Friday, March 26, 2010

Spiderweb Top Done!

I finished sewing the rows together on my Spiderweb. I laid out the top to have a look to determine exactly what I was going to do with it. Well, Ms. Peach came on over and made herself comfortable! I guess she likes it!!

Then Uki came over and also laid down on it. I think they like the sound of the foundation paper.

I don't know what she saw, but she went to town. It is ok people, she has her Soft Paws so as long as she doesn't use her teeth; it's all good.

Don't mind the mess; the computer needs to be stripped of all it's contents and then the black bag needs to go to charity.

I'm not sure if I will add a border to this or not. I'm thinking not. I'll quilt it and bind it and turn it into a wall hanging. Maybe....

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Pain, pain, go away!


Yep, I don't like my side picture. I don't have any nice pictures of me actually!! I can't put one up without my hair covered or maybe I just will. Who cares? I'll chew on that one....

The pain in my knee is terrible. I can't 'stay off it'. I have to take the kids to school and pick them up. I have to do the grocery shopping. Oh well, I'll keep chuggin' and doin' my best.

Yesterday was my husband's birthday. For three months, we are the same age. I robbed the cradle don't you know!

I went all out and made Hyderabadi Chicken Pulao and a Chocolate Cake.

Cute huh?

Well, here is the spread with our new dining room that we have never used before! I think the kids have done their homework on it but we mostly spend our time and eat in the TV room. South Beach does not allow us to eat rice so this was a big treat for us all. My kid Amal is so freakin' cool; she stuck to her salad and grilled chicken but broke down and had A LITTLE BIT of it all. Bless her. You can't teach someone discipline, it is innate. Good luck kiddo and keep up the great work! Oh, and we got sodi!

After the debauchery of discovering that the blue ray disc was not compatible with our player; and after MANY phone calls, Ali and I ran to a store to get a different blue ray movie for the birthday boy and then it was time for cake and ice cream! MMMMmmmm.

I torted the cake and put strawberry jelly in the middle. I also put chocolate chips before baking. It turned out so very moist and not too chocolately. I don't like TOO much chocolate. Nope, I don't. Here the kids are 'playing' golf. Waqar was too comfortable. Dig that fabric on my couch!

Uki then claimed my lap and took a bath. What a doll!

Today I worked on my Spider Web Quilt. I want this mother f----er done. I'm so bored with it! Although, I have acquired even MORE scraps now that I have been going through all my fabs! Golly, what is a girl to do????

It's looking quite colorful which was my intention. Some of my points 'escaped' the machine stitch so I have to do some mending. Er hmm., I can see a lavender tip there... I don't know what I will do next. I mean, since I took these photos this morning to now (9:43pm) I have sewn three rows together. I'm almost done with the fourth. I think it needs to be toned down but don't look forward to a border. Hmm....

Peaches came up and was howling at me and then jumped up and made herself comfortable on my sewing machine cover. Uki had to check out the action and was just hanging out. I grabbed her little bed from under my desk and got her to go in it.

She is so darned cute. Don't mind the mess. I have so much dust and ants in here. Bummer!

There is my blue and white sewing machine cover that I made for my Janome' whom is packed away under my table. I feel so sorry for her. Don't miss ya babe though!

Well, now I have to finish these last three or four sections and off to visit with the kids and get them in bed. Ali has a party tomorrow for three friends. We are doing lunch and celebrating his 'big boy' room and the fact that the house renovations are FINISHED for the most part. Amal will be off with friends and in the evening I will be going out with my friends! I hope my mood lightens up! I was a crab today!


Sunday, March 21, 2010

A trip to the ER; Results and a finished project!

My knee snapped on Wednesday night at the annual ABA International Food Fair. I waited for a few hours so that the kids could have some fun. I was stuck sitting in front of the American booth. I made really pretty red, white and blue swirled cupcakes and they had little mini American flags on them. I forgot to take a picture. Darn! They were a hit and were gone very quickly!

I ended up in the ER and had X-rays and nothing wrong with my bones. Thank God.

I took it VERY easy Thursday and Friday and Saturday. Last night I went to see an Ortho. I need a second opinion. My leg feels better and the doc told me to take the pain meds (even though I don't need to) for the swelling and inflamation. He wants to see me in 10 days. I need to lose weight and then he grabbed my husband once he got the X-rays from Wednesday night and told him I have ARTHRITIS!!!!!!!!!!

It's a good thing that I am already doing South Beach.

Since Wednesday morning; I have been working on my bag that I took a class of in Dubai. I finished it. Here she is. Very difficult and I did it on my own.

It has some pockets inside. I screwed up one zipper and only had a lime green one in the house so it is in there! I have a pocket for my iPhone, iPod, a pen and lipstick. The other pocket with the zip has a big pocket where I can put long papers and then the zip for money. Will I make it again? I don't know.....

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Need Help!!

So, here we are. All done with the major work in the house. We have been moving things around, seriously getting rid of the last 10 years worth of stuff and you get the picture!? Here is the orange couch. Leather. My husband hung up a quilt I made. it pulls the red in the carpet in somehow...

Directly across the orange couch is the blinding white couch.

Oh, there is that carpet. It was a gift which I am so appreciative about; but it doesn't quite go with our Ikea stuff. I have to, no I HAVE to make it work....

Va-voom. Here is the carpet, the three white couches and the blue wall.

Another angle of the room as I walk in.

I NEED PILLOWS! I need input. Wanna help? 'Preciate it.

Now, off down the hall and into my Studio!! Here is my desk. An ongoing work in progress. I will never show a beautifully organized room. No, not this chick. It is what it is and it is my working room!

M E E T DAMIAN!!!!!!!!!

I would die without this little fan working working... I have another one for the desk. I have to go out today or tomorrow as I am existing on three hours sleep today (due to the cake, previous post) to buy an AC wall unit.

Uki. What can I say? She is such a delight and my little furry friend. She keeps me company and loves my 'work'. She is always trying to help but is a bit confused as to why she can't pick up a piece of fabric let alone ANYTHING!!?? (Soft Paws)

Here is a bevy of items that need to find homes. Still...

This is my newest Guilty Pleasure!! I LOVE, L O V E , love this show. It is sooooooooo much fun. I need a life. This man on the left with the tongue; er hmm..., he is the most beautiful man on the planet. His name is Ian Somerhalder and he plays a character named Damon on the show. Hence, D A M I A N.

That is a little Freudian slip for whoever cares to go there!

Thanks for coming by. Leave a message...

Hi there!

Been busy around the house. It has been cathartic. Now I am ready to start posting and doing other things. Yesterday, I got a call for a commission for a cake. It was for a baby shower THIS MORNING! I usually need two days notice but it was an opportunity and that seems to be what I need to get going with my Cake Decorating side show...


They know it is a little boy. I love my little piggies here. So cute! Ali insisted the 's' on the end was an 'e'. I hope the ladies could see it for what it is.

Here are my stars. It's all about practice peoples! I love my little silver balls. I hope no one breaks a tooth!!??

I need your help. I have to make 12 pillows and just move from couch to couch looking at them and then going into my studio and looking at my fabs. Nothing works. I think I will have to go shopping!?

Pics to come later. I need breakfast.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

News from the Studio!

I just pilfered this photo from Laila over at Time for Tea. Thanks! This is me, Laila and Isra at the new Craftland in Dubai. Great store! Lots of knitting yarns and needles and books. This new store also offers classes of all sorts and I would love to road trip it one day for that! Will have to keep up with their website!

The kids and I swore that it was about to rain so just before sunset we ran to the beach. Amal really wanted to check out the waves as she is very interested in surfing. It was just breathtaking and it did NOT rain!

The water was freezing! She is watching the waves!

Oh gosh, this is a terrible photo! You can however see the Soft Paws that we put on Peaches. We got her orange. So far, they are freaking fantastic! It has solved many, many problems with housecats with claws. She was laying on my desk!

Here is Uki at the foot of my desk in her little knitted bed. She is grooming herself and again, it is a terrible photo! Perhaps because they were taken with my iPhone! Anyhow, you can see her light blue claws. You can see a little tongue action too!

I bought these American sized 13 knitting needles when in Dubai about two weeks ago now. They are larger needles and this is the yarn that I bought from my friend Maya here in Muscat last year. I tried to get started last night when I plopped myself down to watch a little TV with the kids but ended up without the pattern and was too lazy to get up and get it. So, here is another project that is guaranteed to be a weekend deal! Hmm...we shall see!

Here is my new ironing board and iron! Yipee!! The blue fabric is what I just re-washed. Some of it got very dirty from the rain that one day and the painter had the stuff outside on my roof and was looking at it, remember? Did I mention that he slipped down a few steps? I felt bad for him but was pissed off at him for letting my stuff get soaked and letting the water run into the house and therefore down the steps taking the green paint with it. Anyway, enough doom and gloom; I am in the process of ironing it.

Here are some of the pieces from the Quilt Show Bag class that I took with Janine Ibinini in Dubai. There were about nine of us (if i remember correctly) that took the class from Muscat. I meant to finish it but was busy getting Amal sorted for her Adventure Oman trip this week! I wanted to spend a bit of time with her too as she was leaving/is gone! It was really cool of Janine to make up kits for those interested and for Classic Quilts and Quilting (THE quilting shop in Dubai) to offer Bernina Aurora 440's for those interested. I took avail of both offers! I hope to get busy now that I am in full production mode here! There are still a few things that need to find homes but right this minute; Ali is making a card for a friend and for family. Lot's of birthdays this month for us. We are jamming to my iPod and Bose speakers and listening to Jeff Buckley right now. Great voice!

Today was the monthly Muscat Quilt Guild meeting. I went and thanks Alice for saving me a FRONT ROW SEAT! It was nice to get out after being cooped up for two months. Lots of busy ladies and lots of show and tell! Until next month!