When it rains all day

you should stay inside and sew with a friend.

Libby came over today.

We set up our machines and at 10:15 we started our 1600  quilt. It took us 2 1/2 hours to piece. 

Libby's "Berry Bliss" bali pop

My "Spumoni" balipops

We both agreed it was a lot of fun.  I'm going to put a 2" stop border and then a wider outside border. I think Libby is doing to same with hers. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon working on other projects.  Libby worked on her Many Thanks blocks and I worked on Tree quilt

I don't have enough of the checkerboard border made, but I don't think it will take too long to sew what I need.  I'm a little stressed that these borders are going to need some 'adjusting' since I changed the block size...heehee...but we'll see.

 

Yesterday when I went to the mailbox...

...there was a package in with the bills. 

It was from Kathy!  In celebration of her 500th post she had a give away and I was one of 4 lucky winners. The little mini flag made by Kathy herself!  It is beautiful.  The workmanship is exquisite.  And you really have to see it in person to appreciate it. It is perfect.

I'm so happy to have it to remind me of Kathy and to help decorate my home.  I spent a little while last night trying to decide where it would look best. 

Right now it's here:

The photo is me and our oldest son Paul. At the Marine Corp Birthday ball in 2005.

I've looked at the little flag several times today and it makes me smile and think of Kathy who  I'm happy to have met through blogging and all the rest  of you who I've come to share so much of my days with.  My family knows about you all too since I tell them what's going on from your posts, even if it's just about the weather. Like Jeanne having something like 12 feet of snow in Big Bear Lake this past winter (Paul would like to move there) or Shannon's pictures of Tennessee (ah, Paul wants to live there too) or learning about chickens and the fun of grandkids and the fact that her husband and mine are like almost the same person--it's sorta freaky-- from Judy (Paul would move to Washington state too!-but I couldn't take the rain, sorry Judy!)

So again, thank you to Kathy for the wonderful keepsake that I will cherish forever.