Fat Quarters

Nine fat quarters are just a drop in the bucket from my shopping spree. The Wackies took a little road trip the other day to a fabulous quilt shop in Waxahachie, Texas named "Common Threads." Of course there was a big sale on loads of fabrics. I did a little damage.....hehehehehehe The store is in an old building with great picture windows. The displays are well thought out and organized. If you are into Civil War fabrics, this is the store for you. The ladies are friendly and very helpful. It's just a great atmosphere. I've provided a link to their web-page so make sure you pop on over there and check them out.

Ssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I'm sewing up a storm making 4 little aprons for some cute kids. Will show and tell soon so stay tuned!

Favorite Fabric Monday

Doesn't this remind you of summer with all the leaves? It's from "Petals" by Free Spirit. I have 2 1/2 yards of this wonderful yardage.

Mini-Swap

Hello All! Lookie what I got in the mail today all the way from Germany. My secret pal was Andrea and of course I had no idea. There were alot of women and men signed up for this swap. The theme was make something that reminds you of "spring." So this is Andrea's interpretation and it's a great one. The colors that I love are greens, rusty browns, reds and yellows. She really knows what I like. On this quilt are 3 carrots and a rake........adding a 3D feel to the quilt. I also received a FQ, 3 embroidery threads and a wonderful card. Thank you so very much Andrea. And thanks to Michele for sponsoring this swap.

I just had to show off another pic of the Trumpet Vine.

Name That Flower Thingy

Calling all bloggers who dabble in or have green thumbs and deal with flowers and plants.........the other night I was down in the back 40 and came upon this beauty growing from a cedar fence post. Of course I whipped out my trusty camera to snap off a couple of pictures. This "thing" is spectacular but I don't know what it is.......I've looked on the Internet, at wild flowering plants but no luck......so.............HELP......Name that flower thingy.

Wow! Thanks Mary. The name of this beautiful thingy is Trumpet Vine which Mary supplied a few minutes ago. Make sure you pop over to her blog(I've linked to it) to see what she's up to these days. If you are into "wool" Mary has a couple of projects going.

Favorite Fabric Monday

This wonderful, sort of Tone-on-toneish fabric is from Northcott Silk Inc. I don't remember when I bought it but I have about 3/4 of a yard left...........I love these kinds of fabrics because they fill in or blend in when you don't know what other color would fix your project. These types of fabrics are always a great surprise and are often not thought of when planning your projects.

Happy Father's Day

This post is in honor of my step-dad but I thought of him as my "real" father. He is no longer with me but he made a lasting impression. He & mom married in the early 60's when I was around 5 years old. My brother and, as is usually the case, were not happy about it because we thought that mom wouldn't love us anymore.......silly little kids. But that proved not to be the case. He was very excepting of us and treated us with the best of care. It is sad to know that that's not the case these days alot of the time. Anyway, daddy would take us fishing, play baseball in the yard with us and play all those crazy board games, too. He was at most of my basketball games and track & field events, too. He taught my brother and me to shoot a rifle (in Texas that's a big deal) and told us not to touch the rifle when he wasn't around........and you know, we never did. I remember that rifle stood behind the kitchen door of years with no accidents or anything. When dad and mom spoke, you tended to do what they said.....know what I mean!!!!! When I see and hear about so many "step" situations gone wild or astray or horrible, I feel so luck to have had a "step" dad that did all the right things and loved us very much. Sure there was discipline (spankings) and rules in their home but none of it warped me or my brother. In fact, I'm the better because of it. So to all the dads and step-dads out there who may be feeling neglected or under appreciated..........Salute and have a Happy Father's Day.

WOW!

Wow! My quilt, "Patriotic Me" won First Place & Go Texan at our local county fair. I was so thrilled. This is quite an honor. Go Texan means that my quilt will next appear at the Houston Livestock Show in March 2010, to be judged with other Texas county winners.

My quilt will appear in the pictorial arena rather than applique or mixed medium because I went with a patriotic theme.

And The Winner Is.............

LadyHopwood...you have won the embroidery blocks......

To receive them just "E" me your mailing address and I'll get them in the mail to you.

Congratulations!!!

Favorite Fabric Monday

I know this is a little fuzzy but it is striking and the name is so wonderful. "Plum Creek Patchwork" bu Pinnacle. Plum Creek is the tiny community where I live so of course I had to buy this fabric......hehehehehehe

I don't have a lot of blue fabrics so this one is precious. I bought 4 yards of it years ago & have managed to hold onto most of that.

Heart Throbs

The story behind this pic.......Joyce, Linda & I went to college together in the 70s' where we had a blast. During that time everyone was pledging & going thru all that hazing stuff........not us. We formed our own group.......of three.... we named ourselves "The Heart Throbs"......yea, you heard me right......LOL......anyway, once word got out, all the girls wanted to join..........but we wouldn't allow that.......we were the three amigos for 2 years. After college we drifted apart and life went on...... years later, I saw Joyce as some eatery & we made plans to get back together. One summer's day it happened in the early 90s'. We laughed, cried, caught each other up on what was going on in our lives while the guys did whatever they did in the den. Soon it was time to go so Linda's hubby snapped off several pics from 3 cameras.......you know how that is. A couple of years later, Joyce dead for complications from Sickle Cell Anemia. By doctors knowledge & research, she had far out lived her life expectancy. Joyce was a courageous, funny, sassy, smart lady. She was a teacher and wife & I was very luck to have known her. Linda & I have made it a point to keep in touch. She's one of those friends who you may not have seen in a while but when she calls, it's like we just talked yesterday. So here's to the Heart Throbs......and to all of you lady-groups..........keep in touch with one another even if it's only a card or and "E"!

Another Great Give-Away

Pop over the QuiltQua and find out how to enter there great "Frosted Memories" Fat Quarter Bundle by Holly Taylor for Moda Fabrics. You've still got time but hurry!!!

Mini Swap

Michele over at QuiltingGallery offered another mini-swap, "Spring Blooms" and of course I signed up. The theme is about what happens in the spring....which brings to mind plant growth, spring cleaning, gardens, etc. I thought back to my childhood to what my parents and grandparents did. Spring was the time when they built barns, sheds, added that extra room onto the house or remodeled the kitchen. This was when neighbors pitched in to help one another. Where even grandma swung a hammer and wore a tool belt. So in honor of the springs that I remember so fondly I made my "gal pal" a mini "Carpenter's Wheel." Or course, I can't reveal her name or whereabouts......it's a secret but I hope she will fall in love with this little quilt.

Happy Day

Here's wishing everyone a bright and sunny Tuesday. But if your day is a little drab or rainy, this sunflower will perk you up and place a smile on your face.

Favorite Fabric Monday

Last week I didn't get to post my favorite fabric of the week due to some minor technicality on my part........hehehehehehehehe. No, I not telling you what crazy thing I did to make such a weird mistake but trust me it was a dozy.

Anyway, here's the latest fabric that caught my attention. It a Windhma Fabrics Presents The Presidents Collection by Nancy Gere c. 1830 Pattern # 28319. Of course, at the time I bought it piece I only got a FQ, but not to worry I remember where I bought it.

GoGo's Day With Ayden

Oh look, there's mommy. Hi mommy....are you looking at me?

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Let's see, what is my cell number?

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Goodness GoGo, move your finger!!!!!

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Is anyone listening to me read my favorite book, "The Very Very Hungry Caterpillar". See are the pretty colors.

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Can you get any closer, GoGo?

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"A little to your left. No your other left, GoGo." Further, further...okay, that's good. I had a great afternoon with GoGo even though I didn't get to eat much. A spoon full of mash potatoes just doesn't cut it. I'm out of here. Bye bye everyone!

Patiently Waiting

My tomatoes are s-l-o-w-l-y coming along. Of course, it does me no good to stand over them and watch....hehehehehehe! Although it is amazing to see the daily growth and development. My mouth is watering just thinking about how juicy those babies are going to taste.

Peaceful Lake

This little lake is one of the places that I hide out at just enjoying nature and the quiet. Even though I'm retired, life can sometimes put loads of pressure on me but this little hide-out gets me back on track............shhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Find yourself a little hide-out even if it's within your own backyard.

Embroidery Give-Away

You would not believe what I went through to get this "1" picture uploaded and onto my post......eeekkkkk doesn't even cover what I'm feeling or thinking at this moment.

Anyway, here are the June embroidery blocks to be given away by June 16th to one luck "Follower". These blocks mearsure approx. 10" and of course I haven't tried to trim them, you the winner will have some play room.

Please remember the rules......only "Followers" can participate and you must leave a comment on this particular post. I've had to move my "Follower" thingy towards the bottom of my blog.......Dionne said that there have been problems with it loading if it's in a top position. But anyone wanting to follow my blog can still sign up towards the bottom.

As I've mentioned...I'm having BLOG problems so please bear with me if I don't get to respond to you wonderful comments in a timely manner or at all. I am struggling to correct this problem.