Thursday, December 29, 2016

2016 Wrap Up

As I wrap up the year, I find myself feeling grateful for what has been a fantastic year.  I wish I had kept my blog up as a way to memorialize all of the things I and my family have accomplished.  In 2017, I hope to be much better about that.  I have been mulling my goals for 2017 and hope to publish some of them in the next week or so.  

Now for a few updates on some projects I've been working on.  The first is a charity quilt that just needs the binding added.  The fabrics chosen were children's prints with cute little koalas, platypus, alligators, and other animals native to Australia.  The pattern I chose was titled "Square Dance", so I gave this particular quilt the title of Aussie Square Dance.  


Next up is a quilt I am just starting out on.  I am using all scraps and stash for this one.  The only fabric with a print was on blue with lilacs, so I found coordinating scraps to work with this one.  The pattern itself is from the the October/November 2016 issue of Quick Quilts and is titled "Abacus".  This quilt will also be a charity quilt.  The name I'm giving this quilt is "Scraps of Lilac".   


The last little update I want to give is on my cross stitch project of Tinkerbell.  The photo didn't turn out as well as I had liked, so hopefully the next update will look better.  



I look forward to the upcoming New Year's holiday and setting out my goals for 2017.  Wishing you and yours all the best in the coming year.  

Monday, March 28, 2016

A Big Win at the March 2016 Pacific NW Mini Mouse Meet

My hubby and I have been on kind of winning streak this past year.  I'm sure at some point the streak will end, but until then we're just going to sit back and enjoy anything that gets sent our way.

On Sunday, March 20th, we attended a Pacific Northwest Mini Mouse Meet.  These are put together by a group of Disney enthusiasts to provide a time where we can all get our Disney geek on without feeling self-conscious.

This particular meet was held at Pogacha Restaurant in Issaquah, Washinton, and included a nice lunch with unlimited soda, lemonade, and iced tea.  I had a vegetarian sandwich with pesto, fresh mozzarella, and tomato.  It was delicious.  I also enjoyed a side of salad and a little of penne pasta in a white sauce.

I'm still getting used to taking pictures for my blog, so I failed at getting pictures of the food.

Everyone that attended received at the door a small plastic Disney-themed Easter egg with candy inside and a Disneyland 60th Anniversary trading pin.

Oftentimes, they also have drawings for some door prizes.  The door prizes on this particular day included scented candles with scents such as Haunted Mansion, churro, and Main Street Bakery.  There was also a pin set given out, although I don't remember exactly what the theme of the pins were.  The "grand prize" was an original pencil drawing by Disney animator Eric Goldberg.  It was a drawing of Genie from the movie "Aladdin".  I've included a picture of it below:


This will be added to our wall of Disney art in our family room this week.

We sat at a great table and made some new friends.  One of the reasons we love these events are the wonderful friends we make and the fact that they understand our Disney-geekishness. (I know.  I know.  That's not a word...yet.)

Also announced were the speakers for the 8th Annual Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet which will be held in July at the Lynnwood Convention Center.  Speakers will include Disney legends Bob Gurr, Marty Sklar, and current Disney artist and historian Stacia Martin.  We've already bought our tickets and are counting down the days.

Hopefully, up next time, will be my review of the movie "Zootopia" as well as updates on a few projects I've been working on.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Making Progress in March 2016

This month has been so much fun.  I can't wait to see what awaits me for the rest of the month.  

Hubby and I spent my birthday at Disney World.  Our annual passes expire soon, so it will probably be a while before we return to the World.  We had a lot of fun and took it easy.  The weather was comfortable, so we did a lot of walking around the parks and grounds of the resorts...and more walking...and more walking.  

I've been making progress on this special Tinkerbell cross stitch picture.  It's for a very special friend who likes to think that Tink is the fairy that watches over her.  It's the perfect fit.  Although Tink always has good intentions, she also has just the right touch of mischief.  


In addition, I finished off my first charity quilt of the year.  As my school work begins to wind up, I hope to get a lot more quilts finished for the year.  I usually prefer to quilt my quilts, but the particular charity this quilt will go to prefers a tied quilt.  I chose the fabrics after a trip to Disney last fall.  I was inspired by the colors found around the park.  I love the way the parks are decorated for the different seasons.  Hmm...maybe I'll add a picture of a Disney decoration, too.  


We had an exciting weekend Disney-wise around here, so I'll have to give an update on that soon.  

Thanks for sharing in my journey.  

Remember:  

All you need is

Faith, Trust

and a little bit of 

Pixie Dust

-- Tinkerbell

Friday, March 4, 2016

Walt Will Live on in My Heart (An Introduction)

Upon Walt Disney's death, CBS newsman Eric Sevareid remarked about Walt:

"He probably did more to heal or at least to soothe troubled human spirits than all the psychiatrists in the world.  There can't be many adults in the allegedly civilized parts of the globe who did not inhabit Walt's mind and imagination at least for a few hours and feel better for the visitation."

Throughout my life, I have found an escape from the troubles of the day in watching a Disney movie, planning a family vacation to one of the theme parks, or even playing a game of "Frozen" Sorry! or Avengers Uno with family.




As I have gotten older, I have noticed how Disney seems to find a way into so many nooks and crannies of my everyday activities.  When I go fabric shopping, I may imagine the smells of the Main Street Bakery as I look at cupcake fabric; relive for a moment Thunder mountain as I see western-print fabrics; or even buy a few yards of Monsters University fabric just because I know some child will enjoy it in a quilt that will be donated to a local children's hospital or Project Linus.

I have a fantastic husband who truly sees himself as Goofy.  He loves to have fun.  There isn't much that can get him down.  He loves his family.  He is even tall and skinny.

The name of my blog was arrived at through a combination of mine and my husband's love of having fun and goofing off (especially when we can incorporate Disney) and my love of creating quilts to give away to family, friends, and charities.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.