tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46265472766486151422024-03-13T06:47:16.191-04:00Another Binkley Sister BlogEmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.comBlogger296125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-25129086029691020762011-05-27T23:18:00.003-04:002011-05-27T23:28:55.304-04:00Anonymous Gift-giverWhen I got home from work one day last week there was an Amazon package on my front stoop. <br /><br />Inside this package was a wonderful gift, a package of things I would have ordered myself...except that I didn't.<br /><br />I didn't order it, Kevin didn't order it, mom didnt' order it...and there was no name on the package receipt. It had my name on the package, so I know it was meant for me, but I just don't know who to thank for it!<br /><br />So to this anonymous gift-giver... <br /><br /><br />Thank you so much! <br /><br />We have used and enjoyed it already...and are looking forward to all the memories we will continue to make using it!EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-84083466898483476982011-02-14T22:57:00.006-05:002011-02-14T23:34:16.874-05:00My Wonderful ValentineMy wonderful hubby of over seven and a half years!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FKdLDeyM6rU/TVn6Oy9PEPI/AAAAAAAADWs/gqBH84giIGI/s1600/sewing%2Band%2Bwedding%2B030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FKdLDeyM6rU/TVn6Oy9PEPI/AAAAAAAADWs/gqBH84giIGI/s320/sewing%2Band%2Bwedding%2B030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573761145951424754" /></a><br /><br />Kevin and I with our adorable nephews!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-igm0aDJWhGI/TVn79ss-c7I/AAAAAAAADW0/7e-j1Gt-eN4/s1600/Kev%252C%2BZi%252C%2BMr.%2BC%2Band%2BMe"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-igm0aDJWhGI/TVn79ss-c7I/AAAAAAAADW0/7e-j1Gt-eN4/s320/Kev%252C%2BZi%252C%2BMr.%2BC%2Band%2BMe" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573763051238093746" /></a><br /><br />My sweet valentine even danced with me at the wedding reception on Saturday. It must be a Valentine's weekend miracle!!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h8T-yw7_ToA/TVn8zjSlu1I/AAAAAAAADW8/aIxtszVksJY/s1600/Kev%2Band%2BI%2Bdancing"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h8T-yw7_ToA/TVn8zjSlu1I/AAAAAAAADW8/aIxtszVksJY/s320/Kev%2Band%2BI%2Bdancing" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573763976424438610" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://proverbs2six.blogspot.com/2011/02/dancing-night-away.html">Click here </a>to read my sister's blog and see more pictures from the weekend wedding. <br /><br />Here is what my sweet Valentine did for me the weekend before. <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yyl1neH9rns/TVoBliqACVI/AAAAAAAADXE/8RC87O2FdB0/s1600/IMG_4229%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yyl1neH9rns/TVoBliqACVI/AAAAAAAADXE/8RC87O2FdB0/s320/IMG_4229%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573769233294166354" /></a><br />He put new flooring in our master bath. Now I just need to find some time to caulk and paint the new baseboards and quarteround.EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-12055739731764439492011-02-10T10:52:00.004-05:002011-02-10T12:30:42.276-05:00Sister's Night Out Fun!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--sqGwxwTeZw/TVQZuvWiqkI/AAAAAAAADWU/ITI9LrDBB8k/s1600/me%252C%2Bmare%2Band%2Bbetsy%2Btuesday%2Bgirls%2Bnight.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--sqGwxwTeZw/TVQZuvWiqkI/AAAAAAAADWU/ITI9LrDBB8k/s320/me%252C%2Bmare%2Band%2Bbetsy%2Btuesday%2Bgirls%2Bnight.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572106929739835970" /></a><br />Tuesday evening I met two of my beautiful sisters for movie! (They graciously drove over to my side of town to meet me for a movie that was in limited release, and happened to be fairly close to me!)<br /><br />We did a bit of shopping, (But I didn't spend a dime, even though I found an adorable jacket for ten dollars at TJ MAX-I am trying to get better about spending money unnecessarily...I just LOVE finding a good deal!) then headed over to the theater where the movie was showing.<br /><br />We went to see <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0893412/">From Prada to Nada</a>. It is a modern take on Jane Austen's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sense_and_Sensibility">Sense and Sensibility</a>. There were a TON of changes, but I think it made a nice updated version of the story. It wasn't Austen, and the acting wasn't great, but it was a cute story and it was perfect for a girls night out! (Especially since we found out Tuesday is $5 movie day at the <a href="http://www.google.com/movies?hl=en&dq=from+prada+to+nada&tid=4f02cb567da306dd&sa=X&ei=5hBUTbiILJKhtweq4qHICQ&ved=0CBwQwwMoAA">theater</a> we went to! Yeah Baby!!!) <br /><br />Some of the changes in this movie included the fact that there was no Mrs. Dashwood or Margaret, Nora (Elinor) was very opinionated and didn't mind sharing her ideas with whoever she was around, and Mary (Marianne) was just a spoiled little rich girl with no idea of reality. There was a long lost half brother Gabriel (John Dashwood) they never knew about until at their father's funeral (who turns out he is actually a good guy, just married the wrong girl in Olivia.) We have an Edward Ferris (Edward Ferrars) brother to Olivia-their long lost brother's wife who NO ONE likes! He is a lawyer and although looks too young, apparently is pretty far up on the food chain at his job. (Where Nora gets a job to help make ends meet after their father's death.) An Aunt Aurelia, sister to their long deceased mother (kinda takes the roles of Sir John Middleton and Mrs. Jennings) who provides the girls a home when they move out of their home that Olivia has taken over since their father was actually bankrupt at his death and they couldn't afford to keep anything. Bruno (Colonel Brandon) their Aunt's neighbor (played by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005519/">Wilmer Valderrama</a>-Fez from That 70's Show!) Willoughby's character was there in the form of a teacher's assistant in one of Mary's classes who gets Mary excited about learning-because she is infatuated with him! I can't remember his character name in the movie, he was a rich foreign "hot" guy and smooth talker (turns out married man!) so was a good representation of a modern Willoughby. (Although in my opinion, Wilmer Valderrama is way hotter than this guy was!)<br /><br />To make it modern, things are done a bit differently, but you still get the basic storyline from Sense and Sensibility and so I was pleased. I would say it is worth a rent for a girls night, especially if you go in not expecting too much from the acting, but a nice little happy ending story. I was glad it was only $5, but I wouldn't have been upset having paid full price for it, because it was a fun night with my sisters! <br /><br />We went out for dessert after the movie at a little place called Stella's in the same center as the movie theater. We had a good time, and enjoyed our girl time...we missed Kels though, wish you could have been there!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8W7gmabaO4/TVQZuQw4QzI/AAAAAAAADWM/zmdYfAanMUw/s1600/me%2Band%2Bme%2Bgirls%2Bnight%2Btuesday.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8W7gmabaO4/TVQZuQw4QzI/AAAAAAAADWM/zmdYfAanMUw/s320/me%2Band%2Bme%2Bgirls%2Bnight%2Btuesday.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572106921528804146" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzAuh9Womz0/TVQZuSCKsAI/AAAAAAAADWE/8C7P1yVXShc/s1600/mare%2Band%2Bbetsy%2Bgirls%2Bnight%2Btuesday.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzAuh9Womz0/TVQZuSCKsAI/AAAAAAAADWE/8C7P1yVXShc/s320/mare%2Band%2Bbetsy%2Bgirls%2Bnight%2Btuesday.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572106921869750274" /></a>EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-61052007730001162942011-02-08T12:39:00.006-05:002011-02-08T13:26:25.954-05:00Austen NewsAlthough my life as been a whirlwind of work, travel, sewing, emotional roller coaster, wedding planning fun, sickness and general busy-ness I have been able to make some time for Austen lately, and have loved it!<br /><br />If you remember I signed up for two reading challenges for 2011. One of them was all about Sense and Sensibility since it is the 200th anniversary of this book this year. I was able to finish my first book in that challenge last night. I read "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=colonel+brandon%27s+diary&tag=googhydr-20&index=stripbooks&hvadid=3532165727&ref=pd_sl_16bs7evgnv_e">Colonel Brandon's Diary</a>" by Amanda Grange. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TVGJnhSWTKI/AAAAAAAADVs/MkFs5tfgrow/s1600/colonel%2Bbrandon%2527s%2Bdiary.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TVGJnhSWTKI/AAAAAAAADVs/MkFs5tfgrow/s320/colonel%2Bbrandon%2527s%2Bdiary.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571385526077246626" /></a><br />I really enjoyed it. I have been wanting to read this book for awhile, so when this challenge came up I knew it was the perfect chance to actually get around to reading it! I have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Grange/e/B001JS8VVM/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1297187107&sr=1-1">Ms. Grange's</a> other "diary" novels still on my <span style="font-style:italic;">to read list</span> and after reading this one I am excited to read the rest! (Edmund Bertram, Mr. Knightley, Captain Wentworth, & Mr. Darcy) I think she did a great job sticking to the original story but seeing it with new eyes from the Colonel's perspective. I loved hearing more about Eliza and was very pleased with how it all turned out. I would recommend this one for sure! It was an easy read since it was written in a journal style, so that I could easily pick it up and put it down as I was able.<br /><br />In <a href="http://austenblog.com/2011/01/28/from-prada-to-nada-opens-today/">other news</a>, I am hoping to catch "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0893412/">From Prada to Nada</a>" tonight with my sisters! So excited about that. It is also part of my S&S challenge! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TVGJ69lqsRI/AAAAAAAADV8/yvDUN6hdmfw/s1600/prada%2Bto%2Bnada.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 317px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TVGJ69lqsRI/AAAAAAAADV8/yvDUN6hdmfw/s320/prada%2Bto%2Bnada.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571385860091982098" /></a><br /><br />Also, keeping with the Austen theme, <a href="http://austenprose.com/2011/02/08/jane-goes-batty-a-novel-by-michael-thomas-ford-%E2%80%93-a-review/#comment-16204">here is another book</a> I am excited to read. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Goes-Batty-Michael-Thomas/dp/0345513665/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297188400&sr=1-2">Jane Goes Batty</a> by Michael Thomas Ford. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TVGJvEHTeEI/AAAAAAAADV0/2gH0P3Y3Q-s/s1600/jane%2Bgoes%2Bbatty.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TVGJvEHTeEI/AAAAAAAADV0/2gH0P3Y3Q-s/s320/jane%2Bgoes%2Bbatty.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571385655685249090" /></a><br />I read the <a href="http://austenprose.com/2009/12/23/jane-bites-back-by-michael-thomas-ford-%E2%80%93-a-review/">first one</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Bites-Back-Michael-Thomas/dp/0345513657/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297188400&sr=1-1">Jane Bites Back</a>, last year and LOVED it!!! So I will HAVE to get this one soon!<br /><br />One more Austen note...this one VERY exciting! I <a href="http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com/2011/02/winners-of-perfect-bride-for-mr-darcy.html#comments">won</a> a book!! I had <a href="http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com/2011/01/perfect-bride-for-mr-darcy-mary-lydon.html">signed up</a> to try to win a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Bride-Mr-Darcy/dp/1402240252/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297188281&sr=1-1">The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy</a> by <a href="http://marysimonsenfanfiction.blogspot.com/">Mary Lydon Simonsen </a>over at <a href="http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com/">Austenesque Reviews</a> and I won!!! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TVGJFFyo3FI/AAAAAAAADVk/bo39xSPfZuo/s1600/The_Perfect_Bride_for_Mr._Darcy_Cover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TVGJFFyo3FI/AAAAAAAADVk/bo39xSPfZuo/s320/The_Perfect_Bride_for_Mr._Darcy_Cover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571384934580935762" /></a><br />How exciting it is to be a winner! Don't worry <a href="http://www.amazon.com/ref=gno_logo">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/index.asp?r=1&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&cm_mmc=Google-_-BN%20Top-_-BN%20Top%20Exact-_-Barnes%20And%20Noble&cm_mmca1=43aca67f-0f16-1328-6b64-0000221e31c6&utm_term=barnes+and+noble&utm_campaign=BN%20Top">Barnes and Noble</a> and <a href="http://www.borders.com/online/store/Home?jt=1&jp=&jadid=5738037388&js=1&jk=borders%2520books&jsid=20516&jkId=gc:a8a8ae4cc2c5b5df2012c5dc2cb2b1a1a:t1&schid=GGL|&gclid=CJeH7tGU-aYCFQxl7AodOnZ7DQ">Borders </a>still get plenty of my hard earned money...but I am trying to get into the idea of using the library again. I need to learn how to budget better...but more on that later!EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-35616408075908815152011-02-04T12:54:00.006-05:002011-02-04T13:30:39.058-05:00When a cold has taken over...Life has been a bit of a whirl-wind lately. Traveling, sewing, taking classes, working on expanding my wedding coordinating business. Life is extremely busy, but good. <br /><br />Or at least it was until I couldn't really function anymore. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUxCHP9jHCI/AAAAAAAADVM/fechNal3KrE/s1600/girl%2Bwith%2Ba%2Bcold.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUxCHP9jHCI/AAAAAAAADVM/fechNal3KrE/s320/girl%2Bwith%2Ba%2Bcold.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569899531461663778" /></a><br />(image found on Google-can't remember where)<br /><br />Colds have a way of taking over. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUxBpxG-VOI/AAAAAAAADVE/0H17g5YyCL0/s1600/coughing.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 172px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUxBpxG-VOI/AAAAAAAADVE/0H17g5YyCL0/s320/coughing.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569899024963491042" /></a><br />(image found on Google-greatlibraries.org)<br /><br />I am functioning again, not quite at full capacity, but getting there. I have now passed my lovely cold along to my hubby and one of my sisters. (I am truly sorry, I know how miserable it is!!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUxCRYQPVgI/AAAAAAAADVU/Wr9wv2UCT4Q/s1600/kleenex.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 253px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUxCRYQPVgI/AAAAAAAADVU/Wr9wv2UCT4Q/s320/kleenex.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569899705486235138" /></a><br />(image found on Google-weepingcherries.wordpress.com)<br /><br />Of course, now that I am functioning again, it is rainy and just plain yucky out and I have about a million things to catch up on. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUxFoPFnBmI/AAAAAAAADVc/nwml58XzM6A/s1600/rain%2Bcovered%2Bwindow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUxFoPFnBmI/AAAAAAAADVc/nwml58XzM6A/s320/rain%2Bcovered%2Bwindow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569903396697605730" /></a><br />(Image found on Google-youngdoo.net)<br /><br />Hopefully you are having a wonderful, cold-free week!EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-84553093181858558592011-01-31T11:53:00.007-05:002011-02-04T12:53:59.421-05:00A sew night with my sistersOne of my sisters and her husband are going on a mission trip with their church. To raise money they were doing a silent auction. I thought some homemade items could make some good money in an auction, so I made a baby quilt, and mom and I bought some fabric and Betsy, mom, Kels and I put together some scarfs (similar to the ones I had made for them for Christmas) and donated them all to the sale. I will have to ask Kelsey how much they ended up bringing in!<br /><br />Here are some pictures from our evening together!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbu99xd-VI/AAAAAAAADSA/9gnR7kPOrJ8/s1600/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbu99xd-VI/AAAAAAAADSA/9gnR7kPOrJ8/s320/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568400737611675986" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbu844q87I/AAAAAAAADR4/0Rln3D0lMJU/s1600/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbu844q87I/AAAAAAAADR4/0Rln3D0lMJU/s320/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568400719119840178" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbu8subBkI/AAAAAAAADRw/2HCGWlTdZfE/s1600/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbu8subBkI/AAAAAAAADRw/2HCGWlTdZfE/s320/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568400715855627842" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbvkNNT2dI/AAAAAAAADSY/UYafZYQ9xL8/s1600/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2Bkelsey%2527s%2B12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbvkNNT2dI/AAAAAAAADSY/UYafZYQ9xL8/s320/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2Bkelsey%2527s%2B12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568401394590013906" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbvXGtkptI/AAAAAAAADSQ/ruBUrWq7mNA/s1600/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbvXGtkptI/AAAAAAAADSQ/ruBUrWq7mNA/s320/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568401169507985106" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbvWzprZQI/AAAAAAAADSI/PDsu56HlQsw/s1600/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbvWzprZQI/AAAAAAAADSI/PDsu56HlQsw/s320/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568401164391376130" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbucH_SE7I/AAAAAAAADRo/ymT73tRklvY/s1600/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbucH_SE7I/AAAAAAAADRo/ymT73tRklvY/s320/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568400156238418866" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbuFOyMqVI/AAAAAAAADRg/PIBN7MNODcY/s1600/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbuFOyMqVI/AAAAAAAADRg/PIBN7MNODcY/s320/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568399762925594962" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbuE27RSGI/AAAAAAAADRY/3r_mA37NIU4/s1600/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbuE27RSGI/AAAAAAAADRY/3r_mA37NIU4/s320/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568399756521195618" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbuEVk-8rI/AAAAAAAADRQ/yVpLicjt5FM/s1600/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TUbuEVk-8rI/AAAAAAAADRQ/yVpLicjt5FM/s320/sew%2Bnight%2Bat%2BKelsey%2527s%2B6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568399747569349298" /></a>EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-59129559739591640472011-01-21T15:16:00.003-05:002011-01-21T15:39:05.305-05:00An Austen GiveawayBelieve it or not I actually do read books other than those by Jane Austen or some Austen continuation/variation. In fact I finished <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eraks-Ransom-Seven-Rangers-Apprentice/dp/0399252053/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1295641767&sr=8-3">this one</a> last week. Kevin and I have read the <a href="http://www.rangersapprentice.com/">whole series</a> (I am a few books behind right now) and have enjoyed it. (I know it is a children book series, book they are good, clean, entertaining and a fast read so I love them!)<br /><br />But back to the reason why I am posting something right now. There is a <a href="http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2011/01/interview-and-giveaway-with-mary-lydon.html">giveaway </a>going on over at <a href="http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/">Laura's Reviews</a>. There is an interview with the<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-alias=books&field-author=Mary%20Simonsen"> author </a>of the book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Bride-Mr-Darcy/dp/1402240252/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295641998&sr=8-1">The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy</a>" and you can read Laura's book review <a href="http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2011/01/perfect-bride-for-mr-darcy-by-mary.html">here</a>. I think it looks like a great read and you can get the chance at winning a copy yourself if you go <a href="http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2011/01/interview-and-giveaway-with-mary-lydon.html">check out the interview</a> and leave a comment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTnuHwYzGUI/AAAAAAAADRI/5WZPa2qQlxA/s1600/The_Perfect_Bride_for_Mr._Darcy_Cover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTnuHwYzGUI/AAAAAAAADRI/5WZPa2qQlxA/s320/The_Perfect_Bride_for_Mr._Darcy_Cover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564740631608367426" /></a><br /><br />Go <a href="http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2011/01/interview-and-giveaway-with-mary-lydon.html">check it out</a> and good luck! (If you win, you can always pass the book along to me after you finish reading it!)<br /><br />In other news...I have a million things to do in the sewing room, a good amount of which needs done BEFORE tomorrow, so I will have to stop putting it off and actually get some sewing done tonight. I don't know why I do this...I really do love sewing, but I always put it off until the last second!! Maybe some sick part of me likes being stressed to the max!?!EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-88453550120175337442011-01-14T21:36:00.006-05:002011-01-14T22:03:38.623-05:00A call for help for a good cause...and some recent sewingA blogger friend, Rene at <a href="http://www.renecreates.com/">Rene Creates</a>, recently asked for help from any quilting friends out there for a <a href="http://www.alzquilts.org/">really good cause</a>. I put a link to her <a href="http://www.renecreates.com/2011/01/creating-for-cure.html">blog post</a> on the side of my blog. <br /><br />Please take a few minutes to check out her <a href="http://www.renecreates.com/2011/01/creating-for-cure.html">post</a>, and the <a href="http://www.alzquilts.org/">web site </a>for the cause. Even if you aren't a quilter yourself, there are ways you can help...check out how <a href="http://www.alzquilts.org/help.html">here</a>.<br /><br />I haven't been great about sewing lately...but I did get a few things done recently.<br /><br />One thing on the list was the duvet cover for our master bedroom. I have had it on my to do list for over a year...but finally got everything I needed and took the time to do it earlier this week. Here is the final product.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTELi3hwp2I/AAAAAAAADQI/H6tSHxog7Nc/s1600/142.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTELi3hwp2I/AAAAAAAADQI/H6tSHxog7Nc/s320/142.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562239708428281698" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTELigd0KcI/AAAAAAAADQA/NFlvPcJzh-Q/s1600/141.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTELigd0KcI/AAAAAAAADQA/NFlvPcJzh-Q/s320/141.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562239702237718978" /></a><br /><br /><br />I also made a few bookmarks recently...<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTEMX7bJedI/AAAAAAAADQg/dkI3XpInnKk/s1600/147.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTEMX7bJedI/AAAAAAAADQg/dkI3XpInnKk/s320/147.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562240620007356882" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTEMX4aOeCI/AAAAAAAADQY/AH0HvI_HiGY/s1600/146.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTEMX4aOeCI/AAAAAAAADQY/AH0HvI_HiGY/s320/146.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562240619198183458" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTEMXqp_hvI/AAAAAAAADQQ/dm6Z2BieZbw/s1600/106.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTEMXqp_hvI/AAAAAAAADQQ/dm6Z2BieZbw/s320/106.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562240615506216690" /></a><br /><br />I also put together a little bit of fabric for a swap the Atlanta Modern Quilt Guild is doing this month. I got Ellen's bag of fabrics...now I have to decide what I am going to make for her. <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTENFJe39-I/AAAAAAAADQw/i9zU064v2Pc/s1600/135.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTENFJe39-I/AAAAAAAADQw/i9zU064v2Pc/s320/135.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562241396875196386" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTENE7qmMbI/AAAAAAAADQo/PwnJ1WVz2Xw/s1600/107.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTENE7qmMbI/AAAAAAAADQo/PwnJ1WVz2Xw/s320/107.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562241393166266802" /></a><br /><br />(Also pictured is a bag of 3" squares I put together for Nicole. She is working on an amazing project...a KING sized hexigon quilt. Here is a picture of her progress so far. She shared this with us at the Jan 9th meeting.)<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTENh1qKEAI/AAAAAAAADQ4/uG4PohQXku4/s1600/127.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTENh1qKEAI/AAAAAAAADQ4/uG4PohQXku4/s320/127.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562241889770016770" /></a><br /><br />I also got several bags of scraps at this months meeting...my quilting friends are so good to me...sharing all their scraps with me!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTEOXTg6hmI/AAAAAAAADRA/elh09GFev54/s1600/138.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TTEOXTg6hmI/AAAAAAAADRA/elh09GFev54/s320/138.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562242808317380194" /></a><br /><br /><br />I will share more pictures from our January meeting soon! (We had special guests with us this month and really had a great time!)EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-12201712161822760262011-01-11T12:08:00.005-05:002011-01-11T12:29:40.344-05:00Snow Day 2011Well, for some reason my computer is not wanting to upload the pictures...so here are two. That is all that I have been able to get on here in the past 30 minutes...which is already more time than I wanted to spend on this since I am really wanting to go sled before all the snow melts away!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TSyPg56tEiI/AAAAAAAADOo/tgM8awoHPng/s1600/snow%2Bday%2B1-10-11%2B7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TSyPg56tEiI/AAAAAAAADOo/tgM8awoHPng/s320/snow%2Bday%2B1-10-11%2B7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560977435361350178" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TSyPWpCjr7I/AAAAAAAADOg/LQKHnzpmmu4/s1600/snow%2Bday%2B1-10-11%2B10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TSyPWpCjr7I/AAAAAAAADOg/LQKHnzpmmu4/s320/snow%2Bday%2B1-10-11%2B10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560977259032194994" /></a>EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-47190973941280034682011-01-11T10:14:00.005-05:002011-01-17T13:32:10.806-05:00My finished NYR list on 1-11-11We have snow again here in GA, and yesterday was like a dream...I did absolutely nothing I had to do, and just played in the snow, watched a movie or two, read some...it was perfect! But now, with another day off (since several roads are still closed) I really do have to get down to business and use this time wisely and check some things off my to do list. Clean house, do some paperwork and filing, finish my NYR's list, and go sledding again!! (Yes, that is a MUST, here in GA you have to take full advantage of any and all snow fun opportunities you get!!) <br /><br />Since Kevin is busy with work this morning (in a way I am sad that cell phones and internet still works during a snow day, because that means hubby still has to work!!) I thought I would get to my NYR list and make it official. A snow day seems like a perfect time to start anew. So here is my final list. I am thinking I will try to do a few at a time, I don't want to overwhelm myself and quit altogether, but I don't want to be too easy on myself either!!<br /><br /><br />1. learn better<br />2. live better<br />3. work better<br />4. love better<br />5. be better<br />6. eat better <br />7. play better<br />8. communicate better<br />9. worship better<br />10. organize better<br />11. relax better<br /><br />Explanations for each of these resolutions:<br /><br />1)<strong> learn better:</strong> I have always wanted to dig a little deeper into my Bible. I have done the "read thru the Bible in a year" program for awhile now, and I want to do more. I want to dig in and really examine things that I am reading, and reference people and places. I think part of the reason why Rome was my<em> favorite stop </em>from our trip to Europe in the Fall of 2009 was because I saw places where Peter, Paul and other early Christians had been. I felt like I was really taking a step back in time and visiting a different world. I want to do that with my Bible study program this year, I want to look up people and places when I read about them, and see where things happened. I would really love to visit some places as well, but that would be a huge surprise and blessing, not something that I really expect to do this year! I also want to be open to any and all learning experiences as I see them. Since I was homeschooled, I grew up that way, and I want to stay that way. I want to remember to take the time to make any new or interesting thing I see a learning experience. I want to be a constant student of life!<br /><br />2) <strong>live better</strong>: This NYR is all about my inability to stick with an exercise program. I don't know why I hate physical exertion so much, I just do...but I don't want to be <em>that girl </em>anymore. (The one that hates to sweat!) I was a tomboy growing up, I enjoyed getting dirty, running, biking, hiking, etc. I want to remember the joy I used to find in these activities and try again. I want to live a long and healthy life, and I know that getting the proper amount of exercise is important! I want to be open to trying different things, until I find something (or many things) that I enjoy...and then my NYR is to actually stick with it! I want to make it a habit, instead of a chore!<br /><br />3) <strong>work better:</strong> My parents raised us to do everything in life, as if we are doing it for God. Which means you should give it your all, and not just do it half-way. I feel like recently I have been distracted (by good things, but still they are a distraction if they are keeping me from what I should be doing) and not doing the thing I know I should, or at least not with my whole heart involved. I want anything and everything I do, to be done to the best of my ability. I don't want to add stress to my life, making every little thing as perfect as possible, I just mean that I will take on each and every project with joy and with my full attention. Then I will give it all I have, for the amount of time I can put aside for it. After that, I will need to just let it go and know that I have done my best. <br /><br />4) <strong>love better:</strong> This one is for my husband completely. I was raised in a home full of love, and was taught to love everyone equally and with the kind of love that was shown to me by my Savior. So, of course I do want to continue to love everyone and share God's love with those around me...but this resolution is different. It is one my husband jokingly requested, but I feel like it should be a goal of mine. Since our wedding night, loving my husband has been something of a chore. Well, not loving him, but making love to him. About 2 years into our marriage, I was diagnosed with IC(PBS) and although my wonderful husband had been good to me even before then, after that time he has been even more supportive and wonderful. Sadly, you could probably count the number of times we were "together" during our first few years of marriage on your fingers and toes. It has gotten better over time, but I want it to continue to get better. After dealing with the IC issue for a few years, we decided it was time to think about adding another member to our family and started trying to get pregnant. After four years and many tries (and lots of money) we were left in exactly the same place we were at the beginning. A couple, however we have become closer through all of this, and therefore we are grateful for it. I am a strong believer in looking for the good in any situation. Now we are excited about our family growing in other ways. I love & appreciate my husband so much, and I want this to show in every way that it should. Especially since we are at the point in our lives when we are trying to become a family and not just a couple. This is when most men say their love lives go downhill...I want ours to improve. To show my wonderful husband how much I appreciate him and his support in all that we have been through. <br /><br />5) <strong>be better</strong>: I am making this one an overall statement to continually try to improve myself in any and all aspects of my daily life. If I see myself doing something I am not sure why/saying something I know I shouldn't/not doing something I probably should, I want to catch myself and change my ways. All those little things can stack up and I know I can become a better person (wife, daughter, friend, employee, neighbor, stranger) if I am consciously trying to improve.<br /><br />6) <strong>eat better:</strong> This one mainly has to do with my life with IC. I have been on a very restricted diet ever since I found out what I had. My life improved immensely when I changed my diet, but I know that I haven't been as good as I should about trying to introduce things back into my diet since then. When I got to a good point, I didn't want to ruin it by eating something wrong. But I can't live life in fear, so I am wanting to be better about trying new foods this year, and also balancing what I eat. When I find something I actually like, I seem to go overboard. I want to be healthy and wise in my food choices.<br /><br />7) <strong>play better:</strong> I am sure this one sounds weird as a resolution, but I only have so much free time a day and I want to spend it doing things I really want to do, rather than zoning out in front of the TV. After a long day at work, I just want to cook up some dinner, watch TV, and then go to bed. Then I am sad that I didn't use that time to work on some sewing or organizing, that I know needs done, and I really want to do. I want to make better choices with my play time this year!<br /><br />8) <strong>communicate better</strong>: I love to talk, but this isn't really about that...I want to be a better all around communicator. I want to listen better, and respond to emails better. Last year, I found myself overwhelmed at times, then I would forget who I had or had not spoken to, emailed, etc. I don't want that to happen again. I want to be sure that I take the time to communicate as I should and to really listen to who I am talking to, so that I am able to keep up with everything properly. I guess this really goes with my #10 NYR which is to organize better.<br /><br />9)<strong> worship better</strong>: I put this one on here because I really do want to find a home church this year. I grew up being the daughter of a pastor turned missionary. So we always had a "home" in a church or home group of some sort my entire childhood. I loved learning Bible verses and cute little songs in Sunday School and VBS. As I got older, and especially once I got married, I just stopped going to church. Work and life got in the way of finding a new church base in our new home. I know the importance of meeting with fellow believers, to help encourage you in your walk and I especially miss the praise and worship time, since I grew up in a family that loves to sing. I really want to get back into the search this year, and be consistent in the search until we find a place.<br /><br />10) <strong>organize better</strong>: As I mentioned in #8, being organized, in all aspects of my life, is important to me. I already try to do this, I just want to improve this, so that I hopefully don't miss something important because I wasn't organized! This goes for all aspects of my life; personal & professional! Now that my love of Wedding Coordinating is turning into something that is bringing in an income, I want to be sure that I am keeping as organized as possible, so that I don't miss out on an opportunity, or stress myself out!! <br /><br />11) <strong>relax better</strong>: This is similar to the play better resolution, except this one is all about taking 15-30 minutes to do something for me that is relaxing. Paint my nails, put on makeup...just because, write a letter/email to a friend. Something that I can do to tune out of the busy-ness of life and just relax for a few minutes. <br /><br />Well, there it is. Now that is is actually written down I guess that means I need to get around to it!EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-23353324043768873882011-01-06T17:51:00.004-05:002011-01-06T18:10:27.442-05:00NYR's for 2011I haven't forgotten...<br /><br /><br />I remember I said I was going to <span style="font-style:italic;">actually</span> make some <span style="font-weight:bold;">New Years Resolutions</span> for 2011.<br /><br /><br />In fact, I have a list going. I just don't have it all looking how I want it to yet...hopefully I will soon.<br /><br />Here is a <span style="font-style:italic;">sneak peak</span> of what I have planned:<br /><br />1. learn better<br />2. live better<br />3. work better<br />4. love better<br />5. be better<br />6. yadda <br />7. yadda<br />8. yadda<br />9. etc.<br />10. etc.<br />11. etc.<br /><br />You get the idea...there will be 11 things I am hoping to <span style="font-weight:bold;">do</span> or <span style="font-style:italic;">improve</span> in my daily/weekly/monthly life during 2011!<br /><br />Oh...and I have a plan for another <a href="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/11/28-before-29-a-goal-list-.html">fun list </a>(for all you list lovers out there) that will be coming up in the middle of the year. It has to do with my age...there is a <span style="font-weight:bold;">big</span> <a href="http://www.buzzle.com/articles/funny-30th-birthday-quotes-and-sayings.html">birthday</a> this year and I want to make the most of it!!EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-39036321046335677982011-01-04T15:54:00.007-05:002011-01-05T11:26:32.551-05:00A New Year, Two New Reading Challenges!!Wow! 2011 is here y'all and I am ready for some new challenges. <br /><br />I am planning on doing an official "New Years Resolutions" post on my goals for this year, but I wanted to go ahead and get signed up for some new reading challenges for this year and share them with you. (Plus, let's be honest, the NYR's are pretty much always the same every year...and I pretty much never stick with them!!)<br /><br />The two reading challenges I am participating in this year are both Austen themed. (Let's face it, I am a HUGE Austen fan, so although I get some other reading time in, books that are continuations of Austen's beloved books are my fave!!)<br /><br />The first one I am doing is called:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Sense and Sensibility Bicenterary</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TSOO3zwQdWI/AAAAAAAADNk/PDa1Jsdh0Fo/s1600/sense-and-sensibility-challenge-2011-graphic-200.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TSOO3zwQdWI/AAAAAAAADNk/PDa1Jsdh0Fo/s320/sense-and-sensibility-challenge-2011-graphic-200.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558443454541886818" /></a><br /><br />It is hosted by <a href="http://austenprose.com/">Austenprose</a> and <a href="http://austenprose.com/2010/12/30/the-sense-and-sensibility-bicentenary-challenge-2011/">here </a>is the <a href="http://austenprose.com/2010/12/30/the-sense-and-sensibility-bicentenary-challenge-2011/">link </a>to read all about it yourself. <br /><br />Although, I hope to do more, I am only committing myself to be a Neophyte (meaning I will complete 1 – 4 selections within 2011)<br /><br />Books and movies count, and I am planning on reading two books and watching two movies.<br /><br />Books:<br />1) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Willoughbys-Return-almost-irresistible-temptation/dp/140222267X/ref=cm_lmf_tit_37_rsrsrs0">Willoughby’s Return</a>, by <a href="http://janeaustensequels.blogspot.com/">Jane Odiwe</a><br />2) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Colonel-Brandons-Diary-Amanda-Grange/dp/0425227790/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1294244040&sr=1-2-fkmr0">Colonel Brandon’s Diary</a>, by <a href="http://www.amandagrange.com/">Amanda Grange</a><br /><br />Movies:<br />3) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/I-Have-Found-Kandukondain/dp/B0006J280U/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294244157&sr=1-1-catcorr">I have Found it (Kandukondain Kandukondain)</a> 2000<br />4) <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0893412/">From Prada to Nada </a>2011<br /><br />There will be prizes given at the end of the challenge, so that makes this even more exciting, and hopefully I will be sure to actually complete the challenge since I may have a chance at winning some great prizes!!<br /><br /><br /><br />The second reading challenge I am participating in is:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Being a Jane Austen Mystery Reading Challenge 2011</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TSOOoNqrffI/AAAAAAAADNc/GXEVlcY7rGM/s1600/being-a-jane-austen-mystery-challenge-2011-x200.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TSOOoNqrffI/AAAAAAAADNc/GXEVlcY7rGM/s320/being-a-jane-austen-mystery-challenge-2011-x200.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558443186619907570" /></a><br /><br />It is also hosted by <a href="http://austenprose.com/">Austenprose</a> and you can find all the info <a href="http://austenprose.com/2010/12/28/being-a-jane-austen-mystery-reading-challenge-2011/">here</a>. <br /><br />I will also be doing the Neophyte level (1 – 4 novels) in this challenge and I plan on reading:<br /><br />1) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Unpleasantness-Scargrave-Manor-Mystery/dp/0553385615/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294244399&sr=8-1">Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor</a> (1996)<br />2) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Madness-Lord-Byron-Mystery/dp/0553386700/ref=pd_sim_b_9">Jane and the Madness of Lord Byron</a> (2010)<br /><br />(This may change, it will all depend on which books I can get at my local library, and how much time I have!!)<br /><br />I read "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Man-Cloth-Second-Mystery/dp/0553574892/ref=pd_sim_b_6">Jane and the Man of the Cloth</a>" (by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stephanie-Barron/e/B000AP7KLM/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1">Stephanie Barron</a>) a few years ago and was always interested in reading more...now that there is an extra incentive, since I can possibly win a prize, I am really excited to read more!!EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-66101289048449136512010-12-30T11:32:00.007-05:002010-12-30T12:21:07.646-05:00Christmas Sewing & Some Christmas PicturesI didn't really get any Christmas sewing done this year. I had great intentions of working on the quilts I had started last year, and making a new one as well...but time flew by and Christmas has come and gone without any sewing. <br /><br />The only thing I finished was the mug rug I did for the AtlMQG swap in December! (Which you have already seen, but I am so proud of it...so here you are again!!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy86YgARUI/AAAAAAAADMU/PQHlZvxB-qM/s1600/finished%2Bmug%2Brug.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy86YgARUI/AAAAAAAADMU/PQHlZvxB-qM/s320/finished%2Bmug%2Brug.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556523751463470402" /></a><br /><br />At the very last minute I did get some Christmas presents made...a baby quilt (which I didn't get any pictures of) for a very special little girl. <br /><br />I finished the Owl Quilt for my sister.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy8nJZ8maI/AAAAAAAADMM/ym2ANY1I394/s1600/MARY%2BWITH%2BHER%2BOWL%2BQUILT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy8nJZ8maI/AAAAAAAADMM/ym2ANY1I394/s320/MARY%2BWITH%2BHER%2BOWL%2BQUILT.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556523420994017698" /></a><br /><br />Made a camera strap cover for Betsy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy_T6u_RBI/AAAAAAAADNM/ZkmlKvT16o8/s1600/Christmas%2Bgift%2Bcamera%2Bstrap%2Bcover.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy_T6u_RBI/AAAAAAAADNM/ZkmlKvT16o8/s320/Christmas%2Bgift%2Bcamera%2Bstrap%2Bcover.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556526389173109778" /></a><br /><br />And I made scarves for my mom, sisters, mother in law and Grandma Micki. I took the basic idea I had seen online of a few different scarves and made what I wanted. (Here is one of them.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy_bFO5IJI/AAAAAAAADNU/3E54T-Kgn4g/s1600/Christmas%2Bgift%2Bscarf.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy_bFO5IJI/AAAAAAAADNU/3E54T-Kgn4g/s320/Christmas%2Bgift%2Bscarf.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556526512250364050" /></a><br /><br />Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas as well!! Here are a few pictures of my Christmas day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy9i1vg2XI/AAAAAAAADM8/KYBw07X-fro/s1600/OUR%2BFOOT%2BPIC.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy9i1vg2XI/AAAAAAAADM8/KYBw07X-fro/s320/OUR%2BFOOT%2BPIC.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556524446507915634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy9i0h8nqI/AAAAAAAADM0/ECzxknwWCIs/s1600/MARE%2BAND%2BME%2BSNOWBALL%2BFIGHT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy9i0h8nqI/AAAAAAAADM0/ECzxknwWCIs/s320/MARE%2BAND%2BME%2BSNOWBALL%2BFIGHT.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556524446182579874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy9ipFpyUI/AAAAAAAADMs/NpLLzdAUr8k/s1600/CHRISTMAS%2BSNOW%2521%2521.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy9ipFpyUI/AAAAAAAADMs/NpLLzdAUr8k/s320/CHRISTMAS%2BSNOW%2521%2521.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556524443111115074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy9iRPaAxI/AAAAAAAADMk/YpejdQgKSS4/s1600/CHRISTMAS%2BSISTERS.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy9iRPaAxI/AAAAAAAADMk/YpejdQgKSS4/s320/CHRISTMAS%2BSISTERS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556524436709573394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy9iIXpHGI/AAAAAAAADMc/D24XGsIwJNY/s1600/ZI%2BAND%2BME%2BON%2BCHRISTMAS%2B2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy9iIXpHGI/AAAAAAAADMc/D24XGsIwJNY/s320/ZI%2BAND%2BME%2BON%2BCHRISTMAS%2B2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556524434328198242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy9_1qNgBI/AAAAAAAADNE/o-WODv01JAo/s1600/SISTER%2BAND%2BNEPHEWS%2BAT%2BCHRISTMAS.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRy9_1qNgBI/AAAAAAAADNE/o-WODv01JAo/s320/SISTER%2BAND%2BNEPHEWS%2BAT%2BCHRISTMAS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556524944701882386" /></a><br /><br />I am very excited about 2011...I may even make some New Years Resolutions this year...keep an eye out for them. (However, I have a wedding on New Years Eve and New Years Day, so I may be a little late in getting a post up about them!!)<br /><br />Oh, I also have seen a <a href="http://austenprose.com/2010/12/28/being-a-jane-austen-mystery-reading-challenge-2011/">book challenge</a> or <a href="http://austenprose.com/2010/12/30/the-sense-and-sensibility-bicentenary-challenge-2011/">two</a> I want to do in 2011...even though I lost steam on <a href="http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2009/12/all-about-brontes-challenge-reviews.html">this year's</a> challenges halfway through the year, I still did a TON of reading at the beginning of the year and I am glad that I was able to get that much done. Maybe this year I will stick with it and get some books read in the later part of the year as well!! (I have plenty on my bookshelf to keep me reading for ages!!!)EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-63467605835671237772010-12-25T13:19:00.003-05:002010-12-28T12:59:16.441-05:00Not just dreaming of a white Christmas!I don't think there has ever been snow on Christmas Day in GA, but we have it today! I would post a picture, but I can't figure out how to on my phone. (Updated with some pictures of our White Christmas...I also <a href="http://www.examiner.com/event-photography-in-atlanta/atlanta-receives-an-added-gift-on-christmas-day-2010">found out</a> the last time it snowed on Christmas day in the ATL was in 1881!!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRojkCDGN0I/AAAAAAAADL0/V6Qad3roPb8/s1600/photo%252816%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRojkCDGN0I/AAAAAAAADL0/V6Qad3roPb8/s320/photo%252816%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555792192247052098" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRokUDiSWhI/AAAAAAAADL8/gey7ad0KfpQ/s1600/photo%252814%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRokUDiSWhI/AAAAAAAADL8/gey7ad0KfpQ/s320/photo%252814%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555793017280027154" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRokUR4i-lI/AAAAAAAADME/vW1t3hvQGyM/s1600/photo%252815%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRokUR4i-lI/AAAAAAAADME/vW1t3hvQGyM/s320/photo%252815%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555793021131487826" /></a><br /><br />I hope everyone is having a fantastic Christmas with lots of love, joy, peace, family, friends and yummy food!EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-18777050020364097852010-12-21T14:05:00.002-05:002010-12-21T14:14:11.394-05:00It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRD8GNkuQhI/AAAAAAAADLo/UO-85kPeBq0/s1600/WREATH.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRD8GNkuQhI/AAAAAAAADLo/UO-85kPeBq0/s320/WREATH.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553215524200923666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRD8FcIRilI/AAAAAAAADLg/ejkt-CZZyOE/s1600/FIREPLACE%2BDECOR.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRD8FcIRilI/AAAAAAAADLg/ejkt-CZZyOE/s320/FIREPLACE%2BDECOR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553215510928263762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRD8FPXqCrI/AAAAAAAADLY/mo6tzSdchgc/s1600/THE%2BCHRISTMAS%2BTREE.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRD8FPXqCrI/AAAAAAAADLY/mo6tzSdchgc/s320/THE%2BCHRISTMAS%2BTREE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553215507503123122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRD8Ezx26CI/AAAAAAAADLQ/v7lgIexUxbY/s1600/DINING%2BROOM%2BDECOR.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRD8Ezx26CI/AAAAAAAADLQ/v7lgIexUxbY/s320/DINING%2BROOM%2BDECOR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553215500096825378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRD8EovncdI/AAAAAAAADLI/o3U7myU5F4s/s1600/CHRISTMAS%2BPILLOWS.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TRD8EovncdI/AAAAAAAADLI/o3U7myU5F4s/s320/CHRISTMAS%2BPILLOWS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553215497134633426" /></a>EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-11057251242738178362010-12-16T14:43:00.003-05:002010-12-16T15:09:42.501-05:00Happy Birthday Jane Austen!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQpwDT6-UNI/AAAAAAAADLA/ZxGkGjohN8k/s1600/jane%2Bausten%2Bcolor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQpwDT6-UNI/AAAAAAAADLA/ZxGkGjohN8k/s320/jane%2Bausten%2Bcolor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551372692877103314" /></a><br /><br />So as I was browsing blogland today I saw <a href="http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2010/12/16/jane-austen-free-ebooks/">this post</a> about free ebooks in celebration of Jane Austen's birthday today! (Also<a href="http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com/2010/12/happy-235th-birthday-jane-austen.html"> here</a>, <a href="http://austenblog.com/2010/12/16/happy-birthday-jane-austen-4/">here</a>, and <a href="http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com/2010/12/happy-235th-birthday-jane-austen.html">here</a>)<br /><br /><a href="http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2010/12/16/jane-austen-free-ebooks/">Check it out </a>if you are interested...not only are Jane's classic six books (Emma, P&P, S&S, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park & Persuasion) on the list, there are several Austen continuations that are there as well! I got three that I have been wanting to read...now that they are on my iphone I may actually have a better chance of getting them read, and soon! (And all for FREE in celebration of JA's 235th bday!!)<br /><br />So, Happy Birthday Jane Austen!! I may have to make a cake tonight in celebration...doesn't a lovely carrot cake (or maybe zucchini) sound like the perfect way to end the day that is celebrating an amazing women and author!?!EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-30662522787167143202010-12-15T15:27:00.009-05:002010-12-15T15:59:56.103-05:00Mary's birthday partyLast Saturday my baby sister had her 23rd birthday party!!<br /><br />Yikes! It is crazy to think that she is 23! (Well, technically she won't be 23 until next Wednesday, so I can stay calm for one more week!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQkoZK79adI/AAAAAAAADKo/_FRkFpOFBoY/s1600/mary%2B%2528the%2Bbirthday%2Bgirl%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQkoZK79adI/AAAAAAAADKo/_FRkFpOFBoY/s320/mary%2B%2528the%2Bbirthday%2Bgirl%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551012428608530898" /></a><br />Here she is wearing little Emily Ann's bow (which she had left at my parent's house last weekend when she was there for Zion's birthday party. Zi, do you remember when Uncle Kevin pretended like he was going to throw you into your awesome Panda cake? <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQkoxV1gNFI/AAAAAAAADKw/HjFjf_jg9-Y/s1600/kev%2Band%2Bzi%2Bwith%2Bzi%2527s%2B5th%2Bbday%2Bcake%2Bdec%2B5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQkoxV1gNFI/AAAAAAAADKw/HjFjf_jg9-Y/s320/kev%2Band%2Bzi%2Bwith%2Bzi%2527s%2B5th%2Bbday%2Bcake%2Bdec%2B5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551012843851101266" /></a><br />Which Zion's 5th birthday is actually today! Happy Birthday Zi!! I love you!!)<br /><br />Back to Mary....she has recently become obsessed with owls, so I bought some felt and brought stuff to make little owls during her party. (Yeah, we still like to have activities at our parties like you did when you were a kid...we are cool like that!)<br /><br />I think everyone had fun making them. <br />(Well, actually there were a few of us that did the main cutting and sewing and then everyone else joined in on the final decoration part!)<br /><br />Here are a few of the final products. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQknjCaC-EI/AAAAAAAADJo/0X_HRG7j9Rw/s1600/OWLS%2BI%2BMADE.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQknjCaC-EI/AAAAAAAADJo/0X_HRG7j9Rw/s320/OWLS%2BI%2BMADE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551011498605869122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQknkXiGnUI/AAAAAAAADKI/Z2PJFDKag9Q/s1600/Kelsey%2527s%2Bowls.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQknkXiGnUI/AAAAAAAADKI/Z2PJFDKag9Q/s320/Kelsey%2527s%2Bowls.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551011521456676162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQknj42YanI/AAAAAAAADKA/JkyyyLCBhyM/s1600/mary%2Band%2Bthe%2Bcowboy%2Bowl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQknj42YanI/AAAAAAAADKA/JkyyyLCBhyM/s320/mary%2Band%2Bthe%2Bcowboy%2Bowl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551011513220229746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQknjrzDFgI/AAAAAAAADJ4/1jzVMRJGR6E/s1600/lauren%2527s%2Bowls.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQknjrzDFgI/AAAAAAAADJ4/1jzVMRJGR6E/s320/lauren%2527s%2Bowls.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551011509716588034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQknjdOh_BI/AAAAAAAADJw/9617azJGuAA/s1600/OWL%2BFAMILY.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQknjdOh_BI/AAAAAAAADJw/9617azJGuAA/s320/OWL%2BFAMILY.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551011505805327378" /></a><br /><br />One of her best friends, Kelli, made owl cupcakes...they were too cute!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQkoRwlS8YI/AAAAAAAADKg/1Gt3RwHXtHA/s1600/mary%2Band%2Bkelli.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQkoRwlS8YI/AAAAAAAADKg/1Gt3RwHXtHA/s320/mary%2Band%2Bkelli.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551012301275066754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQkoLKSvmBI/AAAAAAAADKY/ozMn7vXKh3Q/s1600/Kelli%2Bmade%2Bowl%2Bcupcakes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQkoLKSvmBI/AAAAAAAADKY/ozMn7vXKh3Q/s320/Kelli%2Bmade%2Bowl%2Bcupcakes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551012187917490194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQkoK8hrRRI/AAAAAAAADKQ/GPozAlSWWG8/s1600/owl%2Bcupcake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQkoK8hrRRI/AAAAAAAADKQ/GPozAlSWWG8/s320/owl%2Bcupcake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551012184222024978" /></a><br />And here is one of Mary's best friends Emily with her little boy Dallas...who is just adorable!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQkpJmhfO7I/AAAAAAAADK4/aLnNA_MU1uY/s1600/emily%2Bdallas%2Band%2Bmary.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TQkpJmhfO7I/AAAAAAAADK4/aLnNA_MU1uY/s320/emily%2Bdallas%2Band%2Bmary.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551013260647414706" /></a><br /><br />Overall it was a great night, I didn't get home until around 2AM! It was great to see everyone, I hadn't seen Joelle since I can't remember when! (Lauren and Kristy, Thanks a million for your help with the owls! Love y'all!!)EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-33321066444901237992010-12-08T14:36:00.004-05:002010-12-08T15:29:37.717-05:00Flowers for me!Monday night when I got home (I ran a few errands after work, so I didn't end up getting home until around 10pm)Kevin had flowers for me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP_naUTRcpI/AAAAAAAADJg/BZ9qFxJELGg/s1600/Copy%2Bof%2Bmore%2Bflowers%2Bfrom%2Bkev.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP_naUTRcpI/AAAAAAAADJg/BZ9qFxJELGg/s320/Copy%2Bof%2Bmore%2Bflowers%2Bfrom%2Bkev.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548407705255899794" /></a><br /><br />Just because.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP_naE-75aI/AAAAAAAADJY/KTEdLMC0tp4/s1600/Copy%2Bof%2Bflowers%2Bfrom%2BKev.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP_naE-75aI/AAAAAAAADJY/KTEdLMC0tp4/s320/Copy%2Bof%2Bflowers%2Bfrom%2BKev.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548407701144069538" /></a><br /><br />What a sweetheart!<br /><br />He has been extra loving lately. We are like those teenage couples you see at the mall who are so annoyingly glued to each other at all times.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Super random side note: <span style="font-weight:bold;">If</span> I was living a <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/">Lifetime channel</a> movie I may need to be worried...there would only be two options for how overly sweet he has been lately. 1) he is dying and doesn't want to tell me or 2) he is cheating on me...thank goodness I am not living a Lifetime Channel movie!! </span><br /><br />I think it is just because we have been getting closer and closer as a couple with all that we have been, and still are, going through as we try to become a family, rather than just a couple. <span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">(Or maybe it is just the cold weather we have been having...it makes us want to cuddle to keep warm!)</span></span>EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-17659583635028225902010-12-06T17:26:00.007-05:002010-12-06T17:52:15.577-05:00AtlMQG December MeetingYesterday we had our Atlanta Modern Quilt Guild December Meeting. So I have some pictures to share. <br /><br />We talked about our inspiration, welcomed another new member, Hazel, had our regular "show & tell," shared a potluck style brunch and swapped mug rugs. <br /><br />It was a very full and very fun meeting. <br /><br />Enjoy the pictures....<br /><br />Here is my finished Mug Rug...I am so proud of myself on this one, I really went outside of my comfort zone and work extra hard on this. I love how it turned out!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1kGziO_PI/AAAAAAAADHE/mmGYxk4Cgf8/s1600/finished%2Bmug%2Brug.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1kGziO_PI/AAAAAAAADHE/mmGYxk4Cgf8/s320/finished%2Bmug%2Brug.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547700384066108658" /></a><br /><br />Here are all the wrapped mug rugs ready to be swapped. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1lq2FtysI/AAAAAAAADHw/7_T-F0J3pHk/s1600/wrapped%2Bmug%2Brugs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1lq2FtysI/AAAAAAAADHw/7_T-F0J3pHk/s320/wrapped%2Bmug%2Brugs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547702102738717378" /></a><br /><br />Here they are opened. Everyone did such a great job, they are all different! I think it was a successful and fun swap!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1kG28D4jI/AAAAAAAADG8/stOFWtn9Sdw/s1600/all%2Bopened%2Bmug%2Brugs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1kG28D4jI/AAAAAAAADG8/stOFWtn9Sdw/s320/all%2Bopened%2Bmug%2Brugs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547700384979739186" /></a><br /><br />Here is Andi's finished "quilt as you go" quilt that she showed us the start of last month.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1kGjcrUdI/AAAAAAAADG0/npbWlZHORiA/s1600/Andi%2527s%2Bfinished%2Bquilt%2Bas%2Byou%2Bgo%2Bquilt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1kGjcrUdI/AAAAAAAADG0/npbWlZHORiA/s320/Andi%2527s%2Bfinished%2Bquilt%2Bas%2Byou%2Bgo%2Bquilt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547700379747832274" /></a><br /><br />Here is some Christmas sewing Karin had done.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1nrfp1zvI/AAAAAAAADJA/Jq6ay8YDPIA/s1600/karin%2527s%2Bxmas%2Bsewing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1nrfp1zvI/AAAAAAAADJA/Jq6ay8YDPIA/s320/karin%2527s%2Bxmas%2Bsewing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547704312919346930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1m1xxOq_I/AAAAAAAADIw/_WweRW0J690/s1600/karin%2527s%2Bxmas%2Bsewing%2B2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1m1xxOq_I/AAAAAAAADIw/_WweRW0J690/s320/karin%2527s%2Bxmas%2Bsewing%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547703390069238770" /></a><br /><br />Here are Hazel and Karin's pumpkin bags they made at a class they took together.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1kGVdKieI/AAAAAAAADGs/NJbtdUrlFR0/s1600/hazel%2B%2526%2Bkarin%2527s%2Bpumpkin%2Bbags.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1kGVdKieI/AAAAAAAADGs/NJbtdUrlFR0/s320/hazel%2B%2526%2Bkarin%2527s%2Bpumpkin%2Bbags.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547700375991781858" /></a><br /><br />Here is a butterfly quilt Hazel had made.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1m1gs_W3I/AAAAAAAADIo/GeFSk9Yvr_c/s1600/hazel%2527s%2Bbutterfly%2Bquilt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1m1gs_W3I/AAAAAAAADIo/GeFSk9Yvr_c/s320/hazel%2527s%2Bbutterfly%2Bquilt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547703385488055154" /></a><br />And an Italian themed quilt.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1nq1CMCNI/AAAAAAAADI4/DAgy0u0ucsQ/s1600/hazel%2527s%2Bolive%2Boil%2Bquilt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1nq1CMCNI/AAAAAAAADI4/DAgy0u0ucsQ/s320/hazel%2527s%2Bolive%2Boil%2Bquilt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547704301478742226" /></a><br />And another one...(I think I actually have some of that fabric!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1o7A2D_GI/AAAAAAAADJQ/2L2Cbocl3As/s1600/HAZEL%2527S%2BAFRICAN%2BLADIES%2BQUILT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1o7A2D_GI/AAAAAAAADJQ/2L2Cbocl3As/s320/HAZEL%2527S%2BAFRICAN%2BLADIES%2BQUILT.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547705679038643298" /></a><br /><br />Here are two of Krystina's most recent quilt tops she put together.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1lqPiv21I/AAAAAAAADHg/7zIJ6JTkjNA/s1600/krystina%2527s%2Bquilt%2Btop%2B2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1lqPiv21I/AAAAAAAADHg/7zIJ6JTkjNA/s320/krystina%2527s%2Bquilt%2Btop%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547702092391504722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1lpqggIUI/AAAAAAAADHY/A-YWy7u2COE/s1600/krystina%2527s%2Bquilt%2Btop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1lpqggIUI/AAAAAAAADHY/A-YWy7u2COE/s320/krystina%2527s%2Bquilt%2Btop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547702082449973570" /></a><br /><br />Here is the progress Nicole has made on her hexagon quilt...it is coming along so fast...for hexi's that is!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1lquQsVaI/AAAAAAAADHo/F1Vyy0oeMpc/s1600/Nic%2527s%2Bhexi%2Bquilt%2Bprogress%2BDec%2B5%2B2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1lquQsVaI/AAAAAAAADHo/F1Vyy0oeMpc/s320/Nic%2527s%2Bhexi%2Bquilt%2Bprogress%2BDec%2B5%2B2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547702100637275554" /></a><br /><br />Here is Rae's Spa quilt that she has ready to quilt.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1m03oNKVI/AAAAAAAADIY/Ba3A1U7RbBc/s1600/rae%2527s%2Bspa%2Bquilt%2Bfront.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1m03oNKVI/AAAAAAAADIY/Ba3A1U7RbBc/s320/rae%2527s%2Bspa%2Bquilt%2Bfront.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547703374462134610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1m1JROzgI/AAAAAAAADIg/7E7yxk2G-eI/s1600/rae%2527s%2Bspa%2Bquilt%2Bback.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1m1JROzgI/AAAAAAAADIg/7E7yxk2G-eI/s320/rae%2527s%2Bspa%2Bquilt%2Bback.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547703379197611522" /></a><br /><br />Here is Melinda's Christmas quilt she made.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1lpeE43SI/AAAAAAAADHQ/kLMwG5kjkKg/s1600/melinda.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1lpeE43SI/AAAAAAAADHQ/kLMwG5kjkKg/s320/melinda.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547702079112928546" /></a><br /><br />Here are the first blocks (which Melinda designed) for the Tiny Stitches quilt-a-long next year. If you live in the area and want to join in, it is only $10 to start...go by <a href="http://www.tinystitches.com/">Tiny Stitches</a> for more info!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1nrzcRPeI/AAAAAAAADJI/IPwnUgLNKUA/s1600/house%2Bblocks%2Bfor%2Btiny%2Bstitches%2Bquilt%2Balong.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TP1nrzcRPeI/AAAAAAAADJI/IPwnUgLNKUA/s320/house%2Bblocks%2Bfor%2Btiny%2Bstitches%2Bquilt%2Balong.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547704318231133666" /></a>EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-16213420407858822712010-12-01T17:19:00.005-05:002010-12-01T17:36:44.425-05:00Some sewing and a small Christmas miracleI love to celebrate the little miracles in life...so let's start with the good news!<br /><br />The <a href="http://emileehope.blogspot.com/2010/11/lost-santas.html">lost Santas </a>finally made it to their <a href="http://auntpittypats.blogspot.com/">destination</a>!!!<br /><br />Yipee! I am so relieved!!<br /><br />Praise God from Whom all blessings flow....(can you tell I went to a good old fashioned Christian church on Sunday that sings <a href="http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/r/praisegf.htm">the doxology</a> every Sunday. Love it!!)<br /><br />Now on to the sewing.<br /><br />Thanksgiving week was busy and full and then I was gone all weekend (I will try to post a few pictures later this week) so I didn't get a chance to sew until last night. I ended up finishing my Precision Piece Block,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TPbM8HGorhI/AAAAAAAADGM/pxlZIGX9vyA/s1600/photo%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TPbM8HGorhI/AAAAAAAADGM/pxlZIGX9vyA/s320/photo%25284%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545845324224441874" /></a><br />started some Christmas trees, (maybe a runner?) <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TPbM8m8gZNI/AAAAAAAADGU/maQ8_Hrf62g/s1600/photo%25285%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TPbM8m8gZNI/AAAAAAAADGU/maQ8_Hrf62g/s320/photo%25285%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545845332771890386" /></a><br />and made the mug rug top. It still needs quilted and some finishing touches to make it special and ready to be wrapped up for Sunday's meeting!<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TPbM9A-IMhI/AAAAAAAADGc/A_rLOsVtGJA/s1600/photo%25286%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TPbM9A-IMhI/AAAAAAAADGc/A_rLOsVtGJA/s320/photo%25286%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545845339758014994" /></a><br />(Sorry, I am not sure why they are upside down!)<br /><br />What a wonderful evening. I miss sewing when it has been awhile since I have been able to get to it!<br /><br />Have a lovely Wednesday evening y'all!!EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-10512288156141242162010-11-23T12:44:00.007-05:002010-11-23T13:51:18.214-05:00Precision Piecing ClassFirst a little note about my Saturday. After a full morning of baking, (I made zucchini bread <span style="font-style:italic;">and</span> chocolate chip cookies & cookie bars!) I had <span style="font-weight:bold;">two</span> wedding meetings in Cartersville. I was looking at the <a href="http://www.cartersvillecountryclub.com/">location </a>(with the Brides mom) for a wedding in May, and going over some details about flowers, decor, etc at <span style="font-weight:bold;">4</span>, then at <span style="font-weight:bold;">6</span> I had a meeting with a bride about final details, etc. for a Dec 31st wedding at <a href="http://flavorfulevents.com/">Stonewall Manor</a>. <br />As I am leaving my first meeting (with 30 minutes to spare) <span style="font-weight:bold;">my car wouldn't start!</span> This happened to me a few weeks ago, so I replaced my battery...then it happened again, but I was at work, and my boss just jumped me off and all was well. That weekend Kevin looked at it for me and said a connection was loose, he tightened it, and showed me how to and that was that. <br />Well, I completely forgot about the whole tightening the loose connection thing and just sat there dumbfounded and a bit angry. Then I got my act together and checked to see if I could find my jumper cables...nope they aren't in my car, great! So then I called my family (since the don't live too far away) to see if they could come jump me or pick me up, thankfully Mary was close by and came over. <br />However, in the meantime I looked up the second brides number to let her know I would be a few minutes late to our meeting and saw that our meeting was <span style="font-style:italic;">actually</span> at <span style="font-weight:bold;">5</span>, not <span style="font-weight:bold;">6</span>!!! How did I do that, I am not sure, but I called and apologized and let her know I would be there as soon as I could, and she was sweet and said she had met with Penni and gone over most things, and was going to look around with her photographer and would see me when I got there. <br />Then I called Kev, who in turn <span style="font-style:italic;">yelled</span> at me for not remembering about the tool he gave me and the whole tightening the loose connection thing (He says I am irresponsible since <span style="font-weight:bold;">I forget everything</span>, I just say I have too much going on to remember everything I am told!!) <br />The good news is, as Mary was pulling up, I got my car started...which means I went on to my meeting (I was super late for) and she went over and bought the HP7 (part 1) movie tickets so that Kev, Mare & I could all go see it that night after my second meeting!! (Thanks again for the tickets Mary, you're the best!!)<br />By the way, <a href="http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthedeathlyhallows/mainsite/index.html">HP7 </a>(part 1) was <span style="font-weight:bold;">fantastic</span>! There was a good amount of time spent setting up for the finale, but I think they did a great job at getting us some action in this film as well. As usual, there is so much missing from the book, but it still tells the story, and I am going to be waiting in anticipation for next July when the final movie will open!! <br /><br />OK, now on to the point of this blog post...<br /><br />Sunday I took a Precision Piecing class at <a href="http://www.littlequilts.com/">Little Quilts</a> in Marietta with a few other ladies from the <a href="http://atlantamodernquiltguild.webs.com/">AtlMQG</a>.<br /><br />Wanda was our teacher and she was fantastic! (Especially, since she didn't yell at me when I was a few minutes late to class since I had to run by Joannes and pick a few things up, and of course got stuck in a super long line, and the register I went to stopped working so we had to move to another one...which then ran out of receipt paper so I had to wait for it to reboot...on and on until I was late for class!!!)<br /><br />The block we made (or at least started) was a finished 12" block made up of 9-4 1/2" blocks. (talk about some tiny pieces!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TOwKTa1d2PI/AAAAAAAADF8/Ndwga4GV3wE/s1600/NICOLE%2BAND%2BHEATHER%2BIN%2BNOV%2B21%2BCLASS%2B%2528WANDA-TEACHER%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TOwKTa1d2PI/AAAAAAAADF8/Ndwga4GV3wE/s320/NICOLE%2BAND%2BHEATHER%2BIN%2BNOV%2B21%2BCLASS%2B%2528WANDA-TEACHER%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542816570123606258" /></a><br />It was from 12-5, which I thought seemed long for a class, but I didn't even finish my block! We really learned about the importance of measurements...for cutting & sewing so that your block comes out the correct size!! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TOwKTgrRHPI/AAAAAAAADGE/Qb3pYGADUA4/s1600/rea%2B%2526%2Bandi%2Bin%2Bnov%2B21%2Bclass.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TOwKTgrRHPI/AAAAAAAADGE/Qb3pYGADUA4/s320/rea%2B%2526%2Bandi%2Bin%2Bnov%2B21%2Bclass.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542816571691441394" /></a><br />I had to make 3 center blocks (which should have been the easiest block out of the 9, but I found the hardest!!) and still just had to go with the one that was the closest to being right!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TOwJDwnnvvI/AAAAAAAADFk/ANGzte1sLCk/s1600/START%2BOF%2BBLOCK%2BNOV%2B21%2BCLASS.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TOwJDwnnvvI/AAAAAAAADFk/ANGzte1sLCk/s320/START%2BOF%2BBLOCK%2BNOV%2B21%2BCLASS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542815201581580018" /></a><br />The corner blocks I didn't have as much issues with, and got all four of them done. I got to use paper templates for that, which I had never done before and thought it was pretty cool!! The last four blocks (which appeared to be the hardest looking, but turned out to be the easiest for me) went together perfectly the first time! I only got two of them sewn together, but I got it all cut, so I was close to being done!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TOwIyXBjNZI/AAAAAAAADFc/1VysQdCoR6Q/s1600/ALMOST%2BFINISHED%2BBLOCK%2BNOV%2B21%2BCLASS.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TOwIyXBjNZI/AAAAAAAADFc/1VysQdCoR6Q/s320/ALMOST%2BFINISHED%2BBLOCK%2BNOV%2B21%2BCLASS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542814902653236626" /></a><br /><br />After the class Kev and I met my cousin Sarah and her hubby Colin for <a href="http://www.fuddruckers.com/">dinner</a>. They are in town for the Holidays with his family (they live in Colorado) and later my sister Betsy and her hubby Andy showed up and we all had a great visit.EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-90684442604977518322010-11-21T09:23:00.003-05:002010-11-23T13:51:39.832-05:00Lost SantasI am nearly sick to my stomach. <br /><br />Apparently my Santa Blocks have taken a wrong turn somewhere and have not arrived at their destination. <br /><br />All that time spent deciding what to do and picking/creating a pattern...<br /><br />getting the fabric picked out...<br /><br />cutting the fabric...<br /><br />sewing and ironing the fabric...<br /><br />hand sewing on the little eyes and hat pom-pom...<br /><br />and now they are lost somewhere out there in the mail.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TOkwj5w0ZTI/AAAAAAAADFU/e5D7LBeDtKg/s1600/santa%2Bblock.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TOkwj5w0ZTI/AAAAAAAADFU/e5D7LBeDtKg/s320/santa%2Bblock.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542014209815242034" /></a><br /><br />I was asked if I want to just make new blocks and send them in, and I hate to be the person who didn't get their blocks in and ruined the swap, but I just don't have the energy (or the time) to do them all again!<br /><br />The sewing part took an entire day, an entire day off, which is rare for me, was spent making these little guys, and now they are gone. (Because I stupidly didn't ask for tracking, I have NEVER lost anything in the mail before. It wasn't going overseas, and I sent it priority mail, so I thought it would be fine, but I was wrong!)<br /><br />Now to see if I can fine the time and energy (and money) to start over and get 12 blocks made and mailed out...they are due 11/27, which seems impossible to me at this moment since every day is booked up between now and then!<br />If you are in my group for the swap, I am so sorry if I don't get them done, and if I do I apologize that they will be late, because I really have no idea how this is going to get done (for a second time) at all, forget on time!!<br /><br /><br />So here is my letter to the good ol' post office...<br /><br /><em>Dear post office and postal employees,<br /><br />I know this is the start of a really busy season for you, but could you please look into a really important matter for me? It appears my Santas have been lost in your system somewhere. Where did you send my Santas? They were important little guys, and now they are lost. This is <strong>such </strong>an important time of year for Santa, and he can't afford to be lost in the mail right now. PLEASE find him and send him along his merry way to the address I requested. I would really appreciate it!<br /><br />Many thanks and Happy Holidays,<br />Emilee</em>EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-44402863577198125282010-11-16T10:38:00.003-05:002010-11-16T11:48:09.790-05:008 Random Questions TagMy <a href="http://proverbs2six.blogspot.com/">sister</a> <a href="http://proverbs2six.blogspot.com/2010/11/tag-youre-it.html">tagged</a> me...so here are my answers. I will not tag anyone else for two reasons: <span style="font-weight:bold;">1)</span>I am not sure if I know 8 other people who blog consistently, and <span style="font-weight:bold;">2)</span>I don't want to have to come up with 8 random questions. (Hello Ms. Lazy, how are you today!)<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">If I get the motivation by the time I get to the end of this post, I will type them out at the bottom and you can consider yourself tagged if you are reading this and want to respond. (Or just leave it in my comments if you don't want to do an entire blog post.)<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Here are the 8 questions:</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">1.) What is your favorite childhood memory?</span><br />I am one of those annoying people who feel like there childhood was as perfect as could be. I could not have asked for better parents or siblings. I grew up in a home with two loving parents and 3 sisters who I still consider my best friends, so I am not sure if I could pick just one memory. <br />I love all of my childhood, but if I have to pick only one thing, at least at this moment, it would be living in India for three months when I was a teenager. I know that is more than one specific memory, but I can't pick one moment in time. Our lives changed forever, and for the good, in that experience. We were always close, but this made us even closer. I hope that I am able expose my children to such meaningful and amazing experiences when I become a parent. <br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">2.) If you could have any job, what would it be, and why?</span><br />My answer is two part. I would be a part time wedding coordinator and a full time mother. I am at least part way here, hopefully the rest will come soon!!!!<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /> 3.) What is your favorite sport?</span><br />I am really not a sports person. I try to show at least some interest, for my husbands sake, but in reality, I could care less. I guess I like football, because that means Fall is here and the Holidays (my favorite time of year!) are approaching. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /> 4.) Have you ever done something "dangerous" - and how do you define that?</span><br />For me daily life is dangerous because I am a klutz, but as far as something daring and adventurous, I am not sure. I had no fears as a child and would try anything. (Climbing just about anything and everything, plus I had no notion of strangers or danger, so I felt safe and comfortable anywhere and everywhere-which could put you in dangerous situations-thankfully I was always with someone else who would keep me from walking right into trouble!) <br />After breaking my back in a car accident during the summer after my freshman year in college I became a different person in many ways. One of those things that changed about me was my adventurous spirit...I became much more cautious person. (And now that I am approaching the milestone of leaving my 20's and entering my 30's I am becoming even more cautious!!) <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"> 5.) What is your favorite holiday?</span><br />Christmas, hands down. I love pretty much all of the Holidays, but Christmas is my absolute fave without a doubt!!! I love everything about it, the music, the baking, the time with family, the kindness that is felt in the air. I even enjoy the craziness at the malls and on the road, because I know that is a part of the Holiday season here in the US, so even though it can be frustrating to be stuck in traffic, I can't help but smile!<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /> 6.) When is your average bedtime?</span><br />I normally am in bed between 11-1 each night. I know that is a 2 hour window, but that is the best average I can give you. I like to be in bed by 11, but that doesn't always happen. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"> 7.) What is your favorite song (right now)?</span><br />I don't think I have just one favorite song, but I have already started listening to Christmas music. (I know it is before Thanksgiving, but I can't help it...I love Christmas music!!!)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"> 8.) In one word, describe yourself.</span><br />Since I am a wordy person, I am not sure if I could describe myself in one word, that would be a juxtaposition. However, if I must...I guess I would say I am <br /><br />Happy<br /><br /><br />because, I really am, most of the time, a super happy gal! "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VkOBbt5gl8">I like life, life likes me</a>"...(song from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066344/">Scrooge</a>) and another song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k5wsEHVy-4&feature=related">"Happiness" </a>(which we would always fast forward as children watching this movie, because we found it boring!) <br /><br />OK, So I have answered all of the 8 random questions I was given, now lets see if I have 8 for you...<br /><br />1) What is the most recent thing that made you smile?<br />2) What are you craving at this exact moment?<br />3) Is there a movie you are looking forward to watching in the next few weeks?<br />4) What is your favorite Thanksgiving (or any holiday) food?<br />5) If you could go anywhere this weekend, where would you go and why?<br />6) Who is the last person you said "I love you" to?<br />7) If you could visit any time in history what time would you choose?<br />8) What color are your eyes, and does anyone else in your family have the same color?<br /><br />There you go...I think those are pretty good if I do say so myself!! Hope you find them interesting and random enough! If you answer them, please link it back here so I can read them. (Or just put them in my comments.)EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-88135937020311942802010-11-11T16:38:00.008-05:002010-11-11T17:02:16.050-05:00A few projectsLast month I was able to take a bit of time to do some spray painting, and I don't think I ever shared the pictures from the changes I made. <br /><br />Here is the mirror, it was gold and I painted it black. (Since then I have changed my mantle decor, (I separated my tiny elephants into two different locations and just kept some books, and added some larger elephants to the mantle) but I don't know if I will get a picture of it, since it will just be changing again for the Christmas decorations soon!!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxjsM4FkkI/AAAAAAAADEM/Ir7Oh3lnjj0/s1600/MIRROR%2BBEFORE.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxjsM4FkkI/AAAAAAAADEM/Ir7Oh3lnjj0/s320/MIRROR%2BBEFORE.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538411252780732994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxjsF9JPlI/AAAAAAAADEE/k3neUSrRmU0/s1600/MIRROR%2BAFTER.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxjsF9JPlI/AAAAAAAADEE/k3neUSrRmU0/s320/MIRROR%2BAFTER.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538411250922896978" /></a><br /><br />I also painted this gold elephant lamp black and moved it from the living room to my bedside table.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxjsdlVe4I/AAAAAAAADEU/-i9kh-DC1ZM/s1600/E%2BLAMP%2BBEFORE.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxjsdlVe4I/AAAAAAAADEU/-i9kh-DC1ZM/s320/E%2BLAMP%2BBEFORE.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538411257265486722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxjsTErhuI/AAAAAAAADEc/AlGYmJ4XC3s/s1600/E%2BLAMP%2BAFTER.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxjsTErhuI/AAAAAAAADEc/AlGYmJ4XC3s/s320/E%2BLAMP%2BAFTER.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538411254444164834" /></a><br /><br />Did I ever show you my finished pillows for the master bedroom? I may have, but while I am at it, here they are. (However, I want to make covers for the pillows already, along with new curtains for the bathroom and a duvet cover for our down comforter. It is about time to pull that out again!!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxjr1nQMUI/AAAAAAAADD8/eH3aXtCfI2k/s1600/COVERED%2BPILLOWS.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxjr1nQMUI/AAAAAAAADD8/eH3aXtCfI2k/s320/COVERED%2BPILLOWS.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538411246536110402" /></a><br /><br />I am working on framing some other artwork and changing things around in the house, I am tired of pretty much everything right now, I will try to remember to get some pictures up sometime.<br /><br />While I am posting pictures...here are a few from the Masquerade/16th Birthday Party from last month.<br />The Birthday girl<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxke5Fz85I/AAAAAAAADE8/-8B2ug6RfGI/s1600/the%2Bbirthday%2Bgirl%2Bhbp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxke5Fz85I/AAAAAAAADE8/-8B2ug6RfGI/s320/the%2Bbirthday%2Bgirl%2Bhbp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538412123642917778" /></a><br />Kels, me and Mare <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxkeZJ-qJI/AAAAAAAADEs/j8jHuKbVQ9A/s1600/kels%252C%2Bme%2B%2526%2Bmare%2Bhbp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxkeZJ-qJI/AAAAAAAADEs/j8jHuKbVQ9A/s320/kels%252C%2Bme%2B%2526%2Bmare%2Bhbp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538412115070462098" /></a><br />Eva, dad (Gandolf) and mom (Mrs. Bennett)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxkfOlIjOI/AAAAAAAADFE/XznzC8iFA0c/s1600/parents%2Bin%2Bcostume%2Bhbp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxkfOlIjOI/AAAAAAAADFE/XznzC8iFA0c/s320/parents%2Bin%2Bcostume%2Bhbp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538412129411435746" /></a><br />Emily, me, Kels and Mare dancing the night away (We are great chaperons!!) <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxkefdN8bI/AAAAAAAADEk/bPM-AykqYL4/s1600/dancing%2Bthe%2Bnight%2Baway%2Bhbp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxkefdN8bI/AAAAAAAADEk/bPM-AykqYL4/s320/dancing%2Bthe%2Bnight%2Baway%2Bhbp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538412116761768370" /></a><br />The entire group<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxkeoWDOXI/AAAAAAAADE0/lMxPm06slhE/s1600/the%2Bwhole%2Bgroup%2Bhbp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNxkeoWDOXI/AAAAAAAADE0/lMxPm06slhE/s320/the%2Bwhole%2Bgroup%2Bhbp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538412119147624818" /></a>EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4626547276648615142.post-51976636414146024612010-11-10T18:02:00.006-05:002010-11-10T18:44:30.422-05:00Pictures from the November AtlMQG MeetingHere are a few pictures from the November <a href="http://atlantamodernquiltguild.webs.com/">Atlanta Modern Quilt Guild </a>Meeting on Sunday, November 7th at <a href="http://www.tinystitches.com/">Tiny Stitches</a> in Marietta.<br /><br />Andi's current project-a quilt as you go process-she was wanting our opinion on how to make it larger since the pattern wasn't going to make the final product as big as she wanted.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNslQW4g1AI/AAAAAAAADCM/KfzlHpdecLA/s1600/Andi%2527s%2Bquilt%2Bproject.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNslQW4g1AI/AAAAAAAADCM/KfzlHpdecLA/s320/Andi%2527s%2Bquilt%2Bproject.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538061129732903938" /></a><br /><br />The finished Ga Textile Museum quilt top. We decided what pattern of quilting and color of thread we wanted.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNslQheACQI/AAAAAAAADCU/CpDghp_pGXM/s1600/finished%2BGa%2BTextile%2BMuseum%2BQuilt%2Btop.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNslQheACQI/AAAAAAAADCU/CpDghp_pGXM/s320/finished%2BGa%2BTextile%2BMuseum%2BQuilt%2Btop.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538061132574492930" /></a><br /><br />Heather (a new member this month) showed us her first quilt she is working on for her daughter. She was wanting help with the binding process so she can finish it once and for all!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNslQjXoTAI/AAAAAAAADCc/pMOLzlxGl50/s1600/Heather%2527s%2Bquilt%2B%2528gift%2Bfor%2Bdaughter%2529.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNslQjXoTAI/AAAAAAAADCc/pMOLzlxGl50/s320/Heather%2527s%2Bquilt%2B%2528gift%2Bfor%2Bdaughter%2529.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538061133084642306" /></a><br /><br />Karin shared a purple quilting project she needed some inspiration to finish (I actually took it home with me to see if I have something I can trade her for it, I am in love with one of the blocks especially!!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNslQ-axkJI/AAAAAAAADCk/tTbsbovJSGE/s1600/Karin%2527s%2Bpurple%2Bproject.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNslQ-axkJI/AAAAAAAADCk/tTbsbovJSGE/s320/Karin%2527s%2Bpurple%2Bproject.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538061140345589906" /></a><br /><br />Kathy (another new member)shared her grandmother's quilt top that she needed help decided how to finish it. Her grandmother's birthday is in January and she wants to have it done for her by then.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNslRUDLDtI/AAAAAAAADCs/xGxPmqjojrc/s1600/Kathy%2527s%2Bgrandmother%2527s%2Bquilt%2Btop.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNslRUDLDtI/AAAAAAAADCs/xGxPmqjojrc/s320/Kathy%2527s%2Bgrandmother%2527s%2Bquilt%2Btop.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538061146152177362" /></a><br /><br />Krystina shared some blocks she was working on, along with a quilt she had nearly finished and two quilt tops she had made. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNsnoA--v0I/AAAAAAAADDU/-PPQ4FPJu1E/s1600/Krystina%2527s%2Bblocks.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNsnoA--v0I/AAAAAAAADDU/-PPQ4FPJu1E/s320/Krystina%2527s%2Bblocks.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538063735194566466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNsnn5in2oI/AAAAAAAADDM/NxoHWyCrElY/s1600/KRYSTINA%2527S%2BQUILT%2B3.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNsnn5in2oI/AAAAAAAADDM/NxoHWyCrElY/s320/KRYSTINA%2527S%2BQUILT%2B3.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538063733196577410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNsnngllC-I/AAAAAAAADDE/eZWyiUt1JMU/s1600/KRYSTINA%2527S%2BQUILT%2B2.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNsnngllC-I/AAAAAAAADDE/eZWyiUt1JMU/s320/KRYSTINA%2527S%2BQUILT%2B2.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538063726498089954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNsnnJWcWeI/AAAAAAAADC8/quYHwJ3iaS4/s1600/KRYSTINA%2527S%2BQUILT.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNsnnJWcWeI/AAAAAAAADC8/quYHwJ3iaS4/s320/KRYSTINA%2527S%2BQUILT.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538063720260590050" /></a><br /><br />Stacy showed us her current project, a quilt she is hand quilting for her niece for Christmas. (Which she is giving to her at their family Thanksgiving get together.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNssWa_EhJI/AAAAAAAADDs/KZyjGVVdOEc/s1600/Stacy%2527s%2Bquilt%2B%2528gift%2Bfor%2Bneice%2529.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNssWa_EhJI/AAAAAAAADDs/KZyjGVVdOEc/s320/Stacy%2527s%2Bquilt%2B%2528gift%2Bfor%2Bneice%2529.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538068930494760082" /></a><br /><br />Rae shared her sister's quilt that she is working on, and needed some inspiration on how to complete the layout for the quilt top/border/backing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNssWFl80XI/AAAAAAAADDk/6Udq1yE6YHE/s1600/Rae%2527s%2Bquilt%2Bproject%2Bfor%2Bher%2Bsister.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNssWFl80XI/AAAAAAAADDk/6Udq1yE6YHE/s320/Rae%2527s%2Bquilt%2Bproject%2Bfor%2Bher%2Bsister.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538068924752253298" /></a><br /><br />Nicole has become addicted to making hexi's (thanks to Andi) and so she showed us her progress so far...she plans on making a bed size quilt this way!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNssVweubqI/AAAAAAAADDc/VWEoQJGrnHE/s1600/Nic%2527s%2BHexi%2527s.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNssVweubqI/AAAAAAAADDc/VWEoQJGrnHE/s320/Nic%2527s%2BHexi%2527s.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538068919084805794" /></a><br /><br /><br />I didn't take this to the meeting (and you will have to turn sideways to look at it because I am too lazy to turn the picture right side up at as I am posting this) but here is a picture of what I did all day on Saturday. I made the Santa blocks for the second Holly Jolly Swap that I am doing with <a href="http://auntpittypats.blogspot.com/">APP</a>. I LOVE how they turned out!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNssW5q_z0I/AAAAAAAADD0/ld_LSnEooQk/s1600/Santa%2BBlock%2Bfor%2BHolly%2BJolly%2BSwap%2BChristmas%2B2010.htm"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_82nhnH2UpRc/TNssW5q_z0I/AAAAAAAADD0/ld_LSnEooQk/s320/Santa%2BBlock%2Bfor%2BHolly%2BJolly%2BSwap%2BChristmas%2B2010.htm" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538068938732064578" /></a>EmileeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14178204754718165308noreply@blogger.com1