Sweet and pure elation over catching this rainbow trout on Saturday. We ventured out on the first warm and sun-filled day and spent the afternoon on the boat. It was true bliss: sun warming our faces after weeks of snow and clouds, his catching not one, but two rainbow trout and pleading with his dad [...]
Posts under ‘Home’
Snow Deja Vu
Haven’t we been here before? Twice in one winter is almost unheard of in this part of the country, even if we are in the mountains. We just don’t see that much snow, not that anyone around here is complaining. More opportunities for snowball fights, sledding, building snow men, and making a fort in the [...]
A Green Valentine’s Day
My favorite school party is on Friday: the annual Valentine’s Day party in my son’s elementary school class. Why is it my favorite? It’s the one time the children focus on really giving something to others in their class. Everybody gets a Valentine’s Day card, and they each decorate a box to hold their treasures.
In [...]
All Dressed Up . . . .
The cupcakes were baked, decorated, and ready to be nibbled on in a ladylike manner. My studio was sparkling, ready for the Mom & Me Quilter’s Tea guests to take a tour. Their parents won the experience at a silent auction for my son’s school. Books autographed, check. Camera, check. All done a day before.
My [...]
Quilting Unit Study for Homeschoolers in E-book Form
I’m proud to announce my Quilting Unit Study for Homeschool Families is now available as an e-book on Smashwords. No matter what e-reader you use, the file format you need is there. Kindle, Stanza, Palm, PC, Mac, Sony, or even for online reading. They’ve got it all.
The cutie on the cover? My little guy, about [...]
All Dressed Up and a Transformation
I couldn’t wait to dress up Winter Bird on my table, with my Christmas china, candles, and flowers. My kids love having dinner by candlelight and think it’s quite a special occasion when I bring them out.
As I was arranging, adding, and editing the table setting, something started to happen. Can you begin to see [...]
My Kindle’s Here! My Kindle’s Here!
I’m like a kid at Christmas – my Kindle’s here! After putting off buying one for too long, I’ve finally succumbed to Kindle love. I’m an avid reader, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the Kindle once Amazon lowered the price. Now it’s here and guess who downloaded the first books? My [...]
Winners and a Call for Blocks
First, the winners:
Thank you to everyone who visited yesterday during Day 3 of the Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Blog Tour. I was so moved by your comments I selected not just one winner but two! Congratulations to:
Diane Muska
Maeve315
Send me your mailing addresses to maria@colormastery.com and your issue and Old Glory will be on their way to [...]
Behind the Scenes
After I shot this video at Dragonfly Quilt Shop in Watkinsville, GA, I gave a lecture to the Cotton Patch Quilt Guild in Athens, and drove home for a late-night arrival. The same day, my elder son attended a workshop at the local Apple store on how to use iMovie.
I’ve been the computer expert in [...]
Beautiful Mondays
Most people dread Mondays. After all, they mean back to work, away from home and family. And rainy Mondays are the worst – as it’s doing here in Georgia today (the photo is from Amicalola Falls on a sunnier day).
I’m deciding on a different outlook. Mondays present a great day of opportunity. Monday is a [...]
Side Trip
We spent last weekend with family attending my father-in-law George’s funeral. My boys were dreading the long drive home, so I scheduled a side trip to break up the drive and work in a little history as well. I guess once you’ve been a homeschooling mom, you’re always looking for those teachable moments.
We decided to [...]
Thank You George
My father-in-law, George Jr., passed away early Wednesday morning in his sleep. He had suffered a stroke and poor health for several years, and loved his family but couldn’t enjoy them the way he wanted to. While our family grieves over our loss, we’re happy for him, as he has flown away to heaven, blessed [...]
Julie & Julia: Bon Appetit!
This weekend after my younger son’s eye exam (not ready for glasses yet, but soon) we had dinner at Provino’s, a delicious family Italian restaurant. I had the Spinach Tortellini, David enjoyed the Shrimp and Scallop Fettucine, and the boys both got something equally rich and delightful. It was the perfect meal to precede our [...]
Farewell, Beautiful Summer
Tuesday my two sons will go back to school for another year. We had such a lovely summer it’s hard to say goodbye, but the friends, memories, and good times will be with us always.
Farewell to:
sunny days swimming and socializing at the pool
sleeping late after staying up until the wee hours finishing a great summer [...]
Quilt Camp at Willow Ridge Press Studios
This week I hosted six children in my quilt studio to make Quillows. They were practically giddy they were so excited! We planted the seeds of lifelong sewers and quilters, and they were beaming with pride and tightly hugging their Quillows when they left.
On Monday we started by making a mini-Quillow. This turned out to [...]
Art Week: Sculpture Day
It’s art week here at Quilts & Creativity, in honor of my upcoming talk at the Ann Litrel gallery in Woodstock. I dropped off the quilts today and got a behind-the-scenes tour from Ann, and her gallery is gorgeous. Her paintings are luscious and color-rich.
I’ll be talking about my color inspiration, how I [...]
Room with a View
This is my favorite spot this summer. Peaceful, lush, and serene. Hot, of course, but not terribly oppressive when I’m in my hammock swing.
The planters are an anniversary gift David and I gave each other years ago. It was love at first sight at my favorite nursery in Alpharetta. The carved bear is a gift [...]
What I Do for Love
My boys and I spent a hot, humid, Georgia morning in our yard trimming, pruning, and cutting back shrubs and other landscaping that had become overgrown in the searing heat the last few weeks. All this for Father’s Day. David has been working tirelessly, and I didn’t want him to come home and be reminded [...]
Nesting
I feel like Dorothy after she dreams of faraway places and travels to Oz, only to find out there really is “no place like home.” I adored every moment of my book tour, all the women (and men) I got to know personally, their stories and quilts, and spring Quilt Market was a fantastic experience.
And [...]
May/June Email Newsletter
The latest issue of my email newsletter is out and is bursting full of color potential for your quilts and your fabrics! Here’s a sneak peek:
I answer the #1 question I received during my April/May book tour with a new video
I offer exercises for incorporating the 20 new hot colors for quilters into your quilts [...]
Spring Break Holiday
We’ve just returned from a lovely spring break holiday, full of sun, white sand, and wonderful natural resources. Our family is big on enjoying the great outdoors, and we walked, biked, kayaked, snorkeled, and took boat rides into the Everglades and Biscayne National Park (which is mostly underwater in the Florida Keys).
Our original plan was [...]
New Season, New Look
What is it about spring that makes me want to throw open the windows and swap out the winter pillows and fabrics for brighter, more light colors? Same goes for the blog. I’ve photographed a new header image and am trying a new Wordpress theme that’s easier on the eyes. Larger fonts, wider sidebars. I [...]
Instant Comraderie of Quilters
I had a lovely visit from a quilter from New York recently. Janet Root, SAQA member, quilt teacher, and avid quilter, stopped by to chat about quilting on a rainy day. We sat in the keeping room, fire blazing, and talked about teaching, our students, and where the best sales are (end-of-bolt sale at Little [...]
Top Ten Ways I Budget for Quilting in Tough Times
Even with the tough economy, I’m still spending money on two things: quilting and books. I can give up eating out, pedicures, car detailing, my housekeeper, and Starbucks without feeling deprived. But you take away my quilting and reading, and you’re messin’ with my priorities. My inner Madea might just come out.
I’ve long had a [...]
Chatting About Color at the Book Launch Party
I’ve got an entire gallery of photos from the book launch party over at the Color Mastery book blog. Here are the personal ones:
My younger son announcing the winners of door prizes. He was all smiles, sneaking sweet treats, picking out fat quarters, and giving me hugs throughout the evening.
My older son would quietly rub [...]
