Land of the Free because of the Brave

Mom and I got home last night from Italy late last night. We met ladies from all over the world and it was amazing. One of the best parts was how each one of were proud of where we came from and we each have a story. Americans in today's world we hold close to heart 911 each one of us remember where we were and what we were doing. We hold close to our heart the brave women and men who serve our country and make it safe each and everyday so we can live normally. Today is one of those days that I think about living in the DC area... one of my favorite days when I lived there was when Dad and I went to the national mall. I can still see my dad getting misty eyed when we were at the Lincoln memorial. He was watching a little girl jumping around on the steps and he looked at me and said someday the little girl will understand why I am crying. What I took from that was how proud he was to be an American but how he knew what we have lost we honor those memories in memorials and why standing on those steps is so moving. A week or so later I went to the WWII memorial and I just sat and people watched. That is my favorite memorial...anyway I found myself getting misty when I saw two young girls which I assumed were the granddaughters of a man they wheeled in a wheel chair into the memorial. He saw me pull a tissue out of my purse and we smiled at each other and he winked at me. He was a WWII veteran I don't remember which branch just knew he was wearing his hat proudly. I had that ah ha feeling dad had had weeks before! My grandma Olive (dad's mom) passed away when I was young but I remember her loving her country she always wore an American flag on each of her outfits. I feel like I am a proud American like grandma but coming HOME from another country you feel so happy to be an American. I just wanted to get that down so I would remember how I felt today. Happy Memorial Day Everyone...

P.S. I have lots of pictures and will blog sometime this week about Italy and the Sue Spargo workshop mom and I attended! 

Salt Lake City was BEAUTIFUL

I was thinking on the way home from Salt Lake what a blessed young woman I am.  I have gotten to see so many parts of what we call home our great big country we call the United States of America.  Even sitting here typing this I just can't even express what it means to me. I think Salt Lake put the cherry on top of all this.  This city is one of a kind... serene, safe, welcoming, quite, happy, spiritual these are just some the words that come to mind.  I want to go back sooner that later next time though I will have more time to sight see.  I really wanted to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on Thursday night their rehearsal is at the Temple downtown.  Mom and I missed it do to Sample Spree for those of you who don't know what that is it is a sneak peak of what we will see in the up coming days and purchase it at retail.  We had a great time and it was not as hectic as usual maybe mom and I are just getting used to it and have a groove down.  I found a lot of great new things and new pattern companies!  Oh and of course the upcoming fabric lines are amazing that I found.  One goes back to my architectural roots, one is a from a popular blogger named Aneela and well I got sucked in on Joel's new line!  I will post pictures tomorrow or the next day of all the pictures... my internet here at home is a little bit slow.  I can't wait to share with you the mountains of Salt Lake City!  I hope all is well...Kor

Happy Mothers Day

To all you lovely moms Happy Mothers Day!  I have to start out by saying its a BEAUTIFUL DAY!  We (as in dad, Drew, and the puppies even the puppies) got mom a digital camera and I set her up with her own blog...although I am having technical difficulties when she writes her first post I will make sure that I write all about it and give you a formal invite to follow her on her blog! I think she will be a great blogger and especially when I haven't blogged about my happening she can fill you in on whats going on. PLUS I am sure she will share recipes and such.   She is pretty excited I think I just feel bad the darn thing is giving us problems oh well I will figure it out!  I was more excited to give her the camera she hasn't had one since Drew and I were little.  Her and I have some up coming adventures in the next few weeks and my brother is going to be graduating in June for The Ohio State University! 

So I thought I would share with you a little story... so before I was around my dad bought my mom on their first valentines day a dozen roses well lets just say mom didn't really appreciate them the way she should have soooo dad has not bought her or picked her flowers since... well today how cute is that!  

Well I am off to finish the newsletter and get ready for our trip to Salt Lake City on Wednesday!  I will try to blog all about it while we are there!   

P.S. Like my friend said today "thanks all you Moms who brought us great friend into this world!" Debbie Chen  http://handpecked.blogspot.com/

Virginia Wedding & Family Time

So over the weekend Josh and I headed down to Virginia... somewhat my old stomping grounds.  Josh was in a wedding and his twin live down there too.  It was a LONG drive there and home but we made it! For some reason if there was going to be bumper to bumper traffic we found it.   I thought I would share with you a project for Josh's nephews I made too.

I have wanted to get these pillow cases done since Christmas so Thursday I put my nose to the grind stone and whipped them up.  They are king size a perfect size for little people.  Dawson is 10 and Aiden will be 4 shortly! I used 1/2 meters of Japanese fabric from here at the shop!  So glad we got to visit with Josh's family along with going to a wedding.

There is nothing better than a wedding. I mean come on it really was a weekend of weddings.  Before we left for Virginia I was up before 6 to see Catherine get out of the car!  Wasn't she beautiful?  The dress was beautiful and I loved her small bouquet!  Our wedding we went to was just as beautiful it was set on an old horse farm turned into a B&B and wedding venue.  Was small and intimate and the food was amazing.  It was right up Josh and I's alley!  BBQ pulled pork, slaw, baked beans, tater salad you get the point!  Not traditional is what it's all about these days so Congrats to the new couple in lots of ways! The best part of the day was the weather it was absolutely beautiful!

Easter Old and New

Jacob

Easter was my grandma Sharon's favorite holiday.  So of course I hold this holiday even closer to my heart. I can't stop remembering her in that sweet little apron of hers, in her new outfit,  in her kitchen the last Easter we had her.  You know things just are not the same without her and as hard as it because things change I hold on to traditions that she made so dear.  Isn't it funny how when you love something so much all you want to do is hold on for dear life and never let go well I am so glad I have the memories of grandma Sharon.  When I was a little girl I (and we (my family)) spent some time at Rainbows children hospital and we spent Easter up there.  We colored eggs, we had grandma's homemade coffee cake, and ham out of a picnic basket.  That gloomy old hospital room was turned into a family haven.  I have to say that was one of the best Easters because between my grandmas' and mom they of course made it so special.  That's what the holidays are all about right? Family coming together, children giggling, magic, and smells of homemade traditions floating in the air....

Hunter

Danielle

Jacob clearly can't find the egg on that side of the table

Hunter and Grandma Janet

Libby Lou tired from chasing the kids around ...

As time goes by traditions change but change because well we get older and the next generation show us how to celebrate all over again... This year my three little cousins came to color eggs on Friday and Sunday morning we all came around the table to share in Easter brunch.  Here are some pictures... Jacob is my lil' kindergartner and well when I look at him I see Grandma Sharon.  His eyes sparkle like hers did... I hope that this blog finds you well and that you had a special Easter like my family did! Full of old and new memories and even new traditions! Kor

P.S. We used regular food coloring this year and the colors came out awesome instead of using the little packets! Tip for next year!

This one's for Dana!

Hi soooo yeah it's been awhile again... Shame on me I know!  I have been up to a lot!  I feel like the beginning of this year has been absolutely CRAZY and going WAY to fast.  Do you feel that way...
I have a lot to report in this blog!  I have been working rather hard the past few weekends to make them special for a few great events that I had scheduled... so i figured I would sit down with a cup of coffee and narrate it all out!

First on the list...we finished up Olive Grace's first block of the month!  I just had to let you see how beautiful it came out... this is Sally's quilt! She added a lot of beautiful embroidery stitches... just amazing!  This pattern was from one of my favorite designers Anni Downs.  She is from Australia and her pattern company is call Hatched and Patched!  I know you have read about her in prior blogs that I have written!  Can't wait to see her in Salt Lake City next month! Check her site out http://www.hatchedandpatched.com.au/

Second was our Spring Open House here on the farm the last weekend in March!  It was a great success as always.  If you live in the area we also have a holiday open house too it is usually Thanksgiving weekend!  I didn't take any pictures but I stole these from a friend! Mom opens up the house with local crafters and serves tea and cookies and of course the shop is open too.  This would not be possible without our talented creative friends!  Thanks Girls!

Three weekends ago I went up to Westlake, Ohio for an AMAZING quilt show.  I was invited to vend by the North Coast Needles Quilt Guild!  They are a great group of ladies and let me tell you there is a lot of them.  You know you have a really sweet boyfriend when he goes with you to help set up! So Friday after the shop closed Josh and I drove about an hour and half to the west side of Cleveland.  It was so nice to be greeted by a warm group of ladies.  After set up Josh and I stood back from the booth and he commented that I needed a rug!  LOL he has been hanging out with me way to long.   I have to tell you I was so busy on Saturday that I had a brownie and a bag of chip for lunch! Not only can these quilters quilt but boy can the bake... kudos to you girls!  By the end of Saturday my feet were barkin and this tired girl was saved by Mom and Judi.  Sunday was just as busy as Saturday and I have to mention Mary what a true friend and kindred spirit! She brought us an amazing lunch and let me tell ya good thing I had Mary on Sunday because Judi and mom dusted me after lunch... they found a Tuesday Morning store!  Hope you enjoy the pictures it was a lot of fun and I hope to be invited to another one of their lovey shows in the future.

Sooo Two weeks ago was International Quilt Festival!  What a great weekend... 28 ladies and a bus! I can't say enough how great the weekend was.  Grandma got to come with us and I really think that the Bus Trip was a SUCCESS! I do not think I would change a thing except take more pictures! Oh well good memories... The ladies who went with us want to go again and I am contemplating vending next year. That means Dad, the pig trailer and I for setup and Mom on the bus with the Road Tripers!  Have a few months to think about it!  :)

Then there was this past weekend...  Sue Spargo came and well I am just going to let the pictures speak for them selves.  Even though the rain rained on my parade and changed some plans around is was a great day.  As always Sue thanks for making the day so Perfect!  P.S. we had a lady come all the way from Buffalo and yesterday I had the nicest compliment Mary said it was like a day at the spa being at the workshop!!!!!

So this is the part of the blog when I promise to be better at blogging more consistently... so in closing I am going to write a list of upcoming events that I will need to blog about and promise to make the time! Miss Dana here is what to look forward too... ;)

Easter
VA Wedding
Mothers Day
Quilt Market

I think that will do for now...

P.S. I want to thank everyone who makes this little dream I had such a success... You are truly more than just customers I consider you friends!