COMMUNITY RELATIONS QUILT

If I made New Year's resolutions, it would be to make more quilts for charity. My guild, Quilters by the Sea, held a Community Relations Workshop in December.  The Community Relations group had put together kits complete with backing and binding.  All we had to do was go up to the table, pick out a kit, pull out our sewing machines and supplies and start on it.  We had a lot of flimsies put together that day.  I arrived a little late and only got this far.  I plan on getting it finished this week. I think it is going to be a "happy" quilt. Thank you ladies for the great work you do. 

Quilt happy,

Marilyn



MY FLORIDA VACATION

I was in Florida over Christmas.  My youngest granddaughter celebrated her 4th birthday on December 16.  Sadly, I'm not the best at taking pictures.  But, I took a few memories none-the-less.

Noelle goes to Happy Land Preschool in Niceville. She's the one wearing the birthday crown.

A birthday party for 20 at a gymnastics studio.

Driving to Destin nearly every day

across this bridge

 Lunching in Niceville on the bayouchecking out the shrimp boats.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

What a neighborhood display,  all set to music.

And best of all the wonderment in the eyes of the people who stopped to watch and listen.  I had a great time.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

THANK YOU SEW CAL GAL

A great big thank you to SewCalGal who was kind enough to feature Two Wacky Women's quilt retreats on her very informative blog.  SewCalGal is a valuable resource for all things crafty.  Please do take a look at her great blog and become a follower.  You will be glad you did. Click on her cute logo to visit.

Click on the girls below to visit our retreat page.

We would love to have you at one of our fun retreats. 

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

IT'S ALL A BLURRRR

I love this picture.   I made this quilt for my granddaughter Madeline.  She had requested a quilt for Christmas and that I surprise her with style and color.  She liked it.  But, that blur is her younger brother Kalani.  No, he wasn't full of sugar, just energy. 

He is calmer here with a new Wii Game.  Next to him is younger sister, Noelle, with her new princess heels from Aunt Janet.

Noelle asked Santa for a Princess Dress and Ariel's Magic Vanity.  Santa came through all right.  Isn't that a happy child? Grandma was asked to text Santa and thank him for all the gifts.  And, She did.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

I'M ON VACATION

I have not abandoned my blog friends.  I'm just on Christmas vacation with my daughter, son-in-law and four of my grandchildren.  Having way too much fun!  I'll be back after Christmas.

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

IT'S A WONDERFUL DAY

I know there are record cold temperatures around the country right now.  But, here in Southern California we have been experiencing record highs the past couple of days.  My neighbor took me out for a Christmas lunch today and we were able to eat outside it was so warm.  Thanks Dee.

As I, once again, had my phone in my hand to take pictures, I saw a gorgeous dog walking toward me and thought it just looked so So Cal walking your dog at the shore.  As Buddy approached, his person was my friend, Natalie of Beyond the Reef.  You can see her blog here. 

 

And then of course there was this.

It was a wonderful day.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn



SAN FRANCISCO BAG REVISITED

Sue's purse is done, delivered and she loved it.  And, we had a perfect time in San Luis Obispo.  Even took one of Hearst Castle's tours. 

That's Sue in front of Hearst's Castle.  We had a great weekend together.  Forgot my camera and had to use my phone  --again--.

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

QUILTERS BY THE SEA

Quilters by the Sea Quilt Guild's annual Holiday Celebration was this week.  We are known for having a very good potluck.  Everyone seems to enjoy sharing that favorite dish. And equally, everyone enjoys tasting that favorite dish.  We do the usual of dividing the alphabet into main dish, sides, or desserts.  And, as you can imagine we always have way too much food.

Besides the potluck, we invited SewCalGal to speak about the Emerging Opportunities for Quilters on the Internet.  She was terrific by the way.

Some really get into the spirit.  How fun does this look?

It is my favorite meeting of the entire year.  Not because of the food; but, because it is when we give away our quilts and cash donations to the various charities.  This year our generous quilters gave away a total of 292 quilts and cash to Long Beach Battered Women's Shelter, Long Beach Police Department (SART Unit), New Life Beginnings,  VA Hospital in Long Beach, For the Child, St Mary's Hospital Pediatrics, and Long Beach Community College Textile department.  Our community is so appreciative of our generous members and some when collecting, have tears in their eyes, and bring tears to our eyes.  I feel so blessed to be a part of this wonderful group.

Just a sampling of the quilts going to our friends in the community.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

PUPPY CHOW

This weekend I meet my girlfriend, Sue in San Luis Obispo. Gracie and Trudy have someone staying with them the whole time.  Spoiled girls.  Sue and I take a lot of time spending catch-up.  So, we bring our own coffee pot and a few snacks.  This year I'm bringing an herbed cheese blend with crackers and puppy chow.  You think that is dog food, right?  Wrong.  Here's what it has in it. 

I found this recipe at http://www.allrecipes.com/  And, it is pretty darn tasty.  After all, it does have chocolate in it. And dogs don't get chocolate.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PUPPY CHOW

17 oz box of some kind of square grain cereal

1/2 cup butter

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup chocolate chips

1/3 cup powdered sugar

 

Melt butter, peanut butter & chocolate chips and stir into cereal.  Put in a bag and shake, shake shake with powdered sugar. (I couldn't find 17 oz boxes.  Bet they are all 14 oz now.  It's OK)

 

Think I will have to take half of this to my next door neighbors. 

 

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

SAN FRANCISCO BAG

Remember that bag I was making out of San Francisco fabric. Here it is finished and ready for my good friend.  I was so sure she never got on line to read blogs (I don't think she even has an email address). But, I found out she reads my blog after all.  So, this is it until next week.  She should have it by then and it is really cute.  Hi Sue!

Quilt Happy,
Marilyn

NO PUCKERS WITH PINMOORS

The quilting is done with no puckers.  I loved using the Pinmoors.  Not only was my hand saved, it was so simple to move them around as needed.  I can only show you the back.  This is a Christmas gift for my granddaughter, Maddie.  And, she just may look at my blog, even though she has been warned not to.  Now her mother, Jolene, would never have looked to spoil a surprise; however, her Aunt Janet would have climbed the Golden Gate Bridge barefoot to see.  And, she would have convinced all her siblings to go with her.  That way they wouldn't tattle. 

I'm just not taking a chance of the Aunt Janet trait.  I wonder if she still is this way?  Of course she is.  Now on to the binding.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn



QUILTING & USING PINMOORS

I am quilting today using a "New to Me" product,  click on Pinmoor to see. 

Have you seen them at the big shows?  I ordered a package of 100 from Loretta, owner and creator, over the phone.  So far so good.  I have trouble using safety pins these days with my arthritic hand and I found these to be very easy to use.

The real test will be the finished product. I'll let you know.

Quilt Happy,

Marilyn

AND THE LOVELY WINNER IS....

PAT BARTON



Hooray!  Mr. Random Number Generator selected number 33 and that is Pat Barton's number.  Congratulations Pat!  I will get the "Lovely" to you soon. 

I hope everyone's day was filled with good food, loving family and friends, hearty laughter,

and a wacky good time. 

Quilt Happy,

Marilyn 

I'M THANKFUL GIVEAWAY - Moda Sudoku

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it is my absolute favorite holiday.  It is a time to take a moment and reflect on the many things for which we are thankful.  My reflections this year are taking me to many places, family, good friends, good health and you friends out there in blogland.  I have met so many wonderful fellow quilters and crafters around the world through this medium. It is amazing how small our world is really.  So to say thank you, I would like to give away a Moda Sudoku Quilt kit that I picked up while I was recently in Houston.  It has 81 5"x 5" squares of LOVELY by Sandy Gervais.  So if you are a follower of my blog or become a follower, please leave me a message and you will be entered into a chance to win.  And, please, please be sure I can contact you.  I will be using Mr. Random Number Generator on Thanksgiving evening (that's November 25).

Quilt happy,

Marilyn



MADELINE'S ART

I just had to share this.  My 12-year old granddaughter, AKA, Maddie, painted this picture she is holding.  I think she is very talented.  She also painted the mermaid on the wall. 

I think she may have an art future. 

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

A FINISH

Remember this quilt top I was working on?  East Meets West?

I have a quilt top.  Now on to the quilting.

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

CATCH UP

I have been visitng my mom for the past few days.  She turned 91 on November 7th.  Doesn't she look great?  And, she is doing darn good for her age.  She only takes one pill a day.

When I got home this was waiting for me.  I won a giveaway from Melissa at Ardeasnest.  Thank you so much for this wonderful fat- quarter pack Melissa.  I know I will find something pretty to make.

And then in among my emails, my friend, Nora from Switzerland, sent me this great funny.  I thought some of us might relate to this.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

OUR LAST QUILT SHOW

No, still attending quilt shows, as many as we can.  But, Two Wacky Women had their last quilt show this Friday and Saturday.  We are still Two Wacky Women (in so many ways).  But, we will no longer be vending at quilt shows.  We had a great wrap up with good friends.  Here is a photo of our very last booth. 

Our first and last show was with Orange Grove Quilters Guild. Full Circle.
We are now concentrating on our retreat business which is where we started 6 1/2 years ago.  We have five retreats scheduled for next year.  You can find out more about our retreats by clicking on the girls on the right.  There they are right under my blog list. 

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

SUNRISE

I am rarely up to catch a sunrise.  But, today I am up early for Two Wacky Women's last quilt show for which we will be vending. 

Maybe we will see some of you at Orange Grove Quilters Guild Quilt Show at

Garden Grove United Methodist Church, 12741 Main St, Garden Grove.  Open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

HOUSTON

Just a sample of my favorite quilts we saw while in Houston last weekend.

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

My baby's birthday is today.

This is Jolie Pond at about 18 months.  I won't say how old this picture is; but, you can see the photo is kinda faded.  By the way, her mom is with her.



Here is Jolene Yen today.

  Happy Birthday!

Quilt happy,

Marilyn  AKA Mom