Things go better...

Let's cool off a bit with this. It's a lovely piece of history in Elizabeth City NC...sign painted on a brick wall of a building.

Growing quilt

I have some more pictures of the "growing" quilt I'm working on. The first picture is going to be part of the middle of the quilt. The second one shows the fabrics for the flowers I'm going to applique in the middle of the borders. The third picture shows the blocks from my group. And the last picture is how the quilt will look when put together. Notice the applique is complete except for the circles around the stems. I still have the outside borders of hourglasses to put on this quilt and the corner blocks. That's another picture for later.

He brings roses

He still brings roses. These are for our 41st anniversary today. He's a keeper for sure! Love you Honey!

Quilt in progress

Here are my finished hourglass blocks. Out of camera view are 6 sets of 6 blocks. Each quilt will have 88 hourglass blocks in it. There are 6 of us making this quilt. More progress to follow.

New quilt project

I'm starting a new project. My quilt group is going to make the quilt on the front of this magazine. There are 6 of us making this and we are all combining our fabrics for a "scrappy" quilt. Here are some of the fabrics we are using. We are dividing the quilt into 6 parts that each of us are making. Then we are combining the parts for an instant quilt. 4 of us are making the entire borders, one member is making all of the Ohio stars, and one member is making all of the small hourglasses in the midde of the quilt. We each are doing our own applique. Deadline is June 19th for the borders, Ohio stars and small hourglasses. This should be a fun and great looking quilt! I'll show more as the work progresses.

Cross Vine

I love to show you my flowers in the garden. This is Cross Vine that we planted last year. It is a favorite of Hummingbirds. It will bloom off and on some of the summer. It's height will get to about 30 feet or more.

Azalea in bloom

Lovely weather we're having in NC. My azaleas are in full bloom. Here's a picture of one.

This is what is blooming in my garden today. The leaves from the Oak trees are still coming down, so you will see them in my bed. The last picture is of a Dogwood in full bloom. This tree is in my neighbor's yard. Enjoy!

Nandina

This is what is "blooming" in my garden this week. Spring is bursting out all over but not much is blooming yet. My daffodils are finished for the most part, and it is still too soon for the bleeding heart. But don't you love Spring?? I do.

My hubby gave me this lovely Orchid for Valentine's Day this year. It should bloom a long time. I love the colors. Enjoy it with me.

February is the heart month and I love putting out hearts for decorations. These are the heart's I've collected. I also included my Mother's watch from the 1940's. Hope you like the display.

This is what is blooming in my garden now. Since we've had such a mild winter, the daffodils are up and the trees are budding out. I sure hope we won't have any more cold weather. I am ready for Spring too!!

It has been a year since we lost our youngest sister. Here she is when she was sweet "10" years old. Margot is the one on the right. We miss her so much and this picture reminds us how short and precious life really is.

Buttons

I found this card of old buttons in an antique store in San Antonio, TX in 1982. I am showing the front and the back because of its interest. People used whatever they had at the time, hence the cut Duz box. Someone took great pains to draw the lines for the buttons and put them on with thin wire. They are in groups of like buttons. I always wondered who did this and when. The story behind it fascinates me, but I'll never know.

Now that Christmas is over, I hope you had a wonderful time with family or friends. We had a very quiet Christmas but it was a lovely one.

Now I'd like to say, Happy New Year! May this be the best year for you yet! Thanks for stopping by to visit.

This is my quilt challenge for the local quilt shop. The shop gave us the patterns and each person made the quilt as she wanted. I made mine into a table runner. Here is the result. BTW, I love scrappy quilts! This is just a top, I still have to quilt it.

New sweater

This is my new sweater I just finished knitting. It was fun to work on. The picture was taken on the screened porch and there are shadows on it, but I think you can see it ok. Enjoy!

Christmas Cactus

This is how my Christmas Cactus looks today. It is supposed to bloom near Christmas but I guess it just couldn't wait. Maybe it is telling me something...hurry up and get ready!

Lovely gift

Just a sweet gift from a special friend. The flowers are so lovely!

Socks in the making

These are socks that my friend, Teena is knitting. She joined me at the beach for a weekend of knitting, watching chick flicks, hunting for shells of the beach and of course, eating great seafood! I just had to show you her socks. So nice!

Morning Glory

This is what is blooming today in my garden...Morning Glory. I also have the ever popular Marigolds still blooming. Such a lovely sight to see while we go into Fall.

Let's not forget

Today we are remembering the tragedy of 9/11. Let's not ever forget all the people who lost their lives and the many brave people who tried to help them. We will always hold you in our hearts. This picture is just a reminder of the Firemen who responded to the disaster, along with Police and others.

Found treasures on the beach

These sand dollars were found on the beach in South Carolina many years ago. They have always been a favorite of mine. The gold looking ones were placed beside a container of sun tea being made outside. Nice reflection, don't you think?

Watermelon time

We were at the grocery store today and bought a watermelon. Not knowing how they will taste but anticipating a nice, sweet, juicy taste, we couldn't resist. So this is why I've put up my watermelon wall hanging. Just think about that cool, juicy, sweet taste when you see this picture. Hope you too can enjoy a slice soon!

Our little friend

This lizard is now our little friend. He/she is always near this tree looking for something to eat. He keeps the bad bugs at bay. I love his color, being green is a plus, wouldn't you say?

Liriope

This little plant, Liriope, is growing on our front porch and doing well. The plant doesn't get any sun but seems to prefer the shade. We have a guest also. Look at the close-up view of the plant in the lower left hand corner to see the guest. Charming, isn't he?

Birthday cards

Recently I had a birthday. My sweet hubby and I long ago started regiving cards that we've given each other through the years. This recent birthday he gave me some that I received from him before we got married. The card with the little blue flowers is the earliest one from 1966. We were just beginning to date in high school. The pink card is the second one he gave me. We just celebrated our 40th anniversary. The little pink note you see was with the early birthday card and is so sweet. Happy memories.

Landscaping view

This is how we look from across the street. It is in the morning sun, the sprinklers are going, and I think we finally have the landscaping right. Home sweet home!

New picture of Hyacinth Bean Plant

This is a new picture of the Hyacinth Bean Plant taken this week (July 20, 2011). It really did grow like "Jack and the Bean Stalk".

Hyacinth Bean plant

This is a Hyacinth Bean plant. I planted it out by our mailbox and it is doing very well. It is an annual. You have to soak the seeds overnight before you plant them, but it takes off like "Jack and the Bean Stalk" fame.

Happy Birthday America

This is my own design of a patriotic quilt. It also has some summer theme items going on in it as well. Double duty, don't you think?

Is it the 4th yet?

Is it the 4th of July yet? I am ready with all my patriotic quilts out. Here is another one I love. Simple, yet catches the eye.

Wave any flag

It's almost the 4th of July. Get out there and put up any flag to show how much you love our country!

Red white and blue

I love to decorate for the 4th of July. There will be more pictures in the next few days. Enjoy!

Family time

This is a picture of a cousin of mine. We were attending a family reunion. Her Mother and my Dad were siblings. Family reunions are always fun!

40 years ago today

This is what was happening 40 years ago today. Happy anniversary Honey!

New project

I've been busy sewing. My favorite local quilt shop, has a challenge going on for 10 months. Each month has a different block to make. I'm not making mine as big as the pattern calls for. The blank row you see in white will have a checkerboard design in it. This is just a "rough draft" of what I'm making. I love a challenge!! Enjoy!

Azaleas

Azaleas are now finished for the year except for some that will bloom again this summer or in the Fall. This is what one of ours looked liked this Spring. I just love the color of this one. Enjoy!!