Encouragement

It was two years ago that I started blogging.  I started out wanting to be motivated to start and finish projects I had plans to do.  I saw the blog parties and fun things going on and I was motivated to get something done so that I could join in.  Then came the encouraging comments from other bloggers and blog readers and the sharing of ideas and tutorials the fun giveaways, I have really enjoyed so many things about blogging. 

The part of all of this that amazes me is that I feel like I have made friends with so many people that I will most likely never meet.  There is one lady that I wanted to mention today.  Her name is Shannon and she created this picture as a thank you to bloggers who have encouraged her through comments, humor and insight.  She included me in her list and I am honored by that. 

Visit Shannon at A Southern Belle With Northern Roots.  I just visited her blog and saw a great post filled with before and after pictures of the transformation they made in their kitchen and dining room.  Shannon has links on the top right of her blog to the two other blogs she writes.  

 You will be inspired by Shannon, both spiritually and creatively.

It's A Little Bit French

Cheryl Goss of Willowberry Designs is sharing a stitch along called "It's a little bit French".  The lavender in the picture caught my attention right away.

This is my first project.  We are to make two of each design, one to put in our "gift basket" and the other to save for the final project. 

I used two different shades of linen for my stitching and made one into a lavender sachet.  The lavender is some that I grew in our back garden last year.

I have the patterns for two more projects Cheryl has already shared in this stitch along.  I hope to get caught up and share them with you soon.

Visit Willoberry Designs, Cheryl's blog and think about joining in on this stitch along.

Spring "Mantle" and Table Top

I thought I would share a few pictures of my attempts to bring some spring to other parts of the house.  I have been inspired by the many mantles and tabletops I have seen with so much attention to detail.  I pulled out my spring box before the inspiration disappeared and did what I could.

My bookcase/mantle.  It is always hard to get a picture with the mirror behind it.

Now it is time to head outside, even if it is necessary to bundle up.  I just have to see what is coming up in the garden and just do a little digging in the dirt.

Linking to Show Off Your Cottage Monday at The House In The Roses

Have you voted for your favorite block at the Crazy Old Ladies Quilt blog.  One of my blocks made the finals.  It isn't getting many votes but I thought I would remind you to take a look here and vote before times up.

Yeah It's Not Snowing!

It is Sunday morning and when I look outside I see that it is not snowing.  Last week when I opened the front door there were about 2 inches of snow on our front porch.  I think I see just a hint of blue in the grey sky.  Maybe spring is really here. 

I want to share a verse today that I am familiar with but have not yet memorized.  I read this while doing last weeks bible study "Resting In Him" and wrote it down to put it to memory. 

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;  teaching and and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
Colossians 3:16

I love spring when the flowers start peeking up through the ground, when the birds start singing outside our door.  I should be more thankful for the simple things and sing in my heart every day to the Lord.

It is almost time for the Tulip Festival here, that is when it really feels like spring to me.  This is a picture of the tulips I brought home last year.

Have a lovely Sunday.

Quilting Retreat Fun

A couple of weeks ago my sister Lynda and I were able to attend a 3 day retreat where we sewed, ate, talked and met some very creative and inspiring ladies.  We traveled to a town called Coupeville on Whidbey Island where we stayed two nights at a Bed and Breakfast a couple of blocks away from the retreat.  The retreat was sponsored by Melanie, the owner of my favorite fabric shop Fabric Chicks.  Visit her on-line shop if you live to far away to visit in person.  Melanie opened her shop twice each day and we all brought home more wonderful treasures to create with.

This is our workspace, there were ironing boards and cutting tables available around the room.  Lynda's 30 year old fabulous machine broke a short time in to the first day so we shared my machine.  I would cut and press while she sewed then she would cut and press while I sewed.

Lynda is working on her first Jelly Roll quilt and it looks like she is enjoying herself.

This is my Birdie Stitches project, not quite complete.

Here is Lynda's Jelly Roll quilt top.

It was fun to see what everyone was working on.  We had a very special time of show and tell.  A very talented lady who lives locally brought her Tall Ships quilt to share with us.  It is amazing!  All of the applique and is quilting done by hand

This cheerful quilt top was made by another of the ladies who attended.

The two projects below are what I was focused on finishing.  I left a couple of the embroideries for this first quilt at home so I was not able to complete it at the retreat.  I did get quite a bit done though.

This quilt is called A Faithful Friend and was designed by Lena Green

Most of the fabrics I used in this quilt are Fig Tree.

This was my first experience with so much piecing.

The second project I worked on while at the retreat was my Birdie Stitches quilt.  This was a Block of the Month designed by Corey at  Little Miss Shabby

Our time at the retreat was relaxing and inspiring, I am ready to do this again soon.

Two New Quilt Blocks

I am still trying to work on several Block of the Month projects and the one below is one of my favorites. 
This is the newest block for the Bloggers Block of The Month.  I keep thinking I should make two of each block because I really like the way they are turning out and I would end up with a much larger quilt. 

The next block is the March block from the Aurifil Designer of the Month designed by Victoria Findlay Wolfe.   I have enjoyed using the Aurifil thread and have ordered a few more spools.  I hope to catch up on these blocks soon.

Happy Stitching!

Promises and Borders

This is block 2 of Promises and Borders from Jenny of Elefantz' 2012 Block of the month.  I started with the 2nd block because this happens to be my favorite verse.  I have completed several of Jenny's designs and subscribe to her online magazine Elefantz Home.   I am now in the process of working on block one and hope to get caught up and move on to block 3.

Thank you Jenny for sharing your talent with us, I know I am going to treasure this project when it is completed.