Man oh man... I can't for the life of me figure out where the time goes and how fast it flies by!! I've been a bad girl and haven't posted to my blog in several weeks...eeeeekkk... NOT GOOD! Let's see .. there is the blog, on-line emails, facebook, thank Heavens I'm not on twitter and so many of the other publications... I can't keep up!!

Here's what's been happening... I've been packing the house. My husband has retired (say a prayer for both of us... we have no tbeen together 24-7 our entire marriage.... scary... very scary) and we have decided to move to a more efficient house. We found one here in Jacksonville that has a gorgeous energy efficient kitchen, small yard (mine is BIG) that we can take care of instead of paying someone to mow my grass and take care of the yard that I probably haven't walked in more than a dozen times in 11 years... all brick, new roof... and the best part... I get a HUGE sewing studio. It's so pretty and bright.. love it! As soon as we are in and decorated I'll pass on some photos to you.

So in between packing, keeping my husband busy, and trying to design and sew... the time has just escaped me. Vicky is piecing my samples (love you sis!) as fast as I have them designed and the fabric chosen. Talking about fabric... I packed my double door closet (huge linen closet) and my walk-in closet with all of my fabrics, kits, projects, etc.... well do I need to say... OMG!!!!

I can design 15,000 quilts and will not have to buy one stitch of fabric to make the sample. Of course you and I both know that's a big ball-faced story... ha!

This is a new sample for "Princess Charming" that Vicky designed several years ago. The colors are so much prettier than this picture shows. I can't wait to see it when it's finished.

I'm trying to design patterns that are easier and those that are a little more challenging. This is EASY, fast and can be great fun. I've seen it done in batiks and Kaffe Fassett fabric and it's so cool.

Here's another idea I had for a quilt... design a basic pattern that can be quickly made by anyone and add beautiful wool applique pieces to the front... for example.. I have this drawing that I finished of a HUGE ROOSTER... wouldn't he look cute on the bottom of the quilt in the corner... facing the middle of the quilt...? Or.. .if you want the quilt to look more feminine...let's say for a little girls room... the wool pieces could be 2 adorable bunnies... get my idea? I'll have to play around and see what it looks like. (man.... I wish I could shut off the brain for awhile!)

Pretty Pots A Plenty is now finished at the quilters and Vicky is in the process of binding this sweet thing! I love this quilt... it reminds me of an old fashioned quilt that is on top of a big thick feather down mattress... you hop in bed, sink into the mattress and cover up with this luscious thing... aaahhh... doesn't that sound wonderful?

I'm currently piecing two new quilts... "Flight of the Sparrows" and "Southern Gathering" Block of the Month. I'm so excited to get them finished... first to see how they look all together and second... I'm ready to move on to a new project and/or design.


My next project is going to be a bed runner... you know... the kind they have in the hotels.. that lies at the food of your bed for decor. Actually... they have those on the bed for you to place your suitcase on to empty... that way the coverlet stays clean longer... kind of like when you unpack on the cruise ships. I'm making mine with wool applique.. and there better be NO SUITCASES placed on it!! I'll post a sketch of the design when I get to that point.


I'm off to sew... yippee!!! Have a happy day and remember... "Celebrate Handmade"!



Gloria

Eeeeekkk... It's July already!!

What happens to the days, the hours, the minutes? Wow.. an entire month has gone by and I haven't had the chance to post anything new to my blog! I've done so much this past month!

I've just returned from the Vermont Quilt Show where I helped Paula Barnes (with Bonnie Blue Quilts) with their gorgeous booth. What a nice show... great show volunteers. We felt so welcomed.. they even brought us bottled water and cookies each afternoon. Now how sweet is that? I'm sure it goes unsaid that both Paula and I didn't want to hurt their feelings when it came to accepting those cookies... so we took them! HA!!!

See this rack? It's my newest bestest friend!! Paula told me she just purchased one of these little babies and I thought it was a fabulous idea! It's a project rack. Use each tray... fill it full of your project notes, samples, photos, etc. that pertains to that particular project. Label the tray... them place them in the rack from top to bottom in the order you want (or need) to get them finished... prioritize!!! aaahhh... so wonderful.

I'm sorting through my sewing studio and fillin' em up!!

While in Vermont we took a few hours to play! We found this wonderful primitive shop. I simply wanted one of everything. The outside gardens were also gorgeous! I took some photos.. let's see if I can get them from my Droid phone to this page... here it goes... ick.. I'm not good with all of this technology yet... ok never mind... I've just spent 20 minutes trying to find it on my computer. I'll have to look later.

Today I am working on a new block-of-the-month design made with wool. I haven't chosen the name yet but it's going to be a primitive wool look. I'm making it special to honor all of our military. Each one of them is so special in my heart. My hubby, Jack, served 20 years in the Navy. Now I look at tv and see children defending our country... I just ache for the day when this fighting is all over... and those that are serving overseas in the war zones are safe again. I'll keep you posted on it's progress. I have tons of research to do... to get my mind in the creative patriotic route!

Stay well, stay busy and "Celebrate Homemade" !!

Later... Gloria