Susan's 60th birthday party! I am truly blessed

Cousin Susan's 60th birthday was yesterday.  She couldn't make it to the birthday bash we had for her (she lives in Texas and was celebrating with family there) but that didn't prevent us from having a party! 

Pat made Susan's favorite cake (homemade German Chocolate) and Mary Ann made her famous assortment of yummy cookies and gooey brownies. We ate like kings...or is that queens?  

We called Cousin Susan when the party started but she didn't answer her phone. What?  After leaving a couple messages on her voice mail, she called back just in time for us to sing "Happy Birthday" to her over the phone!  

Happy 60th Birthday, Cuz!  We love you bunches!  

homemade German Chocolate cake Pat made for Susan's BD party! 

some of  Mary Ann's famous cookies 

some of the brownies Mary Ann made for Susan's birthday bash. 

These red roses were waiting for me in my office when I returned from lunch Friday.  I brought them to the shop to share with everyone during our birthday bash!   I wonder if these are from Sweetness??? 

Cousin Susan gave me a sock monkey for my birthday.  She felt sorry for me after mentioning I'd never had one.  I decided to prop him up against the vase of roses so he could enjoy the party too!  

He didn't want any cake and spent the rest of the day taking it all in! 

Several birthday party attendees brought presents to celebrate my birthday (May 2nd). Although yesterday's party was for Cousin Susan's 60th birthday, I didn't turn away any gifts!!!!  

Vicki, Donna and Robin went above and beyond to make my birthday special.  I am truly blessed. 

"Thank You" to everyone who attended the party festivities yesterday.  It was a blast!  

table topper Vicki made using the "Twister" tool and Kansas Troubles fabrics!  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!   

"Bra and panties" Donna gave me for my birthday!  Removing the bows and stitching, these are actually three dishcloths!  How cute is that!  

Robin made this using a machine that cuts vinyl.  Wow!  Where will I hang it in the shop?  

I was so excited about yesterday's party, I almost forgot about the new stuff we got in this week:  the latest "Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks" magazine, seven new batiks and four different Moda solids.  

the newest Quiltmaker's "100 Blocks magazine". 

four new "Summer Vacation" batiks by Moda.  The color names are Sunset, Ocean and Sand.  

"Summer Vacation" batik.  It looks like cotton candy to me!  

another "Summer Vacation" batik.  

"Summer Vacation" batik by Moda.  This one is called "Ocean" and is a LOT darker, deeper blue than my camera could pick up.    

"Eggplant" Bella Solid by Moda. The color is deeper than my camera picked up. 

Bella Solids by Moda (top to bottom): 1930's Yellow, Sunshine and Lemon.  

I wasn't the only person receiving presents yesterday! Before, during and after Susan's birthday party, some of our "Secret Sisters" stopped by for their surprises.  

Donna holding the ceramic cup and spoon given to her by her Secret Sister

Donna with her cup and a charm pack given to her by her Secret Sister.  

Sharon opens her gift of goodies left by her Secret Sister (her s/s made this bag). 

inside her bag were several nifty gifts for Sharon. 

a fat quarter was also inside Sharon's s/s gift! 

Not that long ago, a ball of fire walked into the shop. Her name is Sandy.  She is a beginning quilter and is doing a great job!  

Yesterday Sandy brought in the quilt she started 15 years ago and just recently finished.  

Great job, Sandy!  Keep up the good work!  

Sandy's quilt she started 15 years ago.  

Great job, Sandy! 

   

some of  our new batiks.  

invisible thread, new stuff and Pat's Show and Tell

The big brown truck strikes again!  This time it left behind yummy fabric, new batiks and invisible threads.  

  

invisible thread available in two different sized spools.  

I love this fabric.  It's called "American Heroes" by Whistler Studios for Windham Fabrics.  It will be GREAT in a Quilt of Valor!  

"American Heroes" fabric by Whistler Studios. 

This yummy print is called "Storybook Classics", also by Whistler Studios for Windham Fabrics.  It makes a great addition to your 1930's stash!  

"Storybook Classics" by Whistler Studios. 

These prints are "Audras Iris Garden" for Moda. They're so bright and cheery!  Just in time for summer!  

"Audras Iris Garden" for Moda 

The big brown truck also brought new batiks this week.  These three are from the "Jelly Bean Batiks" collection by Moda.  

"Jelly Bean" batik by Moda 

colorful "Jelly Bean" batik print 

I love this batik.  The blues and yellows are intermittent throughout the bolt. 

The "Token of Friendship" booklets arrived this week. These are by Kansas Troubles (the greatest designer on the planet!) and has LOTS of different patterns. Yummy!   

Pat and her embroidery machine have been very busy. She made this burp pads using flannel then embroidered a cute motif on the front. 

I told her they were too cute to use as burp pads!

   

Pat made this top as a gift for her son, Carl.  She used one of the blocks in the "365 Quilt Blocks a Year" perpetual calendar called "Around the Block" (March 3rd's block).      

She used "Wish You Were Here" jelly rolls for this queen size top.  I made her swear she'd bring it back after it's quilted and the binding is on! 

Great job, Pat.  We know Carl will love it!  

Pat also brought in this quilt she made for her granddaughter (I wonder if she'd adopt me?).  She used "Mimi" fabrics and different size Tumbler blocks. 

The solid purple binding really makes this quilt pop!  

Tumbler quilt Pat made for her granddaughter 

solid purple binding Pat used on her "Mimi" quilt!

the back of the quilt Pat made for her granddaughter.  Pat also used "Mimi" fabric for the backing.

We opened the Aurifil thread sets so you can see all the colors (we have 12 different sets of the big spools of this wonderful Egyptian cotton thread).  

I love Aurifil thread (I'll never use anything else). The big spools have 1422 yards per spool and the sets are full of yummy colors.  

Token of Friendship, Miss Gracie, Secret Sisters and Show and Tell

I squealed like a little girl when I opened the boxes the big brown truck delivered.  Literally.  Squealed like a little girl.  Cross my heart!  

Our order of "Token of Friendship" fabric on the bolt was here!  Another gorgeous line by Kansas Troubles for Moda. YUMMY!  

I love the color names of this line:  pansy, meadow, geranium, and wheat, among others!   

"Token of Friendship" prints (top to bottom): natural, pansy, meadow, navy, geranium and black 

dainty flowers of "Token of Friendship" (top to bottom): geranium, meadow and black

"Token of Friendship"prints:  (top to bottom) natural, meadow, blue and geranium. 

more dainty flowers of "Token of Friendship" in natural and tan 

"Token of Friendship" prints: geranium, pansy, meadow and navy 

The big brown truck was here more than once last week!  We now have charm packs of "Bella Solids--Dark Colors" in stock (these match the jelly rolls we have in stock).  

"Bella Solids-Dark" charm packs arrived last week!  

We also received the honeycombs of "1930's Playtime" by Chloe's Closet (we now have all of the pre-cuts of this line:  layer cakes, jelly rolls, charm packs, mini-charms and now the honeycombs)!  YIPPEE!!!    

1930's Playtime honeycombs.  This line is by Chloe's Closet for Moda 

Miss Gracie and her human (Vicki) dropped by Saturday.  After a quick drink of water, a pat on the head from Sweetness and hugs from yours truly, she was ready to go! 

Come back anytime, Gracie!  You're such a sweetie pie baby! 

Several "Secret Sisters" left something for their 'sister' at the shop.  Sharon and Nola came by Saturday to get their stuff!  

Sharon L. opens her package left by her Secret Sister

Sharon's bag of goodies left by her Secret Sister for Easter. 

Nola S. opens her birthday gift left by her Secret Sister 

Nola goes through her birthday basket left by her Secret Sister.   

Zeta V. brought in the flag quilt she made with her Mom.  All of the squares are 2".  Zeta said she and her Mom had a great time making this quilt.  What a treasure!  

Thanks, Zeta for bringing this for "Show and Tell". It is truly stunning.  

Zeta's flag quilt she made with her Mom. 

close up of Zeta's flag quilt 

close-up of the "stars" portion of Zeta's flag quilt.

While Nola was here she brought the quilt she made as her son's graduation present.  We have several pictures of this quilt in different stages but, Nola is done!  It's quilted and the binding is on! YIPPEE!  

The long-arm quilter used cute outdoor motifs in the quilting.  There are cabins and pine trees repeated throughout the quilting.  

Nola used lots of "Kansas Troubles" fabric and the "Strip Tube Ruler" to make this quilt for her son.  

Great job, Nola.  Thanks for bringing it in!  

the front of Nola's quilt she made for her son 

the back of Nola's son's quilt she made.  We love the inserted deer panel on the back 

hopefully you can see the cabin and pine trees the long-armer used. 

more pine trees and cabins used to quilt Nola's gift to her son 

We finally have flyers for our "Hidden Treasures" shop hop at the end of May.  Grab a flyer the next time you're here!