Memorial Day

Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day as remember those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy every single day. I am so proud to be an American and my family members who have served our country: Daddy--James Howard Shotwell--US Army; Father-in-Law--Billy Grant Earley; Hubby--Ronald Grant Earley--US Army; Son--Joshua Earley--US Air Force; Uncle--Lawrence Ira Earley--US Navy; Uncle--Jerry Wayne Adair--US Navy; Brother-in-Law--Jimmy Dillard--US Navy; Nephew--Max West--US Navy. I thank each of you. God Bless America!

Wacky Retreat

As promised, here are some pictures from this weekend's Wacky Retreat at the Deer Camp. I thought I had taken more pictures, but I guess not....

Here is the beautiful purple/green quilt top that Kathleen finished up. It is just stunning. The picture does not do it justice.

And here is our sweet Annie. She is snacking and enjoying her 'favorite beverage' in the Hula Girl glass.
Kathy L. was busy working away when she got called for a photo.

Here are the sisters -- Charlotte and Patty.

And here is the Wacky Pac -- all nine of us. Back Row: l-r -- Molly, Annie, Charlotte, Kathleen, Rhonda, Kathy E. Front Row: l-r -- Jerri, Patty, Kathy L

Home from Retreat.........

...but with a heavy heart..... The Wacky Retreat was great as always. ALL 9 of our group was in attendance. This hasn't happened in a LONG TIME. Our dear Jeri, who is battling cancer, was not feeling well at all. This retreat, her hubby drover her to the Fryer Deer Camp. In fact, she called him to pick her up on Saturday morning. Jeri is such a vibrant person and such a fighter. She is truly a Wacky HERO. We hated she had to leave, but understood. We all continue to pray for a Miracle for our Jeri and ask you fellow quilters to do the same.

The following is the "Brat Pak". We were quite the "threesome" before we joined those crazy Wacky Women, but oh how we are glad we did join in their 'wackiness'! In the picture l-r is Kathleen, Jeri, and Me, Kathy. This picture was taken Friday afternoon during many "photo shoots".
And here is sweet Jeri. I believe she was probably saying "oh, don't take my picture!"

I will post pics from the retreat later.....just not in the mood right now. We did have a wonderful time though! Stay tuned..........

It's Retreat Time

The Wacky Pac is retreating this weekend at Molly's deer camp. Most everyone is there except for me....I have a JOB. I will be heading out around noon to join all the wacky fun and get caught up on all the laughter. Watch for posts and pictures after the weekend.

Books

Just thought I would show you two new books that I purchased recently. The books are great and give ideas about using vintage linens for aprons and other kitchen items. I recently participated in the Vintage Linen Remix Apron Swap and that is what inspired me to purchase these books. I have a number of vintage linens and hope to make some of the projects in the book.......Maybe before I die...sew many projects, sew little time!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to All. Please enjoy my 6 beautiful pink roses sent to me by my Son and Daughter-in-Law, Josh and Patience.

This 'n That and a Few Pics

Just thought I would give a quick update from my world. Just been busy around the house. The installation of our new roof began today. YEA! Once the roof is complete, they will beginning take out the rest of the ceilings in 2 bedrooms and putting in new ceilings. In the meantime, we have to move EVERYTHING OUT of the rooms, including anything on the walls! This is really going to be a mess.

DH and I recently went to Virgina to visit our DS#2 and DIL. Here is a picture of their beautiful home in Williamsburg, VA. It is much bigger than it looks!

The flowers in their yard were just beautiful. I took lots of pics, but won't bore you with all of them.

We drove up to Luray, VA, and spent the weekend in a cabin in the Shennadoah Mountains. It was such a fun and peaceful weekend. DH and I both needed this. However, my DH was still on the phone dealing with the insurance company and contractors try to get our home repaired.
Here is a view from the balcony of our cabin. My DH and DS were fishing from the bank.

We took an 8-mile trip down the Shennandoah River in a canoe. I had never done this before and it was really fun.

We also went shopping, but I didn't find any quilt shops! Here is a picture of a Grandmothers Flower Garden quilt in an antique shop made out of yo-yo's that I thought was nice.

Here are some pretty vintage linens. I now wish I would have purchased these! I was trying to keep my puchases down so I wouldn't have to check a bag on the plane. I guess I could have mailed it! duh....We drove on Skyline drive which was very scenic and beautiful. This is a little shop we stopped at. Really cute and lots of quilts.

Check out this truck that was parked next to the shop. Cool, huh?

Just working at my full-time job, dealing with a messed up house, a limited amount of sewing, and a quick trip to visit our son and daughter-in-law. And that is what has been going on in my world.

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Flirty Apron Swap

I was a member of the Flirty Apron Swap. When I returned home from Virginia, this box of goodies was waiting for me. My swap partner, Jany, made this WONDERFUL apron for me. It is made from a vintage pillowcase and she added the wonderful chicken fabric and in just the right colors for my kitchen. Look at that big red vintage button. I absolutely LOVE THIS APRON!

The apron is a clothes pin style and it is reversible!

Here is a pic of the reverse side....just WONDERFUL. See the darling vintage chick used to make the pocket.
And check out these wonderful vintage buttons that she sent to me. AWESOME! But that's not all.

Check out these vintage laces and trims and another vintage embroidery piece. I hit the jackpot!

THANK YOU JANY! You have really gone over the top!

....and the SOGGA continues..

and I mean SOGGY! Remember a couple of posts ago, I told you that the whole front of our metal roof had blown off? Well the sogga continues....We spent the weekend in Virginia visiting our DS and DIL. We returned home very late on Monday night -- well wee hours of Tuesday morning. We noticed the ceiling was water-stained. During the night Tuesday, the ceiling in this extra bedroom came tumbling down.......

And what a mess it made!!!! There was wet sheetrock and insulation EVERYWHERE! Thank goodness this is my son's old room and and we don't sleep in there.

It is all cleaned up now and thank goodness the contractor came out today and put plastic and boards all over and secured the roof as more rain is predicted. Now we hope the ceiling in the other bedroom doesn't come down as it is wet as well. I have been busy moving things out of the way and cleaning!!! The new metal has been ordered and the contract will begin installation on Saturday, weather permitting. We are also awaiting a bid from another contractor for the ceiling repair and re-installation of insulation.

I need some quality sewing time! Maybe this weekend!

Flirty Apron Swap

I am part of the Flirty Apron Swap -- A vintage remake. We were to take a vintage linen and remake it into an apron for our partner. I have only made one other apron in my life so I was getting "out of my box". I found the following vintage round table topper while at Wimberley Trade Days last month. I absolutely fell in love with it on site and just knew it was the linen to use to make my swap apron. I loved the baskets with flowers and the blue ribbon stitching.

I went to the quilt shop and purchased some vintage reproduction fabrics that matched for the waistband. The original edging on the topper was orange and some was missing and I didn't really like that color with the line. SEW, I added a different edging -- a crochet edging. Nope, I didn't crochet it! Here is a picture of the completed apron. The ties are long and can also be wrapped around the back and tied in the front. I wasn't up for modeling so here it is on my cutting table.

After completing the apron, I wish I would have lined it as the linen is thin, but it's done now. Maybe the recipient will use it as decor instead of a utility apron. The following is a close-up of the embroidery. I can just envision a woman years ago sitting and enjoying her handwork. I love doing handwork, it is my stress reliever.


Along with the apron, we were to send an additional vintage linen and a vintage recipe. Here is what I am sending my partner. The apron, the linen, with another basket on it, an machine embroidered handtowel for her kitchen, and a little handmade trivet/hotpad. The recipe I sent is for Old Fashioned Tea Cakes.

This has been a really fun swap and something very different for me to do. I sure hope my partner (whoever it may be ??????) likes her package. I can't wait to receive mine!

I've been M.I.A.

Yep, I've been Missing in Action. I just realized I've not posted on my blog since April 5th!!! That's not good! I've really been busy at work; I was out for about 3 days to a conference and you know how it goes "when you play, you pay". LOL! May is "Older Americans Month" and in my business that means celebrate! I've been busy planning a luncheon for the County Seniors that will be held in May.

I have not done much sewing at all!!! I guess I've been in a bit of a slump and not much time. I did finish my Vintage Linens Apron for the swap -- I'll post a picture later. I've done some hand embroidery while watching TV with hubby, but that's really about it!

We had some really bad rain and wind in my part of Texas the last couple of days and we lost over half of our metal roof -- it's all in the back pasture! Thank goodness, no leaks as of yet as the metal was installed over an old composition roof. My quilting studio (which is a separate building) also had some damage on one corner, but thank goodness no leaking there either!

I hope you are all have a wonderful Blessed Sunday. The sun is shining at my house this morning!

My Week!

What a whirlwind week I have had! I went to a Meals on Wheels of Texas conference in New Braunfels, TX. It was a great conference and will be helpful to me in my job. Here is a picture of the inside of my "Sunday House" that I stayed in.

This a picture of the outside of the Sunday House.

The first night, we went to the Grist Mill Restaurant in Gruene, TX. The rest of the conference, meals were provided.

The Grist Mill is located next to Gruene Hall -- the oldest dance hall in Texas. I've been to Gruene Hall many, many times, but this is the first time I tool a picture of the Historical Marker:

Of course, my first stop when I got to New Braunfels, was the Quilt Haus! Here are a few pics of things I bought.....TAMU fabric....

Black/white fat quarters to 'enhance' my collection.
A book for my sweet granddaughter.

Some more stash enhancers.

The conference was over on Friday, but I went to Blanco to spend time with family. We went to the Wimberley Trade Days on Saturday. Here are some of the treasures I bought.

Some wonderful vintage linens....I still have to wash and iron them.

This is one of my favorite pieces, a round table topper;

Here's a close-up of the embroidery:


I bought this window frame. I don't think it is very old, but I liked it. I am going to put quilt blocks in the windows and hang it in my bedroom.

It was a fun day and the weather was beautiful!

Tyler Quilt Show

The following are some pictures from the Tyler Quilt Show.

This was the wearable arts section and I LOVED this top---made of vintage linens.

The following is Psalm 23; beautiful quilt.

I am not a big fan of the Turning 20 pattern, but check out this one: It is all about Texas with embroidery in the blocks. I really liked it.

Here is a close up of some of the blocks:

Loved this quilt. I've been fighting myself NOT to buy the pattern. Can you tell from these pictures, that I'm "really into" embroidery these days????

There were several Christmas quilts in the show.

Nice pink/brown in repro fabrics.

Handembroidered quilt "Angel of the Month: I was really nice.
If you are a fan of Leanne Beasley, you will like this quilt. The maker added more blocks to make the quilt larger.
Another Christmas quilt made from log cabin blocks with embroidery in the centers. I overhead a man in the crowd say "it needs more green". I think so too.

This story quilt about fishing caught my eye since my hubby is gone on a fishing trip.
Roosters, of course!

This fall quilt was really pretty with the use of the colors.

This qpplique quilt was made entirely of wool.
I liked this feather star with the delectable mountain blocks surrounding it.
This quilt is "Tulip Time" incorporating machine embroidery and piecing. I have started this same quilt, but nope it's not finished.

That's All Folks!