mkay, not a million, but a whole bunch! Been missing you all - and hugs to those of you who wrote missin' me too!
I honestly didn't forget you all - in fact, Carol and I have been designing and stitching away on our latest Quilt Along! More info on that coming soon, but here is just a wee sneak peek for ya
And, speaking of my dear friend Carol, I wanted to ask you all to consider making and donating some patriotic pillow cases. One of Carol's friends has been making and donating pillowcases for service members for years, and sadly, she was just recently diagnosed with cancer. So Carol is collecting pillow cases to send this year! Carol will need them by August 1, so we have some time! You can read more about donating HERE.
And, speaking of friends, I have to give a shout out to Mary! Remember these members of my "Lonely Quilt Tops Club" - ya know, the club of lonely quilt tops
hanging in the closet, being ignored! The ones dying to be finished
and get a little love and snugglin!
Well, Mary sweetly agreed to do some quilting to help me get these lonely girls into snuggly condition!! I sent 4 quilts off to Mary (Cracked Pots, Prairie Sweets, and 2 that will be new quilt patterns)! Thank you SO much Miss Mary - your quilting is always so gorgeous - and I'm so excited to have a bit of your magic in my home (I'll post pictures as soon as I get them back)!
And, I've been a workin' on clearing out the "Club" too - which brings me to another friend - Sweet Darlene! Because, you see - the very first quilt I wanted to quilt was, of course
"Snowbound"! This is my first redwork quilt
Darlene stitched and mailed me every lovely block - and I designed and pieced the setting!
It's quilted with these adorable swirly snowflakes that have hearts in them! I so heart this quilt - and I so H-E-A-R-T Darlene for this wonderful gift! Thank you girlfriend!
But, wait - there's even more! The second quilt I wanted to quilt also came from Darlene - well it's her pattern, "Between Friends"
Have to hand-stitch the binding down on this one
but I A-D-O-R-E this one, too! The perfect quilt for a summer picnic! Thank you again Darlene!
And, in between all that, well, there was
my Katiebug's graduation from LPN School (next year we'll be heading back for graduation from RN school)! I'm so darn proud of you, Kate - and happy for all those lucky patients who get a fun-loving, warm nurse to brighten their difficult days!!
And, there was Mother's Day - had the family over for a BBQ - and got to hang out with Studly, my kiddos, and my Grand-Dog
Scoot! He's SO sweet!
And, there was a trip to the Harry Truman Presidential Library
for a school project for Studly Jr!
And cookin, and cleanin, and grocery shopping and hangin' with my favorite guys!
So, let's talk MEN for a minute girls! I'm always amazed at the fact that men so desparately want to make the women in their lives happy. But, really, they do.
Studly and I have been John Gray fans for years (ya know - the "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" author). We've read most of his books, and I'm not sure which one it's in - but he points out that about 1/2 of the attendees of his relationship seminars are MEN! WHY - cuz they really do want to make us happy (provided that they get lots of fish (i.e. appreciation) and not lots of griping - I have to add)! I've had to give up on having everything done my way (i.e. being grateful the dishwasher is loaded - even when it isn't loaded perfectly - which is how I would do it - LOL)! But, the rewards are incredible!
Ya know, they say if it weren't for us women, men would still be living in caves - and I think there may be some truth in that!
And, Christian Northup talked about this, too! She said she asked her brothers to build her a fire for the Summer Solstice - and she thought they forgot! She said they built her a bonfire you could have seen from space!!
So, where am I going with all of this?? Well, as my guys were going to great lengths to do a little something to make me happy - I was thinking about how amazing it is that they'd work so hard - and be happy to do it - just to make me happy - and wanted to share it with you all!
See, I told my favorite guys that I wanted an herb garden and a vegetable garden this year - and because I have the GREATEST SON in the world
(and the greatest daughter and daughter's boyfriend - who came and helped with his tiller)
I got a HUGE veggie garden (with tomatoes, onions, apsargus, peppers, zuchinni, and squash)!
And, I didn't just get any old herb garden - oh no, not from my Studly (who happens to be the BEST Husband in the World)! I got this
Studly built this pretty little curved, stone wall
and helped me fill it full of "herbies"
Thank you SO very much guys - you make my world a brighter place to be, and I will forever be grateful!
I've already been using some of the herbs
to cook
and along with the Pasta Maker they got me for Mother's Day
to make them some "Lemon-Herb Pasta & Shrimp"
(pictured here with Studly's Pan-Seered Steak and Red Wine & Herb Sauce)!
Love you guys - I mean S-E-R-I-O-U-S-L-Y love ya!
So, that's about it - keepin' life simple here, enjoying all the little things that really make life sweet - family, friends, gardening, yoga, sewing, cooking, cutting fresh flowers
(peonies ready to vase)!
Oh, and shopping (a girl's gotta do some shopping) -
"Doodlebug Trick Or Treat" fabric by Riley Blake and
"Sew Cherry" fabric by Riley Blake and
a little Australian inspiration (love those Aussie quilters and stitchers) and
some sweets - "Sugar & Spice" by Riley Blake and
"Candy Christmas" by Riley Blake (so heart all of these bright and cheery fabrics)!
Anyone still here? Mkay - if so, then I consider you one of my bestest bloggy friends for reading so long!!! And, since you're one of my bestest bloggy friends, I'm gonna ask for a little help here!
I was talking about my "Lonely Hearts Quilt Top Club" - there were 8 quilt tops - and then I added the Quilt Along Quilt - so we're up to 9. Mary is quilting 4, I've quilted 2 - and I still have 2 to quilt (the quilt along and one for my Sweet Mom)!
If you're counting, that leaves one (1) quilt top left to close out the club -
This sweet girl is made with "Wuthering Heights" fabric and is about 61" x 82"
she comes with her own red binding - and is FREE TO A GOOD HOME!
So, if you'd make her a good home (i.e. quilt her and snuggle her and love her), then please leave a comment telling me a little something you do to keep life simple/to remember to enjoy the simple things in life!!
OH - MY - GOSH - UPDATE, UPDATE!! You all aren't going to believe this!! That sweet and lovely Wendy of Why Knot Kwilt has offered to quilt my quilt for the winner - free of charge! She has a long arm, and just wanted to do something sweet - love her, love her! Oh, you really should visit Wendy's blog - to see all her cute projects - and to brighten your days :) :) :) THANK YOU Wendy!
I'll announce a winner next Tuesday!
TTFN,
Kelly
