My new favorite fabric flower

 I saw these on a pillow tutorial here.  I can't wait to make the pillow, so cute.  I tried making a few flowers first.  It's a real easy method.  

I made this headband with a couple of flowers.  Next time I want to try making smaller flowers.  There are so many fun projects you could do with these.  Love them!

Computer Crack

 I absolutely LOVE my netbook.  The screen went black a couple of weeks ago.  No problem, under warranty.  Just had to call Dell computer support to get it fixed.  Two calls.  Hung up frustrated twice.  It's not that I couldn't understand them.  I do medical transcription and type many foreign dictators from India, so I'm used to their accent.  Getting them to understand me; however, is the problem.  Well, it all finally worked out and last week a technician came to my house and put in a new LCD screen.  Everything was wonderful for 2 days until I noticed a bulge in the black plastic that holds the screen in and a 2 inch crack along the top.  There's a wire or something in the way so it won't push back together. If I was smarter and braver I would undo the screws and try to fix it....but why should I.  It was fine before they fixed it so they need to come back and make it right.

I e-mailed Dell this time, hoping that would work better.  No response.  Got up this morning and it's a bright, sunny day.  I'm happy.  Good mood.  I'll try calling Dell.

Hello India.  Yes my device number is "F" as in Frank, "V" as in Rictor (Can't say their V's very good).   Then onto my name "C" as in Sally.  Not looking good.  I explain the problem.  He can't understand.  He asks me to speak louder and slower.  Do you know what happens when you do that?  I usually don't talk that way unless I'm really, really mad.  Heart starts beating faster, cheeks going red, head about to explode.  No, I don't want to troubleshoot.  I don't need to turn it on.  It works fine, just has a crack/gap in the frame the holds the LCD screen in.   It won't snap back together.  "Please explain to me in another way."  Sigh.  I try different words.  No good.  Yes, you can put me on hold for 5 minutes.  I will spend that time breathing in and out very slowly.  Relax.  He comes back on and I re-explain.  He still can't understand.  I ask if I can talk to another person.  "Don't worry Ma'am.  I will solve your problem."  What? You are my problem.  "Is this March 30, 2011?"  Well yes, but what does that have to do with my computer???  Telling myself to breathe.  Never mind India.  Hang up.

So Dell, I'd like to know how sending computer support to India saves you money.  It takes longer to get issues resolved.  What should have been a 5 minute phone call took 25 minutes, and then it still was not resolved, which means another phone call...or more.  Wait!  I think I've figured it out.  It really does save money because people get frustrated and give up....like me.  Maybe I can fix the gap with some black electrical tape and ignore the bulge on the front of the screen.  I'm thinking iPad next time.

Off to enjoy the rest of this sunny day.  Hoping to spend some time in the calm, purple sewing room.

Peek-A-Boo Block

 I'm sure there's another name for this block, but I call it the Peek-A-Boo block.  For this one I cut 4-1/2 squares of the background and the main blocks.  I used scraps from my scrap bag.  I'm also making one with 6" blocks from a bundle of fat quarters.  I'll post more on that one later this week.  You draw diagonal lines from corner to corner with a pencil.

 Or you can iron creases from corner to corner if you prefer.  I like the lines better.

 Cut about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in each direction in the center of the block.

 I prefer to use a rotary cutter.  It goes much faster...but either way is good.

 You should have a little peek-a-boo hole like this.

 Then put the two pieces together with right sides together.

 Sew all the way around the block 1/4 inch from the edge.  TIP:  when you get to the drawn line you know to leave the needle down and turn your block.

 Then use your scissors to carefully cut the rest of the way on all four lines to the corners.  

 Press with your iron.  

 Sew together in rows.  I clip the dog ears from the seams after they are sewn.

Another option is to switch your colored blocks with the solid white or cream blocks.  I love the look of this one with the different colors in the corners.  It would be a great signature quilt too.

You can make them any size.  I just decided how my rows length and width I wanted to do and cut equal amounts of block from my main fabric and my corner fabrics.  It's such a good way to use up scraps.  I'm going to try one with 3 inch blocks next to use up some of my smaller scraps.  I think it would be fun to try one with a black fabric instead of white for the corner fabric.  So many possibilities!!

Need some sunshine.....

I've been feeling down lately....really down.  I feel like blogs are supposed to be a happy, uplifting place so I really hate to post something negative.  But life isn't always happy.  Sometimes it's so hard you feel like you are stuck in quicksand....can hardly get through the day.  It feels like your smile doesn't go past your lips... doesn't spread to your eyes and make them twinkle.  

I decided it was time to make a bright, happy quilt.  I used a bundle of fat quarters that remind me of spring flowers.  I found an easy pattern from "Time Out Quilts" by Terry Atkinson.

I"m ready to put it on to quilt.  I put all my other projects on hold until I get this quilt done.  It's my therapy quilt.  

My netbook has been acting up today.  The screen goes blank.  I think there's a short in it.  So frustrating.  Jonny did a few things and got it working again...bit it still flickers and goes blank.  He's going to tear into it one day this this week and see if he can figure it out.  His friend has a shop where he can go use his tools and hopefully get it going as good as new.  I'm lost without it.

We've had the chicks for 3 weeks now.  I can't believe how much they've grown.  We had to move them up to the bigger cage, and soon we will move them out to the garage.  I call this the teenage years.  They are gawky and awkward.  Spreading their wings and taking little flights in the cage.  

They take a lot of work to keep the water dish and the feeder clean and full.  It's getting better...now only about 4-5 times a day instead of 9-10 times.  I think we are crazy.  We feed the dogs twice a day, the chickens twice a day, the chicks 4-5 times a day, and the people 2-3 times a day.  Gary and I like to joke with each other.  At the end of the day we say "everything that poops is fed."

Purple People Feeder

 Here's a fun, easy idea for you.  IFA or Cal Ranch carry these chick feeders.  They come in metal and plastic bright colors.  Of course I picked purple!!  Wash it in hot, soapy water.  Dry completely.

 Then buy a BIG bag of M&Ms, skittles, or any small candy.  I think I'm even going to try sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.  I bought a large bag and it didn't quite fill the feeder and bottle.  I'd suggest getting the really big bags from Sam's or Costco.

 Fill a canning bottle with candy and screw the feeder base on.  Then turn over and ENJOY!  I used a pint jar since I didn't have enough candy, but I think a quart jar looks better.  It would be fun to mix some Easter candy and jelly beans too.  YUM!!

 I gave these as Christmas neighbor gifts years ago when they only made metal ones.  I'm loving the bright colors....red and green would be perfect for Christmas. 

 Here's BrookLynn in her hospital crib.  She has a staph infection again.  Poor little girl.  She had the liver abscess and staph infection when she was born, and several recurrences since.  The infectious disease doctors are trying to figure it out.  She pulled out her first IV.  Her poor arm is all bandaged up to keep her from pulling it out again....hopefully!

 She's watching the Wiggles on TV.  She would walk around her crib and pull on the bars.  I think she wants out and to go home.

I got a kick out of the weight limit on her crib....350 pounds.  Really??