April Secret Sister Package

I received a wonderful package from my secret sister exchanged hosted by Char at The Pickled Pepper Patch. We are exchanging a package a month till the end of the year.


I received a quilting magazine which I have of course read from cover to cover already. I love quilting in any form. Picked a couple projects already.

The notepads she sent are so appreciated. I never have enough of those.
There was a small flag for my garden. can't wait to use it.

You should see the tulips she made for me. They are so prim perfect. I love them. Can't wait to get out to the potting shed and find the perfect pot to put them in.



They are so beautiful and creative and I appreciate all the time she put into them.
There's nothing more special than a gift created from the heart by one's own hands. you can feel the love. Thank you secret sister. You are a keeper.
Enjoy your day.

Rhonda

crooked

There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.
He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse.
And they all lived together in a little crooked house

I started this post a few days ago with pictures of completed projects. then it turned into a joke about everything being out of sinc and "crooked". You be the judge.
These are punch needle birds on vintage miniature oil cans. I had so much fun with these. The pattern calls for a punch needle front and a cotton fabric back. I wanted a punch needle pattern on both sides. But...........I forgot to reverse the pattern on the cloth before I punched it so I ended up with 2 birds. They really aren't crooked just the photos.

This is a cross stitch freebie from Primitive Betty's blog. I love this little saying and I added a special vintage key to finish it off. The house is not really crooked but I think it is because I stuffed it with little strips of fabric I had left over from other projects.

But by far the funniest and last "crooked" house is the one my 16 year old with her permit caused. Yep she got a little too close with the van mirror. Kinda was my fault but it was a good lesson for her. she was getting a little too over confident. No harm done. It was our mailbox and just got paint on the mirror.

But today was the last straw. The end of the "crookeds" hopefully. Some lady hit our truck and made the whole front end "crooked.

No one got hurt and it's only a vehicle. Things could be much worse. But enough "crooked" for me........

Blessings,
Rhonda

Quilting retreat

I had so much fun with the gals at my Quilting Retreat this past weekend. I finished the Christmas Tree quilt top I have been working on forever(only seems like forever).

I really love this quilt, Didn't much like all the waste with it or the bad directions but in the end I really can say I love this quilt. It is made from green Civil War reproduction fabrics and "double pink" repos.

However I did notice when I was taking pictures that the lightest greem blends in with the background more than I would have liked. But it won't deter me from loving it.


I do have to give a plug for the Retreat Center where we stayed. The couple that owns/runs it are super friendly and very accomidating. The B and B was designed to house eihter scrapboking or quilting retreats. The lighting and layout are exactly what everyquilter requires. It's all on one floor too. Rooms are right around the corner when night has fallen. Of course I'm a night owl so I got little sleep either night.

This picture was taken in the foyer of the B and B. Perfect spot to showcase my treasure.
Notice one of the owners quilts in the background. She owns the local quilt shop too. Her quilt shop is Sew Special and the B and B is Seams Like Home
Be sure and check them out.

This is a quilt top my friend patti finished in 1/2 a day. Can you believe it????
She has such a great eye for color.




Hope you have a great day.

Blessings,
Rhonda

Thanks Secret Sister

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Secret Sister.

You went above and beyond. I am participating in Char's Secret Sister Swap

and.......

this is what was waiting for me when I got home from work.

Inside was the prettiest wrapped surprises.

It was like Christmas.

My SS sent such a thoughtful gifts.

There were some nice "spring" notecards which had flowers on them and brightened my day since it was grey and cold here. She made me a "chocolate" fabric rabbit. How special. She even included a quilting magazine which I have already read from cover to cover. It has a couple projects I want to do.

And of course my gummy bears. (I love soft chewy candy). Thanks again SS.

You're wonderful!!!!!!!!!!! Blessings, Rhonda

Feedsack Collection

I got to be a guest blogger over at Sew We Quilt @ Stash Manicure. Take a look at the article. Here are some of the more collectible conversation prints.




Be sure and check out the whole article.

Blessings,
Rhonda

A Christmas Quilt and a Ziploc Bag Project

Did you ever find a project that just keeps popping up until you actually make it?? There was a Christmas quilt I saw in an older addition of Fons and Porter's mag. I didn't actually have the mag so I called their store and they sent me a copy..$5.00 because they had no more of that edition. Fast forward years....I found said mag in a flea market type sale that we have at our quilt retreats for 25 cents. Plus I finally decided on the perfect reproduction fabrics.



Starting with many many strips being cut.


Then sew the the strips back together.
Cut them at 45 degree angles.

Sew the angled strips together into diamonds.

20 done 4 more to go. This has been a lot of work. Sewing the angled strips requires marking the 1/4 inch. It's time consuming.

Then cut the big diamonds into 2 "tree tops".


While I am working on "big" projects I keep smaller projects in Zip;oc bags to be grabbed at a moments notice. Never know when I'll need one.

Finished a Penny Rug. Seems like Christmas is the theme.


Love that feeling of accomplishment...........

Rhonda

More Tablerunners

We had a computer crash so I am limping along with a picture software I am not familiar with. But I finished a few things and wanted to get them posted. So I tried the software that came with my camera. It's not too bad just more time consuming than I'm used to. But I am always excited when I teach myself something new on the computer since I can be electronically challenged.
Pictures in the snow:

Another strip pieced Valentines Table runner...............





My favorite Laurel Birch fabric
A Christmas Stripe






I'm glad I found a use for it. I can enjoy it instead of looking at it on my shelf.

In keeping with my gift strategy here's the second one for the gift box.





With the left over 60 degree triangles...
FRONT

BACK


I read somewhere that the best pictures are in natural light outside so out side I went. I love the snow so what better place to photograph. This was so much fun.
Hope you enjoyed them.

Blessings
Rhonda