I think anytime I find out something I didn't know, it's a good day. One of my Facebook daughters (I'll explain that later) put up a status that she didn't think it was nice that the Presidential Inauguration was costing $45 million dollars given what the deficit is in this country. I do agree but that got me thinking....where does the money for this celebration come from? So, where do we go for all the answers? Google, of course! Type in "who pays for presidential inauguration" and yipee! you get the answer. It seems that people are asked to donate to this cause and the top donation can only be $50,000. That's where the money comes from! The other part of FD (Facebook Daughter) comment was that this money could be used for the deficit and I have learned that it is against the law to donate money for the deficit?? What? Given the political state of this country, doesn't surprise me a bit. At any rate, I worked part of this morning and then came home and sat down to work on "Little Black Dress". The results are below. Facebook daughters- see I told you I would get to it! I have two children, Tiffany is now 40 and Bubba (yes, Bubba) is 36. When they were younger and growing up I had the usual children of their respective ages tromping through the house. My daughter Tiffany had 3 very close girlfriends, Christina, Diane and Wendy. They spent more time at our house than they did in their own so they became my "daughters" as well. Kids being kids, go to school, move away, get married, etc. and I lost contact with all of them for years. Recently Tiffany found them again on Facebook so I now have all my daughters back. Keep quilting until you can't see! Later! Sharon

As promised, I thought I would go ahead and share the latest and greatest tops with you. I meant to do this earlier but we tried to set up the humidifier, (who doesn't have dry skin now?) and the one we set up (we have two) decided to pour water all over the carpet. Hmm, something must be wrong with it? Ya think?! So after mopping up the water we have now settled into the bed with the laptop. Isn't life wonderful? So here are some of the newest tops:

The top was made with a layer cake of Riley Blake fabric. I just love her design, very, very nice. Now to the favorite of the day, ready? Drumroll............ "Little Black Dress" by Moda I made this one out of a layer cake as well. And the leftover fabric.....we can't throw away fabric....so I took the fabric made squares out of it and put the squares on the corners. Pretty! Anyway, happy to share, if anyone has questions or wants the pattern glad to help out. Have a good Wednesday, oh, and for all you football fans ROLL TIDE!! Great game last night Crimson Tide!

January 8, 2013 We've gotten off to a good start this year. I've developed and written my very first pattern for sale based on a pinwheel quilt that I designed. I'm very excited to offer that up for sale on Etsy! Also, I have submitted an idea to Moda fabrics using pre-cuts. They are asking for ideas and wouldn't it be fun to get to design new quilts based on new fabric not even out yet?! My Etsy store has done better than I thought it would. I've been selling quilt tops on Etsy now for several months and it was really slow to begin with but the sales have increased steadily. Everyone in this house is still looking for a job. In my spare time I am continuing to study for the ALF administrator exam and hopefully will be able to take that in February. It would be nice to be gainfully employed again even though my spirit loves to design quilts and play with fabric. Blanche (the old cat) continues to enjoy life by the wood stove. She lives in her basket by the stove as you can see below.

This is my "Moda Pre-cuts" idea that I sent in.

I'll list the instructions for the Moda later or tomorrow. The sun is shining, it's a good day!

http://faithfulmomof9.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/61822_449930421731976_1687321223_n.jpg?w=560

Updates-has it really been that long?

Thursday December 20, 2012 WOW! What happened? Where does time go? I was just reading back on some posts and I haven't posted since September! I've been working steadily on completing the training for the Assisted LIving Administrator's licensure. I have to complete 640 hours of training (with no salary) and am now approximately 440 hours complete. About 200 more to go and I can sit for the ALF Administrator Exam and hopefully if I pass the test I'll be able to actively look for work in February sometime. Unemployment won't last forever and savings are dwindling....hate that. I have found some time to sew and quilt as I've gone through this process. It is a good diversion from regulations and rules (boring). I've made several small quilts and will post some pics here for you. I've also worked on several projects that were in the downstairs closet (how did they get there I wonder?). When we were getting out the Christmas vintage tablecloths that I love to collect I spied the unfinished blocks and pulled them out. Eureka! I had two sets of Dresden plate blocks that needed sashing and borders so I got those done and took the pictures to list on Ebay or Etsy. I've been on Ebay for years as mountaincottagequiltsandvintagetreasures. Yes, all one word and just started listing on Etsy about 3 months ago. I've sold several tops on Etsy but it's been a slow start for me. I guess that's the way it is when it's such a specific item. Not everyone wants a quilt top, most want a finished quilt so I'm not expecting too much. It is fun to send tops off to different parts of the world. So far I've sold to people in Australia and France and that's exciting. I'll post some pictures here for you to see and hopefully I'll not forget about the Blog again! I do have to mention how traumatic the shootings in Sandy Hook have been. I can't imagine what those poor families must be going through. My heart goes out to all of them at this most precious time of the year. http://www.etsy.com/shop/VAMountainQuilts Click on the link above to see my Etsy shop.