Shake your Pom Poms

Today is the last day of the "Shake your Pom Poms" with our cheerleader Thearica, has been the best!
What a lot of wonderful creativity.  Who knew you could make so many things with pom poms! It has been amazing.

I am so honored that Lynn, atthimblemouseandspouse.blogspot.com tried my idea and made a sea urchin out of q-tips.

Then she showed the urchin with her mouse in a bikini, using my favorite birds as a  back drop!

I am  currently getting ready for the next big hop,  "It's for the Birds". I am the cheerleader this time , chosen by Madame Samm at sewwequilt.com.
I am hard at work on my "Birds".

Hope everyone is having a great day.
Keep sewing!
Mary

Shake your Pom Poms

I am so pleased to have been chosen for most creative on my day to show my  pom pom creation!  Thank you Madame Samm.  They were so much fun to make.

April 29

Accio Fabric

Quiltsmiles

Scrapbook-chickadoodle

In The Sewing Basket

life, quilts and a cat too

Debby Kratovil Quilts

Just Let Me Quilt

Meadowbrook

April 30

I Like To Quilt Blog

Sew Incredibly Crazy

Thimblemouse & Spouse

Cate`s Linens

Around the Homestead

Buzzing and Bumbling

les passions de Cliodana

Bumbleberry Stitches

Sew We Quilt

Here is the schedule for the last two days.  Be sure to stop by and checkout these creative ladies.

Have a great day!

Mary

April Showers Bring May Flowers and POM POMS!

This is the Fox River, here in Oswego, IL.  After we came back from Buffalo, New York, we checked out some of what had happened while we were gone.  When we left, it was during a rain storm that brought over 8 inches of rain.

See all that debris?? That is how high the river got.  There is  about a 3 foot hill to the road, All of this was under water.

There is a small creek in downtown Oswego, that flows into the river.  Here is the damage  from the water.  The force was so great the concrete stanchions all fell over.

The view of the river from Hudson Park, in downtown.  The bit of sidewalk was under too.

The flower is Hungarian Rhapsody daffodil.  We came home to  daffodils blooming everywhere.

This is the new dam in Yorkville.  The water is so powerful.

Magnolias are starting to bloom, too.

How about the Pom Pom Hop!  Wow, can you believe all the different things turning up ?  Who knew you could do so many creative things with pom poms. Tomorrow morning starts the beginning of the last couple of days for this great hop.  Thearica of PigTalesandQuilts is doing an awesome job of organizing.

Have a great day!
Mary

Shake Your Pom Poms

Today is my day to show what I created.  My first bouquet is q-tip pom pom flowers.   There are five Styrofoam balls, with about 900 q-tips between them.  After they were stuck in the balls, I dipped each flower in, diluted with water, pink paint.  I even made the leaves from fabric.

The flowers are on wooden dowels, which I then wrapped in green fabric strips.  As I wrapped the stems, I added the leaves.  The leaves are made of fabric that has been heat and bonded, then cut out free form.

Here is a closeup of the flowers. Only the tips are painted.

 "Tippy Tulip" the bear, thought the flowers looked very Springy!

For my second bouquet I used the Clover Pom Pom maker in  the small and medium sizes to create my flowers, which are made of fabric strips. I used a variety of prints and solids to make the flower heads.  Again, I put each pom pom on a wooded dowel and added green strips of fabric around the stem.  The leaves were made by me, also.  Bonded fabric, added as I wrapped the stems.

Here is a closeup of the flowers.

These bouquets were a lot of fun to make.  

"Tippy Tulip" liked this bouquet, too.

She really had a hard time deciding which one she liked the most.  Tippy is going to a special party on Sunday and is going to take the bouquets with her.
Now wouldn't these be perfect to give as a gift for Mother's Day.  After all, Mother's Day is May 12th.

Please be sure to stop by all the other creative ladies today.  Let's see what other wonderful ladies have made.

April 25

Mhairi

Just Sew Sue

I Piece 2 – Mary

Get More Done...Today

Scraps of Life

Dancing Thru-Threads

Needle d

Sowing Stitches

Thank you Thearica, of www.pigtalesandquilts.com for setting up this fun hop.  Madame Samm of www.Sewwequilt.com has done another outstanding job of creating this great hop. Thank you.

This is a great way to "think outside the box".

Have a fun filled day.  I hope this little breath of Spring will inspire you.

Mary

It's for the Birds update

Good Evening Everyone

I wanted to alert you, that I have had to go out of town until Tuesday.

As soon as I get back I will continue to verify websites for "It's for the Birds." 

I have received some e-mails  today and am saving them to double check when I arrive back home. For a few of you, I have updated my master list, but not the list that is on my blog.  When I get back, I will send another list, to double check.  Hopefully, A T & T will not continue to think I was trying to send spam.  This is going to be a great hop with about 110 bloggers.

 

In our attempts to leave town this morning, it took over two hours to drive to an expressway that normally would only take 20 minutes.  Our town, as my husband put it, was ground zero for over 8 inches of rain.  Towns, schools, and roads were closed because of the flooding.  Once we got to I-80, we were able to move along.  We had rain until Toledo, Ohio.  We have not heard any updates yet.  When we left, more rain was still expected. Now we are hearing rain is expected here in Buffalo, New York,too.

 

I have no idea why a few of you were not able to leave comments.  I can only think it has had to do with the weather.  I hope everyone is safe and dry. 

 

Take care,

Mary

 

 



"It's for the Birds"

Good morning ladies, Due to circumstances beyond my control I am having to post the schedule for "It's for the Birds" here today.  We are three weeks away for everyone to see the wonderful projects that are being created.  I hope everyone is busy working on theirs. I am working on mine.

It is time for everyone to check their link and let me know if it works.  There are two ladies that do not have blogs and I need them to make sure they contact me.  Madame Samm has shut down "that other blog" and we need to make alternate arrangements for you to show your projects.  I will help out by using my blog for you.  

I would like to remind everyone to stay on theme.  "Birds" is the word.  Please do not post about other interests on your day.  The bloggers are checking out the "Birds".

If you want to run a contest and have a prize or prizes that is great. Everyone loves contests!  Keep it simple.  Make sure your word verification is off.  It is just too hard to read those numbers and letters, especially us older folks.

Please respond back and let me know if I have to you set up right.  If you need to change your date or cannot participate, let me know now  It is easy to change now, hard to change at the last minute.

I hope everyone is as excited about this hop as I am. I can't wait to see all the great "Bird" projects.

Tuesday, May 7

http://www.fiberbabble.com

http://Sewincrediblycrazy.blogspot.com

www.SquawkThat.com

http://Scrapatches.blogspot.com

http://Kwiltypleasures.blogspot.com

www.sowingstitches.blogspot.com

www.justquiltit.blogspot.com

http://krislovesfabric.blogspot.com

http://apassionforapplique.blogspot.com

http://catsngits2.blogspot.com

http://dancingmoon-carla.blogspot.com

wwwiliketoquiltblog.blogspot.com

http://bumbleberrystitchn.wordpress.com

http://Sewandsowfarm.blogspot.com

http://Ipiece2-Mary.blogspot.com

http://sharon-dancingthruthreads.blogspot.com

Wednesday, May 8

http://sunshinequilting.blogspot.com

http://feltfree-p.blogspot.no

http://busyascanbe.blogspot.com

http://quiltdoodledesigns.blogspot.com

http://buzzingandbumbling.blogspot.com

http://patchouli-moon-studio.blogspot.om

http://ecoughlindesigns.blogspot.com

http://mywhittleadventures.blogspot.com

http://SewMuch2Luv.blogspot.com

www.natilittletings.blogspot.com

http://justletmequilt.blogspot.com

http://ncweekendquilter.blogspot.com

http://Selinaquilts.blogspot.com

http://saneandcrazy.blogspot.com

http://abis-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com

http://roseprairiequilts.blogspot.com
http://marlarockscrafts.blogspot.com

Thursday, May 9

http://Charlottescreationsanew@blogspot.com

http://englating.se/wp

http://lauraluvsloons.blogspot.com

http://marjoriesbusycorner.blotspot.ca

http://ruffhaven.blogspot.com

www.pigtalesandquilts.com

http://debbykratovilquilts.blogspot.com

http://why-knot-kwilt.blogspot.com

http://beaquilter.com

http://gwenbru.blogspot.com

http://pccrafty.blogspot.com

www.janesfabrics.blogspot.com

http://suze-gahouse.blogspot.com

http://pumpkinpatchquilter.blogspot.com

http://sherry-blessingsfromoutnest.blogspot.com

http://zellerwear.blogspot.com

http://crafting365days.blogspot.com.au

Friday, May 10

http://ssparrowinflight.blogspot.com

http://Hillvalleyquilter.blogspot.se

http://mcsgrd.blogspot.com

http://loveitsewit.blogspot.com

http:mtnmommy2.blogspot.com

http://piecepeacenc.blogspot.com

http://grammieq.blogspot.com

http://meadowbrook-Kristen.blogspot.com

http://scrapbook-ChickADoodle.blogspot.com

www.craftyshenanigans.blogspot.co.uk

http://Stitchingbythebeach.blogspot.com

www.thebusybeequiltshop.blogspot.com

http://morestarsincomanche.blogspot.com

http://lesquilts.blogspot.ca

http://Janesquilting.blogspot.com

http://suebeesworld.blogspot.com

Monday, May 13

http://www.quiltsmilesblogspot.com

http://sewdarnquilt.blogspot.com

www.cindycraftycreations.blogspot.com

http://madebymeinred.blogspot.com

http://featherdneststudio.com

http://cmyprims.blogspot.com

http://ukcitycrafter.wordpress.com

www.gracieoliverarts.blogspot.com

http://cateslinens.blogspot.com

http://quilterinthecloset.blogspot.com

http://quilttotheedge.blogspot.com

www.caliquilter.com/blog/

http://sewpeacetopeace.blogspot.com
http://aroundthehomestead.blogspot.com

pamela-kieffer.blogspot.com

Tuesday, May 14

www.thatlookslikeitneedsstitches.blogspot.com

http://www.intheboondocks.blogspot.com

http://mychellem.blogspot.com

www.thimblemouseandspouse.blogspot.com

www.quiltingandsewingarts.com

http://Sewgratefulquilts.wordpress.com

www.aquiltingsheep.com

http://tricia-ramblingsofaquilter.blogspot.com

http://www.grecomara.blogspot.gr

http://sewmanyyarns.blogspot.com

www.moosestashquilting.blogspot.com

http://bethstrand.wordpress.com

http://quilttoo.blogspot.com
http://teatimecreations.blogspot.ca/

Wednesday, May 15

http://daisyandjack.blogspot.com

http://cariboucrossingchronicles.blogspot.ca

www.notionnanny.blogspot.com

http://crookedgulleyartquilts.blogspot.com

http://Karamino.blogspot.com

http://celticthistlestitches.blogspot.com

http://www.freshcutquilts.com

www.sewmolliesue.com

http://devotedquilter.blogspot.com

http://mystitchin-n-stuff.blogspot.com

http://quiltscapesquilting.blogspot.com

http://kocanquilt.blogspot.com

http://createinthesticks.blogspot.com

http://quiltingwithterryandthecats.blogspot.com

http://Sewwequilt.com

I think Spring has sprung!  Have a great week.

Mary, Cheerleader!

e-mail me at Quilter.maw@sbcglobal.net

Latest quilts

I did get busy and sewed borders on the two quilts I made while on the cruise in February.  I like how this one turned out. When I get them back from the quilter I will show you the back.  I had quilters sign signature blocks and I arranged them on the backing of the quilt.

Easy Street is done.  I am working on the backing for the quilt.  I did use Bonnie Hunter's color scheme for this one.  Ron loves this color combination.  Looks like I have another quilt for our bed.

This one is bound and done!  Notice I put  hexagon shaped buttons in  each flower.The hexagons are 3/4 inch appliqued on  a background fabric, then sewn together.  It was another good take along project.

Here is the second quilt from the trip.  It is one of those strip quilt made from  a Bali Pop pack.  I  am pleased with how it turned out.  Backing is made for this quilt too.
I have had a good week working on quilt tops and getting them ready to send to be quilted.  Once again it does not look like I have gotten rid of any fabric from my sewing room.

Have a great day sewing.
Mary

Thursday Sew

Sharon has been working on this quilt for a friends birthday.  She has been  raw-edge appliqueing it.  It is going to be used as a signature quilt at the birthday party.

Karen made this great quilt. It started out being a disappearing  nine patch. She was not pleased  with how it was turning out, so she added the machine embroidered and paper pieced birdhouse blocks. We all liked her results.

Sharon has been working on this "Stitchers Garden" quilt.  She  used a wonderful mixture of fabrics for the flowers and framing.

The embroidery Karen did on her quilt.  Love the cardinals.

Close up of one of the flowers on Sharon's quilt.

Here is the close up of the bird house on Karen's quilt.  Once again the Thursday group has been productive.
 It is amazing how much we all get done. We have such a great time, sewing and chatting. We love to go to lunch at the little restaurant across the street.

Happy sewing.  Have a great day.
Mary

Orchids

I'm sorry, I can't tell you the names of my orchids, but I can show you what is blooming right now.   This orchid is  re -blooming. It one of the ones I had received when my Dad passed away last July.  It is part of a big basket that holds 4 pots of orchids. It is yellow.

This one has been here for several years. This one my sister  purchased for me  when she visited 4 years ago. Each time she visited, she added another one to my collection. The color is a light green.

I just saw this morning this one was blooming.  It is one of the orchids I have purchased from Hauserman's in Villa Park.  This orange orchid has not bloomed before.

This one is just starting to bloom. It is green with red veins through it.

Christmas cactus is blooming too.  These plants will be going outside for the summer soon.

The pictures down from here were taken a couple of weeks ago.  You can see some of the stems that have blooms on them, and are blooming in the pictures above.  The flowers will last a long time, a couple of weeks or more. The orange one probably won't last that long. It also takes a long time for the blooms to open up.

All my orchids are on window sills that are facing west and north.

You can see the buds growing on this one.

This is a corner window. I have a table that sits in the corner  that holds the Christmas cactus.

You can see buds on this one too.

My table with the Christmas cactus.

After my Dad moved up by me, my sister Linda came to visit.  She purchased an orchid for each of us as a gift while she was visiting.  Dad's orchid ended up at my house.  He liked to visit Hauserman's to see all the gorgeous orchids. They have an open house  the end of February each year.  We would go and I would take pictures of the beautiful flowers.  Well that started me buying a couple of the cheaper ones to try to grow.  Some of these plants can cost up to $100. or more.  I went for cheaper $10.00 to $20.00.  So each year I have gotten a couple more.

I do not do anything special for them.  They sit in the windows all year round, so they are getting plenty of light. I water them about every 2 weeks, or when I think about it.  Now and then I will take each off the shelf, out of the outer pot and set them in a sink full of water for at least an hour.  They are not planted in dirt. Every pot has bark in it. The water soaks in and keeps them moist for a while. If one of them dies, I don't feel like I have a lot invested. I think it has become a challenge, to see if I can get them to bloom.  They are so pretty.  It is also a pleasant reminder of one of the things Dad and I liked to do.

Give orchids a try. They aren't as hard to grow.
Have a great day.

Mary

Presents and updates

This wonderful piece of machine embroidery was sent to me by my sweet friend in Sweden, Johanna. She writes three blogs. One is about her embroidery, which a lot of is done by hand.  One blog is about Sweden and the third one is about her friends.  It is hard to believe they still have a lot of snow there. Spring is springing here finally.

For my birthday in February, I received these wonderful presents. Jo made the cute mouse pincushion. Karen knows I love Flamingo's, so she machine embroidered this cute pillow for me, and Marilyn made this quilt police pincushion.

My friend Jan gave me this wonderful bag of vintage yo yos.  There were finished one, which Charlies is counting for me, and fabric already cut and ready to make into more yo yos.  I love it.  This is a great take along project.   

From my quilting friend in France, I received this adorable fabric basket. (Just noticed, Charlies is checking this out too.)

Along with the basket came this plastic hexagons, to aid my progress in my  quest to make them.  There is a bag of goodies to much on, and this cute tray. I love trays, as they come in handy when I am stitching or crafting in the evening.

I made these two zipper pouches on Monday that I am giving to friends.

I know I have not written anything since Amy Bradley was here the end of March.  I so loved her class. I  still need to work on my project from her workshop.
Easter weekend I came down with something. Friday night I was up sick all night.  Saturday morning I finally fell asleep.  Whatever it was wore my out. I slept for the rest of the weekend. Easter Sunday, my husband made dinner.  I had shopped and planned to make a special dinner.  He made a bare bones meal, so he and Andy could eat. Ron  had baked the ham, and made scalloped potatoes and a vegetable.  I slept through it all.  By Monday I was trying chicken noodle soup.  I have still been feeling dumpy and not eating much.  (I guess this is the start of a diet?)

I have been sort of keeping busy. I have gotten a couple of quilt bound.  They have been sitting with the machine part done for many months. Now finally the hand part is done.
Time to get that energy back.  Spring seems to be here. We had the windows open the other day. It was so nice to have some fresh air in the house.  Some crocus, and miniature iris and daffodils have started to bloom.

In my efforts to reduce the clutter in our house, I have been cleaning out some closets and rearranging  them.  Now I have a big pile of things to donate. We have even worked on the garage.  Our house does not have a basement. I still have not decided if this is a good thing.  We have a crawl space. Unfortunately one half of it has a lot of things stored there.  It too is getting cleaned out.

I am keeping busy.  I am working on my Pom Poms for the next blog hop. Also, busy organizing "It's for the Birds", blog hop.  We will be traveling to Buffalo, New York, next week for the memorial service for Ron's step-dad's wife Betty.  She was a wonderful sweet lady. We are driving so have things to get ready for that.

Have a great rest of the week. Keep sewing!
Mary