Finally Some Updates

It sure has been a long time coming. Many times it has crossed my mind that I haven't updated my blog.....but life just has been flying by at what seems a more rapid pace and the chance just passes....I don't think that I have taken a new picture on my camera for quite some time. The camera rides along but just doesn't seem to get used. Don't think that there hasn't been some kodak moments...I just stink at getting them recorded. Anywho, lots going on.....here are just some highlights:

• Lately, I have been on a treasure hunting collection spree...just can't seem to get enough of going to thrift stores and auctions.
• My sister and I rented booth space at an antique and craft mall. We hope to thin some of our collections and have some of our homemade crafts available. Also working on getting an etsy shop set up, but that is still in the works.
• I have been super busy at work and may be gaining more responsiblities in the future.
• Nate and I are thinking about moving to the country this mean the huge task of cleaning up my little house to get it ready for sale. This is a HUGE work in progress.
• My sister and I are headed to the Antique Roadshow in Des Moines. We are very excited. We both applied for tickets and she got chosen!! It should be super fun!! (Maybe I will actually get some pictures to post??)
• I went to Spring Quilt Market this past May. What an experience!! Very inspiring....
• I entered some of my quilts in the Iowa State Fair for the first time. I hope that good ribbons are in my future!!
• Went to Minnesota fishing for a week with Nate's family. The fishing was good, but the weather was just yucky....perfect for spending a day with Nate going to Quilt Shops, Thrift Stores and the Casino!!

Well, that is some of the big things that have been going on...

Until next time, LesleyAnn

Happy 2010!!

I can't believe we are well into 2010 already. I can't seem to get the hang of writing 2010 instead of 2009. On some of my checks, I start out writing 09 but quick remember and then stick a 1 in front of the 0 before I get the 9 down. (And yes, I am still old school. I write checks.)

Back in November, Nate and I took a trip to Ohio to visit Longaberger. We had a really good time, even Nate did with all the crazy women nuts for Longaberger. But I have to say that the highlight of the trip for Nate was on the way home we stopped at the Indianapolis 500 track. We even made a lap around the track at 30mph in a little bus. Good Times!!

Here are a few of shots of me at the Longaberger Factory. Nate would not let me take any photos of him there. He said that way he could deny being there...whatever?!


Looking ahead to what 2010 holds...it is hard to say but 2009 was still really good.


Until next time,
LesleyAnn

Swap Goodies

Here is a picture of the things I sent to my partner for the Stitcher's Angel Swap. Patricia is from Brazil and has a nice blog. She has sent me a very nice thank you and I am so glad that she likes her goodies!!! About a week after I sent Patricia her goodies. This arrived in my mailbox from my Stitcher's Angel....

It came all the way from Australia!!! I love the little sewing companion in green. It is probably my favorite thing, but then I like all of it!!! Thank you so much again, Marlene. It is wonderful!! And also a big thank you to Helen for hosting this wonderful swap!!

Just got back from my vacation to Ohio. I have some great pics that I will have to share with you soon!! So, I will leave you with this great picture of my sister and me at the Quilt Show in Des Moines Iowa!!! Until next time,

LesleyAnn

It's My Birthday!!!

It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to......not really. It is my birthday and I am going to be celebrating with a trip to Ohio to see the Longaberger Basket Factory and Football Hall of Fame next week. Nate wants to see....Guess? I will let you be the judge of that one!! At least, we are going somewhere, thank goodness since here in Iowa the weather has been so yucky. Rain Rain and more Rain. It seems to never stop and the farmers are getting nervous if they will be able to get the crops out in time.

P.S. I sent my Stitcher's Angel swap gift on Friday of last week. Don't know how long it takes to get to Brazil??? We'll have to see. Post pictures later..... Until next time..

LesleyAnn

What Was Missing Has Been Found

I guess you could say that I have been missing in action.....The summer was so busy with WORK and MORE WORK. You know the kind.....where the paycheck comes from. Plus the organization that I work for is restructuring due to budget cuts. So the changes have been stressful. But at least I still have a job. That's a good thing. Sewing is my stress relief, but it seems that I just haven't gotten in as much time as I would like. Been working on the Angel Stitcher's Swap gifts and also working on some other things. Hopefully in the next week or so I can find some more time to get the camera out and dust it off and show what I have been up too.

I did enter the recipe for the picture above into the French's Foods contest. It is called Burger Delights and it is delish. Find the recipe here. Type Burger Delights in the contest search engine and VOTE for ME!! (On the main page with contest info click on Learn More and this will get you to the contest search engine!) Thanks!!

Well until next time,

LesleyAnn

Hippity Hop Shop Hops!!

Here's a little bag with accessories that I made my sister for a military ball she went to 2 weekends ago. I think it turned out really cute and funky!! I love the black and white...hated the pattern though it did some things that I couldn't understand so I modified it a little to fit the way I wanted it. Before we dropped her off at the ball...we went on a little Shop Hop to a few quilt shops. Didn't really find anything that interested me.

This past weekend, my mom and I went on another Shop Hop. We had a good time even though my mother doesn't sew......Ironically we both won a prize, don't know what it is yet since we haven't been back to the shop. I hope it is something good. Below are the goodies that I got on this hop. Lots more successful than the weekend before. Don't know when I am going to get to all these projects, but that is the joy of being a quilter....adding to the stash.


On another note, Nate and I are going on a little vacation to Branson over the Memorial Weekend. I am really excited. We are going to take in some shows and some quilt shops I hope. Nate is looking forward to Bass Pro Shop, whatever. We get to get away from it all for awhile. I think we both need it.....we have both been putting in a lot of hours at work. Thus explaining my absence from blogging. Well, until next time

LesleyAnn

Show Some Love Swap Giftie!!

Last week a very special package arrived on my doorstop from across the big blue ocean! I was so excited when I opened it and found all the wonderful things my secret swap partner, Julie from Australia made for me!! What wonderful talents she has!! I really don't even want to use the dish towels and clothes because they are so nice and I don't want to get them dirty!!

Here is how my package came and below is a better view of all the nice things she sent me. One package of the Tim Tams is already gone! Nate really liked them and I can't say that I didn't like them either. They are very good. Thank you so much, Julie, you really made my day. Your generosity and kindness were very appreciated!!

Because I am sure that my giftie should arrive in Australia sometime soon. I will show my gift that I sent across the big blue ocean to my secret swap partner, Tracey!! I hope that this gift arrives to you safely and you are safe from the devastation that has happened in your country recently. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Australia in this saddening time for them. Been working on my BOMs and hope to show you my progress next time. I have also been reading a lot of books lately, most with a quilting theme. If you haven't read anything by Jennifer Chiaverini, do... Her Elm Creek Quilt books are wonderful and I have a hard time putting them done. I also just finished a book called, "They Named Me Marjorie" by Ann Zemke. It was wonderful and it was written in memory of her grandmother of which the story is about her life in Minnesota in the early 1900's. Very interesting and inspiring. Currently I am reading "The Lover's Knot, A Someday Quilt Mystery". So far so good. It is actually a little lighter reading compared to what I have been reading lately. Most of these books you can find at the bookstore or on Amazon. Well, it has been busy around here at the bungalow. Hope to post sooner and more often. Another goal for 2009!! Until next time......

LesleyAnn