Thank goodness I put on my bra this morning! ( the story of friendship and hugs)

I was working on my Friday post that obviously did NOT happen because of three little sneaking girls and one super handsome quilty guy and their scheming ways that rocked my ENTIRE little world!

This all started when Amylouwho was organizing a sewing play date at Becky's ( Sarcastic Quilter) house. The local gals try to get together to sew and mostly chat about sewing and things related to life outside of "Where the heck did you leave your shoes!" and " Did you remember to flush and wash your hands?" ( I am speaking of the kids here and hopefully not the husbands but well...).  I was so super excited to go play at Becky's house.  I had not had the chance to get up there and check out her sewing room ( which is SUPER AWESOME) or meet her fur babies or any of her people babies either.  I was looking forward to my sewing mama escape!

Monday of last week I found out the kids had early release.  Early release is a code name for parent torture.  By the time I drop them both off, I have about one hour to get whatever  I can done completed and turn around to start picking them up again. On these days I get very little accomplished and so I debate just dropping them off in my jammies and socks with not even brushing my hair or throwing on a bra to save some time. My sewing mama day was not going to happen. I really hate early release days!

Amy called and we were trying to figure out some way to make all of this work and it simply was not going to happen.  Then she suggested that they all come here.  Now, I am not usually opposed to have my friends come to my house, in fact, I love to have people over.  It is one of the great joys in my life.   But like many people, I was having an off week.  It happens.  Overwhelmed,under energized and just plain BLAH! I put my foot down right there and said NO...numerous times.  Amy is not usually a bossy person and I was wondering why she was being so odd. I was to find out very soon...

Friday...the dreaded early release day...dum...dum...dum...

Becky called in the morning and told me that she and Amy were on their way to the Joann's near my house and asked would I like to meet up with them for a coffee or some fabric groping ( okay Becky did not say that part but I knew she may have meant it).  I really had to get caught up on some work related items and told her I would have to call her back in a few minutes but I REALLY did want to meet them.  By the time I had finished it was just too late.  I called her to let her know and then was even in MORE of a funk...GAH! Stupid early release...

I was in my sad place and I heard a loud bang on my door. I ignored it since I was in no mood to say hello to the bug guy or even my favorite Fed Ex delivery person.  I just sat click, click, clicking away and the phone rang.  I have caller id to weed out those pesky sales calls and I was thrilled to see it was RACHEL!  I had not talked to her since Michael left for deployment.  I was going to whine to her and then feel much better.  She is awesome that way.

I said "Hello"

She said " Hey, what are you doing?"

I said, " Working."

She asked " From home?"

I said, "Yes."

Riveting conversation so far right? It does get better so please hang with me ;)

She said, " Come to your door..."

WTF!!!!!

" YOU ARE NOT AT MY DOOR!"

I pretty much ran down the stairs ( without breaking anything) and opened my door to Rachel standing in the POURING rain with a big smile on her face.  " I love you" Is what she said and gave me a big hug!

again...WTH and THANK GOD I had decided to put on a bra this morning!

Now, Rachel lives in Ohio...I live in VA it is about a six or seven hour drive to my house from hers.  I saw that she was off to somewhere on Instagram ( I would have no clue what was going on in the world without Instagram) and asked where she was going. Thinking she was off to teach.  She never responded.

Amy and Becky were there too and so was Rachel's sweet husband Shane ( Sweetie, you are the BEST!) and my Babylouwho!  I was pretty speechless, which never ever happens.  Amy came out of the car and I instantly would not speak to her!   Could not believe she did not tell me about any of this and then it only got better.  I had to ask where Rachel was going and then Amy said the most amazing thing..." She is here to see you!" What! Why the heck would anyone drive all that way to see me?  I was confused.  Then I had to take a minute to shake off my confusion by getting a snuggle from Babylouwho.  I am convinced that Babylouwho was a strategic move on Amy's part so I could not really be mad.

Then Amy, Becky and Rachel asked me to look in the back of the van.  I looked over the seat and saw nothing.  Then they asked me to come outside and then they showed me the quilt...the quilt that they had made for me.  The reason of the visit was for these three friends, these sisters of deployment to offer me a hug. This is my hug

Becky has a mid arm and created the sweetest whimsical quilting with Aurifil 50wt in white to match all the colorful scrappy prints including Heather Ross, Happy Zombie, Robert Kaufman, Tula Pink LADYBUGS, Denyse Schmidt and many many more that were used to brighten my spirits.  And Becky did not forget my Magic in the Middle Pellon batting either. Becky thinks of everything ;) It was even bound in my signature red.

And the thing that touched my heart the most was the label.

This quilt pattern is named The Deployment Quilt from Rachel's new book.  If you have not seen Rachel's new book, you need to RIGHT NOW!  It is called Quilts Made with Love and is published by Martingale.  It is filed with quilts to make for situations of celebration or times when people you love or sometimes people you do not even know need the comfort of a quilt.  The patterns are clearly written, easy to follow and these are quilts you will have fun making and be proud to give.  You can believe me when I tell you that this girl believes in these quilts, in the love that they bring...and I can testify that is is 100% right!

Was this to be the end of it...OH NO!!!!  After I was able to get my mouth to close and pick up the kids I hauled my troops up to Becky's house and we had another visitor...JOHN Q. ADAMS ( the man I lovingly refer to as Grizzly) ...WHAT THE WHAT!?!  Best hugger ever...just sayin!!!!

We spent an amazing evening eating, talking, laughing and we all took turns on Becky's midarm using Aurifil...of course...I love her!

Here is John doin his magic!

And Rachel rockin the swirling loops

Thank you so much to my dear friends...I LOVE YOU and life just would not be the same without you!

What a SURPRISE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!  I did it!  I made it through another year to FORTY SEVEN!!! OMG!!  I may pass out at even the mention of being that close to FIFTY,LOL!  I am not upset about getting older, other than the obvious of my body parts just ain't what they used to be and every time I get up from sitting on the floor I sound like a bowl of Rice Krispies ( SNAP! CRACKLE! POP!).  I actually like getting older, it means I have accomplished one more year of something other than nothing.  This year was filled with quite a lot and I am just GIDDY about one of the events in particular!

My birthday gift from Sara!  I have known Sara for at least five or more years, we met online when I was buying fabric from her,LOL!  She noticed I am an Oma and we started chatting.  We share a love of fabric and sewing and  well isn't that how most all really great friendships start ;o)  Over the years we have shared quite a bit, excitement over new projects, tears over events, our growing children and of course, our continued LOVE for fabric and sewing.

I am loud and Sara is NOT,  I am forward and Sara is NOT, I can be bold to the point of BRAZEN and Sara, not so much! We mesh in a certain way that really works for us and it is comfortable and lovely and well perfect!

Sara is the kindest, sweetest, most talented person I know. To top it off , she is beautiful and can eat ANYTHING and not gain an ounce and I would kinda hate her if I did not love her so much,LOL!!!!

So Sara, sneaky girl that she is, emailed the in house engineer and my children and gave them homework.  She asked that they outline their hands and send them back to her.  She emailed another friend of ours asking what fabrics I liked...very very sneaky,LOL!!!   In three days (seriously...if I did not love her...) she WHIPPED together this stunning quilt!  I am really beginning to wonder if she has a sweatshop in her basement! I received the package the day before my birthday and Sara COULD NOT WAIT for me to open it and when I did, I understood why...

There were the handprints of my family!

My oldest son and his wonderful wife and my two grandchildren that live far away so I do not get to see them much...my second son, who is in the Air Force and will be deploying to Afghanistan in November, my in house engineer that puts up with the 25,000 words I have to use every day, my daughter that is now as tall as me and growing faster than I can breathe, and the little caboose son that  wears me out and I still wake up wondering what wonderment he will bring.

To top it all off she added one more block...a block with her hand and her son and daughter. Guess who was crying...

I was speechless...and that is HARD to do!

I am so SERIOUSLY blown away by this quilt!  It will be cherished for MANY MANY YEARS!!!!

THANK YOU SARA!!!!  I am not sure what I ever did to deserve you but I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Looking for love...on Bloglovin!

I could not post without a photo,LOL!!!  I was able to get one of my catch up blocks completed!!! Woot Woot!

I had been aware of the demise Google Reader but I was not super quick to act on other alternatives.  It seemed there were many choices and I wanted to see what was out there and wanted to see if I even liked any of them.


I found one I do like Bloglovin!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

It it easy to manage, easy to read ( that is A MUST HAVE for me) and I kinda am smitten with the name.


Jennifer over at Ellison Lane Quilts has a super quick and easy post on how you can Claim your Blog and learn to love again at Bloglovin :o)  Thank you Jennifer!!!!


Hope this helps out!  I would hate for anyone to miss even one their favorite posts from the blogs that they follow!

Life with kids and summer sewing

JUNE!!!! School is out for the summer and I have people at home!   It is time to readjust the schedule to accommodate more activities that the smaller ones require so they do not develop the dreaded screen disease!   I am amazed at how quickly they can just look at a television, ipad, ipod, iwhatever...also known in our house as widgets and be HOOKED...so an adjustment is necessary...

The water park is our choice in the battle against screen disease!  Look at all the fun stuff for them to do!!!!

The happy ( for now) people

Having them home and taking them out and about has created a little disturbance in my sewing force.  If I am not at home, I cannot sew...sigh...but I was able to make these and start on some new projects!


Believe Do.good stitches

Tula Pink City Sampler Sew Along blocks 10,11,12

Tula Pink City Sampler Blocks Four, Five and Six

It has been so cool seeing all the Tula Pink City Sampler Modern Blocks popping up on Instagram!  Literally popping!  They are so fast and easy to make and possibly a little bit addictive ;)

If you have not joined in on the fun, there is a Tula Pink City Sampler Quilt Along being hosted by Sew Sweetness showing the blocks and giving tips on how to assemble the blocks.  This was my day ( YAAY!)

My blocks this week are four, five and six...

Bad Blogger...

I have been a very bad blogger.  After Market, I came home and was exhausted and then became ill so I have been not keeping up with my poor neglected blog :(  I have been sewing, although it has been mostly "catch-up" sewing...


I did start the Tula Pink City Sampler Quilt and tomorrow is my day to share on Sew Sweetness!!!!!  Hope you are all joining in on the fun blocks...SO FAST AND EASY!!!!! This is my block number one :o)

Do Good Stitches Believe blocks for April...

Add caption

I did get to meet up with Pat Sloan at IKEA and grab some lunch!!!!  Her ab fabness just keeps getting higher and higher...I LOVE HER!

Pat was looking for a rug and an ironing board and I was looking for nothing but came home with a new set of white dishes made in Portugal for when Rachel comes to visit in OCT!!!!! There were a couple of other things that may have hopped into my cart in Ikea ;o)

I am feeling MUCH BETTER today which is good considering there will be a sewing playdate here tomorrow!!!! If you are in the area...drop on  in...I LOVE my sewing friends!!!!!

I have a Pat Sloan Crush!

A few weeks ago I was playing with some Bobbins and Bits, the new fabric line by Pat Sloan for Moda Fabrics.  Pat asked me to test out a new pattern using her fabrics and I could not say no to Pat ;o)


So here is Crush!  Great pattern and the colors in this line are so perfect, the grays and oranges...TO LIVE FOR!   I had a great time making this quilt top and would like to do another that I get to keep just for me!  The pattern is easy to follow and it goes together pretty fast, which I love.

To see more ( and there are many more) fabrics in this line visit Pat on youtube.  She has some real eyepoppers!





I made the decision yesterday that this will be the line I am using for my Tula Pink City Sampler Quilt Along that will be starting May 20th hosted on Sew Sweetness!  Hope you will all join us for this event!!!!

Last minute baskets!

We are on our second set of kids.  The first two boys are grown and gone, one married to the most wonderful woman in the world and has two of the cutest boys in existence and the other is a meteorologist serving in the U.S. Air Force.  We have done the bunny thing over the years A LOT so I kinda get lazy and wait until the last minute to drag my happy self out to do the Bunny shopping.  And things have changed over the years. There is just so much to choose from and I honestly get a bit over whelmed by ALL of the STUFF to buy.  When the boys were little, I would buy some sort of reusable container that they could then store cars, crayons or LEGO in, new play dough, a few candies an airplane and some new crayons.  I am all about the simple when it comes to Easter. But at Target everything was BIG and honestly none of it looked worth the prices they were asking, with the exception of the Cadbury Eggs.

I came home with the few basket stuffings but no baskets...sigh...

Y'all know I have been loving Pinterest lately!  I think it is possibly the finest collection of  all the stuff I  want to do in one place!  So, I did a search for fabric Easter Baskets and TA DA...this great tutorial on Sew Lux showed up!!!!  It is easy and quick.  If you do not have a basket today...make one NOW!

Katy's basket has Tula Pink The Birds and the Bees ladybugs, Dear Stella Play Date dots and Denyse Schmidt Katie Jump Rope ( I LOVE THE BAG) and Adam chose some very bold dots and stripes from the Riley Blake Pieces of Hope collection.  I used my favorite Pellon CraftFuse and 50/50 cotton soy batting.  I love my Aurifil 40wt, perfect colors and sews like a dream!

Scrappy Trip Along Aurifil and Tula Pink Giveaway

I was cutting strips and it dawned on me that the Scrappy Trip Along could be EASILY done with a Jelly Roll!!!!  I do have these A-HA moments every now and again ;o)

Don't you think Tula Pink The Birds and The Bees would make a FANTABULOUS Scrappy Trip Along quilt and of course you would need the perfect Aurifil colors to match.

Having recently purchased this Jelly Roll from Fat Quarter Shop ( LOVE THEM) I found the perfect colors to match from Aurifil and WOW!!!!!

The giveaway is for one fabulous Tula Pink jelly roll and three large spools of YUMMY Aurifil thread!


To enter for your chance in this giveaway:

1. Leave a comment letting me know if you have joined the Scrappy Trip Along yet ( you know you want to)

2. Become a new follower of my blog ( LOVE new friends) and leave a comment letting me know or if you are already a follower ( LOVE Y'ALL) leave a comment giving me a Happy New Year HUG
(the more love the better)!!!!!


The giveaway will be open until Jan 7th and a random winner will be chosen and announced by Jan 9th.

Good Luck and Happy Scrappy Trip Along!!!!!

Really?

Has it REALLY been a WEEK since I posted last! YIKES!  I have been so busy with stuff and life, it seems like it was only yesterday or maybe day before yesterday :o)

The girlie has her stitches out and everyone has recovered from their illnesses so back to sewing I went!!!!

I had received some wonderful things in my mail this past week that put a stop to anything else I was woking on.

This is one of those things! Thomas Knauer has a new fabric line Frippery coming out at the end of this month and it is amazing!!!!  He was kind enough to sen me some samples to play with...this photo is not enhanced...these ARE the colors! This was at my neighbors house in the perfect afternoon light...all I can say is...YUM!

I had already started a project earlier in the day before I received these in my box so by the end of Friday this is what my house looked like. Seriously, NO ROOM LEFT!

 I had even taken over the tv room and then the kids decided to play what the little man calls Goldfish...ON MY CUTTING BOARD!!!!!! YIKES!!!!

Anyway, I was able to get back to sewing and knew it had to be BRIGHT AND BOLD like Thomas's personality :o)  I used the great tutorial from the always wonderful Jeni at In Color Order and put my own twist on the inner star! I was able to complete this in two days, I HAD to get this completed. I am really in complete love with this quilt top and the new fabric line.

This year's model

One of the traditions I have started in my house is a new handmade pencil bag every year. This year's model is my favorite by FAR!!!!!

Sara ( THANK YOU SARA!!!!) sent me some AMAZINGLY beautiful Tula Pink The Birds and Bees for my birthday and after seeing Annie Lennox's performance at the closing ceremonies for the Olympics which looked like Nightshade come to life I was inspired to do some TULA!!!!!


I made a variation of a nine patch for the front

For my little ladybug :o)

The lining I used was the cute laminate!!!!

I secretly wish she hated it so I could keep it for ME!!!!!

Amazing designers EVERYWHERE

Nothing can prepare you for the greatness that is among you at market, really nothing. I understand that these are just people like I am but they are extremely passionate people with a hell of a lot of talent!  They are genuine and lovely and it was an honor to meet them. You all ROCK!!!!! Thank you for sharing your time and talents with us mere mortals!!!! These are in order of how I took them :o)

First, adding to my list of crushes is Anna Maria Horner, good golly, what can I say! A chic with a large family, can hand stitch stuff, talented artist and loves coffee...I am totally crushin!!!!! Her new line is Field Study and is one of the most beautiful MUST HAVES!!!!

I wish I had taken more photos at this booth it was stunning!


I was also able to meet the lovely Denyse Schmidt. I HOARD her fabric but sssshhhhhhh, that is our little secret ;o)  Her new line is Chicopee and the colors are similar to Hope Valley but instead of muted is is rich and really really amazing!

Then OMG!!!! TULA PINK!!!!!! The booth was awesome!!! The new line...DIVINE!!!!! It is not called divine though it is called Nightshade and can I just say...WOW! I was so awestruck, I forgot to ask if I won the Time Capsule raffle,LOL!!!!!

I spotted the CUTEST bag in Tula's booth and it turns out it belongs to one of the sweetest designers...Sheri of Sheri McCulley Studio!  Did I mention the designers are EVERYWHERE!?!?!

Okay, time for a coffee break and hugs from a boy that missed his mama.