Sometimes I get to witness some pretty amazing acts of long-lasting-through-it-all kinds of love.
Yesterday was just such a day.
I had received a VERY strange email in the morning telling me to be "In front of the main house at exactly 11am."
No details were given. There was no name left - just a very vague email address.
My reply? "Main house? Which main house?" Hoping to get more information or perhaps simply discern if this was a scam or not.
It was Deanna's HUSBAND in a borrowed UPS uniform who pulled up in a small rental car bearing roses and other gifts to surprise her.
His plan? HIDE behind the giant bouquet of roses until he got to her and then lower the roses so she could really see who it was.
It worked!
He even joined us for brunch on the porch.
Now let me get into the insane planning of all of this. They live in CALIFORNIA! Deanna took a flight on Wednesday to get her to Charlotte and then drove to here.
Her hubby took a LATER flight to Charlotte unbeknownst to her, drove from Charlotte to stay in Independence Virginia overnight where he visited the flower shop for fresh roses, and also brought the entire group Sees candies and other goodies in his luggage.
While Deanna slumbered with her quilty sisters on Wednesday night, she had no idea that this creative guy was 13 miles away in a hotel ready ato surprise her.
They even brought treats for the kitties!
It turns out he had to be in Savannah, GA for work and just needed to be there by last night and since he had to rent a car anyway - we became his detour.
Life is hard sometimes. And confusing. And things going on in the world can be really scary and disappointing - and then we witness things like this. Love like this. Going out of your way to surprise someone like this. And somehow everything is just a big brighter.
Brunch from the other end of the porch -
Of course, the quilters were busy quilting -
I am loving how Waterford is coming together here.
Cute baby quilt from a darling children's panel.
You guys! These are insanely tiny hourglass blocks!
Am I the only one who gets giddy over cut out and kitten up projects ready to go?
Instant quilt - just add thread!
Deanna of the crazy non-ups-surprise-bringing-husband is our Christmas girl. She loves paper piecing. check out these cute blocks she is doing. The most insane of all:
Check out the curly-q in the O!!
So much fun.
We've got furries holding quilts!
Elizabeth Hartman does it again!
Something very flaggy is happening here.
And strip sets are appearing.
UFOs are coming out of boxes and getting their borders on.
You just know this has to be a Judy Neimeyer!
This is going to be pretty!
I had a 2pm appointment with the physical therapist for another round of dry needling pus e-stim for the muscle knots in my left trapezius. It's helping. The knots are smaller. I have more mobility.
At any rate, when checking out and making my next appointment, I was given a "Thank you, please take some squash." LOL!
Small town living - where you leave physical therapy with emotional support produce. LOL!
I sliced up the zucchini for dinner last night, baked it with a small amount of water along with the chicken thighs we were having. Added butter and garlic salt and a bit of parmesan cheese. Yum.
What's under my needle? Too much. Too much that I should set aside and get back to what I'm supposed to be working on. Too many things making me make ZERO meaningful progress on any one thing.
But what else is a girl supposed to do when faced with this??
Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to make bins CLEAR so that whatever is in there sits taunting you at all hours.
Yes, I'm still piecing with Y seams because I don't want extra seams in my corners or sides. Sometimes Y seams are needed.
And now there are four.
This is inspired by a photo of a vintage quilt that I'd saved forever and ever and ever.
The secondary designs created by the alternating triangles in the background of the block really bring interest to the layout.
If I had extra seams to avoid Y seams in the corners of the blocks can you then see how I would have bulk where blocks are joined? Too many seams coming together?
Once again - less is more. I think that having a machine with a thread cutter makes this process of setting in with Y seams easier. My results are good. It just takes a bit of fiddling and more time.
Last night's stitching included sewing another one of Tula's mice back together.
She loves these things. And she played with it even harder last night after I had that belly all sewn back up. Maybe because my scent was on it now? Whatever makes this girl happy.
Ivy is also fine. She has always been more of an outside cat than an inside cat - especially in the summer. She just doesn't want to come in unless it's cold and/or rainy.
I don't often have my camera at the ready when I see her outside. But she is fine and happy.
Did you see this start yesterday?
Are your saved scraps overflowing and out of control?
If so - Hello, Gretchen! just might be the pattern you've been waiting for, the quilt you've been eager to dive in and make.
Head over to the Gift-Away Post to read all about it and get your entry in for the Gift-Away. 2 winners will each receive a Hello, Gretchen! PDF pattern from me and:
A Notable Neutrals fabric roll from Cotton to Quilts!
Intro Pricing: I've placed the Hello, Gretchen! PDF pattern at 25% off - no coupon needed - through 7/31/26. Discount applied at checkout.
If this is your first time downloading digital patterns from my store to a computer click HERE.
If you intend to download to an iPhone/iPad click HERE.
Especially designed for paper piecing, Hello, Gretchen! is the perfect quilt to turn your saved bits into sparkling beauty! Full color photos, diagrams, step by step instruction and printable foundations included. Strings and scraps at their best!
Quilt Size: 84'' X 84''
*This pattern assumes the maker has at least a basic knowledge and some experience with foundation paper piecing by machine.
A reminder to EVERYONE to not use auto-fill (The prompt that puts in your name, mailing address, phone number, everything with a click.)
As this is a PDF pattern, no mailing address is necessary. Place the item in your cart, then go to the cart page to check out by entering your name and email address manually. I don't know why it works this way, but it does.
If there is an issue with your computer - it could be YOUR browser/security settings. Try a different browser, Or order on your phone or tablet, then go to your computer for the download email.
Today: This weekend is the Arts & Crafts festival at Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, Virginia.
I'll drop by the retreat to check on everyone, and then I'm headed out with a couple of friends to see what we can find at the festival. Maybe something? Maybe nothing - but it's outside and we'll be walking around and doing some local things. I need it.
How about you? Anything going on today or coming up for this weekend?
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
This is my Hamilton Gardens quilt! Have you started one?
Maybe it's time to pull it out and work on it some more.
That is the most beautiful love story. How ever did she find such a wonderfully thoughtful & sweet man? #ultimatecouplesgoals
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