Goofin' Off With an Exciting Possibility and a Disney Animator, Director, and Producer

Last weekend, Mr. Goofin' Off and I had the opportunity to hear a 32-year Disney veteran speak here at a local community college. It was so much fun and fascinating to hear his stories of his years working on movies, books, and Disney theme park projects. I'll save that for later since so many of you are here for the updates on my projects.

I have finished assembling the center of the first Toy Story quilt for my nephew and his adorable wife. I am pleased with how it's turning out. Just need to get those borders on now and then go ahead and sandwich, quilt or tie, and bind it.

First Toy Story Quilt - Center Assembly

Here is a close up of the design and fabric.  It like it so much, I may have to make another one at some point...maybe for charity.

Woody is Adorable Smiling and Tipping His Hat

Just a reminder that the pattern comes from the book Modern Views With 3-Yard Quilts. The fabric of Woody from Toy Story comes from Camelot Fabrics.

I managed to get some stitching in over the past week and you can find the top of Goofy's head getting closer to completion. I still can't wait for more of his friends to appear in their pirate attire.

Mickey and Pirate Friends Cross Stitch as of 10/13/2017

I like to post a picture about once a month of what the piece should look like once it is finished. It also helps to keep me motivated to see where I am headed with it.

Mickey and Pirate Friends - End Goal for Me

Towards the end of last week, I received an unexpected e-mail about an opportunity that I had applied for months ago. I had honestly assumed they weren't interested and had forgotten about it until I received the e-mail. I had a phone interview earlier this week and have my fingers crossed I will hear something back sooner rather than later. Who wouldn't want to have their dream job? If you think about it send positive thoughts, cross your fingers and toes, say a little prayer, etc., for me. I appreciate all you!

Last Saturday, our local group of Disney enthusiasts got to a meet-up at the local community college and hear Dave Bossert speak. I love this group. If you live in the Pacific Northwest area and are a Disney enthusiast you can find the group and all of their activities here at www.pnwmousemeet.com. They even handed out a little swag which included an Oswald the Lucky Rabbit frisbee.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Frisbee

Dave worked with Disney for 32 years as an animator, producer, director, and as well as on special theme park projects. He worked on movies such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Nightmare Before Christmas, to name a few.

One of his more recent projects actually has been to hunt down, save, and resort Walt Disney's first series of cartoon shorts...the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit series. Can you see the resemblance in the picture of the rabbit to a certain mouse? Throughout his presentation, he showed us three different shorts. It was fascinating and fun to watch them.

He talked a little about his work that he did on movies and some stories about some antics that happened behind the scenes at the studio...including a flying nun habit that apparently wasn't as funny to a newly-hired Michael Eisner and his group as it was to the animators who were horsing around with it.

His speaking about the movies he worked on...namely The Nightmare Before Christmas...reminded me of this fun new Halloween display greeting us outside of Disney's California Adventure last month.

Oogie Boogie from The Nightmare Before Christmas Greeting Guests at Night

Sorry for more Disney pictures...well, sort of...  I have a few more to share with you before Halloween.

This got me thinking...about Halloween...about movies and cartoons...and I must ask...do you have a favorite Halloween movie or cartoon? I'm kind of partial to It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. It's very nostalgic to me. I'd love to hear in the comments if you have a favorite or favorites. Maybe there will be something new for me to check out this year.

Have a magical day, my friends!

Linking to More Funtastic Quilting/Stitching Blogs:
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop
Finished or Not Friday
Friday Foto Fun
Show Off Saturday

Goofin' Off With a Splash of Color and Some Disneyland Pics

October has begun. This year, I feel it's kicking off the holiday season...beginning with Halloween. When we got to play at Disneyland a few weeks ago, they were beginning to decorate for Halloween. I've been going through my pictures and decided to share a few at the end to kick off the Halloween season here in the Goofin' Off house.

But I know many of you just come for all the quilting and stitching goodies, so I'll get started there first. A few weeks ago I decided to participate in my first quilt along. This quilt along is being hosted by Myra at Busy Hands Quilts. The name of this quilt along is Black and White with a Splash of Color. I chose to participate because the rules were pretty easy and progress is only posted every two weeks. It has just begun, so if you want to join in, it's not too late. 

My Splash of Color Fabrics

The only rule is that:  "Your quilt must be black and white with a splash of color, any color." You can see the fabrics I have chosen to use. As you can see, I've chosen blue as my splash of color. The picture is a bit misleading as I will just be using just some scraps and leftovers of blues from previous quilts. However, I will be using almost 3 yards each of the white and black fabrics that I pulled from my stash. This project should be a good stash and scrap buster.

If you're just now finding my blog through the quilt along, please feel free to follow me. I love meeting new people and making new friends.

Mickey Mug Inspiration

This Mickey mug became the inspiration for the fabrics I chose and the pattern I'll be using for the quilt top. The pattern is called "Wine Country" and comes from the December/January 2017 edition of McCall's Quick Quilts.

Mickey and Pirate Friends Cross Stitch as of 10/06/2017

I got another small section finished on Mickey and Pirate Friends. I am beginning to see Goofy's pirate beard begin to take shape. I am still anxiously awaiting to see some of his pirate friends appear. This continues to be a lot of fun to work on despite all the constant changing of thread colors.

Disneyland Halloween Pictures Ahead

This is the first year in a while that I have actually been excited for Halloween. I am guessing it has something to do with the fact that when we were at Disneyland a few weeks ago, they were getting things all gussied up for this fun holiday. I snapped some pictures. Here are some pictures from the Cars Land area at Disney's California Adventure.

Giant Spider Hung Between Power Poles

A Spooky Face Hung Between Power Poles

I love the Cars Land area of the parks. If you have seen the movies, as you walk through this area, it feels as if you are actually walking through the movie itself. It is fantastic. 

Baby Tractor Dressed as Mummy

This adorable baby tractor was all dressed up as a mummy at Mater's Petting Zoo. 

Movie Posters That Have Been Re-Done With a Cars Theme

These Were So Much Fun to Read

Even the characters from the Cars movie were all dressed up for Halloween.

Mater All Dressed Up as Dracula

The small details of the Halloween theme were everywhere. Take a look at this adorable pumpkin patch...all made from gasoline cans. 

Pumpkin Patch of Gasoline Cans

It's given me a few ideas for Halloween decorations at the Goofin' Off house. I have a feeling I will be checking out Pinterest this weekend for a few more ideas.

Do you do anything special for Halloween?  Feel free to leave a comment and let me know. 

For More Stitching, Quilting, and Other Crafting Goodness, Follow the Links Below to Some of My Favorite Link Parties:

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop!
Finished or Not Friday
Scrap Happy Saturday

Goofin' Off With Some Sweet Ghirardelli Goodness

I was doing some picking up the other day and finally finished unpacking my carry-on bag that I take when we travel. In the front zipper pouch I found I had tucked away a little sample that had been passed out to us at Disney's California Adventure. Did you know that there are a few places at Disneyland that give out free samples? Yep! And after we've shelled out so much money to go there, we never hesitate to partake of the free samples.

Ghirardelli Pumpkin Spice Caramel

I decided to have a little fun with this sample, but I'll get to that in a minute. First, let's get to what many of you are here for...updates to the projects.

I've had my sewing machine pumping out these these sweet blocks the past few days. I continue to be smitten with this Woody fabric and can't wait to see these block sets assembled into a quilt. 

Block Set C

Block Set D

My Mickey and Pirate Friends cross stitch piece continues to come along nicely. At this point, I am anxious to see some of Goofy's friends start appearing with him. I know I've got a ways to go, so I'll just enjoy Goofy's big eyes staring at me for now. 

Mickey and Pirate Friends Cross Stitch as of 10/04/2017

Back to my current appetite for Ghirardelli. As I mentioned before, we got a sample at the Ghirardelli shop at Disney's California Adventure on our last trip. They were handing out samples of their fall flavor of Pumpkin Spice Caramel. It was a tasty combination...pumpkin + chocolate + caramel = yummy.

Some people in our group...okay, all of us in the group...decided we wanted more than a Ghirardelli sample, so we went ahead and treated ourselves to some ice cream sundaes. I'm not sure what the boys ordered, but I know I got the Mint Bliss Sundae (on the far right). I have to get one at least once on every Disney trip. 

Sundaes from Ghirardelli Soda Fountain at Disney's California Adventure

I can report back that there was not anything left of these when we left...nope...not a drop...spoons licked clean.

Finding the little sample when I unpacked made me think of the ads Ghirardelli had kept sending to my Facebook feed. Basically, it's an oven-baked s'more using a Ghirardelli chocolate square instead of the traditional Hershey bar. Ghirardelli Facebook ads for the win!

Ghirardelli Oven-Baked S'Mores

It's really quite simple...and tasty. I layered one half of a graham cracker with a marshmallow and placed it on the rack in the middle of my oven. I turned the broiler on. It took me a little over 60 seconds for the marshmallow to toast. I would keep a close eye on it because it would probably start to burn quite quickly. After I took it out of the oven, I placed a Ghirardelli chocolate square on top followed by another square of the graham cracker. Take a bite...or two...

I enjoyed my first s'more with the pumpkin, so I thought in order to give my readers a more rounded review, I would try it with another flavor of the Ghirardelli squares. That's right, I did for you...really, I did. I settled on the Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel that I had. Yep. It was just as sweet and just as delicious.

Thanks for dropping by and giving me an excuse to indulge in my chocolate treats. I hope you enjoyed your stay and will come by again really soon.

Links to Where You Can Find Some of My Favorite Things from Today's Post

Modern View 3-Yard Quilts by Donna Robertson 

Disney Toy Story Woody Fabric

Ghirardelli Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Caramel Squares

Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Squares

For more crafting eye candy and inspiration, I am linking up with:

Mid-Week Makers
Let's Bee Social
WIP Wednesday

Goofin' Off When Fabric That Slips Into Your Shopping Cart

I may or may not have let some Dixney/Pixar Cars fabric slip into my shopping cart yesterday evening. Just sayin'...  You know you've been there, too (although maybe not with Cars fabric). Admit it! More about that later. (And if Mr. Goofin' Off is reading this post, he's probably doing a little bit of eye rolling as he reads this.)

For progress on the Captain America quilt.  Here are the steps I was able to complete during my sewing session yesterday:

Step 4 - H

Step 4 - I

Step 4 - J

Step 4 - K

The blocks are certainly beginning to build up.  I am still hoping for a complete quilt finish before Independence Day.  Nothing like having some red, white, and blue on the bed...and Captain America protecting us from all the evil villains out there.  The pattern for this quilt comes from the June/July 2014 issue of McCalls Quick Quilts.  I am making a few small changes to the pattern so it fits our bed.

I've got a quick little update on my Mickey and Pirate Friends cross stitch piece.  I am still working my way through the top of Goofy's pirate hat, so there isn't a whole lot that is recognizable at this point.  But one day soon, you'll be able to see the image slowly begin to appear.  I still haven't seen the new Pirates movie, but I have my fingers crossed for this weekend...maybe...

Mickey and Pirate Friends - 06/15/2017

Now, as I was mentioning before, some Disney/Pixar Cars fabric may have just happened to slip into my shopping cart last night.  I was catching up on e-mails and read one from Fat Quarter Shop. It's one of my favorite online places to buy fabric.  I am not affiliated or sponsored by them, and they certainly aren't the only shop I buy from, but this deal was too good to pass up.  It was a special that they were running for the day where if you buy $100+ in fabric, you got $25 off.

I've had my eye on some of the Cars fabric since the new movie is coming out.  I donate a lot of my quilts and/or quilt tops to Project Linus and other charities, so I love to pick up fabric with themes that are currently popular.  As luck would have it, the fabric was also on sale.  Here is a picture of it:  

Disney/Pixar Cars Fabric

While I enjoyed the first movie and haven't seen the second movie, the third movie looks quite enjoyable.  We might just have to try to see it...after we see Pirates in the Caribbean, of course.  If you've been to Disneyland in the past couple of years and been able to experience the Cars Land area, you may know why I have a new love for the Cars characters even if I wasn't in love with the movies. That place is amazing.

My favorite ride and/or attraction is Radiator Springs Racers...at least I think that's what it's called. It takes you straight into the heart of the first movie.  You are in a car racing along the old Route 66 highway with another car.  You never know if you'll be in the winning car or not.  All the while, there is all this great music playing providing a nice background and setting the mood for experiencing all of the scenic valleys along the highway.  

Entrance to Radiator Springs Racers

Above is a picture of the entrance.  The sign says there is a 10-minute wait.  That means it must be either right at opening or possibly even before opening.  It's not uncommon for this baby to have a 3+ hour wait later in the day.

And below is a picture taken from one of our favorite spots right outside Flo's V-8 Cafe.  It's a great place to sit and eat a snack, usually pretty quiet, and you can watch the cars race by every 30 seconds or so.  

Taken From Just Behind Flo's V-8 Cafe - The Cars are Racing

Okay, now it's time to get back to reality and off my Cars tangent.  I'll post a picture of the fabric when it arrives...along with all the other pretties that I happened to let slip into my shopping cart. I had to hit that $100 mark, you know, to utilize that full discount...and qualify for the free shopping.

What are the items most likely to "slip" into your shopping cart? Fabric? Patterns? Clothes? Books? Or am I the only one that happens to?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Linking up with Can I Get a Whoop, Whoop?  Found here:  Can I Get a Whoop, Whoop?