I just moved the last of my posts over to blogger. I will continue to visit things here as there are alot of people that I get ideas and inspiration from that I will dearly miss if I don't check back in.

     I do agree with the majority that this site is easy to use and simple. I have no problems with this site or the blog but there are things that I want to be able to learn and play with and I can do that over at blogger. and I haven't been able to manage here.

     I am currently on leave from work.. Yeah!!! I have sewn a few seams here and there but have not finished things to post pictures of yet.

     Coming soon are some belated christmas pillow cases, and a mystery quilt that I started for new years that I have not been able to work on (way out of my comfort zone by the way 2 color quilt black and grey) my brother and sister-in-law helped me pick out the fabrics. They went shopping with me and I didn't want to make them wait while I decided so I asked what they thought about it. Ryan picked the black and grey (the quilt asks for a contrast color for a flang.. I'll leave that for a suprise he picked that too) and then his soon to be wife picked out colors for another quilt that I haven't cut yet.

     I just realised that there are a couple other little projects that I have done that I will take pictures of and get those posted over at blogger.. so come visit me!!

 http://cowgirl4ever.blogspot.com/ 

Smiles....

Heather

     So after the encouraging words from Jen about how easy blogger is I finally got off my butt and finished setting up my blog. I have started moving my things over and will post a link when I get closer to being done. I have only moved 2 or 3 posts over it takes a little while to do so. Thankgoodness I only have a few compared to the hundreds that Jen had to move over.

     What does everyone have planned for the week? I of course have to work tonight at 10pm and will be out of there checked out on leave at about 6am or so. The plan? Well I know that I will need to come home and get some sleep but who knows how much I will need.. LOL that depends on how much coffee I drink tonight at work. I have to call the vet in the morning to get an appontment to take Wheezy in so that I can get some tranquilizers for her. She gets car sick and when I asked them about it they said that was the only way to help her other than the herbal stuff that you can buy at the pet store.. I tried that but it didn't work.

     After that and some sleep.. I am looking at 4 pillow cases that I started before christmas for my family but due to being a clutz I couldn't finish them because of my shoulder. So those I will finish tomorrow so that I can take them to them this week. Until later.. LOL

Heather

     Wow how to explain Lemoore. Lemoore is a Naval Air Station that is about 5+ hours drive north from where I'm stationed here in San Diego. Thats with NO traffic, you hit traffic on the grapevine and you'll be there any where from 6 to 10 hours. Mom and Dad live half way inbetween the two mileage wise but as far as the drive its shorter to Lemoore (I miss that). I was stationed in Lemoore for F-18 Legacy school. It's not a bad place, except for the small fact that there is not many quilting stores there.. I hope to be able to get past that with the internet and what not.

     I am going back to school to learn to work on F-18 Super Hornets, the systems are different so I have to go back to school. It will be a nice break from the ground hog schedule that I live now. Hopefully I will be on days for school but that always depends on who the instructor is and what shift they need supervision on.

     Jen thans for the idea of putting felt squares between the dishes I saw that they had used something in the pattern but had yet to figure out what it was. Rhoda I wasn't planning on using them for the everyday dishes, just for the ones that I don't use on a regular bases. Otherwise your right it would become a big pain in the butt.

     I can't wait to go house hunting with mom. I really hope to find a great house. I am the only one of 5 kids that still lives in a little tiny apartment. Now I don't mind it being an apartment but I wish that I could have afforded a bigger one here. My kitties need more room and well it would be nice to have a little more space to spread things out so my furniture is not on top of each other.. Oh central air/ heat would be nice for a change rather than the little heater under the window.. LOL

     Here is a picture I took of the girls:

Thelma almost always has that disgusted look.. I think maybe its the coloring in her face that makes it look like that. Lilly couldn't lay by herself with me she had to climb up there between her sisters and stretch all out. Louise (Wheezy) is very patient with Lilly and cuddles with her.. they all play together I love it that they get along

Heather

     Did everyone decide what they were doing for their resolutions? I hate trying to pick one.. First I never stick to it and second 3 months from no I will have already forgotten what it was to begin with. I know that Jen periodically lists the things that she has started, completed and what she wants to get done.

     For the new year... I would like to move my blog over like the other ladies have just so that I can keep track of Jen, Cindy, Moneik, Kristie and some of the others easier. Along with that goes with wanting to learn more about the blog and how to make it spiffy like Jen's with all the extra information on the sides of the blog. I know that is a BIG wish right?

     I would also like to be more organized in everything that I do. I am great at organizing things and doing things at work but my personal life suffers because of it. I have already started with alot of my crafting making sure that when I pick them up they don't get tossed into a box or basket that I actually put them in zip lock bags and label them.

     I already know that I have my brother Sean and his wife (Christy) for our family christmas exchange. I have a quilt top minus borders already complete for Sean. I'll need to figure something out for Christy.. and want to have those done and put away. Should be easy enough right?

     That is my list to start of the things that I would like to do with my new year. Now as far as my quilting projects and what I want to do I won't even list those.

     Well I am off to do some of my 5 minute chores and then catch a nap before having to go in to work tonight.

Heather

     So I sat here thinking about my upcoming move to Lemoore California. Mom and I have talked about alot of things you know the usual safe neighborhood.. the idea of buying instead of renting or renting to own. There are ALOT of forclosures so Dad seems to think that I can get in a rent with the option to buy and really get things off to a good start. We talked about it and though I am able to live and function in a 2 story.. its getting old. So we really want to find a 1 story 2 or 3 bedroom (I have a 2 bedroom now) if possible a garage to hide one of my vehicles (or some of the things I don't want in the house). I have decided that it has to have a washer and dryer!! I am tired of paying $3 a load of laundry and would like to do it when I have time and not when the laundry room is open (even if I have to save for a couple of months before that can come true). Yeah I know that is alot to ask but I guess I just want a normal life to come home to when I leave the squadron at night.

      Any way I don't know if your like me but I am always thinking about things that I can design or make to put in my house. (If you like me you always start with good intentions and then the fruits of your labor end up being gifts for some one else) Where am I going with this? Well I want to make some things to start things off right in a new home.. I'm not going to beat myself up about a deadline because that defeats the purpose of having fun with it. I will get what I can done when I can and will little by little make my new house ... HOME.

      So while surfing the net I found these:

http://www.joann.com/static/project/0801/P488360.pdf  

I thought that they were a great idea. I have an extra set of dishes packed away in a box that I could put in these and store them decoratively in my cabinets.. Pretty cool huh? I haven't decided yet but I have some John Deere Fabric that I'm debating would make these look great and I can always get more. I had originally planned to make placemats and pot holders and things but I think that this would fit the theme too.. smiles.

     Then I came across this http://www.joann.com/static/project/0801/P488361.pdf and though I don't have special silverware to store in it I thought that a smaller version could be made. I'm thinking to go in Cindy's Miranda bag with her lunch? There are a couple other silverware/ plasticware pouches that I thought up in my head that would go great too.

     Well I guess I have dragged on enough with everything. I'm feeling in the creative mood but don't want to pull everything out since I have to nap and head to work tonight. So I will sit here and write post after post thinking that some day I will catch up with Jen's 500 but I won't at least not before she hits 1500.. LOL

Heather

     Okay!! Well because of the rain I wanted to get a couple of magazines from Joann's before heading back up the hill to my apartment. Well you know how it goes it's like going in to walmart.. you go in with a list of like 3 things and come out with a cart full. Well I went in for a couple magazines and saw that the fiskars coastal collection was still on sale and then walking down the notions isle there were a bunch of things on clearance.. like elastic, and needles things like that... so I just had to pick those up.. and there was a fiskars ruler for fleece that was on clearance for $5 couldn't pass that up.

   So there I was walking through Joanns and I stumbled across the PURR-fect cat fabric... Really it doesn't get any more perfect than this. Here are some pictures.. I got 2 yards of each and don't know what I am going to do with them yet but I LOVE IT!!!

I bought 7 different fabrics of this line I know the 4th one in the first picture looks the same as the first one in the second but they are different the second has purses and things. (Hmm.. a purse/ tote bag?) I love the fabrics I described the fabrics to my mom as being more of a neopolitan mix they are brown and pink.. the pictures don't do the fabrics justice I really really love them.. can you tell?

Heather

   Well things at work were pretty messed up schedules messed up etc. I guess that is normal for things arpound here. I planned absolutely nothing for this weekend except a quilt lecture at the LQS. It was great. It was all about creating quick and easy quilts with 10 inch squares. The one that they demonstrated was called "Baby Cakes" it was yellow and white and when I can get a picture I'll post it. The weather was perfect quilting weather but I have slept most of the time that I had off and have to be back to work tonight at 10 pm.

     I did get some little house cleaning chores done and I'm pretty excited about that! I have my little list of 5 minute chores to do in between all the other things I'm doing or not doing.. LOL.

     Okay so here is for the BIG news. I should be getting a paper copy of my orders this week!! My detailer said that I can leave San Diego as soon as February 10th!! and have to check in to my school up in Lemoore California no later than March 10th. I am going on leave Tomorrow morning and will be going up north to pick up my mom and drive to Lemoore to look for apartments/ Houses. If we can find one and get things lined up I will be trying to get my things moved out of here and up there as quick as we can so that I can get some relax and quilting time before I start school. That and get my meows settled in a new place.. it really messes them up when I change schedules and am not home.

     So here are some pictures that I took this weekend:

This would be the lake that I woke up to find my truck in the middle of yesterday morning.. I actually waded through the water on the right hand side because my Honda was parked in that spot backwards.. I figured the truck was high enough but didn't want to worry about the car. The water is 2 -3 inched deep and in some areas more.

Well that's it for my news and weather.. Hope everyone is having a great weekend and that you have gotten a lot of sewing done.

Heather

       Wow christmas is over! Though I am glad I still have some lingering gifts to finish and have new years to think about. Christmas eve I took a spill at mom and dad's and hurt my shoulder so sewing is on the back burner for now.. my sewing machine is still in the car that I took to mom and dads.. its to heavy and painful for me to bring up the stairs right now.. if I can't get it up the stairs by saterday I'll ask my brother to carry it.

       Plans for new years? Well Ryan and Molly (my brother and sister in law) Are coming down to see me and spend a couple of relaxing days. Since the last time they were here was for the Ball and things were crazy. They are coming down on sunday and will be leaving on tuesday. Any ideas for things to do? Or meals? We talked about spending a quiet new years ordering a pizza and renting a movie.

       I hope to be off the pain meds and able to sew a little.. but that is going to be a little by little thing... maybe a couple wonder wallets to put away for gifts and things?

Heather

I honestly couldn’t tell you what happened this weekend. Thursday night/ Friday morning I came home from work all ready to jump in a sew and “get things done”.

First I wanted to try to get my thimbleberries club stuff together for club Saturday Morning. I was up until the wee hours Friday morning cutting fabric. Then I got up Friday (supposed to be a PJ day) and went and did my Christmas shopping. I’m done except for the gift certificate for my brother That should have been bought and mailed out already.. Ugh. I’m hoping that if I can get the certificate today on my way into work that I can get their stuff mailed out Monday priority. When I was done with shopping I went back to cutting but I know that I was really wiped out from the rest of the week because I couldn’t keep my eyes open.

To make a long story short I napped off and on the entire weekend got nothing accomplished except one block for thimbleberries and some light cleaning. Oh and the Christmas shopping if you can count that.

So the plan for today is to get some extra things cut out and bagged (organized) so that I can sew a little during the week. Friday I have off (as of right now just have to call in that may change). Saturday and Sunday are squadron free and Monday I have to drive North to my brothers house for our family Christmas Eve. Christmas morning will be spent with my parents and then they are getting ready to go to Colorado, Ryan is spending Christmas with his soon to be in-laws and I will head home to spend the rest of the day and evening with my meows. My plan is to get some great movies, pull out some nice warm pj’s have some fabric cut to sew that doesn’t have a deadline and enjoy my time sewing.

So I am off to do some ironing and cutting then headed to work. If I have time I will post some more pictures later

Heather  

      Okay this is a long and some what painful story. I was getting out in March/ April. But I found out on November 17th that I made First Class Petty Officer (E-6). This was the hurdle that I was trying to over come and was one of the many reasons that I was getting out.

      Some of the other reasons included my parents health. My mom had a not so great appointment with they Lymphoma doctor back in July so I was afraid that things were going to get worse. At her appointment in October the doctor said that her counts (blood cell) were back to a level that was acceptable. When he says acceptable he means that they aren't bad enough to start any abrasive treatment. Right now we stand at she's not sick and treatment may only weaken the immune system and make things worse. Dad on the other hand has health issues of his own. He is on meds for his heart and I think that once he retires (in January) that things will get a little better for him.

      Anyway (Since the train of thought on this was long gone 2 days ago) I called my parents after I found out that I made E-6 and we talked about things. They both feel that since I finally passed the hurdle that I had been struggling with and I'm already at 10 years that I should keep going. 10 more years really isn't that long when you think about it and to be able to get a military retirement and all the benifits that go along with it... medical, commisary, exchange and others.. it might be worth it to stick with it just a little longer.

      I'm sorry that this half written post has been here so long I have been trying to get some of my christmas projects worked on and finished. I'll try to catch up again later

Heather 

      A couple years ago I went on the San Diego Crusin Quilters quilt run and picked up this patten for a little chicken pin cushion. They had it all tucked in a take out box and called it Take out Chicken or something cute like that. Well a couple months ago I finally pulled it out and decided to figure out how to sew it together. It was really easy infact I have some ideas to change it and make it different. So here is my Chicken:

Cute huh? the hardest part was the filling.. All those little pebbles.. lol

Heather

      Okay so I showed you a picture of Ryan. He is my younger brother and at one point in time people thought that he and I were twins (Twins born 11 months apart). I thought that I had more pictures loaded into webshots but I don't. I do have one of us all at the Ball, I'll for sure take some this year at christmas since there is a chance that this will be the last one at home for a few years depending on my next set of orders.

Here is Ryan again and you can see SSgt in the background making faces.

Here is Molly, Ryan, and Myself

Oh and just to show you that I am ready to go out side and make Snowmen!! Here is a picture me in the Colorado snow!! I love it. It looks like this year I am going to miss it but I still love it anyway.

Really if I knew that it was this easy to add pictures I would have done it before. Now I just need to wade through the pictures that I have so that I can show all the great things that I have made.. smiles

Heather

      So I always talk about my kitties being little helpers. We all know that some times that can be fun and other times well its questionable. Lillybeth (most often refered to as Lilly) seems to be my biggest helper. It doesn't matter what she was doing before I started but usually with in a few minutes or seconds of starting to cut shes there. Here is Lilly helping

Lilly's Thoughts? Here mom let me help you with this.. she backs up and pulls it around in front of here until one of the other 2 start chasing here with it.

     Back to my snomen really quick. MY online group did a snowman quilt block swap. We were all required (the ones signed up) to make 6 snowmen blocks per set (max 2 sets) I only got a chance to make 1 set of snowmen and got a total of 6 snowmen back. I will get pictures taken of those soon but here is a pic of my snowman block

And like always here is my helper

She is a cutie.. is very talkitive and cuddly. I will try to get some more things posted for you to see later I have to get ready to head out to work. Yesterday I left work about 4 am or so so I'm crossing my fingers for an early day

Heather

      Okay So I have been promising pictures left and right and I just finished uploading them to Webshots. Well Not all of them I have uploaded alot but I have more to do when I get the chance to. Some days I just wish that I didn't have to go to work and today is one of them. I would much rather stay home in bed, or use my computer whatever something other than go to work.

      So lets see if this works here are some pictures of our Shooter Ball this is my brother (Ryan) and his soon to be wife (Molly)

And here is one of our Color Guard. I was trying to be serious ... honest

I guess that will be all for today .. I really need to get to work I have a LONG LONG day ahead of me.

Heather

          Well this weekend wasn’t as productive as I had wanted it to be. I came home from work on Friday and felt miserable so I ran the errands that I could and came home and slept.

          I went to quilt class this morning and though the atmosphere of the LQS always makes me feel better I still didn’t feel great.

          My accomplishments for this weekend? 6 of those can insulators for my family’s stockings ( that took a whole 5 minutes or it seemed). I have sewn 3 tissue covers (not the same as the ones I sent) and have 3 more cut out. I cut fabric for a quilt called Cactus Wreath (http://www.cozyquilt.com/Aspx/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=456 ). I have yet to start sewing but figure maybe I can get some bits and pieces sewing done through out the week but its cut so thats a start.

          So I got to thinking about the things I liked about the Holidays and like I mentioned before, I like giving gifts. Especially the ones that mean some thing special. I know that many people have been touched by cancer and though I haven’t done it in a while, this is a great charity pattern for chemo caps.. and it doesn’t have to be just for that I’m sure the children’s hospital would love them as well as other places. And you know I would wear them if they were in the right colors. Some of the patterns are really cute

http://www.hancockfabrics.com/images/us/local/page_specific/freeprojects/chemocap/chemocap.pdf

http://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/patterns.htm - for those that crochet as well as quilt.

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/adult-cancercaps.html - more crochet

          Now on to some more Project ideas. I can’t say they are quick and easy but we all know that if it really needs to get done.. if there is a will we will find a way.

          Arm chair organizer – so you won’t lose the remote and tv guide.. ha ha didn’t work for me. There are also some other organizer patterns. I love the organizers but have yet to organize myself.. still trying.

http://sewing.about.com/od/homedecprojects/ss/armchairorganiz_3.htm

http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/ef_wallorganizer.html

That easy stocking pattern to make last minute when you realize that one of your Christmas morning guests doesn’t have a stocking.

http://sewing.about.com/od/holidaysewingprojects/ss/xmasstocking.htm

Bottle bags for that special wine or maybe a bottle of sparkling cider? Great for Hostess gifts. Or maybe an office party?

http://sewing.about.com/od/holidaysewingprojects/ss/bottlebag.htm

http://www.janome.com/index.cfm/ProjectCenter/Project_Detail/Christmas_Stocking_Bottle_Caddy_Pattern

http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/ef_winesack.html

 An insulated lunch sack, so you can be different. Who couldn’t use a personalized lunch bag? 

http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa072100a.htm

Those famous rice heating bags. I made these for mom one year and my sister inlaw ended up taking it home with her. I of course made mom another one.

http://sewing.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=sewing&cdn=hobbies&tm=36&gps=64_756_1148_711&f=00&su=p445.92.150.ip_&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//quilt.com/MiscQuilting/RiceBags.html

http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/ef_ricebags.html

For the crafter ..

http://www.janome.com/index.cfm/ProjectCenter/Project_Detail/Pocket_Pal

http://www.janome.com/index.cfm/ProjectCenter/Project_Detail/Serger_Companion

http://www.janome.com/index.cfm/ProjectCenter/Project_Detail/Thimbles_&_Thread_Organizer

http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/ef_notionette.html

http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/ef_sewing_room_accessories.html

Pillow Case Patterns

http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/beehappy_pillowcase.pdf

http://craftandfabriclinks.com/pillowcases/cases.html

http://craftandfabriclinks.com/pupcases/pupcase.html

http://www.logcabinquilts.com/freepattern.html

More for you Pet

http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/pet_placemats.pdf

http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/e_pets.html

heres a collection of patterns to outfit almost the entire kitchen. Also great smaller projects for secret sister exchanges and such

http://www.hancockfabrics.com/jump.jsp?itemID=714&itemType=CONTENT

A Festive Santa hat – warning this one is crochet

http://www.hancockfabrics.com/jump.jsp?itemID=364&itemType=CONTENT

Advent Calendar - maybe for next year I have 3 or four ready to sew like I needed that many

http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/eo_advent_calendar.html

Well its almost midnight here so I am off to get some last minute things done before heading to bed. Its back to work tomorrow. Hopefully this week will be less hectic than last. Take care !!

Heather

          Well I hope that everyone enjoyed my 12 Days of Christmas Part 1. I know I had fun looking at everything. I am infact going to be working on some of those things my self this weekend.

Looking for that last minute gift for some one you forgot? Or how about that some one that you didn’t know was coming for the holidays and you want to make sure that they are included in the festivities. My family always tries to remember those that don’t have some place to spend the holidays, being in the military I have moved around a few times and have quite a few friends that don’t spend the holidays with their family and we have never felt that it was right for them to spend it by themselves. So we almost always have last minute guests, and on more than one occasion have been one of those shoppers that is running through the store Christmas eve to get those last minute gifts and don’t forget stocking stuffers.

Stocking stuffers is a whole different evolouton at my house. Mom and Dad used to be Santa’s helper and we would get candies and silly socks and batteries (for those gifts everyone forgets to look and see if they were included.. ha ha) you name it and we have tried to fit it in some ones stocking. One year I guess santa laid his helpers off or something because Christmas morning our stocking hung there by the chimney lifeless. So that became my thing. I tried to make sure that I knew who all was going to be at Mom and Dads Christmas morning and try to have a stocking for everyone. I made the mistake last year of letting my younger brother help me out stuffing things and when he realized that I wasn’t stuffing my own (no point in my opinion) he made the last minute trip to walgreen’s  or what ever happened to be open and picked up a bunch of stuff so that I wouldn’t be left out. So to make to very long stories a little shorter (Not much) I have decided to share with everyone the things that I have been finding while surfing the glorious web of unending inspiration and ever changing ideas.

First we’ll start off with the gift for yourself, or maybe a gift for a fellow crafter that like any other has the ever ending list of bookmarked pages to go back to the patterns later. Here’s tips on how to organize all those patterns that you find and print out on the web. May I suggest to go along with it that you make a binder cover out of simple fabric scraps for that favorite crafter in your life. Heck print out the tips on how to organize and insert them in the binder.

 http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/a/patternorganize.htm

Another tip from me... when you know that you are looking on the internet for patterns (or even when you don’t) create a folder some where on your computer with those patterns when it is full and yes they get full transfer them right away to a disk/ CD/ DVD. Don’t procrastinate and say that you will organize them later because we all know that will NEVER happen.  

Have you ever been in the auto section of a store and looked at the accessories and decided that the selection just wasn’t what you wanted? I myself have tree frogs but here you can make a steering wheel cover out of what ever you want!!

http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ss/fursteeringwhee.htm

For the old car enthusiast or maybe not here is a pattern for fuzzy dice.

http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ss/fuzzydice.htm

One of many pot holder patterns. Good project for beginners, great stocking stuffer or perhaps add to a gift basket with some pancake mix and a couple of other kitchen items.

http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ss/potholder.htm

Don’t forget your pets at Christmas, even if they are like my brothers cat and hid under the bed all day long never to see the light of day. I have 3 kitties myself and mom calls them her grand kitties, and yes I sign over custody to her when I have to go on detachment.. ha ha ha.

http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ss/catmousetoy.htm

For that crafter on your list. Everyone could use a sewing machine cover and you can personalize it to the receiver. Another thought at moms house we have covers for all of our kitchen appliances, coffee pot, toaster, dehydrator you name it if it gets left out where it can be seen design your own covers. Mom did she designed crochet covers for everything yet she still doesn't believe shes a designer. Now those cover are pretty old and some one has probably already copyrighted similar designs but I am happy to say I saw them in Mom's kitchen before I ever saw them in a printed pattern. 

http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ss/machinecoverins.htm

http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa011801b.htm

A simple sachet for a stocking stuffer, or maybe to place in with a pretty dress that you give some one. My grandma loves them.

 http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ht/sachetht.htm

Here is a link for some aprons. I have seen so many patterns for aprons this year. I guess they are the style now. I remember baking with mom for the holidays and putting on aprons. While I was in school I remember the cook in the cafeteria having aprons for every holiday. I bet your thinking why on earth would this girl remember the lunch lady.. because mom was one of the lunch ladies and worked at my school and later I was one of the lunch ladies and worked not only at my elementary school, but my junior high and even in my mom's kitchen (she was the boss.. smiles) there for a few years before joining the service. Though the job wasn't glorious I had fun and met alot of great people and working with mom really wasn't bad we had fun together.  I think that this would be a perfect gift for the cook/ baker in your life. Or maybe the BBQ’er. Also listed are garden aprons, art aprons and liquid dish soap aprons for the kitchen.

http://sewing.about.com/od/aprons/Apron_Sewing.htm

http://craftandfabriclinks.com/freepatterns/aprons.html

http://richpennypincher.com/freeapron.pdf

http://tipnut.com/56-free-apron-patterns-you-can-make/

Kitchen patterns, Table runners, pot holders, placemats, wallhangings, ovenmits. You name it, it might be there.

http://bomquilts.com/Free-Quilted-Kitchen-Patterns.php

Tote bags also the rage now. I know we could all use them to carry things back and forth to work or school. I have one that I intend to make to organize and carry my quilting stuff in the hopes that the new year will allow me to take some classes.

 http://sewing.about.com/od/bagstotespurseproject/ss/grocerybag.htm - your own grocery bag

http://sewing.about.com/od/bagstotespurseproject/ss/totebagzipper.htm

http://sewing.about.com/od/bagstotespurseproject/ss/tote2.htm

Soda Can insulator, Juice box wrap, - perfect for the holidays that way everyone knows what cup, can juice box belongs to them. They may not remember where they left it last but this might help. (Stocking Stuffer?? )

http://sewing.about.com/od/bagstotespurseproject/ss/canwrap.htm

Fabric Wallets, Check book covers, Travel tissue covers, eye glasses case.

http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ss/eyeglasscase_2.htm

http://sewing.about.com/od/bagstotespurseproject/ss/menswallet.htm

http://sewing.about.com/od/bagstotespurseproject/ss/clothwallet.htm

http://sewing.about.com/od/bagstotespurseproject/ss/envelopetissue.htm

http://sewing.about.com/od/bagstotespurseproject/ss/slittissuecover.htm

http://sewing.about.com/od/bagstotespurseproject/ss/checkbookcover.htm

http://sewing.about.com/od/bagstotespurseproject/ig/Free-Bag---Purse-Patterns/

Do you know some one that paints? Maybe this could be modified for crochet hooks or pens, pencils markers? Do you have disappearing ink pens for your sewing? Or the identi-pens for embellishing?

http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ss/brushrollup.htm

      I just wanted to thank everyone for all the great help on how to upload pictures. I wish that I had had time when I got home from work but the schedule this week is a little weird and at 0300 in the morning I just didn't feel like it.

      My meows were really needy when I got home and wanted to sit and cuddle and be lovie so that is what I did for a little while and then went to bed because I knew that I had to get uniforms and things ready for today.

      Today they made it offical, had a ceremony and everything. So as of today I am officially AT1(AW/SW) Ridges. I doesn't feel any different even though everyone thinks that it should. I am trying to figure out what I can do to leave my mark here at this command. I'm thinking that I might see what needs to be done to start a volenteer program at the local elementary school. I would go over there a couple times a week and spend time with the kids I think that it would be great. I like the kids anyway I just hate to start something and then have to transfer.

      Does anyone have plans for this weekend? I am planning on working on some christmas stuff. I really need to finish what I can for my brother and get it in the mail before next week. Oh and this weekend is strip club weekend at the quilt shop so I will be over there. I wish that our LQS would play strip poker like Jen talks about, maybe there is hope yet.

Heather 

      Well its that day of the Week AGAIN!! My Monday begining of the week. I had full intentions of putting some pictures on here and well when I sat down to do it I couldn't remember how.  Darn it!! So here is my plea... HELP HELP can some one point me to where Jen wrote out directions on how to add pictures? I have a few to share from before and a few more from this weekend. I finished snowman blocks that are really cute and can't wait to show them off. Oh and I almost forgot I made a tissue cover too it was little and really easy but hey it was a finished project.

      I have some placemats, and aprons that I am going to work on here in the next couple of days, a round robin to finish putting the last row on and then there are some other odds and ends that I want to try to get done. I want to make some more ornaments for family and some friends.. and stockings for work. I'm not sure if it wouldn't be easier to just buy those cheap stockings and write with glitter paint on them names... I just thought that being my last christmas at this command that I would leave them something to remember. I am also looking to make candy and possably cookies to send to my brother since he is not coming home for christmas this year.

      I still don't know what to get him for a gift last year I gave him a Best Buy gift certificate and if any of you have heard of it the video game world of warcraft (don't get started on that game you get sucked in and loose all track of time.. trust me I know.. LOL) I was trying to think of something that I could make him and am drawing a blank

Well I have got to run its really late and they said I could go home finally

Heather

     Well I see that Jen asked where my pictures were. I have a good excuse I promise. I have been so busy with color guard practice/ ball practice that I barely had time to sleep. I was going into work at 11am and then staying to work my regular shift some times getting out a little early and then there were a couple days that it was impossible to leave there were too many things going on.

      So our squadron ball was Saturday.. I made it through the color guard with flying colors.. the command was pretty happy about it all. It was pretty awesome.

      That wasn't even the best part though... Friday morning I got a phone call that I made 1st Class Petty Officer (E-6). YEAH!! So we were pretty excited about that. I really haven't celebrated.. if I had my choice I would celebrate with all my quilty friends but we are just too far away from each other to do anything together.

      So that was my weekend.. things should slow down for me but we'll see about that

Heather