Daddy's Birthday Party

King for the day -- every day in my book.

Blessings,

Janet

Daddy is 93 Today

Hi,

CELEBRATE my awesome dad. He was born in Clinton, IL (clock pix) and moved up to Bloomington when he met my mom (on a blind date). The secretly married (just as I did but didn't know they had then) in IN. For their 50th anniversary I gave them a picture of their wedding pix poster size.

These Pix: Mom, Dad, Me.

Family pix is grandma holding Fluffy, Dad holding mom, Mel, my husband behind mom and dad and my sister Bonnie at Christmas 1960s.

Today mom is not with us. Blessings, Janet

I am on Etsy

Hi,

I have a spot on Etsy now. You can check it out. I am crocheting my heart out to get some gals made for appliques for future projects.

I have a better picture (with a model) of my rooster apron.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings,

Jan

I am on a roll - Crochet

Hi,

Yesterday, I bought new crochet thread Glimmer by Karabella yarns from the store, JustImaginKnit. The very first item I crochet with any new thread is the Butterfly. If it works and how it works is my criteria for how I can use the thread for future projects. It works up larger this butterfly is 9 1/2 inches by 6 inches. However, I know how I will use this beautiful thread. It is easy to crochet with and has the capabilities I need.

Blessings,

Janet

Crochet Smaller Lady

Hi,

At least I have time to experiment. I combined 2 Crochet Memories patterns and will continue to adjust colors and patterns. The first one was too large for a smaller applique. This one is 6 inches by 6 inches. If there is anything that you can think of that I need to do with her, let me know.

Thanks,

Blessings,

Jan

Pigs Fly

Hi,

In church to day, the preacher talked about her new pups. I want a pups. Do pigs fly? YEP!!!

Blessings,

Janet

Lakeland Florida and Bok Gardens

Hi,

I found the Best fabric store in FL, Patchwork Pig. They had everything on my list (so few fabric places where I live so I shop on line and right now I play the FabShopHop and find all kinds of different fabrics at many fabric/quilt shops). This place is so cute, has unique fabrics, great displays (ideas) and the staff is so friendly, more so than I'm use to. My girlfriend Marge and doll exhibit chair (I'm co-chair) for our Feb. 2010 quilt show is in the picture. Guess what? -- Lakeland electric is NOT FPL. Whoo hoo!

We didn't stay long because we had reservations at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. The lunch was excellent. Their reputation is built on the tall tower, the carillon bells, and the beautiful gardens and it doesn't disappoint. The tower, built in 1927-8, is 205 ft. (the foundation is reinforced 13-24 ft. underground. We were able to take in a concert of the

bells. The panoramic view from the hill toward several towns was fabulous. A very enjoyable two days.

Blessings,

Janet

Tarpon Springs Nature Cruise

Hi, Saturday morning we were told we would be cruising on a pontoon on a nature cruise. The day was beautiful and the birds and dolphin were out to greet us. It is the most enjoyable ride. You will notice the Christmas decor. They were celebrating Christmas in July.

The lighthouse is made like New England lighthouses because it needs to be pliable in our hurricanes. More to come.

Blessings,

Janet

Newest Girl

Hi,

I started her before the trip and here she is. The pattern is from Crochet Memories where I had purchased the smaller girl. I have fun with the patterns, Once I figure them out, they are almost memorized. . . strange indeed. But it is the figuring out that takes the time, I ripped several times. And yes, there is an error or two, but she's ready for the dance. There is a mask that goes with her, but I didn't crochet that. She is approximately 10"x 11" - a larger applique.

Blessings,

Janet

Jan's Cafe

Hi,

Still in Dunedin. Right across the parking lot from Rainbow's End was a delicious healthy

lunch at Jan's Cafe. A very small 4 or 5 table (inside) area. Patti and I came in for lunch and they

said to go on in

side next door and look around. It turned out to be a beautiful antique shop. By the time we finished looking, our table was ready. The picture at the left is of Dodie and Patti (and you can see me in the reflection) after finishing our refreshing ice tea break from seeing the downtown antique shops.

In particular

An Olde Feedstore, with amazing antiques. They had old Lucy Show videos and a lost Lucy video. The 60s pink sweater was beautifully hand embroidered. Those of us in FL should think about that gorgeous hurricane lamp. What about that rooster, too cute.

By dinner time we were in Tarpon Springs and had a delicious dinner at the best Greek Restaurant. They were flaming dinners all over the place. A very fun place to eat. We shopped after. I did NOT go back into their pastry shoppe. The cookies and desserts looked delicious and most of the gals said they were yummy.

Our tour guide and friend, Katy who dreams up these wonderful trips, is on the left in the Greek restaurant picture along with some of the gals.

Tomorrow I scout out the Tarpon Springs pictures and on to mid-FL.

Blessings, Janet

Dunedin

Hi,

This is the first place we went Friday. Dunedin has the largest quilt/fabric shop in Florida. They really do. The train station museum is the only place that has not changed from when I was there about 15 years ago. The town has changed from a quaint little town to a typical commercial place. I was quite surprised by that. More tomorrow.

Blessings,

Janet

West Florida

Hi,

Quilt guild bus trip - this weekend to west FL Rainbow's End quilt shop, the largest shop in FL. YAY! They have a blog, but the web site is coming. There is a lot of fabric on the blog.

I haven't been to Tarpon Springs or Dunedin since I was there with Steve. This is going to be so fun and a memory trip. Dunedin is a small town. Downtown is comprised of old houses filled with antique shops within those houses. Quite a treat.

Katy always has many surprises for us so her shop hop trips are a Big Treat. I have noticed when you travel outside your neighborhood that other places have different fabrics and antiques which makes it all the more interesting and exciting.

Have a great weekend.

Blessings,

Janet

Next Project

Hi,

I've been working on the purse that I want to take with me on the shop hop. I made a glass case from the material so that you could get a peek. The purse pattern is from an ASG member in the Tampa area. I'm not a pattern person, so it won't look like her picture, so we won't even go there. I love roosters and ducks, but I think you probably already have that message.

Blessings,

Janet

Rooster Apron

Hi,

Finally finished. . . no interruptions. I will take a better picture of it at a later time, but wanted to put it up as I had talked about the completion. The rooster you see is on the pocket, there are ruffles around the edges and it comes to a point in the center front. I used Alexander Henry design material.

Daytona Nascar race will be on this evening so I need to sew something to the point of handwork for later.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,

Jan

Happy 4th of July

Hi,

The landscaping has been completed and it is beautiful. Where I had nothing before, I now have bushes on both sides of the

sidewalk, a

palm and plants in the middle. I have a doll on the door and chimes under the lamp. There are my plants in the corner of the patio.

My apron was waylaid today, but I will try to have it finished over the weekend and post it.

Have a great and safe weekend.

Blessings,

Janet