Grab Buttons

Hooray!

Have you ever visited blogs with those great "grab buttons" on the sidebar? You know the ones where there's a great BOM or swap going on and you want to participate and "not" forget each month.... well, I've always wanted to learn how to place the buttons on my sidebar and actually tried many times and failed terribly.  The other day, my friend Betsy suggested that I try again what with my new BOM - Leafing Through The Year just starting.  I thought about it and decided to try again. I googled "how to....." and started my search.  Oh brother, did I mention that I'm very, very bad at understanding and following instructions.... very, very bad. After a frustrating hour of trying, I stumbled upon THIS LINK and was happy to discover that I had only to type in a few commands and widget in an HTML and TaDa...... my button appeared on my sidebar. This site makes it so easy, that even I can manage it.
I just had to share this with everyone because I know that there are a few of you who are just like me.... you know who you are!
A huge Thanks to Betsy. You lit a fire under me. Now, if that would just carry over to my sewing projects......  SMILES!
Happy BUTTON making!

When Nature Calls - BOM - Block #4

Block #4 is a fun and quick block. This outhouse has plenty of surface area to show off the great fabrics you choose.  Just in case I forget to place a link on my sidebar (happens more often than you'd think), I've placed one on this post!
One of my favorite fabrics was used in the second photo. Notice the sections of logs..... I just love that fabric. I don't remember where I bought it but I've used it a lot and only have about a quarter of a yard left.....
I'm sure that I'll fall in love with another fabric very soon..... LOL
Remember, these blocks are fun and easy and parts can be left off if you prefer. In the second photo, I didn't use the shovels and it looks just fine. So make the blocks your own.
Enjoy!!!

August - Lazy Hearts BOM

Yea, it's August already and my birthday month. I'm 56 years young. Anyway, enjoy the August Lazy Hearts BOM.  I've included my favorite little critters...... insects...... if you really know me, you know I really don't care for the little critters but they do jazz up the block.
Check out the sidebar for the instructions for #8 BOM.

When Nature Calls - Great Give-away - BOM Only

BOM coming very soon!

As I've mentioned before, I'm planning to do a BOM from my "When Nature Calls" and as I've read many comments from you all, I got a great idea to do a give-away from some of my favorite project fabrics.
I've chosen fifteen 9 1/2 inch squares for the give-away. The only thing is, this give-away is for the bloggers who are
thinking of or going to participate in
  When Nature Calls.
All you have to do is leave a comment stating that you will be participating or are really thinking about participating and your name goes in the hat!
I'm so excited about this project that I just might make another quilt myself...... maybe..... LOL
I will draw a name sometime next week.  The first block of "When Nature Calls" first block is almost ready to be published so these fabrics will come in handy, for sure.


Remember to mention in your comment that your are thinking about or definitely participating.
P/S  If you are a "FOLLOWER" you get 2 chances...... sssshhhhhhhh!

July - Lazy Hearts BOM

July's Lazy Heart is finally here.
The design is in PDF and on my sidebar for your convenience.
Enjoy and have a great 4th of July holiday!

June - "Lazy Hearts" BOM

June - "Lazy Hearts" Block of the Month is here a day early.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial weekend and ate your fill..... I sure did.

The design instructions are located on my Sidebar.

Enjoy!

Please, do not share my design with others but direct them to my blog so that they may download the design for themselves.

May - Lazy Hearts BOM

It's time for the next Lazy Hearts block.  Here's what May block looks like.
Remember to look for Block #5 on my sidebar.
Enjoy!

April - Lazy Hearts BOM

Oh boy.......look what time it is!!!!!  Here's the April BOM block alittle early!!! Enjoy this one.

Cindy and her daughter are participating in my BOM.
I love sharing what they've accomplished.  Isn't the red fabric they chose great!

March - "Lazy Hearts" BOM

February is almost over, can you believe that? I'm posting a little early with the March BOM. Remember to look for the instructions to this block on my Sidebar.
I'm still having Internet problems....so bare with me!

Take a look at what Cindy and her daughter have been up to.  Remember, they decided to not use the "Lettering" for the calendar look.

Here's the look with calendar lettering.

February Early - BOM

Is it February yet?

I couldn't wait....sorry....I'm posting BOM #2 a day early.

February's heart block is here!  Go to my sidebar for the instructions.  Remember, I'm still wrestling with the PDF thingy so before you cut your 8 1/4 inch square, check to see if the heart fits within.  If it doesn't....shrink it about 2 to 5%.
I really appreciate your participation and your feedback.

"Lazy Hearts" Block#1 Show & Tell

Cindy and her daughter, Lacy are participating in my BOM.  They have chosen to leave off the word "January" in their interpretation.  Here is their results....Looks great ladies!

Tomorrow's the big day for the next block so stay tuned.

No Worries

If you don't hear from me for awhile....don't worry. I'm off for a well needed retreat with my wacky girlfriends.  My plans are to relax, laugh and get a little machine embroidery, which I have been neglecting.  I'll be putting the final touches on the February "Lazy Hearts" BOM to be published Feb. 1st....... on my sidebar.
But I'm so excited about next month's BOM that I'll just go ahead and show it. 
As you can see, I'm holding the block up for you to.............wait a minute...........I think my tripod handle got loose and slipped alittle........sorry about that..........I guess we'd better wait until February for the viewing and instructions.

Put Down The.........

 See my new baby....it's the Kindle......my mom gave it to for me for Christmas.......OMG......I went crazy.....I mean absolutely C R A Z Z Z Z eeeeeeeeee........
Sewing......who needs to sew.........
Embroidery.....who needs to do machine embroidery when there's reading to be done!
I have had the hardest time putting the thing down........my girlfriend Kathy warned me but I didn't listen..........I needed help and quickly.  So I got out the old trusty timer, set it for 2 hours to read .......with the hopes of stopping when it rang off to do something else......like house cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, visiting with the little princesses.............Did it work, you ask?.........................
......................................Well...
......................................................hummmmm......
.................................................................................
....................................................................................YES!
.....................................................................................................I got busy!

I've been thinking about trying my hand at a BOM (Block of the Month).  It will give me a chance to practice my hand embroidery (I'm a true beginner). 
"Lazy Hearts" is a one year BOM project that is whimsical and a fun way to sharpen your skills.   If you'd like to join me, feel free!  I have placed a PDF (on my sidebar) for you to download ...... with all the instructions and patterns. Join the fun, why don't you.
My girlfriend Molly is hosting her second BOM......"Boot Bash"......make sure you check it out, as well.

Angel Whimsey

I've been working on this little project for several  months, thinking that if I ironed out the kinks....LOL.....I would make the parts for the angels into  PDFs to share with everyone.  I must admit, I am not that computer savvy.....usually it takes me forever to upload a movie let alone turn a doc. file into a PDF. 

I've been experiments with different stitches on my Janome....I was going for the feathery effect  when stitching down the angel parts, but I'm not sure I like the look.  It looks uneven or something....What do you think? I really need feedback.

Note the different shapes and colors of the wings and hair.

My thoughts ran in the direction of Angels of the Month with a splash

of attitude. I wanted each Angel to have her own personality.

I decided not to place faces on the Angels....thinking that I could use my imagination. I, also, varied the sleeves of each angel.  I did want some uniformity, thus the white robes and golden yellow halos.

Anyway, if anyone is interested in my angel designs and would like to take this journey with me, let me hear from you?

Your feedback is very important. 

Since I've been blogging, I've learned alot from everyone and appreciate all your help.

Mama Mia Apron Swap & Birdhouses Cont.

Lookie what I received in the mail yesterday!!!! This wonderful package is from my Secret Pal Dayna. None of us knew who had whose name, just the information. I love my apron, thank you Dayna. She also sent wooden serving spoons, a potholder, what I call a nothing book because it has blank pages to write notes in, a recipe book filled with yummy "brunch" goodies and a recipe for a cool summer drink - "Easy Strawberry Lemonade." I am nearly speechless. I love everything. Thanks again Dayna. And thanks to our hostess, Valerie. Great theme!!!!!

Well, someone lit a fire under me because I went into my sewing studio and got busy. I am now caught up on my Birdhouse BOTM......well, except for stitching them down but that comes in August. It is so much fun picking all the fabrics but I try to clean up and fold my fabrics immediately after cutting from the larger pieces or my sewing area would look like an explosion....hehehehehe!

Sssssssssssshhhhhhhhh! Today is my birthday. Mom said I arrived stubbornly around 4 AM one hot and muggy August morning.............yep, that sounds like something I'd do aright!

Birdhouses

I'm behind on my "Birdhouses" BOTM, among other things.............summer has just gotten in the way & that Little Princess, too. I did manage to get 2 done today.....just positioned and ironed down. I'll get the stitching done at retreat next month.

A Tisket, A Tasket #2

Here's the second BOTM from A Tisket/Tasket. Remember, I haven't stitched anything down other than the vines. I'm be working on all my stitching projects at our "wacky" retreat in a couple of weeks.

Bird House #3

Remember Naughty Molly, who discovered the Bird House BOTM link? Well, here's the third block. I know some of you are thinking.....#3, what's up with that? Well, for some reason, the month of January gave out 2 blocks. Starting tomorrow evening, each Monday, I will be featuring one of my favorite fabrics from my stash and will be asking your opinion on what to do with it, what colors that compliment it and sometimes, where can I get more........LOL..............Pop back in tomorrow and help me out.

Naughty Molly-BOTM

The title is apropos in honor of my good friend, Molly, who knows that I can't resist certain things like a BOTM challenge. I'm already involved in "2"! But thanks to Molly, I've now decided to take on another. The next time Molly e-mail's me, I am not going to open it........LOL...."Don't look Ethel"(private joke) This BOTM is really great because it has one theme which is Bird Houses. The houses come in two sizes for two different house per month. The site provides wonderful and clear instructions, as well. The year is young. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this!

A Tisket, A Tasket

This lovely little block (7 1/2" X 9 1/2") is another BOTM. Molly put us onto this one.

It went alot faster to put together. About an hour and a half tops. I used Steam-a-Seam adhesive, then satin stitched around everything. All I need to do now is put some embellishments where the leaves are but I can't make up my mind. The design called for a heart in the middle and buttons on either side.