Paris

Tom and I are in Paris for a week and then Provence for a week. We are doing a separate blog about the trip. Go see runingawayfromhome.blogspot.com for updates. Great trip so far. Haven't found the fabric shops but that is ok. So much else to do. Unfortunately I can't seem to upload images from my ipad so pictures to follow later. See you soon

Quilts for charity

My quilt guild - PMQ - makes quilts for one of the St. Louis area children's hospitals.  Last year this small group of 28 make 125 quilts that were given to critically ill children for comfort.  Here is the latest stack that will go soon.  So cool...

Great tote bag

At Modern quilt guild today several people showed a new tote bag they made.  It was great so of course I came home, downloaded the pattern and made it.  The beauty of Paypal and PDF files for instant gratification.  Here is the bag....using Michael Miller fabric just meant for this project.

 Now I know you want to go get the pattern don't you.  Go to www.ilikeorangetoo.blogspot.com
and look for the Pretty Pleats Reversible Tote pattern and make one for yourself for Mother's Day. 

Grand dog keeping me busy

We now have two golden retriever mixes in the house - one is 10, one is 3.  Keeps me busy walking, feeding, brushing etc.  It's fun to have both around but busy.  I have forgotten how much fun a young dog is - they love to play, chase their tails and just generally be goofy.  He is my oldest son's dog so only here for the summer visiting (much  to the older dogs relief).

Dune the Grand Dog

Paducah

Just returned from two days in Paducah.  I thought in general there were too many medallion quilts, too many kits but still some real stunners.  The great part though, my friend Judy had her quilt in the show.  Here she is:

Always a thrill to see your quilt in a show.  I quilted it. 

Wildflowers 2

Prairie in early spring

Dogwoods

spring trail

Dwarf Larkspur

Paintbrush

Celandine poppy

Jacob's Ladder

I spent the day geocaching and exploring more at the Shaw Nature Reserve.  This spring is a perfect storm of flowers and blooming trees.  Everything is coming out at once and it's stunning.  I felt like I was in a special fairyland as I walked through the woods.  Here are some more shots of the spring woodland in Missouri.

Wildflowers

Blue Bells

I decided to document some of the wildflowers blooming around me this spring.  It's a very early spring and everything is really popping.  Here are some of the ones in my woods:

Dogwoord

Spring beauties

Trout Lilly

May Apples

Ferns

Redbud

White Redbud - native to this area

Dandelions

Flax

Violets