February QAL Finish and Winners...

I finished my QAL piece for February for our group

at Sandy's Quilt Shop. I love the way it turned out!

 

Completed in Moda's French General fabrics, I also added vintage buttons...

 

 and even a little French General embroidered ribbon.

je t'aime...I love you...

perfect for my February mini quilt!

I'm looking forward to the design for March, and

I sure won't be dawdling on the next one!

It's time to announce the winners of my 1000th Post Giveaway!

 Winner of the First Giveaway Gift - Set of 6 napkins

 DAWN of The Feathered Nest

Winner of the Second Giveaway Set - Vintage linens assortment

MARY ANN of Handcrafted by Mary Ann Miller

Congratulations to both winners. I'll be sending out your gifts right away!

Thank you to everyone who entered. 

It won't be long before I celebrate THREE years of blogging -

with another giveaway, of course!

I hope you'll stay with me, so that we can continue this journey together.

Tuesdays With Tag - Heart Day...

Hi! It's me...Tag! 

Mom helped me find some pictures of hearts in nature. You know. Hearts that just happen without anyone making them. We went for a little walk to see if we could find any...

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She told me that these are strawberries and people eat them. I've never had a taste of one, but she says they're really good.

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 I like this one of a rock. I bet Kessie would try to eat it if she were still around to join us on our daily walks! (Yeah, and another trip to the vet for surgery, too!)

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 Even these leaves are curled into a heart shape!

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Mom showed me this picture of a little cow with a heart on its forehead, and then she had an "ah ha!" moment!

She said, "Hey, Tag (that's me!)! We don't have to look for any more hearts. Sometimes the happiest hearts are right before our very eyes. We just have to be open to seeing them."

I don't think I know what she means, but she giggled and said we had all the photos we'd need for today's post. I'm a good boy, so I'll believe her.

Happy Valentine's Day, everybody. 

'til next week...

"More Waggin' and Less Barkin'!"

Don't forget that Mom's 1000th Post Giveaway ends tonight! Hope you're all entered in the drawings. Mom says, "Good luck!"

Valentine Bluebirds...

I'm nearly finished with the February mini quilt for the Sandy's Quilt Shop QAL. You know how I adore the French General fabrics from Moda, so I decided to use that line for my interpretation of the design.

When I was at the shop on Saturday, they asked where my piece was. I replied, "It's not even February yet!" There was a lot of chortling and cajoling, to say nothing of the immediate correction I received. Sad, but I was serious! Seems I've been so busy with other things that, even though I've been writing "February" on everything, it hadn't really registered that it was time to make this month's piece. (Nothing like having a "senior moment" in front of God and everybody!)

When Tammy and I got back from the art show (photos later in the week), I immediately set to making my piece. All the fabrics were chosen, templates cut, fabric fused and attached to the background fabric before I went to bed Saturday night. I did the stitching, assembly and machine quilting Sunday before heading to a concert in the afternoon. I didn't want to waste any time finishing it!

This is the original piece as executed by the gal who designed it. (My sincere apologies that I don't know her name so that I can share it with you!)

When we receive our design sheets, we get to see the original - which I always photograph - along with shapes to make templates for the applique' pieces. (One 8 x 10" sheet of paper that's mostly white with a few elements drawn in.) We're left with quite a bit of leeway for decisions about color, placement - even the number of leaves to use in this one. I stuck pretty close to what the designer wanted, but chose to make my statement with the fabrics. I still have birds' eyes and flower centers to do and then I'll show you the entire piece, along with photos of finished minis from some of my other shop pals.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and another Tuesdays with Tag. We're working on a little something special for his post. In the meantime, if you'd like a little gift inspiration, perhaps you'll go over to Button Floozies blog where I left an idea. Of course it uses buttons, so don't be surprised!

Tomorrow is the last day to enter my 1000th Post Giveaway.  If you haven't entered yet, be sure to click here to drop your name in the hat. Drawing will close at 10:30 pm. I'll announce the winners on Wednesday. Good Luck!

February Blissfull ATC Swap - Alice in Wonderland...

What a perfect theme for our February Blissfull ATC Swap Group. It was "Alice in Wonderland". My partner was Celia of Adventures of the Striped Stocking. I knew right away what I wanted to do!

I grabbed some of my favorite Alice in Wonderland fabric and cut and stitched and glued until it looked just the way I wanted it to. I added a tiny bottle filled with sparkling beads, and attached it to a ribbon which I glued into the seam of the card. Then added a tiny note that said, "Drink me". My final touch was an old clock button I had in my box.

I put together an assortment of goodies for Celia, including a Moda charm pack (5" squares), snippets of Alice fabric, threads, tags, ribbon and pages of decals. I sure hope that she likes them!

Celia and I were exactly on the same wavelength!!! I'm telling you, it was uncanny. Look what she created for me! Nearly the same images, but she added type from the book, which I really love! And if you look at the edge trim from the front, it reminds you a little bit of rickrack, but...

look what I found when I turned her card over! Beautiful red hearts. Just like Alice's Queen of Hearts! It's clever and pretty!

When Celia's package arrived, I was surprised to see that it was a rather large padded envelope. Look what was inside. She included beaded trims, large pieces of two coordinated (and totally fabulous) fabrics and a pin wrapped in lace.

Thank you for such wonderful surprises to accompany my beautiful new atc, Celia. I love everything you sent to me! It was a grand swap, indeed.

Thanks also to Wendy at Blissfull ATC Swap blog. Her tireless work to organize our swaps does not go unnoticed. If you'd like to see the other cards, just click here to go to the list of links.

 I'm off to the quilt shop this morning, but today, I'm going with my friend, Tammy. After our coffee group, she and I will be heading to an art show in Sarasota. I think we're going to have a grand day, don't you? I'll try to get some pictures to share with you next week.

A reminder...If you haven't entered my 1000th Post Giveaway yet, be sure to click here to go to that post and drop your name in the proverbial hat. Gotta run!

Another Look...

I completed the set of six dinner napkins for my 1000th Post Giveaway over the weekend, and I really like the way they turned out.

Sweet little birds and flowers on one side and coordinating green polka dots on the reverse. Notice that I used a decorative stitch on the edge that mimics the little branches on the bird's tails. All six napkins will go to one lucky winner in the giveaway drawing.

I've also selected an assortment of vintage laces and buttons, and I've added some pretty, soft seam binding ribbons to the mix. All of this assortment will go to my second winner.

If you missed my giveaway, you can click here to go to the post where you can leave your comments for entries. Good luck, everyone!

Time For A Celebration Giveaway...

 I began writing my blog in March of 2009, and today marks my 1000th post! If anyone would have suggested that I would find such pleasure in my daily online "diary", I might have chuckled. Now, one thousand posts later, I can't imagine not keeping this web log!

I think one of the greatest gifts of this venture has been the people I've met along the way. My online friends, who in some cases I've been blessed to meet in person. People with whom I share my thoughts on a joyful and creative life. People who I have come to know and care for through their own blogs, or through their comments with me here. I'm grateful for all of you - and those words just never seem to carry enough import for how I really feel.

To thank my friends who regularly follow my blog, 

I'm going to celebrate with a  

1000th Post Giveaway! 

Small tokens to convey my gratitude.

Now, I have to confess that my plans were to post images of the things I would be offering in the giveaway, but I've been sick in bed with a stinkin' cold all week. I finally was able to spend half of my day upright today. So, instead, I'll tease you by telling you that I'm going to offer TWO different gifts. (You know me. I don't think I could celebrate with just one!)

Gift Number One 

Set of Six Dinner Napkins

 Double-sided and made by me from 100% cotton fabric
I've made these, but I'll make a set in your favorite color if you prefer.

Gift Number Two

Assortment of Vintage Treasures

Luscious laces, buttons and ribbons to use in your own creations.

It's easy to be included in the giveaway:

• Follow my blog (Let me know that you're a follower/friend and you'll get one entry)  
• PLEASE NOTE: Join my NEW Linky Friends List, TOO - above the Google Friends List (leave another comment and you'll have another entry!)
• Post my giveaway button on your sidebar and link back to this post (leave another comment and you'll have another entry)

I'll draw the winners on Valentine's Day - February 14th!

Good Luck!!!
UPDATE:  02/14/12 - 11:30 pm - DRAWING CLOSED.