Returning...

I guess, I took almost unexpected break from blogging and bunch of other things, but here I am ready to get back to my normal.
I needed some time off from my usual, at least, that is how I explain myself to myself. :)
I spent a lot of time outside not far, just in my yard, enjoying every new leaf that grew and every new bloom.



My vegetables are all planted in abundance, now I am anxious to harvest fruits.




I visited with old friends and family, who hardly see me during the school time.
The most important, I organized my life a bit (really just a bit) and set my priorities once again...

Now? I am really longing for craftiness.

..but before I have to show for any of that, here are some pieces of my garden...







Thank you all for comments wondering about me and whether I found time to sew... I read and appreciate them all. I guess it is hard to admit several times in row that things are not going the way I wished they would. :)
Thanks for visiting...

Finals are done, I am back...

Just a quick note for those who might want to know... Yep, finals and school is behind me for now and I will be back here enjoying the crafty days with you. I have a long list of want to and need to, but since my work situation is not going to change for now, I do have more time on my hands.
All of you moms out there, enjoy yours Mother's Day weekend! We will be out of town till Monday.

Happy mother's day to my mom that is far far away.... I love you mom.

And here, so my dad does not need to translate:

Mamka,
vsetko najlepsie ku Dnu Matiek!
Lubim Ta a chybas mi...
Som rada ze ta mam...
M.

A bad news...

Thank you all for stopping by. I have been working on my school stuff all this time. All of my projects are finished and I am pretty proud of them. I have last two finals tomorrow. Then I will be back here as usual.
In fact, I might be here more often. I just found out today that my hours at work are going to be cut almost in half starting next week, maybe till June. Reason? I guess economy...
I am more then frustrated since we had lost one income in the house already. What do i do? I am having a feeling I 'll find out soon.
I might have a back up plan, but that will require some prayers. :)
On the other side, Jacquie at Tallgrass Prairie Studio is holding the Spring to Finish on till the end of May. I am looking for some quality time spent behind the sewing machine.
Wish me luck... I'll need it.

Exhausted...

That is how I feel right now and for the past couple of days.
The semester is almost over and I need to hold on and pull more hours until it's over.., so please bear with me with fewer posts and being way behind on reading about your projects and days. I will catch up eventually.
Also, thank you all for warm comments about the Mountain Boy Quilt. Every single one made a smile on my face, I really appreciated them all. I am slowly getting to reply to all of them.
And for today? I am off to work. I have another long day in front of me, but I will leave you with my quilt in progress. These are pictures from the little sewing I was able to do this past weekend...



This layout is different from the previous one in this post - I accidentally flipped the darks and lighs. Which on do you like better?

I have eight more blocks to go... maybe I'll get to it this weekend...

Online Quilt Festival '09...

By now I've caught up with my blog reading and seen many many beautiful quilts. Many of them were part of the On line Quilt festival that Amy at Park City Girl organized for all of us that don't have the chance to visit big quilt shows.
Check out my side bar for the link to see all those great quilts featured.

It was hard to pick just one, but ..


Here is my favorite...



This quilt started as a charity quilt for baby boy in Kentucky mountains. I pulled out my scrap bin and one very sweet (father and son) fabric, I bought a while ago to make this quilt.




Also, I wanted to try some improvisational piecing inspired by Jacquie, so I just played along as pulling scraps from bin.


All this became one beautiful quilt. I fell in love with it and could not bear departing it to the unknown.

So instead I kept it and made three other quilts for Mountain Baby Blankets project.
It is also the biggest quilt I ever quilted on my own and I am just all over that crinkled softness.


Here all for you a load of pictures of it that I love...

Spring Finish #1

I've been waiting and waiting to be able to blog about this one.
Let me tell you, this quilt has been awaiting its finish for almost two years. The sad part is, that not only the quilt, but also its receivers were waiting... way too long. Luckily, they are our very good friends and they were super - extra - unbelievably patient.
Thanks guys!



OK, so on about the quilt.
First, it was a pillow, which was a tease that R & M received for their bridal/groom shower.



Then there was a quilt:


It is made strictly with batiks and solids all in earthy colors.
The quilt was transformed from its original stage to the one you see above after I found this inspiration on Flickr...
OK, here I was going to post the link were my inspiration came from. I can't find it! (It was red and white combo.)Please, if any of you recognize any similarity with quilt you've seen and know how to find the link, let me know. THANKs.


Quilting was done by my friends at Basketcases Unlimited, but inspired by flickr quilt.


The back is simple and binding is made out scraps of batiks and solids.


and later on two more pillows were made.


Hope, you will enjoy this R&M!

I am way behind on reading blogs here. It's beautiful out, so we are going to finish tilling that garden and maybe plant first radishes.
And then? More school stuff.
Enjoy your weekend...

Easter walk through the prairie...

I guess I can say, we had a peaceful but schoolwork filled easter weekend. We found time to relax out at prairie. Let me take you there as well.
The county had to just burn it.


I am planning on taking a picture from this spot regularly to see the prairie changing with seasons.


I love these views. We took a lots of pictures similar to this one.


Did I say it is Sal's favorite place to go.


We sat down for a bit and listened to the water and birds.


The small green patch behind Sal is all moss. It looked like fairies lived there under the trees.


It was still a bit chilly out, but oh so nice to be outside again.


I did work a little on my scrappy log cabin, but not enough to show real progress.

How was you weekend?