January 18, 2013

Grow Your Blog Party!

If you have followed my blog for any amount of time you know that I love blog parties of all kinds!  I am a "people" person and love to be where people are! When Vicki of 2 Bags Full put out the word that she was going to host a virtual worldwide blog party, I could not pass it up!  She has asked us to tell a little bit about ourselves so the readers coming through can get to know us a little better.


So, welcome to my blog one and all... current readers and new readers alike!  I hope I do not bore you.. I really don't like to talk about myself much.. I would rather talk about quilting and my children and grandchildren. :)

 



Where do I start?  I am originally from Alabama, growing up in the Northwest corner and living there the first 42 years of my life.  In 2003 I moved to North Carolina and married a tobacco farmer! This is us sitting in the Atlantic Ocean down in San Blas, Mexico!


 I think I will tell you a little bit about this trip.  We use workers from Mexico to help us with the crop, getting them in through the H2A program.  They get a green card and come in on buses and once the crop is finished they go back home until the next season. Guadalupe has been helping on our farm for several years and one year he asked us to come visit him and his family.  So we decided we would.  BUT, I do not fly!!  We drove all the way down to Nayarit, Mexico in our truck!! YES, we did!  Guadalupe came to the border to meet us so we would not have to drive in alone... at the begging of my niece and the insurance agent at the border... yes, we had it in our heads to brave it alone at first!  We are so glad that we did not!  There were several military check points to go through... which was scary as heck!!  And Guadalupe had to pay the cops off once because he did not have his seat belt on! And to top it all off we had a flat tire about halfway to his house... which by the way was 14 hours past the US border!!  It was at least on a very good road that had a large shoulder so it was not dangerous!!  We made it to his house and I could not speak a word of Spanish and his wife could speak not a word of English so needless to say, the trip was not what it could have been.  The best time I had was the day Guadalupe took Butch and I to San Blas for the day.  We walked in the ocean and ate a coconut that Guadalupe knocked out of a tree.  There were workers there cleaning up from a hurricane so he borrowed one of their machetes to crack it open with.  It was so yummy!.. or maybe I was just so hungry!  We had planned to stay 2 weeks but after 5 days I was ready for American soil and American cooking!  Guadalupe rode back to the border with us and we were ever so grateful!  One military check point actually found us getting the truck searched from front grill to back bumper!!!  I told my hubby that if we had gone in alone, we would have never made it out!  We would most likely still be in a prison some where!  You have no idea just how truly blessed you are until you go to another country sometimes! It was a trip of a lifetime, but I do not desire to go back!

I have traveled more since I married my hubby than I had ever before. I am thankful to him for showing me a little bit about the world we live in.  You live in a place all of your life and hardly venture out anywhere and you think the whole world does things just like you all do where you live.  That is so NOT the case.  It was a true eye opener when I moved away from my home state of Alabama!  It has been one huge learning experience for sure!

Helping Debbie replenish her sewing supplies through all of the bloggers and quilters sending things made it possible for me to see Oklahoma this year and I saw my very first road runner!!!  He is so darn cute!



My favorite place to visit is Sanibel Island in Florida!  Our 10th wedding anniversary is coming up in February and we have planned a trip to the island to celebrate.  We may wait until this winter so we can spend as much time as we want to once there.  Right now it is getting time to start turning soil for this years crop!

I am a professional longarm quilter and own a website that offers supplies to crazy quilters and traditional quilters alike! I am happiest when I am in my "zone".  That "zone",  being lost in thought as I create on a quilt! I hand quilted up until 2006 when carpal tunnel had other plans for me.  So now I quilt on a longarm and still enjoy the process... but maybe not quite as much as I did hand quilting.  There is nothing in the world like that!

My granny Ida taught me to hand quilt.  We had quilting parties down home and when she and I quilted together you could not tell who quilted where on a quilt. This is my Granny Ida.  Don't let her small body fool you... she was a spirited little lady!  I am sitting here hand quilting while she looks on to make sure I do it right. lol


5 years ago I was introduced to crazy quilting!  I had never desired to learn this art but at the pushing of my friend Nicki I finally gave in and tried it!!  HOOKED!! Yep, hook, line, and sinker!!!  These are a few of the pieces I have created!




I also knit a little, have crocheted but it hurts my elbow, have sewn soft bodied dolls such as these reindeer and this doll...


and  I love to dabble in small projects when my friends and I have sew ins... like this pincushion... I made him as a gift for my friend Nicki.




And this pincushion that I made for my friend Christine..


The thing I like to do most is cuddle with my hubby on the couch in the evenings and watch The Mentalist, NCIS, and Law and Order!  Our home has many windows so it is not uncommon to watch the sun go down in the evenings to a site as beautiful as this... right off our deck!



 


 I will close with these beautiful sunsets!  And for one lucky visitor I will be giving away this heart shaped batter bowl with 2 red fingertip towels... just in time to receive them for Valentine's day so you can make your sweetie some pancakes on Valentine's morning!

No hoops to jump through and everyone is eligible to win as long as you leave me a way to contact you should you win!  Just leave me a comment to get your name in the hat!

Winner will be announced on February 1st!



Thanks for visiting my blog!


41 comments:

Tammy said...

Hi there Thearica, thanks for stopping by my blog. I guess I should have mentioned in there that I am originally from Mississippi. Grew up mostly in TX and LA. Kuwait is the longest I have ever lived anywhere -- my dad was in the oilfield business so we moved every three years. I have an aunt that lives in NC and one of my very best friends is there, too -- so whenever I can, I visit during the summer if time allows. Sounds like you had quite an adventure going to Mexico. It really is eye opening when you get out and about into the world. Even within the States, there's so much to see and experience. Growing up in the South, I always viewed California as a foreign country -- and to this day, I still haven't visited. Who knows if I ever will. I don't particularly like flying, but what's a girl to do -- sometimes you just gotta do it! I hope you get to Ireland one day. Take care and have a great weekend ! Tammy

Tammy said...

Oops! Forgot to mention -- crazy quilting! Love it! Though I never learned to sew. I tried to do a block with the fiber group I used to be a part of, and enjoyed it, but never finished the block. I don't have as much patience as I used to and like projects to be quick and easy. :) Tammy

Judy said...

Thanks for sharing a piece of your life!

hueisei said...

Thanks for sharing :) I already following your beautiful blog :)

Sparky said...

ahhh I love the stories that come from your mind to this page...and your crazy quilting...I do enjoy seeing your masterpieces

Izzy said...

So nice to get to know a little bit more about you! When I was growing up, my uncle was a tobacco farmer and I used to love hanging out with the seasonal workers all summer. You just brought back some wonderful memories for me! Have a great day!

Charlene S said...

Visiting another place does make you appreciate home or gets you to move to the better place! Thanks for sharing your story.

Gill said...

Lovely to learn more about you Thearica!
Thank you for sharing1

Patricia said...

Nice to get to know you a little better! Great sunset pictures! Your crazy quilting makes mine look like an amateur.

Mom C said...

Thanks for sharing. So glad you survived Mexico! You do great work, but I've followed your blog for awhile and I already knew you are so talented.

Marilyn said...

Hi Thearica. Its fun to learn more about people with whom you interact on the net. Nice to know you :). I love both sane and crazy quilting. And speaking of cq, I've just finished the first of 2 blocks for my Message In a Bottle tote bag.

Elizabeth Braun said...

I esp love your CQ blocks! Thanks a lot for visiting and commenting on my blog too.=)

carla said...

Hi!!! Beautiful family!!! Beautiful crazy blocks!!!

Patrice said...

I'm visiting from Vicki's. I'm also a farmer's wife. I used to be chef in a big historic estate. The lady of the home was an avid quilter. She gave me a huge stack of magazines and LOTS of fabric. I have always loved crazy quilts best. I want to make my first one soon. Yours are lovely. I followed you and I hope you will do the same, not for blog numbers, but because I think we could enjoy getting to know each other. My hubby was raised on a tobacco farm. We do livestock and veggie crops now for a CSA and farmers' market. Hope you come by and say hello.

Sandra Kaye said...

Great post:):) Love the crazy quilts:):)

stitchin' girl said...

It is so nice to get to know you a little better! Thanks for the comment on my blog and the encouragement to finish up my goals for the month!!

Patrice said...

I tried to contact you through the email of your profile, but it took me to a blank page. I can be reached at patrice@everydayrualty.com I look forward to hearing from you. :)

Tammy said...

Hi there from cold sunny South Carolina. Oh my goodness you are a brave soul to go to Mexico...You are so lucky yall made it back out of their. I was raised up on a tobacco farm. Thats a lot of hard work. Your crazy quilts & projects are absolutely beautiful.
conn_and_vans_mom(at)yahoo(dot)com

EvalinaMaria said...

You have a ♥lovely blog♥, thank you for sharing. I am a new follower and 'Grow Your Blog' participant. Have fun at the party!

Evalina, This and that...

p.s. I absolutely ♥ your giveaway!

Beth said...

Your granny looks very sparky! Weren't you lucky to have such a wonderful grandmother? That kind of love lasts a lifetime.

Thank you for the giveaway.

Unknown said...

Sorry you had trouble on your trip to Mexico. I'm an American who (with DH) retired to Mexico 3+ years ago. We live in a small town of 2875 people southwest of Guadalajara and love it here. Love your crazy quilts. I have one that I did, the flimsy is done but I need to finish it of as a wall hanging.
I found it very interesting to learn more about you and look forward to seeing more of your work.

thelady(at)hotmail.com

Jane S. said...

You're a lot braver than I am! I travel by myself but so far I've only been to English speaking countries.

What a cute bowl, thank you for the chance to win it! :)

Melody said...

I love you blog and photos of the crazy quilt srojects! Melody

linny said...

It was lovely to get to know you better. I follow your blog by email & enjoy seeing all your crazy quilting. Thanks for the chance to win this cute bowl.
lyn.robyn.smith@gmail.com

The Sage Butterfly said...

Such beautiful sunsets and a lovely blog. I am glad I stopped by from the Grow Your Blog party. It has been a pleasure.

kathyinozarks said...

Hi I just loved reading your introduction-I feel like I just met you somewhere. I just got into crazy quilting too-and I love it-I am learning all about stitches as I go. I live in Missouri, am retired, and do all sorts of creative things too-quilt, rug hook, weave, needle felt-the list goes on -lol thanks for the giveaway chance.Kathy

Cher in Victoria said...

your lifesounds very exciting. Love your crasy quilt pieces and your lovely sunsets. I can imagine your trip to Mexico, your are brave.

Cher in Victoria said...

excuse the spelling erros, didn't do the spell check Cher

BizyStitches said...

Nice blog post. Thanks for sharing all the pictures.

Sowing Stitches said...

Beautiful sunset! The colors are amazing!

Patty said...

I have followed your blog for a while now.I grew up with the Oklahoma roadrunners, but now am in Kansas. What a life you have had so far.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i love the name of your blog. so fun. please enter me into your giveaway. all the best to you. please drop by my blog for a visit. take care. enjoy your weekend. ( :

Debbie Jones said...

Hi, thanks for visiting my blog. I am now your newest follower. I loved reading your story and your sunset pictures are amazing. Please enter me in your give-away! Thanks. and enjoy your weekend.

Unknown said...

What a fun read and great pictures!

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Your Mexico story made me laugh but yes, I agree with you on the danger of that trip. Once was enough! :0) My hubby is from Mobile, AL. I'm an air force brat. :0) Traveled my whole like for one reason or another but did spend a lot of time on the coast of Alabama and Mississippi when much younger. Hurricane Katrina finally ran me out. I had been through many hurricanes but that one was it!

We lived in Fort Payne area for about 18 months with intentions of finally winding up her in the smoky mountains. We finally made it almost 4 years ago.

Thanks so much for visiting with me and leaving a comment. I have photos of what my giveaway will include if you'd like to pop back in to take a peek. It wasn't posted when you visited with me the first time.

Have a wonderful day,
Steph

Needled Mom said...

I loved reading more about you. I found your visit to Mexico to be very interesting. You must have been terrified on that trip down, but glad you got to do it once.

I LOVE the pincushion with the prairie points. That is beautiful as our your sunsets.

Laurie said...

I love your crazy quilt pieces especially -- they are my favorite kind of quilt anyway and yours are just gorgeous. So funny you would mention San Blas as I used to know someone who lives there now. I didn't know it was such a "destination" in Mexico. What a scary experience, though -- thank goodness you had friends to take care of you! I hope you'll come by my blog, too.

Kathy H said...

Beautiful pin cushions. I really enjoyed reading your blog and look forward to future posts.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for your nice comments. Your quilts are just lovely and I love the adorable bunny rabbit pincushion. I look forward to reading your blog and seeing your new projects.
Donna

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Hi!! I'm still partying and think I shall be doing so for some time. There are some great blogs in this blog hop.
I don't quilt but I do love to see other people's work. Your bit about yourself is great too, I get a real feeling for who Thearica is! LOL.

Clothed in Scarlet said...

Hello Thearica, I popped over from Michelle's site the Quilting Gallery. Really loved the piece you made for your granddaughter. Just wanted to say that enjoyed your post and getting to know a little about you. From something I read in a later post I believe you are in or near Raleigh NC. As I am in Hope Mills (which is on the other side of Fayetteville) I wanted to say hello neighbor ;o) Thanks for sharing and hosting a give away! Sarah