Spring in Iowa!!

MAY is ramping up to be a too-busy-to-blog month!! I am getting ready to attend Spring Quilt market in Salt Lake City..and I AM SO EXCITED. But, of course, that means I want to sew some new clothes -- and am happily working on a pink and orange dress that will knock your socks off.

And then, there's some spring cleaning...which is always a WONDERFUL FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT. Carrie helped me turn the closets over (winter to spring -- hurray!). The porch is about 75% ready to go for our best summer season...but apparently, this is the week we need to power wash the house...ugh...and we need to get that job done before we bring out the summer sofa cushions.

And then -- I have the kiddos three or four days a week...I'm trying to at least keep up with my fellow TMBC Splendid Sampler blocks....

So, my posts will either be short...or they might be some retreads. I find there are often new people coming to this blog, and to them, it's all new stuff. (either that, or many of my readers are getting Alzheimer's...)

so, I'm getting ready to pack my bag again...

Rhonda Pierce and I will be at Spring Quilt Market -- LOOKING FOR YOU, MILO....

I collect the Shannon plush totebags...!!

Mary has another new line of fabric coming out.

Deanna will be there -- and SO WILL NANCY ZIEMAN HERSELF...!!

I love this dress...it says, "What if the Hokey Pokey Really is What It's All About?"...but I'm working on a new one...

You NEVER know who you're gonna see...

Mark won't be there this year. AND WE WILL MISS HIM...I hope you're feeling better, my friend...

So, don't panic if there is a day-without-a-blog. But THANKS FOR WRITING ME to say you were worried about me. I'm fine...and, just so you won't miss me too much, I'll try to post a little something every day...even if it's a rerun...or just a picture.

Iowa SPRING

HEY -- nothing wrong here in Iowa....but I've been so busy with the wonderful SPRING THINGS...I just haven't had time to write my blog. So, today is nothing but some random pictures -- just to give you an idea what torture I'm going through. Kids, one charming little dog, asparagus, morel mushrooms, spring cleaning (that's me, downstairs sewing while Carrie does all the heavy lifting)...getting the porch ready for some ACTION...

Our Mary Tri-Fecta

Lilly and Mary have been friends for a long time. They actually share a room. When Mary comes to Iowa, Lilly helps get her room ready for Mary...and the, Mary leaves her money. $4 is the going rate...We've done many things together, Lilly has attended a Ya Ya Sister show.

Lilly has shared some deep thoughts with our friend Mary...

Wow...I barely remember those days...when Lilly would let me dress her up in a velvet Christmas dress...

So, when Marimekko came to Target, Lilly knew we were on a mission for Mary Mulari. Although, she had a hard time pronouncing the word "marimekko"....she just couldn't get it right...there were too many vowels, and it was frustrating for her...

Finally, I said, "say it like a name, hon. Mary Mekko."And that fixed it for her...TOTALLY.

As we ran through the store, Lilly would spot something like this and say, HERE SHE IS, GRANDMA...

I FOUND MARY MEKKO..!!

We called Mary Mulari from Target to make sure we had the right stuff...

Then, after spending the WORLD SHAKING amount of $165 at Target -- we headed to the Goodwill store...

We cold never actually BE in town and not stop at a thrift store...

Here, things are much more reasonably priced.  This big guy could be had for just $2.88...

Of course, it's just possible that nobody wants a life-sized sock monkey...but you've gotta admit -- IT IS A BARGAIN.

Lilly found him, and immediately said, "TAKE A PICTURE FOR MARY FONS, GRANDMA!!"

During our trip to Chicago, Lilly's new friend, Mary Fons, introduced her to her sock money mascot...Pendennis...

OF COURSE, I took the picture!!

When we got in the car to drive home, Lilly said, "We've had a very merry day haven't we, Grandma?"

Surprised by her choice of words, I said, "what do you mean?..."

Then, with a broad smile, she said, "Mary Mulari, Mary Mekko and Mary Fons..."

We both laughed...she was SO PLEASED with herself. 

The Splendid Sampler™ Wednesday

The Splendid Sampler™ Wednesday
(...skip this part if you're not new here...)

The Splendid Sampler™ is an internet sew-a-long created by Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson. It is an EPIC sew along...

• 83 fabric designers have created specific blocks that feature different quilting techniques. (paper piecing, fused applique, etc.).
• The blocks will be released each week, and are FREE to participants until March 2017. (at that time, they'll use the designs to publish a book).
• You can use whatever fabric you like.
• There will be pictures on their Facebook page, etc.

The new block designs come out twice a week....on Sunday morning and Thursday morning. I'm doing this with my TMBC...and, therefore, it is my pleasure to BLOG ABOUT IT every Wednesday.
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LP did a beautiful job with the embroidered block -- AND she continues to improve her paper-piecing skills with some rogue blocks NOT from the Splendid Sampler...

Hey -- Me, too!!

This was my obvious mistake.  HOW DID I SCREW THIS UP??

Sandy's perfect block...looks like wrapped candy, eh?

Her embroidery is looking fabulous..

Sandy is going back for some do-overs....

My New Striped Purse

To review, my perfect purse must meet a strict set of criteria. Like:

• Fabric, not leather...(to be lightweight)
• Long rather than deep (hate digging)
• Top zipper
• Cross body strap
• Two outside pockets (phone pocket AND key pocket)
• No black lining.

This purse had some possibilities...although I cannot abide the big flap

It DID have the topside zipper

And -- the price was right!!

What if I carefully REMOVE the flap...??

Cut it down to size...

Then reattach to the front of the bag? IT WILL BECOME A DOUBLE POCKET!!

The only problem is I didn't get a picture of the FINISHED PURSE. I gave it to my cousin Linda (who lives by my purse rules)...and she is enjoying it. So NEXT WEEK I'LL TAKE A PICTURE...I see her every Tuesday!!

Judy P.

A key to my happiness is having a special girlfriend activity to look forward to every week. To insure the success of this plan, I have a standing Tuesday Morning Book Club (aka TMBC).

Sandy, me, Jackie (now in NC), and the two Linda's. LK and LP.

Because I am such a glutton for JOY, I usually plan an additional girlfriend day for either Thursday or Friday...

These three women, Phyllis, Ronda and Judy -- were all on the original Rita's Sew Fun team. 

We get together whenever we can.  This visit was at Judy's house.  After lunch, we worked on a jigsaw puzzle.

Judy gave me a set of embroidered towels (as an anniversary gift)...

We always enjoy the tour of Judy's latest sewing projects...

On this visit, she had several baby quilts in the works...

If you're smart, you will invite Judy to your birthday parties, showers or any other gift-giving occasion.

Recently, LK and I went to Judy's house for a tutorial about the Splendid Sampler piecing...

Because Judy is such an awesome teacher -- LINDA GOT IT!!

Anyway -- Judy was my special event last week.  We had breakfast at a great little Downtown Davenport Dive...and it is always great to do a catch up.

So -- who will I be catching up with this week?? I CAN HARDLY WAIT...!!