Memorial Day....

In Honor and Remembrance.....

Green Thumb Lucky Day....

I was on my way to the Garden Center to replace a very sad houseplant. As I drove up to Loews I saw a HUGE collection of hanging baskets. I always love "True Geranium" because it reseeds lots and from one plant I will get many. I told myself if it was under $15 this basket would go home with me.

But the lucky part has to do with taking the time to ask one of the garden employees about a certain plant I was looking for. During our conversation, she looked at the plant in my cart and said "Let me mark that down to $5....it looks a bit weary". I thought it looked FINE, but who am I to argue with a garden expert!!

So I thought I might as well ask "Any more bargains you want to share". She took me to the far side of the center and pointed at a few more baskets. She said to take what I wanted and told me she would mark them to $2. SCORE!!!!

The picture above is the SMALLEST of the baskets I brought home. The others I shared with Mom and Meghan. A lot of flower joy for a very little price.

Next stop...the Dollar Store. Who knew they had anything more than wrapping paper and gift bags (G)!!!

What they did have were wonderfully abundant planters filled with herbs. The price....you guessed it $1!!!!

The bargains continue....with a stop at Walmart where I have been picking up plant pods. These are great fun. You drop them in water, they expand into cute little seed holders and my garden is witness to the success of my $2. investment.

I now have bachelor buttons, poppies, baby's breath and an assortment of other flowers that I have been cutting into joyous bouquets!

But here is a bargain that I can only attribute to God's gift of nature. Did you know that if you cut off a piece of your hydrangea plant ( about the size of a pencil), push it into the ground, keep it watered and you will be rewarded with another plant?

This one from last Spring's cutting is going to bloom abundantly!!! That is not only a bargain....it is a huge blessing!!

Senior Moment....

Snagged from another blog, but had to share the giggle. My life feels like that MOST of the time. How about you????

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Keeping busy.....

There are days that I feel like I am going dottie.....literally!!! I seem to be very good at starting things, and not so good at finishes!

I have a picnic quilt ( complete with a cute picot edge) that I hope to finish soonest....but is sadly hanging in my closet along with all of the other "needs to be finished" projects!

There is some hope....this quilt is quilted, and just needs the binding to be called complete. I am pushing to have it finished by this weekend.

....and one very cute finish to make me feel happy. This was a darling pattern I found on ETSY, and during my 12 hr class this weekend, I took some time out to find the perfect ( and only $5 a yd) fabric for the project,

Summer bag, check, picnic blanket, close to check, dots still making me dottie. But I am still having SEW much fun!!!

Bitty VIP and her adoring public.....

A certain cute visitor came to San Diego this week....and there were many people who wanted to meet her!

My sweet quilt class couldn't wait to see the recipient of all of their kindness. Remember the wonderful surprise of my Grandma shower???

There was lots of cuddling going on.... and great desserts to help make the occasion even more festive.

Auntie Megs even came to visit, and one of the girls took a generational pic of all of us together!!!

There was another appearance the next day when Clare came to visit with Auntie Meg's second grade class. The class knew all about Clare. They had even called Clare's parents to congratulate them when she was just born!

For the past few months they have written letters, and even brought her gifts. Clare couldn't wait to meet the cutest second graders ever.

Clare's Mommy and Daddy read a letter that each child had written. There were questions to be answered and one was a bit of a surprise.....how are baby's born. Jill answered sweetly about the Stork and that seemed to make all the children content!

I took a picture of two adorable second grade teachers and I think Clare hopes that she has such wonderful and dedicated teacher's when she goes to school.

The days were incredibly busy, but you guessed we would find time to shop. Who knew that strollers were built to hold our selections...and there were LOTS of pretty things to choose from!!!

So now Clare and her family are resting at home. I am sure our little celebrity is a bit tuckered out from all of her appearances.

We sure had lots of fun and I know that everyone who saw our bitty girl thought she was the cutest ever....and you know I completely agree !!!

Lots to learn....

Monday nights are very special....because a group of us gather at my Mom's home where we encourage each other as we learn to knit. For the past year I have been working on some easy projects, but felt it was time to step it up!!!

So I selected this baby sweater as my project and I have learned SOOOO much.

I have learned how to increase, decrease, go from one set of needles to another and perfected the seed stitch. I can now identify whether I am knitting or purling, and while that may sound like a small thing, believe me it is HUGE!!!

I have found that knitting does not come naturally. It takes effort for me to concentrate and focus and not give up when I make endless mistakes. It helps ALOT to have a mom who has knitted for over 80 years and whose response to each of my dilemmas is to say "Oh, that is so easy...give it to me"!!!

This week Jim wanted to spend some time in the country to do a photo shoot. I wanted uninterrupted time to knit.

So we hopped into the Prius and we both succeeded at the goal. I now have all the pieces ready for Mom to help ( again ) in putting this puzzle all together.

One thing I have really learned is that I need to knit and crochet faster (G)!!! I just completed this baby beanie and as you can see our baby has outgrown it just as I finished it for her.

But that is joyous, because it means she is healthy and growing and now I just need to adjust my patterns for a larger little girl.

Most of all I feel blessed to spend time with my Mom as I now perfect and learn new stitches. There is something soothing about the clacking of needles and taking the time to be together.... a cup of tea, a bit of chatting and a whole lot of learning.

Sew and Sew.....

Thanks for ALL of the sweet comments about Clare.....she is a dream come true!!! I have been doing LOTS of sewing and LITTLE blogging.

I will share my projects as they get closer to the finish line. Happy Weekend everyone!!!

So in love.....

Clare's Mommy is a very good photographer.....and she has captured our sweet baby in a way that touches my heart.

This Oma just had to share!!!

Quilt Show at Camp Cedar Glen....

There will be LOTS of pictures of the quilts that the campers made......ENJOY!!!!

Robin's quick trip.....

My Twice as Nice pattern was WELL represented.....

Marie made her's for her little Granddaughter Aubrey ( of course)!!!!

Day and Night....

Nana's Garden, which is a great quilt pattern for using up stash!

Flying Geese...

More Quick Trips...a fun and easy quilt to make.

Cheryl's smile is as welcoming as her quilt. Just adorable.

This is a block from the new "Barn Quilt Book", repeated over and over. Very impressive.

I love the traditional pattern with the twist of using Batiks.

....we will end our visit to Camp Cedar Glen with the "Dutch Windmill's" quilt. This is a book I wrote a LONG time ago for QIAD. In fact people don't recognize the photo on the author page as me!!!

So our time at camp went much to quickly...now we can look forward to our next camp in November. Any of you bloggers want to join me????

Because of you......

.....and your example, I have learned to become a loving wife, a joyous mother and now an Oma!

I have learned to treasure all generations....

I have learned to love God's beauty in gardens and the value of nurturing and caring for all things....

I have learned the joy of a creative spirit and to appreciate the gifts I have been given.

I have learned to have an open and giving heart.....

I have learned to honor and appreciate my heritage....

You have taught me much, but the greatest gift of all is that you have always been and continue to be a Mom who means the world to me. Happy Mother's Day and I can never thank you enough for all you do and all you are. XXX

What happens at camp.....

....I bet you thought I would say "Stays at Quilt Camp". But no, I promise to share ALL the goings on, and like a mouse in my pocket, you get to come and enjoy!!!

There are lots of activities over the four day camp. We do "make and takes", and evening presentations of El's newest books and patterns. Here El shared our "Barn Book" with the campers and it was LOTS of fun!!!

El got everyone in the mood by a "sing a long" of Old McDonald....and introduced us to a number of characters.

I will let you guess who this is.....yep, the boss is not afraid to make us all laugh. What always surprises me is how she gets everyone else to dress up and join in the craziness!!!

There were lots of assorted farm animals on display, but this one took the cake. Look closely because this is Sue dressed as "when pigs fly"!!!

El has the campers come join her at her home "Bear's Paw Ranch". I think one of the most fun things I get to do is helping to cater El's tea and wine party. We make up lots of recipes and El always adds the most yummy offering...this time it was the bread pudding recipe from "Egg Basket Quilts". It was awesome!

She always has something fun up her sleeve. This time it was a free fat quarter to anyone who wore a "hat to tea". There were many inventive hats!!!

The campers get to visit the house and sewing studio. It is always fun to see the collection of both QIAD quilts and the antique quilts in El's collection.

This is the QIAD "Applique in a Day" pattern. Just so you know...it takes a bit longer than ONE day!!!

Lots of wonderful antique quilts....these are for the Spring display.

My favorite was this Marie Webster quilt. Just perfect for Spring.

Another beautiful Marie Webster design....

....but this turquoise and orange quilt just might be my all time favorite.

The last night consists of Sue's auction with all of the proceeds going to a home for abused women. Not only do we have LOTS of fun, but the money goes to women who desperately need the help. We are always touched by Sue's efforts and hard work to make the auction such a fun part of camp.

Still more to share about camp.....would you like to see all the quilts that the ladies create? I will be sure to share lots of pictures, and I hope you continue to enjoy "Camp Cedar Glen".