Never know where you will find a quilt

I just had to share this. I was substituting today at my old school and was in a 4th grade classroom. I was drawn to the bulletin board in the back room. Such bright and pretty colors. I wasn't totally surprised when I read the card describing the project. Isn't it lovely?

And the baby quilt is in the process of being "fixed". I decided that I needed to switch the border. Right now, the seam ripper is my friend. More pictures as it is adjusted. 

It's a top! And now I need input

I just wanted to write a quick post and show the quilt "top" that I just finished. I'm pretty happy with the way it looks. I have added to my "to learn" list though. When I was trying to decide on the border, I did consider making it all the printed border but added the cornerstones instead. 

My "to learn" is how to miter. I know I could make them but since I'm on a time crunch it won't be this one. 

Next I'm on to backing and then the quilting begins. 

10 minutes later - I'm looking at the quilt and having second thoughts. I decided to put the chicks closest to the edge but now I'm not sure. The writing is upside down on the top but not on the bottom.

I attached a strip with the words closest to the inside and now I don't know. What's your vote? 

Ripping it out is not really a big deal and I'd rather have it look good than finished quickly. 

So what is your vote? Writing on the inside or writing on the outside? Thanks for any help you can give me.

I'm calling it spring!

It certainly doesn't feel like it but I'm calling it spring anyway. I started the day having breakfast with a few friends from my quilt guild. They introduced me to Almond French Toast! And it was delicious. Just had slivered almonds encrusted on the toast. Great crunch and a little less sweet. It was a delighful way to start the day. Good food and getting to know some new friends. 

When I came home I decided that it was time to decorate for spring, again, even though with early morning temperatures in the 20's there is no way it feels like that. Away went the St. Patrick's Day decor and in came the bunnies, eggs and bright pastels. 

I do love the colors of these decorations. I do think that all the seasons have their good points but spring definitely is a lovely promise at the end of winter. We don't have the warmer weather, yet, but we do have the longer days.

Yes, that is a baseball schedule in the left hand corer. 

I worked on the decorations off and on all afternoon and was so happy to see the sunlight until 7:30. It was wonderful. The only problem with that is you think you have more time than you actually do. Not too tough to take, though.

When I crossed a few things off my to-do list, I worked on the baby quilt. It wasn't planned that way but the colors of this quilt are also the colors of spring. Tonight I finished the sashing which only leaves the border for the quilt top. I'm really very happy with the look of this quilt. Can't wait to have it finished.

Inspired

It was time to visit another quilt show today. Doing that is always a good way to find inspiration. I love to see the colors and the special quilting on each one. I loved reading the stories behind each of the quilts. It is hard to pick which ones to show you here on the blog.

I love the look of this all green quilt.

This quilt was hand-pieced in the 1940's and then finished by the maker's granddaughter  in the 1980's. The red is part of another quilt. 

This quilt was called My Sylvia's Bridal. The quilter used 50 of the 140 quilts in Jennifer Chiaverini's book, The Master Quilter. The tiny blocks were each so pretty.  

Such a pretty blue and white quilt. 

I believe this quilt was made in honor of Arizona. You could see strata in the lines of the quilt. 

Absolutely loved the hankies used in this small quilt. Always makes me sorry that I got rid of  so many of them. 

One of my favorites. Love the sunflowers.

Bluework and I believe bluebonnets in the border. 

I have the same blocks used in this one. Love the way it was finished and wish I had the  small panels used in alternate blocks. See the one below. A new thing to hunt for. 

and redwork, say no more...

Check the quilting on this one. Simply stunning. 

This one was made after a trip to Alaska. Each block is foliage from Alaska. 

And I had to share what I chose with my CSN gift certificate. I love anything by Susan Branch and do agree with the saying on this!

And now it is time to be inspired and get to some sewing. The baby quilt awaits!

I found it!

I have been mulling over the sashing for the baby pinwheel quilt and I think I found it. I did get some white on white but decided that is too tame. When I looked in my stash I found this other fabric from Susan Branch. This is from the Martha's Vineyard Watercolors fabric line. I think there is just enough color in this fabric to bring color to the quilt. I think I have 3 yards but have to check that there is enough before I start. Isn't it great that I'm using some of my stash!

 These are a few of the fabrics that are in the pinwheels. I think this will bring out the colors and add some punch.  The fabric below is going to be the border. I love the pictures and words along the edge. Now that I have those decisions made, I can continue to put it together. I moved a few of the blocks around today too. Trying to get the perfect placement before I start to sew again.

 I just had to share these baskets. A friend of mine makes large coil baskets and these little baskets are something new she tried. Wouldn't they make great Easter baskets? I just love the colors. I haven't decided where they are going yet but will definitely find a spot for them. Who can't use another basket!!!

The luck of the Irish and playing with pinwheels!

I can't believe it but I won again! This time I get to go shopping at CSN. I've only looked briefly on their site but can't wait to see what I can find. I won this great giveaway from Sue at I Need Mom. I found her blog when I was doing the St. Patrick's Day blog hop on Cuisine Kathleen's blog. Please go over and visit Sue at

http://ineedmom.blogspot.com/

You'll love her recipes and table settings.

And equally as good are the finished pinwheels for the baby quilt. I put them on the "wall" just to see what I have and now have to decide on the sashing and arrangement. I bought some white on white but also want to go through my stash to see what else is there. Any suggestions?

Oh, what a beautiful day!

If only I could sing... it was just a gorgeous day today. I rode with the sunroof open, just ate dinner outside with a friend and came home to find this in the garden. I came around the corner and there it was.
Don't you just love it?

 And then I noticed the buds on my rhododendron. Very soon that will be blooming too.

Sewing with the windows open tonight for sure. 

They just keep coming...

Flower Shows that is. I went to a small one today. It is held at  a life care community and all the work is done by the residents. And they are amazing. The beauty of this one is the size and small crowds. I was lucky at the Philadelphia Show when we got there before the crowds. But this one is small enough to just walk through and enjoy.

I'll share a few pictures here. Take note of the background paintings. They were so bright and lovely. I really wanted to take them home. The theme was Gulliver's Travels and you'll see the little arrangements they made and a few of the sites from the story.

Just love these sunflowers!

See the Lilliputians. 

Don't you just love the bright colors? And think that we will soon be seeing these outside!

Besides this show I did some running around and made a great find. Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, I found Irish brown bread, just as good as what I ate in Ireland. I am in heaven. I tasted a bit when I got to the car and before I left town, I went back and bought another loaf. There is just nothing like it. I wish I could share it with all of you. It was so good.

And now, I'm off to sew!

St. Patrick's Day is here!

It is a beautiful day here today and I think it is also supposed to be warmer too. I'm looking forward to wearing the green and enjoying this day.

I was beginning to check the blogs on Cuisine Kathleen's St. Patrick's Day blog crawl and realized that I hadn't shown all the "Irish" in my house. I keep most of it out all year long so don't always notice it just on this day. I'm adding these pictures, most with some wonderful memories, as my homage to the Irish today. If you want to see more, go and check out Kathleen's blog and visit the linked blogs there. You can find her at

 http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/2011/03/third-annual-st-patrick-day-blog-crawl.html?showComment=1300360959361#c2934005276074651394

It is always fun to check her blog at other times too. She has the most wonderful table settings to see and be inspired by.

Wouldn't you love breakfast in bed served on this? The chicken is from France but looks perfect here. 

Just Irish with a few cards from lovely friends. 

The Irish angel holding court with the others. 

A few Belleek pieces, one from the Belleek factory and one my brother-in-law stood in line to buy for me. 

We watched the nuns in Limerick making this lace. 

The tree

Two cuties. 

The Irish cottages tea service given to me by a wonderful friend. 

Good friends bought this for me on their trip to Nova Scotia. I just love this little  bit of Waterford. 

Must have green candy.

Irish porcelain

Two great friends gave me this for my retirement. Your blessing for today. 

What can I say?

I love this picture and saying 

Wee little basket from Felicity. 

And now I'll leave you with this peaceful poem by Yeats that hangs behind my computer. 

We visited his grave on our trip to Ireland. Must go back there soon. 

Have a glorious day!