Oh, You Stinker!

I got a lovely package in the mail today from my blogland friend, Mary, as a thank you for sending USMC fabric her way for an upcoming project.  What a nice surprise as these days 'surprise' usually involves a call from the principal. 

Look at this unassuming package and then gaze upon all the awesomeness inside...and I will say I walked with dignity to the mailbox...and smiled and hummed a jaunty tune all the way back!


Did I rip the package to shreds?  I think NOT!

 

Lookee!!

This is a 12 piece (OH!) fat quarter collection from Connecting Threads (MY!) called Birchtree Lane (GOODNESS!).  It reminds me of our local park with all the lush pecan trees and the river running beside it...oh, the ideas are swirling 'round in my head.

And look at this...it's orange sherbet of the fabric variety.  I've only ever made one quilt with orange in it, but I absolutely love it and hoard it for that 'perfect' project.  Aren't these gorgeous?!  A spool of Aurifil (a brand I've never used before, but am excited to try), orange polka dots and a gorgeous sunflower batik (which my daughter is eyeing...watch it sister!).  Be still my heart...I am in quilter's heaven!  I stood in the backyard photographing everything and squealing the whole time.  If the neighbors weren't convinced of my apparent mental instability, it's no longer up for debate. 

Thank you Mary, you didn't have to do that...but I'm sooo glad you did!

Happy quilting, y'all!

Will Work For Fabric

I confess I'm not a fan of the commercial where people get paid with chewing gum.  I mean really, chewing gum?  These folks need to take a page from my Mom's book!

Mom used to pay me actual currency to watch the house, feed the pets and generally keep an eye on things when they went out of town.  Don't ask me why she felt compelled to pay..I'm happy to do it and it's really no big deal.  Then all of a sudden, she started paying me in fabric.  I am one happy quilter!

This time around, I got paid in advance...check it out!

Polka dots from the Berenstain Bears collection.  SQUEAL!!  How can you not love polka dots?  They're so happy and no one ever thinks of telling them perhaps they need to go on a diet because they're a little TOO round.  I'm hoarding these like a doomsday prepper hoards canned goods!

Then there are the times Mom goes on a quilt retreat without me...I swear I don't know HOW the woman manages to have a good time.  She must feel guilty because she usually brings me back a stash of fiber wonderfulness...

 
I absolutely love the yellow fabric.  I must tell one of those 'I am an idiot' stories about myself.  When she first handed that fabric to me, I took one look and thought how cute...little porcelain potties.  No, idiot, turn the fabric right side up...they're toasters!  Hey, I've never claimed to be the brightest crayon in the box, okay?

Personally, I think the world would be a happier place if we all got paid and could pay our bills in fabric.  Nothing lights up my face like the notion of fondling quality fiber goods.  And I may just be ecstatic about going to work.

Happy quilting, y'all!

Birthday Present...Done!

I confessed on Wednesday that I haven't been in much of a quilting mood lately.  Not sure if it's the crazy weather or the fact that I was in the process of coming down with a nasty cold.  All of which is to say I haven't gotten a whole lot done.  Last night, after it became apparent that my cold was now full-blown, Co-Def #2 decided she was going to take care of me: she propped me up on the sofa with a quilt, pillow and her favorite stuffed animal and proceeded to make me dinner.  Mind you, she's seven, so the make-mommy-feel-better-meal consisted of a diet soda (which she solemnly informed me killed her nails to open), dry ham sandwich and cheetos.  I couldn't taste a thing, but she sat beside me and rubbed my back and patted me and somehow I felt just a bit better.

So, this evening she has a birthday party to attend and I wasn't in any mood to buy yet another Barbie or My Pretty Pony.  And I just hate that I wind up spending almost as much on the gift wrap as I do the gift itself...so aggravating!  Amanda Jean at crazymomquilts had blogged about a pillow she'd made for a birthday party her daughter was attending.  What a cool idea...I have fabric, I can sew, looks pretty easy, and I won't have to leave the house to get it done. 

CONFESSION TIME:  Amanda Jean, I apologize profusely for stealing your awesomely awesome gift idea.  I should probably feel a little guilty, but it turned out so cute and my daughter's gushed over how much her friend will love it so I hope you're going to be supremely flattered rather than exceptionally put out that I copied you!

I found the tutorial on YouTube (where else?) from The Crafty Gemini.  The lady gave really good, clear instructions through the eight minute long video.  I embroidered the little girl's name by hand since my Featherweight doesn't do anything beyond a good old straight stitch.  It went together very quickly and I think it turned out really cute!  Crossing my fingers in hopes that she likes it.

I'm linking up to finish it up Friday with Amanda Jean at crazymomquilts.

Happy quilting, y'all!

Christmas in January!

My Louisiana neighbor and quilting pal, Betty P, recently let me know she had some leftover Christmas fabric in need of a home...was I interested? 

Was I interested?  Is a hog's butt ham?  Heck yeah!  So imagine my delight at finding this in my mailbox this afternoon.  I've always thought it was rather amazing that something good arrives in the mail when you need it most and today was no exception.

My daughter squealed Clothes!! while my son, noting that the package was squishy, pronounced straight-faced It's a squid.  Frankly, I don't get excited over either one.  Fabric on the other hand, now that's another matter altogether.

I restrained myself and didn't rip the package apart trying to get it open...mainly because I opened it in my front yard (for the photo op, of course) and it wouldn't look good for the neighbors to find out what a nut job I am.  I'll leave it to my children to warn the world.

Is this an awesome group of fabric or what?

There was also this bag of precut shapes...not sure what Miss Betty was up to with these but there's a significant amount of curved pieces in there.  They, too, have found a happy home...or at least a quilter wacky enough to give 'em a go!  Now, what to do with them?  Hmmm...

Yay me and many thanks to Miss Betty for her generosity!  And lest anyone asks What about your fabric diet? may I just say gifts and freebies don't count!  Nyahnyahnyah!!!

Thanks, Betty...you really brightened my day.