A new favorite...YUM!!!

See the van parked in front of the middle store? Yep, that's mine. And I'm in there often enough that the manager recognizes me. The last 5 packages I sent out have tasty goodies included! Enlarge the picture and you'll find that Fannie May candy is situated between a vitamin shop and a denture dental clinic...too funny!

I received an e-mail from Marsha saying that she had received her package yesterday, so I figured I'd better get online today to share the second half of the packages I received in June. Bad me, I know... Theri has reminded me several times that I have not blogged since the end of June. I do apologize to all of you who weren't previously mentioned and it is time to "catch up". I have kept track--you've been very busy. I thank you all and now I'll show the rest of my goodies:

Marsha's blocks came with her ornament and a pattern. She and Katie may be hinting that I need to work on something smaller so that a project gets done? I'm in agreement and thinking the same thing!

By the way, I have taken this shot into Paint Shop and rotated 3 times...it still comes up this way, so I will have to accept that I need practice. I even used SnagIt and came up with this same rotation. I give!!!

What a contrast when Karen's blocks came....don't you love the polka dot border? Hmmm...that picture came out right?!


And Kathleen's blocks with fabric to add to the stash. One of the major things I learned with this swap is to "think outside the box". These fabrics are wild & great! I think I became a little less conservative as time went on...



It took me a few minutes to even open Ann's package because I was SO amazed at the number of stamps on the package! A lovely magazine and yummy chocolates for a good cause. Aren't the borders beautiful?



First, Christine sent blocks...and then another package. Another lovely magazine (one I've never checked out before) and a "deckle cut" rotary cutter.
It took me awhile to figure this one out....


Remember her cute note included with a baby gift with instructions for washing? This was the paper cutter she used for the edge!

And Liri sent 2 packages too. Lovely blocks, fabric, buttons, and her gorgeous embroidery. And little chicken salt & pepper shakers.

Later, she sent a box of great finds from her "searches".


Many of these crafts are hard to find these days.

And alas, another picture on its side! Maybe "blogger" is trying to tell me that I have run on enough?

Once again, I thank you all for your wonderful packages.

And since I already know what the next blog will be...I will not be away so long! Mary

Deer's Mill Bridge

Just for fun photos that I thought you might like to see!

My husband is part of an online panorama group and he went to Montgomery County yesterday to take photographs for their current project. The above photo shows the original bridge built in 1878 and the newer bridge currently used for traffic. It takes a series of pictures that are then "stitched" together in software to make these panoramas.

I'm including additional photos for those of you who have never been able to visit one of these old bridges and see the workmanship involved. And a few more just for fun!





























This is a ceiling shot...















All this water is usually not much more than a stream, but with all the rain we've had (you can tell how green it is), the water level is really high.


Sure wish some of this rain we've had could be moved just a little south to help our Texas friends and family...

Enjoy your weekend! Mary

Clicking on a link...

Or how your blogging friends can get you into trouble! First Joanne sent us to the Blogger's Quilt Festival--and I spent two evenings and viewed 200+ quilts. And a couple of days later, Katie showed us her quilt and recommended that we view the quilts... Having already looked, I thought "well, maybe a few more have been added". Yeah, many more! And THAT sent me back to the quilt that had been lingering in my mind... This had special meaning for me and caused a shift in thinking--even about ordinary every day events.

This quilt design is from Piece N Quilt and I immediately sent an e-mail requesting the pdf file. I also noted that she did not have the Moda Half Moon charm pack. (In the meantime, I thought of another color combination when I found the Cherish Nature charm pack... You can tell I'm getting into trouble, right?)

I stopped counting how many hours I had spent searching on the internet for these charm packs on the second day. One pack came from Utah and the other from Michigan. Maybe I should have called Katie to help track it down? And the pdf file still hadn't come... So I went online and ordered the backing fabric from Piece N Quilt and mentioned I hadn't received the file. Then it quickly arrived, but I am sure she had her hands full with the Quilter's Festival.

I decided to use red with the black/white version and happily went off to the local quilt shop for the white for borders and sashings. Then I remembered the fabric from Mary Jo's Cloth Store! Perfect! The half yard I got from the Robert Kaufman Fusion line was great. Shades of blended reds that make you take a second look. But I only had half of what I needed--no problem. Just go online and order! I was delighted when I located the color and quickly placed the order... NOW I was on my way and started cutting and working on what I had on hand. Are you shaking your head and doubting my wisdom yet?

And I worked some more while waiting for my extra fabric....

And the package arrived!

And I opened it!

And never trust your monitor for color...or at least pay attention to the name of the color!
Maybe I thought it said "flamenco" and not "flamingo"? I obviously was not using my brain at all! This fabric is a beautiful raspberry color, but....

So back on the phone with one of the delightful ladies in customer service at MJ's. And since there are four shades of red in the fusion line, I sent off a sample. And a few days later they called to tell me that "my" color is back ordered.

(And yes, I have to eliminate one row on the black/white/red version--I can't count either!)

I have moved on to the Cherish Nature charm pack. What do you think? Hopefully, I'll get them done this year!




And no, Theri, I am NOT going to publish my UFO list...

Mary