A Little Bit of Everything

First off, let me start by saying,

thank you

for all the wonderful comments and the personal emails.
I really appreciate your interest in my blog.

I hope I won't disappoint you.

Here is the information on my Redwork Basket quilt

so many of you asked about.

Aunt Bea's Parlor

Designed by Judy Reynolds

for Black Cat Creations.

Because we needed the quilt larger,

there are 42 embroidered blocks,

more than double of what the pattern called for.

Also, an 8" white border was added.

The fancy feather quilting and scrappy binding

adds to the vintage charm.

A close up of the block detail.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

Here are 2 customer Christmas quilts.

The snowman quilt is called

"Walking in a Winter Wonderland".

Notice the large outside border?
A beautiful holly print.

The embroidery block detail.

Fun free hand snowflakes.

In place of the usual Christmas theme motifs

my customer wanted feathers!

Especially in that wide border.

It's easier to see the quilting on the solid back.

I love when the back is as beautiful as the front.
I was thrilled to hear that this quilt was accepted into the

Quilt Expo in Madison this September.

Yeah Deb!!!!!

Here is Kathleen's "Seven Stars" quilt.
Her fabric choices make the simple star pattern so elegant looking.

I used gold metallic and a matching cranberry thread .

Her perfect piecing combined with the quilting won

Kathleen a BLUE RIBBON!

And 2nd place Viewer's Choice Award.
YEAH!!!!!

And now a little family news.

Our oldest grandson (13) is

"the greatest" ball player (just ask Grandma).

Whether it be basketball or baseball he loves the game.

And, as most 13 year olds, aspires to be a pro.

For the past 3 weeks his team played "tournament" ball.

Winning several games here in WI and then winning again in MI.

After MI on to Indiana for 4 days.

They won until the last day.

Unfortunately, the last game of the tournament they lost 5-3.

Here's my granddaughter and her Mom watching the game.

The team was so looking forward to traveling to

North Carolina to play in the play off games.

We're so proud of the team and their coaches!!

Oh, did I mention my son is one the coaches????

Look at those cute "grand baby" faces.

Not a bad picture considering it was taken on a camera phone.

My youngest son, his baby boy and PaPa (hubby) drove to IN to cheer the team on.

It was tooooo hot for this Grandma!

Well, I'm off next week to the Milwaukee Long Arm Quilt Show.

I'm taking classes for 2 days

in hopes that some of the talent rubs off on me!

Have a wonderful week!

Hugs,

What a Surprise!

Oh, what a surprise to come home last night and
find over 75 emails in my inbox!
75!
My first thought, I've been "spammed".
Then I realized
Anne Sutton from Bunny Hill Designs
had posted about my give away on her blog.
A real-live celebrity had visited my blog!
C-leb-ber-ty, oh my, heart be still.
Thank you sooooo much Anne.
I'm honored.

A Warm Welcome, to all my new friends.
It is so nice to meet you.
I hope to hop over to your blogs and say hello soon.

It took me awhile to get my list ready for the drawing.
My hubby did the honors.
Drum Roll Please..................

Carolyn (Lee Prairie)
I wish I could send each and everyone of you something!

Denise (Count it *all* Joy)
Ladies, please send me an email with your
address and I will get your gifts in the mail
on Wednesday.

I want to show you my Vintage Baskets quilt top-
minus the borders. I'm still giving those some thought.
Not sure what I want to do.
I'm going to use my left over reds, creams & whites to piece
together my chain blocks for Snowbound.
I love scrappy quilts.
The more fabrics the better.

And this is my next project.
"Over the River and Through the Woods"
(Crab-apple Hill) in Fall colors.
I'm on the 2 year plan.
A year to stitch and piece, another year to get it quilted.
My quilts are always the last to get quilted.

I must confess.
I'm a "ONE TRICK PONY".
After years of counted cross stitch,
embroidery, candle wicking (showing my age with that one).
I've decided that:

1. I don't like to change thread colors. I'm lazy.
2. I love to do what I call the stem stitch.
Easier for me to keep the stitches even. I'm terrible at the back stitch.
3. I love Perle cotton #8 in place of floss. No twisting & knotting.
4. I want it to be "mindless" so I can stitch watching TV or a movie
and feel I'm not wasting my time completely.
5. And did I mention, I'm getting lazy in my old age?

It's hotter than blazes here.
But at least you don't have to shovel heat.

Hugs, and thanks again.

150th Post Give Away!

Can you believe it?
150 posts.
Hard to believe I had that much to write.
Let alone lovely friends who read them.
To let you know how much I appreciate the time
you take to stop in and visit
I'd like to give you some of my time.
After all, isn't that what life's all about?
Time.

I am going to give away a set of
SnowBound Red Work blocks.
The last 5 blocks will be mailed out monthly
as they become available.
The winner will have enough blocks for a
QUILT
by the end of the year!

This is a free BOM from Bunny Hill Designs.
Check it out....cute, huh?

To enter the drawing, just leave a comment.
If you are a "follower", or become a follower,
let me know and I will enter your name twice.

And please, don't be shy,
post about my give away on your blog
and I will enter you in a special drawing
for a set of hand crocheted edged
pink pillowcases.

That's 3 chances to WIN!

The drawing is noon Saturday, July 24th.

** Sorry I have to change the drawing date**

I'm heading out of town to play Grandma,

and won't be back til Sunday.

For sure, Monday morning I'll post the winner!

Thanks again for stopping in.
I really-really appreciate your time.

Hugs,

A Girl!

This is the little bundle of love we've been waiting for!

Mommy and Piper are so happy to finally meet in person.

I do believe it is heaven on earth to cuddle a newborn baby!

More to follow........

Hugs, Karen

Baby Watch

I've been on "Baby Watch" for the past 10 days.
My bags are packed, handwork ready for the waiting room,
cookies baked (grandparents need nourishment).

We did have a "false alarm" on Sunday
or
"trial run" as I like to think of it!

The suspense is killing me!
Daddy & Mommy decided
NOT to find out the sex of the baby.
Healthy is their prayer.

I've been quilting like crazy.
I'll have a quilt show for you
as soon as this grandbaby (#7) is born.

Also, coming up
**recipe for a ice cream dessert that will make you scream
**my 150th post give away



Have a safe and Happy 4th of July L-o-n-g Weekend!

Sharing Your Gift

"What you are is God's gift to you,
what you do with yourself is your gift to God."
Leo Buscaglia


I want to introduce you to a very special young man.
His name is Christopher.
Christopher's gift is his voice.
He loves to sing for the residents of the local nursing home.
And records books for those who can no longer see the written word.
Here he is sharing his gift with us at
his high school graduation party.

And I want to share his uplifting gift with you.

Enjoy.

Farmer's Market Heaven

Is this not the cutest dang book you've ever seen?

Written in 1965.
Calling home the Grand Forks Library.
It still has the due date envelope on the back inside cover.
Remember those?
After I read the first page I thought maybe they were talking about me!
A steal at $1.50.
Can't wait to read it to my grandbabies.

Check out this Farmer's Market
Year 1954.
Notice the ladies in their house dresses.
Not a pair of jeans to be found.

We went to our local market Saturday morning.
The weather was beautiful.
The people friendly, the coffee hot.
Fresh veggies on the grill for dinner.

I just HAD to buy some "just picked this morning" strawberries.
The neighbor gave me fresh rhubarb and this is what I came up with.

This is soooo good with vanilla ice cream.
Click on the recipe to enlarge for better reading.

Going to Green Bay this weekend for a graduation party.
All the grandbabies will be there.
I love when they (all 5) yell "Grandma-Grandma look at me"

Island Love

I have been looking for a small table to use
as a kitchen island since we moved in.
Nothing I found was the right size or was in bad condition.
Until......

I found this baby.

I can't believe I didn't take a "before" picture.
What kind of blogger am I!
My hubby and I were walking around the Elkhorn Flea Market
on Sunday when I spotted this little beauty.
Actually, it wasn't a beauty then.
Dirty, wobbly legs, chipped paint,
and a drawer that wouldn't open.
But the enamel top is in perfect condition.
Just a few minor chips on the edges,
adding character.
The best part is the size 26" x 36"
and the price $40.00.
Total cost with wood, paint and a new drawer pull $55.00.
A Bargain!

My talented neighbor Bill, husband of junk'n pal Kelli,
added the platform for me. Raising it to counter height.
The platform idea came from Cynthia over at
Cynthia's Cottage Design.

Ohhh and look at this tablecloth I bought
at a garage sale for only $1.50.
It's over 2 yards of fabric (60 x 80)!
I cut it up and made a table cloth and 2 porch pillows.
Plus I have enough left for a couple table runners!

I just love hunting for treasures in this warm weather.
Going to try my luck again this weekend.
Wonder what I'll find?


Hope this finds you Happy & Healthy.

Front Porch Living

What's more summer than Popsicles?

Check out this tin jug!

Perfect for lemonade or ice tea on those humid summer days.

A great find at WalMart.

I've been spending the early morning hours outside.

Enjoying the sounds of Spring and my flowers.

Two beautiful hanging baskets of pink petunias

on each side of the porch.

Rockers out, just waiting for company.

The garage sale braided runner is perfect on the porch.

Railing planters filled with geraniums, snowballs and superbells.

A pot of purple petunias on the step.

Pink on the other side.



But this I'm afraid is going to be my problem child.
Tipsy pots.

Look at the mess after watering!!!
Luckily it's on the back deck.

I should have a few quilts to show you soon.

When the afternoons heat up my studio, in the lower level,

is the best place to be.

Cool.

Hope this finds you HEALTHY and HAPPY!

Hugs,