Oh boy, I'm Lucky:) SMS Winnings

I love SMS giveaway days.  They are so much fun -- finding new blogs, reading posts, seeing all the beautiful fabric, other materials, and completed projects.  It was fun just to poke around, really, I'm not kidding.  Then guess what -- I won!!  What did I win?

1-   A cute pattern for shorts, pants, pj bottoms from Mama Lusco Handmade
http://mamalusco.blogspot.com/




2- A lovely Picnic Bag and all the goodies for inside from Calamity Janes Cottage

http://calamityjanescottage.blogspot.com/


3-  An adorable apron and a bag of fabric scraps from Superlative Sewing

http://jessyroos.blogspot.com/



and last, but not least...........

4.  An awesome Doll Quilt from Hendrixville
http://www.hendrixville.blogspot.com/



I'm not bragging -- I'm just really excited!!

My Yard -- Take a Look

My little helpers helped me plant these pots for the front porch and the front of the house:

The two ornimental ponds:

Most of my azaleas were ruined by all the rain:

Other blooms:

And the Winner is...............

Congratulations to Dawn.  I don't use a random generator -- my oldest grandson picks the winner!!  Instead of picking numbers from a hat I just asked him to pick his favorite number  from 1 to 164.  He chose #147.  I found it amusing to find that Dawn is a pharmacist --and so is George's Mom and Dad!!  I also was so thrilled to see how much his health has improved since the last giveaway!  Just take a look

Now:

Then:

Well congratulatios again, Dawn.  George will choose a runner-up if Dawn doesn't contact me by Friday 12 p.m. EST.

Thanks to all who entered and became followers.  I hope you continue to visit.  I hope to be having a very special giveaway in the next week -- check back to join the fun:)

One Flower Wednesday -- Not Much to See Here

I didn't post last week so you'd probably be expecting a huge change this week--right?  Who are you to put so much pressure on me?  Seriously,  I was away for a few days, I'm working on my yard (new post tonight or tommorrow)  and we had an awsome Carnival for Life --I'll post and explain this later!!  Enough of the excuses -- if you look carefully you'll see I added a few stepping stones to may quilt and I made more hexigons to join later.  We both have to be happy with that?!?  Hope I can have a more exciting post next week.  (PS  Did any of you participate in the SMS Giveaway?)

It's That Time Again -- SMS Giveaway Day!!

I love Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day (twice a year).  This will be the second Giveaway Day that I participate in --it's just so exciting.  For those of you unfamilar --

 "We coordinate one day when everyone with a shop or blog can give something away. We create a master list, and we leave the lists up for several days so readers can take their time visiting the hundreds of participating blogs and shops. We also provide some structure with categories and international shipping info. Giveaway Days have been a lot of fun for everyone involved!"  SMS


Now for my little giveaway--

• Two FQ from vintage sheets.
•  Quilt Blocks (6 in all) for you to use for pillows or a wall hanging.  The printed area is 6" x 6" with a bit of fabric for piecing.
•  One yard of a heavier weight birdhouse fabric -- perfect for a bag:)
• One pack of  7/8 "buttons to cover
• One and a half yards of crochet lace

I don't have fancy items--but I hope you like them.  All are welcome to enter;  I will ship internationally:)

                                   

1. To win leave a comment --tell me your favorite craft or quilting blog. 
2. For a second chance become a follower of  "Just One More Thing."

Make sure you check out the awesome giveaway at Flamingo Toes -- if you like jewelry and fabric, this is the one for you.

My First Tutorial -- Fun Family Frames

Wooden Frame
Two/Three Coordinating Scrapbook Papers (your choice)
Letter Stickers
White Paint
Square Punch (or use paper cutter to cut squares)
Mod Podge
Sandpaper
Paintbrush

I purchased these unfinished heart frames from Michael's for a dollar. 

Lightly sand the frame and paint with two coats of white paint.  Allow to dry completely.

I chose these two papers from adt "born to be wild" scrapbook papers.

Cut blocks from paper using a paper punch or paper cutter. Use a paint brush to apply Mod Podge to squares, then stick the blocks to the frame. Leave a slight space between paper to make it look like "faux" mosaic.  (See Picture)

Use the Mod Podge to stick the blocks to the frame.  Complete your pattern leaving the excess paper hang over the edge.  (I think the blocks look better staggered.)  Allow to dry completely. 

Crease the paper at the end of the frame with your finger or thumb. Trim the edge with a exacto knife.  

Add embellishments:  I added a handprint of my grandchildren and their names in sticker letters.

Cover entire project, front and back, with two or three coats of Mod Podge.  Add Pictures.  Done.

These frames were a mother's day present for my daughter.  This is my first tutorial. I hope it is understandable. 

Free Fabric!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great Giveaway!!

Melissa at http://happyquiltingmelissa.blogspot.com/2011/05/intrepid-thread-and-sponsor-giveaway.htmlQuilting is hosting a giveaway for the Intreped Thread.  The prize is seven fat quarters from Joel Dewberry's Aviary 2!!!  This fabric is awesome -- check it out!!

Our Yard -- More Blooms

I think this is called bridals wreath, that is what my grandmother called it:)

I had to include my beautiful red maple......

I caught this little bird on the bench at the pond.  He looks so cute --he looks so innocent ...........he's not.  He left a little "present" behind.

This is our hawthorn tree- a picture doesn't do it justice.

and................My wisteria bush.  First it was my grandmother's, then my mother's, now it is mine.  It is not only beautiful, but it means so much to me.  Sweet memories.

Well that's it for this week -- Next week the azaleas should be blooming:)

One Flower Wednesday - Slow, but Steady Progress

My flower garden is steadily growing.  I still haven't made up my mind, but I think I'm leaning towards making a wall hanging -- five rows with five flowers in each row.  I think I'd like to use half flowers to even up the sides for binding.........  well maybe four and one half flowers in each row. 

I've been working in my real flower garden (yard) lately.  Check out my post tomorrow for my "other"  latest blooms:)
,

Our Yard -- New Blooms

This is one of the islands in our yard.  The forsythia is finished blooming, but the lilacs and dogwood are just opening up.

Beautiful Tulips

My gorgeous Redbud tree. (another gift from my son, Glenn)

This is a lovely little bunch of violets that "volunteered" to be in my garden.

Some blooming Periwinkle.

I'm not sure what this bush is but it gets vibrant red flowers in the spring. 

Well that's it for now -- I love my yard:)  If you post pictures of your yard, let me know.  I'd like to visit.