Ten Things Tuesday {& Mail Call}

The weather has been totally amazing and I have to admit that the whole Happy family has been finding every excuse to get outside and soak it all in.

There's always a lot of work to be done outside, but my goodness the amount of wood we have to split and move and stack and organize!  This effort is the result of the big heavy oak trees that came down in our October snow storm.  It's getting done little by little.  I am mostly in charge of the moving and stacking part. 

Sammy, who is still learning her off leash manners, found a very comfortable napping spot among the logs.  Those big heavy pieces also provided a great tie off spot for her lead!

Katie has been no slouch taking in the sunshine.  In fact, I know that I could even learn a thing or two about how she has mastered living in the moment. 

Fully.  Completely.  Like no one's watching.  Or she doesn't have a care!

Doesn't she just have the best smile!

One of Sammy's favorite things is ice cubes.  With the recent warm weather I got to introduce her to the floating ice cube game.  Take one dog bowl filled with water.  Dump in a handful of ice cubes.  And then prepare to laugh your stomach into knots as the dogs go bobbing for ice. 

Katie still snorkels with her nose in the water with this game.  Cracks me up every time!

I also got a package all the way from Australia!!  And I couldn't feel luckier to be able to give a home to these lovely treats!!  This was all a part of a fun pincushion and surprise swap I did with Megan from Silver Threads of Happiness.  Megan, thank you so very much!

I will be hanging this awesome crocheted mushroom in my sewing area and I just love the colors she picked... and look at how adorable the grass is!!  I also got those cute little glass mushroom beads.  Can you tell I have a thing for mushrooms?  I can't wait to dream up the perfect project for them!

The little tin is so very adorable (it had the glass beads tucked away in there)... I think I will be re-using the tin to hold my sewing bobbins.  Seems like the perfect size!  And coffee!!  I start my day with a nice big cup and I can't wait to try this one!

And then there are the pincushions.  In fact, I think these are what started the whole swapping thing.  I think I left Megan a comment saying how darn cute they were... and she offered to make me one... and I was very excited and wanted to make her something.  Next thing you know... we're swapping!!

I hope you can see how fantastic that forest and mushroom fabric is.  And yes, I got two pincushions!!  Pinch me!  They both have the same fabric on the back... and then one is decorated with the ric-rack while the other has a beautiful lace on the front.  They are so pretty.. how am I ever going to stick them full of pins?  

I feel so lucky for the friends I am meeting through this little blog of mine.  Amazing to know that real connections are still very present and even more fun when I find someone who understands my love of all things forests and mushrooms!!  *hugs, Megan*

Well, and that about does it.  Is spring springing where you are?  Spring things that are waking up here, like the tree in our back yard.  Did you spot Katie in this one? 

You know, this tree has bloomed each spring for the two years we have been in our house... and I kept saying that I wanted to get a picture of it.  It goes quick.  And now I can finally say I have one! 

Aren't these blooms amazing?

Total Crazed Tornado

Last week came in quietly and left like a crazed tornado.  I traveled, I gave a presentation in front of a big crowd, I took a full day training class, I left Sammy overnight for the first time, I moved and stacked a huge pile of wood the Mister chopped, I even got new fabric I haven't shared with you yet.

See what I'm saying?  Total crazed tornado!! 

And I sure missed being here... and missed you!  And I can't wait to catch up on all the happenings in blog-land.. yup, I have almost 700 posts in my reader and plan to settle with a cup of coffee and read each and every one!

And I'm excited to share a bunch more this week once I get my self straightened out again.  I even got a package in the mail that made me smile ear to ear (yes, Megan the package made it safe and sound)!!

Till then... enjoy this shot of us girls!  Sammy still thinks she's a lap dog even though she is nearly 50lbs and I have to laugh that we all have bright or red alien eyes... but still a sweet photo of us all.  This was taken a few weeks ago when we were boiling sap for maple syrup... good times!!

Festival Of Scrappiness!!

Yesterday kicked off the Festival Of Scrappiness over at Stitched in Color!!!  Whhohohooo!!


banner from Stitched in Color!

It's a celebration of the beauty and joy of scrap quilting.. and you all know how much I love the challenge of creating with my scraps!!  And... there are prizes... tons and tons and tons of really amazing prizes!!  So, if you are on the edge of participating I hope you give in and join us! 
I am going to be submitting two art quilts.. my two most recent top finishes... both done wholly from scraps which makes me beam with love!!

First up... At Sunrise, which is made from a confetti quilt style that uses toothpick sized scraps as 'paint' to create a scene.  My favorite part of this one is the texture that all those scraps and quilting creates!!  And .. I'm slacking.. still need to a fix the binding to the back... so close to calling this one done!

You can see the beginning of the piece here.

I am also going to submit my landscape quilt, called The Lake, that was done with freezer paper stencils and a bunch of yummy scraps!  I have had so much fun quilting this one... and I think I have the perfect binding picked out as well.  If I could only find a few minutes to put it on. 

You can see this art quilt coming together here.

And there you have it!!  Scrappy wonderfulness abounds.. make sure even if you aren't entering to hop over and take a look at all the other entries.  It's all so really inspiring and makes me want to whip out my scraps and start something new!

Happy scrapping!

Happy Moment #51: The Rocks are Multiplying

A Friday ritual with Soulemama.  A single (or a few) photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary, happy moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments too.

And if you missed the earlier episode of us knocking down the retaining wall... check it out!

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”

~Omar Khayyam

Spring is Springing!

The weather is warm, the trees are budding and growing leaves, the grass in greening, and flowers are popping!  I'm enjoying slowly getting back to my gardens and watching the show unfold!

Wednesday WIP: A Few Almost Done's

The summer-like weather pulled me outside for the most part and you can see how we spent that time tearing down a wall.  I still somehow managed to put time into The Lake and it's just about ready for binding!!

 

--THANK YOU!!--

I'm feeling like such a lucky duck after winning a $30 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop from Bethany over at Sweet Bee Buzzings!!  Thank you Bethany for letting me indulge on a bunch of fabric!!  It was such a treat to pick out ones I liked without a specific project in mind!  And the fabrics came lightening fast... it's always a pleasure to shop at Fat Quarter!  And as I promised... here is what I picked out:

{from the top down}
1/2 yard of Wood Lawn Batiks in Antique Beige Shibori ... I'm thinking it's the perfect binding for The Lake
1/2 yard of Desert Springs Batiks in Cool Blue Watercolor Texture
.875 of Cocoa Bery Brown Bonehead (skulls!!!)
1 yard of Prince Charming Aqua Dandelion
1 yard of Scandinavian Christmas Cream Tiny Toadstools

--GETTING BINDING--

{At Sunrise}: Confetti Quilt - I still haven't sewn down the back of this binding...

 

 

{The Lake}: Landscape Quilt - I made a ton of progress on this piece and in fact... I think it's nearly ready for binding!! 

--PAUSED--

• Laughing Leaves with Frieda Anderson
• Spinning Starlets {English Paper Piecing}
• {Your're My Sunshine}: Bottled Rainbows {ticker tape quilt-along}

This Week's Work in Progress (WiP) Stats:

Last WiP Wednesday Total: 5
New Projects: 0

Finished Projects: 0

Total WiP's: 5 (same as last week)

Veggie Garden Retaining Wall

This past weekend we enjoyed the most delightful sunny weather.  The kind of summery feeling day that draws the whole family outside to soak in the rays, feel the breeze, and get our hands (or paws) in the dirt.

We were minding our own business.  Dreaming of seeds to sow and veggie garden layouts. 

And then it happened.

The brick retaining wall, who has seen better days... 

...looked at us funny...

...so, we tore it down.

And made a big mess.

And I know there is a bunch more work to go... but squee! we're building the expanded veggie garden of my dreams, complete with a hand built natural stone retaining wall.  

Can you see it?  It's going to be amazing!! 

p.s. and that's how I spent most of my weekend.  Yes, we did cook down the final batch of maple syrup.  no, I still need to take a picture to share here.  and yes, that was our christmas tree holding down the woods as a natural bird habitat... at least that's what I keep telling the Mister.

Hope You Had a Nice Weekend!

love, Katie and Sammy!

Happy Moment #50: What I Made

A Friday ritual with Soulemama.  A single (or a few) photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary, happy moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments too.

 

Made for the Name Game Swap for Josie McRazie at Insanity Defense

Wednesday WIP: This Sewing Factory is Crankin'

I have managed a bit of very focused sewing which is allowing me to reach my goal of finishing a ton of things by the weekend for a swap and to enter two shows.  I wasn't really sure I'd be able to get it all done, but it's happening!!
 
--FINISHED--  Name Game Swap
Finished this mini quilt up and popped it in the mail.  My secret swap partner should be getting it today or tomorrow!  Below is a little sneaky peak.  I'll show the whole thing once it reaches it's new home!

--GETTING BINDING--  {At Sunrise}: Confetti Quilt

My confetti style quilt which you can see the making of here, is ready for binding.  In fact, I did pick out and attach the binding to the front (not pictured).  So, all I have to do is hand sew the binding to the back, make a hanging sleeve and label... and this one is D-U-N!

And yes.... seriously, this is hands down one of my favorite pieces!  It's a scene which I have had in my head for a long time and I'm glad it's finally down in fiber!

--IN PROGRESS--  {The Lake}: Landscape Quilt

You might remember that I started this art quilt in a guild class recently and I am determined to finish it in time for the next guild meeting (next Tuesday)... and that also means that I could still enter it in my upcoming work art show. 

I spent time last night cutting out the rest of the template pieces, cutting mountain and sky fabrics, and sticking them together.  The hardest part of this freezer paper technique is that you can't see the work progress because it's, well, covered with freezer paper.  I'm going to leave you with this teasing picture of it. 

If you're wondering... I did pull the freezer paper off the whole thing last night and I adore it so far.  I also gave it a backing, basted it, and started to quilt it.  Feels like my little sewing 'factory' is really humming along nicely!! 

--ON PAUSE-- 

Laughing Leaves with Frieda Anderson

More of the project can be seen here.  I am really darn tempted to try and finish up this piece over the weekend as well.  I know.. I know.. call me crazy, but this would give me a final piece to enter in my work art show!

Spinning Starlets {English Paper Piecing} -- a.k.a. I've reached a new level of crazy!

I will pick this up again once my quilt show pieces are d-o-n-e; only 6 weeks to go!  Following along with the Block Party at Selfsewn; creating Rose Stars.  You can read about my overall experience with English Paper Piecing!

{Your're My Sunshine}: Bottled Rainbows {ticker tape quilt-along}

Still no deadline for this one.  The way things are going, maybe I pick this up once my show pieces are done?

This Week's Work in Progress (WiP) Stats:

Last WiP Wednesday Total: 6
New Projects: 0

Finished Projects: 1 (Name Game Swap mini)
Total WiP's: 5