The Mindful Spirit

Pretty pleased..................

2011-09-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

FINALLY, seemed like a long time in the makin' but my 2011 Two Color Crayon Challenge Quilt for Colonial Piecemaker's is finished and I felt like SUCH a ROCKstar when I presented it to the group on Saturday. My colors were blue and gray and I simply could NOT have done it without the generosity of the Richmond Ballet to complete my vision......... Loads o' techniques, tons o' originality, dimensionality, craftsmanship, belief in my abilities, dying, rouching, layering, all of that and sooooooooooooooo much mo' - named it Within, as I feel that each and every one of us has gifts within, waiting to be nurtured and shared and embraced and put back out into the world.................. I give you, Within..............

What NOT to do...................

2011-09-07T15:30:00.000-07:00

NO matter how much of a hurry you're in or how short on time you are - do as I SAY, NOT as I DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cotton batting + dye + microwave = something that deserves/needs/warrants your CONSTANT attention.............

Baby Girl................

2011-09-07T15:25:00.000-07:00

Labor Day ride with Mum and Dad 'round the waterin' hole......... And THEN - BRUSTER'S, yeah us!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beauty Berry

2011-09-07T15:20:00.000-07:00

This is THE best my beauty berry bush has bloomed in years!!!!! Some tongue twister, huh??????

WOW, whata' wild ride...................

2011-07-18T16:33:00.000-07:00

Still not certain how I managed this as since April, once I began posting to the new Richmond Modern Quilt Guild blog, I was no longer allowed to access my own blog - themindfulspirit.blogspot.com.............. But either way, I will REALLY try to begin posting once again, thanks soooooooooo much for hangin' round while I unraveled this hot mess..........

Let me introduce you to..................

2011-04-22T12:41:00.000-07:00

My leettle friend........ I am simply in awe of Luna moths, they appear to be so very mystical and elusive, I even have pics somewhere when I've managed to coax one onto my hand................ Just tutu lovely and this one came to visit and stay for a while on Bonnie Kate's Japanese Redbud, seems so very, very right, she would have liked that............

Fall 2010

2011-03-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

Spring or Fall? Spring or Fall? Spring or Fall? Just can't decide which is my mostest favorite season of all.................. So here's a taste o' Fall, just cause..............

Almost forgot....................

2011-03-27T07:48:00.000-07:00

One of the, if not THE most uber groovy cool aspect of the renovated theatre is that --------- are you ready?????? Wait for it ------- you get to mix your OWN soda flavors and dress your OWN popcorn - oh my gawsh, oh my gawsh, oh my gawsh - SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And like THAT'S not enough, you feel EVERYTHING through the seats, making movie going an all out blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND you walk a red carpet when frequenting the bathroom and each stall is like a dressing room to the stars, it is just THE, THE, THE best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You NEED to go NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No silly, not go as in going to the bathroom, but like GO, GO, GO to the movies BIG TIME!!!!!

Art Works Day After Thanksgiving Event

2011-03-25T16:40:00.000-07:00

So, what do you get when you add together a select artist's show and sale, the day after Thanksgiving plus an uber best friend plus simply faboo product and one anxed artist????? You get the Art Works show & sale held the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 26, 2010, in Richmond, VA!!!!!! Please, try and control your enthusiasm but any and all accolades and applause are most humbly appreciated, and yes, proud as I am that WE pulled it off, I know that BOTH Shirley and I are glad it's now behind us........... Soooooooooooooooooo much prep, soooooooooooooooo much work, but we TOTALLY rocked, YEAH US!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A few projects..................

2011-03-24T16:59:00.000-07:00

And I MEAN JUST a few, still don't think to take pics of ALL that I'm working on, just seem to focus on finishing and gettin' 'em out the door, in the post and on the road, ya' know? But I will TRY and do better, otay? Let's see what I can dig up around here.................

Kansas City Highlights

2011-03-24T16:36:00.000-07:00

Kansas City/Independence, Missouri will always be home to me although I know my Virginia roots, even though they may not run as deep, have become ever so close to my heart.......... Here are a few pics of K.C. offerings - a truly remarkable restored theater, THE restaurant of my dreams - Strouds and other assorted bits o' memorable architecture, and would have been oodles and oodles mo' had I not run out of space on my memory cards, in my camera you silly gooses.............

Independence Architecture

2011-03-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

Stones, mortar, bricks and pillars - luvs me some architecture..... Add to that personality, patriotism and portals, well, color me goofy happy, I suppose that's goofier happier, semantics, just semantics................ And you KNOW, the rustier, mossier, mo' rustic and aged the betta'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not for everyone......................

2011-03-24T11:59:00.000-07:00

This posting won't be for everyone and I sooooooooooo fully appreciate that but we have one of the most lovely old cemeteries in Independence, MO, just off the Square, and it has a lot of the early, weathered bits of stone and architecture that I find so appealing for my mixed media and assemblage/collage work......... I see them as truly inspirational remembrances of those gone but not forgotten.......

Clouds and mo' clouds and mo' clouds..........

2011-03-23T14:38:00.000-07:00

Me luvs some artful, fluffy, expressive, dancing, layer cake, cannot even begin to wrap my mind around CLOUDS............

Oh, did I mention water, really, really, REALLY love water.....

Almost forgot - sunsets & sunrises, oh my gawsh, sunsets and sunrises just make me goofy (okay, goofier......) Heck, I just love life and nature and hugs and walks on the beach and no, this isn't my intro to a personals ad...... And don't go gettin' all goofy on me.....

Flora of Bridgewater College

2011-03-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

Just can't help myself, I see pretty plants and blooms and there goes the camera, click-click-click............... These lovely bits were along the walkways of the college and were kind enough to pose!!!!

Quilt Show at Bridgewater College

2011-03-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

Every other year, the Shenandoah Valley Quilt Guild has their very own quilt show at Bridgewater College, near Harrisonburg, VA and Shirley, Margaret B. and myself attended for the first time in 2010 but it certainly won't be the last! Fun vendors, lovely and inspirational quilts and tons o' friends, whata' perfect mix and then lunch with buddies afterwards made for a simply wonderful day - enjoy............

Gardens of love in Sugar Creek, MO

2011-03-22T18:35:00.000-07:00

Guess I should have said laborious gardens o' love as I worked my behind off, hate that you can't tell by lookin', to put in these raised undulating beds in my Mom's and Sister's yard while back home visiting, for the love of family baby, for the love of family..........

VA gardens 2010

2011-03-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I luvs me some dirt on my hands and sun on my head and birds in my ears, okay, so maybe NOT IN my ears but you KNOW what I mean, the lilt of a bird's song, nuthin' sweeter baby, just nuthin'......... Take a walk about my yard, enjoy the beauty and embrace nature, it'll feel gooooooood!!!!!!!!!!!

Pics o' kitty cuteness.....

2011-03-22T17:23:00.000-07:00

Here for your viewing pleasure, flirty feline fancifuls, gotta' love 'em, no really, GOTTA' love 'em, otherwise they might not know you're around.........

Okay, ready for a wild pig ride??????????

2011-03-21T12:46:00.000-07:00

'Cause I'M BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, I've just emerged from a GIGANDO wormhole and am ready to rock and roll BUT the first series o' postings will be ever soooooooooooo random and slightly askew, so watch for pesky turns and inverted timelines, assorted flashbacks and peeks into the past, so if YOU'RE game, let's go and make some creative joyful noise together -

WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just some....................

2010-03-31T08:38:00.000-07:00

Just some of my pick o' the litter @ the Lancaster Quilt Show..................

Eleanor at Lancaster

2010-03-31T08:34:00.000-07:00

Eleanor was simply a vision in pink, in a lovely sweater set, with a personality to match!!!!!!!

Lovely Show and Tell

2010-03-31T08:22:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely show and tell at the March Country Piecemaker's meeting, showcasing all sorts of wonderful projects, please enjoy...............

Faboo new classes

2010-03-31T07:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome Spring and bring on the newest of classes, all my very own designs, all created exclusively for Quilting Adventures. Won't you come and play along??????

Locker Hooked Mini Bag, April 6th, 6:00 - 8:00

Wild and Woven Mini Bag, May 5th, 6:00 - 8:00

Disappearing Nine Patch, May 11th, 6:00 - 8:00

Faux Pineapple, May 19th, 6:00 - 8:00

Puzzle Postcards, May 26th, 6:00 - 8:00

Sew Purse-onable Kit, June 6th, 12:30 - 4:30

Fractured Stars, June 19th, 10:00 - 5:00

Sara's keepsake

2010-03-31T07:51:00.000-07:00

I was so very honored to be entrusted with some of Sara's Mom's keepsakes to create a memories box with oh so lovely treasures and remembrances galore...............

Our newest quilter

2010-03-31T07:45:00.000-07:00

Meet Heidi's daughter, our newest and dearest quilter in training and she was just THE best baby throughout the meeting and even took the opportunity to vote a few times, you go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Heidi shared the quilt we made, isn't it just tutu sweet?????

Just stuff..................

2010-03-09T06:58:00.000-08:00

Trying to tie up loose ends, clear the decks, heck, clear a DESK will go a long way to helping me get started on this quarter's samples............ Can I tell you HOW much joy I have already experienced from having those dear little wool selvedge bits in my life????? I am SO seriously, totally, completely in love and lust with my reinvented so beyond groovy cool poppy pin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then, while I had the supplies out making Pat's jewelry ensemble for the wedding, I took the opportunity to create a lovely button bracelet, matching bracelet and earrings set from the ever sooooooo special collection Shirley bought me at the quilt festival. Enter mo' wool selvedges, enhancing the hand dyed muslin heart pin, in the form of sculpted flowers.......... A true bit o' silliness in the form of an plastic egg pincushion necklace, complete with wool edging and letter pins spelling e9g and last but not least, Pat's ensemble. Can we say sidetracked?????? Just what and where my burgeoning creative mind leads me..................

Upcoming ME time event............

2010-03-07T06:33:00.000-08:00

To my dearhearts - Saturday, March 20th, National Sewing Day, the First Day o' Spring, will also share the calendar with a class kick-off, meet and greet the instructor's, barrel o' fun day at Quilting Adventures and MY personal performance time slot is

1:30 - 2:30 and I will be showcasing my latest killa' creations!!!!

Won't you come and play along????????

Saturday Frivolity

2010-03-07T05:58:00.000-08:00

The sun was shining, the truck was running, we were riding and short of hanging our heads out the windows, it was simply a glorious day to be headin' down Williamsburg way to the Colonial Piecemaker's guild meeting. Shirley and I seemed to literally laugh the day away and as always, was simply tutu short but we always seem to make the most of any opportunity to share time together............. The meeting ranged from lovely blocks of the month in shades of pastel pinks, the BEST white elephant table offerings ever, charity quilts that were so joyful you just couldn't stop swelling with pride, fun door prize donations from the B-day girls o' the month including me, news about this year's challenge quilts with yet another opportunity to exhibit at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in 2011, completed totes from January's class, our new clubhouse atop the stage (kidding but tutu funny!) so much sharing and caring and excitement, my, how I LOVE this group!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I even walked (more like waddled) away with the wonderful show poster for this year's exhibit at Mancuso's, whata' treasure, whata' winner WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And last but certainly not least, a nail biting , three round, anxiety riddled game of Quilto - what fun was had by all and now it's your turn, enjoy buddies and have a simply incredible day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Inquiring Minds.....................

2010-03-07T05:51:00.000-08:00

Hey, who went to share some screen time with Tim, Johnny and Helena on Friday??????????? Soooooooooooooooooo want to experience it in 3D!!!!!!!!!! If buddy Jen was here, we would have been the first butts in seats, wait a minute, WE'RE not butts, they're merely an attached physical attribute............ Some more attached than others as I have been accused of making others laugh their's off, but I digress........

12 Hour Crop or Till 3 we did drop!

2010-03-02T14:44:00.000-08:00

Okay, so you know I'm not a true scrapper but I use everything and then some when creating, above and beyond!!!!!!!!! So I divided and devoted my evening into two tasks, my ultra-uber-over the top-filled to the brim with giggles galore-oh happy Halloween Day book of all books and my ever so sweet-tre' chic-wouldn't you just LOVE to get one of these cuties in the mail!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Postcards still a work in progress but I'm hoping to truly finish them Thursday at the library and as THE Halloween book will NEVER be finished, I decided to share some pics of it with you. It displays and is structurally more sound when standing, as it's getting thick around it's middle, just like it's creator, so I found one of my Halloween storage boxes that fits it just fine and will keep it ever so happy contained within............... If you open it from the right, you get vintage Halloween or flip it over and you get mod Halloween!!!!! Open the ribbons on BOTH sides and you have a never ending accordian book, whata' hoot!!!!!!! Stuff, stuff and mo' stuff, just to make you howl and grin and slap yo' thigh, enjoy my dearheart buddies.........

On with the show.......................

2010-03-02T14:28:00.000-08:00

Here are some of my pick of the litter from the exhibition quilts. My personal fave - Incommunicato by Esterita Austin, which she was still working on this same time last year when she was here teaching at QA!!!!!!

Another one of THOSE weekends.....................

2010-03-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

But this one started on Thursday with the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival. I'll tell you, in my book, the charter bus is the ONlY way to fly, unless you are taking classes or want to attend more than one day.......... Curb service, beginning to end, snacks and drinks both ways, uber comfy seats, onboard bathroom, the MOST delightful and attentive driver, fun & energetic traveling companions and the BEST seatmate, dearheart Shirley and even our wristbands and directories were brought out to us!

Little on the slim side of inspirational quilts but I felt there was a better variety and more unique choice of vendors. This posting, you'll find the start to our day and the challenge quilts Shirley and I put into the mix. We both entered a words quilt into the Colonial Piecemaker's challenge and Shirley created one for the Hospitality Chapter of the Richmond Guild.

My words quilt was titled - As I See It, and it involved a play on words. Actually, it was more like I put them into a food processor! The words were tossed around and morphed into three distinct 12" x 12" panels, then hinged together with ribbon. The first panel began with Jubilation which amusingly became JuJu-bilation, complete with a fabric JuJubes box, containing bits o' stuff that make me the happiest. The second panel, Vision, evolved into N-vision, with every size and font and material N imaginable and a panel that lifts up to reveal coiled cyclonic wires covered in itty-bitty green pompoms and can you guess? Yep, it was now N-vision Whirled Peas, my fervent wish for all mankind! The third and final panel, Epiphany, would transcend into Ephipha-ME, including a vintage doll's dress with the definition of epiphany on transparencies atop and when opened to reveal photos and personal traits, along with a pair of 60's mod glasses!

It was all such great fun and I so enjoyed being a part of this year's exhibition.......

B-day from Gal Pal Jenn!!!!!

2010-02-24T07:22:00.000-08:00

Gosh, how I love my buddy and NOT just because we exchange simply faboo gifts!!!!! I had NO idea this collection even existed - Pine Needle Sewing Center Scottie Dog Banner & Gift Tag Kit (includes fabric to make 1 banner and 8 gift tags)........ It's the most wonderful collection of four fabrics, perfect for a banner or the beginning of a Scottie throw and won't the tags make THE best quilt labels????? And they came in the most dear gossamer snowflake sprinkled basket, perfect for a wintery delivery of gifted Scottie keepsakes, thank you baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Tale of Two Bags Part Deux

2010-02-24T06:58:00.000-08:00

Sooooooooooooooooo in love with my curved log cabin blocks from the February Country Piecemaker's class with Augusta Cole!!!!!!!!!!! While contrast made for the most effective curves, with most members using scrappy or planned mediums and darks and then a white, off white contrasting, that didn't make me hesitate a bit in using my beloved darks Batiks and a lovely, tranquil Caribbean blue green - OMG, OMG, Oh My Gosh, it is BEYOND lovely!!!!!!!!!!! So Augusta advised us to create the first block, to assure exactness and then I just totally rocked out string piecing, never even counting the number of blocks till I completed the string the next Thursday..... Well, I ended up with 15 simply gorgeous blocks and I decided these treasures would be best profiled as a tote!!!!!! So a pleasing 3 over 4 pattern on one side and the remaining three blocks for the reverse, with log cabin like strips surrounding them. Then attaching the two panels together, laying atop a pieced segment of batting and decorative stitching at Scrapper's on Saturday to complete the outside. Lining and assorted interior pockets from Debbie's stash reduction sale, a trip to the hardware store for oversized plastic tubing which I filled with crushed shell, a not so easy assembly process, box pleated bottom, pinch pleated opening, gathered ruffle and specialty ribbon handle accent and VOILA' - a tote bag extraordinaire!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is SUCH a keeper, WOO-HOO, picture perfect, LOVE IT when it works, actually, I just love it anyway................ (not the best pictures as it's raining and I had planned on taking the pics outside, guess you'll just have to bask in it's glory in person, too funny!!!!!)

A Tale of Two Bags..............

2010-02-24T06:45:00.000-08:00

How very Dickens of me, right? A Couple of weeks ago, I began weaving a small bag to carry my essentials at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival. Some of my favorite colors and bits o' fibers, including specialty yarns, ultra suede, fabric and ribbon and wouldn't you know it, I had kept putting it on the back burner as to finishing it but seeing as how I wanted to include it in this quarter's offerings at Quilting Adventures and I was meeting with Joyce last Sunday AND the festival is tomorrow, well, I just needed to get 'er dun!!!!!!!! Uber happy with the way it turned out, from the multi-strand woven strap, to the gorgeous heavy metal linked chain accent I had been saving for just such an occasion, to the ever so lovely Batik lining!!!!!!!!! I dun' good!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh and BTW, Joyce was over the moon about adding it to the schedule, May 5th, 6-8 pm - YEAH ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Over the Moon!!!!!!!!!

2010-02-23T05:30:00.000-08:00

This is me, bustin' out the biggest ol' smile you have ever seen................ Look what buddy Shirley shared with me, bless Janet Lee's heart, whata' birthday gift!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Hi SAO,

I love your blog and it is always a treat when it comes. I usually go over it a few times!! You make beautiful quilts!

I must tell you though, your friend Catherine steals the show with me. I wish she had a blog as well!! She is always smiling and having a happy time. I wish she was close to my area!!! You are blessed and so is she!"

Take Care,

God Bless,

Janet Lee Monnett

I wish I could put Janet Lee in my pocket!!!!!!!!! WOO-HOO, talk about makin' my day................

Yet another action packed weekend............

2010-02-16T12:08:00.000-08:00

I'm a bit pooped but elated by all the activities and outcome from this past weekend!!! Friday night, you could find Shirley and me at the Memories Galore crop from 6:00 p.m. to midnight and as always, had a bunch o' fun!!! Then, bright and early to the Country Piecemaker's quilt guild meeting with Augusta Cole's curved log cabin class following from 1:00 - 7:00. Have I mentioned how much I adore Augusta????And I am in serious love with my calming, oceanic blocks, can't wait till I get back to them. And what occasion would be complete without dearheart Shirley clothed with her shirt wrong-side out????? And THE most glorious of sunsets, OMG, OMG, OMG!!!!!! Perfect finish to a perfect day.... Then Saturday was Valentine's Day with John gifting me the most dear little Scottie purse that's ever been created, love that he loves me so......... Breakfast at Cracker Barrel, then a few errands and back in time for a little nap......

Next came a play date on Monday with Ellen and Margaret at Ellen's house and Ellen opened up her lovely home and studio to us and WOW, does she have the treasures or what????? We all created so many lovelies, so varied, so interesting, in the fervent hope that we will be able to incorporate these luscious bits into Margo's classes........... They were all created with our embellisher machines and Margaret gave us each THE most glorious piece of diaper lining, dyed with printer ink - see, it's not just for poop anymore!!! Beware the artist, nothing is sacred or off limits from becoming an art implement, tutu funny!!!!!!!

Does it get any cuter than this??????

2010-02-12T05:11:00.000-08:00

In need of a potholder for an exchange challenge, I returned to the humble origins of the loomed potholders we all made as children. Surprisingly, or NOT, these bits o' childhood entertainment aren't all that easy to find. Everything now has either a motor or computer connection............ But I found many a delightful moment in creating patterned potholders, who gnu, and then I simply HAD to alter their usage and enhance their appeal............. More to come but for now, just enjoy this cutie pincushion............

I fell for it, again......................

2010-02-12T04:58:00.000-08:00

Thankfully, it was figuratively, not physically............ Took even more pics of Monday's snowfall and yes, it's taken me this long to post as I thought perhaps, if I ignored it long enough, it would ALL simply go away. Just FYI, didn't work.......... Yesterday, they presented this treasured bit o' info - we've already had more snowfall this season than the last FIVE winters COMBINED - DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They're forecasting a 70% chance for Monday - better not, I have an extremely necessary play date with Ellen and Margaret, mad scientists alike, love their faces!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No mo' sno!!! No mo' sno!!! Come on, all together now, No mo' snow!!!

Sno' ones home....................

2010-02-07T15:30:00.000-08:00

Okay, pretty, fluffy and crispy white, but TWICE in one weekend, come on, ENOUGH is ENOUGH!!!! I have more than a winter's worth o' pics, let's just quietly and quickly move on to Spring, and no one will get hurt, sorry Phil............ And how groovy cool that Brian Waters of the Kansas City Chiefs received the Man of the Year award for his humanitarian efforts, YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Catherine's Pocket Book

2010-01-31T07:51:00.000-08:00

Finally put together my very own Pocket Book like the one I made for Bonnie Hunter's B-day last year. So very comical to combine the genuine notion of pockets into book pages, perfect for holding treasures and keepsakes, whatever you find most whimsical and generates the biggest smiles............

Calm Before The Storm..................

2010-01-31T07:42:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness it was sunny but cold on Friday, as it helped to boost the morale for the pending storm. At least we're consistent as it looks like we got another 14 inches this time as well...... Are we done yet????????????? Hope so, as this chippie, chicky, dopey, silly girl is 'bout ready to fly the coup and head South, but I'd have to be able to get out of my driveway first.............

Before/After

2010-01-31T07:33:00.000-08:00

You just never know what Mother Nature has in store for you and this weekend has been no exception. 'Course, I had NO idea what the forecast would be on Friday when I had scheduled Sydney's spa day weeks ago............ But we both put on our big girl panties and forged ahead as it's not like it's winter or anything, right? So here are a few before/after photos for your viewing pleasure..............

OMG, Oh my gosh: Weekend Recap IV

2010-01-25T08:17:00.000-08:00

My bad, didn't even know that Art Works existed......... Whata' cool place and although the exhibit wasn't quite as grand as we expected, I got sooooooooo much inspiration and will definitely return to visit future shows. But you should bring along a partner, just to make certain you BOTH remember which end is up and out, tutu funny.............

OMG, Oh my gosh: Weekend Recap III

2010-01-25T08:10:00.000-08:00

The ATC exchange was great fun and with the theme "beloved" we were guaranteed wondrous efforts from the participants and can I say, they were simply and truly lovely......... Having Carmen and Shirley at the exchange made for even more frivolity and all the girls were so very kind to include them in the trade, so very groovy cool, love these pals o' mine.........

OMG, Oh my gosh: Weekend Recap II

2010-01-25T07:55:00.000-08:00

I learned soooooooooooooooooooooooooo much, YEAH ME!!!!!!!!!!!! How brilliant am I to use cardboard wraps to keep my strips ever so organized and perfectly presented???????

Having never attended a cutting bee before, I was more than a little anxious as to how it would all play out but can I tell you HOW MUCH FUN I HAD and how I'm going to send in my money today (NOT!!!) so that I'll be certain and get a spot for next year, too funny............. And can I tell you, I ADORE, SIMPLY ADORE Augusta and Steve Cole!!!!!!!!! They totally rock and we ALL had the best time from beginning to end AND they even fed us!!!!! Just doesn't get any better than that unless they extend it to 5:00 next year, but no pressure!!!!!! So here are some of my favorite pics and I am uber happy for the fortunate souls that will be experiencing Augusta and the cutting bee at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival!!! And here's the icing - Augusta will be teaching her curved log cabin after the Country Piecemaker's meeting next month and who's one of the lucky girls who'll be attending, ME, ME, ME, that lucky girl is me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG, Oh my gosh: Weekend Recap I

2010-01-25T07:35:00.000-08:00

My wee head is still spinning from this past action packed weekend!!!! It's like good news/good news, as not only was I prepared (shocker, I know!!!) but I was just uber over the top, to the moon and back thrilled with each and every event!!!!!!!! At each function, I was surrounded by friends and new friends and not only did we play nice together but we played REALLY nice together, creating wonderful projects and the best of memories.............. It all began Friday night with a 6:00pm - 12:00am scrap at Memories Galore with buddy Shirley, the Cutting Bee on Saturday 9:30 - 3:00 with favorite pals and led by the extraordinary Augusta Cole (ending all too soon.....) and then the ATC exchange at Quilting Adventures on Sunday with Carmen and Shirley as my guests and finally, an art quilt exhibit at ART WORKS following the exchange with Carmen and Shirley!!!! WOO-HOO, was I one tired puppy when last evening rolled around but I was ever SO BEYOND happy and filled to the brim with inspiration and adoration and anticipation as to how to introduce just some of the cherished moments with all of you.......... It truly was one of those "you really should have been there" weekends but I will TRY and share some of the highlights............

No photos from the crop, silly me, other than the Pirates of the Caribbean Valentine's, complete with matching pencil, that accompanied me throughout the weekend.

Creative Style

2010-01-12T14:25:00.000-08:00

At the Colonial Piecemaker's Guild meeting, we all participated in a creativity style quiz. By row, you were to rate the four characteristics from 1 to 4, 1 being the most like you and four being the least. I was certain this was a train wreck in the making but I played along and didn't even feel the need to yell or scream or run with scissors! Well hello gorgeous, guess what??????? I am an "A" Creative Personality, an Astronaut, defined as: Inspiration-stage people; have big ideas; like to talk about their ideas a lot; different or innovative; biggest stash; LOVE Show n' Tell; outgoing; sewing room in chaos; like results - they just don't finish; lots of UFO's.............

Okay, so who has goose bumps right about now??????? WOW and WOW again, couldn't have been more on the mark had I put it there with a Sharpie myself!!!!!!!!!!!!! What fun, what' group, love their faces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My picks of pics for '09

2010-01-05T16:28:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, day late, dollar short - guilty on BOTH counts but I couldn't let another go by without sharing some moments in time that made 2009 memorable in my heart and head.............. For the time being, what you WON'T see are photos taken during our stay at the hotel as those photos are on the laptop and I'm hoping John can work some magic and transfer them all to the desktop............ So for the time being, think the same wondrous thoughts I am for the MIA - the incredible and lifetime treasure quilt Shirley made me, John and Sydney safe and taking the best of care, Margie's special visit, me in a vibrant purple cast, Margaret and Ellen's lunch date at Longhorn, Donna R.'s and Shirley's play date and on and on. But for now and in no particular order, please enjoy - meeting Bonnie Hunter and Fran Miller and taking TWO classes from Bonnie in Harrisonburg, the lap quilt I made for Mom, my ever true four Femmigos - now five with the delightful addition of Eileen, my very first quilt - melons and curves - thank you Patsy, Shirley dressing herself wrong side out, my second quilt - Bonnie Hunter's spiderweb, my day class and forever friendship with Esterita Austin, the reveal of the 2009 BOM/SOM/Mystery/Designer challenge for CP's, llamas riding in vans at the Power Show, visit to Millstone Fabrics with Marla and Shirley, Karen's quilt made by Shirley and enhanced by me, Halloween party at Susanna and Richard's, the If I Were A Flower CP's challenge quilt, teaching brownies to quilt (the two legged kind silly!)making quilts for Madelaine's House, dearheart Sydney, my December display at the library, sponsoring Margie for honorary membership in CP's and I think that about covers it for this round. Now sit back and simply enjoy..........

Through a child's eyes..................

2009-12-22T14:57:00.000-08:00

I went to gather the mail,
As I crunched through the snow
Whata' wondrous surprise
Special handwriting I know!

I tried to be patient
For I knew what it contained
An envelope addressed and
Complete with my name!

The writing was placed
With the greatest of care
Two stamps in the corner,
Yes, two stamps, a pair!

But inside, oh inside,
I simply squealed Oh My,
A creation from Cooper
A treasure I spied.....

A card with snow people
An envelope lined,
A keepsake contained
Yet still I would find.

A simple gift I had given
And little did I know
How this little gesture
Would be returned to me more.

For Cooper had drawn
And then stitched with his heart
Four pages of pictures,
Then assembled, now one part.

My spirit how lifted
By the hand of this child
Drawn with love and affection
So tender and mild.........

Thank YOU dear Cooper
You'll never know what this means
The kindness you've shown
and the hope that I've seen.

So here's to the holidays
May they be cheery and bright
And may you all have a Cooper
Showering your life with light......

Ever truly, your Carz buddy, me and mine

Baby snow bunny.......................

2009-12-19T17:14:00.001-08:00

Talk about a trooper, dearheart baby Sydney ranks right at the top!!!!! I managed to move enough snow to help her in getting down her doggie door ramp but she just bounced around like the joyful life source she is and made quick work of it and then dash away, dash away, dash away all................. And can you spot the concrete Scottie snow bunny on the back deck? You'll need to look closely..............

Dueling cameras.........................

2009-12-19T17:07:00.000-08:00

Shirley and I had a game of dueling cameras going yesterday when I was trying to take a photo of her necklace that I made and she was trying to take a photo of my Scottie pin that I also made, talk about an exchange of good taste!!!!!!!

Ever wonder??????

2009-12-19T17:00:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder where the idea for snowball cupcakes came from? Looks to me like they originated from glandular snow filled birdbaths...............

Humongo, Ginormous, Extremendous Praise

2009-12-19T15:22:00.000-08:00

Susan Emory, owner extraordinaire of Quilter's Corner, having visited my blog for the first time yesterday, tried to leave this comment, yet when she couldn't, she sent me an email instead................

"WOW, Catherine! You are such an inspiration - hope some of your fabulousness will rub off on me just by being around you!
Happy Snow Day,
Susan"

OMG, OMG, Oh my gosh, how incredibly kind and groovy cool is that????????????? I am SUCH the happy, lucky, blessed girl..................

Life off-loom........................

2009-12-19T15:12:00.000-08:00

Okay, here are some pics from our gathering at Quilter's Corner yesterday, and anyone viewing this that knows about the CP potholder exchange next month will understand the loom part............. But what you DON'T see is when my potholder was donned as my yarmulke for when I bakulke and make cup cakulkes but more correctly use my microwavulke................ I haven't laughed that hard in the longest, and YES, you HAD to be there, so just pretend and enjoy..............

Lonely Bits...........................

2009-12-16T08:43:00.000-08:00

On my return trip from Madison last month, I stopped and lingered by this abandoned building. It was a raw, rainy and windy day which seemed all that much more appropriate in which to cloak this tired, tattered and lonely structure...............

Morning Blessing

2009-12-16T08:29:00.000-08:00

Taking John to work last week, I actually had to pull off the road into the commercial area just west of the Chesterfield/Powhatan county line and take these pics as they simply took my breath away. What dreams are made of...........

Winter Samples........................

2009-12-16T08:20:00.000-08:00

Just a few more QA samples for the winter quarter - disappearing nine patch baskets, fractured stars and exploding pineapple, enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!

Leave it to Jenn...................

2009-12-16T08:05:00.000-08:00

Couldn't help myself, like I haven't heard THAT already this year, and yes, the lovely Do Not Open Till Christmas ribbon was still very much intact but I just soooooooooooooo needed a Jenn fix and well................... OMG, OMG, OMG - I want to write, send, smile and adore this stationary till I can no longer grasp a pen or conjure a thought, so keep 'em comin' BFF Jenn, you'll never know how you have fed my ever lovin' Scottie heart...................

With gazillions of thanks......................

2009-12-14T06:24:00.000-08:00

To my bestest pal Shirley, as between unveiling the 2009 BOM/SOM/Mystery/Design Challenge and my camera pooping out, I am soooooooooooo ever grateful to have HER simply faboo pics of it all to share with everyone!!!!!!!!!!!! I simply couldn't have done it without her and it wouldn't have been nearly as much fun either - WOO-HOO, whata' team and I am SO very proud of how my quilt turned out, BEYOND scrappy, totally whimsical, SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! From recycled clothing to joyful fiber quilt, it was quite the ride, enjoy...................

You'd better sit down..................

2009-12-02T04:17:00.000-08:00

I am so very proud of myself. There, I said it.
I didn't know if I would even be able to form the words, being so foreign to how I view myself. But the display at the library is up and it looks professional and polished ever so attractive and inventive - GO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And bless delightful, dearheart, darling Deb B. for coming to my aid in completing the paperwork, assigning letter codes and a corresponding inventory - I don't think I could have done it nearly so joyfully without her!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And bless the hearts of the librarians and patrons of the library for all their kind words, it was most greatly appreciated. Sooooooooooooooo, on with the show and just know that there are many, MANY more treasures to come, WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ever grateful

2009-11-26T07:10:00.000-08:00

I found myself out early Monday morning after dropping John off and it was either a home center or Strange's to occupy my time till other peepers were popped, guess which one I chose, DUH! Began to wander the greenhouse and was simply overwhelmed with the grandeur of the season, a virtual sea of poinsettias, and keep in mind after 20+ years in the floral industry, they were NOT my choice for a symbol of the season but this experience made me do a 180, they were simply lovely and oh so very right to lift one's spirit and hold it on high to help buoy it through the ensuing onslaught of holiday high jinxes!!!!!!!!
Given the sentiment o' the day, I am sooooooooo very thankful, sooooooooo ever grateful for ~~~~ A camera that fell short of taking all the images before me, making me revel and cherish the images I was able to capture. Both legs, having been through way too much, that carried me through this experience and all of life's journeys...... Both eyes, still compromised, and yet helping me to realize the beauty of all that God has created. And my life in general, the fact that I have one and choose to celebrate life and all the treasures that combine to make this a wild and wacky, beloved and treasured escapade............. I purely and simply adore each and every one of you reading, forwarding, saving this entry, I wouldn't want to be here without all of you, you make my heart sing and my spirit soar..........

And yes, should I have enough pennies and fingers crossed it will still be there, I so very much want to bring home the Scottie/Westie mat, but should I not be able to make it mine, the wondrous option is that I can always create one myself, how groovy cool is that????? WOW, whata' ride, love it soooooooooooooooo very much and then some!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happiest of Thanksgiving everyone, love you more than you'll ever realize................

Getting underway.......................

2009-11-23T06:52:00.000-08:00

Okay boys and girls, here's THE announcement for the display for the month of December at the Powhatan Library. I even sent a copy to Powhatan Today, wouldn't it be simply dreamy if they did a little bio on me and my silliness??????? Fingers, toes and eyes crossed this will be a positive experience............ I really want to showcase just bits of what I do, sharing me on a different level, y'all come, otay?????

Embellished nest ~~~~

2009-11-23T06:41:00.000-08:00

Began this little multi-fiber nest at the CP retreat in October on my embellisher and completed it a bit ago, thought you might enjoy viewing how I feather my artful nest and then share it with the world as personal adornment .................

Hangin', not so much walkin'..................

2009-11-23T06:29:00.000-08:00

Found this little guy on the back door this morning, apparently not so much a fan of the rain..............

My favorite punkin'!!!!!!!!!

2009-11-03T14:10:00.000-08:00

Here's my pick for favorite punkin' and a few others from the produce patch...................

My mirror in the water..........................

2009-10-28T21:37:00.000-07:00

A friend recently sent me an email titled The Mirror in the Water, photos of reflections, ever so tranquil and yet mysterious and it reminded me of my fascination with water and images contained within, conjured to the minds eye, creating illusion and depth and beauty beyond measure. Enjoy some of my fave pics...........

Big dog Scotties 2009

2009-10-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

Party time last Sunday, gosh, how I love a man in uniform......... Just how tolerant is that man o' mine????

In the whole wide world..................

2009-10-13T16:29:00.001-07:00

You'll never find a better gal pal than my buddy Jenn.......... But what a year in contrast, her only child, Nicole, marrying in March and then losing her Mom just days ago, how I simply adore my friend and want to comfort her heart..............

Soooooooooooooooooooooo happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-10-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

Shirley's back in town!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Massanetta Masked

2009-10-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

Fog completely engulfed the lodge on Saturday morning and it was simply magical. I felt as if I were inside a snowglobe, in complete awe of the ghostly imagery that danced amidst the the mist....................

Beast and Beasties

2009-10-05T16:05:00.001-07:00

I ADORE animals!!!!! Whether finned, feathered or furry, all creatures great and small, I love them ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some of my favorite pals from Field Days of the Past................

Ode to Rust

2009-10-05T15:17:00.000-07:00

I LOVE RUST!!!!!

The color, texture and patterning, OMG - the possibilities~~~~~~~~~~~~

Designer Punkin' Update

2009-10-05T14:44:00.000-07:00

Sunday brunch pics, some parts are edible, thank you Yul Gibbons.................

Summer beauties

2009-10-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

Can I tell you how much I love, Love, LOVE Mother Nature and all her splendor????? Bunches and bunches, oodles and gobs!!!!!!

Take a peek at these

lovelies and simply

enjoy................