Happy Independence Day!

Cross Stitch & Muffins

Kathy asked for pictures of hand work. I stitched these two little gals last week from a Gloria & Pat pattern. The design area is about 1 1/2" x 3". I'm not sure what I will do with them yet. Any ideas?

Somebody posted about rhubarb muffins recently and shared the recipe. I'm sorry I can't remember who is was, but thank you! They were delicious. Here's my batch.

Bye Bye June

Can you believe that half of the year is over already? The days just fly by and I can't do anything to slow them down.

I was able to attend Quilt Festival in Shipshewana, IN this month. Wonderful quilts and School House was fun, too. Saw Ricky Tims, Kaye England and Darlene Zimmerman just to drop a few names.

About 30 World War II quilts from the collection of Sue Reich were on display in Hostetler's Hudson Museum. This museum houses the largest collection in the world of early 1900 Hudson cars. The quilts were draped over the front of the cars.

The bakery in the Blue Gate had this cute Bee cake spinning on display. Too cute. We enjoyed a family style meal of chicken and roast beef with all the trimmings after a day of shopping and the quilt show.

On Friday, we attended School House. It felt like the first day in a new school as we looked for our rooms. There were many helpers in the hallways who knew the layout and were eager to assist.

Caught Up!

I have finally read all of the posts in my Bloglines! Some days it seemed I was getting more behind than when I started. There were over 2000 posts to read or delete. I couldn't delete. Sorry, the comments were very few and far between.

The past three week-ends we have attended two weddings and one graduation party. It's that time of year. Also managed three days at the June 'Sleep At Home' Retreat where I sewed months 7 & 8 of The Cotton Club strip quilt. Coloring in the photos is off on the second picture. At the April Retreat, four of us finished sewing a wall hanging for celebrating birthdays. We had them quilted at the same time and mine is now done.

The last quilt is the third little 12" quilt from Lori Smith. I loved making it.

Wisconsin

We made a quick trip to Wisconsin to hear our grandson, Ian, sing at his freshman concert. He did a fantastic job! He chose "Do You Hear The People Sing?" from Les Miserables as his song. Uncle JJ accompanied him on the piano. It was a special evening.

While the grands were in school on Wednesday, we went to Menominee Falls to check out the new location of The Quilted Basket. This building is really nice and appears to go on and on with more temping things in each area.

Not good with changes!

So Blogger has 'improved' my blogging experience...but I don't like change. I'm not blessed with a geek brain so once I learn something, I want it to stay that way. Since that won't happen, I'll have to keep trying.

Connie and I worked at The Quilted Cottage last week for the first day of the Shop Hop. We cut fabrics all day and that can be a dangerous place to be. Not because of the rotary blades, but because you have to handle all those beautiful bolts of fabric and put them back without cutting some for yourself. (I only cut two for me) There were some hoppers dressed to match the theme, which was Beach Party.

Our Civil War group decided to switch to the Lori Smith Quilt Squares. They finish at 12 inches and are fun and quick to make. They can be used at a table topper or framed or hung on a decorative hanger. Here are my first two. Annie seems to prefer the nine patch.

Bee Day

Last Monday was bee day at my house. Mary and Connie had finished projects to share with us

Connie's Lori Smith quilt.

I made apple pie for dessert.

I'm having a difficult time figuring out the new page for Blogger. Be back soon.

Absent Again

It seems like I was just welcoming the month of April and now it's already on its way out. This week I've been lost in my sewing room. What a nightmare! Jim thought it would be a good idea to haul things into the living room, but over half of it is still there. I need to purge! Any advice?

Beth Ferrier is a member of our quilt guild and was our speaker in March. I remember when Beth first moved here and now she teaches all over the world and has written many books. I took her class in March, but haven't had time to finish the project. Beth showed us how to make the teeniest stems! I need practice on docking my flower pieces and placing the shades correctly, but it was a fun class. When it's finished, there will be three roses, vines and leaves.

I made a Detroit Tigers button bouquet for my sister's birthday. The little vase was only about four or five inches high. Now I want one.

The little violet I made for the Habitat auction this year. The flowers are dimensional and made from yo yos.

I had a wonderful time in Shipshewana at the Dear Jane Retreat. There were several new faces this time and the show and tell is always fabulous.

It says I have 1780 blog posts to read in order to catch up. I may lock myself in my sewing room until then.

Happy April!

Saturday was the bridal shower for my niece, Brandi. The 'Aunts' have been working on different items for the shower that I couldn't show until now. Connie and I made 12 pair of cupcake potholders for door prizes.

The theme for Brandi's shower was "Tea Party". Aunts Judy, Connie, Lori and myself made over 40 travel tea bag holders. We put two packets of tea, sweetener and sugar inside each. These were used as table favors. Here are the ones I made.

Aunt Judy made 8 centerpieces that were so cute and also used as prizes

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The Carrot Bunch

I've been absent from blogging, but keeping very busy. Two weeks ago, I attended the March Sleep At Home Retreat. On Friday, MaryJane started working on a carrot table runner. Several of us remembered the free pattern available at All People Quilts several years ago. Next thing you know, we're piling up bolts of oranges. Saturday was spent 'growing' our carrots. What a fun time! I love impromtu projects.

Since their were leftovers scraps, I made six little carrot pins for the gals who shared the tables with me at the retreat.

The carrot sparked a need to make an egg runner, too. Lana drew up an egg shape and Jackie chose fabrics and rick rack for us. Here's Jackie with her finished Easter Egg.

Here's a little quilt that I finished for my daughter, Kari. She is a purple girl, so when I saw this a few years ago, I knew I needed to make it for her. Jackie quilted circles for me so I could get it finished and sent.

Clothesline Club & Rabbits

Tuesday night was Clothesline Club at The Quilted Cottage. Although Darlene Zimmerman is no longer facilitating this club, we continue to meet every other month. Several gals are working on blocks from this magazine.

Others are making Aunt Grace's Garden Party Row Quilt which can be seen HERE.

Lana, who is one talented gal, brought a few of her projects for show and tell. Among her items were these adorable wooden rabbits. She calls them her "Hare Line".
Lana paints the rabbits, carves the shoes and sews their ears and outfits. They are so adorable.

This is Abigail and Broomhilda Hare.

Next meet Holly Hare. She makes her appearance at Christmas.

Gracie Hare and her cute saddle shoes.

Last, but not least, is Woolamina Hare. The accessories with each hare are perfect for the occasion. Woolamina has a basket of wool mittens.

Here's the group together. Click the individual photos for a closer look.

One More Minnesota Post

Vicki wasn't the only visitor who surprised us in Minnesota. Kim, another quilter we met throught the Dear Jane retreats, visited on Saturday.

Celine Perkins from Perkins Dry Goods visited with JoAnn to show her new patterns.

This quilt hangs in one of the bathrooms at Four Seasons Quilt Shop.

Saturday was the last meeting of the Prairie Woman's Sewing Circle - 2. The colors in the photo are a little off, but I loved making this quilt.

We're starting a new project group next month. Have you seen the Lori Smith quilts that measure 12" square? Aren't they adorable? We'll be using Quilt Squares #1 for our first series.

Saturday

While visiting Four Seasons Quilt Shop in Minnesota, we were fortunate to see Sue's Dear Jane quilt top. She had just finished assembling the 169 blocks. It's beautiful.

These little quilts were available as kits or patterns. They were just adorable! I brought home patterns.

A friend whom we met at the Dear Jane Retreats in Shipshewana years ago surprised us one afternoon when she walked into the shop. Vicki is known as Cheddar Queen as she thinks cheddar is a neutral.

More tomorrow...