Texas Hill Country Bluebonnets

There is nothing quite like bluebonnets this time of year.  When the weather cooperates and we have a nice, rainy Spring....this is the result.  Can't think of anywhere I had rather be than in the Texas Hill Country to enjoy this beautiful show of color.  I spent a couple of days last month in Fredericksburgh where this wonderful old home's front yard was blooming with bluebonnets.

Not just another book......

I follow  Lynne Hatwell's blog, http://www.dovegreyreader.typepad.com/ .  She is also on Facebook.  I enjoy her book reviews and always look forward to reading about what she is reading.  You can find out more about her if you are interested.  This morning, as I checked Facebook, I saw this entry.....Dovegreyreader .  I really can't describe what Jean Baggott has done in this tapestry of her life.  You must follow the link and see for yourself.  The Girl on the Wall is incredible and I hope you find it as interesting as I did.  Just 'click' on the links (brown and purple) above and enjoy.   Share it with all of your stitching friends.

Snow in the Hill Country.....

Takin' a snow day.......

Who's been sitting in my chair?

My dog, F.H, has recently been sitting on my side of the sofa.  He has one side, I have the other.  But for some reason he has been sitting, or sleeping, in my space.  What's up with that?

Not only is he sleeping in my spot, but he has also taken my crewel embroidery pillow, that I put behind my back while I am hand sewing at night, and moved it to .............

HIS BED!

So when he gets tired of sleeping on the sofa, he moves to his bed!  Who's in control here?????

Where did the past two months go........

I thought I was only a month behind in updating my blog, but no........it's been longer...so I have lots of photos and I don't know where to begin.  Think I will start with my new project, a small cottage business, of sorts.  I've named it 'Out of Austin Designs' and I am making tea cozies!  Yep!  They are being sold excusively at http://www.teaembassy.com/ here in Austin.  They are available in the store but not online.  I  may sell them online on Etsy.  Still thinking about that.  So here are some of the cozies I've made.....and they are selling really well, so I will be making more soon!

I am using some fun fabrics that I have found in my local quilt store http://www.thecottoncupboard.com/ like the Alice in Wonderland fabric above.  With the new movie coming out in March and the Tea Embassy's Alice in Wonderland afternoon tea, I thought this would make a fun cozy!  I love working with vintage fabrics and embellishments.

So, besides planning a wedding with my daughter since her engagement in November, this is keeping me busy.  The wedding will be in November, so there is still plenty of time, but surprising how much there is to do.  We had an appointment with http://www.studio563.com/ today and that was a lot of fun!  We are getting to the fun part!  All I want to know is.....when can I eat cake?????

Have a wonderful day.  I think Spring is coming soon......

Projects for 2010......

My friend, Doris, is working on a redwork embroidered quilt for next year. She shared what she has completed so far with us yesterday. Looking forward to seeing it in the New Year! We also played with my Flip video camera and as soon as I can figure out how to download to my blog I will share some videos.

These are a few of my favorite things.....

Rhonda ,bee member, brought some of her favorite small quilts to share with us yesterday. Enjoy!

Vintage Christmas.....

Janice, one of our bee members, shared some vintage Christmas items with us at our gathering yesterday. We brought our 'favorite thing' that we have ever made to share with everyone. Janice brought some felt ornaments, circa '80s, to share and also a photo that she found in an antique store, entitled 'Lyle Lovett Christmas'. Hint: notice Dad in the background ! I was also given a vintage apron as a hostess gift !

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas......at my house!

Yesterday our sewing bee met at my house for our Christmas celebration and it was fabulous! The food was great and the presents from everyone were outstanding. We made one exchange item and of course there were some that didn't follow the rules, so they made something for all of us! That was a big 'Win' for me ! My gift was the snowman in the mitten,made by my friend Doris. She also made the embroidered bee cushion that is hanging on my hutch. She embroidered a different piece for each one of us. Thanks Doris!

Snow.....in ATX.....Yes!

We are expecting snow in the morning and this is a big event in our part of the world. I have a backlog of photos to post so I am going to start with my Christmas quilts for 2009. I finished three and only because my local quilt shop rents their longarm by the hour and I have been practicing on it for the past month. It certainly cuts down on the completion time and that's a good thing........One of the quilts has been pieced since 2005, another is Basic Grey 'Figgy Pudding', and the third one is Crabapple Hill's 'Over the River and Through the Woods'.