Amazing

Take a look at this:http://realmenquilt.wordpress.com/
Absolutely breath taking.

Home again

Thank you to all who sent congratulations to Hollie on her graduation. It was a wonderful afternoon/evening. Refreshments and cool drinks in the afternoon, followed by the ceremony in the evening. In between was the job of loading the van with Hollies things from her room, just as well she decided to stay for the weekend for the celebrations as there just wasn't an inch of space left for her to sit. Wish I'd remembered to take a photo of the inside of the van.
So being the proud mum, I just had to share two photo's with you from the evening.

She's definitely extremely blessed, as she received a scholarship to Dallas Christian College, plus a grant for the four years she's at college which will cover her room and board.

We've spent the last two days moving things from the sewing room into the living room, (not my choice for the best sewing area). In between all the moving and shuffling I've managed to get a little stitching done. Yesterday I put the last stitches into the second apron for Jenna's birthday this year

This will be added to the reversible apron I made for her a few months ago.

Before I hit the bed last night I decided to see what I could do with the lovely check fabric that Tracey sent me a few months ago. So this is what I came up with, to be added with the aprons.
This will keep my hands busy for the next couple of nights, appliqueing them down in place.

Today, it's back to Luke's quilt, and I'm still thinking about the border for the embroidery quilt, so I haven't given up on that. Just have to stitch up some more blocks and start to put it all together so I can do the last of the embroidery.

Happy Stitching, and thank you for stopping by to visit with me.

Graduation Day, Winner, Books

I can't believe that I'm up so early, that's what power serge's will do for you, wake you up from a deep sleep. Before I forget, because my brain is mush at the moment I wanted to draw the winner from the Pass the Blessings post. I used a random number generator and it very kindly chose # 15 Janet. Janet if you could email me your postal details I can get the parcel into tomorrows post.
Thank you for telling me what your "can't do without" book is, there's many for me to check out. Along with the pincushion book that I showed previously these are what arrived in my mail box last week. The Quilter's Edge is one that has my interest, if I can find the time to sit down and read it. I tend to go with plain and boring, when it comes to borders, so I thought this book would be a good addition and perhaps open up the possibilities for different finishes. Bits and Pieces caught my eye when I saw it was "little" quilts, and the Fast Quilts, well it just looked good, and Sew Pretty Homestyle was one I've had on my wish list for some time. So those are my purchases and I'm hoping they'll keep me busy and provide plenty of inspiration.
Today is graduation day for Hollie, I spoke with her last night and she's just so excited about the idea of leaving Cookson Hills. It's been a long and sometimes hard road for her to walk, but even she will tell you that it's where she needed to be. If I didn't see the transformation with my own eyes, I wouldn't have thought it possible, but nothing is impossible for God. I can't believe that my baby is 18 and graduating high school and preparing for college. Anyway before I get too soppy I'll share the photo's of the gifts I made for her graduating friends. Hollie requested that I make them each a bag. I decided to add a covered note book to pop in the bag. The pattern is the desk deli, a very quick and easy pattern to follow and could easily be enlarged.
Before we head off to school we need to take this little bundle to the vet and leave her for an overnight stay, get dh's hair cut, pick up graduation cards and fill up with fuel.

Happy Stitching, and thank you for taking the time to stop and visit with me.

Pincushion Swap Update

Wow what a wonderful list of ladies from all across the globe. I managed to partner everyone up so that they would be posting to a different country. If you haven't already checked out the blogs in the sidebar, take a moment, there are some new to me blogs there and such a wealth of exceptionally talented women.
I decided to get you all matched up and emails sent before Hollie came home, as I have no idea whether I'll manage to get to use the pc *s* once she's home. All the emails have been sent, if you didn't receive yours please let me know so that I can re-send it. Remember to check your bulk or spam folder first.
Please remember that this is a Secret swap, so we don't want any slip of the keyboard. Please post photo's of your progress or ideas on your blogs (I'd love to be updated on your progress). Once you have your pincushion completed, please email me a photo so that I can set up a slide show once they have all been received. Remember that as everyone is posting overseas to mark your customs slip as a gift, with a low value so that your partner doesn't end up paying duty or tax on it upon receipt. Please email me once you have posted to your partner, so that I can let her know to expect a parcel.
We all know how generous quilters/stitchers are. If you would like to include an extra something in your parcel, that's great, but it is not expected.
Some things to remember when posting. The UK, Australia and the USA scan a majority of parcels to make sure the contents are safe, so if your pincushion calls for a stone, rice or beans to be included as a weight I would suggest that you become inventive with another choice or perhaps leave a small area open so that your partner can include this once it's been received.
If you need help or ideas please don't hesitate to ask, there is a wealth of information between all of us and I'm sure one of the swappers will be able to help.
The most important thing is to have fun.

Happy Stitching.

I'll be back later with a progress report on the graduation gifts.

Another Pincushion Swap Update

The swap is now closed, with a total of 50 stitcher's in less than 20 hours. You ladies rock....
As I only have what's left of today and tomorrow to finish up the stitching for Hollie's graduation gifts for her friends and to finish the house work, I'll work out your partners next week and email you details. I'll also do a post to let you know that the emails are on their way.
This weekend will be spent re-adjusting to having a teenager back in the house and enjoying having her home with us, after what seems like a very long two and a half years.

Happy Stitching

Pincushion Swap Update

Wow, what a terrific response. Already we have 44 swappers with room for 6 more, I'll be cutting it off at 50. Please, please when you leave a comment that you want to join in on the swap, please then send me an email with your postal details. As this is a secret swap I need these details to send to your partner and it saves me soooo much time to not have to request it from each person. I've had several non bloggers ask if they can join in. I absolutely hate saying no to people, (one of my shortcoming's) but in this instance I'm sorry I have to remain with the original guidelines, you need an active blog. But what a perfect opportunity for those that would like to swap to start a blog of their own. As the names and postal address's come in I'm adding your names to the side bar. If you've emailed me your details and you don't see your name, please let me know so I can rectify it.

Happy Stitching.

Pincushion Swap

This pretty little book arrived in my mail box last week, along with a few others, and after quickly flicking through it I thought a swap would be fun.

There's such a huge variety of pincushion patterns available now, either through books, purchased patterns or free patterns on the internet. I thought a pincushion swap would be fun, as it's not too labour intensive, not expensive to make, and oh so much fun to create.

Sign up by Saturday, June 7th. Once the names have been collected I'll match you up with your secret partner and email you the details. I'm going to open this up to international swappers, so you need to be willing to post overseas, you also need a blog so your partner can get some idea of what your taste is. Please make sure that your creation is something you'd be thrilled to receive. I'll make up a list on my sidebar of those joining in. If you sign up please follow through. Like Donna if you sign up and do not fulfil your swap I will name you publicly. Mail out to your partner will be July 7th. If you'd like to join in please email me, at lindaronne@yahoo.com with your postal details. This saves me from sending out individula emails requesting this information. Please feel free to spread the word to your blogging/stitching friends.
Happy Stitching.

Edit: If you have your email set at noreply, please make sure you email me privately with your email address and mailing details, at lindaronne@yahoo.com. It will save me a load of time, rather than finding your blog and leaving a message asking for this information.

Pass On The Blessings

Oh nuts!!! I'm sure that got your attention. Yesterdays mail brought a lovely parcel from Julia. She had a giveaway on her blog last week and my name was pulled out for the prize. When I first saw her giveaway, I thought it was a single pattern, until the mail arrived, only to find it was a lovely book with several patterns in it, along with a magazine and 6 lovely fat quarters and a box of peanut M&M's. Thanks so much Julia, shame my "sweetie" can't eat nuts....lol... oh darn I'll have to eat them.

I had great intentions of showing you my progress in this post, but as there hasn't been any, there's none to show. Actually there has been progress, but it's just been super slow and boring. Dressmaking isn't on the top of my list of fun things to do, but that's what I've been up to, trying to stitch some new clothes for church attendance. I've also been putting off the gifts that need to be made for next weeks graduation. I know what needs to be done, but I just don't feel the inclination at the moment. Sure do hope that creative spark reignites soon.

So instead I thought it was time to pass on some of the blessings that have come my way with a little g!veaway. I received this book not too long ago from an order I placed and decided I'd pass it on, brand new, probably more for the beginner quilter. Plus two patterns, one from BearPaws and Hollyhocks that was a mistake order, oops, and the other is a Rivendale Collection stitchery pattern, both of these are also new and unused.


So you know the drill, leave a comment telling me what your most can't do without quilting book is, with a valid ID or email address and I'll pop your name in the draw. Now if you'd like another chance at winning, then all you need to do is make a post about it on your blog and let me know you've done so. I'll draw the winner with a random number generator next Friday 23rd, probably after we return from Hollie's graduation.

Happy Stitching.

Summer Quilts

Well it's that time again. Time to sign up for the Four Seasons Quilt Swap, Summer quilt. I've had so much fun with the previous three, there's no way I'm going to miss out. If you're interested, now's the time to sign up while there are still available spaces.
I've been busy both in the sewing room and outdoors. The clean space didn't last too long, only a couple of days and I was back in there working on Luke's quilt. I have 4 more gifts to make for Hollie's class mates for graduation. Only six kids graduating, so that tells you a little on how small the school is.
Next week will see me moving all my stuff out of the sewing room, so that Hollie has a bedroom. Oh dear I'm not looking forward to that job or the mess I'm sure I'll create in the living room while she's home.
As I said I've also been outdoors, stripping furniture, getting it ready for a new coat of lacquer. In case you're wondering the rocking chair just needs it's new wicker put back in it and it'll be finished. Silly me, didn't order enough wicker, so I'll need to order some more.
I hope to be back in a couple of days with a little progress to show you. Plus if you've made it this far, congratulations, make sure you come back for the next post as I'll have a little g!veaway.

Happy Stitching.

That Mess

That mess is now cleaned up and organised. What a relief and what a difference. I can't stand to be surrounded by mess and it was just getting the better of me, so here we are all cleaned up.


Finally a cutting table that I can get to and use.

Still not sure where I'm going to put the roll of batting, but that's the least of my problems at the moment.
And a sewing table that isn't covered in weeks of mess.
Wow there actually was a bed under all that mess that was there yesterday. Each pile is a project in various stages. I have no idea what I'll do with these piles when Hollie comes home. Hopefully a couple of them will be gone, completed and out of the sewing room.
All those boxes and folders were on the floor waiting for me to finish painting the little table. The last coat was applied yesterday and by late afternoon was brought inside and put back where it belongs.
It's so nice to walk into a clean and tidy sewing room. I wonder how long it will last?

Happy Stitching.

Creative Mess, Fun Mail

I'll start with the fun stuff first and then move onto the mess. These three parcels arrived in the last two days.

Lovely fat quarters from Gudrun from a giveaway she had on her blog. Almost too pretty to use, but they will get used, just not sure in what just yet.

These scrumptious fat quarters came from Valori Wells from a lovely giveaway she had on her blog last week. I can see these being used for Jenna in birthday gifts, but you'll need to wait a while before you get to see any progress.

Lastly lovely nine patches and a fat quarter from Bren . Who doesn't enjoy nine patches? I never tire of them and Bren used such lovely fabrics( these are a part of a swap that Bren and I are doing together).
Now onto the first part of the title, Creative Mess. I still can't believe that I'm actually putting these photo's on here. I started my housework this afternoon and was making trips back and forth into the sewing room to put things away that had made their way into the living room during the week. I admit I have a bad habit of jut plopping things on either of the sewing tables, without putting them away properly. After several trips into the sewing room today, I just couldn't stand it any longer and decided it needed a good clean out. Plus Hollie will be home in a couple of weeks so I needed to organise better, so that when it comes time to move everything out of there it's not a giant chore.

I'm going to give you the before photo's, and I'll post later with the after photo's so that you know that I did actually clean up.

This table is the first thing you see when you walk into the sewing room, I use this as my cutting table. Although you'd never guess at the moment.

Under all this mess somewhere, is a bed, Hollie's bed to be exact.
I can't believe I've been sewing at this disaster area for the last couple of weeks.

To add to the problem, this was purchased on Saturday. 20 yards of batting. I couldn't pass on the special, 50 % off from Hancocks. If you're interested the sale runs until Thursday I think.
I'll be back later to show you what my clean sewing room can look like.

Happy Stitching...

Meeting Bloggers, Another Sneak Peek

Isn't this a sweet basket?
Last night was guild meeting, and Karen decided she'd like to come along and see what happens. She very kindly offered to pick me up (always appreciated as I still don't have a US license) and this lovely basket was given to me when I got in the car. Thank you Karen, it's adorable. How wonderful to be able to finally meet another blogger. I think Karen enjoyed the evening. We had a guest speaker who appraises depression era quilts, and of course she brought along a selection of quilts for us to oooooh and ahhhhh over. I just wish I had remembered to take the camera, there really were a couple of quilts worthy of a photo.

Now to the second part of the title. Yes the quilt is getting closer to being finished and the pattern is partly written, (currently being proof read). Yesterday I finished putting it together, and now it sits folded waiting for me to have a brainstorm for the borders......Hmmmm that may take some time, no, no, just kidding. I have ideas brewing, I just need to work out the math, which means it may be a phone call to Bren . Her ability with mathematics is much higher than mine.....
So I'll leave you with another peek at part of a block.

Happy Stitching, and thanks for all the words of encouragement on the new quilt venture.