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!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I was so excited to find my copy of SEW RED in my mailbox yesterday!!

Laura Zander of Jimmy Beans Wool has done a wonderful job with the book - 

a second book - following Knit Red.

Stitch Red's mission is to spread awareness about women's heart health and to encourage women to take action to lower their risks of heart disease, 

one stitch at a time.

The book is overflowing with great projects from many key designers in the fabric industry.  The list includes Tula Pink, Anna Maria Horner, Amy Butler, Mark Cesarik, Patty Young, Denyse Schmidt, David Butler and many more!

I had the opportunity to contribute to this book in a small way 

by sewing David Butler's project - Parson Gray Ditty Bags.

In the photo, the bags are in the lower right hand corner of the cover -

but on the copy I received - the six cover photos are different!  Darn!

What a special way to celebrate Valentine's Day with a focus on heart health!

Happy Birthday, LINDA!!!

Today is my friend Linda's 70th birthday!  

Many of you know she is fighting a return of breast cancer.

I talked with her this morning and she sounded good.

Her son is staying with her this week and she has friends and family lined up to come and stay during the next 4 weeks.

Eat cake today in her honor or, better yet, have a glass of wine!!

I seem to have been crazy busy at the end of the year and the start of 2013.

My Mother had a near stroke in November.

We had interior painting done and new carpet installed in December.

The girls and Dennis' sister were here for Christmas.

Lots of laughs, food and wine!

I managed to design and finish a quilt for Free Spirit Fabrics to appear on the cover of Fab Shop News - a publication to the trade.  Post soon!

We danced the new year in in South Bend at the Palais Royale 

to the sounds of an 18 piece big band.

Two more quilts sent out in January - another later post.

Summoned for jury duty on a murder trial but was excused yesterday!!

Just found out yesterday that a quilt I did for Free Spirit Fabrics for Fall Market will appear in a future Fons and Porter Magazine.  Hot Dog!!

Fabric for two more quilts is being shipped today and I am back in the schools doing the literary based program for South Shore Arts based on the book

The Skin You Live in!

There you have it in a nutshell!!

Have a great day!

Go Pack Go!

Dennis has been a lifelong Packer fan 

and had never attended a game at Lambeau Field until NOW!!!

Alison wanted to go as bad as he did so I stayed in Chicago with the dog!!

All in all, a great week-end, a big win and smiles all around!