Golden Slumbers...

They're finished and "installed" in the Flying Cloud. I got the two quilts back from Kathy on Friday and I bound them over the weekend.

Flying Cloud quilt - Manly (Handsome's) is on the left and Flying Cloud quilt - Girly (mine) is on the right. Handsome's is 12" longer overall because he needed the extra length.
After I finished binding the quilts and they were ready to go to the "cottage", I realized that I needed coordinating pillow cases. I've made multiples of these, but they give you an idea of the main fabric, trim and borders I used for each pair.

These pillow cases are easy to make. I created six of them in about an hour and a half, so they're quick projects too. Sorry I didn't get photos of them on the pillows in the cottage. Let me know if you'd like a photo tutorial for the pillowcases.
One more view of the bedroom in our cottage. I wanted you to be able to see the difference on the borders, too. Handsome's (Manly) quilt is more musical and a little darker than mine. My (Girly) quilt has more flowers, but does have border and binding in the same music-themed fabric so that they "go together"...just like Handsome and I do! More cottage projects soon. I do have a question for my crafty pals out there. The photo above is from "Julry" on etsy (Here's her link) Do any of you have tutorials for safety pin button bracelets like this?

My friend, Natalie of Hungry Hippie has shared one, but Sharon of Corgis in my Garden has been looking for one that uses lots of buttons with shanks. Something on the order of the one in this photo. I told Sharon I would put the question out there and see what my readers might be able to share.
Finally, I want to remind you that my Second Blog Birthday giveaways end on the 31st. There's still time to enter. You can click on the giveaway button here to enter.

Thanks, always for visiting and leaving comments for me. Good luck to all who have already entered the drawing! See you again tomorrow.

A Present, The Puppy And Lots Of Points...

I was so surprised when my package arrived from my Victorian Cuff Swap partner, Natalie of HungryHippie blog. I have been reading her blog for some time, and she creates the most wonderful things. I can't believe that she sent me TWO cuffs!!!
One cuff is comprised of a handcrafted rose with crystals, chains, pearls and an openwork heart charm. It's soft, creamy, and feminine. It's gorgeous and fits me perfectly!
The second cuff (did I tell you she sent me TWO cuffs?) is going to be perfect for me when I wear my black outfits - and I have more than a few! The center is another handcrafted rose in black fabric, with a "witchy" cameo. (See her nose and chin?) It's so clever. The black lace looks like a spider web...
which is perfect when you see what she created for the closure...a beaded, spider-embellished button! She edged the cuff with yummy, black tulle. Gosh, they're fantastic, don't you think?
These are both of the cuffs in all their glory. Natalie is a talented seamstress, with a wonderful, creative eye. I'm so honored to have been her swap partner and have received TWO cuffs from her hands.

Please click here to visit her beautiful blog and compliment her fabulous work. Thank you so much, Natalie. I love them and they'll both get a lot of use from me. They're gorgeous!
This is the cuff I sent to Natalie. I started by sewing some of the special, beaded lace I have to the base fabric I used for the cuff. Then I sewed the center embellishment from a vintage pin in a beautiful, Gulf coast ocean blue. I hand stitched all the beads in the same color to add more color to the cuff, and then I sewed a vintage pearl button for a closure.
Here you can see my label and acorn peeking out from the back of the cuff. My work wouldn't be complete without an acorn stitched somewhere into the finished piece. I hope Natalie gets lots of use from this piece, and that she enjoys wearing it as much as I enjoyed making it.

I also tucked a few extras into her package. You can click here if you'd like to see her post about it.
I'll give you a short (hee hee) update on Fezzik today. Here's what the corgi did yesterday...

1. Went swimming in the pool with me (Right. NO photos). He was very brave and swims like a pro.
2. Went for a car ride to shop with Mom and Kes for his own collar, leash, a travel crate (a second one) and a bag of his own puppy food. He was very well-behaved and loves shopping with "the girls".
   
3. Went for his first walk on a leash. It went something like this: walk, surprise that he had a leash on, mini-freak, walk, repeat. Mostly, walked like a good boy and finished on a high note - which means he didn't freak at the end.
4. Took a nap...upside down.
5. Retrieved Kes' stuffed squirrel to Mom, who tossed it three different times after he brought it to her.
6. Beat up the stuffed squirrel. (He loves it!)
7. Had only one accident in the house, because Mom wasn't paying attention to him. Of course, she immediately cleaned it up, disinfected and apologized for not listening. It won't happen again because Mom isn't on the ball.

I'm so happy with him. Can you believe he slept quietly in his crate from midnight to 7:15 yesterday morning? I was thrilled!

In case you'd like to see more photos of Fezzik and Kes as they get accustomed to each other, you can click here for the newest Flickr album. Thanks for all the sweet, welcoming comments you've left for him. I'm trying to get around to answering all of you. It may take a little time, so please bear with me.
Here's what I did yesterday...

1. Woke up and let Kes and Fezzik out. Let them back in.
   
2. Walked 1 mile (dogless). It's a new routine I've added to my day. (2 miles day before yesterday, but shorter yesterday because my first walk left my legs a little sore.)
   
3. Fed the dogs.
4. Took the dogs to Pet Supermarket.
5. Let the dogs out and back in.
6. Sewed all the pieces to create the blocks for the 500th Post lap quilt.
7. Cut them into quarter triangles.
8. Repeat #5
   
9. Dinner with Handsome.
10. Took a little nap. (hmmm. Can you believe I was tired?)
    
11. Repeat #5
12. Played with the dogs.
13. Repeat #5
14. Wrote my blog post.
15. Lights out.
    

I can see that my concentration for a project will be a little off for a while. No worries. I'll still finish the lap quilts on time for the giveaway. Let's see if I can fine-tune the schedule today.

Loving Hartfield And The Vanilla Extract Winner...

I have this wonderful assortment of fabrics...yet another collection calling to me. I'm nearly finished adding the borders to the Love Birds Applique' quilt, and already, I'm itchy to start another.

Perhaps, I should find out if there is a vaccination for this affliction? I know it doesn't help to just lie down and hope that "it" goes away. The feeling never passes. I love sewing. I love creating quilts. I love the color play of fabrics. I could roll around in them all day. Well, maybe not roll. I'd have to refold everything...and get the dog hair off them...and rearrange the cabinets, color coordinated and all... No, I don't really mean roll, but you get the idea.
This is the pattern that came in the kit with all those gorgeous fabrics. I'm really loving Hartfield, the quilt. I know I'll have to add this project to my list. Gee. I guess I need to make a list. You know, a schedule so I know which one I'll be working on next. Would that be too...oh, I don't know...anal? Should I be more spontaneous? I guess I'll just try lying down again for a while. I'll let you know if it helps.

Time for me to reveal the name I drew for the Vanilla Extract.
The Winner of my Vanilla Extract Giveaway is...
#27
Natalie of Hungry Hippie
Congratulations, Natalie!
Your vanilla will be on its way next week!

I you haven't visited Natalie's blog before, you need to stop over and explore. I recently found out that Natalie is my partner in the Victorian Cuff Swap and I'm currently creating my cuff for her. She is a seamstress extraordinaire...and a pretty lass to boot! Click on her name above to stop in and say "hello".

My sister, Diana and I had contemplated putting a little of my vanilla into a small bottle for everyone who left a comment, but as the numbers grew, we knew it might get a little expensive to do. I really wish that I could have shared this with each and every one of you for leaving such kind and thoughtful messages for me. I hope you're all able to make a bit of your own vanilla from my tutorial, and that you might think of it as a gift from my heart to yours.