Retreat at Alford Inn

I am "finally" getting around to posting pictures from our recent retreat at Alford Inn in Van Alstyne, Texas. Here ya go.......in no particular order.

Rhonda was diligently working on a commissioned quilt for a lady. She was really concentrating and focused!

Kathleen was determined to get some of her WIP's completed.
The following are the BOM's from the internet that Kathleen has been working on. She is really doing a great job "keeping up".

Of course, we have to EAT while we are at retreats! This is the group at the Durning House Bed and Breakfast. The placed was really neat and I loved their decorating.

The following is the group at a local Mexican Food Restaurant (don't remember the name right now). The food was "okay" but the margaritas were to die for!!!!

Kathy and Molly loving those 'ritas!


MARSHA, MARSHA, MARSHA! 9/16 inch, 9/16 inch, 9/16 inch. We kept hearing someone muttering these words over, and over and over. We realized it was our Wacky Buddie, Molly. Molly is a pattern tester for Marsha McCloskey testing a new feathered star pattern. Here she is working on that block. Lookin' good Molly!

TA DA!!!! The block is done!

And here is the completed block. Way to go Molly! We are sew proud of you!


Of course, you have to drink a glass (or three) of wine while retreating. Here is Kathleen enjoying the wine. Really...she drank it out of a glass and not straight from the bottle but it sure makes a great picture!

Here is a picture of a Halloween table runner that I was working on.

Annie was busily working on her nickel square project.

Molly and Rhonda are taking a break from sewing and checking out the world wide web.

That's all for now folks.......I'll get some more pics posted later.

It's a Parade of Roosters!

Cock-a-doodle do! How are you? Want you come in and join the Rooster Parade. Here are pictures of some of my roosters. The pictures really aren't that great (surely it WASN'T the photographer) so I apologize for that first. I hope you enjoy your visit to my coop.

Notice the metal rooster on the shelf of this quilt rack. My Hubby made the rack years ago.

The rooster candle holder and shade sits on a really OLD ice box. There is also the rooster picture on the wall and of course the chicken wallpaper. Actually, this wallpaper has been on my walls FOREVER. I'm ready to change the walls up but still keep the rooster/chicken theme. Any ideas????


Rooster lamp sitting on the cabinet in my kitchen. I bought this lamp on one of my "shopping adventures" in the Hill Country.
Simple little rooster holding a chalkboard that I purchased on EBay.

Another "Hill Country" purchase -- Americana rooster which hangs on the side of my cabinet.

The centerpiece on my kitchen table is made from an old plow blade with the rooster feet. It really looks better than the picture shows. BTW, that's a candle with fruit around it.

A rooster in the corner of the cabinet, a rooster picture frame, and a small rooster hanging from the cabinet knob. Also, please don't be offended by that cookbook -- it stands for Babe In Total Control of Herself -- a gift from a quilting friend who has at the big quilting bee in Heaven.


Rooster rug at the entrance to my kitchen; there are several more througout the kitchen.

My 'prim rooster/hen" sitting in the basket.

A simple metal rooster than hangs from a beam in the kitchen.

My favorite rooster -- Jim Shore -- it stands about 2-1/2 feet tall.

Here is a crooked picture of the rooster that roosts on the mantel.

A big metal rooster that sits on the floor of the kitchen.

A set of soup bowls and soup tureen (isn't that the word?).

This rooster hangs on the door that goes from the game room into the kitchen.

My rooster chandelier that hangs over my kitchen table.

These are some signs that I made "many moons ago".

A whole string of roosters that my buddy, Kathleen, gave me.

In my kitchen; my hubby made the cabinet.

Another view.

.......That's all folks! Thanks for stopping by...Now I'm off to see the rest of the parade.

Alford Inn

Last March, a few of my quilt buddies and I attended the Tyler Quilt Show. Cindy Alford, the owner of Alford Inn, was at there showcasing her new quilt retreat center and quilt shop. She was giving away a free night at Alford Inn. Well of course, we signed up! Guess what? WE WON! We were so excited. SEW, the past weekend, there were five us who drove to Van Alstyne, Texas, north of Dallas. The Inn is just wonderful and is located in a house that was built in 1884. The original house was approximately 2,300 square feet and the Alford's added an additional 3,000 feet. You CANNOT tell where the old stops and the new begins. The renovation was absolutely wonderful. There are two rooms that sleep 6, one that sleeps 4 and another with a queen size bed. There are beautiful quilts on all the walls. The Inn is decorated just beautifully. We sit out on the wrap-around porch and enjoyed a wonderful Texas evening. The quilt shop had great selections of fabrics that catered to almost any taste.


We had a wonderful time laughing, sewing, eating, and shopping in our Jammies. It is a great place. Alford Inn can accommodate a group of 12 or a small group of six. I highly recommend that you check it out. Be sure and tell Cindy that Kathy with the crazy Wacky Pac group sent you!

Struttin' Thru Blogland!

Watch out Blogland! Cock-a-doodle-dooooo! On August 28, there will be rooster struttin' everywhere. Barb over at Bella Vista is hosting a "Rooster Parade". What fun this is going to be. Mark your calendars! This is a parade you do NOT want to miss!

Happy Birthday Brother

My "older" brother turned sixty this past Monday. His girls threw a big birthday party for him last weekend out in the Hill Country. Here is a picture of the cake. Cute, huh? What do you give a person who has everythin??? Well, I gave him a case of his favorite beer (guys always like that) and then gave him this string quilt. I can't take complete credit for it as it was a Wacky Pac swap and after putting it together I decided that it had to go to my brother. The pictures are not real good, but maybe you can see part of it.

I think she may be back!

Hey, I think my "Mojo" may be back. You see, I haven't really done much sewing or embroidery. I normally always do embroidery work at night during the week while watching TV and then do my piecing, etc. on the weekends. I have not done this in a while. I guess I had a "temporary" loss of interest. Not really loss of interest, but loss of "want to".

I am doing the Bunny Hill BOM (see side bar). I was doing GREAT and getting each month's block done. Then it happened, I fell behind. Well, my dear friend, Molly, has been working on hers and inspired me. I have got the other four blocks together and now I am stitching them down with the buttonhole stitch. I will add all the embellishments (ribbon, buttons, etc.) after the quilt is complete and quilted (those things tend to get in the way of a machine quilter).

Here is a 'not very good' picture of the first 3 blocks complete (except for embellishments) and the next four that are in the process of being stitched down. I'm pumped! My Mojo has returned! Thanks Molly!

I know what you are really thinking: 'wonder why she doesn't get that lint roller and clean all those threads off that design wall?' LOL! I've been thinking about it! Does that count?

Kim Has Done it AGAIN!

Kim over at Bitty Bits and Pieces has done it again! Is this not the cutest little bag you ever saw???? I just love it. It would make great little gift bags. I'm thinking of making some for my little granddaughter to use as gifts for her little friends for birthday parties!

Kim is going to give one of these bags to a lucky winner. Go on over and "put your name in the hat". I mean, you are NOT going to win because I AM, but it would look better if there were other names in the drawing....so, go on....it won't hurt you to not win this time.......(very big grin). Seriously, good luck to everyone!

Brrrrrr!

This is a little wallhanging that I made called "Brrrrrrr". It is certainly not cold in TEXAS!!!!! But this was a 'cool' little project made from a charm pack that I really enjoyed. It was quick and easy. The pattern is by Pieces from my Heart (Sandy Gervais) and the fabric is Crazy Eight by Sandy Gervais. It measures approximately 21" x 25". Here is a close-up of the little snowman.The following is a picture of the entire wallhanging.


This is a kit that I purchased from The Fat Quarter Shop. It was one of their "Friday Specials". I immediately fell in love with it and HAD to order it. It came complete with fabric for the top, binding and backing. I just LOVE the Fat Quarter Shop (no affiliation -- just a happy customer). They have excellent customer service. Go check them out!

Spring Fling Roundrobin 3

I have received my Spring Fling Roundrobin #3 and I just love it! A big thank you to everyone who worked on it.

Center: ME; Border 1: Jeanne Mitchell, OK; Border 2: Wendy Frieden, CT; Quilter: Colene Russel, ID.

GREAT JOB EVERYONE! THANK YOU!

Boy, Am I Seeing Red!

I am loving this new pattern by Helen over at Hugs 'n Kisses. Isn't it the cutest thing?

She is having a give-away and you can enter to win the patterns. I mean, you can enter, but I'm planning on being the winner....LOL!!!! Good luck to all!

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there. I was blessed with a wonderful Daddy. He spoiled me rotten and gave me anything I ever wanted -- lol -- yep -- I was a spoiled rotten little brat -- a redhaired, baby of the family, spoiled brat.

My Dad was an awesome man. My husband tells me to this day that my Dad was and still is such an inspiration to him. You see, my Daddy was injured when I was just a tot. He was paralyzed from the waist down and couldn't walk. He went thru many, many surgeries. He told the dr. he would not go home to his kids if he couldn't walk. He finally did. It was a miracle!!! Then when I was in junior high, he was helping my brother work on his car and the jack gave way and the car fell on him, crushing his skull. It was a horrible thing. Daddy survived this too.

My Daddy did walk by the aid of crutches and braces on both legs. He endured pain his entire life and had many, many health issues. Once he was able to work again, he supported our family by delivering newspapers. Then when his health improved a bit more, he opened up a TV shop. Do any of you remember when the TV repairman would come to your home and repair the TV? Today, we just throw them away and buy a new one. The picture below is an old one. It is Daddy standing by his TV van. This is how I choose to remember my Daddy. He was happy and never complained about his pain. He loved his kids and loved those grandkids. He always was picking at them. He was an awesome, awesome man and an inspiration for all mankind. He never, never let his suffering get in the way of providing for his family. He could have just taken disability and not worked, but he would not allow himself to do that. He persevered and I have so much respect for him.

His last days on earth were not good ones, but I choose to remember the good days. He is now living with his Heavenly Father. I know that I will see him again one day. He will not be wearing those braces and will not be on crutches. I'm going to challenge him to a foot race!!! Daddy, I miss you so much and have so many things to say to you and share with you. I have never stopped loving you and I'll see you in Heaven.

Looky at the Roosters!

Oh my gosh! Check out this rooster stuff! My friend Solidia over at Pink Chicks was my partner in the Miniature Booty Swap. We were to make a mini quilt for our kitchens. Check out this package she sent me! Is this not awesome -- a mini quilt, matching apron, recipe, and some quilty goodies.

Here is the mini quilt. It is right on! If you are a follower of my blog, then you know that I LOVE roosters (not the live ones...hehehehe) and this little quilt will be absolutely perfect in my kitchen.

Here is the backing with the label. The backing fabric looks like old red barnwood. I love it!


And check out this precious matching apron. It is so cute and perfect for my kitchen.

Thank you Solidia! I was having a bad week and your package brought smiles to my face! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

It's About Time!

It's about time that I posted on my blog! I have been absent and neglectful of my blog, but I do have some good reasons....heheheheh. Those of you who read my blog regularly know that I had some major storm damage to my home. That is finally all repair and things are back to normal. Another thing that has me occupied is FACEBOOK. I checked it out and got completely 'consumed'. I have become addicted to the game FarmTown. It has seriously cut into my sewing time! Now my DS and DIL are here visiting before moving over to Germany so time is still limited. Speaking of Father Time, if any of you know where I can get more than 24 hours per day, please let me know. I sure could use some extra -- LOL! I

Have a wonderful Saturday.