tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71404000450486384762024-03-13T08:10:13.664-07:00Nanci QuiltsMy New Word(s) for 2024 is Live SimplyNancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-21927185434699077872023-12-12T09:36:00.000-08:002023-12-12T09:36:06.757-08:00Closing out 2023 and heading into a New Year<p> I have seriously been remiss in updating my blog but have vowed to turn a new leaf in 2024. Since my last post in 2018, I have lost my Mom at the age of 91, she was blessed with a wonderful life but I will always miss my parents even though I had them both until 91. I lost my beloved golden retriever Charlie in January 2021 in the middle of the pandemic when things were already tough enough and rescued another golden Hannah who was an Amish breeder and now lives the life of Riley. I also lost my sister Cindy in Nov., 2021 pretty suddenly to a stroke. She had been dealing with undiagnosed Alzheimers for a number of years and was declining pretty rapidly the last year but still a stroke was so unexpected and sudden. I had retired in 2019 and left Texas and moved to Pennsylvania to be closer to my grandkids Emma and Lucas, and have been so blessed seeing them grow up and being just a few miles aways. There have been challenges moving across country right before the pandemic and leaving behind all my friends and family, but I am beginning to settle in. I have found a local stitch group that meets at the library weekly and brings me so much joy and recently found a local quilt group that meets monthly along with semi-annual retreats to Lancaster, PA, local sew days, Christmas brunch and so much to be thankful for full of creativity and fellowship. Quilting remains my primary craft of choice but I have done a lot of cross stitch during the pandemic and still continue to embroider, and hand sew various things. I will try to do an update blog on all the many things I've made in the past 4 years since my move. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS47vEzHoDrho4Cx8H2h95WePRz8LX2BObBUnulok3u0dgdr5qEVSNMIn_rqED6JWbEeaevK_ZE6HARYUhoJzfX23am7Y1qxkilRxJPrtFo-gA5J922ogi6hjRNUIp1rXy2_YY8zgtJ1SwdpqeS0ep3y6SbKFUQeyd5DDtzIZr_5byKhpjjC6poVQEC6ee/s384/image_123650291%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="384" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS47vEzHoDrho4Cx8H2h95WePRz8LX2BObBUnulok3u0dgdr5qEVSNMIn_rqED6JWbEeaevK_ZE6HARYUhoJzfX23am7Y1qxkilRxJPrtFo-gA5J922ogi6hjRNUIp1rXy2_YY8zgtJ1SwdpqeS0ep3y6SbKFUQeyd5DDtzIZr_5byKhpjjC6poVQEC6ee/s320/image_123650291%20(1).JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEZabdohfLaB78Qh0zWsOM-WEXFLGtrAycswNiKjKz6YPoVe4_uyWIRpVJx_FO6ge-x9ffq4P0wyU9rFW3ACyiZvpjWZnuUYiB-3sXEQRpwVhg04PE8BZHDpPjOhyphenhyphenaMIgvqNXtgU8vHaOvW4k-fMRkMzTTgN6ssUu-lIyMeXjPIv2afMslpI9hYcdAFag/s1084/image_123650291%20(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEZabdohfLaB78Qh0zWsOM-WEXFLGtrAycswNiKjKz6YPoVe4_uyWIRpVJx_FO6ge-x9ffq4P0wyU9rFW3ACyiZvpjWZnuUYiB-3sXEQRpwVhg04PE8BZHDpPjOhyphenhyphenaMIgvqNXtgU8vHaOvW4k-fMRkMzTTgN6ssUu-lIyMeXjPIv2afMslpI9hYcdAFag/w244-h320/image_123650291%20(3).JPG" width="244" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>My Mom and a Christmas ornament on my tree of my parents</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRZEFL6z3wegNLeGJbjE1_20CpuFxlFMBdGRUenPbh_kH_B8VL-9UQ3NNTbgrd_iygQAnfMMCvMPb9KHbPSeWdyUHzlCaROZnFNBgNDGiN3uK3VvB7IjQI9bJ-_pLdBfWYh-bWz5jvpwfzSmIAYwnweP81HgyJ88fX3y7zr_dD_C85LMvN2TGH1OxaRw2/s1087/IMG_2404.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRZEFL6z3wegNLeGJbjE1_20CpuFxlFMBdGRUenPbh_kH_B8VL-9UQ3NNTbgrd_iygQAnfMMCvMPb9KHbPSeWdyUHzlCaROZnFNBgNDGiN3uK3VvB7IjQI9bJ-_pLdBfWYh-bWz5jvpwfzSmIAYwnweP81HgyJ88fX3y7zr_dD_C85LMvN2TGH1OxaRw2/s320/IMG_2404.jpeg" width="244" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDK-4mQbkJ1M5UMzJqtFFUmbP7_b8EEF-Em1GqqGN-UkGY3fjkR8JkfRwk7dVfhsCU9g2iUBAz9sdCq0Qs8NVYFpDxqXxIt-v0Ahd-5hcSfReH6LTKbC3ERcaLIUkmpzDG1rQ3RzcObbRno5D3buo4FDZB4hzJdy2ofaX-D7l_GWDglI2T0PDbZabHy4GP/s828/IMG_1846.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="828" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDK-4mQbkJ1M5UMzJqtFFUmbP7_b8EEF-Em1GqqGN-UkGY3fjkR8JkfRwk7dVfhsCU9g2iUBAz9sdCq0Qs8NVYFpDxqXxIt-v0Ahd-5hcSfReH6LTKbC3ERcaLIUkmpzDG1rQ3RzcObbRno5D3buo4FDZB4hzJdy2ofaX-D7l_GWDglI2T0PDbZabHy4GP/s320/IMG_1846.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /> Charlie I lost in January, 2021<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgNcWrhbYb-IAxj1bBf3Chx7V9tpVpHSXEjLa0us-WkS3FX_KW7OAIfe57UrCFRmWeoJqaMoB1CvdZFVBW5MuOqvHNFo7av509un0B34F9T0Vdoef6leHypN5xDSo93Jr0sldZ7e4qjE2B7XR2Nph9mP5ZhwJHn-40jCnfK3jdBbhiN8dPgqAmKR2Oj0t/s828/image_123650291%20(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="828" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgNcWrhbYb-IAxj1bBf3Chx7V9tpVpHSXEjLa0us-WkS3FX_KW7OAIfe57UrCFRmWeoJqaMoB1CvdZFVBW5MuOqvHNFo7av509un0B34F9T0Vdoef6leHypN5xDSo93Jr0sldZ7e4qjE2B7XR2Nph9mP5ZhwJHn-40jCnfK3jdBbhiN8dPgqAmKR2Oj0t/s320/image_123650291%20(4).JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95TSoz-ECTj4FK62F66Ojz-NzgTJBkcwj1sIn7i14hnIfWFJ3fmt_KvPT5LjEOndIZirUuVnI6Zco2nb_fMj4p2xxDscK6K9QuSHK9ExhV8DDLY4rqGk3Sa4tyIHmdBUcnwDGya-6syZDAxFlY0sFELBkYhXHCl4FM7bRwu7S9mKnlpKQkeeO_HRgkJa4/s4032/image_67192833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95TSoz-ECTj4FK62F66Ojz-NzgTJBkcwj1sIn7i14hnIfWFJ3fmt_KvPT5LjEOndIZirUuVnI6Zco2nb_fMj4p2xxDscK6K9QuSHK9ExhV8DDLY4rqGk3Sa4tyIHmdBUcnwDGya-6syZDAxFlY0sFELBkYhXHCl4FM7bRwu7S9mKnlpKQkeeO_HRgkJa4/s320/image_67192833.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><p></p> Hannah I rescued in Sept, 2021<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQgU253r5sR-inCyse9Qs9WXZSnJqDjqws9JRvELt0m2_ObucKIyJJtMWO-eXYM0nd5Jw4MVl8xmnoXipjhKwhyOtXcBwqiuGCXeiVF-8UbSzAHRle8jhn6HIA95vVbfghgUdaDLgIT_fuHBOwOXbjhWlfFDiEwCUKca1ifdYfbYfYqBS44EOve5q0cFr/s665/image_123650291%20(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="363" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQgU253r5sR-inCyse9Qs9WXZSnJqDjqws9JRvELt0m2_ObucKIyJJtMWO-eXYM0nd5Jw4MVl8xmnoXipjhKwhyOtXcBwqiuGCXeiVF-8UbSzAHRle8jhn6HIA95vVbfghgUdaDLgIT_fuHBOwOXbjhWlfFDiEwCUKca1ifdYfbYfYqBS44EOve5q0cFr/s320/image_123650291%20(5).JPG" width="175" /></a></div> My sister Cindy I lost in Nov, 2021<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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I'll warn you up front this won't be a short post but rather a catch up on things I've learned in 2018.<br />
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I went on vacation the 2nd week in January to Mexico with my son,daughter in law and two grand kids. Just as we arrived my Mom ( age 92) started having some internal bleeding issues. By the time I got back she had had a stroke and while I was expecting to come home and move her to rehab life took another turn. Within 24 hours we realized she was not going to recover and began the process of moving her to hospice on a Sunday afternoon. She spoke with my son on the phone about 3:00 and would never speak again and passed peacefully on Wed morning. My life would never be the same.<br />
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Since I was the executor, I began the task of dissolving the estate and my siblings joined in getting rid of her things and closing up her apartment. I ended up with about 6 large containers of things that sat in my garage for a few weeks. I had already been feeling like I had too much stuff, had been contemplating retirement in a few years and this just put me over the top and the need to downsize became a stronger pull. I began reading up on the Kon Mari method (https://konmari.com/) of organizing and tiding up. This led me to The minimalist documentary on Netflix ( if you haven't watched this it's a must in this day and age of consumerism) , then the tiny house movement and ultimately to the Choose FI group on facebook.<br />
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Choose FI ( Financial Independence) is all about saving diligently so you can retire early and do what you love. The community and the idea is more a of movement geared towards the younger generation so they can save everything and retire in their 40's if not earlier. I wasn't raised this was but definitely wish I had found all this out 20 years ago. My parents were definitely FI, but of course who listens to their parents. Me being in my 60's it's not quite the same timeline of course.<br />
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Now fast forward a few months and I have been looking at all the unnecessary stuff I own and getting rid of things, I paid off my car and I'm making headway to retire in Sept, 2019 and move to PA to be closer to my son, daughter in law and grandkids. When I made the decision I was FI but with the decline of the market things continue to be a little more tenuous.<br />
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One of the strongholds in the FI community is Mrs. Frugalwoods. You can find her here: http://www.frugalwoods.com/<br />
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She is just now advertising for her 2019 Uber Frugal Month Challenge which she does every January and July. If you are looking to cut back on expenses, get off the hamster wheel of consumerism and learn some techniques of self care and simplicity please go to her website and sign up. It's free and I guarantee you it will be life changing. So won't you join me? Let's make a commitment in 2019 to slow down, smell the roses and save our hard earned money that the stores are so trying to get us to spend on needless stuff.<br />
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May you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.<br />
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Nanci<br />
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Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-63745479838785076822018-12-06T17:16:00.002-08:002018-12-06T17:16:30.964-08:00Rest in Peace George H W Bush<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been a very sad week watching all the tributes, funerals, gatherings as we celebrated a life well lived. George H W Bush truly cared about this country but more than that he cared about people. He cared deeply for his family but he also just as deeply cared for those he didn't know who were suffering. He gave this country 73 years of his life with the best service he had. I was touched hearing some of the funny stories about him I had never heard. We are gradually losing what we always considered the greatest generation. Maybe it was the depression that created such selflessness and I only hope that the current generation can look beyond their personal needs and ask how they too can serve this great nation. George Bush you will be missed but never forgotten. May you now forever hold your sweet little Robin in your arms and walk peacefully into the sunset hand in hand with your beloved Barbara.</div>
Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-22384548918755387792018-11-16T17:17:00.002-08:002018-11-16T17:17:40.028-08:00Winter is upon us......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We woke up in the Hill Country this week with dipping temperatures that say it's winter but in fact, what happened to fall? It was 20 degrees here Wednesday morning so I was forced to stop in my tracks and harvest the many lemons on my lemon tree. Turns out there were roughly 38 grocery bags of lemons so I'll be in search of lemon recipes. I've made lemon body scrub so that's a good stand by. Anybody have any great recipes I should try? I'm not sure how involved it is but I'll also probably try some lemon curd and freeze lemon juice for the coming winter cups of tea.<br />
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May you have a lovely weekend and Happy Thanksgiving to all.<br />
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Nanci<br />
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Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-34756105631445221142014-05-23T18:35:00.001-07:002014-05-23T18:35:44.553-07:00Life continues to be a blessing.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It has been forever since I've even opened my blog or thought about it but its been a good two years and I continue to be blessed. My son and daughter in law were married the summer of 2012 so I spent a week in Albania and another week in Greece and it was a trip of a lifetime.<br />
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When I got back my parents were still dealing with issues of an older home and just not capable of taking care of repairs for a large home so we sold everything, packed their bags and moved them to a wonderful independent living facility in Austin, Tx. Since I live outside the city it's about an hour drive to see them but beats the 4 1/2 hour drive before they moved and my other siblings are just 15 minutes away. It was hard at first for my Mom to leave her home but they enjoyed the freedom of no cooking, cleaning or repairs and yard work.<br />
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My son had been on a long adventure of working to get his degree since he never went to college directly out of high school and it 's a whole different game to go back to school full time and work full time but he pulled it off and graduated with honors in May, 2103 and as a Mom I couldn't have been prouder.<br />
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In early 2013 we found out the newlyweds were expecting their first child. She was expected to make a glorious arrival on October 19 so I got busy planning a baby shower along with Greta's Mom and I threw her a baby shower in August, 2013. The theme was tutus and all things pink and I think it turned out very sweet and she had a great time seeing so many of her family and friends. There were about 40 people so it was large shower but well worth all the time effort and planning.<br />
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The middle of the summer one of my cats,Smokey got sick, wouldn't eat and no matter what we did it wasn't enough and I was forced to make the heartsick decision to end his life. It took a real toll on me for weeks and I still haven't been able to part with him. I had him cremated and they put him in a very nice engraved box but at some point I know I must release him back to the ranch he so loved to roam. So after about a month I decided it was time to move on and rescued a sweet 4 month old kitten, who I've named Bella. He is becoming an active part of the family and the other animals at this point just tolerate him but with time he'll be one of the group. He is a fetcher so retrieves all sorts of toys you throw to him, this a first for me will all the cats I've owned over the years.<br />
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On October 25, 2013 Emma Rose Moy finally made her grand entrance and has changed all of our lives. <br />
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Sometime in October my dad had another minor stroke and while there was much outside signs of damage he would be a slow decline for the next few months and we lost him on January 25, 2014. He was a wonderful man who loved his family, served his country for 30 years in the Navy and will be sadly missed for a long long time. My Mom has had some trouble now living alone and being without my Dad and only time will heal the pain and hopefully before long she'll come into her own again and begin to enjoy life, even though Daddy is no longer here to enjoy it.<br />
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So to say the least my life has been hectic but things have been good for the most part. My sewing and quilting and blogging have taken a back seat but I have vowed to get back in the swing of things and start some sewing again. Sorry for the long post but it's been almost 2 years and lots has happened.<br />
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So a few more of my favorite ( and only granddaughter Emma )<br />
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Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-22255872075265654182012-02-12T17:52:00.000-08:002012-02-12T18:27:48.711-08:00Quilting progress or lack thereof......Sometime late last year I feel like I lost my quilting momentum and the love and passion just disappeared and I looked up one day and it had been weeks since I'd even touched my machine. I was such an addicted quilter before this and hardly ever went more than 5 days without sewing. In August I got stiffed in an online Christmas swap, then my Dad had a stroke and it seemed like all my spare time was spent traveling to see him and the holidays came and went without much fanfare. January came and I decided to move my sewing to my office space and thought maybe that would spark some interest but it just sat there. I am planning a trip to Albania in June for my son'sweed ding and then will go to Greece for a week so I was looking online one day for quilt things/shops in Athens and stumbled upon Kristine in Thessaloniki, Greece that is teaching young girls to quilt and helping make quilts for women and children taken in from human trafficking and also for some orphanages in the local area and it all just touched my heart how they needed quilts and I decided to start making quilts for her. I now have 6 quilt tops ready to send and all it really took was looking outside of myself to get my quilting going again. It probably doesn't help that I have a pinterest account and I spend so much time looking at things to make and never actually making anything. So if you are interested on helping the orphanages in Greece go check out her site and blog, I know she could always use more help. I had also just read another article last week that as the economy in Greece continues to tank more and more families are taking their children to orphanages and turning them over because thyme can't afford to feed them and this just breaks my heart and so reminds me of our own great depression and it's a country in desperate need right now. Her website is www.toquiltorknot.com.<br />
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All in all life is good, my son's getting very excited about his upcoming wedding, he should graduate next spring, my Dad is doing very well and almost back to normal and at almost 89 that was a great feat. I'm quilting again and grateful to have some focus on what's really important in life to unearth my apathy. I'll try and take pictures of the quilts before I ship them so you can see the fun I've had these past couple of weeks.<br />
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I hope everyone else is having a productive and happy winter, I won't be long before we're back in the heat and draught of summer.Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-77373561602025316012011-08-25T19:26:00.000-07:002011-08-25T19:26:49.285-07:00The stars are aligning for something big!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div closure_uid_2q2f9d="131">I came to Philadelphia last week for my son's engagement party which is scheduled for Saturday night and also to meet and visit with some new found cousins and family I haven't seen in awhile.</div><div closure_uid_2q2f9d="131"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xjdM1TOc8NI/Tlb-wqt-5UI/AAAAAAAABWc/7qRzyFpfJto/s1600/P1030607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xjdM1TOc8NI/Tlb-wqt-5UI/AAAAAAAABWc/7qRzyFpfJto/s320/P1030607.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_2q2f9d="170" closure_uid_tazg60="109" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> We were enjoying a wonderful luncheon in New Jersey with family when all of a sudden the lights starting swaying the table shook. Everyone was looking around not knowing what was going on. We had no cell phone service and it was just a little disconcerting not knowing if it was an unheard of earthquake or some sort of terrroist attack. We had a couple of smaller aftershocks later that day but nothing serious. Now this in and of itself is pretty unusal for New Jersey but the next day they start talking about Irene making a path up the eastern coastline and we should start preperations for the "storm of the century". We have pretty much just been going about out usual days shopping and enjoying the wonderful weather of the east coast. My future daughter in law Greta and I went to Phildelphia's <a href="http://www.philadelphiasmagicgardens.org/">Magic Gardens</a> on South Street and had a great time taking in all the wonderful art that Isaiah Zagar has blessed the city with. If you haven't ever been here this should be on your must see list if you come to Philadelphia.</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_2q2f9d="170" closure_uid_tazg60="109" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_2q2f9d="170" closure_uid_tazg60="187" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunday we went to Atlantic City</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_2q2f9d="170" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_2q2f9d="170" closure_uid_tazg60="188" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> and walked the boardwalk , shopped and enjoyed the wonderful early fall weather they have been enjoying.</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_2q2f9d="170" closure_uid_tazg60="188" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_2q2f9d="170" closure_uid_tazg60="188" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This morning my cousin Diane and I decided to drive to Ocean City, NJ and see what was going on and do some more shopping and walk the boardwalk. We hit everyone of the TaDah shops on Asbury Ave. and came away with some fun stuff.</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_2q2f9d="170" closure_uid_tazg60="188" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_2q2f9d="170" closure_uid_tazg60="188" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We shopped for all of 2 hours and then everyone was buzzing about saying we needed to get out of town because the NJ govenor was calling for all out of town people to leave the area and they were already making preperations for evacuations of Cape May that will be mandatory tomorrow morning. And to think I was so excited when I got here last Thursday to finally see rain ( we haven't had rain in central Texas in a long long time). Be careful what you wish for. With any luck the engagement party will still take place on Saturday night in time for us to get home and batten down the hatches before Irene hits on Sunday. With any luck my flight will still make on Monday afternoon. </div><div class="separator" closure_uid_2q2f9d="170" closure_uid_tazg60="188" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_2q2f9d="170" closure_uid_tazg60="188" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Say a prayer for us all that we are safe and the kids enjoy their engagement party and if nothing else it will be memorable.</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_2q2f9d="170" closure_uid_tazg60="188" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-86944419233041609832011-08-07T19:59:00.000-07:002011-08-07T19:59:16.154-07:00Summer Sunday reads...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div closure_uid_3kocub="114"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-akND8RF_qcE/TjXp4DHhOPI/AAAAAAAABUc/nM1zTEUVWJ8/s1600/51sgPY0YoLL._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-akND8RF_qcE/TjXp4DHhOPI/AAAAAAAABUc/nM1zTEUVWJ8/s1600/51sgPY0YoLL._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_%255B1%255D.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div closure_uid_nabeb6="104"><div closure_uid_crzhy3="127"> So another book I just finished is one of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Haven-Nicholas-Sparks/dp/0446547603/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312156049&sr=1-1">Nicholas Sparks, Safe Haven</a>. It's an easy read with a good ending and a good feeling book. Not too heavy just a sweet love story. I wouldn't exactly call this a favorite but it's definately something I would read again and feel safe recommending. I have read a number of his books , some better than others and this is at least a keeper book. Have you read this one? What did you think? I just finished <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unbroken-World-Survival-Resilience-Redemption/dp/1400064163/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312156083&sr=1-1">"Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand</a> another great book. Do you have any suggestions? Any avid readers out there.</div></div><div closure_uid_nabeb6="104"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_nabeb6="104">Happy summer reading....</div><div closure_uid_nabeb6="105"></div><br />
</div></div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-7515292305743637552011-08-03T08:04:00.000-07:002011-08-03T08:04:55.099-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jSfDaVWJ7PU/TjYC_56_ztI/AAAAAAAABUw/UWx1_fNhwcY/s1600/birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="443" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jSfDaVWJ7PU/TjYC_56_ztI/AAAAAAAABUw/UWx1_fNhwcY/s640/birds.jpg" t$="true" width="640" /></a></div></div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-88075526950126480442011-08-02T18:39:00.000-07:002011-08-02T18:39:01.180-07:00Birthday bag<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div closure_uid_u7lstl="119">I've been meaning to make this little bag for my sister for her birthday (belated) and while it's supposed to be a <a href="http://twohourtulip.com/">Two-Hour Tulip purse</a> , I think that only means if you know what you are doing. It's only my second bag and it took me more like 4 hours but I hope she'll love it none the less.</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_u7lstl="202" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OiHXZn3h5lw/TjilH8ELl8I/AAAAAAAABVo/LHVnkVNdkCs/s1600/P1030392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OiHXZn3h5lw/TjilH8ELl8I/AAAAAAAABVo/LHVnkVNdkCs/s320/P1030392.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_u7lstl="202" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_u7lstl="202" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I chose to make mine out of batiks which I really loved</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_u7lstl="202" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_u7lstl="220" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> with a beautiful purple lining (batik) with all the pockets and dividers but I added a cardboard covered square to the inside to give it some structure. I also added a peice of polymer I had for the button and she's all set. Hope she loves it.</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_u7lstl="220" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-29712718649125213952011-08-01T18:59:00.000-07:002011-08-01T18:59:26.648-07:00Heart warming<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div closure_uid_yhgu54="114">Have you seen this yet, it will make you smile and hopefully make you want to pass it on.</div><br />
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</div><div closure_uid_13snl9="132">Have a wonderful day!</div></div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-11377724739807343872011-08-01T09:28:00.000-07:002011-08-02T13:17:23.243-07:00Calming Effects<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="204" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zr4iN933JfE/TjbO1agGxSI/AAAAAAAABU0/rkfB257QeVc/s1600/P1030217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zr4iN933JfE/TjbO1agGxSI/AAAAAAAABU0/rkfB257QeVc/s320/P1030217.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div closure_uid_9c0wb2="118">It's that time of year again when the fawns start stepping out on their own and it's so fun to finally get a chance to photograph some of them. I am working on a quilt called Calming Effects and love the similarity in color and peace from both the fawns and the quilt. This is a pattern I bought a few years back at <a href="http://www.creations-online.com/">Creations Quilt Shop in Kerrville</a> and only just this weekend got the top finished.</div><div closure_uid_9c0wb2="118"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="243" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pKf0b1Fz73I/TjbQCbeg2bI/AAAAAAAABU4/Zkmtbkn2I2k/s1600/P1030384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pKf0b1Fz73I/TjbQCbeg2bI/AAAAAAAABU4/Zkmtbkn2I2k/s320/P1030384.JPG" t$="true" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="243" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_9c0wb2="118">The concept of the quilt was to use striped fabrics cut into strips and then into triangles. Then you sewed the triangles into squares and the squares back into rows. I played around with various striped fabrics but ultimately went with a neutral batik stripe for that calming effect shown on the pattern cover. </div><div closure_uid_9c0wb2="118"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="222" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UMJS0S0Hbec/TjbQp-l9LiI/AAAAAAAABU8/6IMmZ8fiMmE/s1600/P1030387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UMJS0S0Hbec/TjbQp-l9LiI/AAAAAAAABU8/6IMmZ8fiMmE/s320/P1030387.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="222" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="222" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> A close up of the squares sewn together and the overall effect of the batik.</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="222" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="222" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="240" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H89TzMEOlSQ/TjbRAUfmUQI/AAAAAAAABVA/jPkRNg43rq8/s1600/P1030388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H89TzMEOlSQ/TjbRAUfmUQI/AAAAAAAABVA/jPkRNg43rq8/s320/P1030388.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="240" closure_uid_vkrcpf="126" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="240" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The inner border is a stonehenge in green/brown tones and the outer border is another batik with a lavender hint. I am thinking about hand quilting this in purple with a matching lilac/purple binding.</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="240" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="240" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="242" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rz1PKrsrf88/TjbRnBpXHbI/AAAAAAAABVI/Rdu0yvDJsjk/s1600/P1030386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rz1PKrsrf88/TjbRnBpXHbI/AAAAAAAABVI/Rdu0yvDJsjk/s320/P1030386.JPG" t$="true" width="294" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="242" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="242" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the batik going on the back.</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="242" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="242" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" closure_uid_9c0wb2="242" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy August, stay cool and pray for rain for Texas!</div></div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-30649853824298518732011-07-31T07:57:00.000-07:002011-07-31T07:57:56.373-07:00Summer Sunday reads....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vF8RRr1gv1Y/TjVrEllQJqI/AAAAAAAABUU/wqv-sFlobxU/s1600/51K-8br8XfL._AA160_%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vF8RRr1gv1Y/TjVrEllQJqI/AAAAAAAABUU/wqv-sFlobxU/s1600/51K-8br8XfL._AA160_%255B1%255D.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div closure_uid_8pkzjj="115" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So anyone who knows me knows I am an addicted reader and thought I would start sharing some of my favorite books. This is a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+help&x=12&y=22">new one</a> for me, but it easily made my <a href="http://www.shelfari.com/nanci/shelf#firstBook=0&list=1&sort=dateadded">favorites list</a>. It is a story told like none other and deserves to be read by everyone. So have you read this already? What did you think? If you haven't read it I hope you'll add it to your summer list.</div><div closure_uid_8pkzjj="115" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_8pkzjj="115" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I also made the leap this year to a Kindle reader and I my gosh, can't believe it took me this long. </div><div closure_uid_8pkzjj="115" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_8pkzjj="115"><br />
</div></div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-80483252255127644872011-07-31T07:42:00.000-07:002011-08-02T13:22:28.536-07:00Twas the Night Before Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div closure_uid_116u0m="114"><div closure_uid_uy9c6e="126">and all through the house.... I have been diligently working on this stitchery for the past year and finally got all the pieces complete and recently put the top together. I am working on this for a family member who loves all things Christmas and hopefully I'll have the backing together soon and get it quilted and in the mail to her by Thanksgiving so she can enjoy it for the holidays. The stitchery is a set of patterns I bought from <a href="http://hugsnkisses.net/">Hugs 'n Kisses</a>. The designer, Helen Stubbings is an Aussie stitcher with some great patterns and kits. I do alot of stitchery but this is the first redwork I've done and I loved not having to pay attention to where the colors change. I just started on a new one and can't wait to get some quality sewing time.</div><div closure_uid_uy9c6e="126"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_uy9c6e="126"><div closure_uid_u03yha="106">Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!</div><div closure_uid_u03yha="106"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-91t440vQuCM/TjhcVKhbtkI/AAAAAAAABVU/DIzoSa-t7h4/s1600/P1030087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-91t440vQuCM/TjhcVKhbtkI/AAAAAAAABVU/DIzoSa-t7h4/s640/P1030087.JPG" t$="true" width="484" /></a></div><div closure_uid_u03yha="106"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnYkaBGWOfQ/TjSgl0Q1UFI/AAAAAAAABUM/Ycgr8LhtRhU/s1600/P1030088-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnYkaBGWOfQ/TjSgl0Q1UFI/AAAAAAAABUM/Ycgr8LhtRhU/s400/P1030088-1.JPG" t$="true" width="332" /></a></div><div closure_uid_116u0m="114"><br />
</div></div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-19911348204836548592011-07-30T17:37:00.000-07:002011-07-30T17:43:43.831-07:00Santa Sack Swap 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div closure_uid_kzysym="114" closure_uid_ypqwli="229"><br />
<div closure_uid_ypqwli="111"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hPnGOJR-Kc/TjSk0Frn1eI/AAAAAAAABUQ/TyriVpuva_g/s1600/IMG_3033%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hPnGOJR-Kc/TjSk0Frn1eI/AAAAAAAABUQ/TyriVpuva_g/s320/IMG_3033%255B1%255D.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a>Recently I signed up for a Santa Swap that is being organized by Carol at <a href="http://www.carolscraftblog.blogspot.com/">Carol's Crafts Blog</a>. This is a swap that will take place over the next four months. We will each make a little sack/bag and add two small wrapped gifts and then mail them on Sept 1st and then each month mail two more small gifts to go in the sack. Then in December we'll also send a larger gift. All of these will be opened on Christmas and the anticipation of getting these gifts each month will be very tempting to look, morning and we've all taken a vow of honestly to not peak before then. So today we found out who our partners are. My partner is Kim from <a href="http://creatingbythelake.blogspot.com/">Creating by the Lake</a> in the arid state of Arizona so I'll be working on some surprises very soon for her. Kim I'll be checking on your blog to see what surprises you would love the most :)</div></div></div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-68482622264963065112011-07-30T16:34:00.000-07:002011-07-30T17:14:38.216-07:00Yoko Saito - My Home Town<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div closure_uid_5uibi2="112" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div closure_uid_yxd4vf="109">About a year ago I bought a tapestry wall hanging kit <a href="http://shop.quilt.co.jp/en/default.asp?bunrui1=5&bunrui2=287&shocd=12710&ichiranpage=1&kensaku=">My Home Town</a> by <a href="http://shop.quilt.co.jp/en/default.asp?site=profile">Yoko Saito</a>, a well known Japanese artist/hand crafter quilter. Once I actually had the 6 kits in hand I was overwelmed when I realized it was all written in japanese and I had never even done needle turn applique in english much less japanese. I eventually contacted her to see if she would translate the instructions for me which she graciously agreed to do. Now with the english translation in hand I was ready to start. So I made a sample block using scrap fabrics and using a pattern from her book <a href="http://shop.quilt.co.jp/en/default.asp?bunrui1=4&bunrui2=163&shocd=5538&ichiranpage=1&kensaku=">House House House</a>. I love love this book. I will definately be doing more houses down the road. So now with some practice behind me I was ready to start on the real thing. The kit is made up of 6 </div></div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Vedd5s_emY/TjSPz2YwBcI/AAAAAAAABTk/_DpoEedZfqY/s1600/P1030104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Vedd5s_emY/TjSPz2YwBcI/AAAAAAAABTk/_DpoEedZfqY/s200/P1030104.JPG" t$="true" width="200" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sample block</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div closure_uid_5uibi2="477"><div closure_uid_ovb3ci="735" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div closure_uid_i7i84q="110"><div closure_uid_yxd4vf="149"> separate months , 5 of which I'll be making houses, barns, trees and lambs, and then on month 6 I'll sew all the separate kits together and begin hand quilting. She has very detailed instructions on the hand quilting lines which I am already looking forward to starting on. All of the awesome fabrics are included in the kits and most of them are taupes that she has designed herself. So below are some photos of my progress so far.</div><div closure_uid_yxd4vf="149">I have thoroughly enjoyed the hand work process but the pieces are very very </div><div closure_uid_yxd4vf="149">tiny so when I finally get to the applique process my fingers always feel like they are in the way. I have the first two sets/months done and working on month three. The progress is very rewarding but slow.</div><div closure_uid_yxd4vf="149"><br />
</div></div></div></div><div closure_uid_5uibi2="477" closure_uid_yxd4vf="180"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eGa4msPmmOc/TjSW9L6yTJI/AAAAAAAABT8/oq7ys73iKHs/s1600/P1030102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eGa4msPmmOc/TjSW9L6yTJI/AAAAAAAABT8/oq7ys73iKHs/s200/P1030102.JPG" t$="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_ovb3ci="736" style="text-align: center;">Beginning House 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iEZzbf1Ii5Q/TjSXaa1paXI/AAAAAAAABUA/ZasjGgGRbwk/s1600/P1030106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iEZzbf1Ii5Q/TjSXaa1paXI/AAAAAAAABUA/ZasjGgGRbwk/s320/P1030106.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_i7i84q="210" style="text-align: center;">House 1 roof</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div closure_uid_i7i84q="135"><div closure_uid_yxd4vf="150"> </div></div></div><div closure_uid_5uibi2="477" closure_uid_i7i84q="281" closure_uid_ovb3ci="162" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6L9X7NU9xc/TjSWIJZXi-I/AAAAAAAABT4/A0bPauuJ5_I/s1600/P1030116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6L9X7NU9xc/TjSWIJZXi-I/AAAAAAAABT4/A0bPauuJ5_I/s320/P1030116.JPG" t$="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower Cart complete</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HlThaFff92I/TjSVcFiJ6wI/AAAAAAAABT0/kldu1nexE9U/s1600/P1030117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HlThaFff92I/TjSVcFiJ6wI/AAAAAAAABT0/kldu1nexE9U/s320/P1030117.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House 1 complete</td></tr>
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</div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8a0g5HA3Erc/TjSYYWtDS_I/AAAAAAAABUI/sTWVjv6nIsQ/s1600/P1030119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8a0g5HA3Erc/TjSYYWtDS_I/AAAAAAAABUI/sTWVjv6nIsQ/s320/P1030119.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Month two row houses complete</td></tr>
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</div></div></div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-30152166580789365182011-07-27T12:23:00.000-07:002011-07-27T12:23:40.426-07:00Happy Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" closure_uid_2xx2oy="135" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QOZEYTJRGBg/TjBlZXKfARI/AAAAAAAABTE/Cn_ZNlm6e8A/s1600/owl.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QOZEYTJRGBg/TjBlZXKfARI/AAAAAAAABTE/Cn_ZNlm6e8A/s320/owl.PNG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_2xx2oy="135" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_2xx2oy="135" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-4317310001289514432011-04-24T14:05:00.000-07:002011-04-24T14:05:19.743-07:00Happy Easter ......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1jxuZHPysvo/TbSEdByg6qI/AAAAAAAABL0/xoij2ghh_FU/s1600/lilly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1jxuZHPysvo/TbSEdByg6qI/AAAAAAAABL0/xoij2ghh_FU/s200/lilly.jpg" width="148" /></a>Happy Easter to everyone and what a glorious day to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. I hope everyone has been blessed this Easter Day and is spending time with family.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RRi1E-F5f3Q/TbSGuJjpqLI/AAAAAAAABL4/p1FRG-DyWuw/s1600/P1020955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RRi1E-F5f3Q/TbSGuJjpqLI/AAAAAAAABL4/p1FRG-DyWuw/s320/P1020955.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lsNyii7BqRc/TbSG1x1O3JI/AAAAAAAABL8/nRwBaFr_FYc/s1600/P1020951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lsNyii7BqRc/TbSG1x1O3JI/AAAAAAAABL8/nRwBaFr_FYc/s200/P1020951.JPG" width="200" /></a>I spent the better part of the weekend in San Antonio enjoying the <a href="http://www.sanantonio.gov/marketsquare/">The San Antonio Market Square</a><br />
and <a href="http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/">The San Antonio River Walk</a>. It's hard to believe it's only spring and I was dying of thirst in 90 degree weather on the river. We need rain so desperately to cool down the whole state of Texas. Heat or not I still enjoyed a relaxing lunch at <a href="http://www.mitierracafe.com/">www.mitierracafe.com</a> and always come away feeling like life is too fast paced. San Antonio has a way of making you relax, of the margaritas might have had something to do with this. The Mexican pottery is always a favorite and I have taken to collecting the Televera style that has a raised painted surface and just delightful to look at.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I also just fell in love with this framed picture of 3 "wet birds" and couldn't leave without taking it home. It just makes me smile to see at how much fun they have taking a bath! We could learn a thing or two from the birds. It seems life everyday I see people, animals, places and think how calm and relaxed things can be if we strive to make that a priority. It helps remind me to keep my life in BALANCE.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Kob2HcYw7M/TbSJumEoQ7I/AAAAAAAABMA/8d3Ni_2K5is/s1600/P1020932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Kob2HcYw7M/TbSJumEoQ7I/AAAAAAAABMA/8d3Ni_2K5is/s320/P1020932.JPG" width="320" /></a>So I am still quilting but spare time is hard to come by during the spring. I have been working on a quilt that will be a gift later this month so can't show the back with the "larger than life" label but will take a photo when it is finally sewn on and the quilt is on it's way to it's new owner. The pattern was designed by the <a href="http://www.honeybeequiltstore.com/">Honey Bee Quilt Store</a> and was originally called "Dancing in the Dark" but I have renamed it "The Ties that Bind Families" since it is going to a newly found family member. It is made of all vintage fabrics and I just loved all the different blocks that were incorporated.<br />
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Well I'm off to eat a chocolate Easter bunny so enjoy the rest of your Easter! <br />
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</div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-46902689325664116282011-01-24T17:14:00.000-08:002011-01-24T17:14:33.957-08:00Vintage Memories BOM<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm not sure what I was thinking back in November but I signed up for a new BOM being offered by one of my LQS <a href="http://www.honeybeequiltstore.com/">Honey Bee Quilt Shop</a> and I finally started on the three months that I had accumulated. We are doing this in<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_952807097"> </a></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b><span class="DetailedViewProductName"><a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?sid=42421231356324242&Store_id=499&page_id=23&Item_ID=44567&Parent_Ids=">Maison De Garance by French General</a> </span></b><span class="DetailedViewProductName">using the pattern Little Scraps by <a href="http://www.thisandthatpatterns.com/">This and That</a>. The patterns are very easy to follow and while I don't think I would have picked this fabric on my own and I am really starting to like how it's coming together. Below are my first three months ( 6 blocks)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TTx84AqjBbI/AAAAAAAABDQ/XORNDosoY4U/s1600/P1020668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TTx84AqjBbI/AAAAAAAABDQ/XORNDosoY4U/s400/P1020668.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Lest I get too carried away I do have a civil war quilt that I have to finish before April so this will no doubt fall behind again but they are fun little blocks to do on cold rainy day.</span></div></div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-33187199452336743172011-01-22T07:00:00.000-08:002011-01-22T07:00:21.666-08:00Prayers for Joanne<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thesimplewife.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f65869e20148c717bd5a970c-150wi" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://thesimplewife.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f65869e20148c717bd5a970c-150wi" width="213" /></a></div>Joanne needs our prayers right now. On January 11th at 9:00 in the morning, 38 year old Joanne Heim suffered a major stroke and remains in a coma. She is the mother of 2 young girls, Audrey 12, Emma 9 and wife to Toben. You may know her as <a href="http://thesimplewife.typepad.com/">The Simple Wife</a>. She is a fellow blogger and a student at the Denver Seminary working on her MA in Old Testament Biblical studies. The family is praying for a miracle and have claimed<b> Psalm 46 </b>as their prayer for her. Toben, Audrey and her sister Kristen have been updating her blog and have left a list of ways you can help, financially, prayers, cards so please take the time to check out her blog and keep her in your prayers.<br />
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They no doubt have a long long road ahead of them but as we've seen recently with Gabby Giffords miracles do happen and God hears our prayers. You can follow her progress at <a href="http://thesimplewife.typepad.com/">The Simple Wife</a> or by clicking on the <b>Praying for Joanne</b> button on my sidebar.<br />
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Thank you for holding her up in prayer.<br />
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</div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-35023087882704221632011-01-18T18:35:00.000-08:002011-01-18T18:35:37.912-08:00Fat Quarter Shop 2010 Christmas BOMI am so glad I signed up for the Fat Quarter Shops 2010 Designer Mystery BOM. We are in month 8 and it has been so much fun. I did the FQS 2009 Designer Mystery and fell in love with the ease of their BOM and just couldn't resist doing another one. We are making blocks designed by a different designer each month and using Kate Spain's 12 Days of Christmas. I think the wreath is my favorite so far and think it would make a great pillow as a gift for next year so this will be one pattern I'll be going back to and what a cute little house we got to make this month.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TTROgP6gaII/AAAAAAAABC8/D4S-j68t15M/s1600/P1020643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TTROgP6gaII/AAAAAAAABC8/D4S-j68t15M/s400/P1020643.JPG" width="392" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-26383341132208477792011-01-17T04:15:00.000-08:002011-01-17T11:03:01.033-08:00Fall Squared QuiltThis is a quilt I started sometime in 2009 and finally got all the blocks made and sewn together sometime this past fall but then with the holidays it just got set aside. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with the back but found this Saltbox Harvest circles in flannel and thought it would be a perfect contrast to the squares on front. The picture makes it look more orange but it is really more of a nice rich barn red. At the moment it is just laying on top of the backing but it's on my "to be finished in January" list so we'll see. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TTHZdJZz4UI/AAAAAAAABCU/yElBL9oTMgw/s1600/P1020641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TTHZdJZz4UI/AAAAAAAABCU/yElBL9oTMgw/s400/P1020641.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-11707813989438560112011-01-15T09:21:00.000-08:002011-01-15T09:21:21.036-08:00Christmas 2010I never posted pictures of these two finishes since they were Christmas gifts but have no excuse for waiting till mid January. My brother is always hard to either buy or make for so this year I made him a pillow with pictures of he and his dogs. He lost one of the dogs (Sheila) this past year to old age so it was sad and since they were siblings Kaycee is also getting up there in age and I hoped this would serve to remind him of the good days.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TTHRTxnyI1I/AAAAAAAABCE/YdlpcDYyaoY/s1600/P1020595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TTHRTxnyI1I/AAAAAAAABCE/YdlpcDYyaoY/s320/P1020595.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TTHS3eBAnqI/AAAAAAAABCM/evol_8uaqPs/s1600/P1020601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TTHS3eBAnqI/AAAAAAAABCM/evol_8uaqPs/s400/P1020601.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I also joined Fat Quarter shops Mystery Quilt BOM back in June of 2009 and finished it up in August 2010 ( obviously I fell behind somewhere along the way). I had been working on this with the intent of giving it to my sister for her birthday but it ended up being Christmas. As I was taking a photo of this quilt outside the front door a roadrunner was just checking things out and stood there long enough for me to take his picture.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TTHTeXZpVOI/AAAAAAAABCQ/WMOe18wmG_Q/s1600/P1020602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TTHTeXZpVOI/AAAAAAAABCQ/WMOe18wmG_Q/s400/P1020602.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-78553880171820301112010-11-08T16:56:00.000-08:002010-11-08T16:56:30.494-08:00Wool projects and some finishes<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TNdDnsR2zdI/AAAAAAAABAI/55SEnTC6jJY/s1600/P1020582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TNdDnsR2zdI/AAAAAAAABAI/55SEnTC6jJY/s320/P1020582.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TNdDPqWofcI/AAAAAAAABAE/FDZmO70J_vw/s1600/P1020585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TNdDPqWofcI/AAAAAAAABAE/FDZmO70J_vw/s320/P1020585.JPG" width="313" /></a>I was finally drawn into the world of wool and love it. I started with a free project sponsored by Kaaren at <a href="http://thepaintedquilt.blogspot.com/">http://thepaintedquilt.blogspot.com/</a> who does First Friday Freebies and did this little Halloween wall sampler and while I enjoyed it for my first project the pieces were very tiny. I then moved onto a cute pumpkin pillow for Halloween and the size of the pieces were much easier to work with. This a pattern by Buttons and Bees and I had run into her at the Austin Quilt show and loved how cute all her patterns ( and buttons) are. I then started working on a fall candle mat of autumn colors and pumpkins and really enjoyed doing this so know I'll continue in wool. I have also been working on a couple of fall pillows (embroidered) and finally finished and feel caught up for awhile. I started a fall quilt last year and have been just doing one block at a time as I felt the urge but finally decided a couple of weeks ago that I needed to finish it for fall this year. So the top is finished and it turned out larger than I had anticipated mainly since I decided to add the stacked bar border at the last minute, but I am very happy with it so far but it will have to go on my bed now, a bit too bid for a couch quilt. Now it's time to put all my things away I've been playing with and get busy on some Christmas gifts.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TNdGqm3wmNI/AAAAAAAABAQ/r5Rwz6lNzt8/s1600/P1020577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TNdGqm3wmNI/AAAAAAAABAQ/r5Rwz6lNzt8/s320/P1020577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TNdGutQaHxI/AAAAAAAABAU/8Y4hERx7lzw/s1600/P1020579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TNdGutQaHxI/AAAAAAAABAU/8Y4hERx7lzw/s320/P1020579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TNdGlfA_c7I/AAAAAAAABAM/Slho6OoxPgE/s1600/P1020576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TNdGyyTOcNI/AAAAAAAABAY/VryMMo5dUPw/s1600/P1020580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TNdGyyTOcNI/AAAAAAAABAY/VryMMo5dUPw/s320/P1020580.JPG" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="291" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CYPRDKEGLDo/TNdGlfA_c7I/AAAAAAAABAM/Slho6OoxPgE/s320/P1020576.JPG" width="320" />Nancihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033730873757539383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140400045048638476.post-71293597278377896522010-09-19T18:25:00.000-07:002010-09-19T18:25:30.432-07:00Austin Quilt ShowSo the Austin Quilt Guild Show was this weekend and I went on Friday and had a great time , saw some awesome quilts and bought a few new things to work on along with a really cool African basket I'll be able to use at the farmer's market. Here are a few of my favorites....<br />
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