Opinions, pretty please?

Well, yeah, I manage to do whatever has to be done all right. I think thru the motions that I need to do and plan everything out in my mind and then go for it- pacing myself to not over do anything or hurt myself. I can even sweep, mop and vacuum now! Mowing the yard, picking the tomatoes and weeding my huge flower beds are beyond me and that's the few things that are driving me to frustration. I am using a walker and a wheelchair- but I'm not good with the wheelchair and it scares The HairyButt Gang, so it mainly stays in front of the computer. I used a walker most of the three years prior to the first hip, so I'm pretty handy with it. It's still a royal pain in the a$$.

I think I'm swearing off men. I'm not so good at picking a good one and by the time they get into their 50s- like me- we all have too much baggage. Real canine-type dogs are better than the human kind..... VBEG!

Heaven's NO!!! If you use my name I'll stop with the ideas. (did that sound ferocious enough? LOL) I really don't want any credit. This is just fun for me.... I'm soooooo bored!!! I challenge you to try being stuck in a house with four big goofy HairyButts to talk to all day- plus mobility issues- for five weeks.... and counting. ugh!!! Think about how to transport a bowl of cereal with milk to the dining room table.... life is challenging! (Solution: Press N Seal over the top of the bowl or put the cereal and milk in a pint canning jar with a lid. Then carry it in your homemade pouch hanging on the front of the walker! And don't forget a spoon or it's another trip back to the kitchen.....)

Connie, I'd love to see more applique patterns out there. There are a lot of complicated Baltimore type and simple folk type patterns available, but very few patterns that fall in between the two extremes of the difficulty scale. Hopefully your designs would help fill that gap because people like myself have little choice but to become our own designers although we would prefer to be able to buy designs.

Downloadable labels is a great idea too, but I'm not sure you would want to limit your label design sales by linking them to the applique designs totally. Perhaps you could offer the labels separately so piecers could buy them as well.

Debra in VA See my quilts at

You know, this is the first time ever that I wished I lived near someone I met on the iNet ... I really wish we were neighbors (though I'd drive you nutso within a week, I'm sure!!!) ... I could see us sitting and talking about nonsense and important stuff ... having a nice cup o'tea (or coffee, or coke!) ... damn Girl! I'd make you cookies and cake every day (well, probably at least once a week - I'd hopefully not have the time - it'd all be spent hanging out with you!). If you needed something done, I'd do it. Even stuff that you *didn't* need done! :)

Don't s'pose you'd consider moving to Florida, would you? We've got gorgeous weather, and Houston's only a short ways away - we're pretty much in the middle of Houston & Paducah .... now, tell me that's not tempting! :)

I'll even help you move! :)

Seriously! :)

But really, I admire the hell out of you ... you holler the loudest in support and kindness and whisper the quietest when it comes to your problems ... You make Boudica look like a weak sistah. You're smart, funny (Jeez, that story about Simon STILL makes me laugh my rear off - which is a GOOD thing!), kind, considerate, supportive, helpful and giving ... Seriously, Leslie, I hope your friend knows how lucky she is ... I'd take her place any day, any time. Wonderful people like you just .... have that effect on people! :)

Ummm ... did you not read what I wrote up there? No man is good enough for you!! But I really hope you don't give up (you know what I mean) ... despite there not being a man good enough for you, there's someone out there ... it's like finding the perfect fabric for that UFO ... it'll sneak up on you when you're out looking for something else! :)

Out of everyone I know, you deserve to be happy the most-est!

But IMHO, I think all men (and women) carry baggage with them ... Lord knows that my hubby does. His came from his momma ... she's mean as a snake and as cunning as a fox. If she'd had her way, he'd be a momma's boy by day and a serial killer by night (not kidding) and he's only 41 (he's been like that at least since he was in his late 20s)!!!!

And this is my second marriage ... and Lord knows I carry my fair share, too. My first marriage was a complete and utter disaster (the only good thing from it being a sweet adorable girly-girl, my DD). And if I had a penny for every terrible thing that I've seen in my hubby that wasn't there (courtesy of my first husband), I'd be richer than Croesus! :/

But somewhere, there's a fella who's baggage suits your baggage perfectly - a matching set, if you will ... but it's your choice as to whether or not you feel like it's worth it ... some days, even with as much as I love mine, I don't know if I could make that call! :)

But if I had to choose, as much as I do adore my hubby, yep, I'd probably choose a dog! They're always glad to see you, always let you know how they feel, appreciate even the worst-cooked meal, never ask you how much all that fabric cost and never say the wrong thing! :)

I'd really like to name them after you ... it's not a HUGE deal, you know ... there's no guarantee that they'll even be a success! B'sides, quilters through the ages have named their patterns and quilts after their inspiration - and you're mine! My Muse!

You wouldn't deny me that pleasure, would you??

Seriously, I'll respect your decision and your wishes - it wouldn't be fair not to. But I really would love to name them after you ... you ARE my inspiration and my Muse. I honestly haven't been this excited since I got my very first sewing machine (and I'll bet you know what I mean!!!)!! :)

Oh, I wouldn't even dream of taking that challenge ... I was on bed rest for 2 weeks due to blood clots (smoking, sitting too, too long, etc) and I barely managed it. Mainly because I can't stand to be told what to do ... I'm heavily into control (I have more OCDs than even the nuttiest person!!). Plus, I'm a complete spaz! :) (Borderline hyperactive - much to my parents' chagrin - not hyper enough for meds, too hyper to be a good kid!)

Jeez ... you REALLY need another Hug Quilt ... are you going to answer my questions on your fave patterns, colors and fabrics or not??! >:(

But, you know, if anyone can handle all that crap, it's you. You're tougher than a Marine (and I've known several - you make'em look like wimps!!) and still manage to be wonderful! :)

And don't you dare be bored! Whenever you get bored ... well, you know my e-mail addy. Or you can give me a call ... or you can plan to move your butt down HERE! :)

Now, THAT'S an idea!! :) Please? Pretty please? With sugar, chocolate and fabric on top?? :)

Connie: Your idea sounds clever. Go for it. I like your labels and the "With Love in Every Stitch," but not necessarily the designated phrases. For example, I would not put" On this Date" .... just "Date" which gives more options. I'd also allow a space for the name of the quilt. Plus, your washing instructions are not what *I* would recommend. When I make sleeping quilts, I machine wash and dry them and advise the recipient to do the same. Most people don't want to hassle with hand laundry of large quilts, and those for babies and tots need to be washed too often for hand washing. JMO. Good luck on your venture. PAT in VA/USA

Word costs extra so not everyone with Windows has it, plus other people have Macs. You would want to be able to use a drawing program for editing so it would be useable by the most people possible. Most computer OSs come with simple easy to use drawing programs that can use .jpg or .bmp files for the graphics, then it's a simple matter to cut and paste true type fonts for the wording.

Debra in VA See my quilts at

There are people here who have never used the simple drawing programs on their computers. Some may not realize they actually have one. Debra in VA See my quilts at

I like to see a colored drawing at the least. Debra in VA See my quilts at