Trudy Update

Trudy has quickly become a part of our lives. And, just look at that face. How can anyone resist it? It is her teeth we can resist. I have not had a puppy for at least 30 years. Only adult, potty-trained dogs have been a part of my family. No whining, no training, and no teething on hands, magazines, and anything that can fit into a very small puppy mouth. My cousins Carroll and Don spent some time with me this week; and they too quickly fell under the Trudy spell. They are officially in love with her. Don, however, left with a few extra pucture wounds on his hand. It is poor Charlie who gets the brunt of all things Trudy. His poodle tail is very enticing. If my back is turned, Trudy grabs his tail, stuffs the pom-pom in her mouth and drags him across the floor. Now before you shriek, he is smart enough to move with her and I carry him or put him up high enough to keep away from the little darling. Charlie is getting even by eating her food. I think he is trying to starve her. Then there is the Alpha-Dog, Gracie. Trudy thought she might try her tail stub once, only once. She also tried to take a treat out of her mouth once, only once. Gracie also will break up any Trudy nonsense directed at Charlie. She just gets right in between them. Good for Gracie. Yes, life with a puppy is a challenge and a joy all at once. Did I mention she is sleeping until 6:30 AM now? ***sigh***

Annette's Crocheted with Fabric Purse

I crocheted a purse similar to this for Annette last year. When she visited me this year, she brought it to me for repair. She must have liked it because it was well used. I looked at it carefully and decided it really needed to be retired. She wanted something to wear with jeans. This is the fabric we came up with and I was able to use the same handle. Two Wacky Women sell this pattern. As you can see, Gracie wanted in the photo. She is just a little bent out of shape these days over the new puppy, Trudy.

SKYPE

I love Skype. Skype is like video conferencing. You need a computer and a web cam. And, best of all, it is a free download. How does this picture relate? Because I have Skype and my daughter in Florida has Skype, two of my granddaughters helped select the fabric for this cute Swing Bag that is in the current issue of Quilts and More. First I made the center one out of fabric I have and like. Then I called Lauren and Maddie and showed it to them. That's when it got fun. I had a box of fat quarters with fabric I guessed would be a pass. I held up several selections in front of the computer and when Maddie saw the chocolate and yellow, that was it. So, the one on the left is for Maddie. Now it was Lauren's turn. I already knew she would want black and white so that made it a bit easier. So Black and white fabrics were held in front of the computer. The one on the lower right is her selection. I got all three made yesterday and that included a trip to the fabric store for the webbing and rings. Got to love those fast and easy projects. And you got to love the technology to connect with family who live 3000 miles from you. I love Skype!

Introducing Trudy

It's a long story about how Trudy came to join our home; howver, it is my daughter, Jolene's, fault. She got the ball rolling on the Schnauzer. Most of you know, I am a Poodle person. A dedicated Poodle lover. But, this little girl is so cute, don't you think? Just look at that face. And way back in her history, a Schnauzer is a cross with a Pincher and Poodle. So it grows hair not fur and is considered hypo-allergenic and seldom sheds. Today is her first day in her new home, and fingers crossed) not a whimper one. And only one accident so far. Unlike my Bichon/Poodle, Gracie, who was a real struggle to train. Jolene will be taking one of Trudy's sisters. She has a friend who is visiting family here in Southern California and is leaving for home (also in Niceville, Florida) this Friday. Looks like I will have her sister here tomorrow night or at least until they pick her up either Thursday night or Friday early A.M. All in all she is fitting in quite nicely. Can you hear the big sigh of relief.................

Meeting Friends

Yesterday I had the pleasure to meet one of my C-R-A-F-T Yahoo Group friends: Jenny Hall from New Zealand. What a lovely lady. One of her reason's to visit Long Beach was to go to the International Quilt Festival. Jenny stayed at the Hyatt next door to the convention center and I met up with her about 11:00 AM on Monday. Sadly, we only had a short two-hour visit. However, we had a great time. We met and had a cup of coffee and I drove her to the Los Angeles Airport where she was heading to meet her two oldest children who are currently living in London. The world has become such a small place especially with the advent of the Internet and all the on-line groups. I have been able to meet and visit with Yahoo Group friends from Switzerland, Australia, Washington, Virginia and now New Zealand. If I missed any, forgive me. I have mentalpause. I hope I get to meet many more of you.

Long Beach International Quilt Festival

It's Monday and the Long Beach IQF is over for another year. The show went far smoother this year. For those who went to the show last year, you know what I mean. We have such a good time at these shows, visiting with all our quilting friends, and meeting new quilting friends. What's not to like? The quilts were wonderful, the 450 vendors all busy; but, by this morning, I found myself exhausted. I plan on doing nothing at all tomorrow and the next day. At least that is what I am saying today. I fully expected to sleep for two days. However, I have a to-do list and I found myself peeking at it a few minutes ago. So I am thinking I will probably start on it soon. I met up with a Yahoo Group Pal from New Zealand. I'll post about that tomorrow. I love my groups.

Grommet Bag is Finally Done

Can you believe it? Yes, the Grommet Bag is done, finished, over. And, I love it. Putting in the grommets was really quite simple. The hard part was remembering to have them. Frankly, I never actually picked them up. It was Robin who handed them to me one morning as I dropped by her house on my way to some place. This is my final sample for the International Quilt Show in Long Beach this week. At least I think it is. Hope to see you there. Our booth number is 1333 - 35.

Annette

My granddaughter, Annette, goes back to Idaho tomorrow. What fun we have had. We saw Harry Potter the 2nd day it was out; we shopped for new clothes the next day. One day Annette was such a big help to me by setting up my new laptop computer and helping me with some Two Wacky Women stuff. Today we went to the Farmer's Market at the Marina in Long Beach and then on to a cooking/music fest called Summertime in Turkey. We had a great time and learned to bang on drums and eat very healthy and delicious Mediterranean food.

Quilts

I finally got those quilts quilted and bound. We need them for the International Quilt Festival next week in Long Beach. Two I did on the machine using invisible thread and the blind hem stitch. The small guy I did by hand because it was fast and it was idiot proof and something to do in front of the TV. Two Wacky Women will have kits for each of these quilts: Monach Magnolia Lane, Brazilia, and Simba Spotlight. Looking forward to seeing you at the show.

Sharing

My daughter and her family were here for a short visit on their way from Hawaii to Florida, their next home. We managed to work in a trip to Hollywood to see the movie UP. When I was young, all new movies opened in Hollywood and often stayed there for months before going out to the suburbs. So most of us ventured into Hollywood to see movies, like The Godfather or Bullet. Our next stop was the Farmer's Market in West LA. One of my favorite places in all of Southern California. It is celebrating its 75th anniversary and 40 years ago I had lunch there nearly every day. I worked across the street from it. So, while the quality of this picture leaves a lot to be desired; it is precious to me. I was able to share a bit of my past with my grandchildren.