Hello, here I am shaking my pom-poms and cheering you on to motivate you to continue to work on Christmas gifts or if you haven't started then now is the time. This little club is open to anyone whenever you feel like you want to join in.

I know, I know it's summertime and the last thing you want to think about is CHRISTMAS! I hear you telling me to be quiet. LOL You might be rolling your eyes now but if you make at least one gift a month you'll be patting yourself on the back in December.

All aboard the Christmas Through the Year train!

Next stop June 30 where you'll be eligible to win a sweet something from Cheryl but only if you make at least one gift.

BTW, Cheryl's gift this month is adorable - trust me - I've seen it. :-)

I've been very lazy lately and haven't made as many gifts as I'd like. Sigh!

I'm not stressing - I'm challenging myself to make at least two this month.

How about challenging yourself, as well?

On a side note - Cheryl does fabulous CTTY posts full of tutorials on the first and third Mondays of the month. I've decided that I'm going to post on the second and third Mondays of the month - all I do is shake my pom-poms. LOL

"I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year!"
Charles Dickens

In Friendship!

Schnibbles & Small Quilt Swap

Schnibbles:

I've had a very strong urge to sew, however, I can't seem to settle on a project. I feel like a hummingbird - flitting from charm packs, jelly rolls, layer cakes, fat quarters, pattern, books, etc. What to do, what to do?

I waste so much time - I need an assignment - LOL

Yesterday I rolled out of bed bound and determined to spend some time sewing. I knew I wanted to work on the June Schnibbles project - Leap Year. Cue my inner hummingbird - flit to those charm packs, no wait, maybe I'll use those, hmmmm maybe I'll use those! LOL Finally I grabbed the pattern, two charm packs of Ruby, bolt of Bella and chained myself to my cutting table (this way I couldn't flit - LOL)

I cut and made a handful of blocks, took a break to go to breakfast with my man; once home I got back to work. Wheeeeeee - a finished Leap Year flimsey. :-)

(needs to be pressed with starch and hot iron - sheesh)

Small Quilt Swap:

A couple of months ago I signed up to participate in a Small Quilt Swap through Kris at Dandelion Quilts with a May 31 deadline. I mailed mine off to my partner, Chrissy from Sew Lux Fabric & Gifts and earlier this week I received my small quilt from Chrissy. It's absolutely adorable and will be enjoyed. I love the polka dot binding :-) BTW, you saw the quilt I made for Chrissy last week when I asked for you for your opinion. Thank you Kris and Chrissy for making it a fun swap.

(should have pressed the folds - sheesh)

I'm off to cue my inner hummingbird and do some flitting. LOL

Thanks bunches for stopping by - come back soon.

In Friendship!

Christmas Through the Year

May Winner

First let me say congratulations and thank you to all who made Christmas gifts in the month of May. You're going to be so excited in December when you'll be sitting back sipping hot chocolate.

Cheryl and I truly have enjoyed hosting this little club and hope you've enjoyed it, as well.

A special thanks to Allie for starting this in 2011 and allowing us to continue the fun.

The stocking for May will be headed to Karin at Lovin' Life at the End of the Dirt Road

Here's the towel in all it's glory - LOL

I made this using a tutorial Carol and Cheryl posted on their blogs a few months ago.

Have fun in June and we'll be here shaking our pom-poms to cheer you on

In Friendship!

It's really difficult to believe that it's already the end of May. Yes, I know everyone is saying the same thing but it seriously is hard to believe!

Where do the days go?

The CTTY Train is pulling into it's next stop - May 31.
I hope you had a more productive month than I did. I didn't get any Christmas gifts made this month - sigh! I need to go through my Christmas gift box and figure out how many more gifts I need to make.

Cheryl is away on a much needed respite - a quilting retreat! I hope she's resting, relaxing and enjoying time with friends and her sewing machine. She's been posting some incredible tutorials and ideas on her blog.

I stitched this sweet dishtowel (design by http://busyascanbe.blogspot.com/) and added the whisk and measuring spoons. I hope you'll enjoy winning this little tidbit. You're eligible to win if you add your Christmas gift post to Mr Linky at the bottom of this post.

I'll announce the winner tomorrow!

"I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year!"

Your Opinion Needed, Please!

Would this small quilt make you smile if you found it in your mailbox? Yes or No

It measures approx 18" x 21" and made with scraps from California Girl by Fig Tree Quilts/Moda. (cornerstones & binding are from Strawberry Fields)

Picture taken before binding was sewn down!

I appreciate your opinion.

In Friendship!

Urban Cowgirl Meets Doc Holliday

(May selection for Another Year of Schnibbles 2012)

I'm a true urban cowgirl - raised in south Texas on a ranch with cows, horses, goats, chickens, etc. As a teenager I moved to the big city and that's when I became an Urban Cowgirl. :-)

As an urban cowgirl I never met Doc Holliday. Sigh! If I thought there was an chance that I could meet him then believe me I'd hop in my Rodeo (although I sold it recently - LOL)

I'd pull up to the saloon (urban bar) where I heard he was playing cards and challenge him to a game of poker. OK, I don't know how to play poker but that's our secret - sshhh. LOL He'd have his bottle of whiskey and I'd order a caffeine free Diet Coke. I believe that Jesse James and Billy the Kid (he was under age but don't tell anyone) would be drinking beer.

As he stared across the table at me, Doc Holliday would shuffle the cards, have Jesse James cut the deck and deal around the table. The game would be going well because I was winning - LOL. All of a sudden Billy the Kid would stand up, pull his six shooter and accuse Doc Holliday of cheating. With my eyes full of fear I'd grab the money and dive under the table, after all I don't own a gun. I managed to run out of the saloon (urban bar) with all the money and hop on my horse (OK, my Rodeo) and ride off into the sunset.

I don't know whether or not Doc Holliday was cheating but he definitely had Card Tricks up his sleeve. LOL

Thank you for visiting and reading my silly story!

Y'all come back now, ya hear!

In Friendship!

Oh My Dresdens!

I've received a handful of e-mails asking about Darlene's Darling, Delightful, Dazzling, Dramatic, Divine, Decadent, Desirable, Distinctively, Daring, Dear, Dandy, Dreamy, Devilishly, Definitely, Delectable, Decorous, Distinguished, Dainty, Dynamic, Dignified, Dissected, Delicious, Diabolically, Delicate, Dreadfully, Difficult, Dynamite, Downright, Dangerous, Deliver, Delightful, Dresdens, despite, daring Wabbits, dazed with delight!
(thank you so much for playing along with my silly alliteration game - YOU Rock!)

This project was love at first sight! I saw it on Anne's blog and knew it was ME.

The pattern is called Susan's Dresdens by Crabapple Hill Studio.

Piecing + applique + embroidery = bliss

(for a variety of reasons this project has taken serious persistence)

Here's a picture of the pieced dresdens (still need to applique them to the background fabric) and one embroidered block. I have 7 more to embroider but it should go quicker because I'm past the color selection angst I've been experiencing. :-) BTW, the small opening in the center of the pieced and embroidered dresdens will be covered with a yo-yo.

There's tons of details about this project I could share but you'd probably be bored. :-) If you have any specific questions please e-mail me directly.

I hope you're having a wonderful week end.

Please take a minute to hug a Veteran and remember those who died protecting our freedoms.

I plan to spend the rest of the day in my sewing room.

In Friendship!

Fun, Fast & Finished

:-)

California Girl meets Spools in the Strawberry Fields

(sorry couldn't resist)

This quilt top (aka flimsy) was so much fun to do! A combination of a fabulous pattern and sweet fabrics was a simple formula for a delightful day.

This is one of Camille's (Thimble Blossoms) new patterns called Spools. Her version is done with Marmalade and my version is done with California Girl and a smidgen of Strawberry Fields, both by Joanna of Fig Tree Quilts. Camille's version has narrow borders along the sides and my version has borders all the way around.

I'm not exactly sure when Marmalade will be available but I'm already thinking I need to use a Fig Tree Designs pattern. It's fun to switch things up a bit.

I appreciate your visit - come again soon.

In Friendship!

Spooling Around!

There's been very little sewing, stitching and/or quilting going on in my house. I'm not going to get philosophical and try to come up with a reason.......seriously, who cares.......just haven't felt like it. How's that for a very simple reason. :-)

On Monday I told Sinta that I didn't visit BOM Rehab because it appears that I may have forgotten how to use my sewing machine. LOL

Here's Sinta's response "hahaha! Well, I guess that is good news... I was afraid that you had been abducted by aliens and they wouldn't let you near a sewing machine because they had a fear of cotton!" ROFLOL - guess it could happen!

So, I haven't felt like sewing until today. There's been a bounce in my step because I'm really excited about this new pattern by Camille of Thimble Blossoms. I saw it on her website before Spring Market and knew I had to have it. Sweet P (Paulette) and Thelma love it, as well. It features the new adorable line of fabric called Marmalade by Camille and Bonnie (her mom) for Moda. I didn't go to Market so I don't have any Marmalade fabric - big sigh! :-)

However, I decided I simply can't wait for Marmalade to show up on the store shelves. I had a fat eighth bundle of California Girl by Joanna/Fig Tree Quilts for Moda and decided it would be perfect.

What do you think of my first four blocks?

Aren't they sweet?


I have 31 more spools to make so I'll be up bright and early tomorrow morning so I can start sewing again. Everything is cut and ready to sew!
WooHoo!!!!!

I appreciate your visit - come back soon.

In Friendship!

Last Monday got away from me with appointments and such therefore I failed to encourage you to continue your Christmas sewing!!!!

I'm here today - yes I am. I'm here jumping around and shaking my pom-poms cheering you on
as you work on at least one Christmas gift this month. Cheryl's had a very busy week but I know for a fact that she's squeezed in a minute or two to shake her pom-poms, too. Don't forget to visit her blog today - more awesome tutorials and ideas!
"I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year!"

See you next Monday again with a picture of the prize up for grabs. Don't forget I'll post Mr Linky on May 31 so you can share. Have a great week!

In Friendship!

Alliteration

al·lit·er·a·tion(-lt-rshn)
n.
The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables, as in "on scrolls of silver snowy sentences" (Hart Crane). Modern alliteration is predominantly consonantal; certain literary traditions, such as Old English verse, also alliterate using vowel sounds.

I believe it was 2001 when my friend, Cyndy and I, decided to go to the Sister's Quilt Show through Country Heritage Tours. The tour guide assigned every pair of travelers a letter of the alphabet so we would have rotating seat assignments on the bus. Every day the flash card letters would be moved up thus preventing any battles over the 'good' seats. Very smart woman!

We were R - for Rollerskating Raccoon. Cyndy and I quickly got the reputation for being a bit loud and easily excited. LOL Seriously people we were touring Oregon and visiting a variety of fabulous quilt shops. We couldn't help but be loud and excited (sometime down right obnoxious - LOL) Anyway as the tour went on people kept adding words beginning with R to describe us - Ravishing, rambuctious, righteous, rebellious, riotious, rollerskating raccoons. LOL

Yes, I know - what does this have to do with quilting other than the fact that we visited quilt shops and the Sister's Quilt Show?

Anna of Thimbleanna fame left a fabulous comment on my post about my Dresden plates about how much fun I could have with alliteration i.e. Darlene's Dresdens.

So, let's have some fun!

Leave a comment suggesting a word beginning with "D" to be used in an alliterative way with "Darlene's Dresdens".

I hope you're having a wonderful day! I apprecate your visit - come again soon.

In Friendship!

Doing the Dresden

Everybody is doing the Dresden, except me because I'm late to the dance. ;-) I've been wanting to make a Dresden Plate quilt for a long time but kept procrastinating. No more - I'm in serious Dresden Plate mode. LOL

I spent the afternoon in my 'happy place' sewing away - making dresden plates. I was relaxed, smiling, humming and thinking about next dresden plate project! Oh yes, I was because when people say these are addicting I now know they mean it.

There's so much I want to tell you about these pretties but it's going to be a much longer post and I need to get it together. Stay tuned.

Thank you for stopping by to visit - I appreciate you.

In Friendship!

Stitching to Share

At the beginning of every month, since January, Bird Brain Designs has been providing a free pattern. The theme is fruits and vegetables and perfect to stitch on dishtowels. They are fun, quick projects to do while I'm watching TV in the evenings. I haven't taken the time to rinse off the printable Solvy and I just noticed that the word Cherries is missing. ACK! LOL



Although the stitching is complete, this month's design Bell Peppers, is still in my hoop.

Breaking news!!!!
Did you hear about the conspiracy??? Yes, there's a conspiracy going on in blogland. It seems that there are several other blogger friends missing patterns, books and/or good scissors. You already know that I'm missing two embroidery patterns. Well, it appears that Rhonda is missing two jelly roll books, Cheryl is missing a pattern and Marcella is missing a pair of good scissors. Karen thinks the Wabbit Daze Gang have my patterns and Allie swears there's nothing hidden in her "mess". LOL I think they are all hiding in the same spot and taunting us or they are simply hidden in plain sight.

Again, if you see the missing patterns, books and/or scissors please send them to their respective homes; they are needed. :-)

I appreciate your visit - see you tomorrow!

In Friendship!

Monday means Christmas Through the Year
& BOM Rehab :-)

I know exactly what you're thinking - "is that all she has to blog about - sheesh". Come back, don't go, please stay - I will have more to blog about this week. Seriously, I will. Yes, I know - second verse same as the first. LOL



Here we are into May as we continue our Christmas Through the Year journey. Is it me or is 2012 flying by? Since it feels like it is then we need to get super busy making Christmas gifts. Yes, that includes me, too - I'm way behind. I'm so far behind, I don't even have the prize for this month's drawing. I'm hanging my head in shame and hope to have something by next Monday. I think I need to lock myself in my sewing room for a few days this week.

Cheryl and I will continue to shake our pom-poms and cheer you on.


Oh, Sinta,thank you so much for starting the BOM Rehab.

Lookie, lookie here I'm caught up with the 2011 FQS Designer Mystery BOM. Block #12 should arrive later this week. WooHoo!

By the way, I've been searching for a few days for two patterns in my sewing room (ok, I've searched throughout the house). Have you seen them? If you do would you please send them home - I need them. ;-)

Have a wonderful, wonderful week. Thank you bunches for stopping by to visit with me.

In Friendship!

Monday at Quilting Daze means
Christmas Through the Year & BOM Rehab



Your chance to win April's Christmas Through the Year gift made by my partner in crime Cheryl is here.

Don't forget to add your name to Mr Linky at the bottom of this post. Cheryl will draw a winner Tuesday, May 1.



The Christmas Through the Year train is pulling into our next stop - April 30th. I hope you took some time to make a gift or two for a friend or relative. I have some serious catching up to - I'm way behind. I'm not stressing about it because I plan to get busy in May.


I spent Saturday working on my FQS 2011 Mystery BOM. Guess what? I'm caught up - I finished blocks 8, 9, 10 & 11 and all nine stem blocks, too.



This is block #8.

Thanks for stopping by to visit - come again soon.

In Friendship!


Click on the 'click to add your link' area and you'll find a spot to add your link. You'll also see whether or not you've already linked. If you have problems please send your link to me and I'll make sure it's added. :-)

Hellloooooo!!!
I haven't completely resolved my technical difficulties - it's all about the new blogger interface. aaarrrgggghhhh - why do they have to mess with a good thing?

My sweet hubby and I have spent the past week trying to reclaim our lives. My mother has gone back to Texas. It was five months of trials, tribulations and extreme fatique. Sigh! If you're a caregiver you have my utmost respect - it's NOT an easy job.

I missed my 'happiest place on earth' - my sewing room - so I'm making plans for new projects and such.



I have this oh so wonderful fat quarter bundle of Farmer's Market and know exactly what I'm going to do with it. I'm beyond excited about the project - actually I'm quite giddy. teehee!! I need yardage before I can get started but we're on a very tight budget. I submitted a request to my budget guy to spend some serious money and received approval. Wahoooooo!!!!! I'm going to prep the fat quarters so I can be ready to go when the package arrives later this week. I really am giddy about this project. :-)


I've been hoarding this bundle of wonderfulness - Sew Cherry by Lori Holt for Riley Blake. It's time to start pressing and cutting - what to do, what to do????


I was chatting with a friend earlier this week about Swoon by Camille/Thimbleblossoms. It seems everyone is 'swooning' except us. LOL I've had the pattern since Camille released it but it sits because I can't seem to settle on fabric. Why do I do that????? I drive myself crazy - LOL

I'm also working on prepping some embroidery projects. :-)

I know I've been remiss in responding to comments and such the past five months. Please accept my sincerest apologies and know that I'm going to try harder. I want to recapture the happiness of blogging. Let's just say "I'm back in the saddle again" :-)

Tomorrow is Christmas Through the Year April wrap up and Block of the Month Rehab - see you then.

I appreciate you and your friendship.

In Friendship!

I'm experiencing some technical difficulties today! :-( Assuming I can resolve my challenges I plan to be back in a day or so. Christmas Through The Year participants - I'm shaking my pom poms for you!!! :-) Don't forget to visit Cheryl today!In Friendship!

BOM Rehab and Christmas Through The Year
:-)


BOM Rehab - another block from the 2011 FQS Mystery BOM Thank you, Sinta! :-)
I really enjoyed this block because it represents my favorite flower. AHH tulips!!!! :-)

Hello, Christmas Elves. I hope you're making progress with your Christmas gift making! Looking forward to the end of the month to see all your beauties.

Participating in the Christmas Through The Year club (no sign up - just play when you want) will, hopefully, help you have a stress free Christmas. Imagine having a day or two to put your feet up with a cup of your favorite hot or cold beverage feeling wonderful about your hard work through the year. Bliss! :-)
Play along in April and you'll have an opportunity to win Cheryl's sweet, sweet bow tie small quilt. Wish I could win - LOL
Don't forget to visit Cheryl today, she has some fabulous tutorials.

I'll see you tomorrow - I have more to share! :-)

In Friendship!

BOM Rehab & Christmas Through The Year



Block #5 of Fat Quarter Shop 2011 Designer Mystery BOM - check (aka done) woohoo!
Thank you, Sinta, for the encouragement.







We're a third of the way through April so I hope you're thinking about a Christmas gift or two to make this month! Please jump aboard the Christmas train - we're chugging along on our way to our next stop.



If you hop aboard the Christmas train and complete a Christmas gift or two you will be eligible to win Cheryl's fabulous stocking gift for the month of April! How can you resist the opportunity to win this cutie? Not only will you be eligible to win, you'll also be working toward a stress-free Christmas.

Last week I declared that I would make more time for sewing! LOL - laugh along with me because it was a complete BUST!!! Maybe this week will be better - wish me luck!

Thank you for visiting - come again real soon.

In Friendship!

WooHoo!!!!! I did it - I completed block 4 of the Fat Quarter Shop 2011 Designer Mystery BOM. Thank you so much, Sinta!!! Next week block 5. :-)



Cheryl and I are over the top excited at all the delightful Christmas gifts completed in March! We had 25 busy Christmas elves. I'm thinking about challenging everyone to show us your storage boxes, baskets, drawers, etc. I'm excited knowing that in November/December you'll have less stress.

Go visit Cheryl to see all the awesome tutorials she's posted today. If you're struggling with what to make for a certain someone I know you'll find some great ideas when Cheryl posts tutorials.



The March winner is Shez in Australia Congratulations, Shez, I'll send an e-mail shortly. You'll need to decide which table runner you'd like. :-)

It's All About ME :-)

I miss my stitching, sewing, happy moments in my sewing room, etc. Basically, I simply miss ME.

I've made a decision - I'm going to spend more time doing what makes ME happy and try to put all the negativity in my life behind me.

I hope you're prepared for more blogposts from me because I'm planning to be around more. I miss YOU so much!

I have some sweet stitching planned. These are the monthly free fruit/veggie designs from Bird Brain Designs. Printed on Printable Solvy ready to adhere to dishtowels. Red apple, green asparagus, red beets, & red cherries; which is YOUR favorite?




Sinta from The Pink Pincushion has come up with an excellent idea to help us (ME)work on our (MY) ignored BOM projects. WooHoo!!!!



I started the Fat Quarter Shop 2011 Designer Mystery BOM with a vengeance and then fizzled right out (so typical for me - lol). I found the first three blocks and the kit for block four. Will work on that one tonight. :-)



I seriously LOVE this fabric - so many sweet prints make it very difficult to pick a favorite. It's fat eighths of Pam Kitty Morning - YUMMY! I have a project idea so I'm hoping to start cutting this week. Blissful sigh!

Tomorrow I will announce the March winner of Christmas Through the Year - today it's all about ME.

I appreciate your visit - come again soon.

In Friendship!