Sewing and Sunflowers

Sewing/quilting time in my studio has been almost completely absent in the last month...and I have been itching to fire up my machine! The great news is, I am feeling much better...the problem is, the puppy has taken over most, if not all, of my sewing time (right now she is Puppy 2.0). When my husband is home, I try to sneak away and get in a little studio time...and over the last several weeks, I managed to create several handmade birthday gifts. Thank goodness I was thinking ahead while I was in California and picked up a bag full of stitching gifts from Elegant Stitch...so my handmade gifts didn't need to be nearly as labor-intensive.

For my fabulous friend Robin, I made a small table topper/candle mat...it is the "Crossing Ohio" block...I had fun working with some patriotic cotton quilting fabrics (Quilts of Valor by Minick & Simpson for Moda Fabrics)...and this interesting traditional block is always fun! It measures 12" square...and although this is not the best photo, it did turn out as I envisioned!

I also worked on a couple fun pieces for my dear friend Terri's birthday. I had no idea she was a sunflower fan, I was just in a sunflower mood when I started working on her project...turns out she adores sunflowers, so it worked out wonderfully. The first piece I made was a small applique wall hanging/runner...I had a kit from Country Traditions in Fremont, NE (they have a whole collection of Skinny Mini Wall Hanging Quilt Kits)....but in true Belinda fashion, I had to make it my own and change it up a bit. I wanted the appliqued sunflower to match the sunflowers in the border fabric, so I cut out a completely different flower and leaves...and I was thrilled with the result! I also played around with the quilting - I had seen a video where you adjust the tension when you "quilt as you go" (when the applique stitching is also the quilting), so you can see your top color thread/applique stitches on the back of your quilt, giving it an artistic look...this was my first time trying this technique and it turned out rather well!

While I was putting together the wall hanging, I thought about a machine embroidered sunflower pincushion I made a couple years ago...I knew it would match perfectly. I was so pleased when I pulled out the machine embroidery pattern (Pin Cushions by Smith Street Designs) to find I had kitted fabric with it from when I made my first one, so I had everything I needed already gathered...that was a happy moment, as time is so limited right now!

I can't wait until life gets back to normal and I can get back in my studio...I have so many projects in the works and on my to-do list. The next project is to finally finish something very special for my California friend...she has been very patient, as I have been working on it for quite some time...hopefully it will be worth the wait...

I'll be back tomorrow with details and photos of my class project design for the New England Stitcher's Retreat...I am very excited to share it with you!

Meet Schatzi...

Travis with Schazti when we picked her up in MN...8 weeks old...

Hello friends! I finally have a moment to myself and thought I would do a quick blog update...things have been a bit hectic in our household to say the least... Last weekend we drove up to Minnesota to pick up "Schatzi", our new German Shepherd puppy...and she is a handful (to put it kindly). She is all puppy and is definitely keeping me on my toes. The name Schatzi is German for "little treasure"...and although she is not going to be little for long, she is definitely a treasure (she was 19.5 pounds at her vet visit last Sunday). I pretty much have her attached at the hip for 17-18 hours a day...the other six or seven hours is during the night when she is sleeping in her kennel...at this age, I can't let her out of my sight for long, or she is busy being a puppy (finding things to chew or "exploring"). She is doing quite well with the house training and is already going to the front door when she needs a potty break (which is often). So far, Simba is "tolerating" her...they aren't best friends yet, but they can handle being in the same space. Here are a few photos for those who asked...then we will talk about other things...

First night in our home...8 weeks old...

A calm moment in our yard - 9 weeks old...

Play time in the yard...9 weeks old...

Now on to other things...
I am still dealing with a terrible cough in my chest and I'm feeling rundown...but the other flu symptoms have subsided...which is a great thing! Thank you for the well wishes and the home remedies you have have shared with me...I am hoping I am finally on the mend.

I have finished the class project for the New England Stitcher's Retreat and have sent finished photos and details to the event coordinators...as soon as I have the okay, I will be sharing all the information with you!

I have quite a few Blue Ribbon Designs "irons in the fire" right now...and I am doing my best to get some new releases ready...plus a special project is in the works and I will have details soon. The flu and the puppy have slowed me down, but I am hoping to be back on track in the next week or so...

On the sewing/quilting front, there is not much news...but I did manage to finish some fun birthday gifts over the last couple weeks and I will be sharing those with you in the next few days...

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend and experiencing sunshine in your little corner of the world...take time to do something you enjoy!

Feathered Friends on Fabrics

The flu California plague still has a bit of a hold on me...I was starting to feel better on Friday, but overdid it (trying to catch-up on life) and today I am miserable once again. I did manage to get out on Friday for a delightfully long lunch with my dear friends Mary and Lorrie...and for errands and dinner with my husband....other than that, I have been nursing my flu bug and trying to rest. I have started the finishing process for the New England Stitcher's Retreat class pieces, but it is slow going, as I am not feeling "up to speed".

Friday's lunch with the girls also included a trip to a local quilt shop, where I purchased a pile of fat quarters from a beautiful new fabric collection - "Tweet For Two" by Nancy Rink for Marcus Fabrics. I just love this  entire line and the floral focal fabric with whimsical birds! Last week I received some new AccuQuilt Studio and GO! cutting dies and I have a very fun idea for these special fabrics...

...and speaking of bird fabrics...check out this absolutely gorgeous tote bag a very dear friend made for me...isn't it FABULOUS?! The fabric is "Oh Deer!" by Momo for Moda and I just adore it...and I have been using this tote every single chance I get. I'm not sure about the pattern she used...but I just LOVE all the roomy pockets and the pleated ruffle accents! 

I have also been experimenting with stamps and ink on fabric...isn't this bird stamp adorable??..it was a gift from the very same dear friend who made the tote bag for me. I have picked out some unique/fun stamps and have been trying different inks to use on fabric for an upcoming project idea...

I am very anxious to get back to my sewing machine and start working on several new creative ideas...plus finish a few gifts that I have in progress...but for now, I am back to my warm stitching nest - it is bringing me some comfort while I try to shake this awful flu virus...

A Guaranteed Smile...

Thank you all for your notes about the new puppy joining our family in just over a week. The puppies will be 8 weeks old on the 9th on May...and we will be making the journey to Minnesota to pick up our "pink collar" girl on Saturday, May 11th. Many of you would like to know if we have a name picked out yet...well, we do have a name in mind, but we will be waiting until we spend a little more time with her before making it official. I don't have any new photos to share with you today, but I do have this adorable video...guaranteed to make you smile! Here is the entire litter of nine and their momma (Anna) out for a morning stroll...enjoy...

Yosemite National Park

Here it is Wednesday afternoon, and I am still suffering from the "California plague" (yes, my diagnosis has been changed from "California flu" to "California plague", which is much more accurate). I have started to feel a wee bit better and I am finally somewhat functional...my temperature has lowered and I almost able to breathe through my nose again, both of which are good signs...I am hoping to be back to normal in the next day or two...fingers crossed.

Today, I will once again let my photos do most of the talking...these gorgeous pictures are from Yosemite National Park. Last week during my trip to California, I was beyond blessed to stay with Lois and Mr. Bear for a few extra days to do some sightseeing...and Mr. Bear was kind enough to drive us to Yosemite for a day. He really had no idea what he was getting himself into, as this Iowa girl likes to stop at every single landmark for photos...he started out by giving me a time limit for each stop and by the end of the day, I was made aware I had reached my quota - no more stops...luckily by then I had a gazillion photos (and really, how many photos can you take of mountains, trees, and water??...it is really something you just have to experience in person). It was another breathtaking day filled with marvelous views and memories...and big, BIG trees (I am in a couple of the photos to show you just how BIG)...

Bridalveil Creek

Bridalveil Fall

Ribbon Fall

The Ahwahnee Hotel

Inside the Ahwahnee Hotel

Tunnel View

Horse Tail Fall

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Bachelor and Three Graces

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Fallen Tree

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Grizzly Giant

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
California Tunnel Tree
(cut in 1895 to allow horse-drawn stages to pass through)

And for my faithful readers...yes, it is still all "about the squirrel"...and the bird...and the lizard...

 I hope you enjoyed seeing Yosemite National Park through my camera lens....it was truly incredible...

It was an AMAZING trip to California - I can hardly wait to go back in November! A huge thank you to all the attendees at the Elegant Stitch Workshop - I am so glad you requested to have me return - I enjoyed my time with each and everyone of you!! ...and to Lois and Mr. Bear - you know how dear you are to me - thank you for your hospitality, your love, and your friendship - you hold a very special place in my heart...