Me & My Stitches

Me & My Stitches
Click on the picture to go to my website. These are 1 1/4" pendants.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

A Little Bit of Everything...

I just don't get around to posting on my blog as much as I intend - so...I'm going to try to keep this short on words, but still show you a few things about what's going on here and what we've got coming up!

We've had a lot of snow in the last month - but it's all melted now except just in a few spots.  The birds spent most of their time at the feeders.  We always have tons of cardinals in the winter - I counted 28 one day...


 I received a super fun box of scraps in the mail from Tara Darr from Sew Unique Creations - not only does she design really awesome quilts, she sends the best scraps!  I have been playing in this box ever since I got it...

Instead of hand quilting for an hour or so in the evening, I've been trying to work on this quilt.  I want to give it to some friends as a house-warming gift.  It is called "What's the Point?" by Mark Lipinski and is in the March/April 2013 issue of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting.  I was on a roll, then when I put it all up on my flannel wall, my DH looked at it and thought it was ugly!  He's not dumb enough to come out and say it's UGLY, but he just said..."hmmm...it's got a lot going on - is it your newest design?" (said kind of like...I hope not, because it's UGLY!).  Well, whatever, I don't think it's ugly, it is colorful and I used all reproduction fabrics, but I chose brighter prints because that is what I think the recipients will like.  I need to get back to it, but now I am too busy getting out the next charm for our "Charming" program, so it will have to wait a bit.
 And look what else came in the mail...

These are fabrics from Lynette Anderson.  There's more, but I don't know what happened to those pictures - I will have to retake them, because you just have to see them all!  Lynette sent me some wonderful bundles of some of her fabric lines - one that you will see at Market this spring.  So exciting!!  She will have some new jewelry made out of these pretties!  But unfortunately she has to wait until I return from my next show.

Which brings me to the next topic!
As soon as we get all of those charms finished, we have to get to work on jewelry to take to my next show...
It is in Stover, MO - so if you are in the area, please come and see us, and if you're not in the area, why not plan a little road trip!  With 30 vendors, it has to be fun!  I haven't received a full vendor list yet, but I do know that Renee Nanneman of Need'l Love and Dawn from Sew Cherished will be there.  Hope to see some of you there!!

And you know I can't post without mention of the kitties!  Ozzie keeps very busy taking naps in a basket in my sewing room closet. He occasionally gets little bursts of energy and plays with a mouse full of catnip, but then he needs another nap. And Callie is just...BUSY!  Even though she is 3 years old, she still has an awful lot of kitten energy! Here she is holding down some books, looking irritated!
Now, I have to get busy - it has been crazy around here, and we've got orders stacking up - so thanks to all of you for that!  I also want to thank Lynne Hagmeier from Kansas Troubles - she gave me a little shout out on her blog that led some new people my way, which I really appreciate!!  Lynne is opening a new shop and retreat and is now counting down the days and showing some of the items that will be for sale in the store.  I sure wish I was closer - I would love to visit - it is going to be wonderful!

Have a great weekend - Happy National Quilting Day, Happy St. Patrick's Day, and Happy Easter!


16 comments:

  1. Boy, if I lived closer I would sit on your front steps (assuming you have steps) and intercept the cool boxes of scraps that come to your house!
    I'm sure DH has great taste, but maybe the brighter colors aren't to his liking. I think it will be a wonderful scrap quilt when it is no longer in strips.
    Can't wait to get the new charm!

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  2. I am so envious of the Cardinals, Julie! We don't have them in our neck of the woods. I bet the cats have fun watching all the birdie action! Speaking of cats - I think Callie is asking to be brushed! Sugar has an identical brush and just loves it! I think your quilt is gorgeous and I'm sure your hubby eats his words once it's all put together! Glad to see you're alive and well as you toil away!
    Cheers!

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  3. Sure wish I lived in MO! I'd be there in a heartbeat! I LIKE the quilt you're making for your friends - and I'm sure they'll like it too! Good to see you post today.

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  4. Your friends are going to love the quilt!

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  5. Hope you have a successful show!

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  6. First you take all of my hummers now you have my cardinals......what am I going to do with you??? DH's always are welcome to voice their thoughts.....did you hear something??? Get busy you have lots to do :)

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  7. 28 cardinals??!! You lucky duck. I have TWO! and I cherish both of them. I heard them this morning but couldn't find them in the shrubbery.

    I agree your quilt is busy with lots of beautiful colors which draw your eyes around the quilt. I guess what I mean to say is I think scrappy quilts are meant to be "busy" and I like them that way :)

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  8. Enjoy all those scraps!
    The birds are amazing. Our snow is gone for now anyway.
    Ozzie is sweet ;-)

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  9. Looks like you are on the A list with some big name quilters! Sweet! Always more fun to plow thru someone else's scraps than your own. That 'bright' quilt you are working on will be lovely. It just needs to be sewn together. I am always amazed at what a difference that makes in the appearance. (Not being funny) Good luck at your show. I know you have been working like mad for it!

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  10. well how lucky are you getting goodies in the mail like this.
    Isn't Tara just so generous.
    Have fun with the new fabrics too you and good luck at the show!
    I love the quilt your working on keep going, once its sewn together I bet you will love it
    Kathie

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  11. I'm late to comment! But saw the quilt and your hubby comment/thoughts...mine is the same however usually after it is quilted he lightens up and says better. I happen to love that top!

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  12. Well, I don't think it's ugly, it's got a scrappy look and scrappy I love!

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  13. wow, I've never seen that many cardinals in one place! I too love to feed the birds.
    Pretty fabrics and great looking scrap quilt~

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  14. You need to beat your hubby on the head. I love that quilt on the wall. I need to get that issue of the magazine. I covet that box of scraps. I was so sad when she closed her online shop.

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  15. I came, I saw, I conquered, I went home with one of your BEAUTIFUL quilt necklaces today. I so admire your work!
    Patti

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  16. Hi--I am dropping in from Missie's @ Hallbrook Designs--I just love your little quilt jewelry--and that quilt--What's the Point?--is really lovely Julierose

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