I love it when a plan comes together . . .

Linking with Marcia's Minutes for Me Linky Party --- this is how I spent my minutes for me, this week! I had a great time sewing with some lovely fabrics! I hope that if you are hopping over here from the linky party, that you enjoy your visit!

With my tongue firmly planted in my cheek, I am quoting Hannibal on the old A-Team television show . . . anybody remember that one?!

I know that many of you are happy, as I am, when the newsletter from the Intrepid Thread hits your inbox. Those of you that are not sure what we are talking about, really need to hop over to Julie's place and sign up for the newsletter! She and her team have exciting projects in each issue.  Go ahead, click on that link and sign up, and we'll wait for you.

You're back? OK. Well, I had planned for a long time to make Sasha's Posey Wristlet, and had even pulled together the same fabulous fabrics that she used in her tutorial, from Lola's Poseys.  I had planned on making two, for two young ladies that I know and love. But did my plans happen on time? In a word, no!  They will receive their Christmas gifties a little late.

But I want to show you the uber-cute results here:

This picture is kinda dark, so we'll pretend that this is to show how nice the bag will be for some of the more formal occasions that they might take it to. Candlelight dinners, movie premieres, etc.

Here is a brighter shot that doesn't do much for the shape of the bag, but really lets the colors pop:

I think Sasha's fabric choices were inspired, and I stuck with them! If you would like to see her step by step tutorial, with lots of pictures for those of us that are visual learners (thanks, Sasha!), just sign up for the newsletter from Intrepid Thread . . . you can browse past issues, then, and click on the tutorial from there. Here is a link to a picture of Sasha's wristlet, on her blog.

Well, these will be wrapped and packed, and headed across the US soon.  I really DO love it when a plan comes together!

Love,

Soon to make their debut on OleFrogEyes . . .

Oh how I wish my photography skills were better! I have been diligently measuring and cutting the fabulous Butterscotch and Rose fat quarter bundle that I received from Joanne Figueroa of Fig Tree Designs . . . making my own 10 inch squares to use in her "Blossom" pattern. This photo just doesn't do them justice; they really are prettier than this!

I can't wait to start making blocks and uploading them to OleFrogEyes so that you can see them! Sigh. I have fourteen more to cut up. :)

Hope everyone has a super weekend!

Love,

Warning - Danger Ahead!

(At least for those of you on a fabric diet!)

(This post is now linked with Katherine's Corner and PhotoLifeSite, as part of the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop #17! These fabrics are definitely some of my favorite things! A warm welcome to any hoppers that stop by the Lilypad!)

Now, before I start, I'll tell you that I did NOT go off my use-fabric-from-my-stash resolution . . . these are actually my winnings from SewCalGal's lovely Christmas show! A mouth-watering array of fabric yumminess!

So, if you are on a fabric diet, you have been forewarned -- there is danger ahead! We'll give the faint of heart a moment to click away, and then we'll proceed . . .

Here's a scene to remind us of springtime (which I am hoping will come early this year) and give them time to scoot away:

Now! Are you ready? Here is the first bundle for you to admire --- the complete, twenty-eight (oh, be still my heart) piece collection of Sweet Pickins from Darlene Zimmerman's Clothesline Club . . .

Mr. Snoodles has already claimed rights to the quilt made from this loveliness! With names like "Screamin' Yellow Fruit Stripe," "Summer Fruit," and "Evening Spring Berry," how could I not snag this bundle?

I think I know what scrappy pattern I'll use for that, and I'll post my progress on OleFrogEyes for you to see!

Here is the second one that I fell for -- Pat Sloan's bundle, called "Simple Stitches." If this one makes your little heart go pitty-pat, it is still available (and on sale!) at our wonderful sponsor, the Fat Quarter Shop. Just click here. I am an enabler, aren't I? (Wink)

Nineteen fat quarters and a panel! Woot!

Here is the last item that I chose with my gift certificate --- just couldn't resist this jelly roll of Ready Set Snow:

Looks like I may have gotten the last one of those . . . I didn't seem them on FQS site any more. 

Hope all of you are having a great start to 2012 . . . we are planning for some guest posts soon from several uber-talented quilters, and in February we'll be guest posting again at Sew We Quilt, so stop back by as often as you can . . . there's always something fun happening at the Lilypad!

Today I am linking up with two linky parties: the fabulous Minutes for Me party hosted by Marcia, at this link: Minutes for Me. Marcia has an awesome idea for those tiny fabric scraps that you hate to let out of your hands --- share them as notecards!  (I figure this qualifies as minutes for me, cos I love playing with these and sketching my ideas into my notebook!)

And also the Rock and Share party at the Shady Porch --- lots of great ideas, there, too!

And one last note for those of you that like freebies (that's all of us, right?) . . . pass the word along, that when I get over 600 followers, I'll be having a giveaway!!

Love,

Better Late . . .

Here's a finish that I can show you! These were already given at Christmas, so I can show them to you now --- I got some nice plain dish towels and used some of my Java scraps to decorate them.

 Hmmmm, seeing the coffee beans there reminds me . . . I left my cuppa Joe over at the sewing machine. 'Scuse me, I'll be right back!

Love, 

PS  I hope that this year you will all be looking for opportunities for cute pictures of your pets on quilts --- Lilypadquilting is the new home of the Pets on Quilts Show! (Here is an announcement over at SewCalGal's blog.)  We'll be working toward a summer show, and be giving you updates in the coming months! Squee! Get those furbabies used to the camera! And if your pets won't cooperate, you can enter a pet-themed quilt! Stay tuned for the fun!

Don't ya love it when you've "got mail"??

I wanted to share several things that have come my way recently . . .

One is an adorable little stocking that was hanging on my tree in a place of honor this year --- Barbara over at Cat Patches blog created this cute stocking for her Pay It Forward giftie to me! I love it! The expression on the reindeer is really cute . . . kind of a "but-I-didn't-finish-off-the-eggnog-so-why-are-you-blaming-me" kind of look, don't you think?

I received this scrumptious charm pack of Ruby, and the wonderful Schnibbles pattern, too, from Miki over at Miki's Fabric Creations. Thank you, Miki! I have plans for those!

The wonderful grocery bag came my way from the Green Bag Lady blog. She and her volunteers do a mighty big job of making and distributing fabric bags to replace plastic ones for shopping. You should check it out at her blog! As part of the SewMamaSew giveaway day I received it and also the smaller produce bag that you see there. (Pay no attention to the sleepy kitty on the couch . . . no cats were harmed as a result of this blog post -- he went right back to sleep after the flash sparkles died away.)

Personally, I think shopping for groceries is way more fun with cloth bags to cheer me up, and the little produce bag is a truly inspired idea. I really hate those super-thin bags that you put okra, beans, and corn into, only to have them split and dump your goodies everywhere! I think I will make some more of these, and get rid of that problem all together!

The last lovely that I received is the beautiful Christmas tree ornament from Kelly at Live. Love. Create. blog. I really love the way she used so many different techniques on one project; there's a stamped sentiment, some applique, and then the extra bling puts it right over the top!  This one arrived too late to go on the tree, but you can bet it will be hanging there next Christmas, Kelly! Thanks so much!

Thanks to everyone who made my trips to the mailbox WAY more fun!

Love,