{ 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

{ 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

{ 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

{ Back Home }

Back home and still unpacking from my fun-filled week with girlfriends!

I managed to complete six projects,

eat too much food,

giggle

and get very little sleep!

Yes sirree, an annual retreat we so look forward to!

Enjoy your day & happy sewing!

Sharon

Ps: It's snowing here ;0)

{ Annual Retreat to the Woods }

Spending the week with girlfriends

An annual quilting retreat we so look forward to!

Happy Sewing,

Sharon

The Beginning of a New Years Resolution List

I so need a Christmas quilt!

I stumbled across this adorable quilt on Pinterest

made by Tanesha @ Crafty Garden Mom 

It is absolutely adorable!

As a quilter for more than 7 years I am sad to say 

I have yet to complete a Christmas quilt for myself.  

I have definitely made plenty for others 

and Max has his very own.  

Just not Max's momma  :0(

I think I know what will be on my 

New Years Resolution for 2012.

Merry Christmas,

Sharon

A Little Pink Whimsy!

My new friend

Miss Whoozit

click on picture to enlarge

Well I don't know what her name is exactly

but for a week that is what I called her

My dear friend Mary commissioned me to quilt this very special quilt she made for a very special someone.

So for a week Miss Whoozit and I played....

quilted leaves

more leaves and flowers

more leaves and branches

more leaves, flowers, branches and vines

and feathers on her sweet little body

but mostly.....a LOT of leaves

(I guess you got that right?)

Oh how I just love this "Eden" line

by Lila Tueller

~ sigh ~

Such an adorable, fun and very whimsical quilt

(my favorite kind)

Thank you Mary for entrusting me with such a sweet treasure!

You did an amazing job creating

such a sweet little feathered friend.

I miss Ms. Whoozit

but I know she will be loved dearly!

Happy quilting ;0)

Sharon

~ participating in ~

Pink Saturday

Fingerprints on the Fridge

Show and Tell Friday

I Heart Mail

Look what our mail carrier delivered today...

A new pattern from Thimble Blossoms

"Marmalade"

When I first saw it on Camille's blog here I knew I had to have it.  I just love her patterns and have a slue of them already; so what's one more ;)

Now to pick my fabric....

or

Oh I don't know.....

they are both so pretty

but red pulls at me heart strings but "dream on" screams vintage

decisions, decisions  :0)

Happy Quilting,

Sharon

Pink Saturday and a Celebration!

You are cordially invited to a Party

on this special day

In celebration of my ONE year Blogging Anniversary

AND


my 100th post!

This has truly been an amazing journey

meeting amazing new friends

seeing amazing new places

and being inspired by some amazing talented people!

As a special thank you, I would love to give a special reader a handmade token of my appreciation for stopping by to visit and taking part in the whimsy's of my every day life!

Tomorrow I will draw a name from my comments

To the rest of my special friends,

whether you leave a comment or not

whether you stop by for a visit or two

"THANK YOU"

Thank you for sharing your time with me and I do hope you will stop by again!

Many blessings to you!

Sharon

Participating in Pink Saturday and Happy National Quilting Day to you all ;-)

A Year of Schnibbles #1

My September Schnibble challenge is complete!

Well almost; it still needs to be quilted and I'm thinking maybe some embellishing.

The pattern for September was Winter White by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.

Because of my love for Halloween I chose the Spook tacular fabric line by Sanae for Moda fabrics with a few extra snippets thrown in from my stash.

I so enjoyed making this and can't wait to start the next one ;)

Please be sure to stop by and visit the parade of Schnibbles at the Pink Pincushion or A Quilting Life.

Enjoy,

Sharon

Ps:  Don't forget it is not too late to "Join the Fun" beginning October 19th

I Survived Quilt Arkansas!

I am finally rested from my quilting retreat.  We had so much fun but I was exhausted!

Our Quilt Guild hosts this wonderful event every two years and I was asked to host the party for 150.  I was so thrilled and honored that I agreed before I knew the dates; my wedding anniversary (oops).  So for two years the committees would meet, plan and meet some more.  We had some wonderful out of state and in state teachers and friends from all over joined us for three fun filled days.  There were several vendors that set up mini quilt shops to give us an opportunity to fondle fabric and spend money ;) 

On Thursday night we were delighted to have Sue Nichols share her stories of how she became a quilter.

I apologize for the poor quality of my amateur picture taking but all I had was my cell phone.  Her quilts are amazing!

Friday night one of our other teachers, Jeanette Huff gave a wonderful lecture.  Unfortunately I missed it.  My troops and I were setting up for a Mardi Gra Gala!

~ the buffet ~

~ the tables ~

We were given two challenges; a feathered mask and a quilt challenge.  Both Mardi Gra themed.  Here is a picture of the mask parade.

~ our third place winner ~

~ my silly friend Carol Ann (left) won second place ~

~ and a very adorable first place winner! (left) ~

~ receiving her much deserved award from Tom Russell ~

And then the parade of quilts!  There were some really amazing quilts and I had way too much fun with this ;)

~ third place went to......drum roll please.....ME! ~

~ second place went to #15 (far left) ~

~ and first place went to #2 (left) ~

The one on the right is my friend Donna's.  She traveled all the way from Hawaii to join us and brought some friends from Louisiana.

~ Donna on the right and her friend Carol on the left ~

We were entertained by the very talented Bell Pointe Quilters performing a "Quilter's version of Momma Mia".  Okay - I have to admit I have never seen Momma Mia but seriously - this skit was knee slapping, wet your pants HILARIOUS!

And my silly husband who drove out to spend our anniversary with me.  Thank you honey for all your help with the party.  Thank you for enduring weeks of the living room being filled with Mardi Gras decorations and all the nights I sewed into the wee hours to complete my quilt challenge.  Thank you for holding my hand when I would worry I wouldn't be able to pull this off.  Thank you for allowing me to spend a few days with the girlfriends so we could stay up late, giggle and let our hair down.  You're the best and I adore you!

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Sharon