Giveaway P.S.

As I looked at my SMS Giveaway picture, I thought I would post a closer shot of the Susan Branch fabric. I always like to look at the pretty prints.

So here is a closer view of Tea Party by Susan Branch........

And for all you selvage lovers, I think you need to see this fabulous selvage -

Here is what it says -

Tea Party Susan Branch Old flowered teacups are fun to collect & display; old creamers make good flower vases <3 style="font-style: italic;">SB

I hope you will take the opportunity to sign up for all of SewMamaSew's Giveaways. There are so many wonderful blogs to visit. And only one more day to enter. If you have not already entered my giveaway, please do not leave a comment on this post. Go back to my Giveaway post on Tuesday :-)

Happy Quilting!

Vintage days

Recently I told my dear daughter that I remember receiving a fancy apron when I was married. I could not remember where it was, but I was sure I still had it.

So today, I went through my old cedar chest and found these gems.

My Mom had a little girl who was born about eight years before I came along. She died when she was about three years old. I think this little embroidered top may have been hers. I really have no way of knowing for sure, but just by trying to date the top, it seems like it would have been before my time.

This however, was my christening dress! It was all hand made by a relative. I don't know who made it, or even where it was made. My parents were in their 40's when I was born, so a lot of their friends were older too. It is a beautiful silk with all the lace work intricately done. I really treasure still having this dress.

These are my little booties. They are at least (uh-hum) 50 years old. Cute, huh?

My Mom loved to crochet. She made so many beautiful things. Here are a few.







I always loved the pineapple stitching. Pineapple is a sign of Welcome!







I really love this pink dresser skirt. It's a lovely design and in perfect condition.



Aha! This is what I was looking for........

I don't know if you can really see in the pocket. But there is a little silver ring inside the heart shaped pocket. Oooo la,la.....

I hope you are enjoying your weekend. Happy quilting, and don't forget to make someone smile!

The Guessing Game

Have you ever played a guessing game? Do you remember the guy who would try to guess your weight or name at the fair or circus??

I have never been very good at guessing games. But recently I guessed the right answers to two questions.

Elaine at Averett Lady Nana asked what her grandbaby meant by "spray Ice-cream"? I guessed the right answer. Elaine sent me a very nice gift for making the right guess.


Three beautiful fruity fat quarters and a great Easy Circle Cut template! I can't wait to try it.

Karla at Cherrywood Fabrics posted a picture and asked for guesses. I consulted my experts (uh-hum family) and we (they) concluded the answer. Click on her blog site and take a look at the picture and see if you can guess? Karla sent me a gift package.....















These yummy suede looking hand dyed fat quarters. Aren't they the most luscious colors?

I have never seen fabric this rich looking.

Have you been checking out all of the great giveaway's at SewMamaSew's website? Be sure to go through each list and sign up! It has been amazing to visit so many new blogs. I have been so thrilled to have so many new visitors to my blog. I will try to visit every one that has left a comment. And I will also visit everyone that has signed up as a follower. It's been an exciting adventure. Remember there are two more days left. If you want to sign up for my giveaway, don't do it here. Go back to my last post to sign up.

Have a wonderfilled day!

Welcome to............

........ Giveaway day!

Today I am participating in Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day. This will be my first giveaway, so I am excited, and a little nervous too :-) It has been so much fun participating in the giveaways, but I have sometimes wondered if anyone would join me in a giveaway. I'm sure there are lots of giveaways that are handmade, but my giveaway today is something for you to make. So here goes.....

My giveaway consists of 1 1/2 yards of Susan Branch Tea Party fabric, plus 1/2 yard of yellow polka dot and a fat quarter of white polka dot. With that, I am including 3 yards of blue ric rac. Enough to make a vintage looking apron :-)

Please leave a comment on this post for your name to be put in the drawing. Because I love hearing from all of you, I am also going to include your name a second time if you become a follower and leave a second comment.

That's it! It's simple. I am open to including one and all in this first giveaway. Please be sure to leave a way for me to contact you, either via your blog or email. If I cannot contact the winner, another name will be drawn.

I hope that everyone has a grand time enjoying this Spring Giveaway!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, it's only a day away

Be sure to stop back in tomorrow..................

Teacups for Tuesday

Once again I am joining Kim for her Teacup Tuesday. Wow what a wonderful variety of teacups have been shown. Please be sure to check out the other Teacups that are being offered today.

My teacup today is called Royal Patrician.

Fine bone English china with very sweet delicate pansies.


Just had to take a solo picture of the saucer. It is so beautifully decorated.

A very sweet friend came to stay with me a few years ago. She brought me this lovely teacup which had been purchased in Amish Country. I love the delicacy of the flowers. And of course the flower overflowing inside the cup invites you to take a sip of Earl Grey, or English Breakfast tea.

My favorite flavor of tea is Mango. But if you are ever in the Toledo Ohio area, you must stop by Clara J's Tea Room and order their Neapolitan tea. It is more of a dessert tea, but oh my!! is it ever delicious. Clara J's is located in Maumee. Her web site is www.clarajsat219.com.

One other thing that is great about Clara J's. There is a Quilt shop right across the street!!! Now what could be better then that?

Sunset melodies

Living in the south offers many opportunities. The weather is nice year round, which makes for new adventures along the way.

My dd plays in a string trio with two very lovely young ladies. This weekend they had the opportunity to play for a wedding. The fun part was that it was at the beach! The girls said the weather was perfect and the sunset was gorgeous.

After the ceremony the girls had a fun romp along the shoreline.


Ahhh, to be young............ ;-)

Picture perfect

I love taking pictures. This love affair with a camera probably started when my parents gave me a camera eons ago. I remember having a camera where you just dropped a film cartridge into the back and that was it! All self contained. Anyway, it's a great way to document special times, and create memories.

Last weekend, my dd and I drove two hours north to an antique fair. She found out about it online, and we thought we would make a day of it. We did not find many bargains, but I did take some fun pictures.


I love these pretty vases.

A lot of vendors did a great job of displaying their goods.

Isn't this great? I don't know if you can see how they used birdhouses through out this little garden area. I would love to do something like this down our side yard.

I have to say that I had more fun looking for interesting shots then I did looking for treasures. Maybe the next time we will have more success :-)

Have a great weekend! Happy quilting.......

Fabric Friday

Back in January, I found the fabric I needed for a pattern in Fabric Trends magazine.

This is the pattern -

This is the fabric -


A closer look at the pattern -


A closer look at the principle fabric -

Isn't this a great print? I think it looks very similar to the fabric that is featured in the magazine. The only fabric I could not find that day was the stripe.

The plan was to make this quilt after my BFF visited from cold country. But my dear mother in love became very sick and there has been no time for sewing. I love my dear mil and we have watched her slowly recover and then once again make a downward spiral. She is under Hospice care, but her family has been by her side 24/7 for the last 3 months.

There will be other days for sewing and quilting. Time with our loved ones is precious.

"The friends of your heart are not to be taken for granted ~
and should always be granted much more than they would take."

What I've been working on

I've been doing a little hand quilting in the evenings. I recently bought a new leather thimble, but it feels too big. Does anyone know if there is a way to make it fit better?

Have a happy quilting day!

Reaping a harvest

Every single morning when I get up, I have to decide what I am going to wear. Sometimes it is an easy decision, other times it is tough. There are days when I look in the mirror and sigh (hurmph). Do I look sharp or frumpy.

But each and every day, the garden is dressed with no cares. The seeds were planted, and they know what they will produce. We water and fertilize and wait for the beautiful show. Some of the fruit are beautiful, and some are a little wonky. But they taste delicious just the same.

"Therefore, I tell you, don't be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing? See the birds of the sky, that they don't sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of much more value than they? "Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan? Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won't he much more clothe you, you of little faith? "Therefore don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself."

Another Teacup Tuesday

I wanted to share about a very special teacup today.

Isn't it lovely?? It is a Fine Bone China teacup, made in England with Shelley for the marking. It is the softest shade of green with little petite roses on the inside.

This teacup is actually one of my newest in my collection. Would you like to know why this particular teacup is so very special to me??

Not only is it very fine delicate china, decorated with the prettiest little roses. This sweet little teacup was given to me by my dear sweet husband. He traveled to Louisiana last week on a business trip. He found a little antique shop and bought this beautiful teacup for me. He hand carried back on the plane (telling his co-worker that under no conditions was he to lose this teacup). I was so very surprised when he handed me a little bag when he returned home. As I was unwrapping the bubble wrap, I could tell this was a cup and saucer. He kept such a straight face as this little beauty was unveiled.

Yep, I've told you before, he's a keeper!

It's never too late

Feedsack Fantasy had a giveaway a couple of weeks ago. I entered Marydon's giveaway at the very last minute, as I think I was the last one to comment. Would you guess that her sweet grandchildren drew my name! I was so thrilled. And this is why...........

Look at this beautiful cup and saucer. The roses are so pretty. A perfect addition to my tea cup collection. And there was more..........


A very sweet lampshade night light and lovely rose notes. It was a beautiful compliment to the cup and saucer.

An aromatic bar of soap and a most adorable little booklet with little poems on gratitude. Here's one ~

"Our hearts are filled with gratitude
each and every day
for the things that make life special -
spring flowers, a warm hug,
a surprise visit from a friend.

A gift given when we least expect it
or when we most need it
fills our hearts with thanks."




There was also a lovely scented sachet to complete the prize.

Thanks Marydon for the great giveaway!

Did you know??

• Flowers and other blossoming plants have nectarines that produce sugary nectar. Worker bees suck up the nectar and water and store it in a special honey stomach. When the stomach is full the bee returns to the hive and puts the nectar in an empty honeycomb. Natural chemicals from the bee's head glands and the evaporation of the water change the nectar into honey.
• Popcorn pops because water is stored in a small circle of soft start in each kernel. As the kernel is heated, the water heats, the droplets of moister turns to steam and the steam builds up pressure until the kernel finally explodes to many times its original volume.
• In 1970, consumption of broccoli was only a half a pound per person. Today, the average person in the United States eats four and one half pounds a year.
• The most popular sweet pepper in the United States is the bell pepper.
• Peanuts are not actually nuts. Peanuts, like soybeans, are members of the legume family.
• Heart valves from hogs are used to replace damaged or diseased human heart valves.
• The eggshell may have as many as 17,000 tiny pores over its surface. Through them, the egg can absorb flavors and orders. Storing them in their cartons helps keep them fresh.
• The bright orange color of carrots tells you they're an excellent source of Vitamin A, which is important for good eyesight, especially at night. Vitamin A helps your body fight infection, and keeps your skin and hair healthy.
• In the United States, lettuce is the second most popular fresh vegetable.
• There are about 7,000 cherries on an average tart cherry tree. It takes about 250 cherries to make a cherry pie, so each tree could produce enough cherries for 28 pies!
• The first ice cream cone was made, served, and eaten in New York City on September 22, 1886. The maker, Italo Marchiony, was granted a paten on his cone mold in 1903.
• Americans eat about 125 pounds of potatoes a year, about half from fresh potatoes and half in processed foods.

There are just some things in life that we need to know about :-)

Have a happy quilting weekend!

A little bit of Irish

Our trip to Georgia took us to a quaint little town called Dublin. Yes Dublin in Georgia! I never heard of Dublin, but we soon made our way through this unique hometown USA.

Wonderful clock in the middle of town. It was in front of what used to be the Carnagie Library, which is now the Dublin Museum.
This monument was in honor of those who fought in the Civil War. It was quite impressive. The Dublin Museum sits behind the statute.
A very sweet little church stood across the street.

We were allowed to take pictures inside the museum. This was a grouping set up like a parlor room from the late 1800's-early 1900's.

Antique crazy quilts were draped over the furniture. They were very impressive.

Betty Page was the curator at the museum. She was very helpful in filling us in on the history of Dublin. We mentioned that there were some very beautiful homes in the area. She told us that as a child she lived in the big white house that was now a Bed and Breakfast.
We drove back by to take another look ~
Wow, can you imagine growing up here??

I love visiting little towns around the country. I find it interesting that many of the small towns look very similar. Their little "town" areas are so quaint and reminiscent of a simpler time. We live in such a fast paced world now, we sometimes miss the roses along the way.

Have a very happy quilting day, and remember to share a smile!