Good Morning to all!

Today is FLAG DAY!  I so love to see everyone displaying their flags on their homes.  It's just a wonderful feeling I have in my heart and soul to see America flying proudly.  We've had some rough years lately... haven't we?  Let's all show how proud we are and get those flags flying high today.  I wouldn't mind flying mine everyday... it gives me a feeling of being safe, proud, and full of love.  Here is some tidbit information I found about Flag Day... hope you enjoy it!

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Flag Day, is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers and

 makers. Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation .....one nation, under God, indivisible. Our flag has a proud and  glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans. Many people have died protecting it. It even  stands proudly on the surface of the moon.

As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag. So raise the flag today and every day with pride! 

Properly Display Our Flag

There is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag.  The American flag should be held in the highest of regards. It represents our nation and the many people who gave their lives for

our country and our flag. Here are the basics on displaying  the American flag:

 The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.

• In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.
• The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.
• The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.
• After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. It's  called "half staff" on land ,and "half mast" on a ship.
• When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field , or "union", is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.
• The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.
• Never let your flag touch the ground, never...period.
• Fold your flag when storing. Don't just stuff it in a drawer or box.
•  When your flag is old and has seen  better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash.

Did you Know? There is a very special ceremony for retiring the flag by burning it. It is a ceremony everyone should see.Your local Boy Scout group knows the proper ceremony and performs it on a regular basis. If you have an old flag, give it to them. And, attend the ceremony. 

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Famous Flag People:

Betsy Ross was a seamstress who made clothes for George Washington. In June, 1776, Washington approached her to make the country's first flag and the rest is history.

Francis Scott Key Inspired by the British bombardment of Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics to our national anthem as he witnessed the event as British rockets whizzed in the air while our American Flag flew in the breeze

Did you Know? If you like to study flags, then you are a Vexillologist!

It's very early here... I woke up with the chickens!!!  However, I'm ready... my flag is sitting by the front door.... waiting for the sun to rise!  Where is yours?

Gloria

It's National BEST FRIEND DAY!!!

Hi chicklets!!!!

Did you know that today is National Best Friend's Day?  Yep!!!  So... who is your best friend?  

I think I would have to say (not counting my husband...that's kind of a given don't you think?) my twin sister, Vicky!  After all... we've been together for 64 years.... Many of those years we lived realllllllyyyyyy far apart from each other.  I'm here to tell you it was awful!  She was living in Vermont and we were in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba!  Couldn't get much farther could you?

Here we are.... as little girls living on the farm.  Mommy (that's what we called her...) had just made these pretty yellow (some kind of fluffy, soft fabric) dresses.  We had been to the Columbia City Old Settler's Day (the local fair in town) and they had let us have these two little pandas.  We were on our way to see our Pop Clyde (Grandpa) ... he was in the hospital!

Gosh... I loved those little dresses...they were so sweet.  

And...here we are today... best buddies!  Love you Vicky!!!

Remember to call your best friend today and tell them how much you love them!  Just imagine what your world would be without them.  I don't even want to think about that... do you?  

Go Celebrate!!!

Have a fun day!

Gloria

Yippee!!! Another One!!

Ok.... Now you gals are in the swing!

Robin (From Jacksonville, FL) is playing the UFO Game with us!  She's sent me her list (via Facebook chat) and here we go:

1.  Flower Power by Peddlecar Quilts - finishing for Jacksonville Quiltfest Show in September

2.  Hawaiin Shirt Quilt (she's llllloooonnnnnggggg lost the pattern) - finishing for the Jacksonville Quiltfest Show in September

3.  Rainbow Baby by Cynthia Brunz - need for a baby shower this summer

4.  Non Sibi Sed Patriaie quilt by Tony Jacobson - making for Wounded Warriors Project

5.  Block 2 - Primitive Garden by Lisa Bongean from Primitive Gatherings  

This Quilt reminds me of some wonderful times.  I first met Lisa Bongean at a show (can't remember which one)... our booths were across from each other.  I simply adored her work, her designs, all of the wonderful color, the wool!!!  I was instantly in love with the entire company.  I spotted two of these blocks (again...sorry... can't remember which two) hanging up in the booth.  Well... they drew me to them like a magnet.  I said... "Lisa, what are these going to be? They are SO WONDERFUL (trying not to drool all over them).  She explained it was a new "garden" theme quilt she was designing (she LOVES to garden... in her spare time... which I have no clue when that is...).  That's how this quilt began... then we had it in the shop and everyone else fell in love with it too.  

Thanks Lisa... for all of the wonderful quilt designs you have made for us... the super wool projects... your beautiful shop in Wisconsin, for all of your hard work attending all the shows you go to (wow... is that ever hard work -  speaking from experience), for Nick and his support for your talent, for your wonderful energy and your beautiful fabric you design for Moda!  You are my inspiration! 

and.... MORE.... EXCITING..... NEWS!!!

Vicky and I were working on our projects when we heard the doorbell ring... not the normal ring of my mailman or UPS guy (they work so hard...don't they?)

Vicky signed for something at the door.... HEAVY BOX!!!  She's reading the label and her eyes got as big as dinner plates.  Gloie... I think this is our fabric!!!!!  I said... NO WAY... NOT YET!!!!

We dug into that box as fast as a raccoon digs into a bag of dry dog food!!!!

YES.....THERE IT WAS.... 

3 YARDS OF EACH PRINT OF OUR FABRIC!!!

We were like two wild women... pulling it all out of  the box and inspecting each piece like it was our first born child!

There on the selvage read....................

So... we are now on the move... yes we have tons to make:

1.  Vicky's Basket Quilt - designed from an antique quilt that Vicky     adores!!

2.  County Londonderry Quilt - an original Olde Green Cupboard Designs pattern

3. Prairie Point Rug - made from an antique rug I found at Houston Quilt Market

4.  Upholstered Chair (it's going to be so darn cute)

5.  Table Runner - our design

6.  Covered Lampshade

7.  Pillow - our design

and... maybe a few other things if we have enough fabric left over!

Oh boy.... I'm exhausted already!

Guess what that means?  Time for me to get busy!  

Chat with you soon!!!

Gloria

Congratulations Rhonda - From California!!!

She is the first person to send me her 5 - UFO Projects - here they are for you!  You're gonna love 'em!!

Lisa Bongean's - Primitive Gatherings Quilt Shop's Block-of-the-Week Project for the summer of 2013!  SNOWBALLS.... TONS OF THEM!  I'm so excited for you Rhonda... I almost signed up for this also!  See that word "almost" - well that's what made me back away from the computer.  I still have her beautiful WOOL one she had last summer - all in unopened packages.  What's that tell you?  Yep... haven't even started.

I used to tell the girls... yes... I'm buying all of these kits and fabric to work on when I retire!  HA!!  What a BIG FAT JOKE that is!  I'm NOW retired from the retail world and I'm busier than ever.  How in the heck did I have time to work?

Christmas Memories - This is Rhonda's OWN DESIGN!!!  It's a photo quilt and she's promised to make one for her son!

In The Woods - another of her creations!  (She's pretty darn talented...don't you think so?)  I don't know about you...but I am a sucker for houses and TREES!!  Love this Rhonda!!!

OH MY GOSH!!!  I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Country Threads!  Those gals are such a hoot!!  I love their farm and their quilt shop - in the CHICKEN COOP!  I too love LINE UP!!  Isn't it simply adorable?  H-m-m-m... I can see this on my kitchen table!!!  Good choice Rhonda!!!  Will you make me one too?  (((((Pretty Please)))))

And of course.... Ohio Star Crossing by Country Threads!  This is also on my "Quilt Bucket List".....  My "bucket" list is actually more the size of a LARGE  (very, very, large) BARREL!!

Okay gals... that's it... remember to email me with your projects so you can win yourself this....

You're The Apple Of My Eye

Remember ... you have 5 months from the date you send me your list!

Join us!!!  It will be so much fun to see photos of everyone's finished projects!!!

Keep Sewing Chickies!!!

Gloria

Okay.... 

I forgot to add one more UFO to my list... and it's an important one!  Here it is!!  I and several of the gals from our B-a-a-a-d Girls Club want to do SNOWBOUND by Silver Thimble Quilt Co - Pay Wys and her great gals that work with her.  We are going to do our applique in WOOL!!!  This is the perfect size for my table... in either my kitchen area or the dining room.  I even have that same stripe fabric!  Can you believe that?  I'm a sucker for wonderful stripes...especially when it has that "ticking" look!

This is Pat... what a WONDERFUL LADY!!!  She is a riot... she's just one of those gals that you instantly LOVE and she is so funny!  She puts me in such good spirits when I'm around her.  Talented?  Does a duck have feathers!!  The answer is YES, YES, YES!!!  She travels and teaches all over...!  Go to her website and check her out!  You're gonna love her... YES YOU WILL!

Hey... you know my Snowbound quilt above?  I just saw on her website she is going to have a "quilt-a-long" and this is the quilt they are using!  How great is that?  I'll just go with her and work on my quilt.  That way I'll feel like we are "visiting" and "chatting" together like we do when we are at market!

If you ever get the chance to take a class from her... DO IT!  You'll have a blast... !

Here is her website:  Silver Thimble Quilts Website

I wanted to show you my FLOWERS!  Now... I know this may not be a big deal to all of you... HOWEVER, it is hot stuff at my house!  You see... I DO NOT have a green thumb (due to the fact that I kill things very quickly).  

This is my Lantana!  I normally have yellow...but this year I picked an orange color (Klasina... your favorite color !)  I have found that in this HOT, HOT, HOT weather... they need a BIG drink of water every day!  Poor things..they sure do wilt fast!

Then... in the backyard - are my petunias that Jack bought me on Mother's Day... I can't believe they are still alive!  We just bought this bird bath and we haven't seen one silly bird in it yet!  What's up with that?  I thought in this HOT weather...they would be drinking up a storm... or taking a cool bath!!  But NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..... NOT YET!  

I even went on-line and read up on how to take care of the petunias when they start looking a bit straggly.  If you do what they say... they will bloom all summer through the end of August!  So... I'm surely trying to take care of them!

Then... Toby and Dayle (son and daughter-in-law) bought me this great plant for Mother's Day to!  We have it by the garage... and hopefully will train it to twist around the down spout and brick wall.  It will be so pretty there.  I almost had to chase after the mailman the other day.  He brought several packages to the door and put stuff in the mail box!  When I went out to get the mail (by the street) I saw where he had ripped off one of my long vines!!!!  It was the one that was going up the wall!  I stuck it in the dirt and hope that it will re-root!  I was NOT HAPPY with him!!!!  I'm sure he heard me yell at him even though he was miles and miles away when I discovered it (his ears must have been burning)!!! 

So... we'll keep babying it too.... As it grows I'll give you new pictures.

Well... that's my update for the day!  It's time to get back to working on our new website!  We are working so hard at getting everything transferred to your new Host.  I'm even adding a section of "How To" Videos.  I think it will be great fun to find things we all wonder how to do and can never remember... like how to make certain embroidery stitches, how to make bias binding (even I have trouble remembering this technique), new tools.... etc.  So.. when the new website is up... get you a big soda or coffee and watch some great videos!!!

Catch you all later!!!

Gloria

Are You Up For The Challenge???

Hi Everyone!!!

Okay... I just had a brainstorm... and I know it's something we can all participate in!

READY???

Let's have a UFO Challenge!!  What do you say?  Are you Game??  

YOU CAN DO THIS!  AND... each of you can win one of these!!!

(please help me out and pay the postage for me... I'll ship it the cheapest way for you...)

Here's how it will work!

Email me with the name of your project/quilt/cross-stitch...along with the designer/company that has authored the pattern... whatever project it is that you are trying to finish! This isn't a race between each of us... this is "us" gettin' stuff done!!  Doesn't it make you feel FABULOUS when you finish something you have been working on?  I mean to tell you... I feel like a ton of bricks have been lifted off my chest!  

In this day-n-age we all have so much on our plates!  You know... work, family, medical stuff, stress... and the only way to make yourself FEEL BETTER is to accomplish something.

Once I have your lists... I will keep them for you.... then when you finish a project - take a picture of it and send it to me!  Now.. I see some of you "backin' off" because you may be using the excuse.. "I don't know how to do that!"  Well... it's simple - ASK YOUR KIDS OR A TEENAGER.. or heck... I think my 6 year old granddaughter knows how!  If you have a cell phone that takes pictures, I CAN HELP YOU! 

There is a time limit!!!  Oh yes there is!!!  How about 1 month for each project... I think that is being pretty darn generous - don't YOU?  I'll date your list - then in 5 months... if you have ALL of your projects finished - YOU WIN THE APPLE!

Then as each project is finished - I'll cross it off your list and post your picture for everyone to see (you do NOT have to finish them in the order you list them.)  Now... are you asking yourself how many "UFO's"  you need on your list?  uh huh... I knew you were! 

Well............. it's only 5 !!!!  So which 5 will they be?  It's your choice... you may select those that have been in the "to do" pile the longest... or you may pick those that have the most urgency .... or those that you have just been dreading to finish... see where this is going?  YOU GET TO CHOOSE!  

As each person signs up ... I'll share their projects with all of you!  Won't it be interesting to see what they are?

Here goes my list... I'll be first (gosh... I can't wait to see what all of you pick)!!




1.  Quilt - Gettysburg -Paula Barnes & Mary Ellen Robison Red Crinoline Quilts   Website     
(This is going on my kitchen table.)




2.  Rug - Prairie Point Pastel Rug - (one of my new designs)  (I'll post a picture when finished)
(This is an antique one I bought in Houston... I will eventually be making one out of our new fabric line - County Londonderry/Marcus
Brothers)







3.  Quilt - Colfax County - Lisa Bongean Primitive Gatherings   
      Website

(This is going to hang in my living room)



4.  Quilt - Pioneer Braid - Jerry Stube - Quilters Quarters    Website
(This is going to be for our couch - TV watching!)


5.  Quilt - Mrs. Billings Coverlet - Somerset Patchwork      Website

(This will be kept for generations to come! Whew!!! What a job this bad-boy is!  I have 4 friends that are making one too!  They are so gorgeously stunning!!  Takes my breath away!)



Okay... that's it!  So... are you game?  Come on and play with me!  It will be great FUN..FUN..FUN!!

Well...with all of this... it's time for me to GET BUSY!!!  OMG!!!  What in the heck have I gotten myself in for?  hahahahahahaha!!!

Remember "Celebrate Handmade"  and keep those needles movin' !!!

Gloria

Hearts for the day!

Hi all!

While I was playing around on my Pinterest Boards... I took a peak at my "Hearts" board.  You know.. I simply love hearts...especially when used in a sewing project.  They rank right up there with "stars" for me!  I thought I would share a few of them with you...

Now...this first  one is so awesome...it's made from one of my favorite fabric colors - RED!  Look at how sweet those little buttons are sewn at the top... but the icing on the cake is that sweet little strawberry that is attached.  It's filled with "emery" that keeps your pins/needles sharp!  I've just ordered some... and can't wait for it to arrive!  



Here are some other interesting facts about pin cushions!

The recorded origins of pincushions date back to the Middle Ages of Europe. In the English language, they became known by many names: "pimpilowes, pimpilos, pimplos, pimploes, pin-pillows, pin-poppets". In 1376, Jehanne de Mesnil was bequeathed a silver pin case in a French text called Testament of Advice written by a woman known as La Monteure, from Rouen. Other references to pin cases during the Medieval era exist. By the 16th century, these were supplanted by references to "pyn pillows". Some examples from various parts of Europe survive that have elaborate embroidery. Small porcelain baskets with a pin cushion inside were highly popular, as were small cushions such as wedding pillows or maternity pillows, embroidered with messages.

During the 18th century, weighted pincushions became popular among seamstresses. In England, seam clamps attached to a table and designed for holding hems for sewing became common, and were often in the shape of a bird (the tail would be pinched to open and close the "beak" to hold the fabric); attached to the back of the bird was a velvet pin cushion.  

The most popular design; a tomato with a strawberry attached was most likely introduced during the Victorian Era. According to folklore, placing a tomato on the mantle of a new home guaranteed prosperity and repelled evil spirits. If tomatoes were out of season, families improvised by using a round ball of red fabric filled with sand or sawdust. The good-luck symbol also served a practical purpose—a place to store pins. Typically, the tomato is filled with wool roving to prevent rust, and the strawberry is filled with an abrasive to clean and sharpen the pins. 

This sweet little heart is just up my alley!!!  After all... it has a sheep on it... and those of us in the "B-a-a-a-d Girls Club" (at Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe in Jacksonville  Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe Website ) LOVE sheep!  It is surely our mascot!!  Don't you just love this beautiful blue fabric... I would love to use this in my quilts!  I wouldn't even mind a cool blouse - to wear with jeans!  YES!!

Okay... then...another love of mine is CROSS-STITCH!  Now...this is absolutely wonderful!  My girlfriends that love to cross-stitch will want one of these too!  See... that little strawberry?  It's filled with emery!  Don't you want to order some too?  I think my Thursday Sewing Group should make one of these - don't you?  It should go pretty darn fast!

This primitive patchwork heart makes my heart go "pitter patter"!  How great would this look in my house!!  (I'm just sayin')  They've attached it to an old hanger they've made into a stand...that should be pretty easy!  Or just make lots of them - then place them in an old wooden bowl!  Or... how about one of my ironstone bowls (I love white ironstone also!).  Hmmmmm.... I think stained with a walnut spray would be the perfect recipe to making your regular fabric look aged like this one!

Speaking of hearts in bowls... take a look at these sweet things!  Of course...they are made with some of my favorite colors!  Tan and red...just doesn't get any better.  I also adore the wool applique!  Then they topped them off with those little "aged" shipping tags and twine!  So darn cute!!  

Well...those are my fabric hearts for the day!!  I think I'll show you my favorite STARS on my next blog post.  I'm a big fan of them also!  Oh heck....what am I saying?  I'm a big fan of a zillion things!  Isn't it fun loving different things... it makes my heart skip a beat when I see things like this... it's a good "skip" !!

Have fun exploring your favorite hearts!

Keep Sewing!!

Gloria