Crazy Quilt Journal 2012 blocks for May & June

Finally I have completed two unfinished blocks for the Crazy Quilt Journal 2012 project!

 

Block for May

                                                                   Block for June

Now I just need to do July, August and September and I'll be all caught up.....please tell me I'm not the only one so far behind!!!

Here's a link if you'd like to check out some of the beautiful work from folks all over the world.

Crazy Quilt Gatherings, My Beautiful Garden and Crazy Quilted Pieces I've Created Recently

Hi Friend's!

I thought I'd share two crazy quilted projects I did this spring.

The first is a clutch bag I made for Mom's birthday. She used it at my daughter Cheri's wedding last week-end which tickled me to pieces.

It is one of my all time favorite patterns. With the use of silks and other fine fabrics, it is a truly classy bag. You can find this pattern in the Winter 2011 Issue "Crazy Quilt Gatherings"

 This was a little pouch was made for my niece Hayley.

It is made with silks as well...the plaid fabric on the right was a very expensive pair of dress pants I bought and never wore. That first cut was hard but then I never looked back ~ lol!

 My garden has been acting wacky since spring, has yours?

Spring here in my corner of Conn. was a full two months early. It was fabulous enjoying flowers and warm temps so early but I began to wonder just how this would all play out when my mums started blooming in May instead of August.

The wisteria has had many re blooms since the initial one in May.

I had an azalea bloom for a second time in late July and  foxgloves in various locations in bloom all summer ~ this one pictured below is a photo taken 2 days ago!

I plant tons of impatiens in different shades of pink because they add so much color to my garden from July until October....strangely enough this year they all died back 2 weeks ago except for a few in dense shade.

Sunflowers, probably the easiest of all flowers to grow simply didn't.
Of the hundred of seeds I planted....I had 3 large sunflowers actually survive! We have had plenty of summer showers and I water every sunny day so I can't blame lack of rain.

Here is a picture of the mums taken yesterday, tiny blooms but still going at it since May!
I'd love to hear from you if you have noticed similar issues in your area ~ of all my years of gardening I have never seen such strange happenings before.

Well I say let's kick our feet up and enjoy every last bit of the remaining summer.
I plan on keeping my heart light and my mind wide open...how about you??

Oh and don't forget check out the Autumn 2012 Issue  of "Crazy Quilt Gatherings"
I just got my issue the other day and am really excited to try the pattern included for the Ipad case!
I have wanted to make one for over a year and Pat's pattern looks easy as can be!
The infamous Sharon Boggon from Australia has her work on the front cover. I had the pleasure of meeting her once, believe me she is the kindest and most humble soul.

Oh and just one more thing.....Nicki Lee from Raviolee Dreams is in bed recovering from shoulder surgery this past Fri the 31st. I know she would love your prayers for a speedy recovery or even a cheerful get well message on her blog.
She is the creator of the beautiful lace bits you see on so many crazy quilts.

Get Well Soon Nicki Lee!!!!

A Summer Wedding for Cher and Tony...or How I Spent My Summer ;)

 

I've had the BEST reason of all not to have blogged this summer!

 

It started with these two crazy kids....... 

 my daughter Cheri and her boyfriend Tony.....and a marriage proposal,

 which lead to a summer of planning a bridal shower and creating special favors. 

 This is my girl opening up her favorite gift from me ~

 the words to a song I sang to her as a child painted on wood

There was time spent designing fans for the wedding guests ~

                                    

 the proud "couple" featured on the fans is of course Cher and Tony's dogs Taylor and Cutlet. 

 

There was serious housekeeping being done such as redoing all the wood floors, ouch my aching knees but worth all the effort! 

 The only stitching that happen was a tiny heart to be used to hold the wedding rings, simple in design just as the bride requested. 

We had butterfly's in the tummy on the limo ride to the beach ~
Cheri is in the background and close up are my daughters Ashley and Jaci.

 And then on August 25th, just 3 days after our own 30th year Wedding Anniversary, my husband Frank got to walk his baby down the aisle.

      A beautiful beach wedding, my cousin the Rev. Dr. John Krahn officiating.

(don't you love the white parasols ~ I had one on every other chair for the ladies)

 My daughters Ashley and Jaci and son Franky were part of the bridal party as well as Tony's sister
 Marie, sister in law Eva and brothers Frank and Angelo.
                                   

 The happy couple ~ Tony and Cheri Rizzio! 

 Cheri and Ashley

 Jaci, Ashley, Cheri, Marie, Eva ~ what beauty's! 

 Brian and Jaci

 Ashley adjusting my son Franky's tie and my Mom Emme looking on.

                                                          The Wedding Cake
                                 

 The center piece flowers were beautiful, bright and cheerful just like my daughter!

                                                 The next day we continued to Celebrate ....

My kids with cousin Scotty in the white shirt, all looking a bit worn out from the night before.

   My beautiful Mom, Brian, Jaci and dear step dad Frank.

Here is a toast from me to you ~
for a summer that seems to have come and go so quick but leaving in its wake treasured memories.

 The hydrangea's are blooming at their peek in my garden and I have filled the house with them,

      always a sure sign the season is winding down.

(crazy quilted pouches by Pat Winter)

The sunflowers are begging to be picked ~

and I'm begging for just a few more days at the beach before the cool air comes.

                                     It seems so quiet now....as life slowly returns to normal.

Happily it's a New normal now ~ I have a new son and chances are a grand baby can't be far behind!

 " Wise men say only fools rush in but I can't help falling in love with you."

                                                        Mr and Mrs Antonio Rizzio
You are my Sunshine
My only Sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know dear how much I love you
Please don't take my Sunshine away!

Love Always,
Mom

P.S. Cher and Tony you both did the most amazing job planning your wedding! The colors, the venue, the food....every choice you made was perfection. Thank you for letting me add a few little touches....it meant the world to me. I'm so proud of you both....now how about those grand baby's???