Such a lovely week!

Last week my former 4th and 5th grade teacher, Louise, visited us for several days. This was very special once again. As Louise said, "Years can pass between the time we see each other but doesn't matter at all." And that is how it felt.
We visited some typical places for this region, such as the Fluweelgrot in Valkenburg and the St. Gerlach chappel in Houtem. It was lovely weather that afternoon, that we were able to have a lunch outside at Chateau St. Gerlach. There were some other places I would have loved to visit with Louise, but somehow time just flew away too fast.

Here we are enjoying our 'pannekoek' with apple and raisins, a typical Dutch treat, which we had in at the Pannekoekenmolen in Gulpen.

Louise took the yearbook pictures with her of the classes in which she taught me. Here's a picture of my 5th grade class, with of course Louise as my teacher. Can you find me?

Since Jelly Rolls are so expensive in the Netherlands, I asked Louise to buy one for me. She actually brought me two: Snippets by American Jane and ...

Objects of Desire By Sandy Gervais. Such beauties! Wonderful colors and such a nice feeling. And as you can see in the first picture, she also got me a big roll of Freezer Paper, which we can't get here. Thank you so much Louise, for the wonderful visit and for the gorgeous presents!

She did bring me some more, but I will show that some other time ...

Luckily I was able to find some time to finish my last two stitchery BOMs, so I won't fall behind.

And here are the first five days of my new Calendar Quilt Challenge. Still have to catch up with yesterday.


Then this weekend there was the 'Lente in Limburgse Tuinen'. A few beautiful private gardens had open doors. We visited two gardens. One in Schinnen, where we visited Lijsterhof and the other one in Bemelen, where Lyd Gunning has a beautiful garden that blooms almost the whole year through. The weather was just perfect! And we enjoyed some home made lime tart and rhubarb cakes.

The tulips shown, actually have a special sweet odor. This is not usual for tulips.

I hope you all have a lovely week ahead of you, filled with happiness, friendship and sunshine!

PS: If you like to join a fun international swap, go to Sandra's blog. She is organizing a pincushion swap. Now that will be fun (O:

Where to begin?

A lot has been going on this week in my stitchery and quilting world. I am unable to show you everything, since some projects are secret swaps and others are just not ready to be shown.

But this one is definitely ready to be shown. It is my the Monochromatic Four Season Quilt I received last week from Kerry. The colors are just perfect for me! It is my very first pink quilt!


And look at this beautiful stitchery detail. Incredible tiny stitches. the quilt feels very soft. Maybe it has to do with the colors ... Thank you so much, Kerry, for this wonderful quilt! You did an amazing job, even though pink is not your color!

I finished my fourth Verandah Views block. Once again, Cheryl did a wonderful job. My stitchery block didn't turn our so bright, but I think it fits perfectly to the other three blocks.

The Verandah Views so far:

And look at the gorgeous Easter post I got from Jutta, together with a wonderful Siggie she specially made for me, which will be shown further down this post. The cute little bird houses are actually egg warmers, but they found a very nice spot on our window sill, so we get to look at them every day! Vielen Dank, liebe Jutta!


Then, at the beginning of this year I joined the Calendar Quilt Challenge 2009. I finished up until mid March as you can see here and here. Yet, somehow this quilt never really felt like me.

Then I saw this quilt on Annelies' blog and the one Leanne made, with The 365 Challenge Tutorial.

Here are the fabrics I bought for this new challenge :

and here is the process of cutting and organizing. A total of 365 blocks in four sizes and 11 different colors. I haven't started writing yet, somehow not knowing what to write on my first block.

Notice the glasses. They are also very important in this process! LOL

Here is Jutta's beautiful Siggy and one from Cuny, with a special message about time.

This week I also finished my first border for the Spring Fling Round Robin-3 organized by Margaret. I can only show you a corner, for if I would show more, the person who made the center square would recognize it, since I used her fabric all over the border. I must say, working on a quilt this way really makes you think and combine colors. A very special and fun process!

And last but not least, I want to end my post with a gorgeous stitchery package Dzintra send me together with a pretty bookmarker for my Friday Night Knitting Club book. I actually finished the stitchery by Anni Dawn the day I received it! And as if Dzintra knew, I still had a frame that goes to it perfectly! Thank you so much, dear Dzintra! You really warmed my heart!

So with this friendship stitchery I want to end my post.

Have a lovely weekend and a creative and peaceful week!

Happy Stitcheries!

On Good Friday my swap package to Lyn arrived. That same day her swap presents arrived my home too! Look at all the beautiful presents that were inside, with a beautiful pink rose card.

The gorgeous miniature quilt! The brown buttons came from Lyn's stash of 1930's buttons and they originated from Tasmania. Please click on the picture below to get a better impression of the quilt. Look at the way Lyn stitched the letters.

This is the miniature stitchery quilt I made for Lyn. She really is a person with a very big heart!
Thank you so much, dear Lyn, for this wonderful swap!

Last week when I visited Tracy's blog (Tracy organized the Teeny Tiny Square Quilt Swap), I read about the 'Potholder Swap - Wanna Play?'.

Fun! Especially after I found this pattern at Stephanie's Loft Creations. You can put the card in the pouch between the two buttons. A great pattern to make, so of course I had to make another one, but will have to show it later ...

From dear Gaby I received this beautiful AMC-card, together with three very sweet fat quaters. I will be using those in my Leanne's Hose quilt.

And finally, I want to share this Friendship Blessing with you from Lyn:

Friendship is a blessing-

it's the best you have to share.

The talents and the wisdom,

the capacity to care.

It's being there to lend support,

whatever needs arise.

It's making sure that others know,

They're special in your eyes.

Friendship is a blessing -

and to all who have a friend.

It's one of the most precious gifts

That life could ever send.

HAPPY EASTER AND FRIENDSHIP (O:

The beginning of April

Two weeks ago, I joined the Siggy Swap with Annelies at Quilts and Siggies. This is the siggy I made for Annelies.

From Annelies I received this siggy and ...

from Micki from Ireland, I received this one. It is machine embriodered. Very pretty!

Then a few weeks ago, when I mentioned that I was going to start Leanne' House in May, together with Jutta, Monika told me she would send me some materials I could add to it. Look at the lovely fabrics and threads she send me. Thank you so much, Monika! It all fits perfectly to what I have so far!
Monika is also making Leanne's House. She has already finished block 1-6!



And then finally, this week I received two patterns I had ordered at the beginning of December last year. It was really worth waiting for after all. The patterns are explained very well, with many many pictures. So I think I should manage to make them!

Then I received some wonderful news this week. My former 4th and 5th grade teacher will be visiting from California at the end of April. We've known each others for 40 (!) years now. The last time she was here was 10 years ago. Then we visited her 6 years ago with our children. This is so very special to me!

And remember, if something doesn't go the way you want it to go, "He that can have patience can have what he will." - Benjamin Franklin.

Off to do some ironing now. And my daughter just baked cookies, so I really have to try one (O:

Have a wonderful and happy week!