Don't hate me . . .

. . . cos I won this gorgeous box!!

Ahhh, look at these fabrics! And look at this neat snap on the front to close it!

I was the lucky winner in one of the SewMamaSew giveaways! And I wanted to show you this lovely box for stowing all my supplies. Now I can keep my "stuff" in the main room without being part of the "clutter."  (Grin)

Want to see the inside? Here, take a peek:

Oooh, look, a little cubby for thimble, or tiny scissors, or anything else you'd like to put there.

And it opens out to give you a cutting surface, see?

I didn't get a photo of it, but the cutting mat flips over one more time, and you have a sweet little design area; the batting will hold your fabric pieces in place. Ah! Here are two photos I snagged from Heather's shop:

I love, love the pincushion, and the tiny grid you see there is magnetized to hold pins and needles securely.

This lovely box was made by Heather -- she blogs here and has a Craftsy shop here called Heather's Sewing Room.  This is so. Well. Made.  I am serious. Look at the workmanship!

Be sure to stop by and see Heather if you'd like to have your own beautiful box for your hand-piecing, your hexagons, or your stitcheries . . .

It's a gorgeous way to have your handwork handy, but hidden!

Love,

My new happy place

I have a new addiction, er, pastime, and I blame Jenny for it!

Just look at what she made me do!

And this, too!

What about this one?

I just can't seem to stop!
Actually, I don't want to . . . I have plans for these little (just 3.5 inches) cuties! These are all free patterns from a lovely, talented lady: Jenny of Elefantz!

She graciously shares many sweet and unique stitchery patterns with all of us, over at her Craftsy pattern shop. Some are freebies, and some are for purchase, at very reasonable prices.

Jenny also has a stitchery club, and it's really calling my name . . . I just may need to go and sign up for it. (Grin)

Here is another that I've enjoyed working on:

I especially love the ones with Bible verses on them. I like the idea of carrying a journal with one of these sewn into the cover, or framing one to go beside a bed.
These keep me sane and happy in the evenings. I've never been much of a television or movie watcher (well, there are a few exceptions, like older Dr. Who episodes, and classic movies starring the like of Lionel Barrymore, Charles Coburn, or Una Merkel).
I enjoy stitching these and looking at the screen just enough to keep up with the story others are watching. (Wink)

Jenny shares tutorials, too, with tips to make stitcheries just perfect, and to incorporate finished lovelies into journal covers, tea towels, and more. (I was having a difficult time with curves until I checked out her backstitching tutorial. Now I'm pretty proud of how these  curves look!)

You can find her on Pinterest, and on Facebook, too, and I think you will like what you find -- why not hop over and see what she is up to today?
In fact, if you visit her blog, you will see an adorable quilt, "Sweet Tweet," and she is offering a free pdf pattern so you can make one of your own!
But I'm warning you, you might discover that you have a new addiction, er, pastime!

Love,

 

Welcome, Marcia, for a third year of sponsorship

Today we are welcoming a repeat sponsor for our August show! Put your paws together for Marcia, of Crafty Sewing and Quilting!

Marcia is a talented quilter-for-hire and a proud grandmamma! You can check out her site at this link, and see all of the extra-wide fabrics she can provide, as well as some gorgeous examples of her craftsmanship!

 

 

Drool alert!! Be careful . . . her photo gallery has some serious quilters' eye candy. You had better grab a towel or something to mop up that keyboard in front of you!  

In addition to her quilting services and extra-wide fabrics, Marcia designs and offers patterns, too!

 

And here are links to her quilting blog, and her cooking blog. I know you will enjoy getting to know Marcia.

She has posts on her blog that show you the process of choosing fabrics and creating a quilt, as well as the thought behind the quilting designs for the customers that entrust their lovely work to her. Marcia has so many varied interests, from her gardening to cooking, to upcycling and repurposing fabrics and apparel to new uses.

And she is a long-time Pet Show sponsor! This year is no different - Marcia is sponsoring again!

                                 (This is just one example of her great patterns!)
Three lucky winners in our August Pets on Quilts show will win one of her patterns!
Yay!
Thank you, Marcia, for being a sponsor of the Pet Show fun!

Hang in there; the fun begins in August! Are you snapping photos and getting ready?

Love,

Our first Pet Show sponsor!

We're getting ready for the big show! The Pets on Quilts Show, that is!

Today I have the honor of introducing our first sponsor! A dear friend of ours, and of many in blogland, please join me in putting your paws together in a round of "applawse" for Sharon Vrooman of Vrooman's Quilts!

Sharon's family heritage is deep in the Schoharie Valley.  I've peeked at the area on Wikipedia and that famous map place, too, and there are lots of interesting places to see.

Probably the most interesting to me would be Sharon's shop! (Grin) No, seriously, we do love our history here at the Lilypad, and that area of New York is packed with it!

Many of you know Sharon from her blog, where she reminds us to always be:

 

 

And she tells us to do this, too!

 

 

 

I love to see what she and the others create as part of the Let's Book It challenge!

 

 

 

If you would like to take a virtual tour of Quilt Lane you can click here. Vrooman's  Quilts sells quilts from minis to king size, bags and purses, pillows and home décor items.

Sharon always inspires me with the sheer volume of what she accomplishes....when she is "pedal to the metal" she is amazing!

 

Drum roll, please!

Sharon is sponsoring a wonderful prize for a lucky winner at the Show in August -- a layer cake of "Best in Show" by Kanvas for Benartex Fabrics!

 

 

 

 

 

Woot! Now that we have your attention with this great fabric from an awesome sponsor, it's time for you to get to work!

 

Get your furbabies to pose on your quilts! (If they are anything like mine, it's easy -- they are drawn to my quilts like they are magnets!)

 

Or, sew up a pet-themed quilt!

 

Either one will be a super entry in our August parade!

 

See you next time, with another wonderful sponsor!

 

Love,

 

 

 





Memorial Day - Lest we forget

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope that all of you that are in the United States enjoy the extra day off, the time with family and friends, and the good food and fun.

At the same time, I hope that you take a moment to honor those who are serving, and remember those who are fallen in the fight.

One way to bring this home to children and adults alike is to set a place at your festive table. Plate, utensils, glass, and all. Place a chair at the setting, but let no one be seated in that chair.

That empty chair at your table is a vivid way to remember that some gave all. Some didn't come home to loving arms, to festive occasions. They gave all they had. Their lives.

Perhaps you may not agree with me -- you may think it's too sad. But we've always thought it was a poignant reminder of why we celebrate today.

Today, the United States stands as a beacon of liberty and democratic strength before the community of nations. We are resolved to stand firm against those who would destroy the freedoms we cherish. We are determined to achieve an enduring peace -- a peace with liberty and with honor. This determination, this resolve, is the highest tribute we can pay to the many who have fallen in the service of our Nation.

 

The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden. And just as they whom we commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so too must we -- in a less final, less heroic way -- be willing to give of ourselves.

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We did not pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.

 

Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States

 



So, to all of my fellow-citizens, happy Memorial Day! Let us never forget -- and heartfelt thanks to all those who serve today!

Love,