Happy Spring!

I  finished the stitching of the cat needlepoint in Middle School when I was about 12 years old.  I'm turning 54 this year - you can do the math on that one, ha ha

As a girl we always had pretty Siamese cats.

The kit was given to me by grandfather for Christmas about a month after he passed away.  I always wanted him to paint me a cat portrait, but he found it very difficult as he mostly painted landscapes.

I am so happy with how sweet it turned out.

I also had the Ridgewood Needlepoint Shop block this needlepoint that my mother, Cathy, finished before she died sometime before she died.  So that's been more than 25 years now.

 I will have it framed.  It seems like a perfect fit now that I live in New England.

 Here are my top picks from the AQS Lancaster Quilt Show.  You can see all the winners by clicking here.

On Monday we woke up to a lovely spring snow it was completely melted by sundown.

I've been doing a little house construction while watching House of Cards.  I'm so looking forward to teaching a Liberated House workshop in Texas next month.   I forgot how fun these were to make.

My blog friend, Diane, of Butterfly Threads has published her first book.  Congratulations Diane; it is fabulous!  She sent me a copy and a cute mug rug in preparation of participating in her blog hop.  I have the lucky spot of being the Caboose on the fun train.

Here is the blog hop dates and websites.  Hop around and try your luck at winning a book and visiting these great blogs.

3/21    C&T Blog http://www.ctpub.com/blog/
with Diane (that’s me) http://www.butterflythreadsquilting.com
3/22    Bonnie Hunter http://quiltville.blogspot.com/
3/23    Lori http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/
3/24    Karen http://nanagirlquilts.blogspot.com/
3/25    Audrey http://quiltyfolk.blogspot.com/
3/26    Pat Sloan http://blog.patsloan.com/
3/27    Valerie http://myplvl.blogspot.com/
3/28    Kelly http://pinkadotquilts.blogspot.com/
3/29    Victoria Findlay Wolfe http://bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/
3/30    Rachaeldaisy http://bluemountaindaisy.blogspot.com/
3/31    Angie http://quiltingcrescent.blogspot.com/
4/1       Julie http://quiltjewelry.blogspot.com/
4/2       Barb Www.funwithbarb.com

I'll end the post today with the deal of the week - a fun Dog with Glasses shopping bag from TJMaxx.  99 cents.  All that cuteness for under a buck.

Happy Hump Day!
xo

Happy New Year!

Good Morning!
I'm back from a wonderful week "down on the farm" in Illinois and it was a wonderful visit.  I am so grateful we had good driving weather, 840 miles is a long trek there, and then back.

Here is the last doll quilt that I'm making for my daughter, Hanna, for Christmas.  I started the tradition when she was about 3 years old.  Since she is a senior in high school, I've decided it's okay to stop.

This is a big girl doll quilt.  I thought it would be fun to do a selvage project.  I even found some great words to use, drama queens, and peeps - how funny.

I used a variegated blue thread which had a cool effect on the blue background.

The backing is part of the City Quilters NYC fabric collection.

 

 And one of my super simple, super quick labels.

My son gave me this hilarious t-shirt for Christmas.  Sage advice......except on retreats or  Fridays :)

Help this poor kitty!  I needle-pointed this in middle school, mid-1970's.  My mother blocked it, but clearly it needs re-blocking.  Help!  How is this done?  And does anyone have any suggestions about my making this into a pillow? 

**Finally, as you may have noticed I've made some changes to the blog.  It will remain "fun with barb and mary" but Mary has decided that blogging is not for her.  As I have been the sole author for almost a year, we thought it time.  We had a wonderful visit on Christmas Eve - thanks again for sharing your fruitcake Mary!