Stitching, Sewing, and Celebrating

Last Friday, I was blessed to spend an afternoon with my dear friends Mary and Kimber...it was a friendship Friday birthday celebration! Both Kimber and Mary celebrate a birthday in August, so it was the perfect excuse to have lunch and catch-up. Spending a few hours with Mary and Kimber is incredibly good for my soul...and even more special when we are celebrating! We had lunch at a local Italian restaurant and enjoyed great food and extremely fun conversation...is there any better way to spend an afternoon?! It was delightful putting together birthday gifts for my friends...they truly appreciate handmade gifts and really notice personal touches and details...and now that they have received everything, I can share the treasures I created with you...

I decided to make each of them a small tote/purse/bag and place small wrapped packages inside. These are Mini Charmer Totes (pattern by Quiltsillustrated designed by Penny Sturges) - the lighter colored bag in pinks and grays (Puttin on the Ritz by Bunny Hill Designs for Moda) was made especially for Kimber...and the brighter bag (kitted fabrics, not certain of the designer) was made especially for Mary.

I tucked an assortment of small gifts inside each bag, including: a floral pen set, a little owl notebook, special hand cream, and a small cross stitched pincushion/bowl filler. The pincushions were stitched from an old Eye & Eye & Friends pattern (Petite Exemplary 2) - I changed several floss colors and added to the border...plus I decided to stitch them on Graziano Soft Rose/White Gingham Linen. I backed each one with polka dot fabric and filled them with crushed walnut shells...then added several cute pins.

I don't know what was more fun - putting together these birthday bags...or watching my friends open each of their gifts...it made my heart happy. To have many of the important people in my life spread across the country, what a joy it is to have two wonderful friends just a few miles away - I always look forward to our special outings!

Springtime Snapshots

Hello friends! The last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind, but filled with good things - I continue to keep busy with my creative endeavors, training for the Komen 3-Day, and all the usual household things (including yardwork and planting). I even managed to get out for an afternoon on the boat with my husband - we took Miss Schatzi along for the first time (and more than likely the last - she was a handful)! Model stitching has been happening each evening...sewing, quilting, and pattern writing has been happening each day...long training walks are in full swing...and my design sketch books are full of new ideas. Here are a few photos to catch you up...

A little design work with EQ7 and BlockBase...

Lunch and a trip to the local quilt shop with my very dear friend...
I brought home these goodies...

Schazti snuggles selfie...

Simba holding down the stairs...in his favorite sweater, in his favorite spot...

Schatzi at the park after retrieving the ball (what seemed like) a million times...

A custom order of Stitch Starter Ruler and Pocket Sleeve Sets...

A new project ready for binding...

My latest AccuQuilt blog project...details/tutorial will be posted later this week...

So there you have it...my last couple weeks in a nutshell...projects are going on behind the scenes that I can't share just yet, but I will as soon as I can (some really fun stuff!). Have a great week and I'll be back soon with my latest project tutorial....

Friendship Friday - A Celebration

Today was the perfect day for a friendship Friday gathering...it has been rainy, gloomy and gray all day, but having a long lunch with dear friends was like having a beautiful, sunny day! Spending a few hours with Kimber and Mary is incredibly good for my soul - and today was extra special because we were celebrating Kimber's birthday. We had lunch at our favorite local restaurant and enjoyed great food and extremely fun conversation...so fun, we completely lost track of time and were there for three hours (is there any better way to spend a rainy afternoon?)! It was delightful putting together a birthday box for Kimber...she truly appreciates handmade gifts and really notices personal touches...and now that she has received everything, I can share them with you. I decided to make her a couple small zippered pouches to use in her favorite purses/bags...and since she loves wool, I thought one of my wool applique pin pillows (featuring pink, of course) would be a perfect addition. I have also been collecting yardage of ribbons in her favorite colors that I wrapped around a large vintage wooden spool (found at a local antique shop). I wrapped all the presents in gift gloss and tissue paper and put them in a photo storage box, tied with a bright pink grosgrain ribbon.

I don't know what was more fun - putting together Kimber's birthday box...or watching her open each of her gifts...it made my heart happy. To have many of the important people in my life spread across the country, what a joy it is to have two wonderful friends just a few miles away - I always look forward to our special outings!
...and just like that my rainy day was filled with sunshine!

Eye Candy and Inspiration

I'm a day later than I originally planned with this post...but sometimes, life gets in the way. I spent most of the week hunkered down in my studio, playing catch-up and working on a variety of projects, including some needlework finishing for a customer. I still have a pile of cross stitch pieces I am working on this weekend, but I thought I would share a couple of the projects that were returned to their happy home yesterday. I really enjoy needlework finishing for customers...especially when they let me finish each piece as I see fit...it's just carving out the time in my schedule to get them completed...luckily my clientele are EXTREMELY patient! I tend to go "off the beaten path" with a lot of my finishing...especially when the projects don't include finishing supplies or if the finishing instructions are questionable...and if I know the stitcher, I try my best to finish them to match their personality...

Blackbird Designs: Loose Feathers #20 - Secret Garden
Box Top and Strawberry

Milady's Needle: Cottage Charm Stitcher's Pocket and Needlebook

Inside Cottage Charm Needlebook

 ....and speaking of beautiful needlework...I received the most AMAZING gift from a very dear friend...a set incredible handmade berry pincushions that were each personalized especially for me (and all the tops are finished differently)...and they came in a lovely glass-sided box that holds them all...and I can't stop staring at  them...aren't they breathtaking??!!

This week, I also got to take an impromptu road trip with my fabulous friend Mary...we headed to my very favorite quilt shop in Creston, Iowa called Quilts and Other Notions...I needed a few more yards of fabric for a project I am working on a customer...plus, we both *needed* a little time away. Luckily, the quilt shop still had the fabrics I was searching for (plus a couple others)...and we got the first stamps on our All Iowa Shop Hop passports. We then stopped at the local Mexican Restaurant for lunch. Driving back, on a whim, I turned off on the highway to Winterset...we got to see more of the Iowa countryside and visit the Fons & Porter Love of Quilting Quilt Shop and the Ben Franklin (I always enjoy a visit to Ben Franklin - it is like going back in time!). We had a lovely day!

My very favorite quilt shop - if you are in the Creston, Iowa area
you should definitely make arrangements for a visit!

I have also been getting in daily training walks and play sessions with Miss Schatzi. Now that our favorite trail is open again, we have been getting in at least 5-miles per day (and that is saying a lot with rain, rain, and more rain in the forecast almost every day). I try to Instagram a photo from most of my 3-Day training walks - we see so much beauty each day...

This afternoon, I will be busy with some more needlework finishing...then cutting/sewing/quilting some custom projects...and I have design work to do tomorrow...I am ready for a very creative weekend!

Wool Wonders

It is another cold/snowy day in Iowa, so I thought I would brighten things up a bit by sharing a couple amazing wool pieces with you. It is no surprise that I have a love for birds and owls...and my good friend Kimber shares my owl obsession - in fact, I think she loves them more than I do (if that is even possible)!...so when I opened a box of birthday goodies from Kimber, I was extremely touched to get a couple pieces of her wool art - including an owl portrait. Kimber's wool portraits are AMAZING...so amazing, that one is featured in the latest issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine (visit Kimber's blog to read all about it!). I think what I love most about this particular piece is that she created it with her very favorite colors and I can't help but think of her and smile each and every time I look at it....and isn't the frame absolutely perfect?! In addition to the owl portrait, she made me the most GORGEOUS wool button with earthy colors...yep, she designed it too - she's crazy talented...I love the added touch of the three little beads! This handmade shank button measures 1.5" in diameter...and I just have to find the perfect use for it...but for now, I'll admire it lovingly on the sunshiny yellow card.  Kimber included several other owl and bird gifts in my box of treasures...including some fun notepads, labels, a glass ornament, some fabrics...even my birthday card was a pop-up card with owls in a tree and the box was wrapped with adorable owl paper.

Yes, I truly have the best friends - and I am so blessed that they share their talents and hearts with me...

Books and Blessings

I have gotten a bit behind on my blog posts...and I have so many creative and inspiring things to share with you! I have been doing more stitching and sewing - having lots of fun in my studio...plus I am celebrating a birthday this month and I have received some really artistic and crafty gifts I can't wait to tell you about...each and every day has been full of beauty and surprises.

Last Thursday, I received a bright and cheerful gift in the mail from my fabulous friend Elizabeth - a lovely needlepoint scissor case! This triangular, pink and orange poppies scissor case was just what I needed to see during this long, hard winter. Inside, there is a ribbon to attach a pair of scissors - and I found the perfect pair in my collection...I just love this...

Then I got to start off my weekend right with "Friendship Friday"...yep, it was time for lunch with my BFFs Mary and Lorrie...and this time Kimber was able to join us too! We met at a local restaurant for a little food and fellowship (always my favorite Friday of the month). I had no idea the girls planned to celebrate my birthday, so when they showered me with gifts, I was a bit emotional and overwhelmed. I feel so blessed to have these three beautiful, strong, inspiring women in my life - they are all truly incredible. We enjoyed a long lunch and it was exactly what I needed. I have to share just a few of the creative gifts they had for me...

Lorrie made me tear-up with a unique stitched pocket watch...I just adore the little woman with a crown (Give Love by The Little Stitcher) that is Cross Stitch over-one...and the two vintage buttons are a great accent. I placed it on a piece of Valentine fabric my friend Mary gave me...

Lorrie also gifted me with an incredible book that she just knew I would love - The World of Wooden Bobbins: The Story of Old Wooden Textile Bobbins by Graham Fellowes (Editor), David Harban (Photographer) - ISBN 10: 0964672006 / ISBN 13: 9780964672000. This book is an excellent resource for bobbin collectors, as it contains extensive history and particulars...plus, there are more than 300 images (many color). It is extremely detailed, while remaining easy to read...and I have found it quite interesting to look up the bobbins in my collection and read about their history and uses. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in wooden bobbins...

I also received a wonderful book from Mary - Sonoran Borders: Threads of Friendship by Vickie LoPiccolo Jennet. This beautifully illustrated book follows the fictional journey of two young girls, Feliciana and Emily, who met in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona Territory more than a century ago. Although their time together was brief, their friendship spans a lifetime through correspondence and a shared love of needlework. The book includes 11 inspiring projects with unique finishing ideas...and now that I have had a chance to look through this fabulous book, I must have the author's newest release A Schoolroom Alphabet: 12 Cross-Stitch Projects Based on an Antique Handkerchief...it is definitely going on my wish list!

Mary also gave me a Thirty-One Round-About Caddy filled with tons of treasures and goodies...yes, she spoiled me, as she always does! I really like this sturdy caddy with numerous pockets - it is extremely versatile and I can think of a half a dozen uses for it...plus it is black and white polka dot...too fun!!

I have so much more to share - but I will save some for another day...just wait until you see what my extremely talented friend Kimber made for me...and I received two more packages in the mail today (which I will save and open later in the week). My heart is full - I am feeling extremely blessed and beyond spoiled....

The Gift of Friendship

It has been quite the week and I could really use a do-over with less stress and hassle (I know, we all have them at sometime or another...but WOW, this week has been a doozy) - "it is what it is" and I am just trying to move forward with a (somewhat) positive attitude and hope the black cloud following me dissipates soon.

On a MUCH happier note, I was finally able to get together with my dear friends, Mary and Lorrie, for our belated holiday celebration a little over a week ago - we had postponed our friendship Friday before Christmas due to bad weather, so we had a little post-holiday celebration. We met at one of my favorite local restaurants and enjoyed a lovely fireside lunch...we chatted and laughed and just enjoyed the afternoon...and of course, we exchanged gifts. Both Mary and Lorrie are extremely generous and thoughtful and I had loads of packages to unwrap...and I wanted to share a few of the unique and creative gifts with you...

Lorrie made me a GORGEOUS quilted table runner that matches my dining room decor perfectly!...and she also cross-stitched a beautiful bread cloth for me...

Mary has a special knack for finding great gifts...and she gave me a bag FULL of  treasures to unwrap...including a fabulous large wooden spool wrapped with twine and a smaller wooden spool wrapped with a silver/string bracelet!...and in the top right photo, you will see an adorable glass cupcake pedestal/dome Mary found - isn't it wonderful?! - I just *had to* bake cupcakes last night, so it wouldn't be lonely (and to comfort me after this past crazy week). She also sparked my creativity with a book that has been on my wishlist forever...and I can't believe I didn't get a photo of the squirrel mug with the words "NUTS ABOUT YOU" on the back...

It was THE BEST afternoon with friends and I feel extremely blessed to have both of them in my life...my months wouldn't be the same without "friendship Friday" and the joy these two bring me...I am a very lucky girl!

So now, I am off to salvage what is left of the weekend...to try and clear off my desk top...and to do some much needed model stitching...and, and, and... Wishing you a creative and productive weekend...

Friendship Friday (A Week Late)...

This past week has been a bit of a whirlwind and my schedule has been quite full. We took our German Shepherd puppy (Schatzi) up to Minnesota last weekend for two months of training...plus my husband had bicep surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn tendon...so with my normal intense schedule and my training walks, I have been doing my best to find some sort of balance. My husband's surgery went as well as can be expected and he should be healed up in several months...and we are definitely missing our baby girl, but she is in great hands at her training boot camp (plus, she has her mom and four siblings to keep her company). The photo was taken in our kitchen a few days before we took her up to MN (70.2 pounds)...she likes to help/watch me cook...

I did get together with my dear friends (Lorrie and Mary) last Friday for an afternoon road trip...and yes, Mary brought me another ADORABLE squirrel (shown right) - isn't it just the cutest?! We went to one of our very favorite quilt shops - Quilts and Other Notions in Creston, Iowa. Oh, how we LOVE this shop - always something fun and new - a HUGE selection of fabrics, trims, and notions - and THE BEST customer service around! It is an hour or so drive - but worth every single minute - plus it gives us time to catch-up and giggle. As always, we were all good little shoppers and found an assortment of treasures to take home. This wonderful quilt shop also has a fabulous "Creative Center" right next door where they entertain and hold classes and retreats...and last weekend was their retreat weekend, so creativity was everywhere...and while I was paying for my purchases, Lorrie and Mary slipped next door with Joyce (the shop owner) to see all the attendees in action. It was a lovely afternoon with my girlfriends and the perfect way to kick off the busy week ahead...

Here are several patterns that called my name...the shop had ladybug models
hanging on the wall from "The Ladies" pattern that were ADORABLE...
and I must make a "Flutterby" Bee Pincushion...

I *HAD TO* have both of these fabrics...
Left - Collage by Carrie Bloomston for Such Designs (Windham Fabrics)
Right - Nevermore Collection by Gillian Fullard/London Portfolio for Michael Miller Fabrics

A couple more cuts of Winter's Lane by Kate & Birdie Paper Co. for Moda to add to my collection...

I loved this redwork style fabric by Marcus Brothers Textiles...
I am guessing it is an older fabric, as to my surprise it was on sale for $3.00/yard...
I thought it would be fun for fussy cutting...

I am now headed back to my stitching nest...I have been busy working on a set of design models for Annie's Publishing that will accompany a "learning to cross stitch" video I am shooting with/for them early next year...more details on this in the future. I also have a holiday design to finish up, so I can get it to my framer....and a new magazine piece to design...it should be a very creative weekend!