Spring Inspiration

It's already spring in south Texas! Well, sort of. The weather is hovering in the 70's and low 80's and the birds are singing. I have plants that survived the week or so of winter that we had and I'm ready for them to start blooming any day now. Of course, there is always a night of freezing weather between now and Easter, so I guess I shouldn't get too excited. 

This weather puts me in the mood to quilt with beautiful spring colors.   Nature is always an inspiration to me. 
The quilt above is one of my rare pieced patterns. Most of my patterns contain applique. As you can see, I couldn't resist the urge to add a little embroidery. The bluebonnets in the center are made from tiny yo-yos. The fabric is from a Moda line of bluebonnet fabric. The pattern debuted last year. I am feeling inspired to come up with another spring pattern. I love the colors that we see displayed across the fields around here. (These photos are from last year. The show hasn't begun yet!)

      Let me be the first to wish you a Happy Spring!

My Fifteen Minutes of Fame

This 5'2" little old lady is me. I'm at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo - being honored for my block accepted into the Texas Department of Agriculture Quilt. (I'm pointing to my block.)
The quilt was beautiful in "real life". Each block depicted "Texas Wildlife".
I was invited to be present and help with the unveiling at the show. It was first unveiled at the state fair, but I was unable to attend. The quilt will travel around the state for a couple of years.

 Here is my square before I sent it off to the competition.

I was pulled aside to be interview by a local radio station! I was petrified! (That is me in the tan jacket.) I have absolutely no idea what I said. I told my friends, "Now I can cross radio disc jockey off my list of things to be when I grow up!" Perhaps if I had known I would be interview and had an idea of what would be asked, I would have been more relaxed.
It was a good day. It's always nice to feel "affirmed and validated". To see a good photo of this quilt go to:
lhttp://www.gotexan.org/gt/channel/render/items/0,1218,1670_23945_0_0,00.html  

Chance of Snow!

It was almost 80 degrees last week and felt like spring, but with the cold that is blanketing so much of the United States, we have a 70% chance of snow tonight! It is supposed to go back up to 60 degrees on Saturday.
Do I sound excited? You think I'm crazy? Well, the last time I remember it snowing here was in 1985. My dad can tell you the exact day and exact time! It makes an impression on you when you live in an area where snow is as rare as hen's teeth. (Now, I've lived on the east coast for a while before moving back here so I've seen snow, but it's quite an event to see it here.) For those of you who would like to ship that four, five or six feet of snow to us here in south Texas - I do feel your pain. Sort of. I would not want snow and cold for weeks or months at a time. I love having spring weather during the winter. Of course, this is really bad for the plants we have that can't take the cold. 
This brings back memories of living in Athens, Georgia. At the slightest mention of snow or ice, every loaf of bread and every gallon of milk disappeared from the grocery shelves. People here don't have enough experience with snow to know what to rush in and buy - they just know they need to buy something!
 I went to Walmart and people were rushing around like this was the end of the world or something. These are people who haven't had to insulate outdoor faucets very often. They haven't even really needed a coat until this week! (Maybe a sweater on a couple of unusually cool days.) When I walked out to my car, I heard a cow mooing in the parking lot. That brought me back to a sense of reality. Here I am in a small Texas town where cattlemen feel compelled to stop by Walmart with a trailer load of cattle (on their way to market, no doubt) so they can run in and join the frenzy. How much fun is that!!! I love it.
I'm having some trouble downloading photos, but if we DO get snow, I will try doubly hard to get some pictures up. In the meantime, I've gotten 2 wallhangings finished and I've started on a quilt. These are perfect days for quilting. I have chili in the crock pot, so our supper is ready and will simmer all day. I hope you are staying snug and warm wherever you are!