Lee Prairie Designs

      This cartoon was in Sunday's paper --thought I would share with you. The Decorah Eagles have 3 chicks that have hatched. View these beautiful birds as they take care of their young in this live Decorah camalerts       Speaking of birds...this is my "Spring Chicken" designed by Meme's Quilts . This pattern is on page #8 on her web-site.  I've had the pattern for awhile and needed a quick fun project ....hoping the weather here in Iowa would warm up. LOL!!!  Even though it's very cool...the grass is greening up and the Service Berry trees are blooming. Hopefully, next week will warm up so we can shop for flowers and plant them :)             Earth Day at the Des Moines Botanical Garden   I'm a member of The Des Moines Herb Study Group. Earth Day was last week. Zoe, one of our members, was in charge of se...

 It's that time of the year! Birds chirping, bunnies hopping, bushes and trees are starting to bud and the grass is staring to turn green!     It's spring inside, too!            Lori of Humble Quilts hosted a doll quilt swap a month ago. Our instructions were: 24" X 24" or smaller Civil War reproduction with label.  Cathy made me this adorable quilt. She found the pattern from  Kathy Tracy's doll quilt book:    The Civil War Sewing Circle       My exchange partner was Randy of Barrister's Block  . This is the little doll quilt I made for her, using my handy "Quick & Easy Block Tool" from C&T Publishing . Each block measures 4 square inches.     And of course--- Miss Abbie...wishes you "Happy Easter!"    ^ | ^    

  After a long winter--let's celebrate inside..for now!        My new table topper " Spring Pavers" was fun to make. Country Threads Quilt Shop located in Garner, Iowa designed this pattern.     Yesterday, I received a lovely packed from " Lesley ".   She knew I enjoy decorating for Christmas and sent me this cheerful table topper.    The back of the quilt is beautiful too.....so special. "Thank You, Lesley!"     I have been working on cream, tan and beige 12 inch blocks and will use them in a quilt, incorporated with blocks I'm receiving, in a monthly Australia block swap exchange.      For now, we can plan "think green" and look forward to "SPRING"! Hugs, Carolyn

    What to do on a snowy day -- bake cookies, make beef stew, sew, quilt, create Santa's or.......    Play outside and make " Snow Angel's"?    Looks too cold.... think I will stay inside and sip hot chocolate!   I started creating "Santa's" for next December's "Market on 39th Street" that I was involved in last year. Today was a great day to be inside-- toasty warm creating more Santa's! I just put the finishing touches on this little guy-- he wishes you an early  "Happy Valentines Day"! Few more close-up pictures of these jolly guys. The faces of these Santa's have taken on their own personalities-- I loved making clothes for them. Click on the pictures for a close-up. I've had fun collecting twigs for them to carry....but I will have to wait till it warms up, as for now, they are under the snow :(! This is the "Santa" group....they keep growing! ...

    ... days before Christmas and all through our house, none of us are sleeping (much) including Abbie and her mouse!       It's been fun unpacking and finding new places for Christmas treasures.  ( Click on each picture for close-up view)         Little Christmas quilts ...the middle one is special ----it was quilted by my Mom 30 years ago.  Collection of Santa's and Angels that are displayed in antique desk.     The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that "St. Nickolas" soon will be here!   Special gift from my "Santa" (Gene) in 1986 created by Norma De Camp, Ashville, North Carolina.             Wishing you and your family "Merry Christmas". May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow.  ...

    Frost is on the pumpkin and Santa is gearing up for Christmas --.   St. Nick told me so---- below is the proof!!!    The 17th Annual Holiday Home Tour was this past weekend. Click on this link below to view   "Holly and Ivy"  homes.       In conjunction with the Market on 39th Street, fifty vendors participated in this festive event.  My friend Carol and I had lots of fun!  These are some of our wares we offered.    I plan on decorating our new home today and will open boxes to find treasures we have cherished through  our 49 Christmas' together. For 28 years they have been in there special place on Harwood.....   My next post will be Christmas at our new home at Vineyard Ridge..   Till next time we are together--wishing you a wonderful week!   Hugs, Carolyn