Patrick Lose

I was a day late watching Project Runway. I'm not going to write a whole post about this episode. But -- stilt-models? Really?

Obviously, the biggest challenge this week was to see who can be a team player. And, frankly, what does that have to do with being a good designer?

Here's a question for you, tho. About Kim Kardashian, the guest judge. Do you think they had to pay her extra to NOT talk?

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Last week -- I did a little day-trippin to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It is always a treat for me to spend a little time with my friend Anne. This is us again -- shopping at Pine Needles. A fabulous quilt shop in Cedar Rapids.

Here's a great picture of the owner, Jill -- with Patrick Lose. ...

Ooops -- here's a way better shot....
A very famous fabric designer -- Patrick is a popular author and designer of unique applique designs. It was a delight to meet him in person. Hey -- you never know when a speaker might decide to come to PUYALLUP...and since he was actually HERE IN MY AREA...it was a nice opportunity to make contact.

Although, he actually lives in Phoenix, Arizona. And he has a store and a design studio there -- if you'd like to also meet him.

AND -- if you are ever in the vicinity of Cedar Rapids, Iowa -- please make it a point to visit Pine Needles. They were the sponsor of the Super Seminar in Bettendorf, Iowa. With Ricky Tims and his crew...

Which reminds me -- Libby Lehman will be teaching at Pine Needles August 19 & 2o. YOU SHOULD GO. Libby is simply one of the best quilting teachers in America today. I recently had the pleasure of attending one of her seminars -- and I learned AND laughed...always a great combo.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL QUILT SHOPS. Summer can be a very slow time for them. They work hard to bring you the latest and the greatest -- and if you're looking for some inspiration, feeling like you want to do something creative -- or maybe you're just in the mood to make some new friends -- GO THERE NOW...

Tell them Rita sent ya...

Ricky Tims & My Crew

On the night of Ricky Tims' Bettendorf concert -- I was just hanging out with my crew...
When RICKY CAME OVER -- and asked if we'd like to have our picture taken in front of one of his quilts? Gee, Ricky -- my girls were VERY IMPRESSED...

Although, Sandy was off buying more quilt fabric...so she missed our big Kodak Moment...

It was nice to meet Pat Greenburg -- who I only knew from exchanging emails...

It was a full house that night at the Waterfront Convention Center...

And another inspirational evening with Ricky Tims. Yes, I am a lucky, lucky girl...

New Ya Ya Pictures

When Mary was here for her Christmas visit -- my niece Kelcy took some pictures for us. AND, since Mary and I will be Ya-Ya'ing in Minneapolis -- at the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo -- which picture should we use?

Picture #1:

Picture #2:

Picture #3:

Picture #4:

Picture #5:
Email your pick to me: ritafar@aol.com

Gaggle of Terry Cover-ups

Elliott, Emily and Lillian were headed to Pennsylvania to visit with John's family. It was a BIG FLURRY OF SEWING for me to finish swim-suit-cover-ups for ALL John's great-nieces and nephews. Because John's brother and sister BOTH have beautiful swimming pools, it seemed like the perfect gift to send. Emily promised me she would send pictures...

But you can imagine my surprise...


Yes, these are my four handsome nephews...Matt, Jerry, Jeff and Joel...

you BIG GOOF BALLS...



I still have NOT SEEN a picture of any actual children wearing my creative terry towel cover-ups.

Sewing, Special Events & Kids

Today I'm headed over to Cedar Rapids to spend a little quality time with my young friend Anne. Last time you saw her -- we were going to Pine Needles to meet Mr. Bernina...

She recently sent this email note:

It's fair time and we're getting our reports ready. As I was cutting and pasting pictures I had a happy feeling that I wanted to share. What could be better than kids sewing? At one of our spring 4-H meetings our kids made travel pillows. They had practice cutting with a pattern, sewing around curves, clipping seams, recognizing right and wrong sides, stuffing, hand stitching, and the joy of a finished project. These girls are only 7 and 8 and they already have a very exclusive skill.

Again -- thanks for sharing, Anne!! Your kids are very lucky, indeed...!!

And there is NOTHING better than kids sewing!!
I see BLUE RIBBONS all over the place...

I'm looking forward to spending today with you and the kids, Anne...and can hardly wait to see what you cook us for dinner!!

THEN -- we get to go to Pine Needles to eat some scrumptious dessert and meet Patrick Lose!!

There is NOTHING like a relaxing day spent with girlfriends...AND some sewing inspiration..!!

Golf Balls for Iraq

This is a picture of my cousin Kim -- watching John carefully washing dozens of old golf balls...



Which will be SENT TO IRAQ. Kim's son, Matthew, is a helicopter mechanic in the National Guard. This is his second tour. Kim tries to send regular packages -- but it's hard to come up with stuff that isn't perishable. Apparently -- GOLF BALLS are in big demand over there.

When John heard that Matt and his buddies like hitting balls off into the desert -- he got busy gathering up his collection of "range balls"...



I hope Matt enjoys HITTING those golf balls as much as John enjoyed cleaning them!!

The REST of the Story...

After the excitement of our all-star-girl-concert...(Janis Joplin, Carley Simon, Carole King and Joan Baez) -- Ally, Lexi and I were hungry.

So, to stick with our 60's theme -- I took them the 24-hour joint that was MY FAVORITE SPOT way back then...C'mon, Jackie -- YOU WERE THERE WITH ME at 3:00 AM....

This joint also happens to be the place where Grandma Deborah had her VERY FIRST JOB...

We talked about a lot of different things...I am sure they were fascinated with my version of 1960's history...it was so much fun to have a conversation with these two young women. To hear their opinions, to learn about their taste in books and music.

During our time together, I kept thinking about a conversation I had with my friend Marion. (She has THREE granddaughters)...about how we (women) are our most genuine selves when we are this age. Right BEFORE we start trying to please boys...

Ally and Lexi helped me eat a Magic Mountain. That's a thick slice of Texas Toast, topped with loose meat hamburger, lots of french fries, and two cups of melted cheese. YES, IT IS MAGIC... INSTANT CELLULITE...

Ally took this great picture -- the glass is etched, "Home of the Magic Mountain"....is it ringing a bell yet? This restaurant was recently in the news...any guesses? Another famous person recently chowed down on his own Magic Mountain...


That's right!! It's Ross's Restaurant in Bettendorf, Iowa. Preident Barack Obama was in town to visit Alcoa -- and made a surprise visit to Ross's. They did NOT know he was coming...

Hey -- if it's good enough for the President of the United States -- the leader of the free world -- well then, I guess it's good enough for me and my girls...

Click on this LINK -- if you'd like to read about how and why President Obama ended up eating a Magic Mountain...at my favorite blast-from-the-past-24-hour-JOINT...and what the aftermath has been!!