Saturday, March 7, 2015

Saturday Sparks Link Party 105

Welcome to Saturday Sparks 105!

 Many years ago, on a whim I attended my first quilt show. It was being held in an old church by one of the smaller guilds. There were only four cars in the parking lot and the building looked tired and in need of paint. My expectations were dwindling as I walked up to this house of worship...

....Throwing caution to the wind, I opened the doors and was greeted by a lovely older woman who offered me a program guide and welcomed me to enjoy the show. Another smiling woman then ushered me into the church entry and again offered warm, welcoming wishes.  As I stepped inside, I was instantly taken aback by the beauty of this humble place - so much for first impressions!

The worn interior had been transformed into a wonderland of colors, textures and patterns. Quilts were lovingly displayed throughout this sacred place - from the beams of the cathedral ceiling, draped along the pews and sprinkled throughout the tiny alter. Baskets filled with cotton gloves were placed throughout the church for those of us who needed to 'feel' the goodness behind all that quilting. It was this introduction into the quilting world that grabbed me and never let go.

Much like my first quilt show, this party has taken hold of me. The variety of ideas and projects that are shared each week never cease to amaze me. Inspiration abounds and sets the creative spirit flying.  

"Everybody born comes from the Creator trailing wisps of glory. We come from the Creator with creativity. I think that each one of us is born with creativity."
 ~ Maya Angelou

So, let's get this party started!

First up, the Fabulous Features from Saturday Sparks 104.


And the Wall Came Down... at the Long Awaited Home. The Long Awaited Home shows us how removing the wall between the living room and dining room opened up the space and brightened the area. I am so loving the mix of whites, wood tones and natural textures.


Introduction to Luckett's Green at The Painted Poppy. Kim shares her combination of Annie Sloan's Chalk paint and Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in this wonderful farmhouse dresser.


Hair Bow and Headband Organzier at Love Create Celebrate. Lindi shows us how she took a purchased Chicken Wire Frame and created this fun personalized organizer for her daughters hair bows and headbands.


How to Organize Cards at The Thrifty Challenge. Lisa shares her method for storing cards that bring back memories of the special moments in her life.


DIY Leaf Placemats at Southern Seazons. Jody saw some 'Leaf Placemats' in a catalog that spoke to her, but the price was to steep. In this post, she shows us how she made her own. These would make a lovely Spring tablescape.


{Two Ingredient} Sweetened Toasted Coconut at T-shirt & Jeans. Nicki shares a good friends two ingredient recipe for 'Sweetened Toasted Coconut'. It's funny how the simplest recipes are sometimes the best.


Creamy Tomato Seafood Bisque at A Dish of Daily Life. Michelle is not a fan of cold weather, but she is a fan of delicous hot soup such as this 'Creamy Tomato Seafood Bisque' recipe that she shares in this post.


Fire Chicken at Honey and Birch. Jenny is tempting our taste buds with this Asian inspired 'Fire Chicken' recipe.


Copycat Bailey's Irish Cream at Yesterfood. Joy is sharing a recipe for 'Bailey's Irish Cream' that allows you to control the amount of alcohol and save money. 


Savory Roasted Chickpeas at Memories by the Mile. Jessica is sharing a healthier snack option with this recipe for 'Savory Roasted Chickpeas'. 

Pieced Pastimes

 Thanks to everyone for linking up to last weeks party.
If you were featured, please grab the featured button to add to your blog.

Now, onto the party!

Link up your latest inspiring posts such as:

Crafts
DIY
Gardening
Home Decor
Photography
Ponderings
Recipes
Repurposing
Sewing

Links are open through Friday morning.

Features will be posted at next weeks party at Pieced Pastimes, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

I can't wait to see what you have been working on!

Pieced Pastimes

 Party Guidelines:
- Post the party button (above) or a text link back to the party on your post.
- Share your own ideas - not a roundup of other peoples ideas.
- Follow Pieced Pastimes via one of the social media links located on the upper right sidebar. 
- No advertising, Etsy shops or giveaways.
- Pin feature photos to Pinterest from the original source and not from this blog.
- Visit other links and leave a kind comment.

19 comments:

  1. Thank you so much Suzanne for hosting another party!

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  2. Thank you for the feature! I love that Maya Angelou quote-how inspiring! It's sweet to hear how much you love this party! I think it's a nice way to start the weekend. Thanks again!

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  3. Thank you so much for featuring my diy leaf placemats. Have a wonderful weekend!!

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  4. Thank you so much for hosting.
    Enjoy your weekend.
    FABBY

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  5. Suzanne, such an inspiring story and quote. How true it is that you cannot judge by the outward appearance alone. Thank you so much for hosting. Hope you have a wonderful Saturday. Cathy

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  6. What a great quote! I tell people all the time that they are creative. They just have to drop the fear and try. Thanks for hosting.

    Shannon from BohemianJunktion.com

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  7. So happy to be a part of Saturday Sparks! Thank you for hosting. Have a great week!

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  8. I love the quote and love the way you told your story about entering the old church, Suzanne. I am an admirer of quilts as well and though I have never made one, I'd certainly like to. They're such a special gift to pass on through the family. It's always a pleasure to join in your party each week and the features are just beautiful!

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  9. Thank you so much for the party and also for the feature! It totally made my day today! Those placemats are amazing!! Heading over to check them out! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

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  10. Thank you so so so much for featuring me!! You totally just made my day!

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  11. Thank you so much for the feature. I love the Saturday Sparks linky party and I'm so glad you enjoy hosting it too! Have a good weekend!
    Gloria

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  12. Suzanne, thank you so much for including my Copycat Baileys in your features this week! I see so many other wonderful things in the features and at the party. Thank you for hosting Saturday Sparks. My weekends would just not be the same without it! :)

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  13. hi suzannne! my first time here! thanks for hosting! have a great weekend! XO

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  14. Suzanne, thank you for the amazing party, I appreciate you! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

    Heather
    MySweetMission.net

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  15. My first experience in learning to quilt was similar to what you describe at the quilting show you attended. It was at an old church but the ladies were so welcoming and the quilts were so beautiful. Excellent features you have chosen this week! Thanks for hosting!

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  16. Thank you so much for featuring my card organising idea. You host a great party! :-)

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  17. Wow! Thank you so much for featuring my little green dresser! You made my heart happy :)

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  18. Suzanne, I clicked over way too early for this week's party (ha!) and had a chance to browse around a little more. Enjoyed revisiting the lovely quilts in the church story. How many of these little churches have I been in? Mostly as a child....I guess many of them may even be gone now. I once spent a week driving from Texas, up to Montana and back again, mostly on back roads, just photographing old churches. Just as I came upon them. Not professionally, of course, just kind of for my own heart and soul. They weren't filled with quilts; I might not have been able to stand all that wonderfulness. :)

    I loved the quote by Maya Angelou. I wonder if she had been inspired (there's that word again!) by Wordsworth. I wonder if she knew his Ode on the Intimations of Immortality: "Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting...But trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home...Heaven lies about us in our infancy."

    Thank you for a beautiful post that took me all over the place (again) this morning....childhood...old country churches...college lit classes...road trips...quilts!...creativity and inspiration. :)

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I love reading each and every comment and welcome any questions or feedback you may have.