Hey There, Mrs. Big Shot

Hello dear friends,

I've been trying to catch up with all the blog stuff that I have been so remiss with.  I meant to do this and I meant to do that.  Before I knew it, I was trying to refer to something on the blog but it wasn't there...  Apparently, thinking about doing something doesn't ACTUALLY get it done...  Who knew?

First, I want to tell you how excited I was to be selected as December in the Crazy Quilters' Quarterly 2017 Calendar!  Many months ago Pam Kellogg, creator of the online magazine, issued a contest for the calendar.  She requested blocks with a secret garden theme.  The blocks had to evoke a feeling of something special happening in the garden.  My little snowman made the cut!  Super excited!  Lots of other really talented artists were selected so, I felt really honored.  If you'd like to purchase a copy go to MAGCLOUD.  You can get a paper version or a digital copy.  They'd make great gifts for your quilty friends!  If the link doesn't work, try Pam's blog link.

So, as many of you know, I started hand dying silk ribbon to sell in my online shop.  Well, I was toting it all around in my storage bins and it was a mess.  Carol P. would tell me how much I needed a new solution.  EVERY TIME I SAW HER...  So, it took me awhile to figure out what direction to go in.  I knew I didn't want it to bo be too bulky.  Here's what I came up with:

Aren't the ribbons so pretty all layed out in a rainbow!?  It all rolls up nicely into a cute little carrier.  I should have gotten a better shot of the quilting on it.  Pretty cute if I do say so myself.  I also made an aqua one for the cool colors.    Apparently, I didn't take a pic of that one.  I tell you, if my head  wasn't attached, I'd forget to take it with me... 
 I finished a block for my Vintage Valentine quilt.  This block is not my favorite.  I am thankful for choosing to do the quilt because it has inspired me to design my own stuff.  That being said, I'm not sure that I love how I altered this block.  The ribbon section gives me fits.  Also, I have fixed that straight sided heart. 
I had another retreat in Mascoutah recently.  It's always a good time.  Except I always seems to be going through some crazy emotional upheaval during that weekend.  Last time, Sierra had just moved out.  This time, I found out my brother had died while I was there.  Luckily, the people there are all so supportive.  I did manage to get a few things accomplished in between breakdowns...  This super cute Ditty Bag!  Don't you just love that lace zipper?

 I also made a new iPad cover.  By the way, all of these fabrics can be found at BrighterSideFabrics.Etsy.com !  There is a new tab at the top of my blog now, just click on SHOP and it has links to Etsy and Craftsy.

 A few years ago, Donna D. gave me a wool applique book as a gift and I made this super cute daisy block.  I had it laying out the other day while I was looking for something else and I realized how perfectly my gold fabric (available in my shop) matched the handle of the garden clips.  So, I made it into a wall hanging and hung it in my studio!  I just love it!  Thanks again, Donna D.!

 Last but certainly not least, I took an embroidery class from Catherine Redford through my quilt guild.  What a great way to spend a day!  She was a lot of fun.  I wasn't sure what to expect.  I'll admit that I'm pretty experienced and dare I say GOOD with a needle.  The class was on folk embroidery and was completely out of my element design wise.  It's good to realize that the stitches are all the same, it's just how you use them that makes the difference.  My kids think my class sample looks very "cell like".  Everytime they look at it, I hear how the mitochondria is the power house of the cell.  So, you know, it was also a great science lesson.

  

In other news, I added pages to the blog.  I've got a tab for the shops and a tab for tutorials.  I'm considering a tab for my award winning quilts.  Too pretentious?  I might do it anyway.  Makes me feel like a big shot.  Dress for the job you want, not the job you have, right?

Talk to you soon!