A Day Of Gardening...

It has been a day of gardening while my husband strips wallpaper off the mud room walls. My youngest is graduating this year, providing he passes this one class... he's keeping us in suspense... gotta love him. As I plan everything to be in his school colors, I'm hoping he's turning in his late work. Yesterday I got his senior poster done and his Grad announcement/invitations ready to be ordered from Shutterfly. I feel like I'm somewhat organized. Today was the perfect day to relax and garden.

I've always wanted to make a terrarium. This was a lot of fun to put
together. Yup, that's 'Sandy' from Sponge Bob.... I  couldn't
resist putting it in the bowl. It made me chuckle....

Another look at my succulent arrangement.

The view from above....

I also replanted my pineapple plant into a larger pot.

I planted this planter for outside on my deck.  Red and White.... red impatiens and Diamond Frost.
I think it'll look nice once it fills in a bit.

I know it looks sparse right now. I'm hoping it will fill in and look beautiful by
June 29th, when we are having Thomas' open house.

I found this on Pinterest.... this is what I'm hoping my red and white pots will look like....

The only pot that doesn't look goofy is this lovely
Martha Washington Geranium that I got from my
mom and dad on Mother's Day. My dad made the birdhouse
for me many years ago. Many wrens have raised babies in it.

I hope that you are having a wonderful day and finding some time to relax...

Happy quilting  Gardening,

May's Giveaway!

 

Keep posting those May blocks to the Flickr Group! Seeing everyone's progress on the quilt is so much fun.  Five blocks done so far, we are almost halfway!  I have a wonderful giveaway for this month's block. Remember you need to post your block to the flickr group for a chance to win! I will be picking a winner on June 1st!

Craftsy  has donated a generous prize, a class of your choice!   Wouldn't that be fun, take a new class and learn a new quilting skill! They have fantastic classes and instructors! Take some time and check out the class list! What class would you take if you won?

Keep posting those pictures for a chance to win! Winner will be announced on June 1st. You have until then to post your finished blocks.

Happy Quilting,

Here are some of the awesome 'Spool' blocks that have been posted so far!

 

Twin Cities Shop Hop

A couple of weeks ago and I involved in the Twin Cities Shop Hop! It was so much fun, I got to spend the day at The Bear Patch Quilt Co. in White Bear Lake. It was hard to know what to bring so I brought all of my newer items along with a few customer favorites! I had no problems filling up the space that Debbie and her staff had set up for me. Now if the weather would have just been a little nicer! (It was snowing on and off all day!) I blamed it on the snowman samples that I had on display.

Here is the Quilters Map showing the participants...some hoppers  split the hop into two days, but I did meet some hoppers that did it all in one day!

This lovely quilt was being raffled off by a local quilt guild... it was beautiful.

Here I am, sitting among my samples.... the day went by so fast!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say 'hi'. I enjoyed meeting
all of you! 

Here is Bear Patch's  Twin Cities Shop Hop Quilt....

This adorable display piece at the shop reminded me of  Wilson!

The next time you are in the Twin Cities, take some time to visit these wonderful shops. You don't need a shop hop to visit them all in a day. Just grab a girlfriend or two and do a shop hop of your own!

Happy Quilting!

For The Birds!

It's my turn for 'It's for the Birds' Blog Hop! I was hoping to have something to crow about and put a feather in my cap with a finished project. I was not an early bird and did not get the worm or my project done! I had a difficult time getting my ducks in a row.... Baby girl, 'Lola' visited us this weekend. I got to puppy sit my new little grand-puppy. She is so adorable, but oh so busy! Wilson was a good sport with a not so little puppy underfoot. He enjoyed playing chase, shared his toys, but wasn't to sure about the night of crying when we all went to bed. I've forgotten how busy puppies are. I thought I had all weekend to work on my project, but Lola had other plans for me. I tried so hard to be a night owl last night and get my project done.... but my eyes started to cross and get sleepy! But I do have a start of a project to show you and a fun bird block to share!

First, let me share this beautiful oriole that visited my garden last year.... isn't he pretty!

Thomas with baby girl....

The start of my bird project. I drew this lovely embroidery design and got it transferred to my muslin. This is how much stitching Lola allowed!

I got a little more stitching done last night....

Here is a fun paper piecing block I made a while ago. The block is part of a 'Garden Party' Quilt I'm putting together. For my giveaway, I will giveaway a PDF copy of my bird embroidery design that is pictured above to three lucky winners! Just leave a sweet comment for one chance to win, and follow me for a second chance.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A huge Thank you to Madame Samm and to Mary  for organizing this fun blog hop! I wish I had more to crow about! But it has been so much fun to see what the other chickies have come up with for this 'for the birds' hop. I get to share today with this wonderful flock! Enjoy!

Happy quilting,

http://sunshinequilting.blogspot.com

http://feltfree-p.blogspot.no

http://busyascanbe.blogspot.com

http://quiltdoodledesigns.blogspot.com (You are here!)

http://buzzingandbumbling.blogspot.com

http://patchouli-moon-studio.blogspot.com

http://ecoughlindesigns.blogspot.com

http://mywhittleadventures.blogspot.com

http://SewMuch2Luv.blogspot.com

www.natilittlethings.blogspot.com

http://justletmequilt.blogspot.com

http://ncweekendquilter.blogspot.com

http://Selinaquilts.blogspot.com

http://saneandcrazy.blogspot.com

http://abis-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com

http://roseprairiequilts.blogspot.com

http://marlarockscrafts.blogspot.com

May BOM

May is here and it's time for the BOM for this month. I've never made a spool block before. As a young child I remember marveling at my mom's spools of threads. When I was little I remember finding a ton of  spools in the desk in the laundry room. She had all sorts of colors! I just couldn't wait until I was old enough to sew too! I enjoyed making this block of four spools. I was happy with how it went together You will need at least 3 fabrics to complete this block. I used 5 fabrics and made two sets of spools and alternated them. If you are using a FQB, it might be fun to make 4 different spools. This is a great block to tie some of your colors together. I'm calling this block 'Mama's Spools', it's a very traditional block. Have fun with your fabric while sewing this block together.  The printable pattern can be found FREE HERE and on Craftsy. Past patterns can be found for a small $1.99 fee at my Etsy and Craftsy shops just in case you are just joining the BOM or have missed one. Let me show you how I completed my 'Sewing Spools' block....

Here is the color combination I choose for my spool blocks.  I mixing these with a cream background.

First out of the 'spool' fabric.... cut 2   2  3/8" squares for each spool block.
Then cut the block in half corner to corner.

From your background fabric cut  2    2   3/8" squares for each spool block.
Then cut the block in half corner to corner.

From your 'thread' fabric... cut 1 3  1/2" square for each block. (This is the center)
Then from the 'spool' fabric cut 2   2' x 3 1/2" rectangles for each block.
From the background fabric cut 2   2" x 3   1/2" rectangles for each block.
Here the pieces are all laid out and ready to be sewn.

Sew the triangle pieces together, iron, the trim off the 'dog ears'.

Your spool block is ready to be put together.  You will need for
spool blocks total for the final block.

I made two blocks in this color combo....

And two blocks in this combination.....

Here are my 4 completed spool blocks ready to piece together.

'Sewing Spools'
May's Quilt Doodle BOM 2013

  Don't forget to post photos of your Quilt Doodle BOM finishes in the BOM flicker group for a chance to win May's prize! Woot woot!

The next block pattern will be posted on June 1st! The winner for the May block giveaway will be announced on June 1st.... I can't wait to see every ones 'Mama's Spools' block! Stop back to see this month's giveaway! I will be announcing it on the 15th...  There's a flicker group! Please join...Every month post photos of your Quilt Doodle BOM finishes in the BOM flicker group for a chance to win that month's prize!  There is also a Quilt Doodle BOM Pinterest board. 
Happy quilting!
Congratulations!  Jadavn

DebC in PA

Our April winners won  e-copies of both of the The Quilter's Cookbook from the   Quilting Gallery! Please email me  with your email address so that I can forward it onto Michele at the Quilting Gallery! Hope you both enjoy the e~ cookbooks, the recipes look so yummy!