"For unto you a son is born....."

"Silent night, holy night....."  as the sun set I sent a prayer to my neighbors, Annie and Aaron.  She gave birth tonight at home to boy babe!  To take  Justin and Russell home to their new brother is a moment I will go to sleep tonight smiling in humble awe.

And to celebrate the birth, a second block....

The boys playing Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer at a wild spring near our home.  "Mom, the sewer is causing the pond to flood!"  An hour of mud and dam building helped pass the time until baby brother was born.

It's a dance party.....

I love my 16" square ruler and am tickled with the composition of this first block. Would make a fun quilted card to send to a special someone also.... 

I would love to send the material for this block and a pattern you can paper piece or use as a guideline or to see what you do as your own interp.  If you are interested in doing this project at some point for Halloween 2010 send me  note and I will pick 2 recipients for receiving material.  If you simply want the pattern I will make one and mail to you.  I would love to have my own little sew along to see what you come up with if anyone interested.  I head out camping Thursday morning so let me know if you are interested and I will put you in a drawing and pick before I head to the mountains. 

Splish Splash I was.....amazed at the spectrum of emotion that can be invoked by water

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! a sort of moment of reverence.

and in the photo, anything BUT!....

 And as I write this I think of Erin and her family in the ocean of Martha's Vineyard, Sandra and her Cumberland equine friends on the beach, and Penny and her kayaks! 

Water, essential for our physical and emotional wellbeing....Funny thing, my toes are tingling and whispering...PSST, how about a lovely pedi bath for us since you are on the topic of water.....

Toes can wait, I have spooky houses to sew! 

Yee-haw! Sometimes you only have to hang on for 8 seconds.....

It's Monday and for those of you that find the work week daunting......Remember increments of 8 seconds....

What "hat" did you don today or are you one of many hats all at one time....or has the monkey put them in the tree as they did in "CAPS FOR SALE" children's tale....

May today be a very special CELEBRATION for you!

I love STAYcations!

Something about starting an early Sunday with my boys and all the wildlife of the Wetlands around Green Springs golfcourse.  As we pulled up to hole 15 a dear friend unbeknownst to us was on her porch and proclaimed, " Is that Noah's parents...."  I love my Starbucks baristas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My little dude's first solo surf.  What a day!! And to think we still have another celebration this evening- Pool party at the Beardalls.  Work hard, play hard.  And wish that my oldest was with us....Why do our kids grow up and move on to be adults :)?  Last Sunday we were together as seen below so that I will CELEBRATE!

Mountains in Northern Utah last week for Father's day.  Like Mother like Son....

Back to my comfort zone.....Wonky witch and spooky village coming up for a special family!

I did it......I walked away from Roxy......I turned off the light....I closed the door....I am a Roxy junkie.....Date night with Sean.....Happy Weekend to all!

Voila'! Roxy has done it again and I am so in love with her.....

So often I am piecing a quilt and thinking, "Why can't I be Judi the GreenFairy when the quilting is next step......"

So........I cheated and used Roxy's computerized pattern for the background then appliqued and gave movement to the Hummingbirds with loop di loops....

and the most fun part...texting the photo to my dear sisiter in law, Sharon, who loves hummingbirds.  A "i am missing you" quilt card.....

Ahhhhhhhh.....Friday night and I got to create!!!! Love for a dear admirer of hummingbirds.

HAPPY FRIDAY, Friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Mirror mirror on the wall.......look closely......

I was having a moment of tranquility last week on the dock chatting with my good friend, Rick, pictured here.  While chatting I noticed that I could see Sean fishing in the reflection of his sunglasses.  Kinda fun.....And then I thought........how often my clients and students in the field only see themselves as reflections in sunglasses because there are no mirrors in the field....Would we treat ourselves kinder at times if we couldn't see our reflection.....Would you be curious.......Hmmmmm.  Happy Friday! Celebrating reflections!!!

I hope you giggle when you see this fabric!

I am still here but am working so much this week.  Thank you for the love and checking in on me!  Made some time to buy cute fabric last night on the way back to work...ENJOY!

Can you relate......

My dear sweet pup who....was tied up in knots....Can you relate....

Harley and I have limited time together as he has gone downhill the past couple of weeks and everyday is a blessing.  The other night he was sleeping outside the trailor and the boys were gallavanting around the park.  I laid down by Harley in a sleeping bag under the stars and just rubbed his belly...a moment I will never forget....Everyday is a gift!

Had to post like crazy tonight because I have huge day in the field tomorrow then back up to the campground for the weekend.  I left the boys there.....Love to you all from Utah! Em

And the race is on......

I had so much fun yesterday camping!!! Heard that my friend, Gina, was in labor so I started this baby quilt and guess what....finished before the babe was born! It was a challenge and I am wondering if anyone else has done this kind of race... And of course it is not called PROCRASTINATION!!! :) 

So fun to make and yet so simple.  The photo is so poor but in person, the colors are sweet and just scream, "WELCOME to the Jungle World :)!  Had to use the elephants again that were in the OOH LA LA card, just too fun to make!

The OOH LA LA's and tears.....

The third OOH LA LA! Janet, here comes the "Birds and Bees of Jungle Life."  I camped in the most gorgeous state park this past week and was blessed.  If you have a chance Google, Palisade State Park, GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Boys could golf twice a day, I found the most phenomenal quilt shop and cried for friends who lost dear loved ones and giggled as Noah discovered his "first girl..."  EEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not ready for this...

2 little OOH LA LA's ready for FedEx Flight and a third waiting for the camping trip....

Sandra is the lucky lady who lives amongst the beauty of Cumberland Island.....This little card is an OOH LA LA of our friendship as we drink the beer in the corner of the card.....

I was reading a fabulous magazine about making mixed media art and thought I would try out an idea..... Bought a book that Jenny with a J and Kelsey love and shhhhhhh! cut it up......Roxy is beaming with fun at the cute little flowers on the window sill that she embroidered.....

And Janet....keeping you in suspense for your OOH LA LA LA LA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ooh la la!.....Off to the Green Fairy's doorstep in Celebration of their love for Disneyland and baby on the way!!!!

I have been consumed with fun-ness this morning.  I needed to be at work but found myself chanting.....

"Just one more triangle....just one more sashing....Ah Hell, work can wait!!!"

This fun little ditty is for the dear Green Fairy family.  Their love for Disneyland, our chance meeting at the Haunted Mansion and a sweet mom who has a special princess and many gnomes....Love you guys!

Can you see Judi in the border?

It's an official hoe down....The village hanging under my next favorite things to fabric, friends and family...

Peace, Love and Understanding!

Talk to you next week when I am back from camping, happy week to you all with many celebrations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"I am going on a trip and I am taking......a blind dog, my boys, goggles, trailer, beer, and AN ELEPHANT!"

A little peek at my next endeavor...I couldn't resist trying out the idea last night....

This is from a journal cover that I tweaked from Barnes and Noble.....

What or Who inspires you?

"What if....." i love the moral of the movie, "Tooth Fairy"....Speaking of little people like fairies....

So wonderful to have time today to start with blogging, tons of time with the family and now say good night with a post.....Enjoy the quilt as it is nearing the finale.....

I wish the laundry showed up better hanging between trees....

I got too excited to see how it would look at the final stage.....the solid blacks will become more triangles with brights but wanted to get the feel for the progress....

How dang cute is this fabric with the quilts haning between them, a fav of mine!

and guess what......

since Fairies is the theme....

this quilt is for a special fairy having a baby in November....I bet you can guess who!

May this little wish be yours today....a whisper from Ms. White and her fraternity under the mushroom...

It's a hoe down....down under the mushroom....shhhhhh..

"Peace love and understanding....!"

And this is where my little gnome quilt all started....last week this little gift was on my porch and I envisioned Snow White and her suitors at a hoe down....

Let's play a game.....Can you proclaim this to someone today.....!

Can you tell I am feeling frisky today.....Fabulous day in the field yesterday and my boys are doing great....About to go on vacation.....So....

I'd love to give away this funny little quilt card that has a few embellishments to go on it....Write me a ditty of how you used this fab phrase today with someone, and you count when primping in the mirror....and I will put you in a drawing....Winner announced tomorrow.  Use the phrase and notice if you are smiling when you do so.... :)  Love, Em

May today be a gift to you!....ever look at your first quilts....and what do you say?

I am sitting on my porch giggling as birds play in the waterfall of our pond and think, "What a gift today is!" And then I thought.....I have no idea what will happen today but BRING IT ON!

This quilt is probably my third one and given to my assistant years ago.  Paying tribute to the JELLY ROLL.  Now I look at it and think, "with a cut here and a whack there"....wonky could be a wonderful version of this next time I create it! 

May you find a gift in today's moments...Love, Em

Do you ever just sit and look at your creations....and say "Thank you, God!" for fabric and friends who inspire!

I came into my office so early this morning and felt inspired to peruse through photos.....CELEBRATING quilts and kids and love and your stories behind the quilts that I know live amongst you!  What wonderfulness I experience with your visits and comments to my blog!

So for you who have deadlines and are overwhelmed with the WIP's......sit down, breathe, and CELEBRATE your gift as quilter and what you have finished!

And anyone who has a quilt shown above and has a minute,  pls send me a note of what they would whisper to me if I saw them in your home this afternooon....or a celebration that they witnessed in your home while they quietly smile on your wall.

A/C and Water.....today was 106 degrees.....BEAUTIFUL!!! Back on call tomorrow....

Why are these little people so BIG with fun?

Definitely no "little man" complex here.....

Tea anyone?  I love the gnome peeking around the chair at the princess

 

So many color/black triangles to make this week....

Roxy did so well sewing, "OWL LANE".  Duff, your possums return!

Life's a zoo when you are teeny....

Wake up, Mr. owl!!!!!

Way too much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"HI!" Roxy is purring like a kitty while I am giggling up a storm!

 A "hi!" from me and Roxy to you all!!!!

I am off call for the weekend and am in heaven!!!  Happy weekend, friends!

So excited to turn this line-up into a Gnomes "Muertos" village.....without the day of the dead of course :)

I was so tickled to find the gnome fabric today that I have seen on people's blogs!  Had to jump on dat train!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Reminds me of my grandmother's Christmas decorations from Germany.  And if you are familiar with my Muertos mural, excited to attempt the quilt using cute gnomes....

Do you ever see a word and think of someone? Thank you, Jenny with a J!

How cute is Jenny with a J?....she sent me these photos from her trip to Disneyworld thinking I would love them.... I DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is way too yummy looking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

.....Daddy's going to buy you a mockingbird.....Please welcome Roxy Janome Douglas to the world!

A sort of baby shower.....I have been keeping a secret....and now.....

I have been blessed with a new baby girl who coos like a Ferrari and has plenty of arm space....Roxy Janome Douglas is her name.....

 

My sweet baby girl has taken quite nicely to me as her sewing partner and together we created this wonky wall hanging inspired by Material Obsession.....As I was sewing, I noticed I was unconsciously humming....Daddy's going to buy you a mockingbird....and then Duff was so sweet and brought a gift to the shower, a fun package from the mailman with a fav CD of hers for me to enjoy!

And the best part of my new little ROXY- I can learn to free motion quilt in my own home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I will always dream of being Green Fairy, but for now Roxy and I will putz along and send the Big Dogs to Judi.

Ray....a drop of golden sun....

Happy Tuesday, Friends! Missing you all and was excited to have a minute to post some love!