SEW FRANTASTIC

2012-01-02T11:16:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Do You Believe in Make Believe?

2011-12-31T13:17:00.000-08:00

If I make believe that it was only yesterday that I last blogged and just continue on as if a whole year hasn't gone by, perhaps nobody will notice. Hmmmm........let's just give it a try. LOL!

Just to capsulize a tiny bit of my 2011 doin's, I will post a few pictures taken thru the year and before you know it, 2012 will be upon us and hopefully I will stay more up to date with blogging.

In July I took a trip with my son and his family to Catalina Island and we all had a grand time sightseeing, hiking, exploring, playing on the beach and enjoying a few of the island restaurants.

Even Dorothy, Scott's little princess Chihuahua enjoyed the boat trip over and back.

Another summertime favorite of mine is enjoying many of the amazing entertainers at the Hollywood Bowl.

The Hollywood Bowl is the largest natural outdoor amphitheater in the UnitedStates. The Bowl is a friendly sociable place where Southern Californians gather topicnic and enjoy outstanding music under the stars.

Throughout the summer the LA Phil presents the best in jazz, classical, Broadway, and world music, featuring artists that range from Sarah Chang to Diana Krall, John Williams to Pet ShopBoys, and Nancy Wilson to Arcade Fire.The Bowl is the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Both the food and the ambiance at The Rooftop Grill are simply amazing!

Not to be forgotten on my list of fun summer activities is the free outdoor concerts in the park right across the street! I've been enjoying these concerts in the park every summer for about 20 years!

There's nothing like special time with girlfriends, is there?

Here we are at some of our monthly happy hour get togethers.

While driving along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu to enjoy my 9-11 birthday dinner with friends, we saw this amazing display of patriotism on the campus of Pepperdine University.

In October I travelled to PIQF with 3 good friends for a fabulous quilt show and days of fun and frolic while visiting Cambria and Hearst Castle on the return trip home

For the past three years the creative residents of Cambria have put their talents to work to create over 200 stuffed and wired fantastical and real-life creatures to decorate their little village by the sea. Up and down Main Street and along Moonstone Drive we found creatures and lifelike humans that fool you into thinking you are not alone in your meandering through town.

Hearst Castle is a National Historic Mansion located on the Central Coast of California It was designed by architect Julia Morgan between 1919 and 1947 for newspaper magnate Willian Randolph Hearst, who died in 1951. In 1957, the Hearst Corporation donated the property to the state of California.

Since that time it has been maintained as a state historic park where the estate, and its considerable collection of art and antiques, is open for public tours. Despite its location far from any urban center, the site attracts about one million visitors per year.

Hearst formally named the estate "La Cuesta Encantada" ("The Enchanted Hill"), but usually called it "the ranch".

The castle and grounds are also sometimes referred to as "San Simeon" without distinguishing between the Hearst property and the adjacent unincorporated area of the same name

It's been at least 30 years since the last time I visited Hearst Castle, and it was so nice to visit this beautiful place once again.

In November I participated in a 30's Scrappy Basket Swap.
Love these precious little blocks!

This year I participated in a Shoebox Swap with a group of quilting friends.

I received such a wonderful shoebox full of quilty goodies from my secret santa, complete with a handmade pincushion and potholders! I love my shoebox -- thank you Santa :)

A Magical Christmas Day with my wonderful family....................

I think they liked their Christmas present, don't you?

See you next year!

I'm SO Excited!!! Guess where I'm going tomorrow???

2011-01-20T00:04:00.000-08:00

I'm off to a fabulous quilt show:
The Road To California
at the Ontario Convention Center.
I don't think I've missed a year since I was bitten by the quilting bug in 1995

I'm really looking forward to meeting up with
many old quilting friends while there.

Be back here tomorrow with oodles of pictures to share and lots of quilt show chatter.

Goodnight and Pieceful Dreams,

Childhood Memories

2011-01-14T18:20:00.000-08:00

Dad gave me this today - it's one of my childhood favorites! It was originally my Mom's and I have such fond memories of hours and hours spent solving this puzzle, over and over and over again. The little papers with the different solutions are still intact. Oh, how I treasure this little trinket of youthful memories.

A Tisket, A Tasket.................

2011-01-11T19:31:00.000-08:00

As soon as I saw this quilt pictured in this book I knew I had to make one - what a perfect little take along project that fits in a small bag to carry wherever I happen to be with idle time.
And the other positive to making these blocks is that I don't have to buy any fabric! I can just dig in my stash.

So far I have 20 little baskets appliqued and

20 more prepped and waiting.

I don't know right now how big this quilt will be -

wall hanging or bed quilt - it all depends

on when I'm tired of appliqueing little baskets.

I just love these precious little guys - aren't they cute?

Organize my Quiltmaking Time? You Must Be Kidding!

2011-01-10T22:25:00.000-08:00

I was just over at my BFF's blog and I cannot believe that she told the whole blog world the truth about me!

She told everyone what a terribly disorganized quilter I am! I suppose that means that I am totally and completely out of the closet now. Just because I cannot even stand to tie myself down to a regularly scheduled manicure appointment for fear that I may not be in the mood for it at the previously scheduled time, how could I possibly organize my time as to when I will work on which project?

Tis a mystery to me as to why I should do that.

Thank goodness that I'm perfectly organized in my business life or I'd never have any clients!

With all of that being said, in my spare time today, since I only have the setting blocks to make for an old UFO, I got them all made, and now once I cut out the setting triangles I can put the top together.

I should be able to cross this off the to do list as my first 2011 finish. Stay tuned - anything is possible!

Happy New Year!!!

2011-01-07T00:09:00.000-08:00

At the start of a new year many people like to make resolutions, things they want to accomplish or change or improve upon. The only real resolution I am making for 2011 is to be the best person I can be!

That doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about what I'd like to accomplish this year quiltwise. I've been giving lots of thought to actually applying the "F" word (finish) to my bazillion projects which languish in varying degrees of completedness. Is that a word???

Now, don't get me wrong, this doesn't mean that I won't start a new project whenever the mood strikes, just that I will spend A LOT of time working on some of my older much loved projects.

Temptation and inspiration out in blogland too often has me mesmerized and I am suddenly out of control with wanting to make all the loveliness that I see others creating.

Upon further reflection, I've come to realize that I don't really care how many quilts I have in production stage when I get excited about one more new project - I suppose that makes me more of a process person - I'm not as interested in the completion of a project as I am in the journey I'm on in order to get there.

I also gravitate towards intricate time consuming projects with tiny fussy pieces.

Oh how I love this quilt creating life - it's so freeing - I can create whatever I want, whenever I want - it's my time to play and revel in the yummyness of the scrumptious fabric to my hearts desire.

With all that being said I've spent some time inventorying what I want to delve into first.

Since I've got all of the blocks and border completely appliqued

except for a small amount of embroidery here and there on

The Great Pumpkin Quilt, I've been spending

most of my time working on this one. It will be exciting to finally

see it put together. I don't remember where I took this picture, but this is what it should look like when done.

Next time you see a picture of this quilt it will be a picture of mine!

__________________________________________________

Another applique quilt that I've finished

6 of 12 blocks from is "Flourishes"

by Piece of Cake, seen here:
Again, I don't remember where I took this picture.

And then there's Autumn Joy - I have 4 of these applique blocks completed.

It is my hope to have all three of these quilts completed this year.

One More Try

2010-12-21T23:16:00.000-08:00

As the year winds down I've decided to redesign my blog and actually become an active blogger.
I know, I know, actions speak louder than words. So I suppose I will just become wordy! LOL!

I've forgotten how to upload things, so before you see pictures I will have to do some reading and learning once again. I'm looking forward to this - it will be fun.

Does anyone know how I can make my top picture bar narrower?

This is a threat and a promise - I will be back before you know it!

Fran

2009-09-02T21:31:00.001-07:00

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

Spent today with my 92 year old Dad and Mom. Mom has been suffering from Alzheimers for a number of years now and Dad has trouble keeping a smile on his face as the love of his life is slipping further and further away from him. They've been together since they were teenagers. This has been a very difficult few years for us all.

And now a little catch up from January/February 2009

An annual event in Southern California is a wonderful Quilt Show - Road To California which is held in the middle of the month of January in Ontario, California. It is a 4 day show with wonderful classes, quilts, and great vendors.
This year I went for just one day and managed to cram in seeing all the quilts and even didn't do too much damage at the vendor booths.

Here is a crazy quilt that was displayed there - it's an Opportunity Quilt made by the Conejo Valley Quilt Guild, of which I was a charter member and the first co chair of the guild's very first quilt show.
What an undertaking for an opportunity quilt. I must buy many many tickets for this beauty.

Here's another wonderful Crazy Quilt displayed there that I spent much time ogling over and taking many pictures for further perusal and inspiration. I apologize for not getting the name of the maker of this fabulous quilt. It's quite possible that it was made in the 1940's, as one of the blocks has an inscription with the date: '45

And, another amazing quilt that I thought was just beautifully done.

Happy Birthday Scott
February brought a milestone for my dear son - his 40th Birthday. How did those years fly by so fast? Here we are celebrating at Benihana's for a fabulous dinner.

A Quick Catch up from December 2008

2009-06-21T01:18:00.000-07:00

OK, let's play catch up with a few events I can still remember from the last 6 months. Last you saw me here in Blogland it was the first week in December and I was still in Gilbert, Arizona visiting Susan. On my way out of town as I headed home to Los Angeles, I just couldn't resist one more stop at my favorite BBQ place - Joe's BBQ.

Whenever I hear someone mention they're going to Gilbert Arizona, I tell them they MUST go to Joe's BBQ - it's just the best there is. They look at me like I'm nuts, but after they go, they have to agree - there's no place like Joe's. OK, I'll admit it - I'm addicted to their hot bbq sauce. And, yes, I do have a case of it in my pantry that I hauled home with me on one of my trips. Oh, and a gallon jug of their regular BBQ sauce as well. Just in case I don't get to get back there in a long time. A girl has to have a stash, you know.

Also in December, my small quilting mini group that I belong to had our annual holiday pot luck at Pat's house. All the women in this group are retired and whenever it's their turn to host a sewing day at their house they effortlessly whip up an amazing lunch for us gals. Since I'm the only "working girl" in the group - I cheated, chose to bring a dessert as my contribution to the holiday party - and I sure picked the right bakery for these little beauties. They were just as tasty as they are pretty!

The last week of the year 2008 ended with a 5 day visit from Susan, where we spent many fun hours stitching together and of course visiting a quilt shop or two! Perfect way to end the year - doing what you love with your best friend.

Have no Fear, Fran will be back soon

2009-06-16T21:58:00.000-07:00

After taking a 6 month break from blogging, I have decided to come back. I so often struggle with what to blog about since I feel that my life is so very ordinary that I wonder why anyone would be interested in my boring everyday occurences.

On the other hand, I've also been thinking about how short life really is and how nice it is to reflect upon and share some of the precious moments of my life.

So, after giving the whole blogging experience some thought I have realized that I really do enjoy keeping family and friends updated with my daily comings and goings, (in real life I am quite a talker) so I think I'll just blog what I want to share, and have fun doing it!

So there you have it.........my life goes on. More tomorrow!

Christmas Lights in Arizona

2008-12-04T22:26:00.000-08:00

Last night Susan took me to see the beautiful Christmas light display at the LDS Temple in Mesa, Arizona. There are over a million lights on the front lawn and all around the Visitor's Center and it is just breathtaking to experience the beauty.

If you click on the picture it will enlarge and become clearer.

Inside the Visitor's Center was a display of Nativity Sets from all over the world.

Resurfacing - in Phoenix, Arizona

2008-12-04T21:48:00.000-08:00

This has been a wonderful week of meeting old friends, on line friends and enjoying Thanksgiving with my very best friend and her DH - all in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona.
The weather has also been delightful, hovering in the low 70's.

Yesterday Susan and Moira and I surprised Gabriele while she was teaching a class at Bearly Stitching in Goodyear, Arizona.

From left to right: Me, Susan, Gabriele, Moira

I've Been a Neglectful Blogger!

2008-01-29T00:50:00.000-08:00

I just read an anonymous comment on my best friend’s blog asking her to get me to get back to blogging while she was here visiting me for the past week.

Uh oh – I have been a bad bad blogger – no doubt about it – so I’m back and really trying to be more consistent in keeping up my little corner of blogland.

What have I been up to since my last post? Oh my…….I’ve been torn between trying to make a living as a realtor in this tough housing market, and helping out with my elderly parents with severe health issues.
Being an only child during these kinds of challenges is both scary and exhausting, to say the least.
I really haven’t been doing much stitching, but have spent much time thinking about all the beautiful things I look forward to stitching. Does that count?

So, let’s play catch up – I spent a delightfully delicious Thanksgiving at my son Scott’s home with his wonderful family…….wife Tina, Grandsons, Casey and Rudy, & Tina's Mom.

This is Scott and me. He's a die-hard Raider fan - still hasn't forgiven them for leaving Los Angeles.

And here’s grandson Rudy struttin' his stuff at his High School’s Battle of the Bands contest. His team won! I'm a proud Grannie Frannie!
It was so exciting – these kids spent soooo many hours practicing, it was great to see them win. There was some wonderful talent performing there that night.

The month of December kept me pretty busy getting one of my listings sold and doing all the busy things that go along with that. Finding and keeping a buyer these days is a real challenge, so I consider the successful closing of this sale a victory! It was worth all the hard work, not to mention many open houses.
Be back tomorrow with more catch up.

Hugs,

A Fun Day Visiting

2007-11-11T19:10:00.000-08:00

Ingrid - June - Fran - Susan

When Susan was here visiting last month we met 2 CQ online friends in real life!
Ingrid just lives about 20 minutes from where I live and I'm so excited to have a CQ friend so close by.
June lives about an hour away. We all met at one of my favorite local quilt shops, "Cotton and Chocolate" - in Thousand Oaks. What a great time we all had, laughing, talking, sharing - as we shopped, ate lunch, and shopped some more in a fabulous bead shop that I forgot the name of. Shame on me!

SACRAMENTO VISIT - OCTOBER 2007

On the way home from PIQF, Susan and I spent a fun day stitching with Karrin and Candi at Karrin's home in Roseville.

Karrin - Fran - Candi - Susan

Hugs,

Trying to Catch Up!

2007-11-11T17:33:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been so long since I blogged.........time just keeps flying by!
Halloween has come and gone and I neglected to show you my very first Halloween wall hanging made years ago when those "jar quilts" were so popular. I look forward to hanging it every year on the very first day of October so I can enjoy it for the entire month!
For the past 10 years I have been buying and stashing A LOT of Halloween fabric to make more themed quilts and they are still percolating in my mind - not yet begun.
Ah yes, someday..............

Hugs,

Home Again, Home Again

2007-10-20T23:02:00.000-07:00

The days have been flying by since Susan and I returned from our trip to PIQF. On the way home we stopped at Roseville, Calif to visit and stitch with good friends - Karrin and Candi. It was so much fun to sit and stitch at Karrin's house while listening to great music while catching up with each other's latest happenings. I got to see my RR block that Karrin had just finished working on and was sending on to the next person. Oh my, these ladies have done wonders with this block. It's lookin' good!

Next we stopped at Quilters Paradise in Clovis. It's such a wonderful quilt shop - has lots of wonderful goodies and lovely people to help you. It's just a "feel good" shop and we always enjoy visiting there on our way home from PIQF each year. The quaint little town also has many antique shops where we found some little treasures of lace and tatting to take home with us.

Hugs,

Blogging At Last - in San Francisco

2007-10-13T02:04:00.000-07:00

I sure am lucky to have a best friend to encourage me, kick me in the behind and get me started on having my own blog. Thank You Susan! We are spending a few days in the San Francisco area where we went to Pacific International Quilt Festival yesterday at the Santa Clara Convention Center. I bought 2 of those wonderful A to Z books at the quilt show - one for Embroidery and one for Ribbon Embroidery. OK, I have a library of wonderful instruction books to help me learn - now to jump in with both feet and actually get practicing so I do a decent job on this round robin I'm in.

My Very First Round Robin Block

2007-10-12T23:57:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to be starting my very first crazy quilting round robin with 4 friends. This is also the first cq block I have ever made. I found an antique hanky with my initial at the Santa Monica Calif. Fiber Fest show last year and decided to use it as my middle focal fabric for the block.