In the Blink of an Eye. . .

Each Spring we have a BIG birthday~actually two. . .

This was then. . .they were so tiny. . .

This is now. . .not quite so tiny. . .they're 5'4"! They are amazing, funny, happy, smart and silly. They are a force to be reckoned with. . .just ask their siblings and cousins! Together, they'll love you, tease you and if you'll allow, use you for tickle torture! Though very much their own person, they are also very much twins. They'll play for hours together completely content with only each others company, they have a bond which is truly remarkable.

We, of course, had to celebrate with cake and ice cream~Colby, chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and Bethany, vanilla cake with vanilla icing. Go figure.

We always do birthday banners which reflect current interests~it's amazing how those change over the course of a year. . .

And for good measure, one of all 5 of them~this is what makes my life so very sweet.

Busy Bee

My sewing room has been seeing all kinds of action. . .but my in progress projects aren't shrinking! I've been working on virtual bee blocks. This one is for Adrienne from the Quilter Bee group. She requested each of us make a block resembling a quilt. I just love the floral print.
These two are for Anna, my Sew 2 Speak buddy. Wonky log cabins, I'm beginning to feel more comfortable with these types of blocks~not so concerned with straight lines. Pretty lavenders and pinks mixed with batiks. . .super cute fabrics.
And, finally, Greta's block. My gal pal from Bee Stitched. Greta sent us each 50 print squares and some gray Kona requesting this star block. Very pretty. . .no two prints are duplicated. The quilt is going to be yummy! Notice the Flea Market Fancy prints. . .

Happy Spring everyone!

Winter Mini Quilt Swap 2010 & A Sweet Start

My Winter Time Mini Quilt is finished! My latest free-pieced, raw edge appliqued mini~ Frightful Outside, Delightful Inside. . .This one travels to my swap partner in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Though, not a good picture~the label is a pair of mittens held together with mini rick rack.
Close up of the machine quilting; not without injury~I grazed my finger with the needle~reason #101 why to love a long arm. . .The sky is adorn with machine-stitched snowflakes sewn with an aqua iridescent thread. My partner's request was for something happy, I hope this fits the bill.

We just received the latest collection Sugar, by Patricia Bravo for Art Gallery Fabrics this week at HRQ. I've given new life to the old-fashioned cross block (I think it's more of a plus sign) using a modern fabric palette. The quilt will measure 60 x 60 once complete and is perfect for a fat quarter bundle with 12-15 pieces. It took 20 minutes to cut the entire top, but 2 hours fooling with color placement until I was happy with it.

Enjoy your week, my friends. We're due to have clear days in the mid-sixties~and yes, the kids are already questioning when the pool is going to be ready. . .Spring Break begins March 15th, I'm ready to have them all home for a bit. . .too bad the week is scheduled with hair cuts and dentist appointments. . .

Oh, and the Modern Quilt Guild of Sacramento is hosting it's first meeting this Saturday, Carmen and I (and maybe Amanda too) are going~we're so excited!