Friday, March 20, 2009

Reasons to Smile :-)

Sometimes with the burdens and challenges of everyday life we have a tendency to forget about all the little thing that make us smile.

Please allow me to share a handful of things that have put a smile on my face recently!

1. In Friendship - I've been signing off on my blog postings with "In Friendship" for approx 2 years. This week I received a thank you note from a bloggy friend and she signed it "In Friendship, xxxxx" - I actually got tears in my eyes because she really gets what those two words mean to me.

2. There's a new girl in town! And she's oh so cute!

A couple of weeks ago I was chatting via e-mail with Janet regarding directions that she'd figured out and she offered to share her findings with me via snail mail. I was expecting an envelope and was stunned when a package arrived instead. I found a Homespun magazine and this new little bunny - talk about a huge smile on my face. I haven't introduced her before because a sweet name eludes me - do you have any suggestions. Remember she's joining Thimbles, Joy, Millie and Bea Bunny - my Sweetie suggested "Stitches" but I'm not sure. Please leave some suggestions. Janet, thank you for making me smile!



3. Taking time to cut two new projects! This really makes me smile! :-)

I've been asked on numerous occasions how I get so much done. This is my biggest reason - I take time to pre cut a couple of projects and then I can 'power sew'. Besides, I do love to sew. LOL

The fabric on the left is Oh Cherry Oh and the fabric on the right is American Primer - both by Moda. Yummy!


4. Two flimsies quilted and ready for binding. This really puts a smile on my face!

On the left is North and South and on the right is my 3" nine patch swap quilt I did with Wendy over a year ago.


5. My shiny, new, red bobbin wheel full of "Frostings" threads by Superior Threads - this is an awesome variety of colors ready to use with my hand applique. I ordered these from Piece o'Cake after Carrie posted the information on her blog a couple of weeks ago. Thank you, Carrie!


6. No picture to share but I have finished stitching "Rabbits Prefer Embroidery" and will start assembling the blocks.

Please take a few minutes to think about the things that made you smile recently and would you please leave a comment and share one thing with me!

Thanks for visiting with me today - I hope you'll come again soon!


In Friendship!

37 comments:

Norma said...

For some odd reason, when I saw your new bunny, the name "June Bug" came to mind. Where do these things come from?? LOL

Thank you for your friendship!

Vangie said...

I'm a long time lurker, but finally decided to come out of hiding to answer your request about what makes me smile. Your blog is one of the things that always makes me smile. I really enjoy seeing all your projects. You have inspired me so many times.

Deb said...

Darlene,
What about "Iris" for your new bunny. Don't know why but she just looks like one.
I love your bobbin circle, must get myself one of those, great idea!

Unknown said...

Such a great post Darlene, and your new addition to the family is adorable, oh how about Dora, get it?....lol.... it's late and I should be in bed. Hmm what makes me smile? After reading this post I'd have to say that it would be that you are finding joy in the simple things in life, now that makes me smile.

antique quilter said...

Love your two quilts, you know I love nine patches and that north south quilt is just perfect too!
is that a pattern???"'' LOVE that quilt and would be perfect for a scrap busting quilt!
Makes me smile????
when I see other people happy, a baby, springtime flowers, finding the perfect fabric in my fabric collection for the quilt I am working on.
antique quilts....
and a gift someone makes you , becomes a treasure every time you look at it makes you think of that person and you smile.
thanks
Kathie

Lorraine said...

.....seeing my dog pinch my sock and run off with it just then made me smile!! your new bunny is very cute.....love those ears....!! I think Floss would be a good name for her?

Janet said...

you are so welcome Darlene, I love this post, so many nice things you have to share! Look at that snippet of fabric hanging out of bunny's pants, hey, there's a name suggestion, snippet/snippets.
I love the look of the two quilts, not to mention the yummy fabrics. Thanks for all the sharing,
in friendship, Janet

Eileen said...

Really love the brown, pink and light blue color combination in your two Civil War quilts.. that made me smile.
But yes.. lots of things every day to smile about.. isn't there? Too many people focus on the troubles of life. I liked your post today. :-)

Carol said...

Darlene your post today is just the BEST! Your friendship over the past couple of years makes me smile...Love your new bunny...I think Janet's name is perfect, Floss or Flossie for all your embroidery. Your quilts are wonderful...the nine patch is just awesome and North and South...I just don't have the right words for that one...spectacular!!! Love it, love it, love it. I'm so excited you have your bunnies done. I knew you'd be done for Easter. Now I'm dying to know what the 2 new projects will grow into.

Abby and Stephanie said...

What a darling bunny gift. My first thought was Blossom. But I do like Flossie also; pehaps because one of my garden ladies is Flossie. :o) Can't wait to see your new projects.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

I think your new bunny's name is Bernice! She is as cute and tiny as my Mom who is Bernice.
My new quilt all cut out in Cotton Blossoms fabric to take to my first quilt retreat Monday makes me smile.

Anonymous said...

Getting to know you through this crazy world of blogging is enough to make me smile! I mean, we've had banter outside the blog on emails that just make me sit here and smile! It frustrates me at times that I make a great connection via this blog thing and sounds as though I have so much in common with the other blogger...yet we are miles apart! Seeing your new little bunny makes me smile....can't tell you how many times I've thought about sending you one myself and have gotten so darned caught up in all else around here! I'm so glad that Janet came through and gave you another smile! Awesome post girlfriend! OH....now to get to all that cutting going on over there! Wow...you are busy, busy!! Also some fantastic finishes and yet more to come!! My nickname to you as Speedy is quite appropriate! Maybe a variation of Speedy is for the new bunny? Speed-etta? LOL I'm smiling...are you?

Nedra said...

Hi Darlene
I followed over here from Loft Creations. I was especially happy to see your new purchase of "Frostings". I work for Superior Threads and I love to applique with this new product. You can always order direct from Superior Threads also. I'm a relatively new employee and I've been so impressed with the company.
Happy Stitching!
Nedra at Cactus-Needle

Susan said...

Darlene, I smiled when I read this post. I was beaming yesterday when I finished my first BIG quilt. It is for my son and his new wife, a wedding signature quilt that is ready to go to be quilted. Thanks for posting about qpplique (another smile-thang) I have been watching you with the Tisket Tasket. I am striving to get my points as good as yours.
In friendship,
Susan

Yvette said...

Reading your blog today made me smile. Thank you!

Millie said...

What a lovely post! Love the Bunnie your friend mailed you. Your fabric strips are so organised and you made two lovely quilts. What a cute thread holder with colored thread for all your applique projects.
In friendship,
Millie

Amy said...

One thing that always makes me smile is your blog.....I enjoy it alot.Lady bugs make me smile,I LUV lifes little things the best.
The bunny is so cute,her name should be Posie.........Amy

julia said...

Hi Darlene,

don't know why, but I think the bunny is a "Hetty" to me ;o) ~ and what a sweet gift to give (and recieve!)...!
What makes me smile? In the last weeks I rarely smiled & was more than a bit down...but when I told friends - both, real life and online - I got such sweet e-mails/calls back and even got an "anti-depressant mail" with some threads & chocolate...
It makes me smile when I think of the lovely friends I have...

Have a wonderful weekend! I'm looking forward to some piccies in the (near) future of your new projects.

~ in friendship ~
Julia

Robin said...

Awww... such a cute little bunny. I'm not so great with names though (we named my son's favorite stuffed toys Ducku and Duck 2...real original!). I'm sure you'll find the perfect one. :)

As for what is making me smile lately-- my little boy is starting to spout out words! It is so cool!!! And I have to say, this post is also bringing the smile to my face. It's the simple things, you know? :)

Sherri said...

I smile when I walk by one of my finished quilts on the wall. And I smile every morning when I walk into my sewing roon and open the shutters...just walking in that room makes me smile!

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Love your new bunny Darlene. Great quilts all done and ready to use. What aer ya working on now? Look how prepared you are. And how neat I must say too.

sewprimitive karen said...

Oh, this is funny, another crazy wabbit. I love your rabbits. Like the names Iris and Snippet very much. I thought of Picnic when I saw his/her blue gingham.

Kaaren said...

Darlene, I'm smiling from ear to ear right now. What made me smile? All the wonderful thoughts and emotions you just shared with us on your latest post as well as the photos of all the beautiful eye candy which always makes me smile and gives me the warm and fuzzies.

In Friendship back at you.

Carrie P. said...

Your new bunny is so cute. I am not good at names. When we got our second dog we went through the phone book and found a name. I know a fellow quilter who has 10 quilts cut so when she wants to sew she is ready. Oh, don't you just love that little rainbow of thread. That makes me smile and reading such nice comment from ladies that follow my blog makes me smile. Seeing old friends today makes me smile.
And getting a little pincushion in the mail from you makes me smile big time. Thanks so much.

Quilts And Pieces said...

OK spill it girly. You KNOW how much I love the American Primer line - so what are you going to make???!!!! Your new bunny is so cute! I LOVE janet's blog, I"ve visited for a while now. And I"m anxious to see how you like that thread!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Forgot to say - Now that you got my favorite quilt ever quilted, feel free to send it my way!!! :)

Stina Blomgren said...

Love your new member of the family ...aint she the most wonderful little
"HOPE" for spring that arrived to you!!! :o)
Oh dear... I wish I could be that organized like you... but I´m not...lol..
Thanks for a lovely post!!

Wendy said...

The new bunny is so sweet. I'm sure you find just the right name, snippets would be cute.
The 9-patch look awesome all quilted and ready to snuggle under. What makes me smile is getting a email from a wonderful friend like you.
Have a good Sunday.

Sandy said...

What a sweet bunny - she looks like she should be "Hunny Bunny".
Always a smile when watching the two granddaughters ages 2 & 3.

Candace said...

Hi Darlene, I was going to say Flossie for the new bunnie, but Carol beat me to it! What makes me smile? Posts like this and reading all my blog friends posts every day! A whole, new, wonderful world has opened up for me since I began reading blogs then posting!
Cheers!

Carol said...

Hi Darlene,

Cute little bunny. How about the name Betsy? Or Janie since the person who gave it to you is Janet. Just throwing a couple of names out there for you. I finally started on my Rabbits Prefer Embroidery, well I traced the patterns for block one, I need some floss then I can start the embroidery. I try to do that too, pre-cut several projects and sew them up another day.

Nan said...

YOU make me smile every day!! Finishing a project that's been "age-ing" for a loooooooong time also makes me smile and when my seams match I'm extremely happy. Sunshine in my sewing room is a wondrous thing, too.
Your new bunny is just sew cute! Bloggy friends are wonderful, aren't they? The bobbin circle is a thing of beauty.
Smiling H'moosies to yousies!!

Quilter Kathy said...

Your blog post made me smile!
I love all the photos, but my favorite is the one where all the pieces are cut out and ready to sew! Can't wait to see what you are creating from the "oh Cherry" line!

Janet said...

What a cute bunny! I liked a lot of the name suggestions people made - good luck choosing! :0)
Seeing my kids' smiles makes me smile and feeling the warm spring sunshine on my face... I guess there's lots to smile about! I sure like your 2 flimsies! They made me smile too.

Nanette Merrill said...

I'm headed to Superior Threads in a few weeks and I'm going to get one of those donuts. Yummy. Love the projects you've got going. The bunny is so darling. So so cute. That made me smile!

Pam said...

I took an applique course from Becky Goldsmith. It was so good - she was a wonderful teacher. I think I need those bobbins!!

I hope you are feeling better. I haven't been around much I have been sick for most of March.

Happy Quilting.
Pam

Christie said...

Darlene. . . I am catching up reading blogs, am I too late to help name your new bunny? How about: Earlene??? Even rhymes with Darlene. LOL

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