Saturday Road Trip

While 25 Charming Guys and Girls were busy working on tote bags yesterday I took a road trip across the Valley of the Sun to visit The Olde World Quilt Shoppe in the north valley.

We are very blessed to have quite a few fabulous quilt stores but this one is drop dead gorgeous. I don't get to visit very often (it's 60 miles from me; definitely not my neighborhood quilt store) but I try to get there a few times a year. Sisters, Dee & Whitney & Dee's daughter Jordan are very welcoming and have worked very hard to make their store just as welcoming.

This is one of my favorite spots in the store. :-) There's a comfy sofa across from the fireplace where you can sit to peruse books, patterns, etc. I didn't take a bunch of picture but trust me when I say that the walls are covered with beautiful samples. They do it ALL, large quilts, small quilts, wool, applique, etc.
I don't need an excuse to visit this beautiful store but yesterday Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co was having a book signing for her new book so I HAD to go. LOL
That's Carrie holding court with one of her many fans. :-)
I didn't spend much money because I'm on that silly budget. I did leave a Minick & Simpson kit that I wanted so badly - Big Sigh! :-)

edit: I think I've misled you - the kit I wanted oh so badly was for the pattern called "Seaside" not the quilt on the front page of the website.

If you live in the Phoenix or surrounding area you really need to visit The Olde World Quilt Shoppe - you deserve the treat. And, don't leave it for "Someday" - do it soon.

I haven't been doing much sewing lately but I came home yesterday afternoon very, very inspired. If you need me I'll be in my sewing room the rest of the day. teehee

I appreciate your visit and your comments. Thank you!

In Friendship!

The Rest of the Story

Last week I shared that I had the honor of making a Big Schnibble - "Imagine" quilt for Carrie's (Miss Rosie's Quilt Co) new book "Schnibbles Times Two". You're saying to yourself "yes, we know, enough already" LOL Bear with me while I share my story (with Carrie's blessing, btw)


I was really excited to be a part of this venture and couldn't wait to complete my mission. I finished the blocks, started laying them out on my design floor and instantly struggled - it was too blendy, too muddy, too matchy-matchy. UGH! I did the best I could - finished the flimsy and called Carrie.

Darlene "Oh Carrie, the Big Schnibble is ugly! You're going to hate it, Martingale is going to hate it so I think we need to rethink this and move to plan B. It's blendy, muddy, etc."

Carrie "Oh no, Darlene. Surely it can't be that bad?"

Darlene "I'll send you a picture and then we can decide whether or not you want me to quilt it"

After picture was sent via e-mail

Carrie "I see what you mean but I like it. It has a soft vintage look. I think it will be just fine. Quilt it, I bet it'll look great"

Darlene "OK but I don't think you're going to like it"

I quilted it, sent it to Carrie, she liked it and Martingale liked it, too because it's in the book. And, me - I still don't like it. LOL

Thank you for letting me share the story about my Big Schnibble "Imagine" quilt.

I appreciate your visit - come again soon!

In Friendship!

Moda Jelly Roll or Moda Layer Cake????

I have a $50 gift certificate burning a hole in my pocket and can't decide what to purchase. I'm on a very tight fabric buying budget so I need to shop carefully. :)

What's your preference? And, why?

LAYER CAKE (40 - 10" squares)

Moda Jelly Roll (40 - 2 1/2" strips)

I'll be waiting to hear from you!!!

I appreciate your help :-)

In Friendship!

Just Stitching!

April Snowbound blocks for Kelly & Terry are stitched, in envelopes and in the mailbox. WooHoo!!! I'm really enjoying stitching these cuties for them every month. :-)


Look at the first three blocks in their special setting - this is Kelly's own design. It's incredible, isn't it???? I love it. I haven't been stitching these blocks for me but I'm tempted because I love Kelly's. LOL

Speaking of KA-UTE!!!!! I was a bit late getting started but I'm caught up and wait patiently every month for a new design (only 2 to go). These freebie designs appear on the 20th of every month on Paula Stoddard's blog - Pacific Patchwork Paula, thank you very much for sharing.


Now that baseball season has started (Go D'backs) I'll be stitching, stitching, stitching even more.
*
As a my bloggie BFF always says to me when she signs off her e-mails - "if you need me, you know where to find me" (my sewing room) LOL
*
Thanks for stopping by - ya'all come back, ya hear!
*
I was suppose to do a post on the new Stash Manicure blog this past Tuesday but blogger won't let me join the blog. GRRRRR! Then we thought we could fix it and I'd post tomorrow but it's just not meant to be. Thank you, Rae Ann for asking and for trying so hard to get the invitation to work.
*
In Friendship!

Charming Guys & Girls

Quilt Club

April Goals

I'm finally here to post my April goals for the Charming Guys and Girls Quilt Club. Keeping things simple this month. :-)

Last month I received a sweet surprise from Kelly to thank me for making the Snowbound blocks for her every month. I was excited to receive patterns and charm packs to make Schnibbles Oso & Tag Along :-) Ironically, Tagalong is the Year of Schnibbles for April. Oso will be 'just because'. teehee Kelly, thank you so much for your thoughtful gift surprises.

A sweet friend sent two Lecien Minni Muu Sushi Rolls - an adorable pattern in the Jelly Rolls Quilt book caught my eye.

I failed to include the kit in the picture but I will also finish a couple of quilts for Quilts for Kids.

And, the Snowbound blocks for Kelly & Terry are almost finished and will be in the mail this week. WooHoo!

It's already April 7th and my machine has been idle since last Friday when I finished another 'secret project'. This one won't remain a secret for long - pattern should be available very, very soon. You're going to love it - I do and want to make it again. :-)

I hope you're having a wonderful day enjoying your needle and thread or whatever puts a smile on your face and heart. :-)

I appreciate your visits and comments - thank you so much!!!

In Friendship!

It's Coming!

Before I post my April goals for the Charming Guys & Girls Club I need to share a little tidbit.

According to Martingale (aka That Patchwork Place) a long awaited book will be released on April 13. Which book??? "SCHNIBBLES times two" (aka the BIG Schnibble book) by Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. Take a minute or two to visit her blog to read about the book and some of the quilts featured. She got by with a little help from her friends! And, I helped (did you get an image of the little girl in the Shake & Bake commercial from oh so many years ago - yes I'm old - LOL)

She invited me to "play" - my BIG Schnibble assignment was "Imagine". Sometime I'll have to share my story about this quilt. :-)
I think it's going to be a hit so you want to make sure you own one.

Thank you for letting me share! I'll be back later to post my April goals - what to do, what to do? LOL

In Friendship!

EASTER GREETINGS!

CGGQC March Accomplishments

(picture heavy with repeats)

I had quite a few accomplishments and some failures. :-)

An Accomplishment:
Two Simple Abundance Piece of Cake quilts finished and delivered to two special people.


An Accomplishment & Failure:
Just A Breeze (Aster Manor Jelly Roll Project) - not quilted (ran out of batting - sigh)


An Accomplish & Failure:
Aviary Turnover project (not quilted)


An Accomplishment:
March Year of the Schnibble - Roundabout w/Make Life by Moda (quilted & bound)



An Accomplishment:
Rabbits Prefer Embroidery - quilted (binding needs to be sewn down)

A Bonus Accomplishment:
Year of the Schnibble - Picnic - quilted (binding needs to be sewn down)


Another Bonus Accomplishment:
Frosted Squares by The Pattern Basket with Moda's Gingham Rose (ready to be quilted)


Another failure (no picture):
Didn't quilt my State Fair Schnibble - couldn't find my backing & binding - Huge Sigh!


Despite the failures I think it was a good month. LOL

Thank you so much for sharing your "Someday" dreams with me - yesterday. I hope that you will all give yourself a "Someday"; you definitely deserve it.

The winner of the flimsy is

#7 - Quilter Sal

Thank you for visiting. Y'all come back now!

In Friendship!

"Someday"

(gratitude & generosity challenge #2)

You might recall a few posts back where I said I needed an 8th day of the week and I'd call it "Someday". So many of you said that you, too, would enjoy an 8th day of the week.

So....I had a long talk with the Big Guy (yes, God - we chat often) and he has refused to give us an 8th day of the week. Apparently he doesn't trust us - we've seriously blown it with Sunday (the day of rest - we simply don't rest). Then he gently said "I didn't have an 8th day and look what I've accomplished". Dang it he was right but I begged, I pouted, I cried and he simply would not budge. Can't say that I blame him. Sigh!!!

Then, I went to President of the United States and Congress (maybe they had some pull). LOL - they're too busy fighting with each other about anything & everything. Nuf said! :-)

I believe we should have that elusive 8th day - "Someday" - to relax & enjoy all things we say we don't have time to do Sunday through Saturday. Even though an 8th day of the week is NOT going to happen I've been thinking about what I would do if I did have a "Someday".

"Someday" I would.....

stop being rude & respond to every comment left on my blog (I'm soooo bad about that)

finish adding all the Charming Guys & Girls bloggers to my sidebar

acknowledge publicly the awards other bloggers have bestowed on me ... Allie & Jocelyn presented me with The Lemonade Stand Award. Thank you, Ladies!

quilt & bind all my flimsies

Post pictures of the sweet things I've either won or simply received from my bloggy friends. Loris had a giveaway for the sweet sewing tin (it was filled with the adorable socks, two pink fat quarters, notepad, needles & long gone chocolates; Kathie had a giveaway for the delightful pile of Marcus Brother fat quarter bundle (behind the needles); RAK Autumn wool candlemat from Karen (she knows I can't work with wool); Beautiful Gingher embroidery scissors Carol sent for Christmas so I could put my damaged scissors away (the ones I've had for over 20 years that my Dad gave me one year for Christmas - dropped them on my tile floor & bent the tips). Ladies, thank you so much!

My "Someday" list is actually much longer but I won't bore you. :-) I think you get the idea!

Here's my Gratitude & Generosity Challenge #2 for you......

Leave a comment and tell me what you would do with an 8th day of the week - "Someday"! Remember, it must be all about YOU and what YOU would do.

I have a flimsy (it's not quilted - I need my "Someday") to give to the winner and that winner will be announced tomorrow (Wednesday) at the end of my Charming Boys & Girls March post.

Enjoy your day! Thank you for stopping by to visit. Come again soon.

In Friendship!

National Quilting

Week end

Before I tell you about my National Quilting week end I need to tell you about my sweet hubby. Friday evening he asked if I planned to sew on Saturday and if so did I need anything i.e. thread. I told him that I did intend to spend most of the day in my sewing haven; in turn he told me to play as much as I wanted and not to fret about dinner and such. His mom, Dru (may she rest in peace) raised this wonderful man - thank you, Mom!

I exercised on National Quilting Day - no not THAT kind of exercise - my prerogative! teehee! I couldn't decide what to do with the piles of fabric I showed you on Friday so I checked my closet yet again and found a huge pile of Moda's Gingham Rose fabric - I had yardage for background, border fabric, fat quarters, etc. I pulled my Frosted Squares pattern by The Pattern Basket and cut my own Layer Cake (10" squares) and got busy! Saturday I got 25 of the required 30 blocks done - woohoo!

Sunday morning I was back in my sewing haven and at the end of the day (10:00PM) I had the quilt top assembled (well, all but the top and bottom borders). I'll show you the entire quilt top after I add the top & bottom borders.

This quilt reminds me of something I'd find in an old trunk - I LOVE it so much and plan to quilt it very, very soon.

I really enjoyed working with an older line of fabric so stay tuned because I'm planning to use more the stash.
*

I appreciate your visit - please come again very soon.
*

In Friendship!

Springing into

National Quilting Day

(picture heavy post)

*

Tomorrow (Saturday) is the first day of Spring (my favorite season) and National Quilting Day. A day to enjoy my needle and thread with wild abandon. teehee!

In my attempts to keep Mrs. McNasty from accusing me of lacking originality or being a big ole copy cat I've been digging through my stash. I've found two wonderful piles of fabric and now I'm attempting to decide what pattern to use. Any thoughts or ideas?

How about this one - any thoughts or ideas?

March Schnibbles Roundabout is officially a flimsy - I used Make Life by Sweetwater/Moda and love the results. Need to order backing & binding early next week.

The Aviary Turnover project is also officially a flimsy. Need backing & binding for this one, too.
Two Simple Abundance Piece of Cake quilts have been delivered - woohoo. I think the recipients were surprised, excited & pleased.

These three sweet angel stitcheries - Hope, Faith, & Peace have been delivered to a fellow blogger. I think she was surprised, as well.

And, I finished the March Snowbound blocks for Kelly & Terry but failed to take a picture before I mailed them. They are safe & sound with Kelly & Terry. WooHoo!

This is what happens when I don't update my blog for almost two weeks - whew! LOL

I hope you're enjoying your day - you've made mine by stopping by to visit with me. Thank you so much!

In Friendship!

Just a Breeze

(jelly roll project finished)

In searching for a Jelly Roll project to use either Aster Manor or Dandelion Girl I was flipping pages through "Scrap Basket Surprises" by Kim Brackett of Magnolia Bay Quilts. I love her Summer Breeze pattern with Robyn Pandolph scraps but why not Aster Manor??? :-) Have to call mine Just a Breeze because it doesn't indicate any particular season.



Here's my version - Just a Breeze. I don't have binding or backing fabric for this one so I'm not sure how soon it'll be quilted.


I'm ready for my next March project - Aviary Turnover.


I hope that you've been enjoying your needle and thread. I appreciate your visit - come again soon.



In Friendship!

Charming Guys & Girls Quilt Club

March Goals

Every month I set goals and only manage to accomplish a few but this month I'm determined to accomplish every goal. Here we go; the list is long :-)

1. Roundabout Schnibbles pattern for The Year of Schnibbles club

2. Carol sent this sweet kit to me for my birthday last Summer and it screams Spring so it's a must do (psst, Carol, thank you, again)

3. A project using one of these Jelly Rolls - Aster Manor on the left or Dandelion Girl on the right
4. Quilt and bind my State Fair Schnibbles that I made last Spring - do you remember? Sigh!

5. Finish my Rabbits Prefer Embroidery project - it's been languishing in a basket.

6. I've spent the last two days quilting these two "Piece of Cake" quilts. I'll spend a few evenings binding them and then mail them away to two special friends. I'm hoping to have them in the mail by Saturday. (pattern by Thimble Blossoms & Simple Abundance fabric by Thimble Blossoms & Cotton Way/Moda)

Wish me luck! LOL I really believe I can achieve these goals. Stay tuned. :-)
*
Thanks for stopping by - I do appreciate your visit. If you need me I'll be with my BFF, Molly (my sewing machine)
*
In Friendship!

February Schnibbles Quilt

Sunday Best

It's time for the February parade of Schnibbles quilts - I've shown mine before because I actually made mine in January (it was a stroke of luck). I'm anxious to see the rest of the parade.

I need to say thank you to Sherri and Sinta for all their hard work in the Year of Schnibbles and a special thank you to all the shops and Carrie of Miss Rosies Quilt Co for providing prizes and such. I won a $25 gift certificate from Cottage Quilts for my January Schnibbles quilt and am anticipating a package from them soon.

Thank you again for stopping by - come again soon.

In Friendship!

Charming Guys and Girls Quilt Club

February Goals

I didn't fulfill all my February goals- Sigh! :-) It's definitely not an excuse but it was a short month. I'm not going to beat myself up - it is what it is! :-) Maybe March will be better. teehee!

I didn't even get my Gratitude & Generosity Challenge #2 done. So, you can bet that in March I will have G & G Challenge #2 & #3. #2 will happen very, very soon. :-)

I did manage to piece, quilt & bound my Lincoln Schnibble quilt and I pieced my Mill House Inn log cabin quilt.

I don't have a picture (yet) but I did my fair share of Olympic stitching the past two weeks.

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit with me. Come again soon.

In Friendship!

The Party is Over

Thank you so much Kelly and Joan for hosting an incredible Spring Sewing Party - I had so much fun. I will do my very best to attend every Charming Girls and Boys Party :-)

I finished my project - it's officially a flimsy and I'm thrilled with the results. If I can find some backing in my stash I plan to quilt this one ASAP. It will look adorable on a small quilt rack in my home this Spring.

I used fabrics from several Me & My Sister Designs/Moda lines and the Feed Sacks pattern from Scrap Basket Surprises by Kim Brackett of Magnolia Bay Quilts.

Thank you so much for partying with me today. I hope you had as much fun as I did.

In Friendship!

Update

(1:30pm)

4 of 20 blocks - I'm finding myself humming "In my Easter Bonnet" LOL
Yes, there is a second little pile of cute fabrics (aka kit) for YOU to make one for YOURSELF.

Now I'm off to check in on some of you - don't want to miss anything! Be back later.

PAR-TEE

TIME

UPDATE

Time to party - been out to breakfast with my sweet hubby and now I'm in my sewing room ready to sew the day away.

Remember these - it's two piles for two (hopefully) sweet quilts. One for me and one (kit) for you. teehee
Here's the start of mine! :-)

See you later!

Party Time

Tomorrow is the day - I'm going to a Spring Sewing Party - woohoo!!!! Spring is my favorite season so I'm really excited. Need to make my final project decision later today. See you tomorrow.

In Friendship!