A quick catch up!

 Not much new going on here..been plugging away on jewelry...

 Finished up the final charm in Charming 1 (those centers are teeny, tiny little pumpkins - NOT tomatoes, Cindy P!)...

 Was visited by the Granddoggers...

Helped out by Callie...

Ozzie keeps busy hiding from Callie and cat-napping...

That sums up my life - what's going on with you??

Have a great day! (We are currently having a nice, soft, much needed rain here in Iowa!).

Road Trip!

Many of you probably have already seen the blogs of Missie (Hallbrook Designs), Kathy (Kindred Quilts). and Carolyn (Lee Prairie Designs) - so you know about our super fun road trip on Saturday.  Well, as usual...I did not take pictures (told Kathy I would be "borrowing" some of hers!) - so please go check out their posts to see some inspiring pictures of the shops we visited.

We met at The Woolen Needle, in Williamsburg, IA.  I hadn't been there for quite awhile and was pleasantly surprised by the changes they have made there - they opened up one of the back rooms so the shop is bigger now, and they also moved things around and it just seems a lot more open and lighter than it used to.  It's such a great shop - they have SO MUCH WOOL!  Of course, a big pile came home with me.  I forgot to take a picture (shocking, I know) of my wool purchases, but I re-organized my stash closet and got my wool all stacked nice and neat (it was just all piled together before) - so I will show you a picture of that. The first one is a basket of smaller pieces - aren't they pretty?

Here are the 2 stacks of wool, with the basket on top.  My wool stash is growing!

 This is a box full of recycled wool - some of those in the back are the ones I played with on Kool-Aid dye day.

Not only did I shop hop with friends on Saturday, I also ordered some wool online last week from The Old Tattered Flag - aren't these nice?  And the patriotic ones came in that nice patriotic basket.

 Here are the cotton fabrics that found their way home with me on Saturday...

 Gotta love those reds...and stripes - I am on a stripe-kick for sure.  You can't really tell from this picture, but I already hit the light/red stripe with Instant Antique and it looks awesome.

 And some blacks (and more stripes!).  When I make jewelry using the log cabin design, I love putting in a stripe or two - I just think it adds a lot of interest.  And some blacks with a little color (and what could be better than red?) also spruces them up.

Some log cabin pieces to prove my point...

See those little stripes, checks and interesting prints?  I think they really add to it.

Sorry...got side tracked - back to Saturday. We left Williamsburg and stopped in Kalona - visited 2 shops there and had a little bit of lunch. While in Kalona, we were visited by another blogger friend of mine...Kim of KimmyKats - I LOVE her jewelry - so check out her blog and her Etsy shop too!  We had already had snacks, because Carolyn baked cookies and brought them along for the trip!  Then we were off to Inspirations, in Hills, IA.  I know you have heard me talk about this shop - I just love it there.  She has the best fabrics, and is the nicest person.  It's always fun to visit!  I'm so happy for her - she is now one of Quilt Sampler's Top 10 shops - she really deserves that honor.  After we were finished shopping, Nancy let us use her huge classroom upstairs to chat and have a little show and tell.  I took my Summertime quilt top and this little guy...

Lisa gave me this little kit at spring market last year and I never got around to putting it together.  Well, after some taunting from Janet O, I decided (on the 4th of July) that I needed to work on a little patriotic quilt!  It probably won't get quilted for awhile, but it's hanging on my design wall so I can see it.

There was lots of good show and tell, but my favorite things is Kathy's Moravian star (pic stolen from Carolyn!)

I watched (on her blog) as she made this and was just amazed, and asked her to bring it.  All I can say is WOWZA!!  It is so, so cool.  I really want one...tried to steal this one...but she had her eye on me!  I'm hoping that she decides to teach a class on it, because I will be the first to sign up.  It is just amazing!  

And, even though we were not supposed to do gifts...look what Kathy gave each of us (she said we made that rule too late!)...

Love this little table topper and it's my favorite colors - just perfect!  She also gave us a spool of Aurifil thread and a General's marking pencil - again...just perfect - I will definitely put all of these things to good use.

We really did have a great day - it all went too fast - can't wait until we can get together again!

Don't forget to go back to the top of this post and follow the links to the other blogs - there are pictures of some of the shops - major eye candy!!

Have a great day!

Make it Dirty!

I'm talking about your fabric (for all of you who went somewhere else.)!  I am working on jewelry today and for some reason, none of my fabric is quite the shade I need, so out came the trusty Instant Antique.  I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!!

If you haven't ever used it, you should give it a try - you can get it from Primitive Gatherings website.

Yep...my fabrics are all perfect now.  My fingers are brown (must have gotten a little carried away!), but it is worth every little stain.  The cats better look out - they could get antiqued if they get in the way!

Have a great day!

Charming 2

We have had tons of people ask about a second year of "Charming" - our charm bracelet program that started last year.  So, here it is - you can sign up now - remember, there are limited spaces in the program (because we can only make so many without going bonkers!) - so if you are interested, don't delay!

We are pleased to introduce….

“Charming 2”

A fun program featuring tiny, paper pieced charms.

(This is a sample only – actual charms in the program will vary)

The Program: This is a 12 month program - you will receive charms bi-monthly, with a total of 6 charms.  To start the program, you will purchase the bracelet and the first charm.  Every other month you will receive a new charm to add to your bracelet.  For those people who participated in the first Charming program, these charms will be all new, so you can sign up for a second year and add to your charm bracelet!

The Details:  These cute little charms are just ¾” in size.  Bracelet length is the standard 7 ¼” - we can make it longer, upon request.

The Rules:  The program will start in October, 2013.  Charms will be mailed out the first week of October and bi-monthly after that.  Again, this is a 12 month commitment – please sign up only if you intend to stay in for the entire program.

The Price:  The cost of the bracelet is $10.00 and the charms are only $16.50 each! For every new charm I will send an electronic invoice payable via credit card or PayPal. 

Added Fun:  As a fun bonus, you will also receive a matching 6” paper piecing pattern with each new charm so you can make a small quilt that matches your bracelet.

Sign Me Up!: Don’t delay - there are limited spaces available, so sign up now to be included in this fun program.  Charming 2 will be offered on my website for a limited time only – to sign up go to:  www.meandmystitches.com and purchase Charming 2 under the “Go Shopping” tab.  

New Stuff

I'm working on jewelry today and thought I would share a few pictures.  These are new shapes - they are 1" wide by 1 1/2" long.  What do you think (ignore the glare on the glass!)?

 And these are just a few others that I finished today.

More later!!

Strawberry time, Summertime and some jewels!

The weather here in Iowa has been beautiful all week - love the temperatures in the 70's and not a lot of humidity.   I would like to place an order with Mother Nature to just continue this for the next several months!  Oh, and if she could take the bugs somewhere else, that would be even better.  With this nice weather comes strawberry picking...

 And pie making...

Both of these are really easy - the strawberry chiffon has jello and cool whip, and the strawberry glaze will have cool whip on the top.  They both have disappeared already and yesterday I made strawberry shortcake.  And now there are more strawberries waiting to be picked, so it's time to come up with another recipe.

And look what I "finished".  It still needs to be quilted, but it is all pieced together!  This is a terrible picture, it's not nearly this bright, but you get the idea.

And I thought I would share some jewelry pictures.  There are some new things on my website, so take a look...

Now I'm off to pick some strawberries!

Have a great weekend!

Summertime, some charms and a grand dogger!

Do you remember when I purchased the Summertime kit from Primitive Gatherings?  It was at the Des Moines AQS show in 2011.  A friend and I each bought the kit and our plan was to get together monthly to work on it, that way we would push each other to actually finish it.  Yeah, well...it was a great idea, but my friend is way too busy and we got together TWICE!  We've talked about it several more times, but she just has a lot going on.  Believe it or not, I have actually worked on my blocks sporadically, but now...I am almost finished!  Here are my blocks on my design wall

Woo hoo!!!!  I actually do have the 12th block all stitched, but I haven't trimmed it yet.  Now I just have to decide on the fabric for the sashing and borders.  What was included in the kit is confusing me (imagine that!).  I think I'm going to change it up a bit from the kit, and I'm hoping to work on it this week.  I don't want this one to sit as a pile of blocks, like so many others.  Am I the only one who does that?  I have piles of blocks that are all finished and just need to be sewn together.  Why do I not just finish them?  I guess if I do then they will just sit in the "need to be quilted" pile!  I do have 3 quilts at 2 different quilters right now, so that is a good thing.

For those of you in the Charming program, I hope you have received your newest charm - if not...don't look at this next picture!

 My U.S. customers received the flags, and all international customers received the pineapples - a few of them are below...

If you remember, I was in Omaha on Mother's Day, so I got together with my mom last week.  We went for lunch and I bought her a big hanging basket of begonias.  I'm not usually a begonia person, but I really thought these were pretty.  And, on Mother's Day (when I was gone!) my son came to my house and left a huge basket of flowers in my sewing room for me.  Here they are hanging on the deck...

Aren't they pretty?  And, my daughter took me to lunch at a really yummy Mexican restaurant.  So...even though I wasn't here for "the" day - there was still lots of celebrating!

And what is a post without a fluffy?  Well, this time there is a fluffy that you haven't seen before!  This is Jada  - she is one of my grand doggers.  She has a sister, Lexi, but she didn't pose for the picture. I should have gotten a picture of them both - my daughter has taught them to sit really nice for the camera.  Isn't Jada cute?  She is such a sweet little dog.  Although, Ozzie and Callie fail to see that sweetness! 

 And some wildlife - I don't know how well you can see the geese, but there are 5 babies swimming between the mom and dad.  I just love watching them - the parents are always on the lookout and really get moving if the dogs or anything else starts coming their way.

 And the last wild animal for the day!  Miss Callie trying to help me iron.  I thought this was funny, because CC used to always do this, but Callie never did, until now.

Have a great weekend!

Catching up

Wow - time just flies, doesn't it?  I can't believe it's already been a week since we were with The Crow girls in Omaha!  We had such a great time and learned a lot too.  I have to say that I was a bit skeptical about their applique technique, using glue sticks and a stapler, but...IT WORKS!  And...I am the proud owner of a new, long arm stapler (found on Amazon for only $13 and no shipping!)  The girls are so much fun, so creative and just an all around fun time.

I will go back and start from the beginning - I was trying to decide which quilts to take for the little trunk show that Lyn asked me to do.  Of course, Callie had to help.  I thought of packing her up and taking her along, but I don't think she would have liked our room mates.  Lyn from More Sew For You was kind enough to let us stay with her, and she has 3 adorable dogs.  I loved them all, but don't think that Callie would have shared that love!

 On Friday and Saturday the classes were at a hotel in Omaha, so we were set up there.  The Crows shared a wonderful trunk show with us on Saturday.  Here are just a few pictures.  I really do love each and every one of their quilts!

 And look at what one of the students gave me...a fun goody bag (can't call it a scrap bag - these were way bigger than scraps!).  These were from Susan - she has a pumpkin scissor fob that was broken and we fixed it for her - this was my thank you!  WOW!  You will definitely see some of these in future projects!

On Sunday the class was at Lyn's shop. The Crow Girls taught in the classroom downstairs(surrounded by all of their beautiful quilts!) and Missie and I had our things set up in the shop upstairs.  Here is a picture of the four of us after classes. From L-R - Crow Deidre, Missie, me, and Crow Leonie.  Have I mentioned how much fun they are!?  

 And here is  a pic of Missie and I upstairs - you can see her quilts and patterns and some shop samples.  I just love the quilt that she has her arm on - it's called Brookshire Star.  You can see all of Missie's patterns on her website - be sure to check out her punch needle coasters - they are also one of my favorites (I can't pick just one favorite - I love all of her patterns!).

Here is a picture of me and my little set up at Lyn's shop.  These displays are new - we made them using some old windows.

We had a great time and met some wonderful people.  Thanks again to everyone - Lyn and her husband for allowing us to invade their home, and for feeding us and taking such good care of us.  The Crow Girls for sharing all of their knowledge and expertise and beautiful quilts.  And to all of the class attendees for their kindness and friendship.  Make sure to read Missie's post too - you will find some funny sayings from The Crows that kept us laughing the entire time.

And the fun didn't stop there!  When I got home there was fun mail waiting for me!  You know how much I love fun mail!  A few weeks ago, I won a giveaway on The Patriotic Quilter blog.  I was so excited, because the giveaway was one of those little lights from IKEA - you know the ones - they have been all over blogland, but there are no IKEA stores in my state!  Well, as if the light itself was not enough - look at all of the fun stuff that was in the box with the light!

Now that's a lot of fun, quilty stuff!  What a great end to a fun weekend!

But the fun didn't end there!  The next day, Marty the Mail Lady came through for me again!  Another fun mail day!  A box from Aunt Nancy!  (You can tell how excited I was by all of my exclamation points!).  Look at all this stuff - I've always wanted to try these clips for binding, and now I will be able to - that is if I ever finish a quilt. And a little bit of chocolate will always brighten the day.

 She sent 2 little scrap bags - one from her and one with the batiks, from her friend Bev.  FUN!

Gosh, I just love fun mail.  After all that excitement, I have spent the week trying to catch up on everything.  I had several orders from Omaha that I've been working on, plus paperwork, sales tax (thank you to the state of Nebraska, who makes it much simpler than most states), a little cleaning, etc.  I'm trying to finish that quilt (you remember...the one my DH thinks is ugly) that's been on my design wall for far too long.  I've got a lot of ideas swimming around in my head for some new designs, so hopefully I will be able to work on that in the near future.  I've had a little glitch on my website that I've been dealing with most of the week - I think I've got it solved now.  And while I was at it, I added a bunch of new pieces of jewelry - so be sure to go take a look - there are new items in all of the categories - pins, pendants, earrings and scissor fobs. And now, I better get back to work!

Have a great weekend!

The Roller Coaster of Life

I'm going to try to make this quick (I think I've said that before!).  We have been out of town, as my sweet mother-in-law passed away last Tuesday.  She lived in North Dakota, so we have been there with family for a few days.  It is sad that she is gone, but it was so nice to see all of the family again and to make some new memories with them.  My daughter hasn't ever been able to spend much time with her cousins, so they had a blast.  There was a giggle fest that still makes me laugh when I think of it!  And these girls are ages 20 and 24...not little girls!  They were so funny.  But, back to my MIL.  She was a quilter in her day, and I was lucky enough to be able to finish a quilt for her that she had started.  It is something that we will always treasure.  Again, it is hard to know that she is gone, but also comforting that she is at peace now and with other loved ones who were gone too soon.

Enough sadness...I also wanted to show you the fabrics that we will be working with in Omaha at More Sew For You - with Lyn and The Crow Girls.  (You are all signed up, right?)  It's my understanding that there are only a couple of spots left, so you aren't going to have much of a chance if you don't HURRY!

I can't even put into words how yummy and rich these fabrics are.  Lyn sent them to me and I was sooooo pleased when I opened the package.  They really are gorgeous.  And what am I doing with these????  Well...if you are in attendance you will find out!  Could be some special offerings for class attendees!

Don't forget that my friend Missie, from Hallbrook Designs will also be in Omaha - she will have a display of her awesome quilts (and much more) and will be offering her patterns for sale.  If you have not seen them - be prepared to be wowed!  She has some really great designs.

One other thing - I was notified by a customer that they were having trouble on my website, that when they put items in their cart and attempted to checkout, they kept getting bumped back to the home page.  I am told by Intuit that this problem is corrected, so if anyone has any other trouble, please let me know!

Ok...I said this would be quick - so now I have to get back to work!

Have a great day!