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Good Morning!!!

I wanted to take a few minutes and show you some of the wonderful projects that are going on with my friends in the quilting industry.  I am simply amazed at the talent of these women... humbles me... drives me to be more creative... and puts me in my "happy place" when I read their blogs and see their wonderful designs.

Here we go!

First... is Lisa Bongean, Primitive Gatherings in Wisconsin.  Now this girl.. I'm not sure what she eats for breakfast, but she has more energy than the Easter Bunny!!  Each summer she has a BOW (block of the week) that she designs - both wool applique and pieced.  They are simply stunning... that's all I can say... stunning.

Here's what we have for this summer:
This antique quilt is her inspiration... OMG!! Love it!
Each week you will receive fabric to make 12 blocks (14 weeks long) - all reproduction fabric!

Then...this is her wool Block of the Week.... It's simply wonderful!  Then she will have a finishing kit you can purchase.  

Go to Lisa's Blog and read more about it.  If you decide to join... don't wait to long!!!  They fill up fast!

Primitive Gathering Blog   Thanks Lisa for another fun summer of blocks to work on!

Then... moving on to Pam Buda - Heartspun Quilts.  I was reading her blog and she posted two breathtaking quilts that are new!!!

"Abigail's Pins".....

and "Pins and Needles"

Pam also has wonderful "Sew Alongs".... Here is her next one!

You can join in by following her blog!  It's great fun and you will learn so much.... this chick has fabulous techniques.  Pam taught at our Camp Blanding Retreat!  She was a HUGE hit!

Heartspun Quilts Blog

Then.............  We're moving on to Kansas!  Yes... Lynne and Robert (Kansas Troubles Quilts) are in the middle of a great adventure!  They recently took the bottom floor of their retreat house (OMG... it is to die for... I've been there 3 times already!) and opened up a small shop - specializing in Lynnes fabric (Moda), patterns, antiques, and wonderful gifts.  Robert (her hubby) has taken on a Bernina dealership and is loving it!  

Look at these great pictures!

It's kind of hard to see...but they have a cool ladder hanging over the cutting counter...

Yummy displays!!

This is sweet Robert... WOW do I love that lamp over his head!  So cool....

This is her wool corner....

These are some Pam Buda's - Heartspun Quilts - quilt patterns...

Aren't you ready to go shopping???? 

I love, love, love, love....that star!  I want one!!!  How in the heck would I get that home?????  

Here is an adorable new quilt pattern of Lynnes....

"Icicle Stars"  

How cute are those trees???  I'm lovin' it!

You can read more by visiting Lynne's blog:    

Kansas Troubles Blog

Okay... I guess I've gabbed enough... I'll post some more of my favorites next time... how about two (or three) of my favorite quilts shops???

Keep on sewin' ... and Celebrate Handmade!!

Gloria

Good Morning! 

I'm not sure in what part of the country you live in... but here in sunny Florida... it's gorgeous outside!  

Here is an update to the projects we are working on for our June 2014 cruise.  

I've finished my wool applique for the center of my quilt.  This picture doesn't do it justice...but the over dyed wool (from Kiss Rug Hooking) is to "dye" for (hahahahahaha!!!)  Then I've added jumbo ric rac to the front sides in two different shades of green.  Since the quilt is called "Christmas Peace", our sweet little red bird has PEACE ... stringing through him mouth. 

This is the quilt put together - 45" square.  I wanted each of the borders to be a different fabric.  See the cream border on the bottom?  Well... it's going bye-bye and I'll use one of my golds to replace it.  The lighter color just doesn't work!  Once that's finished... it's headed to my quilters (Lynn and Cathy) for their magic!

Then.. .I can have Heather (my daughter) 

take a really awesome picture.

Then... look at this little guy!!!  He started as a simple drawing...

Then... Katie did her hooking magic and he became....

"Topper"!  She had the brilliant idea to tie a wool plaid scarf around his neck for a 3-D look.   "Topper" stands 12" tall and is adorable in a centerpiece for your holiday table... or... how about tucked into a beautiful wreath for your front door?  Or... I would even have him tucked into the Christmas Tree... he can keep watch over the packages!

This seems crazy to get these things done so much ahead of schedule...but that's just how we work here in the design world.... gotta have them up and ready for display on our web site and CRUISEONE's web site.

We'll make an official announcement to both web sites soon....

Take care and keep on sewing' !!!

Gloria

Fun NEW STUFF!!!!

Hi Everyone!!!!

Mark your calendar... today... right now... at this minute!!  Go get it... .I'll wait...........................(humming...)

For JUNE 1 2014 (I'll tell you more later)

What a whirlwind this weekend and first few days of the week have been.... how about you?

Heather and I are working on finding a new web site provider so we've been researching that...

She came over last night and took "bio" photos of Vicky and I - for our CRUISE FLYER... (more on that later) and to send to our FABRIC COMPANY... that we are designing for!

Here's our pearly whites!!  For those of you that have not met us.... Vicky is on the left and I am on the right.  We are twins... however, we don't look too much alike any more.  However, I can say that my Heather is a great photographer and she is a WHIZ on Photoshop!!!  

Then... I've designed our quilt project for the cruise (more on that later)!!

It's a smaller project so it's faster and easier to finish before Christmas!  The "hour glass" blocks are foundation pieced (such a wonderful... DID I SAY WONDERFUL... invention).  Then... the center will be this sweet "Christmas Peace" dove in wool applique!    We'll have the kit all ready for you... you'll simply sit and sew!  Wow... I'm telling you.. it doesn't get much better than this.

PLUS - my sweet friend, Katie Puckett will be instructing traditional wool rug hooking!  Only this sweet little fellow "Topper" is not a rug!  He's a table topper...yes...that's right... he is going to sit on your table (when finished)... or you may want to tuck him into a wreath - or how about in


your Christmas Tree?  The nice thing about snowmen is you don't have to pack them up and store them in your attic as soon as Christmas is over - they can stay out all winter long!   He is approximately 12" tall - and very easy to hook.  

Katie is a fabulous instructor and she's bringing all the equipment with her to show you how.  Kits will be available.  This is the one project you must try... it is so much fun and he will be easy to finish before winter season arrives.

Then... our long time buddies Paula Barnes and Maryellen Robison

- from Red Crinoline Quilts 

will join us on the cruise (more on that later...tee hee) too!  Paula will be teaching a quilt for you that I know you will simply adore.  We'll have a photo of that shortly.... she and I are still working on the decision.  She's been very sick (vertigo) and then when she just started feeling like a human again - she was called for jury duty (in Texas).  Don't they know she is a busy, busy woman and has no time for playing with criminals!

Then... we're working on both the July and September Camp Blanding Retreats!!  Look what we have been making for the July attendees....           Aren't these adorable?  Vicky, Wynette, Donna and I have made about 120 of these sweet luggage tags!  If you are spending the weekend with us... YOU WILL GET ONE!  They were so much fun making.  We looked like a production company working on them!  HA!!

Here is another of my projects... I'm not going to tell you what it is until I have it finished.  It's actually a sample... I'm making this one first then if it turns out like I'm hoping... I will be making another one from OUR FABRIC that will be making it's debut soon!

Look at this sweet, sweet sewing basket lid my sweet friend, Patty made!  It's an antique sewing basket she found on Ebay!  Then she recovered the lid with these sweet flowers, a tiny butterfly and the cutest worm yo have ever seen... he's down at the bottom.  Her stitching and handwork is PERFECT!  You ROCK Patty!!!

That's my updates for you!  Whew... have to catch my breath!  My hubby is off again today for the courthouse... he ALSO had Jury Duty yesterday and was CHOSEN!  He loves it! (sick puppy...).  I did hear that Paula did NOT get chosen.  Now me... they call me in.. then I tell them my work history of 30 years with the banking industry - working with the FBI and Secret Service...well that kind of does it for me.  You are "excused"....aaahhhh .. .music to my ears!  (even though I know it's our duty to serve - YACK!)


Here's a little funny for your day!  Have a super-great one.  I've enjoyed chatting with you today... and now..it's off to my sewing machine to work on more of those "mystery projects"!

Keep those sewing machines movin' !

Gloria