NATIONAL UMBRELLA MONTH

Greetings!

Did you know March  is National Umbrella month? Me either.

Is this the cutest Bird Cage Umbrella? It's from Ella Umbrella. Now you can impress your friends with some very important info.  The umbrella was invented 4000 years ago and waterproofed later by the Chinese.  It's to get you ready for the April showers. 

Enjoy.

mary

HAPPY PI DAY

PUSHING SPRING

Greetings!

As they say, be careful what you ask for. I didn't really ask for anything but I was complaining about the cold weather 2 weeks ago. It was in the 50's here.  Last night I had to turn on the AC because we are already in the 90's! All this week... R U kidding me? I have to get summer clothes out already.

But, I did make a great purchase this week: $12.95 was spent for a charm pack and a yard of fabric. STEAL... from MSQC folks.

The fabric is a yard of Moda Robin's Egg (almost a light turquoise but definitely Easter).  The charm pack is Moda Lulu Lane by Corey Yoder.  this makes me so happy.

The Robins Egg is  one of my favorites.  I used it for my Mod Dre quilt last month (to be posted soon) and also for an Easter pillow cover I made for my daughter last week.  This group above will probably be a baby quilt or not. I might just savor the view.

Have a wonderful week!
mary

THINGS I LIKE THURSDAY MAR 9

Greetings !

I always think of Mork when I type Greetings.

Anyway, here are the likes for this week to share with Lee Ann  at Not Afraid of Color

1. My Janome 6600 sewing machine.  When I purchased this new machine, extended table, travel contraption, accessories, I felt like I arrived in the quilting world!  Based on the expense alone, I should have.  Just kidding.  It has been worth every dollar.

I especially like the cutter button and threading feature.  I use a lesser machine, Singer Confidential , when I travel for classes etc and really have to adjust to a machine without these features. I have to use the other machine because the Janome is too heavy for my back to lift from house to car to destination and back.   I have had my Janome a few years but haven't really spent the time to use some of the fancier stitches.  Someday.

2. My Singer Touch and Sew model 646 machine.  It is in the original cabinet and is about 50 years old and in good condition.  The bobbin winds under the plate! very cool. I acquired it from a co-worker who wanted to get rid of it! I did give her some money for it. I only use it for piecing scrap strip  blocks. This machine is a workhorse. I can take it out of the cabinet any time, sit down and sew-quiet and dependable. I've had it a few years and haven't gotten it serviced-need too I guess. Disconnecting it from the cabinet should be fun. Some of you may remember it from Home Ec in the 60's.

3.  My local quilt shop, Quilted Country Bear in Glendale, Az.  It's small, personal and fun. The ladies are so helpful AND TALENTED. I attend a monthly WIP day and it feels like a mini retreat every time.

These are just a few of the "likeables" for me.  Hope  you all enjoy your day and link up with LeeAnn for more.

mary

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!

just sayin.

I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE

Greetings!

Today I'd like to share with you my "I Spy" quilt number 2.  The first one I made was given to a charity before I started taking photos of quilts years ago.

This quilt is for a toddler son of a friend.  The fabric was from Missouri Star Quilt Co and was called "I Spy Charades" from Kanvus Studios.  Here's the best part-I ordered the 10 inch Square packs 2 different times cause I liked them. (Never realized I had the first pack.) The pattern/tutorial is also from MSQC called Double Slice Layer Cake.  Super easy and quick.  I made the top in one afternoon at a WIP day retreat then it  sat in a cupboard for over a year! I just love this fabric.And so do little boys. I paired the fabric with some polka dots to let the subjects pop.

The quilt is 53 x 45 which is perfect for a little boy. The backing as you can see is red/white dots. I took this photo before I attached a tiny black/white binding. (see below for binding)

Here are some close ups of the blocks in the quilt.

Frogs, race cars, Mexican hats, numbers, popcorn, soccer balls, and my personal favorite-dancing monkeys to name just a few.


check out the binding:

I'm going to get more of this Moda polka dot! Love it as binding.

Hope you enjoyed this.
Have a great day.
mary

THINGS I LIKE THURSDAY MAR 2

Greetings!

Here are my like things for today:

1. Retirement.  I apologize to those that are not able to retire yet. I remember your pain. I retired from 50 years of working last summer. Truth be told, I wanted more time to enjoy life not just walk through it. I felt  like a hamster in a wheel. Plus, it was time to let a younger person take on the responsibility of that position after my 19 years there.  That's a freakin long time, people.  sorry.
I love not setting the alarm!!!!! I can take my time in the morning. I'm a morning person so this is such a treat to start my day slowly.  My joints are thanking me and behaving so far.  Don't get me wrong- I miss money and I am constantly weighing pros and cons of any purchase.  My brother and I live a very simple life which helps control the budget.  The freedom I feel not answering to a boss is PRICELESS. If you can swing it at all, do it.

2. Volunteer for Friendship program at my grandson's public elementary school.  Students with and without special needs are paired up for fun activities throughout the school year. 5th-8th grade volunteer students who demonstrate leadership skills with good grades are recommended by teachers to the volunteer program. The kids are Best Friends Forever. For my grandson who is a special needs student, his friend Charlie provides a friendship that is so sweet to watch. Charlie has learned and watched my grandson grow and progress in school in areas Charlie would not otherwise been aware of.  Win Win for everyone.

3. Old Lady's day at Joann's. Ok, that's so inappropriate a title, but that's how I think of it.  It';s not every first Wednesday of the month, but this year we have had 3! Check your local Joann's a few days before.

What great marketing!
Please hook up with Lee Ann for more likes: lapaylor.blogspot.com.....they are such fun.
Enjoy your day.
mary