What I saw this week, or, why I haven't been blogging

Some garage sale finds along with big daddies tools and some clay pots from the thrift store.

This is an awesome chair...in a group of "stuff", along with another old chair....needs a little paint!



                                     The porch swing is a $20. craigs list find.

The pile of weirdness, on the porch, is a complete mule harness set. Big daddy was thrilled to purchase this....SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL ME THIS IS LIKE THAT BOLT OF FABRIC YOU HAVE TO HAVE AND DON'T HAVE A CLUE WHY!!! Ahh, we don't have mules, lol! But it was a helluva buy!!

The black chair, behind the sweet basil plant, was the other item from the garage sale, the 2 chairs, mule harnesses and some other "stuff", was all for $5.00 total! Yeah, I was amazed too.

In the late afternoons, the bantams pop up on the porch and make themselves at home! I will spy them on the rocking chairs and plants and they will be peeking in the window watching me, lol. Oh, why didn't I KNOW that bantams do as they want! You cannot cage them, they are the free spirit of the chicken world and I love them!

Gracie Mae loves going with me everywhere, especially if she thinks I am heading out to the front yard. The big chickens chase her but I think she thinks she can one up the bantams....NOT! Here is Trooper squaring off with her, while the others look on. Way to funny. I know the pic is blurry, but it is the only pic I took of Chihuahua and chicken facing off! Sometimes you just have to squint, sorry.

This is the end result...run Gracie, run!

"I run this yard, see....yeah, it's me and my chicks...."

I have wanted to share something really cool! We have horses, dogs and chickens. Every once in awhile, our grocery store culls out the over ripe or imperfect fruits and veggies, stuffs as much as they can in a bag for a buck. This week I bought bananas, another bag with 2 pineapples, 2 cantalopes and one stuffed with peaches! Each bag for a buck, way cool! Last time I cut the bananas up and dried them for our horses and some for me! The peaches made 6 finished cups of peach freezer jam and a ton of peels and over ripe fruit for the chickens. I cut the cantalope up with the seeds, peels and over ripe areas for the chickens and horses. Same with the pineapple. Do you ever buy anything like this...or is it available in your area?

I have been busy cutting fabric for my etsy store. I'm getting over fanatical with my Accuquilt-Go cutter! 

                                                                                    

I have been trying to decide what to do with my shop inventory that is "not" the latest line. You know, that fabric you NEVER give a second glance to? So, I have been busy making 2 1/2" rolls of fabrics in yellows, oranges, blues, reds, etc. Love them to pieces! I think I need to do some I spy pieces...what is better, 5" squares or 10" squares? Do you like color families or groups of fabrics that go well together? I hope to see what you ladies think!

Now, back to my little shop, let me know your thoughts on the fabs, k? Now, go quilt something!

                                                                                       

Have you visited this blog?

I get stuck in blogland. Do you ever find yourself so immersed you can't move until you check out the VERY NEXT BLOG!!! I found this lady, homespunliving.blogspot.com and keep returning over and over again. She has the most awesome eye for decorating with her finds. She did a tutorial on her hotpads that is so cute. While I was out "thrift" store browsing I ran across 4 wool squares that were crocheted and were just the right size for hot pads. I dug through my scraps and vintage fabrics and found some fabrics to use (check out the fabrics she used, way to cute!), quilted them and put onto the wool. I wasn't sure what to use for the hangers when I found a twill tape from Moda (original use was to tie a jelly roll up) and cut it into 4 pieces...perfect! When I visited my friend in Fort Worth (I had invited myself to spend the night at her house, lol), I took 2 of the hotpads to her as a hostess thank you. She loved them! (My version is nothing like hers, no laughing now!)

If you don't have time to make your own little gifts, check out the giftshop she has on her blog...very cool items!

Elaine

The New Jelly Rolls are Awesome!

I was so pleased to receive these from the nice people at Moda! The Moda basic jelly rolls, milk, sugar and oreos are $19.99 each. They are so yummy! I love Moda for making my life easier. Be sure to check out Moda Bake Shop for tons of ideas! Happy quilting~~Elaine The jelly rolls are: pure white, pure cream and pure black. Each roll is 2 1/2" wide x width of fabric x 40 strips in each one, wahooo!! Please email me at yankeebabe_01@hotmail.com if you are interested in any of these. Thanks!

Moda goodies have arrived!

What goes with oreos and milk? ANYTHING!!! I have received this box of goodies, including Arcadia and Patisserie layer cakes, Moda basics jelly rolls in sugar,milk, and oreos. Tranquility charms, jelly rolls and layer cakes have also arrived.

I have to unpack the 3 cases behind these goodies and start grouping some sale fabrics for etsy...hopefully I will get this all done before the other 3 cases of goodies arrive.

I wanted to thank everyone collectively for the wonderful comments they are leaving. I am sooooo busy I can't even seem to do any quilting right now...wahhhhh!

Don't let me kid you, I am having fun with my fabrics. I hope everyone is having a great Friday...do some quilting...Elaine
Perhaps I should take a class or two on photos, eh? lol, sorry about the quality, maybe I should retake a few tomorrow in a better light...that's what happens when you get excited to see the ups man with your packages!

Blog Giveaway answers

I need to let you know that the blog giveaway will end on 11 April when I draw the winners. Yep, more the merrier I always say.

I have jelly cakes that are perfect for the Candy Bar Road quilt I saw on crazymomquilts blog, so the jelly cake from Moda will be for 1 winner.

I had to get some of the Bananafana and Pink Fig patterns for the shop. The second winner will receive one of those.

The third winner will receive some to dye for (pun intended) batik quarter yards in gorgeous summer hurry up colors.

If lots of people sign up I may have to add more items for prizes! You better tell your friends before my meds kick in!

Have a happy day quilting~~~Elaine

Somedays it just doesn't pay to chew through the restraints!

Huge Moda giveaway!

My Moda salesman came today...good thing my husband, the one who will not have a sense of humor when the UPS guy starts coming on Friday...wait until you see what fun things I am getting in!

Now, the really good news for you guys. HUGE HUGE HUGE SALE!!!

I am going to need some room to put all of this fabric. But where am I going to put all the new sweets from Moda Bake Shop? Oh my goodness...a giveaway! Wahoooooo!!!

Starting tomorrow, or today, if you leave a comment and answer some questions, you will be entered in the giveaway. You won't be disappointed.

#1 Where do you hide your lastest purchase so you won't have to "splain that one Lucy?"

#2 What is your favorite color and why?

#3 What excuse do you use to not keep that really cool quilt you just made?

#4 Last one, I promise. What is the worst experience you have ever had giving a quilt as a gift, and did you get to keep the best of the litter?

I am not going to divulge the prize yet...but it will be fun!

See you tomorrow for some more teasers...Elaine