Rainy Day Inspiration

It's a happy day today and I am feeling inspired (even with the pouring rain)...maybe even a little more so than usual! I've been getting in my early morning training walks with Schatzi each day (yes, we walked this morning in the downpour!)...and that gives me good, quiet time to create in my head. I have been working on new needlework design ideas, new sewing/quilting patterns and projects, and I have been making time each day for my sewing machine (working on gifts and Etsy items). Plus, building my new BRD website is filling me with all sorts of ideas. To top things off, there are ELEVEN new AccuQuilt GO! dies being released today, and we all know how much I love my AccuQuilt Fabric Cutters! These new Block Party dies are right up my alley...especially the two designer dies from Edyta Sitar (Laundry Basket Quilts) - I am just such a fan of her work. Her two designer dies (shown top right) are called GO! Simple Shapes and GO! Dancing Umbrella (prefect for this gloomy, rainy day) and they are fabulous!

I am also intrigued by the Flowering Snowball, the Kite, the Ohio Star, and the Schoolhouse...all of these dies *need* to come live in my studio...and there is also a Cupcake die, a couple new basic shapes, an awareness ribbon, and a new circular rag die. I sure wish I was independently wealthy, so I could afford all these new cutting creations...then I could just cut and play with fabric all day, every day! Just seeing these new releases has my head swimming with ideas and has me longing for some quiet quilting time...

...and here is some exciting news...I am part of the AccuQuilt Block Party Blog Hop taking place the last two weeks in May...and I am working on a very special project that uses the new GO! Simple Shapes die by Edyta Sitar. I will be the very first stop on the blog hop - so stop back next Monday, May 19th, to see my creative take on this new floral design die with an adorable little birdie. I can tell you, I have been busy selecting fabrics, and it is a colorful project for spring! There will be ten other stops on this blog hop and I have no doubt that each one will be inspiring...so make sure you visit me next Monday, and I will share all the details with you...

Today, I must also thank my army of voters - you are keeping my quilt block entry in AccuQuilt's Design Contest in the top ten (out of almost 600 entries) and I'm feeling the love! Most of you know how much winning some money for my charity (The Komen 3-Day) would mean to me...and you have kept my hope alive. I know each and every person reading this post has been touched by breast cancer and I know many of you donate yearly to help eradicate this dreadful disease...this is just a small way you can help contribute and no money is necessary.  Please keep voting daily through May 27th, and keep sharing...it is free, it only takes a few seconds...and you may be helping me make a difference. Simply click on this link to vote for my design:
http://www.accuquilt.com/block-contest#!/entry/6685538 - I truly appreciate your kindness...

For now, I am back to working on my new stitching wallets...I have a pile cut and ready for the assembly line...then I have a few hours scheduled to work on my "new and improved" website (new homepage peek below)...then this evening, I will be doing more model stitching - I am about half finished with my 2014 "pink" design for charity (I'll give you an updated peek real soon!)...it is coming along nicely. I also have a hair appointment, a list of errands to run, and chores to do - it is another full day and I plan to be productive!