More Inspired by the Sea

This image just popped up on my computer screen.

I have no idea why or where it came from, but it is an amazing picture.

So I thought I would share it with you.

The inspiration here (for me at least) is don't go scuba diving!

The 2011 Progressive Reveal

The 2011 progressives are finally done!
This year's format was:
~Start with whatever you wanted. Stray blocks, new blocks, no blocks. Whatever.
~Each month participants had to add something to the quilt from a predetermined list of options.
~The "options" were submitted at the beginning of the year, 1 from each member, and included:
~Add something green, preferably lime.
~Add at least one star block.
~Add something left over from another project.
~Add an inscription, somewhere, on the quilt.
~Add prairie points.
~Cut something up and refashion it.
~Add something, a block or technique, that you have never tried before.
~Add red or black.
~Add some embroidery.

With that list in mind, here are the quilts.

This is Loris' quilt. She started with the center mariner's compass.

This is Melanie's quilt. She started with 3 vintage blocks, the 2
matching red ones and the one that got cut up and put in the four corners.

This is Trish's quilt. She started with bright colored flannels.
And somewhere along the way it magically morphed into this!

This is mine! I started with 2 of those funny quarter arcs.

This is Vangie's. She started with a panel.

This is Lucretia's. She started with an assortment of embroidered blocks.

These are Linda's. She started with the pastel colored stars.

This is Le's. She started with an assortment of embroidered blocks.

This is Launi's. She started with one of those big stars that got cut in half.

And last, but not least, is Barb. She started with a boatload of giant basket blocks. (Sorry this is upside down, but when I flip it it looks so distorted that upside down is definitely better!)

Inspired by the Sea

My favorite colors are the colors of the sea: blue and gray and green.

~Sarah Plain and Tall

...a sea stone, the sea washes over and over and around it, rolling it until it is round and perfect. ~Sarah Plain and Tall

I hate to say this, but...

About 6 months ago I started thinking that I couldn't see as well as I used to. But, since I am so darn young, hardly more than a baby really, I decided that I must be imagining things. I have a great imagination.

Then, a few weeks ago I started having trouble threading needles. At first it was just those little size 8 betweens, you know the ones made by John James. I love those needles! But then it quickly progressed to the big ol' fat 90/14 Schmetz. Which I also love! Probably just a bad spool of thread. No need to get riled. It was time to order more thread anyhoo.

Then, last week I was sewing with my friend Theresa, who is a beginner. I was winding bobbins and threading the machine for her when she needed it. And would you believe it took me forever to thread it for her! I felt a little embarrassed. But I was pretty darn sure it was just the lighting over by that particular machine.

THEN, my lovely little first born daughter came by a few days ago to help me get ready for a teaching gig. I was stitching away, minding my own business, threading needles and all. But apparently I was not threading them very fast because would you believe that she said to me, "What's the matter mom, are you getting too old to thread a needle".

That's right. "Too old to thread a needle", that is what she said. I should have drowned this child at birth! Or let the wild beasts eat her. Or eaten her myself!! "Too old to thread a needle", she says.

Flash forward to this week, and me and my guy go to the fair to see Tanya Tucker sing her little heart out, Delta Dawn and all. And after the concert my guy wants to walk though the commercial buildings. So we are cruising through the salsa makers, chamois and cookware with a lifetime warranty when we come upon a giant wall of reading glasses. So, I say to my guy:

"Hey, I am gonna try on a pair of those glasses."
"Why, you don't wear glasses."
"I know, I just wanna confirm the fact that I don't need glasses."
"Oh brother."

Guess what happened:

That's right. Mama has a new pair of readers.
But, they're cute right?

So then....(this is like the never ending story)
I say to my guy:
"Sometimes when I rub my eyes, it takes a long time (like 10 seconds) for them to come back into focus."
"That happens to me all the time. Don't worry about it. It's normal."
"Really, you're like the expert on eyeballs or something."
"Trust me. It's normal."
A little time passes, and then he says to me (You're gonna love this)
"Wait 'til you rub your eye and it gets stuck over on the side. Don't freak out when that happens to you. It's also normal."
"What!!"
"Yeah, you rub your eye, and it gets stuck over on the side, and you can't move it back. It's kinda weird. I'm just telling you so you won't freak out when it happens. IT IS NORMAL."
"That is not normal!"
"Yes it is. I asked Bill and he said it is normal. It happens to him all the time."

Seriously, does this look normal to you:

I didn't think so....
But if you happen to run into my guy and Bill in town and they both have jacked-up eyeballs, don't mention it. They think it's normal.

String Block Border

I have been playing with string blocks recently.

This border was a happy little surprise.
Now I just need to add a few more cherries and then put it on the quilt!

4th of July 2011

Independence Day is a big deal in our family. We love it!

Traditionally it includes a little bit if this:

And this:

And this:

And this:

And this year it included this:

That's right! Courtney and Kyle are engaged!!
Look for a wedding early next summer.
And give them big hugs if you see them in town!

Summer Reading

The summer's reading list:

1- Evenings at Five, Gail Godwin- just picked it up at the library because it was small and looked interesting.
2- She Flew the Coop, Michael West- I have been hearing great things about this author!
3- The Help, Katheryn Stockett- my friend Theresa recommended (and lent) this one.
4- Spider Web, Earlene Fowler- because I am a Bennie Harper fan.
5- Spoken From the Heart, Laura Bush- one of America's truly lovely women (and the book was a b-day gift from my bff!)
6- Leadership, Rudy Giuliani- a life long optimist and a great leader (the bff strikes again!!)
7- Jonah, Priscilla Shirer- my super-great summer Bible study.
8- Mixt Salads, Andrew Swallow- because they look and sound yummy.
9- Weddings: organizing your perfect day, Alison Price- hmmm, what's this??
10-The Best of Martha Stewart Living: Weddings- again I say, hmmm....something's definitely going on here!

What are you reading this summer??

Independence Square

My friend Theresa gave me these FABULOUS flags for my birthday.

They provided the inspiration I needed to pull together a cute little patriotic pattern for you.
So, if you happen to run into Theresa, you might want to give her a little hug!!

Click on the photo link below for your free pattern!
Independence Square

Up and Running

I am SO VERY HAPPY to be able to say that my computer has been repaired. So...Let's celebrate with a free pattern or two!!
Today I will post Party Girl and tomorrow, Independence Square.

Party Girl

Click on the photo link below for your free pattern!

Party Girl

Let Freedom Ring!!

May the sun in its course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country! ~Daniel Webster

God Bless the USA!

And God bless you and yours as you celebrate your freedom this Independence Day.

Long May She Wave

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis

Would we all agree that freedom and bravery go hand in hand?
Would we all agree on what danger and destruction looks like?

“The main obstacle for a new world order is America” -George Soros

These are defining times that we live in. Let us live them on purpose!

On The Fritz

I have not forgotten about those promised free patterns!!

Staples still has my computer, and it seems like there is no big concern on their end that those promised free patterns get posted anytime in the near future.

Just kidding Staples. I love you guys!
That was easy.