Can I Get a Do Over?

I have let my readers down I get so caught up in life
and I forget to stop and smell the roses. I need to get
 back to blogging I think what holds me back is I don't
know all the ins and outs of the art. It is easier to give 
up than to take on the challenge. Boohoo! I need to
grab this bugger by the horns  and buck this baby in gear!

So what I am saying is I am going to "Post More" and
believe me there is enough for me to write about! And
for those of you not in the quilting world. This is a BIG
couple of  weekends going on here in Houston it is the
International Quilt (market an festival) Show. Oh yes
I will be there!!! You can bet your BattinG! I will try
and take some Pictures to share here on "JALB" so
plezzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz back and check it out! Would
you do me a favor tell your friends to visit my blog it
would be an encouragement for me! Also would you
please sign in and leave a comment, it's the only way
I will know you stopped by. Love you and BLOG you later!

Bring out the Designer in Me....

I issued a challenge to my friend and co-worker
using a Fat Quarter of my picking and she in turn
would pick one for me. So I had a fat quarter of
those ladies on the beach with peach and pear and
apple etc. bottoms really cute fabric. I was really
excited to see what she would bring me, well later
that night she called me and asked my favorite color.
Thinking to myself at least it will be something I
wouldn't mind looking at. When I got to work the
next day I ran in to see my fabric and she announced
that she would be making a quick trip down 59 south to
pick up my fabric (lunch break). So anticipating it's
arrival later that day I tried to imagine what I will do.
 So on their way out I yelled "make it a challenge"
"bring me an ugly piece of fabric", well that was a mistake!
When they returned all excited I jumped up to get it ...
and out of  the bag came this fabric..................

She said the look on my face was priceless. Any way as

you can see by the cut outs I didn't use much of the feathered

fabric. Well being the resourceful person that I am I did

ask for the opinions of my higher beings :o) ( The P&P clan)

and after I reviewed all the possibilities and all contemplation

this is what it lead to.......................

No I am not a cat
person, but he is a
little cute huh?
OK so as you saw
above I had alot of
the feathers left over
so that is what I used
on the back, perfect
fit and it serves as a
reminder of the orig.
fabric (mental note
here remember this)use
a piece of the original
fabric on the back...
simple but RICH touch!
We are our own worst
critics, He could have
been a little straighter?

I used the (come to think of it this is a border fabric) red and

blue stripe for binding any way enough of that gloating. Here

is what my friend Pam's fat quarter rendered. A cute reversible 

beach bag,with pockets and strangely placed handles.You can

 not see the handles here but they are placed front to back.

Life is full of challenges, take them and sew on them ! 

Extra Extra,UFP update.............

Well I am making slow-progress on my latest
U-n F-inished P-roject. It's the Pebble Rippel
quilt that more than likely will have a new name
before it's done. LOL  I started it 2 retreats ago
and worked on it agin this last retreat and  I continue
to work on it because it is still a UFP.

I am sewing
the rows
togather now.
It will have a
border to make
 it float and
then a pieced
brder to go
that extra mile.
When you put
forth alot of
effort to make
a quilt look nice
Go that extra
mile to make it
  G R E A T !
You can do it!
You are Worth It !

Cool Gadgets ! !

I love a cool gadget.....My friend  Marty had this on her
table at this last retreat and as we sat there the more
I had to have it. So I pulled out my "smart phone" and
pulled that puppy up and 1 2 3 it was on it's way to my
house. It's from a scrapbook company and it's called
 "Scrap Mabob"?

Spencer  says "Mommy likes it cause the bag is deeper

and the cup holder will hold a large diet Dr.P " Ruff!

..........and the other Pictures

The next 2 quilts are my friend Lauren's. I wish
I would have taken more pictures but I was working
and it went by so fast. And I want to mention Lauren
Won 6 ribbons out of 8 quilts entered, not a bad
percentage.

  The next quilt belongs to my other friend "Pamela"
This is her "Tree of Life" such a beautiful wall hanging
and the colors ....awesome.

And the last quilt here just something that caught my
eye... Maybe one day project?

Other Quilting Profesionals I know...

This  is  Pam
She  won  a
First Place Ribbon
 on her first quilt
entered in a show
ever.It  is  Hand
appliqued and
Hand Quilted
(it only took 10
years to finish)
But it truly dose
deserve the ribbon
it adorns.
Congrats..my
friend... Thanks
for the feathers
LOL..........

West Houston Quilters Guild ...Quilt Show!

This is the first time I have ever entered ANYTHING

ANYWHERE? I have been so blesses with a great group

of quilting buddies and they have all contributed to my

knowledge in some way form or fashion. I have been quilting

now for approx. 4.5 years and have done about 15quilts.

I never thought of putting them in the show (I'm kinda shy

 like that :0) Any way I finally broke down and decided to

 put 2 quilts in this show.The first one is my prize possession

( I thought) it's my One Block Wonder? Then the second

one is a quilt I designed from a little 2"x 3" picture I saw in a

magazine that the article was about the batting (no pattern)

9 patches.That was it, that was all I was going to do and

when I told my bee they couldn't believe I was not entering

 "My Bella Senoras" quilt.They didn't stop till I entered it in

 the show and I am glad they did. It was the WINNER.

I entered my first quilt show three quilts and one out of three
 isn't bad. I won First Place in - machine applique/ machine
quilted 2 person quilt category.  Might I add, its on for next
year....I couldn't even sleep thinking of 2013 quilt show LOL.

 One Block Wonder  "Moonlit Jungle"

Soft 9 Patch       "Sweet Lady Amanda" 

 

                                                                                   

And the WINNER IS........."Bella Senoras"

O' I can not believe I am going to post "MY Picture"
but the only reason is because I can not find a pic of
this quilt by itself.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sorry, I don't know how to rotate this picture ;o(
But isn't it CUTE ?

Retreat, Did someone say retreat????

OMG...so as I mentioned in my last post "I found a few things
for retreat". That's right last weekend was the Red Barn Retreat
3 days of sewing ,eating, sleeping, eating, laughing, more sewing...
O did I mention eating? Six home cooked meals with fresh home-
made bread and dessert at EVERY meal, yes that's right "6". No
I didn't need it but I did at least taste all of it.I will say I did not
over do it but I did take care of the urge to eat it all by just taking
a bite and walking away. Koodoos to me for that!

Well there is a plan to this whole retreat thing...you need to take at
least 3 or 4 projects ( make sure you take everything you need for
those projects). You should always take a least one that is almost
done, because you have got to have at least one TA DA moment :0)
while you there it's a esteem booster.

So here is a picture of my prep for my TaDa project and then ...

you guessed it,  TA DA ! !

  Ok, Next is a quilt I have had in my head for a while now
that I saw in a book. When I was still working for BB Quilts
Paula designed a fabric line, that as soon as I saw it I thought
of this quilt. The line of fabric is Reflections of an Era Past
it is awesome! I started to piece it at the last retreat last year
and have not been able to pick it up till now and although I
had 2 days of straight sewing it is still a work in progress.

Here is a sneak peak of it...........  I hope to have more
done next weekend and you know I will share with you.
That is pretty much all I got done that weekend aside
from all the lunch and laughter :0) Stay tuned...next post
Quilt Show...OMG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What shall I post first?

So much has happened in the past few weeks. I've decided
to post them in the order in which they happened.  First I was
able to go on the shop hop with my friends A few weeks ago
on my Friday off. I was so excited I could hardly stand it :0)
It was a blast Me,Penny,Pamela and Georgia in our car and
Celeste,Pat,Hilde and Lavita (feel like I'm missing someone)
in the other car.We hoped from store to store and found treasures
along the way. Of coarse the real reason we get to gather is the

 "Lunch and Laughter" and we were off again...
I found a couple things I needed for retreat and to design this
cute little "Green" apron below.

Now Keep in mind we have our quilt show in a couple weeks
and everyone on the committee had to design their own apron
and this is my Ode to Tom Russell..................

Sir Spencer Humphrey Today ....

A little Longer and as cute as ever....

He's got a case of funny hair every where, my mom
wants to cut it. But I think it gives him Caricature !

O
R

Y
O
U

C
A
N

C
A
L
L

M
E


Bubba ...... LOL  :})

I will.... I will.......

  OK here we go I am not as talented as Some of My friends
Hint Hint "Tom Russell" when it comes to writing a blog.
But I would like to think I do a pretty good job...OK ......
Fair job at it?  I am missing my quilting family a lot, do
 to my new job but I am truly blessed to have found it with
the economy the way it is.
   OK, Now since you heard mention of a Dear friend, Meet
Tom Russell at his "New Blog"  He is such a great teacher
and very talented quilter. He shares his love of the art with
every one. And just has the sweetest spirit about him, so go
check him out at the link below...You are in for a treat ! ! !
 http://tomrussellquilts.wordpress.com/

  As for me I have been busy with the new job, but I have
managed to get a few things done. I finished my round
robin (un even grid) blocks for March and April. I went
a head and finished April's to get ahead in case something
came up... you know how that happens...Right?
 I also finished 72 blocks for an all over quilt exchange
with a group of friends that I'm so excited about and can
not wait to see come to gather. I might shoot to break
the record of most quilts entered in WHQG show by
any one person at one time....Now of corse that will be
in 2013 :0) but it's a GOAL !!! Lets see how that goes?

Speaking of quilt shows the "West Houston Quilt Guild"...
Presents " In a Quilters Garden" quilt show this year.
At the  Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy Texas.
Located at : 6301 South Stadium Lane Katy,Tx. 77494
Right off  I-10 freeway. I will have 3 quilts in this show
and it is my first time to enter any quilt anywhere !
Quilt Show Virgin...Yep..This is it and even if I don't
win a ribbon it is all for the experience and FUN.
 
Well I do have a lot of things going on that I want to
do and as I do I will post them and try to be a better
blogger. I also will work on getting the photos from
my camera to my computer to share (TOM).:0)
That's it for today Blog you Latter. XOXO's

Oh and This Came along too,,,,,

Meet Sir Spencer Humphrey***

The days are gone by....

   Hi all I've missed blogging and soo much has been
going on.Such is life, and we adjust adapt and over
come. I  was  happyat Bonnie Blue Quilts and just
when you get settled He rocks the boat to remind
you Who is in control. When I realized I was going
to be looking for a new job....I Thought, What can
I do NOT to have to return to the" Retail Sales"
world. I thought about Curves, and the YMCA. But
 I thought about A Church, I am sure there is alot
of work that needs to be donein a Church and I
would love to be in that kind of enviorment!
   Well the next thing I knew I had a friend who's
daughterworks at a Bible College (Church enviorment)
 Loooooong story short,  I start my new job this Monday
and I am so excited! God knows His plans for me
and they are Good, and they are designed for me.
Sometimes we try to "Drive" the car and we take
detours and wrong turns when all we have to do is
give God the  steering wheel. And believe in "YOU"
You know I use to think about these people in the
streets and even though my heart ached and even
though I gave money. I thought they don't have to
be there they CHOOSE to be there. I know sometime
life is hard and you may get a bad deal. But you have
the same opportunity as the most successful
people in the world. Lets face it "Life Is What it is,
 It's up to you "What you do with it"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's about choice , God gives us the FREEDOM to choose?
What will you Choose ???

Quick Hi....

I just wanted to stop and say Hi, I've been so busy
with Life. But wanted to wish everyone a great
New Year and a healthy one I will blog at you later.

Which way did it go?

   Well I missed all of last month blogging, and all of last month
in general...gone. All that's left is the memories but that's OK
because they are all Good Ones! I had a wonderful Christmas
this year filled with fun, friends, parties, and food (a lot of food).
So last year was a bluer it went fast so I'm glad I journal
some memories and scrapped it too (good pictures) sorry I
can not share them they are not on my computer maybe this
year if I can get a better camera (a Goal).
   More about this year later I am working my planner right
now and I will share at a later date.......
   I do know one thing its going to be a BIG YEAR!
blog you later love you and may your 2011 be full of
the things that really matter!!!
Shout out to Cindy, thanks for reading and encouragement!

I'm Done !!!!!!!!!!!!

Well that's it I have just finished my Christmas shopping.
More importantly than the gifts are the memories I had
at the moment of purchase or hunt of that paticular person.
I will say that if you are having a hard time finding the right
thing for that special someone, it might be that you are
missing the most inportant eleminent your relationship with
them . My advice, when yall are talking.....LISTEN !!!!!
We humans are so vaine we are all about the   "ME" we
are always expressing our wants, desires ,needs, likes
and more. So if you listen you will find out what your
missing. It's so important, even more than that GIFT.
I love a Hand Made Gift......HINT HINT :0)
Happy shopping and remember LISTEN.

Anyone Hungry....?

Ready or not it's Thanks Giving Day on Thursday, time for
Family,Love,Fun and of corse FOOD ! My Daddy loved
this time of the year he was sure to have me and my  brother
here around the house most of the day. It's been 2 years since
he went home to be with the Lord and I do still miss him. But
I am very thankful for him and my mom for all the love they gave
and give to us. I also want to say I am very thankful for, my Bee
members and co-workers,and my Bosses they all have a special
place in my heart. I am Thank-FULL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Thanks Giving to everyone, I want to leave you with a
 thought. If there is any wonder where we are as humans , we
must wonder where we have been and what we are allowing
the world to do as a whole.WE must bring family back together
again, Sunday was once a day of family and rest now we work.
Just the other day it was announced that there will be stores open
on Thanks Giving Day (what is wrong with this picture?)
The problem is.... there will be customers at those locations
spending Money. A professor from some collage of business 
says that if it is a $ucce$$ more stores will follow suit next year..
Sad thing is the Monetary Value WE have put on the true meaning
of Christmas...I don't know it's jut a thought I have?

Don't think about it just do it.....

Almost every time I think I have time to sew or I need to finish
a project. I find my self piddling around and before I know it
I've ran out of time. I can not sew when there is stuff every where,
so my piddling around is cleaning. And I have to straighten up
before I can get started it's a vicious cycle.

So what I did last nite was PRE-pare to sew today, I cleaned
up last nite and this morning I was able to.... Just do it!!!!
I finished the last 30 blocks of the 72 I need for an exchange.
I still have time before they are due but I feel I can not start
something new till get ol' business done. Call me Crazy ?

And as for tomorrow I will be working on a new design
that I started at the last retreat and got stumped on what
I wanted to do. I have something in mind and so I will be
working on that tomorrow.... wish me luck . Blog at U later!

I made it ... Through and I enjoyed it !!!

Hi Everyone, I've also missed y'all I have been busy at Bonnie Blue
 and with market and festival. I had a blast but my body is craving a
 break. We had a really great show and I enjoyed seeing and meeting
a lot of quilters and hearing there stories. I did make a list and I did
set a budget and, woman to woman ( & man), well you must know
how that went :0) !!! We spent Monday unloading and filling orders
busy days,we had 4 kits SOLD OUT at the show and all of our new
quilts are on the web site you need to go check them out. Look for a
news letter for a warehouse sale coming soon. If you are not on the
list go to the website and request to be added to the news letter list ...
go to info@bonniebluequilts.com  Stay tuned I am going to be showing
all my findings, and hopefully some FINISHED projects SOOOOOOON
Blog y'all later. Leave a comment and let me know what you found.

Hello...R U Ready ?

 I am in the process of  narrowing down the most
important things that are on my list. Mostly by
prioritizing my "NEEDS". Oh I need to add a #4
to the things you need to know...SET A BUDGET !!!

 No worries let's just have FUN that's what it's all
about and get ready to walk and walk and walk.
Buzzard...I forgot to say there is one thing at the
festival you get FREE >>>  IDEAS. So take a
pen and paper and a camera !!!
Well I'm sleepy so blog you later......

Please sign in and comment on my blog.....Thnkx