Quilting in the Garden Part 2

More show photos. I recognize Linda's quilt there on the right..

These pastel quilts all remind me of laundry.. pretty huh?
I wish that there were quilts there every day. Maybe I should just start hanging my stuff out in the yard. Wouldn't that be pretty? They do a nice job of getting groupings together I think.

I am in love with a couple of these quilts on black. That little flower quilt by Sharon Mazanec is so cute.

Bonita Spicer did a nice job on the Stars in my Garden, which I believe is a Piece O' Cake pattern.
More pretty soft colors.





I love #8 here, by Holly Houser. This one just made me feel cheery.
Alex and her friend Sierra. Sierra is a 10 year old long arm quilter!!!



I'll have more photos coming.. Valori Wells was the Guest Artist this year, and I'll have photos of her quilts to share.

Quilting in the Garden Part 1

I've been awfully lazy lately. Too much allergy medicine I think, that and the freaking heat. I should have known better than to believe the delicious cool weather was here to stay. People, I put my little fan away even. I'm such a sucker.

Someone asked for a better shot of the front, I hope you can select this and it will open up big in another window. It's the best shot I have of the front of the nursery.

Here's a wonderful quilt by Sandra Mollon. It's from a pattern by Maggie Walker I believe. Sandra teaches applique at the shop, as well as other places. She also has an applique club that meets once a month where you can work on perfecting you applique skills. She did a lovely job here.

This quilt is called First Snow by Mary Rizzo. Don't know if it's her original design or from a pattern. Lovely, Mary. The fabric choices in that leaf are very good!

The quilt on the right is called Lollipop Garden by Jean Wells of Stitchin Post fame, the one on the left is Coming Home by Valori Wells. Valori was the featured artist at this year's show.

This is Joshua Tree by Valori. This was my favorite quilt out of her book Radiant NY Beauties. Look at the quilting detail on that quilt.

Inside the shop portion of the building there were some quilts by past featured artists in a retrospective. This is Laura Nownes.
This is one of Alex's quilts. I love the use of scraps for the center. I don't remember which book this is from. Maybe Finish It.


This quilt, according to the sign, is by Mrs. Shirley Perrin. Very old fashioned and nice.

Another quilt by Alex. I think I even have this book but don't remember which one. And I'm way too lazy to go dig through all my books to find it. I love the way she combines fabric in quilts like this. The over all effect is soo good. I love it like I LOVE THIS QUILT. It has hung in the store several times and each time I SWEAR I'll start collecting black backgrounds. (the triangles scare me though.)

That's it for this installment my friends. What are you up to? Are you having fun? Did you vote over at Holly's? I'm still thinking Sharon has something funny going on in this post. Sharon, you totally crack me up.

Getting Back on Track

The show this past weekend was good. First day off, RAIN. I know, first time in 10 years. I wasn't there on Saturday, but I hear the quilts went up in the buildings and the vendors took refuge where they could inside or under the covered areas.

Saturday the store was swamped with people. I haven't cut so much fabric or hauled so many bolts around in one day in a long time. I'll need to get into some training if I have to do that again.
I tried for some photos of the shop, but they just didn't turn out. Quilts and fabric were all moved around and it looked good.

I had to work all day Saturday. I felt a little sad about it because Bret was meeting up with Frankie and her friend Michael for dinner and to trade out cars. I guess they felt a little sad about missing me as well, because he turned around and came back for me. Bret works a lot of hours so I don't see much of him during the week, and I normally wouldn't work weekends because of it. Anyway, we had a wonderful time. I got to leave a few minutes early and it all worked out great.

Sunday it was nice out and the quilts were hung outside. I'll have lots of photos to share once I pile through them, so until then you'll just have to enjoy these lovely begonias.

Holly is sharing some really funny photos of her cats, you should hop on over to see those. It's the bibs that are just killing me.

I just finished some machine quilting for Elizabeth, so looks like I'll have time to go through my photos and pick the very best ones for you! On most of them I can see the number so I'll even know who made them, which is doubly nice. So until then my friends, have a wonderful rest of the week!

Apple Pam Easy

Good Morning and Hello to all of you coming on over from Hollycakes! Its day 10 of Dazzling Dozen of Delightful Desserts and today is my turn!!! Thank you Holly for hosting this tasty extravaganza.

As many of you know by now, I have picky eating family. Picky. Eating. Back in the beginning, there were family members around who would eat all the interesting food I'd make courtesy of Martha, but now between the picky and the family members with dietary issues, food is simple and a small part of our world. Which brings me to my simple easy dessert.

You start out with some puff pastry sheets and some fresh apples. I used 2 apples here. Thaw your pastry sheet out following the package instructions. I lightly roll it, but you can skip that if you like. I slice off about half an inch all around, then use those pieces like a frame. They'll puff up and hold in the juicy apple goodness. Place your thawed framed up puff pastry on a cookie sheet sprayed with non-stick spray. You know. Pam. Cooking with Pam!

Peel and core your apples, then slice thin, either with a knife like I did here for a rustic look, or with a mandoline, which gives you nice thin even slices. Dust your pastry with a bit of sugar and cinnamon. Layer on the apples slightly overlapping. Sprinkle more sugar and cinnamon on the apples. Bake at 400 degrees in a preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes till the pastry is puffed and golden brown.

It makes for a nice easy dessert, light and just the right amount of sweet and tart, if you use Granny Smith apples like I did. Puff pastry is a wonderful item to keep stored in your freezer, you can do all kinds of amazing things with it.

This dessert also doubles as a lovely breakfast treat with coffee and a side of sewing! Make one today!

Alright, thanks for stopping by. Check in with Holly tomorrow to see who's up next! I hear its going to be MARVELOUS!

At the end of the event be sure and keep watching Holly's blog, I hear there are going to be PRIZES!!!

And the winner is...

Mary Anne from Moonbeams in a Jar. So Mary Anne please email me your address and I'll pop a book in the mail to you!

Thank you all for playing, your comments just absolutely made my day. I am so happy that Alex asked me to participate.

In the mean time, WHAT THE HECK!!! It's raining, on Quilting in the Garden day! I don't know what's up with that, but I better get cracking and find out. I know I might see Tracy.. anyone else? Oh, Sandy too!! (Hey, did you see Sandy's darling new pattern? Its for a cupcake quilt, completely cute!) I know the shop will be buzzing if the rain keeps up.

Ok, thanks again everyone!

Back to Business

Good morning peoples! I am overwhelmed by all the kind comments that I've been receiving on my previous post. Thank you thank you! It all means so much to me.

OK, it's half way through the Dazzling Dozen of Delicious Desserts agenda!! You never know who will be coming up before the event is over. So far we've seen desserts from Elizabeth, Brenda, Joanna, Annie, Tanya and today is Angela. All so yummy. And would be excellent with coffee! And I think we've covered my love of coffee situation.

It's a work day, so I better get a move on. We're having a busy week at work. It's Quilting in the Garden weekend at Alden Lane. There are so many wonderful events going on, you can find a schedule of them here.

I hope you enjoy last year's photos. This year should be just as fun, the weather has been absolutely perfect the past few days. Will I see you there? I'll be at the shop all day so please say HI if you come by!

Every Dog Has His Day

BARK BARK BARK!!!

I'm having my day today! It's finally out, the book! THE BOOK I HAVE QUILT IN!!

This is my quilt, Cinnamon Toast. IN A BOOK. I HAVE A QUILT IN A BOOK PEOPLE!!!!

Ok, I'll get a grip on myself but still. I have a quilt in a book! I can hardly believe it. I have had such a great year. First I was in Alex's Machine Quilting Book,(I pieced a quilt for a step-out) then I was in Elizabeth's ABC's Of Words On Quilts (I did some machine quilting ) and now this. Neutral Essentials is Alex's latest book on working with neutral colors and I'M IN IT!!

Like others, my opportunities come from having good friends that offered me chances to participate in their own success and for that I am grateful. Sewing and quilting has brought me wonderful fulfilling opportunities that I would never have expected when I graduated from college with my BS in Business Administration in hand a shocking 31 years ago.

So I think you all know what this means!!! A BOOK GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment on this post and I'll pick a name at random on Friday!

Now, back to my regular non-braggy self.

More than Meets the Eye

Ok, nerd alert, I'm thinking about the Transformers. I can't help it. Doesn't my ruffler foot remind you a bit of a Transformer? Ok, I know its a stretch.

I've ruffled crepe paper and fabrics, all with wonderful results.

So do you have a ruffler foot? Have you tried it out? I can't stop working with it. Did you see what Elizabeth did with hers? What are you doing with yours?

Hmm, wonder how I'm going to use all this stuff? I wish I'd had it when I made clothes for Frankie, the miles of ruffles for those Mousefeather dresses... ok...

See you later alligators, it's a work day!

Pineapple Star

So do you all remember this quilt from this post? Sherry just sent me this photo of her completed quilt. I love the solid looking brown in the background, her star really pops. Sherry emailed me with the news that indeed her quilt will be in PIQF and in fact was juried into the New Quilts of California Exhibit!

And if that wasn't enough, Amy Butler will be putting the photo into an upcoming gallery on her site.

Join me in congratulating Sherry! Great work!

Delicious Good Morning

Greetings my bloggy friends! How does today find you? It's another lovely morning. We're finally starting to feel the change of seasons, the days are still warm, but the nights have been cooling off. What a blessing. I love the cool night air. It's pleasant enough for me even to want to go out and work a bit in the yard.

This morning is the start of the 4D's, so I hope you click on the cupcake and head over to Holly's blog to find out who's on deck. I know the recipe is a good one and the project is something to get excited about!

Yesterday morning the yard was filled with hundreds of the little birds on this tree. It looked as though the whole yard was vibrating. I know, you can barely see them on the tree. I was trying to get a shot but they were spooked.

And get a load of my sewing table. It's no longer clean, but filled up with works in progress. It feels good to feel motivated to work on new things.

And drink coffee. I love coffee, did I ever mention that? Ok, it's time to get cracking as my mom would say. Have a delicious day my friends.

The One Where I'm Totally Embarrassed.

So today, for the first time, YES THE FIRST TIME, I notice that my email account on my blog is not the one I think I'm using, and checking. It's one that I HAVE NEVER EVER LOOKED AT. Ever. In the history of looking at things.

I noticed in an email forwarded to me that it was also addressed to the email associated with my blog. Which I am wondering how anyone knows about, since I always use my other email. Since I thought that my other email is the one that was listed.

BUT IT'S NOT.

So I find FIFTY emails that I have very rudely not responded to. Some were not so much a big deal, but some are things that need responding too.

So if you've emailed me and I've not responded, I'm so sorry! I apologize and you'll be hearing from me soon!

Let Them Eat Cake!

Yes, hooray, it's finally here! Starting Friday September 14th the fun begins over at Holly's blog. Just hop onto her blog directly or by selecting the Little Cupcake and you'll be transported! Every day for 12 days she'll fill you in on who's who and what they're serving!

And it's not all about the food, although recipes are included, it's also about the projects! Almost everyone on the list is a designer, and they'll be showcasing a sneak peek at what they're working on.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait!

That Darn

MONICA! She's back, and she's got us all laughing again. I'm happy to see her back for our reading pleasure. And she's got the Name Game for us, so head on over to her blog and see what Toxi has going on!

Here's my version.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)

Buffy Benz

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)

Vanilla Ranger

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)

P-Vie

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)

Yellow Dog

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)

Marie Concord

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Vie-Pa

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)

The Red Coffee (what would my super power be with this name?)(maybe someone who gets really really angry if they don't have coffee, yeah that's probably it.)

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)

Frank Paul

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)

Wisteria Snickers

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )

Pearl Julian


11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)

Regalia Rochester

12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)

Spring Star-Jasmine

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)

Apple Slippery

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)

Toasty Indygo

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)

The Sewing Tornado Tour

Ok, you guys, get over to your own blogs and get working on this! I'll take a full report after work!

Fall Tease

The morning has been a cool one, I was up early and sat outside with coffee and magazines. Fall magazines. It was quite cool at 7am.

A wonderful sight in the morning, fog covering the sun. It stayed cool for an hour or so and it really did feel like fall. Of course later, when its in the 90's, it won't, but it was a nice taste of it.

I had some company out back. This fellow came several times to the feeder...then he sent his lovely bride.
She was a more nervous type and didn't sit down for her visit.

Well time to shut up the house and get moving. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!