One Dozen Baskets :-)

I spent my day working on these today!

Is one for you?

One never knows. teehee

a little work still to be done!

Sweet Cupcakes!

I participated in Sharon's Cupcake Swap and packages have arrived and been opened! My box from my swap partner Dora arrived a while ago but I refused to enjoy it until after I mailed her box to her. LOL By the way, Dora is a friend of Sharon's and doesn't have a blog - this made it a bit difficult for me because I didn't know much about her.

The picture shows all the goodies Dora sent to me. The super cute little quilt, labels, a notepad, sugar sprinkles sitting on top of the box holding the quilt :-) and a yummy cake mix from the Barefoot Contessa. She tucked a little goodie in the cupcake card - an adorable teapot tea bag holder. We duplicated one little thing - the cupcake cups. LOL Dora, thank you so much!

The next picture shows the goodies I sent to Dora and I believe she was pleased. :-)
I hope that you'll take a close look at the cupcake pincushion - there's a pin with a cupcake on top.

Sharon, thank y0u so much for making this swap happen. I appreciate your hardwork.

There's nothing quilty to show because I haven't done much lately - a little hand applique but that's it. Thanks for stopping by - come again soon!

In Friendship!

Why I Blog????

I picked up the Autumn 2008 issue of "Artful Blogging" last week. A friend raves about this magazine every time a new issue is released but it's out of stock when I look for it. I have not read it from cover to cover instead enjoying flipping through it haphazardly and stopping here and there.

I stopped on a article about Amanda Soule www.soulemama.com and I have to quote a snippet that she wrote because it struck a chord with me and I hope it will with you, too: (I hope she doesn't mind that I have quoted her)

"I think often of the women storytellers before us, and the many ways in which their stores were told -- a chat with a neighbor over coffee; a quilting bee or knitting circle; reading groups. A community of blogs feels much like that to me -- it's like an ongoing conversation we have over tea as friends. It's never the whole story, and it never feels the same -- sometimes the conversation is light and silly, and sometimes it's heartfelt and serious, and sometimes, for whatever reason, we keep a lot of things to ourselves. Sometimes, we don't have much to say at all, except to share an image and a moment in silence. But all of these snippets of conversation together and in the intimate thread of the everyday, it tells our story. Like any good ongoing conversation with a friend, I don't know as though we'll ever run out of things to talk about. Let's put on some more tea."


I appreciate that you stop by to read all about my doings so come again and come often. Next time I put on more tea!

In Friendship!

Buzzing Around!

I've been quite busy the past few days and little play time. I haven't touched my sewing machine since last Friday but I have managed to do a little hand applique while watching the D'backs. Needless to say I have nothing quilty to blog about.

But.....................

I do have something cute, adorable and sweet to tell you about. Recently I received a birthday box from Nan filled with lots of goodness. The pretty box had two sunflower candleholders (hey where's the other one?). Then I found a notepad and Nan's newest pattern (more about that in a bit). So, I sent Nan an e-mail to say Thank you bunches and bunches and she mentioned Miss Bea Happy Wabbit - Who????? I had no idea what she was talking about. That prompted a telephone call and she sent me scurrying to the original box and wrapped in tissue was Miss Bea Happy Wabbit with a HUGE TAG attached to her leg. Written on the tag "Hewwo! My name is Bea Happy Wabbit, and I would love to live with you! May I PLEASE? Bunny Hugs, Bea". I couldn't believe I missed her in the box but she was a wonderful surprise. So, Miss Bea Happy Wabbit has joined Thimbles, Joy & Miss Millie in my sewing room. I've been hearing lots of noises when I'm out of the room so I'm afraid of what they are ALL plotting. LOL You know they can be quite devious - cute but devious. :-)

Nan's going to launch her new pattern design business, Nannie's Quilt Patch, very soon. Her newest adorable pattern is called "That's MY Name". Visit Nan's blog and ask her about her patterns!

I appreciate your visits and comments - come again and often!

In Friendship!

I Did It!

Oh my goodness you absolutely have to give me a huge WOOHOO!!!!!!!

These cute 'baskets' have been popping up in some of my favorite haunts and I've adored them. I'm bagophobic so I thought I couldn't make one. Well, color me wrong - look at my little cutie. Oh, if you look close there are a few boo-boos but what the heck - I learned from those boo-boos and now want to make another one or two (maybe three or four - LOL) Stephanie is seriously addicted and Nanette made some in a variety of sizes. Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement, Ladies!

I hope you're having a good day. Come again and often!

In Friendship!


edit: made a second one for a friend. :-)

Second edit (because it slipped my mind) Here's the link to the awesome tutorial for the basket http://ayumills.blogspot.com/2008/05/tutorial-fabric-basket.html Enjoy!

Keeping Up!

Block #3 - "Peace in Flight" designed by Joanna Figueroa (www.figtreequilts.com) arrived yesterday afternoon and I'm excited to say that it's done. WooHoo!!!!!! :-)

I showed you the first two blocks recently but I failed to tell you more about them. This is a Designer Mystery Block of the Month by The Fat Quarter Shop.

Block #1 - "Cross Stitch" was designed by Brendle Riddle (www.acornquiltingandgiftcompany.com)

Block #2 - "Star Struck" was designed by Sandy Gervais (www.piecesfrommyheart.net).

There will be a total of 12 blocks and the finishing pattern has also been designed by Brenda Riddle.

Now I will wait for September for Block #4.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the world. I appreciate that you do and I especially appreciate your kind words. Please come again and often.

In Friendship!

A Giveaway!

She's been blogging a year - wow - where does the time go! And, she's having a giveaway to celebrate so stop by and visit her.

Who?

Cheryl - Miss Polka Dot.

Have a great day!

In Friendship!

Reasons to Smile!

#1 - I spent time prepping wedges, making background and center fabric decisions and smiling when I laid out this first block. When I was sitting with my needle and thread stitching away I started snickering because I suddenly realized that I was truly smiling as I was working. :-)

#2 - Made a huge decision in my real life quilting world about my group particiation that I'm very at peace/piece with. I was a little sad that I didn't get any feedback and kind words in return. That's OK because it really was the right decision for me as I had been seeing the group through rose colored glasses. :-)

#3 - Realizing how much I've missed doing handwork and making decisions to get back to it in a very serious way.
:-)

Enjoy your Saturday - thanks for stopping by - come again and often.

In Friendship!

August - Done!

The August block of the 4 Seasons Primitive Stitchery from The Country Loft arrived yesterday.

Here's the sequence of events:

DH walks in with envelope
I tear open the envelope
Pull out the background fabric
Press the background fabric
Trace the design
Stitch while watching my Dbacks beat the Pirates :-)

Fast forward to this evening.............
Stitch while watching my Dbacks beat the Pirates, again.
Press finished stitchery
Assemble block

Now........wait till September for next block.

Color me excited!

My sister went home yesterday so life is back to normal in our home. It's time to settle down and do something serious with a needle and thread. :-) All the inspiration in blogland truly boggles my mind. I want to do it ALL. Sigh! :-)

I hope that life is treating you well. Life is treating me just fine! Thanks for stopping by - come again and often!

In Friendship!

At end of the day!

On my design wall - the results of a blissful day in my sewing room. :-)

Blocks # 1 and #2 from the Designer Mystery BOM from The Fat Quarter Shop - Done

Totally caught up with the assembly of the Primitive Four Seasons BOM from The Country Loft. Now I'm anxiously waiting for this month's block.

25 black and white nine patches for a new project (OK, I'm only showing you three but all 25 are completed) The blocks are fussy and a bit time consuming so it might be a few days before I'm ready to show & tell.

I hope that you've had a blissful Saturday, as well. Tomorrow we're having breakfast with friends but I'm hoping for more sewing room bliss later.

Thanks for stopping by - come again and often!

In Friendship!

Peg - You Rock!!!!! :-)

Your "Finish Five by end of July" Challenge was more fun than I can express. I'm excited to say that I met your challenge and finished seven projects. I appreciate all your time and effort that went into keeping up with everyone as we "worked" and "finished" through the month of July. I'm looking forward to another similar challenge from you.

In Friendship,

Darlene