Mullis, Joyce Field of Chocolates

A Sad Announcement

2011-11-01T19:14:00.000-04:00

I am sad to say that I am, for now, suspending the Hearts' Desire Retreats. Facilities that we were to use in the spring and fall of 2012 are no longer available, and I have not found a suitable replacement. I will

announce if another retreat is planned in the future.
This makes me sad, as I have enjoyed the company so greatly of all who have participated.
Thank you for your amazing support!

More Memories

2011-10-02T17:12:00.000-04:00

Gary (Patrick's Dad), Patrick & Kelly and the signature quilt

Diane, our dear friend, Kelly & Patrick - Lots of smiling that day!

A young man very dear to us recently got married to a lovely young woman. His mom has been a dear family friend for many years. I really wanted to do something special, so I sent out fabric squares to friends and family of the bride and groom, asked folks to sign it and write a message if they wanted to, and send them back. I had it finished a month before giving it to them! They were married in Montego Bay, but 2 weeks ago there was a reception for them here in town. I gave them the quilt before the party started so it could be displayed for all who participated to see. Love and best wishes to Patric and Kelly. A very special couple who now have a signature quilt to cuddle with.

Another Signature Gift

2011-09-15T20:36:00.000-04:00

The Bride-to-be. If you look closely, you can see the signatures.

The pieced rectangles making the top of the apron.

My daughter is the maid of honor for a dear friend this fall. They've known each other since they were 2 years old, roomed in college a couple of years, and remain good friends still. She recently gave her a really special bridal shower. Having known this girl for so long, I wanted to do more than buy something off her bridal registry. I knew it wasn't going to be a quilt, so I came up with an apron pattern. I pieced rectangles on the top, making every other rectangle a white fabric. The skirt of the apron is a print and the whole apron is lined. What made this special is that all the guests got to sign their name in the white rectangles! I hope this is something she will treasure and that it will remind her of a special time put together just for her.

Once in a Blue Moon

2011-08-16T19:18:00.000-04:00

I am so excited to announce the "Once in a Blue Moon" retreat that will be October 4 thru 7 with Susan Brubaker Knapp at Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

Susan is an amzing quilt artist, designer, publisher and teacher. Susan is designing two brand-new projects just for this retreat, based on her new book, Point, Click, Quilt! "You’ll learn the skills you need to go home, take your favorite photo, and interpret it in fabric using fusible appliqué and thread sketching." I know I can't wait to see the pumpkins and passion flowers that are created at this retreat.
The fun begins on Thursday afternoon with a kick-off that evening. There will be two full days of instruction on Friday and Saturday, departing Sunday morning. You will be treated to homemade breakfasts and lunches and have the choice to experience some of the great dining in Black Mountain or nearby Asheville. There is also the choice to dine at the Blue Ridge Assembly Hall for an additional fee.

We'll be in a private lodge - you may stay up all night and you may even stay in your p.j.'s if you wish! And...there even may be some prizes!

Be sure to check out the flier and registration form and sign up today to join the fun - there are a limited number of spaces!

The beautiful and peaceful Barnhardt Lodge will be your accomodations for the retreat.

4 Out the Door!

2011-07-24T19:32:00.000-04:00

I have felt such an urgency lately to get projects finished. It could be because I have so many going! I had success this weekend - 4 quilts going out the door! 2 are baby quilts for Project Linus. No, they are not quilted. The person who heads up this effort in our guild is gracious enough to quilt them, so I finished the two quilts, and prepared the backs and batting. The one pictured is cotton flannel - so cute with lions and elephants. The other didn't photograph well.
The pinwheel quilt is going to a professional quilter (machine quilting is just not my thing - I only do really small ones). I started this quilt about 3 years ago and just finished it a few months ago. Getting this one out the door is a real accomplishment! The fourth quilt is a signature quilt that is a gift, so no picture being posted. I won't get to post that pic until September. By then it will be quilted and the binding done. I'm determined to bind the 2 quilts that are coming back to me as soon as I get them. Of course, the one being a gift will definitely push me.

It just feels SO good to have these done. Now I just need to dig into the pile of 12 or so projects I have started and get a few more out the door!

Back to the Garden

2011-07-15T17:13:00.000-04:00

Up until a few years ago, I spent very much of my "disposable" time in the garden. On my days off it was not unusual for me to be out there from sunup to sundown. Then, my gardening gene seemed to have shut down. Maybe it was the droughts, excessive heat, or the voles that plagued my hostas, wiping out a whole bed in just a few days. I also started to quilt more about that time, replacing one passion for another.

This past year my husband put a sprinkler system in the front yard. Wow! That has really made a difference. No more lugging around heaving hoses, and rearranging them every hour. Now with just the flip of a switch or two, I have zones I can water. We've also been blessed with a fair amount of rain this year.

As for the voles, our cat has eliminated over 50 - yes, 50! But the varmints continue to plague the hostas. Just this morning I found 6 mutilated hostas. I have not given up yet. I'm working on a new strategy and will give it another go in the fall or spring when I can find a couple of large varieties on sale.

So please, come into my garden. Enjoy the daylilies, phlox and big elephant ears. Sit on the glider in the back yard for a while and enjoy the peacefulness of the fern bed. I'm so glad to be back to the garden.

Our Quilt Show

2011-06-19T21:34:00.001-04:00

Lake Norman Quilters' quilt show was this weekend. I am continually amazed at the talent in this group. To see all of the quilts and winners, go to our site: http://lknquilters.wordpress.com/. A big congratulations to Teresa for winning the Viewer's Choice. This was my favorite quilt. I also know that Teresa worked very hard on this one and am so glad for her - isn't it a beauty?! I'm also very proud of young Diana. This is the daughter of one of our members and she is a fine young lady. She has come to our meets and shared some of her sewing projects. Her quilt is the picture quilt just above her. In a few years she is sure to walk away with many ribbons!

I was also both surprised and pleased to have won two second place ribbons. One was for a quilt I gave my son last Christmas and the other for a pillow I gave him the year before. I reminded him that he is now the owner of award winning work!

An awful lot of work goes into the quilt show and my hat's off to Michele and Liz who co-chaired the event and to the many who put so much of their time and effort into the planning and execution of the show. Thanks also to the many husbands who not only worked tirelessly during set-up and take-down, but who supported us during the year while we sewed our little hearts away!

Lampshade Dress Up

2011-06-09T20:13:00.000-04:00

For quite some time now I've wanted to dress up a lamp shade for our guest room. My daughter did one from the Pretty Ditty blog (http://pretty-ditty.blogspot.com/2009/02/peek-boo-lamp-shade-makeovertutorial.html.) Once my husband did the math, it wasn't hard at all! It was especially fun going through stash to pick out the 8 different print fabrics I used. I decided to use a black and white for the top and bottom bias finished edge and liked the look. What would I change? If I were to do another, I would add more sections. This was not really specified in the tutorial. I used 8 sections on a small lamp shade. I wish I had used 10. Other than that, I love it and it really looks good with the light on - bright and fun!

99 Blocks off the Wall

2011-06-05T17:14:00.000-04:00

Finally! My scrappy quilt top is done. This is one I started several years ago with romantic notions of using up a bunch of scraps. The scrap supply, however, has increased mightily since then. There are 99 blocks, each containing 13 pieces not counting the black and white sashings. I wish I had kep count of how many bobbins of thread I went through - many, many, many. I do plan on quilting this one myself sometime. It's back on my project shelf, but I do feel quite a sense of accomplishment. Will I ever do another scrappy quilt? Oh, probably sew!

Cincinnati

2011-05-18T21:39:00.001-04:00

A beautiful old bridge.

Went to Cincinnati last week for work for a couple of days. There was no time to go to sites like the zoo or gardens, but we did enjoy some beautiful architecture on our early evening walks. Rain had been predicted for our stay there, but the weather was perfect! In the main hall of the convention center I was surprised to find this wonderful quilt hanging. I cannot find where I wrote down the name of the artist, but did want to share this. It was really glorious in person. There was so much detail and so many embellishments.

One of several old churches.

"Freedom" Quilt

On the way home I treated myself to a quick visit to Batiks, Etc. in Wytheville, Virginia. If you have never been here and like batiks, you will love this place. There is a whole room devoted to batiks and they are glorious! The sale room is filled with them as well. Amazingly enough, I behaved - I was out in 30 minutes and spent very little. I'll have to remedy that my next trip in that direction!

Tower of Storage

2011-04-16T20:50:00.000-04:00

This is it! My Tower of Storage! I got to pick this out as my birthday gift from Ikea. It's about 72" tall and holds an amazing amount of supplies. And yes, all the drawers have something in them, but all are not full - YET. One of the features I love is that each bin can pull out completely. Very handy to pull out the paint bin and take to the work area I will be painting in. Or a bin with fabric fat quarters that I can bring to my cutting table and work at picking and choosing. I am going to label each bin and am pretty sure I have it organized the way I want it. There's also a solid top so I can store a couple of items up there that I don't need to reach for very often. This new storage allowed me to eliminate a couple of other pieces in my studio area which made it look neater and less cluttered. I admit, I am a bit of an organizational junky. Now maybe I'll get more sewing done!

The Big 6 - 0 !

2011-04-06T18:49:00.000-04:00

The moment of surprise. Took me a moment to realize what in the world was going on!

I was just taking it all in and trying to not cry!

Me? Sixty? How and when did that happen? My family made it the best day ever.It started out with Bob and I at Amelies, a really cool French bakery in Charlotte's arts' district. We then hit a couple of furniture consignment shops and on to Ikea. Now, that's a good husband! That's where I got my present, but I'll save that for another post. The plan was to meet our kids at a nice restaurant in Mooresville. I knew the hostess and we chatted all the way up the stairs to join the kids. I turn the corner and there was a big "SURPRISE" shouted out by 8 of my favorite people. What a bunch of sneaks - I had absolutely no idea. And what a great evening. Lots of laughter and fun.

And here we are my husband and I and our two great kids. They really pulled this one off.
I am so very blessed!

She's Published!

2011-03-31T21:57:00.000-04:00

Okay, I'm going to be the impossible proud parent here. My daugther was published in the April/May issue of Sew News! She made this amazing reversible raincoat from laminated cotton and wrote an article on how to work with the fabric and various tips and tricks. She really stretched herself with this project and executed it most expertly. It really is a kick when your children surpass you with their talents. Honestly, I would not have even attempted this project. Way to go kid - can't wait to see what's next!

Yeah Retreats!!

2011-03-16T19:07:00.000-04:00

Once again I had the privilege of spending a weekend with fun and talented ladies! We started on Thursday night and finished up Sunday morning. I especially enjoyed that I got to sew this weekend. And sew we did!
Of course, we also got to laugh. Cathy is obviously having a good time here as she sews her cute little chicks for a baby quilt.

Lucinda finally got

started on her daughter's wedding quilt. It will be a king size and she finished half the squares in just a day!

And what do you get when you have five quilters arranging the squares for the final design?

A REALLY cute baby quilt! This quilt was not only bright, but soft looking - it made me want to hold a baby!

There really is order to Teresa's "mess" - and she merrily sews her way through it. I'm just sorry I did not get a pic of the quilt being laid out in the other room - it was truly beautiful.

Jean is one of those intense creative types - and creative she is. She put together 20 crazy quilt squares amongst other projects she brought.

Sewing buds forever!

We had a "block building" competition. Each was given 9 squares to put together a nine patch, cut it apart, and sew it back together. Of course, this only makes sense to quilters! The end result was 4 large blocks to put together as a project Linus quilt (baby quilt for a hospitalized child). See the determination on Lucinda's face? She was the winner! And yes, she won fabric to cut apart and sew together.

This was a nice little quiet moment as Cathy did some handwork. But the best part - check out her footwear!

I came home tired and energized all at the same time. I can't wait for the next retreat this fall.

99 Blocks Not On The Wall

2011-03-07T21:03:00.000-05:00

Three years ago I started a scrap quilt. I think I had this romantic notion that I would delight in going through my scraps and watch them disappear. Fast forward to the past few months. I finally dug this project out and began to cut more strips from the 4 color groups I had chosen. I sewed, sewed, and sewed some more. There was also much ironing and trimming. I wish I kept track of how many times I empties my little trash bag. I stopped counting at 12! Why so much sewing and trimming? They are 6 1/2 inch squares with 13 pieces in each square. It is a wacky log cabin, thus all the trimming. And I needed 99 of them! The squares are finally all complete, but they are packed away to take to a retreat this weekend where I plan to sew on the 240 sashing pieces! What amazes me most about this project is...my plastic containers with all my color sorted scraps are not at all visibly leaner than before I got busy with this project. And, at this point, I am left with

99 Blocks not on the Wall!

Free Quilt Patterns

2011-02-06T20:22:00.000-05:00

Last year I was given the opportunity to design four quilts for Free Spirit Fabrics. Two were for Spring market and two were done for the quilt market held each year in Houston. It was a wonderful challenge for me and I learned so much throughout the whole process. It was a lot of fun to work with new and fun fabrics. Take a look - the patterns for all the Free Spirit quilts are free!

"Blossoming" fabric line by Kathy Davis.

"Asian Prints" by designer Alfred Shaheen. This design and construction was a totally new concept for me. It really is not difficult - there are two concepts that may be new to some, but very doable.

"Happy Go Lucky" fabric by Nel Whatmore.

"Irving Street Flannel" by Erin McMorris. Working with this flannel was a dream. All 17 of the fabrics in this line are in this quilt!

Extravaganza!

2011-01-30T15:05:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was the Needlework Extravaganza in Statesville. Basically, it's 40 vendors selling all my favorites - fabric, thread, ribbons, patterns, yarns, embellishments, sewing machines - it was like one big candy store! I was there before they opened. Being seasoned vendors, they had the doors opened early for those of us SO anxious! I finally got a quilt ladder, and not a moment too soon. The gentlemen who makes them is retiring and this is his last show in the area. I know he will be missed but he has been doing it for 40 years so I wish he and his wife a very happy retirement.

This larger one was made from orange batik and the center with yellow batik fabric. I used silk leaves and clumped beads in the center.

I made this one smaller using a very lightweight grey polka dot fabrick. I added some silver embroidery thread to the center, some large beads and dangled smaller beads. I finished it off with black fabric flowers.

I picked up a template to make these sassy little flowers. As soon as I got home I started to rip fabric strips, sew, glue, and them embellish. I liked it so much I did another on Saturday! These are going to make great little gifts and will sure adorn many a handbag.

More Secrets Revealed

2011-01-27T17:58:00.002-05:00

Elyse has been soaring in her crocheting abilities and surprised me with this beautiful scarf. I'm just so proud to wear it! In honor of her craft, I made her a roll to hold her crochet hooks. There's also a place for a tape measure and small pair of scissors. No more looking in the yarn bin for those hooks!

A fun not too intense gift to make was this cubicle quilt. It's only about 9 x 11 and very bright. Hopefully it will cheer up Elyse's roommates new cubicle!

A bit of a stretch for me to sew this past Christmas was a handbag made from Ultrasuede. I think the expense of the fabric made me nervous, but I couldn't have been happier with the results. And best of all, my daughter loved. Hmmm, wonder if I'll ever make one for me?!

Not a Secret Anymore

2011-01-09T14:29:00.001-05:00

I finally got a second quilt made for my son. He wanted something bigger than the last one that he could put on his sofa. And voila! It was originally intended for last Christmas, buy hey - he didn't know that last Christmas! It's all batiks from my stash - wow! So my doesn't my stash of batiks look any smaller? As a quilting buddy of mine says, "this stuff just keeps on having babies!"

Each strip was cut individually because I was working from small pieces and each side of each crazy log cabin was a different size. There are also some rows of 1" squares and the border is in 1" squares. I wish you could see the quilting. (If you double click on the pic, it should enlarge and you can see some of the stitching) A long arm quilter custom quilted it and it is really amazing. Merry Christmas son!

34 and Counting!

2010-12-25T05:17:00.000-05:00

For the last several years, we try to go somewhere special for our anniversary. Being the beginning of December and the Christmas season, it is sometimes difficult to find the time and somewhere not too far away. This year I chose Nashville. I had been told that the Gaylord Opryland Hotel was amazing, especially during the Christmas season. It is spectacular! Although we did not stay there, we spent many, many hours there. It is like walking through a huge indoor botanical garden wonderland. The Christmas decorations were breathtaking! Lights everywhere and thousands and thousands of poinsettias.

The waterfalls, especially being indoors,
were quite majestic.

This was Nashville -
of course there was a music theme!

Turkey Talk

2010-11-29T19:28:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving has become such a warm and peaceful time for me. For the past several years, it's been just my husband, myself and our two adult children. We enjoy a yummy (and simplified from years ago) dinner and then decorate the Christmas Tree together. One of the things I really enjoy doing is decorating the table. This year I made these really cute Oreo turkeys - one for each of us. Fun!

I also like to do a centerpiece. Not much blooming this time of year, but as my good friend Diane taught me, you just go out there and start cutting - next thing you know you have a pretty good looking arrangement. And don't forget to embrace all the pretty leaves on some shrubs, like the colorful Nandina leaves. I even had some New Guinea Impatiens still in bloom that I was able to use.

Another favorite are the table linens that my mother-in-law crocheted for me years ago. What that lady could do with thread and a hook was just amazing! There are matching placemats and glass coasters on the table. It is also a special way of honoring her memory.
And somehow a pretty table makes everything taste better!
I hope you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving and that you are blessed during the joyous Advent season.

Celebrity Extreme

2010-11-20T16:21:00.001-05:00

Quilt market in Houston was a couple of weeks ago. Ty Pennington's new fabric line was introduced there in partnership with
Westminster Fibers Lifestyle Fabrics. So Elyse got to meet yet another celebrity! I'm not one to ooh and ahh over celebrities, but it is kind of neat for her. I haven't seen his line yet, but I'm sure it will be worth waiting for. Of course, I'm jealous that she gets to be among all that fabric, thread, and all matter quilting related!
(Sorry the pic's not too great.)

Modeling Chocolate

2010-11-15T17:27:00.002-05:00

A new medium! After watching 2 seasons of "Cake Boss" on Netflix, I had to try this. Much to my delight, you don't have to buy something expensive and premixed. You mix your own (recipe) using chocolate and Karo Syrup! I had the perfect opportunity to use it on a birthday cake for a fellow quilter who was turning 50. Not bad for a first try, althouth I think I made it a bit stiffer than it needed to be. I scored it into squares using a pointed wheel tool, "painted' the squares using two colors - I used "pearl dust". DO NOT use liquid food coloring - it reacts badly with the chocolate. I then cut out a "5" and "0", placed it on the quilt and placed the whole piece on the cake. I then modeled some buttons and placed those on the side of the cake. I was pleased with the result. Admittedly amateur - but a whole lot of fun! See the needle and thread? The needle was a toothpick with a thin covering of the chocolate and a slit in the chocolate to look like the eye of the needle. Writing gel was used for the "thread."
The next family birthday cake is going to be such fun!

Retreat Part II

2010-11-12T08:02:00.000-05:00

On Saturday Sandy did an awesome "make and take" using the Sissix machine and Stampin' Up stamps. We made a funny greeting card, a Christmas ornament and a metal candle holder - what a generous treat. Thank you Sandy!

Here's Deanna meticulously putting her project together.

(Right) Sandy is a good teacher and Deanna was her "Vanna" like assistant.

Below Camille proudly shows off her ornament and candle holder. This was yet another great way to channel our creative energy - of which this group has no bounds!

Cindy celebrated the big 50 with us on Friday night. What better than a quilt cake?! It was my first attempt with modeling chocolate (more on that next post!)

Thank you to all the wonderful ladies who attented this retreat - they are a joy to spend time with, I learn so much, and come home chomping at the bit to sew, sew, sew!

More Time to Sew Retreat! Part I

2010-11-10T22:15:00.000-05:00

This past weekend 12 women joined me at a log cabin house on Lake Norman to sew, sew, sew! Aren't they just the serious bunch? Serious about their sewing that is. Miles and miles of thread were used and many pieces of fabric were cut up and put back together! I was totally amazed at not only how much they accomplished, but how wonderful their quilts, bags, tablerunners, etc. were! To be sure, though, there was much laughing to go along with all the work. I think sleep was the one thing that there was not a whole lot of. That's okay, we can sleep at home ladies, but on retreat we sew!

Michele appears to be singing a great sewing song!

Deanna is "manipulating" one of her creations.

This was Camille's 1st retreat - the girl sewed to 3 AM!

Liz had a hard time leaving that machine - the did sew a mighty bunch!

Cindy and Laurie are very serious about their ironing.

A LOT of cutting was done this weekend - I think we solved a few of the world's problems while we were at it!

Tomorrow I'll post Part II!

Crazy Quilt Class

2010-10-23T19:15:00.000-04:00

Shabby Chic look - very soft and pretty.

A couple of weeks ago I had the honor of teaching a Crazy Quilt workshop for my guild. Ten great ladies attended. I was a bit nervous going in even though I had spent quite a bit of time in prep. There really was no need to be nervous. This group was most gracious. That coupled being with quick learners and extremely talented - the day was a total treat for me! What joy in seeing not only squares come together, but to see the embellishments begin to adorn each square.
My apologies ladies, my photography isn't great.
I just can't wait to see some of the embellished squares!

Wish you could see the fancy embellishing that went on this
one before the day was done.

Love the center motif - this was from a
piece of clothing!

Lavendar color palette - so pretty.
Clever embellishing will hide the puckers from
the satin.

See the dragon on the printed fabric? I wish the
pic had come out brighter to show just
how good the colors went together.

Love, Love, Love the bright fabrics!
Very unique - especially once the
beads and more go on.

Now, is this a happy quilter, or what? The prints in this
square are just subtle enough that embellishing
will only enhance them.

The colors and fabricsfor this square are
very rich and warm. Can't wait to
see several put together.

Another happy face! Probably glad
to have put her stash to such
good use!

I just love the way the printed fabric pulls
the surrounding fabrics in. Just so very
pretty.

Ahhh Batiks

2010-10-17T20:18:00.000-04:00

This past spring I visited Batiks, Etc. in Virginia. While there I picked up this wall hanging kit in their sale room. What a treat - it only took a weekend to make and I have it hung in my office at work to help brighten each day. Doing the sunflowers was a lot of fun. They were part of the fabric print - you then cut them and attach to look 3-D. Of course, I just had to add beads because I love beads! A quick project like this can be so rewarding!

Happy Birthday!

2010-10-03T05:33:00.000-04:00

Last week our "baby" turned 25 years old - how did that happen?! We went to the city and took the light rail to uptown. That was different and a lot of fun - so convenient to not bother with parking uptown! The birthday girl chose an Irish Pub for dinner. We really do have a good time socializing with our kids - they're great conversationalists, interesting and humerous. And they still want to spend time with their parents! We are so blessed. Happy birthday daughter - we love you so very much!

Catching Up

2010-07-13T19:39:00.011-04:00

I work at a computer all day and somehow, getting to a computer at home turns into a chore. There have not been many posts on this blog lately, but I really did want to share a few completed projects. Last year I bout some pieces of silk at a quilt show but didn't have a clue what I wanted to do with them. Well, one new took later and wanting to do a contemporary pillow for my son's living room and Ta Da! It was a simple design and the colors just pop. I used a new tool - the Easy Circle Cut - a fun tool to cut arcs and circles.

My next finished project is a tote bag for a young woman who is moving out of the area. She will be going back to school in a year or two - so what better gift that a tote bag! I really like to layer buttons for embellishments.

Quite some time ago I purchased a pattern from Grace of Red Barn Studios, in our quilt guild. The "Padfolio" was a little challenging at first, but now I now I will be able to breeze through the next ones I put together. And what a great gift this will make! I embellished the cover with Tyvek leaves and yarn. I have such a new respect for pattern designers - I believe putting the pattern and directions together for others to follow must have been quite a challenge, but I'm so glad she did!

Wytheville, VA

2010-06-08T17:04:00.007-04:00

Why did we stop in Wytheville, Virginia on the way home from Louisville? Was it for the big pencil that the town is so proud of? (It is the number one attraction posted on their website.)

No...it was to go to Sew What Fabrics & Batiks Etc.! This is not a huge shop, but is one of the friendliest I've ever been too. The ladies there were a lot of fun too. I got to spend two hours enjoying the room of batik fabrics and the upstairs sale room. I came away with a bunch of goodies too. I should even be able to show a finished project from one of my purchases in a few days. Obviously, I was inspired!

If you are a Batik lover (and I most definitely am) and you're not too far from this shop, I highly recommend it. I would definitely travel the 2 hours to it in the future. Too far to travel? You can shop with them on line too.

Louisville and Wytheville

2010-06-06T18:40:00.021-04:00

We recently had the opportunity to go to Louisville, Kentucky for a training convention I needed to attend. We had a great view of the Ohio River from our hotel room and the river front park provided many hours of entertainment for us. We walked it every morning and Bob got to ride his bike along it while I was in classes. He even crossed the bridge to Indiana!

Bob couldn't resist having one of the "boils" at Joe's Crab shack on the waterfront. And yes, he ate every last bit of it

This limo was quite different - it was covered in the flat red glass marbles. Wonder how much weight that added to the car?

The best part of the city for me was the historic district. This little house looked just like a doll house. It was so tempting to knock on the door and ask for a tour.

The gardens in this section were to die for. They were so lush - amazing ferns, hostas and hydrangias. I wanted to live there for a few months just to enjoy the gardens every morning!

On the way home, we stopped at Wytheville, Virginia. I'll cover that treat in my next post!

April Retreat Part II

2010-05-03T20:49:00.021-04:00

Here we ALL are! We really did have a good time. The quilt square competition was especially fun! All were divided into two teams and given squares to be sewn into larger squares for a "disappearing nine patch" pattern. The team with the most squares complete at the end of 30 minutes won. Those machines roared! It sounded like a sweat shop! One of the Bama girls was designated ironer for her team. Alas, the bright colored squares came in second - only one square behind the winners!

The best part - when the squares all get sewn together, they will be baby quilts and given to the Linus Project that our local quild supports.

Cheryl did an outstanding job on her T-shirt quilt - the sashing and border with the stars was amazing.

Cathy put the border on her batik quilt. The picture just doesn't do it justice - it is totally gorgeous - and her own design!

Can't wait for the Fall retreat!

April Retreat in the Mountains Part I

2010-04-26T18:32:00.011-04:00

Waterfall Mountain in Warrensville, NC may never be the same after this past weekend. Quilters from the Lake Norman area and two from Huntsville, Alabama, gathered for 4 days of fun and creativity. Quilts were sewn together, bags were made, knitting, beading and even a cute little girl's skirt was sewn!

Bev completed this bright and happy snowman quilt. Clara, new to quilting, cut and put together this really pretty quilt with greens and wine colors. She is definitely got the but - already has several projects in the works and her mind is racing ahead with others - go Clara!!

We were so grateful that Bev L. (right) and Joyce A. (left) traveled all the way from Alabama - they soon became known as "The Bama Girls." Joyce put together the quilt on the right. She also put another one together and made a skirt for her daughter. Bev was the newest quilter/sewer in the group and did a fabulous job putting together and almost completing 24 log cabin squares!

More pics and tidbit coming in Part II.

She Was a Good Ol' Girl

2010-04-17T17:04:00.005-04:00

Sadly, last week we had to say goodbye to our family pet of 16 years - Butter Cream. She was a true family pet. When the kids were young, she slept in their rooms with them. She always greeted Bob enthusiastically when he came home from work. And she was my garden buddy - always by my side as I planted and weeded. We had no shame when it came to showing off her cute tricks. She was always sweet and never had any real medical issues. She just got old. we miss her - can't help but expect her to come around the corner. I take comfort in that she no longer hurts. Thanks Butter, we couldn't have asked for a better pet - you were such a good ol' girl.

FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

2010-03-20T19:19:00.014-04:00

And OH! what a glorious day it has been. Temp in the 70's, sun shining. Greeting me out the front door this morning were the daffodils in full bloom. I sure hope they stay around for a while. They are just an undescribable treat.

We took a trip to West Jefferson in the mountains, about a 2 hour drive. I wanted to check out the various shops, galleries and restaurants there. This is such a quaint little town and they are doing such a nice job in refurbishing. There were several painted outdoor walls - I've shown just a couple here. I got to see some very nice pottery, paintings and visited a lovely yarn shop. I treated myself to a small bag of pretty roving for my next felting project.

We had lunch at the town park and check out what was piled in the parking lot - dirty, filthy snow! The NC mountains had a pretty rough winter and this is staying around for a while as a reminder. There was also tremendous tree damage done from ice this past winter. It was enough to break one's heart.

It was a fun little day trip and I would recommend it to anyone who ventures to that area.

More Bags!

2010-02-21T18:33:00.011-05:00

Just after Christmas I treated myself to a light box in the hopes that I would do some serious applique this year. I immediately decided this new toy needed a bag so as not to get messed up when I traveled with it. I used large scraps of some home deco fabric Ihad. I love this fabric, it's just so pretty and cheery. The front of the bag is embellished with a fun flower I made from a strip of batik. The back of the bag has pockets to hold pens, pencils and notebook.

My second bag is one I saw in a knitting shop in Georgetown, SC while we were on vacation last year. Batik fabric is cut on the bias, tied together and rolled up - I think I enjoyed this process more than the kitting!. It was knitted with size 13 needs and went together in no time. The inside is lined and there are pockets.

Snow in the Snow

2010-01-31T20:12:00.010-05:00

Sorry, just couldn't resist! (Our cat's name is "Snow") What a way to end January - a snow. If you're in the South, you know that everything shuts down. I decided to make the most of our "snow day." With a hot cup of coffee, and a bit of Bailey's in it, I went to my sewing haven first thing int he morning, and there I stayed most of the day. What a joy! It's nice to see something on the design board again. I have lots more squares done - they're on the cutting table waiting to be squared off. The bonus of this quilt is that I did not buy any fabric for it - I'm using all Batik stash on hand.

I took a break mid-day and did some more reorganizing. As more treasures move in, I need to make room and rearrange. I commandeered the built-in shelves and love the use of that space. I'm not a huge fan of the snow and ice. I certainly had enough of that when I lived in the snow belt in upstate New York, but I wouldn't mind one more - maybe on a weekday this time so I won't have to go to work!

Scrappy Retreat

2010-01-25T19:56:00.029-05:00

I can't believe I haven't posted in over a month! There was being busy with Christmas and then getting ready for a "Scrappy" themed retreat. Ten scrappy quilters gathered in a log home on Lake Norman and sewed our hearts out! I don't have the group pic yet, so I will post that as soon as I do.

Sandy was concentrating on her new machine (lucky girl).

Mary Jo sewed many, many bright and cheerful little squares.

Cathy seemed to be asking that age old question, "To sew - or not to sew?!"

Deanna certainly seemed happy with her progress.

Lucinda and Teresa were both on a mission to accomplish great things this weekend.

Laurie was intent on finishing a Christmas scrappy quilt and determined to get to other projects too; Michelle was looking rather pleased with her handwork.

Laurie continued to work on the Christmas quilt - a/k/a Joyce's quilt because she coveted it the whole weekend. And here it is! Isn't it beautiful?

Ardis had a relaxing moment while Mary Jo and Sandy had to find more future projects - there's never enough of those!

Cathy, in her jammies, worked on a Christmas ornament.

Our last morning at the breakfast table - not as energetic, but quite content.

This group was quite amazing. Many quilt tops and projects were completed and many more well on their way. Needlework, knitting crocheting and some reading were also enjoyed. Most of all, I enjoyed this wonderful group of ladies more than I can express. We laughed, we shared, we ate, then laughed some more! All in all, we were a Happy Scrappy bunch!

Our Christmas Baby

2009-12-12T18:19:00.002-05:00

Back in October I posted about a cute little stray that started coming around. He (or she?) was quite skittish and not a regular. Well, after some vary cold, harsh, wet weather, "Snow" is here to stay! Two kinds of cat food are in the cupboard and a jar of treats on the kitchen counter. He has full access to our screened in porch and a little "house" to protect him from the harsh weather. And yes, I broke down this weekend and let him into the house a bit. Now it will be off to the vet for shots and spaying or neutering. I'm glad to say that he's not so skinny anymore and has gotten so friendly now that he knows he can trust us and count on us for food and shelter. We really didn't want another pet, but he is just so sweet and we are such big saps! Merry Christmas Snow, you have a home.

Cubicle Christmas!

2009-12-02T19:21:00.006-05:00

Oh how I have wanted to post this pic, but it was a gift and had to wait to present it! I have done 4 cubicle quilts now. I'd like to make one for every month, but I'm not sure the recipient would be too excited about that. They are so much fun - a nice small size. This one did turn into the project that didn't end - I kept adding something more to it. The tree and Santa are appliqued. Some accents are done with paint and glitter. Those are jingle bells attached to the bows and I embroidered the "Ho, Ho, Ho." If you know anyone who works in a cubicle, these are a great gift idea - they can change their "scenery" one cubicle quilt at a time!

What a Great Show!!

2009-10-31T14:34:00.016-04:00

The Lake Norman Quilters Guild had its second quilt show this weekend in Mooresville, NC. One word sums it up: WOW!! There were approximately 230 pieces entered in the show!I continue to be amazed at the level of talent and the diversity of styles of this group. There was a great show of traditional, contemporary, art quilts, wearables and accessories.

I so enjoy this group. They are inspiring, helpful and just so much fun to play and work with. Putting on a quilt show this size takes a great deal of team work and commitment. There were those who led the way and everyone else supported them.

Drum roll please....I won 4 ribbons!! This was my second quilt show and my first ribbons. What a thrill! I've posted a pic of me with my second place quilt, "Drink 'Til He's Cute" (joke between mother and daughter when she was in college), and third place for "Selvaggio e Caldo" (Wild and Crazy). They are both my design and are two of my favorite quilts. To see pics of the show and some of the winners, go to our guild's site, bluemoonriver.com/LNQ.html to to barnyardchatter.wordpress.com for some really great coverage.

Now look at our ribbons - they were all pieced by members! Someone even did all those cute yo-yo ribbons to wear on our nametags so we could strut our stuff if we won! Thank you ladies for all your effort. And not to just those who made ribbons - this show could not have happened without the great leadership and dedication of so many.

So, mark your calendars for October, 2011 for the 3rd Lake Norman Quilters Quilt Show!

Just Too Cute!

2009-10-22T20:06:00.004-04:00

A while back a skinny little white kitty showed up in our yard. We fed him a can of tuna, but he was still a bit skiddish. He came back a week later, but all we had was a can of anchovies. Well, he wasn't all too enthused about it, but did eat a bit and let us pet him a bit. Next day I bought some cat food and we had a bowl ready to fill for when he showed up again. Today the weather was great and "Snow" finally showed up again. Bob immediately fed him the cat food which Snow chowed down. Bob petted him and played with him a bit and got some great pics of the cat up in a shrub. I sure hope he comes back this weekend while I'm home. He's definitely not well fed and we'll gladly adopt him as an outside cat. Now really, isn't he just too cute?!

Remembering...20 Years Later

2009-09-19T17:55:00.012-04:00

For the past week the newspaper has been filled with remembrances of Hurricane Hugo. It happened in September, 1989 - 20 years ago. The memories have not faded too much - it was such a major event in our lives here. Our yard was quite messed up, and we were without power for 9 days, but we were lucky. These were just inconveniences. Many had their homes devastated and some lost their lives.

I remember our waking to the noise of the storm Last we had heard, the storm was headed up the east coast, and not having watched any television or listened to the radio for hours before we went to bed, we had no idea that the course had changed. I turned on the TV, and just as the reporter said "the eye of the storm is about to pass through Charlotte, NC," the power went out. A might oak in our front yard went down, away from the house, and took out the power for our whole neighborhood. We woke the kids and scooted them downstairs - we have a finished basement and this would be the safest place for us all to stay.

It seemed like forever until daylight came. It was hard to believe what we saw when we went outside. There was a sea of leaves everywhere and many trees were down. The large oak that went down out front had been completely uprooted.

The week turned into an adventure. Some family came to help with some of the yard clean-up. We once again had use for our camping equipment. We even learned that a frozen pizza could be cooked on the gas grill. Friends who had gotten their power back much sooner than we did blessed us with meals.

When the power went on, it was bittersweet. The four of us really pulled together that week and made the most of the situation. The kids were real troopers - helping as much as they could with cleanup and amusing themselves. I really enjoyed having dinner delivered every night. When the lights went on, so did the television. It had been so nice to be without it. Although, I do have to admit, one more game of Monopoly might have done me in!

Pop o' Color

2009-08-24T18:19:00.006-04:00

I recently painted a bedroom all white. I know, it looks yellow in the pic, but it really is white. I added white bedding and white curtains. What was I thinking?! Peaceful - sanctuary like, that's what. It did need something, though. I went through some scraps and chose 9 warm colors (oranges, yellows, pinks) and 9 cool colors (purples, greens, black & whites). I did a quick machine quilting in a radiating pattern and added a button to the center. It just wouldn't be complete without a few beads added on top of the button. Yup - I got my Pop O' Color!

Heartfelt Group Effort

2009-08-22T12:12:00.004-04:00

At the first retreat at Waterfall Mountain this past March, the group decided to do a wall quilt for the center's owner. Our theme had been heart's desire - and yes! The hanging is of mostly hearts. Each person did a square and signed their name to it. Grace generously and masterfully put them together using sashes and borders. Jean quilted it. Joan, not even part of this group, graciously sewed on the binding. I then hand sewed the binding down and sent it off to Amy. It was so much fun to hear her squeal with deslight! (I do have a better pic, just saw it the other day, but just can't seem to locate it on the 'ol compputer.) The quilt now hangs at the center and I cannot wait to go see it in its new home. Unfortunately, that won't be until 2010, but it is sure to be a treat. Thank you ladies for so generously giving of yourselves. Quilters' generous hearts never cease to amaze me!

Goin' Crazy Again!

2009-08-05T18:53:00.008-04:00

It took me forever to do my crazy quilt so I thought that I would never do one again. The first was no sooner finished when I began the second! This is a color coordinated crazy quilt with the same base pattern on all squares. The embellishments are also coordinated. It will be a wall hanging for a bedroom. So here is a peek at a few of the finished squares.

A Very Giving Effort

2009-07-22T22:38:00.011-04:00

For some time my friend Jean had a vision of starting a quilting group at church. She would teach the ladies how to quilt and then they would make donation quilts. What a delight to have seen this vision become a reality. The group meets twice a month for almost a full day. Some had not quilted before. Jean is not only extremely talented, but a patient and gifted teacher. A fabric company donated many yards of fabric and they all got to work.

The presentation at church one Sunday was quite impressive.

Unfortunately due to my work schedule, I cannot join this group, but I can encourage them, applaud them and pray for them as they continue to make another great batch of cheerful and beautiful quilts.

The beautiful quilts have made their way to Hospice and will soon bless patients. Hopefully the quilts will both warm their bodies and warm their hearts. I know they did mine.

New Blogger!

2009-07-12T09:04:00.009-04:00

There are so many creative beings out there, and I love to see their latest accomplishments and ideas through blogs. I especially like to encourage new bloggers. A great new one to check out is http://elysesusan.blogspot.com. Above is a pic of one of her newest - a bright batik sewing machine cover. Also notice the shelf in the upper right corner - instead of the usual wood or metal brackets, she used ribbon! It's not only decorative, but does a good job of holding up the small shelf.

Although taught as a young girl, Elyse is fairly new to the sewing world. She doesn't mind new challenges and is fairly courageous (multiple zippers didn't eve phase her on one of her earlier projects!). I enjoy her choice of bold, bright colors and her use of large patterns in small spaces - something I just don't have the courage to do. I also love the generous spirit she has shown in making her friends so many beautiful gifts.

And yes, she's my daughter of whom I am very proud. Interesting is how I'm now learning from her. It's a direction I have embraced and would like to give her all the encouragement possible. She is a joy, and so are her talents.

Quilts for the Cubicle

2009-07-02T21:02:00.018-04:00

I don't work in a cubicle, but if I did, I would definitely want to brighten it. I was so inspired to create three cubicle quilts for my daughter. The first one was this flower CQ that I gave her in May. I had fun using cording, paints and beads.

The second was inspired by her return from Quilt Market. As we quilters know, "Most Fabric Wins" - definitely! I wanted to make this one very three dimensional. I baked yarn for the hair (wet yarn wrapped around a dowel).

I filled the little pincushion and those are real pins in there - just made shorter with a wire cutter. The handbag, well, MK is her favoriate handbag designer and this was the only way she was ever going to get one from me! I went to GoodWill and bought a little purse, cut it up and began to sew. It so reminded me of when I sewed Barbie clothes - I never enjoyed that much either! But just this one was fun. The shoes were a challenge. I was finally pleased with them after I added the glitter paint.

To finish it off, instead of a traditional binding, I used yarn - zig zagged three rows around the edges.

The third was for the Fourth of July holiday. We love Lady Liberty, so I used a silhouette of the statue. Again I chose not to use a traditional binding. I used a "fabric fringe" binding - made it so much more fun!

Wouldn't it be nice to have a CQ for each month of the year?!

June Retreat

2009-06-27T10:35:00.012-04:00

Once again a group of creative souls went to Waterfall Mountain to creat to their heARTS desire! And once again, SO much was accomplished! The weather for this retreat was perfect. Beautiful temperate mountain air and sunshine. Seven of us made it up the mountain to see the waterfall that was flowing full as a result of the recent rains. We saw deer and a busy groundhog that is apparently an unwelcome inhabitant under the house. Sorry Liz, no giraffe was spotted this trip! There was also all the beautiful flora and fauna. It was such a treat to see the beautiful maple tree outside the window in full leaf - quite a change from its bare self in March.

Jean has sewn quite a stack of her metallic squares. It is going to be such a pretty quilt!

Linda's taking a rest, planning her next move with the quilt she is generously putting together for a neighbor.

Cheryl diligently works on a handbag - wish I had a pic of the finished bag - it was wonderful!

Margaret spent the weekend appliqueing. Her work is just so meticulous.

This is a beautful pinwheel quilt top that Cathy put together - one of many projects she worked on over the weekend. She definitely took the prize for the most prolific quilter!

All their hard work just tuckered out Maryline and Marianne.

Unfortunately, we did not get a group pic taken. That will have to be done at the beginning of the next retreat.

I so enjoyed spending a weekend of fun and creativity with this group of talented and delightful women!

Back in Clay

2009-06-08T19:41:00.006-04:00

I haven't "played in clay" in a very long time. I have a small handbuilding room and my own kiln, but I just haven't been inspired to go in there and and get my hands dirty. My friend Diane has a handbuilding studio, http://dianeomalley.com/creations/ , that I went to several Monday evenings. I built many things but am pleased with just a few. I made this textured vessel and love the earthy, primitive glaze.

Because I spend most of my creative time quilting, I thought buttons might be fun and I could incorporate my two crafts. I really like the larger one. This was experimentation and I'm looking forward to making lots of buttons using different techniques and glazes, especially now I have an idea of how they'll come out.

The best part about the time spent at the studio was the fellowship with other crafters. Three that were there were new to clay and it was so much fun to see their joy when crafting their creations. One young gal was a professional potter, having honed her skills in college. Much could be learned from both her talents and cheerfulness. Thanks to Diane for opening her studio for a fun experience!

Cute Gift Project

2009-05-24T21:34:00.005-04:00

It's graduation time and the usual gift is a check. Although it is surely very much appreciated by the recipient, I wanted to make it just a little more special. I purchased a card, but made a fabric envelope - a little more special than a paper envelope.

Here's how: Carefully undo the envelope and lay it flat. Take two pieces of coordinating fabrics cut larger than the envelope pattern, and fuse them together. Trace the envelope onto one of the fabric sides and cut out. Score the fold lines and fold. I used a strip of fusible web to close the envelope sides, or you could use some glue.

I then positioned a button on the back so the envelope flap would slip under the button. I added a couple of beads to the button that just happened to match the fabric patters - how cute is that?! To personalize the envelope, I painted the graduates initial with Lumere paint on the front of the envelope. It was quick, fun, and easy and hopefully will be a little keepsake.

Who Who!

2009-05-23T21:33:00.007-04:00

We have lived in our home for 24 years and have had many great "nature experiences." One of the great joys of having so many trees is that there is an amazing abundance of birds in our yard. We often hear owls hooting and on occasion see an owl in the woodsy part of our yard. I even had the incredible experience once of seeing an owl swoop down and catch its prey - what I believe was a baby squirrel. Last week Bob noticed that an own stayed perched in one spot for most of the day for many days. Then the ol' eagle eye spotted why - an owl's nest and a baby owl! This was such a treat and we spent a lot of time with the binoculars enjoying this young fuzzy creature. He left the nest sometime during the past two days and the adult hasn't been seen either. What a treat it was - worth the 24 year wait!

To the Finish Line

2009-05-17T19:33:00.010-04:00

Haven't posted any blogs lately, but I have finished quilting projects! Two of the quilt tops had been done for some time and needed to go to the long arm quilters. I just did not want to tackle quilting these, as an awful lot had gone into them and my quilting skills are just not there. The first one is "Almost Christmas." It is my first paper pieced quilt (and maybe my last!). At the end I ran out of fabric to put a much needed border, so I pieced one. I think it added so much to the quilt, moreso than a plain border would have, but it took almost as long to put together as the body of the quilt! Judy Whitehead did an overall quilting design and did a wonderful job. Unfortunately, with the fabric pattern and all the pieces, you can't really appreciate her excellent job unless you look closely. The quilt is now at the end of our bed and I love it.

For some time I had collected black and white fabrics for a quilt to put in our home office. I began putting it together following a pattern, but just didn't care for it. I then started to play and put together a design that I just love! I knew it needed to be custom quilted and Chrintine Sholtz tackled this quilt for me. Just look at the detail! Every section was customized. These long arm quilters are truly amazing - they just seem to have a natural talent to know what needs to go where. Of all the quilts I've done, this black, white and a little bit of red is one of my favorites. So far it is unnamed - Any suggestions?

Last, but not least - Ta Da! The Crazy Quilt is done! "Twelve Years of Crazy," cuz that's about how long it has taken me to do. The more I worked on it, the more I realized I love beading. I'm already collecting fabrics and beads and will soon start another. This one will be a wall quilt, so hopefully it will take less than 12 years. I even did some detail in the corner of the borders and put on a satin binding. I don't recommend it. As you can see, it's not very smooth and was a bit tough to sew on. But it's done and I love walking by it in the living room every day.

If' I make a quilt that I'm going to keep, unless it's seasonal, it will be out to be seen and used. I just can't hide them away - after all, it is a piece of me that's gone into making them and I want to share them with my family and friends. They're also nice to curl up under and take a much needed nap.

Back to the Garden

2009-04-18T19:06:00.010-04:00

Garden of Weedin' - Ain't it the truth! I've spent the last 24 years planting, weeding, hauling mulch, digging and all other garden chores in our yard. Somehow, the passion has left me. I can remember when I would be out working in the yard before first light, and then in the evening have to turn on the outside lights to finish up the last little bit in the area I was working in. Perhaps I'm no longer enthusiastic about gardening because I've become so engrossed in quilting. Of course, years of drought and an onslaught of voles destroying collections of hostas probably has a great deal to do with it.

Still, I couldn't just let it all go, so outside I went yesterday and today. I was not loving the labor. It also seems to take a lot longer to get the garden chores done than it did years ago. Later today, after my shower and much needed ibuprofen, I took a stroll outside. Now I remember where that passion came from. The dogwoods have such a presence this time of year. Look at the Japanese Honeysuckle - what a joy!

The ajuuga, condytuft and creeping flox always help to brighten my spring garden. And the pansys will be giving off their splendid colors for several more weeks. And, of course, the whole area is alive with azaleas.
I felt the joy creep back in. Once again I was overwhelmed with the might of creation.

I'll definitely be out there working away again in the days to come. I'll pull weeds, fuss at the insects and be tickled when a new plant emerges or blooms begin to form. I won't work as quickly as I once did, and I won't get as much accomplished, but you can be sure that I'll be taking Ibuprofen aplenty!!

Another Year

2009-04-15T20:04:00.005-04:00

It's been two weeks since my birthday. I'm an April Fool baby. I think this is the first year in my many that an April Fool joke was not attempted, nor did I play any pranks. Very unusual indeed, but I was busy nursing my daughter following a successful surgery (recovered now, thankfully). She did bless me with this great pincushion. I love that it also hold thread, or whatever I choose, in the center. I immediately retired my old pincushion (that I've had since I was 16). How many years ago was that? I'm not telling! But I really don't mind the birthdays - as a good friend says, "It's better than the alternative!"

I've also been working on finishing up some projects. One was a word challenge that we did in a small quilt group I am privileged to be a part of. I've been wanting to try this method for some time - it is from Vikki Pignatelli's book, Quilting by Improvisation. I did use one of her patterns. My word - Dance. I love to dance and am sneaking up on my husband and I taking dance lessons. This star just seemed perfect. It was a challenge for me, but I really enjoyed it. I also finally used the BSR on my Bernina (my husband has been nagging me to do that since he gave it to me over a year ago). You can see the flame stitch I did in gold. Certainly not perfect, but not bad for a first try. It was fun too - especially once I got a rhythm going. And it feels soooo good to get something finished! I've two more quilts done - I'll post those later.

Too Much Fun!

2009-03-17T19:17:00.012-04:00

A group of us went on a quilt retreat to the Waterfall Retreat Center in Warrensville, NC this past weekend. What a blast! Is is possible to have too much fun? We just might have! There was conversation, eating, sewing, eating, laughing, eating, knitting, eating, sharing, and did I mention eating?

Jean is being so very accurate as she works on a quilt for her spring grandchild. Jean also prepared some amazing meals for the group. If you see her, ask her to do her Utz commercial and jingle!

And Michelle is so proud showing off her little green sewing machine to Grace.

Mary Jo finished her doggie quilt for Sam. Lucky dog!

Marianne has a quiet contemplative moment crocheting.

So much was done - sewing, journal making, doll making, cutting, knitting, crocheting, stamp carving, and sketching!

We definitely created to our heart's desire - well, maybe - we're already planning the next retreat!

More Crazy

2009-03-09T16:53:00.007-04:00

Just thought I'd share a little more of my crazies! Technically, the square with the beaded heart is not yet finished - still one more seam to embellish. I find myself running out of ideas, pick up the piece a few days later and know exactly what I'm going to do. Remember I said I didn't like to sew on buttons? There's even a "garden" of buttons! Some of the buttons I've used are very old and very thin - I like to think about what kind of garment they were once sewn on.

Then there is the square with the dragonfly. I love dragonflies and needed to put one on this crazy quilt. I like using French knots and I even found little mirror embellishments for this square.

I am now down to one square to complete. The thought of finishing this part of the project is a little sad. Will it be exciting to put them together? Probably, but they'll be in the line-up with my many other started quilting projects. Just like a good quilter should, I'll probably start something new!

Crazy, Crazy, Crazy

2009-03-04T21:44:00.014-05:00

Twelve or so years ago, I decided to do a crazy quilt. It has been a crazy journey! I love that there are no rules. Fabrics can be combined, gaudy embellishments added, everything every which way and crazy! More than 12 squares later (hey - that's better than one a year!) I have just two left to embellish. It has been an interesting and wonderful journey and an inconsistent journey. There was better than a year I didn't even touch the project. I'm now also the proud owner of about 6 crazy quilt books and more embellishments than I ever imagined.

I've never been overly fond of handwork. I've done my share of embroidery and cross stitch over the years, but never had a real passion for it. And now I find myself spending hours on just one square - doing embroidery and beading, and handstitching embellishments. Stitching buttons onto a shirt is a dreaded chore, yet I've stitched many a button onto these quilt squares. Part of the enjoyment of the buttons is that they were Bob's Mom's buttons that we found years ago in her "button bag" stored in her treadle sewing machine.

This leaf was done by stamping with Lumere paint then adding beads.

Every crazy quilt is supposed to have a web and spider stitched into it for luck.

Only 2 square to finish. As my daughter keeps asking me, "When will it be done?" I can only hope before another twelve years go by!

Poor 'Lil Daffodils

2009-03-02T11:07:00.003-05:00

My favorite season in my yard is when the daffodils are in bloom. There is an army of daffodils in my front yard and it always brings me such joy. Now here we are with snow in March! Poor 'lil things. Many are covered completely. I just hope the bloom isn't lessened and when the snow melts, they will "spring" back to their glory. The good news - the leaves I sitll haven't cleared are also covered! It's supposed to be 65 degrees by Friday. Hopefully the daffodils will once again take their regal place in the yard, and maybe, just maybe, I'll get out there and clear all those nasty leaves!

Now for the Fabrics

2009-01-24T11:01:00.004-05:00

My fat quarters are in drawers, and smaller pieces of fabric are in plastic boxes. But what about yardage? I've never been happy with having it folded and stacked. It stayed messy and it was hard for me to glace at the piles and know what I had. Then I discovered a rectangular vinyl made for story fabrics put out by Polar Notions. Now my yardage is upright on bookshelves and they are grouped. At a glance I can choose yardage without having to pick through piles of fabric. It's also very easy to unroll and cut.

Finally, a solution I am happy with!

Sew Organized

2009-01-20T19:33:00.013-05:00

For the last time (yeah, right), I have reorganized my sewing haven. I am fortunate to have a large finished basement of which I have commandered a large area devoted to my sewing. I am even more fortunate to have a husband who is not only supportive of my hobbies, but indulges my whims and wishes with his handy talents. The cutting table is such a joy. It is 4 feet by 4 feet with two 2 foot wide leaves, all laminated. There is also a storage shelf on the underside. I do not usually do really large quilts, so to be able to lay out a quilt at counter height is a real joy.

The area where I actually sew has 2 desks set up in an "L" shape for my 2 sewing machines. Each area has a spot light. I keep the machines covered because we heat with wood and it tends to be rather dusty. Notice the matching machine covers and chair cover? The thread holder came from a retired quilter which makes it much more special than having bought a new one. The large desk was an old used one that my son and husband cut a custom hole in for the machine.

The larger sewing desk also has an extension that Bob added to it for when I sew large pieces. I am amazed at how much easier it makes sewing a large piece.

Then there are the labeled drawers full of templates, patterns, glues, embellishments, paints, and lots and lots of fat quarters. My "design board" is a large piece of batting that I put up using quilter's basting spray. It really holds - even with a quilt mounted to it!

Over each area, mounted in the ceiling, are also large flourescent fixtures - lots of light and no shadows.

For me, because I am pretty much equally left and right brained, this is the perfect set-up. Although things get quite disasterous while I am in the middle of a project, I need a strong organized set-up. Thanks Bob, for the table, the sewing machine tables, putting in the light fixtures and moving them, and for understanding why I needed it all moved more than once!

Passing the Torch

2008-12-30T10:37:00.008-05:00

My mother was an accomplished sewer. She even made she and my dad matching shirts and dresses for square dancing. I have been passionately sewing since my early 20's. (No, I won't say how many years that has been). My repertoire includes adult and children's clothing, household items, crafts and quilting. No, much to my delight, the torch has passed on to my daughter. She has made window treatments for her home and a friend's home. She sewed almost all her Christmas gifts, including handbags and aprons.

I was so delighted to receive an apron from her on Christmas morning. The apron is even lined - a step further than I think I would have taken it. She is even talking about making a quilt. So sew much to share with her. No doubt, I will be learning from her!

Bags, Bags, Bags

2008-12-28T09:33:00.007-05:00

Handbags and Tote Bags - I am finding these to be so much fun! For Christmas gifts, I made a cute and simple summer bag for a teen. It has interior pockets including one just the right size for a cell phone. For a dancer, I made a large tote - good for dancing shoes and dance wear. The flower pattern on the fabric was perfect for beading. What started out as a few beads turned into hours of beading. I've never been much on handwork, but for some reason the beading is so much fun. It adds some great bling to the work!
A while back I had also made a bag for my daughter, using three different fabrics in the same design family. It also had interior pockets and a zipper closure.

Hand made bags make great gifts and they are a great way to accessorize without spending too much money. Watch out Louis Vuitton - Joyce is the new bag lady!

New Quilt, New Baby

2008-12-13T13:45:00.003-05:00

Welcome to Madison Faith Coleman, my great niece. I've done a quilt for each of my sister's grandchildren - hopefully they won't have too many! This one is called "Cuddle Bugs", because there are just the cutest little bugs on the fabric. She was born in November, so at least I wasn't too tardy. My daughter's baby quilt turned in to her "10 year old quilt", and I haven't heard the last of it yet. The piecing was easy and I did a fair amount of handquilting using pearl cotton. Madison also has a cute little older sister, Ella, who is three. The sad part is that I have not met either one of them yet, but hope to in 2009.

Veteran's Day

2008-11-11T07:25:00.004-05:00

Do you know someone who served in our military or is now serving? Please give them a big thank you today! I am displaying a flag outside today to help others remember the importance of this day. I am proud to say that my father, brother, husband and son all served, as did my father-in-law and brother-in-law. It's not easy sending a son off to basic training, but I will always be grateful that he took that path. Don't know anyone who has served or is serving? Then please take a moment to thank God for their commitment to our country. Happy Veteran's Day!

A Patient Craft

2008-11-08T19:50:00.004-05:00

Uncle Jasper, my husband's sister's husband, is one of those men who can tell a story, or "spin a yarn," like no other. My son especially, can listen to his storytelling all day. Always amusing and interesting. Now retired, Jasper has built himself a super man cave in the form of a large barn where he "piddles" with various projects. He recently gave my husband some of the arrowheads he had fashioned from stone and glass - he very patiently sits and grinds and shapes each one until it is just the right shape. As most treasures of this kind, it was headed for Bob's dresser drawer. I couldn't help think that this would be such a shame, so I mounted them on velvet and placed them in a frame so we can hang it on a wall for us to admire whenever we pass it by. We are honored to have these treasures, and best of all, it will always bring to mind Uncle Jasper (we don't get to see him too often as he lives in Alabama). Can't you just hear him telling one of his tales as he painstakingly crafts an arrowhead?!

Just A Little Jealous

2008-11-02T15:20:00.012-05:00

Last week my daughter was at the Houston Quilt Market for her work. She works for Westminster Fibers, a company that represents many fabric designers. There she was - amongst thousands of fabrics, quilts, quilting tools, machines and threads. I enjoyed her level of excitement whenever she called. Yes, I'm excited for her, but just a wee bit jealous too! She even got to meet and schmooz with a few celebraties - some from the world of quilting and others from the world of television. She met Kaffe Fassett, Amy Butler, Jay McCarroll (of Project Runway fame and now has his own fabric line) and Marie Osmond (of music and television fame and also has a fabric line).

One of the things I have enjoyed most about her being part of the fabric industry is that it has sparked an interest for her in sewing and she is designing and making some marvelous things. For me to see my child enjoy doing what I have enjoyed doing for years gives me real joy. You go Elyse - can't wait for your next market!!

Attention Quilters!

2008-10-08T10:32:00.010-04:00

A great resource for free quilt patterns is www.freespiritfabric.com. For each designer's collection, a quilt was designed, made, and posted with the complete pattern and a great picture.

You can also see all the latest offerings of the Free Spirit fabrics, with designs by Tina Givens, Donna Dewberry and Jay McCarroll to name a few. You can also take a peek at all the newest Rowan fabrics, on westminsterfabrics.com - the newest Amy Butler and Kaffe Fassett designs. I sometimes find viewing ahead of time inspiring and time saving!

2 Artist's Sites to View

2008-09-27T15:58:00.010-04:00

I'd like to share two websites of 2 artists I so admire - their creativity and their persons. I have watched both of these women's creativity grow with growth spurts that resulted from tough times in their life. One with physical demands and both caring for elderly parents and both losing their beloved fathers. I firmly believe that all women possess creative talents. Although they may not paint, sculpt or sew, they perhaps set a beautiful table, play an instrument, plant a great garden, or write lovely notes. The list is endless. To see the talents realized, grasped and pursued, is a real joy.

Diane O'Malley, clay artist, has been a dear friend of my whole family for many years. She is "other mother" to my children. She has taken many workshops to help develop her technique and has a great eye for form. She is now offering classes, so if you've ever wanted to "play in clay," take a look at her site, seize the moment and sign up! http://dianeomalley.com/creations

I met Jeanelle through the church I work at and she has been a blessing to know. Her jewelry creations are so unique. She marries semi-precious gemstones and wire in a way I have never seen before. I also love the way she honors her mother with a special element she adds to each piece, as she explaines on her website, http://jeanellesorenson.com/
I hope you enjoy visiting with these two artists and Happy Creating!!

Creative Again with Passion

2008-09-18T18:07:00.008-04:00

Two weeks ago I attended the "Live & Bloom in Full Color" retreat in Blowing Rock where we did a mixed media project. This wasn't the type of project I would normally tackle, but it was fun being with 49 other creative ladies and I did learn much. It was also fun to be able to just sit and play with paints, glue, dyes and so very much more!

After coming home I had surgery, and while recuperating I completed the project - boy that felt good! Basically, this is a decorated box turned "bird house" (see the nest in the attic?). Inside hangs a book.

My theme for the project was PASSION. I mentioned in an earlier post that I was in a small group where we talked about "living fully"...well I'm going to do it passionately. I'm not going to obligate myself with blase projects, but only those I'm passionate and excited about. Yes, I will still be cleaning house, but that's different!

So my friends, no matter what you do, go at it with passion - whether you quilt, garden, paint, write, cook, bake, compose, sing, decorate, arrange flowers, or set a pretty table - do so passionately and see your gifts come to life!

Living Fully

2008-08-10T18:58:00.006-04:00

I was recently in a small group study on Living Fully, Dying Well (I'll get to the second part another time). It made me realize that I tend to put too many things off for not very good reasons. So, this past weekend I planned a two day trip with two good friends to Floyd, Virginia. We stayed at the brand new Floyd Hotel which is a green facility and everything in our suite was handcrafted - bamboo floors, solid wood doors, original artwork on the walls, down comforters - an amazing treat.

What a great place! One in twelve residents in Floyd are artists or musicians! There were several galleries with wonderful artistic creations. There was also the Jacksonville Center for the Arts - a great art show and a place where you can take lessons in various mediums for a weekend or a week.

On Friday nights the town is filled with music. Musicians are on the street playing their fiddles, mandolins, guitars, etc. and the Country Store has a music show. The pleasant mountain air and great restaurants added to the pleasure of our two days. It's also a great place to find antiques at reasonable prices.

Having been in school last year I didn't do much other than study. I have come to fully appreciate that there is so much to do and enjoy, and especially enjoying it with good friends. I encourage all to Live Fully, and if you get the chance, do take a trip to Floyd, Virginia.

A Joyful Task

2008-08-06T18:04:00.000-04:00

My 95-year old mother in law "tasked" me with making her a lap quilt. I immediately bought the fabric and went to work. I just didn't like the results, so on a Friday, I bought more fabric. The goal was for it to be bright (her eyesight is no longer 100 percent) and to cover her lap to her toes. On Thursday I delivered it! Choosing batik fabrics was definitely the ticket. The best part was seeing how surprised and pleased she was. Definitely a chocolate moment!