surprise . . .

Backposted (because how ever many years from now I'd regret not having posted these pictures along with their stories)!

Back in December (way back when), I participated in the Advent blog hop — which is one of my favorites of the year!  Since I do participate, I'm also faithful to visit all the other participants.  Because it's the nice thing to do!  Anyway, one of the participants, Elfin Stitches, featured the most beautiful, hand-beaded ornaments in her post, and she had a give away, and I won one!  They came all the way from Australia, so it took a little time.  But when I got home from retreat, guess what was waiting on me?

It was like Christmas all over again!  I took my time opening it.  It was so worth the wait . . .

Isn't this beautiful?!?  Her bead work is stunning.  I couldn't wait the twelve months to next Christmas to hang it, so it's hanging at my desk where I can enjoy it daily!  

She asked us to specify if we wanted lightly or heavily beaded trees.  I chose heavily.  It's just stunning.

:)

fun days . . .

Not a lot going on in the Nook these past two weeks.  We've got Campers on Mission in the camp for their annual work.  This year they've been working on a new bathhouse for the camp.  It's so exciting watching it come together . . . 

Isn't that great?!  They've worked so hard for these last two weeks.  I am so excited for the benefit this adds to the camp! ♥  Speaking of the camp, one of the COM wives knew I sewed/quilted, and look what she made me:

Awesome, right?  That was so kind of her to remember me that way.  :)

Last week we attended the end-of-year program for the girls' Classical Conversation group, and they were so darling!

I'm so glad we're close to them and can attend things like this.  I miss our California crew (pictured here, camping in the wilds) . . . 

They're coming to visit at the end of June and I can. not. wait!!!

I had a GREAT Mother's Day!  We went to church and one of the gals I mentor gifted me with this beautiful bouquet and a lovely card.

Isn't that sweet? I was so touched! After church we stopped by and visited with my folks.  Then we headed back to the camp for a BBQ lunch with Jocelyn and her crew.

It was a lovely afternoon, and they all gifted me so well!!  Joc got me a new 60 mm ergonomic rotary cutter and a book of botanical embroidery patterns which I've wanted for a while . . .

And Todd got me THESE!!!!

Are they not just PERFECT??!  He knows me so well!  And, well, I got myself this sweet little wool pattern from Sentimental Stitches . . .

I mean, a girl's gotta do!

And for the cherry on top, I was a winner!  Janet, over at Rogue Quilter, was clearing out some patterns and I am now the proud owner of some very cute wool patterns, perfect for my little stand!!!

Am I right?!?  Thanks so much, Janet!  :)

So, that's it for what's going on here.  I hope everyone enjoyed as lovely a Mother's Day as I did.  Oh yeah, and I meant to say ... I have turned off comments on my blog.  It's just easier for me this way. ♥

:)

increasing my fiber . . .

Over the weekend I was very thready. I sorted through all the floss I've accumulated (some from the estate sale) . . . it was a huge hodge podge in multiple containers (or not):

A mess. And even after I'd sorted most of it out, I still had this unsightly tangle to deal with . . .

And I actually did tackle and tame it!

Now I just need to purchase more floss cards so I can wrap it (and it can stay relatively tidy).

I also picked up (when I ordered it online and it was sent to my po box and I had to go the post office to pick it up) some new Cosmo Seasons floss . . . some autumnal colors.

I do love these flosses!

In my last post I told you that Ellie requested a new stitchery and she specifically requested that it be a monkey, so I got that taken care of for her and delivered it Monday . . .

I couldn't find a suitable embroidery pattern, so I had to adapt a coloring page. She's very pleased with it and was happy to be told that it's made up of all back stitching. She told me, "I'm really good at back stitching, Neesey. It's my best stitch." You go, girl!

This is the time of year when I get the itch to work with golds and olives and plums and oranges.  I saw this darling pattern by floralsandfloss on etsy and decided I wanted to try my hand.

I love the look, but it's a little out of my wheelhouse ... very chunky and dimensional. I can't wait to see it finished!

I was going through one of the other estate sale cases ... the one with all the oriental prints?

I counted up the T blocks that were in it and found there were fifty-six (56!!!) of them. Fifty-six 6" blocks (finished).  

So I got on EQ to see what one could do with fifty-six T blocks . . .

EQ Mockup

With a seven block by eight block layout, add a couple of borders and you've got a nice looking little lap quilt finishing out at about 54" by 60".  I love it when a plan takes shape!

You may (or more likely may not) recall me mentioning some time ago that I have had a 'sugar' person.  Actually her name is Sharon and she had an etsy shop called Simply Baking Supplies which I absolutely loved.  She custom mixed a blend of sugar crystal colors for me which were perfect for autumn cookies and even into Christmas.  Plus, Ellie loved to sprinkle it on her popcorn!  I realized last week that I was running dangerously low on my blend and it was time for another refill (I'm a repeat customer).  That's when I realized Sharon had closed up her etsy shop.  Gasp! I shot her an email and we went back and forth for a bit.  She's very sweet and offered to mix my blend from her leftover stock for free, if I paid the postage. She also mentioned that she had some additional supplies if I was interested and I said, "Sure!" So I paid for postage for a medium flat rate box and look what arrived yesterday . . .

Is that amazing or what?!  Jocelyn, the girls and I are going to have a ton of fun playing with all the different sprinkles and jimmies and edible glitters and dusting powders!  It was so very generous of her ... I wanted to share my joy.  :)

I had another sweet win over the weekend. Diane Knott of Butterfly Threads had a giveaway on her blog. The winner got to pick one of her choice of Diane's pdf patterns, and I won! I picked the pattern Under the Mistletoe of which she shared the original at her trunk show when she spoke at our guild meeting last year.  

It's gorgeous and looks complicated but she's assured me that it's not! She's gearing up for a Celebration 2020 SAL on her blog right now and it looks like a lot of fun! You should check it out.

So that's what I've got.  We'll see what trouble I can get into this weekend.  ^wink^

Happy Hump Day!

:)

heavy laden . . .

This post, that is . . . with pictures.  :)  This past weekend was our guild's biannual quilt show!  I spent the afternoon there on Saturday and have the quilty photos to prove it!

I didn't enter a quilt in this year's show, though I did place my Blue Melody in one of the exhibitions that had been set up . . .

So it was fun to have that around!

We had over 250 quilts on display this year -- the show was amazing.  We have SO many talented quilters in our guild . . . it's very humbling to sit among them! Here are a few of my faves . . . 

I *adore* this one . . .the faces of Santa and the reindeer in the progressive photo frames just CRACK me up!!

I'm a sucker for a patriotic/red, white & blue quilt! 

Yup.

This was my sweet friend's quilt!  Sarah is a Sassy Affirmation Sister (as is Gail)!  ♥ Really, as a trio we are enablers of one another -- of the best kind! *wink*

And these two quilts belong to my darling friend, Kari!  The first was a work of collaboration with Sarah's quilt, above.  And the second? Roll Tide!

This quilt was a beauty up close, but from a distance, the appeal is obvious!!

This was my favorite of the Christmas pieces ... I really felt like it deserved a ribbon.  All hand applique!  It was very beautiful!

This sweet redwork lighthouse quilt, with the reverse applique, was made by the same maker.  Her handwork is just amazing!

This beauty won the Best of Show!  This was pieced by none other than Barbara Black who blogs at My Joyful Journey.  The quilt (and Barbara) even got a nod from The Quilt Show!  That's pretty cool, huh?!?

This is my sweet friend Lois (and me)!  She's a talented long arm quilter and in fact, she's the one who quilted the show winning quilt that Barbara made!  Amazing!

This quilt was another amazing winner.  Pictured here with its creator, Linda (right), and quilter, Robin (left).  It won first place in its category (two makers, extra large, pieced), best machine quilting - track machine, and won the viewer's choice award!  The quilting in this piece really made it, in my opinion . . .

I wish I could have taken a close up of all the blocks!  It was exquisite!

Joc, Ellie and Evey joined me later in the afternoon . . .

The girls felt that since they were going to a Quilt Show, they needed to bring their quilts!  Aren't they cute?!

They also visited our selfie station.  Quick side note, I did a lot of the props for the station! 

One of the reasons they waited so late to come by was because they wanted to attend a demonstration on English Paper Piecing I did that afternoon . . .

My table all set up!  It was a fun 45 minutes; I really love doing things like that.  I've found that I really enjoy teaching adults.

The birthday weekend wrapped up with a celebration at Joc's!  

It was a lot of fun -- she's such a terrific cook and hostess!

Okay.  I'm done ... except for one thing!  I did pick a random winner for the blog hop ... first let me say what a lovely bunch of happy birthday wishes ... thank you!  The winner of the book was:

And it's on its way to her!  Congratulations!

Have a great rest of the week!

:)