In A Happy Place

Beautiful butterfly spotted on an evening walk...

Hello friends - I've missed you! I was ready to sit down and write this post a few days ago, but the air conditioning in our home stopped working during a heatwave and the temperature in my studio loft was well above 90 degrees...so I really didn't want to use my computer or my sewing machine until it was fixed. I was thrilled to see the repairman yesterday afternoon and it was a quick fix (whew!)...it just took the rest of the day to get the house back to a normal temperature. I am thrilled to return to my studio today - back to business, and functioning without overheating! I have a pile of projects to catch-up on...including an assortment of needlework finishing pieces, a quilted wall hanging, and several custom sewing/quilting projects. I did manage to get some model stitching done the last couple days which was a great thing! The last few weeks have been business as usual - lots of creativity and custom/freelance work, lots of time in the gym, dogs walks, and household/yard projects - I've been in a happy place...keeping busy and focused and finding some personal clarity. Of course, I have been taking some photos along the way....

More custom zippered pouches for a customer...

More custom tool bag/zippered pouches for a customer...

My prize package from the AccuQuilt Quilt Block Contest...lots of goodies!
I also received a Craftsy Class (I chose a "quilt as you go" class) and
an AccuQuilt merchandise credit - which I used today to order some
Studio applique cutting dies (I'll show you which ones when they arrive).

Simba taking over my stitching chair...

Schatzi in the yard...

Schatzi at the park...

I'll be back tomorrow to share my latest magazine piece published in Just CrossStitch magazine...and maybe a photo of my current cross stitch model in progress....I am so excited to share a peek of this new design with you...we'll see how much progress I make tonight...

Saturday Snapshots

Here's just a glimpse at some of the things happening in my world...

My prize package arrived from Pellon...and it is wonderful...thank you to everyone
who voted for my entries in Nancy Zieman's pillow challenge...I can't wait to put
these fun supplies to good use!

I basted, quilted, and binded all four GO! Value Die Sampler Quilts....

....and all four got shipped off to their new home...

I added to my forest that was originally started in 2008...
And A Forest Grew by Rosewood Manor

I picked up these delicate fabrics on a little afternoon trip to the quilt shop
after lunch with my very dear friend...
Ambleside by Brenda Riddle Designs for Moda

The May/June issue of Quiltmaker Magazine arrived...and one of my
quilt designs is featured! More details in my next post...

My "Kites in Flight" quilt made it home after the photo shoot...

Schatzi and I on our favorite trail...

Miss Schatzi before she started to frolic in the lake...

Testing the waters...

Wishing you a joyous weekend, filled with things that make you happy!

Prize Package Pondering...

Have you visited the Therm O Web blog before??...well, it is one of my favorites. They are always posting fun tutorials and creative ideas...and yes, they have lots of great giveaways! If you haven't heard of Therm O Web - they are a prominent adhesive manufacturer in the craft and fabric markets...they produce quality iron-on adhesives for fabrics, along with an extensive line of adhesives for hobbies and scrapbooking. I have their blog saved in my reader and at least several times a week it inspires me. During December, they hosted a "12 Days of Giveaways" with some FABULOUS prizes...and (to my surprise) I just happened to be the big winner on day 10! My prize package arrived yesterday (it couldn't have come at a better time) and it included: a selection of four Thermo O Web HeatnBond® products, a fat quarter stack from Camelot Fabrics ("Naughty Puppies"), and some coordinating spools of Coats Threads (Paper Piecing Thread, Bold Hand Quilting Thread, and Embroidery Thread). Now to decide what to create with my new stash...any ideas???...