Can You Smell the Lilacs?

It's Lilac Festival time in Woodland, Wa - one of my favorite things to see every year.

The fragrance laden air is transporting.

It's held on the grounds of the Hulda Klager estate. She is very famous for the hundreds of hybrid lilacs she created. You can tour her house, kept in it's period charm.

I took dozens of pictures because they have so many varieties and each one has it's own beauty. My computer is being obstinate today and wants to take 5 minutes to download every picture, so you are just getting a small sampling. Enjoy

They have a gift shop with Everything Lilac in it, including this sweet set of dishes.

I wish you could sit a spell with me here and enjoy the experience like I did. Thank you so much for visiting today. I hope to see you again soon.  Love, Derrith

It's Tulip Time

Every year at this time I take the 15 minute drive north to Woodland Washington for their Tulip Festival and their Lilac Festival. It really is glorious. Today, I will show you just a few of the hundreds of varieties of Tulips that are on display at the Holland America Bulb Farm.

I didn't think this posting needed much commentary. I hope you enjoyed the pictures. I will post my pictures of the Lilac Festival soon. It was such a beautiful day here today and I'm eager to share those pictures will you. Thanks again for visiting. I really do appreciate it! -Derrith

Fabric Shopping in SLC

Last week, while I was in Salt Lake, my dear friend Susan and I visited a couple quilt shops. The first was Pine Needles in Gardner Village. They were in a new location within the square since my last visit. The store is really fun. They had these wonderful wall hangings which I believe were designed by the owner. They had several designed for different seasons and holidays.

I loved all the different techniques used on each one.

I love how graphic and whimsical this quilt is and so beautifully done!

LOVED this. I am definitely going through a Nautical/Americana period right now. Hopefully, I will have some finished projects to show you soon.

So cute!

Just a hop, skip and a jump away was The Material Girls Quilt Shop. This framed wall hanging is so dang cute!

This really appealed to me too.

As you may know, I can't pass up anything with cherries! I am home now and trying to catch up on things I should have done while I was on my trip. I'm getting close to a finish on my Square Dance quilt. I'm trying to get it done in time for the "Blogger's Quilt Show" hosted by Amy's Creative Side.

Thank you so much for stopping by, friends. I appreciate you and am inspired by you everyday.  -Love, Derrith

Post Cards For April

Today I'm sharing our quilted postcards from my quilt group. We exchange them each month. Only four of us participated this time-Here's some love from Barb.

Loralie interpreted "April Showers" with some glitter -doesn't everyone?!

This was my contribution this month. It was hand embroidered. [no choice:I don't have an embroidery machine :-) ]

Margy did a Spring theme-we were all ready for that! I do so appreciate you visiting my blog. Please come again.  -Derrith

April Quilt Group Festivities

Our "Sisters'n'Stitches" group met at my house this month. I must admit, we did more laughing than sewing. Lorali showed us her amazing quilt. Isn't it spectacular?!

This is also Lorali's. It is so beautifully done in vintage repro fabric.

This collage was done by Darlene. The picture doesn't do it justice. She machine embroidered the letters, embellished them, added the quilted elements and incorporated sewing memorabilia from her Grandmother and Great Grandmother and then framed it in a shadow box. The picture is of her Grandmother.  Really amazing!

This is Margy's impressive machine embroidery work.

Barb used machine embroider on this skirt and the results were really cool. (See below)

Margy embroidered shells on some towels for a great wedding gift.

Anita painted this darling planter for a friend. We have many talents represented in our group!

Anita also painted this stylish sheep. It is so fun to be inspired by each other each month. Next month we have a 12" X 12" block challenge and we decided to have an "Americana" challenge during the summer months this year. It should be fun. Thanks so much for dropping by. I will be posting our quilted post cards for this month soon. Love, Derrith

Little "FLossies" and a Progress Report

I've been getting ready to host my Quilting Group tomorrow night. I wanted to have some little "favor" to give them, so I've been making these "Flossies". I first saw the idea on someone's blog and I loved them. Here's the problem: I can't remember who's blog is was. I have searched and searched. I know it was a blog I follow and I want to give credit to whoever had the original idea. If the design was your creation, or you know who's it was, please let me know!

These are so much fun to make. It's like picking out fabric and making little dresses, only it takes a fraction of the time. I just cut the shape out of light weight cardboard, glued scrapbook paper on both sides, then wrapped the Embroidery Floss cummerbund, tucking in the end. I must warn you, they can be addictive!

Now, on to my progress report. I'm still "goin' round in circles". It's funny that the name of this pattern is "Square Dance", but I get it. The colors are crazy bright, even form me, but I think one of my grand daughters will like it. I still have a ways to go. The morning after Quilt Group, I'm leaving for Salt Lake for my grand daughter's baptism. I will try to post pics of what my quilting buddies are up to before I leave. Then, I hope to explore some quilt shops in Salt Lake. They are so lucky to have so many to choose from there! Until tomorrow... thank you for visiting!  -Derrith

Can a Quilt Be An Old Friend?

I have to just come out and say  "I love this quilt". It is definitely one of my earlier quilts - I can see lots of flaws caused by inexperience, but, it is still one of my two or three favorites. I hang it in the spring although it works in the summer too. It makes me happy and comfortable - just like an old friend.

I used a combination of contemporary and 30's reproductions fabrics - I didn't really know exactly what I was doing other than trying to find mostly primary colors. I was quite thrilled with the background fabric. It's actually hard to find background fabric that is bright white and the little blue, yellow and red flowers were so perfect. 

Sooo, this morning I stopped at Goodwill and found these cute canisters that were half off today. Anyone who has visited my blog will know that I love Cherries the most, but I think I can find room in my heart for these cute tomatoes. I believe I will make some dish towels to match and then take them all down to the shop.

I also found this really cute "Butter Bell". I don't know if you can see the little handle. That is unique for one of these. Have you ever used one? I was introduced to them when I started "thrifting" and now my family is hooked. It keeps butter fresh and at the perfect spreading consistancy. I am happy to say that the sun is shining today. We have to enjoy it because the rain returns tomorrow and for the rest of the week. I have been making progress on my quilt so I am encouraged about that. I've rambled enough today. Thanks so much for peeking in. I hope to see you again soon. -Derrith

Saturday Market Flowers

On Saturday, Gary and I got our chores done early so we could enjoy a lovely lunch at the Quay by the Columbia River. It was one of those clear sunny days that make you glad you're alive.  A couple blocks away, was Vancouver's Saturday Market and with just a little urging, Gary agreed to go.

The flower vendors are by far my favorite thing at our Saturday Market. As you can see, they had every variety of daffodils.

The tulips were so beautiful!

I love these ruffly daffodils and the lilies too.

The glass artists are very impressive too.

Aren't these pretty?! Just thought I'd bring you a little bit of color today. Who can resist photographing all the lovely spring flowers? I'm looking forward to my wisteria, lilacs,  hydrangeas, roses and especially my favorite - peonies! I guess I'd better get back to my quilting now if I am ever to have a finished quilt to show you.  Love, Derrith