Miss Kitty Picks the Winners!

Posted on December 16, 2010 by Barb

Boy that was fun!  I enjoyed each and every comment so much.  Even the extra ones.  You silly girls.  I always knew that JSS gals were big rule breakers.  We have a history of not following instructions well.  And you did not disappoint!

So it is with great pleasure that Miss Kitty and I announce the winners! 

Miss Kitty was a reluctant helper.  I set up the computer to the Random Number Generator, but she just wanted to stare at the screen.  Come on, Miss Kitty.  You have to click the mouse.  But she had other ideas.

Aw, Mom.  You interrupted my nap.  Those gals don’t need to know the winners.  Maybe if I just lay on the keyboard, this silly thing will generate a number and Mom will get off my back.

Can’t I just point to the winners?  On this piece of paper where you wrote all the names in order so you’d know their numbers?  How about this one right here?  She’d like to be a winner.  I’m just sure of it.  No, Miss Kitty.  You have to click the mouse!  We want a fair draw here.  Get over there and click on the mouse!  That’s her “stop bothering me” look, by the way.

OK, OK.  I’ll just walk across the keyboard and get over to that silly mouse.  I’m sure she knew I’d leave her alone if she’d just do the job.  And she was totally ready to get back to her nap. 

So after a little coaxing, she finally reached for the mouse.

And because this was a multiple wins giveaway, she had to click on it more than once.

But once she got the hang of it, she clicked and clicked.  She wanted to make you all winners.  But I didn’t think I’d have the time or the energy to make that many more journal covers, coasters and pin cushions.  So I finally told her to stop and she went outside to lay in the sunshine for a bit.  And take a nap.  It’s what cats do.

But she picked four winners!  And I know you’re anxious to know who won, so here they are.  In the order that Miss Kitty picked them.

  • First – #3 Jocelyn, who wrote:  “I am a new follower and I have so enjoyed reading your blog. I would love the journal (#1) or the pin cushion (#2) Thanks for such a fun giveaway.”  Since she was the first one chosen by Miss Kitty, she gets the journal.  By the way, Jocelyn has a blog of her own.  She lives in Florida.  You might want to check her out at: http://happycottagequilter.blogspot.com/
  • Second – #2 Suz, who wrote: “I would love to win all of the above, including Miss Kitty! But if I had to choose, that pin cushion would be awesome in my sewing room! (and the red/gold coasters would be great in the living room, and the journal would travel with me)!!! Congrats on the great stats, and thanks for sharing the fun with us!”  Miss Kitty is on her way over to Suz’ as I write.  She read that Suz wanted to win her and off she went.  OK, maybe not.  But Suz is getting a pin cushion!
  • Third – #49 Willadene, who wrote: “I love reading about all you girls do – but sometimes I wonder if you are really interested in just sewing or eating. The food always looks so good. I would weigh 200 lbs. if I went to those parties, but since I can’t sew anymore, I’ll just continue to read your Blog.”  Willadene didn’t say which prize she wanted.  Coasters it is!
  • Fourth – #22 JoAnne, who wrote: “I need those coasters – mine are all stained and worn out. Looks like they are not the favorite item so you need to pick me!”  And coasters she shall receive!

Congratulations to all the winners!

And you can bet we will be having more giveaways soon.  For any reason I can think of.  That was just more fun than a barrel of monkeys.  And can someone please tell me why a barrel of monkeys is fun?

While Miss Kitty and I were busily picking the winners, Boo was quite distracted by his favorite toy.

He chased it behind the front door and then spent hours batting it under the door.

What’s it doing over here?  *pounce**fling**bat*

And soon it was headed back under the door again.

This went on for hours and hours.  OK, OK…. maybe it was just minutes and minutes.  A cat’s attention doesn’t last long.

I think he was taking out his frustration at having to let Miss Kitty be in charge of the contest this time.  He enjoys the power of being in charge.  Next time, Boo!

I hope you all enjoyed the giveaway comments.    We’ll do it again very soon!

Merry Christmas!
Barb

Posted in Boo, Miss Kitty | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Decorating with Judy

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Barb

Recently at The Christmas Party of the Century, I had a chance to stroll around Judy’s lovely home and observe – and photograph – some of Judy’s ingenious holiday decorating ideas.  Thought I’d share them with you today!

 

First of all, when we arrived at The Party, Judy had special gifts for everyone.  In fabulous holiday bags.  Pretty gift bags are a great way to decorate your home for the holidays.

Cute tiny decorated trees adorned the window ledges.

…..with little village houses in between.  With snowtopped roofs.  Nice.

Christmas, Christmas everywhere!

A fabulous nativity in a very special place.

A great simple decorating idea.  Fill a pretty silver bowl with glitzy shiny ornaments.  I think I’ll do this and just forego the whole “tree” thing.  It will keep me from having to look for those pesky hanger things for the ornaments.  How do those things get lost from year to year?

And you can put those special ornaments in dishes everywhere.

Including in all your crystal vases and bowls in the china cabinet.  They just add color and sparkle to everything!  And I’m all about easy decorating.  Tomorrow I’m filling every bowl in my house with ornaments.  And then pronouncing the decorating done!

All the JSSers got to meet Judy’s beautiful daughter-in-law, Candice.  Here she is laughing at some dry comment from Madelyn.  Or is she really just eyeing Madelyn’s plate of food and trying to figure out how to trip her and catch the plate?

JSSers visiting at the party.  Many in Christmas red.  So they became decorations too!  And added to the festive occasion.

Sandra and Kay’s smiling faces.  They light up a room!

Cindy and her Mom, Donna, enjoying their breakfast.  And I could think of a million captions for this one.  Like, “Why does Cindy’s plate look so much better than mine?  Maybe I can distract her and steal some of hers when she’s not looking.”

Hey Sally!  How about sharing?  I can hear Sally now…… “Not on your life, Barb.  Get your own plate.”  And she says it with such a sweet smile on her face.

Tomorrow I’ll show you the rest of the quilt projects that the gals showed at the party.  They will knock your socks off.

And later today, Miss Kitty and I will determine the winners of our giveaway!  I know you can hardly wait.  I’ve been training Miss Kitty on Random Number Generator basics.  Just a few more training sessions and I think she’ll be ready.  Boo can’t believe she needs training.  I think I heard him mutter under his breath, “Women.”

Happy Decorating!
Barb

Posted in just stuff | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

The Giveaway Continues!

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Barb

WOW!  51 comments so far as I’m writing this.  I’m having such fun reading them that I decided to continue the contest one more full day.

 

So one of these gifts could still be yours.  Just go to the previous posting and enter a comment there to get in on the fun. 

Click here to get the speed trip to the previous post.  A comment on today’s post will not guarantee you’re entered.  You must go to the previous post and leave a comment there.  Of course, you saw where yesterday’s “rules” got me, didn’t you? 

And we have passed the 1,000th comment.  So I’ll put you out of your misery of waiting on that one and tell you that the winner is:

<<<<< Sarah >>>>>

Sarah requested the pin cushion as her winning prize so that little guy will be winging its way to San Antonio to live in her sewing room very soon!  Congratulations, Sarah!

This does not mean that there won’t be more pin cushions for others who requested them if their number is pulled by Miss Kitty and the Random Number Generator.  Boo refuses to be the mouse button pusher this time and wants Miss Kitty to get the grief from all the non-winners instead of him.  Miss Kitty is tough.  She can take the criticism.

There is still more to come from The Party of the Century.  More Show ‘n Tell and a look at some great decorating ideas for Christmas from Judy’s fabulous home.  Didn’t I tell you we’d be revisiting that party for many, many, many days to come?  Remember 518 pics?

I’ll be blogging away about those things and more soon.  But first I have to get out my wet noodle and administer 30 lashes on a few people who commented excessively yesterday.  I bet they are quaking in their boots just thinking about it.

Keep those comments coming……but only one per person, please…… I’m loving them all!

Hugs,
Barb

Posted in just stuff | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

My Same Fabric Challenge

Posted on December 12, 2010 by Barb

Remember I told you a few days ago that I was going to share my Same Fabric Challenge things soon?  And that I had plans for what I made?  I know you haven’t been able to get that out of your mind ever since I said it.  I know that you’ve thought about it night and day and you are beside yourself with wondering what I meant.  Sleepless nights have been the norm for you, I’m sure.

Well, today I’m finally going to put you out of your misery and share my challenge things.  Hallelujah!  I can hear you shouting as you read the blog today.

When I first got home from the Christmas Party of the Century, Miss Kitty knocked over my basket and pushed out my challenge things.  See?  Miss Kitty is on your side.  She wanted me to show you the things I made right away.  She was so cute in the basket she even succeeded in getting me to take her picture.  And she begged and begged for me to post it that night on the blog.  She loves the fame, you see.  But I wasn’t quite ready to show you the challenge things yet.

I had food to show!  Brown Bag quilts to brag about!  Party stories to tell!  Even though Miss Kitty tried hard on your behalf.  She knew that you would want to see them.

So here they are!

Some cute little coasters.  In sets of 4.

A cool little pin cushion that they were fighting over at the Party of the Century.  They all wanted to take this little guy home.  Even though I kept saying, “No.  I have plans for this pin cushion.  Blog plans.”  They were relentless.  But I fought them off.  For the sake of you Devoted Blog Followers who are not privileged to be a part of the JSS Bee.

A journal cover.

Complete with a lined composition book that can be replaced with a new one when this one gets filled.

And a little oval-shaped yoyo, made with the new yoyo maker that I got at Market in Houston this year.  Because I knew that Sally would give me grief if the cover was not embellished.  Made at 3:30 a.m. the day of the Party of the Century.  Because that’s just the kind of gal that I am.

Now what does this have to do with you?  I’m so glad you asked.  You see, I made all these things with you in mind.  As giveaways on the blog.  Because it’s Christmas.  Because you’ve been staring at this fabric on the blog for many months and I thought you might like a souvenir.  Because I appreciate each and every one of you out there who reads my blog and leaves a comment and makes me feel very special.

Just a few stats for you…. because I’ve become a stats kind of gal and I feel the need to share them with you. 

The first giveaway was on August 11th, celebrating 10,000 hits.  It’s now just 4 months later and we are very close to 25,000 hits.  In just 7 months, 12 days of total blog time. 

There are 146 postings.  Which amazes me.  I can’t believe I’ve written that many times.  And still you complain if there’s not something every day.  Well, some of you complain or at least strongly suggest that I post more often.  And I laugh every time I hear you say it. 

The busiest day was just last Tuesday – with 305 hits that day.  The daily average is 108 as of today, but it’s been steadily rising.  The average the first month was 82/day, but so far for December it’s 166.  You must be telling your friends.  Thanks.  One day this might even become profitable for me.  And that would be good for you too.  Because I will share.

OK, OK, I hear ya.  Cut to the chase, Barb.  How can we win these little blog souvenirs?

It’s very simple.  Here’s how.  Leave a comment on this posting answering the following question:

Which of the little challenge projects would you like to have if you are a winner? 

Do you need a set of coasters?  A journal?  A cute little pin cushion?  And you can say, “I want them all!”  But then I’ll pick for you, if you are a winner.  Which I might have to do anyway if you all say you want the pin cushion and there is only one.  Just sayin’.  You might even consider putting an option #2 in your comment.

The first winner will be the person who leaves comment #1,000.  We are very close to that number.  I won’t tell you how close, but I imagine we will hit that number soon.  Other winners will be chosen using a Random Number Generator and based on the order the comments are received.  Boo and/or Miss Kitty will help with the Random Number Generator. 

I reserve the right to make more pin cushions, coasters and/or journal covers so that we have loads of winners on this one.  I still have more fabric.  And the rest of my family won’t care if they don’t get Christmas presents because I’m too busy making blog gifts, right?  If they are smart, they’ll leave a comment.  If they win, it might be the only thing they get from me this year.  It’s good that they have a sense of humor.

Winners will be announced when I’m good and ready.  There.  That gives me some leeway and nobody can say I missed the deadline.  Please don’t leave more than one comment in hopes that I won’t notice and you’ll up your chances.  I’ll just throw out comment #2.  And give you thirty lashes with a wet noodle.

So let the comments begin!  Thanks a zillion for being there.  You bless my socks off every time I think of you out there reading my li’l ol’ blog.

Merry Christmas!
Barb

Posted in quilts | Tagged , , , , | 70 Comments

Party Food!

Posted on December 11, 2010 by Barb

I gained 10 pounds just editing the pics for this post today.  Seriously.  If you haven’t eaten, you’d better go get something before you go any further.  I’m not kidding.  You’ll never make it through if you’re hungry.

These JSS Bee gals can cook.  And I think we need to make it a rule that we put nametags next to the dishes at these gatherings.  Because I want recipes for all of them.  And I need to know who to ask.

Let the food gazing begin!

 

This is our favorite JSS Bee gathering breakfast food.  Karen brings it.  And except for the food I brought to the party, this ends my knowledge of who brought what.  And I only know this one because Karen brings it all the time.  Because we wouldn’t let her in if she forgot to bring this dish.  It’s mostly cream cheese, cinnamon, sugar and pastry.  How can you go wrong with that?  It’s a crowd favorite.  And I promise not to have this many comments on all the food presented today.  Or you’ll still be reading this when it’s time for dinner. 

And it’s your last chance to go get something to eat.  I’m not kidding.  Go pour your coffee and at least get a piece of toast.  Or you’ll be sooooorrrry.

This is one of those breakfast casserole things.  With eggs and sausage and lots of other goodies.  A salty delight to cut all the sweet from Karen’s dish.  And do not ask me who made it.

More yummy sweets.  With cinnamon.  Rolled up.  Mmmmmmm.

How about this French toast-y dish……..

…….with syrup, of course.

A crunchy addition to breakfast.  And don’t you just love the way the light shines in on Judy’s table?

Chips and homemade dip.  Just what every buffet table needs.  And I know it’s homemade because I made it.

Yum.  Brittle.  I was going to say peanut brittle, but I’m not sure it’s peanuts in this one.  And it’s just the thing to round out breakfast, don’t you think?

Chocolate.  You can’t have a JSS party without chocolate.  Notice there is more chocolate hiding in the box behind these treats on pretzels.

I absolutely love cream cheese and anything.  If it has cream cheese in it, it just has to be great!

More cream cheese.  This time with pineapple and nuts and I’m not sure what else.  But I do know it was delish.

Olive spread.  And for this one I can even link to the recipe!  Because it’s from The Pioneer Woman.  I didn’t make it, but I know where it came from.  And even if you don’t want to make this olive spread (but if you like olives at all, you need to make this), you really must go to the site and read the recipe.  It will make you laugh out loud.  And right about now you might need a good laugh, right?

PW’s Olive Cheese Bread

She actually spreads this stuff on bread and then bakes it so the cheese melts over the bread.  But halfway through the recipe she tells you how great it is as a cracker spread.  And that’s the part that will make you laugh out loud.  Promise.  You can kick me if you read it and don’t laugh or, at the very least, smile real big.  Really.

This beautiful concoction has apples, cranberries, oatmeal and lots and lots of sugar.  Yum.

Here’s an overview of the whole table.  Only every time I strolled around the table and took pics, things got added.  And there was more in the kitchen.  It was a day for eating.  Lots of eating.  Have you gained weight just looking at the pics yet?  There’s more….

Scones.  I love scones for breakfast.  Wish I had some right now, don’t you?

Pumpkin spread.  And a little fruit just to make things healthy.  Yeah, right.

I don’t know what these are, but they were wonderful.

Chocolate anyone?

More fruit.  Just keepin’ it real.

Hot cider on the stove.  See the steam?  Yum.

Is it possible to have a party this time of year without some of this stuff?  Ultra-pasteurized – Grade A.

This braided bread thing was as pretty as it was yummy.

Meatballs……

…………….. times two.

Here’s a full plate!  And this was just breakfast.  Wait until you see lunch!

Cucumber sandwiches.  I love these.  I’m sure there is cream cheese involved.

This corn relish/salad/dip was spectacular!  Who made it?  I have to have the recipe!  Please comment!  I want some now!

Cute little sandwiches.

A wonderful salad.

Fabulous bundt cake.

Little sausages in barbecue sauce.  A holiday party must!

Yummy little sandwiches.

A really delicious carrot salad.

Blackberry cobbler.  Brought by a newbie.  She’s in.

I think these had spinach inside.  They were soooooooo good.

Hang in there.  I know it’s time to fix dinner.  Only a few photos to go…..

We could have had only this and it would have been enough.  Oh, my.  And this blog would have been oh, so much shorter.

Shepherd’s Pie.  Really, really good.

My plate at lunch.  And of course I filled it 65 more times in order to have one bite of everything.  But I’m only making you suffer through one picture.  I see you applauding.

Here’s a big portion of the gang grazing around the table.  We each made 24 passes.  Because we didn’t want to miss anything.  The worst part was getting full too early.  Life is tough, isn’t it?

And here’s Suz waving from way across the room (I zoomed.)  We know she’s waving because her hand is one big blur.  Let’s just pretend that she’s waving goodbye.  Because this is the end of the food.

But it’s definitely not the end of the party.  I still have more Show ‘n Tell things to show.  And some other random pics from the day.  Remember.  I took 518 pics.  There is more to come.  We might, just might, finish in time for the next JSS Christmas party.  In 2011.

Merry Christmas!
Barb

Posted in food | Tagged , , | 9 Comments