Friday, September 28, 2007


Chapter 4 - Do you applique?

Yesterday I took some time to tidy up my sewing room and while it still needs a little more attention, it does look much better. I have too many irons in the fire and I hate it when I do that to myself. grrrrr! :-)

When I was finished I took time to pull out fabric for block #2 of my Country Whig Rose project (this is in Simple Blessings by Kim Diehl). It's prepped and I managed a handful of stitches last night while watching TV.
This leads me to my next question for you. Have you missed my questions? teehee!!! :-)
Do you applique? If so - do you - hand or machine applique and what is your preferred prepping and stitching method and why?
I hope you're having a wonderful Friday and I thank you for popping by to visit my blog. You know I love it when you do!
In Friendship!

Monday, September 24, 2007

Blessings!

I feel a strong need to share a few things with you - I hope you'll indulge me and keep reading. :-)

I've been doing something free of charge for a couple of quilt pattern designer friends as they are preparing to show their wares at the Houston Quilt Market next month. I don't want to tell you who they are or what I'm doing because I don't want to embarass them. Anyway, last week I was chatting with a local quilt store owner and one of the employees about what I've been doing (they guessed I was doing it free of charge) and they both told me that I would be repaid in so many ways for helping my friends. I don't expect repayment - I'm just doing it because I want to (that's who I am). A few days later I received an adorable card with a gift card for Chili's from my designer friends just to say thank you and that they love me. I felt loved and appreciated!

A few months ago I pieced, quilted and wrote a pattern for a store sample for the same local quilt store owner using fabric she provided. This sample helped her more than we thought it would. As Martha would said "that's a good thing". A simple thank you was enough for me however today she gave me the quilt. Needless to say my eyes were brimming with tears.

Last week I received an e-mail from Carol in Florida telling me that a little bird told her that I'd been coveting the book "Prairie Children and Their Quilts" so she put a book in the mail for me. The book arrived and she'd included a sweet note on the inside front page. I'm not sure what I did to deserve this special treat from Carol but I appreciate her thoughtfulness very much!

Today a package arrived from Carole in Upstate NY and I couldn't believe what I found when I tore open the package. Inside was the cutest Halloween tabletopper - oh my goodness I was shocked. Again, I'm not sure what I did to deserve this special treat from Carole but I appreciate her thoughtfulness, as well.

The pumpkin pillow I showed you in an earlier post came from Wendy recently! Just because she wanted to send it. Another appreciated special treat.

I won some squares on Sharon's blog in July and when she sent them to me she also included a birthday gift. Yet another appreciated special treat.

Bren was bagophobic like I am and she sent an adorable bag, beautifully made by her, just for me. Another appreciated special treat.

Since I started blogging there have been many other surprises at my door and in my mailbox and I do hope that I've been kind and publicly acknowledged every little treasure. If I haven't mentioned you here today please know that I appreciate you, too.

Blessings are not necessarily things that you can feel and touch - they are sweet e-mails, they are offers to help with learning how to do something. Like Vicky and Patti inspiring me to learn how to do hand applique. Linda and others doing exquisite stitchery projects that inspired me to jump into doing stitchery when I thought I'd forgotten how. Linda and Kim making sure I received a coveted publication!

When the special surprises and treats arrive I struggle with whether or not I should publicly thank you on my blog or just send a thank you via e-mail. I hope I've done it the right way every time!

I don't know what I've done to receive so many blessings however I want to say thank you to each and every one of you for your special friendship! I hope that I've been a friend, as well.

Of course, I must say thank you for indulging me and reading this!

In Friendship!


Fall Decorating

This is the extent of my Fall decor!
As you enter my home my Fall string quilt and other treasures will greet one and all. And the red cabinet is in my kitchen.
I don't have much in the way of seasonal type quilted items. I've got to put my thinking cap on and hopefully I can remedy this very soon.




This adorable pillow was included in a package from a dear friend recently. Isn't is cute? You've got to love the rusty bells in the upper left hand corner - perfect accent. I'll have ask her about this pattern because I must make more to go with it. Thank you, my friend, I'll treasure and enjoy it.


Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope that you'll stop by again!
In Friendship!

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Block #3 - Check!

I've completed another Vintage Charm block from the Simply Vintage book - WooHoo! :-) I'm a little unhappy with my work on this one but it'll have to do. I'll prep #4 in the next day or so. And, I need to prep a second Country Whig Rose block, too.

When I stop to think about how much I've been enjoying hand applique again I have to also stop and thank Vicky and Patti. They know why! Ladies I will forever be thankful to you. :-)

And, it's important to also thank all of you for stopping by to read my blog and for leaving a comment. I hope you stop by often!

In Friendship!

Thursday, September 20, 2007



Thank you!

A few days ago Bren nominated me for this award and while she says that I make her smile, it's important for her to know that she and her inspirational blog make me smile everyday. So, Bren, thank you for the nomination, I appreciate it more than I could express.

From the author of the award: The thing that I love most about blogging is that I learn so much about a person just by reading his/her blog. I have met MANY wonderful people with wonderful stories to tell and I am grateful every day for each person whom I have the pleasure of crossing paths in life with. I wanted to create something special for the top ten people who have inspired me through their blogging; the stories they tell, and the lives that they lead with grace and dignity. I visit their blogs for inspiration and encouragement. Although there are MANY people I want to give this award to at this very moment, I am going to choose ten bloggers:Please grab your badge and wear it(with a smile) proudly, and pass it on because you inspire and encourage me, thank you.

I'm not going to nominate or choose ten bloggers because there are far more that deserve this award. You make me smile everyday. So please, if you read my blog consider yourself nominated.

In Friendship!

Over 50 and Normal :-)

I was reading about Cheryl and her recent fiasco with her keys - you must read her blog. You'll snicker, giggle and possibly laugh out loud but if this sort of thing hasn't already happened to you believe me when I tell you that it will. LOL

I have to share a recent occurrence in my home. We were settled in one evening - watching TV - hubby in his recliner and me in my spot at one end of the sofa. I'm happily working on some handwork with my pile of "needful things" to my right. I was working away clipped my thread and ready to cut a new piece of thread and I couldn't find my scissors. My hubby looks over at me and asks what I'm searching for - I had something clenched between my teeth so I had to remove it to answer his question - I looked at him and said "I'm searching for my scissors, I just had them" - put that item back between my clenched teeth and continued to search. He snickered and said "you might want to check your mouth" - OMG, that item (as I'm sure you've already concluded) was my scissors. (Relax, I was clenching one of the handles!)

So, I've decided that if you're over 50 and doing this type of stuff then you're normal and if you're under 50 and doing this then I will say a little prayer for you. LOL

I hope that you're having a wonderful day and once again thank you for visiting!

In Friendship!


Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Four Seasons Quilt Swap - Fall

I joined the Four Seasons Quilt Swap recently full of anticipation and then the anticipation turned to anxiety! I just didn't know what to do - I thought and I thought and then I thought some more (can you hear the Jeopardy music?). And, then there it was, the lightbulb moment - four huge oak leaves with a nice border would make an adorable tabletopper (you know I love table toppers!). It could be a wallhanging, too. On Sunday, I made eight blocks (well, I had to make one for my table, too - LOL) - added sashing and borders and called it a flimsy. Then yesterday I quilted it; sewed the binding down last night and now it's DONE!!! I need to add a label and then pack it up and send it away. Now, I'll just say silent prayers and hope that she likes it. Sigh!
Just a little note - I received an e-mail recently that my swap partner mailed my quilt - it hasn't arrived yet. :-(

Thanks for visiting - please come again!

In Friendship!

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Chapter 3 - new question - Scraps

Here's my next question for you. :-)

When you've finished a project what do you do with your scraps aka leftovers?

I have what is probably a bad habit and now I don't know what to do. When I have finished a project I put all the scraps and leftovers (no matter the size) into a ziplock bag and toss them in a large Rubbermaid bin. Now, I have five large bins full of ziplock bags with some great scraps and leftovers. I want to know how you handle your scraps/leftovers.

I don't have anything quilty to show you that you haven't already seen. It's time to prep more applique blocks. Simply Vintage blocks 3 & 4 arrived yesterday so I need get busy prepping those.

I'll be looking forward to your answers and comments! Thanks for popping by!

In Friendship!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

More Polka Dot Girls

Spending evenings with my hubby, the Diamondbacks and The Polka Dot Girls. Are you getting tired of my Polka Dot Girls? There are lots more to come but it could be a few days because I need to trace a few more. :-)

Wowzer the responses to my questions to you have been incredible and so much fun to read. Thank you for sharing!

I get the feeling that you enjoy my questions to you - if so I have a list of several more I want to post - are you still game?

I appreciate it so much that you read my blog and I love it when you leave a comment. Thank you!

In Friendship!

Monday, September 10, 2007

Another Question for You! :-)

When you spend time in your quilting corner of the world, what do you enjoy doing the most? What brings a smile to your face?

i.e. planning a project, cutting, piecing, hand or machine quilting, hand piecing, hand or machine applique, embroidery by hand, etc.

My first love is piecing and I truly do not like planning a project! I'm trying to cut back on piecing for awhile so I'm enjoying hand applique and hand embroidery.

I'm looking forward to hearing about your likes and dislikes! :-) Thank you!

In Friendship!

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Bits and Bobs
(scroll down for stitchery and new applique project show & tell)

Thank you so much for leaving a comment regarding your fabric likes and dislikes. I really enjoyed reading about your preferences. I have another great question I'll ask you in a few days! :-)


Fun Mail Surprise! Recently this Sunshine charm pack and cute card arrived in my mailbox from Connie. Just a bit of mailbox 'love'.

Connie, thank you so much!









This cuter than cute Sewing Chair belongs to my Polka Dot Girls. Wouldn't it be fun to sit in this comfy chair under that umbrella with your stitching and a nice cup of tea or coffee and just while away the hours? Bliss!











New applique project prepped and ready to be sewn down. This is just a small project to do while I'm waiting for the next installment of blocks for my Vintage Charm project.



It's been a few weeks since I've spent much time with my sewing machine. She's either feeling a little neglected or breathing a huge sigh of relief that I'm leaving her alone. I've really been enjoying my handwork and am looking forward to lots more!

Thanks for popping by to visit with me. I hope you'll come by again!


In Friendship!


Friday, September 07, 2007

A Question for All

When I was chatting with Angie recently we were discussing our quilting likes and dislikes. Our style preferences and such. I find that I like it ALL however I really do not enjoy working with batiks.

So, what's your 'flavor'? Do you find yourself being drawn to certain colors, patterns, etc. I'm sure you know what I'm asking. Please leave a comment and share!

A simple thank you for visiting my blog - I hope you'll stop again!

In Friendship,

Darlene

Thursday, September 06, 2007

The Polka Dot Girls

These ladies have been living in my embroidery hoop for the past few days and I've finally released them. I hope they make you smile - I've actually giggled a couple of times. :-)

Stay tuned because they are many more to come - this is a pattern by Bronwyn Hayes/Red Brolly called "The Polka Dot Girls". According to the pattern I was suppose to use different floss colors but I decided that I wanted them to be just red (DMC #304).

I hope that you've been enjoying your needle and thread! As always I love it that you stop by to visit - please feel free to leave a comment.

In Friendship!

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Pay It Forward - Received


Yesterday's mail brought this beautiful and adorable quilt from Libby for me to fulfill her 'Pay it Forward' commitment. These blocks were part of an exchange she participated in and she felt that the entire quilt would be happy with me. She's right - I love it. Libby, thank you for the incredible gift and for your gift of friendship.

Small irony - the designer, Valerie Boman of Cotton Pickin' Designs was my beginning quilt making teacher 8 years ago. And, I remember when she designed these blocks.


I have to keep thanking you for visiting my blog and leaving wonderful comments. I look forward to your regular visits.

In Friendship!

Monday, September 03, 2007

Vintage Charm

This is all I have to show for the past three days. Blocks 1 & 2 of Vintage Charm from the book Simply Vintage by Blackbird Designs (I'm working on Cheri Ralston's version). Block #2 will have a star in each corner but I'll add those after I trim the block to it's correct size. Blocks 3 & 4 will be here sometime this month.
I've really enjoyed this project. I really do enjoy hand applique and must concentrate on doing more.
I popped in and out of some of your blogs during the past three days - very productive week end for many. Way to go.
Thanks for visiting - I hope you'll leave a comment to say hi.
In Friendship!
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