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

Happy Valentines Day Mes Amis

Wishing you All a Beautiful Day!

First and foremost...sending everyone here in blogland

HUGS & KISSES...

but especially to

Sweet Madame Samm

She surprised  me with this

New Wonderful Blog LOOK!

Isn't it spectacular?

Didn't she just nail 'tail' us?

I'm still so overwhelmed and absolutely

in LOVE with our Mice!

And she made us both names tags....

mine's at the bottom...

here's.....

Isn't he just the cutest?

I just want to poke his cute little round tummy!

*wink*

My heartfelt thanks Dear Madame

I feel so grown up now!

You are the best!

(Gush Gush Gush)

Valentines Day started early....

My dearest darling "Spouse" arranged for a special visitor to the shop yesterday.

That's "Jaxson DeVille"

mascot supreme with the Jacksonville Jaguars

(our very own NFL Football team - as in here in "Florida"...

lordy no, "we the mice" do not own a team...lol)

It's always a delight to see Jaxson...

of course the 'treats' he brings to share are pretty awesome too!

yummmmm....

can you say 'weight watchers worse nightmare?"

oh...but what a way to go!!!!!

Jaxson gave us both the most beautiful Roses...

I quick found a vase...

but then I needed I pretty 'something' to put the vase on.

Can you believe I hadn't made anything Valentine-y?

I thought about a quick 10 minute table runner because

right now I'm in 'crunch mode' at the shop

(inventory, retreat prep, classroom remodeling once we FIND the classroom again...lol)

..........and I really have no business starting a new project....

Did that STOP me?

What do you think?

(of course if you noticed the opening picture for todays post...

you already know my answer...ha)

Just a partial view up close.

I'll be back with a tutorial and clearer pictures...

when I locate my 'real' camera.

Earlier this week I mugged some rugs....

and posted this on our Facebook Page

Yikes...I did it again.

Started writing this 'quickie' post

at 10am this morning...

it is now almost 4pm.....

I guess it's time to wrap it up before Valentines Day is no more.

But before I go....

Be sure to click over to Madame Samms...

She has oodles of

HUGS & KISSES

you don't want to miss.

Dear Madame and my sweet friend

Soma from Whims and Fancies

are hosting this oh so sweet blog hop.

Be sure to visit...and tell them I sent you!

The Thimblemouse >"<

It's a "Blogger" ~ I Feel Like a Proud New Mamma!

Welcome to Day 10 of

Wake Up to Kona!

I've already had my day

and I normally don't play favorites

by singling out any 'one' of the many talented blog hoppers

but I'm just so...so...

Sooooo Dang Excited

because....

That's right ~  it's a new arrival....
as my dear sweet friend 

Mary Pat
of Quilting Quietly

debuts in her
Very FIRST blog hop today!

I've known Mary Pat for quite awhile now

and I'm thrilled you're getting to meet her here in blogland.

(and Yes...she has Purple hair - isn't that just absolutely awesome?)

Not only does she make the most incredible quilts...

she's quite adept at some
very fashionable 'headwear'...

I asked her to design me something special for our Jaguar games....

Lookie Look....

I feel like a Vegas Show Girl!

What Fun!!!!

Just wait till you see what she designed for the

Wake Up to Kona

blog hop today!

If you haven't visited her yet...

now's your chance...

Click HERE to be dazzled

then be sure to visit ALL the wonderful blog hoppers

listed below.

Congrats Mary Pat! Way to Go Girlfriend!!!!

To MP: When I grow up...I wanna be just like you...

Purple hair and all (wink)!

Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<

January 20

More Stars in Comanche

Buzzing and Bumbling

Quilting Quietly

Grammie Q’s

The Quilted Cat

The Quilting Queen Online

Lauraluvsloons

Sew Incredibly Crazy

Cluck Cluck....It's Boogie Woogie Time!

Welcome to Day 8 of the 

Black Tie Boogie Blog Hop!

Thanks again to our two chickie-poo's

Madame Samm

of 

and

Vickie

from

They have really given us

something to crow about!

Be sure to visit them and sign up

for a chance to win some

Egg-cellent prizes

from our fine feathered sponsors:

Ok now...time to Boogie...

Let's step it up!

I've got a lot of cluckin' to do!

I was really looking forward to working with

Red Roosters "Black Tie Boogie" fabrics...

alas...

our shipment didn't make it in time.

But fear not!

I won't lay an egg.

Nope, you'll see no egg laying here....

just

"Fresh Eggs"

a really great panel from

Clothworks, designed by Dan DiPaolo.

From two of the blocks I made these sweet little wall hangings.

Some really dear friends of mine will be getting these for Christmas.

(Shhhh...don't tell.)

Repurposed Soda can pulls for hanging....

(okay...the truth...not soda...Woodchuck Amber Hard Cider...my new vice...lol)

I planned to make everything this time around for somebodies Christmas pressie...

and started the next block with intentions of making a little hot pad.

I thought little "Bow Tie" blocks would make a sweet border.

After making 20 of them...they finish 2" btw...

I fell in love...added a bright happy sunflower border.....

 and.... Cluck Cluck!!!!

Merry Christmas to Me!

(am I bad?)

The Spouse and I have been married 35 years...we're planning a new kitchen

(okay we've been planning it for 10 yrs...but no matter...)

so I'm putting this away in my "hope chest"

(shouldn't we all start a new hope chest at least every 35yrs or so?).

Our kitchen will be Black and White with Red and Yellow accents...

How could I NOT keep this?

(Edited...Eegads...the post is "live" but I had to break in...I've been wondering why my little bow-tie blocks just don't look right...they look like spools...and DANG....just Now at 1:04AM I realize I didn't make BOW TIE blocks at all - they are spoolies...hahahahaha....well CLUCK!!!!  

I'll blame it on the 'cider')

What the block should have been

What was that I said about 'no egg laying'? lolol!!!!!

I really love these fabrics

(and yes, we still have panels and yardage available)

Earlier this fall, I made the quilted fabric for a nifty casserole carrier by Atkinsons Designs

My friend Gail put the carrier together...she does great work!

From the left over quilted 'scrap' I made the bottle holder.

I found the free tutorial at Pink Chalk Studios...thank you Kathy!

Aren't those little black Chickies just the cutest?

Looking back it seems I have a thing for

Black and White

with

Red and Yellow

(and NO...it was hard but I did NOT keep this quilt)

Chickens!

I made the quilt for my dear friend Deanna in Idaho after she tragically lost her entire chicken family one night. It just so happened I finished it in time for her birthday 

(one of the few times ever this last decade I was on time for someones birthday...cluck cluck.)

I'm sure she won't mind me sharing the label I made for the back of her quilt...it's just too cute

and it's of course....

Chickens!

While I was hunting for a scrap of black fabric with white chicken wire

(which by the way I never did find - and that's why you don't see it here)

I came across just the perfect surprise....

Lookie Look...

Cluck!

I can't believe this little guy was tucked away in a box!

(I inherited the "box gene" from my Dad...you know the one...

it's that gene that compels you to put things away in a box when you're

cleaning and run out of time to put everything in it's place...

or you've just run OUT of places to put those things...

so they wind up in a box)

I'm embarrassed to admit I don't even remember who gave him to me...

(yikes...I hope they don't read my blog)

But isn't he perfect for this hop?

Oh wait....

he needs a little something

hee hee

Much Better! Cluck!

I hope you've enjoyed your visit...

don't forget to click over to my other feathered friends today...

which reminds me...

the dear Madame chose a "peacock" on day 7....

and now I must show this pic of recent visitors....

They are our neighbors!

We didn't even know they'd moved in. haha

Oh and Wow...

I almost forgot!

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

In paying homage to our fine feathered fowls for this Blog Hop...

rest assured we couldn't possibly be eating turkey today...

Bob will be bar-b-que-ing Ribs

and making his special French Onion Soup.

Dontcha just love his Apron?

Chickens!!!!

Cluck!

Blessings to all for a very Happy Holiday Season!

Bob and I are very Thankful to call you our Friends!

Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<

Now Flap those Wings and Fly on Over To:

Celtic Thistle Stitches

Crafting 365 Days

Hill Valley Quilter

Thimblemouse & Spouse