzle your ears and she purrs really loud too!

First Quilt of the New Year!

Hooray! I have one done in 2010! A simple little baby quilt. But I was so excited when I realized this fabric would work for either a boy or a girl! Hallelujah! Everyone I know seems to be having a baby. . . And no one seems concerned about the fact that I don't have any more boy fabric (imagine that. . .). I am kind of obsessed with diagnols at the moment. And circles. I am hoping my next

Last Call. . .

If there is anyone else out there who wants to be a part of So You Think You Can Quilt, you've got about a day and a half to let me know. I would still love to add anyone and everyone!Remember, the quilts can be any size and they don't have to be quilted. . .I can't wait to get started! I will be introducing the contestants to you over the next week and a half and the theme will be announced for

Little Miss Jammies

A Little Miss friend had a Little Miss Birthday and to celebrate, we whipped up some Little Miss Jammies! The t-shirt was up-cycled from a Junk Food T. Quick and easy-- although I seem to forget how challenging sewing with knits can be at times. Leaves me feeling like Little Miss Frustrated. . .And apparently, my Little Miss was not in a picture taking mood.Happy Birthday, Faithers!

All Boxed Up

Thanks to this little blog, I had my first commissioned work. Someone saw the pictures of the Musketeer costumes I made at Halloween and requested that I make one for their daughter. It was so fun (and a little bit scary!) to create a one-of-a-kind costume for someone outside of my family and friends.

Final Results of the Oscar Prediction Poll

In a poll that wasn't even close, Avatar smoked the competition in the recent poll where I asked readers which movie did they think would receive the most Oscar nominations. Although Avatar dominated the poll, there were a couple of voters (Richard and Jenna) who didn't have much love for the James Cameron blockbuster. Other than the visuals, they weren't all that impressed. I like it when

The Retro Mix Playlist For 1/15/10

7 pm hourYoung Turks- Rod StewartShe's Gone- TavaresTell Me Something Good- RufusAge of Panic- SenserBlister In the Sun- The Violent FemmesStart!- The JamTwo Princes- Spin DoctorsTribute to Teddy Pendergrass, who died on January 13th, 2010Satisfaction Guaranteed- Harold Melvin & the Blue NotesYou Can't Hide From Yourself- Teddy PendergrassThe Love I Lost- Harold Melvin & the Blue NotesLove T.K.O.

Final Thoughts and a Prince

I'm back! Thank you all so much for your input into my little contest. You certainly gave me a lot to think about and consider.After all the comments left, I have decided that I really want this to just be a fun way to share our talents. There are many different ways to quilt and different levels of experience. I want everyone to feel included. So, I am going to keep it simple. There will be no

Please Take A Moment To Vote In the Current Oscar Poll... Thank You

In case you didn't know, Academy Award nominations will be announced on February 2nd and the Oscar ceremony takes place on Sunday, March 7th.

Top 5 On Friday - Week 226

This week's topic came from RussTop 5 band members that are neither the lead singer or the lead guitarist. (feel free to tell us why you chose them too!)1. Keith Moon of The Who- A great combination of skill and showmanship.2. Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band- In addition to his wailing sax, Clarence is arguably the heart and soul of the E Streeters.3. Michael Steele of

Soul Legend Teddy Pendergrass Dies At 59

Teddy Pendergrass, who was one of the biggest stars in music before a car accident temporarily derailed his career, has died after a battle with colon cancer. He was 59. As lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Teddy's powerful vocals fronted such Philly Soul classics as If You Don't Know Me By Now, Bad Luck, Where Are All My Friends, and Wake Up Everybody. Due to the fact that some

Question?

Several people have asked if in "So You Think You Can Quilt" the contestants can make just quilt tops or if they have to be finished, quilted quilts. My original thought was quilted and bound quilts. But I am starting to think I am just a crazy, addicted seamstress and that perhaps others don't find as much time as I do to sew and that asking people to complete one quilt a month is just

Cewek Bispak

cewek dugem

muna pengen ML

Telor Ceplok

So You Think You Can Quilt

Okay, my friends, this is really going to happen! I am so excited. I have already met several new quilty friends that have some AMAZING quilts! The hardest part of all of this is going to be eliminating someone each month. But-- I still need some more contestants! PLEASE, PLEASE play with us! It will be so much fun! If you are interested, send me an email at leiselp@gmail.com with your

A Gift to Me!!!

Look at how lucky I am! By far my favorite Christmas gift for me. It makes my life so much easier. Finding thread in this mess: is rather frustrating. I only wish it held more thread. . . Hard to imagine, I know! But I still have three rather large boxes full of thread. I had my older girlies help me find the colors of thread to arrange my new rack. They must have enjoyed themselves because the

Awesome Naughty Teens

Sock Owls

Okay, I think this is the last one. (I know what you are thinking. . . thank heavens! ;)Aren't sock animals the cutest? But I have found they are much harder than they look! Fortunately these were a little easier than sock monkeys (I'm not going to link back to those. . . too scary for words!). Craft Schmaft is where I found this cute little pattern. She has several others I wish I had the talent

What Do You Get When You Mix Lana Turner With LSD?

Tonight as part of their cult movie series "TCM Underground", the channel airs the 1969 film The Big Cube. Until a couple of weeks ago, I didn't even know this movie existed. I don't know where TCM digs these movies up, but I'm glad they do. The Big Cube stars Lana Turner as a former actress named Adriana who marries a wealthy tycoon, who later dies in an accident. The tycoon's daughter, who

We Have a Winner!

The Giveaway winner is:#14 AlisaThank you all so much for playing! I loved reading all your New Year's resolutions. They are all fabulous! Good luck to all of you.

Thursday Thirteen #78: I'd Like To Solve the Puzzle

In honor of the 35th anniversary of the debut of Wheel of Fortune (which premiered on January 6, 1975), this week's T13 pays tribute to TV's iconic version of Hangman. Below are 13 unsolved puzzles, all with a pop culture angle. You can go here if you'd like to make your own puzzles.How many of these do you know? Feel free to put your answers in the comments section (which is where I will post

We Interrupt This Broadcast to Bring You. . .

So, as I was half-heartedly cleaning the kitchen this morning, I came up with this brilliant idea (my brain keeps going, even when I am not in the sewing room). What if we had a contest. . . a quilting contest with prizes and fabric and lots of quilty friends? They have contests for everything else-- why not quilting? And so, without further ado, I am pleased to announce:A ten month contest, in

The Cost of Christianity: Forgiveness

In church you hear one message: Turn to Jesus as your savior because He makes everything better. Sure, life still has it's ups and downs. But wouldn't you rather have God on your side through that?Faith in Jesus saves. No more need for thought. You want saving, don't you?If you answer, "Not yet," then we adjourn until next week. If you answer, "Yes," then we say the prayer. You can come back next

Another 'Have-To' Project. . .

This was another tutorial I saw that I knew I had to do immediately. LOVE IT!!! It really is beautiful. . . and not too difficult to make, either. I think I will have to make another for myself someday.The Persimmon Porch

Final Results of the Annoying Celeb Poll

By just a slim margin, former reality star and all around good guy Jon Gosselin was chosen as the celeb people would most want to wish into the cornfield... never to be heard from again. No argument from me. One of my favorite TV moments from 2009 was when Nancy Grace opened up a can on Jon during an installment of the infotainment series The Insider. What would have made this dressing down

Are you getting bored yet?

Yes, ANOTHER Christmas gift. . . Do you ever come across those ideas/tutorials that you just HAVE to do-- right now? Well, this was one of those. I saw the idea at Lil Blue Boo and HAD to make one-- or four. T-shirts, with vintage fruit crate labels-- I want one for me! The first was for my nephew (on my side of the family- only other grandbaby- for the moment!). I added it to some cargo pants I

Kagney Linn Karter takes her piano lesson to a whole new level

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!I hope you all had fun celebrating last night, whether it was a cozy night at home or out with friends. I can hardly believe that 2009 is behind us!  Did you make any New Years Resolutions? I didn't make any as I know I always break them and then feel guilty! And I'm so not into feeling guilty!! Instead I have a list of things that I would like to work on....goals...things

Giveaway Time! CLOSED

Okay, so to break up the monotony of my Christmas gift parade, I figured a giveaway was the perfect diversion. So, up for grabs is a set of fat quarters of vintage/recycled sheets. The lucky winner will get one of each of the following:In order to play, just leave me a comment telling me one of your New Year's goals. If you would like a second chance, post about the giveaway on your blog,