From me and mine to you and yours

Happy New Year!

In Friendship!

In Friendship!

Happy Holidays!

Hello, my friends!!!! I've missed you all bunches and bunches! Are you ready for Christmas? I've been peeking over your shoulders; oh my so many of you have been so incredibly busy.

I've been trying to decide whether I'm a Christmas success or failure. ;-) I had a grand plans and a good start and then life got in the way (dagnabbit - LOL) I planned to spread holiday cheer to many of my blog friends - those that never forget me at Christmas or on my birthday (you know who you are!)

The picture above shows a Schnibbles George and quilt and pillow for my daughter and her family. I wanted to make the same for us but it didn't happen. Dishtowels and word pillows - wanted to make lots more. grrrrrr! That simply didn't happen.

I did finish these six stitchery gifts. As I was wrapping and packaging them to mail it occured to me that they are pillows or wallhanging. (does that count as two gifts in one? LOL

Simple wrapping!

I did manage to get to the post office twice this week so hopefully some will arrive before Christmas. I have two more packages to mail - please be patient with me. :-)

I've received some very thoughtful e-mails - checking on me! Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. Life in our home is very different but 'it is what it is'.

Living for Today, forgetting about Yesterday and not fretting about Tomorrow is our way of life now ---- it's working!

Happy Holidays to you and yours from me and mine!

In Friendship!

Adjusting!

Have you missed Darlene? Has it really been two weeks since she visited with you? She hasn't had much to blog about :-( Actually, she's been peeking over your shoulders but sadly not leaving many comments. She's sorry!

She flew to Texas, packed up some of her mom's personal belongings, loaded up her car and they drove to AZ on Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Long drive but good.

This is a new journey with adjustments for all - especially her mom. There have been a few bumps in the road but for the most part things are going well. She's really been enjoying seeing her greatgrands, Seth, Eli and Shaye

Can't seem to find or make time to sew but she's been doing lots of Christmas stitching. She's planning to finish up a handful of giftees this week so she can get them to the post office.

If you're still visiting - thank you for sticking with her (us). She appreciates you more than can be expressed via the written word. Come again soon.

In Friendship!

The Wabbit Daze Gang

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

We're embarking on a new journey in our household. Tomorrow I'm flying to Texas and on Tuesday my mom and I will be driving back here. I won't bore you with all the details; she's been suffering with some short term cognitive impairment for a few months now. My sister has been bearing the burden of caring for our mom and simply can't handle it anymore. As a family and with advice from her doctor we've decided that she should come stay with us for a few months through the holidays until Feb/Mar. Time will tell but we won't be surprised if it becomes a permanent move.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Life has been full of challenges for so many this year - illness, finances, loss of loved ones, etc. Please take a few minutes to be thankful for all the gifts you have in your life. There's so much 'stuffus' in our lives that simply doesn't matter (really it just doesn't) - we can't do anything about yesterday, we don't know what tomorrow holds, however today is NOW. Enjoy every minute of today - things can change very quickly. I've been trying to live my days this way for a couple of months and it's working for me.

In Friendship

(I'll be back to visit with you in a few days)

Under Construction

(no building permit - shhhh)

Have you visited Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co fame?

Seriously you have to go visit and see what she's been up to - go now - I'll wait. :-)

Are you back?

I'm going to assume that you are!

I've been in the construction business for a few days but without a building permit. teehee!!!!

Here are pieces parts awaiting transportation to the building site:

In the construction faze:

Two little houses needing some finishing touches - giftees for a few friends!
You?
Can't tell you - sorry!

This is my Christmas Village waiting to be quilted. I have to make three more just like this one. I'll be in construction mode for a few more days. Whew!


Remember my scraps from my 12 Days of Christmas BOM from The Fat Quarter Shop?

Look at my Christmas Village ready to become a sweet pillow!



To create your 'hood, town, village, etc you'll need a Schnibbles Full House pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.

Thanks for popping in! Come again soon.

In Friendship!

Sunshine & More

I like to say that we live on the "Surface of the Sun" (the AZ desert) - very, very hot summers. :-) I don't know whether or not I should admit that I do get tired of the sun - too much sunshine. I crave overcast, cloudy, rainy days. I crave colder days, too. Silly I know! LOL Ironically, we're having a "Darlene Day" today - woohoo!!!!

I found a major ray of sunshine in my mailbox a few days ago! A very dear bloggy friend sent the little quilt top to 'bring sunshine into my challenging world'. I was very touched and must admit to tear filled eyes. Thank you, my friend you've truly touched my heart.

Yesterday Mr Daze celebrated a very special birthday and our daughter Kristie and her family put together a fabulous surprise party. We enjoyed cake and ice cream with lots of wonderful friends. The best surprise for Mr Daze was his much younger sister and her family shared the day with us - we hadn't seen them in at least 9 years. After the party we took him to dinner. A wonderful day - he's still on Cloud 9 today. LOL

Thank you for visiting - please come again soon.

In Friendship!

Enjoy your Halloween doing exactly what makes you smile. :-)

Mr Daze had surgery on Friday and everything went very well. Now the healing begins and hopefully he'll be feeling much, much better soon. Thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, kind words, etc during this stressful and challenging time in our household.

In Friendship!

Less Than 60

A gentle reminder!

There are less than 60 days till Christmas.

Be gentle - I'm just the messenger. LOL

I'm crazy about Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater for Moda! I want to make lots and lots of projects using these fabrics but I'm trying to exercise moderation. Sigh!!!

George decided to join me in my 'Countdown to Christmas'.

Doesn't he look spiffy?

There are lots of scraps now to use in various giftee type projects.

No, you can't have George! LOL

Enjoy your day - we have a stressful day ahead of us!

Please keep us in your thoughts today.

In Friendship!

Inquiring Minds

I've been working and finishing Christmas pressies/giftees for YOU. teehee!! During my stitching frenzy I was chatting with a friend about sending a pillow as a gift. Pillows are not easy to wrap or ship - light but bulky.

So, would it be tacky and/or rude to send a finished pillow cover without the pillow form? All YOU would have to do is purchase the size pillow form indicated on an attached tag.

Please tell me (us) your thoughts!

A sneaky peek at one of the finished pillow covers. It's stinkin' cute - even if I do say so myself. LOL

P.S.

A finished wall hanging for Little Miss Shaye's room. I'm off to sew down the binding.

Thank you muchly for popping by.

In Friendship!

A Good Day!

I had a very relaxing day in my sewing room and finished my 12 Days of Christmas Designer BOM from the Fat Quarter Shop. I made a slight change - why - because I could. LOL Rather than wonky stars in border I decided to simply add sawtooth stars in the corners.

When I tossed it on the floor to take a picture Cooper decided he wanted to help. :-)

(ignore the wrinkles, please)

Backing pieced - check

Binding pieced - check

I hope you spent time playing with fabric today, too. :-)

Thanks for stopping by - come again soon.

In Friendship!

Bits and Bobs

Last Saturday Carrie of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co was scheduled to do a book signing (surely you know she has a new book - Another Bite of Schnibbles?) at The Olde World Quilt Shoppe. So after much hemming and hawing I decided to take a drive out to visit with her and to see Dee, Jordan and Whitney (missed her). I'd also received an e-mail from Jan (my quilt retreat friend) telling me that she'd be there with a friend and would love to see me.

Carrie was the "Bell of the Ball", Dee and Jordan were super sweet and happy to see me (it had been a year since I'd been there - what is up with that?) and it was fun to see Jan and meet two of her friends.

I HAD to do a little shopping however I'd promised Mr Daze that I'd be good! You do know that being 'GOOD' is definitely overrated but I managed to be very 'Good'. teehee :-)

I grabbed the new Better Homes and Gardens Sew Scrappy magazine, a layer cake and background fabric of Count Down to Christmas by Sweetwater for Moda. Need it for some of my Christmas giftees! :-)
After visiting with everyone and looking around I headed home. When I got home I sat down to read my new magazine. I was anxous to see Sherri's sweet new pattern Gum Drops (in the lower right hand corner) but I was shocked to discover a pattern by Kathie (it's the cover quilt). It's definitely a delightfully scrappy quilt with elements of surprise. If you don't already own this publication then you really should. :-) Two of my favorite bloggy friends are STARS! :-)

The Christmas stitching continues with a vengence and I'm having tons of fun. No, can't show you! You wouldn't want me to ruin surprises, would you? 'wink'

Thanks for popping in to visit with me. I hope you come again soon.

In Friendship!

Moving Right Along!

I managed to finish the final six blocks f the Fat Quarter Shop BOM and later today I'll finish assembling the quilt top. WooHoo!!!!!

And, now I have lots of scraps to use on a couple of planned Christmas projects/gifts - woohoo!!!

And, wait till you see all the Christmas embroidery/stitchery projects I've been doing!!! I have such big plans and I'm excited that I'll see them through and send handmade gifts to many friends.

Thanks bunches for stopping by - please come again soon.

In Friendship!

Out of the Dark

I'm in full Christmas sewing, quilting & stitching mode :-) My mind is racing with ideas for gifts and such. So much so that I've started making a list (and checking it twice - sorry couldn't resist) LOL

It was time to pull this project 'out of the dark' and finish it as quickly as possible. This is block #7 of the 2010/2011 Fat Quarter Shop Designer Mystery quilt - five to go.

It'll be wonderful to have the quilt finished but I need to finish it because I need the scraps for some gift ideas and plans. The Fat Quarter Shop is incredibly generous with BOM fabrics so I know I will lots leftover. :-)

There is a method to my madness.

No, no, no I can't show you any of the finished projects because that would ruin the surprises.

I appreciate that you've popped in to visit with me - I hope you'll come again soon.

Christmas is less than 90 days away

(gentle reminder - teehee)

In Friendship!

Christmas Stitching and Such

Yes, the man of the house is home and resting comfortably. As I look to my left I see him sitting in his recliner with his heart monitor (aka ALF - a little friend) and his pal Cooper. :-) So, for now it's not all about him. Whew! LOL

Can you believe it's already October 1st - seriously????? That means that Christmas is less than 90 days away - seriously????? The time has come to start a ton of planned Christmas stitching for gifts and such. I used a super cute Christmas tin to gather embroidery needles, scissors, DMC #321 and the first project already in my hoop.

I need to do a little shopping for some cute Christmas fabric to help complete said planned projects.

Have you been 'Naughty or Nice'? Are you on my Christmas list? What's your wish? :-)

Enjoy your Saturday - if you need me I'll be propped stitching the day away while watch game 1 of the baseball play offs. Go D'backs!

Thank you again for being such wonderful friends!

In Friendship!

Another Update!

This has definitely been a long week but with some results and light at the end of the tunnel. I will spare you all the details because I'm sure it's a big YAWN to everyone. :-) In approximately 30 days Mr Daze will receive a pacemaker type device that will improve the efficiency of his heart. We have to wait 30 days to allow his heart to heal from the attack. In the meantime he'll be wearing a 'life vest' to monitor his heart and hopefully prevent another attack. We're hoping that he'll be fitted with the 'life vest' sometime today and then he can come home.

Mr Daze, our family and I want to thank you so much for all the kind words, healing thoughts and prayers you sent our way. They are more appreciated that I can express via the written word.

In Friendship!

Mr Daze

(aka Ron, my hubby)

Update: We now know that Mr Daze had a heart attack. Bright and early tomorrow morning he'll visit the Cath Lab and proceed from there! Thank you so much for your kind words, good thoughts and prayers - you've truly touched our hearts!

Everything in my world has come to a screeching halt once again. Sigh!

The paramedics took Mr Daze to the heart hospital last night and he was admitted. He's exactly where he needs to be because they need to figure out what caused the episode last night.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

In Friendship!

Darlene

(BTW, all but three package have been mailed - thank you making my Stash Plus Sale a success. The three remaining packages will be mailed either tomorrow or Tuesday. When things settle down the 'Sale' will continue)

Yes, Yes, I Know!!!

LOL

I took a few minutes to sew and simply couldn't stop. Really! OK, you got me - I didn't try very hard. teehee!

Those squares all sewn together with a border!

Oopsie forgot to take a picture before I started cutting. :-)

I was "twisting the night away" - last night

The mess!

The results!

May I present Primitive Pinwheels by Primitive Gatherings (11" x 12 3/4")

Oh so sweet and oh so much fun.

Back to work!

teehee!



In Friendship!

Distractions!

;-)

Are you waiting for me to post more 'stuffus' for my Stash Plus sale? There's lots more starring on this blog on Friday morning.

There are a few things on the post below this one.

Yesterday I decided it was time to do some serious cleaning in my sewing room! Ugh! It's been a serious task but now my sweet hubby won't have to tell me to 'just dig a hole' when I feel like sewing. LOL

In the cleaning process I kept encountering distractions - lots of distractions - serious distractions - inspiring distractions (some not so inspiring - LOL). I sorted through piles of "stuffus" - the free patterns I downloaded and printed; the patterns I purchased as PDFs; embroidery patterns; etc.

A distraction - these wonderful prints laid out on a cleared surface waiting to meet a needle and thread :-)

I do lots of handwork while watching baseball (GO! Diamondbacks). I had fun stitching this redwork project for a friend. The design was preprinted on linen fabric and included a couple of skeins of Lecien Cosmo floss. It was my first experience with Cosmo - wow

it's like but-tah!!!

This yummy design is by talented designer Rosalie Quinlan.



For a change of pace I've also been doing some counted x-stitch. Two delightful sampler designs by Little House Needleworks stitched with overdyed floss (Week's Dye Works and Crescent Colors).


Tomorrow you'll find me continuing the stash sort, taking pictures and prepping a Stash Plus sale for Friday morning.



Thanks so much for visiting!



In Friendship!

It's a BIG Job!

We're not ready for the Stash Plus sale we planned to start tomorrow (Monday). Well actually she's (Darlene) not ready. Why? Quite frankly it's a big job - she's being brutal with the serious elimination of lots of stash plus.

A few weeks ago she decided it was simply time to get rid of all the 'stuffus'. There's tons fabric that must go to a good home where it will be loved.

Why has she decided to sell quilt tops and quilts? Well, it's no secret that Darlene really enjoys sewing. She's made lots and lots (and lots) of quilts and many (emphasis on many) flimsies simply for sheer enjoyment of the fabric and/or pattern. The piles are high and completely out of hand - they must go to a good home where they will be loved.

Bear with us (and Darlene) as she continues to prepare for the Stash Plus sale.
We promise that Tuesday morning you'll start seeing stash and later in the week quilts and quilt tops.

In Friendship!

The Wabbit Daze Gang

Stash Plus Sale

Join me on Monday, September 19 for the start of a Stash Plus Sale.

I'm making a pile of fabric and 'stuffus' that must be sold ----- including quilts and quilt tops!

Stay tuned for more details coming soon.

Don't miss this - lots of great buys!

In Friendship!

Six Degrees of Separation!

You already know that early last week I received a surprise invitation to attend a quilting retreat. Let me tell you how it happened and why it's "six degrees of separation". I received an e-mail on Tuesday morning from a lady named Jan asking about purchasing some of my stash I'd posted the day before. This was a second e-mail with her cell phone number (I never received the first e-mail) - she indicated that she was going away until Sunday and would I please call her. I called her immediately and we chatted and confirmed her purchase then she told me that she was about to leave and was headed to Bear Cabin Inn in Show Low, AZ. I told her to please tell Carol (the owner) that I said "Hi". I used to go to Bear Cabin Inn four times a year with a quilting group that fell apart three years ago. Tuesday afternoon I received a phone call from Jan and Carol asking me to please join them - I laughed and said no but promised I'd think about it and call Carol back on Wednesday with a final decision. I decided that for a variety of reasons I would not attend. Well, Carol asked that I please, please get my stuff together and get there ASAP. I chatted with Ron and we decided that I should attend. Mind you I didn't know any of the women in the group. ACK!!!!! LOL While I was there I discovered that another friend attends this camp and has invited me to attend in the past. Do you see all the 'six degrees of separation'? It's definitely a very small world. :-)

I made the three hour drive on Thursday morning and arrived at noon - in time for lunch. :-) I was able to sneak in because they didn't hear me arrive. I stood next to Carol and surprised her - it was great because we exchanged the biggest and tightest hugs!!! Jan came right over and introduced herself with a hug, then Jill did the same thing. A few minutes later the other three ladies, Marge, Linda and Dania arrived and greeted me warmly, as well. I felt so incredibly welcome - I knew right then and there that I'd have a fabulous time.

Jan said she and I were sharing a room so I unloaded all my 'stuffus' and got settled in. :-) The sewing machines were humming - those ladies are prolific and talented. Miss Rosie's Quilt Co, Kim Brackett (Scrap Basket Surprises & Scrap Basket Sensations), Fig Tree Quilt Co, etc were very well represented. I'm sorry I didn't get permission from all the ladies to post the pictures of their projects. I do have pictures of three flimsies I got to near completion. It didn't take long for me to start sewing. woohoo!!!! Three easy peasy projects!

Piece of Cake 2 by Thimble Blossoms with Portobello Market by Moda

This is a gift - do you think the recipient will like it?

Jelly Beans by Thimble Blossom with Oasis by Moda
Still needs an outer border


Jelly Squares by The Pattern Basket with Terrain by Moda

Still needs the outer border, as well.

I am beyond thrilled that I received the surprise invitation because I had a wonderful, wonderful time. I returned rested, relaxed and inspired.

Jan, Jill, Marge, Dania and Linda were strangers and are now new friends!

Thank you, Carol, for insisting that I attend.
I feel very blessed!

Thank you for letting me share!

In Friendship!

A Surprise Retreat!

I'm leaving the heat and heading north to the cool mountains of northern Arizona. :-) Yesterday I received a surprise invitation to attend a retreat at one of my favorite places. I haven't been there in over three years so I'm anxious and excited!

Two projects I precut a few weeks ago, another cut this evening - all packed and ready to go.

I'll tell you all about the surprise invitation when I return. It's definitely a story about six degrees of separation.

Thank you for making my stash sale a success - more coming very, very soon.

See you Sunday!

In Friendship!

For Sale!

If you're interested in any of the following items please send an e-mail to (wabbit4412@aol.com). I can invoice you through Paypal or I'll accept a cashier's check or money order. Prices do not include postage/shipping. USA only - I can't ship internationally because the cost is incredibly high!

The description is underneath the item.

Strawberry Fields by Fig Tree ---- Layer Cake $25.00 + postage
(SOLD)

Pom Pom de Paris by French General - Layer Cake $25.00 + postage
(SOLD)

Pom Pom de Paris by French General - Jelly Roll $25.00
(SOLD)

Dandelion Girl by Fig Tree - 40 fat quarters $60.00 + postage
(SOLD)

Dandelion Girl by Fig Tree - Jelly Roll - $25.00 + postage
(SOLD)

Thank you!

In Friendship!

A Snicker & A Giggle

Last night as I was shutting things down in my sewing room I noticed my trash can; the one on the floor to the left of my sewing machine; the one that catches everything while I'm sewing. I'm sure you have one too. I couldn't help but snicker and giggle - lots of cute snippets of fabric and the very important Starburst wrappers. :-)

Bet if you glance in your sewing room trash can you'll snicker and giggle too. :-)

Take a look - I dare you! LOL

I hope you're having a wonderful week end. I plan to add more snicker & giggle stuffus to my trash can today.

In Friendship

with a snicker & a giggle!

YAWN

(very boring blog)

:-)

something BIG coming soon!

(stay tuned)

in friendship!

(don't get too excited - it's not that big - LOL)

Fat Quarter Shop

Countdown to Christmas

Winner

I've been a very happy Fat Quarter Shop customer since Kimberly opened her on-line shop eight short years ago. When I first started ordering fat quarter bundles/towers from Kimberly she was still working a full time job and fulfilling orders out of her home. I remember receiving e-mails explaining that my order would be shipped the next day while she was out on her lunch hour. LOL She didn't have a staff, Kevin was still working a full time job, no warehouse, etc. And yet she managed to provide excellent customer service. She's now a mom of four, Kevin is a full time partner, there's a fabulous staff and warehouse full of lots and lots of fabric and the incredible customer service continues.

I don't shop like I used to because my cabinets are full and my budget is very tight however no matter how small my order is I still receive great customer service. Approximately 10 days ago I placed a tiny order but had a question about said order. I sent Kimberly an e-mail with my question, although she was home ill she responded immediately and then had one of her staff members send an e-mail with an answer to my question. EXCELLENT customer service!!!

Kimberly asked if I was interested in having a giveaway on my blog and I said YES. LOL There's nothing in it for me - just a fun giveaway giving someone an opportunity to win something special.

I enjoyed reading all about the ways you countdown the days till Christmas - thank you for sharing.

Yes, yes I know you want to know who won! LOL

Winner.....................

Ariane

Congratulations Ariane - I can't wait to see what you do with your new fabric. Enjoy!

In Friendship!

Giveaway Closed

(back in a bit to announce the winner)

You Could Win!

Countdown to Christmas

Giveaway

from

The Fat Quarter Shop

The Fat Quarter Shop is offering YOU a chance to win a fat quarter bundle/tower of Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater for Moda Fabrics!

How?

Leave a comment between now and Sunday evening telling me how you and yours countdown the days till Christmas.

A winner will be announced Monday (8/22) and I must have a way to contact you so please if you're a 'no reply' blogger, etc please include your e-mail address in your comment.

GOOD LUCK!!!

I'll be back on Monday to announce the winner I'm going to spend the week end quilting and binding Sweet Shaye's quilts.

Have a great week end!

In Friendship!

Serious Fun!

Two afternoons in my sewing room + four mini quilts = serious fun! :-)

"Sarah", "Viola", "Abby" & "Lucinda" are four of six patterns found in A Collection of Antique Two Color Doll Quilts by Temecula Quilt Co. I plan to make the other two, "Virginia" & "Emma", as well.

I've seen mini quilts popping up all over blogland for many months and everyone truly seems to enjoy making them. I know I'm really enjoying them.

Take a few minutes to visit Wendy at Snippets of a Quilter - she posted one today that's absolutely adorable. Wait, scroll down to see the sweet red and white snowball mini she posted a few days ago. She's seriously addicted, too. LOL

Have a wonderful day and thank you so much for popping in.

In Friendship!

Blocks of the Month

Sigh!

I am a total sucker for block of the month projects - especially the mystery one offered annually by The Fat Quarter Shop. 12 mystery blocks and setting designed by many of my favorite designers, beautiful fabric (this year it's Strawberry Fields by Fig Tree Quilts - huge swoon), packaged beautifully with lots of extra fabric and sent every month right on schedule. Seriously how can anyone resist it????? I really should - why - well I go gangbusters at the beginning and then 'poof' the love affair is over. Sigh!

I did spend yesterday afternoon making the first three blocks - yes I was already behind. Ugh!!!!

Do you see what I see? Look closer - there through the throat of my sewing machine - see them - the pretty packages of the 2010 FQS mystery quilt. The love affair ended months ago and I'm seriously behind.

BIG SIGH!!!!

Why does this happen?

Does this happen to you?

Help!

I hope you're having a wonderful day? I probably should spend my day working on those blocks - really I should. Shouldn't I? Will you cheer me on, please?????

In Friendship!

with a sigh!