Driving Miss Stacey

New Denyse Schmidt Fabrics at Jo-Ann Fabrics Huh?

All right y'all,

Today was the day for me to come out of my hibernation stage and hit Jo-Ann Fabrics for that wonderful selection of the 21 new Denyse Schmidt fabrics. You know, the new high-end fabric that you can now get Jo-Anns. Let's be truthful here, I am not a Jo-Anns frequent customer. I'd rather shop my stash or local quilt shops. Or better yet, use the stuff that I get in Houston every year.

But come on now, a NEW Denyse Schmidt collection only available at Jo-Ann Fabrics. Let's be honest. I couldn't resist.

It feels nice. It really does.

{image from Heather Ross blog}

After snagging a yard of each of the only remaining 11 bolts that they had. I am a happy camper. Okay, I need to be honest again, I'd love me some "Happy Camper" fabric from Heather Ross too. Why didn't I buy it when I worked at a quilt shop? I am kicking myself now.

{Change of Subject}

Letting me have a nice stay at home rainy-kinda-day wasn't on Mother Nature's mind today. When I stepped out of the fabric store, it was very eerie outside. The wind was a blowin' and a storm was coming.

I had to get home quick. The closer I got to home, the more nervous I got. Stuff was falling from the sky. Like building stuff, roof stuff, tree stuff, lots of stuff!!!!
Mother Nature thought it would be better to have 11 tornadoes here in my neck of the woods.

I called my kids and said don't go anywhere. We're due to have a tornado at 3:26 p.m. I cleared out our hall closet for our "safe" interior place to stay if it hit here. I watched the news as it got closer and closer. Our power was flickering on and off. Hail came like the size of large peas, wind like you can't imagine, the rain was horizontal and then it stopped. Then the sun came out.

There is some pretty bad damage all around and a few people have lost their lives. Events like this really put things in perspective for me, like my commitment to make the lives of some very special people (our military families) just a tad bit easier is even more solidified. I will keep doing what I am for all of ya'll.

Mother Nature

You can't mess with her.

It's coming....soon.....Spring!

Sorry Blog.... I've been hibernating a bit this month

Nothing like a bunch of yellow to put a spring in my step!

I know it's coming. Can you feel it?

Spring!!!

Winter Wonderland

Around the World in just a few minutes!!

Fabric Inspiration & Give Away

I ♥Amy Brackman. Quilt, pattern & fabric designer, book publisher, antique mall lover and rummager of things. She loves, well just about everything I love too!!

Pop on over to her blog {here} and sign up the win this special give away!

Tell her I sent ya!

okay, so like I am really starting to like this stitchery thing. Oh Help me. !!!! I started a sweet BOM program. Oh My!! I like it. Six strands of floss. Yes, my friends, embroidery is coming back in a big way!! You'll have to wait until December to see my finished quilt.

I made this quilt using some of my vintage antique table linens.

I bring it out every year staring February 1st.

Pouncing!

@ SewnNatural

@ brookiecookiesbows

@ knockKnocking

@ maddyandme

@ladybugboutique

Spending way too much time "Pouncing" on etsy. But it is so much fun.

Valentine Ideas

When my kids were young, I longed for the next issue of
Family Fun Magazine
It really helped me get through those years. It's chock full of ideas.

I thought I'd take stroll over there is see what they're up to these days.

Sweet and innocent

Heart Art

For the Teacher!

Everything here was made with goodies that you can find in and around your homes and garages. Or a quick inexpensive trip to The Dollar Store or Michaels. Instructions are found here too.

It's Done!

It's done, it is huge & I love it!!

Making this pieced parallelogram border was a lot of work. I do love how they turned out. Now I want to make another quilt with this type of border.

If you want to make this quilt don't wait to get the instructions

Roll Roll Cotton Boll will only be available until June 1st, 2011. After that date Bonnie will remove the clues from her blog as it will be appearing in a future book release. I'd recommend printing all clues before this date.

The Curious Quilter

Meet Mary at The Curious Quilter. I love the quote on her blog header "Curiosity breeds creativity. What are you curious about?"

She has a wealth of information about the history of cotton, how it is made and processed and how we use it. She calls it her Cotton Chronicles.

She does something that I am afraid to try.
APPLIQUE
That is a dreaded 8 letter word for me.

Her terrific tutorial is here on how to make a cute cupcake applique gift bag. But to make her post even sweeter, she is having a contest to win 3 autographed copies of an absolutely fantastic book by Debbie Field, creative guru of Granola Girl Designs.

A page from the book. Winners announced on 1/11/11

Resolution No. 1

New Homes for Orphan Blocks

We've all got them. Left over blocks that we just didn't like, samples that didn't turn out exactly the way we wanted them to. Extras from patterns that made one odd ball block that didn't fit into the rows.

Over the next week or two, I'll be introducing you to many of my Bloggy Friends as the month progresses.

They all want to organize and give their orphan blocks new homes too. Everyone is going to be giving away a stack of blocks. Be sure the check out their blogs, leave comments, and grab our buttons. It's fun, fast and FREE!

Here is a quilt from my friend Carol. She is a very traditional quilt and uses what she calls "dark and dreary". I think they are lovely. She doesn't have a blog but I wanted to show you her quilt using very traditional blocks and colors.

Her inspiration came from here
Riding the Orphan Train

Here are some goodies that may be in my give-away.

Wow!, Regena over at Quilt n Quilt Things has been very busy this holiday season.

She also has some wonderful Barn Quilts that you really need to take a peek at.

Is there a block for that?

Happy New Year to all of my Quilting Friends!

Well, today is the day for many of us to make our annual Hoppin' John recipes

Here is some deliciousness that I found on the web. Grab your dutch ovens, soup pots or skillets and start simmering your own variety.