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The sun shines bright….

As the song goes…

Photo Gene Burch Photography

“The sun shines bright on my Old Kentucky Home”….

May is a spectacular month to be living in the bluegrass state. Aside from the beautiful flowers and trees that are in bloom, the first Saturday in May is reserved for the Kentucky Derby. The most exciting 2 minutes in sports!

At the Oaks race in 2010

I’ve mentioned before that I grew up in Salt Lake City, but am happily a resident of Louisville, Kentucky for 16 years now.  I’ve always tried to “bloom” where I was planted and embracing all the good things that Kentucky has to offer is part of that to me.

Last year I did a series on my blog to celebrate the Derby…. With the Derby coming up next week I thought I’d do a little round up of the ideas that were shared.

First if you’d like to learn a little bit more about the Kentucky Derby…

Read this

As always the book is MUCH better than the movie…

and speaking of movies….

I absolutely LOVE this movie!!

Then “celebrate” the derby you can:
Make this:
Lucky T-shirt
or this:
Go Baby Go Banner
or this:
Winning Colors Table Topper
or these:
Jockey Silks Placemats
and you need to eat:
A Kentucky Hot Brown
and don’t forget your Hat!!
Make your own Derby Hat Tutorial
Click here for a “shortcut” to take you to all the Derby posts at the Polkadot Chair!
And a few other things from other places in cyberspace:

Since the Derby is the “Run for the Roses”.. I’ll be wearing this:
Red Rosette necklace from Allorah Handmade when I go to the Oaks next week. (the Oaks are the races the day before the Derby… a fun alternative if you can’t snag Derby tickets)
Traci has been up to her tricks again and has these Amazing Derby themed necklaces in her shop. Grab one now, and you can still wear it for the races!
links to all the fun stuff going on around town during Derby week. If you are thinking about checking out the city  Derby week… go to this site! Great info on all the events! They have a really good varieity of stuff to do..
Free evites, recipes & games
History, Horses, Photos… the whole enchilada
Blog Links
Mostly MEllen..
Links to lots of fun craft ideas!!

Derby Hat cookies on Bakerella (okay she calls them Easter bonnets, I think they’d be so cute as Derby Hats)

Race horse cookies @ Bake @ 350

Gifts
Taste of Kentucky
Derby Pie, Kentucky Bluegrass, Order Derby Prints (like the one on the napkins from earlier)
Cute hand painted pottery, not just derby stuff & a cute blog with fun party ideas…
Have fun watching the race next Saturday May 7th and cheering on your favorite horse!
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  • I’m missing #quiltmarket (my son is graduating this weekend - so it’s a great reason to miss!!), but I did stitch up a few things with a new fabric line to display! My next line launches in October with @rileyblakedesigns and it’s inspired by one of my daughters favorite movies when she was small. Can you guess which one? This Party Hat Mini quilt is actually my #santashatshop quilt pattern with the bottom band left off. It was such an easy adjustment I don’t know why I didn’t think of it earlier! Swipe to get a preview of the line and if you’re at quilt market make sure you stop by the Riley Blake booth and say “hi” for me! (Patterns: Santa’sHat Shop - Ruby Lou Bag - Derby Tote all in my shop - click my bio then click the shop button — shop.polkadotchair.com) #rileyblakedesigns
  • I’m in love with this March Bag stitched up for quilt market by @cindycloward ! That fabric is ❤️❤️. Also I think I need bags to match all my outfits now :) You can find the pattern in my shop - shop.polkadotchair.com (I used to be able to tag my patterns here but insta seems to hate me this week 😂😂) . . . #rileyblake #rileyblakedesigns #handmadebags #bagpattern
  • Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms and “Moms at heart” out there! As someone who struggled in the past with infertility and pregnancy loss I know that today is not an easy day for everyone. I hope whatever your situation that you are able to find some joy today! ❤️
  • I’ve been blogging for over 12 years and have realized that sometimes you’ve just got to try something new so you don’t go crazy! I still might go crazy but at least I’m trying not to right ? 😂😂😂 I thought for my latest fabric line, Fox Farm 🦊 it would be fun to make a video lookbook instead of uploading a million photos to the blog. We will see how it goes 😂. Check out the video by clicking the link in my bio. . . . #polkadotchair #polkadotchairpatterns #foxfarmfabric #rileyblakedesigns #melissamortenson
  • The Kentucky Derby is tomorrow and sadly we are not going! 😢 I’m excited though to watch the race from my couch, curled up with this Derby Sampler quilt, and a slice of Derby Pie! 🐎🐎🐎This quilt is one of my favorites! If not my most favorite! It’s so fun to stitch up with its variety of blocks and techniques- you won’t get bored! ✂️ - If I start feeling nostalgic I might have to share a few Derby and Oaks flashbacks on my story today and tomorrow. If you’re at the track today or tomorrow have fun and stay dry! . . . #rileyblake #rileyblakedesigns #derbydayfabrics #quiltsofinstagram #quiltersofinstagram #quiltblocks #quiltingfun
  • Sometimes the classics are the best! Sharing a tutorial for a simple herringbone baby quilt on the blog today. I show you how to make 8 HST’s at one time which makes this baby quilt piece together super fast! Full deets on the blog! .. . . . #rileyblakedesigns #rileyblake #quiltersofinstagram #modernquilts #babyquiltpattern #quiltingismytherapy #quiltingtutorial

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Comments

  3. Susanne says

    May 1, 2011 at 12:13 AM

    LOVE LOVE!!!!!

    We were stationed at Fort Knox (my oldest was born there!!) and I just fell in LOVE with KY. It was SO beautiful there and I really just adore everything about it.

    Derby is such a fun time of year!!! 🙂

    Reply

  4. pinkstilettos says

    May 1, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Oh My…you live in my neck of the woods! I live in Louisville too! Are you going to the Derby this year?
    Daisy~

    Reply

  5. Susan says

    May 2, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    I just found your blog and am so excited to see that you are living in Louisville now! I just moved here with my little family back in August. My husband is attending the dental school!

    We are so excited about derby and experiencing all of the festivities! We love it here in the Ville and it’s nice to see someone else from the West living here! Thanks for all your cute ideas and your blog.

    Susan
    http://www.lookhartphotography(dot)blogspot(dot)com

    Reply

  6. ~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ says

    May 2, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    I just found your blog too and would love to be at the Derby and see all the sights. . .someday. Love the name of your blog is there really one? I adore anything with polka dots. It’s so nice to meet you.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

    Reply

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