FQ Winner & a Bug Welcome Back

Mr. Cowboy thought I was being silly about not getting to sew until I mentioned what if he was kept from all his farm stuff....hehehe!

He, then was very happy to quiet me down by drawing a FQ winner.

Regina, he drew your name! Congratulations girl!!! Just email me your mailing addy, your favorite color & I'll get your FQ in the mail. 

This was so much fun so I'll be giving away more FQs with each post about machine feet. 

So here's the next foot that's another favorite.

It's my Open-toed foot that I've used in many of the mini quilts that I stitch around the raw edges. You can see why it's named Open-toe. I shift my needle all the over to the right & decrease the stitch length to achieve the close stitching.

Leave a comment to be counted for the next FQ give away!!

I want your help in welcoming back to blogging my wacky girlfriend Molly.  When you've got a moment, pop over to her blog and sit a spell!!

In & Out of Pocket

Isn't this little moth a beauty?  Ok, that's the science teacher still lodged deep within me. I've been retired for years but every time I see something I deem interesting, the camera comes out and I start snapping.

Now, to the reason I'm posting today. It's hay season around here so I'm kind of busy with that but also, I'm in somewhat of a slump when it comes to my quilting projects. I'm just not into anything sewing or fabric right now.....sigh.  I have been doing loads of reading on my Kindle and watching nature.  I've also been doing some canning, baking and testing new recipes.

Sometimes I feel a bit guilty about not sewing something, anything. 

I think some of my problem has to do with the weather around here. It's been rainy and dreary and that's not the kind of weather I love. This is a real challenge.  I'm a summer, sunny, the hotter the better because I can always cool off easier than I can warm up, girl. I need the sun to shine for days!!!!!

So until that happens I suppose I'll be in the dumps for awhile.......sigh.  If it weren't for my wacky girlfriends, I probably would not talk to anyone.  Sorry to unload on all you blogger buddies and please understand, I'm really okay. I just want lots of sun. So if you're getting lots of sun please sent some my way. I'll love your forever.........hehehehehehehehe!!!

One Scene, Five Points of View

I recently went on retreat with my "wacky" girlfriends. Needless to say, we had a blast what with laughing, eating and girl bonding. There was a bit of sewing involved but mostly we were just so happy to be together. However, I did bring along a little project for everyone to try. The above photo is a close-up of an old tree trunk and in the background are trees, the lake and a bit of sky. I gave each "wacky" a photo and ask them, along with myself, to make a mini of what each saw. I brought along as many pieces of landscaping type fabrics for them to use and each received a glue stick instead of using adhesive fabric backing such as Steam-a-Seam or Heat-n-Bond. Glue sticks are easier, faster and won't gum up your sewing machine!!!
Here's the results:

Rhonda's view (me)

Molly's view

Annie's view

Kathleen's view

Kathy's view
The retreat was a great success and therapeutic to us all. We are all refreshed and ready to get back to life and family.
I hope everyone who reads this blog post has a wonderful week and enjoy the last of April!!!

Back from Retreat

Wow! What a time we had at retreat. Three days of sewing, visiting, laughter and of course, eating!!

Here's a little peek at what went on.

Kathleen worked on her barn project. I was fascinated with the process and all the beautiful fabrics she had to choose from.

Molly worked on her Burgoyne Surrounded blocks.

Annie showed off her project finishes as a "show & tell."

I took one project......you guessed it

Fish Pond.

I had to get those fish and other things stitched down. What better way to achieve that but at a retreat cause I wasn't getting it done at home....LOL

Kathy worked on a hand embroidery snowmen project that I didn't get a photo of.

We had plenty nutritious foods to munch on. I love red bell peppers...yummy!!

 

 

Quilt Shops

Today my girlfriends and I went on a road trip. We visited two quilt shops; Lone Star Quiltworks in Bryan, Texas and A Cowgirl Quilt Shop near Jewett, Texas. 

Needless to say, we had a blast and purchased some great fabrics. Lone Star Quiltworks had excellent displays all around the store and it was well lighted.

After that we had lunch which revived us so we headed off the Jewett.

Kathy, our driver was, as Dustin Hoffman in "Rainman" once said, an excellent driver.

We made it to A Cowgirl Quilt Shop in time to do a little shopping. Brenda, the shop owner is a very friendly lady who has some great fabrics.  She will be participating in the Heart of Texas Shop Hop in January 2014. 

Check out

A Cowgirl Quilt Shop & Lone Star Quiltworks  

now.

I'd show you the fabrics I bought but I'm too busy drooling over them....hehehehe