Quilt Pattern - Crack A Lackin

Sound the Trumpets... my first quilt pattern is completed!

Crack A Lackin

Frank named the quilt (and thus the pattern).


As you can see...


...there's just *a touch* of excitement about it around here...


I've also opened a shop in etsy to sell the patterns. Tom has created (a very basic) web page for my new company, Suzy Qute, which you can find at www.suzyqute.com.


As a Grand Hurrah Special, I'll be offering the first ten patterns up at half price... so hurry over to my etsy shop and be one of the first to see what a wonderful job I've done!

[And I'm not at all pround of it either!]

One of These Days

Do you ever give yourself too much to do?

I do.

All. The. Time!

This isn't a "posed" photo to cover sensitive information...
Someone is TRYING to get my attention!

I have so many great ideas and good intentions.

The first week on February I decided to leave "on or around" February 23rd. Then. I got it in my head to design a quilt before leaving... I even thought I'd like to have THREE patterns completed - HA!

I have an appointment in Phoenix on Saturday. I could drive it all in one day... but I've never done that. So, I can still leave today or even tomorrow, but, I don't know. I still haven't packed any clothes or loaded the van or even changed the oil in it yet. My pattern is progressing RAPIDLY in Microsoft Publisher... which is a good thing. The plastic pattern bags arrived late yesterday afternoon (they were due here last Friday). I guess I'll be bringing my mail and bills with me. All these little details.

Mainly, I just wanted to say, I always over-book myself. Always have. There are just so many things I want to do, choosing the best ones - and NOT feeling guilty about the others - has always been one of the hardest things for me to do!

Which makes me think of one other thing. Honestly folks, how DO you watch TV for hours a day? There are So Many things TO DO in life, I just can't figure out when / how to sit around and be unproductive! If I ever let myself do a Movie Marathon or Read a Book, I feel bad for "not doing anything."

Like my Uncle and Husband say, I need to Learn How to Relax.

Any pointers?

Quilt Design - Sample FINISHED!

I JUST finished the quilt... all the way down to the label! I always mean to put labels on and often make them, but don't actually ATTACH them. Anyway, I'm feeling pretty good about finishing the quilt, even though I STILL need to do the final draft of the Pattern, plus actually GET READY to go to Arizona... I'm planning to leave Wednesday... not really sure how I'm going to get EVERYTHING done tomorrow that I "need" to do. I guess I'll just have to "figure it out."

I wanted to let you know that the quilt itself is done... concept to completion, February 11-23. :D

Quilt Design - Break Time

Can I take a break? Today, Jack and I left the house at 8 and returned at 3.

Here's an ice sculpture in the town we were quilting in.
You can see Jack's GREAT Self-Haircut!

During that time, we drove to the quilt shop and set up my quilt


I found I made a mistake with one of the zippers, so I had to re-pin it (to make it easier to attach the quilt to the machine, I have a set of zippers I pre-pin the quilt to). Then, I spent 3-1/2 hours quilting the quilt.

It was handy to have a little guy along...
he was able to climb under the machine and attach my zipper when I put things on in the wrong order!

Now, for the binding and label and to finish the pattern, but I think I'm going to take the rest of the day off from all things quilting.


I'm pooped and I need a little break! And you know what... I think I've earned it!

Quilt Design - Almost A Job

Perhaps your tired of hearing about the Nitty-Gritty aspects of creating a quilt AND pattern to go with it... but do you know, I've been keeping track of my time and in the past six days, I've spent over 20 hours on this project. That's "almost like having a job!" And of course, I'm intending to make it lucrative, but, for someone who's "only" job has been running a house, homeschooling, and sorting out mounds of medical bills, adding 20 hours of ANYTHING to a normally busy week is quite a bit.

Tonight, I hit my wall. I miscut one piece, but one measly inch (over the course of 80" it doesn't sound like much). It was easy to fix, but not with the time crunch I was in. Instantly my hands started to itch (a nervous thing of mine) and I knew I was Done. I called Tom up and he encouraged me to take a break (I spent an hour cuddling with the boys on the couch) and push out the quilting until tomorrow. Tomorrow I won't have help from the machine owner. I have used a long-arm machine four times before, but the last time was last May and I had trouble with it. I guess, just like the rest of this project, I'll have to figure it out myself.

It's been enlightening to me that I've wanted to create patterns for so long. Finally, last week I decided I was going to do it, and I am doing it. I've realized that all this time I was waiting for someone else to encourage or nudge me, and really, I just had to make the decision and go for it. I've been so excited, but true to my nature, I've also worn myself out a bit.

I'll be leaving for Arizona AFTER my planned day of Monday. The trip will still happen next week, but I want to finish the pattern this weekend so I can get paperwork in order and pack (kinda HAVE TO do that) before leaving in the middle of the week.

Oh yeah. I JUST finished the quilt top - again. I decided it wasn't done with just the piece-work and added two borders. Today I also designed, cut, and pieced a scrappy back for the quilt. Now, I have to pin on three giant zippers so tomorrow I can "zip it" onto the quilt frame (at 8:30 am with Jack in tow!)

Quilt Design - Cheerful Child, Almost There

I can see that the quilt is nearly done, but I really have worn myself out. I've been doing normal things, plus designing and sewing this quilt. It's just kickin' my butt!

Here's a little sneak peak at the blocks...


I've really been enjoying working with these fabrics! I enjoy or have wanted to make quilts with the following color themes:

• Red, White, & Blue
• Red, White, & Black
• Caribbean - Blue, Aqua, & Green
• Turquoise & Red
• Pink & Brown
  

This quilt has all of those combination. It's turning out to be a very happy, cheerful quilt!

Quilt Design - Cheerful Child, Progress Report

The Progress Report is that I'M MAKING PROGRESS! I can see it. I can feel it. I'm excited about it. I think I'll make my goal of having the quilt AND pattern ready to go on our trip to Arizona next week (though due to shipment of the plastic bags (to hold the patterns) we may leave one day later than scheduled).

I just added up my notes on my calendar... I put a fun hanging calendar in my Sewing Studio and as I leave the room, I jot down the time I've spent in there, the project, and the step. In the past five days, I've spent 12 hours on this quilt and it's design. It's not much per day, but, it's a LOT more than I've been spending on any ongoing project. The boys are all missing me... especially Tom (who's been picking up more than his share of Domestic Duties while I design and sew away).

Today, Frank was helping me with snipping pieces apart after I ironed them. When I ask what he thought of the colors he said they are "Crack-A-Lackin'!"

"Ding-Ding-Ding!" went my head. I'll probably call my pattern/quilt "Crack-A-Lackin'!" or perhaps "Qrack-A-Lackin!"? Hmm...

Which brings me back to names. As I see the completion of the sample and pattern, I MUST finalize a name for my company. Must do this. Any other input would be great, I think I'm leaning towards...

• Suzy Q Sparkles

...but what else?

• Sparklin' Designs
• Shiny Quilts
• Angel Quilts
• Suzy Quilts
• Suzy Q-ute
• Suzy Q Sparkles
• Suzy Sparkles
• Suzy Angel
• Happy Quilts
• Happy Happy Happy Designs - ooh. I LIKE this one. I get a LOT of positive responses from an email address based on this phrase.
  
• Shadona Designs
• Color Me Happy
  

Also, as I think of names, my Minds' Eye wanders to possible graphics to go along with them.

Everything is fuzzy now, my eyelids are heavy and my body is sore (this much fabric cutting and work all at once IS hard on me.) I MUST get some well deserved rest! :D

Quilt Design - Cheerful Child, Fabric Values

Off my list, I've accomplished everything but The Pampered Chef work, which REALLY needs to be done... tomorrow!

[Truth be told... Tom took care of dinner and the dishes, so, I just had to stop to eat. I'm very lucky that way... Tom helps me A LOT in the Kitchen (and around the house in general!)]

I did make it upstairs to start cutting fabric, but first, I wanted to sort by value (you know - light - medium - dark - like that.)

I quickly pulled fabrics into groups of 10, approximately by shade/value, and re-stacked them. Then, I'd snap a picture, look at the image on my digital (small) camera screen and rearrange a few. I did this twice, first rearranging the bottom (lightest) row, and the second time rearranging the middle row.

I wanted to make this little collage to show you what I did, then I thought "I can switch this to black and white so we can really see the value".


After switching the pictures to black and white, I realized I SHOULD have done that with my camera in the first place... used the B&W setting. Because on looking at this, I see AT LEAST seven fabrics that should be moved about.

Color is tricky that way. You see the color and forget about the VALUE... even when you're trying. So, here are ways to find the real VALUE of your fabrics...

1. Turn off / down the lights in the room (I use to do this all the time, but forgot about it today). If you have just a little light from another room, you see the value more than the color.
2. Look through a piece of colored plastic (red or green work well - unless you are looking at that color of fabric, then use the other color - so, for a red and green quilt, this would be tough to do).
3. Photocopy the fabrics and look at the printed pages. (This is an older method that will work if you can't do any of the others.)
4. Switch your camera to B&W, take a shot, and then look at the picture (this would work for film or digital cameras).
5. Take a digital picture, upload to the computer, convert to B&W, evaluate.

Many people underestimate the power of VALUE in art (and quilts ARE Art, if you were wondering!) In order to really SEE the different areas, you need to have light, medium, and dark shades... they all work together to create contrast, which keeps the eye moving AND helps you to see different areas/shapes.

Yesterday I showed a neighbor my fabrics, and she didn't think I should have the (one) pink or the beiges... I had to explain about value. Try removing the bottom row from the fabrics above... you loose so much of the contrast in the fabrics. The blocks I'm working on need contrast to really show off the design.

So. Today's lesson for you is about looking for different shades, even if they are all in the same color family, using lights, mediums, and darks is critical!

Quilt Design - Cheerful Child, First Draft

I just finished the very first draft of the pattern.

I printed it out (and emailed it to my friend to review) and now I'm taking a break from it. I think I'll cut some fabric and then read and edit it tomorrow, because right now, I'm SICK of looking at it!

Also, I have some work to do for The Pampered Chef. I'd like to set up my website, and write an email and also create a flyer for a show my friend ask me to do on my trip to Arizona.


Right now, it's time to play a game with my boys, then cut fabric, then dinner, then work on Pampered Chef, then work on my Mom's Cornucopia hat, then bed. I've got plenty to do in the next six hours! :P

Quilt Design - Cheerful Child, Fabric Selections

I went into those boxes last night, and I found 22 more fabrics.


Unfortunately, I was looking for dark fabrics and all but two are light! This is okay, just not quite what I wanted for the design I'm working on.

Then, I started thinking about something else.

The name of the block I'm working with is "The Cheerful Child" (also known as "The Miserable Wife", but I prefer the first name.)

So, I'm thinking to myself that the above fabrics don't really seem "childlike" or "cheerful" to me. Then I remembered this great Timeless Treasures fabric I've had forever!


Isn't it great! I'm not all that into "farm" or "barn" or "cow" things, but for some reason I just LOVE this night-time barnyard scene. By the way, my having this "forever" translates to, "it's out of print", but Timeless Treasurers does have several current barn-themed fabrics that are similar.

I pulled fabrics to go with it...


This color palette is MUCH easier for me to pull from my stash. It's just cheerful AND happy to me! So, I'm working on the written pattern and now I'll be using the Barnyard Scene (probably as the backing) and saving the Rose Mosaic Fabrics for another upcoming (and as of yet, undecided) pattern. :D

Quilt Design - Cheerful Child

I spoke with my Mom about buying versus using my stash. I also spoke with my Hubby... who said to go ahead and purchase some of the pre-cut units. His quick support, in spite of our financial concerns, gave me the encouragement I needed to go up and poke around my Studio.

I discovered this little pile of fabric, which I've had set aside for OVER three years to "do something with".


Thing is there are only eight fabrics here and most collections have 30-42, so, I'd need to add to it. This isn't my "usual" color palette, but I think I've pulled together enough fabrics that can work...


I keep reminding myself that it doesn't have to be "perfect", just complete. I also remind myself that it "just has to look good on a small photo", not up close. I mean, who would put Stars with Bamboo with Mosaic Tiles? Me, that's who!

Now that I think about it, I may know of a place I've stashed some other muted fabrics in the process of "Suzy's Carrot Quilt Replica" project. I'll have to go peek and see if there are a few more rose, brown, or green pieces I can use.

I'm so grateful for Tom's support and I'm also grateful for my abundant stash (also compliments of Tom) that I can use for spontaneous projects! :D

Quilt Designing - Ideas, Names, and Such

Just about anyone who knows me knows I want to publish my quilt designs. I've REALLY been wanting to do this for over two years. I design them. I sew them. Sometimes I even put them to paper and start to format for publication. And that's as far as I've ever gotten. I stop just shy of ACTUALLY publishing the work.

In the past decade, the quilting world has seen a trend towards pre-cut sizes of fabrics. Often these are bundled together in coordinated groups. First there were Fat Quarters (18" x 22"), then there were Charm Packs (5" squares), and then Jelly Rolls (2 1/2" x WOF (45") strips) rolled up. Over the years I've been watching as people snatch these up, and then don't know what to do with them. Eventually, patterns and books were written using these sizes. I've often thought to myself "if only I'd thought of that". Recently a new size was added, Layer Cakes (10" squares). VERY recently (in the past few months) two brand new sizes were added, Honey Buns (1 1/2" x WOF (45") strips) rolled up and Turnovers (6" squares cut point to point to form a triangle). These two units are VERY new and so far, there are only a few patterns out (from the manufacturers) to go with these.

Here's my great idea... design patterns using the new sizes and GET THEM TO MARKET... FAST! I brainstormed and jotted down a "few" (over two dozen) quilt designs in the first day. Now, I want to write a pattern, make the sample, and have the product ready to go with me on my Arizona trip. Actually, I'd like to make three, but I'll settle for one. Oh. I'm leaving in 10 days.

I've been wanting to do publish my designs for so long, now I'm TOTALLY PSYCHED about this and maybe, just maybe a deadline is what I need.

In addition to the design, writing, publishing, sewing, quilting, photographing, and printing. I also need to finalize a Company Name and probably obtain a URL for future web-based sales. I'm not even THINKING about making a web page yet (gotta get some stuff together to sell first), but I do feel that I should make certain I can have a website to go with whatever company name I settle on.

In my preliminary work, I've always thought of myself as "Heaven Sent" or "Heaven Sent Designs", but both of those URLs are already taken. I've also thought of "Suzy Quilts" (with an Angel face drawn in the Q of the logo) or "Suzy Q-ute". I could also play off this blog name and go with a "Suzy Sparkles" or "Suzy Q Sparkles". I could also just use my first and middle names "Suzy Angel" (thus all the heavenly references). These things I have to think about...

• Suzy Quilts
• Suzy Q-ute
• Suzy Q Sparkles
• Suzy Sparkles
• Suzy Angel
  

Feedback on the names would be good!

Today. Right now, I'm debating using my stash for this first quilt, or purchasing some pre-cut units. If I call a shop today, they can send them to me today and I should have them on Tuesday. Money's an object right now, but then, so is time.

What would you do? Spend time cutting from the stash, or order the fabric and spend the time writing and publishing the pattern?

Knit & Crochet - Scarves

This evening I finished up two scarves. I've had them both done for weeks (or months) now, with just the ends to tie in. I needed a break tonight and sat down and did this.

The first I started last November and is my First "Successful" Knitting Project. Two years ago, my friends from the XRC in Arizona, tried to teach several of us to knit. I had trouble because of several things...

1. I was using aluminum needles.
2. I was using Fancy Fur type yarn.
3. I was using the American, Right-Handed Method of Knitting.

So, last Fall, I went to the local Craft shop and explained this to them. They had a scarf sample that I liked. They recommended I use a more natural fiber and bamboo needles. I bought some supplies and then found KnittingHelp.com - which has great online videos. In May, I finally completed my scarf:


I made it using Karen Baumer's Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf pattern. I used a cotton yarn (Kraemer Yarns Tatamy Tweed DK) in blue and red. I started with the blue, but switched to the red at the mid-way point upon the suggestion of a knitting circle I'd been going to most weeks during the Winter and Spring. I like the variety changing the colors added and think it would be fun to do this pattern alternating colors... it's made up of triangles like the blue one you see, so, different colors for each triangle could be fun. For more info about this scarf, and to see HUNDREDS more samples, look on my site on Ravelry.com.

The second scarf I finished today is a crocheted one of my own design. I made this one to match the fleece hat I enjoyed so much last year. I'm looking forward to being a little more coordinated this winter. :D


This is the third such scarf I've made (one for me, one for Auntie, and another for me). I plan to make SEVERAL more of this exact pattern in different color ways. It's a lovely soft, warm-but-not-hot, scarf. I wore the first one a lot last winter, and kept wishing for other colors.

I use Lion Brand Yarns... Tiffany and MicroSpun Yarns. The microspun is soft and "squishy" and the Tiffany is a super-sensual fake fur type. Together they look like a fuzzy-caterpillar in the making! Certainly not the right mental image for how incredible they feel together!

I now have the yarn, and just need to get busy making them. I made my Aunt's in four (dedicated) days, so, I really could have a pile for myself by the fall.

Anyway, I was glad to finish these two projects off (funny how they've been sitting around all Summer, and a little bit of cold inspired me to get them ready to wear by weaving in the ends!)

Quilt Layout - Alien Monsters

I've been tinkering with a layout for a little "Monster" quilt I'm making for Jack.

Today, I went from paper, to EQ5 (which always feels so laborious), to Adobe Photoshop. I actually had FUN in Photoshop and came up with several design layouts. Tom and my favorite is shown.

It has four 12" pieced blocks (two light & two dark), six 9" panels, and two odd sized rectangle blocks (to be cut out of a large scale fabric). The overall size is around 42"x50" (before borders). Next up is figuring out the cutting sizes for the background pieces and seeing if I can cut them out of a certain piece of fabric I have in mind.

Back to Task

Just thought I'd let you know that I'm getting myself back to task. The three things that come to mind are:

1. Exercise and Healthy Living
2. Pattern Design and Publication
3. Routines, Schedules, and Law of Attraction

I am working out Plans of Action for each of these areas and also implementing them, like, yesterday! Literally. I started implementing them yesterday!

Yay me!

I'm Wanted!

Basically, lately, wherever I go and whatever I do, people want me or are advising me of what I “should” do… in a good way. It seems every time I turn around, people are telling me “you’re great at…” or “you’re really good at…” and then they follow it up with how I could profit from my skills. This is very flattering and exciting.

Most exciting is that I’m being propositioned by the owners and managers of Quilt Shops to teach, design, and generally work for them.

It’s so intriguing to me. I’ve been working with The Law of Attraction since January 2007. I understand the principles, but putting them into action and then seeing them work is still… well… it puts me at a loss for words.

Right now, I’ve talked with the owners of two quilt shops. With the second one, I ask about whether they expected their teachers to “be exclusive” to their shop. (They do.) I’m not sure how I feel about that… what is the “standard” out there? When you teach at one shop, how far away must you travel before it’s “acceptable” to teach at another? Also… what’s the norm for pay? Do you get paid a standard rate? Is the rate per class, per hour, per student or some combination? Do you simply collect the class fee from the students and the shop sells merchandise?

This is all very exciting to me. It’s always pleasant to be approached and ask for you your ideas. I just have to choose what is going to continue to brings me the most joy. I really want to keep working on my goal of publishing my own designs… perhaps teaching will help propel me towards that, by giving me goals to have patterns completed for and students to teach too.

If you’ve “been there”, I’d love to hear your input! In the meantime, I’m going to have a busy day tomorrow at the dentist and lube shop and ice rink, then, Thursday we’re going to take a little mini-vacation to Cheyenne to support my Uncle as he is commissioned into the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

Tom Update – Staples Out, Healing Continues

Healing

Tom's staples were removed on Thursday, February 7^th. Since then, we’ve seen a rapid (almost immediate) decrease in prescription pain killers. The past few days Tom has had many hours “pain-free”. He’s still in his boot (which means he can wash, stretch, and scratch his ankle at will, but protect it too). This week he should be able to start putting weight on the foot again… although I’ve seen him doing it for the past few days.

Worker’s Comp and Pay

Tom’s company pays for their own private Worker’s Comp Insurance, and they were processing him just fine, until the State of Wyoming , came and took the file. This was last on February 4^th. They didn’t call him or anything, so, when he called the private company on the 7^th, that’s when he learned that ANY work related injury happening in Wyoming MUST be processed by the state. It’s “the only state in the Union” that requires State Worker’s Comp to be used. Luckily I’d ask Tom to make sure we’d have a paycheck (mid-month) and he called and found out about the change well before payday. He was able to work something out... his work generously paid him another full paycheck, even though he’s been out the whole time… it was their mistake to not file the paperwork properly, so, they paid him… very nice!

Back to Work

After he gets back on his feet, but if he’s not able to drive yet, Tom’s going to talk to his boss about going to Ohio for some corporate training. Even when he was there for three weeks at a time, he never had a rental car, they just shuttled the students between the hotel and the training facility each day. So, he has some classes he’s been needing to take and this might be an “acceptable” way to get him pack on the payroll. So. There’s the update on what’s happening with Tom’s healing.

How I’m Handling It

I’m getting along much better with Tom being hurt and home. Actually, last week he finished doing the illustrations for the quilt pattern I’ve designed… now to get some extra time to publish it!

Quilt Pattern Design - A Whole Lotta Math!

I've been working on my pattern today. I'd hoped to have Tom do illustrations this weekend, and perhaps I need to shift gears. I've been spending a lot of time on number crunching.

I worked for an hour this morning in the van and another 45 minutes this evening in Excel... all on calculating the math needed to make one quilt in eight different sizes (Baby, Crib, Throw, Twin, Long Twin, Full, Queen, and King).

I feel like I'm writing a book, not a pattern! So far, my Excel Spreadsheet has 11 rows and I'm up to column AE! Wow!

I like math; I really enjoy math, but right now, my brain is fried! I'm going to go cuddle with Tom and watch a movie we've seen a zillion times (don't know what, I'll just go grab one of the shelf).

I am glad to be plugging away and making progress!

Suzy :D

Quilt Pattern Design - Progress!

I've just spent the past three hours getting my "Window to Heaven" quilt design into Electric Quilt 5 as NINE different size quilts! All the way from Baby to King size! Tom helped me (A LOT) by figuring out I had to do the quilt as a "variable point" in the program. Once he did that, everything started to go smoothly, then, it was just a matter of entering rows and columns and adjusting borders until the top was near a "standard" size. Tomorrow... calculating the yardage needed for all these sizes!

I know. I know! EQ5 will "do the math" for me, BUT, two things: 1) I like doing math, and 2) I just plain don't trust the computer to do it all for me! Besides, I've seen (and heard) about WAY too many patterns that have yardage / math errors... and I'm guessing this may be part of the problem... letting a machine do what our brains were designed for!

Okay, now that I've upset all the non-math-freaks out there, I think I'll go to bed! ;P

Suzy

We All Need A Purpose

The past few days have been much smoother for our household. I was thinking about it and I think it has to do with Frank and I both rediscovering a purpose ........ or perhaps we’re just excited about some new activities we’re involved in. I’m excited about the prospect of publishing my quilt / sewing designs and Frank is so revved up about learning to ice skate.

Frank has been offering to help. He’s been eager and willing, listening and doing just what I ask him… not because we’re threatening to “take away” his new-found joy, but just because he’s so joyful about doing it. Me, having my designing at the fore-front of my mind, I’m motivated to get up and do things - quickly. I want to get my “have-to’s” done quickly so I have time to do my “want-to’s”. I also am more relaxed and so having fewer confrontations. I can see something for me to do (besides cook, clean, sleep, etc.)

Also, tonight, I drug the whole family along to a Project Linus, quilt making night at Keama's Quilt Shop. They provide the materials (via their scrap baskets) and we put quilts together. It’s a new program for their shop, and besides employees, there was only one other lady – and our family. Tom cut fabric, while the boys picked pieces to go together. I sewed with each boy on my lap, then, while Frank laid out the quilt top, Jack hopped on another lady’s lap. Here are the boys at the end of the evening, along with our progress.


At the end of the evening, the quilt-shop ladies were giggling about “how long it’s been since they’ve had little ones around”. I know Frank and I enjoyed it, and Tom couldn’t stop talking with the owner’s hubby (not to mention, he fixed their vault door’s broken combo lock – it’s an old bank building), and Jack got snacks and ice cream – so, he was happy. On the way home, they were asking to go back and finish the quilt so a child at the hospital could have it! Yeah! :D

Here are the boys at bedtime tonight. Usually they sleep with one stuffed animal, tonight they wanted ALL of them!

Jack has quite the collection of Ty Buddies growing. I bought the dog the week before he was born, Tom added the elephant (named “E. B. X” by Jack) about a year ago, and Jack just bought himself (with Christmas Money) the Piggy in Pinedale last week.

Frank was hiding behind his pile, but I finally got a peek of his playful, mischievous eyes.

Get a load of the great hand-embroidered, hand-crocheted, vintage pillowcases I picked up (behind Frank). Yep. I got three of them for FORTY CENTS! SCREAMIN’ DEAL!!! You GOTTA.LOVE small-town thrift shops!

Anyway, good days recently (excepting “The Bathroom Incident” yesterday) and I think it’s because we are excited about life.

Suzy