Hint of Spring

We have the first jonquils of the year. Our wild jonquils in the woods produced four blooms in the warm snap this weekend. We had friends in from Minnesota this weekend and really enjoyed their company. We made our first-ever trip to the Georgia Aquarium. Aside from a couple thousand young cheerleaders, it was an awesome experience.

On The Road Again

Seems like everytime I blog, I've been to a class. You must think I have a lot to learn. This past weekend, I have been to Quilting By The Bay's Paradise Retreat. QBTB is located in Panama City. Sandy and Al, the owners, are absolutely wonderful people and their shop is delightful. My teacher was Penny Haren. Penny has a unique technique for applique paper piecing. Using freezer paper and appliques, you create blocks that make you wonder "how did she do that." Kimberly Einmo was one of the other instructors and led the mystery quilt. My mystery quilt is still a mystery as I am challenged on reading instructions and totally messed up the first blocks. I am at a crossroads of doing the frog quilting technique (rip it, rip it) or just forging ahead to see what comes out.

My BFF (Best Fabric Friend), Pam, and I are on the road home. Tomorrow is back to reality and work.

Rainy Days and Mondays

I am reminded of the song... Rainy Days and Mondays get me down. Although it's not rainy, it's plenty cold which gets me down. daa daa daa dee dah

Last week was my second Sulky Certification Training. I would encourage you to go, but then what would be the point of my being certified if everyone knew how to make the projects. My favorite project was a "jewelry tray" which I would use as a good basket. It was quick and easy. When I figure out how to post a picture, I'll put one up. I don't know if I'm techically challenges with blogs or just intimidated. Need to overcome the fear!

Getting Blogged Down

I've gotten into the blogs. I have 14 blogs in my RSS feeds. I may have to quit getting e-mail so I can keep up with blogs. Blogs are a great way to get updates from your friends and crafty pals on what they are doing.

I just added my first blog to my blog... ta dah! It is Silver Thimble Talk which is authored by a great teacher and friend, Pat Wys. I took Pat's class at QBTB last January. If you have a chance to take a class from her, you should. There is a motive behind adding her to my blog... she's running a contest and this gets me another entry! Click on over to read what's up with Pat.

Summer in Atlanta

I feel like I'm melting. It's one of the hottest summers on record. We've had a good crop of tomatoes. They are just about the fizzle out, though. I'll really miss them in December when they will be a faint memory. If you have never tried okra on the grill, you should. Spray it with a little olive oil, sprinkle with garlic pepper, and throw it on the grill until tender. Umm, good.

Spring in Atlanta

The pollen has arrived. It seems like a long time since we were covered in pollen at the beach. The good comes with the bad...the dogwoods and azaleas are in bloom and beautiful. We could use a good rain, though.

This Easter brought new revelations to me in the sacrifice our Lord made for us. On Good Friday, six of our former/present/related pastors conducted a service on the last words on Christ. It was all powerful. Our Sunday school and church service were further inspirational. My circle sister, Patsy, brought forward a suggestion for a blooming cross. It was a beautiful metaphor for the new beginning we will experience at the end of our earthly life.

Quilting Classes Again

I just love Quilting by the Bay! Last week, they sponsored classes by Judy Neimeyer, owner of www.quiltworx.com. Sandy (QBTB) brings in the best for her classes. While giving her instructions, Judy also entertained us with stories of her family and hints of her antics during her younger life.

I attended three classes and started Stepping Stones, Island Sunrise, and ThistlePods quilts. I started the week strong finishing seven Stepping Stones blocks. Sue (QBTB) told me her husband would think my ThistlePods fabric was boring. Most people were using batiks. My fabric was more traditional (came from my stash). The good news about Judy's classes is she requires you to cut all your fabric before class. I'm much more likely to finish these quilts since the cutting is all done.

Poor Biscuit never adjusts to Central Time at the beach or the fact that I'm on vacation. She sticks with our normal 6:00-rise-and-shine routine. Of course, I stayed up late watching the Olympics, so not much sleep.

On Sunday, I was wearing my flip flops at the beach. Pollen was floating everywhere. My car was a nice shade of yellow. It felt like Spring! Joe and I came home to Smyrna, GA yesterday where the weatherman was calling for snow... and snow we got. Today was cold, wet, and there is a dusting of snow on the ground. March came in like a Lion!