Design Wall Monday

I am going to try to link this post to Judy's blog. I have been trying for the longest and haven't figured it out. I will try one more time. This quilt was originally a small lap, but I "don't do small" so I redrafted it with EQ6 into a larger (probably) twin size. The draft includes a border, but I really think this will not take a border well so I will leave it off. It is like putting a puzzle together and I have to be very careful in the orientation of the blocks. My design wall isn't big so I am going to have to put it together by halves---almost done!

Back from Puducah!

I am back from my trip to Puducah and although I had lots of fun, something was missing. Diane didn't get to make it afterall!!! I missed having her and enjoying her company, but things happen! Hopefully she will be able to make the trip this summer. My husband though took me on Wednesday. Even though quilting "isn't his thing"---he gave it his best! There is nothing like a quilting husband.

On Saturday I went with Liz on her Guild's bus! What a nice group of ladies----they made me feel so at home and welcome. It was lots of fun and I am glad I went with them. I have included a few pictures. The first is of a tree that was at the park in the rest area. Have you ever seen anything like this growing on a tree? It gives me the creeps just looking at it. I am not sure you can see, but they had thorn like things growing out of them. Clearly it is some type of plant parasite. I sure hope it doesn't get on any of my trees.

The next is the quilt I am currently working on. I am really liking how it is looking!

Well thanks for stopping by! More pictures to follow!

Life Does Get In the Way---Doesn't It!!!!!

Just wanted to stop by and say a quick "hey"! Haven't really been doing too much sewing. My brother has been visiting and my youngest son and his family have relocated here. It will be so nice to have them here! My daughter and I joke that we are slowing bringing everyone here! It has made for a busy week!

I am anxiously waiting for next week! Diane gets here on Tuesday and then on Wednesday we leave for Puducah!!!! Money is a bit tight this year---but we will have fun looking at the quilts and generally enjoying each others company. We joked that usually we don't get to really look at the quilts because we are spending so much time with the vendors----not so this year. We still though have a small list---My list includes some blue's (I am going to make a blue/white-beige apple core quilt); some dyes from Pro Chemical; and have a look at Creative Grids and see what new rulers they have. I also want to make a stop at the Rotary Club displays and vendors. We have never gotten a chance to go there. All in all, I think we will have our usual good time, in spite of tight budgets. I must admit, I have set aside $10 for the Strawberry Shortcake (one for Wednesday and when we go back on Thursday). If I buy nothing else, I have got to have my shortcake :-)

Have a great evening!

YO-YO ROAD TRIP !!!!

I had to take a picture of this beautiful tree I saw as we traveled! I couldn't have found a more appropriate representative of Spring in this part of the world!

These are the purchases I made on our trip! The picture doesn't include the book, ruler (tool), or patterns I also purchased. They are all sitting on the Yo-Yo gift I got to take home.

The "Yo-Yo's"----am I in the picture or am I the photographer :-)!

I have become really good friends with a couple of members of my quilting guild (don't get me wrong, I enjoy everyone, but as always there are always people you seem to grow closer to--for whatever reason). They had formed a little support group, and I was invited to join (actually I think I invited myself and they didn't say no)---the group is called "The Yo-Yo's". We have no really "official" rules, we are essentially a group of quilters that enjoy the art and each other. What makes us work is the fact that we share a lot of similarities, but also have enough differences to make our friendship work. Anyway, we get together to celebrate (we have decided) three times a year. We had our first get-together at Christmas and the second one was on Good Friday, April 2nd. We comprised a "gift list" and exchanged them. The lists included:

1. 1 yard of green fabric
2. A candle that smelled of spring
3. A pincushion (either home made or what could pass for home made)
4. A quilting notion or toy
5. A bunny (could be chocolate)
6. A spool of thread
7. 4 fat-quarters that reminded you of Easter eggs
8. A 12.5 inch quilt block (using a basket pattern and made of pre-selected fabric)
9. All of the above packed in a container of some kind.

I loved EVERYTHING in my box, but honestly, if I had gotten any of the other boxes, I would have been just as pleased. These ladies know how to "pack a box" :-)

Now what made this "party" especially fun (beside getting gifts--which I always find make me happy) was the fact that this time we also took a "road trip" to this fantastic quilt shop in Smith's Grove, KY (Whittle's). I had never been there, but I gotta tell you, I will definitely return. The prices are unbelievable and the pleasantness of the owners are something that I haven't experienced in years!!!!! Of course I definitely cut into my allocated shopping budget for AQS, but there is absolutely no way I would ever have been able to find these same prices. If you are ever near Smith's Grove, I really recommend you stop by---you will NOT regret it!!!!

After the shopping trip, we went to a great restaurant for dinner, exchanged our gifts and reminisced about all the fun we had. I am so grateful to my Yo-Yo Sisters----because I am new to this part of the country and had to leave my other sister (Diane) behind when I moved. Because of them, I find I have less "pity parties". If only Diane would move here, there would be perfection in the world (hurry up April 20---Diane is coming to visit). Unfortunately I had to go to work yesterday, but my happy memories kept me smiling all day. Our next "party" will be in July or August and I can hardly wait!

Well, gotta go get ready for the day, have a blessed Easter and thanks again for stopping by!!!