Friday, June 14, 2013

TGIF

Gosh....remember how Fridays were always such a big deal when you were in school?   Working in nursing there really was never that Friday joy since hospitals are open 24/7.   Now that I am retired the Fridays aren't that unique either, but it is a TGIF day.

Since it is also Flag Day, I will show you my red, white and blue finish.  I love the way this came out and will look forward to decorating with it over the many patriotic holidays.  Since it was my scheduled project for finishing this month I will be linking it up with A Lovely Year of Finishes.



Another project that I have been working on was a pattern tester for Emily.  I finally have a completion to share with you.  I just love Emily's border idea and I know that I will be using this technique again sometime.  Sorry about the indoor picture, but it was too big to hang on the line.  Isn't it a great pattern? You can see Emily's version HERE.



I had a dear friend, Peg, come visit for a few days.  We've know each other for over 40 years and always enjoy each other's company.  Her granddaughter had drawn a quilt design and and Peg wanted to know if it was possible to sew it out.  She arrived with her fabrics and we sketched it all out.  She does not sew, but I think she really enjoyed the process and also did all of the FMQ on it.  She was very adventurous with her FMQ designs, including special names, hearts, flowers, stick people and a Grandma signature.   The backing is Minky so it crinkled up nicely and had such a nice drape to it. 

Drawn quilt and finished quilt - the colors matched perfectly.



My Japanese x&+ bee blocks continue to arrive and my layout is growing because of it.  I really like the way it looks - so scrappy and bright.


Isn't this a great card?


It seems like I spend a good amount of time these days filling up my bird feeders.  I now have seven 4-cup feeders for the orioles and hummers that get filled AND emptied every day.  We have two different types of orioles at the feeders - a Hooded and a Bullock oriole.  The Bullock orioles are much more talkative.  The babies are also now at the feeders.






In closing I will show you what happens when you give sidewalk chalk to little ones.  I'm not sure whether the sidewalk or the bodies got decorated the most.



I hope everyone has a great Father's Day weekend.  We will have the whole gang here on Sunday.

26 comments:

  1. It turned out wonderfully! Thanks for your help.
    Your x &+ quilt is going to be fabulous.
    And the chalk art picture makes me smile.

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  2. Even though I'm retired, I still find myself looking forward to Fridays. Old habits die hard?

    I love those quilts - gorgeous!!

    I wonder if Picasso got his start with sidewalk chalk? Ha!

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  3. I love, love, love your patriotic quilt. Your layout is balanced and bold! Emily's pattern is lovely and both color schemes (yours and hers) speak for themselves. How wonderful to have an old friend visiting and creating at the same time! Well you know how I feel about scrappy quilts so you know I love your Japanese Bee blocks.....and TGIF??? I know about that 24-7-365 business and am starting my work week tonight...lol...

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  4. That is a great border. All you quilts and wips are looking great. I must tell you that Monday has become my favorite day now. I call it my reset day.

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  5. All of your quilts are great Mary! I think I'm going to ask for blocks like yours for my bee month in August - love the look. And then those birds. Our hummingbirds will not let any others at the feeder when they are there....they chase them away. We had so many orioles earlier, but hardly any now...wonder why. Enjoy the family.

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  6. Fabulous quilt, great colours and borders.
    Peg's quilt turned out really well and it will be very cuddly.
    Lovely Side walk art on the little one...

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  7. Love the Patriotic quilt! Was it from a block swap, or did you make all the blocks? The birdies are beautiful - I wish we had Orioles. And the kiddos seem to be having a grand time. Enjoy your weekend.

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  8. Wow! So many pretty things! Love your Red, White, and Blue! And the Devine quilt is stunning...I agree that the border is wonderful! Love the pics of the birds and of course those gorgeous grandchildren!

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  9. I didn't put feeders up with this move so I especially enjoyed your birds! I have a sentimental fondness for hummers as you know. Those little blocks are eye catching...cute, cute!

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  10. I do love that border and I'm wondering how difficult it was? We only have two feeders but when they get empty the birds come and bump on the patio door to tell us! Blessings, marlene

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  11. Beautiful quilts and I love the birds

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  12. I love your X&+ blocks!!! I'm planning to start one of those of my own very soon!!! Now since seeing yours, it may have to be even sooner than that :*) Have a great weekend!!!

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  13. beautiful quilt. i just have one feeder and still have blooms a plenty so i don't have to fill it but every few days

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  14. Great post, loving all the quilts and those little birds, I was wondering what the red headed ones were called!

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  15. I just love your patriotic quilt, Mary! The test quilt is just adorable and perfect for spring! How nice to see a longtime friend and share a quilt project! I'm with you, every day is a Friday now that we're retired - I think it's just Grand!
    Cheers!

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  16. Wonderful quilts, I love the one you are pattern testing for! My SIL next door has been feeding the birds quite a bit also, great photos! Sidewalk chalk is always fun and I'll be "playing" with some today with the grandkids too! Enjoy your day!

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  17. Both quilts are just fabulous!!

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  18. Grat picture of your hummers. I love the x&+ quilt. It has a lot of energy.

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  19. Your projects look great. I love the border on the second quilt. And I see you and your good friend had a blast designing and quilting.

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  20. I love the quilts ......of course I don't know what FMQ means :(

    Your friend's quilt is beautiful, I love those colors.

    The birds are great!

    Your little ones and the sidewalk chalk go well together. I need to take some to my little grandsons this coming weekend!

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  21. Beautiful quilts!
    You live in Ventura County? So do I!

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  22. Beautiful quilts! I love the border on the second quilt. the x+ blocks looking gorgeous.

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  23. when I had a quick glance at my blog roll I thought have seen that blue, red and white quilt so I didn't leave any comment! I must say I love your version of Emily's pattern better. I think I like your color and the border is just super cute - Have a good weekend - Hugs Nat

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  24. What a busy bee you've been, Mary! I always love seeing your projects. Devine is great. What made me swoon was your Japanese X's!!! LOVE the fabrics and colors.

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  25. Such beautiful yellow birds.

    So you call it sidewalk chalk!! I have just bought some for the grands when they come to stay (Oliver next week 29th) I guess then here it is pavement chalk. I thought the grands could chalk on the patio too but hope their parents don't think I am setting an agenda for them!!

    Hope the party went well.

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