What Was in YOUR Easter Basket???

Many good things!!  The fun never ends - no matter how old you are!!

And even a basket for the dog!

With a bow tie in it!!

A very tiring day for Webster, but lots of fun!!

New Fabrics.......Yay!!!!

I have the chance to work with newest fabric designs 

by Ty Pennington.

I wasn't a biggest fan of his early collections - 

but love the aubergine and greens in this one!

As you can see, I was wearing red shoes when I took the photos!!

The best news is how great these fabrics will go in my kitchen!

These are early yardage pieces, so I did not receive very much.

Stay tuned to see what I make with my leftovers!

Napkins Ready!!

Alison wanted appetizer size

and Natalie wanted dinner size.

This is a lot of napkins!  But a great assortment for a party!!

What are you hoping to find in YOUR Easter Basket???

What Did YOU Do Today??

I am getting ready for a very low key Easter!!

I started on my cookie baking so I can get some sent to my mother in IOWA.

Stop by for a sweet treat!!

Wild Thing!!

Ahhhh, yes, what fun it is to make a quilt and call it - 

Wild Thing!!!

The jungle vine makes a great border for the bright quilt within.

The color block animals bring it to life.

The fabric line is "Wild Kingdom" from Michael Miller Fabrics.

The backing fabric of the quilt was the inspiration.

Since the fabrics are 44-45" wide, I just needed a little more width 

for the backing.  So I just added two strips of the jungle vine.

Shipping to New York on Monday!!

The fun on this one is over!!

Wild Thing...........You Make My Heart Sing..........

You make everything..........GROOVY!!

Another Cover Quilt

Yes, indeed, I had a chance to design this quilt for 

Free Spirit Fabrics for the cover of Fab Shop News.

It is made with 2 1/2" design rolls of fabrics 

designed by Ty Pennington.  Design rolls of Free Spirit solids are also included in this quilt.

Unfortunately, this is a publication to the trade only

but I hoping to snag a copy!!

This is what can happen when you design with strips!!

The Snowy Day!

Those three words make me think of the beloved children's book 

by Ezra Jack Keats.

The collage style of his illustrations have been enjoyed by so many!

We did receive the snow predicted yesterday and I think we got close to 8"!!

I was a lucky duck and stayed in all day - working on a new quilt!

The white fabric I needed arrived early in the day so I went right to work on this quilt for Michael Miller Fabrics called WILD Kingdom!!

I think it coming together here on my design wall.  I don't ever recall doing appliqué over so much piecing but I like it!  The elephant's ear is still pinned in place and I am deciding what else to add, if anything!

Stay tuned - there is a great animal print for the back!!

Ty Pennington Quilt Project

Often I test patterns for Westminster Fibers 

and here is a quilt I recently finished.

Yes, a template cut quilt with some needle turn appliqué. 

It is fun to fussy cut with the template to get different designs from the fabrics.

The colors are great and the blues and greens really pop 

on the white background.

The quilt is 48" x 48" and it drives me crazy to take 3+ yards for the backing 

so I pieced it with the leftover prints.  I like it 

because it gives you a reversible quilt option in a very modern way.

Not sure about the white binding on the back but that's the way it is!!

A Great Opportunity!!

Last Sunday I had the chance to take part in a program 

at the Union League in Chicago. 

Many of you already know that I am active in a literacy based program in 

NW Indiana based on the book - "The Skin You Live In". 

I have made previous posts about this program.

We presented the program at a USO Family Event for children who have a parent currently serving overseas.  To top things off, the author, Michael Tyler was there as well as the illustrator, David Lee Ciskco.

We were able to take the quilt I had made -  based on the book - 

for them to see.  What a great photo opp!

L to R:  David, Leona, Happy ME, Trish and David!

And the exciting news is that David wants me to make him a quilt, too!

You gotta' love David in those yellow pants and red polka dot socks!

And Michael???  He was super!!

David entertained the children with his drawing talents and of course many children had their books autographed.

Including ME!!!  And this is a drawing of me - in MY book!!

I have to work hard to have fun - most of you know that - and the book signings were just another part of a great day!

David is so busy concentrating!!

And only the memories remain.  I think I will share them when I go out to second grade classrooms next week!

If you do not have copy of the book - get on out and get one!

Look at WHAT Dennis DID!!

Oh my, yes, indeed, the man of the house has been busy this winter!!   

He installed this great tile on the back splash in our kitchen.  I can't believe how different it looks and how well it goes with our countertops.  But then, I am the one who selected it!

What a great upgrade to our kitchen for only $500!

He is most excited because I had to clean off the countertops and I even did the island!  WOW!!!  But I did leave the daily RED!!