1″ blocks, machine pieced and hand quilted, can’t remember what they’re called, another reform letter, and a snippet of lace. The words are taken from a song…I think.

One of this weeks goals it to try and get a pdf file put on my website for you to download a little holiday pattern. Need to do the project first, that’s easy, it’s the file for download part that I haven’t done before. Wish me luck. I’ll post a quick note when its up for you to try out and, hopefully, let me know that it works perfectly.

Happy Monday!

I found this in my email inbox.

I’m attaching a picture of my first creation because I read somewhere that you’d like to see what’s created . . . and I was thrilled with how my very first piece turned out!  The frame size is eight square inches, and lily of the valley is my favorite flower.  I was surprised at how the finished piece was completely different than what I originally planned.  I’m looking forward to creating my next piece!!!  THANK YOU for the inspiration and the incredible ideas.  Kimberly B.

Thank you Kimberly for letting me post this.

I like the cluster of buttons and embroidery.

And something I’ve been meaning to mention, have you noticed the avatars (little symbol by your name) in the comments that wordpress puts in if you don’t have your own? They remind me of quilt blocks…some real complicated designs. Each time you comment your avatar is the same, it remembers you.

Anyhow, have a nice weekend.

O still small voice of calm! Amen  Blocks are 1.5″

On today’s menu: finish listening to an audio book while sewing and then house cleaning of some sort. Hope your Monday is a nice one.

A few thrift store finds and Rebecca W.’s finished Market Tote! First a defiant little girl, I mean, look at that face! Can you say strong will? Egads.

More shoes, had to get them. (I do have a creative reason) Barb made me (yes, you did Barb, you know you did!) when she bought a metal/wood…shelf thing (sorry, not a good description) with cubby holes for her wool pieces. Has an advertisement on the back so she’ll have to display it so you can see all sides. Anyhow, I was caught up in the excitement and figured I would probably never see shoes like this again and would kick myself later if I didn’t…so, I did.

That last paragraph sounds like a justification doesn’t it? Hm, maybe it is. And now, Rebecca’s tote. Every one that I’ve seen is so different on the button crest/stencil side, a personal touch from the maker.

And the miniature quilted pocket side. Thanks Rebecca for letting me post this!

Have  an autumn weekend.

P. S. Thanks for all the comments on last Mondays post. Its nice to know there are other like minded souls out there! See ya Monday.

The left side looks pretty good but it all goes downhill from there as far as matching points…and yet, I still like it because of the parts I like. (sorry, the brain is still tired, but you know what I mean!) Overlooking the imperfection to see the good (the colors and they’re so tiny!) as opposed to being stuck on the imperfection and not seeing the good. I choose the former for my life. I’d miss so much if I didn’t.

Thought about this at Quilt Festival. It’s a juried show, perfection is required, the quilts are amazing. A friend talked about a quilt she saw that was perfect, each and every point matched, nothing cut off. But it was as ordinary in pattern and color as anyone would make. Then there’s my favorite quilt of all time, imperfections galore, applique stitches easily seen, blocks not straight. The exact same pattern, done the exact same way, in new fabrics would not have made it into the show. Why can they acknowledge the beauty when it’s old, in spite of the imperfections, but not if it’s new? Why the double standard? I don’t know.

Have a nice quiet and peaceful Monday.

• How’s that for a long title?
• We are home. Home sweet home. My own bed, the familiar daily routine. It’s great. The skies are blue here, the air cool  and I’m so ready for some down time. Puttering around doing this and that.

• The winner for the 2009 Quilt Festival bag is akageece@knology.net! Congrats! I’ll probably tuck in something else when I package it up.
• Below is the vintage grain sack that I finally scored. It has two of my initials, an unexpected treat. It’s real long, from the floor to my chin, so I’ll use the initials side for a table runner and I’m thinking of a tote from the other side. With miniatures added in my favorite quilt of all times manner. Wouldn’t that be cool?

• more treasures. I love old baby shoes for some reason.

• the latest publisher said no. Bummer. I think I’ll self publish again, the process of no takes too long for my patience.
• Ever participate in a cyber retreat? I did once, didn’t give it much hope for fun and was very pleasantly surprised at how much fun it really was. Look for that here next year.
• I’m thankful for Barb and Eddy, the gals who helped me do Quilt Festival in Houston. Without them it absolutely would not have happened. They’re hard workers, and never complained. Thanks you two, I do appreciate it.
•  You can see a small glimpse of Barb wearing one of her Quilt Festival finds here, it’s a shirt made from drapes found in Chicago. So-o-o pretty. Maybe I’ll get a better picture later so you can really see the fabric.
• Karen Burns sent me some great photos of a project she finished (she found a book with her last name on the cover in a beautiful font!) and I’m trying to get the photos out of the email but can’t seem to. Have done it many times before but this time I’m stumped for some reason. Really wanted to share them with you, I’ll keep trying.
• Finally, a thanks to all of you who stopped by my booth at Buggy Barn, Portland and Houston and let me know you enjoy this blog. Now I can envision a crowd of smiling gals who enjoy these miniature collages as much as I do when I sit here typing. Have a wonderful weekend.

Hello!! from…um, Barb, where are we? Beaver, Utah. We’re grazing our way home, confined to a vehicle with a sweet tooth is problematic. We have our audio books and Mike n Ikes (I could have gone the rest of my life not knowing I liked these Barb, thanks alot)

Finally a good internet connection. Here I am rearranging after dropping off Eddy at the airport. We stayed at an RV resort, where we rented a park model with 2 bedrooms, 3 beds, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen and small living room. And get this, for less than half what the hotel was charging (not including their $22 daily parking fee) We got to eat better and more cheaply. See the bag with the star? I picked up one for a lucky gal as a giveaway so leave a comment here or email me by the time I get home (Friday) and you’ll have a chance to win. If you’re subscribed to this blog you’re automatically entered in all giveaways.

One of Barb’s favorites…

One we both liked…

The quilted forest…

A sweet little antique…

Close up of another…

and another…

Change of subject…today we had wonderful weather (yesterday was rainy). We came upon Hoover Dam and had to go through a security checkpoint, with the van full we’re thinking “Oh great.” but it was no problem. There were people all over the place, they’re building a new bridge, a tall, huge and very high bridge. This was taken from the Dam.

And after we went over, a shot from below on the right side…

That’s way up there! There may or may not be a Friday Finds this week, depends on the internet connection. We’ll see. We’ll be back home Friday, all safe and sound.

Might as well leave you with some mini quilt art…

See ya later!

Just a real quick note while the internet here is working. We’re off this morning on the road home. More later today if the internet at the next place is better. See ya.

I think I may have found my most favorite quilt of all time. Haven’t actually seen it in person yet, Barb took these pictures but…be still my heart.

Have a most wonderful Friday…it is Friday today, isn’t it? Traveling makes it difficult to remember. See ya.

Just a quick note…we got in last night, that was Monday, so long ago it seems. Finish set up tomorrow and a public and private preview from 5pm – 10pm then on with the regular festival.

More later…