Daffodils 2014

If you have read my blog for a while, you know I am into growing Daffodils. 

The obsession started in 2009 when I started a program for the city where kids would plant daffodils at their schools. 

Since then I have become involved with the Texas Daffodil Society and I am trying to grow many varieties.  Here are some I should have labeled, with stakes-- you know I am kicking myself because I can't find my diagram where I noted what each one was as I planted it...

Flat Makayla

Flat Makayla's Adventures with the Fipps Family in Texas.

Flat Makayla was made by Micaela's 3rd cousin "Makayla" from Missouri. We'll be taking her to as many places as we can over the next few months.  Here she is in San Antonio at the Alamo.  

And here she is with Davey Crocket. 

The Hemisphere Tower of the Americas.

The Torch of Friendship in Downtown San Antonio.
 

Thanks for stopping by. 

**Refer to Flat Stanley Children's Book to learn about the 'flat' concept.

Sweet Pouch Swap

I am participating in the Sweet Pouch Swap for the third time.  My partner is Jane in Australia, her favorite colors are purple and green... and she loves owls.  Here's the fabric I have chosen.

 

Here is a sneak peak of what I have made....  As soon as she receives, I will reveal.  Thanks for stopping by...

Luggage Wraps

This may be my new addiction.  Quite simply, luggage wraps so one can identify their suitcase amongst a sea of black pieces.  I wish they were faster but that satin stitch edge takes a long time and uses a lot of thread. 

These are quilted with a coordinating fabric on back side and fun colored Velcro.  This could start a new addiction with colored velcro which is available in a rainbow of colors.  This particular same was made in Green themed fabric because it was for a friend that is far greener than me who spoke at one of my seminars last week.

Look how cute it looks!  I see more of these in the future.  Hope you are having a great day!

Mardi Gras

We went to Mardi Gras in Shreveport, Louisiana this weekend and had a terrific time.  One of my dear friends lives in the historical district of the city and the parade passes right in front of her house.  We literally drove there and back and were home in 24 hours.  I had not been in more than ten years and hubby and daughter were newbies!  It was especially fun for them.

I tried to explain, the "people are different", "people on floats throw beads at you", "lots of Cajun food" but nothing could have prepared them for....

Parade Vendors.. Look at all this cheesy Mardi Gras stuff.  These carts were going up and down the street. 

Parade Tailgators.  I have many pictures of people like this but this one is my favorite.  Notice the beard matches the gold, purple and green stripes in his hair. 

Here is one of the floats, there were around 50!  It was after dark and very hard to photograph, these pictures do not do the floats justice 

Daughter and Hubby had a great time.  Micaela weighed an extra 10 lbs with all those beads around her neck, poor T had her on his shoulders for quite a while. 

Here we all are after the parade was over and we were checking out our loot indoors.  Look at all those beads.  PLUS, We had an additional 3 bags of stuff...  Micaela of course wanted to keep every single bit of it, who knows what we'll do with it when the newness wears off. 

Hope you had a great weekend. 

Oklahoma University Zipper Pouch

I am adding to my university zipper ouch collection in my Etsy store.  Here is a new one for my Oklahoma Sooner friends.   It's hard to believe there are so many Texans that attend/attended Oklahoma schools... Not sure I get that..

 

The lining on this one is white with black dots, I think it looks cute.

I searched high and low but found the perfect charm for this one.  Look at this darling little stagecoach, I asked my Sooner friends if they approved and I got a thumbs up!

This bag is available in my Etsy store at this link.  https://www.etsy.com/listing/179918863/oklahoma-university-ou-sooner-zipper?ref=related-18

Travel for Work

Spent a couple of days in Austin this week.  I got to do some work with the Keep Texas Beautiful organization at the Texas Municipal League offices. 

It was a cool place to be even though it was work!

My Daffodil Plan

My Daffodil Plan is off to a good start. I planted about 20 groups of daffodil bulbs randomly amongst the front yard grass. The first two bulbs popped up overnight one day last week and are blooming now... many more are coming. So nice to see them amongst the dormant grass.

 

I am going for that Daffodil Principal - Wye Mountain, Ark - Keith Kridler's home in Mount Pleasant  sort of effect.  It's going to take me a while but you gotta start somewhere!

First Daffodils of 2014

My first three daffodils of the year have popped up around our front yard tree.

If you follow my blog , you know I love daffodils.  These particular ones are the first ones I ever planted in December 2009.  It was when I started a program for the city called Daffodils for Schools, we planted daffodils in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. 

Spring is almost here and I am totally ready!   Have a great Monday !

Spring is almost here!

We had a gorgeous weekend in McKinney.  Micaela unpackaged a kite she got from her cousin for Christmas and flew it for the first time ever with one our little neighbor friends. 

 

Look how pretty the sky was/is!

 

She was in awe that it flew so high.  Shame on us for not having done this years back.  Hope you had a great weekend.

 

 

Valentine Zipper Pouches

Here are a few other Valentine items I made for gifts last week.  These are all made with Surrounded by Love fabric by Deb Strain for Moda

I love how they all turned out and the ladies that received them, seemed to like them as well.  Hope you are having a great day.   

Heart & Sew Swap Items Sent

I've been sewing alot but have not been able to post because most of what I have made was for my partner and I was waiting for her to receive.  Betsy sent me some fabulous stuff so I wanted to reciprocate.  Here's what I sent for the Heart & Sew Swap.

These are the Valentine items made with Surrounded by Love by Deb Strain fabric by Moda. 

A Pennant Banner with six flags in several of the different fabrics in the collection.  One one of the flags I stitched the swap and date.

A little LOVE pillow that was approximately 9x12.

The dish towel was purchased, all I added was the name and Pom Pom fringe to the edge.

One of Betsy's favorite fabric lines is Bonnie & Camille's "Scrumptious" so I made a couple more items with it.

A Mini Quilt with a monogrammed B

A Stacked Flower Pin Cushion, I am really happy with the way this turned out.

And a Crisscross Pocket Tissue holder...I like how all of the fabrics look together.

Betsy admired a Paris zipper bag on my blog and had a birthday on Feb 9 so I made her this tote.  You can't tell but I quilted the whole thing... The top is a diagonal stitch and the bottom is straight lines.   

I also made a matching zipper pouch. 

Betsy has a new grandson named Amari so I made him this little bunny soft toy. 

And lastly, Betsy has a daughter graduating from high school and I made her this zipper pouch in her favorite colors.

Whew, that's alot of pictures in one post....  Hope you are having a great day.

Keep America Beautiful National Conference

The last week was extremely busy.

I traveled to Charlotte NC for the Keep America Beautiful National Convention.  I have always wanted to attend this conference and this year was able to make it happen.

The main reason I got to go is because one of our nominees won an award.  I am so proud of McKinney's partner Lee Howe from the Collin County Sheriff's Department receiving the National Award for Litter Law Enforcement.  He is instrumental in helping me with our litter pick up event and our national drug take back

Here is part of the Texas delegation at the Keep America Beautiful National Conference in Charlotte NC.  As you can see, there was a bunch of us...   Proud to be with these people!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Heidi Grace Words to Live by Zipper Pouch

I saw this fabric by Heidi Grace called "Words to live by" and immediately knew I needed to make a pouch.  This fabric is perfect for so many ladies I know.  I love words on fabric, especially these:  Bloom, Love, Dance, Believe, Create, Play, Sing, Wish, and Imagine.  

I made one for a friend who recently lost many things in her home due to a fire.     

and a blank one.

These are available in my Etsy store. 

Girl Scout Zipper Pouches

Girl Scout cookie sales continue in our part of North Texas.  Here are some of the Girl Scout Zipper Pouches I have made in the last couple of weeks.  I am so glad I hoarded this fabric four years ago. 

Here is one with green embroidery. 

 Hot Pink embroidery has been popular for many little girls.

This customer wanted a girly font instead of the Murray.

I have varied the lining to change things up a bit.   Here is pink and white hounds tooth.

Here is a green and white little tiny flower print, I thought it looked "girl scouty". 

I got lucky and found more of this green flower print online.  I think it matches the front of the pouch better than the gingham in the original pouch I made. 

Here is green and white hounds tooth. 

One Mom had two girls and requested just Cookie Business on their pouch, I varied the charm on this one and used a dollar instead of a tree. 

Here is a close up the dollar charm.  I love when I have the perfect charm-- the charm collection in growing by leaps and bounds as a result. 

It's been fun making all of these.  Little girls love their name in embroidery!  Thanks for stopping by!

Hexie Mini Quilt

Can you believe February is already here?  This is the adorable Hexagon shaped mini quilt I received from my partner Betsy in the Heart & Sew Swap.  See what I mean --- every item deserves it's own post?    I am so looking forward to putting this on our breakfast table for Valentine's Day.  Our table is a scalloped square so it's going to look perfect!

 

The fabric is Surrounded by Love by Deb Strain for Moda.  Here is a close up of the beautiful piecework. 

Thanks for stopping by...