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Relive The Past

Showing posts with label ric-rak. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ric-rak. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 18, 2009

A Day of Pictures!!

My secret sister from last quarter, Tina and agreed to swap 3 Spring Cottages - these are what Tina sent me!! Don't they exude springy happiness?? I love them! Oh, and she even offered to make a triangle for my Dear Jane quilt!! How nice is that? Thanks so much Tina!! I love it all!!
So while I was on a girl's weekend a few weeks ago, my sis in law, Michelle caught the quilting bug!!! NO I didn't twist her arm, she did it of her own free will knowing that it can be quite consuming.
She picked up some real fun fabrics for table runners, basket liners and in true quilter fashion, she bought fabric FOR NO REASON AT ALL!! She's a natural!
She's seen all my cute cottages I've been swapping and thought she'd give them a try. She followed Nanette's great tutorial and whipped up six wonderful cottages!! She gave three to me, and kept three for herself. Didn't she do a great job??
I spent a wonderful day in my studio today!
Urban played pretty well while I sewed and we watched Lion King and the Muppet Movie.
Ironically, none of the pictures I have to show you on this post are from today's sewing! I think you'll enjoy them just the same!
This past holiday weekend I had the opportunity to sew and sew and sew!! My sister's in law and I set up 'shop' up at my mother in law's basement and had three full days of bliss!!
I worked on my Calendar Quilt Challenge. I thought it would be fun to applique a primitive flower to the top of the strip panel I have thus far. I also scalloped the bottom of a set of strips and appliqued them in place. I did this twice because I didn't like the fabric I had appliqued them to the first time. I'm happy with it now (as pictured). I think I'm caught up to the end of February.
I also cut squares to do some hexagons (my first ever!) for Hexagon's of Hope. Check out the cause to help the Victorians who have been effected in Australian's horrible fires.
I also worked on some Happy Houses for a swap started by Lurline in Australia. Kathy is the hostess for the American gals. I still have to 'wonky' them by adding skewed borders all around each block, but it's a good start!
When we finally left the house at 7:30pm, I found a package from Nanette in the mail box!!! I had ordered a kit for her darling Mixed Bag because I love bags, and more importantly, I love the fabrics she puts into the kits!!!
I was so ecstatic to receive the delicious fabrics she sent!! I don't have time in my sewing schedule, but I WILL make this bag by next week for sure!!
True to Nanette's style, she added some extras! A lovely note on a darling birdie card, one of her famous and original Doll House Cottage pot holders, (follow the link to make your own!) some ric-rak for the top of the bag and a charming covered button, also for the bag. Thanks Nanette!! You are very generous!!
Thanks for hanging in there for this long post!
Have a CREATIVE day!!
Saturday, February 7, 2009

Whimsy and More!

Today's show and tell is Whimsy Cottage
I first met Nancy, owner of Whimsy, at a Utah Shop Hop - quilt shop owner's retreat. Most of the owners of the shops that were involved in the Utah Shop Hop came and spent the night sewing, talking and laughing. The next morning we drew names of those who had completed the Shop Hop tour and packaged up all the prizes.
She was located in Heber at the time (2002) and had a house next door to her quilt shop that she rented out for quilting retreats. I have pictures of that gathering somewhere, I'll have to dig them up and post them! Oh, at that time I was an owner of Sew Sweet, a quilt shop here in Tooele.
Anyway, Nancy was so fun and a gracious hostess and I seemed to really gravitate toward her eclectic, take it or leave it, artsy personality. A few years later she sold the business.
Now that her children are grown, she is once again amazing us with her vibrant fabric offerings - Yeah!!!
Upon entering the shop, you see the colorful batik fabrics and displays.
Looking to the right you see bright colors and inspirational samples.
Looking toward the front you can see the charming apron displays. Behind you (no picture) is a great selection of black and white fabrics. Do you remember the fun 'Undies' fabric I bought? I got it here!
Cutting area and check out
OK, so what did I buy?
I saw this ADORABLE box of note cards and thought it would be perfect for my secret sister Valentine Swap! The box looks like a shoe box and inside are 10 note cards in the shape of shoes!!
Gotta have ric-rak for a table runner I'm doing. (for my project of the month goal)
And this piece? It was a NR purchase! (No Reason!!) It just 'spoke' to me!
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Here are some links to things I think you would enjoy:
Candace of Squash House Quilts is approaching her 100th post!! She is having a giveaway to celebrate! Go check it out!! I have enjoyed getting to know her through our blogs and swapping cottages!
Hey Jane and anyone else who is ready for spring! Take a look at the exquisite photography Carla has on her blog documenting a caterpillar's transformation into a butterfly! While you are there, look around, this lady's got a fun sense of humor!!
Here is a tutorial for a folded hexagon yo-yo. I think I might make up a few as 'bling' for some basket liners I've made.
OH, and to you Japanese novelty fabric fans who are in the Salt Lake area, Pine Needles at Gardner Village has about a dozen or more bolts of the irresistible stuff! And they have tea towels, the plain white cotton kind. I've been looking for these everywhere! How do I know this? Umm, yeah, I was there today. I hate to mention it because I forgot to take my camera! I'm kinda liking this 'Quilt Shop Reporter' gig! I will post my purchase sometime soon.