Anyone Can Quilt

My favorite fall quilt.

My friend MT and I made matching quilts for fall last year.   It is really hard moving all the way across the country from such a close friend, but MT and I stay close through not only lots of phone calls, but through quilting.  We always have at least one common project going.  It is so fun to talk on the phone with a sketchbook in hand dreaming up our next project.  This quilt was so fun and easy to make.  It's using one of my favorite blocks, super easy but when put together with lots more, you get these great stretched stars.

This border fabric is my favorite Halloween fabric of all time.  It is from Thimbleberries and came out years ago.  Above that smiling pumpkin it says "A Merry Halloween".

Oh gosh, look at that sweet face.  I love her!

I used this cute black fabric for the corner triangles and binding.  It reminds me of little bats.

MT and I decided to use black thread for the quilting.  I really like the effect.

There she is again, sorry.  But she's so darn cute!  I'm thinking she might be perfect to peek out from some Halloween Cottage windows.

Today is cool and it seems as though fall has finally arrived.  This evening after my busy day has slowed down, I can't wait to curl up under my special quilt and chat on the phone with my dear friend.... with sketchbook in hand I'm sure.  x

Now we can start Fall.

My firstborn pumpkin recently had her 10th birthday.  One of her birthday wishes was to go on one last camping trip.  So that's just what we did this weekend.  It has been unseasonably warm this past week, so the monkeys even got to swim in the river. 

If you've been visiting my blog for the past few months you know how much I love camping at the river.  This gorgeous property has been in my family since my great-grandfather bought it years ago, and we enjoy spending lots of time here in the summer.

I love the cool clear water.

Rosie likes to pick out special rocks to carry around.

And to chew on special sticks.

And to look super cute.

See that anomaly in the upper left corner there?  That would be my dad.  He thinks it's funny to stick his hand in front of my pictures.  He's always a jokester.  So just to get back at him, I'm going to post his picture here for all to see.  Take THAT Mr. Funny-Guy.

Who has a smooshy beer can holder thingy that says this:

He should just be glad I don't have any of his old high school short shorts basketball playing pictures on hand.  Then he'd be in a world of trouble.  They didn't call him "bird legs" for nothin'.

My daddy cracks me up.

So, where was I before he rudely interrupted.... oh ya, camping pictures.

After a fun day of watching the kids swim, what's left than to eat lots of camping food and settle in around the fire.

We were so happy to have our sweet little friends to come and spend the day with us.  These crazy girls had a blast. And yes, little sis still hates having her picture taken, hence:

How COULD you?  She was thinking.  Oh, how I never get tired of torturing my darlings.

Birthday wish granted. x

Cottage update

I've been collecting fabrics, cutting and sewing.  This is such a fun project!  I've been choosing warm golden fabrics for the windows, because I know there must be a little family inside warming themselves by the fire.

Look!  It's snowing at this cottage.

I have been adding to the fabric pile.

I loooove this one.

Now it's off to build some more Christmas Cottages.  And maybe some Halloween ones too.  How cute will those be?!   x

Something sweet.

I'm not one of those people who has tons and tons of friends.  I have friends yes, and I seem to get along with and appreciate so many wonderful people who cross my path.  But those really close friends who are more like family, the friends who you can always count on to laugh or cry with, those don't come along all that often.  I am so blessed to have a precious few of these friends.  When I started this blog earlier this year, I had no idea that I would be gaining some very special new friends.  It may seem odd to someone who doesn't blog that you could make lasting friendships in this way.  But I have, and I'm so thankful.  I have witnessed so much kindness through strangers, who have come into contact online through like interests.  This little blog and my contact with my readers, and visiting so many other wonderful blogs really adds joy to each and every day.    

Remember my wonderful friend Sabine?  You know, my German friend who sent me wellies.  She recently went to a fabric fair and purchased some adorable crafty kits.  One of my favorite things that she got was a kit to make a little hanging heart that you applique an adorable cross stitched mushroom to.  She sent me pictures of her finished heart and of course I told her how wonderful it was!  So she stitched up a little mushroom for me, and popped it into the mail.  What a wonderful surprise!  When I opened it I got right to work on my own heart.    I chose this blue fabric, and thought it needed some ricrac too!  Now you know I love me some ricrac.

I love my mushroom heart Sabine!  Thank you so much for thinking of me once again.

Now, I am so exited.  I have joined Nanette's Christmas Cottage block exchange!  Nanette has designed the cutest cottage block, and was kind enough to share the pattern with all of us.  Then she had the wonderful idea to have a block exchange.  The spaces filled up fast, so the exchange part is closed.  But, you can still use her wonderful pattern and make as many little cottages as your little heart can handle!  I just finished my first one.

Aren't these the cutest blocks?  That Nanette is a pattern designing rock star.  I've been rummaging through my stash finding Christmas fabrics.  Here's what I've found so far.

Wait a second... back it up!  Did you get a load of this to die for reindeer fabric?  I know, it brings tears to your eyes.... hold it together girls...

Oh boy is this going to be fun.  Have I ever told you how much I love my blog friends? x

Stack of Happiness..

I have two things I'd like to share today.  Two things that make me happy.  First are my pink roses.  I snipped these late bloomers this morning.  I love their soft color so much.

Next I am calling my "Stack of Happiness".  Because each and every item in my stack makes me happy.  I know, I'm clever with the words.

First is my surprise all the way from the UK from sweet Lisa.  She saw this wonderful magazine and thought I'd like it.  Simple as that.  I can't tell you what wonderful and kind friends I've made through our blog world.  Thank you so much Lisa!  I have sat through the last couple of nights reading this magazine cover to cover.  Each page is filled with cozy treasures.  Take a gander.

See the adorable house.  It's a sewing machine cover!  I kid you not, this goes way off of the precious meter.

And for you keys of course.  I looove these!

Who needs a house purse?  I do that's who. 

I love everything that has to do with little quilted cottages.  This magazine is full of them.  Thank you again Lisa!  This magazine and your thoughtfulness has totally brightened my crazy week.

Now, let's take a flower break.  Deep breath in....

Ok, onto the next treasures.  I recently was visiting the lovely blog, Fresh Figs.  If you want lots of lovely inspiration, please go visit!  I couldn't stop my quick little hands from ordering these patterns. 

Aren't these the most beautiful stockings?  I can't wait to make some of these for Christmas.  Look at the little strawberries!

And these two patterns are like mini magazines with lots of great info, and a few extra patterns too!

Another flower intermission....I'll hum for you...dooododeeeelaaaalooooleeeee....

And we're back for some more beautiful-ness.  The sweet super mom Camille of Thimble Blossoms and I are doing a fun little trade.  Remember this little elephant that I made for a little friend?  Well Camille's little darling boy loves elephants and I looove her patterns, so we decided to do a swap.  I just got her patterns in the mail.  And she even sent me some extras!  I love them all and can't wait to make some quilts with them.  Of course I also need to order some of the great Cotton Blossom fabric that she designed.  This girl's got skills!  Now, time for pattern sharing.

Aren't they all amazing?  She has many more quilt designs on her site to drool over.  It was really hard to tell her which ones were my favorites!  And here's the elephant waiting to go on his journey.

He's on his way Camille!  Thank you so much for your great patterns.  I love them! x