The mini that didn't get sent...

The Doll Quilt Swap was a wonderful experience- I must show you the amazing mini I got from my dear swap Mama!  It was such a great surprise and totally me!! That's for the next post... But the mini that my partner was not too hot about (Try #1) is something that I LOVE and IS totally me!  So I had to finish it :).  It measures 20 1/2" across and is circular!  I was brave and went for it- and am very pleased with how it turned out!  I was so stressed about the binding coming out wacky, but it is absolutely perfect- hip hip hooray!

 The design came completely from my brain and I didn't have any idea how I would make it come to life, but I did, and surprised myself. :)  It makes me happy on days like that. So here it is all done and ready to hang.  I call it Crazy Love!  It was my crazy idea and I love that I got it to happen!  And what's not to love about a spiraling rainbow??!!  

 I hand embroidered the rainbow spiral in the center hexie, and then quilted a billion pebbles all over it! It took for-ev-eh, but I love the look and texture of it and how it just blends into the quilt.  Just to give an idea of size, the small squares are 3/4". It was so fun to piece and get all the text going the right way in each section.  I'd love to make tons of these in all sorts of colors and designs- that is now on the never ending list of projects :)  For right now, I just look at this one and smile!

Quarter inch by quarter inch...

Bit by bit and little by little, the crazy design in my head is coming to life.  I thought I had drawn it to "scale" and was hoping so hard it would all fit together once I had each section pieced.  Ahhh, that would have been WAY too easy :).  Here are some during piecing progress photos...

Three squares, then four squares done... those little squares are 3/4 inch each.  The whole mini will measure about 18" square once it's done.

Then the "main" square pieced, now to lay it out...

 Got the layout, now to piece the main squares to the color next to it...

 Then I got it all situated and go figure, I was a hair off on each section for them to fit perfectly :).  But, thank goodness text fabric is forgiving, so I was able to tweak and add, and it flows together pretty seamlessly ;).  Although there is a seam...

 Now I just have to figure out how to get these sewn together at exactly the right spots!  My brain has another crazy idea, and I may just go with it - shooting from the hip seems to be holding up ok ;).  I really love how it is turning out and will have a hard time saying goodbye to this one.  It's been a really neat process to participate in (DQS13, that is).  So, on to my crazy idea- cross you fingers it works!!

DQS13 Progress...

After weeks of craziness, my original idea has been tediously drawn to scale.  I have been pretty nervous about seeing if I could get this to truly work "on paper", and I think I can!!  I think I can, I think I can... :)  Here it is all drawn out- it'll be 18" square once done.  It is so cool to come up with an idea in your brain, and follow it through- It'll be great to see it done!

 Then I started pulling colors, based on my partners likes, which were easy, considering they are the same as mine ;).  I decided to go with solids- all solids, because I like the look it gives.  I will gradient the colors from the center out, starting with a rich jewel tone in the center and end at the edges with a very pale pastel of each tone.  I am excited!  Here's what I have...

This week, I get to figure out how to piece it ;) hehe!!  So looking forward to seeing it come together more :)!!  Wish me luck-

TA-DA!!! C'est Fini!

This is how it all started...

After four weeks of craziness, our little project is ready to roll!  It has been a labor of love and SOOOOO much fun!  I can't imagine a more perfect get away for our family, and we are so excited to go and do and see in our mobile beach house :)

 The fish net and flip flop lights is still a favorite part, and we LOVE how the aqua polka dot home decor fabric was a perfect match for the exterior and interior colors!  The bunk above the couch has an awesome circular the-dye home decor print covering that mattress!  Such fun!  Just makes you smile and take a relaxing breath!  LOVE it!

 The double layer of curtains was a definite must!  It would have been "ok" with just one or the other, but having both just sets it all off perfectly!

 And what's clamping without some chevrons??!  And a magnet board to boot!  And a hanging lantern sunshine- a beach must have some sunny days :)

 The kitchen orange was just what we wanted and our accessories added to the joy!

 The floor- VCT checkerboard- one of my favorite parts!  And I did it all by my little self- woohoo!

 Full length of the couch- so cozy!

 Fun all around :)

The sign was from the thrift store- we turned some arrows around, painted it, and made our "favorites" directional sign.  Then the beaded lamp jumped in my cart at Hobby Lobby yesterday!  It was too perfect- we had to go to 6 stores, literally, to find the special bulb for it though ;).  But it was the finishing touch to make us smile, with the purple lantern lights too!  What a great combo!  

For us, it's just what we wanted- now for some serious camping fun!  

Closer, closer...

The curtains are DONE!!  The orange canvas curtains are to help keep the light out in the wee hours of the morning :).  I added a turquoise ricrac and then a deep lime green embroidery and sequin ribbon as trims.  The hot pink rope are the tie-ups- I love curtains that tool up and tie!  So cute! 

 I made and embroidered this beach definition pillow!  It'll be fun on the couch- once there are cushions again :)

 The dinette side- I went a bit crazy with fish net and flip flop lights!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!    We love the top cotton curtains too- beach huts, boats, and perfect fun for our trailer!

 Lastly, the FLOOR!!  I scoured the internet for a good checkerboard floor!  You would never believe how hard it is to find!  All the adhesive tiles are junk and it is nearly impossible to find a better quality "tile" in black and white!  I thought it would be the easiest part, but proved to be the most challenging- just searching for the right thing!  I finally scored with Home Depot- believe it or not, this is commercial flooring, like in schools.  I applied the adhesive and then went to work putting down each tile and measuring and cutting the itty bitty pieces for the non-12 inch spots!  But I could not be more thrilled with how it turned out, even though it is not perfect!  It is heavy duty, durable, and it looks stinkin' cute, so I am happy! 

Now back to the sewing machine- upholstery in progress :)!!

My new, OLD favorite chairs!

If you have ever been thrifting, you know what I am talking about when I say that you just *know* when you see something and it has to be yours!  The kind of "honey, go grab that man to put a SOLD tag on here while I guard them, QUICK!!" moment!  That's what it was like last week when I spotted these beauties!  They shouted across the store at me, and once I sat down, I almost freaked!  Not only are they the most cozy and wondermous chairs in the world, they ROCK!!!  Full blown rocking chairs- I can cuddle up and cover up in a handmade quilt- doesn't get any better than that! :)  They are the kind of chairs you sit in and could fall asleep!  Heaven!  I would love to recover them in a light gray color- Kona ash color would be perfect :)  We'll see how things go, AFTER I get the renovation done ;)!  And not too shabby for just 16 bucks each!  Sweet score!  Here they are, my find of the month:

A Special Treat

I have been busy working on a special treat for the next newsletter for  The Intrepid Thread.  Miss Julie is amazing and has wonderful contributors with projects for each newsletter.  Along with an awesome coupon each month :).  I was able to be one of the lucky people who gets to design a project and use her yummy fabric to make it a reality!  I am getting close to having it done and in process of working on the tutorial.  Just a few hints:  piecing, embroidery, appliqué, and cuteness!  I'll get some sneak peeks to you soon....  EEPPPP!   So fun!

Progress and TA-DA!!!

The past two weeks have been following our RV getting painted. It went from the BEFORE to THIS-- being sanded :)

Then this once it was primed and the stripe and top painted white :)

Then to this being painted the two colors :)

Then almost done- a few more things to touch up with this---

And then the big final TA-DA once it was DONE :) Yipee!! Now to find a day warm enough to paint the inside :) So fun, so fun!!

A Thrifing Chair

I love thrifting antiques that make my home more "cozy". My mom has a chair that I have always loved, and when I saw this:

I knew it would be close enough. It is an old rocker- so old, it leans back too far when you sit in it- how would you ever rock in this?? I am nervous I'll top over :) hehe! But I love how it looks in my front room.

It was covered in a gosh-awful print, from the 80's or 90's. I started ripping off layers of fabric, hoping to find a beautiful vintage print. I did, but it was so stained and soiled that washing would have torn it up. Drat! So, I got creative. I love corduroy and have an antique velvet chair in the same room this burnt rust color. I grabbed my matching corduroy, and since there was not a piece big enough, gave it a corduroy black strip for eye appeal. I really like how it turned out. And who can beat a free chair covering :) YAY!

Some Quilty Christmas Decorations

I LOVE Christmas and decorating!! You should see my house. Every room says "Christmas". There are nativity statues and displays and there are 5 large trees- from 6-12ft. So joyous!! As I have come to learn and love quilting so much, a few of the decorations now jump out at me. Here are two quilted that I appreciate even more:

And isn't this Santa so stinkin' ca-ute!! The same talented lady made them both, and they came out of her head (as far as I know)!! WOW! They really give the handmade sense of Christmas around here, and that's just how I like it :)!! Happy season to you all!

The Real Reason for Thanksgiving :)

Oh, I just LOVE this! It's Paul Harvey, who was incredible, and I could figure this out being pretty young at the time :). He has a "rest of the story" for the real reason of Thanksgiving. It's got nothing to do with Pilgrims and the Mayflower. Pretty much floored me and I really enjoyed it! Hope you do too!

Fair Warning!

Ok, here's your fair warning! DON'T GO NEAR JOANNS on a Saturday close to holiday time!

You'd think I would have learned my lesson last year on Black Friday! HA! But I figured that Thanksgiving ha not hit yet, so I should be ok. WRONG!! I just needed some interfacing for a handbag I want to try, and today was the 60% off coupon day. I was gonna buy a whole bolt :) Well, got there, took a number, and ran to the interfacing aisle. The bolt only had less than 2 yards on it- ugh! Then I stood in line for the cut counter and it took 20 minutes to go from #1 to #2- and there were FOUR people cutting!! Really! I was #35~! Uh, NO! There was no way- I will just have to wait on my interfering. I'll try during the day next week and see if I have any better luck! Here's hoping- and now you have been warned ;)

IT'S GIVEAWAY DAY!!!! YIPEE SKIPEE!!!

In honor of my Cutting Corners Course, Riley Blake told me I could give EVERYTHING I didn't use AWAY to Y-O-U!!!! And let me tell you, I wish I could win!!! :) There's a bunch of goodies here! I could hardly believe it when I opened the box! Here's the deets:

Some darling, and I mean DARLING, crochet strawberries- I'm tempted to keep these, but I will remain strong :) And some cherry red scalloped buttons!

Then some trims- beautiful grosgrain ribbon with green flowers on them, velvety ric-rac in the perfect aqua color! And precious green pom poms- the littler ones that are just too cute in any project!

And lastly, the FAT QUARTER SET of **DELIGHTED**!!!!! There is one FQ missing that I used for the front of the blanket set, and a few 6.5" pieces I used for the back and pillow, but other than that, it's all there!

I just can't contain myself! The colors in this line are dreamy perfect and the prints are more than wonderful! It makes me smile to just see it! I hope it will really make someone's day!

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment!!

Extra entries can be earned from:

1-following my blog (or telling me you already are a follower) and

2-getting the word out via twitter, blog, fb, what have you!

So 3 entries possible- yay!!!

Mr.Random Number Generator Man will draw us a number a week from today, on Wednesday the 23rd! Now wouldn't that be a fun Thanksgiving surprise??! Good luck and talk soon :)

Calendars

I am REALLY big on them- I like to write, not type, and I like to have it all in front of me :) You should see the calendar on my desk- it looks like a huge scribble there is so much written on it- trying to keep up with our Zoo and all :) And it stays at home- too big to carry. That can be hard to schedule things when my brain is on my desk at home! HA! But following Joy's (www.joyshope.com) recommendation, I just got an Erin Condren planner at a steal! They are normally $50- that's outta my budget, but today you can get a $50 gift certificate for $25! You also get a $5 rebate for signing up at the plum district. And then, if you use the code FABULOUS, you get another 10% off!! Seriously!! Add it all up, well, actually, subtract it, and the planner is only $17.50!! Woot! And if you don't like planners, they have awesome call me cards, address labels, ideas for dads, and all sorts of fun things! My kinda place :) So if you want to hurry over and grab your cerfiticate, I've heard these go fast... Enjoy :)

http://www.plumdistrict.com/three_for_free/da6a585264/click

Delighted, Seriously!!!

Yes, sir ree, bob!! I was able to be Delighted!, completely and wholey, this Wednesday! It was Amanda's (http://www.thequiltedfish.blogspot.com) Launch Party, and I got to help! It was a dream come true! These ladies felt like coming home to kindred spirits- they all wrapped their arms around me and took me in. I asked questions and they got to know me too. I told Miss Amanda my dream and she told me to "Do it!" Not an ounce of hesitation or doubt in her voice! I wish her voice was in my head- well, now it is! I have that memory, and it will stay strong! She is a marvelous example of following your dreams and making beautiful things that brighten the lives of so many!!
Every table and window seat was decorated to the hilt! If I could decorate my house this way, I'd be in heaven everyday! All these boys around here would pass out though- teehee! It was so very ME and so very gorgeous! I love her style, the way she makes things feel, and the vintage-y goodness that was there!

This was the old timey candy tables- real live pulled taffy, in colors matching Delighted!, of course!! :) Other treats, and even a wroght iron ferris wheel with little seat cushions made from different Delighted prints! Ouuuuuu!!!

This is the window seat I got to decorate! She told me to make a "picnic", so I did! The old soda bottles she found were the perfect addition to the basket, blanket, flowers, and Delighted!! We had just gotten everything set up when the sun started setting. The light came in the room like in this photo, and it was truly magical! The whole room was full of sunbeams and just glowed! Definitely pure inspiration!! :)

Another window of fun! Miss Amanda appliqued this pick up truck with her fabrics and I fell in love with it! Such stinkin' cute-ness :)

The room from one doorway- you can barely see the row of large pom poms we hung from the ceiling and had huge bows at each swag! It was perfect! I couldn't have imagined more fabulous decorations- It made the evening a dream! So many people came and visited and enjoyed! There were incredible foods, a photo booth :), make and takes that were beyond cute!, necklace designers, fabric giveaways, and so much more!! My Mama came with me- I told her she had to come and see what my fabric craze is about!! It was so fun to have her "see" what my quilting side is like :). Thank you Miss Amanda for letting me help- it was an honor and priviledge! I am grateful to call these ladies friends- and hope to hang with them much more in the future!! So, the moral of the story is, Delighted! Everything about this fabric is wonderful, starting with the lady who designed it!! Grab some up quick- and make something beautiful- it will make someone smile :)

My Find of the YEAR!

It started off as a regular thriftin day for me- a few cardigans and then a couple of pretty yellow pillowcases :) I must say that these yellows were extra bright and I love daisies, so they were happy finds- but hang on...

Then I found a matching sheet and two others that were also very pretty. I tend to go more with the bright, happy colors, not the more dull or "browner" colors. It's just what I am drawn to naturally. They make for happy quilts though :)
But then, as I came down the last rack of sheets, I almost fell in the floor. I saw the brightest, happiest colors ever. I had to check the tag, just to verify that it was vintage- I could hardly believe my eyes! This is so ME!! And I would have never dreamed of a sheet so wonderful in a billion years! I can imagine the little girl who would have loved it years and years ago! It was just WOW!! As I was ouuuu-ing and ahhh-ing over it, my eyes glanced up and saw ANOTHER identical sheet a few down! OH MY GOODNESS! REALLY??!!?? What a day! I grabbed them both and almost ran to the checkout to make sure no one swiped them out of my cart! :) I played it cool and casually walked to the checkout, but as I left the store I was humming a happy tune :)!! Here's one of them haning on my deck (that's half of it).

Here's some close-ups so you can see all the amazing details! It's seriously incredible! Maybe it's just me, but I am soooooooooo excited to cut up the big "scenes" and make the most slendifierous quilt from these! Oh, I can hardly wait (they are washing right now)!

A darling red head and her sweet purple deer- bunny and butterfly on the sidelines :) And love the koala in the tree :)

Look at all these animals!! EEEPPPPPP!! And even a couple of mushrooms too :) I still can't believe how cool it is- oh, the story it will tell in a quilt :)

Then this precious little boy blue and little girl- more animals (a snail even!)! The cuteness is killing me :) So fun! Carrots for the bunny too- even a turtle! A bird, clowers, racoon, and more!!

The trees, plants, the big deer, oh wow! The bluebird- just everything is so darn cute!

And lastly, this sweet little girl- she almost reminds me of Holly Hobby :) Love the frog behind her- sitting on his toadstool- see, cuteness all around!

Maybe I'm nuts, and that's ok, but I think this is my find of the year! It made my day and I am so excited to tell such a fun story with this print! What fun!!