Spring is here

I am sitting out on the screen porch as I write this enjoying the spring - finally! (It's a tadbit cool, but I won't admit it.) The wind chimes are chiming, the birds are cheeping and Big T is installing some outdoor landscape lighting. It doesn't get any better than this.

I posted two more quilts on Hummingbird Treasures this morning. My Hummingbird table runner and the contemporary quilt art - A Study in Purple. I am quite pleased with both of them. I finished the wall hanging in a free shape format instead of the traditional squared form. We'll see what kind of response they get on Etsy.

Yesterday I opened Konda's blog for the jelly roll winner for block 2 and there was my block. I'm afraid my shout was not very lady-like. I won a gift certificate from Debby Maddie, the designer of block 2. Thank you Konda.

My Christmas Cactus is putting out one more bloom. I will have a Christmas flower by Easter Sunday. It must be getting just the right amount of sunshine through the window.

Hugs to all! (I'm off to find a long sleeve shirt for my adventure on the back porch.)

Marie

Completed Projects

I've neglected my blogging for a few days to finish a couple of projects underway. Here is a picture of the Butterfly Garden Wall Hanging that I just posted. I like the way it turned out so all in all, it's ok that my first attempt didn't work out because this one is 100 times better.




I also completed a Hummingbird Table Runner but have not yet posted it to Hummingbird Treasures. I need at least one more good photo to go with it and I think this one calls for Big T. I need a full length photo and it is 54 inches long. But here is an idea of what it looks like.





Spring is in full bloom around here. I have a pollen headache after we went for a short ride and out to lunch. The North Carolina Red Bud trees are just popping out in the most beautiful shade of hot pink. (Alyssa, you would love the color - I wish I could capture it for you.) Also the Bradford Pears and the Forsythia everywhere you look. And of course daffodils. I also saw the first tulips on our ride.


I love our new ceiling fans. This should really help my studio which faces directly south. Of course, it's still a little early to have them on but I had to test them now didn't I?



Oh before I forget again - here is my second block on the jelly roll challenge from Moose on the Porch. I am so excited, I can hardly wait for the third block. Now I have to remember how to put it out on Flickr so I get an entry in the drawing. Hmmmm - where did I put those instructions?

Hugs to my friends who read this faithfully and are truly becoming a real part of my growing up.


Marie

Pay It Forward - Kreativ Blogger Award

I still can’t believe I was awarded the Kreativ Blogger Award from my dear friend Alyssa at Alygatr’s Everywhere. I am so honored and now I am excited to pass it on those blogs that I enjoy and admire. First let me say that blogging has introduced me to more friends than I ever thought possible – what a beautiful world blogging is!!!

Let’s see the rules of the Kreativ Blogging Award say that I have to tell you seven things about me that you don’t know. Hm-m-m-m-m-m.

1. Big T and I were college sweethearts and have been married for a very, very long time. (A really long time!)
2. I could eat my weight in bar-b-que ribs. The good gooey finger licking kind that gets all over you. Throw in a few French fries and I’ll think I died and went to heaven.
3. I love pineapple pie. (I must be on a food kick.) It was always a special treat on my birthday. (I don’t care for cake.) Last year M made me one for my birthday and when she served it, I asked her where the top crust was. She looked at it and said “I knew I forgot something.”
4. My birthday is my favorite day of the whole year. I know that’s being really selfish of me – but it’s true.
5. One year in a doubles bowling tournament I won the prize for “lowest score”, “highest score” and “most improved player”. It’s the only sports event I ever succeeded at. My trophy took a place of honor on the bookcase for several years. (I was also accused of sandbagging. I just told them they were jealous.)
6. I didn’t start sewing until two years ago. I have always knitted and crocheted but never sewed anything worth showing or keeping. I actually took the “learn to quilt class” as a way to meet friends when we moved to North Carolina. (My knitting is magic it grows and grows. I made a twin afghan for my daughter to take to college. It now fits her queen sized bed.)
7. I do not particularly like to cook. Big T and I do most of the cooking together. That’s the only way he knows he is going to get a real meal. Probably if it were up to me, we would be on a straight cold cereal diet. Even worse than cooking is the dreaded question “what are we having for dinner tonight”?

Ok now you know ALL about me - what else do I have to do? Pass the award on to seven blogs that I follow on a regular basis. My seven awardees are (drumroll please):
Lace Hearts
Boutiqueaholic
Loft Creations
Sugar Spun Quilt
Lazy Gal Quilting
Q is for Quilt
Anieman Designs

Now the final direction to Pay It Forward (if you should wish to do so):

1. Copy/paste the Kreativ Blogger Award picture onto your blog

2. Thank the person who awarded it to you and post a link to her/his blog

3. Write 7 things about yourself we might not know

4. Choose 7 other bloggers to award

5. Link to them

6. Notify your 7 bloggers of their award

Thank you Alyssa. (I think I’ve said that several other times this week.) Please visit her shop on Etsy and enjoy her work – the flowers are exquisite.

The custom diaper bag is finished and on its way to its new owner. I hope she’s as pleased with it as I am. It was going so smoothly until I discovered I put the top bands on upside down. I even had the top stitching done. But I must admit it does seem to work better with all the pattern pieces going in the same direction.

The quilt wall is covered and the batting is securely fastened down just waiting to be hung. He was going to hang it Sunday as planned but other family commitments took priority. Right now it is laying in the middle of the floor in my home studio (aka sewing room). This is the last piece before my room is finished with the make over.

I also finished my would-be table runner turned tote bag string quilt challenge project. (Try saying that 10 times). That will make two entries in the “no strings attached challenge” and 5 finished new projects in 2010. ‘Chick and Chic’ is now posted on Hummingbird Treasures. I am so proud of myself, it is the 28th of January and I haven’t bought any fabric or new machine embroidery patterns yet this year. (The diaper bag doesn’t count because she provided the fabric.)

Daughter M is my model. Isn't she lovely?

From me to you, lots of hugs and thanks for joining me in my new adventures of learning to be creative and artistic.

Marie