Wow!! I'm back!! Shocker!!

Every once in a while I just need to take a break from quilting! I LOVE it but on occasion I get a little burned out and need a little change of pace.  So, I took about 6 weeks and read a bunch of books that have been on my list. That was fun!! And, it gave me the break I needed to want to get back to quilting!

I made these bright cheery quilts for my living room. I'm kind of into red lately! New red drapes as well to help satisfy my red obsession! :) I love my new quilts and the regal feel of my ceiling to floor drapes! It took a few days for Mark to love them but he's a fan now! He especially loves being able to finally block the blazing sun in the evenings! :)

I want to introduce you to Payton. He's one of the most inspiring people I know.  Despite his challenges, he graduated with honors, was voted prom king and got accepted to the University of his choice! FSU!! He's such a friendly, smart and awesome person! I got to know him a couple of years ago. I had the opportunity of spending several school days with him, assisting him but mostly just being inspired by him.  I'm taking a chance by posting a new blog post on FB. He might be intrigued and come take a peek. He hasn't received his quilt yet so I might spoil his surprise!! I hope not! Here's Payton and his FSU quilt! I was so happy with how it turned out! :)

I was super excited with how my seminole indian turned out!! Better than I expected!! 

Besides FSU and sports, Payton also loves chess and poker!! Fun!! :)

Well, I'm very excited about some more new quilts in the works!! Hopefully I will not wait as long to blog some more! :)

*Sherilyn*

THE OWLS HAVE LEFT THE NEST!! FINALLY!!

I'm really happy with how my owl quilt turned out! 

This one took me a little more time to finish! My challenge for this particular quilt was the dark blue homespun fabric. I knew if I didn't pre-treat my blocks with a solution of vinegar and salt water I was going to have a real bleeding problem. But....I had success and headed off a catastrophe! Trial and error has taught me a lot! :)

I knew I wanted to include something in the rectangle blocks that would go with owls but I just didn't know what. I asked my husband, "What goes with owls?" He immediately said "books!" He's so brilliant! I loved the idea! I still wanted to include the personal progress values as part of my quilt so I sewed the values on the binding of the books and matched up each value with 8 of my favorite stories! So happy with the outcome! :)

Some of you have expressed an interest in this pattern as well. Yes! I'm very motivated to get patterns and instructions prepared for this quilt. They take a little longer to prepare than I had first anticipated, but bare with me. :) 

Besides quilting, I'm also tackling some fun household projects. I'm not quite as fast as my sister, Jenny, who can completely remodel a basement, create patterns and quilt them up, manage her busy family and have a baby all in a two week period. she is definitely super woman!! :)

Here are a few pics of my latest bookshelf project. Still working on it but it's coming along! 

My husband made them and I painted them. Ugh!! I don't like painting as much as I like quilting!

My darling dog, Maggie, was such a big helper!! NOT!! But gotta love her anyway! :)

And this is the final project! Yay! 

GEM OF THE DAY

This particular quote has spoke loud and clear to me lately. Some days are just more difficult to do and be good and I'm really feeling the lack of sleep associated with my early morning seminary calling. But, all is well and this quote has inspired me!

The enabling power of the Atonement strengthens us to do and be good and to serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity. 

Elder David A. Bednar

*Sherilyn*

SOMETHING'S MISSING!?!!

A funny story about this little green fella! After posting his picture on my blog a week or so ago and staring at it several times on my blog and on my wall, I kept thinking... "There's something strange about this little guy, but I can't figure out what it is!" Still.... about a week went buy and he was still bugging me. haha! Poor little guy!

Then.... I came across a picture of Voldemort, and thought, "Wow, that is so strange, he reminds me of my little green owl! Weird!!! Why!?!!" 

Then, all of a sudden it hit me! "They're both missing their nose!!!" haha! Couldn't quit laughing. It took Voldemort to clue me in! 

He is now complete!! :) And, no longer bugging me!! Ha!

Made two more owls yesterday and I have one more to go. These take a little bit of time but are really fun and I love having fun with the eyes to change their moods!! 

Well, I've been working on my Wild West Patterns and Instructions. I knew it would require a bit of effort but didn't realize how much really goes into preparing patterns and instructions. I have a better appreciation for my sisters and their patterns/instructions! 

It took some mad photo shop skills (thanks Spencer at Cougar Creations) and my daughter's mad print skills, but we did it and came up with this. :) Yes, one step closer! 

So hopefully, those who desire, will be able to turn this ^ into this. :D

--------GEM OF THE DAY--------

Since I brought Voldemort into today's post, I thought I might as well stay with a Harry Potter theme. 

Thanks JK Rowling for so many words of wisdom! Did I mention I LOVE HARRY POTTER!! :)

*Sherilyn*

Just Enough Time!!

Tuesday morning I got up early enough to pack, do my visiting teaching, and make one more owl before leaving for Salt Lake. This one just might be my favorite. I love the colors I chose for this one. Pretty sure he needs to be named "Mr. Grumpy Gills".... courtesy of Finding Nemo! :)

All 5 side by side....It's all in the eyes!! :)

3 More to go!! I'm making this special quilt for a very special young lady named Taylor....who just happens to love owls!! 

I'm at my mothers helping her pack! She loves Salt Lake but is getting very tired of the COLD Winters. She's headed for warmer weather in Mesa Arizona.  Guess I'll be making trips to Mesa to bug her there. She can't get rid of me that easy!! :)

GEM OF THE DAY

HAHA!!! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!! :) <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

*Sherilyn*

Falling in Love with Owls!!

I sure am having fun with these cute little creatures! Who knew owls could be so adorable!!! :) Actually....I knew! ;)

This is "So So Sad Owl". Aww...

This one is "Flirty Owl"

This one is "I'm Bored Owl"! 

And I featured this little guy in my last post and just for fun and because he's so cute he deserves another posting! Not sure what to name this one.... maybe "Surprise" or "Whooo Me Owl"?

And here are all four together. 

I have four more to go... four more colors.... four more moods! :) Going to help my mother this week so those four owls will have to wait til next week.  Stay tuned to meet the other four! :)

I am very happy and satisfied with my second attempt of my Wild West Quilt. Here it is sewn, washed and trimmed up! Yes! :)

GEM OF THE DAY

I dedicate this one to my daughter, Laura, who I'm pretty sure actually agrees with this! haha!

She's the other goofy one in green! :)

And...

Happiness comes when we stop complaining about the troubles we have and start thanking God for the troubles we don't have!

*Sherilyn*