My Politically Incorrect Quilt - Tea & Friends Quilt

Earlier this year, my blogging friend, Anne asked me to help her with a project making a quilt block for a sick little girl....you may remember the story about Shannon and then baby Crew needed a quilt too and we were able to make two quilts and share them with the families. I pieced the quilts and Sue quilted them and with the efforts started by Anne, we were able to get them to the families.

During the process, and one of the emails back and forth to my friend Anne, she made the statement that she knew the families would treasure their quilts. She also said that she had a quilt from Walmart (help us all) that she used to snuggle with and she knew someone put time and effort into making it special too. Sorry....Anne... but I just don't buy that! So I started brainstorming and trying to find a pattern that I could make Anne a quilt. Not a quilt like you would buy from... ahem...Walmart but a quilt made with love and one she would think it to be special when she received it.

                                                        (Click photos to enlarge)  

One day while out thrifting, I found this book, and honestly did not even know if I could make the blocks in the book or not.Nonetheless, I purchased the book and thumbed through it. I soon found it had a tea cup block and was thrilled to discover it had a tea pot block too! The last photo in the collage picture shows the books diagram of how to make the blocks work together.

Now, it just so happens that Anne collects tea pots and tea cups and loves all things tea! So the plan was formed and I decided to try and make the blocks.

The blocks turned out to be rather easy and I was proud of the fact I was able to make them. One day, I posted the pictures online in a flicker group and stated I was making a quilt for my friend who was a collector of tea cups and tea pots. (This is where my politically incorrect statement comes in)

Shortly after posting pictures of my blocks, I received an email from a lady who rather abruptly told me that if my friend was indeed a collector of all things tea, then she would surely notice that these are not "Tea cups" but more like plain ole MUGS. Seriously, I see tea cups and saucers, she saw MUGS, but then again I am not a collector. She also told me the blocks were politically incorrect and any collector would know the difference. Okay...well, Thanks.

Wow. wow. wow. I was really disappointed in my efforts as I started doubting myself.  First I questioned the blocks and was sorry they did not look more like dainty English tea cups. Then, as there was no plan or pattern for the quilt, I had to make everything work....and a math wizard I am not...so it was lay it all out and MAKE IT WORK for me! I really was worried from that point on about my abilities to finish and it be "correct" if not Politically anyway.

 I responded to that lady, who was not very nice with a simple email that said my friend would love her quilt and further more...my friend was not very worried about anything being politically correct, least of all the tea cups on this quilt. Then I hit send and hoped I was right in my efforts and thinking.

I finished the top, and sent it off to Sue to do the quilting. She agreed to do the quilting for Anne's quilt and it really for me added an extra touch of specialness to the quilt that I was hoping for. I felt it fitting since we worked together on Anne's projects together earlier in the year with the other quilts.

The quilting is so pretty on this quilt, it is so hard to get it to show up in these photographs.

I used nothing but scraps for this quilt and thought it turned out great. I represents for me the blogging world and how we are all so different, but when we decide to do something together, it all turns out beautiful. And sometimes, you just have to ignore the ones who want to rain on your parade!! Best just pour yourself a cup of tea and shake it off!

Once the binding and the label was on the quilt with the label, I mailed it off to Anne in Colorado last week. A quilt made by two of Anne's Texas friends to warm her heart and to keep her warm this winter!!

When Anne received her quilt she emailed me and was thrilled!! And guess what....she never mentioned the fact the these tea cups looked like mugs....thank goodness!!

Tea and friends are a great combination......and I am glad Anne now has a quilt that was not made specifically by an unknown working for a company that supplies Walmart!! This quilt was made by special blogging friends who wanted to surprise their friend, and did it in a big way.

                                               Anne, my Aunt Lavoice, and Me

This photo was taken when we met Anne for the first time last fall! That was a special and very unforgettable day!! We had such a good time!!

This quilt is now at its new home in Colorado with Anne, and hopefully warms not only the body this winter, but the heart as well every time it is used!! Surprising others is what makes my heart sing!!! Thank you Sue for all your hard work in helping to make this come together!! It turned out beautiful, just like our blogging friend, Anne.

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Dachshund Treasures

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday. If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a really good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies on display that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much.

The post I had ready for today has to wait until next week.....I am sorry, I just could not help myself. I was too excited to show off my newest adoptive additions to our doxie family.

Annie emailed me a few weeks ago and said she had something she wanted to send me. I got to know Annie over the holidays when she participated in the SSS santa swap. It is so fun to meet bloggers and get to know them in such a way!!

 She said her mother used to buy doxie things and that was over 40 years ago. She even explained to me she was a sister to a doxie growing up.  I was so touched when Annie said she did not collect these kinds of things and knew I might love them and give them a good home. This is what came in the mail today!!

This little darling is just too cute! I love how it has a puppy face.

How about these fun salt and pepper shakers. They are adorable, and you can tell by the way the porcelain feels that these are old and fragile. They are just so cute!!! And I treasure them oh so much.

Now these had me dancing up and down in the kitchen. Truth. These are vintage china, lavender dachshunds playing musical instruments.  Look at the one in the middle!! My papaw played in a  band and played the saxophone for years. I myself, played the saxophone during middle school and was in band. But here is the real kicker, now hold on to your hat, see the one one the left? My husband when he was growing up took lessons in learning how to play the accordion.  I think these were just destined to live with us here and all the doxies!! I love them oh so much.

Thank you Annie, from the bottom of my heart. They were a wonderful surprise and certainly a welcome after what came yesterday in the mail!!

All of these are vintage and just super cute!! I am pleased to say, they will be furever loved!!!

*****I will be emailing the Birthday list for March.....I am running behind, so if you participate in the One Fine Blessing for seniors, watch your emails by tomorrow!!

Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday!! Have a wonderful week!!!

Crumb Along: Log Cabin Blocks

Tuesday was the new step in the crumb along at Jo's Country Junction blog. If you have thought about trying this type of piecing...it is not too late to take a turn with this fun, no matching, no thinking...(well, almost no thinking) type of quilting. I have to tell you it has been nice not worrying about a seam allowance, or everything matching up and having to rip out and try again.....well, maybe there was a little ripping out but not much!

This week was the log cabin block. Funny thing is, the more blocks I have made and the closer to being finished with all the blocks, the more I want to change a few things. Seems this week, with the construction of the log cabin blocks, I have made more and more decisions on changing mainly the blocks for the border. Guess that is  my own fault, should not have already made all the border blocks...but I did and I have a few changes to a couple of blocks to make! Hopefully, in the end, it won't look like a big ole bunch of messy blocks!!

Here are four of the log cabins I have made so far. I used the small hearts inside the green for the center square. I am using all heart blocks for the border with the exception of the blocks with letters, so I am going to put these four in the corners, and used a small heart in each one. Hope it works like I am  picturing it in my head. (for detail, clock on photo to enlarge)

I did make one log cabin like the ones Kathy made this week. I think hers turned out a whole lot prettier, but I may go ahead and make a couple more of these. They were rather simple and I like the look, again using green as the center.

Next week, we join the center of the quilt....if I have any changes I am determined to make, I better get busy!! Be sure to see others progress on this crumb along by clicking on Jo's Blog.....lots of inspiration here!!

Happy Sewing!!!

Crumb Quilt Along ~ Heart and Star Blocks

Tuesday is the new step in the crumb along at Jo's Country Junction blog. If you have thought about trying this type of piecing...it is not too late to take a turn with this fun, no matching, no thinking...(well, almost no thinking) type of quilting. I have to tell you it has been nice not worrying about a seam allowance, or everything matching up and having to rip out and try again.....well, maybe there was a little ripping out but not much! Be sure to take a look at the next step tomorrow.....I am looking forward to it.

This past week's instructions were to make heart and star blocks. I had a mental block on the star blocks because they always give me the most trouble. Mine are not exactly like Jo's or the other participants but they will have to do. (Click to enlarge Photo)

By the time I started the heart blocks, my heart was indeed needing some cheering as I watched, waited and prayed for a blogging friend who was on her journey home to heaven.

Little did I know when I started this crumb along that it would be just what I needed at the exact time I needed it.  I ran away making the hearts. I think these will be the border instead of using the star blocks, or maybe a mix of both.

I guess I need to get over my phobia of stars. Some are not too bad, but others are well.....lets just say they needed a bit of work.

This really is a good way to use up lots of small scraps you have possession of and don't want to throw away.....Thanks again Jo, for a great quilt along! It is really been so much more to me than just a quilt along, it has been a great project to work on during a very sad time....just what is quilt is supposed to be....comforting.

Remembering Sara ~ A Real Live Angel

My sweet friend Sara, finished her final journey last night and is no doubt singing in Big Church this morning with the heavenly choir. It is so incredibly hard to feel so sad and so happy for her at the same time. Happy that she no longer is confined to her home, never to smell the fresh rain or feel the sunshine. Happy that there is no more pain which rocked her body just by breathing and moving. Happy that she is free from the confines that held her in this world, happy she is finally living the way God intended.

If you have not visited her blog, what a blessing you are missing out on. Stop by, and read her story, her life dealing with chronic disease and how when all the limits that could possibly be put on you in this lifetime She never let them stop her, she chose to keep moving forward with an attitude and outlook that was a real testimony of her faith, love and hope. I have never had the pleasure of knowing anyone like her and fear I never will again. There was only ONE GITZ.  How blessed we are, those who had the privilege of sharing a small part of her life.

The loss I feel is terrific. I lost a friend who not only inspired me, but caused me to look at life differently. She is and always be my hero, my special Gitz. Oh, sweet girl how I will miss you. We never got to meet this side of heaven, but  you were such a big part of my life, we connected and you taught me so much. One day, we will meet and it will be a glorious reunion.

Below is a recording of Sara singing my favorite song. She recorded this a few years back when she still was able to use her beautiful voice.......

07 Breath of Heaven by gitzengirl

be inspired today.......choose joy in all things......That is the Sara way! Please keep Sara's family in your hearts and prayers

Crumb Along - Part One of Sewing

I told you yesterday about a crumb along Jo is hosting over at Jo's Country Junction. Every Tuesday is when new instructions on the block construction is posted and today was the first sewing part. I made three blocks.

Wouldn't you know it, the first thing right off the bat is flying geese blocks? The only flying geese blocks I have ever made were in my very first quilt and I have not attempted another since. Thing is....this time, they are not supposed to be straight! You'd think that would be no problem...but for the first 15 minutes...I kept thinking...this can not be right.

But....I remembered Jo saying there is no right or wrong so I just kept on sewing......but boy, do these geese look like they could use some help!

I trucked on and finally finished three. But would you get a look at those geese....ahem! There is a second part of this weeks instructions which is to make some more single geese blocks that I believe will be part of a star block next week....and would you believe the other block that is rather intimidating to me are STAR blocks!!! Nothing like starting off worried that I won't even finish parts one and two....but I plugged away.....hope they are right.....

Here is all three......I am using all scraps and crumbs, strings and pieces of left over blocks for this quilt....yes and I am sure it will be every bit as bright and bold as my last finish.......I think I am gonna like it!!!

Don't forget, it is not to late to join the fun......perfectionist personalities should be warned....it is a strain....but honestly, I may never go back to sewing a straight block or seam again!!

Jo has a link up HERE to take a peek at what other quilters have done with their first blocks.....be sure to take a look, should be fun!

Brown Bag Quilt Challenge Quilt Finished

The deadline for the Brown Bag Quilt Challenge contest is today April 1st. Luckily, I finished mine and posted the pictures to the flicker account. Now, to just wait and see....

I have to say, this was so much fun. From receiving the fabrics, to the construction of the quilt, to making a new friend in my swap partner, Mary, it has been a good experience. So much so for me, I have even thought of hosting one like this myself later on this year. We will have to see.....

Here is my finished quilt:

It is hard to believe where this quilt first started back in October of last year. I have never used any of these colors or fabrics in my quilts thus far, and this was a first. I really like how it turned out.

Here is a reminder of the fabrics I received...........

The finished quilt measures 77 1/2 X 100.

Here is the back. The only fabric purchased was the outer border fabric and I used that for the binding too. All the added fabrics were bits and pieces from my stash.

There are some great quilts posted in the Brown Bag Contest flicker group. Stop off and have a look at some of these great quilts. There are some very talented quilters who created some amazing quilts. Enjoy.

Prayer Warriors Needed For Baby Reagan

I feel moved to ask all my blogging friends from around the world to pray for this baby girl and her family as they are making a very hard journey.

This precious baby girl was born in December of 2010. She is the beloved granddaughter of someone who was very special to me during my time in High School. Susie, was my drill team instructor and friend my senior year in High School. She was always so very special to me as she always seemed to say the right things and make you feel so much better about myself.

That being said, she never gave anything up for free, you had to earn it. Dancing in half time shows at the football games and pep rally's had to be earned. Honestly, I always thought I'd be the only senior girl to graduate and never get to dance at a pep rally. But I had to work for that if I wanted it.

And you know what? I will never forget the week I finally heard my name called to dance at the pep rally that week. The whole team cheered me on, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Susie, smile a knowing smile....she knew I had worked hard and had done it on my own. What a life lesson she taught me back long ago. One I have never forgot.

It feel like there should be more I could do than ask for prayer for this little baby, but I know so many of you will lift Baby Reagan up in prayer. I know you will agree and ask for God to touch this family and help them during this battle of cancer. I guess no matter how old I get, I will never understand a child fighting this horrible disease, much less, a newborn baby. It just boggles my mind.

If you'd like to follow Princess Reagan's story, click HERE to be taken to her blog. I know my beloved friend Susie, will appreciate you praying for her granddaughter Reagan and Reagan's parents, Jenny and Blake during this very emotional time in their young lives. Prayer is a powerful thing, and If that is all I know to do, I can do that.

Thank you all in advance, because I know how bloggers are, and know the outpouring of love you give to those who need it. Please pray.

Vintage Thingie Thursday : Vintage Brooch Bride Bouquet

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday. If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies being showed that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much.

Inspiration for beautiful vintage creations can be found most anywhere these days. Lots of people are standing up and taking notice of how wonderful it is to save a vintage piece from the land fill and turn it into something that can be treasured. Usually, all it takes is a little inspiration, imagination and the desire to create to turn something quiet ordinary into something extraordinary.

Last month, our friends' daughter got married and I was lucky enough to get to help with the planning. Early on during the planning stages, I gathered pictures online that I felt would be along the lines of this brides taste. Among those pictures, was a beautiful bouquet made from vintage brooches. As you can imagine, she fell in love with this idea....I knew she would, it was right up her alley! You may remember the vintage themed wedding shower we gave in May, well, this is the lovely bride with her vintage brooch bridal bouquet.

Tom Finn Photography

The bride and her mother gathered vintage brooches, earrings and rings from family members, thrift stores and online shopping. What made this so special was many of these pieces belonged to the brides grandmothers and relatives, so each piece was special in that regards.

Tom Finn Photography

We did search online for tutorials, but they were vague at best. The bride, her mom and sister sat out to complete this task, and even though it was a job, and took more time to complete than intended...it turned out beautifully.

Tom Finn Photography

The different colors in the pins and jewelry make a striking contrast against the wedding dress.

Tom Finn Photography

From this distance, the bouquet looks like fresh flowers. If you are a sentimental soul like I am, I so wish I would have had something like this long ago on my wedding day. What a great keepsake from your special day, and it will last forever....vintage forever.....my heart sings!

Tom Finn Photography

This is the bride and her dad, he is a firefighter.....I had to show this picture because it is simply my favorite. Just look at the beautiful bride with her beautiful bouquet standing next to her handsome dad in his um.....um......"well worn" work attire!!! Such a contrast in attire and made such a great statement...I just love it!!

Tom Finn Photography

The Happy Couple!!!

Each piece that was important and held special meaning was displayed on the outside of the bouquet, other pieces made up the centers of this beautiful piece. If you look closely, in the middle is a yellow "J" that to me was a great touch, as the bride's name and her grandmother's name both starts with that letter.

And what do you do after the wedding? Well, my friend found this amazing shadow box to house the bouquet, along with the wedding cake topper, the invitation and a copy of the prayer said at the ceremony. This makes a wonderful keepsake from your special day to enjoy for years to come. It is truly amazing what one can do with a little imagination and inspiration and an old jewelry box full of vintage jewelry......Amazing.....and Special.

~ A special thank you to my sweet friend, who allowed me to share this wonderful vintage creation with all my blogging friends today! Thanks so much!!!

Have a great Vintage Thingie Thursday everyone and a great weekend doing what you love best. I'll look forward to seeing you back here next week.