Bling Your Thing Challenge

Recently, Kelly at I Have A Notion had a bling your thing challenge - and it sounded so fun I jumped at it!  The deadline was all set for today, but she's extended it - if you'd like to get your bling on and send her your pic before Thursday, go read her blog and join in...you could win a copy of Creative Quilting With Beads!

I finished my project, and boy did I have fun.  I pulled out the hot-fix crystal applicator that I'd bought several years ago, and found the courage to open the package.  I'd never tried it.  It's addicting!  I made a little wallhanging, and yes, it's supposed to be crooked.



Do you remember when I made this Sis Boom quilt?



The flowers on this little quilt are made from the leftover pieces that I cut out from the big quilt.  I had been saving those pieces since I finished, just KNOWING I wanted to make them into flowers.  I had actually drawn up this design awhile back, and was so glad to put it to use!  All of these fabrics are by Jennifer Paganelli.



I stem stitched inside the flowers, and in the leaves.



I should probably have used darker floss, it doesn't show up well.  Then I backstitched the thingies [that's a technical term] coming up out of the flowers, and put the crystals at the ends and in between.

I had just enough blue crystals to do the vase!



I used a knife-edge binding on this [tutorial here], so it doesn't show on the front.  I do love that method.

I liked it so much that I decided to do another one.



This one isn't finished yet, and won't be until I get my machine fixed.  I'm doing just one line of straight stitching inside the appliques, no blanket stitch....not sure if this one will be blinged or not.

I must thank Kelly for this challenge - my hot fix crystals are no longer gathering dust, and I had a lot of fun doing this!  Thank you Kelly!

Lazy Days

No pics to show you, so you'll get some of my tree outside my window.  Boy was it full of bees today!



I got my sewing room all nice and tidy.  Where does all the dust come from!  I've been working so hard on that green quilt that I haven't had the energy to tackle it.  But it's clean now, and all ready for some new projects.



They're all going to be stitcheries, I think.  My sewing machine is down for the count.  It's making terrible stitches.  It'll be awhile before it can go in, which gives me time to do handwork.



The plan is to kit up a bunch of projects.  Get the designs printed, traced, and fabrics and floss all picked out.  I'm really looking forward to that!  I can do stitcheries even on hot days, because it's not a big quilt on my lap.  I'm drawing too, planning some new designs.  That's always fun.



I'm going to a church rummage sale in the morning.  I want to be there when the doors open.  It's bag day - you fill a bag for one low price.  I'm hoping to get some men's shirts for quilting.  I LOVE church rummage sales.  I've been waiting for this one!  What's your kind of favorite rummage sale?  Estate sales?  Garage sales?  Thrift stores?  Mine is church sales....so many treasures at such a good price.

I hope you all have a great weekend, please stay safe if you're in the middle of the States - wicked weather has been predicted for the weekend.  See you soon!

*crickets*

Hi everyone, I'm going to be kind of quiet on your blogs for a bit....because, *drum roll*, I finished the quilting on the green quilt!  And I'm stitching down the binding!!!



And my hands and shoulders are killing me!  Oh wait, that doesn't need an exclamation point.  Look at the gorgeous vintage sheet I found to go on the back....



It matches the colors in the embroidery PERFECTLY.  I'm sorry these pics are so bad, even though I was directly in the window and it was sunny, it was late afternoon.

So, until I'm done stitching down the binding, I'm going to be typing as little as possible.  When I finished the quilting last night, I tried to answer some emails, and I couldn't feel my fingers, lol!  But I got the quilt done.  It was difficult to dance quietly - it was 4am and I didn't want to wake anyone.  But dance I did.

My tree outside my window is making me so happy, it has blooms.  Remember the barkcloth I found at the thrift store, and made curtains out of?  Hard to tell in this pic, but it's the same pink as the flowers in my tree!



The blooms on that tree are the first thing I see in the morning, and a herald of spring - I love spring - I think that's the reason I've not gotten tired of these curtains, they've been up much longer than any others I've had.  They remind me of my tree all year long.

More tree, on an absolutely gorgeous [but blustery] spring day.




I've had some company while I stitch.  We have mourning doves nesting in our evergreen out front, and the male [I think it's the male] sits on the porch roof all the time and talks to me.  Not a great pic, it's through the glass with a reflection.



I love the way they sound.  It's so good to hear the birds again.  Hello earth, so glad to see you waking up!  Let's play!

I'll chat with you all soon on your blogs, I don't think it will take more than a couple of days to finish the binding.  I've almost got one side done already this evening!

Some flowers at my mom's.


See ya soon!

Resurrection Day

He is Risen indeed...wishing you a joy-filled Resurrection Day!!!

Comments are closed..enjoy the holiday!

Why My Son Doesn't Make His Bed

Miss Hermione thinks it's hers.



I'm sure a few of you can relate.

"Why-for do you wake me uu-up????"



"OOH!  BIRD!!"




Why cats are dangerous around quilts....



those talons put holes in them.

No, I haven't been cat and bird watching ALL day...I've been playing with bling.



Wanna see???



Oops, only got a teeny bit of it.  Guess you'll have to wait.  This is for Kelly's bling challenge, I think the reveal is April 15th.

This picture is for Midge, who inquired about my tree.



Not quite blooming yet, not quite sure it will.  Guess I have to make my own blooms.  Hope you're having fun too!

Today is Good Friday....a day to reflect on the work that Jesus did on the cross for us.  An unfathomable love, incomparable grace and mercy....and as my friend Pat posted today, it may be Friday, but Sunday is coming!!!!!!

Still Here

I haven't been anywhere in days.  I'm getting spring fever.  Tomorrow is errand day, thank goodness.

Saturday, the mailman brought me a box.  I was awfully surprised, I hadn't expected anything...but when I saw who it was from, I got excited.  It was from Mickie at Three Poodles and a Nana!  I had to laugh, in the card she said Happy Un-Birthday, but it really was my birthday!

And inside?  The cutest little zipper bags you ever did see....



A charm pack of Good Fortune and a purse insert pattern....



And two darling mini-quilt hangers!



I couldn't believe it!  Thank you Mickie, you are a sweetheart, I love my gifts and will treasure them!  I'm already thinking of a mini quilt design for the Good Fortune - to hang from one of the quilt hangers - I think my mojo was in that box too!

I really am working on something fun, although I don't think I'm allowed to show you yet.  It's not done, anyway.  Tonight I finished the hand stitching, tomorrow will start the wacky borders, and then the serious embellishment will happen....can't wait!  How about just a sneak peek.....



Now I need to go read about 100 blogs, you've all been busy while I was stitching - see you soon!

One more little pic of the puppy bag....