Claiming my blog ....... crazy stupid!

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Blessings, Cathi

Yes, I know, I know.  I said . . . . . .  more of this blog, more getting ready for Christmas Day like I used to earlier.  But this business has taken over like I never expected.  

Never to fear, I am listening to Christmas music today.  I will force myself to do something today for Christmas, even if it means at least DREAMING of a cooler Christmas.

I am going to get out THE Christmas notebook and purge some pictures, update the Christmas card list and make a new calendar.

I sure hope you are being more productive than I have been lately.  With only 5 months left, I HAVE TO GET ON THE BALL.

Blessings, Cathi

A new "Did You See?" . . . . .

DID YOU SEE .......

That it has been since last October that I posted on here!?

OMG .... Knowing today was Rudy Day, I thought I would pop over here and check my stats.  I had 11 visitors today alone and some 250  last month.  Apparently some people are the eternal optimist and are hoping I will have anything to say here.

So not to let you down, here I am!

I haven't really done an official "Rudy Day" except on Christmas Day this past year LOL.  My business has done much better than any of us anticipated.  But with that comes a LOT of work.  I didn't send out cards last year or gifts to some special friends that I usually do.

This year I decided to make some special gifts anyway.  I have started the first one.  It's made of wool, of course!  I want to add some red berries and then finish it off somehow.

If you are one of my special friends, DON"T LOOK!  Like you would know that ....... LOL  Dear Hubby is off work today through Monday so we thought we would work in the much neglected yard this morning.  After a little business paperwork, I think I will cut out the parts for a few more of these little cuties and do the handwork tonight.  

BIG News for this Christmas ...... I am going to be a grandma!  You may have seen my big announcement on one of my other blogs but I didn't mention on those that the baby is due on December 21st.  We have experience with Christmas babies ..... my sister-in-law was born on Christmas day.

Hope some of you missed me  'cause I sure missed you.  Maybe some day I will be able to fit 24 WAKING hours in one day!

Blessings, Cathi

Did you see? . . . . .

The top of this blog says there are only 61 days left until Christmas!  Oh, my .....

So to recap, the last Christmas crafting party didn't go as well as the first.  It was supposed to start at 10:00 but no one showed up until 12:30.  Then I spent a good bit of time "catering" to the daughters and a guest . . . . .you, know . . . . hey, mom, do you have an extra pair of scissors? - put my stuff down, go find the scissors, get back in the chair, pick up my handwork, . . . . hey, Cathi, I forgot my ecru floss, do you have any? - put my stuff down, go upstairs to get my floss stash, get back in the chair, pick up my handwork . . . . hey, mom, can I borrow your Ott light? mine is in the car . . . . . repeat, repeat, repeat.

Last month I was out of town for Rudy day at a quilt show.

Today I am home and getting ready for another show BUT I am sneaking in some Rudy anyway.  I HAVE to.  We are running out of time, people!

So what are these pictures on today's post?  Just random things I happen to have that are Christmas-y on this laptop.  My PC has all but shown the blue screen of death so I am working from my laptop for now.  Hoping Computer Geek can come over and get it up and running enough to back up one more time before we send it to the computer graveyard.  I did some backups last week but not of the emails, and contact lists.

Maybe I need to ask for a new computer from Santa!  Have a happy and productive Rudy Day!

Blessings, Cathi

Another Christmas Crafting Party . . . . .

I'll be hosting another Christmas Crafting Party tomorrow with the same people as before, my two daughters, myself and my friend Jennie.  I almost had another one coming but she doesn't retire (for the second time) until September 30th.

This time I will remember to get the Christmas mugs out of the attic before it gets too hot!  Come back tomorrow and visit!

Blessings, Cathi

Happy Rudy Day . . . . .

I had plans for today that didn't include Rudy Day. But that doesn't mean I forgot about it!

I went antique shopping with a friend for a few hours in Chester, South Carolina. She had been to an antique shop there in the former Hall Lumber Company building on Hudson St. (for those that want to go) and thought I might like it.  Boy, did I!  Besides some other non-Christmas items, I found these . . . . .

I found this tablecloth for only $3.00.

I'm sure it isn't an antique but it is pretty.  It has a few stains on it.  I am thinking of giving it a good tea dye bath and then making it into a tree skirt since I don't have a round table and it is round.  Hey, for three bucks . . . . .

I also found these two for only $2.00 each.

The pink ornament is only about 2" in diameter and the turquoise about 3-1/2" long.  Maybe not old but the perfect aged patina.

Off to the grocery store because we are out of food.  Not because I enjoy going out in the heat in the afternoon with all the screaming elementary kids that just got out of school (we started back already).  When I get back I will check out the other blogs, the forum and try to do something Christmas-y before the day is out.

Blessings, Cathi

There's still a week left . . . .

There is still a week left if you want to throw together your own Christmas in July party.  Just call a few friends, grab a Christmas project (either a decoration or a gift), add a few Christmas DVD's and you're all set!

I told some peeps that I would be back with another post last night.  Oops!  I finished what I had planned but not until midnight.  I finished all the embroidery around the "Let it Snow" quilt.  Now just the quilting, buttons, snaps and binding.

and I finished the tote bag I made for The Married One.  The handles are wide webbing attached with some older pink buttons.  She loved it!

The Married One packed up before I had a chance to take a picture of her pillow tops.  She still has to do the machine work.  She doesn't procrastinate as much as I do so maybe a finished picture soon.

The Wild One started on a Prairie Schooler Santa that she (meaning me) will make into an ornament.  I think she is going to make 4 of them.

No, she didn't get far but most of it was prep work ..... counting, fray check, finding the right colors.  Now that she has started, she should just whip right through these - I hope.

It's too hot out to do anything else, so why not stay inside and dream of a White Christmas or at least a cooler one!

Blessings, Cathi

So far, so good . . . . .

Jennie just left and we are taking another breakfast casserole break.  Thought I would post a few pictures.

The Wild One working on some new cross-stitched Christmas gifts.

Jennie is smocking the yokes for her granddaughters' Christmas dresses.

The Married One is outlining a snowflake pattern that she will be appliqueing onto cable knit wool pillows.

Me? I've been fussing over them mostly and making sure they have everything they need.  I have sewn the binding on the tote that I showed the other day.  I have a few more words stitched on my "Let it Snow" quilt.

We've watched 2 movies so far.

Picking movie number 3 next!

Blessings, Cathi

Just waiting . . . . .

I have the breakfast casserole in the oven, the fruit has been cut, the coffee is made.  I'm just waiting for my guests to arrive.

I even got a little decorating in .....

I was going to put out the Christmas coffee mugs but it was just too dang hot in the attic to go get them.  I'll add in the Christmas notebook to get the mugs down next year on any cool day we have ..... even if it's a month early.  Better yet, keep them downstairs all year long!

Blessings, Cathi

Almost ready ! . . . . .

My two daughters and a friend of mine are coming to the house on Thursday to have our annual Christmas in July crafting party.  

Two years ago, DD#1 (the Married One) started her own Christmas notebook.  The scrapbook paper she chose for it looks a lot like the fabric I chose to make a tote bag for her.

She can use the tote to carry her notebook and whatever else she needs for her Christmas crafts.  

I hope this will be a surprise for her.  She never reads my Christmas blog unless I tell her to specifically.

Hope to post more on Thursday!  We'll be eating our Christmas breakfast casserole, some fresh fruit and coffee.  And of course, watching Christmas movies all day.

Come back and visit then!

Blessings, Cathi

Didn't get to finish much Rudy stuff yesterday.  If this is the only blog of mine you read, you may not know that I have lost my job do to the wonderful economy 18 months ago.  It's getting better.....yeah, right.

Anyway, since I am over 50 and my field is all but dead (land development), I have decided to go in another direction and make my own career hand-dying wools for use in quilt appliques and rug-hooking.  

With all that said, I spent a good bit of the day working on samples for my vendor booth.  One of them that I finished this past week that is Christmas-related (after all, this is a Christmas blog and I need to show something Christmas-y!) was this Holly Wreath Penny Mat made with my hand-dyed wools.

Hope you had a good Rudy Day.  Next month, my two daughters and I will be having our annual Rudy Day of crafting together!  Can't wait!!

Blessings, Cathi

Well, I sure dropped the ball last month with Rudy Day.  I was probably working on my business since I had a show the next week.

Today, Dear Hubby and TurfBoy (son #1)  are playing golf.  I think I will take advantage of the quiet and do some Rudy Day.

I started this quilt last Saturday . . . . . 

I borrowed this picture from the Farmhouse Threads website, the designer of the pattern.  Below is what I have finished so far. . . . .

I want to get the machine sewing finished so when I go out of town again, I just have handwork to do.

I think I will also work on my Christmas notebook today.  I haven't kept it up very much over the past year and a half due to life hiccups.  We didn't send out Christmas cards last year.  This year we need to do that and that may be a good thing to work on today.

I'll be back later today so check back by!

Blessings, Cathi

I think I did pretty well today.  I stayed off the computer as much as possible, finished all 11 blocks and started putting rows together. 

I watched all of "White Christmas" and most of  "Christmas Vacation". I had to stop at the part where Uncle Lewis set the Christmas tree on fire with his "stogie".  Love that movie!  Anyway, I should be able to finish the movie up in a few minutes and maybe another row or two.  Had to take a dinner break!

Hope you all had a productive Rudy Day, too!

Blessings, Cathi

I changed my mind about what to do today.  I've decided I NEED to finish a project without starting another one.  I am determined to get this top finished today.

It's been hanging around much too long.  As of this morning, I had 11 blocks left to make.  I have finished 4 already.  I decided that I would set the timer in 45 minute/30 minute intervals.  45 minutes to sew and 30 minutes to do other chores including blogging.  So with 20 minutes left until I can go back in the sewing room, I better get the floor swept and some cleaning done.

I hope you will find something Christmasy to do today.  Will post more later!


Blessings, Cathi

Yes, It's been a month already.  I am enjoying an Easter weekend at the in-law's house but with an eye towards Monday.  The next Rudy Day. . . .

During the last month I put together the rows of my "Thoughts of Christmas" quilt.  I still have the border to go but I think I will save that for another Rudy Day.

This Rudy Day I will be making a snowman doll that I have had the pattern and fabric for more years than I want to mention.  The pattern is at home so I can't show a picture yet.  Join me on Monday to get another little piece of Christmas finished.  You thank me later!


Blessings, Cathi

So how was your Rudy Day? . . . . .

I got a few things finished.  I watched the movie "Call Me Claus" with Whoopi Goldberg.  Cute movie.

I made several ornaments two years ago with baby socks.  I bought enough stuff to make 12 ornaments but for some reason only made 7 of them.

This was still in my Rudy box. . . . .

Halfway through the movie, I had this finished. . . . . . FINALLY!

These were also taking up room in the box.  Not sure why.  I think I thought one of the letters was missing but apparently not.

So I decided to make a little bag out of flannel to store them in. . . . .

Also, watched part of "Elf".  I just love that movie!  I went through my quilt and craft Christmas patterns to try and decide what my next project will be for next Rudy Day on April 25th.  I probably should finish one of the many Christmas quilts that I have started!

Blessings, Cathi

I'm back just in time . . . . .

for the March Rudy Day! I've neglected this blog long enough.  Time to have some fun.

Today is a furlough day for Dear Hubby.  He teaches at a local high school.  Our school district was given (or taken) 10 furlough days which means no school, no baseball games AND no pay.  But it's nice having him home.

So while he is in the garden cleaning out the vegetable beds from last year . . . . .

I'll be working my way through this . . . . . my Rudy Day box . . . .

That's filled with this . . . . .

Past projects that I said I would make for "next" Christmas.  The basket is full and it's high time I cleaned some of it out.

Hope to post more as the day goes on.  Maybe, maybe not.  I've waited 8 months to post on this blog again.  We don't want to over-do it!!  LOL

Blessings, Cathi

Gonna have to temporarily shut down . . . . .

I don't know about your blogs but this one has been hit with over 50 comments from non-speaking persons just since January.  The last post on June 25th had 12 alone!

If anyone knows how to stop it, please let me know.  For the time being, I am going to stop posting on this blog until I figure out what I want to do.  Hope you understand!

Blessings, Cathi

Happy Rudy Day . . . . .

Oh, how I wish I could say I did something for Rudy Day today.  But alas, we are still working on our downstairs flooring (see my primitive blog for an explanation).

There is no bathroom downstairs or tv.  The kitchen is at the most bare minimum.  But after a long day's work today, I think I may talk Dear Hubby into watching a Christmas movie later on in our room.  Anything other than Christmas with the Kranks.  

Although he is a big Tim Allen and Jamie Leigh Curtis fan, he just doesn't believe a mother would really act that way about a daughter being gone for Christmas.  But then again, he isn't a mother.

We would also have to stop whatever movie we decide on to check on the Clemson/Univ. of SC baseball game.

They are one of the biggest rivalries in the South . . . . but usually for football.  It's just amazing that they are both even in the College World Series.  And for both of them to make the 'final four'.  Both my boys went to Clemson as well as one of my brothers so you know who we'll be pulling for!

I hope I can do at least two things tonight while switching channels . . . . .  going over the Christmas card list from last year and planning the 'project' for Christmas in July on July 25th with my girls.  Maybe I'll even have the brain power to think of the on-line Christmas in July project for all my bloggy friends.

Hope you are all doing something Christmas-y today.  Maybe dragging it on all weekend!

Blessings, Cathi

Christmas Quilt . . . . . one month at a time. . . . .

I won a quilt pattern from Paula the Quilter's blog last year. Since it was a Christmas pattern, I thought I would treat it as a BOM (block of the month for you non-quilters).  So I started last  September with the first row.

I think I have done a pretty good job keeping up with them.  If I don't finish one a month, I at least do several the next month to keep caught up.

I think I am still missing May which is a row of presents.  June is supposed to be the sashing and July the borders.  That gives me several months to get it quilted before I start Christmas decorating.  

Oh, how I hope I have it all finished in time.  I know I have the time but maybe not the will power.  Usually I run out of steam before the end!

Blessings, Cathi