July's Island Batik Ambassador Challenge is Secondary Patterns. I knew I wanted to use the 10" stack precuts of Paisley Dot in Earth Tones along with the orange and black matching yardage that I received in my first Ambassador fabric box earlier this year. Seeing Stars I decided that you can't go wrong with a… Continue reading Hidden Star – July Island Batik Ambassador Challenge
Talk about Christmas in July! I just opened my 2nd box as a 2018 Island Batik Ambassador and my oh my the fabrics are so bright and colorful! As an Island Batik Ambassador, we are given two boxes a year with fabrics to use in completing our monthly challenges. The first box came back in… Continue reading Big Reveal – 2nd Island Batik Ambassador Box Opening
When was the last time you made a wish on a blow flower? Okay, officially it's called a dandelion but my grandmother who lived in the country called it a blow flower, so blow flower it is. Make a wish, blow, and watch in childlike wonder the aerodynamics of nature's way to spread seeds. Ah,… Continue reading Summer Lovin – Blow flowers
Honey, I'm home! I shared a tad the other day about my "party for one" quilt retreat at an undisclosed location (grin). Well, I'm home so now I will backtrack and tell you the rest of the story... Settle in as I ramble on. Quilt Retreat: Okay, so I stretched it a bit -… Continue reading Summer Sewing: Party of One Quilt Retreat
By far, summer is my all time favorite season. It's a good thing since I live on the Texas Gulf Coast where we have several variations: "almost summer", "summer", "still summer", and then a short break before "summer again" which translates to the rapid succession of fall, winter, and spring in a race to get back… Continue reading Summer Lovin – X’s and O’s
Ever notice how many cliches there are about rain? "Rainy days and Mondays always get me down"....according to a popular song back in my generation. "Saving for a rainy day" can sometimes result in all those rainy days coming during your vacation! Or what about "anyone who thinks sunshine brings happiness has never danced in… Continue reading Rainy Days and Mondays
The April Island Batik Ambassador challenge is to "Look Back" and allow vintage quilts to inspire new creations. I am blessed to own over 30 vintage family quilts and they are all so inspiring. Most were made by either my grandmother, Mary Brown Pliler, or my great aunt, her sister, Effie Brown Barker. Each of… Continue reading What’s Old is New Again – Vintage Family Quilts
Island Batik has the yummiest fabrics! As an ambassador and a new designer I not only enjoy the eye candy but actually get to play with the fabric and make sweet concoctions. This week’s blog hop features Nan Baker’s collection Northern Woods with patterns centered around the theme of a mother bear gathering “sweet treats”… Continue reading Sweet Treats ~ Mint Chocolate Chip
A trip to Paducah would not be complete without a visit to Hancock’s of Paducah! This has been on my bucket list since the turn of the century when I was first introduced to their catalog by my quilting friend Trish. Oh my goodness ~ for this quilter that was better than being a kid… Continue reading My Bucket List ~ Hancock’s of Paducah
We just returned from the Golden Triangle Quilt Guild Quilt Show and Market in Beaumont - what a fun weekend! I love quilt shows, they are like family reunions! I get to see and visit with friends who don't "live in my neck of the woods" and I love it when I am able to… Continue reading Monday Musings: Quilt Shows – Where Friends Gather
