Snow Update

Things are finally getting back to normal in our little part of the world.

Our snow melt has been gradual and it's actually kinda strange to see grass and roads again.

 I smiled as I saw this heart shaped ice on my way to check the mail:

Thinking how crazy it is that this simple heart is all that's left from this:

But even the geese can see again and I think it's safe to say that we're all

 looking forward to seeing a bit more green around here as Spring gradually nears. 

As always, thanks for stopping by.

NOTE: Our March themes are posted on the sidebar.

Tuesday Archives #148: Valentines Day!

Welcome to the linky party that rejuvenates your old quilting/sewing posts! 

Please click here to read more about this linky party.  

This week's theme is: VALENTINES DAY!

Happy Valentines Day!

Last year I shared how much I enjoy watching my second graders "get ready" for Valentines Day. I  always smile as I watch them joyfully fill each other's bags with secret notes and treats in anticipation of today. They continuously remind me how simple it is to spread a little kindness.

But as adults, Valentines is celebrated in many different forms. Perhaps it's how we decorate our house with tablerunners and little banners like my little one below. Or maybe it's in the gifts we give or in the chocolate we consume! (Just kidding. But my desk fills with LOTS of chocolate today. I secretly end up sharing it with the office staff and my husband's work.)

Or maybe you've actually made a Valentines Quilt like Nancy who blogs at PugMom Quilts. I quilted this one for her and loved this picture she sent to me of it on her bed with LarryPug.

Flannel Heart Finish

My flannel heart quilt is done just in time for the beautiful Fall weather we are having.

It's the perfect lap size, measuring 42"x 68".

You can get a peek at it's cute polka-dotted backing and binding by clicking right here.

I quilted it using a whimsical heart pantograph and you can click here to see that stage.

 I  LOVE the Sew Purrfect Flannel/Woolies Flannel Fabrics I used by Bonnie Sullivan. This will be the perfect couch quilt for little ol' me and I'm looking forward to using it A LOT.

Well, me and Jackson I should say. I think he's ready for me to take it inside so he can break it in!

This is certainly a Happy Friday Finish I've been looking forward to posting and putting to use.

WIP Wednesday: Heart Quilting

As I find myself  facing two twelve hour days of  parent teacher conferences, I head out the door today intentional in enjoying the opportunity and productivity of my long days ahead... 

...to have fun and communicate happy things 

about each of my students to their families...

 and to most of all, have a happy heart and  to do all things with love!

Wishing you the same...especially as I look forward to sharing this quilty finish with you very soon!

Moving it Forward...

My sewing mojo is returning and it feels great!

I got this one ready to be quilted this week:

It's definitely something to look forward to after a day of work.

Heart Flimsy

While watching for squirrels, I noticed my mom got her flannel hearts all sewn into a flimsy. 

Hmmm...I can't wait to cuddle under it this Winter.

Even if Winter still seems like a distance away.

Now to decide how to quilt it...I know she's contemplating

a fun pantograph or even FMQ outlining the hearts?? What do you think?

As for me, I'm off to chase those squirrels. Wishing everyone a great day!

Hello Again!!!

Aughhhhh....as our "staycation" begins to come to an end...it's fun to share that this has been my sewing view for the past twelve days:

Yes, hubby and I snuck off to the mountains for our own little retreat from the world. The cabin we stay at it is perfect and remote enough that our cell service is sporadic at best.  The tendency to check our "mail" and "cruise the internet" disappeared within a few days as we found ourselves settling into being "unplugged". We enjoyed morning coffee and walks without it. We relaxed. Which meant I got to sew! Here's a peek at an upcoming finish that I worked on while away:

Our days were filled with wonderful day hikes:

The people in our hiking club are such great people! We really enjoyed our adventures together.

Mimosa's anyone?? Hey what's a vacation without good food and drink??

We also had fun painting pottery one afternoon...

...and me finding new projects. (This one will be a great stash buster and I think it would look cute hung in my second grade classroom once it's ever finished!)

Of course, afternoon naps were always part of the routine!

Anyhoo....it's good to be back! I missed home. But, I do have to admit, that the rejuvenation found in getting away and taking a break is priceless. It's refreshing and allows me to gain a new perspective on our life's journey. How about you? I'm curious, are you too, the personality type that sometimes need to "reset"?? And if not, please do share your secret? Thanks for stopping by! I'm off to catch up on everything all of you have been up to over the past couple of weeks.

Next week's August 9th theme is: Giraffes

Tuesday Archives #49: Valentines Hearts & Love!

Welcome to the linky party that rejuvenates your old quilting/sewing posts! Click here to read more about this linky party.  And, Hey! If you are new, we are glad you are joining us. We have a very talented group of regulars around here and continue to enjoy rejuvinating our older posts to share with one another.

Today's theme is Valentines: Hearts & Love!

   I couldn't resist highlighting this scrappy heart made by Cynthia, 

who blogs at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework when I saw it and 
the adorable scrappy tablerunner at her Monday Linky:

 She made it from her red and gray scraps. She used 2.5 squares and sewed 3" squares to make the 5 pairs of HST's. Her blocks measure 12.5" unfinished. You can find her tutorial for this scrappy Heart Block right here. I've been following Cynthia ever since I started  blogging and always appreciate that her tutorials are so easy to follow and she always gives a variety of examples of finishes to create...like this tutorial shows the block, a tablerunner, a lap quilt and a baby quilt! Always an inspirational blog to visit!

Sometimes Our Body Makes Us Take a Break...

Click here to find my GYB/Give-Away post.

Every now and then I like to write what I label as my "Life and Learning" posts.

Flowers from my "work son". 

I've actually been a little worried about my lack of sewing mojo this past month. I have found myself  not wanting to do anything. This lack of motivation begun to worry me especially as I just couldn't shake this "stomach virus" I had. Well come to find out, what was first thought to be a stomach virus ended up being a gallblader attack! Now, two very painful weeks later  (and six pounds lighter...well THAT's a bonus!) I had surgery this past Friday to FINALLY remove the darn thing!  YAH !!

So as I begin to awake and finally remove all my hospital "bracelets" and surgery is behind me, I 'm getting myself "set up" in my studio for the week of recovery ahead of me.  I accept it's time to take a break. (I don't really have a choice do I! LOL!) But life has taught me to make the best of it.

And you know Jackson will be right by my side!

 No one likes being sick. Pain and illness makes us weak and unmotivated. Yet, it also makes me empathetic. It reminds me why so many of us enjoy donating quilts. My youngest daughter asked me once: "Don't you ever get tired of making quilts? I mean how many can you make till you get bored?" The answers: Never and a Million as quilting and creating keep me sane! Do you ever feel the same way?

Even while I'm sick, I'm looking forward to creating some "made-fabric". It won't require any standing and involves minimal cutting. It will be fun! Later in the week I hope to finish my ABC quilt and will also enjoy some handstitching and reading.  I've also let myself get lost in the world of Pinterest for awhile and found these fun Valentine mug rugs .


Andddd....totally random I know, but I'm totally doing this the next time it snows!

Here's a shortcut to my Hearts Board if ya want to take a peek at what else I found!

Finally, I want to make Valentines for my Second Graders while I'm home recovering and found this at Plucky Momo's Blog. (She has free printables for the tags too.)Thought I'd share what I found in case you have little ones in your life, you might be inspired too:
I love the month of February.Valentine's Day is my very favorite holiday and the hubby and I celebrate our 26th Anniversay! As I find myself  on the mend, I'll close for now by sending healthy wishes & smiles to you all.
Val:)