I started back to blogging with the best of intentions, but the summer got away from me. However looking at the last post - it has been a good year for Lester indeed. He just threw a gem in Game 5 of the World Series to put the Red Sox up 3-2 and heading home to Fenway. This has been an exciting year. Big Papi is finishing his career by carrying the offense on his broad shoulders.

A good few days in sports. Cancellara is BACK!!! After a tough year last year, he won the Tour of Flanders all alone. Today spring finally arrived with the first day of baseball. My beloved Red Sox trounced the Yankees in the Bronx. Lester looked good, hopefully the start of a strong year for him and the team.

It has been a quilty weekend. Yesterday I joined fellow Philly Modern Quilt Guild members at Quilts for Kids. There were 9 of us and we each made really cute quilts from Laurel Burch cat fabric. Several member not only finished the top, but had their quilt quilted. This is from the Fabulous Felines collection from Clothworks Fabrics, which was the 9 inch squares in my quilt. Today was a PMQG sit-n-sew at Byrne Sewing Connection in New Britain. My first visit to the shop, which had lots of notions and pattern. It was an excellent place for a workshop. My baby quilt is already back from being quilted, so I made the binding and attached it. Its already to hand sew the binding down. I even had a little time to work on my throw for the living room. I could use it this evening. It is quite chilly with a threat of several inches of snow tonight and tomorrow morning.

I have finished the baby quilt which is a gift to friends that will be first time parents in May. Tomorrow it is off to be quilted. They have 2 dogs so the cute dog novelty fabric was perfect.

A lot has happened since my last post, but I thought I would give blogging a try again. I haven't done much quilting in the last few years, but I hope to change that. My new guild, the Philly Modern Quilt Guild, has inspired me to be more productive. I am currently working on an adorable baby quilt for friends. I'm now living near Philadelphia in a new (to me) home. It was built in 1930 with lovely arts and crafts touches. I am currently renovating the kitchen. I look forward to getting fully settled in and starting a new life among family and friends. So a new chapter in my life...

Weekend Quilt Retreat

Last weekend our Dear Jane quilt group went out to Batiks Galore in Joshua Texas for a quilt retreat. The property has the a wonderful quilt shop full of wonderful batiks and patterns. We all enjoyed our shopping. Out in the pasture they have a couple of horses, 3 adorable donkeys and llamas.


It was a lovely weekend of working a large variety of projects - just not our Dear Jane quilts! Andrea was sewing up a storm and we expected to see smoke coming out of her machine.

Andrea's Wild Goose Chase - A Buggy Barn pattern

I was working on my Judy Niemeyer Wedding Ring Star quilt. I had hoped to have the arcs and melons finished before I go to Judy's retreat in Montana in June. I made good progress on the arcs. A sampling:



Getting the rows right on a bright batik sampler. The blocks were part of a year long lock exchange.


Glynnis trying to get out of the photo of her quilt for her niece.


Mindy hand quilting her quilt for a friend

A Great Sports Day

First was the De Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders). A great cobblestone classic. The race set up perfect for my favorite rider - Fabian Cancellara. He broke away from the lead group with 65K to go. Tom Boonen tagged along. On the final and steep climb - Muur- Cancellara left Boonen in the dust.



And after a long winter wait - Play ball! It is the first game of the season. The Red Sox are playing the Yankees. Beckett is looking a little shaky, but only behind by one going into the bottom of the third.

And It Did Snow!

Wow - a new record for Dallas. When it finished snowing this morning we had 12.5 inches, smashing the old record of 7 inches. The wet heavy snow was more than many of the older trees could handle. The big live oaks with all their leaves were bent to the ground in places. Many trees and big branches came down. We are lucky to still have power, but most of our neighborhood doesn't. The main road into the 'hood is blocked by a downed tree. Sure hate to see that - it was over 50 years old.


A look by our back fence.


It was eerily beautiful last night. It was very light even at 9:00pm.

Let It Snow!

What a wonderful day. It has been snowing steadily all day. We may get as much as 6 to 7 inches, which would be a record for Dallas. I've not seen this much snow in the 12 years that I have lived here. I am working from home today, sitting in front of a nice fire and surrounded by sleeping kitties. They are very happy since we have turned the thermostat up!


View from the front porch


Of course we built a snowman, complete with chocolates for his Valentine.

Spring is in the Air - Truck Day is Friday!

Pitchers and catchers report on the following Thursday, so Spring can't be far behind. Although with snow in the forecast for tomorrow that may seem questionable. About this time of the year winter in New England is looking rather bleak. Truck Day is a sure sign that things are going to get better.


(Globe Staff Photo / David L. Ryan)
Wally the Green Monster, Red Sox team mascot, directed traffic next to Fenway Park as the moving truck that has transported the team's spring training gear from Fenway Park to Fort Myers, Fla. since 1998 prepared to leave.

Tragic or Amusing Story?

Saturday started with an unfortunate kitchen mishap. Joe heard a dismayed "OH NO!" and came to the kitchen to see what was up. Fortunately he heard me laughing or there might have been a moment of sheer panic. I was making a red velvet cake for my Dear Jane meeting that afternoon. I absentmindedly poured a bottle of red food dye into the batter while the mixer was running. A Lady Macbeth picture opportunity ensued. It looked like a gruesome crime scene - red dye everywhere.

A House Divided

Last Sunday's game between the Eagles and Cowboys ended badly. However this Saturday is all about redemption. GO EAGLES!

Pearl is sucking up to Daddy


Myra shows her good taste

A Quilt for a Friend

I am starting a new quilt that is a collaboration with another friend. The center of the quilt is from a pattern that she has wanted to make. Since it wouldn't be big enough for a lap quilt, we are adding borders like those found in M'liss Rae Hawley's Mariner's Medallion book.


Border fabric on outside - blues for water


close up of border fabric


close up of water fabrics


potential center medallion fabrics


close up


Picture of M'lss Rae Hawley's medallion quilt. We may use the bargello border for our quilt. The friendship stars would look good too.

A Glorious Victory Over The Hated G-Men

With the Cowboys losing to the Chargers Sunday afternoon, Sunday's game between the Eagles and Giants loomed large. First place of the division was at stake. It was an exciting game with lots of bigs plays. None bigger than the 2 TDs from my favorite player Desean Jackson. Only he can get away with with a body slam to the coach (Andy Reid).

It's Christmas Time At The Day's

Everyone loves Christmas here. The decorations are up and presents are being wrapped. The kitties enjoy all the new toys. Wrapping paper and new boxes (empty of decorations) are favorites.




Santa collection

A Quilt in the Mail

When I got home yesterday I had a lovely surprise. My Holiday Quilt from my swap partner Donna had arrived. I really like it and can't wait to hang it up in my office tomorrow. It will give my cubby hole a festive air. I also received a fabric pen - one that actually works well - a glue pen, which will be nice for paper piecing, 3 gorgeous batiks and some yummy jam. The jam is made with wild Maine blueberries. I often bring it home as gifts to friends after a visit to family in Maine. After opening my package, I promptly toasted an English muffin and enjoyed some jam.

Productive Quilt Retreat

This weekend was a quilt retreat with my quilt buddies. My goal was to finish my Holiday Swap quilt, so that I can mail it tomorrow. The quilt had several new techniques for me. The little quilt is actually a block from the I Believe quilt designed by Nancy Halvorsen. I really enjoy her cheerful designs. I have been inspired to try and make the Christmas card holder in the same book as the Peace block.

Holiday Swap Quilt

Closeup

Nancy Halvorsen's book

Holiday Quilt Swap

Time for another mini quilt swap. This time the theme is Christmas Holiday. I have a applique pattern in mind. Since this will be my first attempt at applique, I have a paper pieced pattern as a backup. :) Here are the fabrics I've picked out for the mini.

Friday Cat Blogging

I haven't posted pictures of the felines lately. I have the rare Lucky and Lady sighting. Lady isn't very fond of her brother. For the record she doesn't like the other two either. L&L will be 17 on September 1.



The girls often curl up together, however Pearl is trying to take over Myra's spot. Myra likes to sit in that chair when I am sewing.

Jens is coming!

To the Tour of Missouri that is. After recuperating from the terrible crash in the Tour de France, this will be his first race back. I was REALLY hoping Cancellara would be joining him, but he will be at the Vuelta along with Andy and Frank. Jens talks about his rehab.