I Did It!

For probably 2 years, no probably even longer, I have promised myself that I would learn to make pinwheels and a Dresden plate.

And, because of the inspiration I have found here with my blogging friends, and Pinterest, and You Tube tutorials, I kept my promise!

Last year I made the yo-yo pillows, but I never sewed the backs on.

Do you know, I made those yo-yo's a very long time ago for my dream house here in this beautiful valley, and here we are!

Please don't look to closely! I need to back to the tutorial at Missouri Quilt Company for Pinwheels. I did something wrong, but who will know but me! (and, everyone who reads this post).

I found these little girl dresses at yard sales last year and I cut up the two white prints for my pillows. I thought theybwere perfect for 4th of July! I'm ging to make something out of the seersucker prints later.

See the little triangles out of the dress fabric? I didn't purchase any new fabric. I had lots of fat quarters and yard sale prints to choose from. I just love the vintage prints that I used, like the patchwork quilt piece with the bits of navy.

Last week I made a table runner out of fabric samples from an interior decorator book.

I cut 4" squares out of each piece. The little books are filled with 4" by 6" pieces so fabric.

(my boss gave me the decorator samplers. 4 bins FULL! Someone had left them at our school years ago).

Aren't the fabrics pretty?

So, look what we can do for little to zero $?

I'm happy.

Posted with Blogsy

Hurrah for Blogsy!

I'm back!

I added an app for my iPad called Blogsy.

Here we go!

Bunny is all ready for the 4th of July. She was begging to wear her costume and throwing a little tantrum, so I finally said yes!

The mantle dressed up for the season.

When I was a girl, I was a majorette. I had my own corp of girls that I taught for 13 years. I started the corp when I was 12 years old, with the help of my mother. I have taught 100's of girls to twirl the baton. When I saw the tiny baton at the thrift store, I had to get it!

The little red chair.

Just some fun. I painted the Uncle Sam picture in 1990 when the kids were little. It's been in a box forever. The little red box with pinwheels was super fun to make. At first I was going to throw it away, it was so ugly, but the little bluebird dressed it up just right! I just love this big house where I can pull out all my things.

I'm joining with Red Wednesday.

Hugs, Patti!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Will Blogsy work for me?

Testing

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Don't Send Flowers

My computer died.

Kaput.

As a door nail.

"The hard drive", said 7 men from India.

"It's a problem with Windows 8" one said.

It's in a box, on it's way to Dell.

I'm writing this from my classroom Ipad. How do you upload photos from your iPad to your blog?

Please miss me!

This could take awhile.

Patriotic Swap Just For Me!

Vivian at Viv Out on a Whim 

hosted a fun Patriotic Swap - and I was partnered with

Pam at Virginia Retro.

Well, just take a look at the darling ornament Pam made for me!

I love her!

Look at the sweet M.E. tag she made for me!

And, she even decorated the back!

The best part of a swap, is the new friendships we make!

I hope to get to know Sweet Pam better and better as time goes by!

Thank you so much Pam!

Happy Anniversary Pink Cheeks!

When I met my husband I was immediately attracted to his pink cheeks.  Go figure.  I can't say why, but I thought he was cute! Oh - and he really is Dutch. His dad speaks and reads Dutch but didn't teach his 7 boys. "We are in America - we will speak English!"

We met at Eugene Bible College.  He had a job at a local mill in Eugene.  Not a windmill ~ it was a sawmill.  His job was to go in at night after the last shift and clean up the sawdust so it would be spiffy clean for the morning crew. 

I was very curious about his job.  I wanted to see where he worked.  He said I could not go - it would not be safe - but he had taken guys with him to help out - so why couldn't I go?  I begged.

I had this brainiac idea that if I dressed like a boy it would be ok.  I was a good worker, I could push a broom.

So, after much begging, I went with him.  It was cold.  It was REALLY cold.  I hated it.  But, I kept my end of the bargain and kept sweeping.  Then, I heard a BIG manly voice... and it wasn't by bf!  It was someone who worked at the mill - and they were not happy that my bf/husband had brought a girl.  He said, "Did you really think she would pass as a guy?  Geesh!" 

I guess the hips gave it away.

This wall hanging was made because I just love this cute Dutch couple.  See those pink cheeks?  Hee hee!  Once again, I know I found this image on one of the blogs I love to look at, but I did not take note of who gave it - so I apologize that I cannot give you credit.  I am learning that I need to write those things down!

We just celebrated our 36th Wedding Anniversary!

* * *my dear mother made my wedding dress* * * 

Happy Pink Saturday everyone - thank you for stopping by my blog - and a very BIG thank you to Beverly for hosting another Pink Saturday!

 This post was originally posted on my first blog paintinpatti.typepad.com

Royal Mail!

All the way from England!

Oh my goodness! How exciting!

My dear sister-in-law sent me a package from England!

I love you, Martha!

And, just look what was inside!

I am just thrilled to have this Cath Kidston key ring - and look, it matches my big blue house! 

My brother in law Bruce said that I should name my blog, "Strawberry Blue" - and look - that is exactly what this key chain looks like!

And, every girl needs a lip gloss, especially one that will make her feel pretty just opening the lid!

Little roses - love it!

Oh, Dear Cath Kidston. 

I love you, too!

*************

Bruce and Martha came to visit us from England several weeks ago. They had a conference in Long Beach, CA - and we were just thrilled to have them stay with us for several days.  They are a very fun couple - full of BIG dreams and GOOD words. They are easy to have around. As long as there is sunshine - I think they are happy! And, they cook! The perfect company, if you ask me!

I told Martha that if we ever do go over to England for a visit - I will save up lots of money for the Cath Kidston store! (And, Greengate, too!) She was so sweet to send me these special signature items.  

Ok, where are my house keys! 

"Honey, will you help me put my keys on this adorable key ring!"

Loooooove it!

Thank you so much, Dear Martha!

I'm joining

RED WEDNESDAY

(cuz, Cath Kidston's name is in RED)

lovingly hosted by Cottage Sweet Cottage!

(sorry Lil - I don't know how to do a button!)

And,

at Mockingbird Hill Cottage!
Thank you, Claudia!

A Tisket - A Tasket....

I love my sewing baskets!

It all began with this sewing basket that belonged to my grandmother.

She gave me every bit and bob of her sewing supplies when she passed away.

I love this rose covered basket.

The other baskets came from yard sales. 

I just love the little round basket.

I found this basket Saturday at our local swap meet - and the little round one, too. $3 for the pair!

Two more weeks of kinder-kids, and then I'm free for the summer. I have so many ideas on my list of creative fun things to do!

************
I'm joining the
Pink Saturday 
crowd of talented ladies
over at How Sweet the Sound.

And also,
Mockingbird Hill Cottage for
Favorite Things
Please visit these sweet blogs this week!

Blessings,

Patti

Pinch Me Quick! I Won Donna's Give Away!

Look what found it's way down our country road!

Yep, a package from Heather arrived!

Did you hear that I won the give away Heather hosted for Donna's Lavendar Nest? 

Ohhhhhhh, look at the pretty fabrics that Donna gave for this give away.

I was sooooo surprised to win - but so happy that I did! I have vowed to try my hand at quilting this summer. I do sew - clothes and little things - but, I really don't know how to quilt. I fake it, if you know what I mean!  Won't these prints be pretty for a soft summer look!

 And then, Heather sent me this pretty Mary Engelbreit fabric - because she knows I just love anything M.E.

Thank you so much Heather!

It's always fun to get packages from Heather! She wraps everything up so pretty. I save every bit of her wrapping to decorate with!

Look - my name all dressed up and fancy!

And, I just had to order something from Heather. I love, love, love her beautiful work. and, I thought this tea towel would be perfect with my aqua jars. Of course, I also adore the gingham!

My Dear Grama Julie gave me these pretty plates. They have tiny aqua flowers with these bright fuchsia pink rose buds. Perfect with this tea towel!  The crochet on this towel is the same color!

Thank you so much Heather and Donna - for this wonderful Give Away, and sweet items to be treasured for years to come.

**********

Thank you for visiting me today!

I joined 
How Sweet The Sound
for Pink Saturday

Blessings,

Patti