Saturday, April 18, 2015

FFF - Spring Fun!

Yes, I know it's Saturday, but yesterday was one of those days.

Spring has finally arrived in Connecticut!!  Hip Hip Hooray! What a joy to swing the door open wide and let the fresh air in.

While turning and watering my pansies I notice a little insect on the stoop.  I almost stepped on it.

What a miracle of nature.  It is a baby praying mantis.  Soooo tiny!

I used a leaf to pick him up and put him in my flower pot so coco wouldn't step or lay on him.  It was near the stoop that I found an adult one last fall.

I changed my funky paint-by-number art in my powder room from the winter "buck" scene -
 to my spring swan scene.

Mr. Fun thinks these are trashy, but I love them.  Look at this funny painting mistake under the swans neck.  Surely it was supposed to be blue.

I bought a great batch of fun stamps on line from USPS.  No extra charge and no shipping.

A friend asked me to share her Granddaughter's Theme Park Teen blog.  This young lady is an excellent writer and offers a lot of great information to anyone visiting a theme Park.

She has also opened her own Etsy shop.   Good Luck Megan!

Oh, how will ever live without my Mad Men!?!  Only 4 episodes left.  Last Sunday I spied this 1950s, polyester, yarn tied patchwork quilt.

Fabric APB Alert!!!  Please check your fabric stash for my friend, Barbara.  this is what she is looking for.  You can see her post with details here.


I've started quilting on the Boy Quilt and it is going really well.  I'll make a full report soon.  I'm off to the "big show" in Paducah next week.

Have a Fun Weekend!

26 comments:

Lori said...

This post was all over the place today! Love the paint by numbers!!
Cool fabric but I'm certain I don't own any. Happy Saturday!

Diane said...

Without even looking I am certain I do not have that fabric, sorry! What a fun collection of topics you have covered today. That baby praying mantis is incredible. I've never seen one. Have a wonderful time in Paducah!

TakeMeThereTotes said...

I did a ton of those paint by number paintings as a kid. I am sure they now reside somewhere buried deep in a trash dump. Never wished I had them back until today when I saw how cute yours are. Thanks for sharing. Same for crewel embroidery kits, cross stitch, macrame and lots of other crafty stuff. Oh well!

Nifty Quilts said...

Yea for spring! You are so good at celebrating the seasons and holidays with inspired, fun decor. I love your paint-by-number art. I also made a few of those as a kid. Makes me want to try it again!

Barbara said...

Oh, Barb, thank you, thank you for posting my fabric search :) I've never seen a little Praying Mantis--very cool. I love paint-by-numbers, too!

YankeeQuilter said...

Our summer cottage had a whole wall of paint by numbers that we added to each summer! Great memories! Sorry, don't have that fabric in the stash...nice one though...

Betsy Schneekloth said...

Oh gosh, I remember doing those paint by number pictures! So fun! Happy Spring!! Windows opened and off to do yard work.

Cheryl Lynch Quilts said...

Have fun in Paducah and share lots of photos, please.

Kevin the Quilter said...

Your posts are always so fun! LOVE the postage stamps, and the Boy Quilt! Happy little mistake will make people 100 years from now ask questions....and I like that they will! Hope to see you in Paducah!

Karen said...

Did you do the paint by numbers or a find somewhere? I did a few of them many years ago but they disappeared long ago. I think they are a fun thing for you to display.

Chantal said...

I hope the big Mantis won't eat the baby one because... you know they do that! YIKES!! I still do some paint by number pictures. (Maybe I'll share on a slow rainy day.) Do you know who painted yours? Lovely fabric. No wonder she is looking for more but I have none. Sorry.
Enjoy Paducah!!

Rachaeldaisy said...

You always have such action packed posts! I love those paint by number paintings, it's so cool you have ones for different seasons. That praying mantis is so sweet and tiny, I love how you moved him to a leafy part of the garden. Awesome stamps!! I bet your looking forward to the Paducah Show!

beth s said...

You had a lot of fun stuff to post today. Have fun in Paducah! Feeling just a little green. ;)

Janet O. said...

It's always fun at Fun With Barb!
I've never seen a baby praying mantis, though I have seen more than my share of adults!
Great art in the bathroom.
Didn't know there were so many fun stamps available.
Oh, the polyester quilts--those abounded in my neighborhood growing up. My neighbor worked in a clothing factory when most clothes were poly, and she distributed bags of scraps to anyone who would take them. : )
None of that fabric here, I'm afraid. Sorry.

Kyle said...

What a lovely spring post. The paint by numbers pictures are so funky and fun. I bet who ever did them would be amazed that you had them.

Aunt 'Reen said...

Happy to hear that Spring has arrived to your doorstep! What fun to see those paint by numbers - FUN nostalgia indeed!
Wishing you an awesome time in Paducah!

Megan Abate said...

Thank you so much for mentioning Theme Park Teen on your blog!! I have really been enjoying blogging lately and it is nice to know that people read my articles!

Anonymous said...

What a fine example of someone who enjoys life! You appreciate and notice everything. Good for you. Ever since I took your hex class, I can't stop making them and am neglecting everything else. I'm addicted!!! Theme Park Teen gives you all the info you need to enjoy a visit. I'm ready to go!!! Have fun in Paducah, Barb.
Norma

Karen said...

On E-Bay right now, Barb.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-3-Vtg-50s-60s-Paint-by-Number-Boy-Fishing-Pheasant-Swans-Tree-Framed-18-x10-/381211058022?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58c1f31f66

Janet said...

I love that you can throw the door open this time of year and not worry about mosquitos flying in. What an interesting bug and so tiny!! I'm impressed you noticed it and am so glad you shared it :0) Your pansies look very pretty. Have fun in Paducah!!!

Wendy Caton Reed said...

Wow! I've never seen a baby praying mantis. SO cute! Love the Paint by Numbers! Thanks for sharing Barbara's request. Unfortunately I used my "grapes" on a quilt and only have the alternate border part left. Loved that fabric!

Thimbleanna said...

What a great mixed post Barb! I would have never known that little critter was a baby praying mantis -- thanks for showing it, now I can be on the look out. And have a GREAT time in Paducah -- burn up your Instagram account!!! (Are you going to stop and see Hanna on the way?

fiberchick said...

Spring fever!

pandchintz said...

Glad you're enjoying such lovely spring weather - that praying mantis is so small!! Enjoy Paducah!

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Speaking of Paducah, I saw your quilt and am excited to have been able to have seen it in person. Swoon!

Pinkadot Quilts said...

What a fun post. Sorry I don't have any of that fabric but will keep a look out.
I love praying mantis, we always have a few hanging out at the end of summer.