Selected for MQX

My Moonshine quilt was selected for the MQX show in Providence RI!  Pretty excited about it, this is the first major quilt show that I have ever entered.

Bibs, Bibs and more Bibs

The Tux Look

 Bibs, Bibs, Bibs.  Just what every big working dog needs for the fancy Westminster events!

So I have been a little busy make up some bibs for my friend Cheryl and Chris of Terrapin leads to sell in their booth at dog shows.  If your in the market they will have them soon, Hopefully my imagination will come up with a few more cleaver ideas.

Grooming Table Covers

Just finished up making a table cover for my friend Faye.  She is off to NYC for Westminster and wanted something special for her area.  I hope she like it. Nothing is pre-quilted I did everything and the logo was not done by an embroidery machine, I did that all free motion.

toy crate covers

Toy crate cover

Just a little something I finished and shipped out this week, 

Fleece paw print with purple binding crate cover for a toy crate with Velcro tabs to roll up the front.  Hopefully the little Fox Terriers will be kept warm, cozy and be styling too!

My Birthday Wishes

Well, it's here, yup, it is. It's my birthday.  Isn't there a song, "It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to"?   I prefer the Beatles happy birthday much better!

So What do I wish for my birthday???

Time

• I wish more time with the two most important people in my life, my boys.

• I wish more time with my sister's and their families.

• I wish more time with my aunts and uncles, to enjoy the feeling of the unconditional love they give.

• I wish time to reconnect with my cousins especially those on the Sampson side of my family!  30 years is to long a time to be apart from those people that were truly my first friends.

• I wish time with my friends. The people whom stand by you know matter what.

• I wish time with my in-laws. Those crazy, happy people that make me laugh and embraced me into their lives.

• Most importantly I wish "no worry" time with my husband.  We sooooo need a vacation.

• There are people in my life that I love more than they will ever know.  I wish them time to heal, I wish them forgiveness, I wish them peace. No hidden meaning, just this wish. it is what it is, it means what it means.

Well there it is, those are my birthday wishes.  I hope tonight when I blow out my candles they will come true, and the house doesn't burn down!

The Mom Complex

Some times I just can't help but be a mom, even if the kid isn't my own.  My sons have a friend that is a kid after my own heart, he is what we would call a true outdoor kinda guy.  He doesn't need all the fancy gadgets which includes a formal roof over his head, electricity or running water.  Yup he lives in a lean too!  He teaches snowboard lessons at Labrador Mt., cashes his checks and for all we know buries it in a jar in the woods somewhere.  Ladies never judge a book by it's cover, This young man may not be the most handsome, or well kept but he has captured a place in my heart with his honesty, kindness and unpretentious nature.

So for my mothering...  you can imagine that living in a lean too in NY in the middle of winter must get just a little cold.  My son's mentioned to me that they wanted me to look at their friends fingers while we were at the Last Run having dinner and a beer.  Well their friend has frostbite, his finger tips were all white, and two days later one of the finger tips has now turned purple.  I told him that he really needs to go see a doctor as soon as he can.  I don't know if he will follow my suggestion but here's hoping.

So into worrying mother mode I go and put my sewing machine to work.  and after a little bit, the outcome is one very warm fleece sleeping bag liner!  So on with the boots, hat and mittens and up the road I trudge to the ski center and what luck the boys were all just arriving for work.  I gave this young man my present and his face just lit up.  Then another of  the boys turned to him and said, "you know, she made that".  He turned to me and the smile got even bigger.  It is so cool to have the little things you do be so appreciated.

Well at least I know he slept warmer last night, especially when my temperature gauge is reading -1.

Sleep tight young man and know that if it gets to cold, the door is open to my home any day.

Quilt Camp

Calico Gal Scout Quilt Camp

What fun! Beautiful quilts, lots of laughs and new friends to be had. Can you say FFFFFinish?  I know you can, but be careful if you do you might just loose your princess pin :(.  I lost my very early but that's ok  then I could say the secret "F" word all I wanted and not worry and still have all the fun.

But for me quilt camp is beginning to take on another meaning and it's a little strange indeed.

The very first quilt camp I attended was with the Patchwork and Pies girls. I knew very few people but was looking forward to the weekend at the Riversedge resort in Alexandria Bay with nothing to do but sew! Well, shortly after the start of camp this very nice lady came up to me with a quizzical look on her face, read my name tag then looked at me and asked "who is your father?" I responded, Bill Butler. The lady Swooned back with hand on her heart and replied "OHH he had the most beautiful eyes" then she turned to her friend and said "Sue, this is Bill Butler's daughter". Again, "Ohhh his eyes were just beautiful". Turns out both of these nice ladies had gone to high school with my dad.

Well, to say the least I was like, yuck, your talking about my dad here. but actually it was kinda sweet. We became fast friends and they are some of my favorite quilting pals.

My Dad

So now, once again I am at a quilt retreat with a group of ladies many of which I have never met. And one of the ladies asks The Question,... "Who is your father?" I know, here it comes, I'm expecting the ever favorite response about his beautiful eyes, but wow was I in for a surprise! here it comes... "boy could he play basketball!". So, as she says this with a smile and a twinkle, I didn't really dare ask but rather let my imagination do the talking. I know that my dad was a very talented athlete, but was she really interested in his athletic ability to play basketball or was there something just a little bit more? I mean let's be truthful here, it has already been established that he has beautiful eyes, and I know what I was looking at when I went to sporting events as a teen.

I guess we will never know, and maybe not knowing is really the fun. But, it never ceases to amaze me how small our world is and how popular my dad was. He must have been really something his youth. At least the girls thought he was!

Introducing Heartsdesire Fly Me To The Moon, aka "Luna"

Meet our new little girl Luna!  Moonshine and Steams little girl was born December 10, 2010 and is a singleton.  Being the only puppy in the litter she is getting very spoiled but we love her to death! She is a feisty and brave little girl, and it is our hopes that she will do very well in the show ring.

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Teddy and his bib!

"Teddy" A.K.A. Gr. Ch. Top Shelf's El Presidente, the number 5 Newf in the country, owned by my good friends the Traka's, modeling his new bib.  Dan wanted something special for Teddy and asked for a tux.  I went all out with satin stitch trim and gold thread black tie.  Doesn't he look handsome!!

My students

Just a few of the ladies and their work from the Best Friend Class I teach at Quilters Corners in Ithaca, NY

 Haven't they just done the most wonderful job!!  I love the detail and creativity, can't wait to see them when they are finished!  Way to go ladies!

back up and sewing

Well don't think we will ever do that again.  In the past two months we have moved, had puppies and the holidays, so guess what got put on hold??? yup sewing. but I studio is finally organized, I think so I'm back up and sewing.

I have orders coming in and answering emails daily so I'm hoping to have enough work to keep me very busy and paying the bills, that would be a good thing!!

Teaching at Quilters Corners this afternoon and then next weekend is the Calico Gals Quilt Camp. I can't wait!!

My video for tje WPBS Quilt Auction