Camping and a New Store Quilt...

 On our way home from camping, we passed this billy goat.  There were two wandering in the mountains...

 There were two small salmon in this creek..next week will be the big salmon spawning so we missed it, :(...

 The following are some shots of Porcupine Dam...the water levels are much higher this year than last...

 Porcupine Dam...

 more dam pictures...

 yet another dam picture...

 We got home from camping and I cut out this quilt I am sewing for Bernina's...

The quilt is called Melrose and the fabrics are by Red Rooster...

Scrappy Stars...

 I have been busy cutting up my scrap fabric into 2 1/2" squares...

 Making these fun little scrappy stars...

 Thinking about sashing them with the red violet....yummy...

Got my inspiration from the latest issue of American Patchwork by Better Homes and Garden (front cover)...using up my stash and having fun with the creative process!!!

A Happy Birthday to You...

 This is a picture of my mother when she turned 18--it is also a picture of her wedding day.  Recently, my mom celebrated her 75th birthday and many many years of marriage to my father...This year, we are throwing a birthday bash for my mother next weekend...which necessitated this next picture...

I started this banner last year and had lofty goals of hand quilting it.  I got about 1/2 way through--which I might add took many painful hours because, although it is embarrassing, I don't know how to hand quilt.  Because the special party is coming up, I machine quilted over the hand quilting and threw on the binding and presto--the banner is complete and ready to go for the birthday bash....May it see many a birthday and bring a smile to many a face in the coming years....

Patriotic...

My sister, Rose, started this little wall hanging a year or so ago.  She found the patterns in an older Better Homes and Garden book and they left no directions on how to piece them.  She paper pieced the eagle and I think she paper pieced the memorial block in the lower right hand corner.  It was hard for her to modify the patterns, but she did a great job and then hand quilted the wreaths.  The vibrant colors don't really come through in this photo, but the wall hanging is beautiful.  Great job Rose!!

Be Attitudes...

I have been on a get-r-done kick the last month. I had the Nancy Halverson book to make this quilt and a box full of her fat quarters sitting on the shelf for 2 years--just busy with too many projects....2 weeks ago, I got out the box and started sewing and cutting and sewing...I really liked the quilt because of the messages contained...here are 6 of the 12 blocks. The quilt is ready for quilting...so...Be Joyful...

Be Grateful...

Be Honest...

Be Prayerful...

Be Respectful...

Be Patient...I'm excited to have the quilt to this point. I changed up the borders and did a piano key border with left over fabric to use it up. I have to tell you that Nancy Halverson patterns have a lot of applique and they are extremely labor intensive, but I love the end result!!

Finished putting the quilt together this morning. Quick sew!! We took the picture at the quilt store if you are wondering what the background is.

I have to say I really did enjoy sewing this. The fabrics are gorgeous and it was easy and fast!!

Merry Christmas!!

This Christmas wall hanging was taken from Nancy Halverson's Christmas book, Tidings. My sister, Rose, and I made this. It involves some applique, embroidery and sewing on the specialty buttons. This was a really fun project and will be enjoyed for many more Christmases. So to all, I wish you a very Merry Christmas!!

Snowmen...

We have had 2 big storms over Thanksgiving weekend so we have plenty of snow to make one of these...Tis the season...Happy Winter!!

Hoot, Hoot...

I tried a new design for a journal cover and I have to say that this is my favorite so far.

A photo of the inside flap...I predict a few more of this style is in my future...

If the hat fits....

While I was searching out some fabric, I came across an unfinished project, this little witches hat that was started, but needed a lot of work to finish. I have worked on it off and on and tonight, well--a finish!! Just in time for the Halloween holiday. The pattern is by www.bloomingstitches.com and is called, Witches Party Hat.

I'm the Queen...

Saturday, we had our annual trip as a family to Gardner Village and Women's Conference. Saw this pillow at the store "Just for Girls" and cracked up. Just so you all know--I'm the queen. Pantyhose do talk...

Of course we stopped at our favorite quilt store at Gardner Village, Pine Needles. Took some pictures of some adorable quilts...

I just love this quilt...they call it Pear-a-licious. It just looks so fresh and darling...

Got to see the Bit of Boo model of the quilt I am making from the BHG Shop Hop where they featured Pine Needles...

Love how they used Halloween fabrics on this, but you could just as easily use other holiday fabric for a great quilt...



This quilt is called "Tribute to Judie"
and was made from various fabrics that Judie Rothermel designed. It is a great pattern to use up small pieces of Civil War collections...

Funny pillow I saw while shopping at Gardner Village...





Lovely witch at Gardner Village. The whole area was decorated with Halloween and witches...

One of my sisters, Rose, by this cute pumpkin display. We had a lovely, festive time full of fun and giggles and then we were treated to a wonderful Women's Conference. What a wonderful fall treat!!!

Completed...

Yippee!!! I've got some Halloween Spider Web Hotpads finished...fun project...Go check out the tutorial on these at www.jaybirdquilts.com under tutorials.

Tidings

The new Nancy Halverson Christmas book is out and I get to make this quilt...Tidings!!

It has 9 blocks and the red letters spell Christmas. I love it, but oh, it is labor intensive. Each block has been really fun to fuse. Here is the Inn block...

Of course, I started with the Star block because it has the least amount of applique....



Rejoice...

Honor Him...


Shepherds watching...

Once the applique is done, then I get to do the handwork, such as embroidered eyes and details....Wish me luck--I'm loving this quilt!!

Charity quilt...Check out this quilt that was auctioned off for charity...

I found this darling quilt that is a scrapbuster at http://bumblebeansinc.com/ . Scroll down on the right side bar until you come to 9 patch gather quilt auction and then double click the button. The quilt was donated to charity and was made of nine patch blocks set into X's. I fell in love with it because of two reasons: it used up scraps and I loved the setting and the eccletic look it had. We have been asked by our quilt guild to donate quilts to birth mothers who bravely give up their babies in hopes that they will have a better life with adoptive parents. It is supposed to give the birth mothers comfort during this difficult time. I thought the name, Nothing but Kisses was just adorable and I felt it was an appropriate design for this purpose. I fell in love with this blog and you might just fall in love too!!

My Boy is Home!!!

My boy arrived home from London safe and sound. He is his father's son after all, right down to the flat cap. Two years literally flew by--I just sent him off and he was home again.

Of course I had to take in Pine Needles on the Shop Hop enroute to the airport...one must do a little retail therapy now and again... The store was amazing!! I really like this birthday banner. I'll have to coordinate this with the other banner I'm in the process of making...

Darling quilts everywhere in the store...

Love the dresden plate. I'm doing a family quilt retreat this upcoming week and we are doing the dresden. It truly is a classic pattern...

Had to buy this patriotic Uncle Sam--love holiday stuff--love the yo yo beard...

More fun 4th of July...It makes my heart sing!!! I love this country and the freedoms we have!!!

I am amazed at the cute things people keep designing and I got a couple of these cute bib patterns for the sweet babies being born....

More adorable bibs...





More dresden...love the dresden!!

Fun day. What could be better than getting your son back and retail therapy??? Not much!!!