The Journey Continues…

Life is so  much busier now that I’m working.  And to think that it is only a part-time job. 

How on earth did I ever hold down a full-time job, take college courses, and raise three children?!  I wish I could remember how, because time is just flat out eluding me.  Maybe some of you younger women can enlighten me.  I’m up for suggestions.  Bring them on… quick!

It seems that by the time I get home, make dinner, and clean the kitchen, it’s nearly bed time – and I’m not talking about old folks bedtime!

At least this job is only three days a week!

Besides, it will (eventually) provide me with some extra mad money so I can….  do what? …. all together now:  BUY MORE FABRIC!!!  And maybe some yarn too, ‘cause I’ve been bitten by the knitting bug – big time!!  But most importantly, I love the job and the people I work with are really great – couldn’t ask for better!

Almost forgot – I  promised a picture of my office Christmas gift.  Let me introduce you to my desk mates – made by one of my super coworkers:

They make me smile; but they have no names yet… any suggestions?

On another note:  my January block is complete for our little virtual quilting group.  This one is for Gayly….

She said the stripy fabric was an online buying mistake, but the exchange student that was living with Gayly and her family loved it.  Go Gayly is putting the quilt together for her young friend as a surprise.  It really is an interesting fabric with lots of possibilities.  You can check out the other blocks here.

Before we head back to Italy to see the fountains, I’d like to point you to the new blog of a friend of mine.  Gayle is, in my estimation, an expert on health foods and whole body wellness.  If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to take better care of yourself and live a healthier lifestyle, then you should definitely check out Healed by Him.

Now, here are but a few – a very few – of Rome’s fountains.  And I must apologize up front, because I know the name of only one them.

Trevi fountain was made popular many years ago by the movie “Three Coins in the Fountain” with Audrey Hephurn.  Since then, so I’m told, you have to elbow you way through the crowds to get a decent view.  But it’s worth it.  Trevi is just spectacular!

 

Then there was the intersection with a fountain on every corner:

A fountain at the bottom of the Spanish Steps: 

And others here and there….

Our next trip will be to the Vatican.  Hope you’ll join us.

Arrivederci,

Iva

The End

Of 2009, that is.

It was an interesting year, to say the least; and a challenging one in many ways.  But there seems to be a slight glimmer at the end of that proverbial tunnel.  So let’s lift a glass and toast in the new year with all the hope and anticipation and optimism that we Americans are known for.

Okay, enough of the serious stuff.  I need to show you my most recent completed projects, and pictures from Rome….

For Christie in our A Dozen Quilters group, a “Swanky” Jumping Jack block:

For the coworker whose name I drew for our office Christmas party, a cute junior legal pad folio:

 

What was so fun about this drawing is that we each had to make our gifts, and they couldn’t cost more than $5.  Originally the cost was to be less than $1, which would have been really challenging (for me anyway), but there were some funny ideas being tossed around.  Maybe next Christmas.

Since I am rather limited in creative talents, I resorted to what I know best: sewing.  And because my coworker is all about recycling, repurposing and economizing, I thought using selvages to make the exterior of the cover would be perfect for her. 

The good news is she loved it, and that makes me happy.  Problem is, I had fun making this folio and am so thrilled with how it turned out that I now want to make more, along with some journal covers.  But who would I give them to?! 

Hmmm….I’ll come up with someone – several someones – because they are just too darned cute to stop at one.  Hey… maybe a future giveaway???

The gift I received is still at the office.  As soon as I return, I’m taking a picture of it to share with you.  Absolutely priceless!  I can’t wait for you to see it.

Aside from cutting and glue sticking a million petals for my Jacob’s Coat blocks (with only a gazillion more to go – I’m just a tad bit behind the rest of the group!), I don’t think I have done any other quilt-related or knitting projects.  Bummer!  I need to do something about that, and soon!!

So, why don’t we return to Rome?  How about a tour of the Colosseum???

Enjoy…

Exterior:

Interior (just a few):

             

Looking out from the Colosseum:

                       

Our next excursion will be to see a few of the fountains of Rome.  Everyone stay together now.

B.I.N.G.O.

The Quilt Shoppe is hosting a fabulous holiday bingo on their blog.  Rush on over there now to get signed up and join in on the fun.

Iva

This, That, and the Other

Okay.  Time to get caught up, again, on the happenings in the Plain and Fancy household.  And as a result of my lack of dedication to this blog lately, you will have to suffer through many pictures.

First of all, yes, I have taken on yet another project.  Kellie of Don't Look Now fame is hosting a Jacob’s Coat Quilt Along, and when I saw her first beautiful block of pink petals I knew I just had to join in and make this one.   Even though I’ve never appliqued anything in my life!

This is the layout; however, I’ll save the pink for another time.  For now, these are the prints that will go into my quilt…

I can’t wait to get started, but I’m waiting for the arrival of one very crucial item.  Some over-achieving better organized individuals have already posted their first block on the flickr page, so you will want to head on over to Don't Look Now and check out those beauties.

In other news, my Red and Aqua Disappearing 9 Patch blocks are now in the possession of Jane who is frantically sorting and redistributing to all of her 88 participants.

And for my November A Dozen Quilters project, these two blocks were mailed to Carmen who wanted roses and shabby chic.  (She received two because these were just too darned easy :D)

In the midst of all of this, Adorable Granddaughter had a milestone birthday.  She is now the ripe old age of 5!  So Mimi had to bring her home with us after the party so that we could have a Girls’ Shopping Trip (renamed to Shopping Girls by that adorable little munchkin).

We bought clothes and shoes and glittery hair clips and a princess “umbella” and a few other odds and ends.

We also did lots of coloring in our princess coloring book, chasing the kitty, playing at the park and with the neighbor children, and playing….. “swimming balls.”  :D !!!

It took me a minute or two to figure out what she was wanting to do the first time she asked, “Mimi, can we play swimming balls again”?  Huh. Wha…ummm.  Okay?

We had great fun, but she was definitely glad to see her mama when we took her back home.

I also received my Friendship Bag… great job, Kathleen!  I love it!

Whipped out this selvage skirt for Adorable Granddaughter…

… and dropped it in the mail on Friday.

Plus made up 12 pints of Salsa Verde from all those green tomatoes left on the vines.

I think I’m caught up on all the news now.  If not, you can expect to see whatever I’ve missed in the next post.  Aren’t you lucky?!

Until then, just a few pictures of Rome….

   

 

More later….. Oh yes, there are a lot more ;)

Iva