2012 May ~ Teacher Appreciation Gift

I made this apple wall hanging for my youngest son's 2nd grade teacher, Mr. Hedges obviously from the name on the front of it...haha :-)  It is a mixture of applique and quilting.  Please ignore the binding, I want to cover my head over it, looks like I did it while I was riding a bike with my helmet on backwards, I was in way too much of a hurry when I did it.  Mr. Hedges did love it though when it was presented to him when I took my youngest into school.  Luckily, he seemed unaware of my binding issue on his gift :-)

I made this lighthouse out of 3 pieces of fabric and stitching :-) My favorite part!

My youngest, proudly holding his gift for his teacher :-)

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2012 May ~ Trip to Grand Canyon & Phoenix AZ

So grateful to have a wonderful trip to Arizona, it was hot but not humid, one day was even 110*F!  We had a wonderful time, even took a 4 hour drive to see the Grand Canyon and stayed until sunset!  I shop hopped at least 7 different quilt shops in the Phoenix area too and there is a book I need to buy, that they were out of too, here it is if you are also interested:    . 

Things I am most grateful for when I got back home, first of all knowing I see my boys soon, then my own bed and pillows, sewing machine, toliet paper, oh my goodness, the hotel (Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa) was wonderful but the tp was sooooo thin...hahaha, then most of all having a towel that covers all my body parts at the same time and that I could actually go out in the parking lot with if there had been a fire alarm (phewwwww, I am soooo glad that didn't happen).  Pics of trip below:

Pic I took while below the rim @ the Grand Canyon - May 2012

Different view of the Grand Canyon - May 2012

Click on images to see them larger :-)

Sunset reflection in stream by our hotel - May 2012

Sunsets reflections in stream where we stayed ~ May 2012

Wild Horse on Dusk 2002 by Sandra Nasewytewa (Pima, Seneca)
I loved the fussy cutting she used for this horse :-)

Morning Quail 2002 by Sandra Nasewytewa (Pima, Seneca) Textile - Quilt

I had to take a pic of these 2 guys in kilts during a BBQ Festival!



And 3 different types of flowers I was helped by an online friend with their proper names, thank you Jesse :-)

"Pink Fairy Duster"
(Calliandra eriophylla.)

Yellow
Trumpet Bush (Tecoma stans.)

"Mexican Bird of Paradise" (Caesalpiniapulcherrima.) It is poisonous.

Ok, this isn't a flower HAHA, but it was my yummy french toast breakfast on my last day in AZ :-D


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End of Bolt Discount

I have a pretty cool suggestion that many of you may already do on your own. When you are out and about looking for fabric for your next project or to add to your stash, don't be afraid to ask if the store offers a discount for end of bolt purchases. I had a shop today offer a 20% discount for any of my end of bolt purchases! I had fun finding bolts of fabric near the end that I really liked, hope you do one day soon as well :-)

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Need Quilt Shop suggestions Please :-)

Hi everyone!  I will be traveling soon to the Phoenix, Arizona and Minneapolis, Minnesota  areas.  I would love your suggestions for if I were to only go to 1 or 2 shops while there, which is a MUST SEE?  Also would love to hear your favorites or even the ones to avoid in other states too and why, maybe it is their great prices or enormous and unique fabric selections, details, details, details pretty please.  :-)   Thanks sooooo much in advance for taking your time to answer this for me.  Big hugs from the Smilie Mommy :-)

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Grateful to be a Mommy

Every day I am grateful for these two little boys.  They overflow my life with so much love, laughter and happiness.  A day can be filled with moments of being so proud and then ten seconds later needing to cover my nose since one or both passed gas....LoL!  I managed to grab this picture today of how good they are to each other.  Times like this make my heart smile and remind me of how blessed I am that they are my sons.  My oldest is ten years old and my baby will be 8 next month!  Ahhhhhh...giggles.  I wish this time could slow down but I know in minutes they will be in college.  Enjoy the time you have with your little ones and take tons of pictures along the way.  They will come in handy for their wedding day when it is time to embarrass them.  

PS...Happy Momma's Day to all!  :-) Tweet

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of my family and friends, new and old!  I came across this picture from last Mother's Day and thought it was a great time to post it :-)  Soooooooo let, me tell you about my Mother's Day this year (so far).  I was told by the hubby I needed to cooperate and stay in the bedroom, the boys were going to be making me breakfast in bed.  I have NEVER had breakfast in bed before today, so I waited with excitement of the unknown of what was about to unfold.  I had my camera ready and attempted to take video at the same time.  Something had to give, so I kept on with taking video.  I had scrambled eggs, with grilled chicken inside, cantaloupe, oj and toast.....yummmmy!  But the best part was the boys sang and danced for me!  My youngest since he was teeny tiny, thought the song "Juke Box Hero by Foreigner" ------> was saying Juice Box Hero!  So they came in with juice boxes in hand and rocked out!  That was awesome!  I also was given a purple lacrosse stick with coordinating purple ball, since I didn't share well last time we went out and played catch with the boys. a cool license plate frame for the Ravens and a Gift Certificate to one of my favorite quilt shops!!!!  I was definitely spoiled this year!  Thank you to my three men, two small and one just right :-) xoxox! 

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2012 May ~ Cross Pillow for God-Daughter's 1st Communion

I  made this pillow for my God-daughter's 1st Communion, that was today (5-5-2012).  I designed the cross myself and will be sharing a pattern/ picture tutorial on how I did it soon :-)