Bumble Bee Quilt Label

 Lori Holt's

Bee In My Bonnet

Row Along

just gets better and better!

 We may be at the end of 

sewing our rows,

but 

the creativity continues

as she shares with us a 

free tutorial

on making 

this darling

Bumble Bee Quilt Label

 I really appreciate Lori's suggestion

of printing the wording out first

on copy paper

and then transferring the lettering

with a pigma marker.

* I used 

Sans Comic font

size 36 text

on my computer

 I usually write the lettering freehand

and I like the crispness and exactness of this technique

much more.

I didn't even have to use a light box or window.

The lettering showed through clearly

and was easy to trace.

 The next step was to embroider

the antenna's and 

wording.

 This little extra touch really 

adds so much.

 And the bee even has a little stinger!

That Lori thinks of everything.

I can tell my labels have been pretty boring in the past,

but no more!

I really like this idea

of making a quilt block

to match the theme on the front 

of the quilt.

Apache Trail

 Here in Arizona 

our seasons are a little backwards.

While most quilters in the U.S.

hibernate during the winter months

and get a lot of sewing done,

we spend as much time as possible

playing outside.

When the heat of the summer arrives

and forces us inside,

I will hole up day and night

in an air conditioned room

and spend more time

at my machine.

 But for now, we are 

getting to know this beautiful state

and each Saturday look for a new place to discover.

 The desert wildflowers are in season

and Mr. Cactus asked me to spend the day

investigating the

Apache Trail

 The Apache Trail was once used by ancient peoples

as a path through the

  Superstition Mountains

In the 1800's it became a

Stagecoach Route

winding it's way

along steep cliff drop offs 

and  rugged desert.

 Water is an essential element in this terrain,

and there are several Reservoir Lakes

perfect for boating and fishing

along the Salt River.

We stopped for a 

morning hike

that took us 

above Canyon Lake,

viewing some of the most

spectacular scenery in Arizona.

 For a late lunch we stopped 

at the old western town of 

Tortilla Flat

(population 6)

*although during this beautiful spring weather

the place was packed.

 The Superstition Saloon and Restaurant

is wallpapered in dollar bills

stapled to every available wall...

 ...nook and cranny.

 even the ceilings are covered.

 Customers leave their John Henry

as a token.

 If you sit at the bar,

be prepared to straddle a saddle.

 As non-drinkers, we ordered a

Sarsaparilla

which was patented as a medicine

for blood and skin problems 

in the 1800's.

Now, it's a soft drink with a flavor similar to Root Beer.

 Continuing past Tortilla Flat

the Apache Trail is no longer paved.

 The graded road is dusty

and drops down to the Salt River

surrounded by pristine rock formations 

and majestic Saguaro's.

 The trail loops past the impressive

Theodore Roosevelt Dam

(1903-1911)

made from blocks of stone carved out from the canyon walls.

I leave you with this quote from 

President Roosevelt

"Apache Trail combines the grandeur of the Alps,

the glory of the Rockies,

the magnificence of the Grand Canyon 

and then adds an indefinable something

that none of the others have.

To me, it's the most awe-inspiring

and most sublimely beautiful panorama

nature has ever created."

Dream, Laugh, Create

 My other most favorite booth

at the

Arizona Quilters Guild Show

was run by my friend

Gina Halladay (Threaded Pear Studio)

and

Beth Hawkins (Lizzie B Crea8ive)

They are the design team

behind the 

Dream, Laugh, Create Studio Parties

 Their booth was huge, and

jammed packed 

with so many creative finds.

I loved the fabric tree anchoring the center of their space

complete with sock monkey's

and wonderful quilts.

 In fact, they were so busy at the show

that Gina was texting friends to come help,

and even gave her husband  Hal

a quick tutorial on 

how to cut fabric.

 Tables were full of wonderful notions 

and quilting doodads.

 Gina gave me one of her

very cute red

magnetic pin dishes.

These little dishes come in a variety of colors

and have a very powerful

magnetic field.

My pins literally snapped instantly to the bottom.

If you are interested in one (or several)

you can contact Gina at

Theaded Pear

 Their displays were full of

cute patterns, surrounded

by darling samples.

I especially liked these 

Quilted Baby Collars

With Father's Day around the corner,

wouldn't it be fun to make the tie
as a gift

for a new little baby?

 And every baby here in Arizona needs a 

bandana collar.

Yeehaw!

Pattern by Curby's Closet

 With a name like Cactus Needle, 

I'm always drawn to cactus quilts.

 Dusky Desert

by Lizzie B Crea8ive

uses a raw edge applique technique.

The next Dream, Laugh, Create 

Studio Party is

coming 

on April 11th!

These ladies know how to host a paaartaayyy

Come join the fun!

Registration can be completed 

online

HERE

Red Bucket List Quilts

 There were over 35 vendors

at the 

Arizona Quilters Guild Show

The first one to catch my eye 

right as I walked in the door

was 

Red Bucket List

 Sew Curvy

 I wanted to come home with every quilt in this booth!

And I wasn't the only one.

The booth was so crowded, I could barely squeeze in.

 A wonderful variation of a Drunkard's Path

 Whirligig

 Another Drunkard's Path variation.

 The Red Bucket List 

owner and pattern designer is

Michelle Hollis

from right here in Mesa, Arizona

Isn't she darling?

I spent a few minutes talking with her,

and she is as kind as can be.

And so talented!

 Daisy Crossing

This pattern came home with me.

 Really quite simple 

made with snowballs and nine patches.

Charm pack friendly.

Michelle said she likes to use red

in most of her quilts.

(thus the name Red Bucket List)

 Twitter

 Low volume quilts 

have surged in popularity lately.

A lovely example of a  Log Cabin block

 Pattern:

Round and Round

by Thimble Blossoms

Michelle made one block

for a Baby Size quilt.

 My favorite notion find

were the $5 Mouse Pads

topped with beautiful quilt fabric.

Michelle gave me one as a gift.

Thank you Michelle!

The red floral goes perfect with my 

new red mouse.

You can purchase these wonderful patterns

and many others

at 

Michelle Hollis'

Red Bucket List 

Etsy Shop

HERE

It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This

Do you ever have one of those days 

where life just feels good?

Sometimes it's the little 

everyday things where you

feel gratitude 

for simple pleasures.

Yesterday was one of those days for me.

 My friend Jackie Kunkel (Canton Village Quilt Works) was in town,

visiting from snowy Connecticut.

We met for lunch with cute Alyssa Lichner (Pile O'Fabric)

These two ladies have met professionally

on line through their quilt blogs,

but today was the first time for them to 

meet in person.

It was so nice just to sit with friends

and chat in the warm Arizona sunshine.

Temps were hovering near a perfect 80 degrees :)

 We had the most delicious food at my Son-In-Law's 

Costa Vida Restaurant 

in Mesa

Any day with 

Costa food 

is a good day.

 And then I came home to the most

heavenly smell outside.

The aroma permeated

 our entire neighborhood.

 The citrus trees are in full bloom,

and the orange blossoms

transported me to a visual

and fragrant wonderland.

 We are still picking sweet pink

Grapefruit off the trees

and for months

have been enjoying

freshly squeezed juice with breakfast.

And then, the orange and gold sunset

coloring the sky

above the palm trees

was

Spectacular

God has given us so many things to enjoy each day.

It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This