X-Rated

No, not me or my blog - it's my quilt. LOL

The additional background fabric arrived this week - woohoo! And, now it's done! This pattern is by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co and is called X-Rated (it's a Schnibbles pattern). The pattern is actually for a 31" x 31" quilt requiring two charm packs. I wanted a larger quilt so I used a Civil War Crossing Jelly Roll (there are 4 charm packs in a jelly roll). I was a little sad to see this flimsy finished because I really enjoyed working on it.

Thanks for stopping by to visit with me - come again soon!

In Friendship!

For Sale

The following items are "For Sale". I hope to have a few things listed every Tuesday till the overload is gone!

Send me an e-mail if you're interested and we can chat about shipping costs at that time. Keep in mind that I'll prefer a Postal Money Order.

Winter Blooms by Pat Sloan - 18 fat quarters - $27.00

September Morning by Thimbleberries - 30 fat quarters $45.00

Please take these off my hands! :-)

In Friendship!

Can you say CUTE?????

I couldn't help myself; I had to do it! I kept thinking that Anne's (aka Bunny Hill Designs) first Mystery BOM would be adorable in redwork and here it is! My sweet hubby reduced the pattern for me and I was excited to get busy. It's going to be a sweet wallhanging. :-)

Thanks for visiting - come again!

In Friendship!

Screeeeech/Moving On! :-)

edit: I found it - I found it - I found it!!!! Wahooooooo! I'm doing a very happy dance!!! Wahoo!

Sadly, my project du jour has come to a screeching halt - the background fabric is all gone. Sigh! I'm on the hunt for more. Tomorrow I will let my fingers do the walking and hopefully I'll have some in my possession very, very soon. I spent some time on the phone with Carrie of Miss Rosie's fame yesterday discussing my background fabric. This particular print has been used in several Moda lines; Gingham Rose, Hollywood & Vines, Moda Favorities II and soon it will be making an appearance in their new line called Aviary. Sigh - they are all just a shade different. And speaking of Carrie and Miss Rosie's Quilt Co, this is one of her Schnibbles patterns and is called X-Rated. I'm using a Jelly Roll by Moda called Civil War Crossing. A Schnibble wouldn't do for me - I wanted a larger quilt and thought I'd have enough background fabric. Duh! Oh well - this will work out - I know it will. :-)


I can't sit around twiddling my thumbs - I must move on to a new project! LOL In 2003 I printed a freebie pattern off a website and have been searching for THE black fabric to use in this particular quilt. I not only found the black I wanted but two other prints that coordinate well with it. Now, I need to make 58 - 6" churn dash blocks. I put the pieces/parts away for my X-Rated quilt and got busy with the churn dash blocks. Thanks for popping by for a visit - please come again and come often!

In Friendship!

Ironies!

I think we would all agree that life is full of ironies but here's one in blogland! Mary at Quilt Hollow is working on a quilt and is 'begging' for more background fabric for her Buzz Saw quilt. I'm working on a quilt today that I'd love to make larger but can't because I only have one yard of my background fabric. I've got my fingers, toes and eyes crossed in hopes that I won't run out of fabric. And, I've knocked on wood three times!!! LOL

Here's the irony - Mary and I need the same print - her's is the lighter cream and obviously mine is the darker cream. I thought about begging here on my blog but I'm just going to settle on the smaller quilt (assuming I have enough fabric - LOL) Edit: I just took a closer look at Mary's Buzz Saw blocks and now I think we might be using the same color background. Bigger irony!!!! LOL

It's now referred to as Moda 3 Sisters Favorites II but I believe originally it was part of the Gingham Rose line. I've searched on-line to no avail. :-(

It's definitely a small world! Thanks for letting me share!

In Friendship!

Cute and Done!

Cooper is cute and the quilt top is done! This was a fussy quilt to make and I did not enjoy it one bit.
(don't pay attention to Cooper's dusty toys - they get carried in and out of our screen room)

Don't forget to visit Kimberly blog - she's giving away a terrific pineapple ruler - go now - don't stop - go now!!! LOL
Thanks for stopping by - come again!

In Friendship!

Check it out!

Run, don't walk to visit Kimberly's blog - she's got a wonderful giveaway and a terrific blog!!!! Tell her I sent you!

And come back later cuz I'm almost finished with those strips I showed you yesterday. :-)

In Friendship!

Catching Up!

The BIG SORT has come to a screeching halt - for now! Why? The crud decided to make itself at home in my body and I have not felt well most of the week. I've been doing quite a bit of snoozing and sitting. Have tried not to waste time while I'm sitting though - because if you know me you know I can't just sit - it's impossible! LOL So, while sitting I finished stitching this cutie. Isn't she just the sweetest? She's called Anika's Angel and is a pattern by Bird Brain Designs. Take note of her wing - it's a heart in hand! You can't help but love her.


Today is a day for me to spend in my sewing room but not dealing with the BIG SORT - today I'm going to sew. Come back later to see what I'm doing with these strips! :-)

And, last but not least Paula, Teresa, Sweet P, Lurline and Julia I promise you that I will have your packages with your goodies and treasures in the mail by Tuesday. I've been very remiss about getting those together, please accept my sincerest apology.

Thank you for reading my silly/boring blog; I appreciate that you do! Come again and come often!

In Friendship

Done!

I couldn't help myself! I had to hold off the plans for the day and finish it! And, I have to admit that I am quite smitten with this one.

This pattern is "Raggedy and the Red Quilt" by Liberty Star and has been on my 'to do' list for a long time. I have a spot in my living room where I'd really like to hang this so I must quilt it ASAP. BTW, it's only 40" x 52" but only so charming!

Thanks for taking a peek - come again soon!

In Friendship!

Taking A Break!

The cleaning, tossing, rearranging, organizing, etc continues. It's definitely a major project and one that I didn't realize would be so big. I'm very determined to get it done and get rid of the anchor hanging around my neck. I know it'll feel wonderful when I'm finished. :-)

But a break was needed so last night I worked on these blocks for a small project. This project has been calling out to me for a several months and I decided it was time last night. Hopefully they will be into a quilt top later today. My DH has been ill the past few days and I'm feeling a bit punky this morning so sitting at my sewing machine may be just what the doctor orders.

Jeanette, your e-mail about how I prep my applique arrived as "no reply" however if you check out Wendy's blog she has a wonderful tutorial on her side bar for freezer paper applique - my preferred method for prepping. Good luck! :-)

Thanks for popping by and thanks for the e-mails regarding my need for a rescue team. LOL

Come back later - there might be a quilt top for you to see (this would be my first finish for 2009 - woohoo)

In Friendship!
Darlene

Block 1 - check!

I spent most of the day sitting on my fluffy behind working on this charmer and I'm happy to say that it's done! WooHoo! I need to add buttons to the vine however that will have to wait.

I have to admit that this little guy had me smiling most of the day.

Tomorrow it's back to the giant sewing room decluttering! Ugh!

Thanks for visiting - come again soon!

In Friendship!

Baskets, Blessings & Flora

Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs has announced a free mystery BOM called A Tisket, A Tasket on her website. I downloaded, traced and prepped Block #1 today and I'm ready to start stitching! WooHoo! Once I get all the pieces/parts sewn down and the embellishments added it's going to look terrific. Anne is using Frosted Dots from Lakehouse Fabrics for all 12 backgrounds and I happened to have a couple of yards in my stash - Bigger WooHoo!!!!! Anne, thank you so much for bringing this adorable design for us to enjoy!

When the ladies from Me and My Sister Designs were headed to Market this past Fall they asked if there was anything I wanted. I simply said "If Bunny Hill Designs has something new I'd love to have one of her patterns" and didn't think any more about it. Sometime in December I got a wonderful package from Anne with all of her latest patterns. And, all the patterns were autographed with personal little notes just for me!!! I was beyond thrilled and not ashamed to admit that I cried because I was so excited. I don't think Anne remembers that sometime back (a couple of years, actually) I sent her an e-mail explaining that I'd just started appliquing and had chosen Pumpkin Hill as my first project and that I was so smitten with her designs I could be the President of her fan club. LOL Anne, I've already thanked you via e-mail however I want to say a huge thank you once again!

Do you see the little itty bunny in the center of all the patterns? That Flora - isn't she adorable?

Thanks for visiting - come again soon and I'll show you my finished basket block! :-)

In Friendship!

My New Toy & Major Goal!


I has occurred to me that I haven't shown you my new toy! This is my new 'netbook' aka tiny laptop. teehee!

I'd seen these little guys advertised several weeks before Christmas and thought it might be perfect for my needs. See, I have a wonderful desktop computer and while I wanted a laptop I didn't see the need for one. So, one evening before Christmas my sweet hubby went with me to Staples so I could check this baby out and I was instantly smitten. He bought it for me right on the spot and I've been a happy girl ever since. You can see by my 6" ruler just how small my new toy is and look at my tiny travel mouse on the right! Now, I can sit with my hubby in the living room in the evening and still 'play'. LOL Maybe I'll be better about responding to all your kind comments.

I've been reading about everyone's quilting goals for 2009 and I've been thinking about mine. I have a very long list of projects I'd like to complete but I have one major goal. I've decided that it's time to go through my entire stash (fabric, tools, etc) and eliminate all the "what was I thinking" stuff. I've been giving careful consideration to how I'm going to get rid of what I don't want and have some ideas. I'm going to sell off some of the fat quarter bundles/towers that I know I'll never use and I'm going to donate fabric to a group that makes quilts for children, Vets, homeless shelters, etc. I've started this daunting task but I still have a ton of work to do.

Thank you for letting me share and especially thank you for stopping by to visit! Come again soon!

In Friendship!

Happy New Year!

(scroll down to read about my Lil Sis)

May 2009 bring you health, wealth and happiness! I especially wish you many hours of enjoyment with your needle and thread.

I'm very excited about 2009 because I'm making much needed changes in my corner of the world. I've been self employed for 6 years and in 2008 the demands of my time with this business became beyond stressful. I have decided to close my business. I, also have a part time job and plan to continue working two days a week for awhile until I decide what the next chapter in my life will be. This decision was not an easy one for my sweet and supportive hubby and I to make but it's the right decision for us. I'm really looking forward to enjoying a much needed respite. I especially looking forward to many, many hours with my needle and thread. :-)

My Lil Sis :-)

I received the sweetest package from my Lil Sister, Tammy! You may have noticed in comments that Tammy and I leave for each other that we refer to each other as Lil Sis and Big Sis. In fact, I've gotten a couple of e-mails in the past asking whether or not Tammy and I are really sisters. LOL No, we're not sisters in the true sense of the word but if I could pick a little sister it would be Tammy!

Let me share the "Sister" story! Last January I called The Country Loft in California to sign up for the Primitive Four Seasons BOM and I got to speak to Joanne (aka JAM - designer of the patterns). I told her that Tammy had told me about the BOM and she said that Tammy had just been there. So, later in the day I sent Tammy an e-mail and asked her what she was doing at the Country Loft. LOL She responded with "How did you know I was at the Country Loft today?" I told her that she needed to be careful because Big Brother is always watching - LOL - she said she knew that but in her case it was "Big Sister" (Me). And, we became Lil Sis, Tammy and Big Sis, Darlene. I hope that one day I will have an opportunity to travel to Southern California and give my Lil Sis, Tammy a real hug - she doesn't know how much I adore her. :-) Please don't tell her - she'll be very difficult to live with. LOL

So, here's a picture of the treasures and goodies that my Lil Sis, Tammy sent to me. I love everything and will enjoy everything for years to come!

Tammy, thank you so much for the wonderful package.



Thank you for stopping by to visit - please come again because you know I love it when you do!

In Friendship!

The Great Swap of 2008

Last Spring, Carol and I were chatting via e-mail about the sweet quilt Wendy showed on her blog and how much fun it would be to swap 3" 30's rail blocks. We got super excited and we asked Wendy, Judy & Sharon to join us in swap. Kathie was going to swap with us but life got in the way! Everyone was thrilled and enthused and we started swapping immediately. We finished the swap a few months ago and my blocks have been sitting in a basket waiting to be sewn together. The other day I decided that I needed to get this quilt assembled before the new year!

Here's a word problem for you - teehee!!!

When you add five bloggy friends, Carol, Wendy, Judy, Sharon and I

Plus - 414 3" 30's rail blocks ( 1,242 1.5" x 3.5" pieces)

Plus - 374 3" white Kona alternate blocks

Plus - 78 white Kona setting triangles

Plus - 4 white Kona corner pieces

Equals - 76" x 100" adorable quilt filled with great memories!

Ladies, thank you so much for playing along with me - it's a treasured quilt and one with a great story!

This quilt would be adorable made with darker prints for the rail blocks and beige/tan/cream, etc for the alternate blocks and setting triangles (Libby made one and it's great). Whimsical brights for the rail blocks with black for the alternate blocks and setting triangles would be super cute!

Thank you so much for visiting and please come again!

In Friendship!

Hug Quilt #3 & #4

I hope that your Christmas was merry, bright, and jolly!

I was able to finish and deliver Hug Quilts #3 & #4 on Christmas Eve day but this is the first opportunity I've had to post pictures. I need to get #2, #3 & #4 back to complete the bindings and labels.

# 3 - made for my friend who lost her sister this year. Her sister was very fond of dogs so I used a Moda Posh Pooch jelly roll and the Fields of Flowers pattern by Sandy Gervais. It's very blendy but my friend loved it.

Hug Quilt #4 was made for our friend who lost his son this year. I used some Kansas Troubles fat quarters with a pattern called Cake Walk by The Calico Horse. I like it's simplicity and think it looks very masculine. He was very happy to receive this hug from my DH and I.

I'm very excited that I was able to make all four Hugs Quilts for our friends. And, I'm especially excited to say that all four were made entirely from my stash! WooHoo!

I hope that you're enjoying a relaxing week end plying your needle and thread.

Thanks for stopping by and please come again very soon!

In Friendship!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

HUG QUILT #2

I finished piecing and quilting Hug Quilt #2 and we delivered it this evening. This quilt was given to our friends not because they suffered a loss in their lives but because they've been incredible friends to my husband, Ron and I. They are very special friends and we decided that a quilt would show them how much we appreciate their friendship. They were thrilled with this quilt and it was fun to watch her sitting in the chair "hugging" the quilt with a huge smile on her face. No one has ever made a quilt especially for them! I opted not bog myself down with the binding so I'll get all the quilts back next week to attach labels and binding.

This pattern is called Boxed Squares and is on Mary's website. Thank you so much, Mary for sharing this pattern. I like it so much I'm planning to make one for me! :-)

I've challenged myself to make all four comfort/hug quilts from my stash. This quilt was made using a Shangri-La jelly roll and Vienna Nights scraps I had from a quilt I made a couple of years ago.

If you're living in an area that's been hit hard by snow please stay warm and safe. Perfect time to spend time with your needle and thread. :-)

Thank you for stopping by - I do appreciate that you do. Come back soon to see quilts #3 and #4.

In Friendship!

Gifts for you and for me! :-)

I'm finally here with winners of my little "Can we talk" drawing! Thank you for your patience.

Without further ado - here are the winners:

Paula - A Latte Quilts
Teresa - Stitchin Friends
Sweet P - Coffee Time Stitches
Lurline - Lurline's Place
Julia - Little Girl Quilts

Please send an e-mail with your mailing address and I'll pop a little surprise in the mail ASAP!

This week the postman brought packages with surprise gifts for me.

Nan sent the sweet Snowman door hanger and there was a sweet scissor fob, too but I failed to include it in the picture. Duh! Nan remembered that I love Kim Diehl designs and knew I'd love this little fella! She's absolutely right - I love him! Thank you for remembering! :-) Thank you so much, Nan for thinking me during this holiday season! You've touched my heart - you're a true friend.


And, then there was this BIG box from Carol. The tape was removed and inside I found this.....

Wrapped in the 'cute beyond words' tissue was this........

And then I removed the bow and found this...................

wait for it

here it comes

LOL

I was stunned, surprised, speechless (that doesn't happen very often - LOL) and had tears in my eyes! I will love and enjoy this beauty for years to come. Carol, thank you so much for this gift from your heart - how do I ever thank you? I appreciate your friendship - you, too are a true friend.

I had a rough week - demands made on my time that I just wasn't willing to give. How many times do I have to say "I'm on vacation". It's been very stressful so receiving these gifts from two lovely ladies was exactly what the doctor ordered. :-)

I'm diligently working on my comfort/hug quilts for my friends. My sewing machine and I have become "One" - LOL!!! Quilt #2 and Quilt #3 are pieced and will be quilted and bound immediately. Have to make a decision on Quilt #4 but I'm sure I'll think of something. Patti asked me how I could possibly give four quilts made in time for Christmas - focus and determination will help me. :-)

Thank you so much for popping in to visit - please come again!

In Friendship!

Whew!

The past couple of weeks have been super busy in my little corner of the world. Some days have gone by in a complete blur - Sigh! My 'work life' is a bit different - I am self employed and I work a parttime job, too. (and on occasion there's been a third job, too). I've been working diligently to get all my work done and out the door so I could take some much needed time off - I really do need some Darlene-Time! Call it a vacation, a staycation, a break, Darlene-Time, etc - it doesn't matter - this is a much needed break.

Wow, thank you so much for all your wonderful comments on my previous post - it's been so much fun to read everyone's thoughts, ideas, solutions, etc. I promised a give away and if you left a comment I'd toss your name in a hat/basket/jar - I'll be back tomorrow with a list of winners! Yes, more than one but I need to see how many prizes I have. LOL

I'm in the midst of making four comfort/hug quilts for four friends who suffered losses of family members this year. I decided that since this was going to be their first Christmas without their loved one and the hugs of their loved one then a quilt with hugs sewn in would be a nice thing to do! I finished one on Saturday for a couple who lost their son this year. We delivered the quilt and explained why I made the quilt for them and they were a little shocked but very excited by our gesture.

It's a pattern called Patchwork Tiles for Moda University and I used fat quarters from Aunt Purdy's Parlor by Kansas Troubles. I was trying to achieve a masculine look but keep it a touch feminine, as well.

Pieces Parts for the second and third quilts. Bear in mind that I want to have all four completed by Christmas Day
I'll be back sometime tomorrow with contest winners! Thank you so much for visiting - do come again a real soon.




In Friendship,
Darlene