Photos from our Spargo Sistas Weekend on Feb. 17th.....

Paula got her basket quilt center blocks pieced during our Spargo Sistas Weekend.  That always feels like quite an accomplishment!  It's very folksy and will look great hanging on her railing as you come in her door.  Most of the blocks have sayings embroidered on them.  LOVE it!

Linda worked on her borders for her Magnolia quilt.  I just love looking at her embroidery stitches! Mostly wool fabric was used in Linda's quilts and mine. 

Then she showed us her new table runner she made which is one block of the Red Clover pattern.  We loved it too....I especially love her embroidery on the leaves below.

Here's the full view....isn't it beautiful?

Here's a close-up of the flower on the table runner.

Ok....then she started stitching her first block of yet another pattern called Crimson Tweed.  Let's all say this together...."Linda wins for being an overachiever!"

Her blanket stitch around the branches of this tree reminded me of pine needles.  Her fly stitch on the ornaments with Dazzle thread were gorgeous and shiny! 

Here's a close-up of one of Paula's basket blocks.  I love this one....isn't that great?  Laughter is the best medicine! 

This is a photo of my one block I worked on the whole weekend.  The block did have 3 of these flowers on it (in my defense) but I definitely did not achieve as much as my friends.  It is all fun however, because we eat, drink and be merry!



Three 5Ks, holidays and two pet deaths later......

I have been in a blog stall.  This may be a longer post than you care to read because I've not posted since last April.  I have some finished projects to show and tell, vacations, updated grandkid photos and 5Ks that I've participated in. 

 I finished this little sweater for our niece who had her little girl in August. It's a free pattern called Helena:

http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer08/PATThelena.html

Little Ballerina Wrap Sweater I made from a Debbie Bliss pattern and

Sublime Yarns Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK.  I will eventually make booties to match and gift it to a special little girl yet to be born.

We went to Florida and Key West for my 60th birthday to be with our friends the Hemenways and Brays.  They sure made my birthday feel special instead of 'old'!  My one wish was to go back to the same place on the Intercoastal waterway where we saw this dolphin last year....he's still there!  It made my day!

I made these French Press Ballet Slippers in charcoal Cascade 220.  It's not a free pattern but you can purchase it here if you'd like:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/french-press-felted-slippers.  The buttons are adorable, eh?  They can be purchased from an Etsy designer here:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/92053427/2-handmade-oven-baked-polymer-clay-heart

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I made a reversible hat for my honey.   It's very warm and he's very happy!

Can you believe this????  My good friend, Linda H., took a few photos that were taken of Luke and created this fun quilt for a challenge!  She's so talented!  She did some painting, applique and wonderful machine quilting. This quilt will be up for auction at the NQA show this coming June....guess who will be bidding on it??

I went in September to Arizona to visit my beautiful cousin, Connie, who had just started her chemo treatments.  We had a great time jogging together, eating out and swimming.  She has been such a role model of strength during this whole time of her chemo and radiation.  She has her last chemo on March 1st so Mark and I are going to fly out to celebrate with her and Dennis the end of March.

 

In October our beloved Portuguese Water Dog, Lily, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.  I am sad to say she only lived 3 wks. after the diagnosis.  I miss her fun personality and still get teary eyed when I think of her.  Shortly after Lily died, my 20 yr. old cat, Cosette, died too.  It was a rough year in the Kelly household for our pets.  We lost 3 (I believe I mentioned losing our cat, Tara, in April).

Just a note on my exercise program in case it could inspire anyone to become healthier....I ran four 5Ks last year and one this year so far.  I run about 3 times a week and go to Jazzercise 3 times a week.  Only one day off, but I'm committed to live longer than my parents did ( mom died when she was 50 and dad when he was 55) and I'm sure hoping exercise and eating right are the key. 
My two bad habits....red wine and chocolate!

This weekend is another Spargo weekend and this time it's at my house. 
Photos to follow that fun time with great friends!