Summertime friend

Look who came to visit while I was out watering!  Not too hot for this little guy!  I noticed that part of his wing was missing, wonder what happened?  I try to plant flowers that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds...so far this year, I have not seen a single hummingbird.  Usually I can get at least 2 or 3 interested in the feeders....no such luck this year!

It's sad when one thinks it is too hot to go to the pool!  So I am staying inside and trying to catch up on my Civil War blocks. 

And Penelope finally has a face! 

These are certainly the lazy, hazy days of summer...good for catching up on sewing and reading!  Hope everyone is enjoying the summer inspite of the heat!   I keep telling myself...remember last winter! 

I'm a Banner Girl!

The secret is out...my Crazy Hearts quilt was chosen to be included in the Stash Manicure Banner for July!  and it is in such good company,  all are beautiful, patriotic quilts. 

Crazy Hearts for Quilts of Valor

If you want to check out the other beautiful quilts in the banner, run over to Stash Manicure today!

I enjoyed reading the stories behind the seams, and I am sure you will too. 

I am off to mow before it gets any hotter, we are under a heat advisory again today.  Wishing all of you a safe and happy 4th of July.  We have loads of company coming, so starting tonight, we will start celebrating with family at the city fireworks show.  As one of my favorite ladies once said....

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every

 July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." ~ Erma Bombeck

Sundays are for catching up and naps....

Saturday, I attended Primitives of the Midwest at Quilters Station here in Lee's Summit, MO.  In the class with Lynda Hall, we made a charming primitive doll.  It was a fun little class, and I hope to have my youngin done sometime this week.  She still needs a face and a name....I'm thinking maybe Penelope.

This afternoon, I was able to add three more Farmers Wife blocks, Bouquet,  Country Farm, and Hovering Birds. 

And I am playing catch-up with the Civil War Blocks....this week's went together fairly easy.  If I were to make it again, I would use flying geese units for the star points and reduce some of the bulky seam intersections. 

Thank you for all your wonderful additions to my previous post...I have added them to my journal.

Here are what some of my fellow bloggers have added:

Relax, laugh and love.

Laugh hard and often.

Look at the stars, listen to the trees and smell the fresh air.

Smile at others.  Hold hands.  Laugh a lot.

Share good memories.

Sing with abandon.

Life is too short, take a chance now and then.

Look for the joy in every day things and everyday events.

Thank someone everyday.

Perform random acts of kindness.

and one more that I would end with....

perhaps the best way to apply the philosophy  of God's goodness

 is to constatantly live a thankful life. 

No willpower!

Friendship Block, Contrary Wife, Broken Dishes

Last week I went to JoAnn's...decided that if the Farmer's Wife Samper Quilt book was there and it was on sale, then it was my sign to join in on the quilt along here in blogland.  For the past 3 weeks, I have been tempted by the blocks that are being posted....telling myself, no, you do not need to start another project!  Truly, I have no will power! And if any jusitification is needed, I can use my collection of Jo Morton fabrics and not have to purchase a lot of fabric.  Actually, I think I will just entertain my inner child for now and do what makes me happy...playing with fabric and color and making little blocks.  You must keep the child alive...you cannot create without it!

"Plant impossible gardens.  Look forward to dreams.  Cry during movies. Swing as high as you can on a swing set, by moonlight.  Cultivate moods.  Do it for love.  Take lots of naps.  Take moon baths.  Listen to old people.  Entertain your inner child.  Get wet. Hug trees.  Write love letters. " 

What might you add to this bit of advice?

Quilts of Valor

This morning, I was able to finally get two quilts in the mail for QOV.   Go check out SewCalGal's blog for more information.  You still have time to send blocks that will be made into quilts for QOV.  So dig out your Red-White and Blue scraps and make a block to send in.  It will be neat to see how many quilt tops will be made from the Call to Action challenge.

This weekend, we are headed to Joplin, Mo for a family reunion.  I will be taking the Rock and Roll t-shirt quilt to my nephew...he graduated last Sunday.  Hopefully, I can get him to pose for a picture and show you how it turned out.  Off to finish sewing down the binding!

Hope everyone is having a great week...and getting some "me-time" in the sewing room!

Having a little whine

It's hard for me to admit, but I have been a bit whiny today and yesterday...being selfish, I guess.   This is Memorial Day weekend, a  3 day weekend with my hubby.  We had just gassed up the car to go shopping for a new grill and out to dinner with friends, and his mobile phone rang.  A big compressor was down at a Country Club...translating to no air-conditioning.  So back home we go, and off he goes to see if there is anything he can do to get it up and running.  The majority of yesterday and today have been spent running down parts, which are now being shipped and he will spend tomorrow working on it.   I am grateful for his dedication to his job...and that he has a job.  I spent the morning mowing, and venting about what a disappointing weekend this has turned out to be.  Fortunately, it came to me when I took this picture of a quilt that is being donated to Quilts of Valor...God has a way of showing us His grace, just have to listen.  (and I am not a good listener!)   It's Memorial Day weekend, a tribute to our military men and women, both past and present.  For those that are serving now, most of them will not be home for supper tonight, or home for a family picnic tomorrow...so what am I whining about?   Some will never come home.  Sometimes I just need to put things in perspective....and we are going to go out to the New Theatre tonight for dinner and to see "The Odd Couple"....at least he gets to come home to me at the end of the day.   

Piecefully,

I Spy quilt

After getting the yard mowed, I was able to get started on my first I Spy quilt.  This one will be for our 3 1/2 year old grand-daughter.  She does not speak, and hopefully this little quilt and the game of I Spy will aid her in learning to talk.  The pattern is Twisted Happy Blocks...very quick and easy to sew together!  

Another dreary, cloudy day...is it time for a nap?