A Sweet Centerpiece

Last year when I was helping my mother-in-law and father-in-law move out of their home of 55 years to move to a retirement community, my mother-in-law gave me several beautiful things from her kitchen.  Among them was this silver candleabra.  It was very tarnished and I wasn't sure I would be able to resurrect it.  With some elbow grease I was able to get it to shine again, but there are a few imperfections here and there.  I have a tea cup collection and I decided it would be cute to put the cups on top of the candleabra and use them as containers for a flower arrangement.  My mini roses are just the right size for the cups and the arrangement turned out very sweet and feminine.

The First Bee Block

I received the first block in the round robin Quilting Journey Bee.  It is from Elizabeth, who lives in California not too far from where I live.

I love the starling fabric she sent along to be included in the block.  Elizabeth requested a block that is geometric and her favorite colors are red, black and white.  This is the block I made for her

This is an old turn of the century pattern that is based on an antique mosaic tile.  I think it looks very modern when made up in Elizabeth's favorite colors.  We each sent along a journal with our starter block, so I need to write in Elizabeth's journal and then send the blocks on their journey to the next quilter.  I would have never chosen these colors for myself, but after working with them I discovered I really like this combination of colors.  I am sewing for someone else, using their favorite blocks and colors, and it is forcing me to move out of my comfort zone and try different things.  I am sure this experience will allow me to expand my horizons as a quilter (not to mention it's a lot of fun).

A Quilting Journey

I am participating in a round robin quilting bee, organized via the internet.  There are 21 of us in five countries.  We will each be making a block for everyone else in the group.  We have been talking to each other via our Flickr group for the past two weeks and I feel like we have known each other forever.  I designed this block as my starter block and have asked that everyone in the group make me a block that they love, using this block for inspriation.  I can hardly wait to see what comes back to me!

The Sun is Out!

I have spent a fair amount of time grumping and fussing about the cold, rainy weather we have been having here in Northern California, but the sun is shining and it is beautiful today.  My roses have never looked better.  All this cool, drizzly weather suited them.  Amazingly, I haven't seen any black spot yet.  If you like roses, I want to share these photos from my garden.

So lovely.  I love old garden roses because they actually have a scent.  There is nothing more disappointing than putting your nose in a rose expecting that heady smell and....nothing.  Flowers that have a scent do not last long as a cut flower so breeders are slowly breeding all scent out of modern roses.  I enjoyed taking a few minutes to stop and really enjoy my garden.  Now it's back to the sewing room. 

Block 6

Today I completed Block #6 in the Moose on the Porch Jelly Roll quilt-along.  These are such fun blocks to make because they go together so quickly.  I love this one because we were to fussy-cut something in the center of the block.  This fabric, "Objects of Desire," is about shoes.  My oldest daughter loves shoes and I am making this for her, so how perfect!

...a closer look at the center....

Wouldn't it be fun to have that high heel?

End of the Swap

I have received the last fat quarter from the swap I was participating in.  It is beautiful.

I love the little brown design on the selvage edge.  The colors are unique and the flowers are really sweet.  This is from Moira of Nottingham, U.K.  Thanks so much, Moira.  I am considering using this as one of three fat quarters that I need to take to a workshop I am participating in given by Dale Fleming (of "Pieced Curves So Simple" fame).  I will try to match the dark rose color of the flowers and the dark brown in the print on the edge for the other two pieces.  They should look terrific together.

I am sad to see the swap end because it was so much fun to wait for the mail to come and have something really delightful and unexpected arrive.  My thanks to the generous quilters who swapped with me!

Swap!

A B-I-G day at the mail box today!  Wow, I feel like I won the fabric lottery.  Seriously.

From Cricket in Kennebunk, Maine I received this beautiful pink geometric print.

AND

this pretty pink floral

AND

this sweet pink and beige print - aren't the birds sweet?

AND

these cute little pieces

AND

these

 Thank you, Cricket.  What a fabulous gift. 

That was the first envelope. 

The second envelope was from Amy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  In it was this beautiful, big, bold floral.   I put the pack of sharps on it so you can judge the size of the tulips.  This is awesome fabric.

Thank you so much, Amy.  I love it.

 

The third envelope came from Maxine in Sunderland, United Kingdom.  In her envelope there was this gorgeous Amy Butler floral

AND

these

Candied hearts, vintage buttons, sweet floral ribbon and -- chocolate!

Thank you, Maxine. 

Fabulous fabric, vintage buttons, new sharps, ribbon and chocolate?  It just doesn't get any better than this.  Thanks to the three of you for your very generous gifts.  This was my first swap and I didn't know what to expect.  This experience has far exceeded my expections.  I am still smiling...