My Favorite Fungus

A few weeks ago we had several days of rain (which seems to be a recurring theme around, since this past spring). After it cleared up, I looked out the front window and saw something strange. Upon inspection I found this really interesting "garden" of mushrooms of various kinds and colors. I just had to take (a lot) of photos.
This one formed a cup on top that collected water.

I think this is the same type of mushroom as the others above, but in a different stage of development.These were a beautiful bright yellow color, but we looked them up and found out that they are extremely poisonous.This group looks like the Mushroom Family- Papa, Mama, and Baby Mushroom, don't you think? And below, they are pictured a few days later.

I thought they were so beautiful and interesting, they inspired me to do a few quick sketches.

Daisy Update

Here is Daisy when we went to visit her in the hospital yesterday. She was feeling and acting fine- full of energy and wanting to come home with us. She has charmed everyone at the hospital.
This morning we got good news- she is coming home this afternoon! When this all started, there was some discussion about her prognosis because she's 10 years old- we don't consider her old, of course, but I guess she is approaching her "golden years".... she doesn't act or look like an old dog. But her bloodwork is looking better. We will still have to keep a very close eye on her. She will be on immunosuppressive drugs for a least a few months.

Thanks to everyone for your kind words and prayers.... they mean a lot to us. I am sure they have helped in her recovery. She means so much to us- after all, she is the baby of the family...





4:31 pm Update: It's good to be home............

Needing Prayers for Pup

Daisy has been in the hospital since Saturday night. I rushed her to the veterinary emergency room (thank goodness, we have one about 25 minutes away) at about 10 pm because she just didn't look right to me, and her ears and gums were very pale. She was diagnosed with Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia, which means that her immune system has gone haywire and is attacking her platelets. She is at a dangerous risk for hemorrhage. Please pray for her (and us!) We are a little worried. At least she is feeling well, not acting sick. But as I said, her platelets are so low that the vet said that even vigorous barking could set off bleeding. I am going to visit her today and take her some homemade food (chicken and brown rice and veggies). I will be so happy to see her. Hope she can come home soon.

Homecoming

Daughter was Homecoming Princess for the Sophomore Class at her college. We went to the basketball game on Friday night to see the "coronation"...
Below, she is with the Sophomore Class "prince".... Here she is with some of her friends....

And here she is with her boyfriend...
Last week we had to decide what she would wear. We thought that we could cut off the bottom of a formal dress that she already had, and turn it into a cocktail length dress. I went up to her college with sewing machine, sewing notions and supplies, trims, iron, etc. so I could work on the dress while I was up there. When I was about halfway there, I realized that I forgot to bring the dress that we were supposed to work on! Duh.... So I stopped at Target and just pulled one of everything off the racks and took $400 worth of dresses with me. She tried everything on, chose one, and then I had to return everything else on the way back home! Oh well, I think she ended up with a nicer dress, very classic that she can wear again many times. And it was on sale- so everything worked out OK. But I honestly couldn't believe that I forgot to take the dress- well, actually I CAN believe it- after all, I've done dumber things in my life!

Today I get to paint, something I don't get a chance to do much of anymore, but I have a good project to work on, so I am excited! Have a creative Monday.....

Look What I Did!

When I arrived home from Quilt Market last week, this was waiting for me in the mailbox... Daughter and I went to a quilt show about a month ago, and I saw a wool quilt by Maggie Bonanami that I thought would be great in my family room. It was available as a Block of the Month. Now, don't ask me WHAT IN THE WORLD possessed me to think that I'd have time to work on someone's else's design, you know, for my own enjoyment, in addition to developing my own designs. But I did sign up for it. I spent most of the weekend working on it, and tah-dah!!! I actually got Block #1 done! Yay!

I know this doesn't look like "my style"- when I design, my projects are much brighter and cottage-y in style. But my house is decorated in a style I would describe as country colonial with a little primitive thrown in. Go figure... I think I just like a lot of different kinds of styles and I'm just looking for an excuse to get them all into my life somehow!

Tonight we are going to the basketball game at daughter's college- she is on the Homecoming court as Sophomore class princess! I got her a lovely new black dress, I will post photos next week. Have a wonderful weekend.

Award Winning Booths at Quilt Market

Some booths that won awards at Fall Quilt Market in Houston...

First Place- Single Booth- Minnick and Simpson

First Place- Double Booth- Heather Bailey

Second Place- Double Booth- Amy Butler

Best Merchandising- Sandi Henderson

And this one didn't get an award, but I think it should have- so here is my favorite booth, by Blackbird Designs. I just love everything they do design-wise, and they are very nice and friendly, too.

That's it for the Quilt Market photos. I guess I will have to come up with something else to blog about now- haha.

Quilt Market Pals

The people I have met through Quilt Market are really wonderful... Me with Brenda from Acorn Quilt and Gift Company. I am so fond of Brenda- she has been so generous with her wisdom and advice. And of course, her designs are just gorgeous. She has a wonderful new line of fabric with Lecien called "Celebration."

Me and Lynette Anderson, a popular designer (and lovely lady) from Australia. You will love her designs, featuring applique and embroidery.
The girls from Melly and Me, also from Australia. It was my first chance to meet them, they are as fun as their wonderful designs. You will definitely be hearing more about them!

A couple of other designers from Down Under are Hatched and Patched and Hugs n Kisses. The Australians are taking America by storm! And with good reason- these are all very talented and creative ladies.

For a fun look at a newbies perspective on Quilt Market, go to this post by Lizabeth Rolfson. It will make you feel like you were right there at Market.

Fall Quilt Market 2009- The Frenzy Begins!

OK so just to prove to all you that I am not vain, here is a photo of me that hubby took- shortly after we got off the plane in Houston, we stopped at Taco Cabana for something to eat, and here I am eating a taco salad. It was quite yummy. When reflecting on this photo, please be kind and remember that I had been up since 4 am and was not wearing any makeup!

One of the best things about Quilt Market is going to Sample Spree the night before the show opens. It is a chance for shop owners and designers to get the newest fabrics to make up samples quilts and projects with. Sample Spree is, well, kind of a frenzy.....Shoppers at the Moda table! Crazy!!!

Below, hubbies wait patiently (and guard the bags and bags of loot!) while wives shop (and shop and shop and shop.....)Above is a photo of the Benartex table- I got several fat quarter packs from them as well as Moda (see below). I haven't opened them up yet- I told daughter I would wait for her to get her homework done so we could open them together..... like Christmas morning!

A view of the convention center floor from the upper level.
Me in my booth opening morning.

I will have lots more photos next post.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Catching Up

Got back from Quilt Market in Houston last night.... came home with my head buzzing with new ideas.... I really want to play with these....But there is unpacking to do, and orders to fill, and of course, I came home to this....

and this.....

....so playing will have to wait for just a little while....

Hope whatever you are doing today, you take time to do something creative and fun!

Happy Wednesday!

A Day of HOPE

A couple of Saturdays ago, hubby and I and a group from our church travelled to Hagerstown, MD to volunteer for a community outreach sponsored by Convoy of Hope. Thousands of flyers were sent out, notifying the community of what would be offered: free groceries, lunch, clothing and much much more.... Over 1000 people volunteered at the event!


Our church group met at 4 am..... considering the hour, I think we look pretty good! (This is me on the right, with my friends JoAnn and "Papa" Chris.)


Truck loads of food and clothing were brought in for distribution. 5,000 bags of groceries were assembled by volunteers of every age....
Four thousand people waited in line in the rain to get in....

In addition to free groceries, there were tents featuring various available services to the community, a job fair, resume assistance, a health care tent.....

Also offered was a kid zone with games etc., hair cuts, family portraits, and a prayer tent...
IT WAS ALL FREE.

The fact that 4,000 people were willing to stand in the rain to get in tells me that people are hurting....



The fact that over 1,000 people offered up a Saturday to help tells me even more about our capacity for compassion for our neighbors.....



Read an excellent article in the Hagerstown, MD local newspaper HERE. You will be inspired!

Those of us who volunteered are not special, everyone can do something....
Step out today and do something good for someone else...
You will be so glad that you did!!!

By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another. John 13:35

"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.' Matthew 25:37-40