The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful

Well, I'm either really late for last weeks post or I am one day early for this weeks.

Mothers Garden was on display in Houston at the Festival.   It is always an honor to be included in this show.

 I received several photos of it on IG, email and FB and I thank all who took a moment to visit her and send me photos.  I so appreciated it.

She had lovely applique neighbors!

Hanna popped home for a visit before starting her new job in DC (not in politics).  We went to the Town Green for Trunk or Treat.

Here we are in a photo online.  Ever the stage mom....ha ha adjusting coco's ladybug costume.  I have to say kids LOVE seeing a dog in a costume!

Quite a few town businesses give out candy.  How festive were these two gals?  Great decorated trunk. 

More good stuff~

At the CT Fair Banquet 2 of my quilts were awarded Top State Ribbons.  I received a 2nd Place for my Snowflower One Block Wonder Quilt.

 And a First Place for my Jubilee Quilt.  It was a thrill and Mr. Fun was with me at the banquet which was extra special.

Thank you Macomb County Quilters for welcoming me to your talented group!  We had a great time making lollipops in the workshop. 

I am booking into 2020 and would love to visit your guild.  Send me an email if you are interested or want me to provide information to your program chairperson.

Now the Bad.  Sad actually.  We had to say goodbye to our beloved Mr. Starbuck.  He really loved all things quilty.

He had a gentle sweet disposition and was very curious and loving. 

We all miss him too much.

The Beautiful~

Blair M. of the Berry Basket Quilters sent me finished photos of her Yellow Basket quilt.   It is so so wonderful!  Do you think she knows there is a piecing anomaly?  I like it, I always like a little surprise.

She used my Fan Stencil and hand quilted it beautifully.

Blair was in my Liberated House workshop in May and started a beach themed quilt.

 And it turned into Captivating Coastal Cottages.  Love it Blair!

 So many fun beachy themed fabrics and details.  I would love to see this in person someday.  The Crab Shack is a hoot!

Currently on display at our place is a little quilt that Mary B. made me many years ago.  

It is made with Cherrywood Cottons and hand quilted. 

Thanks for catching up with me!  I am looking forward to hearing all the reports from Houston.

Happy November!

xo

A Day in The Life

Thank you to all who left such nice comments here and on FB about my Alice Payne Quilt.  She and I appreciate it so much!

The blog reader "Quilt Granma" asked about this quilt, so I thought I'd share it again with better photos.

It was inspired by a quilt in "New Jersey Quilts Book" in this photo.

I had to piece the red fabric to get the look from the one in the original quilt.

two prints on the back.

 So important to make those labels!

The catalog "beauty shot".

 Don't worry, coco came out to make sure I was doing it right.

My friend, Barbara S. who co-authored the NJ book, made a beautiful version.

read about here on her blog.

Random things that happened this week to take my mind off the world:

In an effort to control and fix something, I cleaned my pantry (first time in over 4 years....just saying.)

I gave a houseplant a haircut.

I made some blocks from this quilt in Julie's collection.

Too orange and too big.....

better.....

coco had a surprise visit from her gentleman friend (I use that term very loosely) Scooby.

Mr. Starbuck took a nap on not one, not two, but 3 quilts.

Well that's all for now folks.  My heart goes out to the people of San Juan, Las Vegas and anyone who is struggling or suffering in any way.  The world is hard sometimes.

xo

Weirdest Post Ever

This is a random post filled with weird things and not a lot of quilting I can tell you that.  I've been out of sorts lately. 

I worked hard in the heat to get some pots planted and here is a sampling.

 I was never a huge container gardener until I bought  property that was all rock.

 Our outdoor decks are also very high off the yard so this way I see the flowers or plants.

This year I resurrected window boxes from NJ and made herb gardens.

I little table top succulent garden.

 The Balcony.

A very shady corner of the deck.  I love Caladiums.

Can't resist a photo of this beautiful Goldfinch at my feeder.

I spied this snake while preparing my pumpkin patch.  He was very nice.

A few weeks ago coco went CRAZY BARKING AT THE WOODS and here is why.

 What a pretty fox.  We played high and seek for several minutes.  Look at that cute smiling face.

 Back to woods he goes.....love that bushy tail.

Speaking of wild animals - Mr. Starbuck keeps running outside and then acts offended if I forget he's out there....

Woah, dude, calm down...  all this from a mostly inside cat that rarely meows.

Where is the quilting????  I would also like to know.
I figured out the math for my Westering Women 9" block and will make it when I return.

Whoopie - don't hurt yourself, barb....I also started this charity quilt for a camp outside Boston for grieving children.  I plan to make one for a boy and one for a girl.  Below is the boy one.

In closing I'd like to offer my favorite new technique for cooking bacon.  Everyone likes bacon, right?

I line pans with foil then lay out bacon in a single layer.  (I like to take it out of the fridg about 30 mins before I start so it comes to room temp).

Here's the magic part:  I drizzle real maple syrup on each slice and then grind fresh pepper on each.  

I put the trays in a 375 degree oven for about 15-20 mins.  Really depends on the bacon thickness.  I do watch them and take out strips as they become brown and crispy.   They are perfect with blueberry pancakes or eggs or just in your mouth.

I'm hoping that my trip to Alaska with Hanna will snap me out of my sewing malaise.   (the trip is a combined Double Birthday, Christmas and Graduation gift to us both from Mr. Fun.)

Gosh, I sure would love to see an Eagle, Moose and Whale.  Totem Poles are high on the list too.

Have a great week!
xo