Sweet Tweets - Tree Bird Blog Hop

It seems like I've been flapping my wings

like a big pink bird...

since the holidays...

It's so refreshing to finally be taking the time to land...

stop...

breathe...

and play!!!

Welcome to day THREE of

It's my day to fly!

Chances are when you think about birds in trees...

a peacock is not the first feathered friend that comes to mind.

And then came "Duke"....

Wishing I'd had a better angle for the picture above...

and my real camera in hand instead of the one on my phone..

but yes...that indeed is a peacock high up in our pines.

Here on our gazebo roof...

a little closer, but taken against the light...

Do you see the "bird watchers" in the upper left corner?

I didn't remember an audience....

It took me awhile to realize they were actually "leaves".

Ah...finally a better angle...

and we have color!

We do not know if Duke has a home..

 but we are guessing he's just a wandering gypsy.

He will spend a few nights in the trees behind our house....

and then he's gone...

sometimes for weeks at a time.

When he returns...

it's always time for a treat.

He loves Grapes!

Quite the gentleman too as he delicately takes my offerings.

Duke often visits our front deck 

and will entertain us with a little dance....

spreading those awesome tail feathers...

such brilliant colors!

I've yet to have my camera or phone ready when he's prancing about.

Tho it didn't happen this time around...

one day I'll capture that moment...

and there will be a quilt!

So now my fine feathered friends...

the real reason you're here...

let the bird biz begin.

I really just wanted...

needed...

 to have some fun.

We have many wonderful fabrics from Elizabeth's Studios in our shop
but we can't possibly carry everything out there...
I've simply loved all the beautiful creations made from Tracy Lizottes'
Beautiful Birds collection.
Since we do not carry the line...
I decided to make my own sweet tweets.

With an idea in my head....

it was time to pull some fabrics....

Not all would be used...

and others would be added....

that's what quilters do after all!

We recently enjoyed the company of  Quiltville's Bonnie Hunter

at our quilt shop here in Florida.

She taught her fabulous

Crumb Piecing Workshop...

and tho as shop keep I wasn't able to sit and be a student,

I listened.....

and I watched.....

and I took mental notes!

And then I played!

Best of all.....I HAD FUN!

I grew a "crumb" tree....

Okay...our Quiltville gal didn't actually make a crumb tree...
but if she had...it coulda looked like that!

Then I...
snipped...
patched...
and  hatched....
some crazy colorful birds...
crumb style of course.

My birds were pieced willy nilly - but inspired 

by a wonderful wonky bird tutorial from Samelia's Mum.

Not leaving it to chance that you would not recognize the 'tree' or the 'birds'

I couldn't resist trying and including some fun letters inspired by Bonnie's workshop!

Added some buttons....
lookie look at this cute little frog!

Put it all together and whaddaya got????

Can you tell I had me some FUN?

I love little quilted diddies...
This measures about 12"x18"...
Just the perfect size to hang just about anywhere!

Thanks again Bonnie for reminding me I had Tonya's book in my stash!

As I said earlier...Bonnie's visit happened earlier this month.

Which means my fun little quilt was done within the last week

(the last 4 days if you want to get technical...lol)

BUT...

I did have bird on the brain earlier in the year

when this hop was announced.

Made for my sweet birdie sis and fellow quilt shop owner

Nessa in Bar Harbor,Maine....

This little bird probably once lived in a tree....

until he moved to a furrier nest....

A sweet hummingbird quilt...

for an even sweeter friend in CA.

A project tote for moi

Flamingos of course!

Last but not least....

Fun with the same flamingo fabric used in the above tote.

I follow Mickey Depre and am loving her Castle Wall blocks...

My first true venture into hand piecing...

Just one made so far...but I see more in my future!

Thanx for the visit!

Special Thanks to our

Fabulous Cheerleader Lana

from It Seams to Be Sew

 She kept our feathers in check!

And as always...Thanks to our

'tweet Mdm Samm of

Sew We Quilt and Sew We Stitch!

Without her wonderful blog hop inspiration...

I wouldn't enjoy play time nearly as much!

Now spread your wings....

It's time to visit to our other birdie bloggers today:

Tuesday, March 17 Tomorrow's Treasures Today Childlike Facination Pig Tales and Quilts Quiltsmiles Ella and Nesta's Little Room Thimblemouse and Spouse *here Gracie Oliver Arts

We Interrupt this Skinny Sunday....

Sorry sweet followers....

there will be No Skinny Sunday today.

There has been

A LOT OF RAIN

here in usually Sunny Florida!

On Saturday we returned home from the shop

to find a

FLOOD

in our mouse house!

Still trying to dry out...

See you next Sunday!

UPDATE...Sunday morning...
Lemonade from Lemons....
Sometimes we forget what we have...
It takes a little shaking up to remind us...
Going thru soggy bottom boxes...
I rediscovered my Moms China...

No mood to cook last night...
but dear friend Crystal brought homemade Mexi Bean Salsa
and very *special* Jello to our shop earlier in the day.
Looks pretty sweet on those Nautilus plates dontcha think?

It's so good to have friends!

Houston Calling - An Astronomical Challenge

The deadline is nearing to enter the

ASTRONOMICAL QUILTS - BLOCK CHALLEGE!

You must mail in your entry by August 1st.

(click the link above for the scoop)

I finally made my block on Wednesday.

Have you made your block yet?

"Rocket Age" from Riley Blake Designs...
the perfect fabric for an Astronaut's quilt dontcha think?

This 9" block was fussy cut and pieced before you could say
'fly me to the moon'

You can make any type of 9" finished star block...
(9-1/2" with seams of course)
but sometimes I just need someone to make a suggestion!

Thanks to Pat Sloan for providing the suggestion and "motivation"
along with an easy pattern for this scrap happy star buster block.

***Pat is giving away a sweet layer cake of her newest fabric...
to one lucky star block maker...
 but hurry...
her deadline is July 1st...
click the 'scrap happy' link above***

Thanks for the visit!

Skinny Sunday - Rice is Nice In A Bowl Made by 'Muddy Me'

Welcome to another

Skinny Sunday!

Getting right to the point...

I was never much of a 'rice' person.

In the past, I would have rather used my points

on almost any other 'carb'...

and really, that was just fine...
since no matter how I tried...
I could never cook rice right!

On the stove it boiled over...
what a mess!
I tried the microwave for awhile...
that worked pretty good...
until we changed microwaves....
never the same after.

Last fall the Spouse and I treated ourselves
to lunch at P.F. Changs for the very first time.
(but not the last...oh no...there were more!)

Trying to eat healthy...
we opted for steamed brown rice.

WE. LOVED.IT!

Brown rice is much healthier...
more flavorful...
without a lot of fuss...
love the nutty taste...
1/2 Cup is pretty filling for only 3pp
but even better...
when I'm following either the
WW Simple Start or Simply Filling plan...
it's a
POWER FOOD!
(no counting points! yey)

Determined  to make it a part of our usual fare...
I knew I had only one choice....
so I put on my big girl panties...
I admitted defeat with my rice cooking skills...
I admitted I needed all the help I could get...
bought a new toy!

Yes...a Rice Cooker!
Lookie Look...there's even a setting for Brown Rice!

Good Bye sticky-icky-over boiled pots....
No more rice that goes Crrrrunch when it's not supposed to!

Perfect Rice Everytime!
(gosh...I feel like a commercial...like I should be selling salad masters or something)

This model isn't fancy...but it does the trick!
It's also a steamer...
someday I'll try that...
but not rushing there...
(you might remember I'm not a huge fan
of anything steamed
sorry Mom)

Our favorite rice is

It's our favorite because:
a) we can buy it at the Navy Commissary
b) the price is right!

I usually cook up 2 Cups (dry) at a time...
adding 1 T of Brummel & Brown spread
and a pinch or two of salt
before the cooking starts.

When done...
just a little freshly ground pepper does the trick...
but my absolute **FAV** is when dear Spouse
sautes mushrooms, zucchini & brussells with Ponzu sauce...
then adds some rice just before serving...
for his version of a 'stir-fry' treat!

When enjoying our meals...
(and I guess you can tell we are pretty much in love with food...)
part of the pleasure comes from
'presentation'
I'm not talking white linen table cloths and candle light...

(on second thought...candles might be nice)

but there's something about eating rice with
chopsticks...
served in a custom made rice bowl.

Dontcha love them?
We surely do!

My BFF Lisa is a wonderful quilter...
surpassed only by her awesomeness in the clay arts!

She makes the most amazing things...
so when I decided we needed rice bowls...
I immediately contacted her, and
Voila!

She made these right away...
even gifted them for our Christmas!
Wasn't that sweet?
What a super surprise!
And...
 sent them with the chopsticks!
Now that is a friend!

If you'd like to take a peek at some of the other goodies Lisa makes...
give her etsy shop a visit...
I love her style...
I love her colors...
I am so blessed to have her as my BFF!
(even if she did laugh 
back in the day
when I told her I cooked my rice
 in the microwave)

One quick eating tip before I go...
Chopsticks are great to slow down your eating!
Unless of course you're adept at using them.
I'm not.
But I'm learning!

- - - - - - - - - -
News Flash!!!!

Do you know about the "Row by Row Experience Shop Hop"?
Don't be left out!
Click HERE for more info!
- - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks for the visit
have a great week

A Perfect Picnic with Friends.....

Welcome to our Perfect Picnic!

Thank you Mdm Samm of Sew We Quilt

and our picnic perfect cheerleader

Mary of IPiece2-Mary.

I'm a little sad, this being the last hop of the season

hosted by dear Madame

but I'm sure there will be plenty more to enjoy when the new season starts.

(don't ask me when that is...I haven't a clue)

First of all...our goal for this hop was to present to you

"A Perfect Picnic"

with a perfect picnic quilt...picnic basket...picnic games...picnic food.

I started one quilt with Star Spangled Cottons from Riley Blake...

then decided I'd save that for the 4th of July.

I started another with some great Hawaiian print 4patch kaleidoscope blocks...

they were framed with white...
there would be lots of pieces...

and then I thought...
white...
ground...
dirty...

all those pieces...
to sit on....
hmmm....

so saving that quilt for another day.

We are huge Jacksonville Jaguar fans...

the obvious choice was to make a picnic blankie for tailgating....

But really, truly....

sometimes a mouse just wants to play with fabrics that have been calling to her.

So I did!

Here is our Perfect Picnic Blog Hop offering...

Our picnic started first thing this morning....

oops...just a peek now...

I'll bet nobody else had 'oatmeal' for their picnic fare...

or a basket full of yummy Riley Blake buttons...

(not to worry...that's not our picnic basket)

This was truly one of those days...

the kind you plan...

but go completely off kilter from the beginning!

In a perfect world...there would be 72 hours in every day...

with plenty of time to work and play...

ahhh....

Not today!

From the time our shop opened at 10am...

until 45 minutes before we closed at 5...

we were constantly busy with wonderful customers....
Since our shop is our bread and butter...
no complaints here...but...

Yes...

can you imagine me explaining when customers came thru the door...

just WHY Bob was sitting on a quilt...

eating oatmeal on the floor?

During a 5 minute lull...

I quickly snapped this picture of the full quilt

not knowing if I'd have another chance...

(I didn't).

This has been my all time favorite fabric line from Riley Blake!

I originally planned to make a disappearing 9-patch...

but once I made the huge 9-patch blocks...

I just could not cut them up!

(again thinking...picnic quilt..to rest our booty...keep it simple)

I LOVE OUR PICNIC QUILT!

In a perfect world I would tell you I wrote a tutorial.

Not today.

However...there will be one before this hop is over...

it's ready to be written...

I'll have to write it after hours...
after all...sleep is so overrated!

My idea of a perfect picnic...

is inviting friends who will bring the food!

We invited them...

they didn't come.

I did make a cute little basket though...

In case I happened upon any cute little food I suppose.

I found this red basket at the $1 store...

I cut 8 strips of fabric - 2" wide x wof

(4 pink...4 aqua)

I paired like fabs together...

wrong sides together...

and quickly stitched them together along the long sides

making 4 two sided strips.

Then I pinked the edges...

(you will see better below what I'm talking about

when I show you what I did with the leftovers)

I wove the strips thru the basket holes..

hand tacking the ends (inside so they wouldn't show)

There was about 8" of each strip left over...

so I zigged them together....

and sewed a hand gathered stitch with #8 perle cotton.

Pull the gathers tight to form a flower...

Use a cute red flower button for the center..

(from Riley Blake of course)

I tied the flower to the basket handle.

I set the table in the classroom for a picnic lunch....
setting two extra plates in case we had company...

Dontcha Love my little red dishes...

yes...I'm a $1 store junkie! haha

Lunch - Our perfect food?

(I sit here laughing...what was I thinking...signing up for a blog hop

that required me to have food?...ok...here it is)

Crackers...dried fruit...apples...

yep...

that's it...

Betty Crocker I am SO not! 

It's probably a good thing I didn't slave over a meal...
we would have never had a chance to eat it...
Not today.

Here's a quick peek at the back of the picnic quilt

Don't you love those trucks????

I love the pantograph Bob used...

he picked it out himself!

 

"Bollywood" from Urban Elementz!

I did not make this for the hop...

but in my perfect picnic world...

where OTHERS brought real food...

I could just lay back on my little quilt
and listen to a book....

I made this a couple months ago...

playing with selvages...

doesn't the fab look familiar?
Didn't I tell you how much I LOVE this fabric?

Here's the back...

One day I'll make another and take pictures

as I go...for a tutorial...

but...

you guessed it...

Not Today.

Now it's time to go home...

but the Perfect Picnic isn't over yet...

oh my no...

we've planned a little picnic at home tonight...
with a very special guest.

I used my favorite Jaguars tote

it holds the picnic quilt so perfectly...
and slipped it all into my basket
(who says the basket must be for food?)

  

hmmm...who could be holding that Jaguar bag?

It's a Perfect Picnic Mystery!

?

?

?

Oh wait...I think he just got into the car....

Who oh who could it be?

?

?

?

A back seat driver no less....

You see...

I originally planned a 

Teddy Bear Picnic....

But my bear friends skipped town!

To the rescue...

my Awesome Friend...

Mary Pat

(she's having a picnic too today!)

Well wouldn't you just know...

Mary Pat told her special friend

we needed some love...

and Mary Pat's equally awesome hubby

gave BEAUREGARD

a ride to the shop where he spent the day....

Thank goodness for that...

or we wouldn't have had a picnic game to play....

Aren't they so cute?

Once home this evening...

with our Perfect Picnic Quilt spread out...

I offered BEAU' some honey...

but he preferred something a little more...

ahh..

robust, you could say...

and  then we discovered...

that even the Perfect Picnic should

come with a few rules....

like...

hmmmm....

I wonder if Mary Pat is aware our friend has a wee problem....

which of course leads us to Rule #2

For the record...

the Spouse drank what is missing...

really!

Imagine that...

BEARLY left any for Me!

We did snap one more pic...

thinking that Ms Mary Pat might want to show

her kids at school...

what Beauregard did during his summer vacation...

(which starts in a few short days)

we thought it might not be very proper

to show a bear with his bottle....

so...

I didn't have to worry about feeding Beauregard...

because...

wait for it...

He was STUFFED anyways!

My idea of the Perfect Picnic Guest!

You don't have to feed them!

We're almost done...

and THANK YOU if you're still with me here...

Because....

Now I can show you...

we really did start the Perfect Picnic on Tuesday night

June 3rd.

It was our 36th Anniversary...

the Spouse and I celebrated the evening at Everbank Field...

Home of the Jacksonville Jaguars...

(that is our NFL team here in Jax...football for you non-sports types)

It was also the annual business meeting of our

Jaguars Booster Club...

(wasn't that sweet...how they coincided their event with ours? lol)

They even had

Real Food!

And believe it or not...

I brought my Perfect Picnic Quilt...

and grabbed the first guy I found...

Lookie Look!

My Purrrrfect Picnic Partner (sorry Bob)

-another guest I didn't have to feed-

Bob was going to snap our pic...but he was off buying 50/50 tickets...(we didn't win)...

meanwhile...

Jaxson our teams mascot...

 is just the Cats PJ's...

he asked professional photographer Bobby King

to take our picture...

wasn't that sweet?

Now that my friends...

is the 

Perfect Picnic!

June 5th-7pm - Late breaking Update - - - 

Photographer Bobby King just alerted me that this

picture was published today in one of our local papers.

Page 3 - Click here...how fun!

Be sure to take a looksie at my fellow picnickers today...

I'll bet they have food...

real food...

and it probably won't be oatmeal...

LOL!

TODAY - THURSDAY JUNE 5

Ella and Nesta's Little Room

Thimblemouse and Spouse - thanks for being here!

Jane's Quilting

Amanda Murphy Design

Quilting Quietly

Words & Stitches

Childlike Fascination

Thanks for the Visit...

The Mouse & Spouse