Three P's

 Three P's:  Patches, Pinwheels, and Pineapple.  What a strange combination!!!  The first two P's, Patches & Pinwheels, is a Bonnie Hunter quilt that I started last year.  Several of us decided to do a swap of Civil War repro fabrics and make this very, very scrappy quilt.  I think I am one of the few that hasn't finished mine.  I would have but, I didn't pay attention and put together all of the pinwheel blocks the same way, when in reality they should have been in two different ways.  I started not to worry about it, especially since I had already started sewing the rows together.  I kept looking at it and decided I had to  take half of the pinwheel blocks apart.  I decided last week to finish taking them apart and sewing them together the right way.  I am so glad that I did.  I have just a few more to go then the blocks will be all ready to sew together again.  I keep looking at the blocks trying to decide what kind of borders I want to use, but I think I will have to wait until the blocks are all sewn together  before I decide what to use for the borders.

 Now for the last P, Pineapple.  For Christmas, my hubby wanted a cast iron dutch oven.  He has been looking at them for several years, really ever since we were in Cheyenne for Frontier Days and went to the Chuck Wagon Cook off.  We had the best bread pudding that we have ever tasted.  This inspired hubby to try his hand at cooking the old fashioned way.  He decided his first effort would be a Pineapple upside down cake.  He lit the charcoal, poured in the batter and sat back to watch it cook.

After 30 minutes he removed the lid.

 His first try was a huge success, the cake was delicious.  I have decided that he can do all of the baking now!

February UFO Finish

I finished my February UFO project with a few days to spare.  I mean finished as in quilted, with a label, and on the bed.  Woohoo!!!  I have been working on this quilt off and on for almost two years.  That is a record even for me.  The pattern is Buckeye Beauty, the fabric is Chocolat from Moda.  I am pleased with the way it turned out, the only problem came with the backing.  Remember I have had this fabric for two years, and I just knew that I had enough for the backing.  Not!  I didn't know what to do, I didn't want to get another fabric and wasn't able to locate enough to make it work.  After digging through  my stash I found several fat quarters that I had not used in the top.  I took four of those and put them in the middle of the backing.  It looks like I planned it.  It feels great to finally finish something.

Can Spring be around the corner?

 It is hard to believe that just a month ago we had snow here in Atlanta.  We have had more snow this winter that I can remember here in Atlanta.  Much to my surprise I discovered that my daffodils are blooming earlier than I can ever remember.  These are  my favorite flowers and these are the first to bloom this year.  I try to plant more bulbs each fall, however, last fall I never did.  I love to have flowers in the yard, but don't always enjoy all of the yard work that comes with having a nice flower garden.  If I did more yard work that would leave less time for quilting!


Lenten Roses are also blooming!!!



Thimbles weekend

 I always look forward to the third weekend of the month, Thimbles time.  I usually head over after work on Friday, the problem with that is that I am so tired I don't usually get a lot of sewing done, until I have to call it a night.  It is always fun to chat with everyone and see what everyone is working on.  The quilt to the left is Becky's version of Bonnie Hunter's Christmas Lights.  I love her border.

Sandra's Star Quilt.  If this quilt ever disappears we all know that our fearless leader probably took it home with her.

Suzanne working on her cheddar quilt from a few months ago.

Mary Ellen had the brilliant idea of putting finished tops up on the wall, why didn't we think of this before.

Red Shoes, and pink pigs

 Here they are, my new red shoes.  I love them!!!  I did learn one important thing, don't wear them without socks, you guessed it my feet were as read as my shoes when I took them off. 

A friend at school gave me these pink scissors and the cute little beaded pig scissor fob.  Only a few more days left to celebrate my birthday month.

MIA

I fell like it has been ages since I have even thought about blogging.  I know that I am overdue to announce the winner of my birthday give away part II.  Things have been really crazy in my little world. I had a birthday, met my new principal for next year, (he seems very nice), had Valentine's Day, a stomach bug (that you don't want to hear about), and a very good neighbor passed away.  All of that in just the last week.  The birthday was wonderful, hubby made it a very special day, roses and wonderful dinner at my favorite restaurant, a cake, and a pair of red shoes that I have been wanting forever.  Shoes might not sound at all romantic but I have been admiring these shoes for 2 years.  I have been having camera problems so no photo for now but soon.  I also received tons of cards from the kids at school.  I love getting cards made by kids, they always say exactly what they are thinking on them.  Valentine's Day was great too!!  I made a special dinner for hubby, lamb chops, roasted broccoli, wild rice and a chocolate truffle pie.  The pie was a big hit.  The only sad spot has been the passing of our dear neighbor Walter Robertson.  Walter was a WWII vet, who just last week received the Medal of Valor from the French government.  He passed away very quietly on Saturday afternoon. 

Now for the winner of my second birthday give away, Sandie call me crazy in Washington.  Send me your address and I will get your books in the mail.
With everything that has been going on there has been absolutely no sewing, which I am really missing.  Thimbles is this weekend and I am so looking forward to sewing, seeing everyone, and hearing about Elijay.

Super Sunday

 Sunday was not only the Super Bowl, but a reunion for FFA retreat quilters.  It was at Sharon's house, which was just decorated too cute with Valentine goodies.  She and Shannon had gone all out.  It was wonderful to see everyone again, Becky, Karin, Leslie, Cindy, Vickie, Sharon Brown Adams, and everyone else.  ( I must be having a senior moment, the other names are escaping me).  Sharon and Shannon made pincushions for everyone, they were displayed in this really cute three tiered stand. 

Sharon with an example of what we can do with our trade blocks.  If you wanted to participate you brought black and tan blocks to trade.  I managed to get there with five sets, so I was able to get 5 other sets.

This is one of Bonnie Hunter's quilts, Double Delight.  I love these colors.

Sharon Brown Adams with her Thimbleberries show and tell.

Becky and Karen relaxing and sipping.

While watching the Super Bowl I also managed to finish two  more snowman blocks, G, Y, and Z.  I told you I wasn't going in order.  I only have three more to do.  Yoohoo. 

Give Away #2

Give away number 2 for my birthday month, 3 quilting books.  One is my very favorite and is full of great quilts, 40 Fabulous Quick Quilts.  In my opinion it is one book that every quilter should have.  The other two books are by Fig Tree quilts, Fresh Vintage and Pastry Shop. They too are filled with wonderful quilts.  Drawing for these books will be on Sunday.  Leave a post telling me your favorite quilt book for one chance to win and a post on your blog for a second chance to win. Good Luck

Congratulations!!!

And the winner of my first birthday give away is at Postpartumquilter.  I have really enjoyed reading how different people celebrate their birthdays.  Watch for another giveaway tomorrow. 

More Snowman Blocks

Two more snowman blocks finished, N and O. I don't have any more blocks traced off that will be a project for tonight.  I can't wait to see what this is going to look like when it is finished.  This is one UFO that I am determined to finish and use this Christmas.  This is all that I have done this week.  I am already behind on Barbara Brackman's Civil War BOW, my reason being that we are having our bookfair now and I am too exhausted when I get home to work on anything that requires a lot of concentration.

Give Away for my Birthday Month

My birthday is later this  month, but I make it a habit to celebrate all month long.  One way I like to celebrate is by doing a give away.  This month I will post several giveaways, the first is a pack of 25 batik fat quarters along with a crazy nine patch pattern.  The fabrics are all in blue,green, mauve, and lavender.  If you are interested in winning, leave a comment telling how you celebrate your birthday.  For an additional entry make a post on your blog, and for a third chance   become a follower.  The winning name will be announced on Sunday.  Then watch for another give away.  Good Luck!!!