The end of the Steamy Spring freebie

If you have been collecting the Steamy Spring kit, yuo should have 30 zips as of today. Zip 30 has a large gear cluster and a big top border. I hope you have enjoyed this kit as much as I have enjoyed making it.

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_30.zip

Today I have a doctor's appointment and errands to run. I'm trying to put together a small kit in the wedding colors but I'm having a hard time of it. As mother of the groom, I haven't been included in much of the planning as I can only tell you what I know until I actually see for myself how it turns out. My son and his bride are getting married on the deck of a lovely beach cottage on a cove at Nags Head, N.C. Call me conventional but I'd have gone for a beach theme and colors. Instead, the bride choose these colors (as near as I understand):

I know for certain the green she choose is emerald and this is my best guess about the purple since my son described it as "not as dark as eggplant, more like the purple in a crayon box." The groom and his men are wearing khaki pants with Hawaiian shirts something like the cornsilk color in swatch. The floral (I'm guessing hibiscus) design on the shirts is in white. The bride bought a lovely contemporary white gown - long with train. But she had the train removed and the skirt altered into a high-low design. She wanted a special hibiscus flower that isn't available so will be carrying a bouquet of Picasso Calla Lilies. One of her attendants will be in purple, the other in green; don't know what flowers they will have. She wanted gardenias for the table flowers but ran into a problem with florists being able to supply them so has some other back-up flowers. I'm going to see what I can come up with and share with you but that is for another day.

Happy Birthday Larkin! & freebie

Today our granddaughter, Larkin, turned 6! Poor baby spent the morning at clinic because she is suffering from conjunctivitis in both eyes. Once she was home we went to see her and give her a bicycle. Hot pink with white tires on blue rims, mylar tassels on the handlebars, a seat in white with blue and pink paisley and a cute zip up pouch on the front. The pouch will be perfect for the Hello Kitty bike gloves and hot pink knee and elbow pads her maternal grandmother gave her. Her mother got her a funny helmet like a unicorn head that continues the hot pink and blue theme. It's an 18" bike with training wheels so she had to stretch to get on but once she realized she was safe, she started learning how to ride. Her mother will be getting a lot of exercise with her for sure lol. Got to get some photos soon. (Forgot my camera!)

Anyway, lots to do over next few days as Jeremy and Berkeley's wedding is on the 11th. Here's hoping that we get some rain free days with low humidity and nice temperatures for the weekend. Today we have zip 29 of Steamy Spring. It contains a decorative metallic disk, a jeweled piece you could put on a frame, and a counter top jewelry display box. Thought I'd never get that piece finished.

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_29.zip One more zip of this kit to come, then we move on.

Saturday freebie zip 28 Steamy Spring

Working frantically, trying to finish up Larkin's blanket before Monday (her b'day). So here is today's zip:

A couple more skirts for your store, a fancy gear, and another frame. Enjoy!
Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_28.zip

Don't like how this summer is shaping up and a freebie

This summer isn't shaping up how I'd like. Thought it would be a good one with wedding and 20th anniversary trip but it seems everyone is falling apart health wise! Husband isn't feeling well. One of grandson Tyler's grandmothers (he has 4!) has been having a series of issues and had to go into hospital. Haven't talked to Tyler or his stepmother today (it's her mother) so don't know if she has returned home or not. Poor grandma Brenda has had a series of broken bones that are taking forever to heal. Sounds like she needs nursing care for a while. And DIL, Tanya went to hospital a few days ago with horrible back pain and had an emergency MRI. She has a herniated disk and 2 others that have collapsed resulting in pressure on nerves and numbness in her legs. She was supposed to be released today (haven't heard yet) and will go back on 6/9 for surgery. The wedding is 6/11 and when I get back June is having her surgery on 6/13. Whew! I'm tired just thinking about all the running around to doctors, hospitals and homes to check on everyone, plus making meals and helping with follow-up care.

Today we have another jacket and more boxes.
Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_27.zip

Short day today & zip 25

Slept in today really late so must get moving and accomplish something. Wanted to go see Alice Through The Looking Glass yesterday and had invited 3 friends but none could go. I decided to go on anyway since hubby was supposed to meet some former co-workers over at Hooters. What can I say about the movie? Colorful, great special effects. As best as I can remember the original "Looking Glass" this just basically borrowed the looking glass as entry to wonderland and the usual characters. This time, Anne Hathaway was less wooden as the White Queen. The character of Time was interesting. Overall though, you might want to just wait for it to come out on TV.

Today's zip has a few more shop items: a doll faced hat stand, another hat, a catalog. You will have to play around with sizes of hats and hatstands to make them look as you wish.

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_25.zip

No promises but have any thoughts on themes? Want to submit a color swatch? If you like, you can submit swatch and/or themes to me at quiltwrite2000@yahoo.com Please put Blog Ideas in subject line.

It's Tuesday already? Oops on freebies

Hope you all had a nice holiday weekend? Sorry about there being no Saturday freebie. I had thought I'd get back in time from the Red Hat boat party to set that up. It was hot and steamy here that day with tropical storm off the coast threatening to spoil things. Fortunately there was no rain and just a tiny bit of breeze so pretty nice if you were outside and could sit still. But there were supplies to lug down the slope to the houseboat and, after the party a lot of cleaning up to do and carrying of supplies back up the slope to our cars. Thank heaven, Doris's son, Eric, came and did all the heavy lifting after the party. I wasn't all that much help. I got overheated, sweaty, and weak. Which is why, when I got home to a huggy granddaughter and husband, I was pretty well done in. When they took off for Bluegrass, I was able to peel off my sweaty clothes, wash up, and cool down. In short, I crashed and didn't give the computer a thought! It was a wonderful party though and one people will be talking about for some time. I'm putting together everyone's photos for a couple of scrapbook pages and when done will share them. Sunday was just resting up and listening to rain. Yesterday the sky opened up and the rain really poured, faster than it could be absorbed so it pooled and flooded areas. Before it got too bad, we picked up the two granddaughters, Inara (9) and Larkin (5) and took them to see the Angry Birds movie. Good thing I bought tickets online at Fandango because on the way to get the girls, we encountered a bad accident on Virginia Beach Blvd. There were at least 3 fire engines, several rescue squads and any number of police cars, even one state trooper. Seeing the state trooper made us wonder if he had been a chasing someone on interstate who came off and caused the accident. Don't know but took a good while to get through. Cute movie. All the color, cute critters, and movement for the kids but lots of jokes for the adults. The girls were pretty good but wore us out. Kids - all that energy!

Zip 24 of Steamy Spring contains a rose, 2 feathers, a ribbon, and a purse:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_24.zip

Friday lunch out & another zip of Steamy Spring

By the time you read this post, I will be lunching at La Herradura with husband, my Aunt Sissy and her boyfriend, John. There are 2 locations but we go to the one over near Old Dominion University. Mexican food is not my thing but my husband has a friend who works there and he is very nice about catering to my needs: no peppers or heavy spices. I'm debating whether to have Beef Chimichanga or try the Taquitoes this time.
Was going to post some photos of Red Nose Days but while I've collected some, I haven't put them on a page yet.

Today's zip of Steamy Spring includes wall shelves, a small star frame, and a purse.

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_23.zip

Middle of the week and a freebie

So it's Wednesday and I'm about to go in and watch Criminal Minds. Got my hair trimmed and styled, did a little shopping, got the cooler from the attic and cleaned it up. Found a cute summer purse to go with my outfit for the wedding and bought some of that new Lumi make-up. Hope it might brighten me up a bit. Too bad you can't shop and get a safe instant tan and instant slimming. Oh well.

Today I have some steampunk acessories our ladies might shop for:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_21.zip
And back to Criminal Minds Beyond Borders and crochet.

Another rainy Monday and a full week ahead. Plus freebie.

Another dreary day. Haven't wanted to do anything but think it is coming from feeling a bit overwhelmed at all that will be going on this week and next couple. Being used to weeks where nothing much happens, suddenly having weeks where a lot is going on is kind of a shock to the system. This week it's doctor's appointment, haircut, family visit, lunch out with family and friends, and two Red Hat events plus prep for all. Next week it's wedding prep, shopping for grand-daughter's birthday and I can't remember what else. The following week is my son's wedding followed immediately by June's surgery! Did I complain about being bored?

Today I have a Steamy Spring zip of shop items - skirts and a double hanger plus example of how double hanger can be used.

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_19.zip

Saturday freebie & Pepsi talk

Just tried the 1898 Pepsi. I think I taste some cinnamon oil in it. Not overly impressed, but then I'm a Coca Cola girl. If you are into Pepsi, you might enjoy checking out the history of the drink here: http://www.sirpepsi.com/pepsi11.htm. It's been a quiet day. I had the rest of my Rt 58 Deli pastrami sandwich for dinner last night and, good as it was, it "talked" to me until early morning, so I sat up playing silly computer games rather than risk lying down and having severe reflux. Hubby got up around 2am in pain. Don't know if it's his back or maybe a kidney stone but he has felt miserable all day. Won't let me take him to Urgent care or ER so I've just been being as quiet as possible. Since I had a sinus headache until it poured down raining, it wasn't hard. But that means I didn't do much that was useful. Today I have a shop sign and another figure for you. Also a cheval mirror (have to see how you look in that new dress, right?) and the same mirror with cutout to make a frame. Decided to add another paper too because the elements looked so lonely on the page.

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_18.zip
See you on Monday!

Running around on errands but have a freebie for you

If you are a fan of Country Liv's Graphics (Liv is a dear friend), you might know that Liv has been waiting for the arrival of her great-granddaughter. Wish you could see the beautiful items Liv has crocheted for that baby and the twins, Willow and Xander. Liv's excitement was contagious so I made a little something for the baby and just put it in the mail today. Running late as little Adalynn Grace was born on the 16th! Sent her a crocheted bunny lovey and a crocheted pacifier keeper clip with a rose. I'd love to show you but still having trouble with the shared printer here and it won't let me read the photo card from my PC. Whenever I think about downloading the photos, it seems hubby is busy on his PC so I can't. Oh well. Had about 8 different places to run to today and am finally home and about to start laundry. First though, today's zip of Steamy Spring:

It includes another paper, a hat stand, and a display of boots.
Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_17.zip

Another week almost gone? & a freebie

Another day of off and on showers and gloomy skies. Four of us (me & hubby, Aunt Sissy and her boyfriend, John) went out to lunch at Route 58 Deli in Virginia Beach http://www.58deli.com/ If you are ever in the Virginia Beach area and love deli food, you must try it. My husband grew up in a Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY and really misses things like knish and egg creams so he was in heaven. Sandwiches and desserts are huge at Rt. 58! I got my favorite: lean pastrami and Swiss cheese on NY rye. They out a full pound of meat on these sandwiches and hold them together for delivery to the table with a large Rt 58 "flag" marker and toothpicks. I can never eat a whole sandwich. I cut the half into quarters and that filled me up with just a little room left for dessert and my Dr. Brown's cream soda. My dessert choice today was a slice (huge) of Carnegie Deli carrot cake. It has pineapple and coconut in the cake and is layered with cream cheese frosting. So yummy. Brought home the rest of my sandwich and half of my cake and felt stuffed. Had a nice long nap afterwards. I know, not good, but I rested so well! Haven't done another thing today except put a row on Larkin's blanket.

For today's zip we have a bunch of small bows, a table and chair for shop visitors to rest in while their friends try on dresses or browse.

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_16.zip
Hope you are having a good week and are looking forward to fun weekend plans.

A dreary day. some hopeful news, another freebie

It is threatening rain here again. Yesterday I went to gynecological oncologist with June and was called in to speak with the doctor following the exam. He told us that the "mass" in her abdomen is about grapefruit size. He sdays he doesn't think it is cancerous but it is pressing on her bladder. He said many patients June's age (84) opt to refuse surgery and that was up to her. However, he thinks the mass might be contributing to the repeated UTIs she has been having and he wants to do a bilateral removal of the ovaries and Fallopian tubes and examine the mass to ascertain whether or not it is cancerous. He will be able to do this laproscopically as an outpatient surgery, keeping her overnight only if there are complications. June agreed to surgery and Dad wanted it to be at the hospital closest to home. But with scheduling difficulties it's going to be at Virginia Beach General the Monday after my son's wedding. First surgery of the day at 7:30 a.m. so I have to get her there by 5:30 a.m. Yuck! I am not a morning person but Dad doesn't want to travel "all the way" to Virginia Beach (seriously only a 15 minute difference at most) and June wants to get this over with so . . .
Today more ribbons and shop items:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_15.zip
Also just heard that Medicare will not pay for generic Nexium (when they won't pay for a generic it usually means they have found it isn't as effective) but will give me an exception for original Nexium! Will be picking the script up on Friday. Tomorrow we are doing lunch at 58th Street Deli with my Aunt Sissy and her boyfriend, John. Huge deli sandwiches, Dr. Brown's cream soda, and New York cheesecake. Can you imagine the calories? [groan]

Quick post with freebie zip 14

Today a few more shop items and some ribbons:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_steamySpring_14.zip

It's Monday! & a freebie

Since I stopped taking the new reflux med, I've had no more headaches and muscular pain is reduced. Was supposed to call doctor about that today but forgot. Our new luggage arrived today. Finally got some good sleep too so things are looking up. Tomorrow I'm going with June to the Virginia Oncology Center to see about the problem with her ovary. Dad and I talked about it yesterday here at my house. We both feel certain it is cancerous and are wondering where else the cancer may have spread to. I'm hoping that the first thing June's medical team does is a full body scan to get an idea of whether there are other tumors. She has already had all the radiation therapy one can take following her breast cancer and we believe she is too weak to survive chemotherapy and hope the doctors don't suggest it. June won't speak up for herself, won't ask questions etc, so it is difficult to look out for her best interests. I don't see putting her through any additional surgery either. If they do the scan and find more tumors, the doctors probably won't operate. If all they see is the tumor on the ovary, they might push surgery. I know, that might be done laproscopically, which isn't too bad. Then again, the docs might want to do an open surgery so they can look into the body cavity and that will make follow up care and recovery much more of a problem. Not something Dad can handle even with my help, which would mean nursing home care. Poor woman has no quality of life as it is. I should stop speculating but just don't have much hope.

Today in zip 13, we have some items the steampunk ladies might be shopping for:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_13.zip

Saturday freebie

Ribbons and bows are always handy, aren't they? Here are some in the colors of Steamy Spring:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_12.zip
See you again on Monday. Have a good weekend.

Apologies, fixed missing link, new free zip

I had a migraine yesterday and missed posting. Today, checking to find out what number zip is needed, I discovered I didn't add the link on Thursday! So sorry. I've edited Thursday's post, so if you will return to that post the link is there now. Now here is what should have gone up yesterday:

Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_11.zip
Still have residual headache and neck pain so going to lie down for awhile. Hope to put another zip up tonight for you.

Complaint about prescription insurance and freebie

I know I'm not the only person this is happening to. What? You switch medical insurance coverage for whatever reason and get a new prescription plan. Each plan has it's own formulary and despite all the comparisons you make (I had a very knowledgeable insurance agent help me), you wind up with one or more of your regular prescriptions not on that formulary. The new policy refuses to pay for your drug, stating it is not on the formulary. You can ask for an exception, but first you must try one (or more) of the drugs that plan has chosen for whatever ails you. I can understand it if the drug in question has just recently come on the market. But I've just had 2 denials - one for my rescue inhaler and the other for generic Nexium. I don't use the rescue inhaler very often so I'm okay with trying another (although my pulmonologist won't be happy). But I've been on 40 mg of Nexium for over a dozen years after Prilosec stopped working for me. Nexium has been on the market for ages and they won't even pay for the generic? One capasule a day doesn't totally take care of my reflux problem but I am now required to try another drug. This one is generic for Protonix and it comes with more health warnings than Nexium! So I started it this week and every single day I've had a headache and a hot, prickly itching sensation but no outbreak showing. These headaches were like mild migraines. I have been miserable and able to do little. After first blaming the weather, I began thinking about what might have changed. Hubby suggested I try dicontinuing the new pill and see what happens. I was hesitant, worrying I'd have severe reflux. Well, guess what? no headache today! Will call doctor's office tomorrow and see what we do next.

Did not see my son yesterday after all. Seems they were having a Murphy's Law day with everything going wrong and with the weather threatening more rain were doing their pickup (table decorations) in Richmond and going straight down to Nags Head. Will have to mail the charm in the morning. My husband has been craving a snack from his childhood - lupini beans. As I understand it, they look like lima beans but are sort of pickled and have a tough shell. We haven't been able to find them in local grocery stores so I headed over to Grand Market to see if they might have any. Grand Market is primarily an Asian grocery with tons of fresh produce, about every type fish you can imagine, and lots of imported Asian groceries, some Hispanic and other. As soon as you open the door, the fish odor smacks you in the nose but after a few minutes you don't notice. I spotted some beautiful eggplant in the produce area and bought a couple, then went up and down every aisle in search of lupinis and anything else interesting. No lupinis but picked up a box of Pocky (http://www.pocky.com/) a Japanese snack of long, thin biscuits topped with chocolate and a few meringues in the bakery section. Also went to look at some of the hard-sided rolling luggage. Think it's time to trade in those old hard-sided Samsonite pieces. We've got duffles we use for short jaunts but want something waterproof and more secure in case we take a flight or cruise somewhere. Today, I've done nothing useful. But hubby made the best eggplant Parmesan!

Today's preview looks junkey but I wanted to show that not only have I included a shop background but also gave you the png. for both the shelving and wall clock, as well as a ribbon flower. I'll be giving you items you can use as is or scale down to add to the shelves. A good bit more to come.
Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_10.zip

Wednesday freebie

Waiting on short visit from my son and future DIL. They are heading down to NC (from PA) to finish up last minute details for wedding. Stopping in to pick up the horseshoe charm I'm giving the bride for her bouquet. It's an old Irish/English?Scottish tradition - an upturned horseshoe to hold in the good luck and this one has across it a spring of wheat for prosperity and fertility. Some brides have carried real horseshoes dangling from ribbons or smaller porcelain ones that dangle. This one is a sterling silver charm that can later be attached to a bracelet and then given to her daughter (if she has one) for her wedding. Brides also attach the charms to her wedding dresses or lingerie.

Anyway, here is today's zip:

Another room paper, a gear, a frame, and a border.
Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_9.zip

Freebie- zip 8 of Steamy Spring

Today a frame, a corner, a monocle, and a charm chain. More items for the shops to come and I'll do some clusters/displays to show how I imagined some of these working.
Link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/57614067/2016%20freebies/SteamySpring/ws_SteamySpring_8.zip