Happy Zombie

I’ve been tagged by Cindy, Tiff and That Silly Lil’ Doe with a 7 random facts about me. I like so much the way Pam did hers, and then Elizabeth did hers… I’m going to carry on the idea! I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be random facts or weird random facts… either way, I’m weird and this is the short list.

1) I’m easily amused. Simple pleasures for simple minds??? I listen to Adam Carolla’s radio show in the mornings. In my house in OREGON, for best reception I listen to his show on the Seattle station. In the car, when I cross the river into WASHINGTON, for best reception I listen to his show on the Portland station. This amuses me to no end. I know I can listen online at home, but how amusing is that?

2) I love going to the dentist to have my teeth cleaned. It’s a Spa Day for my teeth. And when the hygienist reclines the chair back and my feet are higher then my head… PRESTO - instant tummy tuck for 30 glorious minutes!

3) I love the rain and stormy weather. Too much sunshine and I get reverse-SAD. I love sunshine for gardening, eating outside, outdoor quilt shows, picnics, campfires and camping… but I also need a good balance of cozy rain.

4) I love riding on a school bus. The bumpier the road the better. Hills and valleys… euphoria.

5) I can’t sit still. Even writing this post I think I’ve gotten up like eight times. I also need to keep my hands busy when I watch TV. If I didn’t quilt or do redwork, I couldn’t just sit there and watch (sans Lost… I totally focus on that). It’s why I think I don’t like going to movie theaters… because I can’t do handwork there (hey, you in the back… turn off the @#$%! Ottlite).

6) I hate going grocery shopping. BUT… once I’m there I linger. I read labels, smell shampoos, spend 10 minutes picking the best mushrooms, spend 15 minutes searching for the forgotten item I needed most (and still not find it only to remember what it was the minute I pull into my driveway).

7) I have favorite parking spaces at various establishments. When I find one of “my spots” open it’s like I won the lottery. Another example of #1.

I realize no one is reading my words as I’m sure you’re all under the influence of this yummy fabric and are currently in a cotton coma. I can almost hear, “get to the part about the fabric!”. This glorious stash of 30’s fabric belongs to my sister-friend Karen. You know you want it… I DO! I’m trying to catch up, so a lot more trips here are in order! I mentioned in an earlier post about the fun time we had folding these fabrics and that it was from Karen that I learned the cool folding method by Lois Hallock that changed my life. Lois’ book Creating Your Perfect Quilting Space is a MUST HAVE BOOK for anyone who creates with fabric. I BET there’s not a fabric lover out there who wouldn’t have been thrilled to help fold this! It truly was a privilege (and I’m tempted to sneak in and mess it up so we can do it again).

This is Karen’s new studio (I call it Casa de Washtub) and it’s a paradise! Heaven on earth. Karen and her studio are profiled in the Spring 2007 issue of Designers’ Quarters magazine. Don a bib… you’ll be drooling!

Posted in Fabric Folding | 57 Comments

I’m lucky to be surround by such great women in my life. Amazing. Talented. Giving. Inspiring.

A huge shout-out and whoooooooo - whoooo goes to my wonder twin Pam! Yeah, see that quilt… the quilt of a million pieces of fabric expertly sewn into a beautiful quilt? Click on the image to see a larger photo. Yup… that’s our Pam who made that quilt for Alex’s newest book. Alex you know, doesn’t just ask ANYONE to make a quilt! When you want the best, you want PamKittyMorning! I’m so proud of you Pam!!!! I bow before thee oh Great One.

And speaking of Pam… when Pam and Elizabeth went to Market (you HAVE to go to their blogs to go on “a tour of Spring Market” to read and see all about it!), Pam brought me home a little goodie. Ok, not little… it was a really big deal to me… Pam got for me the latest book by Darlene Zimmerman AND had Darlene sign it. HOW SWEET to be thinking of me (while I was home scrubbing the floors while all my friends were at the ball in Salt Lake City)!

QUILTING - THE COMPLETE GUIDE  by Darlene Zimmerman is a book that should be on every quilters bookshelf! From beginner to expert… it’s a must have! Nicely spiral bound for easy reading and following along. Beautifully worded and beautiful illustrations by Darlene’s daughter Rachel. Aside from the fact that it’s packed with helpful info and tutorials… it’s so darn cute!

My talented and dear friend Robin made these ADORABLE 4-patches for Mimi and I can’t wait to make them into a small doll quilt (and then put it in Calamity Kim’s new Doll Quilt CrAzY flickr pool). Or will it be Mimi who makes it? All are vintage fabrics and sewn into tiny little 2” four-patches. I was giddy with joy when Robin gave them to me. Robin, who is blogless (and shouldn’t be) is a fabulous quilter and one of the sweetest kindest people I know. Chances are if you’ve learned to quilt or hand quilt and live in SW Washington or NW Oregon… Robin has taught you!

A pioneer of women in business and designing is Ruby Short McKim. Ruby truly blazed the trail for women in publishing and design. She’s worth reading about if you’re unfamiliar with her. I think Ruby’s biggest fan is my dear friend Melinda. Melinda not only made me this darling celery crisper, but I think she made close to 30 more of these! Melinda just finished her term as our guild president (she was awesome) and she thanked so many members with a darling celery or lettuce crisper she made us from a vintage Ruby McKim pattern. Can you imagine! I’d be pooped after making just one (and formulating a new plan to make something faster). WOW and how BEAUTIFUL!

I don’t have a photo, but if you have a copy of The Mag in your hot little hands, you can see the stunning and beautiful machine quilting my dear sister-friend Karen did on my cherry quilt (and you can also see in the issue on the Make Your Point quilt pattern that Karen is offering a kit for sale - how cool to share pages with her!). I don’t know how she does it. Designing new fabric, writing books, running a successful quilt shop (as seen in BH&G’s Quilt Sampler Fall 2006 edition), volunteering, teaching classes, cook her Bob dinner, traveling (I’m exhausted just thinking about her busy life)… she has time to do something so nice and so beautiful for me.

Amazing women!

Posted in Quilty n Crafty | 21 Comments

Seriously… I received a sign! Not from God, not from the universe… but from Deanna of Domestic Chicky and The Apronista. This is so cool what she did for me and I had to learn more!

This looks so real! I thought FOR SURE Deanna had one of those long poles with the suction cup thingy at the end and on that busy street putting up the letters. And I’m no less thrilled to find out she did this from the comfort of her keyboard!

Do you have time to kill? Looking for a good time (that’s so PA Bob)? Do you have a zillion things to do that you’d like to put off so you can play? Check out RedKid.net! Thank you Deanna!

Posted in Stuff | 13 Comments

Things are really hopping at my house, and it’s really cutting into my blog-time! Ok, it’s all good, but my bloglines is lit up like a Festivas Tree and I’m itching to catch up with everyone’s blogs! DS has taken it upon himself to re-landscape our back yard, which is no easy task since we live on a hillside. DH and I have jumped on the band-waggon (though I’m working in a not so treacherous area of the yard, ie., with the potted plants and keeping the work crew happy with pancakes and pizza). Outside and in the sunshine non-rainy weather we’ve been having… make for glorious family time! My bloggy fun time and quilting/sewing have been neglected, as well as cooking, cleaning and the laundry (the latter not too unusual). And speaking of neglected… I’m learning fast I need to keep a closer eye on PA Bob and Mimi!

And NOW I KNOW why PA Bob has that grin on his face!

Posted in How I Live, Mimi's Adventures | 29 Comments

It’s official… I’ve crapped my pants and my head’s exploded from mass expansion. My little cherry quilt made the cover!  Not to mention getting published by my favorite publisher isn’t cool enough as it is!

Posted in Quilty n Crafty | 63 Comments

WOW… you guys are awesome! I can’t tell you how happy and special you all make me feel with your sweet, sweet comments! I had no idea little ole me would get so many comments, and such sweet comments at that! I heart you all!

Because I was not expecting sooooooooo many comments… I’m going to add one day to my give-away and I’m going to add one more bundle (4 fat quarters and a panel of Wash Tub Butterflies)! So we’ll have two winners! Even though technically I’m the winner! My trusty personal assistant Bob will be blindfolded and draw two names. Please do not attempt to schmooze him (even though he is easily charmed). I will have my eye on him during the drawing at all times.

I heart you all and want to personally respond to each and every one of you. I cherish each comment and plan on getting to my email box soon!

Posted in Stuff | 14 Comments

I’m a few days late, as it was the 1st anniversary of Happy Zombie on May 1st. What started out as Cheese Zombie, a blog of stuff, rants, observations, blah, blah, blah… not much fun and didn’t make me happy. And then, one happy day on May 1st, 2006… I discovered crafty blogs and I KNEW that was for me. And Happy Zombie was born. Still not potty trained - but a year old!

I celebrate because I’ve made bloggy friends IRL, online bloggy friends and bloggy friends who I want to meet IRL. All because of commenting in this crafty-blogging-loveland. I’ve been inspired, I’ve been moved, I’ve been touched, I’ve been flattered… it just goes on and on. Every one of you (and some I’ve yet still to discover, so comment please) has brought happiness and inspiration into my life. For fear of leaving someone out who’s impacted my life, please clicky clicky in my blogroll (The Lunch Box) to visit the bloggers who inspire and enrich my life.

To celebrate my blogiversary, one lucky commentor will receive from me a bundle of Wash Tub Prints. If this is what it takes to de-lurk you… so be it! HA! I am giving away something very special to me. The fabric designer of the Wash Tub Prints is my good friend Karen (my sister-friend) and I love to brag about her and all her successes. A little bit of me is in this fabric in the form of words. If you look at the panel print, you will see “All the days of the week, A happy life I shall keep“. Yup… that was “authored” by moi. It was tweaked a bit, as originally I penned it “Every day of the week, a happy home I shall keep“. So there you have it - the closest I’ll ever become to being a fabric designer. A bit of me to one of you. Please leave a comment and on the 8th of May (which is one week and one day after my Zombiversary) I will draw one lucky name.   UPDATED:  Changed to the 9th of May.

Hearts and crafts,
Monica :)

Posted in Stuff | 93 Comments

As promised, I took Mimi to Redwork Club and some shopping fun at Anna Lena’s. She had fun!!! Maybe it was a bit too much fun, as she got a bit cranky when it was time leave. I don’t know if it was all the sugar she consumed, or if it was a fabric high she was on. Anyhoo, I’ll let Mimi tell her story…

Going to Redwork Club was a blast! I got so much attention at Show & Tell time - I was a rock star! I got to meet Mum’s talented and creative friends and got to see all the pretty things they’ve made. What a fun group of ladies they are! A special treat… I got to meet my Great Auntie E and I can see why my mum loves her so much. Great Auntie E is mum to my cousin Mimi Mae. That’s right… she is mum to my cousin! I was hoping to meet Mimi Mae, but that will have to be another day.

Great Auntie Happy (yes… that’s really her name - how cool is that!) brought along her little baby and she and I became fast friends. She’s not really a little baby as she’s about 50 years old. I guess we really DO shrink as we get older! I was disappointed that Happy’s BFF Mary wasn’t there, as I wanted to meet her and her new baby Mimi Lou too (OMG… I have yet ANOTHER cousin!). WOW… what a week. Not only do I have two new cousins here on the coast, but my sister Sophie made her debut AND I found out I have a kiwi cousin Blossom down under!

Time to go shopping! How handy to have shopping carts in the store! I’m guessing Aunt Karen had them especially for my visit. Though it was kind of dangerous as I was not strapped in. I must admit, I was a little dizzy from the sheer bliss and excitement of seeing so much yummy fabric, especially all the 30’s! Wow… it’s 30’s heaven here! Ok, NOW I understand why Mum wears $3 t-shirts and $15 jeans… so she can spend all her money here instead! And wow… look at that bundle of Moda Cherries Jubilee I scored. Ahem… Mum scored. Say… that fabric looks familiar. Where have I seen it before??? ;)

Toys and toys and toys and toys! And books! And stamps! And more toys, oh my. I’m so curious, ha!

Oh SEW pretty! I got to snuggle up with Darlene’s new fabric line!

And then I got to bask in the glow in some of Auntie Karen’s creations!

All this shopping… I’m starting to get hungry. OMG… Peas & Carrots. Oh so, so, so, soooooooooooo yummy! I want to feast on these!

I have a sweet tooth now. Holy crap, there’s not only fabric… but there’s fudge here too! I wonder if anyone will notice if I slip behind the fudge counter and take a little nibble…

And now I must nap.

Napping in the splendor of Auntie Karen’s Wash Tub Prints. Sigh. Bliss. Um… this fabric feels kinda warm. Oooops. Mum forgot that I need Pampers at nap-time.

Hearts and Crafts,
Mimi

Posted in Quilty n Crafty, Mimi's Adventures | 21 Comments

For two days our yard was inundated with these little birds. No exaggeration… there must have been close to 200 of these little feathered friends. At first it was cool… and then creepy thoughts of Alfred Hitchcook set in. I think they were looking for the Chicken Lady.

They were everywhere. A sea of birds. They even went into the chicken coop (to much of the amusement of the hens). They came, they went… and they left thousands of tiny little reminders behind. I know nothing about these birds. If anyone knows anything about these little guys… I’d love to know about them!

Talk about an E-Ticket for Mr. Mochi. For two days I got the Look of Death from him because I strictly enforce the indoor cat rule. I know he’s planning on sabotaging my fabric stash and leaving a nice coat of fur on it. He had that look in his eyes…

Posted in Stuff | 8 Comments

And so it begins. Sticker love.

Posted in Mimi's Adventures | Comments Off