I’m not sure whether or not I have mentioned, in all that I have shared with you about my Mom, that she was a rabid reader. My mom had book shelves in every room of her house but the bathroom, including the hallway and stacks in the garage. All totaled, she had a library of just about 20,000 books that she had collected from the time she was a young girl.
Going through my mom’s books to pick what we wanted for our personal collections was delightful. She loved murder mysteries (which I do not) and loved reading everything about Hollywood, focusing on the actors who were the contemporaries of her time. Anytime we wanted to buy something for my mom, a book was always a good choice.
Just before Mother’s Day of 2003, Doris Roberts released her autobiography, “Are You Hungry, Dear?”

which included recipes that she used for Marie Barone, her character on “Everybody Loves Raymond”. Mom was a huge “Remington Steele” fan and would have run away with Pierce Brosnan had he only had the courage to show up on her doorstep ; ) so I knew that Doris’s book would be perfect for mom. I have to admit that I had an ulterior motive in buying the book. I quickly looked in the Index to make sure that “Marie’s” recipe for Steak ala Pizzaiola was in the book – as I remembered it from an ELR episode.
I picked up the love for reading from Mom, and Doris’s book was one that I kept for myself in the division of Mom’s things. I read it about a month ago and when I was finished, I made Steak ala Pizzaiola for my family — it’s a winner!

Ok, so what’s the purpose of this blog entry, Annie?

Another book that I was interested in was Maureen O’Hara’s book of memoirs, “‘Tis Herself”.

It is a good read, filled with all kinds of things that *I* never knew about some of the people in Hollywood! One thing in particular that drove me to write this blog is an entry that I read as I finished the book today, which is applicable now (her book was published in 2004, so, recently).

This blew my mind! Call me gullible or un-informed, but, (are you ready for this?!):

Maureen talks about “Only the Lonely”, the movie she did with John Candy, where I hated his mother which she portrayed beautifully. She says:
“Right away, those around me brought up the possibility of an Oscar nomination.
I was told that times had changed and the actors now had to *campaign* for Academy Awards. It would cost $30,000 (!!!) and there was no guarantee I would get one. I called Roddy McDowall and asked for his advice. He was on the Academy board and would know what I should do. He talked me out of it. He said, “If you have that kind of money to throw around, then put it in a nice interest-earning CD.”

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!! $30,000 TO **CAMPAIGN** FOR AN ACADEMY AWARD??!!

And that was four years ago. I’m sure that amount has gone up.

So — anyone who you thought deserved an Oscar for their stellar performance in a movie, bought the opportunity for the contest. LOL

That goes right up there with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy for me.
In the past, the thought that it was a popularity contest has been voiced, but who knew that they had to pay to even be in the running?!

You learn something new every day. Sounds like a fun idea for an Art Quilt, doesn’t it? Any takers?

There is a man whom I revere more than any other man, except maybe my husband ; )
We got news on Sunday evening that he passed away at the age of 97. I knew it was coming but every time I think about it, I shed tears for a man that I never had the privilege to meet – and yet, regardless of his age, his passing broke my heart.

You may not even know who he is, but he has been a recipient of the
Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor given a United States citizen.

Photo by Scot Facer Proctor

His family just knows him as “Dad” and “Grandpa”. When he was given the medal, he didn’t realize that it was meant for him as an individual — that’s just the kind of man he was.

Gordon B. Hinckley is a man among men and will be sorely missed by all who ever heard him speak to us about “Standing a Little Taller” and encouraging us to be better people. We will miss his wit and his wisdom, but we will have his words of love, care, and encouragement as a legacy.

If you want to find out how this man truly lived his life, and why he was such an influence and beloved leader, you can tune in to his memorial service via cable tv on BYUTV channel, Saturday Feb. 2 at 11:00 a.m. mountain time. You can also visit LDS.org to understand a little better who this man really was.

God be with you til we meet again.

Thanks to listener, Lauri, who sent me this link of Glenn Beck’s tribute to Gordon B. Hinckley; heartfelt and simply said: Glenn Beck.com.

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Thanks to all of those who have contributed to Quilting Stash. If you haven’t contributed recently, please consider doing so by clicking HERE.

I will be featured on Alex and Ricky’s “Quilt Show”, show #209 airing April 28th!
While you’re visiting the Quilt Show website, check out the “Bouquets for a New Day” Block of the Month designed by Susan Garman

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Heartfelt thanks for all of the donations to Quilting Stash. Your donations are the fuel for Quilting Stash and to make video-casts possible!

Websites, blogs and podcasts to visit:

Shop LizzieB! and don’t forget “Let there be Chocolate”.
Ann Fahl— Her article about folding quilts on the bias can be found in the Quilter’s Newsletter magazine, December 2006 issue.
Jennifer Worick’s website, author of “The Prairie Girl’s Guide to Life” and other gems.
“Never Check Email in the Morning” and Julie Morgenstern’s website
Alison Luff’s website and podcast
Allison Rosen’s blog and podcast
SewInspired blog
Sarah London
Material Mama podcast

Guy’s Sweater

Here is a picture of Guy’s Aran sweater, in progress. I got the pattern from a Vogue Knitting magazine – whose patterns I love. I have to say that I was inspired to take up knitting again (that, and the fact that I had the yarn waiting for me for two whole years!) by Cheryl Winslow of Starshine Quilting who makes the coolest socks, and you have to visit her website to see the gorgeous quilts she does. She has a blog too!

Piper Enjoying A Lie-down

And not to leave you with only one picture… here is a precious picture of the Piper, the quilting dog, taking a little nap with her bear and blankie. Wait a minute — who let her up on the couch on top of my quilt?!

Happy Quilting!

copyright 2008 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved

I woke up today, knowing that I owe you a new podcast. I have the production notes all ready — and no voice. My family has succumbed to the flu that is going around; sore throat, congestion, cough, antibiotics.
I had the brilliant idea to take a really beautiful picture of a Kleenex box with my Rx and pink slippers with the little ribbon rosebuds on them, so I had a nice rosy picture for you. It’s dinner time and I still haven’t done the photo – and I am zonked, too sick to bring everything together and take the picture.

So you get this: a lame apology for a new podcast. Hopefully, I will feel better tomorrow, and have my voice back, so I can do show #110. It will be a good one, I promise! I have some cool new stuff to talk about, including a certain friend’s new fabric line for a new compnay that I’ve been dying to tell you about ; )

But for now, I just wanted to let you know that I am alive, albeit barely, and that I will return soon to bring you a new Quilting Stash installment!

Soon, quilters…soon!

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I can’t believe the year is over, I still have so much to do! And, I couldn’t let the year end without giving you the last interview from Quilt Market, with Jenny. She is so fun, sweet and talented, it was such a pleasure to speak with her.

We had the chance to get some pictures, so here is one of Jenny’s new quilts:

Initial name, Fuzzy Wuzzy , uh, Jenny – what did you name it? It reminds me of that game “Simon”. It will be in the next Quilter’s Newletter “Quilt It for Kids” magazine. Congratulations, Jenny! This quilt is so soft and warm, I’d like one myself.

And here we are, happy to finally have gotten together to do the interview for the podcast!

You can read more about Jenny by visiting Jenny’s blog WildCard quilts. You’ll be able to find out what she’s doing next, which will be delivering a brand new member of her family shortly!

Congratulations and best wishes to the Wilding Cardon family!!

I just have to do this today, since I can’t pick up the phone and call my Mom. I was reading one of Laura Gunn’s friend Libby’s blog – Crunchy Peas (cute name, beautiful website), and she had done a memorial blog entry for her Mom. She said:
“There are times when I look in the mirror and it is as if I am seeing her face, and times when I say something and it is if I am hearing her voice. The pain of losing her is both soothed and yet still fresh.”

Wow, how I can relate to that! I never want to forget my Mom, or “get over” her passing – as has been innocently suggested by someone who has not yet lost a parent. Something, anything, will come to mind and I have a warm, sweet feeling that she is near — and then the tidal wave of loss overcomes me. I still feel that way about my Dad and he has been gone for over 30 years!

I decided yesterday that it was time for me to go through the boxes of my Mom’s memorabilia. I have been putting it off, and off and off. As you know, if you are a Quilting Stash regular, I talk a lot about my Mom and draw from the culture that she raised me in a LOT — (lemon cake recipe, Apron Strings quilt, Tunnel of Fudge cake recipe in the January newsletter).
But my Mom’s birthday is today, and I just can’t take flowers to the graveyard one more time right now. It drains me so much emotionally, and I start thinking about all of the family members who are there in the same cemetery, and then I just sit and cry for the missing of all of them.

So, I’m going to share a couple things about my Mom with you – funny things that I have found. My Mom kept everything — and I do mean EVERYTHING. I found two items that will illustrate that for you:

The ad for the trailer that we owned in 1964! We took one family trip in it before my Dad got tired of having it parked in front of our house and sold it. It was so fun playing in the trailer though – my sister, Judie, and I played “camping” in it.

How about a collection of nuclear threat brochures? Not that we ever had a family evacuation plan, but it’s so indicative of life during the sixties. I looked through them and there is a lot of common sense stuff in there. The illustrations are priceless.

Ok, so there you have it. I have a lot of wading to do in those boxes, then I have the family pictures to catagorize, scan, and digitize so my siblings have copies of every picture. It’s fun to see what was important to my Mom and read things that others wrote in cards and letters to her that give me a little closer insight to my very private Mom. And a lot of questions that she isn’t around to answer.

Here is a little scrapbook of pictures of my Mom — my favorite pictures of her that capture the essence of who she was.

Little Joyce, about 4 years old, with her dog, Skippy.

Isn’t this picture precious?! All dressed up for her part in the Portuguese Fiesta, about 6 years old.

Joyce, at about 16 years old, in a dress made by her Mom, who made all of my mother’s clothes.

Just two years later, a beautiful bride. No wonder my Dad fell in love with her — she was simply beautiful and had so much class and style.

With my Mom, when I was about 6.

My parents, Floyd and Joyce, on New Year’s Eve in 1964. What a pair!

The last picture taken with my Mom, at my first quilt retreat in Cambria – with my sister, Susan, and her daughter, Beth. If we had only known what was to come in two short months… ah, but we never do. I do have precious memories of the time spent with my Mom in Cambria, a place that she loved to visit.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little peek into my Mom.

Happy Birthday, Mommy!

Yes, quilters, one of my wishes came true — our family tradition of visiting Fenton’s creamery and the Oakland Temple. Here are some of the highlights for my blog. There were five cameras at the table, which overwhelmed our new guest, Shannon. But when you have bloggers, you have cameras.

Our first stop was Fenton’s, with proof that we were here in time for holiday revelry.
Some happy faces at Fentons look like this:

Sisters-in-law who are more like Sisters…

It’s never enough to order just ice cream because they have a great grill, from which we ordered Ryan’s Heart-attack-on-a-plate, chili cheese fries to go along with his burger…

Kirsten’s club sandwich with curly fries,

and Guy’s Reuben sandwich.

Oh, by the way, Fenton’s is not a place for a diet or watching calories. This is our one time of the year to splurge. So, we order ice cream too… ; ) Which looks like this:

Robin and his (girl)friend, Shannon – too cute, huh?

So we share and then it looks like this:

So we have to walk off all of the lovely excess at one of the most beautiful spots on Earth, the Oakland Temple at sunset:

We walk around the upper level of the Temple (which is usually FREEZING cold) to see a beautiful view of “The City” (affectionately called by locals, aka San Francisco):

We’re not this close, this was just taken through telephoto lens. I was shooting for the Giants Ballpark (I don’t know what its’ name will be this year) but got a great shot of the skyline so you can see the TransAmerica and BofA buildings).

The flowers in the gardens are amazing. Do you have Rhododendrons like this where you live? During the winter?

How often do you see a cluster of roses like this? Just perfect!

We take pictures of each other, like these:
My kiddoes

Our newlyweds, even after two years.

Silly guy(s), or like father, like son ; )

You can get the most amazing pictures there, like this one:

and this really good (in my opinion) picture of me that Guy took:

Happy New Year, and happy quilting!!

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We didn’t REALLY have a problem, it’s just fun to say, since that phrase put Houston and the space program into public concern once upon a time. I’ve been to Johnson Space center and it’s totally cool – everyone should visit there when visiting Houston.

I couldn’t end the year without giving you this fun wrap-up show from our experience at Quilt Market and Festival. I know that it’s late, but good things take time ; ) So here we go, with Kirsten and Holly -we are… partners in crime, uh, quilting!

Kirsten’s new blog is FunkyCharming.
Holly’s website is EatCakeGraphics. Holly just put her new blog up, so go here to visit Sprinkles of Thought blog.

Here are some pictures of the booth:

Holly’s booth and our friend, Kevin, who saved our bacon by hanging all of our drapes and quilts for us.

Kirsten with Michele D’Amore of Marcus Brothers in front of “Green Flower Street”, which was made with Michele’s Bleeker Street fabric.

I finally found the link for Hobby+Land, the Japanese purse handle people. Then, as I was arranging my new dayplanner for 2008, I came across the business card for the second part of their booth with is QuiltPlus! If you visit their website, you can see some beautiful examples of purses that you can make.

Kirsten and Holly’s favorite star encounter: Amy Butler.
And mine would have been: meeting Mary Engelbreit. But my good pal, Susan Branch finally had a chance to meet her for the first time at Market. Here is a picture of the two, the Queen of Everything and the Heart of the Home, courtesy of Susan.

Our so cre8ive friends, Beth and Liz Hawkins of LizzieBcre8ive. I’m talking with Liz at their booth — isn’t it fun?! These gals ARE cre8ive!

Here I am with Frank Bielec – what a kick it was to meet him! We all know how talented he is from his regular gig (show), but who knew that he does needlepoint, or has a company called Mosey n Me?

Mothers and daughters — me, Kirsten, Lizzy and Cherri House. It was so fun to meet them! We have our eye on Lizzie to see what rocket she will be on soon. Lizzy’s blog is LizzyHouse.

Holly’s and my favorite place at Festival to drop a big wad of cash was Pinwheels Trading. We just couldn’t resist all of that Japanese Taupe goodness.

Our favorite group experience was the Color Guard ceremony for Quilts of Valor was breathtaking and emotional for everyone in the convention center.

I have to say the very best part of the shows was meeting listeners, who took a moment to drop by the booth and say HI. Here’s the Gallery of Quilting Stash listeners:

Becky Rebalais – Atlanta, GA

Gretchen Brock – Atlanta, GA Becky and Gretchen were working at Market for the Silver Thimble booth and made a point to stop by and say hi. Gretchen is also the one who stopped by to let Kirsten know that Amy Butler was doing a book signing — Gretchen will always be Kirsten’s Hero for that ; )

Cindy Lammon — what a thrill it was to meet Cindy, quilt designer extraordinnaire!

To see Cindy’s beautiful quilts, visit Raspberry Patch Quilt Shop.

I think the picture explains it all, but just in case you can’t figure it out, I am all agape with Beth Ferrier, who stopped by to say hi. Beth and I belong to the Yahoo Quilt Designers group, so I kind-of knew her from there.

Beth wrote the definitive sidebar to Nancy Restuccia’s book, “Publish Your Patterns! How to Write, Print, and Market Your Designs” about how to have a booth at Quilt Market – which my #1 help when deciding to go last Spring. I knew that there was more about Beth that wasn’t connecting… and then I saw her book, “Hand Applique by Machine”


that it all clicked in to place — she was BETH FERRIER!! LOL! It’s so fun to be a part of a mutual admiration society ; ) You can view Beth’s work at her website Applewood Farm.

Dianne Jones and Bonnie Hernandez

Chelley Smith — who is from the Pickle Posse. I want one of those shirts!

Shelly Grappe, Linda Harmon, and Mary Mauldin

Julie Pieri, who is also a designer.

Lynn Kelly, who introduced me to our Quilt Angel, Pat Steapp:

Lynn

…and Pat

I also met up with one of the most influencial teachers that I ever took a class from, Nadine Thompson:

It was such a pleasure to see her, and catch up – it’s been several years and she has relocated from California to Missouri. I took a twelve-week class with Nadine in 1989 that taught me every technique that I still use today – especially her special way of doing Hand Applique, which I immediately fell in love with. Two years after that class, Nadine won Best of Show honors at Pacific International Quilt Festival for her Baltimore Album quilt, totally created by hand.

I also met my quilter, Melodee Wade’s neighbor at Festival, who came by to see the Pickle Road Garden Quilt that Melodee so masterfully quilted for me.

Now for your future reference, a listing of the places we enjoyed eating while in Houston:

Ninfa’s on Navigation – home of the Fajita. It was so good, we ate here twice!

Kirsten from Prints Charming, Gina Halladay of Quilters Buzz, Holly Mabutas and Jan Lutz’s sister.

Kath, Kirsten, and Kirsten (Prints Charming gals) outside of Ninfa’s the last night of Market.

MMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmm — The Strip House. We will have fond memories of that marvelous meal for a long time – especially while in the company of our blogger friends. Here is a picture of the dessert that Holly describes the demolition of, the before:

and after:

…which took all of about ten seconds!

Real Texas BBQ and a drive-through! Pappa’s BBQ

Round puffy goodness: Shipley’s donuts You have to have at least one!

Our funnest dinner out was with Mark Lipinski and Jeff Turner – and a great restaurant. We LOVE Mexican food, so we are always jonesing for it. Pappasitos is SO good – it will be on our list of must-visit’s for next year.

Jason’s Deli was our favoritest meal, because it came with so much love from our friends, Pat Steapp and her mom, Jean Lauderdale.

Lots of info, on the podcast and above — twelve glorious days ( and days of hard work!). I hope you’ve enjoyed this little slice of our Market and Festival experience.

Happy Quilting — and Happy New Year!

copyright 2007 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved

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My top Five wishes for Christmas, just in case Santa has a little more room in his bag for me.

I don’t want to spoil the podcast surprise, but here are some links and pictures of what you will find there:

“Let Joy and Innocence Prevail” written by Pat Metheny, and it’s his instrumental version that I love the most. Oops! Written by Hans Zimmer and Trevor Horn, but performed by Pat’s incredible guitar-work for the movie.
“My Grown-up Christmas List” was written by David Foster and Linda Thompson Jenner (Bruce Jenner – the athlete’s ex).
Here are the words to this beautiful song:

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
my childhood fantasies

Well, I’m all grown up now
And still need help somehow
I’m not a child
But my heart still can dream

So here’s my lifelong wish,
My grown up Christmas list
Not for myself,
But for a world in need:

No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts,
And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end:
This is my grown up Christmas list.

What is this illusion called “the innocence of youth”?
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth —
(there’d be)
No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts,
And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown up Christmas list.

This is my only lifelong wish:
This is My grown up Christmas list.

Ok, so I’m feeling compelled to add my favorite song list – just so you know where my head, ears and heart are at this special time of year.
1. Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses (This song gets me in the mood within the first 8 bars of the song!)
2. O Holy Night
3. Sleighride (ok, corny but a keeper!)
4. Mary, Did You Know? (I love this by just about anybody, but I heard it the very first time done on tv by Wynonna and Kenny Rogers – it just decked me)
5. Breath of Heaven (Amy Grant)
6. I’ll be Home for Christmas (only by the eternal Bing Crosby — makes me cry everytime I hear it)
7. Wonderful Christmastime (McCartney, of course!)
8. Rudolph the Red-nosed Reggae (our kids favorite song to sing along with when they were little)
9. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (sung only by Judy Garland, in “Meet Me in St. Louis” – my mother’s favorite Christmas movie)
10. I Wonder As I Wander (my favorite one was done by Kurt Bestor)
11. Christmas Time is Here (A Charlie Brown Christmas)
12. Silent Night, sung in Gaelic, by Enya
13. Little Saint Nick, the Beach Boys
14. Any Christmas song done by Mannheim Steamroller
15. Almost any Christmas song done by the Trans Siberian Orchestra
16. The Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky
17. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
18. Dominic, the Italian Christmas Donkey, Lou Monte

and that’s just the short list. If I had one, I would put these on my… — you listening, Santa?:

ok, so I’ll take on iPod touch — it will let me see my favorite quilt shows, too ; )

It’s all about time with family and our traditions – one of which is:

Temple Hill, Oakland, CA
The lights on Temple Hill in Oakland, CA, and the music extravaganza that happens there every evening.Then a trip to our favorite eatery:

Fenton’s Creamery — yum yum!!

Next, Some Feedback From My Fans:
“I just want to write this email to let you know I love your show! I work during the day doing mundane typing. I enjoy listing to your podcast to take my mind off of what I am doing. I sit a piece of paper beside me during your podcast and write down inspirational ideas throughout the show.” Tracy Ward

“I love your podcasts and these newsletters. I don’t get to many events out here in the Boston area, but if I do I will send them along.
Can’t wait to see you on The Quilt Show!!
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!” Mary Hamilton

“I just want to say thanks for the podcasts you do . I know they take a lot of time to put together but I enjoy hearing them and have been inspired and have learned so much. I have also been introduced to many quilters I would not have known about through your interviews. Please keep up the wonderful work you are doing.” Nancy Z. in CT

My #1 wish is to keep Quilting Stash podcast going – for a long time. The details are in the podcast, and the Tip Jar is in the column on this page to the right…

I’m looking forward to many more shows, vidcasts in the future, and hearing from you, my listeners. My wish for you is a safe and happy Christmas season, tucked under quilts with the ones you love.

Here’s a picture of my very first quilt design, made for my son, Ryan – who is actually, finally, going to get his quilt. (The pattern is being retired, and a new one will emerge). He totally inspired this quilt from half way around the world, in Vercelli, Italy.

“All Hearts Come Home for Christmas”, just where they should be!