ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL/CHICAGO

OH WHAT A FUN DAY TODAY WAS!!!

Went to the International Quilt Festival today at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL with my Sister!!!! Oh what a fun time we had - took a lot of pictures of some of the most amazing quilts I have ever seen and then went to look at them before we left and somehow DELETED them - So had to backtrack and I just took a few of my favorites...Enjoy the eye candy...

I especially liked the yellow one - that is why I took so many of that one. You would never know we were in a recession or whatever we are in there were soooo many ladies buying fabric and patterns and kits - Yes, I was one of them - I couldn't help it, every booth was just so much fun to look at and see all the creations that they were selling - This was my first Quilt Festival and it was fantastic. Some lady told me it is the last one in Illinois - next year it is going to be in Cincinnati - so am glad I finally made it!

And a word on Cooper - he is recoving very quickly - so all of your prayers have surely been answered - Now to just be able to keep him in a quiet mode - not an easy task - but Monday will be 2 weeks down and 5 more to go! We are getting there!

Many Hugs,

Mary

COOPER IS HOME AND RECOVERING!

This post is not about sewing or my quilting, this is about my furry buddy, COOPER. Last week Cooper has surgery on his left hind leg - he tore is acu tendon so they had to repair his knee and he is on lots of pain meds and antibiotic and anti-inflamatory drugs. He can't run for 8 weeks or go for a walk - i have to keep him on a short leash to go outside to the bathroom and am putting ice on his leg 3 times a day for 15 minute intervals. He is being very brave and kisses me everytime I apply ice on his leg - what a trooper. I just love Labs - they are the sweetest most gentle dogs that I have ever had the honor of owning. Cooper is truly my buddy! Tomorrow will be one week down, 7 more to go...so will keep everyone updated on Cooper's recovery.

Lots of Hugs to all of you and your "special" furry friends,

Mary

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!

HAPPY EASTER!!!! HUGS MARY

Red Valance Finished!!!

Hello Everyone!!!!

This is what I have been up to for the last several weeks....making a valance for my sister's condo. Not a hard job - but the material she picked up at IKEA was very hard to work with and well, life got in the way a bit, so finally, finally finished it late last night and put it up for her today.

She has all Scandanavian furniture so it looks really good with her red chair and other items, not my taste but everyone is different I guess.

I do have so bad news, my puppy - Cooper has torn his ACL muscle in his leg - so has to be operated on next week - he has been limping so took him to the vet and they took xrays and well, next week he will be operated on to fix the torn muscle and then home to get better. They want me to crate him for 8 weeks - which I can not do, but will keep him on his leash and will limit exercise - walks. Oh I am so sad for him as he just loves to run in the backyard with the little boys across the street...he is such a sweet dog! sO PLEASE say lots of prayers for him next week!

Youngest daughter, received her class ring last week - here are some pics of her! This is my Mom with her - mom looks good for 87 yrs old!! And here are some with her friends...

And of course, I am especially proud of this one....

This is what happens when you lend your camera to her because she forgot hers!!!! Don't know why it is sideways - oh the fun of High School Days!!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Easter Holiday and Spring!!!! It is 60 degrees today - YEAH!!

Many Hugs,

Mary

Borders on!!

Hi Fellow Bloggers,

Last week I added the borders to my Missouri Daisy Quilt....here are some pics...

the border is purple and yellow and I really liked how it turned out. Now to quilt it - I have to quilt this one by hand not machine so will let you know progress. Went to the quilt store today to get backing for quilt and picked out a pretty purple/brown/yellow small flower.

Also have some cute pics of Cooper...I just couldn't resist, and my computer is up and running and so am very happy!! It's faster now too!! Just loving it,

Hugs to all,

Mary

YELLOW SASHING ON!!

HERE ARE SOME PICS OF THE YELLOW SASHING SEWN ONTO BLOCKS. I REALLY AM PLEASED WITH HOW IT LOOKS! THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL YOUR KIND AND HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS....NOW FOR THE BORDER!

HUGS,

MARY

I THINK I HAVE A WINNER!!

First of all, many thanks to all you ladies to have commented to me about the sashing possibilities for the Missouri Daisy Quilt...after many auditions with different colors, I think that some of the sashing fabric was taking away from the Daisy Block itself. So I switched gears and found this yellow small print that I think looks much better with the blocks. I just layed out the blocks on the fabric, have not cut any fabric strips yet and I liked what I saw... sorry for the quality of the photos but I think you can actually see the blocks better with a more muted yellow small print. Do you like?

Thank you all again for all your suggestions,

Many Hugs,

Mary

MISSOURI DAISY SASHING OPTION???

WAS PLAYING WITH THE STRIPS TODAY SEEING HOW I LIKED THE LOOK OF THE DIFFERENT SIZE STRIPS FOR SASHING AROUND BLOCKS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS ME OR DOES SOMETHING SEEM OFF...MAYBE I SHOULD USE JUST ONE SIZE AND ONE COLOR TO SEPARATE BLOCKS? THEN I THOUGHT MAYBE I SHOULD JUST BUTT THEM UP AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, I DON'T KNOW, PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR IDEAS...

NOW I HAVEN'T SEWN THE STRIP TOGETHER YET, AM STILL PLAYING WITH THEM. I COULD JUST USE ONE YELLOW STRIP (ABOUT 1 1/2 INCHES WIDTH) TO FRAME BLOCKS, JUST THINKING OUT LOUD HERE...


I DON'T KNOW, WHAT DO ALL YOU LADIES THINK?

THANKS AND MANY HUGS,


MARY

P.S. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALL MISSOURI DAISY BLOCKS

Here is a picture of all the blocks for my Missouri Daisy Quilt:

Here is another view:

Now all I have to do is figure out how I want to piece the blocks together. I have been cutting strips all afternoon, so as soon as I get it laid out again with the strips, I will post a picture. In the magazine it says just to "bump" each block together, but I think it would more interesting if I used strips made out of the daisies and stars. What do you think??

Open to suggestions,

Hugs to All,

Mary