The secret is revealed!

Picture won't cooperate, and turn right side up when I import it. Sorry to make you turn your head!

Last night was a surprise birthday party for our friend, Linda G, who will be turning 50 in a couple weeks. The teapot block which I posted earlier was to be part of this special quilt. Each of us made a block to represent ourselves, and mine reflected my teapot collection. The surprise came off perfectly. She was totally surprised by the 50+ gifts, which were everything from funny to serious, and in the bottom of the box was the quilt. Linda was completely surprised by it all.

Marguerite did a fabulous job, as usual, in preparing the label. She was also our hostess for the big event. We carried in food, and as usual carried in so much that we had to carry it back out again! Everyone is a wonderful cook, so no one went hungry.

One recurring theme relates to frog boots. Marguerite had received a pair as a gift from her aunt, and was less than thrilled with them. As she was recounting this to us one evening, Linda piped up that she had always wanted a pair. Little time was lost as Marguerite passed along the gift to someone who would really appreciate them! Needless to say, since that event, there have been many references to the frog boots, including their image on the quilt. I happened to run across a pattern for a child's frog hat. I selected some chenille yarn, which is a bit soft for this use, but that just made it funnier.

Here's Laura, trying to keep a straight face, while poor Ed doesn't really know what's he will see when she turns around!

Next birthday event is for Marguerite . . . I mentioned that I have time to knit a hat for her, too. I got the same expression she wore previously when talking about the frog boots!

I'm sure lucky to have such wonderful friends.

Auction Surprises!

Where does the time go? I guess I've been busy! DH has worked at several auctions lately, and brought home a very interesting find from a Friday auction that I missed while I was working. It's an 1886 Singer sewing machine. Note that it is operated by use of the thumb wheel on the lower right of the machine, which is connected to a pushrod at the back. The presser foot lever is at the top left of the machine. It is dated 1886 on the platform surface, and most of the paint is still intact, but the "S" in Singer has flaked away. Guess I really just have an "inger", but it does still have its' medallion on the base of the machine. It's cast iron, and just a little cutie. I'm delighted to have it.

Went to Columbus, Ohio, to the National Quilt Association show last weekend with my friends, Marguerite and Roseanna. Marguerite had two quilts in the exhibit. The first is her "Katrina Chaos", an abstract composition quilted with the stories of the storm in New Orleans, and details of the aftermath. Since it is difficult to read on the busy quilt surface, she has a label on the back with the text repeated.

The other quilt that Marguerite displayed was my favorite, Clean Run, representing her pet's participation in Agility training. She reports that Sparkle doesn't do as well in the event as represented by the quilt, but I think it's just such a happy quilt.

We made a leisurely trip to Columbus, stopping in four quilt shops, and The Container Store. That evening, we lounged around the pool at the hotel for a bit, reading and knitting. Then we went into Worthington for Graeter's ice cream. It was a beautiful evening.

The next morning, we hit the ground running for the quilt show. Lucky me . . . there was a knitting event at the same convention center. I managed to acquire some fabrics, AND some yarns for my sock frenzy. Bought the quilt book, "Home Sweet Home" by Blackbird Designs. The quilt with the houses appealed to me more than many house quilts I have seen, because each "lawn" had some applique. I am definitely addicted to applique.

On the knitting front, I got some Tofutsies yarn, made with Chitin, a fiber generated from crab and shrimp shells. Also got a skein with Bamboo, and a Panda Cotton with elastic. None are available locally, so I will enjoy the opportunity to knit with those.

"Plowed" my studio yesterday. Still have some tidying up to do, but my sewing machine has more than just a path to it, so I'm anxious to do some piecing. I have some applique to do for our Guild's raffle quilt, but need to pick up some template plastic before I can proceed on that one.

My grandson spent the night with us, and we went out to breakfast. He's lots of fun! I think we'll go to the quilt shop to get my supplies, and I will be ready to do my duty on the Guild raffle quilt this evening.