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Friday, May 27, 2016

O'Kelley's Clovers


Oh my goodness...
I haven't got this posted.
Where is my brain?

A few months back my friend Amy over at Sew Incredibly Crazy
asked me to pattern test this little table topper for her.
Isn't it just too cute!

What a fast and fun little project, and perfect for the Irish in us all!


Playing with the quilting was half the fun.


There's just something about it that captivates me.
*****

Thanks Amy for all the fun!

You can read more about it 


and find the pattern in her Craftsy shop

Keep on Stitchin'




Friday, May 20, 2016

"Bloomin" Batik Bonanza

Have you been following "Bee in my Bonnet"s Bloom sew along?
You can find it right 
It was just so cute. I had been waiting and watching all the wonderful progress from other quilters...
Oh heck, I just couldn't put it off anymore.


Here's my version...
My "Bloomin Batik Bonanza".

I was really drawn to the script background that someone posted on Lori's blog. It got me to thinking about my stash! 
I didn't have enough for all 20 blocks.
But this makes for a nice wall hanging size.

"Sew"...what do you think?
I just love my "sew" background fabric, but best yet those Island Batik blooms really shine.


Oh, I cheated a bit.
Being the fusible applique queen that I am...
LOL!!


I love the looks of the overcast stitch around appliques.


 Yep...those batiks are just too yummy!


Sew, how does your garden grow?

That being said...it's time for me to head out and pull a few weeds!
Oh the joys of gardening.
Maybe that's why fabric gardens are so much more appealing to me!
;-)

 Keep on Stitchin'




Sunday, May 15, 2016

2016 Row by Row Experience



I've talked about it recently,
but when I walked into the shop and saw this...


All those "pieces and parts" cut and ready to be packaged.


It made it "seam" real!

It's only a little over a month away.
Whoo hoo!


My favorite shop even has their own license plate this year...


...just like this Facebook post shows!

I've talked about them before, but I want to mention again, that this shop is the greatest!  There are zillions of bolts of fabrics. So many that they won't all fit on the shelves.
It's a quilters bonanza...
and
PSSST: I've heard rumor that their $8 a yard prices 
(not including Minke or extra wide back backing)
will remain until they move into their new location next May.
Yes, that's another year of dynamite prices.
If a road trip is in your future, this is the place to trip to!
Did I mention that, that price includes all their batiks?
They have a ton of em, too!

As for me...I have no affiliation.
I just know great prices and great owners, when I see em!
...and they let me talk them into designing their row this year.
Oh, but I'm not biased!
tee hee

Let me know if your planning a trip this way, 
I'd love to meet you up there!
:-)

Keep on Stitchin'











Thursday, May 12, 2016

Art With Fabric Blog Hop


Art...now there's something I have absolutely no talent for.
I have no vision. I don't get that whole shading thing, and heaven knows,
if I draw it, no one has any idea, what the heck it is.


...so when Alida from Tweloquilting
asked if I'd like to participate in this hop, I said no.
She's a tough one...
She pulled that "getting out of your comfort zone" thing on me!

Well what the heck...
I've got nothing to loose, accept my dignity, right!

I surfed the net and tried to identify with an artist.
Not being one to ever really appreciate art at the museum, I found myself falling asleep.
I should be so ashamed!


But then I had a "eureka" moment.
Oh it's not with Leonardo DiVinci, or Vincent Van Gogh.
No Andy Warhol, but he was getting warmer anyway.

Nope the "art" I really connected with was an art that's been around for many many years, and has likely inspired more folks than all those other artists combined.

Cartoon Artists

You know as well as I do,  many kids can identify with a cartoon character by the time they are a year old.
There are TV shows, comic books and movies. We are saturated with cartoon art and much has become iconic.

Max Fleischer is my artist.
Does that name ring a bell?


If not, I know this has to!
:-)
Betty Boop

Did you know shes been around since 1930?
August 9th to be exact.
Max along with the help of Grim Natwick
created this iconic gal, who has weathered the years.
She is as popular today as she was in the early 1930's.
What I didn't know, was that in 1930, when she was created, 
she was a french poodle.
Two years later she took on the human look.
She was the first and most famous sex symbol, of the times.
A title that no doubly lives on today!
You see "Betty Boop" art everywhere. 


Here's my addition to "Art With Fabric".
Just a little tribute to the girl who's stolen so many hearts.

These are snap tape bags. 
I love these project bags.
They are perfect for carrying your projects and supplies.


I wrote a tutorial for these bags, a few years back.


It seems that I go back to it frequently.


These bags were made for the gals I went to 
a quilt retreat with.


I borrowed templates from Bee in my Bonnet's
"Bloom" quilt...


...to make these "Betty Bloom" bags!
:-)


In the interest of really trying to create art...
This little quiltie came to be.
Just traced her off my fabric and scan it into my computer. 
Then enlarged it and turned it into a fusible applique.
LOL!!!
So there you have it...my stab at "art".
 I can't draw worth doodle,  but I can at pretend!

While doing a little research for this post, I learned that in Feb,  an agreement for a 26 episode TV series was signed. 
It's in production right now, and is
 scheduled to premier in 2018, featuring none other than our infamous  BETTY BOOP!
I'm sure an entire new generation will fall in love with this gal,
all over again.

Oh how I want to be as timeless as she is!
:-)

If your interested in my tutorial for these bags,
you can find the tutorial right
This along with my other tutorials are listed 
on the right hand side of my blog.

I had to laugh when I looked over my tutorial written in 2010.
That bag is done in, 
Mary Engelbreit fabrics.
I really have been a long time fan, of comics!

A big thanks to Alida for this wonderful hop. It's helped me view "art" thru different eyes for sure.  I'm in awe of all the fabulous projects my fellow bloggers have shown. 

Here is the lineup in case you've missed any.
Give them all a little love, they deserve it!


Monday, May 9th, 2016




Tuesday, May 10th, 2016




Wednesday, May 11th, 2016





Thursday, May 12th, 2016




Friday, May 13th, 2016

My "art" goes out to you all!
:-)















Monday, May 9, 2016

Retreat Reflections 2016 Part 2

I shared a about our New York retreat, but I don't think I've ever mentioned that it's in Upstate New York, just outside of Elmira.

Having never been there until 3 years ago, I had no idea where or what it was.  To my delight, besides meeting great friends, I find that it's in the heart of wine country!  Whoo hoo. The Finger Lakes area is a great vacation area, that's full of wineries. (Micro-breweries and dairy's are popping up all over the place too)



Now really, could you want for anything more?
We drive thru this wonderful area on our way to the Mennonite
fabrics shops.



Miles and miles of vineyards!

All this being said, wine is a big part of our retreat.
We really should have taken pictures of all the empty wine bottles from the week. I'm sure we had the maids scratching their heads!

I've found my favorites to be
White Cat
I'm a sissy wine drinker. Light and sweet.
This one is "GREAT"!

But I have to say...




Glenora Wine has stolen my heart.
Peach, apple, raspberry, blueberry, pomegranate, cranberry...
Each one is like drinking the fresh fruit itself.
Dare I share that I have just placed a big order to be shipped here?
LOL!!
It was actually a much better deal to order online, than check a 
second bag at the airport. Besides they limit the amount of alcohol 
you can put on a plane!
So there you have it...
My dirty little secret is out!

But it wasn't all about the liquid joy!


We took a trip to Pucky Huddle in Candor NY.


The girls warned me that it was purple...
Oh, they did not lie!
I love the purple mobile home behind it too.
Me want's to live there when I grow up!
:-)


This little shop packs a BIG punch.
Every bolt in the shop has fat quarters and half yards cut too.
What a great way to be able to shop.


The aisle of trays,  was all sale fabrics.
"Score"
:-)


You have to just love their window treatments.
Every one of their windows were done in different fabric lines.
Fun place to shop.


These are views across the street and up the road from "Pucky".
It's pretty hard to miss the purple quilt shop!
:-)




All the gals from their quilt club met up with us the day we went to "Pucky", and after wards we drove to Owego for lunch.
Lousy photo, but what a cute old town.
We had so much fun. It was so nice to meet their quilt group.
Yep, I gotta move closer to them!


The week ended with a fabulous meal at Morietti's.


I couldn't settle for a "Filet Mignon" like the rest of them.
I had to order the "Ribeye".
Holy cow, I think I got the whole cow!
It has to be the best steak I ever attempted to eat.
Attempted, is the best way I can put it. 
It had to be at least 1 1/2-2 lbs, and was 2" thick.
I shared that night, and we took almost half home for 
Sharons hubby.
Now that's one meal!

Well, girls that wrapped up our week of fun, food and spirits, stitching, laughing and general silliness.
It all came to an end "way" too soon!
Til next time...