Some overdue updates

First off: LOOK AT THIS!!!!!!!!!

I received this beauty from Amy of Badskirt!!! Isn't it stunning! She used these Japanese prints and totally ran with what I love: birds and trees! I'm pleased as punch...I truly am! This was all apart of The Pillow Talk Swap - the best swap I have been in yet! Heather and Kerrie are superb organizers and I'm thrilled to be know and be involved with such a talented group. Next up will be the Urban Home Goods Swap - all partnered up...but still in the process of planning...

Update of Bee Blocks: This lovely is for Viv for March. I was a little tardy in getting it done because I have to admit, I was a little nervous to do this design. But overall it turned out awesome! I don't know if I would make a whole quilt out of these, because they are time consuming. You can find the tutorial here.

Just wanted to add a picture of my "Bubby"! He just had his first hair cut...doesn't he look handsome! It turns One Year this week...my baby's getting so big!

Pillow Swap Completed!

All ready to be wrapped and sent out West for the Pillow Swap Round 2! To who??? Just have to wait and see!

:) Kerry

Distractions & Another Swap Opportunity

Well it's been a few weeks since I've entered my sewing room....too many distractions....

One being this energetic fellow:



We (me and hubby) have fortunately had some days off together, and were able to go on a few hikes with the enthusiastic pup.

See the black dot in the center of his tongue?? I'm assuming it's a birth mark of some sort....

He was leading us on the snowshoe trail.

Other distractions: Getting my wisdom teeth pulled! I know I'm a little old for it...but that's cause I just kept putting it off...
I'm all puffed up like a chipmunk and am not able to open my jaw very much...

But as I'm whining about my teeth, my cousin had his little boy! A big 8lb 13oz bouncing baby! And we all know what that means:
GET THAT BABY QUILT FINISHED ASAP!

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CALLING ALL PURPLE/CHARM LOVERS

My sister roped me into joining this purple charm chain swap.
Basically, it's like a chain letter...
No money involved only fabric...2 - 6" squares of purple fabric sent to 5 people (total of 10 squares)!
If the chain works...you will receive 72 6" squares to make a charm quilt...or whatever you would like to make.
I need 4 more participants...
Basically...I send squares to the person on the top of my list..cross her off the list...add my name to the bottom...and send fabric along with the list to 4 others...with instructions on how to continue!
If you would like to participate, I need you to email me your mailing address (which will be seen by all the members of the chain that the letter gets sent to) to kerrycase [at] gmail [dot] com...
Again, only if you want to, and I understand if you don't.

New addiction perhaps?

Well, I'm beginning to love embroidery!!! Just another craft that I'm sure I will overindulge in.
Here's my progress so far on the bird pattern found here:

I've been using these two books as references for the stitches: Doodle Stitching, and Sublime Stitching. Both are very well informed and have pretty designs -Sublime Stitching has iron transfer patterns, so when you're ready to thread your needle, all you do is press and you're set to go. Doodle stitching has more intricate, involved patterns, that tell you which stitch to use where - but you do have to photocopy to the suggested size, so it requires a trip to the copy shop.

Also finished Kandra's block for MMSB. The tutorial can be found here.

I still have quite a to-do list with the pillow swap approaching, and other bee blocks, but unfortunately my life to-do list is overpowering my urge to quilt. So off to the mechanic I go, to try and resusitate my poor old Golf - I think the time is approaching to put it to rest - but don't tell it I said that....

Growth

Another attempt at embroidery!

I used to be terrified of embroidery - so initimated by those lovely, intricate designs. Well it's time to put the needle to the cloth and give it a go. I have completed two other projects using embroidery for quilt labels, but nothing too advanced. Lets see how complex I can get with this design...fingers crossed it works out well!

More growing happening on the string block quilt - thanks to all the lovely ladies in my Live Piecefully group for contributing these vibrant blocks!. I'm trialing different patterns...

Large endless diamond....

OR

A multitude of diamonds...

And more growth happening with my aerogarden. Unfortunately my basil never sprouted, but the thyme and oregano are growing like crazy! Almost time for harvesting! YUM!

Mail Goodness!!!

I LOVE MAIL!!!! Like I really do! And what a way to cheer me up, than to received these beautiful pieces!

Daria in BC sent me these lovely potholders for our Potholder Pass swap. How cute eh? (from a Canadian to a Canadian..hehe)

I think spring when I see this one...totally something to look forward to after this long snowy winter. Did I also mention I love birds...how fitting!

And a lovely Dresden plate. I haven't tried one of these yet, but it's on my to do list!

And I also wanted to show off the backing she choose. Love both these prints!

THANK-YOU DARIA from BC!!!

She was also so kind to send me a soft flannel wintry FQ, a soothing mocha candle, and an Olympic Vancouver 2010 lanyard (I'm so stoked for these upcoming Olympics!! They start in a week don't ya know?). I think I'll use it for my name badge at work while the Olympics are on - then use them for my scissors maybe.

Highs and Lows

Potholder Pass swap project: quilted...check! Awesome!

Potholder Pass swap project: Binding and complete....check! Sweet!

Saying goodbye to my Jackson...not so sweet! Our poor little "fatty" wasn't so fat anymore. Losing almost a third of this body weight, and constantly struggling with his digestive system, me and hubby decided to not let him suffer anymore. He joined our little family almost 10 years ago, as our first pet together, in our very first apartment. He was with us through many ups and downs, always as snuggly as ever, even up until the end. We're going to miss him dearly.

Love you Buddy!