Oh Those Backings!

I spent time this morning digging through my stash in search of yardage for backings. I shudder when I think about purchasing yardage for backing; fabric is now approx $9.50 a yard. Huge Sigh!!! In the picture there is only one fabric that was purchased for a specific quilt; the other three came from my stash. I have been known to get creative when I don't have quite enough yardage for a quilt - adding a strip, extra blocks, etc.

Would you please take a few minutes and tell me what you do about backings for your quilts. I welcome all ideas and thoughts.

I hope you've enjoyed your visit with me today - please come again soon!

In Friendship!

Just Sharing!
(more wabbits, too)

You've seen all the wonderful treasures Carrie sent to me for our Tea Time Swap and I directed you to her blog to see what I sent her. Thought it might be fun to share a picture here, too.

My theme for her was a "Tea Party for One" so I sent a table topper for her tea table; a teapot/teacup/saucer combination with a teabag for her tea; a calorie free dessert (cupcake pincushion with cute cupcake pin) and included a scissor fob and mini teapot just for fun. I've had that teapot fabric in my stash for several years and remembered it as soon as I accepted Stephanie's invitation for the swap. I have enough fabric for a second table topper - hmmmm! LOL

I've been stitching, stitching, stitching and stitching some more! Blocks #4, 5, 6, 7 & 8. To my delight yesterday the postman brought a package with my Chelsea Manor fabric I just ordered on Thursday from The Fat Quarter Shop - WooHoo!!!!!

I'm stitching my "Rabbits Prefer Embroidery" on Moda Bella (ivory) and have fallen totally in love with this fabric. I've used it in the past as a background for a quilt but this is the first time I've used it for embroidery - wowzer! I'm thinking I need to buy yards and yards to keep on hand for future embroidery projects - if you have an opportunity to try it please do.

Have you spent time with your needle and thread this week end? I don't have to explain the bliss you feel when you do so please take a stitch or two.

I hope you've enjoyed your visit - come again very soon!

In Friendship~

Time for Tea Swap

(more wabbits finished, too)

I believe it was sometime in January I received an invitation from Stephanie to participate in an 'by invitation only swap' called Time for Tea. Oh my goodness stop the presses, I started fretting, agonizing, stressing, wringing my hands, rubbing my forehead (I do that when I stress - lol), etc because sometime last year I swore I would not participate in any more swaps. Why? I'm just not good at them - I play the 'what if' game; what if I can't find the perfect gift, what if my partner doesn't like what I send, what if my partner doesn't like me, what if my partner is disappointed, what if....yada, yada, yada. Do you play the 'what if' game with yourself? Anyway, after chatting via e-mail with Stephanie I decided I'd play. After all, it was Stephanie and I adore her, how could I say no. LOL

Stephanie has been the most delightful swap hostess - someone in the swap group called her 'the hostess with the mostest'. She's been sooooooooo organized; Tea Talk Tuesday on her blog every week - passing along swap ideas, sneak peeks from other swappers, etc. It's been a ton of fun.

Bear in mind through all this I've still been playing the 'what if' game with myself and actually trying to figure out how to back out. LOL! I stuck with it and mailed the package to my partner earlier this week and she received it yesterday - visit Carrie and you'll see pictures of the treasures and goodies I sent her way. Whew, I think she was happy! :-)

Recently I received an envelope from Stephanie with this delightful treasure enclosed (there's a little pocket on the back with a tea bag tucked in it - it's a thank you for participating in her swap. She sent one to everyone in the swap (30+ swappers). Thank you so much, Stephanie!

Drum roll please - my package from Carrie has arrived. We did not realize that we were matched as partners - Stephanie kept that a secret. LOL

Look at what I found when I opened the box. Is that delightful or what? I mean, really, check out the tiny Dresden plates in the corners and Carrie's handwork is exquisite. Sigh!

Under the pillow a tissue wrapped package with a card addressed to 'Darlene' - that's me :-)

Once everything had been opened and admired (and given the sniff approval by Cooper) I posed it all for a picture to share!

The pillow is darling - I love it. It will look wonderful in my bedroom (yum). The red tote on the left was full of goodies - tea time stickers, an adorable quilting journal, the strawberry is a needle case (too cute) and the little red snap case held a spool of red thread and a sweet teacup button.

Carrie, thank you so much for your wonderful attention to detail - the box is 'all about me'. :-)

Look..............more wabbits preferring embroidery! These are blocks #2 and 3. This project is moving along nicely and I couldn't be more pleased. Guess what? I decided to treat myself - very little fabric has come into this house for months (I've been a very good girl). I ordered the Chelsea Manor fabrics to finish the project - should be here early next week. I wonder how many blocks I can get done before the fabric arrives?

I hope you enjoyed your visit with me today! Please stop by again...........I love it when you do!

In Friendship

Silly Wabbits :-)
(do they prefer chocolate or embroidery?)

I believe it's quite obvious that I love bunny wabbits; therefore you won't be surprised when I tell you that I couldn't wait to start stitching "Rabbits Prefer Embroidery" by Bunny Hill Designs. The pattern arrived in Monday's mail; I zipped up to the quilt store yesterday afternoon to purchase Bella solid in ivory (Moda); zipped home traced block #1 and spent the evening stitching, stitching, stitching! Can you say "Bliss" - sigh!

I'm sorry about the picture quality - couldn't get the flash to cooperate. :-( Don't you just love my large 'chocolate' bunny - he's quite regal in my entry. I'll share a picture of the entire entry later!

Here are the two stitched pieces that are part of block #1 (you're smiling, aren't you?)
Now I've got to decide whether I want to search through my stash to assemble the quilt or place an order for Chelsea Manor (Bunny Hill's newest line of fabric - suggested for this pattern) HMMM - what would you do?

I can't seem to finish my "Rabbits Prefer Chocolate" version so hopefully I'll finish the embroidery version.

I hope you enjoyed your visit today - please come again soon!

In Friendship!

Poof!!!

That's the word that would describe this week - just POOF! It's been a busy week and I've spent very little time with my needle and thread. And, little time to spend on the computer to visit your blogs and such. Sigh!

I did manage to prep, applique and stitch Bunny Hill Designs, A Tisket, A Tasket, block #3 - woohoo!!!! :-) I struggled with this month's block because I don't applique hearts very well and my lazy daisies leave alot to be desired. Oh well! :-)

Take a close look at my appliqued bunny's nose and mouth - couldn't do that again if I tried.

I hope you've spent time with your needle and thread. Thanks for stopping by - come again soon!

In Friendship!

Celebrate Spring!

While it's snowing in so many parts of the country we're experiencing Spring temps. Ugh - those hot Summer days are not far way. Sigh!

I've been in a Spring quilting mode lately. While digging deep in my closet I found an old Celebrate Spring Jelly Roll by Sandy Gervais and had a light bulb moment. I'd seen a quilt like this on Kerri's blog last week and she kindly shared her cutting dimensions with me - she used charm squares and I used my Jelly Roll. I really like this simple cutie because it'll look adorable draped in a spot in my home to ................ Celebrate Spring! It is my favorite season, after all. :-)


This is only my 6th finish for 2009 but I'm very pleased to say that they have all been from my stash. I've been trying to do some deep sorting and cleaning of my sewing room but I keep discovering hidden treasures and then I want to sew. LOL


Thanks for stopping by! Please come again soon!

In Friendship!

Inspiration!

I've often referred to the blogging world as my International Quilting Guild. So much inspiration, friendship, advice, etc can be found in the blogging community. So, my international quilting friends I thank you for your opinions regarding how to set my sweet basket blocks. It was an overwhelming majority vote for an "on point" setting. :-) I'm going to set them on point and share my progress as I stitch along - stay tuned.

Speaking of inspiration! A long time ago I purchased a set of 12 notecards (four of three different designs) and I've been coveting them waiting for the perfect opportunity to use them. Earlier this week I took four to Kinkos and had "Inspiration Journals" made. They cut my cards on the fold line and I had them use graph paper for the pages of the journals. They are 5" x 7" and should fit nicely in a purse, totebag, etc - handy - because you never know when inspiration will strike. Now that I know that they look adorable and will work wonderfully I will take the other eight cards to Kinkos and have more made. There are so many wonderful note cards available and in the scrapbooking section of a Joann's or Michael's the possibilities are countless. Can you imagine the adorable inspiration journals that can be made?

These first four journals are going to four people who have provided me with inspiration on a regular basis since I started blogging.

Thank you for your popping in - come again soon!

In Friendship!

Opinions, Please!

I need your opinion(s), please!

I started these mini baskets sometime last Summer/Fall after Karen was kind enough to share her basket template with me. I have no specific plans in mind - just know that I want every basket to be a different fabric (no repeats). When Kathie read that, she offered to share fabric with me and sent a ton. Thank you so much, Ladies!

Anyway, I need your opinion(s) because I've come to a screeching halt and now I want to get busy again. The 10 blocks on the left are sewn down with a straight setting in mind; the baskets/blocks on the right are just prepped with an on-point setting in mind - which setting would you do?

I think I've answered my own question but I want to know want you think. Please!


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

In Friendship!

Ta-Da!
(gotta love the ta-da moments - LOL)

Pieces/parts have now been assembled!

Squaring it up!

Sweet block!

Can you say Spring????

Wait for it!!! :-)

Wait,

Wait,

Here it comes! :-)

And, now the specifics! This is a Schnibbles pattern (State Fair) by Carrie of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co (yes, again - snicker) and I used a Jelly Roll (Maypole by April Cornell). I had plans to make it bigger but once I got started and saw it coming together I decided it would be best to keep it small (approx 36" x 36"). I think it's going to look wonderful on my kitchen table this Spring with a sweet pitcher full of flowers - I can see it in my mind's eye and I'm super excited! Carrie's pattern suggests an adorable piano key border but I had this yardage I needed to use. LOL And, did you notice my 'red peeper'? It shows just enough and covers some of the off-white background fabric. I love it! Peg at Happy In Quilting uses 'peepers' in many of her quilts and I've loved the effect so I decided it was time to do the same. :-)

That's it for today - thanks for stopping by - come again soon!

In Friendship!

New Project! :-)

New project teaser - started cutting and planning earlier today and then this evening I sat down to sew. I usually show you (ok, tease you - LOL) with my cut pieces parts but tonight I decided to show you the beginning of my project.

The next picture shows you the pieces parts becoming bigger pieces parts - tee hee!

Soon I will have completed blocks to show you (well, I already do but I can't show you yet - no, not yet!!!!)

Have you made your heart smile today - spending time with your needle and thread will do it - trust me! :-)

Thanks for stopping by - come again very soon, please!

In Friendship!

The End!

As in binding your quilt. :-)

This blog post was prompted by a recent lengthy conversation with Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co fame about bindings and such.

The next picture will show my preferred method...
I start in the center on a long side of the quilt - this way when I turn that final fourth corner I know that the end is near. teehee!!! I use binding clips but will only clip along that long side and around the first corner; after I turn the first corner I stop and clip again to the next corner (it's a silly game I play with myself). I hold the quilt like you see in the picture working from right to left (you'll notice my parked needled ready to go again). By the way, I cut my binding strips 2" wide and I like to use a Sharp needle with a single strand of thread.
edit: I failed to mention that I always stitch down my mitered corners (front and back)


Some prefer the method shown in the next picture.
So, what's your preferred method? I'd love it if you'd share your binding secrets!


I was chatting with Carrie to thank her for the package of goodness that arrived in my mailbox. Look at all those goodies she shared with me. All of her latest Schnibbles patterns, an adorable mini journal titled "What I Made" and one of her Tuffets. Oh, it pained me to remove the black ribbon (the patterns looked so cute all tied up), I took the Tuffet out of the bag and it now resides by my sewing machine and I wrote a few notes in my cute journal. Carrie, thank you so much for you!

Thank you for stopping by and please leave comment about your bindings and such!

In Friendship!

Chain, Chain, Chain; Chain of Fools :-)

Sorry, I couldn't resist - LOL! This oldie crossed my mind this morning as I was chaining to my heart's content. So, I had to share! :-)

It's a perfect day for sewing!!!!! Why? Because it's raining today on the surface of the sun and I'm a happy quilter.

Thanks for visiting and indulging my silliness :-)

In Friendship!

Showing YOU!

ME and I spent the day together and finished the center of my quilt. It's ME's first line with Moda, Friends and Flowers and the pattern is called "Furrowed Four Patch".

I have a few things to contemplate before I add the borders. I don't recall what my plans were for this fabric when I purchased it because I have two Fat Quarter Shop Jolly Patches, two charm packs and some yardage. This quilt only took 3/4 of a Jolly Patches package. Maybe it should be bigger? (it's approx 40" x 50" w/o the borders) Maybe I should stop here and make something else? This will look adorable on the quilt rack in the corner of my kitchen this summer - talk about a splash of Summer. Definitely reminds me of a picnic!

Today I'm off to spend the day with my 4 year old grandson, Eli - he's not feeling well. And, then later my Sweetie and I will go out to dinner to celebrate our 32nd anniversary.

Enjoy your day and feel free to leave me your thoughts about what I should do with this cutie!

Thanks for stopping by - please come again!

In Friendship!

A Little ME Time :-)

I haven't done much in my sewing room in several days - so it's time for a little ME time.

Me and ME (aka Mary Englebreit) will be spending the day together working with these sweet prints. I've done the cutting and I'm ready to sew. woohoo!

Come back later and hopefully I'll have something to show for my efforts.
Thanks for stopping by - come again!

In Friendship!

Run!!!! Hurry!!!!!

My friend, Nan is finally hugging her blog - LOL and celebrating her 100th post with a wonderful giveaway! Oh my goodness you must take a look at all the goodies she's giving away! Take a few minutes to hug your blog and then go visit Miss Nan! :-)

In Friendship!

Darlene

Just Sweet :-)

A little TV watching with my little redwork project = a relaxing Saturday evening!

Not much happening in my corner of the world the past couple of days. I hope that you've been enjoying your needle and thread, therefore making your heart sing.

Thanks for stopping by - I love it when you do.

In Friendship!

Done - 'nuf said!

I hope I can do this every month! Maybe I need to pencil in "A Tisket, A Tasket" on the 5th of every month. I have to do this as soon as it's available or else I'll procrastinate and never get them done. You should see the piles of other BOMs that I've committed to - they are just sitting waiting patiently for my 'someday soon'.

Now I'm off to work on the redwork version. :-)

I'm having so much fun - I wish you could see the smile on my face and the happiness in my eyes!

Thanks for visiting with me! I really appreciate that you do!

In Friendship!

Ready, Set, Stitch!!!!

Can you tell that I'm truly very, very smitten with Anne's (aka Bunny Hill Designs) free "A Tisket, A Tasket" block of the month. I was stalking her site last night waiting for block #2 and there it was - WooHoo! I went to bed anxious to get up this morning to prep this cutie. I will sit later today to commence stitching - I've traced my redwork version, too. I'm a very happy girl today! Anne, thanks so much for providing this darling pattern.


Leaving you with a very happy heart! I hope that you do something today that makes your heart happy! Thanks for stopping by - come again soon!

In Friendship!

They're Missing!!!!

Hello, my name is Miss Bea Happy and my wabbit friends, Thimbles, Joy and Milly have been missing for a vewy, vewy long time. Enough is enough - where are they?????

Definitely not in the snippet bucket on the cutting table. Sigh!!!!

Look! Look! Look! Here they are but they look sad and unhappy! You'd be sad and unhappy, too, if you were 'stuffed' and 'crammed' in a basket. I wonder if Darlene did this while she was cleaning up one day and then completely forgot about my friends. I'm really afwaid cuz now they will be looking for revenge.

Be afwaid, be vewy, vewy afwaid!!!!! :-p

Ah - so much better - everyone looks more comfortable and happy. Allow me to introduce my friends to you ----left to right -----Miss Milly wearing frilly, Thimbles with the huge black eyes (she let me sit on her shoulders - teehee) and Joy with the crooked ear (she was injured by a wabbit hunter a long time ago).

Thank you for stopping by to visit - I hope you'll come back vewy, vewy soon!

Naughty Can Be Nice!

Miss Bea Happy, Miss Milly, Thimbles & Joy

Thinking Out Loud!

Has this happened to you? Have you left comments on different blogs and been ignored? Are there some blogs that you visit over and over and over again; leaving comment, after comment, after comment hoping to make a connection. You love the blog owner's style and you really want to get to know her/him better. Well, if that's happened to you when you've visited my blog I am here to apologize. 2008 was a super busy and stressful year for me and I did all I could to keep up with my life in general - I tried to keep up with blogging but in many cases failed miserably! Sigh!

I've made a fresh start recently - if you've visited my blog and left a comment I've responded to your comment and my plans are to diligently work on that! Bear in mind that if you're set up for "no reply" or your comment is annonymous then obviously I can't respond. So consider yourself warned - you're going to be hearing from me. LOL

Speaking of fresh starts! :-) The first block of a new BOM arrived yesterday and it's done. This is called "Women of Influence" through Homestead Hearth. In 2010, America will celebrate the 90th anniversary of women securing the right to vote. Block #1 commemorates Lucy Stone - who worked for the suffrage movement for almost 50 years. Thank you, Lucy Stone!

Thanks bunches for visiting - come again and come often!

In Friendship!