Our first Pet Show sponsor!

We're getting ready for the big show! The Pets on Quilts Show, that is!

Today I have the honor of introducing our first sponsor! A dear friend of ours, and of many in blogland, please join me in putting your paws together in a round of "applawse" for Sharon Vrooman of Vrooman's Quilts!

Sharon's family heritage is deep in the Schoharie Valley.  I've peeked at the area on Wikipedia and that famous map place, too, and there are lots of interesting places to see.

Probably the most interesting to me would be Sharon's shop! (Grin) No, seriously, we do love our history here at the Lilypad, and that area of New York is packed with it!

Many of you know Sharon from her blog, where she reminds us to always be:

 

 

And she tells us to do this, too!

 

 

 

I love to see what she and the others create as part of the Let's Book It challenge!

 

 

 

If you would like to take a virtual tour of Quilt Lane you can click here. Vrooman's  Quilts sells quilts from minis to king size, bags and purses, pillows and home décor items.

Sharon always inspires me with the sheer volume of what she accomplishes....when she is "pedal to the metal" she is amazing!

 

Drum roll, please!

Sharon is sponsoring a wonderful prize for a lucky winner at the Show in August -- a layer cake of "Best in Show" by Kanvas for Benartex Fabrics!

 

 

 

 

 

Woot! Now that we have your attention with this great fabric from an awesome sponsor, it's time for you to get to work!

 

Get your furbabies to pose on your quilts! (If they are anything like mine, it's easy -- they are drawn to my quilts like they are magnets!)

 

Or, sew up a pet-themed quilt!

 

Either one will be a super entry in our August parade!

 

See you next time, with another wonderful sponsor!

 

Love,

 

 

 





Memorial Day - Lest we forget

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope that all of you that are in the United States enjoy the extra day off, the time with family and friends, and the good food and fun.

At the same time, I hope that you take a moment to honor those who are serving, and remember those who are fallen in the fight.

One way to bring this home to children and adults alike is to set a place at your festive table. Plate, utensils, glass, and all. Place a chair at the setting, but let no one be seated in that chair.

That empty chair at your table is a vivid way to remember that some gave all. Some didn't come home to loving arms, to festive occasions. They gave all they had. Their lives.

Perhaps you may not agree with me -- you may think it's too sad. But we've always thought it was a poignant reminder of why we celebrate today.

Today, the United States stands as a beacon of liberty and democratic strength before the community of nations. We are resolved to stand firm against those who would destroy the freedoms we cherish. We are determined to achieve an enduring peace -- a peace with liberty and with honor. This determination, this resolve, is the highest tribute we can pay to the many who have fallen in the service of our Nation.

 

The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden. And just as they whom we commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so too must we -- in a less final, less heroic way -- be willing to give of ourselves.

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We did not pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.

 

Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States

 



So, to all of my fellow-citizens, happy Memorial Day! Let us never forget -- and heartfelt thanks to all those who serve today!

Love,

Bloggers Quilt Festival!

Welcome to the Lilypad! My associates Padsworth and DragonDrop are just as happy as I am to welcome you to the merriment and mayhem!

Ahem! Boys, could you stop that for just a minute, and say hello to the Blogger's Quilt Festival folks?

Many thanks to the lovely Amy at Amy's Creative Side! Each year, we bloggers are provided with a fun festival and an opportunity to show off our quilts!  Amy lines up great sponsors and prizes, too!

This year I am entering in the Mini Quilt category.

This is my "Never Underestimate" mini quilt. It's a wonderful project from Bobbie G. Designs, and I first saw it over at Three Cats Ranch, where Barbara did a super job on hers. Take a peek at mine:

Oops, the sunshine is too bright here, and the colors look washed out. Padsworth, let's try it in the shade, OK?

A little wonky on the grass, don't you think? One more audition  . . .

Aaaahhhh, there we go! Now we can see the thread colors and the fabrics, and even make out the quilting. Great job, Padsworth, you and DragonDrop can go play now!

I used some of my beloved Mary Engelbreit fabrics to complete the mini, after the stitchery was done.  I used thread colors from my stash, so it looks a little different from the original design.

Love the ME cherries!

Aurifil thread for the meander quilting. (Around here, we just can't get along without our favorite thread!) Yup, I went a little outside the line, there. I blame it on Padsworth -- he jostled my elbow. (Grin)

Here is the adorable backing fabric!

I brought it around to the front as the binding:

I had so much fun making this mini! I hope you enjoyed seeing it, and that you will hop back over to the festival for more creative, quilty goodness! And if you like this mini, I hope you will vote for it! Voting isn't open yet, but I really encourage you to go and check out all the other quilts. Lots more quilts will be added to the linky party until entries close on May 21st. Then the voting begins on May 22nd! Winners will be announced on May 30th.  
It's a virtual show -- you can be comfy at your home and look at all the beautiful quilts!

(Waving) Thanks, Amy, for a fun festival!

Quilt statistics:
Approximately 21 inches x 28 inches
Fabrics: Mary Engelbreit (from my stash)
Hand embroidered by me
Machine quilted by me

Love,

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope everyone enjoys a lovely Mother's Day!

Be sure to call or hug your mom -- or another person who has been a mom to you. Let them know you care!

See you again soon!

Love,

Everyone loves a mystery!

Many quilters love to join in on Block of the Month programs, and here at the Lilypad, we are no exception -- it's fun!

It's even more fun when the final result is a bit of a mystery; little snippets are revealed, but not the whole.

Check out the fun over at Fat Quarter Shop, where the 2015 Moda Designer Mystery Block of the Month is gearing up!

The fun starts in June, so you will want to go and check it out!

Love,

Calling all sponsors! Calling all pet-lovers!

It's that time of year again!

Our readers are reminded to be taking advantage of the lovely weather, to get some great photos of pets on quilts!

 

Or photos of pet-themed quilts!

 

And our sponsors? Well, we hope you will reach out to us and let us know about your sponsorship for this year!

We're making our plans for August, and it promises to be the best show ever!

Love,