Day 6 & 5....

I'm on Day 5....day 6 was yesterday...I didn't have internet service....so I'm combining the two days. Wanted to make sure my Oregonian peep saw that I haven't opened the gifts, yet!  

And to be honest with you....I have to play this "little" game with Steph, my Oregonian....otherwise....I will open the gifts!  You see...when I was a kid...I used to "pre" open the gifts before Christmas Eve...I would take a razor blade...and cut the tape, so I could see what the gifts were....I know, I know, I know...but I'm older and wiser ...well, I'm older...maybe a little wiser...just a little...

Anyho, here's a pic to prove I haven't opened them, yet.

I LOVE YOU, Steph! You are my best friend....and I still want to open the gifts...(smile)!

Check out what my OWN brother said on Facebook about the gift opening...

Day 7....

Good Morning, Everyone! So I'm making good on a promise I made with my Oregonian peep to not open the Christmas gift from her....and I will admit it's something I don't want to do...what I really want to do it to open it RIGHT NOW!  But I promised...and although I've promised in the past years...I will make good on it this year!

Here's a picture to prove it! Look Steph...it's untouched!  And YES, I want to open the gift NOW! But I will wait until Christmas Eve...I promise! Cross my heart!

The Rainbow Bridge....

‎'There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; her eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.'

I will miss you painfully...I love you, Kane!

My timing is all mixed up...

My timing is all mixed up....because a couple of weeks ago, I posted my brothers birthday card.  I haven't posted my BFF's card...and her birthday was in September! Well, here's the card I created for her!  I wanted to make the Splitcoaststampers.com..here's the directions from YouTube:

Here's the card I created for Stephanie:

From this view, you can see the embossing that I over heated....opps!

My life has been crazy...

My life has been crazy...in the last month...I've been moved into 2 different departments...which for my employer is crazy!  My last move has me starting early morning hours...which has been an adjustment.  I've been doing early morning for the last 3 weeks...my life has not been my own...except for today.  Hubby went fishing...and I went to my craft room!

After creating this birthday card for my twin brother....seen below...I went to my local craft store...to do some browsing.  I got a couple of Tim Holtz's items...but nothing super exciting!

Anyho...back to the card...I loosely followed the layout from Retro Sketches # 38...you might be thinking...what's up with the beet?  I agree...but I liked the Stampin' Up! stamp set when I purchased it over a 1 1/2 years ago...and was so excited with the stamp set that it's the first time I used any of the stamps from the whole set.  Yeah, me!

Enjoy your day!

In the beginning...

In the beginning...I wasn't sure about color combinations for the Farmer's Wife quilt blocks.  The 1st block I made didn't have any white tone-on-tone fabric...and it turned out okay, but it didn't have an enduring quality about it.  The 2nd block I made with white tone-on-tone...then it popped out...I really liked it.  So I ripped the 1st block apart and added some white...ahh...I really like it now...

block 1

block 2

block 3

I've made a decision...

As of a couple of weeks ago...I still hadn't made a decision on which fabric collection (Civil War or Bonnie & Camille) to make my Farmer's Wife quilt...then it dawned on me...I will need a little variety since I'm currently working on the Small Steps Quilt out of Civil War scraps.

As a result, I'm changing the fabric collection to Bonnie & Camille's selection.  Yes, I will admit that seeing Camille's blocks did persuade me...I loved the light and cheery fabrics from their selection...I really like the change...it's going to be fun!

I haven't sewn the first block, yet...so check back!  Also, I'm hoping to lock myself in the craft room later today!  Yippeee!

Hope you have an amazing day...

Something from the archives...

Hello, so I've been working on something from the archives...Small Steps from the American Patchwork & Quilting magazine (December 2010) (see previous posting).  It's worth mentioning that I've put the Maple Harvest on the back burner...cuz I didn't want to cut and sew any more 1/2 triangle squares!  I know...it's a lame excuse but I'm stickin' to it!

Any ho, it's been fun to work on something different; here's a pic of the latest progress report.  The blocks are small...they are only 3 1/2 blocks, but it's a nice change up.

For some time...

For some time now...I've been saying to myself that I wanted to start filling up my ATC Vintage Holder (see image).  Stephanie, my Oregonian Peep, got it for my birthday a gazillion years ago...and I haven't done anything with it.  Actually, I have done ONE place marker (see this posting)...and that's it...nothing else...

Soooo, what I've decided is that I would take the card sketches to create the ATC card for the holder.  I should let you know that I'm not really using it for ATC, instead I'm going to put pictures in it...with some artsy fartsy cards...which I guess are ATC cards...haha.

Well, I've had this idea in my head for some time....and have done NOTHING about it...well, my friends...today is the day that I'm going to do more than just think about it! Here's my place holder using the SplitcoastStampers.com sketch challenge. 

I think of all the people I "love beyond measure"...so next is to put some pictures in...I'm excited to start filling it up!

It looks a little too something...pink...red...hmmmm!

I'm a happy girl...

I'm a happy girl because I actually made time and followed through with making a card in my craft room!  I have several events this month to make cards for, and I didn't want to purchase any cards...unlike yesterday...I spent $6.39 for a baby shower card.  Grant it the card was a Papyrus card, but really...holy cow!

Any ho, here's a card for Brad/Kristina's wedding for the end of this month...I used the Retro Sketches # 28.  Their sketches are amazing...sometimes they are challenging, but they follow up with a clean and simple sketch! Lov'n it!

Something a little spicy...

This morning, I made BBQ sauce...with garden fresh tomatoes...YUMMY!  I really like it...and with flavors of sweet & spicy who could go wrong!  But now for the clean up...YIKES!

One more thing...

One more thing...here's a pic of what I've been working on lately...it's an afghan for a former co-worker...he and his wife, Amy are expecting their second child.  It's been fun to work on...something a little different has been a welcome change of pace...

Running errands with hubby...

This weekend I ran errands with the hubby...which under any other circumstances isn't a whole lotta fun...except he dropped me off at Crafts Direct in St. Cloud.  They were having a back to school sale which I didn't think would mean anything to me...until I saw this beauty!  I love the paper from Lost & Found...and here its all in one bundle...Need I say more...YUMMY!  Oh, I forgot one little piece of information...it only cost me $11.95, regularly $24.95!! Can't wait to work with it!

Adding to the collection...

So today, I added to the collection of fabrics for the Farmer's Wife quilt; I haven't worked on it for a while...primarily because I wasn't sure on the fabric selection.  I've been eyeing up the Moda collection from Bonnie & Camille...check out the colors...what do you think?  I love the brightness of it...And right now, I'm still undecided.

camille roskelley blog: back on the farm

Any ho, here's the charm pack from the local quilt store....the Moda fabrics are from Love Letters by Laundry Basket Quilts.  As you can see, the two selections are completely different, so you understand why I'm at a standstill with this quilt...oh my gosh...decisions, decisions....

Cindy...this one's for you...

Cindy...this one's for you (smile)...I baked the other day; it's a new recipe I found in one of the several church lady cookbooks, Pecan Pie Bars!  And I will admit that I needed to get rid of everything otherwise I would have ate it all...and I mean all of it...so I sent most of the bars with Darling Hubby for the week and sent the rest home with a friend.  There's isn't anything left...the Weight Watchers gremlin thanks me!  No added calories except for the corner which I needed to taste test...after all, I didn't want to send something that wasn't yummy...right?!

Here's the latest and greatest...

Here's the latest and greatest of the Christmas Rules cross stitch project...Just thought you would be interested in seeing where I am...

Last Thursday...

Last Thursday, I was able to skype with my Oregonian peep! Oh my gosh, how much fun!  We hooked up at 10:30 pm central...yeah, I know...It's a little late, but I haven't been able to connect with her all summer...Life is busy!

We talked/skype'd until 1:00 am...and you are right...I was tired the next day...and yes, it was a crazy day at work for this tired ole hen!

But honestly, it was worth every second...hands down!  Here's what we created in the wee hours of Thursday night/Friday morning...So much fun! Love ya tons!

I think it's a variation of MojoMonday 252...nope, just check the sketch...it is the sketch for this challenge...

I got it done...

I was able to take advantage of some time this morning to create Nolan's card...and yes, I used the new Mojo Monday sketch challenge to help me.  Here's his card for the first day of school..and to go with the Legos brand folders, pencils and erasers...hopefully, the boys will love it!

I had sooo much fun creating these cards...thinking I need to get back into the swing of making them...there's some yummy new Stampin' Up! products that I'm dying to purchase through my Oregonian peep!

Hope you enjoy your day (even if you are working)!

That's right...it's a card...

Good evening! Friday, I had a little time to create this card for one of my nephews, Nathan.  I purchased some Legos brand folders, pencils and erasers for Nathan and Nolan...just because that love, love, love Legos! And I thought they were cute!  


I used the Mojo Monday sketch as the foundation of this card.  I hadn't created a card in a long time...too long, so I wasn't sure how long this card would take to create.  I'm happy to report that it only took a couple of hours...It helps to have great designer paper (Basic Grey) to work with.  It was a great feeling of creative juices...but I can't spend too much time admiring this card...I have another card to create for Nolan!  Back to "the room"!

I'm having fun...

Holy cow, this long weekend has gone by too fast! Back to grind tomorrow...but not before I could stitch the next double flip...of Christmas Rules...it stitches up pretty quick...even if you make a mistake and ripe out several...several stitches! (smile)

Christmas Rules by Lizzie Kate

Change of pace...

I needed a change of pace, so I started Lizzie Kate's Christmas Rules.  I will admit that I purchased this project already started from another cross stitch blogger.  Normally, that isn't something I would do, but I've had my eye on it for while.  


I needed something to remind me that cooler weather is eventually come!  The humid days...have hit their max with me!  Tim and I don't have air conditioning...so we use Mother Nature to help with keep cool, but after 2-3 days of 90 degrees with lows in the high 70's...she (Mother Nature) doesn't have any cooler air to give up!


Now you understand why this project is a nice change of pace...(smile)!


Have an amazing day!

Progress on the Maple Harvest...

Hey, here's a progress report on the Maple Harvest; I will admit that I've been working on this quilt in between the episodes of Dawson's Creek.  I only have to work on the borders ...and the applique.  I'm glad that I layed out the border pieces, because I discovered I didn't have enough half-triangle squares...so I have to cut some more...YUCK!  


Gosh, it looks kinda ugly in this picture...hopefully, it'll look prettier when I get it sewn together.  We'll see!  I'll keep you posted...(smile).

I did not lie...

I did not lie when I wrote:

I might regret starting this project...in fact, I might be pulling out my hair by the end of the second block.  But it will be all worth it if I can stay with it...I know you will think I'm crazy!

Here's a picture of the second block:

Here's what the block is suppose to look like: YIKES!! I think I'm going to be in for a world of hurt!

This is going to be an interesting ride...

Today marks a very momentous occasion...I might regret starting this project...in fact, I might be pulling out my hair by the end of the second block.  But it will be all worth it if I can stay with it...I know you will think I'm crazy!  Today, I've started the Farmers Wife Sampler Quilt.  It's make with template...all of it!

Here's a picture of the first block:  I've already had to cut one template twice because I didn't think about the construction before I cut the patterns needed.  Oh well...right?!

Block #1

What have I been up to...

As you may have noticed there's been a lapse in my posting...a huge lapse!  Well, I want to confess I have been hooked on a hit television drama.  

It's the kind of drama that really minicks everyday life.  It's unbelievable how it's drawn me in...and since Tim's been working in the Fargo/Moorhead area during the weeks...my time has evolved around this hit drama series...six seasons....of moving and captivating love, hate, sex, and troubles of the everyday teenager as they blossom into adulthood...this series of Dawson's Creek has changed my life*!

*if you believe any of this crap we need to talk; but seriously, I haven't been able to stop watching this series...it has sucked me into the lives of Dawson, Joey, Pacey and Jen...

Well, you might ask why an I writing now....I just finished watching the last episode of last season!

I am amongst the living again...so back into the craft room to create!  See you in a bit!

Happy 4th of July!

What I've been up to...

What have I been up to...let me see...sewing...(oh, and I started a lunch bag mini album...but I didn't like the way it ended up, so I tossed it!  I think it was the quality of the bags I was using, so the next one will include better lunch bags!  


In the meantime, I've been sewing!  I finished the Maple Leaf blocks; now it's time to start the half triangle squares...Yeah!....poop!


I'm getting an itch to make a card, so I think I'm going to work with the Merry Monday Challenge.  So take a look tomorrow...until then here's the gold blocks...enjoy your day!

Back to Maple Harvest...

Good morning, Holy cow! It's been a while since I was last here...I guess life is a little busy.  My hubby's daughter and son-in-law are visiting this weekend, so I've been a good housewife...cleaning like a crazed woman!  However, in my down time I've been watching uTube videos on creating a Lunch Bag mini album...I've had a bug to create one...perhaps that's next week's adventure...oh...I hope I have time!


But since I've completed the mini album for Nilda, I've gone back to the Maple Harvest!  I'm a little surprised on how easy (and how fast) things are going together...almost too good to be true...only time will tell!  Any ho, here's a picture of the cream-colored background Maple Leaves...

Check out my previous postings on this quilt:


May 6, 2012: http://barbarahudak.blogspot.com/2012/05/working-on-some-fall-leaves.html


May 17, 2012: http://barbarahudak.blogspot.com/2012/05/mapleleaf-harvestprogress-report.html

Bye, bye Nilda...

Nilda, a co-worker, is transferring to another store; In the short time that I've known her, she's really helped me grow as a Team Lead and as an individual.  I am very grateful to have worked with her and even more thankful for everything she has taught me about defining quality in my life and always keeping it within my reach.


However, I will admit that I struggled with this project; I needed a theme which would mean something to her...and I knew two things: she loved the colors, purple and green and she's a faithful woman.  I thought the theme of "counting your blessings" was very appropriate! 


Hope she likes it!

A camping we will go...

A camping we (Tim and I) will go...you ask where...the backyard!  The other weekend we wanted to get away...and being a little on the frugal side...we decided to use the backyard for our camping grounds...It was a lot of fun, so we're camping again this weekend!  


Here's some pics: of our dinner...the hot dogs were cooked over an open fire. Yummy!  And my hubby enjoying an adult beverage (smile)...and the tent...we sleep on cots we got from the Man Mall, Cabellas!