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....

AQS QuiltWeek in Des Moines

I actually took the day off yesterday to visit the 2013 AQS QuiltWeek being held at the Iowa Events Center (October 2-5). My dear friend Kimber and her husband Tom were kind enough to invite me along again this year to view the show with them...and it truly was a splendid day! We headed downtown bright and early, so we could see everything in one day - we actually arrived before the doors opened. We started by walking the vendor area, then we perused the Des Moines Area Quilters Guild 30th Annual Quilt Show...and finally we walked the AQS Quilt Contest Exhibit. It was sensory overload as we visited an array of fabulous vendors, then took in all the incredible quilts on display...I was so inspired by the creativity and talent, that I completely lost track of time and the day evaporated without a second thought. If you are in the Des Moines area or plan to be this week, this show is a MUST SEE. After we finished our visit to the quilt show, we headed to the Brass Armadillo Antique Mall to see the antique and vintage quilts, sewing notions, and sewing memorabilia vendors prominently placed about their booths...and yes, we did find a couple goodies. After our day of shopping, viewing, and walking, we had all built up quite an appetite...so we headed to The Drake Diner to refuel - a local favorite/landmark for a delicious late lunch. It was the perfect day off....and has quickly become a favorite annual event!

The show included an incredible merchandise mall with more than 280 Merchant Mall booths! Yes, there was shopping GALORE - aisles upon aisles of ways to spend your hard-earned money...in fact, the shopping mall was so large, it took us most of the morning to walk down each of the aisles. I must admit, I did very well at controlling my "urge" to spend and kept my purchases to a minimum...in fact, I only purchased a couple patterns (although I was tempted by MANY). I thought I would share a few of my favorite booths with you..and yes, these photos were all taken with the permission of the kind and creative vendors....

First up, Yellow Creek Quilt Designs...I love this vendor and their gorgeous designs! I seriously could live in this booth - each and every one of their quilt designs is incredible and every single one is on my "must make" list. They have a brand new book called "Kindred Spirits: Celebrating Pieces of the Past", and many of the projects were on display (BREATHTAKING!) - this book is another "must have" for me. One of the things I admire about their designs - you can use traditional fabrics (their style) or switch it up and use modern fabrics to give each piece an updated look...making them perfect for just about any quilter! They also had the most incredible hexagon quilts on display...using teeny tiny hexagons...the ones in the photo have hexagons that are 1/4" and 3/8"...but we were shown even smaller paper pieces (yes, they were itty bitty!)...I was awestruck by these models and their intricacy (I feel very blessed they allowed me to take a couple photos to share with you). Yellow Creek Designs has a quilt shop in Pearl City, IL...or visit their website for their online shop...you won't be disappointed...

Another very favorite vendor - From my heart to your hands: Quilt Designs by Lori Smith. I have adored Lori's designs for years - so much so, that there are a bunch (and I mean a bunch!) in my personal stash (and I hate to admit it, but I have purchased some of her designs twice, because they speak to me and I forget what all I have in my collection). Walking up to Lori's vendor booth, my eyes were immediately drawn to "Mrs. Lincoln's Sampler Quilt" (pattern shown right and model shown in the top photo below)...it is incredible...and was one of the two purchases I made in the vendor mall...I can't begin to tell you how much I love this quilt...it is so very "me". I can hear each and every one of her models calling my name and I could spend hours in this particular booth admiring each design...love, love, love! Visit the From my heart to your hands: Quilt Designs by Lori Smith website to see all these beauties and Lori's online shop...it is FULL of eye candy!

Finally, the Millie P's Quilt Shop booth...the fabulous models from this vendor stood out to me from the very start! It looks like I have a new shop to visit when I am in Minnesota in a couple weeks (even if I have to drag my husband kicking and screaming!). Millie P's Quilt Shop is located in Anoka, MN and is a "must visit" for me. I jut love their color and fabric choices...and their models make you want to purchase every pattern they have for sale. I also adored the white fixture holding fat quarters...it was such an inviting display. Everything was cheerful and beautiful and made me happy...

Up next...my view of the Des Moines Area Quilters Guild 30th Annual Quilt Show (through my camera lens, of course)...I truly took hundreds of photos - but here are some that stood out to me. This year's annual show was titled "Our Quilting Legacy" and included over 400 quilts made by guild members. The show also included a silent auction with over 100 small quilts...here is a slideshow...visit my Flickr page for sharper images and details of each photo (including entry information and quilter's names)...

Created with flickr slideshow.
Now for the 2013 AQS QuiltWeek Contest Quilts...and these were spectacular - there were over 170 AQS contest quilts vying for $44,000 in cash awards! One of my favorites was "On Your Mark" created by Barbara Barrick McKie in Lyme, CT...it was in the fabric art category...and it was a SQUIRREL quilt...and it looked completely realistic and 3D - the squirrel was jumping off the quilt - and although it was not a ribbon winner, I thought it was incredible! Take a look at the slideshow below to see all the quilts (including the squirrel)...and again, visit my Flickr page for sharper images and details of each photo (including entry information and quilter's names)...

Created with flickr slideshow.
I know I have given you plenty of inspiring images today...and I still have some more to share in the next several days...check back in a day or two if you would like to see more images from my day off!

Fabulous Friendship Friday....

Today was the highlight of my disastrous week...Friendship Friday! I was so thrilled to get together with my dear friends Mary and Lorrie for a little Friday celebration; today's Mexican fiesta was a birthday party for Mary. It was a much needed distraction for all of us - and as we enjoyed lunch, suddenly the stress of everyday life evaporated and we were all laughing, giggling, and sharing good news. The three of us have decided we need to make Friendship Friday a permanent day (or two) on our monthly calendar. We met at a favorite local quilt shop and did a little stash enhancement...even though we had all decided beforehand that we were not going to buy anything, somehow we all left with some new, fun fabrics. Next, we walked over to a favorite Mexican restaurant and enjoyed a delicious lunch...and Mary opened her birthday gifts...

Since I enjoyed making Lorrie's friendship book last month, I decided to make Mary one, as well. I used a Maya Road 3" Vintage Memory Box w/Coaster Album...and decorated it with pretty papers and a Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad in Victorian Velvet. I got to use my favorite Xyron products (a Xyron 5" Creative Station, a Xyron Create-A-Sticker, and a Xyron Mega Runner) to attach decorative papers, Maya Road Blossoms and Flowers, trims and ribbbons, and photographs. And although my studio looked like a bomb exploded by the time I was finished, I was super happy with the results! Here is what I started with (the memory box is 3" square and the coaster album pages are just over 2 1/2" square):

And here is the finished product (click on photographs to enlarge):

I also wanted to give Mary a little something that I stitched, so I worked up Shepherd's Bush "My Stitching Bag"...this was a fun kit that included a pre-made zipper bag with a linen insert, cotton floss, and the little flower buttons. I purchased several of these for gifts and gave them in kitted form, but this time I actually stitched one up...

...and, as always, I like to give a creative book...and this time I opted for "Super-Cute Felt" by Laura Howard. This book is full of adorable felt projects that made me ooh and ahh...in fact, I might have to purchase a copy for myself...

Lorrie had a bag full of fabulous gifts for Mary too...and it was so much fun to watch her open everything! Friendship Friday was good for the soul...and just what we all needed...now to schedule another Friday lunch for the near future...

Friendship Friday

This week has been full of deadlines and goals for me...and truth be told, I have been pretty much overwhelmed by my ever-growing Blue Ribbon Designs to-do list, household chores and yard work, and our two dogs. It seems my schedule is always full and I can't find the balance I so desperately need. Today, however, I took a break from the craziness and enjoyed "Friendship Friday"...a Friday where I meet two of my very dear girlfriends (Mary and Lorrie) for lunch and just relax for a couple hours...and today was made even more special, as we were celebrating Lorrie's birthday!  We met at one of our favorite restaurants "On The Border" for a little Mexican fiesta...we had fabulous food and spent some much needed time catching up  - conversing about our lives and families and everything in-between...and afterwards, Lorrie opened her birthday gifts.

I always have fun working on birthday gifts for my close friends...and although I usually sew and quilt many of my presents, this time I changed things up a bit. I decided to make Lorrie a little friendship photo album, with pictures from our recent road trips and outings. I used chipboard tags and covered them with pretty scrapbook papers and added the photos...using one of my favorite gadgets - a 5" Xyron Creative Station (OMG - I love this fancy little machine that makes pretty much anything adhesive)!  I also used a 1.5" Xyron Create-A-Sticker to adhere chipboard buttons, laces, trims, and rick rack. Yes, I adore these Xyron products...and wish I had more of their fabulous crafting supplies - do you hear me Xyron?? - I heart you (no affiliation, their stellar products just make my crafting life better)! It was so much fun printing out the photos and then working with my stash to decorate this fun friendship book...digging through ribbons, laces, trims, and buttons always brings me joy!

I also decided to stitch Lorrie a pendant. This from Milady's Needle, titled Quaker Pendants II - it is stitched over-one on 36-count fabric...and then I backed it with a piece of retired Blackbird Designs sampler fabric stabilized with fusible interfacing. This is the second one of these pendants I have made for a gift...I think I need to get an additional pendant, so I can finally make one for myself!

I also have to share this book with you - I purchased this book for Lorrie months ago, after we had a discussion on using vintage handkerchiefs in sewing projects. This lovely book has fabulous ideas for using those special antique hankies, laces, doilies, and ribbon you may be holding on to...

It was a lovely luncheon and we all commented on how we need to do it more often...in fact, I think every Friday should be "Friendship Friday"....

Tonight, after an evening walk, I am hoping to finish up the last set of needlework smalls for my upcoming new releases. I am getting ready to send out a large printing order and I am crossing my fingers I can get all the files and photography completed this weekend (or early next week). There are new designs on the way and I can't wait to share them with you!

Finally - I am truly touched by the AMAZING response I have received for "Red Rosies and Pink Posies" - the support, encouragement, and beautiful e-mails I have received are heartwarming. Your generosity is beyond compare - and I sincerely thank each and every beautiful soul who has made a donation and/or spread the word about this special design and my fundraising page for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day! I still have until November to meet and surpass my goal...and (for those of you who have asked) my special exclusive design for donors will be available until that time. Please continue to help me spread the word...and I will continue to train and work hard to make sure all my supporters proud!

On A Snowy Evening...

The predicted snow storm has definitely hit the Midwest and I am thankful I got all my "running" done beforehand. I moved Simba's grooming appointment up to first thing this morning (instead of this afternoon) - then filled up the Jeep with gas, visited the post office, ran a few errands, and got some last minute grocery shopping done while he was getting his bath and haircut. We arrived home in time to take a good cold walk before the heavy snow started to fall. I am happy to be at home, safe and warm...enjoying the snow from my studio window...

I wanted to take a moment and share couple creative things with you this evening, before heading to my stitching nest or sewing machine (I haven't decided yet). I received a lovely birthday package from my friend Lorrie this week - she delivered it at the perfect time, as the last couple weeks have been filled with challenges and I needed a little pick-me-up. I was excited to see she included one of her fabric bowls - Lorrie has been experimenting with making fabric bowls after receiving one as a gift (you can read about it/see photos on her blog: http://www.astitcherssnippets.blogspot.com/). I wasted no time in filling my bowl with trims and ribbons I am using for current projects and have it sitting on my sewing table. Several years ago, I was obsessed with making fabric bowls for gifts and found a couple wonderful books - perhaps I should see if Lorrie would like to borrow them....if you are interested in making bowls from fabric, check out "Fast, Fun & Easy Fabric Bowls" (2003) and "Fast, Fun & Easy Irresist-A-Bowls" (2005) both by Linda Johansen (C & T Publishing) and are still available. Each book has clear instructions for five reversible bowls - great for beginners with lovely color photographs, diagrams, and details...and wonderful ideas for materials, embellishments, and decorative stitches! (No affiliation, I just enjoy these books...)

The fabric bowl Lorrie gifted me - made from the Blackbird Designs Blueberry Crumb Cake Fabric Collection.

Lorrie spoiled me with other creative gifts as well - including a gorgeous heart fob with my cross stitched initial ("Heart To Heart" - By The Bay Needleart...heart pendant by Nunn Designs) - a BEAUTIFUL cookbook ("The Afternoon Tea Collection" - Metro Books) - along with recipe cards, and the cutest wrought iron bird card holder (see photo top right for detail)...there was even a fun magnetic owl "to-do" list pad and a unique wrought iron daisy. It was such a cheerful and heartfelt package from a very dear friend!

I'm thinking I may need to put the Afternoon Tea cookbook to good use during this storm...I already have a cup of black tea on my desk as I type this...and the recipes all sound scrumptious...perfect for a cold winter day!

Finally - I have been busy working on more items for the Blue Ribbon Designs Etsy Shop - more needlework pouches, stitch starter sleeves, and holiday pieces...there is quite an assortment for St. Patrick's Day...and last night I listed a few spring items...and more will be on the way...I have already cut multiple projects from some gorgeous sampler fabrics that are ready for assembly...but for now, here are some of my current/new listings...

To those of you in the winter storm path - stay safe and warm...

Buttons, Ribbons, and a Beautiful Book

As some of you know, I am celebrating a birthday this month...yep, another year older...and happily another year wiser. Yesterday I received a fun package from my mother and I had to share the contents with you....

If you follow my blog on a regular basis, then you know I am very interested in the Shaker culture, style, and gift drawings. I have a good selection of inspiring Shaker books in my possession...and a large list of books I would like to add to my collection. My mother, who works at her local public library, found a lovely book on Shaker Villages at a library book sale and picked it up for me (at an AMAZING price) - little did she know this book was one at the top of my wish list! It is called "Shaker Village Views" by Robert P. Emlen, and it focuses on all known Shaker village drawings...revealing their historical and artistic significance. This book focuses on maps and landscape drawings created by the Shakers to record their progress and to inform the spread-out communities about each other...they range from simplistic sketches to elaborate and colorful visual documents. This is a very well researched book and I found myself mesmerized as I took my first look through it last night - for those of you interested on the subject, this is a wonderful book to add to your collection.

She also included several fun little packages for me to open, as she knows how much I love pretty little presents. For those of you creative souls, I had to share this gift idea with you:
She found several cards of beautiful novelty buttons (cupcakes, sheep, flowers) - took them off their cards and put them in a clear Dritz Bobbin Box - each little button was in a bobbin compartment - I thought this was super cute and ingenious - a very fun way to combine and wrap a couple gifts for the sewing enthusiast! She also included several fun cards of ribbons - and an adorable roll of owl trim. I really liked all these embellishments and will be looking for creative ways to put them to good use...

I am still working on getting all my new design charts bagged...and still plugging away on a framed Halloween design for Just CrossStitch and the Halloween class piece for the New England Stitcher's Retreat. I going to do my best to find a little sewing time tomorrow (after all, it is the weekend) - a recent trip to the quilt shop found me purchasing a fun little collapsible box pattern and I really want to try it out. As usual, so many creative endeavors to explore and not enough hours in the day...

With Needle And Brush

In October 2010, while on a teaching trip for Stitcher's Hideaway, I was blessed to be able to visit the "With My Needle and Brush: Schoolgirl Embroidery from the Connecticut River Valley" exhibit on display at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, CT. This exhibition was on display from October 2, 2010 - January 30, 2011 (exhibit program seen right). The guest curators were Carol and Stephen Huber and their marvelous display included approximately seventy embroideries, watercolor sketches, and portraits - most were from private collections (rarely seen) - and all in excellent collection. I was in awe as I studied the various techniques and read the histories - the use of silk was incredible and I was quite surprised at many of the materials used. Although no photography was allowed in the exhibit halls, I still have a clear vision of many works in my head, as they were absolutely breathtaking.

At the time of the exhibit, I was able to pre-order the 112 page book that featured this amazing exhibit - With Needle and Brush: Schoolgirl Embroidery from the Connecticut River Valley, 1740-1840 by Carol and Stephen Huber, Susan P. Schoelwer, and Amy Kurtz Lansing (and this wonderful book was finally released in late October 2011). This is the first book to explore schoolgirl needlework of the Connecticut River Valley - identifying the distinctive styles developed by teachers and students at schools from New Hampshire to Long Island Sound. This gorgeous book contains 89 illustrations - 80 of which are in color - and is definitely a lovely complement to any sampler book collection. Each sampler plate contains detailed information and object entries by the Hubers, making this a wonderful historical research/reference book for those interested in historical needlework. I purchased the cloth hardcover edition, but there is a paper cover version available, as well.

For more information and details for purchasing this extraordinary book, visit the website of Stephen & Carol Huber...if you have an interest in historic needlework, then this brilliant reference will not let you down...it is a gorgeous representation of a phenomenal needlework exhibit.