Are you following the blog hop?

Have you seen this great new book by Diane from Butterfly Threads blog?  She and C&T Publishing are hosting a really fun blog hop with lots of reviews and a giveaway each day!  Make sure  to check it out!  I will be giving my valued opinion (haha!) on April 1st, and giving away a copy of this awesome new book.  Trust me...you NEED to have it!

Here's the complete list of blogs and dates:
     

3/21    C&T Blog

3/22    Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville

3/23    Lori at Humble Quilts

3/24    Karen at Nana Girl Quilts  

3/25    Audrey at Quiltyfolk

3/26    Pat Sloan at Pat Sloan

3/27    Valerie at  Val's Quilting Studio

3/28    Kelly at  Pinkadot Quilts

3/29    Victoria Findlay Wolfe at  Bumble Beans Inc

3/30    Rachaeldaisy at Blue Mountain Daisy

3/31    Angie at Quilting on the Crescent

4/1      Julie at  Me and My Stitches

4/2      Barb at Fun with Barb

Thanks Dallas, it was a blast!

Well, we made it to Dallas for the quilt show and we had an amazing time!!  My niece, Johnna, went with me and boy is she good help.  It's nice to have someone who can jump up on a table or stool to hang things up high!  She is also really good at making the booth look cute (though she said I need to get some doilys - lol).  Here she is hanging our stars made from yardsticks (this is after she hopped up there and hung the quilts!)

 We had a nice big 10' x 20' booth - here it is after we finished setting up, and before the chaos began...

 Kind of hard to see it all, but we had lots of little ruler boxes, pin cushions, tons of stars, scissors and socks.  And of course plenty of paper pieced jewelry.  We also sold honey and bees wax (hubby raises bees).

 If you enlarge the picture hopefully you can see the boxes better. I just bought the white stand to put them in at Hobby Lobby - it worked perfectly.

The show opened on Friday and ran through Sunday.  Friday was CRAZY!!!  We were swamped with customers and it was awesome!  The time just flew by.  Johnna was in charge of the cash register and I ran around and talked to people and tried to keep things filled up.  I met so many people that I only knew from blogland, Instagram, etc - so much fun.  Thanks so much to everyone who came and introduced yourself.  There were several people who have been in our Charming program too - so great to be able to put a face to the name.

Saturday and Sunday were not as busy, but still busy enough that I did not have time to walk around and look at the other vendors or the quilts!  I can't believe that I didn't buy a single thing! Although, I had taken a few wool applique blocks to work on and decided on Sunday that I could stitch and talk to customers at the same time (you didn't think I was that coordinated, did you?).  So I got out my block and my Valdani, and guess what?  No needles!  Well, lucky for me I was at a quilt show with a bazillion vendors, so I went 2 booths down to Sew Graceful Quilting and they were kind enough to give me a pack.  Funny thing is, I was working on a block that I got from them as a BOM.  I didn't get a ton of stitching done, but some is better than none. Johnna was watching me and decided she wanted to try it, so she put a few stitches in as well.  I hope to make a quilter out of her some day.

I hate that I don't have any more pictures to share from the show - next time I will know to get there even earlier each day and check out the vendors and the quilts!  I will say that the quilts that I could see on the way in and out were really beautiful - lots of talent in Texas for sure.

We stayed with my cousin and his family, so that made the trip even more special.  He has lived in TX for over 20 years and this is the first time I've been there.  He helped us unload all of our stuff on Thursday, then had to go to work. He also helped us in the booth on Saturday and Sunday.  It was so fun to spend time with all of them - we went to several great restaurants and had a few quiet (not sure it was really quiet, with all of us!) evenings at home too.  On Monday we went to the George W. Bush Presidential library.  That was really interesting.  I loved seeing some of the lavish gifts that were given from various people and countries.  Our favorite was a huge stuffed lion.  Really?  Here...would you like this lion?  I have an extra just laying around.  Johnna and I chuckled about that for a day or two.  There is a section that is a 911 memorial, including some twisted iron from one of the buildings.  It was one of my favorite parts of it all, but very sad. Once again, I didn't take many pictures, but here are a couple...

 After that we stopped at Gas Monkey - I had never heard of it but Johnna was excited!  We didn't get to see much, as they were taping a show when we were there so a lot of it was blocked off. We checked out the gift shop and took a picture of my cute little niece with the Swag Van.

Not only did I not get pictures of the quilt show, I didn't get any of my cousin and his family!  What the heck was I thinking?  The only one I have is this...my cousin and I - we were outside of Babe's waiting for a table.  

We left bright and early Tuesday morning, and made it home almost 13 hours later.  I was ready to be out of the van and in my bed!  It was so much fun to be at the show and to hang out with family, but I missed my hubby and kitties!

If you came to the show and said hi...thank you!  It was a blast and we plan on making this an annual trip!

Caturday and stitching

I finished stitching another Blessed Bee (pattern by Wooden Spool Designs) block...

 And 2 seconds after I took the first picture, this happened!

 And I couldn't resist this cute little face...Isn't he just adorbs?

 I think they know that I'm leaving soon (headed to Texas - if you don't know the details, read back a post or two!) because they are sticking pretty close.  They both felt the need to sit and stare at me yesterday!

 Another stare down by Callie!  She's way too cute to be annoyed by a little staring.

I feel like all I did on Saturday (Caturday) was take pictues of my cats.  Yep...getting closer to being the crazy cat lady!

 Skype sewed with my friend Nancy today.  I've had these little wool blocks stitched for a long time, and decided it was time to get this put together.  The sashing is on, now just need to sew them together and add borders.  This is Bud Garden by Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings.  I bought this kit a few years ago when I helped vend in their booth in Des Moines, and stitched on the blocks quite a bit when I was in Florida with my brother.  Lots of memories with this little quilt!  It will only be 20" x 29" when finished.

Now it's down to the sweat shop to finish up more jewelry to take to Dallas.  We are going to have loads of boxes and stars too - so fun!

Quilt Dots

I forgot to share my newest Quilt Dots with you.  I love these magnets and it's really fun to have my newest quilt design on them - this is Patriotic Pineapples.  I like the 2 different versions - one close up and one a little further back.  Fun!

 Here's Ozzie taking a little snooze - I thought he looked cute.  The bear above him was made from a fur coat that belonged to my Grandma, and the corner chair that he's sleeping on also came from my grandparents' house.  Oh, and so did the cabinet next to the chair.  All kinds of stuff in here from Grandma and Grandpa!  My nice aunt gave me the crock.

Now it's back to organizing and packing for Dallas!

New stuff and show details!

I can't believe that we leave for Dallas next week!  Yikes!!!  We have been working like crazy to get everything ready to go. These stars made from our yardsticks are a new item - we were debating on which color of stain we like.  I like them both!  The one on the right is a new (to us) one.  We have 3 different sizes of these stars - so fun!

I was low on pineapple and log cabin pendants, so we finished some of them...

And I was really low on pendants with added bling, so we made a few more of those...

rgo

On my last post I think I said that was the 6th of my Home for the Holidays blocks, but I forgot that I hadn't shown a picture of this one yet...

Now I'm back to working on my bee blocks and will share that when I get another one finished.  They have a lot more stitching that the Home for the Holidays blocks.

I also wanted to share the details about the show in Dallas...

Dallas Market Hall

2200 N. Stemmons Freeway

Dallas, TX 75207

Friday, March 11 - 10:00 to 5:00

Saturday, March 12 - 10:00 to 5:00

Sunday, March 13 - Noon to 5:00

I'm excited that my niece is going with me again.  Hubby is staying home and taking care of all of the fluffies.  I've always heard really great things about this show, so if you are anywhere in the Dallas area, please come and visit!!   Click here for the link for more info.  

A few more blocks

Now that Patriotic Pineapples is finished, I've been thinking about my next quilt.  I pulled some fabrics from my stash trying to see if they will work for what I have in mind, and look at the instant help...

Callie loves to help choose fabric!

Here is another block from Home for the Holidays, by Primitive Gatherings.  Now that Nancy stitched all of the words for me, the rest of it goes pretty quick!  I'm all caught up and waiting for her to mail the next batch.

 Did you sign up for my Celebrate program?  It started in November - you get a new pendant every other month - something that coincides with the current holiday or season.  You also receive a free pin cushion pattern.  This month it is this flower...

This is only 4", but it seems much bigger in the picture.

Have a happy Sunday!

Patriotic Pineapples

Finally!  Patriotic Pineapples is printed and packaged (say that 3 times fast!).  I had a few technical difficulties (the story of my life), but it is done and is now up on my website

My goal was to have this ready for the show in Dallas, I made it, but am cutting it plenty close!

I wanted to make something that looked patriotic, and I have a nice stash of patriotic fabrics, so that is what I used for this, but wouldn't it be cool all scrappy?  Oh, if only there were more time!!

Hope you like it!

So much stitching!

There are only a few more weeks until I go to the Dallas show, so we have been busier than ever trying to get ready.  Here are some pendants that we finished this weekend  - these are all 1 1/4".

 And a few more...Take note of the piece of wool they are on...

 I have way too many wool applique projects in the works.  Lat night I finished stitching my 3rd block from Home for the Holidays by Primitive Gatherings.  See that helpful little kitty paw in the corner!?

 I finally took the time to prep the first 2 blocks from Buttermilk Basin's free sew along.  Ahhh...here's that wool again!  Mr. Snowman is plaid...

 This one looks weird to me - the scarf is covering up part of him, and I keep thinking that he looks like he's missing a chunk. Too late to change it now - it is stuck down with Steam a Seam!

 I've been having a lot of problems with my feet, and was sitting with these ice packs for awhile last night.  I shoved them aside (when my feet had turned into ice cubes) and the next thing I knew, Ozzie was resting against them - wonder if he had a sore shoulder?  Silly cat.

Back to work...my plan is to finish and print Patriotic Pineapples today!  Hopefully by tomorrow the pattern will be for sale on my website.

Have a great day!

Fun mail and a visitor

I had another super fun mail day last week - this was all from my friend, Nancy.  See that awesome big basket?  Love it!  I've always wanted a basket from 1803 Ohio Farm Baskets, and now I have one!  As you can see from the picture, Nancy also gave me a cool coloring book and markers, and an adorable little quilt that she made.  The box of candy was from her kitties!  Such a fun day!

 And look who came to visit!  In the 20+ years we have lived here, I have never seen a bald eagle, but yesterday this guy went flying right by the window in my sewing room! He flew up into a tree and stayed there for awhile, then I looked out and he was on the pond, having a little lunch (eww).  Pretty cool - and he was back this morning too.

 We've been looking for an antique buffet for my sewing room - I want to get rid of my ironing board and replace it with a buffet, then put my big board (for ironing) on top of that.  It will look a lot nicer and will also be nice to have some extra storage.  The hubby stopped at an antique shop in IL the other day and sent me some pictures of buffets, which I vetoed, but he did come home with these cute little spools.  They are about 4 inches tall, and make a nice addition to my sewing room.

This is what happened when I was trying to sew a backing together!  First Ozzie wanted to help...

 Then Callie decided to pitch in...

It's no wonder it takes me forever to get anything done around here!

Hope you are having a productive weekend!

Lots of stitching

After sharing the 7 days of quilts challenge, you may think that I do a lot of hand quilting.  I love to hand quilt, but it just doesn't seem like there is enough time in the day.  I do try to sit down in the evening for at least an hour and do hand work, but for quite some time now, that hand work has been wool applique.  I have several projects currently in the works.  This is a block from a pattern called Blessed Bee by Wooden Spool Designs.  I saw this pattern at Market last spring and had to have it, since hubby has gotten in to bee keeping.  

 I'm also working on this sew along on Instagram - it's Home for the Holidays, by Primitive Gatherings...

I had a terrible time trying to stitch the words - not sure why but they didn't look good.  After tearing it out 3 times, I was ready to throw this entire project in the corner!  I had all of the blocks prepped and most of the pieced blocks done as well, but I really was thinking of giving up.  Well, evidently I whined a little (a LOT) and my friend Nancy volunteered to stitch the words for me. I resisted for awhile, because she has plenty of her own stitching to do, but one day, reality set in and I mailed them to her!  Lol!  She has sent 6 of them back, so now it's my turn!  There's not that much stitching on these, they are pretty primitive - so they shouldn't take too long.  Then maybe I will get back to hand quilting????!!!!!