Fruit?? and I am in Love With Hexagons

Hello Everyone,

Yes, I am seriously behind in my blog reading and e-mails. However, I vow today to get caught up! Yay! But first I wanted to share this picture heavy post with you.

Earlier this week, I received this beautiful Edible Arrangement from none other than my hubby's boss. Yes, that is right. I couldn't imagine why, but a wonderful note was enclosed saying that he appreciates all the support that I give my hubby on the home front for all the long hours he puts in. He also understands that hubby is very instrumental to the success of their business and knows that long hours put a strain on family life. He just wanted us to know that this was not overlooked and was greatly appreciated. Well, we were all just blown away! Plus we chowed down the fruit.... especially the chocolate covered strawberries! Thanks goes to Frank! Here is the arrangement...

Now onto quilty stuff. I have been surfing the web and reading lots of blogs and blog posts regarding hexagons. They have always intrigued me, but I always seemed to be a little intimidated by them. But after reading about them for sometime, I decided to "bite the bullet".

I wondered if there was a die for my AccuQuilt that would accommodate English Paper Piecing. Low and behold there was!!! A die for the fabric and one for the freezer paper (exactly 1/4" smaller than the fabric pieces). I quickly ordered it and couldn't wait to receive it. When it was in my hot little hands, I got out some of my 30's reproduction fabrics and started cutting. Here are some of the results...

Here you can see the freezer paper cuts too...

Ironed to the back of the fabric, ready for basting...

First Grandmother's Flower Garden Block complete!!

More hexies cut and a quarter to show the size...

Second block complete...

I also now have a third block complete and working on the fourth. They really do go quickly. I just love doing handwork at night while watching the tube with kids and hubby. I can't believe how addictive these really are... unbelievable. My goal is to have a quilt made for the guest bedroom. I have no illusions though, it will take me years!

On another side note, remember the giveaway that I had a while ago. Well, Anya was one of the winners for the free quilting. I recently quilted her quilt and you can see it here. Anya did a fantastic job and I was glad to do the quilting.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Until next time...

Fruit?? and I am in Love With Hexagons

Not Your Ordinary "Drunk"ard's Path....

Hello Everyone,

I have been playing a little more with my AccuQuilt. This time with a Drunkard's Path die. Who knew there were so many layouts for this pattern. What I did here is used more modern fabrics and a modern layout. Let me know what you think...

These are the quarter circles. See the little notch in the center for matching the pieces. Please pardon my dirty ironing board cover. I must get a new one.

Here is the "square" portion of the block. Notice the notches on these to match with the quarter circles. Makes piecing "easy peasy"...

Here they are living together. Deciding where they belong on the design wall.

Close up of the notches. They are learning to like each other....

Here they are on the design wall. This is before they are sewn together. It is now quilted and bound. I will show that picture on a special post to come.

I loved putting this one together.

Pillowcase Update: I just wanted to let you all know that so far I have collected a whopping 193 pillowcases for the Hole in the Wall Gang camp. I brought them to guild the other night, bringing their total to 553. This is above their goal of 500 and there is still more being made!! Thank you everyone. These kids will just love them!

Go check out my gallery, it was recently updated and will be again on Saturday. Have a terrific week and until next time...

Not Your Ordinary "Drunk"ard's Path....

Plain Goodness

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone is having a great week! Mine has been hectic and busy. I'm falling behind in responding to e-mails, reading all the blogs I so love to read, and I'm just plain tired. I have also been working on some special things for some special someone's.... more on that another time.

But yesterday, I had a bright spot in my day. I had signed up for a Pay It Forward last year on Peg's blog. For those of you who don't know her quick go visit. I received a wonderful package from down under!! Wait until you see...

Some wonderful Australian candy and cookies. Didn't last long. Tim Tam's are great! I did a search online and you can get them at Target for a limited time only. So go stock up!

I have to say, I have heard of Vegemite, but I am not sure what to do with it, any suggestions would be so helpful.

Then the creme de la creme.... this wonderful table runner was made by Peg. Absolutely impeccable workmanship! I just love it!! Thanks so much, Peg!

Here you can see it gracing the chair side table in my bedroom. It is just the perfect place. That is my Mom with me in the picture.

What a bright spot in a busy week!

Now I would like to offer a bright spot to all of you. Click HERE to see a wonderful slideshow packed with some beautiful inspiration for your creative minds. Turn on your volume and enjoy!!

Until Next Time...

Plain Goodness

Everything Is Just Ducky

Hello Everyone,

Now that the Time for Tea swap has concluded, at least for me and my partner, I can reveal the quilt that I made for Melanie. She already has it hanging in her kitchen. Go check it out here.

I had such fun making this quilt and absolutely love it. And as an extra special bonus it qualifies for two groups that I am participating in.... Nothing But Scraps (because that is all I used) and Project Improv (because the border was all improvised). I hope this is right Anina and Jacquie.

Any way onto the pictures...

The label...

Close up of the quilting...

Close up of one of the teapots...

The quilt....

Enjoy Melanie!!

Okay, so onto some non-quilt related pictures. I wanted to share with you some ducks/geese we ran into while on our trip to AZ. This first one was in a pond at a restaurant. I just loved his hairdo. Never saw a duck with anything like this. I need to find out who his stylist is.... LOL!

Now, silly me, I thought that this was unique. Well, Mother Goose apparently has the same stylist. We were at the Renaissance Festival in Apache Junction and Mother Goose was there. Of course we had to stop and say hello. Here official greeter had the same hair style... go figure!

Then I had to hold the infamous Mother Goose. After all she sends her helpers to a very upscale salon to have their hair done! Have you every held a goose? This was definitely a first for me!

Fun! Well, I am quite busy finishing up some top secret projects, more on that in a another post. Until then, you can check out my newest newsletter online here. There is some great information in it. Also, I have added new customer quilts to my gallery. Check it out for some quilty good inspiration!

Until Next Time...

Everything Is Just Ducky

Tea Time Anyone?

Hello Everyone,

First I wanted to thank Stephanie for doing a wonderful job with the Time for Tea Swap. Lots of fun!! And thank you for the lovely "tea house", you are so talented.

Next, I received my package from my partner!!! YAY!! Melanie from Jelly Bean Angel was my partner and sent me a lovely package, well packages. She recreated for me an English cream tea in a summer garden. How cool is that!

So here is what she sent... the first 3 parcels...

The second 3 parcels.... click on this picture to read her note. All the parcels had to be opened in a specific order.

And the last 4 parcels...

This is what was in the parcels. A CD of wonderful music to listen to while having tea, an apron, a kitchen mitt, towel and wooden spoon. These are all to keep myself clean while making the recipes that she sent. The recipes are for 3 different kinds of scones, which I absolutely adore.

Of course some chocolate, variety of tea, jelly, a placemat and coasters of roses from her garden. They are gorgeous! And a table cloth and napkins where Melanie hand appliqued the wonderfully bright teacups on the edges.

Also included was a spoon/tea bag rest tea pot, and a beautiful bag to carry all of these in so I can go to any garden and have the tea party!

Lots of fun! Thanks so much Melanie! You really made my day and I think I will be planning a little tea party with my friends soon. After all I must try the tea and of course the scones.

Until next time....

Tea Time Anyone?

Sneakity Peekity

Hello Everyone,

Okay, I thought I would "tea"se all the Time for Tea swappers. I haven't given a sneak peek yet, and it is on its way to my partner. So here goes....

Embellishment....

Teapot quilting....

Back of quilt showing teapot fabric on hanging sleeve and teacup fabric on the backing....

You can also see a little more of the quilting too! I sure hope she likes it. You will all see the complete pictures when she receives it, hopefully soon!

Until Next Time....

Sneakity Peekity