The Silly BooDilly - Huge Holiday Sale!!

~ All items in my Silly BooDilly Etsy shop are now on sale for the holidays!

~ 30% OFF the listed price for each and every item in the shop!

~ (Difference will be refunded via Paypal once payment has been received.)

~ Note: This is a one time sale that will continue throughout the month of December. Any items left will be removed from my shop sometime in the beginning of the new year, (once I have new items to post). I am ready for a new look and direction. There are some great savings to be had here, so if you ever wanted one of my pieces... now is the time to buy!!

~ P.S. Thank you for indulging this self promotion!

What a Fun day!

Hello!
Having a wonderful day, getting our entire Christmas stuff put all around the house! Great movies on TV today, and getting ready to watch one now. A little bit of quilting... using my hoop Denny fixed for me. I am hoping everyone is having a very great day! Hugs Morgan

On to Christmas 2009

Hello All,
Had a wonderful, warm, special Thanksgiving Day with family, and my friends. Our day was a very special day celebrating Jeff’s new kidney... and my dad’s progress from his heart attack last Christmas day. My wonderful new meds that have me feeling so good for the last few months. Many other issues that we were all thankful for as well.
The food was just wonderful! We all felt so blessed, and felt such a good close feeling to be sharing another wonderful day all together.

Now on to the Christmas holiday. Our tree is up... and lights are on, and it is starting to look like Christmas here. We put up our tree just before, Thanksgiving... yet the lights did not go on until today. With my hubby home just a very short time during this holiday, we like getting ahead of the rush, and try to put some of that behind us so that may have all the time to buy, or make our gifts.
My 9-year-old grandson is coming over, after school, as I his...Nana is teaching him to oil paint. I have a wooden plaque, for him to draw a palm Tree in the center of it and this is an oval plaque. I will teach him how to do this process. Then he will start to paint, I will teach him how to shade as he moves to each section of this tree... To give the tree looks of looking like a real palm Tree.
Then his next trip over he will, apply the varnish, and has to let this dry. We have a work shop out in the shed..., which has windows and large doors... I may have to have Denny do this process..., as my lungs may not take to the smell of the varnish. His trip over next will be sanding with a very fine sand paper. First, we use a high gloss varnish... then when dry sand then next coat will be a satin coat of varnish. Sanding in-between each coat. We will add the hanger hook on back... then he will wrap his gift.
When all three of my children were young, we always made plenty of gifts, and they learned to give... and the kids were so happy to give on Christmas Day. I was pleased to see the glow in their faces, and how they wanted those gifts opened than to even open their own gifts. Teaching the young to give, is so important... and the joy to give is such a wonderful way to express also the love you put into that item... which will be around for a long while. To this day, my very own kids see in their grandparents home all the items they have made. They are proud of them all.
It is also teaching a skill that will not be forgotten either. When I was 7 years old a woman who was a girlfriend of my mom. Taught me to oil paint, and how to do it all with a beautiful look when finished. She taught me how to make furniture from scraps of good wood. Her husband taught me how to use all the sanders, and tools..., which I love to make shelves, some have been for books or Knick-knacks... and they are still today being used. My husband is amazed at all; I have made for different members of our family. He told me that they are all beautiful. I went once into making braided rugs. Everyone had one for his or her long hallways. For seat covers for their chairs. I love making those. Candle making..., embroidery pictures..., ceramics..., and so many different items made. Still today, we build dollhouses, right now the one my dad and I are working on is a three level Victorian home. It is going to be very charming.
Then I have quilting projects all set up in order, for the final touches. These are gifts for my family this year.
Well, I do hope everyone gets to enjoy each day during this fun holiday!
Hugs Morgan

Fair Fowl

My husband found this Eastern Screech Owl sleeping in the rafters of our tractor barn a few weeks ago. Sometimes our chores get put off so we can discover nature instead. This species of owl is 9" tall at maturity (this owl is sitting on a 2"x12"). They have a very eerie call that reminds me of the soundtrack from a scary movie. We once saw one sleeping peacefully in the top of a tree while the wind gusted at 35 mph. Read more information and listen to the calls of these owls here.

Female Ring Necked Pheasants have been rooting around for seed under our bird feeders recently. They get their name from the ringed necks of the males. We have enjoyed having them around the house. They strut in a way that resemble the walk of a chicken. Sometimes they chase each other around like kids playing a game of tag.

On another note...I am offering free shipping worldwide for anything purchased from my ShadyGroveStudios Etsy Shop through the end of December.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving from the Shady Grove!

Chris

An extension of Mystery Quilt contest deadline

First - we need to post an extension of the deadline in the Mystery Quilt Contest. We had a little trouble getting the email out so we extended the deadline to Monday the 30th. You have through the 30th to guess and Zoie will draw a name on the 1st from the correct guesses. What does the grandfather clock have to do with the Mystery Quilt???? Well - nothing but there is a story that goes with it.




As you know if you read my post last month, Pep and I have been married 40 years as of October 18th. The first time we went to his parents home I saw this Grandfather's clock and just loved it. It was Pep's mother's clock and had originally belonged to her father. Pep remembers his grandfather letting him hide in there when they all played hide and seek. The clock stood in the corner of their living room for 40 years that I know of - but it didn't work. Eunice had jewelers over on several occasions to try to fix it but it just didn't work. Since she loved the way it looked - just like I do - and it had been her father's, it stayed in the corner of the living room. Last month before the house was sold, my son Brian went to Chillicothe with me to bring the clock to our house. He thought we should put it in the living room but that would have called for a major upheaval and furniture rearranging - not one of my favorite chores. And there was a space in the back bedroom where it would just fit. We got it home just as it started raining and put it in the bedroom. The weights had gotten askew and the lock was stuck so I had Pep come open the door and straighten things out. He set it and started the pendulum.

It's been working ever since.
And it chimes. Some clocks have a lever to turn off the chimes but not this one.
And it's in the bedroom with the crib :)
We can just stop the pendulum and that will stop the clock. We've had to do that a couple of times when people need to sleep but it has started up again each time we reset it.
And I'm not moving it! It might stop working. It seems to like it where it is.
Pep's mother would have been so excited - maybe she is!

Highland Cows and Happy Holidays!

Eldest daughter met up with some Highland cows last week while traveling through Scotland. After pleasant introductions they all became fast friends. :0)


Tomorrow will be the first Thanksgiving that we have not been together since her birth. And even though I will miss her so, I am so grateful and thankful to see her having such fun and adventure. She may be an ocean away but she is always in my heart.

Whether you are here, there or anywhere, wishing you and yours much love, laughter and gratefulness, today, tomorrow and always. Happy Thanksgiving. xo

Giveaway Results

And the winners are.....

Jen of A Quilting Jewel

and Marlene of Sipiweske Quilt Designs

Congratulations ladies!!!

My thanks to everyone that participated. There we almost 200 entries. I had a chance to meet many new people and found some wonderful blogs that I had not seen before.

I am just returning home from a week away from home for work in Illinois. Taking the (long) way home I chance to meet my new nephew in Iowa. He was just two days old. What a cutie!!

I spent Saturday morning cleaning house and washing laundry for my sister and brother in-law so they can rest once they bring my nephew home.

I finally remembered to take some photographs of the stained glass items that I made for my sister over the years. She is a huge fan of Arts and Crafts period furnishings. I designed the lampshade with the art of Charles Renee MacKintosh in mind.

I designed these stained glass window hangings for her wedding day. My sister and her husband had a garden wedding in their backyard on a beautiful September day. These windows were the backdrop for the ceremony. I chose each flower and plant with its symbolic meaning in mind.

Tulips for perfect love

Roses for love and hope

Ivy for Friendship, fidelity and eternal love

Ginkgo for longevity and

Myrtle to symbolize love and marriage

Have a wonderful week! Chris

Another wonderful Day in the South!!!!!!

 Today is Sunday, and it is another wonderful day outside. The sky looks so clear.... I love the wonderful weather we are having here in Florida. I am going to be busy today... making it a perfect day to move out into the sewing room. I am going to finish a few projects... they just need some final changes. 

DH, he has had a tough week out there, as the hours have been cut once again. He thinks he will be coming home early again. I think it will be a blessing as he is on edge...needs more rest after some long hard weeks driving so many miles. A day and half off is not enough time to rest. I will be doing some things here before he gets home... as he loves when he comes in, and I have his belongings all set up...so he can sit in his favorite seat.... and just sit and relax. 

I for one could never do his type job... it is a very stressful type job... and he has to be aware every second. No daydreaming allowed.  

 I had dinner at my son’s house last evening... and did a few haircuts... for my grandson and son. I got tired out yet it was wonderful to do a bit, of what was once my lifeline to making money, yet to me it was even more powerful than that. I t never felt as work. It was fun, and I loved making others look their best. To feel better, and I loved chatting with each client and make friendships every day.  

Looking forward to see the family again... this Thanksgiving! I am going to be rather busy the remaining days before.... Thanksgiving Day! I have so much to be Thankful for...and looking forward to my parents cooking. I feel so happy that they are doing it once again this year.  I am thrilled that they are still able to do this...for all of us.

Many movies will be made this week. As you never know, what will be in the future...and catching these moments are very special now. 

Working on my quilts... and you can be sure.... I am having a wonderful day here.

Have a good, restful, and good day everyone! Hugs Morgan

What a wonderful Sunny Day Here!

Here it is Saturday! As I look outside it is a warm day here, with lots of sun shining down on us...and everything nice and green. It looks so nice out. Checked on my new honey bell orange tree... to see if it is growing any...and yes, it has. In another year or so, it will be giving us the tastiest sweet oranges.

 My other tree, had the best, yet the last hurricane took the tree down. My grapefruit tree is full of large grapefruit this year... and ready for picking in just a few weeks. With the way the grapefruit is not really allowed with different medications, I have to limit myself to having only one per week. They are pink inside and so sweet.

My DH is going to plant me a lemon, and lime tree...this spring...I will love having that. I use both a lot with my vegetables and some special smoothies I make. I have one of those in the morning, and half an hour later, I have a good healthy breakfast. These smoothies do not have sugar in them. In the real hot months when the watermelons are out, I make one with watermelon and you take 4 limes and squeeze the juice into the mixture... turn on the mixer, and LA LA, it changes the taste completely, and it is the tastiest fresh drink.

 If I need sugar, I use one of the newer ones out on the market. I am using always the Susanne Somers diet, no sugar as she says sugar is not our friend. Lol   No white stuff and sugar, and the weight does melt off of you. Sugar is in almost everything, therefore I make my own tomatoes sauce... with ripe tomatoes... spices...  very good.    This is one subject... I could go on and on about. I see what she is saying.  She follows all the natural things, and I have to say, even though our doctors want to say she does not know what she is talking about, I see from my very own experience that she indeed does know what she is talking about. I do not put my faith into anything FDA approved any longer. They are not even checking any items before they slam that sticker on our items.  

What shall I do today? I have my list made up for this day. This morning I worked on my Bible study with Esther, lesson 2.... Second section. I am getting so much out of these lessons. 

I have my Christmas stuff out and all about. My Christmas cards with notes written in each are ready to go out the first of Dec. This afternoon I shall start putting everything into their spots...  and I’m listening to and partly watching Christmas movies that are on all day on the Hallmark channel. I am feeling very in the mood. Lol   

I do hope everyone is having a very pleasant day! Hugs Morgan

Mystery coming to an end

I was doing one of my favorite things thIs morning while I sipped my coffee and listened to my tapes. I was sewing the binding on this year's Mystery Quilt. It's almost time for the December Mystery Quilt block to be posted on the website, finishing up this year's quilt. Sooooo.......



we decided to have a contest. Make a guess as to what the 12th block will be. Just post your guess in the comments section or email Tara at info@janpatekquilts.com. We're sending out an email on this contest too so all of the guesses won't be in the comments section. And since we're sure that there will be lots of correct guesses, Zoie.org will draw a name from the correct guesses on Friday the 27th. The winner will get a free Mystery Quilt next year. And do remember that next year the quilt will be almost totally different - it will be a sampler though - my favorite kind of quilt. Good luck ladies.

A Quick Trip to Patsy's Retreat

I took a trip to my friend Patsy's quilting retreat a few weeks ago and this is what I saw along the way. Cornfields ready for harvest.

The big work horses getting fueled up for the job ahead.

Brilliant colors on the maple trees near the Homestead Cabin Retreat.

And a quick shot of Patsy as she rushes around to care for her weekend quilting guests.

For the next two weeks she has her days free to sew. Every year at this time she turns the retreat over to the men in her life. Patsy always changes her decorations with the seasons and hunting season is no different. Click here for a peek at her blog.

Florida is Pretty this time of Year!

Hi!

My amazing last few days has been very wonderful. I have some new things happening that are good. Had to spend time with my parents yesterday (WED.) and it was very nice too! It has been awhile since we have done this. My weekend with my hubby was very special and fun! We decided to have a date night together, and I got all dressed up, and he too got dressed up... and we went out to dinner.  Then we had made plans for the movies. As we drove up to the movies, there was not anyone there. Not even one car. Both of us were disappointed, and shocked. We drove by to see the hours and days. Well, now they have it only Wed. Fri, and Sat. It had Monday not to long ago. Well Denny is only home Monday afternoon and Tuesday... so I guess we shall not ever be going to the movies together.

With that... we came home and instead of watching the same junk on TV. I got out all of our movies, and set them up to watch on TV. It was fun, and we laughed at seeing some good movies we had not seen for a long while. I made up snacks, and our date night was fun.

I have earlier, checked out all of my 300 E-mails..., and saw where a close friend of mine has got one problem worked out...yet now some more sad news with her son. My heart goes out to her, as I think she has had enough... hard times to last her a long while. My prayers are sent out to her, and her son... and his wife... for this not to be a bad thing happening to him. Something that could be corrected so he does not suffer the pain. Yet to be not a serious situation. As they are thinking, it is. I am sending my love and best wishes for news that show it is just maybe a small thing, and not serious. 

I have taken steps to work with my hubby on some new fresh ideas... and I think that new doors are opening up for us. I saw some changes, and good ones...

Starting tomorrow, I want to go over my lessons with the Bible Study  that I have done already, as I have not been able to work on this while my husband has been home.

This week I am starting to set up our Christmas stuff. I have so much and it takes a lot of time to get it all out and put up in a fashion that is fun and very charming too. I love this time of year!  

Then the week after Thanksgiving, I am helping my youngest son, Craig to decorate his home for Christmas.  His wife is gone now... and he wants it to be fun, and all done so his son , my grandson Alan who is 3 years old...  can still enjoy Christmas and all the decorations.  

The weeks are going to fly by now for the next several weeks. Busy..., fun..., and lots to do!    

Hope everyone has a good day with all wonderful good news of good things happening! Hugs Morgan    

Frost on the Pumpkin?

This might be carrying "frost on the pumpkin" a bit too far.

Inspired by Color

A few months ago I was contacted by the lovely Sonu Mathew, who is a Senior Interior Designer for Benjamin Moore & Co. She also is the host of Benjamin Moore's Living in Color with Sonu, a wonderful blog full of color inspiration. Sonu wanted to know if my little Abstract No.5, (pictured below) which I created about a year and a half ago as part of a small series, could be included in a future post featuring quilts as color inspiration. (Absolutely!)


Today the post ran and I am really delighted to find my work included in a post also featuring the work of Jan Myers-Newberry and Denyse Schmidt, both genuine rock stars in the quilt world! (Geez Louise, I sound like a silly groupie !)

Please be sure to check out Sonu's great blog and quilt inspired post here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A big Thank You for all the great comments in regards to my current work in progress, (see post below) and the struggle to overcome the critical voice of the perfectionist, (something apparently many of us share). This piece is so personal to me, (not in terms of private, but in terms of a journey) and I am truly grateful for everyones encouragement and support. I will be sure to share the final results once I finish. xo

Welcome to my Dye Candy Giveaway. If you are new to my blog, I welcome you and invite you to look around. You have at least two chances to win a prize. Leave a comment here and enter a second time on my other blog DyeCandy.blogspot.com. You are welcome to copy the top picture of my dye candy sample packs and use it if you are creating a link to this giveaway on your own blog. If you create a link please leave me a note in your comment and I will enter your name in the drawing two more times.

If you are a winner you will have your choice of one of these prizes:

1 Gift Certificate for $25.00 for my Dye Candy Shop or

2 Dye Candy Sample Packs or

1 yard of Hand Dyed one of a kind fabrics or

a half yard of Shibori Dyed Fabric or

6 step fat quarter gradation set.

or a hand dyed silk or velvet scarf.

Choose a piece of Quilt Block Jewelry or

a small Stained Glass Snowflake Sun Catcher Ornament from my Shady Grove Studios Etsy Shop.

Good Luck to you! Drawing closes at 6:00 pm on Sunday, November 22nd.

today's the day!

So . . . it all comes down to today.

We loaded up all my quilting stuff. Ha! Todd was amazed at how much all that fabric and those notions weighed!! I was so tickled to be able to fit all our boxed DVD sets, my whole Jan Karon collection, *all* my tea-related books and a dozen cookbooks in the cabinets over the sofa. I feel better already!

We decided against loading *everything* into the RV before pulling it. Clothes were a problem because the washer/dryer hasn't been installed yet. Because it's in the master closet, we knew we'd just have to unload everything for the guys to be able to get into the space to install it.

We bought some tubs and racks at WalMart last night to use. We didn't get lots of stuff -- just enough to try out. Until we're living in it and have our stuff put up, it's hard to know exactly what we'll need!

I did get all our toiletries and stuff over there. Not all my hair accessories and jewelry, though. I do want my necklace rack over there today! :)

So much to think about! Todd's swept all the leaves off the roof . . . we're getting ready to pull in the slides and hook her up . . . this will be a busy day!

This evening we'll drop Merlin off at James and Kim's. Sigh. He snuggled with us this morning before we got up and going. He has no clue!

Tonight we'll spend our first night in Camp Macoba in our new home!!!

Pray for us, please!

:)

brrrrrrrrrrrr its rather cold in the south

Hello!
Today is Thursday... and I got most of what I wanted to do on my list done. Then some work on my bible study. It was nice...too!I did a lot on that. My son Jeff stopped by to get his sons toys he left here...so we had a nice visit.
It is cold here in Florida today! It was in the 60’s for the high today. After having it in the 80’s and dropping down to this, and then tonight, it could get into the 40’s it is brrrrrrrrrr cold for us.

Jeff brought me a new fire log for my fireplace. He too has a nice real fireplace. This is the time of year I do love...with a nice fire crackling away!
I paid bills today, talked to my doctor... and got meds at the store... wrote out my food list for tomorrow. Did laundry, and worked on Esther. Talked to a few women on IM that is in my quilters group. Having a very great day! I need to eat though. I have not made supper for myself yet. I am hungry. I will tonight watch a movie I have been wanting to see while I work on a block with a nice fire in the fireplace. I am working from this book..... it has awesome little quilts to make.



Jeff has collected some more money for the donor walk...this Sat. I am so proud of him he is doing this. He has 15 people walking in his group, and a few more may go too. He has almost reached his goal... for the donor group.
Also trying to download Skype... so my daughter and I can see each other when we talk.

Well going to go now...have a wonderful, peaceful evening!


Hugs Morgan

Berry making

We're getting ready to send out the last section of Pomegranates and Berries - a quilt with lots and lots of berries. I'm getting familiar enough with blogging to try and show what I think is the easiest way to make lots of berries. And those of you that know me know that I love to put berries on quilts. This method works great for any kind of circle though, not just berries. So here goes.

Trace the circle on your pattern the required number of times onto freezer paper and cut the circles out.
Or if the berries are the right size (and most of mine are) buy Avery dots at your local office supply store.



Iron the freezer paper dots to the wrong side of your fabric - or simply place the Avery dots there.



Cut the fabric 1/4" larger than your pattern - 1/8" for very small berries.



(I like to keep my patterns and fabric circles in a ziploc bag so I don't lose any.)



Make a knot in your thread and do a running stitch around the outer edge of your fabric.



Pull the thread until the fabric is snugly around your paper berry. Backstitch and cut your thread.




Applique berry to background. Cut out the back and remove the paper with your fingers or with tweezers. This is one of 4 sections to a Pomegranates and Berries block. Each block has 24 berries and there are 9 blocks to the quilt. It is totally awesome to behold. Can't wait to get it on my bed - if I can keep Kelly away from it. She loves black quilts and the border is black.



If I'm doing lots and lots of berries in a block I use glue to anchor the berries before sewing. You don't need much glue - just put a dot on each side of the fabric.



Now sew the berries on by sewing up one side of a string of berries and down the other. That way you don't have to keep starting and stopping.
This is a flower from the beeskep block from "Across the Wide Missouri" by Edie McGinnis and myself. It's the KCStar BOM for 2010.



Love those berries!