JAM or
Prim Style times Two

I do enjoy the primitive style stitchery patterns by JoAnn Mullaly - available at The Country Loft. I'd love to own every stitchery pattern that she has designed and my dream is to visit The Country Loft and hopefully meet her. Can you imagine the serious shopping I could do. Oh my! Could happen - dreams do come true! :-)

I spent a few days doing the stitchery on "Here Comes Santa" and I'll do finishing touches this week. Need to applique three stars overlapping the open area and borders and those shouldn't take long. Some simple quilting, binding and done.


And, I've finished "The Four Seasons" stitchery quilt that I've had the pleasure of enjoying this year! Yes, another JoAnn Mullaly pattern. I've received and enjoyed lots of block of the month patterns but this one had me captivated from the start. I was diligent with this project. My envelope would arrive every month from The Country Loft, I'd immediately get the stitchery done and assemble the block and then wait patiently to repeat the following month. :-)

I hope that you and yours had an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday week end. My little family and I did. I can hardly believe that November is now over, soon Christmas will be here and gone and the year will come to an end, too. Where does the time go?


Thank you so much for stopping by to visit with me and my little blog. I appreciate it more than I can ever express via the written word.


In Friendship!

Shangri-La - Done!

On Wednesday I got the center of the quilt completed and then this afternoon I added the borders. This pattern is called "Split Decision" and by The Teacher's Pet. The Shangri-La jelly roll and border fabrics were deep on a shelf in my stash closet taking up space! LOL It's nice to have them out. I think I'm going to add this one to my quilting challenge pile.

I hope that you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and if you are a 'Black Friday' shopper I hope you found lots of great bargains.

Thanks for stopping by - come again soon!

In Friendship!

Enjoy your day!

In Friendship!

Shangri-La

I'm in Shangri-La today! Big Sigh! It's a cloudy/rainy day - my kind of sewing weather. WooHoo! I truly crave this kind of weather - crazy I know but bear in mind that it seldom occurs.

I've been attempting to find a new project and all I seem to do is SIGH!!! LOL Well, I pulled my box of patterns, selected one, found the jelly roll I wanted and started cutting. Everything is cut and ready to sew.

Lady, start your engine - I'm off - vvvvvrrrrrooooom!

I'll be back later to show you what I've accomplished. :-)

Thanks for stopping by!

In Friendship!

Number 1

I quilted this one first because it's the oldest in the pile.

Obviously this is a Yellow Brick Road pattern and I used Folk Art Christmas III by Moda - designed by Robyn Pandolph. Yes, a long time ago!

When the Yellow Brick Road pattern was first released by Atkinson Designs everyone I knew was making one, two or a bunch. I have a friend who made one with every new bunch of fat quarters she purchased. There were so many - sigh! LOL One day she had a large bundle of fat quarters and she told me that she was going to make a king size quilt - I looked at her and told her that wasn't going to be a Yellow Brick Road, it was going to be a Yellow Brick Highway. LOL I made up my mind that I was not going to make one and I was quite stubborn about it. Another friend and I used to make the same quilts - yes identical and one day we were out shopping and saw that someone had a quilt made with this very line of fabric. Oh, it looked so pretty all folded up neat and tidy so my friend asked her to show us - it was the Yellow Brick Road. So, my friend looked at me and said "that's what we should make with our bundles of fabric" - I looked at her, rolled my eyes and said, "No, I told you I'm not making a Yellow Brick Road quilt, but you can feel free to do it". Well, there was no way she was going to make one unless I did because she feared I'd do something she'd like better. LOL Anyway, she begged and begged and then said "if you make this one with me, I'll buy you lunch". LOL - I finally relented and said, "OK, but just one". If you read my blog then you know that there have been other Yellow Brick Road quilts but this one was the first. As I was working with this quilt the past couple of days I couldn't help but smile and occasionally snicker as I remembered how this quilt came to be. :-) I really excited that it's finally quilted and look forward to enjoying it this holiday season.

How many Yellow Brick Road quilts have you made? :-)

Now, I need to decide which flimsy to quilt next. HMMMM!

Thank you for letting me share my Yellow Brick Road story! I appreciate that you stop by - please come again soon!

In Friendship!

Quilting Challenge!

I've decided, like so many others, to challenge myself to quilt some of the "flimsies" that are lingering in the pile. I haven't quilted anything since Peg's July Challenge so this my own Nov/Dec challenge. There are five quilt tops in the picture and only one is an oldie. Wish me luck, please! :-)

He's right! Who? My sweet and incredibly supportive husband. Why? Well, last week we were chatting about my quilting and such and he made a very valid statement that hit me right between the eyes. He said, "It's been a long while since you've worked on something from start to finish and that's not like you". OMG, he's absolutely right - I haven't done much piecing in several months. So, I've been thinking about a new pieced project and hope to get started this week. Stay tuned!

Thank you for stopping by for a visit - come again soon!

In Friendship!

Just In Case!

When I work on a block of the month project I have a tendency to keep all the scraps from each block in a handy zip lock bag - just in case!

I was really glad Thursday evening when I was working on my Designer Mystery Block #6, designed by The Pattern Basket for The Fat Quarter Shop. I made a major boo-boo - see my flying geese unit in my picture - it's definitely wrong! This is the first block that has used the darker background fabric so I didn't have any scraps but I needed a 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangle. Even in the scraps I had left from this block I didn't have a piece big enough. I didn't panic I just sewed two pieces together and "made" a larger piece of fabric then cut my required rectangle - I cut new pieces of the green and brown florals and completed my flying geese unit. WooHoo! You have too look really close at my block to spot my 'band aid'. And, I do plan to save the incorrect flying geese unit - just in case! :-)

Thank you for letting me share - do you do anything like this?

And, thank you for all the compliments on my Itty Bitty Baskets - they really are a lot of fun and now I have a plethora of finishing ideas. I have a squillion baskets to make so it'll be awhile before this project is completed. :-)

I appreciate your visits - ya'll come back!

In Friendship!

Itty Bitty Baskets ;-)

These itty bitty baskets (4" x 4") have been keeping me busy while watching TV in the evenings! This is one of those projects that's being planned as I go along. No duplicate baskets - all different fabrics. I have no idea how I will set them. Any thoughts??? I've considered narrow sashing and cornerstones or an alternate block but for now I'll just keep making baskets till I'm tired of making baskets! LOL

Thanks for stopping by - ya'll come back!

In Friendship!

Oh Me, Oh My!

I'm so ashamed of myself - if this post mentions "you" (and you know who "you" are), please accept my sincerest apology!

In recent weeks (OK, months) I've received some wonderful gifts that I have failed to acknowledge - yes I'm hanging my head in shame! :-(

The following is a picture of all the treasures I found in a birthday box from Sharon. Wait, the small zippered tote was a giftee for a swap we did with three others (Wendy, Judy & Carol). The stitchery pattern that you obviously cannot see (my camera skills leave alot to be desired) is called "Rabbits Haven" by Cherished Memories. It's darling and you'll see it better when I start stitching. :-) And, there was another surprise that arrived from Sharon but I couldn't find it to include in the picture. What? The "Square Dance" book - we were chatting via e-mail about the pattern and she ordered it and had it sent to me. I was stunned and shocked when that arrived.
So, Sharon, thank you so much for all my goodies - I appreciate your thoughtfulness!
These goodies arrived from Nan! She went on vacation and while visiting the Hershey Chocolate Factory she nabbed the chocolate candle - YUMMY! And, the adorable scissor fob. I had to go out and buy a new pair of scissors just for the fob. LOL! You should see my collection of scissors - I love scissors - yes, I do! Nan, thank you so much for thinking of me while you were traveling hither and yon - you're sweet!

And, last but not least! Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's fame has started a blog La Vie En Rosie (don't you just love that title - lol) and she recently posted a giveaway. Well, imagine my surprise when everyone that left a comment won - yes, we all won! She sent a kit for her Schnibbles pattern "X-Rated", a project bag and a ruler (the red fat quarter is just to show the ruler). BTW, have I mentioned that Carrie and I have been friends for a very long time - I knew her before she became famous. :-)

I hope that these generous ladies will forgive my HUGE Faux Pas! However, please know that I love every little treasure that comes my way!

Thanks for stopping by! Come again soon!

In Friendship!

Time to Thread my Needle :-)

I've been having so much fun! Why? I've been prepping more blocks to applique. WooHoo!!!!!!!



Don't you love my adorable party dresses? These are from Nanette's pattern called "All Dressed Up". You, too, can have this wonderful pattern by just visiting Nanette's blog.

Just need to decide on a background fabric and I'll be on my way. :-)






And another tulip block :-)


I need to add a bird and a couple of hearts. Some of you may recognize my tulips. It's a pattern that I've owned since before I started doing any kind of applique because I fell in love with it.

This pattern is called " Tulip Farm". It was designed by Blackbird Designs and released in 2001.


Thank you so much for telling me your preferred applique method. I hope you'll visit again.

In Friendship!

"A" is for Applique

Yesterday afternoon while tracing and prepping these cute baskets I was thinking.

What's your preferred method for prepping your applique projects?

Do you applique
by hand
by machine
or both (and which is your favorite method)

Thank you for stopping by - ya'll come back!

In Friendship!

All Thumbs :-)

Thank you so much for leaving all your wonderful comments, full of compliments, thoughts and ideas. I was overwhelmed! :-)

I haven't exactly decided how I'm going to proceed with plans to finish those projects but something will happen. I like Carrie's idea to do a different project every week - rotate them weekly. Thinking and making plans!

In the meantime I finally managed to prep a new project. Eileen thought it was a tulip - yep! Good eye, Eileen. Oh my goodness my applique prepping skills are very, very rusty. I was all thumbs but I persevered. It's a little "wonky" (that's for you Nanette -LOL) but it'll do. Shouldn't take too long to stitch it down. :-)

I appreciate that you stop by to visit - ya'll come back!

In Friendship!

Letting It All Hang Out!

I have to do this - I can't help myself. LOL :-)

Two years ago Vicky and Patti encouraged me (well, Vicky shoved me off the fence) to step into the world of hand applique and I was instantly smitten.

So....drumroll, please....the following are my "in the works" hand applique projects.

This one is "Pumpkin Hill" by Bunny Hill Designs (it was the first project)
99.9% of the applique is finished - assembling and embellishing is all that's left. Sigh! :-)

This one is "Baltimore Album Meets Country Cousins" (3 of 12 blocks completed)
This one is "Rabbits Prefer Chocolate"
99.9% of the applique is finished - assembling and embellishing remains! :-)

This one is "Vintage Memories" by Blackbird Designs (Cheri Ralston)

And, last but not least - a design by Kim Diehl but I can't recall what it's called - again all the applique is finished on the blocks. :-)

I had a ton of fun getting reacquainted with these projects. Yes, I do plan to finish all of them.

There's a poll in the margin; which one do you think I should finish first?

In the meantime I'm going to get busy on one or two more. What the heck! :-)

I love it when you stop by - y'all come back!

In Friendship!!!!!

A Lightbulb Moment!

I've struggled recently with projects and such! I'm in the hand applique mood and I want to start something new. I've been really rough on myself because I couldn't justify starting a new applique project when I have several already started - kept telling myself that I needed to finish what I have before I start something new. But those projects are not speaking to me right now. Sigh! I have a tendency to be really hard on myself. :-(

Well, this morning I had a HUGE lightbulb moment when I read Juliann's blog. You must go read her "Monday Mindfulness" post - she hit the nail right on the head. Why can't I start a new applique project? Why can't I start more than one? Why can't I do anything I want? Is someone keeping score? And, in the grand scheme of things - does it really matter?

So today I pulled out an older Moda fat quarter bundle called Gingham Rose (yes, it's a bit old but I love it) and traced the first block and I'm ready to prep the first pieces. WoooooooHooooo! Have I piqued your curiousity? {giggle, giggle} ;-)

And, I might start another new one later this week once I settle on my background fabric. teehee!!!!

I spent an entire day last week cleaning my sewing room. Now, the counters are clear and I can actually walk into my "walk-in" closet (what a concept - lol).

Thanks for stopping by - come again, please!

In Friendship!

Now What?????

I finally finished all my Fall Market work and when I finished I was relieved. Lots of repetitive piecing and quilting. Ugh!!! This time the work was exhausting and stressful and NO FUN!!!! I had to take a few days to just exist.

I feel rested and wondering "Now What?" I have been working on a wonderful stitchery project and I've completed 8 of 12 blocks. This one is "Ring in the New!" by Kathy Schmitz. I'm using DMC #310 and a Moda Marble that looks tea-dyed. Just a sweet project! :-)

My sewing room is a huge disaster - piles everywhere. I stand in the middle of room and can see the piles of fabric from several long ago finished projects. Ugh! I have no desire to sit at my sewing machine and work on a large project. The idea actually makes me sick to my stomach - this could be a little burnout from all the piecing I did for WORK! I've thought about going shopping to find a new project that might provide the needed inspiration but that doesn't sound like fun either. Sigh!

So, in answer to my Now What? question I think I'm going to attempt to clean up my sewing room and then I'm going to go shopping in my stash of long forgotten "had to have projects". I'm in the mood to do more handwork so a hand applique project is sounding very appealing.

If you're still stopping by to see what I'm doing - thank you! I appreciate your visits and comments! Come again and come often.

In Friendship!

Some Fall Decor

A week or so ago I took time to do a little Fall decorating in the entry to our home. I really enjoy doing that, so I look forward to the changing seasons or holidays.

If you came to visit, this is what you'd see when you walked into our home - drop by anytime! :-)

Just a close up!

Another close up! Yes, the little Halloween pillow is dated 1996 but I don't seem to tire of including it when I pull out the Fall stuff.

The quilt draped on the quilt rack is called Tennessee Waltz and was featured in a magazine several years ago.

Since so many of you can't stop by for a cup of coffee, tea or cool drink I thank you for stopping by to visit me and my blog. :-) I love it when you do so please come again soon!

In Friendship!

Hello!

Have you missed me? Even if you haven't, tell me that you have - it'll make me feel good. :-)

It's Fall Market crunch time so I've been busy proofing patterns, sewing small quilts, etc. for my friends, Me & My Sister Designs. So, it's been a hubbub of activity. Sigh!

All work and no play tends to make me very unhappy. :-( So, I worked for a few hours this morning and then gave myself the rest of the day off. I finished assembling the blocks for "Summer" of the "Primitive Four Seasons" block of the month by The Country Loft. Hopefully, the first "Fall" block will be here today. And, I finally got around to making block #4 of the Designer Mystery Block of the Month from The Fat Quarter Shop - block #5 will be here soon. I've done a few embroidered blocks for a new project but they need to be pressed - I'll show them to you soon. BTW, if you sent an e-mail about The Sewing Bird and didn't hear from me it's because you're set up for "no reply". The pattern is on a CD by Kathy Schmitz and available from Colonial Crafts.

A few friends, Carol, Wendy, Judy, Sharon, and I recently completed a block swap for an adorable quilt. In the final package of blocks we all sent treasures to each other. I can't show you what Sharon sent because Judy has not received hers and I don't want to ruin the surprise!

The following mini quilt is from Judy - isn't it adorable? Gotta love those cute cards, too. :-) Thank you, Judy!

From Carol - a wonderful sewing machine cover and pretty post its with matching pen. How did she know I'd been wanting a sewing machine cover? Blue and red - my favorite colors. Thank you, Carol.

From Wendy was this beautiful Schlep Bag and cute mini book titled "The End". I've been using my bag often and really have enjoyed it. Thank you, Wendy!

I wish I had more to show and share but this is it. That's all folks! Thanks for stopping by - please come again soon and often!

In Friendship!

Just Stitching!
(don't miss the BIG news at the bottom of this post)


As I was preparing to trace a few more stitchery/embroidery projects it occurred to me that I have not shared what I have finished in recent days.

Pumpkins from Bird Brain Designs and Sewing Bird from Kathy Schmitz. The polka dotted fabric is just being auditioned with the pumpkins - need to finish them this week end - October is coming! :-)

Big News - Huge - Really Big!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nanette at Freda's Hive has just released two new patterns - All Dressed Up and Leafy Treetops. They are absolutely wonderful. The best part - they are both available for purchase and are downloadable. WooHoo!!!!! I tried to snag pictures from her blog but blogger wasn't playing nice - grrrrrr! Go take a gander and tell her I sent you. :-)

Thanks for popping in - come again soon!

In Friendship!

Something for Me!

A PIF package arrived today from Mar. Not an ordinary package - a package of goodness, sweetness and joy. Two tea towels embroidered with adorable motifs - will be perfect in my kitchen. And, the large project bag - will be perfect for my embroidery project(s). These treasures will be loved and enjoyed - thank you, Mar!

The generosity of so many in the blogging community is amazing. I have received so many wonderful treasures and gifts from so many all over the world. It truly has touched my heart.

For approximately six weeks I've been struggling with some challenges in my life. I won't go into the long sordid tale because I don't want to air my troubles. I only mention it because maybe it will explain my absence from blogging. I appreciate that you continue to pop in to visit.

In Friendship!

Butterfly Fling/Cheap Trick

A Butterfly Fling Layer Cake some white yardage for the background and a Cheap Trick pattern = this cute quilt. :-)
I finished the center over a week ago and now I'm waiting for Butterfly Fling yardage so I can add the borders.

Maybe I should title this post "ode to the locals" :-). The Butterfly Fling fabric is designed by Me and My Sister Designs for Moda (Barbara and Mary) and the Cheap Trick pattern is by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co (Carrie Nelson). These ladies are all local designers, I've known all of them for almost 10 years and I'm happy to say that I can call them friends. I like to say I knew them before they were famous. LOL I have a long list of stories I could share about all three but my post would go on and on. Let's just say we've laughed, cried and sewn together. :-)

Thank you for your kind messages asking if I'm ok - all is well - thank you for caring.

I do appreciate that you stop by even though my blog has been boring. LOL Don't give up on my silly little blog - come again and come often!

In Friendship!