Sunrise – HollyDee Quilts

Woolgathering on a Tuesday

Published on March 24, 2015 by hollydeequiltsLeave a comment

I have a few random thoughts and photos to share with you today!

First sending thoughts and prayers to those who are struggling with things that are beyond their control. You are loved and it will take some time, but it will get better. Life is truly good! But dang some of those bumps in the road are extreme!

I am constantly reminded how amazing God is – we see evidence all around us, but it is the daily reminders that I cherish!

On Monday, March 16th we closed on the sale of our “old” house. We lived there 18 years and made so many memories there! As we drove east on I-10 towards Houston there was the most amazing pre-sunrise. The sky was red in between the clouds. Hubby was driving so I pulled out my camera and tried to capture it. You can see the color even with all the noise in the photo.

Sunrise traveling east on I-10 in the early hours of March 16th.

Later that week I was invited to my friend’s house for a quilt retreat. There is nothing like time spent with friends that are family!

Each time this little guy would come out we would stop sewing and chatting to just enjoy him.

And the sunsets at her house are phenomenal

Here is the first evening

And here is the second evening – caught at the perfect moment!

While I was there I worked on my Paradise in Blooms Quilt – my goal was to have it done! Ha Ha Ha – I did get the center all done, not completely assembled yet though. Now I am piecing the outer border to make it queen size. Maybe this weekend will see a finish!

Had to move to the other room to see it with the baskets - Ripsy likes this too! — Had to move to the other room to see it with the baskets – Ripsy likes this too!

This past weekend I was teaching at a quilt til you wilt at “Country Living Quilts!” To see photos go check out their Facebook page! (Or mine, I will post some phone photos there too!) I arrived home early Sunday evening, as hubby showed me what he had worked on I noticed the moon and Venus? Grabbed the camera and caught this.

A sliver moon and is that Venus? I know nothing of astronomy! Sorry folks!

And then this morning as I stood at the quilting machine I spied with my little eye the red stag deer. They were playing on one of our sand piles. I hope you enjoy!

Now that I have shared these I can gather some more wool to share later!

Have a great week and maybe I will see you again here in the cyber world before the week is over!

Dee

PS – Timeless Treasures shared my blog tutorial – they have a very nice blog here is the main page so you can see the recent topics!

Certifiable……..

Published on September 24, 2014 by hollydeequilts3 Comments

I am pulling up some memories today to share with you on the blog.

In July 2011 my friend Peggy and I headed to Montana to get certified for the Judy Niemeyer, aka Quiltworx “Technique of the Month” designs. I had been teaching for Peggy at her shop, Pinwheels and Posies for a while. I was teaching Quiltworx patterns but was not able to teach the elusive “Glacier Star” because she was not a certified shop and/or I was not a certified instructor. So we decided to correct that and hopped on a plane!

Now when you live in SE Texas in the summer it really is a “chore” to have to go to Montana in the summer! Let’s see it is warm in the daytime, but not humid. And the nights are cool – in fact we slept with the windows open because our room did not have a/c. Yes – it was a tough gig – but we coped.

Here are a few memories I thought I would share today!

First of all where we stay is a beautiful house. It belongs to Judel, Judy’s daughter. Judel and her family move out of the house during the summer and turn it over to the very fortunate retreaters. Here are a few of the details that make her house a home!

I loved this frame. It hangs in the stairwell at the landing on the way to top floor.

Our room while we were there - can you believe the quilts on our beds? — Our room while we were there – can you believe the quilts on our beds?

We were able to fit in a trip to Quiltworx HQ – it was a quonset hut and they used every available space. In 2014 they opened a fabulous new training facility and moved HQ at the same time.

The sewing room is a converted garage area – with lots of light, design walls and when you fill it with happy stitchers it becomes a very happy place indeed!

Mary's shoes! — Mary’s shoes! Aren’t they happy!

On the outside looking in.... — On the outside looking in….

The sites from the home are AWESOME too!

Different kinds of flowers grow all around the retreat center.

The sun is coming up..... — The sun is coming up…..

It was probably close to 3 am when we were heading to bed. Peggy said "look at that moon!" I of course had to grab my camera - then I had to grab Connie. We used her tripod and expertise but luckily we were using my camera so I have the photo! You can see the stars and reflections in the lake - Thanks Connie! — It was probably close to 3 am when we were heading to bed. Peggy said “look at that moon!” I of course had to grab my camera – then I had to grab Connie. We used her tripod and expertise but luckily we were using my camera so I have the photo! You can see the stars and reflections in the lake – Thanks Connie!

We did manage to get a little sewing done, I had a goal in mind and needed to sew!

The wee hours of the morning or late hours of the niche - not sure which! — The wee hours of the morning or late hours of the night – not sure which!

The goal…..

To have my quilt photographed in Glacier National Forest — To have my Glacier Star quilt photographed in Glacier National Park

That's the shot! Yes I could've cropped Roger out - but this memory is more fun! — That’s the shot! Yes I could’ve cropped Roger out – but this memory is more fun!

A few more photos from Glacier National Park

Connie taught me a lot about my camera and how to use it!

It was a drizzly day and we teased Peggy that she was trying to keep her hair dry!

The hearty Canadian, Roger and the not so tough Texan, Peggy!

And as I have said before – all good things must come to an end……

As we arrived at the airport to fly home!

I hope you enjoyed my trip down memory lane…..

Dee

Sunrise or Quilts?

Published on July 25, 2013 by hollydeequilts1 Comment

As I awoke the sun was just starting to peek up over the mountain and over Flathead Lake – I started the coffee and headed to the balcony to enjoy the sunrise with my trusty camera in hand. I will set the stage for you, the sky had that little tinge of pink/orange and yellow about it where Mr. Sun would soon be making his appearance. I decided I would try to capture his grand entrance – I hope you enjoy…..

Quilts to follow later!