Loretta

Teacher, author and illustrator.

Aug 042012
 

Taking the bunnies on a hayride is more then fun ’cause the little rascals like eating the hay too! Putting all 5 rabbits in the wagon was a little too crowded so we decided they needed to take turns. The Thriantas were content to enjoy the hay and climb on the bales. The Dutch wanted to see more and the runt of the litter was the first bunny to jump off the wagon to explore under it! Just like kids! Well to make pictures even more special-I decided to put bandanas on the bunnies! Can cute bunnies look any cuter??

Jul 132012
 

Since my husband is the second son of five boys and the only one to move from Michigan to establish his home (after his years as a US Marine and college education) and family in the “South” we have the fine distinction of being known as the Smoky Mountain Haywards. Of course our love for the blue ridges of the Appalachian Mtns. has grown over the many years we have lived here! My kinfolk cleared and settled all over the Carolinas a-buildin’ ther log cabins, a- raisin’ ther barns to dry tobacca in, a-coon huntin’ nites and hitchin’ up the mule team durin’ the day ta-plow ther fields fer maters an taters ta grow! On a hot day ther’s nuthin’ like dippin’ a gourd inta the cold mountain spring for fresh cold water ta quench yer thirst! Yessiree-that’s better than RC cola and a moon pie!

Jul 132012
 

♥  We start early Saturday morning touring the Quilt Shops on the Carolina Shop Hop map!  A car load of quilters will be  fun for miles & miles!! We will be seeing many new fabrics, notions, new quilts on display  and ideas everywhere for crafting  gifts and home decorations!  I will have my camera handy to capture all the  “star” quilt blocks  and their arrangements in 14 new quilt designs all using autumn batiks! The previews I got of some of the shop quilts were beautiful in fall bright batiks! We can purchase the block kit featured at each shop  and stitch up our own creative “fall and stars” quilt too.  I am finishing my own Civil War quilt made from the historic blocks chosen by the shops last year.(I love the quilt block names, history and period prints too!)    The unique shops are all so friendly and carry their own specialty fabrics and items on decorative display! The pictures from the previous Shop Hops have been inspiring us time after time! 
Of course we bring all the “Shop Hopping Happiness” home with us! Some of the ideas are shared with our dear rabbits such as fabrics with garden prints and “carrots” too!  Did you know we have been featuring a bunny and quilt photograph  in our Garden Gate Calendar several years in a row (which is always a favorite) ?? Pictures of our rabbits illustrating our note cards, and calendars have been matted and framed to decorate many home interiors!  I hear from people across the country that writie about their “rabbit rooms”  and wish I could visit and enjoy them too! Garden bunnies  and quilts create a welcomed comforting atmosphere all of their own! 
♥  Joyous days are coming !! I have some surprises planned for all of our bunny loving friends!