Sometimes it takes a sister......

to help you meet your goals and realize your dreams. I have such a sister!

Jess just graduated college and she came down to be with us for several months, until we convince her it's permanent! :) What would I do without her? So, right now she's the best aunt Jessie, personal chef and personal trainer - not to mention life coach. I've never known someone to be so happy - and I want to be just like her!  We really should be twins - we have a lot in common, but I am older by 7 years.

 

First goal - get me back in shape! Jess managed to get me into spandex, scary I know, but I have those 10 pounds to lose. So, the right to eat after 7:00 pm has been taken from me. I have to go to bed earlier - like 11:00 pm and wake up 6:00 am to go running. I have been doing it - the crazy thing is, I haven't run in over a year - please don't judge, and Jess broke me in by taking me on a 6 mile run. I thought I was going to die! I haven't been this sore since forever it seems - walking up and down the stairs is a nightmare. 

 

We have enjoyed family time and climbing rocks in Snow Canyon - I really forget how much there is to do here in Saint George and I am bound and determined to enjoy my surroundings more. 

Emily's quilt - should be done today!  Yay!

 Another goal is to get caught up with customer quilts - I am behind - like always - but Jenny's recent post gave me the kick in the pants to keep going and try really, really hard to finish the quilts up before I work on my own things. It just might be torture to not work on my projects, but I will feel better knowing I am catching up with my customer quilts.

 

Last, but not least - I want this car! I know I shouldn't set my heart on things like this, but holy cow - can you imagine driving this with the license plates saying GRNFRY? I so could! Not practical, not going to happen, but a girl can dream right?

Nan's Lone Star

Okay, let's say this Lone Star quilt has taken me way too long to get done.  But, the results are well worth the wait, I think. This is Nan and Joe's quilt - this is my second quilt for them.  You can see their first quilt here. It is always a pleasure to work with Nan and Joe - they are the sweetest couple and the nicest people you will ever meet.  Plus, they have been so patient with me.  Thank you! :)  

I used a combination of wool and Hobbs 80/20 for the batting. I used So Fine, and Glide thread for the top and lots of it! This quilt took me 70 hours to quilt. 

This is my first time quilting a Lone Star Quilt and at first I was a little intimidated.  I wasn't sure how I was going to quilt it.  I wanted it to be unique and all my own, plus I knew that I needed to have a lot of quilting in the quilt because that is what I do and what Joe and Nan like.  So, I stared at the quilt for several months, then realized I better just get going on it.  All the quilting designs were designed as the quilt was on the racks.  

 

I wanted to show this picture because the sun caught the thread's shine just right and I am pretty proud of the small quilting. I really take my time to quilt around these swirl feathers and the time it takes is worth it!

 

Here's another shot. I had a lot of space at the bottom of the quilt top and this free motion feather swirl plus fillers was just the thing. If you are wondering, I didn't draw any of these on, each feather swirl is different and free motion quilted.

  

I can't get enough of these :) 

 

I did a simple straight stitch with loop for the smaller blue border. 

 

This is what I would like to call a happy accident. I really didn't know what I was going to put in these large white square areas, but I played around with my ruler and this is what I came up with. The feather centers are free motion and were so fun to quilt up! 

 

What a cool picture! I seriously love this quilt! 

 

Inside the star diamonds I did a double connecting curve with a squiggly line from top to bottom. 

 

These areas were huge, but so fun to quilt up!

Love, love, love!

 

I love the process of this quilt, not happy that it has been on the racks since the first of April, but I am so happy to be finished and get started on my next project. Hopefully it won't take me as long.

An evening outside with the fam.......

So, it's so rare when there is an eclipse - and one that you get to see the Ring of Fire right in your back yard.  We had a ton of fun with the little monkey's last night getting our glimpse of this spectacular event.

 

Clint thought ahead and got us some glasses for our viewing pleasure.  We read about "fried eyes syndrome" and I made sure I freaked out the kids so they wouldn't look at the sun without the glasses on.  It is amazing how bright the sun was, even though it was being covered by the moon.

 

I should have taken some of my "freaked out" advice and not taken a glimpse at the sun.  It's amazing how badly I wanted to see the eclipse in it's full glory with my own eyes, but it was completely impossible!

Here's the older brother explaining the "shooting stars" that were going to come out - not sure where he got this idea, but he was pretty excited about the show in our backyard.  It was a 2 hour show that was so much fun for the kids.  I am so happy they loved it.  

Don't you just love the turned down pants and sizing elastics hanging out? :-)

This kid had no clue what was going on, but he did have fun walking around the yard and getting into everything.  Luckily it was bedtime at 7:00 - so, chasing him back from the front yard and away from the road only lasted for an hour. 

Clint figured out how to get a picture by putting the glasses in front of the camera lens and zooming all the way in.  We told the kids that a bite had been taken out of the sun and they loved that thought.  

  

Not all the shots were perfect, but with our glasses it was too, too cool!

Almost there!

The ring of fire! It was so amazing. When the sun was covered like this, the lighting outside was completely different and a little darker. The trees and grass looked so much greener and it was beautiful! Wow, I am so thankful for events like this and so grateful we can share God's beautiful creations with our kids. It was such a wonderful experience!

 

There have to be some perks to having an online quilt store! So, meet my newest member to my very low fabric stash, none other than Lucy's Crab Shack FQB by Sweetwater. Oh, I did have to put up a fight to get this one - seems like the honey wants to sell it instead. Final act that won the battle was me throwing the bundle underneath my quilting frames far from reach, then he caved! Thanks Babe - I promise I will make something with it - some day! :) 

PS - if you want your own Sweetwater Bundle - get it quick because all our bundles (fat eighth and fat quarters) are 30% off until Monday!  

Simple Allover....and the winner is.......

The lighting made the thread look gold, but it's red like the fabric.

Okay, so I have been getting some quilting done, finally, and I decided this simple free motion allover would work great in some large areas of the quilt I am working on. Simple? Well, my simple.... ;-) It wouldn't be my quilt if I didn't quilt it like crazy, enough to make my back hurt. 

So, the winner of Emily's book and my giveaway is Gramma Quilter from All the Pretty Pieces - thank you everyone for entering the giveaway. 

One more thing, we have 9 new fabric lines in the shop. Plus, new Riley Blake bundles, check them out here. 

A Tale of Two Birds and some Mom's Day sentiment....

 

Yesterday, after getting home from Mom's and Doughnuts at my daughters school, I came home to two excited little boys and a husband who found a sweet little bird.  This little guy wasn't moving much and so Clint and the boys made a little nest for him in a cereal box.  He was a scared little guy and after a while of checking on him - and keeping the boys away from him - I realized he was calling his mama bird.  I could hear both of them calling back to each other.  So, I asked Clint to get the bird out of the box and into view of his Mama.  So, he did - and we backed away.  I made sure the boys didn't go outside and we watched from the window as this little bird hopped around and waited for some help.  The help came - all day long this Mama bird would fly in and give him some food, then she would extend her wings to try and encourage him to fly.  It was amazing to watch.  All day she did this - I kept my kids inside and we just watched as this sweet little bird was being taken care of.  We even had moments with this little bird as it would look up at us, it was seriously the sweetest thing.  It seemed like he was getting a little weaker - I knew this, but I had grown so attached to him.  It was so sad to realize he might not make it. 

Last night for prayers Lili prayed for the little bird. He stuck around for a little while, but Clint and I checked on him later last night since he had never moved from our patio and he had died.  I cried, it was so sad. All day his Mama tried to take care of him, but there wasn't anything she could do.  The reason I was so attached to this bird is because of the love and care of his Mama - and with Mother's Day tomorrow - it was even more special.     

Thanks Jess for the picture!

   I made the quick comparison to my Mom - she buried her youngest.  She did all she could to keep my brother healthy and strong, but it wasn't to be.  I think of all the things she taught me and how her unwavering faith in God has blessed my life so much.  I can't think of a better example of an incredible mom than my own mom and then I think of all Mom's out there who sacrifice so much for their children.  I think of all the women out there who want to be Mom's, but don't get the opportunity.  I think being a Mom is the biggest blessing and at times the biggest trial.  The heartache and pain from trials that comes with Motherhood can be so hard, but there isn't anything more rewarding than having your little 3 year old come up and whisper in your ear "I wuv you Mom."   

Photo courtesy of Amber. 

If I could turn out half as good as my mom, I think I will have made it.  I love you Mom!  

To all you women out there - Happy Mother's Day!  You all make a special difference in the world and I am so glad to know so many of you!  

Take care. 

 

Geared for Guys Book Tour and Giveaway!!

So, it is my turn on the book tour. Emily and I met several years ago at one of my first quilt shows, HMQS in Salt Lake - not sure the year, but I am assuming it was around 5 years ago. Emily has always amazed me with her design talents. Her quilt patterns and fabric are so darn cute and now, she has a book! A great book at that! I love that she has made this book for guys in mind. There are plenty of super cute (or should I say Manly :-) quilts to make in this book. You can make any of the projects in the book for the special guys in your life.



When I was looking through the book, my eyes were drawn to this quilt, "Switchback."  I love it! I can't wait to make it myself!

 

So, if you want a chance to win a copy of Emily's book - leave a comment below and you are entered to win! If you just can't wait and want to pre-order the ebook - do so here. Be sure to continue the 30 day book tour by visiting For the Love tomorrow.  Check back on Monday for the winner! Good luck!

Thank you! Thank you!

Thank you so much for your sweet kind words on my birthday! I loved reading your comments and I really appreciate your friendship. I had a marvelous birthday. I was able to go on an early morning ride on my new bike. It's a sweet comfort road bike with humungous wheels! I have had a lot of fun with this bike! It has helped me realize how out of shape I am, darn it! Good thing I have this bike to get my butt in gear! I am now committed to the 30's - funny how I haven't really cared about my age, but this year I realize I do care a little. Oh well, get over it an move on right? Be grateful for each day you have! (that is what I keep telling myself)

 

I treated myself to some piecing - oh how I love this block! I only got this one block done, then Clint took me on a date. That was the highlight of my birthday of course. Cafe Rio and The Avengers makes it a perfect night! Thanks again for your kindness to me, it means more to me than you will ever know! Take care.

Happy Birthday Judi!!!!

So I decided to sneak onto Judi's blog this morning without her knowing and wish her a Happy Birthday!!!  Please feel free to leave comments and do the same if you'd like - Happy Birthday Judi from your hubby!!!!!!!

Flying Solo

So, this week has been one crazy week! I have been all alone - well, with 3 kids but no Clint. That means I had to run the business, the house and the kids all by myself. I am not complaining - not one bit, but I am sooo ready for Clint to be home. Just another 1 1/2 hours until I get to kiss that gorgeous face of his! I got a ton of things done, I even mowed the lawn twice this week - you're welcome babe! I am also making progress on the quilt pictured above - slowly but surely this baby will get finished and I am exited for how it is turning out. 

Thank you for all the love on my Quiltmaker's block - I am so glad you liked it! I am happy to announce 3 winners for their own copy of the magazine. So, if you are listed below - email me at judi(at)greenfairyquilts(dot)com and I will get the magazines shipped out to you asap! 

Congratulations goes to - 

Dawn Hendrix - no blog that I could find. 

Lisa 

Sis-O 

Last, but not least - my current favorite fabric collection. Tradewinds by Lily Ashbury for Moda - it is so darn cute! And this layer cake and the rest of our Layer Cakes are 30% off until Monday - so go and get yours! Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Quiltmaker's Blog Tour and Giveaway!

I was so thrilled to have my block chosen to be a part of Quiltmaker's 100 blocks volume 5 magazine edition. So exciting! Today is my day of the blog tour - be sure to check out the tour for the chance to win a copy of the magazine.  You will have your chance to win 1 of 3 copies here, so read on!

I snapped a quick picture of my original block way back when, so sorry about the picture background - had I thought about it, I would have gotten a better picture. Anyway - my block is called Road Block - it has a lot of piecing in it, but it is so fun to put together! 

I was so surprised to see my block and my name - or at least Green Fairy Quilts on the cover. What an honor! You can find my block and instructions on how to make it on page 64 of the magazine.

Here is another version of my block that I pieced this last week - I had this idea of a bright, rainbow type quilt and I think it turned out fun. 

Here's the block in a simple row by row setting. I think I like it!

Then, this crazy idea came to me to make a bigger block - so, I doubled the size of my original 12 inch block to get a finished 24 inch block. Then, I added some borders. I am so happy with how this block turned out. 

It was funny as I searched through my stash of fabric to make these sample blocks only to realize that I pretty much gave everything in my fabric stash to my mother - I hope she's happy - so I had to run to the quilt store for some fabric.  This fabric line screamed at me as I walked by, so I bought some yardage of each piece in the line they carried.  The line is called "Bright Owl" by Alice Kennedy for Timeless Treasures Fabrics. 

Being the super optimist, I figured I would get 3 different bigger blocks to show you, but wouldn't you know it - I didn't get to the third one. In the meantime, I realized that I just need to make 6 of these blocks to get a super cute quilt. So, that's what I am going to do, eventually!

Here's the rest of the blocks all cut up and ready to go. I can't wait to finish this quilt, but I have some quilting to get done first. 

So, how about a giveaway?  Quiltmaker is giving away 1 copy of the magazine to my readers and I am throwing in 2 extra copies.  So, just leave me a comment telling me what project you are working on.   Simple as that! Good luck!