Sunday, May 15, 2011

Songs of May

There are so many songs of May - if you listen. We are lucky to have many Blue Birds nest thru out the farm, and I love their morning songs with my first cup of coffee. The fruit trees are in bloom - I swear I could hear the buds pop open, so glad to finally have some sun. And short lived pretty petals as the sounds of rain created a cascade of falling snow with soft thuds upon the lawn.

Inspiration

Blue birds, petals, bright and washed colours. Lovely inspiration for a new quilt. I had an 'Oasis' jelly roll and it sang to me. Thus, the planning, cutting, and lay-out prep began. As a member of Cyberquilters Group - the monthly challenge/technique is 'braids'. I remembered being taught long ago a 'faux' braid when making a jacket for a 4-H project.



The blocks just flew together so quickly and suddenly there was a quilt top. A faux braid quilt, with bits of brights and washed out colors blending lightly into the braids. I will add a 2' white border to help frame it, and then a 5" floral border (fabric ordered). My 'Songs of May' quilt. I hope to do up a tutorial for this.


I received my next Australian 6.5" swap partner Sunday morning. The block and my partner's request for bright (yellow,orange,or red) on white just added to the songs. So they were done up first thing in the morning - it was a drabby, rainy day and needed brightening. They are ready for posting Monday morning.



Hands2Help


Oh, I know - I am way ahead of the game, but I just fell in love with my swap fabric (so would like to keep that quilt) and the Moda "Just One Star" gifted mini charms deserve a happy home. Both quilts were washed, dried, and quickly photo'ed - then boxed up for mailing off. They will head out Monday morning,too.






May For Me


I haven't gotten to my new purse yet. But so many other fun things have evolved in my May For Me - it doesn't have to be planned or MUST DO. I'm slowly browsing sites on the Blogger's Quilt Festival and taking in postings of updates from Spring Market - see some new fabric lines that I really want.


On Friday, I received this lovely zippy purse from my swap mate. I love plaids, and favorite color is blue - so perfect. I can use it alone or it will work beautifully with my larger bag (yet to make). It was filled with Wurther candies which will be shared with our sewing class ladies. And the bright FQ will be worked into my current 'bright' project (my color picks from last week).



And I stitched up Tonya's newest block in the quilt along. Love experimenting with the color pencils and adding personal touches. Just had to use that button!


SANTA FE CHICKEN DINNER
Ingredients:
1 pkg Chicken Breast Strips (about 2-1/2 cups)
1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (15 oz.) corn, drained
1/2 cup Thick 'N Chunky Salsa
2 cups hot cooked rice
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 green onion, chopped

Chop chicken strips into bite size pieces and brown in lightly oiled skillet. (While chicken is browning, prepare instant rice per package directions). Add beans, corn and salsa to chicken in skillet. Cook on medium heat 5 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Serve over rice. Top with cheese and onions.

May Celebration Give Away


Sorry, just love these pigs! OK - 122 followers, it's give away comment time. I tried to search for some MAY song titles and boy, I had a hard time. So I would like you to name a song with the 'word' MAY in the title.





It has rained here so much, that my brother and I commented that your could hear the grass grow. It reminded me of this funny rhyme I used to tell my kids and cub scouts at camp:


There was a young lady of Leeds
Who swallowed six packets of seeds
In a month, silly lass
She was covered in grass
And she couldn't sit down for the weeds

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

32 comments:

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

Billy Joel recorded a song called “You May be Right” and I remember playing it over and over in a bar on the middle Keys while the boyfriend repaired whatever had befallen our car that afternoon. The chorus: "You may be right, I may be crazy, but it just may be a lunatic you’re looking for."

Yumm yumz by patticakes said...

Wow - this was tough - How about the Merry Merry Month of May?

Sunnybec said...

How about Rod Stewart's Maggie May, (going to be singing that all day now)

Kathie said...

Love the braid quilt. thanks for the recipe, I will have to try that, sounds yummy.

Sue Daurio said...

I love Mondays when I get to read your blog early in the morning. The description of Spring was wonderful. The faux braids are so soft and delicate, gorgeous. And I just love both of you H2H quilts. I'm still working on mine.

Waters of May - Simon Garfunkel. I was going for Maggie May and yes I'll be singing that all day too!

Gill said...

I was going to say Maggie May as well!!
How about 'you just may be the one' ?(The Monkees)

Average Quilter said...

How do you do it - I just get tired reading about all you do.

Linda said...

Enya recorded May It Be.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

Let's see....a song title with May....how about "May It Be" by Enya.
Your post is so full of everything wonderful!! Beautiful birds and great descriptions - I could picture it all.
The braid quilt is amazing - I look forward to the tutorial.
The 6.5" blocks are so bright and cheery - your swap partner will love them. I'm going to be making my blocks today.
Both H2H quilts are beautiful. I know they will be greatly appreciated.
The recipe looks delicious!
It's hard to believe that we are already half way through May!

Miss Hillbilly said...

"La Rouse du Moy de May"

How's that? I have no idea what it means and the place where I found it didn't have a link. Just the name.

You really do get so much accomplished! Enjoy the sounds of May today! We've had very cold drippy yucky weather for the last several days but the sun is back out today. Yay!

Roma said...

Well the song names I know are already taken so this will be considered a do over..lol
You may be right.

Love all the pictures. and how busy you are.

And this would be . . . . said...

How about:
Here We Go Gathering Nuts In May
(http://bussongs.com/songs/here_we_go_gathering_nuts_in_may.php)

Or
May Day Song
(http://www.kididdles.com/lyrics/m087.html)

Can you tell I have children?

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

My song entry is :
"May You Always Walk in Sunshine"
....love that song!
Also love the braid quilt and would be excited to see a tutorial for that one. Thanks

Anonymous said...

Haha! Laughed at your limerick at the close of your post! Love your braided quilt - really pretty.
I thought of one... remember "May the Bird of Paradise Fly..." ??? LOL
There was a song in about '69 I think, by the Rondells, called "May I?" How is that!
The blue plaid bag is sweet - looking forward to seeing your bag you make.
Jacque in SC
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

KatieQ said...

When I was a little girl, my father liked the song, "Will You Love Me in December as You do in May?" He used to sing it sometimes. He didn't have a great voice, but I would give anything to hear him sing it again.

This is one of my favorite posts that you have written this month. You manage to squeeze in so many wonderful images. It's been rainy yesterday and today and my beautiful white lilacs are weighted down by the water.

Sheila said...

Would you count the Celtic tune, 'NOW IS THE MONTH OF MAYING'? You know, 'When merry lads are playing. Fa la la la ... ' Easy words ;)
Anyhoo. Love what you did with the Oasis jelly roll! Those are lovely fabrics, beautiful colors.
Blue bird pic is so sweet. Nice donation quilts :) Yummy RECIPE! Great post! Don't work to hard. It's your birthday all month :D

John'aLee said...

What a great post! Thanks for all you shared!

Debbie said...

Im with the first poster- "you may be right"

Christine M said...

What about First Of May by the Bee Gees back in 1969?

Sarah Craig said...

Oh, and don't forget "The Lusty Month of May" from Camelot!! How's that for obscure?

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Great post. Your quilts always just fly together. Boy that chicken dish looks great.

Marcia W. said...

"Here we go 'round the Maypole!" - one of those little ditties kids used to sing. The big ones were already mentioned like "You May Be Right"...
At least I didn't have to think of a pig song.

Brita said...

How about "May be, Baby, I'll have you by Buddy Holly?" Cheating a litte, may be? LOL! And there's "May the Circle Be Unbroken". I just love all the little tidbits and glimpses and recipes and photos you serve up in your blog.

Jill said...

How about April showers bring May flowers. LOL.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sharon Rod Stewards Maggie May was the only one i came up with,and i love your all seasons swap that you sent to Cheryll very nice swap and lucky you with the zippy purse swap.

Shannon said...

I love Rascal Flatts. They are a great county band. My song pick is Mayberry. It is a great song about the olden' days. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXw0RpWRZC4

Karen said...

Your quilts are very pretty. I really could use one that would fly together. Your H2H quilt is awesome. I think we are still living in April since all we have had is showers. Thanks for sharing.

Paulette said...

Does "MAYbe Baby" count? :)

You really did a lovely job on both H2H quilts!

Linda V said...

"The Lusty Month of May" from the movie/broadway show" Camelot! Love that song!

Girltwin64 said...

Sharon it is so funny just today we seen a blue bird and I have been so hoping they would nest in our house we have for them, but I do not think they plan to once again. I just love birds and feeding them. WE do have some carolina wrens and they sure sing beautiful to! Hugs, Ellen

BunkHouseQuilts said...

Looks like a yummy and easy recipe, I am going to try that. Great to see your H2H quilts. Isn't it good to get them done? They turned out really nice.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

How about "Maggie May" from Rod Stewart???