Another Day

So what are you guys up to? I've been working around the house, doing a lot of small things, you can't tell that there's any progress anywhere. I went out back yesterday and trimmed back my iceberg rose, seems like my roses all bloom at once, then all need pruning. I have to pace myself a little, there's only so much room in the green can. The weather has been pleasant and the rain earlier this week makes everything seem fresh and green. Like my fig tree.. look how beautiful and green the leaves are. And I have figs growing!

I owe these figs to Bret who watered while I was gone. I didn't have any figs last year, so I think he was the lucky charm!

I am continuing on the pillow, and already am filled with regrets. I used my Go! Baby to cut some flowers, leaves and circles for centers. I love the shapes, I used the Rose of Sharon die. I didn't use fusible though just used a little glue to baste the shapes down, and they're kind of a pain to machine blanket stitch.

Not that it can't be done, mind you. It's just a bit of a challenge when they want to move a bit or the foot gets caught underneath. Haste makes waste is an old adage for a good reason it looks like!

While out back I checked on the nest while the humming bird was away. Tried to get a photo inside but my stepstool is too short to really get above it. I tipped the nest towards me and can see there are two tiny white eggs in there. Couldn't get a photo to save my life and the poor bird was having a meltdown so I really needed to get back in the house and leave her alone.

Not that I didn't traumatize her further and head back out to get her photo.  I need to get a grip.

Time to tell you who the winners are! Clara from Clover and Violet, MadreKarin and Mamabug... email me your mailing address and I will get your goodies in the mail!!! Ok, very special peoples.. that's it for today!

Jubilee-ish!

So it was a total Jubilee-ish feeling weekend here. Frankie's big box from England arrived and as you can see, we scored some Jubilee tins. Thank goodness I 'eavesdropped' on a twitter conversation between Sarah and Katy and found out that there were tins to be had. Our passion for stuff like this knows no bounds. Thankfully Frankie has a friend, Martin, who was able to score them for us. Thanks Martin! (did you see Nanette's cute Jubliee stuff? Darling.)

Anyway, I got all inspired to make a Jubilee-ish pillow, so I'm getting started on that. When we're involved in all the pre-Quilt Market stuff all I can think about is how much I wish I was just sewing for fun, but now I can't remember what I wanted to make. I'm weird, I know. Anyway yesterday I got out the Go! Baby even. I know! Crazy! I already gave Elizabeth a sneak peek and she thinks it's pretty cute. She could be humoring me, so we'll have to wait and see.

Thanks to everyone who left nice comments on my Aurifil Block of the Month!It was scary but fun to try something outside my comfort zone. I appreciate the opportunity to try new things!

Ok guess I'll get back to work on my pillow. Tell me what's new with you!

Hard to believe it's June already! And with the first week of June comes the Aurifil Block of the Month post! And I'm June! First off let me say I'm so thrilled to be included and in such a wonderful group of designers. You probably saw this group shot over at Pat's blog,it's a picture of all the designers that attended quilt market. What a group!

I love these Aurifil 12 wt. threads. My favorite thing is that they're on a spool and you don't have to separate them. That's the lazy in me. I also love that you can use them in your machine! I used them here for blanket stitching, love the results. I'm currently embroidering a slightly larger version of my design onto a tea towel. I love old linens and I think those lazy daisy flowers look old fashioned. You can count on my project being easy, I'm not as experienced as the rest of the designers!

The colors are so vibrant. They just say summer to me, zinnias, hibiscus, daisies. I hope you give my project a try! Be sure and click over to the Aurifil blog to get the project handout.. not to mention read all about me! Nothing shocking there for you regulars!

When you're done, be sure and add your picture to the flickr group! There are a lot of people stitching up a storm.

What I did on my summer vacation.

Honestly people, my photos from the vacation are pretty sparse but I do have these from my visit to Rosebud's Cottage. As you know, I rode back from Quilt Market to Minnesota with Roseann. Our trip started with a really great tour of the Fabri-Quilt offices and warehouse, you should go check out Roseann's post about it here. 

Anyway we had a total blast driving from Kansas City to Minnesota, stopping along the way at Historic Valley Junction for lunch and some antique shopping. We also drove past the headquarters for Meridith Publishing, which is where our American Patchwork and Quilting comes from!

Tuesday, thinking Roseann hadn't had enough of my company, Linda and I went over to see her and the new shop location. As usual, the store is darling. Here's Roseann showing off a PKM project.

Roseann has a nice selection of PKM. Which leads me to today's bonus feature, a give away! I have three lovely gifts from Roseann's shop. The first is A Skinny Minnie Table Runner kit. Totally cute featuring PKM of course!

Second up is a Wool Strawberry Pincushion Kit and third is the darling Vintage Tomato Pincushion kit, as featured above! Leave me a comment and I'll pick a winner. Be sure and check out Roseann's blog,  and where to really catch her is on Facebook, she's always got something going on there.

Ok everybody, have a nice weekend! xo

Cabbage Quilts Blogger's Block

Good grief, how did I miss that it was Blogger's Block of the Month time? This month it's Cathy's turn and her block is delightful. I can't wait to pull some fabrics and get busy making it.

In other news, while I was gone, a hummingbird set up residence out back. It's a few bulbs down from last summers nest but still in the neighborhood. It makes for good entertainment out back.

In the meantime, I'm just sorting through my list of things to do. Can't wait to sit down and sew!

Pam Kitty Love Projects

Good morning! I'm trying to get back in the groove around here. I think I've topped myself for bad market photos, so I'm going to lead with the projects from the sales booklet for Pam Kitty Love. First off is Terrier Town by Elizabeth! I love everything about this quilt, the scotties, the little storybook house, the mailbox! I can't wait to make this!

Also by Elizabeth is Altamont. I love a nice windmill block and anyone from around this area knows that Altamont Pass is famous for it's wind farms.

Also included in the booklet is Among the Stars by Kimberly Jolly. This is a block of the month and I love how cheerful it looks in Pam Kitty Love.

Next up is Little Garden House in Spring by Shabby Fabrics. Aren't those dimensional pin wheels cute?

I love this dramatic Quilt by Lynn Krause, Flagstone Pathways. I love the fussy cutting!

This is Crossroads by Sherri Falls. I love the criss crossing paths on this quilt.

The Pam Kitty Love Swatch Sheet is here on Holly's blog, and you can also see all the prints on the LakeHouse website. I'll have a link up here on my blog soon. The swatch sheet takes a minute to load, so be patient as it's a large file. Ok, that's it for today! Phew!

Catching up

Good morning! It's catch up time around here. My suitcase is unpacked but a lot of the little odds and ends are still piled up here and there waiting to be put away. Yesterday all the travel and fun caught up with me, so mostly I just lounged about. Lovely to be back home.

So tell me everybody, what have you been up to? I promise to get back in the swing of things soon!

The Last Day

It's a dark and stormy day here and it feels cozy here in the living room. I can look out over Rice Creek, which is up about 2 feet after the storms.  Tomorrow though its going to be hot and humid so it will be the perfect time to head out. 

Missed you peeps!

Hello Friday

I am having my coffee out on Linda and Mark's patio enclosure. Its a crisp morning here after a stormy day. Linda and I didn't let it stop us though, we headed out to Buffalo to Buffalo Nickel Antiques. What a wonderful store. Of course driving around and seeing all the green fields and beautiful farms is great.  We finished up with a nice dinner at D'amico Brothers in Wayzata.

My vacation is winding down. It will be wonderful to see my family but sad to leave Linda behind.  What is going on with you? Happy Weekending peeps!

Thursday

Good Morning! Yesterday was fantastic. Linda drove us out to Hutchinson and we went to the Thimbleberries Studio Store. That was a treat, I haven't been for years. The antiques store we had been to there many years ago was still there and we enjoyed a walk through it.   We finished up with dinner at the Minnetonka General store.  What fun!

A big storm is moving through, but I slept like a log! This morning Linda and I are planning our day and watching Matlock. WONDERFUL! I hope things are good with you! Xo

Wednesday

Don't know why I thought yesterday was Monday? Weird. Anyway tried to post earlier but my little phone blogger app is messing with me!

Yesterday Linda and I went over to see Roseann of Rosebuds Cottage in White Bear Lake.  Lots of inspiration there that I can share when I get back. And maybe a giveaway! Or two!

Anyway I am having so much fun with cousin Linda I will be sad leaving her behind.  She lived in California and we were great pals back in my late 20s and early 30s and has always been a part of my life, and never far from my thoughts when we are apart.  She and cousin Laura were my best of friends. Being separated hasn't changed my feelings about them.

Anyway being here has me all mushy and full of good feelings about family and friends.  I hope you guys are doing well. Tell me all about it! Xo

Minnesota Monday

Good morning from Minnesota.  I am drinking coffee here in cousin Linda and her husband Mark's house watching the birds at the feeder and the water in Rice Creek glide by. It is so peaceful.  Last night we sat out in their patio enclosure and listened to the June bugs hit the screen and laughed and caught up. It's like no time has passed  since our last hello.  There will be a lot of laughing this week.

I had a wonderful drive with Roseann yesterday.  I have never been through Kansas and Iowa and it was beautiful. We stopped at a small town (Valley Junction I believe) and had a sandwich at the general store. She drove me past Meridith Publishing in Des Moines so I could see where American Patchwork and Quilting comes from. But there was a lot of laughing and chatting  so the hours flew by.

Check out the cute mug for my coffee, a red canoe in a coffee creek with a cup of coffee in it. My kind of mug. Have a lovely day!

Holly Blogs!

Holly Blog: My Favorite Things...236...The Day After Market
Hi from Iowa peeps! I am heading to Minnesota with Roseann. So much fun. Just went by the home of American Patchwork and Quilting. Lovely! 

While I am slacking off, Holly has blogged about our booth at Quilt Market! Check it out!

See ya later!

Monday!

I had a great time at quilt market.  Lots of friends to catch up with, which I know isn't the main reason we are all there but is certainly a wonderful part of the experience. I was excited to show off Pam Kitty Love.

As most probably know, Holly had the flu, so Frankie attended the show with me and was a huge help.  It was fun hanging out with her. Lots of mothers and daughters here this time and that was great to see.

Excited to be heading to Minnesota today with Roseann! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Cute Neighbors

It has been a busy happy market here, so not much time to get photos. These cute girls are our next door neighbors, and they are the sweetest!

Day One

We are just about ready. It has been a couple of super busy days. Check in with Holly to hear all about it!  Super exciting! Xo

Welcome to Kansas City

So KC is awesome! Everyone is so nice and traffic...well there is none!  We ran some errands after flying in then had a a delicious dinner at Granite  Brewing. (Or something like that..darling server Jake..best server in the history of servers) Today we are headed down to the convention center in our cherry red minivan!  The excitement really begins now!

And we're off!

Look who is joining me for Quilt Market! I hope to quick mobile blog  the trip to keep you special peeps up to date! I will miss you guys!

The calm before.

Good morning! How was the weekend? Busy one around here, working, Mother's Day celebrating and that kind of thing. Nothing fancy, just low-key getting together and having dinner. So yummy and relaxing! What about you peeps?

Today is filled with last minute things. What's up with you?

Buttoned Up

Wow, it's totally Friday again, how did that happen? Time seems to be flashing by. This time next week I'll be sitting in the LakeHouse booth showing off Pam Kitty Love to anyone who comes by! Wish I would see all you guys there!

But since you can't be there here's a peek at something fun coming your way! I have to tell you, Holly and I were talking about buttons and the cute old cards and this is what that conversation turned into! I'm always so amazed at her talent. I see so many great ways to use this. First off cutting them up and using them as applique.. how cute would these be as pockets. Or sewn to a little dress? Maybe even a border! I can't wait till I have actual fabric to play with. Bags, I'm dying to make myself a button bag. I totally love it and I hope you love it too!

Ok, Happy Mother's Day to all you special Moms out there, especially my own sweet Mom and  Mother-In-Law. Have a good weekend ! xo

It's hot but I'm not complaining. Yet.

With a little creative blurring my backyard looks like a profusion of flowers right? That iceberg rose really blooms it's heart out, but it's a lot of work dead heading those spent blossoms. The temps are up in the high 80s and low 90s so it blooms out pretty fast. Already time for pruning again.

Finished up my block for the Blogger's Block of the Month. It's Amy's turn, and I really like her block. What I don't like is my puckery seams. Looks like someone  needs some remedial triangle sewing practice. I'm having some tension issues on my machine, so it could also influence my piecing. It's headed to the shop while I"m gone, so once home, I'll give it another try.

I don't know why I didn't do this before. Made myself a badge holder/lanyard, whatever it's official name is. I always think of it too late when I see all the wonderfully creative ones at market. Mine isn't as clever as Angela's, but it's fun.

What's new with you? I'm behind in my blog reading and I know there must be fun stuff going on !

Super weekend!

So did you see the supermoon this weekend? The weather was perfect for driving out at night with the top down, so we headed out to where there was an unobstructed view out across the vineyards.

Pretty unspectacular picture. The evening was warm, and there were lots of people with the same idea, gathering along the side of the road, sitting on their tailgates in parking lots and we even saw a super moon party, with guests on the front lawn laughing and watching the moon rise over the trees. Good old fashioned small town fun.

These are the bags that I finished up making this week. I think they're cute, and are simple and fun to make. This first one is a variation on my Tammy Tote pattern, I've changed up the ruffle a bit and added a button pin for decoration, and for hiding a bit of a pulling in my binding over the ruffle.

This is my Farmer's Market Bag. I made one for myself earlier this year and I love it. I get a lot of compliments on it which always gives me a good feeling. It's very easy to make. I like that it can be very patchy and as wild or subdued as you might like.

Now I'm working on some small things that seem like fun, so far. More on those later if they turn out. What did you do this weekend?

P. S. Peeps! I got some emails about the potholders! For you newcomers, that pattern is on my sidebar, you can download the pdf at will!

Happy-go-lucky!

I'm feeling happy this morning, how about you? Blogger is scheduling my posts on time and I'm getting stuff completed.  Yesterday I finished this bag, I had the great idea that I would put those cute red polka dot handles on it, but then totally overlooked the fact that it isn't made like the larger Farmer's Market Bag and there's no room for those handles where they won't interfere with the drawstrings.  DORK. Had to retrofit.. always painful.

Had to other bags to sew handles on, pictures later. Yesterday there was so much glare out for most of the day, followed by some random spells of rain. Anyway, I also finished up some potholders. As you know, I'm not a genius at this at all, you might remember my little foray into making them last year. Mine aren't like Elizabeth's darling specimens but they're round-ISH and look pretty good.

Anyway they'll do the trick! I just have a couple of small things to finish up and I'm feeling much more confident. So you're probably wondering who won the copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks!! It's Anne from Cottons and Wool! Anne, email me your address and Quiltmaker will send you a magazine!

So that's it for this week! Hope you have a good weekend! xo

Let's Go to the Hop!

My coffee tastes extra delicious today in my Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Volume 5 mug!

Welcome to my day on the blog tour! I'm so excited to be included with so many great blocks and amazing quilters in this magazine!

My block is inspired by great California weather,cool breezes, sunshine, blue oceans, big puffy white clouds. We're pretty lucky here!

I'm pretty lucky myself, with my block in the magazine and a new line of fabric coming out! This little runner is "made" from the Pam Kitty Love! I can't wait to actually stitch it up this fall when my fabric arrives.

If you feel lucky too, leave a comment to win a copy of the Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Magazine! And be sure to hop on over to Quiltmaker's Quilty Pleasures Blog and see all the people on the list!  I will be picking a winner on Friday!

Aurifil Block of the Month

Woo hoo! it's time for the Aurifil Block of the month again! I love ThimbleAnna's design! It really tells a sweet May Day story, doesn't it?

Be sure and check out Anna's blog if you haven't already! She's really an inspiration! Now go get stitching! Be sure and add your block to the flickr group! 

Saying good-bye

This past weekend Bret cleaned up the back porch and I put the cushion on the swing and then sat down and said good-bye to an old friend.

I started reading Miss Zukas novels back when Frankie was in elementary school. Sitting out in front of her first grade classroom I met a mom who loved to read and we became fast friends. Kind of misfit moms really, not in the cool crowd. She worked at our local bookstore and she introduced me to a whole genre of books that I had only barely scratched the surface of, mysteries. In particular, she introduced me to Miss Zukas.

Miss Zukas was also a misfit, maybe that's why I loved her so much. Anyway, our local independent bookseller is long gone, and my days picking anyone up from school are over, but my love of books remains. And when I recently discovered that there was a new Miss Zukas available, I was thrilled. Then sad, because it's the very last one. And when I finished it last night, I was so happy to have read it and then so sad that it was over.

So anyway. It's May. Let the panic begin!