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.

More Colorblock Swap Blocks

The second set of 20 blocks. I chose pink this time, although the photo color is a little off. I'm still trying to decide how to put them together. The resulting quilt will go to the Linus Project. The swap coordinator, Margaret, is a big supporter of this effort, so it seemed like a good home for the blocks.

What To Do With My Mornings Now?

The Tour has ended and mornings now mean work. The Vuelta will be here soon though. It was an interesting tour. There seemed to be a lot of flat stages without much excitement. I was glad to see Voeckler win a stage. He is always out on the attack. Looks like picking Bradley Wiggins for my Fantasy Tour team was a genius move - who knew? I finished 8th out of 140 teams. Not bad for a first time try. I also had the winner Contador and second place finisher Andy Schleck. This tour showed that there a lot of young riders able to challenge for the GC, so it looks like some exciting tours ahead. Even though I didn't have him on my team, it was good to see Lance make the podium. He rode a great race.

Prayers and Well Wishes

Stage 16: Jens Voight suffered a horrible crash on the descent of the Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard. Prayer and well wishes for a full revovery go out to him.



In other tour news - Lance is still in 2nd. Will he have his time trial form of old? Four of my riders on my fantasy team are in the top 10! Go Seadogs. Tomorrow is a brutal mountain stage.

Off to Maine

I'm off to visit my family in the Portland area. After the triple digit temperatures here in Dallas I am looking forward to some cooler weather. Last year I ran into some cool weather and fog.


Looking across to downtown


Portland Head

Tour de France Eve

It's almost here! Tomorrow is the Prolog from Monaco. It will be an interesting start. With a nice little climb in the middle it's not a given that Cancellara will win it. Will Astana go for it and have to defend the maillot jaune for the first week?

I have a fantasy racing team for the Tour that is being run by the Podium Cafe. It consists of 10 riders. My top 2 racers are Contador and Little Schleck. You could only spend 100 points for the 10 riders, which made Cancellara too expensive. :(

What to watch first in the morning - the Prolog or Venus and Serena at Wimbledon?

Happy 4th of July!