{ Simply Stating }

I have been blessed with many friends each talented in their own way.

Some are quilter's and some are not.

But my quilting friends

they can be a rare breed all their own.

They know you, they can relate,

they've got your back when you have that unfinished project

with that last minute deadline.

They are always looking out for you.

A few months back I recieved these sweet little treasures

from one of my dear quilting friends. 

They were once a very special gift that I made for two VERY SPECIAL small people.

She recognized them on eBay for 99 cents,
purchased them and returned them to me.

Now QUILTER'S listen up

When you are so engrossed with making that special heirloom quilt for someone

and spending boo-coo bucks on nice, high quality quilt shop fabrics

it is also YOUR responsibility to educate its recipient in what it is they are recieving.

This is not your typical blanket from the local Wal-Mart or 5-N-Dime.

This is the REAL deal, the GOOD stuff.

If taken care of properly, guaranteed to last a life time or two.

Well as with anything, there are exceptions

and there are just some recipients out there

that are too stupid to know any better any way.

Just saying.

Happy Quilting,

Sharon

{ A Day to Remember }

{ Sunday's Paper }

..

Yesterday's paper reported that we had a wedding

and boy did we ever!

The day was perfect

the bride was stunningly gorgeous

the groom ecstatically handsome

and both sets of parents could not be more proud!

Our home is still running over with company

and we are still enjoying every moment 

we possibly can.  

More pictures to follow!

Proud momma of the Bride

{ A Blogging Break }

Okay, maybe not a "break" 

but just a little "nap" ;0)

Family and friends are beginning to arrive! 

As our homes and local hotels begin to fill with loved ones 

who have traveled so far to share this very special day with us, 

I'm going to take a little posting break.

To visit, catch up and share some quality "family" time.

To assist my darling daughter with anything

she may need.

To breath....

take deep breaths and enjoy every moment!

Moments of a lifetime only happen once

and I plan on savoring every moment ;0)

xoxo

Sharon

{ June Brides }

"Oh, they say when you marry in June,

You're a bride all your life.

And the bridegroom who marries in June

Gets a sweetheart for a wife."

Billie & Jared Meagan & Justin

Oh I think these two young men would have to agree!

Brothers in love

with weddings just six days apart

This weekend as Justin and Meagan begin their lives together

we want to wish them all the best 

for many happy years filled with loving memories!

Enjoy your day!

Sharon

{ So Little Time }

So much to do, so little time

I think it is a cookie-kind-of day!

Laundry to do, wedding programs to print,

house guests coming, oh my....

Yes.  It IS a cookie-kind-of day!

Enjoy yours!

Sharon

{ Remembering }

God Bless those who serve, 

who have served 

and those who have lost their lives. 

Thank you all for your sacrifice and honor 

in serving our country to protect our great nation and our freedom 

I feel blessed to be apart of a military family!

God Bless Our Troops!

Sharon

{ Just Checking In }

Been busy as a bee!  

Between wedding errands, sewing gifts and a long list of "to-do's"

I still think of you often!

This weeks focus...

I've been working on a beautiful surprise for a special someone.

I'll have to share later ;0)

Next weeks focus ~ order Bridal portrait

sigh......

Happy quilting!

Sharon

{ A Milestone Weekend }

We had a fabulous weekend!

We celebrated Jared's commissioning into the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant

and his College graduation with a History major.  

A true milestone weekend!  

I could not be more proud of this young man 

and the choices that he has made!!

looking good guys!

swearing in

darling husband giving the first salute

 the first handshake

pinning of the butter bars

University of Arkansas Graduate

WAHOO!

the happy couple

 Jared's brother & TWO future June brides

kisses in front of Ole Main

she found it!

At the U of A it is a long standing tradition for each graduate to have their name etched into the sidewalk.  It took two years but well worth the wait!

Yes. One very happy weekend!

Thank you for allowing me to boast a bit ;0)

Sharon

{ Celebrate }

A very happy Mother's Day to you!

Enjoy your day!

Sharon

{ We're Working, We're Working }

And let the assembling commence!

And WAH-LAH

four days later

Sometimes it's better to pay the "assembling" charge

but in this case, not so much.

Even though it may have taken four days,

required full use of the dining room table, 

two cutting mats and some "quilters" ingenuity 

our end result did not end at a very lovely wedding invitation

 but also a wonderful bonding experience with my daughter.

The countless conversations, endless to-do list discussions, 

memories of times gone by and a tear or two. 

It was priceless and worth every moment!

Enjoy your day,

Sharon

{ I Love Mail }

LOOK what came in the mail!

~ Invitations ~

I know there is going to be one happy bride-to-be!

a-n-d

on their sixth anniversary!

How bittersweet  ;0)

Enjoy your day!

Sharon

{ The Real Deal }

So today was the "real deal"

the r-e-a-l photo shoot!

beautiful pictures inside and out

of a beautiful bride-to-be

at a beautiful place

Does it look familiar?

Want a hint?

"think television......."

the weather could not have been more perfect

nor the photographer

or the bridesmaid!!

Thank you ladies for spending your day with us

 to help create beautiful memories to last a lifetime!

oh and the sweet homemade bouquet we threw together ourselves

I so can't wait for you to see

Soon ~ very soon ;0)

Enjoy your day, we certainly did!

Sharon

{ Impromptu Photo Shoot }

I hope y'all had a wonderful Easter!

We certainly did!!

We spent Easter weekend with Jared in NW Arkansas.  

As we refer to it here; "Hog Country".

We stayed at Inn at the Mill in Johnson and the grounds were just gorgeous!  

So we had a little "impromptu" photo shoot for an up coming wedding.

This is my favorite!  

They almost fell back into the water

so they started giggling and really began to "ham" it up!

Yep ~ NOT gonna happen!

They are too cute and I couldn't love them more!

The sign was made by Darline at The Back Porch Shoppe.  

She did an amazing job and we could not appreciate her more for her impeccable craftsmanship and attention to detail.  Thank you Darline!!

Enjoy your day!

Sharon

{ Easter Blessings }

Many blessings to you for a wonderful Easter!

Enjoy your day,

Sharon

{ Easter Inspiration }

I have been inspired 

by all the beautiful Easter eggs that I am finding on the Internet

So I recently purchased some wooden eggs and modge podge

to go with some beautiful napkins that a friend gave me awhile back

I'll see what I can do with them and let you know how it goes

Hopefully something equally as lovely will transpire!

Happy crafting

and enjoy your day!

Sharon

{ Quiltsurround }

On our road trip with the girlies 

we ventured off into downtown Memphis to see this

At the corner of Front and Adams in downtown Memphis

is this beautiful outdoor quilt exhibit.

 "Quiltsurround" 

by Sculptor and University of Memphis professor, Greely Myatt. 

The large scale quilts hide the unsightly heating and air conditioning units 

on the side of City Hall.

Using about 700 various aluminum street signs, 

Myatt created 32 panels replicating traditional quilts.  

These 4 x 12 foot panels were just amazing.  

And who would have thought; recycled street signs as quilt pieces?

I LOVE it!  Thank you Greely Myatt and the city of Memphis!!

Now off to Huey's for a G-R-E-A-T burger!

Next stop ~ THE BEACH  (insert happy dance)

Enjoy your day,

Sharon

{ Back to Reality }

I'm back home safe and sound and none to soon to catch a cold (uugghh).  

Thanks to my darling hubby who takes this "in sickness and in health" thing way too seriously. 

Thank goodness for antibiotics!  Many blessings to those that invented them!!

I wanted to share with you my "retreat" experiences.  

Two retreats back to back ~ pure bliss!

Each year a group of us spend a week in the woods.  

And I mean w.o.o.d.s.  Very poor cell phone reception (*wink, wink)

Our main objective is to make two quilts for the lodge and the rest of the time is spent on our own projects.  This was our sixth year and boy do we have a system down pat!

Some of us go with projects in mind and some bring half our studios, fabric stash, etc and sew as we go.  I always try to have my projects lined out, prepped and ready for some serious "sweat shop" therapy!  My motto is "I can sleep when I get home".

We completed our two quilts and I finished six personal projects of my own.  We had the best time ~ we always do!  I love this group of women.  We only see each other once a month but I certainly treasure their friendship!

Here is a little show & tell of what we did....

quilt 1 for the lodge

  quilt 2 complete

Becky's quilt

Marilyn working on a quilt for her granddaughter

(blocks on wall in background ~ very happy quilt)

Project 3 & 4 of mine

I made two baby quilts, quilted this one and gave it as a gift

I used minky on the back and it feels w.o.n.d.e.r.f.u.l!

Mary's bulls eye

I so need to make one of these!

April finished her Halloween quilt

It's beautiful!  

This picture does nothing for how it looks in person

I have one of these in my "unfinished" pile ;0)

 my project number 5

(cell phone picture ~ sorry)

and this is Bertha (my machine)

Every night is movie night

and a special little treat made just for us by the wonderful ladies at the lodge.  Home made cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  Marilyn and I pulled an all niter, well okay, 3 am and we decided we needed a little breakfast early (giggle)

As always we had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back!

Happy sewing!

Sharon