Little Quick Fire Hydrangea

Hello and Happy Thursday. On Monday hubby and I ran out to one of our favorite nurseries to look around. I mentioned that one of my Hydrangeas didn't look like it was coming back-I'm thinking I may have cut it back too much right before winter arrived. So we talked to one of the team at the nursery and he was showing us some Hydrangeas that get to 6'. The area where I plant mine is in the front bed; the one that doesn't look like it will make it is near hubby's Lacey Leaf Japanese Maples~it's always been a concern that it was too close to his maple. The man we were talking to showed up the Little Quick Fire variety and we decided to try it; it only gets to about 3'. Instead of planting it where the other one had been, I'm taking out another bush I don't care for and planting it there. I think I still love the Forever Blooming variety, but concerned about the size. So we'll see. This weekend is supposed to get back up to the 80's-Yay! Maybe it means that our cold days are done; which means I have some more planting to do. I walked yesterday afternoon with two of my gals; for the most part it was fine, but there was a light rain falling. So today I'm thankful for the promise of warmer days and being outside more. This morning I will be making binding for my table runner. I finished quilting it last night and am happy with it.
I hope you have a fantastic Thursday and find many reasons to smile.
Joy to you!
Noreen

Finished Projects

Good Morning Friends~I have been working on finishing a couple of small quilts in order to move onto bigger projects. Many of you may remember this from last years Fig Leaf club I belong to. It was a full size quilt and I decided to make it into a lap quilt. We've got so many larger quilts around, I thought another lap size would be perfect. I'm happy with how it turned out.

This year the leader of our mini group gave us 20 challenges for the year, one of which was to make something of our choice from a Churn Dash block. I had oodles of baby fabric left over from grands quilts, so decided to make a baby quilt. I had hoped to give it to our police department, but they only take very small ones that will stack in their trunks. I have decided to donate it to either our Pregnancy Counseling Center or the Lions Club charity quilts. Not quite sure which yet; may have to ask Little Man and make sure he doesn't want it. He's going to be 5 in the fall and I'm thinking that it might be too young for him.

I also am finishing up the table runner that I made last week at the class. I'm hand quilting the fourth border and hope to have it done by Friday, so I can share at our mini group meeting.
It's raining and cold here today, so I am thinking walking will be cancelled.
Hope you have a fantastic Wednesday.
Noreen

Hello Friends~Spring, where have you gone?  It is your usual custom to drench us with showers, thunder and lightning in the afternoons; some occasional hail as well, but this week it has been cold and dreary.  I am waiting patiently for the sun to stay, but I wonder how long I'll wait?  Yesterday much of northern Colorado was pelted with hail and I'm thankful we didn't have any.  Another month and summer will be here, hard to believe.  This morning I met my dear friend Kam for coffee; our old hangout is under new management and I tried a mocha with lavender.  It was mild, but had a pleasing taste.  Of course, the white chocolate didn't hurt.  I ran some errands afterwards and am now going to continue on hand quilting my latest table runner, hoping to have it finished by Friday.  It is a perfect day to snuggle up in front of the fire and read, which I might do, but chances are I'll have fabric in my lap.  I hope that where ever you are, you are finding something good in your weather patterns.  Seems like a  lot of folks are struggling with flooding.
Just remember, life could be worse.
Keep your chin up!
Noreen

Music Recital

Happy Monday to you! I hope you had a great weekend, ours was filled with fun. On Saturday, four of our granddaughters had a music recital.

From left to right-front row in bright green dress Miss A debuting at her first piano recital.  She enjoyed it and did such a good job.  Behind her in a pastel dress with braids up, like her nana used to wear, is our Peanut.  She plays violin and we have been told she's gifted; what is funny is that she wasn't nervous at all about performing.  The Recital was held at an assisted living home and there were a good number of seniors watching and enjoying the music.  Back row-their teacher on the left and then Miss S with the striped shirt.  This was her first recital as well.  Next to to her is Miss F; both girls played three songs together-their last was The Entertainer.  They did incredibly well.  The little girl in the front is a family friend who just started taking lessons this year.
After the recital we met later for dinner  and so there were 18 of us-again such fun.
Yesterday, we took Sil's parents out to lunch  as a welcome to Colorado. We wanted to share some of our favorite places with them and tell them what we do for fun.
Today I'm walking with my neighbor gals and then will be sewing all day~I have a quilt meeting Friday and am hoping to have my table runner finished to share, but we'll see because that means a lot of quilting this week. I was going to do it by machine but think I'll just do it by hand.
Our spring weather has ascended on us-thunder storms in the afternoon, possible hail etc.
Joy to you today!
Noreen

Thankful Thursday

Good Morning Friends! It's hard to believe that it is already Thursday, but it is. Our weather this last week has been so different-snow last weekend, lots of rain and cool weather and today we have sunshine, blue skies and temps that promise warmer days. I love all the seasons here, but I'm always  anxious for warm days. With the snow last week, I was afraid that my Tulips would be destroyed. As you can see, they survived. I remember last Mother's Day we also had snow. My Peonies have fallen over and need to be staked up, I'm hoping hubby and I get to it soon. I wanted to take some shots of our front bed, so you could see just how pretty the Japanese Maple and Tulips look together. So today, I'm thankful for a beautiful Colorado day. I'm thankful I'll be walking with my neighbor gals and that I am able to walk and get out and enjoy our area. I'm thankful that every day I wake up with a promise of new blessings. I am thankful for my hubby; he is such an incredible blessing to me. Our home makes me so content and thankful; we are blessed.

Last night we all gathered at Carrie's for a fun evening. I took two deserts I had bought at Whole Foods and our two oldest grandsons, hubby and sil played a little soft ball; actually they practiced. Our kids church has a small church game weekly and now the grandsons are old enough to play-they needed some practice. It was a beautiful evening out, my girls and I stayed in for most of it to visit.  Kim eventually went out to play as well.  WE had desert~a non dairy gluten free Strawberry Cheesecake and also a Chocolate Cheesecake.  Because the majority of us are gluten free, with some that are dairy free, this was a win-win for everyone.  They were pretty good, tasted a lot like yogurt.
Our family is another huge blessing to me!  I'm so grateful to the Lord for each one.
Today I'll be sewing after I walk, then this afternoon taking a neighbor to a local boutique.  Speaking of sewing, yesterday I went to my sewing machine store and while visiting with the owner, she showed me the latest Baby Lock sewing and quilting machine.  I tell you it was incredible~the things machines can do today.  It can sew sideways and on a diagonal.  I love my machine, but seriously considered trading it in for the new model.  If we find that money tree, I might just do that!  A girl can dream, can't she.
I hope you have a wonderful day today and find some time to feed your soul.
Blessings~
Noreen

What A Treat

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a quilt program and class with Author, Designer, Quilter and Teacher Jill Shaulis from Yellow Creek Quilt Designs. It was a wonderful day, starting with Jill sharing her beginnings of her Quilt Store In Pearl City, Illinois. Jill loves Civil War reproductions and has so many incredible quilts to share.

I've never gotten into Hexi's, but know many who have caught the bug.  Jill told us she was going to introduce us to her technique and now I understand why it is so catchy.  I didn't finish mine last night, but plan to.

Absolutely love this quilt.

Love these last two and may have to consider making one.  Jill has two books published, I have Simple Blessings in Patchwork.

Last but not least was the block I made-I am making a table runner with three blocks.  I may make these for Christmas next year.  It was easy and came together fairly quickly; I should have stayed longer but the day tired me out.

It was also fun because I was with three gals from my mini-group; we have such a good time together.  Although the class was big, with 22 ladies, there was plenty of room to spread out.
This morning I'm walking and then will head back down to the sewing machine-hopefully to finish what I started.  I'd love to have it done and quilted by next week, but I'm not sure that will happen.
Have a grand day today.
Noreen

The Winner Is...

Happy Monday to you and Happy May!  As promised, I had my sweet hubby draw a name yesterday for the book Invitation giveaway.  There were only two entrees, which was surprising to me.  Without further delay, the winner of the give away is Two French Bulldogs.  If Edward or Lily can send me your address, or if their mom prefers, she can send it to me and I'll get the book out this week.
If you don't know these friends, please go say hello, they are wonderful.
You can find them here:  http://www.twofrenchbulldogs.com

Have a great day; I'm off to a quilting class that is all day-just hope I'm not brain dead when I am done.
Hugs,
Noreen